7 Year Wedding Anniversary

I really and truly can not believe we've been married for 7 years Today. Some days it seems like the time has flown by and then other days it seems like we've been married for just a short couple of month. I've been looking back through pictures over the past 7 years this weekend. We've been through so much, more than many people do in a life time. Good times and Bad, Hard time and Easy all of it which has made us and brought us to were we are today in our marriage. I wouldn't trade any of it for the world. He's my Rock and I'm more in love with my husband today then I was 7 years ago when we said our "I Do's". 

We celebrated back in October with a weekend trip to Chattanooga, TN (that yes I still need to blog) but for now a trip down memory lane through the past 7 years. 

Wedding Day at the DWA 11-09-07 (Dallas World Aquarium)

1st Year Anniversary - Texas 2008 

2nd Year Anniversary - Hawaii 2009

3rd Year Anniversary Hawaii - 2010 

4th Year Anniversary South Carolina - 2011 

5th Year Anniversary South Carolina - 2012

6th Year Anniversary South Carolina 2013

7th Year Anniversary Tennessee - 2014

I love you baby so much and I am the luckiest girl in the world because you chose to be with me out of any one else. I can't wait to see what the next 7+ years and the many more after that have in store for us. Your my best friend and we share a life full of Pure Bliss, 

Always and Forever and Thensome!!!! 

Happy 7 Year Wedding Anniversary to us!!!! 

Wedding Bliss

The big reason I went back to Texas in the first place was because a dear sweet friend of mine was getting married. Finally, after her waiting and waiting for months..... years the time had come for her & her love to say their "I DO's". A few months back, around mid summer she asked me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding. I simply couldn't say no, I wanted to be there for her in any way I could. So jump ahead to today, two days before I flew out to Miami was the wedding. (talk about a close call) The wedding took place at Lost Oak Winery in Burleson, TX. A perfect fitting for K, since she is such a wine lover. It was a beautiful fall day, the weather was just perfect not to hot and not cold at all. Going into this I knew I wouldn't know any of the other bridesmaids. (well I knew one, but not very well) So that made things a little harder for me, seeings I'm the quite shy one till I get to know you really well. K was absolutely beautiful, her dress was stunning the veil was perfect and she had the biggest smile on her face all day long. Of course as any bride would. All 9 of us plus a few little people had this tiny little room to get ready in together. It was quite the chore maneuvering around and not stepping on the brides dress or messing anything else up in there. We all made it happen though and the wedding ceremony went off smooth as ever. It was a small yet elegant ceremony. There was a moment were one of the bridesmaids became over heated (the one I knew, she's prego) and she had to take a seat for a moment. K didn't even know what happened till after the ceremony when we were talking about it. Thankfully she was ok and was able to stand back up with the rest of us. 

The couple did their pictures before hand, seeings that the ceremony and the reception were both out side it would be dark shortly after the ceremony. It worked out perfect because we were able to get all that out of the way before the wedding and everyone was able to enjoy their time after. There was 8 bridesmaid and groomsmen, talk about a lot of love right there!!! Everyone in the wedding was super sweet and even though I didn't know anyone in the wedding party I had a great time. 

There was one family there that I knew from my home church. I've known the D family for years. When I lived in Arlington with my mom and step dad they lived just a few streets over from us. I remember their daughters being in elementary school and now one is 21 about to graduate from college in a year or two and the other is 17 a senior in high school. Its crazy how time flies and things change. It was definitely great to see a familiar face and catch up with them. 

Its never a party unless you have the groomsmen stripping their clothes off at the wedding reception. Not to worry they only got down to as far as unbuttoning a few buttons showing their under shirts. Still the look on K's face when they started dancing and through jackets, ties and shoes was completely priceless. 

With the newly married couple before they left for the evening. I'm so blessed to have both of them in my life. They are the sweetest couple and make a perfect match. I wouldn't of missed her big day for anything and feel so blessed to have been apart of it. 

It was a fabulous evening, they know how to though a great party for sure!!! 

The wedding & reception had lots of homemade creative crafts tied in every were. These were two of my many favorites!!!! K is a big cross collector and has a cross wall in her home. So instead of your normal guest sign in book, she had everyone sign the cross and its going to go in the center of her wall.

The evening ended my trip home to Texas, as excited as I was for what the days ahead held, I was heart broken to have to leave. This trip home was so different and I had such a great time. More on that in another post though!!! 

The B Party recap.

