Merry Christmas

Twenty-five days left, folks!  Can you believe it?  We're only one Advent calendar away from the wedding day!  But first things first:  Christmas.  Homemade candy?  Check.  Cookies?  Check.  Presents, cards, tree-trimming?  Check, check, and...check!  We've been busy preparing not only for the big day but for the really Big Day:  the celebration of the birth our Savior.  Amidst all the hustle and bustle of the season, we haven't forgotten the "reason for the season."  Our hearts and our homes are ready, and as we prepare for the Feast of Christmas we can't help but be filled with the joy, excitment, and anticipation for the days to come.  We look forward to celebrating with each and every one of our friends and family members, both at Christmas and on our wedding day! 

♥, Michael & Dorothy

Waiting Game...

Even when I say it aloud it's sometimes hard to believe. "We're getting married in ONE MONTH." One month!!! Thirty-one days from now we will be joined as husband and wife in the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. The wait will be almost unbearable. That being said, today is also the deadline we placed on RSVP cards. We've been waiting anxiously by my mailbox every day since the invites went out, hoping for a flood of replies. At 31 days out, we've received replies from about HALF our guest list. Disappointed? Yes. But we'll be patient and count on those last minute sender-inners.

Much has been accomplished since you last heard from us:
- Flower details have been finalized, and the deposit paid
- The schedule and playlists have been discussed and finalized with our DJ
- We met with our cake baker to finalize plans for the cakes
- The final piece of the bridesmaids' attire has been acquired
- Engagement and bridal portraits have been ordered
- Rehearsal dinner invites went out
- Menu for the reception is almost finalized
- Favors have been ordered
- Continued progress on the numerous DIY "special touches" projects

There's still lots more to do and get sorted out in the next 31 days, but we'll get there eventually. We've got so much to look forward to between now and then with Christmas drawing ever nearer. My favorite moments over the past few weeks involved shopping for and wrapping presents with Michael--under the soft glow of Christmas lights and the sweet sounds of Christmas music, of course! 

If you're reading this and have yet to send back your RSVP card, please call us and let us know whether or not you plan on attending.  We need a head count ASAP!  :)

♥, Dorothy

Thankful

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend, and even though it's been difficult readjusting to our daily work routine after so many days off, we are grateful for the time we received.  Michael and I had a wonderful time cooking the Thanksgiving meal we shared with his immediate family (minus his oldest brother and his clan), and we eagerly look forward to preparing many more holiday meals together.

I had to opportunity to meet more of the Cavells over the weekend during our visit with Michael's grandparents, but I know I've still got more to go before I can say I've met the extensive Cavell family!  With Christmas just around the corner, I'm sure there will plenty more chances to meet everyone before the wedding :)

With the wedding drawing ever nearer, it seems I can't escape the "Wedding Questions Drill" from everyone I meet.  The questions go something like this:

• "Gettin' close!" (or any variant of "Just around the corner!", "Almost time!", etc.)
• "How's the wedding planning coming along?"
• "Are you getting nervous?"

To which I pretty much always reply:

• "Yep.  Only ___ Days to go!"  (the countdown is ON!)
• "Pretty good.  The big things are taken care of.  Now it's just the little details."
• "Nope.  I'm ready."

Not that I'm complaining--I love being asked about the wedding!  It reminds me how much everyone cares about us, and it warms my heart to know that people genuinely care for and are rooting for us.  Besides, I relish any opportunity I get to verbally announce how many days are left until the wedding...I'm that excited!  Of course, those questions also bring to light how much stuff we have left to do before the Big Day.  Or rather, crafty stuff.  You're-crazy-for-DIY-ing-that-stuff-stuff.  Until now, the wedding planning phase has consisted of brainstorming, coupon collecting, and late evening Hobby Lobby/Michael's runs to gather supplies.  In other words, FUN TIMES.  We're plenty full in the ideas and supplies department, but now we're in the hard part:  execution of said ideas. 

Creating tangible (and beautiful, homemade but not "looks homemade") items hasn't always been easy, but we've managed to push through so far.  Working on wedding crafts has been a surprisingly good bonding experience for us as a couple.  I'll admit I was a little apprehensive at first, given my tendency be controlling and exacting when it comes to crafting, but I'm slowly learning to let go!  Michael has been such an amazing helper and partner during our crafty escapades, and I'm so thankful for him and his willingness to go along with all my crazy ideas! ♥

♥, Dorothy