Graduation with a Celebration!

For the last 5 years I have worked very hard (most of the time) towards a major life goal of mine, and last Monday, May 9, 2011, I accomplished it! Yes friends, I finally graduated from Auburn! And even better I got to walk at graduation in front of family and friends. Speaking of those family and friends let me also discuss the party that went down the night before graduation. Really it was just like a huge family reunion, but I call it a par-tay!

Here are some highlights from the party (including decorations)...

The cake.

The bottle labels, handmade.

The banners.

The candy buffet.

The 2 year old who ran in circles around the house and yard the WHOLE night. Pictures like this are the only ones we could get of him.

That's him in the corner, rounding the side of the house.

And of course, the family!

Like the brothers, Dad and Uncle Bob.

The men crazy enough to marry the Cain sisters, Uncle Charles, Uncle Joe, and Dad. :)

The cousins, Clair, Jenna, and me.

The mathematical road-tripping BFFs, Mom and Aunt Carolyn.

The graduates and proud parents, Dad, Mom, me, Kelli, Aunt Carol, and Uncle Dale.

And then there's Andrew, Davis, me, Mom, Dad, Rachel, William, and Leslie.

And after the party was the graduation! Which I will highlight in pictures, since my words would basically include exciting, incredible, nervous, early morning, and sunburn. :)

I don't think I've ever smiled so hard in my life!

Me and Brittany, 22 years strong!

This was definitely one of the best days of my life, and I'm so proud that I actually accomplished a life long dream! I'm also so glad that I got to celebrate the occasion with the people in my life who helped get me to this place, my incredibly supportive family! :)

Until next time...

The Union of a Lifetime

As everyone in the world knows this past week held the royal wedding! Now I was that weird enthusiast who has been not so patiently awaiting this, and it was fabulous! As much as I loved the royal wedding, though, if you wanted to hear about that you would be watching E! or TLC right now and not reading my blog. (Thanks for reading by the way!) No, the union I am speaking of is one that took place 35 years ago as of May 1st. I, of course, am referring to my parents.

Sunday evening I ventured once again to Phenix City to celebrate the occasion with my family. Now maybe I'm just a little spoiled, but sometimes I don't really realize what an accomplishment 35 years is. I remember in 2009 in Knoxville at the Auburn vs. Tennessee game my mom was talking to a soon to be married couple sitting behind us. Note: My mom is notorious for making random friends at football games with whoever is sitting around us. Anyway, this woman asked my mom how long she had been married, to which my mom responded 33 years. And I had never thought about it before that woman said it, but her response was, "Wow. That's amazing!" Now that I think about it, that is pretty amazing, I mean that's a long time!! And it is such a blessing to have parents that set that kind of example for their children.

Note: My mom pulled off a long-sleeved lace dress long before Kate did. Just sayin'. :)

So thanks, Mom and Dad, for the life you've built for us and the support you've always shown for your children. It really makes all the difference to know that I have loving parents who are always there for me no matter what. I hope you're as happy today as you were back then.

But really how could you not be? Just look at the amount of love you're surrounded by!!

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad! Love you!