A Date to Beauty and the Beast

My Mom can be very easy to buy for or she can be very difficult! For her birthday this year I wanted to get her something that would be really special. We got her alot of "stuff" for Christmas so I didn't want to repeat that for her birthday. It just so happened that the touring Broadway musical of Beauty & the Beast was coming to Amarillo in January and I immediately thought that's it... that is the perfect gift for her!! Beauty & the Beast was always my Mom's favorite Disney movie and I just knew she would love seeing it live. I texted Drew right away to share my idea and he to my surprise said he thought it was a great idea and would want to go with us. Now Drew has NEVER expressed any interest in live theatre, much less a musical, much much less a kids movie recreated for the stage but he absolutely Adores my Mom and wanted to partake in this with her and I! He absolutely melts my heart again and again!

We gave her the tickets for her birthday and I don't think she quite realized what they were for. It didn't help that I was so busy crying I couldn't explain it to her at all. The show was actually about a week and a half after her birthday so the hype died down quite a bit from giving her the present. The night before last I was over having dinner with Mom and Nana and asked Mom is she was excited about going to the show on the following night, in her clear as mud blunt way she said "No, not really." I looked at her completely shocked! Do you know I was the one that gave you the tickets?! Do you know how hard I worked on finding you a great gift?! But you can’t argue with the truth, or Alzheimer’s so that was that.  I worried the entire day of the show about if she would have a good time or not. Drew and I picked her up last night to find her wearing a cute new top she got for her birthday and her hair and makeup all done. She looked so pretty. To my relief she was a little more excited. We took her to eat at a restaurant downtown and close to the venue. When we got in to the show there was more and more excitement coming. She was worried as usual about me and if I was feeling ok. By the end of the first half she was singing along with the songs and I knew she was having a good time. True to Molly form by the end of the last act she was crying and I knew the night was a success!

It was so special for us to get to take her out and treat her to a different evening than she is used too! A night I will always remember…. Just the three of us! I cried on the way home, missing and yearning for her old self. I tried to explain to Drew that sometimes I truly feel like my heart could explode with the love I have for her. That I just want her to know that I love her that much and never doubt it!!

Honeymoon!

 (Our First steps onto land in Jamaica!)

I had never had a real vacation I realized until embarking on our honeymoon!

A time to sleep whenever I wanted, eat with abandon and be served drinks galore... not to mention getting to spend a week with the man who makes my heart melt.

Needless to say our Honeymoon was perfection! We learned a few lessons early on, such as Nair on a man is not a good idea and regardless of being in paradise sunscreen is not optional, it is a must. Nothing though, could have shattered our happiness and need for relaxation!

We took our honeymoon trip to Sandal's Grand Riviera Resort in Ochos, Rios Jamaica. All inclusive. Incredible beach and moutain views. Private Pool. Butler Service. Restaurants galore. Paradise!

We spent the first day laying out on the beach, I in my new cute swimsuit and accessories, my husband in his tshirt and swimtrunks because I gave him a chemical burn that morning on his back. We sipped on Bob Marleys and Rum and Cokes while listening to the waves crash into the beach. There is something about being that close to water and peaceful surroundings that made my eyes close and as my new husband people watched I snoozed on the beach. We eventually moved to another little cove sheltered by trees to continue our relaxation before attempting our hand at a few water sports. The water was the perfect temperature. We gave a shot at sailing a few times with our Jamaican captain yelling out tips and directions to Drew. Eventually we made our way to the "secret pool" to spend some time in fresh water by the bar.

 

Our Butler's had made reservations for us at different restaurants each night. It wasn't until the 3rd night that we realized we could hit up the sushi bar before going to our dinner. We had dinner on the dock, on the roof, on the beach, and overlooking the pool. Although the meals always were tasty they never quite hit the same note as food back home. We were convinced after the busride to the resort that the "beef" we were eating was actually goat or horse. That didn't stop us from ordering midnight snacks of hamburgers though.

I was utterly spoiled while on vacation. I would wake in the morning after being sweetly woken by Drew to find room service had already delivered the breakfast he had ordered for us. We would eat and drink some ridiculously delicious coffee and mimosas before taking a dip in our private pool and eventually venturing down to the beach for the rest of the day. An afternoon nap before preparing for dinner was the perfect ending to a day of relaxation.

My favorite day on our honeymoon was also our last. We had reserved a private cabana on a secluded part of the beach with butler service all day. When we got there in the morning it was raining, the only rain we saw the whole time. We snuggled in on our cabana bed and watched the rain hit the ocean. Our sweet butler kept our drinks refilled and the food coming throughout the day. We would take breaks to swim out to a landing in the ocean where we pinch ourselves for the incredible vacation we were experiencing. That afternoon we recieved massages in our cabana as if life couldn't get any more perfect.

