Two weeks...

Today is the 2 week mark for the wedding! Nerves are definitley getting to myself and I am sure Cole as well. Then again, I'm not too sure about his nerves... Him and the boys left for their dirt biking, 4-wheeling bachelor party up in Stonyford early yesterday morning. I have been unable to contact any of the guys yet, but I'm sure they had a blast.

Everything for the wedding is really coming together. We are running out of things to do pretty quick! We will be busy as heck the day before and that morning, but until then there isn't all that much to do. I wouldn't mind being finished with the planning, but it makes for a very boring day at work.

Right now, we are working on all the little "extras". Possible hotel room in Yountville the night of the wedding...? Trading the truck for a more economical car...? I don't know. Just trying to keep busy and make money anywhere possible. I'm pretty sure at this point if we had the wedding tomorrow, we are pretty prepared. Other than all the orders not being in, but I'm ready. Haha.

I have the opportunity to be car sales. Doesn't sound like I good plan to you? Well, hours would increase, I would be garunteed at least a $1500 a month salary and I'm going to have nothing but time after May 25th so I might as well stay as busy as possible. I only have to pay for a $55 license to be able to sell cars, ironically I can't afford to pay for the license that will potentially make me thousands more per month. Go figure.

Back on topic.. We met with Jermaine, the pastor from First Christian, the other day. I enjoted it. It was fun and challenging! Not sure if Cole felt the same way, but it wasnt all that bad. We still have to go back for more "marriage counseling" three more times, but I don't mind. As long as we can get it done by the 9th!

So, I have estimated about 3 hours spent editing and adding/removing from my Target Registry. Sounds useful, but not when I don't think anyone has actually looked at it yet. Haha, oh well. I can at least pretend like I want all those things, right?

The more I think about Cole leaving the more torn up I get. Just writing about it on here is tortuous. There is no turning back now. He is leaving and I'm going to have to deal with it. I guess I'll get use to writing a lot of letters and expecting very few, if any replies. I know he won't have time to write me, let alone be allowed to call. Seems to foreign. I went a whole day without talking to him and I feel lonely.... Oh well, gotta practice now!

Yep, it's actually happening!

Hear some rumors?? Oh, I bet you did!! And yes, they are probably true! Unless it was the one about me streaking... which is NOT true. Kidding... Anyways, the date IS set! May 9th!!! The location is for sure, the dress is done, the food is done, the flowers, decorations and well... almost everything!

I was really trying to put writing a blog entry until I knew for sure what was happening with the Army. Basically, I have been given the opportunity to join. Yes, all this time of fighting the system and I have finally won. But wait... I'm getting MARRIED. I will be a WIFE! Can I be a good wife to an Army husband and be in the Army as well? Can I?!? I'm starting to think no. I'm begininng to think that my priority will be staying safe and have a welcoming home to my Army man. Besides, through our benefits, I'll be able to go to college! I can be a nurse! Or a medic! Or... I don't know! Anything! So maybe it's a good trade. Being a wife and being educated. Honestly, I want nothing more than to be a wonderful wife and someone he is proud of.

So, I've finally been given the opportunity and now it is my decision to decline. Crazy, huh? All this time of fighting and I've found I have bigger priorities. Love changes life and life changes daily.

The wedding! Is going great! I am run absolutely ragged %90 of the day, but things are really coming together! I got to take beautiful pictures today with Mima (Judy) and Dove! The wedding dress pictures we definitely a struggle for me... it's hard to feel pretty and confident when your out of your element and needing to stay so still. The artsy, half-nude, american flag pictures were a ball! I LOVE them and I can't wait for Cole to see them.

Hunter and I are currently in the works of Cole's bachelor party! It's not a strip club, not hooters and not Vegas, but the boys will have a blast! Cheap too!
My party on the other hand is non-existant. I am having a bridal shower! But not a bachelorette party, which is totally fine. I am busy planning other things any how. I did win a "pampering party" through Davids Bridal/Mary Kay. They will be coming to my house Saturday night to give myself and my friends facials, hand and lip treatments. This is a party for my friends who can not be in the bridal party. I totally understand money restraints and I know it's hard for them to pay for dresses, so instead, a free party at home!!

Hmm, what else. We are still unsure of a photographer. If it's doable or even worth it. To me, it kinda is. I'd hate to not have those "once in a lifetime" photos, but I think we will survive. I probably only think that way because I am a photographer and obsessed with getting the "perfect picture".

As the wedding gets closer I am sure I will update more. I feel the need to vent more and more often...

OUCH!

 

I think something just hit me in the face!! Oh wait… no, no… It was just life…

I don’t really feel like blogging about everything tonight. I feel like I have already blog-blabbed enough to almost ruin things… Things are definitely moving forward with the Army and the wedding. Looks like both are happening.

Don’t get my wrong. I am EXCITED!!! But between a new high-stress job that has become full-time, trying to join the Army without getting disqualified for medical fraud and planning a wedding, things are getting HECTIC!! They are all things I want. Things I have always wanted, actually. I am so excited I think I am stressing myself out more. I am a person who feeds off of stress. Someone who needs stress to keep motivation. Well, here it is… a nice steaming platter of stress. I’m not going to lie. I enjoy it. Tasty.

So, the date is almost set. The budget is becoming more of a sad reality and less of a fantasy and there seems like every second I eliminate a costly factor another 10 factors weasel their way in.

We have a location, which is great! I am excited about it. I think we are going to end up having to conduct the ceremony inside, which is not really what I had ever had in mind, but due to budget restraints and a desolate location, indoors is best.

I have so many ideas that are flowing, but I’d hate to spoil the surprise for everyone. Oh, come on? Tell you? Well… okay!

