So my title is a bit of a stretch but today was all about those three things as they apply to my wedding.
Last things first- veils. Today I went to visit my dress shop and try on head pieces and veils. I found a veil that matched my dress to near perfection! It is so surreal staring at myself all decked out in bridal ware. Somehow I have spent 26 years thinking of the some day when I would be a bride, and then now five months and four weeks to go and it doesn't seem real yet!
And from there I can tell you about the invitations. I went with my mom to the paper store today and we picked out a general shape, the papers, the monogram, and the wording. I love that our invites were designed by my mom and me and are exactly what I wanted. I hope that people look at them for at least a few minutes before throwing them away. They won't be done until mid February and won't go out until April. Still, an exciting check off my list.
And my final check- pineapple. I'm currently waiting to leave hanging out with my huneys family to go get pineapple because I'm craving something sweet. I'm making healthy eating choices. I had a sandwich for lunch and a salad and sandwich for dinner. My body isn't used to this so I'm pretty much starving, but I'm confident that with less than 6 months to go I finally have the motivation I need to get into wedding shape.
So now I just need people to stop inviting me out to dinner- it feels like afterwards I'm in eaters regret wishing I'd had all the other real foods on the menu.
Bring on the smaller sizes :)
12.30.2010
12.26.2010
Recap 2010
Wow, December 26th already?
Today as I was getting healthy groceries at the grocery store (yuck) I was thinking about how fast the last year has gone and how much it has brought with it.
Most notably and excitable, this year brought my engagement to Gavin. We were at the talking about the future without explicitly saying terms like "marriage" at the end of 2009. We both knew it was going to happen, but it wasn't until the beginning of 2010 that we admitted that it was what we were both wanting. And once it was talked about, it was put into motion. April of this year he proposed. Best day of my life thus far, without a doubt.
A few months later I left my job in Itasca. A hard desision to make, but one sought out in prayer and discussion with those I love and trust. I made my heart open for God to make new movements in my life, and it was one of the best decisions I have made in my adult life.
I bought a house!! I left off most of the torture that was house buying in this blog. It was nothing like they show on HGTV and quite possibly one of the most stressful things in my life. We almost bought 3 houses, and finally landed at "the one" which flooded right before closing. Still, we got it and love it and are enjoying the process of making it ours. I don't see us leaving anytime in the next 10 years though after how stressful it was to get here.
I began the ball rolling on opening a preschool. God has been a big factor in this, far bigger than my own desire, but it has been a blessing in my life as well. To have my family and Gavin's family, and most notably Gavin, standing beside me through this whole process I have learned more about all of them and about myself. I look forward to where this goes in the coming years.
The next six months are going to be crazy... working on the finishing touches of our wedding, continue to make this house a home, beginning the licensing aspect of a preschool.... so much to do! I feel incredibly blessed to know that it's going to be another great year. I had struggles in 2010, as I'm sure I will in 2011, but God's grace and mercy in my life has yet to cause more than I can handle.
I am thankful for so many friends and family that we apart of this past year and look forward to their presence and love in the year to come!
Today as I was getting healthy groceries at the grocery store (yuck) I was thinking about how fast the last year has gone and how much it has brought with it.
Most notably and excitable, this year brought my engagement to Gavin. We were at the talking about the future without explicitly saying terms like "marriage" at the end of 2009. We both knew it was going to happen, but it wasn't until the beginning of 2010 that we admitted that it was what we were both wanting. And once it was talked about, it was put into motion. April of this year he proposed. Best day of my life thus far, without a doubt.
A few months later I left my job in Itasca. A hard desision to make, but one sought out in prayer and discussion with those I love and trust. I made my heart open for God to make new movements in my life, and it was one of the best decisions I have made in my adult life.
I bought a house!! I left off most of the torture that was house buying in this blog. It was nothing like they show on HGTV and quite possibly one of the most stressful things in my life. We almost bought 3 houses, and finally landed at "the one" which flooded right before closing. Still, we got it and love it and are enjoying the process of making it ours. I don't see us leaving anytime in the next 10 years though after how stressful it was to get here.
I began the ball rolling on opening a preschool. God has been a big factor in this, far bigger than my own desire, but it has been a blessing in my life as well. To have my family and Gavin's family, and most notably Gavin, standing beside me through this whole process I have learned more about all of them and about myself. I look forward to where this goes in the coming years.
The next six months are going to be crazy... working on the finishing touches of our wedding, continue to make this house a home, beginning the licensing aspect of a preschool.... so much to do! I feel incredibly blessed to know that it's going to be another great year. I had struggles in 2010, as I'm sure I will in 2011, but God's grace and mercy in my life has yet to cause more than I can handle.
I am thankful for so many friends and family that we apart of this past year and look forward to their presence and love in the year to come!
11.18.2010
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving will be the "seven months until" day. I love that it just happens to fall on the 25th this year! Exactly one month until Christmas which will set me just 6 months out from the wedding!! WOO HOO!!
The dress is ordered!
It's funny because back in August I found a dress that I loved and was all ready to buy but my mom wanted me to "sleep on it" a little while and make sure that's what I really wanted. So I did and in the mean time I spent a small fortune on bridal magazines where I looked at a million and a half dresses (yeah there are half dresses, they only come to the knee...) and was pretty sure that I wouldn't love any other dress as much as that one. My only fear was that I didn't think Gavin would love the dress if he saw it in a magazine. Lucky for me I rest assured he would love whatever I wore but I just didn't think that he would expect me to be in that dress. But I talked myself out of all anxiety and on Friday I went back to the store to buy the dress. The only thing is, THE dress was a different dress than the dress I just told you about.
Moments before going back into the dressing room with the dress I thought was the one and a couple others I was trying on "just to be sure" I saw a dress that had me take a back step... I asked my mom what she thought and she loved it. And I was sold. My dress, my dream dress, had just recently come into the store. Turns out my two month wait was the best decision!! I think Gavin will love this dress, too. It is seriously more than a dress that I love, it is the dress of my dreams that I think if I was six years old and in the store I would still pick that one. I promise, it's still a grown up dress though. It's just perfect.
