A Few Pre-wedding pics!

Personal Shower/Bachelorette Party

My bridesmaids treated me to dinner at Vinny Vannuchi's in Galena a few days before the wedding, complete with a personal shower at Grace's home afterwards. I am so spoiled! We had a great time.

In the car on the way to Galena - I never laughed so hard in my life!
Wait! We aren't ready for pictures yet.

Okay. Everyone smile!
Kim, Shannon, Linda
Linda Kati

Me and Steph

The group!

There's a story behind this picture - this robe was my mom's - she wore it for YEARS! Linda found it among Goodwill items at our house a few years ago and saved it for my personal shower! Imagine my shock when I opened it!

A gift from Becky Kraus - let's just leave it at that!

Is it hot in here? This is the last picture I am posting from this night!

Wedding Prep!
I had a great group of helpers - my mom, Jeanne Williams (Kim's mom), my bridesmaids, and many others worked so hard - we did all the flowers for the reception, corsages, boutonnières, and bouquets. We also helped prepare a lot of the food for the reception.

Flower prep!500 roses and 440 stems of alstromeriaA few centerpieces finished

Kati and Linda

Grandpa and his girls

Shannon, Jeff, and Linda in the kitchen - discussing something very serious, apparently!

Jan Murray working on meatballs!

Addie getting a manicure and pedicure from Joy Stratman

Reese's turn!

More to come, I promise!

A Few Pics

from my mom's camera until I get the professional pics back! I will also post pics from our honeymoon soon!

Rehearsal

Cutie Patootie Flower Girls - Addie and Reese - They walked down the aisle like pros!

An attractive pose...heehee!

Pictures are done, now we are just waiting to get married!

A shot of the reception

Cutting the Cake

Running away!

Squinting into the bright sun!

Tables at the reception

Runaway flower girls! Uncle "Jeff Jeff" and Daddy to the rescue!

Gift opening on Sunday morning

You can also check out my friend Kim's pictures - she has posted a ton on Flickr and they are great! Click here!

We're BAaaaack

Well, we are back from wedded bliss (well, not completely), back from beautiful Colorado, back to workin' for a living. I will post pictures soon. It may be a bit backwards; I have lots of photos from our honeymoon, but none from the wedding just yet!

We interrupt this blog to bring you an important news update...

Weather for Saturday, June 9: Mostly Sunny, high of 83, low of 63, ZERO percent chance of precipitation!

YAHOO!!!!!!

Excitement!

Today is my last day of work at Emmaus until June 19! I am trying to complete many projects that will allow me to be gone 2 1/2 weeks but my mind keeps a-wanderin'! I checked the weather forecast for the wedding day and it is not posted yet. The Weather Channel's website posts the weather forecast 10 days out but so far they've only included Friday, June 8 - High of 74 degrees and 10% chance of rain! This is perfect since our rehearsal dinner is outdoors. Our reception is outdoors as well, but we have tents to protect us (and the food) from rain. We also have a back-up plan for a reception location. Please pray for a beautiful day!

Jason is working at Emmaus in the maintenance department and in between serves as my chauffeur around town as the wedding shopping never seems to end. He's been very patient with me, to say the least! He is waiting until we get back from our honeymoon to apply for more permanent, full-time jobs around Dubuque. He definitely has his application in at quite a few places already. Please pray that he will find a great job here in Dubuque, and he will be able to start as soon as we get back!

My parents will be here on Monday and that is when the real wedding work will start! Errands, errands, errands and lots of appointments on Monday and Tuesday, reception set-up on Wednesday, flowers and cooking on Thursday, decorating and rehearsal dinner on Friday, WEDDING on Saturday!

I will try to post a few more blogs before the wedding day, but I can't promise anything. I will be drowning in details over the next week and a half! Thanks for praying for us! We are SO looking forward to our wedding day!

Jason's Graduation

Jason graduated this past weekend with a degree in Biblical Studies from Emmaus Bible College. It was a proud day for all of us, as Jason is the first person in his family to received a college degree. My parents, his parents, and the Thomases joined us to celebrate the special day. We were all beaming with pride as Jason crossed the stage to receive his degree, but the glory goes to God! He has done amazing things in Jason's life.

The Graduate

A hug from MomMy parents and Jason's mom and stepdadJason with his "spiritual parents" - Rev. Curt and Eileen Thomas
This wonderful couple has mentored and cared for Jason since he first came to Christ.

YAHOOOOOOOOO!

Free Countdown Clocks at WishAFriend.com

Spring Banquet

Last night we attended the Emmaus Spring Banquet. We got ourselves all dressed up. Don't we look nice?

I tested out Steph's bridesmaid shoes for her. Don't worry Steph, they were actually very comfortable!

We spent most of the night hanging out with Jon and Kati. What a hoot! They are hilarious.After the banquet, we went to the Mississippi River Museum and AquariumThis is me sitting on a turtle. Yes, I said turtle. And I'm actually inside a giant catfish.Jason's best James Dean.

We saw a few other friends at the banquet as well!
The Murrays

With Kimmie

Jason and Steve Lord

I have a million more pictures, but that's probably enough :) We had a great time!
This coming week, please pray for Jason as he has finals and papers due to finish out his semester. He graduates on May 12!

Slide show pictures...

I've been working on our slide show for the wedding...I've been laughing...quite a bit!

Recognize this cutie?She looks familiar... (see, I am a natural blonde)

Coming soon to a mailbox near you...

Our invitations!!!!!!
They were mailed yesterday!
Did you get yours yet?