Gainesville so far...

Gainesville so far is great! We are loving Florida and more importantly being married. When we first moved in, I told Jace that we are living our dream and I still can't wipe the smile from my face. We are finally together, married, and Jace is in one of the best programs in the nation for tax law. What we have prayed and waited for has finally come to fruition and the wait was worth it!

School seems to be going well for Jace. It is sorta like graduate school in that it is different. Jace tells me about school and even though I have no idea what he is talking about, I listen. From what he tells me everything is code and regulation intensive. He has to back up everything he says with the code and regulation. Again, I have no idea what this stuff means but I am thankful that he does. He is impressed by his professors. They are the authors of his textbooks and have personally written code and regs. He says he is learning from the best. As for his work load, about every other night he camps out at the library and reads and works on problems. He does his thing and I curl up with reality TV!
He has met some guys and he says most are married. I have only met one wife and am dying to meet more.

As for what Gainesville is like, its nice. It rains every day here, usually in the afternoons, and when it rains it comes a downpour. It is humid and hot, around 85 most days. People are not nearly as friendly as the people we know in Lex and in MS. We are missing some good ol' Southern hospitality. I just want to hear someone ask, "how's your momma and them?" We are also used to seeing churches on every corner and that is not necessarily the case here. We tried out a church on Sunday and when we left I told Jace that we may have to kiss a few frogs until we find the right one. We are definitely missing Crestwood and First Baptist, Jackson now.

After cleaning, organizing, and putting away all of our stuff we feel at home in our 600 sq. feet apartment. I was thrilled to realize that we have so much storage space. We have a pantry, linen closet, walk-in closet, and outside storage. Here is a few pictures of our "Florida Home" as Jace likes to call it (as if we have multiple homes!)



Our little kitchen

The long bathroom countertop is a blessing!

 

Our bedroom. (The euro shams are different colors thanks to a Bed, Bath, and Beyond mixup!)

Lenny, the Lizard, lives on our porch...along with SEVERAL of his friends

Living room
 

It isn't much but it's ours. We have tried to make it homey and we feel very comfortable here. It is the typical apartment with white walls but Jace has a large collection of prints for a 28 year old. We have three golf prints in our apartment which gives the walls some color. For instance, every night I go to bed with two men: Jace Stamper and Ben Hogan hitting his famous one iron shot. Don't be jealous!

We also survived the first week of grocery shopping. We went to the grocery about three or four days straight. If you gave us a gift card to Wal-Mart or money for our wedding--BLESS YOU!!! You helped us tremendously and we were so grateful to have the resources to pay for our groceries and needed items. Surprisingly, the Wal-Marts are not that big. There are two Super Wal-Marts but they just didn't have the selection we were hoping for. Currently we shop at Publix and love it, however, it is a tad pricey although the selection is out of this world!

While we have been in Gainesville, I did something that I have wanted to do for almost two years now. I cut all my hair off! Six inches total! My hair comes to my jawline now and I like it. I was that bride that grew it out for the wedding and then off it went.

Saturday night we ventured downtown and visited Lake Alice. While we were there, we saw our first alligator and he was bigger than my liking. While admiring the alligator and making my getaway plan if need be , the UF band was practicing in the background. Nothing like hearing a little drumline to get you excited for football season!

All in all, life in Gainesville is good. We are happy. So far in marriage I have done more things than I thought I could do and have gone outside of my comfort zone but the reward is oh so sweet. People told us marriage would be an adventure and it is. We still have lots to learn and things to do but are so thankful to do it by each other's side.

I'm Back!

Hi Y'all! I am exhausted. The past 3 weeks have been filled with love, a moving truck, goodbyes, boxes, grocery store runs, more boxes, excitement, and Florida heat. I will blog about everything in detail later on, Our wedding ceremony was so moving and meaningful and our honeymoon was wonderful. I think we both left a little piece of our heart in San Francisco.

