Five on Friday!

So happy this week is coming to a close, mostly because it is UGA v. LSU weekend here in Athens! I have been looking forward to this game ever since we beat South Carolina. College Game Day is on campus and there is just an excited atmosphere all around. I am happy it is Friday, but I will be even more happy when it is Saturday in Athens!
I'm linking up for Five on Friday!

1. First, my Hokies beat GA Tech last night. So proud! Wish I could have been in Atlanta to cheer them on!

2. This morning I am starting with some UGA spirit though. I didn't have a full length mirror, and the belly is getting in the way. Don't you love the carpet in my office?!





jeans Target, shirt Old Navy, shoes Jack Rogers

3. Kyle and I are checking out a daycare center today. The Today Show is doing a series on being born in America and posted this article. I have been thinking a lot about my maternity leave and already making plans at work about how my responsibilities will be covered while I am gone. I am the type of person that checks their work email while on vacation. I know some people think that is ridiculous, but honestly I love working and being busy. I will have enough time saved up by February to take 10 weeks off. I have a SUPER supportive office environment and supervisor that have no problem with being away that long, but I have a problem with it. February, March and April are three of the biggest recruiting months for our field both for graduate students and professional staff. I was looking forward to coordinating these processes and traveling to conferences. But I know now that is just not possible. I really hope the worker bee in me calms down after Baby D is here so that I can adjust to my new role as momma.

4. I am still trying to figure out what to bring to our tailgate this Saturday. I swear football is the ONLY reason I will wake up at 6am on a Saturday. I was thinking of baking these:

via

 

or these:

via

5. I got my birthday present from my parents early this week: a flight to VA in October to see these ladies! Can't wait!!!!

 

 

 

Shamrock da Block!

I am getting back from a much needed four day weekend. Thursday I left Athens to go to DC to surprise my parents. Let's just say the looks on their faces were hilarious when I rang the doorbell. It took both of them a little while to process that I was in fact in DC. 

1. I got to spend QT with my dog nephew Shadow

2. I made Mom break her "No wine on weekdays" rule. It's a stupid rule anyway.

3. I got presents from my parents! New arm pretties from Alex + Ani.

Friday I headed down to Richmond for a reunion with some sorority sisters! There was a St. Patty's Day block party and Briana hosted brunch before we all headed downtown.

1. Yummy cupcakes, Irish soda break and a Rolo pot of gold.

2. Shamrock straws and Bud Light. Keepin it classy.

3. I miss these girls every day.

4. Making new friends!

Some highlights:

1. Yes this lady wore a green bikini with a cut up t-shirt on top. Out in public. 

2. Meet Tess. The garden gnome, and new addition to Briana's apt.

3. Bud Light out of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle shot glasses.

Super fun weekend with super fun people. Now back to reality.

Go to tailgating recipes!

I have a Pinterst board just for tailgating recipes. I also have a southern cookbook that Kyle bought be for Valentine's Day one year and it has a WHOLE TAILGATE section. Here are a couple recipes I LOVE and a couple of new ones I want to try this year!

Buffalo Chicken Dip- Kyle makes this, it is a MUST HAVE!

French Toast Casserole- Can't go wrong with a little Paula Deen

Chili- From Martha so you know it is going to be good

And you can't forget my football cake from this post. Or Kyle's attempt at an original recipe in this post. I am getting so excited about Saturday in Athens! Still need to decide what to make!



IM BACK!!!!!!!

Wow, I haven't posted in over two months! I would say it was becuase I was busy (which I was) but it also was a little bit, "why should I continue posting?" Answer: for myself! I do like using this blog to keep memories for myself and others in my life to read about. I think I just need to keep it as orinigal as possible! Be myself. Afterall it is my blog! Ok so let's catch up on the last two and a half months of life!

In April I had a lot of fun visits from friends! First, Soule came to Athens to visit AND WE WENT TO THE RODEO! So much fun!

Then Brianna came to Athens to visit for Twilight, which is an annual bike race downtown. It was also a friends birthday weekend. We of course spent a lot of time at our fav bar, Pauley's.

In the beginning of May my family had to make a very hard decision. Maddy became really sick and her health declined rapidly. She was put to sleep. It was so hard not being there with everyone and Maddy. I miss her terribly. Everyone does.

This was from my trip hone at the end of March.

After graduation I attended LeaderShape with some AMAZING people. I was a cluster facilitator and loved making connections and building relationships with my cluster family. This week long experience was VERY transformative for everyone involved. I can't wait to see the students again and continue on our journey from LeaderShape! I had never worked on visioning before and I thoroughly enjoyed it. If you ever have the opportunity to particiapte in a LeaderShape, DO IT!

My LeaderShape Liger family.

I got back to Athens and left immeadiately for the Outer Banks to celebrate my brother's wedding. A week long at the beach was JUST what the doctor ordered and Kyle and I had SOOOO much fun. Hands down best wedding!

 

16 bedroom house on the beach, such a wonderful view!

I took the bride horseback riding for her bacherlorette! Awesome!

The bachelor party chartered a boat and went fishing. Here is Kyle's tuna!

Rehersal dinner was catered at the house. So many fun 'props!'

My pretty momma.

My brother on the day of his wedding!

My wedding "look"

Mom, Dad and me.

When Kyle and I got back to Ath we started working on our summer concert line up. We went to see Dawes at the Melting Point. GREAT SHOW! The guys stayed after to sign autographs and take pictures. I was really surprised. Griffin the drummer makes the best expressions while he plays. Totally entertaining.  

Last week I went to an Athens Virginia Tech Alumni event. We went to Pints and Paints, a local business, to create a VT masterpiece. See my artwork below! I love Athens Hokie events!

Last weekend I went to Tennessee to see Brianna! I haven't been to see her in TN for like a year (she always is nice enouch to come to ATH). We went to Blackhorse and had beer cheese dip (that stuff is amazing and I could eat it all day). We went to Nashville Saturday night and I had an amazing time. I could totally see Kyle and I moving to Nashville, if it wasn't even further from our families.

My fav pup, Bodie!

"we are acting like 14 year olds!"

The one and only Ryman

Live music in EVERY BAR, I will take it!

Recreating famous Cash photo!

So there you have it. My life the last two months summed up in one GIANT post. Hopefully I can jump back on the blog train!

Living for 32

I did not want to go to an in state school. I was so ready for college. I wanted to take the opportunity to recreate myself. And I wanted to do that as far away as possible. My mom actually had to DRAG me to a Virginia Tech open house. I remember getting mad at her while driving down 81 and crying in the car. However, as soon as I stepped foot on campus my life was changed. I knew that Virginia Tech is where I needed to go to school. I needed to be a Hokie. I needed to be part of that amazing community. 

I spent four and a half AMAZING years in Blacksburg. And I did it ALL. I made some of the best friends I could have ever wanted. I learned so much about myself and what I was capable. I changed. I found my calling, I found my path. I have Virginia Tech to thank for that. 

Living for 32 reminds us of the responsibility as Hokies we have to each other. Through the heartbreak and pain caused five years ago, the Hokie community showed the world what it truly meant to have pride, respect and care for others. It is hard to put in words what it means to love your Alma mater, I think for Hokies that is even more difficult, because unless you experience it then you will never truly understand. 

Thank you to my mom for dragging me to VT, to both my parents for providing me the opportunity to go to the best university, to all my amazing mentors and professors at VT that shaped who I became, to my sorority sisters for believing in me, to the Hokie alumni I continue to meet and be amazed by, to the future Hokies that will continue the excellence of this great community. 

Take time to be thankful for what you have today, and never forget.