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Mike "officially" proposed to me on Sunday, October 21st, 2007. (but of course you knew that was coming, with all of the wedding planning... and the announcement coming before the "official" proposal, right?)
Confused? Well, Mike and I had talked about marriage quite a while ago. He brought it up. I told him that i wouldn't say no to him... but that he had to wait and ask me properly.
So here's the story:
On Sunday, Mike took me out to the islands! We went to the Dungeness Wildlife Preserve. It borders the Strait of Juan de Fuca ~ (which is fancy talk for bordering the ocean). On the ocean side, there's a natural spit of land that goes out into the ocean 5 miles. Toward the end is a special lighthouse. You can sign up to man the lighthouse for a week at a time, but it's such a popular thing to do that you have to sign up about 2 years in advance. (Mike and i are going to sign up to do it on our 3rd Anniversary!)
Anyway, Mike and I walked along the spit for a while, and then we stopped to sit and chat on a driftwood log... and then Mike asked me to stand up. He looked into my eyes, and told me how much I mean to him, and what a positive influence I have been in his life during the past few months. He then asked me to marry him and be his wife. Of course I said yes, and that I would love to be his wife! I was so teary at that point that i couldn't see straight to take the ring out of the box! Mike graciously did it for me, and put it on my finger. I've been staring at the sparkling diamond ever since. He told me that he chose the most sparkly one they showed him. (and i believe it ~ you should see it in person! i've never seen such a sparkly rock!)
The ring is everything I have ever wanted in an engagement ring! I've never wanted a diamond bigger than half a carat... i've got small hands, and i don't like obnoxious jewelery... so half a carat is perfect for me! I've also always wanted a ring that shows off the metal a bit, with some interesting gold work around the diamond. Mike and I went window shopping together, but i wouldn't let him buy while I was there. I wanted to show him what i liked. He later went shopping alone, and had this ring custom made for me. And it's perfect! I left the choice of white or yellow gold up to Mike. I'm indecisive like that! He made the perfect choice! I couldn't possibly be happier with the ring! 
--Chrissy
bridesmaid dresses are a bit difficult because 2 of my maids live out of state. Tiff is in Idaho now, and Jennifer lives in St. Louis Missouri. So that means that I can't take them all out shopping and see them in the dresses before making the final decision. (That said, i trust their judgment when it comes to choosing a dress)... but i still have to coordinate the look. that means that the best option is going with a shop that has locations here, in ID, and in MO.
I'm not interested in making the girls wear matchy-matchy dresses (which, fortunately, makes this process simpler)... but i do want them to get dresses that are similar in style, and the same light pink color.
I got a new copy of Brides magazine yesterday, and found an ad for Alfred Angelo (www.alfredangelo.com). Shops around the country carry their dresses, they have a great selection, and each dress comes in every color! AND the prices are decent! I sent a list of my favorites out to the girls last night, and 2 of my girls have already replied with their preferences. (interestingly, they both chose the dress that i would have guessed they'd like best. do i know my girls or what?)
I ordered fabric swatches to make sure i'm choosing the best color they've got. (i'm not so sure i trust my computer screen to show me the colors accurately)... after that, i think my maids are on their way to getting dressed for my wedding!
but i've still got to figure out the shoes. my thought is that heels would be uncomfortable and impractical for an outside wedding... some of my girls like open toed shoes... others can't stand 'em. so i'm in the market for 2 very similar pairs of silver shoes... one with an open toe... and one without. and maybe a low chunky heel? hmmm....
i met Mike's brother over the weekend.. and i saw his sister and her family again. Mike shared our engagement news with his siblings over the weekend! He wanted to do it while his brother (Mark) was in town. (it's always more fun to share the engagement news in person!)
Laurie (Mike's sister) had some useful advice. Although i think we'll scrap the flip-flops idea, and the bamboo centerpieces idea... i did love the idea of putting the ring bearer in black shorts, a white dress shirt, and black suspenders. it just looks way better on little boys than mini tuxes do. i don't like seeing little kids look stiff and uncomfortable. (probably mainly because i remember what it felt like to wear clothes that were stiff and uncomfortable as a kid) ;)
We also asked Laurie to do a prayer during the ceremony. Our officiant is not a religious man (but he is an artist, which I love!)... so we thought it would be nice to invite a family member to do a prayer for us. Laurie agreed, then threatened to break out the Latin (which i thought was funny ~ but then i think everything is funny!) :)
I think we're going to have one of Laurie's youngest daughters (Maddie) help my flower girl, since Brooke will only be 2 1/2 next summer. Maddie will be almost 5. They're both totally adorable little girls ~ they'll be so cute together!
Marks' youngest son will probably be our ring bearer. There are so many kids between Laurie and Mark... I have trouble keeping them all straight. Laurie's kids are easier for me, because I've met them twice. They're incredible kids!
Laurie's kids are all very musically inclined, so we've asked them to do the music for the ceremony. Her oldest son will play the violin for us. (I know i'm going to start crying as soon as I see Mike and hear that violin! It's a good thing the bride is supposed to carry a handkerchief for that purpose!)
--Chrissy
i've been wedding shopping! doesn't it make you sick that 10 months before the wedding i've already bought disposable cameras for the tables? and that our wedding favors are half done? i think it was partly excitement about (finally) getting my first teaching paycheck (and therefore finally being able to contribute to our wedding planning fund)... and perhaps mostly the pure joy of planning my wedding. wedding planning rocks. i should quit my day job and become a wedding planner. heh
we're making our own invitations, so this afternoon i bought some pink and silver ink for rubber stamping... but that's as far as i got. i still don't know exactly how i want this thing to look. we do have the wording down, and i suppose that's half of the battle. the creative part will be fun... but there are so many choices i'm not sure where to start. maybe it's time to have my local bridesmaids over to assist with that?... (who doesn't love a good evening of Law & Order, wine, gossip... and crafts?!)... the best part about being an artist is that 90% of my friends are also artists, and can actually give some useful input on this kind of thing!
--Chrissy
