Friday, May 24, 2013

Summer Reading Suggestions!

Well I am back!

The travel yesterday was exhausting, but fine. I didn't realize it was a holiday weekend until like, five hours into the trip and I was just SO CONFUSED as to why so many people are flying on a Thursday. It was PACKED. But I made it home, I am so happy to see my boys, and all is well.

But that is not the point of this post.  The point of this post is to tell you about the amazing books I have been reading!  I haven't really read at all this year.  I guess between classes and Missy and life I just couldn't.  But a few weeks ago I sent out a message to my book review friend , Kate, asking for some recommendations, and man... she hooked me up.  Clearly her and I have the same reading interests because I swear, every book she told me to read I have adored. And I want to pass along these gems of books to you all because... well... that's what I do.  I share things I love with you so you can read them and tell me you love them too.  Then we can talk about these characters like they are real people and it wont be strange AT ALL.

So, I am calling this post my summer reading suggestions list.  I will come back and add to it over the next few months (if anybody cares).  For now it has four books on it, and they are all most definitely worth checking out!

SUMMER READING SUGGESTIONS

E&P

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell: This is the first of two books by Rainbow Rowell on the list, and I find it highly likely that as the summer continues, everything she has written will be added.  There is something about her writing style that just speaks to me.  It reads so natural, and you completely fall in love with her characters.  Don't be fooled by this book being listed at Young Adult or by the simple cover.  It is a fast read, but the story is amazing. 

sea of tranquility


The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay- I basically read this entire book yesterday. And it is not a light read.  But I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN.  Even once I got home, and the boys were asleep, I stayed up an extra two hours to finish it.  Once again it's a Young Adult book, but the subject is anything but juvenile.  It is heart wrenching and amazing.  The main characters are written so well you feel like you know them.  And love them. And just want to help them.  The story is dark at parts, but in the same vein as Language of Flowers, is worth it's dark side.  And this book pulls off something that few can do, it absolutely grabs you up until the final page.  And when you close the book, you will have chills.  (at least I did). Read it.
attachments


Attachments by Rainbow Rowell: I adored this book.  And in some ways, that may be because it reminded me so much of me and Whitney. If you have ever had a friend who makes you laugh (really hard) mostly in the form of emails/IM/texting then you might see yourself in it as well.  The story is about a guy who is hired to police the inner office email at a newspaper, and the two best friends who email back and forth throughout the day.  The story is sweet and heartfelt and definitely worth reading.
Measure of love

Measure of Love (And Life from Scratch) by Mellisa Ford: These are written by Mel from Stirrup Queens, who has become a dear friend over the years.  I adored her first book, Life from Scratch, about a woman who has recently divorced her husband, so begins a blog about learning to cook, and starting live over from scratch.  Measure of Love just came out last month, and is the squeal.  I don't really want to give away it's story, because it ties too much into the end of Life from Scratch, but both books are great and definitely worth reading this summer!

So that's it (so far).  I have about ten more books suggested by Kate, plus everything by Rainbow Rowell on my summer reading list, so I will let you know in future posts when I update here with new suggestions!  If you have read anything good this summer, let me know in the comments and I will add it to my list!

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Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Kelsey and Thomas Get Married!

So let's talk about the wedding!!  It was a success!  I mean, it's hard for weddings to not be a success unless someone gets left at the alter, but this one was an EXTREME success. It was AMAZING! Like, one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever seen. And it was so much fun! I will forever love the memory of Nick, Henry and dancing together. I smile every single time I think of it. So anyway, do you want to see some pictures? I knew it!

