Our Love Story

In honor of Valentine's day, here's our love story...thanks to Becky at From Mrs. to Mama for this fun idea!

1. How long have you and your significant other been together?
Scott and I met in January 0f 2008 and started dating pretty quickly after that.

2. How did you meet? {What's your "love" story?}
Well, this is a two part story :) I guess we "officially" met in December of 2007. After finals were over, I went out with several of my friends to the Piano Bar. Scott didn't get off work until 11pm at the time, so by the time he met up with some of his friends there... Well, let's just say I was having a lot of fun. I remember asking one of his roommates about him when he got there, but he was too slow to make a move that night (and actually ended up buying drinks for one of my friends!). Fast forward to January 2008 - He and his roommates had a keg party at their house. One of his roommates was dating one of my sorority sisters at the time, so a bunch of us headed over there to hang out. We were re-introduced and then spent most of the night talking sports, and I guess the rest is history :)

3. If married, how long have you been married? If not, is this the guy you hope to marry? {do tell}
Married almost two years! (March 20, 2010)

4. If you are married, where did you get married at? Big or small wedding? If not, where would you like to get married? And will it be big or small?
It was definitely a big wedding and a big party. We were married in his parent's church in Hot Springs, Arkansas and had or reception at the Hot Springs Country Club.

5. Do you have any nick-names that you call one another? Do share!
Uhhh, yeah. Definitely have nicknames. But they're way too mushy and ridiculous to share here!

6. Name 3 things you love most about your honey.
one. He can always make me smile and laugh.
two. He goes out of his way to do things that make my life easier. He is so wonderful about cooking or cleaning - especially when I'm busy with work and studying. I probably don't tell him enough how much I truly appreciate him doing those kind of things.
three. He loves to give gifts and compliments :) I'm a lucky girl!

7. Tell us how he proposed? Or your ideal proposal?
I think we might have the BEST proposal story! During the fall of my senior year of college, I studied abroad in Italy. Since we knew that four months apart was going to be WAY too long, we planned a trip for us to meet up in Paris in October. Well, before I left, everyone kept saying he was going to propose... And I was really not sure if we were ready for all that yet. I even made him promise that he wouldn't! But that was all before I left.

About a month into me being in Italy (so in September), I knew that he was going to be the guy that I would marry. Something about being apart really made it clear to me (even though I think he had already known for a while). Well, then I started changing my tune about not getting engaged... But he had me completely convinced that it was not going to happen then. Okay, so then in October, we finally met up in Paris. We had a wonderful week of sight seeing and exploring the city. On Thursday, October 8, 2008, we went to a wonderful restaurant blocks from the Eiffel Tower. We had actually been over that way earlier in the day, but Scott said he wanted to see it at night so that we could look at the city all lit up. After dinner, we went up to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Now, if you haven't been to the Eiffel Tower, the very top is completely enclosed and has florescent lighting - not very romantic. So after a few minutes of looking around, Scott suggested that we go down to the second level. I still didn't really know what was going on, so I was just following along. Anyway, we go down to the second level, and it is absolutely beautiful! I was loving the view of the city and enjoying seeing it with Scott - and then he started getting really quiet. So, he is afraid of heights. And I just assumed he was getting nervous... So here I am trying to comfort him because I think he's nervous... And then he starts saying all these wonderful things. And then he asked me to be his wife! It was so perfect, and I am so glad that we were able to enjoy the moment - just the two of us.

8. Is he a flowers and teddy bear kind of guy for v-day, or strawberries, champagne, and rose petals?
All of the above :) He loves to surprise me!

9. Are you a sunset dinner on the beach kind of girl, or pop a movie in and relax on the couch?
I absolutely love a sunset dinner on the beach, but I don't mind a movie night at home either.

10. Tell us one thing you'd like to do with your significant one day. If you could do anything? Go anywhere?
I would love to travel to pretty much anywhere. Right now, I'd love a trip to Napa Valley in the fall or to go back to Europe and show Scott all the places that I got to see while studying abroad.

11. Tell us what you plan on doing on this Valentine's Day.
Scott is cooking us dinner at home. We went out for a date night last Saturday.

12. Are you asking for anything this Valentine's day?
I've hinted at a few things, but we'll see what I get!

13. Give us one piece of advice of keeping a relationship strong and full of love.
Wake up everyday choosing to be in love. And communication, communication, communication!

14. Show us a picture of what love means to you.

Have a happy Valentine's Day yall! xoxo!

September 11th

Ten years. Has it really been ten years? Ten years since the life of every American changed forever. Ten years since September 11th didn't just mean my birthday.

