A Quick Update!

I finally remembered my login and password...so here's an update!!

1. I'm not working but I found a volunteer job that I LOVE! It's at a pregnancy resource center in Winter Park called A Safe Harbor and they just opened in January so they have a ton for me to do. Right now I'm working on developing a satellite location around UCF (the main college campus in Orlando) as well as partnering with other pro-life student organizations on campus and within the community as a Crisis Pregnancy Educator. 10% of college women will become pregnant and 1 in 5 will choose abortion...I never would have thought that my masters in HIED would have led me here but I love the thought of working with college women who have unplanned pregnancies and counseling those who are seeking post-abortion healing.

2. I have a recording studio in my kitchen! Next to the cupcake recipes and fruit bowl are tons of buttons and equipment that I'm slowly learning to familiarize myself with. All I can say is Tyler is incredibly talented and creative and I love listening and sometimes even getting to help him mix music!

3. Two things I don't want to but might have to admit: (1) Sleeping longer than 8 hours might be contributing to my headaches. (2) Tyler potentially makes better coffee than me. (3) Going to the gym might actually help with stress.

4. We'll be home in less than one week for Turkey Day! It will be our first holiday with both families together, well really our first holiday at all together :) Also, I'm getting a much needed cut and color and going in for my final dress fitting and purchasing a number of wedding accessories. Hobby Lobby and Michael's here we come!!

5. In thirty-five days we'll be at rehearsal dinner!

The Story of Us (the short version)

So I figured it was time that I spent some time telling the world about the man I’m ridiculously in love with and about to marry in 87 days!! Mr. Tyler Browder came into my life somewhere around May of 2000. We met in the youth group at church and lived in the same town for 2 years and then I went to college in Abilene from 2002-2008. Within the first month of meeting each other we knew we could potentially get married…it only took us 8 years to admit it to each other! During this time we spent hundreds of hours talking on the phone…occasionally saw each other…and were asked on more than one occasion by friends and family “Are you sure you’re just friends?” lol. Some would say our first date took place somewhere in 2000, some might say it took place in 2002ish or some might say it wasn’t until 2008. But, we all at least agree our second date was in March 2008!! We got engaged on August 1st and we’re getting married December 27th!

Tyler and I have a lot of similarities: We love to learn – We love to watch each other change and grow – We love God – We love our friends and family – We love to laugh – We love spontaneity – We love helping others in need – We love going against the norm - We love each other!

We also have our differences: I’m addicted to chicken/He’s a vegetarian – I’m addicted to cupcakes/He pretty much hates dessert – I love nap time/He loves to constantly be doing something…and the list just goes on and on.

I know this doesn’t even begin to describe who we are as individuals and as a couple but I’m totally excited to see what’s in store for us in the days and years to come. Thank you to all our friends and loved ones who have been a part of our journey so far…we wouldn’t be who we are without you!!

Thoughts...

~ Walmart robbed and and at least one shot(2:00pm)
~University student attacked and tied up in apartment with computer cables (9:45pm)
~Local pizza place robbed luckily no one is injured (1:00am)
~Motorcycle accident next to same pizza place...two injured, one dead (2:00am)

As you can tell I've been watching the local news ALOT the last couple of days. Each of these events took place in the last 48 hours each within 2 miles of my apartment. Over the past 6 years I've lived in a bubble...some would say I've probably lived in a bubble my entire life. I've been told to look both ways before crossing the street...don't go swimming after you've eaten...never go walking alone past 9pm...always lock your doors...ACU even provided me with a rape whistle, just in case! Hollywood even made a movie about taking calculated risks. I've been thinking alot about this today...the topic of risk & fear & the unknown...some of my very least favorite topics I must say. But what are we suppose to do when we hear stories like this on the news...hide in our apartments away from the "possibility of danger?" Never go to walmart because we might get shot? Or maybe there something deeper here? Maybe it's the fear of getting hurt? That is after all one of the reasons we run from God...because we don't want to get hurt isn't it? One of my favorite authors once said it's insanity to run from God and search for love (Soul Cravings, Entry 9, Erwin McManus)...sorry I'm use to having to source everything I quote. lol Makes me wonder what else I'm running from and searching for.

