Mr. & Mrs. Brady Wittkamper

Happy Birthday Sweet Kasey!

My sweet bridesmaid Mrs. Kasey Gentry, celebrated her birthday this week. She is last but definitely not least to be featured on the blog. I love her to pieces. We always have a great time together. We have shared some good times and cried together through some hard ones. Our grandmothers were always friends and I think that's another reason Kasey and I get along so well. We are both kind of "old souls". I don't get to see her near as much as I'd like but I'm hoping after the wedding we can start getting together more. I like to think that I was at least a little responsible for she and her husband Nick getting together. Nick and I went to school together and were always great friends so I introduced them one day, and I don't really think they've been apart since. I had the privilege of being a bridesmaid in their wedding and I can't wait for them to be at mine. Luckily Brady and Nick get along very well so that makes for great couples outings. Kasey cracks me up and we always enjoy getting caught up on the gossip together. She's a trip and if you get to meet her you'll know why. She's sweet as can be, but don't let that innocence and blonde hair fool ya :) I love you Kasey lou, thanks for everything you are doing to make my day a special one.

Signed, Sealed, Delivered....

The invites are out there in the hands of the US Postal Service. I guess it's official, we are getting married, April 23, 2011 !! Everything has been so crazy, hopefully it is going to slow down soon and it's on to the fun stuff now. For those of you who are out of town the block of rooms reserved at the Hampton Inn in Wilkesboro are listed under WSW. You can reach their website here. I can't wait to see you all there. I hope you love the invitations as much as I do. A special thanks to Hannah for her designing, printing, and cutting skills. Let me know what you think when you get yours :)

Even Cowgirls Get the Blues...

Especially when one of their best friends lives hours away in Alabama! Ah...what to say about heth.. aka Mrs.Heather Sanders Slaughter. We became quick friends after the first time we met. She actually applied for an after school job with 4-H , she says I hired her because she explained to me that she played bluegrass music.. which is probably partially true, I thought she would do a good job too though. Heather is the most down to earth southern girl I've ever met. She hails from Argo Alabama, and I could listen to her talk, sing or laugh all day. Her laughter is contagious and we have too much fun together every time we are around each other. Heather moved to Wilkes County to be with her husband Shannon. I was just lucky enough that fate brought her here because I have truly found a life long friend. Heather and Shannon have since moved back to Alabama where she can be closer to her family and finish school but I miss her terribly. I am so happy to have Heather in my wedding party and that she will be there for all the festivities because I know she will be the one real voice keeping me calm. That's probably what I love most about her what you get is what you see and if you don't want honesty don't ask. :) Heather has taught me many things like, how to keep in touch, "wammer jammer yellow hammer give em' hell Alabama!", the true meaning of "making cornbread" and also introduced me to Moscato.... mmm mmmm! Brady and I had the opportunity to visit Heather and Shannon in Alabama and had a great time. Her family is so sweet and kind, I love them too! Heather has her own solo bluegrass album and it is wonderful! Shannon also is soon releasing his own solo album entitled "The Side Man Steps Out" , which features Heather on the bass and her vocals. The two are in a newly formed band County Clare, you can visit their website here. She will be singing at our wedding and I am thrilled. Shannon will also be playing guitar instrumentals for us as well. I can't wait til you all hear her laughter and listen to her sing in person! Here's a sneak peak for now ( I took this video, so it isn't the best quality) & Heather Carol Sanders Slaughter Rose... I LOVE YOU!

Sister, sister!

.... kind, compassionate, loyal, loving, tender hearted, strong, independent, teacher, Christian, mother, sister, friend. Those are just a few words that come to mind when I think of Karrie. Karrie is very similar to me in that we wear our hearts on our sleeve. That doesn't always work out so well for us, but it's our nature who can stop it? I'm not sure I want to. Karrie truly strives to be an example of God's love. I have learned a great amount from having the pleasure of hearing her teach Sunday School the past year. She truly puts her effort and heart into preparing our lessons and I gain something each time. Karrie holds a heavy heart for those around her, especially her students that she teaches everyday. I believe that says a lot for her overall character. I know that I can tell her anything and it is safe with her. Karrie and I have been friends for several years now, we share a "mother hen" you could say, Karrie's mom, Vickie. So in a sense we have become "sisters". Back in my "single" days lol I sure spent a lot of time with Karrie and her now husband Matthew. They were great to me and continue to be. I know that the two of them would do anything for me that I needed. Karrie also introduced me to my true first love. Her son Owen Eli. Which as your read above Karrie and I are sisters so that makes me "aunt Jamie". I love that child with all of my heart. He is too smart and filled personality. I have watched him grow into the sweet lil young man he is today. He will be a bell ringer in our wedding as well. Karrie is also expecting, I am beyond excited for the birth of this new baby. Leave it to me to make her stand up in a bridesmaids gown while she's six months pregnant. Karrie is a great mother and wife and I am blessed that she is to a wonderful friend.

Happy Valentines Day!

It's FriENDship! FriENDship!

