I am certain that you are wondering, "I wonder whatever happenned to what's-her-name?" Well, I'm still here. I guess I owe you an apology for it being so long since we've talked. So...I'm sorry.
Now that that's out of the way, let me just tell you that life is going full-speed. A lot has happened since that cold day we captured our love story. First of all, the pictures from that day? Amazing. Seriously. Let me just tell you, the cold weather that took my breath away...totally worth the breath-taking pictures we have to show for it.
While pacing around in the world waiting for those pictures to be placed ever so sweetly into my hands, I managed to finish up college. Yes, you heard right. I graduated! Four and a half years after I walked across that stage as they called my name in high school...my name was called again. This time, I was surrounded by my classmates (some still unknown). It wasn't the people that I walked the school grounds with that I was sad to leave on December 18, 2010. Instead, it was the welcoming arms of my family and friends that I was relieved to see. Thank you.
Momma and Daddy- Thank you for supporting me for the past twenty-two years of my life. Thank you for showing me unconditional love despite some of my poor decisions. Thank you for never holding a grudge, but rather holding me to higher standards than I had for myself. You made me a better person. You truly are the greatest parents a girl could ask for. You were my guide when I needed you, and yet you gave me the freedom to spread my wings and fly. Thank you for helping me make it. I love you.
My big sis- Thank you for being my best friend. We have had our ups and downs, but I can still count on you. You have helped me through struggles when others let me down. You were strong enough to tell me what was wrong in my life because you wanted it to be right for me. You loved me enough to teach me from your experiences and love me despite making some of the very same mistakes. I haven't just grown up, I am thankful for growing up (and closer) with you. I love you.
Gramma, Pawpaw, Tracie- Have I told you lately, I love you? You three have never, ever let me down. You are always there for me, no matter the cost (or the weather). I cannot tell you how much it has meant to me to have you standing beside me (and in every crowd) through all of my accomplishments. You never fail me. I love you!
Joshua- Wow. What can I say about you? I think the best question I can ask myself is, "When have you not been there for me?" Despite the distance over the years, I know that you are so near and dear to me. You make me feel real love. (Weak in the knees, get mad and makeup, never known how much I could love until I loved you...love). Thank you for pushing me to get my homework done :D Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for loving me through thick-and-thin. Thank you for making these past two years feel like a lifetime, and thank you for letting me spend my lifetime with you. I cannot wait to marry you someday very soon. I love you!
All other family and friends- THANK YOU! I would not have (could not have) made it here without you. You do not know how much I truly, sincerely appreciate each and every one of you being in my life. Some of you I have grown away from, some of you I have grown closer with, some of you I cannot even name by name. However, I am so blessed to have you in my life. Thank you for every part that you have played in my life. I love you all!
Monday, December 20, 2010
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Love Song
I remember when I was a little girl, I dreamt of the day that my prince charming would show up in my life and sweep me away from my village and into his own castle. Over time, I realized how sad I would be if I had to leave the kingdom I had come to love. Thus, God gave me the amazing gift of hometown love. Twenty-two years of living within miles of one another, my prince finally took the right turn.
Have you ever watched one of the "knock-off" fairytale movies? You know, the $5 Walmart Cinderella instead of the Disney version? Well, that's what I feel like love has been in the past to me. You still go through the same events...feel the same warm-fuzzies...watch the happily ever after (and even believe it)...BUT there is something about experiencing "the real deal". Don't get me wrong, there have been plenty of times in my past that I felt that spark of love in a relationship. However, when Joshua Tyler Bailey walked out of the cold and into my life in January of 2009, something magical happened. The lackluster love I felt in years prior transformed before my eyes. For once in my life, I had something...someone...worth risking everything for.
November 4, 2010 our love song was written. With the brisk, Autumn air of Oklahoma welcoming us into the sunlight, we walked hand-in-hand through the streets of Route 66. A path we had driven numerous times before soon became the setting for our very own love song.
