And they lived happily ever after...

It’s been 2 weeks since the ceremony.  I have been trying to get back in the swing of normal times.

I have to admit I am a little lost without something to make or plans to finalize for the wedding.  So much free time! LOL

How did everything turn out you ask?  Well, the night before the ceremony was indeed, busy, busy, busy!  Nathan and I spend several hours at the venue putting stuff together.  And let me just add, thank goodness we got the time to because it took FOREVER and we didn’t finish everything!  Dinner with the bridal party was hectic and loud but still a good time.  I didn’t realize I picked such a busy restaurant :/  I was exhausted after a day full of stuff to do, but unfortunately still only got about 2 hours of sleep.  I didn’t get any cold feet or nerves but I did have like a million details for the wedding going through my head so there was just no clearing my head for rest, lol!

The day of wasn’t too bad once we got past the massive traffic, loud marching band, and dead trucks!  There was no down time for movies or anything like that.  I felt like the whole day I was going full speed!  I thought I was going to make it without crying, but as soon as my song came on and the doors opened for me to walk, the tears just flowed!  Amanda had stuffed a hanky down my top at the last minute and I laughed at her thinking I wouldn’t need it, but it was a life saver.  After standing with Nathan a few minutes, I retrieved it.  The look on his face when I went down the top of my dress after it was priceless!  It took a lot not to bust out laughing!

It was very emotional to say the least!  Walking down the aisle our eyes were locked on each other.  He greeted me with a HUGE smile and told me about how beautiful I was and the dress was perfect for me.  He looked like he could cry, but held himself together.  We both wrote our own vows and his were really sweet.  I don’t really remember much else besides the kiss.  I couldn’t tell you who was at the ceremony or where anyone sat.  It was completely intimate between me and Nathan which I really liked.  I am still waiting on the wedding video Nathan’s parents taped.  After I watch it I will be sure to give props to our officiant, John J

After the ceremony, us and the wedding party freezed outside for a few outdoor pictures.  Thanks guys for putting up with it.  The outside pictures turned out really nice.  We took some pictures downstairs and stuffed our faces with appetizers before heading back for dinner!  Dinner was good and I hope everyone else felt the same.  I know we sorta delayed it so it sat for awhile on the warmers. 

The rest of the night was fun.  There was plenty of dancing which was a pleasant surprise for me.  I thought no one would dance so…  It was nice to be able to see everyone and some friends I had not seen in a while.  It was very pleasant and no drama which was a HUGE relief.  All that stressing for nothing. 

Thank you to everyone that showed up and put on nice clothes and a happy face to celebrate with us!  It means a lot to us that you were there to share in our very special day.

Our best man added that we looked like that happiest people in the world on our wedding day!  I felt that same way!  I couldn’t be more happier to be Mrs. Ford.  It’s my secret little drug when Nathan calls me ‘wife’.  My face lights up like the 4^th of July! 

Don’t forget about the honeymoon!  It was a lot fun!  We got upgraded for free to the penthouse 51^st floor and our room had an awesome view of the strip!  We had a huge bathtub that we both could fit in together that we took full advantage of!  We got to Vegas late Sunday night and stayed up most of the night exploring.  We started walking the strip early Monday.  There was so much to see.  We got wore out fast though.  The time change and the massive amount of walking took its toll.  We decided after all day walking on Monday, we would get the shuttle bus pass for the remainder of the week.  We saw all of the free shows like the Bellagio fountains, Mirage volcano, and Treasure Island dueling pirate ships.  We saw the V the Variety Show.  It was a show with a lot of different types of acts.  Nathan got called on stage to ‘volunteer’, they joked with him (and rubbed his nipples) but he was a good sport and it was hilarious!  We also had dinner at Excalibur and saw a joust.  We visited the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop from the TV show Pawn Stars.  We got to go to the grand canyon on Wednesday.  It was SO beautiful but the bus ride was so long!  By Thursday we were both so ready to go home, plus Nathan was sick L We still tried to make the best of our time left and made it to Friday night.  We were happy to be home on Saturday and headed straight to the immediate care.  We were both sick, sick, sick.  Not the best way to end a honeymoon but it was a nice vacation.  Las Vegas is definitely one of those places you should only go to visit for a max of 3 days.

