Jackie & Dave's Wedding!

It could not have turned out to be a more perfect day. The weather that was drearily forecasted to be awful for the last week - was completely wrong! It was sunny, in the 70s and blue skies as the bride walked down the aisle. The ceremony was lovely and the wedding party looked great (even Groomsman #2 who collapsed right as Dave was starting to recite his vows! Oopsie!)

The reception was lovely, the food was tasty (especially the cake!), and the craftiness was awesome. There was dancing and great merriment to be had. Loving Husband and I even got to stay on the dance floor during the Anniversary Dance for one extra 'round' now that we've been married for 6 years. :) The traditional festivities for cake cutting, first dance, and bouquet and garter tossing was grand. B even caught the bouquet!



It was a lot of fun and I am sure that the Bride and Groom are so glad to have all that planning behind them and were happy to enjoy their special day that went off without a hitch. :) Congrats to you both! We couldn't be more excited for you!

Year One

Our wedding day was beautiful. The weather was perfect, the ceremony was late enough that no one felt rushed, and my wedding started on time (that was my only brideism that I was a bit crazy about) we had a beautiful and simple ceremony, not too long. Be Thou My Vision played during the signing of the marriage license and we were surrounded by candlelight. The reception was very nice and I ate my entire dinner (some brides forget to eat, I wanted my filet - I was going to eat) we cut the cake and tossed some things and headed off for our honeymoon.

Our honeymoon was a surprise to me. Loving Husband had kept it a secret. In part our honeymoon was a several week extravaganza because one of LH's friends got married the Saturday after ours - so we had a mini honeymoon in the NW and then our real honeymoon in Jamaica! The entire time was wonderful to relax and just spend time with my new husband. I loved the warm waters of Jamaica and the resort was wonderful.

We came back to reality and my third year of law school and work at the law firm. LH went back to work. We enjoyed our first halloween as a married couple going as a bride (I wore my runaway dress) and he came as my ball and chain -- wearing a ball and chains. We enjoyed Thanskgiving in Southern California with both our our families. His parent's came down and we all went to my grandma's. It was a nice time. Our first Christmas together we began our tradition of exchanging stockings.

I graduated from law school in May and moved to the NW for three months to study for the bar exam and to live with his parents. We knew that we were moving to the NW in the near future, although at the time the date wasn't set, but I had to take A bar exam. During that time we acquired a kitty (Tort) by the end of the summer we adopted his brother (Nick) who orignally was LH's mom's cat... they couldn't be seperated. They had to stay in the NW though for a while until we moved back to the NW. At the end of July, after the exam, Loving Husband came to join me and we celebrated our first anniversary at the same spot we had enjoyed phase one of our honeymoon - at the lodge!

The Beginning

Loving Husband and I met in August 2002, I was volunteering at my Alma mater (that I just just graduated from that previous May) as a debate coach and he was a transfer recruit to the debate team, he was a junior. I was instantly smitten, but had just come out of a long term relationship and so I wasn't really interested in dating - but I was very much interested in spending more time with him. His best friend had been on the debate team with me (also a junior now) and him and I had been friends. So hanging out LH wasn't very hard to do. We spent a lot of time together. We attended church together, often just the two of us, we rode together in vehicles to debate tournaments, we spent a lot of time together and I had a MAJOR crush. He seemed oblivious.


In November of that year my mom asked why don't you just date him and my response was that I could never date him, I'd only marry him. My mom found that weird and confusing, but it made perfect sense to me. We continued to be friends that saw each other more than any one else - I dated someone off and on in between for a while since LH was showing little interest, but LH still held my attention more than any other.


As time went on we continued to spend time together, everyone on the debate team thought we were dating - we continuously corrected them - because while I secretly harbored that desire - I didn't want to be third grade about it and have a bunch of people (yes boys included) giggling about it. Fast forward a bit to April when LH and my paths were nearing a brink or a break almost - in the fact that he was maybe going to NY and I was going to Northern California... after prayer, reflection, and some terse words to other parties - we began dating. Now as we told people we were dating, no one believed us - but eventually they all saw it to be true and were as happy as we were.


I spent those first few months of our dating relationship in Northern California, I had a job in a law firm. I wasn't going to give that up simply for a new dating relationship with a boy - although I knew that this boy would be my husband - I was clear from the get go that I wouldn't date him, I would only marry him. He had the same thing in mind. We "survived" our long distance relationship just fine and I moved back home.


In November 2003 (a year after my mom had asked why don't I just date the boy) LH took me on a cruise to Mexico - and on that cruise on the last day we were on the boat, he woke me at sunrise and took me to the back of the boat to watch it and proposed to me. He had had my ring made from a design he drew. I was in love (with him) and I was getting married. We decided on July 31st, 2004.

