The Royal Wedding

Yes, I was one of the billions that got up early to watch Prince William and Catherine tie the knot - 4:30am to be exact. I made it downstairs just in time to see Kate's Mom enter the Church feeling surprisingly awake even though the sun wasn't near making its morning appearance. I curled up on the couch and watched members of the Royal Family make their entrance. And the first glimpse of the new Princess. Wow. She was stunning!

Throughout watching the whole event, it amazed me how "on time" everything was. I chose the Today show as my media venue and when Matt Laurer said the Queen would arrive in five minutes, you bet she did. There was no lag time in guests arriving and Kate walking down the aisle. Everything was perfect. I wonder if my wedding will run that smoothly? Ha.

The ceremony was beautiful and I really enjoyed the Bishop of London's sermon to the bride and groom. You can read his full sermon here. A couple of my favorite parts, "In a sense every wedding is a royal wedding with the bride and the groom as king and queen of creation, making a new life together so that life can flow through them into the future....A spiritual life grows as love finds its centre beyond ourselves. Faithful and committed relationships offer a door into the mystery of spiritual life in which we discover this; the more we give of self, the richer we become in soul; the more we go beyond ourselves in love, the more we become our true selves and our spiritual beauty is more fully revealed. In marriage we are seeking to bring one another into fuller life."

Once the Prince and now Duchess made it back to Buckingham Palace, I turned the volume down and set my alarm for five minutes for the much anticipated kiss. Yep, I knew it would happen at 7:25am my time because once again, the Royals are punctual! Not only did they kiss once, but twice.

Some of you reading this post could probably care less about the wedding. And honestly, I thought I wouldn't get as into as I did but as the big day got closer I knew I had to watch it. Plus, it's all they've been talking about for the past few weeks on TV so I'm gald I got up to witness my first Royal Wedding. Who knows when the next one of this magnitude will be! All in all, it was a great way to start off my Friday morning and I'm happy I was able to participate (even though I'm across the pond) in the event!
Yay for weddings!! P.S I wish hats were that big here in the U.S!

Could life seriously get any better?

In 87 days I get to marry my best friend.

I cannot wait to start life together and begin the new adventures that await us as husband and wife.

He has a traveler's heart so I know we will be exploring the world together, seeing new places and reveling in the beauty of this world.

In 89 day we jet off on our first adventure as a married couple.

And between the trips and events that take place in life,
I know we will spend hours in the library.

Joe has about two and a half years left of his Master's program.

And well, yesterday I received my acceptance letter to the
NURSING PROGRAM starting

Spring Semester 2012!!!

Add another number to count down: 9 months until I start Nursing school.

I. am. ECSTATIC.

Yes, 2011 is shaping up to be a pretty great start to the next chapter of my life.

One (Three) More Wine Picture...

I promise not to talk about the wine again until I talk about how good it was but I was able to catch a picture of all five labels over the weekend. And it was the first time Joe had seen the final product, he loved them.



As you can tell, we put all the labels on at the same height:)

Easter Weekend

Ahhh back to Monday after we had a great weekend at home for Easter with our families. Lots of family time and running around which made it go by too quickly. Saturday I ran errands with my Mom and Sadie, went for a walk and colored Easter eggs. Yes, I still like to do that at 25. After, I went with Joe and his parents to see their new cabin, went out for dinner and looked through family photos.

Sunday Joe and I started off at my grandparents and then moved onto his grandparents before we headed back home. Everytime we leave home, we always talk about how lucky we are to have such great families for the first half of our drive and how excited we are for our lives together. 89 days to go:) Since there was so much going on this weekend, I'll leave you with some photos I snapped over the weekend. Enjoy:)



Party America. Sadie came out of every aisle with a different prop.



 

Coloring Easter Eggs



View off the dock of Tom & Sue's new cabin!



Papa's first car

In the back of my grandparent's house where I spent many days walking and skiing. So glad I got to show Joe!

Papa and Me

Spring is coming!

Joe's Grandparent's Farm

The Lake



Flowers from Papa's garden



Thank GOD it's Friday!!!

And there is more meaning to that phrase this Friday than any other Friday I've had lately. Let me explain. 

First and foremost, it's Good Friday.

And in three days he will rise again:)

(Not technically but you know the story)

Jesus is a pretty amazing guy.

