{I'm baaaack!}

Holy Heavens, this post is the first personalized post I've actually written in like 3 thousand weeks. OK, fine, 2 weeks. Every post from Christmas on {maybe a few before even?!} has been pre-published. And I know, I know, they've been a little impersonal. I read your emails about the lack of Gussy stories and I apologize... I was away having the best 10 days ever!!!

You know what, though? I'm back. And Gussy has so much to say. Like, so much.

I really will have to restrain myself because as I type this it's Sunday night. And you are reading it Monday morning. And I just want to type, type, type the dozens of stories I have. But I have to wait.

Because I can't do it all at once, even though some times I try. And then I cry.

What?!

See, it's Monday morning and already things are getting out of hand. Hah! I feel I should use some bullets to keep my thoughts organized:

• The winner of the Jecka headband is Renee at Candy Stick Lane! Thanks a million to everyone who entered/tweeted/blogged, and congrats, Renee!!! :)
  

• Zack and I had an aaahhhhhh-mazing time in Michigan. Our flights, each way, were a breeze yet I hardly talked during the flight. I was a little nervous, mmmk?

• We spent 5 days with each side and traveled around the state every few days. We were a busy couple :) IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!!!
  

• I seriously considered putting my 2 nephews in my carry-on bag. They said THE CUTEST things to me the entire time and I cried approximately 10 times the day we had to leave. Just ask my parents...

• Both sets of parents gave us little parties and Zack and I were able to see some college friends, in addition to family. Yeow! So much fun :) Thanks Mama Gus and Mom Whitley!!!

• I can already see this bullet thing is getting out-of-control...

• I hope to be sewing SOON! Yesterday I went to the fabric store and stocked for my January custom orders. Today I hope to cut fabric and sew, sew, sew. Well, of course after I iron on my new ironing board cover!!!!!!! :)

• If you have any suggestions or ideas for upcoming Gussy products, send them to me! And send them soon, I'll be cutting the Heather Bailey fabric, that's making me drool, soon

• My next Giveaway Day is set for Monday, January 25! If you'd like to be a part of it, be sure to read this post. I tried my best to make it super informative. A big thanks to those of you who have already have contacted me. Yeowwwww :)

• I better stop typing. I can't share EVERYTHING we did in 10 days in one post, right? :)

{weekend recap}

There's been so much excitement over at the Whitley house, I don't even know where to begin!

First, our friend Luis stayed with us Friday night. He's a college bud from Michigan and stopped in Minneapolis on his way home to visit family for Christmas. We went out to dinner Friday night at The Old Spaghetti Factory. We walked through the downtown area and it was a beautiful evening. While it was our first time eating there I left a trail of drool up to the front steps. I just knew it was going to be great.

Next thing I knew I was stuffing my Gussy-self with lots of deliciousness. Once we were done eating and talking, we walked back home and spent the next two hours laughing at YouTube videos and hilarious photo websites. There's nothing more fun than an evening reminiscent of our college-days :)

PS. Has anyone seen any of the Gloria make-up video tutorials? Ummm, if you answered No, please click and enjoy. Side note, Gloria does these for fun and my laughter thanks her. Saturday morning we woke and I cooked up a delicious breakfast. That was delicious meal #2, if I may recap for a second. Luis, Zack and I feasted on scrambled eggs with cheese and salami; bacon; crescent rolls and coffee + vanilla caramel creamer. Oh, and apple crisp ♥ Yum!

Saturday evening Zack and I went to his work party and we are ANOTHER delicious meal. What is that, #3? Whew. I think I need a workout.

More Italian food, more drinks, another fun evening with friends.

At the party, I caught up with some of the other work wives. One of them said to me, Oh, are you the purse girl?

I replied: Heck yeah!

-------------------------------

May I confess something? I didn't sew a single thing yesterday. I realize Christmas is getting very close, and we're going to be awfully busy the next few weeks. So I didn't sew.

