Sparkles

My friend Tobie took this wonderful picture just before Barry and I stepped out the door to our fabulous Fiesta-themed announcement party (more pictures and stories to come). For those of you who have yet to see the beautiful ring that Barry gave me, here is a little glimpse. It is simply breathtaking... and always seems to sparkle!

Mother Knows Best

My mother, Sandra, is amazing. For those of you who know my sweet mama, this is no news flash. For all you fine folks who have yet to meet her, you'll quickly understand that she is just about the coolest lady around. And what I mean by "cool," is two-fold. Mama always seems to keep her cool. Little stresses her (even dress shopping with me for five hours-- no day in the park)and she always has the right thing to say in any situation. She is easy-going, loving and accepting. I always tell people that my mother has "mothered" many more children than she ever birthed. This includes mine and my brothers' rowdy friends, as well as the sweet, but neglected, students she taught for 30 years in the Delta. Mama is also cool in the sense of simply being cool. She is hip and funny and fun-loving. She's seen Janis Joplin in concert and it is rumored that she used to carry a lady's pistol in her pocket during brief stint in New Orleans. She's a great judge of character and probably the best cook in Mississippi. (We might all argue this about our mothers, but I just might win!)

All of this is to simply say that I am so thankful to have my mother during this special time in my life. She's helped me through each and every decision, and has supported mine and Barry's relationship from the start. We haven't argued about any of the details and she defys all stereotypes: This really is my wedding and not my mother's! She may kill me for posting this sweaty picture from the 4th of July, but you'll all see her at her best on October 1!

July Happiness

It is officially July and officially less than three months until our big day! Barry and I have been having a lot of fun finalizing our wedding plans, and dreaming about our honeymoon (TBA... stay tuned!). Just last Friday we picked up our wedding invitations and we are absolutely in love with them. Our wonderful neighbor, Russ Markle, designed the invitations and our new friend Ed Inman printed them with his in-house turn-of-the-century letter press. It is a fascinating set up that produces the most wonderful results. If you've been by my house over the holiday weekend, you've most likely seen the invitation... a habit we must stop if we don't want you all to see the invite before it arrives in your mailbox! Among his many hobbies and talents, Ed also plays around with a cool, vintage camera. He actually took this picture of us at the Old House Depot July 4th Celebration. Thanks, Ed!