Today is our two month anniversary and in an update email to Kim and David a couple days ago, I wrote "I can't believe it's already but ONLY been 2 months since the wedding." It feels like an eternity we've been together yet we're only two months into this new adventure of being married. I guess that's part of when you know it's right, I can't seem to remember life without the dude.

So many elements of life have changed and morphed since we married and are living together. There's a beautiful sense of freedom that sets in and gone are the guilty moments we once felt when falling asleep during a movie, waking up and thinking "Crap, I am here way past curfew, mom is going to kill me." Now this is my home. Where he is, that's where I belong. It took some time to seriously accept that, having been in such transition for the last 6 months and really accepting that my things are his and his things are mine.

After the honeymoon we began the journey through wedding gifts and unpacking boxes, putting things in their place and the constant sweeping of hair from not just one but now two dogs. One afternoon, I was hanging my things in our closet when the entire rack decided to break free from the wall and crashed onto the closet floor, sending me into delirious tears. DK ran to the disaster area, lifted me from the piles of clothes and after confirming no major injury (other than my ego as a worthless new wife, haha) he puffed out his chest, looks out into the distance, the wind blowing his superhero cape and says "I'm headed to Home Depot, I'll be back in a flash."

I feel really blessed that he's so involved with home decor and design, although sometimes it's caused some heated discussion of whose idea is better than whose. He has such vision and ability to work with space, color and ambience. I love our home, it seemed to take forever to get things settled, but now we rest and are able to work without the daunting lists of things to do looming overhead. It's so peaceful and is absolutely a place we love to come home to. Except for when we remember what's looming behind the bathroom closet door. Laundry is NOT my specialty :)

I love too how on so many fronts all our personal belongings really mesh well together. We have a truly eclectic style - major appreciation for things that are antique and vintage, while striving for clean modern lines and lots and lots of comfort. No matchy matchy and lots of homemade things. (Blogs to come)One of my first major lessons as a wife was in learning how sacred our bed and bedroom are and should be. There was something busy about the area, (we have no walls remember, we live in a loft) something unsettling and not completely inviting. I'm truly obsessed with design blogs and after coming across photos of a monochromatic bedroom, I felt some further inspiration. There was a peace that flowed from these bedroom photos... I think too, we'd been so focused on getting all other parts of our life in order, we'd really been neglecting how important it was to create a space that drew us in for great rest. So we splurged a little and got the rest of the bedding we'd registered for, plus a few extras. We decided to go all white, pure and clean. After washing and putting all of our new bed together, I can honestly tell you it's changed our sleep for the better, it's changed how we function throughout the day, we go to bed early and we wake up having had the best night's sleep. It's organized and settled.

One of my other most favorite parts about waking up and coming home after work is the greeting committee that makes me feel more special than a queen each time I open my eyes or walk through the front door. Orson and Kenai are so hilarious together and are our world. Many times when we're both home, we'll catch them doing something hilarious and motion to each other from across the apartment to share in the hilarity. "Babe, look! He's doing that thing again!!"
                     

Orson met his first baby the other night and was beside himself with excitement. Our friends Brent and Robin came over with their 1 yr old Corrie and Orson was so aware of her, it was incredible to watch. At one point we were all sitting at the dining room table, but Orson locked up in his kennel and was so upset he couldn't couldn't be closer to learn more about the baby, so he let out a quick bark as if to say "Hey you jerks, I'm over here still!" His bark stunned Corrie and she immediatly burst into tears. Stuck in his kennel, he felt completely helpless he'd caused a baby to cry and he couldn't do a thing to fix her. It was so interesting to watch, dogs and babies.

