New Blog

Well, I've started a new blog since this one is titled Brendan and Jenn's wedding. So our new and final blog is this: http://thetaltys.blogspot.com/ Fairly easy to remember! I'll just update on life and what's going on with us newly weds!

Miss Cox no more

This may be my last entry as Jennifer Cox. It's kind of sad. haha I've always been Jennifer Cox. As a teacher, your last name IS your name. Miss Cox no more! My students were ready to call me by my new last night. :o) It's going to sound so weird saying my name with my new last name. I refuse to say until it's mine. I can be a little superstitous. I really don't have time to even sit and write this but I often find myself needing a break. This week seems so surreal. It felt like it would never get here and now that it has arrived, it feels like it came too quickly! Not sure if that makes sense to you or not. You'll have to excuse my brain if I'm all over the place in this entry as my mind is racing with a thousand things that I should be doing or that I am trying not to forget.

This is such a bittersweet time for me. It's hard to believe that the years have gone by so quickly. I remember elementary school and here I am ...about to embark on such a fantastic journey with the man that I feel I've loved my entire life. However did I get to be so lucky and blessed? I'm unsure but I definitely don't take any of it for granted. I'm gaining a wonderful family and my parents love Brendan.

The only sad part of this day for me is that my MeMa is not physically in attendance. It breaks my heart that she won't be there. When she passed away, I remember crying and screaming no that it's not supposed to be like this because she's supposed to be there to see me graduate, get married, and have kids. This is a happy time in my life and I know she would be proud and love Brendan. I know her presense will be felt. It's just hard to accept sometimes that she's no longer with us.

Things are non stop as of now getting things completed. One thing I can say for myself that I'm glad I did, was ORGANIZATION! haha I was pretty on top of things so right now, I'm not so incredibly stressed because I know I've done what needs to be done. Let's just keep our fingers crossed that I won't forget anything! That's my biggest fear right now. That I will leave something behind. So word of advise, don't listen to that "you've got time" line, do as much as possible, as soon as possible so when the day comes, you can relax a little more!

Nine, 9, nueve, neuf, IV MORE DAYS!

Not really much to update on seeing as to basically everything is done at this point. My to do list would say other wise. Sleeping has become an issue as I wake up every morning about 3 am thinking of all the things that need to get done. Stressed = Jenn

95% of the gifts are bought and wrapped! My cards to attendants have been written. Brendan still has some work to do. Family is starting to come I think this weekend and all next week. Next week is going to be full out wedding mode. My stomach is in a constant knot. I just want things to go smoothly and for my nerves to take a hike!

My mom is in full force momzilla mode getting things finalized and done. She's freaking me out! haha I bet I get 10 calls a day from her. I'm ready to go home to her so that we can have our time together. We've got an agenda full of things to get done. Pampering is included here! :o) They don't call me Priss for nuttin'. Haha

32 more things to do on my to do list online. haha Some of those things involve the day of the wedding so those things won't get scratched off any time soon.

Well, the single digit countdown begins today. Wish us luck as we are in full force to get things completed before the 20th!

Tribute

I just wanted to share a video that my great friend and colleague, Diane, put together along with the 1st grade team for me. Everytime I watch it, I cry and cry. It's so sweet. And believe it or not, I DID teach these kids spelling. haha I'm not sure what was going on with their writing but you can definitely see how I taught them to stretch sounds out! haha I'm not sure if most of you know just how much I love teaching and the school that I was at. I truly loved the people I worked with and the kids there so leaving last week was very hard and emotional for me. Briggs holds so many wonderful memories. In fact, it's where Brendan proposed to me. It was my first true expierence as a teacher and I think I was spoiled because I don't think I'll ever find a finer school with such fine fine people as Briggs.

I just wanted to share their video so everyone could see my babies! OK scratch that, the video wont play so I'll show the images!

Man, am I tired?!

Well, I've gotten a little slack about updating on here. I apologize! Life is chaotic to say the least at the moment. I'm sure it will be until the end of summer with everything that is coming up!

By now, I hope everyone has booked their hotel. I had some big problems with the Best Western in Latta. Apparently, whoever I talked to failed to write down my information and therefore it was not put into the system the "Cox-Talty Wedding". I AM SO SORRY! This is the 2nd time this has happened. I was very upset with these people. I found out about it 2 days before the last day to book at the hotel was...so basically people only had 2 days to call in and book that hotel (with limited amount of rooms available) to get the special rate. They really boiled my blood. Well, I learned to ALWAYS get the name of the person that I am talking to incase anything like this should happen. SO again, I apologize. I guess I should have checked on things earlier but I didn't know to. =(

So Wedding news: My soloist had to quit on me. Which stinks because I always wanted him to sing at my wedding but his he had to drop for medical reasons dealing with his voice. But not to worry, becuase remember I said I had a list of people who wanted/could sing? So my Uncle Roger is stepping up and is going to sing! He's got a great voice so I'm excited! My dad and my uncle (not my dad's bro) will be singing in our wedding!!

Cakes! I've spoken to Mrs. Frances who is making our wedding cake and sent her pictures of the shape and desigs we want on the cake. I'm so excited to see the outcome of the cake!! It's a pity we have to cut it! It REALLY will be a pity to cut Brendan's groom's cake which is a total surprise! I can't wait! But that's all I'm going to say about that!

Decorations! Not sure really how they are going to look but I talked to Valerie (the lady at our reception site) and told her what I wanted and what I didn't want. We arranged to tables to be reserved for family since family will be getting to the reception a little later due to pictures after the wedding. We also have a head table for the wedding party which will hold 17 peeps. WOW! Didn't know we had that many!!

