August 8, 2009...

Well, Kevin and I have had that important discussion and a date has been set. I will become Mrs. Kevin Eugene Reese on August 8, 2009!

As we all know I have very delayed reactions to things so stay tuned for future blogs as I'm sure they will become very interesting!

D.I.V.A.S. Banquet

The banquet was wonderful this year. I had my reservations going into it because I really didn't have a lot of time to focus solely on it prior to it taking place. I can honestly say the girls rose the challenge and did a great job bringing everything together. The guest speaker was wonderful. Her message for the young ladies was very inspirational and right on time. I took a lot away from it as well.

This year I wasn't able to purchase the caliber of gifts as I have in the past. That was a little frustrating in the beginning however as always, things happen for a reason and all things worked out great. I ended up finding these beautiful daisy cups at Target and had them personalized for the girls. They are really beautiful. The girls really love them.

Let's talk about their gift to me. Wow....it really brought me to tears when I saw their gifts. Kevin purchased a platter from this pottery store and had the design from the back of one of our shirts drawn on it. The girls then wrote personal messages on it. It is so beautiful! I love it! I have to get a display stand so that I can take to work and place it in my office. It is wonderful. Oh...it doesn't stop there....the girls also each wrote a personal letter of appreciation to me. Talk about emotional...I was in tears reading some of their kind words. Just reading their thoughts toward me was so refreshing and humbling. I will always and forever cherish these gifts.

End of the road....

Well, the end of my semester in graduate school is over and I so happy! I have spent my first day of "freedom" doing absolutely nothing! I just finished talking with my mother so I now I know what I will need to purchase for her Mother's Day gift. I've come to the conclusion that I'm really not a "gift" shopper. I am forever grateful to the inventor of gift cards. I have adopted the ritual only giving "presents" at Christmas and gift cards throughout the year (i.e. birthdays, Mother's Day, Father's Day, etc.). It really works for me. I like to place a lot of thought in my gifts therefore having time throughout the year to shop just doesn't work for me.

So, Kevin and I reworked my second bedroom. I'm really excited. I took down my huge corner desk. I'd had it for over 5 years and it was time to say goodbye. It was time to downsize and get rid of the desktop because I now have a laptop and was not really using it. I'm giving that one to my niece so she will have her own computer. Anyway, I have added a futon to the room so now it can serve as a guest room and a den. I am loving it! All I could think of today while I was lounging in it was how neat it's going to be this summer curled up on the futon reading a book! I'm so excited about that.

Below is a great picture of Bentley. She is so photogenic. I love her so much. Isn't she cute???

At what point....

Ok...I have a question. At what point is enough truly enough? I was always taught to be the bigger person and walk away however I'm finding it harder and harder to simply turn the other cheek. When is it ok to stop being the bigger person?


A friend of mine from college would always make the comment, "Well , they lied on and talked about Jesus so why would I expect to be treated any better". I remembered the first time he made that comment....I laughed. I wasn't laughing at what he said...I was laughing at how he said it. In this world we live in, there are really mean spirited people. There are people who will say things and do things for not apparent reason. It blows my mind at just how easily a person can make a statement that is so mean about another person who they don't even know.

I guess all I can do is pray for their hearts to soften and for God to truly work within their hearts. I will also pray for the strength to continue to be the "bigger person". The true character of a person is revealed when times get hard. I can't crumble now under the pressure of silly comments and criticisms. I mean after all "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt!"

NBHS Prom 2008....

Ok... so is a little known history fact about me. While in high school I attended the prom during my sophomore year. I served as a hostess that year so most of the night I was refilling the soda station and making sure the coats were hung up properly. I never attended prom as a junior or a senior because it wasn't of much interest to me. I was not into dressing up or putting on make up so whenever prom rolled around I didn't go. As I look back I don't really have any regrets because I don't feel that I missed out on anything.

I attended the prom last year at NBHS and pretty much had to be begged to do so. I've just never been into getting all dolled up and going out. I am really a laid back person who enjoys simply chillin' with a t-shirt and shorts. This year was a special treat because not only would be going to prom again but this time I had a date! LOL! I know this sounds all silly but again I didn't have the high school prom experience (I repeat....NO REGRETS!) so I was actually looking forward to it. The funny part about it is the girls in DIVAS were just as excited about Kevin and I going as we both were! We actually ran into a few students at Walmart earlier that day (around 3:30...mind you prom started at 8!) taking pictures. We stopped then and pumped the kids up and told them we would see them later at the prom.

We had a wonderful time. We only stayed about 2 hours and that was more than enough time. We had an opportunity to laugh, dance, and interact with students. I can honestly say it was a great time had by all. Now I can say I have attended prom and also had a date!

Dinner cruise....

Today Kevin and I had the opportunity to go on a wonderful dinner cruise down in Beaufort, NC. I have made the comment that I am going to start looking at North Carolina through the eyes of a tourist because there really are a lot of things here that can be fun. So, my good friend wanted to celebrate her birthday by going on a dinner cruise and I thought it was be a great way for me and Kevin to have some fun. It was so peaceful being out on the water. The weather was wonderful and I have to admit I didn't feel queasy at all! I get sea sick rather easily and have been known to throw up by simply looking out of a window at a large body of water. I had a wonderful time and can't wait to back again.

Our new addition to the family....

Meet our new addition....Charlotte!! Kevin and I had the grand idea to go to a local pottery store after church on Sunday, April 25, 2008. Once we got there (Accidental Artist in New Bern, NC) it was really hard to decide what were going to do. After much contemplation, I suggested that we pick a piece of pottery to work on together. I thought how cool would it be to paint a piggy bank and call it our "Wedding Fund".

I have to admit I learned a lot from this endeavor:

1. I'm way too uptight at times and I need to learn to let go and just have fun (when time permits...lol).

2. Kevin doesn't follow directions very well. We agreed that we would each paint one side and decorate it to our liking. Tell me why before it was all said and done he was all up on my side painting!

3. It is very important to evenly paint the piece of pottery making sure you get three coats of paint on every surface.

4. Kevin and I truly are made for each other because only the two of us can go into an art studio and quickly become the center of attention!

Enjoy!

This was our fun helper who was really excited about posing for our pictures!

This is Charlotte all naked before we properly covered her...lol~

Is it just me or is Kevin really concentrating on painting in the lines! Check out the "Michael Jordan tongue". LOL!

I can't even lie...I'm concentrating way too hard on this project!

Now you know I couldn't leave Bentley out of the equation!

The finished product!!!!