Young love blossomed as the day grew colder. A girl embraced by the arms of her forever love overlooked the beautiful water as they stood together on the old bridge. Not wanting to leave one another, they pulled over to the side of the road where the gravel met the grass. An old piano...symbolic of the songs played before, rested in the midst of the field. The two walked together as they listened to the sounds of the city disappear. As the sun set in the west, the two faced one another. The wind sweeping through the tall trees around them, preluded to the song of the keys. Abandoned and left to rot, something beautiful came from that old piano that day. And once again, it played a song as it did for decades before. This time silent to those around them, yet the young couple heard the sound loud and pure. It was the sound of love written just for them. And in the quiet of the field, they knew they were meant to be forever.
Have you ever watched one of the "knock-off" fairytale movies? You know, the $5 Walmart Cinderella instead of the Disney version? Well, that's what I feel like love has been in the past to me. You still go through the same events...feel the same warm-fuzzies...watch the happily ever after (and even believe it)...BUT there is something about experiencing "the real deal". Don't get me wrong, there have been plenty of times in my past that I felt that spark of love in a relationship. However, when Joshua Tyler Bailey walked out of the cold and into my life in January of 2009, something magical happened. The lackluster love I felt in years prior transformed before my eyes. For once in my life, I had something...someone...worth risking everything for.
November 4, 2010 our love song was written. With the brisk, Autumn air of Oklahoma welcoming us into the sunlight, we walked hand-in-hand through the streets of Route 66. A path we had driven numerous times before soon became the setting for our very own love song.
Young love blossomed as the day grew colder. A girl embraced by the arms of her forever love overlooked the beautiful water as they stood together on the old bridge. Not wanting to leave one another, they pulled over to the side of the road where the gravel met the grass. An old piano...symbolic of the songs played before, rested in the midst of the field. The two walked together as they listened to the sounds of the city disappear. As the sun set in the west, the two faced one another. The wind sweeping through the tall trees around them, preluded to the song of the keys. Abandoned and left to rot, something beautiful came from that old piano that day. And once again, it played a song as it did for decades before. This time silent to those around them, yet the young couple heard the sound loud and pure. It was the sound of love written just for them. And in the quiet of the field, they knew they were meant to be forever.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
The Bundt Bakery
As most of you know, I LOVE to bake. Cooking on the other hand...not so much. Mostly due to the fact that I'm not a huge fan of the feeling that comes along with touching raw meat. However, I do not mind it one little bit to touch some fresh dough or watch ingredients come to life.
On a whim, I came up with the wonderful idea of baking a bundt cake a month. Silly? I'm sure it may be a little, but there is something special about baking with family and friends.
Today is the day before Halloween. Honestly, I don't tend to get into this holiday. I'm not one to go spend a fortune to dress up like someone I'm not. Nor do I want to have a contest at the local parties of which girl can look the slushiest in a skimpy outfit when it is starting to get bitter cold outside. With this being said, our plans for this weekend involve a lot of family time (typical of every weekend). I am so truly blessed to have a family that I can consider some of my best friends.
Last night, Momma and Daddy invited us over for our own "shrimpfest". Every now and then, we get the crazy idea to get together and randomly cook whatever we can think of. After spending the afternoon shopping with my mom for the last of the groceries, we picked up my adorable niece from pre-k and headed back to the house. The menu for the evening consisted of fresh salad, asparagus tips with olive oil and sea salt, grilled shrimp, seasoned scallops, and my own fried rice.
After the kitchen was cleaned, I started my bundt caking adventure. To stay in the "pumpkin" theme, I decided on a delicious pumpkin spice bundt cake with my own twists. 65minutes in the oven and "How to Train a Dragon" later, the cake was fully baked and ready to cool. Unfortunately, I was ready to cool down in a comfy bed as well. Therefore, we covered the cake and decided to postpone the decorating until...today.
