Yoo 383 - Today

We're gettin' married today.

(if that was to reflect my current emotion it would be thusly written: WE'RE GETTIN' MARRIED TODAY!!!!!!!)

Ahem.

Oh yeah. It's that cool.

Send good wishes our way? Wait. That's an order. SEND GOOD WISHES OUR WAY!

The past few days have been a little crazy and a lot busy. Just a few more hurdles and I can relax! Ask me later about how I changed dresses just two days ago. And how the Gregbeau almost missed a job interview and in the process locked his mom out of her car and me out of my house. Then ask me about my tainted Netflix account and piñatas. Bushels of fun being had! :-)

Whelp, gonna wake my sisters up for a run and then start the lengthy process of gettin' pretty. Still feels surreal that it's my wedding day! I'll be back with some of the fun details late next week! Haha!

Have a great day :-)

Yoo 380 - Time Starts to Fly

The wedding countdown is starting to move exponentially faster now that I've finished up at work for the next couple weeks.

The Gregdude and I went to our last "singles" activity on Saturday night.

Broom hockey.

It's basically like 4-year-old soccer except substitute adults on ice swinging modified broom sticks and chasing after a smaller ball.

And slipping and sliding and falling all over the place.

In other words, complete chaos.

But a really fun kind of chaos.

(why yes, i AM wearing my byu-i horn crew shirt...100-200 high c's daily).

This is the part where I roll my eyes and mention that my Gregman scored a goal without even looking. I could say that it was one of the coolest moves of the night but his ego doesn't need that...he already knows.

So while I'm really really REALLY REALLY REALLY looking forward to getting married this Friday, I'm also really really really trying to preserve all these feelings right now.

I want to remember everything! I know there are going to be times that test our relationship and maybe even make me question why we're together or why I married him. It's in those times that I wish I could pop a bottle of wedding week and let the future Kyoo drink it all up as a reminder.

I would tuck all this emotion and excitement in my pocket and never let it go!

(warning: commencing a long, sappy paragraph...proceed at your own risk)

I want to remember how I look at my Gregbeau. I want to remember how happy he makes me and all the little things we laugh at together.  I want to remember how much I hate saying goodnight and leaving him. I want to remember how right my house feels when he's here. I want to remember how much happier I am when I'm around him. I want to remember that empty spot next to the Caspercar in the driveway and how I longed to have his car parked there too. For good. I want to remember the silly things we fist-bump over. I want to remember how earnestly I prayed for this. I want to remember that final week at work and how hard it was to focus instead of breaking out into giddy excitement. I want to remember that little flutter I get when I think about living with him and setting up our home. I want to remember what it's like to be young and in love.

All this needs to be bottled up to get us thru the lows. Then, as the anniversaries grow in number, I can look back and reflect. "Wow. I thought I loved you a year ago...but I love you so much more now!"

It'll take work, but it's my hope for this marriage.

It's not even Monday and already I feel like this week is going by too fast. What an exciting time!

Have a great day :-)

Yoo 374 - Beach Camping Bridal Shower

I've always been scared of jellyfish. Well, ever since I knew about jellyfish. But I think I'm getting more scared of them each time I go to the beach. Like the odds of getting stung are ever-increasingly against me. I've escaped the gulf waves unscathed for how many years now? I see the Man-of-Wars strewn all along the beach...and yet it never stops me from plowing straight into the waves. We all have to become statistics eventually, right?

I don't want to be a jellyfish sting victim statistic!!

There weren't any jelly fishies at my bridal shower, for the record. But there was lots of incredibly detailed and delicious food!

(these are supposed to be flip-flops...in case that needs clarifying...)

Not related at all to my bridal shower: I had a dream that one of my teeth was rotting and it fell out of my mouth. It was horrible! Oh what a welcome relief it was to wake up this morning and realize all my teeth were still there and sparkly!

It was so real that I've already brushed my teeth 3 times today.

