In Five Years’ Time

It has been five years since I have married my best friend. Five years doesn’t seem like a really long time, especially when you plan to be married for the rest of your life, but a lot has happened in five years and I was thinking about it this morning, thinking about where we were and where we are now… and really it’s pretty incredible this journey we’ve taken together.

In five years, we have moved five times. Well, four if you don’t count moving me up to Memphis.

In five years, we have had two jobs.

In five years, we have had two cars… only one of which we paid more than $1 for.

In five years, we have lived in four houses/apartments.

In five years we have had one child, and have one more on the way.

And, you know, a million laughs.

To my best friend, who makes me crazy sometimes, and cares so much for me, and for Benjamin, and our unborn baby… thank you. For everything. For being a Christian husband and father, for caring for us and loving us. We’ve ‘gone through’ a lot in five years, but I wouldn’t change any of it for the world.

Except maybe what we had for lunch yesterday but that’s not your fault… entirely, ha!

I love you!

Seriously Overjoyed!!

I have been looking forward to this weekend all week! ha! How about you? I know that so many exciting things have been happening this weekend, such as Julia's wedding, which of course would be exciting for her, but also her mother and sister and everyone else involved! Who doesn't love weddings? Speaking of weddings, the 30 Days of Music for today is: day 23 - a song that you want to play at your wedding

Umm, well, that has already happened! In fact, on August 11th, we will be celebrating our 3 Year Anniversary! I really can't believe it's almost been 3 years already! wow!

Anyway, I decided I would show you a few songs that were in our wedding. Of course, we didn't play the ACTUAL songs. I actually found this very beautiful solo pianist online and downloaded a few of my favorites. So imagine all these being played by a solo pianist, and there you have it. I chose my favorite 3. {And stick around afterward because I have more to say!!}

Phantom of the Opera, Think Of Me: This was played as the wedding party walked down the aisle. It was beautiful!


Mandy Moore, Only Hope: You might recognize this from the A Walk to Remember movie, but when I hear it, I think of our Sand Ceremony.


Stevie Wonder, Overjoyed: This was played as we exited the auditorium as Husband and Wife! I was overjoyed! It was very fitting!!


I have been looking forward to this one! hehe.
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OK. Now that that is out of the way!! This weekend has been so busy already! I have been struggling to stay awake during the days to be able to pack clothes for Benjamin and myself as we are going on vacation next week! I haven't been sleeping very well lately {Thursday night I wasn't able to sleep till FIVEINTHEMORNING!} so it has really been a struggle. But I am so excited to be going to visit friends next week for a couple reasons:

1. I LOVE MY KINDRED SPIRIT! Autumn & I are not "friends", we are SISTERS, and I love her to death! We were at MSOP for 6 months together and within that amount of time we grew very close and since Hubby and I left, we have only seen each other twice! And that was in 2008! She is 20 weeks pregnant with her 2nd child and I am just so excited to be visiting!! I can't wait to see Matt & Alethia {their 23 month old} either!

2. WE ARE GOING TO DISNEY! Yes, I thought it would NEVER happen but we are actually going to Disney on Tuesday and I have never been before! I am so excited! But the reason we are going is because we have amazing friends here who insisted to help us financially to go to Disney World, and I cannot say how touched I am that they helped us out. I am so thankful. I am so thankful for our Family in Christ! We are so blessed!

I am so beyond excited you guys... seriously! And do I even have to say that of course I will be taking pictures?? Ahhh this week is going to be SO amazing!

Oh hey I almost forgot! I got my hurr cut today and I am definitely sure you want to see it:



Yayuhh!

Well I hope you all have a wonderful Lord's Day tomorrow!

All I Want

Yesterday was an exciting day because we went and watched one of my best friends from my childhood and up get married. She was my maid of honor in my wedding and this weekend I had the honor of watching her marry the love of her life. It was SUCH a beautiful wedding... and SUCH an amazing reception. The food was fantastic, of course, if you knew her dad you wouldn't be surprised. I had such a wonderful time that we were about 10 minutes from leaving when I remembered I had brought my camera. Guess what? I didn't take any pictures. It was actually kind of nice. I got to just enjoy everything. I wish I had something to show you, but ... sorry! And you know, it takes a lot to make me forget about my camera! That's how amazing the whole ordeal was!



All these weddings, though... kind of make me think about Benjamin and him growing up. We're about to hit his first birthday... and I can already see him standing at the front of a church, waiting for his bride to walk in. I never did realize exactly how fleeting this life is until I had Benjamin. And now it just feels like it is passing us by with flying colors. It's so crazy to think about... sooner than I think, I will be playing the role of 'Mother of the Groom'! I mean, just look at that face! That's my baby, and before I know it, he's going to be a man!



