Always

When I first started blogging I wrote a post about my future engagement. It's interesting to know that almost two years ago I didn't want Chris to propose to me. I was content with him just loving and I believe that's how it should be.

Finding love at a Jimmy John's will and always be crazy to me. Yes I had met Chris before but alone and speaking to him not out of being polite was life changing. What if I had decided to eat at Subway or Quiznos? What if he hadn't been upset about his just ended relationship ended with his ex being pregnant by his brother? What if I had went to a different Jimmy John's location? What if I had been determined to return to Jeremy? What if I had turned Chris down from shyness? But the fact remains God put us there and it wasn't by some crazy meet up website or dating website. This was God's plan all along.

We were strangers, starting out on a journey

Never dreaming, what we'd have to go through

Now here we are, I'm suddenly standing

At the beginning with you

We started out on a courting relationship. It was beautiful we had the best times. Even on May 24, 2012 when he gave me my first kiss of my life from a guy I knew Chris was special. We let God lead the way but you all know our story if you have been reading my blog for the past two years. We were completely crazy about each other but we kept the Lord at the center. We prayed together all the time, and nothing has changed at all. I mean how many times does a guy take a girl clear across the world to see a group that she loves last concert before they disband? How many guys find the grandparents she hasn't seen since she was 4 years old?

No one told me I was going to find you

Unexpected, what you did to my heart

When I lost hope, you were there to remind me

This is the start

Then Chris moved to Huntsville himself to live closer to me. Then Jackjack came into the picture and we settled into a relationship of quick kisses, diapers, playing, and taking Jackjack to one house one night and the other house the next night. Jackjack is my half baby brother in reality. My stepmom died and my dad was in no condition to take care of him. So we became parents and took those ropes easily. A small little family.

You're the answer when I prayed

I would find someone

And baby I found you

Then December came for us... We were at Chris's brother's wedding at Disney and Chris says he would like to make an announcement in the middle of our solo dance. I was figuring it was a speech to the couple like normal people do at weddings. Key word: normal, and Chris just isn't that. He told everyone he wanted to tell me something specifically. He proposed right then and there in front of all of Erica's wedding guests (so much for a small quiet engagement right?) The moment he slide my great grandmother's ring on my finger I just cried and cried. We danced and danced that night. I think I could have danced forever that night.

All I want is to hold you forever

All I need is you more every day

You saved my heart

From being broken apart

You gave your love away

I can't find the words to say

That I'm thankful everyday

For the gift

Dancing... This word means the world to Chris and myself. We love to dance. I have come to the conclusion I will never have thin thighs because I have muscle things between regular dancing and pole dancing. But Chris says they are amazing. Dancing to us is the movement of love. We have the sexy wild dancing for releasing energy and anxiety. Our slow dancing can either help us when we are sad or when we are in a romantic mood.

Our lives continued as an engaged couple into the year 2013. We discovered Jackjack's cancer had returned. Being back at St. Jude's was difficult because I wasn't going through those doors as his sister but his mommy. But like his Daddy Chrissy he showed cancer who was boss and my little man is strong as his daddy.

Chris and I did have the wonderful amazing opportunity to travel to Israel together. If there is anything that makes you feel like you are a couple meant to be it's when you touch the bottom of where the cross was together. I felt like this strong force was holding me there and the urge to grab Chris's hand took over me and what's amazing? He was already holding his hand out. We prayed there together.

There's a laugh in my eyes 

There's a waltz in my walk 

And it's been such a long time 

Since there was hope in my talk 

If you never knew 

What it is that's new.. it's you

And now,

We are married. Our big wedding hasn't happened and Lord no I am not pregnant. Chris decided that after someone told him that girls were still thinking they could move in on him that he wanted to show the world who had his heart. He scared the daylights out of me before he told me he was getting us married at midnight. Our wedding date is May 14, 2014. It's a beautiful day. We got married on the same ground and same spot as our first date two years ago.