{I just looked at my sewing machine and my heart felt a little sad.}


However, I have done other Gussy-related tasks this weekend.

However, there is a variety of Gussy gift certificates if you want to gift your gal with Gussy this Holiday.

However... {just kidding}



Gift certificates are super swell because upon purchase I will email you a ready-to-print certificate within 24 hours. The recipient then sends me their unique code to redeem their credit. Yeow! Do you think Gussy can get some Gussy shop credit?!

I have some sneaky plans up my sleeve.
Be prepared for lots of red and pink in January, in preparation for Valentine's Day.


And don't forget to enter in the DeerLola giveaway. It closes tonight @ 10 pm CST.

I need to go rest on the couch now. All these plans have me exhausted, and I haven't even told you how much talking I have done. The weekend is almost over so I need to rest up.

{I didn't realized I had this much to say.}

Hello.

  

Meet my friend's son, Charlie. He is approximately 9-months-old. He's super cute, loves to eat things, and {of course} is examining his mommy's Gussy wallet.

Only babies can put Gussy products in their mouths. Sorry.

 

Charlie wants to open his mommy's wallet and show her the inside. He thinks Gussy is so rad. He told me.

 

Speaking of Charlie's mommy, look what Lindsay painted for me:

 

 

 

 

My very own personalized GUSSY artwork. It's for my sewing room. LINDSAY IS THE COOLEST! This piece was painted with color suggestions only. And a bird. But that is it! She totally surprised me, totally made me fall in love with it at one glance.

Ahhh... I want to bring it everywhere I go. I love it. 

Lindsay Girl -- you rock!

{read Lindsay's blog!}

  *

Almost a month ago I emailed someone special and together we worked out a groovy deal. More details to come ;)

I had her pick some of my fabrics...

 

And then I sewed them into this gorgeous, GORGEOUS laptop bag:

 

 

 I totally want it for myself. I LOVE IT! I've been super mega blessed to not have to fight with myself to give away my Gussy products. I think of the 200+ items I've made I've kept 3 things? Maybe 5? Five is the max! I love them all so much, and in order to "keep" them I just  make more :)

*

OK! Gussy intercession. Some of you know I've been working out. This is week #2 for me. I've kicked up the length and intensity of my workouts and so far, so good :) 

However, {sigh...} this morning I was a little crabby. I think using the word "grumpy" while writing a blog post the night before made me be Mrs. Grumpy in the morning.

Yes, that is my excuse.

I reallllllly didn't want to get up to work out at 6:15 am, and so I stomped and huffed and puffed around our apartment. See? Gussy is a real person. Lindsay says it helped me to burn more calories. I think Hubbs has different opinion ;)

*

Time for more photos!!! 

Here is a another custom order I finished recently. A diaper bag + travel diaper/wipe case for a mom-to-be:

 

 

 

*

 OK, last story ;)

Yesterday I used some vacation hours and walked myself to the bus stop earlier than usual. I came home, opened all the windows, turned on some music, and scribbled off the following items from my to-do list:

-photograph diaper bag/wipe case custom order

-photograph Lindsay's painting

-sew M's laptop bag

-photograph M's laptop bag

-sew a Shady Gus case

 

-repeat previous item

-work on a custom order for B

-oil my sewing machine

-go to the fabric store and purchase more materials for more custom orders {they end Nov. 14 -- this Saturday!!!}

-package up 7 orders and bring to the Mailman.

*

 YEOW! I love super productive days. 

:) They make Gussy happy.

*

Good day.

 

{relaxing at the ocean}

I am THE WORST at making myself take a break and relax.
Two days ago I said I was going to do that, and what did I do that night? I made a sausage & potato skillet {with onions, bacon, spinach and a yummy sauce!}, apple crisp, and then 4 dozen chocolate chip + butterscotch cookies for a work party yesterday.

Umm, yeah.

I have nothing to say.
I think I'm in trouble.

