Since I’m not a BRIDE anymore (huge sigh….) .  I thought it was time to do a little something about the wedding-based blog.

Check out my new blog, Faith & Funfetti, where I open up about my quest to lead a balanced life one prayer, run and cupcake at a time!

www.faithandfunfetti.com

 

Today is Father’s Day, and I couldn’t be more grateful for my dad. Some of my favorite Big D stories as of recently..

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TV commentary…

During an especially intense episode of The Biggest Loser, mom, Josh and I are glued to the TV waiting to see who will get voted off…

“And the person going home is………….(why won’t they just SAY IT ALREADY!!!)………………………………………………..Sarah.”

Without missing a beat, Dad yells “SEE YA FAT GIRL!!”

And the rest of us are near tears. And not from laughter.

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Big D on hygiene -

“Katie Bug, did you get a new toothbrush?”

Me – “Yeah I bought that today because Dr. Ledford recommended that one for me..”

“Why? You not know how to brush your teeth or something?”

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“Dad why are you so jittery. Sit down, will ya?”

Big D, “I can’t. I had 2 cups of coffee, a Diet Mt. Dew and 6 B12′s today.”

Josh, “Why 6 B12′s?”

Big D, “Well, I would have taken 12, but I only had 6.”

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Josh, “Can you imagine how boring it would have been to live a long time ago?”

Big D, “That’s why people died at 50. They were done.”

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“Hey, don’t get me anything for Father’s Day. And DEFINITELY don’t get me a picture. I’m done with pictures.”

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Randomly driving down the highway, “You know those ceramic animals and bird feeders and crap that goes in the yard?”

Me, “yeah…”

Dad , “Mom LOVES that crap. I’ve had to keep her contained from buying it for years. Saving her from herself.”

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The NEXT conversation in the car on that road trip..

“You know how post partum depression comes on, right?”

—————–

Text when I wake up,

“I love you. Be a winner today!”

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As much as we make fun of each other in this family, I am truly so very thankful for my dad. He is my biggest fan. He always says that I am “the neatest person he knows” and I can say the same about him. Dad is the most generous, caring and humorous guy I know. There are so many times that writing down my feelings and thoughts are easier than saying them aloud, because I feel like I get jumbled and lose track when speaking aloud. I get this from him.  Big D is always buying cards and leaving them in strategic places for us to find, to give us encouragement and love, “Just because.”

I feel truly fortunate to have a friendship with both of my parents. I’ve said it before, but Josh and I would just as soon hang out with those two than anyone our own age. When we’re bored Josh will say, “I wonder what your parents are doing?”. So many people still think of their parents as “parents”, but the fact that we have made the transition to a friendship is so cool.

He’s made my skin thick. Never one to pass up a compliment when I am good at something, he’s also quick to tell me when “I should give something up.” I appreciate that. Our family has never lacked…confidence. And this is why; you grow tough skin….or you avoid being around us.

I have always been told that I look like my mom, but act like my dad. While I would love to have some of my mom’s amazing qualities, I love that I am like my dad and take it as a huge compliment that people think I take after him.

My dad is the guy that would come pick me up when I ran out of gas on 1-20…..100 miles away. (Even if he has to leave a business dinner…)

My dad is the guy that would get me ready for my 8th grade formal because my mom was on a girl’s trip. And try to do everything just as she would have done.

My dad is the guy that would take Clint and I to a water park every Floridian vacation, just because we wanted to.

My dad is the guy that gets season tickets to UGA and Alabama football games, then lets Clint and I take first dibs.

My dad is the guy that would stop at McDonalds on the way home from a holiday dinner at our grandparent’s house, “because we didn’t like what we had.”

My dad is the guy that surprised me for Christmas in 2009 with tickets to the National Championship for a Father/Daughter trip.

My dad is the guy that will spend 5 hours with Josh and I on a Saturday creating a new patio, even though he has 3 hours of yard work to do at his own home.

My dad is the guy will take you for ice cream, no matter what time it is.

My dad is the guy that will get Josh a present at the golf tournament he last played in, because he knew Josh was wishing he could have played, too.

My dad is the guy that spends quality time with you.

My dad is the guy that took us to school every single morning.

