almost 5 months reunited...

So, yes... it has been almost 5 months since I have last blogged. Weird. I know.
Matt and I have been married for about the same amount of time as well. Weird, again. Weird, because I am MARRIED.... it is still crazy to wake up & there be someone else there every morning. And to have a different name, and a new ring on my finger. But, it's all of wonderful that wonderful can be. :)
So much has happened since I have written last. Wow. Hmm.. Maybe I should get you all up to date on Matt & I. :)
The Honeymoon to Disney World was everything GREAT! We did not want to leave.... it was such a short trip. 2 of our 5 days being traveling days took out a lot of our us time. But nonetheless, it was good.
We've been to 3 weddings since we got married lol... it has been a very short time, too. :) We have our ups. We have our downs. But, at the end of the day we still love each other and are fighting to make our relationship stronger. It's all a learning process, everyday. We both LOVE being married to each other. Matt is so great with helping out with the chores, too. He can't stand dishes sitting in the sink, or the apartment really messy. It's nice to have him be like that, because I have very little time to deal with it. I'm still in school, and this semester has been especially hectic, so it's been hard keeping up with my homework and work schedule much less the tidiness of the apartment. He really is great. There are times that I just sit here and cry because of how bad the apartment's in a mess, but just don't have the time to get to it. lol... I am a big ball of emotions, still. I guess I always will be.
Our lives have been basically the same, besides living together and paying bills together. He works, I work & go to school. The only issue is our schedules & them being completely opposite. He's been working as the Assistant Meat Manager at Kroger in Hickory Hollow. As of today, he was offered to transfer to the Memorial blvd Kroger here in Murfreesboro. After meeting with the store manager and some others, he took the job there & will probably be starting in a couple weeks. However, he had applied for a Manager position with the La Vergne Kroger, and foudn out today that he did not get that job. But, at least he's in Murfreesboro now, and will be saving money that way in gas, at least. We have been really hoping to start a new chapter in our lives by getting a house, but that dream will have to come another night. It really kind of upset me that we can't afford even a small house right now, but I can't complain-- at least I have a roof over my head at all. I just really want something a bit bigger to be comfortable and not cramped like we are now. Even if it was only more square footage in the bedroom, I'd be happy. Beggars can't be choosers. I'm still at Reeves-Sain, still making half a dollar less than I was making at my previous job... and now with much less hours. She didn't like my availability with school, and took it out on my schedule... so I get 8 hours most weeks... and some weeks can get 4-5 hours more on Saturdays. So, anywhere in the ballpark of 8-13 hours a week = a very small paycheck in 2 weeks. Most weeks I open my paycheck, I'm lucky to get $100. That's been a big challenge, and an upset as well because I am used to paying all my bills on my own. For the most part I can, but there's times where I'm asking for money from Matt. Which is fine since he's my hubby, but I'm very independent when it comes to money. And I need all new tires on my car and a chek-up on it because it's not running as well... and I can't even do that since I'm not making any money basically. I really wish a new job would come up. It doesn't help that there are only 11 listings in the ads of the newspaper each day & the majority of those being qualified nursing jobs and the like.. so not much for lowly ole' me.
Anyways, enough of the sad stories. We're doing well, Bella's doing well.... everything's good on our side. Bella is 8 months old now, and prob. almost 9 lbs. Last we weighed her, she was 8.5 lbs. :) She's going to be SO cute on Halloween.... you'll have to wait for another update to see what she is though! :) Should be fun. Sorry this went so long. Maybe I can try to get some sleep now! :)
Sorry this has become long.

2... 2....2 .... 2 days left! (Well, less NOW!)

Who would've thought of all this last minute stuff?!?!?!! lol.... All these small details you could never think of! I didn't have a guest book table, guest book pen, a basket for the programs... haha... But now I have them all! We are currently working on a time frame for everyone to walk out and what music they will walk out to. It's a bit stressful, but I think it's going well. Everyone's coming in tomorrow for the most part & I can't wait for our wedding party dinner! It's going to be fun!! :)After the dinner, me and my girls are getting together for my Bachelorette Party!!! That should be GREAT fun! Just ready to get the show on the road now!!

"I tried to put the tea in the cup/glass cabinet..."

