Our Big Day - 4/14/12

Happy Wednesday!  (turned out to be a super long post)

Better late than never - I want to talk about our big wedding day!!!!! We just celebrated our 2 month anniversary :)  Yes we are dorks and went out for cheap Mexican food last week (6/14/12) ha  It was a fun date night. 

Here goes...

We had our rehearsal at the church on Friday & it was pretty chaotic, but not as bad as I had anticipated, I mean you can never be that organized for something you have never done in your life before!  Our priest took the lead & we just followed.  After rehearsal we went to a bar/restaurant that Ryan and I LOVED in college & still do today.  It was so fun to have all our closest friends together & our amazing families all in one place :)  It was nothing fancy, but that is not who Ryan and I are (more on that later).  We had a GREAT time eating, drinking & sharing stories.  

Once we said our good-byes at the rehearsal dinner we headed out on the town :)  The girls & I stopped to have a boogie bowl one last time as a single girl - sure why not was my thinking!  Then we jetted across the street to the piano bar to meet the guys for one last drink before Ryan and I said our good-byes until the big day :) 

I was so thankful Melina, Ashley, Dawn & Calc all spent the night with me in the hotel suite.  I demanded to sleep by myself, bc I knew I would not sleep good & sure enough I tossed & turned all night......o well. 

We woke up bright & early, 7am to be exact.  I jumped on the bed to wake Ashley up bc I was so excited!!! She didn't think that was the best way to be woken up :) haha

We met everyone at salon to get our hair & make-up done @ 8am.  It was starting to rain, but I didn't even care if it rained on my wedding day to be honest.  (brings good luck right?!?!) It rained the whole time we were in the salon & then right when we left it stopped :)  Turned out to be a beautiful day.

When I was getting ready is when for the first time ever during our engagement I was getting nervous.  Like really nervous.  Like almost pass out nervous! ha I had to take my dress on and off 3 different times! ha I sat by an open window all by myself trying to calm myself down.  I wasn't nervous about getting married, I was nervous for everyone to be watching me walk down the aisle & when we were on the alter :)  You see, you dream about walking down the aisle your WHOLE life & then BAM - you take your shoes off 3 seconds before the doors open & then trip on your dress!!!!! Laughs were heard instead of tears as I walked down the aisle! haha Only me! BUT good news I did not pass out :)  I was SO close though!!!

Our wedding ceremony was beautiful, just perfect for Ryan and I.  The love & support we had on that day was just unbelievable!!! Standing on the alter & seeing SOOOO many people that love us was overwhelming.  We are so very blessed & appreciate of all our friends & family.  We are so thankful for all that came & shared our big day with us :) From near & far!  Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

We hopped on a bus and drove around Springtown for a couple of hours & took pictures.  We even stopped at Ryan's old fraternity house were our LOVE began :)  It was surreal to be there in my wedding dress where it all began almost 7 years ago!!! Special moment for us!

The reception was SOOOOO fun!  We danced & drank & danced some more!  We were sweaty messes by the end of the night :) The food was awesome.  The speeches were funny.   Our guests seemed to have a great time.  We got to see so many people that traveled in for our big day.  So great! 

Our day was perfect.  It was perfect for RYAN & I.  It was just what we wanted for US! We are so thankful we had so much help from family & they did so much to help make our day perfect!  Thank you a million times over!

Whether you have plastic solo cups or glass.  Fine china or plastic plates.  Budget or no budget. Florist or no florist.  Band or DJ. Grooms cake or no grooms cake.  Open bar or cash bar. You get the point......we made our wedding about RYAN AND EMILY.  We didn't care if people would judge (we know EVERYONE judges weddings) guilty myself, but I have a whole new perspective since I have been in the same shoes of many brides :)  We didn't care if people made fun of our decisions.  We didn't care what others had done in the past.  We didn't care if our wedding was the laughing stock of Springfield.  We didn't care what the "Jones" did for their wedding.  We CARED about what would make us happy :)  We were completely successful.  We had the BEST time TOGETHER!  We followed our hearts & stayed true to us & loved every single minute of it!!!!!! We are so blessed our parents were so generous & loving - can't even thank them enough!!!!!!!!!!  We even had a table without a centerpiece bc I - Emily the bride - miscounted & you know what - that table of people had an AWESOME night.  I didn't even care they didn't get to look at my beautiful flowers or wine corks in a vase with branches sticking out :)  hahah THANK GOD I am not a wedding planner! hahah I would be fired after the first hire!

On a serious note - I love you Ryan (not that you even read this blog) & can't even wait for all the wonderful memories we are going to make as husband & wife :)

Here is to the next chapter in our life TOGETHER! 

Love,
Emily

Before the big day!

