Reflections

I have some time to kill and it’s been awhile since I blogged. What a better excuse to right?

Currently I’m sitting in my dorm room at Colorado State University. No, I didn’t enroll suddenly. This next year I’m cosponsoring the student council at school. This week there is a “Boot Camp” for future leaders and their sponsors. I started out the morning all over the place. I couldn’t find where I needed to go then I couldn’t find my students, my name tag, or my room. It was a zoo. I kept texting the other sponsor asking her what she got me into. When I was finally able to settle in a little more with the other sponsors I found myself relaxing and really learning. I’ve already happily taken a page of notes and I’ve only been to 2 sessions - lots of good things for the upcoming school year! Tonight I have to look forward to this wonderful room I’m in with a two separate twin beds, a bathroom the size of a closet, totally bare, and I think even smaller than my dorm room. My worry is that I may roll off the bed at one point. I sure will miss Dan though. I’ve gotten used to having him there every night.

Married life has been great. We’ve been married exactly a month today. I finally picked my pictures from the wedding we want our photographer to print. I’m so anxious to get them. I need to get thank you cards out – I promise they will be sent out before my birthday, we just had a little glitch with them. Most of my stuff has been changed over to my new name, although I still have to get used to that. I had to go to the doctor’s office the other day (no I’m not pregnant for anyone who got that idea)and when asked my name I said my maiden name – which is fine because my insurance card is still in that name, but I stumbled. I’m getting it though! The students that are with me keep trying and forgetting my married name. One said “I don’t care! It’s not going to happen.” Ha ha! But my papers all came in so legally its changed. Last things I need to change are my credit and bank cards. Everything else is just about done. Although I’m sure there will be little ones here and there. It all went really easy.

To be honest though, I think part of me put off blogging for a little while. Obviously, living in Colorado, there’s a lot of thoughts going round about Aurora and I think I was almost scared to blog. I do want to touch a little about it. That horrific night I was having a hard time sleeping. Dan had taken his little brother and his friend to the Batman marathon which concluded with the premier. I rolled over thinking too much to see a Facebook post about a shooting at the premier. I don’t know if I was not in the right mind set, but I didn’t see where at first. I was sick. I sprang up and searched where it was. I got out of bed a little before 3 after reading all that I could about it. The news was on and already at the movie theatre. I texted my friends I new were at the show, but at a different theatre insisting they text me when they were home. I then text a friend I knew lived in Aurora. “…Please tell me you didn’t go see dark knight in Aurora. Tell me you’re okay!” was the message I sent him. I was sick. I passed the floor watching the news and looking out the window for Dan. I knew he and the boys were fine, but I just needed to see them. When they walked through the door they were all a little stunned to see me awake and I was very happy to see them. Their faces fell when they saw the news on the TV. The whole thing was just heart breaking and stunning. Somehow we managed to turn off the TV and go to bed for a bit. My friend texted me back about 5am saying he had to work at 6 and was fine – thank God! My friend in Canada texted me shortly after to see if I was okay – I couldn’t believe it became international news that quickly. This act of evil is horrific and frightening. My thoughts and prayers go out to each person affect by this. Around Colorado and where I grew up (about 15 minutes from Columbine) anything like this seems to open up old wounds. It hurts to see friends struggle with this. As soon as something like this happens, the Columbine shootings are brought up. It’s hard to think about. Life is so precious. I’ve had to turn off the news and force myself to not click on news reports – it is all too sad.

As Dan’s Mom said, I was relieved he was okay, but then I almost felt guilty. Someone lost a husband, a son, a daughter, a friend and here I am feeling thankful that everyone I know is okay. Above all, hug your loved ones, be thankful they are with you, and remember those lost.

Paperwork

No one tells you the paperwork that goes with getting married – at least for the bride! We now have 2 pieces of paper for our marriage license and then I have a paper to confirm a new social security card is coming, a paper saying a driver’s license is coming, and a new credit card coming all with my new name.  Organization is key.