That week was one I am so grateful for. To have the chance to truly escape reality with my new husband and just enjoy one another. When Drew puts on the same cologne he wore on the honeymoon I am instantly taken back to Jamaica and our incredible week!

 (In the airport in Miami headed home from our amazing week)

Wedding Day 9: The Cake

If you know me at all then you know I only like Chocolate Cake. Therefore our wedding cake was chocolate cake with chocolate icing. Just as I had always dreamed and just the same as I like my birthday cakes. When Aunt Tammy and I went to order the cake and I requested chocolate/chocolate the baker looked at me like I was a little nuts.

We opted for a two tier cake for our traditional cake cutting but served a Fudge Chocolate Cake and  Carrot Cake to guests. All of which was transported in our u-haul with us from Amarillo.

When Drew and I went to do the traditional cutting of the cake somehow we managed to break the knife and had an "Uh Ho" moment for guests to witness. Luckily my quick thinking husband managed to use the blade to get us a little piece to feed one another.

The only glitch of the entire wedding came at the time to serve cake to our guests. We had instructed for the Chocolate Fudge and Carrot cakes to be altered amongst the guests with no one getting the wedding cake. I quickly saw my attendants being served wedding cake and gave Aunt Tammy a look of what is happening. She quickly ran over to see the error on behalf of the servers and alerted the management on staff. Turns out someone, our wedding planner, forgot to tell them to set our 8 boxes of cake out of the freezer to thaw so they could be served. Guests didn't quite know there was a problem until an announcement was made about the delay. Although the cakes were served colder and a little more frozen than we had intended everyone still enjoyed themselves.

We didn't get to eat any cake during the reception as I was getting more and more uncomfortable in my corset dress. We were both ready to leave the excitement of our guests and relax as newlyweds. We had a beautiful sparkler exit where for some reason I decided to carry my train over my shoulder and my new husband lent me his jacket to weather the cold as we ran the 50 feet to our honeymoon suite. On our way out we asked Aunt Tammy if she could send us some cake over! Thankfully she did and we snacked away on chocolate cake and champagne!

Wedding Day 8: Reception

I wanted a very unique and different feeling for our reception. I knew that with a destination wedding we would have fewer guests than if we had an in town wedding. Due to this I didn't want the traditional round table set up with everyone spread out but instead had in mind to do a long banquet table. Going into wedding weekend the plan was to have a T table with Drew and I and our attendants at the top of the T and our guests seated along the trunk. Once we got into the room and set up the table it felt to cramped so we moved the top of the T to the side which I ended up enjoying much better. We were able to overlook all of our guests and be more accessible for mingling.

My decor for the wedding was romantic vintage. I wanted soft colors with flowers being the key to every centerpiece. Thank the good Lord for Hobby Lobby which is where we found the centerpiece decorations. I surprised myself with the amount of "light pink" that was used throughout the wedding. I also wanted candles galore throughout the reception. I choose to go with a little bit of a bird theme as well in using vintage bird cages to decorate with and bird's nests for seat place card holders. We used candy eggs to designate whether the guest had chosen chicken or beef for their entree.

 

The meal at the reception was something I dreamt of for months before the wedding. We had gone down before for a tasting and loved everything they had! I choose to do a 4 course plated dinner for the guest since there would be no dancing to take time during the evening this was a great way to slow the night down and keep everyone occupied.  We started the meal with a Lobster Bisque soup... to DIE FOR! Followed by a shrimp prosciutto relish salad. For the main course guest choose between Grilled Angus Tenderloin, Wild Mushroom Pancetta compote, Asiago Mashed Potatoes and Port Jus or  Grilled Range Chicken, Oven Roasted Yukon Gold Potatoes with Wild Mushroom Ragout. Drew and I each choose a different entree so we could nibble off each other's.

Throughout the evening we had guitarist Roberto Capocci play some traditional Native music to entertain guests.

 

Upon the changing of each course we had friends and family stand to give toast in recognition of Drew and I. Some were planned, some were spontaneous but all were precious and meant something to the two of us. These moments truly made the night that much sweeter.

When toasts were not being given and we had finished our food Drew and I were able to make our way around the ballroom speaking with each guest and Thanking them for making the trip to attend our wedding. This was one thing that I really wanted to make sure we were able to do. We had people come from all over to attend our wedding and the least we could to was thank them for their support. I was able to catch up with friends I hadn't seen in years and meet some of Drew's family during these moments. I didn't want to look back at the reception and wished we had talked to someone or spent more time with this person so we made that priority.

