My Sister is getting MARRIED!!

So when I was updating the blog with all the big events happening in my life I forgot the MOST important one of all....MY BABY SISTER IS GETTING MARRIED!!!  She and Brad got engaged on March 3, 2010 in Madison.  After a romantic dinner at Ruth Chris, Brad proposed at the house he is in the process of buying to be their first house.  This is so exciting and amazing.  The big day is August 28, 2010 @ 7:00 pm.  I am so honored to be her matron-of-honor!  Katy and I are so lucky to have grown -up to become eachother's best friends.  Here is a picture of when they first started dating and 2 pics I borrowed from Greg Hawkin's of Studio G's website.

So happy together!

You two are such a gorgeous couple!

My beautiful sister!

This picture was taken at my wedding.  It shows all three of the couples: me & Joey, Katy & Brad, and mama and daddy. :)

A Naval Wedding...

So I promised to update with pictures of the Breslin-Murphy nuptials and here I go!  First of all the wedding was insanely beautiful.  It was in Annapolis, MD at the Naval Academy Chapel.  The chapel is a historical monument in our amazing country and to marry there is such a HUGE deal.  Secondly, the good Lord blessed this weekend with the most amazing weather.  It was 75 degrees, sunny, and not a cloud in the sky.  Casey and Allen had all of their friends and family there to support the day that starts their life together...it was incredible.  I can NOT wait to go back to Annapolis...and hopefully I will have a sailboat of some sort to be on in the harbor.  I can totally see why Edwin and all the Navy guys love the area :)  SIDE NOTE: the priest who officiated the ceremony was West Point's chaplain (woohoo Go ARMY!!).  So here some pictures from the weekend. 

This is maid-of-honor whom I love, Catie Breslin, and me.

This is pre-wedding in the gazebo outside the chapel.

(L-R: me, Catie, Casey "the bride," Mary Lisa, Erika, Leah)

Again these are the bridesmaids with the bride after the rehearsal dinner.

Lately....blessings and a change!

So it has been about 2 weeks I think since I have updated the blog, and a lot has happened.  Well first we had the big auction at schools where the kids bid on teachers and the prize the teacher has come up for the kids.  Two of the most awesome 5th graders in the world got their moms to bid on me and we had a date night.  I had the honor of taking these girls to dinner at Kobe (Japanese Hibachi) and then dessert at Yogurt Mountain.  It was so fun!  I forget about how important everything is in 5th grade..."so and so likes me," "I cant believe my mom wants me to wear dresses," "why are boys so mean?" etc etc etc.  It was fun to be 11 again!

Then Shelby and Bella came to stay and of course we know that is one of my favorite things in life!  I know Shelby probably thinks my mama and I are insane since we always have presents, cookies, and chocolate milk for B...but OH WELL!!!  I love to spoil her and it was just one more way to convince them that moving to Bham was the right move :)  That being said...it is official- Shelby took a job at St. Vincent's hospital and they are moving at the end of April to Birmingham!!!! Woohoo!  I truly believe that the Lord opens doors and closes others for a reason and this move will be an AWESOME blessing to Shelbs and B!

The week before spring break started (last week) I had the chance to spend the night with a friend, Michelle, and her 2 boys!  We had such a great time hanging out!  Michelle has become such a blessing to me.  She and all the girls I work with at my school have become a huge part of my life and I am BEYOND thankful!

I also got a hair style/color change!! (I'll post a pic at the bottom of the post!)

And finally...  I started spring break by going to Charlotte to stay with my "sister" Amanda and her husband Andrew!  I just love these two so much.  They took me to the most wonderful tapas restaurant called, Sole, and it really was amazing!  I got to watch basketball, get a pedicure, go to church, and just relax with Amanda.  We do not get to see eachother all the time since they live there, so this weekend was so wonderful!  Another amazing couple of people the Lord has blessed me with!!

I know Joey worries about me while he is gone so I write and share these happenings in hopes he is reassured of the amazing people and things that are surrounding me.  (I kinda laugh to myself about his worry since I am just living my everyday life and he is the one making the dangerous choices...it just seems backwards) 

**Here is the new hair***

My next adventure is Casey and Allen's wedding in Annapolis that I leave for tomorrow...stay tuned!!!

Ella Grace & Olivia

Last night after babysitting a co-worker and friend's 2 boys I stopped over at Tori and Rush's house to see the girls.  I also had a little present for Miss Ella Grace from me and her Uncle Joey.  It is a crib-sized chenille and silk white blanket with her name monogrammed on it.  I thought it was something she could keep and think of us.  While I was there chatting with Tori about the Olympics and everything else I got some precious pictures of Olivia and her new little sister.  Enjoy!

And then there is a great one of Tori and Ella Grace from Valentine's Day (below).  Beautiful mom and beautiful baby :)

Honeymoon Figured Out!

So I finally decided on a honeymoon for me and Joey and now I never have to worry about it again...woohoo!!  This is the biggest relief EVER!  We are going to Costa Rica and staying in an all-inclusive private villa.  It has a chef, bartender, and house keeper that come everyday at 7 am and stay until after dinner.  Our wedding planner had suggested it to me in December, and of course I started looking at a million other places.  Soooo true to my track record I decided on the first thing I looked at :) haha. I am so excited, and now have something concrete to set on my sights!

a little Valentine's Day and a little honeymoon...frustration :)

So it is the Valentine weekend and I am without my valentine.  I would say this thought makes me extra sad, but really I do not "believe" in this holiday anyway.  I pretty much think you should let the people you love know it all the time. AND ever since I learned the reasons for this day have nothing to do with the heroic efforts of St. Valentine and his plight and more about the commericial world needing money because the Christmas holidays are over; I can not support it.  (haha that sounded a little bitter...)

However, I have used this time to get one more step closer to booking our honeymoon for this summer.  If you know me (which I am guessing if you read this blog you do) then you know how this trip has really frustrated me.  I want it to be incredible due to the fact it will be the only time I see Joey for a year.  I believe I have narrowed it down to the following and now I am just weighing the pros and cons:

Esperanza in Cabo San Lucas

Capella Ixtapa in Mexico

MataChica Resort in Belize

Kamalame Cay off the coast of Andros Island (Bahamas)

Little Dix Bay Resort in Virgin Gorda

Caneel Bay in St. John

Casa Colonial in the Dominican Republic

The Peninsula in the Dominican Republic

So this task is keeping all of my time occupied when I am not a work.  If you have any input or know anything about any of these places please let me know! 

AND...for everyone that is with their loved one on this weekend: enjoy every minute, feel blessed, and make them know how much you love and appreciate them.  I know I would be if I could.  I love you Joey and appreciate everything you do!

The big day!

Ella Grace was born at 11:52 am on Wednesday, February 4th 2010.  She is 6 lbs 13 ounces and 20 inches long.  She is beautiful! Another bonus for Rush is his newest little girl was born on National Signing Day for college football.  Her birthday is a favorite among all men :)  Here are some pictures of the newest family member!

Olivia's big moment: meeting her little sister!