To Commemorate the Day

Right now, we're 100 days away. That's 3 months and 9 days, for those of you who are counting. As of tomorrow, we'll be in double digits. Rock on.

Coming in July... our new married pad!

This weekend John and I received the word that we will, in fact, have a place to live when we are married.

YYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYY!

After weeks of hunting, reading listings on craigslist and the local papers, we finally found a place we both liked -- a LOT -- and now the packing shall begin. When we saw the place friday, we both loved it,the price was right, the location was right, the amenities were right... but we went to go see this other place anyway, for comparison's sake. After we saw the other place, we decided to quickly pray about this semi-big decision- something we do when we make these kinds of decisions- and we went back to the first place and started the process of applying for the place. Part of the reason we decided to go back quickly was because the landlord mentioned his policy that if we liked the place and were sure about it, we could apply, put down a portion of the first month's rent and basically, he'd stop showing the place right then and there. So... it was kind of like when we decided to get engaged and buy the ring-- it's a semi-spontaneous action in whcih we both feel pretty strongly about something, but we make sure to knock on God's door to check in and see if He has any issue with what we're doing. So, things are a go... yayy!

Why we like the new place: we get a garage that provides entry to the kitchen up the stairs, a very decently big master bedroom suite w. bathroom... and there will be a second bedroom/ office with another full bath in the hall. The living room has skylights and we'll have a small deck for grilling, a fridge w/ ice maker,... and the best part is--- the washer and dryer are located adjacent to the kitchen. BIG BONUS-- no more running up and down stairs to do laundry, popping in coins, or such nonsense.

We'll be in Schaumburg, so that will be convenient for work, friends and family and there are plenty of things we will enjoy doing there- Prairie Rock Brewery (if you visit us, we will probably take a trip there for some coffee stout or vanilla cream ale), Mitsuwa isn't too far away- mmm, sushi! Woodfield's is close by (the Mall!) and we can buy cheaper groceries at Valli Produce market (mmm, gelato! cheap produce! AWESOME italian deli!). We'll not be too far from the expressways and the train station, so Chicago folks will definitely have to stop by for a weekend or day in the 'burbs!

More to this story: (pardon for jumping around a little- brain operates a little out of order and I didnt't feel like editing)

Over the weekend, when we hadn't heard back from our future landlord confirming our place to live, we were a little concerned,... and admittedly, I was a bit antsy. He hadn't called by when he said he would,... so I got a little nervous. Anyway, whats intersting, is that we were hanging out w/ our dearest friend Matt and we ended up have a great conversation last night at Hopleaf (great Belgian bar on N. Clark- if you visit Chicago, you MUST go!)that ended up in prayer-- and we prayed for great things, like letting God do His thing in our lives and for us to be open to that whatever it might be. That was cool... And then, on my way home, I got a voicemail from the landlord confirming that everything was a go. Now, I'm not one to be formulaic- I don't believe in the silly notion that God can be manipulated... I don't believe that we can make God do anything. So us praying about being more open to His will and learning to be okay w/ that was somewhat well-timed in the sense that we refocused and I was more relaxed about things.

Now the hard work and semi-poverty begins for a little while. Moving is always a stretch on one's budget.. movers and setting up internet, power, phone, etc- but I have peace of mind knowing we have a place to settle for the next two years... and one of the biggest things stressing me out lately has been finding a place to live. I'll be moving my things over in July to get the home started and organized and John will move in his stuff over the ensuing months. Once we're married and done w/ the honeymoon, well have a place to call home. YAY!

So here's to future nesting, entertaining, and family-building as John as I start out our married life... :)

On Addressing Invitations

So we've been packaging and preparing invitations to be sent out, and I'm kinda surprised at how surreal it feels. It didn't feel so strange gathering addresses, or preparing the details of the invitations, but when everything is allpackaged together for my friends or family, and I imagine them opening the envelope and pulling out the Heidi-designed artwork, I get all squishy inside. Here are close friends of mine, many of which have helped me through some of the most trying times of my life, some of which are just like family, some of which are family (in either the figurative or literal sense, depending on who it is), many of whom have been with me for over a decade, and I'm packaging an invitation for the celebration that will start the rest of my life.

That day is going to go by incredibly quickly, yet I will be torn between wanting to end it as soon as possible (to get my new wife alone), and wanting it to last forever (to share it with all the people who are nearest and dearest to my heart). I can easily see myself sitting around at a table with my friends or family that I haven't seen in a while, having a drink, and laughing with them with pure joy during the reception.

Perhaps the reality just hit on another level with each person that I know that gets another invitation. Wow. Cool.