36 weeks

It is so hard to believe that we are 36 weeks pregnant today! 

Everett's movements are becoming less drastic and usually occur in the same areas. I am sure this is due to his size growing at a rapid pace now. He has discovered some room off to the right side of my body and I am feeling waves of movement there now as he tries to stretch out. I have frequently been waking up at 2:45-3am each night and as my mind begins to run through the lists in my head sleep becomes an absent luxury. So I normally get up and head into the living room where Everett decides this means it's playtime and I feel his heaviest movements all day. I am beginning to think this is preparation for the weeks to come. 

His nursery is nearly complete. I am lacking a few final touches to feel as though it is completely done. And I am so excited for his baby shower this weekend ! I have already seen a few precious gifts purchased for him and am overwhelmed by the love this sweet boy of ours will be wrapped up in. 

 

We have a Dr. appointment today, back with our Dr. who has been out on her own maternity leave, and we will be starting the every week regiment now.

 

So close. Very anxious and completely nervous knowing that he could really decide to come at anytime now.

 

Yesterday as I was getting a pedicure with my Mom the lady beside me couldn't help but share in the delight of our upcoming arrival and talk about her own first grandchild coming in May. There is just something about babies that brings people together.

Memories of a special lady on my birthday

(Birthday flowers sent to me from my precious husband who knows Peonies are my most favorite!)

There are some people who touch your life at a young age and you carry them in a very special place in your heart for the rest of time.

For me one of those people was Polly Hilbert. I knew Polly through church at Highland in Abilene as I was growing up. She was The precious outspoken "grandmother" of the church who dealt out hugs like they were candy. I have a picture of Polly and I together outside the church after my 5th grade graduation ceremony of some kind. I was so proud to have that picture of the two of us together, both in our summer hats. After moving back to Abilene in middle school I befriended Whitney, Polly's granddaughter and was accepted into the Hilbert family. The biggest plus of this was then getting to call Polly "Mimi" as her grandchildren did.

From a the time I was in elementary school I have looked up to Polly as a Christian Mentor. She always reminded me so much of my Grandy in the way her evangelicalism was never outshone by anything. She never met a stranger and always spoke of her saviour within the first few minutes of conversation. She loved her family fiercely and was always there for a lost soul in need. I can think of the countless times she opened her home up to a person in need. Through my friendship with Whitney I have been able to spend alot of time with Polly and have locked away several memories that will make me laugh till I die. One such memory was after Whitney and I returned from Africa, a place Polly's heart had always been invested but she was never able to go to, we had a real African meal for Polly. Along with some other friends who had been there we all dressed in our  African garb and cooked shima and greens to eat. As we were sitting at the table I am telling a story to Polly and she keeps asking me to repeat myself, So I take the hint and begin speaking rather loudly so she can hear me. She quickly grabs her ear and says "Meg, dear you don't have to yell!" Polly's quick wit and accurate analysis of the situation couldn't have been matched and the entire table fell into a roar of laughter. My last visit with Polly was in August when she told me I was having a boy... nailed it even before I knew, and that I should name him Abraham Lincoln. When Whitney told her that trip that I was pregnant she smiled politely at me and remarked about how "nice" that was. A moment later when I mentioned my husband she said "Ohh Praise the Lord I was praying for you and that Babe thinking you weren't married!"

Even though Polly was beginning to suffer from some memory loss in the end her reassuring hand grasp and precious smile always took me back to being in the 5th grade again looking up at one of Jesus' true angels on Earth.

Today as I celebrate my 28th birthday I am also grieving the loss of a true servant of Christ and Mimi whose love will be carried on forever in the legacy of her children and great-grandchildren. Last night Polly met her maker and what a beautiful reunion that would have been to witness. I can only imagine the conversations that Polly will be having this day as she is welcomed with open arms into Heaven. I am praying for Whitney, Beverly, Sam and many more who will miss her presence here on Earth and asking for peace as they walk through this journey without her.

Wedding Day 7: The Dance

When the Night has come and the land is dark

and the moon is the only light we'll see

No, I won't be afraid, oh I won't be afraid

Just as long as you stand, stand by me

 

So darling, darling Stand by Me, oh stand by me

Oh, stand, stand by me, stand by me

 

If the sky that we look upon should tumble and fall

Or the mountain should crumble to the sea

I won't cry, I won't cry, no I won't shed a tear

Just as long as you stand, stand by me

 

And darling, darling, Stand by Me

darling, darling, stand by me

Whenever your in trouble



Won't you stand by me, oh stand by me

(We both really wanted the NeedtoBreathe version of this song however we could never find a decent version of it since they only sing it at their live concerts and never recorded it. We decided to use the Phillip Phillips version instead.)

