Post-Christmas

Today, I am making a commitment to write something on this blog once a week. I think its only fair to show my love and support for such a wonderful gift from Leilani to us.

Well, like Leilani said, we are taking off the next few years from preparing holiday dinners. It will be nice to go somewhere else and chow down. Leilani's family does a phenomenal job at hosting and preparing holiday feasts. Hey, I don't have a problem with giving back, so I will clean some dishes or shovel some snow.

Grace, Leilani's sister, surprised me on Christmas with a hilarious video from elfyourself.jibjab.com. I am intrigued by how Grace comes up with cool stuff like this. Leilani has been busy all weekend metamorphosizing friends into elfs.

Its been a fun Christmas week with Leilani - aka WUBBS - from wrapping gifts, opening gifts Christmas morning, and having a holiday dinner with some family. Thanks to Bully, he behaved like a good boy after meeting some new family members.

Okay, in closing, I would like to say that being married has brought Leilani and I closer. This should go without saying right? Yes, but the feelings I have felt since that day have been life changing. There is a unity, a bond between us now that gives me comfort. Not that we didn't have a bond before, but I feel Leilani and I are inseparable. I look forward to reading and watching movies together on our comfy couch. I guess you could say this is how GOD
intended it to be. Being married has brought me serenity in knowing that HE will continue to bless us with our discipline that follows. What a fantastic way to live your life! It just keeps getting better and better everyday.

*********

Christmas come and gone!

    Our first Christmas as Hubbs & Wubbs, the new superhero team of Northwest Greensboro, NC. It was another intimate occasion, as we stayed in our apartment and hosted dinner instead of traveling to a big family feast. (Still in career transition!)

We invited Shawn's mom, two uncles and our friend Brah to a ham dinner with some delicious sides.

 A nice woman at Harris Teeter picked out a ham for me. Buying a ham-another first. Normally, I'd order a Honey-Baked (to perfection) ham, but we're trying more DIY tasks to pinch a few pennies. This year, we considered not working over the weekend our "honeymoon, " and not working two jobs a "vacation." We see bigger things in our future, however.....

I set the prettiest table. I do not have a picture as I left my camera at a friend's house. wah wah wah.

Dinner was so nice. I had the best day with my husband. Watching movies and enjoying our gifts, ad talking to our families.

I realized on this day two very important things:

1. I come from a very giving family. Shawn has always told me this, but now I really see it. I was raised with giving all around me. I just thought that was how people were. I guess when you love someone you want give them the world, or at least a token of appreciation in a tangible form. Filipinos are generous, so when you come from a Filipino family it just seems normal.

2. Shawn and I aren't cooking another holiday dinner for at least 5 years. We did Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, and though it was wonderful, it was tiring. So next year, we'll be looking for the big family gathering. We will be bringing a dish. And playing board games.

Ok. I realized a third thing: Sitting on the couch, snuggling with my beloved and glancing up at him, I got the giddy, antsy feeling again.

I told him I couldn't love him enough.  He responded with a profound truth:

"Our love can never be quenched."

It's true.  So true. He hit 'em on the head sometimes. Claaaaasic Shawn.

It's what keep us loving each other, coming back to each other each day and for eternity. I will never be able to love him enough but each day I will love him more.

This is what being married feels like.

And it was the best Christmas yet.

Our first ornament: A gift from Al & Luke. Congrats to Al & Luke!

Name Change

As per the Social Security Administration, I am Leilani Reynante Whitmire! I thought about keeping every name I was given, as people did in the old world, and taking Shawn's middle name because I love it on him so much, but, alas, he talked me out of it. We keep it simple, you know!

Marriage Certificate

 Today I received our certified marriage license copy. Tomorrow I will get my name change! I will be a Whitmire!

New Pic-a personal favorite

My sister edited this and I just love the effect. makes me look pretty!

Photo by Grace Reynante. Subject to copyright.

We did our photoshoot in the Proximity Hotel Lobby. My favorite local hotel. Brian Gilles took some photos as well.  We'll probably schedule a shoot with a professional in the future and include Bully Michael Whitmire (our dog) as soon as I find him a nice tuxedo t-shirt.

The Beginning of a New Life

What can I say? I am truly blessed to have married a wonderful, supportive and loving person. Leilani has given me hope for a brighter future. I cannot imagine a day without her in my life.  Her friendship and unselfish love plays an important role in the joy I experience everyday.

Leilani has done an exceptional job on this blog and did it with ease. It would have taken me forever to put together something like this. Anyway, this is just one of her many talents. I'm definitely a lucky guy, and I thank GOD everyday for allowing me to share my life with her.
- Shawn

A closer look at the details.

The Shoes:

Charles David, and my favorite blue box.

