love you.

With just 16 days to go before the wedding, I've been thinking alot lately about just how much I love this man I am tying my life to. I realize that I've loved him from the day I met him. And some said "Oh it's just puppy love." And maybe it was. But I've always loved him with everything I could. And look what that "puppy love" has turned into. I now realize that everyday that love grows stronger. With every kiss, fight, phone call, or text I love him more. It was impossible for me to love him as much as I do now, 3 years ago, or even 3 weeks ago. I know it's cheesy but Brad Paisley's song "I Thought I Loved You Then" hits the nail on the head. I can't wait to look back a year from now and think, I thought I loved you then. I'm so ready to say "I Do" July 23rd couldn't get here soon enough. I love you Mark, more today than I did yesterday, but not as much as I will tomorrow:)









- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

To Prove Them Wrong.

I've wanted to do this blog for a while now. While there are MANY people who are so happy and excited to see Mark and I get married, there are just as many who aren't. I have gotten some pretty crazy responses from perfect strangers when they find out I'm engaged at 18. I'm so tired of defending mine and Marks relationship and trying to convince people who don't even KNOW me why we are ready. It has gotten to the point that when talking to someone who doesn't know me (at work, the store, ect) I don't even call Mark my fiance. Because the response is always, "What!? You're engaged? Wait, how old are you? Are you crazy!? You are way too young!" Or, they will say, "Oh you're ring is beautiful!" Then they will realize what it is and the above response starts. It is exhausting to be put down over and over again about something I am so excited about. I could not be more sure about our decision. There have been times when I have just cried, because of what people have said. If I was 25-30 they would say "oh congrats!" and be happy for me. I NEVER tell people how to live there life, because I know what it feels like for people to constantly be giving you "advice."
I was looking on the Internet and I found a page that said "30 Reasons Not to Get Married before you're 30" I have literally been told every single one of the reasons at some point. So I"m going to share them with you and justify myself for the last time.


1. Because you have one life to live, give yourself time to grow, if not fully at least mature to the place you need be...... it won't be perfect but at least you'll have few regrets.
Yes, I only have one life, and tomorrow is not promised. I want every second I have Mark. Forever isn't long enough for me, why wait? Oh, and is anyone EVER fully mature??

2. Marriage is not for trial and error, it is just as important as any major surgery. You must be in the know as well as plan and prepare yourself mentally, financially, etc.
Divorce is not an option for us. When we take that vow in front of God, it's forever. And yes I'm "prepared" for that.

3. In this day and age, not too many people in their 20's are equipped to start a family. Are you somewhat secure in who you are as a man or woman, are you ready to totally commit to one person? For those of you who believe in open relationships, as well as those of you who follow beliefs that allow you to marry more than one woman. How  are you going to be an asset to two if you have no idea what it is to be loyal, love, respect, appreciate and communicate with one. Come on people you set yourself up for people to see how crazy you are, regardless of "what you're claiming to believe"!
The last part is marked out because it is TOTALLY irrelevant! lol. But Mark and I have committed ourselves to each and ONLY each other for the last 4 & 1/2 years. I want no one but him. And from what he tells me he feels the same. I trust that man with my life, and I know he would never hurt me.

4. Do you have a stable job, are your finances secure enough to go beyond your needs? Do you have a savings you are capable of living on?
Mark has a stable job that can support us if I get at least a part time job. If my plans go..well as planned I won't need much schooling to have a pretty successful career.

5. Unless you just happen to be fortunate, the odds of finding someone that is mature and committed is hard, especially if you live in a big city. Everyone wants to have a "good time" for as long as they can.
Mark and I are both mature and committed. And as for a "good time".. why can't we have a good time together??

6. People who are usually below 30 consider themselves young, beautiful and a good catch. You don't need to deal with that kind of mentality for they will find it hard to commit due to the fact that they are so "desirable" and "Gods gift to the universe". In some cases they may feel that you are deserving of them and wonder into wonderland to try marriage. I can bet that in less than 2 months they will be back on their high horse in wanting to be loved by the world.
Well, Mark is definitely "desirable" to me! I don't really have anything else to say to that one..

7. Before turning 30, living life in your 20's allows you to know you. Your likes, dislikes, desires, passions, everything that makes you the mature man or woman you desire to be. So that when you do enter a relationship, you enter one that allows you to be true to you as well as your partner, making your relationship less stressful and life more relaxing.
I don't want to "live life" without Mark. I know my likes, dislikes, blah blah blah. And if those change, we love each other enough to adjust.

