Day 10

Day #10: Issue a public apology

Wow. What a day this has been. 9+ hours of solid work accomplished for the wedding [53 days away] +  6 hours of work at my actual non-bride job [intern]. I say this to give brief introduction and context to the following public apology...

I would like to first publicly apologize to my body. Today was not a stellar day for how I treated you. Cinnamon Hazelnut brew to start the day, a breakfast sandwich, grapes galore, a hazelnut frappuccino, and chips with salsa does not equal a balanced nutritious food/drink combination for the day. Tomorrow, we shall do better.

Second, I apologize for the way that bride brain works to my very patient friend [and bridesmaid] Jordan. Today was fantastic and scatterbrained and organized all at once. You did not complain once as we hunted diligently for wedding accessories or counted tables for 4 vs. tables for 8. We persevered on grapes and our frappuccinos as if we were on some crazy wedding planning survival show.

Side bar apology to my also patient friend [and best man] Kevin for the large amount of glitter you were exposed to this evening. Hopefully it has not put your health at too high a risk.

Third, I would like to publicly apology to my formally clean apartment. The amount of wedding related items that have been pulled out of all manner of storage locations today is quite out of control. I promise to return things to order in the [hopefully] near future. Glitter clean-up included, I know, it's everywhere.

Fourth, I would like to continue this public apology by apologizing to my very patient [see a theme?] husband-to-be Adam. I apologize for being more excited than the internet connection between Missouri and Wisconsin could truly handle. Also, for the large amount of details I attempted to download to you this evening beyond what any one man should ever need to absorb before he goes to sleep at night. Tomorrow - more pictures of what I meant, less endless explaining :)

Finally, for anyone or thing or space left that should received an apology this evening...well - sorry! And I mean that in the most sincere way - not like the way that you say "sorry" as a kid sometimes where afterwards your parents make you re-do the sorry once you actually mean it - but instead the genuine way. Or at least in as serious a way as a public apology via a blog post will ever be. ..

This public apology is being officially issued on Monday June 10th 2013 - at 11:17pm - CST.

Gratitude.

Hello long lost blog world. :)

Usually when I have not blogged for a while several things happen [1] I keep telling myself I should blog [2] I write a long post, filled with pictures in an effort to catch up and [3] I go through a period of life where I notice I am less grateful for what is happening in it every day and how God is working. End result [4] sometimes, I get cranky because I have procrastinated, I don't know where to blog to even start to 'catch up' and have forgotten things I wanted to remember and reflect on. AGH.

So today, no 'catch up' post. Know that since I last blogged I have been blessed to be alive each and every day in between then and now, and sit here humbled and thankful for that realization. 

What I want to share though, is a deep deep amount of gratitude. In this past week I have ben blessed to share life with so many dear friends, family and even my fiancé. They have all blessed me beyond what they know. This past weekend involved: 

• The company of 7 out of town guests in my 1 room apartment [ultimate girls sleepover]
• Shopping with my Mom
• The Color Run in downtown St. Louis [in the rain]
• Trying on my wedding dress for the first time [talk about overwhelming!]
• Seeing my girl's bridesmaid dresses, which just came in [awesome]
• A wonderful and thoughtfully planned Bridal Shower
• A surprise visit from Adam [WOW]
• Worshipping with everyone in from out of town
• Brewery visits
• Lots of trips back forth to the airport
• Getting ear piercings with some of my bridesmaids [spontaneous]
• Amazing weather
• A trip to the zoo [I got to pet 3 sharks, so that was sweet]
• Running and biking in the park with Adam [The best!]
• Surprise dinner night with Adam [homemade by him too]
• Wedding planning time [DJ & limo booked, invitations designed]
• So so many meals shared with dear friends
• Many many tears shed [Both tears of joy and sad tears as the goodbyes began]

Most of the first half of that list, happened on Saturday alone, whew! But each and every second of the memories on that list, are filled with moments of life shared that are irreplaceable and to an extent can not be fully described here. As I reflect on them now, I am filled with deep gratitude for friends and family who are examples to me of God's great love.

I challenge anyone reading this to cherish each part of their days - good, bad, awesome, terrible or otherwise, and rest in a place of gratitude for all that you do have.

All of the love.

As promised yesterday, lots of picture updates on what I was up to the end of last month + so far this month! Lots of pictures of course, so enjoy sharing life with me :)

Since today is Valentine's Day, I also couldn't help but share this adorable video!

