Just a few days now!!!

I had such a wonderful weekend! Friday night I saw the movie "Taken" with my sisters, brother in laws and some of their friends ( tony had to work but I saw it again tonight with him and my dad!) SUCH an amazing movie, one of my favorites by far! Liam Neeson is such a bad ass! haha. Saturday I had coffee with Kim for a good two hours, it was a great way to start of the weekend! Then saturday night I had my bachelorette party and Tony had is bachelor party. The guys had dinner & drinks at Porters, from the sounds of it it was a really fun time. My brother in laws went, a few of Tony's friends & the groomsmen. Tony keeps telling me what a great time he had & how it was exactly what he wanted, It makes me so happy to hear that. Us girls; Me, Emmi, Jessi, Nakesha & Kim all went to Olive Garden for dinner. Then the girls came over after and we played apples to apples and watched Knocked Up and Father of the Bride- two of my favorite movies of all time. It was everything what I wanted it to be- fun quality time with the people I love most, I cant imagine a better way to spend my last weekend as an un-married woman! Here's a few pictures from this weekend...

Today Tony picked me up from my sisters because I stayed the night after the Bachelorette party. We went and had lunch at Mucho Gusto and then went shopping for the Honeymoon! We bought all the toiletries & traveling things we needed for our trip to Disneyland. I got a new swimsuit and we both got some new shorts and cooler shirts for the sunny Californian weather! Shopping with him was such a simple little thing you wouldnt think anything of but it was actually a really sweet and exciting time for us. We were shopping together, buying all this stuff we were going to share...weve never done that before! We had to buy the shampoo & sunscreen etc etc...even buying the toothpaste was exciting because we had to decide on it together. It was just...special! I really loved every second of it... I probably looked like a dork prancing around target all smiling and giddy!

Well can you believe the wedding is THIS weekend? I cant. Its still unreal, like an out of body experience as my mom says. It really is. The craziness of it all hasnt really hit me, but I do still get butterflies whenever I think about it at all! WOW its actually just a few days away now. Praise Jesus!

7 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I AM MARRYING TONY IN 7 DAYS!!!

7 DAAAAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am SOOOOOOO EXCITED for everything!

As of 3 today I got off work and I wont be going back until APRIL 6TH! WAHOOOO! After the honeymoon I am taking a week off to get our new home all ready and settled. And also just to enjoy a week off with my husband :]

Tomorrow I am going to coffee with my good friend Kim! Her husband, Ty, is one of Tony's best friends & he is in the wedding party! They came down from Monmoth so they could be at Tony's Bachelor party & my Bachelorette Party tomorrow night! YAY!

Tomorrow night Tony is having his bachelor party at Porters with all his guy friends. & I am having my bachelorette party at Olive garden with Kim & my wedding party & then were going over to my sisters house to play games and hang out :D SOOOO EXCITED!!!!

I got my key for our apartment yesterday! It was like my first feeling of kind of being Tony's wife, like just that being my home in just a week! Its just crazy and so incredibly exciting!

This next week is going to be such an exciting time! Im not stressed at all, now im just like thrilled, everytime I think of it all I get the most butterflies in my stomach! Like I just HAVE to smile when I think about it all! Im having another facial & my brows done monday, a manicure/pedicure wednesday, and my wax and acrylics with my sisters at Gervais Day Spa on Thursday! Tony and I also are going in on Thursday to see our travel agent to get all our tickets and everything for our flight to LAX & DISNEYLAND! AAAH! DISNEYLAND!

I have to say, I have NEVER EVER been so excited/joyful/happy/thrilled in my ENTIRE LIFE!

God is soooo good & i am so blessed to be marrying the most wonderful man in the world!

beautiful beautiful blessings

IVE BEEN SHOPPING!

One of my best friends & bridesmaid, Nakesha, works at Angela's bridal mart. Ive been in there once like a waaay long time ago for prom but I hadnt been in since then. So I told Kesh I was going to stop by because there were some pretty things she wanted to show me. Ruby and I stopped by yesterday & oh my gosh. She brought out some stuff from the back that hadnt been priced yet or anything. I found the most aaaamazing hairpiece, I cant even begin to explain how much I freaking LOVE it! love it love it love it. I would explain in but, its going to be a surprise :D Take my word for it- it is SO me, and very original and beautiful. & I can keep it and wear it for a special date! Im so wearing it on the honeymoon when we go to Disneyland and eat at the Fancy Blue Bayou. & its not overkill tiara, like a princess/prom queen tacky thing. Its just, perfect...and I cant explain it...but you will all see (assuming those who read this are invited/coming to the wedding)

Okay, so thats not even all of the amazing news I have to tell...

