Friday Five

One// we bought a new car yesterday!! I'm super excited because have been looking forever it seems like!! It was just too good of a deal to pass up so we went over there and got it!! 2013 GMC Terrain!! It is our first big purchase together!! 

Two// we are finally headed back to Texas tomorrow morning for TWO WEEKS!! So much to look forward to! Blaze and I are super excited. He gets the whole two weeks off, while I will be working on and off at our Dallas office... So any of my ladies that want to get happy hour, let me know because I miss it!!

Three// Christmas is in FIVE days! It still doesn't feel like it to me but it will be really fun to be with family and friends for two weeks! 

Four// We stopped at petsmart on the way home last night and picked up a christmas tshirt for our cat-- I know, it sounds crazy, but she is actually super cute and can pull it off!! We can never find anything big enough for the dogs but they always have extra small clothes so we thought why not?!

Five// After all of this Duck Dynasty stuff in the media, it is awesome to see so many people around the country supporting the Robertson family and Phil's comments. It's great to see that there are still people out there who believe in family and God and just believe in what the Bible teaches instead of what our society is slowly turning into!!

Hope yall all have a great weekend!! Be safe!

xoxo

My respect for the Robertson family

I love the Duck Dynasty family. I think they are awesome in both their show and daily life. Their story is an awesome one if you haven't heard it before. They have done the 'I Am Second' campaign that Blaze and I watched online one day. That family is all about God and living their life for Him. They truly are role models for living a christian lifestyle. 

Well I read an article today that was on the front yahoo page about how they are 'under fire' because of comments that Phil Robertson made during an interview to GQ magazine. Everyone that has watched their show knows they stick to their beliefs and won't stray away from them. They stand up for what they believe in and I am glad that someone out there isn't afraid to. During his interview, he made a comment saying that when everything is blurred on what's right and what's wrong, sin becomes fine. Well he expanded on that (I'm assuming they asked what he meant further) and he brought up homosexual behaviors, adulterers, prostitutes, etc. but he went further into homosexuality quoting a powerful Bible verse that covers that topic and gave his own opinion. Well now the GLAAD attacked in full force back stating that Phil Robertson is pushing 'extreme stereotypes' on A&E and his sponsors and that he has disrespect for the gays.

First off, lets just think about this for a second. Not too long ago, I remember reading about how people wanted A&E to take Duck Dynasty off air unless they were willing to stop talking about their faith and God, which the Robertson family said they will not stop talking about those two things because that is who they are. Well they are still on air. Secondly, since when is it not okay for someone to give their own personal opinion on a topic? I know that is a touchy topic because people get so offended, but he was asked a question in an interview and just responded with his personal feelings. Why is he the bad guy? Because a part of our society is sensitive? Just because someone doesn't agree with you it's not okay to say anything now? You should be proud of him, that in a society that has turned into what it currently is, that he has the courage to stand up for what he does believe in so passionately. The thing that I don't understand about some discriminated groups of people, is that over the years people fought for equality and the right to not be discriminated against. When the equality is won that was fought for, they now discriminate against those who don't agree with their beliefs? It just doesn't makes sense, you can't force your ways on everyone. There are still people who don't agree with blacks being equal, there are still people who think woman belong in the home and shouldn't be allowed to go to college or work in the same profession as men, (I personally believe those are way more important issues that we should be worried about) people are going to believe whatever they choose whether you believe in the same thing or not... why can't we all just let others have their opinion and that's it? Just take your beliefs and stick to them.. Don't get offended when/if people don't agree with you, that's what makes this country awesome--that we can all have our own thoughts and beliefs. 

Sorry if you don't agree with what I'm writing, but once again, the great thing about America is that I can express my own opinions and I full back the Robertson's beliefs because that's exactly how I was raised. I don't and won't ever judge anyone on the relationship decisions that they make in their personal lives. That's not my place, that's His place. I'm just living my life based on the faith that the Bible is correct and that I should live my life the way it tells in it--which is what Mr. Robertson quoted. And now as a fellow Louisianan, I will be the few, according to the GLAAD, that doesn't agree with homosexuality-- if you don't like, I'm not sorry. But I would still love you and treat you with respect-'love the sinner hate the sin' is what I always tell myself. 

I just wish there were more influential figures that would express their true beliefs and feelings like the Robertson family does. 

