Most people when they get married have a few parties before the big one, but Vin and I, we are totally different. After talking to our families, we have all decided that those few parties wouldn't be enough for us at all. We want more celebrations of us being together. We finally have it all mapped out below. I hope you enjoy we what we have planned and maybe it will inspire you!
Engagement party - We have been engaged for a year now, so why have a party? Well my family wants us to really celebrate the coming together of two families, and since it's just going to be family we will discuss what the wedding will entitle, and the other parties. This is really just time for our families to mingle and talk. This isn't for friends. I'm pretty sure that not all of our wedding party attendees will be there, and that's okay. There will be plenty more parties that they will be attending. The engagement party will be taking place in November at my dad's property.
Wedding shower - This is the one that my grandma said that Vin can attend with me. She wants to have more household item gifts at this one. She said that more people need to broaden the mind of what what a wholesome homemaking items there are in this world. I, personally, would love some more vintage items. Those are the things I really love the most.
Bridal - Grandma said this was really just gifts for the bride so she could be a better wife. I know on some of my registries I will be asking for cookbooks. I know you can find almost any recipe online these days but sometimes it's fun to flag a page to come back to the exact one over and over.
Lingerie/Passion Party - My stepmom came up with this about two years ago for me. She said lingerie can only go so far and then you have to spice things up even more. This party I am mostly just intrigued about how it will turn out. But I am excited for it as well.I can always learn something new.
Bridal Party Tea - This one is my idea. I want to have a true tea party with my girls that will be a part of my special day. I think after we have tea we may go to a spa. This I just want to be a little fancy and whole lot of fun. The little girl inside of me is dying for a real tea party!
Bridal Party Trip - Guess where the bridesmaids and the groomsmen will be going with the bride and groom? You guessed it! Disney World! Instead of something simple, we wanted something more us. Plus, let loose and talk about the wedding too.
Bachelor - Vin hasn't decided exactly how he wants his Bachelor party to be, yet. He wants some of the wildness, but not too much. He does want a theme bachelor party. He does enjoy themed parties more than just regular old parties.
Bachelorette - My girls have my back! We already have the theme to my party - PIRATES! This is going to be an interesting night for sure for me and my girls! I want to have a true fun and happy night of just partying it up! Enjoying life.
Rehearsal - The last party will definitely be fun. I do not want it to be boring. I want everyone to remember this night, and remember we are a family coming together as one. It will be a night that I hope I will remember.
Waking up at 2:10 A.M because I couldn't breathe was not fun. I rolled over and started binge watching NCIS on Netflix. I also worked on some blogging (if you can't tell.) And I did some yoga stretching.
Most of the day I spent blogging, checking email, sending out emails, ordering things, and crafting. It's the time of year when I really start to craft and get cozy. I feel really good about crafting and so many other things.
I'm really trying to get more posts done for you guys. Please be patient.
More information about my currents and Mini Currents: Why Currents
And the path to find my old Currents: Currents
Today was pretty much standard at work. I did payments, scanned, filed, It was one of those days where it was boring as far as work goes. We also had some firing and hiring going on. After work was a different story than the rest of the day!
First off, Nathaniel and I went to the new Fresh Market in Tuscaloosa! Tuscaloosa really needed this! I am so excited to have a more sophisticated grocery store in town! The atmosphere is incredible. I feel (no joke and it figures) that I'm in a market at Disney! It's roomy, bright, and clean! The food is displayed where you can really visual it.
When we left Fresh Market, we headed over to Kirkland's and Nathaniel went nuts buying stuff for his new house. Decor, furniture, etc, he bought it all. He bought some really sweet pieces for him and Jessica to share as they begin their lives together. We went to TJMaxx as well and really just bought some Halloween decorations.
More information about my currents and Mini Currents: Why Currents
And the path to find my old Currents: Currents
Yes I have gotten away from posting on Mondays. Because its the beginning of the week and there is so much going on. And this week is actually worse than normal. So then why in the world am I posting? Well because I have some exciting news!
