Saturday, February 09, 2008

Here Comes the Bride...Again?

Last night I dreamed I was in my wedding dress, back in the sanctuary at our old church, getting ready to do our wedding ceremony all over again. I'm not sure if it was a vow-renewal ceremony or just a "Hey, we want to throw ourselves another party!" kind of thing. My wedding coordinators were there getting everything exactly like it was five and a half years ago. Only, there was some construction going on in the sanctuary and it looked a little different. I was frustrated because all of our guests had arrived early and we weren't ready yet. They were seeing me in my dress and my hair wasn't even done! (My co-worker Diane was going to do it for me.) So bizarre. I can't tell you how many strange wedding dreams I've had.

Upon waking up, I felt very relieved that there was no Moore-Jones wedding part two taking place. But my baby sister is getting married! A week from today! I got a little verklempt and left her a sappy, sniffly, probably incomprehensible message about it and then had to call my mom and bawl for a minute. It's just tender to think about it. We are so excited for this day to finally come and to see our princess walk down the aisle to her prince charming.

Curtis came down with the bug yesterday, so Jackson is the only one left. We hope so much he doesn't get it, but if he does, I hope so much it will be quick. I have every day next week planned out in advance and, let's be honest, I would like it all to go as planned.

Monday - Send Jackson to MDO, get lots of work done, have my last training session and try not to pass out.

Tuesday - Get the boy's hair cut and do any minute last minute shopping.

Wednesday - Try to be packed for the big weekend before MOPS, go to MOPS, leave for Houston directly from MOPS.

Thursday - Be ready and available to help Melissa receive her bridesmaids who are flying in from out of state. Fun night with the girls.

Friday - My mother- and sister-in-law will arrive to help us with Jackson for the weekend. It is going to be so much fun to have them there! And such a relief to know that I will have help with my toddler for the weekend so that I can be a good big sister and maid of honor. (Don't y'all hate the word "matron"? I refuse to say it. Ugh!) Spa day and lunch with the bridal party. Rehearsal and dinner. I bought the cutest dress and I can't wait to wear it!

Saturday - THE BIG DAY!

Sunday - Jackson turns two! Somehow in the midst of all of this, I've got to come up with a low-key way to celebrate his birthday with our family. He will have a party in our hometown at a later date. I thought we were going to be so strong about this birthday (like not crying about every sentimental thing), but the sentiment is coming. Even Curtis is feeling it.

Monday - Head home!

*Why isn't Blogger's spell check working these days? I apologize for all the typos I'm sure I've had lately.

59 comments:

Kelly said...

Wedding weekends are the BEST! I hope you have so much fun! And I can't believe Jackson is turning 2 at the same time. What a week for your family! I hope you survive and that you live in the moment and enjoy it all and don't stress. I'm sure it will be beautiful and fun!

Stacie@HobbitDoor said...

What a fun and busy week you have ahead of you! I loved each and every one of my siblings weddings. They were so much fun. Enjoy it!

Angela said...

Here here on the spell check. Luckily Mozilla does a spell check while I type. Good luck with the wedding and hopefully Jackson doesn't get sick and if he does, it's after the wedding and a quick one at that.

Big Mama said...

I don't know if I sleep until I see a picture of the cutest dress.

I understand if you need to wait to show it until after the rehearsal dinner. But still, I must see it.

Anonymous said...

Amanda! I had that same dream so many times before we got married...some of them were down right hillarious- Like me blow-drying my soaking wet hair in the sanctuary while guests were being seated. Or the one where I had to delay the wedding just as the processional was starting because I had forgotten my veil! Yea right- Anyways, I had to laugh because I have been there. Have fun and give your family a hug for me.

The Milams said...

I am a friend of Sunni's from college...I have read your blog for months and always love it.

I HAD to comment on the spell check thing...what is up? I am just glad it's not just me.

Have a fun week. I hope next weekend goes perfectly as planned

Jackie said...

