Catch-Up Overload

I have slacked on blogging about so many great things that have went on in my life the past few months. So, its time to catch up...and see a lot of pictures.

MAY: A few months back, my eyes were exposed to a beautiful sight and my ears were hearing extraordinary things...that's right, I went to my 2nd ever Taylor Swift concert. Let me tell ya, this girl can perform (& go through 10+ outfit changes) like a boss. It was fantastic. My lovely pal Amanda and I just kept staring at one another in disbelief that this day was finally before us and squealing, "This is awesome. This is so cool. Look at that outfit. Look at that prop.Ahh, this is so cool!" We were seriously like small children at Disney World. There is so much more I could say about her concert but I will refrain and stop at that. We (Amanda and I) know our obsession is pitiful...and we're okay with that.

My "mini-me"- Pre concert.

TAYLOR!! TAYLOR!! TAYLOR!!

When we don't plan to match, we do. Amanda and I. 

Diet Coke models. 

Typical T.Swift fans. 

Post concert...so much fun!

JUNE: I had not been to the beach in at least 10 years before this summer. I was so ready to feel the sand between my toes and get crispy burnt from the raging sun. So, a last minute girls trip was planned and off we went to Panama City Beach, Florida. It was so much fun. We are already planning next years "Girl's Vacation."

Pageant faces!

Bestie loveee. 

We are obsessed with Target...and it followed us everywhere. 

Out for supper

All the ladies

Next trip for June was a visit to Illinois to see Kayla. We had so much fun. She stayed here in KY for 3 days and then we road-tripped back to Illinois to spend time up there. My last day there, we drove to Chicago and went site-seeing and stayed the night there so we would be closer to the airport for when I left the next morning. We had a blast and were completely wore out from our day in the windy city. For future reference, I will never try to take on that city in one day again! I am also SO SO thankful for a friend that isn't directionally challenged like myself. I'm not sure what I would have done without Kayla...or google maps.

I will be back in Illinois in December for Kayla and David's wedding...cant wait!

SkyZone before we left for IL.

the bean.

Skydeck!

 Kayla's wedding shower in KY.

JULY:  My Barbie Bell gets married in September...So soon! For her bachelorette party, we went to Nashville and stayed the night. It was too much fun with these ladies. From people watching, to my boyfriend "Pedro", to games in the hotel, it was truly a weekend to remember. Saturday morning we went to a cooking class called "Summer Pies and Tarts" at Whole Foods. I thought it was going to be lame but I was so wrong. I had so much fun and left there so full from sugar I could've exploded! I definitely want to go back for more of their cooking classes.

Our sweet cooking class!

:)

Lime green kitchen aid mixer!

This is "Pedro"...don't get me started. 

Bridezilla Barb!

August updates will be up soon! Big things happening this month :)

One year ago.

One year ago, last week to be exact, I moved out of my parents house and into my own townhouse. I really can't believe its been one year. When I moved out, I honestly didn't think I would make it 1 month...much less 1 year. I had always planned to live at home until I was married and then buy a house. But, God had other plans in store for me. I love this phase in my life where I am free to shop at Target way too much (with my SueB) and eat cereal for supper if thats what I want.

One year ago I would have never thought that I would be doing everything I said I would never do. For instance, work on a med-surg floor (I didn't like my med-surg clinical's in school), work night shift ( I was always in bed my 9:30 pm sharp!), or rent my own place ("thats a waste of money..."). Would you look at me now.

So thankful for this past year and God's provision through it all.

A Night to Shine

     A Night to Shine is a prom for ladies and gentlemen with special needs. While I say "special needs", I realized they are just like you and me. They might be limited in some areas but they ultimately just want love and attention. Don't we all?

     From beginning to end the prom goers were given the star treatment. From a red carpet when they walked in, to hair and makeup, their own prom picture, games and a wonderful served meal. After the meal there was dancing, dancing, games, and more dancing. There was a special performance and then more dancing ensued. You could tell from their faces how happy they were and how most of them had never had an experience like this before. Each guest was given an escort who stayed with them the whole time and made sure their experience was unforgettable. Let me tell ya, everyone that helped out with this event was SPECTACULAR!

 I love my friends and family so much but there is something SO special about seeing them love and serve those that they never have loved or served before. The time and energy they invested into people they didn't even know and might never see again was so cool. So, so cool.  Just thinking about it makes me get a little teary eyed. I believe that all of us that helped with the night received the bigger blessing in the end. As it was said that night, everything is for the Lord and He receives all the glory for a wonderful night. Cant wait until next year!

Momma.

Here are some of my favorite people looking spiffy for the night!

We are never ready for pictures and Ashley is always laughing. Cant wait to see the video she is putting together from the night!


More pictures to come once I get them from others :]

Wedding #1...success!

My little ashy poo got married today! I can't believe that its been almost 4 years since we graduated high school and over a year ago that my sweet Ashley met the man who was standing at the end of the aisle today. Time really does fly the older you get. 

Ashley and Brandon's wedding was so sweet and you could tell how they genuinely and selflessly love one another. They were precious to watch together and their picture taking time had to be the sweetest thing. Weddings always make me sappy and so happy at the same time. I remember in high school emailing (yes, emailing) Ashley while we were at school and we would talk about the boys in our life...or lack thereof ;) We would always mention our engagements and then our weddings and discuss how we could never see that day coming. Well, today was Ashley's day. Her day to wear white. Her day where it was all about her. Her day that people got to put on and off her shoes due to her dress being so puffy ;) Her day to toss the bouquet instead of catch it. Her day where she became a wife.  Her day. 