My dad is the guy that would let us sing the same songs every single day on the way to school. (Our “Morning Songs”)

My dad is the neatest guy I know, and I am so glad to wish him Happy Father’s Day!

I love you, Dad! I leave you with….an awkward family picture.

Josh, “Look. Sherona and I are the ONLY normal ones. You damn MACNeal’s”

“But enough about me…HOW WAS THE HONEYMOON?” This is the million dollar question I have received from every single one of my friends that I have had the pleasure of catching up with after the wedding craziness has ended.

In a nutshell? The honeymoon was awesome. And relaxing. And completely unique.

We arrived here:

Governor’s Harbour International Airport. And picked our bags up here:

Baggage Claim! The white bag? 10 pizzas. They weren’t ours. Unfortunately. (We would want those later).

This was the most remote island I have ever been to. (And obviously I am an island connoisseur, guys.) We could go full days without seeing another SOUL. As evidenced by our ridiculous amount of self portraits. “Ok now take one of me in front of the water. Ok, now your turn.” (We are SO cool).

There were nights at dinner, we were the only people. Exhibit A:

I won’t lie. After having a destination wedding where we were surrounded by people, it was hard to get used to. I lived in a house with 10 other people during the wedding week, and Eleuthera was isolation. The first day was chilly, windy and overcast. Not exactly Caribbean, beach weather. I turn on the TV to check the weather and it predicts rain every. single. day. that we are there. (I will happily report that the weather was WRONG. It was absolutely beautiful.) We get to the windy beach and I start crying, “This is going to completely suck.” Poor Josh. I just wanted the honeymoon to be perfect! As exciting as being on your honeymoon is, it’s also weird. You’re on a nice trip but you know when you get back things will be completely different…and it’s just strange. But wonderful. I’m obviously a basket case.

Day 1:

Please do not judge my hair or the fact that I look 12. Josh wants me to clarify that I’m 23 and not a child bride.

Day 4:

 

Much happier in the sun!

We went exploring in our handy-dandy Jeep: (Next to my very cute hubby who is rocking his wedding band! Ow, ow!)

We found Sand Dollars at the amazing beaches:

We ate yummy food:

JOKE. We went to the local Fish Fry on Friday night. We were so excited to get out and meet the locals because a) they were so friendly and b) we had lost conversation topics. I see the lady next to me open her plate and VOILA…..Fish with eyes and a head. I said, “Oh, my! What did you get?” She says, “Red Snapper.” I turn to Josh, “Whew. I got the FRIED fish. Right, Josh!?”

“Uh, babe. That IS the fried fish.”

I really did try to eat it. It was a bit too fishy for me.

Later there was dancing in the street

Kalik, the Beer of the Bahamas, was involved:

And we had an absolute blast. We discovered that we are social creatures…and while we enjoy our alone time, we also enjoy people. Josh looked at me on Saturday and said, “Babe. Next honeymoon? Let’s bring friends. Like your parents or something.” He was kidding about the honeymoon part…but serious about the bringing friends on our next week-long vacation — because that’s how cool we are at 23 and 24. When we think of friends to take somewhere, my parents come to our minds first.

We loved our time together in Eleuthera. The months leading up to the wedding were absolutely crazy and getting the chance to re-connect with Josh in one of the most beautiful places in the world was priceless. I think we were reminded of why we are each other’s best friend. (I’m a cheese ball). BUT…being at home and being married? So much cooler. I am loving married life and everything that comes with it.

As I technically am not a “Bride” anymore (thank you for reminding me Knot.com — I tried to go on to the website to do wedding research for my BEST FRIEND WHO IS ENGAGED, WOO! and it automatically took me to the Nest.com. Just because I am married doesn’t mean I’m not allowed to look at wedding stuff, people!) I am in the process of updating my blog and tweaking a few things. That’s why I have been absent for so long, but don’t worry I am about to be back and posting more than you would like to read!

 

I packed up my books today for the big 3 mile move to mine and Josh’s house. Those that know me well, know how much I love reading. Not only can I recall the plot, character’s names and personalities of the books I read, but I also can remember when I read them and what was going on in my life. As I went through book after book, I became seriously nostalgic.