Last night 3 Hole Punch rocked the bowling alley and we took 3rd Place!!!

Here's a few shots from the evening:



Yes, I got a Turkey for the very first time!! No, I do not usually do this well.
I average around 100.





3rd Place Ribbons

We're going all out next year too. This year we made shirts, next year we're getting our own bowling balls.

We are that cool.

Then Friday morning graced us with its presence. It was Joe's Friday off and I was busy running out the door (late again). I hopped into my car, put my key into the ignition and there was nothing. My car wouldn't turn over! I've noticed that the past couple of mornings its been a little hesitant to start but then she kicks in and I drive off. And when I go to leave work, I have no problems at all. Today was different. I woke up Joe and we determined it was either the battery, alternator or starter. We hooked up the jumper cables and she fired right up but I was still a little hesitant to drive it downtown and I didn't want to be stuck downtown with a Twins game going on in a few hours. Joe would never be able to make it down to me in the chaos in case the car didn't start again. So while Joe ran to his appointment, I picked up the house and packed for the weekend. When he got back he drove me to work and will be coming to pick me up soon. What a guy!

Looks like I'll be getting a new battery and hoping that fixes my problem.

Also, I am having another crazy day at work because of the computer virus. We thought it was all taken care of but the little bugger's back again! To top it off, our internet is out because they had to work on our firewall (because of the virus) which is causing all sorts of problems. Our IT guy has been here twice.

Not only did my car not start and the computer virus is magically back, I got an email from Joe around 1:30 saying when he was scrubbing bottles for more of his homemade beer he dropped his phone into the tub of water!!! AHHHHHHH!! He pulled it out, cranked the heat in the house to dry it out and thankfully called me about an hour ago to tell me it was working again. It could have made picking me up a little tricky:)

So as this Friday is slowly ending. all Joe and I have left to do is make it back home for Easter weekend.

Dear Jesus, can you help us get home without any glitches?

Happy Easter My Friends!





First sign of being (almost) married...

Yesterday was a crazy busy day for me at work. My work computer came down with a terrible virus, among other things, leaving me with no computer to use for a few days. This isn't necessarily a problem for me though since I don't use the work computer on a daily basis. I bring my laptop with me everyday since all of my links I need are right on my favorites bar. This morning, however, when I got to work and went to grab for my power cord, it was missing. I suddenly remembered that Joe took it out of my bag to use and then brought it upstairs with him at the end of the night (even though he has his very own power cord in our bedroom) and my cord was never returned to my bag. Umph.

Joe did tell me that he was using my cord and not to forget it when I left for work in the morning (I'll give him one point for the thoughtful memo) but when I'm getting ready for work in the morning I don't step back and think, "Hmmm....what am I missing". I just grab my bag and go. If I would have forgotten my cord any other day it wouldn't have been a big deal because I would have access to my work computer. But due to the recent events that took place yesterday, that option was no longer available to me. I took my "lunch" and ran back home to get the cord so I could write this blog, take my LAST lab quiz and finish up my lab assignment mixed in with the usual web surfing.

I now feel complete with my cord. Life can resume to normal.

I guess this is what happens when you have a husband and kids.

Your things are never in the place you left them.

Get Your Stamp On

Postcard stamps went up one cent on Sunday so today I ran over to the post office and picked me up a few for our wedding RSVPs. Well, 160 of them but now that I have these we'll be able to send out our invites! It will be the three month mark on Saturday so I'll probably ship them out next week. No turning back now:)

An extra bonus of the postcard stamp going up in price was that it went from this

to this

I really do like polar bears but they aren't very summery or wedding friendly. Also, I'm looking for any volunteers to lick the envelopes. Any takers?

Wine is 100% absolutely DONE!

That's right folks! Over the weekend my Mom, Dad and lovely MOH helped me finish the wine by adding our labels and they look AWESOME! My Dad and Sadie were the ultimate label peelers while my Mom and I carefully put the labels on the bottles. My Dad got really into it:) I'm glad he wanted to join in our fun! Ha

Before the process began...

 

First one done!



Told you, Dad really getting into character:)


 

Two for me, one for you!


 

That's where we're getting married!!!

