Freedom

Freedom!!!! I finally have more time on my hands to start our blog back up. I have finally completed my seminar paper for my Master of Arts in Communication. Therefore, I have NO homework. This is weird. I have been in college since 2002. Ahhh!!! It is so worth it already though. A) I have a higher degree, which opens more doors B) The beauty about education is that it is something you will always have and have accomplished, whether you use it or not. However, I'm glad to be done. So much has happened since I last posted, but odds are anyone who is reading this already knows. To summarize, here is a photo of our family in our home last Christmas.

A Different Matter of the Heart

Well, sticking to the theme of this blog which is updating everyone on changes of the future Bates family. I have a new job! I was hired last Thursday and I start March 23rd. I am officially the cardiologist, Dr. John Hawkins's, clinical nurse. I will work 8-5, Monday through Friday, no holidays, and no weekends. I will be responsible for a random array of things in the cardiology clinic. I will go to clinic with Dr. Hawkins, schedule procedures for his patients, follow up with his patients, take stat calls if his patients are having cardiac symptoms and decide what they should do, call in prescriptions, call patient's their abnormal labs, educate patients on their procedures and medications, and I even get my own desk! I've never had one of those! I'm really getting excited. Dr. Hawkins and the nursing staff seem very nice and excited to get me in there! I love cardiology and I love people. I'll get to spend a lot more time with my patients and let them know that I truly care about them. I think I'm looking forward to that the most. The connection with people, not just a brief crossing in the insanities of an emergency room. In my interview with Dr. Hawkins, he said, "So, let me get this straight, you are getting married, buying a house, and starting a new job, all in a months time?!?" I explained to him I moved every two years for most of my life and that I just love change. I think he may think I'm crazy, but I just see it as another exciting chapter in my life. I can't wait for the opportunity! He hired me on the spot, so he must believe I'm up for the challenge. Thank you Dr. Hawkins!

And Then There Were Two Months...

Oh my gosh! We are getting married in two months! Holy Cow! Time is flying and I have lots to update you all on.
The Holiday Season was great. It should be considered a fine art trying to balance two families' activities, but we all managed. I am so thankful that our families live so close together and enjoyed every minute with both.
I took a bit of a break from wedding planning during the holidays and dove right back in in January. It began with The Amazing Race of Finding Addresses(of everyone I have ever met and those who I haven't got to meet yet!) That's insane. For those who ever plan on getting married in your life, START NOW!!! It takes forever. But once I got the addresses typed up...it's been a lot more enjoyable! My Mom came up the last weekend of January and we did wedding stuff all weekend, watched movies, ate pizza, and just had girl talk. It was a blast! I love my Mom so much and I am so glad she has been so awesome through this whole experience. She makes me feel so special. Anyway, we got the centerpieces for the reception, bought Micheal's completely out of their lilacs, and got most of the invitations ready to be mailed. We did good! That was quite the busy bee weekend, but a complete blast.
This last week my Mom came up again and I got my dress!! I absolutely, completely, 100%, over the moon, tears to my eyes, love it! I feel like a princess in it and I can't wait to wear it all day in two months. I have all my jewelry picked out for it(well, my Aunt LeAnn is still making the earrings, but I know they'll be perfect) and I am ready to go!

We also mailed the invites this last week while my mom was here. I already have RSVPs and its my favorite new hobby to go check the mailbox to see who else is coming. Love it.

Well, you all are caught up for now. I am currently working on typing up the newspaper announcements, making the slideshow, creating the memory table, writing my vows, and starting the programs for the ceremony. I love you all and can't wait to see everyone in April. Until later.

Love,
Krissy

On the Fifth Day of Christmas, my True Love Gave to me...

Five Golden Rings! Ok, maybe not five, but three rings will be purchased very soon! Aaron and I went shopping for our rings this week. Aaron's wedding ring is, well, very Aaron. It is techy and unique. I can't imagine him with anything else. It is made of tungsten and carbon fiber. We will have to it sized and special ordered because tungsten cannot be resized. They say it is unbreakable. I'm hoping this is good symbolism. Here is a picture of his ring. What do you think?

My ring is a simple row of round diamonds. We decided that it looks better with one on each side. I really like the look. I plan on getting all three soldered together. I tried them on like that and I think it's going to be beautiful! Here is the ring. I hope you like it!

