25 & Engaged

This may have been the most exciting, exhilarating, emotional, tiring, wonderful, exhausting week of my life.

Engaged and 25. I still can't believe it, either one actually.

Friday was my 25th birthday. I spent the day with my mom and best friend...wedding dress shopping! Yep, one week in and we're already shopping. You see, normally my mom and I go shopping for my birthday. This year we got to do something a little extra....wedding dresses. It was awesome and kind of hard. I never realized how many different options, variations, alterations, styles, prices, and stores there really were. I'm pretty particular as to what I want so we're going to keep on shopping!

I finished the day with my gorgeous fiance at a wonderful restaurant and some time for us to just celebrate life!

Then Saturday morning, we headed off on our next journey to try to find the perfect reception site. I have one in mind (not sharing that detail yet). We're hoping to get a date set soon! We had some other side trips, such as the apple orchard. See our weekend in pictures...

 PS- My side of the engagement story coming soon...

The Engagement Story - His

Fellow readers of the K.I.S.S blog:

My name is Jacob Paul Revere and I will be your celebrity writer for this lovely blog posting. I have never had any interest in “doing” a blog, but since my lovely wife-to-be has encouraged me; I am sitting here writing to you all.

The wonderful engagement story is something that every single woman in America dreams, wishes, and fantasies about upon birth.  Think I am exaggerating, just talk to Shana!  The goal behind me writing to the extensive amount of followers is to simply provide a different perspective on the wonderful and amazing day that Shana said YES! It all began one day back in January of 2011 when I realized that Shana was the one that was meant for me.  At that time, she had given me so much and been an integral part of my life.  I realized that I didn’t want to spend another day without her.  She was the other half of me that I didn’t know I needed (yes Sha I said need!!  Haha inside joke). I began on January 17, 2011 to write in a journal where I could funnel all of my thoughts and aspirations into a place that Shana would not be able to see or hear.  And so began the proposal journey.

I had spent many days thinking about the how and when and where and why, but I didn’t have any true direction until the wonderful Groupon email was sent to me.  The Hot Air Balloon Corp. got my business and that is where I started the foundation of the proposal plans. I knew that I needed to schedule the hot air balloon ride at a time that would allow other activities afterward, because I was defiantly not going to have the day be like a re-run of the Bachelorette where Jason gets in a hot air balloon, gets on a knee and asks some random chick named Moniqua to marry him, even though he has been cheated on the whole 32 days he has known her. Anyway, I began planning for after the balloon ride which is when I involved the lovely friend, Lauren, into the plan. She was brought in to tie-up loose ends, as well as help out with some other thoughts. So, here is what I came up with…

THE PLAN:

• Hot Air Balloon Ride: 8 am – 11:30 am
• Alternative: ???
• Indy Zoo: 12 pm – 3:30 pm
• Alternative: Children’s Museum
• Picnic at Park: 4 pm – 8 pm
• Alternative: Any park in the greater Indy area

THE ACTUAL EVENTS:

• Hot Air Balloon ride was cancelled
• Parked car to watch sun rise
• Car battery died
• Called Uncle Bud and Aunt Sheri for a jump and went with them to breakfast
• Went to Indy Zoo (no problems…great weather)
• Lauren successfully dropped off the warmed food and placed it in the trunk of my car
• Went to park and found the entire Indy Mexican population having a fiesta (250 people total)
• Went to other park (thank you Lauren) ate dinner, dessert, shared the journal, and asked the women of my dreams to marry me.
• Tears of joy, the word “Yes, of course” over and over again, jumping, screaming, kissing, more jumping, laughing, and more crying!

To summarize, I hope you all have enjoyed this celebrity blog posting and that I have enlightened you on the engagement story of J and (future) Sha Revere!

A beautiful whirlwind

The last week has been nothing but a whirlwind. The most awesome, blessed whirlwind. I still don't think the "engagement reality" has truly sunk in. Jake and I keep saying "we're getting married...to each other." It's so different in my mind now as a reality as opposed to something I've been dreaming about since I could dream. I find myself staring at my ring, or messing with it because I'm not used to it yet, or thinking that I need to take it off because I forget that I am in fact getting married!

If you don't know me, let me tell you that I LOVE weddings. I love all things wedding. Really. My dream job is to be a self employed wedding planner. So now that I get to plan my own wedding, it's so surreal. So there is the engagement daze, the wedding planning but most importantly...the marriage.

I can't wait to marry Jake. I cannot wait to come home to him every day. I can't wait to share an address with him, a name with him and a life with him. Even seeing how much time, energy, thought and love he put into the engagement just blew me away. He continually shows me how incredible he is. I still can't believe I get to marry him. It's just so cool.

He's going to be an awesome husband. I cannot wait to share in the wedding planning stage with him and to see our families, friends and love come together to celebrate something that is right in the world.

But for now, back to laundry, trying to find a date, and getting excited for my 25th birthday! Woah! Engagement and birthday in one week. It's going to be a good 25th year of life.

PS - Engagement story coming soon.

Friday Fun Day

Today is Friday. I'm not at work today. I am not working on Monday. I'm loving being at home sitting on my comfy baby momma chair,  you can see it here in the nook. I loved waking up and being able to read, journal and drink my coffee out of my favorite mug. I loved being able to work out and get ready, while watching the Food Network. I love being able to get prepared for this upcoming Homecoming weekend with my cheerleaders. I love that I'm going to go shopping and get a mani/pedi. I love that its not raining outside. I love that I get to see some great girls tonight. I love that I will see old friends tomorrow. I love that I get to spend some extra time with my boy this weekend. I love it all.

