That one time I graduated college...

Oh what JOY! Last night was one of those nights where I literally came home and just cried the most joyful tears. Yesterday was overwhelming in all the best ways. I am blessed far beyond what I deserve with the best family and friends who celebrated my graduation! I still cannot believe it! I am SO thankful to everyone who has loved and supported me throughout the past sixteen and a half years of school and I am thrilled to spend my career in the classroom!

My MOH and roommate also graduated! So proud of her!!

Could not have made it without my parents!

When choosing colleges, I was really stuck between three. I know I would have loved any one I would have chosen, but I am so thankful for that sale at Campus Warehouse that helped me make my final decision (I wish that was a joke...). The past three and half years have grown me and shaped me into who I am today. I never would have guessed I would have spent college hanging out with a bunch of middle schoolers through the ministry of YoungLife, studying to become an elementary education major, or have been immersed in such sweet relationships and community. Oh, I am so glad I chose UK! 

I still am in shock sometimes when I remember I am going to teach elementary school! That was never in my plan, but I am so thankful that one random afternoon freshman year, I randomly decided to take on my fourth (!!) major and have not looked back. Teaching is my passion; I never feel more at home than when I am in the classroom. (Expect a full post from what I learned in student teaching coming soon!) My major also brought me some super sweet friendships! We had so much fun in our classes and we continued that last night! I was so blessed to walk across the stage with some of my favorite ladies and the best future teachers EVER!

Then, there is my family. My parents, Godmother, brother, best friend, fiancé, and his parents met up after graduation at a local Italian restaurant where we indulged in yummy food, wine, dessert, and where I was showered with gifts that were certainly unexpected It was the BEST. My people are the best! Just having dinner and talking with them was one of my favorite nights ever! It was far beyond what I expected and just perfect. 

I have the best roommates, too! They loved on Hayley and I and celebrated us all week long! I am so thankful for the Cottage! So many of my college memories take place in that house!

Oh, and this guy! He is pretty great, too! He was my rock throughout college and I legitimately could not have done it without him!

I am so excited to officially be a college graduate (what!?!?)! I cannot believe that after seven semesters and four majors, I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Arts in Elementary Education! Now, while my to-do list is long with steps to becoming a certified teacher and applying for jobs, I am looking forward to a low stress few weeks to enjoy the holidays!

xoxo

December Goals

"December makes me feel alive again. Like the whole year of pushing and planning and working was worth it to get to this. To celebrate what we've been given and to dream about what's to come. I'm so glad December is here." Jess Connolly 

November:
Make a meal for someone else
Complete my graduation binder almost there!!!!
Have only my solo week left in student teaching well...I tried!
Enjoy a day wine tasting details coming soon. best. day. ever!
Publish Hayley and Cameron's engagement shoot!  coming soon!
Take a car load of things home all three times I am home this month. ha!
 Complete my Christmas shopping & wrapping, and give my list to my mom. BOOM!

December:
Complete the She Reads Truth Advent Devotional each day. Soak in the season.
Finish "Follow Me" by David Platt.
Finish "Thing I Wish I'd known before We Got Married" by Gary Chapman
Finish "The Best Yes"
Finish "Daring Greatly" (almost finished!)
Start Reading "When Sinners Say I Do"
GRADUATE college! (!!!!)
Move home!
Send Christmas love letters.
Purge everything I own!
Have pre-marital counseling & make a reading plan for the rest of our engagement!
BLOG!
Apply to work in JCPS as a TEACHER! Look into other districts as well.
Eat as clean as possible, with plenty of treats!
Work through a goal setting series- (but do not start until Dec. 26!)
xo

November Goals

Hey friends! I am indeed, still alive! I realized I never even posted October goals, but I will go ahead and post them now...
October: Finish Resume Apply to sub
Yes, two little goals that have been on my list since MAY and I am so excited that I have finally completed both! I go in for a background check Fridays, and after that I am officially waiting to be hired as a sub at home! Yay! Oh, and my resume!? Took less than an hour...tell me again why I put it off for so long!?!?!

I also realize that I said that I had some "fun things" planned for the blog in October...well I am not really sure what those fun things were but they did not happen nevertheless! I do plan to spend November catching up around here!I am at least a little hopeful! I graduate next month (!!!!) and hopefully then I will actually be able to devote e a little bit of time to this space! But for now....November!

