Christmas festivities in a (chest)nut shell...

Well Merry (day after) Christmas! I received a lovely camera for Christmas and thus, this post is packed full of pictures.  If you're anything like me, it's easier to read a blog when it has pictures...or maybe you do like me sometimes and just look at the pictures. It's like reading a picture book...takes you back to your childhood, doesn't require as much brain activity...sounds like a win/win to me! 

When we looked at the house we're living in, the first thing that caught me eye was the chalkboard wall. I decorated it for Thanksgiving, and decided I wouldn't erase it and until I took a picture of it. Thirty days  and another holiday later...I took a picture of it. But the good thing about Thanksgiving and Christmas is that you can celebrate all year right?! Right. 

Say hello to our tree. 

Wells family Christmas

Katie Jo's exciting Christmas gift! War Eagle! (That's for all the Wells family ;))

Christmas Morning at church

Hooray for getting a Keurig for Christmas! Easy cleanup and delicious flavors! Thanks, WW!

I got WW tickets to see Needtobreathe and he is excited :)

Not sure what's going on in this picture, but I really got a kick out of the facial expressions.

Wesley tested out the new camera....

...while Mom made delicious cinnamon roll pancakes...

Holy Cow.  

My happy baking mother...

Dad reading some systematic theology...

Wesley (whichever number he prefers)...waiting his turn patiently...

Can't wait to try this one out!

Our Christmas was a little different that we had planned. Typically Wesley's family gets together on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. However, this year Christmas came a bit early for the Wells family. Our niece was born 2 days before Christmas. What a wonderful (and cute) Christmas present, right? Since we weren't able to join all the baby fun in Louisiana, we skyped with the family on Christmas night. 

Christmas dinner...Low Country Boil...yummy!

We had a wonderful first Christmas as married people. We are blessed with loving and generous families, as well as families that love the Lord and remind us all of the true meaning of Christmas. Wesley and I both agreed that one of our favorite things this Christmas was the Christmas Eve service at church. It was such a moving service and centered around the song "God and Man at Table are Sat Down". Our pastor painted a beautiful picture of creation and perfect communion, the fall of man, and the baby that made it possible for God and Man to commune together once more. It was a wonderful time of reflection during what can be a crazy and self absorbing time of the year. 

We wish you a Merry Christmas and (now) a Happy New Year!

You know you're becoming an adult when...

As I'm typing this, I'm currently locked in the bedroom while Wesley is working diligently on wrapping my present. I'm not allowed to come out until he permits, so here I sit contemplating and reflecting on life and such.  I've gone through some major changes the last few months, including the name change. All of these changes have helped to catapult me into adulthood. I've noticed the fruits of these changes lately, some of them have been strange, some humorous.

1. I get really excited when I realize that almost all the things that I was going to buy at the grocery store are on sale. 

2. I caught myself saying that tables, lamps, and rugs are "pretty". First of all, I never used to say pretty. Second of all, I never used to say home decor was pretty. 

3. My conversations with friends now consist of laundry tips, recipes, insurance, rent, and electricity bills. 

4. I shop at Belk... all the time. 

5. I always want my bed to be made. 

6. I search for coupons and use spirit cards. 

7. I now know that 75% of the things I bake will be set at 350 degrees. 

8. I can touch raw meat without squirming. 

9. I was late to a lunch date because I had washing machine issues. 

10. I got really excited when I bought myself a vacuum cleaner. 

Those might not seem strange to you, but they are very strange to me. I'm still getting used to this whole being an adult thing. It's happening whether I like it or not, so I might as well embrace it. Well, I'm off to bed... before 10. Thank you adulthood. 

Saying Yes to the Dress

(I didn't want to give away too much on my blog before the wedding, so I saved the fun details for after. Just as a warning...this is a long read, but the end is well worth it :))

As you may remember, we got engaged on Black Friday.  It was an exciting day indeed! I had already been planning and thinking of what I wanted for our wedding before the proposal, so I thought I had a pretty good idea of my own taste. WRONG. I also thought I'd love jumping right into wedding planning and getting stuff done ASAP. WRONG AGAIN.

I wanted to savor being engaged. I wanted to put off the planning/decision making process as long as I could. Why? I didn't know what I wanted! I didn't know what I was looking for! I just knew I wanted to marry WW. I had made that decision and didn't think I needed to make anymore anytime soon. I just wanted to take it slow. 

