Kansas City, here we come!

I'm headed out on my bachelorette party weekend and I'm so excited!  Twelve girls, two nights, Kansas City = fantastic weekend!  On the agenda: shopping, Royals game, and Howl at the Moon, the BEST PIANO BAR EVER!

I can't wait!  Stay tuned for a recap! :)

Yes, shortest post ever.

Marriage prep

As it turns out, we aren't just throwing a wedding, but also starting a marriage.  Who knew?  So the other day we had our first marriage preparation counseling, via the technological wonder that is Skype, with our minister, Brian.

First of all, some background on Brian (and why we are doing our counseling through Skype).  I have known Brian since we were in the same three year old preschool class.  Growing up we were always in the same choir and youth group at church, and we were good friends in high school.  Oh the stories I could tell you about Brian...but I digress.  I will tell you that he TP'd my house SEVEN weekends in a row my senior year of high school!  My dad is still threatening to drive to Pennsylvania and get revenge by TPing Brian's house.

Brian and I in high school.  Ah, memories.
Sorry for the slightly blurry scanned photo...but please enjoy my ridiculously long hair.

When Brian decided to go to seminary after college, I always had in the back of my mind that I would love to have him perform my wedding some day.  How cool is it to have someone that has known you for practically your entire life officiate your wedding?  Luckily Matt also thought that would be great, Brian was available, and we were on our way!

But back to the counseling session.  None of us had ever used Skype before, so we weren't sure exactly how this would go, but it was so easy and worked so well!  It was like Brian was really with us, except for when he was messing with the special effects and was flying in a spaceship on the screen. :)  Matt and Brian had never met, so we talked a little about Matt's life and then dove right in to all kinds of topics, and before we knew it we were out of time.  Brian gave us homework for the next session and we came up with some topics for next time.

So we are now officially on our way not only to having a wedding, but starting a marriage.  Six weeks to go! 

Random musings

Thought number one - there is NOTHING better than watching wedding RSVP's come in!  I get an email every time we get one, and while it is incredibly distracting, it's also incredibly awesome!  We just keep watching the list grow as our family and friends agree to spend the day with us.  One of my good high school friends RSVP'd today and it hit me just how many of my favorite people I'm going to get to see all at the same time!  It's getting real now, and I am getting SO EXCITED!

Thought number two - wedding planning really does take up a lot of time!  Even though I feel fairly on top of things, there is just always something to do, something to plan, something to think about.  I suppose selling my house in the midst of this doesn't help.  But as excited as I am for this wedding, I'm also excited for the day when I get home from work and I don't have a giant to do list waiting for me!

Tomorrow's post - the engagement pictures.  Stay tuned!

Wedding Shower!

This weekend we went to Ottumwa for a wedding shower hosted by some of my mom's wonderful friends.  They had the great idea of making it into a coed cocktail party so that my dad could be involved and everyone would have a chance to meet Matt!

Check out the beautiful invites!  We knew we were in for a good party.

Details have been blurred to protect the hosts

The party was so much fun!  Food, drinks, and great people that I hadn't seen in WAY too long.  How can you beat that?  While I was sitting there, it hit me that we really are getting married!  Holy cow!  Turns out this isn't just a fun party I've been planning...

I was so excited that so many people came that I've known since I was growing up, and all of whom knew my mom.  I know she would have loved to be there.  Thanks to everyone who came, it was great to see all of you and the party was very much appreciated!

Two months till the wedding, here we go!