Counting Down

This has been another long weekend.  I have been looking forward to Memorial Day Weekend for the past month because Karl's squadron was getting Friday-Monday off- not abnormal- I mean, hello, are these not the people that should have the weekend off?  Well, do I even need to say the following predictable course of events that went down?  Probably not... Karl was 1 of 2 people that was called in to work Friday.  And Saturday.  And Sunday.  And Monday.  I don't know why these happenings still get me in a tizzy, it is so the norm that I should be all frenzied when he does get a weekend off or a federal holiday.  I HAVE TO HAVE TO HAVE TO become less Type A.  How can I do this, people?!?  God is painfully shaping me and molding me into something that I have never ever been.  So Monday I was thinking he would surely get off by lunch and we could make it to the pool for a picnic lunch and an afternoon of relaxing.  I was sunscreened, cooler packed, and waiting in my coverup for 3 hours.  Woof.  We did, Praise The Lord, get to the pool at 4:00 and get to enjoy ourselves for a whopping 2 hours.  I promise someday I will stop complaining about military norms.  The Lord frequently reminds me how Karl & I got to this place and in this place- by no accident.  And I know thousands of families (Karl's included) love & thrive in this lifestyle- which gives me so much peace & hope.  I guess this just still isn't the norm for me.  I still have a hard time accepting the fact that people are OK with this lifestyle of little/no notice, separation of families and couples for ridiculous amounts of time, and getting shuffled around from office to office by paper pushers. Sorry... I'll stop.  Clearly I need respite for a minute... and to keep praying for the two fruits of the spirit that I lack the most- gentleness & self-control.  Amen.
...All of this to say that I am counting down until Wednesday at midnight- when Karl's leave officially starts and we head home for Cuppett Family Vacation 2011!!!!  That's right people!  Get ready Mexico, our family of 9 is headed your way for a week of sun, sand, & snorkeling! After a couple of rough months and feeling seriously slapped around by various government establishments my soul just feels weary and in need of a break from this town of seclusion, lack of friends-a-plenty, and my family.  I know Karl feels the exact same way, I hate that it isn't as easy for him to escape for a weekend with me and I am so grateful for this trip with him.  He is more deserving of time off than anyone I can think of!!  We have both been looking forward to the break and time of rejuvenation for literally months, we are both feeling very burnt out at the moment.  My dad swears that he won't drive any of us to the airport until we can all sing Kenny Chesney's, "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem," by heart.  He was a little shocked when I told him that song is super old and I have known the chorus since I was in Junior High and he did not discover the perfect vacation song himself.  Sorry, Dad.  Until then, I'll be distracting myself with cleaning, packing, and making lists... my specialty. As always, clinging to the verse that has brought me to where I am- "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."- Romans 12:12- am I going to laugh in 10 years remembering that I felt like this is a time of affliction??  We'll see.  That's what this blog is for...

See ya when I'm tan!!  (Joke.  Do you know who I am?)  
Hannah K.C. Burton

Forgotten Funnies

So today for some odd reason I remembered a few funny stories that I meant to blog about.  I don't want to forget them so I better get them out while they are back on my mind, all of them revolve around my semi-recent trip to Little Rock.  These stories are just proof of the following statement: These things only happen to me.  Ya know, crazy things that you can't believe the story because it's so ridiculous.  Every single one of these things happened to me within 72 hours.  This is normal.

{skip story "A" if you have a weak stomach}

A) Grocery shopping makes me nauseated.  The raw meat, the germs, the lunch meat with the olives in it that looks like one of the scary scenes from The Secret Garden, all the food- ew.  I literally feel sick to my stomach just walking into a grocery store.  I hurry quick fast when I grocery shop.  You need to know all of that to get the full effect of story "A."  So, I'm at the commissary stocking up on all of Karl's wife-is-gone essentials before my Little Rock trip and am rounding the corner for the hot dog aisle when my world stopped- a toddler started heaving and then vomiting right before my very eyes while I simultaneously locked eyes with his mom.  The worst part?  Locking eyes with the mom.  Now I have about .5 seconds to decide if I'm going to abandon her after she has spotted me or stop to help this clearly frazzled, embarrassed, woman.  Ugh... thanks a lot, conscience.  Y'all, the next 5 minutes of my life involved running paper towels down the grate of her grocery cart to remove her child's vomit from it.  This is not a joke, lie, or scam.  Ashton Kutcher is not involved.  My empathy quickly turned to rage when she later blurted out that "my doctor hasn't returned my call yet and I called over 24 hours ago."  Read: my child has been vomiting since yesterday.  Rage- WHY ON EARTH ARE YOU AT THE GROCERY STORE WHEN YOU KNOW YOUR CHILD IS SICK AND VOMITING??  You have freaking oreos in your cart!!  I could understand if you had to run in and buy bread & pedialyte but you have enough food for 2 months in there!!!  Ugh.  I was so mad.  And at that point at wasn't sure how much of this child's regurgitated food/mother's breastmilk was hidden on my hands.  I abandoned my cart and made a beeline for the nearest sink/antibacterial.  WOOOOOOFFFFFF.
Lessons learned: never let my kids sit in the cart because now I do know what is on those things, always be prepared when I am a mother (she had nothing to clean the vomit- no wipes or anything), and continue wiping down my grocery store purchases with Lysol wipes.

