Wow!

It is four days away from the wedding. FOUR DAYS! I have never felt such an incredible mix of stress and excitement. I still cannot believe how quickly time passes. It seemed like just yesterday Matthew and I went on our first date, and now we are almost ready to walk down the aisle! There is still so much to do, but I know we will get it all done (I might not have any sanity left to speak of, though!)

Pulling the final details together is bittersweet for me; I am so excited to start my new life with Matthew, but it's also hard to pack up everything at my parents' house and know that I am leaving. Everything I do with my siblings reminds me that it's the "last time" we get to do this before I move out. It's such a weird feeling.

Anyway, I am not sure if I will have time to post or not before the big day, so if you don't hear from me, just assume I am sitting on a beach somewhere regaining my sanity. :)

Can I be honest?

Oh my goodness... we are 17 days away from the wedding! I still can't get over how close it really is! I'm really starting to geek out about it!

But can we pause for just a moment while I'm being completely honest?



Thanks.


Ok, here goes. I really hate it when people ask me if I am stressed about the wedding. No offense to all y'all who have asked me, but it's a REALLY STUPID QUESTION!

"Why?" you may ask.

Well, because when you ask me that question, I want to smack you on the forehead and say "No duh!"

Not only have I had the MOST STRESSFUL semester in college EVER, but I also am planning the wedding of the decade (not counting the prince and Kate).

I was student teaching. I had my own classes to attend every night. I worked on weekends. And I had a wedding to plan.

You tell me if you think I should be stressed or not.

I mean really, if I wasn't stressed about it, there might be something wrong with me. Stress can be good. Stress (and about a zillion cups of coffee) has been what helped me make it through the past four months of H-E-double-hockey-sticks!

So when you ask me, "Hey, do you have everything done?", my answer will always be NO. I probably won't have things done even after the wedding is over. That's just the way life is.

I don't say this to be mean, but I'm just getting very tired of that question. It's like when we first got engaged and everyone asked the question, "So, have you two picked out a date yet?"

"Yes. But I'm not going to tell you!" is what I really wanted to answer. So I'd say, "Oh, not yet!"

These are honest thoughts from an honest, and stressed-out, bride.



Thanks for allowing me to be completely honest. Pause is officially over.

I Am From Poem

This past semester, as a part of my exit portfolio from Curriculum & Instruction 658, I was required to compose an original writing sample. One week, we modeled a type of poem called the "I Am From" poem by George Ella Lyon. You can view the original model here, if you like.

Anyway, writing this poem over the course of the semester offered me an opportunity to reflect on all the little things that have contributed to my development as a person, as well as how I got to where I am today. Enjoy!

I Am From...

I am from the little gray house

And then the bigger yellow house on top of the hill.

(The one that’s great for sledding.)

I am from the Old Country- Germany-

Back where everything written with your right hand;

Apparently I’ve been doing it wrong this whole time.

I am from hours and hours of music theory

And seemingly endless piano recitals;

The dusty trophies are sitting in a box somewhere in the basement.

I am from Christmas at Grandma’s house,

With too many people crowded into the kitchen;

All of us passing around bienenstich, sub sandwiches, and disgusting fish-in-a-can.

I am from German camp in Michigan,

And basketball tournaments in LaCrosse,

And endless cheerleading fundraisers in the Grace Christian Academy lobby.

I am from meterologist in kindergarten

To lawyer in 4^th grade,

To doctor in 12^th grade,

To teacher in college;

I think I made the right decision.

I am from the white, 1990s Chrysler Grand Caravan called Vanna White

(The name borrowed from Wheel-of-Fortune),

And the 1997 Silver Mercury Sable with the “customized” back bumper,

(Courtesy of a driver who decided not to stop for the red light);

The only two vehicles that have ever been mine.

I am from ice skating in winter

(And pretending I’m really bad

So that Matthew would hold my hand),

To wanting a hockey stick for my birthday

So that I can play with the boys outside.

I am from Vernon, Wisconsin,

To Lakeland, Florida,

And back again,

All within four months

Because I wanted a change and then realized that I was being stupid.

