LETS START AT THE BEGINNING, SHALL WE?

I thought about it the other day, and I decided I am going to post step by step until I finally catch up! If I were to post everything, you will take DAYS to get through it, and its going to take up much more then a page.

So lets start with August 30th!

On August 30th, Russ was BAPTIZED!

The Baptism was BEAUTIFUL! I don't think there was a dry eye in the room! Julianne (my oldest sis) gave a PERFECT talk on Baptism. Russ said he felt like he was going to cry through the whole thing, so he couldn't even look at her. It was sweet. Josh (my little broskie) Baptized him, which is a funny story. Lets just say, Josh wasn't going to let Russ come up at the wrong time! It was great! Russ came out after having changed, looking like a new man. There was definitely a glow about him. He was all smiles as well. Kyle (my broskie in-law) gave the talk on the Holy Ghost, AMAZING as well. Everything from that day was VERY touching. I could hardly see I had been crying SO hard! My Dad then Confirmed Russ a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. (Side note: I had told Russ that after he hugged the circle of men, he HAD to go hug his mom. AS WELL AS You are NOT allowed to propose to me on the day of your Baptism. We had seriously had a discussion about it the night before! He told me he didn't even have the ring, so it was impossible) Russ got done hugging the circle, tears rolling down his face, when all of a sudden he stopped, He looked out at everyone (I'm sitting there giving him the "HUG YOUR MOM" look, he didn't get it I'll assume) and said "There is one more thing I have to do." Being the dimwitted woman that I am thought, "Oh cool, he's going to thank everyone for being here!" or Bear this Testimony... But oh no, He then went to his knee. Tears falling MUCH harder now, voice trembling said "I've waited a LONG time to do this, Jac... Will you MARRY ME?" (Have the chills yet? Cause I get them every time I relive this moment!) I threw my head into my hands and started to shake my head no. Shaking my head of course cause I had TOLD him not to do it that day! Realizing then that I was shaking my head no, thought to myself, "Jac, that's not your answer, and he's going to think it is! Look up at him and tell him your answer!" I looked up, looked in his face, and said "YES!" He ripped me off my chair, items that were in my lap were no longer there, and we held each other ever so tightly. *After talking to people there that day, they said it took FOREVER for me to answer! Ha, I love it!*

We sat, arm in arm after that. I still couldn't really see my ring. My eyes were too blurry. I could, however, feel the great Spirit in the room. We were so in love, and we were happier then we had been ever before. Bishop Ted Andersen (Allie my BF in High School- dad) then closed the meeting. It was so great to have all the people we loved there. We hugged everyone, and cried even harder with them. We were SO happy, and what a MARVELOUS day!

We then went to the Snyder's for a little (big) lunch. I was so excited I could hardly eat. So I was just walking around chatting. I sat down with my family, and my mom asked "So When are you getting married?" I quickly answered "January 23rd." We planned on a winter wedding, and thought it would be perfect. I was dead set on it, and had no intention on changing the date. My Mom then said "WHY?" I was a little confused, and honestly didn't have a good reason. Kyle (from before) then pipped in "Just do it tonight!" Feeling much more nervous then before, laughed, but thought again... Why not? I knew that night was TOO fast, but January 23rd seemed wrong as well. My mom then said "Don't you want Josh to be at your Wedding?" Of course I did! Having it in January and not having Josh there was one of the biggest issues I had! I was so sad that my little brother wouldn't be there for that wonderful day! I then said "Of course I want him there, but he leaves on the 10th!" Julianne looked at me and said "Jac, all you need is a dress, a place and the bishop, we can get that done in a week!" Thinking much harder to myself, I said... "Why not? If we can do it, why not?" So I found Russ and said, "So how do you feel about getting married on September 9th?" He said "Like, in a week?" I said "Yeah something like that", he looked at me and said "If you want to, I am up for WHATEVER!" So then I announced that we were getting married on the 9th.

(Sorry not the most flattering pic of me... it had been a long day!)
It was set, and I was lost in translation. Walking around like a zombie, mind running a million miles a minute. I felt SO good about ALL of it. It was like a weight was lifted from my shoulder, until everyone started asking questions! What all do you have to do? Where are you getting your dress? Where are you getting married? All questions I had never been asked before. I had ideas, but I wasn't pro at this, so I didn't know everything. We decided to get Married in the Snyder's backyard. I knew where I was getting my dress. Then we started talking more in depth, when Russ's aunt asked about the time. I said "Well, Josh gets set apart as a missionary on the 9th, and probably in the evening. So around 6:00 we'll get married." That didn't feel right, and it seemed like a VERY rushed night. At that point, we moved it to the 8th.

After people had left, I told Russ we had to go get his ring. We promptly left and got his ring. We spent the rest of the day trying to relax, and getting things set for the following week.

I think I will stop there. Monday-Friday of the following week, things happened. Not much, but I have pics to post of that week. SO tomorrow (if I get time) we will go to that week. Dress shopping. Marriage License. Showers/Parties. And MAYBE I will have room to get started on the Wedding. I have to warn you. I have over 660 pictures from the Wedding. So OBVIOUSLY there will be a lot that will not be posted. But I will cover all that I can.

Until next time! Enjoy a Wedding pic. :)