WHOOP!!

Happy Ring Day to my little Kiki (more commonly known as Chrissy)! She got her shiny, blingy, totally pride-worthy Aggie ring last Friday.

We couldn't be there when she actually picked it up that afternoon, but we were there for dinner that evening to celebrate. We had a tasty meal at Olive Garden!

The fam (without us) at Ring Pick-Up

This awesome ring represents so much accomplishment and about a bajillion Aggie traditions. I'm tempted to flash back to my TC days and tell you all of them, but instead I'll just link to the Traditions Council page so you can read about them yourself!

Chrissy, Mom, Dad, Courtney, and ?? on Ring Day

Layne holding all of our family's rings, and Kaitlyn on the photography here. :)

Congrats little Sis!

Chrissy & Justin

P.S. On a non-Aggie Ring Related note: Happy 26th Wedding Anniversary to my wonderful parents and thank you for being a shining example of the perfect marriage!!! We love you! :)

Diaper Cake How-To

{OK guys, go ahead and stop reading now...this is definitely a girly post.} 

I meant to do this a loooong time ago, but never got around to it. Now that I've received a special request for directions I think I'll just post how I made the diaper cake for Abby's baby shower back in November! :)

Materials:

• approx. 76 newborn sized diapers (I used a total of 74 diapers but they came in packs of 38)
• rubberbands
• hot glue gun
• 14" diameter cardboard cake base (a 12" would work too, but you won't have any extra base sticking out after you make it - see pictures)
• 1 bottle of baby powder*
• 1 baby bottle*
• any ribbons, bows, trinkets, or baby goodies you want to decorate with

*You'll want these to be about 1.5 times in height, the width of the diapers - read on, it will make sense

1. Glue the baby powder then baby bottle on top of each other in the center of the cake base to form a "center pole".

2. Unfold the diapers (only the first fold, you'll want to keep the sides folded in still) and roll them up. Use rubber bands to secure the rolls of diapers.

3. Rubber band a layer of diapers around the baby powder base. (Tip: I started by putting the rubber band just around the powder bottle then added the diapers into that rubber band one at a time. If you try to put them all around then add the rubber band you'll get really frustrated.) There will be a total of 3 rows of diapers to the first layer and part of the baby powder will be sticking out of the top in the center.

adding the diapers into the rubber band one at a time

Level one - complete!

4. Do the same thing on the second level of diapers, only this time there will be just 2 rows of diapers. When complete you will have about half of the bottle sticking out of the diapers.

level two - complete!

5. For the last layer, I first wrapped a diaper that was not rolled up around the top of the bottle and attached it with a rubber band. It just helped the last row of diapers stand up easier. Then follow step 3 and do one row of diapers.

Level three & the cake itself - complete!

6. Decorate however you see fit. I added some ribbon (helps to hide the rubber bands), teething rings, bows, pacifiers, and baby spoons. I also put bath toys on top and feathers just for fun! (Just remember not to use glue on anything that is intended to actually be used for the baby later!) :) You can always Google "Diaper cake" images to get ideas for how to decorate!

To Emma with Love!!!

Happy Cake Building!!!

A New Job

I suppose it's time to spill my exciting news to the blogging world... I didn't want to say anything until it was official, but I got a new job! (With the same company and same division, just moved to a different role.) Meet the new, Marketing Coordinator! :) I would just like to point out the irony in the fact that I started college planning to major in Marketing, but switched to Finance. Now I work for a financial services company doing Marketing...haha!

Monday I started my first official day as the Marketing Coordinator for the Investment Services division! It's been a long process, but I feel very fortunate to have been given this opportunity, especially so soon after starting work for the company. Back in December, my sweet friend and co-worker Judith had a baby and was fortunate to be able to stay home with him. I am forever grateful for all the training she gave me and encouragement that I too can do the job she & I both loved, until she found one she loved a little more. :)

In February we started looking to fill her position and I was one of the people who interviewed for the job. Late in February I was told I would be promoted, but not until they found someone to fill my current position. More interviewing and a few weeks later and I've officially moved into a new cube and a new role, with new responsibilities, big ideas, and a new coworker!! (Don't worry Judith, I will always miss you no matter what - I'm just excited to have someone helping out again!) It's been exciting and stressful to prepare for, but I see lots of great possibilities and I think I'm truly going to love my new job! First on the agenda, catching up from all the projects we've been behind on while short-handed and preparing for our big sales conference in May! Then, perhaps I'll work towards getting my Series 7 license! Wish me luck!!! :)

On a separate note: I want to ask that everyone please keep my Champa in their prayers. He's been experiencing some strange symptoms and is most likely looking towards surgery. Please pray for answers, wisdom for the doctors, comfort for him and my Gram, and a safe, effective procedure. I'm not picky in my prayer requests though. :) Thank you!!!