No Turning Back Now

We did it. We picked the venue -- and a date! And for all my friends already living in wedded bliss, I know you know this must be one of the toughest parts.

Ever since Evan and I started talking that we actually liked each other enough to tell the government, there were a few things we knew about our wedding. We wanted to get married in Austin, under a big tree, in the fall.

Well, one of those things is happening. We're getting married in Austin. Under a chandelier. On April 6, 2013. Oops.

How quickly minds change when it's all actually happening. Evan's proposal, however perfect, was a little late in terms of securing a venue in Austin in the fall. There is certainly no shortage of places down there, but apparently Austin is the new "it" location in "destination" weddings. Consider us trendsetters. Of course, this is no surprise to us. We are so "it!"

So, with our October hopes dashed -- we replaced them with the realization that we don't care when we get married... we just care that we do. And we are, so problem solved. My parents must be paying Evan a fortune to do that!

After much deliberation (and I mean MUCH) we decided on Kindred Oaks in Georgetown. It's absolutely perfect and I can't wait for everyone to come to Texas and see exactly why we loved it so much. I think you'll find the dance floor up to standard to showcase your amazing moves, and there's a bar -- so, if you don't like it... just keep drinking. You'll like it eventually.

Now, much to Evan's friends chagrin, our date may or may not fall on the same day when Mizzou makes it to the Final Four. Yes, Evan is concerned that the wedding interferes with March Madness. And with a basketball season that has not happened yet. But after dealing with conflicts for ACL, SXSW, UT Football, the Austin Rodeo, Governor Perry's haircut... I kind of put my foot down. I like 4/6. I like that they're even numbers, and I like that it's far enough ahead in April to not cut sweeps too close. (TV News friends, you know what I mean.)

So, Grizzled men, please direct your complaints to me. I welcome your whines and cries now, because -- as Evan says -- the surest way to get Mizzou to the Final Four is to have our wedding the day of the games. You'll thank me later! I am SUCH a good fiancee!

In all seriousness... I cannot wait until April 2013. Now comes all the fun parts -- dress, cake, weight loss, crying -- and we have plenty of time to get it all done.

Until the next decision... here's to counting the days! We're stuck with each other. Oy.

UPDATE: Evan wants me to make clear, that there was no scheduling conflict the week following Final Four. The date would've been 4/13/13. I nixed that. Two 13's!!! He thinks I'm being ridiculous. I probably am.

Bear's New Bed

It's been brought to my attention that we haven't posted in an appropriate amount of time to keep up with our fan base... (Rachel.)

I'm so glad I have (a) loyal follower! I wonder who will play me in the movie they'll make surrounding the success of this blog?!

Well, you're in luck today. Because I have a very important update!!!

Bear got a new bed, and he LOVES it! It's also a very chic gray, which makes his mom happy. Doesn't he look regal?

However, we still haven't trained the parents to keep their rules. Exhibit A... what happens when mom spends Sundays in bed watching a marathon of Biography TV.

You're welcome!

Good Dogs Don't Get Caught.

Saw that saying at PetSmart the other day while shopping for Bear. You see, we're on a mission these days to find him a new bed. Something fluffy, cushiony, and something that will remind him that we have rules around here -- one being, Bear isn't allowed up on the couch.

Bear seems to have forgotten this rule. He turned 8 on Christmas. And as a senior citizen, I feel he's trying out some early bird specials (if you will) on his parents.

Recently, we've caught this dog up on the couch. Repeatedly. He, of course, thinks we have no idea. One night, not three minutes after turning out the lights for bed... I hear him sneak out of the bedroom to go take post on his new throne. So I grabbed the flashlight next to our bed, snuck out, and surprised him with a spotlight discovery. He knew he was busted.

But did he learn? Of course not.

Next day -- not two minutes after leaving the house, I came back inside because I forgot something. There he was, finding the perfect spot to shed all over.

Oy.

My point here is, our sweet 8-year-old is being bad. But it also makes us laugh. So it's really hard to punish him and truly enforce the rules. (Like all good parents should.)

So what do we do? We punish him by buying him something luxurious. I mean, how can you not when looking at this face?

I worry about when we have kids. Real, human kids. At least they don't shed.

Happy New Year!

We had a fun New Year's Eve here in Lubbock-- so much fun, Bear and Julie are just POOPED on New Year's Day.

Hi Julie!

Christmas Joys

Evan's talents at blog-posting are temporarily suspended. (See blackmail from below post.)

In the meantime, we're both recovering from a busy but fantastic holiday season. It was one of many firsts. Most importantly, it was our first time to spend it 'physically' together. We also shared our first tree, our families, and Bear got to wear his new Christmas bow-tie.

My family visited a few weeks before Christmas, since we would be spending it in Denver with the Onstots. It was Parker's first plane ride, and my brother's family's first trip to Lubbock.

We took Parker and Meaghan to Santaland. The line to see Santa was way too long, so Parker snuck a peek through the door. We told him he had already put in his request in Dallas -- and Santa never forgets!

This little dish was personally, one of my favorite gifts of the season. (Besides my ring, of course!)

In Denver, it snowed 13 inches the day we arrived. Perfect for this Texas girl. I went sledding for the first time! (We were the only adults without children there.)

What a natural.

I also enjoyed seeing my Denver boy in his natural habitat.

On Christmas Eve-Eve, we celebrated Evan's brother Colin and his future wife Christy, by each hosting their respective Bachelor/Bachelorette parties. The girls spent dinner in bed. Sort of.

On Christmas Eve, we walked through the Denver Botanical Gardens to look at all the lights. I know next time I need thicker socks. Fortunately, my frost-bitten feet are not visible in this photo. This is the Onstot family and their future daughter-in-laws. (Two weddings in one year? Oy.)

I'm feeling so ever grateful for all of those in our life. And so excited for the many years to come. Now if only we can get Evan to post more flattering pictures of his sleeping beauty.

Merry Christmas from the future Mr. and Mrs. Onstot!

Hi there!

So Julie invited me to contribute to her new blog.

Personally, I'm thrilled. Now I can show you pictures like this!

Three thoughts:

1) I have recently found myself watching way too much "Chopped" on the Food Network. I want Julie to throw four random items in front of me and demand a meal within thirty minutes.

2) I kinda struggled on MW3 tonight. K/D ratio couldn't have been much better than 1.0...

3) Hi Julie!

New Blog for a New Last Name

Have you ever tried to name a blog? Much less come up with something witty, smart, and something to keep the millions of readers hooked on your every word? (The millions will come.)

Well, let me just say -- I will likely bore you. But I hope you like the background design. Because I spent a lot of time picking it out.

So here's our story. Evan really likes everything I bring to the table. And I like the fact that he's a total dreamboat. So we're going to get married.

The posts to follow will chronicle both the excitement and the stress of planning a wedding. As well as the life that happens between now and then -- even though we brides like to think our wedding is the only thing that matters.

In all seriousness though... I cannot wait to marry this man.

I think we can have a lot of fun with this. Or at least, Evan can have a lot of fun making fun of me... and his friends can make fun of him for me naming this "Onstot Ever After." Hey, new last name... it's going in the new blog.