HONEYMOON!!! Days 1-2

Even looking at these pictures, I can't believe we were at this paradise. Our honeymoon was so action packed and there's so much I want to tell you about! I'll try to just describe the pictures.

Mike checking in to our honeymoon suite at Hyatt at the airport. It was so late and we were exhausted! It's a beautiful hotel and our room was huge! Too bad we were only there a few hours. Our flight was bright and early the next day.


Watching the sun rise before our early flight out to Florida.

At the airport admiring my beautiful ring!
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In Florida approaching The Monarch Of The Seas! It's HUGE.

The first thing we did after getting on the ship is check out our private deck.

Mike checking it out. We were so tired. I was ready for a nap and just as I was about to crash we had to do an emergency drill. Ugh.

The Florida coast at Port Canaveral isn't as pretty as we expected but the ocean is breathtaking no matter what. To look at the horizon and just see water...

Florida wildlife. Big old birds.

The coast guard races around and around the ship as it takes off. I guess that's normal?

Officially on vacation. Blue skies smiling at me. :)

Finally relaxing.

Some Florida natives hanging out on their yacht.

The Kennedy Space Center in the distance. Don't worry, we went there the following weekend that we spent in Florida. You'll see plenty of pictures of that soon enough.

More crazy coast guard going around and around.

Port Canaveral, Florida.

Some boaters after we started taking off.

The coast guard went ahead to make sure the boats got out of our way.

More of the port.

Finally at sea, we made our way down to dinner where they seat you at a table of 8. We were seated with a quiet couple also on their honeymoon and 4 others on a fraternity bachelor party. Needless to say, we didn't hang out at that dinner table and ended up spending the other meals at the buffet or other restaurants on board. We ended up going to bed earlier than usual the first night so we could wake up to spend the day in Cococay, the most beautiful beach I've ever seen! Beach pictures coming soon...

May 24, 2009

Wowee! What a perfect wedding Michael and I had! I can't think of anything more...perfect! Words don't express the gratitude and love I feel for everyone and everything that went on for our big day. We will certainly never forget it. The best weekend of our lives. :) The Gallaghers, Est. May 24, 2009 (I love that, Steph!). Here are a few pictures of our big weekend that we were so blessed to have everyone share with us.

The Rehearsal

Getting Dressed/Setting Up The Reception

The Wedding

The Reception

Thank you all for coming and contributing to where it all began as Mr. and Mrs. I love you all! More wedding and honeymoon blogs and pictures coming soon!

It's Coming!

Guess what, folks? The wedding is fast approaching! I just had to clue y'all in on how beautiful Mom has made this wedding. She has made the most beautiful bouquets and table settings you have ever seen. Just wait for it! You're going to love it. I promise. 11 days and counting...

Get Your D’s from “D” Sun

There is a common misconception when it comes to skin damage from the sun. The sun is actually something to welcome because it helps us to get Vitamin D. *Vitamin D is a valuable nutrient that can help prevent osteoporosis, depression, prostate cancer, breast cancer and can even effect diabetes and obesity.

Vitamin D is produced naturally from UVB rays. The sun gives off both UVA and UVB rays but the UVB rays are the only ones that are beneficial. However, UVA rays can penetrate through glass, unlike UVB and they can also penetrate much deeper. UVA therefore may be the real culprit behind photoaging, wrinkles and skin cancer. The real kicker? Most sunscreens today do a pretty good job filtering out the good rays, UVB, while letting through skin-damaging UVA light. Even a sunscreen with SPF 8 can block up to 95% of Vitamin D synthesis. Furthermore, many sunscreens contain major toxic chemicals that your body is absorbing. Your best bet is to avoid the sunscreens altogether! Does this mean to soak up the sun without any protection? Absolutely not.

The best way you can catch some “D’s?”…start getting your sunlight in ten minute increments. Most of us produce about 20,000 units of vitamin D after about twenty minutes in the sun. That is one hundred times more than the government says you need every day. So, at ten minutes a day, you are still getting the vitamin D that your body needs and you aren't harming your skin by absorbing too many UVA rays. The most important thing to remember when out in the sun…don’t get burned! If you are going to be in prolonged sun exposure and are at risk of a sunburn use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. They are nontoxic and block out harmful UVAs.

*http://www.naturalnews.com/003069.html

What to Eat, What to Eat...

What is a balanced diet? The food pyramid has changed over the years and it can be confusing trying to decide portions and balance of food choices. Food combinations are usually very important and can vary from one person to the next, but in general there are two major food groups you should always have on your plate, protein and vegetables. Green leafy vegetables are best but more colorful veggies are great alternatives to change up the routine.

Protein choices vary depending on your health and metabolism. Just remember, fat is necessary in your diet but best from food sources other than animal so lean cuts of meat are generally healthier. Healthy fats can be found by eating avocados, walnuts, fish and using coconut oil and extra virgin olive oil.

Things to avoid when deciding on what to feed your family include alternative sweeteners, processed food, high fructose corn syrup and dairy. Try to avoid meals that contain too many starches like heavy pastas and breads. Vegetables actually count as a carbohydrate so adding high starch items is usually overkill on the carbs.

For more information on what food choices you should be making, I recommend reading "Eat Right 4 Your Type" by Peter D'Adamo or "Take Control of Your Health" by Dr. Joseph Mercola.

Peter Cottontail

I bet you guys didn't know that Peter Cottontail lives in front of my apartment in the woods? It's true. Tillie wakes up every morning just dying to go outside and hunt him down and chase him off. I think she's more about Jesus' resurrection than about the fluffy bunny. She's not a fan of the cottontail. Not a fan at all.