Shame on Me

I really shouldn't wait this long to update...especially when such exciting things have been going on!

I got back last Sunday from the Mission Trip I went on with my church to Pennsylvania. It was INCREDIBLE! We did VBS for a church up there, and the children were SO eager to learn about God. It was a real blessing. And I also got to know some of my fellow church members much better. I'm thrilled to death that I have 2 new ACTUAL friends in my church!!! It has probably been since the 5th or 6th grade since I've had actual, real, and true friends at church! God is amazing!!! Goodness I love those two women to death!

Ok, onto other news. Michael and I have begun registering for wedding gifts! It is sooo much fun to go around the store and scan what you want! I know there is probably NO way we'll get everything, and that's totally cool, but it's still exciting!!!

Hmmm, what else. Oh, Ellie, my cat, is sick. She has a BIG hole on her buttcheek, and we don't know why. It isn't draining or bleeding, but we are keeping a CLOSE eye on it, and we are going to give it a few days to see if it gets better. If it doesn't, it's gonna be time to take her to the vet...ugh.

On a final note, I'm hopefully getting some relief here in 2 weeks. I have a problem with clenching my teeth in my sleep, and it's causing me to have problems when I chew gum, when I try to close my mouth when I yawn, and I've been having really bad headaches. My dentist is having me get a custom night guard made. I'm thrilled because I'm ready for a good night's sleep, and no more headaches!

Ok, so I lied, there is one more thing I want to address...school. I go back on the 27th of this month, and I'm not happy about it anymore. I'm taking 18 hours. 3 of my classes are in the area of marketing, and a new prof is teaching those...I got to meet him, and I'm fearing for my life in these classes now. He tries to come across as a big and bad economist...telling me he's a jerk and he isn't nice, and bull like that. That didn't bother me until he asked me if I was good in math. Yeah, I'll admit that I SUCK in math. The word "terrible" would be too good of a word for my mathematical abilities. I told him I'd be fine as long as I had a calculator...and that's when my life hit the fan...he told me that he doesn't allow calculators in his class...simply because he could fit the whole course on his palm pilot, and he doesn't want others doing that and bringing it to the tests. NOT OK. I told him all I needed was my little scientific calculator that you can't program anything into. Then he told me that it still wasn't allowed because people would still try to use their cell calc and text the answers, or use palm pilots and keep notes in it to use. I think he just wants to make life miserable for his own sick pleasure. But whatever. Pray about this.

Ok, now I'm done :)

P.S. I'm reading the new Harry Potter book, and if anyone spoils it for me, I will have some sort of vicious payback in store! ;)

"It's a Champagne Supernova"

I hate worrying. I also hate the control money has on all of our lives. This is something I've realized before, but it becomes increasingly apparent while doing my wedding planning. Several people have stepped up and are helping me find an inexperienced wedding photographer...so far I've found one for $200...and that covers everything! The problem...I haven't seen any of her work. I'm thinking that will be remedied soon though.

I've also met a very gracious and lovely wedding planner who is willing to help me at a beyond reasonable cost, which is just incredible.

I know everything will work out, and the key to getting through this and getting through this successfully is Jesus, and he's doing an amazing job. I've just gotta trust him.

If you have any suggestions, or wanna donate money, let me know! lol.

Let me brag on my fiance

Michael is so sweet :) Yesterday he took me on an excellent date! We went to Boundr'y in Nashville...and even though the food wasn't all that great, the time together was amazing! I also learned that I don't like rack of lamb...lol.

After a lovely dinner (and AMAZING dessert!) we ventured to Opry Mills and had a lovely time at Barnes and Noble. I heart that store!

We got back to his house, and he got online and ordered me the book I've been wanting really badly...Amy Vanderbilt's Complete Guide to Etiquette, the 50th anniversary edition!!! I can't wait til it gets here!

Ok, enough bragging for now, lol.

My cat likes walking on my keyboard

So yesterday was a happy day. It marked exactly one year from my wedding day! I can't wait! we got to go see his family, eat BBQ, and watch fireworks! Fun times were had.

