The Proposal

Brandon and I have been dating since August 4, 2009 and on December 24, 2010 we got engaged!!! I was always curious of how he was going to ask me, but I knew it would be something clever.  

As I was wrapping gifts on Christmas Eve to be taken with us to Missouri he casually told me he had one more present for me, but that it isnt wrapped and that he couldn't wrap it. I'll admit my first thought was a ring. I then realized the only thing on my list that was unable to be wrapped was for me to get to drive his Avalanche. I don't know why I wanted this probably because he would never let me. =)

Around 7:15 p.m he then decided to tell me he sent me an email. I proceed to ask if I needed to check it then, is it a cheesy forward, why did you tell me you sent an email, etc. This is what I opened up.

So I grabbed a little yellow tablet and and start trying to solve the puzzle as quick as I could. I struggled with a few questions but Brandon decided to help me out. The clue was 'Behind the Family Pictures.' At this point I am super nervous. I am actually afraid to go hunting whatever is behind the pictures. I played dumb for a few minutes so I could prepare myself for what I thought was about to happen.  Then I really had NO clue what pictures I am supposed to be looking behind. This is where it was hidden...

Clever right? Behind the FAMILY pictures. This is what was hidden.

There was no key or even a lock on this magic book. So I stared shaking and tugging on it, everything to try and get it open. I hears something in the box so I got even more excited. Brandon sat for at least ten minutes letting me get frustrated before he decided to help.

In the box was....are you ready.... the key to his truck. 

Pause.

I teased him, and I believe my exact words were, "If you did all this just to let me drive your truck, your proposal better be even better." I would soon find out that it was part of the proposal.

We then left to go drive around and look at Christmas lights. I was pretty nervous to drive his truck. I think because I know how much he loves it. 

 As I got into the truck he told me, " I think we need to pray together."   GREAT!! We had discussed on many occasions how great it would be to pray together and the FIRST time he decided we do it was because I was driving his truck. I found it quite humorous (and was maybe a little offended).

We made it back to the house safely. We had been wanting to watch some of the video footage we shot in the last week on our new camera. We had taken it with us to the Christmas lights in Georgia and also I had taped Brandon shooting his new gun. At the end of the video (I wish I had the good footage) Brandon appears with a special message to me saying how happy he was that we got to spend the holidays together and is looking forward to many more. I was laughing hysterically.

Instead we decided to read from our couples devotional book. We always randomly select our reading and Brandon chose for us that night. This is what he picked.

I thought it was a tad suspicious but 3 hours later the proposal was finally out of my mind. We sat on the couch talking and he brought up the prayer he prayed for us before we left. He had asked me if I really listened and knew that he wasn't exactly praying for our trip to town. He was praying for our future life together. As he was explaining this he slid off the couch onto his knee with box in hand. I do not remember how many times I asked if he was joking. I did say yes, hugged him for what seemed a really long time, and thanked God for putting Brandon in my life, and Brandon for this beautiful ring!

I am SO excited about becoming Brandon's wife I could not have asked for anyone better. I loved his proposal and for anyone that knows Brandon, knows it is exactly something he would do. I am nervous about planning a wedding. No date has been set and it may be several months before anything is decided! My mind is already going crazy though for things to make and create for the big day. I also got the job at the bank which is perfect timing. I hear weddings cost money. Again, God is faithful and knows what He is doing.

Oops one more picture I think is important, future husband and wife!

lauren

Genesis 2:24

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

Christmas 2010

Here are this years Christmas cards. It took me days to come up with an idea for them and finally this is what I settled on. I always try to take the time and write a note in my cards.  I love the idea of a Christmas letter...maybe in the years to come.

 I did not make enough of the above card to hand out at church. I quickly put together these. 

This holiday season we ventured to Pine Mountain, Georgia to see the Christmas light display at Callaway Gardens. We took our new video camera and sadly the battery died at the seventh day of Christmas so I snapped a few shots on my old camera.

Brandon's mom and dad gave me a new camera for Christmas. I was STOKED! The pictures off the old one were okay, but I had to take about four of each picture to get one to turn out. Here is a few pics with the new.

  Christmas trees at the Levy house.

 Me and my fiancée. Thats a story for another post.

Me with my siblings. It is crazy how different Christmas gatherings become the older you get. 

Hope you all had a joyous Christmas. Wishing many blessings to you and yours.

Lauren

“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with great joy!”   Matthew 2:10

Almost 2011

It is that time of year...almost. Everyone will be busting out their resolutions for the new year.  I have never tried exactly to make one resolution and stick to it.  I typically choose five to 10 things I would like to change or work on over the next 365 days. Here is what I have so far.  Hopefully I can add a few.

• Continue to learn God's Word and share with others.
• Worry less. Pray more.
• Spend less time on social networking sites. This blog doesn't count :)
• Create a new item to sell with some portion being donated to a charity or foundation.
• Be more open minded to new and different foods.
• Volunteer.
• Improve physical fitness levels.
• Be a better friend, daughter, sister, granddaughter, and girlfriend. 
• Be on time early.

This has been a successful attempt at being early.

Lauren

Isaiah 33:6

"and He will be the stability of your times.."

Sneak Peek

I really really hate when this happens...