8. You have more than enough time after graduating to settle in your career.
Some of 8 got deleted because it didn't apply. Luck for us Mark is settled and can provide while I get through college. We both know that if we had graduated at the same time, we would be waiting to get married.

9. Only a select few (in their 20's) know what they want in a marriage and actually practice and live it when they get married.
Anyone who knows me knows that I always know exactly what I want. And not to mention God sent this neat little handbook down called the Bible to guide us along the way:)

10. Is anyone thinking about only being with one person when there is so much to do, so many people to meet and have a great time with. Yes you can be married and do this as well, but there is that thing called jealousy, or maybe control or insecurity. Where your better half thinks you're having way too much fun and may immaturely go seeking fun elsewhere. It's something when you can love and allow one to be free, be themselves as well as be in your life! (btw you dont have to be from another planet to do this!) when you LoVe and you're LoVed there is a freeness that comes with it, not threatened that NO one, or anything will come between your relationship. Yes jealousy may surface every now and again, but this jealousy is healthy.
I'm not interested in dating around. I was so lucky to find the "one" the first try. Why fix something that ain't broke??

11. There aren't too many people that marry before thirty who can have a relationship that involves, respect, trust, loyalty, unconditional love through an open relationship. What would you know about that? Then again there are exceptions to the rule!
This one kills me. I don't have any of those qualities because I'm under 30? Wrong. I've done it since I was 14, what would change now?

12. You'll be at an age where you are ready, able and willing to bring children into this world. Having the energy and wisdom to educate as well as raise them, if need be by yourself!
Who says you have to have children as soon as you get married? Mark and I will be waiting 8-10 years before we bring sweet little babies into this world. Unless of course God has a different plan, and who can argue with that Guy?

13. You would have had more than enough time to date, as well as know what you indeed need in your relationship. You may have even made mistakes, but if you are fortunate the individual you made the mistake with, may be the one you'll end up marrying.
So you should fall in love and then break up to make sure you make some mistakes...does this make sense to anyone else?

14. Gives you time to travel, do all that you desire to do, whether by yourself or with friends. You get to let your hair down in ways that you wouldn't if you are married. Not to say you can't do all of the same things when you get married, but every one's schedule and finances doesn't always allow you to experience that which you would being single.
I hate being alone, much less traveling alone.

15. You are able to save, instead of spend, spend, spend. Whether for a home, a vehicle, investments, travel. You're not working in order to live, your reason for existing precedes a paycheck to pay bills and buy groceries. You will have money prepared and ready for whatever plans you have for your future.
Or you could die before you have all that money saved up and then what?

16. Gives you more than enough time to be reckless
Neither of us are "reckless'. I'm not even sure exactly what they are talking about here.

17. 30 means to have arrived, whether mentally physical, spirituality, financially, it differs for each individual, take advantage of your life prior to thirty to perfect one of the above areas.
Perfect. Mark will make it to 30 three years before me. He can tell me how it feels.

18. You don't want to make the same mistake twice or thrice. Who wants to be on their second much less third marriage before thirty! Failure as well as immaturity is written all over that!
Divorce isn't an option.

19. At this point there will be no need for excuses, if there is, only you will believe them! If anyone else does---you're good!
HUH?

20. If you have been amazingly dishonest prior to turning thirty, you should be quite content with who you are at this point as well as with your choices, actions and intentions. Work on improving you, if that doesn't interest you, don't continuously complain when shit doesn't work out or backfires.
Neither of us are dishonest.

21. Following the leader is not going to work when having your own to contend with, just because your friends got married out of college, doesn't mean you have to. Be a trend setter and do something that makes sense as well as has longevity. How are you going to handle what you are not ready for?
I don't know anyone else getting married this young.

22. Your better half as well as yourself will be more accepting/understanding due to maturity and experience. Finding the right person may be hard, but being able to exercise fairness, patience and understanding when you meet the right person, takes you to another level where loyalty consideration and unconditional resides. Rushing into a marriage does not confirm anything neither does it magically bond you. Time always tells a true tale and if it is meant to be.....it will be! Trust and believe this!
4 & 1/2 years isn't exactly "rushing'

23 got deleted because it was just strange.

