Oh Christmas Tree

It feels like last week was the LONGEST week ever.  We had an amazing weekend, lots of family, friends, and drinking.  We both took Friday off and decided to treat ourselves to a day of whatever we wanted.  We decided to go ice skating at  Rosa Parks Circle, soooo much fun!  It was a dollar for each of us.  Cheap fun entertainment

Christmas Eve we went to Aaron's mom's house.  Santa was very good to us.  We got lots of goodies, and had a wonderful time with family.  Aaron's step sister once made a comment about me never wearing matching socks...(I just grab 2 and go, matching something no one sees is silly to me)  so she got me an entire set of really cute miss matched socks for a store called little miss matched...probably one of my favorite gifts!!!

Sunday was a huge busy day for us.  We over slept...luckily we have 2 cats that HAVE to eat at 8:00 on the dot or they think they are going to DIE.  So we got a late start but still made it to Battle Creek on time.  We did breakfast with my mom and sister.  We exchanged awesome gifts.  GPS, really nice mixing bowls, a new toaster oven, and some really cool art work. 

We headed to dads and got spoiled there too.  We got everything else we could possibly need for our kitchen.  Awesome salt and pepper shakers, pans, and tins, and wine glasses.  We basically have everything for our kitchen and only have to register for a few things. 

Finally we ended the night with the big Sopko (mom's side) Christmas.  There was lots of family, screaming, yelling, laughing, drinking, and more presents.  We had a wonderful time. 

Things started to get a little crazy near the end of the night!

 

Monday we hosted the Monzo Christmas.  We made breakfast and exchanged gifts with the siblings.  Overall we had a WONDERFUL Christmas with family and friends.  It was a great first Christmas together, and we're looking forward to many many more. 

Ice Skating downtown, a new tradition we're starting.

Our first Christmas tree. 

Our cats HATE us.  They were so embarrassed.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and felt as blessed as I do this year!  MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!  (Think of Charlie Brown Christmas, when you read that last part..that's how I said it in my head.)

<3 Karissa

Ho Ho Ho..We're in Limbo

Holy Cow!!  We have been so busy.  This time of year is so much fun, and so stressful all at the same time.  Lucky for Aaron he is about to marry a planner, and everything is all set and ready to go for the next week.  We both took and extra day off this week, so we're working a 4 day work week..WOOP WOOP  can't wait until Thursday.  We're going ice skating downtown on Friday, spending Christmas Eve with Aaron's mom, Christmas day in Battle Creek, and then hosting the Monzo sibling xmas Monday.  Can't remember if I laid out our plans in my last blog..but I've been sooooo busy I can't remember.

We've both been super sick too.  It took everything in us to get our shopping done this weekend.  Friday we went to dinner, and hit the mall to get last minute gifts.  We were home by 9.  What did we decide to do??  Wrap Christmas gifts, I know I know, LAME.  But it was fun and our tree looks awesome now.

Saturday morning we decided to do some apartment hunting.  It's absolutely amazing that we live in such a big city and there is CRAP out there for apartments.  We don't want to buy anything yet because we're hoping to move out of state in the next couple of years...no sense in getting stuck in MI.  If it wasn't a tiny 2 bedroom for twice what we're paying now, it was  coin operated laundry in a smelly smoke filled hall, or out in BFE.  The last place we saw was a 2 bedroom town home with an attached garage 2 bathrooms, it was soooo nice.  We loved it.  It was a little more than what we're used to paying, but totally worth it.  After a couple hours, and we came down from our high...(it was kinda like when we found Thousand oaks for our reception, before we picked the wave room)  We could afford it, but would we really want to stretch ourselves?  Especially since we're in a really good situation and also trying to pay for a wedding.  So we decided to stay put, deal with our loud dumb neighbors, and do some redecorating.

Once we got back home, I met Chelsea to pick up my wedding dress!!!  We also did some bridesmaids dress shopping.  I found it interesting when she brought out my dress in the garment bag all covered up so I couldn't see it, she tried to get me to sign that I fully inspected the items and agree that they are what I expected.  UM I AM NO DUMMY  I'm not signing anything without ACTUALLY looking at it first.  How dumb do they think I am.  the girl seemed really peeved too when I said Um I haven't inspected it yet. 

Chelsea was a wonderful model.  I know my girls are going to be in black with red shoes, so pretend all these dresses are in black.  I love this pink one.  It's a cotton fabric, I think it's a fun modern dress!

This black one is my Second favorite.  It looked AMAZING on Chelsea.  I think it will look good on all of my girls too.  It's very similar to the pink, only the fabric makes it a little more formal, and the top is a little different.  Chelsea really liked it too.

We're pretty sure this is the Winner.  The picture doesn't do it justice.  It was beautiful on Chelsea.  She said it was her favorite too.  Everyone that I sent texts to loved it too.

A while ago I told Aaron's sister that I wanted them to be in pea green with huge sleeves.  This is the best we could do to find a silly dress and text all the girls.  Thanks for being a trooper Chels!!

Now that all the deposits are put down, and everything big is all planned and figured out, I have a bunch of small stuff to figure out and deal with, but we're kinda in that in between stage.  Ask us about the wedding plans this week and we're going to give you the same answer as we did last week.  It will be the same answer we give for the next couple of months too.  Everything is great....how boring to be in limbo.  The "newness" has worn off.  BORING.

