Wednesday, December 23, 2009

gifts

Ross and I have a problem. We can't wait until Christmas Day to exchange gifts. It's just impossible! Last year, we exchanged gifts on the 21st or 22nd -- I can't quite remember (I always lose track of days when I'm not on vacation). This year, we made it to the 23rd. So we are improving!

Last year was extravagant. I spent about $250 on Ross to buy him a hard drive for his music techie stuff. He bought me a Le Creuset French Oven AND an engagement ring. This year, we're newlyweds. Did you know the word "newlyweds" is from the Latin phrase "newlius weddius," which means "really broke"? It's true.

Anyway, this year, we took it easy. Ross got me a pair of Old Navy fat pants and a Side Swipe attachment for my KitchenAid mixer (which, by the way, are extremely cool; check them out). I got Ross a pair of gloves and a book. It was a far cry from last Christmas.

But you know what? I have a husband this year. I think that makes up for it.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Wedding Photo Post!

It occurred to me a few days ago, as I was scouring through Shutterfly trying to put together a Christmas gift that cannot be mentioned here because several of my readers will be receiving said gift, that I have wedding pictures that haven't even been posted on the blog!

Of course, most of you have already seen the pictures via Facebook or Shutterfly, but I thought I'd do a series of photo posts on the blog. That way I can tell the stories behind some of the pictures. No matter how hard I try, my eyes still well up every time I tell one of those stories.

Not today's story, though. I thought to kick things off, I'd tell you about the first time Ross and I saw each other all dressed up in our wedding duds. It was July. (Reader: Didn't you get married in August?) Yes, we did. But, in what I still consider a stroke of genius, I decided we should have a pre-wedding photo shoot with BOTH of us, not just me. We did our bridal and groomal shoot on July 3 in Siloam Springs, where our photographer was located.

**Side note!** If you live in the Northwest Arkansas area (or nearby), and you need a photographer for any life event, we highly recommend Jonathan Edward Photography! Jonathan & Becky are crazy talented photographers and incredibly nice people to boot. Go sign 'em up for your next event.

I got dressed in the tiny bathroom at our photographer's office/studio, with my mom's help, and told Ross to shoo. He waited down the sidewalk...

And then I snuck up on him.

And then, we looked at each other for the first time in our wedding clothes -- the clothes in which we would become husband and wife before God and our families and friends in just one short month -- and at that very moment, we both knew we had found our perfect soulmates. It was the most romantic moment of our relationship.

NOT!

I have to say, Ross looked really good, but I just didn't find it all that moving. Maybe it's because we still had to wait another month to get married. But I think if we'd waited until the day to see each other, it still wouldn't have lived up to the hype. Really, it's just a suit and a dress. Sure, we looked pretty, but our romantic moments are not made from fine clothing and grand events. It's just not us.

So we said a simple, "Hey, you look good!" And we gave each other a hug.

And a kiss.

What? We were a month from getting married. Cut us a little slack. :-)

{p.s. I should mention that all of these photos were taken by Jonathan Seauve of Jonathan Edward Photography, and that only JE Photography can give you the rights to print or reproduce or repost these pictures in any way. So don't do it. Violating copyright law is really, really bad. Like, several years of your salary bad. Especially now that you've seen this disclaimer!}