Getting Married

Meet the Maids #2

/ ashleyeileenp / Leave a comment

A letter to my bridesmaid and my sister,

You’ve literally been there for me since birth.  I annoyed the crap out of you the best that I could growing up.  I can remember singing in our bunk beds and you screaming at me to stop.  Unfortunately for you I enjoyed singing myself to sleep….or singing anywhere for that matter.

We went from bunk mates to sisters down the hall.  I secretly hated having my own room, although I know you enjoyed it thoroughly.  We figured out ways to torture our brother the best that we could.  When you left for college I felt completely lost.  Even though we were years apart, 8 to be exact, you were always there for me.  I could never really thank you enough.

In our worst of times you were right by my side, letting me cry on your shoulder and sleep in your bed.  We couldn’t believe the woman who taught us so much was gone.  The best of a terrible situation was looking to you for all the things I would have looked to mom for.  You let me look to you and you put up with a lot of my crap.  You let me live with you in some of less than finer moments.  I became a part of your new little family and have always felt that way.  I’m grateful for your husband who takes care of me like I’m his own sister and not just some sister-in-law.

It has taken me weeks to write this because each time I sit down to express my feelings about my sister, my bridesmaid, my friend…I feel overwhelmed.  There is so much I look to her for and boy…. am I glad she can handle it.  I would be lost without my sister.  I love her kids and can’t imagine loving my own more than them someday, though I’m sure I will.

So happy she will stand with me on our big day!

You’re looking at me all lovingly and Josh is looking straight crazy.  

Your hair was just as amazing as you are.  No idea what the white dot is on Josh’s head.  
Easter at Grandma and Grandpa’s with Melissa.  The days where the two of you used me like your real life baby doll.  

Our trip together to Disney and stuffing our faces on the bus ride home.  

Helping me get through 4-H after losing mom.  We made it through that and never killed each other.  

Being your bridesmaid and catching the bouquet!

What would I do without the two of you? 

Love you both to the moon and back.  

Your family means so much to me.  

Thank you for all the wonderful days over school breaks, weekends, and summer time where we spend time together.  I love those days and all that time together.  

Graduating college with my Master’s, which I started with you a few years before.  

Family Forever.  

Days at the park.  Days anywhere during summer.  Days together are the best!

Date nights too with our guys.  

Teaching me to make strawberry jam.  

 You’ve taught me so much.  I’m sure I’ll continue to learn many of life’s lessons by nagging you with questions.  Hope you don’t mind!

XOXO

Meet the Maids #1

/ ashleyeileenp / Leave a comment

Meet the Maids round 1.  A letter to my MOH Megan.

You’ve been my best friend since practically birth.  You’ve shared your family with me through life, in good times and bad.  You’ve shared your brother as my best guy friend.  You’ve shared your mom and let me act like she’s my own.  I feel like we’re sisters, of course I’m the older, much wiser, one.  Although, too often you’ve had to be the wiser one and set me straight.  You’ve shared your grandparents and let me act like they were my own.  You’ve even shared your husband, and not in a weird way but like a protective older brother way.  You’ve shared your babies and let me dote on them and love them like my own.  You’ve let me feel like your family is mine.  Throughout school everyone always thought we were related somehow.  Nope, not technically.  Yet, we basically are.

Family isn’t always blood.  It’s the people in your life who want you in theirs.  The ones who accept you for who you are.  The ones who would do anything to see you smile, and who love you no matter what.

You’ve always accepted me for who I am…..and given me great advice when I’m not being my best.  Always without judgment.

You would do anything to see me smile, and you do so quite well.  If I need a laugh, I can always call on you.  We can go without talking for days, even weeks sometimes and when I call you we are right back where we were before.  I love that about us.

You love me no matter what.

She’s been there from Sunday school days to hospital stays with a newborn.

We have truly been through it all.

Here’s a few snapshots (okay, maybe more than a few) of life together with Meg.

Many years of Ichthus.  Hair wraps, meeting boys, and of course some serious bible studies.  Maybe a few more boys than bible studies but we totally had Him in mind.  

