Did today really happen?

We've all had them.  Those days when it's night time and we start to think about something that seems like it happened forever ago, only to realize that you did that earlier in the morning on that actual day.

This morning Matt and I got up bright and early to pack 2 cars worth of my stuff to move to WV.  On our way to Richmond we stopped in Chesterfield to watch Cassidy's softball game.  It was a great game and also beautiful weather to spend a few hours outside.  We then had a meeting with the Deacon where Matt and I had to take an oath basically promising that neither one of us is aware that the person we are about to marry is mentally unstable, willing to have children, and never been married before.  We also had to pick up forms for our parents to fill out stating that we are not being forced to marry each other.  You know, standard wedding procedure. (What in the world are Catholics thinking sometimes?)  Luckily our Deacon is really funny and down to earth, so it helped that he made a joke out of the entire process too.

After our meeting with the Deacon we had a meeting with the florist, who now also happens to be our baker.  The meeting went great.  We got to see a mock-up of our centerpiece and taste some YUMMY cake.  We settled on Cinnamon Bun, Chocolate Chocolate-Chip, and Lemon.  Sounds gross but I chose the lemon (a good spring flavor) Matt went with the chocolate (he loves brownies, and this cake was very rich and delicious), and we agreed on the cinnamon bun as a fun and different flavor.

I want so bad to post pictures of centerpieces, the cake, and other wedding details...(like the cute programs we're working on), but I've decided that some things are better left as a secret!  I want there to be some surprises at the wedding!

I will show you the pictures (that don't have to do with the wedding) from today!

First we have Matt (sitting in a recliner) who decided to invite Riley to join him.  The Great Dane literally thinks she's tiny and can fit in anyone's lap!

(taken from a cell phone - awful quality)

Next we have Cassidy who decided it would be a good idea to ignore my Mom when she advised her to put SunScreen on.

She literally looks like she could still have a jersey on.

Tonight after all of the craziness was over, I started getting ready for bed.  I turned around to find this.

I guess the title of this blog really is appropriate.  She even lays at the foot of the bed so I won't disturb her when I decide it's time for me to go to bed.

And the final picture of the night.  (another dog asleep in the bed?)  I left my room and came back to find this.  Clearly she is exhausted from her softball tournament, so tired she couldn't even make it in to her own bed!  haha  She was out cold and snoring so loud at this point!  Also was not happy when she woke up to my dad taking her pictures.  Gotta love a teenage girl!

Packing

It's finally here!

Today I have my last class of Grad School.  (Followed by an exam next week, but right now I'm in denial that I have another assignment, so I'll deal with that when the time rolls around).  Matt is on his way to Farmville so tomorrow morning we can load up the Escape and the Truck and start the big move.  First we have to make a pit stop on Saturday in Richmond for a Flower/Cake meeting and a meeting with the Deacon to fill out some paperwork.  On Sunday I have a dress fitting in the morning then we'll be moving to WV.

 

I've spent the past 2-3 weeks slowly packing up my room and last night the drawers finally got emptied, and the clothes got wrapped up.  Everything is in suitcases, and saying that I'm ready is a total understatement.  Last night as I went to sleep I thought about how much my life is about to change and instead of the scared feeling I had a few weeks ago, I was glad that it was excitement that I was filled with!

Auntie Em! It's a Twister!

That is what my sisters and I continually said over and over last night.  Thankfully I was in Richmond running wedding errands and managed to avoid the awful weather that took place in Farmville, VA.  I did happen to get the 1242435 texts that Longwood sent out - warnings, watches, and then my favorite..."resume normal activities".

The days are getting longer and crazier the closer we get to the wedding.  Yesterday after leaving work I went straight to the DJ (in Chesterfield) to drop off a payment and discuss having a final meeting.  It was a little stressful having her ask me questions that I wasn't prepared to answer.  I mean I could have answered them, but of course I wanted Matt's input before making any decisions.  After that meeting I headed out shopping for the final touches on the Bridesmaid's gifts.  Followed that with picking up jewelry, my headpiece, and a bridesmaid dress at David's Bridal...it was a crazy day of wedding errands.