Now that I have the dress I've moved on to looking for bible verses. Right now I'm leaning towards Ephesians 5: 22-33 or Philippians 2:1-5ish. I also love some of the stuff in Song of Solomon. And I really like where Ruth shows her level of commitment (where you go I will go, where you stay I will stay...) but my mom thinks that gets a little too intense so I don't know.
In other news, I'm really excited about the hope of this preschool for next year. I have so many ideas and plans already, and the idea of being able to really put my faith into what I do...ahh, I just love it.
I have a lot to be thankful for this year!! It will also be my first year to host Thanksgiving for my family and Gavin's family. They will all be over at my castle! I hope it all turns out alright, but I know that if it doesn't that it will be alright too. So many blessings to count this year!! God has been so good (and faithful!).
The dress is ordered!
It's funny because back in August I found a dress that I loved and was all ready to buy but my mom wanted me to "sleep on it" a little while and make sure that's what I really wanted. So I did and in the mean time I spent a small fortune on bridal magazines where I looked at a million and a half dresses (yeah there are half dresses, they only come to the knee...) and was pretty sure that I wouldn't love any other dress as much as that one. My only fear was that I didn't think Gavin would love the dress if he saw it in a magazine. Lucky for me I rest assured he would love whatever I wore but I just didn't think that he would expect me to be in that dress. But I talked myself out of all anxiety and on Friday I went back to the store to buy the dress. The only thing is, THE dress was a different dress than the dress I just told you about.
Moments before going back into the dressing room with the dress I thought was the one and a couple others I was trying on "just to be sure" I saw a dress that had me take a back step... I asked my mom what she thought and she loved it. And I was sold. My dress, my dream dress, had just recently come into the store. Turns out my two month wait was the best decision!! I think Gavin will love this dress, too. It is seriously more than a dress that I love, it is the dress of my dreams that I think if I was six years old and in the store I would still pick that one. I promise, it's still a grown up dress though. It's just perfect.
Now that I have the dress I've moved on to looking for bible verses. Right now I'm leaning towards Ephesians 5: 22-33 or Philippians 2:1-5ish. I also love some of the stuff in Song of Solomon. And I really like where Ruth shows her level of commitment (where you go I will go, where you stay I will stay...) but my mom thinks that gets a little too intense so I don't know.
In other news, I'm really excited about the hope of this preschool for next year. I have so many ideas and plans already, and the idea of being able to really put my faith into what I do...ahh, I just love it.
I have a lot to be thankful for this year!! It will also be my first year to host Thanksgiving for my family and Gavin's family. They will all be over at my castle! I hope it all turns out alright, but I know that if it doesn't that it will be alright too. So many blessings to count this year!! God has been so good (and faithful!).
11.09.2010
2 For 1
This is the second blog I've done this week! I'm on a roll!!
Todays' blog is mainly becasue I'm bored. gavin is grading papers and I'm trying to look busy so he won't make me help (I'm thinking this won't work for much longer).
To kill time I've also been looking online at wedding shoes. I'd prefer to spend the entire night barefoot, but my mother has said no. She also said no flip flops and I'm assuming that probably has something to do with her telling me a million times when I was younger to not drag my feet when I was wearing them. Or maybe she is afraid of me falling down the stairs at the reception site. Either way, I got the thumbs up for ballet slippers so now I'm on the hunt for some cute ones.
In other wedding news that is annoying and cutesy... I'm still staring at my ring all the time. One of my favorite things to do in the morning before work is clean my ring. I really only do it once a week, but it's my favorite. And at least once a week the kids want to talk about it. It is probably my most prized possession.
I know how important it was to Gavin to pick out the perfect ring. He loves to tell me that he got me more than I would have ever let him buy if I had been there. It isn't about the money to me, its about the importance to him. Every step of the way- from the first time he asked me what I thought about him buying me a ring some day, to him asking my father for my hand in marriage, to shopping for the rings, to him picking the perfect time and place to propose- there was a thoughtfulness like no one else has ever had towards me.
My mom told me one day that Gavin loves me the way a guy is supposed to love a girl. The way she always used to tell me I would someday be loved. I'm so glad my mom was right!!
And now, with suffient time wasted, I'm off to go stare at my ring some more! And maybe I'll even go grade a few papers for Gavin! The guy who has made me so stinkin' mushy!!!
Todays' blog is mainly becasue I'm bored. gavin is grading papers and I'm trying to look busy so he won't make me help (I'm thinking this won't work for much longer).
To kill time I've also been looking online at wedding shoes. I'd prefer to spend the entire night barefoot, but my mother has said no. She also said no flip flops and I'm assuming that probably has something to do with her telling me a million times when I was younger to not drag my feet when I was wearing them. Or maybe she is afraid of me falling down the stairs at the reception site. Either way, I got the thumbs up for ballet slippers so now I'm on the hunt for some cute ones.
In other wedding news that is annoying and cutesy... I'm still staring at my ring all the time. One of my favorite things to do in the morning before work is clean my ring. I really only do it once a week, but it's my favorite. And at least once a week the kids want to talk about it. It is probably my most prized possession.
I know how important it was to Gavin to pick out the perfect ring. He loves to tell me that he got me more than I would have ever let him buy if I had been there. It isn't about the money to me, its about the importance to him. Every step of the way- from the first time he asked me what I thought about him buying me a ring some day, to him asking my father for my hand in marriage, to shopping for the rings, to him picking the perfect time and place to propose- there was a thoughtfulness like no one else has ever had towards me.
My mom told me one day that Gavin loves me the way a guy is supposed to love a girl. The way she always used to tell me I would someday be loved. I'm so glad my mom was right!!
And now, with suffient time wasted, I'm off to go stare at my ring some more! And maybe I'll even go grade a few papers for Gavin! The guy who has made me so stinkin' mushy!!!
11.07.2010
Outing Myself a Little
Well, I guess it won't be secret too much longer any way so I can go ahead and tell whomever stumbles across this about my little secret...
Its not so secret that about a year ago I felt God was calling me to leave the school I was working at. I felt that little whisper on my heart and when I would acknowledge the whisper it felt like it got confirmed by others so when my contract came around to sign, I confidently turned it away knowing that I had a new path this year.