The honeymoon was fun but definitely tiring and a little stressful since we didn’t know where we were going or had any kind of plan. 

Now that things have settled down, we have been enjoying the married life.  Nathan is so sweet.  He gets so excited to tell everyone that I am his wife.  He is always saying I love you, wife!  It makes me smile!  He is more excited than I ever thought he would be.  He is not the type that usually shows his excitement.  But I am loving every minute of it!  Nathan’s mother has also been busy at work telling everyone that I just got married to her son.  LOL

I have to tell you about the heels!

4 days....

I can hardly wait!  I can't focus on work because of my excitement and I still have 2 more days to work! 

This past weekend was the last before the wedding.  I did finish up most of the little stuff so this next week can be smooth sailing.  I have to tell you about the awesomeness I found on Friday!  I found the most prefect, strappy, high heel shoes!  They are going to lift me up enough so that the dragging dress is no longer a problem.  Plus, I can walk in them and they are so freaking cute!  This may not sound like a big deal to you, but to someone like me who wears a size 2 in children’s, this is A-MA-ZING!  It is virtually impossible to find any kind of heel, much less a suitable heel.  They usually consist of Hannah Montana on the side with a light up heel in neon pink.  And even those are sometimes too narrow for my foot.  So, like my magical dress (see blog: say yes to the dress) I found the perfect shoe at the last moment, when all hope is lost.  They are going to match prefect!!

 Saturday was the Bachelorette and Bachelor parties.  I had so much fun hanging out with the ladies just being silly.  We met up later with the guys and kept the party going all night!  Biscuits and Gravy in the morning (care of Miss Amber) was a great way to finish the night.  LOL.  Soooo sleepy Sunday.  We did manage to stay up and get a few things done before crashing out early Sunday evening.

Monday marked the 5 day mark and although I was expecting call backs and confirmations, I didn’t expect them all to come in at once!  Getting the calls and talking about the day are defiantly getting me more and more excited!! 

Friday there will be a laundry list of things to get done.  We have to make sure to drop everything off at the venue, Nathan needs to pick up the tuxes and I need a manicure.  We will end the night with a huge family style dinner (a good stiff drink, LOL) with our bridal party.  I hope I am exhausted enough at the end of the night to get some good beauty sleep! 

If we can make it up to the venue the day in time, that will be a start.  It’s a goal to not cry before the ceremony starts!  Amanda has suggested to watch movies while getting ready.  This means no sad movies, like The Notebook.  They better be fall out of my seat (not literately, I hope.) hilarious!

No nerves yet!  Just simply excitement!  I could not be more ready!

11 days!

11 days until the rest of my life!

Last minute details are being finished and things that can’t get done are being marked off the list.   I am not nervous or anything, at least not yet. (Besides about the amount of money we spent, LOL)  I think if I do get nervous, it will be about everything going well and not about getting married.  I love Nathan and I am ready to be his wife.  We have decided, or Nathan did anyway, to write our own vows.  It is sweet, but I just didn’t want to add any additional stress.  Plus, I wanted to know ahead of time what he was going to say…  He said he won’t read them to me before the wedding, but I know the truth is that he will not write them UNTIL the day of the wedding!  I guess that’s a man though.  I know going into it that he is definitely a procrastinator.  Can’t say that is anything new…  I am ready.  I am especially ready for all this planning and craziness to be over.  Ready to get my normal craziness back.  LOL.  I just want to spend a weekend vegging on my couch instead of cake tasting, dress shopping, party planning, venue seeking, or flower arranging.  So much has went on in the last 4 months.  Geeze, it was only 4 months!  Glad we didn’t wait a year.  I think I wouldn’t have any nerves left then! 

