Valentine's Day Weekend

It was Valentine's Day weekend I knew I had to do something great. I had been planning what we would do for about 2 weeks. I knew I wanted to start the evening with dinner at Red Lobster. From there I thought we would go see the movie “Valentine’s Day”.

The weekend started off with me picking Jessica up while she was visiting Cari at the hospital. I decided I would get kind of dressed up and put on a sport coat and boots. I wanted to look good. I packed up the small gifts I bought and went to pick up Jessica.

I stopped at Red Lobster to put my name on the list and picked up the pager. I arrived at the hospital and everyone there was very shocked that I had worn the sport coat. I was happy that I wore the coat because Jessica looked beautiful. We said our goodbyes and went to my car. I asked Jessica if she wanted her gifts now or later. She was surprised and reminded me that we were not supposed to get any gifts. I got her the biggest card I could find and it said how I really felt, “I loved her yesterday, I love her today, and I will love her always“. I also bought two CD’s, the first was the best country love songs and the second was classical love songs. I wanted something simple yet special for Jessica. She loved the them.

When we got to the restaurant, they had not called us so I went up and told the hostess and she put us to the beginning of the line. We sat and talked while we waited for our dinner. Our dinner was fantastic.

We saw the movie “Valentine’s Day”. It was a good movie, kind of predictable but being with Jessica and being able to talk to her after the movie made it better.

Saturday night we went to Utah County to play the “Newlywed Game” at her aunt’s house. The cast of players were Bonnie and Dick, Paul and Carrie, Phil and Heather, Willie and Candace, and Jessica and I. Charlene played the part of our hostess. We missed some questions that we should have gotten right, although we were together on most of our answers. We tied for first place and we aren’t even married yet! After the game we all sat around and talked as everyone left one couple at a time. I drove Jessica and Charlene home and had not planned on seeing Jessica until after the Nascar Race on Sunday afternoon. I called Jessica when I got home and thanked her for a wonderful evening.

Sunday, Valentine’s day, I wasn’t going to see Jessica until later but she surprised me by bringing me a small bag of gifts. I called her right after she left the gifts at my door and rang the bell. She answered and came back but could only stay for a while. Later that evening I went to have dinner with Jessica and her family at the hospital. We stayed for a little while and then decided to go back to my apartment and watch the movie “An Affair To Remember”. It was a good movie. We both enjoyed it. Jessica had not seen it and it explained why I chose to ask her to marry me on top of the Empire State Building.

This weekend was my attempt at being romantic, probably need to work on the romance but I really tried. I think Jessica enjoyed the weekend as much as I did. And I am sure we will have many, many more Valentine’s together.

Weddings 101

Are you looking for a photographer? Do you want to sign up for our drawing? Can I show you our brochure? When is the big day? All questions I heard when I went to my first bridal show. It was the Wedding Festival Show at The South Towne Expo Center.

I started the day having a tasty lunch with my mom, Lindsay, Tara, and her adorable kids at Joy Luck. After lunch, Lindsay, my mom, Kennedy and I headed over to the show. I stood in one line so I could get my lovely "Bride-to-be" lanyard while the others waited patiently in the "all others" line. Then it was time to head in for the main attraction! WOW! I had no idea what a wedding entailed, or maybe I just didn't want to. It was intense! So many different people trying to sell photography, invitations, cakes, honeymoons, reception centers etc.

We wandered up and down each aisle. Of course, my mom stopped and talked to everybody! Kennedy tried EVERY food sample there and Lindsay and I just sort of sat in the background and took in all the vendors. Overall, when the day was done I think we all had a great time. My mom said she had more fun than she ever expected and is excited to plan a wedding. I think Kennedy went home with a stomachache and I am still as overwhelmed as ever but have learned a few things.

