So Long Status Quo...

As most of you now know, Justin and I are about to shake things up a bit...and MOVE! Although we realize this may seems a bit crazy considering the current housing market (and we'd have to put his up for sale), however we do have good reasons...

We both need jobs.

Justin has a job with Barlett Tree Experts in Augusta, GA and I... haven't made my final decision yet. I have a job offer, however there is one problem...it is two hours from Justin's job. If we live in the middle, the outskirts of Columbia would be our only option and we would both be commuting an hour to work each day.  (Yuck, I know)

Before we move (in 6 weeks) we need to:

• replace the rotten fascia boards on the outside of the house.
• tile the bathroom.
• make new columns for the front porch.
• close in the carport.
• put down hardwood floors in the kitchen.
• paint the cabinets and redo the cabinet doors.
• build an island for the kitchen.
• put the house up for sale,
• OH, and find a place to live....

WOW! Ok, I can't breathe anymore!
So, the next few weekends will, needless to say, be spent working on the house and getting it ready to sell. The weekend of my birthday, May 1st, several people are coming up to help make the process go a little faster!

Although this move was not in our plans and not what we were prepared for at all, we are trying to be optimistic about our new adventure....

I'll keep you updated on the quick transformation of Justin's old ranch-style house! Pictures and videos will be posted as soon as anything is accomplished!

Now to lighten the mood a little! This one's for the Tysons...

While chaperoning the 4-Hers at G-day last Saturday, I refused to take a picture with the cheerleaders...so, this is what Justin got! (For the record, "Go Gamecocks!") :)

I feel like doing the happy dance...

The stress is beginning to decrease little by little as the countdown continues!

Today brought the beginning of the end of Student Teaching! I had my last formal observation today!!! (Which was terrifying because it was at 8:15 am on the first day back from Spring Break! Intense!)

I am:
- 2 weeks and 4 days away from completing Student Teaching!
- 4 weeks and 1 day away from Graduation!
- 6 weeks and 5 days until I am Mrs. Tyson!

Woooooohoooooo!

Busy, Busy!

So, I've been warned not to let all of this attention go to my head because in a a little less than 2 months it will all be over! ...But until then... I'm enjoying all of these fancy-pants parties that revolve around me! :) heehee.

This past weekend was very busy with lots of wedding fun!

Saturday, March 27th my best friends from Georgetown, Whitney, Elizabeth, and Hillary (and their wonderful mommies) threw me a Bridal Shower!

Everything was so special. One of the most thoughtful gifts was the Sand Dollar Corsage with mine and Justin's initials and wedding date on it! Mrs. Debbie, Whitney's Mom, suggested the girls make a corsage that would double as a Christmas ornament so Justin and I will have something for our Christmas tree every year to remind us of this special time.

Whitney, my Maid-of-Honor pinning on the corsage.

My mom was all grins on Saturday, too! I think she is as happy as Justin and I am about the wedding! :)

*If you notice the cup in my mom's hand in the picture below, it is coffee punch. Elizabeth's mom made it for the shower and it was absolutely delicious, however Mrs. Lisa would not give us the recipe (I guess it is a family secret?). Well, that did not stop Mrs. Cheryl (to my mom's left)! After the shower, Mrs. Cheryl let my mom know that she had the recipe for that wonderful coffee punch! (I've included the recipe at the end!)

Who says friendships have to end with High School? By this time my face was hurting from smiling so much, but I was so happy some of my really good friends in high school could make it to help me celebrate! We get together as often as we can, or when we are all in town, but we are spread out across the state, so it is not very often that we can do this. It was so good to see some of them on Saturday!

Coffee Punch

Ingredients:

•1 gallon strong coffee

•1 3/4 cup sugar

•1 pint heavy cream

•1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream

•1/2 gallon chocolate ice cream

Directions:

1.Dissolve sugar in hot coffee and chill (for at least 45 minutes)

2.Add heavy cream. Stir well. Return to refrigerator until you are ready to serve.

3.At serving time, pour coffee mixture into punch bowl. Stir in ice cream by the scoop until blended together.

Sunday, March 28th my Aunt Kathy threw a lingerie shower at Redbone Alley in Florence. It was a very mild lingerie shower, considering my Mom, Aunts and both Grandmothers were there. ;) (However it was still a bit awkward!)

Just a thought: How do you write thank you notes to your family for lingerie? "Thank you for the (insert naught apparel here), I am sure we will enjoy it."?? ;)

Anyway, it was a wonderful time to gather and laugh with family!


Monday, March 30th was Bridal Portraits. Oh boy! Being all dressed up in my wedding dress and having my hair and make-up done made it all become real! In less than 2 months, I will be a Mrs.! :)

Mom, Whitney, and I went to Spartanburg to meet the photographer and have Bridal Portraits made at Milliken Park and on USC Upstate. The weather channel said it wasn't supposed to rain until 9pm Monday night, but I guess I should not have really been surprised when it started sprinkling on our photoshoot!

It all worked out well, though. Clouds make for great pictures and we had a lot of fun!! :)

Mom's amateur photography while driving! :)