Bridal Party Meet and Greet!

Nicki's maid of honor hosted a meet and greet for some of the local bridesmaids this weekend. The girls, Nicki's godmother and I were all treated to a facial and foot spa. A very filling meal and a round of games!!! We really did have a good time! With the exception of two bridesmaids who live out of town and Nicki's godsister Maya everyone else was able to get together for the day! I'm looking forward to the next gatherings which will include the bridal shower and a bachelorette sleep over!! Mama, Grandmother and Godmother included!! Nicki had stated several times she does not want to typical wedding or bachelorette party. Code word for.....no strippers!! And she ain't playin!! 

Week ending wrap up!

The only plans I originally had for last week was to attend the 25th Holy Convocation at Calvary Revival. Spend some time with my sister cousin Shelly and my hubby. Oh and listen to my favorite "motivational" speaker Dr. Chand. We ended up visiting several wedding venues (including traveling home one afternoon to my hometown). Which I'm sure pleased my mom who got to play guide! We even ate dinner at one of our favorite breakfast spots. 

By the end of the week Nicki had even experienced her first wedding dress try on! 

There is nothing like working with a bride to help her fulfill her dream day but when it's your own daughter it takes it to another level!! 

The family had a great time that day...of course in our case it doesn't take much lol! 

The day we went to see the venue in Gloucester I got back in time to hang out with these lovely ladies!! I can't tell you how much their friendship has meant to me over the last few years but especially the last few months!! 

I continue to be in awe of the fact that God has placed so many wonderful family members and friends in my life to help carry me through the good days as well as the bad! 

Don't you love how God knows exactly what you need and provides it to you? 

Life interrupted!!

May and June are always busy months ministry wise. This past month has been more hectic then usual but we made it through!! I'm so thankful for a couple of down months ahead!!

We had VBS going on, and celebrated Fathers Day. I'm still in the wedding planning process with the youngest daughter. Had a couple of mishaps with the car all while the oldest daughter was on a cross country road trip! This past week I've just been chilling trying to wind down from all of the goings on!! 

Since it's been a minute since I did a my life as a PW" update thought it was time to get up to speed!! lol

I don't think I've blogged since before Fathers Day!! Marc and several of the other Fathers in leadership were honored that Sunday.

Then Nicki spent Fathers Day chauffeuring us around. Marc even got in a little nap on our way to and from a Fathers Day barbecue!! lol 

Our oldest left that night for her two week cross country ride! If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook you should have seen some pics!! 

The very next week we were emerged in VBS. Both Marc and Nicki taught a class this year!! 

I did what I do best which is take pics and decorate!! lol 

I can say for sure that these two had fun!! 

Mean while this one was gallivanting all around a Gods green earth!!

Leaving us to babysit her fish!!! 

Well mostly him since I'm not an animal or fish person!! lol

We ended the month celebrating graduates at WABC including Marc and his fellow classmate Andrew from Liberia. Andrew was our speaker for the day and did and excellent job speaking to the youth about courage!! 

This one is slowly making her way back home after nearly two weeks on the road. This was yesterday in Minnesota on their way to the Mall of America. I have to say Minnesota's welcome sign is pretty impressive!! I will have a complete picture update on my travel blog!

We started July off with this!! Our car was at the dealership for a simple diagnostic test and somehow someone hit in while it set in the car dealership lot!!  Smh Like who does that?

We are waiting now to see how long it will take for them to repair it!! 

Hello July... Your sure came in with a bang!!! 

Anniversary Shopping Haul (Ikea and the Container Store)

While on our Anniversary get-away we made a couple of stops at The Container Store, Ikea, Sam's Club and Target. The blind duster was a recommendation from Clean Mama whom I have been following for a while on Instagram as well as her blog. The Clip is my second one and I love that it holds my earbuds neatly in place when I store them with my Ipod. The soap dish is self explanatory. LOL . The small blue thing is a laundry bag for when we are traveling. I had one from the Dollar Store but it didn't hold up well. I am hoping this one which was recommended by Jennifer Ross will do better. 

This was a complete impulse buy. Although I have looked at them every time that we go to Ikea I have never picked them up. I just thought this time they would be cute in my ice tea or lemonade. I can't tell you when the last time I used a ice tray! 

We already have these in navy blue, but most of the time I use them to pack Marc's toiletries and our meds (in the small one). Since I had already picked up a pink packing set (same as the one below) I thought I should go all the way in and buy and additional set so that now Marc and I each have a set of our own.

This may not be the famous packing cubes from The Container Store but they have been great for helping me organize our bags when we travel. 

This was the whole reason I wanted to go to Ikea in the first place. I have been wanting to switch out our bedding in the summer for something lighter in color as well as lighter in weight. 

These are from Target. Marc looked at me like I was crazy but how do you not buy plastic versions of the famous paper plate? I can't wait to put them in some wicker trays. LOL

These were at Sam's club and I had been debating back and forth on whether to buy them. I am slowly purging my wardrobe and have picked up some new things here and there. I finally bit the bullet and tried them on (they are very comfortable) and they will be a good change from sandals or tennis shoes. 

National Cathedral

In honor of our 32nd wedding anniversary Marc and I booked an overnight stay near Washington DC to do a bit of shopping and to visit The National Catherdral. Every since Marc's professor mentioned it as a place that everyone should visit he had talked about it so I started doing some research so that we could visit during our anniversary week! Of course since we were going to Northern VA I knew I would try to make a stop at my two favorite stores in the area. We don't have an Ikea or Container Store nearby so when I get a chance I have to drop in! lol

When we booked our hotel I didn't notice that the address was directly across the street from the Container Store. Funny thing is that I didn't actually notice until the next day when I looked out the window. 

We also did a bit of shopping at the local Target which was accessed from a garage and then from there you took escalators up to the 3rd floor. 

I will be doing an Ikea, Container Store and Target store haul within the next few days.

Marc's favorite part of the tour was the view from the observation tower.

Mine was the little garden area next door to the cafe and Bishops Garden.

If I didn't already know where I was I could have easily imagined I was in England! 

I also loved visiting the shops because each section had an area that also reminded me of England. I don't have a lot of things on my bucket list but a trip to England  and Paris is definitely at the top of my list! 

The last few weeks have been tough ministry wise and Marc and I have been reflecting on how much time we have actually got to spend as a couple and with family and friends. We are not getting any younger and we are starting to realize we have to start taking out some time for us or we will look up one day and life will have passed us by! 

The National Cathedral is breath taking and I would recommend visiting it at least once. In the next few days I should have a mini trip report up on my travel page along with the shopping haul. I also have an Ipsy bag due in the next few days! 

So where is anyone else headed for vacation?