Monday, January 30, 2012

Life Makes Love Look Hard




This is going to be a short, sweet, Taylor Swift inspired post...







Every time I hear this song on the radio it makes me smile. 
Maybe its because I am engaged, maybe its because I am constantly surrounded by examples of strong relationships from my parents and soon to be in-laws, maybe because I want SO badly for everyone to feel happy and loved by me
...Or maybe, its just because this is such a feel good song.
Whenever life gets rough, its a blessing to have that one person to turn too, to talk it all out with. Whether that person is your best friend, mom, spouse, or a stranger I think it is safe to say that it makes us feel lucky and loved.

So here is my challenge to me and to you:
Tell all those special people you appreciate them. 
Simple, huh?!

(P.S. I definitely listened to Ours by Taylor Swift on repeat while writing this)

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Meet The Maids

Choosing my bridesmaids was probably one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. I wanted to ask everyone... but in the end, I had to choose just 5. I have to say, I did a pretty darn good job. These pretty ladies are some of the most kind, caring, fun, and lovable women I have ever met.

So without further ado...

MEET

My maid of Honor... Eden





Eden is my sister and one of my best friends. She is one of the strongest, smartest, and beautiful people I have ever met. I have looked up to her since the day I was born. I swore that when I felt pain she did too. Growing up we fought, learned, and loved one another more than you could ever imagine.
She has always been my number one supporter and on my side. She defends me and makes sure I am happy. She is much more than my sister, she is my go to girl. I love her for so many reasons.
I am so honored that she is my maid of honor.

Katie

I met this gorgeous lady during my freshman year at GVSU. We had a class together and eventually realized that lived down the hall from one another. We first bonded over the fact that our class was very pointless. Before we knew it we bonded over much more. We were both on our way to joining the College of Education at GVSU, our personalities blended well, and we always seemed to laugh with one another.
Katie and I ended up having a class together almost every semester. I introduced her (kinda =]) to her boyfriend, Bryan. Our friendship grew and grew. Eventually, she became the person I knew I could always talk to without judging me. Eventually besides having classes together we also began to work together.
Katie was one of my biggest supporters the day that Josh and I became engaged. She is honestly one of the sweetest people I have ever met and one of my best friends. 

Amy

I first met Amy as a sophomore in High School. She was one of my cheerleading coaches. From the day I first met her, I looked up too. She is the NICEST person I have ever met. I am not even teasing. She would do anything to make people smile. After I graduated High School, I began to coach the JV program at Park, and she was assisting the Varsity program.
A few years later in 2010, we ended up coaching the varsity team together. Before we knew it we were with each other all. the. time. Between practices, camps, open gyms, and games we never seemed to part. We even ended up moving a street away from one another.
Amy has always been my own personal cheerleader. We always seem to find a way to laugh with one another and help one another get through the obstacles that come our way. Amy is my go to girl for advice. I respect her and her advice because she is the person that I strive to be like everyday. I can not imagine my life without her in. She is my little Susie Sue. (Oh, and my wedding hairstylist as well!)

Myranda

I met Myranda through Josh's old roommate Mike. At first we bonded because we were two girls stuck with four boys almost 24/7. We started spending lots of time together. The more serious Josh and I got, the more serious Myranda and I got.
Our friendship really started to build going into our sophomore year of college. Our lives were filled with constant highs and lows, and we turned to one another for comfort and to vent. Just like our lives, our friendship saw its high and lows. At the end of the day though, I think its safe to say that we always came to the same conclusion. We loved one another, we wanted the best for one another, and we never wanted to lose one another. (Sounds sort of like love to me!)
Through my sophomore and junior years of college our lives were pretty much inseparable. We spent most of our time in our boyfriends house. We cuddled up in bed and watched TV, Myranda taught me way to much about make-up, and making countless trips to Alpine. Our friendship is one that I value beyond words. We compliment one another so well. We our both compassionate about our lives and willing to keep each other in check. I am so thankful to have her in my wedding and could not imagine my wedding without her in it.

Last but NOT least...

Jacqlyn (Jackie O.)

She is adorable, huh?

Jackie O and I met through Joshs good friend, Ben. Jacqlyn is his super cute, bubbly, and fun girlfriend. I honestly can't even remember the first time we met. I know though that we instantly bonded. Our interests were similar: nail polish, trashy tv, nail polish, wine, etc. 
We ended up trying to find any opportunity for us to meet up with the boys. (Jackie O and Ben are from the other side of the state) Our friendship was special because of the great relationship we had as couples. Ben, Josh, Jacqlyn and I just clicked. We always found ways to have fun. Whether it was belting ourselves together, treating my purse as a dog, feeding my dog a chicken wing by accident, or floating in Lake Michigan for hours.
Jacqlyn always made me feel happy and open to talk to her about anything. She soon dubbed our relationship with us and our boyfriends as "BFC". BFC is Best Friend Couple and that is just it. Ben and Jacqlyn will always be those friends that we'll have forever. Our children will call them Aunt Jackie O and Uncle Benjamin for sure.




Monday, January 23, 2012

Hello Monday.

Helllllooo Monday!

Well, to say the least my life has been pretty busy the past few weeks. My life looks a little something like this: 3rd graders, class, homework, children's books, cheerleading practice, work, cheerleading competitions, and the occasional eating, sleeping and showering.