Then this fall no job came. I was very confused because I still had the confident "this is for a reason" feeling, but I had no "Reason" in sight.
I did, however, continue to pray. I opened my heart up to the possibility that God was working bigger than just a "new job" and started really tunning into the possibility that the whisper wasn't going to guide me to another school district- and it'd didn't.
You see my long term goals were to someday work in prechool. I absolutely adored my time working in the preschool. I love the kids, I love the singing, I love the type of learning that goes on in the school... I just always felt this was something I would wait until I had kids to do. But why?
I will spare the details of how God pulled on my heart on Sundays in sermons or meetings that mentioned the need for outreach and church growth and how He nudged me a little when I would talk about my long term goals as if there was no way they would work at this time.
I will tell you though that one I day I asked him if this could all be related. If He was maybe telling me that my goal to have a preschool and His goal to grow my church could somehow be tied together... I heard a yes. I have heard a lot more yeses over the past several weeks as I've researched and began working up my formal proposal to my church. A big yes was when my mom got on board with me (she's always worked with preschool age children, is an early childhood specialist, and oh yeah, opened a church preschool 25 years ago that was very successful), when Gavin got on board with me (this decision ultimately is his, too, seeing as we are turning into one here in a few months), and when Gavin's parents got on board (their support is also important to me).
So today is a meeting with a committee at church that works on the church visioning. I've got statistics and testimonys from other churches and cute little packet all put together... and more than anything, I've got teh confident that this is not just MY plan, this not just MY vision, this is the biggest thing that I've ever been a part of. I'm a littler nervous, but I'm mostly excited!!! I can't wait to see what God has for this new adventure for my church and all the kids that will be involved!!
Its not so secret that about a year ago I felt God was calling me to leave the school I was working at. I felt that little whisper on my heart and when I would acknowledge the whisper it felt like it got confirmed by others so when my contract came around to sign, I confidently turned it away knowing that I had a new path this year.
Then this fall no job came. I was very confused because I still had the confident "this is for a reason" feeling, but I had no "Reason" in sight.
I did, however, continue to pray. I opened my heart up to the possibility that God was working bigger than just a "new job" and started really tunning into the possibility that the whisper wasn't going to guide me to another school district- and it'd didn't.
You see my long term goals were to someday work in prechool. I absolutely adored my time working in the preschool. I love the kids, I love the singing, I love the type of learning that goes on in the school... I just always felt this was something I would wait until I had kids to do. But why?
I will spare the details of how God pulled on my heart on Sundays in sermons or meetings that mentioned the need for outreach and church growth and how He nudged me a little when I would talk about my long term goals as if there was no way they would work at this time.
I will tell you though that one I day I asked him if this could all be related. If He was maybe telling me that my goal to have a preschool and His goal to grow my church could somehow be tied together... I heard a yes. I have heard a lot more yeses over the past several weeks as I've researched and began working up my formal proposal to my church. A big yes was when my mom got on board with me (she's always worked with preschool age children, is an early childhood specialist, and oh yeah, opened a church preschool 25 years ago that was very successful), when Gavin got on board with me (this decision ultimately is his, too, seeing as we are turning into one here in a few months), and when Gavin's parents got on board (their support is also important to me).
So today is a meeting with a committee at church that works on the church visioning. I've got statistics and testimonys from other churches and cute little packet all put together... and more than anything, I've got teh confident that this is not just MY plan, this not just MY vision, this is the biggest thing that I've ever been a part of. I'm a littler nervous, but I'm mostly excited!!! I can't wait to see what God has for this new adventure for my church and all the kids that will be involved!!
10.20.2010
Okay Who is Next?
I am surprised at how many people have gotten engaged in the last few months! I know that next year there will be a wedding the week before mine, three months after mine, and four months after mine. I'm guessing there will be more thrown in there, maybe even some before mine. I can't help but get excited when I think of going to weddings as a WIFE. To go to weddings and think back to my own and how amazing and special it was.
The other day I was talking weddings with my sister-in-law to be (who is the September wedding) and someone asked us when are weddings were and when I said mine she goes "Oh not to long now"...
Best words ever... not to long... It seems like forever.
I!
Can't!
Wait!
The other day I was talking weddings with my sister-in-law to be (who is the September wedding) and someone asked us when are weddings were and when I said mine she goes "Oh not to long now"...
Best words ever... not to long... It seems like forever.
I!
Can't!
Wait!
10.12.2010
Cheese!
I just looked through my engagement pictures and I think that my all time favorite one is one that you can't see our faces in. Its just our arms and they are tangled up together and when I look at I get all butterfly-ish.
I think I like it so much because it feels less like a pose to me. In the serious face pictures Gavin was being cheesey (in real life, he doesn't necessarily look cheesey in the pictures) and I felt awkward. But the picture of our arms is how it really is on any given day at any given time when we are watching TV or playing WII monopoly or anything else as mindless and perfect.
I also like the one where we are pretending to be getting blown away but I think that I like that one because it is SO POSED that it feels more like us. Weird, huh? But, we are cheesey and dorky and this pictured showed it in the right way.
I can't wait to show off the pictures to every one- after I go through and pick out the ones where we look the skinniest and/or most in love.
I think I like it so much because it feels less like a pose to me. In the serious face pictures Gavin was being cheesey (in real life, he doesn't necessarily look cheesey in the pictures) and I felt awkward. But the picture of our arms is how it really is on any given day at any given time when we are watching TV or playing WII monopoly or anything else as mindless and perfect.
I also like the one where we are pretending to be getting blown away but I think that I like that one because it is SO POSED that it feels more like us. Weird, huh? But, we are cheesey and dorky and this pictured showed it in the right way.
I can't wait to show off the pictures to every one- after I go through and pick out the ones where we look the skinniest and/or most in love.
9.16.2010
Off and Running
I guess I'm in full blown planning mode these days. I'm really not sure when the switch occured but it seems as though Septemeber is stuffed full of wedding stuff.
This past weekend Gavin and I registered!The best part about having registered is that we have already recieved our first registry gift!! My mom bought us a place setting of our everyday china. She also bought us our roaster although that some how did not show up on the list of our registry. Either way, I'm thrilled to have this all feel so real!
