Peeta or Gale? That is the Question...

       I know every one has heard of it, and may even be tired of hearing of it, but I am obsessed with The Hunger Games!!! A few months before the wedding I began reading the first book of The Hunger Games trilogy. Every time I sat down to read I had a million and one things running through my head. I need to be writing thank you cards, I should be tying ribbons, I could never focus on what I was reading. Therefore, I just dropped it altogether. Sometime after I put it down, Blake picked it up. He ended up reading all three books and thoroughly enjoyed them. So just recently I started over. With the hype of the movie coming out I just couldn't be the only human on Earth who hasn't read the books, (since literally, every human has read them, right?) So here I go... I read the first one in no time. As soon as it was over, I was dying to get my hands on the second and now I am just beginning the third. These books are addicting. Suzanne Collins knew what she was doing. I find myself sitting in my car in the Ulta parking lot, until the very last second I have to go into work, reading. For those of you who know me, this is not the norm. Ok, I'll be honest with you.... This is the first time I have ever read a sequel or a trilogy or anything. I always start but never read the second book, let alone the third or fourth. I get bored too easily or, apparently, just don't care. But these books have sucked me in, as well as my coworkers. Today, actually, we started a very in depth conversation with a few clients who have also been reading the popular fiction stories, about the morals of this trilogy (since you actually find the books in the teenage section in bookstores). We bounced all over the place from, "is this what the world will eventually come to", to, "this is what is teaching our children to be deceiving and manipulative". Pretty intense stuff and something to get you thinking. Either way, I am hooked, along with many others. Definitely a great, easy read if you're looking for one! Also, the movie is absolutely worth seeing in theatre... so eat some popcorn for me!

Cast from "The Hunger Games"

What Can I Say?

I so want this tshirt!

       Life is good! Blake and I are really enjoying the married life. I haven't been happier than I am now. We remain super busy, but isn't that just how it is? There will always be something to do, somewhere to go and some one to see. And I guess that's how I like it. We have made a few changes as husband and wife. I hope to eventually be one of those old couples that can sit down with young fresh couples and say "well, we did this and it didn't turn out too good", and "I thought he'd file for divorce when I did this".  We are taking some advice in certain situations and learning on our own in others. So far so good. =) We talk with each other about hard times to come (because everyone knows they will come) but we are also so excited about the good that will shape our lives.

Haha!! 

       I have had more than two or three people asking me about what roles the two of us play now that we are married. I laugh at this question everytime... I think it's funny that people are curious. And I know what they are actually asking, who cooks and cleans? =) Well, I am not too prideful to say that Blake is the cook. Cooking has never been my forte and probably never will be. And he is ok with that since I am the one who is OCD and dusts the baseboards once a week. The rest we just share the responsibility. So there, for those who were (and weren't) curious, you know now, I don't cook!
       To keep everyone up to date, Blake and I are well and enjoying the newness of our marriage. Continue to think of us if you pray! I believe there is a long, happy road ahead of us!

Life Being Married

       That's right! We're MARRIED!!! And have been now for almost a month, I just haven't made to time to sit and write about it. Our life is slowly getting back to normal after our return from our amazing honeymoon in the Dominican Republic, where we ate, drank and were married... merry. =) Our wedding was everything I hoped it would be. With family and friends, cake and dancing, it was all that and then some! I woke up that Saturday morning around 6:30 to my mom in the kitchen brewing my step dad's coffee. I rose from my bed and walked into the kitchen smelling coffee grounds with the biggest grin on my face, and my mom looked at me, smiled back and asked, "are you ready?". With the sun shining and a breeze blowing, I couldn't have been more excited or anxious and ready to get the show on the road! I have many memories of the wedding that I hope I never forget, but one I know I will remember forever,  after Blake and I ran through the sparklers to our car that had been scribbled all over, we jumped in and began to drive away and with the happiest smile I've ever seen on his face, he said, "that was a blast!" It really was more than we ever imagined! But now we are back to our normal lives with wedding rings on our fingers as we head back to work. Until next time!
"the Anthonys"

My Soon-to-be Husband

       As our wedding day grows closer and closer I've been trying to keep cool and remember the reason I am getting married. With all the showers, planning, errands and everything that goes along with a wedding I can see how some would say it is easy to get caught up in the "hustle and bustle" and only care about the material things. Don't get me wrong, my dress is to die for, my centerpieces are amazing.... but my fiance, UNBELIEVABLE!

       David Blake Anthony is a gift from God just for me. I don't know what I have done in my life so far to deserve such a true friend who loves me unconditionally. Blake and I began dating back in 2006, when we were absolutely smitten for each other. Everybody said that feeling would go away over time, but I couldn't disagree more. I still get butterflies when he walks in a room and blush when he surprises me. The two of us have been through a lot in the five and a half years we've been together with going to schools 100 miles away and being apart from each other more than we wanted to be, but obviously God has big plans for the two of us and I am honored to begin my journey to see what that plan is with Blake!
       The way Blake proposed couldn't have been more perfect. On July 5, 2011, Blake came home from work and we had plans to go to my favorite restaurant with some friends. He came home to tell me one of the friends we were double dating with was called into work so it would just be the two of us. "Ok, fine with me," I said, after all, it was my favorite restaurant. Anyways, we head to dinner and argue about where we are going to park because he wants to park in Timbuktu! He selects his parking space and we start walking. After we finish our meal, or I should say after I finish my meal because Blake didn't take two bites of his, we head back to the car. After our 5k walk back to the car, =) Blake can see his keys in the floorboard of his locked car. UGH... Luckily, Kayla lived just a couple blocks away and she has a spare key. We start walking towards her apartment and Blake wants to take this opportunity to walk through the new park. It was hot and humid and I wasn't having it, so he drug me through the park. We walked passed the fountain and kept walking just a little further until I saw, written on the sidewalk in chalk, his proposal!!! On bended knee, the man of my dreams, my best friend in the whole world, was asking me to stay by his side for the rest of his life! Of coarse I said YES! Therefore, in about 5 days I will promise my heart to him for as long as I live. We will vow to love and care for each other forever. Blake Anthony, I love you more than words can say, and I am so thankful to have you in my life! I can't wait to call you my husband!


