"Meant to Bee" Bridal Shower

This past weekend, my mom and I threw a bridal shower for a childhood friend of mine. We had so much fun planning her shower that I had to share with you all how it turned out. We decided to use the theme "Meant to Bee" and added touches here and there to help express our theme. 

Entry table as the guests walked in to the Country Club

Guest tables

Centerpieces

I just loved the little heart confetti made out of pages from books. It definitely added a lovely touch to our centerpieces. 

Advice cards for each guest to fill out for the soon-to-be bride 

This table was our advice and well wishes table. We had a bowl for the guests to leave their advice cards in the for the bride and also a bowl for the guests to leave their favorite recipe for Lauren to start her own recipe book. We sent the recipe cards out in the invitations so that the guests had plenty of time to decide on a recipe and fill out their card.

Going along with our "Meant to Bee" theme, we chose customizable honey jars as our favors to send home with each guest.

Favors

Advice bowl on the left

Recipe card bowl behind Lauren's new recipe book

One of our favorite things was our dessert table! I mean, who doesn't love desserts?

In the back you will see chocolate covered oreos that my mom made herself with rose petals on the top. I am so sad I didn't get an unclose picture of the oreos. They were ADORABLE! And equally as delicious!

We served cake, cake pops, chocolate covered pretzels, petit fours, macarons, and jelly beans on the dessert table. 

 The food table consisted of tea sandwiches, fruit, mint tea punch, and lemonade. 

The gift table before the shower began

Even though mom and I had so much fun planning this shower for the past few months, we were equally as excited to see it all come together. 

Lauren and her sweet Momma

Well wishes to the "bride-to-bee!"

[Details of where we purchased everything to come]

Our Little Bundle of Joy

First came love... Then came marriage...

NOW comes a baby in a baby carriage!

Lee and I celebrated our 3rd Anniversary on April 30th. That morning, I found out that I was pregnant!!! What better way to celebrate an anniversary than with the news that we will be having our first baby!!

It seemed like FOREVER before Lee came home that night. Truly the LONGEST hours of my life! I couldn't wait to share the special news with Lee the minute he got home. I had wrapped up my pregnancy test and let him open it. I told him I had gotten him an anniversary present so he was completely off guard. Although it took him a second to realize just exactly what it was, he was ECSTATIC!!! Definitely made for the best anniversary yet!

It was only a few weeks before Mothers Day when we found out, so we decided to wait to tell our parents until Mothers Day.

We gave these little gifts to our parents on Mothers Day to share our special news. To say they were excited would be an understatement!

There is no better way to ring in the New Year...

Baby Blankenship will be here in the beginning of January! 

"For every good and perfect gift comes from above..." James 1:17

Another Year Down

I can't believe another year has come and gone... pretty soon I'm going to stop celebrating birthdays and stay the same age. That's acceptable, right?!

Birthdays around our house are never forgotten! And this year was no exception.. my husband just might be awarded the sweetest husband award... 

He started working on my birthday present last FALL! Yes, you read that correctly... 4 months before my birthday month even came... he was already on the ball with getting me the perfect present. 

Last football season, a mom of one of our players had the most adorable hand-stitched Beggs Demon quilt. It was not only gorgeous but so warm!! And those of you who share in the friday night light experience with me in Oklahoma, you know how important warmth is once the playoffs arrive! This past year we had one game that I seriously thought my feet might not regain feeling... ever again. Thankful that was not the case.

Anywho, Lee remembered how much I loved the mother's quilt and went about finding how to have one made specifically for me. The grandmother of this same player gracious made me a gorgeous spirit filled quilt. 

Hand-made quilting is a dying art and I am SO excited to be able to have one of my own to pass down for generations.

This beauty will most definitely be frequently visiting baseball and football games!

That night, Lee took me out to my favorite restaurant and a movie. We had a fun date night and a great ending to a special birthday. 

Our Story: Part 3

I absolutely loved wedding plans. The options numerous and the possibilities endless. Thankfully our families were from the same area and not much travel was needed to get everyone there for the big day.