I am not pregnant, but I am starting our journey to get there. I always knew that I would have a sign to show me when I needed to start preparing my body for pregnancy. And when Pretty Neat Living, aka Jen talked about how long she prepared I knew then. Vin and I have discussed and discussed. We want our own blood children as soon as we are married. It's seems crazy to us to wait to have couple time when, well we won't have couple time. So set down to business of figuring out exactly where to start and what to factor in.
After creating a list for my planner and I placed it in there to remind me of the result that I will be given. And today started that journey. I went to the doctor (alone!) and I discussed my plans. I pushed to know what I could do for a healthy pregnancy, what Vin could do, and what all should be in place before we start trying next October once we are married.
After many tests, blood taken (I watched Youtube videos and sipped water) and an exam, I was told that I was underweight which was the reason for some of my female trouble I had been having. Since I take a seizure medicine I had to have a prescription for extra folic acid. Plus, I am starting prenatal vitamins.
Vin's doctor's appointment is this Thursday's afternoon. He is worried about his thyroid problems being an issue. We both have dentist appointments in September. And we talk to the midwife in October. So our baby is going to be all set!
More information about my currents and Mini Currents: Why Currents
And the path to find my old Currents: Currents
When we obey Christ's command to pray for our enemies and to forgive them, we not only recieve rewards in heaven but also blessings in this life: We'll be freer emotionally, healthier physically, and more able to experience the joy of Jesus.
Favorite Pin I Found on Pinterest or Favorite YouTube Video of the day:
Today was a blessing! A true out and out blessing. I am so blessed to have the family that I do! My cousin's wife's baby shower was today and we were having a blast. I won a Target gift card! And Carolina won one too! It was so much and all of the clothes were adorable, even if some were Auburn. They were precious, my birthcloth that said "Aunt Hunter loves Alabama, Mommy and Daddy love Auburn and they all love me," was a huge hit!
But at the end of her shower, my cousin in-law gets up and says "Thank you all for coming but it's time for a change in decoration." She changed all the colors to pink and yellow including the desserts. It was a surprise adoption baby shower for me! I was so shocked and blessed that she took that time to really think of me. And that all of my family did too!
After the shower Vin and I went grocery shopping at Aldi's. Can I just say how excited I am for Tuscaloosa's Aldi's to be opening soon? Maybe there will be some grocery hauls.
More information about my currents and Mini Currents: Why Currents
And the path to find my old Currents: Currents
Today was an interesting day. It was almost boring for a Saturday. I managed to work most of the day. It was simple stuff at work. Mostly copying and writing down figures from one spreadsheet to the next. I feel good about getting in six hours of work though.
Nathaniel brought in BBQ for all of us to eat on tonight. It was really delicious. I have been super tired tired today. The only thing going on tomorrow is the baby shower for my cousin. Then hopefully I can come home and either nap or blog. I want to blog so bad. But I just have to go with the flow.
More information about my currents and Mini Currents: Why Currents
And the path to find my old Currents: Currents
In two weeks from now, screams will be heard, cleats will pierce the ground, and Alabama will take the field. I will not be at the first game this time. I will be recuperating from running a 10K at Disneyland. Which is an awesome way to gear up for a Half Marathon the next day. Many of you know from my postings of races that I listen to the hype music that the football team does. But on that day while recuperating I better hear Eli Gold's voice say, "Touchdown Alabama."
Just last night as we were in line at Milo's we heard sirens, and we were thinking it was just another wreck somewhere because it was Friday night. I looked up and saw the police escorting several University of Alabama buses to the theater to do their tradition of going to the movies before the season starts. It think its a fun tradition to have for the team. I got goosebumps while watching the buses turn into the movie theater. It's finally here...
