I can almost taste it

One week from today I will be sitting in a packed up home, probably tearfully waiting on the arrival of my family from Texas to see me receive my Nursing School pin, address my class of forty-something peers as "class representative" at the pinning ceremony, have my last brunch amongst sixty-something of my closest sorority sisters at the most beloved address in Fayetteville (502 W. Maple, duh), and then walk across the stage as one of thousands in Barnhill arena. I'll go out to eat somewhere delightful, sleep one last time a few blocks distance from Old Main, and then pull away from Fayetteville for an undetermined length of time. OK, really? Could I have made that sound any more horrific? Probably not.

Here's the thing: Per usual, I'm feeling nostalgic. Sans normal, I'm a little emotional. The last 4 years have been... such a mixture of the normal college experience and the most atypical collegiate daily life liven that I can possibly dream up. I am a member of probably the most incredible sorority, chapter, and pledge class to ever live. Not biased either. We regularly win everything ever given to anyone. I never go a day without feeling super loved, supported, and encouraged by both these women, my family, my peers, and my super hot fiance.

About those peers... I am in nursing school. Soon I will say "I was in nursing school." This is the part of the past 4 years that I have been dying to escape. I try not to complain about my curriculum path, I chose it, I could've chose differently. Here's my opportunity to let it all out... Remember when you were partying on Dickson multiple times a week for the past 2 years? I wasn't, I was completing reading assignments in medical terminology that I still cannot understand at increments by the thousand pages. Remember when you stayed up watching every episode from every season of Friends, Sex & the City, & One Tree Hill? Well when you were going to bed, I was waking up at 5 AM multiple times a week, every week, to go be an indentured slave at a crappy area hospital or nursing homes or some other horrible place. Remember when you were crying because you couldn't stop laughing? I was crying because I was horrified at the bodily fluids I was cleaning up at age 19, regretting every career decision I had ever made, hating my life as a permanent resident of Mullins Library, and a servant of the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing. Remember when you were picking out cute outfits to wear to school or getting to roll out of bed and wear whatever your little college heart desired? Must be nice, I wore a starched, white potato sack of a button down that I have plans to incinerate this week in my driveway. Remember when your advisors gently steered you in the right direction, gave you advice and choices? No. I don't. I remember being sassed, bossed, and pushed around; made to come to classes that would never appear on my transcript, kicked out of clinical for not completing a TB test I was never told about... yep. WELCOME TO NURSING SCHOOL, LADIEZZZZZ. BYEEEEEEEEEEEEE GOOOOOOOD RIDDANCEEEEEE SEE YOU NEVERRRRRRRRR

About that fiance: the most hunkiest thing I have ever laid eyes on that I cannot wait to marry in approximately 114 days, greet home from Iraq in about a month, walk into our 1st home with soon after that, and thank for the rest of my life for just being the greatest thing as we jointly suffered through long distance, ever pressing toward the goal we are now staring in the face. Encouraging in studies, always incessantly complimenting, God-fearing and serving, I am so excited that the end of school means beginning something so new and great with him.

Those women- those Pi Phi women that I will miss more than I have yet to realize, those blonde bombshell of roommates that I laugh and live with, those nursing school comrades that I have been through the fire with.

Can't wait to post pictures, stories, and fun times from the week to come. Tonight is Pi Phi Senior Farewell, next Monday is my last test, Friday pinning, and Saturday graduation. I promise, ok maybe not promise, to have a minimal number of nostalgic-centered posts for the next month.

Praising the Lord for packing the next week full of shenanigans to go out with laughter, a summer full of reunions with weddings of friends & trips to Arkansas!

gone

I've lost the will to be educated.

Green

Crazy, posting again so soon? I know, I know, must have so much time on my hands! In an effort to soak up my last few weeks in Fayetteville, I'm trying to post as much as I can about this awesome town so the time is ripe for a story and a memory... I have mentioned before how much I love where I live this year in Fayetteville. The location couldn't be better. I have a view of Old Main from my bedroom window, I'm 3ish blocks from Pi Phi (I've never really used "blocks" as a means of measurement before... never been to NYC, what can I say, I wanted to try it out!), am walking distance to the square, AND am a stones throw away from Marvin's IGA. Now, I always thought that real value in property locale was found in proximity to your local grand super center (aka WalMart), I recently have had a change of heart.

Growing up, I lived super close to a Food Lion. Now, I don't really remember much about Food Lion, mostly that I just liked living close to it. Then it changed to an IGA, it was even better. Needless to say, moving into this house has allowed me to flashback to the beauty of living close to a truly local grocery store. Yes, the prices are higher, the selection is slightly more limited, and the generics are less generic, BUT, let me tell you how much it SUCKS to drive to WalMart for a loaf of bread (OK thats a lie, I have never done that)... by loaf of bread I mean can of Pringles and frozen dinner.

