And I Said Yes

We had decided to take a break from unpacking our new apartment.  It just seemed like we were barely making a dent in eliminating the sea of boxes stacked up everywhere.  So, instead of getting ourselves even more overwhelmed than we already were, we decided to make it a family movie night!  Thank goodness the public libraries here have a great movie collection because the cable people hadn't yet come out to hook everything up.

Anyways, we set Moo up to watch The Muppets in the living room (JJ was asleep) and then we watched Red Tails and Horrible Bosses in the second bedroom.  It's right off the living room and I could watch Moo to make sure she stayed on the couch.  The Mr and I don't get tons of time to be alone.  So, despite the mess around us, it was nice to snuggle and have a little romantic moment.

Anyways, we're watching Red Tails.  By the way if you haven't seen this movie definitely see it.  I give it two thumbs up.  It's about the Tuskegee airmen (African American pilots) who were finally given a chance to really serve our country in Italy during World War II.  Add this to your list of movies to watch during Black History Month.

We're watching the part of the movie where one of the characters, Lighting, proposes to his Italian girlfriend, Sofia.  It was a really sweet moment because of course he's kind of portrayed as being a ladies man.  So, I wasn't expecting him to really settle down, but hey love can change you.  I won't spoil the movie and tell you what she said, but here's the conversation the Mr and I had afterwards.

The Mr: "Would you marry me?"

Me:  "Umm.... I'm pretty sure I already did that."

The Mr:  "I know that. But would you marry me again?"

Me: "You don't want to get married again."  (Our first attempt at planning a wedding was a disaster.  He hated everything about the whole process except for the food tasting part.)

The Mr:  "No, I'm serious.  I want us to renew our vows."

I still thought he was kind of joking but he kept talking about and finally I realized he was serious.  

The Mr:  "So, do you want to marry me? Again?"

Me: "Yes!"

This mama is one happy bride-to-be again!  I've always dreamed of having an actual wedding and to finally have him want that to is exciting beyond belief.  We definitely won't be doing the wedding this year because our wedding anniversary is less than a month away, but I'm looking forward to possibly walking down the aisle the next year to exchange vows with the love of my life again.  This time around, I'm not trying to plan something huge.  I want it small, intimate but grand and elegant.  We've overcome a lot and I think renewing our vows is the perfect way to celebrate our victory.

I'll be sure to keep you all updated on everything as we go along!

Would you marry your spouse all over again?

Big Easy Wedding

Three weekends ago, I roadtripped with my extended family- my mom, siblings, aunts and cousins- to the Big Easy aka New Orleans aka NOLA.  We left out on JJ's birthday to enjoy of a weekend of celebrating my older sister's wedding!  I was very excited to say the least.  It had been a while since I'd seen my sister and even longer since I'd seen her fiance, whom I had bonded with met three years ago.

Plus, I was looking forward to the food!  I celebrated Thanksgiving with them one year.  Let me just say his family can throw down.  They also know how to treat company right!  They opened their arms and welcomed me and Moo (then a baby) into their family with nothing but love and happiness.  So, I was also looking to see some familiar faces and catch up with everybody.

At first, I wasn't sure how well the actual traveling part was going to go because we had four little kids with us.  13 hours in an enclosed space sitting down isn't exactly their cup of tea.  However, to my pleasant surprise the kids did very well.  No major meltdowns at all.  Now, it did end up taking longer than 13 hours to get to New Orleans because we made several stops along the way to get gas, for food, to use the restroom, etc.

Let me tell you riding in the back seat of a passenger van is like being on a roller coaster.  You literally bounce and rock over every little bump in the road.  That was good for JJ because he sleep peacefully in his carseat for almost 8 hours.  He likes being rocked and bounced to sleep.  But for me and my little sister it was a game trying not to get a neck sprain or not bumping your head.  I got some sleep but in intervals.

The best part about riding in the passenger van with everyone was that we had some good laughs.  My aunts kept us rolling with funny stories from their childhood and stories from being a mom.  We laughed until we literally cried.  And I totally forgot how good loaded hash browns from the Waffle House could be!  Y'all I went in one in Alabama and I was in pure heaven.  If they would have had more than one cook and the wait wouldn't have been so long, I was going to order two more to go on the road.

