Jill Victoria

I really love autumn! Though autumn in Georgia can be confusing. One day can be sunny, cool and have a crisp feel to the air; the next it can be muggy and rainy. But despite that, I love how fall looks and feels. I marvel at the beautiful colors the trees turn. I just wish they had turned in time for the wedding. Still, I get to enjoy them now. Or rather, what’s left of them now.

I think I’ve finally settled into a new routine for life. Things are still hectic feeling at times for me. It’s not easy to change a whole life routine. And I miss being in my lifetime home. Though my new home with my husband is a wonderful place to be! I’m so happy!

I’ve been having a great time with my parents, brother and soon-to-be sister-in-law, Susan. Yesterday I tooke Susan up to Atlanta to a place called Natalie’s for her to try one her dream wedding dress. She looked absolutely gorgeous in it! I’m so glad that Matthew found someone like her to marry.

Susan and I had lunch together at Salsa, since it was right down the road from Natalie’s. It was great to get some girl time with her.

Last Thursday David and I finally got the pictures with Ashley done. We were supposed to have done them in August originally. I’m pleased with the ones she did. As a Christmas gift to my parents, David, Matthew, Susan and I are paying for Ashley to do family photos of the six of us this coming Sunday. I’m really looking forward to it!

I’m also looking forward to Thursday. Matthew and Susan will be getting married in a small, family ceremony at Salem Baptist. They’ll get married in the same chapel as my parents. I’m so excited for them! In January of 2011, after Matthew is back from Iraq, they will have a traditional wedding. Susan really wants to have it at the Hazlehurst House, too. She loved the pictures from the website and from my wedding. I really hope it works out for them to do it that way.

John and Yoly set their wedding date for July 31st of next year. From what they have discussed, it should be a great wedding! I’m just glad that both John and Yoly’s as well as Matthew and Susan’s weddings are both happening locally. I love to travel, but not for two weddings!

Next week is my last week of classes for this block. I’m debating taking a semester break and trying to get the house and my finances more organized. But then, it could be bad for me. I am just now getting into a routine that involves school. Should I deviate from that routine now, or stick it out? I’m really not sure what to do.

I can’t believe that next week is Thanksgiving! I’m looking forward to spending my first holiday season with David as my husband and us both being part of each other’s families. That is one of my favorite parts of being married: family. It’s important for both of us to be involved with family. I just wish Matthew and Susan would be here for the holiday. They leave Thanksgiving morning for Texas to spend time with Susan’s family.

Things in life sure do change quickly. It’s like seasons in Georgia, sudden and never knowing when it might happen!

The wedding countdown is now at 10 days and a few hours. Its so hard to believe that in only 10 days I will be David’s wife! Its totally mind boggeling! And still, I haven’t finished what I needed to do before now.

This Saturday is my bachelorette party. Just a good old fashioned sleep over with some close girl friends. We’ll be going to eat Mexican before the sleep over commences. I really need to get the Goza Road house clean before then. Especially the carpet.

Tomorrow I have an appointment for a haircut and highlights. I’ve never had highlights before, so I’m nervous and excited. TheKnot.com recommended that autumn brides get some highlights to make their hair look fresh, and not dull. So, fingers crossed it turns out good!

I’m so loving the fall weather! Its my favorite time of year, and the cool in the air makes my heart race, because it means its time to get married.

I started my new block of classes. With all I have to do, school is giving me a hard time. Its hard to focus and learn, but I’m doing it. I had to tell my new teachers that I will be missing a week of class, but that I’ll be turning in my assignments the week before. Not sure how I will meet attendance though. I guess i’ll figure out a way around it.

The house is another thing that has my attention. We need to clean and paint and move furniture… but we have no time left. All the stuff I wanted to try and do before this late in time didn’t happen, so now its all bunched up with everything else going on!

Yeah, I’m a bit stressed. Everyone keeps asking how they can help, but how do you ask someone to come and help you move things, or paint, or scrub a carpet that just gets dirty again because no one bothers to care. Plus, when I do ask for help, no one responds. At least David wants to help me. He said he wants to help me as less stressed as possible. He’s wonderful like that.

I so can’t wait for the honeymoon! I plan to relax. At least someone finally have us something on our honeymoonwishes.com registry. Seemed like everyone was scared to do anything on there.

Still, with all the stress, I’m savoring every moment. I’m especially looking forward to seeing family coming into town next week! It will be fun, and I’m kinda bummed that I won’t be around after the wedding to hang out with them.

Please keep David, myself, and our families in your prayers. This is an exciting and stressful time, and it takes a toll on you after awhile. Part of me wants this over with, the other part doesn’t want it to ever end! This is the biggest event in my life, and I don’t want it to also be the biggest stress either.

We are now 18 days away from my wedding day. I can’t even wrap my head around what all needs to be done. Although we have gotten so much accomplished in the past eight months in preparation for both the wedding and the move, I now feel like nothing has been done.

I’m the type of person who likes to have a plan of what will happen way in advance, mostly so I have time to plan more and tweak things. Now we’re down to last minute things and I don’t have time to tweak those.

I’m so ready for the wedding to be over with, but at the same time I’m rather sad that it will be over in just 18 days. I won’t lie, the attention David and I have gotten has been nice. Though not having to plan things or deal with drama will be nice when this is over. The cruise will be great!

On top of the wedding, I have school. My first block of classes ends this week and I’ll be starting my second the week before the wedding! I need to finish my two papers for the current classes and then have to tell my new professors that I’ll be out of class for almost a week and a half.

