Spring Birthday Bliss

April is the month of birthdays!  I have already celebrated a couple birthdays and there's still a couple more to go!  I tried to figure out what was 9 months before April...July?  Celebrating the 4th with some lovin'?!  I'm just kidding....

Anywho, we started with a dinner to celebrate my dear friends, Kelly and Lindsey.  Kelly's birthday was Saturday and Lindsey's is Tuesday.  They're our April babies in the group, so we always get to celebrate 2 at once!  All of us happened to be in Raleigh (which is truly shocking given our locations on the map), so we decided to celebrate with dinner.  We went to this really cool place in Cary called Tribeca Tavern.  It was delicious!

The best part was being together and getting to finally catch up and talk.  Having a group of 7 is so much fun, but also hard because it's rare that we're all in the same place at the same time.  We didn't get too sad saying goodbye because we're getting together again over Memorial Day for the beach!!  Here are a few pics from Saturday:

Birthday Girls!  Kelly's is on the 13th and Linds' on the 16th

Carrie and Em

Case and Me

We found college themed mints!  (Boomer was upset that they didn't have Wake Forest)

The girls!  We were happy that Kelly's friend Andrea could come and celebrate with us!!

Best friends.

On Sunday, I went to Casey's sister's apartment and celebrated Zoey's birthday.  Zoey is Casey's niece and I remember like it was yesterday flying out to California to meet her when she was just 6 weeks old!  She's grown into such a lovely, sweet girl!  I was so thrilled to see Case's family and celebrate this special day!  Zoey's actual birthday is today - so, Happy Bday, Zoey!!  

Two more birthdays coming up this week.  Carolyn's is on Friday and Angela's is Sunday.  I also wish these two very special women a happy birthday.  They mean the world to me, and I don't know where I'd be in this teaching world (and otherwise) without them!

Whew!  Lots of birthday love!!!

The Real "To-Do" List

This week has been nothing short of hectic and crazy.  I guess I should've expected that after a blissful week of Spring Break rest.  I came back to school for a workday on Monday and it's been non-stop ever since.  When I'm speed walking through the office, people have taken a notion to look at me like I'm crazy. "Are you okay?" they ask with wide eyes, "Oh yes, just on a mission!"

My to-do list has been brimming and busting at the seams.  Each day instead of crossing something off, it seems as if I add two more things.  Totally "one step forward-two steps back" type of deal.  Now, I don't mean to complain.  I love my job and the responsibilities that my school has allowed me to acquire.  I enjoy staying busy and feeling apart of this great community, but sometimes, when I'm laying in bed running through my to-do list, I beg my brain to just....stop.

It's easier said than done.  After talking with my therapist (oh yea) and my friend, I realized that my to-do lists are my coping mechanism.  When I can list it out, look at exactly what needs to be done, it somehow...as crazy as it seems...makes me feel better.  But it's also a catch-22, as in it also has the tendency to freak me out.

Stop.  Take a breath.  Let it out.  Breathe.

It's too much sometimes.  I let it get in the way of what is really important in my life.  I don't stop to take all the beauty that is in my life.  This morning I was turning out of my driveway and I looked up at the sky.  It stunned me in its beauty.  It was amazing to see such a grand sky after such a terrible storm, but isn't that life?  After the rain comes the sun.  This is life.  That is the real to-do list - taking in God's beauty and sweet blessings.

Week Pics - 4/2-4/7 (Spring Breakin' It)

Well, as written before, this has been a lovely week.  I spent the first part of my spring break down in Atlanta visiting Casey, and then I came back up to the mountains to finish my break in Motown.  I have been very spoiled by the laziness that has ensued.  Also, my mom has cooked for me...going to definitely miss that.

Tomorrow it's back to the grind.  I'm fortunate that the workweek is starting off with a workday.  Ease into the pain of reality.  Part of me is excited to see my kids and finish out this last stretch...the other part, well, it would rather stay in Morganton.  Alas, summer will be here soon and there is much to look forward to!  Wednesday marks 2 months til we get to meet little baby Stevens (i.e. my cutie pie niece or nephew).  This upcoming weekend is a birthday reunion of my best friends, so I have a lot to be excited about and that's what I'm holding on to!

Here was my week - sorry for some repeat pics!!

I tried (tried being the key word there) to work on some school work....

