Engagement shoot

Yesterday was our engagement shoot! I was excited, somewhat nervous, and anxious to see how it would go.

When we got to Robby's studio, he made us feel very comfortable and asked what we wanted out of our pictures. We knew we wanted to capture Mississippi. Even though law school is demanding, hard, and intense, Jace and I both love Mississippi and want to remember this time in our lives. We wanted our pictures to bring out the best of the South. Robby picked up on this right away and we went downtown Jackson to City Hall. Honey, think the South--magnolia trees and big white columns. This was the location for our more formal pictures. It was four in the afternoon and sun was perfect.

Our next location was shot on a wooded hill on Mississippi College's campus. We had on more casual clothes and the sun was setting. I felt most comfortable in these shots mainly because I was out of my heels! Jace wore his UK needlepoint belt and I educated Robby about this Kentucky tradition. I told him if a girl gives a boy a needlepoint belt it is equivalent to a promise ring. Now, Jace has two belts and I have one diamond! HA!

I am not going to lie, it took some time for me to warm up to the camera because it has been so long since I had professional pictures taken. Jace and I did plenty of laughing during the session and we talked quite a bit when Robby was in the distance shooting.

Now comes the hard part...waiting! Robby will have the pictures ready in about 4 weeks! Between now and then he will reduce the 1200 (yes 1200) shots he took down to about 75-150. He will pick his top 5 and we will receive those. Then we can order as many as we would like.  Can't wait!

Here is a link to Robby's blog if you want to check out his awesome work http://blog.followellfotography.com/

Tomorrow!

The last time I saw Mr. Stamper was Labor Day weekend. That changes tomorrow. I don't know of a time when Jace and I have been more eager to see one another. These past six weeks have been LONG, emotionally draining, and we are both worn out. We are so ready to spend some time together and remember what it is like to be a couple. The closer we get to our wedding date, the harder it is to be apart. But in the words of Lauren Hinton, sometimes you just have to "battle through".

During my visit, we have our engagement picture shoot! Honey, hair has been trimmed, makeup has been bought, spray tan has been applied, eyebrows waxed, nails did, and my ring has been cleaned. I am worn out from just getting ready for everything. Pictures are on Thursday, late afternoon and our photographer promises the light is beautiful during this time of day. The last time Jace and I had professional pictures done were our senior pictures..um a long, long time ago! I think we are both a little nervous but eager to see how they turn out. I have full faith in our photographer and know he will capture 'us' in the photos.

Then on Saturday, we are traveling to Natchez, MS. There is a hot air balloon festival and Jace says that Natchez is beautiful. We hope to explore a little more of this area and soak up a beautiful Fall day!

I hope y'all have a good rest of the week. I am going on my own mini-Fall break and stealing Jace away from work, a Bioethics paper, and appellate advocacy competitions. It's time to get back to being us and putting everything else on hold.

Gotta go. This girl has to pack!

Keeneland with the Cash's

Today I got to spend the day at one of Kentucky's iconic places: Keeneland. It just doesn't get any better than Keeneland's Fall meet and to top it off I got to spend the day with Jay and Lisa!

This was the first time I got to spend some time with Lisa and she is just the sweetest. Jay got himself a stunner! The girl is goregous and so down to Earth.

Sweet Lisa and I

We all had lunch and then it was time to get down to business. We bet on 8 out of 9 races and Lisa and I did pretty well. Jay on the other hand, not so much. We all looked at the odds, colors, names, but mostly bet on haunches. Obviously my haunches were pretty good. I won on almost every bet I placed. I would get back enough money to place the next bet. In my eyes, that is a pretty good day!

In between races we discussed weddings! Where we ate today is where Jay and Lisa's reception is. It will be one rockin' reception come May 2013! We both just can't wait for each other's weddings. We are all so excited for one another! Lisa and I commented on how much fun it is to watch our boys get excited about it all.

Wonderful day, wonderful friends!

Fall in KY

This past week I have been busy traveling but in my travels I have had a chance to soak up a little of Kentucky's beautiful landscape. I know everyone says Fall is their favorite season but this time of year really is magical in Kentucky. The trees are really starting to turn, pumpkins are everywhere, mums are blooming, the skies are a clear blue, and there is a slight chill in the air.

To experience these things on the ground is one thing but when I flew back into Lexington on Wednesday, I got to see all of God's beauty from an aerial view. We flew right over the iconic horse farms and while the sun was setting, I could see the perfectly manicured horse pastures with horses grazing inside the rows and rows of white painted fences. Kentucky really is God's country and He has blessed this Commonwealth.

Today, I had another chance to soak up God's beauty of this wonderful season. I travelled to Breathitt Co. and helped audit the county's programs. Breathitt Co. is in Eastern Kentucky and to see the red, yellow, orange, and green leaves in the mountainside was breathtaking. I may be a Western Kentucky girl but I do love the mountains, especially this time of year.

