Newlywed World

We've been married a little over a month and yesterday was Matt's birthday! I got up and fixed him breakfast before work (whew he leaves in the early am hours). We had dinner last night with my parents and are looking forward to grilling out tonight with his new charcoal grill.

It has been great to just be together, and get settled in here. It's taken some time to get things going in the house, since no one has lived here in a while. But we are blessed with a wonderful landlord, and all is well. It took a few weeks to get the internet figured out, we apparently live in a black hole when it comes to the internet. But we went with the Verizon mifi and so far, so good...we're connected with the world again! (though a little break was nice! hehe).

Southern Pines has a cute downtown area and I explored there last week, Christmas shopping and just enjoying a nice day out. We've only had one weekend to visit a church in the area, so we're still meeting people and looking for a place to fellowship and grow. We have our SummerShine Christmas party this weekend which is exciting and another day of celebrating Matt's birth on Saturday.

That's a short update on the Joneses.

Wedding pictures go up this week, so rest assured, there will be another post soon!! Oh...and I will write about Costa Rica too!

Wedding Week!

I can't believe we're here! From getting engaged on Dec. 28th, to the week of our wedding. I am filled with emotions, excitement, a few nerves, and a lot of prayers. I have always handled change with caution, even good change like this. I am so excited to be in the same place, together with Matt. Three years of dating long distance has grown us to where we are now. To actually live together, and do life together will be so different from just visiting on the weekends!! I'm excited to settle in as husband and wife. I know I will miss my family, living at home for a spell has given my parents and me a lot of time to just enjoy a friendship, as well as a family bond and I will miss our chats. However, cars, computers, cell phones and more make staying in touch with everyone, so much easier - - including my girlfriends I've met for weekly dinners! I will still come home and enjoy visiting and catching up. So, that's where I am...about to get married to my best friend! God is good and we are blessed in so many ways. Here are a few of my favorite engagement pictures!!

Exciting days!

Matt and I have started having fun parties and showers in the last few weeks. On top of our own events we've been blessed to attend many weddings this year and share in other people's joy! Today is the one month mark until our wedding. Time is flying! I'm posting some pictures from a lovely shower I had this weekend in Raleigh. It was a wonderful afternoon, as you can see!

All the girls in the group!

A yummy cake and some lovely girls!

With Caroline, our gracious hostess!

College Days

I just got home from a Missions Conference at North Greenville University. It was a three day event and went really well. Not only did we get a page full of interested students for SummerShine, but I made several new friends from other missions organizations. A few of us girls were walking across campus one evening for chapel, and I really felt like I was back at ASU...it was strange and comforting and even bittersweet. I guess just having "friends" and being on a campus in the mountains on a beautiful night was so familiar that it took me back to Boone. It was a blessing to fellowship with other young women who love the Lord. Though we didn't know each other at first, we all had connections and enjoyed visiting with each other. It's neat how God works, encouraging us as we go along day to day. NGU is a beautiful campus and I enjoyed my time there this week. I'm sure I'll have many more visits ahead.

Charge It?!

Well I have several things I have wanted to put on my blog...but I'm having trouble getting my pictures off of my camera. So for now, I will save those thoughts until I can get my pictures that go along with them.

So, the other grown up thing I did during my week of grown-up activities (a few weeks ago) was...I got an official credit card with Belk. HA! Now, often when making purchases at retail stores the sales associate offers a discount for opening a charge card, blah, blah, blah...and I politely turn them down. However, this time I took them up on the 15% off my purchase and opened up the card. I realized that the number of wedding gifts I have bought at Belk this year - - and will probably continue to buy in the duration of my life, make opening a Belk card a good idea. So...I did. However, the purchases made when opening the card were not other people's wedding gifts, but some make-up...for me. Later, I used the actual card on wedding gifts.

This week...I paid that bill off! It was a good feeling to know I had the money set aside I had "charged" and could write the check in full. I will not get into debt with credit cards. Though, I can see how that is easily done. You have to keep your mind right with the "charge it" options...lurking around every bend So here I am, as a grown up with a charge card, and no outstanding debts. Whew.

As for wedding news, our engagement pictures are online and I am thrilled with them. I too will post a few when I get them! Also, my mom found her dress and it is truly stunning. So, things are looking good...

Here we go...

Well I've started a blog. I've thought about it often, enjoyed reading other people's...and am finally starting my own! Ah!!

Last week was quite the grown-up/adult week for me. We not only picked up our wedding invitations - which are beautiful, but, I also had my fitting and now have my wedding dress. It fits perfectly!! Also, Matt and I found three pieces of furniture which were an awesome deal. Now we just have to find a place to live for this newlywed stage - hopefully somewhere in Southern Pines. All that is to say, wow. It is pretty fun making these decisions and heading towards a life together. I'm so glad for my family's support and influence on my life and will certainly carry that with me in the times ahead as Matt and I build our life together.

Matt and I also had our engagement pictures taken last weekend. We went down to Myrtle Beach (where it all began...) with our friends the super-talented photographers and fun couple Aaron and Kristin. You can see some of their work here - www.kristinbyrum.com. It was really neat to spend some time with them, as well as be in love and get to enjoy the documenting of that in our photo shoot!! I can't wait to see the pictures...