I'm Engaged!!!

It's hard to believe but I've got one really fun sparkly ring on my finger. I think I'm still in shock and it's been two days!

Saturday was SUCH a surprise to me! It started out as such a normal day to me. I got up and worked about 3 hours at American Eagle, I did some Christmas shopping, I took a nap, and watched The Last Song. I had even planned to go to Buffalo Wild Wings after horse riding to see some friends that were in town!

Brian has been saying for awhile that he wanted to go out and go horseback riding together. So, he told me a couple weeks ago that one of the Pioneer managers knew a lady in Guthrie that had horses and he hooked us up to go and ride. YAY for riding horses.

So, he gets to my house about 3:00 after coming in to town from Lawton. I thought we were going to head out to Guthrie has soon as we got there but he said we weren't going to leave until close to 4:00. I thought that was kinda weird because it takes 45minutes to get out there and it was going to be getting dark. But Brian was good in all of his lies through this whole thing and told me that she wasn't going to be ready until later and he knew I wasn't going to want to ride too long since it would be getting cold.

So, I went in to change out of my sweats in to jeans and a sweater and I was going to put on what Brian had tagged long ago as my "horse riding boots" but he didn't want me to wear those just to wear my regular ones so I didn't do too much arguing. (This was because he knew I'd be mad wearing my junky ones later in the evening.)

We drove out to Guthrie to this little farm house in the middle of nowhere and got on the horses. I was on a pretty white horse with crimped hair and pink tail. We rode around for about an hour and it was hard staying together because the horses didn't want to be next to one another.

Jayla with our Horses

So I finally got to a point where I was really cold. I had put on my gloves and the hood of my jacket. The sun had set and it was getting colder outside. Brian asked if I was ready to go and I was like yeah. So we got off the horses and went to put them in this barn.

Brian was struggling trying to get this door open. I even asked if I needed to go get the lady to help him come and open it. All of a sudden he swings the door back and I see lots of twinkle lights and the horses go running in to the barn.

Then it all just happened so fast Brian was on his knee and he was saying stuff that I don't really remember and I was like "Are you Serious?" and I was in such shock that I didn't answer him right away I just kept kissing him over and over and he was like, "so it that as yes?" and I said, "Yes" so....then he was my fiance!

He's so hot!

My parents were there with my friend Larissa and they took some pictures of us and my hand was shaking! It was SO fun and I was totally surprised!

Me and Larissa!

We went back to my house for a big engagement party with all of our friends and families!

I Love these people!

I'm just so blessed to have Brian in my life. He is my best friend in the whole entire world and I cannot image a day without him!! He's moving here in February and I am so excited to start our life together!!

God has just truly blessed me and I couldn't be more thankful!!

Builder Statements

I am a part of a wonderful church! I have the privilege of working with some of the most amazing people I know! The BFC Senior High. For over 5 years I have watched a particular group of now junior girls grow in to amazing young women! I am SO ridiculously blessed to have them in my life and I feel like they challenge and make me grow maybe more than I help them to grow. My heart seriously feels with joy when I think about these girls and what they mean to me and I can't imagine my life without them!

I also get to be a part of a really great staff. People that love these kids as much as I do, that are fun to hang out with and learn from!

This last Wednesday Chris Pollock had a great lesson! He has been bringing it the last few weeks and completely nailing it!

This last week he talked about using kind words to one another and we skyped with one of his friends from St. Louis. He talked about how when a student in his youth group puts down another he stops everything he is doing and brings the 2 together and the person that put the other one down has to say 3 things they like about the persons character (Builder Statements). As our time wrapped up Chris had all of the students stand up and give each other builder statements. It was such an awesome time watching them all interact with one another.

It's amazing how sometimes it's so easy to put others down but when trying to come up with 3 positive things is so hard!

Challenge of the week: Use Builder statements to other people! It's amazing the smile you can get out of it. You'll not only make the person feel better but feel better yourself just by releasing positive vibes!

Things I Love About Fall.

1. The smells....is anyone with me on this? Just the smell of a pumpkin pie, or gingerbread spice makes me swoon over it's awesomeness. I just want to inhale deep breaths! I have now changed my scentsy from a blackberry smell to a warm coffee smell...next stop, pumpkin!