I miss the 'ole days when I could be at home in the mornings. I love being at home. I feel refreshed today. I like my job, but sometimes it gets it the way of people, relaxing, and enjoying days at home. So, I am enjoying today. I am so blessed that sometimes I get overwhelmed. I'm trying to soak it all in.

I hope you are enjoying your Friday too.

But for now, I'm off to do some pampering. Happy weekend!

Home, sweet, home

This past week/weekend, I had the privilege of going back to Illinois for a few days. And what a great few days it was! Usually, when I go home I get a rush of nostalgic feelings and thoughts. Driving down the country roads bring me back to lots of good memories. Smells, sounds, sights all can trigger things that have managed to slip my mind.

Something I often think about is how much I appreciate genuine people. I appreciate the farmers, the hard working blue collar people, the simplicity of the area. Not that where I am from is such a completely foreign place. But it is different. It's simple.

I spent time sipping coffee with mom and grandma. Spent time with my brothers. I met a new baby cousin. I went to my rival high school football game to watch my cousin cheer. I saw familiar faces and lots and lots of corn.

Every time I go home, I also feel the pangs of how much I miss being with my family. For me, there is nothing that replaces them. I miss them dearly and I miss seeing them on a bi-daily basis, or at least having the option. Family is so deeply routed in my soul.

One of my most favorite times is consists of coffee, cake, mom and grandma. There is nothing that beats great conversation, great coffee and unbelievable cake! You just never know where the stories and laughter will lead. This time, they managed to lead us to digging through the attic and pulling out my grandmother's wedding dress. So cool. I just love hearing her stories.

 Oh yes, and talk about cake. This is a new favorite recipe. I made it with pumpkin and it was incredible. My grandma made it with sweet potatoes and it was just as good. If you like pumpkin, this is a must!

Pumpkin or Sweet Potato Cake

2 cups pumpkin or sweet potatoes)

4 eggs

2 cups sugar

1 cup oil

2 cups flour

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon allspice or cloves

¼ teaspoon nutmeg

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

Combine all the ingredients together. Bake in a cake or jelly roll pan for 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool and frost with icing.

Icing

3 oz cream cheese

1 ¾ cup powder sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

¾ stick soften butter

1 tablespoon milk

Mix until spreading consistency. Spread over bars.

My go to

Recently, I was inspired by a dear friend of mine, Kristyn Ellen, to share some of my "go to" outfits. If you don't know Kristyn, you should visit her blog, read July. You should also read her go to outfits post. After reading hers, I decided that it's time to step away from some of the heavier topics and talk about clothes! I love to shop. But, it's not nearly as fun to shop when you have to stay within a budget so I don't do nearly as much shopping now that I'm an "adult".

Below are some of my likely go to outfits for relaxing, work, and play time. I'm apretty  simple, girly girl to put it best. So here are some of my favorite.

Most likely what I would wear just on a regular day. So pumped its getting to be boot season. I am breaking them out this weekend.

This is pretty similar to a fall/winter work outfit. Summer usually includes a skirt or dress. Pretty simple, but girly and still comfortable, since I live in my work clothes.

This could possibly be for some fun time activities. You just never know...honestly depends on my mood.

But thank you Kristyn for inspiring me. You always do in some way or another.

Also, today is my Friday. Yes, it's Wednesday, but no work for this girl for the rest of the week. Thank you, Fall Break.

Oh yeah...and my birthday is in 16 days!!

Monday Inspiration

See your thorns as necessary for revealing the beauty of Christ in you.

~Rest Assured by Nancy McGuirk

When I read this today, something struck me inside. It was one of those moments when something just clicks. As I was reading along, the idea of the thorn in your side challenged me with a new thought.

My thorn is used to keep me humble, reminding me that I am not always strong, and that I need God.

I realize that might seem simple, but it struck me in a new way today. It reminded me that we all have a thorn in our side of some sorts. This is what keeps me so close to God. This is what reminds me that I am not in control. This is what reminds me that I am not able to do everything on my own. I need God. I need him to give me grace, mercy and peace to survive this life on earth.

What's your thorn? Where do you need God to cover your weakness?

Something to think about.

In the meantime....how was my weekend? It was awesome. Let me show you why...

Girls night

Best friends coming together. Nothing better.

We went to a wedding. In the woods

Stunning bride. She is also the reason I am so blissfully happy.

Spent the day with these people.

Tailgating, Football, Boy.

 I had a incredible weekend. I have so much funness planned for the month of October. Yay.

Happy Monday!

Fall into the season

This past weekend was the kind of weekend that just warms my heart. Not only did it include all things fall, it included people who I love.

My brother and his fiancee, Kayli, came to Indiana for the weekend

Side story: Freshman year of college, I met this tiny sweet southern girl from Kentucky. She was a cheerleader, just like me. We become the best of friends, then later roommates. And on June 23, 2012...we'll be sisters. Pretty awesome, if you ask me.

 Back to the weekend...they came to visit. We spent Friday grilling, sitting, talking, and laughing. It's usually a laughfest when we get together and it's the kind of laughter that is good for the soul. Then Saturday we enjoyed a beautiful day at the pumpkin patch. We even took the pupster. She loved it. We picked out pumpkins, went through the corn maze (which is where Winnie got extremely dirty) and enjoyed a great fall day. We finished with another great meal, pumpkin pie and pumpkin carving.

Jake loves it when we match.

Leading the way.

This is what I look like all wet. No more fuzz.

Mini pumpkin pies

Needless to say, it was a wonderful weekend. Just right for this girl's soul.