Wow- what a crazy upcoming week! I will be praying for you each day..that it goes SMOOTHLY and just as planned (or as much as you can plan with a tod!)

What a sweet weekend for your family, a marriage and a b-day!

I know you will look GORGEOUS!! Good luck with it all, keep us as updated as possible (as if that was in the schedule!) Have FUN!!!

Marc and Charity said...

Amanda,
I pray that Jackson will not get the bug!! Also that Curt gets over it super fast!

What a fun week for your family, enjoy every second! Blessings to y'all!

Fran said...

You know we are praying for EVERY SINGLE DETAIL Amanda!!! Hey, look at it this way....better to get this bug thing over and out of the system NOW and not LATER! :)

Tell that sweet family of yours that we might just be excited as y'all are about the wedding....well, ok, that can't be really true, but we are EXCITED!!

WOO-HOO YEAH MELISSA!

Love and hugs~
Fran

Fran said...

Have you read what that amazing woman called "mom" wrote over at the LPM blog???

I have a lump the size of Texas in my throat and I feel like I'm about to cry buckets.

Blessings and His love all over your family in this week to come.

Blessings and His presence all over Melissa and Colin in their new life together.

Richardsons of HV said...

6 days until the BIG DAY! I am equally excited for the Princess! She is going to be stinkin' gorgeous!!!
I got a really cute dress to wear. She would be proud (since she is the fashionista!). See you in a few!

connorcolesmom said...

Ok I know I am a bit emotional today but goodness reading that post about Melissa and her wedding jsut did me in!
I LOVE weddings and the covenant vows made from bride to her groom and groom to his bride!

I am praying for God to give you health, many blessings, and much happiness during this week!

Have FUN!!
Much love,
Kim

Holly said...

Oh good, I thought it was just my computer and the spell check problem! I'm pitiful, so I copy it and put it in M. Word to see if I have made some errors--grammatical or spelling. In my haste, I often make mistakes--some are the kind that come out quite wrong.

Praying over you all this week! Smiling as I think of each day and the anticipation of each of you for the special days of next weekend. I wish I could Spa with you and get to chat and laugh together! Praying especially for Melissa and Colin...that their day will be so wonderful and the days following be blessed.

For Jackson's party, I would recommend some low key time together somehow--sometimes less is moore :) ha ha. Be as sentimental as you want with dear Jackson--hold him extra tight and hug him extra long. Precious days to treasure!

Love you all much!
holly (who'll be 37 on Jackson's 2nd--my gray hairs are beginning to fit the word "matron." UG!)

Elizabeth said...

Love reading your posts! I am also wondering what happened to Bloggers spell check. I know my posts have been full of typos. I just had to share the mutual feelings I have about being emotional regarding the fact that our boys are turning 2. Carter turns 2 on the 20th and I really wonder where the time goes! It sad how quickly they grow. Congrats to your sis!

Jen said...

My best friend and I decided long ago that whoever got married first would NEVER be the matron of honor, instead the Mrs. Maid of Honor :) She's married, so when it's my turn she'll get to use the title. And I'm totally putting it in the program like that.

Holly said...

OK, your Mom's post just made me SOB! and then I began to sing, "How deep the Father's love for us, how vast beyond all measure, that He should give His only Son to make a wretch His treasure...Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer. But this I know with all my heart, His wounds have paid my ransom." Do you know how blessed you are to have a family that loves like He does? mmm. It blesses me to see it in action! SO MUCH!

ocean mommy said...

I think I enjoyed being the matron (Yikes! that word is horrible) of honor for my little sister almost as much as being the bride! It was a blast...

Praying that the nasty stomach stuff skips over that little one, and that this week is wonderful!

Blessings
stephanie

BethAnne said...

