Updates~ my relationship

Considering my last post, and how long ago it was, I know that some of you are probably wondering how I'm doing, if I fell off the edge of the earth, or something like that. You may also be wondering about how my relationship is going. I apologize for not posting in so long, but between me being busy, and my boyfriend being busy, and trying to adapt my schedule to work around his so I have free time when he does, life has been even more hectic than usual. I could try to tell you everything that happened, day to day, but I'm not sure I have enough time for that unfortunately. So I'll give you a brief synopsis, and pictures that tell the story better than I do instead. ;) 

I was frantic trying to get all those wedding pictures edited before Kenny graduated from college, because they wouldn't tell me when they were coming, but I knew it had to be sometime after his graduation. I got my pictures completed the day before the graduation. Sadly, I didn't get to go to it, but I was now anticipating whenever Kenny and his family would be coming to Louisiana. 

The following week we scrubbed our house from top to bottom. Everything anyone said was carefully analyzed by me, looking for a clue to when they would arrive. The weekend came and went, and they still hadn't showed up. I think if they wouldn't have shown up when they did, I may've been in danger of having a heart attack lol. 

a picture of Kenny and the rental car they used to get here and back.

That Monday, I noticed that my mom was acting strangely, watching the street and looking out the windows. That, and a few other things, tipped me off that they were coming that day. Needless to say, I was ready the whole day, never ceasing from looking out one window or another. I didn't get much accomplished. At about 5pm, they drove up to our house. I watched Kenny get out of the car, my heart pounding. I waited for him to knock, but those moments it took for him to do so seemed so unbearably long. My dad says he heard me run down the hall, although I wasn't even aware that I had run. Kenny knocked, I opened the door, and Kenny, his dad, his brother, and my dad were all standing there in a semi-circle. Kenny yelled surprise in my face, so they still got the stunned look they wanted, lol. I'm sorry to say, that we didn't take a picture that first night, we were both so excited, and I think still in shock that this was actually happening, and we were really seeing each other face to face for the first time. I'll admit, that I'm extra sad that I didn't get a picture, because Kenny wore a red plaid western shirt, jeans, and boots, because he knows I love that look. Still can't believe I didn't get a picture! Haha. 

Tuesday

 

our first picture together

  

Tuesday they came to our house that morning, talked a little while, then went outside to play toss the football and catch with a softball. I had fixed my hair that morning, but between the mud, humidity, sweat, and exercise, my hair did not look too good by the time this picture was taken lol. This is what happens when you court a guy who loves sports. ;) We had a lot of fun that day though, between playing catch, card games, and cooking dinner together. That night we had church since Christmas Eve was the next day, and my dad preached. Kenny and I got to sit together, and he got to meet some of my church family. 

Wednesday

 Christmas Eve morning after breakfast, Kenny tried to teach Mark and me P'knuckle (not sure how to spell it, lol). I don't think I ever did understand it. Soon, Kenny and I got to cook our Christmas Eve lunch, the biggest meal my family usually prepares for Christmas. We made gumbo, potato salad, and monkey bread. We had also gotten some pies for dessert. It was interesting to see how differently we worked in the kitchen, although I think we complimented each others talents a good bit. We bantered and sparred, having lots of

fun as we worked. The man can cook AND wash dishes!!! Doesn't he sound like a keeper? ;P 

a pic Kenny's dad took of us

 After lunch, we opened gifts. I don't have any pictures of all of that downloaded, but I can show you Kenny's gift to me, and my gift to him. 

apparently, this was the face I made when I opened my gift lol

 Kenny drew this picture of me, using the picture that he first saw of me. I think he did an amazing job creating it's likeness. He's so incredibly talented in so many ways. :)

                                         And then, he got to open my Christmas gift to him. :D

tee shirts that say, "this girl loves her boyfriend" for me, and "this man loves his girlfriend" for Kenny. We both love our shirts. :D 