Dresses! Ohhhh la la. My amazing bridesmaid's dresses came in this week and I went straight to the bridal shop to see them! They are beautiful. I am very pleased. I just want to see them on someone! When we tried it on, it wasn't really the right dress and it also was not the right color. So I'm anxious to see it on. The only bad thing I can see with the dresses, is that they are a bit long! They're supposed to be tea length and on fun-sized aka short gals, they are a bit long! Almost to the ankles long so they will need to be altered! But other than that, I love them and I hope the girls will too!!!

Payments: To everyone- CHECK. Well, except for our musicians, but like church, flowers, honeymoon, photographer...all that CHECK! :o)

I think this may be all of the wedding updates that I currently have for the time being. Next weekend we are travelling to Virginia for one of Brendan's groomsman's wedding. He's got 2 groomsmen getting married back to back right before our wedding. Crazy, eh? I'm excited to travel next weekend but I know I am going to be plumb tired! This is the last week of school so I am currently shutting down classroom and packing it all up! Brendan and I went yesterday to load my car down with more stuff. So now all I have to get is the small stuff which I know my car will be loaded down for the umpteenth time! How in the world I acquired this much stuff in 2 years is beyond me!!

Ok, well, only 20 more days to go! I can't wait to see everyone. Hopefully, I won't be a blubbering mess and will get to see everyone. I am NOT a cute cryer so lets cross our fingers and say some prayers that Jenn will not be a blubbering mess walking down the aisle. haha

See ya soon!

Happy Birthday Brendan!!

Today, Brendan turns 26! Happy Birthday!! Also today celebrates our final month until we are married! 31 more days!! WOW!

This past weekend Brendan and I celebrated with our friends and kissed single hood goodbye! haha He went to Charleston and had a blast and I went to Charlotte and had too much fun! Wish we could share photos, but we would like for you to keep the wholesome, good boy and girl image in your head.. HAHAHA I'm only kidding!

Our monogramed napkins came in last week! They turned out pretty! I'm wondering if I ordered enough though or not.

I don't feel like I've been updating much lately, but I honestly don't feel like there is much to update on. Although, in my brain, I feel like there are a million and one things left to be done. I only have 57 things left on the to do list out of 180. OHH, my wedding band came in and I got to see it! It's beautiful but will definitely take some getting used to! haha hmm,have I already mentioned this? I don't know!

The school year is coming to an end and I couldn't be more ready! Not only for the fact that I'll be getting married, but this year, this class, has been exhausting!! I love my kids, don't get me wrong. I adore them. They are just ready for a break too! I'm not sure if I'm ready to leave my 1st grade team. I think it's going to be SUCH an emotional day for me. I love love love my school...I've said it a million times and I'll say it again. I think I was spoiled with my 1st 2 years of teaching by being surrounded by such amazing people.

Well, let me run. I've got to go and cheer Kris on and cross my fingers that he wins American Idol. NOT an Adam fan AT ALL!

Brendan's next birthday will be celebrated as a married man!!!!!!

Blessed

I have been quite busy this past week with wedding buisness and fun!! I feel like I need a vacation! haha Saturday, Brendan and I went to a beautiful wedding. It was one of the most beautiful weddings I think I have seen! It was outside and basically my color and the grooms had on the tuxedos that I tried to talk Brendan into. It was just a beautiful setting. Even though our colors are very similar, our weddings are going to be very different. The centerpieces were amazing. I LOVE outdoors weddings but am not risky enough to do one myself. haha The reception was supposed to be outside but guess what...it started to rain. Regardless, it was such a nice wedding and I'm so glad that Brendan and I went!

I had 2 bridal showers this week. One was Sunday which was in Dillon and the other was yesterday at my school. The showers were both fantastic. We recieved such nice gifts including some of my china, lots of kitchen items, some items for the bathrooms, and a hammock! I know Brendan is going to be super busy with me putting things together and away! We are so blessed to have such wonderful people in our lives. 2 showers means one busy girl!

Sunday I had my bridal portraits done. We had such a busy weekend! But bridal portraits were so much fun! My drop dead gorgeos mom did my make up and one of my best friends, Jill did my hair. They both did such awesome jobs! Well, the pictures are in and it's so tough to decide! Mom already picked hers. She's also getting a portrait done. Me? Not a clue. It's so tough! I wish I could ask and get opinions but I'm under strict law from my mother that NO ONE is to see them because the bride is supposed to be seen only on the wedding day. Which I agree. I don't want everyone to know exactly what I'll look like before the actual wedding day!


So just a little more than a month away from "I Do". OMG. A MONTH?! Where, what happened to all the time I had to plan?! It was here...I remember getting excited when it was down to 6 months, then 100 days, and now...look....44 more days! I am so ready! I cannot wait to marry Brendan!

Here are a few pictures from the weekend. Next weekend is our bachelor and bachelorette party! I'll be in Charlotte and Brendan will be in Charleston! FUNNNNNNNN!

Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Da

Today marks 53 days left until "I d0". Wow, everytime I say outloud how many months/weeks/days we have left, I sigh very heavily. Haha It just seems like there is so much still to be done and wedding stuff is ALWAYS on the brain.

Sunday, I met with Katharine who is playing the piano at our wedding. She was SUCH a great help. As you may have read in previous posts, wedding music was stressing me out! Katharine was such a great help and needless to say, music is now picked out! That's one less thing to mark off of the to do list. Speaking of the to do list - I am down to 72 more things to do on the list. Let's hope they get done!