Next on the agenda is our engagement pictures next weekend. That same day we also have a meeting with our DJ to discuss how that lay out is going to be.
My cake topper is safely sitting in a box here in my office, waiting patiently to sit on our cake. I am getting anxious to start looking for bridesmaids dresses, but I know I have plenty of time.
Our website is up and running, I will make sure to put the address to our site on our save the dates which should be going out at the beginning of October.
Hmmm... what else is there???
So far I am not stressed. It all seems to just go as it needs to go and work out as I would like for it to work out. My mom and I are taking workout classes at the rec center so I guess even that (that being my weight) is being handled.
I really am excited to be Gavin's wife! Only 9.5 months to go!!
This past weekend Gavin and I registered!The best part about having registered is that we have already recieved our first registry gift!! My mom bought us a place setting of our everyday china. She also bought us our roaster although that some how did not show up on the list of our registry. Either way, I'm thrilled to have this all feel so real!
Next on the agenda is our engagement pictures next weekend. That same day we also have a meeting with our DJ to discuss how that lay out is going to be.
My cake topper is safely sitting in a box here in my office, waiting patiently to sit on our cake. I am getting anxious to start looking for bridesmaids dresses, but I know I have plenty of time.
Our website is up and running, I will make sure to put the address to our site on our save the dates which should be going out at the beginning of October.
Hmmm... what else is there???
So far I am not stressed. It all seems to just go as it needs to go and work out as I would like for it to work out. My mom and I are taking workout classes at the rec center so I guess even that (that being my weight) is being handled.
I really am excited to be Gavin's wife! Only 9.5 months to go!!
9.08.2010
My Last Fall as a McCall
Life seems to be trucking right along.
I'm in the rutine of working 8-3:40 and coming home, picking up, starting dinner and waiting to hang out with my love. I actually get to stay up until past ten this year since I can sleep until almost 7! I absolutely love it!!
Things are falling right into place, too. We are getting our engagement pictures taken this month and then we will send out the save the dates so that everyone will for sure remember!
I have a website on theknot.com if you search for us there. I'm excited to closer and closer to the date, but I'm kind of strangely looking forward to all these "last time as a Mccalls". My last time at the statefair as a McCall, my last thanksgiving as a McCall, my last Christmas... as the year goes through it is like I am walking through this rite of passage and I love it!!
I'm enjoying all there is so far in my last fall as a McCall...
I'm in the rutine of working 8-3:40 and coming home, picking up, starting dinner and waiting to hang out with my love. I actually get to stay up until past ten this year since I can sleep until almost 7! I absolutely love it!!
Things are falling right into place, too. We are getting our engagement pictures taken this month and then we will send out the save the dates so that everyone will for sure remember!
I have a website on theknot.com if you search for us there. I'm excited to closer and closer to the date, but I'm kind of strangely looking forward to all these "last time as a Mccalls". My last time at the statefair as a McCall, my last thanksgiving as a McCall, my last Christmas... as the year goes through it is like I am walking through this rite of passage and I love it!!
I'm enjoying all there is so far in my last fall as a McCall...
9.01.2010
A Castle and a Cake, too
Wow.
I am typing this on my last day of summer. I remember when all my friend's summer started before mine I joked that maybe mine would last longer because I could just not land a job. I didn't think that was true... but it was. No job this year for me. Somehow, though, it is all working out anyways. And as it turns out, I think my summer ended up being almost exactly the length of my friends if longer than only by 4 days!
So here is where summer brought me:
At the end of the school year I was unemployed. I am now a tutor for the school district in which I live. The pay is, I believe, less than 1/3 of what I was making in my district, but the commute is also 1/3 of what I used to drive. This is not the job I pictured in my head, but God was faithful and as usual, He is giving me what He has seen for me and not what I had seen for myself. I believe with all my heart that He is working on me through this experience and I am excited to see the results! Also, I'm just excited to have students again!
At the end of the school year I had only picked the church which I was going to get married in- which was really decided the moment I laid eyes on my groom. How can you meet in a church and yet not get married there?! Any ways, now we have the church, the reception location (Which includes catering), the cake, the florist, the photographer (oops, I had that one before school was out too) the DJ, and the dress is picked out and waiting on my check. I also have my ceremony musicians who are my very talented friends! So basically, I have all the big stuff reserved and can now focus on work and my house and take on little projects here and there (registering, picking bridesmaids dresses, save the dates/invites). All and all, I would say I had a very productive summer!
At the end of the school year I had just walked away from a house I was only days away from buying. I went through a summer of waiting and finally found the house I wanted, then it flooded and I had to have it redone on the inside. Now I am typing to you from my office which is light and airy and homey and perfect.
And as far as operation ripped and famished goes... well, nothing really changed there. It is still on my "to list".
God blessed me and Gavin this summer in a multitude of ways. Our relationship was strengthened by the trials life threw at us! I noticed something though, we take turns being the stressed out one and the calm one. I am finally understanding what people mean when they talk about couples that "balance" each other. I hope we can maintain this balance as we continue our adventure towards the aisle and eventually walk down it next summer! I can't wait to see where God has taken me by then!!
I am typing this on my last day of summer. I remember when all my friend's summer started before mine I joked that maybe mine would last longer because I could just not land a job. I didn't think that was true... but it was. No job this year for me. Somehow, though, it is all working out anyways. And as it turns out, I think my summer ended up being almost exactly the length of my friends if longer than only by 4 days!
So here is where summer brought me:
At the end of the school year I was unemployed. I am now a tutor for the school district in which I live. The pay is, I believe, less than 1/3 of what I was making in my district, but the commute is also 1/3 of what I used to drive. This is not the job I pictured in my head, but God was faithful and as usual, He is giving me what He has seen for me and not what I had seen for myself. I believe with all my heart that He is working on me through this experience and I am excited to see the results! Also, I'm just excited to have students again!
