Over the Weekend

The past few days have been a whirlwind. Last Thursday Taylor found out (1) that he got into grad school at UGA and (2) that he had been offered a job at a local hospital!!! We were overwhelmed with joy and excitement about all the opportunities that God was putting before us. And I had my FIRST dress fitting Thursday night at Kelly's Closet. On Friday we left town for a friend's wedding, which was absolutely beautiful and such a reunion!

Last night we made his mom's tasty black bean salsa for the Super Bowl. Here's the list of ingredients:

1 tablespoon of salt

1 tablespoon of olive oil

2 tablespoon of red wine vinegar

2 cans of black beans (drained and rinsed)

4 plum tomatoes diced

1 large red onion diced

1 large bunch of cilantro - chopped

4 limes juiced

1 jalapeno pepper chopped

1 bag of frozen corn rinsed

1 clove of garlic minced

nothin' beats chips & salsa

 Mix it together and serve! It's even better if you can allow it to sit before you serve so the flavors can mix. I can't wait to start collecting recipes from the women in my life!

inspiration: part dos

Today has been a GREAT day. Taylor took the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Health Fitness Specialist exam...and PASSED!! Which means now he is a certified trainer and can build up a client base in Athens at some of the local gyms. We both feel so much relief...sighhh. I'm in such a good mood that I just have to share more images that give me inspiration for the wedding.

photo by Sonya Davey via 100 Layer Cake

inspiration board via Wedding Bee

I love the mason jars, hay stacks and wagon wheel. The wedding invitation in the bottom left corner was one of my favorites from Wedding Paper Divas- I almost wanted to use it.

photo by Amy Carroll via Once Wed

photos by Brandon Kidd via Once Wed

Using slices of wood to add height to a centerpiece is a brilliant! We're gonna borrow that idea :)   I know we're taking a risk by having an outdoor wedding, but after looking at images like this, how could a girl resist?? I love the rustic look below of the table with burlap. We're gonna borrow that idea to.

photo by Tec Petaja via Once Wed

photo by Our Labor of Love via Once Wed

photo by Amy Carroll via Once Wed

inspiration

we're collecting blue mason jars

After a glorious weekend, the weather in Georgia is back to dreary and cold...which leaves me indoors and working on three research projects. I thought I would procrastinate and share some of the weddings that have given me a lot of ideas for the big day.

source

It all started one day freshmen year on Facebook...my friends and I were "stalking" a friend of a friend of a friend (seriously- we had never even met this girl) and we discovered her wedding album. A Louisiana, outdoor, southern wedding, bridesmaids with cowboy boots, and bouquets of wheat. I was in awe. And so the premature wedding planning began! It wouldn't be another year or so until I discovered the mother-load - wedding blogs.

I started visiting Once Wed, a site dedicated to designer weddings on a budget. Not only do they feature real weddings, but also ideas, DIY weddings, a vendor guide, AND used wedding dresses to buy! The wedding that really captured my attention was this one:

photo by Tec Petaja via Wedding Bee

photo by Tec Petaja via Wedding Bee

pie bar :)

 

see that big yellow flower? we're gonna have those too!

Maybe it's because she has red hair...but I truly love how all the elements and colors are so cohesive! Not to mention the outdoor setting is breathtaking. You can see more of this wedding here and here. I'll be sure to share some more images from other weddings that have inspired us for the big day this week!

(Blue mason jars - photo source unknown. All images are Tec Petaja unless noted otherwise)

Two And A Half Years

Harris Shoals

So today marks the two and half year anniversary of when Marilisa and I started dating - July 31st, 2008. It's amazing to think back to that time and all that God has done in our lives since then. The day I asked her to be my girlfriend came after the best summer of our lives, spent working as counselors at The Swamp, a Christian summer camp for kids 9-18. I asked her at Harris Shoals park (pictured above) in Watkinsville Ga, one of my favorite parks in the area and a place that has become very special to both of us. Through the last couple years we've made some amazing memories together at concerts, parks, and restaurants but many of our best memories have been simply sitting and talking on her front steps or going for a long drive together. We've learned so much about ourselves and each other these last couple years, but one thing in particular we've learned is to enjoy the simple moments of life and the company of best friends. I am incredibly grateful that we've been together this long and look forward to having a new anniversary to remember in a few months!

