The Perfect Honeymoon

We just got back from our honeymoon so I'll post about it and come back to the wedding post later :)

Jeff planned a beautiful and activity filled trip to California for us. We left Oklahoma at 6:45pm the night of the wedding and headed on our merry way... MARRIED!!! 

Sunday morning we got up and Jeff ran an errand to pick up my "surprise" which turned out being a 2014 Convertible Camaro!!!! A man after my own heart :) We drove the coast of Cali stopping in Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Bel Aire, and Malibu before making out final stop in Santa Barbara. Lots happened that day. We roamed around the upscale neighborhoods of Bel Air, seeing Rob Lowe and Kate Hudson along the way!! We stopped in Malibu for our walk on the fridged beach, and we ate fresh crab on the Santa Barbara pier!!

The rest of the week was spent at Disney Land and California Adventure. Apparently mid-to-late October is the time to go because there were rarely any lines. We were able to walk right on to rides like Space Mountain multiple times. We got to meet Cinderella, which was the highlight of that particular day, as well as watch the parades, race Cars in Radiator Springs, and watch the light show at World of color!

It was really a perfect trip, kudos to my new hubby for a vacation well done!

Country Life

I'm not sure how many people know this tiny little secret about me... But I'm a city girl. Yea, real shocker. Here's another... I'm a little over 2 weeks away from marrying a full fledged country boy. And what does this mean for this little city girl you ask? It means a drastic lifestyle change is coming, and it's coming at me like a freight train... Or maybe a stampeding herd of cows...yea, that's it. 

 

So I will start off my first of many more Country Lessons Learned posts by explaining very briefly my new found fear of spiders. 

Now don't get me wrong, being from the city, I've always had a dislike for 8 legged crawling creatures. But I had no idea until recently just how many there are and how sneaky they can be! In the city I might see 3...4 spiders tops per year. I've seen well over 20, 30, maybe 40 spiders since moving to the country - just a couple months ago. And in the city, they walk around out in the open on the floor, in the country, they hide in corners, under piles of clothes, in the shower, under toilet lids, in...my...bed. 

So my city girl dislike for spiders has grown to a country girl deathly FEAR of spiders. Screaming night terrors and all.

Welcome to the country my dear.

Wedding Wednesday - 10 Weeks and Counting

73 Days to go!!

This week we were finally able to get a lot accomplished!  Over the weekend we went and picked out the tuxedos, vest and tie colors, style, shoes, etc.  I learned a lot about tuxedos and the general male hatred for them.  I have to give it to men, as women we complain a lot about the heals we have to wear, but at least we can wear a dress and feel cool in the summer. I couldn't image wearing a full tuxedo with coat in the 100+ degree weather of the Oklahoma summer!

Side note: Our meteorologists have said a couple of times this week that it will be 98 degrees as a high but it will feel like 106.... can anyone really tell the difference?  Sure if its in the 80's and it feels like the 90's, I understand voicing that, but who walks outside when its in the upper 90's and says, man it feels like its in the hundreds today?  Okay side note over...

I also finalized my invitation order this week.  This was such a relief - they are beautiful and elegant and just absolutely perfect.  I couldn't be happier with them!  Here's a sneak peak!

(Terrible image quality - I know)

I was also able to stop by the hotel this week and get a block of rooms with group rate together for our out-of-town guests.  This is something I honestly hadn't thought of, so glad my hubby-to-be is on top of things!

With those two big items out of the way along with the hotel chosen, I am feeling more comfortable. We still need to decide on the groom's cake (what it will look like and who will make it), we need to pick out usher attire, shoes style for the girls, food that will be served as snacks, and so many more tiny details!

I'm Back at It

As most of you know, I have been kind of MIA for the last several months.  Little did I know moving family and wedding planning would take so much time, energy, and emotion!  But regardless - here I am!

I have a handful of posts that I have written but not published that I'm going to add on here today - then from that point forward, I'm back to business as usual!  Hope to hear from you all soon - I'm glad to be back!

Grandpa's Hands

Delbert Inman 1919 - 2013

The world lost a great man last week - but Heaven gained an angel. I met Delbert a little over 3 years ago, it was my first Inman Family Reunion experience and he wasn't going to let me sneak out without getting to meet me. He called me over to him and motioned for me to sit down. He asked me if I was keeping "that boy" in line and told me it looked like I was doing a good job. As we drove home at the end of that weekend I was filled with the feeling of belongingness and love, thanks to Delbert.

