We're married....MR AND MRS NARDINI!!!

I apologize that I have been void of blogging for some time now. The chaos of the wedding got the best of me. I cant recap it all. It was a great day. For the most part. The weather was DIVINE and to the exact degree what i wanted. Low 70's and cloudy and I got it! Perfection. I was nervous I wouldnt like being married...that I would feel less of who I am and "trapped" perse. I do not. I LOVE IT. I love being someone's wife. I love the feeling of completeness and that this is where I am supposed to be, that this is my FAMILY, that we are each others. I love it. Our honeymoon was amazing. It was a suprise and we ended up going to the  Riviera Maya (Mayan Riviera- Ive heard it called both) to an all inclusive resort that was just gorgeous. Though, the trip there was NOT fun. I dont fly well. We all know that. I HATE it. I would rather drive 24 hours than fly 3. I get motion sick, have panic attacks, get claustraphobic, its a germ tube...I just despise it. I have to get searched everytime and apparently when your crossing the country lines they are a little more skeptical than normal. Anyways, I threw up 11 times. I was sick the whole first flight and then upon landing couldnt stop it from overflowing. People were handing bags down from other seats....it continued onto the next flight and the entire taxi ride to the resort. I basically slept the entire first day to try to get back on track. Boo. But aside from that We did not stop moving the entire time but did a ton of stuff I never though we'd do. We ziplined, swam through water filled caves,  walked past parrots meer feet from us on a several-time-per-day basis and got to watch the HAWKS STOP IOWA STATE in an amazing setting. The bar we were able to watch the game at was owned by a man from Cedar Rapids Ia and it was just perfect.  We went to Playa Del Carmen twice and spent most of our time running to different activities. I wish we would have had one more day to just lay on the beach and do nothing. The trip was great. I missed Vaughn like crazy and called almost everyday to talk t her. She did great though!


We are back now and back into the "swing of things." We opened wedding presents at mom and dads on Friday night and got some killer nice things. I am so excited. My kitchen has basically been replaced. I cannot wait to get to use our gift cards and do some redecorating. We also got enough stuff to pretty much redo our bathroom and gift cards to Lowes to help in replacing the shower stall. New shower head and shower curtain to boot!

The photography business is booming. I am so glad it has really taken off the way it has. I do however, feel like I am never home. I usually have 4 shoots per weekend and on top of being a full time student and full time worker somewhere else I feel like I am neglecting my wife/mom duties. We are praying and discussing some possible future changes and hopefully you all will join us in praying about it too. We need a clear way and a financially it must make sense. Luckily, I am almost credit card debt free and that will clear up alot of monthly payments.

anyways, Thanks to all who helped make our wedding perfect- to all of those who traveled and took the time to be here...it meant MORE to us than you can know. We love you all!
Two cheers to married life, being a family and feeling "at home" in our decision!!! We're more in love now than we have ever ever been!

Mrs Nardini

Its officially wedding week!!!

I CANNOT believe I am writing that....wedding week....MY. WEDDING. week!!! Insane. The time every girl dreams of her whole life. I feel sort of numb right now because everything is happening so fast...tonight we are trying to get a few things around the house done (mainly, laundry caught up) so my mom and dad can come tomorrow and we're having a massive deep cleaning session. I have yet to figure out how to take care of these wood floors to make them look good (they are origional and beautifully beat up....but so hard to do anything with. I have thought about painting them cream but am not set on that yet.) Today alone I have done 7 loads of laundry...I am taking a break from folding and putting away to blog a little. Last night we went out for my sisters 30th (vintage) birthday. It was super super fun. We went to a country music dance club and had.a.blast! She was TEARING UP that dance floor. Cant wait to see more moves at my wedding  :)

Monday night:  Order flowers Cleaning
Tuesday night: Practice run on my and my bridesmaid hair.
hoping rings will be in by this point.
Wednesday: huge get together to assemble programs and put together out "surprise" for out of town guests.
Pick up dresses
Thursday night: Helping the people who's wedding is the day before us set up lights so that we can use them too.
Friday: Pick up tuxes, pick up rentals, get candy buffet candy, meet with photographer, nail apts with girls, dinner with girls and friends, out for a low key bachelorette party.
Saturday: Early morning rehearsal, IOWA GAME, last minute stuff, rehearsal dinner, SLEEP
Sunday:pick up cake and then..... "going to the chapel and we're gonna get maaaaaaarrriiied.....Going to the chapel (barn) of love! "
Monday: Leave for the honey moon.

On top of all of this I am working 10 hour days this week and trying to finish up last minute details....without losing my mind. I wish I could afford to take the whole week off!!!!


I am missing Vaughn BIG time. I feel like there has been so little time to really spend quality time with her. Tonight we played play dough and i thought to myself...."I have missed this girl". It has been one thing after another, one errand after another, one appointment, one more thing to do...
My best friend Shan has been a HUGE lifesaver through these last few months. She's a get it done -er who knows how to work a budget like its her job so we've been able to get a lot done...she's helped with vaughn, run errands for me, assembled things and spent countless hours discussing wedding plans. She's amazing. Truly my life saver.