I also got to see Cassidy's softball game (good job, Cass!) and make a quick trip over to visit with Matt's parents.  We got our first big wedding present from Matt's Aunt and Uncle!

So excited!!!!  (Thanks Uncle David and Aunt Trenace!!!!)

 

Source 

According to my sister, she now has vacuum envy.  I can't wait to get it to WV and test it out!!!

(P.S - this is another one of those moments when I quietly wonder to myself when I hit the age that I get excited about a vacuum?)

Wedding Wednesday

We got our Marriage License!

 

 This week is shaping up to be a crazy one!  I just yesterday set our last appointment with the florist, for my final dress fitting, with the Deacon, and finally with the reception venue to go over the final details.

Among a long list of other things that I am getting done this week, I'm also attempting to finish up Bridesmaid presents, work on the seating chart, and finish up some personal details.

These next few weeks are going to fly by!  We are officially 1 month and 1 day away from taking the plunge!!!

Infertility

This week is Infertility Awareness Week.  Having a sister directly affected by infertility has really opened my eyes to a whole new world.  You can find her blog here. 

Travel Monday - Hilton Head, SC

 Source

Today I'm finding myself thinking a lot about Hilton Head, SC.  Matt's parents own a time share down there and this is the annual family vacation spot for a week in either July or August.  I've been twice (or maybe three times) now.  There were a few summers that Matt and I weren't able to attend because the vacation week in August overlapped with us going back to Longwood.

 Source

Last summer we went and had so much fun.  Matt and I were just in the beginning stages of wedding planning and so excited for everything that the next year was about to bring.  Not only that, but I had just started grad school and the week that we went to the beach happened to be the week after my Monday-Friday 8am-5pm class.  It was so great to take a deep breath and relax at the beach.  Another thing about Hilton Head last year was the way Matt started to talk about his job.  He started in West Virginia the beginning of June (loving it) and by beach time in July I started noticing that his mood was changing.  This is when I realized what an adjustment this move was shaping up to be and just how tough my year of grad school and his year alone in WV just might end up being.

These are the reasons that I now can't get Hilton Head off of my mind.  This will be our first family vacation where we are actually married.  No arranging to see each other at vacation and having to say good-bye after the week is over.  We get to pack together, travel together, unpack together and enjoy that grad school is behind me and that Matt survived being alone.  I'm excited for the milestones that this next year will bring.  Our first year as a married couple.  Starting with this family vacation in Hilton Head, SC.

Easter

After a day of drinking and an evening of Laser Tag with family and friends, today was the perfect way to recoup and relax.  This Easter Sunday was wonderful because we got to spend it with both my family and Matt's family.  Ever since Matt and I have been dating, we've always done Easter Sunday separately.  His family is always at his house and it is the one holiday that my entire family from PA makes the trip down to our house.  Last year we had just gotten engaged and at the last minute (my grandmother was sick and couldn't make the trip) my family decided to head to PA.  This left out myself (who had class on Monday so I couldn't leave town) and my older sister (who had to work on Monday).  Easter Sunday was still fun last year because I got to spend it with Matt's family and having an Easter Egg Hunt with his nieces and nephews!!

This year it was all about compromise.  We hit early church service with my family then ditched them and headed over for Matt's church service.  After Matt's church we went back to spend some time at his parent's house with his family while my family waited for us to come do Easter Baskets (yes the Easter Bunny still visits us - I'm not complaining) and we also had lunch reservations at 1pm.  After lunch we went back and saw Matt's parents before it was time for us to leave Richmond. 

This gave me a little insight as to what the next year is going to look like.  With both of us living out of town, it will be tough when we come home to visit.  It's going to all be about compromises, and we'll be just fine with that.  Luckily for us we also have families that understand how hard it will be for us to split our time and they are more than accommodating!

