Peace Out, October

Whoa! Where the heck did October go? I swear I just blinked my eyes for a hot second and October had passed! I can't say that I am sad to see October go because it means that my favorite month of the year, November, is next! Hello... birthday month (for Kyle and me), month of 2 teacher workdays and  3 days off for Veterans' Day and Thanksgiving holidays, and month of gorgeous fall weather fit for my favorite accessories--boots and scarves!

I've been going through a little rough patch this past month. Teaching has just been incredibly stressful with the change of the curriculum for the Common Core...we're all feeling like first years again....and I have some different challenges in my class this year. Combine that with grad school, and it should have come as no shock to me that my doctor told me that my Cortisol levels (aka stress levels) were off the charts.

 I knew that I needed to make some changes with how I managed my stress, but then that even became stressful because I was stressing about the fact that I was stressed! Luckily these past 2 weeks have been a lot better. I've been practicing the art of "saying no," started doing some meditation (and waiting on my yoga DVD to arrive!), and have been trying just be healthier overall. Kyle has been my rock, and I just could not have asked for a better person to have by my side! I also have the best family in the world! You know it's love when you're super not outdoorsy mom will go sit on a towel on the ground with you outside just so that you can get some fresh-air to relax!

I promise that I have been able to have some fun this past month!

Kyle and I had a wonderful date night in Raleigh that included dinner at Capital Club and seeing Florence + The Machine in concert! I have no words to describe how amazing that concert was!

We've been able to go to a few NC State football games!

Our friends Brittany and Brian came to visit from Baltimore in Brian's big-ole' red work truck! We had a fabulous weekend with them!

I have the best student-teacher in the world, Chelsea! She's my first student teacher, and I am having so much fun getting to know her! My kiddos love her too!

Kyle's momma sent me a care package!

I had the best girls' weekend ever with my 5 best friends from high school! We spent the weekend at Wrightsville Beach and stayed at Jan's family's condo right on the water! It was probably one of my favorite weekends ever! Non-stop laughter!

Ally, Jan, and me ready to begin the road trip!

Kristen & Paige trying to stay up to make a Vito's late-night run!

The whole gang: Paige, Ally, Kristen, me, Jan, and Becca!

Dinner & Drinks at 22 North!

Kyle and I early voted! I always get excited to exercise that right and was pumped to vote in my 2nd election!

I got a new pair of glasses! I'd say it was high time I replaced the pair that I've had since I was in 9th grade!

And, last night we went to a Halloween Party...in which multiple people dressed up to make fun of someone else in the group...in friendly, hilarious ways, of course! Wish I could have gotten pics of everyone's costumes, but these were the only ones from my phone!

Keith dressed as "Father Ron"...aka Kyle's father, the Episcopal Priest!

Matt dressed as Kyle!

Anna was the Walk of Shame!

And Kyle and I won Best Costume...but I'm not going to confirm what we were...let's just say that it was a total inside joke between our group of friends meant to make fun of Keith...who we love dearly!

I hope that everyone has a fabulous and relaxing weekend! I fully intend to as well!

Nelly Bean's Bridal Tea

Oh, hey blog friends...if I have any left! You can blame my absence on the "Common Core" (if you're not a teacher, I realize this term means nothing to you!) and grad school!

But just to prove that I do have a wee-little bit of a life outside of school...

I did manage to make it to the NC State game to cheer on the pack with Kyle this past weekend!

Yes, life has been pretty darn stressful this past month, but it's OK though...I had a break-through on the way to work this morning after having a little "break-down" yesterday when things just felt out of control, and I decided that I really just can't put so much pressure on myself to do everything. I just can't! I'm hoping my new attitude change will make for a much more positive week!

But, I'm not here to talk about that today! I actually need to play a little "catch-up" on the bloggy today!

2 weekends ago Kyle and I headed home to Wilmy so that I could go to a Bridal Tea for my long-time friend, Jannell, who has been affectionately known as "Nelly-beans" since, oh, I dunno, middle school!
I have literally known her since we were babies, and we grew up in church together, and our parents our really great friends. We even went to pre-school together! Jannell and I were about as opposite as could be growing up. I distinctly remember us being in children's choir and having to sing in front of the church when we were little. I'm pretty sure I remember me crying on the steps while Nelly just belted it out, loving being in the spotlight! I remember her telling me that Janet Jackson was her guardian angel when we were seven, and I also remember her calling me in sixth grade and telling me she'd fallen in a hole in the ground...none of this was true! But that was Jannell, and she has always been one hilarious girl!

She is actually marrying a super great guy who went to high school with us, even though they didn't start dating until college! I can't wait for their December wedding...it will be like one big high school reunion!

My mom and a few other moms of girls we grew up in church with went in together to host a Bridal Tea, and it was so adorable and fun! I know that Jannell and her mom, Ms. Beth, were so touched!

My gorgeous momma and me!

Such a pretty view!

Jannell and her momma posing w/ the welcome sign!

Pic of one of the tea tables!

FBC girls, all grown up!

Hope everyone's week is off to a great start!