Wedding advice I wish I had followed...

As you are getting married, there are a ton of people who will give you a ton of advice. Some times there is so much given to you that it is hard to take it all in. Some of it you will think won't apply to you, or that it wont happen, but let me tell you, a lot of it will. In spirit of our one year anniversary, here are some pieces of advice I wish I had followed, whether someone gave it to me or not.

1. Give your photographer a list of photos you absolutely must have.

I had an amazing photographer. He's a family friend, our pictures were wonderful, and he made everyone laugh. Somehow, in the 10,000 photo's he took, there was not a formal photo of just me and my grandma. When there are like 70 people waiting to take a formal picture, it's hard to remember each individual picture you want. After your ceremony can be quite rushed before the reception. Trust me on this, make a list of the photos that are most important to you, the poses you want, etc. All photos in this post, by the way, are courtesy of William H Davis photography. Check him out on Facebook, particularly if you are in Georgia, but he loves to travel, too :)

2. Give your maid of honor the phone

No, really. The day before and the day of your wedding, give a trusted member of your bridal party your phone. You will literally get 600 text messages and phone calls of people asking you questions, wishing you congrats, wanting the address to the venue (yes, it was on the invitation)...unless you want to be extra stressed out, hand the phone over. Someone gave me this advice, I didn't follow it.

3. Have your day of plans mapped out to the tee.

What car are you driving away in? Do you have kids? Who is taking them back to the hotel? What time? If you have children, make sure they are with people who will do the things you ask (IE, nap time). I gave an itinerary to our entire bridal party. Will people in that party still ask what time they need to do ______? yup, they will. But you wont have your phone, the trusted member of your bridal party will, so you wont stress over it.

4. Remember that it is you and your husbands day...

...and not anyone else's. Outside of your mom, dad, and maybe a couple of close friends, your wedding day is not as important to anyone else but you. People may not know why its so important to be at the rehearsal on time...or at all (a member of our wedding party was not there). People also quickly forget what it is like to be getting married and the stress that goes with it. Just remember to breathe, it will all be okay.

5. Wear comfortable shoes. 

I bought shoes for the wedding that were beautiful, and flat, assuming they'd be comfortable. I only put them on once before the wedding. While they were not necessarily uncomfortable, they would NOT stay on my feet! Before the reception I changed into plain old sandals. Not that anyone actually saw my feet, but still.

6. Give your wedding night hotel plans on an only need-to-know basis. 

We had someone call our hotel room on our wedding night to ask a question that was not at all important. No, I'm not kidding. My husband answered only because we were afraid something was wrong with one of his boys.

7. Schedule some alone time with your husband the day of the wedding and the day before. 

We did a first sight, so Marcus and I had a little bit of alone time on our wedding day, which was wonderful. Many venues now provide a short time with your husband before the reception to eat a little food, etc. As my photographer said when we were debating a first sight, it will be the only 5 minutes you have alone the entire day until you leave.

However, I remember the night before wanting just ten minutes alone with him before we went to bed. All of this mass chaos was going on, the rehearsal was over, everyone was arriving at the hotel, it is very easy to get overwhelmed. We shut the door, had my brother-in-law ward off people saying hello, and just hugged for a few minutes. It was just the perfect amount of calm I needed before I went to bed.

8. The most important thing about that day: you are married to the love of your life.

Will things go wrong? Yes, absolutely. But really, what is the goal of the day? To be married by the end of it. If that is accomplished, then what else really matters? Probably not much. Will it matter that a member of your bridal party drove you crazy and stressed you out? no. Will it matter that people were late to virtually everything? no. Your wedding day is exciting, fun, crazy, and beautiful, but the whole point is the marriage. Enjoy the day as much as possible and make the most of it! You are about to begin a life-changing, life-long, beautiful journey!

Enjoy your day, and many blessings to your marriage!

With love, 

The Powells 

Excuses, excuses

Hi, there, three months later.

I'd like to explain all of the reasons that I have not updated since January 2nd (we moved! Soccer season started!) but the real reason is that I have just been lazy, and I have been trying to focus on family more than the computer. <~ More on that later.

Anyway, life has been crazy busy lately. High school soccer season has started up (actually we're close to be being done), we moved to a new house, Marcus got a job (yay!), etc etc. soccer season is going well and we have a chance to make it to state! So since January....

