Let the Planning Begin!

I am so excited to officially say that T and I are going to North Carolina the week before Easter! It's a big trip for us as we'll be visiting Charlotte, where we are considering moving in the future. T isn't exactly sure what will make him decide Charlotte is the place for us, but I'm all about atmosphere. I just loved our first trip to NC and even though we were mainly in the eastern area.

I think my favorite part of the first trip was sitting on a bench in Union Point Park talking about our future. We went to Little Washington, Greenville, New Bern, Kinston, Topsail Island, and Wilmington in a matter of a week.

I'd really like to explore Topsail Island more. I cannot wait to ride a train from Raleigh to Charlotte!!

Best morning on the beach ever.

Wedding Wednesday: Centerpiece Project

With it being Winter Break the past week I had a chance to tackle some wedding idea projects. I found on Pinterest a how to dye mason jars. This one seemed easier since I didn't have to bake them. My grandma's mason jars are old and I just didn't want to break them!

All you need is a mason jar, mod podge, and icing color/food coloring. I followed directions from here:  http://www.lilyshop.com/lilyshop-blog/item/how-to-make-colored-mason-jars

First, you put enough mod podge in to cover the bottom. 

Then, take a toothpick and stick it into your icing color and put it in with the pod modge. 

Use a popsicle stick to marry the icing and mod podge. 

Next, gently turn the mason jar every which way until it's coated. 

Now you tip it onto the mouth of the jar to allow the excess drip out. This can take up to an hour.

 After the hour is up, turn the mason jar back upright. Let it sit for 24-48 hours until it's dry.

It's not quite dry yet, you can still see the previous gluey orange color. 

All dry!

Centerpiece idea. May sprinkle fake flower petals or the icy sparkler things.

Downer in the project is I can't use water with a floating candle in it. As you can see, it started taking the color out of it. Looks like I'll need to stick a thicker candle inside it and let it burn.

Goodbye 2012

2012 has definitely been a year I could describe as a roller coaster.

January brought me leaving a great group of fifth graders and elementary school where I student taught. I was able to substitute teach and teach summer school for the district, which made the transition easier.

March brought Tim starting a new job and Tim and I got engaged on St. Patrick's Day :)

We moved into our first apartment together in April 

April also brought Amber's wedding where I was her Personal Attendant

 Attended our good friends Mat & Berkley's wedding in June

 Riley Jo came into the world in July! I'm a proud honorary auntie :)
Then, later in the month my world crashed around me. My mother was diagnosed with cancer. 

August came and she had her mastectomy and started treatments in September.

 Meanwhile, I was starting my very first teaching job as a four year old kindergarten teacher.

 In October we celebrated my parents' 25th wedding anniversary. T & I got our engagement pictures taken. 

November brought Thanksgiving and Patrick's 21st birthday.

December came and I made the Christmas card for the first time! :) Dad had another rocky December with his heart, but our family felt so much closer knowing how blessed we were to make it through this year. 

We celebrated the end of the year and the beginning of a new one with our MOH and BM. I know this year is going to be just as wonderful as 2012 has been to T and I!

The Christmas "Vacation"

The time between my snow days and going back to work after Christmas flew by. Saturday morning I literally flew out of bed and packed as quickly as I could. My dad had called and was going to the ER. They kept him overnight for observation and then sent him home since he wasn't having a heart attack. Christmas Eve was a lazy day after the running around that went on Saturday and Sunday.

My brother made Oreo Truffles Christmas Eve - they were yummy!

It's the time of year where visiting the dogs means they come in :)

Christmas the dogs got their gift from us and the rawhide bone gift from Bree.

We had bacon, eggs, and cinnamon rolls for breakfast after opening our gifts. 

Later on in the day we had Christmas lunch/dinner and then I packed up my car to head to T's parents for Christmas night festivities - Monopoly and brandy slushies :)

The day after Christmas led T, Pat, Erin and I to get those day after bargains. I got my icicle lights for the head table and some string lights that I'll wrap with tulle for under the stage. I scored some gift wrap and got a Rubbermaid tub for all our Christmas things.

I went back to work Thursday and Friday to plan and organize the classroom. I found out late on Thursday that my dad was having a procedure Friday to see if he was blocked. Good thing I was planning to work a half day as he was blocked, but he was able to come home and I was his ride.

I spent Saturday and Monday at the bridal shop and shopping. We looked for my mom's dress for the wedding and I tried on and picked up my bridesmaid dress for Erica's wedding. I also saw my dress - I'll have to post all about that on a Wedding Wednesday update!