The 48-Hour Hug

Well, we got the news.
Daniel leaves Sunday at 11:30 am.

Needless to say, until then I will not be answering emails,
not be doing things that are "all about me,"
and not wasting a second on things that aren't involving him...
well, until I'm off work today, anyway.

Plus, I feel like I haven't had a chance to spend any time with Daniel this week.
Last week Daniel suffered through a horrible cold—this week I got it,
and Wednesday and Thursday were spent with me battling sickness while at work.
A non-stop 2-day fever, chills, sore throat and incredibly stuffy/runny nose.
Gross.

But Daniel was a gem.
As soon as I got home each day,
he rubbed my back, let me fall asleep in his lap while he cradled my head,
brought me medicine and tucked me into my bed last night.
It was the sweetest thing.

Today I feel 76% better, and I'm ready to enjoy our last weekend together.
I know the 6-weeks he will be gone isn't a long time,
but amidst wedding planning and missing the guy I love,
it will feel like a long time.

Here's to 48-hours of snuggling, packing, holding hands, and nose-kisses.

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PS> New Just Because Friday button! Snag it and link up below.

Engagement Photos: Part 2

Do you recall yesterday how I mentioned the engagement photo shoot was 

"a moment we would never forget?"

Well, not only was it a wonderful hour that the four of us spent together... 

but it was forever memorable also due to

 the one photo outtake in which I had a wardrobe malfunction.

Caught on camera.
Not pictured, obviously.
Highly embarrassing.

Yet such a "me" moment.

A "me" moment would also be the perfect caption underneath the last photo.
Daniel: stable, supportive, likes to take a step back and observe.
Me: all over the place.
A perfect balance for us both ♥

*Find Part 1 here!* 

Engagement Photos: Part 1

Dress: Francesca's

This weekend, we stole an hour to snap a few engagement photos in downtown Eagle.

Though we could have hired a photographer, it just wasn't going to happen.

We are planning this whole wedding by ourselves,

and an engagement shoot just didn't fit the budget.

Daniel's parents were kind enough to help us out and take a couple photos.

Sure, they're not professional photographers.

But we were comfortable around them.

They made us laugh.

They took their time.
And they captured some beautiful photos.

It was a moment the four of us will never forget.

*Find Part 2 here!*

Wedding Plans

I think this photo perfectly identifies life lately. Me, the proverbial cheerleader saying, "Go! Go! Go!" and Daniel, the super-supportive fiancè, always there to support me.

With Daniel leaving this week, we have a lot on our plates to prepare for the wedding, not to mention his new career he begins Monday. Needless to say, if I'm absent in the email world this week, forgive me... but I've got some lovin' to do before my guy leaves.

So, what have we done?

The Date: December 1.
Ceremony location: our church.
Pastor: our church pastor.
Colors: sky blue, silver and white.
Bridal party & groomsmen? Check.
Registry? Check... well, we started it, anyway.
Photographer: my amazing brother-in-law!
Engagement photos? Check.
Dress: bought it online (cross your fingers for me, I saw it online on Friday and bought it a few hours later. No try-on required).
Shoes? Check.
Honeymoon location: tentative. We're thinking a cozy winter getaway up in McCall.
Wedding night hotel room? Check.

If you ask me, I'd say that's a lot to get done in a week. And we did it. According to The Knot, I only have 136 things left to do. No big deal. None at all.

The Date.

We set a date!

December 1, 2012

68 days to go ♥

Oh—and no, we're not crazy.
Yes, we're planning it fast.
Yes, it's going to be awesome.

Beauty Week Twisted Pony

If you guys follow me on Twitter, you know that I've been talking a lot about

Beauty Week

all week!

Today, I get to share with you a lovely hair tutorial for a twisted pony.
It's really similar to this twisted side pony that I did.

Ready for the steps?

1. I was going on second-day hair that day, so I bobby pinned my front pieces up into a bump.
2. Just like in the twisted side pony, I gathered a small section of hair at the nape of my neck and secured it in a low ponytail with a clear elastic band.
3. Working from the bottom to the top with the loose hair, I gathered small sections and began twisting them backwards and pinning them around the clear elastic band.
4. I would twist and pin a small section from the right, and then switch it and twist and pin a section from the left.
5. You don't have to twist the pieces back, but as you can see in the top right photo, it gives the hair some cool definition.
6. Try to hide the bobby pins. If you can't, it's OK!
7. Once it was all pinned, I separated and tugged on a couple pieces to give my hair a bit more volume and texture.
8. Finish with a light veil of hairspray!