Actually, I know I'm in trouble because Zack told me recently,

It's OK if you want to buy some things to make fast dinners, like something that takes 30 minutes? Because you spending an hour or more in the kitchen every night isn't working. You need to rest.

HOWEVER! In my defense ;) I love to cook and launder our clothes. Don't laugh. LOL... stop. I really do like to do laundry because it smells so goooooood! I also just really love and enjoy being a wife and having someone to take care of.

I was chatting on the phone last night with my MOH {maid of honor}, Jessica, and she told me it's really great that after being married for one year and four months {woot, woot!!!} I still cook elaborate meals. That I haven't let that part die off.

Amen, sister. Amen.

Anyways :)

I think I need a break. Just a little one, but a break nonetheless. So, last night I made a quick dinner {spinach tortellini with pesto and chicken} and chatted on the phone with my MOH before watching a movie with hubbs.

No sewing.

{so sad!}

None at all.

While I relaxed I dreamt of this lovely place:

{photo credit}

Exhale.

Aren't they great?!

When I return from my {fake} mini-vacation I'll sew up two custom orders {zipped pouch + laptop bag}. Don't worry, I'll share pics! :)


***


To conclude, four random facts:

4. we have a coconut plant in our apartment

3. I order our groceries online and have them delivered. To our door. Yessss :)

2. I never brush my hair; I comb after conditioning!

ha ha.

1. I have a birthmark on my knee. When I was just a tiny tot my mom had me on the counter while she scrubbed at my knee, thinking it was dirt. Then she realized I was too young to even have dirt on me, so she stopped.

{random stories are my favorite to tell.}


***

HAVE A GREAT DAY!!! :)

{jewelry sale! congrats Megan!}

Sweet Megan made it to 100 sales on Etsy. And, she has figured out a way to celebrate. I'll just quote her blog directly so I don't mess up the translation ;)

"from now until midnight (eastern time) on August 9, ALL JEWELRY IS 10% OFF!! if you buy a second piece of jewelry, it will be 15% off, and if you buy a third, it will be 20% off. in addition, you will get free shipping if you become a follower of my blog or if you already are. please let me know either way in the "message to seller" box when making a purchase. all refunds will be given via paypal"

Curious as to what's available?
Look no further, here are some samples:

{altered tote bag}

Wednesday I blogged about a bag that I had sold to a girl named N. Well, I didn't tell you her name, but I did blog about a bag. Any hoo, today I have pictures of the ALTERED bag I just mailed to her today.

FYI: If you want anything altered or custom made, most likely it can happen! :)

I added a zipper and two inside pockets. Check out the final product:

the bachelor, sewing, and XBOX

Who knew I could go nearly a week without posting on my blog?

Certainly not me. I wasn't sure that day would ever happen. However, the holiday's have recently passed over us and so that means I have been super-duper busy. Zack and I spent five nights at my parents house, four nights at his parents house and are now officially UNPACKED for a few weeks.

At least until February comes around. Then it's off to Grandma's (well, it's Grandma's to our nephews... Mom's to me and Zack!) :)

While I can believe Christmas and New Years are over, at the very same time I can't believe they are over!!!

Because... we now are about to start something I'd like to call The Birthday Bash Parade, which runs from February to April and covers the following family birthdays:

{Are you ready???!!!}

Dad H.
Zack - will be 24-years-young
Dad W.
Collin - will be 4-years-young
Tiffany - will be 16-years-young
Mom W.
Jack - will be 1-year-young
and Mom H.

That is eight people. Out of 11.
In three months.

WWWWWWHEW!

It's a darn good thing Nicole, my bro Matt, and I were born in the summa time. Otherwise we'd be having a jolly good time trying to save all spare pennies for the Birthday Bash. A JOLLY good time ;o)

Back to Christmas ;o)
I celebrated it with some {major} immediate plans to buy out a few sections of our local Jo-Ann's store. Clearly I need a fresh, re-stocking of fabric, zippers, buttons, thread, and the like. I also will be needing a more stable and secure sewing room. I think it's time Heaven stays in Heaven, and the Sewing Room moves from Heaven to the Sewing Room. {Initial Caps are very important.}

If Zack is reading this, then I hope this post can double as our "discussion" on that topic. Is that OK?

