Checking Things Off!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!
It is day 178 until the wedding!! I can't believe how close it is getting! We have been engaged for 10 months, and only have 6 to go. I've been joking with friends lately that I should have eloped...it would be so much less stressful! But, that's not true. I don't wish we had eloped. A friend at work said...You plan the wedding around the memories you want to create. When the day comes it will be perfect, and you will realize all the stress and worry will be for nothing. This was actually very helpful. I really don't think I've been wedding crazed in quite some time, but last week I was thinking about assembling the invites and panicked at what a time consuming job this will end up being. Fortunately, I have a great fiance and amazing MOH who have offered their assistance! =)

I've gotten a lot of little odds and ends marked off my list as well! The guest book, unity candle, and favor boxes have been ordered! I've also ordered shoes and earrings! And maybe a few other things...but there has to be some element of surprise for our guests on the big day! But it is always a relief to cross things off no matter how big or small.
We have also talked about the honeymoon over and over and OVER again. I think we've finally decided but are waiting to book for a little while and wanting to possibly consult a travel agent...I'll share details when this is final.

I can't just talk about the wedding though, I need to update you on the marriage. Greg and I had a last minute meeting with Deacon Rich last week simply because we were going to be in town and needed to settle our nerves a little. He is always extremely helpful! In the past few weeks we have been taking a lot of advice from the book, "The Five Love Languages." And we have made an effort to see each other more...it seems we are always trying for that. And we've sat down and talked finances and budget for pre wedding and post wedding. We meet with Deacon Rich again this coming weekend for a progress check.

Oh, and I have to mention this too! I was on our registry to edit a few things, and there was 1 gift bought already!! I was so surprised and excited. So, whoever you are, if you're reading this...Thank You!! Let it be recorded, our first wedding gift is a corningware casserole dish with carrier! Too exciting!!

<3

C&G

Count Down Continues

HAPPY 200 DAYS UNTIL THE WEDDING!!

Delayed Updates

It's been a while since I've had a lot to update on wedding plans. And last weekend we got a lot done...and I neglected to blog about it. Last Friday Greg and I went to Men's Wearhouse and picked out tuxes. No bow ties...to Greg's disappointment. Greg will wear a white vest with small silver details in a diamond pattern, and a matching tie that is more of a stripe pattern. The groomsmen and fathers will wear the same patterns only in all black. Everything is black and white except the flowers...green, pink, and purple!

Saturday we met with Deacon Rich. We learn so much with each visit, and we grow so much between each visit. I've mentioned before that we have been reading books on marriage, and Deacon Rich suggested "The 5 Languages of Love." So, we bought it, and Greg is reading it first! =)

Also, on Saturday I went with Brigitte, Hannah, and Mom to see my dress for the first time! I got to try it on, and it's just as beautiful as I remember! And this one is MINE...not just a sample! No hints (Greg reads this), but I can't wait to wear it on August 12! I asked Greg what he is picturing, and he thinks my dress will look like..."Silky with some sort of empire waist, and it's not going to have a lot of puffs and frills on the bottom, no nonsense. Not a lot of beading either."
I had to get that in writing to look back on 6 months from now, and 50 years from now! We'll see...

Also on Saturday night, we got to babysit Daniel and Finn! And we asked the Fitzgerald family to carry the gifts up during mass. They are very excited! We think we've choosen readers, but they have yet to be informed. =)

On Sunday, we skipped the bridal show, and just spent time with each other. We were very glad to have the weekend together...3 whole days is a treat! Greg mastered the art of building a fire in the wood burner, with assistance from Dad. And we had "ted-corn" as Greg refers to it because he loves when Dad makes popcorn on the stove. Overall it was a very relaxing weekend.

This week, Grandpa Klesta passed away. He was sick and in pain, but it's always hard. He's in a better place now. I was asked to do the second reading at mass which was a honor, and I have a very lovely plant to remember him. Greg was not able to be here, due to school and weather it just wasn't possible. He was very upset about it, but I told him I may need him now, but I also need him forever so he's not allowed to drive 3 hours in the snow.
Looking forward to another relaxing weekend with my family, and hopefully many more updates over the next 6 months!

203 days! <3

7 Months

7 Months to go!! 214 days to be exact!

Some new wedding news...
* We are having the cake topper made! (which I already blogged about)
* I got all the stuff to make table numbers and placecards!
* Sample invites have been printed and put together...just have to get to Kinkos!
* This weekend we see Deacon Rich, hopefully pick out tuxes, and I go for my dress inspection!!!
* Greg and I are also going to the bridal show at the IX center on Sunday!

