A Special Day

Two years ago today...

I married my best friend.

One year ago today...
We found out we were expecting!

Four months ago today...
We welcomed our beautiful daughter into the world.

To put it simply...
God Is Good.

Happy Anniversary Cory!
Happy 4 months Eloise!
I love you both with all of my heart!

Flashback Friday #26

I am really excited about this week's Flashback!!

This Sunday is my and Cory's first Anniversary! We've actually been together almost 4.5 years, but we got married last year on May 23! We are getting ready to leave for a 4 day weekend of antiquing! (I'm hoping to find some cool kitchen table and chairs... as the ones we have now are hand-me-downs and the table is horribly uneven)

In honor of our anniversary, I put together this little slide show from our special day. The song is "Stronger than Death" by Kate Hurley and it is the song that the bridal party and I walked down the aisle to. Cory and I got married in the theatre where I grew up and which we volunteer at now... and then took our ride in my vw camper to the reception! FUN!
I hope you enjoy!!

(I LOVE YOU CORY!)



Join in the Flashback fun over at Christopher&Tia's!!

Who'd-A-Thunk?

(The back of my dress on my wedding day)

So, yesterday I decided I was FINALLY going to take those bags of stuff to Goodwill that have been sitting in my dining room for a month and a half. They were driving me crazy and I just thought... IT IS TIME. Since it was such a nice day, I also decided to stop by Chubby's Cleaners to drop off my wedding dress. Yes, you read right... my wedding dress. It has been a little over 11 months and my wedding dress has been balled up in a plastic bag since I took it off at the end of my wedding reception before we got in the car to leave!! My mom, though she always has good intentions, had it stashed away in the bottom of a cupboard... and one day I asked her about it and decided just to bring it on home with me.

Well, I got to Chubby's (LOL... I love that it's called that!)... and put the bag up on the counter. The guy asked me how he could help me and I was honestly *really* embarrassed.

"Well , it's been almost a year since my wedding and my mom was going to take care of getting my dress cleaned.... but as you can see [insert motioning at the garbage bag in front of us]... it is still balled up and waiting. I hope it isn't ruined." (*NOTE: I am totally NOT slamming my mom for not getting this done... she is always super busy doing things for everyone else... I don't blame her for tucking it away and forgetting about it!*)

The guy opens the bag as I hold my breath.

"Well," he says, "The good news is... it was in a black plastic bag. The sun couldn't get in to damage the fabric."

He asks where it was stored.

"In the bottom of a cupboard," I answered.

"Another good thing, " he said.

I start to breathe a little easier.

"Also," he says, "It's good that it was balled up!"

I think he could see the bewildered look on my face because then he said, "Most people don't realize that with a garment this heavy, leaving it on a hanger can actually stretch the fabric and ruin it."

Me: "Oh wow, I didn't know that!"

Then the guy got it all situated and hung it up so that he could assess the amount of damage done. He actually was pretty impressed with how clean it was (compared to others he has worked with). All the while, my breathing came easier and I started to feel less guilty for having it balled up in a garbage bag for so long.

He also told me that WHITE fabric is DYED with brightening agents. Did you know that? I never really thought about it... but apparently regular white is more yellowish and dull. So when your white gown (shirt, etc.) hangs in the sunlight and starts to discolor... it is actually going back to it's REAL color (which looks absolutely hideous).

When all was said and done... I felt 100% better and the Chubby's guy was super nice. He is going to clean the dress and then preserve it. I didn't know what that meant exactly... Can I never take it out of the box? Can my (someday) daughter wear it, if she so chooses? Will it be the same as the day I wore it?

All of my concerns were laid to rest... they clean it, put it in a special acid-free box (regular cardboard has acid that discolors things... ever notice old yellowish newspapers in the bottom of a cardboard box? Yep. Acid.), put it in a special plastic bag and VOILA! I can even take it out as many times as I want, as long as I make sure to put it back the right way. (Not that I plan on taking it out any time soon).