My brother was away at Medical School and we were adamant that he be there for our special day. He had three dates that he would be able to come home... so we quickly decided and the date was set. 

Eleven months later... we were MARRIED! 

Lee & I on the church steps after the ceremony

Our wedding cake under a live floral chandelier

 April 30, 2011 was a night we will never forget. So much fun and laughter. We wouldn't trade the memories we made with our family and friends for anything.

We had to postpone our honeymoon trip because spring football was in full swing and finals were upon me at the University of Arkansas.

Our first few months of marriage were CRAZY BUSY to say the least.

Lee had accepted his first head coaching position. We were packing up my apartment, his rental house and moving everything to our new home in Gore, Oklahoma. But that wasn't the extent of the craziness. On top of it all, we decided to remodel our new home in Gore before we moved in. Mass chaos describes that summer perfectly.

When we won our first District Championship (excuse the blurry photo)

After serving the Lord for two years in Gore, Lee and I felt the Lord leading us to a new town. In January of 2013, Lee accepted the Head Coaching position in Beggs, Oklahoma. 

We were nervous and excited all at the same time. We knew the Lord had lead us here and were certain it was where He wanted us to be. 

You know you are walking in the Lord's will and direction when everything falls into place perfectly. There were so many miracles (yes, true miracles) that happened in the Spring of 2013 with Lee and I. Everything from finding a home, to my graduation from the University of Arkansas. That semester is one I will always credit to the Lord. He taught me so many things in those short few months that I pray I will never forget. My God is truly good ALL the time.

Lee coaching the Beggs Demons to another Victory in the fall of 2013

We have finally finished remodeling our second home (yes, we ventured into another remodel despite the chaos it brought two years earlier) and couldn't feel more at home than we do here in Beggs. Having grown up in a city, I never understood the small community environment as well as I do now. I love being a part of a town that genuinely cares for one another. I am proud and excited to see what the Lord does in the years to come here in Beggs. 

The Lord's plans have only begun to unfold for this country boy and city girl. May the Lord shine His light through us to a generation in need of His Truth. 

Living our lives 100 yards of love at a time,

Our Story: Part 2

After bombing the first date, I declined him for a second. I had a wedding to go to that day so it worked out perfect (or so I thought)…

A week had past and no word from the coach since I declined his second date request. I was perplexed as to why he wasn’t still contacting me—this hadn’t ever happened before.

I had come home for the weekend and was sitting in my mom’s classroom as I looked out the window only to find Lee staring right back at me. It was the most awkward window wave I have ever given.

So very politely, Lee came into the classroom and said hello. Another fellow teacher (who was our same age) was in my mother’s classroom at the same time. It appeared as if I had declined Lee’s invitation in favor of “the other guy.” Little did Lee know that wasn’t an issue! You could cut the air in that classroom with a knife that afternoon; however, being the southern gentleman that he is, Lee was very nice and polite regardless.

As I watched from the window the football team load the bus for the game, I remember pulling out my phone wondering if Lee would text again. After much deliberation, I decided to be friendly and let him know I hoped he did well in his game and that I would be praying for him.

Lee coaching in the fall of 2009

Lee had the opportunity to coach his cousin during his senior year in 2009 (These were the days when Lee didn't cut his hair during football season)

He was persistent and asked me out again the following evening. This time, it was on my “turf,” the tennis court. After showing him the ropes on the court, (lets take a minute and not forget who won that game! Whoop Whoop! It’s the only sport I can even come close to competing with him in) we walked around the local park and got to know each other a little bit better.

After that night, there has yet to be a weekend go by that we haven’t spent it together.

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Only 7 short months later, Lee proposed! But not in any ole way… he went ALL OUT!

I had warned him that he better do it right, or I would make him do it again… and he took me seriously!

Lee conspired and got both of our families in on the action. It was May of 2010 and we were all headed on a fun filled family vacation to Walt Disney World! The most magical place of all! I LOVE Disney and was pumped to be heading down to Florida that spring.

