Rehearse to PIVOT!

Our bridemaids & groomsmen will totally get that joke...I've been in 5 weddings (I think) but never realized the tediousness of a rehearsal. Our poor wedding party had to rehearse pivoting after I walked down the aisle to face me ABOUT 50 times! haha!

My stress level was a little high this day...I started the day getting my feet and hands done with bridesmaids. My MOH, Missy, then took me to a very nice lunch at Zanata's in Downtown Rockwall with a much needed glass of wine! I explained to her one reason I was stressed was because that morning the dog chewed up the hair piece I planned on putting in my hair for the reception. He was so mad at us...he knew we were leaving sine we were packing for the honeymoon. After lunch Missy and I made a final wedding trip to Hobby Lobby where we got materials to make another hair piece!

The stress level continued to decrease once I got home and Marcia & Kris and Austin were at our house! I knew the fun wedding festivities were on their way! We got ready for rehearsal, and headed to the chapel. After about an hour of rehearsing with many laughs...we were on our way to Primos for our rehearsal dinner.

Thank you to Bailey Ferguson (our Jr. BM's friend) for putting together my rehearsal bouquet! Thank you to Uncle Danny & Aunt Kathy four our Unity Cross. Good thing we had it for rehearsal because we definitely needed to rehearse putting that together! It's such a beautiful piece that will forever remind us of our unity. :)

Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties

Don't be confused by the title...we did not celebrate together, but on the same day...I'm pretty sure Ryan was looking forward more to this day than the wedding! He was really looking forward to the honeymoon too, but that's a later post!

We had our last flings before the rings the week before the wedding on a Saturday night. Ryan had to work the night before so thankfully they weren't up all night...I unfortuantely was...our house alarm went off, scared me like crazy! I thought I'd be pretty tired for the party, but after I saw our hotel room I didn't care!!

We stayed at the Crescent Hotel in Uptown Dallas. After waiting impatiently for our room to be ready we were no longer impatient to see that we got upgraded! Our room was 2 story, full kitchen, dining area, living area, study (which also worked as a bedroom), guest bath, guest room, master room, master bath, and master closet (which could also work as a bedroom)...and a doorbell!! We started the day at the pool...as did Ryan at his hotel in Downtown Fort Worth.

After the pool my girls and I went back up to the fabulous room to get ready for a night-o-fun!! We had dinner delivered by a super good pizza place and ate while Brandy did a Pure Romance presentation. That was a lot of fun!! We were then ready for a night out on the town! About 20 girls...in heels...walking up and down McKinney Avenue! I'm so thankful to have so many friends who were sure to make me have a good time!

Ryan and his guys had dinner at Chuy's (my favorite!) then went out in Downtown Fort Worth...before heading out they had my brother (Anthony AKA Allen) lock on Ryan's old ball and chain made by Davy...Ryan had to carry this around all night unless he found somebody (ahem...a single girl) to carry it for him! Pretty good idea!

We were excited to see each other the next day, and had a nice brunch with my MOH, Missy, at Primo's. Really...thanks again to all our friends who came in from out of town or somewhere farther away than my comfort zone to spend this time with us! We love you all!!

Rest & Ribbon

Once school was out I was able to rest for about a week while working constantly on last minute things for the wedding. This including finishing up bridesmaid gifts, little kid gifts, and tying cute tags and ribbon on 150 lottery tickets! I can't post this picture without giving a shout out to my girl, Megan of Sassyrae Expressions. She is responsible for EVERYTHING that was printed at the wedding. She will forever be my paperist as I call her! Here's just a little sample:

P.S. No ribbon was wasted during this project...until Amy came over to help! ;)

Crunch Time

The next week was major crunch time with finishing school projects & finishing out the year. Since we used 5 snow days this year we had to go to school on the Friday before Memorial Day which was marked on the calendar as a make-up day. I'm actually pretty thankful we did go to school this day because there was LOTS to do!!

The next week was only a 3 day week for the kids! So it was a must everything got finished the week before! Tuesday was Field Day, and my lovely (at the time, Fiance) once again volunteered to help. Last year he was assigned to a station, but this year he got to travel with me and my class. It was a lot of fun, and nice to see him rooting on the kids! Not only is he the best for volunteering BUT this was also his BIRTHDAY!! When we left school we got home to quickly get ready, and I took him to dinner at Mi Cocina. Being new homeowners Ryan's wishlist was a lot of stuff for the house...I wanted to get him what he wanted, but I also wanted to get him something more exciting than a ladder! Soooo I got him the shot glass case he's always been wanting! I filled it up for him too. He already needs another one! I'm proud of his collection (he has 2 TEXAS TECH glasses!) My daddy is also a shot glass collector...whoever said you marry somebody like your father may have been a little bit right!