I knew you'd understand ;o)

You see, we celebrated our Christmas with Zack's parents on New Years Eve. Once all the presents were opened, Mom W. took off to get one more gift. {I knew what it was.} But Zack took off, too. They both came back with their hands full. Mom W. gave her gift to Zack, Zack gave his gift to me.

Zack got an XBOX 360!!!!!!! This came as such a huge surprise to Zack. He's only wanted one for, like 3 years. Not kidding. Every Christmas and Birthday he asked for one. I'm so happy he finally got his one wish!!! :)
{HOWEVER, we are ALL still waiting for his game to arrive in the mail. I'm not sure what it is with our address and the United States Postal Service, but NOTHING arrived in a timely fashion. And I mean three things came late.} :(

And...

I got a SEWING MACHINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have no clue how old it is... probably at least 20 years... but it was one of Zack's Grandma's first sewing machines. It has some beauty marks, and it is BEAUTIFUL!!! I simply couldn't believe it. I thought it was just a far shot in the dark when I said, Maybe Santa will bring me a Sewing Machine for Christmas in my ~i heart sewing~ post.

I guess Santa is still listening ;o)

So not only did I get a Sewing Machine while in Petoskey, but I've also had, oh, maybe seven hours of sewing lessons for Zack's Grandma and mom. And I made a few things. And now Zack has suggested we redecorate our office to make it the office SLASH sewing room.

Twist my arm, but ALRIGHT!!! :)

In terms of Etsy news, you can bet your bottom dollar you'll be seeing some new sewing projects listed. Maybe later this week ;) Once we got back home I had this lovely e-mail from Etsy seller Createdbyrisa saying she included a pair of MY earrings in her Treasury. Which just means she made a little online "collage" of her favorite things on Etsy, and she included ME! You can check it out by clicking here! My pair is the first row, third column: RED berry burst earrings. Her listing is active through Wednesday at 1 p.m., so check it our RIGHT NOW! ;o)

A few more things from Gussy {because a true Gussy is never really done talking-alking}:

• The Bachelor is TONIGHT with a 2-hour premiere. Starts at 8 p.m.

• I would like your suggestions on how to put together a sewing room QUICKLY and inexpensive. This girl has no time to waste.
• I decided I'm saving my money to buy a point-and-shoot digital camera. Click the link. I'm still highly insterested in this. But... I'll let you know if that's still a goal once I'm back at the craft store ;0)
• While in Petoskey, we met up with our friends Sarah & Ted for lunch! So good to see them :)
• I saw these little buggers at Bed Bath & Beyond {great, great store!!!}. They are for cooking poached eggs in a pan of boiling water, so you don't need that special tray that sits in the pan. Aren't they awesome?!?!?

I hope your New Years was super fun and just filled with the celebration of a new, healthy year.

PS. It's obviously been waaaaay too long. I have had to edit and re-edit this post like four times. I'm out of my element.

And sass.

he just wants three minutes

Yesterday was a great day. I had an incredibly wonderful afternoon with my MOH (maid of honor). We met up in Lansing and spent the first good hour just talking over a delicious Teddy Bear (white chocolate + caramel) from Biggby's. Then we spent the rest of the afternoon talking while shopping. Then I came home and talked, talked, talked to my aunt, Zack, and... I believe that is all. Whew. There was just so much to share. I mean, I scored some awesome deals Christmas shopping yesterday... 50% savings are definitely something to talk about. Also, I did most of my shopping on caffeine. Very important to know. Once I got home, my aunt and I talked about how excited we are to have ALL family members present for our December "Christmas/welcome home Aunt J and Uncle P" party.

