In the year of 2011.

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!

Happy Turkey Day!

Happy First Thanksgiving Day to all the newly-weds & babies born this year!

Ryder {& a little humor}

Have I ever shared this handsome fella of mine?

Not really m.i.n.e, but kind of.

This is Ryder, our youngest nephew.

Doesn't he have the prettiest brown eyes, ever!?

Happy Monday, eerrr body!

Only two more days and then.... the FEAST!!!

Check out a little humor below... you know I love some JB.

George Lopez is ridiculously hilarious.

I love him...

Jennifer Love Hewitt has Bieber Fever too! :)

Back up Jen!

The Best Day EVER, {Wedding Hair}

Keturah Exley - the.only.person.i.trust

She's been my hair stylist for nine years now.

Did my hair for proms, homecomings, yaddi ya & now my wedding day!

Wedding Hair Inspiration

Carrie Underwood

Once we were finished we all piled up in the family van and headed for to Statesboro. Time to get ready...

time was ticking... fast!

a beautiful day in georgia

acorns. apple cider autumn apples.

bonfire boots

brown corn cool weather

cozy

crow crisp air

hot cocoa full moon

frost halloween

FALL

rain love melancholy

leaves

harvest pumpkins walks

red october raking leaves red

sweaters tea scarecrow

octoberfest yellow

Halloween Tradition {+ some}

                                              

                           Happy Halloween Bloggers!  

   Since my oldest niece was born {10 years ago} it's always been a tradition to

go over to my parents house on Halloween. Mama cooks a big pot of spaghetti for

 all of us to fill our tummies with before the fun starts.

In ten years our family has grown quite a bit so it's always pretty interesting.

However, my parents live across the street from a golf course and that's where all the fun happens.

However, there is a side kick.

Nobody ever walks over to my parents house to get candy.

but we solved that problem many years ago.

We pile up in the Gem Car and go from house to house

as the kids get candy from these homes WE pass it out.

Yesterday I sat home and baked cupcakes

my inspiration & Halloween cookies.

& filled my {120} goody bags with DELISH candy.

AND 15 of my 'Mommy Goody Bags'

then usually after a few hours of trick OR treating

we head over to my MIL house and let her enjoy the costumes.

Last Years RE-CAP

Being our family has grown so much through the years {Brother has 3 kids, Sister has 4}

The hubby is bringing home a trailer from work and we are making a hay ride for all

 of my little angels... and us big folks too. Aaron's sister, her hubby, & our two nephews may also be joining us. I sure do hope so.

That would be NINE little costumes!

I can't wait!

I hope everyone has a marvelous time tonight, post your costumes ASAP.

I'm stoked to see your kids all dressed up!






Playing Dress Up! {with a few year missing in between}

 Danny & Sandy
This was actually NOT halloween...
{laughing} But I figured it was appropreiate to share our costumes.
However, this costume party WAS amazing and you should go check it  out!

{Re-CAP} Rehearsal Dinner

Rehearsal Dinner

{go here to see rehearsal practice}

Hosts: P & K Drew {my in-laws}

Where: The Mill House, Statesboro Georgia

What: Mrs. K worked very hard to make this perfect.

This restaurant has a huge variety of entrees therefore Mrs. K chose

two of every category of dishes and had The Mill House personalize

a menu for each person {62} who was taken part.

Pasta, Steak, Chicken, or Pork - everyone was served a salad & then each couple

or single had one choice of appetizer. Crazy! It was so nice. So nice that I peppered my salad and ate for shrimp out of my Shrimp Alfredo and then spent the rest of the night

talking to everyone. So nice that Aaron wore his meal down his pants leg. {you'll see in the pictures} On top of that, they had an private bar set up.

Everything was perfect!

{Pictures were taken by a wonderful friend, Shanna}

The Gals + some

1} Maid of Honor, Danielle & boyfriend, Nic

2} My sister, Kim also Matron of Honor & BIL Tommy

3} Brother Brian, also Groomsman & SIL Kerri, Bridesmaid

4}Bridesmaid, Rachel & husband, Bj

5}Bridesmaid, Holly & husband, Matt

6}Bridesmaid, Kristie & husband, Michael  also a Groomsman

7} Bridesmaid, Heather & boyfirend Brett

The Guys + some

1} Aaron's close friend Chad {hunting buddy} from Macon & his wife Pamela

2} Groomsman, Paul & wife Amanda

3} Groomsman, Daniel & wife Candice, also Bridesmaid

4}Aaron's sister, Bridget also a Bridesmaid & BIL Patrick, also a Groomsman

5}Groomsman, Joe & girlfriend Raisa

6}Groomsman, Jon & wife {& rehearsal photographer} Shanna

7} Groomsman, Nathan & wife Ashley and little girl, Lelia

The Parents Table

{& out table}

{My Aunt would kill me for this picture but it's the only one that was taken.

