so i love the rain... really i do. everyone i feel like always complains that it's too rainy but i can't get enough of it. Something about curling up with a good book (the Bible perhaps) and then watching a movie.

Today, Josh and I ate lunch with my Dad. He loves me so much- I just know it. He is so interested in the wedding stuff, i feel like "normal" dads only look at the bills. But it's more than that for him. He is curious, and wants the world for his baby girl during this time. He is so giving and caring- Love you daddy. Know Ill always be your "squeaky-pippin'-himer."

After lunch, we went to target and bed, bath, and beyond to look around and register. We are still decided on a lot of stuff, but got some done today. Maybe it's a little early for that but the thought of having our own place excites us to no end. I love decorating and while I know Josh is pretty easy-going, he genuinely tries to care and gives his opinions and i love that about him. Really, he is just so amazing. Did Josh really care about what towels to hang to match the curtain we picked? No, not really. But he gave an opinion and he didn't complain that we were shopping for over 2 hours. It was such a sweet time for us.

We went to his house after stopping at the Carr's to get my rain jacket I left last night. I love the way their house smells, their mom (their as in John (Josh's best friend), Katie (legit girl-love her), and Chris(he is funny)) is a good cook, and is always whipping something up. At Josh's I cut up paint swatches and put color combinations together for: the wedding, our future bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and living room. I feel very accomplished about that. It was a good night- despite the flooding of hampton roads. I just still love the rain and lazy days like today.

rainy days in september...

2 weeks...

Hard to believe that it's been 2 weeks already... things are moving pretty quickly! We have tons of idea and know a lot of the major details.We visited our first venue friday and we're proud to say it's the last! We absolutely fell in love with it. It's near the water, it's got tons of charm and history and it's just perfect for us! So we're really excited about it. It is in Manteo OBX NC. Where the Lost Colony was. It is in the historic downtown area about a block from the water. It's called the Budleigh...

 http://108budleigh.homestead.com/

2 weeks...

misconceptions..

Well, my future husband said to me that on more than one occasion guys have said that they want to go surfing with Josh before he is a married man because he won’t be able to after he is married. Bologna. Ha- seriously though- I LOVE that Josh surfs. He loves it, it’s one of his passions. I would never want to take that away from him. So- just so everyone knows- life after we’re married will definitely be different, but no worries, a ton of things can never be changed :)

misconceptions..

the ring

Okay so i love my ring- seriously in love with it. It took a week to get it back because I had to get it re-sized. I have tiny fingers- well tiny as in skinny but they’re long. So it’s finally on my ring finger and I love it. 

We are headed somewhere Friday to look at a ceremony/reception site- So excited. Praying that comes through and that we love it. As of right now the number one question is: “When is it.” Well- depends on the venue of course. But to answer the question- mid-july. Most likely (if venue comes through) July 17th- a very familiar date for myself and Josh’s family. It’s Josh birthday- which is funny. We are so excited though!

Also- praise to God that we found a couple to do our marriage counseling! A sweet couple from the Young Life committee as generously agreed to help us through this “getting married” process. He used to be a pastor and they are experienced in doing marriage counseling, plus she is the sweetest women ever! Do excited and So thankful to them and to Ryder who suggested it and set us up for that. 

Thanks for all the congrats, and im sure well update this soon!

the ring

engagement

Friday September 10th, 2010 will always be dear to my heart… This is when Josh proposed. It was so sweet and thoughtful- he really did shock me. Josh and I have been dating for almost 2 years now. We love the beach- thats where we found our love for one another. We have always planned on going to see the sunrise, but our schedules always conflict. So we decided to go last Friday morning. Josh took me up to 79th street, the North End of VA Beach. We sat on a random sailboat and watched the sunrise. It was the first time I had ever seen it and it was gorgeous. After snagging some pictures, Josh read me a letter he had written. I love letters- they are my absolute favorite. We got up to take a walk and found this bottle in the sand. I thought it was the coolest thing ever- still oblivious to everything he had planned. I opened it up and inside it had a note that said “Allison- Will you marry me?” I looked up in shock and he had gotten on his knee and pulled out a ring. I didn’t say anything for 10 seconds- which is funny now looking back. I said yes and he put the ring on. It was on of the most exciting moments of my life! After that we sat and talked for a bit and just enjoyed the time- we took some pictures. We went to eat breakfast at Pocahontas Pancakes down at the oceanfront, which I highly recommend. It was delicious. I’ll never forget it- He put so much thought into it all. He even googled how to make a piece of paper look “old timey.” Which is apparently a long process! That is the story- and from here it can only go up.

Here are some pictures... I cannot explain our excitement and joy. What a gift-

engagement