As soon as we landed in Cincinnati, we hit the ground running. I had to do what I have been dreading for months and had to say goodbye to my Teak and Momma. It was probably the hardest thing I have had to do and plenty of tears were shed. Jace held my hand the entire time and knew that it was hard on me. But there wasn't lots of time to be sad and to analyze what I just did because we had to hit the road to MS. Once in MS, we had to load up the Penske truck and get back on the road, only this time it was for FL. 11 hours later, we arrived at our new home.

Y'all for two days Jace and I worked like dogs. We cleaned everything from top to bottom and started putting things away. After 48 hours of hard work, this apartment started to feel like home. We are in a great location and are so close to Publix and Wal-Mart. It is a safe and quiet apartment complex and we couldn't be happier.

Jace had orientation on Saturday and tomorrow is his first day! On Saturday we drove through campus and the campus is beautiful. We went to the bookstore which can be confused with the Taj Mahal, and bought some UF paraphernalia.  

I promise to follow up and tell you all about the wedding, San Fran, and Gainesville. So much life has happened and it has been a beautiful, crazy ride. I still can't believe I am a Mrs. and have a husband. I can't believe we live in Gainesville now. Thinking about it all it makes my head spin but also puts the biggest smile on my face.

Day before/Rehearsal/Rehearsal Dinner/Wedding Day

I fell into bed at midnight with the biggest smile on my face. My mind raced with how great yesterday was and how great today will be. Excitement and pure joy have kept me up and I don't feel tired.

Yesterday I couldn't sit still. I desperately needed to stay busy and constantly going. By 8 AM I had breakfast, balanced my checkbook, taken out the trash, and emptied the dishwasher. Y'all I haven't moved that fast since I left work. After getting ready, Mom and I ran to the grocery to get food for today and delivered everything to church. Once we were at church we realized that we needed to make another trip home and get more things. I ironed 4 rented tablecloths on Thursday night and brought those to the church. We also had the unity candle, memory candle, programs, and pen and guest book. Mom and I got the church how we wanted it and felt so much better about everything. My nerves started to leave at this point. We also ran to Jimmy John's and placed the lunch order.

When we got home, Lauren was here and we visited for a quick minute before heading to lunch. Whitney met us at Ricon, which is the Mexican restaurant we used to eat at in college. I just felt like going back for one last time with the girls. I gave them their gifts and there were strict instructions to not read the card I gave them until we were apart. We couldn't be boohooing at the lunch table.

Jace arrived in Lex around lunch as well as Aunt Karen & Sara. I wish you could have been on Teak's deck yesterday. Sara & Aunt Karen assembled all of our wedding flowers on Teak's deck and you have NEVER seen or smelled what dozens and dozens of spray roses, hydrangeas, peonies, and other flowers I don't even know what they are called. All white with touches of greenery. If I could bottle up that smell and sell it as perfume, I would have my future kids college education funded.

Jace and I did get time together but it was spent running several errands. Jace, me, Mom, Aunt Karen, and Lauren ran to church and dropped off the ferns and ran the flowers to Malone's for the dinner tables. Then Jace and I ran to the bank and cashed a check. I am not going to lie we also practiced dancing and kissing at the alter. When 200 eyeballs are going to be watching you, we don't want to look like we don't know what we are doing. After the practice runs, Jace left to go to Jay's and get ready.

After Jace left, I watched in awe as Sara & Aunt Karen did their thing. It truly is an art and talent at how lovely and fast they can create arrangements and bouquets. As much as I loved watching them two, I needed to jump in the shower and start getting ready for our rehearsal. I wore what may be the prettiest white dress from Dillard's. It looked like a rehearsal dress and made me feel like a bride. Thanks JH!

Everyone arrived on time except my groom, the best man, and groomsman. Traffic was bad but they all arrived at the same time. Kory opened the evening in prayer and we gave quick introductions for everyone. We began the evening with rehearsing the recessional. From there, we worked our way backward through the ceremony. When my brother escorted me down the aisle and Jane played the Bridal March I got a little teary eyed. I held it together because I didn't want to start the tears just yet. Things ran so smoothly and no one had questions, so we all piled into cars and headed to Malone's for dinner.

