The weekend was full of hot summer fun which included a cookout and a wedding on Saturday. All outside, in the 90 degree weather. Pregnant Woman + Summer Heat = Interesting. I've always said I never wanted to be pregnant in the summer, but God definitely had different plans for me! I'm trying to take the good with the bad and enjoy the summer while it is here. With an ice cold water in my hand at all times, of course!!


Peter's work had a summer cookout for all of their employees so it was nice to spend some time outside and eat a big lunch.

And the wedding for Jen & John was so beautiful. I've never seen her so happy, which made me extremely happy!!! She deserves every ounce of excitement she got on their special day!

Madison's Big Day.

Madison was an absolute beautiful bride but we didn't expect anything less since she shines God's beauty every day. It was a busy weekend but I loved every second of it. I even gave my first public speech, and after only tearing up a couple of times, I was super proud with how it turned out. The whole day was one big celebration for Madison and Zach but mostly for our Savior and the Love that He has for us. It was an honor to be a part of their day!!

you might be looking at the crazy, high jumping skills of David but I can't help but notice that Peter still thinks he can jump in with all the single guys...? 

Emotional and loving goodbyes!

**thanks to Sarah for letting me steal all these beautiful photos!!

my best friends wedding.

I mentioned on Friday that my weekend would be full of a few things… fall weather, champagne, tears, boyfriend time, tears, pictures and did I mention tears…?

Jocie’s wedding weekend was so wonderful.

While we stood in the middle of the woods at an open air mountain chapel it was evident that God was with us. The entire weekend had His touch on everything. His sounds, His warm sun and His cool breeze, His changing leaves that painted the views and the love that was shared during the intimate ceremony. Because of all this my heart was full of happiness which of course made me eyes full of tears.

After the long weekend full of fun I was physically and emotionally drained so today has felt like a longer Monday than normal. With the very cold weather that has suddenly arrived I think a class of Hot Yoga was exactly what I needed. I feel refreshed and lighter after an hour of simply breathing and being me. Sometimes a long Monday is just what you need after a wonderfully hectic weekend and I know this weekend will be the same way……. more on that later though. I can’t wait to share!! :)

Hope you all had a fantastic weekend full of love and maybe some happy tears too…

Vacation // Eliya Family Reunion

It's been a bit hectic for me lately and whenever I have a chance to sit down I don't feel like blogging..... 

BUT since I have a horribly messy room to clean I think blogging sounds perfect right now!  ;-) 

It's been a busy past couple of weeks... I had my trip to NJ/NY for Phil and Kayla's wedding and then the Eliya Family Reunion and every since I've been home (One week tomorrow) I've been non-stop with all the little things that fill my week up!  I really should be cleaning but I wanted to talk about my amazing trip!! 

.....it didn't start out so amazing.  I had to fly out of Charlotte on Tuesday at 8:30.  Everything was going well... I got there in plenty of time, whizzed through security, picked up a sandwich and a drink to eat at the gate (I have to be there early so I know I won't miss my flight- its a HUGE fear of mine) and I sat patiently and ate my very yummy dinner (for an airport) for about 30 minutes until it was time to board the plane.  This was my second time flying by myself and I was hoping that I wouldn't have bad luck this time because the first time was HORRIBLE!  Well, I all that hoping was completely pointless.  I have decided that I should NEVER... NEVER fly by myself! 

I got on the plane and everything was going perfect... found my seat... I picked up the magazine that was in the back of chair in front of me, realized that the Sudoku had not been worked which made me VERY happy!  Everything was going perfect, I was thinking that my first flight alone last year was just a fluke... we start taking off to the end of the runway and everyone is ready to be in NJ, especially me!!  THEN... the pilot came on the intercom to tell us that there were some horrible storms in Charlotte so we were going to be delayed 45 minutes.  I thought "Not too bad, it could be worse..." I was trying to be positive!!  After about 30 minutes the pilot tells us that we aren't flying anywhere for a while, the airport was at a complete stop... Closed!!!  Then to top everything off, we couldn't get off the plane because there were FIVE planes in front of us... and then TWO behind us!  So, there I sat... hot in a plane with recycled air and the engines turned off.  Remember, I was supposed to fly out at 8:30 and land in Newark at 10:30... nope, I flew out at 10:30 and didn't get in Newark, safely in the car with Peter and some cousins until MIDNIGHT!!!!!  The flight was NOT smooth at all... bumpy, scary, with bright lightening all around!!  At one point I was petrified... I seriously thought I we were going to die!  Then, I realized... "why am I scared?!  God is in complete control of everything!!"  So, I closed my eyes and thought to myself... "God, you are in control!  I have no reason to fear!!"  Then all the sudden everything was calm.  Not one bump... no bright lightening... it was amazing!!!  I felt SO safe!!  

