May - Month 8

WHAT A MONTH.....I became a MRS....

James and I headed back to the US on May 11 and were off to a busy start. I left Saturday morning to head to Ohio where I had to pick up my wedding band and find jewelry for the bridesmaids. I got to spend most of Mother's Day with Mom, Grandma M and Grandma F before heading back to Lexington. My wonderful friends from Lexington had organized a dinner celebrating my last weekend as a single woman (as if I was really single, I guess unmarried is the right term). Dudley's was fantastic and the juicer will be put to great use when we're finally back in the US (too risky with wattage differences!). I worked Mon - Weds mornings. In the afternoons, we ran errands, marriage license, dress fittings, final payments, meetings with the wedding coordinator to lay everything out, etc. Mom and Dad arrived Thursday morning. Mom and I headed to our little treat...a massage with Flo! Shew that woman has powerful hands! It was great. Thursday evening we had a cookout at our house....didn't know it would go that late, but boy was it fun! Friday was a whirlwind...James and Brice had their massages and the girls headed to get nails done. One final trip to the mall and back home to get ready for the rehearsal. The rehearsal went well (we were the last to arrive) and dinner was magnificent. Thanks to Jim, Ali and Leigh...it was one of the best meals I have ever had in Lexington. The Saturday - THE BIG DAY....I tried to go for a morning run for stress relief (worst run ever, not sure why) and after a little traffic panic, got everyone organized at the house for hair and makeup. Lisa did a fantastic job making the ladies look their best!! Then off to IHCC for the wedding....the ceremony was perfect (I was a crying fool, so much emotion) and the reception....wow, I can't put it into words. Other than, Chef did a fantastic job with our dinner, the cake tasted wonderful, the band was so much fun, and the drink, well much was consumed. James and I retired to the Gratz Park Inn (sorry we didn't make it to the bars, I had had enough). Sunday morning was quite hectic. But the brunch at Anne's was fantastic. The food was perfect for the day after and it was nice to say goodbye to everyone.

After frantically opening all gifts, packing and saying goodbye to family, we boarded a plane back to the Netherlands.....(honeymoon posting coming next)