Wedding Celebrations...getting ready

Friday September 10th 2010 began like most days. My eyes open WIDE right at 642am. I turn over a few times trying to figure out why my body decides to wake up at this time EVERY day and I realize Im not alone. Im in a big comfy bed with both Carynn and Stella! I lay there with a big smile on my face when the reality of the day sets in. All I want to do is get up, yell, and jump on the bed that "today is the today!!" Then I remembered it was only 642 am and theres 5 people I love dearly sleeping very soundly, so I lay there for as long as physically possible. About an hour later my girls start to slowly wake up and the day begins!!!

We ordered breakfast, cuddled in bed, and just talked about stuff and things. I remember at some point in the morning I had asked Amanda why on wedding days it seems as though the hours go by like minutes. It seems like no matter how early you start to get ready, you're always running out of time. My day was no different....starting at 642 am and we were still rushing towards the end. But the time in between was so sweet. Being able to spend hours with my Stella Bell, sisters and mom, and closest girl friends was so wonderful and relaxing.








Amanda's "amish" look


Hello I Love You







Dress time!!!





At some point after this the realness of this day set in and I begin to cry. And not like "just emotional" or "teary eyed" but like real life sobs and massive tears. Im still trying to figure what sent me into this major cry attack and cant figure it out. Something about Faith putting my veil on and feeling "finished" and so overwhelmed by the fact that Ryan was choosing me...me! After my quick cry I got touched up and was on my way for the "first look" with Ryan...

Wedding Celebrations...the rehearsal

Over the next few posts I'll be documenting the 36 hours leading up to mine and Ryans wedding and then of course the wedding. I am mainly doing this for myself because I fear if I do not write it all down I may forget and let me just tell you...there are moments that I NEVER want to leave my mind. But in case they do I'll have this to look back on to refresh my memory.

On Thursday, September 9th Carynn and I packed up all the things we needed for the weekend (which felt like I packed my life), had lunch at Las Brasas (only a pregnant bride eats a carne asada burrito the day before her wedding), picked up Stella from school and began our trek to Rancho Bernardo Inn.

In the weeks leading up to this day all Carynn and I could talk about was how we could not WAIT for Thursday/night. It would mean all of our friends would be gathering for the rehearsal, us and some of the other girls would be having some "girl time" and hanging out at the hotel, and the wedding would be in 24 hours!!!

Once we arrived at the hotel we were pleasantly surprised by the beautiful property and how nice the staff (in their knickers) were to us. Especially once we told them I was getting married :) They were so helpful and sent complimentary champagne and chocolate covered strawberries. Which meant champagne for Carynn and Faith...strawberries for me :)

I dont have any pictures from the actual rehearsal but heres the deets:
-windy
-cold
-hungry

Our wedding was taking place at my Uncle and Aunts house in Escondido...they live in the hills up on a hill. COLD. The week leading up to the wedding was strangely cooler then a typical September. Grateful it wasn't 105 degrees but definitely wasn't expecting the 69 degrees and wind that was displaying itself Thursday evening. After the icy rehearsal we headed to BJ's for the dinner part. It was great having everyone we love around just hanging out and eating together. (my two favorite things :)

Lincoln it is...

Amanda Dale, Faith, & Natalee

Amanda my very dear friend, confidant, bridesmaid, and wedding extraordinaire! This woman has managed to balance all these things and be incredible at all of it at the same time. Amanda loves me and her job so I think I get the better end of the deal :) Her love for her husband and her fight for her marriage and whats important to her is an inspiration and it means everything to me that she will standing next to me.



Faith, my sister from another mister. Although Faith lives in Texas (which is totally MY fault :) the distance has not phased our friendship. We may not talk as often as I would want and of course the distance makes visits short and far between but my love for her and our relationship has only grown stronger. She is a great wife and mother and encourages me to be both. So excited that she came all the way out here to stand next to me on Friday.



Natalee my sweet sweet girl. She just GETS me you know? I don't have to be afraid to tell her how I feel about anything and I can say just about anything and she will be unfazed. Her quiet support of me and my family has done more for my confidence then I could ever say. She loves me and Ryan too :) and I can't imagine not knowing her.

Shawna & Amanda

My two sisters of COURSE are in the wedding. Not only are they my sisters they are two of my very best and closest friends. As women they encourage me to be a better me, as friends they applaud me for standing up for me and whats best, and as sisters they love with a love that could never be removed or replaced.

I get emotional just thinking of them standing next me on Friday. Im elated that they would choose to stand with me on a regular old Tuesday...the fact that they love and support me enough to stand next to me on my wedding day means more then they will ever know.

Carynn & Lauren

My two most fantastic maids of honor. They both have been the best friends a girl could ask for. These two have seen me at my absolute worst and they STILL love me! I could not imagine my life without these two...so I won't :)

So honored and privileged to have these two beauties by my side on Friday. Loving me, supporting my family, and standing for my marriage. (In 4 days!!!! eeek)

Lola (lots of pics)

Sunday we got a new puppy. Yes another bulldog. Please don't ask me if Im crazy because Im starting to believe it :) But were all kind of OBSESSED with her. She's nine weeks old and SUPER sweet. Her and Mazzy are having a bit of a power struggle but I think it will soon be worked out :)










this ones my fave!

August 11th

STELLA'S FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN



She was ready to get going to school at like 7:30 this morning. And of course the selfish mom that I am I enrolled her in the "afternoon" class so she doesn't start till 10:14am...it was a long 3 hours this morning :) Grammy (my mom) came over to help send her off to "big kid" school. Stella was pretty stoked on that.



We got tons of great clothes for school for Stella. Unfortunately its still too hot to for most of them but we pulled something together :)




Stellas dad came over and we all went over to Smiley together. She did so great and was so excited to be starting kindergarten. I cant believe my baby girl is in "big kid" school. Time flies. Literally ;)





After Stellas first day of school Carynn, Stella, and I all went to Color Me Mine to celebrate. Pictures to come once the pieces are done :)