Spring Break Love!  I love Hank!

Woodstock with Case!

Sweet time spent with Journi 

Beautiful walk at Greenway - one of my favorite Motown spots

First cookout of the year!  Dad grilled out steaks and they were DELISH!

Finished a fabulous book and started this one - so far, so good!

Yesterday was mom and dad's 28th (!) wedding anniversary! Dad got mom some pretty miniature roses to plant when it gets a little warmer. 

What is a break without some crafting?  Granny helped me make a super cute diaper cake for Meg's next shower.

Muff and Me hanging

Gonna miss hanging out with Muffy all day!

All in all, great break.  Ready for summer...spring break is kind of a tease for that!  Hope everyone has a fab week!

Dog Daze

Since getting back from Atlanta earlier this week, I haven't done much of anything...which has been perfect.  I needed a mental break from my job - now don't get me wrong, I love my job, but it is at times exhausting.  I wanted to get away from the hub bub and get away from "it all".

So for the past few days I've read, watched tv, hung out with my parents, my cousins, my grandmother, and just rested my mind.  I should be grading.  I should be planning.  I should be cleaning out my car, but alas...I don't wanna.  That's right, I'm going 4-years-old on this.  I don't wanna.

So this is my stand.  Hanging with Muff and taking a vacay from reality.

And I'm loving every minute of it.

I Don't Know About You...but I'm Feeling 32

Recently I went to the Taylor Swift concert.  I mean no exaggeration when I say that I was one of the oldest people there.  Seriously.  My friends and I have started to joke about us "getting older" and we laugh nervously, but know that...the inevitable is happening.

While Taylor was jumping around and dancing and singing that she was feeling 22, I couldn't help but think, jeez, most days I feel 52.  This morning I was reading through one of my favorite sites, Buzzfeed, and there was a post of a parody to "Feeling 22", aptly named, "Feeling 32".  I quickly clicked on it and listened and was cracking up by the second line.  Homegirl nailed it on the head.  I know I'm not 32, but I'm dang closer to it than 22!!!  Here is the video to enjoy...seriously, hilarious.

And here is the original link from Buzzfeed.  32 Parody

Georgia on my Mind

I had the lovely chance to visit one of my besties, Case, at the beginning of the week.  I always love a chance to visit the Johnson's, but the added bonus is that they live right outside of Atlanta in a precious little town called Woodstock.

Isn't it precious?

Hanky, sweet puppy!

It was a great visit, and I loved getting to spend some time with Case and her sweet family.  I was able to see the college she's taking classes at to become a nurse and got some work done in the process!  Even though I hate Case lives so far away, it is always a great trip to visit!!

100th Post! Week in Pics (Easter Weekend) 3/24-3/31

Wrapping up another month!  TIME IS FLYING!  Also, I'm so THRILLED that this is my 100th post!  I have written more this year than almost all the years combined!  I have really loved documenting this year and sharing it.  It's an awesome way to pause time and reflect on all the wonderful things that happen.  

This week I wrapped up the month at school and headed home to celebrate Easter and the start of Spring Break.  Saturday was Megan's shower and Sunday was Easter with church and family.  It's been an awesome start to break!!  Here are the phone pics (as are all my "week in pics") from the week.

Spending the beginning of the Spring Break week in Atlanta with Case, Clay, and of course my love, Hanky Pank.

Stevie was cracking me up - she LOVES cake (like her big cousin), but tried the coconut cake at Granny's and did not care for it.  Her face was priceless.

One of my favorite parts of Easter is the gorgeous flower cross the is always at my church.  I am probably partial, but I just think it is stunning!

Me, Meg, and Mom at church

Snapped this at church - Katy and Journi - precious

Got to spend time with my furry niece, Lois Lane!

Stevie was so cute dying Easter eggs - and was a complete rock star at it!!

Sweet sister

Dying eggs at Granny's - yearly tradition

Got to visit the most beautiful baby in the world - Journi :)

Meg was getting some practice

I know I'm partial, but seriously - beautiful

Lola's post when she's at Mom and Dad's house

Belly, baby, and puppy

Here comes Lexie Cottontail!!

And this was why I needed Spring Break.  Found on a student's desk one afternoon.

I'm excited to rest and spend some time with my sweet friend Case and my family during this week long break!!