Two

Two years ago today I made the best decision of my life and said I Do to the most wonderful man.  I am still amazed that I get to be married to Brandon and that God chose him to be my partner in life.  God created marriage so that we can have someone to share life's joys, pains, changes, and excitement with and that we would be drawn closer to Him through it.  I am so thankful that my marriage is based on Christ's love for us and that I can continue to grow personally and spiritually through it.  I am so excited to see what the Lord has in store for us through our marriage.  You can see the video highlights of our special day here.  Happy anniversary Brandon, I love you so much!

We Heart the Olympics

I am so excited that the Olympics are here!  I love getting to watch all of the different sports that are not normally televised or the most popular.  These athletes are so amazing and talented and I truly admire them.  It is so awesome how one activity can bring the world together in a unified way.  I wish every day life could be like that.  I share my excitement for the Olympics with lots of friends and we got to share that love on Friday night for the Opening Ceremonies.  Our friends threw an Opening Ceremonies party, complete with dressing up.  It was so fun to cheer on the USA and welcome the games.  Personally, I thought the Opening Ceremonies were a little strange, but hey only my opinion.  We had a great time with friends and got to wear some pretty sweet shirts.  Even Brandon's broken ankle got festive :)   P.S. sorry for the photo quality, they are all from my phone

USA Badminton Team

The torch and the runner

Happy Birthday Mom!!

Happy birthday to my beautiful mom!  She is an amazing woman and such an inspiration.  Happy birthday Mom, hope you have a wonderful day!!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Happy birthday padre!  I am excited that it is football season and I get to share another year of Wolfpack football with you.  P.S. I am going to beat you in fantasy football this year, so get ready.  I am so thankful to have such a strong and wonderful father.  Happy, happy birthday!

Happy Birthday Sally!

Happy birthday to my mother-in-law, Sally!  She is an amazing and strong woman and I am so grateful to her for bringing such a wonderful man into this world that I am privileged to love every single day.  I hope you have an amazing day filled with laughter, family, and a yummy birthday dinner! 

One Year Ago

One year ago I made the best decision of my life.  I said "I Do" to the man of my dreams, my best friend.  There was aqua and red, lots of laughter, guitars playing, dancing, eating, and pure joy.  Every day we are growing closer in our marriage and I am so thankful to have him as my partner in life.  Happy anniversary Brandon, I love you with all of my heart and I can't wait for the years to come.  Here is a look back at the best day of my life.

 

Daddy's Girl

From the life lessons he has taught to the proper way to shoot a jump shot, 

I have always been a daddy's girl.  

From the yearly trips to Raleigh to cheer on the Pack to stepping up to the plate for a crack of the bat, 

I have always been a daddy's girl. 

From his protective nature and playful side too and his weird songs about God-knows-who,

I have always been a daddy's girl.  

From his patience he practiced as he raised a teenage girl and me in my prom dress as he gave me a twirl, 

I have always been a daddy's girl.

From high school, college, my life in full swing, he watched as Brandon gave me a ring.  

I have always been a daddy's girl.

From walking me down the aisle to my groom to watching my very own family in bloom.  

I have always been a daddy's girl. 

  

Happy Father's Day Dad!  Thanks for all you do!  I love you!

Happy Birthday Melissa!

Today is Melissa's 22nd birthday, my beautiful sister.  I hope you have a wonderful day filled with sunshine, smiles, laughter, and yummy birthday desserts.  If you were home I would take you out for some birthday fro-yo, but alas you are probably sitting by the beach or lounging poolside.  You are so beautiful inside and out and I love you so much!    

 

 

Happy Birthday Brandon!

Happy 24th birthday to my amazing, wonderful husband!!  Brandon, I am so blessed to be able to call you my husband and I am honored to be your wife.  You are my best friend, my confidant, my biggest supporter, and my love.  I love you with all my heart and I hope you have a wonderful birthday!!

Here's a little photo montage for your enjoyment:

Veinticuatro

Today I turned 24 years old.  In honor of my 24th birthday here are 24 random facts about me.  

1. I have huge feet (size 11) 

2. I love ice cream.

3. When I was little I wanted to be an NC State cheerleader

4. When I drive, I pretend I'm a singer and rock out to Taylor Swift

5. I love photos.

6. My favorite color is teal.

7. Yes, my hair color is natural.

8. I love a good shopping bargain.

9. I have an affinity for step class.

10. I secretly wish I was Latina.

11. I love corny jokes, they crack me up.

12. I love the smell of a shoe store.

13. I still watch wedding shows and feel very envious of the brides.

14. I love the smell of my hands after a softball game, mmmm the combination of dirt and my leather glove warms my soul.

15. I hate all vegetables, except spinach leaves

16. Sweet tea is my weakness.

17. I want to live overseas one day

18. I am a perfectionist and a worry wart

19. I love Friday nap time.

20. I get very cranky when I am too hungry or too sleepy.

21. I have dreams that are bigger than my budget.

22. I have a designated side of the bed, the right side when looking at the bed

23. I hate it when my toenails aren't painted.

24. I wear my heart on my sleeve.  

Married Christmas

We have been looking forward to our first married Christmas for awhile and now it has come and gone.  We had a wonderful eve and Christmas day together and with both of our families.  On Christmas Eve we went to Elevation Church's always awesome Christmas service with both of our families.  The service was complete with break dancing, light shows, and some amazing worship.  Following church we went to one of Brandon's friends traditional get-together and then it was off to the Frick's house for Christmas with my extended family.  We had a great Christmas Eve and were anticipating our first Christmas morning together.  Over the past few days we have had to negotiate our very different traditions including a very detailed conversation on how to both stuff and open stockings.  Brandon always had his stocking stuffers wrapped.  Well, Santa never wrapped mine.  Also, he opens his stocking last, we always did it first thing.  Furthermore, he always took the stocking down and over to the couch to unpack it while I stood at the fireplace to sift through the goodies.  It is very interesting how engraved these small Christmas details become and we don't think there is any other way of doing things.  We began our Christmas morning with Brandon's famous french toast then proceeded to opening our stockings.  We continued on to gifts and enjoying what each had thoughtfully bought for the other.  Charleigh even enjoyed her presents and some special food for Christmas morning.  After our morning together we headed to the Brown house to have Christmas with Brandon's family where we had some delicious appetizers and lots of gifts.  Last, we went to my family's house to celebrate with them with a steak dinner.  We even had a white Christmas for the last two hours.  Both of our families spoiled us and showered us with too many presents.  We are grateful to have such blessings in our lives.  Christmas truly is a season to be grateful and to practice the gratitude that Christ commands we all have.  The greatest blessing we are able to share; however, is the birth of our savior who was the greatest Christmas gift known to man.  As I watch the beautiful snow continue to fall outside my window, I am thankful to have a loving God who sacrificed so much so that I may enjoy this wonderful season with a sweet and loving husband and generous families.  Merry Christmas everyone!  We hope yours was as special as ours.