Flying Without Wings..

I have a million words to say about the day that changed my life. Most of the time when people ask me how it went, I respond, "It was perfect. Everyone should have a day like that."

And I couldn't be more serious.

It was easily the best day of my life so far.

For now, I want to showcase lyrics to one of the songs I picked for that day. I have loved this song since Kristen bought the Westlife CD at least 10 years ago. When I asked Paul to do an a cappella version of the song, he seemed a little perplexed. It wasn't until a few days before the wedding he texted me to tell me that he got why I picked it.

Jonah was hesitant to let a boy-band song be a part of his wedding, one of the reasons we had Paul re-vamp it a little. I'm so glad we did.

What I really want to say to people when they ask about my day is that I was flying without wings.


So, some pictures, some lyrics, and a longer post about that fantastic day to come in the near future!:)

Flying Without Wings
Westlife

Everybody's looking for that something,
One thing that makes it all complete.
You find it in the strangest places,
Places you never knew it could be.


Some find it in the face of their children,
Some find it in their lovers' eyes.
Who can deny the joy it brings?
When you've found that special thing,
You're flying without wings.


Some find it sharing every morning,
Some in the solitary nights.
You'll find it in the words of others-
A simple line can make you laugh, or cry.



You'll find it in the deepest friendships,

The kind you cherish all your life.

And when you know how much that means,
You've found that special thing-
You're flying without wings.

So,
Impossible as they may seem,
You've got to fight for every dream;
Cause who's to know which one you let go would've made you complete?

Well,
For me,
It's waking up beside you.
To watch the sunrise on your face.
To know that I can say, "I love you."
in any given time or place.


It's little things that only I know,
Those are the things that make you mine.
...And it's like flying without wings,
Cause you're my special thing;
I'm flying without wings.


And you're the place my life begins,
And you'll be where it ends,
I'm flying without wings:
and that's the joy you bring,
I'm flying without wings.

The Dress...

It has been a long time since I've written anything about wedding planning. Almost 7 months! Time flies, I guess!

There is something about finding the wedding dress that surpasses all other wedding planning categories. Venue? Doesn't matter. Guest List? Who cares. Show me DRESSES.

I was definitely in that mind set this summer. After a day spent checking out Vera's, Beautiful Brides, and David's Bridal in Madison, followed by a day in Janesville at the Vera's outlet and another small bridal shop in Janesville, I thought I had a dress picked out. A real sparkly number.

Late in August before school started the mom's(Mine and Jonah's) and I decided we should get together to talk about various wedding things-flowers, etc. Kristen came along and although I thought about trying on dresses in Milwaukee that day I decided against it and told Kourtney not to take off work. Oops!

We went to lunch in Delafield, and I decided I didn't want to make the Moms drive all that way just to eat. I googled bridal shops near Delafield and found a small shop about 10 minutes away from where we were having lunch. After we ate, we drove up to this shop. The name of the shop is Hartland Bridal, and when we walked in we were greeted by the owner, Sue.

The shop is the old Pump House and is very unassuming from the outside. The small basement was PACKED with dresses however, and we started rifling through. She pulled out her catalogue from one of my favorite designers and I flipped through the page. I pointed one out, and she responded that she thought she had it. She pulled it from the racks and added it to the other dresses I had eyed up.

Here is where I need to state that I really had no intention of finding "the dress" that day. I would've never thought that a little shop in a suburb would have my dress. (yes, MY dress.) Furthermore, I had been dress shopping. I thought I would try a few on and ultimately end up buying it somewhere in Madison.

Anyway, I tried a few on that were nice. When trying dresses on, you learn quickly that if you dislike even one small thing it becomes the end of the world. It should be. It's good to be picky when you're choosing this sort of thing.

And then I put on the dress. As Sue was helping me get into it, I knew. She didn't even have to finish lacing before I said, "This is the one."

I tried on a few more after to appease the party of people, all the while knowing my dress was still in the dressing room. I was officially tainted. No dress compared.

Kristen helped me put it back on, and we both knew it was the one. Finally, when mom chimed in and agreed, I caved. Veils and head pieces were brought out, and all the while it really hit me. I have a dress. To wear to my wedding. Hey, I won't be naked!

It really was a fantastic experience. Calling Kourtney afterwards to tell her I had found the dress was hard. She was happy but wanted to be there. I brought her to the shop a few days later and tried it on. She agreed, the dress was perfect.

Luckily, Sue also happened to have the perfect bridesmaids dresses for my girls as well. Everyone got measured last week and the dresses are officially ordered.

My dress should be getting here anytime in the next two weeks, and I am giddy to see it!


Hope everyone had a fantastic Holiday season! Only 5 months away!

Sending a Blue Bird...

