Monday, July 19, 2010

Need a little rustic elegance?

Beautify your space...

I love sentimental gifts. Things that come from the heart and have real meaning. I love to give them and I love to get them.

My bestest friend Devan who was the President of our State FFA Officer team is now sharing her creative talents with the world. What was once some doodling and gifts for friends is now bringing in the bucks! She gave us a piece at our wedding shower and a gift for our wedding. We love them both!



Since she is so talented, I wanted to share it with the rest of the world. You can buy her items of www.etsy.com. This is a really cool site where people who make things have an opportunity to share with the world.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/rusticelegancecrafts

Take a moment and give it a browse. She is just getting started, but has some super cute things to offer for your home or for the perfect gift!!!

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

I don't wanna grow up!



I am currently attending the American Junior Simmental Association Junior National Classic. I have been going to these events since I was very little with my parents, and was very excited to begin competiting and showing. My first junior national was in 1998 in Columbus, Ohio. Sadly, last year, in 2009 I competed in my last junior event as an American Junior Simmental member.

This year I am attending as a spectator. Let me tell you, it is hard. For 11 years, my family and I attended events all over the United States, from Monroe, Louisiana to Fort Collins, Colorado. Not only do you get the chance to compete in the contests, exhibit your cattle, but you also get to meet a lot of great friends.

As a junior member, I always competed in everything. My dad didn't really ever give me a choice, but I loved it. So, you can imagine my dismay, as I am watching the juniors around me heading off to do Public Speaking and Showmanship and feeling a bit left out. I was asked to help with the Mentoring Mixer and a few juniors asked for my help with their Sales Talk. It made me feel very involved to be able to help.

Growing up is awkward and weird. I am very happy to be attending junior nationals with my husband, but it makes it very weird. Married, grown-up, no longer a junior. Though I don't mind not having to do the early show mornings and breaking down heifers.

No matter if I am a junior, adult, or hopefully one day a parent of a junior, I will always love attending these events no matter in what capacity!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

We did it!

For the first time.... Mr. and Mrs. Hatmaker! :)


I know that I am way behind on the blogging, but with all that has been going on being faithful to my blog just hasn't been one of them.

But I can findly say that we are married!!! My blog name has super-duper meaning in the last few and right now because there is a lot of love coming from Paris! I mean we are newlyweds, right?

The big day was June 26th, but we of course have been on our honeymoon since then. What a glorious and beautiful day it was! Drew and I have talked a lot about how we did so much planning for so long and then to see it all come true was truly beautiful and amazing.

As a little girl you DREAM of finding your prince and having the most beautiful wedding, and boy do I think I hit the nail right on the head. I can not thank my wonderful parents, my new husband, and all of our friends and family for making it a truly special day and one that I will never forget.

We got married at the Marriott Griffin Gate Resort and Spa in Lexington. They are wonderful to work with and will get you whatever you ask for. Drew and I even had a special girl at the rehearsal and reception that would get us anything we wanted. They even platted our food for us and got us drinks from the bar. The setting for the ceremony was a huge, white southern home called, " The Mansion." It was warm outside but I sure wasn't paying any attention. Only thing I was looking for was my handsome groom at the end of the aisle. Don't let him fool you, he shed some tears. :)



It was a magical day and I am looking forward to married life now!