The Small Details: Pre-Ceremony

I am definitely on a wedding blogging kick.  Now that I have all of my pictures back, I want to try to get them on the blog before I forget some of the details.  I am going to focus on the pre-cermony pictures today which includes all of the small details.  I would say I was a decently organized bride.  I had a step by step timeline of the wedding day and I took every single detail into consideration.  I even had it in a pretty excel spreadsheet in which I listed out what, where, when, and who- hour by hour.  My hairdresser and photographer probably thought I was crazy! One of the most important things to me was that I wanted to pray with Crawford before the wedding without him seeing me.  This was probably the most difficult part because my bridesmaids had to navigate us around the house to get us in place.  We almost saw each other...in fact, I did see him but he never saw me.  I don't know if that is considered bad luck or not but I am one that isn't superstitious so to me it didn't really matter.  I just did NOT want him to see me and that was a success.  Below are some of my favorite pictures taken before the ceremony of all the little details including flowers, getting ready, praying with my family and Crawford, and reading our letters.  Sometimes I can close my eyes and relive every single one of those moments. That day was truly special.

First Look with Dad

On the day I got engaged, I knew two things.  1. I didn't want Crawford to see me before the church doors opened and 2. I didn't want my dad to see my dress until the big day.  Keeping my dress a secret from my dad was probably one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.  We kept my dress at my Nanny's house just so I wasn't tempted to show him.  I had in my head exactly how I wanted that moment to go and I must say, it went PERFECT!  I had a tie patch made that said "Dad, I loved you first. 11-8-14" and sewed it to the back of a tie that I bought him.  I told him that I would be giving him his tie on the day of the wedding.  Those that know my dad, know that he is 100% dressed ALL THE TIME! It nearly killed him to not be able to see it before the wedding but I can honestly say he was glad I waited.  It was one of the most special calm moments before the crazy started and I will forever remember that "first look" with my dad.  Here are some of my favorite pictures.

Weekend Recap

Before I get started on the weekend recap, I wanted to show a picture of our first snow in the new house. It was more ice than snow but it was still pretty since we both had the day off and got to spend the day together being lazy. Love me a snow day!!

This was about 1-1.5 inches of straight ice.

This weekend was extremely busy. We had our Annual Missions Conference at church which is a weekend in which we raise money/pledges to support missionaries across the world. We also host about 5 missionaries each year that get to speak and give updates on what they are doing in other countries. It is such a rewarding and enlightening weekend. I participated in a skit Friday night and it was a lot of fun. 

When I got home Friday, I saw this on my doorsteps. Christmas in February!!!

I had my dress cleaned and preserved. Kind of sad that it's all boxed up and will probably never be worn again because let's face it, very few daughters wear their mothers dresses.

We finally got our new upholstered bed. The headboard came on Friday and the frame arrived on Saturday. Let me just, putting this bed together was extremely difficult and time consuming. It was definitely worth it in the end.

Slowly but surely the room is getting there...

Saturday was filled with birthday parties and more missions conference.

Sweet Luke turned two.  It has been such a joy watching this boy grow.  I remember the day he was born and I love that I get to spend every birthday with him.  I can't wait till Crawford and I one day have children that Luke gets to play with...even though he will be much older.  He does have a brother/sister on the way! :)  It was also Tuckers birthday and he turned two as well.  Luke and Tucker were born on the exact same day...kinda cool.  Sadly, I don't have a picture of Tucker but it has been fun getting to know him and his parents over the past month.  I just love my nursery babies!!

Sunday after church, we RELAXED! Isn't that what you are supposed to do on the Sabbath?

I really did have an awesome weekend filled with some of the people I love most.  I hope you all had a fantastic weekend as well.

Ten Things About Me

1. I'm not a morning person/I love the snooze button. 

I literally sleep until the last possible minute and even then I may squeeze in an extra 30 seconds. I hit snooze at least 4 times every morning and yes, it makes Crawford mad. (It's better than snoozing 1.5 hours like I did before we got married- improvements people).

