Last year, about this time......

Last year, about this time........

We had the apartment all decorated for Christmas. Everything was looking all cozy and pulled together. We were preparing to leave for Michigan to go to the annual Madrigal Dinner Concert, one of our Christmas traditions.

Our kittens still looked like they were teens. Erin and Jake were just about to get engaged. Erin and Jake are married now.

Our apartment is, in the words of Katy, "Frat-tastic", which is so true. The green couch has gone to Erin and Jake. There are boxes everywhere as I get ready to start packing for our move. We currently have a horribly uncomfortable futon as our seating in our living room. The apartment is just in shambles. It's crazy to live in!

Sorry for the horrible picture quality. I took them with my phone. Here's another.

But.....Remember that hole in our ceiling? The one that formed last September? It's finally been fixed. About two weeks ago the painting guy came and smacked some Spackle in there, sanded it down (got dust EVERYWHERE), and then added the texture. Our ceiling is not prefect still, heaven forbid they fix it correctly, but at least there isn't a hole. Picture to come for that.

So much can change in a year. What has changed in your life in a year? I know most of my friends have had MAJOR life changes.

Wedding Three

We spent the night before hanging out at a hotel with the girls. Friday morning we were up and eating waffles. Hair appointments started at 10 and with 6 girls to get hair done, I was impressed with how quickly we were done. Hotel rooms were clean and packed up and we were out of there by 2:30. After a quick stop at Panera, we had lunch in hand and Erin tucked away minutes before Jake and company rounded the corner to the church.

After we ate, Kelly and I steamed the dresses. Let me say, I have no idea how I have lived so long without a steamer! It was amazing. We did makeup and accessories and got dressed with the photographer flashing away. It was nice and relaxed, a tiny bit rushed, but not stressful. Getting Erin's dress on was fine. Thank goodness for a crochet hook for all those little elastics to go around the buttons. She looked beautiful. Everything about her look was just right and perfectly her. She just radiated happiness.

We took some pictures before the ceremony and got in some good laughs. Erin was obviously having a blast getting photos taken. And the ones that I have seen are awesome. Here is an example. ...
What did I tell you? Stunning!

The ceremony was pretty funny since nobody really knew what was going on. They said vows, lite the unity candle, were pronounced husband and wife, and gave a big smooch. Everything was great!

The reception was a blast. No one fell down the stairs during the announcements. Everyone ate yummy food. JJ even had seconds. The first dance came off fairly well with some of the steps I taught them. Kelly caught the bouquet and Ryan caught the garter. Erin and Jake smashed cake in my and Josh's faces instead of each others. That got a laugh. We danced lots, polkas and not. The best part..... we didn't have to clean up afterwards!!!!

So, that was the short of it. Everything was wonderful. The two of them looked beautiful and sooooo happy. And now I have a second brother. Congrats Jake and Erin!!!!!

The Rehearsal.

So this weekend, which was the longest we've had in a while, seemed like the shortest!

Wednesday I took off work to be available for Erin. We got our mani's and pedi's with most of the girls in the bridal party. I finally got to see the reception site. So much better on Friday then it was on Wednesday. Then it was off to the rehearsal.
The rehearsal went well. I always think it's funny that it takes almost as long to practice as it does to actually get married and you don't actually do most of the work. We weren't there too long and it went fairly smoothly. Dinner was very nice, if crowded. We (the girls) got cute little monogramed tote from Erin as our gifts. It's a really nice little bag and I plan to use it on my upcoming trip.
Thursday is a blur. We cleaned and preped in the morning. Dinner was at 4 at my parents and was for everyone who wanted to come. 10 showed up. Then at 6:30ish 4 more showed up. 7:45 we started running. Running to my apartment for shoes, Erin's apartment for makeup and picking people up, then off to the hotel.

Thursday night we hung out with the girls. We played some games, hung out in the hot tub, didn't eat White Castle, which was the only thing open. It was a nice way to spend the evening before her big day.

Thankful Thursdays!

• Co-workers that I love. It helps make work much more fun.
• Texting - sometimes I don't like how distant its made us from each other. Right now, I love it cuz I can talk to Brad without interrupting everyone in the library.
• Fun DIY projects that turn out really great. Pats on the back for Erin and I.
• Clean kitchens - even if they don't stay that way.
• Blogs!
• The Holidays! Ok mostly Christmas. I have started my shopping.

Wedding Three

It's days away, days! This Saturday is the bachelorette party. It's sad, I'm only 28 but I'm so out of the loop in terms of the good bars and such. I had to ask the students that work in my office where a good place to take a bachelorette party would be. We figured out someplace though and I think it will be a lot of fun. The group of girls will be a great group too, so I think Erin will really enjoy herself. The fiance is having his party the night before. Anyhow, we're going to be partying the night away at a local piano bar. I've purchased a gift or two, which will be opened at dinner at the resturant. :) Haha.

I just can't believe we are at this point in the wedding planning already. In a little over a week she's not going to be a (same last name) any more. I'm not either though. I changed my name over a year ago. That was me though, this is her. She's going to be moving in with her first roommate, first boy thats not her brother, husband. Let me tell you how glad I am that we are past that point. It was rough but worth it. I wish the two of them luck. It will be his first room mate that isn't his brother and first room mate that isn't in the army. No house inspections that he will have to be preping for. And let me tell you, Erin has nothing close to an army standard of cleanliness. :) Love you!

Blogging? What's that?

That is evidentally my attitude about the blog lately.

In our life, we are just plodding along lately. Brad is in the prep stages for the first semesters finals. It's a process, let me tell you. The stress is .... stressful, but I'm just thankful that he's got something he enjoys to keep him busy.

We are starting to prep for moving. That's right, we're going to be moving right after finals. Not only are we moving, but we're moving in with my parents. Erin will be moving out and we will be moving in. I'm pleased that I won't have to spend so much time alone anymore and that we will be saving money and working on our debt. Brad is the one that suggested moving in with them so I feel good that it was his decision. So, after a coat of paint and carpet cleaning, old room, here we come. It's gonna be a little weird.

Erin and Jakes wedding is not just creeping up on us anymore, I think we are running at it at full speed. I can't believe that my baby sister will be a Mrs. in just under two weeks. It seems like she was just in high school. I'm more then pleased to be welcoming Jake into our family. She chose wonderfully. Planning goes quickly when you move your date up by over three months. She is so excited to be getting married to Jake and I'm so happy for her. Mom and Dad seem to be handling it pretty well too.

Tomorrow I will blog again, I promise.

Thankful Thurdays!

Wow have I been a slacker above and beyond normal lately. It's a good thing I don't have many readers. Anyhow, I have a few updates to do. Brad has no classes tomorrow, so I took the day off too. I assume he'll have to do some work during the day, maybe while he's working I will spend some quality time with the blogger.

Today's point is Thankful Thursdays!

• Family, always family. They lift you up when your down, allow you to blow off steam with them, support you when you really need it. I can't imagine how people can get through life without a good strong family.
• Snuggle time - with Law school as a solid part of life, the couple minutes I can get every day or so are becoming more and more important to me.
• Sunrise - since the time change I have been able to witness sunrise on my way into work. Stunning. Bright and blinding, but amazing.

My list is short today because I have some work staring me in the face.... What are you thankful for?