More Than Friends.

This is to answer a specific request from my dedicated reader, best friend, and sister: Lauren.

Apparently in a lot of my posts, I use the phrase "More on that later..." But then later never comes. So I am here to deliver the "later" on two things. 
Both of these involve Mitchell, who most of you know as my best friend turned boyfriend.


Exactly 5 months after we "made it official," I moved into my dorm at Mississippi State University, 2 hours away from home. 150 miles from the love of my life. During this time, my "cheesiness" only began to flare up even more. We had to get creative in order to keep our relationship going smoothly. Mitchell told me many times, "I want to be present with you in Starkville, too. I don't want your mind (and heart) to have a Collierville part separate from a Starkville part.." And I wholeheartedly agreed. 
One thing we incorporated into our daily routine was Love Letters. This is an idea I stumbled upon on another blog. (Finally found it again, Read these!!) This sweet couple started writing letters while they worked side by side at a children's summer camp and continued the tradition many years into their marriage. 
Here's an example:

Mitchell and I would send each other an email each day entitled "LL 1, 2, 3, etc" And the results were marvelous. This sweet piece of each other's mind gave us a little something to look forward to and helped us to feel closer even on the days are schedules were anything but alike. I am thankful for the inspiration we found to help us make it through that first semester. 


In addition to that idea, I found another by way of Lysa Terkuerst's blog. Click here to read her sweet words
After reading this piece of her life, I decided to give this as a sort-of gift to Mitchell for Christmas. I chose 2 small jars at Hobby Lobby, labeled them with our initials, and brought the idea up to him.

Thanks for sending the pic, Momma!

Each month, we write on 5 slips of paper thing the other person could do to make us feel loved. Then each week we draw one and do everything we can to complete that little, loving task. Little does M know one of mine says, "Browse Target for an hour!" hehe- whoops!!


Creativity can change things. :)


From the Lake, 

Time for New Leaves.

I figured out the coolest thing today! A synonym for resolution=determination. How nifty is that?! So--- here are my New Year's Determinations for 2012.


As 2011 rolls out (thankfully!) and 2012 saunters in, I resolve/aspire to do the following things: 

Spiritually

I will have a Morning Quiet Time everyday, with my phone turned off.

I will attend church at least 45 Sundays in 2012. Even in Starkville.

Physically

I will not drink carbonated beverages and have only 2 sweetened drinks/week.

I will run 4x each week in training for 1/2s in March and April & continue after.

I plan on slimming down & toning up!

Educationally

I will complete 3 full semesters/atleast 42 hours (Spring, Summer, Fall) with at least a 3.2 GPA.

I will read 12 non school related/fun books by Jan 1, 2013.

Blogally

I will write 100 posts in 2012. That means no more week long breaks for me & lots of reading for you!!

I plan to update you at the end of every month on my progress (yes, there will be progress!! every. month.) for NYResolutions!

Organizationally

THESE ARE HUGE FOR ME!!!

I will use only one purse for the entirety of 2012. Loving my Camel Coach Chelsea Carry All right now :)

&&& use only my Coach planner/agenda. (If you know me, I usually change planners about 37x/year)

Relationally

Mitchell & I are going to complete our jar slip assignments each week!

-more on my cheesyness with that later ;)

No "ifs," "ands," or "buts" about it... at least I hope!! This year will be different right?
This is it. See: Change.


New beginnings are always fun! :) And I am thankful to end this year with so many great friends (and in Pickwick) & start it with them too! See ya next year bloggers! [I am thankful for YOU too!] Here's to 2012!! 

Travels.

I'm sorry I haven't blogged in a few days.. I have been itching to, but completely indulging in relaxation while in Virginia... Little to no cell phone/MacBook use was heavenly!! 
Here I am again, and I have many blogging ideas on my mind (they are always popping up!) but some advise I received told me not to be so "advice-y" .. "punny", I know! So I decided to on this one I will just share my life, or at least the last few days of it- enjoy!


