Whatever Lola wants, Lola gets.

Meet Lola. Named after the song that Josh sings to me on a daily basis..."Whatever Lola wants, Lola gets."

We hadn't planned on buying a boat. We were fishing every weekend off the shores of Milford Lake, and frankly I was quite proud of myself for being able to walk through wooded areas to our destinations. But, every weekend we would also see the fish jumping out of the water just past the casts reach and the words "If only we had a boat..." left our mouths.

The search began. Online Classifieds, Craigslist, Newspapers...Then we found her. She was exactly what we were looking for. Something we could use for water sports and fishing, and EXACTLY the right price. We went to look at her and a week later, she was ours. When Josh brought her home, Elizabeth asked us what we would name her. It didn't take me long to say "Lola." Josh said yes because "whatever Lola wants....Lola gets."

There's No Place like Home

So, I have lived here for over a month and I am finally writing a new blog! We are loving our new life in Kansas! Here are a few things I have learned and realized and done:

1) Pumping Gas, Myself. (And dealing with the funny looks when I admit I've never done it before.)

2) There are no woodpeckers outside my apartment. (It is the sound of the gun fire at the range on Ft. Riley Base about 10 miles away...)

3) (This one Lindsey will appriciate) Apparently there are not too many vegatarian's in Kansas, because when you order the Tuscan Steak Salad without the Steak...they repeat it multiple times and chuckle.

4) ING does not exist. Everythin' ends with an "n." Runnin', Fishin', Sleepin', Workin'

5) Thank God for anti-frizz hair serum. My hair would be quite large without it.

6) I can hook my own worm now when fishing!

7) I do not remember the meaning of free time. Work, soccer practice/games/tourneys, wedding planning, marriage prep, back to school functions, FRG meetings...I think we have had 1 free evening in the past month and a half.

8) Oregon storms have nothing on Kansas! The lightening and thunder are incredible and I love it!

9) Oz really does exist! In Wamego, KS. The OZ museum and Winery. Love wine from OZ!

10) I am so thankful for my beautiful daughter and my amazing fiance.

I Heart My Nephew

I might be a little prejudice, but, I have the cutest nephew in the world. 5 month old Bennett is the sweetest little boy ever. He came to visit yesterday and I had to say goodbye to him before I move...We had lots of fun, I love him!

June, June, Where For Art Thou June?

June came and went so fast this year! Life was so hectic that I can hardly remember what we did during the month of June. There are, however, some wonderful memories I will never forget! Here are some of my favorites from June:

1. Wedding Planning! I bought My Dress, Elizabeth's Dress, My Garter, My Flowers, Booked a Photographer...


2. PACKING! Well...Packing is not much of a favorite! But, the end result of moving to Kansas will be!
3. Elizabeth's Last Day of School and Party. It was an emotional day for all of us, but being surrounded by wonderful friends and knowing the friendships will be ever-lasting made it worth it!
4. Our Trip to Pennsylvania for the Geis Family Reunion! It was such a fun weekend! Elizabeth got to meet Josh's ENTIRE family, we spent lots of time at the pool, went to the family reunion, and went to an Altoona Curve Baseball Game. Elizabeth came home with a fly ball!


It went by too quickly, but it was a good month! I know July, the "Big Move Month", will go by fast as well. Good thing for pictures to document the times!

Seriously People...

This weekend I had a garage sale. I need to sell a ton of my things to make money for my wedding and the big move!

Today, I was offered .10 cents for something marked $10.00....Seriously People...I'm not that desperate!

Hello, Goodbye.

“Why can't we get all the people together in the world that we really like and then just stay together? I guess that wouldn't work. Someone would leave. Someone always leaves and then we have to say good-bye. I hate good-byes. I know what I need. I need more hellos.” Peanuts Snoopy
I am so excited to move to Manhattan, KS and start my new life with my (soon-to-be) new husband. Hello KANSAS! Hello No more Long Distance Relationship! Hello Married Life! Hello The Rest of My Life!
But, I have always had a hard time saying goodbye. I will miss my friends, Dancing on New Years with Lindsey, Coaching with Brandy, Long Talks over Margaritas with Mom, Cigars with Dad, Watching my Nephew Grow...I will miss everything and everyone I am leaving behind. Here is to you, Here is to New Adventures, Here is to the Love of My Life. I love you all. Never a Goodbye. Always a Hello when I See You Later.

Who knew?

Who knew there were so many different colors of Ivory?

