Now on to the best part of our story...well at least so far :)
April 2009. A few days into April Payton returned to Hawaii and once again a countdown started to when I would see him again. Right now I had one thing to really focus on, graduation. It was hard to stay focused. In just a couple months I would be getting married and moving to Hawaii. Who wants to study instead of plan their wedding?? Oh and forgot to mention in my last post that just a day before Payton came home for R & R one of my very best friends, Jodi, got engaged. Yes, we were planning our weddings at the same time! :) Again, who wants to study??? lol I am very happy to say that I did study, I did pass, and on April 24, 2009 I graduated from college with a B.S. in Accounting. Wow, I was officially done with school for every. Now it was time to fully focus on wedding planning! YAY!!!!!
May 16, 2009. Ok this isn't part of our story, but I had to throw this in. On this day I had the pleasure of being a bridesmaid in Jodi & Shane's wedding! It was a beautiful wedding and the bride was glowing. I can not even begin to tell you how much I miss her and our other best friend, Laura. Life is just not the same without them.
June 26, 2009. Rehersal day! And what a busy day it was. just 3 weeks before the wedding Payton got approval to come home. However, it was only for a weekend pass which meant he would be in at 11am Friday and we had to head back to Hawaii Monday morning! On top of this quick little visit, we had yet to get our marriage license! So I picked Payton up from the airport and we went straight to the court house. Thankfully things went quickly and easily. We were officially ready to be married the next day. Off to the church we went :) The rehersal went well and afterwards Payton's parents had a big dinner for all of us at the Sirloin Stockade. The decorations in our party room were adorable!! My mother-in-law did such a great job with them and we all had a great time! Afterwards, the guys went off to a movie and us girls went to Laura's and played the Wii. Guys at the movies, girls playing video games....kinda backwards, huh? :)
June 27, 2009. THE BIG DAY WAS HERE!!! After 18 long months, the countdown was over. In just a few hours I would be Mrs. Payton Johnson! There is not a single bad memory that comes with this day. I heard so many wedding horror stories of hair going wild, dresses being messed up, someone being late, rings getting lost....yikes! None of that happened, or at least if it did no one told me haha Everything was perfect! The decorations were gorgeous and exactly what I wanted. The cake was amazing and the best tasting cake I have ever had! My dress was....wow! Seriously, if I can ever find reason to wear it again I would do it in an instant. And it would never have been as beautiful without my Grandma's help! She added lots and lots of extra beading that gave it that perfect amount of sparkle. She also made my matching veil! I felt more beautiful than I ever have in my life! My bridesmaids looked perfect, I loved their dresses! The guys looked so handsome! Then there was my groom. :) To be honest he could have been wearing anything and he would have looked amazing. Just having him there was incredible. We were engaged 18 months and spent 40 days total together during that entire time. But there he was standing tall and proud in his Class A's! The church was PACKED! I couldn't believe how many people there were! The ceremony itself went off with out a hitch. Well almost...haha I put Payton's ring on his right hand, but he nicely takes the blame for that because it's the hand he held out to me. I was a little embarrassed, but it makes for a fun memory :-P
As I look back I can honestly say it was the best day of my life. I wouldn't have changed a single thing. Even looking back a year later I am so happy with our wedding!!
So what did we do for our first anniversary? We went on a Train Ride the took us down a small portion of the west coast. Then we went to church and afterwards went out to Outback for dinner. Now we are watching TV and eating giant Chocolate Chip Cookies :) On Saturday we will be taking a Dolphin Watching/Snorkeling/Sunset cruise. That's our big Anniversary celebration and the reason we didn't buy gifts for each other. I am so very excited to see Dolphins! That is the one and only thing on my "Must do before leaving Hawaii" list haha I can't wait!
Well thanks to everyone who cared enough to read this. I sure enjoyed writing it!
Monday, June 28, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Our Story, Part 1
Well it's our first anniversary! So in honor of that I thought I should tell our story. This will take a few posts, so come back later today for part 2 :) Let's start at the very beginning.....
Payton and I met at the age of 13/14 when he and his mom started attending our church. It was NOT love at first sight....far from it haha I can still remember a youth group trip ending in me yelling at Payton to "SHUT UP!" and he had his own opinion of me at the time. Yikes....not good lol However, somewhere along the line something changed. It was a God thing for sure because neither of us ever saw it coming. My senior year of High School(2005) he started calling me for no reason at all. We started hanging out at church and youth functions. Soon after he started coming along to some of my family things. We were "just friends" for awhile, but eventually we both wanted more. Things were kinda rocky those first couple years because of some situations...but we'll fast forward.
