Jilian & BT's VR 3/24/12 Crescent Terr/Il Mulino - Last of the Randy Chapman pics up!

[DoomBuggy0922]

HA! I am sorry, I laughed out loud at your princess Minnie table. It will be a fond reminder of your VR!!!

I am getting so excited for you. All of your projects look wonderful.

I actually know what you mean: I miss DIY projects terribly. I need to figure out something to do!

 

[Jilian]

Hi everyone! Today my Mickey head countdown says 24 more days until we leave, I can't believe it! 3 weeks from Thursday I'm feeling panic-y. I keep feeling like I've forgotten something major or will forget something. Last night I started thinking about packing and realized we didn't have enough luggage to pack for 8 days for 5 people so Overstock.com came to the rescue. I'm waiting for this to show up in the mail now: http://www.overstock.com/Luggage-Ba...able-Spinner-Luggage-Set/6230486/product.html We ordered the teal set. I was all set to buy something expensive that would last a long time (like Samsonite) and then I found this with such great reviews and went for it. Hopefully it is just as nice in person.

I tried the suits on my boys and the dress on my daughter and all is well. I ran out and bought bathing suits and dress socks last night. Here is what I still have left to do:

Re-do our wedding day timeline and confirm an exact meeting location with Randy for pre-ceremony pics

Finish vows and the pin ceremony vows

Meet with my Pastor to go over the ceremony with him

Order welcome party dessert platters from Publix

Convince my H to hurry up and buy a new dress shirt for his suit

Buy a belt for my tiny DS2

Get my hair cut and highlighted

In non-VR news things have been insane. INSANE. My son has a follow up cardiology appointment tomorrow afternoon to make sure the pressure in his heart was only related to the pneumonia and not another heart issue. I pray to God that it was just the pneumonia. Fingers crossed. My mom had her repeat surgery on Friday to finally repair her colon. It was a little rocky but they let her go home today and I'm hopeful that this is the end of her medical problems. She rushed her surgery because she wanted to be able to be her normal self at the VR so I completely understand but I was so worried about her! AND DS1's dad is moving across the country in another month so I'm trying to help DS1 work through that. Ugh. I am really looking forward to this vacation. We all love Disney so much and I'm really happy that it is where we're renewing our vows and vacationing. Something about Disney just makes us all feel like kids again and we have so much fun. I can't wait!

 

[MrsDuck]

24 days till you leave?! WOW!! So exciting!

Don't stress- I think you've got it all under control. You don't have too much left to do! I'm so excited to you!

I'm sending pixie dust that you get good results from the cardiologist. Please keep us updated! I hope your mom recovers ASAP. Sounds like you need a vacation, girlie! Hang in there! Only 23 days!!

Let us know if we can help!

 

[2dogmom]

Sounds like you have everything under control. I pray you get good new at your son's appt and I hope you mom heals quickly!

 

[MrsDrewsky]

I think you have to be one of the most organized brides on the boards.

I hope your son's cardiologist appointment goes well. You and your family definitely deserve a great vacation, and hopefully it will be here before you know it.

 

[Jilian]

Thanks everyone The cardiology appointment went really well today, there are no signs left of pulmonary hypertension I'm so happy. My mom is doing a bit better today too. Things are falling into place and I'm breathing a huge sigh of relief. Now I can focus on the trip planning a little more!

I am crazy organized, DH always says I should be some sort of event planner because of my extensive lists and planning for things. I'm going to work on a list of things to pack soon, it will probably be a million pages long...lol

 

[NoOrdinaryPrincess]

Congrats! I hope your son is well.

 

[Jilian]

I made a few changes to my vows...do they sound ok?

Five years ago, with the future stretched out before us, we committed ourselves to one another before God. We pledged to be there for one another in times of joy and sorrow, in sickness and health, and in times of want and plenty. We've had all those things and more. We've created a family, a home and a beautiful life together. We've also had our fair share of challenges, but we met them together and they only served to strengthen the bond that we share. Today I'd like to reaffirm those vows we made 5 years ago and add in a few new ones. I promise to be there for you in times of joy and sorrow, in sickness and in health and in times of want and plenty. I also promise to play on your softball team, to offer you words of encouragement when you need them, and to let you sleep in every now and then. Most of all I promise to love you, even when your clothes don't make it into the hamper. I have been blessed to not only call you my husband for the past five years, but my best friend. It is with great hope and faith that I look forward to continuing our journey together as husband and wife, til death do we part. I love you.

I'm having a hard time with the ones for the kids. It is driving me nuts. Here is what I have so far:

Have our Pastor read Mark 10:13-16 and talk about the importance of children. Then he will ask our children to step forward so we can present them with gifts that symbolize our love and commitment to them. Then I will say:

Aiden, Evan and Abigail: You have brought great joy to our lives. We promise to always love, respect and protect each of you. We promise to be the best parents we possibly can, making all decisions with love and your best interest at heart. We thank God for blessing us with such amazing children.

