Day 15

 

Today's picture is of the menu at Mimi's Cafe at the Town Center. (If you go you must try the 5-way grilled cheese) Caitlin and I ate there for lunch before we browsed around the mall. Today was the kind of day that you always wish you could have but just feel like you are too busy to enjoy it. Caitlin and I woke up when we wanted to, with no annoying alarm clock. Then we went and saw Matt at his softball tournament in Jacksonville. We went to eat and then browsed around the mall in no hurry at all and with nothing we had to buy. We then got to go watch Matt play in the semi-final and final game for the tournament. Today I was blessed to have a girls day with Cait and get to watch Matt do something he loves. I really couldn't ask for more than that. I am working on taking one day at a time and really enjoying each day that God has given. Before too long I will be student teaching, going to class, and finalizing the wedding plans. With all of that before me I am cherishing each relaxing and carefree day that I am given. Whether the days are relaxing or filled with chaos, each one will move me forward in the journey from Miss to Mrs. 

Day 14

 

I know there isn't a day 13. I had a lot going on. Today's picture is of me and my bridesmaids. We went today and picked out their dresses. I have to say I have the most beautiful bridesmaids both inside and out. My maid of honor is my sister, Carrington. She is such an amazing sister and friend and I am so glad to have her in my life. Matt's little sister is the next bridesmaid and she is so funny and generous. She always does something to brighten my day. Caitlin is my roommate from NGU. We roomed together for a semester and in that semester we became best friends. A friendship that was so real and exactly what I needed at that time in my life. If it wasn't for her I wouldn't have survived NGU. I believe, looking back on NGU, the friendship with Caitlin may be the reason for God leading me to NGU. We live in two different states and have remained so close which is a sign of a true friendship. Marjorie is the fourth bridesmaid and the reason I've made it through JU. (Thank God for Marjorie and Caitlin I wouldn't have made it through school at all.) Our friendship has flourished over the past 3 years at JU. Tonight I watched Say Yes to the Dress: Bridesmaids and it just reminded me how very blessed I am to have the bridesmaids that I have. I have four of the greatest girls who support me as I journey from Miss to Mrs. and I couldn't ask for more!

Day 12

 

Today's picture is of baby Linc with his uncle Matt while they were hanging out watching TV. I have loved seeing how Matt interacts with Lincoln. Matt has a much younger sister and I have seen how great he is with her. Seeing him with Linc was very different for me though. Seeing Matt with Linc just reinforced what I saw with him and Gracie. Matt is going to be an amazing dad. This is a quality that was of huge importance to me because having a family in the future is something I've always looked forward to. God had truly blessed me with  a man who I know will love our children and be a Godly example to. I know he will lead our family in a way that will bring glory to God and I couldn't ask for more than that. I am so excited to be taking this journey from Miss to Mrs. with Matt!

Day 11

 

Today's picture is of my precious nephew, Lincoln. This morning I spent time with him while he played in his jumper. I'm totally obsessed with this little guy. I am that crazy aunt who has pictures of him all on my phone and  always has a story about him. While on vacation I couldn't help but go into Carters and buy him some clothes for Christmas. Matt loves Linc so much too and is a great uncle. I know once Linc gets a little older he is going to beg to stay with Uncle Matt and Moonpie (Moonpie is what linc is going to call me).  Each day the little man is doing something new and changing so fast. My favorite is when he looks right at me and smiles. It makes everything so much better. I am so thankful he is on our lives and that Matt and I get to be apart of his life as he grows up. I'm so glad as I move from Miss to Mrs. I'll still be moonpie to Linc!

Day 10

Today's picture is of mine and Matt's dog, Chance. (Not sure why his eyes are glowing in this picture) Matt and I had to leave Orlando a day early because Matt had a test scheduled early for tomorrow. When I got home this is what I had waiting for me ,my sweet puppy and my wonderful family. Though being away on vacation is great coming home is also a great feeling too. I love the familiar of being home. I like to know where things are, the people around are the same, and you don't have to use the GPS to find everything. My mom has done an amazing job of making our home a place that you are happy to come home to. It isn't because of the things inside the house or that our house is anything special. It is the people inside the house and the love that we share. In my future marriage I pray that our house is a place we always want to come home to. Not for the possessions but because of the love and acceptance that is in our home because of the people who live there. I look forward to coming home and spending time with my family, which makes it so special, as I continue from Miss to Mrs.

Day 9

 

Today's picture is of my hilarious future sister in-law acting out a movie she saw on Disney channel. This started all of us into a frenzy of laughter. If you spend even five minutes with her I'm sure you will laugh at least once. As the six of us sat in the living room of our condo on day three of vacation I realized how much fun we have together. The three Thornton kids were all doing different kinds of dances, Mr. Tony was messing with his pastor through text messages and Mrs. Susan and I were just laughing at all of them. For at least 30 minutes we were all just laughing together. E.E. Cummings said, "The most wasted of all days is one without laughter." After our laughing fit tonight I would have to agree with him. Laughing just puts you into a good mood and brings everyone closer. In the chaos that is life I feel that we can get caught up in the day-to-day and forget to laugh and enjoy the days we are given. In the next 166 days, until the wedding, I have tons of big decisions to make and some stressful situations coming. I pray that along the journey from Miss to Mrs. I can remember to enjoy each day and laugh as much as possible. 

Day 8

 

Today's picture is of Matt and I at the pool on day 2 of our vacation. Matt and I have been so busy with wedding planning and working. On top of that Matt is also working so hard in nursing school. This is the first time in a very long time that I can remember us getting a chance to relax together. It was so nice for us to have the opportunity to not have to make any decisions, no studying, phone calls, or e-mails. We actually had time to sit and talk and do nothing! After today I'm realizing we need to make more time for this. I feel like it is so important for our relationship that we continue to make an effort to make time for one another. It's something we need to continue to work on; finding a balance between our responsibilities and making time for each other. This will be something I will continue to work on as I move from Miss to Mrs. Anyone who has suggestions for Matt and I as we work on this, we welcome the advice!