cherish.

I was looking through my Flipshare folders and came across some of my favorite memories...

I did everything possible to put myself into labor so I could have Greg by my side when we welcomed Bennett into the world.  The list was very long of activities I participated in.  It even included Just Dance on the Wii.  I had forgotton how absolutely huge my belly was!  Wow..I miss those days.  I LOVED being pregnant!  I know I'm gonna look back on this video in 20 years and die from laughing so hard!


My husband is such a standup man...and he's also an amazing father.  I cherish the 10 days I saw him in action and cannot WAIT for him to return home & pick up where he left off!
 

1 week old Birthday.

Random Ramblings.

We have had sooo much going on lately..time is passing quicker than ever and my little Bennett is transforming every day into the sweetest boy I've ever met!  Ok..maybe I'm a little biased, but his personality is to die for! 

Here are some randoms...

-Bennett is sleeping soooooooooooooooooooo good.  Not to jinx anything but most nights he goes down around 8:30 and stays put until 7 or 7:30am.  I have transitioned him out of his rock & play since his legs were hanging over the edge and he seems to really enjoy the crib!  Most times, when he wakes up in the morning and after naps he starts playing..grabbing toes, etc.  I also broke him of his swaddle a few weeks ago.  That was a challenge, but he caught on and is loving the freedom! We have a thumb sucker on our hands.  I'm perfectly ok with it..gone is the paci! :)

-I have been able to enjoy 2 nights out with my girlfriends so far and it has been nothing short of AMAZING! First, Greg's mom enjoyed a night with Bennett while I went out to dinner and movie with Laura Beth and Ash.  P.F. Changs might just be my newest addiction that I had forgotten about..and Footloose, come on! Love it!  Secondly, my mom watched Bennett since my beloved Abigial was coming in from Korea to renew her vows with her hubby.  Since our husbands are both in the Army, it's not everyday both her and I are in the same town so it broke my heart to say "see you soon" at the end of the night!  The four original members of the P.C. were in attendance and it felt just like old times.  I can't tell you how many late nights, laughs, tears, and hilarious moments I have shared with them.  I have for sure been blessed with some of the most amazing people in my life. 

I thought this pic was so cute so I combined it with one from our glory {college} days...so much has changed in our lives, but when we get together again it's like we never missed a beat!  Greg said this pic would be way cooler if we were standing in the same spot, but I blame them for that because I totally was ;)  My good side people!

-We are l.o.v.i.n.g fall! The leaves are so gorgeous here and the crisp weather gets me all excited!

-I cannot believe it's almost the Holidays!  I feel like once Halloween is over, I blink and it's Thanksgiving.  Feeling super sad about experiencing them without Greg!  Butttt, that just means the New Year will be here so soon..the year that Greg comes home! :) Yipeee.

-While at Abigail's wedding reception I ran into a friend from High School that I used to cheer with.  She was one of my favorite people in the entire world my sophomore (her senior) year of school.  I met her sweet husband and she is so incredibly happy!  It makes my heart so happy to see people I care for, some of who I've sadly lost touch with, grow up to be such awesome people! *Shoutout to Amanda..she reads this blog* ;)

-I also ran into another friend from high school while out to lunch one day.  We were in the showchoir together and she was always such a sweet person...hasn't changed a bit!  For someone that hasn't seen me in 9 years, I loved that she could tell just how much I love my life/little family! She said she keeps up with me on facebook..I've had numerous people tell me that from my hometown and I love it!  I grew up in the greatest place, for sure!

-This new mommy is in a huge fashion rut!  I just don't love my body so it makes clothes shopping so hard.  I can fit into all of my pre-pregnancy clothes, but they just look awkward on my new body.  Jeans are fine, but it's the tops that I'm not loving.

-Recently it has come to my attention how much bullying/judging goes on in the world.  It starts at the earliest ages..preschool, grade school, high school, college, and even in the adult world!  Now that I'm a mother, I worry about Bennett's character.  It has become one of my biggest goals to make sure that he grows up to be a kind, loving, accepting man.  I want him to know that he is no better than anyone and to treat everyone he mets with respect, regardless of differences.  I don't ever want him to become a victim of it either...if I could, I'd protect him forever.