The food was excellent but the company. Oh the company!!!! All of our worlds had collided and the stars aligned for this special night. My girls from college, our friends from GC, our families, and our law school friends were all in the same room. I can't tell you what that did and still does for my heart. They are the reason I am blogging so early. They rearranged their schedules, took off work, found babysitters, flew up, drove four-ten hours to get here. And why?  For Jace and I. To watch, support, and love on Jace and I as we commit ourselves to each other before God, our family, and friends. I wanted to thank them. I had a speech prepared and was so nervous. Now, I can speak for a solid 30 minutes or more about needs vs. wants and how to create a spending plan to large groups of adults or kids and not be nervous. But this was different. It is always the hardest to thank the ones you love most.

Jace and I stood up and though I had something jotted down, Jace decided to "wing it", I thought we gave a heartfelt speech and we didn't even practice. I did get emotional but no tears fell. We concluded dinner and hugged the parents and grandparents good bye. At the end of the night we were surrounded by our closest and dearest friends. Words are not adequate to describe what these people mean to us. They have allowed up to be the third, fifth, and sometimes seventh wheel on their dates. They have supported us when Jace and I were miles apart. They have gone through law school with us, some physically and some emotionally. They have made us laugh and been there when life wasn't that grand. I came home and thought could life get any better? Yesterday was the perfect day; if only I could stick all of them in my pocket and take them with us everywhere we go.

As for today, I can't wait. Everyone talks about the bridal peace and how calm the bride always is. It has washed over me. It washed over me last night and I am soaking up all its glory. I think the peace stems from being surrounded by so much love. Once everyone was together, I was so relaxed and ready to enjoy our moment; a moment eight years in the making.

Today I am ready for so many things. I ready to put on the dress. I am ready for the first look. I am ready to say our vows and place the ring on Jace's finger. I am ready to walk down the aisle as Mrs. Katie Stamper. I am ready to see everyone at the reception and dance the night away. It is these things that keep me from sleeping. It is these things that keep me thanking God through continuous prayer and rejoicing. 

It's 5:12 AM.

It's August 3rd, 2013.

I am wide awake and excitement hasn't allowed me to go to sleep.

Today is a big day.

This house won't be quiet for long.

The stillness won't last.

Today I get married!!!!

The Dress & The Bar

Oh what a day the soon-to-be Stampers have had!

I finally spoke to Jace. Here is the first day update: He said the test went fairly well and could have been a lot worse. He said he was exhausted which is to be expected. He didn't sleep that good simply because it takes him a couple of nights to sleep good at a hotel. The conference room is freezing cold and they sit two at a table. There are about 250 people taking the exam in the room with him. He has his ear plugs in so the sound of keyboard keys doesn't distract him. The girl next to him is taking the Bar for the third time. Bless her heart. He said that him and Kennedy had peanut butter crackers for breakfast and lunch. Elizabeth, Kennedy's fiancé, packed snacks for them and this fiancé is so grateful! Jace tried to watch how much he drank because it was such an ordeal to go to the bathroom. One day down, one to go!

While he was taking the exam, I skipped over to Ruth's Bridal and had my final fitting. Y'all!!! I know I sound like every bride but the dress. Oh the dress. It is beautiful, classy, timeless, comfortable, and would please a Southern Belle! When I had everything on, I might have gotten a few goose bumps! I can't wait to get back into the dress.

Mom will be here tomorrow around lunch and we have a list of little things to get done.

Is this reality?????

4 days!!!!

Wedding Week

Six days. Six days separates me from being a fiancé and being a wife. 6 days to make sure every I is dotted and every T is crossed. Fifteen months of planning, 8 years or hoping, and 26 years of dreaming is about to become reality. Needless to say I am a ball of emotion. Jace and I feel like all of this is so surreal and we can't believe we are getting married. All we have ever known is to be apart. That ends in six days. What is it like to be with the person you love the most each and every day? We don't know.