Summer Favorites - Our Anniversary

This year we are celebrating our 5th anniversary! It's hard to imagine that 5 years has gone by when I said "I do" to the love of my life. We have enjoyed many celebrations of our anniversary. This next week leading up to our anniversary, I will have a post on each of our five years together.

The below picture is one of my favorites from our wedding day. Mostly because my husband is whispering to me that he hates pictures, but loves me. So my smile in this one is very real.

Matron of Honor

It's true! I have been asked to be the Matron of Honor in my best friend Becky's upcoming wedding. Yes her and her high school sweetheart (and one of my best friends) David have been reconnected and are tying the knot on October 17th! I'm so excited. I'm excited for the bridal shower, the bachelorette party, the rehearsal, the wedding and my speech and the shopping!

Being the MOH my expenses are many - especially since the wedding is in California. That means a handful of plane tickets, a dress, bridal shower dress (I suppose not required, but a great excuse), shoes, the list goes on and on - and truly I'm not complaining - just planning ahead. See if I purchase things slowly over the course of the next few months and spread out the expenses then the damage to the pocketbook won't be nearly as bad. Well, not nearly as noticeable. :)

I've being charged with needing "silver" shoes and a peridot dress (which will be obtained from David's Bridal in July) I decided to hunt for the shoes. I don't often drop more than $30 on a pair of shoes, but a pair of heels that I am going to be wearing for literally most of one day, standing for most of it - I like to own a quality pair of shoes, and well it's just a fun excuse to shop! (I can hear my husband cringing.)

So shoe shopping I have been. I've exhausted most local shops, retailers, and the like. So off to the Internet I went. It's hard to find a pair of "silver" shoes that aren't disco metallic. I'm wearing a soft green and disco-metallic silver just is not going to cut it. Not even a little bit. So finding a tasteful pair of heels has proven to be challenging. I decided to peruse Nina shoes, because I wore a pair of those for my other BF's wedding a few years back and they worked great, my feet didn't hurt at all.

I found a pair! Nina's "Gita" in Royal Silver. $69.95+ tax and shipping on the Nina website, but at Shoe.com they were $69 (tax included and free shipping) and I found a 20% off coupon code (BFF09) which saved me $13+ so for an out of pocket expense of $55.20, I got these delightful shoes, which will match the bridal shower dress and will work perfectly for the wedding!

Honeymooning

Guys, it has been a glorious time. First, I want to thank everyone sooo soo much for making the wedding day super great! IT wouldn't have gone off so well without everyone that helped! Shannon!!! Seriously thank you for all your help. I am so glad that you were able to be a part of it, and I hope that your mouth didn't kill too much from all the pictures. :)
The wedding was marvolous and ON TIME (much to Joann's shock and dismay I do believe) Yes, that was my one mad-bride-ism (that I am aware of) But it was on time and I was super happy. The ceremony was great. The pastor/priest blessed me by banging me on the side of the head, talked over me on one of my lines... I think it was the "Honoring one another line" so I think I get to skip that part.... but despite the loon of a pastor/priest... it was beautiful. Kelley and Dawn worked their asses off to make it look wonderful, and everyone else did great to get everything in order before hand.
Seriously though, I owe the most graditude to my dear maid of honor. I would have died without Becky and she seriously did way above and beyond the duty of a maid of honor. I was so happy to have her there!
Honeymoon so far! OK guys, I married the greatest guy ever. (I knew this beforehand but he has reaffirmed over and over again) So far every place we have been to (which includes his parents house, stop 3 on our list) there has been a dozen roses, strawberries, and chamagne waiting for us when we arrived. The hotel that we stayed at the night of the wedding... his parents/Troy/and Sister had gone in and sprinkled rose petals on the bed. So nice. We arrived at the lodge, they had music playing and the roses (more pretty than at the wedding!) so nice. We are at his parent's house for the next couple of days since Ryan the groomsman is getting married on Saturday, and it's been nice to just relax and do nothing but lounge around. We've taken some pictures of the places that we have stayed at so that everyone can get an idea of the places.
I am having a relaxing time, unwinding from all of the stress of the event. Again though, serious thanks to everyone that helped out with that. It wouldn't have been nearly as cool or elegant without all of the help that I had on the day or before! Leann! Thanks so much for the well wishes on the day of the event.
Again everyone, please don't forget you are all invited to our party up in Berdo on August 21st! Check our website for further information and for WEDDING PICTURES! There's only a few, but they are pretty good. I get the ones back from the photographer on the 20th of August! So all the proofs from the wedding photographer will be at the reception in Berdo.
Well, I have rambled on for quite awhile. Loving Husband and his dad are off playing Soccer, so I think that I am going to go read a book. It's cloudy here, but I am still convinced it doesn't rain here. Hehe. I can't wait to come home and have a girls night, game night, or something so that I can see everyone!
Hope all is well! Shannon have a great move! When are you coming!?
Much Love.