Now, back to Marvin's on Lafayette & College... I like it because of previously mentioned reasons but there are a few things about it that aren't that great. For instance: I get judged when I go there. I'm not sure if I've mentioned this before on my blog but Fayetteville is two-faced. 50% of Fayettevillians have one or more of the following characteristics: barbie/makeup/greek/collegians/alumni/athletes/nike shorts/tanorexic (I guess this is where I fall in). The other 50% of Fayettevillians are hippy/dreadlock/deodorant hating/Devils den loving/Toyata Prius driving/bumper sticker mania/birkenstockers. The latter 50% own and operate Marvin's. You get the picture. Therefore, when I shop at Marvin's I feel eyes burning holes in my back as I make my way down the frozen pizza section in my Pi Phi shirt and Nike shorts, as I buy paper towels and harsh cleaning products in UGGS, and (dare I say it), the one time I answered "plastic" at the checkout. Ever since then I have felt nonverbal pressure to go green in weird ways... today when asked, "would you like a bag?" I could've just answered, "Yes, paper please, I love recycling!" Instead I answered, fumbling for words, "NO!" and ran out the door with my waffles and butter. Wow. Not one of my finer moments.

Ignorance is Bliss. And Bliss is Bliss too.

photo blisscupcakecafe.com

Well, I'm still on the emotional roller-coaster called life. Obviously (I'm not dead). Right now I'm on a high; no, not a drug high. A wedding high. And by wedding high, I mean I'm completely, 100%, fully ignoring every aspect of my wedding. I'm not joking, ask my mom. When I was home for Easter I had a meeting with a potential wedding planner scheduled. I broke down in tears just thinking about it, so we cancelled it. Thus we have ignorance. Tah Dah! It's really working for me right now!

Onto other news... Bliss. I haven't yet reviewed the no longer "new" Bliss Cupcake Cafe here in Fayetteville. While others are onto "bigger and better" things, aka Orange Mango, I'm sticking to what I know as the true dessert haven here in northwest Arkansas. That being said, allow me to give you a few descriptive words of what I have come to know and love as Bliss, also the employer of one of my best friends, Susanna. Bliss is the most quaint, modern/antique/chic little establishment on the square. It's utterly unique flavor combinations artfully baked into moist perfection are the perfect endings to any kind of day. So saddle up partners and head on over to Bliss. Forget this Orange Mango biznasty, it's a poor excuse for dessert and will leave your sweet tooth wanting more. You want my flavor recommendation? Well you don't have to ask me twice! I recommend Strawberry or Key Lime Pie. P.S... I'll let you all know when I convince the owner to incorporate BACON into one of her confectionary delights... my dream come true.

PS: I'll be excited to post after my soon-to-come BEST WEEKEND EVER!!! My WHOLE family is coming for the weekend! It's Mom's Day for Pi Phi (aka one of my favorite functions EVERRRR), my first bridal shower (YAYYYYYY), Maddie's 19th birthday (Sunday, WOO HOO), and just a great weekend to be in Fayetteville!

May you all be blessed with Bliss this week and may none of you ask me about the wedding that I'm ignoring.

The face of a poet

This is the face of a blossoming poet. See post below.

absence

I apologize for my extended leave of absence. I have several things to catch up on in the blogging world. I will keep this brief, as I am home for Easter and my time is rather occupied...

Here is a Limerick I threw together as an outlet regarding my feelings toward wedding planning...

There is currently a bride planning a monstrosity of a wedding.
Whose ideas are brilliant but nobody gets them.
She is miserable,
And wants to elope,
But is 6 feet under and not coming up for air anytime soon woof on weddings.

don't critique me.

Hope you enjoyed that. Mrs. Strayhorn from 5th grade would be proud. I, on the other hand, am floundering, fighting back tears, and literally caught up in chaos, out of control planning, excessive ideas, and a monstrosity of a wedding. Feel free to bail a sister out and fly Karl and I to Vegas.

Bridezilla

Hunan DYNASTYYYYY

Well, actually it's called HUNAN MANOR but I never get to use the word Dynasty, which is the name of my blog and this is a very appropriate substitute because let me tell you... Hunan Manor is Dynasty Living at it's prime.

