Part Six - Newlywed Bliss

Welp, the last post of the Newlywed Series!

It has been exactly two weeks since Thomas and I became husband and wife. 

After the reception, Thomas and I stayed at a hotel until Monday afternoon.

It was...fun. I'll leave it at that...

And now, we're nestled into our new home.

Well, maybe nestled isn't quite the right word.

The basement is quite a disaster!
With wedding gifts, Christmas gifts, and me still moving stuff out of my house and into our new home, the basement is just a mess!
But we're getting there.

We've already got a ton of picture frames up all around, and it's starting to feel like a home. As soon as everything's fully setup and cleaned, I will post some pictures!

The first week after the wedding, Thomas and I were able to spend so much time together! 

It was wonderful! This whole living together thing is pretty much great!

Celebrating our first Christmas together was so special!

This was a very special Christmas.

It was our first Christmas since he came home from his mission, and we got to spend it as husband and wife, which meant we got to spend every minute of Christmas Eve and Christmas together.

It was absolutely perfect. 

We shared time between our two families.

We spent Christmas Eve dinner with my mom's family, and that was c

razy and loud and wonderful as always.

After dinner, we opened gifts with my family at my old house and shared 

some laughs with everyone.

We were up bright and early Christmas morning to do gifts with his family.

After Christmas gifts (and his dad opening his birthday gifts), we had a big,

 delicious breakfast.

We all went to church together, and then Thomas and I went to Christmas dinner with my dad's family.

We spent the rest of the night relaxing at home and playing wii with Tom's family - a gift the family got for Christmas. 

It was two days full of family, love, and thanks.

It was perfect.

The second has been amazing as well.

Thomas and I are both back to regular work schedules 

(and he starts classes up again Monday)

So we haven't been able to spend nearly as much time together, but even though that's true, we still get to see so much of each thanks to being married!
I just love it!
I can't get enough of him!

Being able to fall asleep next to him every night and wake up to him every morning is the most amazing thing. It is the best part. 

Every night as I lay in his arms, I think to myself, "I still can't believe he's my husband..." and every morning I wake up and see his face, I think "How is this not a dream?!"

When we're together, I often find myself watching him, and thinking, "This is it. This is the man I am going to grow old with. This is the man I am going to build a life with. This is my husband, my best friend, my soul mate. I am the luckiest girl in the world."

Tonight is New Year's Eve.
Thomas and I don't have any big plans.

We'll probably end up hanging out with a few close friends.

And as this year comes to a close, I think of all the years Thomas and I have ahead of us.

I think of our future.

And I can't help but have the biggest smile on my face.
I can't help but have butterflies in my stomach.

I can't help but be anything but excited.

Excited for forever with my Thomas.

Part Five - The Reception!

Let's get to the fun part! 

The reception!

So, as I said, we did pictures until five, then it was time for some dindin & dancing!

Dinner was fabuloso! 

It was catered by Classic Catering, and it was delish!

We had chicken cordon blue & roast beef!

Mashed potatoes & gravy, green beans, baby carrots, rolls, salad. 

Mmmm.

During dinner, we did our speeches.

First was the Best Man - Jon Jones.

I'll admit, he did a lot better than I was expecting.

You see, Jon's a goofball.

Like, big time.

And he's known Tom & I from the beginning.

So he definitely had some embarrassing stories to share.

But he did great, even when winging it, and only made me cringe once...

Then it was my best friend, Christie's turn.

Her's was beautiful, and she made me tear up.

My dad gave a speech, which was also wonderful, followed

by Hamish (Tom's father), and Tom & I.

After speeches, it was time to cut the cake!
I was {super} excited!

Everyone watched as we cut the first slice - 

And as Thomas literally smeared a ton of cake all over my face.

Oh, and then when I go to smear it on his?
Yes, he jumps out of the way, perfectly clean.

Then, of course, he returns & sticks his cheek out for me to get him back.

It was a ton of fun!

But then I had to go wash my face & redo my makeup.

Which took a while (there was quite a bit of frosting everywhere) so by the time I was done, I didn't have time to even eat cake myself before it was time for the dances!

Tom & I went first.

We danced to "Then" by Brad Paisley.

It was magical.

And the song went by too fast - I could have spent all night wrapped in his arms, 

swaying back & forth. 

I have the best friends! Everyone was taking loads of pictures, so I have some really great pictures of that moment to hang on to forever!

But the song did end, and it was time for my daddy & I to dance together.