So... if you are a bride-to-be or maybe have your wedding dressed balled up in a garbage bag, waiting to take to the cleaners... remember these tips:

--Remember to budget $100-$150 for the care of your wedding dress AFTER your wedding!
--Do not hang your dress up after taking it off on your wedding night (if you aren't planning on getting it to the cleaners anytime soon)--the fabric will stretch if left for a long period of time!
--Fold, Toss, Ball it up (whatever) into a BLACK garbage bag so that light can't get in!
--Look into getting your dress preserved in a special ACID-FREE box that either doesn't have a little plastic window (for display) or has a special plastic that will keep the light from damaging it!

I feel a little weight lifted off of me after getting that taken care of! In 7-10 days, I should have my dress back, good as new!!

A Milestone in Our Lives...

Today marks 6 months since I married my best friend!

(Tonight, we are going out for dinner to celebrate! Yea!)

HAPPY 6 MONTH ANNIVERSARY CORY!

I LOVE YOU!

**Update**
I just got flowers from my sweetie!
What a nice surprise (other than the dog jumping on the delivery lady! oops!)!!!

Professional Photos From Our Wedding

Here is the LINK to see some of the professional pics from our wedding. We haven't gotten to sit down with the photographer and figure out what all we want yet... but I thought you might like to take a look. My personal favorite, of course, is the picture with my sis and me kissing my dad's cheeks! :) Hope you enjoy!

**NOTE--My sister's father in law suffered a heart attack last night. I don't have any details other than he is in the hospital right now and everyone is trying to pitch in to help out at the family's meat market. PLEASE keep them all, especially him, in your prayers! Thank you!**

One Month Anniversary!

Well, I have been married one month today. I promise that I am not going to post at every "monthly anniversary" that we have... LOL. But it is pretty crazy to think that I've been married for a month! You wait your whole life for that wedding day... and then next thing you know... it's already been a month of married life! (I don't want to think about the future months and years or I'll get stressed! One day at a time!!!! That's my motto--or at least I try to keep that motto). Anyway. Things have been up and down... good and bad. Mostly GOOD! They aren't kidding when they tell you that marriage is work (getting used to all of those little quirks)! But I am loving it. I came downstairs this morning to a sweet note from Cory... last night we took Boo for a walk and when we came back, Cory gave my feet some attention (which was very nice). Tonight we have to go to get our rings cleaned (you know, the whole warranty upkeep thing... we have to go by the 27th and tonight is our only free night)... and we are going to use a gift card to have a lovely (yummy) "anniversary" dinner at The Olive Garden! Until then, laundry, dishes, vacuuming!
I have been blessed! There is no other way to describe it!
Happy One Month Anniversary Cory!!

Enjoying My Day at Home... Oh, and PICS!

Today, I spent a lot of the morning trying to upload pics from the wedding to my computer and then onto facebook. Let me tell you... it took a long time! And it was just the WEDDING pics that a family friend so graciously took and burned onto CDs for us! If you are so inclined... please feel free to check them out HERE! There is one pic that didn't make it on the list because it was one that my aunt took... but I snatched it from her and thought I'd share it. It's one of my favorite pics with my dad!
Other than uploading and sharing pictures, I have been vacuuming, baking homemade sandwich rolls (crossing my fingers they turn out OK!), baking banana bread and cutting up old jeans to hopefully use to make rugs on my loom one of these days! I also have a sink full of dishes to do... but I was waiting to work on them until I put the bread in the oven. I am enjoying staying home... there are still some boxes to unpack in the 2nd bedroom... and pictures/decorations to hang up... but it will all happen time! I am hoping tomorrow to post the honeymoon photos... but there are even MORE of those... so it may take awhile!
Hope you're having a great day!

Wedding Photos Coming Soon!!

I am at my sister's right now.... we haven't gotten internet at the house yet! As soon as we get it up and running... I will be posting pics from the wedding and from the honeymoon in SCOTLAND!

Check back next week!!!

Second to Last

Today is my second to last day at work. I've been here for 5.5 years... and sadly, today I had to watch some coworkers leave because of the down turn in the economy. It's one thing when it is the guys from the shop getting laid off. I don't know them personally. But when it is people I have known and built relationships with... it's pretty heartbreaking. These are people with families. We are living in some tough times!
Yesterday, the one guy I used to work in the Warehouse with brought his camera to take some pictures of all of us. Who knew it would end up being the last day for some of us to be together! I am just sharing one picture of my old buddies from the warehouse. I'll miss these guys!

