Masters...check!

It's true, I have completed my Master's Degree! 

I earned a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction from WGU. It was all online, a two year program that I completed in 10 months. If anyone out there is looking to go back to school and do it online, I can't recommend WGU enough. It was so convenient and user friendly. 

Originally my goal was to finish in December, when we moved our wedding to August I made my goal July....well it's April. :) I've been working on it so much, spending my weekends writing papers or doing research, it's so crazy that it is totally done. 

I get to participate in commencement on Saturday, I can't wait! This might be my last time ever graduating but who knows, maybe a Ph.D is in my future. ;) 

Happy Thursday! 

Linking up! 

http://www.hodgespodges.com/

Wedding Wednesday: Music

We are getting closer to our wedding and one area that we are struggling in which I didn't expect was picking music. C and I are both music people, we met in marching band after all. He is very opinionated and I have been dreaming of our wedding for far too long to not have any opinions. Let's start with some of the things I have figured out. 

Processional

C and I watched Shrek probably 100 times during our first years together in college. I think it's fitting that this song is in one of the movies and I like how it sounds. I think we might do the instrumental version because some of the lyrics are a little weird. 

Walking down the aisle

I am going to be traditional and use Canon in D. I just love it, I tear up when I hear it. I think I found this version from another blogger (thank you!) and it's so beautiful. 

Father Daughter Dance 

I am going to ask my dad for his opinion but I am pretty sure that we are going to dance to Tim McGraw. We have seen him in concert together and this song is just so good. 

First Dance

This is where we are struggling. I can't even decide what my favorite is, but I am really loving Ed Sheeran's Thinking Out Loud even though I know it's going to be the wedding song of the year. It's just so beautiful. I also like Train's Marry Me but my fiance doesn't love it as much. 

Anyone have some good first dance suggestions? 

Linking up! 

___________________________________________________________________________

 Check out my other Wedding Wednesday posts:

I'm Engaged!

The Proposal

Venue Dilemma

The End of the Venue Search

Wedding Expo

Bridesmaids

Dress Shopping

Engagement Photos

Pin-Spiration

Pre-Wedding Events

Recent Purchases
Honeymoon Plans
The Registry
Bridesmaid Dress Shopping
Save the Dates
200 days!
DIY Bachelorette Tutus!
Accessories
Flowers
Hair Trial

Weekending: Prom

This weekend was so wonderful. We hung out with a lot of friends and did a lot of fun stuff. After a few stressful weeks it was great to unwind. 

Friday. 

We went out with our friends for some drinks. They didn't come down until later and they were making fun of me for being 'old' and liking to go to bed early. We stayed out until after 1am and they were all pretty proud of me. It was a really fun night. These two are some of my closest friends, they aren't in my wedding but they ask a ton of questions about it whenever we hang out and I love talking about it with them. It's less than 100 days away! :) 

Saturday

In the morning we ran some errands and then that evening we chaperoned Prom! It was at the Aquarium which was so cool! C was mesmerized by all of the fish, the exhibits were so cool! We also have a lot of fun teachers on staff so we enjoyed ourselves.

 This smiling, happy seal was my favorite. 

Sunday.

One of the girls that I used to nanny (who is also one of my flower girls) had her First Communion and we went to her service and then an amazing party at her mom's house. Her mom decorated so beautifully and the food was delicious. I love watching my sweet girl grow up. 

This is a busy week for me at school. We have our plant sale which is the FFA fundraiser for the entire year. It will be a relief next weekend when it is all over and we (hopefully) have a lot more money in our account. 

Linking up with Meghan! 

Wedding Wednesday: Rhinestone Gifts

Happy Wedding Wednesday! 

Today I am going to talk about of the gifts that I am giving/already gave everyone in my wedding party, bling shirts! 

I bought these bling tank tops for my bridesmaids and gave them to them on the day that we went dress shopping. We are going to wear them on my bachelorette party with tutu's when we go wine tasting. :) 

I was looking for someone else for my flower girls and I decided to make them some shirts to wear on the day of the rehearsal so they are matching and even more adorable than usual. I found this etsy shop and they were each only $1.99! I bought 3 since I have three flower girls and made the shirts over the weekend.

They were really easy to put on but they took a little longer than I thought. Initially I read online that they only take 20 seconds but it takes more like a minute. Regardless I really like how they turned out and I can't wait to give them to the girls. 

Finally, I also bought one for my mom. I think that I am going to put it on a zip up that she can wear when she is getting ready the day of the wedding. She might not wear it any other time but I could see her wearing it around the house just to be comfy. I think it will be a good extra gift, she deserves it. :) 

Does anyone else love bling and give their girls any bling gifts?? 

