Will post more on Monday but here's a little something that I'm thankful for. My military friends and family will REALLY understand this. Thanks to all the troops past, present and future for all that they do. 

I cannot promise you every night of my life. 

I cannot promise to be beside you for every difficult moment, every trial, and every hardship. 

In truth, I can promise you that I will not be with you for most. 

I will leave you at inconvenient times. 

Any special date to us may be tainted with the anniversary of the death of one of my friends. 

I will ask you to take over whatever... life we have built together for months and years at a time. 

And will then crash back into that life that you have used your sweat, your tears and your heartache to keep together, and try to take it back as I knew it before. 

I will shut you out at times because it will be the best way for me to hold it together at that moment. 

I will lie to you. I will tell you I don't know things when I do. 

I will not always tell you where I am going, when I will be back, or who I am with. 

I may not call you for weeks and months and you will not be able to call me.

You will ask questions that I won't answer. 

You will know answers to questions that you will hope you never need. 

I will share things with my brothers and sisters that you will never understand. 

They will know things about me that you never will. 

They will be a support to me in some things that you cannot be.

I will miss birthdays. 

I will miss anniversaries. 

I may need time to process things that seem natural to everyone else. 

It will seem that someone - or something - will always take precedence over you.

 I will uproot you and ask you to re-establish our family anywhere in the world, in any season, at any time - over and over again. 

Sand and mud will be tracked through your halls from the boots I am too tired to take off.

I will leave you when you beg me not to. 

I will stand at attention while you cry beside me. 

I will not turn my head and I will walk away. 

I will knowingly break your heart. And I will do it again - and again. 

I cannot promise you all of me. 

I cannot promise you much of anything. 

But if you will have me, I can promise that as I march away from you, it is not without sharing your heartache. 

I promise you that every time I break your heart I will be breaking mine. 

Every time that I cannot answer you I will be protecting you. 

Whenever you want to call and you have no number to dial, I will be wanting to do the same. 

I will protect everything that we have created together with every fiber of my being while you do the same back at home. 

I will honor you in everything - every moment that we are apart and every moment that I am with you. 

I will fight harder and push further knowing that I do so for you. 

And I will carry you with me in everything, until my boots once again sit just inside our door. 

E is for Emily

Good Evening everyone! 

As you may have read here, Mr. H and I were going to use our friend, Erika as our wedding photographer. But life threw us a curve ball. 

Erika is marrying Dave FIVE weeks after us (Mr. H is a groomsman), she will have a lot on her plate, so we have selected Emily of ES Photography. 

You can find Emily's website here.

Isn't she just too cute??? 

The search for a new photographer was quite easy if I do say so. 

I had emailed about 30 people, and after hearing prices, narrowed it down to about 10. 

Emily was the first that I set up an interview and after a short thirty minute consultation, I was smitten. 

(Good thing I snagged her when I did because she's now booked THREE weddings in June already).

She even thought about us when she shoot another wedding recently. She actually happened to shoot another shabby chic at our exact venue and was nice enough to send me a message with some photos for inspiration for when we decorate the venue. Isn't that so sweet??? 

Tonight I leave you with those shoots so you can see a sample of her work. And you'll just have to wait and see what we use for ideas when we decorate The Villa for our wedding!!!

Hope you enjoyed them as much as I do!

Love,

Katie

(All photos are courtesy of  ES Photography or her website).

Not Up to Sharing

So, blogging is something I thought I'd jump up of bed everyday and do, but as bloggers know, it's not that easy.  After almost four months of hiding living, I'm BACK!!!

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August and September were very difficult months for both me and Mr. H. We lost his brother (Oh, Billy boy, we think about you everyday), had to have our well re-dug (yep, no water coming into the house), and  had to have our cat put down (diabetes did him in). No point in dwelling up that experience again, but the truth is without Mr. H by my side, I don't know where I'd be right now. I'm glad we have each other to fall back onto.

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But now, onto wedding related topics: I said YES to my dress, and my mom got hers. (Ironically, it's the green of our wedding choices AND my Grammy wore green to my parent's wedding) Like I talked about here, I have been in love with a dress since day one. And, well, it's the one I got. When I put it on, mom and I both teared up and I didn't want to take it off. I can't wait to get married in it. No spoiler alert, though, because I will not be posting pictures of it until AFTER the wedding.

