Decisions, Decisions, Decisions...So we pray, pray & pray HARDER

Just two weeks before Michael & I tie the knot we will graduate from college & we will officially become UNF alumni. Michael will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree as a Criminal Justice/Criminology major. I will graduate with my Bachelor of Arts in Education degree as an Elementary Education major. Obviously, I will be teaching, but Michael's degree can take him in several directions.

For three years now we have danced around the topic of what career Michael would choose. We have gone through guidance counseling, dentistry, police officer, federal agent, investigator and lawyer. But one thing has remained the same from the beginning. Michael has always talked about becoming an Officer in the United States Marine Corps. I have always changed the topic when he would bring it up. With graduation right around the corner, a decision needed to be made about what path Michael would choose. We continued to talk through our options, and the Marines continued to be brought up. Still, I would change the subject. Eventually, I warmed up to the idea of being a military wife. We began to talk it over and I realized that my husband's happiness is the most important thing in my life. I have chosen to support what he wants to do with his life. In a week we will be meeting with a Marine recruiter. Am I nervous? Yes. Am I scared Michael will deploy? Yes. Do I want to move away from my family? No. Is Michael the most important person in my life? Yes. And his decision is one I will support. We ask that you please pray for us. Please pray that we seek God's will in this decision. The last place that Michael & I want to be is outside of God's will. God will always provide where He guides.

Wedding Checklist...Check, Check & Check

Michael & I, along with our fantabulous wedding planner, Jamie, have been working away at wedding plans. Things seem to be coming along very well & quiet fast! We have already been engaged for 5 months! WOW! The time is FLYING by....I am so thankful we have all this time to plan. I would be running around like a crazy person if our engagement was even a day shorter! So far we have the following planned:

• Wedding Date: May 14, 2011 @ 4 pm
• Wedding Planner: Jamie Fennell (I highly recommend her!)
• Ceremony Site: First Baptist Church, Starke
• Reception Site: Camp Blanding, FL
• Officiant: Jeremy Crawford 
• Caterer: Included in our reception site
• Wedding Dress: Thanks Jay's Bridal, Gainesville, FL 
• Wedding Cake: Camille Whitaker 
• Photographer: Jennifer Adams Photography
• Bridal Party 
• Reception Decor 
• DJ: Steve Sutton, 99.9 Gator Country 
• Florist: Bill Wilson, Wilson Unlimited 
• Honeymoon destination chosen 

There is still SO much that has to be done....But we are working away!  Stay tuned for more updates...

Here Comes the....BRIDESMAIDS!!!

OK, so I have to admit that I probably have the BEST bridesmaids EVER! Choosing my bridesmaids was probably one of the easiest things I have done so far....They were actually chosen at our engagement party :) Let me introduce them to you!


Meet My Maid of Honor:

 Miss Rachel Leann Best....Well, actually Airman R.L. Best! My maid of honor is my little sister, Rachel! That picture was taken the day she graduated from the United States Air Force Basic Military Training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. This is probably my favorite picture of us. You can see the remaining tears after a joyful, dramatic reunion since she had been gone for over 2 months. It was a very difficult 2 months for me, since my roommate was not there for our late night talks :) Just thinking about it makes me tear up again! I am SO proud of my baby sister and the woman she has become and am so honored that she will be standing RIGHT BESIDE me on the day that I get to marry my best friend. I am so thankful that she gets to share this day with me and cannot wait to return the favor for her....hopefully!

Meet My Bridesmaid:

 Miss Kristen Ann Tew! Kristen is my soon-to-be, wonderful, energetic, outgoing, bubbly, talkative, & beautiful sister-in-law. She is on her way to becoming a beauty specialist...yes she is going to do HAIR! YES! WHOO HOO! Kristen is one of the craziest girls I know, which means she is going to make all of the wedding festivities so much FUN! With Kristen around there is never a dull or QUIET moment which makes life around her pretty interesting :) I am so excited to have her as part of my new family.....plus I get my hair done at a discounted rate!

Meet My Bridesmaid:

  Miss Jessica Lauren Best! Jessica is my super smart, gorgeous, organized, ambitious, and wonderful cousin :) Jessica & I are the same age so growing up together was a blast! We always had each other to play house, dress-up & waitress when we were little. Such great times! We have TONS of memories together, including many family vacations & all of our high school years! My favorite memory with Jess would have to be the night that we went shopping in Gainesville & I discovered "moon roots"! Haha good times :)

Meet My Bridesmaid: 

 Miss Chasity Denise Whitaker! Chasity is my always smiling, tons of fun, absolutely beautiful, loves to shop (with me!), great driver, childhood friend! When Chasity is around a party is guaranteed to be had :) Chasity & I have made some great memories together & she has saved my life a time or two..Haha! I am so thrilled that Chasity has agreed to be a part of our wedding. I know with her around I will always be laughing at her funny comebacks & she will be sure to keep me in check!