It's the Final Countdown!

I woke up this morning with the chorus of this song in my head...

And then of course, my mind immediately went to the multi-talented, beloved, Gob Bluth.  If you're not an Arrested Development fan, I suggest you become one, pronto.

and of course, I had to post this video.  Because lets be honest...it's just too good to pass up!

6 more days.  Put your party hats on people!

I Suck.

I don't know what the 

I was thinking when I committed to a 45 day challenge.  Seriously?  "Oh sure, I will be that girl that can work a full time job, plan a wedding with almost 300 guests, try to maintain my relationships with my man, friends and family, move apartments and...oh yeah! blog EVERY day!

Seriously.  What the H, Natalie.

So you are going to get a quick "re-cap" of the last 10 days.  I use "re-cap" loosely because its going to be a list of sorts.  Don't worry, I'm an expert at making lists - this will be fun.

• I worked a lot.  That pretty much takes up the majority of time during my days.  The Tru Gathering has been awesome so far!
• Ryan and I met with Pete [our super cool pastor/officiant] and discussed wedding details.  It was great to touch base with him and to feel somewhat "normal" in this process of what we are feeling/experiencing/growing in.  Those of you who have been through the engagement process- nuff said.
• We moved all of our boxes into the apartment and started unpacking and organizing.  Guess who had the most fun with this?  [me, doi!]
• My mom and I went to the flower mart and scoped out flowers for the wedding.  So fun!  Ryan's mom will be our head florist for the wedding and I can't wait to see the creations she will make!  I also can't wait for the flower party and putting the arrangements together!
• My friend Casey came over and we had a craft night.  Meaning, I sewed a burlap banner for our wedding at the head table and she made this really cute burlap wreath for her mom for Mother's day.
• Me, Ryan and my brother took my mom to Mother's Day brunch at the Mission Viejo Country Club with my grandparents.  It was a buffet brunch with mimosas.  Score! 
• Sidenote:  As I was putting food on my plate in the buffet line, one of the staff at the country club remarked, "Wow!  Thats a LOT of food!" and then just stood there and looked at me awkwardly.  Like this   ...with his hand on his face.

and then he picked up his knife and did an awkward pose...

ok, no he didn't.  a little part of me wishes he did though so I didn't have to embellish his awkwardness.

Back to my non-dramatic response...

"Oh, really guy?" I [wish I would have] said to him.  You're going to call me out on how much food I have on my plate right now in front of ALL these people? (really, one grandma sitting at the table next to the buffet) and of course you know I am a bride trying to fit into my DRESS! (no, he didnt)  How dare you do such a thing!  PS.  You should have seen my plate in the caf when I was a collegiate volleyball player!  You would have passed out in your little white suit and died!

Actually, he probably would have.  Or he would have been really mad that me and my teammates finished off his chafing tray of scrambled eggs and potatoes and that he would have to make more because the "athletes ate it all!"  

His bad.

Ok, my brain doesn't work any more.  Happy Friday.

9 days!

Travel Bug

Today, the travel bug bit me.

He ALWAYS bites me at the worst times!  So inconsiderate!

And while I wish I could complain, the travel bug is a welcomed and familiar friend.  A refreshing reminder of my desire to explore and discover.

Ryan may or may not have received a few texts from me today stating the following, "I have the itch to travel" or  "Let's move to Europe for a year."  You know, possibly something along those lines.

Ryan and I share a love for exploring and traveling, so I know he will be an awesome travel buddy!  PTL!

Here are the top 12 places I would love to see before I die and/or have/raise little kids:

11 & 12 France & Germany

10. Austria

9. Australia

I hope one of these lil guys meets me on the beach and I guess I wouldn't mind meeting Mr. Dundee while I'm at it.

8. Sweden (isn't that veird?!)

6 & 7 Ireland & Scotland

                  

That's me on a motorcycle catching Nessy, of course.

5. Brazil

4. England

I'm sure these two would want to grab a quick dinner with me and Ry.

 And of course I would tease (the original) Will.I.Am about the abundance of hair he seems to have on this plate.  We all know that isn't true.  Silly Willy!

3. Spain

                            

            Ole!                             La Tomatina would be so much fun!

2. Greece

1. Italy

 Pretty sure I'm related to that lady...somehow.  She has a Venneri nose, I can see it.

And I would like to go back to South Africa.  A piece of my heart will always be there.

19 days!

The Royal Wedding

In case you've been living in a hole lately, I'm here to inform you that the Royal Wedding happened.

Yep, it just happened.

I finally got to watch it yesterday with my friend Casey and her hilarious family.  The commentary was hilarious, the enjoyment of fashion was awesome and I left feeling convinced that I needed to email and text every woman attending my wedding a memo letting them know fashionable hats are mandatory.  (If you're reading this now and you're attending, please do not hold back on wearing a fabulous, fashionable hat that will make me want to trade my veil for your piece of hair art!)

If I wasn't getting married, I would attend a wedding wearing this one.  Love!

What I couldn't help but notice about the wedding is that there was so much hype and build up (obviously) but then the moment came and went.  Each moment: Kate getting into her car, her drive to the Abby, Kate's 4 minute walking down the aisle with her dad (dragging her 50 lbs dress-poor girl!)...every moment passed so quickly.  

Ok, but can we pause for a second and recognize that my favorite moments of TRW (the royal wedding) were the ones where Kate and William smirked at each other?!  So cute!  Amidst the tradition and stuffiness of their wedding, they still found themselves and still connected with each other.  Super presh.

All that to say, in watching TRW, I couldn't help but think about how our wedding will play out.  

All of the planning and build up to this day makes me wish it came with a remote control so I could push the slow motion button and savor every moment.  Like, when Ryan and I have our first look, or when my dad walks me down the aisle, or when Ryan and I go around greeting guests who have traveled far and wide to come celebrate us on our big day.  I want to remember all of that!

OF COURSE I know I will!  I'll have my precious memories that I hold dear in my heart and visuals that play on repeat as I look back.

Plus, I have an awesome photographer Bethany Belle!  Check her out here if you haven't already, and drool over her photojournalistic skills and awesomeness.  

I'll also have a video to watch on the days that I want to reminisce of our special day.  Praise Jesus!  

Because with a video, there is a remote...and I can rewind, fast forward and slow motion all I want!

23 days

Beauty Begets Beauty

This is about the third time I have watched this video.  


And by "watched" I mean: connected, understood, listened, learned.


Gosh, it is so good!


It gives me an artist's understanding of God and His creativity, life process and speaks to my creative artistic side...


a side that I have been ignoring for quite a while now.  My "familiar friend" as they would call it.


A friend that I have been ignoring because of busy times, life change and the nature of how I live out my days.  When I create, when I tap into that artistic side of myself...I connect with God.  I learn more about Him, I sit with him in my mess...my process.  My creation is my expression of the vision and passion He has given me.


If you watch, listen to the intricacy of how this creator "creates."


This is how intentional my God is with me.  His work is beautiful, passionate. Each color, each stroke is all a part of His plan.  And it is beautiful.


His creation is a reflection of Him.


Time and time again, God has taken my "mess" and made it beautiful.  He always has, and always will.  And for that, I am forever thankful.






"The way I see it, its all beautiful.  Because in some way, the process of making a thing beautiful, is beautiful."

24 days