thankful thursday #14

The worst class of my life ends tonight. Thank God!

Wow, where have I been

Yes, I know, I've been MIA too long.  I've been studying too much, but I promise to be back for real once I get those three little letters to go behind my name that have been monopolizing all of my time.

Tonight after my mind became almost immune to the torture that is hundreds of multiple choice questions about topics I don't like, I decided to take a break to work on our wedding album.  Yes, I'm designing it myself.  And, yes, I know that's probably crazy.  At the very least, it's the reason we are closing in on the sixth month mark without an album.  My goal is to finish by year end, which should be much easier to progress towards after I take my (last!) exam on November 27th.

Along those lines, as I was sifting through our 700+ pictures I thought I'd share one of the (hundreds?) that always make me smile.  I am blessed to have the best family I could ever ask for and it was so important to me to carry my grandfathers with me on my wedding day.

Photo by Clary

The real end of studying is in sight!  :)

Thankful Thursday #13

On this Thursday I am especially reminded to be thankful for second chances.  While I have probably had many second chances (some I am not even aware of) there are two that I am particularly thankful for today.

Today, I become a graduate student again and this is what has made me thankful for second chances today.

Five years ago, I graduated from high school and started college.  However, I was not at the college that was my first choice.  I was offered a full scholarship to one of the schools that I had applied to (though, probably my last choice).  While I was also accepted to my two other top choice schools, I could not bring myself to shoulder both myself and my parents with $80,000 of unnecessary debt.  Thus, I made the decision to attend a school that was not my first choice.  In the end, I know that I made the right choice.  For many reasons, I know that the school I was at is where I was supposed to be at that time in my life.  I had many experiences there and have left with many great friends that are proof of that.  Today though, I will become a graduate student again at one of my preferred choices from back then (and my father's graduate alma mater!).  I am incredibly thankful today for my second chance to attend one of my top choices from five years ago.

About two years ago, I sadly passed up another opportunity that I really wanted- this time in the career realm.  A few days before my senior year of college began, I was offered a co-op at the #1 STL company on my list of job choices.  While this was the exact company I wanted to work for, it was a full time co-op that wouldn't exactly work for someone who needed to be a full time student as well.  I briefly considered extending my final year into two in order to accommodate the position, but it just wasn't right for me.  I was heartbroken when I turned the offer down, including a bawling 30 minute phone call to my father at work.  I eventually came to terms with the fact that if that company was where I was supposed to be then God would bring me there at the right time.  A little under a year later, I received a second offer.  Not only was it at a time where I had about given up on the idea of finding a job in this sad economy, but it was with that #1 company that I had turned down a year before.  I have now worked there for a year and I know that it is exactly where I am supposed to be at exactly the right time.

To bring this whole idea full circle, my two second chances are related!  It is my 1st second chance (confused yet?) that is enabling my 2nd.  While it was financial issues that kept me from attending my new school five years ago, I am now blessed to be employed by a company that highly values continuing education and will be financing my graduate degree! :)

And so today I am thankful for second chances, and second chances that enable more second chances. 

Remember, patience is trusting in God's timing.

So sad

This makes me incredibly sad.  We'll miss you Ryan.

Thankful Thursday #12

I have the best parents ever, enough said.

Photos by Clary

Tuesday Shoesday, part 3

We worked so hard for this shot that I feel it warrants a post all its own.  When I mean hard I'm talking about there being at least five people involved and a very dedicated videographer holding me up to help get it! 

Photo by Clary

Random Wedding Photo Monday

Tonight I made long overdue sisterly bonding plans with the my awesome MOH, so here is a nice picture of her working on her MOH duties.  :)

Photo by Clary

Random Wedding Photo Monday

No pro wedding photo today, actually this one is courtesy of yours truly.

Incompatible schedules have led to me majorly missing my best friend the last few weeks, so that is where my mind is today. Love you Lys!

And yes, of course that is an ice pick in her hand! When your shoe doesn't fit on wedding day, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. I'd have expected nothing less from one of the most supportive people in my life. (What I didn't expect was said ice pick stowing away in her bag and becoming a Michigan resident!)

