I'm Already There

With wedding plans at a stand still, changes happening so quickly & the wedding just around the corner I've been thinking about my dad. My dad passed away when I was twelve and so I never got to introduce him to any high school crush or my fiance' Rick.

I know that my dad would approve of my choice, because I know he was with me the day that Rick proposed - I felt his presence in the sunshine, shinning on me.

[and the picture below was the day Rick proposed just a few minutes after (April 5, 2008) and in the picture below we did nothing to change it... that is just how it turned out & I feel as though it is an angel; my dad right there beside me]

Rick re-wrote me a song [a few years ago] to remind me that my dad will always be there for me - no matter what happens. And I know that I need him right now & I know he is here.

" She got down on her knees

And prayed alone in her cold bedroom

Just to tell her dad i love you one more time

But then she heard a sound

It was her daddy talking in the background

She smiled and wiped a tear from her eye

Her little voice said I love you so

And I wish you could come back home

He said the first thing that came to his mind

I'm already there

Take a look around

I'm the sunshine in your hair

I'm the shadow on the ground

I'm the whisper in the wind

I'm your imaginary friend

And I know I'm in your prayers

Oh I'm already there

Sometime I feel alone

I really miss you daddy

He said i see that you are beautiful and bright

You are my little girl

I'll always be here for you

And I know that I'll be in your dreams tonight

And I'll gently kiss your lips

Touch you with my figertips

So turn out the light and close your eyes

I'm already there
Don't make a sound
I'm the beat in your heart
I'm the moonlight shinning down
I'm the whisper in the wind
I'm your imaginary friend
Can you feel the love that we share
Oh I'm already there

We may be a million miles apart

But I'll be with you wherever you are

I'm already there"

[I'm Already There --- Original song written by Lone Star]

All Dressed!

All of my bridesmaids are going to properly dressed for my wedding.

YUP you heard me right... ALL 8 of em' have finally placed their orders for their dresses!

WHOO HOOO!!!

Happy E-Anniversary S&L

Happy The Day You Got Engaged Anniversary to Scott & LeighAnn!

They Got Engaged April 24, 2008
And will be married on June 5, 2009 (Less than 2 months away)

(Scott is my fiance' Ricks twin brother if you're thinking Scott & Rick look alike.) ;)

4 MONTHS

We have 4 months remaining until our BIG day.

& oh how I wish those 4 months were really only 4 days!

♥
xoxo

Invitation Wording

It's NEVER too soon to begin thinking about invitation wording.

I mean heck we do need to figure it out sort-of soon. There is only 4 months and two days until the wedding & in between there we will have S&L Wedding, B&J Wedding, Their wedding showers, i'll start a new job, i'm moving to another city, we'll have mine & Rick's 2 showers... Geeez there is so much between now & the wedding.

With that said... this "wording" & "wording layout" [was saved on my work computer & I need to delete my personal items off of my computer] is just lovely.

{photo credit}

Happy E-Anniversary A&A

Happy The Day You Got Engaged Anniversary to Adam & Amanda!

They Got Engaged April 20, 2007

And Married on June 20, 2008 (almost married 1 year!)

Pre Packing

Today it hit me that in two weeks I will be starting my very first day, of my very new job, doing something oh so very new. YIKES!

And not only will I be beginning a very new job in a very new city I will be living in my very own brand new apartment!!! WHOO HOO! I suppose the very scarey part is that I haven't even thought about none-the-less begun packing up my room or any of my belongings for that matter!

Oh the many things to do on my "To-Do List" I suppose my first thing To-Do is make a To-Do List. ;)

♥

Apartment Shopping Update...

So as I expressed in my last post the Fi (Rick) and I were going to IKEA (on Friday)... well, we went and wrote down a TON of stuff we want to buy. Then we bought the night stands for the bedroom set we liked. :)

After we left IKEA we headed over to HomeGoods (amazing discounted store) bought a lovely comforter & matching blanket - cause I need LOTS of blankets at night - I freeze! The comforter is so cute! It's white with greens and blues embroidered leaves and stuff ... not over the entire comforter just the corner and a little at the top. I guess i'll have to post a photo.

And then we went to Target *my favorite store EVER*
And we looked at all kinds of furniture.

We went home Friday night and talked it all over and decided to go out to Target again on Sunday after church. And so Sunday we 1] went to church. 2] went home & had brunch & read over the Sunday paper & of course sale adds 3] discovered the bed furniture we feel in love with was on SALE! 4] went straight to Target.

And so we bought at Target:
1] a 6 drawer dresser
2] a 4 drawer dresser
3] 2 matching night stands
4] a desk

and we're hoping it will all fit nicely in (my *for now/ our *in August) apartment!

So this fun filled weekend consisted of:
::: Friday IKEA - HomeGoods - Target
::: Saturday Friends wedding shower - Rick "teacher English test" - shopping with 4 of my little cousins
::: Sunday church - brunch & sale adds - Target - IKEA return of night stands - OH & how could I forget... we have begun searching for our living room furniture!!!

