Big Updates!

Tuesday, we ordered our send-off items and our favors. You guys are going to love them and think they’re so cute. The picture below gives a hint. If you are one to

Monday, we got a wonderful mail package from our ceremony musicians. It’s a wonderful thank-you card, our worksheet for picking songs, and a sample CD from the trio that will be playing at our actual ceremony. I am so excited for them and think they are going to do a wonderful job. The wedding ceremony, to me, is the most important part of the entire day. I am so fortunate and blessed to be able to have such a powerful musical presence that will add so much to the already special worship service.

Yesterday, I got the email I have been waiting for!! A job interview!!! So today’s picture is the information written on a sticky. I will be interviewing for a position as a college advisor for a high school up here. I don’t want to get too ahead of myself, but it would be a very fun job and I think I’d be awesome at it – especially since I’ve had two years experience with mentoring college freshmen. I drive down to College Station on Thursday since they’re actually doing the hiring. I hope I get it!

1 month, 1 week, 6 days, 20 hours, 30 minutes

Easter Weekend

We sure did get a whole lot done this weekend with Heather being here! It was a lot of fun spending time with her, relaxing, and getting things done – all at the same time.

On Saturday, we ran around getting bachelorette invitations printed and such. Don’t worry, I didn’t help a bit. I just tagged along and gave an opinion when asked. I know they are going out this week, so look forward to that! There is also, apparently, a secret card that is going out in all of the invites except mine. I don’t know a single thing about the evening and I am so excited to find out as it unfolds. I won’t have to worry about a thing and I can’t wait to spend my last girls’ night as a single gal with my favorite friends. Here is a sneak peak (hopefully Heather doesn’t get mad) of the invitation.

Yesterday was a nice Easter lunch with beautiful flowers and a simple meal. It wasn’t something my mom would have had to slave in the kitchen for. It was perfect. Home cooked favorites but no fuss. Heather left afterwards.

And look what the east bunny brought me at the Longs’! It’s a beach mat for the cruise. Isn’t it cute!? We also got some money to go towards each of us buying a swim suit for the honeymoon. I cannot get over how excited I am getting for all of these upcoming events. Things are moving so much faster and I am now in soaking-up-every-second mode.

1 month, 15 days, 19 hours, 40 minutes

Bow-quet

Heather came in town last night! :)

She brought with her my wonderful rehearsal bouquet. It’s made out of all of the ribbons and bows from the gifts at my bridal shower. Isn’t it beautiful!? This is so I can practice holding a bouquet for the rehearsal too.

RSVPs: Accepts - 29; Declines - 9

1 month, 18 days, 21 hours, 50 minutes (That’s less than 50 days now… and 7 weeks away!)

Week in Review

Not to be confused with the terrible weekly math tutorial program at Texas A&M.

This week has been pretty boring. Therefore, I’ll just give you the pictures and short descriptions.

Tuesday, we prepared for RSVP cards to return. After this past weekend, the price of postage went up. Therefore, we needed to place a bowl of pennies in the mail box for postage due. One cent for every RSVP card we expect.

RSVPs have started to roll into our mailbox as of Wednesday. Here is my basic sorting system. Total guests coming to date is 22. Come on, invitees, get me your RSVPs!!!

Yesterday I got some graduation announcements in the mail too! Lauren and Grace!! They are beautiful and I am so excited for them! While I’m moving into the new apartment that day, I’ll be humming pomp and circumstance in their honor.

Heather comes in town tonight! I can’t wait!

1 month, 17 days, 22 hours, 10 minutes

I’m So Legit

They even gave me a security badge. Nifty, huh? My first day went pretty well. I’ll save you the boring details but it was nice. The people are friendly and I think I will be very good at it. Basically, I’m preparing files to be scanned into a computer and turned into digital files. So I have to comb through these massive files, paper by paper, to find the necessary documents to include in the to-be-scanned group. Each file takes about 3 hours to complete.

Tomorrow is another day!

1 month, 22 days, 19 hours

New Adventures

My first day at the bank is tomorrow. It’s my first full time job and it will be quite the adjustment. It’ll be nice to have something to occupy my time – at a good hourly rate. I work from 7:30 to 4:30 Monday thru Friday. Sounds like a big girl job, right?

