The Impromptu Gwyn Wedding

Last Saturday I received a nonchalant text from Christina (who, I've always referred to as my sister-in-law even though we weren't ... yet). It said, "soooooo we might get married in Alabama Friday." I responded with, "Whhhhhhhaaaaaattttt???????" Then began the CRAZY frantic week of trying to figure out if the King and I could even go, work, doctor's appointments, horrible glucose tolerance tests (for the King, not I) and an eventual, "yeah, we can come."

We left Thursday night right after I got off of work (an 8 hour day outside the castle) and drove through the night, arriving in Alabama at 5am on the wedding day (8/10/12... cool huh?). We got a few hours of sleep, woke up, ate the classic breakfast of eggs, bacon and biscuits, and then proceeded to do wedding-ish stuff. The King played with Mia (what he does best) while I primped the bride (not to be confused with pimp.... she was getting married after all). 

Once the Bride's hair and make-up were properly placed and applied, the King and I walked down to the lake on Grandma and Jake's property and we watched the sweetest kind-of-elopement ceremony ever. So much love, tenderness and peace were felt. No one could doubt the love that Joe and Christina have for each other and their little family. A couple of, "I dos," a kiss and picture taking spree later, we all walked back up to the house for a delicious meal Joesph made for us all. Caramelized sweet potatoes, pulled chicken with a green tomato sauce and white corn. I'm getting hungry thinking of it.

Off into the house the groom and his bride went. Meanwhile, the King and I did what we do best; dominate. We shoe polished the car and added cans to our hearts' delight, found extra bird seed laying around and gave the newlywed couple a proper send off.

As the honeymooned in Huntsville that night, the King and I got to play mom and dad to Olivia and Mia. Let's just say that because you are 9 months old does not mean you will sleep through the night. Best form of birth control we've had yet.

We left Saturday around 2 and I hated leaving that place more than anything. Grandma and Jake's house has a way of making you want to stay. It tears my soul to have to leave. Really, my soul. I would be content staying there the rest of my life. Another 10 hour car ride later, we pulled up into the cottage at 1am Sunday morning. Let's just say that we had a VERY lazy Sunday afternoon and it was perfect.

  

  

Welcome "officially" to the Gwyn clan Christina. I'm so happy to call you my sister.

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Book Swappers... Be on the lookout for the email about your swap this week. We should have them out by Friday! Remember the dates :)

Letters

Dear Work,

I feel like I'm always hanging out with you. Seriously. I see you more than my own husband. That's a problem. I really hope he isn't jealous.

Dear Husband,

You are awesome. You make me laugh and smile so dang much. Thanks for letting me tell you about how much I drooled on my pillows last night. You were so attentive and my drool and I really appreciated it. We know you really love us.

Dear Walgreens Photo Center.

Should it really take this long to upload 460 wedding photos??? I think you're trying to stress me out as some kind of evil joke. Are you? ARE YOU!!!!!

Dear Joe and Christina,

You guys are getting married on Friday. IT was supposed to be this March, but now it is Friday. I'm freaking the heck out. The King and I are still currently playing rock, paper, scissors over whether or not we can make the trip. Don't you just love how indecisive we are???! Regardless we are totally stoked for you both and really hope we can come.

Dear The Book Clubbers,

Are you excited to be reading Across the Universe by Beth Revis? I've had so many people tell me I need to read this one and I've never done it. I guess I'll be reading it now. I hope it is as good as everyone tells me it is.

Dear Book Swappers,

Be on the lookout for an email soon about who you are swapping with. I'm so excited that so many of you joined in! We're going to have a blast!!!!! P.S. I totally forgot to get your email addresses on the form. This should be fun.

July... via Instagram

The first six months of the years are over and out. Bring on the second half of the year; my favorite part of the year. 2 months until October (my absolute favorite month, EVER), which means it will be fall, which will lead to the holidays and then the end of the year and my birthday. I cannot wait for what the second half of the year holds since the first half was so incredible (getting engaged, married and then the best new job ever). 

Here it is, the Gwyn's July 2012:

Meet the Mexican version of the Gwyns; Had a visitor at work; photo booth fun at Sportstown; My long lost Meggles.

A very successful first two months of marriage; First attempt at a fishtail braid; The King's baby fever; Master Tutiful loves being in boxes full of stuffed animals.

The first ever Book Club Book Swap!!! (Click here for more details); Jeremiah's!!!; Root beer floats at work because Universal loves its employees; Trying to be a better wife.

Follow along on instagram:

@kayleegwyn

Happy August EVERYONE!

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Don't forget to vote for The Book Club's August book!!! It's over on the right sidebar!

Even more important, don't forget to participate in the first ever Book Swap!!!

Click here for more details and fill out your form here.

