Ceremony

Our ceremony was meant to be very personal and meaningful and Chris and I felt it was just that.  Our uncles performed the ceremony, which meant a lot.  Steve took that time to ask us questions about our parents and what we admired about them.  Jeff took scripture we held near and dear and used it as a charge for our marriage.  

Instead of a unity candle or anything of that nature, a sweet friend (Natalie) had our vows framed and our wedding party signed around them.  They, along with all of the friends and family who surrounded us, are the ones who will say the prayers to lift us up or we pray they will say the words to put us in our place if needed.  Marriages are a lot of work and we need all the help we can get.  

Despite the heat, there was a nice breeze during the ceremony (and some questionable clouds) that made it more bearable.  Our arbor was put together the day before and that was an adventure =)  All of our flowers during the ceremony were picked up that morning at the Farmers Market, I loved it.

I walked down the "isle" to Perfect by Jon McLaughlin and our friends Skyler and Chad performed Sailboats by Brooke Fraser.  We exited the ceremony to ABC by Jackson 5, why?  Because our monogram is ABC!!!  (I bet 99.9% of the people there didn't even pick up on that)

Here are several pictures from the ceremony:

Two of my favorite people in the whole wide world.

My bridesmaids minus my sister.  Their dresses were from AE, I thought it came together quite nicely.

The Dress

I like of think of myself as a pretty decisive individual.  Now, if you ask me a question I genuinely do not have an opinion on, I will respond with an, "I don't care."  This probably annoys the tar out of people.  But, if there is something I really want, you don't have to ask twice.  

For example, I looked for quite a while for houses, but when I found mine an offer was made quickly.  I knew I wanted to marry Chris before I met him.  And the story is no different with my dress. 

My sister was down for a week and we scheduled an appointment at a local boutique, Norman's.  We had always gone to Norman's for our prom dresses, Katie had purchased her wedding dress from there, and so I went in with the mindset that today I would find my dress.  

I will say what I had in mind was not what I got.  I wanted something very 27 Dresses, Tess like.  Spaghetti straps, full skirt, simple.

Since I was having an outdoor wedding, they automatically took me to the destination wedding portion of the store which lent itself to more casual, airy dresses.  Everything the girl pulled out I was indifferent about.  A dress in a plastic bag is limp and doesn't shine much.  My sister took over and started pulling dresses for me.  I think she was sensing the, "good grief, they aren't going to have ANYTHING for me" vibe I was puttin out.

After pulling about five dresses, we started trying them on.  There was one dress that made me look like a mummy, that was a no go.  The next dress was the exact dress I had in mine.  Empire waist, no details, v-neck, spaghetti straps, no train...  It had been what I had envisioned, but I wasn't feeling it.  I liked it, but didn't feel beautimous.  So, slightly discouraged, we pressed on. 

The third dress I tried on was beautiful.  Champagne colored, empire waist, lace everywhere, a small train, comfortable, I was in love.  It was nothing I had in mind, but more than I could have ever dreamed of having.  My sister and mom were instantly in love.  I did try on one more mermaid style dressed, which was pretty, but too formal for what we had in mind.

So, texts were sent to friends asking for their choice between the two.  But, before we could even hear back, I made my decision and never looked back.

My mom made my hair piece out of the wrap that came with my dress and I wore yellow shows.  I have told Chris that even if I have to leave it unzipped, I will put my dress on at each anniversary and take a picture.  I love it so much and hope that some day we have a little girl (or little niece) who can play dress up in it and I won't mind at all if she wants to cut it up and use some of it on her big day.  

Wedding Pics are In!!!

I received our wedding CD from our lovely photographer yesterday which can only mean one thing...  time for some wedding pics!!!  My plan is to do a few blog entries about the details of the wedding before exposing the pictures all over facebook.  So, today I begin with one of my favorite parts of the wedding,

THE CAKE!

I apologize ahead of time for the excessive number of cake pictures, but I love em.

Rather than going with just one cake, I decided to have several.  Why not?  I saw an idea a long time ago on a friend's tumblr (Skyler) and went with it.   Our original intent was to use the toppers from our family members' weddings, however no one seemed to have kept them.  Therefore, we ordered all of our vintage cake toppers off of etsy.  It was always fun to get a package and decide which toppers to use and which to discard.  My sister and I had to convince my mother at one point that the skin tone on a particular topper wouldn't really work for Chris and I...  