'Cause when your hands are in mine 

You set a fire that everyone can see 

And it's burning away 

Every bad memory 

To tell you the truth 

If it's something new.. baby it's you

My grandmother from Paris laced up my dress. Lisa (Chris's stepmom ) placed my diamond necklace on me. Mary Ann did my make-up and Hunter did my hair. My daddy being the weirdo that he is insisted  that he was going to put on my garter. And my grandpaw helped me slide on my shoes. My veil was fastened on by Mrs. Greene who helped Chris's mom raise him because she was his neighbor. My daddy drove me and my grandparents.

The world's a different place 

Where nothing's too hard to say 

And nothing's to hard to do 

Never too much to go through 

To tell you the truth 

Everything that's new.. baby it's you

My bouquet was the most gorgeous bunch of white and red lilies. And I felt so gorgeous when I stepped out of that car and my daddy slide my arm through his and told me that he was so proud of me and that my mom would have been proud of me too. He had not spoke of my mother without me bringing it up since I was eight years old so I instantly was ready to cry anyhow and then we walked further and everything came alive at once. Candles where hanging in the sky and in the trees.

So if I get to grow old (oh if I get to grow old) 

With many years behind me (many years behind me) 

There's only one thing I want (aahh) 

One thing I need beside me 

For all that you are 

For everything you do 

For all that you've done 

Just for showing me the truth 

It's you 

It's you 

Baby it's you

Dani was my bridesmaid, Chris's littlest sister. All four of my older brothers where beside Chris and each one of them their lapels were sporting a different Hogwarts house color. I started crying when Jackjack walked in front of me and went running to Chris, who scooped him up and handed him over to my brother Jared.

When it was my turn to walk towards Chris the music that bellowed from the speakers was that of Patrick Doyle's Magic Works. I started crying thinking about the date two years ago dancing in my living room (before we started taking lessons). I felt my daddy start to tremble as he walked me to Chris and when Daddy lifted my veil I kissed him and thanked him for raising me and my poor daddy lost it. He started crying so hard. "My only baby girl." And when Wayne, our minister, asked who was giving me away. My daddy barely whispered, "Her mother and I do." I was bawling. 

We both slid off our True Love Waits rings and placed them a long white candle as Christina Perri's A Thousand Years started playing which was the first song we danced to in the same spot two years ago. This is to burn the night we make love for the first time. Even though Chris isn't a true virgin he is a secondary virgin. We both had soil from our childhood yards and we planted a small bush together. We tied a knot in a rope.

We both had wrote our own vows ages ago and sadly being the perfectionists we are we both had our memorized or well enough to not look at the notes we were able to look if we wanted to do so. We both said poems and Bible verses. Wayne added many Bible verses that we didn't say. Wayne said the traditional "Do you Odette Belle Diana Molyneux take this man Christopher Allen Ryan Raposo to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and health, to love, honor and obey, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself solely unto him for as long as you both shall live?" I didn't hesitate at all.

"Always."

Chris's eyes grew big and then the humor shown in them. Wayne himself had humorous tone to him as he continued to Chris. 

"Do you Christopher Allen Ryan Raposo take this woman Odette Belle Diana Molyneux to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in heath, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself solely unto her for as long as you both shall live?"

"Always."

"If there be anyone present who may show just and lawful cause why this couple may not be legally wed, let him speak now or forever hold his peace."

We exchanged rings saying, " With this ring, I give you my heart, I promise from this day forward, you shall not walk alone, may my heart be your shelter, and my arms be your home."

Then Wayne and Chris exchanged a look.

The next thing that happened shocked me to the very inside of me.

Wayne took out a wand and told Chris to take my right hand. We held hands while looking into each other's eyes. He tapped the wand on our joined hands.

"To Odette, these are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and vibrant

with love, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as he promises

to love you all the days of his life.

These are the hands that will work along side yours, as together you

build your future, as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost

secrets and dreams.

These are the hands you will place with expectant joy against your

stomach, until he too, feels his child stir within you.

These are the hands that look so large and strong, yet will be so

gentle as he holds your baby for the first time.

These are the hands that will work long hours for you and your new family 

These are that hands that will passionately love you and cherish you

through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your

eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy

These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you

when fear or grief wrack your mind.

