unlikely

sometimes God meets with you in the most unlikely places. 

in the most unlikely mindset. 

and with the most unlikely people. 

what a Merry Christmas this was indeed. 

he is,

let me just tell you something.

I was at a point where I didn't want a person and I was satisfied with being alone for... for ever.
and then this annoyingly cute state trooper shows up and decides it will be okay to make me fall head over heels for him.

so I fell.
hard.

and well here we are.

but let me just tell you something else.
he is good.
he is smart.
he is handsome.
he has the prettiest blue eyes you have ever ever seen.
he is brave.
he is absolutely hilarious.
he is going to be a wonderful person to spend forever with.
he is paranoid... and it kinda makes me smile. (don't tell him that)
he is kind.
he is oh so very patient.
he is thoughtful.
he is mine.

and he is more than I was ever looking for.

new things.

so there are some things lately I have noticed that I like that I used to not be a big fan of.

1. polka dots.
I used to hate them, & now I love them.
it all started in may when my mom brought me a j.crew polka dot skirt.
I was instantly in love.

2. lipstick.
also I used to hate, & now love.
it started with a costume where I wore some red lipstick and J couldn't say enough about it.
so today I bought two new colors (that were really cheap but great quality, thanks meglivingston)
both are wet and wild and one is called "birthday suit" (scandalous I know) and the other is dark pink pearl (boring name, great color)

3. fall.
most people found it hilarious that I autumn was my second least favorite season.
but I don't like cold.
but this time around I like the new boots, cozy sweaters, and an excuse to cuddle.

happy thursday everybody.

tis the season.

today we went Christmas shopping. 

it made me way too excited for Christmas. 

yay. 

let's celebrate. 

mad.

"But I don't want to go among mad people," said Alice.
"Oh you can't help that," said the cat.
"We're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad"
"How do you know I'm mad?" asked Alice.
"You must be," said the cat, "or you wouldn't have come."

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sweet disposition & faith in God.

I have been working on this post for a long time.
I wasn't sure how to word it but I think I have finally figured it out.

As many of you already know, a dear friend of mine passed away earlier this year.
Just four months ago to be exact.
She was just nineteen and she was killed in a car accident.

I went the the viewing and the funeral and was blown away by the way her mother Tammy was handling it.

During the funeral they played the song "I Will Praise You in This Storm."
I was sitting towards the back of the packed gymnasium but still saw a hand slip up in the air about halfway through that song. Connected to that hand was Tammy, Morgan's mother. She truly was praising Him in the storm. Her hands were lifted the entire time and I couldn't help but stare as she stared towards heaven giving praise to the God that gives and takes away.

Since that time she has not ceased to amaze me.
The whole point of me writing this is because
1. I am taken aback by the testimony this sweet lady is
&
2. I want you to witness it.

She has posted numerous statuses on Facebook that give God glory...

"What if...what if I would have stopped that afternoon to talk with Morgan and delayed her a few minutes...what if Morgan had driven a bigger car...what if the lady had not been going so fast....what if, what if, what if. There are a million of them. I have heard them all and i have thought them all. But all of the "what if's" completely negate God's sovereignty. If we truly believe that God is in 

control, how can we say "what if"?
I personally believe that nothing happens on this earth without first passing through His hands. Do I understand it?...no. Do I trust that God has a purpose in the midst of it?...absolutely!
Instead of focusing on the past "what if's"...we need to focus on the present "what now's".
What now, God? What can I do now that will bring glory and honor to You?
May every word i speak, every thought I have, every action I take be Christ-honoring."

"Today, I have thought about how blessed Morgan was to have such amazing friends! From grade school, to high school, to college, the Lord placed very special friends in Morgan's life to love her and help her along the way. There are too many to name...but you know who you are. Thank you for loving my Mo. Thank you for making her life so much sweeter! She loved each of you fiercely!
Now...for the mo

st important part. If Morgan could talk to you right now, I KNOW that she would want to ensure that she would see you again. She would want you to know that heaven is very real and that you have to have a personal relationship with Christ to get there. If you don't have that relationship...please don't delay! Talk to God, talk to a pastor, talk to a believer who will open up the Bible and share truth. Pursue God's purpose for your life. Just like Mo, we never know when we will breathe our last breath.
Much, much love!"

