Draft, Braids and the Game of Life

Hello Bloggers, Here is my weekend recap.

 

 

Friday Night I came home after a long week and participated in a Fantasy Football Draft. Now anyone that knows me well knows I have a great love for Football so it was exciting for me to do. I am the only girl in the league and the guys are so surprised that I have a knowledge of football.

 

Saturday I got up early and got the day of Hair started. Jacelyn got her hair done in preparation for High School (I am a parent of a High School student! ) and my hair re twisted for Las Vegas for the wedding!!

 

After hair appointments, I went over to my favorite dress shop to pick up my bridesmaids dress and it fit perfectly.

 

 

 

 

After a little Mother Daughter time, I went home and did laundry and watched Cooking shows... Life of a married mother.

 

Sunday I finished up laundry and we all headed over to Auntie Bunnie's house for Snacks and Game Night. It is always nice to spend time with family and even better when they love you like she loves us.

 

 

Here is what is on tap for this week:

 

1. First day of High School.. No tears from me.

2. Errands

3. VIVA LAS VEGAS!!!

The 7 Things Every Bride Remembers Most From Her Wedding Day

Okay, now before you go lecturing us about how you’ve spent the last year making sure your entire wedding day will be memorable, we know. It’s gonna be amazing. But the truth is, there will absolutely be moments you remember more than others. Cutting the cake? Chances are you’ll have had too much champs at that point to be retaining much of anything. Stepping into your wedding dress? You’ll remember it for years to come.


So as you’re finalizing the last details of your nuptials, we suggest you put some extra thought and planning into these 7 wedding day milestones. And when the time comes for to you say “I do,” be sure to slow things down and savor these moments. You’ll probably never forget them.


Stepping into your wedding dress. Yes, you’ve tried it on already (maybe more than a few times), but there’s something different about putting on your wedding dress when it really counts. The women closest to you (your mom and bridesmaids) help you get it on, which makes it extra special. When you first look in the mirror, you’ll see yourself as a true bride for the first time–with hair, makeup and that special glow to match.


The moment before you walk down the aisle with your dad. Between your nerves and your dad’s, the seconds before you walk down the aisle are emotion-filled. Trust us, seeing your father’s overwhelming love for you is something you’ll always remember.


When your groom sees you for the first time. That look on your groom’s face when he sees you, his bride, for the first time–well, it’s something that will likely stick in your mind for a long time. You’ve already had your own reaction to seeing yourself in the mirror–now just add to that the amplified emotion of the man who loves you most in the world. Yep, it’s something to remember.


Reciting your vows. Whether you write your own vows or keep it simple with classic statements, the moment you publicly profess your love and commitment to one another will stick in your mind forever. Maybe it’s the way his voice wavers when he says “I take thee…” or maybe it’s the lump in your throat when you say his name, but there’s always a memorable moment.


The recessional. That walk back down the aisle, your first moments together as a wedded couple, often feels like a walk through the clouds. You and your husband (yes, you can now call him that!), arm-in-arm, aren’t just walking down an aisle–you’re walking into a brand new life together. That’s gotta trigger a tear or two.


The first dance. Dancing to the song that you picked out with all your family and friends watching is a special few minutes. But for many brides, the most memorable part of the first dance is actually the conversation with your new husband–and it’s often not what you’d expect! We’ll let you figure out what that means on your own wedding day.


The last dance. While the first dance is all about you and your groom, the last one is all about friends and family. Prepare to be overwhelmed with emotion as you all dance together–and don’t try to fight it! This is the culmination of the day you’ve been looking forward to for years and the beginning of a brand new chapter of your life. Enjoy it.

Wedding Regrets: 13 Brides Reveal What They Wish They'd Done Differently

 

 

This article originally appeared in Wedding Ideas magazine

 

Your wedding day was perfect and you wouldn't change a thing, right? Wrong! These real brides reveal what they would have done differently if they could have their time again...

“I should have hired a wedding planner. We had a marquee wedding at home and had to organize every little detail ourselves -- not good!” - Rebecca

“I wouldn’t worry so much about my dress getting dirty. We got some pictures taken underneath a blossom tree. They are our favourite photos from the day!” - Helen

“I wouldn’t be so hung up on color schemes. I thought about colors for so long but was worried I would put something hideous together! So in the end I just chose colors I liked and went for bright and bold!” - Shelley

“In terms of budgeting I should have tried not to get so carried away in the couple of weeks before the wedding -- it’s so easy to! You’ve done so well so don’t spoil it with last minute expensive impulse buys!” - Lintilla

“I would have listened when the dress designer told me how to attach the train to my dress. We spent 30 stressful minutes trying to work it out!” - Jenni

“If we did it all again I might not have done so much ourselves, as although we had a lot of help, I organized everything pretty much from scratch and it did end up being more stressful for us.” - Sarah

