My Larry Boy

I know many bloggers will spend this weekend talking about their wonderful father, but I'm the only one who gets to talk about my wonderful Larry Boy.

My Dad deserves a medal for living in a house full of loud, opinionated, dramatic, emotional, yet wonderful southern women.  Even though there were just two biological daughters we each came with an entourage.  It wasn't uncommon for my Dad to come home to an entire cheerleading squad having a sleepover in the living room, a school club conducting a car wash in his drive way, or members of a sorority cooking something for an event in his kitchen.  He embraced it and was often found saying things like "I need you girls to be ready for dinner at 6 pm, and that's Larry time not ADPi time."

He came to every dance performance, cheerleading competition, and play my sister and I were in. He is always supportive, always full of good advice, and is the perfect father of daughters. He taught me all the important things in life like how to blow my nose while running, to always have at least a half tank of gas in the winter, to arrive early for flights in order to not get bumped, the rules of football, and so much more!  I am convinced I am the person I am today because I was Larry and Kathy's daughter.

He always encouraged me that I could achieve literally anything I wanted. He cheered from the stands of countless basketball and football games, he proudly clapped at graduation when I received an undergraduate degree and then again for my MBA, he coached me in my first marathon, he celebrated with me when I got my dream job working on Capitol Hill, and he walked me down the aisle in August with a big smile on his face. There's a card that he gave me during a challenging time of my life that simply says, "Do not be afraid of change.  Be afraid of not changing". That card still hangs in my office today and is a constant reminder and encouragement from my Dad.

There's not a day that goes by that I don't feel loved by my Dad and I know he took all the direction from my heavenly father.  I know how blessed I am to call him my Dad, and I can only hope that each day I make him proud!

Laughing with my Dad coming down the aisle

Kisses for Larry Boy

"You don't wanna mess with this wedding, do ya?"

He "loved" the trees I had brought in for the wedding. Can't you see? :)

Whitney Raye and Larry Boy

We're always having fun!  Dad and his girls!

 Happy Father's Day Larry Boy! I love you!

Five on Friday

Hey there friends!  It's nice to see you again!

I scheduled this post to link up for the first time today with a few of the fun blogs I follow for "5 on Friday"

ONE
Last weekend we got to celebrate my sweet Momma's retirement.  We had so much fun planning and implementing the fiesta of "Adios Mrs. Calhoun". Some of her former students, along with family and friends came to celebrate Momma Kathy and honor her many years of teaching.  Rather than gifts we asked guests to bring a children's book to donate to one of the schools in which she taught. She's had so much fun this week reading through the books, the letters from former students, and re-watching the video we had created for her. It was a great weekend with family and friends and I couldn't be happier for my Mom.  Congrats Momma Kathy! Ole'!

TWO
I have another fun weekend ahead!  I'm hosting a baby shower for my ADPi little sister Tracey.  Her baby girl Harper is due in August and I can't wait to shower the Mommy-to-be! Pictures and a post to follow!

THREE
I know other Nashville bloggers have said this but SUMMER IS HERE!  Whew!  I feel like we skipped right over spring and already into August-like temps.  Do you remember these bad boys?

photo from here

My sister and I got a box of them for the kids attending the party last weekend (in place the margaritas they couldn't partake in).  Were these things not a taste of summer when you were a kid?  What did you call them?  I remember kids I babysat for calling them Chilly Willys.  McKenzie said she called them Ice Pops.  Chilly Willy/Ice Pop night was always my favorite at Vacation Bible School.  Whatever they're called - they were good!  Who knew sugar, flavoring, and ice would be so tasty and refreshing?

FOUR
I got to attend an event at a country music artist's home this week. Check out this view!  I am so blessed to live in this beautiful town!

FIVE
I get to celebrate Father's Day with my Larry Boy!  I have a post coming tomorrow about just how special he is. I can't wait to share it with you.

A confession: I'm still trying to think of a new re-branding for my blog now that I'm no longer living in Washington.  Stay tuned!

Have a wonderful weekend!

TGIF!

Celebrating Dr. Kate

The weekend before last, John and I traveled to Memphis to celebrate my brother in law's precious girlfriend Kate's Med School graduation.

This picture was taken a year ago at B and R's farm wedding

John and I arrived Thursday night after work and Kate graduated on Friday. I am so proud of Kate. Not only is she going to be a kind and compassionate physician, but she is also incredibly smart. She finished with a 4.0!  I think that graduating from Med School is an accomplishment in itself, but to finish with a 4.0...I'm blown away!  Not only is she smart but she is SO MUCH FUN!  She doesn't take herself so seriously that she can't cut up with Ryan (you can see their personalities in the photo below).

Top Right - Kate being hooded, Top Left - being recognized for her high grades
Bottom - Typical  :)
Army Officer Boyfriend and Dr. Girlfriend

Friday night we ate at the wonderful Typhoon restaurant with Kate's family.  We had a blast trying different Asian fusion dishes, laughing, and toasting to the newest Dr. in the family! 

We spent Saturday afternoon perusing the antique stores in Memphis.  I fell in LOVE with this set of chairs.  I'm convinced that I need wGj ones someday!  Wouldn't they look perfect in a library/study, or sitting next to a fireplace?  

True LOVE!

Saturday night after dinner we had a rematch of the guys vs. girls game of Risk.  Over Christmas in 2011 we started out a game of Risk with 4 separate players but Kate and I quickly became allies and took the Goetz brothers down!  John and Ryan did some serious trash-talking but once again Kate and I were victorious.  If you note below, there are very few blue or black pieces on the board... {insert evil laugh}.

