Our Wedding :-)

finally...finally...the wedding we've all been waiting for!

When we'll settled we'll post all the details and more pictures. For now though, these will have to do. Enjoy :-)

Lots to tell...

Im going to start by talking about a fabulous bridal shower held last week on the 16 by Julie S. It was a lot of fun with good food and great friends :-) Im really lucky to have such awesome people in my life. Thanks to all who came! 

Mark got into town on the 23rd...sorry to everyone who I told he was coming in late on the 24. It was a little surprise which went over well with all! I am really glad he is finally here and am excited to spend time with him, my family, his family! We have a lot planned; beach day trip, DC sight seeing, dates, etc. Madeline (my youngest sister) was set apart in her little youth group of girls. My dad went up as well as Mark. It was really to have him participate in it. I am so glad he is here and that he was able to help out. Hopefully I'll update again this week, but if not definitely after THE WEDDING (5 days and counting!!!!) 

Family Bridal and AIT graduation

I have not been the best at updating. Oops. Mark graduated AIT on the 14-he is now an "official" member of the United States Army! I am so proud of him. He is so great and patient in dealing with me. He comes to Maryland in 8 days and we get married in 15 days (Wahoo! We're so close!) I am been kinda poopy though because I miss him so much and just want to be next to him, cuddling. Soon enough. I am so grateful for him and that he is in my life!

Last Saturday my Aunt Sue and Grandma through me a fabulous family bridal shower. It was so much fun to be able to see cousins that I do not get to see daily. We got some fun gifts...including a belgian waffle maker, beautiful salad and dinner plates, an iron, etc. Below are some pictures. Thank you so much!

Its getting hotTER!

Today I went and had a trial run of my "wedding hair updo!" It took about an hour and I am really excited that the wedding is only 24 days away!! I don't know what it is but yesterday was by far one of the hardest days. I am so proud of Mark for doing basic and AIT so that we can have a better life, but I would give just about anything for a hug from him!

Mark graduates from AIT on the 14 and is driving home with his sister, Amy, and her husband, Randy, on the 15 (at least that is the plan as of now.)

On a random side note, these are my wedding shoes. Pretty huh?

Is it here yet?

After much anticipation, I am home. LOL. My stuff joined Mark's stuff in our "first home" (aka: storage unit) on Friday. Grades are posted, needless to say I am in awe and very happy with my grades (4 A's and 2 B's).

As I was sitting in the Salt Lake airport Wednesday afternoon, one of the flight attendants announced our flight was delayed an hour and fifteen minutes. Ok, not a huge deal, I can do that. About ten minutes we were suppose to board, she came back over the PA and announced we now had a 3 1/2 hour delay (due to weather at the BWI airport) and we would be moving gates. Oh what fun! Alright, it wasn't that bad (I ran into Al Jackson and two of his kids actually). So instead of getting in at 8:20, I landed about 11:45 and due to the rain and bad weather, the bags slowly came in. 

On Thursday I went with my mom, Nancy and my good/keep me sane friend Rachel to order the flowers. For the main flowers (for my bouquet and the bridesmaids bouquets) we went with a purple hydrangea (aka: peru purple). I am so excited for these flowers; when I saw them on the front of a wedding magazine I knew I wanted those.

Today, I met with the photographer, Holly. She is nice, easy to work with, has great work (from what I've seen at least. Check out her website, WWW.HOLLYHOCKSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM) Things are coming together nicely. I can't believe that we are 5 weeks from Mark and I's wedding! So exciting. 

Mark's AIT training is going well. I definitely like it more because I can talk to him in the evening which is great and i love it! He graduates August 14 (wahoo!) and comes to Maryland on the 24 (again Wahoo!!)

Home of the free because of the brave

I just got back from Oklahoma. I absolutely loved it! This is how my trip went: Tuesday, I left Rexburg at 9:30 on the shuttle. After having to pull over a handful of times because the bus was over heating, we switched vans in Brigham City and continued on. I got to Salt Lake about an hour and a half before my flight left. I flew to New Mexico where I stayed for about 30 minutes. Then I flew to Dallas. My flight was delayed about 40 minutes. By 11pm I had finally landed in Oklahoma City! Marks mom, sister and I drove to Lawton/Ft. Sill area (which is about an hour and a half drive). By the time we got to the hotel it was about 12:30/1am ish. I was exhausted.

Wednesday was family day. The soldiers marched in (Mark was in the front-I could see him finally!! Haha.) They did a demonstration of what they have been doing and briefed us on some of the rules. I started hyperventulating because he was so close, yet I couldn't do anything!! I was so excited, I was crying and smiling. When he finally got release we hugged and kissed and it was wonderful!!

Thursday, Mark graduated from basic. (The picture to the left is him in line going up to get his diploma thing.) It was a really neat ceremony. I am defintely grateful to the men and women who defend my freedom. After graduation, they had to move over to the other bunk. After a long wait, he was released for the weekend!! We went out to lunch/dinner with Marks family and Ken and Deb (good family friends.) Mark and I went swimming later that evening.

I had a fabulous weekend and am so grateful that I was able to spend time with Mark. It is crazy to think that basic is done and AIT is starting. AIT will be a little easier because he will be able to call in the evenings :-) I am really excited to begin our lives together as a married couple-the next time we see each other, we'll be getting married!!