I turn on the news, and Tuscaloosa, my home for 2 years, is destroyed. The storms that wreaked havoc on all of the southeast have destroyed the town where so many memories were made. My grandparents hometown of Cullman, Alabama is in shambles. The courthouse roof was completely blown off. Many in the state are without power for an indefinite period of time.

I walk out to my desk and sit down. Typically OCD, it looks like the tornado came right through my living room (pun intended). You see, yesterday I discovered that I lost my birth certificate and social security card. This will make changing my name a bit tough.

I look down at my “Wedding To-Do List”. So many things left unchecked. I look at my “Moving To-Do List”. So many things left unchecked.

I call Josh and he wants to go help his parents with their destruction in Chattanooga right away. This is understand completely. I want to wait until tomorrow morning early because I have so many things I need to do. It’s me being selfish.

I call my mom to tell her that I sent in the information to the designer for the Ceremony Programs. Big fat crocodile tears start sliding down my face. I say, “I have no idea why I am crying. I just feel so pulled right now in a million directions.” She says, “It’s normal. You’re two weeks away from your wedding.”

And I cry, and cry. I hate crying. I really do. I will have a headache for hours afterwards and it cannot solve a thing.

After I am done, I feel so silly. People have lost their homes. Others have family missing. Still more are without power. And I am crying because of the destruction, but also because of my feeling overwhelmed by moving and a wedding. Wow.

God humbles me daily. He is so good. And His plan is so Perfect. Let us all not lean on our own understanding (as I have been trying to do as I check off my ever growing to-do lists) and lean on Him.

15th Street in Tuscaloosa, AL. Pray for Alabama.

“So, Katie! Where are you working these days?”

Luckily, I really haven’t been asked this question too many times in the months following my “sudden departure” from law school. Possibilities of what to say race through my mind and I usually end up saying something brilliant like, “Oh.. You know… just wedding planning!” And for some reason, everyone thinks this is a perfectly acceptable “career”. They reply with, “That’s wonderful! How is it going? Tell me about your wedding!” And I think, WHEW. Dodged another bullet. Here is an area I can discuss. (Which, if I was a wedding PLANNER, this would be a real career. However..I’m not sure planning my own can qualify? – Definitely not getting paid. Spending quite a bit though)

Well my friends, in 6 and a half weeks the wedding will become a reality (FINALLY!) and I will no longer be a wedding planner.

Then what?

I still have no idea! And that’s okay! I have a couple of possibilities, but absolutely nothing concrete. I do have moments of sheer panic. (Typically during the times that I’m bored to tears). But overall, I am completely content with the direction in which the Lord is taking me. He always provides folks.

Josh looked at me a month or so ago and said, “You are WAY more fun now that you aren’t in law school.” And I am! I am SO much happier.

While I don’t get the job question on the regular, I do get asked “Do you regret quitting?” quite frequently. Absolutely not. I am at such peace with my decision. Becoming a lawyer is not in God’s will for my life. (At least, not right now). And I have NEVER had a moment that I thought “Man, I wish I was sitting in a classroom being berated by a law professor, RIGHT NOW.”

Now, let’s be real. Will I be making the kind of money that I would have if I finished law school? More than likely, no. Will I be working as much as I would have if I finished law school? HOPEFULLY NOT. My focus is, and has always been, putting Christ, Josh and my family first. So work is second, and always will be. But you know what? being happier is ALWAYS worth more than lots of money. Fact.

I love college football. I am probably overly emotionally involved in the game. It’s weird. You will never hear me say “Gosh, can we watch something else? I’m so tired of college football!” On a typical season, my family and I average attendance at 8-9 football games. (Spread between Alabama, UGA and Auburn) Last year, I attended ONE and was so tired I wished I was sleeping. That’s what law school does to you folks, makes you tired and leaves little time for your favorite activities.

Funny story – before Josh and I started dating he had attended (as a fan) 4 college football games. Josh’s family isn’t big into football, so he didn’t attend many growing up, and then once he got to college – he was playing. So our first “football season” together we went to 10 games. (My family is as obsessed as I am). And I really thought nothing of it. One day he goes, “I’m so tired! Can we stay home and watch the game on TV?” Poor guy didn’t realize how time-consuming being a fan can be!

Now for the story of the invitations.

