Singin' in the Rain...just singin' in the rain...

...what a wonderful feeling, I'm biking in the rain!

Check out the local newpaper and Fox News stories.
Also, here are some pics from the Postbulletin and my camera.

Now I understand the meaning behind calling off a game for rain. When they say the fields are flooded, the fields are flooded.

So, the high school students got let out of school to save the town.

The water levels kept rising and rising. Thankfully, I live on the south side where we didn't get quite as much rain (probably 1/2" less)

...and through it all...I was biking... :-) 

I spent most of my day drying off from my wet commute.

In 12...11...10 MONTHS!!!

Ten months from today, Thomas and I will be saying our vows, and all of this wedding planning will be complete (if it isn't, it will have to be) and we'll be on our way to forming a marriage that will take conscious efforts from both of us to preserve our union each and every day.

With that said, fall is now upon us, and there are other areas that I (or Thomas) have made progress in. 

Accessories: Many of you know me personally, meaning that you likely have seen the extent to which I accessorize. (I'm thinking, Remember the Titans: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlxDCyVFgew. All you have to know is that I went by "Sheryl" when I was a little girl.) So, between now and Christmas, I will be discussing my options with those whom are more knowledgeable in this arena than myself.

Decorations: The ideas for the centerpieces have been completed, and most of the necessary items have been collected for their construction. I am still in limbo about the (floral) arrangements for pews and windows at the church, but I have not forgotten about it as a possible necessity. Through this whole process, however, I'm learning that ribbon works wonders.

DJ: This category will be completed as soon as Thomas and I settle on the reception hall. Anyone have any connections? If not, I have a few leads...

The Last Day of Summer 2010

...so the autumnal equinox is tonight: September 22, 11:09 P.M. EDT.
What a day for it to rain...and have the power go out. That's the first time I've lost power since moving to Rochester, MN.


With the last day of summer, there is much for me to do in the next three seasons - autumn, winter, and spring. The good news is that most of bigger pieces have been put in place meaning that it is a matter of fitting all of the small pieces into the puzzle.



Counseling and Church
On other fronts, Thomas and I have worked through the official premarital counseling with our pastor prior to each of us finding our respective homes in MN. This August, we decided to finish a book we started a previous summer, "Love and Respect" by Eggerichs. Every Sunday when Thomas is in Rochester, we set aside time before or after church to read and discuss a chapter of the book. Upon completing L&R, "Christian Living in the Home" was suggested to us by my older brother and his wife. So, we will read that book too. Depending on how fast we progress through those publications, we might embark on the Fireproof series. Amidst our readings, we are also searching for a church that will foster spiritual growth for us as a couple and as individuals. Please pray for us as we establish a solid foundation through Jesus Christ on which to build our marriage.

Happy Birthdays!!!

Both of my brothers, Mark and Paul, were born 25 and 17 years ago respectively.

Happy Birthday boys!!!

Feel free to post comments and questions on this site...

Please consult the website before bombarding me/us with questions because most of the information you need and/or want to know will be posted there. Also, we are open to suggestions for our wedding and more importantly for our marriage, but please remember that Thomas and I will ultimately decide which route to pursue.
Thanks. I hope you're all having a blast!

To leave comment without using your gmail account, click on "comments," then choose "OpenID." Type your name (ex. Shirley B.) and proceed to type your comment/question.

Details, details: the plans thus far.

So, here are the items that are currently planned:

• Cake: Thomas' Aunt Dianne
• Church: Pillar Church (57 East 10th St., Holland, MI  49423, http://www.pillarchurch.com/)
• Colors: horizon & mermaid (blue and seafoam-ish green, like Ariel's tail)
• Date: 7/23/2011 (a prime date for a wedding, lol)
• Dresses: David's Bridal
• Flowers: blue hydrangeas
• Invitations: Shirley's mom, Linda Bradley (and friends?)
• Music: Friends
• Pastor: Pastor Herb VanderBilt, ENUMC
• Photos: Terri Gillis (http://terrigillisphotography.com/)
• Tuxedos: Men's Wearhouse
• Time: morning wedding, pictures after the ceremony, afternoon/evening reception (yes, there will be dancing)
• Wedding Party: 5 groomsmen + 5 bridesmaids (including Best man and Maid of Honor) + Ushers, flower-girl, ring bearer, and other helpers.

Through this whole process, you'll probably notice an inconsistent use of pronouns. It's a formality that isn't official until the day of, but switching from "me," "my," and "I" to "us," "our," and "we" is proving to be quite the hurdle.




Engagement pictures: Thomas and I got our engagement pictures taken while we were in Michigan this past weekend. We won't see the proofs for another week or so, but it is safe to say that at least a few of them will end up on this site.

Reception Hall: Thomas and I looked at two reception halls this weekend. We will likely be booking it this week or next. Regardless of which place we choose, we should end up on the north end of Grand Rapids, just north of the Grand River.

Wedding dress: While in Michigan this past weekend, I lost Thomas and met up with friends (some whom did not go with me on previous trips) and we went to David's Bridal. I will be ordering my dress this week. As far as which dress I'm wearing to the wedding, you'll have to ask me in person because it will not be publicized. Sorry Thomas. :-)

...almost halfway through our engagement

So, Thomas and I got engaged on January 16, 2010. Now that September is over half over, there are nearly 10 months left before Thomas and I open up a new chapter of our lives. After receiving the idea to blog about the "works of the wonderful wedding and beyond" from my newly-wed sister-in-law and since a lot of people have expressed interest in the process, I decided to create this blog.

I will post information here throughout the next 10 months about the wedding planning. Admittedly, some information will remain secret until the day of, but the big picture stuff will all be posted here (in an ideal world of course).