Stilettos & a fishing pole

important decisions.

2012-02-15T16:00:00.003-05:00

So. Since I mentioned changing my blog name recently, my mind has not

let me rest on a new title. I've been contemplating over and over and until today...

well I can't really say I've got nothing but hopefully.

I need your help. Will you? Please?

Okay good.

Here is a conversation between my hubby and myself yesterday.

Take a look.

TIMEOUT:

Clearly I knew Busy Love wasn't "getting somewhere"

but I had to keep his attention and make him feel like he was doing great.

Moving right along.

and he didn't.

I knew he was done.

Lame right?

I thought so too.

Only for a little while. He gave me something to work with.

Clearly "Busy Love" or "Bipolar Busy Love" was not okay with me.

Nor did it sound half decent.

But... it was the start of something.

Therefore I turned over to my facebook account and asked my lovely friends to

come up with a more creative word for "Busy".

Wow! They got really creative.

I loved them all however it didn't bring me to another thought.

So...

when talking with a friend in a random conversation I said something that

I say all the time in a happy moment or exciting moment.

I said "that's CraZy AmaZing.

Instantly it brought me to an idea I really liked for my blog title.

Also, I thought you can substitute {Busy} for CraZy & {Love} for AmaZing.

Right?

I thought so too.

Then when I was brought back to the computer I did something

that totally messed me up.

I went to the thesaurus on computer and entered busy.

It gave me all kinds of ideas that I really liked.

Which means they lead me to a million things that brought me in all different directions.. So here is where YOU come in.

I need YOU to help me decide & make a decision.

Clear your mind and help pick. I already have my favorites but with your help

I can make my mind up. Maybe. Hopefully.

They are in no kind of order.

So I need two things from you -

♥Your choice of blog title

♥Why you chose that one

Here we go:

{OR do I keep it the same }

and just to clear things up...

i am not bipolar and have no personality traits around being bipolar.

my husband always says that in a conversation something like this:

#truestory

Wife: What we doing this weekend? Do we have set plans?

Husband: I was thinking we could go ________. {left blank so I don't get busted.}

Wife: {in my winey voice} ahhhh, we do we have to do there? I don't wanna go.

Husband: .... no response.

Ten minutes later

Wife thinks about it not being THAT bad of an idea.

Guilty conscience works me every time.

Wife: Alright, it's okay if we go _______.

And that my bloggers is why he calls me bipolar.

Because one minute I am not okay with something and the next {AFTER my conscience works me over} I'm okay. {But really, my true feelings always come out first.}

--------

you've got my heart on a string.

2012-02-14T07:00:00.018-05:00

Sunday, February 12th

is when I treated my Valentine to a little love.

I can't remember the last time Georgia weather was this cold.

We've barely had winter this year and the day I planned a small fishing trip with a picnic

outside is the day we almost got frost bite. Not really but maybe.

I saw this website that has this print out that said

You've got my heart on a string

and it immediately brought me to the thought of taking Aaron fishing just behind our house on the family property. Once my head starting gambling up ideas I began to dig a little deeper into this whole Valentine idea.

Being we had kickball practice at 1:00pm that day I didn't really know how to

come about this. Before? After? Holy crap it's cold.

I had to run to the store to pick up one more thing so this was my shot.

I had everything packed already and hid in the guest bathroom shower where he would

not find it. I hurried to the store, set up everything and went back for Aaron.

I was already freezing. I told him to bundle up. It was KILLING him to not know what was about to happen. Being we live seconds from the ponds I figured I should blindfold him...

so I did.

and brought him here...

... what a surprise.

Did I mention it was really cold?

Which is why we decided not to act on the fishing idea.

I didn't think to understand that fish do not like to come up to the water

at a low temperature. Therefore we just had a picnic.

Aaron loves peanut butter and jelly sandwichs & when I ran into these mugs

I knew I had to incorporate them into the day. Which is where the picnic came from.

He also L.O.V.E.S chocolate chip cookies and milk. Matter of fact, he has three cookies with milk almost every night before we go to bed.

Sooo....

I made him chocolate chip cookies and sealed two mason jars tight

filled with cookies.

The second photo is what Aaron is pulling out of another mason jar here...

and here is where

{You have my heart on a string} came in.

I tied all the reasons why I loved him or what I loved about him

to fishing line along with these red hearts.

I won't lie.

Eating our sandwiches in the cold was pretty quiet.

Until we both just started dying laughing because we both really wanted to

go inside and be warm ...

but he wouldn't say it and neither would I.

So we basically tried to have a good time while we were there.

The End!

We packed up fast and defrosted our bodies.

P.S - did anyone notice my husbands lips outside of the candy lips?

hilarious, right?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

♥

So... Who is your sweetie this year?

Tonight, we plan on dining out in the city of Savannah,

with a glass on wine.. {or 2. or 3} & enjoying another Valentines Day together.

What's YOUR love story {link-up}

2012-02-13T13:04:00.001-05:00

1. How long have you and your significant other been together?Aaron and I have been together since we first met... in high school. We just celebrated our 11th year together last month.

2. How did you meet? {What's your "love" story?}I moved to the small town my Freshman year of high school.Scared to death but made it. I briefly had interest in this guy... {always right?} whobrought major tears to my heart right from the start. However he was best friends with Aaron's cousin - who a lot of time would be hanging out together. It's strange to say when I first heard his name, I instantly wanted to know who he was.Our town is very small so it didn't take me long to meet everyone ...but it did for this guy {Aaron}. After four months of being the new kid on the block & hearing the name, Aaron Drew being tossed around, my life changed when I attended a high school dance. When leaving with my friend, I stopped to talk to the brother of the guy I had interest in who was sitting in the passenger seat of a white Ford F-150, the driver of the truck was the guy I was waiting to run into for the last months. Leaving that night, I told my friend that he {Aaron} was gonna be my next boyfriend. And he was. Who is now my husband. The LONG road started then.To read the continued story... go here.

3. If married, how long have you been married? If not, is this the guy you hope to marry? {do tell}We've been married for five months and 10 days.

4. If you are married, where did you get married at? Big or small wedding? If not, where would you like to get married? And will it be big or small?We got married in Statesboro, Georgia - right outside from the small town we live in.The Venue was perfect - rustic elegance & our wedding day was so happy.We had a rather big wedding - 300 guests. Even though I am still recapping all kinds of posts, you can check it out here.
It was an amazing year for the both of us.

5. Do you have any nick-names that you call one another? Do share!HA! Geez, if you follow me you know m husband is what I call a "man child".He has the best sense of humor and keeps me laughing. He has many many many nicknames for me. Let's see: For starters lets say it is VERY odd for Aaron to call me by name.If I hear "Jessica" come out of his mouth it's very strange and I don't like it. He is the only person that doesn't call me Jess & for the past year + he's started calling me, j. A couple other names I hear from him are♥Snookums♥ Grump.a.lotta.mus {when i'm a grump} For him? I'm pretty lame. It's usually just {Aaron, Babe, or Honey} 6. Name 3 things you love most about your honey.♥ his sense of humor {see why here}♥ his manly-ness. So sexy. ♥ his leadership & friendship.

7. Tell us how he proposed? Or your ideal proposal?Well. For years and years I waited so patiently for that moment.I started to believe it would never happen. All our friends were married & the most popular question at every occasion was "When are you two getting married?". No one caught the garter/bouquet at weddings because they were pretty much just thrown to us.I started to refuse to go out there. Ha!After 9 years and 11 months of dating Aaron finally dropped on one knee and asked me to marry him. Read our story here because it's a lot. I will say that every moment waiting was worth every second of feeling it would never happen. There is nothing more amazing than knowing when your husband {to-be} pops the questions, he's ready for his whole life to start right then with you. It may not make sense because it didn't when a friend of mine explained it to me. Nothing more makes sense. If you did read our story back on questions #2 you may understand a little better. You always hear, Love is worth waiting for - yeah well so is the commitment of Marriage. 8. Is he a flowers and teddy bear kind of guy for v-day, or strawberries, champagne, and rose petals?Never flowers. Sadly he won't send me flowers. He says he can't understand to spend that amount of $ on something that will die. Aaron is a fine line between a romantic type and a teddy bear type. However, he's grown out of the stuffed animals but hasn't quite grown into the strawberries and rose petals {with an amazing exception of our our wedding night}. He's more of a romantic dinner type and a gift of something very meaningful. He has never let me live down the year we were somewhere around the age 19? And we agreed we were gonna take it light... and he cooked me a wonderful dinner and just gave me a stuffed animal. I was a brat and got all upset because he left the price tag on it and it was like $4. Yep. He won't ever forget it. I feel horrible.I love nothing more than a {don't rush us} dinner with wonderful conversation.Check out his surprise for me last year.

9. Are you a sunset dinner on the beach kind of girl, or pop a movie in and relax on the couch?Ohhh definitely a sunset on the beach kind of girl. All the way. Now, I DO very much love our {date nights at home}.I'd never get them up for anything. Buuuuut I'm a romantic girl.Bring me to the fairytale life. Most of the time, I plan the romantic sunsets and such..but hey - I'm okay with that. As long as he's there with me. Let's roll with it.
If I wait on him to think of something like that I get let down. Which is what you learn in 11 years. If you want it you go get it. So I do & you will see that at the end of this post.
10. Tell us one thing you'd like to do with your significant one day. If you could do anything? Go anywhere? Ohhh gosh we were just talking about this the other night. About where would we want to go if we won the lottery. Well when we were deciding on a honeymoon- Geez, never research honeymoons. Instantly fall in love with everywhere you can't afford. I fell head over heals in love with this one place. We would have definitely gone if it weren't for flight expense - This place has made it on my bucket list and my husband knows this....It's called Paws Up Resort in Montana.I want to go "Glamping" & ride horses along the water streams and go hiking through the mountains. BIG BIG BIG dream of mine. Being he is such an outdoors guy & I am more of a room service girl {who loves adventure}... it was perfect.However we could not afford $1000 per person for flight + resort expense.One day... one day. 11. Tell us what you plan on doing on this Valentine's Day?Well the hubs is taking me out to dinner tomorrow night. But I showed him a little love yesterday. Of course there was a little unexpected whether change so it kind of through me off but it still happened. My husband is a fisherman. LOVES it. Last year since all kinds of wedding events were happening I decided to make Valentines about him. We went to his families property up in South Carolina to his favorite place to fish and... well we fished. It really was great. So this year I wanted to so something like that again. We did have plans to go back but with work being crazy busy it was impossible. I ran into this valentine card that said, You have my heart on a string and thought fun. I can coordinate fishing + my love with this. So I came up with this...

But you must come back tomorrow to see how it all went down.