Thankful Thursday #11

This Thursday I am thankful for a husband who is just crazy enough to slide down a banister on his wedding day. I guess I should also be thankful that he didn't rip his pants since this was before the ceremony! He did get a nasty bump but I'm pretty sure he'd do it again since someone recently asked him what he learned and his response was "don't hit the thing at the end."

Photo by Clary's husband and second shooter Travis - I believe there was a bit of encouraging Doug to do this involved too :)

For the man who can always make me laugh

"All that I'm after is a life full of laughter
As long as I'm laughin' with you
I'm thinkin' that all that still matters is love ever after
After the life we've been through
'Cause I know there's no life after you"

-Daughtry

Guess who's next?

Congrats to my sister and MOH K and her new fiancé!

Photo by Clary

Tuesday Shoesday, part 2

Last week I posted my shoes, and promised that the photos from the boys were better.  Now you can be the judge.  I think they are awesome.  If you remember we were given a bit of trouble about the shoe selection and seeing these made me even more happy we stuck with our decision.

All photos by Clary

And in case you were wondering how this works...

Random Wedding Photo Monday

I hope you all are enjoying your day off.  I, however, am working because quarter close waits for no one.

 I think a little train carrying is good for every guy, don't you?

Photo by Clary

Tuesday Shoesday, part 1

What a perfect way to start wedding recaps- Tuesday Shoesday! We will start with my shoes this week and let the guys' shoes follow next week. I'd be lying if I didn't say that I think the guys shoe shots were much cooler than mine, but you will have to wait until next week to see those! ;)

There are actually considerably more than these four, but I tried to limit myself for those non shoe lovers (if such people exist!)

All photos by Clary

Thankful Thursday #10

It's been a while. I'm sorry, well no I'm not really. I've been busy being married, catching up at work, writing thank you notes, studying, and taking care of my husband who has a concussion. (Don't worry story about that lovely bit of info coming soon.)

Today I am thankful for an e-mail from the lovely Clary titled "Proof link!" I've pretty much spent the last five hours staring at our gorgeous pictures. Not only am I excited to see our pictures in general, but it was exactly what I needed after a long day and week where I haven't been feeling very well.

What else does this mean? Continuation of my reviews as well as recaps with all our wonderful pictures are very soon to come! :D

There are no words

Look at that handsome man of mine.

See a few more pictures from some of the best 10 minutes of our day over on Clary's blog.  There are no words, just click and you'll understand.

On Tuesday I got a kiss on the head from Eeyore. Today Doug got a kiss from Minnie, so that makes us even right?

Probably yes unless we consider the kiss I got from Goofy tonight while Doug was at the buffet! :)

Newlyweds

A nice heart of Mickey confetti on our table. To date we have had 27 cast members says congratulations as well as three random strangers.

Waffles

What is it that makes a Mickey shaped waffle so much better than a regular one?

Well, it's over.

We got married!!!!!!!!!!!

Since we are leaving for our honeymoon this morning, I will just leave you with two pictures I borrowed from Facebook as a preview.  I'm sure my Aunts P and S won't mind.

That boy of mine sure cleans up nice.

What a gorgeous bridal party.  We have both awesome and beautiful friends and family.

Hopefully that's enough for now.  You'll get all the details, reviews, and my other random thoughts starting next week.  I might, however, post a few random pics from our trip as we go through the week so check back just in case!  :)

Thankful Thursday #9

Tomorrow we rehearse and Saturday we wed!  Couldn't be more thankful that we've made it this far and that we get to spend this weekend with so many people we love.

How can this be?

From The Weather Channel

From Weatherbug

 How can they be so different?  Those of you who live here in STL probably aren't that surprised.  While I know the forecast can change 1000 times between then and now, I am really hoping The Weather Channel people are wrong...

                 

Sometimes I wonder about this boy...

Doug's response to my sister and bridesmaid A's comment about being tired of the rain and greyhound combo causing her problems:

Sometimes I wonder about him, but you know what?  I spent today sick and miserable and going to the doctor's office to try to avoid still being sick when we get married in 5 (!) days.  When I read this it didn't physically cure me but the laughter can be good medicine too.  So random and probably so inappropriate, but exactly what I needed.

A post to kill two birds

Happy 24th birthday to the man who I will be able to call my husband one week (!) from today!