-Greg makes me laugh soooo hard during our skype dates.  He really is hilarious.  So thankful I know that side of him.

-He has made some wonderful friends while he's been overseas and I am incredibly thankful!  He spends most of his time with them and it feels so good to know that he has people who are kind to him and help fill the lonely moments.  Most of them I'm already friends with (and their spouses) but there are a couple I've only met once or twice.  Cannot wait to all be together again and get to know them better!  It's true..when you "click" with someone, it only takes a second to become instant family in the Army Community.

-I have been thinking about my single girlfriends a lot lately.  I truly know some of the sweetest, talented, beautiful, most driven girls in the world.  In my eyes, I have no clue how they aren't taken!  I'm praying that they find the perfect mate at the perfect time!  They are just too great to go on like this much longer! :) Wish I knew more single guys so I could play match maker, but I trust that God will place the right person in their life!

-I'm estatic for the Breaking Dawn Part 1 movie to come out!  Geez!

-Pinterest does nothing for my productivity during nap times!  I have gotten some of the best ideas and recipes from it though..so time well wasted?

-Getting soooo excited for Halloween!  Things are so much more fun with kids! :)

-The Singoff...obsessed. Must be the showchoir girl in me.

Ok..there are a million other things on my mind, but this will do!  Happy Week, friends!

a thought.

If you know me in real life or just simply read this blog you know that I absolutely love and adore my husband.  He really is the greatest man.  As far as I'm concerned, there gets no better than Greg.  He's the cream of the crop, the best of the best, and the perfect compliment to my life.

I saw this image the other day and thought how true it is.  Lately I have been hearing more and more "husband bashing", especially in the Army Community.  Either it's talking about them behind their backs while hanging out with the girls, or poking fun of them in a group setting.  Couples who do this in a public setting to each other play it off as fun & games, but I know there is some hurt that is truly happening and if I were a gambler, I'd bet that their marriage is pretty rocky or will end up that way over time.  I mean, how cruel to put your partner in life down..especially in front of others.

How amazing would your marriage be if you instead took the time to say something positive about your spouse, especially in front of them while with others!  Some people probably want to gag if they are friends with Greg and I on facebook.  I am forever leaving him messages letting him know how special he is to me.  It is my #1 priority while he is away to let him know that he is missed and life is better with him around.  Don't we all want to feel like that? Sure we do.

This post is kind of random, but it has been on my heart for so long.  If you are reading this I hope you accept the challenge to love & support your spouse in a way that is unconditional and sometimes when they least expect it...or deserve it. 

"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life." -Proverbs 31: 10-12 

And to add, this certainly applies to everyone we meet..not just our spouses.  This quote says it all and has definately been proven true, especially as of late.
"Who gossips with you will gossip of you."

30 years has never looked so good.

It's tradition, here & here..I always blog about my husband's birthday.  And today is no exception...

Greg,

Today you turn 30.  Three decades of being the most loving, kind-hearted, loyal, strong, hard-working man. I've told you over Skype and Facebook just how special today is to me.  It's one of my favorite days of the year.  Birthdays mean so much to me..especially yours.  But I want you to know that I don't just celebrate having you in my life today, I really do it everyday!  I wake up every morning feeling so blessed that I get to share life with you, even if it's not face-to-face everyday.  You have done such a great job at balancing this deployment with your role as a husband and father.  I believe many could take lessons from you! ;) 

To say that I love our little family would be an understatement.  I say it to you all the time, but I can't even remember what life was like before you.  All I know is that since becoming your wife and Bennett's mommy, my heart feels complete.  I know this is what God had planned for me! I am counting down until you are back with us and we can make so many memories together..but for now, I will continue to support you in everything and continue to raise our sweet boy into the loved, smiley, happy child he is! :) Your heart will burst when you see him again!!

