Countdown to the Wedding: Bridesmaids Luncheon

One of my favorite parts of our wedding weekend was the bridesmaids' luncheon. Two of my mom's best friends, Jan Paulus and Rachel Cannada, hosted it, and it was like something out of a magazine! From the cocktail and finger foods in the garden, to the table centerpieces and delicious salads...it was truly amazing! It was also such a special time with family and all of my bridesmaids (except Lo!) together. A highlight was receiving the scrapbook Christi put together for me. It was a compilation of letters and pictures from each of the girls in my wedding, and I will treasure it always! What could be better than a tea party with my bestest of friends?! Here are a few pictures from the luncheon:

Countdown to the Wedding: Dinner and Lingerie Shower

It's hard to believe that it's already been a month that Peyton and I have been married! It's been so much fun setting up house, eating all of our meals together, and having the best of freinds around all the time. I am so thankful for all of the pictures from the weekend of our wedding--so much of it was a blur, but looking at pictures lets me relive it all again! Thursday before the wedding was the start of it all; out-of-town friends arrived, nails were manicured, and bridesmaids and friends came together to shower me with lingerie. Here are a few pictures from dinner and the beautiful shower:

Dinner at Bonefish Grill...my favorite!

Heather, Lindsey, and Rachel did such an amazing job on the table!

Monogrammed Cookies

The lovely hostesses and me: Christi, Rachel, Heather, and Lindsey

Friends and Family from Wheaton!

Friends from Little Rock

Wedding Pictures

I'm overwhelmed at the thought of wedding things I could post...rehearsal dinner, showers, bridesmaid luncheon, bachelorette, wedding day... so to postpone the tackling of all of those, here is the link to view a few pics from the wedding from our photographer:

http://www.kesweddings.com/ (click on "info" tab, then "view proofs," then scroll down to Peyton and Lindsey)

It's not the full gallery but it's a good sampling. If you would like to see the whole gallery, let me know and I will give you the password!

I promise: House pics coming soon!!!!!! Once things are more complete!

P.S. Loving being married. Loving summer. Loving life!

Prom 2011: Done and Done!

After months of arduous planning, stressful budget talks, and 16-year-old-dominated prom meetings, it finally happened! The school gave me Thursday and Friday off to run errands and set up decorations, and somehow even with that time I felt like I was drowning in last-minute details! Thanks to some helpful moms, hard-working kids, and my mother the master floral arranger, however, we got everything done and it turned out well. I have my life back again, but here are some pictures that serve as proof of what took my life away from me for a few months! I apologize to all of you who think I am the worst friend ever...I really have been a hermit for a while. Calls coming soon!

Creepy Alice: Quite the conversation starter...

One side of the entrance walkway, complete with white flowers painted red!

The kids found this Alice costume for me and wanted me to wear it...the things I do for my students. Peyton was a good sport.

Thankfully, I was able to coerce two of my fellow teachers into being ridiculous with me. The three senior worldview teachers: the Queen, Alice, and the Mad Hatter!

A Reunion of Sorts...

This past Saturday, April 23rd, I had my first wedding shower at the Bass' house. All of my high school friends, their moms, and several teachers I now work with were invited, and it was so much fun to see everyone at once and catch up. With everyone working and so many married it gets harder and harder to stay in touch, which made the morning brunch even more of a treat. It was intimate and beautiful and a complete blessing!

Parts of our dishes

Monogrammed towels!

The Matrons of Honor

Mom and mom-in-law

Some of the girls 

Saturday School

Yes, I am at school on a Saturday. Not because I have detention or extra work, but because Arkansas does not factor in snow days well! In truth, we did have a large amount of snow this year, but somehow nothing makes getting to school on a Saturday morning at 7:45 any easier.

While here, however, I've been perusing training schedules and information about the Tour de Rock, Little Rock's summer cycling extravaganza. My friend Lindsey and I are going to attempt the 50-mile course, but we'll have to see how much training we get in from now until then! I had a fall last time I was out and am a bit paranoid about the thought of traveling in a massive pack. The good thing about the race is that it's Saturday, June 11th, which is perfect timing for the wedding and honeymoon!

Alice in Wonderland

Most days lately I feel like I just jumped down the rabbit hole and am confused, flying-by-the-seat-of-my-pants, and aching for normalcy...normal schedule, normal classes, normal day. I'm a bit overwhelmed right now... Looking to buy a house, planning a wedding, helping head up the week-long junior ski trip in Colorado, and completely in charge of Prom 2011. Oh, and I have to still teach all day every day. There are definitely days when I want to quit it all and pretend that I am having tea with the mad hatter instead. And, on those special days when the tears actually have time to come, I find myself wondering what is wrong with the world or with me instead of reminding myself that God IS sovereign. He knows the hairs on my head, the days of my life, the budget for prom, and the lesson plans that have yet to come for the next couple of weeks. Life is still good, He is still good, in the midst of all of this...I just forget sometimes to taste of that goodness. Help me take time to drink it in.

Speaking of Alice in Wonderland, here are some things that are inspiring the junior prom committee and me lately. Our theme: vintage and whimsical Alice in Wonderland. Hoping that we are not late in getting our very important date together!

April 29th...here we come!!!!