This upcoming Sunday I have a bridal shower and my bridal portraits! That will definitely be a fun day! I'm so excited! Also, next week, my team at school is throwing a shower in my honor! It just seems so surreal that all of these wedding festivities are taking place! OHH the huge sigh that I just did! haha It's just so overwhelming and I feel like I am just going to bust with happiness. haha

Saturday we have our 3rd wedding of the year to attend with much more on the way. I'm actually enjoying all of these weddings! It just gets me so excited about ours! Plus you can always take away oooh, we should do that or that might not work for ours...etc. This wedding is actually going to be at the site of our rehearsal dinner so that just makes it all more exciting because we can see how it looks all dolled up and decorated.

Well, I can't wait to update how the showers and portraits went. It stinks that I can't put the pictures up! But I guess I should leave somethings as a surprise since I tell about every little thing on here! haha :o)

Hotel Update

Brendan and I went to Dillon this past Saturday and thought we'd look around to see if there were any decent hotels in the Dillon area. Dillon really doesn't have a decent hotel, I'm sorry to say. However, we did discover the Best Western Executive Inn in Latta which is only about 10 minutes away from Dillon which is closer than Florence! This hotel seemed nice. Today I called in and blocked a set of rooms. I Emailed a few people and added it to the list of hotels with special rates on the website but Brendan thought it would be a good idea to post it on here as well just incase you didn't get the email or see it on the website.

So here is the info: The hotel must be booked by May 29th or the rooms become open to anyone. The cost of the room per night is $70 + tax but make sure to mention the Cox/Talty Wedding Party to recieve this special rate. There is NO bar in this hotel like there is in The Hilton Garden Inn in Florence. The phone number is 843-752-5060

The address is: 1534 Highway 38 W

Latta, SC, 29565


Oh and if you haven't read the post before the Little Jenn and Little Brendan post, PLEASE read it. It's about the stinkin' wrong directions I sent out with the invitations. Sorry again!

Little Brendan and Little Jenn

Jenn above and Brendan below. Happy babies! I was just going through pictures for our wedding slide show and thought I'd show us off as itty bitties. :o)

I made a boo boo...a big one!!! READ READ READ

I'm human and I mess up. I'm sooooooooooo sorry! I can't believe I messed up on this though! GRR. This you need to read and fix on your directions that you recieved with the invitation! OKAY The EXIT # is 193 Dillon/ Little Rock. The directions I have ARE right but not the landmarks. SO if you want to use landmarks take EXIT 193!! Man, I feel horrible and could just kick myself for messing up on that!!! OR you could just put the address into your GPS. Do that because I helped to define the stereotype with women and directions! :o( I honestly feel so terrible about this! Please fix it NOW on your directions. Don't wait.You might forget! We want you there!


Also, we did not include that we are having a reception in the invite but people, why else would we need you to RSVP? :o) I say this with all the love in my heart! We ARE having a reception..come on do you not know Brendan and I? Our wedding will truly be a celebration! I've just had quite a bit of people ask "you're not having a reception?" So I just wanted to clarify that yes, indeedy, we ARE having a reception! :o)

Love to you all!

74 Days to go! and 77 more things on the to do list!

This past Saturday, we were thrown a wedding shower. A fabulous, totally fun shower! We really had a blast. Ashlyn and Janet did such an awesome job. Aren't we so lucky to have great friends like them? Here are a few pictures from Saturday. There were a ton taken but it takes a while to upload these pics so these will have to suffice!

This is Keith, Brendan -duh, and Micah!


Karen and I cheesin'!
Dillon Girls! I am so excited they came! Danielle (my maid of honor), me-duh, Jill ( my bestie since we were 4, and Jennifer ( we were in Brownies- girl scouts together!)
Brendan and I played a game in which we were blind folded and felt legs to see if we could guess each other. We both failed! We also did the same thing but with a kiss on the cheek. I guessed him correct but he guessed my MOH, Danielle!
Cutting our yummy cake!


Us!


Wedding Planning News!

Invitations went out Monday! Can you believe it is already time for them to go out? We were originally going to send them out a little later but the cost of postage is going up and we wanted the RSVPs back sooner. I feel like I am repeating myself. Did I mention this before? Well, yada yada, the point of this section is to just say OUR INVITES WENT OUT!! It was very exciting dropping them off at the post office! haha Darn it! I should have taken a picture of that as well!

Let's see what else. I've completed purchasing gifts for my bridesmaids! Now, to figure out Kay Bug! Who knew it would be so difficult to buy for kids?!

Today, I re-purchased my bridal jewelry. I had bought some that I thought might be too much. Last week, when I went to get fitted for alterations, I tried on the jewelry and was proven right. It took away from the dress and I don't want to do that. So today I ventured out and found something dainty and more me-like. I went to several places over the course of 2 days looking! Thank God I found it! Once less thing to worry about.

I'm not sure about the violinist in the wedding. This was mom and Randy's doing but I haven't seen/talked to the guy at all so I'm confused. Randy said he had it down that he was doing our wedding. I think it may have been a not so great idea to go ahead and tell him we wanted him when we haven't heard him. Shame on us but I trust my mom and Randy and they said the guy is great. So let's hope I have a violinist! I really want one!! I think violins and pianos are just beautiful! I wish I knew how to play an instrument. I just know how to boogy to them. haha

Next week, I am on Spring Break and Brendan and I are going to apply for our marriage license! It's basically the only time we have to do it when we're both in the same town on a week day! I am looking forward to spring break so much! This school year has been exhausting. The group of kids I have in my class, have tons of energy and by Thursday or even sometimes Wednesdays..I am dragging big time!

