Sweet Summertime

This past Saturday me, mama, and J went to Charleston for Lauren Tober's wedding. We spent all day before the wedding, hanging out with Shelby and Henry. We were amused all day by watching Henry get into EVERYTHING. He is def. the cutest thing in the entire world. Thanks Shelby for being the best Hostess!!! We had an awesome time!

As of Monday, it's officially summer for me. Monday was the first day spent on the lake, so to me, summer has begun! It was the perfect day. Court, Ryan, Mama, Daddy, J and I all had the day off work for Memorial Day. We packed a picnic for lunch and spent the day soaking up the rays. The weather was great, not too hot and not a bit cold! When we got home, we grilled out and had dinner outside on the back porch. It was the best way to spend the Holiday!!

lovin life

Wow is it hard to come back to work when you've been out for three days straight. It's my second day back at work since I had the ol' teeth cut out. I really could have come back on Monday, but i decided to stay home with mama and hang out with her all day. It was actually a very busy day, full of accomplishments. We got to meet Hanna for lunch and see the big ROCK on her hand! CONGRATS HANNA AND JOHN ON YOUR ENGAGEMENT!!! I am so excited for you! Then we ran errand after errand getting things checked off the wedding list.
So now here I am caught up with all my work and bored again! But hey, at least it's only a 4 day work week for me and then I get next Monday off for Memorial Day! Woohoo!

On another note, I want to thank Dr. Mama and Dr. J for taking good care of me while I was recovering this past weekend. I couldn't have asked for better caretakers! We had a relaxing weekend laying around watching movies and eating ice cream and jello. Thanks you two for being so sympathetic to such a wimp like me who can't take the pain! I love you both!

So I can't remember if I already posted about this but last Tuesday I had my portrait taken at PC. The weather was absolutely perfect and me, mama, and courtney had the best time! There were several different places on campus that I wanted to have my portrait taken, and I found it easier to walk from place to place instead of getting into a car with the dress on. So from the walking around campus with a wedding dress on (not what you expect to see everyday on PC's campus) to getting honked at a million times and people yelling "don't do it" out their windows, it was a very interesting, funny, and exciting afternoon!
I can't wait to go see all the shots the photographer took! As you probably can tell by how much I talk about it, the thing i'm most excited about for the wedding is the photography. Travis Bell really is amazing and I can't wait for everyone to see his awesome work! I just think that photography is so important on your wedding day because it's the only thing that is left after the day is over. It's what we will have to show for all the money and time spent, so to me photography is well worth every penny!

YAY for the wedding being only 87 days away, everyday i'm more and more ready and excited for August to be here! The time is going by pretty fast, but not fast enough! And the big thing right now that i'm trying to focus on is finding a job in Augusta. I'm praying hard that God will open some doors between now and August and show me where He wants me. So if you want to put this little tid bit on your prayer list for the next few months I would greatly appreciate it.

HATE SPEECH by Ryan Molony

Today we have a guest post by my very strange, yet hilarious brother in law:

"Let's talk a little American Idol. I hate Paula Abdul. I know that hate is a strong word, and I mean it in the strongest way. You would think somebody with that much money could present herself a little better. She looks hideous every Tuesday and Wednesday night. If her appearance wasn't enough to make me sick already, her comments make me want to jump off the roof of my house (which wouldn't hurt because most of you have seen my house). If she says, "oh david, I could see your soul shining through and I've never been so proud" one more time........ Speaking of pure hatred, not a fan of Ryan Seacrest or Randy Jackson either. Seacrest likes boys and Randy talks like he is a 7th grader trying to "fit in". With all of that said, the reason I can stomach these other morons is because I am in love with Simon. I don't care if it is all a show, he makes me laugh and he says exactly what I am thinking. The only thing he hasn't done is backhand Paula right off the stage........by the way, my heart is really not filled with this much hatred....it is only for the blog......but I really do hate Paula."
-Ryan Molony

i'll probably look like a chipmonk...