UPDATE: I have every intention of having this blog printed in coffee table book form, not simply for my pleasure but for my children. I'm not pregnant. BUT, I think that this blog is a special way to have written and photographic memories for my future children. Also, if I get some horrific illness or die tragically, my kids will have little words of wisdom and life lessons from me in post-form. That being said, something came to mind today about chinese food as I was eating an egg roll gifted to me by my roommate, Charis. Future children, your mama's not fat (or at least she doesn't think so) but here's the right way to eat an egg roll: put some chap-stick on before you bite into it. Why you ask? Because that way all the fried outside pieces will stick to your lips instead of falling into the bag or on the plate and you can savor every bite, not wasting a single one. Your welcome. Love, your mom.

Allow me to give you some background information, you look a little confused. As I prepare to leave the city of Fayetteville, I am sort of doing the opposite of "nesting," "migrating," if you will. This migrating of mine involves a little nostalgia, a lot of thinking, and a touch of gluttony. Explanation as follows: I love Fayetteville. This love has had to grow as I haven't always been so fond of the city of lights angels hills, hippies, & hogs. Over the past two years I have grown extremely enamored with certain characteristics of this city, I know that this is a special place and one that I will miss. The people, the scenery, the food, activity, architecture, homes, history, greek life.... all of that is for another post although it is closely linked with the highlight of this one. Today, dear friends, today is Hunan Manor's 15 minutes on DynastyLiving.blogspot.com. This goes back to the gluttony that I promised an explanation to...

Hunan Manor was established in 1991 with drive-through service as well as a full-dining menu and in 2008 opened a beautiful but casual and architecturally interesting location on Wedington Drive in Fayetteville. Hunan Manor specializes in Hunan and Szechuan style food. On the weekends, I like to enjoy the lunch or dinner buffet or during the weekdays, sometimes the drive-thru lunch menu is more my style.

I wish I could adequately describe the full-bodied flavor of the bacon-fried rice (if you know me AT ALL, you know that bacon is literally the key to my heart), or the phenomenon of the crunchy coating of the lemon chicken yet the juicy tenderness of the meat within, maybe soup is more your thing... egg-drop soup at Hunan Manor is to me like afternoon tea is to The Queen of England.

Egg Rolls. All I need to say about the egg rolls at HM is that when I order to-go, I get two. That's because I eat one in the car on the way home.

HM is so satisfying, so delightfully filling, it pushes you to be the glutton within us all, it makes you eat more than you knew you ever could, I think I eat so much I increase my intracranial pressure (I'm not kidding). You. Won't. Have. Room. For. A. Fortune. Cookie.

Today I ate at HM. In order to fully appreciate the salty, rich, variety of flavor, I ate a cupcake beforehand. That way I would need salt to balance all the sweet. That way, I would NEED HM.

Bling Bling, she's got her RING!

I flew home this weekend for a very special occasion, MY OLDER SISTER'S ENGAGEMENT!! Remember when I introduced Jeremy to the world in a post several months ago? Well, she moved on and it's a different guy. PSHT, JUSS PLAYIN'! So, after a lot of planning, lying, deceiving, sneaking around, and lots of surprises, THEY'RE ENGAGED!! We are so excited!! You may want to steer clear of The Cuppett household for the next several months, I have a feeling it's going to be 100% chaos as we plan two weddings to take place this year! Sorry, Dad.




Maybe you could all pray for Jeremy as he prepares to enter our family... dun dun dun duhhhhhhhhh......

Late-Breaking News

So, I'm currently on a Skype date with Karl. I've been looking forward to this alllll week! He works 6 days a week, 14 hours a day. As you can probably figure out this leaves little room for conversation with me, sleep, and just life in general so when he gets his day off each week, it is literally the best thing. Well, we are Skyping and I look away for like 2 minutes and the next thing I know, he's asleep! Like, literally as I type this I'm watching him sleep. Here's the thing, he is sooo tired and I know that his body needs sleep so badly, and he looks so sweet BUT I can't help but want to wake him up. I've already cracked all of my knuckles in front of my computer's microphone, coughed (a lot), and I'm typing as loudly as possible. Nothing. Not one flinch from him. Dang. I'll let you know what I come up with. Luckily I didn't waste my time shaving my legs for this date, it definitely wouldn't have paid off :) haha

Wardrobe Change

Holiday Head stays pretty busy year round, but with Valentines so close to Mardi Gras this year, "whoa" is all I can say. She had a quick wardrobe change and has really been flaunting her stuff ever since Monday morning. We tried to give her our best since she can't be out on Bourbon Street and all, it's not the safest place for hollow glass, BUT, she seems to be pretty content here, all festive and all. Noel's sister sent her the outfit featured in this picture, thank The Lord. HH HATES when Mardi Gras goes uncelebrated so we were really relieved to see that we would be able to really go all out for her. Also, she's in a particularly good mood because she won the baby in the king cake. Luckily Kevin, our crane, wiped her mouth off for her before I took the pictures. Thanks, Kev! Anyways, enjoy because St. Patrick's Day will be here before we know it!