Lee’s family is very spread out. His sisters ranged from age 7 to 16 at the time, so it was no surprise that we would choose Disney World as the destination. His sisters had never been to Disney and it had been years since I was there.

The first full day we were at Disney we started out with a character breakfast. It was so much fun! I mean, who doesn’t want to eat breakfast with Pluto?! At the end of breakfast, all the ladies ran to powder our noses quickly before we headed out for more excitement in Magic Kingdom. When I came back, Lee was gone and in his place was an envelope addressed to me. 

I quickly opened the envelope and began to read the news that Snow White had sent her dwarfs to capture Lee because she was no longer the fairest maiden in the land since I had arrived. After reading the details in the letter, I set out to "free" Lee through accomplishing several tasks throughout Magic Kingdom.

The minute I arrived to my next stop, a Disney employee would bring me my next clue. It was I was in a dream--out to capture my prince.

Lee's sisters helped me with my hunt

After several hours of hunting and performing crazy tasks, it finally hit me--he's going to propose!!! I was so excited when I finally found him at Cinderella's castle holding a beauty bouquet of flowers shaped like a pillow with a glass slipper and tiara on top. My eyes were going to and fro searching for that diamond ring!!! Yet it wasn't there..........

After we all took pictures and I realized that it was all over and THAT. WAS. IT.

Lee mentioned that we should all go back to our rooms and take a nap before we headed out to dinner. A nap?! Really?! We are in DISNEY WORLD!!! I thought to myself... in between my self-lecturing about how I won't be "that girl" who is mad because she didn't get a ring. I was going to be happy and thankful that I had a guy who would go to such measures just to bring a smile to my face.

After everyone napped, we headed to dinner.

While at dinner, it started STORMING outside. The storms seemed to make everyone uneasy, except me. I couldn't figure out why everyone was so uptight about the issue. We could ride the tram back to our hotel on Disney property and never have to step foot outside. I obviously had no idea what was in store for our evening plans...

After dinner, we headed out to a boat dock in which we boarded a yacht. If any of you have been to Magic Kingdom, you know there is a river in the front of the Kingdom from which you can get excellent views of the nightly firework show over Cinderella's Castle. (Side note: I had always wanted to be Cinderella every since I was a little girl. Cindy was always my favorite Disney Princess)

The Yacht's surround system was linked into Disney's Wishes firework show and the music that accompanied. We relaxed and enjoyed the ride along the river and then the fireworks show started. It was magical! It doesn't matter how many times you watch the Disney firework show, it's always spectacular!

About half-way through the Wishes show, Jiminy Cricket says "if you just believe, dreams really do come true." It was at that point that Lee dropped to one knee and asked me to marry him. And of course I said YES!!! It couldn't have been more perfect. All of our family was there and we were ENGAGED!

God knew what He was doing when He let this city girl fall deeply in love with a crazy country boy. 

Our Story: Part 1

It all started back in the summer of 2009.

I was a student at the University of Arkansas, but was home for summer break. The private high school that had I graduated from had a teaching position open and had asked my mother if she would like to come and fill the teaching spot. [Keep in mind, my mother hadn’t had an “employed” job since I was born and before that it was in an Children’s Hospital, not a classroom]. So after much deliberation, (and me begging my mom to take the job—with no real reason except I thought it would keep her busy and would be fun) she finally accepted the position and became the new teacher on the block.

Little did I know what that year would have in store for me….

In the mid-October of that same year, I received a random phone call from a former teacher of mine (who at this point now has a classroom next door to my mother).

She was calling to tell me that she had given my phone number to the new football coach. I was speechless. I didn’t know the new coach, I hadn’t met the new coach (or at least didn’t remember—he later told me that I had met him- oops!) and I had most definitely never entertained the idea of a blind date! I felt as if she just handed me over to a complete stranger. And being the small school, small community environment that it was, I most definitely couldn’t be rude and say no! So here I was… in what I thought at the time was  a MAJOR problem.

Within a few hours of received the news, I received a text message from this “new coach.” He told me how he had received my number and then proceeded to invite me to his varsity football game that evening in my hometown.

