Wedding Wishes

As of this second, we are 14 views away from 20,000!!! Wow!!!!!! That's amazing and I am still in shock at how fast the blog took off! We get a lot less pageviews now than we used to (from my research, that's totally normal and the views will go back up again soon enough), but I'm still not sure I ever expected to hit 20,000!!!

I haven't had a chance to blog this week, until now. We've been crazy busy though, and I've got lots of updates!!!

With all orders placed now for 4th of July Cupcakes, we will be profiting $200!!!! YEA for that!! I won't make that number official until the event is over though!

We got a TON of donations for the Garage Sale fundraiser, which starts TOMORROW! I can't wait to see how much we raise by the end of it! Thank you to each and every one of you who donated. And we CANNOT THANK Crystal and Angelo enough for volunteering so much of their time (and space) for this event. Not to mention they'll be the ones enduring the INSANE heat we've got here this week (it's "cooler" tomorrow than it was today... Meaning it's going to be a whole 105 degrees AHHH). We will be there keeping you company as often as we can though!! :)

Don't forget about the Pampered Chef fundraiser!! I will be posting the link again shortly.

And now for two NEW fundraisers!! WOOHOOO!!!

Christmas in July ornament sales HAVE BEGUN!!! Below is the flyer for the sale. You can see just a handful of the offered ornaments.
The Awareness Ribbon colors are:
Dark Blue – Colon Cancer | Pink/Blue – Infertility Awareness | Pink – Breast Cancer
Light Blue – Prostate Cancer | Black – Melanoma | Gray – Brain Cancer
White – Lung Cancer | Maroon – Multiple Myeloma | Aqua – Ovarian & Kidney Cancer
Orange – Leukemia & Childhood Cancer | Purple – Pancreatic & General Cancer

The ornaments are filled with ribbon. The filler ribbon colors are pictured next to the Awareness Ribbon stickers. There is red, silver or white.

Prices are:
$10 for Awareness ribbons
$8 for Snowflakes
$8 for Snowmen
$8 for Military Support
$8 for  2-3 letter personalization
$5 for 1 letter personalization

SHIPPING IS AVAILABLE!!!!!

And the last of our BIG NEW FUNDRAISER NEWS.....

Finally, we have made plans for our IVF BENEFIT QUARTERMANIA!!!

It will be on Thursday, July 19th at La Quinta Inn on East Kellogg!! The vendors listed to attend as of now are great and there are more signing up continually. We've gotten donations of raffle/silent auction items that are ALL so amazing, and we're looking for more!!

We MUST HAVE TWENTY people attend (list our name after yours on the sign-in sheet in reference to who invited you!!!) in order to benefit from this Quartermania. So, PLEASE COME and PLEASE bring friends!!! :)

Here is the Facebook Event page with more details:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/323181907770785/


That's all the fundraiser updates I have at this moment :)

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I had originally planned on blogging this week about more of our Chemo Journey. But, as some of you know (who are on our Facebook), we got a little surprise yesterday while looking for garage sale items in my parents' closet. Today, I'm going to post about that. Because I'm still so touched today by it!!!

We got married three years ago. Sometimes that feels like just yesterday. Sometimes it feels like ages ago (in a good way of course!!). You've all read about all the planning I did. How everything was done, down to the second really. I also mentioned just about all the "hiccups" we experienced that day.

One hiccup I didn't mention was one that still filled me with disappointment to think about...

We had Wedding Day Wishes cards set out at the reception for people to leave words of advice/love to us on. We had a really great poem to go along with it and explain what they were for, and I looked forward to reading what everyone wrote to us.
The day after the wedding, we were going through all the stuff that got transferred from the reception hall back to my parents house. Gifts, cards, centerpieces, glasses, EVERYTHING. We had a bit of a mess to clean up from our sand ceremony vase which spilled a bit (whoopsie!!). And once that was done, I asked my mom about the Wedding Day Wish cards since I hadn't seen them in the box I thought they'd be in.
"They're probably in that box over there that's full of stuff that goes to your house. I know they're not in any of these boxes." That is one huge box over there.... goodness.
"Okay, I will just look for them tomorrow then, when we've got some time."
"I will look through all these boxes again tonight just in case." I love my mom!!!
"Thanks Mom!"
We then proceeded to eat wedding-day-leftovers, and unwrap gifts in front of some family and friends.

The next day we had breakfast, returned my underskirt to the bridal shop, dropped Danny's best man off at the airport and then headed to the zoo. We'd both taken the day off of work and planned on enjoying it. We spent a long time at the new tiger exhibit and at the gorillas. It was a fabulous day.
That evening I spent HOURS putting things away. Sorting gifts. And going through that giant box that was stuffed and overflowing with every thing you could imagine.
Everything except those Wedding Wishes cards.....
I called my mom in a panic, they weren't in my box!!!! Turns out, they weren't in the boxes she had either. They were missing.

I was upset and felt like my heart was breaking. I know that seems absolutely insane to some people, but those were important memories that I wanted to have forever. I wanted them at the wedding reception for a reason. I was deeply disappointed but knew that if they were left at the reception hall, it was simply an accident. We had so much help that day (and months leading up to that day!) that it's not like I could be upset with ANYONE over the missing cards.

Then of course, just a few days later, we had MUCH BIGGER things to worry about. The Wedding Wish cards were no longer important.

Over the last three years I'd think about the Wedding Wish cards any time I thought about the wedding. And always felt that same disappointment at not having them....


Last night, the cards we thought were missing/gone forever, WERE FOUND. We were digging out the centerpieces from the wedding and the box was too heavy to just carry. So, of course, my mom takes each vase out and hands it to me until the box only has a couple vases in it and isn't so heavy anymore.
During all this, she pulls out a vase that doesn't have colored sand sealed inside... It's a vase full of WEDDING WISHES CARDS!!!
To say I was ecstatic would be an understatement. I pulled a few out right then and there to read. I laughed over a few, fought off tears over others. 