The summer before my 6th grade year, my mom's mom became sick. She was in and out of the hospital, and although they weren't sure what was wrong, I never came to the realization that it was anything serious or life-altering until we sat down with her doctor on August 4th,2000 to hear the news that she had cancer. I remember that day like it was yesterday.

Between her diagnosis and her death on August 17th, she was already basically gone. She was hallucinating and bringing up stories that we hadn't talked about in years. When she slipped into a coma, we knew it wouldn't be long until we lost her.

Those last days of her life were difficult for all of us. My mom spent a lot of time at my grandparent's house and would call us on the phone with updates. One of these phone calls included talking to my little sister, Kourtney. She was young, and very upset, and when the news of the cancer came on her birthday, she went through a really difficult time.

On one particular call, Kourtney asked my mom to please ask my grandma if she would send a blue bird so we know she made it to heaven okay. My mom had spent a lot of time talking to my grandma with no response, and she promised Kourtney she would pass the message to grandma.

I'm not sure how the exact conversation went, but I know my mom approached my grandma and told her that Kourtney had asked if she could send us a blue bird so we knew she was okay.

She responded for the first time in days, "I'll send a blue bird."

Shortly afterwards, my Grandma passed on. I remember waking up at 6:30 that August morning to the news after sleeping on the floor of their house in sleeping bags. It had been thunderstorming all night, and I thought that maybe God had been moving furniture for Grandma's arrival.

Kourtney and my younger cousin Kevin(I should mention at this point for those of you who don't know, my mom's brother Mike has two kids- Kyle and Kevin. We are all very close in age--> and all K's! Kristen, Kyle, Kelsey, Kevin, and Kourtney, in order) went outside after grouping together to say the lord's prayer immediately after her passing. On the porch outside of my grandparents house sat a blue bird. It was the first time I had seen Kourtney "at peace" since the diagnosis. Since then, they have been a type of "sign" for our family--> my grandma's grave sits near a tree and you would be hard pressed to visit it without seeing a blue bird.


I wanted this background information to be present when I told this part of the engagement story. My grandma and I were VERY close, and losing her so suddenly was hard on all of us. My mom was so strong when this happened, and I still can't believe she was able to help the three of us girls "heal" while going through the tragic loss of her mom.

One thing that my mom received with my grandma's passing was her wedding ring. It contained two diamonds that my grandma had had reset-- the engagement diamond of my great grandma as well as her engagement diamond.

Jonah asked my mom if he could set that diamond into an engagement ring for me.

Shortly after he proposed, standing downtown, calling my friends and family in frenzied excitement, sitting to the side of the bench we were near, sat a blue bird. It was November and in most cases much too cold for blue birds to be near.

I wish I could've captured a picture of that blue bird. The full circle still chokes me up--as we call friends and family to tell them this exciting and amazing news, a blue bird shows up to share in the excitement.

So, thanks Grandma, for sending a blue bird.

The Starting Line Up

...Also known as the Wedding Party. (cue "The Final Countdown" By Europe)


I thought it would be cool to not only introduce the wedding party but say a little about each person as well. I'm writing Jonah's information as well, so I might have to add if he reads it over and sees me missing any facts on his groomsmen.

With that said,

Here we go!


Maid of Honors: Kristen and Kourtney Anderson
Bridesmaids: Jenny Kondrasuk, Beth Kauffeld, Jenny Reason, Alicia Bork, Katelyn Boyle




Kristen and Kourtney Anderson: I could probably write several novels on the life and times of the Anderson sisters. I have lived with Kristen all of my life, and Kourtney all of it besides the 2 years before she came to college. I consider myself lucky for a lot of reasons in life, and one of them is that I have two sisters that I am so incredibly close with. From making snowmen and (almost) painting a shed on Baskerville, to the late night basketball tournaments and talks on Cove Circle, to coming to college and all of the craziness that that entails. Besides being my blood, they are two of my best friends, and although we fight hard, we love harder, and I can't wait for them to be there, standing next to me as I marry Jonah.



Jenny Kondrasuk: I spent most of the years after my third-grade broken shoulder blaming Jenny on my epic fall off of a slide causing it. However, once I became mature, I accepted responsibility for my clumsiness, and I know this public declaration of it will make her very happy. I consider Jenny one of my best friends, and she was one of the first people I called when I got engaged.





