Here are some updated pics of Tucker. The first one is how he likes to lay on the couch. The second is on a walk. And the third is him sleeping on me...with one leg over my waist. Such a cute and fun dog.

And again, a lot has happened since I last blogged. Will and I got engaged! WOOHOO! The story is below. Love him so much, and looking forward to being his wife in 6 months! 

So, pretty much it was the perfect engagement story -- included all of the things that I love without ever telling him what I expected -- truly a dream come true!

A couple of backgroud details: Will and I have been dating for 2 1/2 years. I absolutely love my family and love spending time with them. And I love being outside.

So, about 1/2 of my family was in town this weekend -- from FL, VA, and IN. And Will came over -- all of the men were golfing in a tournament on Friday. I took the day off of work and spent the whole day outside at the beach with my mom, sister (and her 4 girls). Such a fun and relaxing day.

Saturday Will told me that "we" were going down to spend a couple of hours at Fort de Soto (a state park that is on the beach with an old fort on it). It is a beautiful place, and the weather was so nice on Saturday. So, I wore shorts and flip flops -- the purpose that I was told why we were going down there was to geocash. Well, we did not find the geocash...at all...I stepped on about 5 sandspurs (b/c I was wearing flip flops) and I got bit or stung by a very weird bug. Needless to say I was not all that happy, but I was trying to have a good attitude b/c it was an adventure and it was gorgeous out, etc.

So, then Will took me to the top of the fort apologized for not being able to find the geocash, but said that he found something else and that was me...and a ring. So, he propsed, got down on one knee, I said yes! I thought that was it, b/c I was told by my family that we were all eating dinner at a certain time. Little did I know that Will had emailed both sides of our family and told them to meet us at Carraba's (yes, my favorite restaurant) for a surprise engagement party! It was so wonderful to be able to see my parents, sister (and her family), and one of my brothers -- as well as WIll's family right away. (And that is when I really cried!) 

Anyway, I told Will that Saturday several of my dreams came true -- we are both very thankful and humbled by the Lord's blessings in our life.

The last few months

So much has happened since January. Will moved away -- he's in chiropractic school. So so so sad that we are not in the same area, but so thankful for God's leading in his life. We are very excited about this opportunity for Will to go to school and become a chiropractor. We get to see each other about every 3 weeks. I actually count out the exact days between seeing each other b/c saying 19 days is much easier than thinking about 3 WEEEEEEEEKS. I've had my really crazy moments...and I do mean crazy...that I pretty much cannot handle being away from each other any more. But God is faithful to remind me that there is a purpose in it all, and Will is ever so kind and patient with me in my worst moments. I was trying to describe Will to one of my friends this summer. What I ended up saying is that pretty much Will is everything that I am not and then a lot more. He balances me out, calms my ridiculousness, and puts me in my place -- all while being patient and loving. He makes me laugh, too. Even though, I miss not being around him, I am so thankful for the times that we are together.

Since then Tucker and I just hang out every night -- go on walks, play tug of war, snuggle, etc. Tucker is such a good dog and is my little, faithful companion. It is hard to imagine what life was like before Tucker.

The Davies family added 2 more members to the family this year. My sister and one of my sister-in-laws had babies. So the total is 7 nieces and 4 nephews. Some of the nephews aren't too sure about having sisters around, but they will get over it...eventually.

Andy and Davina and 4 kids are full time missionaries at VA Tech now. Will and I and my parents were able to help them move this summer. So excited for them as they establish the cause of Christ at VA Tech.

If everything goes according to plan with grad school, I will graduate in May. Just have 2 classes left and a short little capstone project...no biggie! HA! I really have been so thankful for the education that I have received from BBC in PA, but I am SOOOOO ready to have somewhat of a life back! Just like with Tucker, it is hard for me to remember a weekend or a vacation for that matter when I did not have to be thinking, studying, reading, analyzing, writing, or editing a paper. I am also so thankful for the professors that I have had at BBC. Let me just say...WOW! Not only knowledgable, but also incredible teachers. But the thing that I am most thankful for is that they pray for me, and there is a greater purpose in what they are accomplishing.

Anyway, I should get back to another project for my class.