Alabama football has been a part of my life since I was born. Seriously, the Saturday after I was born was the day the doctors wanted my premie little self to go home. My dad made this big fuss because he didn't want to miss any of the game and had me released a little early. Thanks dad! But I understand that love myself now. He instilled that love of the game and the team into me. For the record Alabama won against Southwestern Louisiana that day, 25–6.
I grew up having white and crimson shakers as part of my bedroom decor. When I was three years old we put up a clock of the 1992 Championship. My dad loves to tell people about my first memories of Gene Stallings, (coach of Alabama 1990–1996) was "he was the man that they dumped water on!" Their victory over Miami is something that still sticks out in my mind as a kid even though I was barely old enough to have thoughts to remember. But it did. It's some of my first memories.
A big offense to me is when someone tells me they are a big Alabama fan. A Crimson tide wallet, and a bunch of T-shirts do not make you a big Alabama fan. There is no excuse for a big Alabama fan to have never have stepped foot inside Bryant Denny Stadium. They have events, including A-Day Game, where you get for free. Plus, knowing Shula and Saban so does not make you a big Alabama fan. Know your history and I'm not talking about Paul "Bear" Bryant either. When you don't know the history yet you are claiming you are big Alabama fan, it's a huge offense.
Now as far as going to a game, I can understand how it can be difficult. Trust me I was on the waiting list for five years before I got my season tickets. When I finally got my letter that I officially had Zone tickets, I was over the moon. And as requested my dad's tickets and my tickets are right beside each other. The apple never falls far from the tree. It may fall and roll but it still has that initial landing spot.
A few years ago I actually had someone ask me about just going up to a ticket center at the stadium. I know I was looking at her like she had sprouted horns, roots, and extra eyes. I told her simply that Alabama football games are always sold out! They are sold out even if the seats are unoccupied those seats are still sold, the people just didn't show. They have will call that pick up tickets, but buy... They may actually laugh in your face.
A few years before that I had another lady get grouchy with me (this was before I was even a student at the University of Alabama) and she was griping about how she never got to see her daughter play for the Million Dollar Band for free. Even the parents and guest of opposing teams don't always get that luxury. People who don't live, breath, and eat Alabama don't understand. This is a sport that doesn't go away after the national championship is won. This is ongoing, and all year. People are willing to pay thousands for seats and the experience and there are people who expect them to just hand them tickets?
Getting married in the fall? I was that crazy girl that wanted a fall wedding, but has to deal with football crazy. Sooooo I'm getting married on a Friday afternoon. I'm not worried about it at all. Because trust me, I'm making it worthwhile to be at my wedding!
A-Day Games, are very important to my family. It's something I want to pass on to my children. The love of Alabama football, and just Alabama in general is amazing. It's a community that is united against an onslaught from a lot of people. People who judge us because of where we are from, because we win, because we are Alabama.
April 27, 2011 brought tornadoes that destroyed the University of Alabama's home, my home. I was a graduate student there that semester. I wasn't on campus thank God. It was something to see the community pull together with houndstooth ribbons everywhere. Roll tide was heard when a family was being helped by the football team. War Eagle and Roll Tides were exchanged friendly during those months of picking up the devastation. It was amazing.
You usually hear of the dogs that are named after Bear Bryant. Did you know there are special events for people named after him? Yep, and my baby brother, Bryant is one of them. He knows where his namesake came from and knows the history. It's fascinating to learn the history of Alabama's legendary coach. It's something that just gets my heart to pumping.
I get a little rowdy on in the fall when Alabama is playing. I drink and occasionally dip (usually the dip comes out when we are losing). I don't care what anyone says if I feel like going and I'm in that stadium, I'm singing it word for word the infamous (an apparently disgraceful, but again I don't care) version of Dixieland Delight.
Spend my dollar. ON BEER!
Parked in a holler ‘neath the mountain moon light. ROLL TIDE!
Hold her uptight. AGAINST THE WALL!
Make a little lovin’. ALL NIGHT!
A little turtle dovin’ on a Mason-Dixon night. F**** AUBURN!