Two weeks after we got engaged and one week before I moved out of the dorm forever, I went home to move my big items. My sweet friend, Emily came with me for the short overnight road trip. She was getting married the following weekend, so I had originally planned to have a mega girl day filled with massages, antique shopping, and a girly restaurant.  However, my plan failed. Every spa I called was having a spa party the day that we were going home, and wouldn't you know Mildred's Tea Room was closed that day as well. Of course. 

I tried to think of something else to do, and I couldn't think of anything. Crafting would have to do. Mom, Emily, and I crafted that night, and started talking about what I wanted for a wedding. Then the question of the dress came up. I had originally thought about re creating Mom's dress into one, but I hadn't made any definite decisions  (shocker). Mom said she was off the next day if we wanted to go look at dresses. After all the episodes of "Say Yes to the Dress" that I've seen, you'd think I'd know what I want and be ready to look. The opposite was true. I was overwhelmed by the possibilities. I told Mom I'd pray about it. 

The next day we went to lunch and a couple stores, and then Mom asked again if I wanted to go dress shopping. Yes. No. Maybe. Not really. Kind of. ...those were my thoughts. I finally said yes, and I picked a bridal store that I'd gotten a bridesmaid dress from a few years ago. I remembered they'd been nice, and I didn't have an overwhelming amount of options there. Perfect place to start.

Even though the store was quaint, they weren't lacking in options. I didn't know what I wanted, but I knew what I didn't want...story of my life. I didn't want halter, princess gown, tight mermaid, spaghetti straps, or too much bling. Good start, right? Ha. I still had tons of options. I went through the racks looking at dress, having a reason why I didn't like most of them. I picked out a few to start off with, but I didn't love any of them on the rack.

Emily came over to me and said, "Lindsey, you've got to see this rack! But don't look at the prices...just look at how beautiful the dresses are!" That's never a good sign. I went over there to see what she was so excited about, and at the first dress I knew what she meant. The whole rack was full of beautiful lace dresses...expensive, beautiful lace dresses.

I have seen almost every episode of "Say Yes to the Dress", and I know that the girls always try on dresses that are out of the budget to see what it's like, fall in love, and then try to figure out which kidney to sell in order to pay for the dress. While I knew that was a "no-no" in dress shopping, I turned into one of those girls...I put them in my pile to try on anyways. Yes, I am ashamed.

I went to the dressing room to try on the 4 dresses we picked out. First I tried on an A-line silk taffeta dress with a brooch on the side. Being petite and having a short waist, the dress was clearly meant for a tall person, and I didn't like where the brooch hit on my waist. It was a no. The second dress was satin and mermaid with a big bow thing on the back...it accentuated my rear...no good. The 3rd dress  more of a princess gown...not my thing. NEXT DRESS PLEASE! The 4th (and last one) was lace and organza, and it was a relaxed mermaid fit. I really liked it...of course I did. It was off the "don't look at the price" rack!

When I was walking back to the fitting room from the terrible mirror room, my mom was looking through the clearance samples. She came across a lace dress that was a champagne color with white lace overlay, and it looked really dark. It was REALLY heavy in the bag, and we joked how if I wore that dress, I'd have to explain to people why my dress wasn't white! I told Mom I was done with the dresses we pulled, so I'd try that one on just to see what the color looked like off the rack. I took it in my fitting room and looked at the tag...the clearance price was over half off of the original price. Hello, that'd be a deal for someone!

I went in the hall between the fitting rooms, and the sales associate tied me up in the back. My mom said she was surprised that it didn't look as dark on, but it just added contrast to the white lace. Emily loved it, and I could tell Mom was starting to really like it as well. When I was all tied up, I went to the mirror room. I loved it! I had always wanted a lace dress, but I had ruled it out of my mind because I knew that it would be expensive. BUT this dress was over 50% off. It was perfect! The only thing that has to be altered is the hem, and since it was a sample I could take it home with me that day.

That was the first wedding thing that was obviously a provision of God. I'd wanted a lace dress, but didn't expect it because I knew it'd be out of the budget. The night before we went to look at dresses, I'd asked my mom about the budget and how much would be reasonable for a dress. She said about $500 would be reasonable...I didn't complain, but I did wonder what I would find for around $500. The awesome part is that not only was my dress over 50% off, but the clearance price was $499. Not only was my dream dress on sale, but it was $1 UNDER what we'd set for a budget. What a beautiful picture of God's provision. When we least expect it, he shows is sovereignty and provides in great ways.