Here's the article if you're interested. 

http://tv.yahoo.com/blogs/tv-news/-duck-dynasty--star-s-anti-gay-remarks-spark-outrage-134231650.html

IT'S ALMOST CHRISTMAS

So we have 8 days until Christmas!! It sure doesn’t feel like Christmas is right around the corner!! I’m not sure if it is because I’m not around my parents, or because this year has gone so so fast!! I can’t believe it is almost 2014!! I was thinking about this past year last night and if you guys only knew how much my life has changed in the past year… it’s amazing!! I am so happy with how things are in my life right now!! I had my finished my first year of big girl work, teaching, I got engaged to my best friend, moved to Louisiana, finally got to travel out of the country, & I could go on!!  I am excited for 2014... I’ll be turning 24, getting married, still iffy about babies, and who knows what else is in store for us! But I do know that if 2014 is anything like 2013, it will be a great year!! (And yes, I had plenty of bad times but I don’t like to remember those haha)

We are headed back to Texas this Saturday or Sunday for two weeks! I have to work some but Blaze gets a two week break!! JEALOUS! Our two weeks is going to be pretty eventful as of now!! Christmas Eve, Christmas, Bridesmaid Dress Shopping, Hunting, NYE, and more... it will be fun to see everyone and be able to relax (compared to Thanksgiving). We will be driving my car with two big dogs, one cat, enough stuff for 2 weeks and Christmas presents… it will be interesting seeing how we get everything situated in the truck/backseat! But hopefully we will be driving a suv back to Louisiana after the New Year!!

Hope yall have a great Tuesday!! 3 more days until Friday!!

xoxo

TV Shows

So I read this morning that the new bachelor picks Nikki Ferrell and doesn’t propose! Look at that, I just saved you four long & painful months of watching that show :) I just want to say that I really dislike that show and the bachelorette. When you take a step back and really think about the show, the only thing that is probably real, is the drama. They film that show over about a month’s time span… how can ANYONE really fall ‘in love’ with a guy/girl over a month? A month that this guy who you ‘are in love with’ is making out and hooking up with 25 other girls. I don’t understand how that show ever got started. I think I read that out of the many many seasons they have had, there are like 3 couples who have actually got married. One of them, he didn’t even choose in the end, he went with someone else, proposed, then broke up with her on national TV & THEN chose one of the other girls. I get that girls love to watch it for the drama, or the fantasies that they have about the bachelor of the season, but come on ladies… we all know they go on that show to get famous. Well that’s what I believe anyways... 

I would rather spend my time watching other TV shows like Revenge or American Horror Story. Both are so good by the way… If you haven’t seen them, you need to!! They have all of the seasons on Netflix and I have watched both!! I’m excited to have some time off during the holidays here soon where I can just sit on my butt and watch Netflix shows J Yes, that is what I like to do in my down time!! Lately, Blaze and I have been watching Dexter… I have already seen the whole show but that is definitely a show I am willing to re-watch!! I was sad when it ended!!

Alright well that’s all that I have today! If I find any other spoilers, I will definitely let yall know!!

xoxo

Christmas Time

Christmas is slowly approaching and I’m getting excited. I was thinking about Christmas the other day, and I feel as though people slowly are forgetting what this time is really supposed to be about. Everyone gets so caught up in the gifts and buying people the perfect Christmas present, when we already have been given the perfect present, Jesus. People and our society have put so much pressure on gifts and objects that it seems as though the original reason we even celebrate Christmas gets hidden under all of that nonsense.

Growing up, I always looked forward to Christmas. Every year we had a Christmas Eve service at church. The church was decorated so pretty inside and you walked in and the lights were dimmed and everyone grabbed a candle. The whole church would get in one big circle and start lighting the candles one by one and as we were doing that, we would sing Christmas songs. It was so pretty to watch and be a part of. Some years, they would do Christmas skits on the story of Jesus’ birth and they were always cute (I think I was in it one year). Christmas day was always such a joy to me because we would wake up and go to my grandparents’ house where I got to see my entire family, we would eat, watch the cowboys’ game & just spend time together. Yes, there were presents but as I got older, I didn’t care as much what I got, I just looked forward to being with my family!

Dress Shopping

Got to thinking about dress shopping since we are going in a couple weeks. I really really like the lace dress idea with boots! I think that would be super cute for our wedding. Our wedding is going to be rustic themed with all of the guys wearing cowboy boots and I am having all of my girls wear them too! I want to do a short dress for sure, just not positive on what color or style though. I really like some chiffon dresses as well as the lace dresses. Lace dresses seem harder to find though I have noticed! If any of yall have tips on where to look, PLEASE let me know!! I am really leaning towards turquoise--like a pastel version. The more I see purple, I really like that too (which is weird because I am not usually a fan of purple at all!!) Then I also like the pastel pink just because it will be summer time! If I get brave enough to do it, I have been thinking about having the girls wear different colors but have the same dress. Who knows. I do know that they will have white bouquets since it is simple and classy and it goes with everything!! But I guess we will see December 27 what dress idea I go with!!