Youth group outings.
Fashion revue in 4-H. 
Apparently peace signs were cool back then.  

Hog shows.  
Always sporting the Ralph Lauren shirts and beautiful bow in hair.  Thanks Deni!
More Ichthus…
County fair fun.  Matching shirts because we WERE that cool!
Still are actually….

You sharing your big brother Teddy with me.  I think he probably loved the attention.   

Finally when you reached high school we were able to enjoy homecomings, basketball, and football games together.

There’s something about a blonde and a red head. 
Like, Thelma and Louise?  
I love us.  

What we were thinking with these outfits?  Your dress was adorable.  My non-fitting, velvety leopard top was atrocious.  Why didn’t anyone warn me?
And those ridiculous matching shoes I made. 
Remember the screaming match you had trying to finish this dress? 
I do. 🙂
Good times…

More Ichthus.  Jenny Cain and some awesome visors!
Another atrocious outfit.  Me in a formal gown that clearly looks like bad lingerie and you in the most adorable capris with jacket.  Looked great with your red hair.  🙂
After looking through pictures, this picture below seems to be the only year that both of us had decent taste in outfits.  A wool jacket that still hangs in my closet and you in a beautiful top and skirt!  It was a skirt, right? I couldn’t figure out the bottom half from my photos. 
Formal dances at school.  This picture was taken just about a week after mom died.  
Another major life event that you were right there holding my hand through. 
I couldn’t ask for a better friend.  
We all loved the princesses.  
One of our many pool days with Katie and Jenny spent relaxing avoiding 4H projects. 
You will always be Ariel, me as Cinderella, Katie as Sleeping Beauty, and Jenny as Belle.  
As Jenny would say, “Fair Hoes for Life”

Love this picture.  We always be friends.  I hope some day we can be the old ladies of Mohawk together.  

I hate this picture of myself, but you look stunning!

Not sure what event this was for, but I’m damn sure we had fun!
I know this because I found other photos from this night which can never be exposed to the internet.
EVER.  

I love your mom.  I love that she loves me.  I’m so very lucky.  

Some sort of concert at the state fair.
Why didn’t you tell me that I was way too crazy to wear a stars and stripes cowgirl hat? 
A love for 4-H has turned us into the Queen’s Committee.
I couldn’t imagine myself spending my summers (and April and May) with any other three than you crazy B’s!
Concerts forever.
I hope you can make it to a few with me this year.  

Your bachelorette party.
This was the only photo acceptable!
We had so much fun that night and I can’t wait to do it again for mine.
I’ll never forget getting the picture of your ring the day he proposed to you.
I was so happy, yet sad that I would have to move out and our roommate status was being trumped by Jeff.
Mostly though, I was happy.  My best friend met her best friend.
It was time for me to move out and let you two start a life together.  

Getting ready for your wedding was a blast.  

There wasn’t a moment during your engagement (that I can recall) where you weren’t glowing like you are in these pictures.
I can remember a night with my new roommate where I just cried.  All I ever wanted was happiness like you had found.
Guess what?  I FOUND IT!

About to be newlyweds!

You getting ready to walk down the aisle and marry your best friend.
Me trying to fight back the tears that my best friend was lucky enough to meet her match.  

For life…

You were married and we partied in the bus the whole way there.  

More time at the fair.
Remember how I borrowed the shirt you have on and never gave it back for like, ever?
I wish I still had it…

This is the night I met my fiance.
I remember your husband being protective.  He was always protective of me.  
Our cups we made on the ride to Bowling Green.
And some sort of dance party after…

Green vs. Red  And a screaming baby Musselman!

And THEN you broke the news that you were about to have a baby.
A little baby girl.
A fair queen to raise!
We all threw a baby shower for you and loved helping you get ready. 

You were glowing!

And then one sweet night during the County Fair you had Miss Willow.
The first time I got to see her Jeff was watching over her why they checked her out.
I caught this photo of him grinning ear to ear.
I still love seeing this picture.  He was so happy.
When I see him now he’s definitely a “World’s Best Daddy” candidate.  