No. I don’t want to speak to soon and I don’t want to ruin such a big, beautiful experience for all my lovely, honored guests!

Cole and I had a discussion today about registering at maybe one store. He first had to ask what a registry was and once I explained he got to run around the store with a scan gun the look on his face at least seemed like he was increasingly interested… We have yet to register and still aren’t sure whether we will. Cole leaves May 25th and I will most likely leave shortly after. Neither of us will be done with school until December where we will then move onto post and have most everything provided. So, what is there to register for? I have no clue.

I have been looking around at honeymoon locations and discovered out of the country is not an option. I don’t have a passport. And since the wedding is so close there is no way I could obtain one. So, next option? Yosemite!!! Oh wait.. they book a year in advance. Hmm… maybe Monterey?? Oh! I possibility! There are plenty of things to do in Monterey! So, that is my tentative plan, but I am sure something will come up and we will be back where we started.

I do need to get something clear. VERY clear. There have been rumors spreading around that the only reason I am joining the Army and getting married is because I am jealous of my sister, Ashley and the fact she just had her baby. First of all, for those who know me well, know that I have always thought of the military as being my first choice for a career. I have always dreamed of making a difference in the world we live in and couldn’t think of a better way than to serve in the U.S Armed Forces.

Second, I love Cole. Anyone who has seen us together can understand that. We are inseparable, indescribable, best friends, lovers and sole mates. We are not together to make heads turn, we aren’t together to prove something, we are together for the same reason that you and your spouse are today, love. Love, trust, loyalty, faithfulness, caring, understanding and Cole really is the best friend I have ever had.

Third, I feel no reason to be jealous of my sister. I love her daughter with all my heart, but I know how hard it is for Ashley to balance life between her own parents, grandparents, Andrew, friends and keeping herself sane. I love Ashley and that’s why I am not jealous of her. I am happy for her.

So, if you want, feel free to call me jealous and immature, but I am trying to start a life for myself and Cole that many do not have the opportunity to do. I want to do things right, as he does and we want to honor those who have helped us a long the way.

OH GOODNESS! This has become WAY longer and in depth than I ever imagined. I am tired and speaking from the sleepy part of my heart. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, demanding or rude, but I am sure as any bride can understand, life it getting CRAZY. 

Building a Life

It's amazing to finally be in the position I have always, always dreamed of. It's so close I can taste it, but far enough away I am scared to jump to fast...

I found out last Wednesday that I am eligible to go to MEPS. It was the most exciting news I had heard in months. Not only am I eligible, my test score was high enough for me to obtain any job, including the available medic position.
I am currently waiting on my "dirty prescreen" which means I went and got every document ever written on my elbow from the last year and a very detailed letter from my doctor saying my elbow has no issues and will not have any future hinderance. After my dirty prescreen comes back on Wednesday I will be eligible to go to MEPS Thursday/Friday. I will have a orthopedist look at my elbow while I am there and if he is unsure whether I am fit for service or not I will then go to a "consult" and speak to an Army hired civilian doctor, he will then decide whether I am disqualified or eligible for service.

So, hopefully by this time next week I will be sworn into the Army as a medic, leaving for BCT (basic combat training) August 30th, 2010.

Now, more news. Depending on what the Army says (whether or not I am ready) Cole and I are planning the wedding. If I get sworn in we will be gettieng married May 9th. Yes, MAY 9TH!! Which would make it 3 weeks from the time we know for sure. If I am not accepting and I am temporarily disqualified from enlisting we will wait until he returns from BCT in early August.

Is this a dream or what?? Military, Medic, Mariage... it really is. I just hope things continue working out for us.

The Davids Bridal $99 dress sale ends tomorrow and since I worked everday this weekend Misty, my dad and Lindsey took my there Friday night. I had a VERY hard time deciding between two dresses. It's really hard to pick a dress that doesn't fit. It killed me, but at the same time, it may have been the only reason I liked it. I don't think it mattered either way, I am definitley happy with my choice, but I think I would have been happy either the way. So I DO need to get it altered to fit. The other dress I was looking at was $399, but it didn't need to be altered or changed in anyway. The dress I bought only cost $99, but it does need to be taken in a little. So it was a toss up either way, I'm sure the price will end up being the same either way.

Other than my dress, I haven't gotten anything! I have been speaking with the cake decorator the past two days trying to find something in my "western, american, army" theme I am going for, but I am sure I will go with something very traditional.

My plan for the wedding:

4pm- Guest arrive for a pre-ceremony outdoor bbq with Cole and I before preparing ourselves for the ceremony (guests are welcome to arrive even earlier to play with horses in the arena and trail course at the Napa Valley Horsemans)
7:30pm- As the sun begins to set we will begin our outdoor ceremony
8:00pm- Guests will go inside after ceremony the hall at the Horsemans and enjoy coffee, dessert, cake, karaoke, music, alcohol, etc.
The End!

So, I am hoping I can do this all VERY low budget. Right now Cole and I can't even afford to get rings, so instead of asking for wedding gifts, we are going to ask for people to help us set up for the wedding! If your good with flowers, sound systems, setting up chairs, organizing a food line for a bbq or even cooking hotdogs and hamburgers let me know!

We have no honeymoon planned. We figure the money is better spent on our guests experience at our wedding and making sure we are able to afford what we already have planned.

I have ALWAYS wanted to have a "Lion Dance" at my wedding. It is Chinese tradition. I understand I am not Chinese... I know I know, but it something that I have always watched and I have always wanted to be a part of my life. I found a group in S.F. that will do the dance for $1000, so my next months pay checks will go towards saving for the dance. Maybe they give military discounts...?