Happy Birthday to ME!!

So Tuesday was my birthday and it was wonderful.  First of all I was given a gift from Chase.  He was sneaky of course...I was checking my mail and there was bills, bills, and more bills and then there was a folded piece of paper, so I opened it and this is what I saw....

So I had to study this for a minute but I soon discovered that we are spending Fourth of July in VEGAS!!  I was beside myself.  For everyone that doesn't know the last Vegas story here it is... Chase has been to Vegas a few times but my first time was Christmas break for Chase's graduation.  I was so excited and he was as excited for me to be going for the first time.  Now this was before Christmas and I had told my parents that I wanted a video camera for Christmas but I wanted it before the Vegas trip so they gave it to me before we left.  They got me an awesome camera/video camera that is small and it was perfect.  I took like 150 pictures and videos of fountain shows at the Bellagio, a concert in the Venetian, gorgeous pictures from the Hoover Dam, etc.  I got home and was filming some Christmas activities and I had a warning come up on my screen and it asked me FORMAT SD CARD yes?  no? and I said yes because I didn't know what it meant and BOOM....GONE.....EVERYTHING ERASED!!!  That's right...every single picture and video was erased.  I was completely devastated...tears and everything.  Chase had to make me gather myself before I ruined my Christmas.  I'm also sad to say that I did that one other time a few months later.... I'm seriously not the sharpest pencil in the box.  Anyway... I WILL NOT do that again on this Vegas trip.  I will have some documented memories after spending Fourth of July in Las Vegas this year.  

Anyway...back to the birthday.  My students also threw me a birthday party at school Tuesday.  I had two cakes, cards, gifts, birthday songs... the works.  I have the best students in the world and work at the best school around.  They are precious and we had a great day.  Here is a picture of my 8th grade Algebra I students who were in charge of the party planning.  

I spent the rest of my birthday at Sacred Heart's graduation ceremony.  It was very surreal to me to be a part of that graduation ceremony in a teacher capacity but it was a beautiful ceremony and I was elated for the seniors.  We are also continuing the birthday celebration this weekend at the lake with my family.  Camping at the lake with my family is one of my favorite things in the world and I can't wait for the sun, relaxation, and catching up with the fam. Overall it was a very busy day but a great day where I felt very loved and appreciated.     By the way.....I cannot wait until VEGAS(pictures this time guaranteed)!!!  

Who...What...When..and Where

So our wedding is officially 156 days away and I'm getting soooo excited, even though I have a million things to do and a million more things to buy and get organized.  I thought I would give you a little run down of the who, what, when, and where.  Well you know the WHO...and you know the WHAT....and the when is October 22, 2011.  And yes, this is the day that Alabama plays Tennessee BUT the golf course assures me they will have the TVs tuned in so we can keep up with the game.  I had to work around Ross's SENIOR football season and this was his only open weekend.  So on October 21, Friday we will have the rehearsal at Silver Lakes and then head to the rehearsal dinner which is at the JSU Alumni House. 

 The dinner will actually be around back in a large pavilion.  I am as excited about the rehearsal dinner as the wedding.  My family is doing the dinner and we are just going to party the night away as we anxiously await the WEDDING.  As for the wedding, the ceremony and reception is being held at Silver Lakes Golf Course in Gadsden, Alabama.  Silver Lakes is a Robert Trent Jones Golf Course and it is breathtaking.  

The ceremony will be outside and the reception will be held in the clubhouse.  Unfortunately, Silver Lakes was hit hard by the recent tornado.  We are hoping everything is back to normal by the wedding.  Read about that here.. http://www.rtjgolf.com/news/110429.htm.  Everyone is working long hours to try and get the golf course back in working condition.  

Out of town guests:  We have hotel rooms reserved at the Hampton Inn in Gadsden.  This hotel is about ten miles from Silver Lakes so we hope this is convenient for everyone.  The wedding weekend happens to be the same weekend as the race in Talladega so hotel accommodations are hard to come by so PLEASE reserve your rooms ASAP.  When you call to reserve tell them you are with the Cotney/Scott wedding.  

Here is the link that includes the phone number and all the information.  http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=GADALHX

After the wedding...we are unfortunately going back to work.  As a school teacher, my Fall Break is the week before the wedding which is great but I also know me and I would be overly stressed and panicked if I had to plan for a substitute teacher for an entire week after a break and giving that Chase is in sales, breaks are not extremely beneficial.  So we have decided to go on a honeymoon over Christmas break.  This will give us more time to plan for the trip and neither of us will be as worried about leaving our jobs unattended.    As of right now this is what we are thinking for a honeymoon destination even though nothing is set in stone as of now.... 