This was my wedding dress from heaven. Ignore my serious look, glistening face, and half straight hair...the bridal portrait day is another story for another day. It was a fun day, but it was H.O.T.

Picture this...

Picture this.

A classroom. 25 yellow chairs. 15 music stands. 35 guitars lining the back wall. The bell rings. Here they come. The infamous 6th period class. They trickle in a few at a time, put their book bags down, and head for the guitars. You hear 13 year old chatter of cheating boyfriends, crazy teachers, and whose team is "going down" at P.E. They begin tuning their guitars and playing songs they learned over the weekend. All of them. Each student. All 20 students playing a different song. You feel your hair turning gray as they warm up. You know if you can get through the next 50 minutes without losing your mind, your day will have been successful. 

The timer sounds. You gave up on trying to begin class with a discussion on the second week of school so you announce the warm up song. You count off with the obnoxious steady beat of a metronome, and they begin playing. It's rough at first. You tell them to repeat. They finish the warm up and move onto barre chords. They gripe and complain with every barre chord because "it's too hard" or "it hurts" or "it's dumb". You require them to muscle through barre chords for 15 minutes claiming it will make them better musicians and that eventually barre chords will make playing the guitar easier...secretly knowing you thought the same things when you attempted barre chords yesterday. 

You move on to Christmas music. You require each of the 4 parts to practice individually. You have to constantly remind the other 3 parts to stay quiet while the remaining part rehearses. This lasts for 20 minutes. You play from measure 21 to end with each part and then together. You turn the metronome off. You step up like you are the conductor of an orchestra. You finally get all the 13 year old nervous/excited energy channeled to a goal: playing "Carol of the Bells". You count them off quietly. Part one plays for a measure. Part 2 joins on measure 2. Part 3 joins on measure 3. Measure 4 brings part 4 in. All the students are focused. All the students are engaged. All the students are playing. You are singing the song in your head. It actually sounds...delightful. 

The gray hair is worth it. 

Welcome to my world of music education. 

P.S. I'll be coloring my hair soon.

Hello, I'm Mrs. Wells...

After 10 months of wedding planning, hours and hours of crafting and researching inspiration, and 30 minutes on a stage in front of family and friends, it's finally official.

We're married!

Yes, we've agreed that we feel like we're playing house, but we've also agreed that we don't remember what life was like before marriage. It's been a wonderful 2 and a half weeks.

Some people say they go through withdraws after they get married. They get so into the wedding planning that they actually miss it when it's all over. I am not one of those people. 

Don't get me wrong. I enjoyed myself. I tried to make the very most of every moment. Gone are the days of designing invitations, figuring out guest accommodations, house hunting, registering, etc. Here are the days of grocery shopping, attempting to convince my husband (and myself) that I'm a decent cook, maintaining a household, thank you notes, etc. I MUCH prefer my current life stage to my previous life stage. I could go on and on with mushy details of how I'm so glad to have my best friend by my side everyday and how loving, caring, and attentive he is, but I won't bore you with the details. Just know that we're loving married life thus far.

We are now floating in a sea of thank you notes to write, but I'm working on them slowly. Surprisingly, I've enjoyed writing thank you notes because it allows me to 1) sit down and write...it's always been kind of therapeutic for me...and 2) reflect on God's provisions and blessings through the last few months. Our transition into living on our own has been a smooth one, and I know that that has a great deal to do with how our friends and family graciously showered us with blessings and gifts. Because of a "fun decor shower", a furniture fund shower, several miscellaneous showers, a man shower, and a pantry shower we can't think of anything we need that we don't have. WE. ARE. SO. BLESSED.

We were able to buy groceries last week with a gift card, and we didn't have to get the bare essentials because we had already been given basic pantry items at a shower. I'm so very grateful.

Speaking of groceries, I'd better get to work on figuring out what's for dinner this week. We're off to use another grocery gift card for this week's groceries.

Until next time,

the official Lindsey Wells...(even though Wesley still calls me Lindsey Gay sometimes...)

What I do when I've got a lot to do...

It's crunch time.