September 20, 2007. I can honestly say this was one of the worst days of my entire life. I cried more that day (and the days following) than I had my entire life. For two years now Payton had been a big part of my life and had become my best friend. But on this day I had to let the Army take him away to basic training. I knew in my heart this was God's plan for him and that he needed to do it. That's the only thing that kept me from being upset with him for joining. I have never to this day wished he didn't or resented him for it. It was the right thing for him to do. I had people come to me and say "talk him out of it. He'll listen to you." I couldn't talk him out of something that I knew God wanted. I would have never forgiven myself.
December 15, 2007. Payton got to come home from basic on Christmas Exodus!! To say I was the happiest girl in the world would be an understatement! The first time I saw him I didn't recognize him. Shaved head and about 30 pounds lighter, he looked like a different person. It was so great to see him again and in my heart I knew he had something special planned during these two weeks home....
December 27, 2007. It was the one year anniversary since our first kiss. Have I mentioned yet how blessed I have been with Payton? He was my first boyfriend and I had never been kissed. He waited SO very patiently for me to be ready. Never once pressured me and even got upset when he went to kiss me on the cheek and I turned at the wrong time and he slightly hit my lips. He felt HORRIBLE because He really wanted ME to be ready and I am so greatful for that. So anyways, one year later we planned a special date. We were going to Texas Road House and the Walkway of Lights like we did the year before. Payton's plan was to make our trip to the Walkway just like it had been a year ago. We'd see the lights, then go to the little shop and get a brownie and hot chocolate. Unfortunately, we got to the shop too late and it was closed. So there we stood outside on a rainy, foggy night freezing to death haha Despite foiled plans, Payton proposed right there in his ACU's and I guess I didn't say yes, I said "I'd love to!" haha The ring was PERFECT and I was so proud of him because he picked it out all on his own!
Januay 12, 2008. I drove down to Ft Benning, GA with Paytons mom and brother to see him graduate from Basic Training. I couldn't have been more proud of him!! It was so exciting to know that he had accomplished this and it was great to have a few hours with him again. He was to be stationed in Hawaii and as exciting as it sounded to one day live there, it was so far away :( This goodbye was probably the hardest though, because he knew that in a matter of weeks he was deploying to Iraq. This would be the last time we'd see each other before he went over there. I was scared. So very scared....
February 28, 2008. I think this day probably is a tye with the day he left for basic. This was the day Payton deployed. To make matters worse, this was also the day we buried a dear friend of the family and church. In fact his funeral had just ended when I got the phone call from Payton saying he was leaving for the airport. Talk about a rough day....The deployment was hard. Lots of tears were shed over that year. I was stressed to the max with college, a job, and wedding plans. I was scared, a lot. I always wondered if that last phone call or Facebook message would be it. I am so thankful that in May he was able to get his R & R and was home for his birthday. Unfortunately that meant 10 solid months apart as he finished the rest of his deployment. There were many break downs during those 10 months. I was so blessed with great family and friends that were there for me during those times. I was also able to go down to GA and visit my Aunt Sandy and her kids for a few days. My uncle was also in Iraq at the time so it was nice to be with someone who knew EXACTLY what I was going through!
I know this has been very long, but I don't want to end on such a sad note so here is one more thing.....
March 2008. Payton was finally back in Hawaii and out of Iraq!!! It was like a huge rock was lifted off my chest and I could breath again. He was safe, unharmed and we had made it! In just a few short weeks he was back home for leave, AND he was able to be home for my birthday :) I still to this day thank God for keeping him safe over there!
Ok that's enough for now. I'm sure you are all bored and have read enough :) Later today I'll post the wedding details and the months leading up to it. Hope you are all having a wonderful day!
Payton and I met at the age of 13/14 when he and his mom started attending our church. It was NOT love at first sight....far from it haha I can still remember a youth group trip ending in me yelling at Payton to "SHUT UP!" and he had his own opinion of me at the time. Yikes....not good lol However, somewhere along the line something changed. It was a God thing for sure because neither of us ever saw it coming. My senior year of High School(2005) he started calling me for no reason at all. We started hanging out at church and youth functions. Soon after he started coming along to some of my family things. We were "just friends" for awhile, but eventually we both wanted more. Things were kinda rocky those first couple years because of some situations...but we'll fast forward.
September 20, 2007. I can honestly say this was one of the worst days of my entire life. I cried more that day (and the days following) than I had my entire life. For two years now Payton had been a big part of my life and had become my best friend. But on this day I had to let the Army take him away to basic training. I knew in my heart this was God's plan for him and that he needed to do it. That's the only thing that kept me from being upset with him for joining. I have never to this day wished he didn't or resented him for it. It was the right thing for him to do. I had people come to me and say "talk him out of it. He'll listen to you." I couldn't talk him out of something that I knew God wanted. I would have never forgiven myself.