Christmas 2011 on the left and round two on the right
(I apologize for the baggy sweatshirt, pjs, and no makeup look)

We had a wonderful time visiting with Ryan and Kate.  They're always such fun hosts and we never miss a time to hang out with this super fun couple.  I laugh so hard listening to John and his brother go back and forth with the sense of humor only the other can understand.  Kate is a great friend and I already consider her my sister in law.  I'm looking forward to our next celebration - an engagement party perhaps?  ;) 

A fun-filled Memorial Day weekend

Hey y'all! 

A picture from Easter -
The perfect description of our time together, full of laughter!

I love my job, but I can honestly say I could go for a 3 day work week all the time! Over the long weekend we had a few visitors and my favorite girl came to town - Kiki! I agreed to be her wedding date, for TWO weddings on Saturday.  John and I woke up at 3 am to get ready and hit the road to Knoxville. We went to pick up his little sister who is visiting us for a few days while she's on a school break, and for McKenzie to pick me up. The sister exchange! We went to brunch with our friend Chelsey.  It was great to catch up with her and eat at Tupelo Honey. It was AMAZING! I'm very excited about my hometown getting their own.  There's nothing quite like southern food and I'm definitely making a point to catch up on all the missed opportunities to eat it after 3.5 years of living up north. (However, I really do miss some of my favorite DC restaurants.) 

Our first wedding was a sweet friend of McKenzie's that was an ADPi and a Kappa Psi with her.  (side note - my sister may be the only person who is in both her mother and sister's sorority and father's fraternity) I hate that I didn't take a picture of the beautiful bridesmaids dresses. They had a HUGE bow on the back, and let's be honest....I love a good bow.  

The second wedding was a first for me. I was able to attend one of the nights of an Indian wedding.  It was beautiful - all of the bright colors, love of family, the traditions, and my favorite were the choreographed dances! This particular night was focused on the bride (her fiance would arrive the following day).  Family and friends had songs and dances that they performed for the bride.  My favorite was what Kiki and I referred to as the flash mob, but tons of her family all came together for a dance! Shivani looked beautiful and McKenzie had so much fun reconnecting with her former coworkers.  I was so fortunte to be able to be her "plus one" and see such a beautiful ceremony.  They had four days of events and ceremonies that definitely made my wedding weekend (which I thought was exhausting) seem like no big deal!  

I love Memorial Day weekend! There's so much excitement about the beginning of the summer. Anticipating all the fun outdoor activities, relaxing pool time, vacations, and all the celebrations over the next few months - Kate's graduation this weekend, Tracey's baby shower, Mom's retirement party, our beach trip, and our first anniversary.  With so much to look forward to, I'm just excited that the "summer" season has finally arrived.  

I hope you had a great Memorial Day weekend too!

What I'm Loving

It's been a while but I'm linking back up today for What I'm Loving Wednesday.  

I'm loving life in NASHVILLE!

I really love everything about my new hometown.  I love the people (they're all SO nice), I love my job (I'm so thankful to love what I do and who I work with), I love our new home (we feel like we have SO much more space), and I love being back in my favorite place - Tennessee.  We have been really busy with travel, work, and normal "life stuff" but we have recently started exploring the city more. There are so many great restaurants, parks, and of course great music.  We've had so much fun with our family and friends visiting recently.  I'm excited that my sister is coming back next weekend!  I love having family close enough to make weekend trips.

I'm loving our "adventure" last weekend to the Tennessee Renaissance Festival.  

We got to see actual jousting!

My brother-in-law and his girlfriend Kate came in town last weekend.  We are all four always up for the people watching at a festival and this one didn't let us down. I've never in my life seen more adults dressed in costume!  I think I walked around with my jaw on the ground for the first hour.  The guys got turkey legs, Kate's knight won jousting, and I got cotton candy.  It was a great day for all!

Just a normal Saturday for Lord and Lady Goetz

I'm loving Spring weather and warm-weather attire.  

It's fun to pull out my sundresses and my new Jack Rogers.  Cole Lee even got his Spring wardrobe out this past weekend.

As always I'm loving my sweet husband John. 

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to the woman who has taught me to love God above all, love others, and made me feel loved and cared for every day of my life. Today is my first Mother's Day in 31 years that I'm not able to celebrate with her, which makes me sad. However, I am thankful for FaceTime so we can "see" each other today, and that I get to celebrate her retirement with her in less than a month! Happy Mother's Day Momma Kathy! I'm so thankful that God picked ME to be one of your daughters! 

Changes

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Hey y'all.

Now, I know it's been a month of Sundays (where did that expression come from anyway?) since I've posted.  The short update - We made it to Nashville and are LOVING life here. We are both so blessed with our new jobs, new home, and even little Cole Lee loves life in the South.  We have so much to be thankful for!

With the move it's made me wonder  what I should do with my blog now that I'm no longer "Whitney of Washington"?  The quick answer...I still don't know.  I really have enjoyed the wonderful ladies I've "met" as a result of reading each-other's blogs and I want to keep up with what's going on (even though I haven't been blogging I've been reading).  I started my blog as a way for family and friends to keep up with my life in DC.  Is my life always interesting to others...probably not, but it's been a fun outlet for creative expression and staying in touch.

I have started no less then 5 different posts as an update as to what's going on and I do intend to finish one or two, but in the meantime I wanted to make sure I made the change like everyone else from Blogger to Bloglovin so I keep up all my daily reading.


Here's a small portion of the pics I've taken during the move and with our first visitors. Have a great weekend friends!

All packed up and ready to go to Tennessee!

Cole Lee LOVES his new home.  Especially the big window...his special spot.

My two favorite guys! 

So glad Momma and Dean came to visit, bring more of our "stuff", and
hang out while we got settled into our new place

Cheers to sister coming to town!