The Wild West

Well, We've been residents of the great state of Arizona for about 3 weeks now. Our house is finally unpacked and decorated. It's perfect and I love it. We have pictures of our family and friends everywhere, an ungodly amount of Walter Anderson pieces (but can you really ever have too much?), and small bits of Oxford everywhere. Putting our house together has been a process, but it's been so much fun. Re-opening all of our wedding gifts was such a treat because we got to think about each sweet family member or friend that gave us each gift. I've loved going through all of the pictures we have together and figuring out which ones are worthy of my gorgeous Kada frames courtesy of The Lily Pad.

Addison and I are a few days short of our 6 year dating anniversary and we've been blessed to make so many memories together in so many different places. I love looking at the pictures from when we first started dating. Two babies look back at me, but I recognize the look of love in those babies eyes. Okay, that was way too poeticly romantic. No more mushiness. Promise.

It's hot as heck here. Is anyone surprised? It's literally 108 degrees. Not joking. I can barely stand to be outside for more than 5 minutes, but Sassy begs to go outside. She sits under the super cool fire pit my cousin got us and eats grass. Only to come in and throw up said grass. It's awesome.

I will now mention that I found out I got into nursing school this week!!!! I couldn't possibly be more thrilled. I spent close to a year working as a nurse's aid at Baptist in Oxford. Let's just say I was at the bottom of the totem pole doing very bottom of the totem pole work. However, it helped me realize that nursing is exactly what I want to be doing.  I sent in my application in December. Most schools let me know that I was in in February so waiting until June was killer. I was expecting to hear back today so when I checked my emails on Wednesday my heart literally stopped when I saw the email from Grand Canyon. I'll be on the same campus Addison's dental school is on so we get to go to school together! I mean, how many people get to say they got to do that? I'm so excited. I'll get my RN in 15 months so we won't be in school together for too long, but it'll definitely be a good time.

I indulged in some slight shopping once I found out. As everyone knows I live for nail polish...specifically Essie polish. I got myself a lovely bright blue called "strut your stuff" because I mean I'm allowed to prance around now that I know I'm in, right? I also got some new shower gel from the bath and body works sale. Have y'all smelled Bali Mango and Moonlight path? If not you need to get to your local store and pick yourself up 3 of each. They are both AWESOME and are currently both in my shower because I couldn't pick one over the other. I also decided to get myself my 26th bathing suit because it's CURRENTLY 108 DEGREES HERE.

So Addison starts school in early July and I start at the end of August. That's literally a month and a half of hanging out alone all day. I don't think I've actually had a summer break where I didn't take a class or work or have some kind of travel plans in years... like years. It's going to be weird for sure. I'll probably blog a lot. About what color my nails are. And where Sassy decided to sleep that day. And how hot it is. So get ready because we're in for one fun summer together :).

We love y'all and miss y'all! Here's some pictures of Queen Sassy for ya.

She really likes our couch. A lot.

xoxo

Going To The Chapel

I've been dying to write this post! I thought about doing so before getting our pictures I was THAT excited, but I'm glad I didn't. I was so eager to see our wedding photos. I ran all the way back to the house when I opened the mailbox and saw they had finally come in!!

Okay, so here's my bird's eye view of our wedding-

I didn't sleep the night before because I was literally a bundle of nerves and excitement. Well...that's a lie. I slept for like 5 hours, but I woke up every 30 minutes to make sure I wasn't about to miss my wedding. I spent my last night as a single gal with my family. I'm really glad I did that. We didn't make a big deal about it...no tears were shed or baby albums produced- it was just a nice and peaceful night with my loving family before a very very busy day. I woke up on Saturday and it felt like a normal day, which was pretty cool. I was super nervous and excited, but it still felt like a casual saturday hanging out with some of my favorite people. My Dad's brother and his family were staying with us so our house was busy that morning. It was great and I loved having everyone buzzing around in excitement.

My bridesmaids and I got ready together at the church. I really love that we did that. When it came to my "wedding day look" I chose: simple. I wanted a wedding dress that was simple yet classy. Nothing big or elaborate. I wanted to wear the dress, not the other way around. I had the same idea with hair and make-up. I wanted to look natural and like myself on my big day. Addison complains when I have too much make up on (eye shadow and lipstick/lip gloss is WAY too much in his book) so I wanted to honor that on our wedding day. The last thing I wanted was for him to look up and think he was getting married to a clown. My bridesmaids couldn't of looked more beautiful. Not only are they spectacular friends and human beings, but they are stunning. They each radiated beauty that day. Getting ready with them is a memory I will treasure. I think doing that also helped keep me from being a nervous or emotional wreck. It just felt normal to be in a room filled with my girlz getting ready with every make-up product ever made, more curling irons and straighteners than we could count, and bee-bopping to Pharell while we beautified than doing so at some make up counter.