Living without walls, it's a little tough. Just a little. Overall we feel as though this space is our canvas and there is so much potential to go nuts creatively. But when it comes to quiettime or the need for alone time, there aren't many options. Fortunately, we've not had too much trouble with this and resort to headphones if he's working at his desk and I want to watch Talk Soup. I think too we love being around one another and are so in sync, that it really hasn't been an issue. Yet :)

One Saturday night I decided to have some fun with the fact we have no walls. It'd been a long day so we were laying around, watching some telly, when I noticed DK had passed out cold. He was totally exhausted. Once the brilliant idea entered my brain, I smiled and did some quick scheming. I sat up slowly, got behind the couch he was on and put all my weight into it. Inch by inch, I start moving the couch... with him on it. I got him halfway across the apartment when he stirred and I ducked fast behind the couch. No one breathe. Worried he wasn't sleeping deeply enough to ride on a moving couch without waking, I began work on transporting our bed towards the living room. With all this excitement, Orson and Kenai started to get rowdy and I was worried they'd wake DK. And they did. DK, on the couch in the middle of the apartment, lifts his head up and hollars "Orson! Kennel!" I froze. Orson obediently moved to his kennel, flopped down inside and all was quiet. I could hear DK's heavy breathing again so I knew it was safe to proceed. I finally got the bed in front of the TV and the couch into the bedroom. So I went to DK and said, "Hey lover, let's get you in bed." I'm stifling major giggles at this point because I couldn't believe I'd gotten so far! He gets up and walks across the loft over the bed and slides under the covers. I am suffocating I'm laughing so hard at this point. But he didn't even notice! All that work and he didn't even get the joke! So what's a prankster supposed to do but get into bed too, watch some telly and wait. 

Before long he woke up. Confused, he asks "Why did you move the TV over here baby?" HAHAHAHHAHA!! I'm giggling profusely, Kenai jumps up on the bed with us and DK finally sits up, looks around and asks "What the???" He was so stunned, didn't know what to make of it and then exclaims "How cool!!" Yes!!

My whole life I've dreamed of having a house my kid's friends want to come spend time in knowing they can eat lots of great food, be loved on and be heard. A place they feel wanted and comfy. I'm excited that our home even right now is set up in such a way that is condusive to having great parties, game nights, dinner parties, movie nights, Bible studies, sleep overs, etc. The first time I had all the girls over was amazing! We sat around the living room with loads of food on the coffee table, gabbed and ate. As I was getting ready for guests that night, DK is helping me prepare things and asks "So babe, what should I do? Can I stay or do you guys need me to leave?" I loved that he was so concerned with making things perfect for us but I reassured him he was absolutely welcome (in his own home no less, good gracious) There he sat at his desk helping maintain a healthy balance of estrogen vs. testoterone by playing Call of Duty 4 on his computer while we were goofy girls. Great night. I wonder what our daughter's slumber parties will be like one day... so fun to think about!

And of course we have normal everyday annoyances with one another. When you live together, you're bound to develop irritations of odd things that you'd never noticed before. When DK and I dated, I loved the fact he was never a gross burpy farty guy. Never heard it from him, not even any bathroom humor... his mother taught him so well to be a gentleman and I really appreciated that about his character. But somehow since we've been married, the burping floodgates seemed to open up and pour out. I didn't want to be naggy so I kept quiet for awhile till one day I was focusing really hard, trying to thread a needle when he belched like Bart Simpson does after drinking a whole soda. You know, the kind the makes his whole throat wave like violent earthquake tremors? I wish I could say I responded in love and asked him graciously to figure out another way to release the air in his tummy, but no, I yelled something like "That is disgusting!! What happened to you, you gross burping guy?? What happened to my sweet DK?!" After I regained composure, we came to an easy compromise and he promised to tone it down but that I had to understand sometimes he just has to. He's so hilarious, oh my word.

On my end, I have this odd relationship with my alarm clock on my cell phone. Because I have great intentions of waking up around 6:45 a.m., I set my alarm for that time and I think deep down, somehow that helps subside my guilt for the fact I don't ever actually wake up at that time. At least my alarm is set and that's half the battle, right? Every morning at 6:45 my alarm sounds and not always at my bedside table. I don't always remember to get it out of my bag or transfer it from my desk closer to the bed which is even more irritating because then one of us (whoever hears it first) has to get out of bed and track it down. I chose one of the songs on my phone that I feel is very peaceful and serene but DK told me once it's the sound nightmares are made of. More often than not, I snooze all the way into 8 a.m. and sometimes I find him sleeping with a pillow over his head. And the cycle continues because I promise you, tomorrow I'm waking up at 6:45 a.m.!!