 

Bottles waiting for they're labels



I should have taken a picture of all five but my Dad was busy hauling the finished bottles back downstairs once they were done and bringing up the boxes we had left to do. But as you can see from the two bottles I was able to snap a quick picture from they are perfect:) My Mom even went as far to say that they will be "the talk of the wedding." Hopefully the talk of the wedding will be Joe and I but the wine can be in a solid second place.

Sadie also tried her dress on for us.





The gray suits with the navy dresses look amazing together! Yay!

  

Nice. Ha

Saturday was also filled with Kallie's (Joe's cousin) baby shower. She and the baby were spoiled with many wonderful gifts and she looked beautiful! Can't wait to meet the little one! Looking forward to the next weekend at home with family and friends. Oh wait, that will be this coming weekend for Easter! Yippee!

Hi Weekend! It's nice of you to join us again!

Friday is here! Finally. I'm heading back home for the weekend to attend Kallie's (Joe's cousin) baby shower and put our wine labels on the bottles! I'll try and take some pictures of the final product. Don't look though if you want to be surprised:) JK.

The Kodak Playsport Joe and I ordered last weekend came in the mail yesterday! You can look back here as to why we are getting these. We ordered just one for the time being to test it out but so far it's way cool! If there are any worthy videos to share I'll let you know. So far, they're not our best work:) Apparently I have to work on not looking like an idiot when Joe presses the record button:)

100

Do you know what is the significance of that number? It's really nothing much.

Just the number of days until Joe and I get hitched!!!

Holy moly good gracious golly!

We are finally down to double digits!!

(Well, after today:)

Happy 100 Days to Us!

I've decided...

To keep up with the blog after the big day!! I know, I know. When I originally started "Until We Say I Do" I told myself that this would be my one and only blog. I did it as a way for my family to see what I was thinking as far as wedding ideas or what I was working on, and to be honest, I've really enjoyed sharing my experience of wedding planning with anyone who is willing to read this. I have also become somewhat of a blogging junkie.

Who would have thought?! My "favorites" bar on my computer screen is filled with different blogs that I read on a daily basis most of which are for wedding inspiration but I've slowly been adding blogs that are more home focused.

Yesterday Christina (our wine label creator) asked if I was going to be continuing with it as well and gave me a couple suggestions for a new title. My personal favorite but I don't think Joe would go for it was, "Until the baby comes". She also warned me that four people at her wedding asked when her and Justin would be having kids so I guess that means I should be prepared to answer those types of questions.

Haha. Thanks for the heads up Christina!

So family and friends who kindly visit my blog, stay tuned for more to come after our big day! I'll probably change it up a bit but I'll make sure you know where to go. I am so excited for the next adverture of married life and I am sure there will be plenty of stories to share.

PS...I inspected the bridesmaid dresses last night and they look great!

Guess What?!

Bridesmaid dresses came in today! Wahoo! They weren't suppose to come for another month but I love that they're here now! I already opened the box to take a sneak peak and they are gorgeous! Love the navy blue and the little bow on the back really tops it off:) I need to inspect them when I get home (I promise I won't try them on) to make sure we don't have any issues but then I'll be able to hand them out to the ladies!

Just a few updates...

Friday Joe and I went on our first date in what seemed like months! He finished two of his classes last week so we, more like I, decided to celebrate with a date night. We had dinner at a small town (population 163) restaurant called the House of Coates and they actually had a wait list! It must have been the Cod Special. Well worth the wait might I add. After, we picked up a movie and finished the night at home on the couch.

Saturday I had my friend Alsie's baby shower! She has about a month left and I can't wait to meet the little boy! Here's a picture with the momma-to-be and the girls.

Me, Alsie, Kelly & Casey

The day finished with Joe and I running a few errands. We picked up my wedding band and while we were waiting for my engagment ring to get replated and cleaned we ran over to Dick's Sporting Goods and picked up a few items for the wedding. We are now owners of a volleyball (for the net at the barn), ladder golf (because Joe used our origninal one to mark the goal ends for snow football and now they are broken) and the washer game. Can't wait to try all these out! And Joe was so sweet to let me wear my wedding band until Sunday morning just to "make sure it fit". Ha. If only I would have hidden my hand all day I could have gotten away with wearing it longer!!

