Holy Matrimony!

(As I type this, I’m sitting at the counter watching Daddy read our wedding programs that Mama finished this weekend over the rims of his glasses. It’s highly entertaining, especially as he whimpered a little after reading “The Kiss,” and as he pronounce Canon in D Major, “Canon in Da major”).

To say today was stressful would be the understatement of the century. What was supposed to be a fun and exciting day ended in tears of defeat. My first dress fitting was today. I couldn’t wait to get in the fitting room and slip back into my gown after several months of it hanging at a dear friend’s house. When we arrived at Bride In A Box (in order to protect the integrity of the company where today’s incidents happened, I’m not going to use their actual name) chaos ensued. Between the hour of waiting, trying to entertain a busy four year old, horrible customer service, accusations that I was trying to steal MY OWN wedding shoes, mild panic attack, and finally a low blood sugar spell, we left. Without so much as a pin placed in the hem of my dress.

I just have to take it with a grain of salt, I’d suppose…

There’d be days like this, Mama said.

I’d like to thank my Mama, Sissy, and dear friend Ashley for helping me to keep my anxiety ridden head up today. I wish I could say today would be the only time in this process something like this will happen, but I’d probably be lying to you. And lying isn’t good for any relationship.

I’m going to try to keep things in perspective. No matter what happens on the in between days from now until then, on July 28, Matt will become my husband, and I his wife.

On a lighter note, I would like to take the time to say a very Happy Birthday to my monkey girl niece, Kylie Ann.

Four years ago today, I received what I believed to be an April Fool’s phone call from my mother informing me that my sister was in labor. “Very funny, Mom!” Those were my exact words. An hour later I was racing over Afton Mountain trying to make it home from school in time to be there for the delivery. My phone rang and when I answered it, I heard the sweet sound of the cry of a beautiful, healthy baby girl.

Today, she’s a big girl. With an even bigger personality.

My world got a little brighter when she came into it. And our family, a little louder. 🙂

A big, beautiful blessing all wrapped up in a little blonde pistol of a package.

I’m lucky she calls me, “Kiki!”

Things I fancy this week:

The beautiful roses Monkey brought me today. Something about the sweet smell of fresh flowers that can lift your spirits.

The Hunger Games soundtrack. Stop it. It is the most fabulous album I’ve heard in a long time. I have three things specifically to say about it:

1) Taylor Swift may have found her niche in folk music. She should never sing another pop ballad again. Her collaboration with The Civil Wars showcased her potential in this genre.

2) After Matt and I purchased the CD, we brought it in for Daddy to take a listen, due to his love of bluegrass-esque music. We let him listen to track 8, and we were surprised to find he actually knew the group, The Carolina Chocolate Drops. Apparently they play at the Graves Mountain Music Festival he attends every year. A+ to the creators for using lesser known folk groups on the album as well.

3) They saved the best for last. It’s as if Alison Krauss and Sarah Mclaughlin came together and had a musical love child and named her Birdy. Her anthem, “Just a Game” is the last song on the album. The melody is beautifully haunting, and for a girl of only 16, sister has got some pipes!