Those cards mean SO MUCH MORE to us today (and yesterday, ha) than they could have three years ago. I'm not GLAD we lost them. But not reading them then was a blessing. They would've been just another small memory. Where as finding them was a big moment for us, and reading them and taking in their meaning THREE YEARS later, after all we've been through... Well I can't even put into words how it made us feel. 

Tonight, I'm going to share a few of those Wedding Wishes with you.... 

If you're on our Facebook, you seen two of my favorites:
~~There is always a right & wrong to every argument. Danny, sorry but you will always be wrong :) Remember that & you'll always get along. <3 Shana 
~~Just do what she says! -Brandon G

Those two gave us quite a laugh last night!! I won't share all of the Wedding Wishes, but here are a few more for your reading pleasure :)

~~To Value and love one another unconditionally
~~Communicate and Compromise
~~It takes two to Tango. Enjoy the dance and have fun! -Rebecca (LOVE THIS!)
~~Forgive quickly and love always. Nothing is ever THAT bad. -Mollz (GREAT advice!)~~The #1 thing I've learned to have a successful marriage and life... Put God first. It really works wonders!
~~Remember that it takes 20 minutes to calm down. Don't talk during the cool off period, then kiss and make up. P.S. It goes better if he apoologizes, no matter what she did! -Curtis D (HAHA, this is one that will stay at the top of the stack as a reminder!!)
~~Someone once told me that if it is easy... then they are lying. What is worth holding on to is never easy. Congrats. (Our love is easy, life's many bumps along the road haven't been... Love this!)
~~Our wish for both of you is: The best marriage you can possibly have. Better than your dreams. Love Dick & Loretta   (This one brought tears to my eyes. Their wish came true for us!) 

And the one that really made me cry??
~~When do I get to be an uncle again? (Reading this didn't make me cry tears of sadness. I refuse to grieve over the fact that we haven't had kids YET. We will. Hopefully we'll bring a baby into this world in 2013, thanks to ALL of your help with fundraising and donations. I cried tears of joy that this Wish is still a possibility for us. We have a wonderful opportunity that is SO CLOSE to our grasp right now.)


Nobody could've known that night what we'd be going through less than a week later. Nobody could've known that the "dreaded first year" that is so hard for so many, would be a MILLION times harder for us than most others. But those words of advice and wisdom were still fitting. And can still be used today. And for the rest of our lives.
Every year on our anniversary, we're going to start a new tradition. Watch our wedding video, and then read through our Wedding Wishes. I am sure we'll feel more and more blessed as the years go on.

<3

I want THIS ONE.

No fundraiser updates today, other than HEY don't forget we've got a bunch of fundraisers going on!! We need to raise quit a bit by the end of July in order for the Crawl for Cancer organization to match the $2500!!


Today, we are getting back to our cancer journey. It's been a while!!
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If you're lost as to where we were in our journey before this post, the last time I blogged about it was the post titled I Hate Sarcasm....


Over the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, I'd gotten texts/calls/messages from many people offering me kittens. They all knew about Dahlia and they thought a new kitten would make me feel better. Unfortunately many of these kittens were male (Danny said heck no) or black (I said no, too much like Dahl).
Then one day while checking out Facebook, I seen a picture of the most adorable kitten ever posted on a friend's page. She had taken in two TINY kittens because their momma died. One was black and the other was a very fluffy gray. Of course I fell in love with the fluffy gray. So I sent Danny a text.
"Hey babe.... I found a kitten I want. If it's female, can we get it??"
"I don't think that's a good idea. I think we should wait until after Christmas." What?! No! I want THIS ONE.
"But Danny... Look at her. And her mom died. She needs us!"
And I sent the pic. He's a sucker for pictures of animals that need homes. I JUST KNEW the picture would seal the deal.
I got no response. Nothing at all. So, it was time to nag.
"Well? What do you think? She's just a little baby."
"She?" Oh, forgot to tell him that she said they're both female.
"Yeah, it's a girl."
"How will she get here? We really can't drive all the way down there for a kitten." Ugh, why not?!
"I'll get back to you on that..."
So off I went, texting my friend about how I was THIS CLOSE to him saying yes. Just trying to figure out how to get her. Which wasn't a problem, they were more than willing to bring her up!!
"Danny!! They said they'd bring her to us!!!!"
No response. Okay, time to just wait it out.

That's what I did. And that night after work, Danny finally said yes!!!
"I'm going to name her Simi."
"SIMI?? What is that?!" Haha, oh he'll love this.
"It's the name of one of my favorite characters in these books that I love."
"Oh geez." I hope she doesn't act the way the character does.... haha
"She's a demon... But a fun, silly, protective demon."
"I've heard enough. It's your cat." YES!!!!

And so Simi was mine.
We went out for Black Friday and got some great deals. And a few days later, Simi was delivered right to our door.


That's all for today. A nice short post of a memory I love.... I will continue with our journey next week! And for those of you wondering, yes, Simi lived up to the demon persona. She is CRAZY. But she's MY crazy cat. And I love her!!

This is Simi shortly after we got her:

                                                                    This is Simi now:

2009 vs 2012

Fundraiser updates!!!!
First off, I want everyone to know that I took some time and updated the Fundraiser page on the right. I made it easier to read, I added new links and I have EVERYTHING over there that is going on right now.

You can go there for the links for the Scentsy, Velata AND Pampered Chef online parties. Don't forget about them you guys!! These types of fundraisers make great money but ONLY if people order!! :)

We will be working on ornaments for Christmas in July this week! I'm super excited and can't wait to get them posted for you to see so  you can order your own!!

The garage sale isn't far away now, if you've got something you'd like to donate, we need it in the next week!! Let me know and I can meet you to get the stuff or give you an address where you can drop it off!!

CUPCAKES CUPCAKES CUPCAKES!!! I finally created the event on Facebook. You can view it here:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/377839605608763/
Please order there if you can, or call/text me if you've got my number!!

I think that's all I've got right now, so on to today's post!!!

