Caroline's Married!

Finally, after 9 years, my best friend married the man of her dreams. I couldn't be happier for the two of them and I'm so glad I got to be a part of such a special day. Love you both.

Bridal Luncheon

(Try getting 6 different girls to do the same thing, at the same time, when no

one can stop laughing) 

 Rehearsal

                            (Mack and Mother of the Bride)                    (Bridesmaids)

Rehearsal Dinner

(If you can't tell, we had WAY to much fun in the hanging picture frame)

 

 Wedding Day

 9.14.13

 

 Mr. and Mrs. Dillard

 What a beautiful bride

 Bridal Party

Thanks to Allie's camera for the photos, even though they were taken by numerous people through the weekend! :)

Married in less than a week...

One of my best friends is getting married in less than a week.

It still feels like just yesterday they got engaged we were 3 years old, playing in the sandbox on the back porch.

The two of us were talking on the phone today after she called because she was elated over the bargain she got for her programs and we both realized how fast life has flown by.

I've know this girl since she was born.

When I say that, it's the truth. 

She's 16 days younger though much feistier than I am and we were next door neighbors from the time we were born till we were 10 years old.

We've grown up and stayed best friends.

We've been through the good and the bad. 

We've experienced break ups with boyfriends, friend people who you though were you friends but really talked junk behind your back problems, family problems and even death over the past 23 years.

We stepped away at times and took time for ourselves but always managed to come back and pick up where we left off.

We graduated high school together and I was more than proud to watch her graduate from NC State in 2012.

 As I write this my eyes start to tear up in realization that we're finally at the point in our lives that we always dreamed of getting to. 

We found the men we love and want to start families with and we're still best friends. 

The thought of our children growing up together like we did is a real life possibility, not just a hope or dream for the future.

I can't express how excited I am for the two of them to start their lives together. I wish them all the love and happiness the world can bring them.

1 Corinthians 13:13

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love

Time Flies

It's already almost the middle of August and there's so much going on.

I'm starting school in a little over a week and I'm beginning to wonder where my summer went.

I'm hosting a bridal shower on Saturday for someone I've been friends with for 23 years (holy cow!) and I absolutely cannot wait. I love all the silly games (I guess some people don't play games anymore at showers but we do!) and food that comes with a party like this.

Recently, my crafty side (that only appears once in a blue moon) has been encouraging me to look into making chalkboard picture frames such as this...

 

I knew I wanted these at our wedding, seeing as it's a rustic/barn wedding, so I knew eventually I would make some of my own. I decided on Friday that this past weekend would be the perfect weekend to make these seeing as I could use them in the wedding shower I'm hosting this weekend and then I could use them in my own wedding later on next year.

I went out on Friday and picked up some chalkboard paint from AC Moore and then I went to Michael's and picked up some chalk pens and chalk. After that my nice ol' dad headed to Lowes Home Improvement for me (since he was going anyway to pick up some tool shinanogins) and picked me up a baby roller. 

Next I had to hunt for some picture frames to re-purpose to create the rustic look I wanted. Well let me tell you, finding old frames that are in good shape with a lot of detail on them, are very hard to find. I traveled to Guardian Angel Thrift right down the road and found some great finds but decided to hold out until I knew for sure those were the best prices around on old mirrors/picture frames. 

When I came back home to pick up moms to go shopping some more she mentioned that she had some old frames I could use if I wanted them, since she didn't know what to do with them but couldn't bare to part with them. So I took a look and feel in love with four of them. Two of the frames I chose had been my grandmother's who passed away about 13 years ago and it meant a lot to me to be able to re-purpose them and eventually use them in my own wedding.

Here's how they looked in the beginning...

Pictures of the finished products will be coming soon :)

The wedding details are coming together more everyday. My mom and I are going to look at florists and invitations this weekend (they're the last two major things we have to do) and we hope to decided and pick, with the help of Mack of course, both of these before next week. After that the only other major thing we have left is to find a good gluten free cake, which is not an easy task, but I look forward to all the fun we will have trying cakes, picking out flowers and deciding on invitations!