I am doing my best to soak up this season, everything from the chilly air, changing colors, and blue skies. This time next year we may be in Florida with 80 degree weather in October. That may sound nice some days but we realize that Florida only has one real season, summer. There will be no changing colors, beautiful mountains, or horse farms as pristine as the ones in Kentucky. Yet, no matter where we live, Jace and I will always consider Kentucky our ol' Kentucky Home!

AL

I am writing this post in a hotel room overlooking the bay of Mobile. The water is blue, the sun is out, and it sure doesn't feel like Fall. I am attending the Epsilon Sigma Phi conference which is a leadership/professional development conference for Extension agents. This my first time to attend and also my first time spent in Mobile.

We flew down yesterday and I love the feeling of the plane taking off. With engines roaring, gravity holding you back in your seat, and the momentum gaining, I know I am getting the chance to explore some place new and hopefully exciting. For me, it is something about taking off and being in the clouds that allows my brain to go into vacation mode and I stop thinking about the worries/stresses that are in KY. No matter if it is business or pleasure, it helps to get away from it all.

One thing about being in Mobile is that Jace and I are on the same time zone. It feels so weird not to be converting and we still haven't adjusted to it. By the time we do adjust, I will fly back. The scary part is Jace and I are only about 3 to 3 1/2 hours apart right now. I say scary because it wouldn't take much for me to rent a car and go see him right now. Or maybe he should come pick me up in Mobile and we head to Gulf Shores together? Wishful thinking, I know.

We come home on Wednesday and then I turn around a week from Wednesday and take a real vacation. My own official Fall break. Only this time I am flying to the 'sip. I don't know who needs to see the other more, Jace or I? Jace has needed a break since shortly after school started and we are going to spend some much needed couple time together.

Hope you're having a good week! Safe travels to you and yours!

Wedding Update

Hey Y'all! Wanting to know the latest wedding update? Are you losing sleep wondering what is the latest thing off the wedding to-do list? No worries, here is a full recap from this past week.

Last Friday, Mom, Dana, and I met with Sara, our florist. Sara is a dear family friend and girlfriend can make an arrangement! Our meeting with Sara was probably one the most intense wedding meetings because it was non stop decision making for 2 hours. I came prepared with a packet of pictures from Pinterest but there was still so much that I hadn't thought about. We discussed rehearsal dinner arrangements, my bouquet, boutonnieres, matron of honor bouquets, mothers and grandmothers' nosegays, ceremony arrangement, reception arrangement, bistro table arrangements, wedding cake flowers, etc. A majority of the flowers will be hydrangeas and a few peonies and I can't wait to see it all come together on Aug. 3. What I can wait for is the bill! Lord have Mercy on that day!

Immediately following the florist meeting, Mom and I met with the sweet ladies that are throwing Jace and I a shower. We picked a date and I got their input on a few things. So blessed to have people helping us celebrate our big day.

This weekend, Mom and I started making a list of things we need from Hobby Lobby/Michaels. Thank you Lord for coupons! I will be buying what seems to be 1000 yards of ivory satin ribbon and at least 100 gold chargers! After the wedding, guess what I will be giving as Christmas gifts? Gold chargers!

Then today, Dana, booked our honeymoon! We are going to San Fransisco for 3 nights and Monterrey for 3 nights. I asked Dana if we could go right now? This news was exactly what Jace and I needed to hear today and lifted our spirits! 10 months from tomorrow people!

I hope you are enjoying your Tuesday!

Oct. 1

Do you know what today is? It is Oct. 1st. It may have been just another Monday to you but today was the day that Jace and I have waited for since Summer 2011. Today was the first day that LLM applications could be submitted. I am happy to report that Jace hit "send" and his information is currently in the UF database!

The first time I heard about an LLM was on Highway 45 in Western KY, riding in Jace's car on our way to a date in Paducah. Needless to say, I had a TON of questions, was hesitant, excited, nervous, and curious. Since that summer day, we have prayed about this decision, toured schools, tried to figure out logistics, and have mostly waited until it was closer to time to act on this decision. Today was the day that waiting was replaced with doing. Today Jace did what he has waited to do for a year and half. Now tomorrow is a different story, we begin waiting again; waiting to hear if our plan is the same as God's plan.

I wish you could only have read the emails he sent me after he submitted it. I can tell he is ready for this next chapter of his life and was so excited. Excited to have it out of his hands and into God's hands. So this rainy, gloomy, cold Monday was actually a great day. Jace and I are ready for this next chapter in our lives. We trust in God's plan and pray that our plan matches with His.

Let Go and Let God and let's Chomp on!