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It seems I'm full of posts that say "this post is going to be a bit different today" lately. Hope you all don't mind! I will get back to our story VERY soon. Please stick around.... But again, today is going to be a bit different...

Yesterday instead of writing a new blog and posting it on Facebook, I just linked in my second-ever blog post. Why? Well because yesterday was the three year "anniversary" of us going to the ER and finding out about Danny's tumor. That post from earlier this year says it better than I could say it now, so that's what I wanted people to read. Because I was living it all day yesterday, remembering it like I was still there... And I didn't even have to read the blog to refresh my memory. It's there forever.

Which inspired today's post.

You know those shows that are your favorite for ever and then the series ends and years later you are sitting there asking yourself whatever happened to so-and-so? Well I feel like that about all the people we "worked" so closely with over the year of Danny's cancer battle. They were the ones working, Danny was the one focusing on living, and I was just along for moral support. And where are they all now?
Well I know the doctors are all right where we left them (except maybe the doctor who did the original CT scan at the ER that told us about the tumor... no idea if he's still there). And I know this because we still see them! It's nice to see Dr Johnson every few months to ensure Danny's bloodwork still looks great. It's refreshing to see Dr Hyder for scheduled scopes and any time there's ever an issue, just to reassure us that everything IS STILL OKAY.

What about those nurses though? The nurse from the ER (I still can't remember her name, sadly) who was my shining light that day when I felt so lost. The nurses from the surgery center who followed our story from wedding through honeymoon (but told me TOO LATE about the sea sickness bracelet, ha!). Our favorite nurse from the surgery center that took such good care of not only my husband but me, too. She kept me sane. And the nurses from the cancer center. We had our favorites there, for sure. And they really helped make "chemo days" not nearly as bad as they could be.

We were and are still SO THANKFUL for everyone who helped us get through the toughest year. And I wish I knew where they all were now, just three years later. I know it's "only" been three years. Only. So much can change in three years though!

So, on to us.... 2009 vs 2012. Three years have changed our lives.

In June 2009... We got married. We found the tumor. The surgery was performed to remove the cancer.
In June 2012... We celebrated our third wedding anniversary. We will celebrate Danny's three year cancer free anniversary. We are officially over halfway to our Crawl for Cancer goal.

In July 2009... Danny spent weeks recovering from his surgery. We found out about the complication that made us infertile from that point on. We went on our honeymoon and tried to pretend our lives weren't turned upside down.
In July 2012... We WILL meet our Crawl for Cancer goal. And we will then be $7500 down with $2500 more to go.
In August 2009... Danny had more surgeries: Wisdom teeth removed, port put in for chemo and the "most painful surgery ever" aka the sperm retrieval surgery.
In August 2012... We will HOPEFULLY meet our major goal or will be SUPER DUPER CLOSE. We will then make that wonderful call to schedule all the appointments with OU Fertility.
In the fall/winter of 2009... We got a huge scare and Danny had to have a PET scan to see if the spot on the CT was cancerous. It wasn't. Chemo began. The first half of chemo concluded. We celebrated Christmas with Danny feeling NO cold intolerance. We looked forward to the downhill slide through what we hoped was the "easy part" of chemo.
In the fall/winter of 2012... We hope to begin the wonderful journey of IVF. We hope to be pregnant. We hope to celebrate our last Christmas as a family of only three.


Today, I made another baby step on our path towards IVF. The Aflac rep was at my work, and I waived the two coverages I orginally had before getting laid off in 2010. Cancer coverage? I'll get it again when Danny is 5 years out and will be covered. I was about to sign the paper saying I refused all options, when the rep (who remembered me immediately and asked how Danny was doing) and I started chatting about how we were doing in regards to IVF. Her daughter has been on this road (multiple times). She knows the cost. She knows the joy of a successful round of IVF. She knows the risk of twins and the possible time in the NICU.
While talking through all of that, she told me about the Intensive Care plan. Which will cover the baby(ies) if, God forbid, they need to be in the NICU. Meaning, for every day they're in there, Aflac will pay us. That money will help immensely with paying off the astronomical medical bills that go along with that area of the hospital.
Then of course is the Short Term Disability that will last up to three months, while paying me DANG NEAR what I bring home on my paychecks. This will cover if, again God forbid, I get put on bed rest. And then of course maternity leave.
So what did I do? I asked where to sign. These are two coverages I NEED. These were worries that we'd been talking about ever since we found out we'd have to have IVF and the risk of twins that goes with it. I'm a planner, this is what I do. And both plans needed to be intact before pregnancy. So, it was now or never. And I chose now. One step down... A few more to go!!!

It's amazing to think about what we've gone through when looking at 2009 compared to now. It's wonderful to see that light at the end of the tunnel that seems to be screaming "Almost there now! Don't give up!!" And most of all, it's absolutely heartwarming to know that SO MANY PEOPLE have had a huge hand in getting us to where we are now... Alive, healthy and SO VERY CLOSE to beginning IVF. Thank you, everyone, for all you've done and all you continue to do! WE'RE ALMOST THERE!!!! <3

Happy Anniversary to us!! Part 3

Got another donation!!! Thank you Brandon W!!!!

Quick reminder of all the fundraisers going on NOW!!

Cupcakes! I will be starting to take orders this week for 4th of July cupcakes. Simple cupcakes/frosting with just red/white/blue sprinkles. $15 per dozen!

Scentsy/Velata is still ongoing!! Place your orders now!!!
https://scents2enjoy.scentsy.us/Scentsy/Buy?partyId=90876587
https://melt2enjoy.velata.us/Velata/Buy?partyId=90892442

Pampered Chef started up last night! Make sure you check out the guest specials!! You get a free peeler of your choice with any $60 order!!
http://www.pamperedchef.biz/tcoop?page=host-search-results&showId=3699616

The IVF Fundraising GARAGE SALE will be in two weeks! And, WE NEED YOUR STUFF!! Got some boxes of things you need to get rid of? BRING THEM OVER!! Message me and I will give you the address!!!!

