On July 18, 2010 I woke up completely and utterly exhausted.   The night before I had completed my final night of competition in the Miss Arkansas pageant.  My feet throbbed, my spray tan was beginning to fade in spots, and I was wearing makeup from the night before.  I sound lovely don't I.

Since both of our families were together (because of the pageant) we decided to visit one of mine and B's favorite "day date" spots in Hot Springs, Garvan Woodland Gardens.  Little did I know that this particular visit would change my life.

Remember how I told you I was exhausted?  Well,  to say that I was in a piss poor mood is putting it WAY too lightly.  I was totally horrible!  I was hot, my feet hurt, wah wah wah!  I'm truly surprised B did not hightail it out of dodge.  He was so sweet though and went ahead with all of his plans despite my disgruntles.

On the half moon bridge  over looking the koi pond B got down on one knee.  Commence REAL ugly cry.

 We knew we would have a long engagement... thanks to me and my school but it gave us plenty of time to plan, choose the perfect season for engagement photos, and for me to take pictures in my wedding dress in every season and setting (yes I did buy it two years in advance).

B and I were engaged for nearly two years before we finally said "I do" but having a longer engagement allowed for us to have the most amazing engagement photos with the most amazing photography studio, Strain Photography.

We chose October of 2012.  The leaves were beginning to turn gorgeous colors and mums were in full bloom.  We chose to do a casual set, a vintage, and of course razorbacks/golf.

 In the vintage photos we used family heirlooms for our props and the dress and hat I am wearing were my grandmother's.  The dress is actually the same one that she was married in.

All of our time planning and the special touches made our engagement so much more special and precious.  It was such a fun and exciting time in our lives that I truly treasure.  FYI... B has not hightailed it yet!

5 Things on this Fabulous Friday

1|  Less than one month from now B and I will be celebrating our second anniversary.  How is that even possible?  It really doesn't seem real.  Hopefully I will get to around to writing about our engagement soon.  Until then check out how we met (here)... It's pretty great!

2|  B and I have started a new workout plan and have actually been to the gym three times this week.  I know that may not sound like a big deal but around here it surely is and to say my body is feeling every bit of those three workouts is an understatement.

3|  This... enough said!

4|  My new glasses and contacts came in this week.  Praise the Lord for new contacts!  I have been on my last pair since well before deer season opened this last fall.  B is not the biggest fan of the new rims but they were just too completely precious to pass up... black rims and turquoise earpieces= must have fab.

5| Monday I found out that a group of ladies will be starting Beth Moore's new siesta summer bible study "Children of the Day".  The whole shindig kicks off on June 2nd and I can not wait to see what God does through this study and this amazing group of ladies.  If y'all would like to join or would like more information check out Beth's blog.

Don't forget to grab your ad space under the sponsor tab.

Hope your Friday is full of sunshine 

DIY Simply Divine All Purpose Cleaner

If you were to search on pinterest or google for home remedies of household cleaner you would find a plethora of endless possibilities.  That is exactly what I did just yesterday.  I conveniently ran out of the cleaner I use on my counters after I had gotten back from Kroger.  Typical right?  So, I began doing a little searching for home recipes.  There are seriously umpteen billion out there.  My thought... take an idea from this recipe, a little ingredient from that one and voila my very own recipe.

What you'll need:
+ white vinegar
+ dish washing liquid
+ empty squirt bottle

Measurements:
+ 3/4 cup of white vinegar
+ 1/4 cup of dish washing liquid or add as desired. (I estimated)
+ fill rest of the bottle with warm water

After adding all the ingredients to the squirt bottle shake very well.  I loved how the cleaner turned out. Not too sudsy but just enough dish washing liquid to make the mixture smell sweet.  There was still a slight undertone scent of vinegar but not strong at all.  The fragrance and cleaning ability are just Simply Divine.

In the Now

Today I am going to make a confession.  I am a planner.  I think towards the future and am constantly day dreaming about what will happen next.  It is not, at all, uncommon to hear me say "when I'm a housewife", "when this happens", "when I get a job closer to home", etc.  I have completely deserted the present and am living for the what ifs.  Is there anything wrong with dreaming and planning for the future?  Of course not but by constantly living in the future I am wasting the precious time of the present; where God has intentionally placed me.

God chose and designed so masterfully to place me in this city, at this time, in the city where I work, in the job I am blessed to have.  So why do I continually look for the next thing around the corner rather than enjoying the precious life God has given to me.  This post is not just about me confessing but it is also about accountability.  I have worked this post over in my mind at least a billion times over the past two weeks and just have not been able to bring myself to actually type it out into words.  So why am I always looking for what I think might be better?  The answer, truthfully, is I have no earthly idea.  I'm only human right?  Still, that is no valid excuse.

So, excuses stop here.  Starting now I am trying my hardest to be intentional and live in the now.  God has much greater plans for me in this place than I could ever dream.  There is nothing wrong with dreaming and planning but living in the now has so many wonderful blessings that get overlooked daily.  So I am now living in the now, in this time and place where God has intentionally placed me.

High Five

1|  If you missed my post yesterday then you missed out on a huge announcement.  My sponsorship page is now up and running.  Woo hoo for me investing in one of my passions.

2|  A few days ago I stumbled upon the most precious little gem of a store; a little furniture consignment  store in West Conway called Trio's.  I actually popped in to look for a bombay chest for my future sister but instead I FINALLY found what I've been looking for.  Well, not exactly but sometimes I really don't know what I am truly looking for until I see it.  Here it is y'all.

Originally I wanted a piece, like this, to use as a china cabinet in our dining room.  However, now I'm having other ideas for this sweet lovely.  I can't wait to see where it fits best in our home.

3|  I had a little mini "staycation" this week.  One of the dentist I work for was out of town so the hygienist took turns working this week.  I had my regular Monday off but then also had Tuesday and Wednesday off.  To say that I enjoyed myself would be a massive understatement!  

4|  One more point in my favor for being a housewife.  B walked in, Tuesday evening after work, to me in the kitchen skewering vegetables and venison for our kabobs.  With a surprised look on his face he says "man you sure are a great housewife".  I replied "I know right".  This just further solidifies that I am called to be a "stay at home".

5| This week our church was blessed to be able to help three families who lost everything in this past Sunday's tornado.  The clean up process is still going on and will continue for some time to come.  Please continue to pray for all those families affected and for those who lost loved ones.