I long to have a yard for the dogs and know one day we will so I want to take advantage of where we are presently and make the most of it. Hence the furniture rearranging while The Donald was snoozing. But on a more important scale, there are several homeless guys who live around our building and sleep under one of the loading docks of a warehouse just down the street. Realizing we absolutely are neighbors, I feel really strongly about us being more personal with them on a more frequent basis. The hard part for me is the small talk aspect. Riding the elevator in our building, I honestly sometimes cringe when the door opens and I have to ride a couple floors with a neighbor I only ever see inside this moving box. Up and down we go. I made an oath to never mention the weather. I am also not allowed to look at my cell phone during this time. "How is your day, where did you get your dress, where are you headed, how do you love living here?" And then when the ride is over and we go our seperate ways, I'm riddled with guilt for not making more of an effort to be the awesomest neighbor they ever had.

Maybe if pies were easier to make...

But I realize we have such opportunity to love on and bless the people around us and we miss chances left and right. I know I do. Especially if I'm not wearing make-up, then I look straight to the floor because I don't want to scare anyone. Thing is, DK seems to know everyone and everyone seems to know him. I think he just doesn't worry about much and is not as awkward as I am with the elevator encounters. I want to be more like him so much, he's such a good man and human being.

And somehow he chose me.

ORSON TODAY:

ORSON 2.5 MONTHS OLD:

                                         
ORSON ON FLICKR:

I actually only googled that later on in a moment of doubt just to double check there wasn't anything better I could get them. I actually started setting this up even before DK proposed, I was that excited about these gifts!

And I think the email went something like "Dear Clementine, Please don't think me presumptuous because I know he's going to do it soon..." Hahaha.

I found Clementine a couple years ago on Flickr when I spotted the most beautifully handmade jewelry I'd ever seen. She not only has a gift for making jewelry, but her ability to photograph (lighting, props, placement) each piece is captivating. There's a serenity that pours out of these photos, reflecting her life, her dogs, her craft and I was completely drawn in. So it was a given that I'd ask her to help me with these most precious gifts... only... I wanted to take it a step further.

Once she agreed to my idea and once I finally had a ring (hahahhaha) we got to work. I sent Clementine a description of each of my bridesmaids based on the things that stand out to me most and from there, she designed a necklace inspired by each woman.

The basic design of each was the same, but the elements on each were different. To say I was pleased with her work is an understatement. And when I had a moment with each of my bridesmaids the night before the wedding, I'm pretty positive they loved and understood the heart behind the gift as well.

Here are the descriptions I sent of each:

Kim - Gifted painter, world traveler, raised in Holland, elegant yet totally adventurous, dark hair, blue eyes. My sister-in-law.

Amanda - Mother of 3, radio morning show host, loves green, light brown hair, the most "in the know" educated woman I know.

Heather - Lives in Colorado, lives for fresh air and adventure, is a video editor, incredibly creative, blonde hair, blue eyes

Domenica - From California wine country, a fabulous chef and mom, strong, glamorous with GREAT fashion sense.

Kristen - Vivacious, energetic, brilliantly creative and colorful, has wild blonde hair

Brandi - a natural hippy at heart, she's a brilliant hair stylist, loves funky jewelry and recreating old things for new uses, beautiful brown hair and brown eyes.

Arwyn - Simple sweet yet incredibly sassy and fierce. Stunning blue eyes and fair complexion, dark hair, is a painter.

And here are just a few of the pieces she made and sent, each named after each girl!

This is the "Brandi" - A large briolette of Oregon Sunstone (a burnt sienna color with flecks of what looks like sunshine throughout) with a cube of faceted Pyrite (fool's gold) and a little black onyx accent gem. These will be hung from oxidized silver chain.

