nine

9 years ago today I married my best friend. I can't believe it has been 9 years. 9 amazing years. 

August 6, 2005...we were babies!

2006 in Aspen

2007

2008 at Niagara Falls

2009 sic 'em

2010 in Gulf Shores

2011 pregnant with Hudson

2012 pregnant with Emma

2013

2014 in Estes Park

And I love him more today than I did 9 years ago. 

2.19.03

It's hard to believe it's been 10 years since these crazy college kids decided to have a DTR and make their flirting official. 

A DTR is college code for "define the relationship" in case you aren't cool enough to know that.

This was our first picture we took together. 

John used to have SUPER spiky hair. It was one of the things I loved about him. I had thick chunky blonde highlights. He asks me daily to get those again. Then I tell him how much they cost and he likes my DIY hair much better.

We used to spend lots of time "studying" at Cameron Park. (Read: making out.)

We fell in love fast. Not quite as fast as Sean Lowe and all those girls. But fast. And I said I love you first. After less than 3 months. 

Actually, 10 years ago tomorrow (the day after we made it official) I told my BFF Dinah that I was going to marry John. During worship at the Wednesday night college bible study. 

We've come a LONG way in 10 years. We've lived in 2 cities {Waco & Victoria}, graduated from college, {1 of us} got 2 master's degrees, had 10 different jobs {most of those were mine}, traveled to Africa {twice}, Colorado, New York {twice}, New Mexico {twice}, Alabama {twice and all the states between there and Texas on our Gulf Shores road trips}, and many other places in Texas. We have had good times and sad times. Exciting times and difficult times. But I am SO glad and thankful that I've had him right by my side the whole time.

I love who we are today. I love watching that crazy college kid love our kids whole heartedly. He has become the most incredible dad and our relationship looks very different than it did in 2003. But I wouldn't have it any other way.

August 6, 2005

Five years ago today I married the love of my life. Best day ever!

Our wedding day play-by-play...


Headed to go get our hair and make up done


In the salon


My fabulous hair dresser didn't work on Saturdays but came in for me!


In the Bridal room with Ashley...look at my sister stuffing her face with salad in the mirror reflection behind us!


me and Beth


me and my fabulous sister and maid of honor


all of my beautiful bridesmaids


READY to go!!!


So fast forward to our reception...our first dance. "The Very Thought of You"


Bow chicka bow wow!


Us with Patrick and Courtney...little did they know that a year later it would be their turn!!


Dodging rose petals (John's sweet groomsmen were throwing them like we were playing dodge ball!)


Classic Rolls-Royce


Headed to The Adolphus Hotel!

5 Year Coundown: Showers!

Note:  When John and I got married I was not a blogger. I was not and never will be a scrapbooker so this is my way of documenting everything now since our 5 year anniversary is Friday!

By this time, 5 years ago we had already had so many wonderful showers. All of our wedding gifts were carefully packed and ready to be moved to our apartment in Waco when we got back from our honeymoon.

Here is a trip down wedding shower memory lane...

1 week before our wedding we had a couple's shower in Austin. It was so fun because we were so so so close to our wedding!


us with our sisters


opening gifts


explaining why we need a beautiful silver dish


if I remember correctly, someone was giving us "you know what" advice - for search engine reasons I'm not saying anything else




Before that (like before summer...SO WHITE!) I had a shower in Dallas hosted by some sweet friends.


me, mom and the hostesses


me, Susan and Sara


me and Dinah




opening gifts


our dishes (Pottery Barn PB White)


me and mom in the chapel where the wedding would be

All of our gifts displayed in my bedroom...duh what else do you do when you?

5 year countdown

I cannot believe we are nearing our 5 year anniversary.

Not because I feel like we were just engaged. That actually feels like forever ago.

It's funny. 5 years ago if you had asked me where we would be in 5 years this is not where.

I would have bet money that we would have had a kid by now. Or at least one on the way.

We are getting close to that point but we aren't quite ready yet.

I would have bet money that we would live closer to family.

We are at least 2 hours from any family. Specifically about 2 1/2 hours from his family and 6 1/2 hours from mine.

I wouldn't change our life at all. I love our life and I love where we are.

Five years ago we worried about guest lists, honeymoon plans, and the fact that we would both be students after we got married. John starting graduate school and me finishing my bachelor's degree.

Now we worry about flood insurance, hurricane season (we are prepared), and house renovations.

Please note I am not complaining. I KNOW that there are bigger things out there and I realize we are so incredibly fortunate.

I wouldn't trade anything we have. I love my husband today more than I did almost 5 years ago when I said "I do."

I didn't think that was possible.

It is a different kind of love. It is stronger because it has been through very hard times.

We have taken so many trips. I absolutely love traveling with John.

I wasn't really sure where this post would go but I guess it has turned into my thoughts on our lives so far.

Stay tuned for more wedding related posts!

lucky 7

7 years ago today John and I became, well..John and I!

this picture was taken when we were still "friends." a couple days later we were "us."

I can't believe it has been 7 years.

I also can't believe that we are a few months from our 5 year wedding anniversary!

Holy Cow!

Friday Flashback!

Shortly after John and I started dating his mom turned 50. John, his sister and his mom's best friend planned a fabulous 50th surprise birthday party for Susan.

Being the new girlfriend I was very nervous because I would be meeting lots of John's family friends and some family. It was a big deal but we had so much fun. That was the weekend that I started falling in love with John.

Whoa...look at that hair! John used to spike his hair WAY up! I loved it though!