3 years married

Three years! It seems like it has flown by. 

We decided in the beginning that for our anniversaries we’d travel instead of give gifts (because for us it’s the ultimate gift really). So this year we drove over to New Orleans (NOLA, the Big Easy, home of the ragin Cajuns). It was amazing. 

Last year we went to Disney (Season Passholders!!! But only for a few more months-boo).

Then of course our first anniversary trip was Chattanooga, TN. Such a great time in Ruby Falls and all around the city. 

I can't believe it's been THREE years. 

Thanks for putting up with me, loving me, being my travel buddy, my shoulder to cry on, my meal ticket, my confidant, my everything. 

-kel

2 years of marriage

This past Sunday Austin and I celebrated two years of being married. Two Years. Time seems to have flown by, because I swear we just had our ceremony like a few months ago.....

Our wedding day is still, hands down, one of the best days of my life. I remember sitting at our dinner table, looking around thinking "So many people that I love all in one room together... my heart could burst!"

Flash forward two years and here we are.... one dog more, different jobs (well for me anyway), a new car (for him) and still living a good life.

Marriage isn't easy (they say).
The first year is the hardest (they say).
The second year is actually the hardest (they say).

And yea... if I'm honest I don't know who *they* are either. But I swear these are things people constantly tell you (right, I mean, you've heard them too, right?!?).

But if I'm being 100% honest, no, marriage isn't easy (good things never are). I've had to learn how to put someone else first. How to make my wants way below his needs. But even still, it hasn't been hard. I married my best friend
 and I feel that when things have gotten difficult, we've talked through it and worked on it together. And that's what makes this relationship of ours so great.

As for the first or the second year being the hardest... eh. They've both been great. I hope they all are. Although, I do find it fun to respond to the  "How's married life?" question with "Well, we haven't killed each other yet." Of course, Austin isn't a fan of me saying this, but I feel like it gets the point across. We're good. We're still alive. We still have our humor.

So where did we celebrate this year???? Disney of course (the same as our honeymoon). And if you know us, yes this is Disney trip #339392 for us, but really who is counting (not us!!!)!

Here's to many more my love!! (Oh, and I will forever love the above photo, because we had just gotten poured on in the Africa part of Animal Kingdom, so we danced and sang "Africa" and then headed to the bar fro drinks.) WIN!

xo, kel

Breckenridge 2018

This year for Spring Break we went to Breckenridge, Colorado (again). The last time we went was this time 4 years ago. I started looking through the photos before we left and it brought back so many memories (and we looked like babies--- how does that happen after just 4 years?). 

 (ps, above photo of my "skiing" is from 4 years ago.....)

While this year I didn't go skiing (I'm that person that has tried soooo many times to like it, but I just can't) I did enjoy a lot of R&R. Lots of naps, three books read, and I had time to wander the city with our friend Amy. Honestly, it was the perfect way to spend my break! 

before the beginning

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.- Ecclesiastes 3:11  

One of the hardest things to do is be patient. Especially for something we really, really want.

Ever since I was little I've been in love with the idea of love. Of finding my other, my lobster. And of course, like almost every other girl (or boy) out there I went through a lot of wrong ones before the right one happened. There were so many times I doubted that I would ever get married, that I would ever find the one I would/could spend my life with. Heck, even when I did find him, I doubted that he could possibly love or want me enough to spend forever with me. 

But as always, God's timing is perfect. 

Six years ago this week I met Austin. The crazy part of the story is that neither one of us remembered this meeting until a mutual friend (who reintroduced us two years later) said something. He and I went with a giant group of friends on a ski trip, including the guy  I was also dating  at the time (which is why he said he didn't really talk to me during the trip (I thought he was just being a jerk)). 

The other day we were talking about how crazy it was that we had met (and then forgot). I told him that part of me was sad about it- that I wish I had broken up with the jerk I was with and then I could have been with him even sooner. He disagreed. He had just gotten out of a relationship and wasn't in any way ready for a new one at that point in time. So fast forward two years later, we are now both single and both in the perfect place to start dating each other. 

God knew. 

I would love to say that I had been patient in knowing God would deliver. That somehow I knew His timing was perfect and He was just waiting for the right one and the right time. But we all know that would be the biggest lie. I wasn't patient. There were so many times I cried myself to sleep because I didn't think I would ever be loved by someone enough for them to want to be my husband. 

