"You wear white and I'll wear out the words I Love You..."

The story:

October 6, 2012 begins the journey to...

Our Wedding!!

Holy Moly, I wasn't expecting to be announcing this! It all came as a surprise. Chase and I are so blessed to have been put into each others lives and knew that one day we would spend the rest of them together. But I didn't see this one coming when it did.

October 8th was the 1st anniversary of some of my best friends Anna and Nathan Kelly. After moving to Tennessee and away from my friends and family, we planned a camping trip so that the Kelly's, Beth and Kreg Montgomery, Chase and myself could get together. The only weekend available happened to fall on the weekend before their anniversary, so we decided to use it to celebrate their first year of marriage together...

(Or so I thought!)

We all planned the weekend and what food and supplies we each were goint to bring. I suggested to Chase that we get a bottle of champagne to celebrate and surprise the couple. I couldn't wait to see my friends and have a wonderful weekend together.

Turns out it was the best weekend ever!

After a long trip and many pit stops and delays, Chase and I made it to the campsite and set up before everyone got there. We made a yummy dinner of salmon and veggies and awaited our friends.

 The rest of the group got in about midnight and we talked and spent some time together before we went to bed...and then came the rain!

I was lucky and didn't get wet at all, but it did get some of the others as well as out stuff. The guys made an area to dry everything off the next morning.

(Here's where the fun starts)

We had planned on going rock climbing and hiking Saturday, but since the rain didn't stop until around 11:00 and the area was wet, we weren't able to go as planned. I was kind of sad, but Chase and Nathan said they found a pretty place for us to hike to for lunch.

After Beth and Kreg ran an errand (more on that later), we packed up and made our way to the waterfall for lunch. It was quite a hike downhill, but the area was beautiful. We took some pictures and Chase pulled me aside to show me another area to the other side of the rope bridge we came across.

I honestly wasn't sure why he was taking me over here, or why he was acting so nervous.

He gave me a kiss and told me how much he loved me. I of course told him I loved him too.

He reached in his jacket and told me he had something for me. After fumbling to get the zipper opened and saying sweet things I regretfully can't remember (I was in shock that this was all happening), he pulled out a ring box with the most beautiful cushion cut diamond, got on one knee, and asked me to marry him.

He tells me I didn't say anything but just nodded my head. I honestly can't remember; I was just so excited! Luckily Kreg had the camera the whole time (and got a memory card at Walmart because Chase forgot it at home) and got the pictures. This was the plan the whole time.

Seriouly, everyone knew but me. This wasn't for Anna and Nathan at all. Really guys? I basically planned my own engagement without knowing it. I bought my own congratulatory bottle of champagne (which everyone thought was funny)! Everyone lied to me!!  But I couldn't be happier...
God couldn't have made a more perfect man for me. He is the kindest, most genuine, passionate, caring, creative, and loving person I know.
God's timing is perfect, and every struggle I have ever been through was all worth it in this moment. I know with all of my heart the he will love me and support me for the rest of our lives. I cannot thank God enough for him! (and Beth and Kreg for hookin us up!)

Bean Counter

Accounting...

The typical thought of the work of an accountant is that of number crunching, "bean counting", problems, difficult clients, and scaryyy auditors/audits -

I actually am one of those scary auditors; and believe it or not, it is not at all what it seems!

I love my job!



I don't sit behind a desk 100% of the time, I get to travel, and I get to interact with awesome, intelligent people. I am so grateful for God leading me to this career choice and I can't wait to see what the future brings through it. I'm a lucky girl : )



Crossfit - I hate to love it!

One of the more "trendy" workouts right now is Crossfit, and I was excited to try it when I moved to Montgomery. I previously had a trainer in Troy, Kris Ansley (anyone there, check him out. He was great!), and lifted weights with him. That in itself was a completely new experience. I had to train my body to move in ways that I didnt feel was natural, and that took some time to get used to. After a couple months of it, I really started to love it and the effect it had on my body. I knew moving to Montgomery was going to be a struggle. I discovered that I performed much better in a gym environment where someone was pushing me and relying on me to show up. And quite honestly, if I was going to spend the money then I was going to show up and work hard. It was a kind of motivation, a slightly costly one, but motivation none-the-less.