I also found, well Nakesha showed me (she's my hero!) the most gorgeous amazing breathtaking veil..EVER. Not even kidding, ive fallen in love with a few yards of tull. So i bought this veil today and I got it HALF off! ...HALF! I got such a good deal because I bought the one from the store, but they had just recently brought it out. It was regular $199.00 & I got it for $99.00! so amazing. and it is just wow, words dont do it justice.

My whole wedding is turning out to be just this gorgeous priceless day that I never thought Ide have- not in the way that I never thought i would get married- but just that i would have the veil, the dress, the music...the moments i have always dreamed of, but didnt think I could afford or make happen. God is making all this happen for me and the only reason why I feel He is blessing my wedding and soon to be marriage SO much is because of how patient ive been. It was torture waiting to marry Tony but now, its so worth it. I had always wanted to be his wife since I was 15 and now that its here its going to be the most God-focused, breath-taking wedding I could have ever dreamed of. Maybe all brides feel that way but I just feel so blessed, and that God has opened all these doors for us. All I can say is ALL THE GLORY TO GOD! seriously. its not that my wedding is extravagant or something...its going to look that way but i have been so strict with my spending...i mean my designer $1100.00 wedding dress for $299.00, my veil for $100.00... and none of it is cheaply made, I have expensive quality taste and not much money at all- but thats what i am saying, God has TOTALLY made it happen with all the blessing with my car situation & the money from the insurance, Tony's dad wanting to pay for the whole honeymoon and then all these deals. I am just overjoyed.

I have my dress alteration appointment this Wednesday, and our last premarital counseling with the pastor on Monday!!! wow! its already here! were discussing everything as far as the ceremony goes- im SO excited!!!

Tomorrow me & tony's good friends, Ty & Kim (who just got had a beautiful wedding on January 9th!!), are coming into town and we are going to get together with them! I have never been so happy with the friendships and relationships God has put in my life. I have the best friends- I know its cliche to say it but they really are so wonderful. They are so supportive, loving, godly, honest...friends I can see having for the rest of my life. They bring so much joy & contentedness into my life, all in different unique ways. & gosh do i love them!

Those wonderful women are:
My two sisters-
Emily & Jessi
Ruby
Nakesha
Kim
& Jade

What a blessing they each are in my life. Friendships like these, the kind that inspires, brings comfort & joy, the kind that draws you closer to Jesus- it really could only be appointed & designed by God.

The day after Christmas....

FYI. Although Christmas day is over, the celebration is NOT. We celebrate Christmas all the way past January 1st. My family always does something fun for New Years, so the party isnt over..the celebrating continues! Plus our wedding is just a couple months away now. This is where I really have to buckle down and get on it. & I have! Today I bought the Brooches for my bridesmaids at Macys. I scored big, i got such a great deal & the brooches are perfect, everything I had been looking for the last 5 months. & we ordered half & bought the rest of the stationary for the invitations- which is AMAZING btw. and I got it all on sale, a total bargain! And what I love about it is it is so elegant, completely vintage, not literally- but it looks it haha. Just because we are doing them ourselves doesnt mean they are going to look cheap either, no- the way were making them is exactly how I would want them done if I was having the customized by a company- except this way im saving about 1000 dollars :) which makes it 100% more worth it. I find spending outrageous amounts on my wedding just insulting, on any wedding in fact. Im not going to put my parents or myself in debt just so I can have the "princess" wedding...its not all about me. Tony and I have to save money, we are going to college- both going for our masters (& tony possibly a P.hd) Why would i throw all my money away from the start of our life togehter? I just dont get that, people justify it by saying "its my day!" ... I hate when brides act that way. Its about God, and the commitment you are making to God and your spouse for the rest of your life! Two souls becoming one. It isnt prom, it isnt YOUR day. & frankly, when people act like that it just makes me ill. What a shame, no wonder there is so much divorce- from day one of people's marriage it is ALL about themselves. I wont be that, I refuse to. Im probably repeating myself a lot because im sure ive said this in a previous post- I just want to make sure no one ever mistakes me for one of those brides.

now I will step off my soap box :]

Christmas day was just magical. I had such a great time with my family & Tony. & though its not about the presents- Tony and I really scored big for our house :D It was a very exciting Christmas for us!

Some of my favorite presents this christmas were: [ * means it is in the picture below ]

New devotional bible (made by one of my favorite authors Max Lucado) [thanks mom!]

Tony & I both got a new down pillows [thanks mom!]

Down comforter for Tony & I (im keeping it for now) [thanks mom!]

The CUTEST "Dongjiang" Teapot & teacups from Peir One* [Thanks Emmi]

My favorite 'pear glace' lotion and body mist from Victorias Secret [thanks mom!]

Martha Stewart Collection Recipe Box*[thanks mom!]

Coffee Press Gift Pack by Starbucks* [Thanks Josh & Nicole!]

Cuisinart Black Chrome Mini-Prep Processor* [thanks Tony's mom!]