We will honor this special day with my mom's favorite from our e-pics.  She loves it because that is so much the Doug face.  While I've seen it numerous times myself, I'm guessing that's the face he probably also makes behind my back every time I'm saying something he doesn't quite agree with.  :)

Photo by Clary

Thankful Thursday #8

Keeping it short and sweet this week, I am thankful for his plan, his hope, and his grace.

I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

Songs, please

I would love to check our video form off my list.  However I am in desperate need of song suggestions for our finished video.  Tell me, what perfect wedding video songs am I missing?  Please and thank you!

If you're keeping score

Had wedding dress successfully zipped by only one pair of hands Saturday, Jamie 1 Wedding 0
Got through embossing about a third of the menus and realized there was a typo, Jamie 1 Wedding 1
Archiver's was 10 short of the paper I needed to complete assorted wedding projects, Jamie 1 Wedding 2
Completed table numbers, Jamie 2 Wedding 2
Favor cards done, Jamie 3 Wedding 2
Met with coordinator tonight only to discover the day of schedule I had been waiting on was sent forever ago and I just didn't get it, Jamie 3, Stephanie 0, Wedding 3
Officially input vacation time for our honeymoon into the system at work, Jamie 4 Wedding 3
Vendor proposal way off the mark but we are modifying and moving on, Jamie 4.5 Wedding 3.5
Found out coordinator didn't receive wedding or rehearsal invitations, Jamie 4.5, USPS 0, Wedding 4.5
Coordinator laying the smack down on a difficult vendor, Jamie 5.5 Wedding 4.5

Look out wedding to do list I still have a chance to take you down!

Two weeks

We will be getting married two weeks from today.  My to do list is nowhere near complete.  And that's all I have to say about that.

Thankful Thursday #7

I think I have officially had the longest week ever.  Training for your new job while training your replacement is exhausting!  Actually it might be better phrased as training your replacement while working the hardest week of the month in your new job after little to no training.  Either way you say it, while my bank account thanks my employer for the overtime, I'm physically and mentally drained.  If tomorrow wasn't Friday I'm not sure I'd be able to convince myself to get out of bed.

Therefore this Thankful Thursday is inspired both by my stressful week and that which got me through it.  I'm going to leave it at a bible verse and a list of things that helped me through this week.

No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (The Message)

Things I'm thankful for this week:
Funfetti cupcakes - give me all the homemade cakes in the world and I'd probably turn them down for this cake from a box
Bomb Pops - brings me back to my childhood and a nice (only 40 calorie) treat when I'm craving something sweet while still trying to stick to my calorie limit
Mail - see my Tuesday post
Bridal Solidarity -Brit's a girl after my own heart
Having a job at all - had a couple friends lose their jobs recently and I'm extremely thankful for mine even if it is difficult right now
Working out - Chalene makes my day better every time
A cuddly kitten
Sisters - both in the traditional sense and my bff in MI who is as good as, and yes I know I used them on my first TT but they've all helped me in some way this week and this is my post so get over it :)
Two (more) pounds lost!
Not having to study - there is no doubt that God knew the right time for me to rotate was during the month break I have from CPA studying, having to come home from working OT and then study would not have been possible

So this week, while I am thankful for the new challenges and learning opportunities that my new job have brought me, I am even more thankful for a God who knows what I need to enable me to get through what he knows I can handle (even when I'm not so sure).

Guestbook and review #3

Our guest book came in the mail today!

So first I want to say that any package that comes to me and says both "TA-DA!" and "I'm Here" earns major points in my book so kudos to the MyPublisher people.  I love getting mail and packages of all kinds and I don't discriminate.  However, packages with exciting writing on them may make me even more excited if that was even possible. :)

Cover

and a few pages...

and the back cover

Guests will be able to write anywhere there is blank space and I think it will be much more interesting than the traditional book of lines.

Here's my review of MyPublisher:  I am overall pleased with what I got considering what I paid (about $40).  I knew going into this that I wasn't getting a professional album for what I was spending.  This was completely practical for what we will be using it for.  However, if I were going to order again I would change two things.  First, I would order a book jacket instead of the photo finish cover.  You probably can't tell much from these pictures but the items on the cover are a bit flat in color.  Yes it is nice to not have to deal with a book jacket, but I think I would have preferred the glossy book jacket for its appearance.  Second, I would not have used the templates that are built into the MyPublisher program.  Next time I would probably design my pages in Photoshop and then import them into the software for it to get printed.  While I can imagine the software is very nice for those with limited or no knowledge of other programs, I just didn't find it functional for myself and felt quite limited as far as what I could do to make the book look like I wanted it to.  There were just not enough layout and font options as well as very limited places you could use them for those that were in the program.  I also told the software to make my book spine black and that is not what it did.  In summary, did it turn out perfect or exactly how I wanted?  No.  Is it ok for what we will use it for?  Yes.

