When Life Throws You Lemons...

It's crazy how life can be so unpredictable. I guess we just have to learn how to "roll with the punches"...

Let me back up:

Nick and I left for our Honeymoon October 2nd. A long awaited vacation for some quality time, and no distractions. Secrets Silversands Resort in Riviera Cancun couldn't have been more perfect to spend a memorable celebration together!

So serene.

A romantic dinner for two, on the beach, was just what we needed.

Proof that Nick really does have love for animals :-)

After a week in Cancun, we preceded to end our honeymoon in Napa Valley, where Nick's sister Brianne would then tie the knot. When returning to the hotel after the rehearsal dinner 10/9/10, I found a missed call on my phone; my Gram had suffered a severe hemorrhagic stroke, and was in ICU unresponsive.

Gram has always been there for me, since my parents separated, and we formed a very close bond. She taught me how to cook and yard sale!  That's the thing to do at Gram's house...cook, eat, and shop the streets and flea markets, always tons of fun! (I wont hold the suspense) Gram is doing better now; She's been placed in a nursing home for rehab with physical, occupational and speech therapy; a long road ahead; but at least there's a road.

After only a few hours of sleep, I woke up to a picture text message from my brother:

Natalie Grace

 My third niece was born 3 weeks early! 7 lbs 7 oz. What a way to turn around my mood and start the beginning of a beautiful day! 10-10-10.

Brianne's wedding was gorgeous. The ceremony and reception took place at a winery, nestled in Napa Valley; very intimate and unique. The whole event screamed "Brianne!" After following her blog for the past 1 1/2 years and watching her post about ideas and projects, it was so  nice to see it all pulled together in real life!

It's also nice to see my husband all dressed up and getting his groove on.

Pardon me, while I go make some Lemonade!

"Textbook" Marriage

On September 5, 2010, Nick and I joined our lives and officially became Mr. and Mrs. I feel like the majority of those that know us were probably thinking..."it's about time!" After four  years of dating, Nick "popped the question" and two years later, we were married. We've been living the married life for the past 6 years; nothing seemed like it would change with the exception of the rings on the fingers....

But it has all changed. Since the wedding, Nick and I have been living in separate households, living separate lives. With a distance of 200 miles, a few short phone calls a week, and actually seeing each other in person once every 1-2 weeks, it's a little stressful not having the "textbook" marriage.

Everything happens for a reason (my life's motto), helps me to remember why we are at where we are. We are purchasing a new home in the 'burbs of Philly, starting new careers, and starting a brand new chapter in our life together. The light IS at the end of the tunnel. So I have to keep my head held high, smile, and live for the moment, and those moments to come, because when they get here, it will be such a sweet surrender.