So, this is just ONE of my lastest doings. I was getting a glass of tea at Matt's parent's house and I was trying to put the tea back into the cabinet instead of the frigerator. lol!
Apparently, once you get into the last 10-ish days until your wedding, your mind starts going crazy and you get your words all flip-flopped. Yesterday, I couldn't say anything right! And today, I was thinking people said something other than what they really said. Ha ha! So watch out if you are getting married or when you do! It'll get you too! :)
We just bought our programs last night, so now all we have to do is type up the layout and print them off. We finished our favors on Thursday night... that was a very time consuming job, but glad it's over.
I still need to get a guest book and pen... haven't had any luck finding one I really like. And there's no time to really order a nice one and it get here in time since there's only 8 days until the wedding. We also need to finalize all the music for the wedding and whatnot.
I'm completely sure there'll be something we have completely forgotten by that day, but all we can say is, "Oh, well!" Can't really do anything about it, it happens. I'm just glad it's finally getting here!

Hmm.... 19 days....

Wow, 2 weeks and 5 days.... and I'm going to be MARRIED! I can't wait! Especially for DISNEYYYYYYY!!!!!!

I'm still having trouble with finding the right shoes... if all else fails... I'm going BAREFOOT! haha :) It will need to be hemmed though basically any route I take unless I decide to kill myself with some CRAZY heels... but all is good. I'm not stressed about it. :)

I just want to say, that I have THE BEST people in my life!!!! We have gotten such great gifts/advice from everyone and I am sooo blessed to have them (you) in my life! I couldn't ask for a greater group of friends and family. You have all gone above and beyond for us, and you really should'nt have. But we DO APPRECIATE each and every thing you have given us! You do not even know how much it means to us. A LOT!!!! I cannot wait to see everyone at the wedding!!! It's going to be so much fun!!!!! :D

WE LOVE YOU ALLLL!!!!!!

But who's really keeping up?! ha ha :)

I had my 2nd ever bridal shower yesterday. My work family (Reeves-Sain) threw me a shower, and it was awesome! Best food ever! Thanks to everyone for that! I got some great stuff! They are sooo nice and very loving and giving! My bridesmaid, Jessica, wrote everything down for me and I greatly appreciate her for doing that for me! Tomorrow, our church is throwing us our own shower, and I can't wait! I love having showers they are SO fun! :)

I think about the ONLY thing Matt & I are lacking for the wedding are rental chairs for the actual wedding. There are several places in Middle Tennessee to get them, they are just greatly overpriced! So, we've been bargain searching! ha ha I think Matt's decided on the place, though, so that's GOOD!

I ordered my flowers about a week ago, and they SHOULD get here the Friday before the wedding. I'm sooo excited, they are soo pretty and can't wait to see them! I just hope they come in on time so we can get everything put together! My mom has been working on some simple center pieces for the reception and the table linens. Our favors came in yesterday, so that was awesome!!! I'm not telling what they are... but I hope everyone will like them! They are cute! :D We will start filling our favor boxes probably next week. Not sure if I said the last time I blogged, but my wedding dress came in a couple weeks ago, so that's in my possession! YAYY!!! It's SO pretty.... :)

I think I'm getting pretty excited about this big event! ha ha... It's been very stressful for me, but things are winding down as it seems, so hopefully I've done all I can except walk down that aisle with my Grandfather!!!! :D <3>

Matt has been GREAT throughout this whole process, and I'm just so blessed to have him in my life and to be my husband! He is just really amazing to me, and I can't wait to be his wife!!!!

30 DAYS TO GO!

HI EVERYONE!!! :)

We just wanted to let everyone know that if you received an invite from Matt and I that we'd like for you to put your name on the RSVP when you send it back. It'll help us in the end to know how to better serve you all!
THANKSSSS in advance!

Matt & Kristen

32 DAYSSSS!

...And still so much LEFT to do! It's going by WAY too quickly!
We finished paying off our venue on Monday only to find out the wedding coordinator was on personal leave for a FEW months... and my wedding's next month!
No one decided to tell us, so it was a BIG shock to go into the mansion, ask for the lady, and them tell us she wasn't there... I didn't know what to do! I was upset and shocked all at the same time!
The people taking over aren't honoring promises that were given to us by the original person, so a lot of things are having to change in this short amount of time. It's very nerve-wrecking!
But, it will be done however now since they said a lot of the things we were promised "are not Oakland's responsibilities"... so now we have even MORE to do! GRR!!
I DO NOT RECOMMEND GETTING MARRIED AT OAKLAND'S MANSION! It is more work than you originally think, and are no help to you when you need it. it costs more money than just getting a place that provides you with the services you need. Just a little F.Y.I. for you soon-to-be brides!
You have to rent your own chairs to have the wedding outside
(and they are VERY expensive for some-what decent chairs!), none of their tables/chairs can go out of Maney Hall... not even out on the sidewalk covered by the awning. It is the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen! They overcharge for the services they barely provide. All they GIVE you is somewhere to stand to get married and a small "hall" to have the reception in. You have to pay THEM to prepare your OWN food, and you have to pay THEM if you have it catered... it's a lose-lose situation on your side, but they are making all kinds of money to provide basically nothing.