At the end of the school year I had only picked the church which I was going to get married in- which was really decided the moment I laid eyes on my groom. How can you meet in a church and yet not get married there?! Any ways, now we have the church, the reception location (Which includes catering), the cake, the florist, the photographer (oops, I had that one before school was out too) the DJ, and the dress is picked out and waiting on my check. I also have my ceremony musicians who are my very talented friends! So basically, I have all the big stuff reserved and can now focus on work and my house and take on little projects here and there (registering, picking bridesmaids dresses, save the dates/invites). All and all, I would say I had a very productive summer!
At the end of the school year I had just walked away from a house I was only days away from buying. I went through a summer of waiting and finally found the house I wanted, then it flooded and I had to have it redone on the inside. Now I am typing to you from my office which is light and airy and homey and perfect.
And as far as operation ripped and famished goes... well, nothing really changed there. It is still on my "to list".
God blessed me and Gavin this summer in a multitude of ways. Our relationship was strengthened by the trials life threw at us! I noticed something though, we take turns being the stressed out one and the calm one. I am finally understanding what people mean when they talk about couples that "balance" each other. I hope we can maintain this balance as we continue our adventure towards the aisle and eventually walk down it next summer! I can't wait to see where God has taken me by then!!
8.19.2010
Lets Try This Again...
So life has been crazy. After the flood at the castle we had to have the castle put back together and decided to get premission from the owners of the castle for G and me to paint whole interior while it was carpet free. He said yes and we were dumb. I mean, excited. We set apart a Friday afternoon and a full Saturday to paint a living room, hall way, and three bedrooms. We finished sometime late Monday evening- apparently, painting an entire house is no small task. Luckily, it looks amazing!
Now there are new carpets and new tile, we have the tile guys on hold to come back out and complete the house on Monday with the rooms insurance did not cover (kitchen and enterance way). We did a pre-completed, unofficial walk through, just Gavin and I, earlier this week and it was an amazing feeling. My bare toes sunk into this carpet and I could imagine a castle filled years down the road with our stuff and kids and friends and family! A house overflowing with warmth and happiness and possibility! Tonight is the official, all work is done walk through- wonder what my mind will picture this time!
I'm aware how cheesy that sounds but its how I feel. 310 days from today that house will go from being my home to "The Krueger's Place" (I'll work around with titles, maybe Krueger's Palace? Krueger's Castle? Mission de la Krueger?). God is blessing me big time with this one! Closing on the castles is in 23 hours and 8 minutes...
Now there are new carpets and new tile, we have the tile guys on hold to come back out and complete the house on Monday with the rooms insurance did not cover (kitchen and enterance way). We did a pre-completed, unofficial walk through, just Gavin and I, earlier this week and it was an amazing feeling. My bare toes sunk into this carpet and I could imagine a castle filled years down the road with our stuff and kids and friends and family! A house overflowing with warmth and happiness and possibility! Tonight is the official, all work is done walk through- wonder what my mind will picture this time!
I'm aware how cheesy that sounds but its how I feel. 310 days from today that house will go from being my home to "The Krueger's Place" (I'll work around with titles, maybe Krueger's Palace? Krueger's Castle? Mission de la Krueger?). God is blessing me big time with this one! Closing on the castles is in 23 hours and 8 minutes...
8.04.2010
And then life happens
Well God is really working on me right now. I wish I could give a more definative answer for what lesson I am learning in particular but for now I am content and at peace with the knowledge that I am learning something. I guess I hope I learn it soon so that things will calm down a little but, whatever.
So my castle I spoke of previously, flooded.
I know what you're thinking, it's August. This is Texas. There must be some mistake, but I assure you. It DID flood. Apparently something broke on the toilet and since it is a vacant house it took the neighbors noticing the water running out the front door for us to know there was something wrong. Three days before closing, as I was driving to a bridal shop to try on wedding gowns with my mom, we got the call that closing was delayed pending the repairs of this house... $12, 400+ in repairs.
Some of it is good- there will be new carpet, some of it is bad- the new carpet will be ugly and low grade, but in the long run it is what it is. Another uncontrollable life moment that comes and goes and is much easier to laugh at in the future than the present. I assure you, I have cried more in the last week over the stress of this, but I do know with an overwhelming amount of certainty that this will be funny one day.
So, as I type this from my mothers computer- my new home for the next three weeks as repairs take place- I do have more on my mind then just the state of my castle and that is the progress of the wedding.
We have put the deposit down on the reception site- which includes the caterer, picked out the dress, picked out the florist and the main flowers for the day (delphiniums), solidified the color pallet (dark blue, light blue, and white), picked the location, tasted a million cakes (deposit is not down on the one I want, but I am pretty sure I know who it will be), come up with a design for my lovely cake, picked the photographer, bought one of the outfits for engagement pictures, the ceremony site knows of my wedding but I haven't signed the contract (luckily I have the total in on the church so I'm not filling rushed)... its all coming together. I am so ready for this wedding to come together. I can't wait for it to actually happen!
So there is where I am... planning life with life happening all around me ignoring my plans. I'm still excited though because I still know its all going to be good and I think Gavin and me are doing really well at learning how to handle what life throws at us!
So my castle I spoke of previously, flooded.
I know what you're thinking, it's August. This is Texas. There must be some mistake, but I assure you. It DID flood. Apparently something broke on the toilet and since it is a vacant house it took the neighbors noticing the water running out the front door for us to know there was something wrong. Three days before closing, as I was driving to a bridal shop to try on wedding gowns with my mom, we got the call that closing was delayed pending the repairs of this house... $12, 400+ in repairs.
Some of it is good- there will be new carpet, some of it is bad- the new carpet will be ugly and low grade, but in the long run it is what it is. Another uncontrollable life moment that comes and goes and is much easier to laugh at in the future than the present. I assure you, I have cried more in the last week over the stress of this, but I do know with an overwhelming amount of certainty that this will be funny one day.
So, as I type this from my mothers computer- my new home for the next three weeks as repairs take place- I do have more on my mind then just the state of my castle and that is the progress of the wedding.
We have put the deposit down on the reception site- which includes the caterer, picked out the dress, picked out the florist and the main flowers for the day (delphiniums), solidified the color pallet (dark blue, light blue, and white), picked the location, tasted a million cakes (deposit is not down on the one I want, but I am pretty sure I know who it will be), come up with a design for my lovely cake, picked the photographer, bought one of the outfits for engagement pictures, the ceremony site knows of my wedding but I haven't signed the contract (luckily I have the total in on the church so I'm not filling rushed)... its all coming together. I am so ready for this wedding to come together. I can't wait for it to actually happen!