The dresses are in. The suits have been altered. The ties are waiting to be tied. The cute bridesmaids shoes are ready to be worn. The lists have been made. The house has been set up. These are my last 5 days as a single woman and the countdown to my "Big Fat Southern Wedding" is ticking.

Last night I was trying to organize my thoughts nice and neatly, but I kept staring at the computer screen. I couldn't stop thinking, but I wasn't thinking about anything. Then I thought "hmm...we should probably have an arrangement of how people will stand so that the rehearsal will run smoothly and I won't have to tell people where to stand..."

I opened up Publisher, began to make a diagram of the stage, and started to put x's and o's for where people would stand. Then I thought, "Well who wants to look at a diagram with x's and o's all over it?!" So I googled, copied and pasted, arranged, and came up with my finished arrangement.

Feast your eyes on what I spend my time doing when I should be doing something else more important...

Yes, this standing arrangement didn't have to be done, but just like this blog, I need something to get my mind off of my to do list for just a few short minutes.Okay, Vera (my planner) and I are off to accomplish great things now!

My Mother of the Bride

Unlike Father of the Bride, there is not a movie about the mother of the bride. However, there should be. I'm SURE it would be quite entertaining.

My mom has been there through every major and minor event of this wedding. She has given affirmation, taken care of what I don't want to deal with, and spent hours upon hours trying to make this wedding everything I want.

Some things I've heard her say through all of this...

"We really need to get together to discuss the reception."

"I think we need to cut the guest list"

"Why do we feel like we have to DIY everything?"

"We really need to get this done by Saturday."

"Let me look at my list."

While there have been some "intense fellowship" between my mother and I (in which my father served as the mediator) over the last few months over wedding festivities, the last few weeks have been very different. A married friend said to me the other day, "My mom drove me crazy during my wedding planning. Is your mom driving you crazy?" I thought for a second, and although a few months ago, I might have said yes, (no offense, Mom...I drove you crazy too :)) I said "not at all" honestly. How could she drive me crazy when she's washing my clothes, helping me set up and clean my classrooms, organizing my gifts, washing my new dishes, helping me organize my house, shopping with me for toilet brushes, giving me honest opinions, cleaning my house, helping paint, giving me advice about housekeeping, planning my wedding, dipping 1200 peanut butter balls, finishing the programs, scoping out furniture at antique stores while I'm at school so I can check them out after, coordinating everyone's schedules during the wedding weekend, and many many other things. She's not driving me crazy. She's driving me sane! If I didn't have her, I would be crazy right now. For instance, as I typed this blog, she verified our schedule for tomorrow, made sure I knew where Wesley's ring was, retrieved a lamp in the attic for my new home, and reminded me that I would eventually need to move my belongings out of her house. She is a remarkable woman with many talents, abilities, skills, and taste.

The relationship I have with my mom is unlike any other that I have. I have wonderful friends, but my mom is the person that I am the most honest with. She is the one that I can argue with one minute, and ooh and ahh over a pretty rug or lamp with the next minute. She is the one that I'm down right stubborn with, but yet highly value her opinion. She is one of my very best friends, and I'm so blessed to have her as my mom.

If you ask me, "like mother, like daughter" is the best compliment one can give.

Little Details - Part 2

Did you figure out what this is for?

Well if you did, great! If you didn't, I will tell you. A few months ago, Wesley and I were itching to go on a date. We went to eat, and then were going to go to a movie. However, we had a while before the movie started, so we went to Barnes and Noble. When we go to B&N, he reads music and drum magazines and I sit next to him and read wedding, home, or craft magazines. We're really exciting, I know. I was reading a wedding magazine, and I came across an article on saving money. Of course, I was interested. It mostly focused on cutting cost at the reception, like cocktail hour, open bars, etc. Since we're not having alcohol, I wasn't interested in that. I did, however, see a part about saving on favors. The magazine gave several suggestions for favors that would cost less, and they also had an idea about doing things in lieu of favors.

It suggested having a couple of fish bowls set up that represent different charities. Then, give each guest a token of some sort, and allow them to place their token in whatever charity bowl they wanted to contribute to. Each token represents a dollar, so after the reception the tokens will be tallied, and donations for those amounts will be made to the organizations. 

