Full Fantastic Weekend!!

This past weekend JC, Savanna, and myself headed up to Birmingham for a few things. First, we needed to take our engagement pictures because we chose a photographer from Birmingham. Shelley and Jim used him for their wedding and we were just really happy with the work we had seen. We were, of course, staying with Shelley and Jim so it was a nice visit with friends too!! We did our photo shoot outside kind of in the woods. I don't have any proofs yet BUT cannot wait to see them!

Second, I scheduled the photo shoot around the Disney Princesses on Ice because Savanna is wild over princesses right now!! I even think Daddy was pretty impressed with the show. Savanna cannot get enough Cinderella right now! Everything is Cinderella....and her favorite color is not pink but BLUE!! I think Daddy enjoyed Mulan and all those kung fu type moves! I'm not sure about my favorite......I kind of liked everyone!


After Princesses we went back to Shelley and Jim's to watch the AL/LSU game! JC is a huge Alabama fan.....so needless to say....he was pretty bummed!! We drove home after the game to enjoy sleeping in on Sunday!!

It was a great weekend!

TIME

I was about to write a comment to someone on facebook and I realized that I wanted to elaborate....so where else would I come but to MY BLOG!!! For some reason this thought has been in my head for the last couple of days....

"The greatest and worst thing about TIME is that it passes."

I'm not sure what has made me think so much about this...perhaps it is that my wedding day is getting closer and closer and perhaps it is because I keep planning my life out even beyond our wedding day....kids, family vacations, traditions, retirement....and on and on! Before I know it....I have managed to run out of time.

Back to my quote....maybe the quote belongs to someone else (I didn't look it up)....BUT I did just think it up the other day. Anyways...when I was in school (doc school) I always remember getting very frustrated when something was coming up...a big paper, a test, some reading, a presentation, anything! I would get so mad and just fuss and fuss. One time my mom (well many times) told me just do it and get it done and it will be over! Simple huh? Not so much to me then....but now it's like I know TIME will pass and whatever it was bothering me so much (a paper, a test, some reading, a presentation) would eventually come whether I was ready or not! It would come and go....just like that! No big deal really!

We have all made comments like "I can't wait for Friday to get here...it's payday" or "I'm so ready for football season" or "I can't wait for Christmas" (which by the way comes and goes pretty darn fast). We are always waiting for these events to get here....waiting for TIME to pass!! The best part is that TIME does pass...whatever it is we want to get through or whatever we can't wait for...will come!!!

HOWEVER,...the other part of the quote "The worst part about time is that it passes".....just freaks me out. To know that everyday we live is a one time deal (even the days I fussed about writing papers)....it comes and goes too!! We may not want the good moments, and feelings, and events to pass....BUT, they do! I know we've all said..."if I could just stop time" or "I need a few more hours in the day"....heck I am probably more guilty than anyone. But the truth is that TIME will pass....especially when we don't want it to.

I am not really sure how to conclude this blog....I just felt like it needed saying...


"The greatest and worst thing about TIME is that it passes."

I know that I will never stop hurrying the work week so the weekend will get here.....or asking for a little more time on a Sunday afternoon to take a nap AND clean! It's like a lose lose situation in the good times (can't stop time).....but a win win situation in bad times (time will pass).

All I know is maybe I need to slow down.......nearly impossible in this crazy, wonderful, busy, productive, stressful, blessed life we all want to live.

HE knows.....

Cheers everyone!

My Flower Selection!

In no particular order....here are the flowers that I will have at my wedding! Me and my "soon-to-be" mother-in-law met with my florist yesterday for 2 and 1/2 hours. I had no idea that it would take so long to go through the entire list of everything I needed for the wedding. BUT...we made it and the florist was impressed that I knew just about everything that I wanted. I never wanted to spend much on flowers....in fact it is my skimpiest budget area when compared to food, entertainment, and photography....BUT I thought "what the heck"...let's see what I can get.

There are a few things I think of related to flowers when it comes to weddings....

1. To this day I can not recall what any of my good friends used in their weddings....(except for my best friend) AND I still am not sure what her table centerpieces looked like.

2. As a bridesmaid I do love a pretty bouquet...but I throw them away...for me dried flowers are a thing of the past.

3. They will die....and therefore the money spent on them will technically die too.

4. Fresh flowers remind me of a funeral home. I can't help it....maybe I've
been to too many funerals...but it is the first thing that crosses my mind when I smell them.

BUT........

5. They ARE beautiful!!!! And sweet, and happy, and peaceful, and girly, and cheerful, and perfect!


Sooo...I think I found a good balance between nice and pretty stuff....without breaking the bank!