24. Marrying to escape a situation is more or less voluntary imprisonment, just at another location.
No one is escaping anything. We both have phenomenal families. But you come to a point where you realize where you belong. I belong with him.

25. You made it this far.....your tolerance for handling stress should be a piece of cake. If not you'll be a nervous wreck for life!
What?

26. Being lonely or broke doesn't mean get hitched immediately! For those of you who fall for these types, this is one scar that will be permanent! FYI: Finding someone to be with does not get rid of loneliness, insecurity, self destruction, envy, jealousy, laziness, and Vices. Before you know it they will be blaming all of their issues on you!
We are definitely not lonely, broke maybe!

27-30




I know Mark and I will make it. We love each other to much do anything but that. So from now on I'm not defending us. We will just prove it to everyone:)

Graduation Day

I'm stepping aside from wedding blogging to talk about another huge event in my life. Tomorrow I graduate high school. I have wished for this day for thirteen (LONG) years and its finally here. I had no idea it would come so fast. Tomorrow I will sit in rows with my best friends. People I have known since the sixth grade. People I have sat in class with, fought with, had sleep overs with, ate lunch with, complained about teachers and homework with, people who I've spent the last seven years with. They've become my family. Luckily our class has had no major tragedies, however there are a few that aren't graduating with us, that should be. But tomorrow we will all go our separate ways. Some to college, some to work. Sadly some are moving forever away. I have no idea what its going to be like to start college in the fall, and not know everyone in the class. It's going to be a hard adjustment. Tomorrow, as we walk across that stage, turn our tassels, and throw our caps in the air we become the GRADUATED class of 2011. We will leave Shelby County High School, and never walk the halls as a student again. We have a lot of people to thank, we've had some pretty amazing teachers along the way. Teachers who pushed us to our full potential. Without them we wouldn't be the people we are today.
I don't know how often I'll see some of my class. I have the image of running into a classmate 15 years from now in a grocery store, probably the pig. haha, seriously I love some of these people like brothers and sisters. I met my best friends here. And I couldn't imagine life without them. I met people who came in and out of my life. My old youth leader would say some people come into to your life just for a season. And even though those "seasons" are over I cherished those friendships. I'll miss the football games and the pep rallies. The homecoming games and activities that went with them. I'll miss a lot about high school, but I"m ready to move on. Because it's time. Every time I hear our Alma Mater it will hold a special meaning in my heart. Probably because one of my best friends sang it at every event senior year:) When I come to future homecoming games it will be hard for me not to wrap my arms around the person I'm standing next to and sway, and to shout "SHELBY HIGH WE'LL LOVE THE STILL!" at the end. Tomorrow is a sad day. But a happy day too. When it's all over I hope everyone knows that I love them, will never forget them. And that we will always be the class of 2011!

100 Days!

I figured since we were at the one hundred day mark, I should get everyone caught up on how the wedding plans are coming. And sadly, to be honest, not like I thought! When Mark asked me to marry him in December, I thought "we have seven months! That's PLENTY of time!" But I'm learning quickly how UNTRUE that really is. I haven' had a lot of time because of work and school, but things are almost done. The only things left are: picking invitations, bridesmaid shoes, tuxes, and decorations. I'm kinda freaking out because the groomsmen (mainly Deke Smith) want to wear butler suits with bow ties! Can you imagine!?? Oh and I also have an addition to the bridesmaids as well. I asked one of my best friends Jasmine to be a bridesmaid too! Jasmine and I have pretty much always been friends, but it wasn't until a few months ago we got really close! I love her to death and couldn't imagine life without her! Prom is coming up soon, so we have been focusing a lot on that lately. It will be our last big thing until graduation. It makes me so sad! But after graduation comes the wedding, and after the wedding...CANCUN! Whoo, I am soo excited! But I'm more excited that in one-hundred (short) days, that Mark Arnett will call me his wife! I just hope he knows he is stuck with me after that;)

the only dreadful thing

Needless to say, we are so excited about getting married in July. But there is ONE thing I am not looking forward to doing. Picking out invitations and writing the guest list(s). Well, I guess that's two things. Its going to hard to remember everyone, and I mean how do you know who WANTS to come? I asked mom if I could just extend an open invitation on Facebook. She said definitely not, lol. Then there is who to invite to what shower. As of right now I'm having two showers, and I don't want to invite everyone to both showers, because that's kinda rude. Everyone is WELCOME but I don't want people to think I expect gifts every time. Ahhh it's so complicated! So that is today's task, pick out invitations and make guest lists. If you know you are planning on attending, or want to come, please go ahead and email you address to me!