"I have to share my yesterday with you. I left the house fine, but by the time I arrived at work, I was a mess. As usual, just missing Morgan to the point of it almost being unbearable. God has truly blessed me with amazing friends! They were so sweet and supportive throughout the day.
That evening, my precious mama called me. We cried and reminisced. I was a mess again. Other friends and family 

called and texted. My last call was from Trey. He usually texts me, but said he had been thinking about me and wanted to call instead. Then...right before I awoke this morning, i saw Morgan's face and she gave me a kiss.
I said ALL of this to say...OUR GOD IS SO VERY GOOD! He has perfect timing! He has used so many friends, family, and strangers to help us weather this storm. For every act of love and kindness...may we give Him every ounce of credit. He uses those who make themselves usable. Thank you for making yourself usable. God has used every prayer, text, call, post, card, picture, story, hug to minister to my heart. I am eternally grateful!"

"You stay up and wait on them to get home. You make them call you once they make it to their next location. You wake up at all hours of the night and go lay your hand on their chest to make sure they are ok (no matter what age). You go get them (no matter the hour) when they are unable to make it home safely :) You pray that God will place His strongest angels around them to protect them from harm.

........they think they are invincible. You PRAY they are invincible. But the truth is....they are not.
That's when you come to the realization that they are God's first and foremost. They are the most precious gift that He gives. And we must learn to praise Him when He gives...and takes away. He sees the big picture. He is sovereign.
It is also then when you must realize that you have to trust Him, no matter the circumstance. As hard as it is to believe, He loved them first and He loves them even more than we do. Isn't that amazing?!?
SO...be so very thankful for the precious time that you have them. Continue to pray for them. And trust God with everything else."

There are so many more posts I could show you but I think these say it all.
No matter what you are going through God is in control and He can receive glory.

And if that isn't a sweet disposition, then I don't know what is.

Altar'd State.

Today I was introduced to an awesome boutique that gives money to great causes! They are currently having a contest looking for a photographer for their store locations. I have entered the contest and would really appreciate a vote!

It won't take more than a minute to vote!

VOTE HERE!

Thank you all!
And while you are at it like Altar'd States facebook page and check all the beautiful clothes they sell.

not crazy, just proud.

I am not one of those crazy lets kill everyone type people.
but I am one of those crazy proud Americans.

and I find it quite ironic that in one of those middle eastern countries the other day someone was trying to burn an American flag, caught on fire, and died.

that is all.

giddy & tired.

late night wedding planning makes me giddy.
although I should really get some sleep I am having a serious debate over mint or teal spray paint.
and also what I should do about a veil.

I also feel like I could fall asleep in this chair.

for my favorite alexandra. and her sweet sweet granny.

you are in my prayers. 

I love you best friend. 

how to save money 101.

I would consider myself fairly frugal.
and I have big dreams for places I want to go and things I want to do.
Josh and I share a dream.... going to Australia.
so we are going to go to Australia.
and while we are there we will:
1. scuba dive the great barrier reef.
2. go out in the outback mate.
and so on.

how much does this all cost you may ask..
approximately $6,000.

so that brings me to saving money 101.
1. any change you get NO MATTER WHAT put it in a jar and save it. NO MATTER WHAT.
2. open up a savings account for that one particular thing you are saving for.
3. budget your monthly paycheck and any extra budget money put in savings.
4. in your budget plan to put a certain amount in your Australia fund.
5. any time you find something in a store you want to buy but end up putting it back, put that money in the account. (this is for things you see you want not need)

now I am not promising this plan is fool proof.
I have no idea, but it seems to be working so far.
so if you trust me and you have your own Australia...
try it.

because I know you are all dying to know.

I haven't blogged in awhile and despite my desperate attempt to think of something profound and of meaning to talk about I have come up short. so instead I will ramble about things that I am sure you are all dying to know... (lots of sarcasm)

Monday I started a workout routine that consists of doing P90X and Insanity. I suggest you don't try this at home.

I like wedding planning, but it's much more stressful when you are actually planning a wedding and not just daydreaming.

I took some pictures of this gorgeous little senior lady yesterday and just loved the way they turned out.

I am taking pictures at two weddings in september and I am so ready for them to be here. I miss it and feel like I haven't done it in awhile.

I bought the hunger games the day it came out and watched it twice.

in a span of five days I had Chipotle three times. they should pay me for the amount of marketing I give them.

I just killed a spider. a huge, jumping, make you scream like a girl spider.

