This Man

Last night Daniel and I worked on sorting through RSVP cards (deadline is tomorrow), talked to family members about hotel reservations, and went over what all we still have left to get done.  When we came to a stopping point, I asked if we could do something I've been wanting to do for a while. Without knowing what he was getting himself into, he said of course and poured us a couple glasses of wine.

I found THIS LIST on Pinterest a couple of weeks ago and barely skimmed through it before I knew I wanted Daniel and I to take turns answering the questions.  I knew several of his answers already, but many of them addressed things we've never specifically discussed--like opening each other's mail.

We spent over three hours going over Daniel's answers--we didn't even get to me.  But that was perfectly okay because I love hearing Daniel's heart and continuing to get to know him better.  I definitely learned new things about the man I'm about to marry in a few short weeks.  Considering we've known one another for 10+ years, the fact that I still have so much to learn makes me really excited to keep pursuing the best ways to love, respect, and understand Daniel throughout our marriage.

Last night was fantastic because it felt like we were just starting to date again--still getting to know one another.  Planning a wedding can easily become a distraction from actively loving and seeking out your almost-spouse's heart, and I'm so happy I had an opportunity to step back and focus on who Daniel is and how he needs to be loved.

This man, you guys, is as incredible as they come.  Thank You, Lord, for somehow convincing him to marry me.

Painting Pumpkins with My Favorite Little Ladies

After the Farmers Market this morning, Daniel and I picked up two of the best girls I know to hang out for the afternoon.  We had plans to go to the pumpkin patch before heading back to my house, but a crazy storm forced us to run by Walmart for pumpkins instead. Oh well! We still had a wonderful afternoon playing with Penny and getting rid of a little creative energy.

I'm so blessed to know these girls!

ONE STINKIN' MONTH!

We're getting married one month from today. 

WE'RE GETTING MARRIED ONE MONTH FROM TODAY!

Will someone please explain to me, in step by step detail, how on earth I'm supposed to concentrate on anything else?

24 Goals for My 24th Year

I turned 24 on Sunday.  This is how we celebrated.

I'm a list-maker.  I love crossing things off lists.  I can't even begin to tell you how many lists, broad and detailed, I've made while planning this wedding.  Fortunately, I've crossed a LOT of things off of those lists.  And it's been awesome.

I'm not sure when I began making goal lists on my birthday, but I've been doing it for several years now.  This year's list was a little more difficult to create, because I'll be married for 11 months of it, and I've never been married before so I don't know exactly what that will look like.  Not that I ever know exactly what my year will look like, but I have been pretty positive in birthdays past that I wouldn't be washing a man's dirty socks on a weekly basis.  But this year, that'll happen.

So, three days into my 24th year, I have my list.  It has both silly and serious, long-term and short-term goals.  Some are obviously more important than others, and some are just things I've always thought it would be cool to do.  So I say, why not this year?  

24 Goals for My 24th Year:

1) Get wifed up!

2) Build a piece of furniture.  This includes learning to use a saw.

3) Memorize a chapter (or multiple) of the Bible.

4) Learn Spanish.

5) Throw a dinner party.

6) Learn to relax and enjoy it.

7) Complete a sprint triathlon.

8) Train Penny to jump through a hoop.

9) Start a business. (Info on this coming in the near-ish future!)

10) Nail down a long(er) term job.

11) Go camping with Daniel, since it'll be okay for us to stay in the same tent! YAY!

12) Create a for real budget and stick to it.

13) Become fluent in our new camera.

14) Hold a handstand for 30+ seconds. 

15) Keep plant(s) alive for a significant amount of time.

16) Learn to ballroom dance.

17) Catch a fish. (It's been too long!)

18) Become a dedicated journaler again.

19) Start a skincare regimen.  I'm not getting any younger!

20) Smile more! (I suffer from B-Word Face.  It's a real thing.)

21) Float a river.

22) Learn to rock climb.

23) Unplug one day a week.

24) Celebrate our first anniversary with a little trip or something, because staying married is important and should be celebrated!

First Day of Fall

Today is the first day of fall!  It's also my 24th birthday.  The weather was absolutely perfect, which was wonderful because Daniel and I had big plans to adventure to a part of the state we've been hoping to see for a while.  

He picked me up this morning and we got donuts for the drive to Triple Falls, which is just outside of Jasper, Arkansas.  Although the lack of rain made for more of a small drip and not so much three giant waterfalls, it was still a lovely little tucked away area and we enjoyed a couple of hours there before jumping back in the car and driving to an outlook over a big ol' beautiful canyon.  

Thank You, Lord, for giving me enough breath for 24 years of life and for surrounding me with so much love and beauty.

My Best Friend Visits for My Birthday Eve

This weekend has been wonderful so far.  My best friend and MOH Nataley got to Fay yesterday afternoon, just in time to celebrate with me on my shower (which she threw for me) getting featured on Style Me Pretty--check it out here! We sat around and spent the whole evening catching up, and it was fantastic. This morning we got up and stopped by the Farmer's Market before heading to Rogers for a mani appointment.  She left this afternoon, and I feel so relaxed and refreshed from her visit. Love you, Nat!

This evening I spent some time with Penny in the backyard--it was absolutely perfect outside--and then decided to experiment with a wedding project I've been considering.  If nothing else, this craft will end up being a fun piece of fall decor for the house.  

Nat's visit was a wonderful start to my birthday weekend.  

I can't wait to celebrate with my boo tomorrow!

Just Kidding: Honeymoon Revised

So our Costa Rica trip fell through for a couple of reasons (check the average weather for whatever time of year you're honeymooning before booking a trip, people--we're idiots :)), but have no fear--we have a new trip lined up and we are SO EXCITED!

(image source)

We'll be flying into Portland, Oregon the day after our wedding, then driving out to stay in a cozy little cabin in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge for a few days before doing some city living in Seattle and Portland.  I've never been to that part of the country and have always wanted to go, so I can't wait!

If you have any suggestions on places to eat or things to do and see, I'd love to hear them!

Penny Turns Two!

Yesterday my pretty little dog daughter turned two years old.  Or 14, if you practice dog years.  We bought her a glittery little birthday hat, but that of course didn't work out.  After two years minus eight weeks with this 30-pound lunatic, I will admit it: I'm all in.  I am a crazy dog lady, and that's that.

Daniel had some really profound thoughts on Penny's role in our lives while we were walking her last night: 

"You know, dogs can't poop their pants because they don't have pants."  No. Way.

We really do love our dog.  That's right--I will now refer to her as OUR dog, and she will officially become a Rock with me next month. Even though I forced Daniel into taking on the responsibilities of puppy parenting by adopting a dog on my own, he's grown to adore her as much as I do. It helps that she's so stinkin' cute!

Here are a couple of photos of Penny when I first got her and a couple of recents.  We even brought her along for our engagement session, and I'm so glad we did!

Happy birthday, puppy girl!

P.S.  I 100% recommend adopting if you're looking for a pet.  When I started looking for a puppy, I was set on a Westie.  Luckily I found my way to several adopt-a-pet websites and Penny's photo hooked me, even though the shelter wasn't sure what she was.  She was the runt of the litter and the most plain-looking--the shelter didn't think she'd get snatched up.  I don't like thinking about all the other plain-looking runts out there who don't ever get picked.  I love my little plain-looking runt!