We mostly relaxed for the rest of the day, watching movies, talking, going on a short walk, and playing Bible trivia that night while snacking on leftovers whenever someone was hungry. It was so much fun to play, talk, and just be together. :) And that game of Bible trivia got pretty competitive. ;) 

 We also changed our relationship status that night at 11pm. It was so much fun to see everyone's comments and finally be able to talk about our relationship and post pictures. :) 

Thursday 

Christmas morning we had a large breakfast, then headed to my Mawmaw and Pawpaw's house for the day to be with all the extended family. It was lots of fun to introduce Kenny and his dad and brother to everyone. I also got to meet my newest cousin, this adoable little baby named Miles. Can I just say that a man holding a baby is so attractive? ;) 

We ate tons of food, opened gifts, and hung out together. I also got to introduce Kenny to what's becoming the family mascot, my cousin's bearded dragon, Hydra.

I'm one of those odd girls that loves reptiles, so Hydra and I are old friends. Isn't he neat? :) 

Before we left, Kenny and I got to sit on the swing in the corner of the backyard and talk. It was calm and peaceful, and so amazing just to be talking face to face and being in each others presence. I didn't want it to end. 

Thankfully, my mom captured the moment, and took some pictures of us that turned out to be my favorites. 

The second picture is both of our favorite. :) 

We went home and hung out some more, while some people took naps. Kenny and I sat on the couch together, mostly silent, as we cherished the last few hours together. They left at 3am the next morning, so we knew that night that we had to say goodbye, at least for now. We went to the church and popped some fireworks that Kenny's brother had bought. I tried to take pictures, keeping behind Kenny as they went off, trying to stay warm in the cold night air. After they finally got to meet and talk to my pastor (no other time had worked out the whole week), and talking some more, we said goodbye. In just a few short days, I not only had gotten so attached to my love Kenny, but also to his gentle giant little brother, and his dad that I can't wait to be my amazing father-in-law someday. It felt like our families had already joined and become one. As my dad said, he no longer feels like he's losing his daughter, but that he's gaining a son-in-law. 

So now, even though it's been hard and we miss each other, we still talk and text every day. We continue to skype often, and work towards preparing for our future through Bible studies together, getting set goals accomplished, and becoming stable financially. We both have a ways to go, but every step is important, and I'm trying to enjoy and cherish each new phase and accomplished goal. 

So, that's my story of Christmas week! It was my most amazing Christmas thus far, and I look forward to the bright future ahead. If any of you have any questions about me, Kenny, our relationship, or courtship, please feel free to ask. I'd be happy to answer your questions, and try to do so to the best of my ability. :)

And so....

I really did not know how to title this post, maybe that's why I've put it off for so long. Some really amazing earth-moving things have been happening in my life right now. I've been really busy between ministry, family, homeschooling, housework, and Bible College. I'm shooting my fourth wedding this Saturday. But honestly, even though all those things have taken a lot of my time, there's one thing that came unexpectedly, so quietly, that I never saw it coming. And now, I know what I should've titled this post.

Love comes softly. 

I always thought I'd meet a guy and there would be an instant attraction, an equal recognition of soul mates, and courtship would come quickly, soon followed by marriage. 

But, that's not what happened.

I stopped looking. I was discouraged, and finally giving up, at least for a little while, just to heal my wounds and get my focus back on the Lord, and determine goals for my life. I was done, even at that point, desiring a relationship, at least I couldn't feel it through the pain and discouragement. And that's when the Lord must've said, "Ahh, now you're ready." 

I met Kenny on September 1, 2014. I know some people that are seriously against this, but I was on a Christian dating website. I was already talking to one guy on there, when I got a message from Kenny. He obviously had used an older picture, and I honestly thought he was lying about his age. He looked way younger than 23. I hovered my mouse over the button to send a polite rejection, when I felt the Lord tug on my heart and stop me. So I messaged Kenny back and we started talking a bit. He told me his full name and said I could friend him on facebook, so I did. I was upfront with him, and told him that I was already talking to another guy, but that we could be friends. He said ok, and we continued to message back and forth on facebook. Considering I was talking pretty seriously at the time to the other guy, I told Kenny that I would only talk to him on facebook out of respect for the other guy. 

