It has been a while!

I promise that I have not dropped off the face of the planet. I need to call all of you and fill you in on everything that has been going on. My store opens on October 30th! Please pray for me. I have been training new associates for the past 3 weeks, and it is going really well. We are going to have a great staff, which is wonderful because we are going to be incredibly busy! I am headed to our corporate office to start going through all the inventory tomorrow.

Thomas and I are absolutely loving life in North Carolina. The weather is absolutely lovely, and it is so nice to be making our place here.

I miss everyone back home, and will welcome visitors whenever you want to come! I am going to post some of our favorite wedding pictures tomorrow!

I have a JOB!

So this post is a bit late, but this last week has been one for the record books. Busy does not even begin to describe it!

I am going to start from the beginning in telling you about my new job. I love working, so it has been killing me to hang around the house since we have been married. The first week we were here I lined up 3 job interviews. They all went great, but stood out in the crowd. My interview with Doug Morgan was something I could have never expected. To be honest with you I did not even want to go to the interview, because my previous one had gone so well.

My interview with Doug was 2 hours long! We talked about everything under the sun and even ended the interview with a word of prayer. Talk about being placed by God! Doug is the son-in-law of Clyde Bailey, owner of Bailey's Fine Jewelry, and he does all of the HR for the company. I went in thinking that I was interviewing for a fine jewelry sales position and left with so much more to think about.

To make a long story short, Doug offered me an amazing position! Bailey's is opening 2 Pandora Concept Jewelry stores this October. (www.pandora-jewelry.com) I am going to be on the management team for the Crabtree Valley Mall location! I have worked in jewelry since I was 17, so it is so exciting to be on the leadership side of things now. Our store is set to open October 22nd. I think I am going to be going crazy until then! This is such an amazing opportunity and an answer to many many prayers. GOD IS GOOD!

I started work last Tuesday, I will be in the Bailey's store training and getting our store ready until it opens in October. This coming week I have 8 interviews for prospective employees. Please be praying that the right people will come through those doors on Wednesday and Thursday!

Thomas and I are so thankful for everything that is happening in our lives right now. It is so hard to believe that we have almost been married a month! Life is grand in North Carolina, but I miss my friends and family very very much. It is definitely hard being so far away from everything familiar, but we are learning the ropes together!

I am being called to help with Hebrew flashcards now! I hope all of you have a great Labor Day!!

Elizabeth

Wedding Picture Preview!

So... it is 1:00 a.m. and I am unfortunately awake. I decided to go downstairs, so I would not wake Thomas up since he has so much going on with school already. I think this classifies me as an amazing wife!

It is so crazy to think that we have been in Wake Forest for a week. When we left Montgomery last Tuesday morning I did not think I could even make it to Auburn. I am incredibly close to my family, and the thought of being 9 hours away from my Mom seemed completely unbearable! I am very proud to say that I am doing pretty good. Thankfully last week was filled with job interviews and unpacking. Things are settling down this week, and it is really sinking in how far away I am from my loved ones!!

With all that said... I would not trade being married to Thomas for anything in the world. After being apart for the last year, it is the most amazing thing to wake up next to him everyday. I never thought I would look forward to planning out our menus for the week, but I do! Being a newlywed in a new city is both the scariest and most wonderful feeling in the world.

God has answered our prayers more than I can even explain! I had several job interviews last week, which in this current economy is nothing to take for granted. I have one very exciting prospect that I hope I will be able to blog about on Friday. Never let anyone tell you that God does not hear and listen to prayers. We have prayed and prayed and put our hearts out their, and God heard us and is answering our prayers. We serve a mighty mighty God!!

To get back to the title of the blog... I was having a sad day. Thomas had class and work, and I was feeling majorly lonely. I got a call from Ericka at Kim Box Photography to tell me that our preview slide show was ready fro viewing! I told Ericka that she completely made my day, and quickly checked my email! I am beyond pleased with the pictures! They are everything that I wanted, and I can't wait to see the rest of them in a couple of weeks. I hope y'all enjoy them!

www.kimboxslideshows.com/Hart/

Much Love,

Elizabeth

Picture Perfect!

