I said YES to the Dress

After going to several bridal shops, I finally found the DRESS!!  I went to a few stores in Memphis and picked out a dress that I liked, but there were a few little things about it that made me question choosing it.  It was my favorite out of all the dresses I had tried on, so I felt like maybe I was just being to picky.  Friends of mine kept suggesting that I go to a store called Low's Bridal in Brinkley, Arkansas.  Me being my lazy self, I felt like the stores around me had the same style dresses, so I didn't want to drive all the way to Arkansas to see the same dresses I could see here in Memphis.  After a couple weeks had past my mom and I decide we were going to go buy the one that was my favorite. The night before we were suppose to go buy it I just had a weird feeling about it simply because I didn't have the "This is the ONE!" feeling when I put it on.  I woke up and told my mom I was going to drive to Low's so I could have some peace about buying the dress.  I told her that this way I wouldn't have any doubts about my purchase.  So off we go to Brinkley!! 

This store was HUGE!! When you walk in the store there are tons of beautiful dresses all on mannequins so you can see all the detail. 

It was almost overwhelming because all of the options.  I picked out a few to try on and some were completely different than what I had originally wanted.  I tried on 2 that I liked, then I slipped into number 3 and there it was! I got my "THIS IS IT!!" feeling. :) 

I was so pleased with my experience.  The staff were all so helpful and make you feel like a princess.  So if anyone is considering going to Low's but can't decide if its worth it… IT IS WORTH IT!

-Kayla

Time for a Change

I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. 

Psalm 32:8

 The past few months have been unpredictable for sure! Chad and I got engaged and just last week he excepted a sales job in Conway Arkansas. Talk about a complete 180! EEEKK. It's scary yet exciting. I had been looking around for a good starter home that we could move into after we got married. I just assumed that eventually Chad would find a job in Memphis and that was that. Boy was I wrong! God had a different plan for us. Sometimes you just have to let go and know that God has your life all planned out and we just have to be willing to go where He leads! 

-Kayla

Lovin' Birthday food!

'Happy birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Chad.. Happy Birthday to you."  So my boyfriend's birthday was Tuesday and we got lots of celebrating in.  He pretty much had a 3 day birthday.  First, my family and I gave Chad his presents. 

The next night we went to his parents house and they cooked him an AWESOME birthday dinner.  I hope that I am able to cook like Chad's Dad one day!  Pork chops, vegetables, biscuits and gravy, and the best for last HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE CAKE..YUMMMY.

The third night we met up with friends at Como Steakhouse.  I had so much of fun.  It had been way to long since we had all been able to get together!!

Chad wrapped up the birthday fun with an afternoon of hunting.  He snapped this awesome picture!

-Kayla

60 Years and Counting

Last weekend my family made a trip to Chattanooga, TN.  We went to celebrate my grandparent's 60 year anniversary.  Isn't that awesome?! Wow I really hope that my future husband and I are able to celebrate that one day.

 They also got to meet their Great Grandson!

  

Grandma cutting the cake. 

Brooke and Chance

 Papa Rich and Mimi :)

I am loving my new role as Aunt Kayla! I just can't get enough of that little stinker.

Our trip to Branson.

Yesterday I got back from my trip to Branson, MO!  Chad and I went for our 5 year anniversary.  It took us awhile to figure out were we wanted to go.   We are very last minute kind of people, we actually didn't come to a decision until the week before ha.  We had a great time though! Here are some pictures!

We picked a great time to go, the trees were beautiful.

Our first picture!

 After our Anniversary Dinner!

 Water and fire show that was close to the restraunt.

We went on this hiking trail and you could climb to the top of a tower to look out/take pictures.

We went into the Talking Rock Cavern!  Very cool and there were no bats thank goodness!

 In the cave.

 Out to eat.

 This one is at the Kirby VanBurch Magic show!  Branson has tons of different types of shows.  We aren't big on musicals so we picked a magic show!  

I've been trying to get a christmas ornament from all my vacations. It took me awhile, but I finally found this little cutie!

I had a wonderful time and made some unforgettable memories with my sweetie!

-Kayla

What would we do without Music!?