Mr. Wonderful and I made it over to the fam's house just a little after noon. With my fancy glass cake dish in hand, I was ready to dive back into cake mode. Being the forgetful gal I am, I forgot the final touch...the stem! My amazing fiance' (supporting my crazy ideas) hopped to the store. Moments later, he was back with the last of the decor and the cake was complete.
October's Pumpkin Bumpkin Bundt Cake
-pumpkin spice bundt cake with a creamy cream cheese glaze
On a whim, I came up with the wonderful idea of baking a bundt cake a month. Silly? I'm sure it may be a little, but there is something special about baking with family and friends.
Today is the day before Halloween. Honestly, I don't tend to get into this holiday. I'm not one to go spend a fortune to dress up like someone I'm not. Nor do I want to have a contest at the local parties of which girl can look the slushiest in a skimpy outfit when it is starting to get bitter cold outside. With this being said, our plans for this weekend involve a lot of family time (typical of every weekend). I am so truly blessed to have a family that I can consider some of my best friends.
Last night, Momma and Daddy invited us over for our own "shrimpfest". Every now and then, we get the crazy idea to get together and randomly cook whatever we can think of. After spending the afternoon shopping with my mom for the last of the groceries, we picked up my adorable niece from pre-k and headed back to the house. The menu for the evening consisted of fresh salad, asparagus tips with olive oil and sea salt, grilled shrimp, seasoned scallops, and my own fried rice.
After the kitchen was cleaned, I started my bundt caking adventure. To stay in the "pumpkin" theme, I decided on a delicious pumpkin spice bundt cake with my own twists. 65minutes in the oven and "How to Train a Dragon" later, the cake was fully baked and ready to cool. Unfortunately, I was ready to cool down in a comfy bed as well. Therefore, we covered the cake and decided to postpone the decorating until...today.
Mr. Wonderful and I made it over to the fam's house just a little after noon. With my fancy glass cake dish in hand, I was ready to dive back into cake mode. Being the forgetful gal I am, I forgot the final touch...the stem! My amazing fiance' (supporting my crazy ideas) hopped to the store. Moments later, he was back with the last of the decor and the cake was complete.
October's Pumpkin Bumpkin Bundt Cake
-pumpkin spice bundt cake with a creamy cream cheese glaze
Just call me...the bundt lady.
One month down, eleven more to go!
Friday, October 1, 2010
Fairytale
First of all, let me say this: my momma is the most amazing woman I have ever met. After years of total dependence on this woman, there is something to be said when you wake up and realize you're no longer a little girl. I am a woman...a strong, independent, loving, compassionate woman, AND I am who I am because of her.
Secondly, the day that you walk into that store, walk into that room, step in front of a mirror in a breathtakingly white dress, and she's there...that's a milestone. From birth to bandaids...she's been there for everything. She's watched me make mistakes and learn from them. She's picked me up when I didn't think I could get up. She's cried with me, laughed with me, and shared with me. 22years of learning how to love from her, she has welcomed someone into our family as if they have been there all along. She has shown me that love doesn't fade, it multiplies. As I slipped into the most beautiful gown, lace enveloping me to the ground and beyond, I could look to her. I am so blessed to have my momma in my life.
Lord, thank you so much for my fairytale.
Secondly, the day that you walk into that store, walk into that room, step in front of a mirror in a breathtakingly white dress, and she's there...that's a milestone. From birth to bandaids...she's been there for everything. She's watched me make mistakes and learn from them. She's picked me up when I didn't think I could get up. She's cried with me, laughed with me, and shared with me. 22years of learning how to love from her, she has welcomed someone into our family as if they have been there all along. She has shown me that love doesn't fade, it multiplies. As I slipped into the most beautiful gown, lace enveloping me to the ground and beyond, I could look to her. I am so blessed to have my momma in my life.
Lord, thank you so much for my fairytale.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Baby Krew
Future-hubby woke up me up with the news at approximately 7o'clock in the morning. His sister's water had broke at 4am, and she was at the hospital. I rushed out of bed, hopped in (and out) of the shower, and dressed as quickly as I could. Mr. It'sgoingtobeawhilebeforehe'sborn, however, did not rush around quite like I did. Poor guy, I wouldn't even let him stop for breakfast.
