Life Lately (Happy Friday)

Life lately has been a blur of travel, spreadsheets, to-do lists, and weddings--lots and lots of weddings. 

Last weekend JT and I traveled to Savannah, Georgia, to see Kelsey Jo tie the knot, and tomorrow we go watch one of my sister's good friends do the same. OH, and I said 'yes' to the dress! It's an exciting time! Between planning my own wedding, going to my friend's, taking on extra responsibilities at work, and freelancing more, I'm excited to hopefully slow down a bit in the coming weeks. But, then again, maybe I won't, and that'll be wonderful, too.

MOH, Bride, MOB.

Captain and Mrs. John Hawkins!

our best "wait 'til you see the bride..!!" faces

pre-wedding kickball bridesmaids v. groomsmen

my very first item with my future monogram :)

#merica

Sweet Robby is growing like a weed! Those cheeks... #swoon

our fur baby, lilly, is pretty excited about JT's shift change

My latest "sweating for the dress" experiment .... eek...

And the reason I endure lemon juice with cayenne pepper... this stud of a wedding date.

So there you have it, life lately. Bonus: I think my Friday will be spent watching this and the Robster. #winning

#HitchTheHawkins

our first night in Nashville at The Tavern.

'Tis the season ladies and gents, both figuratively and literally. Spring and Summer are always prime time for weddings and events, but this is takes the cake for me. Perhaps it's my age/phase of life, or perhaps it's just summer again and that's when everyone wants "June weddings at the Plaza." Who knows. All I know is I'm on a marathon of happiness, cocktails, Bed Bath and Beyond coupons, and dress fittings, and it's sublime.

From the end of April to Mid-June, I have a grand total of 5 weddings (a bridesmaid in 2), one graduation, a handful of birthdays, a family beach trip, and I just got back from a bachelorette weekend in Nashvegas. Whew. Cheers to the freakin' weekend, oh wait, it's Monday.

Here are a few snapshots from Kelsey Jo's #AllPinkEverything (taken from Eva the Diva's "all red everything" tagline) Bach Bash:  

The Bride-to-be, Kelsey Jo

some of her maids, R to L: Ashley, Erin, August, bride, Mere, EZ, me.

my turn with the gorgeous bride-to-be

yes, I went all the way to Nashville to get a pic with Elvis.

#ForeverRoomie

readying the sash

The whole gang ready to hit the town after yummy Rosepepper Cantina supper.

Nashville, you didn't disappoint. 

Now, to schedule in some sleep...

Love is in the Air

Well hello there. Long time, no talk. I've spent the last month on a happy hiatus from MC simply to enjoy all of the exciting things going on. I wanted to fully enjoy all of it and not even think about sharing it. Selfish, I know, but it's true. I wanted to soak it all up and now that I have, my cup runneth over. 

This past month has been a whirlwind to say the least, but absolutely wonderful in every way. I'm so excited to finally share all of the little things.

March 29, 2014: JT and I got engaged!

Right after JT proposed at Shelby Farms Park!

The fabulous family dinner he planned for after the proposal at my fav restaurant, Jim's Place Grille.

So excited bebe stayed put for a few more days so JT wouldn't have to propose in a hospital!

The stunner weighing down my left hand :)

April 3, 2014: Robert "Robby" Benjamin Todd, Jr. graced the world with his presence making me an official auntie.

Emily had to touch up before go time, and I was happy to assist// New dad telling us of his arrival.

We finally found out his name, and Uncle JT and Aunt Anna meet Robby for the first time!

Bringing bebe home, and Allie is smitten with her new brother.

April 13, 2014: I got the letter that my student loans were completely paid off making this girl debt free!

So long, Sallie Mae. I won't miss you at all.

April 24-26: We packed up and headed to Lakeland, Florida for Ashley and Coady's lovely wedding. #CheekPartyOf2

Ashley celebrating her last fling before the ring!

TNBs reunited again!

JT and I before the rehearsal dinner

Besties getting ready for the big day

such a stunning bride and wonderful friend!

The brand new Mr. and Mrs. Coady Cheek!

To say love is in the air is an understatement. It's in everything I do lately. And I wouldn't have it any other way! Can't wait for what's next!

Relax and Unplug

I wish that was the reason I haven't blogged in over 2 weeks. Really. I'd love a chance to do that. I don't mean to complain, but it seemed only fitting that if something had to give, it'd be this. 

Work has been super crazy busy, I'm freelancing more, my Nerium business has started to take off, and in a few short weeks I'll officially be an aunt. Another fun fact: JT and I figured out that between family vacations, weddings, graduations, and general life happenings... one or both of us is out of town every other weekend from April to July. Truth. That's a bit overwhelming. Especially since I have a tendency to be a workaholic when I don't have people to physically pull me away from things I can be doing.

 

So as much as I'd like to say I've taken a break to relax before we tackle this memory-making adventure ahead, I've just been trying to keep my head above water. And I'm okay with that. I'm very content and excited for what this next season holds. I'm ready to bust out the pastels, flowers, and open-toed shoes and usher in spring with a cheerful attitude. There's so very much to be thankful for.

One thing, in particular, is very exciting, and I hope to share within the month. Hint: I've been saving my pennies for a while. 

So, cheers to (hopefully) warmer weather, a new bebe, and the first full summer with JT's boat!

A Jackie, Not a Marilyn

"If I'm going to be a senator by the time I'm 30,

 I need to marry a Jackie, not a Marilyn."

Warner Huntington, III

Legally Blonde

 

In honor of showing that class and old-school values can get you somewhere in life, today I salute Jackie O. 60 years ago today, she tied the knot with JFK and began the legacy of Camelot. Sure, she had her setbacks, but as a fellow journalist and "good girl" I think she's pretty darn spectacular, for her style if nothing else.

Thanks for being a shining example for classy broads everywhere. For that, she gets mad props.

June Bug

I'm horribly embarrassed at how delinquent I've been with my posts; at one point last fall I was posting every day and now I've resorted to monthly happenings. Not my finest cyberspace moment, BUT my only excuse is a saying I once heard and now believe to be 100% true: there's no time to write about life when you're actually living it.

That couldn't be more true than during the month of June 2013. Case and point:

Italian Fest/ Randy Houser concert with JT:

even in the ankle-deep mud and rain it was a blast.

JT's first trip to my old stomping grounds:

We drove down Friday after work and went out with the besties, then 

Saturday morning I took him to some of my favorite things in bham

 [including Samford, Baby Bites, and a Mugshot burger].

More exciting news was that on the way out of town that Friday, I got the official call that one of my very best friends, Kelsey Jo, is engaged to her Army hero. As the first TNB to get a rock, we couldn't be more thrilled or excited for what the future holds [still hoping for a cul de sac with all our families]

CONGRATS Kels!

 

Back in Bham, on Saturday afternoon we made the trek to Arab, AL to celebrate the nuptials of Luke and Barbara Jane. Such a beautiful wedding and had so much fun with Mere, EZ, and Bekah.

Next, my family beach trip in Orange Beach:

 so much fun with my favorite people.

Then, JT and I closed out the month of June 

with another wedding for some of his friends:

 clearly JT, Richard, Stephanie, Leslie, BRooney, Alan, Emily, Brooke, and Matt had fun with the photo booth.

All and all June was fabulous. 

Can't wait to see what July has in store!