November:
Make a meal for someone else
Complete my graduation binder
Have only my solo week left in student teaching
Enjoy a day wine tasting
Publish Hayley and Cameron's engagement shoot! (!!!! more on this later)
Take a car load of things home all three times I am home this month.
 Complete my Christmas shopping & wrapping, and give my list to my mom.

 So, there's November. Here's hoping I am back in this space more this month!!
 xo

Wedding Wednesday: To Do List

Hi! I'm still alive :)
I promise this blog is not only where I post my goals, although that has been the truth for the past few months! I plan to be back full force in October with some fun things planned.For now- here is the wedding to-do, looks like October will be crazy busy! Here's to productivity, and here's a sneak peek of our engagement photos by Whitney Knutson- can't wait to share more soon!

October 
1-15
Ask flower girls, ushers, ring bearers, readers
Book ceremony musicians
Book Hair & Make-up
Decide on transportation
Make sure men's wear is ordered
Craft all ceremony decor
Order Save-the-Dates, address, & send
Make sure all bridesmaid attire is ordered!


16-31
Buy rings!
Check on rehearsal plans
Flower girl/ring bearer attire
Order invitations & thank-you's
Address 30 invitations
Wedding night accommodations
Craft all ceremony decor
Order favors
Purchase veil, shoes, jewelry


November
Reserve any rentals
Craft/order reception decor
Address 100 invitations
Purchase reception keepsakes (cake server, guest book, flutes)
Wedding gifts for bridal party/parents/flower girls/ushers

December:
Finish addressing invitations
Provide shower guest lists
Provide rehearsal guest list.
Confirm gown delivery
Check up with florist & baker.
Finish all crafting.

January:
Mail invitations January 13th
Review & complete registries.
Dress fitting.
Create weekend timeline.
Create ceremony timeline.
Create reception timeline.
Craft programs.
Final decisions on ceremony music & give to musicians.
Requested/banned song for DJ. List of special songs.
Bar order.
Hair & make-up trial.

February:
Finish programs.
Floor plan with Kye's
Wedding timeline mailed to wedding party.
All shower thank-you's.
Check on hotel blocks.
Write Vows.
Give Kye's vendor list.
Marriage license.
Pick up wedding bands.
Confirm times/counts with vendors.
Check up on all unanswered RSVP's by Feb 20th.
All attendants gifts wrapped and ready.
Reception seating + way to display.
Final payments.
Rehearsal plan.

March:
Mani, pedi, etc. on the 6th
Tips in envelopes to Hayley
Drop off decor
Pack!
Get married!

Wedding Wednesday: The To-Do List

Keeping this short & sweet and to the point. Here's what's left to be done y'all! 185 days left! Hooray! 

September

1-15

Ask flower girls, ushers, ring bearers

Book ceremony musicians

Ask readers/decide on passages

Hire wedding planner

Book Hair & Make-up

Take engagement photos

·Decide on transportation

      16-30

Make sure all men’s wear is ordered

Craft all ceremony décor

Buy rings

Order Save-the-Date's

Address Save-the-Date's

 Make sure bridesmaids dresses/accessories are ordered

October

·      Make sure rehearsal plans are coming along

·      Flower girl attire
     Send save the date’s (on the 1st)
     Order invitations & thank-you cards

·      Address invitations

·      Wedding night accommodations?

·      Craft reception décor/order

·      Address invitations

·      Decide on favors and order/make

November

·      Reserve any rentals

·      Craft reception décor/order

·      Purchase reception keepsakes (guest book, toasting flutes, cake knife, and server)

·      Wedding gifts for bridal party/parents

·      Purchase all other accessories (veil, shoes, jewelry)

·      Usher/flower girl/ring bearer gifts

·      Address invitations

December

·      Finish addressing invitations

·      Provide shower guest lists

·      Confirm gown delivery

·      Check up with florist

·      Check up with bakery

·      All crafts done!!

January

·      Mail invitations January 13^th

·      Final rehearsal list

·      Mail rehearsal invites

·      Review registries/adjust/complete

·      Dress fitting

·      Create a wedding weekend timeline

·      Create a ceremony timeline

·      Create a reception timeline

·      Craft programs

·      Decide on ceremony music

·      Requested/banned song list for reception

·      Bar order

·      Confirm hair & make-up

February

·      Finish programs

·      Create floor plan with Kye’s

·      Send wedding timeline to wedding party

·      All shower thank-you’s

·      Check on hotel blocks

·      Write vows

·      Give Kye’s vendor list

·      Get marriage license

·      Pick up wedding bands

·      Confirm all times and final counts with vendors

·      Check up on all unanswered RSVP’s February 10^th

·      Make sure attendant gifts are ready

·      Reception seating

·      Escort cards

·      Final payments

·      Rehearsal plan

March

·      Get a manicure and pedicure

·      Tips in envelopes- give to Hayley

·      Drop off decorations

·      Pack wedding weekend/honeymoon

September Goals.