If there was only one phrase I could use to describe Thomas and my wedding it would be picture perfect! It was a complete fairy tale from start to finish. I have talked to tons of brides who have told me they would change this or that about there weddings, but not me! It was the perfect start to my happily ever after with Thomas!

Like everyday in August, it was HOT, but it did not rain until after we left the reception. This was a miracle because we took tons of pictures outside. I have about 2 more weeks until I get to see the professional pictures from Kim Box Photography. It is killing me not knowing what they are going to look like!

We were so blessed to have tons of people come to our wedding to celebrate with us. It was so humbling to look into the sanctuary, and see all of these who love and care about us there to support us on our wedding day. We wanted our wedding ceremony to be a worship service where Christ would be glorified! I think we accomplished that ten times over what I was expecting.

The reception was also perfect! Jill did an amazing job on the flowers, they were exactly what I wanted. I was able to get a sneak peak of them before the wedding and I was blown away! The food was delicious, although I was not able to eat very much of it. I am already looking forward to our first anniversary, so we can have our wedding cake again.

I would highly recommend Rosewood Little Dix Bay to anyone for a honeymoon spot!! It was absolutely amazing! The staff basically had to drag Thomas and me on the boat to take us to the airport. It was the most relaxing week of our lives! Our cottage was 30 feet from the ocean, the food was amazing, and the snorkeling was so much fun. I could talk about it all day long, but I will spare you all the details! I will be posting pictures from the honeymoon as soon as I locate my camera cord.

Our wedding and honeymoon were absolutely perfect! They were the perfect start to our married life! Thomas and I are having so much fun settling into our new home, and getting to know the area!

Newlywed!!

I LOVE being married!! It is the best thing in the whole world! I am dead tonight after a very long day, and I am about to watch Project Runway. I will write a longer post about our first 2 weeks of married life, and the honeymoon. Just wanted everyone to know I have not forgotten about the blog!

Love,

Elizabeth

I am a Mac User!

Thomas is officially the best fiance in the world. He surprised me tonight with a new IMac computer! I pride myself on being able to figure out any surprise in the world, but I had no idea that this was coming! He gave it to me for an early house-warming present. So sweet!!! It was great surprise at the end of a long day.

So let's rewind, and I will tell you about what happened earlier in the day. Thomas led the 20's Sunday School class today. We have been going to this class this summer and have really enjoyed it! It is a great group of young people who want to be plugged in and serving the Lord. Thomas spoke on a Christian Worldview and did an awesome job. It is the most amazing feeling to sit in a group of people and watch your MAN lead everyone. I am incredibly proud of the man he has become. We have been together for a million years, so it has been amazing to watch him grow and mature. He is truly a leader and I love him to death!!!

The fam grabbed a quick lunch at Moe's before Katherine had a be at the Banana for work this afternoon. I have not been there in forever, and I must say it was yummy!!!

This afternoon was my last time to work at Ann Taylor. It was definitely bittersweet. I have worked there for almost 2 years, and I have loved the relationships I have formed there. I got to work with the awesome Leigh, so that was definitely exciting. Surprising we were pretty busy even though it was raining on and off throughout the afternoon.

When I got home from the store at about 6:30 G-momma and G-daddy came over for pizza, and to look at all our wedding presents. We had the best time hanging out and spending time together. I can not even begin to tell you how much I am going to miss them when we move. Katherine and I never had a babysitter when we were growing up, because G-momma and G-daddy would always take care of us. They are amazing people who love their family more than anything. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this March. I was so excited that Thomas and I would be married in the same year as their anniversary! Needless to say, I have been very blessed to grow up with such a caring and involved family!! I can't believe I almost forgot- they also completely surprised me with a strand of absolutely beautiful Mikimoto pearls!! Grandmomma has great taste (that is where I get mine from). I will be wearing them to the Bridesmaids' Luncheon and Rehearsal!!

It has been a big day and I am exhausted!

Cole and Brittany's wedding was absolutely beautiful. Jill did an amazing job at The Waters! It was a sweet ceremony and the couple looked soo happy. I must also add that the very handsome preacher did an awesome job! Once again making me beam!!

I can't believe Thomas and I are officially getting married this week! I did not think it was ever going to get here!! 6 days and counting!!! Can you believe it?!?!

