It's been a long time!

So this is the first chance I've had to sit down and write a little. These last couple of weeks have been filled with laughter, tears, lots of stress, and a lot of fun. On May 13th Rod and I and my roommate from college chaperoned an after-prom party. Stef and I were up until 5:45 on Sunday morning and Rod stayed up till 6:15. Then we got up at 9:15 to make sure everyone got up by 10 to go to breakfast at someone else's house. It was a lot of fun, but exhausting. My sister also graduated from college on May 13th. Obviously I was busy chaperoning a party and being responsible adult, so I didn't get to be there for my sister's graduation.

The next Friday, May 19 I threw my sister a bachelorette party. We didn't do a whole lot, but I think most people enjoyed it. My sister looked pretty happy. She got a lot of nice candles, oils and such. We had a couple of drinks and reminisced about the when we were younger. It's amazing how fast the years go by.

Then on Saturday May 20 I threw a surprise party for Rod's 25th birthday. It was unbelievable I was able to keep a secret for so long. It was so hard to keep a secret especially when I knew three weeks in advance that Rod's mom was flying in from Arizona. At first I was unsure of how I was going to get him out to my parents' house to surprise him, but his mom came up with a great idea. We had his aunt call him and ask him to come out and help her move a couch for FOHA (Friends of Homeless Animals). We didn't think he would say no to his aunt and he didn't. It was awesome because Rod had no clue. Not to mention, there was crap load of people that showed up. Cody, Rod's roommate from college, and Cody's girlfriend Natalie drove up from NC. Rod's friends from high school were there. His Mom flew in from Arizona. His Aunt was there. Also his brother and his brother's fiancee, Char and Jackie, drove up from NC to be there to celebrate with him. Some of my friends from high school showed up to. We had a great time and my mom and dad made great food. They let me spend time with my friend's and they took care of all the cooking and hosting. I love my parents for helping out like that. After the party Rod and I help clean up and then we headed back to our apartment. Cody and Nat stayed with us Saturday night and we went into DC with them on Sunday. We had a lot of fun. It was nice to spend time with them since we hadn't seen them in a long time.

On Monday, my sister came out to spend the night with us and just get away from wedding stuff. Rod's mom and his aunt were here that evening as well. We went out to dinner at Ruby Tuesday. It was nice spending time with both sides of my family.

On Tuesday May 23, Rod turned 25 and I started grad school. Class was ok but slightly overwhelming. After class I met Rod, his mom, and his aunt at Costal Flats in Tysons Corner to celebrate Rod's birthday. It was nice spending time with Rod's family. His mom headed back to Arizona on Wednesday.

Thursday, I took off of work so I could spend time with my sister before her wedding. My grandparents came in on Wednesday and my aunt and cousin flew in early on Thursday. I picked them up at the airport on my way to my parents' house. We spent some time doing stuff around the house then at noon my mom, her friend, my grandma, me, and Ashton another bridesmaid got our nails done. It was fun and they did a great job. Then we went back to my parents' house and Ashton, my mom and I finished decorating the wedding cake. Ashton and I had such a great time doing that. That afternoon, I went to pick up Rod from the metro station, then we picked up my friend Stephen from the airport. He flew in to be in my sister's wedding. I almost drove past him at the airport because he looked so different. Then we went to Jazz on the Lawn. It was great to see my brother play a jazz solo. He did a great job and we all enjoyed listening to it. My mom had the band surprise my brother and play happy birthday for him since his birthday was on Friday.

Friday was my brother's birthday. It also happened to be my sister and Scott's rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. Rehearsal was a lot of fun and productive. Then dinner was really yummy! We had Red Hot & Blue. Normally I don't like BBQ, but the pulled pork with BBQ sauce and ranch was awesome!!! After dinner we went home and hung out. Then my sister realized I had forgotten to bring the necklace she wanted to wear for her wedding so I drove back to Arlington late Friday night.

Saturday was my sister's wedding. My sister was beautiful and the ceremony was amazing. I cried. Scott's ring got stuck on my finger, but at least I didn't lose it or scratch it. After the wedding we took a crap load of pictures. Then we headed to the reception site. Lunch at the reception site was really good. It was a beautiful place. The DJ did a good job. Everyone loved my maid of honor speech. I got so many compliments :) Even Rod said I did a good job...heheh. I got Rod to dance at the reception. In our almost five years of dating, my sister's wedding was the first time Rod had danced with me. After the reception most of my family headed back to my parents' house for an after party. It was so much fun. We had a great time.

On Sunday, the family ate breakfast at my parents' house. Scott and Desiree were supposed to be there, but they had to take Scott's cousins to the metro station. They got there right as some of us were about to leave so Rod and I got to watch them open the gift we got them. Then 10 of us headed to mine and Rod's apartment. We parked here so we could all head into DC. 4 of them went to the Dodger/National game, and 6 of us went to see some monuments in DC. We walked around DC for a few hours, but it was soooooo HOT. We almost died! We had to be back to Ashburn before 6 because my mom was throwing a surprise birthday party for my brother. We got back into Arlington and had lunch at California Pizza Kitchen or CPK as my aunts from CA call it. Anyway we got back in time to see my brother surprised. Then we hung out the rest of the evening.

On Monday, memorial day Rod and I said goodbye to family and then headed back to our apartment so we could get stuff done. Stephan came with me because he stayed with us all week. The week was busy filled with my grad class, entertaining Stephen, and writing a paper.

On Friday, I had rehearsal for another friend's wedding. After rehearsal, Rod, Stephen and I got dinner. Then some friends of ours came over to my parents' house at 9 and we reminisced about high school until 2 am. Desiree and Scott got home from their honeymoon at about 1. We talked about their honeymoon for a few minutes. Then everyone headed home and we went to bed.

Saturday - Desiree, my mom, my grandma, and I went to Sears to get pictures taken. It was a lot of fun. Then Desiree and I went shopping. I love shopping with my sister. We always seem to find something together. Then we headed home for lunch. After that I took a nap. Then it was time to get ready for Tiffany and Ben's wedding. The wedding was really nice. Tiffany looked beautiful. Then we went to the reception. Dinner was excellent. We had fun talking to people and catching up. After the reception, some of us went back to my parents' house and Drew came over. We stayed up until 3 talking (really they stayed up and I lied on the couch with my eyes closed from 2-3).

Yesterday, I said good bye to Stephen :'( and then I went to church with my family. I really enjoyed going to church with them since I hadn't been in a long time. Then Rod and I headed home because I had some work to get done for grad school.

Now we are at today. That was a lot to catch up on. When I look back at the last 4 weeks, it's amazing I'm still sane. I was sooo busy! Anyway, today I went back to work. Stefanie interviewed at my company today. After the interview we went out to lunch with Drew, a friend of ours. It was a lot of fun. Then I had to go back to work :( I'm not really happy with my work right now. I guess I'm just stressed with working full time and going to school. I think I'm going to apply to be an assistant teacher. If I quit my job and become an assistant teacher, I can get a tuition reduction. It's $500 less a class than I'm paying right now. I'm going to apply and if I get a job, then I'll quit the one I have now. Anyway, after work I had to go to school to do a counseling sessions with one of my peers. It was slightly nerve racking to tape myself couseling someone else, but we enjoyed it. And now I am starving so I think I am going to get off of here to make some dinner. Mmmmmm Tacos!!! Well hope this catches you all up. Thanks for trying to keep up to date with me. If you have any questions, just email me. Love you all. Hope you have a great evening.