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.