Nice People+Vera+December= A Happy ME!!

I just want to say how much I enjoy community with other believers.  John and I got to see the newly engaged couple- Wesley and Lindsey, I was able to have a skype date with my lovely friend Stephanie, and my church family at CBC decorated the worship center for Christmas tonight!  All of this reminded of how much I need other people to encourage me! I think fellowship is an amazing gift from the Lord.  If we lived with that in mind every day, wouldn't we all be nicer to one another and as a result- have good days, every day?! I think so!

This is officially my first week as a college-finisher! (I won't be a graduate until I get my diploma at the May graduation ceremony!).  Vera, my Vera Bradley planner, says I have plenty to do this week, however. So no breaks are in my sight, but I am determined to be productive! In my future, I have... wedding things to confirm, Kholes cash to spend :), furniture to finish refinishing, move my things/ organize these things in the new apartment, do some sweet things for my fiance, train at my new job, and lots lots more! Ready or not, December, here I (and Vera) come!

Congrats to Lindsey and Wesley!!!!

Today I am sending out a great big CONGRATS to Lindsey and Wesley!  They are two very special people to John and I that are now engaged!!!! I am thrilled that they are happy and will soon be getting married! John and I have had so many fun memories with them- we are looking forward to more memories... as married people!! :) Love you guys!!! 

Some of our favorite times.. :)

The happy couple at Fort Conde.

John and I at Fort Conde too. Such a fun double day-date!

Lindsey and I on our way down the trail at Sipsey Wilderness! "How adventurous are you feeling...?"

Sipsey Wilderness- Wesley has mad snake killing abilities... and is proud of it!

At the Gulf State Fair riding bumper cars :). Aren't they too cute!?

Our trip to Dothan!

  
Carving pumpkins! -Lindsey's first time to make a jack-o-lantern, and light a match! What a big night! :)


Congratulations you guys!!! We love you!!!!

Thanksgiving Thoughts

What a year it has been! During the mass amounts of carbs, sweets, and meat, our family rehashed the blessings the Lord has given us over the last 12 months.  I am reminded of how many special people God has put in my life! I have so much to be thankful for!

My wonderful fiance is my very best friend. I am so thankful he will be my husband in 3 weeks!

I love my family. I am so grateful for their love and support.  I wouldn't be the person I am without them!!  

(Some of the fam- Nana, Mama, and Aunt Jan. Sorry the men in the family didn't make any of these pics!)  

My awesome little sis- Brookie :).

I LOVE these girls! They are some of the best friends that I have ever had. John and I have such wonderful friends, I couldn't even think about posting pictures of them all.

(In the pictures- Kylie, Natalie, Megan, and I in Pennsylvania!)

Lindsey and I on our camping trip!!














I am also reminded today how much I love my church families- Moffett Road and Celebration! And most of all, I'm thankful for my salvation. Only a Savior could love a sinner like myself.  For that, I am most thankful.

Project #1~ Lace Mason Jar Lantern

This is a beautiful craft this is ridiculously easy! I'll go ahead and tell how I made it since it isn't a Christmas present ;).  John and I are using these at our wedding and reception next month, but I think they would be gorgeous anywhere- garden parties, patios, even your mantle.

Here is what you need-
Mason jars, tape or hot glue, scissors, tea lights, and wide lace.

PS I bought a whole role of flat, cheap lace in Daphne at their fabric/lace warehouse.  I won't ever buy lace anywhere else again! They are the best.

There really aren't many steps in this craft. I trimmed the edges off my lace.  Some spools of lace come pre-cut, which is awesome, but mine didn't.  After trimming, cut the lace big enough to go all the way around the jar.  I used tape to attach it to the jar, but I'm sure you could use hot glue as well.  I just had tape handy.

And you're done! Light the tea candle and drop it to the bottom.  Now you have a beautiful, vintage inspired lantern that gives off a romantic glow! The picture doesn't do it justice (sorry- my phone camera isn't all that hot).  The darker the place, the better it looks!

To do something different, you could use other colors of lace, embellish with ribbons, or spray the jar with glitter adhesive then stick on the lace (this is the one I am dying to try!).  Hope you are inspired!

I Grew Up Today!

Today was such an important day! It was my last day student teaching at Allentown Elementary.  I had the opportunity to work with the sweetest kindergardeners during this last semester of my college career. And all of a sudden- POOF! It's over. I have a bachelor's degree (just without the diploma yet). I won't ever have to think about classes again!... Well, if I don't go to grad school ;).


Here are a few of my lovely 5 year olds decked out as "authentic" Indians. Precious!

After completing my bachelor's degree in elementary and early childhood education, John and I went to get our marriage license this afternoon! And may I say that there are some very rude people who work for the government in those fancy buildings downtown. We managed to salvage our good moods by killing them with kindness, however (just like mama taught us). We are thrilled to be on our way down the isle!!


Here we are right after we filled out our pages and pages of information on anything and everything "they" could possibly need to know.  Also after we raised out right hands and promised all of this information was true.  And after the lady wished us good luck with our lives.  Note our happiness please :).  

Whew! What a memorable day! I have been unwinding by making crafts. I wish I could disclose pictures of this part of my day very badly. However, I cannot quite yet ;). Some of the crafts are going to be Christmas presents!! BUT I plan to post pictures and mini tutorials after I deliver them. So check back and get your purse ready for Hobby Lobby! Super cute things indeed :)

So this is blogging!

Hi blog world! My name is Emily and wonderful fiance's name is John (hence the blog URL).  So here we are, with our own blog.  Except the fact that John doesn't know. Or rightly care. So I shall tell about life for him too!

At the moment, I feel like time is flying, I am smiling every minute of the day, and life is changing too quickly for me to catch up.  John and I are getting married on December 18, 2010.  We started dating in high school our sophomore year.  Yep, we were those two saps who everyone said "Oh, aren't they just precious. Such serious high school sweethearts".  But inside they were thinking "Ha! No one ends up with their first love, especially not their high school romance!".  Well, look-y here all of you nay-sayers (I say that in the most kind hearted, jovial way possible), we are making it! And we are so in love, it even makes ME a little sick at times.

This weekend was a huge blessing from the amazing God I serve.  Our friends threw us a surprise shower!! It was an entertainment/date shower to help John and I plan fun things once we get married and become broke due to bills and other adult stuff we are learning about.  We ate and played the newly wed game (which I have to say, John is much better than I am), and received so many wonderful gift cards to ensure that we will still get dressed up fancy and take nights out on the town!  Many thanks to our lovely friends.  They truly are some of my favorite blessings.  On top of all that Saturday, tonight we finalized things for our soon-to-be home sweet home! We will start moving our things in shortly and move ourselves in after the wedding! Woo hoo!!