To catch up a bit...

Here is a compliation of the past few months... In September, Eric threw me a surprise 25th Birthday party! I was quite surprised, he did such a good job! He rounded up all my friends, half of whom he hadn't even met yet and everyone that could be there was, even his parents made a trip down. It was a little cool to get in the pool but we made up for that with all the yummy food and delicious cake! Enjoy a few of the pics!


Kris made me a sweet memory/photobook. So sweet, she even made me cry :(







October rolled around and we kicked off the month with the Lady Antebellum/David Nail concert with best friends Kelly and Chris. That same weekend we enjoyed a U of M football game, despite the loss and also that same weekend went to Nashville with good friends Matt and Stephanie for a Tennessee Titans game! That was fun, cold, but a fun experience; I'm sure it won't be my last pro football game either :) October ended with the Carrie Underwood concert, which was absolutely fantastic! She put on the best show, I will definitely buy tickets for another concert of hers!

















Then came Novemeber and Thanksgiving time. For Thanksgiving Eric and I travelled to Missouri on that Wednesday night and returned late Thanksgiving afternoon. It was a quick trip but at least we got to be with both families. We would've stayed longer, but I had to work the day after Thanksgiving.

We're ENGAGED!!!

Yes, say hello to the future MRS. Shirkey.... I'm gonna have to get used to that name! :) The night we got back in town from St. Louis, Eric asked me to marry him! I couldn't believe it when it did happen. It was simple, sweet and of course, so special. Eric had plans the whole weekend while we were with family to propose, but never did, for various reasons; but that night we returned home, he couldn't resist or wait any longer. We had just been hanging out together, which we LOVE to do, just talking about how well the weekend went and how everyone enjoyed one another's company...the next thing I knew, he was down on one knee proposing with the most BEAUTIFUL ring! We were ecstatic and couldn't wait to spread the good news! We first went to my parents house to tell them in person, then called the rest of our friends and family.




The wedding is April 2, 2011 on the beach in Destin, Florida. We can not wait to share such a sweet, special time with our closest friends and family and become husband and wife!

And the 'rents finally meet!

August 2010, the Shirkey's and White's finally meet. Eric and I had been planning a fun way for our families to meet and we thought, what better way than a Cardinals game and get-away!? So that's what we did. Both my parents and sister and Eric's parents and brother all traveled to St. Louis for the weekend to catch a game, some good food and a chance to finally meet possible future in-laws! :) All was well, besides the Cardinals losing and the extreme hot temps! Everyone loved each other and got along perfect! We are all looking forward to the next time we can all gather together! Here's a few pics from our weekend!


















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PCB 2010

At the end of July, Eric and I took Kristy and her friend Kendal to the beach. We had so much fun!









We ate at so many good restaurants: Pineapple Willy's, Captain Anderson's (BEST FOOD EVER), The Back Porch and Hammerhead Freds. We spent many days on the beach, one day though we traveled to Destin for the day and met Lauren and David for lunch at The Back Porch. We went to the outlet mall that day and shopped til we dropped! We went to a race car track and gaming place one night and also spent many nights walking along the sandy, white beaches too. We had a great time and were very sad to leave, but came back with many fun and memorable memories. There will definitely have to be a PCB 2010 reunion again!

It's been a while, I know....

So since I haven't posted since June, I am going to update all with what the end of summer and beginning of fall has brought me. I am truly going to try and do better... Stay tuned!

No Other Gods

Today, my dearest friend Lauren and I met for our new Bible study/devotion. The title of our new book is 'No Other Gods: Confronting our modern day idols.' The book started out with scripture from 2 Kings 17:33, which says: They worshiped the Lord, but they also served their own gods. Wow! That hit home for me. The lesson discussed the difference in a professed god, being who or what we say our god is and a functional god, being who or what actually operates as our god.

I think so many times we think of a functional god or a false god as being a statue or idol, but biblically, it is something other than God that we set our hearts on, something that motivates us, that rules us or that we trust, fear or serve. This can range anywhere from people and relationships to drugs and alcohol; materalistic things, money, our jobs, homes, cars, priorities and time.

This study helped me realize that I need to prioritize my life and my day to fit more time in with and for the Lord, to sink into His word and fight off the false gods of this world. Proverbs 4:23 states: Above all else, guard your heart. That is my constant prayer today and throughout this next week.

I can't wait until next week to jummp back into the next session and meet with Lauren!

Gearin' up for the Cardinals!

This past weekend, Kristy decided she wanted to go to a Redbirds game, last minute! Her, Eric and I had been at the pool all day and she decided at about 3pm she wanted to go, so we did. We bought our tickets and sat on the lower level, near home plate. Goodness, was it a HOT and HUMID evening! Not to mention, we were all sunburned! We ate some BBQ nachos and yummy ice cream! The Redbirds won the game and that night was fireworks night too--- lots of fun and very pretty! Made me look forward to July 4th and all the fun it brings.

We are planning a trip to go to St. Louis in August for a weekend of Cardinal baseball with both families. It should be a blast!