So much done already but so much more to do

I feel accomplished to have gotten:

1. Our caterer booked
2. Our wedding planner booked
3. Our venue booked
4. Our honeymoon booked
5. Our invitations/save the dates picked out
6. Our DJ picked out
7. My cowboy cowgirl boots purchased

Most people think I'm nuts to get all this done a year out but once school starts back up my life and my weekends disappear and before I know it June 7, 2014 will be here.

Starting a year out has really given me the opportunity to enjoy planning and picking things out with Mack and my parents. 

I feel very blessed to be marrying into a family that I love and consider my own, that's a gift that a lot of people don't have. 

We picked the most amazing venue that's run by an adorable couple that only confirms everything I believe in. They built the farm because they felt like it was their calling in life and it was a way for them to carry out God's work in their own way by allowing couples to start their lives there. Their daughter, who also happens to be our wedding planner, is fabulous. She's crazy about details in the same way I am yet she's laid back, funny and really cares about her brides. 

We've decided to keep our wedding small and simple because that's how we are. We want our friends and family to have a good time and enjoy in all the happiness and love that we feel surrounded by everyday. 

Tomorrow I venture out with my mom to look at wedding dresses and pick out the ones that I want to try on when I get to my appointment on Saturday. As much as I hate trying on anything, I do look forward to spending time with my mom, grandma and both of my future mother-in-laws.

Now, if I could just get my Lilly Pulitzer planner I'd feel complete.

Weddings and more weddings...

As most of you know we just got engaged last week and our wedding is set for a little less than a year from now.

So, here's what my life looks like for the next year:

- August 2013: Bachelorette party and bridal shower #1

- September 2013: Wedding #1 (I'm a bridesmaid)

- October 2013: Bridal shower #2

- November 2013: Wedding #2 (I'm a bridesmaid) then Thanksgiving and then my birthday :)

- December 2013: Lots of time spent with family and friends around Christmas!

- January 2014: I start student teaching (scary!)

- February 2014: Bridal shower #3

- March 2014: Wedding #3 (I'm maid of honor!)

- April 2014: Nothin' much goin' on. Planning, planning and more planning!

- May 2014: NC State Graduation!

- June 2014: Our wedding!

This next year is going to be crazy, nuts, stressful, possibly insane but I'm so honored to be a part of all of this. Though it may be a crazy year and I'm sure it will fly by, I consider myself lucky to have such an awesome group of friends who put me in their weddings, such an amazing family who supports me non-stop and a loving/caring fiance who reminds me everyday that by the time the year is over I'll be thankful I got to enjoy so many special times with all the people I love. 

Weddings can be crazy and stressful and at times I'm sure mine will feel the same way once we get into next year but right now I'm enjoying every moment of planning with my mom/one day mother in laws and I'm excited and nervous for all the wonderful things that this year holds!

Life lately...

Things have been crazy round these parts lately.

Summer school is intense. English Lit and I are not best friends.

I am eagerly awaiting my cell phone contract to renew so I no longer have to go through a two minute long process every night of plugging my cell phone in and mashing it up against a book so the charger will stay in ALL night. Not to mention my screen is cracked and half the time when I'm trying to text the letter "g" I get an "f" instead. Obnoxious.

All you people out there give me some advice: Iphone 5 or Samsung Galaxy 4? 

I can't wait to buy my new Lily Pulitzer planner. My school year cannot start without it.

The pool has been generous to me so far and I'm slowly getting a tan (the emphasis is on slowly)

I need to re-pot my mama aloe plant but can't find a big enough pot, for a good price, that I like.

Father's day is soon and I still have no idea what to get my dad.

This 90 degree weather is atrocious and I hate it.

I love am addicted to The Bachelorette.

My car has gone wacko and decided that many things in it/on it will break this week, good thing I have a couple more thousand miles before my warranty runs out. I do appreciate the 35 mpg though little Cobie!

I found out over the weekend I'm in another one of my friends weddings and I can't wait because I love her and I love my dress!

I'm ready for Friday so I can sleep in, clean up the house and enjoy the weather!

I am one lucky teacher...

For those of you who don't know I'm a teacher at a pre-school.

Is teaching stressful? at times. 

Does teaching pay much? nope.

Do you meet wonderful people along the way? definitely. 

Do you begin to love other people's kids like you'd love your own? yes.

