Highlights of the Past Three Months

September
- Bought two fishing kayaks
- Became Runners Up in my Saturday netball grand final
- Attended our last AFL game at Adelaide Oval for the year
- Visited the Royal Adelaide Show and cheered on our sister in her whip cracking competition
- Ate scones and drank tea at a Kitchen Tea
- Celebrated two 21st birthdays
- Put on lipstick and high heels for a night of dining, drinking and laughing with friends
- Caught up with Jamie's Best Man, his wife and their new daughter for the first time since our wedding. Delicious home cooked meal!
- Jamie cheered on Port Adelaide at the SANFL grand final
- We spent 10 amazing and relaxing days in the Stansbury Caravan Park. We fished, played games, kayaked, ate, slept and laughed with family. Our tent even survived 60-80km/h winds in a tent on the first night!
- Planted my first lot of fruits

October
- Dressed in black and white for a friends Hens Night
- Jamie played golf and ate out for a friends Bucks Night
- Had an amazing coffee date with a friend which turned into a six hour catch up
- Our small group organised and hosted a quiz night at Church
- Celebrated an 18th birthday
- Jamie waved goodbye to his P Plates
- We celebrated some friends as they began a new journey together in marriage.
- We celebrated a cousin's 21st
- Spent an incredible long weekend away with family at Rapid Bay. One of my favourite camping spots!

November
- Came home at 3am after many laughs and dancing with two primary school friends.
- I joined my mother and brother-in-law on a tour of Hillgrove Resource Mine. Quite interesting.
- Jamie closed his current Optus Store and moved into a bigger and better store in the shopping hub. We have said goodbye to two day weekends but hello to more opportunities.
- We celebrated 100 years of the Lobethal Recreation Ground over a lovely meal, good music and reminiscing of old memories.

By the end of November my Christmas tree was up, Christmas shopping had begun and the countdown had started for the most exciting day of the year.

One Month of Marriage

One month ago, I got married (see photos here)! I know the true meaning of 'time flies when you're having fun' now, as that is all that marriage has been so far. Ofcourse, we have had our disagreements about little niggly things such as what time to wash the dishes and where the location of dirty clothes should be but I'm safe to say we got through it. The fact that I can look forward to seeing Mr J every night and every morning is great. Super blessed.

As today marked one month with the man of my dreams, we invited our parents over to view our professional wedding photos. We ate cheeses, dips, crackers and homemade scones while we laughed and reminisced over such a great day. A day that will never leave us.

Married Life

Over here I gave 16 Reasons Why Mr J Derserves A Dozen Cupcakes. Almost four months have passed since I posted that. They are all still very true with additions to be made. Within this short amount of time though, I feel as though my world has been turned upside down (in a good way!). I'm now married to my best friend. Late night goodbyes and early morning messages have now turned into late night kisses and early morning cuddles. Creating a home and learning more about each other everyday is something I would never change. Although I have only been in the married club for two weeks and two days, I can't wait for the future challenges and excitements that we can tackle as a team, with God by our side.

Mr J went back to his day job yesterday. Reality is back. However, looking back on the day there are way more positives than negatives. Mr J's hardworking attitude has given him an opportunity to be acting manager at his current job. His first day in this position was everything he could have asked for and more. Smiles all around. I worked an early shift before coming home to tackle the dishes, make the bed, argue with the washing machine and cook dinner. Although these chores don't sound appealing, it's all new to me and I'm having fun! Having a productive day, gave me time to also sit down with a cup of tea and my bible. Reality with Mr J as my husband excites me. I'm looking forward to creating an encouraging and relaxed home with him and our Lord.

Thanks to our families and friends for being an inspiration, role models and support.

Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day! My day started at 12:00am, as Mr J and I were on our way home from a basketball match. Getting home late is one consequence of living on the other side of town. We stopped at a petrol station on the way home and before we continued our trek home, Mr J reached into one of our calico shopping bags in the back seat. I was asked to close my eyes and hold out my hands. As I opened my eyes I was excited to see the final season of this show to add to my collection. Can't wait to start watching it! We got home, showered, dressed and hopped into bed. Just as I was getting comfortable, Mr J asked for a glass of water (I was suspicious because usually he would just jump out and get it), there must be a catch. On my adventure of getting a glass of water I found five love notes hidden in the fridge, microwave, cutlery draw, laptop and the final one was waiting for me on my pillow. I felt so loved and it was only the first hour of the fourteenth of february. I couldn't help but give Mr J a big bear hug.

After a mini sleep-in and a productive morning, Mr J and I experienced our first couples massage at Cocoon Day Spa. It was amazing. Feeling very relaxed, we finished the day with Mr J's parents for a delicious meal and lots of laughter.

How was your valentines day? What did you get up to?