Sorry so long, it's been a while.

<3 Karissa

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

I have never been so exhausted in my entire life.  Ok, that's a lie, but I'm super tired.  We had quite the weekend.  JB and Ashlee (Aaron's best man and his wife) came into town so we got to go out with them for the evening.  It's never a dull night with the two of them.  We did a little dancing, and drinking...tons of fun!!  Of course I woke up Saturday feeling like I got hit by a truck...for some reason that always happens when those two are in town.

 Saturday we decided to tackle our Christmas shopping.  We are soooo behind, and also realizing that shelling out deposits for vendors and Christmas shopping in the same week is not a very fun thing to do.  We got everyone done, with the exception of a few small things for each other.  Shopping for Aaron is one of the hardest things in the world.  He never really vocalizes what he wants, and when I ask he always answers with .."I don't know"  how flippin helpful.  We ended the evening by having dinner with Aaron's brother and sister which was so much fun!  Aaron got to ask his brother to stand in the wedding, so now our wedding party if officially set! 

After dinner Aaron and I got to talking about starting our own holiday traditions.  I have a few cousins, that I am VERY VERY close too, and I have a really great relationship with my Aunts and Uncles on my moms side of the family.  It's always been important to me that my kids are close to their aunts and uncles and cousins too so we're going to try to start our own Monzo Sibling Christmas.  We'll cook breakfast, exchange gifts and enjoy each others company.  Super excited!

Speaking of holiday traditions, Aaron's mom, step sister and I started a traditions today.  Our Annual baking day.  I actually received a baking day gift.  I got a 15 piece set of baking pans...SOOOO EXCITED!  We made so much food...I came home with so much I have to pace myself I have a wedding dress to fit into YIKES.  We had a lot of fun.  We ran out of time, and couldn't get everything done, so we decided that next year it will be a baking weekend!  I'm looking forward to it!

Ok totally random and really boring, but that was our weekend woop woop!

<3 Karissa

Saying Yes to a Dress

There are certain dates through out this whole experience that I will never forget.  October 29th 9:44 a.m. the date and time Aaron purposed.  December 3rd, the day I bought my wedding dress.  I had a whole gaggle of people with me.  I'm an avid watcher of Say Yes to the Dress, so I wasn't sure how this was going to go.  They say that you shouldn't take a large group, it will only confuse you even more.  However, I knew what I wanted, and frankly didn't care if the group liked it or not, if I felt good in it I was going to get it.  Lucky for me my entire group was FANTASTIC.

We started at our place, my mom, my sister, Aaron's sister, and Staci.  We met Aaron's mom at the shop.  The only missing link was Chelsea my 4th bridesmaid.  I was thinking about her the whole time.  I was secretly hoping I wouldn't find a dress, so she could go out with me looking...but things didn't go as planned.  As we were leaving the apartment I was showing the girls some of the different dresses I had picked out.  I already heard opinions...YIKES WHAT WAS I GETTING MYSELF INTO??!!  No one had anything negative to so, everyone just has their own ideas of what looks good and what doesn't  Aaron was so sweet, he kissed me goodbye and whispered in my ear "remember you have the ultimate say"  I was ready to conquer the world!....or at least the bridal shop.

We got to David's Bridal (I know I know, I should shop local..blah blah blah...my dress was on MEGA sale, and I can't stomach spending thousands of dollars on one item of clothing for one day, so I went chain...sue me!)  Plus WHO CARES?  They gave me an appointment slot of 2 hours...I told my consultant the style numbers I had picked out, and she brought back the dresses one at a time.  I knew right away with the first one that I Hated it.  The second dress took me a while to figure out whether or not I like it.  The third dress was it, I knew before it was out of the bag.  It was the one I feel in love with online.  I could tell in the bag I LOVE IT.  She put it on, and before I was even in front of a mirror I said "I'm done"  I knew it was the dress.  It was just a feeling.  Plus it was a size smaller than all of the other dresses..BONUS.

***Disclaimer****  I don't really know what the rule is about showing the dress to other people before the wedding.  Aaron doesn't read the blog, or have facebook so he won't see pictures.  If you want to wait until the wedding, don't look at the pictures. 

Front and back view.  Obviously it will look way better once it's altered to my size.  I feel like the lighting made me look like such a cow!!!

Once I said yes, everyone started crying.  I knew I was on the right track.  It is exactly what I have always envisioned myself wearing.  The look fits the feel of the wedding, it's a very "me" dress.

The store made me ring a bell once I said I was getting the dress, when I rang it everyone cheered, and clapped...it was really fun!



Ringing the bell after I said yes!

I have a friend making a headpiece for me.  She makes great bows and headbands for little girls.  I've bought some bows from her for myself, so I figured I would ask her to make my headpiece for the wedding.  She said yes, I am soooooo excited!  I've always known that I don't want to wear a veil.  They all look exactly the same, and just don't do anything for me.  I figured to give myself the full bridal experience, and to make my mom happy, I would try the dress on with a veil.