That's right!  New York at Christmas!  Chase has never been to NY and I would LOOOVE to go back.  I narrowed it down to two places that I would love to go...San Francisco and New York and he chose New York.  We haven't booked anything yet but I've always wanted to see the Christmas Tree in Rockefeller Center and there are so many things in NY that I think everyone should see at least once in there lifetime.  If this ends up being the winner then I think this will be a trip we will never forget....and it'll probably be because we will have never been so COLD!!   

Da....Da..Da..Introducing Our Wedding Party

Amber Cotney- Maid of Honor- Amber is my sister and is already the greatest maid of honor I could have ever dreamed of.  I ask her before I make any decision and she has already picked out my wedding cake, china, and centerpieces.  Amber is the Outdoor Adventure Director at Camp ASCCA in Jackson's Gap, Alabama.  She knows me better than anyone on the planet and is my best friend. 

Meggie Parker- Bridesmaid- Meggie has been one of best friends since the 8th grade.  We have been through so much together and it has made us grow as people and friends.  Meggie works for a law firm in Birmingham, Al and is currently in the process of moving to Hayden, Alabama.  Meggie is a new mom of a precious baby boy, Noah.  She is a wonderfully loving Mommy and I've never been prouder of a person as I am of her.  I couldn't resist putting a picture of this absolutely gorgeous little boy. 

Kristen Jordan- Bridesmaid- Kristen and I were roommates in college and have been best friends since.  After receiving random roommate placements that we were not exactly happy with, we found one another, moved in together, and the rest is history.  Kristen and I have been through the good, bad, and the ugly and we are wonderful friends because of it.  Kristen is currently finishing her degree in Family and Consumer Sciences while raising that precious little boy in the picture, Bryce.  He is not only gorgeous but seriously the smartest little boy I've ever been around.  Kristen is made to be a mom and I'm learning so much from her.  

Morgan Anderson- Bridesmaid- Morgan is my first cousin and I have loved this child (well not any more) since the day she was born.  She was the first cousin that I had that I was close to and I was so smitten with her.  Morgan has turned out to be a beautiful, funny, and smart young lady and I am so proud of her.  I think she is as excited to be a part of her first of many weddings as I am.  

Trey Skelton- Best Man- Trey is the best man and rightfully so.  Trey and Chase went to high school together, college together, and roommates while in college.  Trey is the first of Chase's friends that I ever met and I love him dearly.  Chase is very lucky to have a friend like Trey because he is the kind of guy that refuses to let jobs, time, or life get in the way of their friendship.  Trey and Ashleigh have been married about two years and they are currently in the process of moving back home after living in Mobile the past few years.  By the way, sorry about the picture Trey...it's hilarious.  

Daniel Blevins- Groomsman- Daniel and Chase have been friends since high school.  They played football together and they ALWAYS have plenty of stories to tell about their (wild) adventures together...(even ones I've heard approximately 6000 times).  Daniel works in the emergency room as a nurse in Rome, Ga.  This is a picture of Daniel and his spunky girlfriend Alissa that I love!!  

Zach Allgood- Groomsman- Zach and Chase also went to high school together.  They also played football together and once again they have a ton of stories that they love to reminiscence on.  Zach and Courtney got married last summer at the most beautiful wedding I've ever seen.  They are a beautiful couple and we love spending time with them.  Zach and Courtney live in Gainesville, Ga and Zach works for Courtney's Dad's business.   

John Broome- Groomsman- John and Chase ALSO went to high school together, college together, and were roommates in college.  John is one of the funniest people I know and we love  all adventures that involve John.  John lives in Atlanta, Ga and works for Georgia Power.  This is a picture of John and his girlfriend Becky.  They are the perfect balance for one another and she fits in perfect with "the group".  

Josh Galloway- Groomsman-  Galloway (as we call him) and Chase met in Jacksonville and lived together for a few years.  They have grown to be extremely close "boyfriends, as I call them" and talk at least once a day.  Galloway and I have a wonderful love/hate relationship and he is a great guy.  Galloway currently lives in the Jacksonville area.   

Kinsley Cotney- Flower Girl- Kinsley is my little cousin and while trying not to be partial....she is the sweetest, spunkiest, and most beautiful child I've ever seen.  She has the cutest personality and has such a great heart already even as a little girl.  I can not wait to see her on our wedding day.  

Susie Alba - Flower Girl- Susie's mom, Julie, is one of my dearest friends.  I babysat Susie's older sister Maddie for years and they are like my second family.  Susie is full of personality and is so stinking cute.  She has grown up so fast and I'm sad that I am not around as much to be as big of a part of her life as I was Maddie's, but I love her the same.  She is going to be a darling flower girl.  