I am sooooo praying that Jackson stays well. Sometimes there is just no time to be sick (literally). I know how it is to have every minute planned and hope that all goes according to schedule. Good thing the Lord already knows how it is going to work out. What a blessing to have your mother-in-law and sister-in-law be there to help!
I think your relationship with your sister is so precious. How sweet that you call her your princess! I have an older sister and I know that it is a special bond.
I will definitely be praying for your whole family this coming week. I am excited for you guys and I don't even know you, so I can only imagine how excited you all must be.

Gayle @ thewestiecrew said...

I am really praying that God will put a shield of protection over baby Jackson regarding this bug.
Just make sure and grab some waterproof eye make-up for your weekend.
I really needed it when I read both yours and your Mom's post just now. ~sniff~

Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife said...

I know you girls are running on pure joy and adrenaline this week!

Many prayers for all of you - Have a blast!

Dionna said...

I'm sure it will be a busy AND emotional week. I hope Jackson is well for the wedding!

Kara Akins said...

What fun! I am praying for good health and lots of energy to keep up with your very busy schedule. Having a sister is like living life two times. You experience it once for yourself and then again thru your sister. I am sure this weekend will mean as much to you and your marriage as it will for hers - though in differnt ways. I am sure you both will be gorgeous.

Patty said...

I just read on the LPM Blog the sweet letter to Melissa and I just cried, it was so moving and touching and funny! I am praying right now for Jackson, may God shield him from this virus! Also, may God grant you success with all your plans and may He bless your entire family and friends throughout wedding week and Jackson's birthday. It tenders my heart because my son will be getting married in a few years and it is so emotional to think of him as a newborn through toddler years and as a teenager and I can't wrap my mind around the thought of my firstborn being a groom. As I told him, it is the way it should be but that doesn't mean I won't miss him. ;O)
Have a great week!
Love,
Patty

Anonymous said...

Praying that Jackson does not get the bug! I hope Melissa's wedding is amazing!
Thanks for the house help!

Darlene R. said...

I know, I need my spellcheck!

I hope you have a fun week , as planned! What fun.

I am the baby of our family, so I didn;t get to see a little sister walk down the aisle. How sweet that must be for you.

Be safe driving and have a great time!

Mel @ Studio MCA Designs said...

Sounds like an exciting week! As far as the sentiments go, you have a lot of emotional stuff going on at once.

What is it with these babies' birthdays? I would put off planning the parties for my babies, like that would stop the day from coming!!!

Lisa Pierre said...

Sounds like this will be a beautiful week full of beautiful people, sights, things, weather, and times... I hope that you see, enjoy and not miss any moment of it all. I pray that God multiplies each day's time to experience the fullness.

Taylor said...

Amanda, I'll be praying you and your family this week. I pray that the Lord will bless you all beyond measure and that more than anything, each of you would know His love and approval...and peace in the middle of last minute lipstick touch-ups! Dont foget the gloss.

I dont know you all personally, yet I'm so excited! Have a wonderful week.

Love, Taylor

Taylor said...

Amanda, I'll be praying you and your family this week. I pray that the Lord will bless you all beyond measure and that more than anything, each of you would know His love and approval...and peace in the middle of last minute lipstick touch-ups! Dont foget the gloss.

I dont know you all personally, yet I'm so excited! Have a wonderful week.

Love, Taylor

Unknown said...

How exciting! You guys are going to have the best weekend and you know we all can't wait to see pix!! My cousin is getting married in 4 weeks, so we're gearing up for own wedding celebration here in NE Arkansas.

As for blogger, I know!! Frustrating, I thought it was just me...glad to know spellcheck isn't working for everyone and I'm not just ...weird.

Nancy Mon said...

Y'all will have so much fun ahead this weekend, with those overwhelming yet wonderful sentimental moments squeezed in between.

Jason, Paige and I ran into Beth and Melissa at Grand Lux in October and intense wedding preps were being made then. Melissa didn't even seem like she wanted to stop for lunch.

