Saturday, March 31, 2012

Virginia Update!

So I haven't given you all a basic update on our lives here in Virginia in quite awhile, so I think that's what I'm gonna do today!
Doesn't sound too exciting, I know.. But you don't have to read it you know!

When I say "we" I feel like I need to include not only Matt and I, but Ryan and Kylie as well.

Matt and Ryan live in our house together... and Kylie lives in the dorms like I do.
So when "we" do things these days, it's almost always all four of us.

That might sound like a bad thing... Like who wants to always be with another couple? "Especially your to-be sister in law?" Right? That just sounds miserable.

But the truth is, we love it! 
Matt and Ryan are pretty much BFF's.
Kylie is awesome, and I don't think I've ever had an issue with her since I met her.
Matt and Kylie aren't your average siblings, and get along quite well.
And Ryan and I suffer through having to see each other every day.
{That's a joke. We get along quite well too}

So basically, living here with Ry and Ky is pretty much great.

School right now kind of sucks.
Not because anything in school has changed or gotten harder...
But because it's too nice outside all the time and going to class is not at the top of my list of things to do!
Luckily/unfortunately we have an attendance code at Liberty and can only skip so many days of class without getting docked points... So we aren't skipping daily like we would actually like to be doing.
But seriously, I feel like senioritis is back, and I'm only a Junior...

Luckily we are done with classes on May 7 (that's our last final!) Then on the 10th we are on our way back to Washington for the summer of the weddings! (Only 40 days away!)

To fill up our time until then (because college is never busy at all of course ;]) these are some things we have been/will be doing:

Intramural Volleyball!
Ryan, Kylie, Matt, Vince (Ryan's friend), and I made an intramural Volleyball team this week! 
We are called: West Coast-Best Coast.
Are we good? Well, we aren't really sure. We've been playing for fun a couple times this week... It wasn't exactly D1 status, but I think our competitive nature will make up for skill.
Either way, beach volleyball is a blast!
I'll let you know how we end up doing!

Wedding Shower!
We are going to Ohio for a joint wedding shower with the Huston family over Easter weekend!
There is a lot of family out there and a plane ticket to Washington isn't exactly cheap, so most won't be making it out for the weddings. So our solution? A wedding shower! We can't wait!
{Though I think we would all agree that we could wait for the 8 hour drive}

Matt is Working!
Like a ton. He got a job at Home Depot a month or so ago, and has gotten about 30 hours a week since then! We feel so incredibly blessed for him to be making money! And he loves his boss and the guys he gets to work with! But he is extremely tired! 

We Work Out!
The fact that we all have weddings should explain it all.

Roommates!
I'm taking advantage of spending as much time with my lovely roommates before I have to leave them for good! I love them so much and I feel so blessed that I got to live with them this year. I literally couldn't imagine getting placed with anyone better!

School Work!
Notice how far down this is on the list.
Don't be alarmed though, it's not this far down in real life, I just don't like to talk about it nearly as much as pretty much anything else. ;] Although, the more I plan out my schedule for next year, the more excited I get about moving forward with my degree and my future career! I am finding that I am so much more passionate about OT than I ever thought I was. I can't wait to use my life and my skills to help people and to remind people that they have a purpose! I just get pumped up thinking about it!

Church!
I don't know if I told you all about the issue we were having finding a church we liked this year, but it was quite the problem! It's always hard with change and we just couldn't find the church we clicked with. Thankfully God has placed us into a church that we are loving! Can't wait to get more involved next year when we are living here full time!

Running!
So I'm not exactly your ideal runner.
I don't always enjoy it (until I'm done of course), I'm not very fast, and I'd rather be doing several more things than running. But when I get back home in May, I'm doing The Color Run with a couple of my favorite people in the entire world and so I figure I need to get in better running shape so it's not miserable. Also, I find when I run I am more confident, find more peace, and get more one on one time in prayer with the Big Guy. So running is my plan. I want to get at least a 5k in daily. Whether it's all at once, split up, morning, night, whatever, I want to get it done! Wish me luck! Also, for you runners, how do you get the motivation to get your butt out of bed in the morning and out the door for a run?

Wedding Planning!
As of April Third we are down to 4 months until our wedding. 
That is out of control to me!
It's like it's actually happening now!
So plans are starting to get done!
We're looking at wedding bands to compliment my gorgeous engagement ring.
Also, I am in charge of planning a Bachelorette Party for my best friends wedding in June!
So planning craziness/awesomeness!