Lately

Lately life has been busy and I've been doing everything I can to just keep things under control! I have had to be so diligent about staying on top of school work like I never have before in preparation of wedding chaos ensuing at any moment... I'm kind of at that point in planning where everything I've done prior to now has just been like, for fun. Just planning because I could and now, now is a whole different story. Now I'm planning because deadlines are approaching and because TheKnot.com has been throwing social taboo in my face about booking and accomplishing or die. On another note, Valentine's Day treated me right. Thursday brought a gorgeous bouquet of fresh red roses from my dad, Friday the USPS didn't let me down (for once) and showed up at my door with a nice full box from my mom! It was chock full of goodies, thanks Mom for forcing me to eat an entire bag of assorted Ghiradelli chocolates in 24 hours, my wedding dress & tailor are so happy with you. Saturday brought a card from my grandmother and the l-o-v-e holiday continued even today when I got a valentine from Callie and Jeremy! A few weeks ago, Karl gave my the biggest, baddest, craziest gift a little early... he is helping me go on a cruise for Spring Break!! Happy Valentine's Day to me, woo hoo!! Back to Friday night... I saw Valentine's Day with some of my favorite girlfriends after a sushi dinner and topped the night off with a Butterscotch spiked coffee, all compliments of my parents who sent me cash money for my night out (THANKS MOM & DAD!!!)... de.light.ful. I would say it was a successful early Valentine's Day celebration. Now, enjoy some pictures and please pay special attention to Holiday Head, whom we all love and adore. She loved channeling Lady Gaga this February as she modeled glittery heart-shaped shades and some classy heart-shaped beads. Also, she's wearing little heart-shaped decals on the outside corners of her eyes, I mean, where else would she wear them!?!

Vote!

UPDATE #2: Well, I've done it again. I forced my little sister to contact (in person) the Faculty Advisor of my High School newspaper. I sincerely apologize, Emma. That is out of the normal realm of MOH duty. Thank you for your service. Don't worry, I'm not done yet... I also emailed "The Arrow," that is Pi Phi's magazine that they send to every Pi Phi, active and alumni, every month or so. Oh still not done... I posted a discussion on Pi Phi's national website under the classified section... WHO. AM. I? Freak. A freak who wants to win a contest.

UPDATE: You know when you do something and then 5 seconds later think, "Whoa, that was not me. A rational, college-educated, sane, God-fearing, classy lady did not just do that. That was someone else"? That just happened to me right after I contacted the University of Arkansas student paper and KHOG... which is Fayetteville's ABC newstation begging them to cover this story. AM. I INSANE? Yes. Also, super extreme, all-or-nothing, dive-in-head-first? Yes. Gee whiz.

I have entered Karl and I into a contest to win a $100,000 wedding from Crate & Barrel and oh my gosh, it is consuming my life. I entered us yesterday and it is all I have thought about since then. It started out me just fantasizing about how I would plan a wedding with that much money... the food, the music, the lighting and decorations... oh. my. gosh. Mind blowing. NOW, I have turned into a competitive monstrosity. I want to win this so badly. I want it for the wedding, bottom line. BUT I also want it because I know it is sooo attainable...

Here's the contest... you write your love story in 100 words or less, describe your dream wedding in 100 words or less, and describe your dream day after the wedding in 100 words or less and upload a picture of you and your fiance. THEN, people vote until April 21st. You can only vote once for the duration of the contest, which I like... as if I'm not neurotic enough trying to get people to vote once, all I need is to try and get those same people to vote daily! WOOF. NEXT, the 50 couples with the highest number of votes go to the next round... a panel of judges picks the winner, as well as the 2nd-18th places. Y'all, the prizes are AWESOME! ALL OF THEM!

I want to win SOOOO BADLY! You can all help. Please, pretty, pretty please go vote for Karl and I if you haven't already. It literally takes less than a minute and I have been ASSURED that there is NO SPAM involved for those who vote!

http://www.ultimateweddingcontest.com/entries/26835

Dear John, Scratch that...

Dear John God... why did you let me go see that movie?

My review (SPOILER ALERT!!!)...
If you aren't in a relationship with someone you love more than life itself who is currently serving our dear Uncle Sam in war ravaged desert country, if you aren't emotionally unstable, if you don't have an imagination that runs more wild than Max's (ahem, Where the Wild Things Are), if your soul doesn't rip for those mangled by the brutality of infidelity, if you don't have a soft spot for cancer patients or autistic parents, if your heart doesn't ache for those who lose love, if you could care less for lonely and lost veterans who come home to nothing but an empty house and a multi-million dollar coin collection... than this movie is for you. On a totally opposite note, I somehow liked it. It was relatable, but not. It was very pro-America, very real, and could never survive on Lifetime. I give it a one-time-two-thumbs up. I know, confusing. Hope your cold and hard heart enjoys it, mine did, sort of.

