Redecorating

So my mantle was looking a little rough. I decided to do a little make over. Here are some pictures of what I've been working on...

Before... (Basically a storage shelf)

After

Im not sure where I got the idea, but I bought the letters to spell our names & little shelves at Hobby Lobby. I cut newspaper into strips and glued them to the letters until they were completely covered.

 & I spray painted the shelves black.

Then I hung the shelves on the wall...

Then I realized that it was kind of blank. So I added an 8x10 picture, and 2 5x7 pictures. Im also going to put 3 4x6 pictures above Chris's name but Wal*Mart was out of the matching 4x6 frames. (Sad)

I think it looks pretty good! Im pretty happy about it!

Snippit [[Re: Thirty]]

Please enjoy the following conversation regarding my previous blog...
hi baby
 hello trouble
 whatcha doin
 just read your blog about getting old and whaling
 ohhhhhhwooooo doooo youuuuoooo spppeaaakk wwwwhhhhhallle?
 i tried........it got me hit
 It was mean :(
your posture did look a little fishy. FACT
 whales are mammals. FACT
 So are you........coincidence? maybe
 I was not expecting you to say something clever...
 yeah you seemed a little shocked with that pause and audible "fuck"

Thirty.

CHRIS IS 30. 3-0. Thirty. 30. Thirtttty. & I think I was way more excited that he was about his birthday.

I think Chris was a little sad about hitting 30. In fact, I was going to physically assault him if I heard any more of these things "Well, we have a house... thats good." "We will be married before Im 31... most people are married younger though." "Im the only one of my friends without kids yet...." "I should have increased my life insurance last week... it will probably go up now that Im 30..." "I mean, I got a degree before I was 30.... thats pretty good... but I AM still in school... *sigh*"  -- If you cant tell, I was OVER the complaining. We have a great life. I see no need to compare our lives to what others have. If you do that, you will NEVER be happy. I am SO proud of everything Chris has accomplished. We have a fantastic life. 30 is just a number.

But We did have an AMAZING day celebrating his birthday on Saturday. If you were there you know JUST how much fun Chris was having. My family is seriously AMAZING. I was going to half ass throw together a party for Chris. I was just going to get a slip n slide & some chips and dip and call it good. But Nana made some great roast beef & home made meatballs that were to die for. Mimi made some dips. Mom made some food. We brought a boston butt that Justin smoked. We had a ton of food. & My parents were nice enough to let us invade their house.
I hope everybody had a great time. I know we did :) Here are some of my favorite pictures.

Chris & Kay

Chris & Justin sliding together

Justin...

Chris took this picture and said (DIRECT QUOTE) "Baby, you look like a whale." I punched him in his stomach. THEN he thought about it and said "Oh, no... I mean, your arms! Are like a... seal?"

Holdin' em in...

Alicia & sweet baby Weston

Mom...

Chris & Bogdan

We had such a good time at his party. Thank you everybody who came!! Im sure it was a memorable birthday! Also double thanks to my parents for picking up, setting up, and returning the giant inflatable. & My fam for making all the food. We love yall very much & really appreciate you helping us so much.