In Montgomery, I tried to continue my workouts similar to how Kris and I did them, but on my own. That didn't turn our very well! I had no motivation and no one to hold me accountable. By the end of the day, my intentions of going to the gym went down the drain! I eventually joined a Crossfit gym in Millbrook, River Region Crossfit, www.riverregioncrossfit.com. (Check them out if you are in the Millbrook or Montgomery area!) I loved it! It took me back to the gym in Troy, but with an intense twist to it, adding in quick circuit training as well. (Kris always tried to get me to do circuits, but I hated them so I talked my way out of it... Sorry, you were right!) I wasn't able to get as involved as I wanted to, though; because I traveled a lot for work. But I thought "Hey, I've been lifting weights for a while now...I'll be totally fine!"

That's where my dilemma begins. So... I move to Nashville, decide to continue my Crossfit training, and I joined a gym in Murfreesboro near my work.

www.crossfitrampage.com 

I told them I had already done the On Ramp class and had participated for about 2 months back home, so they let me skip the intro and get right into the mix of things...

And I SUCK!

I am the slowest, weakest person in the class! I get so discouraged and hard on myself trying to keep up. These people don't mess around! In their defense, they had 2 ridiculously hard work outs in honor of a birthday and 9/11, so it's hard to base my performace on that. BUT I still sucked!

All together I really do love it! I am excited to continue and see myself get better, but I really hate the wait. Isn't that the hardest part of working out in general. We tend to expect to do 50 sit-ups and see results immediately. But I will press on with my training, work hard, and hope for the best! Check out a local Crossfit gym near you; you will love it!

Finally in Nashville

Moving day finally came! After a month of traveling for work and trying to pack, Chase and I went into beast mode and loaded the truck in an hour an a half! I was so impressed : )

We headed on up to Birmingham to spend the night with the Montgomery's and enjoy some time with them and the Kelly's. It was a wonderful night with friends, with Jamie and Skot stopping by as well. We happily got up early the next morning and hit the road! Chase picked up his wonderful rommate, Kirk, and my dad followed behind from Montgomery.

I was dreading this move; living on the second floor and having to hoist everything up, but with the four of us, we unloaded EVERYTHING in a little over an hour! Ran some errands, took showers, and hit the town to watch the football games downtown. War Eagle! I treated the boys to wings and beer, and we even hit up a local bar after. Fun night to end the moving trip for sure!

As of now, I am just trying to adjust living on my own. A new city is scary, and foreign. I can't travel anywhere without my GPS and have to ask about everything. I will eventually learn my bearings. I can't complain at all though, Tennessee is beautiful! I truly feel like I am going to love it here, especially after I make some friends and have visits from those at home I love.

The view from where I live is nothing to complain about! And with fall setting in...it is wonderful!!

Even the drive to work is exciting. Downtown has yet to be explored much, but it is still early : )

And did I mention Nashville is beautiful? God blessed me with an amazing sunset. I am so lucky!

"I pulled into Nashville, TN. But you wouldn't even come around to see me"

That's right! I'm moving to Nashville!

I have been so blessed with the opportunity to continue my career in Tennessee. Our firm has an office outside of Nashville and has presented me with the option of moving. After thinking, talking, and praying about the decision... I have decided it is the best decision for me! What a great city and state to move into. There are so many advantages for this move, both career and life.I still get to work for a company that I love working for. The people I work with are great, and the atmosphere in the Tennessee office is just the same! I also get to work in an industry I have enjoyed since my internship 2 years ago. Outside of work, Tennessee is beautiful! Great hiking, backpacking, and camping is in my backyard. No more driving 6 hours to enjoy the outdoors! Although, now it will be a 6 hour drive to see the ones I love: Sorry mom and dad!

I guess as Ben Harper says, I'll have to "steal  my kisses" while I'm in Alabama! Nashville, here I come!

Bring in the new year!

What an exciting end to 2011! Graduation wad awesome, great time with family, an amazing Christmas, and a great new years trip! I am so thankful for everything God had given me.
Pictures and stories to come!