Coffee!
This is the dumbest thing ever to get it's own paragraph.
I am obsessed with coffee though, so sue me. ;]
I am almost out of Flames Cash, no more Starbucks gift cards, and $14 in my bank account, so it looks like I may have to fast on coffee until I get home. (sigh) Pray for me. ;]

As much as we are loving it here (which we really really are), I can't wait to get home and have the summer of my life! Three weddings (including my own), I get to see my family, my best friends, and the rest of the people that have meant so much to me for so long. I'm just realizing how big this summer is going to be and keep reminding myself that we need to soak up every second of it! 

See you all back home in 40 days!

So much love,
xo/Austin

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Throwback Thursday!

For throwback Thursday, today we are going to reminisce the 90's!


Does anyone remember any of these movies? 
Or if you're like me, all of these movies?
I have a confession... The guy in Motocrossed was my first love.
Not just crush... But I mean I loved that guy.
I guess it just wasn't meant to be, huh?


Remember folding notes like this?
And just how awesome you were when you got notes like this...
I wish I would have kept more of these.


Seriously, this is the ultimate proof that you were a girl from the nineties if this was true for you.
I still get excited thinking about Lisa Frank.


Squeezeits anyone? 
My brother and I loved these things!


HUNGRY HUNGRY HIPPOS!


If this worked I would be married to the guy from Motocrossed, living in a shack, with a corvette.
I think I'll take my life now instead.


Remember these chokers?
I took mine off less than I take my engagement ring off...
And I never take my engagement ring off...


Oh yes I remember this.
I also remember melting "How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days" in the dashboard of my mom's mini-van... and never being able to rent movies from Safeway again because she refused to pay the $60 dollars they tried to charge us for the melted movie! (And you thought we weren't ghetto)


This is probably my favorite.
Man I loved N'Sync.

What is your favorite 90's memory?
Happy Throwback Thursday!

Forever a 90's Kid,
xo/Austin

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Update!

Hey lovelies!

I updated my About Me and Amazing Grace sections! 
You should check them out!

xo/Austin

Wedding Update--Finally!

I think we would all agree that Love Like a Hurricane is looooong overdue for a wedding update!
So let me tell you all that is new in the life of Matt and Austin's wedding!

Actually, we're gonna go back a bit because I forget how far I had last gotten!

Who:
Matt Huston and Austin Rogers.

Wedding Party:
For the men:
Scott Leavens-Best man.
Tim Smith-groomsman.
Ryan Knight-groomsman (brother in law).
Nathan Huff-groomsman.
Shane Rogers-groomsman (my brother).

For the ladies:
Miriam Cooper-Matron of Honor.
Shelby Brown-Maid of Honor.
Kylie Huston-Bridesmaid (sister in law).
Kaylla Rutledge-Bridesmaid.
Sarah Lurry-Bridesmaid.

Ring Bearer:
To be announced... 
(we know who we want but we are too far away to ask just yet)

Flower Girl:
To be announced...
(same)

Location:
Pickering Barn in Issaquah, Washington!

When:
August 3, 2012.

Theme:
Rustic-Vintage with a touch of country.

Okay, now that the basics are out of the way...
Lets get into the details.

For the ladies:

I bought my dress! I found it at a pre-owned wedding dress consignment shop called Blue Sky Bridal.
It is gorgeous. (Well I think so). But it is about 2-3 sizes too big still.
I am getting it altered when I get back to Washington in May!
(So clearly I am working my bootay off at the gym so I can make sure it's 3 sizes too big ;] )
Unfortunately I can't share anything else because the groom might see and we can't have that.
I know I want to wear a birdcage veil for the ceremony!
My bridesmaids and myself are all going to be rocking cowboy boots!
The girls are going to be in either yellow or peach/coral short dresses.
For my hair I am kind of stuck between down and up. 
I'd love to hear your opinions!

For the men:
Last week we just decided that we think we want to do suits instead of tuxes for the men.
I am thinking kind of mismatched suits with ties and vests that match their lady counterparts.
With of course black shirts underneath (because I love love love that look).

Matt and I are trying to figure out which they should wear to flatter the cowboy boots... 
Anyone have any ideas?