So there is where I am... planning life with life happening all around me ignoring my plans. I'm still excited though because I still know its all going to be good and I think Gavin and me are doing really well at learning how to handle what life throws at us!
7.20.2010
Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
When I used to dream of my prince charming I always dreamed of our castle, too. I don't know that I ever expected something huge. From a young age my mother would tell me "you don't start off where your parents leave off". That I would get a little tiny house that needed love and paint and when I loved and painted the house then I could trade it in for one a little bit bigger that needed a little less love and paint.
It is a weird thing, looking for a "first house". How many beds? Bath? The back yard, how big? What neighborhoods? Schools? Its all so funny to think about because our kids are still invisible little thoughts in the back of our minds, years down the road. It is important though. You buy the house and make it a home.
And thats where I stand. Weeks away from signing the dotted line and promising this house on the beautiful, quite street with the big back yard and the room for 5 someday that I will give it the love and the paint it needs to turn it into a home.
It is a weird thing, looking for a "first house". How many beds? Bath? The back yard, how big? What neighborhoods? Schools? Its all so funny to think about because our kids are still invisible little thoughts in the back of our minds, years down the road. It is important though. You buy the house and make it a home.
And thats where I stand. Weeks away from signing the dotted line and promising this house on the beautiful, quite street with the big back yard and the room for 5 someday that I will give it the love and the paint it needs to turn it into a home.
7.02.2010
Ripped and Famished: The Beginning
Well... with only 11 months and some weeks to go we've got some weight to lose. Both of us fell in love and ate our whole way down to break the fall and while we are happy as clams, we want to be the hottest people at our wedding and that will take a bit of work.
We started this week with three dyas of intense work outs. I call them intense, but they may not have been as "intense" if we had been working out for longer. The first two days he did weights while I did a run/walk pattern on the treadmill. The third day (yesterday) he taught me how to use some of the weights and then we both head to the park to run/walk for a couple miles. I am sore.
Sore, actually, seems like an understatement.
I feel how I would have imagined my Barbie's to feel as a child when I pulled off their limbs and then awkwardly put them back together. My hips and shoulders specifically seem to be barely holding on in their respective joint locations. My body is revolting.
We have also eaten lunch and dinner at the apartment instead of going out. This has been since Tuesday (Monday we had a church dinner to attend to at a delicious Mexican resteraunt). A diet will be the next step, but this is a process and one that I'm willing to walk somewhat slowly into.
We took before pictures so we can see a month from now how we're doing. We smiled because, lets face it, these extra twenty or so pounds we came by we came by happily.
Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to start the process of getting out of the chair because it could take me a long time to get to the standing position and I've got an appointment with a bakery to taste some cakes in a couple hours!!
We started this week with three dyas of intense work outs. I call them intense, but they may not have been as "intense" if we had been working out for longer. The first two days he did weights while I did a run/walk pattern on the treadmill. The third day (yesterday) he taught me how to use some of the weights and then we both head to the park to run/walk for a couple miles. I am sore.
Sore, actually, seems like an understatement.
I feel how I would have imagined my Barbie's to feel as a child when I pulled off their limbs and then awkwardly put them back together. My hips and shoulders specifically seem to be barely holding on in their respective joint locations. My body is revolting.
We have also eaten lunch and dinner at the apartment instead of going out. This has been since Tuesday (Monday we had a church dinner to attend to at a delicious Mexican resteraunt). A diet will be the next step, but this is a process and one that I'm willing to walk somewhat slowly into.
We took before pictures so we can see a month from now how we're doing. We smiled because, lets face it, these extra twenty or so pounds we came by we came by happily.
Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to start the process of getting out of the chair because it could take me a long time to get to the standing position and I've got an appointment with a bakery to taste some cakes in a couple hours!!
6.30.2010
fondant? FonDON'T!
I hate fondant with a passion from the very core of my being.
To me fondant is almost sacreligious. I mean, really. Cake is meant to be eaten and not just eaten and forgotten but eaten in a slow, savory, make-all-your-wrongs-right kind of way. For all of life's big occassions it seems cake it there to walk it with you. I've said it once and I'll say it again, I take my responsibility of picking an amazing cake for my wedding very seriously.
I have been scrolling through photo albums online for hours now today and am saddened by how many of the gorgeous cakes are fondant. Its almost like no one is even trying anymore with our old realiable friend- buttercream. In fact, while reading the fine print of one of the cakeries I was considering I saw that they will ONLY do fondant icing on the cakes that they make May-September. Instantly I had to mark them of my list. They aren't even trying to make a cake to taste good!!
I've ready countless "about us" sections today that talk up their cakes with "blah blah blah natural ingrediants" and "yadda yadda yadda organic crap" but to me, a cake is only as good as its icing and so I say passionately, although with a small smile on my face at the challange at hand!
To me fondant is almost sacreligious. I mean, really. Cake is meant to be eaten and not just eaten and forgotten but eaten in a slow, savory, make-all-your-wrongs-right kind of way. For all of life's big occassions it seems cake it there to walk it with you. I've said it once and I'll say it again, I take my responsibility of picking an amazing cake for my wedding very seriously.
I have been scrolling through photo albums online for hours now today and am saddened by how many of the gorgeous cakes are fondant. Its almost like no one is even trying anymore with our old realiable friend- buttercream. In fact, while reading the fine print of one of the cakeries I was considering I saw that they will ONLY do fondant icing on the cakes that they make May-September. Instantly I had to mark them of my list. They aren't even trying to make a cake to taste good!!
I've ready countless "about us" sections today that talk up their cakes with "blah blah blah natural ingrediants" and "yadda yadda yadda organic crap" but to me, a cake is only as good as its icing and so I say passionately, although with a small smile on my face at the challange at hand!
6.28.2010
Less than a Year
So we are now at the "less than a year" place. We still have plenty of time, but it is less than a year. I still don't have any stress associated with it but I am ready for our lifetime to start NOW.
