Back to normal

The weddings over and things are starting to get back to normal.  I say normal loosely because we still aren't 100% normal yet (and probably won't ever be).  The barn is cleaned up.  My name is changed on my driver's license (tomorrow I'm changing it at the SS office). We are going to the bank tomorrow to change my name and combine accounts and all the fun stuff tomorrow.  2 of the 5 kegs have been returned (the rest on the docket for tomorrow).  Lots of returns must be made - simply things we didn't use at the wedding and won't use so they are going back.  We are starting to catch up on sleep.  Ryan and I figure that we were running purely on adrenaline and after wedding when all the craziness stopped, we realized  have run out and are now struggling to get back.  But taking tomorrow off is probably the best decision ever!!

Marrying my perfect match

A beautiful Sunday afternoon in front of our family and friends, I got to marry my perfect match!  Our guests were treated to a little guitar playing before the ceremony and some water (it might have been slightly hot out - only like 90). 

And then my dad walked me across the grass and down the front walk to Ryan who was walking for me with Pastor Tom.  Pastor Tom made our ceremony so special and we are truly blessed that we have such a great pastor and spiritual leader.  His message was about the 4 C's - Christ, Caring, Communication, Conflict, and was perfect.  We then said our "I Will's", and exchanged rings and vows and poured our soil (from both our hometowns or maybe a substitute) into our unity tree pot.  And then we were pronounced husband and wife and it was time to kiss the bride.  We both did a great job holding it together despite wanting to cry.

I, Abbey, take you, Ryan, to be (husband/wife), my constant friend, my faithful partner and my love from this day forward. In the presence of God, our family and friends, I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in joy as well as in sorrow. I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live.

 Our arrival at the party - nice and cool in our party outfits

Ian giving a wonderful toast 

Dinner with Alicia and Bill

 Our first dance - Honeybee by Blake Shelton

 Dancing and more dancing

 An amazing firework show by Dad, Jason, Scott, Jared, Uncle Larry and Steve

Our lights looked awesome

And so many more great pictures on ryanandabbey.shutterfly.com and www.mistyminna.com.

 The evening was perfect.  The temperature cooled down and there was a nice breeze.  Lots of food (from Carlson Catering) and drinks, and games and dancing.  Everything went off without a hitch.  And I wouldn't have changed a thing.  And the best part, was getting to spend time with our families and friends and my husband.  We are truly blessed and we could not have done it without all of them so to them - THANK YOU!  We love you! 

Day of the Wedding

Finally!  It’s here!  We are getting married today.  Ryan and woke up and enjoyed breakfast and a relaxing morning (for about 30 minutes) before the mayhem began.  My family was there about 10:00 am and ready to work.  The chairs were moved to the front of the yard and set up for the ceremony. 

The lights were hung were with care. 

The kegs and more ice were picked up.  The desserts were plated.

The front porch was decorated and ready. I practiced and timed my walk to the front porch with dad.  And in the midst of it all, us girls (Julie, Mary, Karle and I) found time to quick go get our nails done.

And then it was time to get ready.  I started about 1:30 doing my makeup and hair and was then joined by my sisters and Alicia and we enjoyed some laughs before the photographer got there.  Ryan did a few things in the barn while I was doing that (since we got ready in the same bathroom – just not at the same time).  Misty Minna (our photographer) was wonderful!  Our DJ (Robert Navarre) arrived to set up for the ceremony and the reception.  And Pastor Tom arrived!  Everything was coming today.  And despite everything, it wasn’t too hot but was definitely warm! 

And it was time!

Day before the wedding

It's the day before the wedding.  Oh my!  Both our families are here to help us get ready and set up and enjoy the day. 

Ryan and his brother and my brothers and a few of his friends all get to enjoy an afternoon of golfing.  And had a great time.  And while they were doing that the rest of us were at the house, slaving away getting ready.   Table clothes ironed, table set, bar set up, pop chilling, weeding wacking (complements of Mary), and a big list of to-do's were completed and by the end of the day we were ready (well except for the lights).  Bring on W Day!

