Letter's From Tyler

I love blogs that have weekly "Dear..." posts. The only thing I don't like about those is the letter only comes from the blogger herself. Today I am sharing with you a note my boy friend Tyler, who has been mentioned an awful lot lately, wrote for me probably a year ago. He is just precious♥

RACHEL ELISE BELL
I love you Rachel I really do and I just want to make sure you are happy with me. It's crazy the way I feel about you. It really is cause I could never dream of a better girlfriend cause you are perfect and perfect for me. Thank you for all you do for me it means the world to me. I can see our relationship going farther later on but only if you would like it to. You are the best thing that was ever put in my life. You treat me like nobody has ever treated me. You mean the world to me and I think of you 24/7 and it's great. I just want you to be happy and as long as you are happy I'm happy. You're perfect Rachel. I'm glad that you like to see me and spend time with me. It makes me have this feeling that I can't explain at all but it is so great and you're the best. You make me the happiest guy on the Earth. You, me... perfect couple and the happiest couple. Thank you for the way you treat me cause it is great. I never want to loose you cause I would be lost and I wouldn't know what to do. You make my life complete. I just love everything about you. From the way you look at me to the way you walk. All of it is perfect. My family loves you and I hope yours feels the same way. But I am crazy about you and I can never see you or be with you enough. You're my everything and I just can't wait until I can put a ring on your finger. (insert tiny drawing of ring with big diamond here). You complete my life and you don't need to change anything. You don't try to be like anyone else and that's what makes you the person you are. You're the best Rachel. 

I LOVE YOU

I LOVE YOU     I ♥ YOU

I LOVE YOU     I LOVE YOU 

The promise ring made it to my finger... I'm sure he's waiting til we are of legal marrying age for the ring with the big diamond ;) 

He is the sweetest thing ever. I am sooo blessed. 

Birthday Wishes & A Cupcake Tutorial

Today isn't just any Friday... It's my boy friend, Tyler's, 16th birthday!! You're sixteenth birthday is such a huge day in your life and I am so thankful I get to spend it with Tyler. In honor of his special day, I am giving you a special recipe! I made these last night and they were sooo amazing! I hope you're family and friends enjoy them as much as mine have!

My little cousin went bananas over these! 

*The brand names do not effect this recipe. I got the recipe from my iFood assistant app, which is a Kraft brand app, so that reflects the brands mentioned in the recipe. My photo of ingredients will indicate that I didn't stick to the recommendations. Cheaper= better (in my book)

Aren't they beauties? I thought so.

The decorative thingy around this cupcake came from Marshall's!

What You Need

1 pkg.  (2-layer size) spice cake mix
1cup  BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream
1can  (15 oz.) pumpkin
1/4cup  oil
3  eggs
1pkg.  (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1/4cup  butter, softened
1tsp.  vanilla
1pkg.  (16 oz.) powdered sugar
1-1/2tsp.  ground cinnamon

Make It
HEAT oven to 350ºF.

BEAT first 5 ingredients with mixer until blended; spoon into 24 paper-lined muffin cups.

BAKE 20 to 22 min. or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 min.; remove from pans. Cool completely.

BEAT cream cheese, butter and vanilla in large bowl with mixer until blended. Gradually beat in sugar. Blend in cinnamon. Spread over cupcakes.

SUBSTITUTE
Prepare using PHILADELPHIA Neufchatel Cheese.

HOW TO STORE
Store frosted cupcakes in refrigerator.


I hope you are drooling over this little cupcake as I was. The only thing to make it better would if I could have enjoyed a Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks along with it... perfection♥

Have a wonderful Friday!

Picture For Your Thoughts

This hunk, is my boy friend♥ 

I love him more than I love coffee... which is a serious statement coming from this gal. 

We've been together sixteen months, as of last Thursday.

Just wanted to give him a bloggy thank you: a thank you for being a combination of everything a girl needs.

Love you Tyler♥

These photos were taken by my bestie at our high school homecoming game Friday night!

We beat our rival school- Go Mustangs!

If you're looking for some new delicious recipes, come back this week- I have some yummy goodies in store for you all!

Collaging

Notice all the snazzy collages I have included in my posts lately? They're all thanks to PicMonkey! This site is amazing. Way better than Picnik, Photo Bucket, all that stuff! Check it out. It isn't just for making collages... TONS of free editing features available!!

This is my new, and amazing laptop background- thanks to picmonkey.com. Makes me smile every time I see it!!

No, we aren't married. But my last name is Bell, his is Brown.. so it works!

If you like the yellow and grey thingy in the top left, I have the photo without our words in it. I'll be happy to send it to you so you can enjoy it like me!

High Five Letters

{one}

Dear DIY monogrammed lock screens... thank you for making mine, as well as my BFF's lock screens beautiful. Tell your pal Lilly Pulitzer she needs to keep producing amazing prints. Thanks♥

binders: Staples ~ others: Walmart ~ book bag: Jansport with local embroidery detailing ~ lunch tote: Thirty One

Dear upcoming school year... the supplies I got rock, could you rock too?

{three}

Dear traumatizing MRI... you answered prayers and proved I have no tumors. So thank you♥ But could you assist some other high tech gadget find out whats wrong with me? These headaches are getting old.