I was reminded of all of these things at school today which just happened to be...

picture day

which happened to fall the day before...

graduation

Picture day is a crazy time for teachers. Some kids love to take pictures and other kids totally panic when they see new people and sometimes you find yourself in a child's death grip because they're afraid you're going to leave them with these strange people they don't know. Most of them are too tiny to understand that you're never going to leave them.

I've been blessed, for the last year and a half, to be a part of a team of teachers who are unbelievably amazing.

My big boss, also known as the owner of my daycare, has never stopped believing in us as teachers. She's not always easy on us but she's supported, encouraged and praised us when we needed it most.

My boss is unlike any other boss I have ever had. To put it simply she's...

the best. 

Over the last year and a half she's become more than just a boss, she's become a friend. She cares about all of us and truly tries to do what's best for us. 

My co-workers have become a small family in many ways. Most of us have worked together for at least a year. We've learned how to make the best of any situation that may arise (like fire alarms going off at nap time - talk about craziness) and we've learned to apply humor to a lot of our daily tasks. I know I wouldn't make it through some days if it weren't for the amazing staff that I work with.

With graduation tomorrow I can't help but reflect on how lucky I am to work where I do. I couldn't ask for better bosses, co-workers, parents, and kids. 

My kids give me way more than I'll ever be able to give them and for that I am eternally grateful. 

 

It's been a while...

Things have been a little crazy lately.

- School ended. 2 A's and 2 B's.

- My green thumb was inspired and I created two lovely flower baskets that hang from our porch railing.

- I got all the necessary paperwork done for student teaching. Have I turned it in yet? Nope.

- Enjoyed Peak Week while it was here.

- My dog's asthma is atrocious.

- Mom and I went to an awesome Scholastic warehouse sale where I bought $200 worth of books for $80 (Go me!)

- I've read through the first nine books in the Stephanie Plum series, a big thanks to Beth for that one!

- My kids at school graduate on Friday and I know tears will come but I hope to keep them at bay in front of all the family and friends coming to celebrate this special time.

- There's nothing good on TV these days, or maybe it's just that I go to bed too early, either way it stinks.

- My phone has decided in the last month that it's spastic and only wants to work on certain days. I don't have $150 to dish out for a new phone so looks like it's gonna be like this till July. 

- I have to start summer school in a week. Gross.

That pretty much sums up my life at the moment. Enjoy the weather while it's not 100 degrees out!

If you knew me you'd know...

(inspiration from this blog came from Shug in Boots)

...I absolutely, beyond anything else, hate being late.

...I hate anyone else being late just as much. I'm anal about people being on time.

...I love my dog more than almost anything else in my life.

...I brush my teeth when I'm nervous.

...I'm OCD when I'm at work and I'm an organization freak when it comes to paperwork but at home, my messiness comes out. (sorry Mack)

...I have a Lily Pulitzer planner, which I love, but I'm constantly erasing and re-writing things because I can't stand my planner looking messy. 

...I'm a terrible cook.

...though I do the laundry, I hate it, with a passion.

...I drive a car that's manual and though I enjoy it (except in traffic) I do wish for a bigger, more spacious, automatic SUV.

...I love days when I can open my windows and air out my house.

...I'm way too forgiving at times and I tend to give people way too many chances (friends, family, whoever)

...I love to read. 

...My mom is one of my best friends, though she still puts me in my place when needed.

...I love babies. I know my purpose in life is to be a mom and though I can't fulfill that role yet, I'm happy to love on all my tiny babies at work.

...I love my family (both mine and Mack's). I value my relationships will all my family more than anything else. They are who I depend on at the end of the day.

...My life is far from perfect but I try to stay as positive as possible.

...the way to my heart is through chocolate covered strawberries.

...I dislike Valentine's day and therefore buy zero presents for anyone. I only believe in giving cards on this Hallmark holiday.

With Valentine's day fast approaching, I'm sure there's plenty of you who, unlike myself, celebrate all it's wonderfulness and good for you! I hope everyone has a happy Valentine's day!

 

It took me 23 years...

...to find an awesome unbelievable miraculous face product.

Image skin care has some amazing products.

Check it out

I recently took my mom to a spa to get facials for her birthday and the nice woman who did my facial opened my eyes to these new products.