I'd love to see you try this look! If you do, make sure to tweet or instagram me a photo with the hashtag #twistedpony!

Want to know more about beauty week and all the fun that took place? 

Here was our schedule for who posted:

Monday: Make-Up from You.And.Me.Are.We.

Tuesday: Nails from Life as a Young Mom

Wednesday: DIY Beauty with I Couldn't Help But Wonder

Thursday: Skin Care with Eloping Stethoscope

Friday: Me!

And now, per my usual Friday link-up, don't miss out on the fun!
PS> the first 5 links were the ladies who participated in Beauty Week.
Make sure to say hello!

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(Note: this is a "no rules" link-up ♥)

My Military Man.

 For all those times when I was vague,

when I mentioned playing the waiting game and my frustration,

this post is the answer to so many questions. 

Daniel is in the Air National Guard.

In January, he will have served 10 years.

He joined when he lived in Wyoming, and served on orders

in the engine shop working on C-130's.

When he moved to Idaho four years ago, he joined the Idaho Air National Guard.

When he moved here, he began working part-time as an A-10 mechanic

and he worked full-time as a personal trainer at a local gym

(among many other jobs).

It is the same gym he is a manager at today.

In April, he heard about a full-time position in the Guard as a Recruiter.

When the position opened in July, he applied.

He submitted his application July 19th, went through multiple interviews, 

and prayed and prayed and prayed.

From July 19 through September 9, we played the waiting game.

On September 9, Daniel surprised me at church in his uniform

(he couldn't make it that day due to mandatory drill weekend duties),

wrapped his arms around me,

and whispered into my ear,

"I got the job!"

Out of 25 applicants, he got it.

Daniel. My Daniel.

To say that I "cried tears of happiness" 

would be an understatement.

But—there was one more catch.

This job comes with 6-weeks of training down in San Antonio, Texas.

Now we had to wait to find out when he would be leaving.

The waiting game again.

We wanted to begin planning our wedding, 

but couldn't until we knew his tech school dates.

He could be gone anytime from October to January.

Yesterday, he got the call.

School starts October 1.

Daniel is leaving.

Next week.

For six weeks.

*slumps down in chair*

I could take this moment to get discouraged.

To say how much I'm going to miss him.

To be sad that he is leaving.

I am going to miss him. Dearly.

But I'm not sad.

This is a huge opportunity.

This is going to make such a difference for our future.

A pay raise, a stable career, an incredible organization.

A job he is passionate about.

Instead, I'll take this moment to say how proud of him I am.

How I think he is a warrior.

How I am honored to be his fiancè, and soon his wife.

This is what we prayed for.

This is what we needed.

This is our start.

This is our start to brilliant careers for each of us.

This is our start when we can begin wedding planning.

This is our start to an amazing life ahead.

Daniel, I love you.

all over the place

Bracelets: c/o Payton Woodcraft and Chloe vs. Tank // Photos: Taylor Love Studios

Lately, I've been all over the place.
Mentally, physically, emotionally.

Despite being emotionally and spiritually revived this weekend,
I felt like I was dragging my feet all day Monday and yesterday.
I. am. exhausted.
In fact, last night I totally passed out early on the couch and didn't budge all night.

There's just a lot going on right now.
I'll be talking about it soon...
just waiting for the pieces to fall into place.
Weekly plans, wedding plans, life plans.
We're making some big changes over here, and it's all a little overwhelming.
But don't worry, I'm not stressing!
Just excited about all the new things that each day is bringing.

Also, I've been doing a lot of "blog traveling."
You know, guest posting here and there, there and here.

Want to catch up?

Check out:

• My hair tutorial at Casey Leigh
• Me rockin' some awesome handmade headbands at Coco and Cocoa
• An interview I did for iBlog4Me

I just love you guys.
Thanks for always being there.
Thanks for your never-ending support.
Thanks for coming back day after day.
This story isn't ending anytime soon.

Love Languages

Top: Runway Fashion Exchange // Bracelet: c/o Chloe vs. Tank // Necklace: c/o Lisa Leonard // Photos: Taylor Love Studios

Last night, Daniel asked me a beautiful question.

He said, "Can I brush your hair?"

My heart melted.

See, he grew up watching his dad comb out his mom's blonde, thick mane after every shower,

just because he loved to do it for her.

Now, Daniel does it for me, too.