Well, I think that's it for now. I can't wait to hear from everyone from RSVPS!

Less than 3 months

Holy Moly!! In less than 3 months I am going be a Talty! A Mrs. I will no longer be Miss Cox- except to my students who will always know me as just that. It's truly hard to believe that June is so close! Today we got our end of the year folder from school which is like a checklist of things to get done and the date they need to be completed. It's crazy that the school year is coming to a close. Today report cards went out! Only one more time to recieve report cards. Craziness!!

So I'm not sure if I've mentioned about my bridal bouquet for my portrait or not..seems like I have. Well, I have it now and it looks SO amazing ! I am so pleased with it! I'm not worried at all about the flowers! I know they'll look great!

I'm supposed to have my fitting tomorrow for my dress. I hope that goes well! Other wise, Jenn is going on the water and tic tac diet. haha

Saturday, Brendan and I are being thrown a shower by our fabulous friends, the Ancones and the Davis'. I've been trying to figure out what to wear and I think I found something today! I had to hide it though. haha I have a coupon but it doesn't start until tomorrow. HEY, I'm a budget girl so I had to do what I had to do! Wonder if Brendan would like to match me? haha I'm only kidding. We occassionally coordinate together..mostly unintentional..but NEVER do we match. I refuse.

Our invitations will be going out soon! How exciting is that?! VERY. I answered it! I'm thrilled.

Also, I've done better about picking music. Finally! One of our singers kept asking me what song what song?! :o) Well, yesterday, I finally told him what song I liked! Also, Brendan and I have started picking the music for the ceremony. I'll have to talk to my pianist, Katherine, to get her seal of approval though!

This is pretty much all of the wedding planning news I have as of right now. I think anywho.

Love to you all!

How sweet it is to be loved by Y O U

This week/weekend, we got quite a bit of stuff done and figured out! I am so blessed to have such wonderful people (my Brendan and futre mother in law :o) I just wanted to say that instead of her name..how cool!hehee) who are SO helpful and help to alleviate the stress I accumulate daily! We have completed our inserts, rsvps, and started on the favors! I am excited! Our RSVPs are going to be asked to come back a little earlier than expected because the cost of stamps is going up in May! May 11th to be exact! Again! So our invites are probably going to go out a little earlier than we had originally planned. The inserts and RSVPs we made ourselves! So don't judge! hehee We did our best and got plenty frustrated with it..luckily, I'm marrying a guy that doesn't give up! haha So he figured out how to best make the rsvps! Good job Brendan!

So you've probably noticed the new picture on top there. I'm not sure if its going to stay because it's an awfully big picture! I like how Cole and Camden's blog look but I don't want to be a copycat!

Can you believe that the wedding is a little less than 3 months away?! I've scheduled my bridal portraits for May and already have my make up scheduled for the wedding day! Speaking of how fast time is flying by! Yesterday marked the last day of the 3rd nine weeks of school! WOW. We are on our last nine weeks of school and then I'm done being a teacher at BES. :( I am seriously going to miss my awesome school and ever more awesome colleagues. Please Please say a prayer and send hopeful thoughts my way that I will find a teaching job in Columbia that I will love just as much..or just a job teaching in general. I honestly love teaching and can't imagine not teaching and the thought of that makes me so sad!

Also, Twilight came out on DVD this past weekend. WOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOO. You know I got my copy! I'm pysched and have already watched it a few times which has inspired me to re read the series. haha Like I don't have enough on my plate! My obession returns! haha

Well, I've officially reminded my daddy of what I've told him I wanted him to do in my wedding since I was a little girl. He remembered! So he'll be singing! I'm excited although he wants me to hear him first b/c he said some of his vocal chords got messed up a while back when he was sick. But I don't care! I know he'll do awesome!

Well, American Idol is on so I'm going to go and root my Danny on! Yes, I'm a loser and vote like a bajillion times.haha

I love me students!

I just had to share. This is completely unrelated to wedding planning. Today, I am taking a break and NOT going to think about the checklist! hehee Today when I walked into my classroom, a "leprechaun" named O'Reilly had visited my room. He made such a mess in my room! Chairs and desks were all over the place! It was chaotic! Well, as you can see, his tiny little footprints led us into the closet where we discovered a note from O'Reilly. He even left his footprints on some student's desks! When we got to the closet, we noticed a bowl and a note. It was some magic green powder (pistachio pudding). The note said we had to add milk and each give it a shake while saying the magic words: Leprechaun Leprechaun, Shamrocks Seen, Magic powder, green, green, green! We had so much fun today trying to catch O'Reilly! We even thought we saw him a few times. He's just so fast so we never could catch him! We wanted to catch him so bad because if you catch a Leprechaun on this special day, he has to give you all of his gold! Oh well, maybe next year!

In case you've been living under a rock....

I am marrying one incredible man! Words cannot even express how much I love this man! Although his really sweet- cavity like side shows itself rarely, when it does, it makes me melt into a puddle! Last week, I turned in my teaching contract in Florence- unsigned. It was really hard for me to do because I love my co workers and my job so much. When I handed it to my principal, I just cried in his office. I was kind of embarrassed! I knew it was going to be hard but I didn't think I would be all that emotional! Well, Brendan knew that I had kind of a ratty week and so when I got to Irmo on Friday, he had me this:




Isn't he the best?! I most certainly think so!

My Checklist is down to.............