Love,

Kyla

Picture + Update Time

 End of January = Youth trips like crazy! Took high schoolers on a Ski Trip up to Wisconsin - SO COLD - see picture below. Also got to take 8th Graders on a retreat to talk about our sexuality, great kids, AWESOME weekend!

Sr. Youth Ski Trip

After the 8th Grade Retreat, I drove straight up to Chicago for our Mid-Year Intern Gathering! This meant getting to see Adam again (3 times in one month was just amazing.). Bummer is that he came down with the flu the first day were there...He has since recovered, but it was a rough end of January for him!

Our date to Urgent Care

After Mid-Year was over, there was some down time, Adam was feeling a little better, so we spent time with one of our close friends - Ryan, who is also an intern. My last Thursday of January started with the two of them making me breakfast and only went up from there! Went on a Brewery tour and a Distillery tour. Fun stuff!

Brewery Tour

Distillery Tour

Very end of January into the beginning of February

WEDDING ADVENTURES!!!!!!! 

*If you're a guy reading this, I won't be offended if you skip reading this part

While up in Chicago, I worked to make the most of being back in a city I love + where almost all of our wedding vendors are located. Visited our caterer, interviewed a handful of DJs, stopped by our reception site to go over a few decorating details in person, went to the hotel for our guests to talk through details again in person not over the phone which was so nice, finalized our ceremony location, and met with a florist. (I also got to spend quality time at 2 favorite coffee places - Caribou & Blue Max!). WHEW. Spent Wednesday afternoon/evening, all of Friday, and Saturday morning on Wedding related everything, I LOVED IT. 

Seriously. Being a bride is so much fun and planning big party for all our family & friends to celebrate Adam & I getting married is just exciting beyond words. :)

I. love. wedding. planning.

Back to the real world.

After being gone and out of town for most of January, it is nice to settle back into some normal routine and not have to live out of a suitcase for a while! January did bring about the death of my last fish AND a plant I got last fall, so that was a little rough...but life goes on!

February living.

February St. Louis Adventures...so far

Found a fun Mexican place downtown that serves delicious Margaritas! Had a lovely girl's night last week that was MUCH needed - it seemed like I hadn't seen any St. Louis friends in forever!

Most recently, last weekend Kevin, Jordan, and I spent the better part of Saturday at St. Louis Mardi Gras. We did lots of walking, watched some of the parade, and even managed to run into some of our other friends who were downtown too! Fun day! I am thankful that I have great friends to explore with :)

Newest life event coming up - another Half Marathon!

I signed up for this race at the end of last year, but with everything going since Christmas, it has kinda been on the back of my radar. But needless to say, I am REALLY excited to run another Half Marathon. I had such a great time running my first one in October. This time, Kevin is going to run too, so I am excited to get to run with him for his first half!!! April 7th is the official race date, so if you are around St. Louis that day, I appreciate fans :)

Said yes to MY dress!

I FOUND MY WEDDING DRESS!!! WOOHOO!!!!!!!

One step closer to marrying Adam :) My mom is in St. Louis this weekend for a girls weekend, with the main goal being to find my dress! I had tried on dresses once before moving here to St. Louis, so I was really really excited for Mom to come out and go shopping again for my wedding dress. I won't bore you with the details of all the work that goes into trying dresses on - its a total process to get clamped into dresses - but a process that is SO completely worth and very fun and surreal to be a part of with my Mom by my side! Here is a sneak peak of our dress shopping day:

Dressing room IN an old bank vault - so fun!

This poem definitely sums up our wedding dress shopping adventure:

WEDDING DRESS POEM

Author: THERESCA ROBINS

Shes been dreaming 

'bout her wedding dress

since she was a little girl..

white with lace, and flowing,

accents made of pearl

Mother watches daughter

trying on the dresses....

her daughters now a future bride

and the older one confesses,

she sees that little girl, again..

her eyes sparkling with joy,

playing bride in bedroom sheets

and dreaming 'bout a boy....

She grew up...she met a man

who swept her off her feet..

they fell in love,he proposed to her,

and now her lifes complete...

Daughter's eyes are dancing, now..

shes found the perfect fit...

mother smiles proudly..

This one's surely it..

Daughter turns to mother

I love it-watcha think...??"

mother grins, she loves it too,

then gives the girl a wink..

