Six years ago today, I was awaking from a night of little sleep - there was too much excitement for what the day ahead held. I went through a flurry of preparations that morning, from loading the car several times full of stuff to getting my hair done; from picking up my dress to then unloading all the stuff. Primping, prepping, pacing...praying. I had certainly thought about this day for a long time , and there had been more than a year of planning, but now it was actually here. I was ready to burst with excitement. Only slightly nervous (mostly about if I would trip and fall!), I thought for sure I would cry as my best friends and sisters were helping me wait out those last few minutes. Then it was finally time, and I went to meet my dad in the hallway. I thought for sure I would cry as I waited with him, in those last few seconds. Then as we walked into the chapel and saw so many family, friends and loved ones I was overwhelmed. But all I could focus on was the most important person in my life, who was standing at the front of the room waiting for me. As we listened to songs and scriptures and then said our vows, I thought for sure I would cry. But I was just so happy all I could do was smile. It was such a relief to make it through the ceremony - especially since I didn't trip and fall! - and I couldn't wait to go and celebrate with all of the special people in our lives. The horse and carriage ride from the church to the Landmark Center was so great; it gave us a good chance to have a few minutes alone amidst all the craziness. Getting to the Landmark Center was amazing - it was even more magical than I had hoped it would be. We had a great time dancing (I hope everyone else did too!), and trying to catch at least a few minutes with all of our guests. I've said on several occasions that I would love to relive my wedding day - I remember so many amazing and wonderful snippets from that day. The special people who helped make the day possible, from participants in the ceremony to those who helped with reception things at the Landmark. The support from friends who stood up for us, and have continued to support us. The guest tables having to sing a song with the word love (as opposed to clinking glasses) to get us to kiss. And so many more... To relive everything would be so incredible! But without taking away from that special day, all of that wouldn't matter. What matters is our marriage - the everyday. The fact that my husband is the man that God wanted for me (ever since I saw him with that fluorescent jacket on... ) and only me. That he makes me feel as though I'm the most important person in the world. That he makes each day more wonderful than the last. Six years has gone by very quickly, but when I'm with him sometimes it seems like time stops. I can't wait for the years to come, to see what is in store for the rest of our marriage. Because even though it seems inconceivable, I can't wait to love him more tomorrow than I do today. I love you Jamie!

Carter is getting so big! He now weighs 11 pounds, 4 ounces (50th percentile) - up 4 lbs 4 oz from birth weight, but up 5 lbs 1 oz from when we had his feeding issues and had to have him back in the hospital! He is 23.5 inches long (75th percentile), from 21 inches at birth, And his head is apparently little, as he's only in the 10th percentile for head circumference (thankfully for me ). My great aunt and uncle from Texas are coming to town late this week - I'm very excited for them to meet Carter! One of the reasons I haven't been updating much lately is because I feel like I don't have a lot to say other than what's going on with Carter. I was kind of sad about that, because it also feels like I don't have much of my own identity without him. HOWEVER, I realize that of course it has to be all about him right now - he's only 9 weeks old! And I will slowly be able to start getting things back to normal...at least I think so, anyway. Moms out there - can you confirm? I feel like I'm almost a bad mom for saying that, because it certainly isn't because I don't love Carter with EVERY ounce of my being, but, well, I don't know. It's not like I want my old, pre-Carter life back, because I love being his mama, but I want to have some things of my own to talk about. Does that make sense? Ok, I think I'm just rambling now... I'm excited - we're going to go to the library! I'm embarassed to say I've only been to the library once since we moved to Carver almost 2 years ago. And that was just to get my new library card. I think I'm going to look for some books on how to help me with my new DSLR camera...it takes good pictures as I've been using it on auto setting, but I'm guessing I could do much more if I was a little more educated on how to use more of the functions. I'll try to post some 'before and after' shots in the next week or so...

FOUR JOBS I'VE HAD IN MY LIFE: Factory worker for lotions/soap/other bath products Montgomery Ward men's department lead Target management intern Advertising account executive FOUR PLACES I HAVE LIVED: Shakopee, MN Duluth, MN St. Louis Park, MN Carver, MN and a bonus - Apartment 56, Moldova FOUR TV SHOWS I LIKE TO WATCH: Lost (!) The Amazing Race The Office Last Comic Standing FOUR PLACES I'VE BEEN ON VACATION: Mazatlan Kenya/Tanzania Amsterdam Seattle/Vancouver FOUR OF MY FAVORITE FOODS: Chicken Pad Thai Tortilla Chips & cheese Orange Chicken w/Rice (especially from The Cheesecake Factory) Dairy Queen chocolate dipped cone FOUR PLACES I WOULD RATHER BE RIGHT NOW: On a beach in Mexico In bed sleeping Somewhere in Europe Grand Marais FOUR PLACES I LIKE TO SHOP: Target Gap Outlet Home Goods Archiver's

Currently Listening Surfacing By Sarah McLachlan see related Yesterday Carter was a little fussy in the early morning (5-6-ish), so Jamie took him for a little bit, then I went in. I was trying to explain to Carter that he might feel better if he could keep his paci in his mouth when he gave me a HUGE smile. At that point, I didn't care that he was up or what time of the day or night it was - that smile was the best way to start my day! While I'm not exactly looking forward to going back to work, I am going to be glad to go back to my work friends. It was really fun to catch up with most of them - if only for a few minutes - when I stopped in on Tuesday for one of their baby showers. Coworkers really can make or break your work experience, can't they?! My grandparents came back from Florida on Thursday, and yesterday they came down to meet Carter - it was SO cute!

	Currently Watching The Praise Baby Collection Gift Set By Praise Baby Collection see related Who knew maternity leave would be so busy? I'm looking forward to next week, when Jamie really will be home with Carter and me...

Currently Listening Dizzy up the Girl By The Goo Goo Dolls see related Carter is five weeks today! It's very hard to believe. He is getting so big! See: We spent the weekend before Memorial Day in Duluth with Jamie's family, which was great. It was so nice to introduce Carter to the rest of Jamie's family. We had to take advantage of the photo opportunity with four generation of Paulsons: Jamie's grandpa is SO excited that we had a boy to carry on the Paulson name. We also got to hang out with Dena, who is super excited about being an Auntie: Here was Carter's first bath at home after his cord fell off: Then we were finally able to enjoy some tummy time - well, Jamie and I anyway, Carter didn't really like it too much: This past weekend, Jamie's parents came into town for a night and ended up watching Carter for us while we went to graduation and an end of year teacher party. It was great - it's always interesting to attend graduation, especially as an alum of the HS where Jamie teaches. I see people that I do and don't expect to see, and it always shows me how bad I am at small talk. Oh well! It also reminds me how proud I am of Jamie for the job he does - he really has such an impact on these kids. We can't walk two or three steps through a crowd of students without hearing "Hey Paulson!" or "Mr. P! What's up?!". And one of the girls even gave him a shout out in her graduation speech this year. He's a great teacher, a great husband, and now a great dad. I love him!