April...Via Instagram

April is already over? Seriously? I think this is a joke. Because if April is over, that means it's only 19 days until my wedding!!!! As much as I'd like to think that is true, it isn't. Therefore, there is no way April has already come and gone. 

But it has...... May, bring it on. My wedding, honeymoon, and first ever Book Club are going down this month folks. Its going to be a fun ride.

Here it is, my April through Instagram:

The cutest little niece ever; Happy Easter from the Mr. and Mrs.... almost; My hair actually held a curl for almost an entire day; The annual "grandchildren" picture.

Wearing my wedding band because I lost a diamond; Final projects = death!; The King and his 'stach; We are pros at killing space invaders.

Matching hats for our honeymoon; Just plain happy; Spring cleaning on the blog; The lovely ladies from my bridal shower.

How was your April? I really cannot believe we are so far into 2012 already.

If you want, you can follow my instagram here. My user name is kayleehornsby.

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In The Book Club news, the votes are in and it is Kelle Hampton's Bloom. I am so excited to read this! I bought mine on sale for Mother's Day at Barnes & Noble. Get out there and get the book ladies. I cannot wait to read with you all. Check back later this week for more information on how to get involved and join in on the club fun.

ALSO!!!

*and this is very important*

I have a TON of new readers! I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to have so many new people join me in this here adventure. I'll be posting more about myself later this week so you can get to know me. I would hate to disappoint. Until then, you can click here to hold you over. 

SO EXCITED TO HAVE YOU!

Sorry So Short

Sorry that you're getting a really lame blog post, but it's my first night of freedom and I'm enjoying it with the King. First stop Chipotle, next stop Volleyball. Where will the night end? The world may never know. Until tomorrow!!!!

Finals, Fast Cars and Freedom... oh and AD SWAP!

Tonight is my last final.

Can I get a hallelujah? How about an amen?

I am so relieved. This final is actually nothing more than a vocabulary quiz.

That has 52 words on it. Words that are super hard.

Put together by a professor that may or may not want us all to fail...

*I'm banking on the first one*

But after that.... Oh the sweet sweet freedom!!!

I cannot remember if I posted this yet, but I dropped my summer classes.

For the past 4 years I have been working full time and going to school full time.

As much as I'd like to think I am Wonder Woman, this semester has kicked my butt.

In addition to working and going to school, my dad had heart problems, I got engaged, am getting married and I changed jobs.

Wayyyy to much for this Wonder Woman to handle.

I found out that my scholarships won't pay for summer anymore, so that was going to be around $1,000 out of my pocket (hello, I have a wedding to pay for). If I wait until fall, I won't have to pay it at all.

So to add into my new found freedom, I am going to go three months without school. This way, I can enjoy my new job, my wedding and my new husband.

Can I get another hallelujah? How about another amen?

The Book Club voting ends today folks!!! Hurry up and vote for your favorite. Currently, Sarah's Key is winning, but Bloom is right behind! I can't wait to announce the book and get started with you lovely people.

One last item before we go: I'm currently accepting blogs for ad swapping in May.

Interested? I sure hope so.

Click on over to my "sponsor" page to find out more.

The swapping includes not only your button (duh) but a "guest post/get-to-know-you post" and a possible give-a-way, all for the LOW LOW PRICE of "hey, just swap buttons with me."

Email me:

BrightandBeautifulBlog {at} gmail {dot} com

P.S. Fast Cars has NOTHING to do with this post. It just reminded me of the Rascal Flats Song. Unless the King wants to take me for a ride in the Jeep... which is the closest thing we have to a fast car.

In the Words of David Bowie...

There have been some changes around here today. I have so much more to do, but its a start!

I think I got food poisoning last night (I'll spare the gory details) so I stayed home from work (you know, to avoid the whole, "Thank you for calling the law offices of... BARF!"). I was going to study for my final tonight, but changing up my blog seemed so much more appealing!

What do you think? What should I change? Do you like the old one better?

Anyhoo, moving on... The Book Club is a little over a week away from starting. I cannot believe that my little baby blogging idea is getting the support that it is! Thank you all! 

Just in case you have NO CLUE what I am talking about, May 1st we are starting a blog book club. Together with MK, over at The Guest Room, and Aubrey, from The Kinch Life, we will be hosting "The Book Club." The last weekday of each month we will be having a link-up party where, if you are a blogger, you can link-up your blog post with answers to questions regarding the books or even just a post about the book in general. If you aren't a blogger, we'd love to have you as well. Just leave your comments in our comments section. Everyone is welcome. Oh, and there will be a giveaway. Who doesn't like giveaways?

