Time Flies!!

WOW. It has been a while since my last post... Just about a month. That should be a strong indication of how busy I have been lately! So much to catch up on.

1. I wrapped up Summer school. I am not sure if I will teach it again next year. It was exhausting! But once my paycheck comes in, I may have a different opinion.
2. I took my 8-12 mathematics certification test (it was so hard- I fould myself in tears 3 different times) AND I PASSED it! Phew! One less thing to worry about.
3. My mom came in to town at the beginning of July and has been here since!
4. My dress also came in. It is BEAUTIFUL. :)
5. We got back our first-time homebuyers tax credit. Hallelujah!
6. We met with our wedding planners (ie Matt's mom and her friends) and everything is in order for our big day. We have a few loose ends to tie up, but other than that, we are good to go! I guess we really are getting married!
7. Our invitations are going out tomorrow. Wowsers.
8. We had our first shower at my grandma's church in tiny Tool, Texas. Her friends really out-did themselves and gave us a wonderful shower. We got our Keurig!!! It is EVERYTHING it's cracked up to be. Seriously.

Hmm... I guess that's about it. Needless to say, we have not slowed down since summer hit.
Tomorrow morning (bright and early if my grandma has anything to do with it), we are leaving for Ruidoso, New Mexico. My grandparents bought a cabin out there last year. I am SO looking forward to 70 degree temps and some R&R with my family. It is MUCH needed.

On a sidenote, Saturday is the anniversary of my Uncle Bruce's death. It's hard to believe he's been gone for a year. It seems like yesterday... Please keep my family, especially my dad and my cousins Sarah and Emilee in your prayers. It will be a hard day for everyone.

Much love.

Wordless Wednesday

Hello Summer. I Have Missed YOU!

Today is my last day of summer school. So, seeing as I haven't really had a summer since I was in High School, I am THRILLED!

In honor of my newly-found freedom, my song for the week is an oldie but a goodie:
Pink Floyd- "The Wall"

Yes Please. :)

Happy Birthday B Love!

My sweet fiance turned 28 yesterday. So, in honor of this and our new home/engagement/etc. I decided to throw a party and invite out all of our closest friends. I was very nervous because I have never really hosted a party... So, Friday, Hillary and I went to Target and bought food and decorations and $100 later, we were finished. I am not sure since I've never hosted, but $100 didn't seem TOO bad. And small price to pay for a man that takes such good care of me. :)

Saturday, I got up early and worked in yard-- I finished planting flowers and putting bark around our trees. Then I cleaned cleaned cleaned.
Matt's parents and grandparents came out a little early to celebrate before all of our friends came over. His dad just got back from Iceland Friday at midnight, so they weren't able to stay long because he was exhausted! But they did bring us some awesome stuff to entertain outdoors. They brought all this cute green stuff and outdoor plates and silverware. I was so excited and I'm so thankful that they did this for us for our engagement/wedding/housewarming/Matt's birthday! :) I will post pictures soon! After they left, our friends began arriving and so many more made it out than I expected. We do live a bit further from everyone than we used to. I was so glad to see everyone and I know Matt had a blast. I would consider my first time as a party-thrower a success!

We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family. Happy birthday Matty. I LOVE YOU!

We missed you, Mom and Dad!

Wordless Wednesday

My Music Monday

What a better present on a crappy Monday than to find out that my favorite artist, David Gray is coming out with a new album. His new single "A Moment Changes Everything" is phenomenal! You can get a little preview here.

By the way, I posted a song a few weeks ago called "To Love Somebody" by Ray Lamontage and Damien Rice (It's a BeeGee's cover). I found it on YouTube! ENJOY! You may have to look past the two very scraggly hippies to love it as much as I do. :)

Father's Day

We had another great, but VERY exhausting weekend. My parents came in to town on Thursday night (YAY!), so we were able to have a full weekend with them. Mom and I got some house/wedding errands taken care of and the guys were able to play golf.

Today, my grandparents, parents, brother, and his girlfriend Cheryl came over for lunch. It was our first time to "officially" host a get-together. We are ALL grown up! :) We got some nice new patio furniture from Matt's parents for a housewarming/engagement/wedding present, so it was nice to sit outside and visit. I am such a lucky girl to have people that love me and each other so much!

With it being Father's Day, I couldn't help but think of my sweet cousins, Sarah and Emilee, who lost their dad suddenly last year. Naturally, Sarah told me, "It's pretty weird he's not here to call. Much harder than I was thinking it was going to be... But it's just one of those things." While it is "just one of those things," I can't even begin to imagine how they feel. I got to enjoy the day with my dad today... It just breaks my heart that two incredible girls lost their dad way too soon. I hope that it really does get easier for them in time. I pray that God will bring them some sort of solace on days like today when it hits them a little harder than normal. I pray for peace. I pray for understanding. I pray for comfort. I just pray.

I am adamant in my belief that our Lord has a plan for us greater than our understanding... I know He will show us. I know He will show them. :)