Update: Weddings and Birthdays

Our family had its offical start on October 5th, the busiest day of the year for birthdays, when our son, Paul, was born. We've always thought it was funny that he was born on the busiest day of the year for birthdays, seeing as we don't generally follow fads. We consoled ourselves, though, that it was the only conventional thing we'd ever done. Until... we almost hit that date again fourteen years later, when Cathy was born on October 6th. I guess the odds were just with us.

Paul turned 22 five days before his wedding date, this coming Saturday, October 10th. Catherine just turned nine (even though, I can't get it out of my mind that she should be turning eight! I've been getting it wrong all day, but Catherine is indulgent, bless her...) We'll be squeezing in a birthday party Wednesday night, after a turkey and stuffing dinner, complete with cranberry sauce (at Cathy's request).

Olive You, Cathy! You nine-year-old!

Thursday is the day of the Bachelor and Bachelorette parties, and the day I go arrange flowers and bouquets. Friday is the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. Saturday morning, Paul will meet all his brothers (and the rest of his closest friends and family) for Mass (as we won't be having the Nuptial Mass since Nicole hasn't been Baptized yet). Then wedding pictures will be at 1:00 and the wedding will be at 4:00. (Deep breath.)

Am I ready?

Well...

+ The flowers are ordered, the boys' tuxes are getting picked up tomorrow.

+ The rehearsal dinner is arranged.

+ I've got all the little ones' clothes pressed and hanging together in my closet. I'm only missing good black socks for the little boys, and I'm hoping to get a hold of some of those in the next couple of days.

+ The girls' dresses are all ready, except that their little satin bolero jackets haven't arrived yet. I haven't given up hope on them, but if they don't turn up tomorrow I'm getting St. Anthony on it -- or giving up and wrapping tulle around their shoulders for the wedding (I'm trying hard to not get stressed about it).

+ I've got all but one of the girls' chapel veil wreath-head-thingies made.

+ I found a dress and shoes I like. And finally found a necklace and earrings that I liked and could afford. I expect I'll do my own hair, nails, etc. (I'm terrified at the thought, though. I'm not very good at it! Any suggestions?)

+ We've got all the autumn leaf decorations for the pew-ends finished, be-ribboned, and arranged in a box to take on Saturday morning.

+ In fact, I've got everything arranged in baskets that needs to be taken to the Church, from flower arranging items, to for primping and prepping paraphernalia.

+ I'm trying to enjoy the few minutes I get to see my boys in between errands...

+ I'm trying to get used to the idea that my little boy will be a married man in four days (gasp!)...

But, yeah, I think we'll make it. I haven't frazzled yet, anyway. Maybe I won't. Maybe I won't? (Say a prayer!)

*BTW: I may or may not get back on here before next week... I'm woefully behind in all my correspondence, but I'm hoping everyone's understanding. I'm looking forward to catching up on everything in the post wedding languor I'm planning...

* BTW, also: That's not Paul and Nicole's cake up there. Their's is a simple, elegant one, with an Autumn leaf motif. I love it! I can't wait to post some pictures of it after the wedding. I took the picture of the cake shown here, though, at the bakery where we got their cake. I thought the glass globes with flowers between the layers was a pretty nifty twist on a wedding cake. Don't you think it's kind of pretty?