I decided that I liked that idea. In a world where everything is about self, it was refreshing to see an idea that helps other people. Favors can be so expensive and so pointless. Why would people want M&M's with mine and Wesley's face on them or magnets to remind them of the day that we were wed? 

So if you guessed that the picture was for a cause table you were correct. One reason I've tried so hard to save money during this whole process is because weddings cause unnecessary spending. The status quo of "what everybody does" gets out of hand. While looking at pictures and blogs of beautiful extravagant weddings that had a budget of $75,000, I can't help but think of all the people who have been suffering, even since I've been engaged. From the earthquake in Japan, the tornadoes in North Alabama, or even the drought in Ethiopia where my Compassion child is, or a sweet 6 year old on a list for a heart transplant...I can't spend an excessive amount of money, knowing that my wedding will only last 3 hours. The purpose of our wedding is not to keep up with the Jones and wow everybody with our extravagant decorations. It's to celebrate the love that Wesley and I have and to celebrate it with those that we know and love. 

You may be thinking, "Okay, I know the stones are for tokens. What is the candle for?" Well, that's a great question. 

We are called to be salt and light.

 Matthew 5:13-16:

¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

 The tokens are the salt. The candle is the light. Each guest will receive a stone upon entering the reception. Each stone represents a dollar. There will be 2 hurricane lamps set up on a table that represent 2 causes. One is the Sendai Tsunami Relief Fund and the other is the Mary Beth Miller Heart Fund. Each guest will have the opportunity to designate their "dollar" for one of the two causes upon entering the reception. At the end of the reception, we will add up the contributions and make a donation for that amount to the funds.

Why did we choose these, you ask? Well although Sendai, Japan, is far away, it is closer to my heart than one might think. When I was a senior in high school, I received a generous scholarship from Sony. At the time, there was a Sony plant in Dothan. I not only received money for school, but I also received the slick laptop computer that I used to type many-a-papers and that I am currently using to type this blog. Needless to say, that Sony scholarship was a blessing in more than one way. A couple years ago, the Sony plant in Dothan closed, and many Japanese Sony employees moved to Sendai, Japan. (You can see where this is going...) When the earthquake and the tsunami hit Japan, many former Sony employees experienced great devastation and the heartache of losing spouses, children, loved ones, and everything they had. The former president of Sony set up an account at a local bank in support of the Sendai Tsunami Relief. These people were some of the same ones that interviewed me for the scholarship, attended banquets and functions for the Sony Star Class program, and helped me get through school with generous funds and a computer.We want to use the blessing we've received and bless them some way in return. 

The other cause is also a special one. When I was in my awkward adolescent years, I had a loving, caring, wonderful Sunday School teacher/mentor. When you asked how she was, she responded with "just peachy!" When we would make dumb comments as middle schoolers, she would affectionately respond with "Have you done bumped your head?!" When she was cold she would say "It is chilly-whack in here!" She would have spend the night parties at her house and take us riding around town in her blue mustang convertible...yes, we thought we were awesome. We made fun of her for crying at everything, and we tried to set her up with the boys' Sunday School teacher. When they started dating, my friends and I ragged him about proposing. When he did propose, we felt like we were responsible for their marriage. 

They had a daughter 6 years ago, and from the beginning Mary Beth has had many heart and health problems. She has been such a strong little girl, and now she is on top priority for a heart transplant. The donations will go straight to the Mary Beth Miller Heart Fund. 

As we're on the countdown week, it's my hope and prayer that our wedding is more than just a union of two people. I pray that it is a testimony of God's faithfulness, love, goodness, and provisions.

Until next time, 

Miss Gay (for 7 more days)

Little Details

Today marks one month from the big day. In honor of the fact that we're almost less than a month away, I'd like to share some fun facts.

Part of being a "DIY" bride is feeling the need to DIY everything...or DEY...whatever. I enjoy crafts and making handmade things, so naturally I want to make our wedding personal with little details. 

Here is one detail that will be at the reception. Since I have no doubt that my brother and his friends (although grown) would throw full packets of birdseed or just throw the tube of bubbles when Wesley and I leave after the reception, we looked for alternatives. My mom stumbled across ribbon wands when she was looking at Joann's one day. They were on clearance for 2.99 for 25. They were originally 19.99. 

She bought a few boxes and brought them home to show them to me. I liked them, but the only problem was they were stark white and everything in our wedding is more ivory or off white. Yes, you're right. That is a big problem.