Josh is just too cute for me to handle. and too sweet. I love him.

my basement needs some serious decorating work. I have all the stuff to hang and no time to do it.

maybe if I didn't blog about pointless things I would have more time.

the walking dead premiere is in 53 days. far too long.

I am trying to read about four different books right now and it is very time consuming. but fun. very fun.

I opened up and Australia savings account. it has $125 in it. impressive I know.

that's all for now.

sorry for wasting three minutes of your life.

satisfied.

today I had a chipotle burrito filled with:
white rice.
black beans.
chicken.
mild and medium salsa.
extra sour cream.
cheese.
and a tad bit of lettuce.

today was a good day.

summer recap.

so I realize I have not blogged in what seems like an eternity...
and when I thought about it I didn't really find it to be a big deal because very few people actually read it... until I stumbled upon the page that tells you just how many people do read it and I was pleasantly surprised.
so here I am writing, because people actually read.
keep reading please.

first things first.
I GOT ENGAGED.
sorry for the shouty capitals.
yes, he asked and I said yes.

I went to New York City.
that is where I got engaged actually.
it was amazing in every single way.

I have been to a Florida beach and a South Carolina one...
sorry Carolina, you will never measure up.
there is just something about that Florida air.

I said yes to the dress.
high five.

I have been taking some photographs of people.
it's the coolest job ever.
check them out RIGHT HERE.

I also have been working at the daycare.
not so much the coolest job ever.
but I love those kids.

I went to the wild and wonderful WV and decided on a wedding spot and visited with my family.

and I have been attending summer school.

busy life.
great life.
love life.

Daniel and Kelly!

just so ya'll know, I just love taking wedding pictures.
congrats Kelly and Daniel!

I remember.

I remember being two with you, being inseparable from each other and our nala and simba stuffed animals.
I remember living in Germany and spending every waking moment with our mamas.
I remember the way you walked on your tiptoes.
my mom remembered you screaming at the top of your lungs, and that you loved ramen noodles the most when they were cold.

I remember wandering how you were doing when we parted ways, and through elementary school talking to you on the phone when our moms would be talking.
I remember coming to Georgia and visiting you when we were about eight.
I remember the dinner your mom made and how much we loved it, some sort of mexican casserole. and they couldn't believe how much we ate.

I remember keeping in touch through facebook and always complaining we didn't get to see each other more.
I remember our conversations of being so ready to graduate and go to school and live our lives.

I remember two summers ago when we finally saw each other again.
I remember how it was like we had never been apart. it was like we were two again, and instead of carrying around simba and nala with our mommas, we were carrying purses and shopping bags.
I remember we bargained our way into cheaper flat irons.
I remember we planned our senior pictures, and tried on ridiculously high red high heels.
I remember thinking how amazing it is that God can keep two people so far apart so close together.

I remember just a few weeks ago talking about how we needed to see each other this summer.
I remember that we talked about God, college, and our family.

I will never forget these things about you.
I can't even imagine how terrible your family is feeling.
they saw you everyday, I saw you once every few years and it hurts me.
it is so obvious how much you were loved and I am looking forward to seeing you again one day.

your loved ones are hurting here but I take comfort in the fact that you are somewhere where you don't even remember what hurting is.

I love you Morgan.
I will see you in heaven.

thank you.

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.

Philippians 1:3

so I have semi attempted at opening my own business, photography business actually.
get on facebook and like my page please.
http://www.facebook.com/twentythreephotographyaec

twentythree photography (:
thanks.

december 29th 2011.

as I believe I have stated in an earlier post, his name is Joshua. usually called Josh, but I find an odd joy in calling him Joshua... unless he is around because he doesn't seem to like it much. maybe that is why I enjoy it so much.
anyways, his name is Joshua or Josh.
take your pick.

I wasn't looking for him, I wasn't looking for the person that would make me feel like myself again. I was actually doing the opposite, I was purposely not looking at all. and I had come to grips with the fact that I would just have to be a little lonely for a while.

on December 29th 2011 he found me, and I will never be looking or for that matter not looking again.

I fell in love with him way quicker than I ever thought I would. I fell in love with all the wonderful things that he does, says, and is.

and one day soon I will tell you about all those wonderful things.

I don't know if I have explained my love for Live with Kelly before, but if I have my love since then has grown.

I am going to New York City in a month and a half and I am praying I get those tickets to see her in person.

I feel like if she saw this she would file a restraining order... 

maybe not.

currently.

