September 1st Is One of My Most FAVORITE Days

Because today is the very special day that God gave this world Michelle. He had her life already picked out before time began and He created her at the moment of conception....but today is the most fabulous celebration of her world-life beginning! I love today with all my heart because she is truly one of the greatest loves of my life! My life would not be as wonderful as it is without her in it! God has used her to change me and grow me to be more like Him!

So Michelle...I know you are trying to ignore today....but I can't because I am so grateful that the Lord created today and that it was His PERFECT timing and plan to have you here!!!! So many people's lives have been changed by you (Devin, Finley, Mine, and even Ken's...just to name a FEW). I love you with all my heart, sister!

36 Days And Counting!

I have really taken a break from blogging this summer. At first it wasn't intentional, but as the summer went along, I just realized that blogging wasn't a priority. Balancing work, wedding planning (in a different city than the event), spending time with Ken, spending time with friends and family, living in two places, trying to sell my house, trips, and just all things life have taken my time away from my blog. This will probably be my last post before I'm married :) but then I will be back. I actually miss it a little. So once this little shin-dig is over...I plan to blog about my summer, the wedding, and post lots of pictures!!!

So, what's going on right now? I have two showers this weekend. I had my first last weekend in Tulsa. It was a bit overwhelming!!! Meeting new people, seeing people that I haven't seen in YEARS, and trying to catch up with friends...on top of opening presents from all of these sweet people wanting to celebrate with you! It was fun and very humbling! I've been on the other side so many times and I love being able give gifts and enjoy each bride's excitement. However, being the bride brings about a new humility! I can so easily give grace to others, but I have a very hard time accepting it! Seeing how generous everyone is and seeing their excitement for us and realizing how many people have been praying for me....its completely overwhelming! There is nothing else to do except to praise my Lord! He is the giver of ALL things! I am understanding now, more than ever, how wonderful my family is...what amazing friends God has given us...and how much love people share. There is no way that Ken and I could fill our house with such beautiful things....but what makes this even better is that whenever we pull something out, we think of that special person who made it possible for us to have...great dishes, a domed cake stand, a rice cooker, a waffle maker, a lamp, bedding, towels, popcorn popper, homemade outdoor furniture, our engagement picture framed and reminding us Who we belong to, a book full of friends and family sharing their Christmas stories (my personal favorite), and the list just goes on and on. Humility! I wish I could express our gratitude for all that people are doing for us. All we can say is, THANK YOU!!! From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU!

Football season starts next Saturday! I am PUMPED!!! Our opening game is against Georgia!!! I SO hope they bring a REAL bulldog!!!!! :) I will be there at 2:30pm for one of our biggest games of the season....looking for the bulldog! And then cheering for the COWBOYS!!!! By the time summer gets here, I am so ready for football season...and this year is no different. I am a little worried at how high we are ranked in the polls. I am hoping we live up to they hype! We have a home game every single weekend in September! CRAZY!!!! But, after every single one of these home games, on our first off weekend.....there will be a wedding...MINE! :)

The house still hasn't sold, I'm still living in two places, still planning a wedding, and still working out life as it comes....but the days are narrowing to a day I've looked forward to for a long time! In 36 days, I finally get to marry the man of my dreams!

Finally...

And, here are the last of the engagement pictures!

I'M GETTING MARRIED!!!

I'm having one of those nights where its really hitting me that I'm getting married! Its so crazy...I've been planning the wedding for a little over 2 mon ths and only when I stop and just take it all in does it really hit me. Its such a mix of emotions....I am SO excited!!!! I can't believe its finally happening....but at the same time, its so natural that its really not so unbelievable. Its humbling to see God moving...and where He's brought me. Its relieving to remember where I was last year at this time....that I'm not still there. And, it makes me cry to think about how blessed I am to have Ken in my life. I love him more that I can say and that love continues to build every day. I'm excited that we strive to have a godly relationship and, soon to be, marriage. I'm excited that we hold to the same beliefs. I'm excited that we appreciate each other. I'm excited that in less than 100 days I get to live with my best friend! I'm excited that we are getting to have this incredible celebration with our friends and family. I'm excited to see where God leads us and how He uses us for His glory. I'm excited that Ken loves me as much as he does. I'm excited that I get to love him back. I'm excited that we get to share this life together. Its more humbling than I could have ever imagined. I've waited on God's perfect timing....sometimes not so patiently and sometimes not so obediently....but I waited on Him to bring His best for me! It was better than I could have ever imagined. It was better than what I would have picked for myself. Ken is amazing! He is gentle, he is funny, he is kind, he is loving, he is incredibly smart, he is a believer, he is strong, he is determined, he is great at his job...his calling, and he is perfect for me!