95! So yay, I'm out of the 100's for that one as well! Our honeymoon is almost paid for so pretty soon I'll be able to check that off! I've gotten my bridesmaids their gifts so I was able to check that one off! And then of course Brendan picked out his attire and his groomsmens attire so check check!

I'm already getting nervous about our wedding day! I don't want to be an emotional case! I cry over everything and DO NOT want to be a blubbering mess on such an amazing day!

100 days left!

Which means tomorrow I can say "We're getting married in less than 100 days!" WOW! I am thrilled to be in double digits and out of triple digits! SO Not really too much to update on. I did get my trial hair and make up done. So I'll post pictures of that! My bridesmaid and very wonderful friend, Jill did my hair. She likes to do updos and since I found a few updos I liked, I asked her if she would try one of them out on me to see if I liked them and she's so awesome, she said yes! I love you Jillian!

snore snore snooze

Hey Hey! So I am exhausted! We had quite a busy, eventful weekend! I'm almost certain we are ready for all the planning and preparing for the wedding to end and to just get married! haha I'm really tired and the stinkin' checklist still remains at 100 things left to check off! grrrr!

This weekend, Brendan picked out tuxedos and I have to say he did a great job all by himself! We went all over the place looking at tuxedos! We only had a minor frustration but we settled it and it looks like the men are going to be looking mighty sharp come June 20! Speaking of June 20, we are about out of the triple digit countdown. I can't wait! It's exciting to watch the countdown get closer and closer.

Tomorrow I have my trial hair and make up done! That's pretty exciting. It's sad I'm how old and don't know how to put my own make up on?! Well, I hope my skin appreciates it!

We also went to the jewelry shop to look at Brendan's wedding band and to make sure it fits- It does! and it looks great! His finger is going to be the hottest one around! hehee I can be bias! My wedding band is being made in Belgium..how cool is that?! Well, I thought it was tres cool!

Well, I think either that's it or my brain is shutting down. This time change is definitely going to take some getting used to!

Mama's dreamin' too

My mom came in this morning telling me about her "nightmare" which really would be a nightmare if this happened! She dreamed that at the reception, the toilets stopped working! Eww She said someone was sick so the place was just a stinky mess! So yucky! These dreams need to chill out! haha That would be horrible! Anywho, I just thought I'd share since I don't have to be at work until 8 but silly me got up at my usual time because my brain is programmed that way! Have a great day/ weekend!!

This just IN vitations

Soooooooooooooooooooooooo I've got such exciting news that made me squeal like a little girl! Brendan can attest to that! haha Our wedding invitations came in today!! I am so excited!! I can not wait to get to Irmo tomorrow to see them! This distance thing is coming to an end shortly! Wow! It's hitting hard that I'm...excuse me... We're getting married in just a little over 3 months! MAN! I wish I was in Irmo NOW so I could see them and inspect them and take pictures of them..hahaha Who knew one could get so excited over this?

Also, you know how I love to check off my to do list on The Knot.com? Well, I have completed 84 out of the 184 things to get done before "I Do". Which means only 100 things left to do in 3 months. So oh my gracious, I'm stressing! I also made another purchase today for my beautiful ladies. I tell ya, I've got some gorgeous girls in our wedding party. Which I'm not sure if you've noticed or not, but I've added pictures of the wedding party to our website. So check it out!

We also have a bridal shower coming up in a few weeks which is super exciting as well! I've got my bridal portait coming up also. I've been trying to get my "tan on" so I'm not so pasty white! My bestest, Jill, is going to play with my hair next week so I can see if I like the hairstyle I chose.

I've been thinking about getting highlights. I'm not sure if I want to or not. I think I do but then I think you know, I don't want to have to keep that stuff up! So I'm undecided. After the wedding/honeymoon, I am chopping my hair off! My mom and Brendan are both going to have a fit but it takes too long to dry and style and when I say style, I mean s'straighten it because that's all I really do to my hair.

Well, I guess that's all for now. I've got to get some sleep. Sleep tight!

Bad Dreams

So the wedding day nightmares have begun. I guess with wedding, wedding, wedding on the brain, dreams are sure to pop up about the actual wedding. I've had about 4 bad dreams now! I can only remember 3 of them though. I thought I'd share.

Dream 1

I'm not sure if some of you know what my "something old" is so I should start off by telling you how important my "something old" is to me. My MeMa and I were very close. She was very much like my 2nd mother. When I was little, I stayed with my MeMa and Papa all of the time and was always picked up immediately after she got off of work (3:00) from daycare. haha She was and still is a huge part of my life. Well, the Lord took my MeMa almost 5 years ago. You can imagine how difficult that was and how hard it's going to be not having her there physically at the wedding although I know she'll be there. I wish Brendan could have been able to meet her. WELL, my "something old" that I'll be wearing is her wedding band. It will be pinned inside my dress because her rings are too big for my fingers.

Well, back to the dream. I was at the church, fully dressed, when I remembered I didn't have my MeMa's rings! I was devastated and begged my Aunt Teresa to go back home to get them. I refused to get married without them. Aunt Teresa did NOT want to go back home to get them and thought I was being ridiculous and I just cried and cried.

What a nightmare! So I called Teresa (reality here) and told her she better not forget those rings and if she does, she better go back home to get them or she is going to have one super upset woman on her hands! haha


Dream 2

My dress was mixed up somehow and I had the wrong dress on! I didn't know how it happened. I just went to put the dress on before walking down the isle and then I saw it wasn't MY dress!

Fairly simple dream, but nonetheless, a nightmare!


