...has been easier than I thought! Doug and I got engaged 4 weeks ago, and basically the whole event (ceremony, reception, other details) has been planned. We have been SO lucky to have everything fall into place so quickly.
The most fun part, however, isn't planning the wedding DAY, but planning and dreaming about our LIFE! Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd love someone this much, someone who knows me inside and out and loves me even more because of it. Someone who I love and want to care for with every ounce of my being as we pursue Christ together.
**Sidenote** If anyone needs recommendations on vendors, I've got great ones. We are blessed to be working with some very talented, Godly people for our wedding day. I like trusting others to do what they're best at!
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Engagement Pics
Here are a few of my favorite recent engagement photos! We had a blast going around Deep Ellum and the Dallas Arboretum. Richie Auter took them (www.jumpingman.com)
Thursday, December 11, 2008
I have thought about blogging so many times in the last 2 weeks, and keep putting it off! Please forgive my tardiness!
So many wonderful things have happened. I am engaged to the love of my life, Doug Midkiff. Our wedding is set for Saturday, May 2 in Dallas.
We had talked about getting married and I knew it was on his mind but didn't know when everything was going to go down. Let me tell you, knowing you'll be engaged but not knowing when is enough to drive a girl crazy!
Anyway, two weeks ago, I was woken up by my wonderful friend Stephanie Clark who told me to get ready because we needed to go somewhere that day. Through various clues and rhyming poems and word puzzles, Doug sent me on a scavenger hunt all over Dallas, escorted by Stephanie and also Julia Stark. He sent me to many places that are special in our relationship, and he told me why each of them were important to him.
The last clue ended at his condo, which was in full array of flowers and candles. He said some things I don't remember, but I will never forget him asking me to marry him. And I said yes!! We had a few sweet moments together then went to an engagement party. He had arranged for both our families and many friends to get together and celebrate. It was such a fun day.
Since the beginning of our dating relationship, our prayer has been that others will see Christ in us and that we can put Christ in the center. It is so awesome and it feels like such an answered prayer when our friends get excited about our marriage, or say that they have encouragement from our story.
It is such a whirlwind, we met in April and started dating in May, and will be married this coming May. But I cannot say this enough: we serve a God who is surprising, loving, merciful and faithful. HE is the one who wrote our love story, and HE is the one who knew from the beginning of time that we were created for one another.
When I could only see the rocky roads my feet were currently on, and could only look back to the distant sometimes painful memories of steps I'd taken before, Christ and Christ alone knew the future before me. He's the one who directs our steps, and He's the one who makes our paths straight.
And when the Lord does something, He does it fully, wholly, completely and sometimes swiftly. He makes events and occurrences come together so well that no human can take credit for its success. Case in point: Doug and I's relationship.
And let me tell you: Doug is a gift. He's funny,(and he thinks I'm funny!) smart, caring, patient with me, loving and protecting. He's everything I have prayed for in a man. Sometimes I try to pick fights just to prove to myself we're not perfect. But it's hard because Doug is so dang rational.
So, in summary, God is good. The two of us feel so blessed to start a new life together and celebrate with our friends and family. Watch for pictures - they are coming soon.
Love and faithfulness meet each other, righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield it’s harvest. Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.” Psalm 85: 10-13
So many wonderful things have happened. I am engaged to the love of my life, Doug Midkiff. Our wedding is set for Saturday, May 2 in Dallas.
We had talked about getting married and I knew it was on his mind but didn't know when everything was going to go down. Let me tell you, knowing you'll be engaged but not knowing when is enough to drive a girl crazy!
Anyway, two weeks ago, I was woken up by my wonderful friend Stephanie Clark who told me to get ready because we needed to go somewhere that day. Through various clues and rhyming poems and word puzzles, Doug sent me on a scavenger hunt all over Dallas, escorted by Stephanie and also Julia Stark. He sent me to many places that are special in our relationship, and he told me why each of them were important to him.
The last clue ended at his condo, which was in full array of flowers and candles. He said some things I don't remember, but I will never forget him asking me to marry him. And I said yes!! We had a few sweet moments together then went to an engagement party. He had arranged for both our families and many friends to get together and celebrate. It was such a fun day.
Since the beginning of our dating relationship, our prayer has been that others will see Christ in us and that we can put Christ in the center. It is so awesome and it feels like such an answered prayer when our friends get excited about our marriage, or say that they have encouragement from our story.
It is such a whirlwind, we met in April and started dating in May, and will be married this coming May. But I cannot say this enough: we serve a God who is surprising, loving, merciful and faithful. HE is the one who wrote our love story, and HE is the one who knew from the beginning of time that we were created for one another.
