:: thursday thoughts ::

I know I already posted today - but this is a tradition that I am trying to keep up with so you get two posts.  Plus that last one didn't really count since you know it was a picture.  Anyway.  Can you believe that it is already February?!  Where is the year going?  Before you know it, I will be married!

1. A few months back I was lucky enough to win a copy of Kristin Hannah's new book "Home Front" before it was released.  And let me tell you.  That was one fabulous book.  I couldn't put it down once I picked it up and I was dying to see how it ended.  If you're looking for a good book - I recommend it - but brace yourself, I was NOT ready for the heaviness of it.  But still.  Read it.

2.  I had my 1st wedding shower this past weekend.  {post to come} and am so blessed with so many awesome people in my life.  Kyle and I raked in some good stuff.  If only I didn't have to wait until AFTER the wedding to use it all.  I will say I was very very thankful that there were no shower games - no toilet paper bride or any of that.  And crazy me - the thank you notes are already done and will be mailed out tomorrow.

3.  Evidently the Georgia groundhog did not see his shadow so we're scheduled for an "early spring" - and to that I say BRING ON THE GOOD WEATHER!!  ....spring wedding, I need good weather.  And hopefully no rain on the wedding day.

4.  Kyle and I walked down memory lane today with pictures of our dog Kennesaw.  When we got her she was so skinny minnie and we fattened her up.  Goodness we love that critter and I am so happy that she got a good home after living on the streets.  We do joke with her though and tell her we understand and know why her family dumped her.  Mean.  I know.

5.  I have a bad habit of stalking our wedding registries and today I realized that someone out there bought us our Keurig coffee machine and I am so so so excited.  Truthfully, I never understood the hype and what the big deal was.  But then I went to St. Louis for work and they had one in the office and I used it each day I was there and immediately knew we needed one.  Kyle has started drinking coffee and I need it when I am REALLY dragging (which is more often than not recently) so I am excited to add that to our counter top! =D  We are going to need to have a yard sale with all the stuff we're swapping out for bigger and better thing.

6.  The RSVPs have been coming in and coming in.  And thus far we're at an 80 something guest list  I think the No's will starting coming in soon since the RSVP by date is coming up.  But... I think I will also be making lots of phone calls.  People, really?  We included a self addressed STAMPED envelope.  Send it back.  RSVPing via text message and facebook is not enough. Send the freaking thing back - don't take my joy.  I like coming home to RSVPs in the mail!!  Post wedding someone remind me to do a post on the etiquette of a wedding RSVP.  Legit.  We got one back with no name on it.  People need a lesson in RSVPing.  Good luck to Kyle's mom with the rehearsal dinner invites. Bless.

7.  But all in all, the wedding is coming together.  We just need to figure out our exit strategy and all that jazz.  I say vintage car.  Kyle says Lincoln Town car.  ;)  Let's see who wins this battle.  I scheduled my last wedding planning meeting, my hair and make up trial, my day of wedding hair (sadly, I have to go into a salon which is gonna take some major planning on my part).  The ceremony space is decided on and decorated. 

8.  Oh and ROLL TIDE! How about that #1 recruiting class.  Alabama just may never lose a game again.  one.can.only.hope.

:: wedding update wednesday ::

Oh my goodness!  So many wedding related things to share.  But before I go into EVERYTHING I have to admit that I am marrying one awesome fella.  This week has been a total stress filled with breakdowns and tears, but Kyle J has been able to find the "good" in everything and the silver lining and make me smile.  He has been cracking jokes and just really been someone I can vent to.  So I am forever grateful for him. ;)

1.  Wedding Rings.  We have them! =D  And goodness  do we have them. after all the stress that was getting them sent to Virginia {worst.decision.ever} just so we would not pay sales tax we have them {well not in our possession, but in my parent's possession}.  I absolutely LOVE my ring.  It is not what I thought I would want or would end up with, so I guess I don't love the flashy shine as much as I thought I did.  Kyle's ring is amazing too.  And for the pricetag it better be amazing. =D We did good REALLY good deals on the rings - especially Kyle's (we got $800 taken off).  And not only am I forever grateful for Kyle, but I am thankful for my parents who had to deal with the shenanigan that is our wedding rings.

2.  Marriage License.  We have that too!  =D  Kyle and I can officially get married in the state of Georgia.  That made it all seem SO real.  The woman was like "congrats, you can get married now" and I couldn't help but smile. 

3.  Enagement pictures were taken {again} and Justin with 375 Photography is amazing.  I am SO happy with our final photographer decision.  He was so organized and knew what to do - directed us and we were done in a hour. Easy.  He had a way of making both Kyle and me relax {and with Kyle that is a true accomplishment} and he was fun to talk to.  And even though it was COLD very COLD, in fact Friday morning it was snowing... we still had a fun time. 

4.  RSVP cards are still rolling in from our very on the ball wedding guests.  We are up to 26 guests thus far.  So if you have not sent your RSVP back - send it send it!! ...And the notes people are writing on them are so very very sweet.  I have really been blessed to have so many awesome people in my life. 

5. I have ANOTHER dress fitting on Friday. This one is to make sure my dress is not still 2" short and to make sure the top fits right.  Then I won't have another fitting *hopefully* until the 1st week of March to make sure that it still fits right.

6.  I got Kyle's wedding present last week and I am absolutely in LOVE with it and cannot wait to give it to him. I really wish I could blab and blab and blab about what it is, but the secret it safe with me!! Now, I just need to get my thank you gift for my Mom and also get something for my Dad.  But I have an idea for my Mom.  But I hope Kyle LOVES his gift and I have a feeling he will.  But I think it was such a bad idea to get it so far in advance since I cannot keep looking at it and just want him to open it up and we cannot do that since it is a WEDDING present.  Not a January present!!!

7.  Our minister situation may be figured out.  Since he does not need any special licenses in the state of Georgia, he does not need to do anything but show up. Now I just need a little more faith that he will show up.  Everytime I talk specifics (like: we have your hotel room. your wifey is invited. you're invited to the rehearsal dinner) he clams up. I.Do.Not.Need.This.Stress. And he wants Kyle and me to read some books {they're long. I want to find books on tape} before the wedding since we cannot do premarital counseling with him, but he is looking into some churches that will do weekend counseling.