My wedding dress, (which I am not talking about anymore after this), is Ivory. I am ordering flowers which are actually made of porcelain clay. I didn't know what I thought of the idea at first...but then I realized that this bouquet costs the same as a real bouquet, and I can keep this bouquet forever! (And take it to my other two receptions!)

I found the bouquet on Etsy, just as I found my garter. They are Poppies!


*From http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19489577*




When I told the seller I wanted Ivory, she responded "What color Ivory?" I had no idea there was more than one shade of Ivory. So, she sent me (at no extra charge) samples of petals to compare to my dress. Who knew?

Photographer and Garter and Dress, Oh My!

This past week I have made quite a bit of progress on the wedding plans!

1) PHOTOGRAPHER

Initially, Josh and I were going to have my Dad take pictures at our wedding. After much thought, and realizing that Dad would then not be in any pictures, we decided to let Dad's official role be "Father of the Bride." I then went in search of a photographer. I looked at every photographers website in and around Manhattan, KS. SPENDY. I then looked on craigslist (thanks to the recommendation of my best friend and sister-in-law Lindsey). The first photographer listed had a website, so I clicked on it. http://www.artisticimpressions-air.com/

I was very impressed! I emailed him and explained our situation, Josh and I are on a strict budget. Shortly after I sent the email I received one back from the Photographer, Monte (Owner of Artistic Impressions Photography) and it was an answered prayer. He is willing to drive an hour to our location and take pictures of us before, during and after the ceremony. On top of that, he is willing to video our ceremony and take our engagement photos over the summer. He has been a Godsend and has worked within our budget to capture the importance of our BIG DAY! Thank you Monte!

2) GARTER

Again, thanks to the Brilliant Lindsey, I was directed to http://www.etsy.com/.

I wasn't looking for a garter, I was looking for wedding invitations and/or ideas for wedding invitations. (Josh and I have decided to make our own.) I clicked on the "Weddings" link and there it was. It was made for me. A blue and white plaid with eyelet lace garter complete with a tiny ruby red slipper charm. What else would Dorthy wear on her wedding day in Kansas? (Aside from the Ruby Red Slippers which I already got!) I had to order them. They are Fabulous.

3) DRESS

I bought it! I went into the store thinking I was going to buy one dress and ended up buying a different one! Wouldn't you like to see it...Its a surprise, for Josh anyway, so I can't spoil that. All I can say is its Beautiful, and I feel like a princess in it. I bought a tiara, also.

So, it looks like I am making progress on the wedding front. I am still looking into flowers, jewelry and Josh and I are going to go shopping for invitation making ideas/paper/everything else. But, aside from that, we are good to go! October 17, 2009 here we come!

Registering 101

" I think whoever invented registering intended it to be some sort of Punishment." -Josh Geis (My Future Husband.)

Friday Josh and I registered for wedding gifts. I thought it was a blast! Apparently, he didn't enjoy is so much...

We intended to first go to Target and then to Bed, Bath & Beyond and then make a final stop at Macys. We went to Target, walked around the store for about an hour and decided that Target would be mainly home decor so it might be better if we register there after we move into our new apartment in July. We did, however, register at Target online for a few things (bathroom decor and such). Next, we went to Bed, Bath & Beyond. We picked up our little scanner and had at it! First we started off in Kitchen and worked our way through the dining room, living room, bedroom and ended in the bathroom (decor, not the actual bathroom).

Let me tell you, I never realized how tiring and sometimes frustrating shopping can be. We have an idea in our head of what we want our house to be like...Italian/Tuscan themes throughout. When I say Italian/Tuscan I mean Italy Italian not American Italian. Reds and Greens and Golds...Warm Colors, Vino, Copper and Bronze...Elegant...Not Cheesey.We did well, and we agreed on everything...well, almost everything. Josh still doesn't understand why we need a new strainer when we already have one that works perfectly fine. We never made it to Macys. Even though we have more to register for, overall we decided between Target and BB&B we got it all covered. Josh even picked out something for himself...A Toothpick Despenser.

3 People + 2 Closets= Not enough space!

I am moving to Manhattan, Kansas in July. Don't get me wrong, I am so excited to be able to live in the same state as my fiance! (Finally!) But, now, we are faced with a dilema. Originally, and up until about 2 weeks ago, we did not think Elizabeth and I would be able to move for quite a while. Josh and I had picked out our new apartment, the nice 3 bedroom with the walk-in closets.



