Five.

Five random thoughts for this Wednesday:
1. Most of you know my love for the LBC but THIS little article made me love it even more. I'm not a crazy bike fanatic but I really do appreciate their view on bikers in the city.
2. J has been awesome to us during our move. She is looking at a house for us today. I sure hope it is what we want it to be on the inside. If not, thats okay too. I'm awaiting her phone call. Eeek!
3. I need new Christian music {that doesn't sound like all the rest.} I'll take suggestions if you know of a cool band i'm missing out on.
4. I decided after our trip I want a Kayak. Good thing we are moving to a city with lots of rivers near by.
5. Like the LBC, I appreciate Chattanooga for many things. This website is for the state of TN but check out all the fun things we can do this summer HERE.
(pretty, fun, & summery picture from THIS blog.)

Truth.

Its hard for me to believe we are moving in two weeks but I am feeling more confident about it.
I read a quote on twitter the other day that started with this.. 'anxiousness takes pride'.. i have not stopped thinking about it. It does take pride.. & it takes self dependence. Self-dependence is not how I am called to live. This humbling truth reminds me that my dependency is to be upon the sovereignty of Christ no matter what the issue is.
'And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.' Philippines 4:19. 
..meaning the Spiritual, the physical, all of them. This truth makes me smile.
I am going to continue in my pursuit of job hunting and house hunting but with confidence & peace. 
Im looking forward to the weekends when Jess, Logan, Matthew, & I will take trips to the Blue Hole, ride bikes, and hike to the waterfalls. Thinking about this also makes me smile. Yippee!
I. love. summer. 
{Here are two of my favorite pictures from last summer. Too bad Isa & Courtney won't be in TN this summer too.}

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.

BentTree.

It's Sunday. I like this Sunday for a few reasons.
For us Sunday is the day before our weekend (Monday & Tuesday)
On this Sunday it feels like summer outside.. a little humid.. & really warm.
On Sunday we get to go to Bent Tree (Our new church that we LOVE.) The pastor is amazing. You can tell when you walk in the place that the people are hungry for God to move in their lives. The ministers sincerely care about the hearts of the people there. We have been doing a series on marriage (perfect timing for us huh?) I feel so encouraged when I leave. God is good to us. When we thought the search for a church would be never ending he connected us in just the right time.
Jessica sent me this picture in an email the other day. Thought it was fitting :)

But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, “Great is the Lord!” As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. Ps.40:16-17

Dreamy.

It's been a while since I've searched through Pinterest. Iv'e been thinking about Summer A TON. I'm sure everyone else is too. I found a few daydreamy photos to further my desire for warm weather.

I'm dreaming of: wavy pinned up hair, camp outs in Fayetteville with Matthew's friends, picking wildflowers with jess, the beach, walking a new puppy, and summer dresses. (all photo's taken from Pinterest)

move.

Its been a while and i remembered i never posted anything about the Asheville. Soon.

Here is one picture until then.Im moving back to my college life in Tuscaloosa tomorrow.

I have mixed feelings. Im excited and it feels right but Im also dreading classes. Like.. worse than normal.

Tonight while im packing im listening to Local Natives. I listened to them while i was moving out in May. I figured it was fit to listen to them while i pack once again to move my life elsewhere.

you could let it down

jump into the river baby

easy as it sounds

it's never quite as easily done

the current has us now, it's ok

take into account that it's all about to change

-Local Natives (Who Knows, Who Cares)

Preview.

SOOO. I mentioned a few posts ago that Matthew and I took engagement pictures while in Texas.

Here is a little preview! When i get the actual CD of our pictures i'll share some more!

Thanks Wesley and Emma at W+E Photographie for squeezing in a shoot with so much going on!

!

summer beauty.

these are for j.

good ol' Marilyn

{via this blogie.}

Texas.

I got home from Texas late last night.

Im not sure if i wrote about why i went but if i didn't here is an overview of the weekend.

My brother wesley and emma are getting married and had a shower at Emma's best friends house in Flower Mound, Texas. Cute name huh? Its right outside of where Emma is from. It is also very close to where Matthew is from. Thankfully this gave me a free trip out to visit after a long 8 weeks apart.

Friday night my mom dropped me off at Matthew's family's house and the two of us drove around my soon to be home. Matt lives in Plano, TX and works in Frisco, Tx. We looked at apartments, got Starbucks, and daydreamed about living in a new city together. Just riding around in the car together isn't something we get to do often. Its little moments like that that i appreciate after being in a 2 year long long distance relationship.

On Saturday we woke up to an amazing breakfast cooked by Matthew's mom. We got ready for the day early because Matthew had to work at noon till 8 or 9 ALL WEEKEND. How lame is that? We got in the car and drove around again to look at some possible engagement photo shoot places. Matthew went to work and i spent the day with my family/Emma's family and going to the wedding shower.