And in that very moment,

mother sees the change occur,

standing, now, in front of her

a woman - not a girl

We went to 2 stores total yesterday, the second store we went to twice (ha!) Tried on one dress at the second store, which at the end of the day ended up being MY DRESS!

The store we got my dress from!

Both stores we went to, had really cool design interiors, the store we got my dress from was in the heart of downtown St. Louis. We had awesome service at both stores - lots of patient, helpful, and encouraging women working! 

Such a unique space :)

 Once I said yes to my dress [yup, you knew that was coming at some point!] - I just did not want to take it off, so they let me wear it around the store for a while as they were working on putting my dress order officially in! After the dress was officially ordered and mine and after a lengthy explanation of the timeline for when it would come in (6 months from now), and the timeline for all the fitting appointments - Mom and I spent a little time looking at dresses for her and my bridesmaids and then called it a VERY fun, successful, and exciting day!!!

...a little tired from such an exciting day!

Mom and I headed home - incredibly happy! - and stopped for a well deserved dinner, complete with raspberry mojitos. YUM. Love being a bride :) 

Can't wait for August 2, 2013 :)

Bride life.

It has been a little bit since I have blogged about wedding related anything. So lucky you - today is the day! Last week, all week, I was gearing up to organize my ever growing piles of wedding related anything. Yes, I have found some fun wedding apps & websites that I like and use the internet for many wedding planning related activities, but I am far from a paperless planning kind of bride. I have this need to write things down, see them in print, cross to-do lists items off...etc. This all to say, me organizing all the wedding planning related anything = DIY Wedding Binder. 

{I should also mention that I am aware that there are already made books and binders for wedding planning out there, but I just did not ever come across any that I loved and making my own seemed more exciting. From start to finish this project consumed most of my day on Saturday - but not in a bad way, just in a my wedding stuff was really disorganized kind of way.} 

To start this whole process I searched online for other bloggers/brides who had made their own wedding binders. Some advice I found helpful, other advice not so much. I made my whole binder with supplies I already had on hand, fueled by a lot of coffee I might add. It took me a couple tries to decide what order I wanted my sections in, but those were easy enough to move around. After it was finished, I was extra excited and relieved to know that all my planning was in one spot. WIN! 

The best advice from my project I have made into a [hopefully] handy DIY pdf that you can download and use: DIY Wedding Binder [or just skim over the picture of it below and rock n roll with your own steps - either way just have fun!] Bonus: lots of pictures of what this looked like for me + my finished sections! Bride life is just wonderful.

-Kyla 

Click to download this step-by-step guide!

Some of the most helpful links to timelines/worksheets/checklists I found:

• Free wedding downloads - yay! < Most of the downloads from this site were in line with how I personally think/organize things, so I was super excited to find this link!!!
• Other ideas would be to print off checklists from TheKnot, RealSimple - Weddings, or Martha Stewart Weddings

Evolution of my living room floor during all of this. 

First 2 sections in my binder: Basics & Inspiration

Ceremony & Reception [woohoo!]

Vendors, Bridal Party, Guests - all important!

Extra fun section :)

done.done.done.

So exciting!!

[Insert clever post title here]

Well, today is Thursday, but my brain has been operating all week like every day is a Monday. So when I titled this post [insert clever post title here] that is seriously as far as my general creativity has gotten this week. This is not all necessarily bad, mostly my repeat Monday feeling has come from the fact that I got to fly up to Wisconsin to visit Adam this past weekend [WOOHOO!]. 

Basically, the whole weekend can be summoned up with 2 words: Blessed & Excited. Blessed & excited to have a fiancé who is doing awesome work serving the church he is at. Blessed & excited to spend time together. Blessed & excited that it is getting closer to our wedding. [you get the idea]

In case any of you are truly curious as to what all a weekend in Wayside consisted of, you're in luck because of course I would love to share :) Took advantage of time together and did a little wedding planning. Adam is incredibly supportive and encouraging with wedding stuff, in the most manly way possibly of course! (Blessed & excited).

Command central for wedding planning. Wayside edition. 

Friday and Saturday night we spent time with another couple - Adam's friends Tim and Marissa. Love them! We had a lot of fun together and it was nice to get to put faces to names I have been hearing about :)

Saturday during the day we went out to a town called Two Rivers which is right on Lake Michigan - very beautiful! We borrowed bikes from congregation members and Adam's church and enjoyed the awesome weather.

Wasn't kidding, super pretty!