I’ve been doing the check lists of everything that needs to be changed.  Next step is at work. I have the paperwork ready to go, just need my social security card to change that. The biggest help has been a blog I found via pintrest.This post is all about after the wedding. Many things I didn’t even think about! Also was a good place to start with changing my name. She is very right about finding your maiden name in a lot of places randomly. My mom even pointed out that my voicemail still had my maiden name. She of course then left a message saying that she had the wrong number after I changed it.

I also need to change my bank information to reflect my new name.  Honestly, I think Danial and I did the money thing right, we joined our money together right before we got engaged. Combining money was a little hard at first because it was a little hard to go from budgeting for one to budgeting for 2. The hardest for me was letting go of control. Danial is an accountant so of course he really needs to be in charge of the finances. I really love that we found the roles with the money right away so that as a married couple we already have that foundation. It also made it really easy to save and spend for the wedding. That I would say would be my biggest tip for brides: figure out money as soon as you get engaged or before! Your life as a bride and a new wife (and your groom) will be so much easier that way.

Right now, my biggest role is “suzy homemaker”. As a teacher I work hard for 9.5 months out of the year (as a theatre teacher I have some close to 60 hour weeks) and have about 3 months off to recoup. When we have kids I think I’ll love having that 24 hour time with them. For now though I get to hang out, run errands, keep the house clean, cook, and bake. Sometimes the lazy side of me comes out during breaks where the couch is my best friend for the whole day, other times I am all about cooking and cleaning. My grandparents on my mom’s side got us a kitchen aid mixer for our wedding present and so baking right now is a LOT of fun for me. Not so good on the waist line though. I’m enjoying being a housewife right now and not ready for it to end, but I know come August I’ll be very ready to be back at work.

I’m still trying to find normal again though. Right before the wedding I had a very good routine with getting up, working out, and starting the day. I haven’t worked out since the week of the wedding! I REALLY need to get back to the gym, but with trying to find a normal in the apartment, seeing some people, and trying to wait in lines early for paperwork it’s been a little hard. And yes, some excuses have come in as well. My goal is to get back in the routine by the end of the week.  And hopefully I can start getting some cards and paperwork done by the end of next week!

 My name is legally changed though and now it’s just waiting for cards to come in to complete everything else. My goal is to have it ALL done before I start back up at work on August 16. We’ll see.

Holiday, Honeymoon, and Normal

Well Danial and I have now celebrated our first holiday as a married couple. For the 4^th of July we started the day at the parade, it was a little disappointing – a lot of walking advertisements and not a lot of floats. I think Dan and I decided we’re going to hold off on the parade until we have kids. Dan then took me out to breakfast – a nice treat with my husband. Then a few friends came over and we played in the pool most of the day. I kept laughing because the adults seemed to be playing more than the kids were. We got out of the pool, had some dinner, and then headed over to the jail to watch some fireworks! Believe it or not, the best place to watch fireworks all over northern Colorado and the Stampede ones as well is behind the jail at this open field. It was a lot of fun. The Greeley Stampede fireworks were a lot better this year. So it was successful, although I wasn’t concerned about it. I hated that Dan had to go back to work the next day though.

I think I got a little spoiled after our wedding. Dan had the whole week off after our wedding off and it was so nice to have him around. We right away went off to Vegas the Sunday morning after our wedding and we were there until early Thursday. We had so much fun in Las Vegas! We saw so much stuff, but I still feel like we miss some stuff. My absolute favorite part of our trip was our amazing dinner at the Eiffel Tower restaurant. Dan decided that we needed to celebrate together just the two of us. Although it was a little pricey, it was DELICIOUS! Probably one of the best meals I’ve ever had, which is saying something considering how great of a cook my mom is. Plus the atmosphere didn’t hurt nor the view of the Bellagio fountains. It was so nice just to sight see with Dan and relax with him. I really feel like I learned even more about him on that trip and even fell in love with him more. I’m not even totally sure what it was the made me feel that way – it was just really nice.