Of course, I already know who Benjamin is going to marry. ;) Are pre-arranged marriages accepted these days? But really, I just pray that Benjamin's future wife is being cared for and brought up in a way that God would approve of, and that she grows up to be a wonderful Christian woman. I pray she gets lots of snuggles and kisses and hugs and tickles and grows up happy, but most of all I pray her parents teach her about God and Christ and His church, and to love the Lord and obey Him. That's all I want.



Well, that and for Benjamin to be little forever, but I know that just ain't happening.

Love and Marriage

This past Tuesday, I was the Matron of Honor in my older (and only) brother's wedding. It really is an odd thing for me to say I was a "Matron" of any sort, being twenty-one. But I guess it fits in that I am married, have a child, and I am older than the bride, my new Sister-in-Law. Anyway, it was fun being in a wedding where I wasn't the main show. The only other wedding I've been in was my own. It was fun to be a part of it, but more than that, an honor. I am so very honored to have been asked to share in my brother's special day as the Matron (Shudder... sorry, can't help it!) of Honor.

Thank you, Melanie and Steven, for giving me that opportunity!

Anyway... I know you are all dying to see some pictures... so allow me to thaw out my fingers, and I will grab a few for you! Most were taken by my Uncle. I mean, I was in the wedding, so there's only so much I could do!

Rehearsal was fun, long, but fun.


(Me!)


Melanie and Steven, getting told what's what.


Benjamin got to go in with Nana and Papaw (My parents). It looks like he was clapping in this one.


Rehearsing, rehearsing...


The Real Deal was fun, too, but nerve wracking. You see, I had tripped once during rehearsal. So I was scared to death I'd do it again. I didn't, though! I was also afraid Ben would misbehave without his second nap, but he was a perfect Angel!


Is that not the most adorable picture on the planet?!


Dad walking mom and Benjamin in...


And there I am...


Looking for his bride!


Here she comes!


And so it begins!


The kiss was so quick that even the paid photographer didn't get it!


This is me trying so hard not to cry, and failing.


Mr. and Mrs.


They look happy!


Dad... I wonder what he's thinking at this moment, don't you?


Me and my sweet baby.


And you know what happens when you give a quick peck? They make you do it AGAIN! and AGAIN! Until they get the perfect shot!


Us 3.


Me and my Brother.

Don't forget decorating the truck! I may or may not have had a hand in that. It's not like there are pictures floating around with me in them! I certainly wouldn't make a face like I'm about to eat someone in one of the said pictures:



Oops. Haha. Thanks for capturing one of my finer moments, Uncle Jeff!



Anyway, I think everything went well and the happy couple went off to Charleston, and are now in Memphis in their first apartment together!

May God bless your marriage, Steven and Melanie!

"Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."

Holidays and Fish

This is so late in coming but I really do hope you all have had a fantastic holiday season! We are still at my parents' house enjoying time here ... my brother's wedding is coming up in two days so we are all busy getting ready for that!

Christmas pictures are still on the camera so right now I am not able to share those with you, but we had a really wonderful time and Benjamin enjoyed his first Christmas. He enjoyed it so much that he took his first voluntary steps on Christmas day and earlier today he took at least fifteen consecutive steps. We have all been busy!

I have been meaning to share with you some pictures from our Vacation in Charleston, where we visited the Aquarium! So here they are! Enjoy!



Benjamin met a new friend and enjoyed hugging him:





He really liked this Rocking Snail..








Next up, the children's museum, and then Christmas - but excuse me if you don't hear from me until Wednesday!

Ten Random Facts

Hey all! I am on vacation, so I have prepared a few Blog posts to publish while I'm gone! I hope you enjoy learning a little bit more about me, and don't worry - you'll get plenty of pictures of our vacation once we get back - and plenty of stories I'm sure!

Make sure you are following my Twitter for short updates throughout the trip! Remember, I'll be back TOMORROW!

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An extra long one today, just in case I don't get around to posting tomorrow. I'm not going to schedule one for the 14th.


One.


I love Giraffes.

Two.


That's my eyecolor.

Three.


My favorite part of my wedding decor was my flowers.

Four.


I am familiar with Atlanta Traffic.

Five.


BBQ Nachos are not as good as they look. And if those don't look good to you, they taste worse.

Six.


My dad did my nails for my wedding.

Seven.


I am deathly afraid of horses and will never ride one again.

Eight.


This used to hang from my rearview mirror. His name is Kenneth.

Nine.


That's my husband, ordering from the back seat at Burger King in New Orleans.

Ten.


I love New Orleans, but I would never want to live there.

See you tomorrow, hopefully!!