Tonight was my last night at Pluckers. In honor of it, I will post a picture of my last employee discounted meal: boneless wings basket. I will definitely be going back to eat since the food is delicious and since one of my fellow hostesses will be training to serve next weekend! So excited for her.

Yesterday’s picture is of my shoe box. My super cute blue shoes, which will make their public debut on June 11th! Not an exciting picture, but then again, with 365 days of pictures, there’s bound to be a few duds.

I am so excited for all of you who will be getting your wedding invitations tomorrow or Tuesday! Please tell me what you think!

1 month, 24 days, 17 hours, 30 minutes

Wedding Stuff is Consuming My Life

My bridal portraits went great this morning! It was pretty cold and my hands were frozen, but I’m pretty sure we got some really great shots. I can’t wait to see them as soon as they get edited! I won’t be able to post them here until after the wedding, but for those of you able to attend, you’ll see some at the reception.

Today has been a low key kind of day. We completed our guest list – or at least “finished” it until we remember people that happened to simply slip our minds in all of this wedding craziness. Our total number of people invited now stands at 365. I know. A crazy number, right!? Well, not everyone will be able to make it. But still, this is going to be quite the function. The RSVPs will start coming in at the end of this week, so I’m sure I’ll be able to update you on the real count of guests that will be able to come.

I also updated the registries. I did a little updating after the generosity of my bridal shower. But, I hadn’t gone through and added tons of items to replenish our guests’ selection. So today I did just that. We added a whole bunch of things, especially in the dining, storage, bathroom, and décor areas. Go take a look if you’d like.

The rest of the evening will consist of relaxing and possible crank out a few more invitations for the newest guest list additions. But probably just sitting.

I can’t believe this wedding is happening so soon. I can’t wait to see it all come together and for the days of relaxation on the honeymoon that will follow. It will be a much deserved break.

1 month, 24 days, 22 hours

Bridal Portraits Tomorrow

Tomorrow is the day for my bridal portraits. I’m excited and nervous at the same time. I do wish they weren’t at 7:30 in the morning, but realize we need the awesome light and cooler temperatures. I’m ready to get into my dress for the longest I’ve ever been in it and get some great pictures.

Everything’s all set to go. I got my nails done this evening, and mom and I made my bouquet. Look at it. Didn’t we do a great job with just some flowers from Central Market.

1 month, 25 days, 17 hours, 15 minutes

They’re DONE!

The wedding invitations are complete and ready to be mailed out! As soon as my mom brings home the stamps this evening, we are stamping. They will all be in the mail tomorrow! Be excited about seeing them. I am so pleased with how they turned out. I’ll post a picture of them on the blog once everyone has received theirs – and explain what in the world took so long and all the specific details about them.

This has been quite the achievement for me. My biggest to-do is complete and we’re ready to move on to the more fun parts of finishing up the wedding planning. I’m ready to be able to relax a little and have fun.

1 month, 25 days, 23 hours, 15 minutes

In a Writing Mood : Lengthy Post Time

Today is my last full day of wedding planning for quite some time. Tomorrow and Sunday I work at Pluckers. Saturday is my bridal portraits day. Monday starts my new full-time job. I foresee no free time in my future. That’s why the past few days have been crammed with wedding talk and getting things done. I’ve needed this time to put things back in order and finalize the recovery from losing the church – that was a major blow!

Don’t worry, though, I will find time for the remaining wedding stuff. I have to. From here on out, I’m sure every post will be about wedding planning – if it hasn’t been already. It’s crunch time. We’re less than two months away and things need to get done. I want them to be done. I’m tired of this arms length to-do list constantly following me around.

Today we will finish the invitations. Manda and Phillip are coming over to help me so hopefully we will get them done. Then hopefully they’ll be mailed on Saturday! So look forward to receiving your masterpiece in the mail. Once you get it, you’ll suddenly realize why it’s taken us three months from idea conception to mailing – and why I’ve talked about them nonstop. Phillip’s helped here and there (and designed the cards) but I have put the most labor and muscle into these. It’s been a long road and I’m ready to see them finished and gone from this house.