I am drinking chocolate milk.
watching tangled.
swooning over my handsome boyfriend.

life is good.
love is better.

guess what.

his name is Joshua, but most people call him Josh.
I find it fun to call him Joshua when he is not around.


and,

I love him.

cameras benefits.

the benefits of having a good camera areas follows:
1. you never have to hire a photographer. except for your wedding
2. people pay to have you take pictures for them.
I have a wedding scheduled, a maternity shoot, and two families already.
3. you automatically become a professional tourist.
4. you don't have to borrow cameras.
5. you can lose all the lenses caps and not feel bad about it.
6. it's way to much fun.

march goals.

I have not created goals in quite sometime so I am going to do some march goals and see if I accomplish them.

1. send Anna's care package. I really HAVE to do this.
2. write one chapter.
3. schedule one photo shoot with my new camera. oh yeah, I got a new camera.
4. blog six times at least.
5. save 100 dollars for my travel fund.
6. move into basement apartment.
7. make jars for money saving.
8. pack for India.
9. go to India.
10. blog about India.
11. read Wuthering Heights and Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet.
12. see the hunger games!! way too excited.
13. eat healthier.

okay that is a list of goals I should be capable of keeping. let's hope.

twenty.

my genius parents got married on february 29th.
so they have an anniversary every 4 years.
it certainly saves money but seems a bit odd.

just kidding, they celebrate every year but I make fun of them often.

they always explain "we had to, dad was going to flight school, only time to do it."
I get it, I just enjoy the teasing.

but on to the anniversary deal.
I am so proud to call my parents my parents.
they are my heroes hands down and have shown me the perfect example of how love should be treated, and how one day I will need to treat my husband.
I am so blessed due to the fact that my parents kept their vows and didn't take marriage lightly.

they have displayed how to love each other by loving God first.
and because they loved God first they stuck out the difficult times that majority of relationships would crumble for.

so happy 20th momma and daddy.
and may you have so many many more.

I love you.

there will be a day.

I have always been dead set on not wanting Christ to come back until after I am married and have a family.
I have just been so adamant on I would feel like I missed out.
this morning I came to the conclusion that I am 100 percent okay with Him coming back right now. like this very second would be great.

I am incredibly happy right now. and I believe it's because for the first time in my life I am not worried about anything except what God wants for me. and so in turn I think that that is why I am perfectly okay with going to heaven right now.

not complaining about having no pain, tears, sadness, and suffering.

iPhone. you rock.

I absolutely love my phone and just when I thought it couldn't get any better I discovered the blogger app.
so I am currently blogging from my phone.
just so everyone knows that.

the one thing I WILL spend a lot of money on.

my wedding photographer.
I want my pictures to look like...


THISSSSS.

in the market for a nikon.

I really need a new camera.
like a real deal camera.
nikon preferably.

but I have so many "funds" coming out of my paycheck right now I don't seem to be able to find a way to save for it.
unfortunately my travel fund is more important.
and I make minimum wage.

love is a special occasion.

a pet peeve of mine is when people complain about valentines day.
saying things like "shouldn't you show love everyday, not just on a holiday"
OR
"I am single so valentines day is going to be terrible."

first of all,
yes you should show love everyday.
but, we also should celebrate the fact that Jesus was born everyday but you have no problem with Christmas...
and we should rejoice in the fact that He died to save us all the time but you take part in Easter...
and we should be thankful for those who gave us freedom, independence, and this wonderful country 24/7 yet we honor veterans day, memorial day, and the fourth of july.

secondly,
love has many forms... it's not just romance.
so it really doesn't matter if you are single, dating, engaged, married, or some other place in your life there is someone you can show love to and someone loves you.
friends, parents, boyfriends, girlfriends, finances, siblings, husbands, wifes, extended family, etc all deserve your love and its nice to just have a special reminder every february.

and of course Gods love surpasses all the others.

so when I say I love valentines day I am not saying that this is the only day to show your love to people or that it may not be with a significant other...
I'm just saying I love love.

and thats enough for me to pay special attention to it.

new design. here to stay.

so I have had a lot of trouble deciding on just how to make my blog appearance look.
I have decided that this is what I want.
and there may be a few minor changes here and there but for the most part this will stay.


today I did nothing but lay in bed watching romantic movies (due to the holiday coming up this week, that is all that is on tv), and when I got tired of watching endless love stories and constantly checking twitter on commercials I got dressed fixed my hair and went to CVS.
obviously I was bored.
so I looked at greeting cards for about thirty minutes then bought myself some mascara, chocolate, and milk.

productive day if I do say so myself.

training.

