Crunchtime, bridesmaids and the best husband to be ever

Goooood Morning!

If you follow me on Facebook, you would have seen my post about how good Jesus is. And I'm here to testify AGAIN He has already provided.

So Andy and I were presented with a test. It was major to me but for him, it was either a yes or a no. And in hindsight that is exactly what it was. But I have an extremely difficult time accepting no. God is teaching me that sometimes that no is a means of protection.

So Andy's enormous faith and nuff nuff nuff prayers from both of us and our families took us through this little challenge. And God granted us favour. So for all of you praying for us thank you and please continue!!

Onto the good stuff!! I chose the ladies of our bridal party with great care. I have been friends with 4 of them for over 17 years one of them for 7 and the other for 5. See where I'm going with this? Relationship is important. Knowing your worth is valuable. Long and short? 

Invest in people who have your best interest at heart. Trust the people who have always been there. I want to look back at our wedding album and see happy, smiling faces, with people we love, admire and appreciate. 

Well folks. Our wedding is next month. Colour me excited. Andy is still smiling. I'm happy. Ideas are flowing and I can reveal one tidbit. We are taking our photos in a brand spanking new location. Historic, and it is quite picturesque. 

The curator of this garden was thoroughly impressed i'm told when my mother spoke to her, the lady couldn't contain it. She indicated that people simply took advantage without seeking permission. I was adamant about asking. It is VERY important to know your place and ting de people lil garden doan belongs ta we.

In essence, being a bride is awesome. It's fun. It's exciting. It's a beautiful and fulfilling experience. And if you focus on the marriage, the life after the wedding and pay a leeeetle attention to the wedding. You would enjoy it too. Cause I'm telling you, people who go through this twice? Nuts! Mental craycray.

More soon. And the photos are going to be fab!

Chile it's drawing nigh

Hellllllller!!!! 

Status: dressless, shoeless and bubbling with anticipation.

If you'd told me last year i'd be stressed and worried I would have agreed. But i'm not. Not yet at least. I was a little overwhelmed this week. Thanks Shars!! But I took the advice I usually impart to my brides. One thing at a time.

And now I have plenty lists and i'm back in organisation mode. I'm hiring and firing putting people in their place. Getting my act together. 

Mr. Bowen and his groomsmen got their suit lives!! Shout out to Dom and the others over at Men's Room, City Centre Mall in the City. I am not on any of the paperwork, but if you want to go take a peep at Andy's suit and send me aphoto  maybe on whats'app. That would be irie!! 

So now, of COURSE there is drama. American airlines mad?? How ya mean ya gotta pay for a carry on doah??? Alll of my God bless muh extras does be inna meh bag. May have to explore jetblue folks cause double A stands for something I cannot say on this platform. They may ban me. 

We have decor! For both the church and the reception site!! After scouring pinterest and instagram I am sooooo excited. I want simple, classic and chic. Boom!!

I have THE best bridesmaids though!!! I set up a group on whatsapp to stay connected and so far so good. All te ladies are fun, happy and not divas at all. And I reallllllllllly hope they aren't planning a bridal shower. I am NOT about that life. Take me some where to eat, have a cocktail or mocktail depending on the calories and let's chill. And they can tell me allllll about marriage and men and the joy of being a wife blah blah. 

Also!!!! What do you all think about clip in extensions??? I'm thinking I don't want a full sew in nor do I want to bond. But i've had clip ins before and they are awesomesauce. That way I can switch up the look from wedding to reception as suggested by my girl Jaye!!! 

Well, less than 75 days to go. My friend B is getting married shortly and we wish her all the best. She's just as excited as I am, and has a great sense of style so I know her day will be a fab, do down!!

Love you all! More on Monday!!!

Xoxo

Heidi.

Everything about You...

This one is for Andy.

I am honoured, grateful, blessed and so happy that you chose me.

When we met, I promise you, it NEVER crossed my mind that we had even a prayer of being together. My radar was probably down at the time. But God had it all planned.

You're who I prayed for. You are the kindest, most generous, loving person. Your warmth and genuine love for people draws them to you. You are the heart of your home. I love to watch you with your friends, there's something so special about the love you have for them.  They truly are your family, you made it so.