The moms started crying, so I caved.  I'm weaning a veil for the ceremony and a few pictures, and then switching to my custom headpiece by Peyton's Closet

Once I got home from the very overwhelming, but fun day, I got to thinking about the tux situation.  I have no idea when those are supposed to be picked out and ordered.  Aaron and I went to dinner, and decided to make a quick stop at Men's Warehouse to see what the scoop was.  We ended up picking everything out, and finding out, we're pretty much right on time with the tux ordering!  I'm feeling good!!!!

<3 Karissa

A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words

Welp...we've managed to nail down our photographer!  http://www.chadbosma.com/ Chad was so nice, and he pretty much has the same thought process that I have when it comes to the types of pictures that I want.  What makes me super excited is that his pictures are amazing, he does all sorts of different coloring, (water colors, black and whites) and he gives all of the pictures to you.  He said if he makes any changes he will give us the original and the changed pictures!  A lot of photographers don't do that.   We get the rights to all of the pictures and everything all touched up and ready to go on a disc.  I LOVE THAT.  We can burn copies of our pictures for everyone.  I think it's a nice cute gift for the wedding party.  How many weddings have you been in where you're in tons of pictures, and you see like 3 of them..and what are the chances you'll ever get a copy of that picture??

He also told us that if we book with him, he'll do our trash the dress session ABSOLUTELY FREE!!!  He knows his stuff, he knows great locations.  I am bouncing off the walls I'm so excited!

We also pretty much have our DJ lined up.  The DJ that I really wanted isn't available..booooo hoooo!  Even after he told me he was, his manager said he was booked.  I was a little mad, however, there is always a positive to be found.  The DJ we're getting also has a sweet photo booth that fits up to 12 people.  He has all of the props and, unlike some photo booths our guests will actually get their four pictures with our names and wedding date on them.  We will also get the CD of all of the pictures that are taken in the booth!  I'm so excited.  Pictures are one of the most important things to me, you only get to have this day once, and I want to be able to remember it in the best most interesting way.

I also have decided on carnations for our flowers....I KNOW I KNOW carnations?????  Hear me out.  They are making a come back.  I was such a carnation snob for the longest time however, they are very retro and when you put a whole bunch of them together in really tight bunch 1) you can't tell what kind of flower it really is and 2) it looks really really cool.  So anyone who doesn't like it..well.....who cares.  It's my wedding and I'll do what I want!!!  Oh Boy I'm starting to sound like a Monzo already! 

On  a different note.  As we were coming back from our photographer meeting Aaron informed me he wanted to move when our lease is up.  It's up in February.  Have you ever moved in the middle of a Michigan winter??  I have and it BLOWS.  We won't be leaving the area, apparently he just wants a bit of change.  I love where we live, and have no desire to move in the dead of winter...I sense a battle coming on.  Our complex does have really cool loft apartments, if we can move into one of those I'm all for the move, but I don't want to move across town.  We have a perfect location and I don't want to give up my 30 second commute to work!  Ohhh compromise, I hear you knocking on my door.

That's all for now! 

<3 Karissa

Holy Turkey!!!

What a FANTASTIC weekend we had.  Sadly good weekends must come to an end.  I was sooooo ready to be done with work on Wednesday, the kids were a mess, the teachers were "over it" and you could tell the parents were not looking forward to an extra long weekend with the kids!

Wednesday night we bought into the whole "biggest bar night deal"  totally weren't going to but we got invited to a party at the Amway Plaza, so did everyone else in Grand Rapids, it was packed... but we had fun, saw some friends, and had some great drinks!

Thursday morning we headed to Battle Creek for Thanksgiving with my mom.  We had a great dinner, with just a few people in the fam...then it was off to Scott and Sue's for drinks and pie..and of course wedding talk!  We ended up back at my mom's where more family had decided to gather.  We drank, ate pie, yelled through the house, overall just had a really great time.  I told Aaron that Thanksgiving was tame compared to the Sopko family Christmas (mom's side)  so at least he has a small idea of what it will be like.  Christmas is NUTS!!!!  After we go home, we decided to go to target for a little midnight shopping.  BOY WAS THAT A DUMB IDEA.  I'm a little annoyed with Target.  The only good deals they had were on TV's and to be honest..they weren't that awesome.  People were packed into that store like clowns in a car, and it was a nightmare.  We then had to weave in and out of every single isle to  of the store to check out.  We waited in line for a full hour to buy 2 stupid DVD's and a vacuum.

Friday we headed up to Clare bright and early to see Aaron's grandparents and the Minnesota Monzo's.  It was great seeing everyone, we haven't been up there since June.  We ate tons of leftovers, and filled the family in on wedding details.  While we were there we had a project that we were sent out.  We went to pick up a tree for Aaron's grandpa so he could make bowls...they are beautiful...I've been told we'll most likely get one as part of our wedding present totally looking forward to it.  We picked up this tree from Aaron's dad's cousin...they told us that makes Aaron a cousin once removed (I don't know about that crap, so I'll take their word)  Aaron's grandpa told them we were getting married, of course they were happy for us.  As we left we were all saying goodbyes and they said..."well I guess we'll be seeing you in July at the wedding..."  uuuuuummmmmmmmmmmmmmm OK.  Aaron and I just smiled and said yea in that really uncomfortable way, then later in the car we were like..oh crap, are we supposed to invite them!?  I don't think Aaron has ever met them before, but I guess now their expecting an invitation!  OY!  Once we got back from Clare we met up with Lassen and Lang and their men for dinner and drinks.  A perfect way to end our Friday.