And this is the "Domenica" - A large Labradorite gem (which flashes blue and green iridescent in the light), a small gray Moonstone gem and a gold vermeil cube to go on top, and a lustrous freshwater pearl petal, all hung from 14k goldfill chain.And here is the "Kristen"

Having these women stand with you on this most important day of your life is so crucial as a means of support and encouragement to not just get you through the process leading up to your wedding day, but also your wedding day and those following throughout life. Don't settle for something that will fade away, that they won't ever use and that is given only because it's tradition to get them a gift.

Not that I'm an expert or anything :)

So we found paper we love , DK googled the local distributor and we narrowed it down the warehouse where they tuck it into sleep every night. Nice. So this morning we actually went to that warehouse's office where I swear I caught a glimpse of Phyllis, Stanley and Kevin and were redirected to the Clampitt's store.

These people are the most helpful and nice in the entire paper industry. We worked with Cody and he sent us home with enough materials for 500 invites and 250 thank you cards for $137.00. Paper and envelopes. I'm not even joking."

When we left off there, Arwyn was designing the invites. It's funny how the timing worked out because she just happened to be on Spring Break and was looking for a creative project to do to add to her portfolio. I showed her an idea I LOVED and had been working on in Photoshop and I'll never forget her casual response: "Why don't I just draw this?" And she did. It was all the more special because my sweet friend/bridesmaid/soontobesister crafted it personal, just for us :)

By the end of the week, she had them complete and we printed from home. Funny, when I opened the email attatchment, I called her right away and am pretty sure  my response was nothing short of "OHHHH MYYYY GOSHHH I LOVE THESE YOU ARE AMAZING, THEY'RE SO PERFECT, OH MY GOSH, HOW AWESOME!!!

From there, we had Liz V., Lindsey, Tiffany and David over one night to help address envelopes and tried to get them in the mail right away. I think this was by far one of the heftiest tasks of the entire wedding! We had Arwyn do two versions of the invite - one for the wedding and reception and another for those coming to the family reception. Here are her brilliant masterpieces:                         

 Somehow our hopes that this wedding would 1. reflect our lives and the people around us and 2. have some sort of consistent theme actually did happen. It was fun hearing all the different thoughts and comments as each guest received theirs, nearly everyone expressed "They are so you guys!" Mission accomplished. Thank you Arwyn, thank you so much :)     

For our rehearsal dinner, we'd chosen a place almost as soon as we were engaged. It was a favorite of ours in the Montrose area with lots of great memories, but again through the process we saw things shifting and moving into another direction. It just wasn't the right fit and it got down to the point we HAD to secure something ASAP. So DK calls me one afternoon "Hey love, I'm walking around downtown and I'm going to find us a place for rehearsal dinner!" And he did.

It made perfect sense to find a place in downtown with close proximity to everything else. Funny how the entire plan we initially made had us spread out all over Houston and now, with all the shifting and changes, every event was centralized within downtown.

Les Givrals is a new little bistro on Congress St. and is walking distance from Jones, Treebeard's, the hotel, etc. It's Vietnamese cuisine and because of the size of the restaurant, we were able to reserve the entire space for our dinner! We had the food set up buffet style and the trays of meats, rice, vermicelli, and more never seemed to stop coming! The staff was AMAZING. I can't say enough good about them, not to mention the food was so delicious. Filling, yet light - perfect for a meal the night before the wedding!

The night was filled with toasts from everyone in the room, sharing memories out loud and wishes, hopes and blessings for DK and me. That's by far one of my favorite parts of the event and I'm grateful everyone in both our families is ok with being in the spotlight :) We passed out our bridesmaids/groomsmen gift there as well... I will post a blog on those alone!! Leaving DK that night, I didn't feel super emotional, just ready to get the show on the road!

More to come!

If you know the area well, it's in a block of historic brick buildings at Travis and Preston in the northwest part of downtown and has the faded fruitstand painted on the wall facing south.