Also on today’s agenda is sending a check to the table runner lady. Yep, we will have gorgeous table runners as part of our reception décor. They’ll be black and white damask. Haven’t you noticed the theme fabric yet? ;)

I will be purchasing flowers this afternoon for my bridal portrait bouquet as well. It will most likely be completely different from my wedding bouquet. For one, I am making it myself, and it will be colorful. My wedding bouquet will be shades of white because I don’t want it to take away from my gorgeous dress. But for the portraits, I’ve decided I want a little more  fun and punches of color. I’m sure I’ll post a picture of my handmade masterpiece for you to see my handy work.

Yesterday I went to the doctor to have some skin issues taken care of. Yes, bloggers, I had some skin imperfections that needed to be corrected in time for this weekend’s portraits and in time for the wedding. But it’s all done and I feel so much better! While I was there, I took the liberty to talk to my doctor about vaccinations needed for the honeymoon (none) and motion sickness medication options. It was very informative. As I was leaving, I couldn’t help but realize that I even turned into a simple doctor’s visit into a wedding-related task. Is it June 12th yet!?

Boot camp is still going strong. We’re getting through it and hopefully getting more in shape because of it. I’ll be excited to see the results around the wedding when I’ve done two camps over the course of 8 weeks. Some days I can’t move because I’m so sore, and other days I feel like I could go run a marathon. But all days, I love the wonderful gift I got from Manda. She seriously gave me something nobody else could – confidence for the wedding, a great swim suit body for the honeymoon, and a great activity to do with a great friend.

Wow, this has been quite the long post. I’m sorry for being all over the place, for rambling, and for spending the majority of the time boring you with wedding stuff. With all of this wedding planning talk, I could almost change the name/subject of the blog to reflect that.

Here’s to a great weekend, an exciting new job opportunity Monday, and closing the Pluckers chapter in the coming days. Oh, and here’s to finally finishing those pesky wedding invitations!

1 month, 27 days, 4 hours, 30 minutes

From Drab to Fab

About two months ago, my mom and I found the perfect cake topper for the wedding cake. We also decided it needed a little embellishment. So here, I give you the before and after pictures of the best cake topper ever.

We added crystals to make it more formal and add some pizzazz. What do you think?

1 months, 27 days, 17 hours, 10 minutes

Wedding CheckCheckCheck List

There is so much wedding stuff that has needed to be done over the past few days and coming days. I really got behind with the whole job thing and with catching up after the church cancellation and bridal shower.

But alas, I have done a lot! I’ve almost completed the wedding program wording – just need everyone to proofread it and suggest corrections. The candy buffet bags are 1/3 of the way finished with labels attached. The favors are designed and ready to be ordered. Oh and today we took pictures at the ballpark for the favors.

What are the favors you may ask? Well, again, I suppose I can give you blog followers a tid bit of classified information. After all, there are only a handful of you who actually pay attention to my rants and rambles… We are designing custom TOPPS baseball cards!! They are going to be super cute and everyone gets one! That’s why we needed some pictures from the ballpark today. I know, now you are looking forward to the wedding even more.

I’m getting through the to-do list and celebrating small victories over here. The real world hits me like a ton of bricks on Monday, by way of a 40 hour work week. Invitations still need to be finished. But I am determined. I am. And believe me, you will all be more than aware when I have completed this longer-than-expected project.

1 month, 28 days, 20 hours, 10 minutes

My New Best Friend

Meet my new best friend. It is a double sided tape gun. The tape comes out in neat circles and binds two layers of invitations together quite nicely. This little wonder also happens to be the colors of the wedding, which makes it even more of a joy to work with.

Yesterday, I was stamping along in a very time efficient manner when low-and-behold, it ran out of tape. Therefore, the invitations are stalled until this afternoon or evening some time when we can get back to the store to reload the gun. Then it will be back on a roll to finish the invitations by Thursday. I know, I’m dreaming big. But these need to get done as soon as possible so I can get some sleep at night and move on to programs.

The rest of my day will consist of heading up to the ballpark soon to have a mini photo shoot (care-of a tripod) with Phillip. We’re just doing a couple of simple shots outside so we can have some themed pictures for decorating the reception and for our phenomenal favors. I am so excited about those! More about those in later posts…

1 month, 29 days, 1 hours, 40 minutes (60 days and counting!)