These pins are a sign of our continued love, dedication and commitment to each of you. We love you. <hug kids>

Does that sound ok? H isn't a huge fan of it, he thinks it is weird to include kids in the ceremony but I really want to. He doesn't know much about weddings...lol

 

[MrsDrewsky]

Your vows definitely made me tear up. I love how genuine they are.

 

[jessiegirl84]

It sounds like you had a great little mini trip to disney with your son. He sounded so so excited when he found out he was going so cute
I'm glad to hear that he is doing better, and I hope that things with you mum continue to improve also.

I love your new vows, I think that you have included a commitment to your kids is just beautiful.
I can't believe your big day is less than 24 days! Hope the lead up goes smoothy, it will be here before you know it

 

[2dogmom]

Thank you for bringing tears to my eyes at work I love your vows, especially lightening up the ones to DH. I don't think I would make it through the kid ones. I would be in tears.

Glad to hear everything is looking better for your son and mom!

 

[MrsDuck]

Your vows are so so so sweet! Love them!

 

[NoOrdinaryPrincess]

Lovely.

 

[Jilian]

Aww thanks ladies

 

[DoomBuggy0922]

Just seconding: I think the vows are lovely. Absolutely perfect.

 

[Jilian]

Hi fellow DisBrides! I hope you're all having a good week. We are leaving in 3 weeks from today, cue the nanner BTW, what is up with my ticker? It looks like Aurora took a wrong turn and went past the castle. Turn around Aurora!

I started organizing everything last night. Ok. I'll admit it, I packed a little too. I'm a planner, what can I say? I somehow lost one of the pins for the kids. I'm glad I realized now because that would have been pretty embarassing at the pin ceremony. I ordered a new one on e-bay last night.

I ordered our platters from Publix for the welcome gathering too. Publix is great. I got 3 dessert platters with all sorts of different mini desserts and one fruit and cheese platter. They technically serve 102 people and we're planning on about 30 people showing up so I'm bringing take away bags for everyone to bring the extras home. Everything cost $149, woohooo! My mom went nuts and bought all of the extras like small plates, napkins, toothpicks, crackers, juice boxes and table cloths. She also gave me $1,500 towards the VR

I pre-ordered the photopass CD too. It was only $99, which is pretty great considering we spent $15 on one small picture at our last trip. DH is less than thrilled because he hates stopping for pictures with the kids but he'll get over it. I'm gonna buy him a new video game, that will cheer him up.

I figured out what I'm wearing to our GF tea, a pink sundress and a ginormous floppy hat. I think I'm more excited about tea than the actual welcome party. I've always wanted to do high tea.

Aww crap, DD just colored on the tile with a sharpie, be back later!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Jilian sweetie
Just catching up!! It is so exciting that you are so close now!! It is a great feeling isn't it!! You must be all excitement!!
I absolutely love your vows. I am sure that there will not be a dry eye in the house!!
Your outfit for tea sounds so pretty.
You know, it always confuses me a bit when my friends from the US refer to the type of tea served at the GF as high tea. Here high tea is something completely different. Quote from About.com to explain what I mean.

'Outside of the UK, many people refer to afternoon tea as "high tea." Although the idea that high tea is a meal of foods like scones and finger sandwiches is common, it is not actually correct in a traditional or historical sense.

Afternoon Tea Basics
Afternoon tea, also known as "low tea," is what most people think of when they hear "high tea." It involves things like manners, lace and dainty foods. (For more information on the foods served, see these afternoon tea recipes.) It is typically served in the mid-afternoon and it was traditionally served on low tables, hence its two names.

Afternoon tea was considered to be a ladies' social occasion.

High Tea Basics
Traditionally, high tea was a working class meal served on a high table at the end of the workday, shortly after five PM. It was a heavy meal of meat dishes (such as steak and kidney pie), fish dishes (such as pickled salmon), baked goods (such as crumpets or, in Ireland, barm brack), vegetables (such as potatoes or onion cakes), and other heavy foods (such as baked beans and cheesy casseroles).

High tea was more of a working class family meal than an elite social gathering.'

Looking forward to hearing more as the big day draws ever nearer!!!

 

[Jilian]

LOL, oops. Not high tea then. I've heard others call it "high tea" so I assumed that was what it was. Thanks for showing me the difference

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Jilian sweetie
Reading back over my reply, it sounds really pompous. I didn't mean it to at all!!! I just think it is interesting that there are differences in what people call this meal. You strike me as the sort of girl which does things right and I hope you will forgive me coming across all high and mighty. It wasn't my intention at all!!
Much love sweetie!!

 

[MrsDuck]

LOL! I love that Aurora got a little too excited and missed the castle! I'm so excited for you! 3 weeks is going to fly by!

Glad you realized you lost a pin before the pin ceremony!!

Publix is amazing! That will be a great welcome party!

The pre-order Photopass is such a good idea! Can't wait to see your pictures!

The GF tea is going to be so so fun! Can't wait to hear all about it!