And the Christmas in July ornaments will be made next week and I will be posting pictures and prices as soon as possible!! These ornaments WILL be shipped out to anyone ordering (unless you're local and WANT to pick them up or we can deliver them).

If you are wanting to help with other ideas/etc, let me know! We are open to ideas and suggestions!!!

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After walking down the aisle, my girls tied my dress up, we walked back UP the aisle, and presented our mothers with flowers to thank them for everything. We then released each pew ourselves, thanking everyone for coming right then.
We left the church in the 2010 Camaro instead of the 69 (convertible, in the heat, no longer seemed like a good idea). Danny opened the door for me, I got in and we stuffed my dress in the rest of the way. Danny got in, and we were off.
"Do you want to head straight for the reception hall?" Ahhh I want to stay in this car!!
"No, we'd beat all of these people there... Let's drive around a bit, enjoy the car, then go."
So we did.... Not five minutes later, Danny said his seat was really hot.
"Well, you're still in your tux jacket, and the seat was in the sun."
"No babe, it's WAY warmer than that, and it's getting warmer." What? Is he sick?!
"Are you okay? Maybe it's your nerves..."
"It is not, it's the seat. Look and see if there's a seat warmer on those buttons..." There are a lot of buttons... I don't see a seat warmer button.
"I don't see one..."
"LOOK! There it is. Ahhh..." Oh, that button was hidden! Whoops!!
We drove around a bit longer, and then headed to the reception.
Our wedding party was ready in the hallway for us, so we could get announced one by one.
Immediately after walking in to the cheers of our family and friends, we headed to the food! I was starving! We walked into the "food room" and I seen my favorite, MAC AND CHEESE!!
What?!?! Where did that come from?! That wasn't on any of the lists!! Oh I LOVE little surprises like this!!!
I loaded my plate down, and went to our table. My girls had to try again to fix my dress, and we were finally able to sit down and eat. The food was delicious, but as soon as I started eating, it's like my hunger disappeared. There was too much going on, too much excitement, for me to eat.
Once everyone had their plates and sat to eat, we were done. It was time for the speeches!
Danny's best man, Burke, went first. His speech was absolutely hilarious, but still personal and just wonderful all around.

Jessica's speech made me bawl, because that's what I do and because it was just THAT GOOD.
"Thank you Jess. I love you. Can I keep this, for our wedding box? So I can always remember everything you said?" I was holding her speech.
"Yes, yes! Of course!! Love you too! I'm so happy for you!"

Everything was well planned out and we then had our first dance. Immediately followed by cutting the cake.
We cut our little piece, and got ready to NOT shove the cake in each other's faces. We'd had an agreement. Danny went AGAINST that agreement. I had cake all over my nose... After the death-glare I gave him, he grabbed a napkin and cleaned me up, and I laughed at how easily my dirty look worked!

Danny thought we were done, but nope... I had a surprise for HIM!!! I had planned on a groom's cake that looked like a hockey rink.. for the Pittsburgh Penguins! I had snuck out his little Pens Zamboni from his shelf almost a week before, and Deena (my wonderful boss and cake baker) did the rest. Deena brought the cake out...
"What is this?!" He loves it!! Look at that grin!!!
"Surprise!! Do you like it??"
"Like it?! I LOVE IT!! That is AWESOME!!"
"I am SO GLAD they won last night, otherwise this cake would really make you sad..."
Danny cracked up. We were both ecstatic that the Pens had WON THE STANLEY CUP the night before, and the cake just pushed it over the top.

The rest of the night was full of dancing. Danny danced with his mom, I danced with my dad. There were some minor hiccups (we had a balloon drop set for our first dance, the string broke and only about five balloons fell out... The owner of the hall ended up grabbing all of the extra balloons that hadn't fit in the bag and tossed them on Danny and Vickie while they danced, it was perfect and adorable!!), but that was expected.
The party was spread out in our hall, inside and out. We had an absolute blast. But, just like any newly married couple, we were also exhausted and ready to just GO.
We told our goodbyes and thank yous to everyone that was left, and we headed to the hotel which Bethany and her mom had booked for us. Burke dropped us off, and as we were getting out of the truck at the hotel, fireworks started going off.
FIREWORKS!! My favorite!! We couldn't have them ourselves, so this couldn't have worked out any better!!!!
There were people standing outside of the hotel watching the fireworks, and when we climbed out of the truck, they all started clapping and humming the wedding march. I hadn't walked down the aisle to the wedding march, so that was a new experience. It was BEYOND PERFECT.

EVERYTHING that entire day was beyond perfect!! I couldn't have asked for anything more.
I will end this post with my favorite pre-wedding photo, and the pics from the bouquet and garter toss!


Also.... Were you wondering what all the whispers were about during the ceremony? Well, you could see in the picture of us doing the sand ceremony. My "dripless candles" weren't dripless AT ALL. Wax was streaming down the candles, pooling up on the wax paper, and dripping down the brick wall. Thank you to those of you who helped clean it up after the ceremony was over!

And, that is our wedding story. Next week we will get back to posts about our chemo journey!! Thanks for reading and sharing everyone!!! :)

Happy Anniversary to us!! Part 2

Three posts in three days, WHERE IS MY COOKIE!?!?! I deserve one and I want it!!

I don't have any new updates about fundraisers today, so I will just give you all a reminder of what we've got going on:

Cupcakes! I will be starting to take orders this week for 4th of July cupcakes. Simple cupcakes/frosting with just red/white/blue sprinkles. $15 per dozen!

Scentsy/Velata is still ongoing!! Place your orders now!!!
https://scents2enjoy.scentsy.us/Scentsy/Buy?partyId=90876587
https://melt2enjoy.velata.us/Velata/Buy?partyId=90892442

Pampered Chef started up last night! Make sure you check out the guest specials!! You get a free peeler of your choice with any $60 order!!
http://www.pamperedchef.biz/tcoop?page=host-search-results&showId=3699616

The IVF Fundraising GARAGE SALE will be in two weeks! And, WE NEED YOUR STUFF!! Got some boxes of things you need to get rid of? BRING THEM OVER!! Message me and I will give you the address!!!!

