Merry Christmas!

(Terra Dawn Photography)

 

I hope that your holiday is filled with love and family! Even though this will be our first Christmas away from Mississippi my heart is filled with so much joy and happiness. I'm humbled by what is really important in this life and that's family. The relationships that you build and nurture mean everything in this world and the most important one that anyone can have is with God. You are never alone even during the holidays and I hope that if you find yourself sad during this time of year that you will go and serve others. Giving back to the community and people in general will fill your heart with love and keep you nice and warm during the cold winter months. Happiness is a state that we all choose to either live in our whine about. Take control of your life and choose to be grateful, thankful, and most importantly happy.

 

 

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. 

 

Crying like a baby.

This made me cry like a baby...

I love Lea Michele so much! You're amazing girl and you will get through this; although, I have no idea how. I would be destroyed. You are stronger than I ever thought possible.

Viva Las Vegas

Last month on June 4th Chad and I celebrated our 2 year wedding anniversary in Vegas. We had been wanting to go to Vegas together for awhile and after finding a good deal on Vegas.com we decided why not.

 

Details: We stayed at the MGM Grand in a Deluxe King room in the West Tower / Saw Beatles LOVE Cirque du Soleil at the Mirage / Renewed our wedding vows at The Little White Chapel

I had been to Vegas a few times before but this was Chad's first time. I keep trying to explain how big the strip was and how much walking we would be doing but I don't think he really believed me until we got there. My stupid self did not bring good walking shoes (trying to be all fashion forward again) so after the first night of walking I had to find new shoes or I just wasn't going to make it. When I had been to Vegas before it was with my parents when I was younger and we always stayed at Harris in the center of the strip but I had always wanted to stay at MGM mainly for their amazing pool area so when we booked our trip that is where we went. We were not disappointed. Our hotel room was amazing and the pool area was fantastic! Lazy river on a Monday anyone? Our flight got in pretty early and when we checked into the hotel the front desk allowed us to check in early at no extra fee. Score. (Vegas is full of fees... that's why getting to Vegas is Cheap but once you get there, watch your pocket books.) After checking in and getting dressed we headed down to the strip to start exploring. The first thing we did was get tickets to ride The DEUCE bus up and down the strip. We each got a 3 Day unlimited pass for $20.00 each. It was the best deal available and it worked out really well for us. Walking in 100 degree heat in crappy shoes just wasn't going to happen for this girl. After that we headed to the Mirage to pick up our will call tickets to the Beatles LOVE show. We got the tickets FREE with our vacation package on Vegas.com and I have ALWAYS wanted to see that show.

As usual everything in Vegas is bright lights and sensory overload and the entrance to the Beatles LOVE show was a perfect example. It was so pretty.

 

After we got our tickets we decided to start exploring and we worked our way back up the strip towards our hotel. But first a stop in front of a step and repeat to pretend like we are important.

 

I only brought my camera out this first day because I still had no idea how to use it but enjoy the two other pictures I snapped on automatic:

 

We did however snap quite a few pictures on our phones so here we go:

 

Once we got back to our hotel on the first day we got ready for our night out which we were planning on doing dinner and the LOVE show. We were running late and couldn't decide on what to eat so we just got a gigantic drink instead. (Stupid idea)

Yea, that's a 100oz. We then found out you couldn't bring drinks on the DEUCE. Epic fail which meant us drinking that thing as fast as possible and getting a killer brain freeze. After we finally got on the bus we headed to the show. It was absolutely amazing. I recommend that anyone in Vegas go see this show. I was on the edge of my seat and amazed by the music and the performers. Once the show was over we were starving and a still tipsy so we stopped at BLT Burger inside the Mirage and it was fantastic. We ate the food too fast so no pictures but know that it was yummy. The prices however... not so much. We both got a burger and fries and the total came out to be like $46 bucks... Highway ROBBERY.