"You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you."

-Psalm 86:5

The Search

Have you ever been looking for something that you felt determined to find, but the more setbacks you faced the less you wanted to look? I felt like that yesterday.

Taylor and I are in the process of looking for a house to rent once we're married. One of the main problems we've faced is that we're trying to move in by May and most places are occupied through July...I don't think either of us are too picky about the type of house- just as long as it's within our budget and close to campus. Oh and has all the necessities (fridge, stove, dishwasher [you would be surprised how many places in Athens DO NOT have a dishwasher], W/D hook-up, etc). Oh and I would LOVE hardwood floors, but that's a bonus :)

So we're on this search for our first place and it's definitely required some work. We've driven through neighborhoods we like, writing down numbers off "for rent" signs, setting up showings, and pretty much using craigslist religiously. I went to see a house yesterday that I was really excited about (great location, front porch that looked perfect for a hammock...) only to find out once I got there that they were only renting to disabled people. How could I even be upset?? I still felt disappointed when I left, but I know we have a lot of time to continue looking.

Even though I wish we could have found a place right away, it's been a memorable experience for us. We're learning a lot about trusting God and being patient. At the end of the day I just have to remember that we WILL have a place to live and more importantly we're getting MARRIED!

photo via ruffled

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ~ Romans 8:28

a chilly sunday

It's been very cold in Georgia the past few weeks and yesterday was no exception. After church, Taylor and I went to our wedding venue to ask the owners a few questions about set up and get a better feel for where everything will go on the big day!

the beautiful home

We're getting married at Fair Havens Plantation, which is about 8 miles outside of Athens, GA. We picked this site for a few reasons. First, we're in the south- what better place to get hitched than on a real plantation!? And this beautiful home was actually used for a ball in 1825 that honored the French general Jean Marquis de Lafayette for his assistance in the American Revolutionary War. Another reason we fell in love with the land is because we're outdoorsy- we've always imagined our ceremony outside and the 30 acre pastoral setting (with horses AND gardens) fit the bill perfectly.

the lawn

Our ceremony will take place on the lawn. Walking out there yesterday felt a little surreal- like this actually gonna happen! Right here! I can't wait for it to be filled with the people who mean so much to us.

the cottage

the pasture

The owners of Fair Havens could not be easier and more pleasant to work with. We feel so blessed that God has let us work with such great people throughout this entire process.

Today Taylor is studying for his exam to be a Health Fitness Specialist and I'm working on some stuff with my internship. Everyone's been saying this time is gonna fly by and that definitely feels true so far!

Our engagement story should be up soon and we'll be posting info about all our other awesome vendors this week! Have a great day!

4 months and counting!

It has been over a MONTH since we posted. Shame on us. But we have so much news to share!

1. Taylor has a job. In Athens. Hallelujah!

2. I am in my LAST semester of college. Amen.

3. The jeep...died. It was truly a sad day. We only hope to get another one in the near future- and we won't be changing the name of the blog :)

4. So many wedding details are coming together! Taylor got all the shirts for the groomsmen, my dress FINALLY came in, and we ordered our invitations! Now to work on all the little projects...my house will literally turn into Hobby Lobby.

5. We are less than 4 MONTHS away from the big day! (Ok so yesterday was 4 months, but today still counts as less than 4.) It felt forever away when we got engaged, but now the end is in sight! I'm praying to not get stressed or anxious and just enjoy these last few months of one of the most special times in my life.

Tay and I are making dinner with friends tonight- I'll be sure to share the details tomorrow!

In the meantime...here are some pictures from our campus ministry's 1920's themed New Years Eve Party (in case you didn't know...Taylor and I went on our first date on New Years Eve- 4 years ago!)

dinner @ Transmet

the fellas

me & my best friends for life

dancing the night away with j

blessed

Sorry for the delay in posts! I have been in the midst of studying for finals and working as an intern for a local author, while Taylor has successfully completed the GRE! I am so proud of him for being able to prepare in three weeks and still get an amazing score. Even though life and school has been crazy, I know we are so blessed with a full life from Jesus and good people all around us.