Beth Kauffeld: Jonah Here! Beth has been my sister for only 5 years. The other 17 she was just my other mother. Just Kidding! But when I was little people would joke that I had two sets of parents because my brother and sister were always taking care of me so much, because of our age difference. Beth is 11 years older, Aaron is 9. Beth has been there for everything in my life. From me riding in the car with her and being forced to listen to Amy Grant's Greatest Hits to watching my clumsy ass flop around in those ridiculous show choir uniforms(more on that later), to picking me up from the park and ride from college even when I miss the bus and she has to wait an extra 45 minutes. She has been a support that no one should go without. I couldn't find any pictures of her and Kels so I put up one of her and Isabel, Beth's almost 11 month old daughter. She also has two sons, Owen, who is 6 and Evan, who is 4. Kels is excited to officially be an aunt to these kids, and watching them grow has been and amazing experience for us both. (Along with Emmett, Jenny and Aaron's 17 month old son.)



Jenny Reason: Jenny is married to Jonah's brother Aaron. I think we instantly relate seeing as Aaron and Jonah are basically twins. We always have a good time when we're together. I know she will be pissed at me for this picture, because we're both nice and sweaty from dancing at Liz and Steve's wedding about 3 years ago. This is the only picture I could find of the two of us, though, and I even had to edit the torso twins out!


Alicia Bork- Oh, my Aicha. I loved band in High School, and if not for Alicia, playing all of those crazy pieces wouldn't have been half the fun- and while this is way too much information, the extent of our friendship included swallowing her gum for her everyday so she wouldn't get yelled at by our favorite sweater-vested band teacher Mr Dorn. Suffice it to say, I love her. (My oh my.)
And I know she's loving the old-school prom picture!



Kate Boyle: Katie is one of my favorite people for tons of reasons, the most important being that she is probably one of the strongest women I've ever met- stable, level headed, and ready to figure things out. I'm fully expecting Katie to step in and push me into shape if I start getting too Bridezilla-y.


Alright. Jonah stepping in for my side of the altar.

Best Man: Aaron Reason
Groomsmen: Joe Howell, BJ Dummer, Trevor Kauffeld, Rob Wagaman, Paul Kramer, Chris Nelson




Aaron Reason: Aaron is my only brother. I was his best man, and now he is mine. We have had many good times through the years, and many more to come. I think my favorite story is when we got in a perfume fight (real manly huh?) at Sears and both smelled like, ska....err....classy, ladies. The picture here is from his rehearsal dinner. It is quite fitting that the summer Kelsey and I get married it will be his 5yr anniversary with Jenny.



Joe Howell: I have known Joe since were in 6 or 7th grade. We met playing baseball in Monona and were coached by Joe's dad. From there we started playing soccer together through my junior year in High School, and baseball through my sophomore year. Our freshman year of High School we started to be the best of friends and haven't skipped a beat since. We have been through a lot together and it means so much to me to have him in my wedding. It should be noted that the first time Kelsey and I hung out together was to take Joe and I skiing on Jenny K's boat. This picture is one that Joe's mom took when I snuck in his, 51 I believe, Chevy Pickup for the homecoming float our Senior Year.



CUE, KELSEY!

BJ Dummer: This is one that I know I won't have to change any info on! BJ and I met in kindergarten, and became friends after spending K-5th grade in the same class. He is one of my best friends, and has been there for the past 16+ years through the craziness of life.


Aaaaaaaand back to Jonah!

Trevor Kauffeld: Trevor is married to my sister, Beth. Trevor attended Holy Cross a year behind Beth, and I have known him since I was born. From playing mini-basketball in my parents basement, to helping him unload his 62 Corvette (pictured above with he and my brother) he has been more like a true brother, than any brother-in-law I have seen. Somehow he and I don't really have a good picture together, that will have to change!


Rob Wagaman: Robbie, where do I start? I think Rob and I first legitimately met sometime around our Junior year of high school in Mr. Fassl's study hall, where not much school work got done because we were goofing off too much. We both knew who the other was before this, but never really had the chance to get to know each other. From there we both ended up at UWM and became good friends and then became roommates at the start of our Junior year. It would not be a wedding unless you have someone like Rob in the wedding party, so we had to put him in. Just kidding, it wouldn' be Kelsey and I's wedding if Rob weren't in it. He has been a great friend to both us for many years now. This shot is from Kelseys 21st birthday at Rascals in Milwaukee. $1 dollar shots what can I say?



Paul Kramer: Pauly. Paul is another of my friends that goes back farther than most think. Paul and I met back when we were in maybe 4th or 5th grade? I don't exactly know what year, but it was on a Cottage Grove soccer team that was surprisingly successful. After we parted ways when that soccer team split apart, we met again in high school choir, and show choir (lets not go there, please). Throughout high school our friendship grew, and so did his and Kelsey's. Kelsey and Paul were in Peer Helpers together. Paul is always up for anything you throw at him, and is always there when you need him, and that is why he is such a great friend.

Check out his Acoustic cover of "Ride Wit Me" on youtube here. Over 34,000 views, pretty cool!


