I'm Back!

Wow the past couple weeks have been a whirlwind! I will do my best to catch you up. How nice, right?

JAMES IS HOME!! Pretty exciting. I will be honest, that year seemed to take forever sometimes, but it's over and that is what counts! Let's hope he wont have to go back any time soon.

Well a brief stay at home lead into a week in Gatlinburg, TN! That was a fun trip with our friends Joey and Melanie. It was unseasonably hot, just like every where else, but we had fun anyways! We went horse back riding through the mountain, drove through the national park and Cades Cove, shopping in Pigeon Forge, walked down town Gatlinburg, visited the Forbidden Caverns, and stayed up late around the camp fire with our new friends who were beside us. It was fun and it went way too fast! I was not ready to come home when the week ended. Well, that's not entirely true. I was more than ready to see my little Bella girl!

After only three days at home we were off again to the Outer Banks for my good friend's wedding!! On the way there I found out Krista lost one of her twins. Sad, but she's keeping a positive attitude and is very thankful to still have the one little V. We didn't realize how LONG it took to get to the OBX, but it was well worth the seven hours it took. We got there Friday and just relaxed at the AMAZING inn we were staying in. Big rooms, big porch, super nice staff, and beautiful view! At night it was so nice to sit out on the porch with the nice cool breeze and listen to the beach sounds. We were right on the Pamlico Sound, which was nice.

Saturday we went to see Cape Hatteras. I was reminded just how terrified I am of heights and James found it very amusing, but I made it up and back down! Then we walked on the beach for a while before headed back to the inn to get in the pool and relax before the wedding! We were lucky enough to be staying where the wedding was taking place, so I got to see Mel several times that day. She was all gitty and nervous, it was cute. At 7:00 the wedding started! They couldn't have asked for a better day. Being the wedding was later it had cooled down quite a bit and the sun was started to set which made for a very romantic setting.

This is where they said their vows! Under this little cover there was about 100 people and her family did almost all the decorating. The wind chimes were in memory of their lost loved ones who couldn't be there in body, but were definitely there in spirit. After the ceremony all the chairs were removed and a screen was put up with a Mel and Brandon slide show. It was also where all the dancing was done, which was so much fun. The white balls had lights in them too so it was a pretty awesome setting for a wedding. (Notice you can even see the sound in the back ground too.)

There she comes!! Wasn't she the most beautiful bride ever? Trust me, she is just as beautiful on the inside too.


Saying their vows! They wrote their own and man did they nail it! They didn't go over board with the cheesy like some couples like to do. They were perfect. Oh and Brandon didn't look too shabby himself. It was the first time I officially met him, we've talked on the phone and stuff, and he was such a nice guy!

Meet Gillum! (AKA Gil) Their seven month old baby Chesapeake Bay Retriever who was the ring bearer! It was adorable and he did such a good job! He went right to his mama and daddy.

There they are! The Captain and his bride! No one could get that right. First they were Captain Mr and Mrs Brandon Jackson. Then it was Captain and Mrs Jansen. And Finally Mel clarified that they were Captain and Mrs Jackson!

She was having issues walking so he carried her down the aisle. It was a beautiful ceremony that lead to an amazing reception. It was by far the best wedding I've ever been to.

We stayed until Monday and I am very glad we did. We were lucky enough to spend Sunday with the newly weds. We went to dinner with them and some of his friends and her family. We had a great time getting to know everyone and making new friends. One thing is for sure, we are definitely going to TN to spend some more time with them before Brandon leaves for Afghanistan in March! Now the newly weds are spending a week cruising through the Bahamas. Such a beautiful couple.

We are home now. I got home to a sick Bella. We think it's just a stomach bug. Poor baby, shes so pitiful! She can't eat, even though she acts like she wants to. She is still drinking quite a bit so that's good. I'm thinking we will take a trip to the vet tomorrow if she isn't eating by tomorrow morning. Last time it took about three days, but she may just need some fluids to get her system going again.

This morning was quite eventful too. All three of our cars were broke into in our drive way last night! Crazy, right? Well they weren't locked so lucky for us no windows or anything was broken. They didn't get much. My mom's prescription sunglasses. (Like they will be able to use or get anything out of those...) My dad's super nice binoculars and little mag lite. (They passed on his sunglasses that are the same brand as my mom's and NOT prescription and his check book that was in there. It was moved, but nothing missing, which I find amazing.) In my car they didn't get anything. They were trying to get my CD player that we had installed a few years ago, but they only busted the face plate off. I guess the people at circuit city installed it pretty good! (Or they had no idea how to get it out.) At least that's all that we can tell is missing as of right now. Our guess is they were kids. Someone who knew what they were doing would have gotten a lot more and not passed on some stuff that was clearly visible. I guess we need to start locking our cars now. Not a bad idea, but we've never had a problem before.

Well my baby girl is getting sick again, which means it's time to get into the mommy zone. I know this was a long blog, but we've had a lot going on recently! I will do better to keep you up to date from now on... I hope.

Bella Picture of the Day

Taken By: Mommy

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