My friend Alisha and her roommate Breanne put loads of time into the decorations. I was floored! She warned me that I might have to embed a "Pin It" button under all of the pictures for Internet trending purposes. I would have done that if I knew how and if my blog actually drew sizable amounts of traffic. Ha!

Fun, right? Just my style of bridal shower.

I looked utterly ridiculous wearing a toilet paper dress, veiled tiara, green dinosaur arm floaties, and handfuls of ring pops.

The Gregman's sisters put together a cute video with all his nieces and nephews welcoming me into the family. I discovered that my Gregoodle aspires to be Spiderman. There were only a few blushing moments. And people came! All in all a successful shower. Thanks Alisha!

Have a great day :-)

Yoo 372 - We Celebrated With Chocolate Cake

Marriage license day! After literally running to the courthouse (5 flights of stairs in the parking garage, 3 city blocks, and 2 looooooong hallways...not to mention security) we made it to the courthouse one minute before closing. It was kind of excitement! I felt like a bounding gazelle....with the Gregasaurus clomping purposefully behind me.

We were a sight!

The shop windows kept reminding me that I really looked like an obese, sweaty gazelle carrying a purse...but we'll leave well-enough alone.

The first and only thing you should know about obtaining a marriage license in Bexar county is to NOT under ANY circumstances, exhibit a friendly demeanor or express excitement about your impending matrimony. STONE COLD people. It's the way. Understand that and you're fine.

We learned this quickly and escaped with the license and only a few audible grumbles from the Kyoo section about government workers and poorly allocated tax funds.

I know I promised all of the juicy bridal shower details...but that was before I had to sprint for my marriage license. I can run for miles. But not fast. Those five minutes took a lot of effort and now I must rest...tomorrow!

No work, bridal shower pics, and a Happy 4th! I'm feeling great about the prospects of this Wednesday, how about you??

Have a great day :-)

Yoo 371 - Rites of Passage

I feel like everything I do outside of work right now is a rite of passage to my wedding and marriage.

Burning the midnight oil assembling, addressing, and stuffing wedding invitations?
RITE OF PASSAGE

Sending out messages on Facebook, begging friends for their address?
RITE OF PASSAGE

Going crazy and adding everything and its batteries to a gift registry and then spending the next few weeks whittling it down to the "essentials" so I don't look like a wishful, spoiled brat?
RITE OF PASSAGE

(though it should be mentioned that it's a shame most people would consider all 7 seasons of boy meets world unorthodox...)

Making 4 trips to Michaels in one week when previously, I've only made 1 trip in 4 years?
RITE OF PASSAGE

Getting asked for my "measurements" as the bridal shower approaches?
RITE OF PASSAGE

Realizing AFTER I sent out the announcements that they should say FRIDAY, the 20th and not SATURDAY, the 20th and then frantically implementing Operation Damage Control?
RITE OF PASSAGE

Having some strange lady clip my naked torso into a corset?
RITE OF PASSAGE

(if you must know...i had no idea what it was called...the words "squeezy thinga" might have been used in reference...and there was no way i was getting it on by myself...)

(also worth mentioning, i've adopted a new clothing rule:  if a corset is required, it's a no go.)

Ringing a dorky bell while everyone in the store cheers as I announce that I've "said yes to THE dress"?
RITE OF PASSAGE

(trust you me that one was BY FAR the worst. to the extent that i almost rescinded my yes and just left the store.)

Attempting to make room for a second person to move into my very full, very tiny closet?
RITE OF PASSAGE

I'm earning my way into this marriage, one rite at a time.

More pics from the bridal shower tomorrow!

Have a great day :-)

Yoo 369 - Announcing!

My invites really should have gone out weeks ago. But we were deciding on a venue. And then, after researching and trying many places, I couldn't find a venue that I liked. So I reverted back to the church gymnasium. I swore I would never do that but, when faced with all the prospects, it didn't seem as life-threatening as I'd been playing it up in my mind. Basically I liked the idea of being able to invite everyone and their dog without having to worry about head count and paying for everyone and their dog at some fancy place.

