Week.

The past week has been a good one. Thursday morning Matthew & I got up & went on a walk to the park so we could swing. I would be okay if the first house we move into has a swing set just for me. Friday we both worked then went to eat dinner over at Matthews parents house. We have enjoyed hanging out with them so much. It really is a bitter-sweet move. It's going to be sad when they are not just a drive away. After dinner we went swimming. Night swimming is one of the only positive things about the southern summer heat. One of the negatives is that it messes with my sinuses. My allergies started acting up late last night so I woke up this morning feeling a little rough. Allergies ruin everything.
Matthew has to work at a skateboard contest today and I now have a certain Avril Lavigne song stuck in my head from 9th grade. I am hoping it doesn't last all day. Before he took off we had a Panera date this morning. For the record, I like him a whole bunch. Going on dates with him is fun even if they are at 8am on a Saturday.
In other news: 1.) I've been playing Tetris quite a bit the past few weeks.. ya know the geometric shape game from the 80's? I'm to level 13 out of 15. I'm pretty pumped. 2.) We still do not have a place to live but are just going with it. We won't be homeless. 3.) Tomorrow night we leave for Austin. We have about five days worth of things we want to do & will be doing it all in less than two days. Let's just say we are more than excited. Only thing we are not excited about is the fact that it will be 102 degrees while we are there. Hellooo summertime.

News.

Guess what!? We have some news... 

it's not a baby... 

and we are not buying a home.. BUT.. 

WE ARE MOVING!!!

From Texas to Tennessee! It's all happening super quickly.. but we a very excited! We have 3 weeks to find a house, find me a job, and be out of our apartment. Yippee! Keep us in your prayers :)

Bluebonnets.

Once again the Lord answered my prayer and I got off from work early. The rest of the evening I am going to spend online looking (not shopping), Skype with my parents, make phone calls to my long lost friends, & daydream about the weekend.
Speaking of online looking.. I saw one of these dresses from Delia's on another blog & decided to go to their website. I have never bought anything from there but I was thoroughly impressed with some of the dresses they have. Wouldn't one of these be perfect for a little photo shoot & stroll down the road lined with Bluebonnets? I'm dying to go see some in hill country of Texas. (photo via pinterest)
I. am. obsessed.& i love you spring.

Trees.

I don't have much to say today. No reason, just don't. I'll say this one thing..
Have I mentioned I love the trees is Texas? In some areas they are spread out enough to make a canopy for you to lay under. Mmm. Hurry up Spring!
Picture #1 taken by yours truly & picture #2 taken by WE+Photographie (all rights are reserved to them).

Seek the LORD while he may be found, call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, o that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hand! Isaiah 55:6-12.

Spring.

Today I've been dreaming of: Spring Break.
We don't really have a Spring Break anymore but I'm going to pretend we do.
(The pictures are from Spring Break in Texas 2 years ago. Wrote about it here!)

Cowtown.

This past Monday we took a trip to Cowtown (a.k.a Ft. Worth, Tx)  We listened to Florence & the Machine on the way there. Perfect and upbeat for such a beautiful, 60 degree weather, kind of day.  It was just what I expected. Historic old western buildings mixed with everything that comes with the modern day rodeo. I loved it. Hopefully someday soon we will get to go back and go to the actual rodeo. Enjoy the pictures! xoxo.

Romanticized.

Today I couldn't stop thinking about living on Caplewood with Sara and Davis Ann. With the weather being 78 degrees I found myself longing to be on that porch drinking crystal light, with a book in hand, and one of my roommates sitting next to me. Then, I started thinking about how I romanticize the past. We all do. I forget about the bee's that would swarm around us and our obnoxious neighbors who would cuss every 5 minutes causing us to go in after a very short time. I wouldn't change those times for anything (and still wish I could hang out with them anytime I wanted) but I do have to realize that good times and even better times are still to come. I will have those moments here in this, what still seems to me, a strange city. I just have to create them. God has so much in-store for us here. This I know is truth. Matthew and I have been in search for our 'gem'. That coffee shop, the place for serenity, the place where we go to pray, the spot where we will hang our hammocks, and the road I will go drive on just because it makes me feel at home.

