What I'm loving

Merle Norman Matte Oil-Free Moisturizer

Merle Norman Lip Pencil Plus

Merle Norman Lip Polish

American Eagle Jeggings in Clean Rinse

Ann Taylor Fur Stole

Our New Duvet Cover

Sequin Toms

But mostly...I'm loving just being at home with my sweet husband and our boyz.  This week has been filled with last minute errands and Christmas shopping.  We're looking forward to a Christmas dinner with friends Friday night, (more) last minute shopping on Saturday, spending Christmas at my sister in law's house, and a trip to Mississippi.
My grandfather was diagnosed with cancer last week.  We found out Tuesday just how bad the cancer has affected his body.  I'm praying he's not in pain and that he has some sort of peace during what I can only imagine would be a very scary time for him.  My grandmother's health has started to decline as well.  If anyone happens to read this blog, I ask that you please say a prayer for both of them - that they are both not in pain and have peace in their hearts.  I don't normally like to blog or post about sad or personal things, but I suppose if just one person reads this and says a prayer for them - then that's one more prayer for them that wouldn't have been said. 
Now, because I can't leave this blog on a sad note...Does this dress look familiar to anyone? 

Kate Hudon's Vera Wang in the movie 'Bride Wars'

My Vera Wang in real life on my wedding day!

Merry Christmas!

Life A.W.

A.W. = after wedding
Well, we're still married!  Haha.
We are loving calling each other husband and wife.  I think we're in awe of each other right now.  I never thought CJ could be any sweeter than he always has been, but he's managed to lately.  I'm loving being spoiled by him!
We're still eating our wedding and groom's cake.  I've had it for breakfast every morning and CJ has had it for dessert every night.  We're putting a dent in it - almost!
We went to eat at our Mexican restaurant Friday and were able to talk to the owner and manager for a while about our wedding and catch up with each other.  It was nice.  It was also our first time going there being married.  We started going there when we first dated four years ago!

After our wedding and honeymoon we were reminded that Christmas is just around the corner and we had no gifts for anyone!  So, we did what any crazy person would do and headed out to the mall on Saturday.  We managed to accomplish a lot and had fun doing it.  It was nice going Christmas shopping with my husband! 

We topped the day off by dining on Italian cuisine.  We had bruschetta, a calzone, and stromboli.  We were stuffed!  We ate until we couldn't eat anymore, had a couple of drinks, some good conversation, then headed back home. 

I had so much fun.  I felt like I was on a date with my hubby all day and I loved it!

Well, our weekend is coming to an end now and another work week lies ahead.  However, it's a lot easier to swallow than normal because...we're off...FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR after this week! 
Merry Christmas!

Honeymoon

We woke up with a little less than an hour to shower, finish packing a few things, and get to the airport.  To say that we were in a rush doesn't exactly suffice...
Once we got on the (brand new, private) plane we were off to our honeymoon in New Orleans!

We had so much fun on the flight.  We couldn't take our eyes away from the windows.  The scenery was breathtaking!

We were in New Orleans in about an hour and a half.  As soon as we got on the ground, we took a taxi to our hotel...which just happened to be decorated beautifully for the holidays!

After unpacking a few things, we headed out on the town for some lunch.  CJ had a shrimp poboy and I had the largest muffaletta in the world.  Next, went to the casino to try our luck.  When we got back to our hotel, this little surprise was waiting on us from some of the guys at my work...

We had a quick nap and ate some of our wonderful strawberries before heading out to eat delicious sushi.

The next day we had breakfast at River's Edge where I had my first Belgian waffle.  Yummo!  We wandered around the city in and out of shops, taking pictures, and just enjoying each other in a city away from home.  It was relaxing to say the least!

Before dinner, we headed out to the roof top patio of our hotel for a champagne toast.  We went to feast at Oceana Grill and it was fabulous.  CJ had the mardi gras pasta and I had the gumbo, red beans and rice, and jambalaya.  I think that was our favorite meal while we were there this time.  We walked around Bourbon Street after, visited the popular Pat O'Brien's for a drink, found a jazz band to listen to, then headed back to the hotel.  That was so much fun!

The next day before we left for the airport we each  had one last Cajun meal...shrimp poboys.  We walked around a bit more, then hopped back on our plane headed for home. 