Whitney Takes a Tumble

On my very first blog post, I posted one of my favorite videos of all time. It is of my dear friend & bridesmaid Alisa falling over while trying to dance. Since she wasnt hurt, it was super funny. Somehow I have misplaced this little gem on my computer. But luckily you can just click here and scroll to the bottom to watch the little clip again.
I had forgotten that this video existed until I had a little tumble myself last night...But let me start with yesterday morning. It was definitely a MONDAY kind of day.
So I get to work and there is a blood drive going on. I debated on giving whole blood since I normally give platelets and it was going to mess up my platelet giving schedule. However, as soon as I got on facebook I realized that it would have been Krisanna's birthday. (For those of you that dont know, Krisanna was 15 when she passed away in 2009 after battling childhood cancer)  After reading a few of her mothers journal entries about celebrating life, I decided to give blood.
I felt fine all day. I worked half a day, went to school, cleaned the house and watched a movie and never felt bad. But about 7:00 after I watched a movie with Mobley I got up to take him outside. I got so dizzy walking from the living room to my room that I had to lay down. So I called Chris and told him I thought my blood pressure was low. He didnt say too much, just that it was probably from giving blood. So after I brought Mobs inside I was feeling bad & decided to take a hot bath. About the time I got in the bathtub, Chris called. I talked to him for about 10 minutes and told him Id call him back. Once I hung up, I realized that I was sweating so bad & decided that I did not want to be in the bath any longer. So I got out of the hot bath & turned on the shower.
As I was getting in the shower I remember thinking that when I called Chris back I was going to ask who the paramedic was that was working in Semmes, and see if he would come take my blood pressure. I knew something wasnt right. I just felt really bad. I vaguely remember starting to shampoo my hair & the next thing I know I woke up on the floor. I had shampoo in my eyes, the shower door was open and water was going everywhere. I freaked the fuck out.
I jumped out of the shower with the water still running, shampoo in my hair & eyes and bawled my eyes out as I was calling Chris. I dont think he got what just happened except that I was hysterical. He just said "Im on my way" and hung up.
I calmed down enough to rinse the shampoo out of my hair and eyes and clean the water off the floor, but I still felt really really bad. Chris showed up at the house in the ambulance and took my blood pressure (that was like 80/38) and gave me an IV....
Which BY THE WAY, was TERRIBLE. Normally I dont mind getting stuck to give blood or to take fluids, but gah, my body was just freaking out. I got super nauseous and thought I was going to pass out again- which luckily I didnt. But it wasnt a good night.
I am SO lucky that I have such a good fiance though. :) He loaded my ass up in the ambulance and took me to work with him so he could keep an eye on me and made sure I felt better. He also got up extra early this morning to drive from Satsuma to Semmes to drop me off at home so I could get ready for my class at 9:30 before he had to be in Mobile at 8!
I know some of you are thinking, BFD, you passed out. But it was scary! Waking up on the bathroom floor and not knowing what the hell happened or how long youve been there(even though Im sure it was only a second or two) or if you've hit your head, was terrifying.  Chris is easily 30 + minutes from our house when he is at work. & My parents are are closer to 45 minutes away. Good thing I didnt bust my head open, other wise my neighbors would have had a naked, screaming, bleeding girl at their door!
I feel fine now though. :) & Im ready for kickball practice tonight & even more ready for SATURDAY!!! Wheeeee Slip N Slide party for Chris's 30th birthday!!

A Few of My Favorite Things

I feel like A) its been forever since I've updated my blog & B) I have been super productive & busy the last few weeks. So heres a little catch up blog- with lots & lots of pictures!!

Engagement Pictures

A few weeks after we got engaged, my aunt Nichelle offered to take our engagement pictures for us & we couldnt have been more excited! The only problem is that she lives in Huntsville... But after 4 months we finally found a day that worked for all of us to take some pictures.

So last Thursday morning, Chris & I hit up Starbucks & headed to the Ben May Library downtown. Here are a few of my favorites from the library!

I was legitimately laughing in this picture. Chris was reading me the sappy love story.

I think I love this picture because you can tell that my legs are toned and that Ive worked my butt off for nice legs! :) Plus, its sweet!

If you cant tell- we are reading "A Hopeless Romantic" & "The Love of Her Life"

We should have checked out this book....

& this one too!

This might be my favorite! (outside of the library)

After a little over an hour of pictures in the library, we went to Three Georges candy shop off Dauphin Street. The people there were so nice about us taking pictures there. Plus their chocolates & shakes are amazing- go visit them!!

If this picture doesnt sum up our relationship, I dont know what does. I look like Im getting in trouble & Chris looks like he is being sweet. (Looks are deceiving though!)

<3

& after Three Georges just walked around downtown near Bienville Square.

Im going to go with second favorite here.