It's an incredibly well maintained building complete with interior brick walls, wood floors, natural lighting etc. Jolie was outstanding to work with and was totally flexible with menu, decoration requests, and so much more. We had the entire upstairs to ourselves, the food was out of this world and the staff was SO much fun. One of the best parts too was when asked if we wanted to box up the leftover food for family to take home, Jolie also mentioned the option to have the food sent to a local shelter. Doneskis.

Treebeard's was also perfect for us because of how close it was to not only the rehearsal dinner location, but also the hotel we'd chosen for family, guests and those traveling from out of town. We'd heard amazing things about Hotel Icon from several friends and after we received the full tour from Sara, we felt it best represented the Houston we love - eclectic, all historic aspects of the building appreciated and maintained and luxurious but not overkill.

Kim and I stayed in a suite the night before the wedding and because Brandi, Kristen and Heather were staying in a room on another floor, it was really hard to go to bed early, haha. Have you ever laughed so hard you found yourself choking? That was us, and after a couple hours of the hilarity, Kim and I went back to our room and hit the hay.

I fell asleep worrying about the 30% chance of rain for our outdoor wedding the next day and how wonderful was it to wake up to Kim singing as she drew open the curtains to reveal blue skies and no clouds! Holy smokes! After a couple hours, all the girls met us in our suite to get ready together. It was a corner suite with amazing windows facing east and south, perfect for the photos and video! DK had arranged for Bob, Scott and Brian to be there to document us getting ready and Domenica arranged the most amazing buffet of brunch deliciousness. What an incredible morning!

After the wedding and then the reception with family, DK and I walked the block together to Hotel Icon and had the best night's sleep! It's kinda awkward to talk about this part of our wedding so I'll stop here. HAHAHAHA.

Also, for those in town earlier in the week and longer than a couple days, we booked rooms at the brand new Marriot in the medical center. The rooms and staff there were top notch, not to mention the amazing view from the rooms on higher floors!

More to come on Rehearsal Dinner and Bachelorette party!

But it never seemed to fit right. We initially had some huge outside the box ideas of what we felt led to do with our wedding and because of that, needed the space in which to pull it off. Throughout our search to find peace in where to have the ceremony, we didn't have doors shut to these dreams, but ultimately saw God continually redirecting us. But where was it going to be?!

Since before DK came along, you know I've shared my life - good and bad - on the radio. When DK and I became more official as a couple, he was more than open to continue sharing OUR lives on-air and understood the importance of this aspect of my job and ministry. And it's because of the way our lives have been incredibly blessed by this relationship with you, we felt if we've shared everything else, why not share our wedding vows as well? We wanted the ceremony to be a time of worship and to share this miracle of marriage with everyone possible. And we needed the right space in which to make it happen.

I think we had less than a month and a half to go when one night we met up with our friend and pastor, Chris Seay. We still were undecided as to where the wedding would be held and though I don't believe in coincidence at all, this is hilarious. Chris had us meet up with him at a sushi place in downtown next to Angelika Theatre. DK and I found a parking spot outside Jones Hall and as we walked the block to the sushi joint, we found ourselves standing in the middle of an outdoor plaza... and the world seemed to spin but stand still all at the same time. We looked at one another as if to confirm, "Whoa."

Later on while talking to Chris, we jokingly mention we were thinking about getting married at Jones Plaza across the street and without flinching he says "Now THAT makes sense. I can see that happening."

So we called Mrs. Pam Powers with the city of Houston the next day and got the details we needed. We walked through it a few more times and before long couldn't shake the idea to have the wedding there.

We felt the location best represented US: in the heart of downtown Houston, outside, and incredibly unique. I struggled a little with the idea we'd not be married in a church, but soon found my peace through my belief that the church IS the people, not a building or structure. That as long as the people we love and that have been there for us through everything were there, we could absolutely have church in the middle of downtown. And that's exactly what we did!

It was A LOT less expensive than anywhere else we'd looked, had a great area for reception following and the people from the city of Houston were amazing to work with!!

Here are more details for you: click here!

I have to get ready for my show now but there is more to write in this post: hotels, rehearsal dinner, family reception, bachelorette party, pedi/manis, and the location I ate my final cheeseburger as a single girl.