Good days.

Two days in a row of blogging is like a new record for me.

It must be because I have the opportunity to sit at home.  Eat bon-bons.  Or whatever else I want to do.  (I promise I will actually leave me house at some point today.)

Good days include:
- Working out
- Eating new recipes
- Seeing good friends
- Reading Harry Potter
- Loving on your fiance'
- Finding an iPod that has been lost for a week
- Talking to your mom
- Wearing workout clothes all day
...just to name a few

Therefore, today has been a good day.  Or will be a good day by the end.

Favorite Season is here!

I am very excited to say that Fall is here and the Holidays are just around the corner.  

Fall is my favorite season.  I love Halloween and decorating for it.  Last year, my roomie and I carved some pumpkins and roasted the seeds.  I plan on doing the same this year.

These are our cute pumpkins from last Fall.

Also, I love football.  My friend, S, and I always make it a tradition to go to a UT game every Fall.  This is from last year, since we didn't get a picture from the game this year.  And last year, we had both just cut all our hair off.

Hiking is another thing about Fall that I adore.  Last year, my parents took me & A to Grandfather Mountain, NC.  And then A took me to Max Patch a few weeks later.  In November, Max Patch already had snow on the ground.  This past weekend, we went back to the Grandfather Mountain area for my cousin's wedding.  It was gorgeous.  The leaves were peak for colors changing, which was nice since at home they seem to be going from green to brown without the pretty Fall colors this year.

Grandfather Mtn., North Carolina

Max Patch, North Carolina

And the last thing I love about this time of year is getting ready for the Holidays.  Thanksgiving and Christmas are my favorites.  I'm not sure if that is just because of the extensive amount of time away from school or not.   Last year was the first holiday season without my brother and sister-in-law here with us.  It was hard, and I'm sure this season will be no different.  Especially since they will have a cute little baby boy with them.  But this will be the first Thanksgiving and Christmas that A and I will have to spread out the lovin' between both families.  Thanksgiving and Black Friday with my parents before my mom leaves to visit M & S.  And Christmas and the following days with his family in North Carolina.  I am excited for this journey that is before us!  

Me and my (brother's) cute dog, Christmas 2010

Tis' the Season!

Fall Break

Fall break and a breath of fresh air.

Literally and metaphorically.

For fall break, I do not have any plans. Not one. Okay, maybe one. But that is it. Only one. After a weekend of extreme busyness and fun, I am looking forward to it.

Last Thursday, A & I went to Kingsport for a Friday filled of wedding planning. We had engagement pictures taken by Jessica Rogers Friday morning. She is hilarious and a great family friend with some of the cutest kids I've ever seen. Luckily, the rain held off for a while and we got some great shots. Worrying about the sun was way better than worrying about rain and fog. We would be posed and say "Okay wait for it, the clouds are coming... wait for it.. 3.... 2... 1... Okay, GO!" It was humorous for sure.

Then after engagement pictures, we went to meet with the cake lady. She is the best in town and I am so excited to have her making my cakes! She forgot to write us down in her planner for the meeting so we interrupted her Friday afternoon of baking, but she was nice enough to work with us. We are on the books and get to taste cakes in a few months. (I'm sure will be the best part!) Then we headed from there to meet the flower lady, Connie Timmons. She was great and does beautiful work.

Honestly, we are pretty much done with wedding stuff for a while. We got our matches in the mail this weekend. So our favors are done. And I got an email saying that my wedding dress is in! (10 weeks before they said it would be!) I am so so so excited to go get MINE instead of trying on the store one! My mom and future mother-in-law are going to with me to get it Thursday afternoon!

This has turned into a wedding blog, and I'm totally okay with it.

Also, if you don't have Pinterest, you totally need to get one. On this wonderful day of vacation from school, I have made 2 recipes I found on there. They are both great! Can't wait to become a better cook, especially since I will soon be cooking for 2 regularly not just a few times a week.

This is the gourmet grill cheese I made this afternoon: pesto, roma tomatoes, and mozzarella.

I also made these lemon bars.

Delicious!

-K

Months later...

So the past few months have been the greatest, most exciting of my life. I have started teaching, which I love. And I got engaged, to the man I love. Life is good. No, life is great.

We went to a cabin in the mountains for my birthday with my parents. He let me have my birthday present early, which was a gorgeous jewelry box he had been working on forever. There was a hidden compartment in the drawer that had the ring hidden in it! This swing is where I opened my gift and he proposed!

