WE are BACK...

So I haven't written a blog entry in about a week, but I just wanted to say we are back in UTAH. YEAH!! So I am sure most of you remember my freak out list, where I listed all the things I STILL had to do before the wedding. Well thanks to all of the ADVICE that was given my list has become almost none existent.

Things that have been accomplished:

• Got Temple recommends and received my endowments at the Nauvoo TEMPLE:)
• Got our passports
• finished the wedding favors- Thanks to Amy.
• Got Bridesmaids dresses done- thanks to Susan.
• HAVE a DRESS... BIG BIG thanks to Susan.
• have a base tan- tanning bed such a great invention!
• Successfully completely both Bride and Groom family Bridal Showers- Yeah Families:)
• All food, reception place, flowers, etc. taken care of...
• Scheduled all hair, makeup, eyelash appointments
• Got an appointment for bridals
• Received a manicure
• Have all the plans for honeymoon taken care of
• Got birth control- had MAJOR mood swings & gained 5 lbs within a week, but luckily have lost that weight already.. yeah.
• Got the wedding night hotel- Thanks Tori!
• Have a Place to LIVE- Thanks to the group "Boys II Men"
• Have a Bed and Couch... so we are getting furnished slowly but surely.

Things that still need to do:

• Marriage License
• Pack and Make Itinerary for everyone
• Do Bridal Pictures
• Lingerie Shower- hehe
• Rehearsal Dinner- thanks Pendleton family especially Carly and Jeff
• ????

So, as you can see we have come far... thanks to all the family and friends that have helped thus far. We are so grateful to all of you especially me:) People keep asking me if I am stressed, and my response is always NO, not at all. I know that most people think I am lying, but I really am not due to all of the wonderful help we are receiving. I think my soon to be mother-in-law is the most stressed which is understandable, but I appreciate her willingness to help.

Blog Marathon Continues- "NEW SHOES"

VS

I know that I have already posted TWO new posts tonight... i just haven't been able to sit down and post some things on my mind due to upcoming events, preparing for work to end, and driving back to UTAH:

So here is the short Version- The Sales Reps were doing really well at hitting their goals in Springfield for an entire week, and had a really good Saturday, so the office decided to use the incentive money to buy all the reps shoes. I know that this might sound like a weird incentive, but it was probably the most well received incentive from the Reps. So we get to the store, well mall (went to the mall so they would have more choices and options), and the Reps dispersed like little kids in a candy store. They all seemed to regress back into that little boy mentality and engage in excitement over the "small" things in life, such as a new pair of sneakers. It was fun to observe, but the best part is contained in the days that follow. So we all leave the store, with each Rep carrying a shoe bag in his hand, and some even managed two bags- such bargain hunters:) Well, the Reps get back into the routine of knocking doors throughout the long days, but I can't help to notice that James seems to always step out in the same torn up sneakers he had when he first came out for the summer. I confronted him about the neglect of wearing his new shoes that had a lot more support and cushion than his worn out Nike's. His response: "I don't want to get them dirty" (or something to that effect). I am not sure why this touched me so much, or why it appeared so tender to my heart, it was just a simple honest answer... maybe it was the tone in his voice or the sweet innocence of his eyes, but all I know is in that moment my heart melted a little bit more for my sweetheart. Sometimes you don't understand the actions of others, yet the biggest reward comes when you least expect. When you take the time to try to understand another may it be a lover, mother, friend, sibling or stranger... Your heart is softened, and the world feels a little bit warmer, as though for a moment you see with the eyes of a simple minded child- and you are able to love without reservation.

Summer Sales: putting work aside for PLAYTIME...

So many of you know, especially if you frequently read our blog, that we have been out in the Midwest this summer for James' Job. Most of the time, it is just hot long hours of walking in the very humid heat for him and sitting at a computer for 10-12 hours processing contracts for me. Sounds like fun right.... not really. Well, we do manage to have a little fun when we can, thanks to an amazing manager/fiance, who seems to find adventures for us. Here are some of our downtime activities, that we were able to enjoy together, before we left summer sales in the dust and headed back home:

If you couldn't tell James was really into the game. When everyone was trying to take a picture of the group, James didn't want to turn around because he was afraid he would miss a play. He was also so much in a trance, that Logan held his hand once again without James even realizing what was going on. OH, my sweetheart loves sports so very much:).

After the festivities of the game we went to eat on VISION and participated in a small photo shoot in front of the state capital- such a pretty scene.