ctw2011@gmail.com

Engagement Pictures & Wedding Bands

Just a quick update! Yesterday Mark and I bought our wedding bands! We probably should have done this sooner, seeing how my hands are so small, they have to special order my ring! It will take 8-10 weeks for them to get here, but I have faith they will be here with plenty of time to spare! For my ring we went with a diamond band to match the diamonds on the sides of my ring. It is simple, yet classy. Mark needed a very durable ring, since he is a technician. Any kind of gold is too flimsy, so he went with tungsten, with carbon fiber in the middle. It fits him really, the dark ring with his big dirty fingers! We always tease him about the oil and grease stained on his hands. But it just shows how hard he works. And to be honest, I love those hands because they fit perfectly in mine:)
Also I finally uploaded engagement pictures. I left some out because they will be going for save-the-dates, newspaper announcements, and stuff like that! So here are some of those (the other 190 pictures are on my facebook page!)

Our First Road Trip

    Friday night, Mark and I left on our first road trip! We headed down to my home town to stay with my grandmother. We had so much fun while we were down and got a ton of stuff done. The 4 hour drive down there is usually killer, but we had a great time together. That's one reason why I love him so much, no matter where we are, or what we are doing, we always have fun together. We didn't get there until about 11:30 Friday night, because we couldn't leave until Mark got off work. On Saturday my cousin Michelle (also a wonderful photographer) did our engagement pictures! They turned out so good! That night we ate at the Oyster House with all my family.

These are my ADORABLE little cousins Aleah and Mahaleigh! 

Can you tell we have fun?












It's one of my favorite places to eat! There were 10 of us, and it was really nice to catch up with everyone. I miss them all so much, and don't get to see them very often.
  On Sunday we went and picked out Mahaleigh's flower girl dress! She is going to make the sweetest little flower girl ever! Mark's little cousin Ally is also a flower girl, I think they are going to make a cute pair!
That night Mark and I got to go out for date night! We went to the Hangout, and it was so good! We waited a really long time, and the service was awful, but the food was delicious! While we waited we got to listen to a live band that was really good!

And of course we had to get Marks favorite food…

Fried Pickles!

Unfortunatley we waited so long at the Hangout that we didn't have time to do anything else after that:(

Even though Monday was leaving day, we headed down to the beach for a little fun in the sun! 

 

As for tanning goes, this is what I used…

And this is what Mark used…

Yes, that is SPF 30! AND HE STILL BURNED. POOR BOY!

We headed home that afternoon. Leaving is always bitter sweet. I'm ready to see my family here, but saying "bye" to Granny Dale is always sad. But overall, we had a really great first road trip! I can't wait for more to come!

UPDATE:)

I figured its time for an update, its been a while! I've had a lot going on latley with school, work, baseball and wedding planning! There are few days that I have absolutley nothing to do! A couple weeks ago, I started back at Roadhouse on the weekends! I've really missed my work family, and the amazing discount! haha, So I'm working at Palm Beach during the week, which is an awesome job too. I've found that I'm not to shabby at selling things, and now Dad is pursading me into going into Real Estate as a career.Hopefully when the market goes back up!
We did alot this week for the wedding. On Thursday we went the florists and picked out our flowers. I knew I wanted roses, and I knew I wanted pink and white. My initial thought was the white in my bouquet would also be roses, but I didn't like the way a bunch of roses clustered together looked. So we ended up going with roses and white daisies, which I'm really exctied about!
On Saturday my wedding dress came in! I am so in love with my dress, I just hope Mark loves it to:)
Dallas and Haley ordered there bridesmaid dresses, so I had to finally pick a style and color. I'm really happy with my choices, and all the girls like them too! Now all I have to do is pick flower girl dresses! Thank goodness!
I'm super stressed with everything goin on, its hard to do a million things at once. Luckily, I have some pretty amazing people in my life who keep me sane! And I know that all this will be worth it in the end, its just taking some time getting there.

