Major Update! Part 3 - Moving and More

Ok, this should be the last of the blog updates... And it will cover all the drama surrounding my move to CT as well as all the wedding stuff I've been working on (well, most of it... there's been a lot lately!)

So as I mentioned in the last post, I am still in the great state of Tennessee as of right now. If the original plan had, well, gone according to plan, I would already be living in a sublease in New Haven, CT. Unfortunately, the girl whose place I was going to sublet backed out at the last second, which made a mess out of everything. Though I was definitely upset by the change in plans, it has turned out to be somewhat of a blessing for many reasons - I have been able to accomplish a lot for the wedding, I can be here with my dad as he recovers from his heart attack, and now Collin gets to come down for the family reunion next weekend in Knoxville and (finally) meet my extended family.

After the family reunion, I will drive up to CT with Collin (and Molly!) for a month-long visit, during which I will attempt to find a job and, of course, work on wedding stuff. Then I will come back down to Nashville two weeks before the wedding, and it will be an absolute marathon of last-minute preparations! So excited for all of it, though. :)

Since I didn't get to move up with Collin last weekend, he decided to fly down for a SURPRISE visit instead! It was the best surprise I've ever gotten... I was completely shocked, and I'm hard to surprise! I was going to see a movie with Erin Friday night, and I was actually on the phone with Collin as I drove to the theater (and as Erin picked him up from the airport). Then I called Erin to let her know I was pulling in, and she told me she had a surprise for me... When I got out of the car, Collin appeared out of the blue, and I literally couldn't believe my eyes. I refused to accept that it was him, because I couldn't see him too well and I was so afraid of being disappointed! Haha. I was absolutely floored! Apparently my parents knew about his visit (which also shocked me), so the guest room was ready for Collin by the time we got home from the movie. :) We had a wonderful weekend that (for once) was not entirely filled up with wedding appointments. We hung out with my parents, played with the dogs, and even saw fireworks together on the 4th! I'm so blessed to have such an incredible guy!! He's sneaky... but he's fantastic. ;)

Here are a couple photos from our weekend:

For a quick update on wedding plans, here is a list of things I've accomplished as of late:

• sent out Save the Dates
• booked our honeymoon in Mexico!!
  
• completed the registries (Target and Bed, Bath & Beyond)
• finished pre-marital counseling!
• got my dress sewn and shipped to L.A. for Caitlin to finish!
• booked the florist (Always in Bloom) and decided on flowers for the ceremony and reception
• ordered the cake from Publix
• went to a food tasting at Old Natchez and set the menu (it's going to be delicious!)
• decided on linens, centerpieces, and other reception decor
• decided on a design for escort cards and bought supplies to make them
• set photography schedule for the wedding day
• booked videographer and made a contract for him
• booked hair appointments prior to and on the wedding day
• reserved a block of hotel rooms for guests at the Hyatt Place (call to book one!)
• updated wedding website
• picked out our wedding bands :) (not purchased yet, though)
  
• worked on invitation designs with Caitlin (decision will be made within the week!)
• researched card stock, envelopes, and printing for invitations (decisions will be made within the week!)

I think that's it... Most of these have happened within the last couple of weeks, so needless to say I've kept busy here! Everything's coming along, but we still have a long way to go. Please pray that I will stay sane these next two months... I'll need it. I've already started freaking out a little about all the stuff I have to do, and it's going to get increasingly more stressful.

I want to enjoy this process, and most of the time I do, but sometimes I only feel anxious and scared about not finishing everything AND not making the most of my engagement period. I'm sure these are all normal emotions for a bride - especially one whose big day is quickly approaching - but just because it's typical doesn't mean it's acceptable. I'm trying really hard to maintain a positive attitude, but I definitely can't make it through all this craziness without the support of my fiance, family and friends. I know I have support, though, so I'm confident everything will work out. And regardless of all the stress, I know without a doubt that I want to marry Collin, and I WILL marry him on September 4th - come rain or shine! It will be a beautiful wedding, even if it isn't perfect. I just have to keep telling myself that.... ;)

Wish me luck, and please keep both Collin and me in your prayers these next two months. Thanks again to all our loved ones who continue to support us every step of the way. We are so grateful for you!

Love,

C & A

Major Update! Part 2 - Travels

To start off the busy month of June, I took a two-week trip to Minnesota and Connecticut, and Collin and I finally got to take our first flight TOGETHER! We met each other at the airport in Chicago, then flew together from Chicago to MN, and later from MN to CT. It was so wonderful!! The entire trip was awesome, though, especially being back in MN.

So we went to Minnesota for several reasons...

1. to visit Collin's family
2. to meet family members I hadn't met yet
3. for his brother Grason's graduation
4. for my first bridal shower and mini bachelorette party :)

We had a blast! Of course, hanging out with Collin's family is always a memorable experience haha, but I mean that in the best way possible. :) I've never been part of a large family, though I always dreamed of being in one, so I feel incredibly blessed to be joining one now, and even more blessed that they already accept and love me as their own. I'm one lucky in-law! Plus, I have the best of both worlds now - my small, tight-knit southern family, and my huge, boisterous northern family. :)

I loved staying at his family's house in rural Dennison, even though there were eleven of us sharing one bathroom and not enough beds haha. We grilled steaks, drank smoothies, played with puppies, jumped on the trampoline, played rook for hours (world championship!), had a dance party while doing the dishes, and just had a fantastic time overall. All the "kids" were there at the same time - which doesn't normally happen, since Collin lives in CT and Caitlin/Chris live in L.A. - so it was a very special and unique occasion. Plus, I got to be in the family photos, which means I've finally made it! :)

For wedding-related events, I had my first bachelorette party and my first bridal shower, both of which were amazing! The shower was Tiffany-themed (appropriately) and had beautiful decor, thanks to Caitlin! I met a lot of women, played some games, and got a TON of Target gift cards! :) I also got a pair of beautiful Tiffany wine glasses, a recipe holder book with a stack of family recipes, and some great kitchen utensils! My favorite part of the shower, though, was when Collin's mom and sisters surprised me with charms to add to the bracelet they got me for graduation. They each picked out their own charm for me and explained its significance. I got a Star of David from Sheerah (for Collin's parents' relationship), a dice from Caitlin (for Vegas!), a heart from Rachel (for the many meanings of love), and a #1 from Camille (for the unity of Collin and me as well as putting God first in our marriage). It was so unexpected, and so thoughtful. I absolutely love my charms!

As for my bachelorette, Caitlin planned it on the same night as Collin's bachelor party. We started the night in uptown Minneapolis at Chino Latino's - a trendy restaurant/bar with amazing drinks (I had a key lime martini!) and delicious desserts. We ended up going downtown after that, and we kept running into the guys! I saw Rick at least three times that night, and I even saw Collin at one point... Oops! Guess we crashed each other's parties haha. We all had a great time, though. Such a fun night!

After a week in MN, Collin and I flew back to CT for another week. He had to go back to work, so I spent most of my time searching for apartments and turning in applications.... LOTS of applications. At that time, I still thought I would be moving at the end of the month. But since it is now July 8th and I'm still in Tennessee, that plan obviously didn't work out... I'll cover that in the next post, though, so stay tuned! ;)

Here are some pictures from my trip:

Love,

C & A