2011: The Year In Review

It's hard to believe tomorrow is the last day of 2011.  This year has had it's ups and downs, people have come in and go in my life , but overall, 2011 has been a great year.

I figured my last blog of the year could be a reflection of big events that have taken place throughout the year.

As always the year started with my birthday along with so many other friends celebrating their birth.
We had people over for game night and had a lot of fun.

26th Birthday

Shortly after that day, my "nephew"  was born. My friends Melissa gave birth to Reid.  He's the cutest kids I've ever seen and I'm not saying that just because he's my nephew, he really is!

Reid Lewis

In February, my friend Josh G. received orders for deployment. Dave and I were lucky enough to be in Columbia they day he flew out and were able to see him off along with my mom, our friends Krystle & Joe and Josh's fiancé, Stee. 

Me with Josh & Stee

My friend & sorority sister Prissy got married as well that same weekend. I got to reconnect with a lot of girls I hadn't talked in since graduation, so it was opportunity to see some many faces! Congrats again to them, they are so cute and such a sweet couple!

Andy & Prissy (Photo Courtesy: J.Kay Bryan)

March & April were full of events related to the wedding. The ladies at the church in Columbia that I grew up at hosted a bridal shower for me.  It was such a fun time. I was really glad that one of my bridesmaids, Amanda and my future in-laws were able to make it since it was during the middle of the week. 

Church Bridal Shower

Christie, Melissa & Tracy also host another bridal shower/bachelorette party for me at the clubhouse at our apartment complex.  We had an awesome time, with lots of laughs. 

Bridal Shower/ Bachelorette Party

Melissa, Christie & Tracy

May of course was the best month of the entire year.. it's the month I married buy best friend and became a Turner. We also went on our 7 day honeymoon cruise. 

You can see more pictures from the wedding here and some other pictures from the honeymoon here.  ( I know, I never finished blogging about the cruise... one day....) 

In June, we took things slow, trying to get back to normal life and get our place in order after being invaded with wedding gifts.  I did host my first ever lia sophia jewelry part with my friend Heike. Us girls had a great time trying on jewelry and of course, spending money!

Heike with lia sophia

We celebrated the 4th of July with some friends and family out in Mount Pleasant and caught the fireworks show on the Isle of Palms.  

August and September were pretty busy.  I got a chance to finally see Hootie & The Blowfish in concert for the first time. It was great to see Darius and the band get back together and play in their hometown. 

I also worked with a non-profit for a while and met a great person that I have now become good friends with.  Even though we no longer are apart of that organization, we are hoping that in 2012 we can create a new one to give back to our military. Susan is such an inspiration and I'm so glad to have met her!

With Susan on 9/11

My grandparents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year.  They were on a read trip to Texas over their anniversary, so they decided to have a vow renewal ceremony in October at our home church.  About 40 people showed up to show their love and support.

In November, Dave & I got the chance to go to the Florida vs. USC football in Columbia.  Our friend Josh got to come home early from deployment and got tickets.  We sat in the end zone -- great seats -- and it was the perfect game to go to! It was homecoming so I got a chance to see a bunch of friends who were in town for the game.

Josh & Dave

Thanksgiving we spent in Columbia with family.  My mom & stepdad came down from Kentucky and Dave's family came up from Augusta.  

The weekend after Thanksgiving, Dave had to leave for El Paso, Texas for a month of training for work, leaving me back in Charleston by myself.  Boy, that was the longest month of my life.

During December, my best friend married her best friend in a small ceremony! Suzanne & Matt got married on the 17th in Athens, Georgia.  They are the sweetest couple and are perfect for each other! I'm so happy they found one another. 

Suzanne & Matt

Dave happend to return the same day I was in Athens for Suzanne's wedding, meaning he got to come home a week early and we'd be able to spend more time with his mom for Christmas.  We spent 4 nights in Augusta. On Christmas day, my grandparents and uncle came down to exchange gifts and have dinner.  We had a great time. 

