Happy Mother's Day + Happy Birthday

Wishing my incredible mom a very Happy Mother's Day, and my amazing husband-to-be a Happy 25th Birthday! I love you both very much, and wouldn't know what to do without you!  

 

Happies & Crappies

So hey y'all. Long time no talk. I've been computerless for the past two weeks! Complete inconvenience if you ask me. But I'm back for now...hopefully.   I've seen a few bloggers do some "happies & crappies" on their blog, and since I've had SO much going on in the last two weeks that I couldn't share, I'm letting it all spill out.  The good, the bad, and the just plain ugly.  

  I'd rather end this beautiful Friday on a good note, so I'm going to start with the crappies as of recent. Because they suck. BIG TIME.    Crappies   1. Well obviously, my computer being a piece of crap is the #1 crappy! As soon as I got home after my first bridal shower, I went to upload my pictures and nothing. Computer wouldn't even turn on. My charging port was broken, so my computer wouldn't charge. Finally, my step-dad got it fixed for me and saved the day! Thanks Chuck!   2. I received my first car dent on Wednesday.  I'd like to say it wasn't my fault, but that's just not the case unfortunately. Being late to work, I was rushing out the door, shoving all my teacher crap into my car, when I hit the garage door button to back out. Or so I thought I pressed the button... BAM! NAILED THE FREAKING GARAGE DOOR. I'm talking nailed. Giant dent in the door. Knocked it off the tracks. Small dent on my poor car. Cody was a good sport about it - he just couldn't figure out how I could do that. Neither can I...    And did I mention, once I finally left the house (ten minutes even later), I looked down only to find I was wearing my shirt inside out. I SWEAR Y'ALL, I'M NOT AN IDIOT. But I'm not sure if I even believe that anymore. #weddingbrain   3. I've been tanning as of recently (don't tell me how bad it is for you, I know!) to get all tan for my wedding dress, and yesterday I seemed to have broken out in a rash on my arms and butt! (TMI?) It hurt and itched! Serves me right for being dumb and fake baking, but it hurt. And I want to whine.
4. I deformed a butterfly. I am so ashamed. But I really was trying to help it! We received caterpillars the other week for our classroom. We learned about life cycles in second grade, so it goes with our material. They all formed their little cocoons, but one fell to the ground! When it was time to move the chrysalises to the netted cage, I didn't want to leave it in the icky cup, so I tried to gently move it to the bottom of the cage. Apparently, gently wasn't good enough, so now it has a deformed wing. I feel so terrible! The poor thing can't fly and now it just stares at me all day long. Maybe that's just my guilty conscious...    5. Aside from our garage door being broken (thanks to me), our oven and microwave decided to up and quit too! If you know of any hardworking, available microwaves or ovens, we're taking applications...   Happies   1. Like I mentioned, I had my FIRST bridal shower two weeks ago! I left there feeling so loved and so blessed to have so many sweet people in my life that care. I can't wait to FINALLY share pictures next week!   2. I had my final walk through at my venue last Sunday! It was so surreal and really put things in prospective. I can't believe we're less than a month away. It feels like we've been engaged for two years! Oh wait, we have... Which makes it even more exciting the day is almost here!
3. The future hubby's birthday is on Sunday! I can't wait to celebrate 25 with him, and I'm especially excited to give him his birthday gift! I know I got it right this year! ;)
4. Um - 10 more days of school. Enough said. 5. I became a grandma! A little young, I know. But my porch birds finally hatched from their eggs this week! I love looking at them every time I walk out the door. Baby bird butts are too cute!   6. Last weekend, we had a fun family/friend get together at my mom's house! I love getting together with everybody. It's always so much fun, and very eventful! I'll share more next week also!     And last, but not least...   7. Cody has his bachelor "party" this weekend, and I'm crossing my fingers he has a great time! They're heading to Athens for the Jamey Johnson concert & some bar hopping. Then playing golf the next day. I'm hoping the guys show up and have fun with him. He deserves a good guys night.   Hopefully, next week will be back to the regular blogging schedule! I hope y'all have a happy Friday and a great weekend!  

