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!

Much Ado...

Hey everybody!

As you can tell by my last post (and by the history of my Twitter updates), I'm a Packer fan. They're my team. While I might not be crazy enough to go and paint my face green and gold and wear a wedge of cheese on my head, I still cheer for them and watch every game. And as you probably know, the Packers won the Super Bowl! We are the champions!

What? I didn't hear you!

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!!!

(suck it, bears and viqueens!)

Ok, in addition to watching the Super Bowl with some pretty cool people (my future sis and bro in law who were in town from MN), I also got to meet my nephew! Here is me holding baby Andrew!



So what else has been going on? Concerning the wedding, so much has been going on! Just under eleven months to go! This week, Matthew and I booked our reception site! I feel so relieved that we've locked down the place we wanted. We had gone to see it over the summer, and nothing else compared with what we wanted look-wise and budget-wise. Also, Wendy, the lady who we will be working with, is super nice. She was the only person who actually asked questions about me and Matthew when we were looking! I am very excited to have one less major thing to worry about on the wedding checklist!

Like I said before, I found my dress, but still haven't gone back to purchase it yet. Maybe soon! I'll keep you updated.

Elsewhere in my life, school started up again for the semester. (Yes, I know this is old news, because it was, like, three weeks ago, but it still feels like the semester just started.) In addition to some very interesting and informative English/Education classes, I've also journeyed into the world of online classes. I'm taking two this semester. So far, it's going just swimmingly. It's hard to remember to do the postings and tests/quizzes, but I think it can only get better... right?

Finally, I registered for the Praxis II today... I'm taking it in March, so I have a little over a month to cram! I need to take and pass this exam to be able to student teach in the fall/spring semesters of next year, so then I can graduate (finally!) and be done! Wish me luck!

I guess that's about it! Thanks for reading and at least pretending you're remotely interested in all of this!

P.S. Shoutout to Juan Carlos who always awaits my new blog posts and asks me about when the next one is arriving. Thanks dude! :-)
xoxo

Go Pack Go!

Hello from Wisconsin! If you've been following my blog at all, you may have noticed my Twitter feed to the right of the page... and if you've noticed that, no doubt you've been reading them... and if you've been reading those updates, you've probably realized that I am (like any good girl raised in Wisconsin), a Packer fan!

AND WE'RE GOING TO THE SUPERBOWL!

It's a very exciting day for me. Ever since that whole Brett Favre ordeal, I think that the Packers making it to the big show further strengthens my belief in karma... you know, "what goes around comes around..."

Brett is filing retirement papers (for the 38th time?) and we didn't need his sorry you-know-what to make it to the biggest game of the decade!

End of rant. I'm just excited. I'm sure my next blog will be nothing except wedding stuff.

P.S.- I found my wedding gown when I went shopping! I have yet to order it, but it's definitely the one!

Happy New Year! I can't believe that it's 2011 already... time flies faster and faster every day! As of midnight, it will be 370 days till the big day! There is so much going on, so I'll start right away!

A few days ago, Matthew and I went to the craft store, and I bought our favor-holders for our reception. They were on clearance (even better!) so I bought out their entire stock! They are now sitting in my room, taking up lots and lots of space! (When you see them, you'll understand why; for now, let it just be a mystery!)

Matthew and I have finally finished asking everyone who is going to be a part of our bridal party (bridesmaids, groomsmen, ushers). It's so nice to know that everyone who is in it knows, so the rest of the planning can keep going!

Finally, on Thursday, I am finally going dress shopping! I can't wait! I've been thinking about this day ever since I was a little girl, and I am so excited to finally go! I want to get the dress that day (and not drag the whole process out for a long time) so I have two appointments at two different bridal stores. The first appointment is at the store that I'd really like to get my dress from (and it also happens to stock my favorite brand of dresses...Maggie Sottero), and the second appointment is 'just in case' the first one doesn't work out. It's going to be so much fun trying on so many pretty dresses! Once I pick it out, I'm not going to show the whole world until the wedding (to make sure that Matthew doesn't see it by accident), but I might provide a clue or two as to what it looks like.

I think that's about it! As much as I have already done, and as much as I still have so much left to do, I am very much enjoying the whole process.

Wedding Website!

Hey all!

So I've been working (on and off) for a while on a wedding website for Matthew and me to use to promote the big day (as well as help our guests out with directions and give them some fabulous reading material). I've been working on it on iWeb on Matthew's macbook named Sheila. While I have been unable to finish it as of now (I get frustrated because I'm still mainly a pc girl and all those commands and weird 'you can't double-click anything' vibe screw me up), I feel like I should have something up to make it feel official. In order to do that, I've updated my knot.com wedding website. While it's not complete and not permanent, it was still kind of fun to do.

Here's the url if you'd like to peek at it:
http://www.theknot.com/ourwedding/SarahMarks&MatthewHill

Hint: You won't find it if you search in the Knot's website search engine... I disabled that feature to keep creepers away ;-)

ALSO- if you go there, SIGN THE GUESTBOOK! It would make me feel pretty darn special!

It's been too long!

Wow! I can't believe that it's been about 2 months since I last posted! Life just gets too crazy, I guess! Anyway, I feel like y'all need an update ;-)

Classes started for the semester, and I finally submitted my school of education application! I won't hear anything until mid-November, though, but once I get in, I'm one step closer to graduation... (and maybe a teaching job? that'd be great!)

I have also started up my running again! I have two-ish goals: The first is to lose 20lbs over the next year so I'm nice and skinny for the wedding. The second is to possibly run a 5K in the spring. Where did that inspiration come from? Well, my darling Matthew, of course! He just completed his first triathlon at the end of September, and he did really awesome! I figured that if he can do all that, I could work towards running a 5K. My weigh ins are about every 3 weeks, with the first one coming up next week. Hopefully all this exercise, calorie-watching, sodium-cutting and Nalgene water bottle drinking I've been doing starts to pay off (and show)!

With all this going on, you're probably wondering to yourself, What about the wedding? Are there any plans she's working on? Of course I have!

This past week, my mom showed me the cutest idea for guest favors (I won't tell you everything yet, but it's super yummy and gluten-free!), so I've got those spinning around in my head. Also, I found the cutest new candle holders online... lovelovelove!



I just love the three different heights. It would add tons of visual interest to the tables, as well as mix it up from boring old tea lights. Anyway, what do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts on these :-)

I think that's all I've got going on right now... life is busybusybusy! I promise that the next time I write, it won't be two months from now!

Yum, Cake!

As promised, here is a pic from our party :-) Our cake was super yummy! (Even if it wasn't made at my store...)

Progress...

Things are starting to come together! Over the past few weeks, Matthew and I have been taking a look at possible reception venues, and we think we've found "the one!" We think it's absolutely gorgeous with an extensive menu, plenty of room for tables and dancing (or dancing on the tables, ha ha... just kidding), and most importantly, fits into our budget! More details will follow about that some other time. Anyway, we haven't signed a contract for it yet, but hopefully we will soon!

Also, I totally found my reception shoes online and bought them immediately. They are now sitting in the box in my room. Maybe I will post a picture, but maybe I won't... I really don't want to ruin the surprise!

Finally, an update on my family's get-together. Matthew and I had a small gathering in the beginning of August with our parents, siblings, and grandparents. Basically, both sides got together and met each other (since they are going to be related, and all...). Overall, it was a lot of fun with lots of food and lots of good conversation! I was nervous over nothing!


The countdown is still going! It's now less than 500 days away! How time flies!
Next time I post, I will definitely include some pictures for your viewing pleasure :-)