Going to the Chapel...

It is so hard to believe that in 5 days, Lee and I are getting married. I was reading through my earlier blog entries a few days ago, and I saw a post that said our wedding was 14 months away. Back then, I thought I had SOO much time to get everything done. Guess what? I was wrong. Those 14 months flew by! I don't think time has EVER passed so quickly! It has been over two years since Lee proposed! We have been dating for over four years. Where in the world does the time go?! I feel like someone has been sitting on my life's remote control and they are pressing the fast forward button.
In exactly five days, I will be wearing my wedding dress. I will be sitting in the bridal parlor at the church with my bridesmaids waiting on 5:00 pm when my dad will walk to down the aisle to meet my groom. I don't think the reality has set in yet, but the nerves certainly have. For the past few nights, I have woken up nearly every hour thinking of things to add to my growing "to do" list. Add in the fact that I have a Women's Health final exam at 9:00 am on Wednesday, and you can only imagine how stressed I am!
But, even with all of the stress and loss of sleep, planning this wedding has been fun. I have been able to spend so much time with my mom, and she and I have enjoyed every minute of tying hundreds of ribbons and making zillions of bows out of tulle because those projects have given us the chance to spend lots of time with each other.
I have no idea how I would have gotten all of this done without my parents. In fact, I know that it would have been impossible. My mom has been working on wedding stuff every day for the past few months. And dad was always a big helper! He helped us out a great deal. They have been so wonderful and I feel so lucky to have them as my parents!!!
We still have a ton of stuff to do, but I know that with the help of all of the wonderful people Lee and I have in our lives, it will all come together over the next few days, and our wedding will be everything we have dreamed of!
- Gina

The Little Things

Lately, I have been feeling overwhelmed (to say the least). The combination of my rapidly approaching wedding (9 more days!!!) and finals have made me feel like I may have pushed my self to the limit.
So as I was sitting around having a pity party for myself - I read this little quote while browsing one of my new favorite things: Pinterest!

So simple, but so true!
At that moment I realized that all of this "stress" I have been experiencing has came from two of the greatest blessing of my life. Instead of complaining, I should be thankful!!
Nursing school was never a part of my life plan - but you know what they say, we make plans and then God laughs. He had a plan for me from the beginning, and I am so very happy with where my life has lead me. I have made some of the greatest friends anyone could ask for, and have loved every moment of living in Charleston. I occasionally get so focused on the academic aspect of school that I entirely forget about the sweet patients that I am helping every day - something that brings so much joy to my heart.
Also, marrying Lee will be the greatest day of my life. He is more than amazing and I feel blessed just knowing that he and I will share a life together. Our relationship is my rock. I can not wait to say "I do" :)

My new goal for myself is to try and focus on the little things that make the big, stressful, overwhelming stuff worth it all.
Every day is full of blessings - we just have to make sure we stop long enough to see them.

- Gina