Thank you for sacrificing so much for us.  Thank you for having to spend your birthday over there, so Bennett and I can be safe.  Thank you for loving me.  Thank you for treating me like a lady.  Thank you for including us in your busy days.  Thank you for giving me Bennett.  Thank you for being such a "stand-up" guy.  Thank you for your friendship.  Thank you for the flowers & bear you sent.  Thank you for your support.  Thank you for never having a bad thing to say about anyone.  Thank you for being so trustworthy.  Thank you for being YOU!

If only there were more men like you in this world...

Happy Birthday, Greg!

I'll love you forever..that's something I'm sure of!

-Shan

the story of Bennett Myles.

If you are one of the MANY people who have said to me, "What timing", "Bless your heart", or "I don't know how you do it"..you should read this blog post.

I must be honest, up until my first nephew was born back in 2008, I never thought I would desire to be a mother. 

When Landon Chase came into the world it only took one look at him to know that I wanted that.  Ironically, just a few short months earlier, the man of my dreams re-entered my world as well.  I quickly transitioned from the girl who had big dreams of being a professional cheerleader while balancing a corporate job to the girl who wanted to be stay-at-home wife and mother. 

Greg and I both knew a family was in our future as we married legally in April of 2009 and then officially in July of 2009. Ya know, classic Army story.  Because of him being in the military and potential deployments looming ahead of us, we were very unsure of the "correct" timing.  Cause ya know, life is always about our timelines..our desires..our needs. {that is me being sarcastic}  As we settled into our temporary housing at Ft. Lee, VA just weeks after our wedding, we knew our time together was limited to approx. a year and half before the Big "D".  One of Greg's greatest desires was to become a father before he turned 30.  We decided to not try...but also not prevent. 

In September of 2009, I clinched Greg's hand as the clinic drew blood from my arm.  I had missed my period, but at-home pregnancy tests were coming up negative.  I was feeling tired all the time, hungry all the time...and had an extra sparkle in my eyes.  Not to mention the complete joy that oozed from my husband's face! An hour later the Dr. re-entered the room to only tell us that I was indeed, NOT pregnant and asked about other activities I was involved in.  Of course the gym was my top priority at the time and getting back into shape.  He then went on to explain that me loosing a large amount of weight in a very short amount of time led to disrupt my body's normal cycle and left me starving for nutrients. You may remember this post here.  How could this be?  How could my heart get SO excited and then be crushed so bad?  The delivery would have worked out perfectly for Greg to be stateside..it fit OUR timeline!

The disappointment was almost too much to handle...so we both decided that from now on our goal was to start a family.  We were officially "trying"...

And trying...

And trying...

I'm not sure why I haven't shared this before.  This is something that only about 2 people knew about Greg and I.  Possibly the fear of humiliation? Feeling ashamed?  Like I was a 24 year old mess-up who couldn't conceive a child?  

Everyone always asked, "When are you are going to have kids?" and our answer would always be the same, "We don't know" or "Whenever God gives us one".

As we settled into our new home in Alaska we decided to seek medical help.  As I went to the Dr. for my "normal" pap I began to question the doctor about what the possibilties are if we could not conceive on our own.  She then informed me that I was healthy and young and that we just needed to keep trying. Really??  Thank you Miss Army Doctor for you compassion, knowledge, and concern. I left there in tears and with a broken heart.  As with all doctors, she asked if we had been trying for a year yet {that's the earliest they will see someone who has no prior health issues for infertility}.  I told her it would be 3 more months and then we would be at our year mark.  She said..."come back then".

Soooo, I came back then.  And this time asked for a new Doctor! As Greg and I met with the dr. in the OBGYN clinic we discussed that the first step was to begin testing to see exactly where the problem is.  So off to the blood lab we go...pricks and prods and blood tubes later we find out that round of testing was perfectly normal from me.  So our next step was to do more blood tests on me and testing for Greg and we should have a definite answer this time.  This we did.  But something that I might mention is that we knew this deployment was coming...we knew our timeline for our perfect reality had run out.  So we stopped trying to conceive while the testing took place.  Emotionally, we were drained. 