Saturday we headed to the Mother-in-Law's house.  SO MUCH FUN.  I love going over there.  We of course had more turkey, which was soo yummy and talked wedding once again!  I've been invited to go to the baking day, which should be a lot of fun!

Overall we had a great weekend, it was far too short, but it was so much fun!  We're tired, and our fridge is full of leftovers!!

Most of the wedding talk was about a dress...probably because we're going dress shopping next weekend.  I have a few ideas in mind.  Most of the dresses are lace which fits the vintage theme we have going,   Both of these dresses are very typical of what I have been looking at.



However, I do love this dress...it has pockets!!!!  I'm totally open to trying on all styles, and plan on trying this one on.

 <3 Karissa

Deck the Halls and Roar Roar Roar

I am soooooooo totally enjoying this Monday through Friday 9-5 job thing.  We get so much done on the weekends!  Friday started the room decorating contest at work, so I had all of my kids helping me get our room all set.  I got home and was so pumped about Christmas, I decided we needed to get the apartment ready too.  Usually I am not a fan of decorating early, but I was just too in the mood!

We went to Walmart (I'm not generally a fan of that place...they don't have the cart wipe things..I felt so dirty) but BOY DO THEY HAVE GREAT DEALS.  We got a 6 foot pre lit tree for 40 bucks, a tree skirt, a set of blue ornaments and snowflakes for the tree for a grand total of 55 bucks!  I was so excited.  Now I get to take my small baby tree to my classroom...(Can you tell I want to win the decorating contest?)  We got home and put the tree up!  Of course our lovely itty bitty kitty feel in love with the tree and won't leave it alone.  We've found her under it, in it, eating it, scratching it, batting at it, and fighting under it.  We're totally surprised it's still standing.

Saturday we went to do a little Christmas shopping at Target, got ourselves some stockings, and lights to hang in the kitchen!  I'm so ready for Christmas!!!  We ended up at the mall to get my rings cleaned..and magically got suckered into buying our wedding bands!  We were there for over 2 hours, and picking my ring was the EASY PART.  I looked at 2 rings, picked one (and it was the least expensive of the two!!!) and I was set.  Aaron on the other hand took forever to decide.  He went very nontraditional with his ring.  I love it.  It's black toungsten with a diamond in the center.  Mine is a simple band with channel set diamonds.  The people at Rogers & Hollands know Aaron by name, they we're so nice and patient with us, and really helped us out.  However, they were not letting us out of the store without buying the rings.  We didn't really go in with the idea of buying..but they worked with us so much we said what the heck!  We had to get them at some point right?

Looks like Aaron's except his has a ring had a diamond in the center!

To wrap up our very coupley (yes, I made up a word) weekend we headed to Detroit for the Lions game.  It was so much fun.  Started out as a very crappy game, and turned itself right around in the second half.  The crowd changed, and energy was nuts it was so loud..it was a perfect Sunday!

On a final note, Contract is mailed out for our wedding ceremony, and reception site...woooohoooo!!!!

<3 Karissa

The Nitty Gritty

For the people that know me well, this is all stuff you've heard before...for those who don't know my entire story this is for you.  I joined match.com at one of my lowest points in my life.  I was working at a job that I hated, living alone and where I worked (not a recommended idea) and I had just gotten news that my parents we're getting divorced.  I'm not going to go into a whole sob story about that for 2 reasons..one it's not my business to share, and two..that story isn't really relevant.  Just know it put me in a depression.  I needed affection, attention, love, and someone to just be there for me.  I am in NO WAY discrediting my WONDERFUL WONDERFUL friends who helped me through all of this, but there are some things a girlfriend just can't help with...unless you swim in the lady pond....which I don't.  So I was sh*t out of luck on that one.

On a whim I decided to join..I don't know why, maybe because I was bored, and wanted something new and exciting to look forward to, something to keep my mind off of things, something just plain silly.  Obviously it worked. 

Aaron got the readers digest version of my situation when we went on our first date, I didn't want to overload him with my emotional baggage, but over time he learned tho whole situation.  He was there for me every second, giving me advice when I asked for it (even if it wasn't what I wanted to hear..he was going to tell me the truth).  Listening when I needed to vent, and letting me cry when I needed to.  I remember the night I knew I fell in love with him.  I was crying about something, and he let me talk it out, but then he decided to tell me secrets that he had never told anyone else.  We were up all night talking, about everything under the sun.  I knew then and there we would be together forever.

At one point in time we had the "talk" that I'm sure everyone has when they know their relationship his getting serious..1) Divorce is not an option we will communicate and work through things...Yes I know that certain circumstances can cause divorce, but I refuse to just give up like I've seen so many times. 2) We're equals in this, we may contribute in different ways, but we are partners.  3) Honesty always. 4) To remember we're not just husband and wife, but best friends as well.  These things are so important to me know more than ever, I don't want to be a statistic.