After running around town Friday, a late breakfast at Denny's and a shopping trip to Target with my mamaw it was time for some wedding festivities. Let me back up a minute, I came home this past week because a dear friend of mine is getting married and I was asked to be a bridesmaid. The bachelorette party was this weekend (tonight -tomorrow all day), the theme was "little black dress".  I had the hardest time finding a dress but I finally came through thanks to one of my Columbia momma's who owns her own boutique. 

We (the other bridesmaids & I) met up at K's house and from there we headed to Grapevine to start the festivities. We spent some time at the hotel getting a little pampered and primped before we all headed out for dinner. There was a time line / schedule that we were suppose to be following but I think that went out the window really quickly. I was a little hesitant on going because I didn't know anyone but the bride. I'm pretty quite and shy when I'm with a group of people and I don't know you. Especially when you don't have or show any interest in getting to know me. For the better part of the evening I felt a bit uncomfortable but put on a smile and kept my head up for the bride. Finally we were heading out to dinner and I was hoping things would get better. Still I drove my own car (vs. car pulling) in the event I wanted to leave right after dinner, instead of going out after wards. 

Walking in to the restaurant I told myself I wasn't going to sit at the end of the table. Doing that would set myself up for failure and I really wouldn't talk to anyone. (there was 9 of us) I sat near the middle hoping that it wouldn't be completely awkward. Dinner came and went and I was able to have some small talk with a few of the girls I was sitting near. Things seemed to be getting better, the mood was different. Ok I though maybe I'll give the first bar outing a shot and see how it goes........ Scratch that change of plans, we were going back to the hotel to do gifts before going out. (the plan was dinner, a few local bars, a over night stay in Grapevine at the hotel and then a day some local wine vineyards) Ok no problem we'll go do that really quickly and then head back out. Wrong, it took a lot longer than I though and the next thing I knew looking at my phone it was almost midnight. The mood had slightly shifted again back to the way it was before we went to dinner. There was no way I was going to go out have even one drink and make it back to Arlington at a decent time. I had a long busy Saturday ahead of me that I was looking forward to and didn't want to be completely exhausted for it. I might have considered going out with them regardless of the time if it wasn't for my Saturday plans but even then I question it. Because why would I want to invest my time in to people that I'm not going to talk to or stay connected with after I leave next week. Other than the bride of course. I said my good byes and headed out, I still had a half hour drive back home and I was so tired. It was a ok evening, not great but not horrible. 

How do you handle awkward situations, were you don't know anyone? I'm not the bubbly out going person until I get to know you, maybe that's my flaw who knows. 

(there's more to the night but I will spare you the detail.)

Of course I had to send the hubbs a picture once I got home, of me show casing my new fabulous little black dress. I just love it, this picture doesn't do it justice at all. Its beautiful!!!!

~DAY 357~

~Met Me At The Alter~

I love the different generation pictures that we have with the hubbs, his dad, and grandpa. They always make for great stories and wonderful memories. Following that idea I decided to put one together using wedding pictures. I couldn't think of a better way to display these photos either. Isn't it just crazy how much things change with time. 

Going from 1959 all the way to 2007 there's a world of a difference.

The first picture is my Nene & Papa (my dads parents) married in 1959. They would still be married today if my Papa was still alive. However we lost a great man to a horrible battle with cancer back in 2002. He was the first person I lost that was immediate family. My Papa was the one who always pulled our family together. He was a great GREAT man and I miss him dearly, I know everyone does. I always think "I wish I had one more day with him" or "I wish he was here to see this, I wish he could have see us get married, meet the hubbs, see us grow up, see us change". I know he is looking down on us watching from above but its just not the same. Some times I wonder if he was still here maybe JT wouldn't be in the situation he is in. He left behind a beautiful wife, mom, grandma & friend. Nene is one of the absolute strongest person I know. She has been through so much in her life and still manages to put a smile on her face and keep going. 

The second picture is the hubbs Parents aka my In-Loves married in 1980. They are still married today and in love more than ever. They have been through a lot being in the Army (FIL-was) although he was never deployed he spent time in Korea, on the trail, they were stationed in Germany when the hubbs was born and much more. They have stuck together through it all and because of them I know anything is possible. I truly look up them and can only hope we have a marriage / life that's half as beautiful as theirs. 

The third picture is US married in 2007. The absolute best day of our life and one I will remember forever. I have never been more certain of a decision in my life then I was when I decided to marry my best friend. It's almost been 5 years and we are more in love today then we were then. We've been through more in the past 5 years, then many couple go through in a life Time. And you know what I wouldn't change a single day / moment of it because its only made us stronger and who we are today. I can't wait to see what is in store for us over the next 5 years and many more after that!!!!! 