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Mom and I have also be designing the favors and decorations for the reception. It's been a lot of fun, with only one little snafu, so that's a major blessing.

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Next month, the wine will be sampled and chosen  bought for the reception. January is the bridesmaid's dress shopping trip, even though the girls and I already have our favorites. April is my first fitting, and that's exciting and scary all in itself. It's really starting to since in that I'm going to be a MRS.

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Well, that's all for now, but more to come, in the next couple of days (not month, I promise).

Flowers, Flowers, and can you say Flowers...

Hello!! I'm back after three long weeks of NO posts, but for some very good reasons: 

a)we found out our 11 year old cat is diabetic, 

b)I've been working like crazy, 

and most importantly 

c) my laptop bag with my laptop in it ended up in a wedding tote and I didn't even know it.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR THEIR MUSICAL IMPUT! 

Between this blog, personal emails and Facebook, your input has expanded the lists we already had going, confirmed some of my ideas, and made me realize that I love my family, friends and followers even more that I already did.

Now on to more exciting things: 

WEDDING FLOWERS

As I had menioned before here, we will be using the cuttings from Sue's garden. About two weeks (which seems like it was just days ago), mom and I had our one-on-one consultation with her, and I am so excited about what we've got planned...

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The top picture is the best I could use to explain my design idea, while the bottom picture is from Sue's gallery. I was imagining a few different monochromatic arrangements with a pop of color in that same color tone. I think that this will add to the shabby chic feel of the wedding. The arrangements will all be made from wildflowers, so no two tables should look alike but there will all be cohesive and beautiful. 

The ONLY thing that Sue doesn't grow is roses. I completely understand this cause they're finicky plants and when they do survive they can take over. With that being said, I REALLY wanted roses in my bouquets so we do have to purchase two bunches of them to put in mine, the bridal party's and my toss bouquet. So off to the local wholesaler we went. I really wanted something that would flow with the Sue's flowers, but I didn't want traditional white roses, either. When Mom and I walked into the flower cooler, what did we see? THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SHADE OF PURPLE ROSES. To me, they're best described as a dusty lavender, but the official name is amnesia. It doesn't sound nearly as beautiful as it looks. So here there are in a bouquet:

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Now the last aspect of our flowers, is what form of flowers are the non-bridal VIP women gonna wear? (I don't know what else to call this group since it's includes my mom, my grandma (on my dad's side), Mr. H's step-mom, and his sister (who helped raised him), any other suggestions?) Here's the inspiration for the guy's boutonnieres so I wanted something that meshed well with these:

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We won't be using the dried blueberries (the soft yellow bulb thingy) and the herbs we do use depends on what's blooming when we go to pick what we need. Mr. H ACTUALLY likes these, so that's also a major bonus in my book. 

Now back to the subject at hand. What should these lovely ladies wear? 

 know the one thing that I don't like is the shoulder/breast corsage. I think they look old lay old and don't want them at all. (I see the picture below and think of grouchy old lady, NOT sophisticated fun oldER ladies).

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The next option was in the running BUT it really depended on what dress my mom picked, which she hasn't yet. Then there was the cost. It was quoted at $100 and that seems like a lot for something that they probably won't be wearing the WHOLE night. I still like the idea but then all those doubts come flowing in and now I'm second guessing my idea. Then I look at this picture, and then I'm in love again.

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Then one of my mom's long time friends came to visit from Southern California and I feel the like the uneasiest has been put rest and a solution has been find... They are gonna walk down the aisle holding a very simple, yet beautiful bouquets of flowers. Haven't nailed down what the bouquets flowers will be, but I think this IS THE PICK!!!

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So now that you've had flower overload, what do you think? Is monochromatic and amnesia gonna be great or what? And how about those boutonnieres? Are simple bouquets the way to go for my VIP oldER ladies

??

Happy Hump Day Everyone! 

Fair time with Mr. H and some friends and a meeting with my graphic designer are on the agenda for this weekend!!!

Must Have Music

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So Mr. H and I officially have a dj, but we wanna make sure he plays songs that EVERYONE wants to hear. So my question for you fellow bloggers and followers, what song is a MUST have to dance to when you attend a wedding??

Furthermore, what would be on your do not play list????

Thanks (in advance) for your help!!!!

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Later today, mom and I will be meeting the flower lady, so look for a recap later this week or this weekend!!!

Happy Wednesday Everyone!!!!

One Year to Go!!!!