Hello friends & family.  What a crazy month or so it has been!!!! I had high hopes to blog about our awesome wedding & honeymoon "soon" after, but life has been at full speed and is just now slowing down! (for now) ahhhh

***(for my memory I am going to document in detail)***

Ryan and I headed to my parent's house Friday 4/6/12 with a truck full of wedding stuff and were SO excited to get the wedding fun started!  We had planned to celebrate Easter weekend with my family & then we got the very sad news that Ryan's grandpa had passed away Saturday 4/7/12.  He lived a long, great life & was 96.  Ryan and I are very adaptable & our plans changed & we did what we had to do.  We were very lucky to to spend Easter mass with my mom & Ryan's mom before we headed out of town.  So thankful for that!!! 

- Easter 2012 -

After church we were headed to Nebraska for 3 days.  12 hours there & 12 hours back it was a quick trip & under sad circumstances, but it was great to see Ryan's family we don't get to see often. 

Wednesday 4/11/12 Ryan and I went and got our marriage license in Springfield.  As we were walking up the steps to the old courthouse Ryan said "Well I guess I am going to jail for the rest of my life" hahah funny guy!  Then as we were walking to the door we needed to go to.....Ryan proceeded to keep walking (like he was running away) again...funny guy! ha 

Thursday 4/12/12 didn't start off so well - I think I cried & yelled at my mom!  (sorry Mom) but then it was time to get pampered.  My mom, Ryan's mom, his sister, niece & I met to get manis/pedis.  They took FOREVER but it was nice to relax for a bit.  Thursday night my whole family went out to the campsite & had dinner with Ryan's whole family.  It was fun to get everyone together.

Thursday night when we got back to my parent's house my mom gave me a diamond necklace that I will cherish forever!!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!! The diamond was one of my grandma's who passed away when I was in 6th grade.  My grandma was the most amazing person I know.  She made a huge impact on my life & I miss her everyday. 

Friday morning 4/13/12 I think I cried & yelled at my mom again (sorry again Mom).  Stress is not good for me! haha  We had a bridal luncheon planned & I was SOOOO excited for my bridesmaids, moms & flower girl to spend some time together before all the craziness started :) 

After lunch we headed to the church to start making the girl's bouquets.  (Budget friendly wedding = put family & friends to work) ha THANK YOU everyone for all your help!!!  They turned out great!!!!

My aunt & uncle were so kind & took me to get my dress & take back to the church :)

Then it was rehearsal at the church and then the rehearsal dinner :)  That will be in another post! 

Our engagement flew by.  Preparing for the big day flew by.  Planning/buying/coordinating everything took hours and hours, but the day itself flew by.  I LOVED everything about our wedding & planning, but kind of glad it's over! HA I can't even say "THANK YOU" enough to all of our friends & family for all their hard work, love, support & generosity for Ryan and I.  SO BLESSED & THANKFUL!!!!  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Today is my FIL Birthday!  Happy Birthday Randy!!!!!

Ryan has pink eye :(

Yesterday I didn't move from the couch ALL day!  It was amazing!!!! But today I felt so guilty & was finally productive cleaning the house & doing laundry :)

Have a great week!!!!!

Love,
Emily

Paris Shower

Well I promised I would be back soon.......does 20 days count as "soon" haha

Life has been ridiculously busy to say the least.  Our days fly by, our nights go too fast & our weekends seem like seconds.  We are having a blast & enjoying every second of it, but man it's exhausting.  I know I will miss the planning, but I am soooo ready for it to just GET here already :)  I am not the most patient person you will ever meet! ha

Back to WEDDING FUN - Ryan's family threw me a sweet sweet shower in his hometown.  I was SO nervous it was going to snow when we originally planned to have it on 2/18/12, but it was a gorgeous winter day!  Ryan and I picked up my mom that Friday night & headed north for the weekend.  It was my mom's first time going to Paris and it was so fun taking her there.  We gave her a grand tour on Saturday morning :) 

I LOVE LOVE LOVE that my mom & Ryan's family (well my whole family for that matter) get along so well.  Ryan's parents were so welcoming to her & I & we really appreciated their hospitality & yummy food :)

 My mom, me, & Ryan's mom :)

This was the BEST punch I have ever had & look how ADORABLE these glasses are with sprinkles :)

 The awesome hostesses!  Thank you for everything!!!

We were so spoiled.  Thank you everyone for everything!  SO generous & thoughtful.  We totally don't deserve it. 

I am LOVING LOVING LOVING this weather.  We have had the windows open & fans on for a few days now.  Heeellloooo spring!

I have even mowed the yard already.....Ughhh

16 days until the BIG wedding weekend :)  SO SO SO SO SO excited!