First and foremost...HAPPY (late) MOTHERS DAY to my wonderful mama!!!!
I love you mama and hope yesterday was as fun for you as it was for me and Court.
Courtney and I cooked brunch for mama after church. The rest of the day was spent relaxing and then me, mama, and daddy went and walked the dam. It was a great day!

Tomorrow me and mama are running around all morning going from appointment to appointment before we have to be at PC by 3 oclock for my portrait. Our photographer agreed to travel to PC to take my portrait. I'm so excited cause PC is such a beautiful campus and that being where me and J met, I wanted to have my picture taken there.
Wednesday i'm back at work for the last day this week, because on Thursday I have my wisdom teeth taken out. Which i'm not looking forward to, but the good news is I only have 2 days of work this week. Just wanted to fill everyone in on my excited and eventful week! Hope everyone has a wonderful Monday!!!

and the COUNTDOWN begins

only 100 days until August 16th!!!!

Pictures of our house

The outside view of our little home :)

Several angles of our kitchen

The two barstools I got for my bday

My green couch and little red chair

J's favorite piece of furniture

Pieces of our bedroom suite

Making a toast to celebrate our new home

Georgia on my mind....

This past weekend was spent moving Jonathan into our new place in Augusta. I took the day off of work on friday because I had to be there for the bedroom furniture and couch to be delievered. Both of our families came to help with the move on Saturday, and on Sunday Jonathan and I spent most of the day cleaning and getting things in order. Today the cable service gets hooked up so J doesn't have to be in a silent house all by himself...he will have the TV for entertainment and background noise. For almost a month now he has lived without a TV, pretty impressive I might say. So you can imagine why now that he is in his own place, the first thing we bought on Friday night after he got off work, was a new TV.
Thanks to both my parents and Court, and J's parents and Josh for coming up on Saturday to help out. It was fun to have everyone together!
The place is really coming together and there are still a lot of things we need and want, but I'm trying to not be so impulsive and remember that we don't have to have EVERYTHING right now. Our next big purchase is a washer and dryer. Don't you hate spending money on things that aren't fun and exciting? But at the same time I can't live without clean clothes!! I can't wait till August when i get to enjoy living there, but i'm glad I have all summer to get it decorated and looking good!!!
Can't wait for everyone to come visit!
I'll post pictures after I get them uploaded onto my computer.

Announcement

click on the link below to see our engagement announcement that was in The State paper yesterday...

Thain - Anderson Wedding

Hair Makeover

Ever wanted to get your hair cut like a celebrity, but you weren't sure how it would look on you?

Here's your answer: http://hairmakeover.instyle.com/

I've never had hair this long, and i'm pretty sure after seeing this, long hair will never be an option for me!

This is me with BANGS!?!?!?!?

And this is just a short bob...similar to hairstyles i've had before

I wanted to give J a hair makeover, but they don't have any guy hairstyles....too bad!

Tag, Your it!!!

i read this on someone else's blog and even though I didn't get tagged, I decided to pretend I was tagged and continue on with the game:

5 things on my To Do list:
1. Drop off engagement announcement to The State Paper
2. Pick up clothes from the dry cleaner
3. Go to Boltinhouse Jewelers to order mine and J’s wedding bands
4. find out details and payments for renter’s insurance
5. Put all my pictures from my computer onto back-up CD’s

5 snacks I enjoy:
1. Dr. Pepper
2. Hersey Kisses
3. Fruit
4. Cheese balls
5. Ice Cream

5 things I would do if I won the lottery:
1. Save, save, and save some more
2. Pay back my parents for all the wedding expenses
3. Open a wedding planning business with my mom and sis
4. Put money aside to build our dream house
5. Give to missions and other charities that I feel passionate about

5 bad habits:
1. Not checking my voicemail messages
2. Interrupting people
3. Stopping by the Chickfila drive through on the way to work for sweet tea
4. Falling asleep during movies
5. Not washing my face every night before I go to bed

5 places I have lived:
1. Lexington, SC
2. Clinton, SC
3. soon I’ll be living in Augusta, GA
4.
5.

