Alabama Shower Weekend!!!

My whole family was able to go down to Alabama this weekend to see our house...WORK :)...and attend a shower for John and I at West Huntsville! We had a great time!! On Friday, I finally got to see our new floors! Everything looks so beautiful!!
The Hardwoods


The Carpet

The Bathroom

Our beautiful house!

On Saturday, my whole family was Sooo AWESOME and worked so hard at our house!!
Cleaning Windows

Setting up the kitchen!

Painting!

My mom got us this adorable mailbox cover!

And my dad and John were busy painting our doors and installed a peep hole!

We got so much done!!

On Sunday, we were SO blessed by the people from John's church.

The ladies that threw the shower




John's tshirt quilt!!

I can't BELIEVE the next time I go to Alabama, I will be Mrs. Gossett!!!

Graduation!!

I can't believe I have already finished my Master's Degree! These past two years have absolutely flown by! I am so thankful that the Lord led me to Columbia. He gave me so many opportunities there for ministry and learning and getting to do things I never dreamed of doing. One of the highlights of my time in Columbia was being able to lead worship at Shandon Baptist Church. To be surrounded by awesome musicians and being able to glean from them and grow as a leader and musician was incredible. I can not say enough wonderful things about the School of Music at USC. The teachers there were untouchable in their field of study. They pushed me to learn and grow as a musician. I learned more about music than I knew existed, which in turn led me to realize how much more there is to learn! You can never stop learning. There is always more to understand and to study. In order to graduate, I had to pass oral comprehensive exams. It is an hour-long exam where I am asked questions about music, and I must express to the committee the things I have learned in graduate school. It was so intimidating to be sitting in front of five teachers who are so smart, and knew the answer to every question that was asked. During that forever long hour, I was thankful to have been under the direction of these teachers who have found their calling to teach young musicians like me. It was humbling, but also a proud moment to reflect on all of the things I have learned in graduate school. It honestly took me to a whole new level in music. What was once just a song is now a particular song in a particular language with specific trends of that time in history, with a particular poet and composer. I am able now to understand more clearly the history of music, the way music has developed throughout the centuries, and where music is today. I have grown as a singer, and I have a very clear understanding of vocal pedagogy, singing techniques, and language pronunciation. I am so thankful to have been encouraged to go to graduate school, and to have gotten the opportunity to attend. I feel much closure and accomplishment on something I started when I was five years old. It was life-changing, something I will always recommend to any one, and an experience I will never forget!

Marriage License

Friday, John and I went downtown to get our official marriage license!!

John walking in...


After that, we went to Mert's for lunch! We took this picture after lunch. We took the same one 3 years ago on one of our first dates!!


Haha we looked different in 2006!

Recital and Shower Weekend

2 Weekends ago, I had my Graduate Voice Recital, and a wedding shower given by Mrs. Brighton, Mrs. Renstrom and Mrs. Hicks. John and his family got to come up, and my grandmother and Aunt Laurie and we had a great time!!!



Relief it is over!!


Best place ever to eat!





John's Drill!

My amazing mom and grandmother and soon to be mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law :)

My wonderful friends from Liberty!!


Mrs. Brighton decorated in the theme of the wedding- so here is a little preview of how the wedding decorations are going to be!