Heather is Engaged!

On Saturday November 21st, Matt proposed to Heather. Heather, my sister, and Matt have been dating about 3 and a half years and were really excited to take this next life step together. He planned out a day full of activities and ended the night with a ridiculous dinner at the Poplar Springs Inn restaurant where he proposed out on a patio. Heather was actually surprised! The two families were gathered at Matt's home to celebrate with them after the proposal. Check out some precious photos, her ring is beautiful!

They plan on getting married in the later part of June 2010. The planning has begun!

Michael's Birthday Weekend

On Thursday we celebrated a quarter century with Michael. Brad and Amanda treated us to a Chick-fil-a dinner and then the four of us went to the UVA basketball game thanks to Allan! Please notice how excited Amanda is to be there...

After the game we met some of Michael's best friends (I didn't get a picture of those guys) for a few drinks at 12th Street Tap House.

Amanda and I found delight in the fresh flowers at each table.

On Friday, Michael and I headed up to Reston Town Center for a romantic date night at McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant. Our four course dinner was delectable - complete with artichoke crab dip, crab soup, greens salad, yellowfin tuna, salmon, crab cakes, and raspberry mousse and a fine Malbec. We visited the Collins' new townhome in Burke on our way back home.

Saturday was filled with tons of excitement (which I will write more about later). Family, birthday presents, a fun trip to Costco for a new camera, steak dinner for Bill's 65th birthday and a special surprise at the end of the night all made for a great end to Michael's celebration!

I couldn't resist

Look what Anthropologie gave me! These little plates were on clearance but were calling out to me and making me dream of little tea parties and chicken salad lunches. If I'm suppose to get you a Christmas present or a secret santa gift and you would like some similar to this let me know because I can go get more. You know who you are.

Agent Bubblicious

I was driving back to Cville with my 7 year old sister last night. She talked the entire way home. At one point in our conversation she asked me what I would be if I could be anything in the world. I gave my usual reply, "A famous singer, a back-up dancer, a worship leader, and a FBI Special Agent," to which she interrupts, " Oh you would be SO cute as a special agent! You'd wear those black sun glasses, chew bubblegum, wear black pants, a black shirt, and a loooong black cape! You'd look good."

I tried not to bust out laughing. Chewing bubblegum? A long black cape? Is that what a special agent is to a 7 year old? I picture myself somewhere between Carmen San Diego and Disney's Kim Possible. I love it.

Hold On

Why has no one commented on the fact that someone watched me closely in a store the other day? Do y'all not think that's funny? Should I be concerned? I'm a little suspicious now. Here I am thinking it was hilarious that I was profiled and everyone else is thinking, "Well, Megan, we didn't know how to tell you..." I'm catching on. sheesh.

Rainy Day Shopping

Please do not give Michael and me any of the following:

...That is an entire display of M&M's Christmas goodies. Just because together we make "M and M's" doesn't mean we want a house full of M&M's gadgets. We get it. It's cute, funny and they are delicious to eat (especially when filled with peanuts). I just got done throwing away bags of M&M wrappers that the two of us had from our dating years. Apparently it's not so sentimental to me any more. Fun stuff.

Also today at a store in town, a sales associate told me that he was watching me and I had better walk to the check out counter and not out the doors with my item. Sticky Fingers Megan. You should have seen the look on my face. He was dead serious. Anyhow, I just laughed it off because he doesn't know me and was just doing his job.

Cousin's Wedding

Cathleen being walked down the aisle by Uncle Chris:

Her beautiful dress - Love the pick-up skirt!

The inside of the church was actually quite gorgeous.

John eating some nuggets and Gabrielle not feeling so hot.

And a shot of us just because:

Love Language

I have the best friends in the world. After Michael got that letter, some of my beloveds knew how much we were hurting and sent us this care package. There were cards from lots of different people with kind, encouraging words, manly foods such as beef jerky and grill mates, and all sorts of things for me that they knew I love. Can you see the Michael Jackson shirt?!

I couldn't help but cry when I opened this box. I felt loved and cared for and so important to these friends. They know me inside and out. Being one of those with Gift Giving as my love language, I love to give and, yes, receive. I can't help it. But most of all, I love the relationships that I am so blessed with. You girls are life giving. I also hope that I can be as good of a friend to others especially when they are in need.

Happy Birthday Ashleigh!

You are incredible and oh, so strong. I love you dearly and cannot wait to spend our lives growing old together. ( With our husbands of course.) You are in all our prayers!

Mix and Match

I was just thinking how nothing good seems to be happening right now to anyone, anywhere. (except maybe Bob McDonnell!!!) Trying to fight off discouragement is not easy and when it's happening to all your friends it gets pretty frustrating. But today we got a Starbucks card in the mail as a thank you from one of our good friends and that made things a little better. I will probably go get a pumpkin spice latte and since I have no Thanksgiving decorations I want to put up Christmas decor.

Here's my plan for the night: Drink the mulled cider that is brewing on my stove since no one will be here to drink it with me, skip dinner and eat the cookies that no one will be sharing with me, cuddle on my couch and do my Beth Moore lesson of the day. That's final.

Things to look forward to this month:

Michael's Birthday!

Ashie's Birthday!

Thanksgiving up in Penn

Full foil, cut and style

Carolyn's B-day but I don't think I'll get to see her

Singing on the worship team

Two home football games

Birthday dinner with the Daubert side