Registries

Another great thing about the bridal show, is that we got a lot of information about upcoming events. Thursday night, mom, Mark, and Mrs. Kathy (my future mother-in-law) and myself went to an "Engagement Party" at Belk. It wasn't really a party. We had refreshments and games, and we got to do our wedding registries. My favorite part was scanning stuff with the little gun! We had a really good time, but Mark wasn't feeling so great. Wednesday at work he pulled some muscles in his back and had to go to the doctor. They gave him two shots and some medicine. He was out of work the rest of Wednesday and all day Thursday. He finally went back Friday. He was in a lot of pain Thursday night because he forgot his medicine at home. I felt so bad for him. I always hate to see the people I love hurt. It worries me because his work is all physical labor, and if he hurts his back permanently, that would put us in quite a jam. Hopefully, we can find him some exercises to strengthen the muscles in his back. I think he is going to be fine, I know God would provide for us if soemthing did ever happen.

But anyways, I was a little nervous about registering. I'm going to do three stores; Belk, Bed, Bath & Beyond, and Walmart. It gives quite the price range. I told momma I didn't want to put high priced items on there and people thing badly of me. But she told me that it was ok, that people could go in and buy stuff together. Which is a good idea! I may end up doing just Bed, Bath, & Beyond  and Walmart, it just depends on the price differences. Belk has better appliances and dishes, BB&B has better silverware and home goods, and Walmart just has EVERYTHING! I was told bad things about Target, so I won't be doing one there. My favorite thing I picked out at Belk was my dishes! I had NO idea dishes and Silverware cost sooo much! When mom showed me how much silverware cost, I just about fell out! Our kitchen table is kind of a rustic black, with shades of orange in the wood. So we picked out orange dishes. The brand is "Denby." The collection we picked out is a stoneware. It it is hand crafted from local clay in Derbyshire, England, and is strong, durable and chip resistant. It was important to me that the dishes were durable because eventually (like 10 years!!) we will have little babies running around the house trying to break things! Its expensive, but people can buy it one piece at a time, then over time Mark and I can buy whats left! I'm so ready for Mark to come home to a home cooked meal, and we will eat on our new plates! Sounds stupid, but I have a feeling that  when you're a new wife, the little things will be the MOST important.

Honeymoon!

We are so excited, we finally have our honeymoon planned, and a deposit down! Our "free honeymoon" sadly, turned out to be a scam. But it's like Mr. Arnold says, "There's no such thing as a free lunch." I got the phone call on Monday saying we had a 3 day, 2 night vacation to the Dominican Republic, Mexico, or 35 different locations. We had won it at the Bridal Show I had attended. The only thing we had to do was go to a "tasting" on Thursday night. We were so excited and relieved, we wouldn't have to pay for our honeymoon! After posting it on facebook, a friend of mine emailed me, and told me the same thing happened to her last year. The names had changed, but basically it was the thing. THEN, another girl who went the bridal show said she had also got the same call. The lady told me that I was 1 of 15 people chosen. What are the odds!? Then I googled it and a ton of blogs and websites come up, and the same thing happened to all these people. They all went to a hotel, were sold pots and pans (at about $1,500) and they never got their trip. When the lady called to confirm our arrival at the tasting, I had explained to her what I had heard. She got very defensive. I asked her, "Let me ask you one question, will yall be selling pots and pans at this tasting tomorrow?" She promptly told me to "have a nice day." She knew, that I knew, and she didn't want to talk to me anymore!

So we knew we had to plan our honeymoon, and we felt good about that too, because we get to choose everything! We knew we wanted to go somewhere warm and beachy! Neither one of us has ever planned a vacation and we had no clue what we were doing! I found a business card of a travel agency that was at the Bridal Show. It was called Travel Planners Inc. We made an appointment with him first thing Saturday morning. After talking he told us the best thing was an all inclusive resort. He found us an amazing place in Cancun, that we immediately fell in love with.Its beautiful! Its a great deal, and everything is included in one price. Flights, resorts, meals, drinks, transportation to anywhere we want to go in Mexico, and we also get a complimentary honeymoon package. It is something that we can afford, and will be the trip of a lifetime! 

 

 

I'm having trouble placing the pictures, but here are some of the resort we will be staying at!