Anyways, we reached New Orleans and everyone got to meet my sister's fiance for the first time.  I think he was a little overwhelmed at first to be meeting everyone all at once but they loved him instantly.   They loved him even more after he cooked a delicious spaghetti and meat sauce complete with fresh peppers and seasoning for us.  After lunch, we divided up.  

My baby sister and I went with the maid of honor to pick up our dresses for the wedding.  I was the matron of honor by the way.  Then we had to go pick up shoes.  That almost turned into a major problem because the DSW we went to didn't have the shoes my sister and the maid of honor needed for the wedding in stock anymore.  But we found a similar style and just agreed that I would give my baby sister my shoes so she could match the other bridesmaids and that would leave me and the maid of honor wearing the same shoes.  That was perfect because our dresses were also different from the other bridesmaids too.

That night we all went shopping.  We had to get flowers for the bouquets and some other stuff.  I was definitely feeling tired and ready to pass out by that point.  But with the help a cocktail, I made it through a late night session of putting together bouquets and wedding favors.

Me and the maid of honor before the wedding

The wedding turned out great the next day!  Everyone was super emotional and there was definitely some makeup retouching.  At one point I had cried and dabbed at my eyes so much that my lashes came off during the reception.  I'm so happy that my sister has found her soul mate.  I'm even happier that she has a life partner who understands her and accepts her for who she is-flaws and all.  That was something she has been wanting for a long time and now she has it!

The ceremony. My mommy was the officiant!

Thankful Thursday

"I know why families were created with all their imperfections.  They humanize you.  They are made to make you forget yourself occasionally, so that the beautiful balance of life is not destroyed."

 ~Anais Nin

I'm definitely thankful for the imperfections of my family sometimes.  In all honesty, not having the perfect family has made my life better in many ways.  I'm a more humble and grateful person because of our imperfections.  I don't take things for granted and know that every moment should be cherished no matter how minuscule or grand it may be. 

Me and the Best Man

I'm thankful that this past weekend, our family had to opportunity to come together to celebrate my older sister's wedding in New Orleans.  I'm telling you, a 13 hour road trip will definitely strengthen the bonds of a family.  We laughed and fussed but when it was all said and done, nobody wanted the trip to end.  We all enjoyed each other's company and the adventure.  I'm already thinking about where we can go to take our next road trip.

This trip showed me how important it is to not only make memories within just my own little family but to also put forth the effort to make more memories with my extended family.  My aunts and uncles aren't getting any younger.  We don't have huge family dinners like we used or even all get together under one roof for the holidays like we used.  And I miss that and I didn't realize how much I was craving it until our New Orleans trip.

I'm thankful that my sister had a beautiful wedding and that I was able to be a part of it and help make her day even more special.  I wish her and my new brother in-law a lifetime of wedded bliss and happiness!

What are you thankful for this week?

My Weekend WrapUp

Happy Monday!!  The weekend is officially over and the kids are back in school.  Hope everyone a great weekend.  I'm glad to be back blogging.  I've missed you all dearly!  I'm slowly but surely making a dent in the posts that have piled up in my Google Reader.

Anyways, this weekend was one of the busiest and most fun that we've had these last few weeks.  My cousin and one of my good friends tied the knot this weekend.  I was one of the bridesmaids.  I had a ball.  Starting with Friday night at the rehearsal.  

I got to meet the other bridesmaids and ended up making a few new friends.  I saw some of my other family members that I hadn't seen ages because we all have our own families and are spread out.  One of our cousins even flew in from Texas to serve as a groomsmen.  I thought that was really sweet!  The bishop who officiated the ceremony was hilarious!

I enjoy ministers who can let their guard down and be human.  And my uncle catered the rehearsal dinner since it was his son that was getting married to my friend.  Let me tell you guys, he can throw down in the kitchen!  My uncle never disappoints when he cooks.  We had two different types of herb chicken, pasta salad, a fruit salad, rolls, cakes and more.  It was delish!

Saturday was the big day.  Everyone was super excited.  The other bridesmaids and I enjoyed the luxury of having our makeup done by a professional makeup artist!  Talking about getting pampered.  I had false eyelashes for the first time and loved them!  I had never tried them before because I have long lashes and usually just add some mascara to give them a fuller and thicker look, but I think I'm hooked.

My beautiful mommy and I.  Don't mind the glue gun.