The following Christmas I was invited back to the small town of Coalgate, OK to partake in the Christmas festivities. Again, I was motioned to come sit by his side. Grandpa reached out for my hand and held it. He gently rubbed the top while we talked about various things. He leaned over at one point and whispered, "Do you think this is making Jeff jealous?" then gave me his sly grin.

Another year went by, another reunion and another Christmas. This time, Grandpa motioned for Jeff and I both. We sat by his side and he told Jeff, "You better marry this girl before I do." Jeff blushed then smiled and gave his usual response, "Maybe one day grandpa." then gave me that same sly smile his grandfather had given me the year before. Every time I saw him from that day on, he grabbed my hand and rubbed my ring finger, then look at me and ask where the ring was. There's no ring yet, I would say, maybe one day.

This year we made it to the reunion engaged. Grandpa was so excited, I was the first one he asked to talk to. I walked over and sat down. He reached for my hand, and as he did he felt the ring and smiled. He told Jeff how proud he was, he made a few more jokes at Jeff's expense and then our turn was over.

Fast forward 3 months - Jeff went to see his grandpa every day of his last week with us. He looks up to him more than anyone I know. I can't even begin to recall the numerous stories I've been told about Delbert and his past. About how he grew up in a tough world, how he raised his younger brothers to be the beautiful men they are today, how he loved his wife with his whole heart, and how he taught his children and grandchildren the lessons of this earth. I can see Delbert in Jeff, I can see him in his eyes when he is focused on something, I can see him in his sly grin when he's being mischievous, I can see him in Jeff's stories when he gets excited right before he tells the best part, and I can see him in the love Jeff shows me when I'm feeling down.

I only knew Delbert Inman for one quick blink of his lifetime, but in those three years, he made an impact. He showed me the man I would be marrying, he showed me what he will grow to resemble, and he showed me the family we will one day build on our own.

You will be missed grandpa, every time I think of you I find myself rubbing the top of my hand. But one day we will all see you again with your love by your side, and we will hug you and shake your hand, and tell you all the stories of our children and grandchildren, and how we raised them to follow your lead, how we raised them to be Godly men and women, Godly husbands and wives, and Godly fathers and mothers.

Good night Grandpa.

 

This is a newspaper article that was written about Delbert and his 4 brothers. I must say that's a handsome group of men!

Wedding Wednesday - 12 Weeks and Counting

Well, I was able to accomplish part of my small to-do list last week. I was able to get the cake ordered, finally, so that is one thing off my plate and I can honestly feel my shoulders getting a little bit lighter.

I met with the church again on Thursday and was able to get a better understanding of some of the "rules" and what items they have for us to borrow. They have some beautiful screens to use as a backdrop for our cake table and also some of those tall white columns. I was however reminded that I need to start planning out the ceremony and start getting all of the music together on one medium.

After meeting with the church I ran by Hobby Lobby to pick a few of the items that needed to be purchased, such as the guest book picture frame, every candle holder they had in a certain style, the ring bearer pillow and the flower girl basket, and this wonderful lantern to use as the Card Drop!

My new to-do list - make a more tedious to-do list, pick out tuxedos, and start planning the ceremony.

Only Child No More

You know my new favorite part about my upcoming nuptials, ranking just below spending the rest of my life with the man of my dreams but just above getting dressed up to look like a real live princess? I found out this weekend that I will be gaining a sister shortly after!! My future brother-in-law finally asked his girlfriend to marry him!!

This is by far the best news I've heard in awhile. I'm not sure how many of you know what it's like growing up as an only child, but only those that have will understand. Being without siblings sounds like a blessing to most people, undivided attention, unending gifts, constant praise... But no one sees the lonely days. The days we spend playing Monopoly or Uno alone, the days we spend our prayer time begging God to "Please just let my friend be home today..." So that you can have someone to play with. The days you watch your friends fight with their siblings in envy as they steal each others clothes and argue over who's turn it is on the phone.

 

It may be 26 years after I'd liked, but God is blessing me with a sister, I know He was just waiting for a time when I would appreciate her the most.