That reminds me! For my birthday I blogged about Ryan getting me the bracelet I wore in my bridal portraits & on wedding day, but couldn't post pictures because nobody could see me in my dress...well now that the big day has passed I can share! Here's just a few to see the jewels...and shoes of course! ;)

Bracelet from Fiance

I love my matching earrings...all to go with the add-a-pearl necklace my Grandmother Born started for me

Something Blue

Last Bridal Shower

I am truly blessed to be surrounded by so many friends, family and co-workers who chose to throw me a shower...my 5th was my last one! I hope it's this fun when we have babies!! :) My 1st grade team gave me a shower at school & boy were we showered!! Lots of gift cards which were really fun to shop with after the wedding!! They did a beautiful job making sure everything was PINK! :) I love my team!!

My Junior Bridesmaid was Julie D. who is the daughter of Joann. Joann was my mentor teacher & team leader my 1st year of teaching. We instantly connected, and became great friends! Amy is another teacher friend who student taught with another 3rd grade teacher while I was in 3rd grade, and then was our #1 sub...until she got a job teaching 1st grade. I'm very happy for her, but at the same time sad that I lost my best sub!

::Side Note:: Amy was on pins and needles hoping for a job opportunity this past year...the Friday before school started about 2 hours before Welcome Hour she was hired to teach 1st grade at another school in my district. Thank the good Lord for that! Not only am I happy Amy got her dream job, but also that she had weeks before to help me get my 1st grade classroom together. So needless to say...she's a great friend!!::

Joann, Julie, and Amy hosted a shower for me at Joann's home. We invited friends from school & former parents of students I had in the past. They did a beautiful job with decorations (hard to keep alive PINK plant) and yummy food! They know how much I loooove playing games at showers so we played a "Dress the Bride" game. Not to be confused...my dress nor me, myself, was involved in this game! I was the judge! 2 teams had to dress Julie (the Jr. Bridesmaid) and her friend, Bailey in wedding dresses...using TOILET PAPER!! (I'll post pics as soon as I get them...ahem:: MOM & JOANN!!) ;)

Julie's team was the winning team! I promise I wasn't being partial...it was a tough decision to make! Both teams got pretty creative with their dresses...including accessories! They had rings, bouquets, and even head pieces!

Since our wedding was "small" (we could have had 500 people)...it was nice to have the opportunity to celebrate with the people I spend every day with!

House Warming Party

Well....as you can see things got PRETTY busy with "The All American Couple". So busy that I'm super behind on blogging...just like lunch with an old friend I'm going to pick up RIGHT where I left off!

The weekend after my birthday & Arlington Wedding Shower we had our House Warming Party---WHY we planned a party at our house just WEEKS before our wedding??!! Thankfully we have wonderful parents who helped out very generously! My mom & friend, Krystal came over the night before while Ryan was at work...Krystal helped me hang stuff up around the house while Mom worked in the kitchen preparing all the food that would be served. When Ryan got home Saturday morning we got busy cleaning the house from top to bottom! Krystal came over early to help put out all the food that Mom made & even made cupcakes! :) Our first guests, Amanda & Calen were early so they were put to work too! ;) Ryan's parents came with his aunt, uncle, and Nanni. Ryan's mom brought all kind of goodies...including french onion dip in an interesting bowl (if you were there you know what I'm talking about) haha!

Us opening gifts...
We got an awesome basket of goodies from Uncle Chris & Aunt Gina.
I was cracking up because I asked who was staying for margaritas & Nanni raised her hand!

This party was a reason to show off our first new home, celebrate our 17 days apart birthdays, and help stock our bar! We got all kinds of gifts! Waaaay more than I expected! We certainly have some great friends who know how to shower us with great gifts & have a good time! Our friends Layn and Jessica stayed the night since they had a long drive back so we finished the night by playing Just Dance (ok...just me) and a card game!

The next morning was an early one...I got up to fix everybody breakfast & get ready for ANOTHER bridal shower. It was a little bitter sweet since it was my last one. :( But also a little relieving since Mom and I were getting worn out on being somewhere EVERY weekend! The next post will be about that shower...

Life Size House Wife

I was given a bridal shower on May 15th by The Thomases good friends Sherri and Sharon. This shower was held in Arlington so we invited friends and family who lived on that side of town. It was good to see everybody! Sherri and Sharon did a beautiful job at entertaining us all! We had great conversation & delicious desserts! Recipes must be shared!!

I was quite surprised to walk in, and see the Life Size House Wife! This is the one of the most creative wedding gifts I've seen at a shower! They blew a picture of me, and attached it to an iron board. A mop was used as my hair with pink tulle to make the veil. A house wife's look is not complete without kitchen & garden gadgets attached to her apron!

I'm thankful to be joining such a happy family with such kind friends. :)

Ryan's Mom, Me, and My Mom