Justice & Bones

I'm 99.9% opposed to people blogging about feelings. Right now is like that .1% because today I'm a little bit mad.

-I'm mad that Karl is gone and that if the internet is down here or there, we don't get to talk. And by talk, I mean communicate. And by communicate, I mean carry on our almost 3 year relationship that is quickly leading to nuptials.
-I'm mad that I had to go to school in hazardous conditions today when all of Fayetteville is still 6 feet under snow & ice.
-I'm mad that I just ruined my beautiful seafoam green quilt coverlet that my Gam gave me... vintage Saks... because I was studying for a test when Karl called, the internet went out, and I freaked out and mindlessly left the blue highlighter open, on the bed.
-I'm mad that I just took a test that I studied my butt off for and it didn't pay off and I'm mad that I'm drained and exhausted going for round two for tomorrow.
-I'm mad that my shower hasn't had hot warm water since I got back from Christmas break and my landlord couldn't care less, obviously due to the numerous phone calls and ruthless voicemails I've left.

I probably won't be mad tomorrow, and as a recent article highlighted Matt Chandler's coping with his brain cancer, I too should be trying to "suffer well," because my fiance fighting war in the desert isn't that bad, nor are my hands that wreak of Shout, despite my worthless efforts to remove the stain that will undoubtedly send that precious quilt to the trash. Praise God that Karl is fighting war, ALIVE AND WELL, and that I have a backup quilt hung in my closet, freshly dry cleaned.

May God throw you all bones of justice... seriously.

Eat Less Chikn

Move over Chick-Fil-A cows... I'm here to spread a different message! I am officially in the middle of my rotation at Tyson Chicken plant in Springdale, AR and let me tell you, it is the most interesting clinical experience I have ever had. My day consists of the following:

- Sitting around, a lot. A whole lot.
- Reading for Critical Care, which is actually a very good use of my time, totally unrelated to the clinical but time management nonetheless
- First Aid. I do quite a bit of first aid, but these are not your average injuries. Allow me to paint you a picture... stab wounds in the chin of a grown and bearded man. Why? Because when his beard hair net fell instead of pulling it back into place with his FINGERS, he POKES it back into place with his KNIFE. As in the knife that he has been dismembering raw chicken with... Stab wound on the arm of a woman because the person she was working next to pointed at something WITH HER KNIFE and accidentally cut her. This is not a joke. The MOST ridiculous wounds! I spent about 10 minutes one day cleaning CHICKEN BILE out of a woman's eye, yes, chicken bile.
- Gagging at the smell. This is a live kill plant, as in kill, defeather, debone, package... the whole shebang. It stinks BIG TIME. The parking lot is teeming with feathers, not kidding.
- I took a tour yesterday. I was having a dilemma, should I keep my eyes faced ahead so that I don't run into anything? Or maybe cast them downward in order to dodge the chicken fat strewn all over the ground? Should I breathe through my nose in order to avoid getting chicken blood or unidentified liquid from dripping in my mouth? Or should I breathe through my mouth to hopefully not vomit from the smell? I sort of had a little panic attack with my hair net and Tyson embroidered smock on, ear plugs in.

So people, relish in the light and beauty of your normal jobs as I trudge through feathers and chicken parts while caring for the non-english speaking population of Springdale, Arkansas. In the wise words of my Gammy today on the phone, "Have fun and don't kill any Mexicans!" Sure thing, Gam, sure thing.

lump boulder in my throat

I sent Karl off to Iraq today and it wasn't fun. I just wanted some documentation of the day, on the day so here are a few very noteworthy things...

- I don't know why I am ever surprised by the love that my Pi Phi sisters show me. It is showered upon me, time and time again, in good times and in bad, unconditionally. I know it sounds silly, cheesy, stereotypical, and difficult to understand. I wish everyone could experience it. My phone died the day before Karl deployed but since my mom and aunt were with me, I knew I could last until we got to Raleigh the afternoon of Karl's deployment where I could get a charger and turn it back on. I just turned it on and it blew up with texts and emails from the past 24 hours. Who were they from? Pi Phis. Pi Phi best friends and friends that I only see once a week. Pi Phi actives and alum. I am overwhelmed with gratitude and overflowing with appreciation, love, and emotion at the unexplainable bond we have. Silly? Maybe. Real, continuous, by and through the grace of God? Absolutely. Thank you sisters for your incessant encouragement.