Last month was the deadline for Josh to extend/renew his current apartments lease. Given the fact we did not think we would be there until at the earliest September, Josh renewed through September. Now, Josh lives in a nice apartment, it is just a small two bedroom. We need a three bedroom initially, not just for the space for three people...but the closets! Josh has two closet apartment. He uses both closets already. Elizabeth has enough clothes for two closets...and I, well, I have enough to fill a small room. As you recall, this is a picture of just some of my clothes...

So, our dilema is do we break the lease and pay a bunch of money? Or, do we suck it up for a couple months stuffing Elizabeth and I into one room and cramming Josh into the other? I have found a few closet organization units that could come in handy!

Decisions, Decisions.

Ruby Red Slippers

Josh bought me my wedding shoes last weekend! We walked into a shoe store, it was like heaven...lots and lots of shoes! I tried on every pair of red heels they had. About 20 pairs later, I found them. They are BEAUTIFUL! Now, I guess I should find a dress.

April Winners

So many good times in April, So many blessings!

1) Josh came to Oregon to meet the whole family! (I always love having him here, and they approve!)


2) The whole family came home to Oregon for Easter and a "Meet the Boys" (aka, meet Josh and Ben) open house!



3) I got to meet my new Nephew Ben! (He is adorable! I love him so much!)


4) Fun Trip to Disneyland! (Really is one of the happiest places on Earth!)


5) Elizabeth turned 9! (I can't believe I have a 9 year old!)


6) Elizabeth and I went to Kansas to check out her new school and our new place! (Elizabeth has never been there, and she loved it!)

Something New and Something Blue

We know how much God loves us, and we put our trust in Him. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect.~~~~~1 John 4: 16-17

Church, Dress, Flowers, Venues, Cakes, Food, Music, Pictures...Garter, Shoes, Hair, Makeup....Guests, Gifts, Readings, Priest...

Though we haven't yet set a date, we have been thinking up many of the minor details of our Winter Wedding. We have started our research for reception ideas, but want to keep it simple.

Church: Check! We will be getting married at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Manhattan, Kansas.


Army Office Josh will be wearing his Army Dress Blues. (Attire pictures provided by Marlow White)

Josh's attire makes it easy to decide on wedding accent colors, Blue!

Josh and I have decided that we want something small, so our Guest list will be our family and GOOD NEWS LADIES, no bridesmaid dresses! Aside from Elizabeth, we won't be having a wedding party.

I have tried a few dresses, so far I have 4 favorites...none of which are similar! I have, of course, found potential shoes. Red Shoes. What else would Dorthy wear at her wedding in Kansas?

YES!

I said "YES!" Well...I eventually said "Yes!" After the laughing, crying and shaking calmed down...After the "No, wait! You have to ask my Dad!" was answered...I said "Yes!!!!"

I'm ENGAGED! Manhattan, Kansas. March 19, 2009. My First Time Golfing on a Golf Course. Hole Number Nine. Josh got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.

I arrived in Kansas City the night before. We stayed in Kansas City for the night and the next morning Josh took me shopping at Legends 14. He bought me two new dresses and two new tops at BCBG, then we went home. When we got to the apartment he surprised me with a new set of PINK golf clubs.

They are BEAUTIFUL! He took me to the golf course and we hit balls and then we went out on the course to play 9 holes. I mainly watched so that I could learn about the game. Josh is a fantastic golfer! Well...he WAS doing fantastic...until Hole Number 9...

Last Hole of the game, his first shot off the tee...Not so great. He was nervous, but I wasn't sure what the problem was. Frankly, I still thought he was doing great! But, he said otherwise. After he putted the ball into the hole I decided I wanted to take a photograph, so I made him line up the ball with the hole and the putter, and his shoes....it was lovely. After the picture I went back to the golf cart because I was cold! I wrapped up in Josh's red wind breaker and he put his club in the bag. I turned to look behind the cart at him, and he wasn't there anymore! I turned to my side, and Josh was on one knee with a little brown wooden box.

My first thought was, "What in the world? A new Golf Tee? Golf Ball? What is in the Box?" Then he started talking! I was in shock, what was going on?! He opened the box and there was a GORGEOUS Diamond Ring! "Karen Irene Lyons....will you marry me?" I started shaking, crying, laughing.... then I said "No, wait! You have to ask my Dad!" He told me he already had.

Josh loves Golf. Josh Loves Me. I love Josh...Therefore, I am learning to Golf! It is really very enjoyable and I am excited that it gives us more time to spend together. Golf is a part of my life now (even more so that he ingrained it into our relationship by proposing on the course)!

I am so excited about my future with him. I'm so Blessed and so Happy!