Dream 3

The LATEST dream that I remember. My mother and I were sitting in church and during the service, I came to the realization that "today is my wedding day and programs aren't done, my bridal potrait isn't done, and my alterations have not even been done" So I start freaking out in church and leave the service early in a panic because I have SO much to do in such a short amount of time.


So those are the terrible dreams that I remember concerning the wedding. I hope they don't get any worse than that! I really hope that I only have pleasant dreams. hehee These dreams make me wake up in a panic. The next day after the latest dream, I called and made an appointment with the make up people and Emailed my photographer about portraits, and even started looking up program stuff. haha

Icky Sicky

So for the 2nd day in a row, I'm at home sick in bed. :o( I'm determined that no matter what, I'm going to work tomorrow! So I'm not doing anything but laying in bed and taking medicine all day so I can achieve that. BUT I'm bored. All I want to do is sleep so I decided I could update on here! Yay!

I cannot believe how close our wedding day is approaching. We are officially less than 4 months away. 116 more days to go! Which may seem like a lot but I just remember how big of a deal it was when we finally got into the 100's so I'm happy with that. I'll probably be nutty when we get into only double digits!! It seems like the planning is picking up more and more now that the special occassion is nearing! :o)

Inivitations have now been ordered! Oh and on my checklist that I so love checking things off on, I have checked off 82 out of 184. It's a thrill to be able to check things off. I predict that the next things I'll be able to check off is scheduling my bridal portrait and figuring out where we are getting the Tuxedos. Which I think we pretty much know because we checked the color of the bridemaids dresses with the color vest at one place and it matches up well! We just want to go back one more time. Probably this Saturday.

Also, I've been looking into gifts for the bridal party. I want to purchase those soon as soon as I figure out for sure what I'm getting people! Today will probably be spent looking for those..well when I'm awake because this medicine is kicking in and I'll probably be knocked out before too long. We're still stuck on music! We don't know what songs we want sung or what songs we want played. I do know what song I want to walk down the isle to. (Nice day for a white wedding) HAHAHA I'm only kidding!!! OH and Cole's dress was ordered yesterday! So that's exciting. She is seriously going to look like a princess in her puffy white dress!

I think that is all for now. Don't forget to book your hotel rooms! It's on the website when they need to be booked by in order to secure that rate and the block of rooms. I can't recall right off hand but it's on the site! :o)

It's about dog-gone time!

Well, after being told when the engagement announcement was going to be in the Dillon Herald- it wasn't! I had to Email them and then was promised that it would definitely be in today's edition of the Dillon Herald and guess what! IT IS! YAY!! Here is a link to where you can go to see the announcement, however, online it doesn't show the picture we used so I'll just include that on here! :o) http://thedillonherald.com/pages/full_story?article-Cox-Talty-Engagement%20=&page_label=socials&id=1972056-Cox-Talty-Engagement&widget=push&instance=secondary_stories_left_column&open=&

I hope that works! If not, just google The Dillon Herald and search for it on the website. I think it may be under "area news". The picture we put in with the announcement is this one:





Also, I've been trying to figure out hairstyles! I've accumulated SO much hair and Heaven's to Betsy I cut it! My mom would have a fit. Brendan and I know these 2 things about our future little Brendans and Jenns 1- They are going to have a head full of thick brown hair and 2- Brown Eyes. I tell you, one day Brendan Michael is going to give me some beautiful children. He is just so hansome! :) ohhhh RIGHT, back to the subject of hair. SO I know I want it up because A) The wedding is in June and if June in SC isn't hot enough, my dress weighs A TON and between that , my nerves, and constantly on the go, I'm going to be H-O-T and not the WHOA BABY HOT..The PUH-LEAZE go take a shower hot. :) So these are the hairstyles that I found that I want to try out to see how it looks! Let me know what which one you like best!

OR


I don't want hair on top of my head but I want it up so those are the only 2 pictures that I've found so far that I'm interested in seeing how they look!

Hopefully this weekend, we'll figure out where to get the tuxedos. SINCE I finally got my fabric! :o) Brendan is taking me on a date this weekend so I'm super excited. OH and my honorary bridesmaid's present came in last week and they are awesome and now I'm wishing I would have ordered myself one. I SO wish I could share them on here. I'm so bad with secrets! I once gave someone their present a month before I was supposed to because it had to be specially ordered and when it came in, I just couldn't help it! I think Brendan and I are like in that manner- hence why we always open a Christmas present 5 days before we are supposed to! hehee OKAY, I've gotta run and get prepared for tomorrow's school day! Hooray for Friday!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Good Morning! I'm the only one up! :o( I just thought I'd share about the new purchases for the weddding! yippee! Everything matches. The pillow, guest book, pen, flower basket. Unfortunately the internet is being extremely slow so I'm only uploading 2 pictures. Well, I hope everyone has a fantastic Valentine's Day!!!

No Debbie Downers

Sorry for the last post being a rant! I don't usually go on rants! I went to 3 job fairs this past Saturday (yesterday) and it was not very encouraging so please say a prayer and cross your fingers & your toes that I will land a teaching job here! I'm wishing and hoping hard!!!

SO all of the bridesmaids have been measured and the deposits have been made! So the dresses will be ordered Monday AM. I have to call up there to make sure they've ordered them. I feel like I am constantly calling these people. I will NOT suggest this bridal shop to anyone! That's for sure! Remember the fabric they were supposed to order for me? HA! Well, they never ordered it and when I called she said, "well, we have some fabric up here that you could just get." I was like ummmm, why didn't y'all just tell me this before?! Grrrrr! And then when Kaleigh went to go get sized, they didn't know which dress she was getting sized for and I'm thinking...shouldn't you guys know this kind of information seeing as to you are ordering them Monday morning?! I swear all Hell will break lose with these people if they order the wrong dresses. Ohhh sorry, right- NO Debbie Downers! :o) But on the optimistic side, the dresses are getting ordered and should be here either the 1st or 2nd week in May. That gives a month for any alternations that need to be done.

