Looking Ahead

With the start of a new year day comes new opportunities.  I am determined to make today, and the days ahead some of the best.  In order to do this, I have set goals for myself. 

ONE

Make trust and forgiveness my default mode.  

This is something I struggle with.   I have always been a person who will forgive (with time), but never completely trust again.  Once that trust is gone, I have no interest in allowing it to grow again.  I want to get to a place in life where trusting and forgiving come easier and more naturally to me. 

TWO

Adopt Makeout 2014

Christine from Pink So Foxy did an inventory of her make-up collection and discovered she had FAR more than needed.  As a result of this she made a contract for herself (Makeout 2013) allowing her to purchase 10 new "pieces" of make-up during the entire 2013 year.  Make-up is my weakness.  I love it.  I find a product I "just have to have" and buy it only to find a new product I "just have to have" not long after purchasing the previous product.  During 2014 I will be doing Makeout 2014 and allowing myself to purchase just 10 new "pieces" of make-up.  This includes foundations (after mine is gone) and brushes.  

THREE

Be more organized.

I am in the process of organizing my life... Starting with my bathroom vanity and linen closet.  I am getting rid of a lot of "stuff", so it's time to organize what's staying here.  

I recently bought these drawers (found here and here) for my bathroom to organize my make-up and assess what all I truly have (see also: Makeout 2014).

Other areas or organization include my bills (I bought all the components for Nina's Bill Book, but never put it together), clothes (so many things I don't wear, but can't seem to part with), closets in guest rooms, and garage.   Good thing I have a year.  

FOUR

Run the Fort For Fitness Half Marathon again... and PR.

So there they are... my big goals for the coming months. What goals do you have?

Merry Christmas

 As you spend time with your family and friends this Christmas, please take time to remember those who cannot be with their family.  Those defending our freedom don't get a Christmas vacation.  

Merry Christmas to you all... and THANK YOU to our troops.

My Friends Are Like Make-Up Brushes

I've never been the type of person who identifies with just one group of people.  Throughout life I have always  been friends with several different "groups".  I have always been the type of person with an awesome mixture of friends.  

Like my make-up brushes, each friend is unique in what they bring to my life.  No two people are exactly the same, and I love that.  Each one has a uniqueness about them that drew me to that person from the beginning.

Some of my friends, like my make-up brushes, I am in contact with on a daily basis while others I see just occasionally.  However, that doesn't mean I care less about those I don't see as often.  

I have some friends that have been with be for years, while others I have only had for a short while.  Regardless, like my make-up brushes, I have a hard time getting rid of friends.  I am the type of person that once I consider you a friend, I hold tight to our friendship.  Time may pass without seeing each other and being able to talk, but I will always be there for my friends. 

So, this is for all of you whom I have ever laughed with, cried with, ran with, reminisced with, hugged, or simply chatted with.  Thanks for being one of my make-up brushes.  Without all of my, my set wouldn't be complete.

Struggles

We all have them.

Whether they be body image, exercising, eating healthy, family, friends, yourself.... we all struggle with something or things.   The last few weeks have been difficult ones for me.  I have struggled with a lot of things.  Things that for a brief period of time, changed who I was, and I didn't like it.  Over the last couple weeks, I have been taking time to work on me.

I know I am not perfect.  I make mistakes.  But I am working to better myself.

I've had long talks with my best friend about everything.  She keeps me in check when I fall out of line.   She has seen me at my best and she has seen me at my worst. She has seen the good in me when I have struggled to see it in myself. I can honestly say she was put in my life to make me a better person.

R and I made this past weekend a date weekend.  Laundry and cleaning the house was put on hold for the weekend.  We spend Friday night at the hockey game in town and Saturday by a bonfire in our back yard.  Nothing extravagant, just the two of us spending quality time together. No friends, no outside distractions.   It was great.  Sometimes after 12 years together we tend to overlook the small things we love about each other.

All in all, things are looking up.  I can choose to be optimistic or pessimistic.

My glass is half full.

Five On Friday

Today I'm linking up with Darci for my Five on Friday.   

My five this week are things I am thankful for.

ONE: Prospective

No matter what I'm going though, things could always be worse.  I'm learning to focus on what I have and not what I don't have.


TWO:  My students

They make me smile even on those days when it seems like there isn't anything to smile about.


THREE:  Music

Music speaks when words cannot be found.  My days would be boring without music.