And Willow grew up.
To a sweet little petunia.
Who likes to smear pudding on her momma’s face.
And before her momma can wipe it off, I quickly sneak a pciture…because that’s what best friends do!

We took a trip to Brown County.
We found out that road trips and hotel stays aren’t quite as fun with a toddler, but close enough.
Thank goodness for your mom and that bottle of wine.  

Shopping and taking a break are always fun with you.  

We’re also very good at wearing her out after shopping.
Some day she will learn to carry our bags and swipe her credit card too!

And sometimes when we shop I ask her to smile and I get this. 

And winning her gold fish at the County Fair is very important.
Because it  makes you roll your eyes and thank me for a new pet.  🙂

A trip to Ball State and lunch out with the girls.  

Sitting with a former Lady Marauder to watch them win STATE!

And about a year after saying hello to your new baby boy.
Getting to spend the night with you so Jeffy could be with Willow was one of the best nights ever.
A true experience into real life motherhood.
Waking up every two hours to keep you company during feeds.
Holding sweet baby after feeds so you could catch some sleep.
Just quality girl time.  

And you headed off into the winter storm to take his sweetness home.  

You may not like this picture, but I think it totally captures the moment.
You looked nervous and excited all in the same!

And I love to cuddle his chubbiness.
He’s just the most perfect little baby.  

I love your family.
Every single one of them.  

You can tell that I’m very blessed with you as a best friend.  We’ve been through it all and there is so much more to come.

I look forward to the next 50 some years of wedded bliss, babies, and making memories. I hope we can someday sit in a pew together at Mohawk with our partners in crime, Katie and Jenny, reminiscing on all of our good times.  We’ve sure had so many.

Love you Meg!

A growing list

/ ashleyeileenp / Leave a comment

I had no idea when I was begging for the idea of an engagement ring and marriage that there would be this much stuff to do.

It seems like as soon as I cross something off the list of wedding to do’s I add about ten more things.  It’s never ending!

Not to mention the fact that we (me) are trying to pull this thing off in around 5 months.  Whoever thought that was a good idea (me) should be shot.  Okay, maybe not shot but seriously taught a lesson.

Besides the fact that I’m overly stressed to the point of neck pain and multiple doses of anxiety medications, everything seems to be going totally fine.

We really do have the major stuff under control and at this point working on all the small details.  However, there are so many stinking small details!  They really seem like medium size details.

Like….which necklace should I get for my dress?

I went with this one.  Hoping it looks good!
And what kind of salad dressing will everyone want? 

And how can I sneak all the leftover bread out of there after the reception? yum

And what color of sashes and napkins do we get?  DEFINITELY not this ensemble.  Puke.  John Deere fans maybe? 
And how did we get such adorable flower girls? 
And will they really walk down the aisle?

And, what size paper bags for the candy buffet? 

  
 And, is my friend Ashley really going to be ready to tackle this list I have going for her?  She has all the wedding expertise but does she know what she’s getting herself into? 

And, how can I make this entry way cute for the wedding? 

 And how many more pictures is my excited father going to take?  
Side note: Have I told you how adorably excited he is?  I never imagined he would be so excited to help us plan our wedding.  From picking out a venue to tasting the delicious food.  It’s all wedding talk and I can’t figure out if he is just so happy for me or so excited to give me away and be done with me!  Ha!

Tasting complete.  Bellies full.  

 Is it really worth if to stand in a 2 1/2 hour long line for passports? 
Especially when we still have no clue where we are even going for our honeymoon!
Which cake should we pick? 
No worries, I’m an expert dessert taster.  Pink lemonade it is…..with some cheesecake filling. 
I know it sounds weird, but don’t hate.  

Will my future SIL find a dress she loves?  
Some how we successfully found dresses for all the other bridesmaids, but they are all from here. 
Poor Weezy has to figure this out on her own out in Idaho.  
I have total faith in her.