I found some dresses (without looking at the prices first) of different dress ideas that I really like. I ranked them in order of my favorites!! What do you think??

Weekend Update

So this past weekend was pretty low key for once!! It was kind of nice for a change since we have been busy busy lately. Friday night, Blaze had some baseball stuff to do so I went to dinner with the other baseball coach's wives!! We went to this little Mexican food place that I had never heard of! It was good to finally get some girl time! Saturday, I finally got to sleep in past 7!! It was very much needed!! Lots of good football games were on but of course, Blaze can't just relax on a weekend so we drove out to New Orleans to go to the gun show. Let's just say, Louisiana gun shows are so so tiny compared to a Texas. Usually it takes forever to walk through a gun show because there are so many people but this one took us maybe 45 mins? Blaze did get some goodies though! On our way home, Blaze just had to stop for some froyo!! (He's addicted) but we eventually got home and did some major cleaning!! Very nice to have a clean home!! Sunday, we went to church and then ran some errands trying to figure out what we are going to get people for Christmas!! It's so crazy that Christmas is only 16 days away!! And we will be home in 13 days for two whole weeks!! But anyways, we just lounged around the house and then worked out last night!! Luckily today has gone by a little faster than normal Mondays!! I hope y'all all had a great & safe weekend!! 

Xoxo 

FRIDAY FIVE

One// Only 19 days until CHRISTMAS!!! I am excited—it’s my favorite time of the year! Christmas is a little more stressful this year because having 4 Christmas’ and trying to make all of them is tough!! But I love Christmas day food at my grandparents’ house (that is what I am secretly looking forward to)

Two// We are looking at new cars to get by New Year’s Eve. It is tough because there are so many cute SUVs out there now a days! We are leaning towards the GMC Terrain! I think it is super cute! I just hate giving up my super cheap monthly car payment!! But I am planning on keeping this car for a long while (According to Blaze)

Three// 3 weeks from today, I will get to see most of my bridesmaids because we are going dress shopping!! (For them) I haven’t seen some of them in so so long! It will be fun to get all of them together at once. It might get a little crazy, but I am praying that we can find their dresses in one try!!

It's Almost Christmas Time

Since it is the first week of December, everyone is talking about Christmas. At work, we are taking our Christmas card picture tomorrow, at home we have been talking about presents, all the houses are decorated, Christmas music is on the radio etc. I love this time of year because most people seem the happiest!! The only thing that I dislike is the traffic... everywhere!! It takes me longer to get home lately.

I found out today that I get to work out of the Dallas office for two weeks over Christmas break. I am kind of excited for that, change in scenery.. And that means Blaze and I will be home for two weeks with friends and family! Boy do we have a busy two weeks though. Christmas eve and Christmas day are busy with family stuff.. I get to have a day with most of my bridesmaids on that Friday to watch them try on dresses, then we are going out to Sweetwater to visit his family for the weekend and to hunt (which I'm excited about), Car shopping on New Years Eve... and work some in all of that mix!! 

With everyone talking about gifts... I found some of the cutest gifts on Etsy!! Take a look at that website if you don't usually--Cheap and SUPER cute gift ideas on there!

My Favorite Engagement Pictures

With our engagement photos being less than a month away… I decided to look for some engagement pictures that are my favorites!! I don’t know why but I love looking on Pinterest for cute engagement picture ideas or ideas for outfits!! I guess it is an easy way of shopping instead of me trying to come up with different ideas in my head on my own. We are thinking that we will try to do 3 different outfits for our session. We are doing them in the stockyards, which is where our reception will be held, so it will be neat!  I’ve seen pictures of people that did engagements down there and they are so so pretty!! I’m hoping that the stockyards area will have a bunch of Christmas lights everywhere (since we are taking our pictures after Christmas) and we can do our pictures at a time where it is light out at first but gets dark so we can see all of the lights!

So I am completely in love with winter engagement photos!! I’m talking about the ones with lots of snow in them!! I’m so jealous of those people who A. live where it snows and B. get to take engagement photos in the actual snow!! It just makes for gorgeous pictures!! I found a few of my favorites to show y’all what I would do IF I lived somewhere where is actually snowed!