FOUR:  Family

Those God has blessed me with and those friends that have become my family - they are my constant number one fans.


FIVE:  Midwest Sunrises

They are breath taking this time of year.

 

Happy Friday, everyone!

10 Day Cleanse - Day 1 (Take 3)

Good morning!

Today started my third round of the AdvoCare 10 Day Cleanse.  I was actually really excited to start this round.  I love the way I feel after I'm done! 

R had already left for work when I got up this morning, so he wasn't there to take my "before" photo.   That's on the agenda for tonight after I survive a long night of parent, teacher conferences.  I can tell you when I stepped on the scale to get my starting weight, I wasn't mad about it.

The scale read 137 (I am 5'5").  Yesterday morning I was 135, but ate everything in sight since I knew the next 10 days wouldn't allow anything good fun. 

My morning started with my fiber drink and Omega Plex vitamin.

For breakfast I whipped up my very first green smoothie.  I was a little nervous, but it turned out DELICIOUS!  This will definitely be a breakfast staple during, and after, my cleanse.  It was so filling! 

Source

I didn't add the banana, mostly because we didn't have any and partly because I'm not a big fan of the texture of bananas when they are blended.  I did add some chia seeds for extra fiber (as if I need that right now, but I put then in/on just about everything).  The picture above makes it look more yellow than green, which wasn't the case at all.  

The rest of my menu at school this...

Like I said, we have parent-teacher conferences tonight so I packed a few extra snacks.  They feed us at school on these nights, but I don't know what they will be providing, so I was sure to pack enough to tide me over until I get home tonight.  

And finally, one last picture of my view this morning.

Nothing beats a midwest sunrise.

Cleanse day 1 - OUT!

Perfection, and a Reminder

At 7:33 yesterday morning my best friend delivered a 19 inch, 9 pound, baby boy.  He's 9 pounds of awesomeness.  This little guy has the best cheeks, the cutest little nose, and the most precious fingers and toes I've ever seen.  I can't wait to watch him grow into an incredible kid.  He has blessed so many lives already.


**Don't forget, some of us are starting the AdvoCare 10 Day Cleanse on Tuesday.  It is very gentle and will leave you feeling amazing when the 10 days are over.  You eat real food - but it must be clean (lean meats, veggies, etc).  If you want to order a cleanse you can do that HERE.  I am giving 100% of my profits from now until he comes home to Lora and Baby Harper.  So, not only will you be helping yourself feel better, but you'll be helping this little guy as well.  So far the total Baby Harper will be getting is $191!!  
THANK YOU!!  **

Thoughts... "Remember That Time" Style

So I know I promised pictures of my Sugar Love Boutique finds, and I will do them, it's been a crazy busy week and I feel like I'm hardly treading water right now, so please be patient with me.  

Today I'm giving my thoughts Kimmy-style.  She is notorious for her "remember that time" stories.  

Remember that time I had two friends, both named Jennifer Miller programed into my phone and one of them texted me about getting free tickets to Snickerz (a comdey club here) and I didn't look closely to see which Jennifer Miller it was.  So I assumed it was Fatchick2fitchick, Jennifer Miller and text her back saying I was in for the show and we should get Holly, Melanie and their husbands to come up and go too.  To which she replied, "Who??"  Yea, that was Tuesday.

Remember that time I was Face Timing with Megan and Twilight Sparkle and Megan said, "Look at Ashley's hair!  Doesn't it look like Rapunzel?"  To which Twilight Sparkle replied, "No, only pretty girls have hair like Rapunzel."  Of course we died laughing.... but I got burned by a 4 year old.   Yea, that was also Tuesday.

Remember that time two teachers at school were in charge of our United Way Campaign, but I (and another teacher) did all the work.  Then when I had had enough and got a little snippy, one of the teachers "in charge" stopped me later and asked if I was feeling better.  I gave her a funny look and she replied with, "Well, I thought maybe you were PMSing with the way you crapped at me earlier."  Really?!?!?  Yep, also Tuesday.

Just a reminder:  If you would like and AdvoCare products, I have decided to donate 100% of my profits from now until he leaves the NICU to Lora and Baby Harper.   Several of us are starting the 10 Day Cleanse next Tuesday.   If you would like to join the fun, you can order HERE.

A Little Sugar Love With Some Brady Bands On Top

Happy Friday Eve!!!