Sorry.

12. Are you asking for anything this Valentine's day?I never do. I think Valentines Day is about showing your love & sharing it.It doesn't really have to be anything just a thought.Aaron would totally say I was a crock of shiiiii if he saw this answer.

13. Give us one piece of advice of keeping a relationship strong and full of love. Wow. Broad statement.I believe in keeping the friendship alive & always loving your partner more.If you read our story you will see we hit a lot of struggles but we never ever gave up even when we tried to & on at our weakest moments. A relationship isn't easy. It's work, everyday. I always remind myself that if I can work for weeks on hosting the perfect baby shower or wedding shower and put SO much time and thought into it - then I must be able to do the same thing for Aaron. It's a never ending job but the most rewarding job you can ever have and want. Being in love with a person who shares all the good and the bad about life... it's amazing. I also believe is always keeping the laughter alive. {trying} to never say "well why should I do that for him if he doesn't..." or "when he does that, I'll..." It doesn't work that way. {Always Love More} - that's what I write to every bride & groom and every signature on a bridal shower card & ever wedding guest book. Always Love MoreIt's the best thing I ever started living by. {& yes, a lot of time I struggle.}
14. Show us a picture of what love means to you. This is tough because I don't think love can truly be defined in a picture.But it can symbolize something which is why I chose this below.

Love is walking together through all the good and the bad & always holding on.

Love doesn't Run. Wearing his class ring closest to my heart on our wedding day was something very special to me.

The End

help name it.

2012-02-11T10:12:00.000-05:00

Thank you ALL for your amazing words of encouragement on my a wife struggles post yesterday. Believe it or not, you all made me feel sane with your struggles of the same thing. I'm normal! I AM NORMAL! Whoo-hoo!!! Big smile.

Okay so moving forward.

Along with my post shared yesterday - my changes...
I'm also going to make a change in my life on the blog.
I've contemplated whether or not to change my blog title.
I've come to conclusion I am going to.

Stilettos & a fishing pole has been fun.
It will always stand for Me{Stilettos} & Aaron {the fisherman}.
That is who we are. Clearly I am not a shoe - I guess I should say that is our icons.
However we are are a lot more to that.

Stilettos & a fishing pole came from defining who we were at the time I started blogging.
Which was March 2010.
At that moment in our lives we were understanding our differences and learning to live as opposites. It's always been a huge laugh among our two families on our differences.

Since 2010 we have more to offer now.
So there is where you come in.
It took me a very long time to pick a blog title and be happy with it therefore I need some ideas.

Throw anything out there.
One, two, or a few. Throw words if you can't think of a title.

& of course something that stands for me & who I am.

Okay, so go now...

give it to me

{baby. uh-Huh uh-Huh!}

a wife's struggles.

2012-02-10T13:16:00.001-05:00

Wow. What a week it has been.

My heart is weighing in heavy today as I sit here to gather up all my thoughts

on this little post on

finding balance as a wife.

Forgive me if I move around a lot because ...

well just because I am like that when I'm trying to express a point.

You ready? Good.

If you asked me today, "How's married life treating you?"
I'd say wonderful. It's really fun.

Most people say, "It hasn't changed."
Me? I think marriage has changed. In the big picture, no way. However
seeing life together with another person and placing the pieces together on HOW you plan to live life is something you just really don't discuss before saying I do.
I mean yea, I want three kids. You want two. I want to live in a busy town, you want the opposite. Joint accounts? Separate accounts. Beliefs. Promises. In-laws. Children.
All that you talk about but you aren't really given a lesson. Right?
Okay, well I didn't. I base it off how I grew up and how Aaron grew up.

Aaron and I have been married for 159 days. It's been absolutely wonderful.

It's so clique to type that it has been the best five months we've had but really and truly it has. After eleven years together you would think why these five months - what makes them the best? To play catch up you should definitely read our story.

See what we've been doing every month ------> 1 2 3 4 5

Weeks prior to getting married, I shared what I expected out of myself

and what I really wanted to focus on as becoming a wife on this day.

I was smiling from ear to ear laughing at myself when I read my words & thoughts on how I thought marriage would not change us. Or hoped it wouldn't. Let's just say I still have my grocery list printed out and have yet to fill it out and I've been grocery shopping A LOT. And the "Please excuse the mess the children are making memories" sign still takes place in our house minus the children, replaced with Aaron and myself. We are both messy. Which brings me to my first topic.

I am not here to share that shit has hit the roof. Because they have not.

Actually they've been pretty darn awesome. But I will admit me, myself, and I have had to do some changes. I've had a huge heart and heart with myself

I struggle with a few things and that's okay.

Bal - ance: noun -
a state of equilibrium or equipoise; equal distribution of weight, amount, etc.

My definition: juggling more than one thing and keeping it all together.

Balance for me? LACKING.

I've always been a busy girl over loading my schedule from second to second but when you find yourself walking into a house that can't seem to be picked up on a day to day basis, it's pretty frustrating but it's how that's how I roll. Waking up to getting ready for work and trying to think of what to cook for dinner... ha! - a joke, right?

It just wasn't {& still isn't} easy for me. I found myself feeling less of a good wife because balance wasn't anywhere. I really really really really considered hiring a maid which if you remember on this day I said would never ever ever ever happen. What the heck? We don't even have kids yet? It really started to bother me. And cooking? I have a handful of things I seem to throw together but always thought of dinners back at home were never repeated as often as I repeat my dinner meals. Poor Aaron. Thankfully he isn't too picky, we have pizza & subway nights a lot... too much. Still working on this.

Both of our mothers have always seemed to have it all together. The houses are always kept up and a four course meal is always served at supper time. Between the two of them it's a lot of match up too. When having this discussion with my hubby he reminded me that they didn't work and had time to have it all together. I understand that and it did make me see a little light however I am still so hard on myself.

It's been two weeks now that I've made a huge decision. Okay well maybe two decisions.
starting with

1} I am not hiring a maid.

2} It's time for changes; I had to say goodbye to coffee time in themornings with Momma. Except on Fridays.

Number two is a big deal. Most people get all mushy gushy on their wedding day

because little girl has grown up and moving away or moving on. Well

little girl has grown up but never moving away. I did not get all sapping with my dad{s}. I live a total of three minutes of my parents. Five minutes if I get caught at the stop sign at the four way stop or have to swing my the post office. No joke.
I get super sad when I don't see Momma often.

I've tried this before where I said "Momma, I'm gonna start running in the mornings, I'm not gonna come but on Wednesdays." Yeah, well that didn't happen. It literally worked for one day.

Well I was serious about giving up my morning coffee talk with Momma. It made more sense. Why?

my schedule for the past {year}

Alarm goes off at 5:40am. Get husband up. Sleep in til 6:15am ...most of the time 7am and rush up - take my bath - get my clothes on - out the door to Mommas by 7:45am. Either I do my hair at Moms or.. just left it like it was combing my fingers through it.

Leave her house between 8:15am and 8:20am - drive to work 9:00am to 6:00am. Most of the time I would grocery shop on my lunch break to give me time to get home at a reasonable hour at night. I walk in the door at 6:45pm rush to get supper prepared. Sit down & eat dinner together {very important to us}. Do the dishes. Rush to start laundry {this is where Aaron helps out a TON}. Rush to do whatever it is I need to do and still sit down and spend time with my husband which is by far my most important thing to do. How I walk out the door is how Aaron walks in the door to. {yikes}

Life was crazy and it was so hectic. My heart raced 90-to-nothing & felt

like I wasn't getting anything done. I wasn't enjoying anything thinking I was.

my schedule now

Alarm goes off at 5:40am. Get hubby up. I'm up at 6:15am no later. Take my bath, Pick up the living room {because usually we have it a mess from TV dates the night before}. Make my bed {like really make it}. Do my laundry {I've had laundry done everyday for the past two weeks}. Decide whats for dinner - lay it out. Toast a bagel or have cereal {another thing I'm trying to focus on} while drinking my coffee. Run my car before getting in it instead of just jumping in... freezing. I'm on the road by 8:15am & I'm put together and feel great. Go to work - still grocery shop on my lunch break. Come home at 6:45pm and there my husband is... waiting for me. My house is clean, it smells good and dinner is ready for cooking. Eat dinner. Do dishes. Sit down with my husband {without folding clothes} and really really reeeallly have time to breath and appreciate my day.

It is amazing what a one hour change can do for someones lifestyle.

I never told Aaron I was not going to Moms anymore because he would NEVER believe me. He would laugh at me. He knows how important that time with Momma is to me. Three days of him coming home to a spotless- smelling good house he asked me,

"Have you been going to your Moms?" At that moment I was proud to say, No I had to do some changes in order to make life easier. I've got to find a way to make all this happen.

Later realized how dumb I should feel because he noticed.

Let's just say I appreciate my Mom for all that she does and has ever done for
me and my life. And I don't even have children yet. Yikes!

So yes. After "I do", there are changes. You have to start looking at life on how you

see it in your future. Playing House no longer exists but it's better. The fun is still there of course but seeing marriage through a wives eyes rather than a girlfriend is pretty different. A good different. It can be intimidating. There is a lot more responsibility involved. Balance in the Drew residence is on it's way.

♥ a somewhat of a vlog will be coming very soon.
stay tuned.

Another Honeymoon!

2012-02-08T15:43:00.001-05:00

I wish!

Not really but kind of.

HELLO vacation!

I know. You haven't seen my honeymoon because I've YET to write a post about it.

Sorry. Forgive me? I kind of got burned out with all my wedding posts but plan to jump back on the band wagon soon. I promise.

Mmmm- K?

Alright. Enough of wedding talk.

back to vacation.

In just 71 days, Aaron and I along with whoever else wants to go

will be sailing away to go see this...

{took this picture from our balcony on our honeymoon}

and this too...

or maybe this

or doing this

Oh my goodnes, I'll be so nervous but want so badly to do this...

To be honest, the Bahamas is a little boring compared to

other ports only because there is limited to do. It isn't as impressive as I always dreamed it would be. Aaron has been cruising since age five so he has been here A.LOT! Me, I think this will be my fourth time to the Bahamas.

We've snorkeled, seen the Atlantis Hotel, attended the Beach Parties, swam with dolphins, fished & partied our hineys off in Senor Frogs!

But it's still vacation. It's still a trip away from everything.

It's still a cruise and that my friends... we love.

You can never go wrong.

Unless you were on the ship that the stupid captain decided to run into a sandbar

and tip over.

HeLLo dumbass.

Never cruised? You should. Amazing!

We are BOTH extremely ready to whore around the casino table...

not whore as in "excuse me bartender my room is 701". Whore as in

gimmie all yo moneeey!