On the spell check thing, I have been writing my posts in word so I can spell check and then copy and paste into blogger. I am a horrible speller and much too dependant on spell check. I got tired of trying to write things in words I can spell but didn't seem to have the same meaning.

Anonymous said...

The BIG wedding weekend and two year birthday! Praying Jackson stays well and everything goes as planned. Have fun!!

Hillary said...

Oh...how exciting! What a great weekend you have to look forward to!
AMEN about the spell check! I thought it was just my account! Glad to know I'm not the only one!

MeaganMusing said...

Oh I loved being the "Matron" of honor at my little sister's wedding. You'll know almost everyone at the wedding and you get to wear a pretty dress, but you don't have the stress of being the bride! :) Have a wonderful time with Melissa and your family this week and enjoy every moment!

Lauren said...

I hope you take lots of pictures next weekend! I think we all want to see how cute Jackson is, how beautiful Melissa is, and your new dress. :)

AbbyLane said...

i'm going to have to tap into your sense of self-control and strong willed abilities to limit yourself in the food department and give it all in the exercise department. i have a serious chocolate/coffee problem that i do not forsee leaving me any time soon.
and yes, spell check must return. i have enough punctuation issues without the added-on, countless spelling errors that show up under my name. (and i went to school to be a teacher!?!?)

praying this is the most joyful (and sick-free!) week for your family. my brother (2 years older) just got married last may, and it is the strangest, most beautiful thing to stand up there and be so happy and also thinking about how some things will inevitably change. hoping that day will be one of your most favorite memories :)

Sunni at The Flying Mum said...

Praying for Mr. Jackson! Excited for Melissa and this week. So much anticipation!

Kelly @ Love Well said...

You are going to have the best time! Sibling weddings are tender and sweet and joyful and beautiful. I can't wait to hear the report (and see pictures).

And bless your heart for trying to celebrate (and ponder) two years with Mr. Jackson in the midst of it all. May God enlarge your heart to absorb the next seven days!

Rita Loca said...

Weddings everywhere. My son gets married this summer.

Unknown said...

I can't imagine all the emotions that you've been experiencing and will be facing the next few days. Embrace them all and make some great memories!

Lori said...

I am praying for a WONDERFUL weekend for you and your family. We can't wait to see pictures! I am also praying that Jackson stays healthy and has a great time with the other grandma and aunt.

Happy Birthday Jackson :)

Anonymous said...

As a mom (of only 1 bride), my suggestion to you (and to your mom) is be as sentimental as you want and just lavish and love EVERY wonderful moment - cause it only happens once! Those precious memories! And you only get a chance to be that princess once - so let Melissa have HER day! Treat her like GOLD no matter how "snappy" she may get! (Brides tend to do that sometimes!) But most of all - ENJOY THE DAY LIKE NO OTHER!!! Cry, laugh, swoon, gaze, love, and savor every minute. Blessings and Grace on this very special day in your lives!!
Love, Mammy

Asher's mommy said...

I'm excited for you! Enjoy! (But yeah I know, wedding dreams--7 years later--and school dreams--8 years later--are the WORST!) It's awesome how you care so much for and love your sis! Loved the LPM post too--my mom way identified w/it b/c she's always said (from what she could possibly gather from studies over 10 yrs, blog, etc.) your sister and I sound lots alike. Anyhow, we down here in Georgia will welcome her with open arms! She'll love it here!

Lindsee Lou said...

Amanda-

Yes, I hate the word Matron. You go ahead and call yourself a Maid and we will all be okay with that! Since my best friends are all already married, I'm gonna have 2 Matrons...I may just call them Maids (whenever that time comes!)

Y'all are going to have an absolute BLAST this week. Reading about it makes me excited for y'all! I love weddings!

Have a fabulous week and know that we are praying for that sweet Jackson (or anyone else) NOT to get sick. I'll spare you that details of what happened at Jen's wedding just so you don't think about it all week. Needless to say, it was awful. So I am seriously praying hard for HEALTHINESS for everyone!

