We celebrated the marriage of my sweet sister and new brother-in-law on Saturday of this past weekend. It was a beautiful ceremony! Pink and green were her colors, with the ceremony taking place on the beach and included their closest friends and family.
I had the priviliege of being the matron of honor, and it was such a great honor! I was able to be with her for showers, throw her bachelorette party and most importantly, stand beside her on her wedding day. My son was the ring bearer, the groom's father was the best man and the groom's precious niece was the flower girl. Both our parents walked my sister down the aisle.
The wedding reception took place inside, with tons of delicious food, music and a delicious wedding cake! I was able to make a toast and during the toast was the first time I teared up. I smiled the entire wedding. Why? I'll share my toast and then you'll understand my happiness.
Most of you know that I am Rachel's big sister and what some of you may not know is that I am very protective of her. There have been times when I knew what was best for her even when she didn't. From the moment she met her now-husband, I found myself worrying less about her and becoming more happy for her. I knew from the moment my son took to his future uncle that he was the one and that they would be happy forever. Congratulations baby sister and welcome little brother! Cheers to the happy couple!
Their wedding was the most beautiful I have ever seen. Filled with love, laughter and some of the best friends and family you could ever imagine.
Stay tuned for pics!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Sunday, May 8, 2011
For the Mothers
Happy Mother's Day!
I am sure you have all seen the emails going around about what it means to be a wonderful mom: you've been puked/peed/pooped on; you don't have any sleep; your hair is a mess; blah, blah, blah. Those are definitely merit badges for the Mom Scouts, but is that really what being a mom is all about?
I can only tell you what I think being a mom is all about is from the relationship with my wonderful mom, and the mother I am to my son.
My mom is the most forgiving, understanding, and kind-speaking woman you will ever meet. She understands giving my little family the space we need even though she and my dad would really love to see my son every weekend. She forgives me for my faults and flaws, and never ever holds them against me. If I am having a bad day, I can call her to vent and she says something positive that helps me refocus and get through it.
Having a son is probably the best thing that ever happened to me. The first time my husband and I got pregnant, everything seemed to be going well. At our 12 week appointment (you know, when you are supposed to be out of the woods), we learned that our baby didn't have a heartbeat. It was devastating. It was a pain and loss that I had never felt before. I went between being numb and crying. I had to have surgery to remove the pregnancy and it was the worst day of my life.
People who had good intentions told me there was probably something wrong with the baby and that is why the baby didn't make it, or that it was God's will, or that it just wasn't our time. Here's a tip: those things, no matter how comforting you think they are, just don't help. Please don't ever say those things to a friend who loses a baby. Just say you are sorry.
Later on that year, while getting ready to go tailgate at an Alabama game, I had a feeling that I should take a pregnancy test. Well, I took it and the rest is history - our little guy was born the following summer.
When I was pregnant my Aunt Brig told me something I still have not forgotten. She said to me, "he will be your salvation." I didn't quite understand what she meant at the time, but I think I am getting there now.
My child is my salvation in that I want to be a better person for him. I try harder to have patience, watch what I say and how act so that he has a good example. We sacrifice so that he can everything have he needs, if it means I bring my lunch to work, or don't go shopping whenever I want. And you know what? It is just fine with me. Sure, there are times I wish I could go buy whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, but then what would that teach my son?
My son loves sports (especially Alabama football) and he loves me. Unconditionally. He will try whip anyone who he thinks is being disrespectful to his mommy. We were driving through snow and ice, trying to get home last winter, when a jerk swerved over into our lane without any notice. I just kind of yelled a noise, no actual words. My son said, "MOMMY! WHAT HAPPENED?!" I told him a bad driver almost hit us, and he said "MOMMY! I GONNA GET DAT BAD DRIVER!! HE NOT HURT MY MOMMY!" He will come up to me for no reason at all and say, "Mommy, hold me." I try to stop whatever I am doing and hold him because I know it won't be long before he is too big or too cool for mom.
Happy Mother's Day. I wish all of the moms lots patience, lots of love and some sleep.
I am sure you have all seen the emails going around about what it means to be a wonderful mom: you've been puked/peed/pooped on; you don't have any sleep; your hair is a mess; blah, blah, blah. Those are definitely merit badges for the Mom Scouts, but is that really what being a mom is all about?
I can only tell you what I think being a mom is all about is from the relationship with my wonderful mom, and the mother I am to my son.
My mom is the most forgiving, understanding, and kind-speaking woman you will ever meet. She understands giving my little family the space we need even though she and my dad would really love to see my son every weekend. She forgives me for my faults and flaws, and never ever holds them against me. If I am having a bad day, I can call her to vent and she says something positive that helps me refocus and get through it.
Having a son is probably the best thing that ever happened to me. The first time my husband and I got pregnant, everything seemed to be going well. At our 12 week appointment (you know, when you are supposed to be out of the woods), we learned that our baby didn't have a heartbeat. It was devastating. It was a pain and loss that I had never felt before. I went between being numb and crying. I had to have surgery to remove the pregnancy and it was the worst day of my life.
People who had good intentions told me there was probably something wrong with the baby and that is why the baby didn't make it, or that it was God's will, or that it just wasn't our time. Here's a tip: those things, no matter how comforting you think they are, just don't help. Please don't ever say those things to a friend who loses a baby. Just say you are sorry.