I have to say though, I am feeling quite happy this Monday morning. I have a crazy busy week ahead of me but there has also been a lot of exciting things happening in my life!

This past week was a success. We picked our wedding date, picked our reception site, my professor visited my classroom for the first time, I taught for the first time, I asked my friends to be my bridesmaids, my cheerleading team took 3rd at a large competition, and our friends from the east side made the trip over to see us!

I asked my bridesmaids with a bottle of wine and a little poem.. It said, "As I prepare for the day, that I am to be a bride, It would mean the world, to have you sipping by my side. Will you be my bridesmaid?"

I haven't asked one of my friends yet. She will be asked at noon and she shouldn't be on a computer to see this before then. =]
I have to say.. I am going to have one good looking bunch of bridesmaids.. I will write a post about them the next time I'm on here. =] I really do love them all!

3rd place trophy! (And one of my pretty bridesmaids)
Woo-Hoo Park Cheer!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Day 4: Favorite Color and Knuffle Bunny

Day 4: Favorite Color


PINK! 

Who would've guessed it?! Besides the nail polish and Bride magazine I use everything else everyday.
I don't necessarily like wearing pink, but I sure do like my things pink!

I am taking a class about teaching reading this semester. We began a reading log to help us read a lot of different children's literature so that we can place the perfect book to child. Here is the first book on my log...


Knuffle Bunny
By: Mo Willems

 It's about a little gal named Trixie who looses her bunny at the laundromat. 
It's a short picture book with some amazing art in it. 
The picture are photographs with the characters painted on top.

I also started reading Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary. I remember a lot of people reading this in elementary, but I think I just stuck to her books about Ramona.

What was your favorite book as a child!?

Monday, January 9, 2012

Day 3: The Clouds



I have to admit that I didn't take this picture for the photo challenge.
I took this picture to send to my mom, to show her the view from a building I have classes in. BUT it just happened to fit "the clouds" as well!
The building this photo was taken from we are looking at tomorrow for a possible wedding reception venue.

The building has a beautiful view of downtown Grand Rapids. 
For taking that photo on my not-so-fancy phone, it doesn't look too bad!

So bring on tomorrow. My first day as a teacher and a wedding planner.


Sunday, January 8, 2012

I follow a stranger on pinterest.. The only thing I know about her is that she posts inspirational sayings which make me smile.

The quote I posted above, gave me that warm fuzzy feeling. Most days, I am a pretty happy go lucky gal. I'll drive around with "My name is Billy" on my car window and have strangers honking at me because I forgot to shut my gas tank door. I can usually laugh at myself and find the good in what seems to be the evil world. I can smile all day just by looking at my nail polish and be the person you see laughing out loud after they read a text...

But not everyday is like that. Somedays my anxiety gets the best of me. Somedays I spend the whole day worrying about whether my fiance made it to work safely, if my Dad is feeling healthy, if my sister is happy, if I'm making my mom proud, if I look okay, If I am saving enough money.. Basically, about things I can't control. 

Lately, my stress has switched to wedding planning. I want to make everyone happy. I don't want to hurt anyones feelings. I don't want to only have to pick 5 people to stand up with me. I don't want to put a financial burden on my parents. All I really want to do is... marry my best friend.

The best friend who tells me that everything will be okay. The best friend who reminds me that I am a good person. The best friend who will hush me like a baby when the stress makes me cry (which then makes me laugh) The best friend, who reminds me that I can get through whatever challenges life throws my way. 

These Taylor Swift lyrics give me that warm fuzzy feeling too...
 "Life makes love look hard. The stakes are high, the water's rough.. but this love is ours."

I am so blessed to have a constant reminder that life will be okay.. whether its from a stranger on pinterest, a smile from a stranger, or the never ending support from my fiance. 

Day 2: What I Wore




Alright who is ready for day 2 of the photo challenge?

Today was a lazy but productive Sunday for me today. I saw a friend for a while this morning.. Then hit up Meijer to grocery shop... I know most people HATE grocery shopping on Sunday mornings, but I kind of like it. Everyone in the store seemed so nice, being kind and courteous to one another. Josh and I then hit up the mall where we both worked on making our wardrobe more professional.. mission accomplished!

Look what happened to make it into my cart today too while I was grocery shopping.. 
Gone Gonzo from the O.P.I Muppets collection!! I was instantly drawn to the blue sparkles.. The best part... It was on sale for $4.24! What a deal!

Alright, so onto the photo challenge... here is what I wore today:

 My black Sparkly shirt from Target..
My new Betsey Johnson sunglasses...
A messy braid..
Skinny jeans and my Uggs...
(I know I am wearing the same shirt in the last picture... Opse!)

PLUS...
..my favorite accessory...
and
...Steady She Rose on my nails from O.P.I's Pirates Collection...


Wednesday, January 4, 2012

30 Day Photo Challenge Brought To You By: Plainanfancy

I am excited to start a 30 day Photo Challenge that one of my best friends is featuring on her blog! Go check her out, her name is Jacqlyn and she is adorable.
 plainanfancy.wordpress.com

Just maybe, this will convince me to blog more regularly! Here it is:
Day 1: A Self Portrait


Okie Dokie, here I am.. 
Cheesy, webcam photo.. I know!