Next Apartment shopping goal: COUCH, END TABLE, FLOOR LAMP, TV STAND.

IKEA Apartment Shopping

TGIF!!! (Thank Goodness It's Friday!!!)

And with that said... when I get out of work this evening... in less than a 1/2 hr. I am meeting my ♥Fi Ricky @ IKEA to do some apartment shopping!

WHOO HOO!

My IKEA apartment shopping LIST:
[not all for tonights trip]

1] 2 bar stools for our breakfast bar
2] coffee table
3] 2 end tables
4] TV stand
5] bed frame
6] desk
7] living room end table lamps
8] floor lamp
9] bed room night stand lamps
10] trash can
11] miscellaneous cleaning items

CANNOT WAIT FOR SHOPPING & THE WEEKEND BAY-BEEEEE!

Little Black Dresses

Last night after work I picked up my sister Samantha and drove to David's Bridal -- my sister tried on her desired bridesmaid dress style for one last time & I ORDERED 4 of my BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES!!!

And that means... 5 of my bridesmaids have their dresses ordered.
& 3 of my bridesmaids still need to place an order for their dresses.

And for the heck of it I thought it would be fun to share with my fellow bloggers what dresses each bridesmaid choose. (and I must say i'm happy with their decision)

<--Strapless ♥ Straps-->
[David's Bridal Dresses Above]

Stephanie - Maid of Honor - Strapless

Amanda - Matron of Honor - Straps

Kari - Bridesmaid - Straps

Samantha - Bridesmaid - Strapless

Breanne - Bridesmaid - Strapless

LeighAnn - Bridesmaid - Straps

Paige - Bridesmaid - Strapless OR Straps

Brooke - Bridesmaid - Strapless OR Straps

(Paige & Brooke are undecided on which dress their going to order - but their going to David's on Sunday so we'll know soon enough which they'll choose!)

ONLY 4 months & 5 days until the wedding!

Feeling Happy

Can I just say THIS is what I feel like...

& I really LOVE this photo from my blogger friend at [Living on Sweet Tea] *click to view her blog

& when summer gets here... if it ever gets here i'd like to recreate this picture with my cousins or sisters or something because it is an amazing photo.

MY SECRET...

So I know a lot of you have been waiting for this moment.

HERE COMES THE BIG SECRET...

As most of you know Rick and I live an hour apart and see each other only on the weekend. However, beginning MAY 1 we will see each more than just the weekends.

BECAUSE I GOT A NEW JOB!

&

AN APARTMENT

[both out by Rick's]

And *look* how amazing this layout is:

My favorite parts on the apartment:

[1] A full size washer & dryer [2] 950sq. ft! [3] LOTS of storage [4] A large kitchen & breakfast bar [5] 24hr fitness center! (so I can still work out for free!) [6] Heated Pool [7] Sauna [8] Hot tub [9] Wi-Fi [10] Intercom Building Entrance [11] Carport [12] Close to freeway, super market, rug store, gas station, etc. [13] 1mile from Metro Beach [14] TONS & TONS of biking, hiking, walking trails!

I gave my two weeks [yesterday] at my current job. I'm going to miss this job because I really do love it & the people that I work for - my last day is May 1. April 29 I get the keys to my apartment & can start moving [if I choose to rent from there]. May 4 I start my *new* job!

ME = SUPER EXCITED & a little nervous for such a quick change!

Christmas in August

We could have begun our Christmas in August.
Why didn't I think of that?

This would've been a great idea for our very first married Christmas Tree.

But I suppose for us it wouldn't work all that great because:
- each Christmas we buy each other an ornament.
- every vacation we buy an ornament for our mini tree.
- as of last year our mini tree wasn't big enough for all of our ornaments.


So if you don't get what this photo is... it is Christmas bulbs and a permanent marker... it's like a guest book - but idea you have your guests write you a nice message for your first Christmas as a married couple.

Awww... Such a great idea!
But what do you do when you gather too many ornaments and all of those messages just don't fit?

ENJOY!

♥
xoxoxo
-E

About To BURST!

Ladies...

Really.
I am about to burst I want to tell the whole world so badly.

But my secret cannot be told just yet!

But I will tell you that the Fi and I did not elope (oh, how I wish we could- would)
& we're for sure not expecting a little Meyer baby.

In just a few more weeks I will post the secret. ;)

Until then. Hang in there!

♥
xoxoxo
-E

Nice Man, Nice Man

Yesterday a very nice man that often comes into our office at work made my day.
:)

He owns a business & "knows" a few people.
A "few" people who he says could give me a GREAT deal on things we need for the wedding:

1. Wedding bands (well HIS - I have mine) &
2. A Wedding Cake (Cake or Cupcakes)

WHOOO HOOO.

Today he called to give me those peoples' phone numbers & when he asnwered he asked if he were speaking with the "bride-to-be"... I said, "yes Mr. Xxxx how can I help you?"... he always makes me smile when he calls. Such a sweet older man.

