Another ECU Alum

The Hickman clan has added another ECU alumni to their family.  Brett's younger brother Sam graduated with a B.A. in History yesterday.  I woke up at 6 a.m. (VERY hard for me) in order to make it to Sam's 9 a.m. graduation.  Luckily, Brett drove us there, singing at the top of his lungs. He has way too much energy for 6 in the morning.  I guess it will be good for trips in our future.  He loves to drive in the morning; I love to drive at night.

Ironically, when we got on Evans Road in Greenville, we pulled up right behind Brett's family.  What are the chances? Anyway, we met Yogi, Gail, Will, Laura, and Maggie and went into the stadium.  Boy, was Brett nostalgic (for those of you who don't know, Brett was a student assistant under Skip Holtz). 

The proud parents

I love that face.

I didn't go to the big graduation when I graduated so this was the first one I had been to.  I was actually really impressed with the speaker, Dave McRae, the CEO of Vidant Health. He was a great speaker and kept people's attention.  The sun was getting really hot by the time the ceremony was over so I am glad it started at 9.  After the ceremony, we got some family pictures with the new graduate.

Sam with his parents

Love this picture. So proud.

Classic Sam/Maggie picture

The original Hickmans

Love them all

We went to Parkers for lunch and ate WAY too much.  Since we had some time before Sam's History Department graduation, Brett and I went up to the ECU football offices, and he showed me around.  It was neat to see where he spent a lot of his college. A part of me is sad that we didn't get to experience ECU together, but God has His perfect timing.  Sam's history department graduation lasted about an hour and a half.  We went to the cupola after his ceremony to get some more pictures.

I can't believe we met graduation weekend three years ago. Would have never thought we would end up where we are.

Distinguished ECU alums

They are great together

Father and son

I look forward to many more events that we get to share :)

Sam had to work the evening baseball game so the rest of us headed home.  Since we were able to be home early, Brett and I went to visit our friends Kyle and Amy and their almost 6 week old little girl Grace Ann.  It was wonderful to see them and catch up some.  Grace Ann is such a sweet little baby.  Kyle held her almost the whole time (he's such a natural with her).  Amy was very open with me about her experience so far.  I've always loved how she doesn't sugar coat what she wants to say.  We're so excited that we get to share our wedding with them.    

Kyle with Grace Ann

So that was our Friday.  Sam, we are so proud of you.  You've been through a lot to get that piece of paper.  We are so proud of your tenacity and perseverance.  We love you!!

Showered with Love

Sorry I haven't been blogging much.  Life has been insanely busy with work and wedding festivities.  One of those wedding festivities was a bridal shower hosted by my bridesmaids and my mom at my parents' house two weekends ago.  My grandparents, Mimi and Pappaw, drove all the way from Florida to attend the shower.  It was wonderful. 

My bridesmaids Megan, Jessica, and Michelle ran a whole bunch of errands before the shower.  While they were running errands, I decided to go to my parents' house early (to my parents surprise).  When I drove up, I saw a silver Honda.  My family doesn't own a silver Honda, and I didn't think my parents bought Brett and me a car as a bridal shower present.  Then I saw the license late.... OHIO!  My aunt and uncle, who we thought were NOT coming, decided to come! It really was the best present I got all day!  I've realized more and more through this engagement process how important family is so having them there was the icing on the cake.

What an amazing surprise.

My two beautiful grandmothers

All the women who set up did a lovely job.  The food was delicious.  We had everything from fruits and veggies to buffalo chicken dip and white trash to cake and tiger butter.  Yummm.

See even Sierra wanted some.

I had to wear a bunch of "bride" things (p.s., look at that gorgeous corsage)

We played some shower games, and then it was present time.  Ok this is a long aside but stick with me.  Have any of you heard of the five love languages?  It's a concept by Gary Chapman which states that people give and receive love in five different ways: acts of service, physical touch, words of affirmation, quality time, and gifts.  If you are in a relationship or even if you're not and just want to see how you receive love from friends and family, I highly suggest you read the book and take the quiz to figure out which language you speak.  I've taken the quiz multiple times.  My top love language is gifts, followed by words of affirmation.  I say all of this to say that I felt extremely loved at my shower :)

The whole group

I was told that each ribbon you break is a child you will have.  I am competitive.  If you make it a game, I will try my hardest to win (as seen in the effort in the picture below). 

