2 years ago today...

Was one of the best days of my life. Paul and I had decided he would go to his parents right after getting out of school for Christmas break and I would head down on Christmas day. It was late morning on Christmas Eve and I was on the complete other side of town headed to my Gram's to help her wrap a few last minute presents and load up the car. Paul called and asked if I would go to his house to get a package that had arrived. He had told me weeks prior to this that he ordered a Christmas gift but it was on back order and would probably get there while he was gone. He had given me a key to his place and I was going to go put the package in his house when it got there. After all, he lived in a townhouse and didn't want the package to sit there for days and most likely get stolen. Sounded completely normal to me.

So back to when he called...I was on the other side of town and was already running quite a bit late to Gram's house so I wasn't thrilled about turning around and driving all the way back to Paul's. He said he tracked it and that it had been sitting there since the day before and he begged me to please go and get it. So, I turned around and headed to his house. Not happy about it at all, but I was going to rescue this package for my wonderful boyfriend who I knew would have done it for me in a heartbeat. I decided not to call Gram and hope she didn't notice that I was going to be an hour late getting to her house. I called my friend Ashley so I'd have someone to talk to on my drive across town and back. When I pulled up to his house, I was relieved to see that a box was still there. I had my phone in one hand and picked up the box in the other. I opened his door to put the package inside and I saw lights on the floor. The box was so big that I barely had the door cracked. True story-my first thought was, "When did he put Christmas lights up? And did he really leave for a week and forget to unplug them?" So I told Ashley I would call her back, I opened the door, walked in, and this is what I saw...



Candles and flowers everywhere. It was the most surreal feeling in the world. I mean, surely I knew what was going on at this point but it felt like I was in a dream. He was not even in town, he was 4 hours away at his parents! I just knew he was, I had just talked to him and he was hanging out with his dad. So, I walked in and there was my handsome prince. In a shirt and tie, sitting in a chair, about to ask me to marry him. OH. MY. GOODNESS.


I kept asking him when he got here, when did he do all of this, etc, etc. Our favorite Journey song was playing in the background, he was all smiles and told me the sweetest things in the world. And then he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. OH. MY. GOODNESS. AGAIN! I can't even describe the moment. I was so happy and excited but so shocked. I kept hoping I wouldn't wake up from and it all be a dream. I really didn't expect for him to propose anytime real soon and I especially didn't expect it when he was 4 hours away at his parent's house! He had it all planned for weeks and I never had one clue. He had come back home the night before and of course I had no idea. I always knew I wanted to be completely thrown off and surprised, but I never would have dreamed it would have been that perfect. Paul said he never wanted to use a holiday as a time to propose, but this just happened to be the one time he could throw me off like he did. It couldn't have been better timing in my opinion. It was Christmas Eve which meant we got to celebrate with our families. And he got the whole thing on video! It was truly one of the most amazing days of my almost-3o years of life.




I can't believe it's already been two years and now I am married to someone I can honestly say is my very best friend in the world. I am truly blessed beyond measure!

Christmas Vacation...thus far

We have thoroughly enjoyed our time off so far. Here's a little of what we've been up to...

We went to a Christmas party at the newly wed home of Ron and Alexandra. Such fun times with some of my most favorite friends.





Lindsey and the boys stopped by one night.



We went to Greensboro for the day to see my grandparents and aunt. My aunt had just gotten back from visiting my cousin and our godson so I got to see lots of pictures of sweet Cole. He is growing up so fast and I hate we don't get to see him more.

This is my most favorite aunt. She's my only aunt, but she would totally still be my favorite even if she wasn't my only one.




I managed to sneak a picture of Cole.


Sophie has really enjoyed Christmas break too. Life is so much better when her mommy and daddy are home.

All up in it

Yesterday was definitely an ALL UP IN IT kind of day. We found out on Wednesday night that school was cancelled for Thursday because of the snow/ice storm coming in. We got to stay up late and best of all, sleep late the next morning. Sleeping until 9:00 is rare for me anymore and it felt SO good! We stayed in our pajamas until well after lunch and then finally ventured out to get some Christmas shopping done. It was a very successful shopping day and hardly anybody was out so it was so nice not to have to fight the crowds. I am happy to say I only have one more present to buy. Last night we wrapped presents and watched White Christmas. It was just the most lovely day and evening.