I'll keep you posted on how this turns out.

I Have A Secret...

... & I cannot share it with the world *just yet.

;)

p.s. sorry my last 2 posts have been so vague.

04.05

A Year Ago Today My Fiance' Proposed.

[on one knee. in Detroit. by the water. on our bench.]

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

And It Was The Happiest Day/ Week Of My Life.

Inspiring Blooms

{photo credit}

Feathers & Beads add a whole new texture

to this Gerber Daisey & Rose bouquet

.Fun. .Flirty. .Romantic.

{photo credit}

MMmmm *Mums* Inexpensive & Beautiful

{photo credit}

Deep. Deep purple is AMAZING!
& I wouldn't be sad one bit if we changed our splash of *pink*
to a splash of *deep purple*

{photo credit}

I want a floral wreath for the tree by our ceremony site.
And I would like it to look just like this... but not purple/blue flowers. :)
(but Rick told me that it looks like a grave marker :( )

{photo credit}

And i'd have to price these out...
but these blooms below would be PERFECT for our wedding.

{photo credit}
White Carnations. Beautiful & Inexpensive.

It IS or Will Be All About US!

So I must begin by apologizing to all of my followers for my absence.
So, so sorry.

Long - long story short the Fi & I are having a tough time in discussions & more importantly finances. But we are working together (& with our own personal relationships with God) & we are going to make it through this tough time stronger than going into.

And over a rude awakening we discovered that while I am working 40 hours a week (15 hours more than the Fi - bc he is going to school and has pre-student teaching) the Fi is actually making more $ than me & gets benefits. What the heck?! So, you're telling me that I work 15 hours more at my job and I make $XX less & he gets benefits & I do not. Booo Hooo. I need to remind myself to be thankful that I have a job. & that unlike most people I like my job - alot!

But I must say - it does bother me a little that in an entire week I work 15 hours more... that is 1 1/2 days more and still make a good amount less. :/ That just shows how business can get away with paying you less because the economy is bad & so many, many people are out of a job. UGH!

Aside from our little discovery - I informed my Fi that I am not going to be chatting about our wedding to family & friends for a little bit... this story is one i've never really told on my blog.

Story: My Fi & I got engaged April 5, 2008. My Fi's twin brother proposed 2 weeks later to his gf My Fi & I went back and forth - back & forth on a wedding date... never nailed down a month or even a day; nor announced any thoughts or ideas we had discussed with each other. We soon found that my Fi's twin and his choose their wedding date. The beginning of June. My Fi & i knew we wanted to have an outdoor wedding - so anytime before the beginning of June was pretty much out of the question and we couldn't impose on my Fi's twins wedding date by arranging ours too close to theirs. So I settled. And I am waiting. And waiting. And waiting. And whenever I speak of my Fi's and my wedding to his family it is either oh, ah & you have plenty of time. And when I complain about the time I get the response: "it will be here before you know it"
Alright... help me out here... I either have "PLENTY OF TIME" or "IT WILL BE HERE BEFORE I KNOW IT" maybe it is just me but I find that these two contradict each other - or at least it does to me.

So, where I am heading with this story is whenever I get super, super excited about something my Fi and I decided on for our wedding it is pushed aside bc our wedding is 2nd and we have to concentrate on the twins wedding 1st. (I told Rick that if we could have a re-d0 I wouldn't have waiting to choose a date... I would've picked the end of April or beginning of May!) But bc our wedding is indeed in August. The end of August. August 22 & 2nd & last of my Fi's family weddings that are going to occur we are going to have the BIGGEST, BEST, Most BEAUTIFUL wedding - the wedding i've always dreamt of! It may not be perfect but so help me God it will be pretty damn close!

Concluding what i informed my Fi is that I am not going to try to talk to family, friends, etc. about our wedding until his twin brothers June wedding is over with. And the day after it is over the remaining 2 1/2 months is going to be ALL ABOUT US (My Fi & I & our wedding). Are you ready for this...

I'm only going to talk about wedding stuff ON HERE. For the next TWO months (60 something days)! 7 to my Fi of course bc we still need to find a cake baker, apartment, ceremony chairs & small details like that... but as for sharing in our happiness - it is not going to happen anymore until the calendar strikes June baby - bc i'm sick of being let down & i want to enjoy these last few (5) months of my (our) engagement!

Love to hear what you all think... or if you have any trials you have been or are being tested with.
Share your story - comments are welcome!

♥

INSPIRATION [instead of]

WEDDING INSPIRATION FOR THE BIG DAY

Cupcakes instead of Cake

Suits & Sunglasses instead of TUXES

[photo credit]

Colored Candy & Perfectly Round White Balloons

instead of

Chocolate & White Paper Fluff Balls or Paper Bells

[photo credit]
Beautiful, Timeless, Amazing B&W Photos

[LOVE her hair above]

[photo credit]

Creative Photos that shows details of the wedding