We had a really great time.  It was fun, relaxing and memorable.  We were probably a little too excited to get home to see our boyz.  We unloaded, unpacked, and enjoyed the first night in our own bed as hubby and wifey - and it was probably the best sleep I've had since all of the wedding planning started!

*A muffaletta is officially one of my favorite foods now.

Our Sweet Wedding

Well,
It happened!
We got married!

It went a little something like this.
The morning of our rehearsal I had breakfast with my daddy.
I got my nails done.
I got a hug from Meredith.
We went to Probate Court for our marriage license.
We picked up CJ's dad from the airport.
CJ saw his dad for the first time in almost five years.
I saw his dad for the first time ever.
We took him to lunch.
We dropped him off at CJ's sister's house.
We checked in to the Hyatt in Birmingham.
We put on some fancy clothes.
We met with my cousin (officiant) to discuss the ceremony.
We rehearsed at the gallery.
We had the best rehearsal dinner and time ever at Dodiyo's in Homewood.
We talked and toasted with family and friends.
We gave gifts.
We bought boiled peanuts and champagne on our way home.
As the door to the room shut I excitedly said, "I'm done planning!"
We crashed.
The morning of our wedding my family from MS came over to help and spend some time with me.
Meredith and Adam brought us breakfast.
CJ went to hang with the guys at his brother in law's house.
My best friend, sister in law, and niece came to pick me up.
We got our hair done.
I got my makeup done.
We rushed to the hotel.
Madness ensued.
We checked out and left the hotel.
I rode with Meredith and said, "Meredith.  We're on the way to my wedding!"
We got to the gallery and I put on my dress.
The gallery was cleared.
CJ's back was turned.
I walked down the isle to him.
I've never seen such joy in his eyes.
I've never felt so proud.
We cried.
We cried a lot.
We took pictures.

The music started.
The guests arrived and were seated.
The bridal party stood in line.
The mothers were ushered to 'Trumpet Voluntary' (The Prince of Denmark's March) by Clarke.
The processional began to 'Autumn Allegro 2' by Vivaldi.
Then...
On December 10th at approximately 6:15pm I walked down the isle at the Matt Jones Art Gallery to a piano/violin version of 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow'.  It was magical! 

We said a prayer.
We listened to my brother read a bible verse.

We said our vows.

We cried.
We exchanged rings.
We kissed.
We were introduced for the very first time as husband and wife!
The recessional started to 'La Rejouissance' (Music For The Royal Fireworks) by Handel.
CJ and I sat in a private room. 
We ate.
We cried.
We cried a lot.
My uncle prayed over the food.
The guests began to eat and drink.
We were formally introduced to 'This Will Be' by Natalie Cole.
The bridal party was introduced.  Each had their own song!

"Little Bitty Pretty One"

"Life Is A Highway"

"Rico Suave"

"Dancing Queen"

"Wild Thing"

Golden Girls theme song, "Thank You For Being A Friend"

"Hound Dog"

"Mississippi Girl"

"Sexyback"

"It's Raining Men"

We danced our first dance to 'Mama's Song' by Carrie Underwood.

I danced with my dad to 'Ballerina Girl' by Lionel Richie.

CJ danced with his mom to 'Forever Young' by Rod Stewart.
Everyone danced!

And danced.

 And danced.

We toasted with champagne.

We ate cake to 'Love And Marriage' by Frank Sinatra.

And danced.
Our last song was 'What A Wonderful World' by Louis Armstrong.
Our departure song was 'Firework' by Katy Perry.
We left in a 1952 Buick Deluxe.

We crashed.
We woke up late.
We jumped on a brand new twin engine Barron.
We flew to New Orleans...and that will be the next post!

Oh.  These are my brand new sisters...

The wedding was absolutely perfect. 
It was better than I could have ever imagined.
I've dreamt about it since I was a little girl and it exceeded every expectation I've ever had. 
I felt beautiful, lucky, and so incredibly happy.
I loved my dress.  I think it made the wedding! 
We had a blast celebrating with everyone!
Now that it's over, we are thoroughly enjoying newlywed bliss. 
I have a husband!
I'm a wife!
And I'm more in love now than I've ever been before.