Your love for God is beautiful, and authentic. Real.  Your dedication to your witness and ministry is what showed me that you were covered, chosen. Your service and commitment, that's what I want to be in my own.

I was strong willed, blunt and impatient. But sweet and vulnerable, so you said. And you saw through all of that mess. Your calm, peaceful spirit, rested with mine, and through Him, I am developing those same traits. No one is perfect.

You are the second thing I think about in the morning (Him first) and the first one I pray for at night. My life without you is unimaginable, but knowing you has blessed and enriched it beyond anything I ever expected or hoped for. Our love keeps me sane, happy, grounded. Everything about you is right. Most days... lol

This wedding, all of these plans it's all for us to enjoy one of THE best days we will ever have REGARDLESS of what happens, who's there, who's not.  But mostly, I'm doing it for you. You take care of me and have been from day one. Without being asked, without hesitation, without a deep breath. Of course not without frustration, I AM Heidi after all. Now it's time for me to take care of something, with just a little help from you.

There is no doubt in my mind, that He is at the head of this life we're enjoying. And with all of the prayers, love and blessings from our God, we are a success story, and we will continue to be. I am so proud of us, and so excited for our future. You make it all worth it. I love you.

Always,
Heidi.

100 Happy Days

We are beeeeyyyooond excited!!! Today officially marks 100 days til Heidi and Andy's Wedding Day!!!! 

Our invitations are on the way out. Already some people are disappointed, but we have a plan so not to worry. We have some thing in the works!!! We promise :)

Of course, no event Heidi or Andy are a part of is ever without some measure of drama. People inviting themselves, inviting other people, asking who's in our bridal party. Why we're having it here and not there.  And not a cheque nor envelope with a Grantley at all at all. 

Regardless, we are blessed and grateful for all the love and support.

So it's crunchtime. I have no dress, shoes, not even undies lolololol and I couldn't care less. Andy and I have come to the conclusion AGAIN that those things are nice and of course we want them. But this is about God guiding him and me into our life together. Boom!!

I need some help ya'll 

Limo or nah??

Tiara or nah?

Garter and get it tek off in fronta people or nah?

Eat on the morning of the wedding or nah?

Oh and guess when it finally hit home home home that this man is really, honestly, seriously, truly going to make lil old me his wife???

So this happened:

We love you!! Countdown with us!!! T-100 days :D

Instagram, Facebook, Tumblr.. The Social Media Saga

Goood Morning!

I'm trying to keep up family!

It's not that I don't have anything to write about, it is that I'm trying to find the time.

So update:

It's gift list time!! Any suggestions on what we should get? When Dad died he left a house full of things, so all we need really are appliances and sheets etc. Still we want our own household items. But if there is ANYTHING you can think of that we might need that you had/ didn't get that you wished you had SHARE PLEASE!! I can tell you we are looking at Cave Shepherd/Sheperd (spell it wrong all the time), and Dwellings. Any other suggestions? Except Walker's World.

So the title may intrigue/confuse you. But this is something that I have been grappling with for the last few months. We have spoken about it briefly, Andy and I but as he was bringing me home last night I 1) realised I'm about to be a dude's wife, and 2) do we want to share that very intimate, private moment with the world?  you tend to forget things of this nature with big events like weddings.

Should we or shouldn't we allow people to upload photos from our wedding instantaneously. Andy had a friend who got married just at the beginning of the Facebook phenomenon. And in their invitations or on the programmes or somewhere they indicated that they did NOT want any photos uploaded.

Has social media caused us to over share? 

Given my status on Facebook and Instagram etc, I am inclined to say that I understand that move. Somethings are private. And the couple should be allowed to release their photos on their own terms. And I am leaning towards that too. Not just for privacy's sake, but also because we really want to share the memories with you all when we are ready.

I don't mind things like this, but Bajans and people on a whole rip your events to shreds when they get a glimpse of what you did! 

So what is your take on the social media thing? Should we tell our guests to leave it out til we give the go ahead? Or are you interested in a #aboabbowenwedding trend on the Internet??

Do we really want images like this traversing the highways and byways of social media?

Thoughts??