Our Honeymoon

February began in the best way possible. I got to marry my best friend. Our big day was amazing and I can't wait to share it with you once our photos arrive! Until then, I will skip to the honeymoon, which was also amazing. 

On Monday, the third of February, Mr J and I began a two and a half hour drive to Port Victoria. We arrived at a very clean and modern house which we were blessed to call our home for the week. Directly out the front of this house we were greeted with an incredible view and the downing of the sun. Beautiful! Our days spent on the yorke peninsula were extremely relaxing and included walks to the local jetty each day, a drive to Kadina, dinner at the Maitland Pub, movie marathons on the massive television, hours of playing board games and quality time with my husband. It was the best thing after such an eventful weekend. 

Introducing Us

I'm back! You may have noticed I haven't published online for a while but I think my excuse is one of the best. I got married!! & then had an amazing honeymoon. More about the wedding and honeymoon later but for now, introducing the newly married couple…

INTRODUCING TEAGAN KAHLA

How many siblings do you have? One younger brother
What is your favourite movie? About Time
What was your favourite childhood tv show? Arthur
If you could have one super power, what would it be? Go-go gadget arms
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? Oh so many places! I would like to start by seeing more of Australia and then maybe some relaxation in Thailand {or somewhere similar}. I also loved our America trip in 2012, so would be more than happy to visit there again and I would love t experience some of Europe. By that answer, I think I'm undecided.
What is your least favourite chore? Washing the dishes
What are three things that give you life? Blogging, decorating our home and board games with loved ones
What keeps you up at night? Creative ideas and tomorrows 'to do' list
Would you rather sky-dive or bungee jump? My heart is racing just reading that question but I would have to chose sky-diving.
Are you a scruncher or a folder? Folder
What about marriage are you most looking forward to? Waking up next to my best friend everyday and adventuring through life together

INTRODUCING MR J

How many siblings do you have? Two younger brothers and one younger sister
What is your favourite movie? That's a hard one, um… {will get back to you!}
What was your favourite childhood tv show? Arthur
If you could be friends with anyone famous, who would it be? Tim Allen. Enough Said.
If you could have one super power, what would it be? Invisibility
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? San Francicso, for their baseball matches and just because it is awesome there.
What is your least favourite chore? Clothes washing
What are three things that give you life? Playing any type of sport, playing board games with friends and just chilling with Teagan.
What about marriage are you most looking forward to? Never having to go home and spending the rest of my life with my best friend.
Would you rather sky-dive or bungee jump? Bungee Jump
Are you a scruncher or a folder? Folder

Not Long Now

Two days and twenty hours until I get to marry my best friend! So excited. Everything is happening now. Today - I picked up my dress, Mr J picked up his suit, the groomsmen suits arrived and so did most of the bridesmaid dresses, we finalised the service order and the days schedule. Tomorrow - I am getting some colour added to my skin, finish some decorations and we rehearse our ceremony. Friday - we set up our venues, the girls get their nails done, clean my engagement ring, freak out a little, watch movies and hope to get a good hour of sleep that may only become minimal. The day that I have dreamt of for years and been counting down since December 2012 will be here before we know it.

While I got some down time to myself today, I began writing a small letter to my one true love. I began to list some words that describes Mr J to soon realise that no amount of words could ever describe how much he means to me and how much I admire the man he is. The best part is, I get to be his wife! {Apologies to those who don't fancy the lovey dovey stuff but if anytime gives a girl permission to say it, it should be around her wedding}.

The Proposal

Here is My Love Story. This is the proposal.

 Mr J and I had been together for almost three years when we began to talk seriously about engagement.  It was always in the plan but not always on our mind. As typical Teagan, I wanted to know exactly what Mr J was thinking in regards to popping the question. Where? When? How? ...but still wanted a surprise {I understand now, why I caused some frustration}. We prayed a lot, asked deep questions about our future, talked about rings and experienced some shopping at jewellers. It was now a matter of waiting for the right time to come.

 It was summer holidays. I was working at a local apple packing shed with my best friend, Lauren P. I told her about Mr J and my possible future engagement and she was over the moon. The following weeks consisted of over-thinking accusations of when Mr J may pull out a ring. On Saturday 22nd December, I worked in the shed on a 38 degrees day, starting early and finishing at 12pm. Hot and sweaty, I travelled down the hill to watch Mr J play baseball. It was a normal, hot, summer day for that time of year. As a result of an early morning and hot weather I slightly resembled the cookie monster - a little grouchy. Baseball finished and Mr J and I drove back to his house to swim in the pool. The engagement topic arose and due to my mood, poor Mr J copped the bad end of an over-tired Teagan. I snapped a few times. Jamie dispaeared from the pool to the loo but took a long time {For those that know any male - this is nothing out of the ordinary}. In the meantime, I jumped out the pool and sat in the sun. Mr J arrived back and sat next to me. He put his arms around me and the following words turned me from the cookie monster to the happiest women alive.

  "Teagan, you know that I love you... Will you marry me?"  

He got down on one knee and held out the ring. In my heart and my head I wanted to yell a big, humongous yes but instead, I was speechless. All I could do was smile. My answer of silence was not helping Mr J's nerves though, so he asked me again and I said a verbal 'yes' this time.  The ring was a perfect fit and amazingly beautiful.

 After the adrenaline had come down to normal level for both of us, Mr J informed he had picked the ring up and spoke to my Dad that same morning, while I was at work. What a big day!

 Hours of phone calls and messages later, we sat down trying to believe that this wasn't one of those incredible dreams. I could not be happier. It was truly a Mr J proposal - spontaneous, relaxed and super exciting. Perfect.

 This is not only a gorgeous ring, a relationship that has turned into engagement or the planning of a wedding. This is a commitment, and I wouldn't want to do it with anyone else.  I'm so madly, deeply and crazy in love with this handsome man…

The countdown in on until February the 1st, 2014.

My Love Story

Mr J and I first lay eyes on each other in the summer of 2009 at Thebarton Ice Arena. My friend {Amy} recognised Mr J as her boyfriend's {Mark} basketball side-kick, but wasn't certain. For the next fifteen minutes we used our slightly skilled, yet clumsy skating to follow this long dark haired boy around the rink, trying to pick similarities out from what she previously remembered of him. Eventually, we got the guts to call him over. Before he was within three meters of us, I bailed. All I remember thinking as I watched him talk was, "Crackamoly! Why does all that cuteness make me lose my skating ability when I'm near him?"

Without saying diddly squat to each other, something attracted me to him. I couldn't help but ask Amy and Mark about Mr J the following day. They then informed me that Mr J had been asking about me too! Oh.My.Gosh. With a little hesitation to do phone number swapsies with a stranger, I convinved myself it was safe. Consecutive mornings I started receiving messages wishing me a wonderful day. We shared the same stress and study requirements of grade eleven exams and the hope to get to know each other better. 

A week or two later I was squirming with nerves to meet Mr J for the first time at the Wallis Cinemas. We double dated with Mark and Amy to see The Time Travellers Wife. Great movie, great company. Nerves weren't needed because as soon as Mr J and I started talking, we didn't stop. We started a friendship that day which I didn't want to end. 

The following days were spent on the phone for hours. How is it possible for someone to make me laugh so much? I remember learning about his passion for sport, knee reconstruction, favourite comedian and discussing if white is a colour or not. Our fondness for each other grew and we would tell each other that we wished the conversations never had to end. 

Mr J asked me if I would go to church with him. This would be our first official date and I didn't hesitate. We shared our love for God together and it was amazing. Not only did I thoroughly enjoy every minute with Mr J, I felt closer to God and learnt that this man can sing!  

The following week, we had another movie date followed by fish and chips in the park. Three hours of talking and laughing later, the topic to pursue a relationship occurred. We both admitted we never thought of anything more than friendship this soon, however we couldn't see ourselves going another way. We had connected and feelings were growing. From that day, the 2nd of December 2009 we started as boyfriend and girlfriend, deciding to get to know each other more and more each day. I could no longer deny I completely admired this handsome hills boy.

Living forty minutes away from each other was a trek for someone newly licensed, but coincidentally Mr J transferred to my high school for grade twelve the following year. We supported each other through our final year of studies before entering the big wide world of work. We grew closer, found each others ticklish spots, encouraged each others passions and were happy. 

Two years after we started dating, things started to get surprisingly tough. We separated.  Every emotion possible fell on top of me, more than I knew what to do with. I learnt who my true friends were, how supportive my family are and introduced myself to strength and dark chocolate. It wasn't long until Mr J wanted to re-kindle our relationship, yet I found it hard to trust I wouldn't lose him again. A month of occasional catch ups, trekking up Mt Lofty, phone calls, prayers, questions and answers, Mr J surprised me with a date to the first restaurant we ever attended together. I had only seen this place once, but recognised it instantly. Over dinner we shared tears, our regrets and a hope we could make this work again. Time passed and I began to realise how much Mr J cares for me, he still loved me just as much as before and would do anything for me. It was time for me to chuck those grudges in the bin, forgive and commit to re-building our relationship. I'm not going to lie, it wasn't easy, however, we can both say we have felt more love for each other than ever before.

Four months later we traveled our pre-arranged overseas holiday {the start of the travel bug!} and knew we would soon be heading towards getting engaged.

22 December 2012, Mr J proposed in a way that only Mr J could. I was reassured that I will be spending the rest of my life with my best friend, partner in crime and love of my life. This guy is my rock who leaves a smile on my face every day. The wedding planning begins and so does the rest of our lives.

See the proposal story here.