The groom's cake of course had an MU theme.  We stuck with plain old white and chocolate cakes, no fillers.  While I love cakes with fillers, I am perfectly happy with butter cream goodness.  We had fruit as well, so that was sufficient for me. 

A few weeks before the wedding, some one had asked if we were going to do the whole cake in the face technique.  I was, of course, all for it.  Chris had warned me that if I went after him, I would get it in return.  So, my technique was to strike quickly and catch him off guard.  I think it worked. 

Our cake topper is all wrapped up and tucked away in my parent's deep freeze for June 18th of next year.  I am already excited to eat it!!

At Odds

Chris and I like to dream a lot.  He refers to his "man lair" several times throughout any given week.  Currently, our house does not encompass enough space for such a desire, however it is on the list for our future home.  My dreams are a little more practical.  Oh say, a dishwasher and garbage disposal to begin with.  If you have either of these amenities in your kitchen, thank your lucky stars.

Lately we have been dreaming of things which are a little more practical and within our reach, although very different.  

For Chris, 

The boy wants an Xbox.  His previous system underwent the "red ring of death" and he has been without for over a year.  He isn't a serious gamer, however he does enjoy his occasional video game.  We still have some Target gift cards I am setting aside for him, we shall see.

For me,

I want a new camera so stinking bad.  I have been looking for over a year now, but can't seem to push myself to save up for one.  Currently most of my pictures are being taken on my phone which just isn't cutting it.  My goal is to have one before we have kids, surely that is realistic!?

So, even though we dream a lot and have a wish list a mile long, we are doing quite well.  Our home is looking pretty cute, our cars are stickin with us, and I had a Starbucks this morning.  I'm pretty content with life right now, pretty darn content.

Little Behind

Last week was our first week really home since we've been married.  Yes, one month of marriage and only one full week at home.  Chris has had to travel a lot for work, surprisingly.  

So, with full intentions of being a good wife who hasn't started working yet (praying on that one)...  I set off with domestic dreams of sweetly set tables for every night of the week.

Ha, reality sets in quickly.  Here is what our week looked like.

Monday:

On Monday nights some friends and I get together for the guilty pleasure of watching the Bachelorette.  We also bring treats.  For me, I kind of slumped on this task due to wedding planning and sheer laziness.  Chocolate covered strawberries here, chips and salsa (not homemade) there...  But, for this week I wanted to feed into another guilty pleasure, Pinterest.  I figured, I spend so much time pinning delicious foods, why not try one.  

Since I knew Chris would be left to fend for himself for dinner, while planning out what to make for the Bach, I also made him some of Pullan's famous salsa.  Sorry girls, Chris got the better end of the deal on this cooking experiment.  I made ice cream bread for the girls, not so good.

Haven't mastered the "clean cooking" technique.

Salsa=delightful

Tuesday:

Cooking night.  We had steak, corn on the cob, and salad.  We watched the All Star game and ate on our fanciful tv trays.

Wednesday:

BLTs, mac and cheese, and salad.  Cooking bacon has got to be one of the worst things.  The smell lingered for days.   

Thursday:

We ate out with a group of friends to celebrate the Worley's  home coming from Amsterdam.  Didn't plan on this, but well worth it.

Friday:

Another surprise outing.  I went to Kai to celebrate Chrissy's upcoming nuptials and Chris went to the Brew Co. with his parents and brother.

Saturday:

Pancakes, made by the husband.

Sunday:

McDonald's on the way to Arkansas (another work related outing, but I got to go this time).  I will note that this was my first time to McDonald's in FIVE WEEKS!!!!  Sorry folks, but I love that place.  However, I will say that after a five week subbatical, not craving it like I used to.  This could be a blessing.

So, as you can see, my dreams of eating at home didn't fan out as much as I would have liked on this particular week.  We are trying our hand at a "budget" and food is one area we are struggling with.  Things just seem to pop up and you just don't want to say no.  

