Wedding Post

Since I was lucky to have the day off, I have spent much of it trying to get things cleaned and put up. Even though we have had our townhouse for over two months, I am still very much in the unpacking stage. There's a lot of stuff one gains over the years of having their own place!

While trying to get some things moved around and at least out of our dining room, I find several things from the wedding that I wanted to fix up or put up. Our mantel is now full of wedding stuff! :) It may not stay that way for long, but for now, I love it! It's a constant reminder of the happiest day of my life! See picture below for all the fun... my flower bouquet in the vase from one of my bridal showers with the beads from the bridal shower and my wedding (wrapped with what my bouquet was wrapped - part of my wedding dress), two flower balls I made that hung on the chairs at the ceremony, our guest book, and the vases from the Unity Sand Ceremony (the two small ones will go to our parents as gifts once I seal them).

It's so much fun to go through things, and remember such special moments. It's hard to believe that we've been married over a month, and that life is pushing on. There are so many decisions to be made, and lots of sacrifices. Married life really is amazing! I have a wonderful husband who I will never be able to change as he'll never change me, but I hope that over the days, the months, the years that we will change to better serve each other and because it is what we want.

I created a wedding advise book for my bridal showers and bachelorette party. They were such wonderful events, and I'm excited to finish up this book. I still need to scrapbook pictures and invitations. But I also asked my parents to write on the last two pages a note to me... wow! It makes me cry every time I read it, and even a little bit when I just think about it. My parents are amazing! I am so grateful for the relationship I have with them today as I never thought it would happen growing up. I couldn't wait to be out of their house and away. Now, there are days that I wish I was still in their house and having those special moments with them that I didn't cherish while they happened.

One last thing to share... Katie's speech! I asked her for a copy of the speech as I paid attention, but there was so much happening, that I didn't get to take it ALL in. She gave me the ORIGINAL copy with all the mark outs and mark ups. Katie is truly one of my best friends (as were all of my bridesmaids, and I wish I could have heard what they would have said at the rehearsal dinner), and I have to admit that I don't agree with everything she said. But that's typical of me, and I wanted to share with everyone what she had to say...

I have known Angela for a few years now.
Since we've become friends, she has been nothing but a positive influence on me. Anyone who has spent just a few minutes with her can see how genuinely sweet she is. She is that person who I want to be.
Her qualities are those that I strive for - giving, honest, humble, loyal, loving, nurturing, a best friend. I try to be all these things, but there is one person here who is this for Angela.
Brandon, you have an amazing girl as now your wife. She is so happy with you. I can just see it. Just mentioning your name she lights up, and smiles. Congratulations on your marriage. You two are perfect for each other. I am so happy for you.
May each day only get better. Love you guys. To Brandon and Angela Rushton.

I have some amazing people in my life who I will cherish forever and ever!!! To each one of you, thank you from the bottom of my heart!!

Small Insight

There is a new song out called "The Call" by Matt Kennon, and this song really touches me for many reasons. Some of it is because I really try to be there for people, and to hopefully make a difference. But probably the biggest reason is because I have never had very high self-esteem. I know that I am hard on myself, but there is so much more to it. I often feel that things would be easier if I was taken out of the picture. Life would be better, and well, things would just go right.

In high school, I thought about this often. There were many comments made and things to happen in my life that just caused me to want to be done. I just didn't want to deal with it anymore; however, I had a couple friends who went to one of the school counselors who called me in later to talk. I was upset with them at the moment, but I am grateful they made that "call".

I still have those moments, and forget about me liking how I look. That's a whole other story. But the song touches me a lot, and if you ever feel you should contact someone - do it!! You never know what you could do for them! Thank you to those of you who have been there for me!!

Phi Upsilon Omicron

I am a member of Phi Upsilon Omicron which is an honor society for Human Science's majors. It's a wonderful program that I will be a part of for the rest of my life. Yes, there are requirements with GPA, but that's okay. I enjoy Phi U so much that it helps me want to do better in my classes, and to keep my GPA up.

Well, I found out yesterday that I am now the Collegiate Representative on the National Council for Region 3! This is a two year term, and I get to interact with all the members of Phi U within my region. I get to attend Conclave which is in Savannah, GA this year!! That is something I can NOT wait for as I love Savannah!!

My advisors are absolutely amazing, and have been very supportive! It's just a great organization!!!

http://www.phiu.org

Update on Life

As I was starting to clean the house, I decided to put on some music. Since I don't really know how to hook up computer up to the speakers we have for our tv and it's just easier to not mess with, I figured I would just use my computer. Well - I got distracted.

Brandon and I are going on a mini-trip for his birthday, and I'm so excited! It was going to be a surprise, but I totally stink that those! We are going to New Orleans, and we are going to see one of his favorite bands. It's going to be a ton of fun, and a nice little addition to our very short honeymoon!! I figured we should do this now as once we start a family (not for a few years), we won't really be able to do such things.