So, I finally arrived and got my luggage... went straight to Mimi and Jane's house (Peter's sisters) and after tossing and turning a bit I slept peacefully and happily in NJ!  :) 

The first day in NJ (Wednesday) was full of shopping with the girls!!  I found some great buys at Forever21, which makes me a happy girl!  Forever21 never fails me- haha!!  

That night we had the rehearsal dinner for the out of towners which was around 50-60 people... it was a blast!!  We Had some yummy food, dancing, drinks, henna celebration!! It was a great time!

Me and Joy Dancing! 

Henna Celebration! :) 

On Thursday we had a girl day again... full of nails, hair, and getting dressed up for the wedding!  The wedding was pretty long, it was a Syrian Orthodox Catholic church so I didn't understand most of the ceremony.  It was beautiful though!!  The Reception was pretty awesome... there was a very long cocktail hour with a TON of food!!!  When I saw all the food I assumed that was our meal for the night, but NO... we also had a sit down dinner (I had a very yummy, filet) so there was plenty of food!  Not to mention the Martini Bar that could make anything you ever wanted in a Martini glass!!  YUM! 

The Eliya Family with their dates and the Bride! 

Me and my Handsome date!! 

Me and Joy dancing!!!

Friday we packed our bags, had some awesome lunch that Peter grilled for us and drove up to Hunter, NY.  Its in the beautiful Catskill Mountains in upper NY and it was gorgeous!!!

This was the view we saw while eating breakfast, 

playing games, and spending time in the pool... 

it was so peaceful! 

The first night we got to the Lodge we had a welcome dinner... didn't get any pictures, unfortunately!!  But we did get these AWESOME shirts!!  Everyone that came to the family reunion got one!  Mine said "Little Miss Southern Belle" and Peter's said "Mr. Debate"... haha, very fitting! 

The next morning we had an Eliya Olympic game day and wore our new shirts!  I was on red team, Peter was on blue team... WE WON!!  Go Red Team!  We had all kinds of games and then spent the day in the pool!  On Saturday night, our last night of vacation, we had a formal dinner night full of pictures, stories, eating, and dancing!!  Lots of fun! 

Formal Dinner Picture

Most of the Gals

And most of the Men

Dinner on the last night

The next morning we wake up, pack the bags and eat some breakfast.  Then Peter and his mom left to drive home since they drove up a week earlier.  I stayed with the sisters and they took me to the airport to fly home after spending some time with some cousins.  Now, I already know that I have the WORST solo flying luck... I was supposed to fly out at 6:30 and I didn't get dropped off until 5:45 and that little fear I have about missing my flight... yea, I was feeling it!  Thank God their wasn't a line to check in and the security line wasn't too extreme besides the 1 flight attendant that was so RUDE and OBNOXIOUS that I wanted to slap him!!  I got on the plane... had the isle seat which made me VERY happy had a blank sodoku again and was ready to get home!  Then I hear a familiar voice on the intercom and I knew it was an annoying man that I wanted to slap a few minutes earlier... yup, the rude flight attendant from before was on MY flight!!!!  Then everything went down hill from there, after sitting on the plane for around 45 minutes cause Charlotte was closed due to weather AGAIN they let us off the plane so I sat in the airport talking to my mom who was almost to Charlotte to pick me up... while I was in NJ!  After talking to her I called Peter and since he was driving home and about 2 hours from Charlotte he said he would pick me up so my mom could go home!! haha... I think I should have just drove home with him, it would have been a lot easier!!  So FINALLY after a wonderful 5 days on vacation I was finally home in my bed!  Vacations are always wonderful but going home is great too!!!