26 Years

Today is my 26th birthday. I remember when birthdays were exciting and fun, but now that I am on the downhill slide toward 30, it isn't so great anymore. I used to demand that my birthday celebration last at least a week (I know, I am a spoiled brat), but today was almost just like any other day. A few of the kids brought me gifts, which was so sweet, but at home it was simply a Friday. It's interesting how much life changes as you get older.

Nick's working tonight too, which added to the calm nature of the day. We (as in Nick and I) aren't celebrating until Monday, which is his first day off. We'll probably spend it doing some furniture shopping and going to dinner. He better get me a card too . . . 

Wedding stuff, which I find to be very funny: I decided that I am going to invite a few students to the wedding, as long as we have the room. The other day, I told two of them about it and they about came out of their skin. These two are supposed troublemakers at the school, but I just love both of them. They are constantly cracking me up. One actually choked on his sandwich and threw up in his lap in front of our principal while he was observing me. He will be forever known as Vomit Boy. In addition to a small group of other students, these are two that I hope to stay in touch with over the years. Although I know that leaving this job is the absolute right choice for me, I am thankful that I have had the chance to be in these kids' lives for a short time. Everything happens for a reason. If I didn't truly believe that, I would have gone crazy long ago.

6 Months!

We are only 6 months away from the wedding date! It's so exciting and crazy! When we first got engaged we decided to plan the wedding for over a year out, September to the following November. I remember thinking that it was so far away and feeling that the date would never come. And now, it's only 6 months away! I can't believe how quickly time passes and how much I want to be Mrs. Pritchett. I'm so lucky!

P.S. I've been thinking that it's probably a good thing that I'm not going to be teaching anymore. Can you imagine the nicknames Pritchett would incur if I continued in this profession? Funny, but not appropriate. Now, the question on everyone's mind is . . . what is Stephanie going to do for a job after June? Sub? Maybe. Look into continuing education courses at the local community college for fun? Definitely. Maybe one day get a real estate license? Could be. Write a book? Hopefully. Have lots of mini-Nicks? Yes! (So much to look forward to!) 

Hmm . . .

For the first time in the two years I've been teaching full time, I came home this afternoon and had a beer. No joke. I never drink, but all I could think about when I walked in the door is that I need some kind of booze to calm my nerves. I didn't want ice cream or cookies or anything salty, I wanted a nice, cold beer. And it was good. And now I feel much better.

If I continued to teach, I think it would drive me to alcoholism. I'm kidding, of course. But only somewhat. I am so tired of the attitude of the kids, the ridiculous parents, and the total lack of follow-through and support we get from our administration. When a kid spends a whole class period muttering obscenities beneath his breath and I can do NOTHING about it, that's freaking ridiculous. What bothers me the most is the fact that I expect nothing less from this district. I wouldn't put my kid in that school if it was the last educational institution on earth. 

Ahh, now that I am done ranting . . . Dad got a puppy! She won't be ready until the end of May, but I'm so excited! Her name, as of now, is Phoebe. She is a liver and white springer from a second litter of a female in Oregon. Dad drove down and paid for her and will pick her up the day before my birthday. He's excited, but also seems to have realized that we will now have 3 springer spaniels. Insanity. And I will be adding to that total in June with little Joey (you know, Phoebe and Joey . . . yes, we're weird). At that point, we will have 4 springers. It is going to be crazy and fun!

Now I just have to get through the last 34 days of hell, better known as school. I am so done with this job! 

Caterer, Check!

We have officially paid our caterer the down payment for their services, meaning they will now hold our date. This was our last really big thing to deal with, thank goodness. Although now I'm worried about invitations, which I haven't even really thought about. I also really, really want to include save-the-date magnets, something I think is just the cutest idea. Who doesn't love a magnet?

In the same thread as the invitations, I have decided that I really do want to invite a couple of my students. Our guest list is already at capacity, but I know at least a few people won't be coming. There are a handful of kids I'd like to have there on this day simply because they are amazing and I've bonded with them. Now that the end of the year is fast approaching, I'm starting to get a little melancholy about the thought of leaving them. Along with the hard times, it's also been a lot of fun. I hope I don't lose touch with all of them. I do, however, hope to never see a few of them again, haha!

Back to the wedding . . . I still need a veil, jewelry, and our wedding bands. I was thinking chocolate pearls maybe, since our colors are chocolate, burgundy, and ivory. And I really want a little bit more ostentation in my wedding band too. A girl can never have too many diamonds . . . Oh wow, I also need to have my dress cleaned and steamed since it was a sample at Marcella's too! I totally forgot about that.