A good friend took our engagement pictures last week and I can't wait to share them. Here's a preview...

courtesy Olivia Mangrum

Olivia got some great shots on Taylor's jeep. I'm also in the process of picking out our wedding invitations! We're using a great company called Three, which I heard of through a friend. They've been very helpful so far and we can't wait to share the final product :)

In the mean time, I'll be studying, drinking lots of coffee, cuddling with Taylor, and probably on this, this, or this blog.

SEC Championship Preview

The #1Auburn Tigers and the #19South Carolina Gamecocks meet in Atlanta today to battle it out for the SEC Championship. Auburn comes in to today's game after stunning Alabama in one of the most exciting Iron Bowl games to date, overcoming a 24 point deficit on the road and preserving their undefeated season.

With a victory, Auburn secures their spot in the BCS Championship game and a chance to win their 2nd national title. South Carolina is coming off three straight victories, including a huge 36-14 win against Florida on the road. That victory over the Gators has given them plenty of momentum into this game as they will attempt to avenge an early season loss against Auburn from late September. South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore has lived up to recruiting hype, racking up 1,114 yards and rushing for 17 touchdowns in an impressive freshmen year. The Gamecocks will need him to have a huge game if they stand any chance, as Auburn was able to limit Lattimore to 33 yards on 14 carries in their earlier season meeting.

As much as I'd love to see Auburn lose, it's not looking like that's going to happen today. Marcus Lattimore will have a better game than his first try against the Tigers, but it wont be enough to overcome a dynamic and resilient Auburn team. Expect Cam Newton to have a big game, accounting for two touchdowns through the air and two on the ground and leading Auburn to victory. 

Auburn 42 South Carolina 28

the whole round-up

We arrived in San Antonio on Thursday and friends were kind enough to pick us up and drive us back to Austin. Our first stop was at an awesome taco place called Torchy's Tacos- I got the Green Chili Pork taco and Taylor had the Trailer Park and Brush Fire. Soooo good and perfectly priced. After lunch we went exploring on UT's campus. And then to this cool spot...

 

 

We made dinner with friends and then went to the midnight showing of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I!!! It was definitely my favorite of the films- very well done directing and acting. 

Our next adventure was on Friday to the Texas Hill Country - Fredericksburg. This precious German town is about an hour outside of Austin with wide streets and charming shops. We tried a bunch of tasty samples at Rustlin' Rob's before getting lunch at The Auslander.

We stumbled upon a cool antique store and couldn't help taking a picture with this massive mallet. We drove back to Austin, went to a campus ministry devotional, and then to this donut trailer...

 

 

 

BIG. FAT. DONUTS. is right!! I got Mama's Cake and Tay got Razzle Dazzle. We were in donut heaven.

We were lucky enough to get tickets to the Texas game on Saturday and before the game we grabbed lunch at Plucker's - wings are a pretty good pre-game meal. And they served my sweet tea in a mason jar :)

DKR Stadium

Final Score: 51 - 17

we bought t-shirts before the game at this store

After the game we went to dinner at the home of the couple that leads the Austin Christian Church. We always feel so taken care of by God's family no matter where we are. Next, we explored downtown and then went to a secret spot with a killer view of the city. Unfortunately, no pictures were taken and none would do it justice anyway.

On Sunday we went to church, grabbed lunch at a Vietnamese place and then headed to South Congress Street to check out the vintage shops!

a cowgirl's heaven

this shop blew me away

once i saw the squirrel i had to take a pic

I bought some little metal letters for wedding decorations at Uncommon Objects, but I'll share them later. We tried some delicious ice cream at Amy's and then met up with friends at Town Lake. Taylor and I couldn't believe how many people were out running with their dogs! We would love to live in a city that values health and fitness as much as Austin.

we can't wait to take a jog on this trail

you'll even find Bulldawgs in Texas

my hunk :)

We picked up BBQ at Whole Foods Market and enjoyed our last dinner in Austin. After dinner we went to the most AMAZING cafe called Mozart's. Overall, our trip to Austin was incredible and we were so happy to enjoy the weekend with good friends and each other.

"I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free." Psalm 119:25