Deacon

Last night Cody was ordained as a deacon in our church. He is the youngest active deacon and I believe they said one of the youngest to be ordained. I was so proud of him as he took this step of faith. 

This is after the service.

Cody laughed at me when I leaned down and told him that I didn't plan on being in front of that church again until we had our children. I don't like eyes on me and the sanctuary was PACKED! We were there almost a year ago for our wedding and while there was a few more people at the wedding, I was so focused on Cody, I didn't pay attention to all the people. Last night I was fully aware and was nervous and so was Cody!

My parents, sister and grandparents made the trip over from Columbia to be there in support of Cody, and me :) Cody's parents were also there with his grandma and Uncle. We were so happy to have everyone together. We appreciate all the support we received. A lot of comments were made from the deacons as they prayed over Cody and me. We appreciated each one but I do believe my favorite came from my daddy and father in law. My father in law was at the front of the line and as he was hugging us/praying over us he said how thankful he was I came into Cody's life (along with a few other really sweet thoughts/prayers/words of encouragement). My daddy was near the back and he said how thankful he was that Cody came into Tater's life {my nickname from Daddy} (along with a few other really sweet thoughts/prayers/words of encouragement). I thought it was neat that two men who have influenced each of us so much had the same lines of thought :) 
Side note: our church had the deacons line up around the church and come and speak to Cody and me. Cody was seated in a chair and I had to stand behind him with my hands on his shoulder (his support they said) while everyone came up and said well wishes and prayed with him/us. Here are a few pictures with our families.

Announcement

Cody and I have had an eventful summer and I was not sharing all the information because he asked me not to. Around mid-June Cody was asked to be a deacon in our church. He had to pray about it and read some paperwork to see how this fit into his life and how it could improve his/our life. Cody prayed about it and decided to go to the next step which was an interview with the pastor. Cody and I both had to be at the meeting as well as the pastor, chair of the nominating committee and the chair of the deacons. It was announced today at church that he is being nominated officially for the position in front of the church. They nominate 8 and as long as their was no objections or new names called, he will be nominated in September. If there were new names added, they have to take a vote (after those people go through the same steps) and then he has to go through that phase.

Cody is excited for this next step in his walk with God as well as our relationship together and with God. Please keep him in your prayers.

This is before we left for church and below is at church (Carson, my sister, is here for a few days)

On a side note, my babies have missed me the past few days!

Anniversary

One year ago I had no clue the journey that was about to begin. I knew Cody had a ring but I didn't think it would be that day he would choose to propose. Cody had the ring about four days and was a nervous wreck anytime I was around him. He asked me to marry him in the sweetest, most considerate way after dinner with a few friends. I thought he was about to pass out though (haha). Tonight, we are going to dinner at that spot with 2 of the same people we were there with last year as well as some of our bridal party. After all, our bridal party was our closest friends. While that may sound cheesy, its the truth. Our bridal party were the people that have known Cody AND me since before we were us (minus two people that Cody and I both love that have been added in 1-from a marriage to my friend and 2-college education classes/friendship that has grown over the years). We had a few others we could have added though :)


Today is also two months I have been married to my husband...thank you goes to Cody for believing in me and being there always. I am thankful for you everyday but especially today :) We haven't got a signature on our contract yet for our house but we were promised it would be today. The seller was out of town but fingers are crossed that the 22nd is another lucky day for us :)


Pictures will be coming tomorrow from dinner but in the meantime, hope everyone has a great day.

Right after Cody proposed

One of my favorite engagement pictures that Anna and Kirby King took

Cody's favorite engagement picture that Anna and Kirby took

Wedding pictures that I love:

I never thought the boys would be able to pick me up but I love these boys-I was missing one of my ring bearers in this picture but I love how all the faces are in this picture (minus mine haha)

This is my husband to a T..making faces while the girl are holding him..

Love this man and so happy to be celebrating two months today!

Love it!

This has been a great day. Period. End of story :)

Let me back up to last night. I finished my interims on Friday but was waiting to check my information and make sure I did it correct with one of my teacher friends. After she helped me make sure everything was okay, I submitted my first ever interims! I was excited to get them turned in but I enjoyed doing it..its the little things that count!!