All these questions and so little time to answer it.  Like 100 something days? 
I’m stressed. 
A little overwhelmed. 
But I wouldn’t trade this excitement for ANYTHING in the world!

Decisions = Exhaustion

/ ashleyeileenp / Leave a comment

This explains our day…

Exhausted with a gun.
We tackled an invitations decision last night.  (Thanks Chad!)
We tackled decoration and bouquet decisions with our event planner extraordinaire this morning.  (Thanks Ashley!)
We tackled Macy’s gift registry.  And by the way, best experience ever.  Neither of us were looking forward to going to Macy’s to register but we had several people suggest it.  By far it was the best experience of customer service we have ever had.  The lady that worked with us, Heidi, was absolutely incredible.  She was so very helpful and we left with huge smiles on our face and ready to tackle the next store.  

Then, we stopped for a little rejuvenation at Hooter’s.  We love their wings.  He probably loves more than the wings, but I’m totally fine with that.  The Bluemoon tastes mighty fine too after a few hours of complicated decisions.  
Then, we tackled our Target registry.  The photo from way above explains my almost meltdown half way through when our gun battery died.  We had to walk all the way back up to the front for a new gun.  We stopped at the snack shop for a little refreshment where I almost passed out from serious exhaustion.  
These decisions were way more complicated than I ever imagined.  They literally have EVERYTHING you could ever imagine.  And to make matters worse….they have about a bajillion different styles of everything as well.  
Total freaking chaos for a gal like me who sucks at making decisions. 
But, with my sweetie pie by my side we made it through the day. 
and….we had FUN!  
It’s actually pretty awesome how much fun we have together at something that others consider so daunting or miserable.  
I’m not sure he was totally looking forward to it like I had been all week, but he hung in there and made it happen.  He let me control the gun for the most part.  We took turns with the power.  The power felt great.  I kind of wish I had a scanner gun thingy for every day purposes.  Not sure what I would use it for, but it would make me happy to scan things.  Does this mean I need a job in retail? 
Sorry, got off track dreaming about that gun. 
That day number keeps shrinking….
Down to 133.  I have a feeling at 100 I’m gonna spend my day hibernating in bed with a major panic attack.  
Wish me luck!
Check out…..
Our Wedding Website at The Knot 

Said yes to the dress

/ ashleyeileenp / 1 Comment
Saturday was the day to find the dress and it happened!
I woke up nervous as all get out.  I cried a little in the shower thinking about doing all this without mom.  I have a feeling those tears are going to flow heavily throughout the next 137 days.  
Riding with my MOH and best friend was a major stress reliever as we talked about girly wedding things the whole way and listened to baby Walker coo.
We arrived at our first place hoping for success but we weren’t so successful.  There were SO many fun dresses to try on.  There were even some great prom dresses to look at!  Miss Becky has so much to offer!  It was the perfect opportunity for me to try on a huge variety of dresses and get a feel for what I liked and didn’t like. 
Before we left little Mr. MOH decided he needed a changing. 
I have never.  
ever ever.  
ever never ever. 
seen anything..
or smelled anything…
like it!
We ruined that place for sure.  
But he’s so dang cute! 

After we had a delicious lunch at Mackenzie River Pizza.  Delicious food and wonderful family to celebrate with!
Have I told you yet how incredibly blessed I am to be surrounded by amazing women?  
Well, I am. 
My MOH is my best friend since practically her birth, Megan.  Her family is near and dear to my heart and always will be.  We may not be related but we practically are.  
My sister and Michelle are two of my bridesmaids and although Michelle isn’t technically a sister, she basically is.  Their little munchkins are flower girls and ring bearers.  I wish I had a photo of the girls from that day without me in it to spoil…but I don’t!
They were such wonderful little helpers.  They followed me around and picked up my train for “practice” for our big day.  They even had the chance to try on flower girl dresses and loved every minute of it.  
My Aunt Beth and Aunt Cathy are my momma’s sisters.  Together with Patty (mom’s best friend), Denise, and several other incredible women the empty spot of missing mom is always filled with a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen to me whine, and all the things a daughter misses from a mom.  I’m incredibly lucky to have them. 
I also wanted Michael’s mom to join us for dress shopping.  Since she has two boys she kind of misses out on all that girly stuff!  
It was an amazing day to say the least!

