Happy Birthday AMERICA!

July 3 - 9

Caleb and I started our July 4th celebration a day early at Robyn and Tate's.  They have the absolute perfect party house - big open kitchen and living area that puts you right out into a covered outdoor space with a fireplace for wintertime and a cool, refreshing pool.  It was a fun time of celebrating with good friends. 

The Fabs and the Macs chilling in the air conditioning

we were dangerously close to all of the delicious Fourth of July spirited goodies!

July 4th lunch was a fun treat!  

Caleb had his eye on a little joint down the road for quite some time, 

and we finally decided to give it a try. 

We tried a neighborhood taqueria and enjoyed every bite. 

Caleb was in heaven. 

That night we went over to Jackie's parents house for a Potluck Dinner 

and fireworks show on the golf course! 

The ladies 

All American Boys 

The Smiths watching the fireworks 

Such an exciting fireworks show

and I got to use my neat all weather blanket! 

Thursday nights I started attending a five week bible study called, The Sticky Pages.  

It covered Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, and Haggai.  

The title is The Sticky Pages because it covers the books of the bible that people rarely read.  

I was so encouraged by these four books, and loved seeing the way God taught me through books I had never taken the time to read.  God gave us 66 books - which one do you think he doesn't want you to read? 

Friday night I went on the Starting Blocks retreat with a small group of the Children's Staff.  They were so nice to include me and I enjoyed getting to know many people I would be working with and seeing on a regular basis much better.  It was a productive and informative weekend with lots of fun splashed in.  I loved the Ranch where was stayed and I was refreshed when I got home. 

I am amazed at how the Lord still can teach me through the words of the Old Testament.  Even though time has changed, His word is still relevant and meaningful to me. 

I love my sweet hubby this week for being my favorite person to celebrate anything with - including Fourth of July!  I also love that I enjoy him so much I miss him even when I am just away from him one night - I like sleeping beside that man. 

Expect the Unexpected

June 27 - July 2

Several months ago I was approached by my church, Watermark Community Church, about being considered for the new K-1 Coordinator position.  It was a little perplexing because I was fully intending to continue to teach at Armstrong another year, and did not even know that this position was available.  I do have a deep love for Watermark and all things related so the idea of working there definitely intrigued me.  Caleb and I were cautiously prayerful about what this might mean for our family.  Over about two months, I went through a long and intense interview process, and my heart felt that if the Lord wanted me at Watermark, how could I say no?  I went from feeling inadequate to do the job to feeling humbled that this might be God's plan for me (and Caleb).  We were prayerfully patient, seeking wise counsel from family and friends, and curious about what our path would be.  I had no definite answer, so Monday, June 27, I attended my scheduled summer inservice.  I felt funny working alongside other teachers in my district, making plans for August, knowing in my heart that there was a chance I would not be back next year.  During the inservice, I received a call from Mark at Watermark asking if I could stop by on my way home.  I did, and was offered the job.  Caleb and I had talked about what our family decision would be if the job was offered, so I accepted and was thrilled.
The next day, I went to lunch with two of my favorite teacher friends - Robyn and Amanda.  They were excited for me and celebrated with me, but it was also hard to know that we would no longer all three be at the same place each day.  I then went to Armstrong and packed up and cleaned out my classroom. (Thanks Robyn for all your help)  I also told my principal that I would not be returning next year.  I was expecting that to be a much more difficult conversation, but he was positive and encouraging and wished me the best.
Wednesday morning, I hit the ground running with my first day on the job at Watermark.  It was a first on many levels: my first time to work in an office, my very first cubicle, my first time to work in ministry, many new friendly faces, and a whole new program to get off the ground.  Wednesday and Thursday proved to be exciting work days - exhausting, but in a good way.  I was continually encouraged that I had made the right decision and was right where God wanted me to be.
Taking this job, I did give up one of the biggest perks of being a teacher - summer.  My new schedule involves working Sunday to Thursday, so that gives Fridays off.  I packed in as much as I could on Friday by finishing cleaning out at school, laying out with friends, and Caleb and I went to a cookout with our foundation group.  It had been such a fast week and it was amazing to see how far the Lord had taken me in such a short time.
Saturday, Caleb, Justin and I helped Josh move during the day.  We refueled on Zaxby's for lunch, which was a new restaurant discovery for me here in Dallas (oh how I have missed their chicken).  For dinner, we met the Fabs at Tillman's Roadhouse.

It was Caleb and my first time eating there - it was our first time down in the Bishop Arts District, and we loved it.  That part of Dallas has so much character, I can't wait to find an afternoon to shop around and discover all Bishop Arts has to offer.

The food was scrumptious and we decided to spring for smores at our table.  They were uniquely fabulous - complete with flavored marshmallows and homemade chocolate and graham crackers.  It was a fun event and we always have a great time with Amanda and Matt. 

I can't wait to eat at Tillman's Roadhouse again for a special occasion.

I'm thankful to the Lord for my new job, the chance to learn more about Him and to tell others about how much He loves them.

Caleb has been such a solid and strong support through my job change and was more than helpful in the decision making process. 

ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY

June 26 was our one year anniversary.  

We have absolutely loved our first year of marriage.  

We have learned so much about each other and had so much fun together. 

My thoughtful husband had chocolate covered strawberries and champagne 

just like we had on our honeymoon.

We were off to a wonderful start in celebrating...