Never the less, the drive to the hospital was a beautiful one at 8:30am. Fall decided to stop in, and the sun was out with a chill in the air. Camera was in hand, and I couldn't wait to take pictures of the arrival. Minutes after we showed up in the waiting room, I stepped back into Jayme's room to take pictures of the moments before. She was amazing and calm. Contractions were close and she was dialating as planned.
We walked down to the cafeteria for some warm food before getting the news that she was fully dialated. Then...he stopped. Mr. Krew decided to sit and get comfy in the belly. It wasn't too much longer that they rushed Jayme over to surgery for a c-section. One LONG hour later, we were welcoming our precious baby nephew into the world. It was then that their sweet family of three grew love unimaginable. Honestly, you could feel how much that little boy was loved as a father bent to touch his soft skin, a mother held him with pride a mile wide, and a five year old sister crawled into her daddy's arms to see the tiny bundle of joy. God is so good.
Once they were settled into their room, the new daddy walked out to get his baby girl, no longer the baby of the family. I had the amazing honor of photographing every detail of that day. The sunshine behind the building, the elevator ride to a floor where parents waiting once again to became grand-parents, the silent prayers while sitting on benches, the room where a couple looked in each other's eyes holding hands, happy tears streaming down the faces of a family, and most importantly a daddy walking hand-in-hand with a little girl down a long hallway that led to a new journey.
Being the only other person in that room was such an amazing gift of watching love unfold. As Jayme handed Krew to her husband, he took him in his arms, smelled his skin, and kissed his forehead as he placed him into his daughter's arms.
Minutes later, people flooded the room as they began to hold Krew for the first time. Grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles, and then...there was us. We waited for everyone to get a chance to see him before we took him into our arms. There is something about a little boy that makes you melt. Someone so tiny, so vulnerable, that will one day grow stronger than you...there's just something about that. Then, there's something about watching the man you love more than you ever thought possible...holding that same baby. I fell in love with him all over again. I am getting such an amazing husband and future father of my children. I am so blessed.
Never the less, the drive to the hospital was a beautiful one at 8:30am. Fall decided to stop in, and the sun was out with a chill in the air. Camera was in hand, and I couldn't wait to take pictures of the arrival. Minutes after we showed up in the waiting room, I stepped back into Jayme's room to take pictures of the moments before. She was amazing and calm. Contractions were close and she was dialating as planned.
We walked down to the cafeteria for some warm food before getting the news that she was fully dialated. Then...he stopped. Mr. Krew decided to sit and get comfy in the belly. It wasn't too much longer that they rushed Jayme over to surgery for a c-section. One LONG hour later, we were welcoming our precious baby nephew into the world. It was then that their sweet family of three grew love unimaginable. Honestly, you could feel how much that little boy was loved as a father bent to touch his soft skin, a mother held him with pride a mile wide, and a five year old sister crawled into her daddy's arms to see the tiny bundle of joy. God is so good.
Once they were settled into their room, the new daddy walked out to get his baby girl, no longer the baby of the family. I had the amazing honor of photographing every detail of that day. The sunshine behind the building, the elevator ride to a floor where parents waiting once again to became grand-parents, the silent prayers while sitting on benches, the room where a couple looked in each other's eyes holding hands, happy tears streaming down the faces of a family, and most importantly a daddy walking hand-in-hand with a little girl down a long hallway that led to a new journey.
Being the only other person in that room was such an amazing gift of watching love unfold. As Jayme handed Krew to her husband, he took him in his arms, smelled his skin, and kissed his forehead as he placed him into his daughter's arms.