I am from piles and piles of books in the corner of my room,

Which are only outdone by the number of coffee cups on my nightstand,

Because I’m an addict.

Thanks mom.

I am from outgoing child

To shy and quiet adult;

One who hates parties

And who would rather stay home and watch a movie.

I am from child to adult,

Always my parents' daughter,

From girlfriend to fiancee

And now wife.

I am always from the big yellow house on the top of the hill,

But I am also from the new life I am starting

In the little brick house on Beloit.

"Now, walk..."

This week has been absolutely awful. I had all sorts of drama going on in my life: drama with the wedding (from multiple people), drama with the school I teach at, and drama with the school I attend. Also, it was my birthday. (I'm not usually an "anti-birthday" person, but this year I just happened to have a bad day up until I saw Matthew. He definitely knows how to make bad my days turn around- *hint* cheese and Starbucks! )

Anyway, I think I had an official bridezilla meltdown. I cried three times.

In one day.

Yep.

I cried once in the car, once in the library at school, and once on the phone. I just couldn't handle everything that was happening at that point; it all seemed like it was falling apart. Everything that was happening seemed to be all about everyone else, and what I wanted really didn't matter.

It might come off sounding completely selfish, but I think that for one day, I should be allowed to have the wedding of my dreams. I should be allowed to have the people there that I want, I should be allowed to have everyone in one place at one time, and I should be allowed the same traditional prerequisite festivities (like a bachelorette party, getting hair done together, getting ready together, etc.) as anyone else. Why shouldn't I? It's probably my only opportunity to do so!

But I digress. Like I was saying, my week was awful. It really helped some situations to sleep on my anger; it allowed me to calm down. Crying helped. Talking things out helped. Realizing the things that I wanted and realizing that I needed to express those things explicitly was a big step for me. It's a very difficult line between being a b**** y bridezilla and telling others how I want my big day to go. I applaud anyone who can go through the whole wedding-planning process and successfully navigate through it and remain relatively unscathed. It's something I'm still working on; after all, I'm only human! But in the midst of me calming down from my latest mental and emotional collapse, I came across these wonderful words of wisdom from the great Randy Fennoli (yep, the guy from Say Yes to the Dress):

Take time to be in the moment. Planning a wedding usually takes a year or two, yet it seems like it passes by in the blink of an eye. Remember throughout the process to take time to enjoy each step. Savor the food tastings, enjoy viewing different venues, and, above all else, what girl wouldn’t enjoy shopping for the gown.

The same should be applied to your wedding day. Remember to breathe and take in each moment. As the doors of the church open up and you and your fiance see each other for the first time, pause and take in this moment. Look to your family and loved ones who have gathered to celebrate your wedding. Think about the new life you are starting. Now, walk.

- Randy Fennoli

Aah. I needed that.

Mobile app, among other things...

Hello! I am so excited... We are down to less than 50 days before the wedding! Wow, is time going by quickly! It's almost Thanksgiving!

I've become more mobile with my blogger site; I've downloaded the iPhone app, and so maybe I can post more often!

So much has happened, I don't know where to begin!

First, Matthew and I got our engagement pictures taken. We booked the amazing A&A Photography (they were the folks who did Matthew's sister's wedding last year). They turned out wonderfully! Can't wait to show you all the pics, but for the meantime, there is a preview below.

Second, I FINALLY got my invitations out! After hours and hours and hours of work, they turned out great! We printed them ourselves.

Also, this past week was my bridal shower! My mom and sisters did an amazing job, and I felt so loved and blessed by everyone there (and even a few who couldn't make it)! Next job: finish my thank-you notes!

Finally, Matthew and I are starting to get the house ready for when I move in. We want to paint both the bedroom and the office, and so today we took off old wallpaper to get the project started. Tomorrow, we will patch the walls up and begin painting! I feel so grown-up doing house things! Yes, I know; I'm a dork!

I think that's about it for wedding updates... So many other things have happened, but I just don't have the time to tell you everything. This will have to do for now. Hope to update you soon!

So long, Summer!