Sunday was beyond gorgeous! I think it reached low 70's for the first time this year and Joe and I were hard at work on the yard at 10:30 in the morning! We cleaned up the yard, Joe worked on the garage door and cleaned up the garage, we took down our Christmas lights on the front tree, got the hammock & chair out, went to Lowe's and bought a few shrubs for the back yard and a compost bin!!! (which already has leaves, grass, a few worms I put in and my orange peel! We ended with grilling brats and doing just a bit of school work. I am sore today from all the raking but man oh man did it feel great to be outside!

I love weekends like that and I'm already looking forward to the next one!

Friday-o-la!

It's Friday, it's the Twins Home Opener and it's Friday! I'm sporting my Twins jersey today but unfortunately will not be partaking in the game festivities. Although, I feel like I'm always at the home games especially when they land on a work day. How so? I work a block away from Target Field and the restaurant directly below my desk has been filled with people since they opened at 11am. The game doesn't start until 3:15pm and I get to listen to everyone else have fun while I read Physiology and study. Go me. I also know when the Twins score because it gets really loud with all cheering voices and fans going wild. It's exciting but I would much rather be at the game celebrating with them than at my desk.

I finished printing and cutting all of our wine labels. They turned out great and will be put onto the bottles when I make the drive home next weekend! Our delicious, homemade wine will be officially done and ready to party. Happy Weekend!

Dresses are a coming...

The order for the bridesmaid dresses was put in at the end of January. Naturally, some of the ladies, including myself, had been wondering when they would be coming in since it's the beginning of April so I emailed the Wedding Shoppe. Their response...mid-May. Four and a half months it will take these babies to get in from the designer so I'm glad we didn't wait any longer to put the order in. The girls will still have to get them hemmed a bit - on Kate it looks pretty good but because Sadie is short it goes down to her ankles almost. haha. I am so excited to see how great these ladies will look in them! YAY!

In school news, I am offically done four weeks from tonight around 7pm! AND...Joe had a final last night and one tonight so he'll be done with two classes! He'll only have his Monday night class until the second week of May. We're almost done for the semester!

It came...

Same rules apply unless we're married...Joe if you are reading this, please stop.

Saturday before we headed out to the library to study (I know, I know...we are fascinating people in how we spend our weekends) I went out to get the mail. And there it was. Joe's map came days before I was expecting it to. I quickly put it behind a couch that sits out on our front porch so Joe would see it if he looked out the window. He was sitting in the living room which is right next to the front door so I had to wait until he wasn't near the house before bringing it in and stowing it away for the time being. I went to the library with him the first time but skipped out on the second visit and pulled out the map once he left. It looks perfect! All that's left to do it 1) keep it hidden 2) find a way to frame it and 2) gather pins to show all the places we've been! Thank goodness I saw it first because he had been constantly checking the mail waiting for something he ordered! Whew.

Seriously, where do the weekends go?

I feel like I just left my desk and now I'm sitting at it once again. Thankfully I have some studying to do and the big boss is out on vacation this week which means the atmosphere in the office lifts a bit:) haha This morning I came in a bit early and printed off our wine labels! It wasn't nearly as hard as printing out the invites so I was able to get it all done in about 15 minutes. I'll start cutting them out sometime this week and get them put on the bottles next time I go home. The only thing that I'm worried about (and frankly didn't think about) is the label staying on the bottles. The label is sticky but doesn't feel like it would be a permanent stick. I'm sure it will be fine and their website shows using these labels for  wine, water bottles and everything in between. Guess we'll have to try them out and see!

Yesterday I went over to my sister Andrea's and we started talking Bachelorette ideas! And Brody fell asleep like this at their kitchen table.
So cute.

Happy April!

I can't believe it's already April and this April Fool's Day if off to a great start. Literally. This morning I ordered Michael Buble tickets for my Mom, Sadie and myself! He's headed to Duluth the day before Sadie's birthday in June - Whoo!! I'll be able to cross another person off my "must see in concert" list!

I have no news on the wedding front other than I'll probably start printing off our wine labels early next week but that's about it. I feel like we're in the calm before the storm! haha. Joe has finals for two of his classes next week so he'll be spending a lot of time in the library the next few days. I told him I would go with him one day out of the weekend but no more than that and on Sunday I'm heading over to my sister's place to hang out with my nephews. Yay for weekends!