Wedding Success, Marriage Fail... NOT HAPPENING

Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!

MIA doesn't begin to describe! But thanks for staying tuned and asking, when is the next blog coming out?? Keeps me on my toes.

Sooooooooooooooooooooooooo, I CANNOT!

People are something else, just yesterday this lady asked me why I was wearing a ring. I told her, cause it was given to me. Of COURSE as GIPSY BAJANS do, she asked if I was engaged, I smiled and said yes. My girl launches into a tirade, well ya knowww I had Donovan (let's cover the poor man's identity, shall we) for ova ten years, he is do he ting, I is do mine. But ya betta live wid de man before ya married. You is a young girl and men aint easy. Dem is mek ya snort... I could tell you stories... blah blah blah.

We believe life is what you make it! 

I tuned out and moved on to the next customer, first of all she had me bored, den she hit me for six wid 'men does mek ya snort'. Andy and I allllways have this discussion. The latest thing when people meet us is they tell me, youuuuu he marrieding to you, wha he is a good looking fella. You betta try and treat he real good, not he gine leff ya. But wait, do we not have equal capacity to leave/be left? Furthermore who enters a marriage with the constant thought of divorce?

And here is why we believe that most marriages fail. A lack of Commitment. But ting, we had we one anudda seven (7) years though. Plus, we've been to hell, through purgatory and back, short of killing one another, we strive for harmony, and while we have our disagreements and occasional spats, ain't nobody got time for the negativity!!

And with God on our side, we cannot fail!

Hence, our focus on our MARRIAGE! WE want to ensure that after the money don spend, food done eat, gifts done buy and dese people gone home that ANDERSON M and HEIDI R are going to make a go of it SUCCESSFULLY. That our lives will mirror Christ' love and that we will ENJOY, yes dare I say be happy for the balance of our lives together. That is our firm commitment. And you can hold us to it, (me especially check Andy's never coming blog to be sure, yes I'm calling you out!)

Life and death is in the power of the tongue people. Stop declaring doom over our marriage 'fore it even start!

It's in the Holy Bible!

Happy talk now, rant done:

Hear dis. Invitations look tooooooo sweet! And nuff fancy tings included. Of coursely after wedding done we will share a few of our features. But as I'm putting alot into the blogosphere we still want to maintain a few secrets and surprises.

Suddenly, I'm getting nuff nuff kisses, and loving up from this man though, is that normal? Leading up to? If it is I sure hope it continues :D cause I like nuff lovin up :D  I mean I could've just awakened from a nap or whatever and this nutbag is kissing my face and stroking my hair. Mummy says he's been doing it since we got together, but I must be so fagged out, that I'm clueless. Sweet tho :)

I love him <3

How to:

Ammm about this housewife thing though. I mean, I don't plan on NOT working. But the washing, cooking, cleanting, grocery shopping ,bill paying. Lawdddddd havismercy. I need a day planner, P.A AND a nanny to keep me by the time I'm done. It's alot!

Stay sane during house repairs: Andy is uber excited. I on the other hand, will only care when decisions have to be made. I know nothing about construction, and I'm not interested either, sooooo sweetboy and mummy are on the case again. I can guarantee you that I will not be left out of curtain or bedspread selection, china or the Gift list. Cause Andy is VERY VERY VERY VERY PICKY. Like SUPER selective, and crazy when it comes to service soooooooooooooooooo, yea.

Lose weight before your wedding:

ZUMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA, and Shawn the Tyrant T. SO Andy has us on this T-25 programme, chile. I didn't know I could sweat so much between my beloved Zumba and that psychopath? I am in constant muscleboundness. But I'm TRYING to eat better, and I work out super hard and I lost an inch and a half off my waist and other body parts, clothes are a wee bit loose and I can run up stairs without my oxygen tank (joke) Check out my sweet boy below all sweaty and flexin n stuff :D lololol.

We bout dis life!!

Sorry for the long one. Hope you enjoy!

Stay tuned, BIGGGGGGG surprise coming up in the next Edition of T-130 + days til We are Mr & Mrs Anderson M. Bowen :D :D :D :D :D :D

Love the one you're with

So here we are!!