Fits my life, oh so right.
My Dixieland Delight.
Again don't come crying to me when we sing it. Auburn has their song too. It's a bunch of college students who started. It's a trend. Just like like us adding Roll Tide Roll to Sweet Home Alabama or Auburn adding "War Damn Eagle." It's what we do.
Performing on that field is extraordinary. Trust me I know. I remember the rush. The adrenaline that kicked into my before a game. You can feel the ground shake. The screams echo in your ears long after you leave that stadium.
Some colleges play football, but Alabama we live it.
Today was really just recuperating because I still have the sniffles. I'm spent a good portion of the day making sure I had everything ready in case I do get more sick and also because the cold and flu season is coming. I did blog here and there with really nothing to show for it. I basically kept jumping from post to post. Hopefully soon!
We went to Target. I have to say I'm a huge fan of the self check out! Love it! Very excited also about the raspberries being on sale! They are my favorite! And we got Milo's tonight for supper which was delicious. And tonight I joined HEX which is like Pottermore, but different.
More information about my currents and Mini Currents: Why Currents
And the path to find my old Currents: Currents
I went running with my dad this morning then had breakfast with my stepmom/aunt, Charlene. We discussed a lot of things; wedding, engagement party, my cousin, the kids, the baby shower we have on Sunday. It was a nice little chat and we had fun because we cooked a meal together and talked. She also figured out that I am in early stages of a cold-- Yep it's time for my August cold.
I spent the day waiting for Popsugar Must Have Fall Special Edition to go on sale. I ordered before I ever got the email! I was proud! I do need to renew my subscription with McAfee in the next week. I finished up a post and then I started feeling really crummy. I was sent to bed.
We ended up going to Cracker Barrel and they have put up a Christmas tree!!! It had me so excited! I was beaming and squealing in the parking lot. I was excited and that continued through the meal since we had such a great server! He was funny, sweet, and spot on with making sure we had everything and everyone was happy. When he handed us the ticket he was asking about us as a huge family. He told us that we were blessed and prayed with us! It was an experience I won't ever forget about!
I came home and worked on the guest room until I started feeling bad again. Vin and I watched an episode of NCIS together which was wonderful. Then I came upstairs and spent some time with God. I'm loving the book on Prayer I have been reading. It's showing me so many things that I need to incorporate to my life and my prayers.
More information about my currents and Mini Currents: Why Currents
And the path to find my old Currents: Currents
I wasn't sure what today was going to bring. But today turned out to be a nice enough day! It didn't have such a great start. My sister was in a car wreck this weekend and her baby was killed. Her other two children survived. It's very stressful to her.
But when I returned back to work, I was able to get a lot done. Talked to people that I needed to talk to about my own wedding. Plus, I was able to talk to old coworkers of mine that I felt like I needed to talk.
I also picked up the bed that I had retrieved from Mewmaw's house. It was a iron bed that we grew up on in her house. It was painted white and chipping. So I had it sand blasted and then painted with an oil rub copper color and it turned out beautiful!
The best part of my day was the date night with Vinny. I just wanted us to have some alone time. True alone time where we could just talk. And talk we did. We worked out a lot of problems that we both had seen in our relationship, in our daily lives, in our parenting, in our house and in each other. It felt great!
More information about my currents and Mini Currents: Why Currents
And the path to find my old Currents: Currents
So today was fun for me. It was my most laid back of the day! I enjoyed seeing Kristen Bell and hearing about the new Disney app for the phone where you build your own theme park. (I was obsessed with the Sims so this is right up my alley!) But that's pretty much it. I did a lot of shopping. Enjoyed a lot of the shops.
Tonight, I'll be busy shopping for stickers. I have a gigantic obsession right now with stickers. I really can't stop basically because my two favorite seasons are coming up and I just adore all the cute stickers. But yeah, I hopefully will have a lot for you all to read soon!
