This Day 4 Years Ago...

On this day 4 years ago, I was getting ready to marry my Prince Charming :) I've been going through the pictures and I just can't help but have the same rush of excited, dreamy feelings that I experienced 4 years ago! Every detail of the day was just perfect.

It started out by a surprise visit from my groom!  He brought me some Chick-fil-A for breakfast to start the day off right :)

After getting all of the flowers together, I met all of my favorite women at The Egg & I for my bridal luncheon.  I really didn't know how special this time would be for me.  When I ask myself when the next time will be that I will have so many of the most important women in my life all together again, the honest answer is probably "never." I'm so glad we took pictures! 

 From there, it was straight to my mom's to start getting ready! I loved this time together also! SUCH excitement and so fun to just be girly and have so much help with my hair & makeup :) I am so blessed to have such a talented sister who was able to put together a "hair masterpiece" the day of with no problems. Thanks, Tay-Tay :)

 After we were all ready, it was time to go downtown to meet my groom for our "at first sight" pictures! We decided to do this before the ceremony & I don't regret it :) I loved this moment we shared together and it didn't take away from our ceremony one bit. The look on Kreg's face when he saw me all dolled up was just so precious to me.  I felt like I must be the most beautiful girl in the world.  And I know to him I was :) 

 We finished up these pictures in time to meet our bridal party at the Chapel before all of our guests showed up.  This time was also very special to each of us.  We both shared special prayers with each of our bridal parties.  Kreg's Papaw led his prayer with his groomsmen & my  Grandma led my prayer with my bridesmaids.  Although I sprung this on her & I don't remember everything that she said, I know I had chills & I remember thinking that although I wouldn't remember all the words, I would remember the feeling of being prayed over & blessed by such a wonderful lady, surrounded by all my closest friends & sisters.

I love this picture of me & Angela... peeking :)

When it was time for the ceremony to start, I remember being completely surprised at how calm I was.  Unbelievably happy, I couldn't relax the smile on my face even though my jaws were hurting, but super calm.  Not worried about the 200 people that were going to be watching me for the next half hour.  Not one bit.  I'm not kidding! I don't know how that happened, I guess it was kind of like being in a dream. Those moments I spent with my Daddy also stick out in my mind.  I could not be more blessed with the relationship my husband & my Daddy have.  They hit it off immediately and have been best friends ever since.  When Kreg asked my Dad to marry me, my Dad told him he felt like he "hit the jackpot." :) I know this was not how my Dad imagined he would feel when it was time to "let me go," but my Dad's happiness & ease made me realize I was making the best decision in the world by marrying Kreg Kell. Thank you, God, for the relationship between the two most important men in my world! 

 I also remember being struck by the gorgeous chapel.  Kreg & I fell in love with it the moment we walked in to tour it and it was even more beautiful after our wonderful decorators got done with it.  The soft white flowers and black and white and green accents just dolled it up beautifully.  And the candles.  Oh, how I love candles! And this old chapel with all the deep wood and the low lighting set off the many, many candles just perfectly. 

 John did better than we could have imagined with his sermon for us! It was so special for us to have someone who had known both of us longer than we had known each other marry us.  We are so blessed! When the "kiss the bride" part came, Kreg pulled my face close with both of his hands and it was SO tender & sweet! The perfect kiss & we didn't even have to practice it!

 These few pictures just after we became "Mr. & Mrs. Kreg Kell" are some of my very favorites!  We took a few pictures on our way to the reception.  "Betty Boop" is the name of this awesome old car that took us away.  You probably won't believe me, but just last night it followed me for a couple of miles on the interstate on my way home! It immediately took me back four years ago :)

 Our reception was so much fun!  It was not anything like we originally planned, but thanks to the hard work of many wonderful friends & family, it turned out beautiful! I'm so glad we were able to go around to each table & thank our guests for joining our special day.  Kreg's mom sang a special song for us & we had some very talented entertainment from Danny, John & Kim :) Our first dance was very special to me also.  I'm glad we decided to do it!

After such a wonderful evening, it was off to Denver & then to Cancun for the most amazing week ever! I can't wait to do it again someday :) We have been blessed so far beyond anything I could have imagined in the past 4 years! There was no way to know how much deeper our relationship would be, how much closer we would be, and how our sweet family would grow.  I'm thankful every day for our friendship, our love, our commitment, and our life that we're building together.  I can't wait to see what else our awesome God has in store for our marriage.  I know every day will not be easy, but every day I am more and more convinced I made the best decision of my life that day! I love you, Kreg Kell! Thank you for choosing me, I still can't believe it sometimes :) You are my Prince Charming and beyond that, you are our family's pillar & spiritual leader and I couldn't ask for a better husband, friend, or father for our boys. You're my favorite & always will be!

P.S.... TONIGHT he's taking me to the Mona Lisa for some fondue :) I am one lucky girl!

To My Son

Dear Westin:

Happy 3rd birthday, baby! I've spent the better part of this past week reminiscing the last three years of my life--  thinking about how much you have blessed our little family just by being here & being you. You are a precious gift from God & I hope no matter what may come, you will always, always know how loved you are. 

What a great year we've had! You've really developed such a great little personality & you are an absolute joy to be around. You are so smart, so funny, and so charming! You love to be a part of our conversations and you constantly amaze me with how much you understand and pick up on.  I just can't believe how easy it is for you to learn and how much you enjoy learning... Whether it's watching you with your Daddy learning how to play ball or whether you're memorizing your memory verses, or a book, or a movie, or playing Angry Birds & Rock-a-bowling on Daddy's phone... you just pick things up SO quickly.   


I've enjoyed watching you in your new role this year as "Big Brother."  I can already tell that you will be very protective of Tucker.  You're proud that he's your little brother and you are so quick to let someone know if he's upset or needs something.  You enjoy making him laugh and are really enjoying beginning to play with him now that he's getting big enough to start playing with you.  Sometimes you're too rough with him, all in good sport, but I know that YOU are the only one who is "allowed" to be rough with Tucker.  You're good at watching out for him already and that makes my heart so glad :)


Some days I think you're a little too smart for your own good :) It's impossible to "pull the wool over your eyes" already... you know your way in & out of an argument and sometimes it leaves mommy's head spinning... and I'm a pretty good "arguer" myself.  It's crazy to think that a year ago you were just barely able to speak in sentences... and now you can form full thought processes and explain what is going on inside your clever little mind.  You are ALWAYS entertaining me... I am never, ever bored when I'm with you.  I'm so blessed to be able to spend nearly every waking (and sleeping, for that matter... I'm sure one of these days you'll decide your big boy bed isn't that bad and you won't be making the late-night or early morning trek to my bed to cuddle anymore... and I will probably be very sad because I will be the first to admit I treasure our cuddle time) moment with you.  

I can't think of anything more rewarding or enjoyable than watching you grow up.  I am in nearly constant prayer for you & the man that I hope you will become. I know our God is watching over you, blessing you & loving you & it is my prayer that I will be a tool in His hand to help shape your character and to instill in you a desire to be a man of God-- to be a pillar in your home, your church, and your community.  You are so, so loved.  Happy Birthday, sweet boy!

Love,
Mommy