Here comes Christmas

I have been looking forward to the wonderfulness of the winter celebrations. The idea of getting the house ready for Christmas with decorations and the great cheer that I long for. There has been such great excitement for as long as I can remember and having a home with Darren to share and begin to make the memories that we will never forget. Well after taking the 24th of November off from work to make desserts for Thanksgiving, which were a hit, and bringing the babies back to Indy for the weekend, Darren and I put up a Christmas tree. I realized that my 2 small boxes would not go far at all when it comes to decorating. We have a wreath at the front door, our stockings and the babies, a couple small snowman related items, a tree with lights and 3 ornaments. Darren stated on Sunday that he would be putting up ornaments on Monday, but it's Wednesday and he has not done or said anything about getting to it, and until he decides to put some up it will stay that way.
I wrapped a couple of presents and this weekend I will finish my shopping and wrapping. So even if the decorating, rather the lack of, has brought my spirits down the Christmas music and prep should help get me back in gear.

Motivation?!

In the last few weeks I have realized that my motivation to plan this wedding has begun it's downward spiral. I know the next couple of things I need to take care of but have no push to get with it and tackle them. I need, must come up with 3 photographers and then nail it down to one that we will use for the day. D-day. I have left Darren to figure out the suit situation, went to a national chain and according to Darren and his old friends it's too pricey for a rental. So Darren asked one of the guys to help out, which means this friend and his wife are doing the research for him. I told Darren maybe I should marry the couple instead of him if they are going to do all the work for him. Sidenote: this is not the first time he asked the couple for assistance. I am frustrated and so if nothing comes about in the 2 week time span I will go to the first store and get it taken care of. I have no idea as to what to do about flowers but after january I will look into it. We have bought several different types of centerpieces that will work cohesively.

Although I have my fears, and uncertainties about how to put it all together. Thankfully Mrs. D is great about giving input. And it will come together beautifully and maybe at that final moment I will be hairless from all the stress. But until then I need the motivation, in all aspects of my life.

Halloween

This year we did our pumpkin carving with the boys a couple days before Halloween.  And it went really great.  Chase really showed his personality and Carter has grown up, wanting to do everything by himself- and he did a great job at it too.

Darren with the boys tracing the faces on to cut out.

Darren and Chase cut their pumpkin together.

Carter working, concentrating on the cuts.

Chase had the candles as we prepared to take them outside and light up for everyone to see.

Carter & I made a ghost face while Chase & Darren made a jack-o-lantern.

Carter let us know the difference between a jack-o-lantern and a pumpkin.

Outside with the pumpkins.

 

I was able to get some goodies for Halloween, I found the plastic teeth and glasses at Target, among other things that scored with them.

The boys played around for quite awhile before we had to head out.

Chase wanted to take photos, so I helped him as he pushed the camera button we captured Darren.

After all the fun we had to head up to the bend for a football game the next day.

But before we could leave we had to play some Wii. 

I only get to play with Eze since he got one over a year ago, but you have to wait cause sometimes he just wants an audience.

Then after some tailgaiting the 4 of us went in for an interesting game.

These are Darren's friends and our 3rd year catching a game each season. 

They are probably my top couple of Darren's friends to hang out with even if it is just once a year.

And the Men.

It was a great weekend, topped off with sugar cookies made by Mrs. D that were delicious.

Check it off the list

Another thing to check off of the wedding list, we have a church, reception space and pastors to marry us come July.  I have my dress, I believe I stated that previously, wedding party in tow, and tons of ideas about how I would like the space to be set up- at least the reception area.

We will be getting married at Darren's church, here in Indy.  Darren and I have found it truly hard to find a space for the reception that is close to the church but also will allow us to bring our own food instead of catering.  It became a great stress in the planning.  I went in to the church a couple weeks ago to ask about the lawn, they have a nice space to the side of the church with a playground, pavilion and yard, they had never been asked about using the lawn so it had to be brought up to the church staff.  And the Monday after I had asked the secretary she had emailed me to let us know that they would allow us to use the space.  She stated that they all agreed that it was a great idea to help us out, which is awesome because I have been seeing a white tent in my mind for the reception for a few weeks before I asked. 
This also led us to start to gain ground on the ceremony and how it would come together, we met with Assistant Pastor C, I also have my Uncle who is of course a Pastor and will share duties in the ceremony.  When meeting with Pastor C we had a few questions, he addressed those and answered questions I did not know that we had.  Talked about premarital classes, Darren and I both agreed on this way before we were engaged, anyway to work on our relationship and communication is a great thing.  Pastor C helped in realizing just how manageable it will be for the ceremony, how to make it ours.  We walked through the Sanctuary which is a different set up than most traditional churches and will have to take some of my planning committee through to help with ideas, the area outside and continued to talk about how people use the space.  In the end I felt much more prepared, like a light had sparked that made things more clear on the direction we are heading in planning.  Its become less stress and more exciting!

Engagement Photos

So last Saturday my cousin Jesse, his wife Colleen with their 2 kids, Miguel and Isabel traveled to Indy to take our engagement photos.  It started off as a really dreary and rainy Saturday but by the time we were to meet at Fort Ben on the East Side of Indy the sun came out to join us with the wind as its sidekick.  Here are some photos.