When we got home it was time to figure things. Where was everything supposed to go? We were so spoiled with all of our wedding presents! We had stuff all over our apartment. We even bought some things to add to the madness! We did really well working together to put our apartment together. I am actually really proud of it to. As I told my mom, we have a very “adult” apartment. I was so glad we had a few days to do that after coming back from our honeymoon. That way we could find normal again before Dan went back to work.

My mom asked me how it felt to be married over a week and I thought about it (and thought about it after I answered to) and said “It feels normal.” And it really does. It feels a little different and calling Dan my husband instead of my fiancée or my boyfriend is taking some time for me to get used to. But it feels normal to be married to Dan – it feels right. That has to be good!  I love the man very much! I’m very excited for our life ahead of us. And hopefully many vacations to come!

The plate infront of us when we sat down

Our View from the resturant

At the aquarium at Mandalay Bay

Our Wedding

Wow! Where did last week go? Dan and I have been married for a week and the days already! So let me catch up.

Thursday night I went out with my bridesmaids for a little bachelorette party! SO much fun! We went out for dinner and then went to a poll dancing class. I was a little worried, but I was pleasantly surprised by it. Our instructor focused on the strength of the workout and didn’t make it all about the naughtiness. It was a lot of fun! We went out for a little while afterwards, but the class really took it out of us! Danial and his groomsmen also went out on Thursday. He said they had a lot of fun. All I know is they bowled drank, and I think maybe watched some sports. No strippers! J

Friday was the rehearsal followed by dinner which I touched on in my previous post. It was awesome! And the rehearsal itself went quick. I did lose it a little at the venue – it was just nerves and everything coming up to a head.

Saturday I woke up excited and ready to get married. There were a few little things that made me nervous. The temperature was set to be 105 that day – although it didn’t get there. Our venue was nice enough to put out some water for free for the guest! So sweet! All of Mom’s cousins came for breakfast which was AWESOME! I loved that I got a little more time to just hang out with them. The bridesmaids came at noon for lunch along with some of Dan’s family and then everything was go go go. I didn’t keep with the calm bride very well, sadly. As soon as my veil went on I lost it – tears came. There were a few frustrations and change of plans leading up to the ceremony, but I felt so good when my dress was on and everything was finally coming together. I waited in my dressing room while everyone lined up so Dan and I had our moment as I walked down the aisle – the first time he saw me in my dress and all day. I caught a glimpse of his back as I peeked out. The feeling of waiting was unexplainable. Nerves, excitement, wonder, amazement – just everything went through my brain. When the bridal march started I took a deep breath and my Dad escorted me down. Looking at Dan in his tux was…wow! And he even got a little teary eyed. Our ceremony was quick, but beautiful. It was so nice to be married in front of all our friends and family. It was unbelievably perfect. We had some much fun taking pictures – which I’ll post when we get more than just previews. Our grand entrance with our bridal party was like a introduction at a football game – a total surprise for everyone, but me. Dan and many others loved it while others didn’t, but for me it was awesome to surprise my husband with something I knew he’d love.

The reception flew by, but was a BLAST! It seemed like everyone got up and danced and enjoyed. The first dances were a great way to kick that off. Dan and I started with Rascall Flatt’s “God Bless the Broken Road” and then he and his mom danced to Leanne Womack’s “I Hope You Dance.” I was SUPER pleased that everyone loved my dad and my dance though. This was the main surprise I talked about in my previous blog. My dad came up with the idea for us to do a mixed dance. As he put it “We’re not serious so why should we dance a slow song.” I’m hoping to be able to share a video soon. We choreographed a 3 minute dance and then called everyone out with us!

Our wedding was beautiful and we loved it. We really hope that our guests enjoyed it. We are really blessed to have everyone there.

                           

 I "stole" some pictures from my friend Kristi. This is rehearsal befores. She bought me the cutest balloon and put it on a starbucks that said "The Bride"!

Every girls dream - double doors open up to the aisle to your groom! Perfect!

We're married!!! Best feeling and day of my life!