I wish my bra strap wasnt hanging out :( but I love this picture

I think this is cute. I was having a blasty blast.

Okay I know that was a lot of pictures & youve probably seen most of them on facebook, but I couldnt help it. I was so excited about these. I cant wait to have a few printed to hang in our house!

Wedding Dress Shopping

On Saturday morning at 10:00 My mom, Lauren, Suzanne & Alisa met me at I Do Bridal to look at wedding dresses!! At first it was very very stressful. My bridal consultant told me to pick 5 dresses & she was going to pick 2 & we would go from there. This should have been the most fun part, but it was terrible. I couldnt really tell what the dresses looked like because the racks were SO FULL of stuff. But eventually we made it to the dressing room with 7 dresses in hand. -Also just as a side note, I have NO idea how shy/modest people wedding dress shop. Because my bridal consultant totally saw errrrrythang. Sorry chick.- Okay so back to trying on dresses. When I put on the 5th or 6th dress, I was DONE I knew that I had found my dress. I didnt cry, but it was gorgeous. I did end up trying on a few more dresses but really I couldnt wait to put my favorite back on again. It was everyones favorite, very easy experience. In fact, Mom said it was "too easy". But hey, when you know you know I guess!! I am going back Friday to officially 'order' the dress & try it on for my grandmothers.

The hard part starts now when I have to keep a secret for the next 9 months. Yall, I am a terrible secret keeper. Especially when its my own secrets. I mean, really, Im an open book. I keep trying to tell Chris about it and he has to cut me off and tell me that he doesnt want to know, but ITS HARD. All he knows is the designer is San Patrick.

But all in all it was a great experience. Im glad I had my mom & bridesmaids (except Linds, we missed you!)there to help me.

Upcoming Things

I have so much going on right now I dont know how Im finding time to even blog about it. Like Chris turns 30 next week!! 30!! Im excited for him, I dont think he really cares. & His birthday party is next Saturday. WHEE SLIP N SLIDE! Its going to be a blast!

& Kickball! It starts next week & Im super excited!!

&& School. Im trying really hard to bring my GPA up to graduate with honors so Im busting my ass to make A's but GAH its exhausting. Especially because I have 2(TWO) 15-20 page papers due within a week of each other later this semester. & One of them is on a Social Welfare Policy (Read: Federal Law). Killmenow. Reading any kind of federal document makes me want to have a drink then take a nap.

&&&Wedding planning. Next on the agenda is to reserve Portier House for all of the ladies to get dressed before the wedding & go look at florists.

Ill try to keep you all updated!

Things I Shouldnt Have Done ((& Why I did them anyway))

There are many things in life that people have told me I "shouldnt" do. Many times, they are right.- For example, you should always fill your car up with gas as soon as your gas light turns on. Otherwise, you could run out of gas on Airport Blvd... in the rain... But other times people say, "You shoudnt do that" & I do it anyway. Because sometimes in life you have to take risks. & Im glad I did.

You shouldnt choose a college based on a relationship...
While I am tempted to agree with the above statement, I did it! When I met Chris, I had plans of going to College of Charleston in South Carolina, or to Southern Miss (where I got a full ride). But after only 4 months of dating, I changed my mind. I went to South. (Where, by the way, I got a really shitty scholarship. THANKS USA!) Risky? Yes. But GOD Im so glad I did. Look at where it has gotten me. I love my life.

You shouldnt get a dog... WHITNEY, DO NOT get a dog....

They poop. They pee on the carpet. They eat shoes. They dig. The vet bills are outrageous. (FACT) I cant tell you how many times I've heard this. No animals. From my mom, to my grandmother, my friends & even Chris INSISTED that I not get a dog. But after I decided that mom's vote doesnt count, and I annoyed Chris til he finally gave in, we got Mobley. I realized the week I brought him home that our little family had not been complete without him. Now every night I get to curl up with my sweet baby boy, and when Chris is home, I snuggle with my two best friends in the whole world.