Short and sweet, I just wanted to get things off my chest!

<3 Karissa

Tulle and Balloons OH MY!

Well, we hit the Wave Room last night....LOVE IT.  It's so different, the whole idea behind it is so much fun.  Our guests would have to use the main entrance to Celebration Cinema, but the room is up this big spiral staircase, and overlooks the whole lobby of the theater.  If you've never been to a Celebration Cinema and you're picturing a theater like we have in good ol' BC you're way off!  They are so nice, and this theater is the IMAX and is pretty fancy! 

The room is huge, and is so up to date with the decor..it's so nice.  Of course Aaron noticed the carpet, and he approved!  I will admit it is some of the nicest banquet carpet I've seen.  There is one whole wall of windows, we can decorate any way we want, and the price was right!  I'm so excited.  I've been dragging on this whole thing because everything has been so typical..everyone gets married at a country club, or at a banquet hall, but how many weddings have you been to that are at a movie theater?  I think that it's just different enough that it makes me really feel like it's OUR wedding and not a copy cat of something else.

The only issue we're running into is a ceremony location.  I've been looking at places where we can hold the ceremony and reception, and now we have to worry about finding a whole new location.  The coordinator did tell us that we could use one of the theaters as our ceremony location.  I didn't like the idea at first, now it's kind of growing on me.  I always see these wedding shows with really cool locations, and ideas, and this is so different.  I don't think Aaron is really fond of the idea...however, he did say "your the boss"  I knew I picked a good one lol!  I have a feeling that we would have some very strong opinions about the ceremony if it was done at the theater...so moving on.

We looked at Meijer Gardens, but their pricing for just a ceremony is around 3,000.....nooooo thanks..not for a 15 minute ceremony.  Augh...I can't find anything I like that works, or that doesn't require ceremony and reception. 

On a different note, we started talking about decorations for the room, and the centerpieces...Aaron thought it would be a good idea to use tulle and balloons for the decorations..UHHHHHH NO.  This is not the 80's I refuse to walk in to our reception room under a balloon arch....*insert gag here* 

So to sum it up...Save the date July 28th 2012 The Wave room!!!

Oy!!!!

The title says it all.  It's exactly how I feel right now.  After we came down from our high on Saturday, we really looked at the numbers, and the place we absolutely love is possible, but we don't want to be broke because of one day.  It just doesn't make sense to blow all of our money, and savings on a wedding, when we're trying to build a life.  Soooo with a very heavy heart...I think we're moving on.  On the bight side, the last place we have to look at (tomorrow) has the original date that we like available. 

We're going to see the Wave Room tomorrow.  Apparently Celebration Cinema has a banquet facility.  I've heard good things about the place, we, we like the menu options...PLUS they have a 5 hour bar service instead of a 4 hour service.  http://www.celebrationbanquets.com/photos/.  Hopefully we like it and can book it and be done with the hard stuff.

I'm so sad that Brook Lodge closed before I could get married, I can't get it out of my head what my wedding would have been like if I could have been married there, surrounded by all of my Brook Lodge family.  OHHHH Well :(

Luckily, once we get the venue it will be smooth sailing from there, I know exactly what the rest of the wedding will look like!  I was looking over all of the different sales kits the different venues gave to us, they had all of their initial contracts in the packets.  It was weird to see "Brides Name" and think...oh yea that's me.  I'm not filling this out for someone else this time.  It is still so hard to wrap my head around the fact that I'm the bride this time, and this is our wedding!!!  Please keep reminding me of these things, once I remember them I get excited again.

Lastly I would just like to say, that I appreciate and love all of the support and help that everyone has offered.  I'm trying to include everyone in everything possible, but some appointments and outings are more personal, and honestly a lot more stressful the more people you add to a group. The more opinions that are thrown in, the harder it gets to make any sort of decision.  Please don't feel like I'm intentionally leaving you out of anything, I'm just trying to make things as stress free and simple as possible.



I love fall...going for a Hay Ride!!  Mark the horse pulled us.  For some reason Aaron that the name Mark for a horse was soooooooo funny!

 Keep your fingers crossed for the Wave Room. 

<3 Karissa

The One

Soooo apparently Aaron has some sort of radar that went off informing all of his ex's that he was engaged.  Yesterday this slut bag was texting him all night long, even after he told her he was engaged she asked him to meet her downtown...EXCUSE ME BITCH I WILL CUT YOU!  He stopped texting her, but she continued to text this morning too.  I'm about to call this skank and bitch her out.  Then this morning he ran into an ex at the gym...and she just had to stop and talk to him..really...now that he's off the market everyone flocks to him.  Sorry Taken!

We went venue hunting today.  It was such a beautiful day, if I could be guaranteed a day like today I would book a fall wedding.  However, it's Michigan and the weather is unpredictable, it could be snowing, it could be raining, or it could be 100 degrees outside....so no thanks.

We went to three different places, which meant we drove ALL OVER GR.  We like the first Country Club Centennial County Club http://www.centennialcc.com/banquets/pictures  It was really pretty.  Supposedly they have a driving range, and waterfall where we could do the ceremony....but we didn't see it...so....yea.  We did like the banquet space!