-BETHANY! =)

stressed out!

Everyone said it would happen.... and it did! This morning I woke up (after a late night with friends watching Alabama win their 14th national championship...) and had to go to another meeting about the wedding. The meeting was pretty much just a time for us to go over a few things and make sure everyone is on the same page and luckily, for the most part, we are. But.... I finally hit the point where I am so tired of planning and just ready for the day to finally be here. I came home afterwards and it being Tuesday, I'm off work, so I laid back down to try to take a nap. And it never fails... my phone goes nuts. It's like everybody and their brother needed me for something today only during the time I was sleeping... or trying to sleep. I made the decision today that from now on during nap time or bed time my phone will be turned off or put on silent. Whew! Just had to rant a little just then. =) Bottom line is that I have come to a point where all that matters to me is that Blake and I are standing together exchanging our vows on January 28.  All the centerpieces, flowers, chairs, music and all that other stuff will be an added bonus to our big day! Because whether or not we have all the pretty things, it will still be our big day!!

sooo... close...

Haha! Cute Christmas sweaters...

       Well ladies and gentlemen, we are just four weeks out from the most important day in a gals life! Don't get me wrong, Blake is excited too, but come on.... =) Blake and I have been so busy with holiday festivities, birthdays and all this wedding planning. To catch you up to date, as far as the wedding goes, I don't want to say it too loud, but, I think we've about got it all together. The extra room in our apartment has officially become "wedding headquarters".  That is also the room where Blake's xbox and all his man stuff is, so he is more than ready for our wedding day to be here so he can have his "man cave" back. This room is filled with extra invitations and thank you cards, hundreds of candles, all the items needed for the reception centerpieces and much more. I recently got to pick up everything I ordered for the reception and just seeing it all laid out really helps me picture what the evening of January 28 is going to look like.... and I LOVE IT!!! All my dress fittings are complete, bridesmaids dresses are coming along great, all the groomsmen have been measured and have ordered their suits, so whether or not anything else goes as planned, we won't be naked!

I'll wear my new sandals touring
wherever it is we're going!

       This Christmas holiday was a much needed weekend in Double Springs to spend time with our families. We laughed, ate, watched movies, ate, opened gifts, ate.... well, you get it. On Christmas Eve we took a trip to Birmingham to visit the Anthonys' and exchange gifts. We always have a blast with them and there is always some good eatin'! Blake and I received an unusual gift from his aunt and  uncle. It has to do with our honeymoon destination which is still a surprise, so I am anxious to see where we are going and what this gift means. =) I am getting more and more excited to go on our honeymoon now that it is getting so close and since I have been able to purchase a few new outfits that I can only wear in warm, sunny weather. =)

Birthday surprise!

       Two days after Christmas, we celebrated my 22nd birthday. We had just arrived home from our weekend in Double Springs and with all the wedding stuff and Christmas get togethers, my birthday this year just wasn't a big deal. Little did I know that I would wake up to a sweet, thoughtful surprise reminding me why I am getting married! Blake had flowers and balloons, my favorite wine and birthday card addressed specifically to the "birthday girl". He took me to lunch and spent the afternoon with me. It was one of the best birthdays yet. Just me and him.
       Golly, this is a long blog.... sorry. Anyways, to sum it all up, wedding plans are going smoothly, Christmas was awesome, my birthday was spectacular and I can't wait to get married! 28 DAYS!!!

It's Rainin' Up In Here!

         So many showers ...so little time! Blake and I are so excited about going to our couples shower tonight held at a friend's house! My friend Amy, who is also in our wedding, has planned us a shower for all of our Tuscaloosa friends to attend at her home. It's amazing to me how time passes. We have been talking about all these wedding events for so long and they are finally here! My bridal shower has come and gone, our couples shower is this evening, before you know it my bachelorette/lingerie shower will be here, and then we'll blink once and Blake and I will be holding hands at the alter. I must say all this wedding stuff has been so much fun and I have enjoyed planning for one of the most important days of my life...but, whew! It's exhausting and I'm ready for the honeymoon!

         For those of you reading that don't already know, Blake has decided to keep the honeymoon destination a secret. At first when he informed me that I wouldn't know where we would be heading after the wedding, I kinda freaked a little... I'm a very planned, organized person and I like to know what is going on and when. But then I looked at it this way, the honeymoon is one less, very important, thing I have to worry about. I am planning a wedding... a wedding! I never realized how much went into an event like this until I started working on my own. So needless to say, I am very grateful and excited that Blake has chosen to surprise me!
         On top of the fact we are getting married in 48 days, we have the Christmas holiday upon us! My favorite time of year for three reasons... Christmas (obviously), my birthday is the 27th, and I love New Years! Just yesterday I was able to get almost all of the Christmas shopping done and nearly everything wrapped, so I am ready to head home for he holidays!!! I love Christmas for a few reasons, but one important one, it is the one time of year I have the privilege of visiting with my whole family. We are all so scattered out and busy throughout the year and Christmas is when we all get to come together and hang out. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful family. So just in case I'm not back on here until after Christ's birthday, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!