We looked for a solution, and my mother saved the day. She found ribbon that matched some of our colors and we re-strung the ribbon.

finished product

Yes, it does look like Cousin It. However, we will have them in several holders so people won't be so confused as to what that thing is.

Want to guess what this is for? 

Why I like being a teacher...

So while I am excited about teaching the leaders of tomorrow how to think critically, make good decisions, and have good character, right now there is a different reason why I like being a teacher...

Last week, I had my picture taken for my school ID.

This means I get discounts at NY and Company, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor Loft, and The Limited...

I LOVE BEING A TEACHER  :)

Needless to say, I just invested in my teaching wardrobe. Fear not, though. I am getting rid of some of my beloved faithful pieces in my closet for some new, more mature clothing choices. Out with the OLD (Navy) and in with the NEW (York and Company)...ha...I just cracked myself up.

I didn't let myself venture past the clearance rack, so not only did I get a discount. I got a discount on the 70% off items. Yes, I racked up.

Until next time,
Mrs. Wells...the teacher that enjoys using her discount :)

How I did our invitations...

In May, I rejoiced over finally deciding on our  invitations after several weeks of procrastinating. 

In July, I rejoiced over being able to mark "assemble and mail out invitation" off our wedding to-do list. 

Today, I will explain the process of designing, for those of you that may care. 

I started looking at invitation in early January, and shopped around for the best prices. I compared prices from different websites like 123print.com, vistaprint.com, and minted.com. I liked some of the invitations I saw, but none of them "struck my fancy". The ones that did strike my fancy were outrageously expensive for the amount that I was inviting. We needed 500 invitations, and they would have $927 on minted.com. Now, if I were having a smaller wedding with 100 invitations, I would have considered minted.com because they have  really cute invitations. However, that just wasn't going to work for this bargainista. 

We have a family friend that is a vistaprint.com queen. She knows how to get the best deals on the best things, and she shared her knowledge with us. I found an invitation that I liked on there, but I still didn't love it. I saw where you could upload your own design, so I decided to try my hand at some photoshop stuff. 

I found this cutesy invitation on minted.com...

I then used photoshop to make my own. I used brushes for the border, found on brusheezy.com, and I downloaded fun fonts from dafont.com

I ordered a few to see if I liked them in person, and waited for them to come in. They said they would ship in 21 days, and in 3 days they were on my door step. I liked them! However, there was a typo. Sad day. Yes, I could have just edited it, but I decided the color was a little dull, and I wanted to try something a little brighter. 

I then found this one on minted.com, and I used it for inspiration. It looked fresh and clean. Well, it looked as fresh and clean as any invitation could look. 

This was the finished product. As you can see, it's not identical to the $927 for 500 invitation, but it is similar. I actually like it better :). I uploaded it to vistaprint.com, and looked to see what specials were going on. Our vistaprint.com queen told us the specials could be different everytime you sign on. I looked after I uploaded and the invitations were 25% off. It was a decent deal, but I wanted it to be cheaper. I waited a few minutes, and reloaded...still 25% off. I wait a few more minutes and checked my email in the mean time. Lo and behold! There was an advertisement on my AOL screen for 50% off invitations! BINGO! I clicked and was able to order 550 invitations with a linen finish for $145. 

As I said before, Mom kept a meticulous Excel spreadsheet of the guest list. When it came time to address them, she printed them straight onto the envelopes in a pretty font. We knew we were having an invitation party, so she printed them several at the time for a couple weeks. 

Also, because I had the photoshop brushes (border), I used the same brush and idea to make thank you cards, an insert card, and a tag for hostess gifts. I printed the insert cards and tags on business cards, and I'm still in the process of tweaking the thank you note. 

Ironically enough, I don't want matchy matchy things in the wedding...with the exception of my stationary and invitations. My, my, I am so complex.

Bake til you break

Last night, every time I closed my eyes, I saw the same thing.

"What is it", you ask?

Mini pie crusts.

"Why", you ask?

Because Mom, Aunt Joyce, Caitlin, and I made 1206 of them yesterday.

Yes, you read correctly. Yesterday, we began baking pie crusts for chicken salad tarts for the reception. We started around 10:30. We finished around 5. Then we began to make peanut butter balls. We didn't finish that.

I've heard of "Shop til you drop", but yesterday I experienced "Bake til you break."

