33Before33 - #26 (and half of #24) - Wine Tasting and a Weekend Getaway with Friends

So, I don't like wine.  I keep thinking maybe I'll like it if I try a certain type.  But, I just don't.  But I tried about 10 kinds on this particular day.  I met up with my college BFFs Lora and Christy in Asheville for a weekend last summer.  Our friend Amanda was kind enough to show us around and help us feel a little less like tourists.  We had fun shopping, dining out, reminiscing (and gossiping), and just enjoying life together.  We spent Sunday at the Biltmore and did a little wine tasting while we were there.  It was great fun.  Time with these girls does something for my soul that can't be described.  

 Lora and I have this tradition of taking photos of our feet.  It's weird.  It started when we had matching Reef flip-flops in New York and has continued for many years.  

 love these girls so much - this was before dessert downtown

 love her so much

Such a fun day!  There is a photo of the four of us in front of the Biltmore but I can't find it.  And no actual pictures of the wine tasting - but it happened.  

33Before33 - #25 - Party!!

 So we moved in to our new home on December 1.  That's a whole different blog post about how it all happened so fast.  With pictures!  And stories of how the Lord worked it out perfectly!  But, anyhow, I had already planned a Christmas playdate for Brenna's friends, so I just kept the date the same and worked like crazy to get the house in some sort of order.  There were 12 adults and 20 (I think?) kids, so it was crazy and chaotic.  But fun!  I'm pretty sure there isn't one single picture of my kids, but here are some pictures anyway.  I'm thankful we're starting to have a friend base here in Hickory.

 hot chocolate bar

 Krissy (about 3 weeks from meeting Baby C) and sleepy D

 E chowing down

 sweet K

 cutest kid on Earth - so sweet

 B's favorite Hickory friend - C

 cutie pie A

 reindeer doughnuts that never got eyes

 snowmen doughnuts that never got eyes or buttons - oops

 making Christmas lights fingerprint cards

 Dawn and L

 C and A found the Memory game!

 sweet, sweet little L

 making edible Christmas trees with ice cream cones, green icing and lots of toppings

 the only picture of B!  hiding in the kitchen as usual - ahh!

 sweet boy C

Jonathan made me take this picture.  Welcome to motherhood, right? 

Baby survey again...

I keep realizing that I wish I had more things recorded about my pregnancy with Brenna. So here goes the same survey....more for my benefit than yours!

How far along? 20 weeks, 1 day
Weight gain? 4ish pounds total
Belly button in? Yes, thank goodness.
Maternity clothes? I haven't unpacked them yet, but will have to soon. I have worn a few maternity shirts, but no pants yet. I hateeeee them!
Cravings or aversions? Ice cream and Kraft Mac & Cheese ha!
Signs or symptoms? Pelvic pressure, maybe Braxton-Hicks tonight?, heartburn, exhaustion, headaches, restless legs. Lovely.
Feeling baby move? Yes, all the time now.
Milestones? We found out that HE is a HE on January 9! I felt him from the outside today! Clothes are tight-not a fun milestone! I also got to see my 2 prego BFFs last weekend!
Upcoming appointments? Feb 6 for a short ob appt.
Name? We are getting reallllly close.

Sheri at 18 weeks, Lisa at 16 weeks, Me at 19 weeks

I'm a boy!!!!!

Blue cupcakes in honor of her brother!!!

Mommy and Brenna - 19 weeks

New Camera + Play date with London = Picture Heavy Blog Post

I'm in absolute love with our new dSLR camera. I've taken a ridiculous amount of pictures over the past week! Here are a few of the best ones from Kristen's graduation party today - which, unfortunately, has no pictures of Kristen. Brenna and London had a great time playing (minus one little bloody nose on our girl - sooo sad!). Enjoy! :)

Mrs. Jones and Mrs. White

Two of my best friends got married this summer! As you may (or may not) know, I teach with two of the best teachers ever! For the past 4 years we have had a 4 person team in third grade. Lisa taught with Susan and Sheri taught with me! Then last year, after Susan died, Sara took her place and we loved her, too. But, unfortunately, this year our numbers are low so we had to send Sara to fifth grade (sniff, sniff) and we're left with a 3 person team. And now it's a married-girls-only club!

Sheri met Justin last January (or was it February?) and he proposed this February. He's a great guy and his personality balances Sheri's really well. Did I mention he knew she was the one by June or July of last year and bought the ring, but waited to ask her so her dad wouldn't freak out because it was too soon. Oh wait, is that a secret? I remember sitting on my couch (big, huge, and SO ready for Brenna, but that's beside the point - I could still jump up and shout with joy with the best of them!) and seeing that Sheri sent me a picture message. I knew it was going to be of a ring, because that's the way I told her I was engaged 2 years ago. And, I was right! They got married July 24 at Pulaski Memorial Baptist with a reception at Muse Hall in Radford. Sheri had waited a long time for this day, and she was a beaming bride! She had been a bridesmaid like ten times or something, and that morning when I texted her to check on her, she replies "I'm great. I'm finally the bride!" It made me cry that the day she had waited and prayed for had finally come for her.

Lisa met Kevin when she first started at Macy because he's our band teacher! He got in touch with her last year after Susan passed away and they started dating. He proposed to her in April of this year. I got a text while we were at the Braves game in April of another ring. Gotta love technology! Kevin and Lisa are perfect for each other. They are artsy, but not weird, and they love the Lord first and foremost. They got married in Kenbridge, VA at her aun't home and it was PERFECT for them. Outside and really laid back - and perfect! Lisa was stunning in her $99 dress (yep, we sure know how to find those things!) and Kevin just looked so happy. Kevin's daughter, Emilie, was thrilled too, and they make a gorgeous family!

Ok, so what you really want is pictures, right? Here goes!

Sheri and her bridesmaids/flower girl with our charms at the bridal luncheon

the bride and her bridesmaids at the rehearsal

Sheri looking at Brenna's pictures on facebook the morning of the wedding

Sheri in the robe I got her that said - Mrs. Jones est. July 24, 2010

:)

Sheri and her mama - check out that train!!

Brenna playing with Sheri's neice, Peighton, before the wedding

Brenna and "Aunt" Sheri

first dance as Mr. and Mrs.

Sheri's a definite daddy's girl!

dancin' with my family

Can you guess where the bouquet ended up? Yep, in the light!

Lisa in her robe from yours truly - Mrs. White est. August 7, 2010

Lisa and her new step-daughter, Emilie

the newlyweds

They both love Brenna.

A lot has changed in the past 2 years for this group of girls!

so sweet!!

Lisa dancing with her daddy and her neice, Adaline

I can not begin to tell you how red her face was!

Off to honeymoon in Asheville, NC.