It's free. It's fun. It's going to be the coolest thing to hit you this summer.

Spread the word!!!

What The King and I Have Been Up to Lately

It seems like a whole bunch of working, watching Lost (still stuck in Season 4), sleeping and repeating.

  It's weird how it feels like there is barely enough time for anything. Ever. It is also weird how I PROMISED everyone and their mother that I wouldn't be that girl that gets married and falls off the face of the planet. I guess I shouldn't have promised that because that is exactly what I have done. I think its apart of being a newlywed. At least, that's what I'm chalking it up to. 

A week or so ago, we went to shoot pool with some friends and besides girls night last week, I have really done nothing. I think I'm okay with that. Right? I love spending time with my husband. He is my everything, but I sometimes wonder if this is weird. If it is, then I guess I'm a weirdo. 

The King really is my best friend. If I didn't know if before, then I really know it now. If I could only see one person a day for the rest of my life, I would be more than okay if it were him. If i could only share my secrets with only one person for the rest of my life, I would be more than okay if it were him. If I could only hug one person for the rest of my life, I would be more than okay if it were him.

Good thing it is him. Good thing I married my best friend for TIME and ALL ETERNITY, not just until death do us part.

So, if you haven't heard from me in a while, no fear. I'm just off hanging out with my husband, my bestest friend, my partner in crime, my BFF Jill, my eternal companion.

It's not that I don't love my friends, bloggers, family or anyone else; it's just that i love my hubby more.

That's what the King and I have been up to lately. And I kind of like it.

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Don't forget to vote for The Book Club's book for August! Also, click here to fill out the Book Swap form! It's easy, it's free and it's going to be awesome!!! Don't forget to tell your friends!

Thew Book Club - July, "The Summer I Turned Pretty"

It is so crazy that month three of The Book Club has come and gone! What do you think so far? Any things you would like to see happen? We announced yesterday about the first ever Book Club Swap! Click here to find out more. I really hope you can join in on that fun!!!

Anyhoooo, here is what we read in July:

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

Honestly, I really liked it. I thought I wouldn't, or that I would be bored reading it, but I went through it very quickly. Its not very often that I like to read young adult books. I usually find them fun, but I always feel silly reading them. That's what is so great about them. You get to read them, feel silly for it and (for me) get to remember all the fun parts about being young.

I loved Belly's story and especially how this is about her transitioning from being a girl to a teenager. I really liked how Jenny Han called this transition "turning pretty." I think all teenage girls go through this transition and realize it when everyone starts saying, "oh, look how pretty you are," or "I can't believe how different you are looking!" I remember this and it was an awkward stage to transition through. So many changes, so quickly. 

Belly's happens to be during a "final" summer of normality. She is realizing who she loves as well as loosing a very important figure in her life. 

Jenny Han did a great job and I really appreciated this blast into the past. I too remember measuring my life by summers and how my life was dictated by the beach. Most of my greatest memories revolve around the Florida coast and I think that is where I did most of my growing up.

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What did you think? Share in the comments or by linking up your blog post below!

Make sure to vote for the August book and to fill out the form for the Book Swap here.

Do You Like Books? Well then get excited!

*Read this in a medical infomercial voice*

Do you suffer from bookitis?

Do you often wonder where the next best book will come from??

Do thoughts of what you read plague you in your sleep???

Well look no further because has The Book Club got a cure for you!

We, MK, Aubrey and myself are throwing together a one of a kind cure! Its called:

THE BOOK CLUB'S (first) SEMI-ANNUAL BOOK SWAP!

This is how it works.

Blogger, reader or non-blogger reader (basically EVERYONE) can join in. Just email me or MK that your interested and fill out this form (CLICK HERE). It allows us to get info from you.

Once you have done that, you will be emailed by MK or myself with a secret person you will be swapping with and their important information. Based on the info given, you will buy/give a book to that person based on their preferences and maybe a cute bookmark or something else bookish if you'd like.

You'll ship the package to the secret person NO LATER then Friday, August 24 so they can receive the book by September 1st-ish. 

When you receive your book, take tons of pictures (especially if you had it packaged in a unique or cute way) and then read. The book you receive is the book you will be posting about or commenting on for the September Book Club link-up (happening on Friday, September 28th).

In a nutshell:

Like I said, this is going to be so much fun and amazing!!!! Who doesn't like getting a new book to read AND making new friends at the same time???  So don't delay and sign-up today!

Fill out form here.

Side effects include:

Insomnia from having to finish the next chapter.

Blurred vision from reading under your covers with a flash light.

Social anxiety from locking yourself in your room to finish the book.

Complete meltdown due to unexpected turn in plot events.

*Reminders: You DON'T have to be a blogger for this. Its whatever book is in your price range and you can re-gift or buy used if you'd like.*