Big News, Venues, Menus, & Wedding Shoes

OF COURSE, I have to blog about my upcoming wedding. I have been meaning to for quite some time, but with recovery and things being so crazy busy I decided to wait until after Christmas. At the end of November I asked Logan and Aubrey to be the two girls by my side at my wedding. Logan will be my Maid Of Honor. I purchased a special invitation for them, written by me. I presented these invitations to them at Up Your Alley Chophouse in downtown Aiken, while my mom photographed.

Personalized invitations for the girls! 

We all exchanged hugs and tears! 

After lunch Logan and Aubrey tried on the samples of their dresses for the big day. I also showed Aubrey my dress for the first time. She was speechless and in tears! I purchased my wedding shoes prior to asking the girls to be in my wedding. This was the only item I was able to take home. Save the dates were ordered, except now I will have to keep them. The date has changed, so I will be going straight to the invitations. 

My wedding shoes :)

Aubrey's Reaction to my dress: 

I told her to keep her eyes covered until my dress was clipped. 

Aubrey was crying again at this point! 

Mine and Chris' wedding has been put on hold due to this surgery. We were actually supposed to be married on October 27 of this year. We decided to give things some more time and rescheduled the wedding for August 29th, 2014. August 29th fell on a Friday and I was SO EXCITED. This was the day Chris asked me to date him when we were 14 years old, in 9th grade at Silver Bluff High School. Everything has seemed to fall into place and we were able to get our first home sooner than we planned. I decided to move the wedding up to Spring. Our new date is April 26th, 2014.

Our first Save The Dates. I made these myself on Photoshop! These were for the original October wedding.

Our second round of Save the Dates. These were for the August 29th wedding. These were ordered from Etsy, and I will most likely use the same Etsy Shop for my invitations!

I have also met with our florist in 2012 shortly after Chris and I were engaged. We have rescheduled another meeting. She is Miss Tammy from Dyson's Designs and I love her work. I have recommended her to other brides. She is FANTASTIC! We have decided on a venue and will be meeting with potential caterers soon. I will disclose that information in the next blog post! I will also be featuring photos from our new home after the paperwork is finalized!

(WE WILL HAVE OUR OWN HOUSE, FINALLY!) 

OUR STORY

I was new to Silver Bluff, I was actually zoned for South Aiken High. I wanted to attend a smaller high school after attending a quaint Christian school along with homeschooling my middle school years. I saw Chris for the first time at our Freshman Orientation in the gym. He had his hat on backwards (he still wears them like this) and had on plaid shorts. Yes, they were in style back then in 2007! I thought he was cute, but I was busy trying to find my classes and meet my new teachers. I went to my 7th period class, which was Geometry and picked a seat in the middle of the room. Chris walks in and sits next to me, pretending he didn't notice I was sitting there. We didn't say anything to each other, which wasn't surprising. I was focused about my future in Geometry, so I didn't pay Chris too much attention. The only thing that stuck in my mind was "Wow, where do I know him from? He looks vaguely familiar..."

Later on that week, Chris and I would arrive to school around the same time. We still didn't speak to each other. We had 7th period together everyday and we continued to walk past one another without a word. Finally, I decided to sit at a different table during lunch. It was the end of the school week and I worked up enough courage to ask Chris where he went to middle school and where he was from. You were either from Jackson or New Ellenton if you went to Silver Bluff, with a few exceptions. Some friends and I were from Aiken. Mine and Chris' conversation didn't even last five minutes, and it was extremely awkward. My friend Colleen was sitting beside me so I talked to her during lunch until the bell rang. When I got home that day, I checked my Myspace. This was the social media site we all used in 2007 before Facebook became popular. I had a notification alerting me  of a new friend request from Chris Rautio. His profile picture was a "selfie" in a Pepsi shirt. I'm pretty sure I was the first one to comment on his photo and send him a message. Chris isn't much for conversation starting. We hit it off on Myspace messaging, since that was less intimidating for the both of us. Shortly after I was invited to a bonfire. I decided to go after Chris shared with me on a Myspace message that he would be there. I had a good time, but I only talked to Chris for about ten minutes before I left. He pretended to ignore me the whole bonfire. We eventually got our own "first selfie" that night, which went on my Myspace page when I returned home. Three days later on August 29th, 2007 in front of my locker, Chris asked me the one question I had been waiting for, "Are we going out now or what?"..... Well it wasn't exactly how I pictured it, but that was Chris for you.

