What's Yours is Mine & What's Mine is Yours...

Where to begin...

The past month has been so overwhelming. Pharmacy school acceptance, engagement, wedding planning...the list goes on and on, and now to add to it all Michael will be a first-time home owner come Wednesday at 1pm. I cannot express how excited I am for him! He has worked so hard to get to this point in his life that he could buy a home. For over a year now Michael has been cooped up in a one bedroom, one bath apartment, and it is high time he has a place to call his own. Being the wonderful man that he is, he planned ahead and bought a house in Malvern, AR, so that once we're married come December we will have a centrally located home with respect to UAMS and his job in Hot Springs. This house is just perfect for a single family. Of course we looked at homes together knowing that eventually it would be "ours".  When we met the realtor to look at the home, we instantly fell in love with the outside of the home. It looked just right for us and our taste. 

Everyone knows that the outside of homes can be decieving, so of course we remained cautious until we entered the home. 

As we walked through the front door we both felt right at home. It was love at first site. We looked at each other and said, "This is it!". After looking at countless homes within his price range we were convinced that he would have to buy an older home that needed some TLC, but this home proved us wrong! 

This house was built in 2002! The previous owner was a single woman who keep everything very clean. She had everything labeled throughout the house! As we looked though all of the closets we found the air conditioning; the owner had post-it notes attached with all of the dates she had changed the filter! 

On top of the house being completely spotless, we stepped outside to find the cutest little patio along with a backyard! 

Although the yard is not fenced in yet, Michael is hoping to do that very soon so that he can have his son (Dutch his chocolate lab) at home with him. At the back edge of the yard the previous owner had planted a little fruit orchard! There are peach trees, a plum tree, an apple tree, and even a pomegranate tree! 

Knowing that this home is soon to be our home come December, I volunteered to buy new furniture for the house. This weekend my parents and I will be helping Michael move as well as taking all of the new furniture to Malvern! It is so exciting! 

It just so happened to work out that Michael closes on this house during his last month of his lease with his apartment complex. This prevented Michael from having to pay hundreds of dollars to get out of his lease. Also, Michael is only allowed to live within a 30 mile radius from his job, and this house is 26 miles away from his office! It is truly amazing to look back over all of God's blessings just within this past semester. I know that He has orchestrated everything to work out just right. I can't help but be confident that we are in His will! 

Michael has so much to be proud of. He has worked so hard at Farm Bureau and has achieved so much! Within his first year and a half of working there he has been promoted to a Level 1 Adjuster and received his AIC certification! To top it all off he is about to own a home at the age of 23! This new home is well deserved! 

Come December, this will be the home that Michael and I share as husband and wife...what a crazy thought! I can't wait to see what memories we will make there! 

As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

My Future Husband...My Answered Prayer

Most people don't know our story...mine and Michael's story that is. I definitely think this story is worth sharing with all of you. God works in amazing ways, and our relationship is a true testimony of His love.

My freshman year at Arkansas Tech was a new adventure for me. At the time my cousin's boyfriend was in SigEp, a fraternity on campus. Knowing that I was new to campus Kirk Hall, who is now married to my cousin Shannon, had told both Michael and I about each other. He told us that we should meet. We added each other on facebook, but until November of 2010 we never spoke to each other.

Little did I know that going to a SigEp formal would give me an opportunity to meet the love of my life. I noticed Michael standing across the room and couldn't help but want to introduce myself. I walked over and did just that. Although our conversation was short, it opened the door to what is now a lifetime of love.

A couple weeks after formal came Thanksgiving week. I had been cramming at the library and was about to leave. As I was walking out of the library I noticed Michael and several of his SigEp friends. They had just left a SigEp meeting, which ironically was a Zales seminar on how to pick the perfect diamond when the right time came along. I stopped and talked to him for a moment. It was obvious he and his friends were goofing off. After telling him I had a calculus test the next day and I needed to get some rest we went our separate ways.The next day we started messaging each other on facebook. I told him I had hoped he didn't get into too much trouble the night before, but then he said something that caught my attention. He asked how my calculus test went. This guy hardly knew who I was, but he remembered I had a test and asked me about it. What a sweet guy! We continued messaging through the week, even while we were celebrating Thanksgiving with our families.