Marry Me

My new favorite song is Marry Me by Train. It just may be the sweetest thing I've ever heard! I'm strongly considering it as a first dance song at the wedding. I bought it on iTunes, and now I listen to it every time I get in the car! It brings tears to my eyes every time! So I'm posting the lyrics and highlighting my favorite parts:)
Oh, and a special thanks to Samantha Adams, who told me about this song!

Forever can never be long enough for me
Feel like I've had long enough with you
Forget the world now we won't let them see
But there's one thing left to do
Now that the weight has lifted
Love has surely shifted my way Marry Me , Today and every day Marry Me
If I ever get the nerve to say
Hello in this cafe
Say you will Mm-hmm
Say you will Mm-hmm
Together can never be close enough for me
Feel like I am close enough to you
You wear white and I'll wear out the words I love And you're beautiful Now that the wait is over
And love and has finally shown her my way Marry me, Today and every day Marry me
If I ever get the nerve to say hello in this cafe
Say you will Mm-hmm
Say you will Mm-hmm Promise me
You'll always be
Happy by my side I promise to
Sing to you
When all the music dies And Marry Me, Today and everyday Marry me
If I ever get the nerve to say hello in this cafe
Say you will Mm-hmm
Say you will
Marry me
Mm-hmm

the next two days

The next two days are going to be very busy for me! Today, I am going to the Southern Bridal Show with momma, Haley Bentley, and Megan Moore. I plan on signing up for everything I can get my hands on, and taking a thousand pictures. After going to places like David's Bridal, Bella's, etc, I realized that they do have stuff for the wedding (garter, cake-cutting knife, flower girl baskets..etc) but the selection is limited. I'm hoping that the Bridal Show will be more like a mall of things I need. With huge selections of everything, in all different colors. My favorite thing is to buy the stuff I need. With every purchase towards the wedding, a little weight its lifted off my shoulders. It's one less thing to think about. I'm really hoping some catering vendors will be there so we can sample the food, and especially cakes!
Tomorrow,  me and most of my bridesmaids are going back to Alfred Angelo. I'm getting fitted for my dress and we are looking for bridesmaid dresses. When we went to David's Bridal before, we found two we liked. So I'm not stressing over that because we have a back-up plan. I'm nervous about picking THE dress, and actually purchasing it. Once it's done, it's done. There is no going back from there. But I truly think that one of the dresses is the perfect one for me!

So as I go into the next two days, I'm  very excited about it all! I hope to get some great ideas, and settle on a bridesmaid dress. So wish me luck! Oh and if you wouldn't mind, I'm going to ask you to pray for me. Pray that at the Bridal Show today, I win an all expense paid trip to Tahiti. Or for that matter, an all expense paid trip to ANYWHERE!
Haha, only kidding, but man wouldn't it be nice?

over it.

I posted two different blogs tonight. I didn't want to ruin the first one, with this one. I tried ignoring it, but now I have to get some things off my chest.
1)It's cool if you don't wanna be friends, but you can stop posting childish things on facebook. We're not friends, we don't talk, if you have something to say, text me, call me, or MAYBE you could say it to my face! Ya right.
2)I'm tired of people taking sides, you aren't in this, what did I do to YOU?
3)I was told someone called me two faced. Let me explain something, if you call me two faced, and YOU don't say it to MY face, that makes you two faced. USE YOUR BRAIN PEOPLE.
4)Prank calling: we did that in 5th grade. Get a life.
5) If your gonna tell people what happened, tell the whole story, not just your side.
6)I'm tired of people talking crap behind my back, if your not gonna say it to my face, don't say it at all.
That's all for now, there's more I COULD say but like I said earlier, if I'm gonna say it, it's gonna be to that persons face. I hate drama, its so stupid. If you don't like me, why do you talk about me so much? I must be on your mind alot:)
But I'm done with this, I'm done with those people. My last semester of high school  WILL enjoyed. I will not say anything else about this on facebook, blog, text, or whatever! I'm done playing your little childish games.