We drove across town, and pulled into this very secluded area drove through the forest and pulled up to this enormous golf lodge looking place. 
Thousand Oaks http://www.thousandoaksgolf.com/Weddings-Banquests_a59272b15ba7b.html  The golf course was beautiful with rolling hills.  We walked into the pro shop, and at this point weren't too impressed.  The wedding coordinator took us through the club restaurant where everyone stared at us like we were the new kids at school...can you say AWKWARD.  We walked into the ballroom, and it was massive!  it's a really pretty light green, with really nice banquet carpet..it wasn't obnoxious.  The light fixtures were beautiful  Their tables and chair were really nice (they'll still need covers though).  What sold us on this place was the foyer.  It was one of the nicest entrances I have ever seen.  It had a huge fireplace, and wrap around couch...so cozy!  Once we talked about the menu and all of the options we were both getting super excited...time to talk available dates.  I knew they had some Saturday dates in July and August because that's what I was told when I called...WRONG.  Dumb dumb I spoke with on the phone had no idea what she was talking about, and our coordinator told us there were no Saturday's in July or August.  I could actually see the excitement leaving Aaron's face, and disappointment was written all over his body language.  I knew my face mirrored.  He decided to cave and said lets look at Friday's, I knew he didn't want Friday's so I caved and changed dates.  We're now stuck with May 26th or September 1st.  Cool great...then she said that's Memorial day weekend, or Labor day weekend...well that explains why they're the only dates left.  Damnit!!!!!  We're leaning towards Sept 1st, so don't make Labor day plans people!  Once we saw the driving range where we would get married, Sept 1st started to look better and better.  We're in the number crunching stage, but I'm thinking we found the one!!!

Just to make sure we covered all of our options we went to the last country club.  Mr. Monzo was suddenly buzzing from finding a place,  I even commented that he had good questions...suddenly he's this "wedding expert"  We pulled in and he started pointing out everything he didn't like.."oh I don't like this entrance, oh and that water tower is horrible"  Lordy, we weren't even inside yet!  We got inside, and I wasn't impressed that the person set to meet us, wasn't there...holy annoyed.  As we were waiting Aaron took a walk down this long hall...came back, and said "I do not want to get married here.  The bathrooms are ugly, and look at this wallpaper, this is a no!"  OOOOOOOKKKK Groomzilla!!!  My goodness, I was laughing at his reaction, now that we had found what we were looking for nothing else was going to be good enough for him.  We found the manager, they opened the door and...I shit you not, my eyes we pulled to the floor..the first thing I saw was the most ugly carpet I have EVER seen in my entire life.  It looked like a red and yellow checkered flannel shirt...it was awful.  It was so tacky, nothing could every hide that.  It didn't help that it was one of the most ugly decorated weddings I have ever seen.  Horrible mustard yellow chairs, a whole in the wall by the dance floor...it was terrible they must have had an awesome photographer take their pictures! 

While we were standing in the room I happened to notice one of the tables was missing a bunch of napkins, so I pointed it out to the manager, who in turn said something the the staff, and the girl snapped back "yea we know we're folding more"  then Aaron heard her say something like "it isn't even her wedding what's her problem"  Well soooorrrrrrry if it had been my wedding and someone else was touring the room and noticed the same thing, I would have wanted them to mention it too..skank bag.  It's easy to forget something like that I was just trying to be helpful!  Whatever, I have no desire to get married in a McDonald's which is what that carpet reminded me of, so we won't be seeing them again!

We had a great day, we're super excited.  We sent out mass texts messages to people asking about Labor Day weekend, everyone said it's cool with them....it's looking like September 1st I will make the change to Mrs. Monzo!!!


I love this picture, don't mind the finger...I noticed it after I uploaded it, sorry!



Totally over it already

We've officially started the search.  We went and checked out a venue downtown last night.  Bridgewater place.  It's right on the Grand River, and has floor to ceiling windows along one whole wall.  I loved it.  It won't really go with the vintage theme I had in mind since it's a really contemporary but it's so pretty.  Only issue I'm running into is the area that they use for ceremonies might be getting turned into a restaurant within the next year.  They can't grantee us an indoor wedding space, and I REFUSE to plan an outside wedding in Michigan with no rain backup.  She did tell us that we could hold the ceremony in the room where the reception will be, but we can't have a rehearsal Friday night if there is a  Friday night wedding booked...we could have a Thursday rehearsal...(gee that's soo helpful, especially when we know we'll have people from out of town coming to the rehearsal, and can't be there that early)...AWESOME.   It's all so up in the air I don't want to book and then get totally screwed.

Aaron was HILARIOUS during the tour, asking the most random questions... suddenly I felt like I was marrying a 4 year old.  He danced on the dance floor to "make sure it was danceable"  he HAD to check out the bathrooms, he also asked if we could have sports center on the giant TV they have in the room...awesome.  We held the date, but still have some thinking to do.  We know we don't want to get married in a church, so we're leaning towards no.  :(    Aaron also didn't like the carpet...I told him banquet carpet is always ugly..it has to be to hide stains!  Also, the ceiling had "scratches" on it...which I didn't notice, but whatev.

