A weekend of music...great music.

The best music really because who doesn't love music performed by an old, dear friend? And then a guest appearance by my sweet, talented hubby.

Our friend, Brendan, performed with his fellas at Cats Cradle on Friday night. We headed to one of my favorite cities, Chapel Hill, after work with my parents and met our friends, Todd and Lori, for dinner and the show.



A fabulous show and maybe even a little biscuit pudding to end the night.



Saturday night proved just as fun when we met more friends for another night of Brendan and Co. A beautiful backyard concert 10 minutes from home. Perfect.



Yep. Brendan gave Chad some stage time, too.

[photo cred: Paul Heist]

Here's a few quick video snippets from both nights. If you haven't checked out Brendan yet (first of all why not because I have blogged about him probably a dozen times), please do at www.brendanjames.com. You won't be disappointed.

(And yes I am aware I didn't get any pictures of us with Brendan but we just did in Charlotte a few weeks ago so in case you are wondering, we pretty much all still look like this.) :-)

An Unbirthday Birthday

Last week, I had to make a tough parenting decision. Jake had a birthday party to attend of one of his best school friends at 2:30pm on Saturday. Around 11am, he started complaining of stomach pains and laid in the bed for hours just whimpering and laying very still. I was afraid he was coming down with a stomach bug so I watched him like a hawk with trashcan in hand and towel laid across the bed.

And of course, texted the party mom and told her we would not be attending "just in case" he was coming down with something.

Well, 5 hours later, Jake ended up being fine. And 5 hours later, he popped up out of bed ready to "go to Olivia's party."

Oh, poor Jake. When I broke the news that he had missed the party, he was devestated. (And for a reason I really couldn't explain...I mean, "Jake, we don't want to be that family that everyone talks about on Facebook bringing their pre-pukey kid to the party and infects the whole party or worse, pukes AT the party...etc etc.")

He started crying so hard that I thought then he really was gonna puke, so I had to act fast.

I told him we would have a birthday party for HIM. Right that second.

It kinda just came out before I even thought it all through.

But, without haste, I ran to the closet and got out one of my emergency presents (yup, I have those), and wrapped it. When Jake saw that I would wrap presents, he started throwing items down the hall to be wrapped so he would have "lots and lots of presents." (Thank goodness he was satisfied opening presents he already owned.)
This smile was totally worth wasting a whole roll of wrapping paper.

We didn't stop there, though. 4 candles in a brownie. Yup.
Make a wish, Jake!

Playing with his only "new" present.
I think it was the best "unbirthday" Jake has ever had, and I got my wish of not ending up with a sick child.

For now. :-)

Welcome to the family, Roxie!

Well, a picture found on Google...

...turned in to this last week.

Chad's mom welcomed Roxie, an 11 week old cockapoo puppy, into her home last week. We had gone to visit her two weeks ago and brought the kids. We needed to make sure there was mutual love and appreciation. :-)
This dog is the sweetest, most snuggly, calmest puppy I have ever met.
She fits in the family just fine and even enjoyed herself at our house last week.
 

This will be great for the kids to learn about taking care of dogs (the fish are already old news and "boring") and also to just be more comfortable around animals. They (moreso Jake now) tend to be skittish at homes with pets, and I hope this will ease their anxiety a bit the more they are around Roxie.

It's kinda like having another baby to snuggle.

Another one I can snuggle and give back. :-)

The #fieldslikelove Wedding Weekend!

I can't believe it's been two weeks, but yes, it's been two weeks since the #fieldslikelove wedding!

Friday, the 5th, was "Set up reception-rehearsal-rehearsal dinner" Day.

Heidi did an amazing job with her vision and then creation of the most perfect reception. The flowers were gorgeous, the space was amazing (and well, spacious), and all the precious "southern" extras were just darling.

I don't think I stopped smiling for two days.



The gorgeous couple...not a bit nervous and just so excited for their big weekend.

I love this girl so much and love that she has found the most perfect man for her.

I mean, cause, when you have found the most perfect man you kinda want everyone else to be just as lucky as you. :-)

And continuing the trip on the sappy train, the Carolina Girls presented an abridged version of "The ABC's of Why Heidi and Matt Are Meant To Be."

Dinner was great, and then we all headed home for a good night's sleep.

The next morning was spent at the hair dresser. I do not even pretend to know how to do my own hair, so I left it in the hands of a capable professional.

Then, it was lots of girly primping and waiting at the church.







Heidi was beautiful, the ceremony was perfect, and again, I could not stop smiling. After a few pictures, we headed to the reception to eat (barbeque), drink (wine), and be merry.

The Carolina Bridesmaids

The Carolina Spouses

I think Matt will fit in just fine. :-)

 

Matt surprised Heidi with their first dance song...which actually turned out to be three songs with a prepared speech in between. He also ended with some scripture. It was so beautiful, and I loved how it was almost like there was no one else in the room with them.

But we were there.

And we were all smiling. :-)

Funny story of how my college roommate marries a man who is cousins with two girls I danced with in my childhood and youth and then we all get to meet up at the wedding. Thanks to Facebook this wasn't a huge surprise, but it was still so great to get hugs from these girls, Amanda and Sandra.

...who both also happen to be models and actresses...and incredibly tall. They were both slouching, and I was on my tip toes.

One of the most delicious wedding cakes I have ever had. And I have had a lot of wedding cakes.

The bouquet toss and garter toss...


And lots of dancing....

And a few selfies...

The Carolina Girls together again...but I miss them already and can't wait for Christmas and our annual party.

Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Fields! We love you so much and wish you many, many years of love and laughter!

And a few more Carolina cousins for my kids. :-)

Tomorrow...

...we celebrate this girl.

Actually, we have been celebrating her all summer, but tomorrow is like THE.REALLY.BIG.DAY.

Tomorrow, one of my oldest and dearest friends marries the love of her life.

Tomorrow is her day.

Heidi is the only other roommate I have ever had. We went to high school together and lived together for four years in college, and I have to say that Chad had mighty big shoes to fill when he and I got married the summer after graduation.

It will be an honor to stand beside this woman when she says her "I do." My smile will probably be just as big as hers. :-)

The Sunday I came back from the Johnson beach trip, we hosted a bridal shower for Heidi. Many of her family members and close friends attended and it was a great afternoon.








Saturday August 23, we celebrated Heidi's final moments of being single with her Bachelorette Party. This was a super fun night that started with dinner at Europa and traveled around downtown Greensboro.


Not too many pictures of that night can be shared here on the blog, but trust me when I tell you it was fun. :-)