And I have to say I am soo happy to be sharing this with Greg! I can't imagine sharing this day with anyone else. =)

Best of 23

It is the last day of 2010, and knock on wood-- It has been the best year yet! This was a big year!
I graduated from Otterbein College! After four years of sweat and tears I AM a Registered Nurse!! I passed my NCLEX in July, and was lucky enough to be offered a position in a pediatric Emergency Department! The past five months have been a huge transformation for me. I have no idea who that person was in August, naive and scared. (And there is still so much left to learn!) I have two weeks left of orientation, I'm surprising myself everyday with what I am capable of, and I have to sens a HUGE THANK YOU to my amazing preceptors who have mentored me through!!!
Greg also graduated from Otterbein College with a Bachelor in Arts, concentration photography. He's still doing that on the side for friends and family. Weddings and Christmas cards...I think he took 6 or 7 Christmas card pictures this year! Now, he's taking classes at Wright State, and in the spring he will be applying to dental schools!!
Of course...as evidenced by the blog...Greg and I got engaged this year! I can't wait...only 7 more months, and I will be marrying my best friend! And long distance or not, we apparently get to spend enough time together because we both shared the same lingering cold for the last two weeks! I got an ear infection and a ruptured ear drum...but if that's all there is to complain about in 2010....woohoo!!!
2010 is the year my Dad became cancer free! AND it is the first year since I was 12 years old that he is healthy and has no major health complications!! It has been a long time fear of mine that my Father would not be there when I walk down the aisle. After many struggles and scares, things are looking up, and with only 7 months to go...looks like I get to have my Dad walk me down the aisle!!
2010 is also the year my mom took her life back, she decided to put herself first for a change! She did the biggest loser, kept it up, and lost 40 pounds! I'm so proud of her!! She is also wedding obsessed, and tells everyone she is the mother of the bride!
Next year also brings big things!Greg and I become an Aunt and Uncle in March!! Congratulation Kevin and Selby...welcome Beebs! Hopefully I am convincing enough, and my grandma will finally have her knee surgery! I'm pushing for BEFORE the wedding! Greg will be applying, and knock on wood, getting accepted to dental schools...that will help us plan the next 4 years! And Greg and I will become husband and wife on August 12!
I'm sure there are more big and exciting things, but we'll just have to wait and see!! Happy New Year!!!

Merry Christmas

I wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas Eve...but the blogger wasn't working! Greg and I did our stockings and gift exchange in Christmas Eve because we wouldn't be together on Christmas. Strangely...we both got each other coasters! I got Greg a stone set with a monogrammed B on them. And Greg got me a green set with black and white pictures. The pictures spell the word LOVE out of those pictures that look like letters! Great minds think alike! We also both got each other an ornament with our name on it! How weird! Greg got a lot of clothes and shoes. A tool box for when we're married. And some books and movies. I got a lunch box (Vera Bradley!), a new black coat, movies, lap top case, scarves, and hand therapy gloves! We both did good this year!

Wedding Update!! So excited about this one!!! This just went down Dec 23.
I sent my DJ a facebook message BECAUSE as I was looking through her pictures, I ran across some from her wedding. She wore a pink dress with gold glitter! The top was Lacey and the bottom was shimmery with pick-ups. Anyway, she had a bakery make a 5 tier cake to look like her dress!! AND she had a cake topper that looks just like her and her husband and she is wearing her wedding dress! It is the coolest thing ever! So I asked if she could let me know which bakery she had make her topper. WELL...SHE MAKES THEM!!!!!!
So...we've already booked our bakery and I'm absolutely in love with my cake. No changes there. But I thought it would be a cool idea to have her make our topper to look just like Greg and Me, with Me in my wedding dress. (My God Mom will be so proud! She's dead set on having a cake topper so I'll have something left of my cake forever and ever.)

Merry Christmas!!
230 days to go! <3

Christmas is Coming

For the past 2 years Greg and I have spent Christmas Eve with my family, left about 9pm, driven to Dayton, arrive at midnight, and get up to celebrate Christmas morning with Greg's family. This has been a nice little tradition, but it has left me without my parents on Christmas for 2 years. So...this year...we will spend Christmas apart-- our last Christmas with our families before we get married. We both are happy about this decision, and have arranged a "5 day Christmas" celebration starting on December 23 for my mom's birthday!! Greg will spend the 23 and 24th in Cleveland. We will spend the 25th with our families. And I will go to Dayton the 26 and 27th! We will do our presents together in Cleveland, and our stockings together in Dayton! Sounds complicated...but it's what makes a longer distance relationship work!!!
We've been very lucky to spend a good part of the past 2 weeks together...lots of driving involved, but together...and really don't mind spending Christmas day apart! I'm lucky this year because I'm still in orientation and don't have to work the holidays. But next year will probably bring a whole new dilemma to the holidays with the holiday I'm assigned.



A few tiny wedding updates...
*Welcome Hannah and Adam to the wedding party!!! This has been established but some how slipped through the blog! =)
*My dress is here!! January 15th is the Inspection! Hope I get to try it on!
*Aunt Diane is making the card box and "just married" sign!! So excited about this!
*Mom bought the wedding invites at 50% off! They are very simple and clean! We just have to add things like directions and accommodations cards!
*The Save-the-Dates are addressed, stamps are purchased, and they will go out in the next month or so with a few last minute adjustments to the very difficult guest list process!! Woohoo!

240 days to go!!