Well, long time no talk friends. I really do not have an excuse- other than the craziness that has been back to school. As things begin to settle, I hope to return to this space more often. I promise this blog is not only a place for me to post my goals ;)

Right now, I am craving fall like never before. Just the thought of chili on the stove and a pumpkin candle burning gets my heart beating faster. It will be my last season in Lexington, too! Such a bittersweet time- I am just not ready for college to be over, but I am so ready to live in the same city as Tyler and my family. That time will come, but I am determined to enjoy this time to the fullest.

August Goals:
Finish my resume and update my LinkedIn page. Fail. 
Catch up on mine and Tyler's "dating album".
Start student teaching and make a plan for the first eight weeks!
Move back to Lexington & deep clean the house!
Consistently blog 2 times per week at least. HA!
Send a package to my friends doing Summer Staff in Michigan!

September Goals:
Finish my resume and update LinkedIn page.
Consistently blog 3 times per week.
Workout 3 times per week.
Make a Christmas gift giving list. 
Kick the "snooze" habit once and for all. Use this time to develop morning routine.
Throw a bridal shower for my cousin, Jessica.
Survive.

Totally manageable right!? We will see, friends! 
Have a good one! 

Wedding Wednesday: To-Do List

Oh, July. You were the least productive wedding month to date! August is going to be productive-  I am sure of it! My biggest goal for this month is to complete everything for August, ha! Imagine that! I'm going to try and help myself out a little by breaking the month down a little- staring at twenty tasks to be done is a little daunting!!
     

August 
1-15

·     Book videographer

·     Finish registry

·     Book hair & make-up
Ask wedding planner
Book florist
Book baker
Set up hotel block

   
         16-31
    Ask readers/decide on passages
    Book ceremony musicians
    Make a list of ceremony/reception decor and a game plan for crafting!
    Ask flower girls & ushers

September

·      Make sure bridesmaids dresses/accessories are ordered

·      Make sure all men’s wear is ordered

·      Decide on transportation

·      Craft all ceremony décor
     Buy rings
     Take engagement photos

     Order Save-the-Date's
     Address Save-the-Date's

October

·      Make sure rehearsal plans are coming along

·      Flower girl attire
     Send save the date’s (on the 1st)
     Order invitations & thank-you cards

·      Address invitations

·      Wedding night accommodations?

·      Craft reception décor/order

·      Address invitations

·      Decide on favors and order/make

November

·      Reserve any rentals

·      Craft reception décor/order

·      Purchase reception keepsakes (guest book, toasting flutes, cake knife, and server)

·      Wedding gifts for bridal party/parents

·      Purchase all other accessories (veil, shoes, jewelry)

·      Usher/flower girl/ring bearer gifts

·      Address invitations

December

·      Finish addressing invitations

·      Provide shower guest lists

·      Confirm gown delivery

·      Check up with florist

·      Check up with bakery

·      All crafts done!!

January

·      Mail invitations January 13^th

·      Final rehearsal list

·      Mail rehearsal invites

·      Review registries/adjust/complete

·      Dress fitting

·      Create a wedding weekend timeline

·      Create a ceremony timeline

·      Create a reception timeline

·      Craft programs

·      Decide on ceremony music

·      Requested/banned song list for reception

·      Bar order

·      Confirm hair & make-up

February

·      Finish programs

·      Create floor plan with Kye’s

·      Send wedding timeline to wedding party

·      All shower thank-you’s

·      Check on hotel blocks

·      Write vows

·      Give Kye’s vendor list

·      Get marriage license

·      Pick up wedding bands

·      Confirm all times and final counts with vendors

·      Check up on all unanswered RSVP’s February 10^th

·      Make sure attendant gifts are ready

·      Reception seating

·      Escort cards

·      Final payments

·      Rehearsal plan

March

·      Get a manicure and pedicure

·      Tips in envelopes- give to Hayley

·      Drop off decorations

·      Pack wedding weekend/honeymoon

August Goals

I feel as though I say this in every goal post (ha!), but July was a sweet month. Tyler and I bought kayaks, we spent a beautiful day on the lake, I filmed for Say Yes to the Dress, I celebrated my birthday in Nashville,  attended an engagement party for my best friend, and spent lots of quality time with my people. I loved July, as usual. It's one of my favorite months along with December, and October. (I bet I'll be adding March to that elite group pretty soon, too!)