This week is going to be CRAZY! This is what the next six days look like for us. Tomorrow Jace leaves for Nashville and will make a pit stop at Jay's. By Monday night, Jace will arrive in Nashville. Tuesday I go for my final fitting of my dress. When I am at my fitting, Jace will be taking the essay portion of the Bar. The exam begins at 9 AM and lasts for  six hours. Wednesday my Mom comes up and Jace will take the multiple choice portion of the exam. Wednesday night we will praise God that the Bar is done and now we will be in full time wedding mode. Thursday Jace picks up tuxes and Mom and I get mani/pedis. I get my ring cleaned this day as well. Also, on Thursday Aunt Karen & Sara come up. Somewhere in there I need to pack for the honeymoon.

Friday is when things really get going. Sara & Aunt Karen will do their thing and make the beautiful arrangements they are known for. They will make those arrangements in Teak's kitchen. The girls will come up and we will go to lunch. Jace and his family should arrive late Friday afternoon. Jace and I are going to sneak away for an hour, at least we hope we can, and visit with each other. (Remember we haven't seen each other since the end of June.) I would like a moment with him and catch up. Then it is off to our rehearsal and our rehearsal dinner.

Saturday things begin at 8 AM with hair and makeup. The guys, and whoever else wants to help, will put tablecloths on tables and cushions on chairs beginning at 10 AM. At 1:30 PM we take first look photos and photos continue until about 4. Ceremony begins at 4:30. By 5 PM I hope to be a married woman and then it is off to the reception!

Y'all all this runs through my mind constantly. I have worn out the notes app on my phone and jot down anything that I don't want to forget; the list has gotten long. When I think about all what has to get done and things I don't want to forget, I get nervous. It is NOT cold feet but more about me forgetting something. It also has to do with the amount of life that we are going through right now. Are we a little stressed? Yes. Are we excited? Yes. Are we ready for the honeymoon? You best believe it!

But before we can walk down the aisle, we have to get through the Bar. One step at a time, one day at time. Wish us luck; we are about to jump on the ride of our lives.

Bachelorette Weekend!

Y'all! I don't know if these words will even do justice to the weekend Lauren, Whitney and I had!!!! It is so rare when just the three of us can get together. Unfortunately, the last time we were together was this past winter so we made sure to maximize all the time we had together. When we do get together the conversation never stops and we never stop eating and we did plenty of eating this weekend!

When the girls arrived we started talking and didn't even sit down. We carried on a whole conversation in the hallway. I will admit that I had a little cry. Lauren asked me how I was feeling and the tears welled up and just wouldn't stop. Again it isn't because I am nervous about the wedding; I am just
so sad to leave Teak and Mom. There is something therapeutic to crying to your best friend. You don't have to explain yourself and they let you get all the cryin' out. After wiping away every bit of my concealer and pulling myself together, we decided to go to lunch.

We ate at Saul Good since I had a gift card and sat and talked and got caught on with everyone. After lunch we returned to Teak's and had a cupcake. The girls bought lemon with raspberry filling cupcakes. They had pink frosting with glitter and were called pucker up! They were delicious. I resisted having two in one sitting. After our afternoon dessert, we ventured to Apple Nails to get mani's/Pedi's.

Now listen, I used to go to Amy at #1 Nail for almost 2 years. Girlfriend and I were close and saw each other once a month. I never went anywhere else. I love Amy but let me tell you that Apple Nails was phenomenal. We sat in the massaging chairs and were offered water; then they massaged, lotioned, scrubbed, painted, and pampered us! We had the best time. Bless it but Lauren had NEVER had a mani or pedi. Child was in Heaven! I think there came a moment when neither of us said a word. We were so relaxed and what girl doesn't like a little pampering?

After we were completely dried and feeling like Jell-O, we made our way back to Teak's and visited with her. We didn't have much down time before our appointment at Phil Dunn's cooking school. Y'all, I can pin recipes all day long on Pinterest and thumb through Taste of Home all day. I can talk a good talk but I have very little kitchen experience. I scare Jace when I slice something. He can't even look! So I thought the cooking class would be fun and educational. Now what bride says they want an educational bachelorette party? This girl! Y'all!!!!!!!! We had the absolute best time!