I am going to take a minute to go lay next to my girl while she sleeps, give her lots of kisses (CANT stand the thought of leaving her for week....thus why I have not mentioned that to this point....soooo nervous about that.) and tell her how much I love her...


Then back to laundry....:( See YOU in a couple days!

Life is far too short

to be in misery every day of your life with migraines. I got the epi pen so that rudy can administer home injections as emmitrex (spelling) is the only thing that seems to work but makes me throw up, so home injections it is. Fine. I can handle a shot. I have had many a practice with that. 

So after a 2 day migraine, we decided it was time for the shot. I cannot even explain how it went in a way that would describe a clear picture...but let me try...I had decided enough was enough- I would let him give me the shot, we'd put V to bed and watch our weekly show and then by that point- surely the medication would have kicked in.....right?
So... He read the page and half instructions on how to administer it. We fought for a bit about what was the "fatty" part of my arm. Apparently, rudy see's no difference in what I consider "muscle" and what he considers "fat". So, he jams it in, i scream. He has to hold it down tight for 5-10 seconds to get all the medication in (per the instructions). He withdrawls the needles, puts it away and before he is done- My arm and leg HURT, like BAD....I mean this is like 7 seconds  later.  I am drooling, cant hold my head up and felt like my brain was boiling. Within 15 seconds of getting the shot he tells Vaughn "girl, I think your  mama is peacin' out." and vaughns says "peace out mama." Rudy had to practically carry me to the bed and I couldnt speak, move...nothing. It was the WEIRDEST feeling but the greatest feeling because I knew it was doing something...and hoping it was working. I was OUT.....within probably a minute from having the meds. I can just imagined how I looked....and it makes me laugh now....but then i was just a slobbering idiot.

We decided I can NOT have this administered on the airplane or people will think Rudy is kidnapping me!!!

Disclaimer:: Apparently all of these are side effects of the shot as its very strong. Luckily, I didnt get the side effect of soiling yourself as I have read some others have had????

I woke up with no headache...then on my way home- we stopped and got our passports signed up and on the way home from that BAM BAM BAM...it started coming on again. Its getting worse as the night goes on but not full blown yet. Plan to go to bed in a bit and see if that helps. I cant take the shot every day so ive got to be careful. I am also now taking a daily pill to help reduce the numbers of migraines I get.... hopeuflly in the week or so that should start working and I should be feeling better.

Fingers crossed.

what a rude week....

Today is what vaughn would call "rude".  Thats what she says when things dont go her way- upset her schedule or just tick her off. She calls that "Rude." I agree. Thats a good term (though I dislike greatly hearing it come out of her mouth- it suits perfect....) I have had a 2 day migraine. I.have.been.miserable.  Aside from that I am broke de Broke. Sick and tired of being broke and working just to go under. I cant stand it. Makes me feel even more like working is a waste of time. If your working and spending all your time in a 4x5 cube shouldn't there be SOME Financial ease? Nope. Not in our case. I HATE IT! I am stressed about having so much to do and so little time to do it in. On top of that, my transmission is getting worse in my car and I do.not.want.to. pay to have it repaired. Vaughn is growing up way way too fast and I feel like I am missing it all. It was the 4th anniversary of my sweet Grandpa Wayne's entrance into heaven yesterday and no matter how long passes I feel like he isnt really gone. I still feel like he was just here a few months ago, yet miss him like he's been gone for many more years. I just miss him so much. I miss deep laugh, his chuckle, his hands, his hugs, his eyes and smiles and the way he just loved us all so much....never will his passing be easy. never.

Rudy sprung on me a couple days ago that now I need a passport. I have asked him for 3 months if i need to order one and he has said no. He now changed his mind and I am running around like an idiot looking for all the paperwork to get my passport in time to leave for the honeymoon. I am super excited to see what he has planned....

Vaughn taught me a good lesson yesteday: We were driving home from the sitters and a girl was pulling the trash back to the house, wearing a red hooded sweatshirt with the hood pulled up. Vaughn said "looky mama! Even little red riding princess has garbage too."

Words from a 2 year old that hit me like a ton of bricks. "even little red riding princess has garabage too."

Man, Isnt that the truth!? So good to know I am not the only one.

Its getting CLLLOSSEERR

Glad to know a few of you still read this. :)

We got our new stove today. After 2 kitchen fires and being without a stove since May 5th- I was THRILLED. But, Of course it couldnt go as planned. I just had a feeling we wouldnt be eating speghetti tonight :( The 1940's plugs that are about 5 inches long and 100 wires apprarently do not fit in the new 2010 stainless steel ovens. Fan-stinkin-tastic. Now we have to have an electrician come and rewire basically the whole side of the kitchen. NOT COOL!


There has been some drama with finding someone to marry us...you know because we are horrible sinners who should have to bow down and plead forgiveness to the world in order to be married. I'll stop. For fear of offending someone. But lets just say.....I have ALOT I could say. Currently- still no one to marry us. Reason #45987 why I wish I would have eloped.  Elvis doesn't care, right? tee hee.