Hey guys! I wanted to share a song with you that I am LOVING!  It's by NeedToBreathe from their new cd The Reckoning!  I love them and I am super excited that I'll be seeing them in less than a month!! AHH.  This song has so much power and I love the part that says, "Like a pill I swallow, he makes me well and leaves and awful taste."  I feel like this means that God can forgive you of your sins and make you like new, yet it may still be difficult to deal with on our part!

Pain is alive in a broken heart

The past never does go away

We were born to love

And we're born to pay

The price for our mistakes

Grace, she comes with a heavy load

Memories, they can't be erased

Like a pill I swallow, he makes me well

And leaves an awful taste

Oh I know this song won't do

Enough to prove my love to you

In my heart you'll always know

There is a place only love can go

There is a place only you can go

Today I have bible study with Nicole and I am happy and sad and the same time because meeting today means we only have one more session left.  :(  I have really enjoyed our study.  Its called, Stepping Up by Beth Moore.

Before I leave today I am going to start my new crock pot recipe called Creamy Italian Chicken! 

That tilapia recipe I posted about from last week turned out perfect! So easy and very tastey !

-Kayla

Just so you know..

So I just wanted to share a few thing that I'm LOVING right now!

This is my newest opi color. It's called Skull and Gloss Bones! Yay for fall and halloween!

Parmesan tilapia! Yummmy. I'm cooking this for dinner tomorrow. Hopefully it will turn out looking as good as this picture makes it look!

I got this cover for my new computer today! I was super paranoid that I was going to scratch the top of the computer. So as soon as I had extra time I had to go purchase this cute case!

-Kayla

On the Run

This weekend was great! It started with a girls night with my sweet friend Nicole! We went to Maria's Cantina for dinner.

Saturday me and the girls that I work with ran in the Noah's Gift 5K! It was sponsored by the River Kings Hockey League. There was a great turnout and tons of entertainment after the run. Unfortunately me and the girls had to go back to the Salon. I don't think our customers would have been to happy if we would have stayed for the pizza and bands ;)

After I finished at work I went straight home to pack for my road trip to see my sister and my

nephew. Me and my dog Walter got in the car and were on our way to Jackson. It's so funny riding with my dog. Every time he hears the

blinker he assumes that it is time for him to get out of the car, he zooms into my lap with his paws on the window. Occasionally he will put his paw on the button and get CRAZY excited when the window rolls down.. Its funny but also annoying to have him do this so many times.

I had a great time at Brooke's and Jude is beyond adorable. It had been about 2 weeks since I had seen him. Babies change so much at first and let me tell you Jude was no exception. He was much more alert and was making new faces. It makes me happy to just think about him.. I could drive back to Jackson right now! Here are a few pictures. Hope you guys have a wonderful week!

I'd say Walter is pretty jealous!

"Rain down on me"

What do you say when there seems to be absolutely nothing positive about the situation? This is something that I struggle with. I have the personality of someone who is a "fixer." I try to see the brighter side! I hate that feeling.. Knowing someone needs encouragement and here I am stumbling over my word and coming up with nothing. I have recently come to the conclusion of just because there may not be positive, happy words of wisdom in ever situation that is ok. Sometimes people just need a friend to listen, not necessarily someone to fix the issue. Just knowing they have a friend helps! Even though it is hard so see the BIG picture, God knows what He is doing! Down the road hopefully we will all be able to look back and say, "Oh now I know why that happened."

Sunday I was in church and a little piece of paper fell out of my bible and I picked it up and stuck it back in my bible in a random place. Monday was not a very good day for me so I grabbed my bible in desperate need of some encouragement. My bible opened up to where I had placed that little piece of paper in Psalm. (It’s so neat when this happens) I starts reading is Psalm 6 and when I got to verse 9 I read something that made me feel at peace! God knows how I am feeling and He knows what I need!

Psalm 6:9 "The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer"

On my way home from Senatobia last night I turned on my ipod to listen to Mumford and Sons.. I knew that I liked their sound, but I just recently got some of the music on my ipod. So away I go, windows down and radio blaring a song called Thistle and Weeds. I loved it. When I like a song I will play it several times trying to decide what the lyrics mean. Oh man this song was so awesome. I had no clue how many biblical references were in it until I really listened.

