The clock is ticking ...

Amanda & I spent 15 hours together yesterday. We worked out (great way to expend the pre-wedding anxiety), ran a flurry of errands and enjoyed the day chilling and chatting. We went to the courthouse so she could get her marriage license.

Amanda, who took the photo on the left below, calls the image "waiting for the license." The ladies there wished her well and gave her a few pieces of sage advice, including: "Don't forget. They can't start the wedding without you!"












We picked up her gorgeous gown at a boutique in Derby. I wish I could show you a photo of the dress, but that must wait until Saturday afternoon for its big reveal.


We wrapped up the wedding festivities by joining Kurtis' family for dinner at Texas Roadhouse. The bride- and groom-to-be were quite embarrassed when my dad and the waitress made them sit on a sawhorse-like pony adorned with a saddle that's brought to your table. Apparently it's a tradition at the restaurant that birthday boys and girls climb on board for a photo and an announcement to the entire restaurant that you're having a birthday. Well, our waitress screamed that Amanda & Kurtis were getting married Saturday, and everyone gave them a hearty "Yee-haw!"


Today's agenda includes decorating the church and reception site (a local golf course club house), manicures & pedicures and the wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. Extended family should start arriving from Missouri, Iowa and other states by noon or so, and the bridal party will be here soon, as well.

Mom is feeling pretty great and was excited yesterday with some new jewelry Amanda & I snagged for her while we were out. I can tell she's looking forward to her mother-of-the-bride appearance. It'll be the first time she's seen most of our family and close friends since she was released from the hospital. We're encouraging her to get some rest so she has the steam to get through this wild & wonderful weekend. We're so blessed that she'll be able to participate.

Hang onto your saddles, kids. Looks like it's about to get fun! Hope 8/8/08 is a good one.