This summer has flown by! I can’t believe it’s the end of August. I was really trying to commit to posting an update at least once a month, but obviously, we haven’t gotten into that routine yet.

July and August have been very full and fun months. On the wedding front, Matt and I finished up our vendor selection last week. For our cake, we are going with MallowDrama in Reston, VA. Mary and David are a husband and wife team with a lot of experience and really great ideas. They also use only organic ingredients, so that was a plus! We also picked a florist, Blooming Spaces in Sterling. Kathleen has been great to work with so far, and we are really looking forward to working with her for the wedding.

I also finished shopping for my wedding day accessories in the past few months, and I got my dress altered and bustled. It’s all ready to go! The bridesmaids dresses also came in and almost all of the groomsmen have been fitted for their tuxes. At least everyone will be clothed!

On August 1^st, Becca Gilkeson and Lauren Strawderman threw Matt and me a wonderful shower in Harrisonburg. The weather was beautiful, and everyone had a wonderful time. Bridesmaids Jennifer and Blythe, and Blythe’s mom Susan made the trip for the shower and it was great to see them. Thanks again Becca and Lauren!

Beyond wedding stuff, Matt and I stayed pretty busy. Jared came up to visit in mid-July and we took in a Nationals game in DC. It was only my second game at their new stadium, and Jared’s first major league baseball game. Also in July, Matt and I saw Green Day live at the Verizon Center in downtown DC. It was the second time seeing them live for both of us, and it was an unbelievably great concert.

In August, Matt and I were both keeping the road hot traveling. I spent four days in Houston, TX in mid-August for the annual Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Seminar (HOBY) Training Institute. Each year, HOBY International hosts two representatives from each state for the national training conference. It’s been in Houston for the past several years, and I was fortunate enough this year to help represent Virginia. I also traveled to Nashville, Tennessee the following week on a work trip. I think in the future I’m going to try and plan my trips south in a cooler month than August! Matt also traveled several times this month for work – to Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Jacksonville, North Carolina. We are both becoming quite accomplished travelers – I even went through the “Expert Traveler” lane when flying to Nashville!

The next few months will be full, but hopefully not too busy. We have several follow-up meetings with vendors to cross off our list, as well as some final details to attend to. Everything seems to be falling into place, so keep your fingers crossed that the trend will continue.

To close, I wanted to give a couple of shout-outs. First, I wanted to give a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my mom! She and my dad are coming up to visit this weekend for her birthday, and I’m really looking forward to it! HAPPY BIRTHDAY also to Ms. Jennifer Taylor. Her birthday is today.

I also wanted to give a big CONGRATS to Blythe – she and her boyfriend Chris got engaged at the end of June! They are planning a wedding late next spring. Finally, I wanted to also say CONGRATS to my good friend Leah who also recently got engaged. I believe Leah and her fiancé Martin are also shooting for spring nuptials.

I hope you all are well! Hopefully Matt or I one will update again before the wedding!!