November whirlwind weeks!

November has seemed like a flurry of activities! Not only was I in three states (in addition to Kansas!) this month, but there just seemed to be plenty going on!

Week 1 - I made a quick trip to Oklahoma City over two days. My main reason for going was to do some specific wedding shopping, but it also was a fun opportunity to spend a little bit of time with Jena. I have to make those times count--her schedule keeps booked up enough that it's tough to find a couple days that she has free! Jena is training to run the Dallas marathon in December. That Saturday I was there, she was up and running by 5:30 am til about 8:30--16 miles! Glad it's her and not me! I'd never make it!

Week 2 - Kansas City, Missouri! Yep, you guessed it--wedding shopping! Erinn and I spent some time in Kansas City specifically shopping for wedding gowns, which I am soooo, sooooo happy to say I finally found! Yay!! Yay!! Cross that 2000+ mileage search off my list! Believe it or not, I actually was able to find just what I wanted! Hooray! Plus the days spent with Erinn, Noah and some of her family were a treat!

Week 3 - At church we had a Fall Festival meal instead of our annual traditional fellowship meal the Sunday before Thanksgiving. I always love being able to help with that. Saturday and Sunday were busy days getting everything prepared, then serving the meal and then cleanup. But definitely good times!

at Joe & Karen's wedding!

Some friends at church, Joe & Karen--their wedding was the 20th! That is the first of three weddings coming up in the next year in our church (mine being the third!). For some strange reason I look at weddings a little bit differently now than a year ago--can't imagine why! ;) It's fun to see the different ideas in decorations, flowers, tables, programs, etc--anticipating what I'll do in May!

Luke was here the third weekend this month! He was here just as long as he usually is--Saturday night through Monday, but it seemed like a short trip for some reason. Of course, I had lots on my list to discuss and do. That always seems to be the way it is.

We found these invitations that fit Dodge City perfectly
but not quite the theme of my wedding!

Week 4 - Thanksgiving week! This was the first Thanksgiving in two years that we've been home! And a first that just Dad and myself were here. Last year we went to Kentucky to visit Ryan and Krissa and the year before we went to Alabama to visit Krissa who was working there. This year Jena had to work all weekend and since Ryan and Krissa were just home in August, they stayed in Kentucky. So Dad and I spent a nice, quiet day at home and then went to Tim & Erinn's house for dinner. Perfect day!

And then this last weekend in November I'm in Colorado spending several days with Luke and doing more wedding planning/shopping!

What a fun, exciting and busy month!

My cats jealous? Can it be true?!

My cats love me. With one exception--Luke. They have learned that when he is here, they do not have my undivided attention and they are not happy! At first when Luke started visiting, they would just run and hide when he was around. They have improved much since that time--even letting him pet them. But they still don't like the fact that him being here takes me away from them.

Therefore, I started bribing them a few months ago. I will give them extra treats of food on the days he's here. And the funny thing is--they know it! They will scream consistently until I feed them that special treat every single morning Luke is here. When he isn't here, they don't beg one single bit for it. They know when he's here, they won't get much attention from me, but they will get special food to eat. And since they know they'll be ignored, they demand the food!

They have learned to tolerate his being here, but it never ceases--the moment he leaves and I sit down to do anything, they are right beside me or in my lap within 10 seconds. They know he's gone and they are back to having just me.

Not jealous at all, are they?! ;)

Thankfulness!

Quick trip to Oklahoma City!

A couple of weeks ago, I was still in full pursuit of a wedding gown, so I made a quick trip to Oklahoma City to visit a couple of bridal shops. Jena and I spent a couple hours trying on gowns and bridesmaids dresses and then started searching out invitations.

Then, Jena's birthday was on Saturday, so after she ran 16 miles that morning in freezing cold weather (she's training for another marathon in December!), we spent a couple hours shopping at the mall--fun times!! It's been a while since we've done that together!

It's so nice having a sister living in a bigger city where I can break into her apartment and spend a few days there!!! And I'm sure I'll be back to do more shopping there in the coming months!

Six months!

Luke and I have been engaged an entire six months! Looking back on the months gone by, six months does not really seem that long! The past few months have flown so unbelievably quick!

A year ago, I never would have believed that I would have been engaged in a year's time to such a wonderful, Godly man! But God has blessed me so much in having Luke in my life--forever!! :)

Sunday School Fall Decorations

Fall is here and Thanksgiving is on it's way! Believe it or not, it's been a while since I've changed my Sunday School classroom decor, but as of a few weeks ago, it has a brand new look! :)

Family Pics!!!

When Luke, Ryan, Krissa and Jena were home at the end of August, we managed to squeeze in a set of family pics! I've been waiting for years to get a set of family photos on the wall in the hallway and finally now have it! Yay!!!!!!! I'm so thrilled!!!

LukeandSerena.com! :)

I love the fact that I'm getting married in an age where technology is so, well, ummm....in my case, necessary! :) Therefore one of the things on the top of my list in regards to wedding planning was to create a wedding website for Luke and myself.

Once I had engagement photos and wedding colors decided, I went to work! Hours later, here's the result! I love it! Most of my wedding blogging will be on that website instead of here, so check there for wedding updates and news! :)

www.lukeandserena.com