"But plant your hope with good seeds
Don't cover yourself with thistle and weeds
Rain down, rain down on me”

I love this part of the song. I think they were referring to Luke 8 The Parable of the Sower. "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up... Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown."

Jesus then goes on to say how the seed is the word of God.
“The seed that fell among thorns (thistle) stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop."

The song also says,
“I begged you to hear me, there's more than flesh and bones
Let the dead bury the dead, they will come out in droves”
I think this part of the song is referring to Matthew 8:22 when Jesus says, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead."

And when they say "There's more than flesh and bones,"
I think this part means that in the end material things and even our bodies don’t really matter.. It’s our faith that will get us through.

WOW! I forgot how good it feels to blog haha. Hope you guys enjoyed your week.

Love, Kayla

Coupon Mom here I come!

I have decided that my new year’s resolution is to start taking advantage of coupons and sales! I know that sounds incredibly dorky, but I have a friend at work that does this and saves a lot of money. Being new to grocery shopping anyway I figured might as well give it a try! This week I went on websites (couponmom.com), clipped coupons from the Sunday paper, and I even went through the sale circulars so I could add match. So I make my list feeling pretty proud that I have coupons for most of my items. I get to Walmart and find everything on the list and head to the LONG checkout line. It’s finally my turn and I give the unfriendly cashier my stack of coupons and she starts scanning my items. I say to her “I also have a few things I want to add match.” Little did I know you have to let the cashier know about the add matching before each item. The lady behind me gives a sigh and tosses her hand on her hip. I could feel myself getting warmer (I get really hot when I’m embarrassed). Now the cashier is obviously annoyed and voids the few things she had already scanned and I pick out the things I wanted to add match. Long story short, If you want to be a thrifty shopper I suggest doing your shopping early in the morning so there will be no lines, and look for the nicest looking cashier you can find! After a total of $11.36 saved I’m questioning if my new year’s resolution is really worth the embarrassment.

-Kayla

"Bring on the rain"

Well it has been quite some time since I have posted anything. November is a busy month for me, and my favorite time of year! It has been raining all day so I decided to call it a night and be lazy. Have not done this in awhile ha. So YAY I have time to blog!

November kicks off with Chad’s birthday. We got together with a few friends and went to The Fillin’ Station. When we got back to my apartment we had cupcakes from a bakery in town called Ann Olivia’s Sweet Shop a.k.a DELICIOUS.

Lately God has been clearing some things up for me and I am so happy that He has blessed me with such awesome people. He has given me just what I need to stay encouraged, and keep trying to become a better person. I am so grateful for my AWESOME friends! I can see him using me even through my work. I just happen to get the walk in’s with amazing stories and these stories just happen to come up while I’m cutting their hair. It gives me the chills to see Him placing these things in my path to slowly show me the things He wants me to know. He has a plan for me and I pray that I can continue to see it! (Victoria and Cody being nerdy! I love it)

My FAVORITE band came to Memphis. Needtobreath! They are a Christian band and I love their sound. I was able to be right in front! AHH I still can’t believe I got to see them. The concert was unforgettable.
On to Thanksgiving! (The best food holiday EVER… and let me tell ya, I’M THANKFUL) J My family had a lot going on this Thanksgiving, several sick family members and my grandmother had surgery on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. So needless to say we didn’t really have a plan for the holiday. I was so excited when Chad told me his family was getting together for lunch because his parents take southern cooking to the extreme. I hope I can pick up their cooking skills one day. I had a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving and I am so lucky to have my friends and family.

I am ready for Christmas now, most of my shopping is done and my decorations are

up! This is my first year to have my own place and I had been waiting to get my first tree. I’m not really sure why I was so excited about that but I was. HAHA I have my apartment all decorated now with my cute tree and my snow village. My grandmother has gotten me a piece of the Dept.56 Snow Village for Christmas since I was old enough to appreciate them. I didn’t set them all out this year, but I’m very proud of my little village. J
(My wreath I made!)

Well I think that wraps it up! Hope everyone has a good week. Here is the song I’ve been singing all day. (If you know me well, you know that I can take anything someone says and turn it into a song. I’m sure it can be aggravating but I consider it a talent!! ;D )

-Kayla