So what does all this have to do with anything? One it's just been on my mind lately :-) And two I guess just think about the things you might not be doing in life because maybe they fall into one of these categories...throw all the negative thoughts in the trash...and go LIVE a life of love!! You're guaranteed to have one incredible journey.

Oh and p.s. if you're ever at the gym and you're in charge of the remote...don't turn on the food network so everyone can watch how to make death by chocolate brownies while they're on the "dreadmill"...it's just rude! :-)

Just an Update

So I'm designing my first restaurant...for real this time! It's called "Cake iN-a Cup" and it will be like a coldstone but for cupcakes!! You will go through and choose your cup size (bite size, my size, or our size)...choose your cake flavor...and then have it decorated as you wish (lots of frosting, none at all, or maybe your name on top)! Tyler has informed me this will take A LOT of work and I need to start working on a "business plan." Ugh. But I really do want to do something like this so we'll see what happens. Clearly this will take quite some time to develop...but it sounds like a fun project for now :-)

I decided on where I want my second tattoo...it will be on the inside of my left leg close to my ankle! Now when this will actually take place...who knows lol

Tiffany was in town this last weekend and we had an AMAZING time together. We all went to the Kennedy Space Center, Cocoa Beach, the movie, and ate a TON of food. Tyler showed us around campus too and Tiffany and I went to downtown Winter Park for a couple if hours and went into some very cute stores...I just love that area!! Thanks again for coming Tiffany...it was tons of fun!

Well I'm off to look at wedding invitations...yea!!

Kinsley Kristine Allan

She's finally here!! Sarah and Danny had their second daughter, Kinsley Kristine Allan, this morning at 2am (CA time). Mom and baby are both doing just wonderful. I can't wait to see them all in December.

Congratulations Sarah and Danny...love you so much!!

I Love Surprises...

So one of my old besties, Adrienne, from Memphis finally got on facebook and I'm soo excited. Best surprise of the day! Thank goodness for facebook...so happy!!

I went swimming today and realized two things: 1. I need goggles (I hate being blind in the water) and 2. I need to learn how to hold my breath much longer than 3 seconds lol...it would make the experience much better I'm sure!

Oh and I'm thinking about getting a second tattoo!! I designed it today ... just have to decide where to put it now. Maybe the arm or back...definitely not the foot again!

Well I better get to cleaning...Tiffany comes in tomorrow, so excited!!

Today

So I've never really done this whole telling the world what's going on in my life but I figure since I'm much further away now and so many things are changing this would be a good way to keep in touch with everyone! So hopefully you'll find these random writings helpful, humorous, thought provoking, or more than likely just vary random blonde moments from my day.

So I was watching on the lovely news this morning about this guy who has written a children's version of "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" and he said that habit number 1 for children to learn is...."You're in Charge." Keep in mind this book is aimed for little ears starting at age 3...not too sure what I think about this first habit for little ones to come to achieve. What would the world look like if all 3 year olds were thinking...I'm in charge!!!???

At dinner tonight the pre-hubbie and I were talking about some pretty deep stuff like the results of judging people (see his blog thing for further details) and it made me start to wonder if this should be somewhere on the list of highly effective people...maybe before being in charge we should be humble?!? I don't know...I'm sure I'll get back to this another day.

Anyways, I killed my first FL bug tonight in my apartment. Can I just say how much I hate bugs...especially ones that move really fast. I didn't really know what to do since it was definitely too big to step on so I did what every girl does and grabbed the good old hairspray and successfully sprayed it to death! It's currently under a cup in my bathroom...haven't gotten the courage to actually get rid of it yet :-)

On a happy note my diploma came in the mail today!! Masters done...Ph.D potentially in the future. Keyword POTENTIALLY!

Okay I'm off to bed.

P.S. I can see how this blog stuff could become addicting!