My Bridesmaids...

In the last post I mentioned how important each of my bridesmaids is in my life but I didn't really introduce them or tell you why they are important to me.

This is Amanda of the upcoming Amanda and Steven wedding in June.  I met her in middle school, we were close friends in high school, and are still friends after living through four years of college together.  The last two years have been strange since we went from being in the same apartment to living hours away from each other.

This is Starr who always has love, sunshine, and encouragement for me.  Even when we are in the same city it is usually really hard to coordinate our schedules.  No matter what is going on we always make time to see each other...even if it is breakfast at Denny's super early in the morning on the weekend.

This is Kimberly and she is my original partner in crime.  We met in second grade and were practically inseparable for a long time.  She is such a free spirit and we always pick up right where we left off even if it has been a while since we last talked.

This is Kristin and we met because of our love of reality television.  She was in my small group in beginning teaching class freshman year at Baylor and she was looking for someone to watch The Bachelor with her since her roommate didn't watch it.  She is sweet, thoughtful, and such a neat freak...I love our friend dates!

As most of you guessed, this is my twin sister.  Christine and I are actually polar opposites in so many ways.  Time and distance has brought our relationship to an amazing closeness that I never thought would happen.  Once she finishes school in Pittsburgh, I hope she and Alex come back to Texas.

I am so lucky to have these ladies in my life!  They are just a small sample of the many incredible friends I have.

Bridesmaid Dress...

Believe it or not I haven't been a bridesmaid very many times.  I was in my sister's wedding and I was going to be in a friend's wedding last July until she had a surprise wedding.  We have a lot of weddings to go to this year.  Usually we only go to maybe two a year but this year we have at least four.  We were guests at Natalie and Keith's wedding in January, we are going to be guests at Trisha and Sam's wedding in March, I am a member of the house party in Meagan and Heath's wedding in April, and I'm a bridesmaid in Amanda and Steven's wedding in June.  I need wedding clothes!

This is the original dress Amanda picked for us.  It looks ok online but I saw it in the store today and it looks awful.  The ribbon forming the flowers is so haphazardly sewn on.  It is as if a toddler did the work.  Seriously!  It was awful!  I immediately sent Amanda a text message thanking her for changing her mind.

Amanda decided to let us pick our own dresses with the stipulations that the color must be pistachio and the length must be cocktail or tea.  I picked this dress and was glad to see that it is fairly flattering on me.  I also saved $20 thanks to Meagan (who is the Meagan of the April Meagan and Heath wedding who is also a bridesmaid in the June Amanda and Steven wedding).

This is Amanda (the June bride) and I the day before graduation and not long before my wedding.  I can't believe how long our hair was...and it still had few more months to grow before I finally got mine cut!

I can definitely say when I got my married I had all of the best girls in my life there to support me.  Can you pick out my twin?  They all continue to be some of the most important people in my life and I love each of them.  It is such and honor to be there to love and support your friends in any capacity on their wedding day!

Mike's Birthday!!!

Today was Mike's birthday!!!

He requested a funfetti cake with dinosaur sprinkles.  I'm not a master baker but I think it came out quite tasty!

I only put one candle on it because we didn't have enough candles.

You can do it!  Blow out the candle!

Way to go!  Time for cake!

Sadie helped Mike open his cards and gifts.

Sadie was very interested in what Christine and Alex sent.

Sadie claimed the bubble wrap and didn't like it when we tried to pop it.

Mike was very excited about his DCI dvd.  Sadie was indifferent.  Thank You to Christine & Alex, Mom & Dad, and Grandpa.  Happy Birthday Mike!!!

Valentine's Day & TMEA...

Valentine's Day is not really a big deal for us since we are loved all year...and Mike is always out of town.  We did celebrate the holiday in small ways.

I sent a cookie bouquet to Mike at school the week before since he would be out of town at TMEA most of Valentine's week.  I like receiving gifts at work so I thought it would be nice for Mike to receive something too.  It was a combination Valentine's and Birthday surprise.

Mike sent roses to my school on Thursday and the school library aide brought me a box of candy because I'm "so sweet".

This is what Sadie and I did most of Valentine's Day while Mike was in San Antonio.  I did manage to do some work for school and wash some laundry.  Mike made it home a little before bed time and we made room for him to join us.  We hope everyone had a great day whether you went out on a fancy date or cuddled at home in your pajamas!