The Baxter-Brown-Dasher-Turner Family!

Our First Christmas

Those are just some of the highlights of the year. I'm really looking forward to what's in store for 2012! 

From our family to yours, Happy New Year!

Three Days To Mrs. Turner!

The big day is almost here! I can't believe it! Things are all just about done. It's small things that need to get done this final week, like get my nails done, eyebrows waxed, run last minute errands. But the list is really short now.

My bags are packed, all my stuff is together. This afternoon, I have a nice massage scheduled thanks to my Matron of Honor, Suzanne.  Then I'm Columbia-bound to spend the next few days with my family. I'm so excited to have family coming from Texas and Oklahoma as well as friends from Colorado and Alaska! I can't thank those people enough for traveling all this way.

Well this posting should be the last until I am a Mrs. So I will see you on the flip side.

Getting Things Done!

Well today is a big milestone in our countdown to Mr. & Mrs. 100 days from now will be the big party and celebration, starting our new lives together! I'm so excited and can't wait.  It seems like only yesterday we were on the cruise ship and he proposed! Where has all the time gone??!!

We'll we've been getting things done... small things but hey they count. Things are starting to come in the mail, so once they arrive, I try to get the project knocked out of the way.  One of the first things done is our awesome custom water bottle labels.  We'll be having buckets out full of water for our guests since the wedding is outside and in Columbia, May can be warm sometimes. So we came up with two designs using our wedding colors and awesome e-pics... I did a case of water myself but then my mom and MOH wanted to help out as well so I shipped them each labels to take care of. So I can check that off my list.
I then needed a new projects (I know, I really don't need more to do) but I'd been chatting with some of the other May 2011 Brides on The Knot and a lot of them were doing "Tears of Joy" packets.. They are little envelopes with some tissue for anyone who thinks they may cry..and knowing my friends and family, there will be tears. I already had everything I needed here to make them, so why not.  I had lots of extra envelopes from the RSVP cards since we turned them into postcards, I had some extra ribbon and labels, and Dave has been sick and we bought two boxes of tissue so why not.  I made 60 of them. I didn't think everyone would need them. I've included a picture of my inspiration.












And finally yesterday I tackled my favorite project -- My cake topper. I finally got my rhinestones. I order them off etsy.com and had no idea the rhinestones were coming from Hong Kong so I was waiting for about 3 weeks for delivery. I'm not gonna post my final picture..but I show you one I took soon after I started. I'm so excited for it!

It's all coming along and I can't wait.  We also had some more people book the cruise... right now, there are about 25 people or so going.  That includes my parents, grandparents, Dave's Mom & Kelly, Ryan & Allison (Dave's cousin and girlfriend), Groomsmen Anthony, Kentrell & Jeff along with each of their ladies, The Knudsen family and a few others! I'm so excited!


Some other news -- I have two bridal showers coming in.  The ladies at the church I grew up in is having one for me in mid-March and my MOH & two other bridesmaids that live in the Charleston-area want to throw me a shower. Date has not been set.. And then Suzanne and I talked this week and decided on a date for my BACHELORETTE PARTY! I can't wait!

Need to Do:

·            Meet with Carol for catering 

·            Update flower list with Sandra

·             Download wedding ceremony music  <-- started

·             Meet with DJ – list of “to play” and “not to play” songs

·              Measurements for Guy Tuxs <--Still waiting for info to be sent, Dave called the guy yesterday

        Make Appointment for Alterations

        Have beads fixed on dress <-- dress is dropped off

·              Bridesmaid Order Dresses <-- 5 have ordered and 4 have received

·              Must take picture list

        Send Envelopes to Susanne to be addressed

·              Go to post office to weigh invitation

·              Schedule hair trial

·              Figure out who’s doing my makeup <-- My good friend Brittany has agreed to this, along with doing hair

·              Apply For Marriage License

       Send photographer disc of pics for guest book 

       Water Bottle Labels

   Need to Make:

