Remember that time I used to blog?

I woke up this morning with the motivation to blog.  It's been a good 9 months since I have blogged, but it has been much longer than that since I've had the inspiration to do so.

Let me catch you up…

• I have now been married to my Nicholas for a little over 7 months.  They have been the best months of my life.  If the first year of marriage is the hardest, then I can't imagine how amazing the years to come will be.  Marriage has been most natural and wonderful transition of our lives.
• Back in May, I quit my job as an assistant teacher and took a job at a very large insurance company back in Jackson utilizing my degrees.  I was determined that that was where I should be.  Husband got a job teaching and coaching football back in my hometown.  I thought I had finally started my career and was on my way to greatness.  I was there three months and cried every single day.  I was MISERABLE.  Then, in a crazy turn of events, the doors opened, and I was offered a job as an elementary school librarian.  I took it and ran.  I've never been happier or more excited to go to work every morning.  Education is exactly where I should have been all along, and I adore EVERY minute of being with those children.  I couldn't dream of a better career.
• Oh yeah! We're renting the cutest little blue house in my hometown.  We are 4 minutes down the road from my parents, and we are so happy.  The puppies have a big back yard to run around in (and escape from).  We're so excited for our first Christmas as a married couple, in our own home, with our little furry children.
• and…..we have no plans for children any time soon! Haha! Of course, sometimes we get the baby fever, but we're loving life being able to do what we want, when we want.  We have plans to travel and see the world a little before we expand our family.  Husband and I look forward to the days of children, but we're just not ready to share each other yet.

It's funny how something I loved became something I kind of dreaded.  Maybe that's changing.  I'm not making any promises of a consistently updated blog, but I do miss it.  Mississippi Hippy might take on a different genre or personality.  

It's always been a kind of hodge podge of things I find interesting and inspiring.  However, I noticed that when I was blogging consistently, I became a much more materialistic version of myself.  There was always something I wanted or needed or felt like I had to have to be a good blogger.  I didn't like that.  It's not who I am.

It's perfectly fine, in my opinion, to like and want nice things, but I was pushing it.  I followed all of these beautiful blogs by people with much higher means than I, and I expected my life and blog to look the same way.  I was jealous and comparing my behind the scenes to other people's highlight reels.  That's where the wheels fell off.

I've taken a step back, repaired my psyche, and would like to take my creative outlet in a different direction.  I have no idea what that direction is quite yet, but y'all will be the first to know.

So there's where Mississippi Hippy is.  Just like real life, it has had its ups and downs and curve balls, and THAT'S OK!  I have always wanted to be nothing but REAL with you guys and in life.  So, that's what I will do.

Sully Clemmer Photography

Engaged

That's right! The beau got down on one knee and asked the question that every girl longs to hear from the love of her life.  After almost three years together, I get to marry my best friend.

So here's how it all went down...

Nick came up for Southern Miss' homecoming weekend on Friday.  When he comes straight from work, he usually gets here at about 5:30, but on this particular day, he arrived around 4:45.  I thought this was strange, but I had talked myself out of thinking that he was proposing this weekend.

I finished getting dressed because we were going to dinner before an alumni party with his fraternity brothers, and we watched some TV before we left.  I was being grumpy, and he was just all smiles.  I still didn't think anything was up because I just assumed he was just excited for the weekend with old friends.

On our way to dinner, Nick decided we should stop by the Southern Miss campus, our alma mater and where we first met, began dating, and have spent most of our relationship.  He had talked about wanting to walk across the bridge at Lake Byron at the entry way to the campus.  It's really beautiful out there, and rumor has it that the person you walk across the bridge with is the person you will spend the rest of your life with.

We had walked across the bridge twice before, so I still wasn't catching on.  The bridge leads to a little island in the middle of the lake, and as we walked across the pretty little bridge holding hands we were just chatting like normal.  When we reached the island, I began to walk towards the benches on the right hand side, but Nick walked the other way.  I asked where he was going, and walked that way towards him.

I was freezing, so I was cuddled up in his arms and looking the opposite direction when he said, "you know, I told you we'd be getting engaged really soon."  I turned to look at him to respond, and when I did, he began to get down on one knee.  I was absolutely speechless, except I somehow found the composure to say, "Shut up! No you're not!" haha..way to keep the moment sweet, Chels.  He then pulled the most beautiful and unique ring I've ever seen out of his pocket as he told me how much he loved me, that I was his best friend in the entire world, and that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me.

And then I lost it, and I was not wearing water proof mascara.  I, of course, said yes and began jumping up and down.  It was the most perfect and special moment of my life.  Nick had our photographer friend, Courtland Wells, hiding in the bushes taking these photos that are so incredibly special to me.  We then spend the entire weekend celebrating with friends and family.

I can't stop staring at my hand or my fiancé.  We've been shown so much love and support the past few days, and are overwhelmed by it all.  We're so excited to begin this journey together and spend the rest of our days together.  Thank you to everyone who has made this weekend so perfect.

Let the planning begin!

A Nice Day for a White Wedding

The beau was in a beautiful wedding for a sweet friend this weekend.  We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and wish Mr. and Mrs. Colby Eike a lifetime of happiness together.

The ceremony and reception were held at Oak Crest Mansion Inn in Pass Christian, MS and was perfectly done.  It was so nice to spend time with old friends and make new ones.  A good time was truly had by all.

And my favorite part of the night, the photo booth!  Enjoy... 

Hope all of y'all had a great weekend too!

xoxo-Chelsea Eli

Get Well Soon

 

I hope everyone had a relaxing Memorial Day weekend! I'm so thankful for the many sacrifices made by those who have fought and are currently fighting for our freedom.

 

A little update:

Sweet little Bud the Computer is still at the Apple store all the way in Ridgeland, Mississippi.  I feel like I'm missing my right arm.  Lord knows I'm dying without him!!  Good news is, Bud will once again be able to read discs and his screen will be crack free.  The bad news is, he won't be fixed until Thursday, and then I have to figure out a way to get him back.

 

You see, the Beau is in a wedding this weekend out of town.  Since he's already gone for the week, he so kindly let me borrow his computer.  (Windows...yuck.)  While I'm excited to talk about Wedding Wear with you this week, it might be a little difficult learning to navigate Windows again after 10 years of devoting Apple usage.

 

 

So get excited for posts full of Summer wedding guest wear for you and your mister, and please send your well wishes to Bud the Computer.  I miss him dearly!

 

xoxo-Chelsea Eli