Today is the last day of school before Christmas break. And it's a very special day for these sweet children. They get to come to school in their pajamas and watch The Polar Express! I am glad school wasn't cancelled today because I know a lot of kids that would have been very disappointed.

Happy Friday y'all!

Good Times

What a fun weekend it was for the Hicksters! Friday night Paul was gone hunting with my brother and nephew so I went solo to our friend Andrew's birthday party. It was the big 3-0 I might add. I hate I don't have any pictures to recap the night. My camera has seen better days and I think the end is in very near sight for her, so most of the time I don't even bother busting it out. A nice camera is definitely on the "when the house sells" list.

Saturday was sweet little Fletcher's first birthday. It was a Dr. Seuss theme and could not have been any cuter! My camera cooperated for the most part and I did manage to get a few pics at the party.



Green eggs


Seuss sweets




My good friend Abbie has recently gotten in to baking cakes and she did a Cat in the Hat cake for the party. It was so stinkin cute!


Fletcher had the best time digging into his own little cake. I think he had more on him than what actually made it into his mouth.





Saturday night we headed to Burlington for an engagement party for my friend Stephanie. She lives in Chicago so I do not get to see her much. It is very unfortunate that I didn't get any pictures that night either. I will plan on stealing someone elses at some point and maybe I will post a few then. The party was a lot of fun and I cannot wait for their spring wedding in Chi-town!

Sunday we enjoyed some Mexican food after church with our BF class. I was going through Mexican withdrawal. I think it had been almost 2 weeks since I'd had it. That evening we went to Abbie and Chris' house for a game night. I don't think I have laughed that hard since...well, probably the night before. But still, I laughed until I nearly peed my pants.

I got to spend time with a lot of friends this weekend and it was such a good reminder of how blessed I am by all of the special people in my life. Thank you Lord!

I will try to make this the last time I rub it in, but this is the last week of school before Christmas break. I look very forward to having 2 weeks off with my wonderful husband!

Our weekend

Friday night was the ugly sweater party, which deserved its own post.

Saturday they were calling for snow flurries but to everyone's surprise, we got a little more than that. I am like a little kid when it snows. It is so beautiful and amazing to me and since we don't get much of it here in the south, I just get so excited when we do. I sure hope that won't be all the snow we get this winter.




Saturday night we went over to the Sowers. Mason and Landon were exceptionally cute.






Sunday was spent inside curled up on the couch watching Christmas movies, drinking hot chocolate and just getting ALL UP IN IT. It was way too cold to be out and about doing Christmas shopping or anything productive.

Only 8 more days until Christmas break! The kids are wild and the teachers are tired. Praise God for 2 weeks off!!!

Good times and ugly sweaters

Friday night was our Bible Fellowship class Christmas party. I had put in a special request weeks ago that we make this an ugly sweater party. I have hosted and been to several ugly Christmas sweater parties and every time I come close to burning off all of the calories I consumed that night just by laughing so hard. Ok well probably not even close, but I have laughed until I nearly peed my pants. This party was no disappointment.

Paul hit the jackpot at Goodwill. He was trying to resemble Cousin Eddie the best he could. Can you tell he has on a dickie under his tight, v-neck sweater?







I especially love the high water pants and choice of socks.



We were hoping the very intense catch phrase battle would spur baby Anna to want to make her grand appearance. No such luck.




Scott and Mary definitely won my vote for most tacky.

Gram's 75th

Hello blog, I've missed you. It's been a busy week and I have a lot of blog catching up to do. Let's start with my Gram's big 75th. Last Saturday we threw a surprise party to celebrate my ever so special Gram.




Cakes from Ketchie Creek Bakery...a favorite of mine and Gram's!




A lot of people came and Gram was definitely surprised. She is special to so many people.





Sunday we took Gram to her favorite restaurant, The Depot at Cody Creek.



Gram with her grandson and great-grandsons.




I honestly can't imagine life without Gram in it. Hoping to celebrate many more birthdays with one of my most favorite people on this earth.