2. Pumpkins! How can you not love a big huge pumpkin! I was at Sams today and they have them out!! $8 for a big huge pumpkin. I shall be returning shortly to purchase these happy round objects to decorate my front porch!

3. The Leaves. I wish Oklahoma had a legit fall but...sadly, we don't! I will be getting to drive through Arkansas the middle of October! I cannot wait to see the beautiful bright yellow and orange and red leaves!

4. Last but not least....The Weather! Crisp cool mornings and beautiful nights! I love wearing shorts and a long sleeve shirt, or jeans and a t-shirt without sweating or freezing to death!

SO SO glad FALL is upon us! :)

Love.

I don't want this to turn in to a sappy blog but I'd like to take a minute to brag about my incredible boyfriend for a second. Since the day of our first date he has never stopped amazing me.

I could make you a list of things he has done and said that literately make me go weak in the knees and make me think "how lucky am I to have you?" He's driven back and forth to the city too many times to count, met 10+ different people every weekend he's here, driven my grandma to her house late at night so she wouldn't have to, and constantly encourages me when I'm not sure I could make it through the day.

I've known since about the 1st week with him that I was in love and this weekend we finally expressed that to one another!! :)

He makes me the happiest girl in the whole entire world and I am so extremely blessed to have him in my life!

My Life Is Crazy.

I haven't even ready blogs in over a week. I've missed it dearly.

Here's a quick recap of everything going on.

I LOVE my job! it's the best thing in the world for me. These last few weeks and coming weeks are INSANE with back to school but I'm loving having students back on campus!

My boyfriend is still just as amazing as ever! His adaptability never ceases to amaze me!

I've lost motivation for LOTS of things! I need to dust my house and I just don't want to. It'll happen one day....

I'm ready for my knee to get better so I can get back in the gym! I've gotta get some weight off for our cruise in 4 months!! AH!

This weekend we're going to the watch the Red Sox play in Dallas! :) YAY!

Drink, Steal, Swear, Lie

My mom sent this to me and I thought it was sweet.

============================

I met this guy while I was in Albuquerque, and he has a motto

he lives by every day. He said, "Listen carefully and live by

these four rules: Drink, Steal, Swear, and Lie."

I was shaking my head No! but he then told me to listen while

he explained his four rules. So here they are:

1. Drink from the everlasting cup every day.

2. Steal a moment to help someone who is in worse shape than

you are.

3. Swear that you will be a better person today than

yesterday.

4. And last, but not least, when you lie down at night

thank God you live in America and have freedom.

I am not as good as I should be, I am not as good as I could

be but THANK GOD I am better than I used to be!

Frustrated.

So in my last post I was so excited about my new fitness program and working out and getting back in to a routine and losing weight by Christmas...well it seems as though that is not going to get to happen, at least not for awhile.

Around March of last year I started having a lot of problems with my left knee. It was ridiculously sore all of the time. I couldn't keep it straight or bent for long periods of time; it needed to constantly be moving.

My uncle is an arthritis doctor so I went down to see him one day. He pushed and poked around on it and came to the conclusion that I had Tendinitis. He gave me these patch things that I had to wear and I had to take meds and ice it and put heat on it and he said I had to stay off of it for a few weeks. Okay, I can do that. So I do those things and it begins to start feeling better. I did bootcamp in June and I was very careful about how I used my knee and I wore a brace and I iced it(probably not as good as I should have). I haven't even worked out much the last month.

But this last week as I started to work out again my knee is has been THROBBING. Like pain ALL THE TIME. I ice it for long periods of time. After a weekend at the lake and probably too much tossing and being thrown off the tube I was in pain yesterday. I spent the afternoon at my grandmas and and she didn't have ice so I resorted to half a bag of Broccoli. It helped some but I was still feeling the dull throbbing pain.

We had a family night and I had my uncle look at it once again. This time I winced in pain as he pushed and he looked at me and said "NO MORE ACTIVITY for at least a month, maybe 2!" WHAT?! I was just so frustrated. I didn't even know what to do. So we all said our goodbyes and I hugged and smiled but cried when I got in my car. It's just so frustrating to have an injury like this where I can't do anything. I'd much rather have it in my elbow or something. The knee feels like the worst possible place!