Wedding planning has began, and we are on the ball. We set the set for next July. 294 days! I seriously cannot wait to marry my best friend. He is wonderful to me and wonderful to everyone he meets. I could not be luckier. He pushes me to be a better person. He pushes me to be like Christ. He is genuine. He is kind. He is loving. He is patient with me. He is great!

The church is reserved. The contract is signed with the reception place and caterer. We have the photographer picked and will sign the contract next time we visit my parents. The budget is done and now we just have to stick to it. The wedding favors were ordered today (old school favors of matches, which we both love!). I started my DIY kick and made wreaths to put on the french doors of the church. They have blueish/purple flowers, and tomorrow I will add a navy bow and a "W" in gold to both. Maybe I will post pictures! :)

This crafty kick that I am on will hopefully save me a bunch of money. Especially since we are trying to be $4,000 under our budget. Wish us luck!

Oh Starbucks...

So I am sitting in Starbucks... which is very typical for a weekday afternoon. And I overhear these old men talking about this

Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster Interesting? Maybe. Funny? Definitely.

I haven't looked into it very much, but I feel like if 3 old men can sit around and talk about it for 10 minutes, then yes, it was worthy of my blog.

Semester in a Few Words.

Imagine that. It has been months since I've updated. I need to get back in the swing of things. Again.

Last time I updated, I was a week in my first semester of graduate school. Now, I am a week out of my first semester of graduate school. The last few months of my life have been amazing, hard, and all around different than any other semester of my college career. I have made some amazing friends in my graduate program, all who I will be seeing in two weeks for summer session. I love the connections we have made and the friendships that will grow over the next year.

Since I last updated, I also found out I am going to be an auntie! This is the most exciting news I have ever received! I am so excited for my brother and sister-in-law! I can not wait to meet little Baby Fairweather. We all think it will be a girl, so being the great auntie I am, I have already bought super cute little outfits. Dresses with butterflies (if it's a girl her name will be Vanessa which means butterfly), little pants with ruffles on the butt, and a "Happy Thanksgiving" outfit since s/he is due November 21! That little one will be the most spoiled thing ever!

Okay, I know, lame update. But I need to get back to studying. I have a Geography Exam tomorrow morning!

Doer not a Hearer.

So I am reading James right now. I have fallen in love with the words of the Word put before me. They are so deep and so true. I really just can't get past it. I have read Chapter 1 over and over and find something beautiful every time. The last time I read it, this is what stood out like a sore thumb to me.

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."

The words speak so much truth into my life right now. Not only do I need to hear to word set before me and read it, but live it out daily. This is as bad as looking in the mirror then not knowing what I look like a second later. How terrible. To me this is saying, you read the Word, and then as soon as it is closed you go on living my own life as pleased.

The reason this hits home is because I know that I do this regularly. I'll read and be in the Word, but as soon as a hard time comes along I forget His wonderful promises.

Praying to not only know his Word and promises, but also live it out and believe them.

Sink or Swim?

Well, since it has been over a month since I have updated, and I have been chastised by my boyfriend that I need to update, I figured it was time. Okay, I made that sound a little more dramatic that it really is. He hasn't chastised me, more like subtly acknowledged the fact that I haven't updated.

I started grad school officially a week ago. It is challenging. It is time-consuming. It is fun! I really enjoy my classes, although the trouble I went through to get into all of them was a pain, it will definitely be worth it come May when I only have 4 classes to take this summer. I officially start student teaching in 7 months. And that just blows my mind to think I will be in a classroom in such a short amount of time! So exciting.

Regarding post-grad school. I have decided to not at all complain or worry about finding a job. I know I will need to be prepared when the time comes but it is something that I can't control and I can't do anything about it until NEXT summer. Therefore, worrying is no good and not helpful. (When is it ever?) It's all in my hands whether I sink or swim and I will do everything in my power now to make sure I swim! Worrying will only sink me.

Alright, keeping this short and sweet today. Hopefully it won't be another month until I update.

Too long.

It has been far too long since I have updated. I have excuses, but I will not use them. I am currently at work, but I am ready to leave this very moment. I've been looking forward to this weekend for a while and I'm ready to get on the road and head back home.

This weekend, my boyfriend and I are going to visit my parents and spend some quality time with my best friend and her husband. Not only that, but he gets to meet some of my dearest friends in the world. (Beth is at the top of the list.) This is what I imagine this weekend to look like.


Ice skating (or embarrassing both myself and my hockey playing boyfriend)



Some good cuddle time by the fireplace.


Wicked Phase 10 competition.

So excited and would really like to leave right now.

Fairweather Christmas

Have a very Fairweather Christmas to you and yours.