In celebrating the day I got a hair cut, listened to Arcade Fire, and got a Tazo Passion Tea from Starbucks.
I think I may have found the place I get my hair done here. I didn't have to tell Zarah what I wanted. She cut and it was perfect. I thought I was getting pretty good at cutting my own bangs but somehow she managed to make them even better.
Hairdresser check. Now to discover all those other things :)
(Don't make fun of my 'emo' picture I took myself. Thought you'd want to see my hair the last time it will look this good.)
(One more thing: Yes, I did change my blog header. I think it fits better.)

Psalm 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.

Donuts.

This morning I woke up to Dunkin' Donuts. Matthew had a super early doctor's appointment and picked up breakfast on his way home. If we were on a point system someone would be racking up.
They day has started out good. I'm trying to have a good attitude about work. It's going to be 78 degrees today. Is it spring or beginning of summer? I dunno what's worse.. It being freezing outside and all you want to do is sit on the couch all day snuggled up by the fire.. or when it's amazingly pretty and warm and all you want to do is be outside.
Yes I know, welcome to the real world.
In puppy news: The dog we want just has to cost over $1,000 dollars!? We are hoping to find one to adopt so it will be cheaper. The process is going to take a while.
Tomorrow I'm having breakfast with Lindsey (Emmie's best friend). We have not known each other very long but she seems like a close friend because of our connections. It's a comforting feeling. I'm glad she lives here.

Angelika.

Last night Matthew and I drove to Dallas to watch a movie at the Angelika (a theater that shows films seen in theaters along with some movies not seen in theaters.. Independent films and such.) We went to see Country Strong. I hadn't seen many advertisements on the movie so didn't know what to expect but.. it was so good. I definitely recommend it.
This afternoon I will be bundled up on the couch. It is currently snowing pretty hard. It rained the entire morning then all of sudden it turned into snow. I guess the weather man was right this time. Matthew had to go into work this afternoon. Im praying they close early :)

I love Sundays.

Wall.

Our Friday night started off with BBQ sandwiches that I made in the crock pot. I really have enjoyed planning meals and cooking, more than i thought i would. After dinner we watched an episode of Ally Mcbeal (the show that Jessica gave me to keep me entertained while I'm unemployed & Matthew is at work.. Im already on season 2!) then we hung up pictures to create our random photo wall, rented a movie, and got Ben&Jerry's! 

Married life is fun. 

Have a happy weekend! :) 

Newly.

I decided i would take pictures of things going on here every now and then to keep my friends & family updated on our new life. Being ten hours away from home I figured pictures were the best way for people to see what our life looks like. I have not done the best job so far but hope to get better at documenting our adventure. 

So far as newlyweds we have traveled in a Uhaul trailer across four states. Celebrated Christmas, Matthew's 23rd birthday, and New Years all in our first 2 weeks. 

On New Years we got dressed up to go to downtown Dallas. After thinking about being on a train for an hour and a half (since we didn't want to drive) we opted out and sat on the couch/watched TV instead. It was pretty great. The first two weeks have been pretty great. 

One.

Today is the one month mark. The semester has gone by so quickly!

I've been convicted about my un-thankfulness lately... It's so hard to get caught up in the little things. Getting down about things that don't matter or things that, on a different day, wouldn't bother me. I watch the Duggar's on TLC every Tuesday night. I watch them because they encourage me so much. Anna, one of the women on the show, told a story about how she had a miscarriage and the first advice from her family was to always be thankful.. even when it's hard. "In everything (or always) give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" 1Thes5:18. It doesn't say when times are good.. or in times when i have nothing to complain about... it says in EVERYTHING. One month seems like nothing to everyone else but in the midst of it, it seems like an eternity to me... especially since I've done this long distance thing for 2 1/2 years. Instead of holding on to the negative side of things i want to BE THANKFUL.