And the Christmas in July ornaments will be made next week and I will be posting pictures and prices as soon as possible!! These ornaments WILL be shipped out to anyone ordering (unless you're local and WANT to pick them up or we can deliver them).

If you are wanting to help with other ideas/etc, let me know! We are open to ideas and suggestions!!!

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Today is our anniversary! Three years ago today, I married the love of my life! So, today I get to finish my post about that wonderful day!!!

It was time!! Everyone was seated, and the wedding party and I were waiting outside of the chapel in the hallway. Suddenly, I was nervous.
Why am I nervous? I've already seen Danny. And this is EXCITING. There's no reason to be nervous... Concentrate on his face as soon as I see him... Just concentrate on him... It's fine...

I clutched my bouquet tighter, double checked that my maid of honor had my vows, and grabbed a hold of my Dad's arm. I couldn't be more ready.
"Des, Des, what if I trip and fall?" What if you trip and fall? What if I trip and fall? Leave it to my niece to worry about something and get me worried too!!!
"Shianne, you WON'T trip and fall. Don't worry about it. It's almost time, turn around, you're first!!!"
And seconds later, she was almost pushed through the door so she would be in time with the music. I heard a clunk.
Ohhh no, she tripped and fell. I just know it.
My super sweet wedding planner (appointed by the church) seen my look of panic and reassured me.
"No worries, she didn't fall. Someone lost their shoe... Looks like a rather small shoe. And a parent just picked it up. It's out of the way, and she didn't trip on it." WHEW!!!
"Okay, great. Thanks."
Next up was Bethany. And then Kristy. They smiled big and went  on about their way. Last up was Jessica, who I had to ask AGAIN if she had my vows. Yes, she did, and she showed me.
Okay, it's show time. It's too late now for anything to change. If it goes wrong, it goes wrong. There are always hiccups, even in the best laid plans. Just concentrate on Danny and trust Dad not to let me trip and fall...
The ring bearers and flower girls were sent out, and I took a deep breath. There were loud giggles and oooo's and ahhhh's at all the little ones in their finery. I love these people. All of them. Everyone here sharing our day!!!
And then Barb gave me that look, and fluffed my train, and it was time.
The doors opened, and I glanced around at the packed pews and seen so many smiling faces!! I won't cry I won't cry I won't cry.... yet....

Slowly my Dad and I began to walk down the aisle. Finally, I could see Danny. There he is!! My almost-husband!! His smile is worth every bit of stress I've been under. He's worth it all. He's worth everything. I love this man... Ouch... What the??
I was tripping on my underskirt, which wasn't tied up quite high enough, and was hanging about three inches lower than necessary. I kicked it forward, we were only halfway there!! Crap!! Trip. Walk. Trip. Walk. SERIOUSLY?! This is taking too long! I picked up my dress. People giggled. Well crap again, how can I hold on to my dad while holding my dress?
Like he read my mind, my dad hitched up my dress for me, and I grabbed his arm. And we were off. People were laughing, and that was fine! It was funny! It was also touching. Leave it to my dad to know just what I needed, when I needed it. Even if it was just a hand with my gown!
Finally, we reached Danny. We had a song played before the prayer, and I was trying not to cry. However, many people in the pews couldn't control that, and I heard many sniffles. After my Dad handed me over to Danny and joined my mom on their pew, I felt the urge to turn around and look at him, one last time before becoming a wife...
He looks so sad and happy at the same time.. I love him so much! *I love you* I mouthed at him, and turned back around. MORE sniffles were coming from the pews. Goodness people! I'm not even crying yet! Get a grip!!!

Pastor Doug talked with us all about marriage, relationships, and love. He talked about us. He talked about all the hard work I put into the home-made aspects of the wedding, like the flowers that my girls and I did. The actual ceremony part seemed to fly by. During it all, I heard some whispers from the pews where my family was sitting. I ignored them and focused on every word that Pastor Doug said. We exchanged rings, and then did a Sand Ceremony. Then by Brad Paisley played while we poured the sand in our main vase. When planning the music, I never expected that one song would end up having so much meaning for us!

After the Sand Ceremony, I made a vow to Miss Faith, and planned on presenting her with a necklace... But she was already wearing it. No worries, she can go sit down in the pew again since she seems to be being pouty anyway... What's up with her??
I heard Pastor Doug about to announce us husband and wife...
I've still got my vows in my hand... We haven't said our vows!!!!! Ohmygosh!!
"We haven't done our vows" I whispered.
"What was that dear?" Oh gosh, OUR VOWS SILLY!!
"Our vows!" I whispered again, while holding up my printed up vows.
"OH Goodness!! You aren't married yet!! Time for the vows!!" Ha!! That was close!
People laughed, again. And that was great. This is stuff you have to laugh at.
I went first, and I said my vows, which I was oh so proud of. And then Danny went. He, of course, made me bawl.

FINALLY we were announced husband and wife!! I am now Mrs Daniel Crabb! Mrs Crabb!!! YES!!!
We kissed, and turned to our many loved ones. So many smiling faces, so many tears.

"At Last" By Etta James played, and we walked back down the aisle...With Danny holding the bottom of my gown up. Because NOBODY in the world can take care of me as well as my Dad, except Danny. <3


This has, yet again, gotten long fast... So TOMORROW I will blog about the rest of our day!!! Make sure you come back! Four days in a row of blog posts, I will be so proud of myself!!!

Happy Anniversary to us!!! Part 1

Updates updates updates!!!
Thank you Jenny R for your donation!
We are now at $1301!!! $1199 to go!! We are on the downhill slope of this, WE CAN DO IT!!! With all the fundraisers set up soon, there's not a doubt in my mind that we will meet our Crawl goal well in advance!! I think we should SURPASS IT! Show the wonderful people at Crawl For Cancer just how awesome our family, friends and blog followers are!!

