August 24, 2011

Chi-Towwn



Such a fun, short weekend ending with a loonnngg trip home (delays, switched flights, airline customer service failures, an extra night in Chicago, crying in the airport like a big ole baby, late for one job, having to call out of another, complete exhaustion). But really, why has no one told me how wonderful Chicago is? Someone should give Miles and I jobs up there. Jobs that pay millions, preferably. That'd be reeeeal nice. I think I loved Chicago a teensy bit more because last week I stumbled across a History Channel documentary about bootleggers, rumrunners and prohibition...and Chi-town was obviously a very central part of all that. I can't wait to take Miles back up and explore with him! I'm glad both of my siblings now live there and I have a legit excuse to rack up some Southwest miles. 

Also, my momma bought all her children copies of The Help after we all loved the movie so much. And I am loving the book even more. Perfect summer read. I'm kind of disappointed in myself for not snatching up the book months ago when I saw it in Borders (oh Borders, how I miss thee!), long before I knew it was going to be a movie. 

August 15, 2011

Lately

Miles and I have been pretty lazy about doing things lately, and when we do them we always forget to take pictures. My phone now has been overrun by adorable nanny baby pictures. This little bebe is so incredibly adorable and sweet, I'm sure if she could speak she would tell me to leave her alone 80% of the day. I will do anything to get her to smile (but its not really that hard, so presh), I will talk in an exceedingly high pitched voice for several minutes just to get her to coo along with me. Most of the time I wonder how I get paid for this...But then she'll have a diaper blow out or not want to go down for a nap (and want the whole world to hear about how she doesn't want to nap) and then I think to myself, "yes, I absolutely get paid for this". Then have to hold my breath to change the diaper or convince myself that I won't actually lose my mind if she doesn't immediately stop screaming. But I'd say thats only about 10% of my time with her. Maybe less? I lucked out. As far as jobs go. As far as jobs when you have no idea what to do with your life but still need to pay bills go.

Today was the first day since I began watching the baby that it stayed cool enough for us to be outside for a long period of time. I walked out of our apartment building this morning and thought I was going to cry it felt so incredible outside. I have finally realized/decided that fall is my absolute favorite season. I don't know why it took me so long to realize it. I guess I don't want to give any of the other seasons the shaft because I love little things about all of them. But fall has to win in my book. Fall brings relief (the sweet, glorious relief) from summer's sweltering heat, the trees turn colors and the colors take your breath away even if they're the same as last year's, there are corn mazes and haunted houses and Thanksgiving and cool breezes and tights to be worn and pumpkins to be picked and there is Christmas to be prepared for. That last bit, that has to be by far the best thing about fall--it carries us to the Christmas season! Bethany=obsessed with the Christmas season. Then there is winter and snow is fun for a while, then everything is cold and wet and salty (but Christmas is over, sooo....wompwomp) and spring is so beautiful and everything is in bloom, but then there are terrible storms everywhere and I worry all the time and then summer is fun when the pool is finally warm enough to swim in. But come August I'm over it.

I just love fall and I get butterflies in the morning when I walk out and the air is cool. That happened this morning and here it is, 9:00 at night and I am still in a good mood from that breeze.


I'm going to take that baby on so many walks.

August 12, 2011

And Then...

Wedding pictures! Being able to look through all of these has been the most amazing reminder of such an incredible day. I was in such a daze on our wedding day I feel like I missed so much. For as long as I can remember, everyone who has talked to me about their wedding day has said "it goes by so fast you won't remember anything!"
My experience wasn't so much that it went by that fast, just that I was in such a state of bliss/disbelief that the big day was finally here and happening I was kind of disconnected from everything. Miles is trying to get me to stop kicking myself over not being all that mentally present during all the wedding day goings on, I'm getting there...and these pictures are definitely helping.

I could not have made it through the month leading up to the wedding without my mom and sister. They totally schemed with me and pulled together everyone to carry out all our plans. They were so incredible.  Really, in my head, I know that my sister is growing up--but there were so many moments when I was completely blown away by what an amazing woman she has become. She was my voice of reason and took over whenever I was about to have a meltdown. Bo-you are the best. 
I had spent so long personally planning and dreaming of this day that when it actually arrived I didn't know how to stop planning and enjoy myself! I remember my mom putting on my shoes for me and having to force myself not to ask to stop being treated like a pampered child. Whew. I wish I could have completely enjoyed the many moments of being loved on a served by the people closest to me. But I am glad I can look back now and appreciate all that they did for Miles & I that day. 
I am so happy Miles came around to the idea of having a first look, seeing him before the ceremony was beyond perfect. We met at the park where we shot our engagement photos and the time we had here was really the only time I felt completely aware of what was happening around me. Miles and I are pretty introverted and easily get overwhelmed with there are a ton of people around--maybe that was part of my problem that day (lightbullbbb!) So with just our wonderful photographers and two of our best friends to drive us, we had such a special short time while taking these pictures. (I love this one with Miles and Matt so so much)
And then there was the longest walk from the car to my boo.
And then all was well.
And then there were grasshoppers.
I hope our babies are just like Miles. So easily excited--I adore.
Then there were the boys,
 and the girls.
  
We loved the ceremony, everyone who spoke said such wonderful things that I hope and pray we never forget. 
 
And then there was the moment where we turned to face everyone and only had to wait a few seconds for George Harrison to start playing.
We had a few moments to ourselves after the ceremony, I texted my friend in London and then we found this place and were joined by our photographers.

And then we went to our hot, hot, hot reception. No, it wasn't sexy. The a/c was out. So it was literally hotter inside the building than it was outside. It only took us about 2 minutes before we were dripping with sweat--how romantic!
My dad kept asking how long our song was. He had to take off his coat halfway through to reveal his short sleeved dress shirt. Oh you Hawaiian man, you. 
About an hour into the reception that was supposed to last 3 hours, Miles and I looked at each other and decided it was time for one last, sweaty song. So what better way to end this party than singing Justin Bieber at the top of our lungs. Even our moms got into it. My sister is hilarious in all of these pictures.


 Two of my wonderful cousins filled these birdseed cones exactly the way I asked them to. Too bad I overestimated the appropriate amount of birdseed that should go into the cones. We were totally pelted and still found birdseed in our hair the next day (and in my car for a good month after). There is a progression of pictures as we come out, and in all of them my dad is just standing facing the car with his head lowering in defense from the seeds. It is truly amazing.

The end (of the post).
I think I'm going to go through our phone pictures next and have another picture post from our point of view. 

August 02, 2011

One Month

We have been married for one month. Each day I wake up and remind myself that this is real life--and it feels more real as each day passes. I am one lucky gal, and I definitely don't have to remind myself of that reality.