Celina

Quote: Originally Posted by DanielleNDerek Thanks for reminding me to get matches, the website you posted has a great price for them. That would of been great, my guests with travel candles and no matches, No problem - we are having a cigar roller at the reception so the matches will serve as a double duty! Honestly - I didn't think about adding the matches to the bags until I remembered we had the candles!

Oh Alyssa! I feel so sorry that this is happening to you. First Mabel and now this. When I read your first post I thought - she is one of those people who are very calm and collected during a crisis. I would be a mess. I'm sure something will work out for you and your FI. Let us know how we can help!

My daughter is going to be our flowergirl. She will be 10 by the time the wedding comes around. She has always dreamed of being a flower girl. I found her a tea length, strapless, A-line dress. It has netting that peeks out on the hem (like my dress) we will be putting a blue sash around the dress to match the wedding colors. It is not your typical flower girl dress (like posted above) - but it is very appropriate for a young lady. I think at any age, just the thought that you thought of them to share in this special day will mean a lot to them!

Regarding the non-RSVP'ers - at the very latest give them till April 5th and start calling them! People who don't RSVP are SO FREAKIN RUDE! Your sisters seems like it should come through. Isn't there something they can do to push it through? BM #2 - I'm sure they can reschedule somehow. She needs to tell them she'll be out of the country. I know she must be torn. Maybe an appointment will open up sooner?

Quote: Originally Posted by KACENGG Bradley, I was married at the RIU Palace in November of 2007 and had no issues getting an outside photographer and videographer onto the grounds, although I did have to pay the $75 day pass. I did hear many rumblings on this forum after my wedding about having difficulties getting a photographer in for the ceremony or something though. As for the outside vendors, I was told absolutely NO to hair and makeup personnel as they have a spa onsite....needless to say the quality was not comparable whatsoever. Honestly, my thought would be to not tell the wc's anything and just have the photographer/hair and makeup vendor come straight to your room and skip the whole front desk thing altogether. Maybe that's not right but I don't think anyone really 'patrols' the whole entrance thing at all. Make sure you count the outside vendors as a guest when asked how large your group is for dinner. I think at some point the RIU really has to realize that they are shooting themselves in the foot! I was also told that I only have to pay the day pass fee if the vendor was staying for dinner. I only hired my videographer for the ceremony and had no issues whatsoever. During our site visit, my FMIL & I went to the RIU Vallarta and walked next door to the RIU Jalisco. I noticed that if you look like you know where you are going, no one will bother you. She and I toured the Jalisco on our own and even helped ourselves to an ice cream cone in the restaurant! LOL! The day before we left I took FI to tour the Jalisco and we had to leave ID's at the front counter. They almost didn't let us in. Suggestion....just have them nonchalantly walk to the elevator and go to your room.

Quote: Originally Posted by LadyP Kids not only say the craziest things they do them as well. Amir wants hair in private areas. So we told him it would happen when he got older. He said No mommy I want hair now and then he tried to pull it out of his head and put it under his arm. Oh yea and girls have Chinas for those of you who didnt know That is hillarious!

I love these! These are great!

Yep - we're doing them. It is so humid in Mexico that your drink glasses are always wet. Nothing like grabbing a sweaty glass! I initially wanted coasters, but the coctail napkins seemed more practical. Just to serve with drinks at the reception. www.annsbridalbargains had them cheap.

I still have lots to get but here is what we decided to put in the bags: OOT bags from Cheaptotes.com - my friend works at an embroidery shop and she is going to put our logo (Minus the initial) - Basically a palm tree with a circle around it and a dashed circle inside of it with "Puerto Vallarta 2008" on the bottom of the bag. I'll post once she gets me the sample. travel candles and matches (got at Michaels for $1) - got matches at Ann's Bridal Bargains first aid kit - Tylenol, chewable Pepto, Tums, Chaser, band aids, neosporin & aloe vera gel playing cards Margarita mixes with our names on them Manicure sets (in BM & MOH bags only) bottled water sewing kits with our names on them Ann's Bridal Bargains welcome letter - www.vistaprint.com Spanish translation sheet Maps of the area Disposable wedding camera MOH & Bridesmaid OOT Bags - all of the above with: Manicure sets Bridesmaid & MOH tank tops Luggage tags I feel like I am forgetting something...I'll figure it out later.