Here is the outcome of our year Christmas card! I just ordered them from Shutterfly and really love the design. It is a little trendy for us boring Fairweathers. But I love it regardless! I also love the photography, which was done this year by a great family friend, Jessica Rogers Photography.



*Click to see a full size image, I can't figure out how to make it large without pixelated.

I think it turned out really great! I can't wait to get them in the mail... even though I won't be here when they get to town!

Thankfulness.

"Prideful people can't be thankful."

Since tomorrow is Thanksgiving, I decided to list some just some of the things that I am thankful for. Some serious, some not... but thankful none the less.

I am thankful for:
-family
-friends
-grace
-good humor
-the promises of God - and that they still apply to me
-a sweet boyfriend who puts up with me
-a hilarious roommate (who also puts up with me)
-parent's support
-having a job (even if it's not ideal)
-the middle school girls I lead
-my co-leader & mentor - along with her fantastic family
-organization - having an organized home/room
-a cute little puppy that licks my face even though I hate it
-Skype/FaceTime - makes living in a different countries a little easier
-being able to live in Knoxville
-the Military and those who serve
-encouragement
-that the blood of Christ covers me
-blogs that I get to read when I'm bored at work
-a good nap
-people who know just what to say and when to say it
-Pal's half & half peachie tea
-the ability to use the internet to look up anything
-Glee
-that my parents are still in love after 30 years
-peace & understanding

What are you thankful for? Are you prideful or thankful? You can't be both.

slowly but surely.

Slowly but surely, I am learning more and more about myself everyday. And today is no different.

If you really knew me, you'd know that I hate waking up early. But this morning, 6 am came early but was totally worth it. Even though I've only been awake for less that three hours, a lot has happened in that small amount of time. With all that's going on in my life and all that has been eating away at me and on my heart, I met with a very wise lady this morning that could totally relate and give some really fantastic advice. I am thankful for people in my life that aren't afraid to be honest and loving at the same time, and I am learning that I have a lot more of those people than I expected. She opened my eyes to see that maybe part of the issue was me and my sinful nature. Actually, not maybe... that is part of the issue.

The verse she gave me that really made me realize this is from Galatians 5.

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Instead of trying to "fix" others, which I can't do anyway.. I need to focus on being filled with the Spirit and ask Him to work in me. Through this, hopefully I will be able to help others make changes and live life with them. I have noticed myself being selfish, jealous, conceited, and self-centered (which I'm really good at hiding). Not being loving, honest, and true. (The lady I met with added BOLD to that mix as well.) Instead of hiding, I need to use opportunities to be bold in my faith.

So today, I am thankful that I am becoming a better person today than I was yesterday... and hoping that tomorrow I am a better person than I am today. But realizing that I am not doing this alone, I can only do this through Christ and the Holy Spirit living and moving in me.

Christmas in November.

Every year my family does a Christmas card and sends it out to our 100 closest friends. This year is no different. Since M&S are heading to Italy in a week, Dad flipped and said we absolutely NEED to have pictures taken NOW. So last Saturday morning we had a great family friends take pictures for us. Here is Jessica's photog blog.



This is one of the sneak peek pictures.

Jessica is an amazing photographer and a blessing to be around. Oh, and she is hilarious. I'm certain we were her favorite clients thus far!

With that being said, Shutterfly is offering a great deal to bloggers that I read about through my sweet friend, ABC. (She's fabulous. ) All you have to do is post your favorite design they are offering for the Holiday season and they will give you 50 free cards. Pretty sweet deal, huh?

Imagine that... ABC and I like the same things. Here are my 3 favorites. 2 of which happen to be some of her favorites too.



Holly Frame Christmas



Pretty Poinsettia




Nativity Blessing

Sign up here! It's a great deal & I'm sure my parents will just love that I have taken initiative to do this!

you got nerve.

I have a nervous stomach. I'm pretty sure it is because of my interview for Grad School this evening and it's all that I can think about today. My mind is racing with questions. The odds are not too great. They are only taking 6 applicants and there are over 60 (My guess at least. I know there were 40 three weeks ago.) Not great odds, but I'm confident in my interviewing skills, my personality, and my love for children. Honestly, the worst thing would be that I finish school Spring 2013 instead of Summer 2012. I need to have a better outlook on the interview and admissions process... I just hate that they only take very few post-grads (They mainly take people without their undergraduate degree already so they can finish in a total of 5 instead of getting the degree and taking 2 more years. - UT has a great program if you know you want your teaching license early.)

Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

This verse is what I will cling to today. Because I have Christ on my side, I am strong, I am courageous (even if my odds aren't great), I have no need to be frightened or scared or dismayed. He is with me in scary interviews that determine my future for the next 2 years, and he is with me regardless of the outcome of the interview. That's the good news!

bittersweet.

