Wow, I can't believe that its been almost two weeks since I last posted! I've been thinking about it almost every day, but I had wanted to wait until I uploaded my pictures from our Kentucky trip. That's probably not going to happen for a few more days so I guess the pictures will have to come later!

S and I drove up to Richmond over Derby weekend to visit his fam. Our original plan was to actually GO to Derby, but turns out we didn't plan very well and waited too long to get tickets. There were infield tickets available still, but we wanted a good Derby experience complete with actually being able to see the races so we decided to hold off until next year. It's too bad because I had the PERFECT Lilly dress to wear, but I guess I find somewhere else to wear it ;)

The dress.



We tried not to make too many plans for our Kentucky trip because we still wanted to get in some relaxation, however, we still ended up having a pretty busy trip. We arrived in Richmond late on Wednesday night then got up Thursday morning to head over to Toyota to pick up S's brand new Tacoma. That was exciting because now we had a car to drive around in on our own, since we had driven up in his brother's car with him and his girlfriend. That is a whooooole another story...

After picking up the truck, we hung out at his family's farm until S had to leave to go to an school award ceremony for his youngest brother, Joe, with his dad. Only two people were allowed to attend and since his mom and other brother, Dan, had gone the year before; it was now S's turn to go with his pops. I stayed behind and chatted with S's mom the whole time they were gone. It was good to get in some qt with her, I feel like we are still getting to know each other sometimes and the boys are always around so we never get to get in a good girl-talk.

Friday morning, we got up kind of early and headed out to Red River Gorge to go hiking. We hiked up to the natural bridge and took lots of pictures. I wish it hadn't been so overcast and rainy that day although if the sun had been out, we probably would have been roasting! S and I are both sensitive to heights so while it was nice to get up there and see the view and take pics, I was also relieved when it was time to head back down. After an early dinner on the way back, we got cleaned up and headed out to Joe's baseball game. This kid is a 14 year old 8th-grader and is already playing on the high school baseball team. Can't wait to see what the future has to hold for him!

On Saturday, we got up early again because we had a 8am tee-time to play 18 holes with S's Uncle Greg. We played at Gibson Bay, which is probably one of the nicest courses I've played at. I was pretty happy with how I played and S had the best game of his life. He is now dying to try and replecate that game haha. Later in the day, since we didn't end up going to Derby, we decided to celebrate it at home with a cookout, complete with mint juleps, and invited S's dad's brother and sister and their families. We had a great time, it was a beautiful day and we played with the horses, played croquet and just enjoyed each other's company. That night we had a bon fire out in the backyard and watched for the Super Moon.

Sunday was our last full day in the country and we headed up to Cynthiana, which was about an hour away from the farm. On the way, S and I stopped in Lexington for our usual stop to a Kentucky pride shop so we could pick up a couple UK souveniers (not like we don't have enough already, but can you ever really have enough?) We cooked out again, but this time it was with S's mom's parents and sister and brother and their families. His aunt and uncle have the cutest house, kind of log cabin-style, but not? I wish I took a couple pictures.. Again we just chilled out in the shaded yard chatting it up and enjoying everyone's company. I was a little nervous on the way up there because that was the first time that I had met S's maternal grandparents. I knew well in advance that they HATED his ex, with good reason of course, however, this just made me that much more nervous. I have a thing about S's family liking me because of his past situation. He reminds me often that they love me and I have nothing to worry about. Come to find out just yesterday, after a conversation with his mom, S brought up again how much his mom likes me. I guess that little chit-chat had just the effect that I wanted! I was hoping that it would bring us closer together.

Soooo, that pretty much sums up our trip in a not-so-nutshell. This past weekened, my aunt and uncle came to visit and we spent some time with them on Sunday. Besides my mom, this was the first time that S got to meet some of MY family for a change. It was just a preview because in 8 days we are flying to Connecticut and S will get to meet my entireeee family. I hope he's ready!!

I do have a few pictures that I took with my phone over the weekend -

Across the street from the family farm.