Highly Recommend date nights, even if there are about ten other people there with US:)

The SIMPSONS... REALLY Do exist

OK, I don't know how many of you mid-twenty year olds were given the privilege to be shaped by the Simpson family... but I want to take the time and set the record straight...

THEY REALLY DO EXIST!

Well at least the story line and "township"

The family that brought so much controversy into our own homes, and at the same time provided joy and stupidity filled laughter night after night was based on an actual town. I always thought that this show was cultivated by a creative genius, yet little did I know the very same town that carries the legacy of Our famous president, Abraham Lincoln's birthplace, also brings the comical joys of adult cartoons.

I was able to spend a whole month, while Crown Plaza was our home away from home, gazing at the very "nuclear" plant that sat outside our hotel room window. It actually was operated by a guy that looked just like Mr. Burns and His assistant Mr. Smith. OH, The small Joys of life. Who knows maybe James was lucky enough to sell a Security System to the REAL Simpson Family...

But lets be honest... do you think Homer would be sold that easy?

Well looking back he did buy a truck full of sugar that dissolved in his front yard when the rain came.... So I wouldn't but it past him:) Would you?

I just loved the many DIVERSE characters within the different episodes. I think it is safe to say that I completely understand were the Character traits came from. They sure have many "colorful"- and by that I mean entertaining- people in town. For Example, when we went to the state fair I witnessed many families that were most likely the inspiration for the characters such as Cletus and Earl. What Character was your favorite? I bet I have a story about them!

See Here is a picture of the Family right before James came to knock on the door to get Good ol' HOmer Suckered in to buying a security system...

Gotta Love' em!!

Shout out to Geneve: "See you in the car"-Melhouse

PICTURE IT (about me)

A place I'd like to Visit

My favorite place

A past pet

My age

My last name

My bad habit
The town I was born in
My favorite color
My favorite animal
My favorite food
My favorite object
My 1st name My screen name My best friend's nickname A past lover
The town I live in What I'm doing now My college degree
Grandma's name
My 1st job
My middle name

Illinois State FAIR

Sitting in the shade and eating some grub. This is the spot where James recognized one of his potential customers, which he has been unable to get ahold of since she works at the fair. To compensate she gave him a free drink...lol.

Some Yummy Funnel CAke... can't go to a fair without getting this little TREAT!

Me and Rakae having a girl's moment, while Logan is trying to be artistic with the photo taking.

The Race with Remote Control Cars!

We all raced each other and guess who won!! KATY... I love beating boys at manly things such as remote control car racing. My prize was a yo-yo that I gave James. He enjoyed showing me the tricks he could do with the little toy:).
I figured out a strategy that you didn't even need to use the steering wheel. They say girls are usually smarter... right?

And here are the boys showing off their bats that they won. The game measured how fast you throw a baseball. James topped the charts at 68 and that is why his bat is relatively bigger than Mark and Devin's. Good Job, Hunny!

IT's Been a WHILE:

I haven't been able to make any new post for a while since my time is very limited and I don't get internet in my hotel room. Here is the latest...

Aug.2-4th: Utah Trip

• Bridal Shower, which was loads of fun! Thanks to all those that were able to make it and the wonderful gifts that were given. James and I greatly appreciate it.

• Savannah Ruth's Baby Blessing: She is such a cutie!!


• Dress Situation: This trip I was suppose to have my final fitting for wedding dress... Showed up and NO DRESS... don't fear though, Susan SAVES the day. She is really such a great help. I don't know what would happen if she wasn't so talented and willing to help. She will make the Dress, yay.


• Spent time with friends Ali Jo and Whitney one on one. Thanks for letting me crash on your couches and fill moments with laughter (and good food, Of course)


• FAREWELL Whit: she went into the MTC Aug. 11 to serve a 18 month mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. Yay, Montana!!

Went to meet with the Stake President to get our TEMPLE Recommends and Living Ordiance Recommend.... YAY!

After that trip I had to play catch up with WORK, which seems to never end now. Yet, last week I took a break to enjoy Nauvoo once again with some friends from Vision. Nauvoo holds and will always hold a special place in my heart. I feel the spirit as soon as the soles of my shoes find the soil.

We spent the day driving the three hours to reach nauvoo just in time to see the sun setting on the Mississippi, and watch the Nauvoo Pageant. Needless to say it was breathtaking and peaceful.