Biking professional. Clearly.

This was more challenging than it needed to be :)

While I was there we also had time to go running together, cook a few meals, worship together, skype some of our family and friends, and I even got to tag along to youth group with him on Sunday night! I had safe travel to and from Wisconsin (blessed). Returned home Monday night - shout out to the Thomson's for picking me up from the airport! - and Tuesday was then the start of my recurring Mondays. Seriously, this week has not been bad or anything, my brain just keeps restarting to Monday. Awesome. 

Normal intern life here is still going along smoothly. Prayers are of course always appreciated. (As is mail). Its about 5 weeks until my first 1/2 marathon - so that is kinda crazy to wrap my brain around as well!!! Other wedding update: Mom is coming to visit the end of this month so we can go shopping for my wedding dress - WOOHOO!

 >> Kyla

Normal =  Pancake breakfasts, letters and wedding invites from friends!

Top 10 Events of (my last week of) College!

Last week, (okay every week since getting engaged AND placed for internship within a period of 72 hours!) was kind of hectic. I have condensed all of last week into a format David Letterman would perhaps approve of...

Top 10 events of my last week of college:

10. FINALS. There were plenty of these + papers to occupy any spare time. Enough said.

9. PACKING. Mom was a savior in this department for me. I had packed up a fair amount of stuff before she came in town, however while I would be at work or a final, Mom diligently worked on packing up my kitchen and anything else she could, as well as lined up a storage unit to store my stuff in during the time between school ending & moving to St. Louis

8. VISITED WAYSIDE, WISCONSIN (Adam's new home for internship) - SO blessed by all of the people there, and SO excited for the opportunities and ministries Adam will get to be a apart of - even stopped by Lambeau while we were in the area!

7.  MOM FLEW IN! Kevin (our Best Man) picked Mom up from the airport on Sunday while Adam & I were on our way back from Wayside. Celebrated a late-night Mother's Day. I was really excited because I put together a Mother-of-the-Bride Wedding planning survival kit to give her :)

Mother-of-the-Bride Wedding Planning Survival Kit

6. WEDDING ADVENTURES - First thing Monday morning, Adam, Kevin, my Mom, and I paraded off to the tux store to pick out the guy's wedding look. Lots of fun and the guys were great sports too! Also all 4 of us had a cake tasting adventure on Tuesday afternoon - successfully tried some cake we will NOT be getting for the wedding - but who doesn't love a wedding adventure??

5. Went to BRIDAL SHOW #2 with Mom! This show was held at a country club, much bigger in scale than my first Bridal show, I was really glad I had been to one already so I knew what to expect a little more with this one. We got champagne before we even walked through the door, and the night ended with a Bridal fashion show (we had front row seats!!) 

4. On Tuesday, took Mom to see our reception venue - 

THE WILDER MANSION!!!! This was by far one of the highlights of the week! Check out some sneak peak pictures below :) We also met with a caterer later that same day- very long appointment - may or may not have discussed a burrito bar with queso as an option - much to Adam's excitement!!! (sure beat the conversation about linens haha)

3. LAST CLASS & FINAL OF UNDERGRAD! This was ten times more exciting than I had ever imagined it would be! Fun that Adam, Kevin, and I all had the same last class/final so we could celebrate that together!!!

2. Friday - we got to have our ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS taken! Adam, myself, and Kevin headed down to Old Town (a part of downtown Chicago) first thing in the morning, met up with our photographer, and spent the next few hours getting photos taken - our pictures will be done getting edited in the next couple of weeks - can't wait to share them with you all! Also fun was having Kevin along, not only because it was just fun to have another friend along (made things a little less awkward with the photographer at the beginning) - but also because he was SUPER helpful with carrying things and pitching in anyway he could. [Had to share his sunglass look he sported!]

1. LAST NIGHT OF COLLEGE AND GRADUATION. Mom left late Thursday night, Friday was laid back (engagement photos - woohoo!) - and our week got to end perfectly - spent with all our dear friends!!! We hung out, danced late into the night, and got to cheer on everyone we have spent the last 4 years with as they finally graduated!! Bittersweet though it was, can't be more thankful for everyone and the experiences we have all shared these last years together!

Family photo!

Upcoming post: News about our upcoming trip to Japan! (One week from today 5/23 - until we leave!)

Blog beats paper.

