The big 3-0!

Happy 30th Birthday to my oldest brother, Jamie, today!

I am so glad you were born and started the pack of the 4 Carroll kids. You are the most kind-hearted, patient big brother I could ask for! From teaching me history facts as soon as I could talk, to driving me to Sonic until I was 16, to picking Wake Forest and starting that tradition...I am so thankful to have you as my brother! 

  

You are brilliant and I am proud of all that you do.

xoxo

Wedding Festivities for Lucy and Sam!

Lucy and Sam tied the knot this weekend at the beautiful Loveless Barn.

We kicked off the weekend with a cocktail party at the Ross' House on Friday night. It was so fun to be reunited with so many high school friends from near and far.

We were worrying around about the date situation, but we all ended up with fabulous dates to enjoy the evening with us!

  

These two friends are a recipe for fun no matter what...we had a fabulous evening together and it was over all too soon.

I am obsessed the flair, so when they passed out blinking wedding rings on the dance floor, I was all about it!

 

And here we are with the lovely bride herself!

And this picture really sums up the evening...so I'll just leave it at that!

Luc, your family really knows how to throw a party!

xoxo

Throw Back Thursday

Lately I have been thinking about how much my life has changed in the past year. The trip back to Wake Forest, the blowing in of fall, and the feeling of finally feeling settled in here in nashville have brought about these thoughts.

A prime example is shown by flipping through my planner. Last October is empty, with the exception of a few major trips around the world. This October is packed to the brim, but it is all slightly less exciting commitments.

My life is very different. Not bad different, not good different. just different.

This time last year, Kate, Lisa, and I were running around Istanbul soaking in the absurdness of Turkey and preparing to usher in Kate's 23rd year of life together. 

Today, I am sitting in a hipster east nashville coffee shop killing an hour between tutoring sessions before I head back to Vanderbilt for class.

Last night, clad in a light J. Crew Cardigan, I complained to my mom about being too cold to walk to my car after dinner. Last year, upon returning to Wald-Michelbach from Turkey, we had snow and I hardly saw the ground again until April. Again, it's just different.

It is crazy to think about how much has changed in the past 365 days. I am thankful for the memories and experiences, but also thankful to be where I am.

xoxo

I'm Coming Home Again...

Wake Forest is a place that will always be near and dear to my heart...but its the people that make the place. And the people were there this weekend!

It was a weekend full of reunions...mostly fun ones! I had not set foot on campus since graduation, so homecoming was a much anticipated return! Some run ins made me nostalgic for college, a few were sad, and one was a wonderful reunion with my German friend Stefanie!

 

  

Friday night, in typical geed fashion, we swung by The President's Ball before going downtown! 

 

 And Game Day rolled around all too soon...

And my dear friends, Hutton and Pud, got engaged on Saturday! I am thrilled for them and their new life together!

 

And, of course, the weekend included lots of cuddling and catching up, courtesy of the Waughs!

And the weekend was over all too soon. Until next time, Dear old Wake Forest.

xoxo

What a week

It has been a rough week. I got home tonight, now that the week is finally winding down, and my bed looked like this. It hasn't been made in days. I have spent way less hours sleeping this week than I would prefer. I have school books strewn about from the stress of midterms. Clothes are everywhere...from work blazers, to every black dress I own, to comfy class clothes, to rain gear. It is pretty indicative of my life this past week. 

I have cried for lives lost and celebrated engagements with precious friends...and just about everything in between. On Saturday night, I got the news that a dear friend, Martha Cammack, had not woken up that morning. I literally could not believe it. I honestly think that I am still in disbelief, although it has become more real as friends gathered to celebrate her life these past few days.

This is a group of Camp friends at Jeni's on Tuesday...we never could have guessed that just one week later we would be back together, minus sweet martha, in honor of her life.

At the funeral today, it was both beautiful and heart breaking. It was so wonderful to see so many friends who had traveled near and far to be there...and it was so evident that Martha was so well loved and had been a true friend to so many people. But at the same time, I was so sad to be seeing so many dear friends under these circumstances and having to celebrate a life cut short. There was not a doubt in the packed out church today that Martha was smiling down from heaven, but it was still a tearful time for those of us who are still here missing her.

The beauty of these flowers from Camp Desoto, surrounded by the photos and artwork of Martha,  in the center of a room of loved ones who were mourning their loss but celebrating the fact that she is now in heaven. It seemed that the combination was indicative of many people's feelings.

Though it has been said countless times today, I, too, will miss the calm hilariousness that Martha brought to every interaction. I will miss the countless run ins at Bread & Company, the play dates with Bear, the visits to Wake Forest, your undying love for Camp DeSoto, and, of course, your contagious fun-loving spirit. Do the line dances in heaven, Martha.

 

Until then.

xoxo

Celebrate America, Celebrate Singleness

In honor of Lucy's impending nuptials, we threw an America-themed bachelorette party at our new house last weekend. It was a blast, to say the least!

 

The decorations were fabulous, and the bride-to-be was decked out!

And, because hating America is a rarity, we were very popular with everyone we met downtown! Especially because of all our USA-themed props!

xoxo

Unhooked

Life without Internet can be annoying and frustrating (and I'll be overjoyed to see the comcast guy come Sunday!), but in some ways it is so refreshing to take a break from having the world accessible at any given moment.

 I have noticed we have longer conversations, go on more walks, and genuinely spend more time together. Plus, this week has been the perfect fall weather. So, I apologize for my absence, but, here is a great article of twenty things any aged person should try to master! 

xoxo

Moving, Moving, Moving

Tuesday was moving day. 

The transformations that happened to our cute new house were amazing, to say the least. It is still a work in progress, but we have come a long way in the past few days. And we are loving Sylvan Park so far.

 

The Cannada family supplied almost everything...from cute rugs, to extra large couches, to pink fuzzy hammers...they brought it all!

Even Aunt Bea came along for the ride when my dad delivered my bed!

There were certainly hilarious moments, exhausting moments, and moments that were just plain frustrating. But, we are hoping that it will all be over soon!

And, we loved our delicious welcome treats from our friends and family! Jeni's was our favorite from sweet Kelly :)

I will post real pictures once we have done a little more...and you are welcome to come join us on our red porch swing anytime!

xoxo