Laziest Day Of My Life!

Today I declare the laziest day of my life. Its 230pm and Im still in my pj's. Is there something wrong with that? Part of me thinks not because I know what the week of work holds and because Im not sure I can remember the last time I staying in my pj's this long on a Sunday. 

Katie, Sadie, and I had a slumber party last night so when they left this morning I failed to get dressed and have a productive day. I took the big pillows off my couch which now I have converted to my bed for the day.  As I sit and watch reruns of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, I think of all the things I could do to be productive today....but....the motivation to get out on this gloomy day is absent! I pick Andrew up at the airport at 530pm tonight so I plan on leaving an hour before Im suppose to leave and actually do something today. We will see if that works out for me! I give it a 50/50 chance.

The next couple weeks are filled with fun! 13 days till Lo's wedding and Andrew and I get to go home to see my family! I can't wait to see my family and visit the South again! Oh I do miss the Southern hospitality. 

Im honored to be a part of the special occasion!! 13 days and counting!

Also so excited to see Julie and Rachel--which I know will be rare occasions considering their homes are in Orlando and Chicago! Im equally as excited to see all my other friends. Its gonna be a great weekend to say the least! 

I remember when these were the normal days!! =)

Now its to grown up things like wedding showers and a wedding! Cant wait!

The night Lo and JD got engaged! 

(which I was sadly not a part of while I was in Dallas but loved getting the exciting phone call!)

I know they are so excited! They have had probably a record breaking number of showers so I know they are ready to set up house (which I hear is already coming along)--can't wait to see it again when I visit Birmingham the next time! 

Life in Dallas is still adjusting and Im still learning everyday. Days become a little easier. Im not sure if its that Im getting used to living by myself, not having my girlfriends around, or if Im actually adjusting. I guess all the above. I miss my family and girlfriends the most. You really dont know how great your friends are until you don't have them at your fingertips. My friends are rare and the best friends Ill ever have. I tell Andrew constantly that I dont think Ill ever have a group like I did in Birmingham--Im biased to say the least! Maybe the Lord has some surprises up His sleeve! I hope so because then Ill be twice blessed with amazing friends!

Hope everyone has a happy July 4th week!!!  

Dance a little...

Courtesy of Mary Rosenbaum

Birmingham Trip # 2

Me and mom! Love her!

I was able to go to Birmingham for the second weekend in a row this past weekend. Exhausting travels the past 2 weekends, but completely worth it. I got to see my mom, lee, laura and jd, and many other missed friends. It was amazing to see friends that I didn't get to see last weekend!

We threw Lo's lingerie shower before her Around the House Shower at the Drehers. I would say she is not only set for her honeymoon =) but I do believe their house will be stocked with fun and great wedding presents. She is checking off her registery list one at a time. 

Sunday was relaxing, which was exactly what I wanted and needed. I had a small bite to eat with my mom and lee Sunday morning and then they left. I relaxed a little at Mac and Lo's house before Natalie picked me up. I went over to Natalie's house and watched a movie with her, rachel, and beau. Wonderful! Then I was off to the airport, once again! Its still weird to be going  "home" to Dallas. Im slowly adjusting. Things are not normal yet but Im trying to make them normal. My mom is coming mid July and my dad/Libby are coming first weekend of August. I can't wait for family to come! To show them where I live (well not the boring white undecorated box but I mean Dallas). My apt has lots of decorating left to do and Im sick of shopping for the apt so I quit for awhile. 

Enjoy the pics from the weekend! Please come visit! =)

Kate and I with the Bride!!! 39 Days and Counting!!

Natalie and I at the Shower.

Me, Mom, and Kali!!

and it was great!!! Andrew and I went to Birmingham this past weekend for a wedding marathon. We went to Lance's wedding Saturday night and then went out with a bunch of people. I was able to see Natalie and Reba out Saturday night (which is sadly not documented by any fun pictures). It was amazing to see familiar faces! I didn't want it to end!! Sunday we got up and went to MBCC, which was also great! I got to see girls from church and hear Tim speak one last time. It felt great being back in the ham! Sunday after church we ate lunch with Reba at Whole Foods, just a quick bite and we were off to Atlanta for Andrew's cousin's wedding. I got to meet the whole fam and they were great. His little sister, Sadie, was there and I absolutely ADORE her! Im so glad she will be in Dallas this summer. She attends Baylor so she when she goes back in the fall Im sure we wil be making frequent trips to Baylor. She is wonderful, so full of life! Andrew and I had a fun night of dancing with the great band. Then back to Birmingham on Monday. We were exhausted to say the least. It was a travel marathon. Oh yeah, dont forget that we had a rental car that smelled like smoke and it was a Rav4! I love the Rav! It revved, thats for sure! 

So Monday afternoon, Andrew dropped me off at Natalie's for some much needed Natalie time. Yes, there were many tears shed this weekend as well, but it was a refreshing trip that was much needed! I thoroughly enjoyed my time seeing friends. Lo stopped by to say hey, which was a nice little surprise bc I didn't think I was gonna get to see her. It just felt like home. I loved it!

Monday early evening Natalie, Andrew, and I grilled out for an early dinner, which was also a nice surprise since our flight didn't leave till later. All that is also undocumented...sadly!