Linking up! 

___________________________________________________________________________

 Check out my other Wedding Wednesday posts:

I'm Engaged!

The Proposal

Venue Dilemma

The End of the Venue Search

Wedding Expo

Bridesmaids

Dress Shopping

Engagement Photos

Pin-Spiration

Pre-Wedding Events

Recent Purchases
Honeymoon Plans
The Registry
Bridesmaid Dress Shopping
Save the Dates
200 days!
DIY Bachelorette Tutus!
Accessories
Flowers
Hair Trial

Friday Favorites.

Here are some of my favorite things today! 

The Fair. 

I'll be spending all weekend with my students at the fair and having various friends and family stop by to visit. We already started off winning the market hog show yesterday, let's see if we can win lambs today! 

Sunshine.

This is my weather forecast, pure happiness. :) 

Best Friend Sleepover. 

My fiance is out of town this weekend and so is her husband so we are having a sleepover. I can't wait to do some wedding crafts, hang her gallery wall, and stay up too late chatting. So thankful for an amazing and true best friend. 

Verse. 

My friend found this website (from pintrest I think) that has bible verses based on names and this was mine. I think it's so great because first, all of the glory should be to God and second, I think it's so important to thank him for all that He does and all that he allows me to do. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed and like I have too much to do but when I think about all God does for me, my burdens that he carries, he deserves all of the glory. 

Exercise

I went on a short run last night and it felt amazing! I don't own a scale but I can tell I'm losing weight and today when C hugged me he said I'm getting skinny. I'm so glad to be staying on track even when I'm busy, stressed, and overwhelmed. I don't want to look back and say that I felt fat or ugly for any of my wedding related events, so I'm determined! 

Linking up! 

Amanda!

Christina.

Weekending: Fair Week!

Friday 

We went up to Seattle to celebrate one of my best friends/college roommate/bridesmaid's birthday! We went to this place called Rock Box which is where you rent private rooms for karaoke. You have your own server who comes in to bring you drinks and you pick all of your songs and have big comfy couches. I wasn't sure about it, but it was a blast! It also helps that she has wonderful friends and we had a great time.

Saturday

In the morning C and I went for a nice long walk and had a relaxing slow morning. Then we went down to the jewelry store where my brother works to order my wedding band! I am obsessed with it, it's so beautiful and I can't wait to be able to wear it.

I did some shopping for my best friend because it's her birthday next week. I'm stealing my wedding theme and making her birthday theme 'best day ever' and getting her things that will make her have a really good day. I'll post about it when it all comes together.

Sunday

We went to church and grocery shopping which are the two typical Sunday activities. We also went down to my school for a little big because the kids were getting their animals ready for the fair. I'm not the teacher who does much with animals with our FFA kids but I like to be around and try to help where I can. I'll be a the fair Wednesday - Sunday with them, it's super crazy and exhausting but it will be fun.

C and I tried out a new restaurant for dinner and it was delicious. It is right down the street from our apartment and I always thought it was fancy and expensive but on Sunday they have all day Happy Hour and it was affordable and delicious! I had sliders and fries, definitely not on my diet. It was the only time I cheated this week though so I was pretty proud of myself.

Three days of work and then the Spring Fair! So thankful for a short week and a fun end of the week.

Linking up with Meghan!

Wedding Wednesday: Hair Trial!

Last week I went for my hair trial with my mom. When I talked with the hair stylist originally she had said that she could do me, as well as 4 others in 2 1/2 hours. That shocked me because I've never gotten my hair done that fast. I was excited for the trial to not only see what my hair would look like, but also to see if she actually was that fast.

 I was nervous because I found this stylist from a local salon and not a personal recommendation. Thankfully as soon as we got to the salon I knew it would be a good choice. The decor was awesome and everyone was so friendly. I loved my stylist and she was immediately making me feel comfortable asking about my groom, the wedding, my bridesmaids, etc. We decided on what I wanted and she started working on my hair!

One thing she did comment on was that I need to not wash my hair the day of, or even the day before the wedding. She had a hard time getting the curls to hold because I had just washed my hair that morning. Even with that, I could get the idea of what it would be like and I was so happy she really understood what I wanted.

I think I am going to go with more volume in the back so that there is a bigger poof and maybe a little less pulled to the sides so that we can see the headband better. I am so relieved that it turned out so well and it makes me even more excited for my wedding!

Linking up! 

___________________________________________________________________________

 Check out my other Wedding Wednesday posts:

I'm Engaged!