A few months back mom told me to start looking at invites I liked online. I don’t know what I was expecting…but I didn’t like ANYTHING. It was all too formal, too traditional, too modern, too expensive! I tried all of the sites that had been recommended and more…no luck!

I finally found “THE ONE” (Insert angel music here. AHHH)

It was called The Los Angeles and it was PERFECT! It had a picture on the outside, opened up with the invite and then a picture on the back. Yayuhh!

And then…I went to “check out”. After the RSVP cards, the Accommodation cards, the envelopes and the actual invitation…our grand total was SOMEWHERE around $800.00 – and that’s not including postage!

Now, I don’t know about you…but I didn’t budget $1000.00 for invitations. I was in shock. Are they even allowed to charge that!?

So I did the sensible thing and stepped away from the computer and stopped looking at invitations for a while.

During this time, Mom mentioned to her friend Jennifer the pricing we had found and how outrageous it was. Mom explained to Jennifer what I was looking for and Jennifer goes, “That’s all? My friend Teena could do it I bet. She made Cameron’s graduation announcements.” – Mom and I looked at the graduation announcements and loved them. Sign us up!

I met with Teena and explained that I wanted something simple, but with pictures AND the invite. She said, “Oh that’s no problem. I’ll start working on it.” And she did! Every night she would send me a new “choice” to pick from.  She was so great to work with and every time I would say, “Hmm I’m not sure” She would go change it to something she thought I would like! We finally settled on these:

Front:Back:

Teena put it all on a thumb drive as a PDF so that I could have it printed wherever I wanted!

After the printing charge, invitation, postage and envelopes…I ended up spending less than HALF of what the other invitation was going to cost BEFORE postage! And I came away with a really unique invitation that I love!

If you are looking for an invitation, contact Teena Cooper at teenamcoo@gmail.com — My beachy invitations might not be your cup of tea, but Teena can truly do anything!

This week  the invitations to our wedding officially went out!! While early for most weddings, mom and I decided it would be smart to go ahead and send ours since we a) didn’t do Save the Dates and b) the wedding is 6 hours away.

For all you Brides out there…a little story…

Now…whoever said “wedding planning is fun” either a) isn’t married b) has been married so long they don’t even remember the process that is planning or c) had a wedding planner.

Wedding planning is not fun people. And what’s less fun? The guest list.

I have been pretty laid back about this whole wedding process (probably because mom has it pretty much under control), but when it came to the guest list — things just got wayy out of hand. When we first started planning, Josh and I decided we would invite 100 people each for a grand total of 200. The venue comfortably holds 200 and we felt that this way, less than 200 would show and it would be perfect. Comfortable. Not crowded. Enjoyable.

Slowly but surely more and more names got added to the list between me, Josh, and both sets of parents. I sit down one day to count how many envelopes we should order and the guest list says……290

Hang on…what!?

That many people won’t even FIT! Only 200 will fit!! Insert minor break down here. There was lots of “WHAT DO WE DO!?” and “How do we even know that many people!?” — from Josh. No, haha. All the freaking out was me. Josh, bless his heart, totally didn’t get it. He goes, “I’ll pay for the extra invitations.” (Insert more wailing from me here) “ITS NOT ABOUT THE INVITATIONS!!! OR THE MONEY!! WE CANT FIT THAT MANY PEOPLE!!!!” He’s like “Ohhh. That’s a problem.”

So what do you do? Well…you pray.

Just kidding…but seriously.

I had to implement a “No Plus One” Rule. In a nut shell, all of my friends and all of Josh’s friends were not invited to bring guests. Unless engaged or married (obviously). On the outside envelope we put who it was addressed to (duh again) and the inside with who was invited. Usually it would say “Sam & Guest” ….ours just says “Sam”. (And no, I’m not calling out ‘Sam’…I don’t even know if we invited anyone named Sam. Wait…we invited everyone and their brother that we know…so we probably did invite a Sam. haha)

Other brides are out there thinking, didn’t you feel bad??? No guests?? Won’t people be upset???

I didn’t/don’t feel bad…because at this point in planning…you’re  (I’m) over ‘it’. I’m just so excited to be married!