We LOVE Roulette.

Love it.

My husband is a little more aggressive than I am. He uses whips!

Totally kidding.

But yeah, he is definitely more of the gambler.

I WILL say that I was the one who took home the $$$ from the honeymoon.

ohhhh... I am so ready.

April 19th - I'm ready for you.

The End.

S.T.U.C.K {on you!}

2012-02-07T09:30:00.000-05:00

I'm usually on top of my game when it comes to any holidays gift ideas.
Valentines Day has always been a favorite of mine however this year I seem to be struggling. I have no clue what to do for Aaron.
I'm stuck.

We had all plans to pack up and head out of town for the weekend just as we did last
Valentines Day. Sadly, my work put that on hold.
Last year wasn't fancy at all but it was perfect in every way.

We plan to dine out on Valentines Day but I just don't know what to do for him.
I've always made something special for him and I just really haven't a clue what this
Valentines is gonna bring.

It's our F.I.R.S.T as a married couple, help!

------------------

I kind of thought about using this motto

and maybe spend the Sunday before fishing with a little something else but I don't knnnnnow. {in my wining voice}
All I know is I need to get my mind on the planning and figure this out.

What are YOU doing for your Valentine?

Ready for more? Sure!

2012-02-06T16:24:00.001-05:00

For what everyone thought would be a "boring season" it's been everything but boring. It's been interesting. And a lot of mouth drops. #myopinion.

Are you sick of Courtney yet?

Me too.

She makes me vomit.

It's been pretty wild.

So last week she took Ben skinny dipping.

Whoa. What? That's what I said.

Ben are you trying to find love? Or Lust? Or another wild college night?

Yeeeeah. Because that's what it looks like when it comes to your actions with Courtney!

If I hadn't seen the previews I would have NEVER guessed he would have.

Let's just say I'd be so upset if he ended up with me at the end of this show and having to look back and watch that. sleazy ben, kinda sleazy.

See what Chris says about the skinny dipping here.

It's pretty interesting.

Jumping out there.

Do you think they did the nasty?

Ben just doesn't seem like this type - so public.

Maybe we judged him wrong.

Let's move along.

Courtney.

Not only is she skinny dipping but her other annoying comments inside in house

are just killing me. They really make me fume.

She's cute but I just don't see the gorgeous-ness that she is all made out to be.

Her facial expressions {aka - the sideways lip} KILLS me. What is that?

Her walk? Is just strange. She much be a foot model.

She doesn't have to walk or show her sideways lip.

I'm loving Kacie. She seems to have great chemistry with Ben.

Then I think of the skinny dipping and it makes me so --- yuck for her.

I think she will be sad when she watches that back. Who wouldn't?

Last week Jennifer was sent home and Whoa, I really thought

he wasn't quite ready to let her go. They seemed to have a nice connection. Besides her color choices in clothes {VS her hair color} I liked her.

I truly thought Emily was going home, even though I really didn't want her to.

Emily is around for another week. Yay! I like her.

Let's hope she doesn't bring up "Courtney" anymore because

1} it's kinda annoying

2} It's effecting her.

Why spend your ten minutes alone time {during cocktail party} talking about someone else. Talk about yourself or him. Geez.

Jennifer had an interesting interview.

See Jennifer's interview here.

So what's gonna happen tonight?

Go here to see a mini preview.

I am afraid to say it gets yuckier ladies.

Do you think the woman team up intervention will work?

I did see last week where it look as if Ben calls Courtney to the side to talk to her...

Baahaahaa.. I think it'll be a joke. She totally has him trapped. What do you think?

Something crazy happens tonight where Casey S. leaves {or stays} in tears.
She is is shown hysterically crying.
Hmmmm... Does Courtney's only friend have a big secret.
We will find out tonight.

My question? How dumb does he feel sitting there watching the show replay?

He must feel pretty lame. For being so close to his mother and sister...

I bet he is definitely hiding his face.

So that's that.

I'm ready for tonight. I think it'll be interesting.

FIVE

2012-02-03T15:26:00.000-05:00

01.03.12 - 02.03.12
easy month filled with a lot of relaxation & QT.

♥Brought in the New Year, 2012 with a group of wonderful friends,
celebrating at the DeLoachs house!
Ending the night with a water bust - 15 minutes after 12:00
our good friend went in labor with her twins.

♥January 2nd started our Monday night ritual
with The Bachelor.

♥ The world gained two beautiful girls, Chloe & Cale Good
on January 4, 2012. Healthy & Happy!

♥ Had a wonderful day together in Savannah on 01.05.12 - ending with a good dinner date,
Ice Skating & Lovin Spoons.

♥ Husband spent the weekend of 01.07.12 fishing in a tournament with
his good friend, Michael while wife-ette spent the weekend in Atlanta
with her Pure Romance ladies.

♥ Co-hosted a baby shower for Shanna & the girls on Jan01.21.12

♥ Met The Good Girls for the first time on 01.29.12

♥ Random: Husband organized his shed throughout the whole month. Did this almost every night before dinner. :)

♥ Had friends over on 01.28.12 for dinner and played series of games; Dirty Minds, Things & MadGab.

♥ Had a fight with pancakes on a beautiful Sunday morning
{01.29.12} So the husband thought he could do better. {He didn't. We laughed}

♥ Ending our fifth month with a nice dinner at Outback {again}

and a date to Bass Pro Shop jamm'n out to Bon Jovi {Bad Medicine} on the way home on 02.01.12 Good times!

What a wonderful FIVE months it has been.

months; FOUR, THREE, TWO, ONE

some funny shyt.

2012-02-01T11:07:00.001-05:00

When I watched this this morning, I immediately knew

I had to share this with you all.

If you are like me, you will cry from laughing so hard.

Y'all know I am a HUGE Ellen DeGeneres fan.

Huge! Like... going to see her show is on my bucket list.

Yeah, that big of a fan!

I can sit and watch her YouTube videos all day...

because I miss her actual shows on when they air.

Ready?

You should be.

Freaking Hysterical.

Yesterday, Kristen Bell was on Ellen's Show.

Take a look.

Was that not the funniest thing you've seen?

#HYSTERICAL

Have a wonderful day, Friends!!!

Dear high school sweetheart,

2012-01-31T07:38:00.003-05:00

You had me at hello on January 16, 2001. I can remember that night like it was yesterday. There you were sitting in your white ford truck with Justin & Brandon. You stole my heart and never gave it back. And I never wanted you to. I thank god every single day for you, all of you. I can't wait to explain to my little girl or boy on the day s/he is experiencing her/his first love that the little blue eyed boy who captured mommas total heart was her/his daddy.

Aaron, you are my world & you have been since day one.

I love you. Happy 11 years of life together.

♥ Your Wife, XoXo

Picture taken February 2001 - ages 16/15:

at a friend, McKenzie Pickett's house. We were with two other couples, hanging out... falling in love. I can still remember walking around the Pickett's house along with the other couples... my heart was pounding & blood was pumping 90-to-nothing. I was full of smiles.. and stopped breathing when he grabbed my hand. I was falling

I never want to forget this day. I never will.

All I can remember about this day was...
{Are you ready for this mom?}

After prom, we all went back to Aaron's {parents} house. Which was planned.
Us and about 7 other prom dates. Well, I had to be home at 1:00am, no later...
my parents would have killed me. Well, we fell asleep and I woke up at 5:00am knowing my parents get up at 6:00am. I screamed. He jumped up. We got my stuff together in about 2.5 seconds... no joke, I was scared to death. Knew I was going to walk in to my parents starring at me at the table.
Well i didn't. They were still asleep. THank God. At 10:00am I woke up and was REALLY nervous.
I walked out to my mom smiling huge asking me how Prom was.
I knew I was safe. Later {in picture} Aaron came back over to hang out.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Our Story:

God knew what he was doing when he made this little tomboy who always had a bow in her hair while baiting her own hook... she grew up being the complete opposite.

She was the first girl to ever take his attention away from "I'd rather be fishing."

♥

met in January 2001
became... as my parents would say
"steady" January 2001.
we were kids.
we were in high school.
we went steady all throughout high school...
for the most part.
he had my heart from day one.
i had his attention but it took longer for him
to settle in.
#now comes college.

ouch.
i lived in an apartment with my girlfriends.
he still was at home.
{mommas boy..yes}
parties. break-ups. crying. finding ourselves.
we made it.
it was rough.
it was only the beginning.
now comes the first time we lived together.
#2008

wow.whoa.what happened?
you're just not ready to play house at 22.
well we weren't. we were far from it.
reality hit us.
big time.
wait - let me correct that.
reality hit ME.
this was a bad idea.
we were on two different roads of 'knowing what we wanted'.
i moved out 8 months later.
hardest thing i've ever done.
not really moving out
just everything that came along with it.
okay and yes - moving out.
a day/moment i never want to feel again.the hardest moment{s} of our history yet.
however, it was the best thing that ever happened to {us}.

he is a bachelor.
i live with my parents.
something I never thought i'd ever have to do again.
he was high on single life.
i was broken to pieces.
shattered.
torn apart.
alone.
he partied & ...
partied.
well, he was a bachelor.

my heart was brought interest elsewhere.
yes, with a guy. a great guy.
not with aaron.
i was swept off my feet.
aaron begged. cried. pleaded. but partied.
he was still in the same mind set.
not ready for the serious-ness of a relationship & love.
make sense?
he was a bachelor & wanted that life.
he needed that.
#five months later.

he hasn't given up.
i found myself. my life. my confidence.
my heart.
which was with aaron.
he was my heart.

best valentines day yet was our first
day back together - 2009.
the.perfect.date.
love took some time to find us again
the real love. the trust. everything that comes with it.
we moved in together with time.
still a few bumpy roads but nothing
was worth giving up.

June 2010 spent our time
moving into his late great grandfathers home.
it was given to us.
it was remodeled to make it our home.
it was a very good time in our life.
we found the our happiness - together.
happiness was alive, living, and regained.
we found partnership.
we found respect for each other and most of all...
we became stronger friends
best friends
& lovers all over again.

September 2010 Aaron picked out THE ring.
December 26th he was on one knee.
we planned my perfect fairy tale for eight months.
the happiest, most joyful experience.
became husband and wife on September 3, 2011.

Life now...
is spent building our roots.
a lot of couch-time. dinner dates.
time with family & friends. new traditions.
& a wife trying to cook like momma does.
#notquitethereyet
starting our family.
making plans knowing nothing can beat us.

boy, it's been too long.

2012-01-27T16:46:00.001-05:00

Geez Louise! I'm missed all of you.

Not sure who has been messing with my website access in our I-T department

but they can sure as heck stop it!