I’m not stressing about any of that at all. //sarcasm

On a lighter note, I have had some fun lately. Saturday David and I went up to Atlanta to buy my wedding band. Last minute, I know. We went to the Solomon Brothers, which was interesting. The Solomon Brothers is located in an office building, which makes you wonder if you’re in the right place. You even have to sign in to go up to the store!

It was a lucky thing for us. David and I had to wait for a while to be helped, but that paid off well. By the end of our visit, the price of the ring we wanted was reduced for us AND we were offered a free amethyst bracelet! So, I’m obviously going to be using and recommending the Solomon Brothers from now on!

Good news for Emily! She now has herself a boyfriend! No surprise to some of us, and I’m so very happy for her. She’s now in a relationship (officially, since Facebook says so) with a guy she and I have both known the majority of our lives, Greg. I honestly think its a great match and that this will work out very well.

I have started playing World of Warcraft recently. It really helps me take out my frustrations. Lauren and Carlos play too and have been teaching as well as helping me. I really like the game and I believe that David will be getting into it too.

Wednesday I have my final meeting with my wedding planner. My mom and future mother-in-law will be going with me. I could use some prayers for the day of and before the wedding. According to the almanac, its supposed to rain and our ceremony is outside! So, please pray and pray hard to keep the rain away those two days!

Also pray about a new job for me. David talked to a guy he knows who said he is interested in hiring me. That would be so very great! Please keep me in your prayers so I’m not stressed, finish my first block of classes with good grades, have a dry wedding day, and get a new job soon.

Life. Its crazy!

Time is ticking, and its going by a lot faster than I thought it would. In my past experience, anytime I’ve anticipated something big and exciting, time has slowed to a crawl. With my wedding day approaching in just 23 days, I feel like I can barely find time to breathe, let alone do all that needs to be done.

Last week I didn’t have to watch the kids because they were sick. David’s great-aunt Sara died the Saturday before last, so we had the visitation and funeral (I missed the latter due to a migraine) to attend. This past Saturday was Krista and Spencer’s wedding! David was best man for Spencer, and Spencer is one of David’s best men for our wedding.

And yes, I took some mental notes at Krista’s wedding. Honestly, it seemed surreal to me that it was less than a month till my own wedding. I felt like I needed to be planning my wedding while I sat there, watching them say their vows. Strange how that happens in my head.

It was a very nice ceremony and reception. I’m sure that both Krista and Spencer are glad that they’re finally married. They should actually be at sea today on their cruise ship for their honeymoon about now. Luckies!

Sunday was a day of moving furniture from the house David and I will live in to his uncles homes and to John and Yoly’s. I FINALLY got to put together the dining room set that my mom have me three years ago! It looks nice in our dining area. My mom came over and helped put it together. I love seeing the house transform.

Still so much to do! School is getting more intense as it nears the end of my first block of classes. Then I also want to be able to hang out with friends. Its tough to find time for everything and everyone.

I’m excited for what’s to come and what’s happening now. Life is definitely keeping me on my toes!

I just had to gloat for a second.

My ENG/101 teacher posted this note on my last assignment grade:

It didn’t come as a surprise when I discovered that you had completed yet another assignment in an outstanding manner.  Already, this is becoming a habit of yours.  Well done Jill!  Just had to say that.  I have posted the maximum points allowed in your grade book.  Keep it up.

Yeah, it made me feel really good about my choice to go back to school. When I first attempted online college, I would have never recieved this kind of praise. This time, I’m really focused and ready!

There. I had my second of gloating.

Current Mood: Esctatic

I can’t believe this year is now half way over. Where has 2009 gone? It honestly feels to me like it has been going way too fast and way too slow at the same time. Could be because I want to savor all the moments I can as I go through the process of planning both my wedding with David and our lives together. Now is the time when you think about all the things in a more serious light. This isn’t the time to think in hopes and dreams… reality is setting in fast!

I need to go with David soon to get our marriage license. That will be one more thing off the list; one out of the million more things that we’ve suddenly realized we need to do.

Even with just 101 days to go till the wedding, some things still seem like a far off thought instead of a rapidly approaching reality. I usually realize how much of a reality it is when the costs starts piling up for the little things. Do we really need wedding favors? Seriously?

Thank God for the major things being done. Our venue is taken care of, my dress is bought and will be altered tomorrow, and we have a place to live. There’s a tree on our place to live, but it’s still there. *sigh*

I’m really looking forward to this three day weekend. Just a few days after that I’ll also have Campmeeting to enjoy. This job can be rather stressful when the boss is here. When he’s not, things go a lot smoother and we have fun as well as work.

Hopefully David and I along with our parents can get everything we need to do done in a timely manner. I hate leaving things last minute, and even though the wedding is still three months away, I can’t help but panic at times when I think about how fast three months can go by in wedding time.

That on top of starting my teaching degree will be hectic. But honestly, I couldn’t think of a better time of my life to be doing exactly what I’m doing now. I believe I’m finally ready for this.

My mom and I were talking about maturity last night. The difference in a person’s maturity in just a years time, even a few months, is amazing. We really do reach our final maturity (at least we’re supposed to. Some never mature at all) at age 25. I think that things are finally set in my mind. I’m a grown woman who is getting married and finally ready to start working on a real career.

Wish me luck! It will be an adventure, for sure!

Current Mood: Alarmed