Have a great rest of the week & weekend.

Love,
Emily

Sprinkled with LOVE

First off - I want to thank my awesome friends & family for ALL you have done, your love, your support & thoughtfulness during Ryan & I's engagement!!!! THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.

Well.....37 days have passed since my last post.  BOO to me :(

O well.  A LOT has happened! 

First post of Wedding FUN!!!!!

My AMAZING friends threw me a shower in Nixa 2/11/12.  It was FABULOUS!!!! They did not miss a detail.  I have talented friends!  It was SO great to spend time with family & friends near & far.  Dont you just love weddings & babies - brings people together.  :)

Melina, Ashley & I at Ashley's shower 2/11/12

My friends have WAY more pictures.  I need to get those from them.

My aunt, cousin, & future MIL traveled in and I LOVED having them all there :)  

37 days until the big day!!! I am BEYOND excited, ready & nervous.  My mom calls me every night with our RSVP update.  I love it & secretively jealous she gets all the mail :) (you know me and my love for mail)

Speaking of mail - I went to the post office today to buy more stamps & I had a fabulous conversation with an older man about the weather.  It's the small things in life that make me smile :)  I loved that he was friendly, I loved that he was probably sending mail to a child or grandchild, I love that people still talk to on another these days, & I just loved his nice heart to have a conversation with me.  I miss my grandparents terribly and when older people talk to me in public it reminds me SO much of them.  I don't hesitate to talk to them one bit :)  Especially at the post office, bc my grandma & grandpa sent me mail weekly :)  God works in great ways!

Ryan is traveling this week - gasp - not time to travel again already. Grrrr  *Remember the 13 weeks in a row travel last year* I don't think I can handle that AGAIN.  ha  Although in 38 days we will be on the BEACH of Hawaii - YIPPPEEEEEEEEEE.  So excited!

Have a great weekend!

I will be back SOON to talk about my Paris shower & bachelorette party.  PROMISE PROMISE PROMISE.

Love,
Emily

74 days...

There are 74 days until the big wedding day :)  I still can't believe it will be OUR wedding.  Ryan and I have attended 30 weddings (give or take) over the last several years and they are always so fun to go to and see friends/family and celebrate the bride & groom getting married, but it's just hard for me to realize it's finally OUR turn to have a wedding :)

I have been thinking A LOT lately.  I think my brain and heart are at full speed.  I am NOTHING like I expected myself to be as a "planing bride" (well maybe a few things, but nothing what I imaged myself to be) Does that make sense?  I get a count down email every day and today it said "74 days until the wedding" I am EXCITED, NERVOUS, ANXIOUS, EXCITED, NERVOUS, & HAPPY for the wedding day, but I just can't focus on that ONE DAY for some reason.  Yes I have cried.  Yes I have worried.  Yes I have debated on colors, decorations, flowers, invitations, etc.  Yes I have woken up in the middle of the night worrying about "the day".  But I don't find myself dwelling on that ONE DAY details all too often, because I am focused on the DAYS-AFTER-THE-BIG-DAY :)  I know the wedding day will be fabulous bc we have the BEST family & friends on this planet.  That is why my head & heart are in full swing of focusing on Ryan and I's life after the big day. :)  We want to enjoy our life TOGETHER.  Live life to the fullest TOGETHER.  Spend as much time with our family & friends as possible TOGETHER.  Explore TOGETHER.  Take adventures TOGETHER.  Dream big TOGETHER.  Love TOGETHER. Smile TOGETHER. Laugh TOGETHER. Be silly TOGETHER.  That is what a "wedding day" symbolizes to me - joining two people & families TOGETHER and enjoying life after the big day.   I am not sure this post really flows or makes sense to others, but I just wanted to write down how I have been feeling lately.  Ryan and I are very blessed and do NOT take for granted our very supportive family & friends and really appreciate ALL the hard work others are doing for us for that big day & beyond!!! :)  I just don't want the true meaning of marriage to get overshadowed by flowers, colors, $$$$, or centerpieces. :) 

See I can't even talk wedding for a whole post......

Better late than never right?!?! :)  I FaceTimed with my mom, brother, SIL & Brennen on my birthday so they could sing happy birthday to me and watch me blow out the candles on the YUMMY cake Ryan made me :)  Ha LOVE MY FAMILY!

My parents have been working their butts off remodeling their house :)  LOOKS AWESOME!!!! I went home a few weekends ago & it looks so good.  Should be finished very soon :)  Little Brennen has been an OUTSTANDING helper :) Honestly he has, WAY more than I have :)  He is RIGHT next to my dad the whole time helping him! ha It's too cute. 

Grandpa's little helper :)  He has his tools ready!

