Hi ya'll!  Happy Thanksgiving!! This morning I woke up to the delicious smells of sweet potato casserole baking in the oven downstairs.  As I waddled down the stairs, I heard the strains of marching band anthems welcome the holiday season from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  My mom was laughing with my dad over a cup of coffee as they planned who would take what where and when we should arrive at Mama's house for lunch.  I smiled to myself and thought, "Does it really get any better than this?"  Now, of course, like any real family, our day had its rough spots. We fuss and fight, argue and tease but we always love each other!
I can't believe how fast time flies and that Christmas will be here faster than you can say HO HO HO! I usually view Thanksgiving as signal of the Christmas holidays and brush through with more thought to the day after sales and the Iron Bowl than I really do Thanksgiving itself.  But this year, it seemed a little more special to me.  I want to remember everything: the smells, the laughs, the sounds, the traditions.  Next year, Matt and I will start our own new traditions and as exciting as that is, I'm a little sad about not waking up next year and helping my mom in the kitchen.  Matt and I will begin the complicated juggle of balancing his and my families get togethers.  It will be great but I want to make sure I don't forget to experience the reason why we have these holidays.
This year I'm thankful for a kind husband to be, a wonderfully real family who is always there for me, and friends who laugh and share everything with me.  I'm also thankful for a loving Lord who has blessed me in the most gracious way! I hope all of you had wonderful Thanksgiving and that each and everyone of you are blessed beyond belief in the coming holiday season! Love ya'll! Thanks for stopping by!

Makin' Plans

  Hi there, ya'll! I hope this post finds everyone happily wasting away a beautiful Saturday afternoon! Wedding planning update: Today, I looked at save the dates, programs, and bridal stationary.  I ended up ordering some beautiful bridal stationary to keep my lovely guests thanked for all of their support and gifts! Also, plans are in the works to do a little dress shopping over Thanksgiving holidays! I am beyond thrilled about this! I will keep ya'll informed as I begin my quest for the perfect dress to sport down the aisle!
  Today, my momma and I did a little pre-Thanksgiving shopping and in the car on the way home we were listening to one of our favorite artists, Miss Miranda Lambert.  (If by some huge stroke of luck Miranda is reading this post, I just want to say that I love your music! "I'm just like you, only prettier".. jk, but really, we love you!) She has this great song on her album Revolution that says exactly how I feel about my sweet husband to be. It is called "Makin' Plans"  In a way, that is what this blog is all about for me.  It is a place for me to share the plans that Matt and I are making and the highs and lows that come with planning a life together. Anyway, here are a few of the lyrics from "Makin' Plans"

If I wasn’t by your side/I’d never be satisfied
Nothin’ would feel just right/If I wasn’t by your side

‘Cause I’m not easy to understand
But you know me like the back of your hand
I’m your girl and you’re my man
And we’re making plans

  In the light of my new role of wife to be, this song really yanks on my heartstrings.  The song says, "Cause I'm not easy to understand, but you know me like the back of your hand..." I know that there has been more times in the past than I care to admit to that I have been absolutely nonsensically emotional, moody, and just plain crazy.  But my sweet Matt knows me and he knows that I don't always need someone to fix the problem or spout off a list of solutions, I just need someone to listen. Love, at its very simplest, is this, it is accepting the one you love for exactly who they are.  Not who they were or who they will be, but who they are now. And I won't be satisfied unless he is right there by my side, whether he likes it or not! Haha, ya'll, I'm just picking! I mean, who wouldn't want to be by my side :)

    Thank ya'll so much for stopping by and spending a little time with me! Come back again soon! Love ya'll!

P.S. Here is a pic I thought ya'll might enjoy!

Welcome!

Hi there! This is a big event for me and I am so excited about sharing a historic day in Jaclyn history: this is my very first blog. EVER. I suppose the polite thing to do would be to introduce myself.  My name is Jaclyn and I'm a student at the University of Alabama ( ROLL TIDE!). I'm also a newly engaged girly and I'm sure ya'll will be hearing all about that as it occupies alot of my mind. Also, my best friend, roomate, and maid of honor is also engaged and getting married soon as well.
I have been wanting to do some blogging for a while and so, with a little encouragement from my roomie, I took the plunge.  My mind goes ninety to nothing all day long so this will be the perfect outlet for all those thoughts! In this blog, I will probably talk alot about books I'm reading, new things I'm trying, and all about being a bride!! I hope that ya'll will follow along the next several months as I waid through mounds of ideas for flowers, dresses, locations, etc. as I plan my big day! I love crafty stuff and am an avid painter so there will probably be lots in here about whatever new craft project I'm dabbling in! So, Welcome and I hope you enjoy reading about my adventures in reading, crafting, and wedding planning!