Minutes later, people flooded the room as they began to hold Krew for the first time. Grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles, and then...there was us. We waited for everyone to get a chance to see him before we took him into our arms. There is something about a little boy that makes you melt. Someone so tiny, so vulnerable, that will one day grow stronger than you...there's just something about that. Then, there's something about watching the man you love more than you ever thought possible...holding that same baby. I fell in love with him all over again. I am getting such an amazing husband and future father of my children. I am so blessed.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Let's Play Catch-up
Okay, okay. I know it has been forever long since I wrote on here. Truth-be-told, I just haven't made time to write out my life (I've kind of been living it :D). HOWEVER, I will attempt to catch-up on lost blogs by starting to take the time now to back track on what all has been happening. The missing weeks will come to me with time, and as they do...I'll write them. With that being said, be very patient with me.
Until then, just know that things have been going great. Mid-terms are coming up very soon, and I'm getting ready for symposium (already). The house is coming along, and it may be put together by the time I get to move in on our big wedding day! Speaking of which, wedding planning is...well...coming along (SLOWLY but surely). My momma and I are going first thing tomorrow to pick out our event tent and colors for the reception site. Immediately following, we will be meeting at a bridal boutique to START TRYING ON DRESSES! I cannot believe it is already that time. Honestly, I'm learning that I am very behind on getting my gown ordered! Not to fret, I'm taking it at my own pace and working on the guest list (that seems to keep getting bigger and bigger every day). Engagement pictures are scheduled for October 21st, and I cannot wait to see all of the ideas come to life. Believe me, they WILL be GOOD. My photographers are working hand-in-hand with us to create something that I cannot seem to find anywhere in pictures before. Don't even try to ask...it's a secret. They will be posted as soon as they are completed!
I've been rummaging through some of my favorite, old tunes for the pre-ceremony music. You can hear a few of the songs from the compiled list on this very page! However, the ceremony will be TOTALLY different from this style. I cannot wait! BUT, you guessed it, that's a secret too. Not to mention our amazing reception that will be unlike anything you've ever been to. Oh, you should be excited...I am. Actually, WE are. That is saying A LOT when the groom is involved and excited for the big day as well.
As far as this guest list, it will soon be transformed into personalized invites for the people I love the most. When I say personal, I do mean personal. This fall/winter my beautiful and talented sister and I will be handcrafting each of the 200+invitations. As a matter-of-fact, I just mastered the art of embossing. Sincerely, one of the most beautiful ways to make a page come to life (but that's just my opinion).
With all of this wedding talk, I realized I should be working on it instead of blogging about it. Therefore, I promise to do my best to keep up with this nifty little blog of mine as well as plan the wedding of our dreams. I cannot wait to share such a huge day with all of you. You are what will make this day come to life, and I am so very blessed to have each of you in my life.
Until next time,
B.
Until then, just know that things have been going great. Mid-terms are coming up very soon, and I'm getting ready for symposium (already). The house is coming along, and it may be put together by the time I get to move in on our big wedding day! Speaking of which, wedding planning is...well...coming along (SLOWLY but surely). My momma and I are going first thing tomorrow to pick out our event tent and colors for the reception site. Immediately following, we will be meeting at a bridal boutique to START TRYING ON DRESSES! I cannot believe it is already that time. Honestly, I'm learning that I am very behind on getting my gown ordered! Not to fret, I'm taking it at my own pace and working on the guest list (that seems to keep getting bigger and bigger every day). Engagement pictures are scheduled for October 21st, and I cannot wait to see all of the ideas come to life. Believe me, they WILL be GOOD. My photographers are working hand-in-hand with us to create something that I cannot seem to find anywhere in pictures before. Don't even try to ask...it's a secret. They will be posted as soon as they are completed!
I've been rummaging through some of my favorite, old tunes for the pre-ceremony music. You can hear a few of the songs from the compiled list on this very page! However, the ceremony will be TOTALLY different from this style. I cannot wait! BUT, you guessed it, that's a secret too. Not to mention our amazing reception that will be unlike anything you've ever been to. Oh, you should be excited...I am. Actually, WE are. That is saying A LOT when the groom is involved and excited for the big day as well.
