Documenting an event

Last Thursday, Paula R. threw me a wonderful bridal shower at my school. I honestly was very hesitant about the whole thing. First of all, the end of the year is so dang stressful for teachers without having to add a shower to the mix--let alone the stress of the economy....but Paula R. wouldn't have it. She planned a wonderful "Open Classroom" shower where people were invited to write down a favorite recipe and marital advice to give to me. I was excited to receive the recipes....I need all the help I can get!

Paula, the shower was amazing! Thank you! Thank you! And a big "thank you" to all who helped her prepare for the event. I really appreciate it!!!

Here are some pictures of the event:

Here is a picture of Paula with her class. She even got her class involved:


She had her students create pictures of Shay and me:


Their details are SO cute:



Paula had asked me to bring pictures of us......but I felt quite uncomfortable having myself plastered all over the wall so instead.....heehee.....I plastered Shay all over the wall....with a few of our engagement pictures.


Paula put little doilies and hearts all around the outside....she was so cute:


The food was fabulous! Paula prepared chicken salad, fruits, veggies, Texas sheet cake, chips & dip.....Yummy!!!


Thanks to all those who helped her get the food ready!


Paula even brought her silver to serve the food on:


The room looked great!


Paula you are AMAZING!


I was so shocked to find that most forgot about their recipes and advice but spoiled me beyond words with fabulous gifts. From a very appreciative heart, THANK YOU! You really went beyond!!!

Here is Penrod getting a plate ready to put on my head to attach ribbons to.....


It was a hard balancing act trying to keep it on the top of my head!


Diane gave up and started attaching the ribbons directly to my head....

...only problem was when they were removed the tape took my hair with it--OUCH!



Here are some pictures someone (not sure who go a hold of my camera) took of the shower:

Marianne and Paula J.


Paula J.


Amanda and Rachel. I was so excited to see Amanda--she had changed schools so we don't see each other that often.


Lisa, Cori and Melani:


I was glad to see that Paula was able to sneak a bit in....


Jody:


Christy--very cute!!


Christy, I am thinking about publishing this on facebook ;-)


Natalie and her cute daughter:


Diane & Karena:


TiNea is in the middle in the blue:


LuAnn with Kindra ducking behind her:


Linda:


Opening gifts:





Emily was the scribe...thanks Emily!


THANKS TO ALL WHO CAME AND PARTICIPATED!!!! I LOVED chatting with everyone and having a chance to get together!!!

Paula, a special thank you for making my shower so special!

Invitations Coming Soon

So, when you open your invitation to our wedding don't be too shocked by how bright it is! I know I was. Online, the invitations appear sage.....but oh no....they are not. When I opened the package to our invites I was speachless. THEY ARE BRIGHT GREEN! Not a bright sage color.....a bright neon greenish color. They are not as bad as you might be imagining, but they definitely look diffent from what they appeared like online or on my blog. The writing is also smaller then they appeared online.....so if you have to really squint hard I am SO SORRY! Oh well, purchase made and there is no going back....just note, they were a bit of a shock to me as well!!! Oh the joys and surprizes that come when planning a wedding! I am so glad we decided to get married while I am ending a school year, getting ready for summer school, grades are due, I am taking a class where projects/reports are due soon, I am helping get our first grade program ready for parents this Friday, and I have to prepare and present in a seminar 3 days after school ends--to a bunch of educators who probably can teach the class themselves or much better than I can!! To top it all off, most everything I had in storage was eatten by mice so it looks like Shay and I will be starting from scratch.....AND Shay is having to look for employment (know of anyone looking for a computer tester?).
I guess when it rains it pours........ I think I am going CRAZY!! Do you want to come along? I promise it will be one heck of a ride! ;-) Hee hee
On a serious note though, I do know how extremely blessed I am and that even though my life is running me over, I wouldn't change it for the world! Thanks to the support and help I continue to receive from my family, friends and above I know I will make it---in one piece I am not sure, but I will make it! Thanks all!!!!
May you have a wonderful day!

Choosing a picture

I never knew how hard it would be to pick out an engagement picture. After Jeni Boston (our photographer) took 367 pictures--YIKES!...she narrowed it down to about 42 for us to choose from.

So after much needed outside input and suggestions....here are the finals:


Shay loves the background of this one....I think I look a bit smashed into the wall. Although, I do like the background as well!

Ok, no one really likes this picture but me. Shay calls it his grumpy face. I disagree! I don't know why, but I absolutely love the expression on Shay's face in this picture! I think I look A LOT better in this one then the next, but that is my opinion. I also LOVE the background. I love all the different textures and how it it so unique.

This is my favorite picture of Shay. He looks so cute to me! So I overlook what I think of myself in this one.

This was an all time favorite of everyone. I like the background and felt like this was the best one of me that I could find out of the bunch.....but it wasn't my favorite of Shay.

Many people express this next one as their favorite picture of us. I do love my grandparents' apple blossoms in the background.....too bad they won't stick around until June 20th....aren't they so pretty. I wish I could have loved this picture as everyone else did. For some reason it wasn't my all time favorite of either of us. I think it is because Shay is squinting.....although it is an absolute favorite and I will be having a print of it made.

I love this picture! I love the lighting in it, the blossoms in the background, the moment Jeni caught us smiling at each other....it just was a moment that was captured that I loved!

So which one did Shay and I decide on....

Considering what she had to work with ;-) I think Jeni Boston is amazing!!
I hope you like it as well!