December 15, 2007. Payton got to come home from basic on Christmas Exodus!! To say I was the happiest girl in the world would be an understatement! The first time I saw him I didn't recognize him. Shaved head and about 30 pounds lighter, he looked like a different person. It was so great to see him again and in my heart I knew he had something special planned during these two weeks home....
December 27, 2007. It was the one year anniversary since our first kiss. Have I mentioned yet how blessed I have been with Payton? He was my first boyfriend and I had never been kissed. He waited SO very patiently for me to be ready. Never once pressured me and even got upset when he went to kiss me on the cheek and I turned at the wrong time and he slightly hit my lips. He felt HORRIBLE because He really wanted ME to be ready and I am so greatful for that. So anyways, one year later we planned a special date. We were going to Texas Road House and the Walkway of Lights like we did the year before. Payton's plan was to make our trip to the Walkway just like it had been a year ago. We'd see the lights, then go to the little shop and get a brownie and hot chocolate. Unfortunately, we got to the shop too late and it was closed. So there we stood outside on a rainy, foggy night freezing to death haha Despite foiled plans, Payton proposed right there in his ACU's and I guess I didn't say yes, I said "I'd love to!" haha The ring was PERFECT and I was so proud of him because he picked it out all on his own!
Januay 12, 2008. I drove down to Ft Benning, GA with Paytons mom and brother to see him graduate from Basic Training. I couldn't have been more proud of him!! It was so exciting to know that he had accomplished this and it was great to have a few hours with him again. He was to be stationed in Hawaii and as exciting as it sounded to one day live there, it was so far away :( This goodbye was probably the hardest though, because he knew that in a matter of weeks he was deploying to Iraq. This would be the last time we'd see each other before he went over there. I was scared. So very scared....
February 28, 2008. I think this day probably is a tye with the day he left for basic. This was the day Payton deployed. To make matters worse, this was also the day we buried a dear friend of the family and church. In fact his funeral had just ended when I got the phone call from Payton saying he was leaving for the airport. Talk about a rough day....The deployment was hard. Lots of tears were shed over that year. I was stressed to the max with college, a job, and wedding plans. I was scared, a lot. I always wondered if that last phone call or Facebook message would be it. I am so thankful that in May he was able to get his R & R and was home for his birthday. Unfortunately that meant 10 solid months apart as he finished the rest of his deployment. There were many break downs during those 10 months. I was so blessed with great family and friends that were there for me during those times. I was also able to go down to GA and visit my Aunt Sandy and her kids for a few days. My uncle was also in Iraq at the time so it was nice to be with someone who knew EXACTLY what I was going through!
I know this has been very long, but I don't want to end on such a sad note so here is one more thing.....
March 2008. Payton was finally back in Hawaii and out of Iraq!!! It was like a huge rock was lifted off my chest and I could breath again. He was safe, unharmed and we had made it! In just a few short weeks he was back home for leave, AND he was able to be home for my birthday :) I still to this day thank God for keeping him safe over there!
Ok that's enough for now. I'm sure you are all bored and have read enough :) Later today I'll post the wedding details and the months leading up to it. Hope you are all having a wonderful day!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Life Right Now
Second post in a matter of minutes...haha sorry. I just felt like my first post needed to be said so now it's on to simply filling you in on life :)
As hard as it is to believe, Payton and I will be celebrating our 1st Anniversary on Sunday!! Which also means two days later marks one year since I have been in Hawaii! Where did the time go? Everything in my life changed in such a short amount of time. I left the town, the church, the people that I had been with for 22 years of my life and moved clear across the country with my new husband. Talk about an adjustment! It wasn't easy at first. I was miserable in Hawaii. I missed everything about home, hated the Army and Hawaii, and wasn't enjoying the trials that came with living on our own and paying bills. The only good thing going for me was the amazing husband that I had by my side (well when the Army allowed him to be there lol) Now nearly a year later everything is different once again. We have a wonderful apartment, a GREAT car, money to pay the bills, and I even have some friends. I've adjusted (somewhat) to the differences between Hawaii and Indiana....and I will actually miss one or two things about Hawaii. Seriously though, not enough things to make me want to come back. :) EVER.