I though I'd share a few more pictures from each of the weddings. It was fun looking back comparing our wedding day to my Nene & Papa's and the hubbs Parents wedding. By how time changes but the love is still stronger than ever!!!!

At the alter - first kiss as husband and wife!!

Walking down the aisle together as Mr. & Mrs. G

Cake anyone??? 

Of course a wedding recap wouldn't be the same with out some sweet treats added in the mix.

I've been blessed with amazing in-loves, I really lucked out in that department!!! My grandparents are beyond wonderful on both sides of my family. I hope we are doing them proud by not only carrying on the family name but representing both sides of our families as they would. 

The In-Loves

My Nene & Papa 

Strolling Down Wedding Alley

After two weeks apart some much needed us time was in order. I had planned a fabulous night out down in Dallas were we got married. Late that afternoon we made our way down to the Hyatt Regency Hotel were we stayed the night of our wedding (almost FOUR years ago).
We checked into our spectacular room with a King size bed and a stunning view of the city and then quickly slipped into something a little bit more fancy for our dinner date. We weren’t quite sure were we wanted to go to eat so we just left it up to the Navi we have in the car, no help there we found our way to Texas Land & Cattle. Neither of us had remembered eating there before so we pretty excited. I was all about the steak & Gabe wanted Lamb but sadly they didn’t have any so he opted for something else. We shared a yummy pecan pie for dessert & were completely stuffed full. It was so nice to be out with my love and not have to worry about staying out late because of work in the morning or getting back to let the pouches out of their kennels.



This next morning we order room service for breakfast which was nice to just be lazy in bed. The two of us together have only had room service one other time and that was when we were in Vegas for R&R our first deployment. So this was a special treat to the both of us but it was well worth it.



We checked out of the hotel that morning before heading out on our next stop & found that we were only charged for the room. YUP you are reading that right, Complementary Valet parking ($20.00 a day) & Room Service (aka~ our $50.00 breakfast) with the package I booked thank you Hyatt I know I always loved that hotel.

Off to our next stop...... my husbands idea which was really surprising because I hadn’t though about that at all, the DWA. Back to our wedding Venue were we got married & had our reception. When we were looking at wedding Venues I knew I wanted something different and some were unique. Some were know one had been married before that I knew. The Dallas World Aquarium was that special place that we decided to tie the knot at. It was so beautiful and included everything there you could think of, you could go small or you could go big. The guest were able to tour the aquarium during the cocktail hour and we had a diver feeding the fish in one of the large tanks. It was simply PERFECT I wouldn’t have changed a thing about it. I don’t regret a thing about the wedding planning, the decor, or arrangements. Everything came together great and seamlessly, from the rehearsal the day before to the carriage ride ending our wedding night. It was all and more that we both ever dreamed it would have been.




I was so excited to go back to the DWA it’s such a fun place. It’s definitely not your average aquarium, they have animals out in the open were you can get up close and see them. We were able to feed a bird right out of the palm of our hands. Many of the exhibits are open tops so you in look down in side as well as all around. The birds are inclosed and also so are free to fly with in the building. There is a whole area just for penguins and another for pink flamingos. They make it so it is more like their natural habitat rather than a boxed in cage with glass which is really warm and inviting. There are a couple tunnel aquariums were the tank continues up and over your head around to the other side. One of them houses many different sharks, which is kinda creepy to walk through but really fun. At the DWA you will find thousands of different sea creatures from all over the world, a assortment of birds, alligators, walruses and a cheeta. This is just a few the animals that they have. We had such a great time walking back through the aquarium and remembering our wedding day and everything that took place that evening. Many times we caught ourselves say “hey you remember this happened here.....” or “do you remember this part” “this is were we saw each other for the first time” “this is were we had family pictures”.








I absolutely loved going back and remembering our wedding it was the best day we had in Texas while we were home. We decided to start a tradition that every time we go back to Texas we are going to Visit the DWA. Not only to see the new animals and exhibits that they have built but to relive our wedding and remind ourselves of the night how fabulous it was exchanging vowels & committing ourselves to each other.







We had a great morning and even pick up a couple souvenirs to take with me as we move to remind us of the aquarium.
I’m already looking forward to the next time we come back to TX to go for a visit and stay at the Hyatt.