Chester's Puffcorn is delicious!! Get some at WalMart!!

So, I am wondering if you might have noticed that it has been a long time since I wrote a blog. As the school year at SU came to a close, I suddenly got tremendously busy and it was all boring things that didn't even warrant blog writing. I finished up my sign language class (I got a 97 on my final, WOO!) and I finished teaching at SU. I am still working at Jowonio, the school year has a few more weeks in it. As far as the last two weeks go, it was mostly work and school and preparing for everyone to get to Syracuse to party!

I am going to just jump into the real action. Let us start with Thursday, May 7, 2009. I was talking with Melissa and getting all geared up for her arrival for graduation. She was driving all the way up from Charlotte for the big celebration!! She asked when I thought Sianneth and Sairy were coming and I told her that they weren't coming because I never heard from them. Much to my surprise, when I got out of work on Friday, May 8, 2009, I had a text from Sianneth saying "I am on my way to watch you walk across the stage" and a voicemail from Melissa saying "Actually, they are coming!" I was totally excited, but still didn't hear from Sianneth and Sairy who were on a layover for HOURS! I finally heard from them later in the evening and they were nearly stuck in Atl. Thankfully, they got a flight out and arrived in Syr around midnight! We were still at dinner, lol. Of course!

Before Sianneth and Sairy's arrival, my parents and my sister came in for the party! The first thing off the plane was a little bit of relaxation at the apartment. We got home to find a box that came in the mail and I opened it up to find the sweetest most precious "love box" of goodies that came from James! He must have ordered it at some point so that I would get it for graduation! The timing was perfect and it was so special to be able to hear from him like that!! I completely burst into tears when I read the note "I am so proud of you and I wish I was there with you. Love, James" He is a gem! He is taken, sorry to all you jealous ladies, lol! :-)




I love him.

After the emotional excitement, we headed to check into the hotel and then headed out to Zebb's for dinner and fun with everyone who wanted to join. We always go to Zebb's, ha, it is the family tradition of choice, and what a delicious tradition it is!




I look awesome in this picture, lol.


Such cuteness.


Friends.

After a late night of dinner and wings, we headed to bed for a busy day on Saturday. We got up in the morning and I found a fun celebration made by Kasey!




Apparently, I can't take a normal picture.

I enjoyed some of those delicious pink starbusrts (my favorite) and then we headed to get nails done before all the celebrating. I love time with the girls.









When we finished with nails we went over to get some new shoes for graduation. Kasey was taking care of some secret business, so she headed her own way. We got over to Aunt Christa's place to get ready to head to graduation and started the photo shoot process.


My sister looks incredible! I am totally loving that dress!

We had a mega surprise that was my little brother (Kasey's secret business)!! HE CAME! It was a huge surprise. I even complained all week that he wasn't coming... what a surprise!?! It made the weekend! Kasey knew all along, she thought it was hilarious every time I did that complaining that he wasn't coming. I am lame! We headed down to graduation and, I have some great news, James came along...


Fondly known as "James Pillow".

I have the best friends ever because James Pillow made it to the entire graduation! It was so perfect! Every time that I looked into the crowd I spotted them right off the bat! They were holding him up in the air and waving him around! It was so great and hilarious. Afterwards, the fam said that everyone was asking what the deal was and they were telling people about James and where he is and everything. Kasey had him sitting in his own seat and people would walk by and take a second look, HA! I made it through the whole ceremony and graduated! Woohoo!




It's me!


I have the best family on the planet!!


It turns out that I have the best friends, too! They came all the way from Charlotte!!! I love these girls to pieces!!


Roommate of the year! She is the best.


James got a few good shots in :-)


One more for the road.

After graduation, we went to Aunt Christa's house for the graduation party and had a total blast. I didn't take many pictures! What is that about? But we had a great time. Aunt Christa got tons of food and drinks and loads of people came, even from work. We laughed and partied the night away. It was great. We learned about the zillion rules that would be in place in order to get into the graduation on Sunday with the VP, so we decided that we would just watch it on television instead. Sleeping in a little bit was a nice nice thing!