- The same love shown to me by Pi Phis, also poured out by my mom and dad's small group friends, church members, nursing school friends whom I've gone thru the academic good/bad/ugly with now tromping thru personal life hell, and old high school acquaintances. Nothing really warms my heart quite like an outstretched hand and an offered prayer. Praise The Lord for warming and softening the hearts of those who are willing to offer their time and grace to pray for those in need. I am in need, Karl is in need, and God is placing SO MANY in our lives to meet our needs.

-The bond of military spouses, children, and the military community in general. I wish I could explain this in greater depth... what is a fiancee new to deployment processes and norms to do when her one and only link to the military world is now out of reach? This is where other spouses come into play. Sweet women who offer up their contact information to people like me who just don't have a clue, men in uniform lucky enough to be staying behind and talkative enough to offer words that bring peace as my loved one boards a plane for a place so unfamiliar to me, kids playing together that have never met as their moms trade stories of their husbands deployments. It's obnoxious, it's stereotypical, it's utterly necessary and vital.

I wish each of you could've been with me, seen the impact that your specific words had on me. Felt what Karl & I felt as you prayed for our peace. I'm praising God for each of you.

-Tonight I talked to Karl once he landed in Ireland. I held it together. I wanted to just let it go, which actually happened once my phone was turned on and my inbox was flooded as I got ready for bed in London's bathroom. My chest is sunburned from standing out in the sun all day. A literally painful reminder of the crappy day. I didn't want to wash my face, to brush my teeth, to change clothes, to move on and sleep, to move into another day. But I'll go to sleep, because when I wake up I'll be one day closer to marrying Karl, to seeing him day in and day out. When I wake up I'll be more thankful and have a better attitude, closer to the one that I should have now... I'm thankful for his safe job. Thankful that he has a job at all, actually. Thankful that there are dozens, DOZENS of people praying for him.

Progress

I know this is going to sound ridiculous, but I struggle with the idea of working; there, I said it. Lazy, in my opinion, is the last word that could be used to describe my personality so I know that has nothing to do with my desire to be a non-working, yet completely productive member of society. My desire is to be a super involved, stay-at-home mom but that is for a much, much, much later chapter in my life. For the more immediate future, I am making progress. I realize that I need to probably use my $60,000+ education that I have shed blood, sweat, and tears over for the past 4 years. So today, as I have said, today I have made progress. Probably at least once a day someone asks me what I want to do with my nursing degree. My response, I either leave the questioner speechless with a blunt, "well, ideally not work a day in my life," or I lie, "I'm not sure yet, just nothing in a hospital." Part of the lie is true, I have yet to experience work in a hospital that isn't miserable or vomit inducing. So, back to the progress I made... for the first time since starting school, today I'm glad I'll be a full-fledged nurse come May 8th. Why? Haiti. I usually have a really hard time grasping the reality and gravity of natural disasters or acts of terrorism and if you were to talk to my roommate, Charis, about this she would tell you that I have a bad habit of cracking horribly insensitive jokes about these two tragic things. I have been watching the news and reading the blog of a missionary family that serves in Port Au Prince and my heart is aching for this country and it's people. Someday soon, it will be completely within my control to be apart of relief efforts, God forbid something like this happens again during my working career. That is neat. I feel a little inspired, I know the picture is super dramatic... and maybe it is a Navy Lieutenant Doctor in the limelight but I see that guy in the T-shirt holding that bag of IV fluids, THAT COULD BE ME... Also, I haven't mentioned this idea to Karl. Surely he'll go for it, he's strong and can dig people out while I save them. Maybe I'll use this degree after all...

Sneak Preview

With Karl in town came a whirlwind of wedding planning! While he was here we registered, signed the venue contract and deposited on it, picked a save-the-date & invitation, chose a jeweler for wedding bands, and worked on our cake stand and another craft project. Right before he came into town I conquered a few more wedding to-do's... my dress is officially being altered, our table linens and setting have been chosen, and bridesmaid dresses were purchased, ordered, and delivered! Karl's been up to his own task list as well, honeymoon: booked. Perfect.

I really wanted Karl to be a part of the whole planning process so that he didn't just show up at the alter surprised by choices and decoration. It has been so fun and such a blessing that he has been willing to give his input throughout the process, I haven't had to make any major decisions without him by my side. It has been wonderful! Also wonderful, his impeccable shabby chic taste, which happens to be similar to mine. Yes please.

