Midweek Randoms

* My car is messing up, it has been for awhile now. It keeps having the battery light come on for like 5 seconds then back off, we thought it was fixed but it came back on yesterday so my dad came down today to look at it, and hopefully it is fixed. We also went to eat at Sonny's.

* This past weekend Chad & I went home, we hung out with some of his friends on Thursday and we had a good time. The funny thing is I use to go to school with the friends and we never really talked so I just found it odd.

* Thursday we also went and seen my grandpa and grandma. Also ran by and seen my aunt, uncle, & cousins for a few minutes (can’t go home without seeing them).

(chad working on my car this morning)

* Friday afternoon, we went bowling and out to eat with my friend Erika and her boyfriend and had a good time as well. And Friday night we hung out with Laura and Brendan and I got to finally see their new little girl Madison (She’s 3 months old now, school gets in the way of life).

* Saturday and Sunday we hung out with Chad’s family and played a few card games.

* This week has just been work and relaxing and we plan to do the same this weekend. We might actually go somewhere, but were not positive yet. This past Monday I learned how to drive a stick shift for a little bit, Chad taught me. We also have been looking at houses on the net just dreaming about when that time comes.

* Hopefully next week I will be able to get an interview with my internship for the fall, I got an email for possible dates but cannot pick yet because I have not got next weeks work schedule.

Sincerely, 

Mrs. 

Be prepared for the unprepared.

When people tell me that they are getting married soon, this is the number one advice I give them because not only is it true about marriage in everyday life, it is definitely true about the wedding day, especially outdoor weddings.

Let’s just say we were NOT prepared at all. And hopefully you can learn from our mistakes.

-We could not decorate until the morning of and instead of letting others handle it I decided that I wanted to help. Bad idea. I was late to everything else the rest of the day, even the wedding.

Lessons learned: Have decorations close to venue. The bride does not have to help decorate if it will cause more stress. And decorate early if can.

-Please let your soon to be husband know that you have more to do then he does to get ready for the big day. Men only have to put on their tux, show up a little before the wedding, and relax. So what happened on my wedding day because of this? Chad kept texting me and asking me details about what was going on all day… when I did not have a clue and did not have time to have a clue.

Lessons learned: Have a paper for things that are needed to know for the whole bridal party (e.g. where decorations go, picture times, when to show up, etc.), we also did not get to do the sand ceremony because it was not placed out there because nobody but me knew. Let your man know you are not ignoring him that day, but you will be busier and to just be

patience.

-We did not do pictures until after the wedding, which meant half the guests left even before we really got to talk to them or get any pictures with them as well.

Lessons learned: try and get as many pictures of the bridal party if you can before the wedding. Have a receiving line so you can say hello to your guests for a couple of minutes at least (we did this, but I still do not think it was enough). Snag pictures of people that want to leave early before the bridal party pictures. Ask family members to take pictures of guests at your wedding. I got a lot of good shots of things from other people that were taking pictures when I did not know. 

-Summer outdoor weddings are HOT!

Lessons learned: Balloons pop. People leave right after the wedding. Cakes melt.

-Lastly, as I stated before I ended up late to my wedding.

Lessons learned: Be as close to the venue as possible when getting ready, I had a friend that lived closer than what I planned and should have gotten ready there.

Even though all these disasters happened on my wedding day and at times I thought I was going to die of embrassement, the wedding still went on and Chad and I were still married. Once again I found out who really loved us that day because a few people stayed out in the hot weather to wait to see us after pictures and helped us clean up and we still had a blast that day and will remember that day forever as perfect because we got to marry each other.

A Wedding Without Pinterest

I got the idea to post a little about my wedding day from the Frill of Life. 

Frill of Life - Nice Day for a DIY Wedding

I often joke from time to time that I would have liked to have seen what my wedding would have been like if Pinterest had been around then. Pinterest came out a few months after my wedding, and to say I was a little upset is an understatement, especially when it comes to the photography ideas on there for weddings (remember I am a picture freak!). I still plan on renewing our vows down the road so maybe then we can use a few of those ideas.

