All up in the kool-aid, dont even know the flava

The wedding and pre-reception

Well, the church was too dark for any decent pictures (Jason said), so I don't have any of the actual wedding.

All of the ladies in the wedding got ready in the church nursery. Here we are helping Jenny.

And getting ready in the bathroom.

Jenny and her dad, right before the wedding.

The service was beautiful. Jenny had a little flower girl drop petals down the aisle before she came down. She had a harpist play music before the ceremony, and Jenny had asked me to sing The Lord's Prayer with the harp during the ceremony. I've sung the song a million times, but I was nervous because this was Jenny's WEDDING. I didnt want to screw up. Thankfully, I did really well. (Jason told me later that he wanted to clap after I sang, but knew better. )

After the service, we took a bunch of standard wedding pictures. Then, Scott and Jenny drove to the reception (about 25 minutes away) in Scott's hummer, and the bridemaids and their spouses carpooled together.

The reception site is a beautiful Hall overlooking the water.

We got there a little before 8pm, just in time for a gorgeous sunset.

I had our friend Kim take a picture of Jason and I before we went inside.

Here are Kim and her husband.

They are going to be our new best friends in RH. We were close in college, but didnt keep in touch for the past few years. Jason and her husband have the same sense of humor and get along VERY well. And Kim and I get along great too. They live in Charlotte right now, but are planning to move down to RH and buy their first house in the next year or so. They are also trying to have a baby!!! Jason and I are such dorks. We spent the entire 3 hour drive home from the wedding talking about how much we liked them.

This picture isnt the greatest, but here is the wedding party before we went into the reception.

And here are the the bridesmaids that I went to college with.

I love this picture! Don't ask me what the bouquets were, I don't remember. Maybe something in the lilly family.

Just goofing around!

The bride and groom.

Alright, we'll finish up with the reception pictures tommorow!

 

Weekend Recap: Ah, weddings

I have so many pictures to share from the weekend, that  I'm going to seperate the posts to rehearsal, and wedding/reception. Or something like that.

We had a great time! And you know what? I did pretty well with missing Emma. I only teared up once, and that was Friday morning after checking in with the In-laws and finding out Emma had a fever the day before. She's fine, just teething. But still.

We arrived Thursday evening in time to go to Jenny's house (where we were staying) and unpack, and change for the rehearsal dinner. Jenny has two pugs, both rescues.

They are both great pugs. And obviously, enjoyed the extra company.

We headed off to the rehearsal, which was at the church where Jenny grew up. I was suprised by how many people were involved in the rehersal because our wedding was so small.

After the rehearsal, we all stood around for a bit in the lobby, before heading over the the fellowship hall for the dinner.

At the rehearsal dinner, there was a table set up with gifts! For me! (ok, and the other members of the wedding party...)

Here we are modeling our gifts. Jenny got all the bridesmaids (one not pictured) a personalized tote bag and a pair of earrings to where for the wedding. Except for the girl in the middle, I went to college with all these girls. We were all in a music sorority together. The girl on the far right, Jennifer (lots of Jens, Jennifers, Jennys in college) co-hosted a bridal breakfast for me the morning of my wedding. The girl in the middle, Lauren, was Jenny's maid of honor. She's a teacher friend of Jenny's. Her daughter is 9 months old.

The rehearsal dinner was catered by a local BBQ place. Here is the menu they provided each of us with.

We were told we could circle as many items as we wanted. We all circled both desserts... Teeheehee. The BBQ, which I do not have a picture of!!!! was vinegar based. Jason prefers ketchup based (I think?) but said this was good. The mac n cheese was good ole Southern mac n Cheese. DELICIOUS.

The tables were decorated so pretty with the daisys and the confetti.

After the rehearsal dinner we all (the bridesmaids and Jason) went to a local bar for kareoke. I didnt take my camera in, but one of the girls did. Whenever I get those pictures, I will post them.

We stayed out waaaayyy to late. It was 1am when we left, and 2am before we got to bed! These girls are used to partying hard. Me? Not so much, but I did have a great time.

Tommorow, the wedding and reception!    

13 Months

Dear Emma-

THis is the first monthly birthday that I will not get to be with you. Your father and I are away at a wedding, but we know you are being well taking care of my Nana and Papa and Aunty Michelle.

THis month has seen us at the doctor's office quite a bit. It started on your 1 year birthday with a bad cold and 2 ear infections. It took 2 rounds of antibiotics to cure the ears, and you still have a runny nose (although not bad and not that often). I knew daycare would be an adjustment to your immune system and I very much hope that the worst is over and you are acclimating yourself to the new people and new germs.

You love to pull yourself into a standing position on furniture. And you've gotten good and walking around the furniture (while holding on) and occasionally, while standing and the coffee table, you will let go, but lean your body slightly forward for balance. I think we are still a couple months away from walking. To me, it seems you are still too little and fragile to be walking anyway.