These are the instructions for this DIY reception food.

Materials:
Five 24 mini muffin pans
Two mixers
3-4 people
A crust recipe (including a gross amount of Crisco)
A peanut butter ball recipe




Instructions:
Clear 10 hours out of your schedule. Put on comfortable shoes. Bake until you reach 1200 pie crusts.Add a few extra for fun. Easy shmeasy!

Make peanut butter balls. Roll 1266 of them. No problem!






Mom and Aunt Joyce are wonderful kitchen masters. By 11:30, we had it down to a science. We rolled the dough, pressed it in the mini cup pans, put the pans in the oven for 12 minutes. We, then, prepared another 2 pans to go in the oven immediately after the other ones were cooked. We continued this rotation until we had successfully baked 1206 crusts.

We then began working on peanut butter balls. Caitlin and Courtney had joined the fun by this point, and they were great help! We rolled about 400 last night, but Mom and Aunt Joyce woke up this morning and finished rolling them. Grand total: 1266 peanut butter balls.

I realized at about 2:30 that I had not been mentally prepared for the day. I knew we were cooking all day. I don't think that I understood fully that we were cooking ALL day. It turned out to be a fun day though. Lots of girl bonding and sweet friends and family.

 

See, we did have time to smile in the midst of hours of cooking! :) I think the cute aprons contributed to some of the smiling. Cooking is so pleasant when you're wearing a cute apron!

Until next time, 

Lindsey, the master pastry presser

My Father of the Bride

One of my favorite movies of all time is "Father of the Bride". I can quote almost every line, and for some reason it never gets old. George and Nina Banks feel like family friends, and I still think that Brian Mackenzie is a little awkward. 

Anyway, this movie has taken on more meaning within the last 8 months. I see some similarities in my dad and George Banks. Like when we discovered how many people were on our initial list and we had to trim back, I flashed back to the scene where the Banks family is sitting around the table knocking people off the guest list and contemplating just telling them not to eat. 

Obviously, if you know my dad, you know he didn't say that. But here are some things that he has said over this whole wedding planning process...

"Why do I keep hearing "we can take that back if we don't use it"? Why did we buy it if we don't know that we'll need it?"

"If something is 80% off, but you buy 4 times as much as you need, what are you really doing?"

"Where you gonna put all that stuff?"

"Ladies, Ladies!" (When Mom and I have "discussions")

"Do I have to go to that party?"

"Now when is this wedding of yours? I'll have to check my calendar."

When re-checking invitations, he was on editing duty.

"Did we mean to put the wrong return address on the envelopes?" (luckily he was kidding...I got nervous.)

"You sure that's spelled right?

"Is that supposed to have 2 L's?

"Don't they live in Newville and not Headland?"

"Who is that?"

In conclusion, Daddy has been a trooper through all the wedding fun. He has listened to every decision dilemma I've had, affirmed my jewelry choices, seen me try on my dress numerous times and acted like it's the first time every time, acted interested when I've shown him DIY projects, and never once complained about any of it...including cost.

He's been there to remind Mom and I to "be anxious for nothing" several times, and prayed for us when I couldn't decide what invitation I wanted. 

Step back, George Stanley Banks. Tim Gay's the best Father of the Bride ever. 

The answer to the popular question...

As you may know, I recently graduated with a degree in Music Education. A question that I've heard over and over...

"What are you going to do with that degree?"

Some other things I've heard include:

"So, you want to be, like, a band director or something?"

"You know, music is the first thing to go in schools these days."

"Mmm...good luck finding a teaching job, much less a music teaching job, out there in this economy."

While all of the above are reasonable and somewhat truthful questions or statements, you can imagine my mood upon entering this job market. I was not terribly optimistic about finding a teaching job "out there in this economy" (thus, the wedding is planned 6 weeks into the academic school year). As I prepared for student teaching at the beginning of this year, I didn't know what the future held. I didn't know where Wesley and I would live, what kind of jobs we would have, or if we would be able to eat once we got married. 

However, I am pleased to announce that I now know all those answers! Yes, there are still uncertainties, but after seeing God's faithfulness again and again, I know that He has complete control and He will provide in his perfect timing. 

So without further adieu, I present to you my story of my journey to my first career...yes, everything has a story...

