I'm BAAACK!!!

From the honeymoon!!! The wedding and honeymoon were WONDERFUL! The wedding day couldn't have been better. The weather was perfect. It was overcast in the morning and the sun came out just in time for the wedding. It was outdoors under a large gazebo in a rose garden. We had about 20-30 people there. I forgot to undo my bustle for the wedding, but I guess no one noticed. Also, we started so quickly that I forgot to give my matron-of-honor her bouquet of flowers. And they were BEAUTIFUL too! Dang! But, anyway, the ceremony went fine. We did a handfasting with cords. That was fun. And we did a sand ceremony for the blending of our families where we each poured a colored sand into a vessel. I ended up spilling some of my sand on the table. Oops! Henry put his Dirk on the table with the sand and the candle vessel, and the cords were on the table too, so it looked all dressed up. We took some pics after the wedding and everyone except Henry and I changed into casual clothes. We were heading to the boat for our reception but stopped for a sandwich at a deli. We got the looks walking in in our wedding clothes. LOL! When we got to the boat, everyone was there, the sun was out and it was a beautiful day! We had some cake, and Henry's oldest son made a toast. It was really nice. He's 27 and was Henry's best man. He said he was excited to have a new "mom" and was looking forward to having a new brother and sister. That was really sweet. We just BS'd on the boat until about 7:30 and everyone went home. We went and checked into our hotel for the night, went and had dinner and then took off for the honeymoon the next morning. We headed south to Ashland.  We checked in to the Lithia Springs Inn and went to our room in the water tower. The only room in the building. It was on the second story and overlooked the gardens. It was beautiful! There was a heart shaped jacuzzi tub with the mineral springs water piped in. Did wonders for the skin. We went and saw Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew that night and had a blast. While the play was going on, we looked up and the big dipper was up centered in the sky right above us. So cool! The next day we took a day trip to the historic town of Jacksonville and did some sightseeing and shopping. Then a really nice dinner in downtown Ashland at a restaurant that had the highest rating there. I was disappointed in the food, for expecting something rated a 10. But we sure looked good! I had on a long coral gown and Henry wore a black suit. The next day we slept in a bit and then did some shopping in Ashland and went to another play. This one was not a Shakespeare play, though, but really REALLY good. It was a contemporary play in a theater that was square with seating on all four sides. It was about a mother and her quest to find out if her kid had ADD. Really relevant, since my son has ADD. It was done with humor and kindness. Really good play. Dinner that night was way better than the night before. We weren't as dressed up, but that's fine. It was outside on a deck overlooking a creek. After dinner the lightning started and we watched for about an hour. Then we went back to the Inn and got a blanket and went out in the field and laid down and watched the show for about an hour. It traveled from the south around to the north before the rain drops started. Then we went in. The next day we went white water rafting on the Upper Klamath River. It was an all day event. 42 rapids with 7 of them Class 4+. It was a wild and wet day! I think I actually bruised my butt from bouncing so much on the raft. I don't have much fat there anymore. Never thought I'd say THAT! We were exhausted when we got back, but we had to drive home that night because Henry had to be at work the next morning. The lightning kicked up again, and it was a violent storm. I was driving for about an hour right in the middle of it, with lightning right in front of me and all around us. Winds about 50 MPH and the rain going sideways. We were all traveling with our hazard lights on about 25 MPH on the highway. I pulled off to get some dinner and after dinner, when the storm had passed, we went to get some gas, and the church just down the street from where we were eating had been struck by lightning. There was a big hole in the steeple. And the roof tiles were all off and laying in the street and on the grass. That was a little close for comfort. It was after midnight when we got home, and I was SO tired! I stayed home from work yesterday to rest and see my kids. They are with their dad this weekend, so I wanted to spend some time with them. So, tomorrow night we have our big reception/party at this bar where they have karaoke and dancing. We are expecting at least 30 people to come, maybe more over the course of the night. Should be fun. I'm going to wear my wedding dress again, and Henry will wear his Kilt again too. I can't wait! Oh, and I think I didn't gain or lose any weight! I got on the scale this morning and I was right where I was when I left. So woo hoo!! Hope you all had a good week! Feels good to be back as Mrs. Sanchez! Here is a link to some pics a friend of mine took. The two boys are my son and Henry's son. And my daughter is in the last picture on the left with the braids. I don't have the professional pics yet. Hope you enjoy these. I sure did! http://picasaweb.google.com/rosesdelight/KimWedding

OMG Kim!  Congratulations!  It sounds like a wonderful wedding and you look so beautiful!  I am so very happy for you. Linda

Thanks Linda.  Your exciting day is coming up soon too! I bet you can't wait for your new birthday!

Aw!  What great pictures!  You looked like you were having a great time! And you looked incredible! Lori