Phil's cooking school is located in a kitchen and bath store. Whit, Lauren, and I drooled over the beautiful cabinets, hardware, sinks, tile, granite, and hidden nooks in the cabinetry. Phil had everything set up for us, we put on our aprons, and got to work. We poured ourselves a glass of wine and let Phil tell us the menu. For appetizers, we had tiropites which is feta cheese mixed with egg yolk wrapped in filo dough. Then we had a ceasar salad with freshly made ceasar dressing. Our main course was chicken piccata and a gruyere cheese soufflé. We finished the evening with crème brulee. My belly was hurting by the time we left. Everything was so good and fresh. Phil made everything look so easy and he gave some of the greatest tips (I really needed to write them all down!)

Here are the girls and I using the blow torch!

Phil showing us how to work the blow torch

Caramelizing the sugar

Whit doing her thing

Lauren looks like a pro

Does this not look evil? I was so excited to get that puppy in my hands!

Getting a hang of it

My finished product

My Matrons!

 

After dinner, we ventured through campus for old times sake. The girls hadn't seen all the changes on campus and were amazed just how much had changed in the few years we have been out. Then we went back to Teak's and stayed up until almost midnight talking and laughing. I am so thankful these two married before us because I could ask them all sorts of questions and they were there with answers.

 

These two showered me with love this weekend. I am beyond thankful for these two precious girls. I think all three of us would go back to sophomore year in college, living in Blanding 1, eating at the Commons and relive what if felt like to live just across the hall from one another. Together we have survived school, gotten married, Whitney has had baby and told Lauren and I everything about motherhood, had first jobs, left first jobs, and gone through everyday life together. I only wish we could be together more often but even when life is busy and weeks have gone by, we know each other is a phone call away and we will pick up right where we left off.

 

Whit & Lauren--I love you! Thanks for standing by my side on the biggest day of our lives! See you in 13 days! 

One last hurrah

This Friday night Teak and I are going out to dinner for one last hurrah together before the wedding and the move. I am looking forward to a great dinner with my Teak but I am also dreading it. This last hurrah means that I am leaving soon. Leaving her. I am ready to walk down the aisle but I also want time to slow down. I am not ready to leave her yet.

 

Teak and I have such a deep and meaningful relationship and it has only gotten stronger since I moved to Lexington. In college, I stopped by her house every Sunday for church, lunch, and laundry. The past four years, I have lived with her and shared every day with her. I am incredibly lucky to have spent so much time with my grandmother. However, there have been times when I have wanted my own apartment but those moments only last a little while.

 

I think the thing I will miss the most about living with Teak is her advice. When I am upset or need to talk about something, Teak is there. She has experience with girls and has gone through many things which makes her the best person to seek advice from.

 

Teak is in great health and can do everything for herself. However, I worry about when I am not here. I worry about who will take care of little projects for her, take things to the basement for her, help her with the computer and TV. I will worry that she will be ok. I have been the eyes and ears for my Mom and aunts for years now and with me leaving, who will keep an eye out? It is these things that make it so difficult to leave her.

 

I can not wait to marry Jace. The day has finally arrived and I get to marry my best friend. Eight years I have waited for this. Eight years we have waited for this. However, marrying and moving means leaving the Teak. I know she wants us to get married and she is excited for us. She has raised 3 girls and knows that all kiddos need to leave the nest. But it is me who is having such a hard time leaving her, even though I know she will be fine. She will stay busy with church, bridge, exercise, and eating lunch with the ladies. She will be fine. It is me who is a wreck.

 

 

Jace has been amazing through all of my emotions. Tears do not scare him away. When we land in Cincinnati after the honeymoon, our first stop is Teak's and it is then that I have to say the official good bye. Jace has told me countless times that I can take as long as I need. He knows there will be tears and lots of them. I will cry the whole way down the BG, WK, 1-24, and Purchase Parkway. Even though I will see Teak 8 weeks after the wedding for Ross and Beth's wedding, it will be the longest I have been away from her in years. I keep telling myself that she will be fine. We will only be gone for 9 months and after that we hope to be so much closer to KY.

 

 

I am incredibly blessed to have the Teak. She is the best. I know not everyone has such a close relationship like we do. It is more than granddaughter/grandmother. I don't think there are adequate words to describe what we have; it is such an intense love.