I do.

I chose you alone
from all the world
to love and cherish
throughout all the changes of life.
I dedicate myself to you alone
and to your life's work
to join with you
so that together
we may serve God and others
as long as we live.
God be my help.

Holy SHIT!! I’m MARRIED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Honestly, I thought this day would never come. When I was little, I can remember scoffing at anyone who ever suggested marriage. “What on earth would I want to do that for?” I’d say. Then there was the period of time where I thought all men were worthless as life time companions and really only served the purpose of accompanying me on motorcycle rides and drunken benders. They were all bad, I thought. Then there was the time where I just didn’t want to be tied down. Sure, there were some decent guys out there, but certainly not spectacular enough to tie myself to for the rest of my life. I couldn’t even phathom what a guy would have to be like in order for me to want to marry them.


September 5th, 2010 was a day I will never forget. I couldn’t sleep. I had woken up at 2am, 6am, and then finally 7am. Everyone else was still sleeping of course. Why wouldn’t anyone answer my, “come be with me” phone calls?? Ridiculous, I thought. I took myself down to the lobby to see what the continental breakfast was all about and decided to take a much needed relaxing soak in the hot tub. My mind was so unsettled, I mean I hadn’t see Ryan for almost 11 hours. That never happens. I had made an phone attempt at 2am to lure Ryan to my room, but I could hear Cody in the background threatening to tackle him and take him down if he even moved toward the doorway. Oh well, it was worth a try. Anyway, I had had enough of the hot tub and decided to head back upstairs. I got back up to our room and Kelly & Doreen were up. We exchanged funny stories from the rehearsal dinner which ended up being quite the blowout for all of us and then Doreen made us breakfast. Scrambled eggs & venison sausage. I killed my second breakfast. What happened to nerves killing your appetite?? Good lord. It wasn’t much long after that we decided Mimosas were in order. Sarah came, then Melissa and the girls, and then slowly everyone else who was getting a room for the night was over visiting. I was calm and then I was nervous. Calm. Nervous. Repeat. Getting ready wasn’t a big production for me. I did my own hair, my own make up, and kept it all pretty natural. Easy. Done. Now I was really nervous. We still had to get ourselves to the venue and get some things set up. When we finally arrived, we realized we’d forgotten the burlap runners. Sunofa. Then, we discovered that leaving my candles for our sweetheart table in the jeep, overnight, was a pretty bad idea. Why didn’t I think of this? I had searched Waxhaw the day before for the perfect candle holders and fought with the crazy lady at the antique shop about selling me the candles to go with it and now they were melted and looking pretty absurd. What are vintage candle holders without candles??? Ughh. Oh shit. I forgot my lucky horseshoe brooch too. My word, had I not prepared at all??? Where was mind?? I had spent so much time looking for a horseshoe to carry on my wedding day because I read that it was good luck for an Irish bride to carry one on her big day. Phone calls were made and shit got handled, but I was still rattled. I still had to get set up and then get dressed and the photographer was already there. Ok, dressed. Pictures are underway and it is probably the most beautiful day that I’ve seen in quite some time. It’s sunny & 85 with no humidity. I’m feeling pretty good. Melissa gets there with the kids and they already begin stealing the show. I know I’m biased, but Raymond is the cutest ring bearer I’ve ever seen. The outfit Melissa and I envisioned for him is to die for. Sharon (our photographer) actually looked at me and said, “Are you kidding me???” about three or four times. We nailed it and he was working it. Pictures are done and it’s only 4:30. Now we wait. What the hell am I going to do for a full hour?? My nerves kick into overdrive. Beer. That’s clearly what we need. Coronas for everyone. The next hour took an eternity, but it was go time and I was so ready. I couldn’t believe it was here. Dad & I walked down the aisle and as soon as I laid my eyes on Ryan, I was fine. I was so happy, I couldn’t stop smiling. I have never been so sure of anything or anyone in my life. I was looking at the sweetest, most loving person in the world and he wanted me to be his wife. This was definitely the best day of my life. How did I get so lucky? This man cherishes me. He loves me with all his heart and puts nothing before me. I didn’t think someone like this even existed, but he does. And now he’s mine. : )

my favorites.

the truth.

you never know where your life will bring you. I know this, but sometimes it surprises me how I end up staring down the truth in the most unexpected way.  You are where you need to be.  I've always believed that.  I've been struggling with a lot of different things lately and it wasnt until this past saturday that I ran face first into the answer that i've needed for all the doubts and feelings that i've been having lately. the answer that makes everything make sense and keeps you moving towards your goals and dreams. i was looking for a dresser. nothing more, nothing less. instead, i found what will surely be the most grounding and inspirational direction that i will ever receive. anyway.

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered; Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some genuine enemies; Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you; Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight; Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous; Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten tomorrow; Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you have anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway. –Mother Teresa

Yeaaaaaahhh Maannnn.

It’s Friday. Thank god. It’s not that it’s been a particularly bad week or anything. I just love the weekends. Who doesn’t though? The freedom, the football, etc. Tonight I’m baking cupcakes and drinking wine. Not in that order, but simultaneously. Tomorrow we’re celebrating Doreen’s birthday by taking in the Renaissance festival and having a cookout at Mimi’s. Sunday is for football even though the panthers aren’t playing. They’re terrible anyway so who cares. Football is just an excuse for me to drink beer at noon on a Sunday and eat chicken wings with a sense of entitlement. It’s a glorious time of year.