But anyways... The point is yesterday I just had a lot to say. This should just be expected, so I'm not sure what the big deal was when it was time to get in bed and I was still TALKING. I had all ten layers of jammies on, Zack had all ten layers on, we were face to face and I was just finding more and more to share as the minutes passed on. Finally I paused long enough to take a long breath and Zack snuck in.

When is it time for you to stop talking?!?!


Umm... I think you'll know when I'm done.
(It will be quiet).


Just kidding, I didn't say that to him. It was dark so I just smiled REALLY fast and then said, Honey, I'm just not sleepy yet.

Maybe if you stopped talking for three minutes you'll get sleepy.


What is this?!?!
My mom wouldn't have ever told me that. She would have just rubbed my back and listed patiently until it was her turn to talk. And at that point I would have listened patiently. It's clearly a give and take relationship. 50/50. You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours.

I mean, I call her for a quick question on my knitting project and we talk for at least 40 more minutes. This is not how I was raised... to "stop talking for three minutes"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't remember how I actually fell asleep, I just know I did because I woke up (again) to the smell of deliciousness coming from the kitchen INTO our bedroom.

:) :) :)
So I guess there weren't too hard of feelings between us.

I suppose if Zack wants me to be quiet for three minutes I can do that. As long as he makes us breakfast once a week.

But even then just know I'm only going to not talk for three minutes once a week.

Because marriage is all about treating each other fairly. And with love.

LOVE YOU SWEET HUBBY! :)

Christmas shopping and lots of visits :)

Notice anything different on my blog? Take a look to the left, scroll down a little... Do you see it? It's MY ETSY SHOP! I started it last week, and every day I'm posting a new item for sale. Go ahead, check it out. It's OK :) I have lots of things at home to post, but you have to be patient and see just one new thing a day. You can do it :) I've spent some free time making jewelry and zippered things... and this is my show case. My favorite things are this pair of earrings and this zippered pouch.

Etsy is such a great website. I've already ordered three things from the site as Christmas presents. You might remember this post about all my favorite things from the site...? Yeah, it's really, really, really, really awesome.

Aside from my constant boasting of Etsy, I had a really good weekend. It went by super fast though :( But that means it really was great.

Friday night Zack and I stayed in and had dinner in "Heaven." Zack put in a special request earlier in the week that I make a dish from our college days. Yeah, he wanted me to make something we were obsessed with from our cafeteria days.

Eww.

Just kidding, don't get grossed out. It's actually a really good dish.

Five thousand years ago we lived on North campus at Central Michigan University. OK it was just five years, forget the thousand. And so that meant our dining commons served Pangeos, which is this ahhhhh-mazing pasta stand. Actually many of the things I make are derivatives of Pangeos recipes.

So Friday night I made this pasta dish with spicy tomato and basil sauce and pepperoni. And ricotta. And Asiago Romano shavings. MMMMMMMmmmmmmmmm. It was delish. We watched Baby Mama afterwards (hilarious, by the way) and then it was bedtime.

Saturday we got up early and drove to Lansing. I met my Mom for a day of Christmas shopping and Gussy-ing. We had such a great time. We met at Biggby's and spent nearly an hour talking and catching up, and then decided who would get what for Christmas :) I love Christmas :). We then drove out to our favorite store, October Moon, in Old Town (restored section of Lansing). Then we went to Kohls, the Lansing Mall, Hobby Lobby and Yankee Candle. I got half of my shopping done! It was amazing. Zack spent the day with a friend, and the three of us met up for dinner at Johnny Rockets. It was yummy :) That night, Greg and Molly came over to visit. It was a busy day! :)

Sunday afternoon my brother and his family visited from Grand Rapids. This was their first visit and we were very happy they could come. I made homemade spaghetti and meatballs... DELISH!!!!!; carrots with butter and dill; salads with homemade ranch dressing, craisens, croutons... We all loved it. Except Collin. He was more interested in the candy dish I forgot to hide. Whoooops. But later he did express something very special and sweet. He was throwing a mini-tantrum and said "I don't want to visit anymore!" I thought it was cute... of course. I am curious to see what Jack is like once he starts talking. Right now he just stares at Collin (and everyone else) with his big blue eyes and something stuffed in his mouth: hand, pacifier, toy, your hair, etc.