Today I just realized that Micheil and Shandi are leaving. Like in a week & a half, they will be living in Italy. Not visiting or even just leaving for a couple months, but living there. Just like a lot of things in life, this is definitely bittersweet. Since February I have seen my brother only twice, BUT also since Micheil left for Air Force Basic Training and Tech Training, I have spent a lot of time with Shandi which kind of balances it all out. I guess it's just weird to think that when I go home to visit Kingsport they won't be there anymore.

As in all situations there is a reason or a positive and this is no different. Micheil is doing something he absolutely loves. Shandi & Micheil are finally together after 8 months of being in different states. My family will get to visit Italy (Not only to visit M&S, but also getting to see where my family history started and is still so strong.) The Lord has great plans for them. Yes, I will miss them but the opportunity is to die for!

I hate quoting cliche Scripture, but it is so applicable.

Jeremiah 29:10-14
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD.

This is such a promise. I was reading Titus, Chapter 1 this morning (again) and it says God NEVER lies. (Emphasis and interpretation by me, of course.) If the Lord promises it, he isn't lying... it is truth. And that verse in Jeremiah is so reassuring that if God never lies (and He doesn't) - He PROSPERS, He gives HOPE, He LISTENS, and when we SEEK Him, we are FOUND!

Eventful Few Weeks.

I'm been meaning to update this for a while now, and finally found the time after fighting with myself all day about it!

The past few weeks of my life have been very eventful. Seriously, not much free time at all. I have been leaving for work in the morning and not returning home until late at night.. wake up the next day and repeat.

Wedding


First, the month of September was slammed with wedding events for Krista's wedding. It was one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever attended, and not just the flowers and dresses. But it was definitely an image of the Gospel and Christ's love. Gorgeous. I hope that one day, if I ever get married, others will say the same about my wedding! Being the Maid of Honor was just that, an honor. Here's a picture of me and the beautiful bride!






Creeper
After wedding weekend, I helped to plan a trip to the Creeper Trail in Virginia. We hopped in a car, loaded up a bunch of bikes, and were on our way! It was great fun and something I would love to do again soon. Except next time, my plan will be for me to say to everyone, "Hey, I'm going this day at this time... Figure out a way to get there with your own bike!" This is the whole crew! (Andy [check out his blog - even though I think he's the only one who reads this] has the same picture posted on his blog, but he stole it without consent so I can post it again.)
















Chicago
And lastly, I just got back from a long weekend in Chicago. Mel and I took a roadtrip to Chi-town so she could check out the city and decide where to go to Grad School. The trip was to see Loyola, which we didn't spend a lot of time there... after being lost for a few hours the first day. I quickly realized Big City life is not for me. I love visiting, but not to live. It's not a family town and I don't think I could ever get past having to commute so far everyday.





These are pictures from our trip. The first is from the top of the Hancock building looking over the City. And the second is from Millennium Park right between the lake and the skyscrapers.

The last big event is about to happen... in about one hour! My brother has been gone for 8 months for Air Force training and comes home today! I am so excited, and he will be home for about 3 weeks. I'm glad he will finally be back in Tennessee before leaving for Italy (yeah, him and his wife will be stationed in Italy for the next 3-4 years.. jealous). I'm glad for family dinners. I'm glad he gets to meet my boyfriend before he starts hopping continents. And I'm glad that I will eventually get to visit him and Shandi once they get settled in Italia!

Even in all the busyness of the past few months, I feel like God has showed me so much and I have learned so much about myself. I feel like grad school is where I am supposed to be and this semester of no job and no school has only made that desire for education stronger. I can't wait to start in January (assuming I get accepted). I have my program interview on November 1!

I've learned that I am excited for my future knowing that it is in God's hands. I have learned that I need to be nice, kind, and gentle (this has become a repetitive theme in my life). I have learned that being passive will not help many situations, but probably hurt it. And I have learned that I am selfish, self-centered, and all those other things that stat with "self." BUT I am saved by the grace of God regardless. The cross is mine to gain!

Grace & Peace.

I have now lived in Knoxville for over 4 years. And I pretty much have done everything I could ever imagine doing. Except.... going to these museums.

McClung Museum

East Tennesse History

I love museums, like a lot. I love knowing random facts or being able to drop obscure knowledge in the middle of conversations. Not only will this help my street cred, but it will keep my mind active and I will be less senile when I'm old (which is good for everyone's benefit, not only mine).

By the end of October, I will have gone to both of these local museums. Mark my words!

