Memorial Day!

"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." - John 15:13

This is from my wedding.  My cousin was in Afghanistan and couldn't make it to my wedding so he sent his unit pin for me to wear.  It was truly my favorite part of my dress!

So I didn't really have a chance to post anything on Memorial Day.  At first I thought, I would just skip it since the day had passed and I have yet to tell anyone about this blog.  But then I realized that if I'm going to do this blog, I need to be able to express the things that I am passionate about...and one of those things is our military and being a proud American!!

I am very patriotic!  Everytime I hear the National Anthem and see that beautiful flag waving in the wind, I get teary-eyed.  I can't help but think about the many men and women who have put their lives on the line to make this country the home of the brave and the land of the free!   Just saying those words gives me chills! 

So I didn't think it would be right that I didn't recognize that we just celebrated Memorial Day weekend.  Although I had a wonderful time with family at the lake, relaxing and having fun, I was thinking of the soldiers who didn't have that chance this year b/c they're busy protecting our freedoms!!  They don't get long weekends...they don't get weekends at all!

You see, the reason why you can bad mouth your military and government, the reason that we're a free nation, the reason we have liberties is because of these men and women (AND THEIR FAMILIES) who give of themselves DAILY!

So I just wanted to take a second to honor the men and women who have given their lives for our freedoms!!  I have 2 cousins that are serving in the Army right now and I can honestly say that they are my real life heroes!



You don't know what to expect when you're expecting!

One of the reasons I thought it was about time to start this blog is because the husband and I are expecting our first child!!!  A Baby Girl!!  Right now we are 21 weeks or 5 months (that's half way people) along this new journey to a brand new life.  We are so excited for this new chapter and blessing in our lives!! 

Tenley Caroline is expected to make her debut in mid October!!  Now let me explain something to you people (which is 0 readers at this point b/c I refuse to let anyone know I started a blog...but I digress).  But let me explain something...this child is going to be one SPOILED ROTTEN little girl!!  And as much as I act like I'm not...I'm ok with it.  She deserves it.  You see, my husband is one of 4 boys (God bless my mother-in-law) and has he has 1 nephew...so Tenley will be the first Baby Girl Cain!  Holy spoiled.  And since my sister hasn't had kids yet this will be the first grandchild on my side.  On my dad's side Confusing family history to be explained at a later date! - my step siblings have all boys...again, FIRST GIRL!!    So to sum it up...she's going to have sooooo much love and nothing could please me more!

All that being said, having a girl is a little intimidating to my husband and I.  You see, we wanted a boy.  (Don't judge!!  Everyone has a preference no matter what politically correct answer they give.)  We knew what his name would be, what sports he would play...basically his whole life planned out.  For a girl we had - NOTHING, except fear!!  You see, girls just seem so much more complicated.  More hissy fits, attitudes, eye rolling, horomones, money!  Not to mention we only had her middle name picked out.  All that being said - we're thrilled to death about this precious little angel that we are being blessed with.  At our 20 week appointment where they do all the measurements of the organs, brain, etc...everything came back as NORMAL!!  God IS GOOD!! 

Anyways, I will use this blog as a way to track my pregnancy and my life as a new mother among other things that I enjoy talking about.  Hope you enjoy!  Pics to come soon!

Who Says the First Year is the Hardest?

On Monday, May 22, my amazing husband and I celebrated our first anniversary!  Without being too mushy...I love him!!  He is seriously the best thing that ever happened to me.  Every love cliche you've heard...well that's basically how I feel about him.  They always say the first year is the hardest.  If that's the case...this outta be a breeze b/c this first year has been amazing!! 

In honor of our first anniversary and considering that my love for blogs began while I was planning my wedding.  I thought I would share a few of the details!

We married at a venue called Little Gardens in Lawrenceville, GA.  I wanted a "Southern" wedding, hence the antebellum home but I also wanted to get married outside.  In the back there is a BEAUTIFUL garden with a waterfall where we had our ceremony!  For anyone in the area looking to get hitched...definitely check out Little Gardens or any of the Magic Moments facilities.  They make sure that every detail is taken care of.  And they treat you like a King & Queen on the day of your wedding. 

  These are just a couple of pictures of me before the wedding.  I was super excited that day yet eerily calm.  I thought I would be a nervous wreck.  Instead, I was just ready to get out there and marry the man of my dreams!  

  

 

Our cakes were done by the lovely, talented, wonderful Eileen Carter of Eileen Carter Creations.  I couldn't recommend anyone better for your special day than Eileen.  She is reasonably priced and so talented.  Her cakes are delicious and she does all the frosting with buttercream instead of gross fondant.  The Groom's cake is the mascot for Coastal Carolina University where my husband went to college and played football.  It was made out of funfetti cake, per his request.  The wedding cake was white cake with Oreo filling.  DELICIOUS!!

This was upstairs in Little Gardens.  The bride and groom suites were upstairs.  The bridal sweet was BEAUTIFUL and peaceful while the groom suite was manly and modern.  This picture was taken in the hall.  Just through those doors is an amazing balcony.

This is a picture of my dads (yes, dads...plural) walking me down the aisle.  We all look so serious - not sure why!

And this is the love of my life when they opened the doors.  I just love that smile and those dimples.

Our first kiss as husband and wife!

And this is the moment I will never forget.  As we turned to walk back down the aisle as husband and wife he kissed my hand.  I will never forget that moment!

Mr. & Mrs. Cain with our amazing wedding party!  Such wonderful friends and family!

And I just love these pictures. They were taken on a bench in the garden.  I just love it!

After out fairytale wedding...we're off to the St. Regis hotel for our first night as husband and wife!

This wedding really was everything I have ever dreamed of!  Perfect in every way...most importantly though...I chose the right groom!

Pictures by Slava-Slavik!  I would recommend Slava and his wife Sarah to anyone looking for a photographer.  They do a wonderful job and they are such a kind couple!

For a vendor list/reviews, email me at houseofcain28@gmail.com

Best Video I've Seen in a While

Soon enough you'll hear me go on and on about my favorite furry guy in the world...my pup, Axel.  My husband and I are awkwardly obsessed with out 2 1/2 year old boxer!  It's amazing how an animal can become such a part of the family and bring so much love and laughter to a home.  When he's not at the house we both comment on how it doesn't feel right without him. 


Anyways, I found this video the other day and thought it was HILARIOUS!!  It reminds me of my puppy love!!  Take a look!

Ready or Not...Here We go!

I'm finally doing it!!!  After a year of going back and forth about starting a blog...I have decided to bite the bullet...take the plunge...Just Do It - I'm starting a blog of my own!!  My obsession with blogs started over a year ago when I was planning my wedding.  I would stumble across blogs that weren't necessarily wedding related and would save them to my favorites and check back with them on a daily basis...and there we have MY OBSESSION! 


Starting a blog is really kind of a random thing for me considering a.) I'm really not that interesting to have that much to talk about and b) I'm a pretty private person.  So although I'm not sure what I'm doing here, I'm excited to finally begin this journey!!  It's obviously something that has played heavily on my heart and on my mind and I'm anxious to see how it goes.