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Holy smokes, it's FRIDAY already.  Where has this week gone?  For us, it's consisted of unpacking/re-packing/organizing, Bill going back to work, a Lowe's trip, family meals, walks, ice cream and cupcakes, and a whole lot of laughter.

 

So, what am I most thankful for this week? 

 

1. My Girls.  They really are the best part of me.  They are and will always be my greatest contribution to this world.  The growth that I've seen in them in the past 8 months (especially in Ava) blows me away.  When I look at them and see the happiness, security, and love they feel, I know that I am doing right by and for them.

 

2.  E.  Few people in this world know me as well as she does.  She knows my heart and she knows when to 'read between the lines' into what I can't find the words to say sometimes.  She's been by my side through every joy and hardship I've faced over the past 13 years.  Never judging - just loving.  Having her by my side while I married the man of my dreams was the best gift I could have been given.

 

3.  My New Family.  I truly feel like the girls and I hit the jackpot.  Bill likes to joke (well, really they all do) that they are a little crazy.  According to him, the less of his family I met pre-wedding, the more likely I was to go through with it.  All joking aside, he, and now the girls and I have an amazing family.  They have welcomed us with open arms, love, and a lot of laughs.  And I'm very grateful for all of them.

 

4.  iPhone Pictures.  What did we do before we could take pictures with our phones?  I guess we had to actually practice some patience and wait to get them developed.

 

We had several family members who took pictures with iPhones before, during, and after our ceremony (even though we had two professional photographers taking them as well), and I can.not.quit.looking.at.them.  Our day turned out so much more beautiful than I could have ever imagined and I am so thankful for all the photos that captured it for us.

 

5.  My husband.  It feels almost surreal to be able to call Bill that - my husband.  But according to the state of NC, it is official.  He's mine and I am his.  We received the email from the Mecklenburg County Register of Deeds, yesterday, telling us so.  We both have had points in our lives where we've questioned why certain things have happened, but I know now that each and every one of those things directly lead us to each other.  I say it often, but before Bill, I never knew life could or should be so easy, and happy.  I never knew it was possible to have someone love all of you, faults and all, and to not be afraid to tell them because you know they will still love you anyways.  And where he really gets me - he loves my girls with every ounce of his being.  So often I catch myself just staring at him, and thinking, "Wow...this is really my life.  How did I get so lucky?"

 

To put it simply...next to God and his Momma, no one will ever love him more. 

Got It Right This Time

I can't believe it's already been a week since we were in Emerald Isle, saying our vows in front of our family and friends.  We seriously better not blink or the girls will be grown and we will be celebrating many years of wedded bliss.

As most of you know, our original plan was to semi-elope... meaning we planned to have our parents, E, Grandma Leola, the girls and ourselves at the wedding with a family get-together at a later date.  BUT...once we made the engagement announcement on Faceb**k, Bill and I were surprised by how many people wanted to share in our special day.  With some quick thinking on my Mother-in-Laws behalf, we were able to secure a wedding planner who was able to put together a more beautifully intimate ceremony than I could have ever imagined.  Thank you again, Krystal!!! 

About a week prior to the ceremony the forecast called for scattered thunderstorms for both Friday and Saturday, but luckily, the weather turned out to be absolutely perfect the entire vacation.

 

This picture brings me to tears every.single.time I look at it.  The four most important females in my life waiting for me to walk to them.

 

Walking towards my future, and Bill's smile says it all.

 

It took every ounce of strength in my body to not start sobbing when Bre kissed Bill after he gave her her locket.

 

Before giving the girls their lockets, he said to them, "Thank you for sharing your Mommy with me, loving me, and allowing me to love you with all my heart.  I was not there when you took your first steps, but I promise that now I will love and support you in every step that you take in life. These lockets are a symbol of my love and devotion to the three of you."

 

If there was a dry eye before this point, there wasn't any afterwards. 

 

This picture makes me laugh every time I look at it because Kinsey looked away while we kissed.

 

My life.  My loves.

 

I never knew life could be this happy or easy. 

 

My Mother-in law, Linda, Father-in-law, Jim, and Sister-in-law, Trish.

 

This is one of my favorite moments that was captured from the weekend.  The wind was blowing pretty hard, which was great, because it made the temperature perfect.  However, it wasn't so great for my hair - it was all over the place.  Bill kept, very sweetly, brushing it out of my face, because well, that's what husbands do.  :)

 

I could've stayed just like this - lost in his eyes - for hours.

