October 5, 2001:   I was out one Friday night with my BFF and we had no distinct plans.  I had drove home from my college town and was going to stay the night.  My friend and I ended up going to a bowling alley to meet up with some people.  We were kind of regulars there so we pretty much knew everybody.  I saw my FI walk in and was immediately attracted to him!  I had never seen him there before and was wondering who he was and who he was with.  Another of my friends told me I should go talk to him.  I was never the type of girl to introduce myself to a dude- but for some reason it felt okay with him.  I walked up to him and asked about his tatoo (it was on his HUGE muscle and it gave me a reason to touch it)!  I am just kidding about the touching thing- not really : )   It ended up being his initials and so there I was prompted to ask his name.  We introduced ourselves and that was that.  We saw each other and talked as often and as much as we could from then on out.  My FI, Jason, still lived in my home town and so I would drive home from college on the weekends and he would come up so we could see each other.  He eventually moved to my college town, enrolled in my school, and we moved in together over the course of the years.

All of that turned into us getting engaged in May 2003.  We had talked about our future together and it was something I knew was going to happen- but the ring was not on my finger.  We had a special spot that we both liked to go and walk.  It was a super old wooden bridge that went half way across a super big river.  Jason told me one night that he had saw something so pretty driving by the bridge that he wanted us to walk down there and see it over the water.  We walked down the wooded path (in the dark, kind of creepy), and onto the bridge.  As we were walking Jason told me how much he loved me and how important I was to him, because of that I had an idea what was coming.  At the edge of the bridge he propsed and I said "Yes!"   I am so glad he did not drop the ring- it would have been totally lost in the river! 

Fastfoward through some months of wedding planning into Jan. 2004.  Jason and I found out that I was pregnant.  We were utterly excited about the news, and decided to delay the wedding.  I did not want to rush the wedding or be pregnant in my dress.  In September of 2005, our wonderful baby boy was born.  We named him Jase after the nickname I had for Jason.  The wedding was always on our mind.  But-call me selfish- I wanted a "wedding" not just "go to the courthouse."  So everything has been put on hold until now.  We have decided to finally invest the time and money into what we (I) have dreamed about.

WE ARE SO EXCITED TO FINALLY DO THIS- its like a new *spark* in our relationship! 

Our son Jase! 

Me and FI celebrating on vacation -after a Florida State football game "GO NOLES!"

Today my mother and I sat off for Hobby Lobby to buy paper and accesories for my STDs.  After realizing Hobby Lobby is closed on Sunday we went to Michael's.  We went in knowing exactly what we wanted.  Cardstock, stamp with flourish desgn, stamp pad, ribbon, and possibly embossing stuff.  All things I could coordinate with my invites when I made them.  After 20 minutes I was ready to give up.  There was so much to choose from!  After going back and forth between ideas we decided to come back another day giving me a chance to research a few more DIY guides.  We checked out with the few things we got and as we were leaving I (of course) searched the clearance bin by the door.  I found some plastic candy molds of sea stuff for $. 50!  and then there they were... The box of invites!  I am having a very small wedding, around 50 guests and only need 25 invites.  I found a box of returned invites that someone had used a few out of and brought back.  They were only $10!! and had just enough for me to use.  I hope I don't mess up : )   The best part is they have the design I was wanting to use all along!  YEAH!!  Now I don't have to do so much work on them (which I was looking foward to) and I am sure I will be so glad in the future.  YEAH again!! So excited! Now, I still have to figure out my STDs but, it will be so much easier now- I hope!

BRIDES Chocolate pocket printable embellished invitation kit (invite, rsvp card, envelope for both, address sticker, seals, and ribbon)

These are my inspiration done by a fellow PWer. If they are yours speak up and I will give you credit, I forgot who sent me the idea.

This is the card I made to give to my MOH when I ask her.  I am also her MOH and so I put a blue ribbon on the card for us to share as our "Something Blue."  The plan is for her to wear it then pass it back to me.  Before I made the card I had the brillant idea of how it was going to look and how easy it would be.  It should have been fairly simple, but because of my perfectionism- it became frustrating!  But, I love how it turned out.  SO CUTE!  Let's hope she says "Yes!" 

Supplies:

decorative sheet of scrapbook paper

Blue ribbon

snaps for ribbon

rhinestones

transparent paper

white paint sample cards for dress (I am not cheap-just resourceful)

I folded the scrapbook paper ito quarters to make the card.  Just like we used to do as kids.  I glued the edges down so they would be perfectly matched.  I printed the words on the transparent paper.  It took it a while to dry, so I ended up blotting it with a tissue to get excess ink off after about 20 minutes. I cut the dress design out as three seperate peices (the skirt, top, neckline) by folding scrap paint sample cards in half like you would have made a heart when you were little.  Very simple.  Then traced onto the backs of my white paint sample card, cut and glued.  For the bow, I sewed on a snap so that we can attach it on our dresses if we want and glued. The added the rhinstones to the neckline and *viola* you have a dress.  For the transparent paper and wording I just attached it to the inside with a dot of glue and put a rhinestone on top so the glue would not be noticeable. 

The poem I wrote for her says: 

When we met ten years ago, there was so much I did not know.  That our friendship would last so long, and remain so very strong.  I did not know on your special days, that you would honor me in such meaningful ways.  Here is something I have to share.  A ribbon I would like you to wear, on the day when your dreams come true, and on mine I will wear it too.  Will you walk down the aisle with our "Something Blue?"  Another important question for you- Will you be my Matron of Honor?  Please stand by my side as we say "I do!"

PS: The one thing I forgot to do was measure my paper so that it would fit into an envelope- which it does not do! 

 *****She said "Yes!"  With tears in her eyes : )   YEAA!****** 

Inspiration photo for beach seating.  Idea from lapartieevents.   The guests look pretty comfy- but the more I look at it- who is actually using the pillows???  Oh Well- I still like the idea- maybe they are more for looks.

The material I bought is tan/sand colored.  I am thinking mostly white satin for the pillows with yellow and pink accents- but we shall see.  I have not decided about the aisle yet, I still like just sprinkled rose petals. 

Goal for BFFs wedding in October 2009: 180 or less

Goal for My wedding in May 2010 : 160 or less

Weight

Jan. 2009- 206lbs

May 2009- 200lbs

June 2009- 195lbs 33.3/31.7 %

July 2009-190lbs   33.0/31.0 %

**Time to get serious**

August 10th -189lbs (after 2-3 weeks off) 32.7/30.8%

***okay- so I got serious with TWO days in the gym*** hahaha- so two weeks before my goal of 180 is due- I am going to try some more.

Oct.9  190lbs 

Oct. 12 188lbs

Here are a few pics of my BFF's wedding Oct. 23, 2009.  Everything turned out wonderful and looked great.  The ceremony and reception was held at Anabella at Cedar Glenn in Alabama.  Then after the reception a group of us met at their house and took a limo to a local bar where they had rented the VIP room.  There we had a private bowling alley, pool table, and our own balcony.  It was so much fun!  I will post more pics of the ceremony, reception, and after party later.

Before the ceremony in the dressing room, about 1 hour before the ceremony.

The Bride in her bowling shoes! In the VIP at the after party.