The books up for vote in May are:

Bloom by Kelle Hampton

Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern

Paris in Love by Eloisa James

Make sure you go and vote for your favorite on my right hand side bar! Can't wait to start this adventure with you all!!!!

Alrighty... enough procrastination for one day. I'm off to go take my final...........

The King and I

I've been thinking a lot about the King today.

He has been AMAZING during this crazy time in our life. 

I call him on a daily basis and vent, either about school, work or wedding stuff.

He takes it like a champ.

My life would be so much harder and listless without him.

He is my rock.

My best friend.

My other half.

My BETTER half.

I really am the luckiest girl in the world.

Seriously.

I feel SO BAD for those of you who don't have him.... which is everyone else. Sorry.

Hope you find a close second ;)

Anyhoo, on this Friday, I just wanted to give the King his proper dues by letting him know that I love him and appreciate him so much.

I am ecstatic to marry him in 29 DAYS!!!!

I can't wait to start this new life with you amor.

Bring it.

Embrace the Camera: 4/19/2012

Saturday, the King and I took Amber and her little boyfriend (or not boyfriend.... we're still confused about that) to Magic Kingdom. I don't know why, but that place is still so magical to me. The rides aren't so thrilling anymore and I can walk that place with my eyes closed, but nothing will escape the memories and fun times to be had. 

Space invader killing professionals.

Tea Cups = Classic.

It is so hard to get him to cooperate sometimes <3

We were captured :(

Love of my life. Check out Amber's disgusted look....

See, they do let you have your dreams come true... if holding a set of balloons is your dream.

Here are some pictures from the trip. They were all taken while walking (for the most part) so they are pretty blurry, but I love them.

Join everyone else with Emily's Embrace the Camera.

P.S. I get married in one month. WHOOP WHOOP!!!!!!!!!

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Don't forget to vote for the book for May's "The Book Club." The poll is in the right hand side bar. We need your help picking it! Remember, you don't have to be a blogger to participate. Just help us pick the book, and comment in the comments section when we have the link-up party! So excited to do this with you guys!!!

Meet Aubrey + My First .gif

So finals are next week, but all of my professors decided to have final projects due this week. I'm dying over here!!!! I had to take off from work early yesterday (I got written up for it as well.... different story for a different time) just so I could MAYBE get them all finished. Don't believe me, check out my first .gif to prove it:

Inspiration via. Tutorial via.

With all of that said, I'm going to let my sponsor, Aubrey, from The Kinch Life, introduce herself and take over my blog for a day. Meet her. Fall in love with her. Check her out and follow her!!!! I love her so much AND she decided yesterday to be the third co-host for The Book Club (so go and vote on the books in the side bar, please!). Without further adu:

Hi you lovely gals; I'm Aubrey Kinch & I'm so glad to be here here today! I blog over at The Kinch Life such an original name, I know.... ;) NOT.
Anyhow....

1. I am married. To the most amazing man out there, Andrew. We promised our forever to each other October 1, 2010 and have enjoyed all the choas of our life together so far.2. I am a Christian. God is beautiful and he is good, always.3. I have a 6 year old step-son, Drake. He is the biggest blessing and I love him more then words can explain.4. I am a daddy's girl; we danced to I Loved Her First at my wedding and we both cried a lot; the ugly sobbing though so no pictures will ever be seen. ;)5. I am addicted to EOS [looks like an egg] chapstick.6. I have multiple tattoos and am no where near finished getting them. Most have flowers and bible verses.7. I sang the National Anthem for a basketball game in middle school, once. Was too scared to ever do it again.8. I work as a full-time nanny for a beautiful toddler, Elle. It makes me want my own, soon.9. I am obsessed with Target. I am there 4...5 times a week. Literally.10. I am notorious for sending Christmas Cards out the day after Thanksgiving. I get a lot of crap for it but I am just wayyyyy prepared. ;)11. It's my dream to have a southern accent where I can say "bless your heart" and it would be accepted. Plus I love country music.12. I am a chronic organizer.  Pinterest|Twitter|Email I hope that gives you a small glimpse of me and what I'm all about.Come show my blog some love; can't wait to meet you all! & thank you so much for having me.YOU ROCK GIRL!
-----------------------------------------I love her and I know you guys will too. Go check her out. And Aubrey, thanks for making my life and blogging world SO MUCH brighter!!!

Sharing is Caring You Know

I have lived in this beautiful tiny cottage for over a year now. This is where the King and I will be calling home for (hopefully) the first year of marriage.

Look closely. You can see the King creeping.