I've struggled for the last 10 years, literally, with my rosacea. It continuously got worse through my high school years and thankfully my mom, who has it too, introduced me to Merl Norman. Merl makes this super awesome face powder that's done wonders for covering the immense amount of redness from my rosacea.

I prefer to not wear make up 24/7 and though it doesn't bother Mack that I have rosacea, whenever I take my make up off I can't help but be self-conscious. Maybe that stems from all the rude remarks in high school about me looking like Rudolph? (Because my nose was always bright red)

Either way, it led me to citrus facial cleansing heaven. I bought this nifty little trial pack from the spa just to see how it worked. This is my SECOND day using the products and my face is lookin' like the bomb, not to brag or anything, it's just taken a while to get something that actually worked.

There's a ton of different lines of facial cleansers/packages you can get for different skin types this one's just the one made for people who have sensitive skin. 

As I research these products more, I realize the larger bottles sell for at least $30 a bottle, per product. I've never been one to believe in paying a ton for things like make up (with the exception of Merl Norman) but I guess when you find something that works this great, it's worth it right? Let's hope so. It looks like I'll be dishin' out at least $90 for the parts of the pack that I really need.

I hope everyone had as great a weekend as I did!

I'm a proud Auntie D...yet again!

My sister is was pregnant.

We've been waiting on Ronan (my nephew) for a week. We thought he might try to come Tuesday since my sister was in so much pain but nope he's a stubborn little man. 

My sister was a trooper. She did the whole process with limited drugs, no epidural and lots of breathing. Even though she's had two other babies, I was never able to be there for their births but they had this birth planned. They had her scheduled to go in at 7:30am Saturday.

When we got there at 10:30am Ronan had hardly moved.

My sister was blessed with a wonderful nurse (your the shiz Janice) who was constantly by her side, making jokes and taking wonderful care of her and the little man.

Ronan refused to have anything to do with his heart monitor and was constantly moving around to avoid the nurses being able to detect him. Brooks (my sister's husband) and I about had a heart attack when we saw the babies heart rate go from 156 to 65, of course we went and got a nurse immediately, leaving my sister to question why the two of us were acting like freaks, and once Janice entered the room she informed us that Ronan was just playing hide and seek with the monitor. 

Thank you Jesus!

(The nurses have their little "station" that holds these huge TV monitors - 9 in a row - that show all 9 patients contractions/heart rates/etc. on the screen)

Once my sister got to 7 centimeters the night seemed to fly by. Ronan was here before we all knew it - weighing in at 8 pounds and 11 ounces.

My sister and I are 15 years apart which always seemed to make our relationship a little more difficult. We're not always the closest and just like all other sisters we fight. But, I can tell you that in all my twenty three years of life, I have never been more proud of my sister than I was yesterday. Seeing my nephew born was a blessing and I won't ever be able to thank my sister enough for letting me share in the experience with her. I have no other siblings/women figures that I'm close to in the same way and I know in my heart that this was the only experience I'll have seeing a life brought into the world before I have my own babies one day (in the far future). 

So thank you Stacy for letting me be there for you - more so than I ever have before. It meant the world to me.

Pack Pride!

Today was the beginning of my spring semester.

As I was sitting in my English class this morning, taught by a teacher from Scotland who has the best accent ever, I realized a year from today I'll be student teaching...

scary

The fact that I "should have" graduated in May (had I not gotten my associates degree first)...

annoying

but, whatever - I probably wouldn't have gotten where I am now had I not taken the time to really focus on my education.  

Anyway, I've been sick with some kind of yucky cold lately so I've been putting off buying my books until today (the second day of the semester, which also happens to be the day in which everyone has finally gone to at least one session of all of their classes).

big mistake

When I walked in the door to the bookstore all I saw was a line...a HUGE line full of students who were buying their books at the last minute, just like me. So after 10-20 minutes of waiting in line, which wasn't too bad because they had all these brand new binders, mittens, scarfs, and what not surround the area around the line, we finally got to the desk to check out. 

 8 books for one English class - 5 for the other

 Not many teaching books required this year - I guess my English teachers are makin' up for that.

Even though I have an overwhelming amount of books to read, at least I got this awesome binder and notebook to motivate myself this semester!

I'm happy to be back with the PACK!