Well, without going into the gory details, the other guy backed out, and left me pretty heartbroken. Kenny and I had continued to message each other and talk about our beliefs, standards, and interests, and were amazed about how many things we had in common. I was even going to introduce him to a friend of mine! Kenny was just a chum, and I didn't think it would ever possibly go beyond that. 

When things ended with the other guy, Kenny was an extremely supportive, loyal friend. He asked if we could start texting and talking on the phone. I agreed, but let him know ahead of time that I was NOT looking for a relationship, only good friends. Even though he hinted and let me know that he did like me, he was respectful of my wishes, and didn't push things. We talked all the time, several hours a day, and texted a good bit. It seems like everyone saw it before me. They asked and suggested that I liked him, and I kept saying, "No! We're just friends!" I didn't realize what everyone was seeing in my eyes and my conversation. I was getting very attached to, and falling for Kenny. 

Almost a month after we had met, one night, it hit me. I was messaging him, and suddenly told him that I didn't know what to do. My feelings for him were much stronger than I had ever imagined they would be. What had started out as a buddy and loyal guy friend, had turned into much more. The sweet guy apologized, I guess he thought he had done something wrong, and asked if I wanted him to back off. But he was such a mixture of close friend and romantic interest that I immediately said no. I couldn't bare the thought of not talking to him everyday, and I knew it would probably hurt him as well. A few days later, once I had gotten used to the idea and no longer felt shocked, we talked about our feelings. I love how every step of the way, in each tiny step of our relationship, we have stopped and talked everything out. 

So, now we've known each other for 2 months and 12 days, and every day only gets sweeter. I never imagined that a relationship could feel so natural. We're courting, having a relationship with a purpose with both our families heavily involved. My family loves him and his family loves me. Our families do a joint Bible study on Friday nights over speaker phone, and Kenny and I have been doing Bible studies on the weekdays. We also now have his sister and sometimes their dad join in our Bible studies, which always turns out amazing. 

There's so much more to our story, and I hope to write it all down one day, and also everything that is sure to come. I'm extremely happy, content, and feel so blessed to have this amazing man and his family in my life. 

Oh, and just in case you wanted to see what he looks like. 

Can't wait until we can finally take a picture together! 

Ecclesiastes 3:1  To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

Autumn series ~ Don't mess with the dress

I've been doing a lot of planning and searching for this year's Autumn looks, so I thought I'd share some of it with ya'll. :) I have so much to talk about, that I'm splitting it up into four parts: outfits, nail polish, makeup, and hair.  This post will probably be the longest of the four. ;) 

1. The Fall maxi 

I adore my maxis all year around. They can be cool and flowy in the spring and summer, and with tights underneath and scarves and jackets they can be warm enough in fall and winter. I could go on and on with these examples, but we don't have enough time for them all. :) 

2. Fun tights 

(I know these are pants, but they'd be cute tights.) 

 I'd really like to get more of a variety of tights this year in fun colors and patterns. It's something new for me, and I think it would be a nice challenge for myself. :) 

3. sweaters and cardigans

I'd really like to get some cute sweaters and cardigans this year, especially a colorful Aztec cardigan. I've liked the Aztec print for a while now, and I think it looks really cute on those flowy cardigans. :) 

4. ivory sweater

Last year my goal was a black turtleneck, and I found it. Just like I thought, it's been a wonderful staple piece in my wardrobe that will be useful for (hopefully) years to come. 

This year, I'd love to find an ivory sweater, preferably in the first or third picture's style, but I like the second picture also. 

5. ankle boots

I didn't think I'd like these at first, but the other day I tried some on at Target, and was surprised at how much I liked them! So if I can find some for a good price, I might be getting some. I still can't decide if I like the tan or black better.

6. miscellaneous favorites


















(with boots)



So what styles are you looking forward to this Autumn?