Love Makes You Blind

Well it has been a long but a good weekend. I got to spend some down time with some girlfriends and was brave and tried a new dish I've never attempted on my own before. My poor fiance was the guinea pig.

Saturday work was pretty slow, and I was a little stressed the whole time I was there, knowing that Rose was going to come pick me up somewhere between 12:30pm and 1:00pm so we could go to Chantel's and spend some girltime together, have lunch, and watch a couple movies. When they said we could leave after I'd been there about three hours I decided to go ahead and take the early out.

Mom was getting ready to leave when I got home, so I had the house pretty much to myself for a couple hours, spending most of it praticing the piano for my lesson this Wednesday, trying to perfect my Lavender Blue, Lavender Green song. Still having some problems with the timing I think and I'm getting a little frustrated that I'm struggling with it.

Rose came over while I was taking a break from my lesson song and playing Never Smile At A Crocodile. I grabbed my stuff and we headed to Chantel's. Her husband was asleep on the couch when we got there so we hung out at their dining table and just caught up on stuff, having a few laughs and watched while Chantel's two boys claimed all of her attention. Little Asher is trying to stand up and take his first steps now so it won't be long before he is walking around like his big brother Ryker. The boys were very entertaining to watch, Chantel usually changed them at the same time and if Ryker cried, Asher would. Even though Asher had already been changed and had no reason to cry. It is obvious that Ryker is his role model...but that goes the same way for Ryker, because if Asher cried so would Ryker. And usually they'd cry for no reason. It made Rose and I laugh a little.

Asher spent most of his time pulling on the straps of my purse or chewing on my key chains. He found my Metallicar the most appealing as he always went for that one first. Poor little Metallicar. :)

We finally got lunch just before four and afterwards decided to watch 27 Dresses, which was a wasted effort because Ryker kept turning off the TV, upset that we weren't watching cartoons. It was funny at first but then Chantel got really mad and took him in to see his daddy where he got in big trouble. Afterwards he gave it up and started bullying his little brother while Chantel was trying to feed him strained sweet potatoes. Asher kept crying, and who wouldn't if someone kept pushing down on your head and was using it as leverage so they could jump up and down? But eventually he got his dinner in him and Ryker settled down just as the movie ended. Chantel said she liked what she got to see of it, even though that wasn't very much.

Chantel kept busy with Ryker, who decided he wanted to throw some of her decorations at us, and was having a good time doing it. Rose relaxed on the couch, and I kept busy trying to stop Asher from playing with the cords that hooked up the TV as I was the one closest to him. Finally I just picked him up, set him on my hip and began to rock back and forth soothingly. As it was well after seven and with a belly full it didn't take long for Asher to fall asleep. Chantel and Rose both thought it was cute when Asher snuggled into my chest, shoulder, and neck, but continued to sleep contentedly while I rocked him. Chantel is very excited for both Rose and I to have kids so we can get together for play dates.

Rose and I left around 8:30pm or so. I told mom how they'd teased me a little when I told them my worries and fears about being married, but even though they did they understood how I felt. It is so nice to have some friends who've been so supportive of my marrying Mike because a lot of my other friends have been really rude and have said things that have really made me upset. I'm just really glad that I never put any of my friends - or even my sister through what I've gone through. I've always been supportive and encouraging, knowing that what goes around comes around. So I just don't understand why some people are saying what they're saying to me.

Sunday was a bit easier, and harder in some ways. I decided to make stew, which I've never done on my own before. In fact I've never done most of the leg work for it before, usually just watched my mom and then forgot how to do it. Saturday I made a list of the things I'd need and told mom I wanted to do it on my own to see if I could. So before church I browned the meat and put it in the crock pot before I left. I had to leave early because Bishop Britto wanted to talk to me about temple prep classes.

I came home after the first meeting because I had rolls to start, and upon getting home was told the home teachers were coming. President Nielson and his partner came over and talked to us for a little while, and asked if Mike and I were official. Even though we were official at Mary's bridal shower. He brought us some of Mary's cake - far too much for us to eat on our own, so it is probably going to go hard and get thrown out. I started on the rolls after they left, and found it hard with dad in the kitchen scrounging around for something to eat. Finally I kicked him out because the kitchen is too small with him in there while I'm trying to work.

Mike got here about 3:30pm and I discovered that I wouldn't have enough time to do rolls before the stew was ready, so I put those on hold and quickly whipped up some cornbread before finishing the stew. Mom helped a little with the gravy but now I know how to do it so next time I'll be able to do the whole thing on my own. I think that by the time I was done with the stew though I was so sick of stew that I didn't think it tasted that great. Everyone else seemed to enjoy it though and Mike, as usual, was impressed. But he is pretty easy to please. Next time I make it I'll have to make sure Melinda and Brent are available to be guinea pigs. Melinda is an excellent cook and Brent knows good food when he tastes it so I'll let them decide. I had some for lunch today though and it tasted much better than it did yesterday so who knows?

Mike went home soon after that to finish his homework so we could spend a little time together today. We spent it at the pool. We swam around in one of the lanes, usually with him chasing me as he is a much better swimmer than I am. He did laps around me and had fun dragging me around the shallow end of the pool - needless to say I didn't get much excercise. But it was fun to spend the time with him. And I got to see his scar for the first time - although it isn't as bad as he made it out to be. Maybe I'm just not fussy - or maybe it's true what they say. Love makes you blind. :)

The Family Reunion

Mike came and picked us up a little after eight. He had brought his mother's dog Peaches with him, since he had watched her the night before. Jack and Peaches seemed to hit it off, so we loaded the dogs up in the backseat of his car and hit the road.

