First Comes Love, Then Comes Marriage, Then Comes Baby in a ... Of Wait...Doh!

My favorite holiday is Halloween. It is one of those holidays that hasn't been ruined by commercialism. No one ever feels lonley or sad on Haloween. It is all about having a good time watching kids get a sugar high. While candy sales have gotten out of control, it is still the same holiday it was when I was growing up.

Our last Halloween started with Bubba and Brandy (left). He's a bit country, she's a bit trashy. I am not sure how our neighbors felt about our festive display but we don't talk to them anyway so it doesn't matter.

After losing my sister in early October, I didn't think that I was going to feel very festive. Kevin convinced me that we should go out, mainly because that is what my sister would have wanted. Anyone who knew her would agree.

Kevin was Johnny Cash and I was his faithful groupie. I wanted to remember who my sister was and for that reason we made the long trek to Ft. Worth. We met up with some friends and did some bar hopping. We ended up at a bar called Houston Street Pub and have a few cans (hey, they were free!) of Miller Light. On the rooftop of the bar, Kevin asked me to marry him. My answer of course was, Are you serious??? Followed by a Yes! Kevin then wispers sweetly in my ear, "You can't tell anymore yet, because I haven't got the ring yet" :) It was the most wonderful, romantic, loving event in my life. It just felt right. Even though Kevin thinks he should have done a better job, I think it was just perfect. Very much a symbol of who we are together.

December 19 is our official date, when I was finally allowed to tell the world we were going to get married!!! Kevin bought me a beautiful ring.

I won't be able to do any home improvements for a while, but it is absolutely perfect.

Then came January 23, 2008. Surprise! We going to have a baby! The funny part about this story is that we did have a plan and a timeline and it was all set. We were going to get married in July, we would start to try for a baby at the end of the year. All of this was layed out. All I have to say is thank goodness Kevin convinced me to get better health insurance in November just in case, we were successful.

Smile damnit, we are having a baby! Well we had just landed an 11 year old, how hard could it be?

Sure, this took some adjusting. I was planning a July wedding on the beach in Mexico. So, instead, we opted for Las Vegas. They have sand, right? I know, I could have still gone to Mexico but I am vain and I didn't want to look pregnant in my wedding photos.

I would have to say that I was not a fan of the shotgun wedding. I thought they were the easy way out. I was wrong. The MGM Grand was wonderful and I would highly recommend Vegas to anyone who wants to have a wedding that truly belongs to the bride and the groom. Not to mention, the fabulous photographer!

It was beautiful, elegant, romantic and I didn't have to stress about wedding colors, bridesmaids, flowers, food, invitations. I have tons of photos to share and let's face it, that is the part that everyone remembers.

So while we may not have had the perfect plan, I am happy with the way everything has turned out.

Europe

Day 1 - Does Kevin look like he just got off a 9 hour plane ride? This is the first of many trips on the train. On our way to drink some beer.... mmmm.... beer :) I do not recommend the white brauts in a lake. Gross!

Day 2 - Going to the castle. As much as I love my friend Matt, he does not have the best navigation skills. Since the BMW navigation system told us we were in a lake, I didn't trust that much either. Oh well, it may have taken hours to get there but we did find the Neuschwanstein Castle.

However, first things first. The wait for the castle tour was a couple hours away.... so when in Germany, you drink beer. I think it was 11am or so. I am not sure if Kevin is so happy because we are looking at the castle or because the beer in Germany is that much better.

Can you see that castle, way up there on the mountain. Yeah, the one that looks like it is a days hike from where I am standing? Yes, we hiked that. Even with the buses that were shuttling people up the mountain. Even with the horse drawn carriages that would take you up for $5. The good news is that I am still alive. I will say, thank goodness I had quick smoking the month before or I don't think I would have survived!

We made it! Can you see the bridge dangeling betweent he clifs over the gulley in the picture below? Well that is the only place you can take the picture above. Did I mention my fear of heights? The things I do for Kevin ;)

I will admit, tt was beautiful up there.

Moving on, to the beer. Our visit to one of the oldest breweries in Munich - the Hoffbrauhaus. Mein beir was ser gut! Pictured here - Ein
Hofbräu Dunkel und ein Münchner Weisse :)

Off to Austria. We took the train (okay multiple trains) to Wein (you westerners call is Vienna). The funny thing is that Europeans pack very light for a reason. I learned this very valuble lesson. Do not take your closet, it is very heavy when there are lots of stairs!

What I remember about Wien... lots of old buildings. I don't think we are as cultured as everyone else. Not much into the Symphony or Museums.

My favorite part about Europe wasn't Motzart's home but Coke Light. I love the stuff. I couldn't get enough. I am thinking about petitioning Coca Cola to bring this stuff to the US. It is diet coke but without the nasty after taste. I think that if they did bring this to the US, no one would drink regular coke anymore. Yes, it is that good! I would probably end up drinking more Coke Light than Kevin drinks Diet Coke.