50 Years and Going Strong

Well the big 50th went down great. The service was beautiful...I cried. Uncle Lyle did a fantastic job, the church looked gorgeous, Papa and Nana looked wonderful in their ORIGINAL wedding clothes (how many people do you know that can do that???), everyone else in the wedding party looked great and everything went off without a hitch...well except for the hitch that was renewed :) Then there was cake and punch afterwards and then a massive clean-up effort. By the time it was all said and done, we came home, changed clothes, made a quick Taco Bell run (I felt like I was back at school doing late-nite-20-minute-before-curfew TB runs) and then collapsed into bed. It was a great day but I was definitely glad when it was over. Today we're going for a huge family lunch (all 15 of us) and then we're going to chill at Grapevine Mills Mall for awhile. Hooray for a day that doesn't involve decorating the church and running around like crazy!

I should be in bed

The title is the truth. I should be. But no, I am still up on the computer when I should be getting the much needed rest that a person w/ a nagging cold needs to survive the BIG DAY. Tomorrow is the day. The big 50th for Papa and Nana. They are renewing their vows and everything...my uncle is pretty much performing a whole other wedding service for them. It's gonna be pretty sweet...and most of my time since coming to Uncle Lyle and Aunt Carrie's has been devoted to shopping, decorating, shopping, decorating...ah, you get the picture. It's been a little hectic but good. Up until today when Aunt Susan left for AR with her 3 dogs, there was 9 people and 6 dogs in the house...aka slight chaos and interesting sleeping arrangements. I woke up this morning (sleeping on an air mattress in the living room) w/ 5 out of the 6 dogs lying there with me. They snuggled right in and didn't bother me too much so I just fell back asleep. It's hard to describe how I'm feeling right now. I'm tired (see title of this post haha). This cold has been bugging me for almost 2.5 weeks. I'm anxious about how everything is going to go tomorrow. I'm excited to be part of this joyous landmark occasion. I love my big family and this chance for us to all be together...but sometimes they grate my nerves like none other. My uncle is sitting at the other computer working on the service for tomorrow...he just read me what he has so far...there's not gonna be a dry eye in the house tomorrow nite if he continues the way he's going...wow...awesome. I'm excited to go home. [To see snow. To sleep in my bed, in my house. To see my dogs and cats. To see the other family that isn't here. To see Phil and help her w/ wedding plans (ahh!). To see my other friends. To hopefully RELAX some.] I'm worried about one of my friends back home and her recent cutting episodes. I miss my roomie/best friend...a lot. I miss my suitemates and their ability to always make me laugh. I miss my boyfriend and his big strong arms that make me feel so safe. I miss the fact that I normally see the above 3 categories of people every day. I am excited to see Allison & Grady & Caitlin now that they are back on the continent!
Like I said, it's hard to describe how I'm feeling. And like I said...I should be in bed!

A Toast to Grandparents!

I've always loved my grandparents. But this visit has been different. Maybe because I'm more sentimental because it's the holiday season. Or maybe I'm just more emotional because it has been kind of a stressful semester. Or maybe I'm maturing and realizing just how great of a blessing grandparents are. Whatever the case, I've felt exceptionally good about spending time with them this time.
Nana and I have reminisced about when I was little and would serve her "lunch" from My Little Tyke's Kitchen or serving her "tea" with the yogurt containers I played with in the bathtub. And of course we've talked about the famous roadtrip of 2000 where the 3 of us traveled down to TX and back and had so many funny stories and memories along the way.
I've been able to ask Papa a lot of questions this visit. I've heard that everyone has a story to tell but not enough people ask them to tell it. I've been drinking in the tales of smoking ham in the smokehouse, eating rabbit stew, and of course about his days in the Air Force (esp. in Iceland and Alaska).
At church on Sunday, I sat between them and held both of their hands during the prayers. Nana's hands...always a bit chilly ("Nicole warm my hands up!") but soft from her careful moisturizing. Hands that are wrinkled from scrubbing floors, doing countless loads of laundry and making the best darn biscuits in the world...and don't even get me started about her cherry supreme cake!! And there's something indescribable about holding Papa's hands. Though his right hand shakes from his Parkinson's disease, I still feel safe with my little hand completely enveloped in his big leathery hand-worn by years of service-to his country, to his family and to his God.
Their 50th wedding anniversary is on Friday. Though I look forward to seeing everyone at home and I'm already missing Matt and my school friends, I know that I wouldn't have it any other way than for me to be here with all the family to celebrate the lives of love that these 2 individuals-my very own grandparents-have led thus far. Ladies and gentlemen, raise your glasses...To Grandparents!

It's All Over

Well I made it. I survived finals week. I thought I was never gonna make it through. It wasn't that finals were so hard...just everything kinda all together at once was stressing me out big time. But I made it. I'm currently sitting in the LR airport waiting for my delayed flight to Dallas...but hooray for free wi-fi! I would blog more because I have the time but I'm exhausted and don't have any interesting thoughts...more to come soon...

Life is full of surprises!

So I talked to Phil (best friend back home) last Friday nite and found out she was engaged...which was exciting enough as it is....then tonite I talked to her and she asked me to be her maid of honor!!! I'm SO excited! I'm definitely honored and thrilled that she asked me. The wedding is May 17th...the day after my 21st birthday! That's gonna be a good weekend :)

Speaking of surprises...last nite we had a surprise birthday thing for Nikki. Her bday isn't until the 18th but we'll all be gone on break by then so we celebrated it last nite. There were 9 of us that went to Little Rock for dinner @ Carino's (Italian place) and then drove thru a Christmas light display called "Enchanted Forest" in Sherwood. Then we came back to campus and played some games in our lobby. It was a lot of fun and I could tell she was excited to have all her friends together for the nite. Props to Brenna--my partner in crime--for all the planning efforts! :)

I actually finished everything that was due this past week so that was a relief. There were days when I was questioning whether I'd get it all done. And I finished my LAST personal finance online quiz EVER this afternoon...woohoo!! Now it's just finals this coming week and then I'm done. I can't wait. Now it's just getting motivated to study for them...

Who Wouldn't Wanna Be Me

It's been a kinda stressful week but seriously, I have it good. I just got off the phone with my little bro. Nothing makes you feel better than a vote of confidence from your 11-yr old brother. And to hear the excitement in his voice when he says he's looking forward to seeing you at xmas break. I told him basketball season had started and I'd been to see a couple games. He asked me if I'd played any yet. Here's pretty much how the convo went:
"Nah, I'm not on the team"
"Aw that sucks, you should be!"
"Nah, I'm not good enough for college basketball"
"Oh whatever! You're so good!"
"So you think I could make the team eh?"
"Oh yeah! You would totally waste everybody!!"

And my little bro isn't the only one that loves me...my awesome boyfriend took me to the Keith Urban concert in Little Rock last nite. What an awesome show! I had such a blast and I loved spending time the time with Matt. I can't believe Wednesday is 7 months for us...I must admit, I love the guy! Add in the fact that I have awesome friends...and life is pretty good. (Minus all the stuff I have due this week...*ahem* but that's not the point). So life kinda sucks sometimes but still...who wouldn't wanna be me? :-)

How To Kill A Fly In A Microwave

Step 1: Open microwave door
Step 2: Wait patiently for fly to come in range of the microwave
Step 3: Shoo fly towards microwave
Step 4: Slam microwave door shut
Step 5: Cook on high for 12 seconds
Step 6: Remove dead fly from microwave with paper towel

Props to Joni and Nikki, my partners in pest control...oh the things we do in college!