Our invitations will hopefully be ordered this week! Oh and I've decided (although not a fan :o) ) to send the President and his wife an invitation. I've heard they send a letter/card of congratulations and I think that would be neat to have and add to the scrapbook!

What about this weather!? It's crazy! Wednesday, we had snow again. Columbia didn't, but Florence did. It stuck around until the sun came out and then yesterday and today are so nice and it's not "warm" but its definitely not cold! It's nice! South Carolina weather is so unpredictable.

So I've started the slow transition of moving my classroom to Brendan's. It's so sad. I LOVE my school and the ladies I work with! I hope A) I get a job B) I teach with people who are at least half as awesome as the ladies I work with!

Well, I'm going to go and be productive!

Just a little concern...

This entry really has little to do with the wedding planning although I will share what little news I do have! :o) I'm so worried about the future of education in South Carolina. Well...really it's going on everywhere! The economy is taking it's toll on everyone including education. Budgets are getting majorly cut. Salaries are frozen (which stink, but moneys for various things that students need for better education are being cut which is far worse). There is just so much going on. Monday, our state superintendant held the first faculty meeting via internet and tv for all faculty, trying to answer questions that one may have and suggesting a plan. He sounded hopeful but I get all these Emails from our principal from the super stating about all these budget cuts. I've heard about the possiblity that we have to take a 5 day no pay vacation. (a week no pay for the summer basically). I've also heard about a possiblye 4 day school week. That would save on gas/transportation. But do you think it's that much that they'll actually be saving? It's hard enough to keep a 6 year olds attention for a few minutes..adding more time is not the best time idea- MY OPINION. I've also heard about laying off teachers and having larger classroom sizes. How unfair is that for the kids? That deserve a better education than that. It's not fair if they are in a class that is double the size of what they are accustomed to and besides that takes away from the one on one/ small group instruction that teachers are allowed to give them in order to help them build necessary skills! It's frustrating! Job security..ha, what's that? I'm just worried because I'm getting married in June and moving from Florence to Columbia which means, I'm in search for a job! A job that may not exist! I LOVE teaching and I really think it's one of the most rewarding, important things that I do! My kids mean the world to me and I don't want any kid being set up for possible failure. They deserve better. Teaching is what I love and I can't imagine not being able to teach. I'm just on a venting mode here. I'm concerned about the future of education and a job! I need a job! AND one would think having higher education would help, but it may hurt because of the salary having to be higher. I hope I'm wrong and I pray that things get better for the children's sake! Okay I'll stop with the ranting! :o) Just say a little prayer!


Wedding news. I ordered these way cute __________ for my honorary bridesmaids! I'm soooooo excited!!! I wish I could tell and share but I want it to be a surprise. So that is another thing to check off! According to the knot.com , I only have 76 more things to check off. OHHHH BOY!

Engagement Announcement

Our Engagement Announcement will be in The Dillon Herald (our local newspaper) either February 5 or 12. That stinks that they don't give you a more accurate date! I'm not sure if it's going to be put in The State or the Florence Morning News. I doubt it. Anyways, I am kind of excited about it. Our picture will be in the paper! I'll try to scan it into the computer so that I can post it on here but I'm not sure if I know how. Maybe Brendan will know how.

This is a short entry but I just wanted to share that FINALLY our engagement is being announced to the world! haha okay to Dillon County. haha I hope I proofread it enough! That would definitely stink to have a word mispelled and here I am a teacher! I gave it to my mom to look at but I'm not sure she read over it thoroughly. Here's to hoping she did! :o)

25 Random Things!

So before I get to the 25 random things about me...haha I'll explain. I'm addicted (one of my many) to Facebook. It's a site where you can leave messages and comments and see what your friends are up to. It's a great way to stay in contact. Well, there was this thing going around where you sent 25 random things about yourself to your friends. After doing it, I thought I'd share it on here so maybe you can get to know me a little better. You better watch out though because I love doing this get to know you surveys so if you'd like you can comment me 25 random things about you! That would be fun. Don't worry, once you start, it all just floods out of you! haha

** Wedding News**
This is the only new news really. Brendan's wedding band is in the store so he's going to go try it on soon! My wedding band will take about a month to make. Boy oh boy! It's getting closer! SOOOOOOOOO excited! Also my mother in law to be totally and completely rocks! She is so creative and I can't wait for everyone @ the rehearsal dinner to see her creativity! Also we've been looking at flower girl dresses for Cole! So that's exciting and hopefully we'll find something soon. That's about all the news I have as of right now. I think anyways! On to the 25 random things

