A Week Overdue

On January 31, 2009, I married the most thoughtful, loving, handsome best friend I've ever had.  Since then, four amazing years have flown by and there is nowhere else I'd rather be than with him.  We have shared so many experiences together in such a short amount of time and there are so many more that I look forward to sharing with him.  (You're going snow skiing with me one of these days, Ray!)  Together, we have grown so much as a couple, as parents and most importantly, as Christians.  We've both changed (I think he more than I!), but only for the better.  We've had plenty of arguments, but at the end of the day, we know we're madly in love and we don't need to waste time fighting.  He's much better than I am at letting things go.  I tend to stay mad and hold a grudge longer.  Our personalities are a lot different, but it works for us. I loved the shy guy (who always had a clean apartment) I met in Winston Hall at NC State in January 2007; but, I love the hilarious, outgoing, country music loving, NC State fanatic, NASCAR redneck lover, sports addict, father (who never puts anything where it's supposed to go) with whom I am going to grow old, even more!

First dance song :)

Last dance song <3

September 2007

January 31, 2009

January 31, 2009

January 31, 2009

July 18, 2012

Catching up

Just want to make a quick note of everything we have done since Raleigh's been with us!

July 18 - Raleigh's birthday!
Stayed in the hospital until Friday, July 20th.

July 28 - Charlotte for Courtney and Vinny's Wedding
Went to Charlotte 7/27. I was her MOH.  Raleigh sat in the front pew with Aunt Lynn and Ray and didn't make a peep!  We had our own little room at the Reception at Quail Hollow for which I was extremely thankful.  Courtney was so accommodating and understanding the whole weekend.  She was a gorgeous bride and they are one happy couple!!

July 29 - Daphne and Randy came to our house to celebrate my and Daphne's birthdays.

August 1 - Went to Spartanburg for another joint birthday celebration...this time mine and Ray Ray's! :)

August 18-19 - Knoxville to visit Ray's family

August 25 - Carly and Mark's wedding
Went to Charleston 8/24-8/27.  It was stressful traveling with Raleigh and, as a bridesmaid, having to be at different places at certain times.  It was a lot of fun though and a beautiful wedding!! Ray and I stayed an extra night to have some down time in a place we love.

August 30-September 5 - Atlanta
8/31 NC State/Tenn game at the Georgia Dome!*
9/1 Downtown ATL and World of Coca Cola
9/2 Ray's mom stayed with Raleigh in the hotel so we could go out to dinner by ourselves! We had an amazing night!
9/3 - 9/5 Braves vs. Rockies series - Go Chipper!
*We left the wipes in the truck and of course she had an extremely messy diaper during the game. I had to use paper towels.  The restroom was so crowded and the changing station was in the most awkward place - in everyone's way.  It was so embarrassing, but something I will never forget about!

September 7 - My dad's 60th birthday celebration!
Went to Charlotte for a wonderful party my mom put together for my dad whose birthday is on 9/11.

In between all our travels, some friends and family came over to meet Raleigh.  It really meant a lot to us!

Friends who came over to meet the baby
(Angela, Dalinda, Bill, Bryan, Kristen, Kendra)

Ray started training for his new job on September 10 in Knoxville.  He was gone for two full weeks but came home the weekend in between.  We missed him so much and he missed his baby girl!  A couple of my neighbors helped me out while he was gone by having me over for dinner and bringing me dinner. One neighbor even stayed at my house while Raleigh took a nap so I could make a Target run!

Raleigh Katherine has been one busy baby! It's hit or miss whether or not she does well riding in the car, but other than that she has done great running around with us.

Now that we're up to date, I can post more regularly.  Look for a monthly photo tab coming soon!

June Recap

June 1-3:
Ray and I decided to have one last get away while it's just the two of us.  We went to one of our favorite places to visit, Atlanta.  We ate well, relaxed by the hotel pool and then went to the Brothers of the Sun concert (Jake Owen, Grace Potter, Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney!) on Sunday night.  It was a perfect weekend!