Last night I had the privilege of going over to Jill, from Sugar Love Boutique's, house to do some shopping!!  I absolutely love her boutique and I'm all about supporting local businesses.   Jill is hands down one of the sweetest ladies I've ever met!  It's obvious she, and her daughters, are very passionate about what they do.  

I left their gorgeous home with two sweaters and a necklace.  Blogger fail, I didn't take any pictures.  Count on those tonight and added to the post tomorrow.  

I also received my first Brady Bands order yesterday!!!  It was a great day! I was gifted a Brady Band which I wore during the half marathon.  I am sold!  These are the first bands I've ever worn that did not slip. at. all.  

The sequin Brady Band is a much brighter pink that what it's showing in the picture.  Can't wait to break these in at the gym and on my runs!!  

Check back tomorrow for pictures of my Sugar Love Boutique finds!!  

Happy Friday Eve!

So What Wednesday

If you're new around these parts, get with the program!   Link up and tell me what you're saying "so what" about!

So What If...

...I haven't worked out since the Fort4Fitness half on Saturday.  Leading up to race day I felt like all I did was run.  It's been great having this break.  But, alas, all good things must come to an end.  Tonight I am lacing up my running shoes and pounding the pavement for a 5-6 miler.

...I was in bed at 8:30 last night.  It's getting dark earlier and with nothing good on tv, I figured I might as well just go to bed.

...I'm missing Holly, Melanie, Megan, and Brandi like crazy!  We had a great weekend!  We need to figure out how to make Missouri, Texas and Indiana closer together. 

...I didn't win Skinny Meg's Diet Bet.  I did manage to drop 5 pounds (darn that last .4).  

...I'm on a fall decoration kick lately.  I've only purchased a small bag of gourds, but there is so much more I want.  If only we weren't trying to pinch pennies.

...I don't want to erase what R wrote on our "I love you because..." board.  It's too sweet!!  

...I wish I could swing going to St. Louis this weekend to run the MO Cowbell half with Holly and Mel!  Love those girls! 

...I really want something to hang in the wall to display my medals and bibs.

That's all I've got for today.  Happy Wednesday, Rockstars!!!

Weekend and First Half Marathon Race Recap

The weekend I had been waiting for since April has come and gone.  My first half marathon, the Fort4Fitness, is in the books.  If I could sum it up in one statement I would say it was everything I had hoped for, plus more.

Friday I worked a half day then went into town to meet Megan and Brandi.  To say I was nervous would be an understatement.  I had no idea what to expect.  Would they be what I was expecting?  Would I be what they were expecting?  Thankfully, I had already met Holly and Mel several times, so I knew exactly what I was getting into once they arrived.  I am especially thankful that my nerves were unnecessary!  Brandi and Megan are such genuine people!  I am so glad to have finally met them!  It was also great meeting Faith, another Fort Wayne local. Hello, new running buddy!

Story time with Holly.

Friday night consisted of pasta dinner, lots of water, and very little sleep for me.  

Meredith, Kristie, Kara, Mel, Brandi, Megan, me, and Holly

Saturday morning I had my pre-race breakfast of two pieces of toast with peat butter and one egg.  Not being an experienced half marathoner I had no idea how much I needed to eat.  Turns out, I ate the perfect amount!

Once we left and headed into town my nerves about the race calmed.  I met up with the girls, we drank some more water, took pre-race pictures so if I died, there was proof that I at least started, went to the bathroom, and found our corral.  As soon as I entered the corral, I was calm and collected.  I knew I had a job to do, and I was determined to not die do that job.

Here's a recap of my thoughts mile by mile as I ran....

Mile 1 - I hope I can do this.

Mile 2 - Look at all these people running!  This is the moment I have been training for! Oh, there's a bathroom, wonder if Meg needs to go? 

Mile 3 - 5K complete and I'm feeling good!  Megan and Holly are by my side.  We're going to do this!

Mile 4 - Single digits remain!  I hope Holly is okay, she doesn't appear to be having any fun.

Mile 5 - Water!  Body check - legs?  Feeling good.  Breathing?  Calm and controlled. Dare I say this is fun?!?!

Mile 6 - Almost half way.  I wonder how far ahead Mel and Brandi are.

Mile 7 - Why did the guy on the hovaround just ask the people walking if they are okay?  How is he going to transport them if they arent?

Mile 8 - Well over half way!  5 more to go.  

Mile 9 - Knees are a little sore, must keep moving.  Crap!  The 2:20 pace team is behind me.  I cannot let them pass me!!