This past weekend we went home for Easter, the first time since Christmas. It was so good to see family, but I wish the visit had been longer.






Buddy got to open his basket when we got home (he was with his Mama for Easter), Riley will open his this weekend! 


We took the boys to the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Savannah. If you have never been, let me just say, it is an experience. Luckily our friends got us a good spot so we didn't have to get there at 6am (I'm telling you, crazy).



Buddy started t-ball!


We moved into a house! With a backyard! Yay! Yay! Yay! It's a little farther from work, but now the boys can play outside, we can ride bikes around the neighborhood, the boys can go fishing in the nearby creek. I'm telling you, I love it.



As far as my New Years Resolutions go...

fail.

I've lost three pounds.
I haven't eaten that healthy, or worked out much
I haven't read the Bible everyday.
I went to church once.


I did enjoy the church I went to, and I am planning on going more, preferably with the boys. I would also like to find a Wednesday night program for Buddy. I am getting back on track TODAY as far as reading the Bible goes. Still using She Reads Truth.

Starting the eating healthy again (started yesterday), and working out. So New Years starts again now.


BUT, I'd like to add to my resolutions list: to use less technology.

Read: PUT DOWN THE SMART PHONE.

Have you heard the  AT&T commercial where the lady hands her kid the iPad to watch Finding Nemo so the kid leaves her alone to peace and quiet? I just want to scream at that commercial. "NO NO NO!" There is no need to hand your child a toy or electronic every time they are in the car, or at the dinner table, or out to eat at a restaurant. Your child needs CONVERSATION and INTERACTION, and lets face it, so do ADULTS. I cannot tell you how many children I've encountered that cannot have a conversation with adults or peers, and it is clear that it is because their noses are constantly in Nintendo or watching TV or playing video games instead of spending time with their parents or playing outside with friends. Are we really SO lazy that we can't interact with our children in the car or at a restaurant? Is Facebook/Twitter/Instagram really so important that we have to check it every five seconds rather than having good old conversation with our spouses, friends and children? No.

The answer is no.

So my added resolution is to use less technology. Spend and enjoy TIME with my loved ones MORE and use social media LESS. I am guilty of this, I have been addicted to my phone for far too long, and I am quite ashamed of it. However, I am determined to change. I am determined that our kids will enjoy the outdoors and the beauty of the world and be less focused on Sponge Bob and iPads and video games.


With love,

~Angela

A new year

Another year is upon us. Marcus and I are excited about 2013 and working towards living a healthy lifestyle. We are eating healthier and working out and trying to be better people.

My official New Years resolution list:

1. Eat clean and workout
2. Read the bible everyday and find a church
3. Stop living in excess. Really, I have enough clothes. I buy too much food, and a lot of it goes to waste. I spend money on frivolous things, and if we are ever going to buy a house, and cars, it has got to stop. I definitely improved this year from the previous year, but I can still get better. Time to start budgeting for real.
4. Be a better mom, wife, and person.

My biggest goal is to live a positive life in the next year. Stop hateful thoughts and actions. Try to make a positive impact on those around me and grow as a person.

Marcus and I have a lot of big decisions to make in the coming year, and we will need lots of prayers. I am very excited about our future and can't wait to see where we go from here!

A Very Jane Giveaway

Have you guys heard of Very Jane?

If not, you are totally out of the loop. This wonderful little website sends an email everyday of deals they have. They feature small boutiques and etsy shops, usually, and their items are on sale. I have ordered quite a few things off this website, including scarfs, bracelets, hairbows, etc. I absolutely love them!

They are doing a giveaway for an iPad mini, a mixer, or a Canon Rebel (my personal fav). Check them out!!


Here is the giveaway...
https://veryjane.com/giveaway.htm

Enjoy, y'all!

Fat chance

I remember back when Marcus and I were planning the wedding, I was in grad school, coaching, moving, and I thought "gee, I can't wait to get married so life will slow down".


Ha. Ha ha. Ha ha ha.


Hey Angela, if you are waiting for life to slow down, you've got a while.


It must be in my nature to find things to keep me busy. I should be used to this by now.


Anyway, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We took Riley with us, we made cookies, spent time with family, and had an all around great time.