So. Now that I'm completely off track & can't think about writing.

I figured I'd share what HAS taken the place of my breaks {aka blog time}

at work this week. Ohhh don't you worry. I've been just fine this week.

Stay tuned. You'll love it.

All I gotta say.. is there are a lotta cool bloggers from TEXAS... but I learned a lot about the people from Houston, Texas.

Welcoming my favorite person I've never met:

The Ellen Show

Round ONE-

Round TWO-

Round THREE-

Now for something a little something different.

I about snorted way to many times watching these ladies...

Round ONE-

Round TWO-

Round THREE-

... will have to come later.

For some reason it's no where to be found.

When I find it... I promise to post it because this one chicks cracks me up... hysterically.

It's Inappropriate

Dear high school sweet heart,

The Good Girls get a shower

I'm lovn' Jo!e.

2012-01-26T12:13:00.001-05:00

First, I'd like to Thank EVERYONE who shared {or tired to share} their punch recipes! I had an amazing turn out and let's just say... the punch went well. It ran out.
I'll have pictures ASAP!

Second, Forgive me for not blogging this week. I had a crisis. My work blocked all BLOGSPOT.COM. Thankfully, Aly's URL is a dot com therefore I was about to scope it out and... somehow get back on my blog. I don't think it'll last for long. But bare with me on my "lack of blogging".

Now... for my product of the week!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

after all amazing shares of favorite products I have the urge to show my favorite kitchen gadget of all time. After Dottie's & Breann's wonderful show & tell kitchen loves I must move along to share my hands down most FAVORITE kitchen gadget ever...

don't laugh.

because Aaron makes fun of me all the time but really

it makes the happiest cook alive.

I'm not only going to share just ONE product but a few.

However it's the brand that I am using as my "Favorite Product of the Week."

#truestory

Last year at my {Around the Clock} shower my mother was struggling with her gift. She would tell me every morning how she hated the time of the day she got. "I'm the mother of the bride and I got....breakfast." My mother is a perfection & likes fun pretty gifts {as i do}. I could tell she was stressing over what to get. So... when she found this brand of products she really hooked Aaron and myself up. Thanks Mama!

Product Brand: Jo!e

My #1 favorite product made my Jo!e is....

The Kitch Oven Devil Pull

Yes. you are looking at this correct.

I love this little guy. He is great.

best part about him he is only $2.99.

The perfect idea for wedding showers.

Most people shop of registry but after using a lot of Joie products like this little

guy, I buy kitchen gadgets for my brides. Hands down was my favorite thing receiving.

I used my Bed, Bath & Beyond gift card to go out and buy many more gadgets

like this guy. Yes, this is where my husband said I was crazy. I used my gift cards for this.

But I promise you I use him more than any other gadget in my kitchen.

I love all Jo!e products.

They all make life in the kitchen easier, happier & a lot more fun.

Runner up:

The Tomato Slicer

Who cuts a tomato evenly WITHOUT help?

Not me.

Matter of fact, I despised cutting a tomato until I got this guy.

You can buy this tomato slicer for $9.99.

Wouldn't THAT make the kitchen experience more fun? and prettier?

Second Runner Up:

The Spoon Rest

Small. Easy. No mess.

best part... $3.99

Third Runner up

... which should really be first runner up is

The Omelet Ease

We use this a LOT. You flip it back and fourth to make an omelet...

resteraunt style. It's simple & easy to clean.

Baby Shower 101 - {with your help}

2012-01-20T10:16:00.001-05:00

{via}

So I have this baby shower that I am co-hosting tomorrow for one of my good friends, Shanna {who already delivered her twin girls six weeks early}. My favorite thing of ALL time is to host gatherings. I love it.

Yaddi Yaddi Ya.

My reason for this post. One of the things I've been said to do is make the punch.

I'm excited because I finally get to use the beautiful punch bowl we received at one of the showers. Yay! I usually do the green sherbet/ginger ale punch but I really want a spectacular Outstanding over-the-top De-Lish punch that has everyone going back for more??? Yeah, that punch you made at your last gather. Tell me!

Any help? Maybe you have a recipe that is amazing & everyone will

dote over? I want dote-ers!

If so, PLEASE let me in on the secret.

I'm looking for R.E.C.I.P.E.S not {check pinterest}.
Being I've waited last minute to dwell on this... there is no time for pinterest. k? thanks lovers!

Ready. Set. Go
get your recipe book & come back!!!

WEN is where it is.

2012-01-19T08:23:00.001-05:00

Product of the week link up withAly & Tiffanie! my product:

having issues with your hair?

dry? frizzy? pure yuck?

you need this product.

mainly the shampoo & conditioner.

... and then you know you need the rest but really.

no joke.

wen product is amazing.

expenisive I know.

not only am I a Used-To-Be-Stylist

but I am also a firm believer in spending money on your hair.

good shampoo makes a complete difference.

seriously. no kidding.

"If your hair is dry, frizzy, oily, dull or out of control, the problem might not be your hair—it might just be your shampoo.
Shampoos that lather use sulfates and detergents, which can strip your hair of natural essential oils, and make it less manageable. WEN® is different. The creamy formula cleanses and conditions without harsh chemicals to improve the look and feel of hair.
You can see the difference after just one use. In fact, in a 3-week study of users of WEN® cleansing conditioner:
97.5 % of participants saw more shine
90% of participants saw less frizz
90% of participants saw more bounce and body"

order it here.

you can thank me later.

Tweeters?

2012-01-18T14:47:00.001-05:00

The photo says it ALL.

I'm kinda like an outcast in twitterVILLE.

I'm fairly knew at it and still very much learning about it & how it works.

I remember having no face for the longest time until Aly harassed me enough. kidding.

Well I'm there. finally.

however I don't follow a lot of bloggers nor do I have a lot of followers.

I am pretty much a stalker of celebrity life.

OF COURSE I am follower my boy JB. daily, duh!

but what I want, is to reach out and find YOU on twitter.

Soooo...

Here it is. I no longer want to be in the projects & a tweeter wanna-be

I wanna follow YOU & you and you and you on twitter just as I do in the blog world.

So come find me.

Let's be tweet friends.

& give me a shout out so I know what's going on & to be sure to follow you back.

K? Good!

Yo you....

I am talking to YOU

come find me @JLDrew9311

Coming from a NON-book reader.

2012-01-17T15:54:00.000-05:00

Never been much on reading books however in the past year I've gotten into it more and more depending on the book itself. I am reading The Help because I loved the movie so much and I must say that I'm LOVING it so far

& I am still in the first few chapters!

If you haven't seen the movie head to the next RedBox & rent it. You'll LOVE IT.

I promise!

the story of my tats.

2012-01-17T11:39:00.001-05:00

aint gonna lie.

when I first wrote my title of this post

i had to remove the words tits & replace it with tats.

tit for tats? no cool story for them. i know, i know. dammit, right?

what i AM here to show you today are my tats.

my tattoos people. i have two of them.
nothing too special - random and dumb.

do i regret them... naaaahh! no way.
why? they are both memories and tell a story.
i'm linking up with Raven & A Mommas Desires & Pacifiers
with her lastest link up. If you have any make sure to hop over there & show us your Tattoos!. If not, come anyway.

so here it goes.

I like to call my very first one...
The Independent College Student.

once upon a time i was the aggravating no-it-all teenager that my

mother tried to comprehend but couldn't.

i was independent & thought everything i did was right.

i also had a best friend who is still my best friend who was

JUST LIKE ME!

only my mother loved her - her name is Danielle.

Living the college life we were. very much so.

going out. drinking. partying. drinking. working.

oh and school, yes.

we were out and about having the time of our lives.

Dani and I had this thing were would draw a little heart on our left foot

with a pink pin outlined in blue that was located in between our

two smallest toes...

like so

one random Tuesday we got really excited {talking about getting this tattoo}

and said we were going to do it.

So we did.

however, when we got there we decided that we ~~no longer~~ wanted the cute little

pink & blue heart that we wore on our foot for like 2 months straight...

we wanted a butterfly.

yes. a butterfly.

my nerves drew in & my amazing mother popped in my head.

{she's gonna kill me if she finds out}

so not only did we decide {since we were best friends & all it made since}

we decide on a random butterfly but we also decided to each pick a color and then together pick a random color. Fun right?

we also decide to relocate our tattoo due to me freaking out and due to Mama

chopping my head off being she F.R.E.A.K.E.D about my belly button piercing.

did I mention I was 18? Okay.

so we decided we were gonna locate it in our bikini area... hidden.

danielle actually has hers right above her bikini line & mine is completely hidden.

you have to be... shown or i'm naked.

most of the time i forget it's there. really.

So basically what if you think about it in about 40 years
from now my beautiful butterfly will become a moth.

pretty right? not!

So here she is friends...

Ugly Fugly, right?

danielle and I love our tattoo. we do.

we also bless our own hearts more every time it comes up

in conversation.

Next up ...

The Birthday Party

Not huge story here.

basically, Aaron's sister is pretty much in love with tattoos & we always do something for our birthdays celebrating somehow.

so we did with tattoos.

THIS time I wanted mine to show.

being I wear heals 90% of my life I wanted it on my foot.

{figures}

this one too, I forget it's there.

until people bring it up like my client did last year.

Client: You married?

Me: No.

Client: {speechless} with this gosh awful judgemental face

Me: Why are you looking at me like that?

Client: I always thought you had a man in your life.

Me: I do.

Client: You do know that is the symbol for lesbian?

Me: No. I didn't. Thanks though.

dammit.

The End.

The Independent College Student

Show me your goodies: Accessory Swap!

2012-01-16T10:38:00.000-05:00

Good Morning Accessory Swap Participants!!

I'm so happy this morning to FINALLY see what everyone was gifted with. I had a blast hosting this swap and think I may do it more often... whatcha think?
Would you join in again?

I'm super excited to share what my sweet friend, Dayna Leigh from A Bama Belle & a Bucket List so graciously bought me. She pretty much spoiled me rotten, not kidding. First, let me introduce Dayna. She is a beautiful brunette who loves fitness, dressing up, drinking wine & hands down a huge football fan, ROLL TIDE. Not to mention she's a southern. I sure wish we lived closer, we'd get along great! {better than we do over the blog world, of course} Dayna's blog is always interesting to read so hop over to the Bama' Belle's blog and give her some love.

Okay okay...

now for the accessories.

Last Thursday I was just getting home from work and saw a box on my front porch with MY name on it waiting so patiently for me to open. I had so much to do that day but everything stopped & excitment ROLLED in.

I quickly open it as if it were Christmas morning & see this...