Love,

Elizabeth

The Debutante

Katherine is making her entrance into society tonight at Montgomery Country Club. I am beyond excited!! I absolutely love going to balls and big fancy parties. Katherine and Mom are at the Mother/Daughter luncheon right now. So I decided to blog about this weekend's upcoming events. I have a gorgeous new dress to bust out tonight and Thomas will be looking snappy in his tux! Katherine has invited tons of her friends, so it will be fun watching them all. Thomas and I love love love to dance! Needless to say we are ready to get our groove on tonight. It will serve as great practice for next weekend.

Katherine and I have become very close over the past few years. As all sisters do, we have crazy arguments, but we have lots of fun together. I am going to miss her like crazy when we move to North Carolina!! I am so happy that I get to share this special night with her. I have been instructed that I am going to be the official bouquet holder. This was Katherine's job at my ball, so she is now returning the favor to me!

Tonight we also have the rehearsal for Cole and Brittany's wedding. Their rehearsal is at 5:30 so we will be heading start from The Waters to MCC. It is definitely going to be a busy afternoon and evening, but it will be one to remember.

I am hoping that the rain is done for today, but who knows. Montgomery officially has the craziest weather on the planet!

Well I am off to become beautiful!

Just in case you need an updated countdown... 8 DAYS AND COUNTING!!!!! I can't believe it!

Strep!

So sorry for neglecting the blog over the last few days. Strep has taken over my body and life. It has been hell try to get over it. The doctor gave me a crazy strong antibiotic, which is making my stomach hurt very badly! I am finally starting to feel better, I just have absolutely no energy.

In an effort to update everyone on what is going on, here goes. We had the most wonderful experience on Sunday. Thomas has become great friends with an awesome guy, Chris Mills. Chris is a golf intern at Wynlakes and goes to NC State. On Saturday night Chris and Thomas went bowling and after bowling 6 games Chris prayed to invite Christ into his heart! We are so proud to have such a wonderful new brother in Christ! Sunday morning, Thomas and Jay baptized Chris at the early service. Thomas said he has never been more nervous in his entire life, but he looked more than comfortable up there. I was proud of them both!!!

We are only 11 days away from the wedding. I absolutely can not believe that Thomas are getting married in less than 2 weeks!!! Everything just feels like it is flying in fast-forward right now! Thomas and I are definitely counting down the days until the honeymoon. It will be so nice to finally relax and enjoy being a married couple. Oh, I almost forgot!! My wedding band came in yesterday. It fits perfect and looks great with my engagement ring!

Thomas and I have a very full weekend coming up! Katherine is being presented into society at her Debutante Ball on Friday night. I absolutely love going to balls and getting dressed up, so I am pumped! On Saturday Thomas is performing the wedding of Cole Willis and Brittany Littlefield. They are such a sweet couple, and we are so very happy for them. Thomas and Cole have been friends since they were young, so this such a wonderful experience for him to be the one who marries them! They are getting married at The Waters, which will be beautiful.

Thomas and I have our last pre-marital counseling session with Jay tomorrow afternoon. We will be going over the test that we took a few months ago. It will be interesting to see how our answers add up. I hope we are compatible!!! We are also going to the courthouse tomorrow to get our marriage license! How crazy is that????

Well that is all for tonight. I am headed to bed!

11 days and counting!! We are almost in the single digits!

Love, Elizabeth

I don't have a fun title tonight

Well Wednesday is winding down. It has been a long, full day. I worked at Marquirette's during the day. It was one of hose days where it was completely dead, and then a million people would come in at one time. I did get a very exciting update today: my wedding band is shipping on the 27th! YAY! I have been majorly worried that it was not going to come in on time.

I left work at 2 and headed home to try to relax for a little bit. As I drove up to the house there were boxes piled high! I am not going to lie, it is so very exciting to get tons of presents everyday. Thomas and I are so blessed to have so many people who care about us!! Today we received 2 sets of cups and saucers and a place setting of our china. Needless to say our dining and living room look like gift shops. I have pewter coming out of my ears!!!