Okay, wow... that little rant went way off kilter and I got off track really quick! haha... We also paid on our photog, as well. I can't wait to see all my pictures!!!!
ANYWAYS! We have a lot left to do... so hopefully we can get everything done in time... or we just won't have it I guess! lol :)

Bella has grown A LOT! :) And still as mean as ever! Hopefully she'll grow out of that!

Hum Dee Dum

So, I forgot one of the most important "NEW" items to my list. I have a new puppy!!! She was born on my birthday this year, so that makes her 11 weeks and 4 days old! Her mother died a week after they were born so they had to be hand fed, so she's basically like a baby! I named her Bella <3,>

My Bridal Shower went very well. It was fun & I got a ton of great stuff. Although, there are a few things I didn't get that I really need. But it's okay, we'll get them eventually. At least, now I only have to eat with plastic utensils instead of cook with them, too. It was tough cooking with them, but it worked! It is truly a blessing all of the great things I did get, though! I just expected most people to come to be there for me, not expecting gifts, but I got a lot of them! :)

Wow, a lot has happened in the last 3 weeks! I don't even remember half of what happened! ha ha.

There were tornadoes April 10th. I watched it form from work & head to Matt's neighborhood. All I could think about was his mom; she was home alone. We crammed 12 people into our little employee bathroom at work and prayed away. I prayed that she would be alright. Phone connections were horrible, and I could barely get a text message out to Matt to let him know I was okay, and his mom was okay. A lot of the messages didn't go through until everything was said and done. But, needless to say, they had no major damage to their house except for some big tree limbs broken, and debris in their yard. About 5 houses down the road and directly behind them, it was a different story. There were some homes not even there anymore. It was the scariest thing I've seen and saddest at the same time. I couldn't even believe that it didn't hit Matt's house... it was a true miracle. God really does hear your prayers!

Hmm... let me see... what else has happened? My mom and one of my good friends are throwing me my very first Bridal shower on Sunday at 2 p.m. It should be really fun! :) I can't wait to see everyone! My wedding dress arrived at the place I bought it from yesterday, so I'm going down tomorrow to try it on and bring it on home! :D I can't wait for that either! It'll be nice to have it!

There are only 44 days left until the big day! And only 45 until we're in ORLANDO to go to DISNEY WORLD!! YAYYYYY I think I'm more excited about that than anything else! haha :) I really can't wait to get married though. It's going to be so fun! :)

Well, that's all I can really think about for now..... Oh, next week is the last full week of school! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!! It's kicked my butt these last couple weeks, so it'll be good to get it over with and I won't have to worry about anything until July or so! :D I'm so ready to graduate it's killing me!

WONDERFUL day in the neighborhood

:D

That pretty much sums it up. Ha Ha! Been a pretty awesome day, in the sense of mine & Matt's lives. Matt just got the call today that he got the job as Assistant Meat MANAGER at the Hickory Hollow Kroger!!! It's so exciting! We'll actually be able to PAY our bills, and not have to really worry about living paycheck to paycheck. We'll actually (hopefully) be able to pay OFF my car first, and then start saving for our FIRST home! :) I can't wait for our adventure to start!!!! He's just so glad he got this job he really wanted, and I'm proud of him for working hard enough to show that he deserves it!! God IS good & HE will provide... you just have to believe in HIM! He's been giving us good things for a couple weeks now, and it's been so nice to actually have a BREATHER! Thanks everyone for your prayers and thoughts! We still need that to continue on hoping someone gets a job soon so that they can actually pay for my wedding. That really would set us back a little bit if we have to end up paying for it, after they said they would in the beginning. ANYWAYS! That's about the only NEGATIVE thing that's still in our lives.
I may be getting a puppy!!!! I've been looking for one for a little while, and had my hopes on Matt's mom's hairdresser's Yorkie having puppies, but she might not give them away. So, I'm counting as that being out. But Meghan and I were looking on CraigsList today, and found a male West Highland Terrior that MIGHT be a possibility. Just waiting to hear back what the email said and see pictures, find out how much she wants, and how old he actually is. I just want to have a "companion" there at the apartment with me that I can BABY hehe, and Matt wants me to have something/someone there when he's not going to be able to be there and by myself at night. :)
If anyone hears of anyone wanting to get rid of puppies, let me know! I want something SMALL... I am in love with dachshunds (mini or standard), yorkies, westies.... really anything small and cute that I can make my little puppy baby! lol And preferable medium-long hair... I'm not really wanting a short haired dog! :) THANKS!