We danced to "My Little Girl" by Tim McGraw.

That was fun! 

First, he was incredibly tense - I think he was nervous with all those eyes on us!
And then, my father, spent a large part of the dance talking to me about now Tom & I need to have babies so he can have grandkids!

Um, WHOA!

Slow down, dad!

Eventually our song ended, and Tom danced with his mum to

 "Because You Loved Me" by Celion Dion.

It was beautiful.

The whole day was beautiful!

Once Tom & his mum were finished, it was time to get the party started!

We kicked the dance off with the 2009 Mashup, and the dance floor filled up quickly.

The night, of course, flew by too fast!

I never wanted to leave the dance floor, but my mother reminded me it was my duty to mingle with everyone. 

Which, I unfortunately did not get to everyone.

Too many dances to groove to, to many pictures to take with people.

The night flew by.

But it was a night I will never forget. 

Tom & I celebrated this special day surrounded by friends, family, and loved ones. 

We laughed & smiled all night.

As I said, it all ended too soon, and before we knew it, we were saying goodbye to everyone, and the DJ was playing the last song.

It was the best day night of my life. 

My best friend had become my husband, and we celebrated with the people we love most. 

The day went perfectly. Absolutely perfect.

The best day of my life. 

Part Four - The Pictures

So after the ceremony

(And the incredibly long receiving line!)

We had two hours to do our pictures with our amazing photographer, Kayleigh!

Kayleigh started her business a couple years ago, and she is amazing!
You definitely need to check out her facebook page!

Anywho, we did a few pictures right away at the church with my immediate family and my grandparents.

Then we went outside for all the rest of our photos.

Okay, you should know, I was so annoyed with the weather.

I'm in Minnesota.

Mid-December in Minnesota is around zero degrees and snow.

But guess what?
It was mid 30s. 

And absolutely no snow at all.

I was frustrated.

But oh well.

We ended up going to the Maple Grove Arboretum.

I had picked this spot weeks prior, anticipating everything to be

 sparkling white, dusted in snow.

Nope. 

Luckily, the Arboretum still has some great structures to use, and 

we got some great shots.

We started with Tom's immediate family.

After a few different shots with them, we moved to the bridal party.

We got some incredibly fun shots!
We did a bunch as a whole group, and then as the guys and girls separate. 

Once the group photographs were done, the party left and Tom and I stayed to do some pictures with just the two of us!

Well before this point, I had gone numb.

Sure, the weather was positively gorgeous for December in Minnesota, 

but it was still pretty ding dang dong freezing to be out there for hours without coats or mittens or anything!

Oh well, I survived!
And because of it, we got some {great} pictures!

On the drive back to the church, Kayleigh showed us a bunch of the pictures on her camera (don't worry, her hubby was driving, it was safe!).

They look great!

And she posted two "teasers" on facebook.

I'm already ecstatic to see the rest!

Believe me, as soon as they are in, I will have them up and posted!

After the pictures were finished, we headed back to the church for the reception! 

Lots of food, fun, friends, and family!

Part Three - The Ceremony

It was about 1:27pm.

My dad and I were standing in the changing room as my eyes began to fill with tears.

My stomach was squirming with butterflies.

The moment was here. 

Finally.

As my dad and I waited outside the church doors for our turn to enter, all I kept thinking about was the past. 

Thomas and I had been through so much together.

Much more than the world would ever know.

And through all the hurdles, all the mountains, here he was:

nearly six years later, and still by my side.

Thomas had always been my very best friend.

He had always been with me through everything life threw at me.

Finally, it was our turn.

With shaking hands, swimming eyes, and a squirming stomach, I stepped through those doors.

And in an instant, literally an instant, everything changed.

One look at my Thomas, and the world around me dissolved.

 There he was, my groom, standing in front of the podium waiting for me.

He had a huge smile on his face, and that smile just melted my heart.

Suddenly, I couldn't walk fast enough.

I was probably tugging my dad along at a faster pace than he would have liked. 

I didn't notice anyone else in the church - I only had eyes for him.

He looked so regal in his white tux.

It took a lot of self-control to remind myself I couldn't kiss him until Bishop Dubois gave us the okay!

I tried to pay attention to the scripture readings, but I was lost.

I tried to listen to as much of Bishop's talk as I could, but I couldn't hear him over the pounding of my heart in my ears.

I sat in the pew next to my groom, heart racing, palms sweating, with the biggest grin on my face. 

{We were finally here}.

