Happy 2013!!

Well, 2012 was not my year for blogging! Maybe this year will be more productive. My new Nook is inspiring me to make lots of changes, writing challenges included. I know my talents, but my skills need to be honed, and it is time for me to be honest to my craft. I am just adding that to the list, along with other items, such as complete DIY projects, cultivate home office, complete Whole30 challenge --oh, yeah, start MLIS graduate program. EEK! And I cannot forget to be the best wife and mother possible! No pressure, right?

Speaking of the Whole30, I took step one and purchased the book, It Starts with Food. One of my dearest, most motivational friends, Christan Kennedy, shared this with me. She is currently working through the challenge and blogging about her experiences at http://beyondthebod.blogspot.com. I am so proud of her diligence and her writing skills! I have such an awesome cast of characters in my life, and she is a leading lady. If anyone else is up for the challenge, I sure could use some company in February. I am trying to convince my husband, but well. Yeah. Maybe I can develop a rewards system for him before February...

Our house is still a work in progress. We will not discuss the field of mud that currently serves as our yard. Maybe by April... I am terrified of putting holes in our walls. Command hooks have been a blessing. I do hope to post some upcoming projects, which was my original thought for this space. I would also like to incorporate some book reviews and guest posts. Again, any volunteers? Book requests/recommendations? We will see how it goes. For now, happy hump day! 

DIY Wedding Challenge No. 1: The Invitation

I don't know why someone didn't slap me when I decided I was going to create my own invitation. Kelly and I did some shopping around and found that for 100 invites, we would likely end up paying between $600 - $800 for an invitation that we (I) didn't LOVE. So, after much research, I decided to go with envelopes.com and custom order our stationery. I then worried about the quality of running our cardstock through an office printer, but for the price, I think they look damn good! We won't factor the time and energy that Kelly and I, my mama, sister Madeline, and stepmom Donna put into creating these. I will say this, if you received an invitation to our wedding, know you are loved. It was difficult for me to part with these handmade creations, and I deeply appreciate the help of my generous parents, lovely sister, and darling fiance.

I was inspired by an invitation I saw on Etsy, of course, via Pinterest. I played with several fonts and sizes before choosing "our" design. Kelly, my family, and co-workers had to preview many samples before we made our final selection. From there, we decided to back our invitation with burlap to capture the rustic, casual feel of our big day! We included a direction card and an RSVP card (also back with burlap) and tied the whole bundle with twine. A quick trip to Michael's, a large roll of burlap, several printing sessions later, and a week for my calligraphy skills to be exercised ... Voila! We mailed out only a week behind the schedule I had set for us. 

Millen Bridal Luncheon

One of my registry items :)

Millen Baptist Church Cookbook

Cupcakes by Southern Confections, aka my friend Alicia

I was very honored to receive a bridal luncheon from my stepmom, Donna Fennell-Reeves, and my aunt, Millie Reeves, on Saturday, July 7. Several of my aunts and cousins were present, and I was delighted to spend time with them. My aunt prepared several wonderful dishes with the help of my stepmom, aunt Amalie, and family friend, Sophia Kent. My friend Alicia Smith of Washington, Georgia, made margarita cupcakes, lemon cupcakes, and chocolate with buttercream frosting cupcakes for the occasion. More of her treats can be found at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Southern-Confections/451793608165727. My sister, Mary Kate, came up with creative party games (usually a source of stress for me), but these were very unique and fun! We made wedding shoes from cupcakes, cookie, and icing. The "Left Right" gift game, however, was a bit more tedious! Kelly and I received some beautiful gifts for our home, and I am very thankful to everyone who has shared this life event with us thus far.

Lots of deliciousness!

The winning shoe!

Adriana

me, sister Mary Kate, sister McKenzie, sister Madeline, mother Liz

shake it, sassy Mae!

Aunt Millie, Stepmom Donna, sister Mary Kate, me, sister Madeline 

Long Overdue Update!

So this post will be short and sweet, then I'll hopefully have time to blog about my first bridal shower, complete with beautiful pictures! Then comes the house blog, and next week--wedding invitations made by hand. I contemplated ranting a bit about the never-ending cycle that is our life dealing with "the other parent," but I choose to hold off on that for now. Way more exciting things are happening!