Oh, Monday...

Today was one of those days that goes on forever. Just one problem after another and the only thing that was keeping me going was knowing that in just three weeks Doug and I will be here on our first vacation in three years:

 Wouldn't it be nice if there were always something like this to help get you through a bad day?

Engagement

This is how it began in early December of 2007.

And this is how it will end just 3 weeks from today, after nearly 2 and a half years.

With rings,

(This one is from Clary, all others are mine)

and vows, which you will have to wait to read.

Catnap

Exactly what I would like to be doing on this rainy day...

Thankful Thursday #6

I wasn't sure what exactly I would write about this Thursday.  This is, of course, not because I am out of items to be thankful for, but rather because there are too many!  And then as if she knew, sister and MOH K texted me.  "Where's thankful Thursday?" she asked.  I reminded her that Thursday wasn't over yet and then started thinking about her message.  It made me so happy to know that there was someone specifically wondering about where a post was.  Therefore, this Thursday I am thankful for my readers.  I am so thankful that there are people out there that care about me enough to come here and read my random ramblings.  Extra points to those of you who leave me comments! :)

Because I obviously can't link to everyone I love, be assured that if you are reading this you are included in this Thankful Thursday.  Just to name a few though, let's go with Alyssa, Jessica, Marlin, Tracey, Mallory, Sarah, Lydia, Angie, Sheri, Jennelle, Liz, Brit, Jenn, Stephanie, Nicole, Maria, Lynsey, Jessica and LauraAnn.

Since I hate posting without a picture, I've decided to break out some oldies (if you could call within the last 5 years old) of some of my favorite readers.  Now if I could just succeed in teaching a few more how to comment!  (Hint, hint Mom & Dad)

The inspiration for today's post: Sister and MOH K

Sister and Bridesmaid A

Mom & Dad

photo by Seelen Photography

So, K thanks for the reminder and everyone thanks for reading! :)

Happily ever after

One month from today will be the first full day of our honeymoon!  We haven't been on a vacation since 2007 so this is a long overdue trip.  I think we are both very excited just to see some state other than IL and MO!

If you are wondering where we are going this item we received in the mail last week might be a nice clue:

For all the haters

I could go on and on about all my stories of people telling us "you can't do that" for the wedding or "that's a wrong choice."  I was even told (to my face) "well, that's stupid!" on more than one occasion!  It seems that weddings must be really good at bringing the worst out in some people, or at the very least their unsolicited opinions.  I'll spare you all the gory details for now, but let's just say we've dealt with more than our fair share of wedding haters.  However, when I saw the picture below in one of Darbi's recent wedding blog posts I knew I had to write about it.  

Dear multiple people who told us the guys could wear nothing but dress shoes at the wedding,

You all thought we had just come up with some crazy idea.  Even though I insisted it was a wedding trend and that it could look really cool you judged us and looked at us like we were insane.  When we bought our guys Vans to wear for our wedding, one of you even went so far as to forbid a guy to wear them because that was just "our dumb idea."  It didn't matter that all our guys were overjoyed to not have to wear dress shoes.  It didn't matter that we were really excited about the shoes and that we had carefully gone to multiple stores to get the right size for everyone.  It's our wedding and we are going to do what we want anyway, but here is proof we aren't crazy.  And see how nice they look!

Love, Jamie

Ok, so I've tried really hard not to let the haters get to me, as incredibly hard as that's been.  But I just couldn't resist posting this after I saw this gorgeous picture from Darbi's post.  Now after that brief pause for a little therapeutic moment, we will be back to regular wedding details tomorrow with a look at our to-do list before our wedding in 27(!) days.  :)

Thankful Thursday #5

This week I am thankful that I can see an (at least temporary) end to my CPA studying!  I am taking my next section Saturday at 8 am.  Then I will be CPA review free for one glorious month!  So that we can keep this a happy thing let's not talk about how my break is only on account of my ever looming and increasing wedding to do list, ok?  Thanks.


see more dog and puppy pictures

Thankful Thursday #4

This week's Thankful Thursday is sort of two parts.  I am thankful for both independently but was spurred to write this post based on the combination.