 

After that we made our way back to MGM for a little gambling and more drinking. It was a great night and a well done first day in Vegas.

 

 

Part 2 tomorrow.

 

 

1 year.

This time last year I was getting ready to walk down the aisle and marry my best friend. No not Haley…Chad Knight. The most amazing man I have ever met. Now, You may remember this post about the wedding, or this one, or this one, or this one, or this one BUT I have never really gone into details of the big day. Since I already talked about the morning of and getting ready lets skip to the best part…when my best friend threw up in the middle of our vows. Okay, so it wasn’t the BEST part that would be when he told us we could kiss and introduced us for the first time as man and wife. Let’s be honest though… you all want to hear about the vows that made Haley puke.

I remember so clearly standing in the hall of the church that day watching my bridesmaids one by one leave to walk down the aisle. I started getting nervous/excited then. I remember thinking, “This is it, THIS is it!” This entire event that I had been planning for a year and a half was about to happen. I wanted to fully enjoy it so while I watched them go and concentrated on every thing they were doing. Marley was ready to POP, baby Lucas would join us only about a month later... Nicole and Katie were looking beautiful, my new sister in laws: Morgan, Apryle, and Hollye stood there smiling at me telling me it was almost time, my sister was being so sweet it almost brought me to tears, and Kerri was giving me that look of, “It’s all about to happen man!” with that silly grin she does that makes me smile and Haley my Maid of Honor was crouching down on the floor trying not to get sick from a killer migraine that we later decided was all Chick-fil-a's fault. She kept smiling at me and telling me everything was fine that she just needed a second and that she was soooo excited for me. Haley was there for everything at this wedding and I knew that she was getting sick but she was determined to power through it and be by my side smiling.

As they all disappeared down the aisle it got down to just me and after they closed the doors I took my fathers arm and just stood there thinking, “This is it.” When I heard the music change and the doors opened I saw all of my friends and family. It was the sweetest moment that I will never forget it and then I saw Chad. I almost started crying immediately so I had to tilt my head back and focus before we started walking down the aisle. I felt amazing, I felt loved, and most importantly nothing mattered anymore. All the planning, all the stress, all the arguments disappeared.

When my father handed me off to Chad I immediately ditch my beautiful bouquet to my sister which I wasn’t supposed to do yet and put my hand in Chads. We held hands the entire ceremony and even though I was supposed to hold my flowers longer I wouldn’t have it any other way. The preacher started the ceremony and out of the corner of my eye I noticed Haley wasn’t looking to good. Still beautiful but we all know that puke face…and this wasn’t a joke. Not long after the preacher started I watched Haley in SLOW MOTION it felt like gracefully turn her head down to the left and puke. Yes, that really did just happen. My mouth immediately fell open and I mouthed, “ARE YOU OKAY” to her with my eyes wide. She looked at me and nodded and gave me one of those pained smiles because she was BEGGING me to ignore her and focus on the preacher. I remember Chad squeezing my hand and then I refocused on the preacher but I still glanced over at Haley a few times to make sure she wasn’t about to hit the floor. She didn’t thank God

(Let me just explain about Haleys puking in a little more detail because that girl deserves CREDIT. I know that when I throw up I make disgusting noises… I mean you can’t help it. Haley was SILENT. I mean the only reason I knew she puked was because her body did that uplifting thing and then white liquid (Let’s call it stomach acid)  appeared on the floor and a tiny bit down her dress. I was sure our videographer had caught it on camera and that everyone had seen but when we asked people later no one had any idea what we were talking about. Other than our family in the very first row, No one saw! After we got our wedding video back we watched it to see how obvious it was and you can’t even tell, it just looks like she turned her head to sneeze or cry for a moment. THAT girl deserves and award. I thought for sure that I would have been pissed but really it just made such a memory that being mad never even crossed my mind. After the ceremony the first thing I did was walk into the bathroom where she was to check on her (she was puking and making lots of noise this time) but she literally was yelling/begging/crying for me to get out and enjoy the wedding and not worry about her. It was the sweetest moment in our friendship to me even though that sounds completely weird.) 