Martha Stewart Collection 6-Piece Blue Melamine Bowl Set* [thanks mom!]

Martha Stewart Collection gray & robins egg blue apron [thanks mom!]

Good Housekeeping Illustrated Cookbook* [thanks Tony's mom!]

A super cute shabby chic frame that matches all my "robins egg blue"stuff! [thanks emmi!]

Five sets of the Martha Stewart Collection blue & white glass towels* [thanks mom!]

Martha Stewart Collection Enamel on Steel Tea Kettle* [thanks mom!]

Tomb Raider Underworld on Xbox 360* [Tony's present to me!]

DVD'S for Tony & I - Superbad, Juno, Casino Royal, 27 Dresses & Transformers

& the most awesome presents ever: Coffee mugs with our faces on them. & you'll get it if you are a fan of "the office" ...if not, im so sorry! life must suck for you. hahahaa. [Thanks jessi & nathan!]

CLICK TO SEE THE IMAGE BIGGER

Fun night with the Bridal Party!

So last night me and my bridal party all went out to Red Robin just so everyone could get to know each other a little better, and to do some planning. It was Emmi and Jess (my sisters and matrons of honor) and my two bridesmaids- Nakesha and Ruby. OH MY GOSH. We seriously had the most fun time! I was kind of worried about the dynamic of it all, I dont know- like it just being weird or something- because I hear about all these other peoples wedding party's and its like oh "so and so doesn't like so and so" blah blah blah. but then I remembered my friends and sisters are NOT like that- they are all the coolest best friends in the WORLD! Im a pretty loud person- and Ruby definitely is- and I dont think either of us have ever been so loud at red robin before! I cant even count how many times we busted up laughing. It is SO important to me that these girls have fun too during the planning of the wedding and stuff, so them clicking well is incredibly important to me. I dont want it to be like a chore to be in my wedding party...I want it to be a PARTY to be in my wedding party! haha. but really- I want it to be really fun for everyone because the memories we make and the good times we have are more important than stupid up tight crap that people get into when planning a wedding. This is a CELEBRATION!! It should be the best times ever! This group of friends are the most loving, uplifting, down to earth people you could know. Im not even kidding. I am SO blessed to have friends like this, and I know what good friends are because Ive had some real bad ones and ive gone through some very tough relationship with people you are led to believe are your friends but really dont end up treating you that way. I have prayed for a long time now that God would bring REAL friends into my life, and wow- He TOTALLY has. These girls are such blessings, and I was thanking God over and over last night for what He has given me. Last night was a BLAST, so memorable and one of the greatest fun times I have had in a very long time....AND Im so excited for dress shopping (!), the bridal shower (!), the bachelorette party (!) & especially the WEDDING!!!

Still sick...

UGH. I stayed home from work again today. Im feeling much worse than I did yesterday. I woke up at 4 am unable to breath because my sinuses are so stuffed, and I had a killer sore throat and migrane. I couldnt sleep from then on so I went and watched tv. Ive never watched so much reality tv in my life. and might I add...I hate Tyra Banks. So incredibly dumb and has not a clue of what she is talking about. WHAT??! girls have low self a steem?! WHAT? how did tyra know? hahahaha. i mean come on. She was a model.

I was also reminded of how much I hate 'The View', or more like Joy and Whoopie. Good God. I feel so bad for Elizabeth..she is the only slightly conservative and all they do is bag on ANYTHING remotely conservative- Elizabeth is like their punching bag they get all their liberal frustration out on. They dont even respect her enough to let her say anything- they just interrupt her or act like they didnt hear her...HMMM typical much???


Other than watching alot of reality tv I drank tea from both starbucks and dutch brothers all with in two hours of eachother- dont think ive ever done that before. I tried to sleep some more but I ended up just waking up un able to breath because of my god forsaken sinuses.


Tony brought me a venti black tea after class and we ended up watching "The Soup" one of our favorite shows ever...this pretty much made our day:




I am excited though. Friday night me and my bridal party, Emmi, Jessi, Nakesha and Ruby are all going out to dinner at the 'Dirty Bird' (red robin) -We need to plan a time to go out and look for dresses, dates for the Shower and Bachelorette part ...etc...and I want all of them to get to know eachother a little better too. Its about time, the wedding is 4 MONTHS from this FRIDAY! whoa! so crazy! HOLY CRAP I HAVE SOOO MUCH TO DO!!!!! I cant believe its so close! I am incredibly excited! Our wedding is SO close and before we know it I will be Tony's wife, and he will be my husband :D

Hair Brooches

I really want a hair brooch like one of these. Two are from "Kirstie Kelly" and the other two I found on Etsy. I really want to wear one in my hair for the wedding. And then Ide like the bridesmaids to wear smaller ones in their hair too. They are kind of hard to find for some reason, especially ones that are reasonably priced. Most price at 150-200 dollars, YIKES! My wedding dress cost half that! So im trying to find vintage hair broaches at a reasonable cost. And I WILL find them :)

5 MONTHS LEFT!!!!

5 MONTHS UNTIL OUR WEDDING!

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!