So much that you do as a Bride is about pleasing other people, and there has to be a line. Sure, some people will be upset with you….But honestly? Those people haven’t talked to you about the stress you’re under with your guest list. And don’t matter. Because this is about you and your groom. And at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if any of the people you invited come..it’s just about marrying your best friend!

A few weeks ago (Valentines Day if you want to get technical) I decided that I was in real need of some chocolate-y goodness in my life. So I told Josh that I was going to make HIM a chocolate dessert treat for V-day. (See how that works? He thinks it’s for him…I’m craving chocolate…we both win). I search through some of my favorite food blogs and decide on flour-less chocolate cake. I mean…it has no flour…how hard can it be, right? Mmm hmm.

Here is what it was supposed to look like, and what they did look like when Jenna at Eat,Live, Run made them:

Looks delicious, right!?

Alright, are you ready for this?

Here is what MY attempt looked like: (And no, these aren’t small cheeseburgers covered in melting icing and sprinkles.)

I have no idea what happened.

I followed the recipe! How sick does that look!?

They were awful. Really.

They were SO bad that my dad wouldn’t even eat one. But Josh did. He ate THREE.

I kept going, “I really think that’s a bad idea. There is a raw egg in there and I really don’t think it cooked. I can taste it. This is awful.” And Josh would go, “I think they’re good!”

He is truly a saint.

I waited a few weeks to post this just in case Josh suddenly became ill. He didn’t, otherwise I would have had to delete the photos of this horrible experiment gone awry and denied ever making anything this ghastly.

Josh lived!

Say prayers for our surviving our first year of marriage.

And send chocolate.

I’m not a huge Valentines Day fan. I don’t hate it in a way some people might…just in a “eh..another day” type way. Josh surprises me monthly with flowers, a card, a sweet note, etc. just to say “I love you” and make me feel special. That’s love. We did go see Peter Pan at the threesixty theater in Atlanta last night (which was cool! and different??) and I was surprised with chocolates and flowers delivered today. He’s a keeper

Things I am loving right now:

Being happy. Since leaving law school I am SO happy. Yesterday, as we drove down to Atlanta and hit traffic (at 4:30 on a Sunday) I said, “I don’t miss this.” Josh replied, “You say that often. Stuff from law school you do not miss. I haven’t heard you say one thing that you do.” – There is ONE thing I miss — seeing my friends! I spent so much time with them that it is weird to not see them everyday. BUT we’ve kept in touch and I went out to eat with them just the other night.

Planning my wedding. That might be a “like” more than a “love”. I love the fact that the wedding is in 13 weeks!! And I love that I am able to help mom now with the planning. Far too much of the process was resting on her shoulders, poor mom! I am not able to pitch in and let me tell you…I don’t know how I could have gone to school this semester – I have been swamped every day since I left! It’s all little things…but they add up.

Reading for Pleasure (again!) – I am currently reading (and loving) Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. I can’t believe this is a true story! I feel a Savannah trip coming on so that I can explore all the places in the book once I am finished! (I’m also reading A Purpose Driven Life during my quiet time each day. Thank you, Rick Warren! I love it!)

I’m also loving: smoothies, hot yoga, our Sunday School class (First Steps to Marriage), my Under Armour dry fit pants that I live in, the Bridesmaid Shoes I found (and purchased for myself too? oops)

Things I am learning to love:

Not having a plan. I still don’t have a plan! I am in continuous prayer about His will for my life, and I know this is right where I am supposed to be. I have loose goals and plans..but nothing set in stone. For right now, I am working on gaining my Personal Training Certification. I hope to possibly hold a summer boot-camp and am focusing on learning as much as I can. I absolutely love learning about things health and fitness related, and really feel in my element “here”.

 

When I made the decision to go to law school, it was mine alone. I didn’t pray over the decision and ask for God’s direction and purpose for my life, I simply ‘did’. Law school was a plan for after college, a plan among many I have had in my life. I am a planner. Upon the first few weeks of law school, I began to realize…I hated it; but everyone else did too. No one likes the sleep deprivation, the surrendering of ones life, the new language “legalese” that is being forced upon you. So I sucked it up and enjoyed the shared misery. I prayed fervently, “Please Lord give me strength to meet this new challenge in my life and if this isn’t where You want me to be, please help me see that.” After a few months, law school got “easier”. Not in the sense of a lightened workload, but rather in the manner that things do when you become accustomed to them. I took this as my answer from above. I wasn’t AS miserable everyday, surely this was my direction to take!