On Sunday we woke up early again to have our engagement photos taken by Wesley and Emma (remember they're the photographers). We took them on my favorite road in Plano and in McKinny, Tx. The pictures above are from there. The town is very historical and filled with charm. It has a TON of antique stores and shops. We could have spent all day there. Sadly we had to get back for Matthew to go to work. I guess i have something to look forward to when i get there. Lots of exploring to do in the little towns outside of Dallas. The rest of the day was spent shopping around with Matthew's mom, my mom, my sister, and Wesley in Frisco.

A little fact about Frisco is that it has EVERYTHING you would ever need within one mile from each other. Its crazy. We have nothing like that anywhere in Alabama. The Target, the (massive) mall, the TJ Max, hobby lobby, wal-mart, organic grocery stores, every food place you can imagine, etc, etc, etc.... Are ALL next to each other. Its crazy. And all new. This I'm looking forward to and dreading all at the same time. Convenient yes. But tempting yes.

Im happy to say that it was a great weekend. But sad to of had to leave it.

Just to be honest i have not been too happy about the time apart lately. I mean who would but planning a wedding would be way more fun if i got to share the time with the one i was getting married to. (ok. I know throw me a pitty party, but it really does stink) Still remembering to be thankful of the little time and the little moments. And that i will be that much more appreciative of time together when we are married.

Days until i see him next. 38.

This is also the number of days until Wesley and Emma get married.

Which i am SO thrilled about. Its going to be a happy! day.

Im headed back to Cleveland tomorrow to finish up my last 2 weeks summer with nothing to do. I can't wait to get back and spend time with j, Logan, GisseleDivaPup, the Ocoee river, and our bikes.

Until Then,

xoxo.

last looks.

Because we have a moment here

let me tell you that I have recently become a secret connoisseur of 'last looks'.

You know the way people look at you when they believe it's for the last time?

I've started collecting these looks.

-elizabethtown

(image found here)

On the 4th of July i spent the day on the river with my family.

I layed in bed that night and watched elizabethtown.

Its always been a favorite of mine and watching it made me realize it was perfect timing.

In other news. My computer was taken to Panera and a random girl spilt coffee on it. Sad.

Its currently being fixed. Thanks sister for sharing.

Im leaving for Texas on Friday. I have not seen my Fiancee in 8weeks and couldnt be more ready.

Im also moving there when we get married in December.

Good thing i love Texas.

Ive talked to my good friends a lot latley it seems.

Gabielle called. I talked to Davis An a while. Sandra stopped by. And I had coffee with Megan Hudson.

All within 2 days.

Thats almost half of my bridesmaids.

(As a side note.. everytime i think of my bridal party i get excited. I have the most beautiful people in my life)

The Lord has really blessed me with them. Its brought so much joy to my heart.

I need to update more in depth soon but maybe i will when i get back from the weekend.

Until then.

xoxo.

Life.

This summer so far has been filled with bike rides, hikes, trips to find some form of water, working out to Gillian Michael's DVD's, j and i coming up with plans for our future etsy sight/ future store, and sleeping in.

I feel slightly guilty for not having a job and all but i have looked for one. During the school i don't normally do so many fun outdoor things so it has been good to be able to. Also, I am only going to be here for a month longer at this point anyways.

Im going to see Matthew in Dallas for a few days in July because Emma (my future sister-in-law) and brother are having a shower there. I did not think i would see Matthew at all this summer. Im thankful i get to catch a ride with my mom and them even if its just for a weekend.

I have a feeling that these next 5 and a half months will be slow at times. I prepared myself in advance about not getting to see Matthew even more now that he has a job and i am 3 hours farther that before. I calculated it and if this go as they are now i will maybe see him 4 more times before our wedding! CRAZY.

We celebrated our 2 year anniversary last Wednesday via Skype. We dressed up like we did on our first date and had the same meal that we did. I love him. Im not going to lie. The past 2 years have been hard. And if you have been in any form of a long distance relationship for any time period, you know its hard. And i am so ready to be able to sit in the same room as him. I am also learning to be way more admirable of women who marry men that travel a lot and have to be away from each other. I say this because it is also hard for me to show sympathy sometimes because so often i made myself just deal with the distance and not let it effect me. I keep telling myself that i only have about 5 more months to wait but it sometimes feels never ending.

Im wanting this time to go by so fast but also when i think about being married in 5 months my mind also says slow down, and enjoy where you are. Its an exciting and fun time in my life and im doing my best to embrace it. Its crazy how time goes by. You feel like you're crawling then the next min. you look back and don't realize that you have gone father than it feels.

Anyways. This post was probably just rambling and did not make sense but oh well. I was a little bored, felt vulnerable, and thought id write my thoughts down.

Until next time.

xoxo

Here are a few pictures from our Mtn. bike ride yesterday and our walk to another pretty waterfall.

Things of summer.

What I have done, in pictures, the first week i was here.

celebrated national doughnut day.

bought "non girly" knobs for my desk.

got matching key covers with j

sat at Starbucks

read

road bikes

received mail from my fiance

(notice he thought it would be funny to put my soon to be name)

watched j make chocolate coved strawberries

spent time in Chattanooga with the girls of 135

Alive.