2 Days Until W-Day

I can't believe today is Friday already!  We are getting married in only 2 days! And of course on our first day off work, I was up at like 5:30 am and forced myself to sleep until 6:30ish and then gave up and started the day.  Got Joey fed,  breakfast made for Ryan, laundry finished, name tags for the food made, a trip to Sam's club for more water and the dessert, Ryan made a trip to the lake house for the rest of the chairs and pavers, then we met back up for a trip to Tractor Supply (which is slowing becoming one of my favorite stores because they have everything there), and then to Nature's Landscaping to buy our unity tree... all before 11:30 am! 

Prio to the then, we got a call from Bob and Rebecca and they got a flat tire in Jonesville.  Luckily Scott and Mary were around to go help them out and hooked them up with a pumped up tire to get to the local tire place.  And then they were back on their way to our house. 

But of course everything can't have gone that smoothly, we went to fire up  Norm (aka our lawnmower) decided to not want to mow.  It started up and would drive, but the level to engage the mower wasn't sticking for anything.  So after a paniced call to Dad and a call from Dad to the John Deere place we had no answer.  Backup plan - Mary and Scott bring the mower over to use.  But then Dad called back and the JD dealer said we use it but need to jerry rig something up to keep the lever foward.  Talk about red necking it (or at least that's what I felt like).  2 bungy cords later and we were back in business.  So I mowed the whole lot and Ryan string trimmed out by the barns too. 

We also picked up the tables and chairs and they are now in the barn ready to be decorated tomorrow.  Rebecca cleaned up the barn floors and Bob up together our new little firepit.  Everything is coming together.  Tomorrow should be a great day - busy and crazy I'm sure, but great!  And I can't wait!

All done with work

So I worked my last day of work as Abbey Ewald.  When I go back I will be Abbey Delaney.  How exciting.  My new work email will be delaney@hino.com. 

After I finished my half way, I headed to Ann Arbor to pick up our marriage certificate- check!  Did some grocery shopping (pop, chips, hot dogs)- check! Picked up my dress - check!  Got a facial (which was AWESOME - so glad I bought the 3 for 1 deal) - check! Cleaned the house - check!  Laundry going - check! 

And now waiting for Ryan to come home from golf so I can take him out - last time we probably go out before we're married.  :-)

Hot! Hot! Hot!

Last week, we started checking the forecast for the wedding... first look 80 and sunny!  Perfect!  A few days ago, we checked... 88, but still sunny!  Still okay.  Last night we check after dinner.. 93!!  Woah!  It is Memorial Day weekend and not the 4th of July, right?  Holy warm!  Guess I don't have to worry about getting a sweater to wear with my dress. 

Hopefully it won't be too bad.  But either way we are going to have a wonderful time.

Our new puppy

Introducing the newest member of the Delaney clan... our new puppy (no name yet).

He's the big one in the middle! We should be getting more pictures once he opens his eyes.  The breeder said she is kicking herself for not keeping him.  We must be getting a good one!

One proud mama!  And can't wait to meet him.

Big time score!

Ryan and I have been trying to figure out how to set up and run the music for the wedding.  We went and looked at buying a system off craigslist.com but we felt like it was too much money.  So I found a DJ that rents some equipment out to use - speakers, mixer, mics, etc.  So I emailed him to see if it was available and all that.  He calls back and says he's not DJing that day and would be interested in a DJ.   I almost couldn't believe the price he gave us.  And he plays the guitar and is going to play for part of the ceremony and maybe during dinner too.  It's amazing the deals you can get if you wait to 6 days before the wedding.  I might need to find another pair of dancing shoes for all the dancing we are going to be doing!  Get ready!  It's 5 days away!

The garden is in!

It's official... RAD Farms has their first garden in.  A big thanks to mom and dad who came down today and brought their lawn mower and their rototiller.  They also brought us seeds, sweet corn, tomato plants and some onions.  So great!  I'm excited so see how everything turns out. 

Dad also brought a load of loose rocks to put around the drive where there were low spots to help improve it for the wedding.  Ryan did some string trimming and mowed Joey's kennel and got the grill hooked up in the garage and we used it for lunch.  Mary and I moved a bunch of the stuff from the wedding room out to the barn (you can almost see the carpet in there now).  Mom helped roll the rest of the programs so they are ready.  The kids played and ran through the sprinklers and kept us all entertained.  Ryan and I also finished hanging up the lights in the barn and plotted the strategy for the outside lights - and I think we have it!