Kenny Chesney concert without a Corona in hand... worth it though! ;) 

Tim McGraw

Kenny Chesney

Grace Potter and Kenny Chesney singing "You and Tequila"

June 9:  Went to Charlotte for Courtney's bridal shower in the morning at family friend Ellie Rose's beautiful home.  Then I hosted Courtney's lingerie shower and "bachelorette bash" with Caroline at Caroline's house.  It was all lovely and fun! More sister time, too!

Cookies made by Carlos (Suarez Bakery in Charlotte)...I may or may not have had 4!

Hydrangeas are always beautiful

Had to get a sister picture! Amy couldn't be there.

Courtney with Mama and her future mother-in-law

Invitation to lingerie shower

Flowers from Caroline's mom's yard

Dessert sampler from Amelie's

I think this was her favorite gift! ;) For when they grow old together... 

The bachelorette ready to go downtown! 

Sister picture!

Caroline just loves to hang undergarments from her mantle...first diapers, now this!

Courtney and friends

June 16: My cousin Alan got married in Greenville, SC.  We love Ashley and already felt like she was part of the family.  Sadly, I didn't take any pictures!  But I got this one off of the photographer's Facebook page...

And I got one of me and Ray with my iPhone.  

So I think that about sums it up.  We've been busy! Now Ray and I are enjoying every minute together with the fewest responsibilities we will ever have again in our lives.

I'll try to update more frequently now and maybe I'll do a pregnancy update tomorrow after my doctor's appointment.

May Recap

I got away from blogging...again.  Let me try to play catch up!

May 4-6:
Mother-in-law and her best friend met me in Charlotte for a fun girls' weekend and my baby shower on May 6.

Me, Daphne (MIL), and Denise celebrating Cinco de Mayo at Pacos Tacos & Tequila

My friend since childhood, Caroline, just recently moved back to Charlotte (from working in Charleston for awhile) and bought her first house.  She welcomed several friends and family members over for my baby shower.  Everyone's comment when they walked in the door was "I love your house!" It is so charming and the landscaping is gorgeous.  A few pics of the shower decor...

The hostesses (L to R): Caroline, Carly, Jane

All the guests decorated a newborn diaper or two to provide us with some entertainment when we change those first few dirty diapers!

Sisters (L to R): Courtney, Amy, Ashley, Mary-Chase, Mama holding baby L!   Anna couldn't make it.

Best of friends! Carly, Molly and Jane

May 11-13:
Went back to Charlotte to celebrate my mom's birthday and Mother's Day.  More family time!

Mama and Daddy

Spent some time with this little chick! 

This is Baby L's face he loves to make for the camera!

May 18-20:
Went to Fayetteville/Hope Mills, NC for another baby shower hosted by Daphne and Denise.  It was wonderful to spend time with lovely ladies in Ray's family.  The shower was at a nice Italian restaurant called Pierro's.  I found out later that it was where Ray ate before his Senior Prom (at its downtown location).  Too funny!

Mmm chocolate pralines!

Daphne

(L to R): Denise, Mindy (who babysat Ray!), Sarah Grace (Ray's cousin), Daphne, Aunt Erin, Great Aunt Rachel

Kim and Jenel

 May 25-28:
Amy and Brent get married.  (Wedding pictures to come when Amy gets them!)  Coca Cola 600 on May 27...yes, 33+ weeks prego, and Memorial Day by the pool.

Sisters and Mama @ Bridesmaids Luncheon at Charlotte Country Club
Hosted by our family friend India Keith.
She also hosted mine there!

Rehearsal Dinner at the Duke Mansion.

Amy and Brent at the rehearsal dinner

Awesome groom's cake! 

Ray with my cousins, Alan and Luke

Mr. and Mrs. Bundrick! 

Casey (Ray's bro), Lanier (my brother-in-law), and Ray

They were SO happy that Kasey Kahne won!