Limited time-frame and budget. I want to be able to afford a trip to New Zealand next year.

Not to mention the fact that the Caspercar NEEDS replacing.

But back to the story.

So when I'd finally decided on the church, and waited for them to give us the OK that it was available, it was Monday. Monday as in 3 days ago Monday.

That's when my attention turned to invites. And I kind of panicked when I realized that the ones I wanted to order online wouldn't get here until next week.

I mean, we're already at T-minus 3 weeks. We're pushing it.

PS - these didn't make the initial cut, but once I discovered them I was kind of in love.

Not real pretty or traditional...but they're cut and fold! I think it'd be so fun to get a wedding invite that had origami instructions! Almost useful in a way! But alas, the Gregcritique wasn't real keen and the Kyoo mom shut them down without restraint.

I feel as though my hopes and dreams are constantly stifled.

Just kidding.

Back to the story again.

T-minus 3.5 weeks. I was frantically trying to come up with a solution to get invites out sooner than next week, even considering e-vites, when the Katiefriend stepped into the game. She offered to throw our information into an invitation she'd used for another friend's wedding, I became friends with the people at FedEx office, and voila! Invites.

Well, hopefully tomorrow it will be voila! Invites. I proofed them today and they look good. Which means we could get them all sent out on Saturday. A whole 3 weeks before! They're not really pinterestable but they get the job done. And I probably won't try any fancy calligraphy while addressing them. I'm just hoping to not waste too many envelopes with misprints and smudges.

Also worth mentioning, still no dress, but that is going to be main mission focus come Saturday. And I wish I could fly out to Utah to look! Flights are a little too pricey right now and work is not a fan of me taking more time off.

I got the Gregdude's wedding band today, and shoot dang! I'm so excited to put that on his finger and claim him forever!

The Alishafriend, among others, is putting together a bridal shower for me this weekend. And it sounds amazing! Minus the fact that it's a social event that revolves around me. I try to avoid those. First fear is that no one will show up. Second fear is that people will show up. And all attention will be on me. Ah!!

Have a great day :-)

Yoo 368 - Engagements

The "good" ones, anyways.

My roommate Katie played photographer for our engagements a few weeks ago. She's just building her portfolio but did a pretty swell job! What do you think?

She's got a facebook page for her little business-on-the-side in case you're in town and interested: Katie Jean Studios. (though i don't think she'd mind traveling...)

I'm heads-down now trying to get invitations out. They should have been mailed a couple weeks ago...but we just barely got the venue (aka chapel...i always swore i'd never have my reception in a chapel...and now i am...) booked. I'm barely keeping my head above water. Meanwhile, the Gregdude is crossing things off his "honey-do" list like some freaky perfectionist.

Honeymoon booked: check
Venue reserved: check
Temple reserved: check
Wedding band picked: check

My list remains checkless. Though he's proving quite useful. Definitely planning on utilizing his enthusiasm for as long as it lasts. Now if only I could delegate finding a dress to him...

Have a great day :-)

Yoo 367 - Silly Cousins and a Wedding

Life took me to Montana this past weekend. And blogging took backseat to cousins and aunts and uncles and college friends and even a couple dogs.

Is it even fair that I'm in a photo with these two? "Golly gee willikers" they're upstagingly cute. They picked me up at the airport with waves of excitement. I told them that was mucho appreciated but next time they need a sign with my name. I've always wanted to walk out of baggage claim to someone holding a sign with my name...

I'm cropped out of that one for everyone's benefit...

If these two can't get you laughing then you are a lost cause. Best cousins to have! It's like I'm a kid again when I'm around them. Laughing and singing and joking about family. (and who's peed in the backyard...). It. Was. A. Hoot.

Love them all!

Steffer's wedding was beautiful. She's one of my favorite college roommates and best friends and I cherished every moment I got to spend with her in the couple days leading up to it. Leg waxing. Pita pit eating. Honeymoon packing. It got me so stinkin' excited for my own wedding in less than a month.