I can't count the number of stories Collin started yesterday with, When I was a little boy...

:)

I was very thankful to see my nephews. I got some great photos of Jack Riley and Collin Matthew. I'll post them tonight after work.

This is a short week of work (woo-hoo) with Thanksgiving happening on Thursday. We'll be traveling to Petoskey for a long weekend.

I think that sums up the last few days.

I'm ready for another Hot Carmel Cider drink with my Mom...

grocery store = the mall

I cannot believe it's Wednesday night. So much has gone on since I last posted. The hubbs and I went to a Halloween party in Oak Park, and it was super fun. We had great costumes. Actually, as we were getting ready to leave, Zack decided his costume wasn't "complete" and needed a mustache. So, what did I do?

Whipped out the liquid eyeliner to draw on a fat 'stache! You got it!!!

Attempt #1: Zack looked like a drunk french man with the thinnest, curliest mustache in the world.

Attempt #2: Zack looked like a real cowboy! Well, after I made it like 1" thick, of course.

We left for the party, had a great time, and then went to my parents for the day Saturday. However, before I go on to the next week, I must include a few Gussy stories.

What are "Gussy" stories? Remember the title of this blog? Look familiar? Gussy is a nickname my Mom calls me. You see, at my parents house ("Grandma's house" to a few sweet boys I know), Charlotte's Web is a very, very popular movie. It's actually called The Piggy Movie by my nephew, Collin... but that's another story. Some how my mom found some TY Beanie Babies, and she found they had made the characters of Charlotte's Web. And then she picked up the cute little goose, Gussy, read the tag and fell in love.

It reads:

Gussy always, always, always has a lot to say, say, say.

Hello?!?!

That is so me!

Long story short, that is my nickname.

And it's your favorite Gussy story, huh? ;)

Alright, back to the stories! I was at the grocery store last week and Zack called my cell. He wanted me to pick a little $2 somethin' somethin' up for him "as a surprise." Of course. Then he said he would get me something special and we'd meet back at home. I finished my shopping and headed back to our house. I made this delicious dinner, FYI. Mostacholi with seasoned grilled chicken and pesto/marinara sauce. And steamed veggies. And salad with homemade Ranch dressing. Yummo! Anyways, I'm digressing! I got home and was telling him about my trip to the mall.

Yeah.

I actually referred to THE GROCERY STORE as THE MALL.

AGH I'm so embarrassed, I can't believe I said that. (Is that a Sin? Are you sure?!)

Clearly, I'm not getting out enough.

Clearly, Mom, you have to visit me soon!!! :)

We need a girls day super bad.

Alright, so that was story #1.

Story #2 begins right now:

Fast forward to dinner. Zack comes into the kitchen to pour drinks and then immediately stopped to tell me The Kitchen is now to be called Heaven. Because whatever you make in here must be straight from Heaven. He loved dinner :) I am so glad. And, I'm sure Jesus doesn't mind me "borrowing" the word. Afterall... it is a huge compliment! :) Heaven? At our house? Alright then. OK :)

Fast forward some more.

Time for story #3.

We are getting ready to exchange our $2 somethin' somethin's.

I pull out a pint of Ben & Jerry's Chubby Hubby (Z's favorite).

He has to leave the other room to get my gift.

He tells me to close my eyes.

Eyes are closed.

Then he hands me this really pretty red rose.

AND THEN HE HANDS ME A CARD.

OH MY GOSH!!!