... with or without the accessories I would have been in heaven. One thing you may or may not know about me is I LOVE anything to do with stationary or wrapping.

Dayna made this gift opening SO.MUCH.FUN.

Here's why?

Fun already, right? I thought so too.

Love it! So me.

& then I saw this

Dayna, your wrapping excited me ALMOST as much as my goodies.

{please excuse my chipped nail polish. Don't judge.}

Was I NOT spoiled?

Thank you Dayna for not only picking out some really great accessories but

being my wonderful partner! You're awesome!

Okay, NOW if you are in this swap PLEASE make sure to link up using the URL

code for JUST your show off post, not your entire blog. I want to be able to check out everyones goodies & not have to search for it. I'm sure I am speaking for everyone else too. Please & THank you!

& Thank you ALL for signing up for this swap. I really enjoyed hosting it & if you are interested in more swaps comment me and let me know. I'd be more than happy to put them together!

Now link up!

If you are reading this...

2012-01-13T16:33:00.000-05:00

then I ask you to stop what you are doing &

Peace for a sweet little boy, Tripp Roth.

{via}

I do not ask that you read his story today, because I'd rather you use your

time to stop and pray for him. His amazing mother, Courtney

mentioned that she feels his life on earth is coming to an end soon but knows he will be rejoiced in heavens with our God almighty where there is no harm or pain. Tripp is incredibly strong & battling the worst disease I could ever imagine.

Most people haven't ever heard of it {including myself} until they've read his story.

Courtney shares his excruciating story in hopes to one day someone being able to maintain this disease or find a cure.

Tripp is so strong, stronger than most men I know.

He absolutely loves Elmo with all his heart. Courtney says Elmo is Tripp's best friend. He holds Elmo in his hand day in & out up until a few days ago. Elmo even wrote his own song just for his biggest fan!

Tripp has the most incredible talent that I have ever seen. He brings a smile to my face and so much joy to my heart, he plays the drums. Watch him play!

Friends, I ask for your prayers to make Tripp as comfortable as possible.

As his mother asks,

Thank you.

All of these pictures are pictures captured from

"Ebing" A Mommy, Courtney's blog.

a great day in january.

2012-01-12T11:56:00.003-05:00

First I would like to thank you ALL for all the wonderful
compliments on our beautiful children shared in Tuesdays post.
As much as we pushing off having little ones... we are just estactic to bring in such beautiful children in the world. Thank you!

Okay. Enough of that. Mj disappointed me enough. It's now time for happy time.
Moving along.

Every month on our 'monthly anniversary' we always find a way to celebrate somehow. Check out all the other FUN stuff we did during our fourth month here. Being the 3rd fell on a Tuesday night, which is my book study nights we had to put it off. That being said, on Thursday, January 5th the hubs and I both took the day off from the work life. Being tax season is coming my job will be in full force and my company doesn't allow us to take off any time for three months. Which in all honesty it doesn't effect me but I can pretend I'm upset about it. Right? What did it get me? The husband for a full day.

We woke up, hold up... I woke up at 7:30am. Early I know. I'm the early bird who can never sleep in when it's allowed. I let Aaron sleep in while I caught up on house work. Before I knew it, it was 11:30am. What? I cooked a small breakfast for him & went in for the big jump. Yes... on him in bed. He was up in no time.

Me? I was ready for a fun day in town. I had a lot planned prior to knowing he was going to take off - some I got done, some I did not. But it was worth it.

Showered. Got Ready. & There we were in the car headed to Savannah.

Okay so we went a lot of random places.

Bass Pro Shop

Charm & Charlie

Walmart

Dollar General

Visit our friends, Jon & Shanna in the hospital {they just deliver their identical girls the night before, Yay!}

We were starving at this point so we headed downtown Savannah for a wonderful dinner at Outback Steakhouse, one of our favorites. Plus we had the best time & dinner ever!

It's a ritual to order the blooming onion

& then to follow we ordered with our eyes & not our tummies basically we always order

big & then get boxes to take home.

Aaron with his usual - Filet & Lobster

& me with my {sometimes} usual - Alice Spring Chicken

Is it just mine or does your better halfs get freaked out/annoyed/eye rolling when you take pictures of EVERYTHING just in order to capture for your blog?

Mine too. He looks around to see if anyone is watching me arrange my broccoli & snap the picture. Baahaha.

We walked around downtown {my favorite} for a little bit and then got a brilliant beyond brilliant idea.

... we took a stroll over to the Savannah Civic Center and decided to kill ourselves & Ice Skate. I will admit we were both extremely nervous.

It was craZy cold in there ... at first. Until we both realized it's a lot of work to Ice Skate & quite the exercise. Our layers peeled off in no time.

My legs look as if they are like 5 inches long? I surely am NOT the tallest person but my legs are not this short. I mean I know we have the strangest looking children but REALLY, you must understand. Anyway, Aaron wouldn't really let me get a good picture of him skating - I think he was pretty freaked out that he may have fallen.

Falls

Aaron - 0 Jessica - 0

there were a LOT of almosts for both of us

& noooo we were NOT holding the walls ~~the entire time~~. We were the ones in the middle being all famous & shiii acting like Nancy Carigan. I'm lying.

However, I will say we didn't stay long. There is only so much to do while ice skating.

Okay so we end out night with ONE.MORE.PLACE.

I always talk about this & being it was still early and we were both completely stuffed it would be a perfect place to take him for the first time. He can't stand surprises & tried to guess the entire way there....

Lovin Spoons!

This was my first time to a Lovin' Spoons - there wasn't enough fruit choice for me but it still was so delicious. Aaron loved it too. Actually he informed me last night after dinner that he's been back twice this week. Diet? Ay, not really.

We were home by 8:00pm & ended the night

on the couch with over sized jammies & a movie until it was time for shut eye!

The End!

Happy Four Months of Marriage, love!

It's been awesome!

I did a bad thing today.

2012-01-10T15:10:00.005-05:00

Does Princess Sophia want to come out and play?

Don't try to explain to me you have never played this trick on your man?
Well, I have. Plain in clear. But that is not what I call doing something bad. It is not a bad thing naming your mans wank Princess Sophia. Okay, Okay - maybe so.
If you have no idea what I am talking about, shame on you!
One of my all time favorite movies, How to loose a guy in 10 days.

I can recite the entire movie & watch it over & over & over & over again. I laugh just as hard every time!

Alright to the point.

Remember when Andie made Ben their family album showing what their future children will look like? Of course you do! Hilarious but they were scary as hell.
Can't ya tell from Ben's facial expression?

Well I kind of somewhat ran into this off a website looking for baby stuff.

I am not preggers. I was not shopping for me.

I am not preggers.

I had to clear that up, Anyway.

On the bottom of the screen there were different ads & as I looked at the next page

I saw The Baby Morpher and it had Brad's face + Angelina's face = then a random baby. Immediately I knew I must to do this. How exciting, right?
This is where my something bad fits in.

So I did it. I chose the first two photos that I ran into of Aaron and I that were big enough to fit the picture box. Let's just say I didn't think it could get any scarier than Ben & Andie's children. Oh but it can.

I used this picture of me-

& this picture of my handsome husband -

Then I chose to surprise me with the baby's gender.

Then chose a medium skin tone for our baby.

{hoping s/he has his skin tone not mine}

I'm smiling BIG at this moment thinking this is really happening. Okay. I need you to feel my excitement. I need you to relax and get butterflies with me. I'm about to see what our future children will look like.

Big cheesy smile.

drum roll please....

Me + Aaron =

...........

.........................

..........................................

.......................................................

..............................................................................

Face drop, right? Me too!

Really?

Is she not the scariest looking child next to Chuckie.

Apparently I misunderstood "medium skin tone" .

Not only that but really ...

look at the head of hair? What is that? Pure awfulness. They could have at least

groomed my child before letting me see her for the first time, geez louise!

& like the most insane facial shape I've ever seen. Our child looks like she is spray tanned. Really? If she is gonna be a mixed baby, then let her be a mixed baby.

Looks as if I slipped a hubba hubba before MJ died. Her skin is two toned.

I named her Mj.

Let's hope I don't try to put my baby back in my vajayjay when that time comes

because Mj is kinda freaky looking. I was very disappointed.

Round Two

OF COURSE I went back for more.

This time I didn't find myself smiling, I was a little nervous. I chose "surprise" for the gender & this time I changed our skin tone to "light".

Me + Aaron =

.........

...........................

..........................................

.......................................................

...........................................................................

Okay...

not AS strange as Mj. But really... they should update her fashion. It's horrific!

They hid her hair with a {voted worst hat EVER} hat. An ugly fugly hat.

I do like her dimple. She gets that from her Momma.

Her name is Bo Bo.

as soon as I saw her I thought of bringing her to Barnum & Bailey Circus.

Round Three

Then I said to myself well a physic once told I was going to have "two boys" & "one pregnancy"{inspiration on my next blog post... coming soon} So I went back to see what our baby boy would look like.

Are you ready? Because he came out a little fuzzy & totally unexpected.

This time I entered Aarons photo before mine. So....

Aaron + Me =

-------------

---------------------

---------------------------------

--------------------------------------------

Awwwwwwe, isn't he is so sweet?

MUCH better. He makes me smile.

Besides his mysterious/fuzzy/missing ears, I think he is PERFECT!

What I got out of this?

It redefined me that I STILL want to hold off on creating a REAL baby & also that I do not want a 3D picture of my child in the womb.

However, we'd make a pretty little boy. :)

Bad thing = I've scared the living shiiii outta myself.

Wait!

Before you go watch this little clip of Andie showing Ben their family album. #hilarious.

Our Family Album

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

— MOVIECLIPS.com

Priceless. Period.

2012-01-09T10:32:00.003-05:00

... So yesterday was my business trip to Atlanta.

I'll make this short. I'm exhausted. I want to go home. I want to sleep.

sorry.
anyway.
back to my point.

Somewhere between 8am - 6pm, one of the several classes I was in a corporate leader

entered this video into her lesson. We all fell in love as you will too. Definitely something we all could watch daily.

... Only if I could dance on my bathroom counter like this.

Moral of her point: We must stop beating ourselves up & learn to love what we see when we look at ourselves in the mirror. Have a positive attitude on who we are look past the imperfection.

What is perfection? I've never been able to define it myself. Can you?

FIVE positive things to say about myself:

I like my hair .

I like my back. Clearly I do not see it in the mirror but when or if I do, I like what I see.

I like my curves. ~~On most days~~

I like the shape & color of my eyes. They've always been a good judge of character or actions. I can always count on them.

I like my freckles. They are a unique part of me.

What are the things you like when you see yourself in the mirror? Do you often tell yourself - point it out - say it out loud?