We got back to Dallas Monday night and were absolutely zonked! Here are some fun pics from the Sunday cousin wedding!

Dancing!! Enjoying the great band!!

Sadie, Andrew, and I at the wedding!

Sweet siblings

Me and Sadie! Love the girl!

One down

One week down! Can't believe I've been living in Dallas for a week. Kinda crazy. Im learning my way around little by little. I made a rule the first few days I was here that everytime I get lost, Im buying myself a Sprinkles cupcake! Yum! I think I had 4 one day! ha! If I keep this up, Im be buying all new clothes. Not good.

Tomorrow starts work. Im excited. First two days are hospital orientation, completely normal for a hospital. Wednesday will be more real so we will see how that goes. 

School is almost over. This week I will take my last 2 tests and then I will have 1 class left. I might take the summer off to just enjoy Dallas and take a deep breath. But then again, who knows, I might just bite the dust. 

This week has definitely had its ups and downs. From staring at the ceiling because I didn't know where to start to getting lost to forming a love/hate relationship with Target (which is usually love love love target!) to some frustrations of just missing the normal life. But, I will say being in the same city as Andrew outweighs it all! Its been amazing. Adjusting to life in Dallas has been hard but he has made it a lot easier. He has put up with "Missy Pissy" this week while I complain about missing my friends and the frustrations of getting lost. I know things will get easier day by day and week by week as I continue to learn the city. I do know the major points: Andrew's house, the grocery store, the mall, work, little fun villages, the interstate, and of course Sprinkles Cupcakes! But thats it! One day it took me an hour to get home from the library where I have to take my school test and its literally maybe 5-8 miles from my house. Nice huh?!?! I think that deserves 5 cupcakes. 

Andrew and I have been able to have meals, go to a movie, run, and enjoy day to day happenings. Kinda crazy if you ask me! Today we were just enjoying a Sunday and it got to be around 430pm (the usual time I fly out), and I thought to myself.....ah, I don't fly out today, I stay! Its fun starting to date (in the same city). We both enjoy it! 

On a side note, a BIG side note---Congratulations Hannah to getting in grad school! Yeah! 

On another HUGE side note, Congratulations to Julie!! Happy entering the world Ellie and Kathyrn! 

Fun pics of my favorite niece and nephew in honor of Derby weekend. =)

She has a full out mohawk! Love it!

Michele and Tyler 

Gotta love hand-me-downs from his dad when he was a kid

Dallas!!

We made it! Yeah!

What a weekend. Andrew and I picked Natalie up at 6am and hit the road for a 10.5 hr drive. The Uhaul was haulin'! With 5 or 6 stops between, it actually was easier than I ever imagined. Easier in the hours of driving not easier in leaving my friends!

We did great and unpacked everything in under 1.5 hrs. 

We were pretty exhausted and enjoyed a nice relaxing meal with wine and great conversation. I was so lucky to have Natalie and Andrew for familiar faces for the first night. Natalie left Sunday, which was not the easiest of things to do. I can't thank her enough for her support in riding in a car for 10.5 hrs and putting up with me. Truly a Godsend! 

Its hard not having many familiar faces around. 

I mean driving is usually a thoughtless process but has now turned to a new source of stress. Dallas has these "access roads" next to the interstate and Im glad Im still living today. I think I ran 5 red lights on the way to Bed Bath and Beyond. I don't know many streets, I would love to see my face as I drive. A stressed out face. I think I need a glass of wine everytime I get out of the car. Its so different! 

Welcome to Dallas, as Andrew says! 

I have put together most of my apartment, still missing little odds and ends. The TV is coming tomorrow and I just have lots of blank space to fill. Its hard so hard to fill those spots. But we will see how far I can get with that. 

I go to work Wed morning to do some paper work and my first official day is Monday, Cinco De Mayo! How appropriate. I will be needed a large margarita after that day. I think the first few days will be orientation and then the next week will hit full force with being on the floors. Thats a whole new realm of stress/overwhelming feelings. We will get into that after work has started. 

As we started entering TX, we started making a list of the top 10 reasons you know you are in TX:

(I didnt finish all 10 and I lost the list so here are the top 5)

5. More Spanish speaking radio stations than you can count in the states of AL, TN, and MS.

4. Big Joe's Towing (speaks for itself)

3. We reach my apartment and my neighbors don't just have out-of-town guests, but out-of-COUNTRY guests.

2. More TX flags and stars you can count.

1. A toothless man greeting us at the TX welcome center with a goofy grin saying "Welcome to Texas"

Here are some pics from the first few days! Enjoy.

Southwest Airlines has great airfares to Dallas. Please start looking! Im excited to show off my new "home." 

The Uhaul!

(Gotta love that AL license plates, I already miss them)

Entering the Great State of Texas!

Here are some apartment pics:

Kitchen

Den

Hopefully things will keep coming together! Hope to see your faces down here soon!

Rachel Shaub!

Congratulations! What a wonderful and amazing weekend!
The whole weekend and every fun festivity was perfect. Everyone had so much fun. From the welcome party with pizza and salad to the ocean crashing in the background and seagulls flying above during the ceremony singing their harmony. Beautiful weather, a fun band, great food, and a stunning bride!
Here are some pics...I have none from the wedding but once I get them, I will post some!