So amid all the wedding planning going on right now there is that realization that there are more days after June 25, 2011 than there are before it. There seem to be a million conversations to have about what those days will look like...where will we live? How many people will we fill it with? Will we continue our current volunteer commitments- have less? -more? What Sunday school will we go to before?-after? So much to consider. So far, though, luckily, we have been on the same page with our big choices and even the serious, indepth talks have been relaxed and non issues. I remember back when it made me nervous to bring up things too far in the future because I didn't want to jump ahead of us, but now we're talking about the rest of our lives because they're about to start! It's an amazing feeling.
Today I hope to recheck my "to do" list and find something "wedding related" to work on. I mean, I gotta get busy, I've got less than a year...
So amid all the wedding planning going on right now there is that realization that there are more days after June 25, 2011 than there are before it. There seem to be a million conversations to have about what those days will look like...where will we live? How many people will we fill it with? Will we continue our current volunteer commitments- have less? -more? What Sunday school will we go to before?-after? So much to consider. So far, though, luckily, we have been on the same page with our big choices and even the serious, indepth talks have been relaxed and non issues. I remember back when it made me nervous to bring up things too far in the future because I didn't want to jump ahead of us, but now we're talking about the rest of our lives because they're about to start! It's an amazing feeling.
Today I hope to recheck my "to do" list and find something "wedding related" to work on. I mean, I gotta get busy, I've got less than a year...
6.05.2010
Just Another Day In Paradise
One week until the engagement party and for now, at least, there's not much for me to plan. In the meantime, life goes on.
Got home yesterday from a long day at work and Gavin had beautiful flowers waiting for me with a sweet card to say he loves me. The thoughtfulness of his surprise put me in the best mood! It was a great way to start my weekend!
I decided to put the flowers on the window sill in my bedroom where they could get the most sunlight and as I did I noticed there was a black bug crawling up my wall. Super gross. Lucky for me, I have the worlds best bug smoosher that I could call to save me... but before he got in the room I noticed another one not far below the first bug. Oh, and a little to the left were two more. I started to freak out as I noticed there were about a dozen of these nasty critters crawling up my wall and ACROSS MY CEILING! I called my mom before marching over to the leasing office. Apparently the bugs are common in the complex and don't bite and they'll be out in two weeks to spray for them. In the mean time I'd have to spray myself- but of course, its not actually me spraying, its my knight and shinning armor spraying and trying not to laugh at my grossed-outted-ness.
I took Joe to my parents so it'd be safe to spray the stuff and picked up my moms golf clubs to go to a driving range with Gavin and his brother. We had papers that we had to drop off in Southlake and were running over an hour behind on that and decided to drive through Whataburger on our way. Unforunately at Whataburger Gavin's car overheated and we ended up having to take his car to a shop for the night. Fortunately, there was some traffic which gave Gavin and I time to enjoy our Whataburger in the car shop's parking lot until my dad picked us up.
Later we hit golf balls with his brother before calling it a night. Gavin did a touch up of my room for me so that I could feel good about sleeping in my apartment. Luckily, there were no bugs left when I crawled into bed and my flowers still looked amazing even without the sun coming in.
All and all it was a pretty good regular ol' day.
Got home yesterday from a long day at work and Gavin had beautiful flowers waiting for me with a sweet card to say he loves me. The thoughtfulness of his surprise put me in the best mood! It was a great way to start my weekend!
I decided to put the flowers on the window sill in my bedroom where they could get the most sunlight and as I did I noticed there was a black bug crawling up my wall. Super gross. Lucky for me, I have the worlds best bug smoosher that I could call to save me... but before he got in the room I noticed another one not far below the first bug. Oh, and a little to the left were two more. I started to freak out as I noticed there were about a dozen of these nasty critters crawling up my wall and ACROSS MY CEILING! I called my mom before marching over to the leasing office. Apparently the bugs are common in the complex and don't bite and they'll be out in two weeks to spray for them. In the mean time I'd have to spray myself- but of course, its not actually me spraying, its my knight and shinning armor spraying and trying not to laugh at my grossed-outted-ness.
I took Joe to my parents so it'd be safe to spray the stuff and picked up my moms golf clubs to go to a driving range with Gavin and his brother. We had papers that we had to drop off in Southlake and were running over an hour behind on that and decided to drive through Whataburger on our way. Unforunately at Whataburger Gavin's car overheated and we ended up having to take his car to a shop for the night. Fortunately, there was some traffic which gave Gavin and I time to enjoy our Whataburger in the car shop's parking lot until my dad picked us up.
Later we hit golf balls with his brother before calling it a night. Gavin did a touch up of my room for me so that I could feel good about sleeping in my apartment. Luckily, there were no bugs left when I crawled into bed and my flowers still looked amazing even without the sun coming in.
All and all it was a pretty good regular ol' day.
5.31.2010
13 Months and Counting
Well, its a little less than 13 months until the big day and I think we are pretty on top of things so far.
The photographer was an easy choice, we are using a friend from our church who just so happens to be an amazing photographer.
The ceremony location was another given, since we met in church we'll get hitched in church.
The reception site, however, I am proud of myself for coming up with. After visiting the sites that the internet suggested we were ready to sign away for a classy, hotel reception and make it work. Or atleast, I was ready. My dad however refused to sign a check for that much money for me to "make it work". He and my mother insisted that I would find a place that would work on its own at getting me giddy and that all we added wouldn't "make" the wedding but simply "inhance it". So I hit up the magainzes for ideas... backyard wedding in June doesn't really work in Texas and I wanted something more upscale than a barn but I have always loved the soft, white, twinkly light look. My magazine suggested renting out a Mexican food resteraunt, which wouldn't work with my taste in decor and would be kind of random, but we are going to Italy for our honeymoon and my mind started working and I thought of my FAVORITE Italian food resteraunt... there is soft, white lighting with candles...a dance floor, a pianst, and live singing...it has more character on its own than I could have ever created at a hotel or golf course! So, after Gavin and I went together to daydream and discuss we told my parents that it is "the one". I can't wait to bring our friends and family to dinner next June to celebrate!!!
