Bookworm Wednesday

Though my time seems to be occupied with friends and wedding planning as of late (no complaints there), I have managed to begin reading this book by Laura Ingraham. Just as a little precursor, it is extremely politically conservative (which I LOVE) and I am enjoying reading about her personal opinion on America's cultural decline and what we can do to help contribute to restoring it back to it's intended course.

Thank goodness it's the middle of the week for this weekend brings with it some delightful, pre-Thanksgiving activities with wonderful friends and it also brings my fiance' home for a WHOLE week! My excitement is almost uncontrollable! I will try and put forth more effort in capturing our adventures on camera so that I may in turn, share them with you all! Happy Wednesday!!

Bravo Brad, Carrie, and Hank!

I have been a country music fan from a young age and I can still even remember the first few songs that made me fall in love with it; John Michael Montgomery "I swear", "Be my baby tonight" and "Sold (Grundy County Auction)". Flashes of me trying to memorize "she's an 8, she's a 9, she's a 10 I know; she's got ruby red lips, blonde hair, blue eyes; I'm about to bid my heart goodbye" always bring me back to childhood! My love for country music has steadily grown since then, and 80% of the time, it is what I'm listening to! I just appreciate what the majority of country music singers stand up for, how they present themselves, and their respect and devotion to this COUNTRY we call home. That being said, here is my analysis of the 2011 CMA's!!

First of all, I'd like to applaude Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood for doing an amazing job hosting the CMA's last night; Brad is just charming, genuine and pretty darn handsome, while Carrie is stunning, funny, talented, and well stunning! Their chemistry on stage is just flawless and entertaining and they, along with all the other amazing country singers, put on one incredible show! It is so refreshing to watch an awards ceremony where the artists are respectful, where they look gorgeous and feminine (not skanky and crazy), and where you don't have to worry about whether or not children should be watching. I loved every performance and aspect of the show last night, BUT the introduction that Brad and Carrie did to kick off the show was probably one of my favorite points of the night! Way to stand up for your fellow country singer (and LEGEND) Mr.Hank Williams Jr.! It couldn't have been done in a more polite, hysterical way; apparently the audience thought so too, hence the laughs, cheers and standing ovation. Mr.Hank wasn't too far off in his comparison of our president and Hitler...haha Im kidding (kind of)!! So take that liberal media!!! If you happened to miss this segment of last night, I'm posting the video below! Made me proud to be a country lovin', southern girl :) Y'all were spot on CMA's and thanks for a spectacular show!

http://youtu.be/5AL7_rwH7jY

Swooned over this glitzy, yet elegant gold number Carrie wore last night!

Bookworm Wednesday

I was given this book by a parent of one of my closest friends (who is a bridesmaid in our wedding) and began reading it last weekend! So far, I love it and it has given me great insight into married life and preparation for that new stage of life! I'll write more on the main points I gained from it next week once I have finished! Happy Wednesday :)

Thankful

Today I find myself thinking about how Thanksgiving is just a mere two and a half weeks away! How can that be?? It seems like just yesterday it was July and we got engaged and I thought I had all the time in the world...and now it's NOVEMBER (we are almost at the 6 month mark)! Heavens to Betsy I have a lot to do!! One priority for me right now is to mail out our save the dates! I was ecstatic to find them in the mail today and it looks like my night will be spent curled up in front of the tv and addressing these sweet cards :)

As I looked at our save the dates this morning, I got a bit sentimental. I began to realize how blessed I am to be marrying this incredible, Godly man, and beyond that, how blessed I am to become a part of his wonderful family and he a part of mine. We both have been raised with the most loving, caring, selfless, God-fearing parents that any child could dream of having. I could never fully describe how much my family means to me and the love that I have for them. Over the past few years of being with Michael's family, my love for them has grown steadily too. They have accepted me as one of their own, loved me, given of themselves for me, and rejoiced in this season for me, leaving me feeling humbly thankful for them. I'm thankful we have two families who support us completely, love us unconditionally, and encourage us in our faith.

I know during the Holidays it is a lot easier to remember reasons we have to be thankful, but I hope the spirit of the season stays with us every day of every year, because we truly have abundant blessings and much cause to be thankful. Maybe this is an idea to start a recurring day where I just blog about out all my thanksgivings to y'all :) Thanks for listening to my rambling that began with how fast November has approached, to my Save the dates and lastly how that left me with a heart full ofThanksgiving!

Bookworm Wednesday, Wedding Style!

I know, I know, this is not a book, but this magazine is 100% worthy of being showcased on Bookworm Wednesday. As I turned each page, I literally thought I'd died and gone to wedding heaven!! I have been slowly devouring this little gem for hours and I can NOT get enough of it! I peruse the pages ever so dreamily, and take in the smallest, little details as to not miss a single lovely thing! The creative juices are flowing and I couldn't be happier; I am in total wedding bliss right now and if I happen to be MIA for a bit, it's most likely because this has me in a southern wedding haze :)

P.S. My friend Betsy works for this wonderful stationary designer, Ashley Brooke (of Ashley Brooke Designs) who is showcased in this magazine! Believe me, this magazine and her products are a must see :)