We plan on ordering them in the next week or so. Aaron got a $100 coupon from Helzberg's, so that will help! I'm really EXCITED!!!
Well, we are also beginning another month full of weddings. This month includes Steve and Kathleen's wedding on the 13th. Aaron will be the DJ that night in the big STL!! Phil and Jessi's wedding is on the 20th in Dallas. I almost didn't get off work, so I'm so grateful I will be able to make that one as well! I haven't got to here much about the wedding plans. I'm really looking forward to all the surprises. I know it will be lovely!
I also will be glad when this month is over. Lots of overtime and long road trips! I'm ready to have some free time and work some more on planning of my own. That's the plan anyway at the start of the new year! I had a dream last night that it was my wedding day and I hadn't written my vows, my dress wasn't ready, and our rings hadn't been ordered. Not a good dream! I plan on getting really busy with all that really soon! Especially writing the vows. I'm looking forward to that. Do any of you have any tips or ideas? I would appreciate any creative things that come to your mind. I really want to make them special and unique for us. Aaron means so much to me and that's hard to put into words.
Well, finals week is coming up and I have a big project due for that. I will be busy with that the next little while as well. I better get to it! Love you all. Until later!

-Krissy

It's Only Just Begun

Oh my! The holiday season is upon us. This weekend was cram packed of holiday cheer and it's only just begun! Well, the early-ending week began with me going home on Wednesday when I got off of work in order to help Mom start the feast that was to come the following day. Well, really for me to watch her magic, but I like to pretend I help. The next day I got up in time to catch some of the parade and then it was off to complete my assigned Thanksgiving day tasks: greenbean casserole and injecting the turkey! (the latter is my favorite) Uncle Tom taught me a few years back how to properly flavor and fry a turkey and there has been no turning back in the Lewis household ever since! Thank you Uncle Tom, yummy!
I was also blessed with having Aaron there with my family for Thanksgiving dinner. Shortly after dinner we headed to Fair Grove to see Aaron's famiy and catch the Cowboys game. Go Boys! We ended the night at Aaron's Aunt Jill's house playing a new game discovery called "Bananagrams." If you haven't heard of it check it out! Just click on the link above.
The next day was Black Friday and it was a bit of a bust for Aaron and I. We got up and went to Office Depot at 6am and they were already sold out of the computer monitor he wanted, but no worries he found it online just before we snuggled up for a long and much needed late-morning nap. Then we shopped a bit more that afternoon and found our present for each other, an Ipod Touch. It is awesome! At least from what I can tell. Aaron and I bought just one for each other that we share for Christmas so we have joint custody. Well, I guess you could say it must have been his weekend with the kids! I'll keep you posted when it's my turn and let you know how I like it. I already called dibs for the ipod on the honeymoon!
That night we had plans for a second meeting of the parents event. This time including all siblings(and Rob of course, Alli's boyfriend) and Aunt Jill. We all met up at Ebbet's Field for dinner and then went to the Missouri State game vs. Utah. The game didn't end quite like we wanted, but the night went off without a hitch and no falling out of boats or chairs occurred. I think it was a great time had by all!
I headed back home on Friday night after the game with Mom. While Dad and Brent stayed the night in Springfield. They headed to KC for the MU vs. KU early the next morning and I headed to Chloe's first birthday party at the Buckingham's. For those who don't know, Chloe is Amanda's (one of my best friends from high school and Matron of Honor) little girl. Oh and I guess she belongs to Karl too. Hehe. He was one of my best friends in high school as well. I was the Maid of Honor in their wedding as well. Anywho, Chloe managed to get icing everywhere, as most one year-olds do. It was too cute and I was glad that I got to be there. Enjoy the pics!




Then on Sunday we had our annual cutting-of-the-tree. Every year, Dad, Brent, and I all go to Cole's Farm in Bennett Springs and pick out a tree. It was a perfect wintery day for it! Snow and all. Then when we get home, Mom always has hot chocolate and powdered doughnuts waiting for us. We hadn't got to do our tradition in a few years so I was very grateful we managed to find the time do it this year.




Those kind of things are hard to come by these days and it was so nice to get to spend that quality time with my family. I really miss the old days when we all lived in one place and could just hang out, not have to schedule it a month in advance. I guess that's just part of it, and it's only just begun!

Love you all! Until later.

-Krissy

Family Tradition

What a week! I had such a great week! Lots of family with lots more to come this next week! I got to go home to Camdenton on Tuesday night to surprise my Mom and Dad. Mom got a new little puppy and we had to name him! I am planning on naming my future puppy after a favorite memory from our Europe trip so it seemed fitting to name this new puppy with the same idea. Mom and I stayed up late and finally came up with the puppy's new name, "Roman." I love it! He looks like a Roman and is so cute! Very playful. Lacey and Godzilla (my dog and cat that both passed away within the last few months) are missed, but I think it is good that Buddy (Brent's dog) has a new friend. It was a nice visit. I then went on to head towards Evening Shade and Plato on Wednesday morning. I met with Judy Wade who is doing my flowers. We went over some of my ideas for the bouquets, etc. It was fun and I felt a lot better that she thought all my ideas would no problem even "easy". Never in my life did someone actually tell me that I would be easy to please. That was a first!!! hehe. Basically, the entire wedding seems to be taking a theme of lilacs which works for me! Now, if that darn lilac bush could only be in bloom on April 25th! I hope so, but I've been assured that if it's not that it is easy to order them. I hope so! Anywho, after I met with the "flower lady" I went on to Granny's to find apple dumplings and veggie soup waiting for me on the stove. Yummy! My favorites!! That afternoon I also went by my Grandma and Grandpa's house to show them my engagement pictures. They don't have email so I had to bring my laptop and they picked out their favorites. Which, ironically enough, their favorite picture is my favorite. How crazy is that!?! Their fave is the one that I love and plan on putting in the Springfield and Camdenton papers for our wedding announcement.

