Happily Andrews After

I used to make New Year's resolutions every year. Go to the gym, lose weight, eat healthy, etc. However, I gave that up many years ago. I think it sets up really high expectations for yourself and then, if you can not keep up the resolution, then it can set up feelings of defeat or failure.  This year I gave myself a goal...not a resolution. My goal is to take better care of myself. I'm not going to say, "oh, I'm going to lose 30 pounds" or "I'm only going to eat healthy"...because ya'll, that does not work for me. But what I can say is, "I'm going to put myself first over some things and take care of myself."  This wasn't a decision that I came to easily. I thought about it for weeks. I thought about if I could really commit to taking care of myself. The last couple of years, I haven't really done that. I put things ahead of what I needed to do for myself.  So, 2018, is about taking care of myself. I've alrea...

There are 13 days left, well 12 1/2, before Christmas. This is one of my most favorite times of the year. And, as I grow older, I am becoming more and more low key about it. I still do the lights and the tree, and my ceramic trees of course.. but I found my decorations are more things that are the things that are flashy or trendy, but more things that are classic and that I can still enjoy in 50 years. The things in my home for Christmas are things that mean something to me. Special ornaments from our first Christmas together, and from this year, our first married Christmas. I have ceramic trees that remind me of the one that my grandmother had when I was growing up. They really are beautiful, and I hope to add to my collection over the years. Steven and I have also decorated with the Moon and Star vintage glass that we collect. Its a simple, but festive touch throughout the house. The glass reflects the lights of the tree and its a beautiful, simple, decoration for the season. The...

And it's great! It was a perfect day. We didn't have a videographer, but now I wish we had, just so I could relive that day a thousand times. There isn't one thing I would have changed. The honeymoon was perfect as well. Everyone should go to the beach in mid-fall. We even enjoyed getting in the ocean a few days. We shopped, we ate, (boy.. did we shop and eat) and we just enjoyed spending uninterrupted time with each other. And if you ever get a chance to eat at a Paula Deen restuarnt, you should do that as well.  Might be the best meal we had on the honeymoon. Steven enjoyed a brewery and a distillery, and I enjoyed visiting the tasting room of my favorite winery, Duplin. It was just the best time. And it was so hard to come back to real life! We do not have any of our pictures yet, but I cannot wait to see them. Steven made a great rustic guestbook frame for our wedding guests to sign and for us to display our wedding pictures in, so I can't wait to get them back an...

The wedding is only 9 days away! 9 DAYS AWAY! We are in single digits ya'll!!! I am so excited! I can not wait. Not just for the wedding that we have spent the better part of the last year planning, but for spending the rest of my life as Mrs. Andrews. I think we have a beautiful life ahead of us.

This weekend, I engaged in a discussion on social media about tattoos and faith. I honestly wish I had kept my opinions to myself. Not because I think that they are wrong... but because there are some people who are so closed off to any ideas other than their own, that they will not listen. I wish I could post screen shots of the conversation, but the original poster of the topic has taken it down.  I'm not going to get into thoughts of the debate here, but I will just say this. I have tattoos. Three of them. And I think Jesus loves me just the same as those who do not. But opinions are like elbows right? Most everyone has them. Just like points of view, or sides to the story..... Everyone wants to be heard... That's really what social media is now, right? A platform for other's views... It used be fun. It used to be just when people took pictures of their kids doing funny things, or what they made for dinner, or their Christmas tree decorated in front o...

We have 37 days until our wedding. I cannot wait. I am so ready. But I keep thinking of things that need to be done. That's normal, right? This morning, when I walked outside, it felt like fall, and I loved it. LOVED it. I keep looking at the picture of my wedding gown... I can no wait until I can see how it all comes together. My biggest worry is that the reception will be boring. And I will hate it if it is. So, here's hoping the DJ is as fabulous as I hope he is and that its fun! The days are passing so fast. It will be here before I know it. And I'll be on my honeymoon before I know it. And then I'll be back at work before I know it. I hope there are tons of pictures so I can have it all remembered. 37 more days....

This weekend has been full of wedding hustle and bustle. We are in the home sketch, with less than 75 days to go! I can not believe that we are this close to our wedding and being husband and wife. Time goes by so quickly! After this weekend, and a lot of the big things that were accomplished, I feel a lot less anxious about the actual event. Everything is coming together so nicely, and I have had wonderful people come along side me to help. I could not do this without them. The next chapter of our lives is so full of possibilities and we have a lot of choices to make on where we want to go and what we want to do. Steven will finish up his apprenticeship in the next 10 months, and then we will have to decide to either stay in my hometown, or move back to his. Or, will we go somewhere new for both of us. We have talked about all of these possibilities and we have one plan so far, but we are open to others if they are better for us. I love talking about how the future and what we may...