We were set to go in to receive our results on November 2nd, 2010.  On November 1st I flew into Alaska from a visit back in NC with a baggie full of positive pregnancy tests. As the doctor entered the room to give us the results, I burst with excitement to tell her the news, but was still very cautious.  For over a year I had peed on enough sticks to build a cabin and all have came back negative.  So how could this one really be different?  She read over the results from our infertility testing to only diagnose that both Greg and myself were perfect HEALTHY! She sent me to the lab for blood work so we could indeed prove that we were expecting a little miracle.

All the nights laying in bed crying and begging God to somehow "fix" me...all the mornings of hoping for two pink lines to show my anticipating husband...all the shopping trips where we would roam aimlessly through the baby department...all the church services where I sat clutched to my husband's arm because I felt as if God had forgotten about us.  They were no more.

As we counted the months on a calender on that November day...we knew it only meant one thing.  Our first child was going to be born during a deployment.  We were on GOD'S timeline now!  And I've never been happier.  I kept repeating to myself, as the anxiety of it all crept in, that God would not give me anything I could not handle.  And if He thinks I could birth and rear up a child for a year without the help of my best friend/husband, then He must think pretty highly of me.  I went from seeing myself as forgotten...to chosen!

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." -Ephesians 3:20

As we are a couple of weeks into this deployment and only 9 weeks left of this pregnancy, I could not imagine doing this without the help of the wiggly, kicking, squirmy little boy inside my belly.  God provides!

"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." -Psalm 37:4

So..for the people who look at me and say, "What timing", "Bless your heart", or "I don't know how you do it"..consider finding something else to say.  Because to me, my life is perfect!  Sure, it's difficult and there's days where I don't understand why my husband isn't here for this and I want to throw up the white flag..but he's serving for our country and I will continue to serve him and my gracious God!  

photo courtesy of Colleen Hannah Photography

And the next time you see someone who is expecting and doesn't have the ideal "family" life...either it be a single mom, teenager, or spouse of a deployed soldier, think twice about how you attempt to encourage them.  Because regardless of their circumstances, they are carrying a miracle.  And there are thousands of women every day who wish it was them that was bursting out of their jeans or getting stretch marks on their tummy. 

for the little boys...

I found this sweet post today and thought it was sooo appropriate!  I am so excited about having a son and hope that he grows to be half the man his father is!

10 Things Every Mother Should Teach Her Son

There's a special bond between mothers and sons. Women raising boys have the power to shape the next generation of men and those to come by teaching their kids important lessons.

 

1. To express his emotions because bottling them up eventually makes a person explode.

2. To say "ladies first," hold doors open for women, and give his date the jacket off his back when he or she is cold because the world is moving forward in wonderful ways but that doesn't mean chivalry has to die.

3. To put the toilet seat down after he pees, change his sheets frequently, learn to cook, and do laundry.

4. To channel his energy through sports, art, dance, the written word — whatever his passion may be.

5. That even the biggest fight should be settled with the mind rather than fists.

6. That not following the group doesn't make him a loser, but his own leader.

7. To stick up for the underdog even if it makes him an outcast.

8. That he has the power to make an amazing difference in life.

9. To worry less about whether she's proud of him and more about having pride in himself.

10. Smiles are free so be generous with them.

day 7. a photo that makes you happy.

experiencing life with him by my side.

This was as we were leaving our wedding reception..happy, excited, giddy...

It feels as if we are constantly waving goodbye.  Either to our family & friends{moving to far away places}, to each other {deployments, training, etc}, or to our new friends at each Army destination {PCS}.  But I think what makes me happy about waving goodbye, a normally sad event...is knowing that I'm following the life God has laid out for me.  And that life is being a wife to that handsome man by my side.

day 6. tickles my fancy.

Since today is all about tickling my fancy, here's what REALLY hit home with me today.

My husband just finished up a training class last night for the Army and earned a new badge.  {so proud of you babe!}  This class was one of the toughest things Greg has encountered in a very long time...only approximately 30 passed and the class started with near 70 students.  I can't even begin to tell you how many hours my poor husband spent with his nose in the books during the past 3 weeks.  Literally, the extent of our conversations went something like this:

Me: Welcome home

Greg: Thanks baby.

[a few hours later]

Me: I love you, here's your dinner.

Greg: Thanks Shan..I love you too.