*Note that I have not taken the time to photoshop any of them just yet, and this is a small selection from the 2gb disk we used.  A few will be selected, photoshopped then printed for our own use.

This hat, a Malissa find, of course I had to take a few with it on.

Laughing after I attempted to do my Mom's pose.

Being silly with Isabel.

The wind helped my hair whip Darren in the face.

This picture to me seems surreal, like we were photoshopped in but of course we were there.  Obviously I need to remove the spot from Darren's face.

If you know or have met Darren about 99% of the time he is wearing something ridiculous from Ball State and I thought what better way to represent who he is in the photos than to dress him in something that he wears way too often.

And here I go

So I made a purchase that was overdue for house/ kitchen use. This purchase will definately change a few things like easier cooking and warming of food- I purchased my very first crock pot. Watch out! We made Mrs. D's easy chili in it yesterday. In the morning I cooked the meat, Darren helped me put all ingredients together, put it on high for about an hour then put on warm before Ieft go a day out of the house. So here I come, "Susie homemaker" and all. I am looking forward to how much more I am going find in regards to recipes. It will be nice to come home to a meal rather than take another hour to get a meal in us. I bought a 7 quart pot in hopes of making meals for friends and having that ability to make more at once.

My wedding party

So here they are...

My wedding party consists of my closest friends, and wanting to be held up by them as they have for so long.

My Man of Honor is Chad, my best friend since forever. He is very excited, I am pretty sure we celebrated the right way the last time I was in the Bend.  He is very tech savvy but also has some great ideas.  His new thing, is calling me Bridezilla.  Which is not true, I am just OCD in other aspects of my life that I can easily go into my planning as well. 

Then of course my partner in crime Malissa will be alongside for this wild ride. Malissa and I met, if you forgot, while at Barton College in the art building. Although she too is a mid-west girl we both prefer the coast to the snow any day. And of course great shopping buddies. Malissa also makes jewelry, I own a few pieces. She is Too creative that's for sure.

My kid sis, Edina will be a bridesmaid for the first time. She and I are very similar in ways and I hope that she enjoys the whole process.  She says she is excited and wants to be in the wedding but I asked her to just make sure she speaks up as my friends are very opinionated but awesome.

Gina, a sorority sister of mine will hopefully be joining us. Currently Gina is in boot camp, she is serving our country through the Marine Corps Service. We are not certain where exactly she will be next summer but she is very dear to me and I wanted to recognize her as great sister in my life by having her at my side.  She is great, enthusiastic, fun, adventurous and my pledge sister.

To round it up, Jess- my first and last roommate out of college will also be joining me. Jess has been an ear at arms length, heard my cries and helps me pick out items when we have times for shopping trips.  We have our girls nights, great conversations and she has quite the bubbly personality.  We are both experiencing living with our significant others and have found things that we were not expecting: co-habitation with a male is so tough compared to living with a female who cleans up behind herself.  Jess cut out her boyfriend/future husband and I am certain no feelings were hurt and if they were Jess would apologize because thats just the kind of person she is. 

Save the dates, check

So we have a wedding date set.

We are going to be married July 23, 2011. Darren and I will be married here in Indianapolis.

It's become our home and it is the best choice for us for location, it's where we met, have our favorite places, and where our lives have come together. We started mailing out save the dates last week to our family and close friends. Since we started dating Darren and I have mailed Christmas postcards from some trip or another, similar to our "save the dates," we used 3 different photos. One was from being at the track for the grounds tour, a close up from our trip to California and a third from Toronto- the day Darren proposed.

We are trying to finalize our location. One would allow us to hold the ceremony and reception at the same place but I hope that we end up using Darren's church for the ceremony and a second location for the reception. Darren's church does not allow receptions to be held there but they are a more comfortable location, up to date technology, and familiarity for the two of us. By the end of this week we will have it all figured out and more things checked off the list.

We have our engagement photos next Saturday. Exciting but still have to figure out my outfits and make sure Darren is also coordinating in his choices. If not we will probably see Darren in khakis and t-shirts while I will be all dolled up in heels.

Lead Me

I love this song!  Its by a christian group, Sanctus Real- It makes me think thats for sure.

And if you have time check out there website http://www.sanctusreal.com/, they have prayers for husbands, wives, parents/grandparents at the bottom of the page.  It also talks about the inspiration for the song.

In the works

So I know I am overdue on announcing our bridal party but of course that is on hold. I am still smoothing it out for myself, Darren of course has his figured out. I will let you know that we are at 4 each on at our sides, my half of the bridal party are people who have been introduced into my life at different parts. From my elementary years through the college experience. They have managed to stay still and steady in my life when it has not been. And most of all they are ready to take another topsy turvies with me: and this is going to be quite the ride.
Next on the agenda is taking another look at the church that Darren and I believe would be best for all of our needs; with the exception of reception space. My 2 best friends will be in town for the tour & dress shopping. My folks of course will also be in town, they Are kinda paying for it. It will be a busy weekend with house work for Darren and my dad then Mrs.D will be joining us at the church and possibly to check out dresses. It's going to be the first time our mothers meet, while his parents are more reserved my mom can be loud but they are both very conservative. Either way I plan to enjoy myself, the company & the moments.