Change of direction (wedding)...but got lots done!

Okay, maybe not a lot alot, but we managed to get the ceremony and reception venue booked, dinner menu set, and DJ and Photographer booked. Yay!

Everything will take place at a golf club we frequent (we don't golf..but they have an awesome sports bar and grill, karaoke night, etc).

We will do white chair covers white sashes and may not do floral centerpieces. I am trying to keep my flower budget in check so we might do something different - still looking for ideas that really move me. Thats an example of the food display, however after talking to a friend out there who works with the catering, she will give us a great deal on a full italian dinner. Cha-Ching! I'm thinking that we may still put out some snacks mid-way through the reception (Fresh Fruit, cheeses, etc) since it's so long (6-11 pm). They will also offer valet parking for our guests for tips only, so I will pay the tips up front so the guests don't need to worry about that.

Oh..the color! It has changed too! I made my FINAL decision today, it's called Sangria from Davids Bridal. I love love love this color! So bright, refreshing, and summery - perfect for a summer wedding! Davids Bridal has ribbons in this color, so I was thinking of getting white pillar candles wrapping them...we'll see.

I want this dress for my 12 (will be 13) yr old daughter and there is a matching (strapless) dress for the teen girls. I really want to have our three daughters in long dresses, and my bridesmaids in whichever dresses they choose in Sangria.

I also decided on favors...now I need to tackle flowers! Luckily I know an awesome lady who will do my flowers for barely above cost - so I know those will be a great deal, and she does an amazing job! Maybe we can actually pull this thing off! ;)

Nysha says goodbye to HS Basketball..

Tonight we went to Nysha's last high school basketball game..and it was bittersweet. We are so proud of her, but sad she is saying goodbye to something she loves so much. She has her first soccer game next week and that will be a nice way to end her senior year.

She has so much dedication and I think that is going to take her far in life. I can't wait to see what her future brings.

Here are some great shots from her game tonight.. (she is #21)

Wedding plans are gonna monopolize my blog for a bit...

It's pretty much  monopolizing my life at the moment. Last night I found my dress!!! I cant post a pic for fear that Anthony will see it. It's gorgeous, and I'm so excited! Nysha and Sadie met me there, and they were both in love with the dress as well.  The dress fit perfectly, and a size smaller than anticpated..yay! I still hope to lose some weight and have it altered, but if not, its still beautiful. I had them try on some bridesmaids dresses, and found one that I LOVE but it doesnt come in the blue I want. UGH! The other one I thought I would love, I didnt care for. So back to the drawing board for the girls dresses. I am going to have Cece, Nysha, and Sadie in the same dress - and have my MOH and Bridesmaids in a different dress. Thats all up in the air..and I need to get the venue first anyway! I also met with the Invitation designer yesterday and im so excited to see how those turn out. She will send me the mock-ups in 2 weeks, yay!

Back to dresses..here are two I really like from Alfred Angelo..but I really want tea-length or full length dresses for the girls. I like the color Riviera Sky from AA but it's not exactly what I'm looking for. I'm thinking of going to SF to look at the dress outlets for their dresses in April when my BFF comes out to visit/dress shop. We can take all the girls and make a day of it

The last dress with the sash is just beautiful, I could do that in Riviera Sky with the sash in white for the girls. Oh I dont know, so many beautiful choices!

My BFF had her bridesmaids wear black dresses, and it worked out beautifully. I thought about doing that too, except its July and its going to be HOT. Who would think this would be so difficult. The girls technically arent "bridesmaids" but they are going to match the wedding party and be part of the wedding. OK, back to real work now... ;)

More Wedding Stuff..ideas...

Okay the Blue dress in this collage is PERFECT for what Im going for. And I love it next to the Moss color...so now Im thinking of incorporating some green - and I absolutely LOVE the flowers pictured for centerpieces (the ones with the white and blue)..

And wouldn't it be fun to have some kid-friendly cupcake centerpieces like the ones below...since just about our whole life is about kids..and there are sure to be plenty at the wedding...

Okay ladies, What do you think??

Wedding Stuff....(Freaking Out)

Okay, the big day is 5 months away and I've done a big fat nothing. So this week I got a bug to get going (finally!). I found a couple really great venues (well lots of great ones that were WAY out of our budget)..but I think one of these will work. First, the water district has a facility called Antelope WEL Gardens..very pretty..but I have been unable to get them to return my call today!! URGH!