B) Remember this post?  You know, the one where I shared my tactic for getting over the petty times when Karl is bored and trying to pester me so I give him "shots?"  Well I wrote that well over 5 months ago.  While in Little Rock, I was having dinner with all my friends in town and some how it came out that my good friend, Leah, thought that I really give Karl shots!!!   Y'all, I had a cow.  I was freaking out, dying laughing, just doubled over at the thought of a) Leah actually rationalizing this in her head b) me really giving Karl for real injections c) who on earth could she have shared this with and do I need to go correct now?  Dying laughing.  We all were.  Hilarious.  She thought that I had access to syringes and saline or something to just punish Karl with injections.  So funny.  Thank you, Leah, for a good time, as always.

C) Here's a short version...While in Little Rock I was talking to my friends Susanna & Charis outside of a Starbucks when this young boy comes running up to us, sweating & panting.  My first judgmental thought was, oh great, he wants some money or for us to buy something.  We he just stands there, right next to us, and doesn't say anything until prompted by Sus, "uhh, can we help you?"  Boy- "Yeeahhhh, do y'all have cell phones?" Me- "Uh, yes, can one of us make a call for you?" obviously none of us are handing over our pricey smart phones Boy- "Yeah can you call xxxxxxxx?  I just ran away from home and I need to call my friend."  Me- "Hmmm, well, maybe we should call your mom.  I'm sure she's worried about you!"  Boy (in freak out mode)- "NOOOOO she'll call the cops and I already got one fense and they'll take me to jail!" Susanna- "Uh, you mean offense?"  Boy ignores her.  Charis- "How old are you?"  Boy- "13." Me- "Yeah, we aren't going to help you run away.  So, there is actually a policeman in this Starbucks right here.  How about we go talk to him and tell him what's going on?"  Boy (freaks out even more)- "NOOOOO, I DON'T WANT TO GO TO JAIL!!  I just helped my brother bust out a window then my mom came out to smoke and I held up some broken glass to her and told her I was going to cut her and she said she's gonna call the cops." oh lord. what on earth is this boy gripping to his chest right now?  should be a duffel bag full of running away essentials.. what is tha..?  oh, that's a decorative 6"x6" canvas... hmmm...  Me- "OK well we are for sure going to talk to this policeman.  You are 13.  He is not going to be hauling you off to jail.  Come on..."  and then I dumped him on the poor policeman just trying to get a coffee... bye!


D) My flight from Little Rock got back really late because of weather delays (like 1 am), add to that the hour long drive to Sumter from Columbia and Karl & I were getting really tired and soooo ready to be in bed.  On one of the long stretches of country road we saw a car in the median that had clearly just run off the road, there was still like fog inside the car from the airbags deploying.  Karl quickly turned around to go see if he could help, we were the first ones to get to the car.  Well, it was a young man in the army that had literally just returned from Afghanistan, was on his way to Shaw Air Force Base, and fell asleep at the wheel.  He was so shaken up and upset at what had happened so we offered to stay with him until the tow truck and police got there.  An hour later (2 am) nobody had shown up.  The Army Man's supervisor had ordered him to not wait for very long and to leave after an hour so he asked for a ride back to Sumter at this point.  We agreed (for the record, I thought it was odd to leave the crash site although I have never been in this situation so I didn't argue).  We drove about 30 minutes and got to his hotel in Sumter when he got a call from the police demanding that he get back to the crash site.  It's 2:30 am at this point. Are you kidding me?  So we drove him back to the site.  It's 3:00 am at this point.  Karl has to be at work at 7:00 am.  We wait about 15 minutes.  Drive him back to his hotel.  It's 3:45.  We drive towards home only for him to call us because he left an important paper in our car.  We drive it back to his hotel. It's 4:00 am.  I want to die.  Where is Ashton Kutcher?  This has to be a joke.  In bed at 4:45- best.feeling.of.my.life.  no good deed goes unpunished.