5 jobs I have had:
1. McAlister’s Deli
2. House Keeper at Ocean’s Creek (Myrtle Beach)
3. Build a Bear Workshop (Myrtle Beach)
4. Youth Intern at Lake Murray Baptist
5. Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau

5 friends who ghost read your blog and need to start their own:
1. Courtney Molony
2. Elizabeth Ann
3. Alyssa Cogdill
4. Courtney Shelton
5. and I’m really not sure who else reads this that doesn’t have a blog

5 favorite things to do on the weekends:
1. Anything outside!
2. Go walking or running
3. Hang out with J and family
4. Travel to visit friends
5. Take a sunday afternoon nap!

Ok, I now tag Shelby! :)

Turning the big TWO THREE

Jonathan got three free tickets to go see OAR in concert last night. J took me and his other girlfriend Catie to the concert. The three of us had a great time. I spent the night with Catie after the concert and drove into Columbia this morning. Thanks J for a wonderful Birthday! I had so much fun with you and Catie!

Also thanks to everyone for all the sweet phone calls and cards yesterday! I am so blessed by all my amazing family and friends. My parents suprised me with some furniture for me and J's new place, so i was also very excited about that. We are moving J in next weekend, and I can't wait to get in there and decorate. His parents and my parents are going to be there to help. It will be fun having everyone together. J and I spent last weekend at his parents house. His mom took me shopping, as usual :), and bought me some very cute birthday gifts! She is always spoiling me like i'm her own daughter...it's great to have two moms...hehe!

Tomorrow me and mama are going to try and get some things checked off the wedding list. It's so crazy to think that the wedding is less than 4 months away. There is still so much to do, but day by day it's coming together. The process has been so smooth and so fun. I know i've said this before, but all the credit goes to my mom...she's been awesome!

You might have already noticed by the boring post, but i'm bored out of my mind this morning at work. The day is inching by and i'm sooo ready for 5:00 to get here! I'm sitting here playing Snood as I wait for the time to pass, which is so addicting! So, if you have any time-waster ideas, fun blogs, or youtube videos, or websites, please send them my way!!!

Bye Bye Brooke

Tonight on American Idol, it's time to see the over emotional, pouty, made too many mistakes on stage, Brooke White go home. I'm making this prediction because even if she isn't the one voted off tonight, she needs to be. Of course this is all just my opinion, but who are the idiots out there that voted for and kept Kristy Lee Cook on the show up until last week? She should have been long gone at least 5 weeks ago.

I think most would agree with me that David Cook has had some awesome performances the past few weeks and without a doubt should be our next American Idol.

Top 10 Favorite Memories of PC

With college graduation quickly approaching for all those 2008 seniors at PC, it's hard to believe that it has already been a whole year since I walked across the stage and accepted my diploma. It's funny how most people associate graduations as a happy time. Well, try going to PC for four years and trust me, you won't be happy to leave. Anyway, as I was sitting here thinking about all those that are a year younger than me getting ready to step into the real world, I couldn't help but think about how my last few weeks were spent as a senior at PC. I believe me and the girls in my townhouse made more memories during those last weeks, than most make during their entire 4 years of college.


Ok, so i've decided to make a top ten list of my favorite memories made at PC.

10. Getting to spend one year at PC with Courtney, I was a freshman when she was a senior
9. Running down the steps on bidday to ADPi
8. Convincing all my roommates that studying is overrated, therefore GPAs suffered sophomore year
7. Staying up till 3am for no good reason
6. Me and alyssa hanging out on 4th floor Georgia with J, Mark, and Taylor our freshman year
5. My senior toast at Black Diamond 2007 (haha...this is a total joke for all of those that were there); really every ADPi and PiKapp party has it's memories
4.Tailgating with my family and friends for all the home football games
3. B1's Fall 2006 Fish Fry and Spring 2007 Fish Fry (me, alyssa, and catie's campus adventure)
2. Growing in my faith tremendously because of the opportunities and people that the Lord placed in my life at PC
1. Meeting my future husband (J was one of the first boys I met at PC)

There are so many more I could list, but these are the few I thought of off the top of my head. Maybe I can convience Jonathan to give me his top ten so that I can post his list as well. haha...like that will ever happen!