I also wanted to share a sneak peek of our wedding cake topper!!! I whited myself out because obviously I don't want to give away my dress and hair styles!! I got this topper from this ETSY shop! I am very pleased with the way they turned out! What a cute caricature!
Only 4 more days until the wedding!! Still lots to do... but it's winding down. I am almost completely moved into the new house--besides a few things I am living with in the old house for now... and tonight a bunch of the girls in the family are getting together to polish silver and take care of some odds and ends!
Be sure to check back in a couple of weeks to see pictures of the wedding and honeymoon. I'm sure my sis will be posting some of the wedding a bit earlier on her blog as well if you'd like to check them out there!!

A Month Off!

It's been a month and a day since I last posted! Seems longer! So much has been going on, I just haven't had the time or patience to sit and think of something to write about. I usually don't have anything profound to say anyway--but even to muster up some ramblings has been a challenge!

I officially have 23 days of work left (not including weekends)... and I have been moved to an upstairs office instead of down in the shipping office by the warehouse. HALLELUJAH!! Of course, I miss my buddies, John and Bob... but I needed the change and the office needed a little help. They obviously don't want to lay me off or anything since I don't have much time left... (although I wouldn't mind the unemployment!). So I have been helping out with a few other people's responsibilities to get them caught up. We have laid quite a few people off due to the crappy economy (What CHANGE?)... so tasks got put on people who didn't necessarily have a bunch of time to get things taken care of and I am the "go-pher" now and I'm OK with that! Although I do have to fill in for receiving May 13-20... I figure that will be my last "hurrah" on a forklift, etc! LOL! I will miss my friends and the normal routine that I've had for the past 5.5 years... but I will definitely be glad for a change!!!!

Anyway... Cory has been working diligently on the "new" house. Unfortunately the paint chips weren't exactly accurate (to our liking) once it went from one square inch of color to a whole room... and I am not a big fan of our choices... but I guess you live and you learn. And you say OH WELL when you just spent a bunch of money on it all and you can't afford to repaint! It might be OK once we get furniture, etc in there. Cory just took a load of boxes from my house to the new house and is going to unload and then paint some more. All that is left (since we don't have the money to re-do the kitchen/dining room/bathroom right now) is to paint the wall going up the steps and into the small hallway/landing... and then our bedroom. I have gone out a few times to help him... but its hard when it's a 45 minute drive one-way. Cory is a trooper... and besides... I'm a crappy painter!!

My mom and I met with the photographer yesterday. She was really nice... and she took some sample pics, talked about ideas, etc with us. Everything else is coming together wedding-wise. My dress is being hemmed right now. I got my jewelry and shoes. My hair style is finalized. The girls dresses just need final hems and tweaks. I got Cory's wedding present--which I need to wrap. Flowers are ordered... and everything is just in a finalizing state. Oh... and I went shopping and got a few things for our trip to Scotland!! The weather is supposed to be in the 50's--so I got some light sweaters. I am excited... only 33 days!

I went to the new Sunday School class at church this morning. There ended up being only two of us and the teacher (our pastor). It went well, although I should have read the material before class! I forgot I had it until I went to leave and saw it on the chair... so I didn't follow some of what we were talking about.. LOL! But next time I'll be more prepared. It has been a long time since I've been to a Sunday School class. It's sad... but there really hasn't been anything available. It's either the women's class (old ladies) or the BLT's (forget what that stands for... but its mostly people 40+). My church lacks in the young couple department and its really discouraging. Though I love my church family, it would be nice to have some people my own age to interact with and have class with. I would help sometimes with the kids classes... but those too have dwindled. When Cory and I move, we will hopefully be able to find a church with some younger couples... even though I feel guilty about leaving my church!! It's just too far a drive with the economy these days! We'll see though!

Last week was my dad's 50th birthday!!! We had a dinner of hot dogs and hamburgers, homemade potato salad, baked beans, deviled eggs and veggies. It was yummy, if I do say so myself! My nephew helped me bake the cake and ice it... but my camera batteries weren't charged so I didn't get any pics. As a group gift, we got my dad a GPS to put in the tow truck he uses for his business! He really liked it! Earlier that day, I attended a TAX DAY TEA PARTY beside our local court house! My sister has a post about it... you should check it out!! Very inspiring!