 

 

 We entered the ballroom where our guests were seated at a long table and immediately went into our first and only dance. We both had wanted to have this moment to dance together as newlyweds. Even though in the moment I was too worried about every one's eyes on me, looking awkward and feeling like the song was too long... dancing with my new husband was a moment I will never forget. The lyrics of this song very much define our relationship and commitment to one another. I still cry each time I hear it.

Wedding Day 6: The Ceremony

Our ceremony was one of the sweetest I have ever witnessed.

We chose a long time family friend, Lynn Camp, to officiate for us. His countenance reminded me so much of Grandy's. The first thing he said to me as I arrived at the front was how beautiful I looked. This was one of Grandy's trademarks in the weddings he performed and in that moment I felt like Grandy was officiating us and not Lynn.

These were two of my favorite moments from the day... After all that Nana had been through I was so proud she was able to walk down the aisle and not have to be wheeled down in a wheelchair. She looked absolutely stunning. We had found Mom some shoes with a kitten heel because she wanted a heel to go with her dress. The dress was hemmed for the heel but on the day of the wedding she wore the heels for about 30 minutes and decided that was enough of that. She ended up walking down in blue and white target flats and carrying her dress up to her waist. However her gorgeous and happy  smile made the mismatched shoes unnoticeable to anyone else.

I was walked down the aisle by my brothers. I was so grateful to have them both stand up to the challenge as we were all a little emotional about it.

I cried the whole way down overtaken with emotion by the people witnessing our union and my Groom's uncontrollable tears. He told me several times he never thought he would get married because he could never dream of someone as perfect as me for him. As we reached the front of the ceremony my mom stood to give me away.

I don't remember the words during the ceremony I just remember not being able to keep my eyes off of my beloved. He was so handsome and nervous and overtaken with emotion. We held hands as we repeated vows and it all seemed surreal.

I was so anxious for our kiss I leaned in for a second and it was perfect.

After our walk back up the aisle as husband and wife we couldn't contain our Joy and emotions and sought comfort in each other's arms as only soul mates can.

Our guests snacked on the most delicious homemade salsa and guacamole while we took family pictures. They moved throughout the outdoor patio and into an indoor lounge cocktail area where a bar was set up. Ryan and Darrah had worked to put together a slide show of Drew and I through the years for entertainment. I to this day have only seen glimpses of the slide show but loved what I saw while waiting for our entrance into the ballroom.

Happy #55

Today is a day of complete celebration!

My Beautiful and Amazing Mother is turning 55 (but don't tell her I am posting her age online)

Her birthday is an incredibly symbolic day not just because she was born this day those years ago but because she was also diagnosed with Early-Onset Alzheimer's disease 3 years ago today.

3 Years!! We didn't know what would happen in the time after her diagnosis or what 3  years would look like. These years have been full of sadness, hurt, confusion and struggle but most importantly they have been of courage and fight! She has never once let this disease stop her from trying or getting the best of her. So today is a celebration of Life of Joy and of Love!

Happy Birthday to my personal Hero, my champion, and the woman who gives me hope for another day! I love you to the moon and back Mom! Looking forward to another year full of adventure!

Wedding Day 5: The Music

I worked long and hard to find the perfect songs for our preceremony and ceremony. Songs that would convey our feelings on the day and set the mood for our guests.

For the preceremony I wanted all instrumental and after consulting with different musicians and dj's decided that due to the unknown of the weather dj would be best. I choose mostly songs from the Vitamin String Quartet for our pre ceremony hour, loving the combination of instrumental with the contemporary songs I loved.

Here is our preceremony list:

(All by Vitamin String Quartet)
Chasing Cars
Beautiful Day
Yellow
The Cave
Viva La Vida
New Slang
Us
Today


The ceremony music I cared even more about... I knew I wanted to walk down the aisle to Turning Page (Instrumental). It was dramatic and romantic and absolutely perfect. For our attendants I choose the instrumental version of the Winner Is from the Little Miss Sunshine Soundtrack. The Flower Girls walked down to a version of You are my Sunshine, an omage to my Grandy who always sang that song to me as I walked into a room. The parents walked in to Everywhere Freesia from the Meet Joe Black soundtrack.