[a few hours later]

Me: Going to bed now..I love you.

Greg: I love you too..sweet dreams.

repeat next day.

And that's it.  For three weeks, I saw my husband physically at night, but mentally, he was checked out..and for good reason.  Finally, when he arrived back to our house Tuesday night at 11pm, sweaty, hungry, dirty, dusty, sun-burnt, and drained..all of his hardwork had officially paid off! :)  I don't know if me or him was more excited for that moment!  Where am I going with all this??

Well, yesterday, my husband had a much deserved day off!  We slept in...lounged on the couch, he got to take a nap (which I can't remember the last time he did) while I went to lunch with my girlfriends {love them!}, we went around town & even bought our first vegetable plant, came home to cook dinner together, went for a fabulous walk beside the river on post, cleaned our house, put lampshades on, shredded some files, caught up on DVR shows, and fell asleep side by side.

My day was jammed packed FULL of little moments.  Ya know, those moments where you pinch yourself because you can't really believe this is real life.  The moments where you have the biggest smile slapped across your face and you can't get it off.  The moments where you are absolutely 100% positive that this is where you are supposed to be and who you are supposed to be with.  Just the two of us...

Moving on, Greg and I both know that we are going to be parents. one day. Lord-willing. Unlike Carrie & Big...SATC reference ;)..we don't want it just be the two of us, forever.  Rather it be by having a biological child or by adoption, our family will grow..and we both sooooo look forward to that day when God blesses us with the gift of a child.  Isn't it that we are always eager and anxious for the next stage in life?  Maybe it's finding Mr. Right, Graduating from college, Marrying Mr. Right, Having your first child, retiring & traveling with Mr. Right...the next stage in life seems way more appealing than where we are now.  I've always lived like this, and when I look back on my past memories [high school, college, our wedding] I wish I would have embraced them more and appreciated them for the awesome moments they were.

All of my little moments I've had with my husband recently have made me appreciate the here and now.  God has us here for a very specific reason and it feels great to just enjoy it...today.  And that, my friends, tickles my fancy.

2 very IMPORTANT things.

1) Listen to every single lyric in this song.

God's timing is flawless..for I heard this tonight, one of the hardest days of my life.

I have been very absent lately..and for that, I will not apologize. To say I've been dealing with alot is an understatement..and 1/2 of the stuff I'm dealing with no one knows about. I know there are other military wives out there who have to be able to understand me on this: but do you ever feel as if you are always the support system and never have one yourself?!? I feel as if I try and try and try to build my husband up...Constantly giving him 1,000% of me so he can continue to do well in his training and such...and it leaves me feeling SO empty. He is amazing to me while he is away, please do not get me wrong, but I feel as if I have absolutely no one to lean on to build me back up, make me feel needed and appreciated...and to reinforce that I'm doing something right. And that's not even HALF of the emotions I'm feeling...

I know that God has the plans for our future...but getting through the hard times is never easy on anyone. Lately, has been one of those hard times. A very important time for both Greg, myself..and our future. And after today, I can honestly say that I am married to the man God created for me...because no matter how much pain my heart may feel, I would rather experience this pain than live without the love and friendship of my husband.

Sorry for the emotional babble..but I have GOT to get this off my chest.

2)go HERE! If you have internet access you do not have an excuse to not do this...takes all of 2 seconds and the lives you will touch will be endless.

On the road again.

The car is packed..FULL. The temporary lodging is...EMPTY.
Thank HEAVENS!
Do not get me wrong, I have enjoyed our time in Virginia, however, I have not enjoyed living in a crap-hole. We returned home from our Honeymoon as Newlyweds and came straight to the Ramada in Petersburg, Virginia. Doesn't that just sound like the life?!? A LONG 15 days later we moved into our small little 2 room/galley bath/galley kitchen apartment.

Friday morning, Greg graduates from BOLC III and we're off to NC to celebrate Thanksgiving. Next stop for him will be Airborne School to jump out of Airplanes and I am going to stay in our hometown to get everything ready for our big move...which is A MONTH AWAY!!!