The official garage sale weekend will be June 28-29-30. Our wonderful friend Crystal is taking this one on, and I couldn't be more thankful. We've got some stuff coming in and many people have offered up their boxes/bags full of stuff, and we are accepting it all now. Let me know if you need an address or if you want to meet up!

Pampered Chef fundraiser is SET UP!!! You can order NOW!!! Check out the guest specials! If you have any questions or would rather order directly from Tiffany, let me know. I will give you her number.
http://www.pamperedchef.biz/tcoop?page=host-search-results&showId=3699616
I WILL be beginning to take orders for cupcakes this week. Meant to do that last week and got busy! I'm not as awesome as Miss Lyndsey though, and I don't plan on making a test batch to take pics of so you can see what you're ordering. I am just going to keep it simple! Chocolate or white cupcakes, with chocolate or white frosting. I MAY (read: MAY) even go so far as to do strawberry cupcakes, hmm. Anyway, since this fundraiser will be to help us reach our Crawl goal, I am going to sell them for $15 per dozen. And I'm hoping to use up the rest of the supplies/boxes we have!

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Tomorrow marks our THREE YEAR wedding anniversary. Some days it feels like we've been together forever (in a good way!). Other days I can't BELIEVE we've been married so long! Our "dating" anniversary is next month, and we will have been together for six years. Can't believe that either!
When I started this blog, I didn't start at the beginning. I didn't tell you our love story. I didn't tell you about the most magical day of my life. I went right into some of the worst.... So, today I will relive that day with you all. I would post the video if I could, but I have absolutely no idea how to do that. So, you'll have to settle for memories of the day... And pictures!!!

You all know now that I'm a crazy planner. And the wedding planning was intense! We worked on every aspect of the wedding for almost a year and a half! The two weeks before I was stalking all the weather sites, trying to get a feel for the forecast. I was checking, double-checking, and triple-checking all of my countless lists. Making sure my floor plan for the reception hall was perfect. I was organized and had enough people willing to help that I just KNEW everything would be great!

The morning of June 13, 2009 began with a yummy breakfast of McDonald's that my (middle) brother went and got for me. I sat in front of my parents' tv in the living room eating my sausage egg biscuit and staring at the weather channel. RAIN. Rain?!?! Rain hasn't been in the forecast at all, but there it is on the radar. Of course. Just my luck.
"Destiny, it won't rain. That stuff should be long gone by the time you get to the church." Leave it to my brother to not only get me breakfast, but make me feel better about the rain...
I finished my breakfast and did what I could at my parents' house before we were heading to the salon for hair and make up. While sitting around, waiting to leave, I got a call....
"Des, where is the cake topper? The cake is here, no cake topper...." Ohhhh no.
"It should have been in one of the boxes that we brought to the hall yesterday. I remember it being in a blue box."
"It's not here. All the boxes here are empty." Crap, crap, DOUBLE CRAP!!!!
My niece, mom and I all went through every nook and cranny of the house. Everything had been stored in the storage closet downstairs for well over a year. It HAD to be there.
It wasn't.
So who do I turn to? My future husband of course!!! I couldn't dial his number fast enough!
"It's not here..."
"The cake topper?" Didn't I say that? No... I didn't. Ahh!! I'm losing my mind!
"Right, it's not here. I have NO idea where it could be. It should be THERE, with the cake!"
"Well, it's not. But don't worry about it. We'll run to the store." Danny to the rescue... PLEASE just let there still be another one in stock!! PLEASE!!!!

Less than an hour later, Danny sent me a text telling me he got the topper. It was back at the reception hall, next to the cake. Everything was fine. Time for me to enjoy the time with my momma and one of my bridesmaids who was also getting her hair done at my salon.
I sat in the comfy chair and relaxed and just ENJOYED every minute. My wonderful stylist, Mai, and I chatted quite a bit.
"Destiny, are you okay?" What? Okay? I'm great!
"Yep, I'm good. Why?"
"Because, you're TOO cool right now. You should be nervous. I've never seen a bride so calm." Hmmm.... Is something wrong with me??
"Well, I'm not nervous. But... gosh, really. SHOULD I be nervous?!"
"NO! No, you shouldn't. It's just crazy. I was a basket case on my wedding day." I can't be a basket case, that's not in the plan...
"Eh, if it's going to go wrong now it's too late to do anything about it. Time to sit back and enjoy it all."
And I did....

After our hair and make up was done, we headed to the church. We had gotten Mr Goodcents sandwiches, chips and drinks. When we got to the church, my first plan of action was TO EAT. Some people can't eat the day of their wedding. I wasn't one of those people. I love food.

Once all of us ladies were stuffed, we gave the boys our leftovers, and we sat down to finish the bouquets. My wonderful girls helped me assemble them all the night before, and we just needed to wrap the stems with ribbon.

Faith came in to show me her pretty dress, and see me in my full hair and make up before it was time to get in my dress. She looked absolutely amazing and so grown up!

We planned on doing pictures BEFORE the wedding. It wasn't bad luck to me. Our marriage wasn't going to be based on LUCK. Love and teamwork, yes. Luck, no. So, it was time to get dressed! It took a while to get me all tied in to my dress and get it tightened up.

And then we did pictures of me and my girls. When it was time to do pictures with Danny, I thought we'd be going into the chapel...
That's not where they led me... We were headed outside. OUTSIDE? What the heck?? That's not the plan!! Why are we going against the plan?!
Well, because my husband-to-be had a surprise up his sleeve. Instead of just simple pics of his first sight of me... We got pics of him pulling up in a 2010 Camaro (we are car lovers... classics, sports, and especially Camaro lovers. We'd had his friend's 69 Camaro there for us to ride to the reception in). Then our first sight of each other. It was an AMAZING surprise!!!