No ribbons broken

We got some wonderful gifts.  To name a few, we received our pots and pans, our Keurig, and a ton of kitchen goodies.  Thank you to everyone who came to shower me with gifts and love.  I so appreciate having all of you in my life.

The beautiful moms.  Brett and I are blessed to have them in in our lives.

All the ladies (including Sierra!)

Small group girls

Bridesmaids (minus Paige)

The women who have been in my life since the beginning: Mimi, Oba, and Mom.

Best parents a girl can ask for.

My MOH

Fantastic 4!

Happy 2 Years!

Today marks 2 years of dating my stud, Brett.  Thank you for putting up with my selfishness, extending grace to me over and over, showing me God's love isn't conditional on my actions, and teaching me how to lighten up.  Love you!!

Those Annoying Habits

Do you have any of those annoying habits?  You know, the ones that you wish you didn't have but can't seem to find the discipline to stop.  Well I have one of those.  For as long as I can remember, I've picked/bitten my nails/cuticles.  I do it when I'm bored or when I'm anxious.  It's especially bad during drives, traffic, and sporting events.  With our wedding coming up, I've been trying extra hard to kick this habit.  I just can't seem to do it.  Does anyone have any suggestions?

Last Football Event as an "Unofficial" Member

This weekend was my last weekend traveling to Greenville before the wedding. Thank the Lord!!! If you know me at all, you know I really don't like that drive.  I'm excited that I won't have to be making it quite as often (Yes Mom and Dad, I'll still be driving that drive to visit you and come to work every now and then).

Anyway, NGU had its spring game this weekend.  It wasn't a typical spring game like ECU or UNC might have; it was just offense vs. defense for about an hour with no running score.  The defense was swarming, but the wide receivers made some incredible catches.  It was hard to gauge the offense or defense because they have practiced against each other for weeks.  It'll be fun to see how the Crusaders play against other teams this year.

Brett warming up his linebackers

Issac with his guys before the game

Black swarm

Coach McCray talking to the guys after the game.

Another thing that I was excited about was I knew I would be able to meet the football wives and kids.  Like I've said before, the football staff and their families are like a fraternity.  I have a feeling the wives are going to be a great support system for me as I make this transition with moving and becoming a football wife.

Coach McCray's wife Angel is so incredibly warm.  I can tell she'll be able to help me if I have any questions or struggles with the transition. She's been a football wife for a while so she's going to have some great insight and advice.  I met La'Donte's wife Britney at the last spring practice. She is so sweet.  They're expecting their first baby (a girl) four days before our wedding!  I didn't get to talk to Kenny's wife Kashanda much but I can tell I'm going to like her sense of humor.  Brett's wife Elise seems like a Southern sweetheart, plus I love her style (from the little I saw). Maybe she can give me some fashion advice.  Rocco's wife Melissa wasn't there. I think Brett said his little girl was sick so she had to stay home.  Lastly, there's Issac's wife Quanza.  I think I spent the most time with her because we shared a car ride Saturday night.  She is a wonderful mother, has a warm, infectious laugh, and just seems "cool."  Brett knew Issac before this year so I think we'll be seeing a lot of each other outside of football.

Now to the kids.  There will be eight kids in total with this staff.  Issac's kids were the only ones that were there, but boy, were they fun.  His four children Sydnei, Tre, CJ, and Isaiah are some of the sweetest, most adorable children I've seen.  I can tell Sydnei and I are going to get along.  We've shared some of the same issues: moving during middle school and the fear of making friends because we're both shy.  I can already tell Tre and CJ are going to be great little athletes. Tre already has a spiral on the football when he throws it.  CJ has some great hands for catching Tre's throws. And lastly, Isaiah. Oh my goodness I could just eat him and his little dimples up.  And his belly laugh makes me smile.  I cannot wait to meet the rest of the kids!

Tre

After the spring game, NGU served everyone hot dogs and hamburgers and then we watched them hand out awards to the 2011 football team.  They handed out individual awards and then handed out medallions that the NCAA provided for competing in the DII playoffs.

Dukes had his hands full with food so Brett kept his award until he was done.