Kelsey and Thomas' Wedding
I figured I should start with an adorable shot of the bride and groom.
  Cutest ring bearer EVER!!
And of course the oh so handsome ring bearer

Kelsey and Thomas' Wedding
Actually, we are just going to start at the beginning of the day... because otherwise I will miss too many great pictures. Here is Mawmaw with three of her four grandsons. I HATE that Chris and Nieem weren't there yet. We will have to get all teh boys with Mawmaw at the next wedding :)
Kelsey and Thomas' Wedding
Matt and Blair, looking adorable
Kelsey and Thomas' Wedding
The groom, hiding from the bride
Kelsey and Thomas' Wedding
The bride, right above him, hiding from the groom
  Kelsey and Thomas' Wedding
a proud Mama and a sweet boy
Kelsey and Thomas' Wedding
cake
Kelsey and Thomas' Wedding
one of many amazing spots at this wedding... the buffet line
Kelsey and Thomas' Wedding
the reception
Kelsey and Thomas' Wedding
The Sweet Bride
Kelsey and Thomas' Wedding\
Our little family
Kelsey and Thomas' Wedding
cousins
Kelsey and Thomas' Wedding
The girls
Kelsey and Thomas' Wedding
my loves
Kelsey and Thomas' Wedding
Our big boy, totally in control of his ring bearing duties

Kelsey and Thomas' Wedding
The reason for it all
Kelsey and Thomas' Wedding
The wedding party
Kelsey and Thomas' Wedding
Our sweet South Carolina Family


Kelsey and Thomas' Wedding
The music :)

Kelsey and Thomas' Wedding
a little pre-dinner dancing.  This turned into a lot of full group dancing later. I have no pictures of it, because I was too busy loving every second of it.

  Kelsey and Thomas' Wedding
These two had a blast
Kelsey and Thomas' Wedding

The awesome, antique milk jugs used for glasses
Kelsey and Thomas' Wedding
Siblings, all dressed up
Kelsey and Thomas' Wedding
first dance
Kelsey and Thomas' Wedding
Love this one!
Kelsey and Thomas' Wedding
Mama and Papa jump in
Kelsey and Thomas' Wedding
Candice and I
Kelsey and Thomas' Wedding
Speeches... which I am mainly including so you can see how pretty the reception tent was!
Kelsey and Thomas' Wedding
Nana and Grandpa

Kelsey and Thomas' Wedding

Cake! (and pie!)

Aaaaand then my camera ran out of batteries. But the evening went on, and a ton of fun was had by EVERYONE. Truly. It was a beautiful wedding, and we could not be happier for the amazing couple!

**Like every other wedding, there are WAY more pictures that what I am posting. If you want to see more of how adorable this was, click on any picture and it will take you to my flickr account.

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Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Hanging Out in Boise

Hi everyone!
Hotel view #Boise
I am alive and well, just hanging out in Boise, Idaho (no you da ho).  (no... that joke never EVER gets old)  I have a ton of wedding pictures to show you from last weekend in South Carolina, but haven't had time to load them.

 Okay... that isn't true. I am sitting alone each night in my hotel room. I totally could have posted them last night. But I had a long day of learning about seed germination... and I drank a couple glasses of wine with dinner...and laziness won.

  For the record, the wedding was AMAZING. One of the nicest weddings I have ever been to. I can't wait to show you! It's just things like this huge, fluffy robe keep distracting me upload
I don't even like bath robes... but it just felt wrong to not wear it...

So I am enjoying my work trip. I am eating a ton of great food (as expected, potatoes are fantastic) and I am making some new work friends... contacts... associates... what do you call work people you meet at a conference? I am not close enough to any of them to start handing out my blog address, but I have a few I am enjoying eating dinner with. Untitled
I haven't ventured into much of Boise yet beyond the PF Changs and the Old Spaghetti Factory (Boise...I am doing it wrong. STOP EATING AT NATIONAL CHAIN RESTAURANTS) but tonight the group is heading out for some kind of tour and a nice dinner. Tomorrow night is the banquet and Thursday morning I fly home. I am already missing a couple of fellas really bad, so I know by Thursday I will be 100% ready to be back in Kentucky Kelsey and Thomas' Wedding

Thank god for Skype... it helps to fill the Henry and Nick sized hole in my heart, but I am already feeling the need to get home to these two ASAP.

Wedding pictures to come... most likely tomorrow. Be prepared to be amazed.

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