Garrett, another USHER also Aaron's cousin is missing from the picture.}

Opening Presents

{It was crazy busy when the bridal party was opening, so no photographs were

taken as well. Only the parents.}

... last but not least

 after everything was over

we packed up and I kissed my groom husband good night!

For some reason I found this bittersweet. I don't know why.

He went home to our house along with a few guys

&

WE.. Me & a few of my maids went to my parents house.

I knew I wanted to spend my last night single with my mom so...

some of the ladies weren't able to tag along due to family left behind but some stayed...

 At 1:30AM my mother came out and worked her magic on us...

really me.

She demanded I get some sleep!!! :)

I actually sleep like a baby... up at 7:00am to round everyone up for

HAIR APPOINTMENTS! :)

The FUN has just begun!

Here she is ladies: My Wedding Dress Details

My Wedding Dress

Ambrosia Designer: Maggie Sottero
Color: Alabaster
Full bustled gown with dipped neckline and corset closure. The glamor of embellished lace accents the bodice, as a sensational fit through the hip area combines with caught-up detailing throughout the Soft Shimmer Satin skirt. A romantic lace inset panel is punctuated with handmade flowers that are also nestled within bustled train.

She's a beauty♥ {the dress that is}

{sneak peak of my bridal portraits}

Back View [My Favorite]

{sneak peak of my bridal portraits}

Read about, The Day I found Ambrosia!

Day 108 of planning.

Remember guessing on this post, which out of the 10 dresses was mine?
Who got her right?
I think MishMish & Marcy were the closest!

Alterations Experience

I was very excited about this particular day [June 26th] because my gown had been hanging in my [old] closet back at my parents house. I was so excited yet nervous to know how much alterations would be. I am only 5'2, so every dress I put on must be altered. Being this dress weighs a tons and I had so much extra on the bottom... I was worried.
However, I was excited to see what my "armpit tit fat" looked like.
We all have it.. okay, we I'd like to say we all. Not really.
Let's just say after loosing 17 pounds, I must have lost in that area because I was super happy. After the seamstress pinned up the bottom & bustled me correctly, I didn't think I could love this gown anymore. I was at awe.
That's the day I decided to change up my hair style. The seamstress also suggested that I wore a 'slip' under her. I thought "No way. I like it just the way it is." She said because of the way the bottom is made, & having to take off 4" of the dress, It took away from the dress, but the slip would help. So I figured I would try it on and pass it along. Just to say I did it.
Well, I was even more in love. She knew exactly what she was talking about.
Who care if I have only 8 pounds of dress on me?{ha}

When I went back for my final dress fitting on July 21st, I thought I was bringing her home.
Well... I didn't. But it was okay. After what took her "9 HOURS" to alter & 4 inches of dress off the bottom & 5 hooks [yes, 5 hooks] to hold the train.. everything was perfect...
But... 5 hooks wasn't enough. It was yet too heavy. By the way I dance, it would have fallen in no time. So they added two more to completely bustle the train.



... BIG let down come the day of the wedding regarding this dress, nothing to crazy but it did upset me a put a small damper on an important moment. That comes later!

Life AFTER the wedding: Q's & A's

With only 10 days left, I'm so over wedding planning. I'm stress free & feel very relaxed. Tired but that comes with it. Aaron and I are both completely ready & more ready for the celebration between our marriage with our friends & family. We are worn out & ready for normal life to take place again. Speaking of normal life? What is it?

 Most everyone I've ever talked to whether it be someone close or not

the answer to the number 1 question after the wedding is, "So, how's married life?". The answer is usually "It feels the same. Just a different name." Unless of course you did not live together prior to. Then things are more than likely different.

I believe nothing will change for Aaron and I because we have lived together for a while and already have experienced the trying times & adjustments. However, there are things I want to improve as a wife for not only him but for myself too. I have been asked various questions here lately so I'm gonna throw them out there and share my answers.

♥ Do you & Aaron plan on having joint bank accounts?

This is a funny question. As of right now, we both have our personal accounts & then

we share one joint account. I have always assumed when we got married we would cancel out personal accounts and keep just one. However, during the counseling with our preacher

one of the topics were finances. He asked how we handled our finances and if there ever were issues. Aaron and I both looked at each other and agreed that money or any kind of finances were ever a problem. Therefore, after the session we discussed how we would work our finances. Again, I assumed one account because that is what married people do. He disagreed.

I was a little confused because I felt as if I was pushed back a little. But he made sense.

