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