Maybe now you can have a better understanding of how I have turned out to be the way I am.
Hannah K.C. Burton

Beer Cheddar Soup

Karl & I enjoy watching The Food Network show, "The Best Thing I Ever Ate."  The show is normally a theme {like "in a bowl," or "cake walk," etc.} and they interview lots of different Food Network stars to find out what their very very tippity top most favorite is of whatever the theme is.  It's such a fun show.  It definitely makes me feel like I haven't 'lived' as far as food goes.  Annnnd it makes Karl & I verrrryyyy hungry and gives us super powers- like the impression that we can cook anything, like the things on that show.  As in, we can cook Bobby Flay's "most favorite thing in a bowl."  Well, we can't.  But we try sometimes and normally we think it's decent.  So on this show someone loved a beer cheddar soup and holy cow it looked good.  Karl and I thought about it for weeks.  Plus the fact that we have a garage-full of sub-par tasting beer was some motivation to make this and get rid of some of it too {remember this post?}.  So I found a recipe that looked similar and we made it last weekend and it was really good!  I know, not a summery recipe at all, but I've been trying to eat more affordably for lunch and stuff while Karl is at work and having this soup to eat with a sandwich this week has been awfully delightful!  So if you love the flavor of beer and cheesyness then this is totally for you!

• 1 1/2 cups diced carrots {we left this out and added 2 large, peeled, cubed baking potatos}
• 1 1/2 cups diced onion
• 1 1/2 cups diced celery {we left this out too, add whatever veggies you like}
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups beer
• 1/3 cup butter
• 1/3 cup flour
• 4 cups milk or half and half
• 6 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese {I think using 4c sharp, 1c extra sharp, 1c white cheddar would be great}
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard

• 
  

  1. In a large saucepan over medium heat, stir together veggies and garlic. Stir in hot pepper sauce, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Pour in chicken broth and beer; simmer {or kind of boil if you used potatoes like we did} until vegetables are tender, about 12 minutes. Remove from heat.
  2. Meanwhile, heat butter in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Stir in flour with a wire whisk; cook, stirring until the flour is light brown, about 3 or 4 minutes {or if you're an amateur like me, this may take more like 7-8 minutes}. Gradually stir in milk, whisking to prevent scorching, until thickened. Remove from heat, and gradually stir in cheese {like really gradually so it doesn't all clump up}. Keep warm.
  3. Stir beer mixture into cheese mixture. Stir in Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and dry mustard. Adjust for hot pepper sauce. Bring to a simmer, and cook 10 minutes. Serve!  You could top with bacon or avocado {mmm, summery!} or toast or croutons or my current obsession, prosciutto. The original recipe recommends serving with lots of popcorn on top!
  Bon Appetite.
  Hannah K.C. Burton

Spouse v. House...

...THE WORST PREMISE FOR A SHOW IN THE HISTORY OF TV.  Please tell me somebody else has seen this show?!  Let me tell you about it.  The show finds a couple that is wanting to renovate a few rooms of their home- I can only imagine the discussion with those must-be deceptive producers- "Hey want to be on our new awesome home reno show?"  I mean, sure!  Why not!  Oh I'll tell you why not.  Because in the middle of the initial on camera interview the couple is told that the wife will be moving out for 3 weeks while her husband does the renovating and decorating without her input.  So, while she is gone she creates her dream room with a designer and the husband has the opportunity to see it and choice buy things out of it with his budget- did you see the word choice?  Yes, another opportunity for let down.  So the wife sees her dream space right in front of her and then goes home to find a let down of a reno and the realization that her husband declined to include anything that she liked. I'm not joking.  Now let me interject on my own monologue here to say that Karl has immaculate and wonderful taste in decorating.  Not only that but I'm pretty sure he could build, plumb, and wire a house from the ground up by himself- he knows how to do everything.  He and I share very similar opinion in home decorating.  So, in theory I guess I would trust him in this situation but no.  I wouldn't.  This is a horrible idea.  What an awesome way to create a rift between a couple.  I mean, without compromise and discussion and agreement how on earth is one spouse suppose to make every decision as if two were apart of it??  Needless to say the one episode I have seen ended in a graffiti mural, urinal installation, and the husband reverting back to his old smoking habit.  Well, bye $25,000, opportunity to renovate and make your dreams come true together, and hello wine fridge for the wife that doesn't drink wine. So, you're welcome for the review.

