Wedding Week Countdown - The Night Before

Tomorrow is THE DAY.

I don't know where this week has gone. It has FLOWN by. I am so thankful my boss gave me the entire week off so I could prep. I definitely needed it. I was busy from sun up to sun down all week. It seems like I was just doing my Monday and Wednesday blog, and now here I am, Saturday night, getting ready to go to bed, and when I wake up, it will be THE DAY. I think the question we have both received the most is "Are you getting cold feet yet? Are you nervous?". Honestly, we have both told everyone "No, we are just ready for it to be over!" LOL. My fiance has even answered to some "No, I just want it to be over so I don't have to hear these questions anymore." Haha.

Now, I can't predict how I will feel tomorrow (pray for no anxiety spells) but I can say as of right now I feel great (besides my usual neck/back issues) and I am just ready to go cuddle up in my bed and say Goodnight World. :) <3

So many friends predicted that my fiance and I would end up together way before we even knew it. We were best friends and by each others side constantly for a year before we started dating, and during that time we were constantly asked why we were not dating, told that we were meant for each other. Even today I received a text that said "I can't wait to see you two get married. When I first met you, then him, I told AP that you two needed to be together. cause I got this feeling you were meant to be." Once someone asked him on a public forum online "Is she really the one? You are so young" to which he replied: "Is she really the one? She's the one person I can tell everything to. She's the one person I can be weak in front of. She's the one person I don't ever wanna be without. If that's what you mean, then yes, she's the one. And being young just means that's more time to spend with the only one i want to spend my time with." and another friend replied: "to the person who asked if she was the one, I wonder how much you've been around R&H. I knew they were meant for each other the first time I saw them around each other two years ago." My wedding coordinator even had a dream that I was getting proposed to a week before I was proposed too. We've even been blogged about on my very dear friend DaisyPetals

Wedding Bells

Engage 

So many knew and felt we were meat to be, before we even knew. Well, he may have known, but I was the stubborn one. It took me a while to realize that I had fallen in love with my best friend. BUT, it was the best realization I'd ever made.

Under the arch we will be married at tomorrow

I'd like to blog some more about the rest of my week, after Wednesday, but I am exhausted. 

Good night world. And the next time I blog, I will be a married woman!

XOXO

Wedding Week Countdown - Wednesday, a blessing in the mail

I received the most beautiful and wonderful gift in the mail today.

It was a letter from my half sisters mom. You see, my sister and I share the same mother, but my sister was put up for adoption (after someone turned my mother into DCF and said she was not fit to be a parent) before she was a year old. Thankfully this was a blessing to many, and she was adopted and raised by an amazing family. She was actually raised right here in Florida as well. Our parents kept and open line of communication, and pictures, and I always grew up knowing I had a sister out there that I would some day meet.

The letter I received today was memories my sisters adoptive mother shared of the day she met with our biological mother. She shared what my mother told her she thought was important to be a good mom, and what she wanted for her child. Reading it brought tears to my eyes. This letter is one of the most touching things I have ever read in my life. I can't express enough how grateful I am that these memories were shared with me, and right before my wedding day. I can now cherish them as I walk down the aisle.

When I called to thank her for writing me, I asked if I could have permission to blog about the letter and share her memories of what my mother told her, she said yes, so here we go:

"Ever since I was told you were getting married, I wanted to talk to you about your Mom. I know that you knew her well and cherish her memory. What I have to share is what she and I talked about before I adopted your sister - what she thought was important to be a good mom and what she wanted for her child. She had probably shared these things with you, but I thought it might create a special memory as you approach your wedding.

We were sitting in the sunroom of the Children's home with the Florida sun beaming through the window behind her. She held your sister - who was about nine months old at the time and talked about mothers and daughters. "I know what I want" she said simply "But I can't provide that now. Children, daughters especially, need to know how much they are treasured, what an amazing difference they can make in their Mom's life. They need warmth and security - but more than anything - they need love. There are some things I want for my daughter. I want her to know God - to have a faith to help her through hard times. I want her to love learning. It would be great if she goes to college, but it's more important that she always wants to improve herself - no matter how. I want her to respect others and to help people when they need it. I want her to have confidence so that she can stand up for herself when necessary. I want her to be the kind of person that others will look to for advice and help. I want her to know that love - hard as it is sometimes - gives your life meaning in a way you never imagined.

