back on track.

Back to wedding posts! First things first...my dress is in!!! Mom is planning to come up next weekend and we will try it on for the first time...oh me oh my!

(I thought this adorable picture of Brynn was 100% fitting to use to describe my excitement - isn't she just a doll??! )

Now, with the dress ready to be picked up (and in my possession) the issue of shoes becomes a bit more pressing as no alterations can be done until the shoes are decided on. Hmmm. So I spent some time last night searching for shoes. (thanks Chmoe and G for your opinions - believe it or not, you do have one and it is held in high regard!)

I saw these fun blue shoes at the mall and snapped a photo with my phone. Kind of fun, but are they exactly what I am looking for in a wedding shoe?? I don't think so.

After some more searching and finding all sorts of shoes with price tags that seem to continue to rise the more I look, I got to thinking of an idea. Why in the world can't I order the basic shoe that I want and add details that I would like but can't find for a decent price?!

Genius! Don't ask me why it took me this long to figure out...I'm kind of ashamed of myself!

I was looking around a British site (yes, not in the U.S.) and I found a PERFECT pair of shoes. I emailed the company to find out a few more details, most importantly, if they ship to the United States. After that, I will make a decision. I'll keep you updated!

Also, I stumbled upon a website with centerpiece ideas and I absolutely LOVE this birch look and feel they have incorporated into the decorations. It makes it look so natural and simple yet elegant...I love that. Once again, it gets my head a-spinning...

a special day.

I haven't exactly been sticking to the wedding topic the past few posts. There have been a few very significant days that are more important to me than talking about some silly detail...like the anniversary of my dear fiance being brought into this world. Yep. It's Dave's birthday!


That being said, I wanted to recognize how incredibly thankful I am for that smiling face pictured above that in a few very short months, I will be able to wake up next to every morning! That thought alone is enough to make my heart skip a beat. I simply cannot wait!

I know Dave's birthday usually come at the end of each basketball season which usually puts game time or practice time above celebrating his special day. Once again this year, that same fact is true. But I want him (and everyone, everywhere!) to know how very special this day is; whether you have met him once or known him your whole life, there aren't enough words in this world to desribe how incredible he is.

So although the situation isn't ideal, I have been celebrating every minute of today for YOU...my one true love and one and only...HAPPY BIRTHDAY my incredible husband-to-be!

today.

Today, February 19th, is my big brother Jeremy's birthday!

(Jer at the top of the Canyon...before we started hiking)

It's so hard for me to think about how long it's been since I last saw his face or the last time I heard his laugh. It's those little things that I miss the most. Although Chile doesn't seem that far away, the distance has made a tremendous impact.

(Jer, Mom and I sitting down for a short break; well-deserved AND needed!)

I was just remembering back to one of our last "family vacations" we took together. Mom and I flew out to Arizona to help him finish up on the house he had moved into in Tucson. To this day, I can't help but wonder how one person could be so intelligent and talented but seeing the work he did on this house would have made anyone inspired. During that time, we went to visit the Grand Canyon and it was one of the most magnificent things I have ever seen. We hiked down into the canyon on a rustic trail we thought would be a good idea. On that very day (due to my own lack of physical fitness), I truly believed I was going to get stuck in the Canyon; and by stuck I mean unable to physically push myself past my limits to climb out.

Scary? Yes.

Surreal? Yes.

Weak? Oh my YES!!

But we made it!

(Jer in the Canyon; as usual, no fear whatsoever)

(Getting a better glimpse from the edge)

Anyway, I stumbled on a few of the pictures we had taken while we were there and wanted to share some of my brother on his special day! I wish you all the happiness one day can possibly bring to one person and wish I could spend this day with you.

Happy Birthday Big Brother!

(I know you have to look close, but that "speck" on the protruding white rock is actully my brother; he climbed over an outlook at the top of the Canyon and I think many of the tourists thought he was going to jump off the rock into the plummeting Canyon as he was hurling himself down there. Entertaining and yet scary. Again, no fear!)

UP. date.

I started a countdown of wedding days about a month and a half ago. I used to use a timeline of months which allowed me to believe we still had LOTS of time to decide on things. But once you start using days, it really puts things into perspective. For instance, observe the following:

"We are getting married in about four months."

this message = plenty of time.

"We are getting married in 110 days."

this message = a lot less time.

Do you see the difference?

(reality check: we are getting married in 110 days; not just a random number)

I think it's kind of humorous. It's not the fact that I am panicked about the time frame by any means; it just means we have to start making final decisions and I don't feel I have shopped around enough to do that! In fact, my Mom who is so great at keeping me on task, finally looked at me last weekend and said, "you really do need to make up your mind..." Isn't it funny how your Mom is almost always right??

Well, in any case. Here is a little update. I got the ring situation figured out and Dave's ring is currently on layaway. Hip-hip...Hooray! It's classy yet simple and I know it is going to fit his personality perfectly. I think that is why I had a difficult time finding the right ring for him. I wanted this to not only be a symbol of my neverending, head-over-heels love for him but also who he is as a person. You'll have to tell me how I did once you see the ring. Of course I can't post that here...that would make it too easy.

