Junior College Visit

This morning we're off to CMU because Jacob was invited to a Junior Day visit from the football team. Apparently they've seen some of his highlight film from last year and liked what they saw. It's very exciting to have Jacob experience some of the recruiting process like his two older brothers went through. Truth be told- he'd prefer being recruited for hockey...but that is pretty tough to get into since there are half as many players on the ice than on a football field, cutting your chances in half. Anyways...this is just a visit. No committments. They just want to get a look at him, (all 6'4 of him) and want him to see the campus.


Then we race back home to jump on the bus to go to his hockey game. Phew. Busy day ahead.

Holey Moley!

OH.MY.GOSH! It's a mountain of gifts!

All the gifts from the shower are stacked in my living room until the moving truck takes them all away. It looks like Little Macy's! I must admit, I have pan envy! I wonder if Jen would notice if I tried out all her new stuff?( Ha ha. Just kidding, Jen.)

So we went to meet with the wedding planner, florist, and printer and put Jennifer's mind to rest. She had a little conflict with the invitations and figured it all out, the invitations are going to print today! There is also a little conflict with one of the bridesmaids (she has to take her state exam for Optometry the same day and may not be able to attend.) Jennifer is so bummed because Sarah has been her BFF all through high school and beyond. She wanted to ask Shelby (Ryan's girlfriend) but Shelby is going to be studying abroad in Scotland and was leaving the day before the wedding. Ryan was pretty bummed because he really wanted Shelby here...(since he met her at Jordanne's wedding and they've been dating ever since).

ANYWAYS... Shelby talked to her professors and worked it out so she can fly to Scotland the day after the wedding so she won't miss the wedding. And now Jennifer asked her to be one of her bridesmaids. It all worked out beautifully...if Sarah can still be in the wedding, Patrick's brother Peter will stand up with one of the girls. (Peter will be wearing a tux regardless.)

I was so happy for Jen to get those little details figured out. All that extra stuff floating around in your head makes a girl crazy!

It's our final HOME HOCKEY GAME tonight! Woot! I can't believe how fast this year has flown, yet I'm not sorry to wrap up the season. It's a lot of work and stress on our family and considering we have another wedding in two months, we could stand to eliminate some of that hockey stress out of our lives.

Better go plan the festivities for after tonight's game.

Post PARTY Crash!

My mom and brother left yesterday...it was so nice having them here for the shower. I didn't want them to leave so soon...but when I woke up this morning to a lot of wet, slushy snow, I was relieved they didn't have to drive home in it. The roads are awful today.

As usual, the Monday after a big party, I'm sitting here in the middle of a Little Macy's... (boxes piled up everywhere) unable to get anything done. I'm considering taking a nap... I'm exhausted. Of course, the bronchitis after effects have been lingering. I'm so tired of blowing my nose and coughing and still have 4 days left of my antibiotic.

In the spirit of the gloominess outside, I'm feeling a little sad and melancholy inside too. I know it's all happening so fast...I'm trying to slow.it.down. and enjoy the ride. Putting it all in God's hands because everything is out of my control. Perhaps a long nap will help my case of the blues.

Bridal Shower Memories

Jennifer with her "Bow"quet.

The Bride to be before the shower began.

Diane setting up the food.

Jennifer and her future Mother-in-law.

The Kitchen Ladies. Observe the matching aprons I made for them to color coordinate with the theme from the shower.

Me and Jen and Diane.

Beautiful food.

The towel cake and presents.

Opening gifts.

and more gifts...

and more...

...and the overflow gift table.

Details...

The sweet details.

The lovely cake.

...the flower boxes.

Table details...

Update

Little details for the dessert table...

Jewelry I made for shower gifts.

flower boxes stacked up and ready to go.

mmm, yummy Paczki.

the process...

{ stupid blogger...I can never get these to upload in order correctly.}

Well I've been busy scurrying around the past few days with last minute details for the shower, doing hair, grocery shopping, etc. I feel as though I've been pushing myself to get past this wretched bronchitis only to find myself completely exhausted and depleted of any ounce of energy. It was a very full day yesterday, it's no wonder I crashed the minute my head hit the pillow last night.

Tuesday was "Paczki day" or "Fat Tuesday"... Paczki are a Polish treat to eat on Fat Tuesday... While no one in our family is from Poland, we have adopted the tradition of making (and eating) Paczki from our dear sweet elderly neighbor, Vickie. (now deceased.) Since we have moved into this house 15 years ago, Vickie has sent over Paczki that she made...my kids embraced the tradition wholeheartedly. One year Vickie decided she was too old to continue making them (at the time she was like 93 or 94) so I came over and was her "student". She taught me how to make the Polish treats and ever since that year, I too, have made them. It is a fond memory I will cherish always.

My mom and brother are coming to visit today. I really need to get some groceries in this house. (Yeah, I know...I did go grocery shopping all day yesterday, but it was all for the SHOWER!) Eating is overrated ya know...

Back to work.

More bridal shower details.

click on picture to view the quote. I love this quote. Thanks for doing this for me, Jen! Gosh, I love the internet...Jennifer is hundreds of miles away in Chicago but she whipped this up for me, emailed it, and I printed it out to frame for the shower.

I was incredibly useless today... sick with bronchitis, coughing, sneezing, and aching all over. I didn't even go to church. Everything I tried to do was such a major production. I finally just laid back down and took a nap. My nose is chapped, my lips are chapped, and if I continue sitting on my butt, that will be chapped soon too. Peace out.

A picture is worth a thousand words...

Yep- this picture is exactly how I feel right now. YUCK.


This is no time to be sick, but I knew when Ryan, Pat, Jake, and Josh all got sick with that nasty upper respiratory crud...eventually I was going to get it. Of course it has to be exactly one week before the bridal shower.

*gross alert:

I seriously just sneezed so hard I shot a snot rocket and nearly peed my pants. I need some Nyquil and benadryl and a hot cuppa tea and my mommy.

In the meantime, I made cream of celery soup and buttered saltines, just like mom used to give me when I was sick.