I have put so much effort into making it "mine" and a safe haven for me in this world. I have my family's pictures all over the walls. I have, as what the King likes to call, "whimsy" all over the cottage (this means a sewing machine, a cute sewing box, countless books in every space possible and even knickknacks all over the top of my refrigerator).

The other night, as the King left my house, I got a little sad. He will be moving in here. My house will be OUR house. I'll have to get rid of the whimsy to make room for him and his mega-desk. I'll have to get rid of my pictures to put his up. I'll have to get less "girly" bedding. 

Is it all worth it? Abso-freaking-loutely.

Is it hard. Yes.

I get to have him here with me every night. I get to have him kill the spiders that make their way in through the shower every morning. I'll have him to study scriptures with and pray with. I'll have him there to watch Hulu with. He'll be there. I just am going to have to learn to share my space.

But isn't that what marriage is all about? Sharing your lives?

The King is who I want to share my life with. After all, sharing is caring, and I care about him the most.

Well except for the part of him that collects barrel Haitians. They're going into storage.

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Check out the poll going on over in the side bar. We're trying to pick a book for "The Book Club" in May. HELP US OUT!

More about The Book Club coming soon...... and a giveaway!!!

79 Pages of Handouts?!?!?!

I'm sitting in class.

Yes, right now.

In the front row. On my computer. Not listening to my professor.

Why?

He handed us a packet of random appeal documents 79 PAGES LONG!!!!!!

That's when I decided to sign back into blogger and do my blog post now and not at like 11 pm tonight when I get done with my homework.

Sue me. I guarantee you I'll win just by using the packet he handed out..... or not.

So, the other day I posted about losing my ring. I decided that I want to wear my wedding band while it's being repiared so I don't get hit on, have to go through the awkward conversation of: 

Some Guy: "Did it hurt?"

Me: "What?"

Some Guy: "When you fell from heaven?"

Me: "Whaaaaa?"

Some Guy: "Because you must be an angel."

Me: "Why, I'm sorry, I'm actually taken."

Some Guy: "You are? Where's your ring?"

Me: "The diamond fell out. You can read about it on my blog."

Some Guy: "You blog?!" *followed by him sprinting away.

Actually, I just don't want to feel naked. And without that shiny on my left hand, I feel a little naked.

Everyone keeps telling me it is bad luck, that its untraditional and I shouldn't do it. 

To them, I ahve to say, who cares?

I'm wearing it on my middle finger (because we haven't had it resized yet) and I'm not worried about bad luck. The King and I are making the right decision. The Lord is behind us. All will be okay. Even if I am wearing my wedding band before we are married.

In SUPER exciting news, my bridal shower is this weekend. BRING ON THE GIFTS YO!!!!

Ahem, I mean, I cannot wait to spend a lovely time with my family and friends.

My sister (aka, the M.O.H.) and my lifelong best friend, Laurel, are throwing it. And since I am marrying a King, they are throwing a Royal Wedding inspired shower. I know they are going to do an amazing job, but it is still hard for me to let them be fully in charge.

In other quick news...

Ryleigh, the cutest niece in the world, is learning how to put on make-up. Jeez, can she stop growing up?!

Please excuse my sister's appearance. It is obvious she looks that way because Ry ry stole her make-up. Juuuusssstttt kidding Linny.

And, the King is growing a 'stache. He says it has magical powers. We shall see......

A Coffee Date = Hello Me.

I don't know if any of my "long time" readers (shot out to my mom and the aunts), or anyone else for that matter, has noticed, but I have been starting to try and get my blog "out there." I'm not sure if I even know what that means, but to me, it means getting my voice out there so I can help/bond/influence others like so many in the blogging world have for me.

One blogger that I have immediately connected with was this woman:

Emily from The Anderson Crew.

Recently I found out that she lived in Orlando and I was dying to meet her. She agreed to meet me for a date at Starbucks and I was stoked. All day yesterday, as I sat behind my desk at work, I could not wait to clock-out and go meet her. She probably would have thought me a crazy person if she saw HOW excited I was. When I finally pulled into the Starbucks parking lot, my palms started sweating like a nervous teenage girl on her first date (well, that is what this kind of was.... HELLO!). 

I walked in, saw her smiling face and it felt as if we had known each other forever (at least it did for me Emily.... just in case you're reading this). She gave me a big hug and the rest of our two hour conversation flowed. Between talk of blogs, marriage, adoption, family, moving and even the name Apple, I couldn't help but be distracted by her glasses. People, this woman has style. Tons of it. Who else do you know that can pull of cat-eye glasses that are complete with equal, multiplication and division signs???!!! She can, that's who. I could have talked her ear off (and I'm sure I probably did), but I knew she had already taken enough time out of her life and away from her precious family of 6 beautiful kids to sit with little old me. I don't think she will ever know how much that little coffee date meant to me.

