Rehearsal and Dinner

Friday was the ceremony rehearsal. It went well. We will have to get the CD player set up outside yet. The reception/hanger turned out lovely and is spacious enough for everything. The catering company did an excellent job, were super friendly, and handled everything magnificently. I received so many compliments on my choice of using them, and in my head I passed along the compliments to Google, lol. My Uncle Jet took the crew flying along with at least half of the guests, which scored him some major cool points. I'm sure there will be more today.

I got to meet the majority of the Reeske clan. Two more will arrive today, and then I'll only need to meet three more in total. Not bad! Today my friends from North Dakota and their husbands arrive, and I get to meet my mom's aunt for the first time too. My step-dad Rich should have arrived late last night. Perhaps I will see him at today's breakfast.

I didn't quite know what to do in regards to taking direction with the dinner. I'm normally one who likes to stay on schedule, but people were fully engaged in conversations and enjoying themselves, so I just let it go. Marshall and Jenn took charge while I stole a few minutes alone with Heather.

For the most part, everyone left between 9-9:30 last night, which means we were able to get to sleep at a decent hour. More updates soon to come.

Dawn of THE DAY

Good morning!

I'm watching the first rays of light illuminate the clouds in the east as the day is beginning. This is no ordinary day mind you. Today is a day of joy, of family, and of memories. I couldn't sleep anymore, so I figured I could get somethings done in the morning while everyone is asleep. Right now I'm listening to the spa music CD we are going to use for our ceremony.

It rained during the night (that was good luck, right?). The trees and bushes are swaying in the wind. The forecast calls for rain today, and I'm trying not to shake my fist at the clouds. Maybe I can bribe the clouds into going away??

I haven't seen any deer yet; perhaps they are sleeping in this morning and trying to stay dry.

Packing

Remember when you were a little kid on a long car ride, whether you were excited to go or not, and asked, "How much longer before we're there?" My parents' response was, "if you go to sleep, we'll be closer when you wake up," or something to that sentiment. That is how I feel right now. It is too early to go to bed yet, but I want tomorrow to come soooo much. Tomorrow we fly to our destination wedding in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Our flight out of Austin leaves at 2:35, then we'll have a layover in Oakland before arriving in Spokane around 10pm local time.

I made my packing list; Marshall still has to do his. All the things I will use tonight I will pack in the morning and be done! My dress, veil, and petty coat take up my biggest suitcase. My medium one has the bridal party presents and my clothes. I'm sure Marshall will only have to bring one suitcase. I don't even think I'll need a carry-on. We are bringing both our cameras, and I've been threatened within an inch of my life to make sure I take lots of pictures.

6 days left!

Look at What the Stork Dropped Off

He looks just like Marshall!!

The other day we received a wedding gift from our friends Ben & Nikki Allen. It was a cookware set, and we were surprised that it was inside this giant blue bag. I was excited over the pots and pans; Marshall was elated over the bag and instantly started getting into mischief. Thank you Ben & Nikki for the laughs!

Just a Saturday

Today I got a hair cut. It's a tad bit shorter than I planned, but on the plus side my long hair had been contributing to my headaches; hopefully that will go away now. I decided against getting highlights and am considering just coloring my hair (with Marshall's help). It's 8pm now, so it doesn't look that great, but this is it.

Shortly there after, I had to go try on my wedding dress post-alterations. Um...it didn't look good. The seamstress/manager is going to redo it, and I'll go back on Wednesday evening. If everything is fixed, then I'll be able to take it home a little earlier than planned (originally it was suppose to be the 24th).

It was 2:15 when I got home and guess who was still wrapped up in the bed sheets (hint: it wasn't the cats). When he got up, he pulled my car into the garage and took a look at the brakes. Thankfully they are okay and still in good shape. I love my mech!

Only one more week left in Austin before we go to Idaho for our wedding. It's going to be busy, and I have to remember not to stress. I'll have to plan something fun to do this week. Maybe I can arrange a ladies' bowling party, hmmm...

Zucchini

My little garden of one basil plant, three surviving zucchini plants and a few sugar pea plants has produced one giant zucchini. Today I peeled and shredded it so I could make zucchini muffins. This organic monster produced five cups of delightful flesh for me to bake with. I have already made three dozen zucchini muffins, and tomorrow I hope I can accomplish the chocolate zucchini cake I have in mind for the remaining two cups I have left. I'm going to share the muffins with the neighbors because we don't need to eat them all. That, and I'm trying to build a reputation of being a good cook! :D

First serious remodeling project

When we bought our house in December, we knew the front porch railings were going to need to be replaced. Well, now that the Audi is fixed, Marshall is ready to move onto another project, and he's chosen the front porch. When he started his destruction spree, he found that everything besides the wooden posts that hold the roof up was made of some sort of compressed paper product (yuck!). We're going to replace everything with real wood.

At first I bawked at us needing a table saw, but I know that tools do last a long time and over time, they are worth the investment because Marshall is enthusiastic about house projects. So, without him knowing, I went out to Lowe's to get him the table saw. Afterwards I went to the grocery store, which was original place I was suppose to go. When I got home, I accepted Marshall's help to bring bags in. I told him I'd get the ones in the trunk (from the grocery store) if he'd take care of the back seat (where the table saw box was). He was quite speechless, and it turns out that is the one he had been pining for. Looks like I did a good job.

After dinner, I urged Marshall to go back to Lowe's and get some lumber, so we can start our contruction tomorrow. It didn't take much to convince him. ;D Marshall only has one more week of his political science class, so his mornings will free up for the rest of the summer. We aren't expecting this front porch project to take us very long, but knowing that he has extra time calms me.

After this, I hope I can get the bookshelves I've been wanting for our second living room. :D