 We kept our ceremony and vows pretty generic with the preacher throwing in a few of his own things but the one part that was so special was when Chad sang my wedding song to me. He wrote and recorded this song to be put on our CD favors but would not let me hear it until he sang it that day. I can’t believe that I didn’t ruin my makeup (thanks be to God for waterproof makeup) and most of the photos from that moment have me with my head back and face up to the sky trying to not let the tears start to fall. It was so funny watching the wedding video later and hearing the recording of that moment. I have never heard Chad sing worse, his voice was shaking, and you can feel the nerves. But what’s so perfect is that at that moment it was absolutely perfect. I had no idea his voice was shaking and I loved every moment. He on the other hand is Still pissed that he sounded that nervous and it just makes me feel so special that I am the only one that has ever gotten him that way. He’s played in front of hundreds of people many times but never had his voice shake that much- I’m honored. (Oh, and it isn’t even that bad he is just very dramatic about it) After we said our I Do’s it was time to get the last round of pictures all together… it was my rule that he couldn’t see me until I walked down the isle which looking back on I loved and I hated. It really did take time away from us going to the reception but at the same time I wanted that look on his face and I can happily say, I got it.

To be continued...

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Now, a year later all day today instead of taking bubble baths and getting pretty I have been at work.

Chad was off (lucky duck) and even though it has just been a normal day I can say it has been a wonderful day. Thank you so much to all of our friends and family that gave us sweet words and congratulations. It wasn't expected but it was totally wonderful.

My amazing husband of one year also sent me this today at work:

I have been wanting one of these for Years!!!

It was amazing and I couldn't help but take pictures of my happiness:

Fabulous.

Then I got off work and came home to the sweetest man holding the sweetest card.

With the best wrapped present ever!

But what really matters is what was in the box right....

Michael Kors Rose Gold Watch!!!

Time with you just got that much sweeter!

Tomorrow we will tell you how this tasted after an entire year and a road trip across the country:

I'm going to be optimistic about this...

Just Because

I have to share... what my sweet sweet husband just surprised me with:

You see he bought me the K charm for Christmas and I wanted an 18" chain to go with it...He didn't get it at the time (he's a guy) but today he came home told me to close my eyes and hold my hand out. He NEVER does that... I had absolutely no idea.

I thought it was going to be a blizzard from Dairy Queen.

But it was a blue Tiffany & Co. bag!

Heart be still!!

I opened the box and there was my Gold chain I have been yearning for (I've been using an old cheap chain) Can we say BEST SURPRISE EVER!

Or more like...the first time he has really surprised me!

Usually, I know what he's up to.

He's the bee's knees. 



Sky City

I’m so tired.

I hate waking up in the morning with a line across my face from where my chubby cheeks smushed up against my nose all night long.

This happens because I sleep on my stomach…which I can’t change (I have tired sleeping on my back and I just lay there awake all night) it is just so comfortable but I get soooo mad when I wake up in the morning (after CK turned my alarm off and for once I didn’t hear it) late and that stupid LINE is on my face! All I can think is, “GREAT now I’m getting wrinkles , I’m late for work, and I’m freaking exhausted.” The line eventually goes away and I repeat to myself 1,000 times – “I love my job. I love my job. I love my job. You’re lucky to have a job. You’re lucky to have a job.” And eventually I talk myself into going into work with that stupid line of my face. I’m of course stomping around my apartment getting ready and leaving the lights on so that CK is as miserable as me (wife of the year) the whole time I’m convincing myself, “I love waking up before noon to go to work.”  

 Why am I so tired you ask?

Well, it’s because of something fun but non the less I must bitch about it. 