No cake yet, I just don't feel that one cake tasting is nearly enough! I assure you, though, we will continue to journey on through this process until we find the perfect one.
Colors will be blue on blue with a hint of pink in the flowers. I promised Gavin I would let him proposal be my inspiration so bluebonnets will abound.
Only 26 days away from the "one year until mark"!
The photographer was an easy choice, we are using a friend from our church who just so happens to be an amazing photographer.
The ceremony location was another given, since we met in church we'll get hitched in church.
The reception site, however, I am proud of myself for coming up with. After visiting the sites that the internet suggested we were ready to sign away for a classy, hotel reception and make it work. Or atleast, I was ready. My dad however refused to sign a check for that much money for me to "make it work". He and my mother insisted that I would find a place that would work on its own at getting me giddy and that all we added wouldn't "make" the wedding but simply "inhance it". So I hit up the magainzes for ideas... backyard wedding in June doesn't really work in Texas and I wanted something more upscale than a barn but I have always loved the soft, white, twinkly light look. My magazine suggested renting out a Mexican food resteraunt, which wouldn't work with my taste in decor and would be kind of random, but we are going to Italy for our honeymoon and my mind started working and I thought of my FAVORITE Italian food resteraunt... there is soft, white lighting with candles...a dance floor, a pianst, and live singing...it has more character on its own than I could have ever created at a hotel or golf course! So, after Gavin and I went together to daydream and discuss we told my parents that it is "the one". I can't wait to bring our friends and family to dinner next June to celebrate!!!
No cake yet, I just don't feel that one cake tasting is nearly enough! I assure you, though, we will continue to journey on through this process until we find the perfect one.
Colors will be blue on blue with a hint of pink in the flowers. I promised Gavin I would let him proposal be my inspiration so bluebonnets will abound.
Only 26 days away from the "one year until mark"!
5.10.2010
And so it begins!
I have heard this talk of "Bridezilla" and I'm unsure at what point one turns in to it (her?), but so far I couldn't be farther from "that girl" and I'm sure my family is grateful for that!
So far we've got the date (6.25.11) and the ceremony site (our amazingly wonderful church) and that's it. It's plenty for now because it's still a year away. But we are planning, slowly but surely. The first planning thing we did may end up actually being my favorite...
Imagine this: free cake. multiple flavors. different icings. did I say free? My grandmother, mother, fiance and I went together and had a blast. they tortured him for his disgust for chocolate and love for red velvet. Those who are unaware of this should know that red velvet IS chocolate. My grandmother decided we will all call chocolate "velvet" from now on. All and all we tasted many "velvet" cakes... Velvet with white icing, velvet with velvet icing, German velvet... If I know my grandmother, and I think I do, he will never hear the end of this!
I'm so excited for summer. So excited to get to the "one year or less" mark and get to really start planning. Maybe then I will catch the 'zilla-ness? Right now I'm on a high from the wonderfulness of the engagement maybe that's why right now EVERYTHING seems like a great idea, but no big deal if it wouldn't work? Maybe I'm just so stinkin' in love that I don't care about the details of the wedding?
So far we've got the date (6.25.11) and the ceremony site (our amazingly wonderful church) and that's it. It's plenty for now because it's still a year away. But we are planning, slowly but surely. The first planning thing we did may end up actually being my favorite...
Imagine this: free cake. multiple flavors. different icings. did I say free? My grandmother, mother, fiance and I went together and had a blast. they tortured him for his disgust for chocolate and love for red velvet. Those who are unaware of this should know that red velvet IS chocolate. My grandmother decided we will all call chocolate "velvet" from now on. All and all we tasted many "velvet" cakes... Velvet with white icing, velvet with velvet icing, German velvet... If I know my grandmother, and I think I do, he will never hear the end of this!
I'm so excited for summer. So excited to get to the "one year or less" mark and get to really start planning. Maybe then I will catch the 'zilla-ness? Right now I'm on a high from the wonderfulness of the engagement maybe that's why right now EVERYTHING seems like a great idea, but no big deal if it wouldn't work? Maybe I'm just so stinkin' in love that I don't care about the details of the wedding?
4.18.2010
Stopping to Smell the Bluebonnets
I'm engaged.
It all started with bluebonnets on the way to family reunion. He just kept talking about them and after going back and forth between whether or not we needed to be "those people" who park on the side of the highway to get a picture in the bluebonnets and it took us about 20 miles to decide to stop. When we got out of the car I went on and on about the best spot for a picture with him trailing behind until he finally stopped me and had me turn around and when I did I had a shiny promise of forever in tiny box in his hand... and he was on one knee... and I felt so amazing in that second.
My amazing love story I've waited my whole life for was kneeling in front of me in the bluebonnets and Indian paintbrushes.
Today my mom gave me a picture from last week, a few hours after he proposed when I was showing the ring to my grandmother and I was happy, and my grandmother was happy, and Gavin was smiling biggest of all. I love that it mattered to him how much I loved the ring, how much I enjoyed the proposal. I love that it makes him proud to make me happy.
I can't wait to spend the rest of my life loving and growing with him and I hope to never forget the way I felt last Saturday or right now when I'm talking about it. Thank you God!
And with that...let the wedding planning begin...
It all started with bluebonnets on the way to family reunion. He just kept talking about them and after going back and forth between whether or not we needed to be "those people" who park on the side of the highway to get a picture in the bluebonnets and it took us about 20 miles to decide to stop. When we got out of the car I went on and on about the best spot for a picture with him trailing behind until he finally stopped me and had me turn around and when I did I had a shiny promise of forever in tiny box in his hand... and he was on one knee... and I felt so amazing in that second.
My amazing love story I've waited my whole life for was kneeling in front of me in the bluebonnets and Indian paintbrushes.
Today my mom gave me a picture from last week, a few hours after he proposed when I was showing the ring to my grandmother and I was happy, and my grandmother was happy, and Gavin was smiling biggest of all. I love that it mattered to him how much I loved the ring, how much I enjoyed the proposal. I love that it makes him proud to make me happy.
I can't wait to spend the rest of my life loving and growing with him and I hope to never forget the way I felt last Saturday or right now when I'm talking about it. Thank you God!
And with that...let the wedding planning begin...
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)