Mike and I listened to a mixture of music from my iPod, which he'd asked if I'd bring along. It was a relaxing ride for the most part, with only the occasional pockets of rain bouncing off the windshield. The dogs napped in the backseat, and since they each had half, Jack usually napped with his nose up on the door, so only the tip of his nose was visible through the window.

Halfway down Peaches climbed onto my lap, so we stopped at the gas station to get her some jerky since she hadn't eaten at all the night before or that morning. She seemed happy with her treat, and we gave some to Jack as well, then finished off the last leg of our trip without incident.

When we got to the church we discovered that the reunion was being held inside because the wind had kept blowing the decorations and table clothes off the tables outside. Jack, Mike, and I all played outside for a bit before we put him back in the car and headed inside for lunch and activities. Everyone there was very nice and welcoming.

After a barbequed lunch including hotdogs, hamburgers, and side dishes we had a program talking about Mike's great grandparents and grandparents. No one at our table was really listening. I kept distracting Mike by teasing the ends of his hair, rubbing the tip of my finger along his neck, and teasing the sensitive hair on the tops of his ears. He was giggling and jerking away from me because he is ticklish in all of those spots. I was trying hard to control my own giggles as his twin brother Matt reached over and grabbed Mike's knee making him jerk and squirm away. Arla was watching us from across the table suppressing her own laughter while Albert talked loudly to his neighbors.

After the program was over they had a game to see who was listening. Arla knew most of the answers so all the grandkids circled around her asking her what they were so they could get a prize. Mike answered one question correctly, but wasn't acknowledged for it. He pouted about it until Arla said he could have her prize if she won one. She did. Although it was pretty girly as it was a sign with a little wooden girl on it and a bottle of purple bubble bath. Mike decided he could live without a prize after all.

We left soon after the auction started and headed home. Jack was tired and cramped from being in the car most of the day and halfway home decided he wanted a turn to sit on my lap. He was much too big and found that my lap was far too small for him to sit on but he wouldn't budge. Eventually I had to lay my seat flat and push him off my lap to get him to move. He stubbornly laid on the floor while Mike and I played a Disney guessing game - trying to guess which song came from what Disney movie. He lost horribly. But we had a good time.

We got home just before five both of us tired from the long day of traveling and being social, so he didn't linger long. Jack and I went upstairs exhausted and relaxed together on the bed, happy that the day was coming to an end.

An Interesting Weekend

Well the weekend has been an interesting one I must say. Friday work was really slow and after two hours, and getting down to 1,000 images work sent us home. I came home and played with Jack pulling his ears up into a ponytail, which he seemed to enjoy. He pranced around the room making his ears/ponytail bounce and was having such a good time that Mom and I decided to take pictures for Stephen. Jack didn't want his picture taken and instantly became camera shy, but in the end we got pictures of him with his ears tied up.

After having our fun Jack and I helped clean up the house while Mom ran to the doctors before I left to meet her at Fantasy Bridal to help her pick out her gown. On the way down I called Melinda, hoping that she would help me pull my hair up differently for Mike's family reunion that I had to go to the next day. Melinda said she'd be happy to help so I helped Mom select a dress and then headed for Melinda's.

I really enjoyed spending some quality time with my sister - since we don't do it that often anymore. And after I get married myself that time will again be cut in half as I try to settle in with my new husband and try to adapt to a married life and try to adjust to a new situation with the holidays approaching.

Jack was playing with Mom in the backyard when I got home so he had to have a bath before he could come in for the night since he was going down to the reunion with us the next day. He, as always, enjoyed his bath and we both turned in early.

Overwhelmed With Wedding Plans

I don't know how faithful I will be with a blog, but I've had a blog for a while and have never done anything with it so I figured it was time to start. And since I'm planning my wedding it might give me a little reprieve now and then from the stress of everything.

I've been engaged about two months now, and I'm still reeling from the fact than in about five months I'll be a "Mrs.". I'm so excited that I found the best man I think I could have to get married to. Mike and I are both very excited to start our lives together and having children of our own. Although we might have our hands full with two dogs since Jack is moving out with us and he wants a puppy for Christmas. Which is fine with me, as long as he trains it. He decided he wants one of the hardest dog breeds to train so he'll have his work cut out for him.

We are still unsure of which house we'll be moving into after the wedding, he would still prefer the three story house to the four story house but I don't really care either way. As long as we have enough rooms for our children when we have them.

We've booked our reception hall and photographer. I'm still looking at bouquets before I contact the florist to get a general idea of what I'd like before I make an appointment. It'll save time in the long run. Melinda has been a tremendous help with this and sent me a few links with really good ideas, and I found a bouquet I really liked on one site, with a few slight altercations.

We're hoping everything will run smooth until August when I have to get my dress fitted so we can be ready for our photos in September. We're hoping that by getting on top of things now we won't be so stressed as the big day approaches. It doesn't seem as if it can get here fast enough, but with the way the year is passing November, 27th will be here before we know it.