Down Time

Back from North Carolina......the house finally feels like home. Allie and I hit the ground running today.....unity candle done, hair accessories done.....feeling like we're forgetting something. I managed to get the Easter basket shopping done too! Stefan is at a sleepover tonight and even managed to get the baskets wrapped and ready. So tomorrow is April 1st which means next month at this time we'll be getting ready for the BIG DAY. Time sure is flying ...still trying to keep things calm and stress free! It is not an easy task. I know Allie & Ryan will have their share of struggles, stress and heartache.....but I will make it my goal for the next month to remain calm and will not say or do anything to stress them out! These days there is enough going on without me adding to it....so no opinion is going to be given....no harsh words ...... say a prayer it works! LOL

So tomorrow morning we leave for beautiful North Carolina......it will be nice to "get away" for a few days. Allie & Ryan will be traveling to North Carolina after the wedding for some honeymooon time and want to be sure the house is set for them to enjoy their time there! We continue with the roller coaster called life here in NJ many ups and downs......confident that the wedding will be wonderful....not perfect but wonderful none the less. Last minute stuff to take care of but it is all falling together nicely. Ryan lost a groomsman in the wedding party, his good friend Garrett McArdle a few nights ago......he will be in "the field" at Legune and can't get away. Allie told me what the USMC stands for ....don't want to quote her here as it can be taken the wrong way and don't want to be disrespectful to our country of the USMC.....my dad would not be happy with me! Minor drama with Kim (a bridesmaid's gown) hopefully her mom and her have it resolved....David's Bridal not the best place to go to for your gowns! However in all fairness to them Allie's gown is perfect and home in Branchburg.....the alterations were done perfect and that box is checked. Considering all eyes will be on Allie and Ryan they are the only two that really matter on May 1st! Hopefully we'll be succesful in getting my mom something to wear in the coming weeks. Bridemaid gifts are purchased ......having a makeup artist come next Monday for a "trial" hope it works out as the list to choose from is short! Don't want my husband to find out just how much they charge to apply makeup. Allie and I need makeup that is waterproof and long lasting.....hopefully she'll be good and we'll be able to check that box. Having someone come to the house is a great thing......hoping some of the wedding party will use her services also. One less thing to worry about the day of! I'll keep you posted!

Ok so prayers are an awesome thing for sure! Allie and Ryan won via a bridal show we went to last month a $1,000. grocery gift card.....a 3 day 2 night hotel stay at a number of hotel resorts (good for 18 months) and the ability to purchase any small or large kitchen appliance or electronics at 40% off this Saturday when they go to get their gift card and hotel voucher YAY!!! Turns out Allie was the Grand Prize winner at the show......
One step closer to my dress..... it is really nice and more important I am comfortable in it......guess we'll have to do a "fashion show" on Easter Sunday with the sisters and vote on which one to wear....purple or navy.
Things are coming together nicely and let's keep hoping for some nice spring weather on May 1st!

Ok so my bride is freaking out........issues have come up beyond our control......on the upside we have a makeup artist.....who has a friend who will do hair.......the flowers for the church and reception are being done as I type....a big shoutout to Ann Marie love her!
Ryan's phone got destroyed in Virginia ......their apartment looks like will fall through......it is what it is.......I refuse to feed into the frenzy.....crazy stuff .......things will work out ....trying to keep Allie calm and happy. My job is to help her keep her sanity even if it means loosing mine! I just keep placing it all in God's hands, He is an awesome God and it will all work out!
Please say some extra prayers for Allie for patience, serenity and happiness. I worry that she will get sick over this stuff and am trying to keep things calm for her.
AMEN

Allie had her wedding gown fitting on Friday.....it fit like a glove and we actually left the store with the gown, veil and shoes. Made the final payment on the cake topper (really cute) and it should be here by the middle of April. OMG Still deciding on a make up artist and a return shuttle from the Grand Colonial back to the Hampton Inn. In the next two weeks Allie & Ryan will decide on their ceremony music and then it will be time for Fr Tom and I to put together the ceremony program. I have done so many of these with Fr Tom is seems almost unreal to be doing Allie & Ryan's. I think the only things left are the unity candle, cameras for the reception, favors(?), seating arrangements......oh yeah and my gown! Getting closer to the one......down between a purple one and a navy blue one. Navy seems to be dark but it goes with the whole theme, the purple is very "me" lol whatever me is these days! 40 days to go hey just like lent!

Managed to get more "Wedding Stuff" done only 51 more days to go.........have the transportation, flowers and cake top......still searching for a makeup artist! I keep saying to myself no worries it'll happen!

RSVP's are coming in, rooms are booked. Allie's shower is done, as it Pre Cana and FOCCUS....Moving onward to the next "thing"

Today we had Allie's bridal shower. It was a great shower......Allie got many lovely gifts and was blown away by the generosity shown to her and Ryan. They had a red theme color and used red rose petals on the tables with red votives and spray roses. It was so much fun. My sister Paulette let us use her home for the shower and I am so very thankful for everything everyone did to make the shower what it was! Kudos to Fran for the wonderful shower cake....my friends are so great! Thanks for the sanity you all provide for me! Tomorrow we are going to the florist than onto transportation, a makeup artist and my gown. Since the wedding is going to milatary it is going to be formal. Leaning toward a red or purple gown....we'll see! In the mix of all this we'll also take my mom shopping for her outfit, my dad will be in his dress Marine Blues too! As I watched her open their gifts I was so emotional.......my baby girl is getting married! Now it is on to watch the Academy Awards and soak in a hot tub of water....perhaps I'll have a bubbly beverage with my bath!