You know when it's coming - you can feel it building under your skin even before it shows it's ugly face. You've been stressed out, had a little too much on your plate, and now you know that you're REALLY going to have something awful to show for it. Then it happens - the zit of the century pops out on your face and it seems like there's nothing you can do to get rid of it.

You? Oh no, wait, that's right - this is happening to ME! Ugh. 10 days before my wedding, I have a monsterous zit on the side of my nose - bulging over my eye (and making my nose appear to be twice its normal size!) and I can't seem to get rid of it!

Whatever is a woman to do?!!!

:)

I hereby tag all of you to do this ...

1. Where is your cell phone? In my purse - in the closet.

2.Where is your significant other? On his way to work.

3. Your hair color? I wish it was still brown, but it always fades back to blonde :(

4. Your mother? Completely amazing!

5. Your father? There when I need him.

6. Your favorite thing? Spending time with my Monte!

7. Your dream last night? No dreams - just a hard sleep after a full day of shopping with my sister, Tanya.

8. Your dream/goal? To raise my kids in the path of God.

9. The room you're in? The kitchen.

10. Your hobby? Right now it would have to be doing laundry, changing diapers and cleaning the house!

11. Your fear? Losing people I love.

12. Where do you want to be in six years? Here with Monte and the kids - with some more kids too - loving life, serving God, working hard, reaching people and touching lives.

13. Where were you last night? At the Mall of America with Tanya.

14. What you’re not? Awake .. I could really use a nap!

15. One of your wish list items? An office (we're working on this one after the wedding!).

16. Where you grew up? Perham, MN

17. The last thing you did? Watched the boys eat breakfast.

18. What are you wearing? Pajamas - and I just might wear them all day long!

19. Your TV? In the armoire.

20. Your pet? Just an iguana and a bunch of fish, none of which belong to me!

21. Your computer? A Dell Latitude.

22. Your mood? Soooooo tired!

23. Missing someone? My Monte - we've been so busy with wedding stuff that we haven't been able to spend a lot of time together lately.

24. Your car? A 2003 Chevy Tahoe .. or when we have the car, a 2008 Pontiac G6 (Monte usually drives the car).

25. Something you’re not wearing? Shoes.

26. Favorite store? It's a tie between Maurices and Express (depending on what I'm shopping for).

27. Your summer? Was absolutely wonderful!

28. Love someone? My God. My Monte. My step-kids. My family. My friends.

29. Your favorite color? A really passionate shade of RED!

30. When is the last time you laughed? Last night after dinner with Tanya .. she was getting all giggly and slap-happy :)

31. Last time you cried? A few days ago - I finally let loose on the emotional breakdown that had been building.

So, as a treat to myself, I have began a ritual of daily taking a little bit of "Me Time" when Colin is down for his nap. During this time, I am allowed to do NO work (this was at the request of my wonderful Monte!), but I am allowed to relax and use the time to do whatever my heart desires. Today, I want to blog. So here I sit at my kitchen counter, staring at the insane MESS around me! Somehow, after my trip to the grocery store this morning, I made the command decision to clean out some of the cupboards in the kitchen. WHAT A PROJECT!! And now I'm sitting here, eating peanut m&ms and drinking a diet coke, just watching this mess stare me right in the face ... and it's driving me crazy! I just might have to break the 'me time' rules today, cause this project is one that needs to be tackled again soon!

I'm happy to say that I believe wedding planning is almost complete! My sister, Tanya, and I are off to another full day of wedding shopping and meeting with vendors tomorrow .. and I'm really hoping for a majority of things to be taken care of in that day. I still can't believe that I'm getting married to the most wonderful man I've ever known ... and that the wedding is just a mere 18 days away! Holy moly!

It must be said, though, that the only thing about wedding planning that truly irritates me is the lack of RSVPs we've received! At this point, I want to call people and say "I don't care if you're coming or not, just send the stupid card so I can let the caterer know!" Bad attitude? I think so. However, it has totally changed my perspective on the importance of this. I'm even thankful to the people who have called or emailed to let me know whether or not they are able to make it! If there's one thing I can guarantee, it's that I will return every single RSVP I ever receive from here on out - cause oh my goodness it's annoying to not get them back!!! :)

And that's all the "Me Time" I'm taking for today. Tune in next time ...

<3

Here I sit, 19 days away from my WEDDING DAY, and all I can think about is how the last seven weeks have flown by. I remember the day that Monte and I decided to move the wedding date up, and when wedding preparations began. I have gone from that phase of having nothing figured out, to almost being completely set and ready to go (thanks to a LOT of help from my sister, Tanya). I am so completely excited to be married to such an amazing man - and I can't imagine what life would be like without him or his four awesome kids. I think it's almost beyond belief that, in the course of a year, I went from being a single woman living with her brother and his family, barely making ends meet (or not making them meet sometimes!), just wanting to be married and life to move forward .. just wanting love; to go from that to being married with four step-children in the course of a YEAR ... holy moly! I am so thankful to God for all He has blessed me with, and I pray that I will never take these awesome blessings for granted. I pray for patience every single day, for order to my chaotic home, for love that surpasses anything, for joy and laughter and a great home for our kids to grow up in.

Life is amazing and I'm so blessed for where my life has come!