Progress:

We have sent our Save-the-Dates, well most of them.
If you haven't gotten one and were expecting one--don't be offended, we've been huge slackers in getting those out to everyone (stamps are expensive!) 
And if you're worried you won't get on, let me know and I will probably reassure you that you will :]
We are having a joint wedding shower--with Kylie and Ryan (Matt's sister and her fiancé)--with Matt's family in Ohio over Easter weekend!
For those family members who can't make it out to Washington!
We are so excited to start our wedding partying!
We have finally registered!
Mostly everything by now... Although we keep adding stuff we forget about!
There is so much you need starting off a home!
(If you know of anything you don't think we would have thought of... let us know please!)
We registered at Target and Macy's.
Wendy has gotten her dress for the wedding!
Now we gotta get my Mom one.
(If you know my mom at all... You are on the same page as us wondering if we will get her in a dress).
We know our photographer!
Sarah Richardson is a friend of the family and incredibly talented!
Not to mention super awesome and we are so excited to spend the day with her!
Check out her blog here to get an idea of how cool she is!
We are finally talking about a honeymoon!
We have been soaking up every second of the 80 degree weather here in Lynchburg lately!
Don't judge us, we don't see the sun until after the 4th of July back home!
You think I'm kidding, too.
With all this hot weather we are daydreaming about honeymoons.
What we are thinking, is probably a cruise or just a week in the Caribbean!
We won't leave right after the wedding...
Because we'd only have like a week before school starts and we can't have that kinda stress.
So probably over winter or spring break.
If anyone knows about awesome deals... Let us know!
Also, if you have an awesome/terrible honeymoon experience... Please tell us, we love to hear of good places... and love to laugh at terrible stories ;]

Hmm.. I don't know what else you would like to know.
This is about as far as we've gotten.
And I can't really think of anything else we can do before we get home and closer to the location.

Hope you appreciate the update!
Sorry it took so long!

Also, you should all know that yesterday Matt and I have been dating officially for two years!
(why you should know that, I don't know. But I wanted to tell you anyway!)

Happy Weekend!

love, love, love,
xo/Austin

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Healthy Eats.

Summer is on it's way.
Which means bathing suit season is on it's way.
And that also means my wedding is on it's way.

So clearly I getting pretty serious about my diet.

When I say diet I don't mean crash diet.
I don't mean cutting carbs.
I don't mean no fat. 

I have tried it all!
But I have learned how unrealistic it is to completely cut things out.
And I have learned through experience that honestly, the best thing you can do is eat healthy and exercise.

Pretty insightful, huh?
And all that advice for free ;]

Since I am always trying to eat healthy, I have had to broaden my horizons (and my taste buds) and try some new healthy foods!
I know it seems like everything that tastes good is bad for you... But here are some of my favorite snacks!

My top favorite health foods right now:

One:

Quinoa.
I am brand new to this phenomena.
The idea of whatever this stuff is definitely turned me off at first.
But yesterday I finally tried it and oh my goodness you guys let me tell you how delicious it is!
You need to try it! Trust me.
{Just don't ask me to pronounce it}

Two:

Feta.
This is one of my favorite favorite favorite foods.
It's definitely different than other cheeses, but so amazing.

Three:

Avocado.
This isn't new, I've always loved avocados.
But what is kind of new, is I have always liked guacamole much more than straight avocado.
Lately though I have been craving avocado! 
It's full of healthy fat so I have to force myself to limit my intake, but man I wish I didn't have to!

Four:

Mango.
My new weird health quirk: I have started eating the peel with my mango!
Sounds gross, but it is actually really good!
And the peel offers you antioxidants and vitamins you don't get from just the meat part!
Score! (try it and let me know what you think!)

Five:

Edamame.
Soy beans! If you haven't tried them, you should.
I loooooove edamame. And it's healthy!

Treat yourself right and try some of these delicious health foods!
Let me know if you find any of these and what you think!

Live Beautifully,
xo/Austin

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Pinteresting Tuesday: Spring Fashion.

So I didn't get around to posting some house pictures.
Are you even surprised?
Didn't think so.

I'll get to it soon though I promise!

Since today is Pinteresting Tuesday I think it is the perfect day to show some Spring/Summer fashion statements I am completely obsessed with right now. 

Maxi Dresses:

I have a serious addiction to maxi dresses right now. 
I literally think I could wear one every single day.
Only, I need to own one to do that.
hmm... I need to fix that.

Fringe Bathing Suits:

I will need one of these for summer.
But I can only get one if I get into the shape I want to be in!
Bribery you call it? Heck yes it is!

Bright Prints:

I love these bright colors! 
What better time to rock prints than summer?
Note: I also really really really want the dress on the left.

Shoes:


I love sandals right now!
I also love wedges... But I can't pull those off quite so well.

Hair:

Loving beachy hair and as always hair scarfs!

Humor:

This has absolutely nothing with summer or fashion... but it's Pinteresting Tuesday and you need a good laugh, don't we all?

Oh man guys I am so excited for summer! 
How about you?

What are you fashion obsessions for spring/summer?

Live Beautifully,
xo/Austin