Cheers to Birthdays--Mariana (the bestie)

HAPPY HAPPY birthday to my best friend, Mariana! We are going on 12 years of friendship, but really, it started much younger...at Goldsboro Country Club pool when I was a tomboy (seriously I only played with boys...who's shocked?) and Mariana was shy?! (Or so she claims). I don't remember those days...but I know they existed.

Really it allllll started at good ole Eastern Wayne (yes, there is more than 1 high school in Goldsboro for those that had doubts)

Today, I started to think how it's crazy where we both ended up (to this point at least) and was thinking that we are both in such different places than maybe expected.  But then I got to thinking....we have been in different places pretty much our entire friendship but still managed to remain the best of friends.  In high school Mariana was a cheerleader and soccer player--I played volleyball and softball (cheerleading was never my thing).

In college, I studied and went to class....Mariana "overslept" and let me use her Webassign submissions so we both got a 100.  We both studied abroad...but never at the same time, and never to the same place.  For a while, I was loving living in Chapel Hill and she was living in up in NYC.  And now....I'm married and she's back in school.  If you had asked us in high school where we would be in TWELVE years...I'm sure we would have said something totally different.

So here's where it began...Freshman year...in homeroom...looked a little like this!

Hello braces (on me) and banana colored cheerleading uniform! WOW

By fate...and some really good paper writing (wink wink), we both ended up at NCSU 4 years later. We didn't want to be the best friends that roomed together in college and ended up hating each other, so we were suite mates. BIG mistake.  After one semester, we moved in together and kicked our crazy old roommates out!  We ended up in the same sorority and that was only the beginning of all the college fun!


Get ready for a blast from the past ladies....

and the best...ever...

When Justin and I got engaged, I had promised Mariana years before (when I was single) that she would be the first call I would make (minus my parents/bro).  So, I kept my word...and she didn't answer!

She did call back...from Macy's...with her mom....crying (lots of crying--I'm sure the sales associate thought something bad had happened).  Then when I called to ask her to be my maid-of-honor, she was on the streets of NYC....crying! But I love that she cries....about pretty much everything. 

I think one of my favorite "mariana moments" was when she surprised me at our Raleigh engagement party. She was living in New York and I just assumed she couldn't make it...understandable. And she told me she couldn't make it....liar! SURPRISE!

Our wedding day was perfect and she made sure of that!...so fun!!

So happy birthday to my little Mariana....who I can't see in my peripheral vision when I'm wearing heels, who I can count on to keep my secrets, who I would do her chemistry homework for all over again, who I know will be my best friend no matter where in the world we both end up 12 years from now! Much love my sweet friend!

Happy Fall, Y'all!

While I love summer and everything that it involves, fall also has it's perks! It's not 3000 degrees, football season starts, fall fashion is the BEST shopping...and, of course, my birthday!

I love decorating the house for fall and Pintrest had some great ideas!

And my mom got me this little guy...

how cute is he!?!

One of the other wonderful things about fall is Halloween. Over the past couple of years, we have had such a great time coming up with creative ideas

FLASHBACK!

So this year when trying to figure out the perfect outfit, we finally had enough people willing to do the Flinstones....ALL the Flinestones...and the Rubbles! The cost of the costumes was outrageous...so we decided to make them! Everyone came over to our house for a little Halloween get together!

Pebbles and Bam Bam!

Fred and Wilma!

Barney and Betty!

It was a fun night! Henry even dressed up for the occasion!

Happy fall, y'all!

Cheers to Birthdays-Jacqueline

While I'm  a day late...I wanted to wish a happy birthday to my sweet friend, Jacqueline!

Jacqueline and I met at State...in Sigma Kappa...surprise, surprise! haha! The first conversation I had with her (that I can remember) was when she casually told me about being in the Miss North Carolina pageant! WHAT!?! I'd be shouting from the rooftops if I did something that awesome! But that's Jax!

Jacqueline and I had many chances throughout college and after to attend and lead some Bible studies together. It is always nice to have a friend that you can share those times and thoughts with--and I love that about our relationship.  Jacqueline, and her entire family, have such an awesome faith that is inspiring and uplifting!

She was also one of the first of our group to get married...

and have a precious, precious baby...

MJ is just the cutest little thing!

So happy birthday to you!! Can't wait to see you soon!

Happy Birthday, Julia!

This past weekend, I made a trip to the Gold-city (minus my other half who had to study--yuck) to celebrate the 1st birthday of my cousin, Julia.

Julia was brought into our family after my aunt and uncle adopted this precious little girl.  With her huge blue eyes and infectious smile, she has been such a joy to everyone.

The party was so cute and Julia was the princess of the afternoon!

While some kids dive into their first birthday cake, Julia was a little overwhelmed by all the attention and really awesome loud singing

She eventually got it together and was able to eat some birthday cake--there was no smashing of this cake though! She kept things quite clean!

It was a great afternoon with the family and some of Julia's precious little friends!