 

 

 

His kisses make me weak in the knees.

 

My heart and soul.

 

Best part of the day... watching them so happy and just being kids.

 

Ten minutes into this pose.... it was just funny.

 

Bill actually took this picture while the photographer was adjusting her camera.

 

During the ceremony, we asked for a moment of silence to remember our lost loved ones.  Bill carried Ramona, Chris, and Lavon's pictures in his pocket, and set them out to sea at the end of the ceremony. 

 

Trashing the dress.

 

The loves of my life.

 

Stephen.  He may be bigger than me now, but he will always be my 'Little Man'.

 

He along with E were our witnesses.

 

We did!

 

Saturday, E, the kids, and I got in some beach time while Bill BBQ'd.  So lucky to have the best best friend ever.

 

 

To say this was the best weekend of my life would be an understatement.  The way that Bill loves us still leaves me in awe, and wondering what I've done to deserve this life. And to have Bill's family tell me, 'This is the happiest we have ever seen him' means EVERYTHING! The girls and I are so incredibly blessed to have gained such a wonderful family. 

 

 

To put it simply...I GOT IT RIGHT THIS TIME!

 

 

 

 

To a T

Bill,

I've never read more true words than these.

"Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can truly turn your world around. You tell them them things you've never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more.

You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved, and the many disappointments life has thrown at you.

When something wonderful happens, you can't wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement.

They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself.

Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful.

There is never any pressure, jealousy, or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around.

You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are.

The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song, or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so vivid clear it's like being young again.

Colors seems brighter and more brilliant.

Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn't exist at all.

A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day's work and always brings a smile to you face.

In their presence, there's no need for continuous conversation, but you find that you're quite content in just having them nearby.

Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you.

You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind, or even a storm cloud on the horizon,

You open your heart knowing that there's a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible.

You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure so real that it scares you.

You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal until the end.

Life seems completely different, exciting, and worthwhile.

Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are part of your life."

-Bob Marley

What They Taught Me

It's time to give credit where credit is due.

I wouldn't be who I am today without the guidance of my parents.

I am their firstborn, and they had me as teenagers so they relied heavily on the guidance of my grandparents, and we, in a sense, grew up together.

My dad taught me how to throw a softball (and not 'like a girl'), ride a bike, and fish. I was quite the 'daddy tag-a-long' growing up.

My mom, she taught me how to fix my hair and put on make-up, and she taught me how to drive. I can still hear her saying Brakes, Casondra, BRAKES!!!!!, as I approached my very first stop sign in her old Cutlass Sierra. We stopped in time, but I think we may both have endured some whiplash. Ha. All is well, and I'm a good driver now.

My parents taught me that presence in your kids life is so very important. They never missed sporting events, or school plays, or anything that us kids were involved in. In fact, my dad worked a 3rd shift job, often getting way too little sleep, so that he could be involved in our lives.

My mother has always, always made a point to tell me how beautiful she thinks I am. Whether it was on picture day at school, before the several proms I attended, on a random photo I post on Facebook, or even just before I go out for the evening with friends.

My parents taught me manners. They taught me to 'say please and thank you.' And to help out people in need, even if I didn't have anything but my time to give.

They taught me that sometimes there a few things in life quite like the comfort of your parents. They've rubbed my back and head to calm me as a child when the weather would change and my asthma would flair its ugly face. They took turns standing beside my bed, rubbing my back as I labored through 26 hrs of back labor with my oldest daughter, and sat with me in my recovery room after I had to have an emergency c-section. They've sat with me in almost every triage room before all of the major surgeries I've had in my life, and held my hands as I've been poked and prodded with needles. My dad held me when I fell apart when the life-flight team took Bre.

They taught me about Jesus, and that as long as I rely on my faith, I can survive any difficult situation in my life.

They've also taught me a few invaluable lesson as of late.

They've taught me that regardless of circumstance and life choices, you love and SUPPORT YOUR children NO MATTER WHAT. And that the things I despise the most in this life are intolerance and hypocrisy.

So, without further ado, I hope to pass these life lessons on to my daughters.

I want to encourage my daughters to live. The way they want to. And that may mean that they are a homebody like me, or that they may be a world traveler. I will never make them feel guilty for wanting to spread their wings, follow their dreams, and be who they want to be, regardless of it is takes them hundreds or thousands of miles away from me. And regardless of if they live their life in a way that doesn't always align with what I think is best for them. It's their life and their happiness.