July Goals:
Finish my resume and update my LinkedIn page. HA!
Catch up on mine and Tyler's "dating album". Again, ha!
Call and make that doctor appointment!
Read one "for fun" book.
Stay on track with my bible study.
Workout 4 times per week.
Social media free Sundays. Whoops! Totally forgot! 
Do something special for Tyler's first day of dental school!!
Completely clean out my room/belongings at home! 

August Goals:
Finish my resume and update my LinkedIn page.
Catch up on mine and Tyler's "dating album".
Start student teaching and make a plan for the first eight weeks!
Move back to Lexington & deep clean the house!
Consistently blog 2 times per week at least.
Workout 4 times per week.
Send a package to my friends doing Summer Staff in Michigan!

Here's to August! August brings my move back to Lexington my four final months of college! I am too excited to head back for a last hurrah! I am ready for ya, August! 

Wedding Wednesday: Are you ready?

Let's face it, being twenty-one and engaged I get a lot of questions like the one mentioned above. How will you make money? Aren't you in school? Don't you want to have fun before you settle down? Don't you want to travel? Why not just wait until Tyler is done with dental school? You get the picture.

Getting engaged at an early age I knew right away that I would face these questions; I just did not know how I would handle them. When I began writing this post, I began to list questions and answer them one by one, in a way trying to "justify" our marriage decision. "Well, I will have a degree by then", "We are okay with living without for a while", and similar statements filled the post-to-be. NO. I wanted to throw up reading back over it. Since when did marriage become about money? Since when did marriage become about maturity? Since when did marriage become this thing that WE chose when to begin, and when to end, for that matter?

While, I am not saying EVERYONE should get married at twenty and that if you are not married by twenty-two then you are doing it wrong, I am saying the reasoning behind people's questioning of me is the part that's a little skewed. We will never be ready for marriage. We can prepare all we want but we can never fully prepare ourselves to be one flesh with another human. We can never fully prepare to be an "we" and not an I, daily, forever. Waiting for your career to be just right? Well, there will always be another promotion. Waiting for your financials to be just right? Well, when exactly is that- there is always "more" money to be had. Waiting to be completely content in singleness? It's not going to happen. Waiting until you and your significant other stop arguing about which restaurant at which you are going to eat? Probably not going to happen, either.

It is not because marriage is the magic fixing potion that will heal our desire for more and our desire for all of our ducks to be in perfectly lined rows before making any sort of commitment. Marriage is the union of two people in two one- not just our happy moments or our Instagrams, but our entire lives. I mean, I've never been married but I have heard it's hard work. All the junk surrounding marriage just comes from who we are. We are sinners who fall short of the glory of God daily. We will never be completely content until we are in the presence of Jesus. There is not true contentment this side of Heaven. Life isn't easy- marriage isn't easy, but it can be a lot more fun with the one you love by your side and I am READY for that!

I totally see the world's point in saying that Tyler and I have limited finials, lack maturity, and may be a little naive on the ways of the word- all of those things are valid. Not reasons for us not to get married, but completely valid. The one that really gets to me is this whole "settling down" business. Why is marriage referred to as settling down?! Marriage is the ultimate adventure. We will still get to do all of the fun things we can do now, but what is even better is that we get to do them together!! Trips to new places, white water rafting, spontaneous weekends away, nights out, races, kayaking, doing LIFE together....these are just some of the adventures I see in our near future. Truthfully, I do not think we will ever "settle down".

So, you be asking..then why?? I've given you a laundry list of things that do not refute this desire, but no reasons why. It's simple. I love Tyler. I know Tyler and I can further the kingdom better together than apart. I know Tyler and I can love Jesus and others with our whole lives better together. There is no one else I want by my side in life and ministry than my sweet, loving, caring, crazy, determined, hard-working, Tyler. I could fill books with all by reasons why I said "YES!" but I cannot find one reason why I should have said "Yes...when" or "eventually". Ya know? It's just right.