As wonderful as planning our special day is, it's really not. Let's be honest, I wish the wedding were tomorrow for more reasons than one. Planning is officially stressful and the only things left to be conquered, aren't that fun. Case in point: catering. Finding a caterer isn't fun. Caterers are expensive, don't offer what I want, aren't able to see my vision for the wedding, and impose their opinion and vision on me... bad idea. Every appointment with a caterer or discussion about catering usually ends in me saying, "I don't want to talk about the wedding for like at least a week!!!!!" I just can't wait to enjoy the wonderful day that my mom and I are so strategically planning. More importantly, I can't wait to be married to Karl, to live in the same state city house as Karl, and enjoy life with him after what will be over 3 years of long distance dating!

Speaking of Karl, please pray for us (him in particular), as he deploys to Iraq on Tuesday. I leave for South Carolina on Saturday as my precious mom & aunt and I will see him off, I just can't believe that this time is here already. Such a crazy year this will be as we experience so many "firsts" and I continue to see what military life is like!

BTW (by the way), enjoy the sneak preview of the wedding venue, see above picture

Christmas!

I have so much catching up to do! I finally finished exams the second week of December, successfully I might add, and raced home to prepare for Karl's arrival! I worked every day prior to him coming, finished up Christmas shopping, and enjoyed much needed time with family. Sidenote, can I just say I swear I will finish my shopping at least a week before Christmas for the rest of my life! Never again will I be shopping the day before. Horrible. Arlington was completely overrun with psychotic shoppers from suburban North Texas which I don't understand because The Parks Mall is disgusting. Is there not an Agaci at your local mall? Needless to say, I finally finished it all in the nick of time.

After much anticipation on Christmas Eve morning Karl came in! I hadn't seen him since the middle of October and with his deployment less than 3 weeks away, this was a much needed visit. It was so great- we played wedding planning, relaxed, saw a lot of friends and family, and enjoyed Christmas and our first New Years we have ever gotten to spend together!

There is just so much I could share about Karl's visit but pictures are so much better than words so here are a few from his time in Texas!


I always love the Christmas Eve worship service! Here's the whole family. I might as well take this awkward opportunity to introduce Jeremy to my loyal readers. Jeremy is Callie's boyfriend and is a fabulous addition to our family pictures! If you see him out, he likes to be called J Man Bear Cat, just so you know and get it right.


So glad to have him home and to get to worship next to him on Christmas Eve!



Gifts at Gammy's on Christmas morning! I'll spare you the earlier pictures of 7 am gifts at my house. Gammy tricked Karl and Jeremy and gave them cuban cigars as gifts... turns out it was yummy smelling cologne, very funny!


After gifts we had lunch at The Worthington... delicious food, delightful mimosas, wonderful company!



No Christmas is complete without a short photoshoot


Saturday was Christmas with my Nana and my dad's brother and it was, as expected, wonderful! Also a great way to relax after the hustle and bustle of Christmas Eve and Day run around.

I'm going crazy, there is just so much more to tell! I can't even get it all out! Some more things that sum up my wonderful 24 hours of Christmas eve and Christmas Day... orange push-pops, Karl, sweat shirts, Sephora trips, shopping, dates, fires, gifts, food, sleep and rest, movies, pictures, wedding planning, Guesstures and games, decorating, birthdays, grandparents, white christmas, church & worship, long conversations, coffee twice a day just because I love the taste... winter break rules.

I loved how The Lord allowed me to really soak Christmas up this year. I love that I was appalled at the insanity of shopping and blessed by the presence of family, friends, and fiance! Christmas this years was fantastic, a wonderful reminder of God's love for us and the unfathomable miracle of Jesus' birth!

Happy Birthday, Mom

I don't do Birthday posts for just anyone. That being said, I have been planning to post a special birthday wish today for a while now. Today is my mom's birthday! I'm so bummed that I'm not home, unlike every single other member of my family, lame.

I'm going to tell you the 49 things that I love about my mom and Karl is contributing to this list (this should be interesting). Also, the number 49 isn't significant at all ;)