Ten years ago was my fifteenth birthday. Prior to that day, a birthday had never meant anything but parties, presents, excitement, and celebration. I went to school that morning and couldn't have been more excited to go to armband night at the White County Fair with friends after school. And then everything changed.

I was in Mr. Wood's geometry class when we heard the news. All that I really remember from that day at school was that I was scared and then angry. Scared of what something that I could have never imagined would mean for my life, for the lives of family and friends, and for our country. I remember being angry - how and why would anyone do something so terrible to "The Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave"? I was so naive. There was so much about the world outside of my country that I did not understand.

After school, my friends and I still went to the fair. I remember the crazy lines at the gas stations on the way to the fairgrounds. I remember being given white ribbons to wear by one of the churches with a giveaway booth. I remember being so proud to be an American as our country bonded together in a way that I had not seen before or since. We were all patriots of our great country - regardless of political affiliation.

As a ninth grader, I quickly learned about the Middle East, terrorists, and that not everyone felt the way that we did about the United States. I think this was the first time that I'd ever thought about life in the current day outside of my own little world. I believe that this change is the reason that I felt so strongly about studying abroad during college. I realized how important it was to understand the lifestyle and thought processes of other countries and cultures.

Today, I celebrate my 25th birthday. I can hardly believe that it's possible that I have reached a quarter of a century. I can honestly say that this is the first birthday since 2001 that it seems like I shouldn't be celebrating... Not that I haven't year a million times how horrible it must be to have 9/11 be my birthday. As I turned on the tv this morning, I watched in awe as the names of all who died that day were read. Today is a day to remember the tragedy that occurred on that day, but I feel that it should also be a day to celebrate. Celebrate the heroes that gave their lives so that others could live. Celebrate the men and women of the military, and their families, who have voluntarily put themselves in harms way so that others can enjoy freedom. Celebrate our great country and the freedoms that we enjoy on a daily basis - and that we are able to continue to celebrate birthdays :)

So on this day, September 11th, 2011, as we take time to count our blessings remember, let's also take time to celebrate.

New Spring Wreath

Now that Arkansas's football season is officially over, I felt like it was time to put away the Razorback football wreath that I made here. I was looking to make something to carry us past the end of winter and through spring. I really wanted to make a wreath out of deco poly mesh, but I have not been able to find it (in non Christmasy colors) anywhere in Northwest Arkansas! So I made another one out of ribbon.

I really like the way that this one turned out - and it should last us until summer! Take a look:

Let me know what you think! And for directions on how I made it look here. And if you have any idea where to find the deco poly mesh around here - I wanna know!!

A Look Back at 2010

So, I realize that we're almost a full week into 2011 now, but I've been wanting to do a "Year in Review". So anyway, here it is... Better late than never! Right??

January:
The year started off with a fun new year's celebration with Scott's parents. And I have absolutely no pictures of it. I also started the last semester of my Masters of Accountancy! We started a great tradition this year as well - we all got together for for an after Christmas white elephant party.

All the girls at the party. I cannot believe how little the babies are!!

February:
Busy, busy, busy. When I wasn't wedding planning, I was studying... Or was it when I wasn't studying I was wedding planning? Either way, we were busy! All I know is that I spent a lot of time with these guys:

Me, Eric, Lindsay, and Paige at a MAcc Happy Hour

March:
Well, nothing slowed down this month :) It started off with the end of bridal showers

Lots of my fabulous friend at the shower in Fayetteville

And then we had the Bachelorette party (#2) in Fayetteville

Then, we FINALLY got MARRIED!

I just love this shot of us right before we left the reception
(photo by Beaty Photography)

And after the wedding, off we were to Mexico!

One very happy girl with her margarita.

And after the longest two days of trying to get back into the US (ugh... long story), it was back to reality.

April:
We moved into our new apartment! And my name from my undergraduate degree was finally on senior walk :)

I'm official!!

May:
GRADUATION!! But I refuse to say my final graduation... I'm just crazy enough to go back to school again.

Me walking across the stage.

June:
Busy summer began. Lots of waiting tables, studying for the CPA exam, and attempting to have a somewhat normal life. Here's a picture of us during Four Ball:

July:
More working, studying, and trying to have some kind of life. I can't find pictures of anything fun or exciting that we did... And I'm not too surprised. We did go to a Naturals game on the 4th with my parents and had a great time watching the game and fireworks!

August:
Football season was finally here again!

Me, Madalene, and Christine tailgating

September:
My birthday, more football, and starting my first big-girl job (aka getting a big-girl paycheck! woo hoo!)

Tailgating with the girls before the Alabama game!

October:
Scott's birthday!