"Another turning point a fork stuck in the road

Time grabs you by the wrist directs you where to go

So make the best of this test and don't ask why

It's not a question but a lesson learned in time"

"It's something unpredictable

But in the end is right

I hope you had the time of your life"

"So take the photographs and still frames in your mind

Hang it on a shelf in good health and good time

Tattoos of memories and dead skin on trial

For what it's worth it was worth all the while"

"It's something unpredictable

But in the end is right

I hope you had the time of your life"

"It's something unpredictable

But in the end is right

I hope you had the time of your life"

"Good Riddance" by Green Day

What A Week...

It's been a busy busy week and I don't see it slowing down until after August. But, I like being busy. I'm much more productive and feel like I manage my time better when i keep busy. Monday I left work early to go get my hair highlighted...i like it but im still getting used to it. Then on the way home, I had to take my car to the shop after driving around all day feeling like it was going to blow. Funny side note...Court's tahoe also had to be put in the shop on Monday and last week Mama's car had to be put in the shop. Not the best week for us as far as cars are concerned. Daddy picked me up from the dealership and when we got home I helped mama cook because it was Grammy's 80th birthday. We had Grammy, Papa, and Hanna over for dinner. It was so good to hang out with the fam!

Tuesday after work, I met Elizabeth Ann at the bookstore and we picked out our Beth Moore study (Jesus the One and Only). We are only on day two, and so far it's awesome. After bible study I was able to pick up my car. For some reason I was so busy at work on Tuesday, I didn't get to eat lunch so by the time I got home that night I was starving. After I ate a very yummy grilled pimento cheese sandwich, I watched American Idol and then off to bed. PS...David Cook is by far the best on Idol!

Wednesday work was busy as ever. I was hardly in the office all day, which is a good thing. The time flies when i'm running around all day. For lunch we got to go to the State House grounds to Hospitality Day. Tons of different restaurants and vendors were there serving food. I was stuffed by the time I left, but the food was awesome! I met mama after work at Travis Bell's photography studio to look at me and J's engagement pics. And let me tell you, there was not a bad picture. I couldn't believe how awesome every picture turned out. We picked out the newspaper engagement announce pic, then we picked out a few others. He doesn't post his pics online like some photographers, so that's the only downside.

J has been staying at Catie and Will's townhouse in Augusta the past two weeks so he doesn't have to commute back and forth to work. They have been so sweet to offer their new place for him to stay. I think he was getting lonely there by himself cause he called when he got off work yesterday and decided to come to my house and spend the night. We went to dinner and had a great night just hanging out. I can't tell you the last time the just the two of us went out to dinner. He left early this morning to get back to Augusta in time for work. And by the way, he is loving his new job. He works in a small office with a few other co-workers, most of which are young guys, so he's had fun getting to know them. It's always nice to go to work with people who are fun to be around.

Today has been much slower, hince the writing of this post. I have a few errands to run this afternoon for work, but besides that I am just procrastinating from doing my research on companies that I could care less about. It's funny how now that I know that I won't be here with this company after August, I don't care quite as much about my work. And no one here knows that i'm gonna leave. I am waiting to tell them until the end of May or beginning of June. Don't get me wrong, I still work hard and get everything done on time. It's just the fact that I know i'm leaving so it's hard to not slack. I need to get better about that because I still have at least 3 more months here and I want to be diligent and hard working. We are called to glorify the Lord in all that we do, even in things that we don't like doing, this is something I have to remind myself everyday!

Today after work i'm going for another fitting of my wedding dress. This is my third fitting and probably one of my last. My portrait is being taken on May 13th at PC, so there is still plenty of time to make sure the dress fits perfectly.
Tomorrow will be a fun day. The CVB staff will be doing site tours of different hotels and meeting facilities around the Columbia area. We always have fun together when we are out doing these tours. I love the ladies I work with and I will for sure miss them when I leave here.

So if you aren't bored yet with the play by play of my week, thanks for reading to the end!...hope I helped you waste a few minutes of your time today!

Turn it up!!