Where do I start about Miss.Hannah? We have become very close in the past year and I can't see that ever changing. We really are two peas in a pod when it comes to things like fashion, decorating, shopping and well shopping. We get along very well and our fashion sense is very similar. Needless to say, when a sale hits and we are there, trouble may soon follow. We also have dubbed ourselves "Truth Sayers" , that just means we have opinions, just like everyone else, except ours are the correct ones lol. She has definitely talked me down from several panic sessions about this wedding, but is quick to assure me that it is going to work out and be beautiful. Hannah is a very talented graphic designer. She is currently working on our invitations (that I absolutely adore) and she created our save the date cards. Hannah has been there for me through some tough times this past year. She has helped me paint at our new house til the wee hours of the morning. That's what's so great about our relationship. No matter what were doing we always seem to wind up laughing and having a great time. Hannah and I have also come to refer to ourselves as Lucy and Ethel. I can't even remember how that got started but it stuck. Since I've found my Ricky, we are still searching for a Fred. He will come along soon I'm sure of it! When he does he will be getting a sweet , big hearted, southern belle. Full of ideas, dreams and aspirations that she will make happen someday. So I leave you with this video Han :) ... Thanks for everything. Love you Much!

1 of 5 :)

I am going to create a special post for each bridesmaid in the coming days. I thought I'd start with Mrs.Lindsey since it is her birthday week. Lindsey and I have been friends as long as I can remember. We've shared a ton of great memories. From us leaving her at the campground on a church trip (I still have no idea how she remembered the number to where we were staying!), to sertoma cheerleading, and snow sledding on her grandpas hill with the almonds, and don't forget that ride to prom in the limo. She's a great friend and it's hard to believe we are "grown ups" now. She has worked hard to become a great nurse , wife and I know someday will be a great mama. After all she has been known to be called Mama Lindsey, she's always looking after somebody, or somebody's kids. Since we've gotten older its harder to get together but no matter how long its been we always seem to be able to pick right up. I am so happy for her and James and the life they are building together. Her wedding in August of 2009 beautiful and I was honored to be a part of it. I can't wait for her to be a part of mine. I love you linz!! Thank you for everything.

Christmas in February

This past Friday night Brady finally got his long awaited Christmas present. A trip to the Jason Aldean/Eric Church concert. It was absolutely the best concert I've ever been to (sorry Kenny). We had a great time. The energy in that place was amazing, our seats were great, and best of all, I believe Brady smiled the entire time. It was too cute. Jason Aldean did play our favorite , which has kind of became "our song", Bryan Adams, Heaven. It was a good time, just another reminder of why we are in love, and why we have so much fun together. I thought in December it would take forever to get to February, and here it is. Now on to April!

Shine on me

"Love comforteth like sunshine after rain." - William Shakespeare

I read this quote today and I instantly thought of Brady. Not just because of the word love, but because the entire statement spoke to me. For those of you who are close to me, you know the "rain" that I have experienced in my life the past 3 years. I however realize the things that I have been through in no way compare to struggles and heartache others around me are currently facing. I guess you could say I've been heartbroken. Losing two grandmothers, my great grandmother, my grandfather and my father in the span of 3 years, was reality changing to me. My life as I knew it has been forever changed. I still can't believe it even as I write these words that those people won't be there to share our special day or hold my babies when the time comes. I know in spirit they will be there, in the sweet smiling faces of those I love. I don't know why these people are gone from my life, other than the pure fact that it makes me truly thankful for each day that I have here on earth and more acutely aware of the the short time we have to work for God's kingdom. In a sense my family has been in fog, from one sad time to another throughout these years. I am so excited and thankful for this wedding, marriage, this happy event we all have to look to. We all know the only thing certain in life is change and so many are taking place right now. Working on my grandparents house has been almost unbearable at times. I love it, it's home to me and was my true home from age one to eight. I am thankful that my mind won't let me forget my memories inside those walls. Although it's hard to think of mamaw at that stove in the kitchen, or papaw at the wood stove downstairs every time I walk in. I am sure they'd be overjoyed to have us in that house, even though they aren't here I like to think of it as their gift to us. Cosmetic changes have been made but it will take time to change my heart. I am truly blessed to have a wonderful family, friends and future family around me supporting me and encouraging me through all of this. I am absolutely over the moon and cannot wait to be married to my one true love. Which brings me back to my quote. He really is my comfort, my sunshine after the rain. It seems as if that's just how God intended it. I would've never believed in April of last year that a year later I'd be getting married, but I am . Only 21 days after the one year anniversary of my father's death, only 3 days after the one year anniversary of my papaws death. There will be sunshine on April 23, 2011 and if not, I'll dance in the rain.

80 Days..

The final countdown is on. I am a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad, blogger :( I am promising to do better from here on out. It has been nuts, obviously but isn't everyone's life that way? I just haven't made this my priority, honestly because by the time I think of it my brain is too tired of staring at a computer to do something I don't have to do. I want to do it though, so I'm back for good this time.

We are getting so excited about everything. The house is shaping up. When I feel comfortable with it I will post before and after pics, I think we have done a great job. I am so thankful to have my very own handy man, without him this project would be never ending. He has sure taken a lot of criticism from me, bless his heart but we have worked well together I believe. With many more things checked off our list which I will share in the coming days, things are definitely looking up. I absolutely can't wait for April 23, and for all of you to share in that day with us!

(The picture above is our sweet little house during the Christmas snow, don't ya just love those blue ridge mountains in the backgroud! )