All of his presents from me :)

And, of course, more football! I also passed my first section of the CPA exam!

November:
Even more football!

Erin and me tailgating before the coldest game ever.

We also got to celebrate the first birthday of our favorite little girl! Can you believe she's the same girl that was a teeny tiny baby in the first picture?!? I cannot get over how much she's changed in the past year!

Peevy and Gracyn with the painting done by my friend Allyson.
(ps go check out Allyson's blog to see her awesome art!!)

December:
We wrapped up the year with office parties, lots of family time, and getting to celebrate our first married Christmas together.

John, one of our Partners, in his elf costume
during my office's Wii Tournament Christmas Party.

Our first married (itty bitty) Christmas tree!

So there was our year: very busy and lots of firsts! I know that we will always look back and cherish our first year being married. I absolutely cannot wait to see everything that the next year holds for us: first anniversary, passing the CPA exam (fingers crossed!!), and Scott looking forward to a new career :) Stay tuned for updates!

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Grises! (is that the right way to pluralize my last name? It so doesn't look right to me! haha)

Christmas Blog Challenge - Day 3

Back again! This might just be a new record for me for blog postings :) Took the Audit section of the CPA exam this morning.... Hope it went well enough that I don't have to study that crap ever again!

I'm linking up again with analyze this for the 12 Days of Christmas Blog Challenge!

Day 3: Most meaningful gift/best gift you've received

This one is a little difficult for me! As I've gotten older, the definition of meaningful or best gift has changed dramatically. So, I'll narrow it down a little bit to current years... (otherwise, I'm pretty sure that my 5 year old self will jump out and tell you about this awesome bike that I got - I loved that dang thing!)

Last year for Christmas, Scott got me a pair of diamond earrings. Okay, so that sounds kinda boring, but honestly, I love them. I've worn them every single day since he got them for me... except for one. Funny story actually. On our wedding day, I was getting ready to head to the salon, and I couldn't find one of the earrings. I'm talking I tore the hotel room apart, sat in the floor, and then I cried. It was terrible - I was for sure being a diva. Not necessary, even on my wedding day. After I got myself to stop crying, I realized that even if I lost my favorite diamond earrings, that it didn't matter at all. Because later that evening, I was going to get to marry the most wonderful man in the entire world. Nothing was going to change that - not even losing an earring.

And from that point on, the day was perfect. I wasn't nervous at all. I was so excited, and I got the opportunity to enjoy every minute of the day (and not get caught up in minor details). And I am so incredibly grateful to have lost my earring on that day. Otherwise, I think I would have for sure become a Bridezilla by ceremony time (who am I kidding - probably picture time! haha)

Best part of the story? At the reception, my Dad is talking to me. He said, "Oh by the way, here's the earring that we couldn't find this morning..." HA! So at the end of the day, I learned a wonderful lesson... And I still had my earrings :)

And that story ended up being not Christmas related at all! Oops!

Happy Thanksgiving yall! Have a wonderful day :) And don't forget to stop and appreciate all that you've been blessed with!

Christmas Blog Challenge - Day 2

Well, I told you I was behind on the Challenge... So two blog posts in one day it is! I'm linking up again with analyze this for the 12 Days of Christmas Blog Challenge!

Day 2 - Black Friday/General Shopping Tips & Tricks

Usually, my family is in Kansas City visiting my Grandma for Thanksgiving - which makes for AMAZING Black Friday Shopping! So now for my holiday shopping tips:

1. Check the ads first. Sounds simple, but know what you want at each store - and know what's really on sale. By checking the ads before you get there, you can see what prices normally are for the things you want. Saving mega money!
2. Take friends/family. Who else is going to stand in the mile long line when they don't need anything from the store so that when it's time to check out you don't have to wait near as long?
3. Know your budget. If you're like me, you love buying gifts for others. But if you don't sit down and think about how much to spend on who, you end up spending WAY more than you need to.
4. Check your online coupons. So, I probably get 5-10 emails a day with online offers. Yeah, it can get annoying. But sometimes you get a head's up on a great deal (20% of everything at Kohls? 40% off holiday cards from Snapfish? Free shipping on Amazon? Yes please!)
5. MAKE A LIST!!! Otherwise, you will absolutely, without a doubt, forget to buy a gift for someone that's really important... Major uh-oh!
6. And last but certainly not least: shop early, shop often. If you try to get all your shopping done in one day or at one place, you are probably overpaying for your gifts. You'd be amazed at what you can find when you aren't down to a time crunch and having to pay for expedited shipping on that thing that you just have to have....

What are your tips? Anything good? Oh, and any unbelievable deals for this Black Friday?