Yesterday morning my kids were opening up Easter baskets and my 2 year old son Tomas was playing with his cars and candy, etc. My FI says, "Tomas - did you tell the Easter Bunny thank you?" Tomas says "Thank you mommy". We giggled and FI says "No son, you have to say thank you to the Easter Bunny, not mommy". Tomas says..."Thank you Easter Mommy!" I'm in serious trouble...my 2 year old son already has me figured out!

Haha! that is hillarious! I don't know how I did it, but I ended up getting a "welcome to the world" or some sort of little postcard from President Clinton when my daughter was born. I'll have to see if I can find it and post a pic. I want to send an invite to the president of Mexico! Let us know if you do Maura and what you get back.

Wowie Kazowie! Good for you! Just don't forget to pack everything! I did that on our site visit trip and ended up without half of my clothes!

I hope you have a wonderful day! Happy Birthday!

OMG...I just got this e-mail from her. These are her exact words....Hi, I just wanted to send an email regarding our conversation last week. I hope you thought about what I said and understand my concern. I talked to dad, and I hope that we can talk this through. I did not intend to make you angry or make you fell as if I was judging you, I just wanted to talk with you about my concern. I am sorry if I have said anything to offend you. I hope we can talk soon and that you had a blessed Easter holiday. Love, Rachel !!! She is a nut job! I could just shake her! We arranged for my dad and his wife to come by tomorrow after work to get it out and over with to them. She is ridiculous.

Does Rachel count as Mrs? If so I would say LC Rachel (Rachel) for Mrs. I am torn for BTB for Yari, Maura and Annie.

He was at work and he had to go pretty quickly but he did say that maybe we could meet before they left - like maybe after work or something. I reminded him that FI works nights. I suggested maybe we could talk (Me, him and his wife), but that it would be best is FI was there. My dad said, "yeah you're right. He should be there." So now we are at a pass on trying to figure out when would be a good time because my dad is planning on leaving town on Wednesday right after work. I have to get this out, so maybe I can leave work early tomorrow and we can discuss before my FI goes to work tomorrow. He doesn't go in till 6:30 - so that might work. I'll check with FI and see. My dad seemed okay and cordial with everyone yesterday. One thing that I did think was odd was when I asked him to meet with us this weekend he said "Yeah, yeah, that's a good idea. Will it be everyone?" I wasn't quite sure what he meant by "everyone", I just said "yeah - us four". Now I think he meant us all. My sis, us and them. I know if it would have been a man who made these accusations - Shawn would have been in jail today for assault if not something more serious.

Rachel - Everything looks amazing - you did a fantastic job! I am so excited for you! Like Abbie said - go get married!! We'll be here when you get back anxiously awaiting your pics and the story of your dream wedding! Now go...go marry your man!

Thanks guys for the encouragement! I know that my family will say "she is your sister ~ you should forgive her". I just can't see us ever having a relationship. Something inside of her is broken and I can't fix it or become her dormat/whipping post either. My dad and his wife came over yesterday for dinner. Both were in a great mood and it was nice to see them. Before they left I told them that we (my FI and I) wanted to sit down and talk with them next weekend, just us four to discuss some of the wedding plans. I am going to give them the e-mail she sent me so they can read it for themselves. After we meet with them I am going to move forward because then the people it affects most will know what is going on and I can be at peace with it. As I was typing this my dad called me to say they may be going out of town this weekend and he said my sister called him on Saturday and told him what was going on. I regret now not talking to my dad about it yesterday when they were there - I just didn't want to ruin everyones day. I totally expect that from her. To ruin his day too. So he has had two days to sit and absorb only her side of the story. She is such a freakin B**ch.