Or do you find yourself seeing only the things you do not like? Well quit.

Start seeing your beauty for what it is.

Be more like Jessica { the girl in the video }.

ROAD TRIP with a litle sex talk.

2012-01-06T17:01:00.000-05:00

I'm headed out for the big city of Atlanta, Georgia.

Tomorrow. First thing.

Ohh, It can't come fast enough. Even though it IS work related bummer we do plan to make the trip for what it's worth and pack up and head there a day earlier than we need to be. I mean ya just can't go to Atlanta with a group of ladies without a little fun, right?

That's what I was trying to explain to the hubby.

Oh wait - Have I mentioned it's for the second company I work for

Pure Romance? YES, How fun? So much! Let me explain.

You have no idea how much fun this company {& job} is. I have a blast being a consultant & it's worth giving up spare time. The money is there! Sunday we will be in training & classes ALL.DAY.LONG! I won't say I'm completely dreading because I am excited to see what's in store & coming soon for our company however, it could be a dreadful eight hours. I really hope they provide us good food. Bahaha! Eight hours is a LONG time especially to have to drive back {4 hours} and prepare for another work week with my big girl job. There are five of us coming from Savannah, including me & I really love these ladies. So much fun to be around - A lot of energy & good times ahead.

I've had a lot of bloggers ask me what exactly Pure Romance is?
Well - to keep away from awkward ~~typing~~ talk just go to our website & check it out.
Our job is to Educate, Entertain, & Empower woman! I like to say "Keeping the O in rOmance!" Still don't get it? Okay, it's KINDOF like selling Mary Kay or Willow House {In-Home Parties} Only it's everything plus some about sex. Most of the time when people think of these kinds of parties they misjudge you. They automatically think toys & objects that one considers freakish. Those are the people who need to come see me the most. However it isn't just toys - It's everything a woman {& man} need to help spice it up a little. We even sell make-up & facial cleanser. Boring.

Moving along.

Go online {here}, find a consultant closest to you & host a party. It costs $0 and quite entertaining. Your girl friends will LOVE it. Amen sista!
You'll thank me later.

So, not only do I sell Insurance...
I sell a lot more interesting things than you may ever think of.

The End!

SYW

2012-01-05T07:00:00.002-05:00

1} I used to be the girl that/who__________but I'm not that girl anymore because___________________.

I used to be the girl that matched her bras & panties but I'm not that lover anymore because Aaron doesn't notice, he'd rather me naked.

2} Describe yourself in three words.

Happy. Talkative. Friendly

3} I struggle with...

Balance.

Life is always hectic - never know what's happening from one day to the next. I hope to change that this year.

4} If I closed my eyes right now ______________.

I'd be dreaming of TAKE-2 honeymoon.

Vacation please!

5} I wish I could live without __________

but it just isn't happening.

Internet on my phone.

8 Relationship Habits ...

2012-01-04T13:47:00.001-05:00

...that you should kick to the curb this year.

Yes I am a newly-wed, therefore I'm obsessed with the perfect relationship right?

Wrong! Don't mis-judge me.

Yes, I am a newly wed. Yes I am very involved in my relationship with my husband.

No, I do not believe in perfect relationships - I don't even know what perfect really means.

However, my husband and I have come down a very long path long before we ever started planning this wedding, playing house & becoming Mr. & Mrs. Lots of break ups {Lots meaning like more than five} & lots of tears, confusion & WTFs? We've always been far from perfect. In love & back out of love only to find the love we've waited 10 {very close to 11} years for... with each other. Life is pretty amazing. Finding this love meant completely sacrificing things we said we'd never do or give up. Finding this relationship we have meant completely understanding each other and never disrespecting in ANY way towards one another. Yes, we fail at times. Our relationship made a double 360 in January 2010. We were on our way to forever.

Once upon a time in far never ever wanna go back there land - I heard this statement over and over and over again "Relationships shouldn't be that hard. They shouldn't be that much work."

{Cough} Bull-Shiiii

Okay, so I agree that they shouldn't be THAT hard or THAT much work. But they are most definitely hard work. I like to rephrase it and say

"Relationships take a whole lot of energy."

Oh but they do. Which is why I thought the need to share this article I found on TheNest.Com . Maybe it could help areas that you don't really know exsist.

8 Bad Relationship Habits to Kick

this year.

1} The PDA Habit -

You stick your tongue down your partner's throat in a cab, in a movie theater, in the back pew at church. You call each other sickeningly syrupy names (you know what I'm talking about, Schmoopy). The thing is, you make your friends nauseous. You make parents cover their children's eyes.

The fix: The next time you're in public, imagine your mother is seated next to you. I really hope this stops you.

2} The {other} PDA Habit -

{I'm guilty of this at home with my hubby. He gets onto me ALL.THE.TIME. Here's my sign!

Is it to late to add it to my New Years Resolution?}

We're not talking sloppy kisses; we mean your smartphone. Your manners fly out the door when you're glued to your iPhone. You send emails at the dinner table. You tweet at the movies. You talk to your partner ("Mm hmm, mm hmm, yep...") while simultaneously playing Angry Birds.

The fix: Try to get through an entire evening without your PDA -- and focus on present company instead)

3} The TV Habit -

Every night's a threesome that includes you, your partner and that trusty old pal: the DVR. True, there's a lot to be said for the comfort of getting into your pj's and catching up on your shows together, but you can't always act like the Old Married Couple. Until, well, you actually are. And even then....

The fix: One week without TV. (Yes, Hulu counts as TV.)

4} The Smothering Habit

9:05 a.m. text: "Morning! Get to work okay?" 10:10 a.m.: "Soooo bored at work. You?" 10:11 a.m.: "Is it 5 o'clock yet?" 10:45 a.m. phone call: "Hey, what are you up to?" And it's not even lunchtime yet .

The fix: One hour without contact. If that's too aggressive, try 10 minutes and work your way up. It's fine to want to be in constant contact, but give yourselves some time to miss each other.

5} The Teasing Habit

{Thanks to this article I maybe just realized I need to lay off this a bit, even though I'm playing. Who likes a teaser?}

It's all meant in good fun, right? You tease him about his haircut, his clothes, his eating habits, his job, the barren walls in his apartment, the way he cleans his car, his toothbrushing, his sunglasses, his [fill in the blank]. After a while, it's not funny; it's actually pretty annoying and demoralizing.

The fix: Don't try to go cold turkey and stop the teasing --- it's not realistic. But try to trim it by 20 percent.

6} The MIA Friend Habit

Tell me if this sounds familiar: You interact with your best friend about once a month -- to "like" one of her posts on Facebook. When you finally do hang out with the group, you bring your significant other and you both keep looking at your watches, whispering to each other and wondering how early you can bolt.

The fix: A weekend with your friends -- without your partner. Remember: Your other relationships need nurturing too.

7} The Over Analyzing Habit

You spend more time talking about the relationship than you do actually experiencing the relationship. Open communication is one thing, but when you take it to the lunatic fringe -- Where will we be in five years? What did it mean when you said... -- what you actually could be doing is sabotaging things.

The fix: Shock therapy. (Kidding.) But on your next date night -- or any day -- try to live in the present instead of thinking about the future.

8}The Non-Dating Habit

{agreed. VERY important.}

You've found someone you love, so you don't need to go on stupid dates anymore; the courtship is over! Taking your partner out to dinner and a movie sounds about as logical as taking a surprise vacation to Guam.

The fix: 8 p.m. Reservations. Wine. Candlelight. Romance. (Don't let it die.)

So, did it make you think a little as it did me?

I think so!

The Bachelor: Cheesy First Impressions

2012-01-03T10:22:00.000-05:00

Maybe you are new to my blog, maybe you aren't either way you will

see that in the past two years I've become really hooked on his show.

This seasons Bachelor is Ben Flajnik - the runner up {who got down on his knee and proposed to Ashley and was rejected} on last years Bachelorette!

I liked Ben. I think he is a doll.

I've been counting down the days {like no joke} since it was announced on TV when the first show would aire....

whiiiiich was last night. Enough with the yaddi yaddi ya...

-----------------------------

There we {my hubby & I} were at 8:00 sharp - Spaghetti Dinner all set up on the coffee table in the living room ready for the show....

Okay, Did you watch it? So you are with me on the 'Cheesy First Impressions'?

I mean golly geez, if I were about to meet a guy who can possibly be the love of my life -

I do not want to start off

A} Running to him as soon as I get out of the Limo

B}Write a poem that says "Don't make fun of my butt chin dimple"

C} Hand Sanitizer & spraying breathe mints in my mouth

D} Bring my grand mother along... who also had more conversation with

the Bachelor than I did. Right? Right!

If you have no idea what I'm talking about...

Let me just introduce you to a few of the CrAzIeS that I saw last night.

Before I do let me just remind you in case you didn't really know

Girls are just awful & can be SO mean.

Ericka studys Law & woed him with

"Verdict is in and you are guilty...of being sexy."

Okay not horrible compared to the other lines - but still... hold for later.

Ericka was given a rose.

Amber - Nurse

"My last name is Bacon...do you want a little taste?"

Do what? Really, you are trying to find your husband. Sex is important in a relationship {marriage} but I would NOT want my first impression to be a sex appeal. I sure hope there is more to her {like eating cow balls SERIOUSLY NO JOKE} than wanting to taste bacon because its my last name because I'm Canadian. Weirdo. I thought she seemed pretty cool in her video - but this is why she went home. Knowing Ben from last year, he is sensitive not a horny toad. Geez ma-nitty!

Jenna - New York Blogger

Okay I was REALLY excited about her. Even Aaron got over excited when "blogger" showed up under her name however - This girl was a basket case! One thing I do NOT understand about this show whether it's the Bachelor or Bachelorette is how they get SO upset when they leave before even knowing who the

main catch really is. What if there is not connection for you. right? I mean I get it. It would be embarrassing. - This girl is definitely gonna be a star of the show - I mean like Drama wise.

Jenna was given a rose but I truly think she's here to stay for the show.

Courtney ... the model.

I'm not digging her. I hate cockiness. Well will see more of her later.

Emily, a PhD student seemed good BUT

she is the one who hand sanitized his hands & sprayed breath mint spray in his mouth

&&& gave him the first kiss. I don't dislike her but I think she'll stick around.

Even though I was so embarrassed for her & found myself ready for it to end, her rap song to him

was pretty good. Then again, cheesy on the first night of meeting ANYONE.

Emily was given a rose.

Samantha tried to rule him in by wearing her pageant sash to a pageant that nobody has heard of.

It MAY be different if it's like Miss Georgia or Miss Universe but Miss Pacific Palisades? What is that?