Sunday, May 10, 2009, was Mother's Day! It was a perfect day, too. It was so nice to have my mom here (with all three of her kids) and to be able to celebrate her with all the rest of the celebrations that were going on. We had a nice lunch at Zebb's (yes, again) and then we had to bring my brother to the airport. We spent most of the day dawdling around and eating (what else?!?). Before heading out, I started my mission of getting my bridesmaids. There will be six total and I started with Jolyn, Melissa, and Kasey. I was able to ask them on Sunday morning after I told them how incredible they are and how they each have changed my life and made me a better person! I love them! It was nice to start asking people. There will be more to come on that front :-)


She deserves the sun and the moon!


The children in the group.


We are a darn good-looking crew!


More bars in more places... hehe


Gotta love my little brother! I am SO glad he made it!


My early line-up of bridesmaids! Perfect!

Monday, May 11, 2009, was wedding dress shopping day! I have been waiting for months to get into this beautiful Impressions Bridal dress and I finally got to with a group of great friends! It was so much fun trying on ALL the dresses and hearing what everyone thought. It was hard to figure out what I really thought, but I for sure narrowed down the field and I think that I totally found THE dress (I tried them on again with just my mom and knew) and I am so STOKED!!


Mom and Me.


Two bridesmaids and two fashion consultants!


You will have to wait to see wedding dresses (until the wedding), but these are the running mates for the bridesmaids dress. I am leaning left. I am in love with the pockets!

We had a blast (at least I did) and then went for one more meal out before the rest of everyone had to return home.


Sadly, after this picture, my camera died... I wonder why?!

On Tuesday, May 12, 2009, Mom went to work with me. We had so much fun. She got to meet all the kids and play. Dad came by at the end of the day to meet the kids, too. The Dragonfly kids loved both Mom and Dad (The little girls adored Mom!)! Jolyn, Dad, Sianneth, and Sairy all had to head home on Tuesday afternoon. It was so fun to have everyone here and I was sad to see them go. It was sad enough when Melissa and John Paul had to go on Sunday, but then everyone else. I miss having everyone so close! I have a crew here that have made that transion better though. It will be hard to say goodbye after everything that Aunt Christa and Uncle Jim have done for me!

Wednesday, May 17, 2009, was a normal day. I went to work and then had a silly meeting when I could have been hanging out with Mom. After I got out of there, I met up with Mom to go to my big work fundraiser. We had a great time. We tried to win some prizes, but we came up empty. Thankfully, the food was amazing!


They sponsored the event.


Big girl clothes. I heart Mom.


Work friends. They are silly.


I love them.

Thursday, May 14, 2009, we headed out to get new shoes for the Race for the Cure on Saturday. I raised enough money and surpassed my goal!! I have to give a shout out thank you to my AWESOME friends that helped with the cause, including: Claire, Shannon, Katie Rae, Dr. Clark, My Boston Mom, Amanda, Dad, Valerie, Taryn, and Debbie! You guys are truly amazing and I can't thank you enough for your support in this cause (more mush to come in the blog about the race)!


The perfect shirts for shopping!!

For now, I think that is going to end this long long blog! I am sorry that it took so long for me to write. I am sure that no one was on terrible pins and needles, but it is nice to keep people on the in about everything. I am very excited and proud that I finally have my Master's (short of one more meeting) and I am more blessed than anyone to have the family and friends that I do have. This weekend had a few moments of weakness. I miss James so terribly much and I know that he would have had a blast through this whole thing and he would have loved to be here. The weekend of events was truly perfect short of him not being here, so it made it harder. On Sunday night, my Dad and I got into a little chat about how much they love him, too, and I hit my breaking point for a few minutes there. He is truly the man of my dreams and I am ready to celebrate with him!

Thank you to everyone who made it possible for me to get this far... and that is a lot of people! I am certain that if you are reading this you are probably one of those people! I wish everyone the most magical weekend and I look forward to reporting on Kasey's birthday and the Race for the Cure!

Be so safe, Sweet Sailor and hurry home to me!

always,
Jamie