Once upon a time, I went to the University of Mobile to audition for a music scholarship. My plan upon entering college was to major in piano so I could eventually build up a studio and teach lessons. However, I was encouraged to major in Music Ed so that I would have a professional degree to fall back on. I did as I was encouraged to do, and I began my journey as a Music Education major with a concentration in piano. 

Over my 4 years of studying music education, my focus shifted from teaching in a private studio setting to teaching in a public school. We had to observe teachers, write extremely detailed lesson plans about quiet and loud animals to teach piano and forte, learn how to teach every instrument group (or enough to be dangerous), learn how to teach reading in music (even though it didn't apply at all...can I get a witness?), and visit school board meetings. The program ends with student teaching in both elementary and secondary. I wanted to teach at home so that I could save some moolah, so I began to search for teachers I could intern with. 

I found a wonderful elementary music teacher to be with at a great school, and then I began my search for secondary. I had to have a teacher with a Master's degree, and that proved to more difficult than I expected. I tried to avoid band, not because I don't enjoy band, but because it's just not my thing. I saw online that a school in Dothan had a music teacher that taught guitar and piano. "Piano?! That's my concentration!" I thought. I emailed her and got more information about her class, and found out she didn't have her Master's...bummer. However, the band director at that school did, so I got permission to intern with him, and observe her as well. 

Student teaching began, and I loved elementary school. It was fun, but exhausting because I basically danced around in front of kids all day. As my time at the elementary school came to an end, I began to get nervous about middle school. I knew that middle school would be MUCH different than elementary school, and I wasn't sure if I had it in me.

However, as I went through my middle school experience, I became more and more comfortable and actually LIKED it...weird, I know. I ended my time there on a happy note, finished all my requirements for school, and graduated on May 14th, not sure of what I would do in the fall. 

Since graduation, things have fallen into place. I interviewed for an elementary job, but didn't get it. However, only a couple days later I found out that the position for piano and guitar at the middle school where I did my internship had opened up. I applied, prayed, and waited. 

DRUM ROLL.....As of Monday, July 18th, I am officially a piano and guitar teacher at the middle school! Yes, you read correctly... I have a job! I will be teaching 6 periods of piano and guitar classes to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. I am very excited to begin this new chapter in my life, and so humbled by the opportunities that God has given me. I can look back and clearly see His hand at work over the past 4 years to get me where I am now. 

As for the other uncertainties that I had previously concerning shelter and food, I now know what the future holds...at least the near future. Wesley and I will be staying in our hometown area and renting a house, and as for food, we will be able to eat! Not only will we be able to afford food, but we might be decent cooks after all...only time will tell.

So the next time someone asks what I majored in, proceeded by the "What are you going to do with that degree?" question, I have the answer. I will teach middle school guitar and piano. 

Until next time, 

the Music Teacher,
Mrs. Wells (Oh, did I mention they're going to start me as Mrs. Wells? because they are...:))

You're invited...

Tonight was the night. 

Tonight we made a huge mark.

Tonight we dominated our to do list. 

Tonight we stuffed. 

Tonight we stamped. 

Tonight we sealed. 

Tomorrow we mail. 

You guessed it. Tonight, we had an invitation party. Our sweet friends hosted it for us, and we were able to knock out the assembling process in, what I consider, record timing. 

There was much preparation that went into the invitations. While designing/choosing the invitations was stressful for me, the guest list was an even greater task. My mom compiled the list, along with Wesley's mom, and organized it meticulously in Excel.  She then mail merged them and printed the envelopes. Last night, the night before the invitation party, she and Dad proofed the envelopes carefully. The chose the Santa Claus approach of making a list and checking it twice. 

They so diligently double and triple checked addresses, names, and spellings. I must say, they make quite a team. Have I mentioned that I'm not sure how I'd get married if I had to do everything myself? 

Anyway, we carried our envelopes, invitations, stamps, and handy dandy envelope moisteners over to our friends' house. We ate a delicious meal, consisting of foods that I may have to try my hand at after Sept 24th, and then set up stations to assemble the invitations. 

We began around 6:50, and we finished around 7:25. Record timing? Yes. The time flew by and before we knew it, 460 invitations were ready to mail. 

The "Mommas"

Sweet friends that came to help

The wonderful hostesses

We had a great time, and we are so thankful for such sweet people to help with what could have been such a daunting task. Thank you so much!!