Oh well....guess I just gotta suck is up now! Thanks for letting me vent. :)

Blessings From Above

This morning I got up and went on a walk. Please keep in mind I am in no way, shape, or form a morning person. I loathe them actually and many times avoid them at all cost! :)

Last night I went to a one night class of bootcamp at Cadence Yoga. It was motivation class for all of us since we haven't done it in about a month. I LOVED it. I don't so much love it while I'm there but I always feel ridiculously awesome when I'm done.

I leave for my cruise in about 160days. While I don't think I'm necessarily fat I think that I would much like to get the extra 25 pounds that have soaked in on my body during and post college.....

So, that leads me to needing to work out more, etc. I began this morning with a 2 mile walk followed by pushups and sit-ups. You can give me props for doing these activities but waking was not easy, in fact I had to have Brian call and make sure I was awake or else I wouldn't do it. I just can't keep myself accountable in the mornings.

All of that to say, this is not the purpose of todays blog but I will keep you updated on my fitness progress.

As I started off on my walk I started with my "Walk it Out" playlist which consists of loud, fast music but about a block in to it I was like No...I'm switching to my Jesus playlist. About halfway through Kari Jobe Revelation song and right about the climax of the song my ipod died. BUT...for some reason I didn't really care. I just took my earbuds out and walked in silence, praying and thanking God for his wonderful creation. I was able to say hello to the neighbors I passed and even talked to a 10 year old neighbor boy for 5 minutes about his new puppy.

As I walked and prayed I just thanked God for everything in my life that he has blessed me with, and prayed for individuals that mean so much to me. I quickly came up with my Friday Five and many more. I basked in the cool morning with the warming sun and took in the sounds of birds, and smell of grass! Mmmm....perfect!

A few months ago I was just frustrated with everything that was happening in my life. I hated my job, my living situation wasn't great, and I was ready for a relationship that would rock my world! I'd spend time in prayer and became more frustrated at the waiting and dragging of everything around me. But in May things began to turn around, I landed an INCREDIBLE job that I am BEYOND blessed to have, my roommate situation changed, and God put Brian in my life! I've got the house, job, and boy...that's all I need, right? :)

I do realize though that none of things things are possible without God and without the amazing amounts of love that he has so graciously lavished on me.

I have scripture different places in my room and bathroom and I try to change them out often but the one hanging on my mirror is one of my favorites. It's Psalm 90:14,

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,

that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

Starting my morning this way was perfect for me. It also allowed me a little more time for breakfast and a morning devotional before heading to work. By doing this I just feel so much more blessed by the things around me and try to push the little irritations aside. :)

I may not be doing it everyday though, although I sure am going to try even if it's enjoying evenings on the swings at the park. I just know that it is amazing way to start the day soaking in God's amazing glory.

Meet My Boyfriend!

I'd like to introduce you to Mr. Brian Kessler! He is hands down the sweetest, most patient, most respectful, most giving boy I have ever been around! He treats me like a princess which I most definitely like.

We met in April while I was talking to his cousin Mallory at church. I told her I was interested and for 2 months we tried meeting and getting together but it never worked out. I began to think he was a figment of my imagination since I'd only seen him once! But it all finally worked out and we got to go out! We clicked instantly and I haven't looked back!!

Brian works for his grandparents company, Pioneer Equipment Rental LLC. He's currently at the Durant store but will soon be transferring back to the Lawton store, which I enjoy because it's closer to me!

We don't get to see each other much during the week because he's far away so Saturdays have become my favorite days of the week and I've come to dread Sunday nights...but such is life! We're definitely learning patience and what it fully means to wait on God's timing.

This past weekend we went to Ponca City and spent time with his family. We were supposed to go to the lake but only got in about 2 hours on Sunday because of the rain. :( It was an absolutely fantastic trip and I can't wait to take more of them with him.

He has the coolest Hazel-green eyes with a touch a brown. I love them! He also has deep dimples that I think are the most precious things!

He definitely makes me smile a lot, feel really awesome about myself, and I could make the list go on and on but I won't! :) I feel very blessed that he's in my life and I thank God everyday for allowing our paths to cross!

