An Early "wedding happy" From Sweet T.

Timothy and I have been searching high and low for unique and personal gifts for his groomsmen.  The girls were easier to buy for as I knew that they would all love jewelry.  I found a pendant and earring set for them and also bought satin flip flops for them to wear as we dance the night away.  Timothy didn't want to be all matchey matchey for his friends, and he's put a lot of thought into finding each of them something that he knows they will like.  Thoughtful and sweet.  Love him!

Timothy bought two of his groomsmen Tervis Tumblers with their Alma Mater's logo.  And while he was shopping he had to buy his Sweetness Divine two!!!!

We LOVE our Tervis Tumblers.  They keep liquids cold and don't ever sweat.  We use them every day.  I'm not sure we need any more added to our collection as our cabinet space is just about to capacity... but I think Sweet T. did great finding these must haves for the soon to be Mr. and Mrs. 

And just for good measure I now have a Jessie Tervis and Tim has his UGA one. 

Yay for little (and useful) surprises from my Sweet T!

Penny Rich

Timothy and I have been saving our spare change (and bills here and there) in my piggy bank since we started dating.  We were saving for something special, and today decided to empty out Miss Piggy.

I headed to the bank and emptied a huge plastic bag into the coin counter.

Drum roll.... almost $300 in coins and dollar bills.  $300 to bring with us to splurge on our HONEYMOON!  

A Wedding Talisman Courtesy of Mo (from MOJOY!)

I met Melanie when I worked as a Certified Child Life Specialist at St. Jude.  I've always admired her zest for life and creativity and began following her blog (mymojoy.com) many years ago.  So when I needed somthing unique for my wedding bouquet, I comissioned her to make me a special talisman.  Her photos and description of the piece are below.  Enjoy!

This is a special talisman. One like I've never done before! It was requested by Melinda, who has been following MoJoy since waaaaay back when. She has found the love of her life, and like me, she likes all things sentimental! Ya know... that is exactly why I liked doing the talismans so much! I love that each piece included stands for something special. The piece of jewelry tells a story, and to the wearer who described it to me, they know exactly what that story is.

This is Melinda's story!!

  She asked for a talisman she could tuck into her bouquet. Thus, I used a hook on the top so she could hook it onto a stem or branch, or have her florist even create something sturdier on her bouquet to hold this in for her.

Obviously the colors of her wedding are red and black. Know why?! Because the groom is a big Georgia Bulldog!! Therefore....

MMH, you were the first to have something SEWN in your talisman!! How bout that stitching?! You know I am all about the sewing machine now! And I found this black and white ribbon that said, "A time to remember", so that was a must!

There was also some ribbon that said, "loves me" and "loves me not". I didn't think we needed that second part!

This is a special salutation used between Melinda Marie and Timothy. They take pics of a smiley and heart when at the beach by drawing it in the sand, they make these shapes out of M&M's to give each other, etc. It's a special message and had to make the talisman cut!

This is the wedding date. I love that 9/11. Know why!? It adds up to 11! And that means Jake is right there with you!

This sterling cross has three hearts on it. It is the number of children they desire. I hope this is a fortune of sorts for you and all your dreams come true!

I had several of these tags, but for these are the three I chose for you two... LOVE obviously is a must for a wedding day! But then, PLAY is what I hope your marriage has lots of and how your relationship remains. And HOPE is for the many, many kids you have touched and been touched by, Melinda Marie, in your years of service at St. Jude... fundraising with ALSAC.

I just LOVE that bright red heart. And I added your new name... Blalock to the back of this neat little box.

I liked this dangle as it implies fun, lightheartedness, and overall JOY! Polka dots and stripes. May you have fun all the days of your lives together.

Because you are both Christians, I included a cross and a Bible. The Bible opens, so you two can decide if you'd like to add something in there. I can tell you how to do it, if you decide it needs to have an occupant.

See?

And there is a little "love" tucked down in there. See him!?

And then, there is a St. Jude charm to remind you of all you have to be grateful for. Anytime I think of our time at St. Jude, I am just overwhelmed with gratefulness for my life. My health. My family's health. My kids! I know you and Tim will feel the same.

And for Tim's dad, who I am certain is in Heaven looking down, grinning from ear to ear to see his son so happy and in love with a woman who LIVES LIFE; and a woman who is generous and loving and enthusitic about living. Bet you didn't know I could know so much about you without meeting you,huh? Good attitudes SHINE through!! So, for Timothy, this charm is for you. To know your dad is here with you on this special day.

Then, for MMH, there is her best friend, Jan, who died in a plane crash with her husband. I know Jan was very special to you. So special that you asked me to include her in your wedding bouquet. That's pretty awesome! I know she is proud for you both!