I got a new devotional for the new year and something immediately hit home. The author describes life as a “Test, a Trust, and a Temporary Assignment.”  He says that we are constantly being tested in life, from our faith during times of struggle, to testing our love through our interactions with people. The author goes on to talk about life as a Trust. We are all given resources and capabilities in this life so that we may carry out His purposes. When I read this I immediately thought, “Ok. God has entrusted in me the abilities to be a good law student. I am organized, smart, a diligent student, and fairly OCD (Josh is thinking…Slightly!?). So this must mean my test is that I am miserable every day when I go to school. He is testing my endurance.” After all, I have good intentions with my law degree! I want to be a child advocate! So while I was dreading going back, I did it with thanksgiving in my heart because I had received “clarity”.

And then yesterday I went back to school. It was the most uneventful day, so I don’t want you to think anything dramatic happened in the classroom. While sitting in class, I felt suffocated. I got in the car and started crying, “God, I really need you right now. Please help me.” I called those closest to me and vented (and probably made no sense), and then I got off the phone and SHUT UP and that’s when God started talking to me instead of me at him.  My issues are two-fold.

1) Pride

2) Planning

Using the same reasoning I had, God laid it out for me. My pride is my test. The way in which I handle this challenging situation and the feelings of “quitting” and “failure” within me are my test. Surrendering to him. Not rushing to defend myself when criticized about my decision to withdraw from law school. Trust comes from letting Him make the plan. I am terrified. I cannot think of a time during my life I have not had a plan of some sort. Right now? I have NONE. Seriously. I know that today I will go down to John Marshall and that I will fill out a form of withdrawal and I will get my financial aid in order so that I can start paying back what I owe for my last semester, and that’s it. I have to close this door before He will open another.

I have no idea how many people read this blog, or if anyone does. That being said, writing this is one of the most challenging things in this whole process because of my pride. I don’t want “you” to think I am a failure. That’s my pride talking…but I know that if I am serious in my surrendering to Him and His purpose for my life, I have to start here with a “public” proclamation.

My former plans involved going to law school, passing the bar, working for 3-5 years full-time and then cutting down to part-time in order to raise a family. That could still be my life. I know that I am good at school, so I could easily walk back in to the classroom today and act as if nothing has happened, but that would be lying to myself and denying God’s will.

I was terrified to come home and tell my dad and Josh. I knew my mom would accept me immediately, but the thought of disappointing my dad or Josh has tears coming to my eyes for the first time since I began writing this. (I was convinced that I got all this out of my system last night!?) My dad said, “If you take out what you think I will think of you, what is the right answer?” I said, “Not going back.” He goes, “Ok. Well there’s your answer. Your relationship with me won’t change after you make your decision and I won’t think less of you. You have to be right with the Lord and yourself. Everyone else is extra. Do you realize that 90% of people go to work everyday hating their job? They do. 90%. You have a unique opportunity to find out what you want to do, what you will love doing, and implement it.”

At this point I was feeling overwhelmingly blessed and scared to death at the same time.

Here is my conversation with Josh….I talked for about 10 straight minutes and get done and am crying, looking at him and he goes, “Ok. Come here so I can give you a hug.” That’s it. He also made me a paper-heart card out of construction paper. It’s nice to not have to explain yourself at all. (Even though I do, and say way more words than he probably wants to hear about 98% of the time).

My friend Chelsey said, “You’re kind of acting like this is death.” – I’m like “HUH!?” She goes, “Well…law school has been around forever…I mean if you want to go back one day you can. It will still be there and you already finished a semester.”

Ok. Put in that light, I’m being dramatic. This is life altering, but in the very best way possible. As nervous to drive down today and “drop-out” as I am, I am SO excited for what He has in store for me.

Ending note: I called Clint and am rambling and rambling and he goes, “Hey. If you decide that you want to start raising and breaking horses let me know so that I can drop-out too.” He’s always good for a laugh, but before we got off he said, “I’m proud of you” and to me, that means more than any Earthly advice I have been given.