For those of you that are wondering I will still update my Search for Mr. Right blog from time to time...I mean the stories there can go on and on! I did just update it this morning with another story from another loser...Click HERE! :)

Temporary Vacation

It's been weeks since I have blogged! I've missed it so much. Every morning I would come in to work, catch up on the days blogs, write my own and do it all over again the next day.

Things have been dramatically different the last Month. My last day working at Reaching Our City (ROC) was May 21st. For those of you that know I was so ready for a change and was beyond ecstatic to try something new! My last day was very bitter sweet.

That next week I traveled to El Paso, Texas for Youth in Mission training camp. YIM is an organization that I am ridiculously passionate about. I love missions. I wish that I had the money to travel all over the world to lots of different places and share the love of God with so many people... but....I can't so helping to train and prepare teams for that works for me! :) I have met some of the most amazing people because of YIM, people that I am so lucky to call my friends! We only see each other about once a year but we always just pick right back up where we left off. Late night coffee runs and talks make for an incredible week!!

After that I had about a week to lay by the pool everyday....you better believe I was doing that! I LOVE LOVE LOVE laying in the hot sun....like I'm not sure words can describe how much I love laying there sweating to death! haha

I worked our VBS at church and was the 5th grade coordinator. OH MY....so different than my high schoolers. It definitely made me miss 16 year olds!

I did a 2 week Intense Sculpt bootcamp. It was KILLER the first couple of days. I don't think I've ever been more sore in my entire life. I would drip buckets of sweat and probably smelled awful too! BUT...it was completely worth it. It was really fun and by the time it was over I could tell I was much stronger, much more motivated and realized that I had tons of inner strength. LOVE it. Now, I just have to keep up with what I need to do. They have mentioned doing another one in the fall and I'm more than game to do it again! Any of you are more than welcome to join me!

I also spent a week at NWO church camp! It was a very unexpected, like I found out the day before. It was fantastic though. I spent the week with 7th graders....which is VERY different than high schoolers. They are just such a different challenge but a good challenge. They are still so young and are wanting to know so much about life. I love my high schoolers though and was very proud of my sophomore girls that finally got what I have been trying to get them to figure out all year! It made this momma very proud! :)

And the last thing I'm most happy about is a special boy in my life, Brian! He most definitely deserves his own post which I plan on writing soon but for now I'll just say that he makes me very happy! :)

New Posting!

On my dating site! :) It's an old one, but a good one!

http://laurasdatinglife.blogspot.com/

It's been Too Long...

I can't believe it's been over a week since I have last read a blog! I had started becoming so addicted to it....wanting to read about other lives, or look at fun pictures, or find the cutest new craft! After a week in El Paso and a couple of days to recouperate.... I'm back, caught up on all the blogs, and ready for the next week! I'll blog little by little; if not I'll just get WAY too wordy in this one! :)

Things I Love Today!

Today I have put together a blog of things I love today! It includes a website, a picture, and a video! :)

How many of you have heard of Groupon? I mean seriously, it could be one of the best things to come to OKC for awhile. ;) Every morning they send you the days deal. You can get 50%+ off of things in the city. Today you can get tanning or 2 Brazilian waxes for $29 (It's a $115 value) NOT BAD! I've been signed up for probably 2 months of so and I've already bought 4-5 of them! I recommend signing up....you won't love them everyday but some days are great! Go here! They have them in other cities too if you're not from OKC!


How beautiful is this picture? I got it from National Geographic. It's of a country road in Vermont. I just found out I'll be going there in August for a marketing conference! I'm SO excited. I'm sure the trees won't be this beautiful orange but it'll still be gorgeous I'm sure!

This kid is SUPER SUPER talented!! OH MY GOODNESS!! This video alone has over 8million hits! He could be the next Justin Bieber! :)

My New J-O-B.

I don't think you can quite understand the amount of excitement I feel about my new job!!

Last Friday I accepted a job at SNU as Communications Coordinator for the Media Strategies Team (MST). Although I found out that afternoon that my title will change, but title doesn't matter so much. :)

I just feel so extremely blessed to have this opportunity to work at SNU and in this position. I will be doing lots of different things including: Marketing, Press Releases, events, office organization, and more! It's just such a perfect job for me!