I feel gross. I've been in bed all day, and I feel like death on a cracker.

Cleaning my room and my bathroom is high on my priority list, and as soon as I can move without wanting to die, I'll get to that.

So far I'm enjoying planning my wedding. I can't wait for the showers to start! Registering for things is going to be exciting as well! i'm trying my best to enjoy all of this wedding stuff, since I'm never going to go through it again. Like when I went dress shopping. I felt like a princess, and all eyes were on me. I normally am not one for the limelight, but I'll confess, I do enjoy it every once and a while.

Ok, I think I'll go try to take a shower now. Everyone likes a good smellin Dana!

Jewel, Shopping, and Friends

So a few weeks ago, my fiance took me to go see Jewel in concert in Nashville! It was incredible! She sang amazingly, she was nice, AND she played the song i requested! How cool is that?! That was indeed the BEST concert I've ever been to, and Michael was incredible for taking me!

Michael also took me shopping on Saturday! We went to TJ Maxx and looked at this AWESOME purse that was $20! It was gorgeous, leather and pink! He offered to buy it for me, but I declined. We then went to Target and found some GREAT cologne for him that I absolutely LOVE! MMMM. While we were there I found this INCREDIBLE perfume that I've fallen in love with called "Tuesday." I've GOT to get some of it if i ever get some money! After that we went to Books A Million, which i LOVE, and he bought me a new wedding planner, since i didn't really care for the one that I already had.

Wow, our wedding is getting close! lol, not really, but earlier Saturday I went dress shopping with my mom, and 2 of my bridesmaids, and one of their moms. It was incredible, due to the fact that I GOT MY DRESS! Get this, it's a discontinued dress that was $700...but it was marked down to.......$249!!!! No joke! And it's PERFECT! it was the only one I tried on, and I KNEW it was THE dress!!!! Even though the wedding is a year away, you CANNOT pass up a deal like that!

So moving on to Sunday night, Michael and I hung out with our married friendsyu 778 (and my cat just walked across the keyboard) friends Joseph and Nicole. We went to go see Ratatouille and then we grabbed a bite of dinner. I love it when we have group dates :) they are wonderful. Plus they have great wedding advice for us! :)

OK, well now everyone is caught up in the craziness that is my life :)

Whirlwinds and Camp Stores

I got back Friday from being at Centri-kid camp all week. It was great, and I REALLY enjoyed getting to spend time with the younger girls at my church. We went to Carson Springs in Newport, TN, and it was great :).

I must say though, there were a LOT of rabid monkey children at camp...but my girls were absolutely incredible and well behaved. I've never seen a group of girls act that well before!

Now i'm at home, and i'm sick because one of the rabid monkey children made me sick....not ok. but what can I do?

Michael and I are probably going to move up the wedding date to July 4, 2008 instead of 2009. I've gone into mega wedding planning mode...and i'm thinking either i can get my dress for free, or for around $300....that's good. And the church is only $100, so that's nice too :)

ok, off to bed so I can hopefully get better :)

I'm ENGAGED!

Michael and I are officially engaged! Here's the story:

Michael and I went to Olive Garden to meet with my parents so he could ask my dad permission to marry me. There was already a wedding rehearsal dinner going on, and it made all of our food late, and because of this, our meals were free! Michael then asked my dad at the end of the meal if it would be ok if he married me. In return, my dad asked Michael what I thought of that. Michael said he wasn't really sure. Dad then asked Michael "Well, don't you think you ought to ask her?" And then he pointed to the floor. Michael, after a few long seconds of freezing, got down on one knee and proposed to me. The people of the wedding party noticed what was happening, and gathered around and clapped. They also gave us free cake! Since this was totally unexpected, Michael hadn't come with my ring (plus since it's being especially made for me, we don't have it yet), so I'm wearing my mom's ring until I get mine!

There ya go! We don't have a date set yet, but we will soon!!! I'm SO excited!