I'm just now getting over being sick, so that hasn't been that great! I pretty much have just worked and slept. It's nice to have some energy today, even if it's not a ton! Some is better than nothing.

Life is busy. I am now working 40 hours a week on top of school and other things that I'm involved with. My brain is constantly going, and I am always trying to find ways to be a better wife. Married life is not easy!! But of course I love being married to Brandon, and we have a lot of fun together! He loves me and I love him - no question about it!!

There have been some pretty interesting things happening lately that are personal, but it has certainly brought a lot of things to my mind. I'm realizing that now is the time to figure out what's important to me. I used to really know, but lost sight of some things. I worry a lot, and I worry a lot about others and their view of me. I worry about how I effect them; however, I need to worry about me. It is okay to be selfish at times because if I fall, then how can I do anything for anyone else. So many thoughts...

Now - time to clean and try to get things put up. I promise I will take pictures of the house soon!! I took some on Brandon's mom's camera, and I never got them off. Maybe I can get them off her camera, or I'll just take new ones on mine. Either way - the house is coming along, and I'm excited for when there are no more boxes or random things all over the place!! :) Things need a place or to go, and the sad thing is, most of the stuff is mine!! :-/

MARRIED....

and loving every minute of it!!!
Married life is absolutely amazing, and I couldn't ask for anything more. Life is great, and going to bed and waking up to Brandon is amazing! Yea - I'm usually asleep before him and awake before him, but it's okay. :)

The wedding and reception was perfect. I couldn't have asked for a better day! The weather was perfect, and it seems like everything just worked out. It was just perfect!!!!

First Kiss as Mr. & Mrs. Brandon Rushton

Meltdown

I don't really have time to do this, but it an outlet for me and a plea for hope. I am on the verge of a breakdown as I type this. Things seem to start going well, and then I realize that there is even more to do.

My wedding is in two days with a couple day honeymoon to follow. There is still so much to do, and it's not all with the wedding. Right now, I'm not really sure how I'm going to make it through everything. It is starting to seem like something is going to suffer, and I'm not too happy about that.

For starters, I don't really get to see Brandon. Our work schedules are so opposite right now, and the fact that I still live in Lufkin just makes it worse. I want to spend time with him and enjoy the last few days of us just being engaged, but it's not going to happen. There's no time.

This is what all I have left to do before Saturday, and I guess even before Saturday at 10am when I go to get my hair done and start getting ready for the wedding.

* Work
* Meet with Krysta at Hotel Fredonia to go over the reception stuff and set up
* Phi U Spring Initiates - letters to be printed, stuffed, and addressed
* Wrap gifts
* Decorate my card/money box
* Create a sign for the guestbook table
* Cash some checks
* Get my rings
* Nail appointments
* Wedding favors
* Pack
* Move
* Rushton family pictures
* Rehearsal
* Rehearsal dinner
* HMS 443 week 8 assignment - research paper
* HMS 551 research paper rough draft
* Reservations for honeymoon
* JCFR/TCFR reservations
* Last night of singlehood
* Actually see Brandon
* See Hairspray with my parents and Katie
* Car service and wash

That's all that comes to mind right now, but I feel like I'm missing a lot! I'm not really sure how I'm going to get it all completed right now. I'm very nervous about it!!!

Well, that didn't help too much as the breakdown is still there, so time to start getting things together and trying to check off my list.

Next Weekend... WOW!

Next weekend is the big day, and there is so much to do prior to that day. I just can't believe it's so soon!! I'm excited, and ready to just be Mrs. Brandon Rushton!! :) It'll be here quickly, I know. Life is flying by right now, and a lot of that is because I've been so busy.

We are still working on the house (which I took pictures on Brandon's mom's camera, and I never got the pictures off it - so they'll come soon!), and it's starting to look good. There is still a lot to do, but it's getting to where we are going to start moving in a few things. Hopefully we'll get more done within the next week or living as a married couple is going to be interesting for a few months. haha

School is keeping me busy. I have a few papers to write in the next month, two mid-terms this weekend, and other assignments. I'm not motivated this semester, and it's hard. I'm hoping to get that motivation back soon!!

Of course, I have work, JCFR, Phi U, and ACB. Along with getting things together for the wedding, and hopefully packing and just spending time with my dog, my family, and even Brandon. There's a chance that I've missed a few other things happening. Oh yea - my bachelorette party is this weekend after I walk in Relay for Life and babysit for three kids on Friday night.

Life is crazy, but the best thing is about to happen. That is what keeps me going! I love Brandon, and he's the greatest thing in my life! We got our marriage license today, and that was so cool! It feels so very right, and I am so happy! When everything is going crappy, he makes it better!!