Emily gave me wonderful advice about my blog. She told me to have fun and be myself. I have been struggling with being myself on this blog. For the most part I always am, but some days I think, "how on earth will anyone want to read my blog? I have done NOTHING interesting, exciting or relate-able....." 

If I learned anything from my time with Emily, it was that I am fun. I am nice. I am who I am. I do have lots going for me and I am in one of the most exciting times of my life. I'm getting married to the most wonderful man and I shedding the old single Kaylee. I'm making myself into someone completely different. Someone who will be more loving and selfless. Someone who will be two people instead of one.

I am so grateful for all of the readers and growth I have experienced over the past month. I am even more grateful for the knowledge of who I am. Thank you all for making my blogging experience what it is. I love all of the comments, sweet gestures and advice. I'm grateful for you sharing your experiences with me. 

So hang on guys, let's take this wild ride together. From the old Kaylee to the new Mrs. Gwyn.

Oh. My. Goodness.

I brought my fish into work today. He was dying at my house because I am basically never there, so it was necessary for him to make the trip down I-4 to my new office, aka, his new home. I spent the first bit of my day getting him adjusted and happy. When I was done, I sat at my desk to get down to work. I did what I normally do throughout my day (look at my engagement ring, because, well, it's just fabulous). Then I noticed it. One of my diamonds was missing. 

Wait. What?

My diamond? MISSING!!!!!!!

I was on a phone call so I had to calmly wrap it up so I could properly freak the heck out.

FREAK THE HECK OUT. 

All of my new co-workers graiously helped me scour the floor and kitchen and lobby for the 1/8th carat diamond. A lot harder of a task than one might think. I got to the point where I realized I would never see that precious baby stone again. I bucked up, grabbed my phone and dug out my courage. I was going to have to tell the King about what happened and I didn't think he would be happy (I mean who would be? I just lost a diamond).

I walked down a hallway in the office have never walked down before, tears running down my face. The King answered and I told him the bad news. He was sweet and reassuring, saying that we would get it replaced and fixed soon. That's when I decided I should take the ring off so I wouldn't lose another stone. When I did, I looked down and there, on the hunter green carpet of the hallway, was my tiny precious baby stone.

No freaking way. Where the heck did it come from?

Divine intervention my friends. I said a prayer, as well as my co-worker, and boy, did the Lord deliver on this one.

You bet the King and I will be getting my sweet engagement ring fixed A.S.A.P. (and by that, I mean like yesterday). 

Until then, I'll be wearing a naked ring finger.

Boys and men of all ages, I'm still taken. Sorry.

(Maybe the King will let me wear my wedding band in the mean time?)

Decisions Decisions.

I need your help. Which should I choose? Kaylee Corin Gwyn or Kaylee Hornsby Gwyn? I'm not going to lie, I hate having to write Hornsby in cursive (it's awkward folks, trust me), and I've had quite a few unsavory nicknames come from it. I love my middle name and I don't want to drop it, but I do feel a little bit of responsibility behind keeping my maiden name.

So, should I be Kaylee Corin Gwyn or Kaylee Hornsby Gwyn?

Easter Sunday and Whoa.

Yesterday was Easter; the day He rose from the dead, giving new meaning to this life we all live. I was especially grateful for that message of hope and everlasting life, especially with all of the recent things in my life. Dad is home and he and mom had a relaxing day together while Lindsey, Amber, Ben and I went to Shadow Wood to hang with the aunts, uncles and cousins.

Getting the annual "cousin" picture to come out is truly a work of art. I'll have to see if I can get the video the King took of us trying to get this picture. It really captures the whole experience.

 I just really love this guy, y'all. He has been so spectacular to me lately. He waited around patiently for the Bright House guy to come and hook the cottage up with excellent internet (after 6 weeks of not having it) and he has been my rock throughout all of the crazy emotional roller coaster last week provided. Also, he looks dang good. All the time.

 

 

Did anyone notice my attempt at "color blocking?" Ilene and Syd would be so proud. I was actually a big fan of the whole "bright colors" thing. My little cousins were an even bigger fan of the shoes. They probably wore them more than I did yesterday.

Today I started a new job. Its going to be way harder than I though, you know: juggling a real full-time job, school, wedding planning, and, well, life. Lets see how well I fare. Lets just say, so far, it has not been pretty (lets just say I may or may not have definitely walked slammed into a wall in front of most of my office... on the first day).

More importantly, I LOVE all of the feedback I have recieved about the book club! I am so excited that we are all going to do this together. It is going to be amazing. I've decided to call it.....

DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!!

"The Book Club."

Classy. I know. Original? I think not. Will it stick? Who knows. 

So my lovely people, what book shall we read? Any suggestions? I have a couple in mind. I'll post about them later this week, but I would totally love to hear your suggestions.

Well, I'm off to go catch up on my homework (since I can't get away with doing it at work anymore). In the immortal words of a genius tiger,  "TTFN (ta ta for now)."

The News...

I don't know if this is exciting to anyone else, but today is my last day at this job! Whoop whoop!! Monday I'm moving on to bigger and better things.

That makes this girl, well, super happy!

Yep, almost as happy as that one time the King took me out in his grandpa's boat on their lake.

Almost.

You know what else makes me happy?

(Besides Erin of Living in Yellow following me on twitter.... ME!)

Oh, nothing other than I'm starting a book club. Via the blogosphere. And, hopefully, with two very amazing people! Its going to be epic folks. EPIC. My goal is to have a name and a book selected by the end of this month. We'll start reading at the beginning of May and at the end of May, we'll host a link-up party where we link up a blog post that answers a few questions/gives our opinions on the book. That way everyone can make their own blog posts, share it and feel connected through a book! Cool huh?

I have always wanted to start a book club and I really think this is the best way for me to go about it.

So, what say ye? Interested?Are you going to be joining me and my co-hosts this May? Let me know! Also, let me know what books you would be interested in and what we should name the club. I am so excited to hear you input!!!

Back to Life, Wally, and Exciting News!

Dad came out of his surgery with flying colors. He didn't want us girls to see him when he came out of surgery (the tubes, the lack of consciousness, the lack of "dad"-ness), but I just had to. All day I had been sitting in a waiting room just hoping that the nurse walking by would give me an update or tell me he was out and that I could see him. When he came out, I had to see him. I had to see for myself that he was okay and that he was breathing. As I walked around the corner to see him all my emotions were on hold; I didn't know what to expect and I didn't know how to react. Then I saw my dad. He was laying there. He had so much sticking out of him and so many machines hooked up to him. There was betadine all over him and I just wanted to wash it off of him. Why was my daddy so dirty? Why was he not joking around?

Mom was talking to his and rubbing his head. I just sat and stared. I didn't know what to do. Mom would look at me and say, "Doesn't he look so good?" I guess. He looks like dad, but sick. She told me to talk to him. I didn't realize he was aware enough to know I was there and to hear me and respond. They had brought him almost out from his medicine so he would wake up quicker. I said, "hey daddy," and he started to move his hand, trying to find mine. I grabbed it and told him I loved him. That's when I lost it. Dad started to open his eyes as much as he could try. And the nurse told me I had to leave because my emotions were agitating him and he was trying to come to too quickly.

That's how much my dad loves me. Even when he is the center of attention and in so much pain, he wanted to make sure I was okay. He wanted me to know that he heard me and loves me. Yesterday was Lindsey's birthday. it was also one of the worst days of pain my dad probably experienced. It hurt him just to talk not to mention the energy it took out of him. When Lindsey went in though, he wanted to show his love, so he sang her Happy Birthday. We have a great dad. He really loves us.We really love him.

We all felt the many many prayers that were sent our way. We felt their comfort and their healing power. They were much needed then and they are even more needed now as dad starts the long recovery process. Thank you for those prayers and thoughts. It's time for us to try to get back to our life. Complete with a new  heart for daddy!

Oh, on a loosely related note, Amber may have lost Wally. I don't want to talk about it, but Wally was this $1.74 glass walrus figurine that Lindsey and I bought at the gift shop while we were waiting for dad to come out of his cath lab on Friday. While we waited, we took tons of pictures with him to keep us busy and distracted. please, enjoy:

Playing with Ryleigh's toys; Drinking some of Mom's Diet Pepsi; Being eating by Ryleigh; Hiding from us in the plant.

Checking out grandpa's bling; Going for a dip in the water fountain; Wearing a surgical mask so he doesn't catch the flu; Finally found dad!

P.S. I have exciting news to share with you guys. It is completely blog related and it involves all of you guys (and two other lovely ladies!). hopefully I can reveal it tomorrow!!! I'll let you know soon!

The Man of My Life

My daddy is having a very unexpected triple bypass surgery today. Thursday my mom brought him to the ER because he was having chest pains. On Friday we found out that three of his arteries were over 95% blocked. Today he is having it fixed. I know the Lord will guide my daddy's doctors and will be here to comfort me and my family. I also know that prayer works magnificent miracles. Please, keep the man of my life in your thoughts and prayers today. Love you all. Love you more Daddy.