I love you baby!!! Less than 100 days!!!!

More Engagement Pictures!!!

We finally got our engagement pictures back...and they are WONDERFUL!!! We couldn't find one we didn't like. :) Here are a few more to add to this post. For some reason, its taking a VERY long time to upload my pictures tonight....and I am ready for bed. So, I will post more later!

A Picture Blog

Well, I never blogged about Ken and I's trip to Texas. We went the last weekend of March to spend time with Ma. She had been diagnosed with cancer at the end of Feb/early March. It was already stage 4 and they were giving her 4 months. I wanted Ken to meet her. I was hoping (kind of) that she would make it to the wedding. I say "kind of" because I know she had to be miserable...she couldn't eat anymore and was only being fed with a tube. I hated it for her. She also told me that she was ready to see my grandpa. I didn't want her to suffer anymore...and God thankfully took her at the beginning of May. Her passing was much harder on me than I thought it was going to be. She was wonderful and I love her! Ken and I had a great time with her...and I think she enjoyed us being there. I will miss her terribly!

This picture was taken in the drive-thru of Dairy Queen...our FOURTH trip to dairy queen since we entered the GREAT state of TEXAS!!!! Ken and I have decided that we are going to move to a small town in Texas and live on a huge ranch! :)

At the beach in Texas....while everyone in Oklahoma was suffering a terrible snow storm. Too bad we missed it.

We detoured through Aggie-Land! Neither of us had ever been to A&M and we decided it was time. We just walked around campus, saw my cousin, Hannah, and were even able to walk out onto their football field! It was BEAUTIFUL! I mean, I still completely bleed orange, but we both loved A&M.

And the blue-bonnets were AMAZING!!! So much so, that Ken has planted them all around the house...I can't wait to see if they bloom next year! LOVE THEM!

One of my best friends from college, Melissa, is having a baby this summer! She had a shower in Tulsa...she lives in Tampa, FL and it was so good to see her.

And, another one of my college friends Jacquelyn was there too. She and her family have just moved from Ft. Worth back to TULSA!!! YAY!!!!

RUGER'S BIRTHDAY!!!!!! YAY!!!! He turned the 4-years-old this year. And, as usual, Aunt Michelle came bearing gifts! Bride and groom stuffed toys.

He really loved them!!!! :) And now they are destroyed. He can't stand the squeakers inside...so he rips them to shreds until they don't make noise anymore.

My dad's sisters, Donna and Dayna, decided to give my grandmother's wedding ring to me. I couldn't believe it. They said they thought Ma would want me to have it. It still brings me to tears. I am so humbled and blessed to have it. Ken and I are going to take it and make it a wedding band for me. Check back...I'll post pictures once its done!

Dinner with mom and dad at Kilkenny's in Tulsa...YUM!!!!

FINLEY!!!!! She was having a blast with Ruger and Lexis. Michelle and her came to Stillwater to pick me up and we all headed to Tulsa. We had cake testing and flower meetings for the wedding. We had a lot of fun!!! Michelle or my mom have more pictures of the day...it was fun because my mom and her best friend, Millie, went too. It was a great girl's day.

My best friend and me!!! We always seem to skip taking pictures of JUST the two of us. We finally got one....and its great! :)

My Baby's new toy!!!! The old tractor broke down...so what better reason to get his FIRST JOHN DEERE???? He's so cute!

And, here is his wedding present from me!!!! I know its not very sentimental, but its us! We needed a place to keep the new tractor....and all my stuff!!!!

Our second wedding present! My mom, dad, Ken and I went to William Sanoma to "learn" about espresso machines. Dad and I wandered around....my registering and dad helping....while mom and Ken learned all about their love for espresso. Mom figured out this was Ken's favorite. When Ken and I got in the car....there it was!!! He makes FANTASTIC lattes!!!!

And, OUR FIRST wedding present. My grandma Lavalle found out we needed a new stove/oven and she graciously bought one for us! I LOVE IT!!!! I'm so excited. We ordered it and Ken put it in himself....I helped a little. It's fabulous!!!! I've been over to cook a few times on it....SO amazing!!! Our last one was almost completely shot. It was frustrating to cook.

So many new things! I can't wait to get married and move into the same house and get to use all the new toys. BUT, I really can't wait to be this man's wife!!!! :)

Less than FOUR months to go!!!!!

Engagement Pictures

Here are two of our engagment pictures!!! They turned out GREAT! :) Our photographer, Sarah, did an amazing job and we just loved her. We hope that she is who Storybook Wedding schedules to work our wedding! Click on their links to see their amazing photography!