Here is where the story gets even more special. Oblivious to what was about to happen, I had written in a book exactly what I wanted in my future husband. I prayed that God would send me the man He had intended for me. Here is what I wrote.

This was dated Novermber 24th. Michael asked me on our first date November 29th. I cannot tell you how much Michael fits every description in this book. He is everything that I had prayed for and more. God is truly amazing in that He saw my heart, and He blessed me! P.S. when I said family will be second most important to him, that's because God should be first! 

Our first date was so fun! Michael picked me up at my dorm and took me to eat at Colton's! We had steaks and sweet potatoes! Then on to the movies from there! After Michael had dropped me off that evening he texted me and asked me on a second date! :)

It's really all history from there. We fell in love and have made many beautiful memories over the past 17 months.

Michael is truly my best friend, my other half, my soul mate. He loves me unconditionally, supports me in all that I do, and works hard everyday to prepare for our life together. There has never been a doubt in my mind that God placed us in one another's lives. I know God had chosen us for each other before we were even born. Each new day in our relationship brings an adventure and an opportunity for us to become closer. I look forward to a hundred + years of marriage to Michael. I can't imagine a day of my life without my answered prayer by my side. My prayer now is that through our lives together God will use us. I hope that He will use us as a unified couple, and someday as parents. We have such an exciting road ahead!

Our story...well it's to be continued!

Be Blessed!



Here's To New...Everything!

As if my life couldn't get any crazier I've decided to start this blog. My physiology professor told me not to long ago that while I am in professional school I should find something I enjoy to do for at least a couple of hours a week. Although I do not plan to post blogs that take two hours to write, I know I will enjoy the experience of sharing my life with the ones I care about.

Soon I will be moving away from the only town I've ever known, and to me it's bitter-sweet. On one hand I will be starting a new adventure in Little Rock at UAMS, but on the other I will be leaving behind my friends, loved ones, and home. Russellville has been such an amazing place to grow up in. This town as a whole has been a huge contribution to who I am now. As I look back on the things I have experienced here, I feel blessed. I have had such an amazing community that has supported me through every journey and adventure I've been on. Russellville, Arkansas is chocked full of people who are willing to support, love, and rally on those who are reaching for the stars.

The biggest thing that will make this move hard is being further away from my family, especially my mom and dad. They have been my strongest supporters my whole life, real shocking right? That's how parents are supposed to be, but one thing I have had with my parents that most people don't is a true friendship. My parents are jacks of all trades. They are both able to continue being my parents as well as be my best friends. What more can a girl ask for than parents who have poured their time and love into my life, so that it could be more than just ordinary. Because of my parents I have achieved goals I never thought to be possible. Most people don't know that every morning at 5:30 I get up to eat breakfast with my dad and grandpa Jimmy. This has been a tradtion since I was very little, and it has continued until now. Almost everyweek my mom and I end up getting a lunch together and having a little window shopping outing. I do so much with my parents on a daily and weekly basis, and sadly that has to change soon. Growing up is hard.

My parents and I before my pre-school graduation

My biggest fans right after being named Top 10 at Miss Arkansas 2011

Although I know this life change will be a huge adjustment, I know that God has prepared me for it and has equipped me for this experience. My parents will never be more than a phone call or short drive away. Distance will not change our relationship. And as for Russellville, I can be so greatful for all that the community here has invested in me. I hope someday to come back and return the favor through my career as  pharmacist.

Over the next four years I will be experiencing one thrilling journey, and I want to document what I can of it. Between pharmacy school, planning a wedding, and marriage there will be so much to remember. I am so excited to see what God has in store for my life. I want to follow where He leads and to be used by Him. This life isn't just about a career and marriage, it's about making a difference and leaving a legacy. Through God I can accomplish anything, but most importantly I want to do what He has planned for me!

I pray that this week you find yourself blessed beyond measure!