...so I apologize in advance if your card got stamped like this. Just kidding I would NEVER send that out... I am a perfectionist.

In other news, I've been spending lots of time here...

And wearing something like this...

This is lots of new for me and really a HUGE step out of the comfort zone. I used to stay in the van when I was little because I did not want to get out and walk through the woods because I was afraid of bugs. I'm not proud of that. I am positive my parents are wishing Brandon would have come along sooner. Perhaps then I would have actually been able to contribute to the yard work and such. Never to late I suppose.

 I have really grown to like being outdoors and like to be helpful to Brandon and his adventures.  It is great to be out before the sun is up and watch how nature comes alive with the light. Another of my favorite parts is the conversations we have. Great bonding. I am so glad he is eager for me to learn and that he wants me to come along.  

I have a second interview with a bank next week. Hoping I get the job there even though I know that will pry into my 'not do anything' time, not sure how I feel about that but I need to work, just part of life. Still hoping that someday I will be using my creative talents for work.

I am slowly getting used to my new work space as you can see above. I finished my Christmas cards. Now I just need to write and send them! 

Lauren

Psalm 50:1 

The Mighty One, God, the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets.

Cram Session

It has been 23 days since the big move.  Three have consisted of the ten hour drive from Union to Marbury, five have been spent back in U-Town for the Thanksgiving holiday, five were spent on a mini vacation to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg Tennessee, and finally a total of ten unconsecutive days have been spent in my new town of Marbury.  PHEW, just saying that exhausts me. I will try to give you the quickest recap including some of my favorites so far.

The drive down was long and uneventful. My least favorite part was losing in a game of twenty questions. Who would have thought he would have picked the item I was holding in my hand the entire game. We only played ONE round. I am a sore loser.  My favorite part was the quality time with Brandon. I am not living at Brandon’s house but staying next door with his Grandmother Hazel and Grandfather Joe (which I most likely from here on out will refer to as Mema and Papa).  There will surely be some great posts that result of this living arrangement.

On to Tennessee.. Brandon’s aunt offered us their four night time share in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.  It took about five minutes for us to decided if we should pack up for a five hour drive to the mountains. Great decision considering we could never do this from the months of March until September . It rained the first day so we hit the shopping outlet and Brandon cooked me dinner. Check out the gourmet meal. He is definitely a keeper. =)

Day two was spent driving to Brandon’s old stomping grounds of Tusculum College and visiting the McCrarys in Greenville. We visited, they took us to diner and we watched hunting videos from back in the day. If you want to meet a couple that will rock your world, here you go. God has given them an awesome mission and they continue to live each day to serve others.

Cades Cove is a national park in the Smokies that Brandon has visited many of times. It is an 11 mile loop that you drive/walk/bike and observe the beautiful scenery and wildlife. Nine hours later we had spotted 40+ turkey, 60+ deer, and two black bear. It was an AWESOME day! Check out some

Mr. 11 Point

I’m sorry that wasn’t as short as you would have hoped but you can see I have been busy.  I haven’t even been able to tell you about all the other welcomes from some of Brandon’s friends and church family but I know that they will also provide me many posts in the future. I’m still looking for employment but know that God is making sure that my foundation here is strong and that I am settled before he gives me something I am not ready for. I know it will happen when it is right. For now I am enjoying spending time with Brandon, working on myself as a Christian, learning to have an open mind, and trusting God. It is amazing to say the least. 

Lauren.

Psalm 27:14

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Southern Accent

I have arrived and started to settle in. The road trip was long to say the least, but we made it after a heated game of 20 questions, the ipod, and even some quiet time.  Tuesday we went to town ( only a 15 minute ride) and hit up the Hobby Lobby. Always a good stop and on my first day. I have a feeling I will be back many many more times.  We went through some stuff at Brandon's mom's and found some trinkets that I could destroy and repair. We made it home Tuesday with stuff for about seven different projects.  It is a little difficult because I am still using my supplies out of their boxes until I get time, the shelves, and space organized. Not that eager about that after just going through everything to get it here in the first place.

  Anyway this is my first weeks project, an old jewelry box.  I couldn't locate my camera battery charger before I started the renovation but you can 

see what it used to be in later pics.

lauren

No 'MO' Posts

Well, the last cards have been sent from Union Mo. Today I will be spending the day packing (ICK) but knew that this post would be delayed until Turkey Day or later if I didn't take the time to write.  I don't know why, but I LOVE sending Halloween cards. I guess when you get older you do not go trick-or-treating anymore, until you have kids, so its still nice to get a little something.

Stickles are AWESOME! They are essentially glitter and glue all in one. Genius!

I hope I continue on the Halloween Card tradition in years to come.

I also used my creative talents to prepare a 

Tinkerbell costume for someone special.

 Take a peek.

Skirt made from elastic with green tule tied around it. Easy!

Then I used the sewing skills I have learned from my momma to create this dress out of some  stretchy lycra.  It turned out perfect.  Wings came from the Dollar Tree and POOF! I shocked myself to be honest.  I present Tinkerbell and her Cowboy buddy!

Hope you had a GREAT Halloween. 19 days 'til Thanksgiving. 

My next post will be from southern ground and I am sure this blog will venture from my craft projects to daily life in Alabama.

lauren