Part 1) I'm thankful that I work in an iPod friendly workplace.  First because I love music.  My dad is most definitely the reason for this, both for my love of music in general and for my love of such a wide variety of music styles.  One of our greatest bonding activities is seeing concerts.  We've seen Styx, REO Speedwagon, 38 Special, Journey, Foreigner, Kansas, Brian Culbertson, Michael Buble, Chris Botti, Kenny Chesney, some others I'm probably missing (and some boy bands too since, yes, I was a teenager in the late 90's.)  The songs on my iPod probably span all of the music genres because my dad has cultivated within me both an interest in and respect for almost all music styles.

The second reason that I'm thankful for an iPod friendly workplace is because of the escape it has given me during all these wedding related frustrations.  It's easy to say that work should be enough of a distraction, but that doesn't work for me.  I'm a thinker and those of you who know me IRL know that I will keep thinking forever, especially when it comes to problems.  The work and tunes combo, though, has been just the ticket for me to be able to escape the problems for a bit.  I get to just sit in my cube and work and listen to some great music and I've found that very relaxing.  I'm able to focus on those two things and not on the problem of the day and it is a great feeling.  Sometimes I have to resist the urge to do a little singing and dancing in my chair there in my cube, but I think it's worth the risk. :)

Part 2) One of our favorites to see, Edwin McCain, is my part two to this Thankful Thursday.  Lately, almost all of the time my iPod is set to my Edwin playlist.  It is 100% the best for my distraction/relaxation plan.  So not only did he give me the perfect father daughter dance song, but he is apparently very key in my anti-wedding stress plan as well.  If you've read my last post about him you won't be surprised and neither am I.  I'm not sure I could even begin to explain why his music is so powerful to me but I am so thankful for it, even more now that it has provided me so much relaxation lately.  Maybe this can help explain:

From his bio:
“But the highlight of what I do is playing for and connecting with the people that come out to see me live. The fans - and I hate to call them fans - the friends of music that survive the advertising campaign long enough to understand what music is truly about, and have incorporated my music into their lives to the point where it is a part of their memories and emotions - those are the ones I do it all for....  It’s not about chart positions or record sales or anything like that,” insists the man with 11 albums, a wall of platinum and gold albums that have sold in the millions, and reams of Top 10, 20 and 40 hits, “it just has to do with people coming together and sharing a moment, that's it. And that’s all I ever wanted to do. I just love that moment in the small club and bar where every single person in there has a moment where it’s silent and they get it and it’s beautiful, that moment where the music that’s coming off the stage is much more than the players and much more than the audience and something happens and you’re sitting there and your hair stands up. That’s it, man. I love it.”

I think he represents all that is good about music and what it can do for people.  We actually just saw him at The Pageant one week ago and that night was exactly what I needed.  A relaxing night of good food, great music, and awesome company in my dad.  It was a great show as always and we will never miss any show he has in St. Louis.  And my offer in my last post about him still stands of course, buy some of his stuff if you haven't heard more than "I'll Be" or "I Could Not Ask For More" and if you don't like it I'll reimburse you.  I don't expect to put any money out here because I know you'll love it.  Feel free to ask for a recommendation on which album to start with. :)

So this week let's say I'm thankful for my anti-wedding stress plan with two independent but equally important parts.  I only see it becoming increasingly more important as we get closer to wedding day.  We've been in the double digits for quite a while but now the first number is only a 3 and to say I'm terrified is an understatement!

Invitation Reveal

Now that the USPS has had time to deliver our invitations to our guests, it is time to reveal them.  I think they turned out great and to be honest after all the time and frustration that went into them I welcome positive comments and/or questions only. :)

Of course, no invitation photo shoot would be complete without the mustang in the background.

These are almost completely DIY, only the pocketfolders and monogram were purchased.  They were a pain at times but totally worth it.  As I've already mentioned I welcome questions and comments but keep any negative thoughts to yourself please. :)