Don't say I didn't warn you.
Hannah K.C. Burton

Realizing how many posts I've had lately sans pictures.  My apologies.  Karl & I have had the most mundane few weeks with no pictures to show for it and I insist I continue documenting our lives.  So there ya have it.

Homemade Toffee

I've now made this recipe twice and I.love.it. Like, crave it daily. Now, I'm not going to disguise this as healthy, the recipe calls for two sticks of butter. But y'all it is so good. Make a batch and give 2/3 of it away, that's what I do- makes both my taste buds and my thighs happy. Anyway, it's a crowd pleaser, so easy, and you probably already have all the ingredients in your arsenal right now. I'll post the recipe below but click on the recipe link above if you would like step-by-step pictures!



1 c butter
1 c brown sugar
1 sleeve saltines
1/3 c peanut butter (I want to try this with Nutella instead sometime, I think it would be better!)

2 1/2 c semi-sweet chocolate chips

topping of your choice (peanut M&Ms, pretzels, chopped Hershey Hugs, whatever)- all smashed or crunched up... this time I used Hugs on half & pretzels on half
nonstick foil or parchment paper
amateur cook lesson: wax paper is not the same thing as parchment paper. mmhmmm, nope.

-Preheat your oven to 400
-Line a cookie sheet with lips (so liquid doesn't spill out) with the nonstick foil or parchment paper and lay out the saltines salted side up leaving a small amount of space in between each one
-Bring brown sugar & butter to a boil. Once the whole thing is boiling (not just the edges), boil for 3 minutes and don't stir it, then pour mixture on top of the saltines
-Bake for 5 minutes
-Put dollops of peanut butter on top and return to the oven for 1 minute to make the PB more spreadable
-Spread PB all over
-Top with chocolate chips
-Return to oven for 1 minute
-Spread chocolate all over
-Top with the topping of your choice & freeze toffee for at least an hour, then remove foil or parchment paper and break into pieces

en.joy.
Hannah K.C. Burton

Wordless Wednesday

WT.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

oh karl

I LOVE hearing Karl laugh.  His laugh is so contagious.  Lately we have been watching a lot of America's Funniest Home Videos together as well as Wipeout.  I don't love either of these shows but just love how much Karl enjoys both of these shows, he laughs so genuinely and hard during both of these shows.  Similarly, there are a few commercials that no matter how many times he sees them, Karl laughs like it's the first time.  I think they are ridiculous but think it's hilarious that Karl gets such a kick out of them.  Enjoy.

Hannah K.C. Burton

Wordless Wednesday

I just can't stop the reminiscing.  Take me back.  And bring Karl with me.

Hannah K.C. Burton

Full Disclosure

Remember this post? Ya know, the one where I told you about helping my parents clean out their house?  Well, in that clean sweep we found a giant ziplock bag full of film... like 30 rolls of shot film.  My mom was dying to know what was on it but obvi it was going to be a pretty penny to get it all developed annnnd since it was so old we knew we couldn't just drop it off at Walgreens.  So for Mothers Day my dad surprised my mom and had all this old film developed at a camera specialty shop and put on a CD.  SOOO FUN, especially because we had absolutely no idea what was on these rolls!  Lately my family has been so nostalgic with all these weddings, baby cousins being born, and the passing of my grandpa so we have been doing a lot of looking at pictures and watching home videos so it was the perfect gift.  And in the interest of full disclosure on this blog, I thought I would include a few (or few dozen...) of said pictures.  Please don't judge my 11-year-old self.  I should also add that it's good that Callie is already married off as am I and Maddie is committed because it would be risky business posting these if not- two words- awkward stage.  Emma, on the other hand, never really had one.  Lucky girl is the youngest of 4 and didn't have to learn the hard way to not wear chokers or bear her midriff.

I mean is she not the cutest?

Y'all, in the other pictures of this event, I am the only one wearing a mustache.  Just normal.

Choker & midriff noted. Y'all should know that Emma was 9 in this picture.  Her tininess was no joke.

Probably 95% of my childhood centers around my cousins.  The best thing.

Just me dancing with my first boyfriend.  Obviously not mad at all about my mom taking our picture...

An average night at our house... my dad getting his hair brushed.  I have no doubt that bows or clips were following.

My sister, Babushka.