These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your

cheek as they raise your face to look into his eyes: eyes that are

filled completely with his overwhelming love and desire for you."

"And to Chris these are the hands of your

best friend, smooth, young and carefree, that are holding yours on

your wedding day, as she pledges her love and commitment to you all

the days of her life.

These are the hands that will hold each child in tender love, soothing

them through illness and hurt, supporting and encouraging them along

the way, and knowing when it is time to let go

These are the hands that will massage tension from you neck and back

in the evenings after you've both had a long hard day.

These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through

difficult times

These are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick, or

console you when you are grieving.

They are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you

through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.

These are the hands that will hold you in joy and excitement and hope,

each time she tells you that you are to have another child, that

together you have created a new life.

These are the hands that will give you support as she encourages you

to chase down your dreams. Together as a team, everything you wish for

can be realized."

"Will you both hold cherish the hands that are holding during the storms of stress and the dark of disillusionment and be sure that God blesses these hands Keep them tender and gentle as they nurture each other in their wondrous love. Saying Always is making the unbreakable vow."

We both said in an unison, "Always." And gold sparks went up behind Wayne. 

"You may kiss your bride and update your Facebook."

Chris dipped me backwards as Westlife's version of "Ain't that Kick in the Head" started playing. 

So Snape married his Lily with an Unbreakable Vow. Now maybe some of you will understand why Chris was so upset the other night. 

Now we are still having our big wedding celebration in October. So there will be another wedding day post! 

Fresh Start Challenge Day 13: Dreams Come True

I am extremely lucky. There is no denying that. My first date with Chris made me positive I was going to marry him or dang well die while trying to marry him. (A Rose For Emily, anyone? Sorry.)

I am not that desperate, and I don't have to be. Dates with Chris are truly something to behold.

First date with wine, cheeses, meats, and fruit in the woods watching the sun go down in his vintage car.
Second date was a drive in movie dressed in vintage clothing and dancing. That is still my favorite date.

I love our bowling dates because he is so cute when he bowls. He does this little wiggle and I just love it.

I have two dates that haven't happened yet though.

One is simple; I want to have the same meal we had on our first date inside our garden we have. I love the swing and the cobblestone paths. Just stay there all night talking and eating.

My other one of course is to go to Viva Weekend. Or a vintage weekend ordeal. Or a WWII party would be awesome as well.

Review: Basin Almond Hydrator.

I like to watch product reviews a lot because 1) It helps me with mine. 2) I find products to try myself. LisaFreemontStreet is someone's videos I look forward to weekly. She is fun to watch and listen to while she does great vintage styles (not just make-up and hair) and she has a movie review channel as well. She did a video talking about body butter. 

She loves the smell of almond like I do. I guess because it doesn't overwhelm in any kind of product and gives a smell that's nice. So she mentioned a store that she likes to visit at Disney World and I was instantly perked up and Googling the name and I found the store. It's called Basin and it's located in Downtown Disney. It does not cost to get into Downtown Disney yet it still has a Disney quality to it. The transportation systems of Disney (bus or boat) will take you from your Disney Resort and to Downtown Disney. 

I was expecting the price to be high. I'm sorry, but Disney is not for the cheap at heart. Especially when you really want something. I went into this store knowing I was going to use up most of the money I had saved up to spend on myself and oh was I right. 

They had everything thing a girl who likes to take a BATH (not necessarily a shower) could dream of buying! Huge bath bombs, bath fizzies, real sponges, bath brushes, pumices, and milk baths, bath salt (for just $5 and you got to pick as many different smells as you could put into the container), conditioner bars, shaving cream, spa wax, face toner, facial soap, acne soap,  shampoo bars, and made-in-store soap! There was also body scrubs, candles, body butter, and hydrators! 

Thanks to Ashley at LisafreemontStreet I sought out for the almond smelling things and she was dead on about this product! It smells so good and it enriches my skin. The ingredients are jojoba oil, vitamins E, C & D, and additional nourishing ingredients. It's not greasy at all. I love it because it's water based. It's a really great product. I was not impressed with their soap. I think it might just be the smell that I got with the soap, I also loved the bath salts. I will be buying more of their products in the future. Definitely check out Basin.