MARRIED

I'm getting MARRIED TODAY!!!! Yay!

Shannon's moving to the SD! Yay!

Happy times are here and ahead!

PEACE

5 DAYS

Less than a week! Crrraazzy! Things are coming together though. A lot of the list has been chipped away.

1. Program - 90% finished
2. Finish the slideshow.
3. Make the play list of music for the wedding reception. 1/2 DONE
4. Print, Address, seal, stamp all announcement/invites to August Party. 1/2 DONE
4a. *find all address for those that I must send invites to.
5. Still working on the money tree thing.
6. Make sure that all bills are paid before leaving for honeymoon *SHANNON still will need the help.* 1/2 DONE
7. Pack for the honeymoon.
8. Still searching for a walk out song.
9. Get my runaway dress altered.
10. Go to the chiropractor while I still have insurance.
11. Breathe (someone will have to remind me of this from time to time)
12. Find makeup for the event. New lipstick is a must.

Really it's just down to the little stuff. Loving Fiance is working on the remaining pictures that we need for the slideshow. Then that will be done. He is also getting more music and then the reception music will be done. He thinks he might have found the song to play during the ceremony.

More to come later :)

Update

I have made progress.... Still need to do the following.

1. After meeting with the Pastor create the program for the wedding.
2. Finish the slideshow.
3. Make the play list of music for the wedding reception. 1/2 DONE
4. Print, Address, seal, stamp all announcement/invites to August Party. 1/2 DONE
4a. *find all address for those that I must send invites to.
5. Finish purchasing gifts.
6. Wrap gifts.
7. Invent money trees to pay for all this nonsense.
8. Make sure that all bills are paid before leaving for honeymoon *SHANNON still will need the help.* 1/2 DONE
9. Pack for the honeymoon.
10. Find a song to walk out to. (After meeting with the pastor it isn't going to be as fun as I would have liked. :( )
11. Get my runaway dress altered.
12. Buy flipflops for the reception. (Doing that today)
13. Go to the chriopractor while I still have insurance.
14. Breathe (someone will have to remind me of this from time to time)
15. Find makeup for the event. New lipstick is a must.

It might seem like the list is still pretty long. However, we met with the pastor, I finally talked to Madame Patrick, ordered the wedding cake, ordered the limo, and got some more invites printed up. Items 5, 6, 12 will be taken care of after work today. Things are moving along swimmingly.

Alas I must get me to a shower so that I can be presentable for work. Eck... work.

1-0

The final day of the double digits and I have been rather productive.

I have ordered the cake and HA-ZAH talked to Madame Patrick! Yes that's right F-I-N-A-L-L-Y. GEEZ.... the good news is, by my calculations... catering will only be right at $1,000. Unless he finds some secret way to calculate.

More to come later.... but I was just so excited that I had to share!

12 days!

I have moved out of the teens and into the ... not teens. Today I made "to-do" lists for all of the peeps that I will have near to me. If you are staying in this house the night before the wedding, you will have jobs the next morning. Fairly warned I do say (even if Shannon is the only one of those peeps that reads this fine journal of mine.)

**** SIDE NOTE *****
My roommate just walked in and she is the color of Target! Yes, bright red! She was at a wedding, well in a wedding today, one held at the beach (awww...) and she didn't wear sun screen. I'm not exagerating. She is the color of Target! Oow it hurts to just look at her. (She does look super cute in the dress she has on)
**** END SIDE *****

Yah, so 12 days. Shannon says she'll do whatever I need, thanks man! Becky, same thing. I am actually much calmer than expected. Besides still needing to meet with Madam Patrick and give him loads of crap and establish that we are on the same page for how I want the room to look, everything is put together. Mark has some rough numbers that will be solidified later this week (he's so nice, he said that he could wait as long as next Wednesday before putting the order in) I'll give it to him before that, or I'll forget.

Photographer is confirmed, Food for wedding is confirmed (damn that patrick, freakin' call me!), flowers are bought and paid for (as soon as I take the check over there), all the supplies for the decorations of the church are bought and in one location in our living room, almost everything for the reception is in a bag and ready to go to Patrick (if he ever FREAKIN calls), presents for everyone are established and finalized purchasing will commence this week.