perfection*

After visiting quite a few dress shops and not being successful, I was starting to get nervous. I was told by almost every place that I HAD to order my dress by February, or it wouldn't be done in time. I was doing a million google searches for "bridal shops" in Birmingham, and ran across a place called Alfred Angelo. I looked over it and thought "Any place with a name like 'Alfred Angelo' could not be in my price range. After seeing it again on a website I thought to myself "You might as well call and talk to them, what can it hurt?" I called, asked if I had to make appointments, they said no, and I asked what their price range was. Surprisingly, it mostly was in my range! I wrote it down among others, along with its address and phone number. I was at work the next night when a lady came in and told me how much she liked my ring. She told me she was engaged and planning her wedding also. Of course we went right into bridal talk, about deals we had found, dates, and honeymoons! I asked where a good place to find a dress was. She immediately said, "You HAVE to go to Alfred Angelo, they are amazing!" Then I got excited. I went online that night, got on their website and made a favorites list of dresses I liked. Then I made plans with my momma, and one of my best friends/bridesmaid this past Saturday to go when mom got off work. That morning I got to thinking, man I really hope they don't need appointments. I decided to call them and ask. I was horrified when the lady answered and said, "I'm sorry we take appointments on weekends, and we are all booked up for today." I was so sad, I told her to call me if anything opened up. Then out of no where, she said, "Oh wait, we can fit you in at two." Then I was excited! After meeting mom and Haley, we had lunch, and went to the store. I was immediately greeted and they gave me TWO stylist to help me. After trying on two dresses, one of the ladies put a dress in my room that I had picked off the website. I LOVED it! I thought it had to be "the one."  I was in love with it, after putting on the veil and everything, I knew I was having the "it" feeling. I tried not to make a big deal, I didn't want any water works from mom. And Haley had already told me she was going to cry. I hate sappy crying, so I played it low key. Then my stylist come up and told me she had a dress similar to the one I had on, and I should try it. I thought, what the heck? I put it on and walked outside. Mom didn't say anything, and Haley looked in awe. I stepped up to the mirror, and thought, oh my gosh, this is my dress. I asked mom why she wasn't talking and she told me she was still getting her breath back. Its one of the most beautiful dresses I have ever seen. I knew that this "it" feeling was the right one. I can't believe I found my perfect dress, then the lady told me they were having a sale, and it was LESS than the tag price. I was so excited I could squeal. I made an appointment to come back for measurements and fitting, and also made one for my bridesmaids to try on dresses too. I am so relieved, I found a dress, everything else will be a breeze. I will probably get a lot of stuff like my garter, toasting glasses, cake knife, etc at the Southern Bridal Show next Sunday. But right now, I'm still focusing on the fact that I have the perfect dress, the perfect groom, and what will be the perfect wedding. Everything else, can wait.

what's missing

In the last couple of weeks, I've learned a lot about myself, and who I want to be. Some things have happened that I hoped never would, and didn't think was possible. I had no idea that things could change within a couple of days, and that I would feel so helpless. On the way home I heard the song BREATHE by Taylor Swift. It really hit home, and sounded just like what I was going through. I thought ok, God is telling me something here. I knew that it was going to be hard, but I would make it. Then scrolling through the internet I read this quote by Marilyn Monroe.

"I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they're right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together."

    That's when I realized all the things I had been neglecting the last week or so. I was so worried about what was missing in my life, I forgot about all the wonderful things standing right in front of me. I forgot about my loving family who has always been there. I forgot about my amazing fiancee who would give his life for me, and puts up with my crazy self. I forgot about my true friends that would bend over backwards for me, without thinking twice. I hope each and everyone knows just how much I love and care for them, because when all else failed, they were there for me. 

Oh, and I can't forget about my BABYLOVE<3

199 DAYS

We are now under the 200 day mark until our wedding! I only have 199 days to plan this thing! There is so much to do, and it seems like no time to do it. I have yet to even make a guest list! It is going to be difficult to get through my last semester of high school, and plan a wedding, but I know I can do it! I LOVE a challenge. 

These are the only things I have planned out for sure.

  1) The date is July 23, 2011.

  2) The wedding will be held at our church, South Shelby Baptist.

  3) I know the song I will walk down the aisle to.

  4) The groomsmen.

  6) The bridesmaids (well mostly…) and the flower girls!

  7) My color (for the most part) and the flowers.

  8) I'm marrying Mark Thomas Arnett.

           AND THAT IS IT!

These are the things that are undecided. 

  1) My Wedding Dress

  2) The Bridesmaid dresses.

  3) My reception place.

  4) Food and Cakes.

  5) What time the wedding will be.

  6) Where all my family will stay.

  7) How many people we are going to invite.

And soo much more!

 Like I said, I have a TON to do! If anyone has suggestions, ideas, etc, they are GREATLY appreciated!