We did pictures outside, once I got over the shock of seeing the new Camaro that I'd only seen once other than on tv. After a while, I decided it was too hot (the rain never came so it was just muggy and warm) and my dad got me some water from inside. We finished pictures outside and headed in to take pictures with the family members that were there and the big wedding party pictures.

It was getting close to time for the ceremony, and guests were starting to come inside. The chapel was closed during pictures so I was able to sneak out the back to my small room without any guests seeing me.

I went back to the room, and had a few more chips, despite my Dad making fun of me for always stuffing my face. My cousin, Melanie, was in town from Seattle and she came back into my room to see me. She'd gotten married at the same church, so she knew her way around. ;)

The ceremony was about to start and we did one more picture... In my underskirt of my dress, I had the seamstress sew in the baby bonnet I came home from the hospital in. It was my something old. It meant a lot, and I knew the picture would be one of my favorites for years to come.

That's all for today. I'll finish the story of our wedding day tomorrow, with the ceremony and reception!!! 

IVF: Single cycle vs multi-cycle

I only posted once last week, having family in town kept me busy. But I'm going to try to make that up to you guys this week!

I don't have many updates for you. I've gotten a couple of things for the garage sale! I'm still not positive about the date yet, but when I know you guys will be the first to know!

We're also going to have a new fundraiser.... PAMPERED CHEF!!!! I'm SUPER excited about this (and HIGHLY recommend the pizza stones!!)! When the online party is set up, I'll post the link!

We haven't gotten any more donations, but I'm hopeful that they won't stop coming in now. We're over halfway there!! Come on guys! :)

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We've been talking a lot about our options with IVF, the money it's going to take, etc. And I think we've made a final decision regarding single cycle vs multi-cycle. That's what today's post is going to be about! You all know I'm a planner, but I'm also someone who NEEDS to talk things out. I need to lay it all out there, hear it out loud, read it, and look at it from all points of view. Also, I feel like since you all are helping us SO MUCH by donating what/when you can, helping with fundraisers, etc, that you deserve to know what our plan is. You also deserve an explanation as to how to got to our decisions. So. Here you go!

Please note, this decision has now been made. I highly HIGHLY doubt we will change our mind about it. And I hope you all will read our way-of-thinking and agree with us! If you have some input (from experience), please feel free to leave a comment or message me on facebook. I don't know anyone personally who has gone through the ENTIRE IVF experience, so I'm really just going off of research and gut feelings here!


I've gone over the numbers with you all... But here's a refresher:

A single cycle of IVF WITH meds, will be just over $14k.
A multi-cycle, without meds, STARTS at $18k. Plus the fees for ICSI, and of course the 3k+ for meds, for each fresh cycle.

So, we could feasibly get a single cycle of IVF done this year if we meet our Crawl goal, and then raise the last 2500, and then Danny and I save just over $4k ourselves.
OR, we could save for another year or so, and probably try to qualify for some BIG loans, and pay for the multi-cycle (payment has to be up front, and within 60 days of the approval of the multi-cycle).
If we make the Crawl goal, and then raise the last 2500, Danny and I will still have to come up with about $11-13k TO START. Then if the first fresh round doesn't work, we'll have to come up with another $3k+ for meds for another fresh cycle. So, really, the multi-cycle could cost us up to $26k+ total.
OR, we could just pay cycle by cycle, and pay $28k IF (IF, do you see that? IF) the first fresh cycle doesn't work and we just do two fresh.

Basically, the multi-cycle discount isn't that much of a discount. It covers up to two frozen cycles, basically for free. BUT there's no guarantee that we'll have any embryos to freeze. Not to mention, the frozen cycles are SO CHEAP compared to a fresh IVF cycle!
AND, if we do the multi-cycle, we'll be waiting quite a while before we can begin....

If we do the single cycle, we can begin almost immediately after meeting our $10k goal. Which hopefully won't take too long after we meet our Crawl goal!

Now, if we go cycle by cycle, and the first fresh cycle fails, then I HOPE AND PRAY we will have some embryos frozen. If we do, we can do a frozen cycle which we would be able to pay for not too long after the fresh cycle. I refuse to think that a fresh and frozen cycle will BOTH fail. If, God forbid, they do... Then we'll basically be starting over. I'm sure I won't be in a very good place emotionally after stabbing myself day in and day out and not getting good results.. But, I will push on. HOWEVER, I still don't think we'll need to go that far. I think one fresh cycle will work. And at the worst we'll have to do one frozen cycle.

So.... We are going to do a single cycle!!! We will need all the prayers possible for this. And if you don't pray, well then just send some good vibes! First though, we need to reach all of our fundraising goals!! Then hopefully we can get this whole thing going and I could be pregnant THIS YEAR! Wouldn't that be amazing?!! :) :) :)

Our three year wedding anniversary is Wednesday, so tomorrow I'm going to blog all about that day! I still remember it like it was yesterday, and I can't wait to share that day with you, WITH PICS! :)

Fundraiser updates and... Fifty Shades!

Updates updates updates!!!

I can't update the thermometer right now, because I'm not at home. But we are now at $1281!! Over half way there!! Thank you Kristy for the latest donation!!

So... Can we raise $1219 in just under two months?! What do you all think??

The Scentsy fundraiser and Velata fundraisers are still ongoing!! Here are the links!
https://scents2enjoy.scentsy.us/Scentsy/Buy?partyId=90876587
https://melt2enjoy.velata.us/Velata/Buy?partyId=90892442

If you'd like to donate some stuff for the garage sale, let me know!

I will start taking orders this week for 4th of July cupcakes. We MAY even be doing Hunger Games cupcakes!! I will let you know once I talk to my sister in law :)

AND the Christmas in July ornaments will be for sale soon too!!


That's about all the fundraiser updates I have for today. Now for a different type of post.... Again...
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Anyone that knows me, knows I'm a bookworm. I read every day. Every single day. Even if it's just for a few minutes before bed, my head is always in a book. Or hovering over my kindle. Whatever ;)

Thus the inspiration for the Hunger Games cupcakes. At every family gathering for the last few months, the Hunger Games gets brought up. I've read the books multiple times and of course seen the movie in Imax during opening weekend.

