It's Such A Small World

 I have been struggling to find someone for hair and makeup for the wedding. Besides myself, I have a list of some of the girls that want hair and/or makeup done and as each day went by, I crossed one more option off my list. I had about had it. I finally found a place to do hair.  And the one girl I thought I had for sure ended up letting me know she couldn't do it. Then the place that I finally did get for the hair said they could do makeup, but I said I didn't need makeup. Then when this girl let me know that in fact she could not do makeup, I called the hair place back to check with them. Well, turns out, they can't do it either. My list was now all scratched off. But then, my dear friend (more like family), Jillian, offered her help. She has been so helpful and a lot of fun to chat with during the entire wedding planning process. We haven't seen each other for years, but have kept in touch (a lot) more recently. It's be truly wonderful. So she has been so gracious to offer her help doing the girls and my makeup on the day of the wedding. I am beyond thankful to her.

Now, to get to the small world part of the story... My Aunt Mare (Mom's sister - I call Jilly's Mom "Aunt Mare" too, but that's not the one I am talking about here... yet) has a friend that does my cousin's makeup for formals and proms. She is so talented. I just saw more pictures of my cousin's recent prom and she looked breathtaking. And I am not saying that because she is my cousin. She really looked amazing. Now, this friend of my aunt's is offering to teach myself, mom, two aunts and two cousins how to do our makeup and know the best color choices, etc for the big day. So then along with Jillian, we will be able to do a little as well. Great. I'm so happy to have two very talented ladies helping me to make sure I look tip top on our wedding day!

Today my Aunt Mare called up with a funny story or to use her words... I think she said hysterical. She was talking to her friend on the phone to arrange something with all of us to work with her when I come up for a visit and she was talking about my cousin's prom pictures on Facebook and mentioned me and the lady said, "Oh is that your niece that commented on that picture?" So my Aunt said yes and so then she knew what I looked like, etc... Well, then hung up the phone. Within a few moments later, the phone rang again. It was my aunt's friend. She was calling to say that she and I had two mutual friends. She said it was so weird that we don't even know each other, but we have two friends in common. My aunt asked who and it was none other than my other Aunt Mare and Jillian!!! So my Aunt got all excited and told her that Jillian is the one she told her about earlier that was going to be doing our makeup! It's amazing because this lady taught Jillian how to do makeup years ago! And Jillian worked for this lady's family's dance studio doing makeup! Now I really know that I am in two pairs of talented hands!

I can't wait to see Jilly and to have her do my makeup and to meet this mutual friend of all of ours and have her see what she says as well! What fun to look forward to!

I should have learned this lesson already while planning this wedding. I've had hurdles to get over and in the end, after all seemed hopeless, the best, by far, has worked out and has become more amazing than I could have hoped for!

You just know when some things work out the way they did, they were meant to be... And this was meant to be!

We're Registered... Almost!

Today we went to start registry for the wedding! It was a lot of fun, yet a little overwhelming! We got a good bulk of it done, but we are going to go back tomorrow and another day to finish and tidy up the list. We started at one store and had the greatest guy to help us get started with the process. I wish we got a picture with him... Usher. He really got into it and really was good at what he did. And no, he wasn't even gay! He'd talk to us, and when he got real serious, he'd lower his voice and continue on. It was quite funny, but honestly, we couldn't have gotten off to a better start. He's engaged too, so he was telling us stories of him and his fiance registering. He and Mono could really get the guy side of it! :) So we had fun. We took that little scanning gun and walked up each aisle and got the ball rolling! My Mom came with us too which was fun. She brought up good points and help us pick out certain things. The most overwhelming part was the linens. Oh. My. Gosh! The different types of cotton, the thread counts, the feel, how well they will wash, etc. Endless! I was so overwhelmed and I called Mono's Mom more times than I should have! She is the queen of knowing that stuff. I am going to have to have her teach me what she knows, because she is real good. I wish she could have been there with us too. Mono and I have such great Moms (and Dads!!) and I like having them all involved as much as I can. So, I am done with the first half of registering. Now I am going to go online and switch some things up that they didn't have in the store. Hopefully we made some good decisions for it!! Oh, and a random funny part: My Mom, Mono and I were walking out of one store through the mall and all of a sudden my Mom said, "OH MY GOSH! MARE! WHAT'S ON YOUR FACE!? WHAT HAPPENED?!" haha- I thought I had blood on my face or something was seriously wrong and then within seconds the two of them were hysterical laughing at me! I had black soot or something on my face. Who the heck knows how it got there, but it was there! It wouldn't just wipe off, and then my Mom gave me antibacterial sanitizer stuff from her purse and that just burned! haha- What craziness! Thankfully I got it off, but it certainly didn't help my already very tired look. I wasn't sure if I should laugh with them or just get mad at them for laughing at me. I think it was a little of both! ;) We also picked out invitations!! :) I have to go back next week though to finalize it. What excitement!!