Since this blog is about documenting our lives together & our Army Adventures...here's a little recap of our time spent in Viginia:

-Moved into here on Aug. 15th after 2 dreadful weeks in the nastiest Ramada ever.


-Cooked A LOT to pass the time.


-Went to Busch Gardens, for free.



-Discovered Short Pump Towne Center in Richmond & shopped at my very 1st H&M...I'm a believer!

-Spent the day at Virginia Beach & got burnt like a lobster.



-Ate at the Cheesecake Factory for the very 1st time & now believe when I'm on my death-bed I will plead for a slice of Craig's Crazy Carrot Cheesecake.

-Went to Williamsburg and got zero pictures!

-Went home to welcome these guys into the world {which I cannot wait to get my hands on again}



-Had my parents up for a visit.

-Worked out like madness & threw my body for a loop...long, extensive story.


-Visited Washington DC for the weekend with the in-laws and walked my poor little feet off.


-Discoverd that being healthy & having a family with Greg is my #1 priority right now..even if I can't fit into my skinny jeans. He loves me. The end.

-Fell back in love with Monopoly...best.game.ever.of.all.time. You never get too old for it, trust me.

-Met some pretty great friends & had some hilarious moments. Thank you Zach & Scott. :) {see, you're famous now}

-Celebrated Greg's 28th Birthday.

-Lived together for the very 1st time...it has been interesting to say the least. ;)

-Attended the General's Reception & I got to purchase a new dress {well, 2 actually. Hey, a girl's gotta have options}


-Fell in love with each other more & more every.single.day. Greg, baby, I am SO proud of you. I hope you know that there is not a single day that I do not thank God for giving you to me.


See ya later Ft. Lee...we shall see you again in a few years for Captains Career Course, Lord-willing.

giddy girl!

So, I posted a while back about some wedding pic teasers that we got, but we JUST now got our wedding slideshow back and I could not be happier! Every little detail about our wedding was so PERFECT & a true reflection of our personalities!! Our photograher, Maggie Flynn of Blue Ridge Photography is amazing...see for yourself!

Click Here!

Happy Birthday Mr.!

Today is my Husband's 28th BIRTHDAY!
I have been a busy little bee since 5:30am this morning doing stuff for him & I can't wait to do a full birthday recap soon!

Gregory:

Today I celebrate who you are...

And Thank God for placing us together!

You are my hero, snuggle-buddy, mate, movie-date, past, present, & future...

And most importantly...BEST FRIEND!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY! 28 years of perfection and a lifetime to go...

I Love YOU FOREVER & ALWAYS!
*Your Lucky Wife, Shan*

too good to me.

My husband is good to me. For real yo.
check out my new toys...

My new Coach bag that is to die for! Seriously, this thing made my heart skip a beat..or three. It's the perfect bag for my needs. I can carry it by the handles for a chic look or by the shoulder strap for day-to-day needs. It's also large enough to be my carry-on & to me, that makes a perfect purse! :) Ohh, the joys of the PX carrying designer handbags.


And we are now the parents of a brand new '09 Nissan Pathfinder! I used to drive an '05 Jeep Grand Cherokee Larado which was nice, but we desperately needed a new vehicle for our upcoming move across 4,000 miles! Sorry the pic isn't so great & it hadn't been detailed yet, but that's all I could get on my phone, however, the car is banging and I could not be more excited! :) Yipeeee!

I don't deserve him...
Thanks Baby!

Honeymoon Recap..Yeah Mon!

Jamaica..ohhh Jamaica! I so loved it! I would however say this to anyone who is thinking of going...STAY ON THE RESORT! As most of you guys know, I LOVE to shop..but man, Jamaican shopping is so much different then American shopping! I was in tears the whole time & clinched to Greg's arm as we walked through the markets and I didn't buy a single thing! haha...Those of you who have been know what I'm talking about. I did feel completely safe on the resort though and we couldn't have been treated any better! We LOVED not having to worry about paying for anything...all-inclusive is the way to go! We will indeed be going back to an all-inclusive resort & def. hitting up "Beaches" resorts after we have kids. It makes for the most relaxing week possible! Here's just a couple of pics..I have about a million more, but won't bore you with all those! ;)
On our way...