Check out my favorite little fan rockin’ the jersey with some fresh kicks. Love her.

 









 

Hangovers & History

I started Sunday morning slightly hung over. It was bound to happen. I did mix Guinness, white wine (bad, slightly sweet white at that) and a full bodied Cabernet, after all. I rebounded fairly quickly, getting all my Sunday errands done by early afternoon. Ryan and I had been talking about taking the boys to Andrew Jackson State Park for a while and we had nothing better to do so we decided to check it out. They had two hiking trails that were each a mile along. The boys loved it. The trails aren’t the only draw of the park though. They also offer camping, fishing and some history surrounding Andrew Jackson. Now, we didn’t go with the intention of educating ourselves about Andrew Jackson, nor did we take the time while we were there, but I couldn’t help wondering about the guy. I mean, he was our 7th President and was born in the “land of the waxhaws,” which is where I call home, so I thought I’d at least check out Wikipedia to see if he was even a noteworthy president.
Apparently his parents were Irish Immigrants that settled in a Scotch-Irish community in the region of the waxhaws, which is the area that straddles the NC/SC border. Whaaaa??? A Scotch-Irish community in Waxhaw?? First of all, the Scotch-Irish are not Irish, they’re Scots. Had they actually been Irish, then I don’t think there ever would have been an issue with the whole “liquor by the drink” ban surrounding Waxhaw until just recently. Secondly, that might explain why Waxhaw has a Scottish Society and Highland Games instead of an established bar scene and respectable night life. Just sayin’…..
I really have no idea how valid this all is, but to summarize, Wikipedia basically states that Jackson shaped the modern Democratic Party, but supported slavery and Indian removal. This guy sounds like a real a**hole. How does this combination exist?? I’m pretty sure you can’t be a democrat and support the ethnic cleansing of Indians at the same time. Granted, politics wasn’t all that evolved yet, but c’mon. He is also noted as a very successful and prosperous slave owner, planter and merchant. Interesting and all, but I can no longer regress back to this point in time. Onto something more inspiring, like my handsome boys and my ability to hike 2 miles after drinking like a tank the night before.

Autumn Treasures.

This past weekend was Waxhaw’s annual fall festival.  Live music, bbq cook off, petting zoo, and plenty of arts and crafts made up the weekend long event.  My favorite booth was the mechanical bull. Good ol’ Waxhaw.  Ya gotta love it.  We spent about 45 minutes taking in the festival before ditching it for Southsiders and its Guinness & Fat Tire on tap.  Oops.

Honeymoons Are Awesome!!

Not only do you get to spend every waking minute with the one you love, but you get to eat whatever you want, drink whatever you want, shop all you want, and not feel guilty.  Oh yeah and you get to do absolutely nothing but all of the above.  Pefection.  We went to Holden Beach, NC and stayed at my boss’s massive oceanfront house.  Now, I am not a huge sun worshiper. Not anymore anyway. Sure, I’ve spent many days crisping and aging my skin, but that was light years ago.  If I’m tan, it’s a total accident.  That being said, I don’t go to the beach for the sun. Nor do I like to swim.  Honestly, I am just too chicken to get in the water and lose my arm to a shark.  That shit happens and I want no part of it.  I prefer to have my appendages and fill out both sleeves, thank you very much.  Ok, so why do I like the beach? It’s beautiful and amazing and the atmosphere is totally relaxing.  When have you ever had a Corona that tasted better than when you were at the beach?? Not never.  Anyway, being directly positioned in front of the water and blue skies while rocking back and forth with a drink in hand and the wind in your hair, all while being covered by a roof is pretty much unbeatable to me.  I’m at the beach and enjoying all of its magnificent benefits and not reaping any of the negatives according to this girl. I didn’t have to pack a cooler, haul it to the car, drive a few miles, lug it through the sand, lay blankets out while fighting the wind, wear a massive hat to protect myself from the sun, put on an obnoxious amount of spf 70, and most importantly, when it was time to use the bathroom after beer 2, I didn’t have to stress about where I was going to go to find a public bathroom or god forbid, just go in the water to handle the necessary.  Nope. I just walked the two steps to the door and went on inside where there is a toilet and toilet paper and a door and privacy and then just grabbed another beer on the way back out. Bliss.  Of course, we did go down to the land of the sand.  We walked and ran while witnessing beautiful sunrises and beautiful sunsets. Chico chased every bird he saw and Ryan ran to keep up with him.  Did I mention how much I love crashing waves?? I could listen to that all day and night and be happy.  It’s calming and stirring all at the same time….. probably why I love the beach some much. It appeals to my extremes and pulls me in because I understand and admire it.  So powerful and capable, but so relaxing and peaceful.



At Fishy Fishy!! Love their Salmon Rockafeller!

Morning Walk

Love this sand castle! We totally didnt build it.

Detail.

Love this one!

One of my favorite photos of all time!

Pelican Gang.  They keep a pretty strong presence at the beach.