Things I am thankful for right now: I am thankful its only a month.. I am thankful that i get to marry Matthew in the first place. I am thankful I only have one week of classes left. I am thankful that Jesus died on a cross for my sins and by his grace He opened my blind eyes to see his goodness.

It's been an interesting semester. Traveling every weekend. Hanging out with the same 2 people (who i love) the entire semester. And getting ready for a wedding along with packing up my things to move 10 hours away. If anyone knows me then they know this is a hard process. I like to keep things... too many things. Matthew and I are moving into a decent size apartment but cabinet space/storage space is minimal. So this thanksgiving break (which started today for me) Will consist of downsizing and packing.. and finishing up my 2 final graphic design projects. I want to get this all done before guests arrive the week before the wedding. It will all get done this I know and if it doesn't then oh well.

On a random note here are some Texas pictures i said I would post a while back. Today also marks a month and 1 day till i move to Texas. This I am also thankful for.

Pyro.

So i said i was going to post pictures from Texas & i still am but here is a little update from the trip... In a brief summary.. My time in Texas was spent spending time with Matthews's wonderful family, going to the biggest flea market I have ever seen with his mom & sister, riding our new mountain bikes, and walking around furniture stores dreaming of our future life together.

One of my favorite parts about the trip was driving around the Dallas metroplex with Matthew drinking coffee and listening to new Kings of Leon. We played this song on repeat because we liked the vibe it gave off so much.

My other favorite songs from the new album? Pickup Truck, Birthday, and Back Down South.

Its not like i doubted it.. but i have a feeling im going to love living in Texas with Matthew.

Friends.

There are many things that come to my mind when i think about moving to Texas.

One of them.. is how I'm going to be miles and miles from my best friends.

Im going to miss nights in Tuscaloosa hanging out with Gabrielle & Davis Ann. Saying dumb things & laughing at ourselves.

I've avoided thinking about the comfort that I have in them here. How just in one day it will be taken away. My college life will be irreplaceable. (Don't get me wrong marriage has got to be fun too, but different)

Jessica currently lives 3 hours away. There is some comfort in that. Comfort in knowing i can get in my car and drive to Chattanooga any time i needed to.

Now Dallas.. thats another story. It will put me almost 15 hours from there. There is always a plane ride.. but that cost way more than 3 hours in the car.

Gabrielle said to me the other day "i never thought id have a friend like you" & thats when all of this hit me. I could have bawled in that moment but instead I changed the subject & moved on.

Jess gave me a note pad from Italy last summer. She wrote this in the front:

"I miss watching you dance, and how watching you gave me this "eternal" feeling- I love how the book- "Perks of being a Wildflower" describes moments like that, like our moments in your room, that the night just was perfect & we wanted to stop time. He said it was "infinite" There is no one I have more infinite moments with nor anyone I could ever imagine having more than we do."

Im a moments person.

Sometimes too much of one.

At other times I push them away because they make me "feel" too much.

These days I'm trying to live in them. Not past ones but present ones.

In the future I know I will still have moments with these girls that I love and have become so close to. They will just be different. & different can be good. This im reminding my self of.

One thing Im also reminding myself.. is how blessed I am. God really is a gracious God.

did i say i loved Etsy?

So every day lately i have been checking Etsy's home page for newly posted things. I always see things i LOVE without a doubt. Its becoming my favorite place to buy gifts. Here are a few things i found today...

a little letter press... of course i had to put a little bit of Texas in there along with an awesome hand printed calendar, recipe cards, and bike print... some vintage books, beautiful jewelry, an awesome bag (that i want really bad) and a neck warmer...

Im dying for fall to be here. Aren't you?

[oh p.s.. im always open for accepting gifts ;) hehe ]

all prints made by the Canoe1 shop

from the Vintage Cup

both from SMV designs.

from Adeles shop.

from BeautifulBridget