I found the dress at David’s and NO I am not telling you what it looks like, showing you a picture, nothing.  You’ll have to wait for wedding day pictures!

Getting ready to make the big purchase!  

Feeling the love as I make some serious game day decisions.  

They fail to mention to you the things they are going to throw in and charge you for.

Kind of like buying a new car.

A slip for this much, a preservation kit for this much, a garment bag that you must have, blah blah blah.

Nerves got the best of me and I bought it all.  Figured it was easier than second guessing and wishing I had bought it all!  Probably not necessary but in the grand scheme of things I’m not going to worry about it too much.

One little bit of advice for future brides:  Do NOT go on a Saturday to David’s Bridal.  They were friendly and helpful and did the best they could but that place is freaking nuts.  Ridiculous nuts.  Almost not fun nuts.  I would highly suggest going on a week night if you can!

Our next trip for bridesmaids dresses is on a week night to avoid that madness.

Photographer is booked.
DJ is booked.
Photobooth booked.
Tasting scheduled for a couple weeks.
Decorations are left to decide.
And all those minor little things.

And our website on The Knot….  http://www.theknot.com/wedding/Plank-and-Schenck

Oh yah…..and a honey moon too.

Hopefully the man decides or asks real soon if he can take some time off following the wedding.

Otherwise, this chic is going on a honeymoon alone!

Kidding…

Or, am I?

Booked!

/ ashleyeileenp / Leave a comment

We booked it!  It’s official!

We are getting married in 147 days!
I’m marrying the man of my dreams at the place that just a year ago I said I dreamed of getting married at!  I’m hoping the weather cooperates for July 19th around 5:30 p.m. so we can pull off an outdoor ceremony just like we want.  I don’t care what the weather does everywhere else but if it could be absolutely gorgeous and perfect in Pendleton at Blu Falls I would be so very grateful!
The planning process and final “let’s do it” considered me for my dad’s heart condition.  So, he decided to fake a heart attack for a cute photo opportunity.  

It was so much fun to meet with Cindy at Blu Falls today and get this party started!  The place is absolutely gorgeous and I can’t wait to meet with my event planner.  Even got the invitations ordered tonight and engagement announcement submitted to the paper!  

Working on checking things off the list one at a time!  Hoping to stay calm and anxiety free….ya right!

Engaged

/ ashleyeileenp / 3 Comments

I have a fiance and for the first time today I had to say that out loud….and I gotta tell you it was crazy weird!

Not weird in a bad way….just weird in a different way!  Like the weird that I’ve been waiting on my whole life!

So here’s the story…..

Friday was Valentine’s Day and he always said he would never propose on a holiday so I was most definitely not expecting it.

Friday morning I set out a cute little scavenger hunt for him which led him to a card, couple of Rockstars, and some gift cards.  He loved it.

Friday night we had dinner reservations at the restaurant where we had our first date, Stone Creek Dining Company.  I kind of wondered if maybe he would pop the question at dinner but it was never discussed and I reminded myself he would never use a holiday to propose.

We came home from dinner and my usual is to go upstairs and change into “comfy pants” as we call them round here.  I didn’t head upstairs because I still hadn’t received a card or gift and kind of thought maybe if I hung around long enough on the couch something would magically appear.

Low and behold it did.  I opened the card.  A sweet card with a sweet message.  That man always writes love notes and never just signs his name.  Love that about him.

Then I pulled out the tissue paper of the red sparkly bag with heart on it and it was a mouse.  A computer mouse.  A wireless freaking computer mouse.  My response……”Ummm….thanks” with sincere disgust.

I huffed and puffed and pouted on the couch for a bit and he decided to head upstairs to put on his comfy pants.  Not long after I decided to head up as well.  As I was putting on my pajamas he came around by my side of the bed.  I thought he was going to grab some pants or underwear from the dresser but instead he GOT DOWN ON ONE KNEE and I about passed out.