You know...we kind of had a tumoltuous (sp?) childhood. Our mom was murdered when she was 2 and I was 4. Out of my two sisters I have been the one who handled it the best. My younger sister has always been searching for something because of what happened to our mom and I think she found something to fill the void with her religion; however, she is still off her rocker. Now that I have had a day to re-read the e-mail she sent and to sort of sit and think about our relationship; for as long as I can remember her and I have been at odds over a lot. We go in spurts of getting along, and then she will do something so terrible that I have to take a couple of months away from her. Ironically she choses to act out right when my FI and I are having a big event. When I was pregnant with my son after the first couple of months I had to cease contact because she kept me stressed out arguing all the time with me. I honestly think that she doesn't feel good seeing me do better than her. When I was a single mom struggling and working 6 days a week, she was my best friend. When I became involved with my fiance we saw an immediate change in my sister because my time was devoted to him and she never accepted that I didn't need her as much as I used to to lean on. My daughter is okay. I know that she loves my FI and he loves her even more. I know in my heart of hearts that there is absolutely nothing inappropriate going on in my home. I didn't mention earlier that my daughter DOES go to a group counseling session. She goes for 45 minutes a week with other girls her age. They talk about relationships and ways to handle your emotions, friendships, appropriate judgements, stufff like that. She really enjoys it and has made some good friends so she has an outlet other than me to express any pent up feelings. YES - they HAVE discussed discipline during their sessions. She told the Dr. that she has gotten spanked! If it were out of the ordinary or something that concerned the Dr. I think I would have been contacted by now. My FI and I talked today about it and both agreed that we would have a sit down discussion with my father next week and let him know what was going on. We don't want her at our wedding and I have to sever my ties with her. Her accusations have torn our family apart. I dont know if I ever will forgive her or how I go about forgiving her. We are in a horrible cycle of me forgiving her and her treating me like crap. Now that I say that out loud it sounds like a relationship I would tell someone else to get out of. So I am going to take my own advice and get out of the cycle and continue living a happy emotionally happy life with the two kids I adore and a man who I have seen stand so tall after having his reputation and name drug through the mud. It is beyond obvious that this man truly loves me. To have put up with the crap he has in the past two days and to deal with the shit that has been slung at him is unreal. He has walked through a forest of crap and still sees me as a pot of gold beneath all of the garbage and nastiness that my sister has dumped on him. How do you not love a man like that? I am so thankful to have found this forum. You guys are my golden pot of friends at the end of a really crappy day! Love ya! ~Celina

OMG - I totally agree with all of you! The sweatpants with words written across the butts is so ridiculous, the Bratz dolls look like little whores (my daughter is not allowed to play with them), the little girls in high heels! We were in PV and I kid you not - we were in a kids clothing store and there were little girls strappy shoes with 1 1/2 inch heels on them! These were for toddlers! My 9 year old wore black leather mary janes until they stopped making them in her size! Its parents who dont want to be parents. They all want to be their kids friends. Its parents who give their kids too much free time and let them get away with everything! Some of my biggest pet peeves are nail polish on babies, little girls with sexy adult hairstyles, ANY and ALL of the Bratz dolls, and little girls wearing make up. Parents - let your kids be kids as long as they can! What is the rush??

I just got my face waxed about 3 weeks ago. It stung like a son of a gun, but it wasn't so bad. It made my face feel so clean. I'm not even a hairy person - it's the Latin in me. I get the hair on my sideburns kind of and I cant stand it!