I love airports.  I realized Caleb was my something special in an airport.  I got engaged in an airport.  Airports represent all kinds of wonderful things for me.  I love the excitement of an upcoming trip or an overdue visit with family.  I love people watching and eavesdropping on strangers’ conversations.  It is the only time I treat myself to celebrity magazines.  I don’t even mine the screening process (unlike my husband) because I feel that it is all in an effort to keep us safe.  The Columbia airport in particular is a favorite.  I was thrilled to pick up Caleb and to be dropped off in order to see him.  However, on June 26, I did not plan to spend much time in the airport and I did not love the airport.  After a fun-filled wedding weekend for Mary Sims and Thomas, Caleb and I had a 6 am flight.  When it came time to book our flight, our choices were 6 am or 8 pm.  Because we were celebrating our first wedding anniversary we opted for the early flight… 6 am.  Well what tragedy should we have expected?  We overslept.  We won’t get into the details of that now, but the point is we were running behind schedule to make it to the airport.  After franticly packing, locating Caleb’s wallet, checking our of the hotel, driving, locking dad’s keys in his car (on purpose).  After meeting a truly incompetent woman behind the American Airlines desk.  After many strong words from my usually calm, cool, and collected husband.  After my many feeble attempts to kindly charm her and brainstorm ideas with her.  After realizing that she had already decided we weren’t getting on that plane, and she was not going to help us.  Caleb and I were given standby tickets on the 11:55 booked flight that hadn’t even come up on priceline.  Our future of a relaxing anniversary at home was looking dim.  I was feeling in my heart – this is LAME. (Angie, that was for you).  Stranded at the airport on your first anniversary is not what one would call ideal.  Luckily, as we have been known to do, Team McGuire had a heart to heart and we rallied to make the best of it.  Usually, Caleb is the one leading the rally, but this time, it was my turn.  It was after all, our anniversary.  We treated ourselves to quick cat naps on the bench.  We laughed a lot.  We played on our phones.   

 We had a sit down breakfast.

 We napped on the airport floor – yuck!  We played games, expressed our disappointment in hilarious sarcasm, and we rallied.  Never mind that we were hauling the top tier of our wedding cake along with us on every leg of this adventure.  Finally, moment of truth … 11:55 flight was locked and loaded.  Bah humbug.  Wait, Wait.  Silver lining… ONE seat.  Caleb hopped on, he had to get to work tomorrow.  I was left alone. in an airport.  on my anniversary.  (sad face)  Then I saw a familiar face, a tiny blonde lady who helped me regularly when Caleb and I were dating.  She worked her magic on that American Airlines computer that seemed impossible to the earlier incompetent woman, and got me on a flight to Charlotte at 5:35.  Hallelujah!  My ever supportive parents trucked me up to the Charlotte airport (overly eager because they were going to tie in a quick visit with Wellsman and Virginia).  I waited in t h e  l o n g e s t security line I have ever seen, posed for the naked screening machine, and had to throw away my nail polish remover (Columbia TSA missed it) But it was okay.  I was going to at least have the evening with my husband on our special day.  My love for airports returned and all was right in the world. 

Caleb and I love to celebrate - anything and everything.  We make excuses to have celebrations for each other.  Our one year anniversary was not going to go down without a celebration.  We ordered in and had such a fun anniversary evening.  You may already know, but the one year anniversary present is paper. I gave Caleb a new Bible that says "The McGuire Family" and tickets to Brad Paisley.  

He definitely outdid himself by making a frame of our anniversary date.  And then...he gave me a camera!  Yay!  Hooray!  Be on the lookout for my pictures to get much better!

Mary Sims and Thomas' Wedding Weekend Extravaganza

I got back in town in Columbia just in time for Mary Sims' Bridesmaid Luncheon.  

(can you tell I am so honored to sit by the bride, just like when we were kids at birthday parties?)

 It was full of fun friends 

 (I miss you Anna - and our bible study)

With lots of personal touches 

Delicious (and beautiful) Food 

Fun games 

I pulled the cell phone, which stands for good news 

Mary Sims looked BEAUTIFUL while saying her sweet comments about each member of the wedding party

Mommas and Grandmommas with the BRIDE

Mary Sims with her aunts (two of the luncheon hosts)

BEST waitress ever - so fun to see Michelle! 

Then, I went to my parents to finalize my Matron of Honor speech (insert tears) 

And Caleb held Virginia for the first time 

 She loves her uncle

Off to the rehearsal...

at Northeast Presbyterian Church 

 Jack seating the mother of the bride, his mom

Mr. Pressly pretending to give Mary Sims away 

Mary Sims and Thomas were excited and ready for the real thing 

We had a great time rehearsing

 Then it was time to celebrate!

 (We were getting ready for this one year ago)

 Love to see Emily and Brandon

 Delicious Notre Dame sweet potato cake 

and awesome groom's gift

 Go Notre Dame!

 The Sweetens (who will be adding a new family member soon)

 After sweet, thoughtful, tear jerking toasts 

the Costigans ended the night with an Irish Blessing

 Always ready to celebrate

Love her (and little Win too)

Next up: a good night's sleep 

Then Leah and I met up with Mary Sims and some other bridesmaids to get ravishing for the wedding 

 The bride looking just stunning

 The ladies getting ready - Erica (in the black) did my wedding day hair and make up too!

 Mary Sims with her new sister-in-law and future sister-in-law

 all the do's from the back

 We are ready to walk the isle

 A little bit of what getting ready looked like 

Thanks to Edwin and Caleb for taking care of all our bags

I love this little lady

That is where my pictures stopped 

but the fun had just begun 

A wonderful ceremony 

A lively fun reception 

So many special people to share in MS's big day 

It was quite the extravaganza!