So what are we doing now? Well we are in the beginning stages of moving back home!! We have exactly 3 months and 6 days left here in Hawaii, then we will be on our way back to where our hearts and minds have been this whole time! No more Hawaii. No more Army. No more missing big events and holidays back home. No more having to ask my parents to send me the bagels I love because they don't sell them here. lol BUT that also means no more guaranteed pay check from the Army...yikes. So needless to say the job hunt for me has begun. Any of you back home who hear of something (Accounting related preferably) please let me know! Right now there doesn't seem to be much open, at least not that I can find on the internet. Payton practically has a job lined up for when we get home thanks to a friend of his and we thank God for that! Otherwise we might be a little bit panicky. We are blessed to be able to live in my Mamaw's empty house when we move back, so again we thank God for providing that as well!
The big question with newlyweds (especially when you hit that first year mark) is when are we having babies?? haha The plan is to wait until we are settled in back home and have at least one pay check coming in. Now, God may have other plans but we pray that isn't the case :) Although we will be getting some type of "fur-baby" when we get back because I miss my animals SO much!!
I think that's all for now. I'm sure I have bored you enough already :) Hope you are all having a wonderful day!
As hard as it is to believe, Payton and I will be celebrating our 1st Anniversary on Sunday!! Which also means two days later marks one year since I have been in Hawaii! Where did the time go? Everything in my life changed in such a short amount of time. I left the town, the church, the people that I had been with for 22 years of my life and moved clear across the country with my new husband. Talk about an adjustment! It wasn't easy at first. I was miserable in Hawaii. I missed everything about home, hated the Army and Hawaii, and wasn't enjoying the trials that came with living on our own and paying bills. The only good thing going for me was the amazing husband that I had by my side (well when the Army allowed him to be there lol) Now nearly a year later everything is different once again. We have a wonderful apartment, a GREAT car, money to pay the bills, and I even have some friends. I've adjusted (somewhat) to the differences between Hawaii and Indiana....and I will actually miss one or two things about Hawaii. Seriously though, not enough things to make me want to come back. :) EVER.
So what are we doing now? Well we are in the beginning stages of moving back home!! We have exactly 3 months and 6 days left here in Hawaii, then we will be on our way back to where our hearts and minds have been this whole time! No more Hawaii. No more Army. No more missing big events and holidays back home. No more having to ask my parents to send me the bagels I love because they don't sell them here. lol BUT that also means no more guaranteed pay check from the Army...yikes. So needless to say the job hunt for me has begun. Any of you back home who hear of something (Accounting related preferably) please let me know! Right now there doesn't seem to be much open, at least not that I can find on the internet. Payton practically has a job lined up for when we get home thanks to a friend of his and we thank God for that! Otherwise we might be a little bit panicky. We are blessed to be able to live in my Mamaw's empty house when we move back, so again we thank God for providing that as well!
The big question with newlyweds (especially when you hit that first year mark) is when are we having babies?? haha The plan is to wait until we are settled in back home and have at least one pay check coming in. Now, God may have other plans but we pray that isn't the case :) Although we will be getting some type of "fur-baby" when we get back because I miss my animals SO much!!
I think that's all for now. I'm sure I have bored you enough already :) Hope you are all having a wonderful day!
I'm back
A few months back I started this blog with the idea that I could keep family and friends up-to-date on Payton and I's lives. I also thought it would be a great way to give me something to do and keep busy since I spend most of my time at home all day. I typed out a fairly long blog giving details about our first few months in Hawaii, our apartment, car, and church. It was just a plain and simple blog telling friends and family what was going on in our life. Harmless, right? Yeah not so much. Someone took offense to me saying that God provided something for us simply because that person had a hand in helping us and they believed we owed ALL the credit to them. According to them, God had NOTHING to do with it. Drama just exploded from there and I made the decision to not blog anymore because I didn't want to deal with the drama. Now, months later I've done some thinking. Why because of issues from one person should I have to stop my blog? And also, why should I not be able to give God the credit he deserves? Doesn't he tell us in the Bible that we will face persecution because of our Faith and that our Faith will be tested? He also tells us that if we deny Him to others, He will deny us. Even though I didn't deny God, I began to think that stopping my blog because of that comment was in a way saying that I won't publicly thank God just because drama may start. Well I am not OK with that. All that to say, I will be blogging and chances are many of them will in some way make reference to God. If God deserves my praise (and He does) then I'll say it. If I see Him working in my life, I'll say that too. If I have a verse on my mind, I'll put it in my blog. That's just how it's going to be. I'm not saying this will be a preachy devotional that's going to make everyone feel like crap about themselves. I plan to write about anything and everything. I'll write about funny things that happen, our progress on moving home and getting settled in when we get there. What I am saying is that this blog will be about Payton and I's lives and God is a big part of that. So anyways, when I update I'll let you know!:)
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