Okay...this is kind of long but here it goes... I left my daughters bio dad when she was 10 months (she will be 10 years old next month). I dated FI off and on since then and only became seriously involved when my daugher was around 5. (so for the past 4 years) My FI and I have a 2 year old son together as well. ( I also have been friends with my FI since we were 17 - we dated in High school) In January my sis had the kids while we had a date night. My daughter is a mommys girl and never spends the night anywhere. She always cries when it's time to go to bed when she spends the night somewhere. Well, the night my sis had the kids my daughter called the house and FI told her I was upstairs changing putting on my pj's and I would call her right back. My daughter is on the verge of going through puberty and has been a little more emotional the last few months where she cries for everything or she has the pre-teenage angst attitude. When I didn't come to the phone my daughter went to the bathroom and started crying. My sis went in to check on her and found her crying and my daughter was so mad that she couldn't talk to me when she wanted to and goes on to tell my sis that she hated my FI and made the comment that she wished she could have her real dad back and she wished we weren't getting married. (Keep in mind that bio dad hasn't been seen or heard from in almost 5 years) I think it is normal for any child to have feelings of resentment over a step parent. I also think it is normal for her to want to have her bio dad. My sis on the other hand thinks that because she said that that something is going on so she starts asking, does he hit you? Does he yell at you? Is he mean to you? My daughter in the upset state she is in says yes he disciplines me, yes he yells at me, yes he has spanked me. ~ Keep in mind that my daughter hasn't gotten a spanking in probably two years and it was because she took a change jar outside and she gave about $80 worth of change to some older kids because she wanted to be the cool kid with the money and buy them all ice cream. So when I went to pick up the kids from my sis house we (me, sis, daughter and my niece) sit down and discuss what my daughter said. My daughter then tells my sister that yes she gets scolded when she talks back or has an attitude. No she doesn't get spanked all the time, and that yes both FI and I discipline her when she acts out and that yes sometimes she does miss her bio dad. I chalk it all up to a bunch of nothing and my daughter being over emotional and dramatic about not being able to talk to me on the phone but my sister sits and festers on this from then until now. In the past any and everything I have - she manages to screw up or stress me out. When FI moved in - she accused him of being a mooch. When I got pregnant she didnt approve because she thought he was going to leave me. When I had my babyshower, she had me so stressed out I told her not to come. At my sons baptism bbq, the kids had squirt guns and my daughter squirted her in the face so she jumped up and snatched her by the hair causing a HUGE scene; I thought she was okay for the wedding but since January she has been VERY quiet about it. No involvement in planning and no response when I mention it. I know she can't afford to go and her husband told me last week that they wern't even saving to go. (They have a family of 5) She has had it out for my FI since day one. We have all known eachother since high school. She just hates him. WHen I stop and think about it, she has tried to sabotage every event or occasion we try to do something for. She is younger than me and never lived her life like I did. She had kids at 16 - I had kids at 26. She has only dated her now husband. I played the field and dated all of the rainbow. She can't keep friends because she is too clingy and my friends I have introduced her to, she has tried to "steal" from me! She is overbearing and can be very direct and rude to people. I overlook all of this because she is my sister. My FI knows what she said. I now have to explain to everyone what has happened and why she is no longer in our wedding and why she won't be there. Her words cut me to the core. The only way I can deal with this is by telling myself she has a serious mental disorder and is very sick and I have to stay away from her. Oh yeah - she is also mad at me for giving my daughter medication for ADD. She said I am medicating her to keep her numb from the mental and physical abuse. WHAT A CROCK! My daughter has a chemical imbalance and can't concentrate or focus at school. We had her observed, evaluated and tested by a sociologist, pediatrician, all of her teachers, a speech therapist and a special ed professional over the past 4 months. My daughter is finally doing great in school and is a perfect child (of course I'm partial) - so my sis thinks I am wrong for that! I just can't be around her any more. This is the straw that broke the camels back. I am so numb by what she said it is just insane. I got off work and took my daughter with me while I paid some bills and did some shopping. We talked about everything and she said that she never said anything to my sister that would make her think those things. It's all very sad and heartbreaking to me. Oh yeah - then she got mad because I told her to pay attention to her own kids. She has two teenage kids who are flunking out of high school and ditch class - maybe something is going on there?? This whole thing just irritates me. IMO...If anyone wants to call the authorities - feel free. We have nothing to hide! ~Celina

I posted before how my sister was acting odd, well now she has flipped her lid. I haven't seen her since our BM dress appointment in Feb. I keep calling her and no response. I called her on her Bday (March 12th) and no response. My birthday came and went (march 16th) and still no call. She e-mailed me today and said that she is concerned that my daughter is being physically and sexually abused by my FI. I feel like the floor has been pulled from underneath me. I have known my FI for 18 years. He adores my daughter and in no way shape or form is there ANY kind of abuse going on in my home. She is a sick and twisted person. I can't even think straight right now. She saw my daughter be very dramatic one day because I couldn't get to the phone and my FI told her that I would call her back. This is so insane. She has done nothing but wish me bad and I truly think she hates me and is jealous. Many of my friends have commented on this before and I truly see it now. She tries to do back-handed, back stabbing things to make every good thing I do seem bad. I am a good person and my FI does not deserve to be talked about in this way. I'm sorry if I am rambling but this is so fucking insane I can't even collect myself. thanks for listening.

I was checking these out the other day. They are cute. I love those little embossed ivory bags with the windows.

It is SO hard! I have a desk job and found that the pounds packed on after both pregnancies. Never lost from the 1st one and eight years later had #2 and still haven't lost that baby weight either!