Ross Cotney- Usher- Ross is my brother and has the honor of walking everyone down the aisle to their seats at the wedding.  For some reason I have always felt responsible for my Brother Bear and love him more than a sister really should I think.  I can't believe the man he has become and I'm so proud of him.  And... he's very excited about the wedding!  

Ethan Cotney- Usher- Ethan is a first cousin of mine and his sister, Kinsley, is the flower girl.  He is a little nervous about his job at the wedding but I keep telling him that he will do a great job.  Ethan has grown up before my eyes and has become an athletic, handsome, and smart kid.  It makes me sick that he is almost a teenager but I hope he continues to be passionate about whatever he chooses to do.  

I might be a liiittttle biased but I think we have the best looking wedding party I've ever seen....

Looking for a reason to celebrate...

Our group of friends is always looking for a reason to get together and celebrate something...well anything actually.  One of Chase's best friends Trey and his parents threw us an engagement party a couple of weeks ago.  The whole group spent the weekend at Trey's parents lake house on Lake Weiss in Centre, Alabama. We just relaxed, sunbathed, rode on the boat, and fellowshipped all weekend.  My Daddy, Jodi, Amber, and Ross came up on Saturday and spent the day with us.  We ate fantastic barbeque, baked beans, and some yummy desserts.  A lot of Chase's friends popped in and out all weekend to congratulate him (and me I guess).  I tell Chase all the time that he is so extremely lucky to have such a tight knit group of friends.  They are all friends from high school (Trion High School, Trion, GA) and have stayed super close throughout the years.  And he's pretty much the happiest when they are all together.  

I want to thank Cindy and Herb so much for a wonderful weekend.  Chase and I both feel very fortunate to have people like them in our lives.  This was the first of MANY wonderful wedding memories.  

From top left: Eric, Cindy, Herb, Alison, Alissa, Me, Becky

From bottom left:  Rosie, Trey (Milo), Chris, Dan, Chase, John 

Same but minus Cindy, Herb, Milo and plus Daddy, Jodi, Amber, Ross 

So....we're tieing the Knot (and this is how that came about)

February 12, 2011 is a day that I will never forget.  I have a terrible memory so that's another reason I've decided to start this blog.  Anyway..this day started as a semi-normal day.  I had an appointment to get a manicure and pedicure that my Sacred Heart cheerleaders bought me as a Christmas gift that morning and then I went to visit with my Daddy that afternoon.  It was typical Saturday so of course Chase was working that night.  I talked to Chase throughout the day as usual and he seemed to be doing the typical Saturday things.  Little did I know he was out and about picking up my ENGAGEMENT RING.  So anyway...later that afternoon I came home and put on my PJs and basically got into 'going to bed' mode while waiting on Chase to come home.  When he came home we talked a little and I remember us laying across the bed and talking about marriage (which we talked about often) and he was acting a little weird but I just thought he was tired.  So we decided to go watch some tv and as we were walking, he was ahead of me, and once again he had a WEIRD look on his face and he stepped up into the kitchen and got down on one knee.  Of course I'm thinking WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON!!  He begins saying the sweetest most heart felt things I've ever heard him say and at the end of the little spill he says "Will you marry me?"  From there this is the dialogue ..
"Are you serious?"  Me 
"Yes."     Chase 
"Are you sure?"   Me 
"Yes."     Chase
"Oh my gosh!"   Me 
"Oh my gosh!"  Me 
"Are you serious?"   Me 
"Well get up!!"   Me 
"Paige, you have to say yes"  Chase 
"Oh...YES!!"   Me 
Now I didn't continue to ask if he was serious because I wasn't sure, it was because this had been a day I had thought about sooo much and I just couldn't believe it was actually happening.  I was so excited and my ring was sooo gorgeous.  It was perfect, it would have been exactly what I would have picked out, and I loved it.  From there I cried and then started sending text messages and calling family and friends (even though it was about 11:30).  I talked to Daddy first and then Mama...of course she was asleep and crazy but when she discovered what had just happened she was excited.  Now if you would have asked me before I would have said Mama and Daddy would have been the ones that cried when they found out but no.....low and behold my siblings....Lord have mercy...they never cease to amaze me.  They cried....alot.  They both just kept saying things like 'I can't believe my sister is getting married'.  So anyway... it was a  night I hope to never forget and unfortunately we have no pictures because I told Chase right after that if I would known I was going to get proposed to then I would have looked a little better...because it would have not been a pretty picture.  So that's the story of the totally SHOCKING proposal.  I will end with a note to self:  Take a picture even though you look terrible....because let's be honest Paige..you've looked worse in pictures that you've been in and actually printed and put in albums....and by the way these posts will pretty much NEVER be this long again..