My Baby Brother's Wedding!

What better way to end the summer than with a wedding? Especially when that wedding is your baby brother's! Last Friday my brother became a husband when he married his beautiful bride Michelle. The wedding was awesome abd the bride and groom could not have been happier. Here are a couple of pictures from the day and not that I am biased or anything but that had the MOST ADORABLE flower girl that I have ever seen!

In Case You Wanted To Take A Look

Remember the wedding Justin, Madison and I were in a few months ago? The bride and groom sent us a link to their online photo album and were kind enough to let me share. Enjoy the pictures!

P.S. Don't forget I was 8 weeks postpartum (YIKES!!!)

Have you seen this?

Just wondering if anyone has seen this. The first time I watched it I just sat there in disbelief. It is pretty funny but then again I'm not the bride or the best man's wife! Enjoy!

Whirlwind Weekend!

After so much planning and preparation the WEDDING has come and gone. I'm happy to say everything went smooth (well maybe a couple of little glitches), the bride was beautiful and food was delicious. It was a Sunday afternoon and most people had to go to work so the affair was relatively low key. Madison stole the show and every time we looked the D.J. was playing with her or the photographer was snapping shots. Hope he took pics of other guests too!

Justin's speech was great and he delivered it well. I know I promised to post but never got a chance so here it is now.

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen for those of you who don't know me I'm Justin Heald, the best man. On Dave and Brenna's behalf I would like to thank everyone for joining us for this joyous celebration.

They say you don't know what true happiness is until you are married, unfortunately by then it is too late!

First I'd like to say to the beautiful bride Brenna, I've enjoyed getting to know you over the past few years. I also look forward to the friendship we will have for years to come. I have watched Dave become a changed man since being with you. He is now more full of life and happier than he has ever been and I believe that is because of you.

Then there is Dave....We have known each other for almost 25 years. We have had many great times and a few memorable experiences. Dave once let me convince him to split a bottle of vermouth. I thought it would be a great idea. It wasn't! You would think Dave being a little older he would have advised against it, not the case! Then there was a time when we were at a party. Dave leaned against a stove that was filled with paper product. He somehow managed to turn the burners on and all ignite the paper products without even realizing. All he said was "Dude, it got hot in here!". Speaking of hot we once decided to play golf in Mexico at 2:00 in the afternoon. It was so hot it was like playing on the sun! Dave almost didn't make it!

On a more serious note I could not ask for two better friends than Dave and Brenna and am so happy they found one another to spend their lives with.

They say there are two secrets to a happy marriage. Here is to a sense of humor and a short memory! CHEERS!!!

The one major glitch of the wedding was because of my DH. He honestly wouldn't be Justin if something didn't happen. I think it may be one of the things I love most about him! Justin picked up his tux without trying it on Friday evening. After much coaxing (he would say nagging) he finally tried on the jacket and shoes. I questioned why not the pants and his response was that "they are adjustable so they'll be fine". Well when I arrived back to the hotel after getting my hair done I found Justin in only half a tux on the phone with Men's Wearhouse. Instead of the 36 in. waist he needed they gave him a 46 in. waist! There wasn't anytime to exchange the pants so Justin spent the day looking like M.C. Hammer with paper clips holding his pants up! The only word I can use to describe this situation is TYPICAL!

Here a a couple of pics. With all of us being in the wedding there wasn't much of a chance to take to many. I was really hoping for a family pic of all four of us or at least the three of us but it never happened. We'll just have to wait 'til Stella's christening!

The Countdown Begins

I started a post this morning that actual required a few brain cells to put together. It was all about life insurance and why it is so important to get it now while you are young instead of later. about halfway through though I ended up completely spent and decided ditch the topic. It is actually something I feel strongly about and have lots of info on so I'm sure I'll return to it someday but now is just not the time.



The WEDDING is now just 2 days away. The rehearsal dinner was last night. Everything went well, the banquet hall is beautiful and no matter what the situation Justin and I always have fun with whatever we do.



I proofread Justin's speech on the hour and a half drive up and I'll admit that if he sticks to what he wrote it blows mine out of the water (I'll post a copy later). It is much more heart felt and chockful of personal memories that he shares with the groom.



The dresses are finished being altered and short of me looking like a giant brown Christmas tree (my brother's description not mine) everything fits well.



I'm not sure if it is a cold or allergies but whatever "IT" is Madison has it. She started with a stuffy nose yesterday and now has a little cough and droopy eyes. Hopefully I can find some meds. today that don't come flying out as soon as I give them to her so we can make it through the weekend. I've also decided to do her hair myself. $90.00 plus tip is just insane for a three year old's hair. She doesn't have much, it is very fine and two little hands could destroy anything that is done in a matter of seconds. I just can't bring myself to spend that kind of money on her hair. here is a pic of what I was able to do in under 10 minutes. I curled it with my smallest curler, pulled the crown of her hair back and added the bow. The bow is a little lopsided and I'll take more time on Sunday but overall I think it came out pretty good. What do you think?

I'm off to pick up a few odds and ends before coming home to pack up for tomorrow. Then I'm going to try and spend the rest of the day curled on the couch with Madison in hopes of a speedy recovery for her. She keeps telling me she is better now but I'm not chancing her getting run down!

The Woman Behind The Best Man

Our friend's wedding is now just one short week away. My hubby Justin is the best man and to be honest I am dreading the speech that he is going to give. I'm sure he'll have already had a few cocktails and when this happens he tends to ramble on. I'm also fearful that he won't have prepared anything ahead of time and will just try to wing it. I offered to help him out by writing the speech for him. I came up with (basically "borrowed" a few lines from different sites that I found on the topic) a speech that is a little humorous, kind of sweet and most importantly SHORT! I emailed him a copy and his response was that it was "kinda lame" he also told me not to worry 'cause he has been working on something. I admit that is kind of hokey but people especially from older generations eat that stuff up. Anyway here is my speech. What do you think?

Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen I am up here to say a few thank yous, make a toast, sing the groom's praises and tell you all about his good points. The first two things are fine, but unfortunately I can't sing and I won't lie. Dave and I have been friends since______________ .I value my friendship with Dave and I look forward to having the same great friendship with his lovely new bride Brenna. I know one important thing about Brenna. She has made Dave happier then I have ever seen him. Today is a day of joy and happiness for all of us. But it is not just a day... it's the very special beginning of a new life between Dave and Brenna. My only advice to you Dave is to keep your ears open, mouth shut and occasionally respond with a “Yes Dear” and if you can find the humor in whatever happens to you, your lives will be full of joy. Congratulations!

P.S. I also did a gust blog reviewing the Sleepy Wrap over at Just Talk!

The Cost of Friendship

Engagement Party Gift: $75
Bridal Shower: $300
Bridal Shower Invitations: $50
Shower Gift: $100
Bridesmaid Dress: $250
Shoes: $50
Alterations: $130
Flower Girl Dress $170
Shoes: $40
Alterations: $50
Best Man Tux: $120
and shoe rental
Bachelor Party $400
Hair for bridesmaid and flower girl: $150
Two night Hotel Stay $300
Wedding Gift: Undecided

Did I forget anything?????

The bride and groom not even bothering to come and see our now 7 week old daughter or bothering to send a card or call or email...... Priceless!!!!!!!
Sorry just pissy 'cause I just finished booking our hotel room and spending more money on the f'ing wedding that I don't want to be in. Could have taken Madison to Disney World for what we have spent. Thanks for listening to my rant!

Oh I take back the no email. I got one from the bride that she was meeting with a jewelry consultant from Macy's Herald Square about the bridal party's jewelry. She must be smoking crack if she thinks I'm spending more on stuff I'll never wear again. Did I also mention that her last marriage lasted for 3 weeks????? If not for the fact that the hubs has been friends with the groom since he was 8 years old I would have told her where to stick her wedding plans by now.

Need to Vent

I know I've mentioned it before but Justin, Madison and I are in a wedding this September. The bridesmaids dresses have been ordered and the flower girls dresses have been chosen. The two flower girls (including Madison) need to be measured so their dresses can be ordered too. The shop we are working with is literally 10 minutes from my house. With my crazy schedule I thought it would be easiest to just stop in and get Madison measured whenever the bride was ready for me to do so. The mom of the other flower girl refuses to go alone so now the bride is making the hour and a half trip down to meet all of us on Saturday just to watch the girls get measured. The part that bothers me is that I was told when to go instead of being asked what time(s) work(s) for me. The time chosen was 1:30 which is right in the middle of Madison's nap time. She is 3 and on occasion I've bent the rules but we ALL suffer later on for skipping her nap. I very nicely asked the bride if we could change the time if at all possible for either before 1:00 or after 3:00. I'm still waiting for a response. Was it rude of me to do this? I'm not one to typically speak up and usually go with the flow but I feel like every part of this wedding has become a complete ordeal and I just don't want to deal with it.

To Give or Not to Give

Let me just start by saying that I'm generally or at least think I am a good gift giver. I enjoy giving gifts to people and often times more generous than I should be (at least that is what my husband Justin says when he sees what I spend). With that tidbit of information about me, I'm asking for any advice you can give on a particular predicament that I find myself in.



Last summer friends of mine and Justin's got engaged. They asked Justin to be the best man, our daughter Madison to be the flower girl and me to be one of the bridesmaids. We said yes of course to all three although deep down wondered why. We knew Justin would be asked because he has been best friends with the groom since he was 8 years old. Although I really like the bride we don't spend time together other than when we get together as couples and they already had a niece as a flower girl so they really didn't need a 2nd one. I also let them now immediatly that we were trying for another baby so a maternity dress may be needed.



Fast foward to now. The dresses have been ordered, the shower planning has begun and we are already quickly approaching the $1,000.00 mark for money spent on this wedding. We have yet to pay for dress alterations, Justin's tux, shoes, hair, two nights at an upscale hotel, bachelor party (the groom has high hopes of a weekend of golf in Myrtle Beach, guess he thinks we hit the lottery or something), wedding gifts and other incidentals. By the time the wedding hits I will also most likely be a stay at home mom (other than my Mary Kay buisness that I am building) with a new 7 week old baby added to the mix.

Now maybe it is because I'm not one for a traditional wedding (hubby and I had a destination wedding in Mexico) or maybe it is because I'm not really close to the bride. Then again maybe it is because there are only 3 bridesmaids that are throwing a very pricey shower at an upscale B&B at the Jersey shore or because I will soon be out of a steady income but I find myself questioning my choice of gifts for the shower. The other two girls in the bridal party want to do their own thing for a gift instead of all chipping in together for one nice gift. This leaves me in limbo. Do I get a gift on my own, do I chip in with my mom or do I say screw it your wedding (2nd by the way) is already costing more money and more aggravation than my own so the shower and all the little extra touches that I've added are your gift. I can't help but think that if this were one of my truly close friends or if the crazy future sister-in-law who calls me on the daily left me alone, I'ld be a little less bitter. So my question to you is what would you do and am I making a big deal over nothing? Can't wait to hear your advice and as always any stories of similar situations that you have found yourself in.

Tracy