Week of Love.

I love that moment, as we're falling asleep and holding hands, spooning, or even just laying next to each other.. And right in that moment between consciousness and dreaming...I think to myself...

"Wow. This is what happiness is. I'm the luckiest girl in the world. Thanks God."

And then I fall asleep.

Hospital. Surgery. Allergies. World's Best Husband.

For those of you who heard through the grapevine...

I was in the hospital. 5 times in the last week.

On Sunday, I felt a severe stab in my left side. I knew exactly what was going on-I had an ovarian cyst rupture. I told my husband I needed to go to the emergency room, because I was in severe pain, and it was spreading throughout my pelvis, and into my right side.
When we got to the Emergency Room, it was pretty much empty, so they admitted me quickly. Much to my dismay, they pressed on my tummy and asked me to rate my pain on a scale of 1-10. I was at an honest to goodness 8 or 9, so they placed an IV, and gave me morphine to help me manage my pain.

The pain didn't go away for several days. It was getting really exhausting, and I was afraid that something was wrong.

Thursday, we went in to see Dr. Gourley. And we knew immediately we were in great hands. He listened to me, my history, allergies, and my concerns. He suggested a laparoscopy to look around, and see what was going on. He scheduled it for the next morning, which was a big relief.

I spent the evening trying my best to keep calm. We spent some time at his parents house watching game shows. Cindy even babysat me in the morning while Dave was running a few errands. Dave was calming me, and soothing me, because he knew everything was going to be okay. I had only been put under general anesthesia once, and it was for like 20 minutes when I had my wisdom teeth out. I was freaking the **** out. Brian came over, and helped me calm down, and hung out with Dave and I for a while. And my mom came over to braid my hair for me.

Surgery day came. We didn't sleep much the night before. I was really scared. We were called in, and I put on a purple hospital gown that they could blow up with warm air. It was cute and purple. I talked with my dad and husband, and was feeling a little less petrified. I was pulled back to the waiting area where Dr. Gourley told me what to expect. (He is seriously the best OB/GYN around.) I was feeling less scared about the surgery, and still worried about the anesthesia. The anesthesiologist came in, and I instantly felt calmer. He was nice, and smiley, and had cold hands.. He explained to me what to expect, and reassured me that after 12 years of school, he knew exactly what he was doing. He wasn't a heart surgeon giving Michael Jackson anesthesia. (He honestly said that! Hahaha.) He gave me something to relax me. I don't remember what it was called. But I remember it feeling real good. When I actually got into the operating room, there was a cute tech that helped me onto the table, and they were listening to Pandora. My anesthesiologist asked me what I wanted to listen to. I was put out to Awake My Soul by Mumford and Sons. And that is the last thing I remember since I woke up this morning.


Today is much better. I was able to walk on my own, and although there is gas pain, my pelvis doesn't hurt anymore.



I'm so thankful that I had Dave taking care of me all week. I am seriously blessed with the sweetest, kindest, most caring husband in the universe. The man felt happy when I pooped. That's true love. I wouldn't have made it through this week without him. He was my biggest comfort, and my best friend. He watched every movie I wanted to, and I'm pretty sure he didn't get more than an hour of sleep a night for a week. He loves me more than I can comprehend. And I love him just as much. I love my Bubba, and he is the best husband I could ever ask for. If he's half the nurse he is at work, as he was to me, he's a kick-ass nurse.

And whenever I thank him for taking care of me. He simply responds "I do it because you're my Beeba."

I love him. So much.


1 month down. The rest of our lives to go.
If we can do this in the first month of our marriage, we can do anything.


All my love.
Alex Shuey
xoxo

This is what Happens when a Nurse marries and Artist. (Our Wedding Story)

Once upon a time there was an a girl who loved rainboots. Incidentally, she was also an artist.

There was also a boy who loved StarWars. He was a nurse.

They were madly in love. So he asked her to marry him.

And she said yes.

They decided  a beautiful winter wedding was in order.

December 29, 2012 to be the date.

So she bought a white dress.

And he bought a suit.

And after planning every detail, the wedding finally happened!

This, my lovelies. Is the story of my "I DO!"

My wedding day was an emotional day for me. I was all over the place. I had so many butterflies, but was so excited to all but run down the aisle to see my sweetheart at the other end. I was so ready to become a Mrs. But I had to wait until 6PM, and believe me, that was the longest day of my life!!!!