{four}

Dear returning boyfriend... I am so thankful you had a fun and safe week-long fishing trip at the Outer Banks... however, I miss you terribly and cannot wait to see you when you get home today. I love you Tyler Reid!!

{five}

Dear Marshall's... you rock lately!! Total money spent: $19.24!!

sandals: Union Bay $10.00

belts: $3.99 each!

linking up with...

Lauren

&&&

Ashley

High Five for Friday + Friday's Letters = High Five Letters!!

Be sure to come back in an hour and check out my tutorial on how to make your own personalized/ monogrammed binder covers!!!

High Five Letters

Happy Friday! The title of this post might confuse you, it did me the first time I saw it on another gal's blog. You've all seen the "High Five For Friday" link up hosted by Lauren, and the "Friday's Letters" link up hosted by Ashley! Both are fantastic link ups... so why not combine them! So that is why this fabulous post is titled High Five Letters! 

{one}

Dear Thirty One package that arrived earlier this week... I am lovin' what you contain! Can't wait to share what I bought! Next Saturday I will reveal, can't before them because the photos showcase my mom's birthday present and my school lunch box! 

{two}

Dear Couch to 5K... thank you for exsisting. I started this program again (more details on why later) and I am so happy to be considered a "runner" again. I feel so great about myself post-workout! I will confess my previous couch to 5k experience later, along with the whole gist of Couch to 5k. If you are dying to know now, Google it.

New kicks I purchased for running, working out, and school! 

{three} 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your grace, your everlasting forgiveness, and your willingness to listen and understand. Talking to you like I would to a friend is the perfect way to end every day, and begin one. You are an amazing God.♥

{four}

Dear Tyler, thank you for all you say and do for  me. Knowing I have your support means the world too me. Everytime something happens in my world, I want to run and share it with you asap. You are that person for me. "Boyfriend" has became a universal term for all things you are- they're are too many to type. Thank you for always being you, and for always loving me!

{five}

Dear Myrtle Beach, look out! Dad, Tyler, and I are headed your way!! Please grace us with great weather, and slim crowds! Thanks, you're the best!!

Current Crush: The Boyfriend

I think this weeks "Current Crush" is a little more than a crush. Perhaps overwhelming love affair come close to doing a justice. Spending this week with my boyfriend, Tyler, has made me realize even more the love we share for each other, and the special bond we have formed over the last almost fourteen months. The pictures we had this brother capture Tuesday are my current crush for this week. I truly think they do an excellent job of showing who we are as a couple♥

For my relationship, the word "boyfriend" means so many different things. Tyler possesses amazing qualities, so terms like 'prince charming', 'hero', 'best friend', 'life support' get labelled to him frequently!

A big thanks to Danielle from Framed Frosting for selecting my blog for last weeks link-party give away! There are no "cons" in joining this link up- you can only gain positives!

Hope everyone had a safe and blessed 4th of July! Looking forward to getting back on my regular blogging schedule! Thanks for stopping by for this weeks "Current Crush" y'all!♥

More Than Mother's Day

I love my mother, to death, actually. But today, for me, is more than just Mother's Day. Today is Tyler & I's one year anniversary. I know you're thinking "woo, big whoop. its just one year" but this year has been an extremely emotional one. He has never once complained about having to be my therapist or shoulder to cry on. He is the best man that God could have possibly placed in my life. & last year, may 13th at the Rowan County Relay for Life, he asked me to be his girlfriend. I accepted but wasn't quite sure to be honest if it would work. But our love has grown into something I never thought was possible. I don't have a lot to give, but whatever I have, he knows I'll give it to him without thinking twice. He isn't just my boyfriend, he is my best friend and soooo much more! I love you Tyler Reid Brown. 

Dear Mommy,

No matter how old I get, you'll always be my mom. No one has to tell my how lucky I am to have you because I've known for such a long time. You are such an inspiring person and I thank you for your guidance in forming me into the young lady I am today! I look up to you in many ways. If I had the option to select a new mother, or keep you, keeping you would be my choice hands down. I love you very much Mom. 

Love, "Baby A"!

Left to Right:

Mamaw Brenda, Myself, Regan, & Mom!

Speaking of Mamaw Brenda... take a look at what I made for her Mother's Day Gift...

Have a safe & blessed Sunday!

A Picture Is Worth 1000 Words

I love this guy more than I ever thought was humanly possible. When you can't describe what it feels like to be in love, that's when you now you are. 

I've known these two beautiful girls, Ashton (left) & Shelby(center), since we were in 1st grade. We've watch each other grow up into the girls we are now. I admire them both so much, and love them as if they are my sisters!

This is one of my favorite things about living in the South; sunrises and also sunsets. Something about the mixture of color reminds me that my past love ones are safe in heaven, looking down on me by Jesus's side!

"No matter how frightened and discouraged I may become about the future, I look forward to it. In spite of everything I see all around me every day, I have a shaky assurance that everything will turn out fine; and I don’t think I’m the only one. Why else would the phrase “Everything is alright” ease a troubled place in so many of us? We just don’t know, we never know, yet we have so much faith. We hold our hands over our hurts and lean forward. It is how we keep on, this kind of hope."