Up until the arrival of Julia, I was the only granddaughter (on both sides--crazy)! And most of you know how near and dear Granny is to me! I loved seeing how much Julia also adores my sweet grandmother!  Warms my heart!

While I was home, my mom and I also made some pretty awesome Halloween costumes! There are 6 of us and we are going to look awesome! Yaba Daba Dooooo!!

Cheers & Thanks to Birthdays--Jessica

Growing up, I never knew anyone that had the same birthday as myself.  I knew someone the day before AND the day after...but never the 17th.  That was until I went to college---at a Delta Sig band party (which, ironically, Justin was also there) that Jessica and I realized we had the same birthday. That year I was turning 18 and Jessica 19....crazy!!

It is so fun sharing your birthday with one of your great friends!  We have had many double birthday parties over the years!

Another perk of our birthday---the beginning of football season!  There is normally a great tailgate we can go to on our birthday weekend! Which is what we did this past weekend (also why it has taken me so long to make this post---I was worn out!)

One of the best things about finally having a job is being able to get season tickets. Although we are not on the 50 yard line...just having a way in the stadium is a start!

So it was a great birthday for me and I hope Jessy had a great day as well! I love always having this to share with you, sweet friend! Much love!

Cheers to Birthdays---Jenny

Today is little Jenny Oh (now Smith's) birthday!! Jenny and I met living in UT our freshman year and she has been my #1 shagging partner ever since! Jenny and I have shared so many things over the years...we both had to contemplate moving to another state for our boos, we were both planning weddings at the same time (and kept each other from going crazy)....and we both have an enormous love for our puppies!

Although Ellie has not given in to the flirting/humping/harassing from my baby, Henry, she will one day cave to his charm and outgoing personality.  Had Jenny decided not to fix her dog...they could have made beautiful baby Yorkie-poms! I guess we will always wonder....

Now that we are in Charlotte, Jenny and Taylor, live the closest to us...and it helps that her parents live in Salisbury so she is coming through town all the time!  Eventually, Taylor will give in and move to Charlotte...live down the street from us, and raise our children together! (I can dream, right?!?)

So happy birthday to my sweet friend, Jenny!

Cheers to Birthdays--Lauren

Today is Lauren's birthday! 9 years ago, around this time, Lauren (the first friend I met in college) invited me to her parents house for a birthday dinner with a group of girls.  I already knew I was going to love college, but it was at the point, that I knew I had found a group of friends that I truly loved.  And not much has changed!  That same group that celebrated Lauren's birthday and cut quite a few King cakes, are still great friends today!

Our lives also took a similar path when it came to the boys...well two boys in particular.  We both eventually ended up marrying State boys...but both never met them in college. Justin and I were at some of the same functions, and Adam and Lauren were actually in a picture together, but never met. We both agree the timing would have been ALL wrong! So now our girl clan (all with wolfpack husbands) can still tailgate together! GO PACK!

So a very happy birthday, Lauren! Ready to celebrate the next 9 years...and many many more! : )

The Last For a While

Last weekend, we were in Raleigh for the last wedding for quite some time! After 3 years of feeling like the weddings were coming faster than we could keep up, our final wedding weekend (that we know about) has come and gone.

And what a way to go out! Not only was the wedding in our old stomping grounds--Raleigh--but it was one of my best friends from college saying "I do".  And it was about time!  Katherine and David met when we were seniors in college (undergrad)...yes...2007, friends! It was definitely worth the wait though! The weekend was so fun from beginning to end.

No one in our group is a fantastic public speaker, so any time we have to plan the dreaded speech it takes weeks...many weeks and even more emails to get it right! Friday night, we nervously got through the rehearsal dinner--and after our speech/awesome poem written by my cousin's sweet wife...all the girls were finally able to relax.  Some of David's family friends threw a party for all the out-of-towners to kick off the weekend!

The wedding was beautiful and Katherine was stunning! We all got ready together and helped  Katherine get ready.  I have to say, of all my bride friends, I thought Katherine would be the one to stay cool as a cucumber---but during the ceremony, she did give me a look that made me think I needed to find some tissues---quickly! Everyone kept it together, though, and it went off without a hitch--other than David trying to put her wedding band on the right hand!  And may I add, when the father of the bride says his one line, "her mother and I", it is much more elegant when there is an amazing British accent behind those words!

So, our tradition continues...the garter made it's fourth appearance.  We all have a ribbon with our married initials and our wedding date. For some of us it was our something borrowed, for me, my something blue...either way, it's a fun way to share a small part of our wedding with our group of friends. And Katherine will hang on to it until it's the next girl's turn : )

The reception was beautiful and the band was A-mazing! Let's just say "Call Me Maybe" and "Party in the USA" were played---I was a happy girl!

Katherine also included her Indian side and changed into a sari during the reception.  Her grandfather had it made in India---LOVE it!

So, our long long string of weddings surely went out with a awesome night!  We were able to catch up with so many college friends and have a great night in Raleigh! GO PACK!

Right now Katherine and David our down in the Dominican Republic avoided Hurricane Isaac---knowing them both, I'm sure they are making the most of it--and turning it into a party!