Heading to Tennessee

Today I am heading to Knoxville, TN to visit my friend Heather

We will spend some time in Knoxville and then head to Nashville Sunday night into Monday and then head back to Knoxville.   Heather also won opening day tickets to UT football :)

I am so excited for this long weekend away from work!  and I'm so excited to see Heather!

Quotes: Part 7

One of my goals for the year was to make a list of 101 quotes that inspire me.  I'll be sharing these quotes randomly throughout the year.

Parts 1-6

And because I'm giving my job the finger this weekend and taking a little trip despite their protests ...

On My Bookshelf

I am, once again, way behind on my book reviews!  But I don't feel like doing one today.  What I will do is share a few books on my To-Read List that I plan to read very soon.

Bird in Hand by Christina Baker Kline (currently reading)

I really enjoyed her book Orphan Train, so I am really looking forward to reading this!  I just checked it out from the library so I'll be reading it within the next few days.

Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham 

I'm not gonna lie, the main reason I picked up this book is because Lauren Graham plays Lorelai Gilmore who is possibly my favorite TV character in the history of ever.  But the book does sound like something I'd like so I am looking forward to it.  This is another that I have checked out from the library and will be reading within the next few days.
(Since writing this post, I have actually read this book and loved it)

Splintered by A.G. Howard

I randomly picked this book up from Barnes and Noble last week.  It spins off of Alice in Wonderland (one of my all time faves) and sounds really interesting.  It is the first in a series so if I like the first one, then I will probably get the next ones from the library.

Graveyard Shift by Lana Harvey

My boss, Melissa, is a big reader too and recommended these books to me (the Reaper Series).  The first one was free on my Nook so I plan to read that one and if I like it, the next two are only $2.99.  I may save these for my cruise, but I highly doubt I can go that long without checking it out.

To see other books on my To-Reads list - check out my GoodReads account :)

Wedding Wednesday: The Music

Picking the music was one of the hardest things for me to do!  Why?  Because there were just so many great songs to choose.  I had to narrow it down and it was hard!

This is what we came up with (and a sneak peak at reception pics): 

Ceremony:

Girls: A Thousand Years by Christina Perry

Me: Cannon in D (Celtic version)

Walking Back: Walk Me Down the Middle by The Band Perry

Reception

Announcing Bridal Party/Parents: Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns and Roses

Announcing Josh and I: Sexy and I Know It by LMFAO

First Dance: I Just Call You Mine by Martina McBride

Father Daughter: Daddy Dance With Me by Krystal Keith

Mother Son: You Raise Me Up by Celtic Woman

Flower Toss: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cindy Lauper

Garter Toss: Another One Bites the Dust by Queen

Garter Removal: Danger Zone by Kenny Loggins

Brandon/Laurie: Real Good Man by Tim McGraw

  Apron Dance: Just the Way You Are by Bruno Mars

and Granuaile's Dance by Celtic Woman (Mairead Nesbitt)

Last Dance: You'll Always Be Loved By Me by Brooks and Dunn

A Eurotrip Reunion in DC

I can not believe that my People to People trip to Europe was 8 years ago!!  I also can't believe how lucky I am to have stayed in touch with 2/3 girls that I was really close with on that trip.  Britt and I live in the same county so we get together a few times a year and have done day trips together and what not.  But Meagan is from FL and is currently living in TX for grad school.

As luck would have it, she got an internship in DC this summer!  Unfortunately, we couldn't get our schedules together and were only able to go down once to see her.

Technically, actually it was twice.  I texted Brittany a while ago and said I was going to a concert in DC and that she should come down that day and we could all meet up.   Luck again, she said she was going to the same concert!!!   Meagan was able to hang out, out front of the gates with us at Nationals Stadium until the concert started.  (The concert was FL/GA Line and Jason Aldean, btw)

While we were standing there, we determined that Britt and I both had off work the next Tuesday.  We decided to do a quick trip down to DC for dinner and drinks that day once Meagan got off work.  We ended up getting to Dupont Circle around 330 and she got off at 4 - perfect timing!

We decided to eat outside at the Mad Hatter Bar and Grill where I got the best  burger ever!  And an orange crush.  We sat there for probably 2 hours talking and catching up and trying to get over the fact that we hadn't all been together in 8 freakin years!!

After dinner we weren't ready to say goodbye so we headed towards the White House and then The Mall.  We ended up sitting on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial for probably another hour doing more talking.

 The FL group was delayed getting to Rome so they missed the roman sites such as the Trevi Fountain, so Meagan made up for it! (Ok, so it's totally not the same, but still).

 

We had such a great time, it was just like we picked up right where we left off.  Saying goodbye to Meagan at the Metro Station sucked just as bad as it did saying goodbye at Dulles 8 years ago.  We definitely wont be waiting that long to get together again, hell, we may not even wait til Christmas!

Wedding Wednesday: The Ceremony

I've always wanted an outdoor ceremony and I'm so thankful that we had the perfect weather.  Our ceremony was short and sweet (10 mins max) and the whole thing was a blur.  Actually, the officiant emailed me apologizing profusely for not having everyone sit and I told her that I never even noticed.  And it's not like the ceremony was that long anyway.   Prepare for a photo overload!

My Mom escorted by my Brother, Jason

Josh's Mom escorted by her boyfriend, John

Josh's Dad escorted by Kristine

Flower Girls: Josh's Nieces Alaya and Danni

Above: The boys waking down

Below: The Girls in the order they walked

Ring Bearer: Colin (Jeff's Son, referred to as little roomie on instagram)