While you arent talking yet, you do have a wide range of vocal sounds. And just this week, you've starting making a clicking sound with your tongue. You seem very proud of yourself whenever you make a new noise.

You love to clap and point. Last night, while your father and I ate our dinner, you sat on the floor with a pillow (for lounging and climbing on) and watched Baby Noah for the first time in about 3 weeks. You were SO excited! You clapped, and pointed, and looked back at us every so often with a big smile on your face. It was so so adorable.

You have two top teeth and two bottom teeth now. And you love to bite things. Sometimes me, but more often you love to stick your blanket in your mouth and bite down, making a growling noise. Also adorable.

You've gotten a bit pickier about your food choices lately. Some things you once loved, (couscous and some pasta) you will spit out. Thankfully, your big protein sources like lentils, black beans and cheese are still big favorites. We started you on whole milk (organic) and will you don't suck it down as quickly as water, you've been doing pretty well with it.

Most days you are a very happy baby. You love love love to explore everything. Climb, crawl, pet the dogs, share your food with the dogs, pull books off of shelves, talk on mommy's phone. You are still very much a momma's girl and usually choose to reach for momma first. But on occasion when I am holding you, and you have gotten your fill of snuggle time, you will reach for Nana or Papa or Daddy.

Im not expecting to see you reach any big milestones (walking, talking) this next month, but I am sure you will do things that amaze and suprise me nevertheless.

I love you Doodle Bug.

Mommy

No Tour Today

I just kissed my baby goodbye. For the next 53 hours. Send Hugs. Lots of hugs.

I'm leaving work at 1pm today so we can drive down to Charleston for my friend Jenny's wedding. It is going to be Quite and affair.  (btw- with the current under-garments, I like the bridesmaids dress)Tonight is the wedding rehearsal and dinner. Tommorow? I dont know what our day plans are, but the wedding is at 6pm. (Yes, on a Friday). There will be a band at the reception!

Im excited to be getting away for a couple days. Excited to not have any worries, make any meals, change any diapers, pay any bills, etc. We are guaranteed a fun time. Im eternally greatful to the Universe for the timing of this wedding. I would not have been comfortable at all leaving Emma before she turned one. I think this is an ideal time to get away.

I'm really just trying to convince myself of that. I think ideally, Emma would be walking, talking, not nursing at all before he left her overnight. SIGH. 

I left a 3 page dossier with Jason's parents last night. It details, hour-by-hour, instructions for Emma's care.  With details like "During her bedtime routine, soft tv noises are ok, dishwashing noises are not." I'd like to think they appreciated all my hardwork...

Jason's sister is still in town, so she'll be around to help out too. Emma will be fine, I know. I know! But still. She's my baby.

Your How To for the day

So, have you discovered the magic of igoogle? My boss enlightened me on this wonderful new google invention. I've already been a huge fan of Google for a while now because:

A) Google rocks

B) They've given me www.gmail.com and I LOVE it. If you don't use gmail as your email device, you should seriously consider it. It has wonderful features like:

A) auto save when you are working on emails. Really a lifesaver.

B) search mail feature that allows me to type in "Jill" and "address" and it magically finds me the email that include's Jill's address so I can send her a card for her birthday.

C) gmail has a chat feature. THe sidebar allows you to see if other gmail friends are online and then you can send them an instant message while using your gmail account. Then it saves all of your old chats.

But, Im hear to talk about igoogle. It is designed to be your new home page. You can personalize it with a theme that changes thru-out the day, add a To Do list, local weather info, bookmarks link and many many many other features. You can even opt to have magical lady bugs crawl all over your igoogle page.

One feature I have, is a link entitled "How to of the day".

Today was a good good day people.

This is what I learned. 

Disgusting

(I believe in- or try really hard to- innocent until proven guilty. That being said, what I am about to discuss is a crime that definetly was committed. By whom, we do not "officially" know yet.)

I'm assuming you've all heard that Michael Vic, a pro-football player, has been charged with a string of animal cruelty offenses. Horrible offenses. Offenses I wont list, but they are the most vile and evil offenses a person could inflict on a animal. The information I have heard is terribly upsetting, to say the least, but what really really infuriates me, is how the media is handling these allegations.

A local radio station DJ played his own doctored version of "Who Let the Dogs Out", poking fun of the trouble Michael Vic is in and the crimes that have been commited. There is nothing funny about this at all. It's disgusting. Imagine if Michael Vic had been charged with cruelty to children? Would they make jokes then?If he had raped a woman? Would they come up with little song about that, thus degrading his victim even further? No, but when it comes to animals, it is somehow ok to make horribly cruel comments out of the torture that these animals endured.

In my opinion, someone that would treat the pain and suffering these animals endured so lightly, is just as disgusting and vile as the person who committed these crimes.