Our first "selfie" before the "selfie" was a thing ;) 8/26/07 

Our first SBHS football game as a couple. 8/31/07

We continued dating throughout high school and I liked to call us the "Silver Bluff Soap Opera". We were even nominated "Most Likely to Never be Single" our senior year for superlatives. Our relationship was so dramatic and still is. Now we have Haiden and we are getting married. Everything is just so surreal.

"Most Likely to Never be Single" Senior Superlative 2011 SBHS.

Chris and I have a history and we know each other so well. Our story is what makes our relationship so special. We have grown up together and Chris has TRULY been my best friend. We are more in love now than we ever were. We have learned through the good times and the bad, almost 7 years worth! We have a son who is the perfect mixture of us both who has brought us closer together. I am looking forward to our upcoming wedding and sharing it with our friends and loved ones.

12/28/13

Be on the look-out for wedding invitations! We have decided on an "intimate gathering" style wedding.  Chris and I did not want a big wedding and wanted to invite those who have been there for us throughout the years. Our wedding theme is going to be centered around "Our Story". 

Have a Happy New Year and stay tuned for more details! 

'Tis the Season Thankfulness

Christmas Eve is TOMORROW NIGHT. It is the first Christmas that I am "dent free". And for this I am very thankful. I took a deep breath last night, and thought "Wow, this feels amazing." You take things for granted in this life, like being able to breathe properly. I had gotten used to only using 30 percent of my lung capacity. My recovery is going well, though I am not pain free. It's more of a soreness, some days I can get into really bad shape. Especially if I have been pulling on Haiden a lot. Also, sneezing with a metal bar in your chest is AWFUL. I cannot fully sneeze, so when the need arises to sneeze I make a "PewPewPew" sound. My whole family makes fun of me. I try to explain to them how your chest contracts when you sneeze and it hurts. They get a kick out of it though. But in general, things get better each day. I am much better than I was and I understand this recovery is going to take some time! I am able to get married sooner than expected and I am hopefully returning to school in January.

Druelle Christmas Vaction

We had an early family Christmas get together on the 14th with our family from out of town. We all had a blast and it was wonderful being able to see everyone. Haiden received many cute gifts and new toys. He had fun as well. At our early Christmas family dinner we got a lot of inspiration from The National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation movie. I was in charge of the "EggNog Station" and I served everyone eggnog from the cutest bowl and cups my mom and I found at Goodwill. (We love thrifting.) My mom even printed out some National Lampoon quotes and had them scattered throughout the house. We enjoyed a delicious meal and we chowed down on all of the Moss/Druelle family favorites!

EGGNOG STATION!

I made everyone's eggnog picture perfect! :)

Personally, I think this was the best part! It was delicious, if I do say so MYSELF ;) 

Opening gifts from the family! 

The Tucker's

Today we visited the Tucker family. Brittany and Trevor are mine and Chris' good friends. They are such troopers. And I love their boys to death! Brady is two and is their oldest son. He recently broke his femur while playing on his little brother Bentley's swing in their living room. The swing swivels and his leg got caught and his body fell. I was talking to Brittany about all of this, and she explained to me how terrible she felt. She said all of the nurses had to ask her if someone did this to Brady on purpose, because this is the number one broken bone in abuse cases. She explained to me she was so shocked something like this happened while she was watching Brady in their own living room. Brady has both legs casted as well as his stomach. Brittany and Trevor have had a lot on their plate this holiday season with an injured toddler and an infant! So, of course I had to make Brady and Bentley a snowman hat. I love making these little hats so much, and they are so cute in photos. Brady loved his hat and Bentley's was so precious. I cannot even imagine what Brittany and Trevor have had to go through, with a toddler who doesn't understand he can't move. They have handled everything with grace, that is for sure! The Tucker family is very dear to my heart. We are praying Brady will be able to have his cast removed on January 2nd!

Haiden looking at Bentley's "booboo". So sweet!

Bentley's hat on the left. Brady's on the right! 