The other picture that I think we will probably put in the Pryor and Houston, MO paper is this one.
What do you all think? I hope you like the selections.

The next morning, Granny and I went and met the lady who will be making my "guest book". It is a bit untraditional, but classic. We are having a quilt made for our guestbook! I am so excited about it! Jimmy (the lady making the quilt) is making up quilt blocks of lavender, green, and white and then as everyone arrives at the wedding the guests will sign the blocks with a fabric pen. Then, afterwards, we will select our favorite wedding pictures and have them placed on the quilt as well and then sew it all together. I think it beats the heck out of an old book that collects dust on a shelf! It is something we can use and cherish forever.

Then it was back to work for the weekend, but with an amazing event in the middle! The "Q"! The Bears home opener was on Saturday night and it was MAGICAL!! It was me, Mom, Dad, Brent, and Aaron that all went. What a wonderful night! The game was extremely close and the arena looked amazing! I got to get off work a little early so I even got to catch the tip off. I didn't get to walk around a whole lot, but I did get to check out the hall of fame display. I typed in my Dad's name and sure enough there was a bio on him with all his records and a few pictures of him from college. How cool is that!?! I just wanted to turn around to everyone walking by and say, "That's my Dad!" It was so neat. Then in the 2nd half we went to Larry and Virginia's (family friends of ours) suite. It just happen to be Plaster's suite. (Yes, as in Plaster Student Union and Sports Complex) I got to meet his son and chill with Roy Blunt. Hehe. I also got to hang out with Jill and Emily Oswalt. We all hung out, ate free food. and drink our free sodas. I felt important. It was so awesome! Oh! And I had to have some nachos with jalapenos! It was a perfect night; especially since we beat Arkansas 62-57! The student section stormed the court at the end! Check out the awesome video that Aaron got when we won the game! Enjoy!



Love you all! Until later.

-Krissy

Fireworks!!!

Ok, I was digging through some of my stuff trying to come up with a creative new idea for a fun entry and I found my journal entry that I wrote a few days after Aaron and I got engaged.

-Well it happened! Yeah! Fourth of July may be my new favorite holiday. Aaron and I went to Mom and Dad's for the 4th of July. I worked the night before so we got there around 2pm. We took the boat out that afternoon and drove the boat around. It was very nice and relaxing. Then Dad said he had to go to Lake Valley to help shoot off fireworks. So, around dusk we took Dad back to the dock, then, all of a sudden, Mom said she was going to go too. That's when I began to get a little suspicious, but I didn't want to get my hopes up. So we took the boat (just Aaron and I) back out to see the fireworks out by Lake Valley. It was beautiful! There were fireworks around, 360 degrees. Also, there were boats all around with their lights on. Truly magical! Aaron had put on a CD of all our favorite red dirt songs and we were snuggling in front of the boat under beach towels. Then as the fireworks were coming to an end, Aaron got up and went and changed the CD to "Constantly" by Ragweed then he skipped the CD over to our song "A Matter of Time" by Randy Rogers. Then Aaron started fumbling with something. The next thing I knew Aaron was down on one knee and he had out the ring and handed me a teddy bear dressed in a tux. He then asked, "Will you marry me?" and then told me to squeeze the paw on the bear, it said "So, will you?" I started bawling and laid my head on his shoulder for a moment. Then I rose my head up and said, "Yes!" Aaron put the ring on my shaking left hand. Then he brought me to the back of the boat by the ice box and ski holder in the bottom of the boat. Mom had hidden a bunch of things there earlier that day. There was a purple lilac tablecloth, Marco Negri wine, wine glasses, Triscuits, port wine cheese, and a wedding planner from Julie and Brad and a brown bag with "Bride" and cards from everyone in our families.

That day was so wonderful! I can not imagine a more perfect moment. It involved our family and so many special things that we enjoy together (music, the lake, etc.). He sure got me! I still can't believe how I completely lost all composure. This is when all the wedding plans began and I will be forever grateful for my wedding planner books from Amanda and the Bates'. Thank you, you have no idea how much they've helped!!! Love you all! Until later.

-Krissy