One last time: the 2011 team

After the game, Brett and I went to sign a lease for an apartment!! We got a 3-bedroom with a sunroom.  The sunroom will give us more space when we have the players over.  We'll make one bedroom an office and we'll have one guest room for anyone who wants to visit us.  I know plenty of people will ;)

We had a counseling session with Brian Spearman on Sunday.  He gave us a book called When Couple Walk Together.  It's a 31 day devotional that Brian said he and his wife (who have been married almost 10 years) still come back to every once in a while.  I'm excited to go through this with Brett as we are about to start our lives together.  2 months from today!!

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!

Wedding Update: Hair Inspiration

Last week, I was able to book a hair stylists.  YAY!! Her name is Dana Rasch, and she is a self-employed stylists at Astra Salon in Raleigh.  I received her name from a recommendation Priscilla, my coordinator, gave me.  I met with her last week and decided to book her for the wedding.  She was sweet and seemed really knowledgeable about what I would need to consider when it came to doing my hair.  Plus, Priscilla worked with her for the first time a couple of days after I met with Dana and gave great reviews of her work.  I'm relieved to finally have a stylist.  I was starting to get a little nervous seeing we're only a little over two months from the wedding.

Since our wedding reception will be partly outside (we're eating and dancing under a tent), I really want to have an updo.  If there is any humidity, my hair will turn extremely poofy if it's down.  At least we can tame it a little bit if it were up.  I have to say, it's hard to find updo of a girl with brown hair.  Seriously all the inspiration pictures I found were of blondes.  Oh well.  Here are a couple of hair inspirations I found on Pinterest.

   

picture taken by  http://kevinhulett.blogspot.com

Let the Wedding Festivities Begin

This past weekend, I had my first wedding party: my small group bachelorette party.  Kim wanted to plan a party with just our small group girls.  We briefly discuss what I would like, a chill dinner at Kim's with some takeout BBQ.  I should have known Kim and Paige wouldn't think that was sufficient for a bachelorette party!!!

All the girls kept everything quite.  As soon as I heard I would need to wear jeans, a cute shirt (not a white one though) and some comfortable shoes, I thought maybe they had changed the plans.  We started the night by going to the early Saturday night service.  Then we rushed to Kim's, and could be there no later than 6.  That made me even more suspicious of changed plans.  We piled into a couple of cars and headed to downtown Raleigh.

I got so excited once I realized we were going to The Pit.  I had actually been talking to Jenn about that the night before, having no idea we would be eating there the next day.  The Pit has been featured in "Throwdown with Bobby Flay" (actually won the rib challenge) and "Man vs. Food."  The place is so busy that Paige had to make reservations a week and a half in advance.

We walked in, and instantly, I said that it smelled like heaven.  Being the BBQ lover that I am, going there was perfect. I'm glad they decided not to settle with what I thought I wanted by staying in for dinner.  I ordered the pulled pork, potato salad, and cheesy bacon grits.  Oh and let's not forget the biscuits and hush puppies!!  Everything was fantastic.

Not sure how a random sweet potato fry got on my plate

These women make me smile. From Left to Right: Top Row - Bethaney, Stacey, Becca, Kim, and Paige. Bottom Row - Me and Jenn

I quickly learned we would be staying in downtown Raleigh for a little while longer.  Apparently, there was a list of 8 things I had to do before we were allowed to go home.  Here some pictures from the night.

No idea what I was getting into

Take a picture in the men's bathroom.  Don't worry. I knocked. No one was in there.

Ask a married couple for advice. The husband's advice: Always do what the wife says.

Yell "I'm getting married!!!!" If I didn't yell loud enough, Kim was going to make me do it again.

Get serenaded by a group of guys. More embarrassing for them than me. They sang "My Girl."

Picture with a nice car. Didn't want to touch it just in case it had alarms.

We completed everything and made it back to Kim's by 10.  We had some cake, watched the Ohio State/Kansas game, witnessed a hail storm, and talked.  I can tell I'm getting old.  We were all asleep by 1.  The girls made some fantastic breakfast on Sunday morning.  We had chocolate chip pancakes, coffee, bacon, doughnuts, strawberries, and blueberries.  Yummy.

Thank you so much to all of my small group girls for throwing this party for me.  I feel extremely loved and blessed.  Thank you for an unforgettable weekend.  Love y'all.