We have a whole bunch of tours scheduled for Saturday, and one next Tuesday, hopefully this is all figured out by Wednesday.  It's sad to say, but I'm already over it...The money, the planning, I'm stressed already.  Just because I do it for a living, doesn't make it any easier.  I really just want to be married.  I want a wedding, and the experience...but really the goal is to be married to the man of my dreams.  I think my stress, and the lack of overall excitement is coming from figuring out how to pay for all of this.  We don't want to dip into savings, I have ALWAYS thought it was stupid to drop thousands and thousands on one day, and we don't really want to have our parents paying for everything...so paying for this hoopla is still a mystery.  :/  

On top of all of that, I'm trying to study for my State Farm test so I can get in the office, and actually start making some money.  I have so much to get done for the test, it's putting everything else on hold.  It's possible to plan a wedding in a short period of time, but it really sucks the fun out of it, and takes away enjoying just being engaged....sadly my bubble has burst and reality is starting to set in....this is exactly why people take a year to plan the wedding...so they can enjoy it!  Maybe I'll just leave all of the decisions to Aaron, and see where that leads us!

<3 Karissa

And so it Begins!!

I know I posted this on facebook already, but...I feel like I need to say it again.  All that needs to be done right this second is booking a venue, which means getting together a rough guest list for a round about number.  Problem is, with 2 sets of divorced parents..that's a whole lot of communicating back and forth, trying to get everyone to send me their lists.  I have a feeling this is just the beginning of feeling like a tennis ball bouncing back and forth between all involved parties.  Aaron and I put together our version of a guest list, and it is dominated by family.  We're trying to keep our numbers down, and want to have both family and friends involved in our day...but at the rate we're going who knows if that will actually happen.  I do not want a wedding of 200 guests, and that's the direction we're headed...YIKES!!



Right now, I'm totally obsessed with this place..Bridgewater Place!


With that said, I started calling venues today knowing that a lot of dates are already booked.  We aren't attached to any specific date, we just know we want July or August.  Each venue has like 2 dates left..we really need to get a move on it!  I spent the afternoon speaking with different wedding coordinators and found myself ready to beat my head against a wall.  None of these coordinators are willing to meet us on Saturday's because they have events going on.  WELL DUUUHHHH  I want to see the venue set up for a wedding, looking at a big open space is not very helpful.  It's not like I want to tour the place at 6:00 while the best man is giving his toast, I would like to come by early afternoon..nothing is going on then.  I found myself wondering if other brides felt this way too.  I'm only used to the way that I ran things.  Of course I'm going to give tours of the property on a Saturday, that's when people aren't working, and when they have time to do that kind of stuff.  As a wedding planner it's hard to remember that other people get so stressed out about their weddings because it's not the only thing on their plate at that moment.  Usually they're also working, and have other social engagements to deal with,  while I'm focused only on their wedding because that's my job..it's not stressful.

I work until 6 every day Aaron works 3rd shift, so we're totally inconvenienced by this whole not able to meet on Saturday's thing.  We have random appointments scheduled which means we can't include our parents.  So far I'm not impressed with Grand Rapids venues.

On another note, one of Aaron's friends asked Aaron if we ever fight...I don't know if he asked because he noticed that we don't, or what his thought process was, but it made me think.  We don't really fight.  We've had 2 really big fights and that's really it.  Of course we snap at each other every once in a while, or bicker back and forth, but nothing major.  After we talked about how it was nice that we never fight..I silently began freaking myself out...(I totally tend to over analyze things)  Are we supposed to be fighting?  Obviously there isn't a quota of how many fights a couple has to log each month, but you always here things like a fight here and there is healthy for the relationship, but are we missing something?  NO.  No is the answer I'm going with, couples that fight all the time clearly aren't happy together...why would you want to be in a relationship where you're fighting more than anything else?

*This was before he purposed:***

I freaked out for a small second thinking that we were missing something in our relationship, is it really possible to just be happy and get along?  I answered the questions myself, YES.  It is possible to be happy.  I've found I just let the little things roll off my back, because it's not worth the energy to pick at every little thing.  I know I have qualities that drive Aaron CrAzY..I'll give an example, because I know it's hard for you all to believe I'm not perfect. 

There is an enchilada sitting in a glass baking pan in the fridge right now.  It's been there for a week.  I had every intention of eating it, but never got to it.  Now I know it's grown 7 lawyers of fuzz, so I don't feel like taking it out of the fridge, because it's going to be gross.  Aaron will most likely be the one to get it out, he'll be annoyed...but won't make a big deal about it.  Just like I move his damn shoes out of the way of the front door EVER SINGLE DAY.  I crack jokes about them being in the way, move them, and tomorrow they'll be in the exact same place.  Directly in front of the door. 

I don't know why this has been bugging me, I guess I was feeling like sometimes it's too good to be true, but maybe that's how everyone feels when they find the person that truly is their better half.

I know you married folk are all probably laughing at me right now, or maybe rolling your eyes at me, I'm not naive enough to think we won't ever fight, and I'm sure we'll have some blow outs, but right now we're in such a good place, there is nothing to fight about..except maybe him being a bed hog*

<3 Karissa

The Rest is History...