Total Nerd

So today, minus a few miner setbacks, has been great! A lot happened today that I wasn't expecting. Though the things were great!

To start with I was about to go out the door to go running at Research Park when my dad showed up with tons of boxes of mine. Which had tons of my old games, school stuff that I had saved and clothes in all of the boxes. They are letting my cousin/stepsister move in since she is having a baby and her husband is still in our native country France dealing with his citizenship from both countries. So they are making room for her and the baby which I really don't mind. I think it's wonderful she is back in Alabama.

So after my run, which is always the highlight of my day, I went through my agenda for the day. I have church portraits for our members book. I reminded Chris quickly and packed my rollers and things (for all the good it did). I went to work only to find out the storm had knocked the power out in that part of the city. I went back home and went to sleep after putting sponge rollers in my hair.

I slept forever. I woke up about 1:30 and started getting ready. Omg I put on the Andrews Sister and I swear that was the beginning of my spectacular day! I adore their singing style. So since my hair is a lot shorter thanks to my latest haircut I loosely curled it and braided the sides and fixed my hair like I did for Chris and mine's first date. We got there about the same time. We didn't get to take couple photographs since we aren't married which wasn't fair. We shared a quick bite together and we are separate ways. I think the pictures will turn out really well for the directory.

So I get home and I'm checking my mail and I got a free sample of ice coffee and (drum roll please)...... Chris and mine's Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party tickets!!!!! It is literally 55 days until we leave for that trip which is the really longgggg trip. We are still coming up with costumes and please don't forget to the vote on our costumes. Click the Mickey Head below to vote!

We only have 35 days until we live for Orlando with Chris's brother. Now I know a few weeks ago I said I would be at the Western Kentucky Game but we have now sold those tickets to people so badly wanting to go to the game. And Frankie is in real need of a trip away for just a little bit. We aren't going to do any of the water parks while we are there on that trip. We are going to do some of Animal Kingdom on Friday morning go to the Magic Kingdom that night. Saturday morning we are going to do the World showcase at Epcot as well as Soarin and then spend some time in Hollywood Studios in Hollywood Studios and then back to the Magic Kingdom and then again on Sunday we are spending the morning at HS and Epcot and then we are driving back. Below is probably what we will look like.

So anyhow about the rest of my day I started going through some of the boxes to see what all had been packed up. I found several things that I just went ahead and threw away like clothes that I thought had meaning to them but I just went ahead and got rid of them. I threw away some stuffed animals except for some of the medium size ones and Abby has been chewing on them all day. I found my tote of Super Nintendo games. All of my gaming consoles have been with me I just haven't had my games. Unfortunately for many people I now have all of my games from every handheld I've had to every gaming console. I could make a fortune on ebay. Though I must say I have spent the better part of the night on the edge of the couch playing Yoshi's Island with the crying baby.

So my day has been excellent. I know tomorrow will be just as good. Look for tomorrow's religious post.

Feeling better

Okay so I am so sorry for not writing in two days and Saturday's post being barely anything. My muses have not been working like they normally do but that has been cured as of today!

On Friday I had something from my past and present self weigh in on me. I have dreams where I hear and see things that might happen in my future or sometimes pasts of people's. I had an encounter with that and it freaked me and my family and friends out. It is a long story and dream but if you really ever want to know comment below and I will tell in a different post.

Vacation Bible School has gotten off to a great start. We had over 65 kids, 20 middle school age kids, and 30 teens. I think its been impressive. It is amazing to see other kids reaching out to others. I've been working with the little ones and the teens. It has really been a blessings.

I have loved spending some time with my brothers. I am looking forward in the next few weeks spending some time with each individual one. I have something planned for each of them. I don't want them to think I am not going to be there for them.

Chris and I are still doing very well. He is staying a couple of nights because of VBS. We have a lot of fun together still because we don't make demands on each other. We just enjoy each other's company because it won't always be this easy to see each other once school starts and we have discussed that. We are both stoked about going to school for different reasons. His curriculum is fixing to get more challenging and I'm start another new degree.