Dunn's River Falls...soooo much FUN!!



Our beautiful Resort!

Sneak Peak :)

In one word I can sum up our wedding day...PERFECT!!
Here's a sneak peak.


Our flight leaves out bright & early tomorrow morning for Jamaica. We have spent today (Sunday) saying goodbye to family who was in town & some last minute preparations for Jamaica! I will return to tell you guys the whole story & share more pics..thanks for all your sweet words on my last post! :)

Wedding Week-Ness

To clue you guys in on my last week as a single girl..here's my agenda!
Monday - Run some last minute errands & do some shopping...pack everything and get it ready to be transported to the wedding venue..tan.
Tuesday - PORCH DAY! If you know me and my best friends, you know what this means..but I will give you a hint, sitting on the back porch with the best girlfriends a girl could ask for, talking about any and everything in the world & laughing until we pee our pants.
Wednesday - I'm supposed to have everything done by Wednesday...so I'm told. I honestly have no idea what is taking place on Wednesday, but I do know my BFF's have been working very hard! :)
Thursday - Go to the wedding resort with my girls and check-in to our condo and head to the SPA! Oh yes..a 90 minute body treatment is coming my way! I believe I deserve it, can I get an Amen??
Friday - wake up earllyyyyy and SEE my fiance!! He's gonna stop by my condo before he heads to his golf outing on the resort with his guys. Me and the girls are going to get our nails done and enjoy some fabulous girly time together! :) Rehearsal starts at 4, then Rehearsal Dinner at 5:30! :)
Saturday - MARRY THE MAN OF MY DREAMS!!!!!! :) And we are staying in the newest hotel in Biltmore!
Sunday - wake up and visit with families..drive to the city we are flying out of the next morning & get a room
Monday - OFF TO JAMAICA!! :)

You can't tell I'm excited or anything can you??
haha...I will return as a Mrs.! Until then, have a fabulous week girls!

Re-Cap It.

I spent the weekend here:

Oklahoma {aka: flattest land of all time}

With:

Gregory {aka: the hottest guy on the planet}

Doing this:

Watching Tim McGraw concert on a lawn on post {aka: holy crazy people, but still lots of fun}

And this:

Laying out at the lake on post {aka: getting cut from the glass-like sand particals and hurricane winds}

And that is all of the pics I got, folks! haha. One might say that I was rather wrapped up in the situation and the fact that I was actually WITH Greg. On Saturday evening we drove up to Oklahoma City and had a great time visiting Forever 21 (Greg, baby, you know you did) and then walking around downtown to see the sights. I fell in LOVE with the adorable little river that flows through downtown and basically all of Bricktown. It's so fun to discover parts of the country for the 1st time! I would def. rank this past weekend up there in my top 3 weekends with Gregory! It's always like we never miss a beat when we finally see each other..I love that about us.

Now, as to my first flying experience...I FREAKIN' LOVED IT! haha...I would fly to the mall if I could! It just amazes me that I could get 1/2 way across the country in such a small amount of time! I did wonderful and acted like a pro (so I thought) and didn't miss a beat with my layovers and being where I was supposed to be at the time I was supposed to be there. :) The most amazing part was getting off that plane in a itty-bitty airport in Oklahoma and FINALLY seeing the most amazing guy waiting for me! You darn right I made a scene. ;)

As far as the next 2.5 weeks are concerned...I WILL BE M.I.A.! So sorry..but this girl has a wedding to attend! {I'll be the girl in the white dress} ;) I am going to try reallyyy hard to continue posting about some things, but if I don't, please don't hold it against me. I will report back ASAP with lots of pics! I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July weekend...woohooo for Freedom and woohooo for marrying a man who is protecting it! ;)

tick-tock

I don't know about you guys..but that wedding countdown clock over there has become an awful fright.