5 months before!! Thanks for asking how the plans are going, how Andy and I are, for the prayers, the Instagram and Facebook love!! We are so grateful.

Try and put some pressure on Andy for his blog man. Man could procrastinate???!?! Murda.

Official business: Nuff more family ex out of the guest list. I set to receive hate mail JESSSS now, but I am in vex woman mode. I aint ever care!! Times hard and Chris Sinckler say it's not his fault dem harder. So I done sweating. What we want is exactly what we must have! So boohoo!! I cannnnnnnot apologize for inviting people I talk to everyday over family I see once every two years. Bump that friends, let's keep it real. Love who loves you, love the one you're with.

I cannot stress enough how stressless this process has been in spite of that. Maybe coming to the crunch the nerves and stress will set in, but for now, I'm worrying about curtains, table settings and the diet/ weight watching I bombed over Christmastime.

I must tell you that ZUMBA with the Fitness bunnies has been a BLESSING. For the first time in my life, I am doing something all by myself. None of my friends go to the class. I know the admin lady Kim through Anderson, she has since become a friend, and Leslee and Nadia are super supportive. Too love to mek ya get down!!!! And let me tell you, it has been exhilirating!! I have learned that I am strong, focused, ambitious and determined. I don't need anyone to hold my hand. I go to the class, workout as hard as I can without passing out (Leslee and Nadia run offa batteries I swear!!!) and I am soooooooo happy. Shout out to my girl Teal!! She pushes me to work harder, eat right stay focused, she is so bubbly and full of life that she makes me want to work harder, who would've thought?

There's ya girl, back right!!!

(All photos compliments Andrew Browne Photography - Taken from FitnessBunnies Page on Facebook)
Leslee is working closely with me, and I will be starting a blog this week so look out for the links to that one! It's going to be intense, informative and real. See, I want to promote healthy living, keeping fit and fabulous. Just because you're married, doesn't mean you let yourself go. Girl NO!

So the encouragement from the class is AWESOME, the Fitness Bunnies, Leslee and Nadia have fostered a loving, nurturing environment to workout in. And I don't know whether they know it or not, but they have created a little community. Women of all shapes and sizes come out, there's even a gent who comes SHOUT OUT TO RICO (life of the party). The beauty of the sessions is that people who don't even know each other encourage each other, chat, push one another, there is a serious connection. And we are all gearing up for a great year. I encourage you to come out it's only $18 per session twice a  week. I promise, fun, great music, and some sweaaaaat! Do NOT worry about not being able to keep up, wuk up, gyrate. The focus is on the fitness.

Wedding tings:

Guess who has not booked a car yet, and getting married in wedding month. Risky I know, I saw a Rolls today and I was like, I want that, bet it's $2000BDS. Hey I love Audi, Mercedes and Lincolns - Suggestions PLEASE!!!

Engagement Shoot:

So we have to do this in segments. i'm not allowed to upload any of the photos, but they look soooooooo good! The incomparable Wade Phillips and the phenomenal Charles'Chris' Butcher had a balllllllll with Andy and I. But lemme tell you all, that was the most fun i've had being photographed ever!!! It was romantic and funny and scary and we even had a guest Lighting Assistant, shout out to Martina!! Thanks for coming! Andy was talking so much junk!! But he did help to calm my nerves and get me to be relaxed in front of the camera. I'm little miss bossy so it's easy directing models for our shoots, but this time I was one of the models. FREAAAAKKKKY. I kept looking around before the shoot started like, where is she, and then it would hit me, I was the she.

Andy was incredible though, totally in his element. He has a friend who will remain nameless for now ( you know who you are) who's always teasing him about his looks in a good way. I can actually agree with you buddy, Andy is hot. No doubt.

So when we arrived at the location, there was hardly anyone around and that continued til the rain came down a bit. Prior to that we were shooting and giggling, and trying not to giggle and it made me slightly sad, because it's going to be over soon. And this journey has been soooo much fun. Of course not without difficulty. But when the good outweighs the bad, that's God. That's favour, blessing and that's love.

I promise as soon as I can to release one of our photos. But we are trying to keep everything under wraps for now. Love you all and stay tuned!! Greater things to come!!