Birthdays, Goodbyes, and Prom, Oh My!

Hello and happy weekend!  This weekend has been pretty busy but really wonderful, filled with happy moments with friends and family and some bittersweet goodbyes as Matt and I prepare to move (tear.)  So, this is a bit of a mish mosh of a post, but I want to document and squeeze in all the last few memories as we prepare to leave the place we’ve called home for the past four years.  Enough of that, the tears are beginning to well, so I’ll move onto to the post :)

Thursday night was a birthday celebration for our friend Natalia.  We went to one of our favorite spots for dinner (the same place we went for my birthday dinner last month.)  I am loving her dress!

Matt and I looking like “that” couple in our matching blazers.  Totally unplanned, I swear.

Norma and I shamefully sitting with our Blackberrys on the table.  That is sad, seriously, and after seeing this picture, I’m slightly embarrassed.  Note to self: put it in my purse next time.

Nati, her chocolate mousse bombe, and her birthday sparkler.  The sparkler went out before we could get a picture, so Norma and I smiled and asked nicely if the waiter could redo it.  He laughed.  We didn’t.  He went and got another one for a redo.  The things that are necessary for birthday photos :)

Of course we couldn’t end the night without a self shot lol.  These people have been a part of my daily life for the past 3-4 years and its weird to think about how different that will be in a week :/  Luckily, we got to squeeze in a last birthday celebration for Nati, and we’re excited for Norma’s celebration tomorrow night!

  Friday was my last day at my job and a really hard day.  I’ve talked before about my how much I love my job and leaving it is the hardest thing about moving to Chicago.  My job and my students have been such a special part of my life for so long now, that I hate imagining my days without them.  The worst part of the day was certainly saying goodbye to my boss.  (The picture above is us at one of our winter events.)  I cried just walking into her office.  I couldn’t even look her in the eye, and I couldn't begin to choke out any words.  And just to make me cry even harder, she gave me the most beautiful photo album/scrapbook filled with photos and messages from students, past and present as well as coworkers.  I cried just opening it.  Later, after I left the office with mascara half way down my face, I sat in car reading all the notes and messages, crying even harder.  It is the most beautiful thing I’ve even seen, and now holds the title for the “first thing I would grab if my house was on fire.”  Though it was an incredibly rough day and I’m depressed about leaving, I’m trying to remember that good things and new opportunities are ahead of me…(Yes, must repeat…good things and new opportunities are ahead of me…)  Positive thinking, right?

   Luckily, my brother’s prom was Friday, so I couldn’t wallow in my last-day-of-work-sadness too long.  After work, I drove to Houston to see THIS little cutie.  I mean seriously?  Have you ever seen a more handsome little dude?!  Eeeek, I have the cutest little brother EVER!

Ryan and the parentals.  So cute!

A quick family self shot before we hit the road :)

We took this video as my brother and I pulled out of the neighborhood with my parents following behind.  I don’t know why I love it so much, but it was such a fun moment, and I was lucky to capture a few seconds of it.  I have a feeling I’ll be watching this on repeat when I’m homesick in Chicago.  (Depending on how loud you play the video, you may be able to hear my squeaky giggling in the background lol.)

Ry and his date, Loren.  She was so precious.  Is it weird that I want to steal a high schooler’s prom dress?  (Ok, not steal, but you know what I mean.)  For realz, how cute is she and how gorgeous is her dress?  Much different than my poufy pink high school prom get up :)

Oh how fast he has grown up :(

Luckily, Ryan isn’t “too cool” to take a pic with his big sis, even when all his friends are around :)  After the pictures, the laughs, and the limo, my parents and I headed to dinner then back to anxiously wait up for my brother.  I’m starting to realize being a parent is an exhausting job!

This morning, my mom and I woke up early, and like our usual Saturday mornings when I’m in Houston, we hit the garage sale trail.  We found lots of fabulous treasures (including some great vintage jewelry), though I’m scared to see what Matt says when I lug the loot inside our apartment tomorrow.  We’re supposed to be moving our stuff out, not in.  Oops :)  Then my fam and I spent the afternoon soaking up some rays at the pool and enjoying some fajitas grill side.  Oh how I love weekends at home.  I’m sure going to miss them…

So though I’m sad and a little nervous about all the goodbyes coming up this week, I’m thankful for such a great weekend full fabulous memories with friends, coworkers, and family.  No matter how far away I am from my loved ones, I’ll always have my memories, and for that, I am so grateful :)

How was your weekend?  I’d love to hear!