As far as this guest list, it will soon be transformed into personalized invites for the people I love the most. When I say personal, I do mean personal. This fall/winter my beautiful and talented sister and I will be handcrafting each of the 200+invitations. As a matter-of-fact, I just mastered the art of embossing. Sincerely, one of the most beautiful ways to make a page come to life (but that's just my opinion).
With all of this wedding talk, I realized I should be working on it instead of blogging about it. Therefore, I promise to do my best to keep up with this nifty little blog of mine as well as plan the wedding of our dreams. I cannot wait to share such a huge day with all of you. You are what will make this day come to life, and I am so very blessed to have each of you in my life.
Until next time,
B.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
One Fair Day
Today was a beautiful day (and hot). To begin the day, we decided to head out to good old state fair.
After driving over grassy hills, we managed to get a decent parking place fairly close to the side entrance. Then, we walked.
First stop: A&W Root Beer in a Jug
Isn't it funny how going to the fair turns into less of an event and more about eating the older you get?
Second stop: Double-sized Corn Dog (with extra mustard)
Approximately 4 bites in, I called it quits and handed the stick to Future-Hubby to finish off.
Third stop: Some random building with air conditioning and a million-and-one people
We literally did not look at a single thing in this building. We simply walked in one door and out.
Site seeing: Insanely unsafe carnival rides
As we watched the matching insane people hop onto each of the easy-to-tear-down rides, we continued to walk through the crowd without stopping.
Fourth stop: The giant fake horse in front of the arena
We picked up some random people with a really cute little girl to walk around the fair with (AKA my Aunt Tracie, big sis, and adorable 4yr. old niece.)
Fifth stop: Crowded building with people making a fortune selling things people really don't need
Yes indeed, we managed to make it through this building without purchasing a single thing.
Sixth stop: Made in Oklahoma building with farm animals
How odd that a person would put a wine-tasting in the same building as the children's area. Is this the message we're sending our children...oh wait, THAT's a thought.
Seventh stop: Tater twirls (A giant potato twirled on a machine that makes thin chip-like twirls and then deep-fried like a french fry)
All FIVE of us ate on this heap of a fancy-french-fry with ketchup...and STILL didn't finish it.
Eighth stop: Achy feet + fried food that isn't good for you= call it quits for the fair.
Therefore, we headed out the gate and back into the real world. What a way to spend a Saturday...I love my life.
After driving over grassy hills, we managed to get a decent parking place fairly close to the side entrance. Then, we walked.
First stop: A&W Root Beer in a Jug
Isn't it funny how going to the fair turns into less of an event and more about eating the older you get?
Second stop: Double-sized Corn Dog (with extra mustard)
Approximately 4 bites in, I called it quits and handed the stick to Future-Hubby to finish off.
Third stop: Some random building with air conditioning and a million-and-one people
We literally did not look at a single thing in this building. We simply walked in one door and out.
Site seeing: Insanely unsafe carnival rides
As we watched the matching insane people hop onto each of the easy-to-tear-down rides, we continued to walk through the crowd without stopping.
Fourth stop: The giant fake horse in front of the arena
We picked up some random people with a really cute little girl to walk around the fair with (AKA my Aunt Tracie, big sis, and adorable 4yr. old niece.)
Fifth stop: Crowded building with people making a fortune selling things people really don't need
Yes indeed, we managed to make it through this building without purchasing a single thing.
Sixth stop: Made in Oklahoma building with farm animals
How odd that a person would put a wine-tasting in the same building as the children's area. Is this the message we're sending our children...oh wait, THAT's a thought.
Seventh stop: Tater twirls (A giant potato twirled on a machine that makes thin chip-like twirls and then deep-fried like a french fry)
All FIVE of us ate on this heap of a fancy-french-fry with ketchup...and STILL didn't finish it.
Eighth stop: Achy feet + fried food that isn't good for you= call it quits for the fair.
Therefore, we headed out the gate and back into the real world. What a way to spend a Saturday...I love my life.
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