So I grabbed my girl friends and headed out to my alma mater for an incredibly awkward football game. My friends thought the whole situation was hilarious. Yet, I was in a sheer sweat throughout the whole game at the mere thought of the whole ordeal.

The night ended fairly painlessly until the “new coach” asked me to go out that Saturday night. Of course I had to at least give the guy a chance, right?

Side note: before I continue, I must inform you all that I am most definitely a city girl. 

I wore heels and lipstick, and was never seen otherwise.

So the next day rolls around and the “new coach” calls because he was lost and couldn’t find my house. While on the phone, he warns me that he is wearing cowboy boots. I told him that was fine, but in my head I was thinking “who wears cowboy boots on a date?” (see—told you I was a city girl!)

After finally figuring out where he was, he picked me up and we headed out for an evening out on the town. 

Little did I know this would be my LAST first date…

To Be Continued...

Check back soon for what 

happened next with the city girl & the country boy...

Oh Fall, How We've Missed You

One of my favorite things about football season is getting to see my family every weekend. With living farther away, and everyone's crazy schedules it is often times hard to get together throughout the year. However, thankfully my parents LOVE football and love coming to support Lee and I at our games. I love having them there helping me cheer on our Golden Demons to victory. Plus, I get my handy Dad to the house every weekend to help me with what I now call "Daddy-Do-Lists." Jackpot! My father is extremely handy and I have taken fully advantage of his talents lately. Bless his heart, maybe one day he can have a completely relaxing trip to see us- Ha! =)

And with football comes the FALL! Lee and I think this is definitely the best time of the year. Sweatshirts get pulled out of the closet, cow bells dinging at ball games and the colors changing in the trees bring smiles to all who see. With the sight of the holidays are just around the corner, how could anyone not love the fall? I also think our love for the fall has a little something to do with the fact that we originally met in the fall. Corny, maybe, but it's definitely brought even more fond feelings towards this time of the year in our home.

Our First Fall Together

Now that our house is becoming a home and boxes have disappeared, we are truly able to relax a little more with the small amount of time that we do have together at home lately. No more dreading unpacking in our "spare time." Hallelujah!

So for now, I'll break out the blankets, grab a cup of cocoa and enjoy the beautiful weather the Lord has blessed us with yet again. Hello Fall, oh how we have missed you.

More Than the Ewy-Gooey

Today marks the second anniversary of the day I said "I do" to my best friend. I can't believe how FAST time has gone past... I wouldn't trade even one day of the past two years for anything! My husband is much more than just a spouse, he is my spiritual leader, provider, companion, my best friend. He makes me laugh every day and wipes away my tears on the painful ones. He never lets a day go past without telling me just how much I mean to him. He loves me for me. 

Finally Mr & Mrs

At Our Reception

Over the past two years, may obstacles have been thrown our way. Through the challenges, we've grown closer together. Our three stranded cord is ever growing stronger. It's only through the fire that precious metal can be refined. Although the world around us may be spinning out of control, I know one thing is constant-- the Lord will never leave us nor forsake us. For He has called us for a reason and although life may not always make sense to us, it is always clear in His eyes. 

One of our Engagement Pictures

"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." Jeremiah 29:11

On our Honeymoon in Maui

The Lord has brought us so far in just two years. We've moved twice and are preparing for a third move. I've learned what being a coaches wife is really all about-- the movies don't even begin to show a glimpse! I've learned how to become a "country girl" instead of my instinctive city roots. I've made hundreds of shakers for dozens of football games. I've learned how to love people despite their actions. I've learned to have selective hearing in the stands on friday nights. Ha! But most of all, the Lord is teaching me to see things through His eyes. To trust Him in all circumstances. To relinquish my controlling instinct into His ever-loving hands. 

Central Park

"But you are a chosen race, A royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." 1 Peter 2:9

District Champs!

So here's to two of the most amazing years of our lives. May the Lord use us in the next few years to spread His Light to an uprising generation that is in desperate need of His love. 

"I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living." Psalms 27:13