Last night CK and I celebrated our new lives in Seattle by dining on top of the Space Needle at the Sky City restaurant. Everything finally feels like it is falling into place and WA is starting to feel like “home” even though it’s snowing this morning (it’s March) and in MS it is 80 degrees today…. Summers come later here but everyone tells us they are worth the wait!  

 Now, for a little history about the Space Needle and Sky City: 

Waiting to go up!

   I can’t even being to tell you how excited I was to eat at Sky City. I always imagined how beautiful and fun it would be to eat dinner in a revolving restaurant wayyyy high up in the sky looking out over a beautiful city and I can say with happiness it turned out to be exactly how I had dreamed! We started off the night by using the Valet parking because it was raining (duh, Seattle) and it was only $8 bucks. Now, coming from MS where you park for free everywhere that sounds expensive but not in the city – that’s just life! After checking in with our reservation we waited for just a few moments and then the elevator came to take us up to the restaurant. (FYI: When you dine at Sky City your ride to the top is free! Normally $19) We were seated quickly and at our request we enjoyed a lovely window view. Our waiter came around explained the menu, offered suggestions, talked about what we were seeing outside of our windows, and explained that there are 48 windows we would be slowly viewing going at a rate of about 1 minuet per window which means it takes about 48 minutes to do a full rotation in the restaurant. CK and I both felt the movement which was a little off putting to our tummys but it wasn’t enough to make us sick and didn’t stop us from loving our dinner. We did both agree that if we ever worked there it would be hell being a waiter… your section is always moving! 

Appetizer:

They were fantastic but I wish they would have been a little bit crispier.

 Entrée:

CK went with the following: 

 Usually I’m the one that orders soups and sides but he couldn’t resist trying these two and skipping a big steak which he told me about 4 times: he can cook better and get for way cheaper at his job. (Oh, butchers) 

 I went with this: 

 Even though mine looks like an abortion on a plate I swear it was the BEST chicken I have ever eaten. It was perfect. Not stringy, raw, gooey, veined, or boring like most chicken I have gotten. The prosciutto was crispy and the seasoning was perfect. The only thing I would change if I ever went back and ordered this again would be leaving off the White balsamic pan jus – it was just a little to tangy for me. (On a side note- Why do they have to put it all on top of each other? I know it’s for presentation but I hate that it was all smushed together- I like to taste my food separately. I guess I’m just not classy enough to get that one)  Now onto Desert! (FYI: If you make a reservation to eat at Sky City make sure to SIGN UP for the Celebration club! You will get a coupon sent to your email immediately for 1 FREE desert with every Entrée ordered. Hello that’s like $10 bucks per Entrée saved!) Since we only got 1 Entrée we tried out only 1 desert, which was probably for the best considering we were pretty stuffed already.

 I can’t remember its fancy fancy name but we got the Chocolate Lava Cake with a scoop of Snohomish Ice Cream. It was delicious! (Another neat note about this restaurant and many others in Seattle are that they proudly use local ingredients in just about everything they cook, which really does make all the difference.) 

Sky City is known for another desert though that we got to see delivered to another table called the Lunar Orbiter Dessert:

(Picture ripped from Gooooogle) 

It’s basically a scoop of ice cream with dry ice under it for an awesome looking presentation. (I wanted cake AND ice cream so we didn’t order it this time. I figure when CK’s little sister Morgan and her friend Maddie come visit in May they might want to do this so we will just get it then.)  It was a fantastic night. We enjoyed a great meal, spectacular views, and each other. It was so nice getting to just step away from every day routine and enjoy a fabulous dinner with the hubs. 

 Have you ever been to the top of the Space Needle or eaten at Sky City?

 What is your favorite Dessert?

Chocolate Valentine

I bet you're sad that I didn't post about Valentines on Valentines but hey- life's been busy y'all.

I like Valentines...why you ask? Because I get to get loved on and get presents and chocolate. Seriously, what woman doesn't love that? Okay, I know a single one...I agree it used to suck. You will have your Valentine one day and then you will love it and forget all about the crappy ones. Now, time for Chocolate!