Glad Maddie's football whistle necklace made it into the pic, phew.

annnnnd the outfit.

Noel- Look!  She totally looked like Madeline!

Limited Too silk pajamas- a staple.

Just Emma in her Asian Gardener getup trying to ensure she doesn't get an ounce of sun on her.

patriot.

Maddie and her BFF, Honey.

The happiest family.  Oh man.  I have the absolute best memories!!  In a nutshell: I always got in trouble, Maddie never got dessert because she never ate her dinner, Emma was perfect (ha...) and couldn't say her "r's," and Callie was the guinea pig who was parented with an iron hand but besties with my mom... that's how I remember it.  haha

Have a happy Monday.  Maybe this post will make you laugh your way out of The Mondays

Hannah K.C. Burton

Happy Mothers Day!!

So Friday Karl & I went bowling with a couple of his work friends.  At the bowling alley they were giving a discount to moms so they asked me if I am a mom to which I responded, "nope."  I felt sort of slighted.  Then today at church they had all the mothers stand up and again, there I was not standing.  Again, felt sort of awkward.  Normally I'm at home and with my parents, and not married on Mothers Day.  Then Karl & I went out to eat and the hostess said, "Happy Mothers Day," to me... I mean, is she assuming I'm a mom? Because that somehow offends me.  DO I LOOK LIKE A MOM?  Because although I'm of age and married, your assumption is now rude.  And now I'm over you.  So, I've entered this weird phase of married-without-children and now I'm acutely aware of it.
In other news: HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to my awesome mom and both of my awesome awesome grandmothers!!  I feel like the most blessed person everrr to have been raised by my mom, surrounded by my grandparents, and poured into by more women than I can count on two hands.  I mean seriously, I have just been absolutely submerged in Godly advice & wisdom, biblical knowledge, housekeeping tips & secrets, marriage tidbits & counsel, school & studying how-to, and just man... more information, knowledge and guidance than anyone deserves in a lifetime.  I am beyond thankful.  So, thanks Mom & Gammy & Nana.  Y'all rock.

Happy Mothers Day!!

Hannah K.C. Burton

P.S.- I realized today that I didn't have all of my bridal portraits on my computer... so I put them on and decided that it would only be appropriate to post some bridal bloopers and out-takes this week... because there are a lot (of both me and my sisters... your welcome Callie, Maddie, & Emma).

Easter

I realize I'm back tracking with this post but I don't want to miss it because I have become horrible at taking pictures of Karl & I and things we do and I finally did ANNND because this is our first married Easter together so WHYY not talk about it?!?  This was the first holiday that involved a large meal and Karl & I not being with additional family and let me tell you, it was kind of rough, as in boring.  There is nobody I would rather be with than Karl but cooking for like 5 hours, sitting down at the table with one other person and eating for 20 minutes, then cleaning up your mess for an hour is kind of overrated.  Maybe it is even if there are 30 people involved and I just never knew it because I've never had to cook before?  Or clean up afterward?  I'm not sure.  BUT I missed my cousins and Gammy and Pa and my parents, sisters, aunts, & uncles.  Since the Easter meal doesn't normally involve as much hoopla as Thanksgiving & Christmas, I was glad this was our first trial run as far as holidays with just the two of us go... if we ever have to do Thanksgiving or Christmas meals just the two of us it will A) be MUCH more rough B) I will know what to expect C) we will probably eat out... whoops.  We just need a dog.  Or somebody else's baby to play with when we are bored.  I mean, is it normal for newlyweds/couples without pets or children to be this bored?  Like have nothing to do.  OK so far this sounds like we had a horrible day.  Not true at all: the food was great!  It was seriously so fun to spend all afternoon cooking with Karl and having quality time with just him.  I now have a serious appreciation for my Aunt Sally that makes green bean bundles for every family meal.  They took forever to make and I do not have the patience for that kind of tedious cooking and prep annnnnd mine were not as good as hers are.
    amateur cook lesson: 1) use thinly cut bacon for green bundles and ask Aunt Sally what her secret is before you waste your time again 2) as good as the The Honey Baked Ham Co. hams are that Gammy buys, my Bi-Lo ham + glaze were adequate (I, not kidding, had plans to drive an hour to Columbia to the THBHCo. store. 3) not having enough poppy seed for strawberry poppy seed salad did matter. ew.


