february aka the month from hell

Y'all, so much stuff happened in February and most of it was horrible. 

I don't mean to be a Debbie Downer, 

but I was so glad when it was March 1st. 

I will not go into too much detail, but in short: 

One of D's first cousins passed away unexpectedly (he was only 28). 

We all caught a bad stomach virus from someone at the funeral and D had to go to the ER. 

Somebody pulled out in front of me and totaled my brand new car (only made 4 payments on it). 

Sidenote: insurance companies are the WORST! 

D's grandmother has been in and out of the hospital/nursing home. 

And last weekend D's sister was bitten by the family dog and had to get stitches. 

Every week was something new to deal with. 
But, bright side, D and I got through it together. 
This was probably the most difficult month we have had together and we made it. 
At least now we know how the other reacts during difficult/stressful times. 
Good info to have going into a marriage. 

Even with all the bad, there was some really good stuff too.

Daisy from my Valentine! 

 D and I had two wedding showers. 

One with his family and one with his Dad's hunting club. 

Those were really fun days celebrating with family and friends. 

And we both really appreciated everyone's generosity and well wishes. 

Spending weekends playing with puppies. 

Even better, we have given away all but two of the puppies. 

They are cute, but expensive little things. 

Overall, I am glad February 2016 is over. 

Here's to a (hopefully) much better March and countdown to the Wedding.  

Only 57 days to go!!! 

life lately & wedding update

I have not posted in ages. 

So, what better time to link up with Kristen! 

Life has been busy, busy. 

Between the normal 40-50 hr work week and wedding planning, 

I am also taking two grad courses this semester. 

What was I thinking?!?!?!

I briefly contemplated taking this semester off. 

But that would have put graduation a semester off as well. 

And I will only miss finals week for the wedding. 

I have already cleared that with my profs. 

But, man oh man, the workload is killer. 

That is life lately! 

Work, school, and a little wedding planning thrown in. 

Now for the fun stuff, wedding planning updates. 

We have DRESSES!!! 
All of them. 
Mine and the bridesmaids. 
Woo-Hoo! 

As I have mentioned in the past, 
I was dreading the wedding dress part. 
We did do the "go try on dresses" thing. 
I did not find anything I liked for my dress. 
But all of the bridesmaids did. 

I wanted each of them in different dresses in the same color. 
I just do not think there is a single dress out there that looks great on everybody. 
And I wanted my girls to feel as pretty as possible on my wedding day. 

Here are their dresses: 

I really want to show y'all my dress. 
It is completely non-traditional. 
But D does occasionally read my blog and I do not want to spoil the surprise for him. 
I did find it online and not in a store. 
I can let y'all know that it has pockets! :D 

We are on the downward slide of things now. 
Only 84 days to go! 

engagement pictures

Y'all, I am so lucky to have such a talented photog friend. 

Jess and I have been friends for almost ten years now. 

I was a bridesmaid in her wedding. 

And encouraged her when she was contemplating starting her own photography business. 

She has been a professional photographer for several years now 

and she has mad skills. ;) 

At the end of October she came out to mine and D's house and did our engagement session around our property. 

They turned out way better than I thought they would. 

I am not comfortable AT ALL in front of the camera. 

But Jess knows that about me and she worked to make me as comfortable as possible. 

I never should have doubted Jess. 

Lesson learned. 

Everyone should check out Jess's website: 

http://www.jleighcaptures.com/

Now let's get to the good part ... the pictures. 

I narrowed it down to eleven.
It is so hard for me to pick a favorite.
Which one do you like best?

You can also check out Jess's blog about our session here:
http://www.jleighcaptures.com/?p=5919. 

wedding wednesday: the honeymoon

{source}

We have booked our honeymoon! 

(insert happy dance here)

Is it bad that I am more excited about the honeymoon than I am about the wedding?! 

My introvert brain is dreading the socializing part of the wedding day (and being the center of attention). 

But that same introvert brain is LOVING the idea of an entire week with D and I relaxing on a beach and drinking rum. 

You will find me right here :)
{source}

We have booked the Couples Tower Isle resort in Ochos Rios, Jamaica. 

We worked with a wonderful travel agent, Trista, that helped us find a great deal. 

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Do any of you have any experience with a Couples Resort or with a Jamaican vacation? 

I would love any tips! 

Neither D or I have ever been to an all-inclusive resort. 

We have friends that swear it is the only way to vacation. 

D and I both like to explore when we travel. 

But we decided to just go the more relaxation route with the honeymoon. 

I'm sure it will be a nice change of pace after the wedding craziness. 

Where did you go (or want to go) on your honeymoon? 

weekend recap: mountain vacation in pictures

I spent 4 glorious days in the Georgia mountains this past weekend 

and it was amazing. 

Why do Mondays have to happen?! 

D's family decided to do a quick family vacation to the mountains. 

It was my first family vacation with his entire immediate family. 

It went fabulously. 

I am seriously getting the best in-laws ever! 

I am looking forward to many more family vacations in the future. 

Our Cabin 

Helen, GA 

We hiked up to see Anna Ruby Falls. 

Selfie at the top of the mountain! 

We had fun playing games at the cabin. 

Monopoly lasted forever. ;) 

D's brother won! 

Before we came home on Sunday, 

we stopped by Babyland. 

Linking up with: 

B Loved Boston; Life of Meg; A Cute Angle; &

wedding wednesday: shoes & an update

First, I just want to say that I have started 

my advising schedule for the year, 

which sucks my free time. 

So, posting will not happen super often. 

I know ... Surprise, Surprise. ;) 

--- 

Y'all, I got my wedding shoes this week. 

I love them! 

Of course, I am wearing Converse with my wedding dress. 

Speaking of the wedding dress. 

I have not even started dress shopping. 

I absolutely dread it! 

I hate shopping. 

I really just want to buy it online. 

But EVERYONE else wants me to try on dresses in a store. 

I will probably compromise 

and do the whole dress trying on thing with my girls, 

but, then, still buy the dress I want online. 

Other than that, planning is going excellently. 

We are getting our engagement pictures done next month. 

So, I have decided that we will combine our Save the Dates with our Christmas cards. 

Gotta save that money! 

We have finally narrowed down our invitations. 

Here is a sneak peak of the style, 

with our wedding monogram: 

Okay y'all! 

Did anyone else out there dread the wedding dress experience? 

Or did you love the dress shopping experience? 

Help!