I learned that I still want calla lilies at my wedding which is something I have always wanted since I was a little girl. I also DO NOT want roses at my wedding! Always hated them, always will! I learned that there are many, many, many photographers in Utah and most of them take pictures in front of trees or in the mountains! Ugh!! Hate that! Can't they come up with something more contemporary and fun! So I am still on the lookout for a photographer! I also learned that I want a simple cake that everyone can eat! What is the point of spending tons of money on a cake that you have to take the frosting off of? And the biggest thing I learned at my first bridal show is… there is no such thing as a $1000 wedding??? Oh well, Let the planning begin…

Got Mail?

Mike and Jessica Kraus! That is what the envelope said. I was surprised to see my name with a new last name behind it but it came attached to a very nice gesture. Mike's adorable sister sent us an engagement card to congratulate us on our engagement. It is really nice to know that his family is happy and supportive of our decision to marry! I can't wait to be part of the family!!

Mr. and Mrs.

I must admit, when I first realized I was going to have to change my name it brought tears to my eyes. I've had my last name for a LONG time.

Now most women take their husbands last name and it doesn't really affect their life all that much. They may hear it once or twice a week..maybe, but in the case of a teacher it is a daily occurrence. I will be going from nice Miss Duncan to crotchety Mrs. Kraus. Will my students still love me?

So when I realized this I began to think I just wouldn't take his last name. Does it really matter in this day and age? It will save me a lot of hassle of having to change my driver's license, social security card, etc. right?

I brought this subject up to Mike several times over the course of a few days after we got engaged and always being the nice guy he is he didn't say much. He would say "Oh Gosh" and that was about it. So I thought it was a done deal. We would get married and I would keep my last name.

A couple of days later we were at a friend's house at a party with my many other teacher friends and I brought the subject up again. I asked their opinion and we joked about it. At that moment I looked over and saw the hurt in Mike's eyes. Always trying to keep the peace he really didn't tell me how he felt but I could tell he was hurt. It was then and there I realized I should be proud to take his last name because he loves me enough to marry me and share it with me. So now I am going to be Mrs. Kraus! I can't wait! I love you Mike! And your last name!!!

A Little Bling

I have to admit when I first got the ring I didn't know quite what to think of it. It has A LOT of diamonds (34 to be exact) and is very blingy! But after wearing it for a couple of days I have learned to love it! It is beautiful! I couldn't ask for a more gorgeous ring! Thanks Mike! I LOVE IT!

No Wedding Date Yet!

The engagement has happened and now the inevitable question has begun… When's the date? When are you guys getting married? Have you set a date yet? No matter how it is asked, it is always leading to the same thing… THE DATE! UGH!!

Mike and I have talked about the date a little. We know we don't want it to be until Dakota graduates from High School in June of 2011. Our first thought was 11/11/11 but then we decided if we wanted an outside wedding that probably wouldn't work in Utah so we have been toying with the idea of 9/10/11. It is not set in stone at this time and many other dates will probably be discussed before the actual one is set but we will keep everyone posted.

The Unexpected Proposal

December 28, 2009, a day I expected to be like any other day on a vacation. Mike and I had gotten up early and headed into New York City to do all the touristy stuff as usual. Mike had won the trip to New York and I was ecstatic to be able to see my favorite city all decked out for the holidays, a dream come true. Since we both had been to the city a couple of times we had no agenda. We knew we wanted to get our ever favorite double-decker bus tickets and take it from there. As soon as we obtained our tickets to my dismay Mike suggested the Empire State Building. I was confused and a little annoyed..."Why would we want to go there AGAIN?" I could tell Mike was disappointed so I agreed. That was until we got there and it was a 2 1/2 hour wait. I was not about to waste that much time standing in line, so we headed into the City to see the many other attractions. We had an amazing day. We went to Macy's to see the windows, a bus tour of holiday lights around the city and of course, the ever famous Christmas tree at Rockefeller Plaza. It was a perfect day.

