Wintery Weekend!

Hey ya'll! 

I started off my weekend waiting for this guy to arrive, but I had to go to dirt cheap for a fix! I made my way over after class, specifically looking for a few things concerning gifting, and I stumbled upon these babies...

I'm certain they're gone now because who wouldn't get them for $12 a piece? Slap on a monogram, tie a burlap bow around it, and you've got yourself the perfect {cute} stockings for your home, or to serve as gift wrapping! I love doing that!

On Friday night, David and I went on a date! We try to go at least once a month, but life has just been so busy lately, and even though that's not a good reason - it happened, but we made up for it Friday. We are sometimes bad about not dressing up for a date, but we both decided it was time to do that as well! So, we put on some dressy clothes, didn't take a picture {for whatever reason} and headed out! We were home by 8:30! Ha!

On Saturday, I woke up early and we enjoyed the morning with Mom. Matt came over, too, and we hung out until around 10:00. I had to exchange a phone case in town, so Matt rode with us and we made a day out of it. 

{above: Strangebrew Coffeehouse's famous Albino Squirrel which is basically hazelnut and white chocolate, and I added some caramel. Amazing! Also, if you check them out online, I hear they sell an amazing blueberry cobbler coffee {you can ask for it to be grinded}, and what a perfect gift that would be to your holiday basket for your neighbor! 

On the way home, we rode through the refuge. I planned on getting some photos of david and I because the trees are PERFECT, but it was just SO cold. 

We did manage to get a few!

On Saturday afternoon, we headed out to take part in the opening day of deer season here in Mississippi, and if I learned one thing it was that I need this hat of Matt's.

 It's perfect. 

Here we are, freezing, and in the dark! This was right after I killed my deer {wouldn't be opening day if I didn't bring it in right. Right?} I think David was really excited to have seen me kill one! We've hunted together, but never have either of us killed a deer together. 

Love these memories we're making! 

On Sunday, it was even colder, and we had our Thanksgiving service and lunch at church. Matt again {bless his heart} took some photos of us before we left, and I love them! He did a great job! 

Maybe it has something to do with him taking 900 in 10 seconds, but hey - guess you've gotta like at least one!

  

And finally, on Sunday, David and I made our favorite cups of coffee and road throughout the country to watch the sunset. No filter here, just plain old Mississippi Fall Sunset at it's best.!

Hope you all have a fabulous Thanksgiving! 

Today was my last day of class for the week, so I am about to catch up on editing sessions, do a little "winter" cleaning, and switch out my sock drawers from regular designs to Christmas designs. Tis' the Season!

Life Update!

For the sake of documentation, I need to write down the last three week's summary!

First of all, I feel like I can finally come up for air in terms of school work - just in time to start studying for finals! Is it already time for finals?? GEEZ! This semester has flown, and in 6 short months I will be a college graduate again! Wow. 

Time flies when your too busy to think straight having fun.

No, in all seriousness, we have had fun the past couple of weekends, and I'm here to share with you about it! 

Three weeks ago was the first weekend I was able to travel to Alabama in FOREVER! I was so so excited that it was my turn to go see David, and I even brought Matt along with me! We didn't have too much planned, but we stayed pretty busy. 

On Friday night, we gathered a few friends and road some backroads. Will I ever outgrow doing that? I don't think so. Backroads tend to make me nostalgic, and so many fond memories with friends dwell on those roads. It's funny that now David's roads with memories are now mine, and I share my roads of memories with him. We each love telling stories about our "glory days" while riding said roads at dusk. 

On this particular night, we found ourselves having a photoshoot at the river. This was definitely not an intentional photo, but our cameraman had us giggling. I love it so much because it encompasses the emotion I feel for David in one photo.  He is such a blessing to me. 

Also! Matt got SnapChat, so that's big news. Maybe not to most of you, but this was the first official snap I received from him, and life just hasn't been the same since. 

Back to the weekend, on Saturday, Kristin {and baby Carlisle, ha}, Nick and Anna, and Matt of course, all joined us to burn a big pile beside David's house. We cooked sausage, deer meat wraps, and chicken on the grill and they joined us later with s'mores for dessert. It was fun to have a few people together! Again I will say, I am so thankful for David's friends welcoming me into their circle like they have. 

That week was crazy for me, but I made it through it! Telling myself "one day at a time" is really the only way I can keep my sanity nowadays.

Ahhhh.. <3 <3 

On the next Saturday (the weekend before this past one) David came to the 'Sip, and we spent Saturday at the barn. That weekend also wrapped up my weekends of sessions in Mississippi! I was so thankful for all of the clients I had this year, but I am definitely ready to have the editing behind me and take a break. 

Anyway, Uncle Jay, Aunt Dale, and Beau all traveled over to spend the day with us, see Mimi's new tractor, and have lunch. David, Matt, Nason, and I all brought our bows to shoot. David just got one, hadn't shot one until that day, and after a few pointers from Matt he was hitting the bullseye nearly every time. 

My man is a fast learner! 

This past week wasn't so hectic, but I anxiously awaited Friday so that I could travel to Bam to see David. I was also looking forward to seeing Kristin & her husband as he has been offshore for the last couple of weeks. It's so much fun to see how her belly grows in the time that we don't see each other! She is quickly becoming a great friend of mine. 