Now today, we went to the contemporary service at our church and then enjoyed lunch at Salsaritas. Afterwards we went on some errands to return a few things and look for our rehearsal dinner outfits. We found Cody a tie and I got a few things at Old Navy for spirit days on Friday :) Then we rushed to my apartment for Cody to settle in and cheer on the Carolina Panthers.

I, meanwhile, went to get my nails done with my friend Anissa and her daughter Caitlyn. Then we ran to Belks and I found my outfit for the rehearsal dinner! We had a great time just catching up. I saw her yesterday but that was the first time in almost 6 weeks.

When I got back to my apartment, I did some work on some smart lessons for Everyday Math then cooked dinner. I made the Salmon stuffed with Crab pinwheels from Dream Dinners. Cody LOVED it! He isn't crazy about Salmon so I didn't know how this was going to go over but YUMMY. It was really good! I have been cleaning and washing clothes and preparing to pack for next weekend while enjoying a movie with my super cute fiancé. I am going to Columbia for the first time since July this weekend. My mom, sister and/or grandparents have been coming here so I haven't been there. I haven't seen my daddy since the beginning of August so I am ready to catch up and get a hug! Cody and I will be loading up to go. While I attend a shower thrown by my mom's friends in Columbia, my fiancé will be playing a round of golf with my daddy.

Sorry for all the information but its been a great day and I just felt like sharing ALL the info!

Got to share at least one picture :)

WOO HOO!

So, its official. I am a teacher. While some were dreading the summer days being over, I was so excited because I started my career today :) Today and tomorrow are staff development days for the county. I learned about our Imagine It! curriculum today and tomorrow get the math and science training. I enjoyed learning what  I am teaching..

Tonight, Cody and I enjoyed dinner with Elizabeth and Ryan. They just recently got engaged.

Stole from her Facebook page :)

Elizabeth is also the owner of Lilly Lu's Collection. She made my hair accessory for the wedding plus a few custom orders. If you click her name, it goes to her blog where she advertised some pieces she made me. Just to clarify, those aren't all mine but a few are :) I love her stuff and we enjoyed dinner with them!

Off to bed after Big Brother :)

Date night and bragging rights :)

Tonight Cody and I had a date night. It was earlier in the week for date night but Cody planned it all over the weekend. Cody took me to Outback and to Dairy Queen for a treat afterwards. I am hitting the road tomorrow and won't be home until Sunday. My sister is graduating from 5th grade Thursday. Cody said he wanted to plan something special since I was leaving for so long. He isn't coming home with me this time since he has to work. Its the first time we have been apart (for more than a day) since we got engaged. Cody has "big" plans for cat sitting over the next few days. He is looking forward to the silence and break from me. Who am I to judge?! :) I will miss these two faces but I am looking forward to time with my family!

Earlier today I went to visit with some of my first graders at NMBP. I got a ton of hugs from students (and teachers). I miss being there daily and wish my first graders a great time in 2nd grade (and beyond)!

Off to finish packing-already packed the tissues because I will probably be crying right along with my mom and dad!

I remember the not so much joy when Carson was born-I was an only child, the only granddaughter on one side of the family and the only grandchild on the other side of the family so it was a big change to have a sudden sibling at the age of (almost) 13. From the second I held her in the hospital on March 21, 2000 (she was born on March 20 but I didn't see her until the next day), I was hooked. I am so thankful for her and the role she has played in my life. I am proud to be her big sister and all that she has accomplished the past few years!! The following are different pictures of Carson and me together over the years. I will have to find some of the beginning pictures of us together :)

Love ya Car!

Happy 25th Cody/Cory!

Today is my fiance, Cody, and his twin brother, Cory's birthday. I (obviously from my last view posts) love birthdays! Its always been a big deal in my family. Cody is starting to get it :)

This morning when I got to work Jeanna wanted to try out my camera. I like this pic of me :) 

Got to Cody's parents to find 3 thirty-one boxes waiting on me-love selling and getting the products! Can't wait to deliver tomorrow!! These boxes are from a fundraiser that the CDC did. 

A picture of my fiance :) He was talking on my cell phone to Nana. She called to wish him a happy birthday! 

Cory 

The twins on their 25th!

We are about to go out to dinner and enjoy time with the Todd family.

Happy 25th to 2 of my favorite Todds!