Kentucky hills.

 Gibson Bay Golf Course.

 Joe!

 The horses.

 Seminole

 Tess

Heading home.

T

Submarine Birthday Ball and Kentucky-time!

Wow, I've been dying to post about this all week, but I've actually been BUSY at work and haven't had a chance! As you all know, S and I attended the 112th Submarine Birthday Ball in Charleston over the weekend; the ball was a first for both of us. I guess I didn't have any very high expectations, afterall, it was being held on an ancient aircraft carrier sitting in the harbor. It was definitely an awesome thought, but not the most elegent venue haha. Regardless, we had a great time with some great people and you can't beat open bar! Here are some of my favorite pics..

 My very favorite of the night! I just wish it was taken on my camera and not my iPhone for the sake of the picture quality =\

I think the level of alcohol consumption gets more and more obvious in each picture throughout the night! After leaving Patriot's Point and the USS Yorktown, we crossed the bridge over to downtown and enjoyed some more beverages out on the town. It was really fun getting to go out all dressed up!

The next super exciting thing on the agenda is our trip to Kentucky which commences in about 90 minutes! I am very excited to go to my old(new) Kentucky homeeee :) Its like going to my real home, only better! I adore S's parents farm and the area that he grew up in. Its just enough county, but not too far from Lexington/Louisville so we still have access to the city things that we like. I also went and did a little shopping yesterday so I would have some cute outfits to wear when I meet his maternal grandparents for the first time. We will also be attending his little (14 y/o) brother's baseball game on Friday night and since it is Military Appreciation Night, S will be wearing his service uniform. More pictures to come! My mom just eats it up lol, she just loves it when I post them on Facebook. She also relayed to me that my dad commented while looking at the pics and said, "I think I like this guy and I haven't even met him yet!" That, is hilarious. But there isn't any reason why he shouldn't, because S is a perfect gentleman (most of the time) and the sweetest, most loving guy I have ever met.

So on to Kentucky we go!

Next weekend, my aunt & uncle (they are also my godparents) will be in town from CT; the week after that, S's grandparents will be visiting Charleston; the weekend after that is Memorial Day weekend and we will be in NYC/CT where S will get to meet my entire family and all my friends from home for the first time; and lastly, the weekend after that (first weekend in June), we will be attending my first Charleston wedding for my friends Gingham and Tim. Busy busy busy!! Spring and Fall are always such busy times in Charleston, but I absolutely LOVE every second of it.

New blog-look!

I was getting a little tired of the generic Blogger template that I had used to create my blog so when I came across Shabby Blogs, I was pretty excited to find a ton of really pretty, FREE stuff that I could use to personalize 'Honor, Courage, Commitment.' So here it is!

My week also has been cut even shorter as I was supposed to have a doctor's appointment and procedure done on Thursday. Turns out my doc won't be available that afternoon and it got moved up to Wednesday. I'm already pretty nervous about this and will probably be home the rest of the week following my appointment. We had talked about going to the lake this weekend, but after having S's Navy friend visit from NY all weekend, we are pretty exhausted and are thinking about just camping out in our apartment all weekend. Its not so bad when you consider the amazing pool, barbeque, and Netflix!

In other news: We are leaving for Kentucky in a couple weeks, I am VERY excited! I am so blessed that S has an amazing family and even if I don't get to see my fam that often, at least I have his! We will be away from May 2-7 and it will also Derby weekend. I think we will go to Keeneland for the simulcast (Derby tix = ridiculously expensive) and play lots of golf.

I have also been appling for any permanent jobs that get posted here at the college. I think I mentioned it before, but I am still a contract employee and even though I work 40 hours/wk, I am still considered part-time and that = no benefits :( The pay is laughable for someone with a master's degree and I am at my wits end with having to pay cash for doctor's appointments. My boss said that she is trying to get me a raise, but she can be such a flake sometimes so who knows..

How was everyone's weekend? Do anything fun and exciting?