She was quiet for awhile - stroking your sisters hair. It was then that she asked me to adopt her baby. I have never in my life seen such selfless love. Your mother was such a special person and I know your missing her now. I hope I haven't upset you or been presumptuous about your relationship. I just know if I were in your place, I'd like to know what someone else thought of my mom and carry those memories in my heart on my wedding day. God Bless you, Sweetheart."

I teared up again typing it. Every time I read it, I tear up. Especially at the part about such a selfless love. I know how hard it was for my mom to give up my sister. I know how much she loved and missed her. I know because she told me. Many times. I tear up because as hard as it was for my mom, it was what was right for her at the time, and it was truly a blessing for my sister, to be adopted into such a loving family. I tear up because the words she spoke  are chilling as she installed all that into me. So, everything she believed a daughter should have, she WAS able to give me, a few years later. I tear up because though my mother didn't raise my sister, she picked the perfect family to do so as my sister was raised under all the wishes that my mother had. We both were very blessed. Everything about this letter is perfect and touches my heart in a way that it's not possible to understand. All I can say is just how thankful I am that these memories were shared with me.

 After I read the letter, I went out to the cemetery to drop off a laminated copy of the wedding invite and save the date. I incorporated yellow into the theme as it was her favorite color. 

I placed a rock on one half of the invite to keep it from blowing away

  I also snapped this picture which I thought was beautiful because of the wild flower/weed.

Man, what an emotional day. All I can say is Mommy I love you and miss you dearly, and be proud of the mother you were. All the wishes you had for your first daughter, she received, AND you were able to provide when you had me. <3

XOXO

Wedding Week Countdown - Monday

Oh My! I left around 9am this morning and returned home at 5pm. Wedding planning could very well be a full time job (well, technically it is for some people). Here is my day in asterics.

* Left the house a little after 9am to make a veterinarian appointment in Polk City for a recheck on Tanner's right rear leg. He had a surgery to repair a torn cruciate ligament on 2-10-11 and today was his 2 month check up. The Doc says he is free and clear. Doesn't have to stay in a crate at all, and can run and jump and do as his little heart pleases. He has also LOST 2 more pounds since the surgery which is AWESOME considering he hasn't been walking much. So, he's down from 20lbs to a little over 13. Go Tanner Go!

* Brought Tanner home, grabbed a quick breakfast, toast with jelly, and headed out again.

* Drove to the Southside and went to my rental place, to finalize all rentals for this weekend.

* Went to Michaels Arts and Crafts TWO times today.

* Swung by a dollar store.

* Made a Target trip.

* Went to the gym. I had to squeeze in a workout. My muscles have been VERY tight lately, and I can tell the difference when I don't work out like I should. I truly don't work out to "lose weight" I do it because with my Spondylolisthesis and Scoliosis, I feel a huge difference in my body when I do so.

 * Made a Walmart trip.

* FINALLY made it home a little after 5pm.

I was done. I just wanted to take a shower, make dinner (well, I didn't really want to MAKE it, but I did want food) and relax. One of my best friends called to see if I wanted to go shoe shopping with her as she still needs to find shoes for my wedding on Sunday. I felt horrible because normally I am ALWAYS game for whatever, especially a SHOPPING trip, but I was pooped. I had to turn her down, and continue on my quest of finding PJ's and not leaving the house.

And that's what I did. I watched some episodes of Gossip Girl that I'd already seen with my roomie (she hadn't seen them yet) and worked on a DIY project I needed to finish before Thursday. I finished it tonight. YAY!

Now for tomorrow.... Looks as if it's shaping up to be just as busy as today.

I must work out to get rid of this stiffness, as well as a Chiropractor visit. I also need to go to a local print shop here and see if they can laminate my wedding invite. I'd like to take it out to my mothers grave site and leave it there without worrying about rain destroying it. I also need to clean the house tomorrow as well as make another Michaels run. Oh, and I've been invited by my friend over at DaisyPetals  to make a mall run with her to a nearby mall (about 40 minutes away) that we don't go to often. And I need something from that mall. SO, as much as I don't think I should go, as I don't wanna be in a rushy panic mode tomorrow, at the same time I wanna go so I can hang out with her (we don't get to hang out as often as we'd like) and I wanna grab the things I need from said mall. I told her I'd text her by 9am and let her know how I am feeling. If my back and neck is still this stiff then my morning will consist of a 3 mile walk to warm up my muscles followed by a visit to the chiro.