Friday: My Mom took Mitchell, Madeline, and I to the MEM Airport for our flight to Virginia. Lenny's in tow, we were ready for a 1.5 hour flight, a 2 hr layover, and another almost 2 hour flight!

Thanks Momma!

 

The 3 of us :)

Our not so friendly friend. Due to his "preference of an aisle seat to sleep in the entire flight, I sat all alone. If he was a frequent bathroom user, I might have understood his choice, but he was not, and I do not. (It's probably illegal to post other people's pictures online... hopefully he doesn't read random teenagers blogs!)

Finally- We reached VA (and Matt, Mrs. Brenda, and LB!!) at about Midnight. An hours worth of driving later we made it to the house- woo hoo!! Been looking forward to this for months. 

Saturday: We were able to sleep in before meeting Brenda for Mexican and meeting some sweet people at her work! Once we returned home, the day was filled with holiday activities! Everything from dipping pretzel rods (think- burned chocolate x 3), gingerbread people, and fresh baked cookies!

After having a delicious family dinner, we decided to open presents!! I was spoiled beyond belief with Michael Kors, a new ring, Toms wedges, and more from Mitchell on top of Uggs, Hot Sox, Gift Cards, a facial/massage day, and Date Night from Brenda and Matt- whew!! 

 Never imagined- that boy knows me!

 Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!

 My favorite part was getting to give M his big gift-- 26' Vizio for his dorm room next year! He adored that thing & I heard over and over, "Hey! Ya'll know I got a TV?!" Precious.

Almost as precious as this pic. Just love him!

  

Sunday: Sadly, about 2 am M woke me up telling me he had thrown up :( So sad, we got him a drink and went back to bed, thinking it was a one time thing. Little did we know, it was the beginning a a 24 hour stomach bug (+ 24 for me, + 24 for madeline). Luckily, he toughed it out enough for a full day of shopping! Don't worry, we took lots of breaks- He's a trooper!! We headed to Pop's Diner for dinner, but were sad to see they were only open for brunch on Sundays!! Back to the house for pizza and lots of rest!!
Monday: We had big plans- Panera Bread (Grand Opening!), Ice Skating, and Dominic's. Ahhh... To bad we are as slow as Christmas when getting ready and ended up skipping Panera and going straight for skating! Exited to report I didn't fall even once!! I went in with the worst expectations... Madeline and M agreed when saying "You're definetely gonna fall, a bunch."

So happy to spend Christmas with you!!

Lucky to have a guy who never fails to treat me like a princess!

After skating, we were starving!! & there is no better lunch spot in VA than Dominic's. The absolute best chain of the World Famous Philly Cheese Steak. Ahhh.. unexplainable!! I wish I had a picture for you, but even a thousand words wouldn't do this baby justice!!

Back at the house, we were ready to be pampered!! Facials and Massages all around- best Christmas gift everrr!

We ended the night with Water for Elephants (definitely recommend!!), double chocolate chunk cookies, and a bonfire just me and M :)

Tuesday: Unexpected wakeup call at 7:30 am... the need to throw up!!! TMI- I know. I spent the whole day in bed, barely moving a muscle. A cancelled nail appointment, 8 saltines, 3 bites of applesauce, 4 sierra mists, and 36 hours later, I was stomach bug free- FINALLY! I have never had a day like that in my life!!! YUCK!! And Poor Madeline got it after me. 
Wednesday: Time for me to head home on my first flight alone!! We got up in time to pack, have lunch at Baker Street with Brenda, shop together in Newport News, and read/drink coffee at Barnes and Noble. Sad to go, but excited to see my momma/daddy/matt/j/etc & ready to have M back in Collierville! (3 days!!!)


If I don't see you/blog before Sunday, Merry Christmas!! Don't forget the reason for the season. Jesus Christ, born of a virgin Mary, to save us. 


P.S. I apologize for picture overload!! "This is my life!" See --->http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rbMHLDY1pA