49. She is a great housekeeper. Our house always looks awesome. She's one of those people who always says, "oh I'm sorry the house is such a mess" when people come over. It never is.
48. She can fix clothes that you mess up (Karl)
47. She gave horrible spankings as a child, and I'm pretty sure she knew it. They were a total joke. Thanks, Mom!
46. She's a Pi Phi. Obviously I love this about her, even if she was the most uninvolved Pi Phi in history.
45. She never let my sister's and I wear store-bought Halloween costumes. The greatest gift a mother could give, homemade costumes.
44. She's nice to animals (Karl)
43. She is very, very intelligent
42. She has vowed to save my wedding dress in the event of a house fire. I mean, what a selfless person.
41. She has the most well-equipped purse. You name it, she's carrying it on her shoulder.
40. She trusts The Lord. She has shown my sisters and I how to trust Him with our family, decisions, jobs, and finances. A huge lesson for us to learn through her actions and words.
39. She's not afraid to dance when music comes on. In fact, I would venture to say she gets an adrenaline rush out of busting a move to a rap song every once and a while. There's video footage to prove it.
38. She is a brilliant gift giver. I can always count on my mom for the perfect Valentines, Halloween, Christmas, etc. gifts to brighten my day and week!
37. She is a people pleaser in the best way. She receives joy out of doing things for others and making others happy.
36. She's a great cook (Karl). There is nothing better than coming home from a college life of soup and frozen meals to my mom's food.
35. She has passed on some ideal likes and dislikes to yours truly, which I can't help but love her for. Her hatred of scary movies, late nights, foamy textures, and driving and love of baked potatoes, being polite, and pulp-free orange juice are commonalities between the two of us.
34. She takes care of us when we're sick. I know this seems like an obligations as a mother, but she does this in a way that makes my only heart's desire to be home when I am sick up here in Fayetteville.
33. She's thrifty. She can grocery shop and clothing shop more efficiently than most and knows how to get bang for her buck.
32. She has always praised my sister's and I for everything we do. Even the small things.
31. She is joyful, not just happy, but joyful! My mom can put a smile on the grouchiest person's face, even if it is through lame humor.
30. She picks up after our messes (Karl). hahaha, funny that he came up with this. Not funny that it's unfortunately true.
29. She was the best homeroom mom. I love nothing more than the fact that she served as homeroom mom for me so many years for me and all of my sisters.
28. She'll talk to me late at night when I'm walking in alone to my dark house or when I'm in an awkward situation and just want to be on the phone.
27. My mom was and is a stay-at-home mom. The biggest blessing. We have been so fortunate to have had her home throughout our childhood and even now. It is so great in so many ways!
26. My mom never uses bad language. In our house that includes but*, shu* up, cr*p. We used to hate not being able to say the word but*. BUT (no pun intended), I totally appreciate being sheltered from crass.
25. She has all the fruits of the spirit.
24. She has common sense and street smarts. Like, who would know to rip up your junk mail. Oh, thats right, my mom would.
23. She'll stay up late to dry my hair. I know, I'm 21 years old, but I hate drying my hair.
22. She's healthy. She has never been one to completely withhold all things pre-packaged, frozen, sweet, carbonated, and fattening from my sisters and I but she is health-conscious, and it makes us health-conscious too! Thanks, Mom for making none of us fat!
21. She balances all parts of her life very well between church responsibilities, my sisters and I, my dad, my dad's business, friends
20. She's stylish (Karl)
19. She's never been one to "live vicariously" through us, her children. Praise The Lord for that.
18. She will listen when you need to talk (Karl)
17. She doesn't do gross things, like put her feet on anyone, burp, or do anything that ladies shouldn't do.
16. She loves our dog, Billi and would protect her with her life.
15. She has nice teeth (Karl)
14. She's a great friend. I think all of her pals would agree that she is loyal, tried and true.
13. She loves Karl (Karl)
12. She has impeccable taste. Decorations, clothes, hair cuts...you name it. My mom is no Michelle Duggar.
11. She genuinely cares (Karl). My mom is the type of person who will lose sleep over the neighbor who she suspects has a broken air conditioner and will continue to do so until she ensures it gets fixed.
10. She can make something out of nothing (Karl). Although I didn't come up with idea #10, I do wholeheartedly agree! My mom makes the best of every situation. Karl's example of this was that she comes up with great ideas!
9. She never complains (Karl). This is true. Except over her "messy" house. See #49.
8. She serves the church selflessly.
7. She loves and treats our dad in a way that my sisters and I desire to emulate. I think this is so rare and such a blessing.
6. She is the world's most accommodating person (Karl). Try and walk into my house and not feel at home. I dare you.
5. She's always classy (Karl)
4. She says "yes" whenever it is humanly possible. I was never denied the opportunity to try any instrument, rush, sport, or pair of shoes that my heart ached for, no matter how fleeting she knew my desire would be.
3. She loves others like Jesus.
2. She gives the best advice. Anytime I'm upset, happy, excited, depressed, confused...I just want to call my mom. She always knows exactly what to say. Every single time, exactly.
1. She loves The Lord in a way that makes each of her daughters desire to seek after Him in a bigger and better way day in and day out. (Karl said it too)

So, basically I have the best mom ever. Happy Birthday, Mom! I can't wait till I get home on Tuesday so we can celebrate more!

Love,
your best daughter