She did her own hair! In just 5 minutes!

And looked absolutely stunning. I'm sort of jealous of her dress...it was perfect!

It was really super hard to find a yellow dress to match her wedding colors. The Gregshopper searched high and I searched low in every store in San Antonio. (if you say that just right, it rhymes). I finally ordered one on amazon and begged and pleaded an aunt to fix it up for me. You know I was desperate when frills became ok. My arms look slightly huge and out of place and I had to borrow a slip from the groom's mom...but it worked.

Flying around monstrous, puffy clouds is the best.

Steffer was a such a cool, collected bride, that she took time out of her day-before-wedding to take me wedding dress shopping! That flowery thinga needs to go...but here's a peek! I didn't buy anything. It was just a fun adventure trying to get into the dresses and twirling about. Definitely takes two people.

Hypothetical question: if you had less than 4 weeks until you're wedding and still had no dress, would you be freaking out?

Have a great day :-)

Yoo 365 - Business Trip With My Man

I want to preface this post by saying that my response to it, prior to getting engaged myself, would have been "Stop complaining! You're getting married!! What could possibly be wrong in your life?"

And then I got engaged.

And now I'm like "Shoot dang! This thing can beat you up! I might have been wrong...but I'll be empathetic now!"

As it currently stands, the wedding is still very much a figment of my imagination. The Caspercar is still stubbornly unresponsive and stuck in my driveway. I'm researching and trying to fund the purchase of a more reliable vehicle. My project at work is complicated and stressful and never going to end. (remember all those times i insisted everything eventually ends...i was wrong about that too).  And my Ironman training is a bit lacking. <--more like a lot lacking

Just self-destructing here. Not a big deal.

I'm getting married though so none of it matters, right? Right!

Ha.

I'm craving the simple life. The life I had for a day last weekend. The day my Gregman took me along on our first "business trip" together.

He had deliveries to make in Corpus Christi and I spontaneously dropped my Saturday To-Do list and joined him.

Oh it was glorious!

My man. A chicken burrito. A really big truck. No sense of time. The open road. And lots of laughing and talking and forgetting about life's trials and decisions.

I like our relationship better that way. And I didn't hate being along for the ride while he did the work! Though I did, all by my lonesome, push 300lb barrels of chlorine pellets onto the fork-lift. You know, just to impress him and remind him how lucky he is to be marrying such a strong, studly woman...

And then I saw a space shuttle. And fireworks.

In my mind, tomorrow is going to be filled with road trips and burritos and fireworks. Remember how one day I'm going to be like "My engagement just flew by! I can' believe I've been married for __ years!!" That is not today.

Have a great day :-)

Yoo 363 - Engagement Bloopers

EXCLUSIVE TO THE KYOO BLOG: The engagement pictures that won't be gracing our announcements...

...they make me so happy. I hope you get a good laugh too!

He's such a sweet kisser.

Championing awkward poses for generations to come...

The next one was made especially awkward when my bum slipped off the centimeter of rock I had to sit on and suddenly became  a Lamaze pose...luckily that moment got captured...

Are you uncomfortable yet?

Here's some funny faces.

Disgust. "Why are you touching me??"

Kyoo for the smug, Gregoodle for the clueless.

....and the attempt at a piggy-back ride.

The one where I'm almost thrown into the lake.

The one where the giant hand goes for the Kyoo bum. "Goochy-goo!"

The one where we try to dance. Mongo Kyoo hips here. "Move ova!"

We are soooo not a photogenic couple. But we sure had fun! Minus my $9 shoes giving me blisters. And the fact that it was 100 degrees. Super thanks to the Katiefriend for the shoot! I'll give her and her photography business more credit when the "official" ones go up. For some reason she didn't want credit for these...

And even though these are the blooper photos...I'm 110% sure they're my favorites.

Have a great day :-)