Also, I stumbled upon this cute little blog site tonight as I was searching (yes, again) for shoes. Not a hard search, just browsing to see if I've missed anything in my past 83 searches (did you know Cole Haan has designed shoes with the Nike Air technology? I was totally intrigued until I saw the $400 price tag. I still want to try those things on...). I came upon this and created my own little kissing tree. Isn't it cute??!

(It says "sheena hearts dave" in the heart on the tree)

I'm kind of sleepy...so I guess I need to break the update into two different parts. That's okay though, I will fill you in on more details tomorrow.

long time coming.

Dave's birthday is right around the corner...literally. And since we are saving every last penny that we possibly can, I can't afford to get him what I really want to. At least not this year. So I am keeping my fingers crossed that the opportunity will arise again...I mean, this idea is so good that if there were even a slight chance (which I know there isn't), of him falling out of love with me, this would seal the deal for GOOD! I know, I know...you are all CRAZY with anticipation about this "perfect" gift but guess what? I can't tell you.

Let's keep going, shall we? Okay then. I have been perusing various jewelry stores trying to find a ring that "fits" Dave. No, not his finger. His personality! And I found the perfect one at the same store he bought my ring at...but there is a problem. Both of the sales guys I was working with over the past couple months suddenly don't work there anymore. Color me bewildered. And I have to be honest...I don't care for any of the other people there except the owner. Dilemma.

So while I figure this out, I decided I absolutely had to devote a blog to ugly rings I have seen. I am warning you now, if you own a ring, have bought a ring, or know someone who wears a ring like the ones I am about to post...well, I would apologize but I can't because it is merely my taste doing the typing. Consider yourself warned and hopefully entertained!

Okay, so you are marrying a man. Congratulations, me too! But is it really necessary to purchase a ring that looks like a bunch of bolts glued together? I know there is something to be said about being "manly" but this might take it a bit too far. Ick. *

Hi, my name is gaudy and we've never met. $2,000 for this? It's a combination of "I always wanted a class ring" and "I believe the bigger the ring, the more money it appears I have." *

This ring speaks a lot of words. Wow. I guess if you'd rather say "you are an emperor, rule over all the land!" than "I am so madly in love with you and this is a symbol of that love," this is definitely the ring for you! *

One more thing before I end this...you may be wondering what Dave's birthday has to do with all the "bashing of the rings." Well...it just so happens that he may be getting a wedding band for his birthday! Talk about original, eh?

* Disclaimer: none of these rings have been, nor will they ever be purchased in my lifetime.

quotable quote.

At the end of the day, whether it was up or it was down, I find comfort in several things. One of those things, is a quick email from a friend, even if it only takes me five seconds to read, it puts a smile on my face. Today was one of those days - as I was packing up and shutting my overworked computer down for the day, I received an email from my dear Missy Dale, an old co-worker, who always has a good quote up her sleeve for honestly, pretty much any situation. Here is the quote she sent today...I heart it.

shout. out.

I just wanted to send out a special THANK YOU to Jane, again, who not only got me started on this blog idea but also inspires me in the whole blog world. I recently changed my layout, much thanks to a site I saw on Jane's blog and am loving the look. I just wanted to give her some credit...and think you should all pay her blog a visit and see how adorable her two little girls are. Such sweeties!!

So here it is...my shout out:
Shout. Out. To. Jane. Thanks!

soul searching.

So my title might be just slightly dramatic. Just a teeny bit. So anyway, I decided to get creative in this blog post. And by creative, I mean I simply borrowed some incredibly artistic photos taken by none other than, my photographer extraordinaire, Eden Photography (click here). Brace yourselves folks, it's an original blog picture story!

Once upon a time...hmmm...well, that might be overdone. Let's see. I'll try a different angle. Here is my story on what has been happening lately both for real and simply in my mind!

Spring is just around the corner...I mean if you think about it, by next weekend, February is already half over (how is that for perspective?). The weather last weekend, although a tad on the windy side, was enough to send me head first into: SPRING FEVER!

Along with Spring comes...flowers! And flower choices. Since we are doing real flowers for the bouquets, corsages/boots (as I like to call a boutonniere because it makes more sense), I met with a couple different florists last week. Since I judge my experience primarily on customer service, hands down Designs by Becky won me over (but I suppose I should wait to get an actual quote). I had pretty much everything figured out in my head as to what would look best and what I have always wanted (don't worry, Dave did have a say in this...yes or no and he of course, had the right answer!) but after looking at the hundreds of different flower varieties...a small cloud of doubt rolled in and clouded my train of thought. Three hours later...I had a solid grasp as to what would probably be a final decision.

Simplistic and Plain?

Elegant?

Or Extravagant?

I like to keep you guessing...the possibilities are endless (truly!)


Moving on...the bridesmaid dresses have officially been ordered and will arrive on or before April 15th!!!

(this is my happy dance - yes, I am fully aware that there is no snow in this picture)

And on another note...my very own, gorgeous gown will be here in about a week and a half. It has passed through customs and now has to make the final leg of its journey to Fargo, North Dakota where it will soon be in my possession!

(this was my initial reaction...disbelief/shock/astonishment)

But now everything is coming together so well that I can't help but smile...just like this adorable little fellow. Only four months left...woot!

Here ends the story. I think it's sleepy time now. Abrupt ending, perhaps, but that just means you have to keep checking back to find out more. Like I said before, I like to keep you guessing...each and every one of you! Sweet dreams.