Mile 10 - I'm feeling okay, only 3.1 more.  

Mile 11 - There's Mom and Dad!!  I'm still smiling! (They were the push I needed to finish strong)  Beer shots!!  Just what I've been waiting for!

Mile 12 - This is the longest mile of my life! Where is the stadium??

              I wonder where R, Lee, Brooke, and Jen are?

              I see American Flags up ahead, that has to be them!!  I'm taking that flag with me!!

Mile 13 - (inside the stadium)  Look at all the people!  I can't believe this is almost over!  Smile and celebrate for the finish line camera!

First post-race photo.  Loved having these ladies there to
 cheer me on at the finish! 

I completed my first half marathon in 2:19.  

 

SO thankful for these 4 ladies!
They have no idea how much their support meant!
HUGE thanks to Brady Bands for providing the only headband I've ever worn that truly did not slip!

After everyone finished we walked over to The Dash-In for lunch and a surprise Baby Sprinkle for PregMeg.   It was great meeting so many new friends at the diner!

Then Megan got the best idea ever!  Post race pedicures!  Seven of us loaded up in my car and off we went to pamper our poor toes. I'm definitely doing this after every half!

After naps and MUCH needed showers, we met up for dinner and a headed to a place called Flashbacks (an 80's bar downtown).

Great way to end a great day! 

I was so humbled to have friends come from out of state to run with me.  I have been amazed by my husband who has believed from the day I registered back in April that I could do this.  He believed in me when I didn't believe in myself.  Our group of friends came out and tailgated by the finish line (even my best friend who is could-pop-anyday-pregnant!).  I couldn't ask for a better group of friends.  And my Mom and Dad, who have always been my number one fans were along the route.  I was so happy to see them! I wanted to hug them, but I didn't... I had a goal to beat!  :)    

I think the highlight of my race besides surviving was Holly telling me, post-race, "I just ran behind you for three miles and watched your tiny ass!"  NO ONE has ever called my ass tiny!  Thanks Holly!  You'll forever be the whipped vodka to my pineapple juice after that one!  

Bucket list update: Run a half marathon = check!

Harper Young

I had all intentions of writing this post yesterday, but school was crazy and I wasn't even able to sit at my desk and check my email until 3:40. Anywho... here's the scoop...

My IRL friend, Lora, from Raising Steppe Sisters, delivered her precious bundle of joy on Sunday.  She was just 26ish weeks pregnant at the time.  Baby Harper is stable, but they have been told the first 75 hours are the most critical.  Please pray for these 75 hours to go by without complication.  Once past those 75 hours, Harper will still have a long road ahead of him. He will be in the hospital until December.  In order to help, some friends have sent up a fund raising page for the family.  If you are able and feel called to donate, please visit this page. No amount is too small.  If you are unable to give financially, please pray for baby Harper, as well as his Mommy, Daddy, and two big sisters.

Also,  as most of you know, I am an independent distributor for Advocare.  I will be donating 100% of my profits from now through November 1st to Baby Harper's fund.  If you need Spark, a 10 Day Cleanse, or even a 24 Day Challenge Bundle, you will not only be helping yourself live a healthier lifestyle, but you will also be helping Harper. The buttons below will link you directly to the my 10 Day Cleanse and 24 Day Challenge pages.

                                           

Happy Hump Day friends!  The rest of my week is busy preparing for my girls to arrive on Friday and focusing on getting through my first half marathon on Saturday.  It should be a good weekend!!!

Not Your Average Monday

Good morning.

As most of us are getting to work after a weekend of fun and relaxation, that's not the case for everyone.  

Lora discovered back in April that she was expecting a bundle of joy.  She and FH have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of their little guy (his due date was December 28th) who decided to make his appearance quite a bit early.  Yesterday to be exact.

So while you go about your average, normal Monday, please take a moment to stop and say a prayer for Baby Harper, the doctors and nurses working with him,  Lora, FH, K and A because for them, this is not the average Monday.

Where I've Been

After a chat with my gal pal, Kimmy, last night, where she felt the need to point out my lack of blogging, I figured I would pop in quickly and let you all know what I've been up to...

Basically my days have consisted of going to work, coming home, running, making dinner, and going to bed.  The next day, I get up, go to work, come home, run, make dinner, and go to bed.  Followed again my getting up the next day, going to work, coming home, running, making dinner, and going to bed.  

You get the point.

I have one more week of running all. the. time.  Then I'm never running again.  Okay, that's not entirely true, but I will be taking  a few days off.  

