The wedding, again

Some pictures from Jeff... we've seen just a few so far and can't wait for the rest! I still need to get my hands on all the ones my aunts took.

As you'll see, Jeff and Corinna did an outstanding job. We were lucky to have two great photographers on hand to capture such a truly stunning day. The sky could not have been blue-er. And although it was cold taking all those shots outside, it was worth it!

Jeff showed me this next one on the camera right after the ceremony and I couldn't wait to see a bigger version. I sure wish Justin and I had one like it! There is definitely something to be said for a wedding with so much natural light!

Could they look any happier?! And how about all that fall color? 

I'm trying not to be jealous about these, because at my wedding (also held at a gorgeous country club, and only three days earlier in the year... perfect day for a perfect fall wedding, right?)--it rained from start to finish--which goes to show you can plan everything but the weather. In this case, Jason and Steph sure got lucky, and I'm so thankful.

(Cute side story, while we were out taking pictures, my mom said two different times, once with tears in her eyes... "Casey, I'm so sorry, you deserved a day like this!" I assured her that it was still a great day and things have worked out pretty well since!)

Now the newlyweds are back from their honeymoon and settling into real, married life... I remember loving that part! Everything is so fun and new, and no one has to go home at night. :) 

Happy Birthday Justin!

Today Justin is 28. I know this isn't the clearest picture, but there's something I love about it... it looks like a throwback, and it was taken on a really good day. His spirit comes through. And as long as I'm being sappy talking about things like his spirit, I'm going to take an idea from Kara Graves and what she did for Josh's birthday a few months ago--here is a list of the 28 very best things about my hubs.

1. His sense of humor... and how he makes everyone laugh

2. How much he appreciates my cooking, and always says he can taste the love in everything I make

3. His trustworthy-ness

4. His heart for serving others, no matter the time of day or the scope of the problem

5. How he takes care of me

6. His quiet, unassuming leadership skills

7. Those blue, blue eyes

8. His diehard love for the Tigers

9. How he desires to always be a better person

10. His appreciation for simple pleasures... a walk around the neighborhood, s'mores by a bonfire, reading in the hammock

11. How he makes me feel like the "most beautiful girl in the world." Not sure how I tricked him, but he seems to really believe this is true!

12. His sense of pride in taking care of the things God has given us

13. How he loves to play games, and never lets me win

14. Our shared love (and understanding) of "Disney Magic." Can't wait to share this with our kiddos!

15. His appreciation for history, and sense of patriotism

16. The way kids (of all ages) love him, and relate to him, and trust him

17. His humble-ness

18. How he calls my mom and uses fake voices, and I can hear her laugh through the phone

19. His million freckles

20. His desire to see the world

21. His ambition to further his education, and how hard he's working

22. How he always says "vehicle" instead of car

23. How special he makes me feel on a daily basis

24. His love for the Lord

25. His minimalist approach to life, and independence from conformity

26. How good he looks in a shirt and tie

27. His appreciation of the Earth, from the vastness of the ocean to the beauty of a crisp fall day

28. How I know (and have known, and been excited to see, for 7 years) that he will be the Best. Dad. Ever.

Happy birthday bud... you're the best!

Steph and Jason are MARRIED!

Yesterday was Stephanie and Jason's wedding. It was a beautiful, perfect fall day... and I have no pictures to share. I didn't take my camera out once the whole weekend. However, I'm procrastinating on a big design project right now (not a smart idea because I have to finish it by tomorrow), so I thought I'd do a quick recap anyway.

Rehearsal was Thursday. It went well, and we had a fun, relaxing dinner at Kruse and Muer. Three courses over three hours (plus bread, of course) and we had to roll ourselves home. I love rehearsal dinners. This is time shared with the small group of people you love most, enjoying some seriously simple pleasures--fine food and good company. What could be better? No nerves, no pressure, just kick up your feet and drink in the moment. It's a great part of the wedding experience.

Friday was a day of errands. Justin worked on the ceremony most of the evening while I ran around getting jewelry and gifts, cleaning the house, packing necessities, etc. Stephanie got a manicure and I think actually managed to relax on her last day as an Arnett.