I start my 16 week marathon training tomorrow.

wish me luck.

redbox and its problems.

I really miss going into the movie stores to get a movie.

yes, redbox is a more convenient cheaper version of this but I loved going to the nearest movie rental store and spending at least twenty minutes looking through old movies, adding to my watch list, and of course renting certain movies over and over again.

I find pleasure in little things like going to the grocery store, reading greeting cards, and movie rental places.

redbox is so impersonal.
give me a blockbuster please.

flashbackk.

keep calm, and eat a burrito.

for those of you who don't know her, her name is Anna Morris.
also known as my best friend.


when I went to Tampa I was honestly expecting not to gain a new best friend.
I had a few great ones already and just never imagined I would be blessed with another.
I was incredibly 100% wrong.

she was a random roommate.
and I was in south america when the selections were posted.
I went to a little internet cafe in south america and found that I was friends with an anna morris and that I had been chatting with her... although I had not been, another best friend of mine, alex, had been.
so I introduced myself to her and began my stalking.
at first glance I knew she was not the psycho killer type, she had a very normal looking family, and she obviously could sing due to the countless musical pictures she had on her profile.
and let me tell you she can singggg.

so we got to know each other, which more or less meant we got to know ourselves... being that we are almost the same person when it comes to likes and dislikes.
I liked her, she liked me.
she bought me a tinker bell cup and brought a 500 days of summer poster to school and I knew she was a keeper.

the first few weeks we really got to know each other and really started to open up... considering we didn't know many people it was nice to have someone to turn to when you really missed home.
then she auditioned for the first semester musical.... The Wild Party. I dressed her in some of my "lucky" clothes and she went and sang for a minor role.
she got a call back for that role and another part, which she got, which was the lead... and let's be honest, I was more excited than she was.

and so it began, the never ending rehearsals and always in my head wild party soundtrack.
and then something else began...
his name is Brandon Shea.

they met in auditions and were both lead roles, and lead roles that had to act like they were in love... the acting didn't last long.
I encouraged this relationship while anna was unsure of what to do... it was nice being there for someone when I felt so far from home.
and then it got to the point where I no longer had to encourage.
they were inseparable.. and they had the cutest relationship, and when I say they I mean us.
I "third wheel" like a champ.
so I got to know the incredibly talented, hilarious, lovable brandon shea.
and let me just say I approve.

so the three of us were inseparable. and ate burritos every day.
they would then go to rehearsals and I would wait for them bored out of my mind,
sometimes I would pass the time by doing homework... until I discovered miss chelsea didn't have anything to do during this time either...
but anyways. this lasted for a couple months and then for about two weeks before the show they both kinda dissapeared from my life.. except for when I took them food to the theatre.
but I kept anna sane and tried to remind her that she is extremely talented...
I surprised her, took her to starbucks, read lines with her,  and broadcasted the show to everyone on campus.
essentially I was her understudy.

the night of the show... we can just say I was blown away by both of them.
after attending every show and getting to know the cast I could tell why anna was so passionate about it.
I have never been so proud of a friend as I was of her that weekend.

so the show was over and I got her back between the hours of 7 and 12. it was nice.
and then I discovered I was transferring and my first thought was that I would lose her.
I cried, she cried, I don't think brandon ever cried but he wanted to... I just know it.
then I realized that there is no way I would ever lose a friend like that.

she was there for me when I couldn't talk to anyone else and I forever thank her for that.
I spent my last weekend in florida with her at her house, and that sunday I left I cried for a solid hour driving.
and honestly, writing this right now is making me cry.
I can't tell you why and I don't know how to explain in but in a matter of months our friendship turned into something that doesn't happen often. I would trust her with anything and I am blessed to have a friend like her.

so here is to all the disney singing,
late night car rides screaming out the window (while harmonizing),
huge daily burritos,
eating way to many sour patch kids,
taking way too many pictures,
pinning ya agains,
going to sketchy go cart places (remember that???),
learning the juggernaut,
starbucks coffees,
#madeuphastags (#hojolovin),
wishing I had an iphone,
peppermint... so much peppermint,
surprises that you hate and I love,
brandon shea sharing,
knowing what the other is thinking,
and so on and so forth.

here is to us,

and our "random roommate" friendship.
thank you University of Tampa reslife... I owe you one.