This week we have been gone Monday-Wednesday and Chris leaves again on Friday.  Perhaps we shall try again next week...  (however, I wouldn't trade any of it for the world)

Harry Potter

Yup, that's right, I am devoting a blog post to the great Harry Potter.  My sweet sister in law (before she was my sister in law) asked me to go to the midnight showing of the sixth movie two summers ago I believe and I obliged.  So, after a week long marathon of watching all of the movies, I sat in line for probably six hours to watch with a group of friends.

I will admit, I kinda fell asleep during the movie.  At that point I hadn't read any of the books, and if you are a fan you will agree with me, the movies have nothing on the books.  Plus, there are SO many details that are lost which can make a girl lost.  Fast forward a year and talk of the last series of movies is starting to stir.  Erin pleads with me to read the books so I can go with them when the second to last movie comes out, in a matter of three weeks I was done. Side note, since I had fallen asleep during the last movie, I had missed a crucial moment.  Needless to say, Erin received an all caps text message saying, "I HATE SNAPE!!!" That emotion went away though.

So, yes, I went to the midnight showing this past year.  No I did not call in sick to work the next day and yes it was worth it.  This past Thursday evening I ventured out yet again for the very last Harry Potter =(  Thankfully, Erin was sweet enough to save my seat while I visited with friends who just got in from Amsterdam.  

I so wish I had taken pictures.  Imagine with me hundreds of teenagers, dressed as Harry Potter characters.  There were several wands, lightening bolts painted on foreheads, t-shirts, robes, the famous glasses...  Always entertaining.  

So, here's to you Harry Potter.  You are lovely in my opinion.  

 

Amazing how 5 minutes...

Can make you relive an entire day.  Smiles, tears, giggles and all.  Sarah posted our sneak peek on her blog.  I absolutely love it. 


CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR SLIDE SHOW!

Best Picture Ever

Sarah messaged me this picture via facebook last night.  Chris giggled when I showed it to him.  I just had to share.  Boys are silly.

*This is Andrew, one of Chris' groomsmen by the way. 

You Likey?

My sweet Danavee came over this evening, blog skillz in hand.  I do not have the patience to sit down and try to figure out the lay out to my blog despite the fact that it is quite simple.  So, I sat in MY comfy yellow chair and instructed on where to place things.  

Stream line, simple, and something new.  I loved what my bro-in-law came up with for us, if you are upset Brian, punch Chris for leaving town next time you see him =)

A Little Help from my Friends

I'm an antsy person.  My brother in law set up this blog for Chris and I when were engaged over a year ago and it is lovely.  However, just like I would paint my walls every six months if my budget, patience, and now husband would allow, I am ready for a change.  PLUS, my wedding pictures should be in my hand soon (thank you Sarah Carter) and I need to show a nice big one off at the top of this blogmyster.  

So, I've enlisted a sweet friend to help me so that my brother in law, who lives 11 hours away, doesn't stay up all night reinventing a blog that I should be able to figure out myself.   If you recall from my last post, computers and I don't mingle well.  Mine crashed, Chris' freaks me out, so I need back up.  Danavee, if this doesn't motivate you to come on over and help a sister friend out, then I don't know what the world has come to.

Nevermind the fact that this video is 9 minutes long and he is CLEARLY on something.  It's Woodstock, what can you say?

Lessons Learned on our First Week Home

Christopher is gone this week.  We had our wonderful honeymoon, a week at home, then poof, he's outta here for a week.  Sad, sad, sad.  However, I was able to learn a few valuable things in our first week at home together.  

1) It didn't take long at all for "my" house to become "our" house.  What once was me moving around and arranging things while Chris sat helpless on the couch not sure what to do, has changed to me being bewildered by what the heck he is doing.  The boy likes to be organized and clean.  


2) I have more meat in the freezer than the three years in my house plus two years in my apartment combined.  Realizing that meat is now not an option in the home has been strange.  I seriously could have one hamburger a month and be totally content. 

3) Boys go through a lot of laundry.  A lot.


4) My laptop crashed within two hours of Chris leaving so I have been using his Mac to feed my new Pinterest addiction.  However, I am frightened by it and do not know how to upload pictures.  Chris, please hurry home so our blog readers are not bored.