I am told to enjoy this week as it will fly by, and before I know it, it will be NEXT Monday, and the wedding will have came and went.


I am excited regardless. 


XOXO

1636 - and counting

Well, hello 1600 views.

Currently I am at 1636 hits. I had planned to do a blog about 1500 hits, when I hit it, but I've been pretty busy, you know, with all this wedding stuff and all :) So, 1500 came and went. I still don't know where all these views come from. I say all these like it's a huge number, but I know some bloggers get 1600 hits a day :D But, for ME, 1600 is a HUGE number. And I just wanna say thank you to all my readers, whether you are a sporadic reader, or a regular. I am honored you enjoy my little ol' blog.

I hope if you haven't already left me a comment or two to let me know you are reading and enjoying my blog, that you will do so. I'd love to know who my regular readers are.

As of now, according to the blogger statistics, my most popular blogs to date are as follows:

Project 365 :) - 01-01-2011 I actually think this is thanks to google. Haha. It appears many people have googled Butterfly Blessings looking for the Walmart set that I have, and found my blog through it.

The Story of Yellow Butterfly <3 11-09-2010 A blog dedicated to my late mother. May she rest in peace. I love you mommy! <3

Missed a day (it was bound to happen) 11-20-2010

Inspired Beauty - AF & SH 1-29-2011 A blog dedicated to two beautiful women in my life that inspire me. AF & SH :)

From one inspiration to another. Project 31. Day 27 Another blog about two beautiful women in my life, CB & CD. :)


I figure I will sporadically check in to say THANK YOU to all my readers :) and update my top 5 blogs, to see how often they change.

On another note, in 4 minutes I will officially be ONE WEEK away from being a married woman. I'm going to sleep on that note. Goodnight World <3

XOXO

Bachelorette Recap

Bridal Shower? Check.

Bachelorette Party? Check.

Things are really starting to wind down on the wedding home front. 10 short days away. It's hard to believe that in 10 days I will be an ol' married woman. Time is flying by and I can't wait. Things are falling into place, and I just know the wedding is going to be so memorable and beautiful. I know it will turn out just perfect. And before we know it, the wedding will be over. But, the memories, and photography will last a lifetime.

This past weekend I went out with 7 of my girlfriends in celebration of my upcoming wedding. Bacheloretting it up. We had a blast. One of my girlfriends got her mother's SUV that could fit us all in it, and drove those of us that were staying the night out there. We started the night out at Channelside and rode the trolley (very anti drinking and driving!) to Ybor City where we went to Coyote Ugly (yes, like the movie) and Prana. Quite the experiences. I'd been to Coyote Ugly before, but not Prana. About 5 of our group of 8 got up on the bar and danced at Coyote Ugly. It took a lot of begging for me to get up there. They kept trying to convince me to get up there because if the ladies dance on the bar, they get free shots. Well, when I go out dancing, I'm not going out to get wasted or drunk, so that was not a draw for me. In the end, my friends were having fun up there, so after much prodding, I joined them :) We had our fun there, and then went on to Prana. Prana is a 5 story club. We ventured through each story. Here is what we learned:
1st story - bottom level bar. Way too smokey. Hard to breathe
2nd story - no main floor, kinda a balcony overlooking the 1st floor. Not a lot of room to dance
3rd floor - FAVORITE floor. Very plush. Very relaxing. If you get there early enough you can grab a good area for you and your friends. Not smokey. Roomy.
4th floor - ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK. Latino level. So crowded the minute we walked in we were separated. The guys on that level are very gutsy. We will skip that level next time.
5th floor - The roof. Ah, the roof. It felt nice out there. And you get a nice starry view of the city :)
We made sure to get back on the trolley before the last rounds, and made it back to our room safe and sound and ready for some ZZZ's.

Here's a few (well maybe more than a few) pictures from the night

MOH wavin' my hair :)

@ the hotel

Posin' with our service men. Thanks guys!