Effing Mad

( spoiler alert for Nicholas Sparks' At First Sight)

THis effing sucks. Why didnt anyone warn me? How is this fair at all? Seriously, I thought his books were suppose to end on a happy note. THe main character dying in childbirth??? Im sobbing, and furious all at the same time.

From now on, yall need to warn me when books have absolutely horribly depressing endings. I cant take it.

That's it. No more reading. Ever. Period.

Oh, did I forget to tell you?

Jason's going to jail for good. The clink. The Big House. The slammer.

Starting August 6th, my husband will be behind bars.

Ok, ok fine! So, he wont really be behind bars. He got the job! He's going to be a Officer at a local D*tention C*nter! Keeping the inmates in line! Putting the smack down! Tossing cells! Kicking *ss and taking names! (Sorry, had to throw that in there, I was on a roll....)

For the first three weeks, he will be in classroom training, 9-5. Then, he will work 12 hour shifts, 14 days a month (full time). We don't know yet whether he will be on days or nights (6-6) but whatever it is, it will be permament, unless he needs to change. So I am thankful that we wont be dealing with some crazy schedule where he rotates from nights to days.

Then, within the first year, he will have to head down to the SC Crimin*l Justice Ac*demy and attend 3 weeks of more serious training.

He's pretty excited. He was looking at this job as a step in the ladder to becoming a city police officer, but he thinks he might really enjoy the job.

This will make the whole "We Own Two Houses!!!" thing a little easier.

(Yep, still own two houses. Had a contract, had a closing date, 3 days before? Fell through. That was a few weeks ago. I didnt share about it because it was so devastating. We've gotten a new agent, so we'll see.) 

Perhaps we should celebrate with doughnuts. ;)

Weekend Recap

Friday

Our weekend started early with matinee showing of "I now pronounce Chuck and Larry".

My review? Eh. It was OK. It will definetly not  be one of the "GREAT" comedy movies like, Wedding Crashers, or DodgeBall, or Meet the Parents. I would say it was 50% laughs, and 50% rolling of the eyes, shifting uncomfortably in my seat. The biggest shock (don't worry, not a spoiler) is that it was rated PG13. There is no way in H-E-L-L that I would ever be ok with a 13 year old seeing this movie. 10 years ago, this movie would have easily been rated R. I'm not a prude, I just don't see the need for SO MUCH sexual references, foul language, etc. Don't see it in the theaters, wait for DVD.

After the movie we ran to Bed Bath and Beyond to pick up a wedding present for the wedding we are going to later this week.

( LATER THIS WEEK!!! AHHHH!!! WITHOUT EMMA FOR TWO NIGHTS!!!!!! OH MY GOD! I WILL NOT SURVIVE!!!)

Then to David's Bridal to pick up my bridesmaids dress. Which by the way, I now hate. I don't know why I liked it in the store when I tried it on, but now? I hate it. It is not for big chested people. "They" look funny. Not good at all. Oh well.

Friday night, ended up being pizza night (shocking, I know) over at the In-laws house. Papa (my FIL) and Aunt Michelle (Jason's sister) cousin Cody, had just gotten back from a week in Kentucky.

Saturday

Jason had to work, so Emma and I went to the park. Where I snapped an entire roll of imaginary film. I thought there was film in the camera (my Canon AE-1) because the film viewer said 12 so I took that to mean I had film in there, and had already taken 12 shots. Not so. No film.

I saw Jason briefly Saturday afternoon (from approximately 3:30pm- 3:50pm) before he headed down to Columbia to mow the lawn at our old house and play in a gig with some friends of his, at a pizza place. He said it was a lot of fun, and the (free) pizza was great.

Sunday

Jason had to work. I just wasnt up for going to church by myself. Sometimes I go thru funks where I just cant summon up the strength to be around strangers. Sunday was that day.  Around lunch time, the In-laws called and invited Emma and I to meet them, and another couple( April, Tony, and baby Caroline) for lunch at Moe's. (YUMMMY)

It was great to hang out with April and Tony. They go to my In-laws church. They actually live in Charlotte, but are ready to buy their first house, and want it to be in RH. They actually looked at one 3 doors down from our house! We'll see.

Emma had just taken a 2 hour nap before lunch and was such a little ham! She had a great time.

Who's that in the shadows?

It's Emma and Papa!

Jason got home mid-afternoon and he and his dad went to work on building the new shed.

Emma and I played in the house and kept tabs on the workers.

          

(Thank for again for the kitty Aunt Punchy! I love to drag it around!)

One thing I have really gotten to appreciate about our new house, is all the big windows. Our old house had virtually no natural light. Very cave like. While the bright sun has been something to really get use to, I love it in the late afternoons when I can open the curtains and let the sun peer in.

That's pretty much what life is about. Pugs and babies, you cant go wrong.   

Another angel gets her wings

We'll miss you Tiny. Go run and play with Chichi and watch over all of us.

I'm so sorry Sandy.