Nathan’s birthday is today and we are going to Crackers to celebrate for him tomorrow.  Bachelorette/bachelor party is this weekend.  Hope it is fun for the both of us.  I know we both scaled down plans due to money issues so… 

Next week will be just be trying to mental prepare.  I have been trying to focus on the things I am excited about, like becoming Mrs. Ford, the cake, the honeymoon…  it helps to take the stress off of everything else having to be perfect.  Just hope all goes well and it is a happy and fun memory…  And the plane departs to Las Vegas ON TIME!!!!! J  

Until next week…

23 days and counting...

Ok so we are now down to 23 days….

How long has it been since I have blogged…  I thought I had everything under control and things were going to calm down!  Recap!  Wedding has thrown up all over my house!  I don’t think I have FOLDED laundry in 3 weeks!  We have just been living out of the dryer… (NO judging! As if YOU have never done it! LOL)  I will cross one item off the master list and add two more things!  I think I will be working on this until the day of…and probably some that day too! LOL 

Nathan says he wants me back.  He says he loves me every day and isn’t looking to marry me on a PREFECT day.  That’s his way of telling me to calm down, it’s not that deep.  I know he is right but at the same time, little girls always grow up thinking this is going to be the most happiest, prefect day ever.  Reality sets in and you just have to take a step back and a deep breath and know that it is meant to be a happy day, but there will be happier moments and as long as you love the person you marry then all the other stuff is just … stuff!

But as I was saying, I thought I was calm and the worst of the stress was over.  I was wrong.  Just when I was settling back in to everyday life, the crazed stress bride came back!  I am starting to stress over all the little details that I wasn’t thinking about a month ago.  We did get the rings.  I have my dress in my possession now.  I am a very happy girl about that!  We got the marriage license.  I am waiting on a few things to come in the mail for finishing touches.  We need to work out dinner plans for the night before with the wedding party.  And a few other small details to work out… Less than a month to go and two holidays in between.  Plus bachelorette/bachelor parties.  Break that down and its comes out to no time left!  I am trying my hardest to just let go of some things.  I am trying to concentrate on how we will feel after the wedding while relaxing on our honeymoon.

Here we go again...

40 days…

So what is new?  When to try on my dress after fittings on Friday.  That was an interesting experience.  I guess I didn’t realize this was only the FIRST fitting and that it was expected that others  would follow.  So I wasn’t very happy to begin with.  I feel like I need to have my dress with me and be able to look at it to make this all real.  I feel like since I am not able to do that, I never remember the dress exactly right.  Not that I don’t continue to love it, because I do.  Weird?  Well, anyway, so the dress fits very different than before and not perfect like I thought.  So I get a little upset, thinking all along I was going to take my dress home today!!  A few deep breaths later, I calm myself down and figure out a fix to the issues.  I just feel like the seamstress gave me different expectations when I first purchased the dress.  The show must go on right?  Another 2 weeks without my dress… L

After the stressful dress fitting me and Amanda head out to order the cake!  Why am I so indecisive!  It seemed like we were there ALL night.  I had a basic concept in mind that we had went over when we taste tested and all was well then.  Not so much this time.  Certain details have to be compromised on.  I just want it to look good!  I want it to be worth the large amount of money I am paying for it.  If I just wanted cake, I’d go to Wal-Mart and spend $30 on a HUGE sheet cake. LOL. 

I felt like we were finally getting somewhere with the wedding planning until Friday.  The stress made me feel like I was starting all over again!  Just wanted to climb into bed and rest!

The rest of the weekend was fine though.  I got some decompression time and once again got a grip on the fact that we are almost to the finish line!  Honeymoon is booked and definitely gives us something to look forward to!  Can’t wait til it’s just me and him! 

Christmas is fast approaching and if you are reading this, please forgive me, no Christmas gifts this year. L  Nathan and I agreed that we need to get into the season to have a getaway from this ciaos but it will be very small.  We are heading to E-ville this weekend to visit Dad and go to the possible last Liberations concert.  It should be a great time! 

So we have a lot of little details and ends to tie up but I think for the most part we are done.  No sighing yet!!  There is always something right?  LOL

This is at a store on Friday.  I told Amanda this tiara was only $1 and I was going to wear it for the wedding!  J/K

It started with the turkey...

46 DAYS AND COUNTING…

I made it through Thanksgiving!  Nathan had to set everyone straight about dinner etiquette, but we made it though without any fighting or bickering.  I was even complemented on my turkey!  Not bad for the first one!! 

So, we were given the gift of silence, but only for one night.  I don’t understand why we have very little support behind us with the wedding.  It seems like some people have just turned up the stress and drama towards us since we announced the engagement.  This should be the happiest time of our lives to date.  Instead, we are pulling our hair out trying to satisfy everyone and no matter what, no one is happy.   It should be all about us and our wishes right now, but it seems like some people think it should be the other way around!  Now I understand why couples elope!  We are so sick of this!  IT HAS TO STOP!  We are not taking anymore crap from anyone!  Starting now, if you don’t like it, you aren’t coming!  We still have a month and a half to go and we are not going to continue this way.  It may be harsh but we shouldn’t have to bend over backwards for anyone on our day!  I want to share this moment with people that are happy for us, love and care for us…

Besides all of that crap…  Things are starting to settle down with the planning.  Thank goodness, because with Christmas and New Year’s coming our time is running thin.  Mandy must be hugely relieved.  I know I was calling her almost every day freaking out about something there for a while.  I am still stressing over little details like timing and things like that but I think it’s mostly my need to have control of everything.  LOL!  I am picking up my dress from alterations on Friday.  Hopefully it fits perfectly and we are done with that.  Also, I am going to order the cake on Friday as well.  The only thing I can think of that still needs to be done is Nathan’s ring and sizing.  He is having a hard time choosing a ring he likes a lot. 

Overtime at work starts this week and continues until the wedding.  I am hoping to not totally kill myself with the extra work and planning that still remains.  I can sure use the extra money though! 

I always try to add something about Nathan in all my blogs and so this one is from a while ago when we were deciding a date and time for the wedding.  I just have been thinking about it a lot lately and realizing exactly how lucky I am.  So anyway….  When we were deciding on a time for the wedding, I told Nathan that it was recommended to have the ceremony start on a half hour so that the minute hand on the clock is moving upward, as a signal of good luck.  He told me that it was silly because we did not need any kind of LUCK because we love each other so much.  Marriage should never be based on luck anyway.  Nathan, you always know exactly what to say!  <3

Progress!

54 days and counting…

Makeup consultation for THE LOOK was Friday.  I thought it was going ok.  I was, of course, not comfortable with any of the looks because I am not much of a makeup wear-er anyways.  But my girls assured me that if I don’t wear enough I will be washed out in the photos.  So, I went along with it…  So, I walk in the door at home to Nathan, he freaks out on me and says “You look like a drag queen!  No, I take that back, cuz you will blog about it!!”  J  Gotta love my Nathan!  I guess we are back to the drawing board on the final look…

I can’t believe how much I got accomplished this weekend!  I got the photographer I wanted!  I got my veil, centerpieces completed, and guest “book” done!  Tuxes picked out and another cake tasting under our belt.  I took Riley shopping for a flower girl dress.  She tried to sneak in a few other things on our shopping trip.  She took me she would have to have a place to put her flowers.  She said “Aunt Cindy, you have to buy me this purse so I can carry the flowers!”  She is so cute, and SMART.  LOL  Anyway, huge amount of the load taken care of!  We still need to make a final decision on the cake, honeymoon and DJ.

I feel we are in a much better place with everything now.  We might actually pull this thing off! LOL 

In other news, we are hosting Thanksgiving dinner at our house.  No one has any faith I can pull it off.  Nathan says it’s hard for a person that knows how to cook to make a turkey.  He says Thanksgiving does not turn you into a good cook…  He will be sleeping on the couch for that one. LOL (Just kidding baby!)  So we will be making a 20 lb turkey, cheesy potatoes, corn casserole, stuffing, greens, and fruit pizza.  All are welcome, but come at your own risk!  We are cannot be held responsible for bad or burned food, family feuds, or possible injury resulting from your visit. 

If you do not hear from me after Thanksgiving, you know they slaughtered me at dinner…