The Best of 2013... into the New Year!

To accumulate all of the memories 2013 brought us, I decided to share them in photos.

Here are a few highlights!

1. The BEST vacation 2. Audriana's first haircut 3. Derby [faaaamous] 4. My Best Friend's Wedding

1. First day of Preschool 2. My first volleyball team 3. Fall festivals 4. First Halloween at the zoo

1. Family tailgates 2. New York babymoon 3. First gymnastics class 4. Disneyworld!

On November 24th, I was baptized...

1. First visit with Santa 2. A priceless expression on Christmas morning... my favorite.

Lastly, we ended the year the best way we could have thought possible. Breezing through all the holidays and holiday birthdays, our baby boy landed his own special day on December 28th. Audriana was so excited to meet her baby brother, and we were on cloud nine with the completion of our family.

This passed year has been filled with so many blessings.

Although I could relive each memory over again in a heartbeat, I'm more than ecstatic to begin our newest journey this coming year.

2013, you were good to us...

Flashback Friday: State Finals!

I remember it like it was yesterday....

State Finals. Nov. 9, 2002: in the fifth game (best 3 out of 5) the opposing team serves, we play it out back over the net, they set up for a kill, we block it --- out of bounds. Game over. Score 12-15, them. Moments like those will never be forgotten. But the memories leading up to then?....even more embedded in our hearts for a lifetime. 

My own story and memories began back in the year 2000. Six players, six friends. We first began playing volleyball together when we were 14 years old. Our coach? The one and only, Coach Purichia. We were a pleasant bunch, as you can clearly see. At that time, the game of volleyball was just beginning to settle into our hearts as one of the best sports ever played. 

As the years passed, our bond as players and as friends only grew stronger. We weren't just teammates during a seasonal fall sport. We were sisters through a program that taught us the values of working hard together, and accomplishing goals while motivating one another every step of the way.

I credit that to our coach. Anyone who has crossed paths with this incredible woman knows the meaning behind her title "Coach". To me, she will always be the idol of that particular title. We not only exceeded in our individual talents through the years, but she taught us values that we carry on in our everyday lives; respect, honor, pride, and encouragement. 

I'm grateful to have played for her, and enjoy witnessing the multiple lives she's touched years after our own. With the current season at a close, they have now found themselves drifting through the Sectionals, and Regionals. With those victories behind them, that means only one thing. They are heading back to the state finals!!! Why this year, among others, has more meaning to it than ever? It's the infamous date of our own state finals history, November 9th. With the experience and relative emotions, I know they are beaming with excitement. This volleyball program will always be one of the most cherished memories in my life. What an accomplishing moment for these girls. I'm just so overwhelmed with pride! BLUE PRIDE!!! I wish them the best of luck and hope they can take it all the way this year.

Good luck, Providence!!!!! 

Here's a little diddy only those few of us will appreciate. Throughout our season we had the never-disappointing tracks of Garth Brooks to boost our energy before every big game! How it came to be him, it just was. This song will always be a true staple of those memories. Listening to it now just brought chills down my spine.  

(( My Best Friend's Wedding ))

First let me begin by saying, I have known this lovable, "cheesy" (nickname in High School) beauty since we were 14 years old. So, a little preface of our relationship is absolutely necessary! :)  

You could say the initiation of our friendship was in the hands of the good old sport of volleyball. Playing together for 5 years certainly brought us closer together (given the relationship our team generally had with one another; deemed a "cult" by the student body; we preferred "family", right Jessica Donner?). It wasn't until after graduation that we realized the value of our friendship. No matter the ups and downs, distance or years in between, we always found each other's comfort in the time of need. Although, with life's unexpected turn of events, we ended up finding ourselves inseparable. Where there was Megan, there was Jessica - vice versa. So, you get it! Before getting into the EXCITING events to come, I'll share a little bit of our most memorable adventures together!

1. Sophomore year, high school football game

2. Trip to Orlando; City Walk

3. Trip to Orlando; Universal Studios

4. umm... who goes out at 11pm for Key Lime Pie? We do.

5. Cincinnati Bengals game

6. Hullabalou 2010

7. Louisville Bats game

8. My wedding day, aka: MOH

9. Regrettable, yet memorable, Black Friday shopping - people are crazy!

Another special tradition (needing its own collage) is the infamous birthday cake!! When I discovered - late into the friendship I might add -  that she rarely got birthday cakes in the past, I made it my mission to do so every year following:

 And lastly, another must share, we have an issue with matching, unintentionally -whether it be similar, or exact:.

Ok, ok, so THIS is my best friend...

NOW! On to the most exciting news, EVER!!! ... hints: My Best Friend's Wedding.

Yes, my friends! After the engagement last summer (2012), the nuptials are soon among us!

(then, engaged at the same time)

Bridesmaids!! Minus 3 others...

pictured: Katie B, bride, Katie U, myself, and Noelle

Aren't we a cute married bunch???

(A big shout out AND congrats, to Katie U; soon-to-be mommy!!!!!)

Wedding season is always an exceptional time of year, but THIS YEAR it's much much more- for obvious reasons!!!! Words can't express the excitement, anxiety, and anticipation for the big day!! To say she is my "best friend", is really an understatement. This girl has been there for me through the worst of my trial and errors in life, and was nothing but encouraging and supportive every . step . of . the . way. I'm blessed for her friendship and loyalty. 

Not to mention, there's never a dull moment with us...

    Moving along... you get the picture, she is the Cheese to my Mac.

There will be four... yes, four... parts to this series: 

Part 1: My Best Friend, introduction - complete

Part 2: Bridal Showers

Part 3: Bachelorette Party

Part 4: THE BIG DAY! (eeeeekkkkkk!!)

Looking forward to sharing all the exciting events!! Stay tuned!!