It was time to officially be made husband and wife.

I stood with shaky legs, our eyes connected to each others' souls, our hands gripping tighter than I think they ever have before.

After a century, I felt Thomas' grip tighten, saw his eyes shine, as he said "I do."

I remember thinking to myself, "Pay attention, pay attention!"

Worried I'd miss the part where I'm meant to say those ever important two words.

But, thankfully, I didn't.

And when it finally time, I think I giggled out the words more than I actually spoke them.

It all felt so surreal.

I still couldn't believe we were finally standing here, finally getting married. 

And then the fun part - our first kiss as husband & wife!

Ooooh man! That was a long wait!
I swear the Bishop kept talking, and talking, and talking, and talking...

...I wasn't paying attention. 

I just wanted to kiss my husband!

But when that moment [finally] came, oh my goodness...bliss!
Thomas placed his hands beneath my ears, on my neck,

and he kissed me so passionately.

I'll be honest: I was completely thrown off guard!
I was not expecting a kiss that passionate at the church!
The kiss was over too soon.

The ceremony ended, and we left the chapel hand-in-hand!

We had {finally} become husband & wife.

Part Two - The Morning Of

So, as stated before, I was up well before the dawn.

4:30am.

Yup.

Four. Freakin. Thirty.

Meh, I kinda expected it. 

The rest of the girls finally got up at 7, and the house was a buzz.

We were all over the place, packing our bags, 

checking, double checking, and triple checking that we had what we needed.

Eating some breakfast.

Loading up the cars.

It was a buzz.

I was a giddy bunch of giggles.

SO excited. 

And not at all nervous yet.

We left my cousin's house at 8:30am and arrived at Simonson's for the first appointment at 8:45.

Slowly but surely, we all got seated into chairs and the pampering began.

The girls picked whatever hairstyle they wanted, they just all had to be up.

After nearly three hours, we were all finished, and headed to the church!

When I arrived at the church, the florist, {Maureen}, was there and setting up the flowers in the centerpieces. 

They already looked gorgeous and she had barley started!

We talked for a bit, she explained her plans to me, then she showed me the bouquets.
The bouquets were what I was most excited about when it came to the wedding.

I had absolutely no idea what they would look like. 

When we had met with Maureen back in July, we talked colors.
Lots and lots of colors.

I explained the bridesmaids dresses to her, and what my vision was for a colorful wedding, and she went from there.

She named a bunch of flowers I had never heard of.

But I trusted her. 

And I told to do whatever to make the flowers a splash of color and elegant.

And holy tulips, the bouquets were amazing.

They were incredibly bright, and more beautiful than I had pictured. 

Well, once I had arrived at the church, I had called Thomas to let him know I was here, and I would be locking myself in a room so he could now arrive whenever he pleased.

So all of us girls went to our room to get pampered!
It was time to do makeup!

We brought an iPod, had the jams going, and were chatting away.

People (it seems like everyone except Thomas) were coming and going from the room.

There was such a buzz in the air!

I was so giddy and excited and such a bundle of smiles and giggles!

We were all having so much fun!

After a little while, my mom came in with lunch. 

This room we were in had expandable walls we could pull out to partition the room, so we pulled out one of the walls and closed 3/4 of the way so that the boys could come in and eat lunch on one side of the room. 

Which they did.

And let me tell you, when Thomas came in, it was sooo incredibly hard not to peek around the corner and see him. 

But we did of course talk to each other behind the wall.

While we were in the room, the caterer arrived with the cake!

 I couldn't leave to go look at it, had to stay hidden, so I sent my sister out with my camera to take a picture of it so I could see.

Well, it's a great thing she did, because before the ceremony was over, the cake topper, our perfect, special, amazing cake topper, had fallen off the cake and broke on the table. 

I was devastated. 

I mean, just look at it:

Is it not perfect??

*sigh*

Oh well.
That was literally the only thing that went wrong the entire day.
 Guess I can't complain!

Finally, at about one o'clock, it was time to put my dress on!!

And, as I had predicted, that was when the nerves really kicked in.

My cousin helped me get it on, we took a few pictures, and then my mother helped me put on my pearls.

My "something borrowed" were my Grandma Kelzenberg's pearls. She had died when I was in fifth grade, so it was really special for me to be able to wear her pearls.

We took a few more photographs quick to kill some time, then my dad came in to get me and to walk me into the church.

When my dad came in, and it was time to walk through those tears, the nerves got the best of me, and I started crying.

