"I definitely do!"

If I had to write a script for how I wanted my wedding weekend to turn out, I could not have made it any better than what it was.

My bridesmaids kicked butt!  They worked constantly to decorate, haul hay, make program fans, do my hair when my hair stylist failed to show up.

They kept me smiling and kept great attitudes even when covered in sweat and dirt and hay and ant bites.

When (most) of the dirty work was done, we took our filthy selves to the nail salon and nearly fell asleep from exhaustion while getting mani/pedis.  

Once we were semi-girlified, we headed to my house for showers and the co-bachelor/bachelorette party.

The girls had a great time but were responsible about alcohol intake and bedtime.  

The boys on the other hand - raided the Jell-O Shots (which were for the reception), passed out naked in the living room, and woke up slightly less than sober the next day.

As I mentioned, my hair stylist failed to show up and ignored my attempts to contact her.  So, we made a rush trip to a beauty supply store so that Randi could do my hair.  Thank goodness she knows what she is doing!

We drank margaritas and listened to music and played dress up and put on matching socks and posed for the photographer.

And soon, my heart was in my throat, and it was time to walk down the aisle to meet my future husband. 

When I stepped outside and saw him, our eyes met, and no one else existed.  His eyes were filled with tears, and we couldn't stop smiling at each other.

The ceremony was everything I could hope for.  Our officiant surprised us by asking everyone to gather around us and give their blessing over our union.  

Jimmy cried and cried to the point of the officiant asking if he was up to saying his vows.  And when asked to say, "I do", Jimmy responded "I definitely do."  

I definitely do as well.

Our photographer hid a go-pro camera and caught the whole ceremony on video, which (of course) made me cry.

The reception was a blast with an impromptu ice bucket challenge and a make shift slip n' slide.  There was a last minute run for pizza when the food ran out.  My babies got filthy and ran around being kids and we all danced.  The toasts were heartfelt and full of love and well-wishes.

My girls had to leave all too soon, and the goodbyes were tearful.  It was so amazing to have so many of my friends together.  I didn't want to let them go.

After everyone was gone, Jimmy and I sat at the reception site by ourselves.  He sang to me, and we talked about all that had happened.  It was my favorite part of the day because it's how we spend so much of our quality time together.  It felt so genuine to be sitting outside listening to music and laughing alone together.

Next week we head off on our honeymoon.  It will be our first vacation together, and we are looking forward to getting away and making new memories as husband and wife.

Thank you to all who made it to the wedding and to all who were there in spirit!  It was the perfect way to start our lives together.

Meet Me at the Altar...

I'M GETTING MARRIED IN NINE DAYS!

Almost all of the things are done for the wedding.  The vast majority of my contributions to it have consisted of 1. online shopping, 2. making phone calls to give people my credit card number, and 3. panicking.

My mother...how do I even begin?  She is incredible.  You give her a notion of what you're thinking, and she just makes it happen.  The flowers, the cake, the centerpieces, clothes for me and the kids, countless other things that I cannot even list because they are so numerous.  The woman is miraculous.

My bridesmaids?  I love them.  You know the movies about the bitchy, stupid, not at all helpful bridesmaids? Whatever the exact opposite of that is, those are my bridesmaids.  Jimmy and I have spent every free moment this week trying to think of the exact right gifts for our attendants because we want them to know just how much we appreciate them for being such great friends and for helping us so very much with this wedding.

I am more than fully aware that this wedding would just not be happening without my mom and my friends and his friends.

The closer it gets, the more ecstatic I am to see everyone. Randi is already here and Victoria will soon be coming in from that horrible, horrible land of friend thievery called Colorado (Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeal!!!) 

Candice (and her fiance) have wrangled a photographer and are loaning us their home and land and an insane amount of time and effort.  Candice has been constantly on my back (in the most loving way possible) to make sure all the details are covered.  

I have other friends coming in from all over the Metroplex and from the far flung corners of Texas.  One of my attorneys (who has always looked out for me and given me advice and pushed me to never settle and always strive for my dreams) is going to perform the ceremony.

All of that excitement is bubbling over, and that is just my excitement about seeing my family and friends and getting to play dress up.

But the real driving force behind this entire event is that if anyone was ever meant to make it to the finish line of "until death do us part" with me, it's Jimmy, and if anyone was ever meant to make it there with him, it's me.

I'm not hopeful that this marriage will work.  I'm at peace that this is where I was supposed to end up all along.  I had to make all those wrong turns and wrong choices to arrive at this exact right place at this exact right time with all of the exact right people.

I'm excited about the wedding, but I'm elated to know that I have finally find my real Mr. Right.  I know to my core that this is the direction in which God was leading me when He kept telling me to "be still."  I knew I was just supposed to sit tight and let my life unfold instead of trying to force the puzzle pieces together when they clearly didn't fit.  

And things are right now.  This is the family I was supposed to have.  All blended and mixed up and absolute perfect.

Making this partnership "official" is only nine days away, and I am counting the seconds until I am his "Mrs."