So I haven't been the best blogger lately, but there's a very good reason for it: LIFE!!!

While everything hasn't been roses, it's be a crazy month. 

After a WONDERFUL vacation with Mr. H, we had some family obligations to take care of. 

Mr. H"s brother has been in and out of the hospital for the last few years, but about one week before we left for vacation, he was admitted to the ICU and has since be transfered to a rehabilitation facility and is doing much better. We went and saw him and then discussed with the other brother and sister what our game plan is going to be. Next month, we'll be relocating his apartment goods so when he's out ,he can be closer to one of the siblings. 

Then last week, my cousin in Arizona was in a very bad motorcycle accident and is still in the ICU, but is going to be transfered to a rehab facility soon. The first few days were touch and go, he's now doing much better than everyone excepted, but has a long road ahead of him. I think about Bryan every day and think about how well he's doing so far...

Last week, was our first official summer BBQ. It was so much fun and cannot wait for more. 

Mr. H and I were also able to hear our DJ at another BBQ and so that's now a go.....

He only plays LP's so the search is on, and I've been having a lot of fun with it.... 

Now the exciting news, ONE YEAR from today, I'll be MRS. H!!!

That's right, 365 days, or 5 weeks, or 12 months to go!!!!! 

I cannot wait until we are Mr. & Mrs.....

I promise to try to be a better blogger.... I'm meeting with the flower lady next Wednesday with my mom, so I'll have a recap of that. Plus there's my DIY project for the cocktail hour that I'm getting ready to start, so I'll share that. All I can say is I love Japanese paper tape!!!!

Grandma and Me @ The River

Road Trip

Good Morning Everyone!!

I'm sitting here waiting for the Mr. to get off work so we cam head out on our engagement anniversary, birthday and dating anniversary road trip.

Portland here we come!!!
With a stop at my aunts and a visit to the cemetery to see Grammy...

Have a great day (and week) and I'll try to post along the way...

P.S. Not only is tomorrow my birthday but it's also the Mr. and mine ELEVEN year anniversary together.... O, happy June!!!!

I'm in Love with a GOWN!!!

So I'm sure that most brides have a dress that is the one they envision themselves getting married in before they actually get to go dress shopping...

Well, I'm got one. Here's a few dresses that are similar styles to mine:

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I don't want to show the actual dress just in case it does work out for me.

It all started out when I was doing internet browsing and I saw it and thought, oh, that's pretty. 

Then my mom and I went shopping for my dress for my cousin's wedding and I peeked at the dress "to see the material" and see what I thought, wow, that;s one pretty dress.

Then LAST weekend, I went to picked up my blue dress for the cousin's wedding and there was another bride trying it one and my mom asks it it's the dress. I turned looked and FELL IN LOVE!!! It's prefect in some many ways. It's got lace, it's got sparkles, it's got everything I want. Now I don't want to get my hopes up in case it doesn't work out but I WANT IT TO BE THE ONE AND ONLY!!!

So, my question to all you other brides/fiancées is: How many of you ACTUALLY bought the dress that all along had been the one??

Blog Contest

On one the the blogs I follow and have for a while now, Kamie  @ True Love Stories Never have Endings is doing a give away that I'd LOVE to win so please go onto her blog and comment that I should!!!

Thanks everyone!!

Here's the link:

http://kamiesblog-kamie.blogspot.com/2011/05/sundae-with-etsy-giveaway-on-top.html

Have a happy Weekend...

Oh, and E, L, mom and I are going to go see Bridesmaid  tomorrow night so look for a review early next week!!!!

Love, 

Katie

Making the Movies Jealous

Short and Sweet Post Today!! 

Here's a youtube clip of one the most inovative proposals I've seen!!!!

I do have to say that even though my propasal was just me, the Mr. and our dog, which was perfect, this guy get HUGE points for their thoughfullness!!!

Happy Tuesday Everyone!!!!

Love In All Forms

Today, we're gonna not talk about my wedding for a moment, but we are gonna talk about LOVE....

Today my parents celebrate their wedding anniversary... Thirty-one years .... I hope that one day I will have a child whose parents will have been married that long... *Wink* *Wink*

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I love my parents and as adult, I realized through them that no marriage is perfect, but whatever you put into it, you'll hopefully get out of it... Love is easy, it's everything else that makes life hard.... 

They have made me the women that I am and I'm happy for both of them.....