'Tis the Season Thankfulness"

I am so thankful that my recovery is going well. I am even more thankful that Haiden is healthy this Christmas season. He was sick with the flu last Christmas, and this was terrible. I am also thankful he does not have to spend Christmas in a hospital. I pray those children at MUSC and the Ronald McDonald House have a wonderful Christmas despite their various circumstances. I hope a made a difference in someone's life. I hope I brought a smile to a little girl or boy's face this Christmas. I am thankful for my family and Chris who have all been wonderful and have helped me when I've needed it after my surgery. I have been through a lot physically and emotionally during this recovery and I am thankful God has been with me every step of the way. I am thanking Him for all of my blessings this Christmas. It has been tough not being able to take care of Haiden to the extent I was able to in the past. I am now able to lift him more and more. It scares me sometimes, because he is ALL BOY. So this means all rough and tumble.  I am grateful I am no longer in the state I was two months ago. I am excited about Haiden's second Christmas and I will be posting on his blog afterwards to share his Christmas morning photos! Count your blessings this season and share your own "Tis The Season Thankfulness".

I was trying to tell Chris one side of my mouth "wasn't working" when I smiled. He took the photo anyways. 

"SELFIE"

I hope everyone has a BLESSED, WONDERFUL, VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!  

Paying it Forward: Charleston Toy Drive

Inside the Ronald McDonald House! :) We were able to place the toys under this tree and another in the back, since they wouldn't all fit! 

I'm excited to announce we have PAID IT FORWARD in Charleston, South Carolina. My dad, Charlie Druelle, drove the big U-Haul truck filled with toys to give to MUSC Children's Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House. It was about a two hour drive! We dropped toys off at MUSC and the Ronald McDonald House. The only photos I have right now are at the Ronald McDonald House. I hate to say it, but I was very unhappy with MUSC. I felt like we were not welcome. Two staff members were sent out to help us unload the truck. The whole time we were unloading they both were rushing all of us. I wanted to get a photo of us unloading and one member rudely said, "You need to hurry this process along." (Needless to say I didn't get any usable photos here.)  I had to keep reminding myself this was for the children at the hospital. I had to bite my tongue. We did not have a convenient place to unload the toys, and we had to unload them at the front where patients were being discharged from the hospital. I felt like we were in the way, and we felt like our efforts to have these toys brought here were not appreciated.

ON THE PLUS SIDE, we had a WONDERFUL experience with the Ronald McDonald house. I want to give a special thanks to Jennene who made us feel so welcomed and appreciated. We shared stories and she gave us a tour. During our story time everyone, including myself, was in tears. Jennene shared with us that a Pectus patient's family, who had the Nuss Procedure like I did, had stayed in the house a couple months ago. I loved listening to all of the good things the RMH has done and still continues to do for the community of Charleston. I told her I would love to donate more to them in the future and possibly volunteer when I'm able. I told her if I lived close by, I would work there. That's how awesome she and her staff were. I was HIGHLY IMPRESSED! It was an amazing, heartwarming experience.

Unloading what I could at the Ronald McDonald House! :) 

Cathy and I unloading the rest of the toys at RMH

All of us! Cathy brought Carolyn from Rhode Island. DeAnna from Fox24 here in Charleston, who made the commercial, helped us unload as well!

This photo was featured on the Binkeez fan page! Check it out:
https://www.facebook.com/Binkeezforcomfort?ref=br_tf 

I am so blessed to have gotten this opportunity! Thank you so much Cathy O'Grady for allowing me this opportunity. Thank you Charlie Druelle and Cathy for making it possible! 

What I got out of this trip: 

I am definitely blessed. I have so much to be thankful for. It makes me appreciate the fact that Haiden is healthy, and doesn't have to go through what some of these children do. I'm so thankful he has not had to stay in the hospital for long periods of time. I've learned the simple things in life we take for granted are so big to other people. Jennene shared with us that a staff member was having a rough day at work. She was having to work on a holiday. She needed some help putting away some items at the House and a little girl that had cancer volunteered. Jennene said she had no hair and was sweet as could be. She sat down beside the staff member and started to clean. She said very proudly "This is the best day of my life, because I'm helping someone." I was in tears at this point. Little children have to go through so much sometimes, yet they're still willing to help someone else. We all could learn something from these children! This trip was such a blessing in time for the holidays! I know we made a lot of kids very happy this Christmas!