Anyways, Chad and I got married in 2011, a year after us coming to a big university, the parents were not too happy about the thought of us getting married young because of financial resources not being abundant, but in some ways being married in college has helped us save money (ex. dorm fees). We wanted to get married then and knew if we waited we were only making others happy, not us.

To make sure there were no financial burdens I would later regret if I spent a ton of money on this wedding, I did some research and digging on a lot of things that were in my wedding in order to make it cheaper.

First, I made my wedding invitations with the help of a friend. And another friend helped me tie those bows one by one onto the invitations. (Thanks Neale & Kristen)

Then, my wedding dress, I found it on the clearance rack and it was actually 2 sizes too small, but the sales associates assured me it could be taken out to fit so I bought for $100. The bridesmaids wore black dresses they already had & fixed their own hair as well.

Chad’s tux was rented and we decided that we would get the basic tux rental for $65 and I still to do this day am in love with him in this tux. The groomsmen wore black slacks and white button ups that they already had and I bought them ties on amazon for $5.

The venue was the hardest to find because I wanted an outdoor wedding and not a popular location, my mom found the Natural Arch about 30 minutes away. And for $50 for the shelter area and the amptheatre it too was a steal!

The decorations and flowers that we had were bought by my mom and Chad’s mom and dad so I have no idea how much those really cost. But, I know they were cheaper than usual because Chad’s dad worked at the flower shop.

The cake, photography, my hair, and the music were all done by friends as gifts, but we did tip them. (Thanks Courtney, Laura, Jamie, & Jeff)

After all is said and done, I do not regret not having some things at my wedding in order to make it cheaper, I had everything I wanted and more there. And I realized I had a great group of friends and family that loved me and Chad to make this wedding happen and to make it great.

Tomorrow I will talk about wedding details on the day of and then Thursday I will talk about our Honeymoon.

Sincerely, 

Mrs. 

Midweek Randoms

Sorry for the delay, I had contemplated on whether I should post today or not because I do not know what to say, but here goes nothing. 

- Dollywood last week was amazing! One cousin, the youngest only went but she did so good I cannot wait to do something like that again. There were only a few times she would get a little fussy but not bad at all and other times when she was just being a kid, I do not know how I will be able to parent at times in certain situations when that time comes. 

- Chad is done with summer classes, so we are trying to read two books together before school starts back: Total Money Makeover & Real Marriage.. I love books about marriage and learning how to manage money. And Chad also did super good in his summer classes, we still need to celebrate. 

- I believe we are going to visit family tomorrow up through the weekend for the 4th, we have plans to visit friends and to see their baby on Friday which we haven't got to meet yet because of how crazy school is, she is 3 months now. And Saturday, going to a park event to see fireworks maybe. 

- We also might try Firehouse Subs at home as well as a pottery place possibly, I love our new little city we are living in right now, but there is also things I just love about my hometown but sadly I do not see it going anywhere fast as far as business wise for careers, especially for Chad wanting to be a teacher. 

- And possibly have my internship placement for fall, but have not heard any email back from the contact person so fingers crossed. 

Sincerely, 

Me

Midweek Randoms

I am linking up with In This Wonderful Life and seeing if I will start this new thing possibly so I will write more.

- Since today is Wednesday, its Wing Wednesday for me and Chad today at Pizza Hut. It is a weekly tradition to get wings always today because they are on sale on Wednesdays. I prefer their wings over any because they are breaded and love their sauce.

- This past weekend Chad and I went home to be in our friends wedding and it was great, the bride was beautiful and we had a blast.

- But because I ran around to help make the day as special as possible for the bride and groom (Matron oh Honor duty!), I regretted it on Monday and Tuesday. Monday, my body physically ached and Tuesday I slept in after I got back from work at 9am until 2pm. I don't know if it was a mixture of working, the wedding, and taking pictures or what but I feel better today.