The last time I posted was at the beginning of June. It is now near the end of August. I know, I know... there are three months missing! What is going on?

I've been a little busy... that's all.

For starters, I've been working almost nonstop since school ended last semester. There have been a lot of personnel changes at my job, and it's been crazy keeping up with everything that is now different than it was. There are lots of new people to train, and lots of old ones to deal with (you know who you are!).

I've also been busy working on the wedding! 142 days to go, and boy, is it going by fast! It's almost down to four months left of this craziness!

What have I done?

Matthew and I have almost finished all the "big" things that we need to plan. A few weeks ago, I took my bridesmaids dress shopping, and I picked out their dress. Let me tell you, I have the absolute BEST bridesmaids EVER! For one, they were all sweet enough to show up to try the dress on at the same time. A special thank you to my sister-in-law Sarah who came all the way down from Minneapolis to go with us! Second, my girls are the best because they all told me they liked the dress... which was a big relief! Third, we were in and out of the store within an hour! It was the most pain-less dress shopping experience of my life... I am blessed to have such wonderful girls standing up with me!

Here are all my beautiful ladies trying on some dresses:


My gorgeous maid of honor, Abigail!



This week, Matthew and I also finalized our guest list (I think!). That's a big relief! Now we just need to compile addresses....

Finally, this week, Matthew and I started our registries! It was so much fun going into the stores and picking out the things for our future home. Also, the gifts and coupons that we got for setting the registry up wasn't bad either!

Here is Matthew having fun with the registry gun:




On Sunday, we are going to go pick out the suits/tuxes for the guys, and help Matthew figure out what he wants to wear!

Also this week, I hopefully will be able to finalize what I want to do with the centerpieces for the tables. I'm working on a vase situation (will they be big enough for what I want?!), and I'll keep you posted.

That's all for now... I promise that my updates won't be so far apart from now on! The big day is coming up soon!

weddings and shoes and dresses... OH MY!

Hello everyone! It has been a busy month! I can't believe it's already June 6th! 215 days to go!

So much has happened since the last time I updated you. I don't know where to begin!

First, a huge congratulations to my friends Dana and Dan who got married over the weekend. They've been together for over 10 years! I am so happy for you two, and I hope you have a long and happy marriage! Here is a pic of me and my girls from that day...



It was a wonderful wedding, and I felt very honored to be a part of their special day!


It's crazy how time is going by so quickly... within the past month, Matthew and I have actually worked on quite a bit for our wedding! We purchased invitations (thank you Michael's coupons!), met with the photographer we want, and started counseling... but that's not all!

I have been looking for the perfect pair of shoes to wear for months.... I wanted something that was closed-toe (winter wedding!) and did not have an extremely high heel so I could be comfortable all day. Finally, I found a shoe that I loved, but it was in black in the store. So I decided to take a look online to see if it came in white. Not only did it come in white, but it was $30 less to purchase it online than in the store! Combine that with a 20% off coupon that I got for giving out my email address, and my shoes came to 50% off what I would have paid in the store... including shipping! They arrived last week Thursday, just in time for me to go dress shopping this past Saturday!

Which brings me to my last piece of big news... I found my dress!

Maybe I didn't say it loud enough...

I FOUND MY DRESS!!!!

After trying three different stores and dozens of gowns, I finally found it. It's very different than the first dress that I thought I loved, but it's so much better. I am so excited! Here is a picture:



Ha! Did you actually think that I would post a picture of my dress? You're crazy! I will tell you that the dress is under this giant white fluffy cape, but you won't see it until my wedding day! Nevertheless, let me assure you that I am so excited and happy with this dress! Once I put that one on, I didn't want to take it off! I can't wait for it to arrive so I can wear it again! I also feel a huge sense of relief off of my shoulders now that I have a dress. Everything else can fall into place.

Next on the list? Bridesmaid dresses... ;-)

P.S. Happy birthday to my bff (and bridesmaid) Lisa! (She's the girl in the blue in the first pic). Love ya!

Happy May!

Hello everyone! It's may 1! Happy May 1! The sun was bright today and it was b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l. outside! Maybe this Wisconsin winter is finally over! (Knock on wood!)