“The only thing we’d change about the wedding was our DJ. The prices do reflect the quality, so if you think you’re getting a really good, cheap deal -- there might be a reason for that!” - Esme

“If we could do it all again we’d try harder to take it all in. It’s a magical day, but very surreal and it’s easy to get carried along and lose hours of time in what feels like minutes. I’m not sure it’s possible, but listen to people when they tell you to take a minute to savor it all!” - Sophie

“I’m glad we planned indoor activities. Even though we were lucky with the weather, it was less stressful knowing we had a back-up plan just in case.” - Donna

“We didn’t think about a videographer until it was too late. I wish I had someone capturing the speeches!” - Victoria

“I should have asked the photographers to stay longer so I had more shots of people dancing at the evening reception.” - Karen

“We didn't assign seating and probably should have because everyone seemed reluctant to meet the other side of the family.” - Jenny

“I would definitely remember to have some tissue ready on the top table -- those speeches are going to make you cry!” - Hannah

10 Things I Learned About Weddings In 2012

JP Reynolds

Wedding Officiant, Author, Communications Coach

I'm often asked why I like officiating weddings. Well, I can't imagine not celebrating wedding ceremonies. And while it's not the only thing I do -- I also teach, write, consult and speak -- it's a dimension of my life that gives me life.


Why do I love weddings? The simple answer is that I love stories. Every couple that comes to me not only has a story, every couple is a story!


I love listening to the myriad ways in which people first met, and I especially enjoy having them tell me the story of what happened after that first meeting -- the story of how they've gone about creating a life -- oftentimes a life that has surprised them in terms of where it has taken them.


Why do I love weddings? I love them because I continually stand in awe of people's courage and daring and hope. It's simply not possible to commit to another person without the courage, daring and hope that necessarily undergirds all faith and love.


I love weddings because I love looking at a couple's guests as they mingle about before the ceremony and then as they sit in anticipation of the ceremony's start. I love feeling the wave of emotion that ripples throughout the gathering.


I look at the guests and I know that they know how brutally tough and demanding life can be -- that not every day can be as joyful as that day, BUT I see the hope and the excitement in their eyes.
I love standing in the middle of so much hope.


The painter Vincent Van Gogh believed that "The best way to know life is to love many things." I love weddings because they help me love many things and many people.


In 2012 I met some wonderfully interesting and interestingly wonderful couples. Here are 10 things about weddings (in no particular order) that these couples taught, reminded and showed me.


1. The greatest gift parents can give to their children are the words: "This is your wedding, so whatever you want is fine with us." These generous, selfless words relieve pressure, diffuse tension and let a couple plan from a place of fun and enjoyment.


2. There is no one "correct" way to celebrate your wedding -- the only right way is the way that makes sense to you. Trust your instincts. Be creative. Be you.


3. A groom needs to do more than just "show up." I'm suspicious of a bride who doesn't want input from her fiancé and I'm disappointed with a groom who is too above it all to have an opinion. If your wedding is not your shared vision, then I'm really not sure you can have a shared vision of your life together.


4. No two year old should have to walk down a long aisle by him or herself with a hundred "giants" looking on, oohing, ahing, and snapping photos! I've seen too many bewildered, terrified two year olds -- let them at least walk with another child who is a few years older (and WHY would you want to entrust real rings with a toddler?!)


5. The money you spend on a wedding coordinator is the best money you'll spend on your wedding! A coordinator is there to worry about the details that you, your mother, or best friend should not have to be concerned about on your wedding day.


6. I've yet to meet a bride who was myopically obsessed with having the "perfect" day who truly enjoyed the day or who didn't turn into a Bridezilla. Your goal is to create a memory that will cause people to smile five years later. From that goal perfection will flow. But if you begin with focusing solely on the perfection, you'll soon forget what "magic" looks and feels like.


7. You don't have to believe in God to have a ceremony that is warm, gracious, inviting and that celebrates you as a couple.


8. It is also possible to create a ceremony that honors different cultures and traditions in a way that unites rather than divides all present. It is possible to weave varying traditions in a way that doesn't create "dueling deities" or one-upmanship.


9. Your wedding really is a gift to family and friends -- no matter how jaded we can get, we all hunger for meaning and for something/someone we can place our hope in.


10. Lastly, couples that try not to cry in the ceremony make some very odd faces! I've looked at brides and grooms and thought they were bored or angry or on the verge of having a seizure. Then, they later explained: "I didn't want to cry so I tried not to blink." You've spent so much time, energy, emotion and money on this moment and then you go ahead and focus on not blinking?! I say, cry all you want -- besides, if the groom cries guests feel like they got their money's worth and will slip an extra $50 into the envelope!

Here's to a new year of wonderful stories!

 

Lets Toast it Up!

Ok, Im so lacking on my Wedding Post and Im sorry about that... Here are a few photos from the wedding toasts.