Monday, August 30, 2010

My first shower!

Saturday was my very first wedding shower and I had a blast!! I am so thankful to all my friends and family who were able to make it & celebrate with us.  Tammie & Ragan came to the house and rode with me.  Actually, Tammie drove us all in my car so I could do my makeup on the way there.  I was running late- surprised, anyone?  I'm allowed to make an entrance because I'm the bride, right?  (I'm going to use that one for the next month while I can anyway.)  I decided I needed to do Insanity that morning, & then realized I needed to make a last minute run to Publix for...fingernail polish & remover! Haha...my toes were hurtin' & I haven't had time for a pedicure, so, I got ready in about 30 minutes (that includes shaving, painting my toes, & blowdrying this OOC hair of mine!).  P.S. I broke my straigtener last week, so don't judge my hair in the pics...

Chelsi & her mom did a GREAT job hosting the first shower!  It was gorgeous.  April's house is beauitful anyway....but the food was so unique & delicious (as expeted).  What was on the menu?  I'll have to ask Chels b/c the only thing I can remember was the homemade cheesecake....oh my gosh! Just kidding, though it was to die for. Here's my version.  I know I don't have the names correct, but I'm sure she'll correct me. :)  Cold corn soup.  Lamb chops.  Cous-cous.  Lettuce wraps.  Watermelon & feta salad. Chile Meatballs. Spinach quiche.  Swiss cheese & grapes.  Sweet tea.  Apple crumb cake.  And pigs-in the-blanket & macaroni for the little girls.  I can't remember everything exactly, but it was wonderful!

After we ate we opened presents.  The gifts were awesome...everyone was so thoughtful & it was funny to me se see how well everyone knows me.  Of course there were things from the registry, but each gift felt so personal.  It was so interesting to see who chose what.  For example, Laura got me some baking utensils & Funfetti cake mix & frosting- my fave!!  Chelsi got me a coffee pot...she loves coffee, so of course she understands the importance of caffeine. Chelsea Hall chose the Hungry Girl cookbook (200 recipes under 200 calories)....she knows how I roll!  Ragan loves to bake & always makes rockin' desserts- she got me the cutest cupcake holder that she'll probably ask to borrow- ha!  And my sister Steph got me a basket full of goodies!  I LOVE to clean & I really love cleaning supplies...so that laundry basket full of goodies- cleaning supplies, kitchen towels, & oven mits was definitely a huge hit.  My sister Tammie chose some stoneware bowls, some kitchen towels, & straws (it's the only way I can keep my teeth halfway white with my green tea obsession!).  I knew Dana's gift as soon as I saw it- an adorable monogrammed zebra basket filled with super cute goodies! She is SO creative! 

Kelly & Karen (so nice of them to come!) got picture frames & tupperware, and my nephew's girlfriends got us some beautiful glasses.  It was especially nice to see Bronwyn & Taylor- both new mommies that I haven't seen in a while, & I loved the glass drink dispenser, paper towel holder, & kitchen towels from these sweet girls.  Poor Donna (Jonathan's mom) was sick on the way there, but I was SO glad they were able to come.  They brought some pots and pans that Jimbo (Jon's dad) picked out for us...I loved them!  It was nice for them to be able to visit with my family & for some of the bridesmaids & my sisters to meet and spend time with his mom & sis.  I'm SO thankful they were able to be there.


After gifts we played Bridal Bingo!  May sound cheesy, but I LOVE Bingo!!  Seriously! When I was little, mom & I used to go play @ VFW on some Friday nights.  I love how redneck that sounds....but I really enjoyed it.  (I am so beyond blessed...I think I had the best childhood ever.)  Anyway, it was a big hit.  Dana won the first round (although no one would have known if Laura hadn't called it out for her! ha!), & Chelsea H the second while playing with her new BFF, Gracie.  I finally won the 3rd round (I get a little competitive with my Bingo!) with the word "namegay" (seriously?)....and Gracie proceeded to choke me out on the ground! Haha...



By the time it was over, my awesome friends already had my car all loaded up & ready & Chelsi was passing out her homemade chocolates as favors- yum!!! 


All such fun memories with wonderful family and friends.

Looking forward to the many more on the way!!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

39!!!

Not ordinarily a number of any significance to me, but I just logged in to The Knot & it reminded me I only have 39 days till my wedding!!! AHHHHHHH!!!  Seriously, could I be any more excited??? Not just about the wedding, but about starting my journey with Jonathan.  Okay, but also about the wedding! :) And of course the festivities leading up to wedding day.  39....39....39....