I can see now that through all of the interviews I've gone through and jobs I haven't been able to get that God had his hand in the situation and knew exactly what was going to happen. Of course he always does. :)

I have a very bitter-sweet feeling about leaving ROC. I have met some absolutely amazing people over this last year and built really great friendships with other employees as well as my volunteers. It will always hold a special place in my heart!

My last day is May 21st, just a couple more weeks! I will be traveling down to El Paso for YIM training. I'll be back on the 31st and have another 2 weeks until I start at SNU on June 15th. I plan on laying by the pool for hours everyday. Please let me know if you're interested in joining me!

Thank you for all of you who have listened to me complain about wanting a new job and also to those who have prayed along with me for hope in finding my perfect job!

God's Timing

I've realized more lately than ever before that God's timing is just so perfect. There have been times in the last few months that I think why are these things happening? Why am I so frustrated in this place that I'm in? Why am I making the changes that I am making in my life? And this past week it's all starting to become so clear to me! I can't talk much about this exciting adventure that my life is suddenly going on but I just know that I am so so pumped to see what God has in store for me over the next few weeks. I know that it's going to be AMAZING!!!!!!!!! If you think about it just say a little prayer for me! THANKS

God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits,
to the woman who diligently seeks.
It's a good thing to quietly hope,
quietly hope for help from God.
It's a good thing when you're young
to stick it out through the hard times.

Lamentations 3:25-27 (The Message)

I have also updated my dating blog!

Adventures in Dating.

Welp.....many of you have mentioned I should do it....so...here it is!! My blog on my hilarious dating adventures!!!

http://laurasdatinglife.blogspot.com/

The Book of Awesome and Post Secret

Years ago I started reading the Post Secret website! I read it every Monday morning. I think it's updated on Sundays. For those of you that don't know what it is, it's a website started by Frank Warren a few years ago. People mail him their secrets, he picks out the best ones and updates the site every week with 25-30 new secrets. There are also books compiled of all of these secrets. (I own 2 of them.) I can't describe what it is about reading it but I just love them! I think it's interesting to see what peoples secrets are and sometimes agree with them! Sometimes they're awkward to read at work for fear someone is going to walk in on a secret that is a little too explicit for work! :) Sometimes you just feel connected, or sad for people. It's like a way of "helping" people from across the world. People like knowing there is someone that feels the same way they do!

My next site I am loving right now is 1000 Awesome things! I wish I had known about this one longer. It's already gone through 500 awesome things and I've yet to catch up! I read the days entry and I'm like YES! I LOVE when that happens! It definitely helps you appreciate the little things in life. The book just came out and I've just ordered it on Amazon. CANNOT wait to get it in the mail! :) I'm a pretty open book and don't have many secrets but these are things I think are awesome.

Grabbing a huge pile of hangers to hang up clothes and realizing while hanging the last shirt you have grabbed the perfect number.(image)


Being with friends and laughing until your face hurts, or watching old TV shows.
(Michelle Meisner)


Getting ready in the morning and thinking "Man, I look so good today."
(image)


Taking a mini nap in a tanning bed during lunch break.
(image)

Little Love Of My Life

The weekend went by WAY too fast! I worked most of it but the part I wasn't working I spent Celebrating Mason Clay's 2nd birthday!!

I don't feel like he's old enough to be 2!! He's supposed to still be a little baby!!! I love him so much and enjoying loving on him! Crystal is a great mom and put together a great, Windy (not her fault) party!! :)

Here are some pictures from the festivities!

What I love about Spring!

1. The crisp morning air.
2. All of the beautiful flowers blooming.
3. The way my house looks with the sun shining on it in the morning.
4. The smell of fresh cut grass.
5. The warm sun on my face.
6. Driving with my windows down.
7. Having the ability to wear almost anything
8. Walks in the evenings.
9. Birds chirping outside in the morning.
10. Reading a book on my porch swing.

Memory Lane

I'm not sure how to really start this entry except to say that I just have so much to be thankful for. The thought behind this came to me the other day when I was trying to find an old picture. I started scrolling through Facebook and began reminiscing old memories! So, below I have just included a few of my most favorite memories while I was in college. I am beyond blessed to have been a part of so many wonderful things and am even more blessed by the friendships I have made. I hope you find this as wonderful and entertaining as I did. :)

Sara and I participated in a medical study. We were hooked up with wires, we look funny but we made lots of money! :)

Rock Climbing at OKC ROCKS!