I'll think about y'all often as I'll also be at a wedding the same day!

Cherish every moment this week!

Lindsee

Nancy Mon said...

Y'all are going to have so much fun with sentimental moments squeezed in between. It is the best laughter through tears.

Kevin and Christie said...

Sounds like fun! I hope that everything goes the way that you have planned. I love weddings...can't wait to see pictures.

Anonymous said...

Hello, Miss Amanda,

I'll definitely be praying for you & yours with the wedding this week...so lovely. :) I will pray that God's peace really will pass all understanding and that it will be a time of full joy & fun for you all. :)

As ever,
Deborah :)

Emmy said...

Thanks for sharing... Oh! I have been praying for you all! So exciting!
God Bless- Emmy : )

Katie said...

Be careful with that haircut, Amanda... they're notorious for going bad at the worst possible moments... "not too short" is almost like a cure, is it not?? :)

Congratulations to your sister and you guys have fun!!

Three Fold Cord said...

It will all be great and I am sure a few mishaps with the tod will keep everyone laughing for years to come. I am sure you will rock it out in your cute dress. Have a great time. We here in Atlanta are ready for the beautiful princess of yours!!

Unknown said...

I can just feel the excitement from you!! And I'm really really glad your inlaws are coming to help with the almost 2 year old :)!!

You know I'm "Jonesin'" to see pictures of all of you during the whirlwind of activities. (I come from a line of Joneses!)

I'm rambling now and not making much sense.

Good luck this week. May you feel the peace of God on you.

Debbie said...

Busy! Busy!
I've noticed the spell check thing myself lately and don't like it at all.
I hope you all have a great weekend!

Speaking Thru Me Ministries said...

I am mad at the spell check too!! I am so excited for your fmaily - how wonderful. wish i could be there too!! post a picture or two if your sis will let you. have awonderful day!! Leigh

Anonymous said...

Wow! Whatta weekend!
Can't wait to see pics!
Have fun!

Lauren said...

I have been a "lurker" on your blog for a while now and absolutely LOVE reading your honest words about your everyday life. It sounds like you have such a fun and super busy time ahead of you. I pray that your little man stays healthy and that you are able to enjoy every minute of this next week. I also think that I was way more emotional when my son turned 2 than when he turned one... And then when Babycenter.com sent me an e-mail saying, "Your PRESCHOOLER this month"... Well, I just had to break out the kleenex and have a "moment".

Anonymous said...

I just bawled at your mom's blog about Melissa and thought I'd mosey on over here to see what you had to say. I still have wedding dreams and I've been married 15 1/2 years! I just had one last night. The corset on my dress was black . . . . so strange.

I remember when I ordered my son's birthday cake for his 4th b-day. The baker asked me how old he was and I literally cried out, "FOUR!" It was so whiney and pathetic she thought I said "one."

My darling daughter turns 10 on Wednesday. I know how you feel about your son growing up. I get that way every year. May you never get over it, either.

Blessings on your big, exciting week!

Serah said...

What a big week for you guys. I hope everything goes smoothly, Jackson behaves himself and you have safe travels. Enjoy every moment!

The Penuels said...

Amanda,

I just got finished demonstrating for my wife some of my favorite "Christian Aerobics" moves. We had a good laugh...Thanks for the memories!

I'll tell Mike about the connection. Where are you guys now? Are you still in touch with the Sheltons? If you're ever in Dallas, we should all get together.

Mocha with Linda said...

What fun. I commented on LPM site about a tribute to your sister and parents with SCC's song Cinderella on my blog I know your mom from our days at SWBC and adore her (who doesn't?!) - tell her my name was Linda Rivers way back then, and I was best buddies with Robin Pinkston & Carolyn Burk. It's unbelievable that it's been 30 years!!! I remember being at HER wedding!!

Can't wait to see the pictures of the wedding!!