I started out my day with a trip with all my bridesmaids, cousins, sisters, and mom to Starbucks, for early morning caffeine.

(You would not believe how unbelievably fun it was to ask them to write bride on my cup)

I spent the entire day trying to keep my head on straight. It's harder than you think. I was a big ball of nerves. My mom, aunt, sisters, cousins, and friends definitely helped me keep it together. I went to my good friend Cailie and Nolle to get my hair and nails done. Cailie did such beautiful job on my hair. And Nolle made my nails beautiful to feature my new wedding band!!!

Getting ready in the Bride's room was an emotional experience for me. It was so surreal. I had all the  ladies that I loved so much there to support me.    

(From Left: Aunt Raquel, Aunt Maria, My beautiful mother, Grandma Carol, Me, Grandma Lynne, Grandma Patty)

(My Aunt Raquel and me)

I had 4 STUNNING bridesmaids and honorary bridesmaid (she has a baby in her tummy).

(The darling Tootsie)

(My beautiful sister Sara)

(My stunning sister Sophie-Maid of Honor)

(My lovely best friend Suzanna)

(My gorgeous best friend Sariah)

(Aren't they all so BEAUTIFUL?)

My mom and sisters help me get into my dress. It was such a fun moment. You would not believe how hard it is to put on a wedding dress without messing your hurr up.

(In my dress undies...ooohlala. Hahaha. Getting ready to put on the dress)

(Momma zipping up my dress)

Meanwhile...in the Groom's room. Dave was getting ready with his groomsmen. I hope he was at least a little nervous...I mean. I'm a big deal? Hahahaha.

(Brian was saying something funny...I bet.)

(Dave and his groomsmen.  John [on left] and best man Brian [on right]. Aren't they so handsome?!)

I had so many moments in my bride's room. These were some of my favorites. Because words can't describe exactly how much it meant.

(My grandma gave me a beautiful necklace to wear for my wedding day. It was was my something borrowed, and something old. She put it on for me. So special. I love her so much.)

(A hug with my dad. I have the most amazing father anyone could ever have.)

(A moment with my mom. This was right before a kiss on each cheek. I love my beautiful Mommy)

Dave and I originally wanted to write our own vows, but decided that our love for each other was our own. We have always written each other letters, our entire relationship. He wasn't allowed to see my dress before I walked down the aisle. So we traded letters around the door before the ceremony. His words made me cry. And my words did the same for him.

(Switching letters)

(His words made me cry. Wow.)

(Reading my letter.)

(I have never felt so connected to him in my entire life)

After such a powerful moment, I was so ready to meet the love of my life at the end if the aisle. So my sisters put on my veil, and I was ready.

And then. My ceremony started.

Here comes the bride.

His first look of me.

(Everyone stood up when my photographer was getting the picture...But still!)

(First married kiss)

And then we signed a little piece of paper. And just like that. We were forever.

We had promised each other forever. 

Family Pictures:

And now it was time to Party!!!

 Little did my guests my daddy/daughter dance...

would turn into a flash mob of Gangnam Style!!!!

Then things cooled down, and I danced with my darling new husband to "Fly Me To The Moon" by Frank Sinatra

And then of course, there was a bouquet toss.

And my 16-year-old cousin caught it!!!

And what's a wedding without an embarrassing garter toss?

 And my childhood church school friend/brother, Lucas caught it!!!!

 So the party continued...

(Aren't my in-laws so darling?)

(Yup. This is me and my best friend. In a nutshell. Even on my wedding day. Hahahaha)

(I don't remember what was said...But I'm so happy this snippet was caught)

(Awww. I love my parents)

(Always sexy...and always cheesy.)

(Brian kidnapped us, and Magleby's force fed us...it was really nice to sit down.)

And then. It was all over. It was time to leave, and head off to our surprise honeymoon.

And so the nurse married the artist who wore rainboots on their wedding day. And this is their story.....

This is what happens when a nurse marries an artist.

Photo Credit: Studio Lush Photography-Kristin Ising

Cake: Chochy Judd Wedding Cakes (Let me know if you want a referral)

Flowers: Wasatch Wedding Design (Let me know if you want a referral)

Dress: David's Bridal

Hair: Cailie @ The Willow Salon