When I could only see the rocky roads my feet were currently on, and could only look back to the distant sometimes painful memories of steps I'd taken before, Christ and Christ alone knew the future before me. He's the one who directs our steps, and He's the one who makes our paths straight.
And when the Lord does something, He does it fully, wholly, completely and sometimes swiftly. He makes events and occurrences come together so well that no human can take credit for its success. Case in point: Doug and I's relationship.
And let me tell you: Doug is a gift. He's funny,(and he thinks I'm funny!) smart, caring, patient with me, loving and protecting. He's everything I have prayed for in a man. Sometimes I try to pick fights just to prove to myself we're not perfect. But it's hard because Doug is so dang rational.
So, in summary, God is good. The two of us feel so blessed to start a new life together and celebrate with our friends and family. Watch for pictures - they are coming soon.
Love and faithfulness meet each other, righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield it’s harvest. Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.” Psalm 85: 10-13
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Will Smith
I have ALWAYS liked Will Smith! Yesterday he was in Dallas doing a charity event for the Dallas Food Bank ... and decided to throw in some other surprise appearances. The Lake Highlands volleyball and football teams are in the playoffs, and Will came to their pep rally. He called the principal himself and said he wanted to come, and requested no media. He encouraged them and gave them a pep talk. Besides the principal and a few faculty, no one had a clue!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
We Won!
Buttsweat & Beers (here on out will be referred to as BS&B) won 1st in our division and placed 6th overall at the Ragnar Relay. We clocked in at 25 hours and change after running 181 miles through Texas hill country. My half of the team (Van 1) consisted of myself and Doug (dubbed Double Deuces - you can figure out why), and Bucky and Lorrie, Mario and Ryoto. .....All weekend, Mario tried being nice to people, and each time it ended up biting him in the butt. Fourtunately, he got to meet his real life Sarah Connor (from The Terminator) - the bad-A runner chick who passed Mario on the road with a vengeance. He chatted her up the next day, and she ended up being the sweetest thing since southern tea.
...Ryoto played like a champion and run on a severely bloody and injured toe, and acted as if it was nothing. (Lorrie, can you e-mail me the pic of his toe? Totally blog-worthy)...Lorrie and Bucky were all around awesome. Lorrie gets the team mom award for always checking on the runners and giving people water. Together the two of them stole a parking spot from an 84 year old woman in downtown Fredricksburg :) All in all, we had a great time. Besides running 3x in 24 hours we got the privilege to sleep all together in a minivan full of ... well ... buttsweat and a general haze of nastiness.... The next day, Doug had severely tight calf muscles, causing him to crawl up his condo's stairs that night.
Besides all of the above, we showered with baby wipes, got t-shirts, medals at the end, and all the gatorade and Kashi bars you could stand.
Good times.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
I've got "The Crud"
People at work use this term all the time, "Oh, I've just got the crud." Or, "he doesnt' feel well, he's got the crud, bless his heart." Others nod knowingly, sympathizing with their unfortunate condition.
Hold on.
What does that even mean?
According to www.thefreedictionary.com, crud (krd)noun
1. Slang
a. A coating or an incrustation of filth or refuse.
b. Something loathsome, despicable, or worthless.
c. One who is contemptible or disgusting.
2. A disease or ailment, imaginary or real, especially one affecting the skin.
3. Sports Heavy, sticky snow that is unsuitable for skiing.
That is just disgusting.
But I think I've got it. I'm drinking Emergen-C mixed with grapefruit juice instead of water, (if that won't put hair on your knuckles, I don't know what will,) trying to get enough sleep, and taking decongestants. I am learning the beauty of calling the doctor's assistant instead of actually making an appointment and paying for a doctor's visit. So ... juice in hand ... bring on the crud.
Hold on.
What does that even mean?
According to www.thefreedictionary.com, crud (krd)noun
1. Slang
a. A coating or an incrustation of filth or refuse.
b. Something loathsome, despicable, or worthless.
c. One who is contemptible or disgusting.
2. A disease or ailment, imaginary or real, especially one affecting the skin.
3. Sports Heavy, sticky snow that is unsuitable for skiing.
That is just disgusting.
But I think I've got it. I'm drinking Emergen-C mixed with grapefruit juice instead of water, (if that won't put hair on your knuckles, I don't know what will,) trying to get enough sleep, and taking decongestants. I am learning the beauty of calling the doctor's assistant instead of actually making an appointment and paying for a doctor's visit. So ... juice in hand ... bring on the crud.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Fair, Football and FUN!
I haven't kept up with blogging lately. Just so yall know I'm still here, this is my obligatory blog o' lists, with a few pics to spice it up.
