{this moment}

{this moment} - A (beginning) Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Worked on some planning...

Being the weird crazy person I am, I made a large, abnormal "Wedding Organizor." Many call this a scrapbook which is natural since it is in a scrapbook book. however, this organizor is a source of timesline, pictures, lists, and so much more. I decided to make this instead of buying a "normal" organizor since I could not find one that I loved. Therefore, I created my own wonderful source of organizational wonder.

Tonight, I spend time going through my timeline. I was actually able to mark off many of the expected items to complete in the months behind me. I was proud persay. I thought there had not been much done at all and that the thoughts were all still in my head. Well, technically, the thoughts remain in my head. However, a good amount of the larger items are completed.

For example:

1. Site: First Baptist Church for the ceremony and reception.

2. Photographer: the great and wonderful Jena Leigh.

--> We have taken our engagements already and those weren't on the list for a few more months!!

3. Wedding dress bought!

--> I spend most of the month of March in search and worry about finding a dress. Turns out I found my dress, and it fits perfect!! I may not even have to have alterations :)

4. Register

--> When Jordan was in Ruston in March, we registered. Got that taken care of fast and was able to figure out all the colors of our future home. (One day I will write about the experience!)

See, 4 HUGE things done! After going through my organizor, I felt a sense of relief. I felt the "wow" in the process up to this point. We are on schedule and the time is going fast! Only 6 1/2 months till the wedding! WHOA!!!

To end for today: I feel accomplished and less overwhelmed. Our wedding will come here faster than we realize and this organizor will hopefully keep us in line! (Hopefully is a GREAT word!)

In Him forever.

On the road...

Biscuits & Gravy:

To begin a great day ahead, we started with a hearty southern breakfast. O, the joy of coffee with biscuits and gravy. This should become a tradition in the futureBradley home! (Well, I will drink the coffee.)

On the road:

We are in Chipley, Florida for a "family" wedding. In all technicality, they are not family by blood but by heart. We have known the Locke's since I was born. Therefore, they are family to us.

Mother, Father, Patrick and I traveled 8 hours yesterday. Through my birth town of Mobile, Alabama. We actually ate next to my birthplace:

If you squint you eyes, you will see "Springhill Medical Center." This is the place I was born. Every time we go through Mobile, we always search for this place. I never got a chance to take a picture till yesterday when we ate lunch at Cracker Barrel for a late afternoon lunch. Now, everyone can look over the place in awe and thanksgiving for the bringing of me into this world!

As soon as we arrive, we stop by Wal-Mart. Then, we hit up the rehearsal dinner. Aaron took a bad fall at the rehearsal. Therefore, we had a little time on our hands. Patrick got musical...

Finally, everyone arrives. We eat a great meal!! Aaron ended up going to the Emergency Room last night to get his knee checked out. No worries, he will be able to stand during his wedding today! Thank the LORD!

Now, time to get ready and go to a family wedding!

In Him,

Emma

Parentals are HOME!

I have just returned from picking up the parentals from the Monroe airport! For those of you who know me pretty well know that I don't usually stay up this late. This must mean I really LOVE them! And maybe I missed them just a tad :)

I am glad they made it back safely. They definitely came back with more bags than they went. I learn that it is because they brought a TON of Catie's stuff home for her. Therefore, 90% of the stuff in their luggage was not even theirs! My parents are GREAT packers!

Well, tomorrow, the family is off to Florida for a wedding! We are some hardcore travelers. :) We are very excited about this small trip.

Pray for safe travel!

In Him,

Emma

Hair cut!

Jordan cut his hair!

Actually, he did it himself! Impressed? cause I am!

Work began again today. It was great to back in the swing of things. With my parents being out of country at the moment, I have kind of not had much to do. So, it was nice to do more than just sit on the couch or homework! Good thing I enjoy my job :)

We had our engagement pictures taken when Jordan was in town in March. We wanted to go ahead and take them so we could make our Save-the-Date cards to send out in May. We LOVE the pictures. We think Jena Leigh did a great job. She worked really well with our idea of using this old vintage looking frame. Go to (http://jenaleigh.com) and click on view your proofs to see them all...

Well, now it is time for a paper. I have to remember the end in site! Then, I hopefully will not be writing papers for a long time!

In Him,

Emma

Life to the Fullest

Well, I am not sure why I stopped writing. I loved it for the short time I did it. Then, I just stopped. Hmmm.... I am ridiculous.

Well, life has changed quite a bit; where do I begin...

Let me start with what I am doing: I work at Cedar Creek Kindergarten as a teacher's aide. I LOVE my job. I get to hang out with kids all day and help the teachers. It is quite perfect for me in the between of what is happening. I have enjoyed getting to know 42 new faces as well as becoming great friends with the other aides and teachers. It has definitely been a blessing!

Next, I am getting my Masters of Arts in Teaching for PK-3. I didn't think I wanted to do this at first. However, the Lord definitely provided for me. With working with the Kindergarten, I learned it is what I really want to do. I love seeing the children grow from not being able to read to reading full books! I love seeing and hearing their stories everyday! I am so thankful that the Lord brought me into the program! One day, I hope to have my own classroom. O the JOY!

So I keep myself pretty busy with work and school! But the biggest news of all is that I AM ENGAGED!

Yes. It is true. The Lord truly brought us together.

It all began last May. If you think about it, it actually started 4 years ago when we first met. Jordan (Bradley) and I met when I went to Ames, IA to help Catie at a children's camp. We became friends and stayed that way over the years. We didn't talk that much over the years except once or twice. We had two separate lives. I was in Ruston beginning college and he was in Ames beginning his.

So, to continue the story... This all begins last May. Jordan was in the same place as my sister doing 6 months of mission work and taking 6 months off of school. Catie tells me he is there several times, but I was consumed with my own life at that point (with graduating from college and all). ON graduation day, I was skyping with Catie and Jordan happens to show up in the video. They were all at her apt for the night. So, I write on his facebook wall that it was nice to see him and that I hope he is having a good time with my sister. Well, that started it all. We begin facebook messaging. Then, since facebook is quite a hassle, we began emailing. Jordan came back stateside in July. The emailing continued until we decided to watch Lost together. I had watched all the seasons from the urging of Jordan and I was on Season 4. This is when we began to talk on the phone as well as videochat.

On September 12, Jordan asked if "we can define what we are doing!" This is when we started dating. We knew it would be hard. Being so far apart and trying to have a relationship. We had one thing down for sure though: Communication! We knew this Long Distance Relationship (LDR) would be worth it though.

Our first time to see us would not be until Thanksgiving Break. It was a rough wait. We hadn't seen each other in person in over 4 years! However, the wait was worth it. Being together felt so right and it was great to be with him in person instead of on a computer screen. We spent over a week together and he was my date to Caroline's wedding.

This time together was when we began talking about marriage. We KNEW the Lord brought us together. 2 1/2 months later, we are engaged!!!

I will graduate with my Masters on November 20. Jordan graduates with his degree this May 8. Our wedding is this November 27, 2010!!!

Now, there just seems to be so much to do with little time to do it! haha. Just Kidding! I have this amazing wedding organizer that is keeping everything together! Plus, I have the best friends and family a girl could ask for!

I am really going to try my best to keep this updated from here on out!! There is still so much to tell, but my homework needs to get done!!

In Him,

Emma