Hello from Appleton!

Yes, that's right, I moved last weekend and I'm now a Wisconsinite! Don't worry, though, I don't think I'm ready to become a Cheesehead just yet...

I actually have quite a few posts in my head of all sorts of stuff I'd like to tell you about, but I'm really writing today to let you know that I FOUND MY WEDDING DRESS!! I went shopping this past weekend, and was able to purchase a dress!

I'm so excited about it, because it's a completely stunning dress, but also because I was surprised by the whole experience! I had gone in with the mindset that I'd just discover what sort of style I like so that I could continue looking in all the magazines. I had always hoped that I might someday find a dress that looked mostly okay on me. Then, after I've lost all this weight, I knew that I could probably find something that looked nice. Well, the interesting thing about the entire shopping experience is that I didn't have the problem of not finding enough options for me, but instead found that there were quite a few things that I really liked!

So, I went to a few shops in the Twin Cities over the weekend with my mom and my best friend, Aimee. I had planned that they would help me determine the best neckline, waist, skirt, etc for me and then after I found the dress that combined all three, I'd go shopping again with the rest of the girls. Well, we found lots of good options, narrowed it down to the best style for me, and then I found it! In person!! I went back to one store feeling like I really liked a particular dress and wanted to try it on again. I walked in the door and was reminded about a different dress I had wanted to see, but didn't take time for earlier. Well, I stepped into it and knew it was the one! I tried on the original one again and thought "This would be okay. Good, in fact. But, not the dream."

The one I got is The Dream! I didn't go into the weekend knowing what the dream was, but I realized what it was when I had the thought "this is how I always hoped I'd feel on my wedding day but didn't know could be possible!" I felt exactly how I'd wanted to feel walking down the aisle to Brent to become his wife.

So, that's all you get to know for now! There's a certain groom who looks at my blog and I'd like to keep the surprise for him. And for you!

By the way, what do you all think of the groom either knowing or not knowing what the dress looks like before he sees the bride in it? Just curious! Share away!

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In other news, I love my new apartment and once I get a little more settled I'll take some pictures. It's a different experience for me because I didn't have any furniture provided for me this time around, and I was able to bring lots more stuff than I had for the last year and a half. There are actually boxes to unpack! So, I'll keep working on that and let you know how it's going.

Lastly, I had a couple of interviews last week, that covered all three hospitals here in the Appleton area. I am supposed to find out some news in the next few days so please pray with me that just the right situation works out. I'd love to be in a job that I enjoy, with a schedule that's conducive to a marriage. That's not too much to ask, right? :)

I better get to unpacking a little more. Pictures of our Christmases, my apartment, etc. to come later. Thanks for your patience! Signing off....