25 Random Things about Me

1. I prefer to go by Jenn.
2. I have always been prissy. As a child, I did not like to get dirty and modeled occassionally for guests. HA!
3. I have enjoyed planning mine and Brendan's wedding and can't believe how fast time is going by!
4. I truely believe Brendan and I were made for each other. No other relationship has been as easy as the one I am in with him- everything just fits and works well..even our fights..haha..I know that sounds very cliche'!
5. I am in a family surounded by redheads and I love it!
6. I don't really know what my natural hair color is. I've dyed it since 7th grade. I'm trying to get back to the natural though.
7. My new found love is yoga. It is way relaxing and I find myself doing it when my students stress me out!
8. Even though I talk smack about Dillon- it really was a great place to grow up. (now a days..not sure)
9. My mama IS my best girl friend.
10. Growing old isn't so scary-kind of exciting with Brendan.
11. I don't understand why people get so mad easily or hold grudges. I let things go as quickly as they come.
12. With that being said, I am quick to temper but I'm also quick to get over it.
13. I used to call my dad, DIDDY, when I wanted something.
14. I cheered at Williams Brice Stadium when I was in the 10th grade. Dillon was playing for the Championship.
15. I originally was a Clemson fan. I know! BUT THANK GOODNESS, I saw the light!
16. My brother, Kevin, is perhaps the single most amazing, funny person you'll ever meet and I am very protective over him. Over him, I would do some damage! You hurt my baby brother, you're in for it! haha It's the Dillon coming out of me!
17. My favorite icecream is Moose Tracks!
18. I cry anytime I see someone else cry.
19. I am terrified of haunted houses/forests and absolutely cannot watch horror movies without a racing pulse and sweaty palms.
20. I am allergic to cats and penicillin.
21. I once gave blood for a t-shirt AND passed out and the stinkin' shirt ended up being way too big.
22. I wouldn't mind just picking up and moving away.
23. I think when Brendan and I have children that he's going to be a marshmellow and I'm going to have to be the "meanie".
24. I miss my MeMa picking me up from daycare and taking me to every grocery store in Dillon county. I also wish I would have gotten up early so she could have taught me how to make her bisquits.
25. I believe God knows what he is doing when he places each of us into a family.(Although sometimes we may wonder..haha) He sure gave me an amazing family that I am incredibly grateful for and He is blessing me once more by placing me into Brendan's wonderful family. I am gaining some pretty incredible people! BUT I think Brendan is gaining some pretty amazing ones as well!

Second Thoughts..

Scared ya didn't I? hehee Ain't I a stinker? :o) I am having second thoughts about the guestbook, basket and pillow at Hobby Lobby. I went today to get them and was like hmm, either it's not here or I just don't like it anymore. I can't remember. Old age is hitting me. Saturday I turn 25 and it's hitting hard. haha I'm only kidding! I still have quite a bit of time to decide about the GB, FG basket, and pillow though!

So I went shopping today because c'mon..I'm good at it and it's been a while and I needed to stretch my talent out! :o) I behaved...don't worry! While I was in shopping mode, I did manage to pick up-after having to go to two different branches of the store- part of my fabulous bridesmaid's gifts! I wanted to get this particular thing but didn't think I could find it and well, what do you know?! I found it today! I've been looking for it, for a while now. Even so early as last year. I just couldn't find it but I did today so it must be meant to be!

I know I update on here about every little thing. BUT you gotta know how excited I am about every little thing! :o) I don't want to annoy the daylights out of people by nonstop talking about OUR (proud of me Brendan?) Day! I'm just excited and delighted to share so I apologize in advance if you go to the wedding and already know every detail! haha

So all of my girls have been fitted now except Kay Bug- my now jr. bridesmaid! yippee! A piece of the fabric from the girl's dresses should be shipped out shortly if the bridal store did their part in calling the dress people to get the fabric.

OH and the florist has OFFICIALLY been booked! yay! Also, I have quite a bit of people who have offered to sing in the wedding and have had family make some great suggestions! So I think I will just have a giant concert! :o) I'm only kidding. BUT it is so wonderful to see how many thoughtful, wonderful people there are! I love you guys! Relax, Brendan would kill be if I made the wedding too long with a bunch of songs. :o) We'll already be quite nervous standing in front of everyone-no need to prolong it! I think I am going to have 2 singers. I still don't know about my daddy. Maybe he can sing at the reception. I think I'd rather him sing at the wedding though. Hmmm. I still have time to decide though. Speaking of my daddy! He called this morning and left me such a sweet message! It was a great start to my day!

OKay, I've got to figure out accommodations for tomorrow. We are going to Crocodile Rocks in Myrtle Beach to hear my cousin, Jonathan sing and play the piano! It's going to be like a family outing for the birthdays. My cousin, Joy, and I were born 4 days apart. I'm older. :o)

Snow in the South?!

Well, we came back Monday from our Ski Trip in West Virginia with our fabulous friends! We thought we were coming back to sunny, warm South Carolina but got a surprise! Today it actually snowed! It snowed more in Dillon. Of course it would since I am here in Columbia! School was cancelled today which truth be told, I really could have used another day of rest seeing as to how I got so little while in WV. Tomorrow has a 2 hour delay but I'm still crossing my fingers for a cancellation. A 2 day work week just sounds better than a 3. hehee I know thats a little much to ask for!

We had a lot of fun on our trip and luckily no real injuries happened! I did somehow or another hurt my heels! I have no idea how! All I know is, for the past two days I have been Twinkle Toe-ing it around the house and now the balls of my feet are starting to hurt. I'm falling apart!
We took a few pictures while on the trip. It was really pointless to take any pictures today of the snow that fell. The snow pretty much melted as soon as it hit the ground.- Here in Columbia anyways!

So I got to make a 2nd snowman! I think I'm getting better. Whatcha think Aunt Maureen? I'll get up to your level one day! Maybe. hehee! :o) Janet, Ashlyn, and I were way excited to build our snowman, Fred.

Brendan tried snowboarding. This is him about to go...
Look at him go........
DOWN! He did so well! I was proud of him!
All bundled up and ready to go play in the snow!

We had lots of fun but we're glad to be back home!