It was a gorgeous Easter Sunday spent with the best families anyone could ever want to be a part of.  We had so much fun and even got to spend the evening together since Matt came back to Farmville with me.  No good-byes had to be said.  Those sad good-byes are almost gone...just a little over 4 weeks and we won't have to do that anymore!

Bachelorette Party

Last night we got to go see Matt's cousin pitch for VA Tech.  We are so excited for the opportunities that he has!  It was great to see him out there, and they got the win!

I love that Spring has finally sprung!  At Matt's parent's house there is a nest with baby birds and I could sit there and watch them for hours!

 
Woo Hoo!  Today was my bachelorette party!  I'm not the stripper/trashy bar/bachelorette scavenger hunt type of girl.  And by that, I mean that I hate doing anything that may embarrass myself or make me the center of attention.  Luckily my Maid of Honor had a great idea of doing a wine tour.  We had a delicious brunch at her parent's house then got picked up by a limo and headed out to the countryside of VA to tour 3 amazing wineries.  It was a great day spent with family, friends and delicious wine!

Here are the personalized wine bottles and the cookies that the Maid of Honor made!

Loved the cute decor courtesy of Etsy

Also another great Etsy find -
These Glass Tatz that I got for all of the girls to decorate their wine glasses!

 

And here we are at Cooper Vineyards!

It was a great day and I was so appreciative off all of the girls in my life that were there to celebrate with me!

Philadelphia - Part 2

After starting the bus tour of Philly, we got off on our first stop which was the Eastern State Penitentiary.  This place was downright creepy.  I'm talking walk around every corner slowly because you just know someone is watching you and about to jump out and scare you, creepy.  A very cool place to visit and learn about the interesting history behind the jail system.  Here are some creepy pictures so you can get the feel for it!

Looking down one of the hallways

One of the actual cells

Al Capone's Cell

After a quick break back at the hotel to freshen up, we went out the the Avenue of the Arts (Broad Street) and down to the Kimmel Center for Performing Arts where there was a light show titled "Paris to Philly".  I'm so mad we aren't going to be there the last weekend in April because they are actually closing down this main area of the city and turning the streets into streets that you would see in Paris.  It looks so cool!

Here are two great pictures of the Avenue of the Arts (Broad Street)

The next morning we were up bright and early with our first stop being Christ Church.  This was the church that many signers of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution attended.  Because church pews were purchased in those days (most commoners stood) this church has detailed records of who sat where and it is neat to imagine yourself back in time sitting in Sunday service with all of those men of that time period around you.  A very cool place.

One of my favorite places that we got to explore was Elfreth's Alley.  This is a street that has been preserved and really gives you a look back in time to what Philly would have looked like when it was the Capitol of our country.  

After a few more stops at places like Ben Franklin's Grave, The Betsy Ross house, and back to the market for Ice Cream, we checked out of our hotel and went to the Franklin Institute.  This was a big let-down.  Would only suggest it if you have small kids that you are trying to entertain.  Much like the Aquarium, but we actually had a lot of fun there because there was so much to see and do!

It was a crazy and fast tour of the city, but so much fun!  We loved every minute of it (at least I did, maybe not the moody teenage girls that we had with us).

Philadelphia - Part 1

When we got to Philly on Sunday at about 3:00 we had just enough time to check in to our hotel and head down to Independence Hall for our 4:30 tour.

Our hotel was on Market Street in downtown Philadephia.  It also happens to be right by one of the most well known Philly addresses where Roy Halladay (pitcher for the Phillies) lives.  I got a Halladay jersey as a souvenir!

We toured Independence Hall and since everything closes at 5pm we had the rest of the evening to wander around Philly.  We managed to walk down to Penn's Landing then meet my Uncle David and Jim for dinner on trendy South Street.

With my sisters in front of Independence Hall.

My parents in front of Independence Hall.

Jon's on South Street where I got a Philly Cheese steak! 