I am excited to say at this time next week I will be preparing for Melanie, Holly, Megan, and Mama Laughlin to arrive in town for our weekend of running.  It's sure to be a good time - minus the running. 

So there you have it.  Not much exciting has been happening around here.  I'll get back to blogging more regularly soon!!

#TeamGarrett

Hey hey!!!  Today I have a post from my girl Kimmy.  She is a dear friend with a heat of gold.  Read below to find out how she is changing lives and how you can help!!


#TEAMGARRETT

I have the privilege of belonging to an amazing baseball family.  One little boy on our team has cancer.  He loves baseball so much.  He might be the smallest on our team, but he definitely has the most hustle and effort.  When he can't be around other kids during treatments he is in his backyard working.  Our team is raising money for the family and the weekend of September 14th Andrew along with some other teammates, is shaving his head to show his support to his friend and teammate Garrett!

Garrett is 7 years old and has been fighting neuroblastoma since he was 4. He is going through chemo and recently had MIBG therapy in July.  Garrett LOVES baseball.  His teammates have decided to come together and raise money for his family and the huge medical expenses they are accumulating.  The weekend of Sept 14th we will be blessing his family with our efforts and some of the boys will be shaving their heads to show Garrett support.  Would you consider donating to this amazing family?  We want to blow their mind with support in every way we can! We are TEAM GARRETT!

Ways to help:

You can paypal to rangersmoore@gmail.com
Or email kimmybows1@gmail.com to get a physical address you can mail to.
Also please repost this on every social media outlet you have! If you would like to reblog it for me, I would LOVE that.  Email me and I can send you the HTML of this post.

Rock your short weeks lovelies!

#TEAMGARRETT

So What Wednesday

It's Wednesday and today I'm saying "So what if..." 

...I haven't written a post in over two months. I've been super busy running and living it up! 

...I took three vacations this summer and didn't post about any of them.

...I crossed a major Bucket List item off this summer. That beer at Fenway Park was amazing! Hello 31st birthday! You rocked my face!

...I have worked up to 8 miles for a long run and still doubt that I can do 13.1 next month. 

...I'm wearing a shirt that smells like a dirty fish bowl. R did the laundry and I'm pretty sure he folded this gem while it was still damp. Womp Womp. 

...tomorrow is the third pay day of this month -- Hello, no insurance deductions! Nice to see you!!!

...I'm craving a weekend with my girls where we DON'T have to run!!!

...I'm challenging myself to eat Paleo the entire month of September.

...I'm thinking about doing a, Advocare 10 Day Cleanse to kick off the month of September. Paleo and poop go together, right?


That's it for today.  I'll try to be better about blogging.  See you all next time (whenever that is...)

Coward Move GOMI Writers

It has recently been brought to my attention that I am now part of the Get Off My Internets Mama Laughlin Forum.  I'm not sure if I should be offended for being on this list, or chalk it up to blogger fame.  I'm going with the second.  Shout out to "numberscat" for providing this fame.  

Apparently "numberscat" took the time to scroll through our "circle" of bloggers and see if we still follow Brandi on Instagram.  Seriously?  "Numberscat" has that much spare time?  At least she admitted to procrastinating and being very nosy. 

Now, here's the deal... "Numberscat" doesn't have her facts correct.  I still follow Brandi on IG.  Call me a fan girl or whatever else you call people who choose to follow Mama Laughlin.  I am the type of person who will follow someone until that person gives me a reason not to.  Brandi has never given me any reason to speak ill of her, her style, or her parenting skills - thus, I will continue to follow her.  Sorry "Numberscat."

On to my next point..... Those of you who post things on Get Off My Internets need to grow some ladyballs.  If you honestly feel so strongly about someone and have such negative and hurtful things to say about that person, have the courage to put your name on it.  Going by an alias (of a cat nonetheless) is an extremely cowardly move.  You all have SO many things to say to "prove" ML is this horrible person, yet you don't have the courage to put your name on it?  Grow some ladyballs.  If you don't like what you're seeing/reading on her blog or Instagram, stop viewing it!  It's not that difficult. 

Peace out, Girl Scout.

That Time We Almost Called Dateline

Unless you have been living under a rock, you know this was the weekend Kimmy and I made our friendship "legit" (that's one's for you, E) and met in The Lou for an epic weekend.  I rolled into town around 5pm and hung out at the Stanfield house while we waited for Amanda and Becky to arrive.  