It had {finally} hit me: I was about to marry my Thomas....

The Newlywed Series: Part One - Pre-Wedding Bizz

Hokay.

I finally have a few moments to breathe.

As you should know, things have been a bit crazy the past few days.

But, of course, the good kind of crazy.

The amazing kind of crazy.

So let's start at the beginning.

But here's the deal:
Sharing this story with you, the story of our wedding, will take a long time.
And quite frankly, I don't have a long time.
I have sporadic moments where I can write.

And I'm sure you don't have a long time to read.

You just have sporadic moments to read...right?
Well, possibly right, I'm guessing.

So anywho, I'm going to break the whole story down to pieces.

I'm going to call it: "The Newlywed Series."

Catchy, huh? 

I thought so.

But I'm probably biased. 

Anywho, today begins part one: Pre-Wedding Bizz.

A couple days leading up to the big day.
I finished my last class on Thursday at 10:30am and immediately left for home!
On my way home, I picked up my beautiful dress.
Oh how I loved her. And still do.
Quick dropped her off at home, then went to my fiance's house!


Friends were in from out of town:
Ceth from South Carolina and Jeni from Idaho.
So we took them to Mall of America and then to Benihana.
It was a very fun-filled day!


Friday was much more chaotic.
I spent the entire day running around like a chicken with my head cut off.
It was a bunch of tedious little things, of course.
I made sure everything was together, and wrapped up a few loose ends.
Thomas and his groomsmen had a little bachelor party during the day.
I think they just played video games and pool and what not.


Then we had our rehearsal at five.
It was pretty basic, went really fast.
After the rehearsal, we all went to Broadway Pizza in Maple Grove for the dinner.
That was a lot of fun!
We had good food and good company!


Once dinner was over, it was back to the church to set up.
All this time, it still hadn't hit me Thomas and I were getting married tomorrow.
It still didn't feel real.
We spent about two hours setting everything up at the church.
The only thing we couldn't do were the flowers in the centerpieces.
But everything else was accomplished!


Then it was off to my cousin Cassandra's house for a sleepover with my bridal party!
We just had some good snacks, watched a movie, and had a nice girls' night in!
When we finally started to go to bed at about 1:30am, I was wide awake.
So of course, I got pretty much no sleep that night!
I woke up just about every half hour, and after 4:30am, was never able to fall asleep again.
Even though it all felt so surreal, I was very much excited!
And very unable to sleep because of it!


And that brings us up to Saturday!
Which will be part two! 
To come soon...

Woot for Student Teaching!

So I just returned back to my dorm room from visiting with my cooperating teacher for my Skyview Middle School placement.

Two words: I'm pumped.

Leslie was incredibly nice, open, and flexible.

She's very easy going and loves her students

(which was refreshing to see after this past semester...)

She teaches five periods of seventh grade social studies.

We went over what my role is going to be in her classroom.

I will spend the first week observing and getting a feel of the flow of things and my students.

Teehee.

My students. :)

Then I get to jump right in!

I will be teaching chapters nine and ten in their textbooks:

United States Imperialism.

I'm pretty excited.

I don't know too much about the subject, but it'll still be great!

I got a teacher's textbook, so I can already get crackin'!

I'm so excited to start planning activities and lessons!

She went on and on about how great her kids are.

She told me that at the school, they don't focus on letter grades.

Instead they focus on learning.

So this means students get attempts to retake tests or redo assignments until they understand the material.

They want the students to focus more on learning and less on grades and GPA, which I think is an awesome thing!

I also got to meet the principal.
Although I don't remember her name.

She seemed extremely nice as well.

Very smiley, very friendly, and very open.

I liked her a lot too.

Ah! I'm just so excited! I can't wait to be a teacher!

And now next week I will be meeting with  my other cooperating teacher, Mr. Davids, at Blaine Senior High.
That placement I'm much less excited for.

One, my teacher doesn't seem very friendly in his emails.

Two, it's my high school placement.

Enough said.

I'm really nervous for high school.

One: I don't think I have the right personality for teaching high school students. I think I'm much better suited to teach middle school.

Two: I'm not as enthusiastic about the material in high school; there's economics, and government/civics...those don't appeal to me at all..

Three: The students in middle school are bigger than me. The students in high school will tower over me. I'm nervous about having authority. I know that what it all comes down to is confidence in myself, so let's hope I can find that confidence before March 28.

But, all in all, I'm very excited.

Stoked, even.

I think I use that word too much, stoked.