Tomorrow bright & early I am flying to the great state of Oklahoma!! I don't care one bit what is in Oklahoma except for the fact that GREG is THERE! I so cannot wait! If you read his sweet comment on a post below, he said he would be waiting on the runway if he could...I just love that boy! And yes, I will probably cause a scene in the airport when I see his cute, adorable, perfect self for the first time...so what. I know on Friday evening we are attending the Tim McGraw concert & Saturday possibly heading to the lake to spend the day? Not sure, but that's just what he has thrown at me...I don't care if we don't go a single place but the PX again. Haha...{kidding..good ole' days of OCS}

Now, in all seriousness..I've never flown before! I know, I know, I'm a little old to be flying for the 1st time, but I'm from a small-town. What can I say?!? We just don't get out much. Any advice?!? I've got my quart-sized plastic baggies, but other than that..what do I need to know? How bout what to do during a 4-hour layover? If you see me and my leopard print luggage wandering around the airport, please point me in the right direction. K. Thanks.

Ok, I must spend my day packing and attempting to get some wedding stuff done! Like I said, that little clock-ticker-thingy is beyond freakin' me out. I might not post until next Monday to tell you guys about my trip...so if I don't...
Happy 4th of July!! I hope everyone has a *FUN* and safe Holiday and much deserved time off from work! Ta-Ta for Now!

A post for Greg...

{Greg mentioned that he misses reading my writing while he's away, but lately, I've just been in a slump. So in honor of my hard-working man...this post is a love letter to him}

Gregory Brian-

Hi Baby! :) Well, I hope you're happy mister..this post is for YOU! You really must be something special if I write a blog post for you. ;) First off, (yes, I have to say it everytime I talk to you & I include blogging for you as talking to you) I MISS YOU! Goodness gracious, I went to pick up our plane tickets for Jamaica today and I cried the whole way home because I miss you so much! haha. I would give anything for you to be back home with me again and running all of our errands together. I don't think we cherished those moments enough. However, our sweet travel agent, Pam, did ask how you were doing and how Oklahoma is treating you! :) My life is just not the same without you in it every single day...one would think by now (5 months) that I would be somewhat used to you being gone, but I'm not. Not even close. Sometimes I feel like I'm in a bad dream and you really will be coming to pick me up for date night on Fridays...then reality sets in and my Skype starts ringing. ;)

But in happier news...today marks exactly ONE MONTH! Can you believe that?!? One month until I will walk down the ailse and become your WIFE! That is such an awesome word to me! You have on clue how much I want to be a great loving and supportive wife for you. It's my #1 goal right now! I seriously hope you love everything I have done for our wedding while you have been away. I think it will be so much *fun* and be very personal. I've worked hard on it baby..and not because I want to impress everyone, but because I want it to be memorable for us! It is going to be the happiest day of our lives! :) I just cannot WAIT!

Know what else I cannot wait for?!? My VISIT to OK! Thank you sooo much for allowing me to come spend 4th of July with you! We are going to have so much fun..and it's going to be wonderful to spend some time together. Even if it is my first plane ride...I wish it were here tomorrow! I'm not very sure if you are gonna be able to get me back on that plane to NC... Then, guess what? The next time I see you will be at the REHEARSAL!! You got the invite, right? ;)

I know we haven't had much time to talk this week Greg, but know that I think of you constantly and pray for you! You are doing SO well in your training and I am SO proud of you for that!! I knew you would stand out from the crowd...you always have! It is such an honor and joy to get to hear about your experiences and stories...I love being your refuge! It is so awesome to be marrying my hero! Thank you, baby for your hard-work. You provide for me and for our country far more than we could ever ask of you...

I love you today..tomorrow..and for always! {and for certain in 30 DAYS!} I hope you are doing ok out in the field training baby...please eat your mashed potatoes, add the gravy. We can't afford a 3rd suit for the wedding ;) And pretttyyy, pretttyyyyy please ring my Skype # soon so I can make sure your hair is growing properly for the wedding ;) hahaha...

All my love...

Shan

::squirms::

not much time to post...however, I had to share my excitement with you all...

I'm off to Tennessee to pick up my WEDDING DRESS! :)

I cannot wait to try it on with all of the alterations complete and then bring it home with me!

My bridal portraits and hair/makeup trial are in a week & half!

Ahhhh, it's all so exciting!! :)