The other is a community center. Both are super affordable, but getting our date is proving to be a chore, meaning, we may need to be more flexible with our date. Either way, things seem like they will come together nicely once we book our venue. I met with the invitation designers today about Save the Dates, Invitations, and Programs. It wont cost an arm and a leg, thankfully! They are going to be super cute! But of course, I'm keeping them a secret for now! We need to find a good DJ, hopefully we have a lead on that through my BFF. Our cake is a wedding gift from some great friends, which is such a blessing. A great friend of mine happens to be a photographer, so hopefully he can cut us some sort of deal. All of these has me hopefull that we can pull this off without robbing a bank! So for now, the date will either be 7/17, 7/24 or 7/31..narrows it down a bit, huh?

Also found beautiful dresses for our 3 girls to wear, but a little more pricey than I had hoped. Maybe I can find a similar dress for less...we'll see. I've never planned anything, I feel so overwhelmed..but in a good way if that doesn't sound completely nuts! 5 months..and counting down!

Our February Adventures...and whats going on with me :)

So far this month, Nysha turned 18(OMG!), We took all the kids skating, Sedrick turned 10, we had our Vday adventure - we've been enjoying the girls JV and Varsity basketball games, and Isaiah's rec games. Three of the boys (Anthony, Isaiah, and Sedrick) start strength and conditioning training for Football next week (even though football doesnt officially start until July!). Anthony and I went to Reno a couple of weeks ago for a friends Baby Shower, and are going back in two weeks for his coaching convention/clinics...where I will also get to have lunch with and meet my paternal aunt for the first time. I'm totally excited about that. I recently reconnected with my dad which has filled a huge void in my heart, and I couldn't be more thrilled. To make matters even better, I am so proud that they (dad and his girlfriend) are turning out to be such wonderful, genuine people that I am so excited to have in my life. Something like getting an unexpected package at your doorstep and the joy at finding its something you've always wanted.  My heart is happy! 

We are also trying to get our wedding planning underway, but seem to hit snag after snag. Today I hit a level of frustration, but it too shall pass. If we won the lottery, this would all be so simple! LOL

Here are some random photos from the month (so far..)..

King Sedrick sits at the birthday throne :)

Little Anthony and Drew goofing around (as usual) at the bday party..

Our 8 kid and two friends getting ready for Pizza -its so good to have everyone in one spot for once!

Anthony and Cece during the festivities

Waiting to go in skating..Cece, Joshua, and Myles. Myles is my kids' step brother (from their dad).

Even the big kids wanted to skate..

Josh getting his big boy skates!

Myles and Drew skating..

Anthony gives skating a thumbs up

Speed skating..

Valentines Day, not without adventure!

I think I had the best Valentines Day ever...thanks to the Love of my Life :)

I knew he was getting last minute tix to the 90's Love Jam concert I'd been dying to see (warning - Im aging myself big time with this post!)..featuring Guy, H-Town, Jon-B, and Al B. Sure - some of my favorites from Jr. High and HS days. My honey ran downtown to get tix..an hour before the doors were to open..only to call me with good/bad news. Good news - he got tix. Bad news - our truck broke down when he parked illegally to run into the box office for the tix. He had to push it uphill a block to find public parking, pay $15 to leave the broken truck. I grabbed his clothes and necessities, headed downtown to pick him up and he went into a hotel to get ready (ha!). We made it in plenty of time for the show, seated 30 minutes before they opened.

H-Town opened..they were awesome. To make things better, they were throwing out roses and teddy bears - I caught a rose, and some witch next to me snatched it, breaking the stem. Karma! Shazam of H-Town said to me, "I got you sweetheart.." and he went back for the last rose on stage, brought it out to me and said "Happy Valentines Day." AWWWWW!!! So I got a perfect rose that didnt get thrown over our heads, and wasnt broken by some snatchy chick. LOL. Did I mention we were front row and center!!?? I dont know how Anthony pulled that off, buying tix a hour earlier..with a PACKED auditorium. He always amazes me! When the usher seated us..I almost died!

Oh within a few minutes Shazam had his shirt off, whip cream all over him, and well...all was good! ;) I will have to add concert pics later.

Jon B was next and he was awesome. I was never really a huge Jon B fan..but after that night, I'll be watching for him. He is a true artist. The sound system failed, and he was real professional, got on his keyboard and was amazing on his own. Aaron Hall of Guy got snowed in somewhere, so guess who showed up to save the show (not that it needed saving - Al B. Sure was phenomenal!!)..Bobby Brown. When he sang Roni, Dont Be Cruel, Rock Wit U, and ended the show with My Perogative...I thought the place would implode. It was amazing. Thanks so much to my baby..he really made my Valentines Day (even if I did feel my age, lol).