"Pinned Up and Glammed Out"

I've been too busy celebrating this little lady to have the time to post all the fun things we've been doing! Only ___ more days until you are Mrs. Melissa Underwood! I can't believe it. Until then, ya'll enjoy these pictures!

We went on Melissa's Bachelorette trip 2 weekends ago to Perdido Key.
It was a great weekend at the beach--the weather cooperated with us, for the most part!
If you know Melissa, you know she likes anything vintage, 50's, etc. So naturally, our theme for the trip was "Pinned Up and Glammed Out".
We were so happy that Ian could come on the trip with us. He didn't want to miss out on all the fun!

 Our fun decorations for the weekend

 One of Melissa's many moments of being ICED. Needless to say, she didn't really care for that drink by the end of the weekend ;)

 Even though it was overcast, we were determined to get in some beach time our first day.

Banana Hammock's at The Hangout--best. drink. ever.

 Just, hanging out.

 Our vintage happies from Melissa

First full day at the beach, with our vintage headbands

The girls, with Ian. 

 Our Pinned Up and Glammed Out Night Out--FloraBama, here we come!

It was such a fun weekend--so happy we could celebrate Melissa!

Also, here's a few pictures from her Brandon Shower that we had at the church. It was a freezing cold, March day but it was such a nice shower! 

I love this candid that a friend got of us when she was opening up my gift. 

which was, two cameo's with the male's being Pascagoula, MS (where Ian is from) and the woman's being Brandon, MS. It also had their names and wedding date down at the bottom. 

When we sent out Melissa's shower invite, we also put a recipe card in there for everyone to bring to the shower with their favorite recipe on it. It was so fun reading over everyone's favorite dishes!

 Melissa and the Bridesmaids

 Mothers and Daughters that were there

 All the hostess

Then yesterday, I was in Pascagoula with Melissa and her Mom for her last shower before the wedding! Ian's sweet home church hosted this one and we had such a great time.

These last 33 days are about to FLY BY!

Satisfied Saturday

Life has been BUSY lately. I have some "update posts" coming this way very soon!

The end of the year is the busiest time for Special Education teachers as we write IEPs, have meeting after meeting, all while still teaching/spending time with these precious kiddos that we only have 20 more school days with. Goodness! I am also going to a shower, a wedding, bachelorette trip, or some wedding related event almost every weekend as well. So, you can only guess that you and I have quite a bit of catching up to do! 

But, first things first--today was awesome. 

I woke up early to prepare for my mother-in-law and mom to come over and help me tackle this MESS of a front yard I have (had) right now. Don't get me wrong, I mow. But, the beds....ohhhhhh those beds were BAD. You can only guess how bad they were since BOTH of them wanted (knew they needed) to come and help me. 

It all started with this pot---and how it sat by my front door, with nothing in it for well over a year. Cat had enough and decided to get me started with this beautiful purslane. Now, I love walking out my front door ;)

This may sound silly but I never did yard work before getting married. I mowed for the first time when Jason and I bought our house and I realized his allergies couldn't handle it. I LOATHED it at first. Our smaller yard seemed to grow with each push of the lawn mower. My hands would just vibrate and my weak arms could barely push the thing. I was pathetic. Now, after mowing who knows how many times, I actually ENJOY it. It's therapeutic to me--I get my "grass cuttin'" shoes on, throw on the iPod shuffle and I'm a mean, green, grass cutting machine (I know, good days bring out my cheesiness!) But, cutting the grass was enough for me. I didn't tend to the bushes, flower beds, you know...all the rest. Mom would come and help me pull weeds whenever I did so, which was like, twice a year. If you can't tell, yard work isn't my strong suit. 

But, as of today, I am LEARNING. These two ladies took care of business and taught me along the way. I got to pick out flowers I wanted, pull weeds, dig holes (big shovels aren't a joke), see bees & worms, find stepping stones that were long time buried under brush, get a few thorns stickings, learn how to plant flowers, how often to water them, and made my beds look beautiful!

I loved seeing our progress as we worked--I think that's one of the main things I like about yardwork/gardening--there's instant gratification there. You see your progress and it's helpful that it's aesthetically pleasing! I really loved doing this with two ladies who I love so dearly who willingly took the time out of their day (4 hours of hard work) to spend time with me, teach me, and show me in another way how much they love me. As I said, it was a satisfying Saturday to say the least!

I got to celebrate my now beautiful yard by going to a shower for Blair. 

It was just what I needed! Good company, good food, and good drinks.

I can't believe that I will have a sister-in-law in just 63 short days! 

 I couldn't get over this--a champagne fountain. It was SO PRETTY. 

Now, I'm relaxing with my sweet man about to watch Taken 3. 

Satisfied Saturday. 

"A Prayer for Easter Sunday" by Scotty Smith

Happy Easter to you all!

I hope today has been filled with family, happiness, and the eternal hope we have in our Risen Savior! 

What a joyous day this is for us all--can you imagine what that day was like?! 

Christ is Risen, He is Risen indeed!

I wanted to share Scotty Smith's daily prayer for today--it's spot on & quite beautiful. 

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice." 1 Peter 1:3-6a (NIV)

Exalted and resurrected Jesus, we join the Apostle Peter’s bold declaration of living hope and great joy. For you have risen from the dead, and this good news changes everything.

     Because of your resurrection, we’re neither afraid to die, or to live; we’re not hapless vagabonds on earth, we’re hope-filled children of God. We’re no longer enslaved to our sins; we’re now wrapped in your righteousness. Those who’ve “gone to sleep” in you, aren’t slumbering in the void; they’re rejoicing in your presence. Hallelujah!

     Because of your resurrection, we’re less to be pitied than anybody, and more to be grateful than everybody (1 Cor. 15:14-19). You are the firstfruits and guarantee of a whole new order—the “new creation” dominion of redemption and restoration. Everything sad will come untrue, and all things broken will be made new. How we long for that Day!

     Because of your resurrection, you are already reigning as King of kings and Lord of lords. All evil dominions, wicked authorities, and malevolent powers now stand defeated, and one Day they will be fully eradicated. Hallelujah, many times over!

     Jesus, your death is the death of death, and your resurrection is the resurrection of all things. You died for our sins and have been raised for our justification. Oh, the wonder, marvel and gratitude that fills our hearts today. We are forgiven, we are beloved, and we are yours!

     In light of this living hope and compelling love, this measureless grace and eternal inheritance, free us for spending the rest of our days living and loving to your glory. So very Amen we pray, Jesus, in your resurrected and reigning name.

"He is not here, but has risen."

Luke 24:6

Amen & Amen