Books helped me get through all of Danny's chemo and doctor appointments. If there was a short wait and we couldn't get to the puzzle, I pulled out my book. During chemo, Danny would play on the internet on my phone while I went blissfully off into my own little book world. Every week I had a different book, because I go through them extremely fast. And every week our favorite nurse would ask what I was reading and if there was anything I'd recommend. She was always waiting for me to show  up with a book from the Twilight Saga...
I never did... Not because I don't love those books (I do!), but because I'd already read them... And because Danny would CRINGE just having to sit by me while I was reading one of them.

Now I have a Kindle (best purchase ever in 2011... with  money I won at bingo! Ha!), so I can read whatever I want, whenever I want, and I won't embarrass my poor husband!

So... You all probably know where I'm going with this!!!!

Having a kindle means I can read Fifty Shades of Grey in public without anyone knowing what I'm reading! HA!!! And yes, it's happened. I read it while waiting for hours at the tag office. I read it this past weekend during Danny's hockey games (not while he was playing, but while he was getting ready to play or reffing a game). And nobody gave me a look of disgust, or a look of interest. Nobody could judge. It was awesome!!

So, yep, I'm Grey-sessed (if you follow me on Pinterest you already know this). I have already read the series once and am reading them for the second time (it's easier to skim through certain parts the second time, and really savor my favorite parts)! I know that it's a series that gets a TON of criticism, and that's okay. I didn't write it, I just read it... and love it! If you are a Fifty-Hater, you don't have to keep reading this post. That's okay. But, if you share my love... Please, keep reading!!!

Fifty Shades of Grey is being made into movies (or movie? One? Multiple? I can't seem to find that answer anywhere).
The author, E.L. James has admitted to being a "control freak" when it comes to the movies. Me? I think that's AMAZING. Too many times the movie versions of books are just awful. They aren't anything like the books. Or huge parts are left out or altered. I know it has to happen. I know that some things don't translate, that doesn't mean it doesn't bother me immensely.

One thing I HOPE she is a control freak about.. is the cast!!! I've gone through blog after blog, many tumblr pages, scoured pinterest... And I feel like I've seen SO many options for all the characters. And I've created MY OWN list. I'm sure it's not realistic that all my choices would be in the movie(s), but I can dream... Right?

So, behold... MY DREAM FIFTY SHADE OF GREY CAST!!!!!

Christian Grey -
Chris Hemsworth... In my eyes, there is no other option. He is my choice for Mr Grey
http://images5.fanpop.com/image/photos/27800000/Chris-Hemsworth-chris-hemsworth-27850349-450-620.jpg

Ana Steele-Alexandra Daddario- Not SUPER thin. Big blue eyes almost too big for her face. Innocent looking. Check.

http://i2.listal.com/image/1876537/600full-alexandra-daddario.jpg

Kate Kavanagh-Anna Kendrick (but with strawberry blonde hair). She's a wonderful supporting actress, she's proved that time and time again. She's got my vote!

http://worldstuff.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/1217.jpg

Elliott Grey- Paul Walker - Looks like he is older than Christian/Chris Hemsworth, and could fit his flirty character

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1IzMao_6H3imCKMSCQUM8wIPK_Qpp-w2OkpUc5f1qF5OzjQUAumKVhqcxoRxcLYBYSEdbMeK1XH8HLskFpr2wLhCB4GdWUDM-TN5nyU3WBeQ0BqD_bHQU4fW6f-EVG2tQdhEhwyzMtDw/s1600/paul-walker-picture-5.jpg

Mia Grey-Lily Collins - I know nothing about her. She just physically fits what I see when I think of Mia.

http://www3.images.coolspotters.com/wallpapers/4487/lily-collins-mobile-wallpaper.jpg

Taylor - Tom Hardy- He looks ex military. You'd never see his tattoos. He is who I picture...

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j4uxA0UVCUE/Tk57FBHupbI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/-V0SKDhhxHw/s1600/2.jpg

Mrs Robinson/Elena Lincoln

http://cdn01.cdn.justjared.com/wp-content/uploads/headlines/2009/02/kate-walsh-goes-green-gorgeous.jpg
OR
Charlize Theron- She fits the bill quite accurately, just herself.

http://www.hdwallpapersarena.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/charlize_theron_photoshoot-6762.jpg

 Leila- Alexis Bledel- A thinner version of Ana, she's supposed to have brown eyes though if I remember correctly, so she'd need contacts.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwi83RRBV_9v7UNqeWJbnqOAbs6S3GK5u-WfhlVqMOi-7DQ5BcMNCcffbgoqQbFopGWyjErJtKGJMqJgKJG-ryG_5ewCzss7Lbl7T7MMrQXqNQLBLsUXiuFsy2usuugxStRd6Y1K_fdv8/s1600/Alexis+Bledel.+%252812%2529.jpg

Grace Trevelyan-Grey  -Diane Lane- Beautiful, warm, inviting. That's Grace!

http://blog.zap2it.com/pop2it/diane-lane-oct-2010-gi.jpg

Jose- Jesse Metcalfe - Really I was kind of stuck on Jose. But, this guy fits I think!

http://topnews.in/files/jesse-metcalfe.JPG

Ethan Kavanagh- Zac Efron -  Handsome enough to make Christian jealous, looks enough like Anna Kendrick to pass as her older brother... I think!

http://www.usmagazine.com/uploads/assets/celebrities/12834-zac-efron/1298067754_zac-efron-402.jpg

Sawyer - Sam Worthington - One of my favorite security guards, I think Sam looks exactly how I pictured Sawyer!

http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/71177_277317992151_7705806_n.jpg



That's my cast!! I know I'm missing people... But, these are the characters that stick out in my mind. I will add more later! Now... When will these movies begin production? I CAN'T WAIT!!!!