Vaughn-elise.....boy she's sure growing up fast! Sweet as pie one minute and sassy as a sassafrass the next. She is becoming quite familiar with the phrase  "Thats NOT fair mommy! Life is Toooo hard.!!!"  (hand on hip and all).  AND she stomps. Yes. Stomps. And Slams the cupboard doors.....and she has now learned how to scream. Wail. AND throw herself on the floor. She was always too afraid to scream, she just couldnt let it out....but that changed about a week ago. She now SCREAMS!


She's my big size 10 shoe wearing, 3T pant wearing, 4T shirt wearing, hugging, hopping, book reading, puzzle obsessing, mama loving sweet as pie 2 (almost 3 :( ) year old. She also believes in her heart of hearts that SHE is caliou. (that annoying 4 year old whining kid on TV.) Nothing like a little identity crisis before you even turn 3!!! Its funny. Its annoying. Caliou is the most annoying kid (cartoon even so) on the planet!


Hope everyone continues to pray with us about my employment....desire to stay home....photography business. We are really praying it kicks off and that it provides ample income for me to stay home/work part time and we are able to use it to pay off some debt. Of course, right now every last cent is used up but come Sept 6th- it will go back to paying other things.
I was really hoping to get the house painted before the wedding but I think that is out. I was really hoping to get the bathroom redone before the wedding too- but i was pretty sure that wasnt going to happen. Maybe before Christmas?

We went to a garage sale and found this silly monkey costume. V loves that thing!

small update.

I am not sure if anyone even will read my blog ever again since I am sooo bad about updating. Things are busy. Good, but busy. I have started a photography company called GraceJuliet Photography and have been pretty busy with that. I am also, of course, planning a wedding :)

Which- story about the wedding planning:: 

Went to pick up my dress and it was ALL WRONG. I am guessing the sales lady just wanted a sale because she measured me (two people measured me) and sold me a dress that only went up to "x" size. I needed that size. Well, they ASSURED me it would fit great and then..nope. It was AT LEAST 3 or 4 sizes too small if not more. The seems were all off, and to make matters worse it was tapered at the ankles, hugged every buldge and dimple i have. It was nasty. I just sat and cried and cried and cried. Long story short i went to another store and bought one off the rack that needs ZERO alterations. (minus having a bra sewn in...which is not an alteration- just something I want.) and its SO much more what I wanted than the first dress. I have no idea why I bought the first stupid one anyways....but i got my money back. I think they measured me with a yardstick and not a tape measure. it was NUTS how far off they were.

ANYWAYS, only about 5.5 weeks left.....still a TON left to do! We decided on a caterer this weekend. Not what  I wanted but great food and fits the budget. Check. Need to order the cupcakes and cake this week. and decide on table decor. phew. I hate to say it because I am a planner in my soul, but I am ready for this to be done. I am ready to be married, on our honeymoon, and then back. 

I am sooo sick of this summer-ready for fall, cool weather, sweats and hawkeye football!!! Vaughn is doing great and getting soo big and so smart. I am suprised daily when I pick her up that she looks like she has grown! She reminds us every.single.day that we are getting married and she is going to be the "flower garden.!!!!" haha. precious. 
She is my flower garden.


Sorry no pics- I have some but my computer is having some issues with the battery so I am on Rudy's.

We are sick. sick. sick. Ve was up allll stinkin night crying that her legs hurt. (some times I think they are really bothering her, sometimes I think its a "go to" for her when she's not feeling good...she just blames her legs. Maybe she has restless leg syndrome. She will say they itch, they hurt, they pinch, they scratch....could be growing pains I suppose but she has been having this problem since she was old enough to say "leggies...ouch." Breaks my heart. And Rudy's. He is MUCH better with middle of the night wake ups than I am. For that, I give him huge praise. He is right there the moment she cries and I am one who does.not.do.well with no sleep. I mean, I am impatient, out of it, cranky, loopy. Plus, I am sick as a dog right now- cant breathe, feel like I am swollowing glass chips, cough. V has a bad cough too. Yuck. I cant think Rudy enough for getting up all umph-teen-times last night with V. I was awake, but he rocked, bounced, "sang" and rubbed her poor legs. He's a great dad.

I had to call in today, as I can barely talk and wouldnt be suprised if I get in trouble for it tomorrow. I dont care at this point.

So much wedding stuff we need to get done this week. SO MUCH! I am hoping to get feeling better at least temporarily to get some stuff done, phone calls made, prices quoted and plans made.

I am getting SO excited for the honeymoon. Still no clue where we're going but it will just be nice to lay around, shop around, eat new foods...I . AM. Pumped!

WE will be getting our new stove soon- for those who care:) The warrenty people finally gave rudy a dollar amount they will pay and I think we can get a nice little stove for that amount....SO excited to be able to cook again:)
Gonna go blow my nose...have a good day