I want to let them make mistakes. I've been their age and I've had successes and failures. To not be that parent that says 'I told you so' or 'you were wrong' but to encourage them to get back out there and try again.

I make it a point to show my daughters affection. I truly believe that daughters mimic the compassion of their mother. We give a lot of hugs, have snuggle time, hold hands, give eskimo kisses, and say 'I love you' often.

Communication. Don't just talk.....LISTEN! I spend a lot of time talking to my girls. It's important to me that they understand the importance of not talking at, over, or down to anyone. We all have a voice, and our voices matter. Maybe not to everyone, but they do matter.

Be a mother. I hope that they understand the pure joy that comes from being a mother, and that one day they want to be mothers. That they understand that they will never have a better friend, confidant, and supporter.

To love and encourage others, instead of judging based off of differing of opinions or views. And to demand the same from the people they allow in their lives. Life is entirely too short and too precious to allow negativity in. That just because their views don't line up with someone else's doesn't give them the right to give unwarranted advice or criticisms, or throw stones. That just because they may not agree with someone else's choices doesn't mean they can't still show compassion.

That sometimes it is necessary to remove people (friends, acquaintances, and sometimes family) from your life. If someone is causing you more hurt than they are happiness, or if you've set boundaries for allowing them to be a part of your life and they blatantly disregard them, it is okay to severe your ties. Common bonds don't always mean a relationship should exist.

And lastly, I hope they always follow their heart in love. Sometimes things don't work out and they may get their hearts broken or break someone else's heart, but they deserve to be happy and have a partner that loves them with everything they have. And regardless of how they find that person, I will always, ALWAYS support them.

My FFF

It's been a LONG time since I sat down to write a list of my favorite things and memories from the week. My friend, Natalie, mentioned a book she's reading called 'The Happiness Project' yesterday, and of course I downloaded it to iBooks immediately. Thank goodness my growing list of 'inspiring' books is stored in my iPad, otherwise Bill might want me to discard some of them.

Anyways, after reading the first chapter of said book, I feel moved to jump back on the 'Friday's Favorite Five' bandwagon. The good thing about this blog and my other, private journal is being able to look back at different periods of time in my life. It is always easy to remember the bigger moments in my life, but often times, I forget those smaller day-to-day things that I feel thankful and blessed for, and this is the perfect way to document them.

1. Clean Eating. I generally eat fairly good, but on Sunday, E, asked me to do a 30-Day 'diet' with her. I say diet, because it isn't really a diet, it's more of a lifestyle change that involves cutting out all processed foods, grains, and sugar. Basically we are eating proteins, unlimited veggies, and fruit. Mid-way through Day 1, I sent her a text that said, "Good lord woman!!!!! I'm going to starve to death." Ha. Well, here it is, Day 5, and I'm not starving at all. In fact, I feel really full at the end of every meal, and my energy level has increased. The best part, I'm already down a few pounds (probably water weight, but still)...I have a gorgeous dress hanging in my closet that I need to look good in, in a few weeks.

2. Warm, sunny days. Spring is FINALLY here, and although my sinuses are going crazy, I'm choosing to see the beauty of a clear, blue sky. A warm breeze blowing through my window while Bre and Gray-cee stand in the sunlight, feeling the breeze on their faces. Those moments when time slows, and God's love is ever apparent in the beauty that surrounds us.

3. My girls. There is nothing in this life that makes me more proud than being a mom to my three, precious girls. Last night, as Kinsey read through her report on Bill Clinton to Bill and I, I couldn't help but feel proud of well my older two girls are doing in school. As Ava read me her favorite bedtime story, I felt my eyes welling with tears, because I know how blessed I am that I get to be their Mommy. And Bre... That little spitfire keeps me on my toes, and in a fit of laughter. I could sit and stare at all three of my girls for hours.

4. FaceTime. Long-distance relationships are hard! You spend a lot of time apart to only get a few days here and there together. We pass the time between visits by video-chatting several hours every.single.day. It's allowed us to watch TV shows together, eat together, put the girls to bed, and just be able to 'see' each other. It's definitely made our times apart more bearable.

5. Bill. I know, predictable. But I really am just so thankful for him. There's not a day that goes by that he doesn't make me feel more loved than I ever have. And there really is no better feeling in the world besides that. Four weeks, baby!!!