Not everyone makes it to their own wedding right?

So John and I (luckily) eloped a while back so happily married we are. I say luckily because due to tear jerking details that I won't get into here, we missed our scheduled wedding. And seriously look how beautiful our cake and flower girls were! I hate that we missed the party and our guests and especially our flower girls but I'm certain there are worse things in the world than missing your reception. I'm just having a difficult time accepting that we missed all of our guests and the pictures! Why do these things if not for the pictures. (which reminds me...I have to call Allie tomorrow!)
We did get to see a few of our friends while they were in town but not many. To any of you that were here and we missed you and haven't apologized yet, we are truly sorry! (explanations to come and sincere tears were shed that we missed you, our party, our cake and those cute little nieces in matching dresses.)
And seriously, not one picture of my dress. Drats.

Dena and John photo shoot

This one is one of my very favorites. What do you think?


Finally I'll share these, I have given in to the hounding (yes Liza, here they are, for you!). I had misplaced the discs shortly after I got them, and miraculously they were found when kids were gone and cleaning was done! (So hey Allie, all I need is a copy of the dvd now)
These are some of the photos that Allie Hoopes did for us. She's great no? Allie is an Evanston girl (and we all know how much I heart Evanston) she is actually married to a guy I graduated with (Derek Hoopes) thats how I met her. She has a fantastic talent for photography, ok lets be honest, she has a fantastic talent for almost everything and to top it off she's one of the sweetest people ever. Allie and Derek won Spencer's heart when they gave him an old scooter that all the neighbor kids envy!
I am really happy with these pictures and can't wait for her to take some of all of the kids.
I tried to put more up here but after 3 tries and "internal error" messages each time I decided that this will do. Enjoy, you can see the rest later (at my house, or wedding, or something!:)
The 3rd one down is one of my favorites, you don't get to see my FAVORITE because of the error loading it to the blog. Hmm.

Wedding plan update

This picture just may be of my wedding dress, what do you think? I'm still a bit undecided but so far I like this one best.
Today I made wedding planning progress! With Emily's help I finalized the fabric selection for the flower girl and maid of honor dresses. I've skipped over having bridesmaids and I have multiple maid of honors instead. I also have skipped the traditional idea of flower girls and have a mass of little girls in coordinating dresses who will all feel like princesses and have a fantastic time and make great photos!
The wedding still feels so far away that I feel very ahead of schedule with my planning. Then as Teresa was debating what pattern to pick for her dress and we realized that if she were to get pregnant today (she is currently in 'try to conceive' mode) that she would only be 3 months pregnant at the wedding. That was a reality check. In just over 3 months I'll be John's wife! So wonderful!
I still feel ahead of schedule in the planning process (what more could there be? I've secured the location and I've picked fabric for everyone's dresses except my own, I'm practically done!) I think I feel that way because the wedding matters so much less than this relationship and the marriage that comes after the wedding day is long gone. Our forever is much more important than our day.

I've been tagged!

*What is his name? John D. Clinger

*How long have you been married? We've been engaged a few weeks and will be married August 2, 2008!!

*How long did you date? well, about 3 years back then and now we've been dating a few months

*Who eats more sweets? I think he does, he can do things I just can't, like start the day with a Mt. Dew

*Who said I love you first? Back then John did, this time around I beat him to it by about a second

*Who is taller? John is by a foot

*Who can sing better? together we give great car concerts, our kids are really impressed anyway!

*Who is smarter? I think John is, he can figure anything out, he can do anything. And he would probably say that I am.

*Who does the laundry? I do mine and he does his (he does live 5 hours away) but when we're married I'm sure we'll share. Or wait, there will be plenty of kids for that! haha

*Who pays the bills? We both pay the bills but he is the main breadwinner for sure

*Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? His bed right now is a twin so I bet he sleeps in the middle and as for me, I sleep on the side of the bed that doesn't have the pile of clean laundry waiting to be folded! (my worst habit right now!) But this too will all change in August!

*Who mows the lawn? right now there is no lawn mowing needing done, especially at his place, but I'm sure when the lawn needs mowed John will probably do it before I even think of it! He's so great!

*Who cooks dinner? A lot of the time when we're together we cook together

*Who drives? we both do, we both have a lot of driving in our lives all the time right now so when we're together I think we each offer to drive so the other person doesn't have to

*Who is more stubborn? I am. John is so laid back and giving

*Who kissed who first? John kissed me first (then and now)

*Who asked who out first? back then I asked him to dance first then he asked me out first, this time again he asked me out first

*Who proposed? He did! I'm so happy!

*Who has more siblings? He does, he has just 1 more than I do but it feels like a lot more because they get together in larger groups than my family does

*Who wears the pants? We both do, we're a team, no power struggles.

And now I need to tag someone- So I tag Mindi!

BFF Ring

The BFF ring is here! Here on my finger (where it feels wonderful) as we speak!
There is nothing in this world I can think of that would be better, or more of an answer to my prayers, hopes and dreams (and daydreams!) than spending the rest of forever with John. He is truly where my heart is.
A while back he told me that if I wasn't careful he was going to ask me to marry him 'when he grew up'. I suppose I must have stopped using caution at some point because a couple of weeks ago he did ask me, and I did say YES!
One night a while ago we were laughing and talking and I told him that he really is my best friend. He said I am his too, then he says "I'm going to get you a BFF ring someday!" Which led me to translate "Is BFF ring code for engagement ring?" And him with his sideways glance and a shrug "Maybe"
There were plenty of what he called 'practice proposals' along the way, where he would inform me that he was going to marry me someday, and that I should be his wife. I would always jokingly say "is this it, is this the real proposal?" and he would tell me it was another practice proposal. One of his practice proposals really had me going, there was rummaging in his pocket (I thought for the ring) and the whole nine yards.
So with all the practice getting engaged we did I was a little surprised at myself when the real one came just how emotional I was. It is such an emotional moment when you realize your dreams are coming true and you have a real happily ever after starting with the person you are meant to be with. And so I cried. And how wonderful it is to finally be crying those happy tears! So much time has been wasted on the sad variety of tears. I am savoring the happy ones and these moments that go with them.
In July I will be Mrs. John Clinger. How amazing!
I told him my hand would look great with a ring on it!