- We also did a photo shoot at Chad's house on Saturday after the wedding. I had scored 7 dresses from Maurices Friday for $13 a piece and I was happy because I needed them so I thought I mys well make my wedding hair and makeup worth it and asked Chad's dad to take our pictures around their house and I love how they turned out.

- Tomorrow, I am heading back home to go with my mom to take my two little cousins to Dollywood on Friday, I can't wait!

Sincerely, 

Working on it

I'm feeling 22?? hmm whatever!

Today is my 22nd birthday and I do think that I might feel a little different, but maybe that just has to do with the Taylor Swift song (that I don't even really like to be honest). But anyways, I thought I would share 22 things about me, mostly some you probably don't know.

1. These two people, my mom and Carl came to surprise me today for my birthday! They didn't even work the plan out together, but it worked out perfectly. They have gotten me where I am at in life today and appreciate them very much. 

2. I am an only child, but was raised in daycares. I think it helped me a ton in life and know I want my kids to have the same. 

3. I think the world of my friends and would do anything for any of them. And sometimes overthink friendships because of it. 

4. My favorite food is Chicken Fingers. I joke that that is why I knew Chad was the one because he likes them too and does them the same way I do. 

5. My favorite place to eat is a three way tie between Krystals, Mr.Gattis, & Sonny's.

6. When I was little I wanted to be a Librarian.

7. I also grew up in a single mom household, but once again I am glad I did it has taught me a lot about laugh that I do not think I would have learned otherwise.  

8. Carl, the guy above has pretty much been a dad to me. He has been the guy I could talk to about anything and just listen and sometimes that is all you need. 

9. Mountain Dew and Kit Kats use to be my thing, until recently now I am trying to kick them and drink water instead. 

10. My marriage role models include the people in our sunday schools as well as my aunt and uncle. I think they all have really shown me what it means to have a Godly marriage. 

11. My little cousins: Cali & Tyler are more like my little brother and sister to me. I cherish them dearly and love them tons. 

12. I have 3 tattoos: Clover, Daisy, and a Bow

13. I love learning things as a student and love going to college. But I am pretty sure all my social work friends know that about me. 

14. People think I am smart because I do things earlier, but the truth is I make average grades and only do stuff about 3-4 days its due before. 

15. I am super organized. 

16. I worry about things and others a lot. 

17. I love going to peddlers malls, yard sales, and antique stores. Chad hates it. I have a feeling I will get worse after we get a house. 

18. I have lived in an apartment my whole life. 

19. I love to go fishing and have bonfires.

20. I knew Chad before he really knew me. I had a crush on him for a good while before we actually were introduced.

21. I love board games.

22. I love taking pictures. 

Sincerely, 

twentytwo

What have I learned after 2 years

A few seconds ago I posted what Chad and I did yesterday for our anniversary, but now I wanna post what I have learned after being married for 2 years. 

I have learned to lean on Chad more than I thought I would before. He really is my best friend. This past year has been really hard and crazy hectic with school and friendships for me, and time and time again Chad has been there when I was feeling down. He has taught me to smile no matter what. And I believe this is why this year has been a little harder for me because God was trying to show me how much I mean to Chad and that he really will do anything for me! 

I also know he will do anything for me, because he really does! He takes responsibility to clean the house with me, to cook with me or for me, and just listens to me rant about something he really could care less about. He also helped me last year through the whole month with the hairline fracture, which was the worse thing ever to me. I know I can count on him.

He's the first person I wanna hang out with, but I am also glad we have gained friends at church that we can relate to about being married. As well as other married friends. That has been another hard thing for me to deal with is having understanding friends really understand what it means to be married. It means I will choose him to be with it over you. Sorry, but he was here first and will always be here. Plus sometimes I just have more fun with him to be honest, I mean why else would I have married him?

Sincerely, 

mrs. leigh