I loved my makeup and will be calling on her again.  I loved our dresses.  The coral color complimented everyone's skin color.  What we didn't love were how uncomfortable our shoes were.  But beauty is pain right?  Anyways, the wedding was simply beautiful and we all teared up during the ceremony.

Don't we look gorgeous?!

The reception was a blast.  We had some laughs, danced till our feet hurt and enjoyed a lovely dinner.  It was just great watching as both families came together and really bonded.  I'm looking forward to bigger and better family gatherings in the future.  I always thought of the bride as family and now she really is family!  Amazing how God works!

Yesterday, I missed church because I was beyond tired from all my dancing and celebrating.  We slept in for the first time in ages.  The Mr decided to treat us for dinner and grilled some hot dogs and his famous Ranch burgers!  The burgers were was sooooo good.  His Ranch burgers are favorite with my side of the family.  Any time we come down for cookouts they're always trying to talk him into making them.

There was another highlight to our weekend too.  I found out my younger sister and her husband are expecting again!  We're all super excited about this blessing.  We loss my niece this past February and are overjoyed that God has given them a second chance and parenting.  I know that they're both a little worried and scared this time around considering all that happened with Baby Hayden, but I know God has a plan in this.  I can't wait to find out if I'm going to have another niece or a nephew.  Maybe both!

What was the highlight of your weekend?

Game On

I was talking with my bestie Thursday night and we started talking about weddings.  Her wedding to be exact.  And she drops the bomb on me that they've decided that they want to get married in March.  No, not March 2012, but this March.  As in two months and a few weeks away!

I thought I would have at least four months before I had to be special event ready bodywise.  So, much for wishful thinking.  Looks like it's game on as far as shedding these extra pounds.  I gotta get it right and get it tight for these wedding photos.  Not to mention, I don't want to be girdled up so tight I can't cut a rug on the dance floor.  

Source

I'm not saying I'm on Usher or Chris Brown's dance level, but I can crank dat and Superman it out. LOL.  Well, I recently took on a freelance position away from home. So, that means I won't be able to hit gym.  Yes, another month of my share of the gym membership wasted. (Sorry honey)  So, the dilemma becomes how do I shed these extra pounds?

If I had access to FiTv, I would just turn on some Gilead Total Body and get busy.  But I don't.  So, to all of you fitness gurus and workout at home readers:

What is your workout at home routine or tips?

Romance Wednesday: One in a Million

So, my one year wedding anniversary is a few weeks away and I'm super excited.  Can't believe that we've been married almost a year.  Time fly by so quickly.  And I can truly say that the love my husband gives me is one in a million.  And so, I dedicate this song to him.

I'm Back!!!

I'm sure that a few of you probably wondered if I'd fallen off the map or was taking a little break from blogging.  Not at all.  I love my blog and it has become my stress reliever and given me the courage to do so many things.  My little sister had a birthday the week before last and I decided to go back home and celebrate with the fam.  However, what started out as just a weekend stay turned into a week and a half stay.

I'm not complaining though because I did get to go to bed earlier than normal.  That's all thanks to my niece who helped to wear Moo out with many hours of play after school.  I never knew how much I missed having a playmate for Moo.  I knew she missed it, but I never thought I would miss it.  It was nice seeing them play together again.  It was great to be able to spend time with my mom and do lunch together everyday.

I ran into some of my old teachers, attended a celebration ceremony for my cousin (he was promoted to Captain in the Army!!) and went to church.  The best part was just being surrounded by the people I loved.  I did do something huge though!!!

I got MARRIED!!!!  Yep, Thursday, we decided to elope.  Jay and I have been together a long time and we just decided that in order to be good parents and truly be followers of Christ, our life had to line up right.  While it wasn't the wedding I've been dreaming of or planning it was romantic and perfect.    I felt like Carrie Bradshaw, when she married Mr. Big in the courthouse in a no label dress.  You think you want the big glitzy wedding because that's what everyone expects and you've been dreaming about it since you were a kid. 

However, the truth was I've changed since I was a child.  I was just as happy standing there with my mom and Moo as witnesses saying 'I do' to Jay as I would have been in front a church full of people.  I'm really glad that we just went ahead and did it.  And my mom certainly felt honored to have been made a part of it.  We're officially a family and I love it!!!

Hope you all have been having a wonderful week/weekend.