1. Still training for the Ragnar Relay. One weekend away.
1. Still training for the Ragnar Relay. One weekend away.
2. Excited about carving pumpkins and eating pies.
3. Been to the state fair. Been to Dallas fright fest. Watched football. Go Big 12.
3. Been to the state fair. Been to Dallas fright fest. Watched football. Go Big 12.
4. Hmm ... what else. I got nothin. Guess it's picture time.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
A latte with a side of ... Bad Theology
This morning after hitting the gym before work, I drove through Starbucks to pick up a pumpkin spice latte. (So basically, the latte and my workout balanced each other out!) Each Starbucks cup has an author or quote from someone in the media. Here was today's:
The Way I See It #58
I have faith. Faith in our wondrous capacity for hope and good, love and trust, healing and forgiveness. Faith in the blessing of our infinite ability to wonder, question, pray, feel, think and learn. I have faith. Faith in the infinite possibilities of the human spirit.
-James Brown, Emmy-winning sportscaster and co-host of FOX NFL Sunday.
The problem with this statement is that there is no good in us apart from Christ. None! God imparted righteousness to us at the cross when Jesus took our sins as his own. Therefore, our faith should not lie in our capabilities, knowledge or the "human spirit," but the blood that was shed for us and the redemption we receive as a result.
It says in Proverbs "there is a way that seems right to a man but at the end of it is the way of death and destruction." Are we as Christians listening to the world's wisdom or way of thinking instead of relying on scriptures? Wake up each day with His glory and His renown on your mind and lips and you will see more and more of yourself die. And there's so much freedom in dying to self!
"So I say to you, live by the Spirit, and do not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature ... But if you are living by the Spirit, you are no longer under law." Gal 6:16-18
"Christ in you, the hope of glory." Colossians 1:27
"God is greater than our hearts, and He knows everything." 1 John 3:20
The Way I See It #58
I have faith. Faith in our wondrous capacity for hope and good, love and trust, healing and forgiveness. Faith in the blessing of our infinite ability to wonder, question, pray, feel, think and learn. I have faith. Faith in the infinite possibilities of the human spirit.
-James Brown, Emmy-winning sportscaster and co-host of FOX NFL Sunday.
The problem with this statement is that there is no good in us apart from Christ. None! God imparted righteousness to us at the cross when Jesus took our sins as his own. Therefore, our faith should not lie in our capabilities, knowledge or the "human spirit," but the blood that was shed for us and the redemption we receive as a result.
It says in Proverbs "there is a way that seems right to a man but at the end of it is the way of death and destruction." Are we as Christians listening to the world's wisdom or way of thinking instead of relying on scriptures? Wake up each day with His glory and His renown on your mind and lips and you will see more and more of yourself die. And there's so much freedom in dying to self!
"So I say to you, live by the Spirit, and do not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature ... But if you are living by the Spirit, you are no longer under law." Gal 6:16-18
"Christ in you, the hope of glory." Colossians 1:27
"God is greater than our hearts, and He knows everything." 1 John 3:20
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
A Vagabond Song
When my mom saw the poem I posted last time, she searched around to find this one. My brothers and I memorized it when we were in elementary school ... and I still remember the rhythm in which I recited it... it paints a great picture of Autumn.
'A Vagabond Song' -Bliss Carman
There is something in the autumn that is native to my blood-
Touch of manner, hint of mood;
And my heart is like a rhyme,
With the yellow and the purple and the crimson keeping time.
The scarlet of the maple can shake me like a cry
Of bugles going by.
And my lonely spirit thrills
To see the frosty asters like a smoke upon the hills.
There is something in October sets the gypsy blood astir;
We must rise and follow her,
When from every hill of flame
She calls and calls each vagabond by name.
'A Vagabond Song' -Bliss Carman
There is something in the autumn that is native to my blood-
Touch of manner, hint of mood;
And my heart is like a rhyme,
With the yellow and the purple and the crimson keeping time.
The scarlet of the maple can shake me like a cry
Of bugles going by.
And my lonely spirit thrills
To see the frosty asters like a smoke upon the hills.
There is something in October sets the gypsy blood astir;
We must rise and follow her,
When from every hill of flame
She calls and calls each vagabond by name.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Autumn Fires...
"Autumn Fires" Robert Louis Stevenson
In the other gardens
In the other gardens
And all up the vale,
From the autumn bonfires
See the smoke trail!
Pleasant summer over
And all the summer flowers,
The red fire blazes,
The grey smoke towers.
Sing a song of seasons!
Something bright in all!
Flowers in the summer,
Fires in the fall!
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