Christmas is coming, and I still have not bought any presents. Yes, still. Its December 1st....usually I am almost done by now! Hopefully since yesterday was payday I will get a little bit done today! I try to get a lot done online, because I really hate going into the stores at this time. I am hoping that by the end of next week, I will be done shopping and the wrapping process can begin.

Today we are going to see Santa with the boys, and to see Rise of the Guardians. Riley talked about it nonstop this past weekend, and we are hoping Buddy will like it, also. He doesn't do well in movies, usually about a hour in he is ready to go. Riley, however, sits mesmerized the entire time.

This year we are also doing Elf of the Shelf with Buddy. Last year we tried it, but he didn't quite get it. This year, however, he is SUPER into it. For example, the other day he had a little meltdown before bed time, and we told him that Buster (his elf) would be telling Santa about it. He FREAKED. "NOOOOOO, Santa will be mad!!". Annnd he has been an angel ever since.



Buddy and the Elf, Buster.



Bowser, ruining my tree!



The boys and the ornaments that Nana got them.

Real Talk Tuesday (on Wednesday).

So, linking up for Real Talk. This particular post is Facebook related. Let's get real here, some people are straight up annoying on Facebook. Let's get to it.

1. No one wants to read your posts when YoU tYpE lIkE tHiS, or whn u typ lke ths. <~ Seriously? what is that? Use vowels. Do your best to spell correctly and use correct grammar. Yes, slang is okay sometimes. Yes, I misspell words, a lot. But heck, at least TRY. I would say 99% of you graduated high school. Most of you went to college. Act like it.

2. Don't complain about your significant other. Seriously, it makes you look worse than it makes them look. It's disrespectful to your s/o, and downright mean. Yes, Marcus and I argue, but I'm not about to make a public service announcement every time it happens (which, by the way, isn't that often).

3. If you are over the age of 18, there is no reason to take 5,000 self pictures a day. We know when you stick your arm out to the side, you look skinny. We know when you take it from above, you look skinnier. We know when you stick your chin out, pop your collar bones forward, you look skinny. We aren't fooled, we all use the same tricks. Seriously, one every couple of weeks, that's fine. 20 pictures a month of just your upper half? Not necessary. You're beautiful, and I'm sure you haven't changed much from yesterday.

4. Save the drama for your mama. No one needs to read your family/boyfriend/friend drama all over Facebook. Arguing over Facebook posts for everyone to see is pretty entertaining, but do you really want to be the butt of everyones jokes? I read so many peoples posts about how people should mind their own business...yet they post it all over Facebook. When you post vague status updates that are clearly about someone or directed at someone, people will speculate. If you're fine with that, go right ahead. But don't complain about people "in your business" when you update every five minutes about how sad or unhappy you are for whatever reason.

5. Try some positive thoughts every once in a while. Someone wise once said "Life is what you make it, make it good" (Daniel Tosh, by the way). I see so many people who are CONSTANTLY complaining. Don't get me wrong, I know I have a life better than a lot of people. I also complain sometimes. But lets be honest here, you have Facebook. Meaning you have a computer or smart phone. You probably have a roof over your head, food to eat at night, and clothes on your back. You are doing better than a lot. Stop and smell the roses sometimes. People care about you and are interested in what you are doing. Positive thoughts in a negative life go a long way, just sayin.

Let me be clear here, everyone has their preferences on Facebook. I know for some I probably post to many pictures of my boys, talk too much about how much I love my husband, and I know I post far too many status updates. These are my *personal* opinions.

Happy birthday and retirement, Daddy

This past week on the 23rd, my Daddy turned 60. He is clearly the coolest 60 year old you will ever meet. What made this birthday extra special is that he also retired!! Last Friday was his last day of work...ever.



^^Taken 10 years ago, at his 50th birthday party.^^

Jealous.

Now, if you know my dad, he is a busy body. Like, can sit through church without getting up, busy body. I'm not exactly expecting him to be laying around the house doing nothing for the next few years. He's probably bored already. I am sure that my Mom will keep him nice and occupied with to-do lists for the rest of his life :)

We celebrated both at Six-feet-under, a bar in down town atlanta. Nabisco also had a nice big breakfast for him at work, and it was nice to meet everyone he worked with over the past 29 years!

 

Love you, Daddy! Congrats!!