/thoughts: photolog

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

A Texan moves to Kansas

Blogging, right... now that's something I haven't done in quite a while! Maybe not my forte. But I'm getting there and into a groove of my very own as I embark on this time between adolescence and adulthood. It's amazing how time flies and how every wonderful thing has found it's way into my life. So blessed and so undeserving of the amazing things that have happened in just the past few months! Just to hit the highlights:

Graduated from MSU with a B.S. in Chemistry
Started my internship with Blood:Water Mission working at their home office in Nashville
I've moved to Nashville!!
and still busy, busy making wedding arrangements for our wedding in FOUR months!

And I'm so grateful. For everything. I was lucky enough to be able to take a week to visit Josh, the first time I've seen him in two months. While it was hard to say goodbye (it always is), we both know that the sweet life God has for us together is only around the corner. What is 4 months anyway?! I'm convinced that we'll make it just fine.

Anyway, during my visit to Manhattan (KS) the apparent "Storm of the Century" overtook the area. Josh was released from his grad student responsibilities as an official Snow Day was issued for KSU. In all, it probably snowed about 10-15 inches. Here are some photos of our snow day!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Just like autumn leaves, we're in for change

Hello friends!

This past weekend my (then) boyfriend Josh surprised me in Starkville and asked me to marry him! I am elated and can't believe I am Mrs. Joshua Craver in waiting! Unreal. So amazing. I am utterly in awe! We've been so humbled by the love and encouragement shown to us from friends and family. Blessed are we by He who is able to do exceedingly more than we could ask for or think. Thank you to everyone, truly, from the bottom of our hearts.

A day or so after the actual proposal, my fiancé (whoa, that is going to take some getting used to!) and I took some time to enjoy each other in the beauty of autumn in Mississippi. These photos are from our time together at the refuge.

How he proposed...

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Me, unsuspecting in every way, arrived at Waverly Mansion in West Point, MS (see a picture of the place here) under the assumption that I'd be meeting a friend for some photo shooting. I pulled up to the front of this old, beautiful, stoic antebellum home around twilight. The grounds are surrounded by a cast iron fence, and a long walkway leads up the to the front of the mansion. However, I quickly noticed that I was the only one there. I called my friend and he tells me he's parked behind the house and to walk up to the front of the home.

As I get out of my car and head towards the iron gate at the entrance of the grounds, I see Josh standing there and immediately begin to giggle out of pure excitement and surprise! He's been working on his masters degree at K-State and I had thought he was still in Kansas, never even suspecting he would surprise me here in Mississippi. After an exchange of warm greetings, he took my hand and began to lead me up the long pathway illuminated by candles in mason jars to the front of the old antebellum home. I realized quite quickly that this was more than just a friendly reunion.

As we approached the front of the home, I noticed that the path didn't stop, but continued to wind into the backyard where we were encircled by lights strung from the trees above. Ahead in front of us was a bench that held a guitar and flowers (the ones you see above). Admiring the sparking of the lights around me, I sat down and that's when Josh picked up his guitar and began to sing a song very close to our hearts, "Fools Rush In". (I have to say, I'm especially a fan of the Joshua Craver version :) ) During the last few verses of the song, he moved from sitting next to me on the bench and kneeled down in front of me. He finished singing, an exchange of two hearts were made, and that's when he asked me to marry him! Through many happy tears I said yes. Yes!! We were both so overjoyed in that moment! This guy, what a romantic!

My most sincerest thanks and love to my best friend Catherine Craig and her boyfriend Dillon for keeping a close eye on me while helping Josh to decorate the mansion. Also a huge, huge thanks to Bryan Snow for the same and also for getting the permission of his family who actually own the old historic home (way cool, right?) for Josh and I to be there after hours. Y'all are all absolutely amazing and I'm so grateful for the help you've given to Josh to help make that night the most memorable night of my life!

"Take my hand, take my whole life too -

for I can't help falling in love with you."

Hello friends!

How he proposed...

Saturday, November 17, 2012

"Take my hand, take my whole life too -

for I can't help falling in love with you."

Monday, July 30, 2012

Nashville Calling

Wow.. Nashville weekend came and went so quickly! We experienced more on this day in this incredible city than we have thus far. Falan graciously took us up into her humble abode and showed us around her new stomping grounds.We got our pacake on at the Pancake Pantry (a MUST for anyone visiting the area) followed by window shopping where I picked up a $2 copy of "The Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis from this quaint (and bursting at the seams) used book shop.

CREMA on Hermitage Street was a must go to for me personally- and it was a sight to see. Probably the cutest little coffee shoppe I've ever been in, with the nicest people!

From there we checked out Cheekwood Botanical Gardens. The grounds are expansive and featured a really neat tree house exhibit. There were around seven tree houses all of which were inspired by various literary novels. My favorite (shown below) was designed and inspired by "The Giver" by Louis Lowry.

"Things could change... Things could be different. I don't know how, but there must be some way for things to be different. There could be colors."

We ventured next to The Parthenon, a scale model of that in Greece at a local park in downtown Nashville.

And lastly (and most excitingly), we took a tour down Broadway home to Nashville's country music venues and every boot and hat shop imaginable. This is proof of those wanderings.

What a joy to experience this place with two of the most fantastic people I know! :)

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Summertime

And the livin' is easy! It's been lovely spending a quiet summer in Starkville.

Wednesday, June 06, 2012

The Outer Banks, part 2

The very last night we spent at in the Outer Banks, Josh and I were sure to make a trip down to the Avon Pier. Such a fun place to sightsee (not mention walking distance from the beach house) and snap a few photos. Below is the product of our way of wrapping up a relaxing and happy week. Until next year!

Monday, June 04, 2012

The Outer Banks, part 1

It was bonfire night- a night full of roasting marshmallows, chill tunes and just relaxing to the sounds of the crashing ocean waves that surrounded us. There's nothing quite like glow of a fire at dusk. The little guy below is my younger brother, John.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Sucre Live

We took an impromptu trip to Nashville a couple of weekends back to pick up the keys to Falan's new apartment (!!) and were lucky enough to catch one of my recently favorited bands Sucre play a show at 12th and Porter. An awesome venue that lends to a personal concert experience, not to mention the vibes from this band were extraordinary. I loved being this up close and personal to both Stacy King (of Eisley) and Darren King (of Mutemath), and had a blast snapping these shots. Looking forward to more Nashville exploring in the near future!

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Graduation

Congrats to all my 2012 Bulldogs! Graduation was bitter sweet for sure.

Tuesday, January 03, 2012

Diana Mini+

I found this little lady at a local dirt cheap thrift store for - get this - only $15! I was so excited when I first saw it and wondered to myself just how many people must have passed it up before I came along. What a treat for a lomo lover like myself to be able to pick it up! I bought a plastic fisheye lomo a couple of years back and have definitely had my share of fun with it. All I need is some film and I'm ready to go.. photos to come.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Innovation

Pattons adorn the wall of my Grandfather's office at his workplace. His contributions, advances and innovations in the field of chemistry beautifully illustrate a man's life work devoted to his research. He is by far one of the most brilliant men I am blessed to know and call my family.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

A Lazy Afternoon

Somewhere in the heart of East Texas we are relieved to not be in school and are already bored with ourselves in all our newly acquired free time. Hand carved, hand painted Christmas ornaments catch my eye while two brothers play frisbee and revisit their hockey hay-days outside. Photos of the dogs you see below are courtesy of Josh.