And finally, check out this little box. I just LOVE it! Because you told me you love Tiffany's blue boxes, I found a raku bead I had in the same shade. I stuck it in here, JUST IN CASE, you need "something blue" on the big day. You can also add something to the box...a tiny note, a special number, word, or even a verse you both love. Go crazy!

See? Isn't it cute?!

And I left the backside of one of the pewter frames blank. You can shrink a fave photo, a verse, or anything I left out to make it your own. And if you don't fill it, it's ok. I have the "loves me" on the other side of this one.

So, there you have it. I hope it is all you hoped it would be.

I am happy for you both!

May the Lord bless and Keep you... may His face shine upon you!

MO

Bridal Shower #2 ~ Blessed

What a blessed bride to be I am!  My friends and family hosted a bridal shower for me.  Two parties in my honor in two weeks.  I'm loving this and am so very grateful!  

The Shower was at The Morettas house.  I have known them my entire life.  My dad went to Junior High and High School with Pat, the officiant of our wedding!  I'm excited for my future children (God willing) to meet the friends that I've had since childhood.

Amy made these yummy dipped pretzels and did the flower arrangements.  So pretty.  My bridesmaids and sister Janice helped out with yummy food and fun games.

And the presents.  Oh em gee.  So unexpected.  Tim and I were not expecting gifts to this magnitude.  We will put everything to good use and are excited to host our loved ones in our home.

Rachel, my maid of honor was the game planner.  So much fun!!

Our youngest guest, my second cousin, sweet Amelia Jean.

Carly (who sometimes likes to be called Balto) my second cousin with her mom, Michele.  Carly is going to be a greeter at The Wedding.

My "Hughie" girl cousins

It was awesome to have women who have loved and supported me through many different phases of life.  My cousins and sister who have I have grown up with, friends from elementary school, Church, work and life.  What an honor to know these souls!

The Blessed Beaming Bride to be

The guests drew me in my wedding gown on their heads.

Rachel got it on tape

I picked the winner.  Janice, my sister, took the honor.

We played, How well do you know Timinda (with different questions from last week's game!) and I got a kick out of some of the answers.  Rachel and Makailynn asked Timothy and I questions individually, so we didn't know each other's answers.  I laughed at some of their guesses to the answers!

Amelia, Megan, Maureen and Me

I loved all of our gifts.  We are all set now!

 

We were given several of our place setting to our china.  We're excited to USE our China for more than just special occasions... because every day to is to be celebrated!  Timothy and I picked out the pattern together.  It's Kate Spade Library Lane Platinum.  I think it will be timeless and look forward to decades from now when are home is full of Blalocks and Hughies and we can think back to this special time when we were given these place settings.  I'm nostalgic and sappy... and grateful!

We were given THREE popcorn poppers.  (And a snow cone maker too... wanna' have a carnival at our place?)  I love how people know how much we love popcorn.  It's a nightly ritual.  Popcorn, Pajamas and a bit of TV.  We'll put ONE of them to good use.  The other two will be transformed into other kitchen gadgets.  Timothy wants a cotton candy maker.  Should be fun to find space in our 750 sq feet cottage!



The cake was amazing.  Amy was disappointed in the artistic freedom that the Mexican Bakery used with the decorations.  But I loved it!! It's fits our Spanish Mission Themed wedding, AND it tasted amazing.  It was a Tres Leches cake.  YUM!!!

Thank you to my girls for helping me celebrate my upcoming wedding.  My cup runeth over!!!

McKenzie River Mellow

My parents invited me to spend a night with them on the McKenzie River.  My last mini retreat with my parents as a Single Woman.  We stayed at an itty bitty rustic cabin.  It was serene and peaceful and the only noise that existed echoed from the river rapids.

I spent some time here reading my Kindle and doing some deep breathing.  I will be Mrs. Blalock in less than a month.  What a busy few weeks are ahead.  My prayer is that Timothy and I can enjoy the moments, take everything in, and be grateful for all the blessing that God is bringing into our lives.  

I shed a few tears.  God has done so much in our lives over the past year.  At this time last year Timothy and I had never even met.  We were chatting on the phone (and I knew he was special then) but never could I have dreamed that in 13 months he would be my husband!!  God is good and He has a plan for each and every one of us.

I can't wait to bring Timothy to Oregon.  I have so much to show him.

My dad had to take a break from the tranquility to take care of some business matters.  No fun.  But thank goodness there was a faint internet signal ~ made things a little easier.

My mom and dad ~ married 48 years.  Parents to 5 children, 3 son in laws, 3 daughter in laws and grandparents to 6 grandchildren.  Grateful for their legacy.

I head back home tomorrow.  Taking a bus to the Eugene airport.  Could be interest.  I can't wait to throw my arms around my main man and kiss his lips.  It's been a long (but excellent) few weeks away.