·              Card Box <-- just need to buy lazy susan and put together

        Rhinestone Cake Topper

        Tears Of Joy Packets 

·              Programs

·              “Day Of” wear  <--ended up just buying

·              Emergency Kit

      Envelope Liners  <--cut out, now need to put in addressed envelopes

      

   Need to Buy/Order:

·            Clear Labels for Return Address

·              Postage for invitations

·              Pick out other gifts for Bridal Party

·              Sand/ Sand Ceremony Frame set

·              Dave’s wedding band

·              Garter

·              Sparklers, Ribbons & Container

·              Pen for guest book

·              Koozies <--ordered, should be arriving soon

·              Parasols 

·              Flutes & serving set <-- mom is taking care of

·              Solemates – heel covers

It's Becoming A Reality

     It's all starting to finally become real now that I've had my first bridal shower.
     Last weekend, my best friend and matron of honor Suzanne hosted an "Around The Clock Shower" for me at her mom's house.  It was amazing and turned out so well.  Each person was assigned a certain time to buy a gift for and we got a wide variety of things. From bathroom towels to wine glasses and to a chip-n-dip serving set, everything was great.   Each guest was also asked to bring a Christmas ornament for our tree. We got some really cool ones... From a monogram "T" to Santa Cupcakes as well as an engagement ring ornament. Suzanne's ornament was really cool.

     She ordered one from personalizationmall.com and had one of our engagement pictures put on it.  It's so cool! Once I get more pictures, I will be sure to upload them... To all those who attended, thank you so much! I'm so glad each of you were able to attend and be a part of the day!

     As for planning, things are coming along. We hit the 5 month countdown tomorrow! AHHH!!! My how time is going by so quickly.  Wedding invitations are ordered and have been delivered.  Dave's mom will be down this weekend for Christmas and she will be addressing them for us, so that is almost completely done.  After all the stress I dealt with to find invitations I really loved and was happy with, I'm so glad it's over!  I'm also adding a little personal touch to the invitations as well so that's another DIY project I've started and will finish once all the envelopes are addresses.

     The programs have also been finalized. I tweaked my design I previously posted on here.. (PAPER AND PROGRAMS) I'm really happy with the new layout and look forward to working on those. So now I will have to get those printed to start putting them together.

     My first bridesmaid has ordered her dress and it's already in! Snaps to Amanda!! YAY! I'm so happy.  Things are finally coming together... One down.... six to go!

     On a side note, Happy Anniversary to Dave and I! Tomorrow celebrates two years together...it's flown by yet it seems like it's been forever! Here's to many more years together!


Until Next Time...

My Matron Of Honor

I want to tell you all a little about my bridal party ....like our background, when we met etc etc.

My Matron-of-Honor is Suzanne Burnett.

Suzanne and I met back in 2007 at WTLX. I started there as an assignment editor. She was the 6 p.m. producer. I really couldn't tell you when we hit it off and really started talking.
I just really remember her being their for me during some really rough times around December 2008.

We'd always hang out together at going away dinners for other co-workers and we'd talk a lot at work because he desk was right in front of mine.

Like I said, Suzanne and I always talked every day at work and even after she left and I'd be stuck there til after the 11 p.m. news, we'd call to talk ..okay not really talk but gossip more. =) It was last May when my best friend left me and accepted a job as a producer in Jacksonville, Florida. But hey I can't blame her, I left there a few months later.

Even though she's 5 hours away now, we still talk just about every day..even if it's just an email or on Facebook.

She's had some rough days over the last few months, so it's been great to be able to help her out just like she did for me.

Suzanne's been a really great friend to me and I'm so thankful for that. She was the first person I called as soon as the cruise ship pulled back into port and I turned my phone on. That was when I asked her to be my Matron of Honor.

Even though she's now in Florida, I've got to see a few times since she moved. She came all the way up to go to dinner with us back in January for my birthday and I recently saw her at one of our old co-workers' wedding in Columbia.

Suzanne is such an amazing person with such a big heart. I'm so lucky to have her as a friend!