After convincing my soon to be husband that Dave Matthew's Crash was not completely appropriate for a wedding exit song we agreed on Fresh Feeling from The Eels. Fun and uplifting lovey song to walk out too!

A brag post about my husband

Can I brag for just a minute about my wonderful husband?! I am going to anyway regardless of what you say!

No one ever said that sharing your life together was going to be easy. Blending families is a mess, dealing with his things out of place can drive me nuts but there is nothing I would trade in the world for having Drew as my partner in life.

Each day with him is an absolute Joy. I never realized that  you could actually miss someone you live during the 7 hours you are away from one another at work.... I do!

I am amazed on a daily basis at his compassion and unconditional love for me and his concern for what concerns me.

After mentioning to a visitor over Christmas how I couldn't stand our kitchen cabinets, "too much brown!" I came home from work one day to find them completely repainted with matching hardware installed. That simple gesture and change has made me smile everyday I walk into my house and he is the reason!

Drew was a devoted nurse to me throughout last weekend as I was dog sick. I remember thinking that I am so grateful I can be comfortable being my self around him every moment even when puking my guts up. His worry for my well being was etched in his handsome face the entire time.

This week after trying to still recuperate from my illness that I had passed on to Drew he stayed home on Monday. I came home expecting to need to take care of him that evening after receiving several calls about how awful he felt. Instead I came home to a house that had been completely cleaned and packed away of our Christmas decor. Even on his sick days he is finding ways to do for me. How blessed am I?!

Sometimes I feel like in the drama of our lives Drew gets overlooked, pushed to the back burner to allow more acknowledgement of Mom or what not. So I like to shine the spotlight on him every once in awhile because without him my spotlights would never come on!

Christmas & New Years 2013

What a blessing the last few weeks of the year were for us!

We had a truly amazing and selfish Christmas... we were really trying to live up the very last "kid free" Christmas but with equal anticipation of the precious gifts next year will hold.

Drew and Mom On Christmas Day.

 

 Nana's precious gift to Everett. I am so in love with this elephant!

Christmas Eve was spent at Mom and Nana's in what has become a  two year tradition of late night poker with Drew and Patrick while Mom and Nana went to bed. Christmas Day was filled with love and memories made. I was especially overwhelmed with Mom's attentiveness in giving and getting presents. Patrick and I had prepared a stocking for her to open first thing that I wasn't sure she would take the time to look through but to my delight she spent time going through every item and loving the thought put into it. We rounded out Christmas Day with a wonderful dinner and family tree surrounded by our nearest and dearest. Everett was given many precious gifts at this tree, most notably the best, fluffiest, cuddliest elephant for his nursery from Nana and an "Everett the Elf" singing puppet from Grandy. Grandy had gotten the elf years ago and loved it at Christmas, I can still hear his laughing as he swayed his head playing with it. Needless to say the Elf will have a very special place in our home for years and years to come.

 

Sending our Boy back to Dallas after an amazing 2 weeks with him!

 

The Most Handsome Baby I have ever seen! He has his dad's cheeks already!

Saturday after Christmas we went and had a 3D/4D sonogram done on Everett. I was dying to see his little face and see if we could recognize any of Drew or My features on him. The instant his precious chubby cheeked face popped up on the screen we were both gonners. Sweet Boy had been very active that morning and was not impressed with us trying to interrupt his napping. He refused to move the hand from his face and gave us frown resembling Elvis' lip when trying to get him to do so. Drew unkowningly gave me the same look days later. Mom and Patrick went with us to see the sonogram which was a very special moment to be able to share with them. We are ready to meet you little one!

Can't you just see the intensity in their faces.... Charades is no joking matter!

New Years was spent with the family at Mom and Nana's playing Heads Up and Charades... I haven't laughed that hard... ever maybe. The entire family was in on the games including Nana, Charlotte, Doss and Aunt Cindy who suprised everyone with her arrival. Let me tell you those Blanton girls still have some major competitive edge on them regardless of competing against their elderly mom and aunts and pregnant girls. We rang in the new year with a nasty virus though that caught up with me the next day sending me in for my first hospital stay ever. Severe dehydration had me in labor and delivery getting fluids for a few hours before I was able to go home and eventually pass on the bug to Drew. This first week of January hasn't been in our favor as we both have been fighting off nausea. It looks like the end is in sight however as I came home from work yesterday to find that my Prince of a Husband had packed away all our Christmas Decorations.... AMAZING! 

Now the countdown is on to getting nursery done and getting ready to meet Mr. Everett!