On a less exciting note. I think I am coming down with tonsillitis again! YUCK!!!! I had it earlier this summer and it was hell on earth. To give you the run down: My tonsils are huge and my glads are swollen. YUCK again! I feel like all my energy zapped. This is not time for me to be getting sick, I don't have time to. I work from 9-1:30 and then from 4-close tomorrow. If I don't feel any better I am going to head to the doctor during my break from work. I hate the doctor. I do pride myself on being able to talk them out o giving me shots. I the nurses and doctor can not stand me. When I get nervous I will talk a mile a minute, while asking about a hundred questions.

I am going to try to get a good night sleep tonight. I promise to put up pictures from the Bachlorette Party tomorrow night after work.

17 days and counting!!!! Can you believe it??

NO CARBS

So I am marrying a wonderful man in 19 days! I absolutely can not believe that it is right around the corner! I am so excited I can hardly contain myself. I was reading a wedding magazine tonight while we were at Books-A-Million, and it said the best thing to do 3 weeks before the wedding was to cut out carbs. P.S. If you don't know me very well I like me some carbs. So if you see me with a roll, hit me, knock it out of my hand, do something. I have been doing great working out, so I think this will add a boast!

We are going to the BVIs for our honeymoon! Needless to say all pictures of me will be in a swimsuit, so I have major motivation to finish strong! I am counting on yall to hold me accountable!

Now I am going to sleep! Busy day to tomorrow!!!

Still 19 days and counting!

Bachlorette Party!!

Well this weekend was so much fun! We all had the best time, and everyone meshed really well. I can't wait for everyone to get back otgether at the wedding.

The weekend started out on Friday afternoon. Katherine and I drove up to Birmingham and headed to Anna Golson's apartment. She and Molly really out did themselves. Anna made all kinds of delicious treats and Molly arranged a beautiful centerpiece. We had appetizers and spiked punch whiled we got ready for our first night out on the town.

We had the best time at Art on the Rocks. It was held at the Birmingham Museum of Art downtown. The best way to describe it is a huge cocktail party in the museum. They had great food and a really good band. The weather was perfect, so we all had a great time outside. We left Art on the Rocks, and drove back to Anna's apartment. When we got back we all put on our pajamas.

Jennifer brought a strawberry cake from Nancy Patterson's, and Anna made thumb-print cookies and fruit salad. After we got settled we had so much fun eating the delicious desserts and playing fun games. All the girls brought me presents for the Lingerie Shower. I absolutely loved everything they gave to me! They all know me very well. After the Lingerie Shower we watched "Bride Wars" and all feel asleep.

Saturday turned into a very interesting day. The day started out with doughnuts, courtesy of Katie. Anna has a great pool at her apartment complex, so we all put our swimsuits on to enjoy the weather. We had a blast at the pool. We were very lucky, in that there was barely anyone down there. After the pool we had dinner at this great Mexican restaurant for lunch and margaritas. Absolutely delightful! On the way home we decided to get manicures and pedicures. Needless to say Saturday afternoon was very very relaxing and fun!!

Saturday night on the other hand was a different story. We decided to go to this great Thai restaurant for Sushi and noodles. Since sweet baby sister is still 20 we decided not to go to any bars. Instead, we found a great Mexican restaurant with a wonderful patio area.

The short story of the night goes as follows: We had margaritas (lots), played never have I ever, had some more margaritas, and gave Thomas a great new nickname during another game the girls and I played!

We had a blast this weekend, and I will take the memories with me to North Carolina! I have amazing, fun, and caring friends! Thank you all for the great weekend! Special thanks to Anna and Molly for all their hard work!

19 days and counting!!!!!! Can you believe that we are less than 20 days away??

Beehive!

Yesterday was a marathon day!!! It began with the wonderful world of jewelry. The day was not much better than Monday. I worked from 8-2, then I quickly ran home to eat lunch and change clothes. Mom and I had our last big meeting with Jill (the wedding planner) before the BIG DAY!!! We went to the printing shop to do the programs for the ceremony. We came back to Jill's office and wrote checks to all the vendors. I am so lucky to have such wonderful parents who are making this day everything that I could have ever hoped for!! Our meeting went from 3 to about 6.

We quickly headed home changed clothes again, and then were off to see Beehive! Mom and I had the best time last night! I was Mom's date to "Beehive the Musical" at Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Dad is in Oregon so that meant that I got to go! It was so much fun, I would highly recommend it for anyone who to go and have a fun night.