White Lilies
Sweet Unique Roses
White Hydrangeas

White Alstroemerias

Ravel Roses


Light Blue Hydrangeas
Ivory/Cream Roses


Sweet Akito Roses


White Tulips

Halloween Weekend

Not too much going on for us this past weekend!! We actually had a weekend with no plans except for what we chose to do! Since JC has been traveling so much our time at home is just what we want! I had cleaned during the week too so I was able to be lazy and not feel guilty (I can hardly do that with my anxious self anymore)!

Friday night we went out to a nice dinner and then met up with some friends for after dinner drinks!

Saturday night we decided to get dressed up and head out......Me as Marilyn Monroe and JC as JFK!! I know it's a little inappropriate but it sure was fun! AND I could not believe that JC was so on board! I think he had fun playing a "President"...with of course a beautiful date!

Sunday afternoon we carved a pumpkin and handed out candy to our trick-or-treaters! It still amazes me about the traditions that each of us brings to our relationship. For example...Pumpkin Carving....this was such a big deal to me when I was little. We would wait to help my dad (mostly empty out the inside of the pumpkin) while he designed quite the amazing pumpkin...usually with ears (Dad's signature move)! JC just views carving the pumpkin as a chore....just one more thing to do! We didn't have Savanna so it was just us....I think that having kids may make some of these moments a little more entertaining. BUT....let me mention that he so took over carving the pumpkin....I think he had fun or at least he was doing a good "husbandy" type thing.

Wedding Day Hair- Take 1

I had a hair appointment yesterday to get highlights, trim, and eyebrows waxed. I really love my new hair stylist in Mobile! She is great and really takes her time! Last night I was her last customer so we went ahead and played around with a "Wedding Day Hair" style! I loved it when she was finished. We are going to try a few more things so this is just kind of the style that I want! AND...I'm planning to have a different "do" for my reception!!



I even went home and tried on my veil (JC not being home)!!! Walking around and humming some wedding tunes....I was getting super excited...like squealing with excitement!! OF COURSE....you can NOT see those pictures!!

I debated on whether or not to post any pictures so as not to give away too many details....but then I decided....no one will have any idea what the "WHOLE Package" will look like on that day!!

Enjoy!

PS...I'm not too sure about the "bump it" hump I have there.....on the crown of my head...hmmmm!

How Many Things Can YOU Fit Into One Day?!?!

Can I just say that planning my "Wedding Day Itinerary" is kind of making me nauseous! No wonder girls get all worked up just before the big day. I am trying to fit like 24 hours of things to do into a 8-10 hour time frame! This is crazy.....or at least it makes me feel that way! The worst part of it all is telling the people who have to adhere to this crazy "agenda" about where they need to be and what they need to be doing! Even I don't want to be dressed 4 hours before my wedding!



I honestly would not be so anal about this itinerary if it weren't for the fact that ALL of the vendors need to know where to be at certain times (photographer, caterer, trolley driver, hair/make-up dresser, and on and on)! I would just want everyone to use common sense and SHOW UP. BUT....because it is necessary....it has forced me to create a time line for the BIGGEST day of my life. An hour by hour play of how everything will happen....perhaps I should list EVERY detail..not to embarrass our mothers but just so that we don't miss it (wink, wink...don't worry--we won't)! Ugghhh....can you feel the frustration already??!? The ONLY bright side to having this itinerary is that it will be DONE! Times will be listed, assigned, and folks will know where to be and when...EVEN ME!

I guess one of the main reasons I am searching for time is because JC and I are not seeing each other before the wedding! He will see me when the church doors open and the trumpet sounds (did you get goose bumps...that's what I'm hoping for on that day)! Anyways....us not seeing each other means that we have a great deal of pictures to take after the ceremony...before the reception. I HATE the idea of keeping our guest waiting....but we are letting them eat, drink, and enjoy the reception before we get there!....

However, this brings me back to the tight schedule that I am trying to design.....how do we take all the US/Wedding Party/Family (with both of us) pictures in about a 30-45 minute time frame?? I'm not sure there is an answer....all I can offer is a cooler full of beer and wine! Hopefully that will take some of the edge off! (AND I am meeting with our photographer next weekend when we take our engagements photos!!)

I know this is just part of the stress that has to be placed on the bride....and everyone says "People will do what you tell them..this is your day!" So be it I guess.....I know I'm not waking up til 8:01 AM on that day.....Well, at least that's what the ITINERARY says!!



Much Love,

The Future
Dr. Stephanie Zito Smith

A Shout Out!!!

Today's post is dedicated to one of my soon-to-be, dedicated blog reader, sister in-laws that I have not met yet. JC's sister Missy and her family do not live in the states and the only communication her and I have had is through email, facebook, and blogging!! I will not officially meet her in person until just before our wedding!! Hopefully.....she will approve!

She has once told me that she loves reading the blog and seeing the pictures so that she knows what is going on with us over here! Soooo....this past Monday we had the family over for burgers at our house and I made everyone pose so that we could do a "Shout Out" to her!!!

HI Missy!!

Here you go! Can't wait to meet you in the spring!