An Update

Yes, another boring subject... It has been a long few days and honestly, I am exhausted. You're not going to get much creativity out of me tonight... We went to our second marriage prep class last night and took our test (150 or so questions). I thought it was fun! :) I have started some DIY projects for the Church and for the decorations at the reception. It involved gold spray paint and I didn't think to wear gloves. What a mess! I still can't get it all out from underneath my fingernails! ;) My Mom has been looking for her dress and we think we may have a winner! :) It is so wonderful to see my Mom so happy. She will be stunning. And, last update for tonight... it looks like we will be honeymooning in Aruba!! We are both quite excited at the trip that we have ahead of us. Mono has done a really fantastic job researching and speaking with people about where to go and all that jazz. :) Thanks Mon!! You're the best.

That's the update for tonight. Lame, I know. I will try to get more sleep so I can be creative and exciting again.

Fancy Feathers From A Dear Friend

Okay, so I was away for a few weeks over Christmas and when I came home, I had a little something special waiting to be opened. Turns out, it was from a peacock! Or a peacock was the delivery man because he left one of his fancy feathers behind. :) No, just kidding. It had a beautiful peacock feather on it.

Although I have a special little place in my heart for those beautiful creatures, it was from someone who has a much more special place in my heart…. my long distance sister, Jillian. She is the daughter of one of my Mom's dearest friends. We've known each other our whole lives. We have grown closer recently and she is becoming so dear to me. This is around the same time in our lives that our Mom's became such wonderful friends.




I know the gift inside of the package was itching for me to come home so it could be opened. It was a beautiful little wedding planning book. She ordered it exactly how she wanted it and it is just perfect. I am so in love with it. I am afraid to take it around with me because it is so fancy. I want to keep it as a very special keepsake. I've already begun to fill it out and I even had the perfect pen to use when I write inside of it. :)








Thank you, Jillian, first and foremost for being such a special long distance sister. I have grown even more these past few months to treasure and love our friendship and all of our similarities. I am thankful for YOU, and for the beautiful wedding planning journal you sent me. Love you.


P.S. She didn't even know I had a little place tucked away in my heart for peacocks and their fancy feathers!

Rings And Things

We picked out and bought our rings today! So exciting! I knew we were going to the jeweler to have my engagement ring sized down a tad and to look at choices of wedding rings, but I had no idea Mono would buy them today! First he picked out his, which I think looks really good on him. And then I picked out mine... kinda. The jeweler (a family friend) asked what my favorite one was and the look I really like was and so I showed him, totally not thinking that would be the one. Mono then said, "Can you please get a price on that for her size?" And he ordered it!! He said I will have this for the rest of my life and he wants me to have the one I like the best. He was so happy to get them! So our rings are ordered! It was so weird trying on wedding rings together... a good weird of course! :)

And today my Mom did some searching for hotels for our guests to stay in. Apparently it will be a busy weekend and quite a lot is already booked up. Hopefully everything will go just right with that. My parents have been doing some running for me, meeting with people and I really, really appreciate it. I am second in line for getting the reception hall I really want. I am going to go see it with them and Mono this week, which I am looking forward to. I'm praying we are the ones that get it. We will find out by the 27th for sure. Fingers crossed and lots of prayers going up to heaven! :)

That's about it for right now though. Not much else has been going on. I am sure there will be lots of talking while we are visiting with family. The other day we had a birthday party for Mono and I saw family for the first time since our engagement. My aunt cried. :) She's the sweetest. I can't wait to see the rest of my family. :) The party was so nice, being with some of my family and most of Mono's. It really hits now that they will officially be my family too soon. :) I already consider them family though. The two of us are so blessed to have such wonderful families! :)  We have so much fun when we are all together!!

I will try to keep you posted on any other things that go on. Mono's Mami and my Mom both gave me wedding magazines to help with the planning which I am loving looking through. :) I am really enjoying the Christmas season, but it will be nice when we are back home, and all this is over and I can sit and focus on wedding plans. :)

Is It True? Is It Really True?!

Is it really true? Do I have the photographer I really wanted? The photographer that I have followed for so long now?! Yay!! AND to make it even better, I have the Church too! And one of my choices for the reception is free!! Thank you to all my friends in Heaven, especially you Gram!! As of yesterday, nothing was going well in the planning, and I pushed on through (discouraged though) and fought through the frustration and today it all worked out for me. I am sooo excited to know that two of my biggest things on the list are set! I haven't signed the papers, but they will be on their way. This Church was important to me and I really wanted to try for it. As of this afternoon though, it wasn't looking good. I ended up hanging up being so upset, and I called her back and proposed another option to her...and she accepted!! And the photographer that I was dying to have is free too!! :) I can't wait to sign my name to the paperwork for both of these things.

It's been really hard not having my Mom nearby (and not available through a computer) during the planning these past weeks. I look forward to seeing her and sitting down in a couple of weeks. :) I am so thankful for our phone calls, even though some of them have been covered in such frustration. Can't wait to see you Mom! My Dad has been a wonderful help too! He has been helping me with calls and he is very excited about this process. :) Thank you both, Mom and Dad! I love you!

So, I can sleep well tonight knowing things ARE coming together. The ideal date, the Church, the photographer...THE photographer. ;) Thank you God, for all of Your help in this working out. I know You are helping me and hearing the many prayers I am sending up to You!

Good night all. I have my first 5k tomorrow - Gotta get in shape for this wedding of ours! ;) I have a goal now that there is a date set!