I seriously cant believe that it is only FIVE months! It's just crazy. Its really starting to feel real now. Before- like eight, seven, even six months didnt feel like much just because its like half a year ya know- but FIVE months- its only going to get even more crazy close! I have SO much to do! I really need to figure out invitations! And bridesmaids dresses! those are my main focus's right now. Ive pretty much got everything else under control...at least i think i do?

Tony is all moved in to his new apartment! It has been so much fun getting everything all set up. He has been living there a week now! We went grocery shopping, It was seriously a really good time. Im not even kidding! we had a ton of fun picking stuff out haha! except we bought a crap load of stuff and when we got back to the apartment to put it away it felt like we seriously bought like five things! yet still- we loved it. I cant wait to be his wife and actually live there with him. Some people might think its weird I dont live with him already but I just feel like that would be right. It's just how we have been raised, it goes against our morals and values. Im willing to wait five more months. It will be hard, but God's brought us both this far- 4 years and seven months! we will get through these last five just fine...and we will be SO glad we waited :D

Im trying to cordinate a trip up to Portland with my four bridesmaids to go bridesmaid dress shopping!! I think that would be so much fun! Hopefully sometime this november maybe.Tony and I are going to be doing our engagement pictures this novemeber. It's all really exciting! We meet with our pastor this thursday for our like fourth pre marital counseling session. I actually really enjoy it! haha. It just makes me more excited for marriage!

We have our honeymoon to disneyland all set up and we are making payments on it. Now we just have to figure out where we are staying for our Wedding Night. We are thinking the "Bybee Inn" in Jacksonville- its decorated victorian (which of course I LOVE!) We are going to go look at the "Renissance Room" on the 9th to see if we want to stay there for the night of our wedding. If not we may stay at the Rogue Regency. We will see- that's the kind of stuff ive been researching lately.

And just an FYI- we are thinking the Bridal Shower will be on Saturday February 21 :]

THE BRIDAL PARTY

I HAVE CHOSEN MY BRIDAL PARTY!
YAAAAAAAAAY!

I have TWO 'MOHS' - Matrons of Honor- because obviously I cant choose between my two sisters.

THE BRIDAL PARTY IS!!!!

Jessica Willard (my eldest sister & BFF) - Matron of Honor

[That is her husband nathan in the picture with her below]

http://www.myspace.com/jessptgirlie

Emily Christie (my sister & BFF) - Matron of Honor

[her amazing little family in the picture below!]

http://www.myspace.com/ellemee

Nakesha Morgan (best friend!) - Bridesmaid!

http://www.myspace.com/nakeshamika

Ruby O' Phennell (Best friend!) - Bridesmaid!

http://www.myspace.com/rubyroo777

I am SO excited to share my wedding day & all the preparations & celebrations with these four. I love that they all LOVE God so much and inspire & encourage my walk with Lord. They support Tony & I, I can go to them for anything. They all see what a chivalrous amazing catch Tony is :D

They are honest with me, selfless & they all love Southern Oregon-which actually counts in my book! haha.

We seriously have the best time together, even if its just sitting and doing nothing!

I am beyond blessed to have them in my life & I hope and pray these friendships and bonds will last a lifetime!

I love all four of you so much!

love. love. love.

above is exactly how I want to wear my hair for the wedding, it should be close to that legnth by then too. I want to wear a long traditional classic veil for the wedding & a bird cage veil like this (but with no flower thing on the side) one for some of the pictures & the reception.

Martha Stewart Collection "Trousseau" Embroidered Luxury Bedding Collection
Superior detailing and textures make the Trousseau bedding collection an exemplary example of fine craftsmanship and luxury. Unique embroidery techniques on each piece of the bed result in a layered, elegant look.
We just have to have this bedding set..we have to.

That teal/seafoam color is exactly the accent to my vintage pink for the wedding colors.
cute, possibility for my matrons of honor (:

Guest list & Inspiration

Tony and I re-did our wedding guest list tonight and this is what we came up with:

• sending out 65 invitations
• 122 friends and family likely to come

That is pretty much the ball park estimate for the guest list. I am really glad because I would prefer to have a smaller wedding with close friends and family. It is perfect.

Tonight I went over to my sisters house and we worked on wedding stuff. I am getting so excited you guys! Tomorrow my mom, sister, tony and I are going garage sailing. I LOVE going to garage sales to find antiques and furniture. My whole wedding reception is going to be served with depression glass (from the depression era) and antique dishes. My mom is already bidding on eBay for antique dishes for my wedding! How exciting!

<----- this is a little collage of inspiration i threw together. make sure you click to view it much larger!