Holly and I played a round of beer pong {with that serious face, it was now surprise she won} while OB double fisted ice cream treats.  She's a girl after my own heart.  Then we headed into downtown St. Charles for dinner and to wait for Kimmy's arrival.   During dinner we decided our weekend would be Big Holly's Beer Camp since the only working out we planned on doing was bicep curls to get the beer to our mouths none of us were in Dallas for Mama Laughlin's Fit Camp.

After dinner we met Melanie and walked down to a local bar and shared lots of yawns laughs.

These girls are the Grey Goose to my orange juice.

Just before leaving this may have happened.  And... that was all she wrote for Kimmy.  This picture resulted in a trip to Jack In The Box where Kimmy proceded to ask some random people if they would play TLC's Waterfall and demanded a Jumbo Jack burger.

Saturday morning started shortly after we went to bed.  Holly kept telling us Olive would be up and ready to go at 5am.  Perhaps we thought she was kidding, but more likely, we were in denial.  However, at 5am, on the dot, we all had the pleasure of waking up to little OB running around prying our eyelids open.  I guess it was time to get up.  

Slowly, we got ourselves together and went over to Mel's before going to lunch.  We couldn't all sit together, so Mel and her "crew" {E,Laura blogless, and Laura's husband} sat down before us.... then this happened....

While Holly, Kimmy, Amanda and I were starving and ready to gnaw our arms off, Melanie proceeded to eat in front of us and only cared enough to throw up the deuces.  That's true friendship. 

After lunch we went the the Schlafly Brewery and had a taste testing.  I'm still puzzled as to why the website said closed toe shoes are required.  We sat at a table and didn't get up.  As far as Kimmy and I were concerned shoes, in general, were not required.  It was a good time and texts were shared across the room, as our group was too big (7 people) and there wasn't space for all of us to sit together.

Sunday morning we got up, Melanie jacked Kimmy's hair to Jesus, Holly and OB came over, and we went out for a girls only breakfast.  

Picture compliments of #ElleRose.

I cannot describe how great the weekend was!  These girls are amazing.  I feel like I have known them for years!  My heart was heavy having to leave them, but so full at the same time.

Happy Monday, rockstars! I hope you're feeling as blessed as I am this morning.

Wedding Link Up

I'm linking up today with Holly and Mel (whom I will be with in real life in less than 24 hours!!!) to tell you a little about my wedding.

R and I started dating in December of 2001.  We got engaged in August of 2004 and then married in May of 2006.  Yes, that was a long engagement, but we were both still in school and wanted to wait until we were done.

Location: R and I got married at the church we still attend today.  Emmanuel Community. It was a rather large wedding (probably 200+ people there).  My dress was simple, but it was me.  As for shoes, I wore ballet slippers -- the same ballet slippers my Mom wore when she and my Dad got married.

When I graduated from high school I had a picture taken with my Mom and Grandma.
It was fitting that during this next big milestone, I have another picture with them.

The summer before we got married my parents went to Israel.  When they came back, as part of our Christmas gifts, they gifted us the above necklaces.  In Hebrew they say, "I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine."  Since, Biblically, you are not your beloved's until after you are married, we wore each other's necklace then switched as part of our wedding ceremony.  I love that it made our ceremony unique and "ours".

Colors/Bridal Party: We each had 4 people stand in our wedding.  I had my cousin, a friend from college, a friend from high school, and a friend whom I've literally known forever stand as my MOH.  R had his two brothers, my brother, and a friend of ours from high school.  My girls wore periwinkle.  I always thought I wanted my girls to wear a pale yellow, but when I found this color I loved it.  We all carried cream flowers.

First Dance Song: Our first dance was to a song called, "That's When I Love You" By: Aslyn

 It was a song I found a month before our wedding when my Mom, Grandma, and I went to North Carolina to visit my Uncle and Aunt (then girlfriend).  I loved the song instantly and knew it was the one R and I would dace to.

 

Honeymoon:  The day after our wedding we went back to Michigan {we briefly lived there... I hated it, but that's a post for another day}, then to Chicago that Monday and off to Puerto Vallarta.  It was our first time going all-inclusive, and it was FANTASTIC!  

What would you change?:  Nothing.  It was a great day.  We got married young, but I wouldn't change a thing.

Sorry for the picture quality.  I didn't want to scan these, so you get pictures of pictures from our album.  You'll be okay.