Today, I am going to Cake Designs to design my "Charm Cake" for the Bridesmaids' Luncheon. It should be fun. I am excited because we will always get one of their wonderful cupcakes as a treat!! I am also heading to work tonight, 5-9:30, not a fun shift!

I still have not exactly figured out how to do pictures on here, but I am getting closer!

If Thomas is reading this: I miss you! We live less than a 1/2 mile away from each other and I have not seen him since Sunday :(. Tomorrow night is date night!! It is on the books and I am excited!!!!

24 days and counting!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Monday!

Monday is finally drawing to a close. I have never been a fan of Mondays for some reason. I think it stems from working retail for so many years. The jewelry business was crazy slow today! The combination of rain and it being a Monday did not make for an exciting day. I closed tonight, and I think there were maybe 10 people that came in the whole time I was there. I work in the morning tomorrow, so hopefully it will be a bit busier.

Thomas is taking a test for the online Evangelism class he is taking online. I was instructed not to bother him, so I am blogging while I wait for him to call me and come see me. It is awesome that technology allows you to take classes online.

We are so ready to up in North Carolina! Wake Forest is such a beautiful area, and we love where we are living. When I figure out how to post pictures I will add some of how we have decorated.

My family traveled with us to NC over the 4th of July. We had such a great time! It was so fun to show them where we are going to be living and see the sites. We all have fun together so the weekend went way too quickly. Thomas was stressing about what we were going to while we were there. He planned what we affectionately called the "tour of malls". Mom and Dad helped us find great things to make the townhouse feel like a home. I think the best part of the weekend was my Dad and Thomas putting together the grill Dad bought for us. Absolutely hysterical!!!

Well I suppose that is all for now! We are still 26 days away ( my post last night was after midnight)!! Meetings tomorrow with the wedding planner so there will be plenty to report!

Love,
Elizabeth

Here come pictures from the townhouse!!!

Thomas spoke the Word tonight!

I am so proud of my Thomas! He preached at the night service at FBC tonight, and he did an amazing job. He spoke on "The Big Picture of Scripture". Katherine and I had the privilege of hearing a small preview last night, so I knew it was going to be great. He has been working on it for weeks, and his studying paid off ten-fold.

I sat in my pew with my family tonight beaming with holy pride. I am so lucky that my future husband is blessed with the gift of public speaking. The thought of speaking in front of people makes me want to die. It is so true that a couple compliments each other with their gifts and abilities. Needless to say I am a proud supporter!!!

After the service we headed to Miyako with Katherine to have sushi, and talk about the service. Thomas always wants to know what he can improve on. I hope that one day he will be able to accept when I say: The Lord spoke through you, and you did great now eat your sushi. My only note on the night was for him to slow down a bit and breathe!

26 days to go!!!! I can't wait to marry that boy!!

We have a busy week ahead of us, so I know there will be plenty to blog about.

Nighty Night!

Elizabeth

P.S. I am listening to "Might to Save" right now and it is an amazing song. Give it a listen.

We are bloggers now!

Hello All!

Thomas and I are getting married in 28 days! I can't believe that is less than a month away. Everything in our lives is totally about to change, and we are so excited. I decided that since we are moving a million miles away soon that it might be fun to enter the blogging world to keep our family and friends updated on our new lives!

Everything with the wedding is pretty much on cruise control right now. The invitations have gone out, and it is so exciting to open the mailbox everyday and see how many RSVP cards are in there. Mom and I are meeting with Jill ( the wedding planner) on Tuesday is design the programs for the wedding. We are also meeting with Cake Design to pick out my "charm cake" for the Bridesmaid's Luncheon. We have been so blessed with such wonderful people in our lives who have showered us with amazing gifts. So needless to say all I do is write thank you notes ( I think I am becoming a professional note writer).

My wonderful bridesmaids and friends are throwing me a Bachlorette Party in Birmingham next weekend! Anna Golson and Molly found the cutest invitations that just scream Elizabeth!! I can not wait for Friday, I know it is going to be such a fun girl weekend! There will definitely be a post about it.

Well that is all for now! Be expecting posts from both Thomas and me!!