TWO MORE MONTHS!

Can you believe it!? I sure can’t! Our wedding is two months away and it’s only going to feel like time is going by faster and faster. It’s weird to think of the past few months and how they haven’t dragged a bit. I feel like the first year of engagement felt long, but ever since we found out the date, things have taken off!

In two months, I will marry the love of my life. He makes me laugh, shakes things up, challenges me, comforts me, listens to me, humors me, and so much more. I would talk about how I get to marry my best friend, but that’s so cliché though true.

We move in one month. That means I have roughly one month to get all of this wedding stuff done. Once move-in day is here, all I’m going to want to do is set up our new home and shop for / pack for our honeymoon. Did I mention all of the cute summer stuff that’s starting to appear in every single store!?

Two months until I am a wife to the best future husband a girl could ask for!

2 months, 6 hours, 15 minutes

With This Ring…

That’s right! This ring right here! Isn’t it beautiful!?

We went and bought it this afternoon and I can hardly wait to wear it permanently – for so many reasons, including the fact that it looks like it was made for my engagement ring and the fact that it means I will be married to the love of my life.

2 months, 1 day, 20 minutes

It’s About Time

Meaning, it’s about time I’ve had time to work on all of the wedding stuff that’s been looming.

Take a look at this!! Yesterday, I finished all of the cutting of the invitations for the second time. Now tonight I can assemble the invitation layer. Tomorrow will be attaching the top two layers to the third layer. Then Monday will be placing stamps on the RSVP postcards. And the rest of the week will be devoted to stuffing, addressing, stamping, and mailing!! How exciting that they’re almost done and ready to be mailed – hopefully ahead of schedule!!

Today, we ate at Babe’s for lunch in Arlington (YUMMM!!) and then we went to the Rangers gift shop to get our reception guestbook. Yes, we will have a formal sign-in book at the ceremony. However, for the reception, we wanted to do something fun so here it is (special secrete sneak peak for all of you followers)…

It’s a personalized Rangers jersey!! All of the guests will have the opportunity to sign the back and we will frame it as wall art in our new place. Isn’t that a neat idea!? I’m really excited we were able to find a unique idea that fits in with our inevitable – yet extremely subtle – baseball theme.

Today I also found a dress for the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. I still need to find a dress for the bachelorette party and some for the cruise. So many dresses!! Add another thing to the who-knew-you-needed-so-much list when it comes to wedding planning.

2 months, 1 day, 23 hours

Serious Neglect

Wow bloggers, I am so sorry. I feel like ever since I started working at Pluckers, I blog less and less. Maybe it’s because I have no pictures to post and my life has gotten boring. Maybe it’s because when I get off, I’m so tired. Who knows. But the most important thing is that will soon change. Here is a catch up with my life.

Check out my name right there! This is the NCHEC newsletter introducing the newest CHES certified professionals. That’s me!

Boot camp started Tuesday and we’ve gone through a total of two days now. Tomorrow is day three of twelve. It is kicking Manda and I’s butts but it’ll definitely be worth it. We’ll be the skinniest people at the wedding!

My parents are visiting La Vernia this week so I’m home alone. This is what I discovered Wednesday after work – Madison sleeping in the new bed that was purchased for Belle. She’s spoiled rotten and we all let her get away with it because, frankly, she’s the old queen of the house. I’ve been sleeping in Phillip’s guest room all week too, and will through tomorrow night.

We got our beautiful toasting flutes in the mail yesterday! My parents bought them for us as a wedding present. I can’t wait to use them and turn them into something we pass down to our kids over generations. I’m so glad we went with really nice crystal flutes instead of the oh-so-popular engraved ones. These are more timeless, more likely to be used over and over again, and are still able to be passed down as an heirloom. What do you think?

I also got a new job!! I am going to be working in a bank filing room for quite a bit more money than Pluckers, and with traditional full time hours. I’m also continuing to job hunt for a more permanent and fullfilling position.

Bridal portraits are this weekend. Move-in day for the apartment is coming up as well, and we are starting to complete our shopping list to fully move in. The wedding is coming up in a rapid pace. Things are moving right along and we’re holding on for dear life!