A Little Sunshine in My Life

Things I love and brighten my day:

1. Randomly seeing family when you are completely unexpected it. Today, as I was running errands throughout the whole hospital, I look up and who do I see? My Uncle and Aunt. Yep, I was so excited! My Aunt was diagnosed with Alzheimer disease a few years ago. She has been in and out of treatment at UT-Med Center ever since in the research dept. She has gotten somewhat better. She actually recognized me today and acknowledged me first today. This is HUGE. She hasn't remembered my name in a few years, so this is a big deal. So other than just seeing them, her improvement also brightens my day. No, that's probably the week.

2. Not sitting at a desk. Some people love it, but I hate it. Today, I have only been IN my office as long as it has taken to type this :) I would rather be worn out than bored.

3. Nutella. I have always loved it, but living with Melissa.. I feel like I enjoy it far more than I ever did before. Like I eat it on a pita every morning for breakfast. It's fantastic, and any day that starts with Nutella will be a good day.

4. Birthday weeks. My birthday is on Saturday, and I have already enjoyed 2 cakes in honor of this special day. 22 sucks, but cake is good.

5. FOOTBALL. I love football. Love it. Luckily, UT's season starts this Saturday which doubles as a good day. Birthday + UT football = Fantastic day.

6. Boomsday! The nation's largest Labor Day firework display? Yes, please!



Look at all that orange! GO VOLS!

Skeptical

So I have been researching diets. Just for health reasons, can always get healthier. Today I found 2 diets that are interesting and which I'm skeptical.

#1. Skinny Bitch Diet
#2. Daniel's Fast


Here are the rules for the Skinny Bitch Diet:
1. Ban all sugar and artificial sweeteners. Splenda and Nutrasweet, according to the authors, stimulate your sweet tooth, while the real thing makes your fat cells grow rampantly. If you want something sweet, stick to fruit. You can also enjoy baked goods made from beet sugar, evaporated cane juice, brown rice syrup and other natural substitutes.
2. Enjoy brown rice, whole grains and whole wheat pasta--but don't eat a morsel of white flour products. White bread, white rice and white pasta are all too refined for dieters' needs.
3. Become a vegetarian. Meat of all kinds is banned on this diet. This isn't for ethical reasons but for aesthetic ones. A big steak will give you a big butt, so stick with vegetables which are easier to digest and less caloric.
4. Stock up on soy instead of your usual dairy products. The Skinny Bitch Diet isn't just vegetarian--it's vegan. Dairy products are banned for the same reason as meats are.
5. Live on fruits, vegetables, soy, nuts, water, green tea and organic red wine. Treats made from tofu and other ingredients on the Skinny Bitch Diet are OK, but everything else is a slip up.

Daniel's Fast is more of a spiritual fast/diet. Being Christian, I find it skeptical fasting to lose weight. The point of fasting is to put focus on Christ, not your weight.

Rules of Daniel's Fast:
Foods to include in your diet during the Daniel Fast: All fruits. These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. All vegetables. These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. All whole grains. All nuts and seeds, including nut butters including peanut butter. All legumes. These can be canned or dried. All quality oils. Beverages: spring water, distilled water or other pure waters. Other: tofu, soy products, vinegar, seasonings, salt, herbs and spices.

Foods to avoid on the Daniel Fast: All meat and animal products. All dairy products including but not limited to milk, cheese, cream, butter, and eggs. All sweeteners including but not limited to sugar, raw sugar, honey, syrups, molasses, and cane juice. All leavened bread including Ezekiel Bread (it contains yeast and honey) and baked goods. All refined and processed food products including but not limited to artificial flavorings, food additives, chemicals, white rice, white flour, and foods that contain artificial preservatives. All deep fried foods including but not limited to potato chips, French fries, corn chips. All solid fats. Beverages including but not limited to coffee, tea, herbal teas, carbonated beverages, energy drinks, and alcohol.

--

Both are very similar. Pretty much, nothing except fruits, veggies, and whole grains. This I could do easily, it's just eliminating all the other stuff too, like in what I drink or not having sweets.

Maybe I'll do this, but my own version... who knows. I'll let you know how it goes.

This is all I have organized in my new condo. My closet looks awesome as you can tell by this picture. Everything is color organized the way I like it and by type. I also invested in cute little baskets to organize my stuff that should go in my bathroom but do not have room for in there.




















The rest of my room is a mess. This is where my dresser will go when I get it on Saturday. It will look great once I am no longer living about of 3 suitcases. And the pile of bags have all my stuff for my new bed which will be delivered on Saturday too.