Ryan and I also went and checked out a sound system to use for the wedding - left without buying it and hoping that we can get him to come down a little bit.  So we'll see where we end up. 

I think that's all... weather forecast for next Sunday.. sunny and 80!  Here's hoping!  I can't believe in one week I get to marry my perfect match!  Love him (especially since he's putting up with a slightly stressed out Abbey).

An unwelcome visitor

Saturday night Ryan and I are eating dinner out by the barn around 9:30 and I look up and see a very unwelcome visitor with a white stripe down it's back.  That's right!  A skunk!  So I hurried up and put Joey in the barn so there was no unexpected chores to do before the wedding - like clean a stinky dog.  The skunk stuck around for about 15 minutes, had himself a little dinner and then left, without spraying anything.  Guess this is another reason why Ryan needs a riffle!

Colin turns 1!

So one year about today, Colin (Ryan's 2nd nephew was born).  It was also the first time, I met him and the whole Delaney family.  It was a very chaotic weekend as Ian and Jen were moving into their new house the weekend that Colin decided to join the world.  A very grand entrance!  But a great one for the cutest little boy ever.

So we took a quick trip to Fort Wayne Friday night and Saturday, and got to celebrate with the whole fam.  Great weather, great company and great times - despite the short trip.  We also made a quick stop on the way back to get the liquor for the wedding reception so another thing crossed off the list, and good thing, because it's one week away!  Yippee!!!

Name sign project

So for Colin's birthday I found this cool sign online with a kid's name and decided Ryan and I could totally do that.  So the Colin name sign began. A quick trip to JoAnn's and I got all the supplies, letters, cool sailboats and a boat steering wheel.  I enlisted Ryan to spray paint the letters (he is just better than me at it, go figure I don't have the patience, but I'm working on it). 

The finished project turned out great!  Love it!  First official RAD sign.

11 days to go

11 days until the big day!  I can't believe how fast time has flown by.  It's crazy.  And now I'm starting to think that I've forgotten to do something big.  What?  I'm not sure.  But let's hope that is just the wedding crazinesses. 

Finished the wedding programs and other fun things not be released yet.  Need to send all ceremony stuff to our pastor to finalize that with him.  Ryan called on the keg so that is good.  We are getting the alcohol this weekend in Indiana.  I ordered more tables and chairs and plates and all that stuff, and increased our food since our guest count is more than expected.  Trying to finalize Saturday's plans - I believe a golf outting is in order for the guys and ladies if they want.  Then maybe a few drinks and dinner afterwards.  

I feel like I'm rambling... but just trying to make sure I haven't forgotten something major.  If you can think of anything, let me know!

The Barn is Ready!

With only 13 days until the wedding, the barn is ready!  Sunday morning, I headed off to church and Ryan tackled the outside area of the barn (the poison ivy area or at least where Ryan got it).  He dressed in long sleeves and went to work, pulling up vines, dugging out roots and when I got home from church it looked like this!

But this what he pulled out!

A huge improvement to what it was before (which of course I don't have a pictures of).  But then we put mulch down and planted a few left over hostas from Ryan's mom and tada!

Just wanted to share a before picture - this is what it looked like when we bought the house!



Crazy how much better it looks!

How much mulch?!

After 4 times back and forth from the landscape place in Saline, we finally had enough mulch for everything.  8 cubic yards!  Really?!  Our initial estimate was pretty low and everytime we went back, I said this should do it and Ryan said I don't think so.  Well he was always right.  Here's what the truck looked like everytime... I'm thinking a trailer might be in our future.  But I told Ryan we were never putting mulch down again.

But after a full day's work of mulching, it looks great and is now wedding ready!  Even though I'm not sure how much we'll be moving tomorrow. 

Check it out!

Of course, the day wouldn't be complete without some nastiness... while mulching Ryan found a poor bush covering and I mean literally covered in these nasty worms.  After mixing up some very concentrated bug spray and spraying them on the bush, the worms lost.  Thanks goodness!  And hopefully the bush will survive!  Multiply the worms in this picture by 100.. and that was maybe how many worms there were.

And of course we had some time for some fun pictures!  Our spring family picture and Farmer Ryan.