I wrote on my post for Two Belles that I never expected to be twenty(one) and engaged, and that is SO true. It was not in Taylor's plan for this to happen, but it is and I know God's plans are always gloriously more life-giving than mine. Oh, and to answer the question, no we are not ready for marriage. But ready or not....March 7th we're coming for ya!

I am not trying to change anyone's mind with this. I really have not said anything profound. I am just rambling ,as usual, with a little bit of what I've been going through.

eShakti Review

Recently I was contacted by a rep from the brand eShakti, which is a clothing company that designs (super cute!) affordable pieces that you are then able to customize online to your liking! You can do things like put in measurements, lengthen or shorten items, change sleeve lengths, and so on! It is such a neat idea and unlike anything I've seen! eShakti offered to allow me to try any piece of clothing on them, and let me tell you- the brand did not disappoint!

After perusing the site for hours, I finally chose a blue top with ruffles on the shoulders and a small tie. It was a tough choice because everything is so cute, but I just could not resist the Kentucky blue and the feminine ruffle details.  I lengthened it to be "hip length", put in my measurements, and kept the sleeve length. I cannot find the exact one that I ordered on the website, but this one is very similar.

I loved it so much I wore it while filming Say Yes to the Dress!!

I love this top! Being 5'10" and having an extremely long torso, I struggle to find tops that are long enough so that I do not feel like I am wearing a crop top every time I raise my arms or bend over! (This will be especially true when I am teaching and constantly bending down!) Since I added extra length to this top it is just perfect! I love the fabric of these tops, but find on me they usually just "hang" there and need a bold necklace or scarf to jazz them up. Due to all the detail on this top, it is so easy to wear! I can wear it with jeans, shorts, or tucked into a skirt! So versatile! The quality is great- similar to something you might buy in Macy's or Loft.

Overall, I love the quality, color, and design of this top and the whole ordering process is great! I know I will definitely order from eShakti again!

Find eShakti here: Pinterest/Twitter/Facebook

Wedding Wednesday: Pinspiration

I won't lie, after beginning to plan a wedding I dreaded getting on Pinterest. Instead of a fun way to procrastinate, it became work. I stayed off of it for weeks, while I worked to nail down a venue, photographer, and some more of the basics. Now that all of the BIG things are done (ahhh!) I have once again started wasting using time to peruse the endless amounts of wedding pins that fill the site we all love! I even have some sweet friends able to pin on some of the boards and sending me pins and that is so fun, too! Here is some of m current "pinspiration" for March 7! Enjoy!

(click HERE to go to my Pinterest page, although all of my wedding boards are private..there have to be some surprises, people!!)

via

via

via

via

via

via

Hope that gives a (little) glimpse into our theme!

xoxo

Taylor

My Weekend Jam.

This weekend was just pretty much my jam. Every moment was just filled to the brim with sweetness, but it wasn't busy, get what I 'm saying? Ever have weekends like that? I hope you do! I am ready to take on this week thanks to all the fun and realizing that took place over the past few days!

Friday night Tyler and I got to hang out with some of his friends from dental school- eating dinner and playing Catchphrase! It is so crazy to think that we (him, especially) are going to spend the next four years doing life together so closely with these people that we barely know right now! These will be our people for the next four years, and for life. So thankful that there are some really fun people and some really strong Christians in that group! It's going to be a great four years- I am determined to make it so!

Saturday I got to hang out with two of my Lexington roommates all day (TREAT!) and then attended the engagement party of my best friend that evening! It was a super detail oriented gathering that screamed Hayley, which I loved. Her future sister-in-law was too sweet to throw such an elaborate affair! It was the perfect summer night celebrating ones we love so much!

The Bride-to-Be!

Some of our roommates with the soon to be Mrs.!

Sunday was spent trying out a new church with Tyler and then going to lunch with the same dental school friends! It is so important to us to find a church home we love and feel welcomed in, because we know it will be a vital part of our lives forever! After being involved with YoungLife, we both crave community and know we need it. While I plan on being involved with YL here in Louisville, Tyler does not (due to time), so finding a church home is so, so important to us! No sunday would be complete without an afternoon nap, and then my mom and I headed to a bridal show to indulge in free food, cake, and champagne meet vendors, then headed to my great aunts home to begin sorting through my great grandma's possessions. I got some really sweet things of hers and I cannot wait to share!!