2. I love to sing.

I'm an alto and have been singing my whole life. I LOVE to harmonize and come from a musical family. I do NOT sing when put on the spot.

3. I'm not a animal person but I love my dog.

Does that even make sense? Didn't think so! I can't explain it but for some reason, I just don't really like animals.  I freak out whenever any type of animal comes near me. However, I love me some Hank. 

4. My favorite food is Mexican.

I LOVE mexican food. I could eat it every day of the week.

5. I have attended the same church my whole life. 

This one is self explanatory. 

6. I hate cooking.

  I am working on this one...especially since I am a newlywed.  Luckily, Crawford knew this when he married me.  It's not that I can't cook, I just hate it.  I wish I loved it but I see it as a chore.  Maybe one day, it will just hit me and I will love it.  One can wish.

7. I love bargain shopping. 

True story, I probably check 5 different websites before I buy something online to see if I am getting the best deal.  I love it.

8. I am blind as a bat. 

I literally cannot see my hand in front of my face without my contacts.  I also cannot make out a person standing right beside me.  I am THAT blind.  I have to keep an extra pair of contacts on me at all times. Luckily, contacts fix my problem and one day, I hope to have lasik eye surgery.

9. I am obsessed with distressed furniture.

When I say obsessed, I mean OBSESSED.  I would decorate my entire house with it if I could.  Who knows, one day, I might.  I have tried to do it myself but I just don't have the magic touch yet.

10. Crawford and I "talked" for an entire year before we officially started dating. 

I wasn't ready for a relationship but I knew I liked him so some would say I led him on for a whole year.  I wouldn't trade that year for anything in the world.  It was one of the best years of my life because I  slowly got to know the man of my dreams. 

**Sorry for all the random funky fonts. It wouldn't let me change it to all one font. Weird**

Our First Married Valentines Day

To be honest, I really don't care much for Valentine's Day. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate it, just could care less about it. I will say that this was probably the BEST Valentine's Day I have ever had. We started the day by waking up and going to a Couples Panel session sponsored by The Well. My friend Madison started The Well back in October and it is a gathering for young women that are intently wanting to focus on having a Godly marriage and how to be a Godly wife. They meet once a month but this month, they decided to switch it up and invite the spouses. Madison found 4 couples that have been married for 15+ years and had us submit questions for them to answer in relation to their own marriage. For two hours, we got to listen to couples share their experiences and what they have learned throughout their marriage. They covered all types of questions newly married couples may have regarding finances, communication, intimacy, and how to center our marriage on God. Crawford and I gained so much from that panel and it was an awesome way to start our Valentine's Day.

The rest of the day, we spent just being together. We did a little shopping, took a nap, ordered take out, rented a movie and came home and watched it by the fire. It was pure bliss and I told Craw I was a cheap date. I loved just spending time with my husband. While I try to show my love to him everyday in random ways, it was nice to have a day that was just for us. Maybe I am starting to like Valentine's Day a little more now that I'm married.

**For those interested in more information on The Well, comment below or email me.**

Life Lately

Wow. It's been a little while since I last blogged. Life has been HECTIC but oh so wonderful.

I started one of my first projects. I made my own chalk paint and painted this old book shelf. 

I'm a newbie and definitely learning as I go.  The hardest part was the wax at the end. I have to figure out the best brand to use and the best way to apply it. 

#learningeveryday

Last weekend, Crawford fixed our fireplace and we now have fire! I'm in love.

We also found the perfect TV stand last weekend.  We have been looking for one for a while now and could not find one that we loved AND was budget friendly. We went to Marshalls to get Hank and new dog bed and walked out with our perfect stand. I'm still in love with this piece.

We watched the Super Bowl with some friends and I found this gem on my phone afterwards. Love these two.

Oh yeah, and this happened last week.

Seven inches gone with the snip of a pair of scissors. I also got some auburn highlights out in. Definitely a huge change but I must say I'm loving it.

Finished product and finally healthy hair!!