Not every time, but that makes it just that much more special.
He sits on the couch, me with crossed legs on the ground in front of him.
He combs while I relax and rest against his legs.
Such a tender moment.

Sunday, Daniel and I learned about our love languages.

We have yet to read the book... but we did take the quiz.

The results didn't surprise us.

1. Quality Time.

2. Physical Touch.

3. Words of Affirmation.

4. Acts of Service.

5. Receiving gifts.

We both scored almost identically in each category.

We speak the same love language.
We aren't perfect, by any means.
But by knowing what makes the other tick
or get ticked off,
we are able to work together to build our love.

And let me tell you,
the foundation becomes stronger by the day.

The Encounter

Photo: Taylor Love Studios

The ground beneath my feet was rocked this weekend.
3-solid days of prayer, worship, learning, fellowship, and faith.

I let go of my constant critical thoughts. 
I released the heavy burdens from my past.
I forgave myself.

I am amazed.
6-months ago, I sat in the sanctuary for the first time,
attending the Encounter Testimony Service.
That was the service where I was saved.

Yesterday, I stood on stage with Daniel by my side,
my mom watching from the audience with proud eyes,
and gave my testimony at that very same Encounter service about how I was moved this weekend.
As I testified, I couldn't help but think,
what if my small little testimony helps someone?
Just one person?

As I go from here,
I'm ready. I'm ready to be lead.
I'm ready to serve.
I'm ready to be an amazing wife to Daniel (who also attended),
with a strong foundation built under our feet.

I am so thankful.
I am forever changed.
I am alive.

Marnie♥Andy

Photos: Cameron Glass Photography

I thought I'd show you some of my favorite shots from my sister's wedding.

She and her husband just got back from their 10-day trip to Maui.

Jelly-face, jelly-face, jelly-face (jealous).

Don't worry,

I'm not leaving you guys in the dust about our wedding...

we just don't know details quite yet.

But you can bet that when we do,

you will know!

Oh—and Marnie and Andy?

First comes love,

then comes marriage...

and you know the rest *wink-wink*

♥ 

PS> Bye Bye Beehive is over in less than 30 days... 

what do you guys think... 

blonder or my sis's color in the 4th photo? 

Decisions decisions.

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(Note: this is a "no rules" link-up ♥)

We're Gonna Celebrate

I'm the kind of person who likes to sing and dance around the living room.

Yes, even when others are home.

With that foreword, I forgot to share this little story from our engagement.

See, just a couple days before Daniel and I left for McCall,

 I was prancing around the living room while singing,

"Celebrate! Celebrate! We're gonna celebrate!!!"

A typical day in the Rowe household.

Daniel's Dad, Big Dan, comes out of the office, a look of horror on his face.

He said, "What did you say?"

I sang it again.

"Celebrate! Celebrate! We're gonna celebrate!!!"

He said, "No! No! No! Those aren't the words!"

He immediately pulled out his record and played me the song.

It goes,

"Celebrate, celebrate, dance to the music."

I. didn't. care.

I kept leaping across the living room singing my same old tune,

"CELEBRATE! CELEBRATE! WE'RE GONNA CELEBRATE!!!"

I was the butt of his family's jokes for a week.

 It was hilarious.

The day Daniel and I came home from McCall,

we found a huge poster hung in the door frame

with words that couldn't have been more true.

"Aunie & Dano: Celebrate! Celebrate! We're gonna celebrate!!!"

Now that's what I'm talkin' about.
Thanks Mama & Papa Rowe.

Think FAST

Photos: Taylor Love Studios

Beginning tomorrow morning when I wake up,

I'm taking a blog fast.

No social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram),

no checking email,

no reading my very-most favorites.

Don't get me wrong... I've still got things lined up,

and trust me, you don't want to miss tomorrow's post or Friday's link-up.

Of course, this will only be thru Saturday,

but I thought I should let you know.

No emailing me Thursday looking for a response by Friday.

Not going to happen.

Monday, I mentioned that Daniel and I will be attending our church's Encounter this weekend.

It's Thursday evening, all day Friday, and all day Saturday.

I'm going to be completely taken out of my normal routine,

and plugged into some one-on-one time with me and God.

I'm incredibly excited.

No staying at my house, no going to work (Friday), 

no thinking about materialistic, daily-stress, or "have-to" things.

I'm going to focus, pray, ask for help, peace and serenity, and take this time away.

Can't wait to see what this Encounter will bring!

_________________________________________________________________

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