Chris Nelson: Chris and I also met on the same soccer team as Paul and I. From there we played many years of baseball together and became great friends in High School. One of my favorite high school memories is when Chris, his dad, and I went on an impromptu Minnesota trip to watch Johan Santana vs Pedro Martinez. It was a long 10 hours drive in 48 hours, but oh so worth it to see two of the best MLB pitchers go at it. He was also in choir with Paul and I. The three of us have many good times from that. Here you see me giving my famous Buddha/pregnant belly from high school while Chris gives a thumbs up.











Hope you enjoyed the introduction!
Lots of planning has been going on, so a post on that will be soon!
(We even have a ceremony time!)
Enjoy these final few hot days in May!

Kels

On kids that deserve more credit than you give them...

It's been a while since a post, and although I figured I would probably do another post after trying on wedding dresses, sometimes inspriation strikes.

Yesterday (Sunday) I went to work and showed up late to Beth's house. For those of you that may not know, Beth is Jonah's sister. She is married to Trevor and they have 3 kids- Owen, almost 6, Evan who is 4 and Isabel who is just about 9 months old.

SO- I walked into the house and sat down. The conversation that followed went like this:

Beth- "Do you know what Kelsey gets to do tomorrow?"
Owen-"Umm...go to work?"
Beth- "No...Something much more fun. She gets to try on wedding dresses."

Owen gave me a semi-blank stare. I figured he was too young to get the connection between the upcoming wedding and getting a dress, so I tried to give him an out.

Me-"That doesn't mean much to you, huh?"

And this is where Owen cracks us all up.

Owen-"Uhh, yeah it means a lot to me. You guys are getting married!"


That's right, Owen! We certainly are!

Wish me luck trying on dresses today!

Wedding Planning Reality Check...

It's been quite a while since a post, and although not much more specific details have been figured out, we got a ton of information.

This past Saturday we went to the Bridal Expo in Madison. Jonah, his mom Linda, my mom, and Kourtney all trekked out to the Alliant Energy Center.
While I knew cake samples would be available, let me just say, HOLY CAKE SAMPLES. I'm assuming they know it's a good way to get the grooms to tag along.

Linda, my mom, and I snuck into a sample photo booth. Kourtney and Jonah had gone off in search of nourishment, and we decided to give it a try. The result is what you see to your left...

So, among other things(including signing up for a free dance lesson which Jonah is THRILLED about), I received over 50 fliers on photography, DJs, cakes, DJs, dresses, DJs, photographers, jewelers, did I mention DJs and photographers?

My master plan is to go through EVERYTHING comparing what packages and deals go with each vendor. My plan is to narrow it down to top choices for each and then harass all of you recently married or engaged readers to give me the scoop on my choices.



Besides that, classes start NEXT WEEK for Jonah and I. I'm ready to get back to school but not ready for the ridiculous work load that comes with it.

I'm still nagging Jonah to get on writing his side of the engagement story. Hopefully that will happen sooner than later!

So, that's where we're at now. Going through lots of information! If you want to save me the time and tell me WHO you liked or are using and WHY, I would probably love you forever.

Enjoy your hump day! -Kels

Merry Christmas

Hope this post finds you enjoying the last of the Christmas Spirit!
It's been a crazy busy few weeks, which is why there have been very few posts!

Jonah and I finished up our finals and classes. Jonah went home on the 19th, and I didn't get to come home until the 23rd. But, the semester is over and classes went well for both of us.

If you don't already know this, Jonah is a HUGE fan of Christmas. I mean, christmas carols blaring starting November 1st if no one yells at him for it.

We started with the traditional family Christmas for my Dad's side on Christmas Eve at our house.

On Christmas Morning I opened presents with my family from both my parents and Santa. Wedding planning was the theme this year, and I got a bunch of great new books on it as well as a subscription to Martha Stewart Weddings. Now that I'm done with finals and have a little time to focus on Wedding Planning, these books will REALLY come in handy.

In the afternoon we went to Oconomowoc to celebrate with Jonah's immediate family minus the flu-ridden Aaron, Jenny, and Emmett.

For those of you who don't know, Jonah's sister Beth lives in Oconomowoc with her Husband Trevor and their three kids Owen, 5 1/2, Evan 3 1/2, and Isabel, 6 months.
Owen and Evan received matching Power Wheels F-150s for Christmas from Santa, and when we rolled up to the house they were having an awesome time playing.
We ate a great meal and exchanged gifts. I got a new digital camera from Jonah's parents and immediately turned into Renee Anderson, snapping pictures of anything I could see.

I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.



More Christmas stories to come and wedding planning updates.
Hope everyone had an awesome Christmas!
Now time to relax before New Year's.

Maybe...