Carrying his very own tool box, with his new tool set he got for Christmas from AJ & UF :)

I know not many people read this blog, but it's a great way for me to remember life right now!  I will laugh at myself in a few months :)

Have a great day & week!

Love,
Emily

Far too long

This post is LOOOONNNNGGGG over due!  I am so mad at myself for not updating frequently, but what can ya do.  11/20/11 was far too long ago to dwell on it (my last post) HA.  To be honest, I think about blogging on this silly thing all the time, because I know years from now I am going to want the memories of my life, but finding the time to sit down and type at the computer OUTSIDE of work is just not fun right now.  I sit at my office computer for 9 striaght hours a day and the LAST thing I want to do at night is be on my computer, so I have neglected this poor little blog :(  O well!!!  I am enjoying life and LOVE spending as much time with our friends & family as possible :) 

Ok quick recap (for my own sake & family) - so pretty much the only people reading this!
* I spent Thanksgiving with my family & Ryan headed north to spend time with his family & HUNT.
* December flew by SOOOO fast.  We loved spending time with both of our families at Christmas!  Ryan surprised me and took me to the Nutcracker :)  I loved it - he hated it.  At intermission he said "what the heck did we just watch" lol
* I celebrated my 27th birthday
* We had fun ringing in the new year with friends back in MO
* We got to spend a weekend with Ryan's parents :)  We were wedding planning machines last weekend.  It was so fun to show them the church, reception venue & where we are having our rehearsal dinner!  (they even got to see me in my dress) :) :) :)

Wedding World:  93 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What?!?!?! How did that happend?!?!?! Ryan and I all along did not want a long engagement at all, but seriously this has FLOWN by.  Like CRAZY fast flown by!  I am kind of sad & excited all at the same time.  

We are pretty much done planning, just trying to figure out the logistics of everything is what is getting a tad stressful.  I know it will ALL WORK OUT & be FABULOUS, but still a little stressful.

Work has been SUPER SUPER SUPER busy (it could not have come at a worse time) HA.  Kidding aside I am thankful to be so busy, it makes the days FLY by!  But in return I am so tired & crabby at night I dont want to be productive!  Or maybe its just the cold weather?!?! Either way I need to get my butt in gear and finish some final things up for the big day!

I know I have left out a ton, but trying to recap a month in a half in one post will just turn even more boring than it already is.  Although my mom will love reading my ramblings I will stop!

I hope to post more often, but we shall see where that goes :) ha

Have a great day!

Love,
Emily

Family Time

Ryan and I have been very blessed and lucky to spend quality time with our families over the last few weeks/weekends.  A couple of weekends ago Ryan enjoyed 3 days of hunting and seeing his family & I was at home with my family.  (remember my wedding planning post) ha That is what consumed my time at home.  BUT I did make time to see my family as well!  Ryan and hunting is a whole post in itself  :) That boy LOVES it. 

Mine started with FOUR full days at home!!! Can't even remember the last time that has happened.  It was MUCH needed and so fun.

We celebrated my brother's 29th birthday.  My mom made his favorite meal and we laughed, chased B around my parent's house, & just had fun spending time together. 

This passed weekend we headed back home to spend time with Ryan's parents.  We spent the entire day yesterday laying on the couch, taking naps and watching college football together....can't get better than that :)  

GO HOGS!!!! What a weekend for college football.  SEC dominated!!!!!!

Saturday night Ryan, his dad and I headed to his sister's rodeo they put on.  It was so great to see Ryan's neice and nephews as well as his sister and Brian.  If you know Ryan and I at all, you know we CRAM as much into one weekend as possible!!!! We love spending time with our families and friends since we live so far away from some of them.  We didnt get back to his parent's house until 2:30am this morning, but well worth it!!! 

Ryan is sitting in his recliner watching the Nascar race now......apparently I can't talk to him, he is so focused on this race.  The last race of the season!!!!!! WOOOO HOOOO, YIPPPEEEE, YAY, :) ha I will go ahead and say it......Go Carl :)

Well since I have not updated this blog as frequently as I had hoped, I will post a few pictures from when my friends from the STL came down.

I think that is a very quick update and have caught up.  It works.  I am going to try and update more often.  Especially since our wedding plans are almost all finalized :) Can I get a YIPPPEEEEE! Still a few decisions are pending but we are moving right along. 

I can NOT believe Thanksgiving is 4 days away.  I can NOT believe how fast this year, month, weekend has gone by so fast.  I am trying my hardest to enjoy each day bc everything is just going at sonic speed and I want to enjoy it all. 

Happy Thanksgiving week my friends and famly.  I "plan" on doing a post on what I am thankful for this week. Which is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH. 

O yea - we celebrated Ryan's birthday last week too!!!

Love,
Emily