Later on that year, while getting ready to go tailgate at an Alabama game, I had a feeling that I should take a pregnancy test. Well, I took it and the rest is history - our little guy was born the following summer.
When I was pregnant my Aunt Brig told me something I still have not forgotten. She said to me, "he will be your salvation." I didn't quite understand what she meant at the time, but I think I am getting there now.
My child is my salvation in that I want to be a better person for him. I try harder to have patience, watch what I say and how act so that he has a good example. We sacrifice so that he can everything have he needs, if it means I bring my lunch to work, or don't go shopping whenever I want. And you know what? It is just fine with me. Sure, there are times I wish I could go buy whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, but then what would that teach my son?
My son loves sports (especially Alabama football) and he loves me. Unconditionally. He will try whip anyone who he thinks is being disrespectful to his mommy. We were driving through snow and ice, trying to get home last winter, when a jerk swerved over into our lane without any notice. I just kind of yelled a noise, no actual words. My son said, "MOMMY! WHAT HAPPENED?!" I told him a bad driver almost hit us, and he said "MOMMY! I GONNA GET DAT BAD DRIVER!! HE NOT HURT MY MOMMY!" He will come up to me for no reason at all and say, "Mommy, hold me." I try to stop whatever I am doing and hold him because I know it won't be long before he is too big or too cool for mom.
Happy Mother's Day. I wish all of the moms lots patience, lots of love and some sleep.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Sweet Home Alabama
In light of the recent and very tragic happenings in my home state, I thought it was only appropriate to give a little shout out to the state I know and love, Sweet Home Alabama.
I was born in Tusaloosa and lived there until I was three years old. I attribute my die-hard love for the Alabama Crimson Tide to being born in Tuscaloosa. I think it is in my blood. Literally.
When I was three, we moved to Hamilton, where my dad's family is from. Hamilton is a little town of about 6,000 people. Everyone knew what you were doing before you did it. Growing up in a small town is an experience like no other. I grew up running around barefoot outside, swimming in creeks and ponds, eating fruit straight from the mulberry tree or blackberry bush without worrying about pesticides. I would keep and take care of stray dogs, probably sometimes to the chagrin of my parents. I had a horse growing up, helped my dad with feeding and taking care of the cows, helped my mom with cooking and laundry.
My sister and played outside all the time. We rode our bikes, played with our Barbies and Cabbage Patch dolls, and dug in our sandbox. I sometimes look back and think of those times - it was so simple. We did not want for anything; our parents worked so hard to make sure we had everything we needed and more.
When I left for college, I returned to Tuscaloosa and loved every minute of living there. I have family and friends in Tuscaloosa so it has always felt like home to me. Even when I was a child and went to Tuscaloosa to visit family and friends, I loved it. I still love and miss Tuscaloosa - it is a beautiful city with so much history and charm.
We have somewhat of a family history with the University of Alabama - my mom, dad, husband and I all graduated from the University. We are huge Alabama fans.
Being born and raised in Alabama helped shape who I am today. I hope to see my children attending the University of Alabama one day. Some of my son's first words were "Roll Tide!"
I write this post to honor my Alabama roots and to let everyone know how much Alabama means to me and my family. Even though we aren't there with our friends and family to help with the aftermath of the storms, we think about you every day. We pray for you every day. We continue to send donations from our friends here and we know that you will recover with a force like no other.
ROLL TIDE!
I was born in Tusaloosa and lived there until I was three years old. I attribute my die-hard love for the Alabama Crimson Tide to being born in Tuscaloosa. I think it is in my blood. Literally.
When I was three, we moved to Hamilton, where my dad's family is from. Hamilton is a little town of about 6,000 people. Everyone knew what you were doing before you did it. Growing up in a small town is an experience like no other. I grew up running around barefoot outside, swimming in creeks and ponds, eating fruit straight from the mulberry tree or blackberry bush without worrying about pesticides. I would keep and take care of stray dogs, probably sometimes to the chagrin of my parents. I had a horse growing up, helped my dad with feeding and taking care of the cows, helped my mom with cooking and laundry.
My sister and played outside all the time. We rode our bikes, played with our Barbies and Cabbage Patch dolls, and dug in our sandbox. I sometimes look back and think of those times - it was so simple. We did not want for anything; our parents worked so hard to make sure we had everything we needed and more.
When I left for college, I returned to Tuscaloosa and loved every minute of living there. I have family and friends in Tuscaloosa so it has always felt like home to me. Even when I was a child and went to Tuscaloosa to visit family and friends, I loved it. I still love and miss Tuscaloosa - it is a beautiful city with so much history and charm.
We have somewhat of a family history with the University of Alabama - my mom, dad, husband and I all graduated from the University. We are huge Alabama fans.
Being born and raised in Alabama helped shape who I am today. I hope to see my children attending the University of Alabama one day. Some of my son's first words were "Roll Tide!"
I write this post to honor my Alabama roots and to let everyone know how much Alabama means to me and my family. Even though we aren't there with our friends and family to help with the aftermath of the storms, we think about you every day. We pray for you every day. We continue to send donations from our friends here and we know that you will recover with a force like no other.
ROLL TIDE!
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