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

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

150 Days of Psalms.

Hey guys! 

How is your Wednesday going so far?

Mine could definitely go by a little faster.

This week is seriously dragging on.

But of course what else would I expect when Spring Break is 2 days away?

Ah Spring Break.

So close, yet an entire Anatomy exam away.

I am taking a moment away from studying to tell you all about something awesome that Matt and I are doing!

As of yesterday we have (only!) 150 days until we get married!

So for the next 150 days we are going to read a Psalm a day.

Together we will read our daily Psalm, pray, and see what God has for us.

We are so excited to do this!

Yesterday was our first day, and it's awesome to see what God is already showing us through His word!

I want to encourage you to get into the Word!

At church this week our pastor challenged us to do a 21 day reading of the Gospel of John.

I am personally reading Exodus right now (because the Old Testament is important too!) so I'm not reading the Gospel of John, but I do think it is a good idea!

Like I said in my last post, 21 days is supposed to make a habit.

Since there are 21 chapters in the book of John it is an easy way to get in the habit of reading your bible daily. 

If you have a hard time getting into God's word, I recommend starting with just one chapter at a time. 

Psalms are actually really awesome, because they're short, extremely real, and you see so many layers to God and His character.

Do you have a hard time believing the bible is real? 

Or maybe you believe in the characters but not the stories in the bible.

Maybe you think it's all a lie.

Maybe you're an atheist.

If that's you, I challenge you to prove the bible wrong.

God doesn't mind a challenge.

If you are willing to question and challenge God, that means your heart is open to truth.

Challenge God.

Find out the truth for yourself.

Isaiah 55:11 tells us;

"So shall be my word that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed for which the thing I sent it."

Just open God's word.

He promises you'll get something out of it.

So that's what we are doing.

What could you do?

Blessings,

xo/Austin

We're Getting Married!

Okay guys, can you tell I'm struggling keeping updated on here?

I figure I better fill you in on wedding plans.

Mainly cause I like to think about that.

I promised pictures from Mom and Kevin's wedding... But I kinda slacked and forgot to get them onto my computer before I headed out for school... 

They're currently in (or on their way) to Mexico for their honeymoon, so they won't be sending any pictures any time soon... But here is a sneak peek.

Gorgeous right? How unfair is it that I have to compete with my own mom for who will look better in wedding pictures. Oh well, I guess that's the price you pay for having a pretty Mom. :]

Have I mentioned that my best friend is getting married this summer?

I think so. Have I mentioned that she's getting married the weekend after my "to-be sister/brother in law's" wedding? Oh yeah. It's about to be a busy summer.

I am so excited though, because I get to help plan Mimi's (we're gonna start calling her MOH--Matron of Honor-- cause I just think it's funny.) bachelorette party! 

I've been thinking of all kind of great ideas for an inexpensive (because both of us clearly are not rolling in money these days) yet amazing bachelorette party! I'd share my current ideas, but she might see this and we just can't have that. If you have any great ideas or things that you've done, let me know! I'm all ears! And I would really appreciate input!

So for my wedding...

Here's the update.

We are currently deciding where to register.

Target? Macy's? What do you think?

What is the best place to register?

Input always appreciated!

We are also talking about who to have for our flower girl, ring bearer, ushers, officiant, etc.

And when we decide I really wanna do something special for them like I did for my bridesmaids.

Mostly because I think it would be really fun!

We think we know what song we will dance to.

We know who our DJ will be.

We know the idea we want for decorations.

And if you have anything you'd be willing to lend us or save some stuff that you might not think of saving for us, that would be awesome! 

We're looking for:

Mason jars. Of any shape or size!

Mis-matched and different shapes of glass jars!

Twinkle, christmas, or bulb lights! We are going for a bunch of lights! As long as they're white and not LED!

Candles! Candle sticks, tea-lights, etc.

Obviously, chandeliers and bird cages.

 {but you knew that.}

Also looking for white jars!

Any old/antique/vintage looking things like this.

Useful things, like window frames, screens like this, vintage furniture.

There will be more. 

But for now this is all we are thinking about.

Hope you aren't bored out of your mind with wedding plans.

Any suggestions are accepted and appreciated!

Love,

xo/Austin

Weddings, Weddings, Weddings.

Finally time for a good wedding update.

It's been a crazy trip back home.

Mom got married!

Last weekend her and Kevin got married! 

It was a really great wedding!

Currently I don't have any pictures...

But as soon as I get some I will for sure share!

This last week we took some more engagement pictures!

Yes, again.

Our wedding photographer, Sarah wanted to get some engagement pictures as a part of the wedding package while we're home!

We went with Kylie and Ryan (Matt's sister and her fiancé).

We had a blast!

We don't get them until next week (hopefully) but these are a few previews!

Today I am going wedding dress shopping!!

We're going to a preowned consignment shop in Seattle.

I am really hoping to find a good one.

Wish me luck!

Some loose ends of what else we are planning are in the making too!

For example, we decided we want the girls to wear cowboy boots at the wedding.

We also decided that we are going to do a yummy dessert bar instead of a sit down dinner.

(we're not exactly rolling in the money)

Another part that I am way too excited about, is my good friend Amy got me a birdcage for Christmas!

It's vintage, and white, and adorable. 

I love it.

Finally, the last wedding excitement I have to share, is my best friend is engaged!!

She got engaged on Monday and they're planning a wedding for early June.

Which is convenient for me, because then I have a matron and a maid of honor!

I can't wait to have so many weddings this summer! 

And celebrate with so many people I love!

So much wedding excitement in the making!

I just can't wait to marry my best friend.

I'll keep you up to date!

love,

xo/Austin