There's a new Klopcic in the family!

This is going to be a brief blog, so I apologize to everyone in advance that was waiting for a longer one about all the wedding and honeymoon details. Suffice to say we had a fabulous wedding even though it rained! And Scott and I had an even more fabulous honeymoon! Here are a few photos for everyone to enjoy! Much love to everyone! More will come later I promise!

More about the wedding....well marriage really.

Since I probably won't have as much time to talk about the wedding in the next few months, (I'm sure there are a few of you reading and starting to chuckle already if you know me) I thought I would spend some more time talking about our wedding and I guess marriage in general.

As the start of school comes closer and closer, I cannot help but think about how quickly the next few months are going to fly by. I have to confess, it is starting to make me a little nervous. Not that the planning process hasn't been fun and exciting, but when I sit back and think, wow, I'm going to me married this time next year. Married. It sort of blows me away. While I have great examples around me, Scott's parents, my mom and step-dad, my sister Larissa and her husband, its just a little awe-inspiring to think of yourself at the cusp of a major life change and wonder how you're going to handle it. Especially marriage. No one wants to fail, struggle at, be stressed out all the time, during the most important, intimate and special relationship between two people. I am thankful that Scott and I are both easy going, laid back people, who don't anger easily and are generally pretty good at communicating with one another. But even now, we both can see how difficult it is to constantly be putting one another first in each of our lives, and remembering that we aren't number one anymore. I think being that selfless is a struggle for any human being, given the nature of the human condition, but I think it becomes especially hard when you are considering someone else's wants, needs, hopes, dreams, and struggles first and foremost above your own.

My sister, Larissa, wrote a great blog on this the other day, specifically about humility, that really touched my heart and convicted me in my thoughts about who I am putting first in my life. When I think about the future, my heart is so excited for the things I will share with Scott and the things I will know, yet it is a little overwhelming when you start adding all the ingredients into the recipe, (i.e. kids, houses, pets, careers, etc.)

All in all, even considering nerves, stress, worries about fitting in my dress, are all overshadowed by the thought that in June I will get to stand up next to the man I love and declare my love for him and become his wife. I think that's definitely a future worth looking forward to.

I would of course welcome any and all advice or suggestions regarding marriage, I will only be a novice after all.

The Wedding

Just so I can be 3 for 3 today, I'll share a little bit about the site that Scott and I chose for our impending nuputials. As many of you may know, we officially set the date for June 5, 2009. This date comes fairly soon after my intended graduation from Graduate School next Spring. Needless to say the beginning of 2009 will be a rather busy time of year for both Scott and myself.

Originally, Scott and I were considering getting married at the Wawona Resort in Yosemite because we had so many good memories of that area and had shared some special milestones there early in our relationship. However, after much discussion with family members and with each other, we decided that a location closer to home, but with all the destination and natural charm we were looking for would be the better option. That's how we stumbled upon The Bidwell House in Chester, CA http://www.bidwellhouse.com/.

This beautiful Bed & Breakfast/Inn was originally the historical summer home of John and Annie Bidwell, the founders of Chico. While the home was moved from its original location to its present spot at the end of Main Street in Chester, it still has all that wonderful rustic and classic charm found in historic homes. The Bed & Breakfast has 14 fabulous rooms, a wonderful patio area and a charming and romantic gazebo where the ceremony will be taking place. The outdoors are so beautiful in the springtime and summer that we knew instantly that this was the place for our most special day. It reflects our mutual love of nature and being in the outdoors and its also about 10-15 degrees cooler than Chico at that time of year, so it fits for our comfort level as well.

Scott and I are reserving rooms at the Best Western Rose Quartz Inn in Chester as well as at the Oxford Suites in Chico. There are several other hotel/motel locations, including the B&B, so we know that our family and friends won't have trouble finding overnight accomodations. Chester is only about an hour and 30 minute drive from Chico, so total driving time from the Sacramento International Airport to Chester would be about three hours.

We also chose a Friday so we could be a little unconventional, but also so we could leave for our fabulous honeymoon on Saturday. We're flying to Tampa, FL to take a 7 day cruise through the Western Carribean. We're still working out the details for a brunch or luncheon with family and friends that may have stayed overnight, on Saturday the 6th, so we'll be sure to keep everyone posted, but most likely we'll do something in Chester/Chico before we leave for the airport and it will be very informal and just a good way for us to send everyone off as we go off to celebrate our newly wedded bliss.

I am no longer a blogging virgin...

Well well well...

I knew this day would eventually arrive, so it's no surprise that it's here already. In a brief discussion with Scott and and off-hand comment to Kim, I (we) decided to start a blog, mostly to keep family and friends updated on our happenings, since we weren't very pleased with either of the wedding websites we tried, we figured this would be the best option. I guess I'd better start with a little backstory...

Scott and I met in December of 2006 through our friend Kim also known as the best match-maker ever! While we bonded over beers and Survivor, casual dating eventually turned into going steady.

During the Summer of 2007 we took our first big vacation together when we travelled to Yosemite National Park. It was the first time for both Scott and I at the breath-takingly beautiful National Park. We had a blast camping and spending time together, especially when we got the chance to go over to the coast and see Scott's sister in Santa Barbara.

The first year flew by fast and before I knew it Scott proposed to me in April. Before he knew it wedding plans were underway. We chose the amazingly beautiful bed and breakfast and historical home in Chester, CA, The Bidwell House. The venue has a gorgeous gazebo and beautiful grounds that we knew would be a perfect fit for our mutual love of nature.

Things have calmed down a little this summer, school is out and even though I'm looking forward to finishing up next year, YAY!, its nice to have the time to relax and take things easy. Scott has been busy at work, but we managed to take a few weekend vacations, one to Antelope Lake in early June, one to the beautiful Redwood Coast near Arcata and he took the pup on a mini vacation with Sean and Julie to a fire lookout. I am getting the chance to go visit my big sister in Missouri and spend some time with my 3 adorable nephews!

Apollo continues to keep us on our toes and he's growing like a weed. We're still waiting to see whether or not he keeps leaning towards his Great Dane traits or if he starts leaning towards the black lab traits he was "supposed" to have.

Well, the weather is warm and the sky has finally cleared of smoke. Keep checking back for wedding and various updates!