The dress:

A simple short number that I will totally wear again!

The flowers:

Pink roses made by my sister Grace, & I. Attached is a "something blue" that my friend Erin gave to me.

 

Shawn's mother's corsage, made by Grace.

The Rings:

 

My handsome Husband.

Grace & I

 Mommy & I;  Shawn & his mommy

The Marriage License:

It's official!

Cakes:

Smurf toppers, a gift from Lindsay! On Maxie B's! I love all things mini. We'll be ordering our cake for the November marriage celebration from there.

The Husband & Wife:

 

 

The ceremony was not a pictorially memorable, as I was sobbing the whole time! We have it on video, which you will be able to see at some point. The pictures, however, do not tell the story! I was so overcome with emotion that my face was contorted and tears were streaming down my face. Shawn was perfectly calm and attentive! Looking at the pictures, we had a good laugh because it looked like I was in pain. I really did want to get married I promise! Ok, just one photo:

This one will do!

We  simply are elated to be married. We had the most wonderful and relaxing weekend with family and friends! We feel so calm, supported, loved and blessed. A big Thanks to everyone that has helped make this experience more meaningful than we could have ever imagined!

I will will try to take it easy for a while before we start planning the celebration.....and my sister's festivities! It has been an amazing year!

We did it.

December 4, 2009

Here's a brief sampling of the day. More pics to come as soon as I sort through them all. Now off to the Green Valley Grill for more family & friends celebration!

Final Checklist

Cake: Check (Maxi B's Cupcakes and A small cake ordered for our 1 year anniversary)
Rings: Check
Flowers: To be put together tonight after work.
Make Up: Check. Lady at Fresh Market complimented me!
Outfit: Check. Had that months ago!
Vows: Still Working!
Hotel & Spa treatment: Check.

Almost ready.......

Please let this day go by fast!

Rings!

  I got them yesterday from Battleground Jewelers. They are very reasonable there. I was so excited and couldn't take mine off. I can't wait to give Shawn his band and have him read the inscription!

 My mom & my sister arrive tomorrow. I am so excited to see them again and to have them in our home. Bully will love seeing this family.

Its Here!

   This is the week! I am making the last preparations, including making by hand the bouttineres, corsages & my bouquets. Call me crazy. I know I'm not sure if its the excitement of DIY, of being thrifty, OR being in control that I like, but here goes nothin'!!!!!!!!!

Pics to follow!

The Venues.

We are getting married at Clifton Road Baptist Church in Greensboro. It is the church of Shawn's mother, Christine. The ceremony will be at 9 am on Friday the 4th of December.

The reception will be November 5, 2010 at Studio B in Downtown Greensboro. Here is a link:

Studio B

Ready to Roll....

We got our marriage license today! Wally Cousins from the register of deeds office was very courteous & helpful.

The Proposal

It was September 18, 2009. We drove down to Atlanta to see my sis, who I hadn't seen in since she graduated med school. We were going to Maggianos for what i thought was just going to be a southern Italian family style dinner with my family.

Look at how unsuspecting I was!?

We were all just goofing around and catching up over our apps. Posing for pics.

Here is my sister Grace with her (now fiance) JP. Her life changed similarly one week later!

Grace, Mommy, & I

Does JP know something?

Then it HAPPENS.

I didn't even notice at first. I mean, the image of rings on top of dessert is not a foreign image to me. It just took me a while to realize it was for ME.

Then he goes down on one knee. I Cry.

I don't remember much but I said YES!

and here is the instant replay

Pics of Friends

Here's a slide show of some friends with Shawn & I  over the past three years:

"Start with Craigslist-" How we met:

    No, we didn't actually answer a "seeking" ad. I answered a roomate ad. I was living in Athens, Ga. when I decided to move to North Carolina to pursue furniture design or furniture whatever. I thought I'd start with woodworking. After many internet searches and scanning the back of Fine Woodworking I decided to really look into Rockingham Community College's woodworking program. After a few phone calls and on-line galleries I decided to go for it. North Carolina was supposed to be where it was at for furniture.....(supposed to be, but that's another blog).

   About craigslist....I looked at roommate ads, and emailed three people. I drove up to Greensboro (the largest city in theTriad, close to RCC). The apartment I liked the best was that of Brian Gilles. It was downtown (walk to the nightlife), and it was old (character). I moved up, moved in, and a couple weeks later met Shawn. Brian met Shawn through a friend from school who worked with Shawn at the Marriott. We went out, sang karaeoke (Love is a Battlefield, Take me Home Tonight) for a couple of Tuesday nights and realized we were having lots of fun......three years later we still are.

    Something drew me to this area, to that apartment. His name is Shawn :).

Shawn & Brian singing

Happy to be Stuck with you