I left Starbucks in tears today.

I know what you're thinking.. "oh no, why did she leave in tears"

But, the reason I was crying was a good reason.

I had to get up in leave in fear that i wouldn't be able to control myself if i sat there any longer.

I was crying because i was in awe of the gracious love of God.

I've been reading Psalm 119 lately. I've taken a few verses everyday and dwelt on the Word of God being alive. I have been through a "drier" season of my life the past year. Where i didn't feel or sense anything when i was reading the Word (not saying it wasn't alive, it was just a season of testing form the Lord. A testing of my faithfulness in times silence and of no feeling etc). My plan of action was to dwell and mediate on what the Word was and what it means to me.

I was reading 1 peter today and the word came alive to me! I broke down in tears because i felt the Love of God for me and his children pour out from the very words that i was reading. He is so good and so gracious! One way it came alive to me today was through the word "precious". This word is mentioned more than a couple of times in 1Peter but here are 3 of the verses where it is mentioned.

1peter 1:6&7

(to preface, this verse is talking about the greatness of the hope that God has brought us through salvation and the resurrection of Christ from the grave)

"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ"

1peter2:4&5

^{As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.}

^1peter3:4

but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.

His people are so very precious to Him. Our faith is precious to Him. We are precious in His sight. Our hearts and our beauty is precious to Him. Our obedience is precious to Him. WE HIS CHILDREN ARE PRECIOUS TO HIM.

So simple, yet so powerful and when the word of God is alive in someone you know it.

I want people to know it. I want to be one of those people.

The word of God changes us.

So, in closing...

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

&

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Collossians 3:16

He is so good.

Lately pt2.

Here are some more photos from the past week.

The trip to the swimming home with J, Logan, Isabelle, and Giselle was awesome. The water was warm and the sun was out. Defiantly made it feel like summer. Being with J and Logan is good for me. They spontaneously do things and thats something that i have lost the past few years. Today i think we may go ride bikes in down town Chattanooga. Its good being active.

Logan bought us Jillian Michael's workout DVD's yesterday! Isabelle and i started today. Lets see how long i last... Hopefully i will be consistent.

Last night we drove to Chattanooga to go shopping for Logan. Afterwards we stopped by Krispy Creme for National Doughnut day. Free Doughnuts! :) The best.

Matthew is coming in 2 weeks and we get to celebrate our 2 year anniversary!

Im so glad I'm here. The Lord has been good to me.

Sorry this entry was so random.

SpoolNo.72

I think God may or may not have put this store on earth for me...

Spool No. 72 - Clothing Company.

I saw it advertised on another blog yesterday and almost flipped out.

No joke. I didn't see anything on the website that i didn't somewhat like, and found plenty of things that i loved. The store has a hippie, native american, prairie girl feel. Exactly what i like to be in the summer time.

Mmm. Too bad i already had a birthday ;)

Today my parents are coming down to eat lunch with me at Zoe's Greek Cafe and to take a few things home. It is indeed a happy Tuesday! xoxo

hippie.

Here is my dress that Matthew sent me for my birthday. The theme he went with was buying me things i would not buy myself. I love pretending I'm a hippie because lets just face it.. in real life I'm not sadly. It came from a "real" hippie clothing place called SoulFlower.

So here i am a poser but a happy one! xoxo.

dreaming

Today i'm dreaming of cool summer nights listening to iron and wine and other folk-like music. I went to the pool today alone and left after an hour of getting hot and bored. School will be over in 3 weeks and i will be free. Well sorta. This summer hopefully i will have a job in Cleveland TN and be able to send some afternoons frolicking with my best friend.

Im not sure i have mentioned this before but Iron and Wine have a special place in my heart, Sam Beam does at-least. Last summer I arrived in long beach only to find that He played at a music store down the street from my apartment. I heard about this a day too late. Sad huh!? I was devastated to know we were in the same city & i did not see him. Anyways here is a song from that day at Fingerprints music in Long Beach California that i missed.

Happy Thursday. xoxo.

all things green.

I may or may not be getting on a green kick again. I think about it a lot. Im pretty sure it has something to do with the thoughts of summer. Summer not only makes me think of the countryside but makes me think of farmers markets. In Long Beach, Ca every thursday there was a farmers market downtown in the arts district. It was so fun to ride my bike downtown and just look at the art, try the food, and buy flowers. Matthew and i went to the Santa Barbara farmers market last summer and it was huge! Made me wonder why its not a big deal here.. here where we supposedly have a lot of farmers?.. Yes maybe it is the fact that California is indeed a hippie "more liberal" state than Alabama? (whatever that means) but i think that shouldn't matter. Hopefully when i have my own job, home, etc. I will remember to and choose to support local farmers and shop at the farmers market. Plus its a cooler way to shop and there are always tons of wildflowers! (my favorite)

Here's to beautiful colors, wildflowers, freshness, and summer!