Aren't they just adorable?!?! And such a 1980's wedding, huh??

If it's my parent's wedding anniversary, then that means that in exactly one month, is my and Mr. H's anniversary. We will have been together ELEVEN years. And we still have almost 14 months until our wedding...

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I can honestly say that it's been a wonderful and almost perfect eleven years with him. I cannot wait until the day that I get to call him my husband. He is my rock when I need it, but is silly when I need a laugh. He is my best friend, but my best critic all in the same moment. He is my other half and I feel complete because of him. I hope that everyone gets to experience what we have and cannot wait to see where the rest of our journey takes us....

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I love this quote and it will actually be on a sign some where in the wedding decorations, actually. I couldn't talk about love and NOT include this quote. 

All  in all, love is in the air..... Royal weddings..... Which is funny cause I already had a lace dress picked out to try on, but it looks different than Kate's, but hope that "trend" doesn't take out, cause I don't wanna seem like a copy cat.... 

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Does anyone else just have days where love is all around and you just want to spread the joy for everyone else to experience with you??

Time for Our Love

It's funny how my MOH really knows me. Not the usual what's my favorite color, or my favorite drink of choice. But she really knows me..... She knows that I want to make my wedding feel special to everyone that attends. She also knows how much I really love Mr. H and how important it is for us to have 'husband and wife time" during the wedding. So without having even asked, we were at lunch last Saturday and were talking about wedding seating. (I'm not doing assigned seating so my guests can sit where they want, but there will be a few reserved tables for immediate family.)

I asked her about bridal seating cause one thing I do know is that I DON'T want a bridal table. Our bridal party should not have to be on display while they are eating. So she says why don't you add another reserved table and put all of us at it so that we're all in one place at the same time and available for whatever else we may have to do. And then, before I can speak, she tells me that we SHOULDN'T be at the reserved table but at a single table, just the two of us. I was astonished because I had always loved the idea of a sweetheart table, but didn't want to be selfish and have Mr. H all to my self for the meal. 

After talking to my MOH and mother, then Mr. H, it's official. WE ARE HAVING A SWEETHEART TABLE!!!! This idea brings up many images that I've just got to share:

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Not quite sure about the decor for the seats or tables, that will still go with the shabby chic style of the wedding, but that will all work itself out in time.....

Well now that I've done my blog, I'm off to watch the King's Speech and lay on the couch, since I've got a nasty cough/congestion/flu thing that I cannot shake. Took another day off work and now time to rest so that I can go back on Thursday!!!

Do you secretly have a seating idea that you want to do but now sure if it's the right thing for you wedding? Ask those who know you best and come up with a solution because it could be the very thing that winds up happening!!!

Bad, Bad Girl

So I must say SORRY for being such a bad blogger, but there's a very good excuse:

That's right: BASEBALL!!!!!

But more specially, the 2010 WORLD SERIES CHAMPS!!!

Baseball season has begun, baby....

My fiancée, parents, and I went to the Opening Night game where we got to see our team receive their championship rings. It was an awesome game. So awesome in fact, that the win for us come down to 2 outs, a 3-2 count (which means it was literally decided by the LAST pitch of the game). A big thanks to Miguel Tejada for pulling through and a little divine intervention to help us get the WIN!!!

Don't be deceived that all I've done is sit in front of a tv and watch baseball, I've also been working on 

Christmas gifts and there was also a get away weekend to San Francisco with my fiancée to his brother's house. 

Best part of the weekend (besides doing whatever we wanted)?

Some Irish Coffees at The Buena Vista....

But Christmas in April? Why may you ask?

It's because I'm making quilts for some people's gifts!!!

Now I can't say who they are for since they are a surprise, but it's so much fun. But they've got to be done early so they can go to the quilters to be quilted (think stitching in the quilt), and then I've got to bind them (and the edging). So they've got to be done by mid-August to go to the quilters so that I can get them back some time in October or November to be able to finish them in time for Christmas!!!

May seem like a lot of excuses, but I promise to be a better blogger and I'm going to aim to post AT LEAST once a week from now until the wedding.....

Speaking of wedding, we're almost to FOURTEEN months..... May seem far away to some, but believe it or not, we've been engaged for almost eleven months so it'll be here before I know it!!!!

Oh, and on a another silly note: HAPPY NATIONAL GARLIC DAY!!!!!

Any else hit a non-blogging slump and how did you motivate yourself to jump back into it???