2 months, 3 days

“You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby, You Must Have Been a Wonderful Child”

Yesterday, Phillip’s mom and I started the wonderful adventure of going through Phillip’s baby pictures for the wedding slideshow Meredith is so graciously creating for us. It was so neat to see all of the pictures and compare them to what he looks like now.

He was such a cute baby and I can see how he grew into such a wonderful person. Going through his baby book, you can see his mom’s notes about his personality forming – and he’s still the same! She uses words like “loving” and a “sleeper”. I’m pretty sure those two definitely still stand.

All of the pictures make me excited to see what our very distant future children will look and act like. Will they “throw everything in the garbage” like Phillip did as a new walker? Or perhaps they’ll be bald and toothless until they are over the age of one, like I was? Will they have his big blue eyes? Or my big forehead? Tan skin or covered in freckles? The possibilities are endless and make me intrigued about the future. Of course, I’m always looking forward into the future.

2 months, 7 days, 3 hours, 20 minutes

Camping Adventure

Yesterday was, overall, a success!! I had a whole lot of fun turning off all electronics for about 24 hours to enjoy nature, solitude, and quality time with Phillip. Here was the view from our campsite:

Gorgeous, isn’t it? It was so nice. The exception to this story is, of course, when the tent nearly caved in on us at 5:30 this morning due to the high wind gusts coming off the lake. Yeah. I’m pretty sure we almost died. Ok. Dramatic. I know. But still, it wasn’t very pleasant to wake up to.

We had a great time. I’d definitely go tent camping again. :)

2 months, 8 days

March Top Five : In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb

This month seemed pretty crazy. Big things happened… and not-so big things happened. Here are the top five pictures that sum up the month for me:

Our church cancelled. We found a new and improved one. I got a job at Pluckers to at least have an income of money. I had a great bridal shower and got some great things. We signed a lease on a great apartment to move in on May 13th!

We also worked on wedding invitations all month which still aren’t finished yet and are currently completing our apartment furnishings in order to get ready for the move.

2 months, 9 days, 5 hours, 50 minutes

Getting Ready to Go Camping

Last night, after work, Phillip and I had a great dinner. It was followed by us starting the process of getting ready for camping tonight. We went to Borders in Colleyville, which is having a huge going-out-of-business sale. I mean HUGE. Every book in there is 50-60% off at least. So here is my purchase so I have something to read while Phillip reads his million books.

Should be an interesting book. I pick books based on their covers and this one has raised letters. Yeah, I’m a shallow reader like that. I’ll let you know how it turns out, if I can ever finish a book I start.

In a little while, I’m going to finish packing and get dressed for the day. We are grocery shopping for the food, and heading out to the camp grounds (in Dallas) around 2 to claim our spot. We’ll probably actually leave and go hang around Cedar Hill for a bit before returning to set up the site and enjoy the evening of tent camping. Did I mention this is my first authentic tent camping experience!?

2 months, 9 days, 6 hours

Pluckers is Ruling My Life

But at least I have a job interview on Monday with my mom’s bank. It’s a temporary filing position that would guarantee me 40 hours a week with a higher pay than Pluckers. We’ll see how it goes. I’m ready to get into a routine so I don’t have to leave you followers hanging so much. [Yesterday’s photo-of-the-day sums it up.]

Things are rolling with everything else. We have a honeymoon spending money fund established now. And since I occasionally get tips as a cashier, they are going into this fund. I really started adding to it on Tuesday, so here is the picture as of then. There is more in it now and I can’t wait to decide what to spend it on! We are leaning toward casino money, but shopping money would be nice too.

Manda gave me an awesome wedding present too!! We went on Wednesday to sign up for our boot camp that starts Tuesday bright and early – and she bought it for me. How sweet!! The two of us are starting on a crazy four week adventure of military-style exercise three days a week. We are going to be in great shape for the wedding (and me for the honeymoon). I’m really consider continuing it on for the next four week session as well, to make sure I keep the weight off.

There hasn’t bee much else going on this week besides work. I’m afraid next week will be much of the same. Phillip and I both have the whole weekend off, which is great. So, we are going camping tomorrow night!! With a tent and everything! This is a huge deal for me.

The end-of-the-month top five will be coming soon. I didn’t have time this morning. Off to work!

2 months, 10 days, 6 hours