More information about my currents and Mini Currents: Why Currents
And the path to find my old Currents: Currents
What moments stick out to you in your life when you are vacationing? Is it just a peaceful day that you felt such tranquility that you will remember it forever? Was a day that was so wild you never could forget it? For me, I have a lot of those.
When I sat down to draft this blog post I realized that I am very fortunate to have spent so many days at Disney in my life. My family even did without a dryer to dry our clothes in for several years just to save money to go to Disney World. Disney World is not the cheapest vacationing location. But I can say that there are many ways to lower the cost of going if you really try.
This is now a closed attraction where this picture was taken. It was the Frozen snow activity in Hollywood studios. It was real snow inside!
My biggest moments regarding Disney are many years apart. From new life, to new journeys, and new adventures, all of these moments are connected to Disney World for me. This might give you some insight on why Disney World means so much to me. These are done in chronological order not ranked.
1) "Mine, mine, mine." With a pretzel in one hand and cotton candy in the other I can still remember my parents telling me that I was going to be a big sister. I will always remember that because I remember throwing the biggest tantrum of my life that day. The pretzel hit the ground and the cotton candy managed to hit a puddle melting it instantly. And a few months later Garth was born. And for the record, I still didn't like him. It took several years for us to even like each other. Ok so we just started getting along when he became of legal age. That's not one of the best memories but it does rank in the top memories I think about when asked.
2) ""Next one is kind of funny because I have talked about it so much like here and of course over at They Met at Disney. When I met Vin, of course, is in my top moments. How could I forget that trip? Our school decided to go to Disney World instead of Washington D.C because of 9/11 had happened. So we went to Disney World. I had no idea what God was doing in my life when I was just 11 years old. He was setting me up for many more amazing things.
3) A few years later my high school choir was to be apart of the Candlelight Processional at EPCOT for Christmas. My parents were so proud and dad managed to be there, but he wasn't apart of the field trip. He was just there with my brothers. I felt so magical to be up there on stage with Neil Patrick Harris. He does the Candlelight Processional really well. To me that was so special.
4) On that same trip I met a boy that had the nickname, Brad, who turned out to be Vin. In my defense, he had quite the blue mohawk and several piercings, none of which, he has now. Plus he never went by another name the entire trip. He reminded me a few people, but I do that a lot anyhow. But I have to admit. I fell in love with the "bad boy" on that trip. That was what I truly started to realize just what love was. Everyone told me I was crazy...
No this isn't him, but it is our friend Dylan.
5) "Make a wish, wishes, and your wish will come true." Fast forward a few years and Bryant was just five years old. We had found out he had cancer. I was holding him in my arms. I was in college and hated that my little brother might be dying. We had seen the Wishes fireworks several times. But that moment singing it with him and begging God in a heartfelt prayer while it was exploding over us, I prayed that God would let my little brother live. And after six years he is in remission.
6) The big moment I remember after this was something I had striven for since I had graduated from college. I became a Disney Vacation Club member! I was so excited. I remember my aunt asking over and over if I was sure. I slapped my Disney Visa down and grinned at him. I was sure! I have greatly enjoyed being a DVC member for two years now. It is one of the best things I have ever purchased!
7) I waited a long time in my life to have a true boyfriend. I didn't really date. College there was a small incident but it fizzled out. Yes, I did date a little. When I decided to date I was moving back to Alabama from Washington two years ago. I decided to date a guy from Alabama. Well things were not working out between the two of us. He was ready to go back to his baby's mama anyhow and I was ready to have a real man. He dumped me while I was at Disney. I actually forced him to do the breaking up. How? Well he told me he cheated on me... I told him that I forgave him. It floored him and unnerved him. Disney kept me together during that breakup. And that breakup lead me to the best of friends and back to the man that I belong with in my life.