Our preacher stated that finance & money situations are the #1 reason for fights & divorce. Being we have never had a fight about money I thought we'd be fine. Well Aaron's point is quote "Why would we change it up? I keep nothing from you & you keep nothing from me. If I purchase something, you see it. We've never had a fight about finances so why would we do something different especially being it's the #1 cause of divorce? You have my passwords & I know yours so there is nothing weird about it" It still took me time to completely be okay with it. but yes, he is completely right. ONE- Aaron is the leader of the household. I want both of us to always make decisions together but him being the final say so. TWO- he made all the sense in the world. Even if "that's what married couples do", why would be change anything because we've never had an issue before. '
{What works for you in your relationship?}

♥Babies... soon?

This is a fun question. Back in January, Aaron informed me he was ready to be a daddy after the wedding. {Remember THIS post} Well.... a lot has happened since then. To be honest, at first I was just not on the same level. Then once we really discussed our five year plan things changed a little. We actually talked it up to after the wedding we'd let God take control. Then the topic of lifestyle with children came up.  Aaron and I both agreed it would be best if I stayed at home. My job now leaves me coming home at 6:30. By the time I do dinner {which Aaron helps often} our children will be ready for bed. That leaves me no time with them. We figured out our finances and being we are ALMOST  debt free {not yet} we would not be able to afford it. So we pushed children back until early next year. I'm not done. A few months ago, Aaron and I were settling down to watch a movie one night and we were cutting up, laughing hysterically, picking with each other over this blanket. It sounds lame but it was great. Almost as if we were teenagers in high school again. We laughed for hours. The next day that's all I could think about. So at dinner I brought up children. We both agreed that life moves so fast. This year has flown by like crazy.  We've been together for almost 11 years and in those 11 years we've had LOTS growing stages & priority changes; working through them was tough at times. Life now... we are in hog heaven. We are enjoying the nights with each other & our alone time so much more than ever before. Our relationship feels very strong... one more year wouldn't hurt to wait for kids because when they come {life will be amazing} we won't be able to play fight over a blanket or better yet have alone time on the couch enjoying a TV time. It will be kids kids kids and that's okay but we agreed that we want to enjoy our high point as much as possible before it's taken away.  So, 2013 is our year {unless the Lord thinks different} to start trying for little ones.

2012 is for us. I can't wait.

♥What do you plan on changing anything after the wedding?

Here is where my hope to be the best wife takes place. I don't want much to change between the two of us. As I explained in the question before, things are really great. But there are things or changes I long for. I want to start getting up with him. Every night before bed I set the alarm for 5:45am in order for him to leave by 6:15am. I lay his uniform out and make sure he is all prepared for the next work day. On the days when he wakes up late {not very often}, I too jump up and head for the deodorant & get his tooth brush ready & make sure his boots are ready for his feet... I then go back to bed. I get up at 6:30am. That isn't very long after he leaves.

What I want is for the both of us to get up together {ME} and I'm not much of a breakfast chef

but have coffee together or maybe a bowl of cereal. I think breakfast is a very important time of the day because it the start. This is defintely something I want to do differently & work on.

This is my plan.

Also, start making weekly dinner menus. I lived by this before our engagement... planning had taken a toll on our life so I will be back to this also. We've had enough pizza delievery nights.
I will be using this to help organize my meal plan & grocery shopping trips.

{ONE week from today is the first day of our wedding weekend! Boy Oh boy... I can't wait}

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Wedding Planning...

I'm so over it! I made my last 'list of things to do' and there are quite a few, mainly smaller things. I just can't get motivated. I'm just ready for the day to come. I feel very relaxed & I'm actually sleeping. That's a BIG improvement.



Here are a few things I still have to do:

* Make my Reception sign
* Wrap up my Out of Town Guest bags
& Hotel bags
* A few touch ups on come boutonnieres
* Pick my dress {Tomorrow}
* Meet with our DJ {next week}
* Boudoir Photo shoot {yes, I'm doing these}
* Labels for the girls jewelry {making them to fit our wedding look}
* a gift for our wedding director
 * Send thank you cards to the ladies for the bachelorette party
* Meet with our preacher to discuss how everything will go
* Manicure / Pedicure {Next week with the ladies}
*Lingerie Shower {Saturday}
* Pack Honeymoon Bag
*Pack Wedding Day Bag
* Pack 'day of rehearsal' items
*Pick up Tux {Next Week}
* Get Hair done
*Finish my Table Numbers.
*Finish my letters to each of my bridesmaids.
* Oh I FINALLY am set & stone on my hairstyle for the wedding.
definitely the hardest decision YET!
[CLEAN MY HOUSE]
it's by far horrific!

{children would be defined as Aaron and myself}


I think that's about it!

Happy Wednesday!!!