For Valentines this year we decided to spread out the love. The Saturday BEFORE Valentines I came up with some random fun to do with the hubs to try and surprise him. (Even though it turns out my mom told him the night before, "y'all are going to have so much fun at the chocolate factory tomorrow" Smooooth Mom, real smooth) I really want to start doing fun things around Seattle and I thought what's the first thing that comes to mind when I think of Valentines Day? Love  Chocolate. After googling "Seattle Chocolate Factory's" I found Theo's Chocolate!

The best part was that they do Tours! Now, if you know me you know that I just LOOOOVE me some food tours- reason #1... FREE SAMPLES! I was so excited when they had spots open for that Saturday so I booked the reservation and planned the rest of the day around the factory. It was so cheap too only $6 per person which is totally worth it - the tour was absolutely fantastic and very informational. Do you know what a cocoa nib is? I didn't. Do you know where chocolate comes from and how it was discovered? I didn't..but Now we do!

We've got the Golden Ticket

When we got there they gave us special hats to wear.... wait for it...

Thank God my job doesn't require a hair net.

I mean really how utterly fabulous do I look. Good thing he already married me, not sure if he would have stayed around after seeing That.  

Our tour started in the classroom where I got a few action shots:

Teaching us all about Chocolate and Theo's mission. All of their products are Fair-Trade and completely Organic. It was a bunch of information that I do not have time to type up so just go read there mission statement on their website Here (Click me to get smarter)

Then we got samples while he was teaching us. SEVEN samples... We got to try Chocolate with Chili's in it, Bread and Butter (seriously), Super Dark Chocolate, another one I can't remember, Chocolate truffles with brandy, Chocolate truffles with Caramel, and Cocoa Nibs (which taste like a chocoalte nut!)

Then we got to see where the magic happens:

I'd love to go have my mouth under that spout over there...but then I'd probably burn it off with Molten Hot chocolate... what a way to go I say.

After the tour which lasted about an hour we got to go buy some chocolate in the store for 10% off! Heck yea!

The store also had samples of EVER SINGLE thing they sold. We were a little sick to our stomachs when we left but man oh man...it was Fun! (Yes, we TOTALLY bought the Bread and Butter one...it was SO GOOD- had little bits of crunch toast in it... so weird but so tasty.) All of that was only $12 bucks too..which is pretty reasonable to me for Organic/Fair Trade goods.

After the chocolate tour we went to the movies and had dinner.. per usual but a Great end to a fun day! If you're in Seattle or visiting I highly suggest touring Theo's Chocolate in Fremont - it was Outstanding!

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Valentines Day Events!

I had to work Valentines so we decided to keep it low key and when I got home from work CK had these waiting for me:

Presents! Yes, that is Breaking Dawn. Don't Judge me.

Then after I kinda sorta through a hissy fit about getting a DVD he KNOWS we are going to buy anyway as a present he told me he wanted one of my Reeses. The nerve! I begrudgingly opened them to find out the little trickster was sending me on a scavenger hunt...

After I went and looked in the Purple Cabinit I found that white bag! He got me a 60 minute massage! Ahhhhh-Mazing job there CK! I have been bitching for months about needing a massage. See bitching really does work girls!

Then for dinner he totally blew my socks off...

A Papa Murphys heart shapped Pizza for me!?!?!

He really does love me.

So, I bet you're all wondering what I got CK right? Well, in my opinion Valentines day is a "girls" holiday meaning boys should go out of the way for the girl. But...I'm not that mean I did get him his favorite candy, a sweet card, and a present (that still hasn't arrived in the mail) I swear it's really cool but it's taking forever to get here. Oh well... good thing CK is the most patient person in the world!

Do you LOVE or HATE Valentines?

What is the best Valentine you have ever had?