One year ago today...

I became the future Mrs. Bielecki.  Wow that sounds weird!  And what a year this has been!

Since I already told you all the details on the proposal here, I won't go into all the details again.  But I will say that I am really happy we planned such a long engagement.  When people would ask us when we set a date, we would tell them November 6 and as soon as we added 2010 they looked at us like we were nuts. Then we had to explain that we wanted a long engagement and we wanted to buy a house first, yadda yadda - like it's really any of their business! haha  I was very happy when November 6, 2009 came so I could stop adding the 2010 to it and people might stop questioning it. 

I really don't know how brides do it in less time.  I have all the details and planning organized and spread out that I think if I tried to do it in less time I might have a heart attack.  Aside from the saving money part, it's a lot of work!

I also want to take this time to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year - see you next year :)

The Church is Booked

Phew!  What a whirlwind this has been.  We were finally able to book the church and I had no idea how hard that was going to be.  Who knew November 6, 2010 was going to be so popular?  I started calling Churches a few weeks ago and started with my parish, the Cathedral Basillica of SS Peter and Paul, and all three time slots were booked - 11am, 1pm and 3pm!  That was actually ok with me because for a church they aren't exctly the cheapest.  So I kept on dialing and was hitting brick walls everywhere I turned, they were either booked or didn't take outside parishioners.  Needless to say I was very frustrated and I think my mother thought I was losing my mind!

My last resort was St. Rita of Cascia on Broad Street - the date was available and all we needed to do was find a priest to marry us, return the information sheet, and have the pastor interview us.  The first one was easy, a very good friend of my aunt's is a priest and I grew up with his nephew.  A quick email sent and we had a priest - thank you Fr. John!  The second one was even easier - the information sheet consisted of asking for your contact information and the priest who will be marrying you - oh and a letter from your parish saying you could get married there.  Good thing we already had a meeting with the pastor of the cathedral scheduled for last night and he gave us the letter then.  Ok onto the interview - I was hoping the pastor would like us - I mean come on, how could he not?!?  Once I emailed Fr. John and told him we were considering St. Rita's I received the best news - he is very good friends with the pastor there! WOW - was it all actually starting to work out?

Marcin brought the paperwork to the rectory today and was told by the pastor that we didn't need an interview and we were all set for November 6, 2010 at 2pm!!!!!!!!  The church is absolutely beautiful - I couldn't be more happy :)

That was a big check on the to do list.  And yes I really have a list.  It is an Excel spreadsheet that is able to be sorted by completed or open tasks, month to be completed, and category it falls in.  Marcin thinks I am crazy and gets this scared look on his face everytime I show him the list.  I add to it everyday!  Right now I have 100 open items out of 108 - after the holidays I hope to check more things off the list so it isn't as scary!  I have posted a screen shot of the list so you can marvel at how organized I am or laugh at how crazy I am!  I don't mind which one :)

And here are some pictures of St. Rita's

Thanksgiving

It's been a week since Thanksgiving and I think I am still stuffed from everything I ate!  Since nothing much has happened with the wedding in the last week or so (besides the hunt for a church but I will post on that once we book one!) I thought I would post some pictures from my family's thanksgiving.  Some of my family members hate pictures of themselves and will probably kill me for posting them but I like them! 

I wanted to take this time to thank my family for all the love and support they always give me, especially when I am acting "like a crazy bride" as my mom would say :) I think I should also especially thank Marcin because he has been dealing with my craziness a lot in the last week! 

I hope everyone else had a great Thanksgiving!

Me and Marcin

Me and My Sisters

The Argyle Crew! My dad, Sister Kristy and Marcin

3 Generations - very well color-coordinated!

My mom, Niece Reese, and Sister Beth

My nephew, Cameron using Aunt Pat as his step stool!

The family hangin out!