Tucker -- 1 year anniversary

Yesterday marked the one year anniversary of rescuing my dog, Tucker. Or as the dog park people say, "the day that my dog rescued me." Whatever you want to call it, I have had Tucker for a year. Will and I were talking about this accomplishment. I commented that there are times that I still can't believe that I have a dog...Tucker belongs to me. Although he chews up my stuff, whines, and doesn't listen all the time...he really is a good dog. He is playful, happy, cuddly, loves to eat, doesn't mess in the house, doesn't bark incessantly, loves to play in puddles, is faithful, and loves to play tug of war with anything... He is way better than what I could have ever hoped for in a dog. Sometimes when I am at work, I actually miss him and can't wait to get home to see him...ridiculous, I know, but that is the reality of me and Tucker.
In the mornings, I wake up extra early so that I can feed Tucker and take him on a walk. Sometimes it takes me a little bit of time to get going. So after Tucker eats he lays back on my bed and goes back to sleep. Then I have to coax him out of bed to go on a walk...this scene turns more into parents trying to wake up their teenage child for school. There have been times that I have had to literally drag Tucker out of bed to get him to go on a walk.
There are also those times that I come home from wherever and he has chewed up something. The look on his face and his demeanor just makes me laugh. Even though, it is not funny that he destroyed something else...I can't help but laugh at the "guilty/busted" look. It's even funnier when he Army crawls out of the room.
He's just a delight to have...so glad that he is a part of my life. I love the mornings that I wake up, roll over, and realize that Tucker is not only RIGHT next to me...his head is laying on my pillow. He also turned 2 last Sunday. Hopefully, the puppy/chewing phase will end soon!

Christmas gift for Will

This year for Christmas, I "hired" my brother and sister-in-law to make corn hole boards for Will. Not sure if I was successful with surprising Will. They turned out AWESOME. Thanks Andy and Davina. Their website is handmadebydavina.com in case you wanted to hire them for some signs that you would like made. Merry Christmas, William!

Christmas with the Davies Family

Hello from northern GA. We are still here at the cabin. This has been the BEST Christmas EVER! So many wonderful blessings and events this year. So thankful for God's protection and provision over me, Will, and my family. It has snowed twice here, which is cool since Will had never seen falling snow before. Here are some pics of the fun that we have had here at the cabin.

Tucker and Rusty meeting the horses. The dogs have enjoyed lots of activity going on at the farm. Running, chasing the cows, and eating manure...just a few of their favorite things...

Kathy and I warming up by the fire.

Will and I on a walk.

Will and I at the cabin with the farm and hills in the background.

Dad's idea of lighting two fuses at one time came back to bite him.

Andy and Elijah with a Roman candle.

Will and Kennidy. Love this!

I am all bundled up on a walk with the dogs.

Merry Christmas

This Christmas will be a busy one! I am VERY EXCITED about seeing my family soon. I've been missing them a lot lately! Also, I am excited about giving Will his Christmas present. I hope he likes it!

Tis the Season

School is almost done. My curriculum class is almost done. The grading of exams is almost done. I am looking forward to this Christmas break, probably more than any other break. This is the first time in a year that I will have a vacation without having to do any grad school work AT ALL. Once this class is completed, I will have finished 8 classes (16 credits) in one year. I have enjoyed learning, and feel that I have learned WAY more than I expected. Every class was a struggle at some point, but God sustained my brain to be able to handle the higher level of thinking, intelligence, and vocabulary. Very thankful for His guidance throughout my life and this year. I'm not sure I could have or would have made it (mentally and physically) through this past year without God's strength, peace, and grace in my life.

Another reason why I am looking forward to a break is because I get to see my family!!!!! (Not all of use will be there -- Nate, Nicole and gang will be in Europe). I have really been missing my family, and am really not liking the fact that everyone lives so far away. I will be spending Christmas day with Will's family and am looking forward to experiencing some of their Christmas traditions. Then, Will and I are leaving to head up to the cabin for about a week. The nieces and nephews do not know what is coming to them from the naughtiest lion of all! We are all hoping for snow, even though it is unlikely. One can always dream, right? Will has never seen falling snow, so it would be really neat if it did snow while we were there.

I'm also looking forward to surprising Will with his Christmas present. He does not know what it is, but has made some good guesses.

But before I can start my celebrations, I still have to finish two projects...even though all I want to do is take a nap! The last time I laid down to take a nap, I ended up sleeping all night long. So, a nap is not in my future today!

Today marks 21 months of dating the most wonderful man I could have ever hoped, wished, and prayed for. Thank you for making me feel special! I appreciate you!

This picture is from Bern's dessert room. We went there with Will's family. I had key lime pie and Will had the bananas foster. Although, the key lime pie was amazingly delicious...I will be having the bananas foster next time. It seriously was the best dessert I have ever had...EVER. (maybe Tswift will make up a song about that).

Will surprised me last Friday night with a date to downtown Tampa. We listened to a live band play/sing Christmas songs, watched the HUGE Christmas tree being lit, and watched How the Grinch Stole Christmas. It was a wonderful surprise -- I love surprises. Such a relaxing, fun, beautiful night.