One last thing: Joey. My dad and I are getting puppies this summer, so Dad has been obsessed with finding pups and emails or texts me whenever he sees a new listing. We're going to wait until June to get our babies, but he's all excited about it and has started "shopping" now. I have to say though, I absolutely cannot wait until I get my little Joey Tribbiani Pritchett! He'll be Nick's and my first baby. Anyone who knows my family knows just how much we love our pets, so this excitement should come as no surprise. Yay for a new puppy!

Only 41 days of school left!

Only 199 days until our wedding! 

(Wow, time is flying!)

Good News!

On Friday Nick had his board of evaluators. This meeting was to determine whether or not he passed his finals. I know he was nervous and so was I. He called me on the way home to tell me that he passed with flying colors! MPO (Master Police Officer) Mann was his evaluator and he said that Nick was "pretty good," which is very high praise coming from Mann, apparently. That night Nick was given his own squad car and was pretty much on his own. MPO Mann showed up at a few of his calls, but Nick did everything on his own and that is the way it will be from now on. Nick was on cloud 9 and still is, while I . . . well I am nervous, but I know it will just take a little while to get used to the idea of Nick being by himself. He can handle it, but it's still a bit nerve-wracking. Now we begin the rest of his probationary period, which will end at around the last week of November.

In other news, I am on spring break and Nick has a few days off during this week, so we are going to be taking a few trips. Tomorrow we are going to Leavenworth (at least, that's the plan). We're going to take the scenic route and take lots of pictures and just be together, which is very exciting for us. We really need to get away. The real vacation begins on Thursday though. Nick will work Tuesday night and Wednesday night and then we are going to . . . wait for it . . . HOOD RIVER! Haha, like that's a big surprise to anyone who knows us. We always go to Hood River, but we always have a great time, so why break tradition? 

I almost booked us a last minute flight to Vegas, but with just 3 days off, it wasn't going to be enough time, especially since Nick's never been before. Instead, we will be staying in the historic Hood River Hotel for the millionth time. We got a great deal on a riverview room, which looks out onto the Columbia River. The Book Stop and Artifacts Books are on our to-do list, of course, along with the vintage clothing store and 3 Rivers Grill. But the thing I am most excited for is the ricotta blintzes at the Cornerstone Cafe in the hotel. Best breakfast ever! And now for some photos of our favorite vacation spot.

Here's Mount Hood, visible from anywhere in Hood River:

This is Multnomah Falls, one of the beautiful waterfalls on the way to Hood River:
This is part of downtown on the hill, looking toward the Columbia River:
This is the front of the Hood River Hotel, established in the early 1900s and voted one of the most romantic getaway places to stay in the Pacific Northwest:
Here's a view of downtown from the one of the surrounding hills:
A restaurant and bar on the hill. Behind this is the residential section of Hood River, where Nick and I are hoping to buy a vacation home one day:
The main street in Hood River:

The toll bridge connecting Oregon and Washington across the Columbia:

If you like history, museums, bookstores, antiques, and anything on the river (we love kayaking!), Hood River is a great place to go. We are so excited to go back!

Bee in my bonnet!

Cake ideas:

I would incorporate burgundy flowers into this cascading mass if I were to do a cake like this. 

I love the idea of having holly and evergreen bows on the cake. Even though this is a November wedding, Thornewood will be filled with Christmas trees and twinkle lights, so these decorations would fit.

Centerpieces:

This one is close to what I would like at our wedding. The candles and pine cones are a nice touch, but I would also add the coffee beans into the vases. I LOVE the smell of coffee!

If I could have any smell besides coffee at the wedding, it would be the smell of evergreen trees. What a pleasant and home-y scent to add to the festivities!

Bouquet:

Reds, burgundy, and holly

Favors:

These are similar to the favors I am going to make. The velvet will be burgundy or chocolate and the ends will be clamped with fall leaves or vintage costume jewelry. Even if the guest isn't a reader, this is an elegant and beautiful idea for favors, one that I hope may encourage a few of them to pick up a book . . . ahh, the English teacher in me. 

Something fun:

I was looking at hair styles for the wedding and came across this one from the movie Steel Magnolias, one of my mother's and my favorites. This was Shelby's (ie: Julie Roberts) bridal hair and, while a little too "Southern" for me, I do like the general concept of some pouf and a lot of curls.

These are the moments . . . just looking at this photo makes me tear up for the day that I will be leaving my Mar-Mar. She's my best friend and I am going to miss her (even though I will probably see her all the time and I know I will talk to her every day). I am even planning on bringing the kids and the dogs over for frequent sleepovers when Nick is working the graveyard shift. I will always be close to my family.

It's been too long since I browsed a bunch of wedding sites! I'm going to miss this diversion when I am married. But I am so excited to be Mrs. Pritchett!

Sneak Peek!

Here's THE dress! Just a quick preview of the gown before I walk down the aisle. I get excited just looking at it now! 243 days to go!