Heaven Is For Real

I just read Heaven Is For Real For Kids by Todd & Brenda Burpo as told by Colton Burpo!  I had read 3/4 of the adult version on my sisters nook while on vacation and couldn't put that book down!  I still can't wait to finish the adult book!  So I was thrilled to see that I could read this book for children.

I think this book is beautifully written for kids from a child!  I think it had beautiful picutres and kept it to the point not making it scary for kids either.  I think this is a great book to introduce kids to heaven and hopefully be able to answer their questions. 

I thought it was great that the book had a bible passage also with each story to pull the bible into it and keep things even more real as well!

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I am under no obligation to write a positive or negative review of this book. The opinions expressed are exclusively my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

Why Men Hate Going To Church!

I just read Why Men Hate Going To Church By David Murrow! 

This book has a lot of great points in it and I think hits the nail right on the head with the concerns issues that are going on in the church.  I think church can mean different things to different people and everyone is unique.  That being said - church can be unique to everyone - men or women.  I do think that church's will need to change as society changes to more spirituality vs religion.  I think we will see this. 

I do think the author does bring up some valid points regarding relevant issues that maybe all pastors might not be aware of - and just need brought to their attention. 

I think some of his metaphors for describing the Christina life were helpful and could be helpful to others as well.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I am under no obligation to write a positive or negative review of this book. The opinions expressed are exclusively my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

You Invited How Many?!

So I thought I had our guest list under control, thought I was doing well!  I had the wedding guest list typed up all nicely in an Xcel Spreadsheet and I had the Dance guest list in another spreadsheet!  I was feeling VERY good about it!  Dave & I both had agreed we'd like the wedding/meal guest list to be around 100-120. 

So Friday night we sat down to go over the list & now we have a problem! 

 I had right over 100 people that we would be inviting to the dance and after talking with Dave we are now up near 160!!!!!!!!!!!! Now what?!  I gave in and said we could go up to 125 - but do you know how much it will cost to feed 125 people?!  

Yeah, I know you have some idea!

So somehow now Dave needs to cut 40 people from our guest list and move them over to the dance list.  I printed the list off for him & he is going to try to work on it during the week - so we'll see where that gets us!

Wish us luck on this one!!!!!!!

What did I accomplish today?!

I ordered my table runners

I sent in the deposit for the venue!!!!

Things are moving right along!!!

We Did It!

What you ask?!

I have a dress!

The Pastor is lined up!!

I have chosen my colors!!!

We set a date!!!!!!!!! 

&

We have a venue!!!!!!!!

Finally!

Here it is:

10-12-12

At:

Crow River Golf Course in Hutchinson

Wedding & Ceremony both at the same place!

Luv This Song!!!

Wedding Update

So - who knew wedding planning would be SO stressful and who knew Dave would have SOOO many opinions! 

However, in the past few days I have:

Found my dress - check

Confirmed that the Pastor we want can/will marry us - check

Decided on a venue - check

Bought wedding shoes - check

Decided on a cake situation - check

Decided approximately when the wedding will be - check

(waiting to hear from a couple people to make sure there are no conflicts)

Decided Colors - check

Decided on tablecloths - check

Decided on punch bowl situation - check

(There won't be any!  We will have something else instead)

Writing these all out make me feel better about where we are at - just need to get some things actually lined up now!!!!

This is pretty good!

Great Quote

This was in my inbox this morning & thought it was worth passing along:

"Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it."

Julius Henry "Groucho" Marx

Whoa!!

Happy New Year to everyone!!!  I know I haven't blogged a lot lately but things have been crazy with Christmas, wedding planning, New Years & regular life!

I didn't realize that wedding planning would be so difficult! 

 I have also been shocked at all of the opinions and am learning a lot about how to act towards others with this entire process!  I might learn more about myself and who I want to be more than anything! 

Everyone & I mean everyone you talk to feels fee to share their opinions!

  I want opinions and help but I don't want it shoved down my throat either! 

My goal was to have our date & venue picked out by the first of the year & by the afternoon of Thursday December 29th we were sure we had!!!!!  We were so excited and ready to call the Pastor to see what dates worked for her. 

 We sat down that night and were just reviewing some costs when we came across two HUGE shockers that weren't mentioned to us at the appointment earlier that day!  So back to square one we went.  We had visited another venue on Thursday as well & were able to eliminate that one as soon as we walked in as it was SO outdated - I mean pink chairs and old floral carpet. 

So then on Friday we went & met with another venue in St Cloud that we like - much more Dave's style then mine, but again after we ran the numbers it was still higher than we want to be. 

 We were told about one other place in St Cloud so we headed over there for drinks and appetizers to find out that venue is just screened in and has no indoor plumbing - another no!

Saturday morning we met with another venue & really like that one and appears so far to be much closer to our budget.  We feel like we are at least getting closer - but this is a lot of work just to find the venue!

Not to mention we had already taken an entire day & drove to a ton of other venues because either Dave hadn't seen it or I hadn't or we both hadn't so we had already  eliminated a bunch. 

I really want to get a date & venue narrowed down so we can start on the other details & start enjoying the process more! 

I have to say I have fun when we are at the venues but then you leave and run numbers and are a bit let down! 

 I knew things would be expensive but have been surprised at all of these additional costs that are involved in just the venue!

So if anyone has any wedding tips/advice please feel free to send it my way!!!!!!!!!