Friday, August 20, 2010

LC in her dress!

Check out Laura in her bridesmaid dress! She looks AWESOME! Doesn't her shoulder definiton look great??? (I wish I had that!)  My bridesmaids are the hottest ever!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Guest List Woes

The very worst part of planning a wedding, no doubt, is determining the guest list.  I mean, HOW are you honestly supposed to do it?  It has nearly killed me!  I haven't slept well since I've had to start narrowing it down...back in June!!  (And those of you who know me know I'm a sleeper, so you can imagine how this is taking a toll on me mentally & physically!)  I truly, genuinely, whole-heartedly LOVE so many people.  I wish I could invite EVERYONE I know!!!! (seriously!) Doesn't work that way.  I wanted a nice wedding, & this whole wedding industry thing ain't no joke- expensive!! So that means I have to limit my guest list (and by limit I mean around 395 invites!) There are people I want to be there but can't invite simply because....well, heck we're not millionaires! It just makes me sad. And feel guilty.  Very guilty.  Everyone keeps telling me not to worry about it, but yea right. 

You are probably thinking that number is outrageous, but keep in mind I come from a huge family.  There are 20 people in our little immediate family alone.  My mom is one of 6 and my dad is one of 10.  Jonathan's dad is also one of 10.  We both have lots of close friends, go to a big church, & I work @ a school. SO...I'm doing my very best, but I'm still feeling major anxiety about it.  I just wish this was simple- black & white- cut & dry.  I wish people could tell me ahead of time if they wanted to come or didn't.  I wish I was RICH just long enough for this wedding... :) cuz everybody knows....Mo' $, Mo' problems!  Hopefully people understand and no feelings are hurt, cuz it's really not personal, & trust me, I have lost sleep over it many nights.

I bet my parents are also doing some wishin' right along with me....wishing they had a daughter who didn't want to invite the whole world to her wedding, & maybe didn't have quite such expensive taste.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

A quarter of a century...

Well, I'm 25! I have found that birthdays get less and less exciting the older I get. I used to be major into birthdays. Wanna know how I celebrated my 25th?? I went to the oral surgeon and had my stitches taken out...yay. I took a really long nap. My mom made dinner, so I ate with my parents and had way too big of a piece of icecream cake (like I need that...hello honeymoon/wedding dress!!).  Then I wrote lesson plans & went to bed early.

Yep, that's it folks. The most exciting part of turning 25 for me was finding out my insurance dropped $25 a month! SWEEEET!!!

I did get some great gifts that I love! Some cute tops & stationary (I am SO into stationary!!), a luggage set, a gift certificate to the nail salon, a Phiten, a new phone cover, my favorite movie ever- A League of Their Own, a book I've been dying to get, "The Eat Clean Diet Revamped", & some makeup. Yay for presents!! :)

Anyone else agree that birthdays are overrated??

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

A new chapter

Every year when I start back to work Big Jon & I sing the "Back to School" song from Billy Madison.  He thinks it's really funny the way I sing it so I ware it out. :) 

Today was my first day back without the kids.  I cannot believe how quickly this summer went by, but I am really excited about starting school.  This year is bringing lots of new, exciting changes in my life.  I'm teaching a new curriculum- career exploration.  Have new yearbook staff.  Starting my Specialist in a couple weeks.  Getting a new last name (2 months from TODAY in case you were wondering!).  Buying a house (hopefully? ha!).  Having lots of upcoming shower fun with friends & family.  Becoming a wife.  And I get to go on my honeymoon! Woo hoo!! 

Like I said, I am super excited about all of this- definitely good changes.  Gotta stayed prayed up & keep the armor on...transitions can be tricky. 
Here's to another school year...and a new chapter.

Monday, August 2, 2010

And the house hunt continues....

We've been waiting...waiting....waiting for a response for the offers we put on a house over in West Hall we thought could potentially be "the one."  (If you saw how big the closet & bathroom were in the master you'd agree!) Tonight when Jonathan was praying over our supper he prayed for the Lord to give us a clear sign, one way or the other, about this house.  As soon as I got in the car our agent called & told us the house had a contract on it- someone put in a higher offer on 'our house.'  How's that for clear??  So, the good news is that we didn't get the house because it's not the one God wants us to be in.  Definitely grateful for that clarity.  The bad news is we have less than a month to put a contract on something and are back to sqaure one.  Time to get more specific with our prayers & get on the grindstone with this house huntin' business.  Just tryin' to stay in God's will.  Maybe he wants us to move out of state??  :)