Anywho, yup. 

That's my day today.

Woot! For student teaching! :)

Seriously?!

It's 9:30pm.

On Monday, December 12.

The temperature reads 38 degrees.

What little snow we did have, has melted over the weekend.

Don't get me wrong, 

I like this weather.

I enjoy the fact that it's the middle of December in Minnesota and I can walk around campus in just a sweatshirt.

I like the fact that I don't have to wear leggings beneath my jeans.

It's nice not to worry about grabbing my scarf, hat, or mittens as I walk out the door.

But when I checked weather.com today and saw this:

I was quite annoyed.

Seriously?

Seriously?!?!

Rain Wednesday to wash away what few flakes of snow we have left.

And then look at the rest of the week:

Sunny and 30ish degrees.

Do you understand what this means?
No snow for our wedding.

*sigh*

Of course leave it to the year Tom & I get married that we don't 

have snow for Christmas-time.

*sigh*

Don't get me wrong.

I like the warmth.

And I know my bridesmaids will appreciate not having to stand in 

zero degree weather in short dresses while taking pictures.

But no snow?

Really?

Ugh.

Our pictures are going to look bleak and dreary instead of soft and beautiful.

The world is going to be gray and brown instead of white and delicate.

*sigh*

The good news?

The glass half full news?
My bright flowers & the bright dresses will still pop against 

the ugly brown earth around us.

Ah well! It'll still be the best day of my life!

Oh.

And five days.

Well, today's basically over.

Let's just say four. 

.S.T.O.K.E.D.

It is officially {Less Than One Week}!!

Can I getta "Woot! Woot!"

Ahhh It's just sinking in more and more!

Thomas and I have been working our booties off to get the basement ready.

I think I mentioned before we're staying in his parents' basement for a while?

It'll be really nice - I'll be sure to get pics up when we're all settled and it looks like {home}.

It's going to be a crazy awesome week this week!

I am going back to school Monday afternoon.

I only have class Tuesday and Thursday this week.

After class Thursday morning, I am heading home for the big day!

On my way home, I get to pick up my dress!

I thought I was going to get to bring her home yesterday.

But Som, the seamstress, steams the dress herself,

(she went off on a rant on how she doesn't trust laundromats)

And so she'll steam it this week, then she's coming home with me!

My dress looks {perfect}.

Gah! I love her!

We have two of Tom's outta town friends flying in Wednesday.

Ceth - one of the groomsmen - from South Carolina, 

and Jeni - a friend from his mission - from Idaho.

So they fly in Wednesday afternoon/evening, then Thursday we're going 

to take them to the Mall of America.

I'm pretty stoked.

I always love any excuse to go to MOA. :) 

Friday, after the rehearsal and dinner, I'm having a mini bachelorette party!

Just with the bridal party girls!

We're going to have a slumber party:

complete with homemade facemasks, lots of Cosmo reading, lots of junk food, and some fun games.

Just a fun girls night in!

Saturday is the BIG DAY!!

Eeeeeeeek!!

All of us chicas are going to Simonson's for our hair,

then we'll head to the church to do makeup and get dressed!

Thomas will be at the church starting at 9 to meet with our DJ -

He's going to set things up, see how everything looks with the lights.

Our caterers and florist and cake are all arriving around 11 - I believe.

I'll be confirming those times this week. 

Then 1:30 is the ceremony!!

We'll do pictures (braving the cold outside!) after the ceremony

And the reception will start at 5!

Dinner is buffet style, with light music in the background and a few speeches here and there.

Our dance will start about 6/6:30.

We plan on wrapping up about at about 9.

It's crazy awesome how close it is!

And the best news?
It really sounds like my Grandma is going to make it to my wedding!

I've been keeping it on the DL, but the night of Thanksgiving, my Grandma had a heart attack.

It was pretty bad.

Long story short, she was in the hospital for over a week, went through a handful of surgeries we didn't think she'd survive, and was in a coma for a handful of days.

Now, she's awake, singing and talking and all. 

She was moved from the hospital to a nursing home for physical therapy.

Now, this past weekend, she finally was well enough to go home.

So she's home, and it seems very well!

Everything is going perfectly!

I am soooo excited to finally marry the love of my life.

To finally begin a life with my very best friend.

It's time for me to go get ready for church.

Hey, the next time Thomas and I walk through those church doors holding hands, we'll be entering as Mr. & Mrs. Macmillan. 

Man, that's a great thought!

{Six} Days.