Right Before Dinner

Coyote Ugly

They got me on the bar

Double Trouble. My name twin!

Trying to read the trolley schedule

And we made it on the trolley. Goodnight!

Bride to be. So Excited <3

XOXO

Threatening Skies

Central Florida has had some crazy weather the past week. Personally, while I know the rain is much needed right now, my fingers are crossed and I am praying that Mother Nature gets it together before my OUTDOOR wedding which is in 12 SHORT DAYS. The average March rainfall is 3.38inches. We had 6.58 this March. This should DEFINITELY help ease the worry of spring wild fires due to drought.... at least, for now.

Last Thursday, March 31st, my area was toppled with what is being called the worst storm since the Hurricanes of '04. If you live in this area, you know that time was crazy. 3 hurricanes plowed through our county in 2004 within a 2 month period.

When I woke up Thursday, I was supposed to drive to Orlando for my final dress fitting. Looking at the sky, I knew that wasn't going to happen. I am not a fan of driving on a good day, let alone a day in which we are under a severe storm warning. Uh, no! I rescheduled. And stayed at home in my PJ's pretty much the entire day (that NEVER happens). I was able to go through tons of old pictures and finish working on some stuff for a memorial table I am doing for my mommy at my wedding.

Meanwhile, as I was sitting at home, staying dry, thousands of people were out at a local air show that takes place annually around here. They were definitely effected by the storm. In fact, an actual tornado HIT the airport it takes place at. 7 people were treated at the hospital, while others were treated on site. Nearly 70 planes were attacked by the storm, which accounted for hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage. High winds knocked over a shack that a security guard was in, and poles and other flying debri's hit other spectators. Tents were knocked down(1 with 70 people under it). Events were canceled for the rest of the day, and the crowd was asked to leave.

The NWS (National Weather Service) confirmed that a tornado did hit within 20 minutes of my house(at that airport). The tornado was ranked a EF-1 on the enchanced fujita scale. EF-0 is the lowest, EF-5 is the highest. Ranking of an EF-1 means winds between 75-95 MPH. The path link was just over a half a mile, and a path width of 30-40 yards.

funnel cloud some one captured while driving

Quiet neighborhood

Funnel cloud captured within WALKING distance from my house

very rainy and windy

Toppled planes at the event

Numerous reports of damage to vehicles and houses

I am thankful I didn't lose power at all during the storm, but thousands of others did. And some were without until Saturday. :(

And then........ after all the madness of Thursday, we go on to set a record high on Monday.

A sweltering 90 degrees set the new record for a high on Monday. Ugh! The previous high was 89 degrees, coincidentally in 1989.

And, wait for itttttt. After setting the record high on Monday, aka yesterday, we are back to severe storm warnings today.

Overview of my area today

Gotta love Florida.

XOXO

A Day In The Life Of....

Me :)

As I am wrapping up Project 31 I was asked to write about a day in the life of me. I was hoping to document just one day, a whole day of photo's but that just didn't work out any day this week. SO, I still plan to document WITH photo's they just weren't taken all in one day. BUT, it's still an example of a day in the life of moi. 

I wake up here

I drive my blue baby 90% of the time

BUT, sometimes I drive my fiances truck :)

I usually see the following three people at least once a day:

My Daddy

My Fiance

My Roomie

And the following dogs:

My Baby. Chico.

My Dad's babies, Tanner & Paris

 I spend anywhere from 20-40 hours a week sitting here:

Work Desk

And I try to workout 5 days a week either walking outside or the gym:

Treadmill... getting ready to work out.

3 mile Lake I walk regularly at sunset

Typically I end my night by sipping on hot chamomile tea (it helps me sleep!) and reading a daily devotion. I'd like to change this, and start my day with a devotion but for me, right now, this is the perfect way to end my busy days.

Tea + Devotion book

I didn't take pictures of the following but with the wedding right around the corner, many of my days currently involve multiple trips to Michaels Arts & Crafts, Walmart, Target, Bridal Stores, my rental place, etc etc.

I figured as we embarked into April..... we'd let the countdown begin. Happy April to everyone. And, Happy Wedding Month to me. <3 16 short days and I'll be a married woman.

XOXO