Chip and Erin: October 2011

While Chip was in the middle of API, his parents called and asked if we wanted to meet them in Baton Rouge for the LSU-Kentucky football game! We obviously wanted to go (I mean.. who wouldn't?), but we had to see how Chip did on his first two tests before we could commit. Well thanks to God (and Chip's amazing self discipline), he did REALLY good on both tests SO WE WERE ABLE TO GO!!! We were so excited! We both felt like we had been cooped up since he had been in school and being able to see family was just what we needed.

So you would think that I would get a break from having to not be a distraction, BUT I didn't! Chip studied all the way to Baton Rouge while I had to listen to music from my i-Pod, because heaven forbid Chip hear ANYTHING while he studies! Goodness... we know that its hard for me to be that quiet all the time! HAHA!!!! But I am not complaining! I am so proud of how disciplined he has stayed with the API academics! And his studying definitely paid off- he only missed two on his 3rd test, so my sacrifice of staying quiet was well worth it! :)

Once we got to the game, the weather felt amazing! It felt even better when the Tigers pulled out the win, but the best part was that we got to see his parents and spend that one-on-one time with them! Thank yall so much for the much needed get away! We love yall!

On our way to see the Tigers play!

Studying his bootay off!

We have missed Canes, so we had to stop!

Walking up! :)

Our seats!

Thank you both so much!!

Me and my man! :)

We love yall!

I am not gonna get "raccoon eyes"

Wow... I cant believe that it was a year ago that Chip and I left church together nd he asked if I was up for a little roadtrip and I said "YES!" (of course... I am always up for one) and we went... I had no idea where we were heading, but I didnt even care- I was just happy to be with this guy who made me laugh more than anyone ever had before! Well, after a good four hours in the truck, we finally made it! He took me to Petit Jean State Park in Arkansas where he and his family took many family vacations. When we got there, he had to hike quickly down the mountain because the sun was about to go down. This was my very first time to ever hike, but it quickly became one of my favorite things because it was absolutely gorgeous! When we finally got down the mountain, there was a waterfall (another first- I had never seen a waterfall)... I was speechless! It was so pretty!! To make a long story short, he ended up giving me a rose, and he read Proverbs 31 (the proverb of a virtuous woman) along with a letter he typed out... At the end of the letter, he asked me to be his girlfriend and the rest is history! :)

Looking back on a year ago from today, it seems like YEARS ago! Did I honestly think at this time last year- that I would be married? NEVER! But God has some tricks up His sleeve and His provision through it all not only made it possible, but an adventure we will always treasure and be thankful for. We were talking the other night and it's so crazy because we have been dating for a year and been married for almost two months, but we have never been on a one-on-one date to a movie theater! The movie theater... thats like the "typical date", right?! Its not that we dont like the movies, because we both do, but for the past year we have been flying to each other to go on our dates... Our dates have been in Georgetown, Washington DC, Annapolis, and Fredericksburg, Virginia! Who else can say that? Ya know? And I am by no means saying that our relationship was better than somebody else's who just goes on the "typical dates" because it was also very hard at times, but the opportunities that we had through it and the experiences we received in that time was something not a lot of people get to have and we do recognize how blessed we were.

Now that we are settled in Florida and finally calling Pensacola "home", we are finally getting to do the little things that we have been waiting for for the past year- like laying on the couch watching movies, drinking our morning coffee together, cooking and eating together every night at our dining room table... Its all about the little things!

God is so amazing how he causes everything to work! All I know is that I am so blessed to have the husband I do and even more thankful for the God we serve! He never fails! Even when things dont go the way we plan for them to- HE NEVER FAILS!

Our first year of dating is behind us and I cant wait for the journey ahead! Heres a few pictures to recap our first year!