I've always thought that was such a stupid saying..."the rest is history"  mainly because it's a statement that follows a long story that 9 out of 10 people don't really want to hear, but have to sit and listen to it anyway.  Whether it's because you're listining to a friend or family member, or stuck in line with a really chatty person.  Why on earth would a person take the time to tell most of their story..and finish it with "the rest is history"  It's honestly the worst way to end a story.  It's kind of like reading 20 chapters out of a 23 chapter book, you get to the last page in chapter 20 and it says...."and the rest is history".  WTF  now that I'm invested in the story, and have wasted my time listening...finish the damn story!

With that said..I'm telling my whole story, leaving nothing out.  This is mainly for myself so I can remember all the details, when things get crazy.  I want to look back a year from now and remember exactly what was going through my head a day after I got engaged.

Here goes....

Aaron and I met on Match.com..(insert comments from haters here)  say what you want but look where it got me.  I have planned more weddings of couples that have met on Match.com, than couples that said they met at the store reaching for the same apple...so SUCK IT.  I never thought I would meet my soul mate at the bar, or store, or through a friend...honestly I didn't know how I was going to meet anyone.  One day I plucked up the courage knowing I didn't have anything to lose, and joined.  Within 3 days I had made contact with Aaron.  We never would have been matched through the site because his location was outside of my desired settings..I think I was younger than his age group too (can't be positive though).  I decided to expand my search and found his profile.  I couldn't tell you what drew me to it, but he seemed to have a similiar personality.  I winked, he winked we started emailing...(insert gag sound here...winking really?? Match has some minor changes they need to make lol).

We emailed back and forth for about a week, when he asked me if it would be to forward to ask for my number...I responded with my number...and 2 seconds later he texted me.  Apparantly he was texting some other skank too..I just found this out today...look who won hoe bag!!  No, really, I'm sure she was a nice girl and I have nothing against playing the field.. but suddenly with a rock on my finger I'm overly protective and annoyed anyone else every showed interest in him....lame I know.  We talked on the phone for about 2 weeks, and finally decided to meet.

Our first date was typical dinner and drinks (actually breakfast..we went to Ihop...inside joke..not going to get into that)  I was so nervous I was shaking so bad, but the second we started talking I felt at ease.  I remember when we changed locations for drinks, I thought to myself..I could really be with this guy.  After our date he hugged me and sent me off...no kiss.  Our second date came 2 days later dinner and then we hung out at his place...the night ended with a peck on the lips.  WHAT THE HELL KISS ME DUDE!  I was starting to think something was wrong with me.  Finally our thrid date I got the kiss I was looking for! 

We saw each other every other day the entire first week...we were also living 40 minutes apart.  A week after our first date we decided to make it official...those were his exact words too...How flippin romantic! NOT.  As time went I I knew I was falling in love with him.  He had told me a story about an ex that said I love you too soon and he responded with thank you.  I was soooo scared to tell him I loved him.  I was laying in bed, with my face turned away and finally after a sleepless night I just said...babe if I told you I loved you would you say thank you?  He laughed and said no I would say I love you too.  After that everything turned into a big whirlwind of a relationship...we started dating in March, moved in together "officiall" in August, and are engaged at the end of October.  I know some people think it's quick, but I'm also not 21 and messing around, I know what I'm looking for in life.  I've had my time to myself to be stupid and young, I'm ready and when you know you know...no sense in waiting just to conform to society.

Sorry this is sooooo long...don't read it if you don't like it :)

I had my suspisions something was coming in the form of a proposal...I was expecting Christmas time not October 29th 9:44 am.  Our kitten was outside the bedroom scratching the door driving me nuts, I was just thinking to myself I should get up and feed them to get them to be quite..when Aaron got up first...I should have known then and there something was up..he never gets up to feed the cats.  He came back to bed and Mocha (our baby kitty) jumped in bed too.  She is soooo lovey and needy she was rubbing all over me, and forcing me to pet her.  I started to scratch under her collar, and suddenly felt the ring...I wasn't sure what it was but when I looked I saw the shadow of it.  I couldn't say anything but what is this, what is this??  His response was I don't know what is it?  I burst into tears, and he took the ring off her collar, and said will you marry me?  Of course I answered yes. He said Mocha was a little too needy he had wanted me to at least make it out into the living room, but I loved that I was still in bed.  I always loved how Julia Roberts was purposed to in the movie Stepmom, and I got my own version of that!  I loved everything about how he purposed.  He used the cute kitty (shameless!!) she's our baby.  He did it early in the morning I wasn't expecting anything.  It was just the two of us, no stairing eyes, it was just our moment and I will cherish that forever.

Now a day after the fact, I still can't believe I'm going to be a Monzo...I'm marrying the man of my dreams, who treats me like a princess.  I feel like I could explode I'm so happy..(sorry I know this is the cheesy part)  He's had about a month to let this sink in, I'm still getting used to it, but I love it.  I love every minute of the past 2 days that we have been together.  I'm safe, I know I will be taken care of for the rest of my life, I'm marrying my best friend and I CAN NOT WAIT!!!

Again, I know it was long, but that's the beginning, and now I get to start this crazy process of planning my own wedding..I'm the bride now..do what I say bitches...KIDDING...kinda :)


<3 Karissa