You shouldnt date a 26 year old, when you are 18....

Again, while I would normally be tempted to agree, Im glad I/We took this risk. Chris took a lot of shit from his friends when we first started dating. & Im sure I put my parents through a few months of hell, but I am so happy with the way our life is going right now. Some times you just have to say "Fuck it" to what other people think & do what you know is right. This is right before my 19th birthday...

You shouldnt get married so young...
I HATE it when people tell me this. This has to be the most irritating thing in the whole world. I seriously get the urge to just punch people when then tell me Im too young, or I have 'so much time' or "Whats the rush?" Well, haters, I've been waiting to marry this man for almost 4 years. I know this is going to be the most important decision of my life & I cant wait to be Mrs. Christopher Lee Newman. I think when people tell me this, its because they were not ready at 21 to be married or to make such a life changing decision, but I am. I know that Chris & I have what it takes to make it through whatever life brings us.

Plus, I have to tell yall how special I felt yesterday. Chris & I went to the Weddings to Bragg about show at the Mitchell Center. & It was an ALL day event. It started at 11 and the grand prizes were announced at 5. Chris was SUCH a trooper. He complained less than I did .(But that doesnt actually surprise anybody, does it?) But we were surrounded by a sea of Brides-to-Be & their friends, their mothers, their bridesmaids. But there was a noticeable absence of grooms. I was happy to have mine by my side every step of the way. I am so grateful that he is just as involved in this whole wedding planning process as I am.

Im sure there are many things that I "shouldnt" have done that I did anyway- Im also sure that whether it bit me in the ass or turned out great, it made my life what it is today & for that reason, I am truly grateful.

I hope everybody has a great week!!

Keep On Rollin

From Thursday morning to Saturday night, it felt like I had zero time think/sleep/blink I was so busy. But it was a really great weekend.

I am SAD to say that Thursday was my last day of personal training at Bodies By Cindy. I would work out there forever if I could, but I just cant afford it right now. But in the 3 months that I was with them and the 15 weeks I dieted I've lost 27lbs! Im only 7 pounds from my original goal weight, and 12 lbs away from my revised goal weight. If I can lose 12 pounds and keep it off for our wedding, I will be one happy bride!! (Not to mention I am marrying the best man I've ever met!)

Before...

In process (27lbs later)

On Thursday night we won our kickball game & went to Los Rancheros to celebrate making it in to playoffs. I am so lucky to have become friends/trained with Pam, Cindy & Jason, and all of my other team mates!

Friday after I got off work, I went to Lindsay's 28th birthday dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings! It was a great time seeing everybody!

After I left Lindsays birthday extravaganza, I went straight to a fundraiser 'Casino Night' for CFO- my sister's gym.  I, surprisingly, had a good time. I even got blackjack, bitches.

 It was nice hanging out with my parents, too.

On Saturday, I had the BEST day! As soon as Chris got home, we packed an ice chest and headed for Milton to kayak on Blackwater. (I was seeing "Blackwater" all day long.. I still have it stuck in my head) We originally wanted to take the trip with a bunch of friends, but we had a blast on the river anyway. I took a bunch of pictures but NOBODY DEVELOPS FILM ANYMORE! Did you know that?! I bought a disposable water proof camera to take with us, because there is no way in hell that I would take our nice camera near the water. But when I went to drop it off at Wal*Mart, I was informed that I would have to send it off to get developed and it would take a WEEK to get back. Awesome. I should really invest in a waterproof digital camera. At least I know for next time.

When we got home from kayaking, we jumped in the shower and headed out the door again to go to Suzanne & Drew's Housewarming Party// Drew's Birthday.

By the time Sunday rolled around, I spent the whole day in my pajamas and took 2 naps. I wont say I was completely lazy all day, because I did clean the house, do the laundry, and vacuum out my car, but i didnt do much else.
I could have slept all day today, but its time to get my ass in gear and get ready for another busy week! We have wedding planning activities all day tomorrow- cant wait!