Those are the big things currently. To update my list from the last entry....
1. MEET WITH THE MADAME PATRICK! - STILL NEED TO DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2. Meet with the Pastor. - Meeting with him on Wednesday night.
3. After meeting with the Pastor create the program for the wedding. - Will do after Wednesday night.
4. Finish the slideshow. - Still need to do.
5. Make the play list of music for the wedding reception.- Still need to do.
6. Print, Address, seal, stamp all announcement/invites to August Party. (P.S. anyone that is reading this is invited... ok not anyone, but anyone on my "friends list")6a. *find all address for those that I must send invites to. - Still need to do (thanks for the back up Shannon on the addressing, etc.)
7. Finish purchasing gifts. - 90% done!
8. Wrap gifts.- Still need to do.
9. Invent money trees to pay for all this nonsense. - lol riiiight.
10. Make sure that all bills are paid before leaving for honeymoon *SHANNON you must help remember this. This is one of the jobs I am giving you as a BM*
11. Find someone to do all of our hair.- Working on, but mostly done... will cost $40 Shan.
12. Pack for the honeymoon.
13. Find a song to walk out to.
14. Get my runaway dress altered.
15. Buy flipflops for the reception.
16. Go to the chriopractor while I still have insurance.
17. Talk to Olive Garden to establish rehersal dinner details.- Rehersal dinner is taken care of - transfer duty to Loving Fiance.
18. Breathe (someone will have to remind me of this from time to time)
19. Find makeup for the event. New lipstick is a must.

Wow that didn't make me feel much better. I still haven't done most of this crap! what did I do all week!? Geez.

-- PASSED OUT ON THE FLOOR --
LEAVE A MESSAGE AT THE THUD.

I am now into the teens...

19 days. Ok, now... time to panic. Not in the oh my gosh I'll never be single again, but oh my gosh I still have tons to do!!
Enjoy my list with me will you.
1. MEET WITH THE MADAME PATRICK!
2. Meet with the Pastor.
3. After meeting with the Pastor create the program for the wedding.
4. Finish the slideshow.
5. Make the play list of music for the wedding reception.
6. Print, Address, seal, stamp all announcement/invites to August Party. (P.S. anyone that is reading this is invited... ok not anyone, but anyone on my "friends list")6a. *find all address for those that I must send invites to.
7. Finish purchasing gifts.
8. Wrap gifts.
9. Invent money trees to pay for all this nonsense.
10. Make sure that all bills are paid before leaving for honeymoon *SHANNON you must help remember this. This is one of the jobs I am giving you as a BM*
11. Find someone to do all of our hair.
12. Pack for the honeymoon.
13. Find a song to walk out to.
14. Get my runaway dress altered.
15. Buy flipflops for the reception.
16. Go to the chriopractor while I still have insurance.
17. Talk to Olive Garden to establish reception dinner details.
18. Breathe (someone will have to remind me of this from time to time)
19. Find makeup for the event. New lipstick is a must.
20. (don't have time for 20... I'm in the TEENS!)

Hope all is well... I might just be getting down to that crazy-mad Bride time. Hurry so I have spectators.

Much love!

23 Days!

I am getting married in twenty-three days. That's almost only three weeks! Oh my word. Crrrrazy. What is exciting about all of this *besides the whole getting married part* is that Shannon and Becky will be in town!!!!! YES! This summer has been crazy, yes, but super boring without my friends around. I have Carrie, but alas she has to work and participate in life herself. That's why I need Shannon to come back and STAY in So Cal! New Mexico... not nearly as fabulous as So Cal with Me in it. ;) Come on you know it's true.
Yah, so 23 days.... 23 days and 8 hours right now. It's a little strange to think about it, but a little nerve racking as well. Nerve racking because I still have stuff to order and have delieved to the house and to have things ordered and delievered takes time, time of which I am running out.
Becky asked me the other day if I was in panic mode yet. I told her then that I was still fine, but I think the panic mode is en route here and will be arriving in the next couple of days. I think that both Shannon and Becky should come for 2 weeks and take care of that panic mode, but I am sure that they both would if they could but they can't. Dern those jobs and the military.
Besides the wedding bliss/stress, I still have to work and with work comes the mundane annoyance of attempting to find that perfect case that fits our argument (THAT DOESN'T EXISIT) I am doing research for both attorneys and they want me to find this golden case that will fit perfectly into this little jagged space they have carved out for their argument. When I go back after 6 hours of research to tell them that it doesn't exist, this is what I have found... They send me back into the desert to find the water. BASTARDS, get a clue! Yah so that is what I am "doing" now. I am at home using the internet to search all of Lexis to attempt to find something I can pass off as acceptable for their retarded criteria. HA! Fat chance. *but it means that I am postpone a shower for an additional 2 hours and laze around the house and not answer phones at work so I'll take it.
Hmm updates in the other parts of my world? Not really, my life has been consumed with work and wedding. Which isn't the worst consumable place to be. I'll deal with it and enjoy some of it as well.
Seriously though, if I could alter time I would speed it up to get Shannon and Becky here! Hurry here man! And SLLLLOOOOW time down considerably to get everything planned and ready to go for this fantabulous day that is approaching almost too rapidly.
See you soon! Back to the search for the non-existant cases.