As we got off the bus tour I was excited to be heading back to the hotel to get warm and get some sleep for our next day adventures but Mike said he thought we should go to the Empire State Building! "WHAT? Are you serious?" I was cold, tired and now pretty irritated, but I agreed. We arrived at the top of Empire State Building about 10:30 pm. The wind was blowing and I was grumpy. The thermometer read 17 degrees but the wind chill was about 10. After about 1 minute out in the bitter cold I asked if we could go. Mike told me to just chill for a minute. So I looked at the night lights for about 2 more seconds and turned to ask Mike if we could please go, Mike was standing there holding a beautiful diamond ring. At this point you would think I would be happy but all I could say was... "Oh hell you are going to do that right here?" Of course Mike being the very patient man he is didn't let it phase him and he asked me to marry him. I told him I would think about it. (Sometimes sarcasm really isn't appropriate) I told him yes! He put the ring on my finger and we went inside to get warm. At this point I was in shock!

For many days after I was in shock! This is something I had wanted for a while but truly never thought would happen. He had been telling me since the day we started dating that he was NEVER getting married again, and I believed him. Why wouldn't I? It had been 4 1/2 years we had been dating.

After the shock came the "What if's?" What if we can't afford a house? etc. etc. etc. At this point you would think Mike would have changed his mind and ran the other way but he didn't, he just calmly answered each 'what if' with a heartfelt answer that everything would be okay.

And now??? I am thrilled! Mike is everything I have ever wanted in a man. He treats me like a princess no matter how spoiled I may be acting. He maintains my high maintenance personality and he loves me with all his heart. I know that marriage will have its challenges but I believe with all my heart that Mike is the man I want to spend forever with. I love him so much and can't wait to marry him!!!

Popping The Question

It has taken me a long time before I really thought I was ready to really think about getting married again. I have known for a long time how much I truly love Jessica. She has won my heart. I started thinking that I would get the ring the end of November and ask her to marry me the night before her birthday after we left the Sushi For Santa event. Getting the ring was very difficult for me because I was not sure what style she would like. I went for the one that looked most like the ring she has worn since the day we met.
I went to the jewelers a few times to make sure it was the right one. I picked it up just before I picked Jessica up for our evening at the Energy Solutions Arena volunteering at the Sushi For Santa event. We had a great time. I really wanted to bid on one of the signed footballs for auction but didnt. By the end of the evening I hadn't really done too much as far as helping out. There was a raffle for a trip for two to New York to see the New York Giants football team play the Sunday after Christmas. I bought 2 tickets thinking that I at least made some kind of contribution. I won the trip. I knew I couldn't ask that night. I had to hide the ring for a couple weeks.
I told the guys at work that I was planning on asking Jessica to marry me at the football game. It would be original and something we would both remember. They told me I was crazy and that I needed to do it on top of the Empire State Building. They reminded me of the movie "An Affair To Remember". That is when I knew that was where I needed to pop the question.
Monday, December 28 we went into New York from New Jersey. I wanted to go to the Empire State Building first. We walked over to the Empire State Building and the line was outrageous. Jessica really didn't want to see it again, we had both been up to the top a couple times before. We did the tourest thing and had a great day. It was very cold.
I practically had to beg jessica to go to the top of the Empire State Building. She finally agreed. It was about 10:30 and it was very cold. Once at the top I made her walk outside to see the lights. It took me a few minutes to get up the nerve to finally ask Jessica to marry me. I was so nervous I almost dropped the ring off the observation deck. I started to get on one knee and pulled the ring out of my pocket and looked Jessica in the eyes and asked her if she would be my wife. I really think she was surprised.
Since I asked her to marry me I think we have become even closer than we were before. I know that this is meant to be. I love Jessica with all my heart and always will

Let The Journey Begin

We are writing this blog to let our family and friends know what we are doing to get ready for our wedding. This includes everything from our engagement to our wedding day. We will both be contributing our own thoughts and feelings.
We hope you get as much enjoyment out of this blog as we do writing it.