 Source: South Street

 The next day (Monday) we woke up really early and headed down to see the liberty bell.  Then we were off to the Constitution Center.  It was a long day, but if you're ever in Philadelphia, these first three things that we did were definitely must-sees.

For lunch we went to the Reading Market where there are tons of locals.  We really got a taste of the city and the food was amazing.

When lunch was over we boarded a double decker bus to tour the city.  It was a great view and relaxing way to take in all of Philly.

Next stop on the tour was the Eastern State Penetentiary.  More to come on that adventure tomorrow!

Wedding Wednesday - Love Songs

With the wedding right around the corner, I've found myself listening to love songs every time I'm in the car.

Here are a few that I currently have on repeat


Contemporary

Country

Oldies

Still traveling

Spending our last day sight-seeing in Philly.  Will have a legit update tomorrow!!!!

Travel Monday - Philadelphia, PA

My parents decided to take my two youngest sisters to Philadelphia for a few days over their Spring Break.  I was lucky enough to tag along...so for today's travel Monday - I'm actually in Philly!

Next week I'll update on where we went and what we did...today I'm a little busy doing all of the touristy and sight seeing stuff!  So fun!  (We miss you - Matt, Kate, Paul and Alex)    :(

 

 

Mini Vacay

On my way to Philly this morning with my parents and two youngest sisters.  Getting some quality time in during their Spring Break.  Making Memories!!!!

Birthday Party

Today I'm going to visit Matt's Mom's family.  We'll be celebrating his Uncle and Nanny's birthdays!  I'm very excited to see everyone and I'll be bringing along some treats.

I placed my order last week with my sister (who happens to be an amazing baker) and asked her to make cookies that I could take with me to the party.  (Find her blog HERE).

I also took advantage of this great Groupon (a $30 gift certificate for $15) to Frostings which is a delicious cupcake shop near my parent's house.  To the party I go with cookies and cupcakes!  You can't go wrong with that combo!

Student Worker Appreciation

I work (part time) in the Admissions office at Longwood University.  When I was an undergraduate here, I worked in Admissions as a student worker.  Today we have a student worker appreciation day and they ask that everyone in the office make something to bring in and share.

(Hence why I tell people that working here is my #1 battle in trying to lose weight - we do things like this all of the time and the food is delicious!)

For today's celebration I wanted so bad to try these cookies, that I just had to make them.

Lemon Drop Cookies 

I saw these over at The Girl who ate Everything.

2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups butter flavored shortening
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 teaspoon lemon extract
4 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
Finely chopped zest of one lemon
1 (6-oz) package lemon drops
Glaze:
2 cups powdered sugar
juice of two lemons, about 4-5 Tablespoons (I use less because I like my glaze a little thicker)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In mixing bowl, cream sugar, shortening, and eggs; add vanilla and lemon extract. Stir in flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Crush lemon drops in blender or food processor. Add lemon zest and crushed lemon drops. Roll into balls, flatten slightly with your hand, and bake on a parchment lined cookie sheet (You must use parchment here to avoid sticking).

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool slightly on pan for a couple of minutes. Make the  glaze by mixing powdered sugar with lemon juice to desired consistency. Brush glaze over cookie tops after cookies have cooled slightly. If the cookies are too hot the glaze will just melt off. Let cookies cool completely.

Makes 4 to 5 dozen cookies.

Here are some pictures from my baking experience...

Dough with the lemon zest about to be mixed in

They may not be pretty...but they're delicious!

All packaged and ready to be delivered!

Also I failed to mention that I made my delicious Banana Pudding - Yum!  

I took it to a friend who has been having terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days! 

(to quote one of my favorite books)

 She visited Matt and I in WV last summer and raved about this banana pudding 

(and may have been begging me to make it again since then) 

so I decided to surprise her!!!

Find the Paula Deen Recipe that I use for

Not Yo' Mama's Banana Pudding HERE