My family's new venture, Hootie's Corn Maze, will be open for business in September, just after the wedding. We are all so excited about that. If you are near Jenkins County (Millen, GA), check it out.

Also, my uncle, Stone Williamson, recently had two major life events occur: a wedding and a baby all in two weeks! I am so happy for him, Sandra, Michelle, and baby Scarlett. She is just a doll! I will have to upload pictures.

We have had two weeks with Adriana this summer. We are still struggling with potty training (wipe! wipe! wipe! & wash your hands!), but you cannot parent from an island, which is how it feels for us. Children must have consistency and stability. But, hedging on a rant, I will stop there. We were glad to have her for the extra time allotted, and Maebrynn misses her very much. Now, on to the pretty stuff....

Wedding Progress... YAY!!

It looks as though we are really, truly going to get married!! :) I had no doubts about actually getting married, just the "where"! Such a relief to have it finally decided! My paper flowers have not been made in vain. Now that we have a set location for both the ceremony and reception, I can better create my vision. I am proud to report that Kelly handled, in its entirety, the selecting and booking of the church. I am so blessed to have an involved groom! I honestly think he is really just as excited as me. So for his next project: making the corn hole boards for the "lawn games" portion of our reception. I can't just let him relax while I am making all of these flowers. He has actually helped with that somewhat also. We are (fingers-crossed) selecting & ordering invitations on Friday. Updated information about the locations for our festivities has been added to our wedding site @ margaretkelly.ourwedding.com.

Our house plans are progressing slowly but surely as well. We are determined to have Kelly's brother-in-law, Fred Velazquez, do the foundation work on our house. It has caused a bit of a halt at the moment, but hopefully the company will come do the footers next week. I pray that after the foundation is set, the rest of the house will come up quickly. I will just be glad when the pile of burnt trees is gone!. In my mind, I am already forging ahead to lawn and garden plans!

Home, Sweet Home!

It looks like we are really, truly going to build a house!! Kelly and I picked out all of the "style" elements for our House of Dreams last Saturday in Augusta. Floors, walls, cabinets, counters, fixtures, siding and doors--and it only took us 2 and 1/2 hours. Big sigh. Of course, we thought of several questions the minute we walked out the door, but our anxiety was relieved after some delicious fried shrimp at Rhineharts! We also found samples of our counters later at Lowe's to have a visual to share. Personally, I am using those samples to remind me that we really are making things happen! Our land is being cleared, so now we just have three buildings to demolish. Doable by September 1? I sure hope so! This is the house we chose, in similar colors.

Unfortunately, wedding plans are not rocking along as smoothly. With so much time and energy vested in the house, the wedding has fallen to the back burner. Kelly and I have visited several possible locations, but nothing was an automatic, "This is it!" We have, however, done some more registries (locally) so we have not been completely neglectful. And my paper flowers are coming along nicely, thank you Pinterest.

We will finally have our Adriana back this weekend!! She has not stayed for the weekend since March 17, which feels like an eternity! With a three year old, A LOT changes in one month. We have a busy weekend planned, including a trip to visit my daddy and stepmother, and a late birthday party for Maebrynn. Adriana missed out on the earlier celebration, but Mae certainly will not be opposed to another party and more presents! Mommy will hopefully finish painting her rocking chair this week so everything will be ready for our family time beginning Friday!

Happy Birthday, Maebrynn!!

My sweet darling girl turns two years old today!!! I asked if she knew what today is, and she told me, "Mae's birthday presents!!" She has caught on quickly! We are postponing her originally planned party so we may include her sister. Adriana's mother did not believe it was fair for Adriana to leave during her weekend with her mother, so for this year, we are going to adjust. Soon, Adriana will be able to make those decisions herself! So party is tentatively scheduled for April 20/21. As for today, Mommy is leaving work early to spend the afternoon with Maebrynn! I am thinking homemade pizza tonight because she loooves "pita," and that's something she can help make. Pictures to come!