Lame! However, Ben liked it because she too was given a rose.

Holly, who reminds me of a faker Emily wasn't so bad but REALLY

could have lost the Hat. I mean I get it. You are from Kentucky but really... he couldn't even hug you OR see you face. Hello! Other than that, she wasn't bad.

I can't really remember but I think Holly stayed & was given a rose.

Holly sitting with Bacon girl.

Aaron seems to think Blakeley, the "VIP Cocktail Waitress" is a stripper.

It convinced him more when she pretty much let boring pony tail like rape her with her eyes & words.

Blakeley was given a rose.

Speaking of ponytail lady, Monica.

First thing she has to say to Ben is "I miss my dog." Really?

But then it explained it because I really think she is there for the wrong reasons.

And just because I have to say it... Why would you really wear your hair in a slick back ponytail.

Nothing stylish about it. Cute dress, bad hair!

She stayed - Ben must have liked it.

Okay now... Brittney, she brought her Grandmother with her to woe Ben.

Come on! Just because he is a family man... really? Grandma? I mean sad to say - but all Aaron and I could say about that is wonder how Grandma was taking all the judgement and harsh words from the other ladies as she watched herself on TV last night. I mean, Grandma & Ben had more convo than Brittney did.

However, she was given a rose.

I knew the girl from London was going home. She was sweet but full of energy. I'm hyperactive but I could hardly keep up with her. And her poem to Ben about herself... Don't point out your flaws within 5 minutes of meeting the Bachelor. "Don't make fun of my butt chin dimple" - really.

Yes, she went home.

How about the girl who got out of the limo AND SAID NOTHING.

Seriously. Why would you just walk past him & not say anything.

I sure hope you didn't wonder why you weren't given a rose . Here's your sign!

The last two I wanna discuss are the two I really liked:

Lindzi, who happened to be my FIRST like {judging off looks} when the ladies were first announced. who rode up on a horse. Okay, a little weird & cheesy but as soon as she got off -

I liked her. Well, I liked her in her video - speaking of that, how about that text from her Ex boyfriend - how HORRIBLE. Wow! Anyway, I liked her a lot from the start minus the horse.

Lindzi was given the first impression rose!

& Jamie, the one who adopted her siblings because of a rough past. She didn't go into cheesy lines or make a fool of herself when first meeting Ben. She walked gracefully, smiled & introduced herself. Normal. Ben also gave her a rose. Yay!

Where is the drama:

both annoying already.

First Year: 4 months!

2012-01-03T08:00:00.019-05:00

Crazy busy month for us full of holiday festivities!

12.3.11 - 1.3.11

♥ Celebrated a quarter of a year with dinner & cocktails

on 12.3.11 at the fancy shamancy Jalapenos.

♥ Christmas Photo Shoot on 12.4.11.
SO.MUCH.FUN!

♥ Started my book study with a few other hometown
lady friends. It was great & extremely inspiring.
Book - The Politically Incorrect Wife

♥ on 12.10.11 I attended our hometown Christmas parade while hubby went duck hunted with the guys. Then that evening hosted our annual Christmas Party -

Celebrity Christmas.

♥ Attended my work Christmas Party, Pure Romance Style

on 12.11.11 - Tis the Season to be Jolly.

to Stephanie Young to always asks me about Pure Romance...
. I promise you I will have my answers out this week. Stayed tuned. It's interesting!

♥ My 12.12.11 my man-child was having TOO.MUCH.FUN
{is there such a thing, not really!} with Frankie, our elf on the shelf.
"Where's he at... Where's he at?"

♥ 12.14.11 HOTT dinner date with my in-laws.
Not really. Okay really - it was a great time @ Miyabis Japanese Grill!

♥ Christmas Party at Heather & Bretts new home
on 12.16.11 - we had a blast.

♥ On 12.17.11 a Christmas party with my immediate family
at my parents house with all the kids. Best day yet!
Played 'Broke Christmas' & we received
a bread warmer & two Mickey Mouse Ponchos!

♥ 12.23.11 -
had dinner with Aaron side of the family, at Grame' & Daa's.
Wonderful night with the family!

♥ 12.24.11 Christmas Eve-
Aaron and I woke up & exchanged gifts as if it were
Christmas morning. Ate Mommas famous cranberry bread & watched the ELF.
What a wonderful first Christmas it was.
♥ 12.25.11 -Our First Christmas Married
By far the busiest Christmas day EVER!
But it was really great.

♥ 12.31.11 - Brought in the New Year with a large group of
friends at the DeLoachs annual gathering.

♥ 1.1.12 - New Years Day was a lazy one!
Pjs ALL.DAY.LONG with a little TV &
ended the night with Super Mario Brothers 3 on the Nintendo!
Great way to start 2012!

Happy New Year, 2012!!!

2012-01-01T00:01:00.002-05:00

First post of the year!

Another year has come & gone!

New Years mean new beginnings and I am just over joyed to see what lies ahead.

I hope it's just as wonderful as 2011 , however I would love for it to slow down just a little. 2011 was insanely busy and went by WAY.TO.FAST!

New Years always makes me think of the phrase Out with the Old, in with the New - which brings us to the topic of my new years

I'll be honest with you. Don't take my new years resolution serious because

really... I never follow through. In fact, I had to look up my resolution from last year if that tells ya anything. But what's exciting is a lot of those did happen to come true. We paid off debt to where we are almost debt free {almost meaning extremely close} & I got healthier... for the wedding however I've managed to pack a few of those horrible pounds back on. My third resolution was to shop less.. BAH! I don't know how it's possible to shop less when you plan a wedding and have a trillion events to attend. Impossible. BUT - at least I did that AND paid debt off! Yippie!

I'm getting side tracked - A.D.D. I'm getting to it. I swear.

I have a whole new outlook on my

this year & by golly I'm pretty excited about it. The things I have on my list this year are more of a resolution for how I want the rest of the years to look ahead.

♥ Start making weekly dinner menu's & grocery shop by the week.

This is something I REALLY want. I think it'll help a lot and I won't feel so overwhelmed when I get home. Routine.Routine.Routine!

♥ Get up before Aaron gets up to start our day of right.

This was something I wanted to do as a "WIFE" and I mastered it for a total of two weeks.

Which happened to be a really great two weeks - I loved it. So this too, is something I REALLY want to work on.

♥ Organize my house. My gosh - I am the messiest person ever.

Every day I appreciate my mother more and more. I'm a clean person however I'm pretty messy. I've realized I'm almost ~~I don't want to admit it~~ a hoarder. Labels, baskets, whatever it takes for e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g in our home to have a spot. If I don't use it... get rid of it.

♥ Exercise. HA! {like make it a routine. not just one day}

This happens to be on my list every year, every month & everyday. However I never commit to it. I don't want to become a freak about it but I really want to do this for me.

Goal - Run a 5K this year.

♥ Keep my car cleaned.

Whoa! This is going to be a tough one. I'm not sure how, what, or WHY this seems so hard for me but really it is. My car isn't dirty - it's just a mess. I have this thing where I never take anything back into the house I just leave it in the car which leads to a mess. It drives me crazy, really.

♥ Shave my legs every day.

Period.

♥ last but no where near least - pray more.

I pray a lot but shamefully I'll admit I'm the one who prays the most when things aren't always how I want them. I want to pray because life is good & because we are living.

So. Whadja think? Think I can do it? Of course! What's YOUR resolution{s}?

Now Showing: YOUR PARTNERS for the Accesory Swap

2011-12-30T15:17:00.002-05:00

I know it's a little early but I figured since
it was ready I can go ahead and share!

I'm so excited about this swap.
This is my first time hosting & I think I'll do it more often.
Okay, so now for your partners...

I've already started buying & can't wait to see what everyone receives.
Who wouldn't be?
Make sure to contact your partner & swap information -
mail out your gift by the 6th of January.
Share your goodies {with a post} on the 16th!
I.Can't.Wait♥
....
Here are your partners.

Carly
Carly.Moorehead@gmail.com
&

Danielle

daniellechance@gmail.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pamela

pamelasplace5@yahoo.com

&
Ashley Hudson
ashleynh72@yahoo.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aly
analyzethisblog@gmail.com
&

Jessica W.
jessica_walker11@yahoo.com

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Holly R.

hritter18@gmail.com
&
Holly M.
missholly169@aol.com

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ashley

ashley.barr@hotmail.com

Jessica S.

prettyphysicist@gmail.com

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Erin
erin.motes@gmail.com

&
Kristina
mynewwifelife@aol.com

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Angie
Aelbert1980@hotmail.com
&
Ophelia
OCooper89@yahoo.com

---------------------------------------

Stephanie Y.
redstilettos24@hotmail.com
&
Amy P.
amyrenepowell@hotmail.com

-----------------------------------------------------
Meredith
mpenzo00@hotmail.com
&
Ashley C.
ashleychilders83@yahoo.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Molly J.
hottamolly_07@hotmail.com
&
Lori W.
lori.williams522@gmail.com

------------------------------------------------------------------

Dana
msvannus@yahoo.com
&
Carolyn C.
cchrestman1@hotmail.c om

---------------------------------------------------------
Marcy
themrsburris@yahoo.com
&
Carolyn R.
lifeloveandpuppyprints@gmail.com

---------------------------------------------------------- Carrie
csmilleighfraces@gmail.com
&
Jennifer S .
Jennifer.Megan17@gmail.com

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Valerie G.
valeriekgriffin@gmail.com
&
Christie
cristieyoung@gmail.com

---------------------------------------------------------------
Morgan
morgan.chrestman@yahoo.com
&
Summer
famousinmyownmind@gmail.com

------------------------------------------------------------------Jessica D. {aka ME!}
Stilettosandafishingpole@yahoo.com
&
Dayna Thompson
bamabelleandabucketlist@gmail.com

--------------------------------------------------------------

Due to an ODD number of people the last three ladies I drew
will just have to swap without having the same partner back, like a rotation.

Julianne
jlford20@yahoo.com

buys for

Jenna
nenna_1981@yahoo.com

buys for

Quincee
quinceetaylor@gmail.com

buys for

Julianne
jlford@yahoo.com

The End!

In the year of 2011.

2011-12-29T10:33:00.000-05:00

Well another year has come and gone!
Once upon a time I was the girl who was told "the older you get the fast time goes" and didn't believe it. Well, I believe it now because 2011 went in a hurry! December 2010 pretty much determined how this year was going to be. I got engaged the day after Christmas and we set our date before the first of the year. 2011 meant Wedding Planning! Yet life threw me serious curve balls by dealing with the loss of two very close people in my heart. All in all, it was the happiest, most special year I will never forget!