Onto other Easter related news/thoughts... I loved getting to worship next to Karl on Easter Sunday.  Sometimes I think my thoughts related to Karl are similar to what my thoughts about my kids will be... for example, ever since saying "i do," I find myself doubly thankful for the cross- praise Him for Karl's salvation and for the eternity that Karl has waiting for him.  (In other child-like thoughts, I worry so so so much about Karl when he drives to work early or late or runs errands or when I go out of town and he has to fend for himself... I mean, is he my 16 year old son or my husband?).  I mean WHAT ON EARTH would it feel like to be unsure of Karl's eternity or to know that we wouldn't spend our eternity in the same place?  I mean, if I think I'm neurotic now... geeze, y'all would have to commit me.

Dear Cookie (this is what Karl calls my mom) Easter Bunny, thank you for sending us Easter goodies.  I know you had to hop an awfully long way to South Carolina to get us some fun things like new Rainbows and K's new swim trunks & the bubble bath he is obsessed with.  I bet you didn't know you got him bubble bath.  Sorry, you did.  Sorry if that's a weird thing for you to get him...

annnnd welcome to the world where you can never get a good picture because your husband is a baby sensitive when it comes to sunlight + pictures.  squinty galore.

Please look at the purple egg with the tree.  Callie has always tried to one-up my sisters and I when it comes to eggs (and other projects that make us look bad... like sending our grandmothers nice things) so I thought I escaped that when I married Karl.  No.  He hand painted a pretty tree on his egg.  Obviously.

 Happy to continue to bask in the wonderful gift of Jesus Christ and praying the "high" of Easter continues to tug on the hearts of those unsaved that may have celebrated Easter a couple of weeks ago. 
 "⁵ The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. ⁷ Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”- Matthew 28:5-7


Hannah K.C. Burton

Wordless Wednesday

While I was gone...



Hannah K.C. Burton
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

food for my soul

Y'all I just got back from Little Rock yesterday.  Get ready for the lonnnngesttt post ever 'cause I had about the best weekend I've had in a long time.  This past weekend fed my soul in a way I didn't know I was so hungry for.  I'm literally like crying over my keyboard thinking about it.  Sweet friends who have moved to unfamiliar and new places or who live away from dear friends know exactly what I'm talking about.  Girls just need time with girls that know them- like really know them- their life, story, soul, heart, drama.  It filled my tank this past weekend to spend time with some of these girls.  There were several that were sorely missed and many that I can't wait to have time with in Texas and other places but man, I can't adequately express how thankful I am to Karl for relinquishing me for this weekend and providing for me so that I could go enjoy myself and celebrate Maggie & Blake.  Anyway, hold onto your party pants because you are about to be on picture overload, even though looking at these pictures I am kicking myself for not taking more!

I know this sounds dramatic but it felt so surreal to be taking this picture!  Like, is this really happening?  I haven't been around these girls since my wedding.  I will never go that long again.  

TK- I need the picture from you that has Sus in it!!

always.

Sorry Priyanka & Francis.  Consider this your obligatory introduction to me, my friendship, & my camera.  Aaryn, you understand, right?

annnd begin The Leah Show.  I'll happily oblige.

just normal

Grandpa Mike enjoying his dinner in his recliner.  So demanding.

And obvi my camera focused on Chris.

Just the perfect picture to capture this weekend.  So many people loving on M&B all day Saturday.

annnnd I'll end with this gem.

I basically had 24/7 with friends I can't get enough of.  I landed Friday morning and was picked up by Charis to enjoy some incredible time on Friday morning and afternoon with her and Susanna then to enjoy Friday night dining at The Riggan's while watching the royal wedding amongst Pi Phis, my 'mate, and new friends and laughing until my (prosciutto-wrapped asparagus) stomach hurt.  I was hosted all weekend by Noel and her amazing family (can't leave out that I shared a bed with Susanna) and dined on homemade pancakes by Noel's dad.  Saturday was spent celebrating and blessing Maggie & Blake at two amazing events that just filled my heart to the brim while killing time in between with a lunch fit for a queen with the sweetest friends.  Saturday night was a joy- a drink in the pouring rain with a flash flood that I could've done without out in Little Rock while catching up with TKella and the rest of the girls.  And then Sunday, worshipping alongside The Riggans, Blake, Leah & her family, & Tay.  Nothing quite like it.  Lunch, perusing through Maggie's loot material blessings from the weekend and then a safe flight home back to my boo.  Can it go without saying that I was in tears pulling away from Maggie on Sunday?  I almost feel selfish for having such an awesome weekend on Maggie & Blake's almost-big weekend... almost.

The best weekend

Hannah K.C. Burton