8) When number 7 happened I had a trip already planned with that guy and his mom, so I had two vacant spots on my trip that I had already paid in full. While that mom was griping that I should have still let her go, she should have been grateful I didn't make her pay and I found someone else to go instead of her and her son. I found Vin and his daughter, Rain. Vin had asked me to go steady with him before the trip. We remembered each other from college. And it felt like old friends. But Vin did something absolutely amazing one night on that trip. We were where we met all those years before and he kissed me. Dipped me backwards and kissed me.
9) During that other relationship (the bad one) I was told that I was too lazy to run a half marathon. That I didn't have the drive and the perseverance. Well I ran not only the Princess Half Marathon but the 10K as well which qualified me for the glass slipper challenge. It felt so amazing to run! And now I'm very addictive to running Disney races. But what I did learn from this is don't tell me I can't do something, you will be proven wrong.
10) I will always remember being abroad and walking on the beach when I got the news of working for the Disney company! That will always stand out in my mind. I was seriously thinking that morning how my life couldn't be more blessed. It was hugely blessed and it got a lot more as the day went on. I was so excited!
11) While I was working for Disney a huge moment of Disney happened for me. One that really impacts my life from now on. Vin propose to me in Walt Disney World. I was really shocked as I turned around and there he was on one knee. I can just remember thinking "Wow he is in front of me." I can also remember the flashing of the camera. The shock of him doing it front a huge crowd. I said yes btw. No this wasn't the first time he proposed, but it was the first time he proposed that it wasn't with his grandmother's ring and it was with the custom ring he designed for me.
12) Another amazing moment was the first trip with all my kids (at the time!) Seeing their faces as they seen the castle for the first time. It's one of those things that is just amazing. Sometimes it can get a little overwhelming for a child because they are wanting to see everything. My little Luna was like that. I remember her tugging on my hand as she saw the balloons in a huge pile and hiding behind that cloud of balloons was a castle. Her little mouth made the perfect O. It was priceless.
13) As a child growing up I only went to Disneyland twice. Since starting my "Disney Journey" as I call my trips nowadays I have been several times. It takes some getting used to when you have been to Disney World all of your life. But then remember that the steps you take as you walk into Magic Kingdom are the steps Walt himself took will give you goosebumps. It's fascinating to me.
14) When the time came up at the beginning of this year for my first full marathon, I was scared to death. I had done quite a few half marathons by that point. There was no turning back and while I still prefer half marathons, doing the Disney full marathon is worth it! I loved being able
*Bonus* Planning to run all of the RunDisney Races available looms over me. But I am prepared now. I am not the same girl anymore that was told I didn't have stamina to do even a half marathon. I am the girl that looks 48.6 miles in the face and laughs through the entire races! I am ready for this. I now love running. Every time I get tired I remember how it felt when someone said I was too lazy and I wasn't too needy. That right there made it work for me. I might be Dopey but I'm not needy!
May the Force be with you...... Because Disneyland and Disney World is getting a galaxy far, far away! Yep it's officially out that Star Wars Land is coming and it's gonna be big; 14 acres each! Plus Disney World is getting Toy Storyland and there is a rumor of Carsland. Not to mention that Soarin is getting an upgrade! As you can tell I have had a lovely time at D23! I have seen the apparel that is going to hit the Disney stores which has me really excited.
I have enjoyed knowing about the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie. Plus there is still more to come. It's like Disney info overload for me. But I have loved this so much. I must do this every year! That way I can give you all of the details and hopefully next year tweet about it live for you!
Tonight has been very special to me because I have had time with the Lord, but also time with my best friend. We enjoyed a great Bible study together! I can just see us in the future with some scripture tea and our Bibles!
Enjoy your weekends! I will be enjoying mine, no matter how many people to try bring me down!
More information about my currents and Mini Currents: Why Currents
And the path to find my old Currents: Currents
Prayer is a conversation between two people who love each other -you and the Lord-and you don't have to use fancy or religious words to dialogue with him.
Favorite Pin I Found on Pinterest or Favorite YouTube Video of the day:
