Graduation Cont'd...

Like I mentioned before, H graduated at the end of May. You can all be proud of me - I only teared up a little at the graduation ceremony. I know my tears will be flowing freely when she moves to Stateboro in August. She will be majoring in Justice Studies at Georgia Southern University. I am so proud of H and all that she has overcome and accomplished. She has only been a part of my life for two years and lived with me for most of that time. We have done everything together, and I am dreading August when she moves away. I am excited for her and know that she will have a wonderful time at Georgia Southern, but I will miss her dearly. I took her in expecting to make a difference in her life, and she has made more of a difference in my life that I ever imagined was possible. She has blessed me beyond words and taught me a lot about myself and life. Congratulations to you, H, on a major accomplishment in your life. I am so proud of you and I love you!
H and me before the ceremony
Me, H, and Bryan
H with Tim and Nicole
H with my mom and dad
H with Kristen
H with some of her close friends at her graduation party
H with her awesome cake that Kristen made!!!

And an update from our Six Flags day... they did find Bryan's phone and keys. Unfortunately, both were damaged - see picture below of the phone and my key remote had obviously popped open and the actual "machine" that unlocks/locks the doors and the buttons fell out, but I still have an extra key so that's nice and I had two remotes to begin with! So Bryan has a new phone and all is okay. I am still hopeful that we can get the pictures off the old SIM card so I can show you our adventure! :)

June 11: A Day to Remember

...for us anyway. It won't be important to anyone else. And after a few weeks, we probably won't actually remember it either, but I definitely don't want to forget it - WAY too much happened today!!
First of all, let me back up and tell you that I seriously thought I was dying yesterday. I've been sick for a week straight with what I thought was a sinus infection. After a few days of meds for that, I wasn't feeling any better, and things actually got worse - my throat was swollen on one side which was affecting my ear, and it almost killed me to swallow. I called my doctor mid-week to say I wasn't feeling better and ask what I should do. They told me that it was probably viral and needed to run its course, so I didn't need to come in. So after a few sleepless nights and not being able to eat leading to no energy, I decided to go see a "doc in the box" and see what they said. I signed in and walked in and the lovely nurse practitioner told me that she could take my money, but just from the way I was talking she could tell everything in my throat was swollen and I needed a steroid shot. They, of course, couldn't give me that, so I called my doctor and got an appointment for yesterday afternoon. I got everything I needed while I was there... including THREE shots in my hips AT THE SAME TIME and prescriptions for oral steroids, an antibiotic, and a pain reliever. I wish I could say I felt better instantly, but no, it doesn't work that way. It wasn't until later last night, but I felt so much better - I felt like me again.
So all week, I really wanted to feel better for one reason - Brittany was coming to Six Flags today and invited me to come. And I wanted to go!!! So by Thursday I had pretty much told myself that Bryan and I wouldn't be going to Six Flags today to see her and I was going to have to come to terms with that. However, I was really struggling because I haven't seen Brittany since December, and even then, it wasn't for very long. And I just miss her!! But after the miracle drugs started working, I woke up feeling even better this morning, so I decided that we could go.
We get to Six Flags and are walking to the park entrance when we notice that there are LOTS of people walking OUT of the park. It has obviously rained and people are soaking wet. None of the rides were running, and when I called Brittany, they were just waiting in line for the ride to start running, but weren't being told when that would happen. So we wait until we see the rides running (with people) and go in. We road the Goliath, Bryan and some of the other guys rode The Ninja, and then we waited in line for the Superman. On the first upside down loop, Bryan's nose starts bleeding... so he's holding his nose and I still feel blood spewing on me, so I put my hand over to help cover it up. Then, we get to the end and are waiting in the flying position longer than normal. We tell Bryan to let go of his nose to just let it out - it seriously looked like someone turned on a faucet!! We finally pull up to get off, and the worker starts going crazy. Brittany asked for paper towels when we got off, and someone else came and asked if Bryan needed medical attention - we say yes. Then someone else comes to tell us that we can't leave or they'll get fired. We all look at each other saying that we're not leaving because we're waiting for medical attention - and paper towels!! So a few minutes later, somebody else comes up to ask if we need medical attention. You mean you haven't called yet?! Keep in mind - Bryan's nose is STILL bleeding while we're standing here for all this time - which ends up being a total of about 25 minutes. The ride is SHUT DOWN while they clean it up - but since they still never brought us paper towels, you can only imagine how long it took them to get the cleaning supplies and do the actual cleaning! The medic, Bobby, finally comes and after a series of more events, he takes us to the back and we get on a golf cart to head to the first aid building. Brittany and I were so excited - we saw the back side of the park and talked about how interesting it was. And of course, I took pictures! At one point, we headed up a hill, and the cart can't make it. So Bobby tells me and Brittany that we need to get off, and it still wouldn't go, so the two boys are in the front and the two girls are pushing the cart!!! I only wish I could have taken a picture of this!!! We get to first aid and Bryan (and I) get cleaned up and we are on our way to meet up with the rest of the group. So after another weather closing and some technical difficulties, we rode the Dare Devil and the Mindbender and then headed out of the park. We say our good-byes and are at the car... Bryan can't find the keys and then realizes that he also doesn't have his phone. :( So we walk back into the park to check Lost and Found, and we walked back to the Dare Devil and Mindbender to ask about them. Thankfully, my mom saved the day and brought us a spare key - we went to eat dinner and finally arrived home. We are hopeful that Six Flags will call us tomorrow to tell us that they have my car keys and Bryan's phone. And we are thankful that he has his wallet and my phone AND that he is okay! All those pictures I told you about... they're on his phone, SO if we get it back, I will definitely share them with you!

Graduation Galore

Lots has been happening in this house!!! Bryan graduated at the beginning of May, then I watched my last Kindergarten class (for now) graduate to first grade at the end of May, and then H graduated from high school a day later!!
I am waiting on pictures from my sister for H's big day, but for now, here are some of Bryan's big day...




As you can see, his parents, his brother, his grandmother, my mom, H, and I were all present for the ceremony. We went to lunch afterwards and my dad joined us at Macaroni Grill. After everyone went home and back to work, Bryan, H, and I all came home and took a nap - we were exhausted! Then we went out to dinner for pizza and trivia with a bunch of Bryan's friends later that night. It was a great day and I am very proud of Bryan and his accomplishments. He is currently staying busy looking for a job! If anybody out there has any PR/communications leads, please let us know.

More pictures to come of H and her big day as soon as I get them from Kristen!!

On another note, we are enjoying summer, but have still managed to stay busy. H is working part-time at a daycare down the road to earn some money for college. I decided to deep-clean my classroom this year while in the process of moving kindergarten supplies out and moving first grade supplies in. If I hadn't gotten sick in the middle of it all (sinus infection), I would probably already be finished. But no such luck - I am still spending some time everyday in my classroom! Of course, I've told several people that I will probably be up there more than usual anyways because I am freaking out about teaching first grade. I know there will be lots of things that are easier (i.e. kids should know how to sit on the rug, how to at least pretend how to read a book, and how to walk to the bathroom by themselves) but there are also lots of things that won't be easier (i.e. I don't have lesson plans already; therefore, I don't even know what to do on the first day of school)! Haha, but I still intend on relaxing this summer. My mom and I are busy making lists of things to do for the wedding. I am hoping to have everything knocked out when school starts so that I don't have to worry about anything. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that works out for us! Hope everyone is staying cool in this ridiculous weather!!

I'm Baaaaaaack!

Hi friends... long story short, I haven't had internet at the house for almost two months and thanks to Bryan for coming over to wait for the AT&T man last week, H and I now have working internet again!!! I have LOTS of updates...
For Spring Break, I had the pleasure of chaperoning H and her band on a trip to my favorite place on earth - New York City...
Me and H on the subway

H and her friend with some members of the FDNY

Me and Nicole with President Obama and his wife!

The Trashy Trio!! Terrace actually photobombed my picture with Nicole, but that's okay because it turned out to be a good picture!

After we went to New York, we went to Washington, DC where the band performed in the Cherry Blossom Parade. Here is H and her co-captain - these girls have been through a LOT together!!

And here is H doing what she does best: performing!

And this picture sums up the trip for me... Nicole and I spent most of the week laughing our heads off with Terrace (photographer).

Since we got back, I have been busy with getting ready for the end of the school year, engagement pictures and wedding plans, and colorguard auditions. This cycle never ends!! But things did slow down for a little bit and that was nice. I'm just ready for summer!!!!

H had prom this past weekend... pictures to come soon!!! ...along with a post about wedding planning - which has really been enjoyable. Hope all is well - check back soon for more updates.

Exciting News

Well... if you're not my friend in real life or on facebook, you probably don't know this but... I'm ENGAGED!!!! Bryan proposed last Sunday (yes, the day before Valentine's Day, but it wasn't my Valentine's Day gift) and obviously, I said YES!!

He was taking me to lunch before I had to go to a Winter Guard show with Reverie. But he told me that we had to go see something with my mom before we went to eat. I told him he was crazy because she was at church. He said that she was leaving early (which was quite possible) so I believed him, although I was VERY confused. So he parks at the church and we start walking towards the Sanctuary. However, it was time for church to be starting and we were dressed in casual clothes, and I refused to go over there. I didn't want them to think we were going to church dressed like that, nor did I want them to think we were heathens. I was just talking about how I didn't see my mom and she would have to come to us if she was really going to meet us. I was going on and on about nothing. Bryan started to get flustered, and finally said, "Would you just shut up? I'm trying to give you something!" And in his hand, he held this:

and said, "Will you marry me?"
I was SO shocked that it took me a minute to really believe what I was seeing! I asked, "Are you serious?" And just hugged him (while also pulling my foot out of my mouth and picking my jaw up off the ground). He had to ask me again before I actually said, "YES!" So he slipped the ring on my finger and we walked back to the car.


The ring was too big, but the jeweler was open for extended Valentine's Day hours. We decided to take it over there to see about getting it resized. But I would only give it to them if they promised I could have it back that afternoon. What fun is announcing you're engaged if you have no ring to show for it?! Sure enough, they said they could do it, but it would be a few hours, so Bryan and I went to Lenox Mall, ate lunch, called our families, and walked around.

Then, we picked the ring back up and came back to my house. I started calling my friends before we went to eat dinner at my parents' house for Sunday Night Family Dinner. It was a very low-key day and evening and was perfect all around. I am so happy and so very excited about planning my wedding!!
More pictures to come soon... the ring pictures are from my phone and the one of both of us is from my sister (thanks Kay!). ENJOY!!!

Snow Days in Pictures

Sunday night as the snow is still falling... and already covering the ground!!


H and me


H and me sledding!



Proof that God is an Auburn fan... our first snow day was January 10th - the day of the National Championship, but He gave us enough snow that we couldn't have school the next day either so I actually got to stay up and watch the game!!! Kay and H "stomped" out an AU in the snow and then sprayed it with blue water. War Eagle!!!


H's new orthodontist lives across the street from Mom and Dad - he and his wife made this snowman and we couldn't resist taking a picture with the snowman who had braces!! AWESOME.


Dad pushing Andrew and Kay (while smoking that nasty cigar)... some hills were steep enough that you didn't need much pushing but this one required a little bit more effort. :)


Bryan and Andrew


H and Kay making snow angels... it was kinda hard though because there was a layer of ice on top of the snow. It was quite funny to watch!


Bryan and me


H and me sledding... this is after a full day of lots of other people going down this hill too - and it's still covered!!!

Snow Days

Yes, I realize it's been a while, but really, life has been going non-stop!! I finally got a break this week when the temperatures and the snow started falling on Sunday night.... by Monday afternoon, we had almost 7" of snow covering our city. Of course, we are ill-equipped to handle these conditions on our roadways, so we have been out of school all week, and will still be out tomorrow. I am not going to lie - it has been great!! I have loved every minute of it. Here's what I have done... with pictures to follow soon...
Sunday: H and I were hanging out at Mom and Dad's when we decided to play a game, but we looked outside and decided we should just run home and get stuff to spend the night. Bryan came over too and we played Auburn UNO for a while before going to bed.
Monday: I slept until 8:15 and ate breakfast with my family. In the early afternoon we decided to bundle up in ski gear and go play in the snow. It was awesome. H, Andrew, Kristen, Bryan, and I went sledding down almost every hill in the neighborhood, threw tons of snowballs, tried to make snow angels (there was a layer of ice on top of the soft snow which made this kinda difficult), ate snow, and slipped all over the place. We came home and ate lunch before deciding to drive up to the high school to go sledding on those hills. That was fun too, but we waited too late so we could only take a few turns before we had to get home before the roads froze again. We watched the Auburn Tigers play and WIN the National Championship game which meant a late night for us, but we all stayed up since we knew we wouldn't have school the next day. We all went to bed very happy.
Tuesday: I slept until 9:30 (!) and pretty much laid on the couch doing nothing all morning long. Late afternoon we decided to go back up to the high school to sled some more. We were disappointed that more people had the same idea, but we still found some fun paths to sled down. We made a stop at Kroger for milk, but they only had Skim Milk - and aren't expecting more until Friday!! I fell asleep watching TV with Bryan.
Wednesday: I slept in again and laid on the couch some more. I had a doctor's appointment so I actually got dressed in real clothes today and ventured outside of the neighborhood. I knew we wouldn't have school again tomorrow because the roads are terrible. Even the busy roads had lots of icy spots on them, and I can't imagine putting kids on a school bus on them in that condition. I won't be surprised if we don't have school again on Friday. This weather is crazy!!!
I have enjoyed being with my family and Bryan this week with no obligations. Sure, we are a little sick of each other at this point but we've all found something to do on our own to get away from everybody. It's been very relaxing and I honestly haven't thought about school much. I did bring school work home that I did bring over to mom and dad's to work on too, but I haven't touched it. I am planning on going to my house tomorrow to work on my pink room - it looks like a bomb went off in there since Christmas exploded in the room. Haha, I have wrapping paper and such to find a place for, and I have plans to rearrange the room. Since I will probably have a helper (thanks Bryan!) I think I can get it done in a few hours.
But for now, I am just enjoying the unexpected break this snow has brought to me. I will be ready to get back to work, but this has forced me to stop, relax, and enjoy some downtime. Hopefully I will get some pictures posted from our fun in the snow soon!!!