My vintage self at the moment is just looking and buying things off of ebay and Etsy. Click on the link to see my Etsy account. I love the content on there. I have a small field day every time I get on there.

Facebook and I might be departing. I have already begun to start working more with Google + because it has sooo much more to offer to me. Especially with school other things of that nature. It is a lot easier to connect with people and business that have the interests you want. It is a lot more mature than Facebook, and I'm beginning to think that it is really what I need.

Be sure to check out the pages on the top side bar.

Vintage Tag

As many of you know I spend hours watching Vintage Tutorials on fashion, hair, make-up, recipes etc. So I was watching LisaFreemontStreet and I ran across this video (shown below) and I don't do vlogs but I figured I could answer the questions

1) Who's your style icon?
My style icon, hm. I simply adore Lucille Ball. Marilyn Monroe, some. Maureen O'Hara, love her. For more go to Inspirations.
2)Whats your favorite way to get inspired? ( i.e. mags, catalogs, photo's, YT, movies, books, the internet, etc)
All of the above. I love pictures mostly, Youtube, and movies.
3) What's your most used hair tool(s)?
Curl pins, curling iron, and hairspray
4)Whats your favorite hair tool/ gadget?
Rollers..... :)
5) Up-do, down, or half and half?
Half and half
6)Is vintage styling something you do daily, weekends only, or just special occasions?
A mixture. I do vintage things constantly even if I don't have vintage style going on that day.
7) Whats your favorite blush/ lipstick?
Spiced Coral by Estee Lauder Signature Color and Le Rouge, SPF15, Pur Colour Satiny Radiance by Yves Saint Laurent

8) Lets talk fashion: dress/ skirt or pants? heels or flats?
I looooove my high waisted shorts but I also love dresses. I love heels but I feel a little more comfortable in flats.
9) Homemade or off the rack?
I'm working on having more homemade things.
10) Do you swing dance?
Its on my Fall Bucket List to learn how
11) Small subtle touches incorporated into everyday wear ( flavor of vintage, if you will) or all out extreme?
There are very few days where I go all out with vintage. I use hints of it. Though Chris does have a bad habit of walking into my apartment on the weekends and screaming "Lucy I'm home!"
12)Favorite perfume/ skincare? ( as ladies back then were very studious about their faces)
Perfumes: Love Kills Slowly by Ed Hardy, Midnight Rose by Lancome, and Ma Cheri by Dior
Skincare: I use a ton of different brands at different prices Estee Lauder and Sephora are where I got the most.
13) What does the rest of the family think of your "style"?
My dad thinks its great. My cousins are mixed on it. Chris loves it since he is a huge Rat Pack fan.
14) Favorite accessory ( signature piece, hair accessory, bag, jewlery, gloves, stockings, shoes, pin, hat, belt, sweater, nail polish, lipstick, perfume, parisol, glasses, scarf... whew! did i forget anything)?
I don't think I have a favorite. I do love my petticoats, I love swishing. I love flower hairclips.
15)Do you find the vintage community warm and inviting, or cliquish and snooty? ( include your personal home state)
I haven't come across anyone who was snooty or cliquish, actually just the opposite.
16)What drew you to this style?
A date Chris and I had at the very beginning of getting to know each other and he seemed to be really big into the 40s with big band swing music.
17)Your favorite place(s) to shop vintage? Modcloth.com for clothes even if they are pricey but I do love their clothing. I really just filter through vintage blogs and vlogs to see what other people recommend and I try stuff. 

Ricky Why Can't I Be In the Blog... You Are Lucy!

My actual second date with Chris got a whole new obsession started with me. We themed it up. We went to a drive-in movie (we seen the Avengers) and went to it in Pin-Up Style. He felt the need to tell me this two days before the date. So I had to learn quick how to dress like that and put make up on like that, and let me tell you... I FELL IN LOVE!