You're going to need to turn up your volume. I put a playlist on here for the thousands of viewers that read this blog everyday, so you have some tunes to jam to as you are reading about my oh so interesting life. I'll be taking request of new songs to put on the playlist, so please feel free to leave your ideas on a comment. And yes, i know what you are thinking...I am very bored at work and have nothing better to do than find cool things like a playlist for my blog.

85 degees

How awesome is this weather today? If only i wasn't stuck inside this office on such a beautiful day. It's the perfect day to go for a jog and lay out with a good book by the pool. Those are the two things I would be doing if I didn't have to be here at work. And of course Saturday and Sunday, when i actually have the time to enjoy this nice weather, it will either be raining or 60 degrees. So today as I sit at my desk, i am trying to take in this nice warm weather by staring out my window and pretending that i actually get to take advantage of it.

I did get to enjoy yesterday's nice weather. Jonathan and I had our engagement pictures taken at the State House yesterday. Travis Bell is our photographer for the wedding and he and his assistant were so awesome to work with yesterday. I can't wait to see how all the picutures turned out. Having a great photographer for our wedding was very important to me, and I know with Travis we will have nothing to worry about. I've seen his work and have no doubt that he will capture every special moment of the day of our wedding. http://www.travisbellphotographers.com/

Congrats to the future Mr. and Mrs. Epps

Congratulations Megan and McNeil! I'm so excited for you both!

McNeil proposed to Megan last night on PC's campus. I stole this picture from facebook so that everyone could see the newly engaged happy couple.

Tribute to Courtney Shelton...

The ONE AND ONLY COURTNEY SHELTON!!!!

St. Pat's in 5 Points



This is me and Court on the marta in Atlanta a few years ago. (Ignore my "freshman 15")

This is quite possibly the best pic of Courtney that i've ever seen...she has the BEST laugh and this pic says it all.

And this picture is really only funny because of how young alyssa and ea look

Happy 30th Shelby!!!

A little shout out to my beautiful cousin Shelby...

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Me, Shelby, Court, and Hanna...the 4 cousins!

(this pic is from when Shelby was pregnant with little Henry)

I love you and hope you have an awesome year ahead of you!

Tuesday nights with EA

Every Tuesday, after work, Elizabeth Ann and I meet to have dinner and bible study together. Tonight we are going to Panera Bread, which is one of our usual spots. It's been awesome to have this time with EA. She also lead me in a bible study my sophomore year in college. God has definitely blessed me by providing not only a great friend but an amazing sister in Christ. It's so encouraging to know that almost every morning I have an email waiting on me when i get to work. EA will email me to see how my day is going as well as for accountability. I remember praying when i moved home that God would place another girl in my life to encourage me in my daily walk. And as usual, God answered my prayer.

Tonight is our last study on the Book of Ruth. Next week we are starting a Beth Moore study. Ruth has always been one of my favorite books of the bible, but it wasn't until these past 2 months that I have truly understood the key points behind her story. I've learned so much about how God's plan and timing is so much better than my own. 99% of the time, I do not think like that, I want things done my way and in my timing. But little do i realize that, as John Piper says, "The life of the godly is not a straight line to glory, but they do get there." God takes us down roads where we may not want to follow him, but in the long run, he always has our best interest at hand and he will never leave our side. He has so many great things in store for our future and "in all the setbacks of your life as a believer God is plotting for your joy." It's so comforting to know that God is our #1 fan. "Life is one curve after another. And we never know what's coming. But the point of the story is that the best is yet to come...that is the unshakable truth about the life of the woman and the man who follow Christ in the obedience of faith."

I hope you enjoyed my little sermon! I just wanted to fill you in on what God was doing in my heart. Slowly but surely he is showing me my stubborn and selfish ways and helping me put myself aside and focus on Him. I'm so excited to see what God has planned for me and Jonathan and our future together. One thing I am certain is that it is going to be far better that I can imagine, as long as we have faith and follow our Lord.

Here's the most recent pic of me and EA:

Elizabeth Ann, Me, and the fabulous Courtney Shelton at my engagement party!