Please do not be too amused with my subtle rock/paper/scissors joke I am claiming as the title for this post. Its been, honestly, a long day which only heightens the fact that I find my own humor quite funny.


Real talk: the term senioritis I do not feel would be the most accurate term for my life right now. Something more along the lines of Letsnotwriteanymorepapersandjustlivearealnoncollegelife-itis would apply to how I feel right about now! However, the only real 'cure' for my little problem is to actually just finish writing the papers I have do...which is clearly why this post is being written.


Wedding planning update definitely is necessary by now I suppose. Totally LOVE planning our wedding, talking through ideas and fun things to do for the wedding/reception with Adam is the best! Mom is coming out to Chicago next week to join in the wedding planning whirlwind. We are still getting married in Chicago - the newest addition to that plan is.....(drumroll please)....

WE HAVE SET A DATE!

AUGUST 2, 2013

YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY/WOOHOO!!! I do not think my enthusiasm for this can really be adequately conveyed or explain via the blog medium - however you get the idea! WE ARE GETTING MARRIED AUGUST 2nd, 2013!!!! 


Tomorrow and Thursday we are meeting with some photographers which I am really looking forward too - and next week will involve some cake tastings and another bridal show adventure (this time with Mom!). 

I say all of the above, to really say this: God is mighty, I am blessed. 

Still anxiously awaiting my move to St. Louis! Please continue to keep my new church & ministry in all of your prayers. 

Final thing (and then I really do have a paper to write): Here is a little simple healthy living encouragement for all of you, especially the Step 7. 

Love, Kyla

My Top 5

Brief update on my goals this week!

Breakfast: 4/4

Running/Working out: 3/4

Stopping work before bed: 2/4

soo...room for improvement still :)

As I have been officially jumping into the world of wedding planning (in between classes and homework of course), I wanted to share a few wedding planning resources that so far I LOVE and are maybe not as well known (for example)! Enjoy :)

#1. OneWed.com 

What it's like: Designed with the idea in mind that there is A LOT of pressure if you are too focused on planning THE perfect wedding, instead they want to give brides & grooms and their families lots of easy to use online tools. Like TheKnot.com they have search functions for finding vendors, ideas, and discussion forums...etc. But what they offer is a social networking side along with the ideas.


Why I love it: I can choose who I want to add to my wedding planning account (its called a wedding pre-party). This means my Mom and bridesmaids (for example) and add ideas, see my to-do checklists, and help and add input with lots of planning details

#2. WeddingGawker

What it's like: Set-up visually very similar to the ever beloved Pinterest - Never ending stream of pictures and wedding ideas/tips, you can sort images and ideas by category, save your favorites, and every idea has the option to share it on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest...etc


Why I love it: Every picture links to a blog that is usually FULL of tons of other wedding related information/pictures. All submissions to the website are editor approved so its guaranteed that when I click on something, its actually linked to the original source *disclaimer: because every idea/picture links to a blog, ladies, you will spend COUNTLESS time on here, fair warning!*

#3. Wedding 911 app

What it's like: Exclusively focused on bride's questions and answers - both from Wedding professionals and other brides. Anyone registered can post questions and respond to other's questions, instant repines and feedback on just about anything a girl could think of about a wedding.


Why I love it: Fun to see what other brides are curious about, as well as really helpful if I want instant feedback on an idea or question - the app is in an easy to use format too! It's an app sponsored by TheKnot - however it is not connected to any of their site's online planning tools. Free download too!

#4. Weddingwire.com

What it's like: Similar to OneWed and TheKnot - this is geared at being an online planning resource for brides, also important - everything on the site is bride rated!


Why I love it: Primarily because of the Inspiration board feature! I don't really use any of the other planning related tools on this website, because I like the format of OneWed's tools much better- however, the inspiration board feature allows my to upload lots of pictures I have collected and combine ideas together. Plus its nice that I can email and share the boards with others (again, like my Mom).

#5. Preston Bailey: Color Story

What it's like: Preston Bailey is an major event planner (read his bio here). Website is organized into a bride section, weddings, events, flowers, Preston's blog (tons of ideas), videos - and most importantly - tools. The Color Story tool allows you to pick a color, answer a few questions about what you are thinking for your event, and then it create a color palette idea!


Why I love it: The tools sections: The Color Story tool, a design tool, and a planning tool - all easy to use. There are so many ideas from events Preston has done - most over the top, but all helpful in thinking outside the box when it comes to decorating and creating a wedding