And he wrote in it and everything :)

On the front it said "To My Best Friend" and on the inside was a poem. I hope Zack doesn't get embarrassed if his friends are reading this. I'm sorry hubby!

So last week was really great. We had a good time.

Zack's mom called Sunday morning and had some news: Grandpa Price was finally in Heaven. After a few years of fighting Dementia, he let go and Jesus brought him to Heaven.

Monday morning we headed to Petoskey to be with the family, and the funeral was Tuesday morning. We love you Grandpa. Jesus, please take extra care of Grandma. Watch over her. Watch over all who are mourning. Help Grandma to not be lonely without her best friend and husband of 32 years.

Zack's work delivered the most beautiful bouquet of flowers to our home today. I love them :)

And here we are. Wednesday night. I'm so looking forward to Friday. It has been a few very emotionally exhausting days.

Thanks for reading, now get to bed. It's late! :)

PS. I uploaded some new pictures to my Picasa page

Check it!

PSS. I have recently discovered that I have readers from Canada! And Washington D.C.

That is so exciting!!! Actually someone from the U.S. House of Representatives is reading. Hello to you! :)

PSSS. Has anyone started their Christmas list yet? I have :( I hope that is alright. I just want to make sure I put the right things on there. So... what are you asking for this year? Post a comment and let me know!

6-7-8

Because I am "The Bride" and I loved getting married so, so, so, so much, today's post is a tribute to our wedding and everyone involved in it. :)

The day I married Zack was an incredible day. We were married on June 7th at my home church. We had the traditional, "let's not see each other until I walk down the aisle" wedding. It was perfect... perfect because God was a part of it all. My childhood pastor, Rev. John Stieve, married us :) He said the most amazing thing during the message; I'll never forget it.

Your wedding date is June 7th, 2008. That is 6, 7, 8.
What do you get when you add up those numbers?
21.
Two become One.


And here we are, Mr. and Mrs. Zackary Whitley:

This is my Mom's favorite picture :)

My Mom did a lot of wonderful things to help us plan the wedding. One thing she was in charge of was THE CAKE. Oh man, she did a great job. I think aside from his Bride, Zack loved the cake the most. Countless times Zack's told me how much he loved our wedding day, and that just makes my heart flutter. (He remembers things about the day --details, it's really awesome.)

We are so excited!!!!! WE ARE MARRIED!!!!! After four and a half years of dating, we never have to part. For those of you who know us "from the beginning," we spent a lot of time apart during the summers and over breaks from college. It was absolutely worth it. I mean, look at my hubby! How can anyone not love that smile! :D Every morning he wakes up, looks at me and says, Good morning Princess. I love you.
Another fun fact: if I ever get mad or upset, or sassy (occasionally this happens), Zack just looks at me and smiles.
I'm serious.
Then he says, what's wrong? Please don't be ____. Look, I'm smiling Does that help?

Marriage is great!

My family: Mom, Nicole (sis-in-law), my bro, Bride & Groom, and my Dad--

My new family: Craig, Groom & Bride, Cindy, and Tiffany--

Our Fabulously Fun wedding party:
L to R-- Lisa Nelson, Clare Benson, Nicole Helak, Taylor Ward, Tiffany Whitley, Andriana Vincent, Jessica Metcalf (MOH), BRIDE, GROOM, Chase Wiseman (BM), Matt Helak, Jake Goforth, Greg Holland, Brenton Dalgliesh, Ryan Johnson, and B.J. Wirgau--

Such sweet, lovely friends :)

Hannah is my cousin and was my flower girl. She is very special to our family :)

Exchanging our wedding rings;
I bind myself to you, now and forever

You ROCK Zack! I'm so glad you're "The One!" for me. Because remember everything about our wedding day, I decided we're going to get re-married every year on our anniversary.

Does anyone have a problem with that?
No? OK, perfect :)
See you for rehearsal ;)

Have I mentioned I loved getting married??? :)

all photos courtesy Mandy Gould