I'm off to the grocery store for a few items... and then I plan on coming home to read and relax. (I'm reading a REALLY good book... called "Some Wildflower in my Heart"--Jamie Langston Turner. I highly recommend it!!)

Hope everyone has had a good weekend!!

A Magical Weekend!

This past weekend I was lucky to have a good friend of mine travel from Michigan to see me! We hadn't seen each other in almost 4 years! Her name is Kayce and we met during "Urban Ministry Training" through Source Ministries in the summer of 2005. I think we hit it off almost instantly that week. I had traveled there on a whim and all by myself(yikes!)!! It was an amazing week of fellowship, worship, prayer, art and ministry! One of the most amazing times of my life! I met a number of awesome people and have kept up with a handful of them, Kayce included! So! To get on to this weekend... she drove out Friday night and spent the weekend until she had to go Sunday! It was so nice to have her around to chit chat and catch up. She helped me gather items for little gift baskets I put together for my bridesmaids and came to my bridal shower Sunday afternoon! Here we are!!

My shower was a lot of fun! I didn't get any pictures... but you can see a few HERE at my sister's blog!

And one last thing before I go start writing out MORE thank yous! My sis's boys are going to be the ring bearers in the wedding and they were SO excited about wearing tuxes. I mean... totally excited... it's hilarious! So last night we took them to get measured and they did so well! What cuties!

Taa Taa For Now!!!

The Flu...

I haven't posted in awhile because I have been so busy. Last weekend I was away visiting family and then this week I was supposed to get my passport, find flower arrangement ideas to talk to the florist about, go to the tux shop with Cory, volunteer this weekend at the Teen Center, have a practice hair appt for the wedding... and of course, go to work every day (BLAH!). Turns out... I have the flu. Well, that is what the doctor believes. I could barely stay awake on Wednesday at work--I got my 8 hours in by 1:30... dragged myself to the prothonotary's office to take care of passport stuff... and then went home. Thursday I went to work half a day and couldn't stand it any longer. I came home and slept and slept. Friday I didn't even TRY to go to work. I called off and just kept sleeping. I got up long enough to call the doctor, take a shower and then go back to sleep for a little while. The whole time I was a mess of aches and pains, chills and fever... coughing and sniffles. Miserable, seriously. I made it to the doctor and found out I had a temp of 102. The doctor said I could have pneumonia or the flu virus. She said she's only seen the flu one other time this season! Sheesh. I had to drive to the pharmacy to drop off my prescription, then to the hospital to get a test to see if I really have the flu. (They made me stick a long Qtip up my nose until I about choked--very weird sensation). I came home and went right back to bed... waiting for the doc to call with the results--which she never did.............????? (UGH). I have mostly been laying in bed. That's it. Cory has been over to take care of me... he made me soup and muffins and has given me medicine. All the while I have just been coughing and hacking and sleeping. He even put a cool wash cloth on my forehead to try to cool me down with my raging fever. I don't remember anyone doing that since I was small and my mom took care of me. Anyway... I am bummed that I had so much to do and didn't get to do any of it! I still should be in bed right now... but I am just so tired of laying around. I know I need to rest though... I am just tired of resting!!! I thought I'd get online to look up bouquet ideas... but I can't find any!!!!!!! I am looking just for a simple yellow rose with white daisies arrangement for me to carry... and then just a simple bunch of white daisies for the bridesmaids. You would think with so many internet sites and such that it wouldn't be hard to find something I like. No luck. I don't want gerbera daisies. Just plain white, wild-flower type daisies.... and soft yellow closed roses that aren't in a big round ball!! (You know those types of bouquets). I would like something more natural looking. Oh well... I will figure it out.
The wiring and plumbing on the "new" house should be done sometime this week... which means it will be time to go in and clean up and get ready to move some items in. I am struggling with the thought of living in such a small house (even though my current house is so small)... but I guess I will just have to make the best of it. Decorating for Halloween won't be too hard with the bright orange kitchen counter. LOL...
I am off to switch some laundry and climb back in bed for a bit... I hope no one else has caught the flu-bug. It is definitely no fun!