Friday, we rode to town & had dinner, and swung through David's Alma Mater. They were playing in the playoff game & it was halftime when we got there. 22-22 - and we found out later that they wound up losing in the last few minutes due to fumbling the ball, but they had a pretty good season! 

On Saturday, Kristin invited us over to grill out, watch the MSU/AL game, and I was thrilled! David was too, and we spent morning at a session for a family from there {a guy that David graduated with} and spent the afternoon doing things around the house {cutting trees out of roads} before getting ready to go.

We had a great time and lots of laughs - as a matter of fact, my cheeks were sore when we left. I don't think I've laughed that hard in forever! Maybe that's the reason we have no photos?

On Sunday, I had to go back home! I always hate leaving, and I dread the week ahead, but I think about it in "days that I won't see David" and now, Since it's Tuesday, there are only 2 more days of not seeing him! See? Makes the week seem shorter! 

All in all, I am thankful for WEEKENDS! They provide refreshment, bonding, and relaxation for this busy school girl and that working man of mine. We both long to be together during the week, sure, but it allows us to take advantage of the time we spend together when we ARE together. 

That's always a good reason to be thankful. 

Old Fashioned Day!

I first have to say - the Blog Challenge got posted by accident! Ha! We have decided to wait until life slows down just a little for us to start. SO sorry! 

Anyway! I have been excited about sharing this post. 

Years ago, we used to have Old Fashioned Day at church, and everyone would dress up. We would sing old classic hymns, have an old fashioned type service, have dinner on the grounds, and play old fashioned games. 

This year was no exception! 

a few men from our church sang "I Saw the Light", and Laura sang "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"

They all did a great job! 

It was so much fun to watch, and everyone seemed to enjoy it - as they all clapped and sang along! 

We had a banjo player as well as our usual guitar, drum, organ, and piano players! All of the instruments together made for a joyful noise and a wonderful worship service! 

Our Interim Pastor, Bro. Bill, started the service out by reminding us that we were not making fun of "Old Days" by any means, we were simply spending the day remembering where our church came from, what it started from, and I also believe that it was a good reminder of the simplicity that life had to offer then, and how much we "require" for entertainment and worship nowadays when really it doesn't have to be complicated or flashy or stressful at all. It's as simple as long skirts and stringed instruments. 

It was a perfect reminder! 

These were a few of the decorations. The girls at church did a really great job! Thankfully, some of them are antique and "old stuff" collectors, so they just collaborated their things and added them for decor! The doors were painted by a lady from our church, and everyone seems to really like them! I think they add such a rustic, yet different aspect to the stage!

Here are David & I by an old tractor. David was really sweet about dressing up! I wanted him to wear some suspenders, but he offered to buy himself a new pair of overalls instead, and quite frankly I think he looks rather cute in them & have actually asked if he would wear them again soon! 

:) 

Everyone said I looked like a School Teacher. I personally felt like I looked like Laura Ingalls Wilder's mom. Ha! 

We had lunch in the fellowship hall after church, and after that there were games on the newly purchased land by the church. The little red building was an added bonus for the day because it looks really old fashioned to me. I love it!

You could grind corn like they did back then, 

participate in a sack race, 

try to win the pie contest,

or a good ole game of tug-of-war was an option too! 

David got first draft

. 

Wonder why? 

Couldn't have anything to do with him being so tall, broad, and maybe handsome?

Okay .. they probably weren't concerned with handsome, but he was is!

Laura, also the beauty that sang. What a heart for The Lord she has! 

I'm so grateful to have her and her guidance throughout this life. 

She's definitely a true friend to me.

Another sweet friend of mine, Emily! 

We share a love for Labradors, and their dog is actually TK's daddy! 

:) 

& Mrs. Karen! She is one of my favorite ladies at church! 

She has a kind heart, and she is super creative {although she would never say that of herself}. 

She truly has a knack for it! 

I always love everything she does.

The above photos are just some of the other church members. I hope that we make this an annual event! Especially for the kids. I know I have the greatest memories of growing up and doing this every year. I can remember when Daddy participated in the tug-of-war, and I was always so proud of him! 

Maybe next year they will add bobbing for apples?

 I think that would be hilarious.

Here are a few of Dave & I in front of the "barn"...

I love that above one. It was genuine & unrehearsed. 

I love the below ones because they actually look old fashioned! 

I actually had all the pieces to my oufit except the skirt, so I went to Palmer Home to find one, and thankfully I scored on the first try! The skirt was $3.99, and I loved it! Even though it was REALLY hot! The shirt is one I layer in the winter. The apron is mom's from when she was younger, and the necklaces were my great grandmothers! 

I fixed my hair by leaving a few flyways out and curling them a tad, teasing the top, and placing most of it in a bun.

A man from our church was doing reenactment photos of the "American Gothic" photo

(below) 

& mom and dad hit the nail on the head!!! 

See? 

Hilarious!!! 

& here's my fam, without Matt, on Old Fashioned Day! I thought it was so much fun! 

Even being 22 years old! I'm so glad David enjoyed it, too! I can't wait to do it next year {hopefully}!