Gresh and I at Graduation.

Amazing Friends! Crazy that we graduated

We always participated in activities that included food!

My other family that I care so deeply for!

Mason Clay made his entrance in to this world...I'm one proud Auntie

Allie was the first of us to get married!

I always loved an excuse to dress up and be with friends!

Our Senior trip to Austin was great fun!

Really great Senior girls and so happy to call them friends.

Always up for a picnic or time together!

My Senior Spring Break was spent lounging on the beach with my best friend Lindsey!

We shot guns at clay pigeons.

Dancing parties in the Deuce!!

Making our mark before we headed out.

Always a fan of broomball...even if we didn't win.

SGA retreat and taking random pictures with random objects was a weekend of laughter.

More Random objects! :)

REALLY fun weekend in Hot Springs and Mena.

New Years eve at a restaurant that was WAY out of our price range!

We slept out at Chickfila so many times we even know the President!

Bek, My Australian best friend came to stay for a few weeks!!! :)

I got my first Tattoo with Bek.

I love her SO much!

Many productions and ridiculous costumes!

Party Animals!

Fall fest and fun costumes!

We were miserable and in no way wanted to do this parade!

Kendi and I always loved playing in the fire! We have since high school!

SGA/RA Retreat always brought out ridiculous games and lots of laughs!

Ella was born and I just love her so much!

I got to be a part of multiple events with designer Kayne Gillaspie!

Rachel and I with my grandpa at Sara's Wedding...miss him so much!

Tanning is my favorite summer past time!

Stephanie and I participated in multiple ridiculous photo shoots.

In a game of bigger or better with the freshman class we got a porta-potty....which later fell off the truck! At least we won!

This picture fully explains our Junior Class Council.

A fun spring break to Nashville!! :)

Larissa and I made the boys dinner....and the potatoes were more like soup!

This picture is just so funny!!

Ever seen SNU's dress up closet?....we have! :)

One of my greatest friends....love her so much!

This is just us!! Jessy is one of the most caring and one of the funniest people I know!

Crystal and I acted like celebrities in New York for our 21st birthdays!

Crystal and I played dress up!

10 chopsticks in McNabbs beard at Cafe Oasis!

Pumpkin Carving...it became a tradition for Larissa and I for some time!

Dressing up as princesses for Nela's Sisters princess party!

Iceblocking always produced a good time and lots of bruises.

Awesome teammates and our summer memories and piercings...best summer ever.

I would do it all over again!

We were the fab 5!

All night studying for Clemmer's ridiculous midterm and final!

This is one of my favorite lip syncs decoration wise!

Spring break to Dallas....had to pee SO bad and we were stuck in traffic for miles!

Allie had her very large obsession for Walker Texas Ranger! :)

Pit girls for fight night.

One of the many times I climbed the fountain.

One summer of pure insanity that I would totally do over!

Roller rag....or how we went to class everyday?

Lip Sync Senior year

Greatest group of friends!

I'm not even sure what was happening....but I love this.

Virginia Christmas's are ALWAYS my favorite!

Fun fall break in Amarillo.

A night of playing in the rain.....

and posing in the fountain.....

And jumping in puddles!!

Very Love/Hate Senior Class Council. :)

Sound of Music Lip Sync.

Dobber was in Love with Andrea!

Filling Mike Hartwig's office with Balloons!

We weren't supposed to have paint in Herrick....Bryan Jennings was SO mad at us!

More family to love. :) And I love this picture for so many reasons!

Mud football at BFC

Loved this Junior Class Council.

Anytime I could dress up it was my favorite.

The dungeon became frightening during lip sync and pow wow.

Amazing girl and AMAZING dress! New goal...fit back in to it!

Gotta Love Walker! We took this for Al!

Spring break in Palm Springs, fun adventures in south central LA and Greyhound buses!

Climbing the water tower at Freshman Class retreat!

As you can see the memories are plentiful and could keep going but I've just included some of my favorite ones! Hope you enjoyed memory lane with me! If a picture is worth 1,000 words....I've just spoken millions! :)