Wedding Wednesday: Our Wedding Venue

Our wedding venue was one I had my eye on before we got engaged.

 I was a dreamer I guess. Or just one of those crazy girls that pre-planned her wedding before their boyfriend even had a ring. Probably the second option. :)

I knew it was one I would look at one day, and always had a gut feeling about it.

My sister, mom and I planned a visit a few months after we got engaged, and I knew it was the one. It was rustic, which I wanted. It had so much personality, even without the extra wedding decorations. And there was so many options on how your day could go.

I LOVED that it wasn't going to be "cookie cutter."

 Mine and Cody's personalities would shine at this venue.

So without further ado, here is our venue.

The place where we will say our "I do's."

The place where our forever begins.

The Ruins at Kellum Valley Farm

Cleveland, Georgia

website

 "Nestled in a picturesque valley of the Blue Ridge foothills, just an hour from North Atlanta sits The Ruins at Kellum Valley Farm. Together with breathtaking mountain views, and rich history, Kellum Valley Farm makes an enchanting location for your wedding. Our 19th century restored stone ruins seat guests in an outdoor ambiance that is certain to leave a lasting impression on your family and friends."

via

There are so many good things to say about this venue.

For one, the price is amazing for everything you get.

DeAnne, the owner, has an entire room of props that are free to use for your day.

The food is the best food I've ever had in my entire life.

And I'm not exaggerating.

It's just beautiful.

Here are a few (or a lot) pictures I've snapped from a couple visits to Kellum Valley.

All these pictures get my mind rolling with ideas, and I can't wait to see the dream come to life.

The ruins...

 

The pool/cocktail hour area...

The grounds...

I can't wait to share the day with y'all!

It'll be here before we know it.

:)

Easter Basket Blog Hop | For My Husband to Be

I was so excited when I saw that Darci at the good life was hosting an Easter basket blog hop! I knew I wanted to treat my almost husband to a small celebratory Easter gift, so I hit up the Easter bunny to do the work. He shops at Target in case you didn't know.

But I did have to help out with the Sam Adams Cold Snap because Mr. Bunny forgot his ID. That darn bunny.   But in all seriousness, I was so excited that I put this together. As of recently, I haven't had all the time in the world to do this kind of stuff, and it was nice to get all festive and crafty. I rushed out with Hank & Maci in tow Wednesday night while Cody was at his weekly meeting to get all the stuff for the basket/bucket. Here were the items I snagged at Target:  

Men's Button Down |  Copper Planter | Sam Adams Cold Snap (Seasonal - similar here) | Archer Farms Tex Mex Trail Mix | Jack Link's Small Batch Beef Jerky Men's Button Down: With Cody's new position, it requires him to fancy it up more so than his previous job. He's always in need of a new button up, and I knew he didn't have a red in his group of shirts. And I just love the checkered pattern. Copper Planter: Ok. It's not a basket. Or even a bucket. It's a planter for your yard! But hey. It totally looks manly and rugged. Don't ya think?   Sam Adams Cold Snap (Seasonal): This is his favorite beer at the moment. Too bad it's a seasonal brew because we both think it tastes so good. I could only fit two in the bucket, so the extra four were an added bonus.   Archer Farms Tex Mex Trail Mix: I LOVE this isle at Target. There are so many different kinds of trail mixes, it's hard to pick just one. I thought he might like the Tex Mex flavor.   Jack Link's Small Batch Beef Jerky: What man doesn't love beef jerky? No. Don't answer that. I don't want to know! I even love it!

I filled the bottom with bright green basket grass. I was so excited to find the kind I did because it wasn't that plastic, shiny grass. This was made of paper, which gave it a more rusitc/natural feel - perfect for a manly Easter basket.  

  Before I put everything in the bucket, I tied the button down up with an extra burlap ribbon I found hiding in my craft closet. I had to add a girly bow somewhere. :)   I almost couldn't contain my excitement to give it to Cody on Sunday. But I managed to hold it in, and surprised him after church on Easter. I think he really enjoyed his manly Easter basket!  

  You can still join the Easter Basket Blog Hop with Darci! Just head on over to the good life blog - grab the button & share your Easter goodies!