Saturday morning, bright and early, I headed to my hair appointment. Justin dropped me off and then went to Panera to go over his notes. Appointment time was 8am, I was scheduled for a 40-minute time slot, and we (both) had to be at Cherry Creek at 9am to get dressed and begin pictures at 9:30. Now, I was leery about my hair, because when I booked the appointment I said I wanted a simple, down style and was then told the stylist would wash and dry it. I called back on Friday to verify there would be time for this and was assured it is normal protocol for "down" hair. So I got there on time, informed her of my schedule, and she washed, dried, curled, and finally began to do some pinning. I said, "You know, I feel like I've been here awhile... what time is it?" She checked and said "9:12." I almost had a heart attack on the spot. It was the instant, panicked feeling of oversleeping... while awake. I said, "I have to leave right this second," and literally threw money on the counter and ran out the door. Did I mention I had no makeup on? We got to Cherry Creek at 9:30 (half of my makeup done at this point, at the expense of powder, bronzer and blush now covering the car), and as soon as I entered the girls dressing room I started crying because there was EVERYONE else, all ready, and Steph already in her dress. Luckily, she and my mom both seemed still to love me, so I rushed to finish, and in the end everything worked out. But seriously, how can anyone be late to their own sister's wedding? The matron of honor and officiant/groomsman, no less? I felt awful.

After that glitch, everything was smooth sailing. Pictures went well, the weather could not have been more perfect for a fall day, Stephanie was radiant, and both the ceremony and reception went off without a hitch. Justin was a complete stud and did an awesome job. I know it was Steph and Jason's day, but I felt like the real (secret) winner getting to go home with him at the end of it all. :) 

Hopefully I'll find some pictures to share soon. In the meantime, congrats to the newly minted Mr. and Mrs!

Our best four years

Today is our fourth anniversary. I am a veeeery sentimental person, so anniversaries for me inevitably end up being a time to re-live the day in my mind (for example, four years ago right now all the girls in my family were decorating at Glen Oaks, etc.). I will continue to do this throughout the day, right up until 7:00 when I walked down the aisle on my dad's arm and met Justin at the end. The next few hours have become a bit of a blur, but there are many memories of small, individual moments that will, once again, bring a smile to my face.

However, having said all this, I realize more and more every year how little a wedding really is in the grand scheme. Yes, ours was fabulous down to the last detail, and I might even do it all again... but it pales in comparison to the life we've built together since that day. It has exceeded my expectations in every way!

Soo... kinda cheesy, but here's a "toast" to the next one year, and four years, and 10 and 20 years, courtesey our favors (laboriously handmade by my mom). I love you, bud!

Customer service

As I type this, I have been on hold with AT&T for nearly 70 minutes. I'm trying to make some changes to our phone/internet/TV package in an attempt to SIMPLIFY our lives, and apparently they are experiencing a high call volume. This is even more annoying because approximately 75 minuts ago, after waiting on hold for only 15 minutes, a woman named Connie answered and said "How can I help you?" When I told her, she said, "Just one second while I access your account," and then immediately the line went dead. Now, I'm not trying to imply that Connie hung up on me, but I know it was not my fault! Then I called back and have waited 70 minutes since.

The problem is, after being on hold for even just 10 minutes, you've invested your time, and then you feel like that time will be wasted if you hang up. So you persist, and another 10 minutes go by, and eventually so many 10-minute segments that you make your way to 70 before a nice guy answers the phone and promptly says he has to transfer you to someone who can handle your problem. This time I said "If this call is disconnected... YOU call ME back!" :)

During the 70 minutes I was at least productive... I made the previously mentioned chicken pot pie and put it in the oven, did some laundry, and now I'm typing this blog, which is long overdue. So I can't be too angry. Justin has been working on the basement all day and I'm happy to report it is almost ready for paint. In fact, the small room will be painted this weekend so we can begin moving furniture around. We've been getting things done.

But back to AT&T. We have all our utilities through AT&T--home phone, cable (Dish Network), high speed DSL, and most recently, wireless. It's already pretty simple, and generally I love its customer service. As I've continued to type, a woman who has proved herself INCREDIBLY helpful got on the line, suggested better changes than the ones I called to request, and actually dropped our bill by $40/month. With that being said, the 70 minutes (actually 88, now that the problems have been solved) were well worth the trouble. It makes me wonder what other calls I can make to "simplify" things and just how simple they then can get. Hmmm... I have some research to do.

But first, it's time for the chicken pot pie.