& We're Gonna Get Married!!!!

This week I changed Chris' ring tone to Chapel of Love (even though there is zero chance we will be getting married in a chapel). But I love that song. & every time he calls me it makes me SMILE. & I get it stuck in my head. I know you are going to want to hear this song after this, so, enjoy...

Weekly Recap

This past week has been one of the best ever. First, Suzanne moved back to Mobile!! I was so thrilled that she was home! She came over Tuesday night and hung out with me till around 1130. I am so so happy for Suzanne and all of the AMAZING stuff that is going on in her life right now. &&&& She agreed to be my MAID OF HONOR!! I am so lucky to have her as my friend!

Wednesday Chris and I spent with his friend Matt, who came in town from Oklahoma. & I got an AMAZING new camera. (I broke ours the day we got engaged. I was so excited, I dropped it on the concrete...)

The rest of the week was fairly uneventful. Until the weekend, that is...

Saturday

I started my weekend with Alisa & Janae at boot camp. I am so happy with my decision to use Bodies by Cindy. They kick your ass into shape. & I think the most important thing I've learned is to push myself. My trainer told me I could do an hour half assed work out and not get results, or I could bust my ass for 30-45 minutes and shed this weight. I like the way he thinks. & HOLY CRAP, Janae looks AMAZING! She said shes already lost 22lbs. It was motivating working out beside her. Im also excited that Alisa went with me to boot camp. I know we are both working to get in better shape, and its always good to have a friend to do it with.

Engagement Party

For the last several weeks, my parents have been planning us an engagement party. We requested a laid back BBQ, with some close friends and family. My parents did such an outstanding job with this party. It was more than we could have ever asked for or expected. Everything was decorated nicely, and the food was amazing.

But the best part is, we had 30 of our closest friends and family celebrating our love! It was a truly special day that I hope I never forget. Here are some of my favorite pictures!

Lauren & Windy signing the guest book

This practically describes the whole day.

This one is going in a frame.

Nana & Pappy

Me & Mom

Mom's advice for the bride & groom to be "SLEEP NAKED"

Gail, Chris & Fred

UMS-ers. (High school friends)

Suzy & Drew

Alisa & Justin

Me & Dad

 Windham, Me & Lauren

My future HUSBAND!

Ben & Alicia

Okay, sorry there were SO many pictures. I couldnt decide which are my favorites. We had a really good time at our party. Thank you so much to everybody who came to celebrate with us! (Especially Erin- she drove all the way from Auburn to come!!)

Sunday

We had a really good day Sunday, too. Chris didnt have to be at work until 12, so we were able to sleep in and at least have breakfast together. I love it when I get a few extra minutes with him.

After Chris went to work, I headed to Ben's grandmothers house, where Ben had planned a surprise party for Alicia. They are the nicest couple! I love them. I hope Alicia had a good time at her party!! I had to leave early, I was exhausted, and still needed to run errands and tidy up my house.

Around 6 though, after a nice little nap, I went to Justin & Alisa's house for craw fish! I've been craving them for like 2 months. Im glad I finally got my fix.

& Last night I just hung around the house, watched some Army Wives & passed out early. It was a packed out weekend, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Other stuff

I said earlier I was happy with Bodies by Cindy. They really push me, and make me push myself. So this morning I got up ass early before work and hit the gym. I would consider myself a terrible runner.... awful. I hate it. But this morning I was extremely motivated to start. & everybody has to start SOMEWHERE. So I had a nice workout of walking for a minute and running for a minute for 20 minutes. Hey, its a start. I was proud of myself for even trying. That is more than I would have been able to say a few weeks ago.

Also, now that we have had our Engagement party, it's time to seriously start planning!! We have another appointment to look at a venue on Tuesday, so we will just have to see how it all goes! Im excited!

Fit to Wed

I kind of thought nothing would change after we got engaged. I figured we'd go about our same old same routine, except for the fact that I'd have this (BEAUTIFUL!) ring on my finger. But I couldnt have been more wrong.

Chris has been excited beyond what I ever imagined. I love him so much. He is the most caring, handsome, wonderful man I have ever met. I am so happy he is the one I get to spend the rest of my life with. This week has been one of the best weeks ever. Chris is so excited about getting married. I kind of thought he would be like "Okay, we are getting married. Do whatever you want and tell me where and when to show up". Again, I was wrong.This week he ordered me iDo Wedding Planning software so that I can keep track of all of our guests, important dates, gifts, thank you cards, RSVPs, seating charts, etc. I cant wait to get it in! He's also spent hours of time researching different venues online for me to look at. He bought me a organizing binder, and a GIANT wedding magazine. I love the fact that he is so excited about this.

Saturday we drove to Pensacola to look at Palafox Wharf for our ceremony and reception. The place was beautiful. It had a great deck, upscale facilities, a huge bar & a very very helpful wedding coordinator. The only downsides were that 1. the dance floor was small and 2. it might be a pain for our family and friends to drive to Pensacola. For now we've decided to try to find a place in Mobile & use Palafox as a backup plan. But the trip definitely wasnt a waste. We had our first wedding venue experience. & We also got to stop by the Tanger Outlets & the Eastern Shore Center to look for my engagement party dress.. even though I didnt find anything. It was so nice just to be able to be out of Mobile for the day. & More importantly it was nice to spend the day together.

Chris isnt the only one excited though. My mom & grandmother are out of control already. On Tuesday around 11 I talked to my mom about an engagement party. By 3:00 that afternoon mom had a party planned. By 9:00 that night the invitations were ordered and the guest list was finalized. By the way, we are just having a very small, adult party with our families and close friends. (Read: mostly people who are going to be in our bridal party) Regardless, my mom has already planned "Signature Drinks." I told her that would be unnecessary since we are only inviting like 25 people, but she's excited. & Im happy that she is excited. In fact, yesterday she called me after church & said "I saw a 'Southern Miss. Mom' bumper sticker today. I thought 'That could have been me, but then we wouldn't have Chris'... Im glad everything worked out the way it did." It made my heart smile when she said that. Im so happy my family loves Chris & is excited about making him an official part of our family.

I am BEYOND excited too. I cannot wait to marry my best friend. I am also motivated to look my best on my wedding day. I figured, if I dont make some changes now, I may never do it. So I started a new blog, called "Fit To Wed" I plan to  write about my diet & fitness goals each week. Hopefully having a public food journal will encourage me to eat better & stay on track.

But as thrilled as I am to be planning our wedding. Im trying to just take it slow right now. I have 2 weeks of classes left, and then school will be out. After that, let the planning begin. But until then, NO STRESS!

I hope everybody has a great week! & Sorry this was completely consumed with wedding stuff...Ill try not to do that in every post!