Love is in the Air

Jackson and I have never really done the whole "Valentine's" thing.

We usually who can pick the funniest card out (I won this year), grab a bite to eat, and maybe catch a movie if there is something out we have been wanting to see.

This year was different since he is in CO and I'm in AL. I guess we could have planned a meal and had FaceTime with each other, but we decided to go to Mikata's for dinner last Friday while he was in town-- Mikata means fun, right?

I had given Jackson a card before he left and wanted him to open it then, but he refused. He likes to wait on the day of the holiday or special occasion. He's good about that. I would have already ripped it open and looked inside. (I like cards and gifts.)

To be honest, I was kind of sad he didn't have a card ready for me when he came home, but did not say anything because it's just Valentines day. He didn't miss my birthday or Christmas.

Then yesterday I was surprised at this arrival at my front door.

(Please ignore the fuzzy pictures, I snapped it with my Photo booth right quick)

TULIPS, my favorite flowers of all time. 

He does so good at surprising me.

Never a let down.

22 hours away, a few states up and over from me and he still manages to be the best Valentine ever!

I'm so happy he's my forever and ever amen Valentine.

Love you Jackson!

Happy Valentines Day to all you lovers out there. 

Life is good.

O.T.W. - Engagement Party

This past Saturday Jackson and I were lucky enough to share our engagement with friends and family at Chimney Cove in Wedowee, AL given by my bridesmaids.

It was so much fun and so perfect.
Jackson and I are truly blessed. 

Some of my bridesmaids and little flower girl.

Some of the guys.

Jackson loves the fire outside. 

We had music, great food, and awesome company to celebrate our engagement and wedding for June 29th. I loved every single bit of it.
I can not thank them enough for the beautiful venue and food.

Our Pretty "L" cake.

Cutting our cake!

We love Kyle.

Everything about this night was perfect. Everyone laughed, sang, cut a rug, and enjoyed being with old friends while celebrating our engagement. 

We hit karaoke with some old and new songs. We also showed out some of our dance moves-- good and bad. 

3 of my favorite guys.

Sissy (Matron) on the mic.

Cutting a rug with Lacey

It's Fancy time.

Then we took it back to Spice Girls.

I am so thankful and blessed to have so many people who love

and are happy for Jackson and I. They did such a wonderful

job with our party and we had so much fun!

Jackson and I love you all! 

Life is good!

New Years Eve

2012 was great, but 2013 is going to be even better.

I graduate in April with a Speech Language Pathology degree and come June I will be marrying my best friend. Ali Lilly is a mouth full, I know.

Its going to be a blast!

We spent NYE at a close friends house bringing in the New Year with ones we love. There was great snacks, interesting "close your eyes and make a wish" speeches-- Thanks to Kyle, and yummy drinks.

My fiancé and I.

Amanda, Ashley, and I bringing in the New Year

Best friends.

Sissy (my Matron) and I

My MOH, Ashley and I

Cheers! 

"Did your wish come true?"

We brought 2013 with a bang!

 Let the planning begin.

Life is good with a New Year beginning! 

Christmas Cheer

Christmas break has been so exciting and filled with awesome times shared with family and friends.

The weekend before Christmas we spent time with my Mimi and Pappy and also Grandmother and PaPa. It's a blessing to spend holidays with all four grandparents.

We always have the best time over the holidays.

Bella Brand came to visit! 

She loved Ryan and his hat.

My sweet grandparents and their great grand daughter.

Bella loves her dad!

I wish I would have snapped more pictures!

Christmas was filled with family, good food, and great memories made with each other.

Life is good with family on the holidays!

Bridesmaids.

I have 11 Bridesmaids, a lot I know. I love them all.

Jackson and I discussed having a small wedding party with just family, but I just could not do that and neither could he.

I have 7 girls I graduated High school with, danced with, got in trouble with, and have just been through the good, the bad, and the ugly.

I don't know what I'd do without them!

Ashley Hodges, my Maid of Honor -- MOH.

Jessica Hamner

Alison Breed

Caitlin Allen Brand

Alexus Perry

Sara Norton

Mallory McMurray 

Life would have been boring in High School

without these seven girls. 

Another one of my bridesmaids is someone I have known pretty much my entire life and has remained one of my best friends for the last 22 years, Hannah Wortham (Walker).

Some how I got tangled up with Amanda since Freshman year of college and we have been together ever since. Plus, now I get to see her a lot more since she dates one of Jackson's good friends, D.J. 

She's our little odd ball and we love her for it.

Whitney, Whit Lo,  is one of my sorority sisters that has become someone I talk, text, and snap-chat pretty much every 30 minutes every single day. 

Not  a day goes by that I don't see her face or hear a sarcastic comment from her. :)

I would say we were a lot alike in many ways, but she is a diva....... and I am not, of course. 

And then there is Jessica, Sissy, SIL, Jess who I love dearly.

She is my brother Ryan's wife and has become so near and dear to me. I love you, Sissy!

Ryan really did well with adding another Sanford lady to the mix because life would be so boring without her in our fam jam!

She's a winner and a keeper.

I have an amazing and beautiful group of girls that I cannot wait to stand beside on June 29th, 2013.

They all hold a special place in my heart!

Life is good with great friends!