AHHH... Life is rolling and we can't catch up!

WOW... it has been a while since i updated this... WELL... since we got back from our honeymoon some interesting things have happened... The best thing being, I GOT INTO NURSING SCHOOL!!  So i started that, and that pretty much expains why it's been two months since i've gotten a chance to update our blog! :)  I work all day from 8-5:30 and then go to class from 6pm-1030pm.  so by the time i get home and in bed, its pushin' midnight!  Crazy long days, and hopework on top leaves no time for anything really.  :(  But it'll be worth it in the end! 

Back to reality...

Well we got back from our honeymoon cruise this week.  We had so much fun and we were sad to have to come home!  We started off in Miami, and stayed there for a night before our cruise ship left the next morning.  We got on the ship and were all prepared to head to our room and take a nap, but they told us that our rooms wouldn't be ready for another 20 minutes, so we headed up to the deck where they had lunch.  As soon as we stepped foot onto the deck it was vacation time!  There were already waiters walking around serving drinks with little umbrellas in them, even though we hadn't even left the port yet!  :)

The first day at sea was fun. There was a lot going on around the ship so we did a lot of walking around getting to know where things were.  That night we headed up to the dining room for dinner, and were suprised (only because we didn't know the in and outs of a cruise) that we had a shared table at dinner.  Our dinner table had us and two other couples our age.  The first ones were from Michigan- Amanda and Ben. That gave Brock plenty to talk about since he loves watching college football and michigan is his favorite.  The second couple- to my delightful suprise- were from Albuquerque- Leila and John.  And obviously that gave ME a lot to talk about.  :)

Our first stop on the cruise was Grand Cayman. We went off to swim with the stingrays. Brock was a lot more enthusiastic about this than i was! I still did it, and it was ok, but brock probably got a lot more enjoyment from it than me.  ;)  But the water and the beach was Beautiful! We had lunch and a drink on the beach before heading back. Our second stop was an island in Honduras called Roatan (row-tan).  This island was GORGEOUS!! This is by far the most beautiful place i've ever seen in my life!  We went snorkeling (or SNERkeling as our tour guide called it) and hung out on the beach the whole day.  Our tour guide was hilarious and had us laughing the entire time! 

 

Our third stop was in Belize city. We decided to spend the day in the city to do some shopping in Belize instead of doing an excursion.  We found some fun stuff, and a LOT of stuff!  We liked the shopping but were a little taken back by how bombarded you get by the locals as soon as you step off the boat. As long as you stayed in town and on the inside of the gates it wasn't too bad.  Brock brought home some really cool hand carved wooden sharks for his shark room.  Our fourth stop, and our last one sadly, was in Cozumel, Mexico.  We had so much fun here- we decided to go swim with the dolphins! We were hesitant to do it, because it was one of the more expensive things to choose from, but afterwards we thought it was totally worth it.  We fell in love with these dolphins! We got to touch them, they took us for a ride with us holding onto their fins, we got to do tricks with them... it was a blast!  John and Leila went with us on this one, and it was an awesome experience for all of us!

We had one more day at sea on the ship to head back to the U.S.  The staff on the ship we so much fun!!! They knew us by name even.  We had 3 main waiters that we got to know over the course of the week- Jose, Franklin and Giri.  Every night at dinner the entire staff fills the lower level of the dining room and does a choreographed dance to a different song every night.  The upper level of the dining room all watches from the balconies.  Its pretty funny to see this formal dining room, and formal waiters all dancing around, some even standing on podiums and tables, all shaking it to "low" by Flo Rida!  It was so fun! Getting to know Amanda and Ben and John and Leila was definitely a highlight for us too!  We now have friends to keep in touch with and hopefully we'll know them for years to come...

We were talking with an older couple on our cruise who said that this was their 30th cruise together, and we were really suprised by that.  But by the end of the week, we can totally understand why.  That was by far the funnest vacation i've ever had!  There is so much to do on the ship even if you are just at sea the whole day.  And the staff go out of their way to make sure you have fun.  We are definitely going to take a few more cruises.  If you have never been on a cruise, you NEED to do one!!! :)

We did it!!!

Well, the wedding is finally over, so we can relax now!!!  It was beautiful!  Everything worked out, and to my surprise even though i don't like to admit it, if anything wasn't how i wanted it exactly, i didn't even notice!  :)  The only bad thing that happened was i finally got to release some pent up nerves and anxiety, which in turn made me sick to my stomach. So unfortunately, i spent well over the first hour of the reception feeling nauseous and hot.  But once it wore off after i got a breather for a bit, i was happy.  So i'm sorry to those of you who missed getting to chat with me for a while!  I hate having anxiety attacks.  Grrrrrr

I was SO nervous during the ceremony because i get really shy being in front of a lot of people, let alone up on a stage.  :)  And i didn't bawl like a baby like i thought!!!  I had to fight it back, but i thought for sure i would have to redo my make up afterwards.  :)  I watched the bridesmaids and groomsman start walking and i was still thinking it was so surreal... then Emree started walking with her flower basket and my heart was pounding!  So we started walking and i was just beside myself that this was really happening!  We planned it for so long, it still just didn't feel "real" in the moment.  So i start walking down the aisle, and i look at brock and saw his face just happy as could be and his eyes were red and teary, and felt myself getting choked up.  So i had to look at people as i was coming down the aisle so that i wouldn't start bawling.

He was so cute up on the stage while we were saying our vows. He was swinging his arm back and forth out of nervousness and didn't realize he was doing it, so i was trying to hold it still... everyone got a good giggle at us; seeing us be so fidgety.  I loved the words in our vows, and that was by far the hardest part for me to keep it together. And when we did our first kiss i got even more nervous because it was dead silent! :)  i was expecting some clapping and cheering, but everyone was waiting until the end i guess.  so we got done and walked out into the foyer to greet everyone...and needless to say, took a DEEP BREATH! :)

Our day was beautiful and so special to us.  We are so truly thankful to all of our family and friends who helped us along the way!  It means so much to us to have so many people surrounding us who are so giving and supportive.  We don't know what we'd do without you guys!  And you all gave us so many memories to cherish. Not only that day, but throughout that week with our party, and rehearsal and sunday brunch.  You guys are amazing, and we are truly blessed to have all of you in our lives. Someday we will repay all of you in some way for your giving and unconditional love for us.  We were truly touched at how many people we love came to support us and give us words of encouragement.  It meant the world to both of us.  :) 

We love you guys!

3 Days to go...

We're getting close to the end with the wedding.  I'm so glad its almost over. Planning and coordinating everything while trying to work is stressful!  But luckily I finally have the rest of the week off... :)  So i can catch up on all the little things that i needed to get done before saturday.  Today brocks work had a luncheon for us and gave us a card and cash for our honeymoon! We were very thankful for that!  Everyone he works with is awesome and they were so much fun and kept us entertained.  :)   On another note, the weather for saturday is supposed to be partly cloudy with a 30% chance of rain...   i'm keeping my fingers crossed that it won't rain!!!  

Here we come!

I decided to make a blog for Brock and I since most of our family lives out of state...that way everyone can keep up on what we're doing all at the same time! I will try and keep it updated as much as possible.  :)