One thing when I went to look for hairstyles for that night, I found a Vlog that I just adore! The girl is down to Earth, gorgeous, and is really good at tutorials. When I can get something to look like the video you know she explains it good. Plus, she does videos about her life, cooking (made one of her recipes yesterday) and giveaways. But she is terrific at make-up and hair tutorials! Below is the video that got me hooked and the one I used for that night's hairdo:

The Cherry Doll Face

I have spent many nights just watching the videos on her channel. Like I said I've made a recipe she did. I've made purchases of things she has reviewed. She's really awesome. Plus she is really nice about answering questions and things.

Cherry actually did a collaboration with LisaFreemontStreet. Which I will admit is going to take forever to watch all of her videos unlike Cherry's. LisaFreemontStreet has been on Youtube doing tutorials, recipes, and vintage talk for almost 4 years. So I am still going through her videos. I love her looks and recipes as well. The music on her tutorials is amazing!

I have actually immersed myself in things vintage. I love it now. For my birthday two weeks ago today, my stepmom gave me petticoats in different shapes and lengths because I have so many 50s dresses now. My friend's grandma-ma in Paris sent me vintage patterns because I am learning how to sew and hopefully soon I can sew my own vintage dresses. 

Though its not just clothing and make up. Chris can tell you I'm obsessed with watching I Love Lucy. I love how her style was as well. Everyone is obsessed with Marilyn Monroe, I prefer Lucille Ball. I just think she is a real legacy. She had a sexiness about her as well, but she was an amazing actress. 

I have many appliances that aren't exactly vintage. For starters, I have a teapot that I love. A vanity tray, which is perfect for doing my nails. I snagged a heart shaped hot water bottle. A bathtub caddy, I love that for relaxing after a long day, and it has a reading rack. I got a towel warmer and an old perfume bottle with a puff sprayer. 

I begged my dad to let me have his record player and I love it so much. I just love pops and the fact that it spins. Don't ask me why. I'm just weird like that. I have loved on my way home stopping at second hand stores and going through the vinyl collections. I found one deal, 2 records for 25¢. I took them both and turned one into a candy dish. It worked out beautifully. 

I've always been into older music. Glen Miller has my heart. I did have him as my music but too many people said they didn't like it. Guess they weren't meant for that time period.  

I have also love learning how to jitterbug. Awesome dance let me tell you. I have had a crazy time learning how. Along with waltzing, and fox trot. Jukeboxes have also started catching my eyes. Right now I'm not allowed to go into a Waffle House. Everyone keeps telling me I would drive people crazy. I cannot wait for Disney World. Hollywood Studios is going to be my new favorite part. They are going to have to drag me out. I think we get to eat at every place in there and most of them are 50s themed (YAY!) 

Chris has me hooked on this artist; Josh Kelley. I love his music. He does a lot of covers of old things (my favorite being Crazy Little Thing Called Love. It was one of the first songs I ever dance with Chris.) Speaking of old music, Chris came into my life and just astounded me with his Rat Pack obsession. So we met in the middle and we have made use of Michael Bublé's music.  

And this girl scored an awesome blender!!!! Because what kind of vintage girl would I be if I didn't love MILKSHAKES?!?!?! Oh yeah! (But I can also make smoothies.) Speaking of vintage food. I have pretty much stalked out vintage recipes. I love cooking and baking at this point. Some websites that I have been using recently are Grandma's Vintage Recipes, Retro Food Recipes, and Vintage Recipes. Most of the things I have made have tasted amazing. 

Now my stepmom knows how much I love vintage now, she gave me some vintage magazines. I haven't had time to browse them yet, and I seriously don't know why I haven't yet. I have managed to land a few vintage posters from my friend's grandma-ma in Paris, France (HOME!!) I don't mind that they are in French where as some people might.

Chris is having a fit to remind everyone that yes I am so vintage, that when we got together, I wear his high school graduation ring on a chain around my neck. The crazy dork has promised me that when it becomes cold that I will get to wear his Letterman jacket from his high school days. Chris even has the old car, and I mean old vintage car. He has a 1968 Stingray Corvette. We love driving around it on some night though most nights we stick to his Benz. 

I'm sure there is more that I'm forgetting but I'm sure once I get more into vintage that I will update everyone.