Reliving moments like this one though, where I struggled to trust in God's timing, but it was more perfectly planned than I could have dreamed.... it helps. It has reminded me that I still need to have that trust, faith, and patience with other things in my life. Sometimes a no from God isn't a forever no, it's just a not right now. 

And dang, am I glad it wasn't a "right then" answer to prayer. Austin and I met at the perfect time. We were able to create and grow a relationship that could last. We couldn't of had that if we had tried earlier. 

Thank you Lord, for your timing and this lesson. 

xo, kel

our first anniversary trip (photo heavy)

 Since Chattanooga is a pretty far drive for us and the route took us through Atlanta, we decided to stop at The Varsity downtown. I had no clue about this place, since it was my first time in the city, but Austin suggested it and I am so glad he did. Such great food (with awesome views). 

I found out later that my grandfather (mom's dad) use to visit this place all the time when he attended Georgia Tech. I never knew my grandfather (he died 2 years or so before I was born) so having this place to "share" was really an amazing experience!

 Our hotel, The Read House, was absolutely gorgeous! It looked like it was out of the 1920's. Of course the first night we were there, we came back from dinner and heard a ghost tour going on. Austin and I refused to look up anything until we left, but the last night we (okay, really it was me) caved and looked up the haunted stories. Turns out our floor (the 4th floor) was haunted, as is the room 311 (where Al Capone once stayed while awaiting federal trial). 

 As we toured downtown, we noticed a lot of decorated and art decor in alleys. Turns out there was a competition.... and this one above was also one of the winners. We didn't find/explore any others but this one. 

The second day (first full day) we were there, we decided to go up to Lookout Mountain by way of the incline train. The photo of me above is from the top, where you can see 7 states!!!! I still can't get over the impressive views. 

 Okay, so you can't really tell here, but if you look straight up (middle of the photo) to where the mountain meets the horizon, you can see a building. That's where the cable car for the incline train takes you. It looks awesome until you notice the almost straight upward incline it makes at the very end. I'm not going to lie, it was intense.

 The views from the incline train as it takes you up are pretty breath taking. Of course, nothing beats the views from the top......

Later in the day (after my legs stopped feeling like jelly) we headed over to Ruby Falls. The whole experience in those caves were incredible. 

Then, because we still hadn't done enough in our day, we went to the Tennessee Aquarium.  This place is huge!!! There's a massive building for river animals and then another for ocean animals. Of course my phone died and my camera battery was also on it's last leg, so I didn't get as many photos as I wanted. However, Austin and I took the time just to enjoy being out of the heat and seeing all the amazing animals. I have to admit, one thing I love about us as a couple (and especially as a partner in Austin) is that we love doing tours and learning. Even on our honeymoon we tried to do the same thing. We are such nerds (and I absolutely love that)!!!

 This is a horrible photo of me, but I had to capture it. So as soon as I walked into the butterfly area, one landed right on my shoulder. I wasn't entirely sure how to get it off either, so it just stayed there and hung out for awhile. 

 These above photos are really the best in honor of shark week (one of my favorites)!!!

The little sea creature above is now one of my favorites. It's called a sea walnut and it is by far one of the coolest organisms I have ever seen. You can see the entire organism (inside and out) and it lights up rainbow colors as well. I can't explain it in great enough detail, so just go visit the link and see all about it for yourself (you can thank me later).

A friend of mine suggested this amazing coffee house, Rembrandt's. It was seriously amazing- the coffee, the food- everything. I wanted to go back every single day (so we went back twice).

 #jeeplife baby

 Our last full day we went to Rock City. Of course silly me not only didn't bring my camera but I also wore sandals. How do I always manage to wear sandals on the days we walk the most??!?! So be forewarned, if you plan to go to Rock City, yes it has shops, but it is mainly trails. Wear sneakers (ha!)

 The swinging bridge above is one of the scariest things I've ever done. This is probably in part to the dad in front of me walking on the outside of the planks instead of the middle..... if I could've turned back I might have....

Such an amazing trip! I loved every minute of it!!!
So now we're trying to figure out where to go next year!!!!! Any suggestions??

xoxo, kel