Here is my year, 2011♥

We brought in the New Year with a lot of our friends by attending the DeLoaches annual New Years Party

Spent most of January finding & booking vendors which got a little stressful but my favorite was dress shopping with my Mom & ladies.

Then the following weekend was the Savannah Bridal Show. My first action as a bride-to-be - great fun!

Aaron threw my for a surprise when he told me a heart drop/exciting secret ... not really. Thank goodness that was just a phase. Wedding planning was in full force planning in the month of February along with

our Engagement Party

Engagement Pictures

& my second bridal show

We celebrated the Super Bowl as the Packers took the title - Aaron was jealous & Paul and Amanda were stoked. We had a blast. Who could forget about Valentines Day? Aaron & I spent the weekend in Santee Cooper relaxing & fishing, a wonderful weekend it was.

March & April were easy months filled with a lot of dinner and beach dates & our nights were American Idol & two shows we were introduced to us - The Bachelorette & Swamp People .

May kicked it up a notch when all the preparation & DIY projects started for the wedding. Morning coffee talk was wedding wedding wedding! Spent Memorial Day weekend down at Ft. McCallester camping on the river with several groups of people.

Wanted to surprise my "fiance" by taking him to one of his favorite singers, Brantley Gilbert who was putting on a concert in Savannah. It was such a wonderful date until we cut it short because somebody was a little intoxicated. Whoops!

And also saw Luke Bryan & Tim McGraw in concert {I don't really remember the month, I just know it was after this concert.}

June was a month when 'Getting Married' felt real. Mama threw me a Bridal Bash where my maids & Moms put together 30 table arrangements and other wedding must do's. It was a great.

June also was the month weddings flew in. It was three to start with but sadly we only ended up making one which was a hometown friend of mine, as a blogger Caitlin from A Country Nest & her hubby Cliff.

The following weekend Aaron and I made a 17 hour road trip to New York where we ended up in the city... driving. I was driving. #Couldn'tPayMeToDriveThereAgain Ending in the month of June was my first bridal shower thrown by Aaron's sister & cousin "Around the Clock Shower".

July kicked off with my 26th Birthday which was spent in St. Augustine with my parents & my niece & nephew. Great getaway! We want to go back soon!

Daddy & Diane came down & stayed the weekend at our house just in time for our His & Her shower hosted my bridesmaids with all our family & friends - It ended up being 8 hours long & in the pool by the end of the night! It was the perfect day.

The world welcomed our fourth nephew Ryder Patrick on July 28th - he made us an Aunt & Uncle to NINE! Whoa! Ended the month with new debt... we bought a camper!

Pressure & stress hit when August first arrived. I had one month before the wedding & I pretty much shut myself out from the world the first week due to seriously freak out. Thank GOD for an addiction that was created right around this time.. Pinterest it brought me back to pure happiness - we went on our

Bachelor/ette Party in Atlanta Georgia {girls} & Jacksonville, Florida {guys} {which I've yet to post about}. It was pretty awesome!
History was made: It was my last night ever letting myself get completely wasted. I made a new best friend that night... the Marriott toilet. I said I'd never do it again after my 21st birthday however I lied. I'm serious this time. The last weekend of August, Rachel my bridesmaid hosted a Lingerie Shower for me. It was so fun & made me feel so special.

Just six days before the wedding & three days before September I took my Bridal portraits {that weren't supposed to happen due to getting my dress back so late} Never have I ever felt like a fairytale more than I did on this day. So.Much.Fun! She's the BEST for making it happen!

Three days before the happiest day of my life, there we were completely devastated over the death of our extremely close friend, Cj. This was hard to juggle with family members arriving and happy times ahead. But nothing could stop my from marrying my other half of my soul on September 3, 2011. The happiest day of my life, my dream came true, history was made! My ever after happened & I was now a wife.

Had the most amazing Honeymoon sailing Caribbean Sea - visiting Mexico & the Cayman Islands. We didn't want to come home. {Honeymoon Post coming soon, I promise!}

After days of getting adjusted we celebrated two special birthdays - his mom & my step dad. We took my parents out downtown Savannah to dinner & then to a 50's show. Nothing could ever re-pay the love & cost of our wedding day. We had a wonderful night!

September ended with a my biggest Pure Romance Party, I sold $1100 worth of product! = Awesome!
October was insanely busy & started off directing my first wedding for Ashly & Jeremy and then to follow another wedding of Lindsay & Timmy -also celebrating my husbands 27th birthday. Jon & Shanna found out the sex of their twins with a wee-miniature gender reveal - Girls!

We attended our third wedding for Tiffany & Trey the last weekend of this month. Holy Love!

November started celebrating Reid's 2nd birthday & drifted into an extremely relaxing month for us. Home together we were - cooking, movie dates, & just doing nothing. However we did attend my childhood best friends wedding -

& also had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebrating with both our families.

December is always busy

Gingerbread House Party, Our annual Christmas Party, Heather & Brett's holiday party, Christmas at Mom & Aaron's, Christmas Eve, Day, but the most special thing that happened was it was our first Christmas as husband and wife.

What I learned this year♥

My gosh, I learned so much this year; little things & big things. However, something that hits home {& was my biggest struggle} was learning to let go. Even though this year had so many high moments I can't even begin to explain the joy in my heart, 2011 had it's low moments as well. One thing I finally came to realize is people change & friendships can be lost and out grown. Being I've always held on tight to the ones I love and who are apart of my life, this year challenged me and brought me a whole new outlook on letting go of people that no longer are good for your life.

2011 was oh.so.happy, yet it also was one of the hardest years. Good-byes have never been easy for me but what I learned is my friendships are more valuable than I ever ever EVER realized they were. In this year I've become more grateful & learned to not take anything for granted -

Life is precious and you never know when a person can be gone forever. Count your blessings everyday! And I do.

.... & that's a wrap!

2012 plans to be much slower, more relaxing, & doubled the get-a-ways... or we hope anyway!

First Christmas Morning...

2011-12-28T10:25:00.003-05:00

M.A.R.R.I.E.D♥
&
by ourselves.

Technically, this wasn't Christmas morning.
This is actually Christmas Eve. Being we were staying the night with his parents
on Christmas night we decided to have our own time as newlyweds to open & enjoy the holiday. It was perfect. By far, the Best Christmas EVER! With my new camera {Nikon D1500 aka an early Christmas Present} I was able to
video the whole thing - which I didn't upload. However, with just my digital camera we were able to snap pictures as a keepsake in our family Christmas album that I've started this year.

Christmas Morning 2011

I couldn't sleep all night - awake as if I were a kid waiting on Santa Claus.
When 7:30am hit I turned the Keurig on, getting ready to serve my husband with coffee. I was so excited. No kidding. Originally, I planned to make breakfast in bed... that didn't work so I figured Mama's homemade cranberry bread with cream cheese would fill the belly.

It only took me 20 minutes to get Aaron out of bed - he couldn't understand why it was so important to get up so early.

Ugh... It's Christmas Morning, Duh! Nobody wakes up late.

Soon enough we were in the living room ready to open.

Being we watched National Lampoon Christmas Vacation the night before,

I turned on ELF on {his early Christmas Present- a 55'' TV} as we opened our gifts.

Apparently he was freezing & I wasn't...

Nothing like getting a pouch filled with gift cards! :)

One of my favorite gifts I got him - a new watch.

a charm bracelet♥

#truestory - I've been begging him for one for years.

When we were 16 years old, he bought me one for Valentine Day.

It had a heart charm with both our names engraved on it, that Christmas

he bought me a Cheerleader charm... I lost it soon after.

He has never let me live it down until be purchased this. :)

my favorite gift♥

It came with a charm & then he purchased three other charms.

A Christmas Tree for our First Christmas, a Camera {which he was really excited about}, & a cubed block with the letter D on all four sides for our last name.

It was perfect.

He them told me "When I first picked out the bracelet, I then started picking out all the charms. I had like 8 and then she told me the price and I had to take a few away." I then explained to him that a Charm bracelet is collected throughout all the years - his response "Well in the commercial the whole bracelet is full. I didn't know."

I thought it was cute.

My camera bag - I was SUPER excited about.

Stocking Time
my favorite part

a new wallet {a Christmas Ritual}

I was proud of Aaron for all my stocking goodies.

However this was hilarious.

I never shared last week about me buying him {youth boxer briefs} & how

he tried putting them on.. hilarious - anyhow well now he can't make fun anymore after receiving children's Q-Tips. We laughed pretty hard about it then both tried

them. Which they were bad at all.

After we were threw with presents we cleaned up & tucked away on the couch to finish
ELF then together we started preparing our covered dishes for our Christmas Day events.
Soon it was time to head to his Grandparents for their yearly Oyster Roast with Family & Friends.

More Christmas Re-Caps to come!

moments.

2011-12-26T10:37:00.000-05:00

A year ago today was the day my biggest dream happened...

As cheesy as it sounds, it was the greatest {& easiest} decision I ever made .

More than I ever imagined & happier than I ever thought I could be.

Here I am today married to my match, my best friend.

Life is so good & love is amazing!

okay, okay

I'll quit with the mushy gushy stuff.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas Holiday! Can't wait to see all the re-caps as well as re-cap our first Christmas married.

It was perfect in every way.

Last chance to SIGN UP!!!

2011-12-23T12:27:00.000-05:00

Hi Bloggers!

December 26th is the deadline.

This is your

LAST CHANCE

to sign up

for this swap!

We have a lot of ladies participating, so join the fun!

Please DO NOT SIGN UP ON THIS POST

Click HERE to read the instructions

& to sign up!

Merry Christmas to everyone!

there is always one.

2011-12-22T12:38:00.000-05:00

9:51am - text message

Wife: Christmas Eve Movie Choice: ELF, Home Alone, The Polar Express,

or Chevy Chase Christmas Vacation? You pick.

{no response}

12:17am - husband calls

Wife:So what movie are your picking.

Husband: Daddy wants to watch the Chevy Chase one.

{every year Aaron and his family watch the original Gringe. It's a tradition}

Wife: No, I mean for you and I on Christmas Eve? We're gonna

watch one.

Husband: {whiny} Whyyyyy we gotta watch one?

Wife: Because baby, we need to get in the Christmas Spirit?

Husband: Okay, well go to the redbox on you way home and get

a non Christmas movie & we will wear Santa hats.

Wife:Aaron.

Husband: I don't wanna watch a OLD Christmas movie?

Wife: Well, The Polar Express isn't old.

Husband: Yes it is. I saw it TV last night.

Wife: It's like a year old. We haven't seen it.

Whatcha wanna watch?

Husband: {draggy voice} whaaatever you want toooooo.