He stunned me.
He shocked me.

He said, “I love you….will you marry me?” and opened a ring box to behold this GORGEOUS and FABULOUS ring….

 I said….YES!  Covered my face to hide the tears approaching then I held his sweaty, shaky face in my hands and kissed him.  He placed the ring on my finger.  Of course it didn’t fit at first but we took the spacer thingy off and it fits perfectly.  Just perfect.  
Then, I thought I was going to puke.  Not the kind of puke like, “OMG what did I just do!” the kind of puke that is from absolute shock.  People always told me I wouldn’t know when it was coming.  Heck, even he told me he wanted to surprise me…but honestly I didn’t know if he could pull it off.  Trying to hide things from me is probably extremely difficult. 
But, he did it.  And he did it perfectly.  And he proposed to me in our bedroom in the midst of putting on pajama’s and I will never forget that moment for the rest of my life.  It was just us.  It was perfect. 
Now….for some more of the details.  
Then I loaded him up with questions….like…did you ask my dad? Of course he did!  He asked my dad just earlier that morning.  My dad (a man of many words…ha!) replied with, “Sweet.”
I asked when he bought the ring.  He told me he had purchased it on Wednesday because he felt like if he had went to get it any earlier he wouldn’t have been able to not give it to me.  He even took his dad’s truck for fear that someone at the jewelry store may have seen his work truck and let me know he was at Kay’s.  Smart man!
We spent the rest of the evening trying to make phone calls and being extremely excited that we were engaged!  Like giggly…giddy excited. 
I did make the comment about being so excited to get married and have babies.  His response, “Can we just enjoy the engagement for a day or two?”  hehe  Sorry buddy! 

And we took this to capture the moment….Pinterest idea.  And so true…

My best friend answered her phone first.  Although I didn’t full on cry when he actually proposed….when I had to actually tell someone what happened I sure did.  And she cried!  And I kind of realized how real this whole thing was.  
We finally fell asleep early Saturday morning and got up early again to start the next round of phone calls and Facetime calls.  We wanted to tell all the special people in our lives over the phone or in person before we committed to the big announcement on social media.  It was fun to make the phone calls and Facetime calls together.  Hearing everyone’s excitement.  Shedding a few more happy tears.  My niece’s response of, “Can Kynsey and I be FLOWER GIRLS?!?!”  Lynn telling me how my mom was right there with me and how happy she would be.  
Just straight up pure bliss.  You can’t package that stuff.  Those feelings of forever love.  
I always knew he was….but that bling makes it so official and ready to take the next step.  
And the best part of it all…he’s just as excited as I am.  He told me he loves how I can’t stop smiling. And I seriously can’t.  
Yes, we’ve discussed dates, venues, and plans but we have nothing set yet.  We’ve sent out inquiry emails to a few places and hope to book a place soon so we can go from there.  I love how interested he is in the whole process and I’m very thankful for that.  
I also can’t get over how excited everyone is for US!  I’ve always known I was loved but the hugs and messages and texts are incredible.  We are so blessed to know so many wonderful people and have those people to share our journey with.  
This blog may become totally weddingfied and I hope y’all don’t mind.  I’ll have lots to share and definitely want to track these memories as we go.  
I’ve struggled a bit with sadness today at the thought of doing all of this without my mom.  I know she’s here with me along the way.  I know I have an incredible sister, aunts, and best friends to help me out.  I’m also going to be blessed with an awesome mother-in-law (woah…weird to say…again!).  I’m not alone in this…but I sure can’t help but think about how she would help me if she were here.  
The love of my life proposed to me on Valentine’s Day.  I can’t stop smiling. 
This man is a man who sent me this picture just last week. 
A picture of a cardinal right in our front bushes.  He knows I believe that’s my momma.  
He knows me so well. 
That picture made my whole day. 
And this man is going to make the rest of my life. 
Yours truly….
an Engaged Fortunate Girl