April Travels

Now that audit season is officially over {phew}, I'm trying to take advantage of work-free weekends. The month of April, I will only be in Raleigh for one weekend. But I'm not complaining! I'm kicking off this momentous summer and the milestones to come. Matt graduating this summer. Being out of college for a year. Being married for a year. Starting my Master's program. etc. etc.

I returned to the East coast this weekend -- but this time with my man :) We met up with our small group friends - Katy and Branon Mack - at their friends' beach house on Emerald Isle. It was SO nice. Almost right on the beach, 4 bedrooms, a pool, balconies galore, and a charcoal grill. We were just living the dream.

Matt and I arrived Fri night just in time for a steak and grouper dinner prepared by the Macks. It was restaurant-quality good y'all! And then snuggled up on the couch for some R&R. Saturday was full of fun. We headed to Beaufort for some shopping and walking around. And then laid out on the beach and by the pool for the rest of the day.

Sunday was restful and relaxing. We vegged out by the pool and in the house {and successfully completed 2 puzzles by the end of the day}. It was so sad to come home, but reality awaits. We were so thankful this couple invited us on their mini-vacay! It was much needed. Enjoy some of the pics!

Beaufort, NC 

Moving On

When I graduated early last year, the thought never occurred to me that I would never really have a senior year. I was just thrilled to move on with my life, get married, start making a living for myself. But what I'm learning now is that I missed out. I took for granted my last year as an undergrad.

Yes, I'm going back to college in the fall for my Masters, but it won't really be the same. I was blessed with such an amazing friend group in college. But I never really had good closure to end that chapter of my life. Since I was moving to Raleigh for work and Matthew's school, I never thought I needed any closure. I was right around the corner from all of my best friends.

However, this year has proven it to be very hard to keep up my once so tight friendships. I can't believe how different your life changes when you finally get that diploma. It's crazy! One minute I have all the world at my feet --free as a bird-- and the next I'm paying bills and creating a schedule based on my work life.

But all this to say, I'm incredibly blessed to have had the opportunity to "crash" the Cru Women's beach retreat this past weekend. I got to see all my best friends and spend a lot of quality time with them. I got to see growth in their relationships with the Lord that I never got to see thus far. It was bittersweet in that I loved hearing about their lives now, but that I've missed out on so many memories being without them this year.

God has a divine calling on Matt's and my's life just as He does on all His children. My college career may have been cut short but it was cut short for a reason. Looking back I wouldn't change a thing. But seriously, I don't think I would.

&& going to the beach this weekend further assured me that I'm in a different chapter of life. And I need to finally whole-heartedly embrace it :) Not hanging on where I can't anymore, but truly cherishing the memories. And oh did I make some good final ones this past weekend...

Puppies

Y'all. It's been almost a month since my last post. It. has. been. crazy. This month was the busiest ever for work, but it's over officially TODAY! woo. I could write a long post about basically work because that's all Matt and I have been doing {maybe he's been doing some school too...maybe..} but no one would like that. Instead I have to mention the only other thing that has been preoccupying my mind for the past month: puppies.

Ok for real it's not the only thing. But I literally think God wants me and Matt to have one because in 3 different instances I have been offered a free one. Seriously three guys.

It all started back in September on my first travel client. The client offered me a puppy she couldn't take care of {cuz she already had like 5} and she even said she'd bring him to Charlotte to meet me halfway. Um sign of God? Yes.

Then, after every single one of my loved ones advised against a puppy, my friend from college messaged me about one that she found and couldn't take care of. This was back in December, after I had already dropped the puppy thing from Sept. But no, another one had to pop up.

Then, after of course not getting it, my coworker's wife found a box of puppies on the side of the road a couple weeks ago. She picked one up without a hesitation, but again it was a no for me.

Now, I feel like I'm supposed to get one. Matt thinks its a phase and that he'll just have to take care of the dog once I get bored. So until he sees all these signs I'm seeing, I'm just gonna make Matt go to the park and such with me. Today's adventure to Duke Gardens being the perfect example. I know he'll get tired of it eventually :)