Addison and I chose not to see each other until we walked down the aisle. Actually, I don't know if I consulted with Addison on this little decision. I think I decided this one. I understand it might be more practical to just get all of your pictures done before the ceremony instead of splitting them up and making people wait to get the reception going because you're taking pictures, but I wouldn't have changed seeing each other for the first time walking down the aisle for anything. I think weddings sometimes lose the romance and the tenderness that are so vital in a relationship to all of the formalities and traditions we like to uphold. All morning, everyone that caught a glimpse of my stud of a soon-to-be-husband came and told me how handsome he looked. It made me that much more excited to finally get to see him. I will forever remember peeking through the glass windows of those doors and seeing the most handsome man alive, for the first time that day, standing up on the alter waiting to become my husband. Yes, I know that's cheesy and corny, but it was so special.

so handsome. 

Once we were ready and we had taken our bridal party pictures, groom's party pictures, and family photos. Our church's wedding coordinator came and stowed me away until it was time to make my grand entrance. Those 45 minutes were literally the worst in my life. I'm actually feeling all of the nerves again just thinking about it. I was in a little closet/bathroom without a watch or my phone so I couldn't even read the same statis/tweets over and over again until it was time to come out. I kept reminding myself how to walk (I was terrified I would trip) and how to speak. I was so nervous I would just stare blankly back at Pastor Scott after he had just told me what I needed to repeat. It came time to walk out with good ole' pops and I was shaking like a leaf.

Everyone told me to just breath and take in that moment because you only live it once. If that's not the truest thing I've ever heard I don't know what is. Before I knew it the piano was playing our que to enter and everyone's eyes were on me (gulp. It was terrifyingly awesome). It took me literally .1 seconds to walk that aisle...or so it felt. I tried to take in every single person's face in that church. I just wanted to stop and hug everyone and thank them for being there. Don't get wrapped up in the little things of your big day because there are many little things you'll want to worry about. Make sure you're 100% in every moment at every moment.

I can't stress enough how flipping awesome it is that we had so many people come watch us marry one another. I'm sitting here with tears of pure happiness streaming down my face. While it was Addison and I's wedding day we couldn't have possibly gotten to that alter without so many people-mainly all the people sitting out there in those church pews. Without our precious and loving families who have taught us how absolute and unconditional love is. Without our friends who have supported us and have loved us and reminded us of how great we are together even when times get tough. Without our church families who pray for us hard enough to feel and remind us that no matter where we are we're never in this alone. I'm not kidding when I say that while I appreciate every gift everyone gave us to start our new life together...the best gifts we received were having those bodies in that church with us. (I'm still keeping these gifts we got though....  :)  )

Our ceremony went by without a hitch. It was beautiful and meaningful and I loved it. Our reception was so much fun! Everyone danced and my brother performed the best rap I've ever heard. My brother is a rapper and he is absolutely fantastic. His rap was the sweetest gift I've ever received and everyone spent the whole night raving about it. Seriously, he's awesome. If you haven't heard it or just want to hear it again. Here it is.

I think between us and our parents we were able to hug every person's neck. I wish I could of seen everyone, but unfortunately there isn't enough time. My one regret is that I didn't get pictures with every member of my family. I had family that drove over 12 hours to see us and there isn;t a single picture to show that they were there. That's my advice to other brides- Make sure you get a picture with all your family. You'll definitely regret not having it later. Our wedding was absolutely the best day of my life. It was better than I could of ever dreamt. I know I keep saying that, but I mean it 100%. It was a team effort and I can't say enough wonderful things about the people I was lucky enough to have help me.

Our photographer, Natalie Wester (here's her site ) was incredible and amazing and fabulous. She waltzed right in with vision up the wazoo and started snapping away. She was great. She didn't waste a second and she had great ideas. I've looked through these pictures a million times already since I got them this afternoon and can not believe the stunning bride staring back at me....is me. She's awesome.

Our florist, an Ocean Springs local, Alexis Williams couldn't have possibly done a more beautiful job. Not only did she create the wedding party and families' bouquets and boutonnieres, but she did the flowers we had at the church as well as all of the flowers we had at the reception. Everything looked even more beautiful than I could of dreamt. My bouquet was literally gorgeous (bonus- it smelled AMAZING). I could of cried when I saw it. Tears of literal joy over flowers. She was incredible to work with. Here's her info.

Okay, I feel like I need an entire post to dedicate to our cake. I'm not exaggerating when I say I am currently drooling thinking about it. First off, it was absolutely breath-takingly beautiful. Yes, my cake took my breath away. When I regained my ability to breath and I ate some I almost fainted. Okay, I am exaggerating, but it was delicious. Addison, my mom, and I strolled into French Kiss in downtown OS one day for a coffee break and stumbled upon GOD'S GIFT TO MANKIND. Seriously, if you want the best wedding cake ON PLANET EARTH. Call up French Kiss. You will not be disappointed.

Our reception was at The Redding House in Biloxi, MS. If you are in need of a venue on the coast USE THEM. Their chef- Chef Patrick- is literally the bomb.com. We served some typical Cuban dishes and he nailed them. They were amazing. Suzanne, their coordinator, is absolutely stupendous at her job. She made everything so easy for us! The staff was so kind and friendly. Seriously, you will love working with them!! Here's their website.

Thank you again to everyone who came and helped make our wedding day spectacular. We love y'all so very dearly and can't wait for y'all to come see us in Mesa :)

xoxo