I love seeing my friends get married and the union that God himself brought together. And in the back of my mind I know that one day, it will be my day. 

Da brideee.

Our mommies.

Right before the walk

Presh little decorations.

I got pretties too.

Lurveee their cake. 

Me with the happy couple. We can redo this picture at my wedding in 10 years. haha. 

This girl is too sweet. 

And they lived happily ever after...in South Carolina.
(Please don't move!)



Next wedding, Barbie bell!

this is my random life.

The past few weeks have been filled with family, friends, God-lessons, and love. As I have recently learned, we get to live, we get to go to church, we get to have jobs, we get to give to others, and we get to be a blessing. We get to do this thing called life. We get to do this all because we have a loving God who wants the best for us.

Here are a few random happenings from this life that I am getting to live.

Babysitting two of my favorite girls. L & C.

Nashville with these two beautiful, hilarious, loving, giving friends :]
I could NOT do life with out them.

Andddd now you see why I couldn't do life without my Sue girl. She knew I felt like rotting death so she sent me this to cheer me up. Cant say that it didn't make me laugh and make me feel a wee better! (Wade Kinsella)

Speaking of Wade, I found out this week that the same town setup is used in Hart of Dixie, Pretty Little Liars, and Gilmore Girls. Now the church and gazebo are looking familiar aren't they?

Celebrating precious Taelor's birthday at The Cheesecake Factory. I can't believe she will be 17 tomorrow. I remember her being 2 and watching The Aristocats at our house. I mean honestly, 17?!
(the stripe crew)

As much as I don't like to wear my glasses 24/7, I get to wear them so on March 30th I can have LASIK done so I can truly see!
Oh yeah, I'm also sporting that precious new baby bubble necklace. Obsessed.

Ive spent way too much time on Pinterest lately. Here are some of my lovely finds that I want need. My birthday is coming up people...Just trying to help you out!

I hope you all have a wonderful week and have time to spend it with those you love...or on Pinterest...or at Target...or listening to Taylor Swift. Ok, Ill stop now. 

Peace & Blessings.

Goin' to the chapel & we're gonna get married.

Well, Im not going to any chapel and getting married. But, a lot of my friends are engaged so that means that weddings are in the making!

Friend #1 engaged- Ashley- High School Bestie!

Ashley and I were great friends all throughout high school. I came back to LCHS when I was a Sophomore so I felt very out of place...and cried every day that I had to go to school. Seriously. Thankfully, God placed Ashley and I in a lot of the same classes that year and we became instant friends, again. We had sort of known each other when I was in 5th grade but we weren't good friends. She got engaged to Brandon, a guy she met when she moved a way for college. Now, she is back here and planning a wedding for April 13, 2013!

Fresh out of high school. 

Sadly, I have no updated pictures of Ashley and I. Throwback's from  high school!

Friend #2 engaged August 2012: Barbie Boo/Bell!

   I met Barbara when I worked at Baskin Robbins the summer after I graduated high school. Who would have ever thought that scooping ice cream, making soap sud beards, and hating one another at first would lead to a lasting friendship and a bridesmaids dress? I sure didn't! This girl is too much and always laughing about something. She is also my only friend that is allowed to call me Hannah Bell! haha.
   If you remember, I posted back in September about Barbara's invite to be a bridesmaid. Of course I said yes! Barbara's and Isaac's wedding is set for September 2013!

My FAV picture of Barbara & I- Back in those Baskin Robbins years :]

Duh, Yes! So cute!

Friend #3 engaged October 2012: Kayla R, AKA smarty pants.

   My friend Kayla is probably one of the smartest people I have ever met. She's the kind of gal that doesn't have to study and she makes perfect grades...Yeah, one of those people. We met in nursing school and roughed out the two long, never ending years together! So glad I had this girl along my side the whole time. Im also glad that we live in the same town and work at the same place...yet hardly ever see one another. 

   Kayla came to my house one day while I was getting ready for work to ask if I wanted to be a part of her wedding. With my hair in a towel and makeup half done, I said yes! Wedding is set for May 2014!

Besides our wedding, probably the last time we will ever wear all white!  

It only took this blonde forevaaa to undo that twine.
Kayla made this and did so good! Presh.
(This is also her pic that I stole)

Friend #4 engaged February 2013: Kayla F. My bestest bestie since 6th grade!

This girl...I simply can't type enough to explain our friendship and the love I have for her. We were instant friends from my 6th grade year when I walked in that private school wearing tennis shoes, a polo, and a skirt past my knees (no slit above the knee.) Then, she moved...to Illi-freakin-nois. (Cue tons of crying here) We still have remained super close despite the 8 hours in between us. She NEEDS to move back to KY. Anyways, I knew (my best friend instinct told me) when she text me and said "Call me ASAP" proceeded by a call that she was engaged...and I was right! The wedding is scheduled for later on this year!

Her surprise 16th birthday party!

Seriously, It is time to move back here gurlfran!

So, you do the math...4 friends engaged (as of now) that are planning weddings all over the next 2 years equals one happy (but BROKE) Hannah. Ive already started buying wedding gifts and getting sized for bridesmaids dresses. But, its all okay because I know without a doubt that these girls would all do the same thing for me! 

I can't believe this is my life...the adult life! Lets get married y'all! (Well you all, not me..I'll wait a few more years to recover my bank account from all these weddings :] )