After several weeks, I finally have a few wedding updates to tell y'all about. Life has been so crazy lately! Not only am I in school full-time, but I am working about 36ish hours a week. I feel like between creating lesson plans, presentations, and running around at work, I barely have any time to myself!

First, I went to go try on a few more dresses. I went back to the original store where I tried on THE DRESS, but I wanted to be absolutely sure. After trying on many more dresses, I think that I've decided I still want that one. So did I get it? Not quite. But, I am able to place the order over the phone at any time, and while I was there, they did measure me and tell me which size to order it in.

Why the hesitation? To be completely honest, I'm not quite sure myself. I found a dress I love, but I really, really, really want to be sure it's still THE DRESS. I think there are one or two more stores that I want to quickly take a look at, and if I am still sure after that, then I will go through with it and place the order.

I am a weirdo. I know. But for me, the dress is the biggest deal. I want to make sure it's perfect.

Speaking of perfect dresses, I absolutely loved Kate's dress. I'd totally wear that, especially for a January wedding! If I were thinner (and if I actually knew her), I would totally ask to borrow it!

Ok, one final BIG piece of wedding news... today Matthew and I got our rings! A few days ago at work, I hit my hand on a metal drawer at work (and it really hurt!), and I took a giant chunk of metal out of my engagement ring! Since the store that Matthew purchased it from guarantees their settings, I wanted to have it checked to make sure that the stone wasn't loose or the prongs were bent. Well, today we went to have it looked at, and while we were waiting we were browsing, and one thing led to another and we got our rings! I sort of had an idea about what I wanted for my wedding band, and so when we were there, we looked at what they had, and there was one particular band that went so beautifully with my engagement ring setting that I knew it was the one! The downside? I have to wait 251 days to wear it! I can't even completely try it on, because it needs to be sized up! Darn you, fat, German fingers of mine!

Anyway, the ring is sitting in an undisclosed location patiently waiting for me. I am so antsy! I want to wear it!

Why couldn't dress shopping be as easy as finding my ring?

That's all for now! Maybe I will put pictures of my new bling next time!

It's started...

I can officially say that the stress is starting to get to me.

AAAAaaaahhhhhhHHH!

When did this happen? How did I realize this?

About two weeks ago, I received my annual evaluation at work. I've been there for 4 years now! As I sat down with my manager (who is new to this particular position at our particular location) and chatted with her about the upcoming year- my goals, plans, etc...- I started getting on the topic of how crazy my life is going to be.

I am student teaching this year. I am moving this year. Twice. I am getting married this year. If my fiance gets the big job he applied for, I will change work locations this year after my wedding. I will also change churches, possibly sooner than expected. I am graduating next year. I will then attempt to find a job in the education field (if schools are hiring?).

Oy vey! I am going crazy!

That was just the start. After my lovely chat during my evaluation (I got a raise, by the way...) I realized that I am working as many as 35 hours at my job while being in school full-time. Aah!

Then I had my first official wedding breakdown on Saturday that caused me to cry. (And no, I don't want to get into it right now...).

Is this how the rest of my year is going to go? I hate to sound like Debbie Downer over here, but really, if this is how everything is going to be, then I would really just like to go and elope already!

It would definitely save us a lot of money.

If only...

It's starting to hit me...

I cannot believe how quickly time has flown!

303 days.
303 days...
303 days!

303 days until I get to marry my best friend.

303 days until I no longer have to say goodnight via phone calls every single night.

303 days until I am able to come home at the end of a long day and talk face-to-face about how it went.

303 days.

I know that the majority of the things I've written about has been about all the excitement and "hype" (if you will) surrounding the planning of my wedding. But, I really, truly, honestly cannot wait for all the days that are going to come afterward.

In less than a month, Matthew and I are going to celebrate 5 years of being together. 5 years! It really doesn't feel like it's been that long. There has been so much that has happened in that time- so many adventures and memories! It makes me even more excited to think that all those adventures and memories happened before we got married, and that there are going to be so many more! We haven't even started yet!