Just stuff...

Things are going well...Greg has been hired full-time by the bottling plant, so that means benefits and more pay. He was practically full time anyway, but now he'll get the full rewards for it.

He went yesterday and took his CDL permit test--passed on the first try! I am so proud of him. A lot of his buddies at the plant had to take it 3 times or more to pass, but not my Baby...hehe.

The little guy has been here since last Friday. He's up with his MeMaw and Poppy right now on the mountain, and I miss him. His mom and stepdad are coming to get him Friday, and I dread his leaving already. I had no idea how fast I could fall in love with this little man who came along into my life when his daddy did. I never dreamed my life would be filled with cartoons, pb&j, Veggie Tales, Pokemon, bandaids and boo-boos, comic books, early-morning snuggles on the couch, and the dramas that only 8 year old boys can create. I never dreamed I would love every single second of it.

I have become the biggest homebody on the planet...I hate to go anywhere anymore. I dread when work starts back in August. All I want to do is stay in my little house with my "guys" and hang out. I want to do laundry, clean, cook for my boys, tend to my lettuce and tomatoes growing in the back, my herbs and flowers growing in the front. I want to stand out on the back porch every night with the little guy and call for the neighbor's cat, look up at a million stars while the jasmine growing on the railing perfumes the air. I never want the summer to end.

My one consolation is that even when it does, there's always next summer, and the next, and the next...so it will be okay.

Our Weekend in the Smoky Mountains of TN...

Here's Greg and I in the car on our way to Gatlinburg, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.





This is the front port of a little place where we had lunch while out shopping (well, more like window-shopping) in the arts/crafts colony in Gatlinburg








This is my hubby having a sammich!





This is a photo Greg took of us with the "self-portrait" setting of the camera...his always come out better than mine because my arms are too short...lol!



These other shots are just random photos I took on our drive up into the mountains...

Hi, I'm Mrs. Hillis...

So. I promised myself I wouldn't post here until it was official. Finally, the day has arrived. As of last Saturday, I am now Mrs. Charlotte Hillis.

Everyone kept telling me I was the calmest bride they had ever seen. So many people kept saying, "wait, the breakdown will come." Well, it never really did. Our wedding day was so wonderful, so happy and full of love, friends and family--there was no reason to be nervous or anxious.

My bridesmaids were my best friends Jane and Wendy, and my first cousin (practically sister) Tammy. They looked beautiful in dark purple gowns with shrug jackets over them, carrying wildflower bouquets. The groomsmen were Greg's dad, his nephew Dustin, and my cousin (practically brother) Eddie. They looked so handsome in black suits with white shirts and lavender ties. My (step)son looked beautiful in his little black suit, purple shirt and matching tie. And my Greg was the most handsome man in the world in his suit and lavender tie.

The wedding party walked down the aisle to "Feels Like Home" by Raul Malo. I watched from the wings as the couples went before me, then my sweet little boy. My little Mama (so pretty in soft blue) held my arm and whispered "take a deep breath, baby," as we stepped to the end of the aisle. Raul Malo was singing my exact thoughts as I walked slowly down the aisle:

"If you knew how much this moment means to me
and how long I've waited for your touch
If you knew how happy you are making me
I've never loved anyone so much...
Feels like home to me
Feels like home to me
Feels like I'm all the way back
Where I come from...
Feels like home to me
Feels like home to me
Feels like I'm all the way back where I belong."

The moment I started walking I saw Greg's face smiling at the end of the aisle. He looked so happy--just glowing with happiness and love. I glanced around the church, and every face was smiling at me. I have never felt so happy, so thrilled, yet so at peace with where I was and what was happening. Everyone I loved was there, and so many of my dearest friends, also.

Kevin conducted the ceremony perfectly, with grace, charm, humor, dignity, and reverence. His calm manner and strength kept me from crying (well, until the end anyway), and his gentle direction made everything go so smoothly.

I had the best bridesmaids in the entire world. Jane has been my rock and my strength, my sounding board, my confidante, my cheerleader, and my right arm. I could have done NONE of this without her. I love her more than I can say.

Wendy was my protector, my assistant, my defender, and my "panic button" for the day before and of the wedding. I never realize just how much I miss her until I see her again. We've been best friends for over twenty years, and whenever we get together, time seems to have never passed. We fall right into a rhythm that only true friends have.

Tammy was (and is) the sister I never had. We've always loved each other and been close, but this made us even closer, I think. She was so wonderful about helping me plan everything, made me laugh when I needed it, encouraged me when I needed it, and kept me in the right perspective when I needed it.

Whew...this is a lot after only one cup of coffee. I'll post more later, and hopefully some photos soon.

Until then...

Much Love,
Mrs. Hillis