The Proposal

Venue Dilemma

The End of the Venue Search

Wedding Expo

Bridesmaids

Dress Shopping

Engagement Photos

Pin-Spiration

Pre-Wedding Events

Recent Purchases
Honeymoon Plans
The Registry
Bridesmaid Dress Shopping
Save the Dates
200 days!
DIY Bachelorette Tutus!
Accessories
Flowers

Weekending: Easter Weekend

Another weekend is complete! It's bittersweet because it means I'm back to school tomorrow. I'm not ready, but I know it's going to be a fun and fast spring. 

Friday

I couldn't believe it was already the last day of spring break. Yes, we had the weekend but the last extra day off. I was so sad, the week went far too quickly. I spent the day finishing up some errands from the week and went to school to work on a few things before going back next week. We went to a trout egg hatchery for two students' research projects, interesting stuff!

We went to Good Friday Service in the evening and it was amazing. One thing that I love about my church is these extra services because I feel as though they go above and beyond. The music was beautiful, the message was powerful, and it really had be centered on Jesus and what he did for me. He died for me and my sins, so that I may live. There is no greater love. 

Saturday

I got up and went to ZUMBA in the morning and then C and I had a lazy day. We went grocery shopping and I meal planned for the week. I spent a few hours watching NCAA Gymnastics and laying on the couch. It was a perfect, relaxing day. 

In the evening some of our friends came over and we went out for dinner. We went to a local italian restaurant. They have wood-fired pizza, so good! 

We went back to our apartment and played CLUE! I was so excited to play this game because I used to play it a ton when I was younger. We learned that we are not good at following the rules and someone almost always forgot to show a card when they were supposed to so none of the games ended without controversy. We will have to play again and hopefully people will be a little better and it will be more fun. 

Sunday

We went to church on Sunday morning and it was amazing. A message of hope, thank you Jesus.  

We visited my grandad after church and then relaxed at home. My mom and her boyfriend came over for Easter dinner and we hung out. It was a great end to the weekend. 

Linking up with Meghan! 

Five on Friday: Looking Forward

Spring break is over! :( I'm so sad, but I am going to make this day great and enjoy the weekend. Instead of being negative I am going to think about five things that I'm looking forward to this spring. 

One. 

My bridal shower! 

This is happening in June and I can't wait! My MOH is the best and I know she is planning something wonderful. Also, the mother of my flowers girls was actually my 6th grade teacher and then I was a nanny for her girls and she is almost like a second mother. I know that she wants to spoil me so it is going to be a wonderful time. Plus I will get to see all of my friends and family, I'm so excited! 

Two.

Memorial Day with my best friend! 

One of my best friends lives in Oregon and is attending graduate school so I am going to spend the long weekend with her while C goes and teaches drum corps. We are planning lots of shopping, a day trip to the beach, and probably seeing a movie. I can't wait to just hang out with her and spend time together. 

Three.

State FFA Convention

Myself and my partner teacher will take about 30 students to our FFA State Convention in May. We will be staying in the dorms and the kids will be competing over the span of 4 days. It's high stress, but also high energy and so rewarding. I love watching the kids get excited for FFA and have fun running around a college campus for a week. The lack of sleep and stress is so worth it. 

Four. 

Celebrating our Anniversary

*us on 5/30/09

C and I will celebrate our last 'dating' anniversary in May. 6 years and going strong. I think the date will always be significant to use even after we get married. LOVE LOVE LOVE. 

Five. 

The Last Day of School! 

I feel like a terrible teacher saying this, but the last day of school is going to be a GREAT day. I love my kids and I love teaching but I have so much to look forward to this summer that I'm so ready for it to be here. 

Happy Friday, Linking up! 

Wedding Wednesday: Flowers

Happy Wedding Wednesday!

From the beginning I knew that flowers were something that I didn't want to spend a ton of money on. I was a MOH last summer and at the end of the night we were taking jars and jars of flowers and just throwing the in the garbage and I couldn't handle that we were throwing away hundreds of dollars. Since then, I didn't really think about what I wanted for my wedding because I knew that I didn't want them for centerpieces. Now I'm looking at bouquets and finding that i am still going to be spending hundreds!

I am planning on having my brother lay rose petals on the aisle like this. Even if we don't get crazy and just do it down the sides, I think it's the perfect touch since my venue has pretty grass where the ceremony will be. 

OBSESSED. 

This is pretty too. 

I like the idea of the bridesmaids bouquets being similar to mine but just smaller or maybe lacking any of the most expensive flowers in mine. 

I am going to get corsages and boutonnieres from Costco I think, because they had a super good deal. Unless I find a florist that can make an awesome deal. 

Was anyone else surprised by how much flowers costs? Am I just being cheap that I think $100 for my bouquet and $65 for my bridesmaids is a lot? 

Linking up!