So, I have changed a lot of my bridesmaid plans, etc. within the past little while in an effort to get back to what I really want my wedding to look like.  I seem to play around with other people's ideas until I can't stand it any longer and then I revolt and go back to what I originally wanted anyway.  But at least then I can say I tried their idea ;)  Brilliant, right?

So here's the deal.  First, it was marine blue, gold and silver.  Then it was black, gold and silver.  Then it was green and silver and black.  And now it's back to black.  Although it might end up a charcoal grey, which I would be okay with.  The idea now is that instead of having colored sashes, I will have the bridesmaids all with a very brightly colored bouquet of a different color which matches their shoes which matches the groomsmen's ties/vests.  (I am not sure if I want them in vests or not yet).  I think it looks really nice and will meet my mom's desire for color and my desire for bridesmaids in black...sort of.

And we're finally getting catering almost finalized.  Josh and I just have to make a few more decisions on appetizers and I think we'll be good/ready to go.  It's kinda nice to know it's almost all done since it's so incredibly stressful and takes so long to figure out...  And, the cool thing is that I'm thinking I will make my bridesmaids' bouquets out of artificial flowers so they can keep them as a keepsake (I'll get them all diamond charms or something as well) which will cut down on costs a lot too!  If I only need one bouquet, plus corsages and boutonnieres...that'd be pretty awesome. :)  I am touching base with the florist in December and then again in March to finalize plans, etc.

Anyway, that's all the wedding stuff that's been going on.  Josh is doing well at UPT.  He had a formation solo the other day and has been getting caught up on flights after being down for half a week for weather and a week with a viral infection.  He's finally ready to get back in action.  I'm so proud of him - and it's only 50 days until I see him again :)

The song "Jesus, Friend of Sinners" has been speaking me to a lot lately.  For some reason, Casting Crowns always seems to know exactly what I need to hear...  Anyway, here are the lyrics and a link to the youtube video.  I recommend it to everyone. :)

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=KZGWKLNX

Jesus, friend of sinners, we have strayed so far away
We cut down people in your name but the sword was never ours to swing
Jesus, friend of sinners, the truth's become so hard to see
The world is on their way to You but they're tripping over me
Always looking around but never looking up I'm so double minded
A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours

Yeah...

Jesus, friend of sinners, the one who's writing in the sand
Made the righteous turn away and the stones fall from their hands
Help us to remember we are all the least of these
Let the memory of Your mercy bring Your people to their knees
Nobody knows what we're for only what we're against when we judge the wounded
What if we put down our signs crossed over the lines and loved like You did

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours

You love every lost cause; you reach for the outcast
For the leper and the lame; they're the reason that You came
Lord I was that lost cause and I was the outcast
But you died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet

'Cause You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks Yours

And I was the lost cause and I was the outcast
Yeah...
You died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet

I haven't been blogging much lately because I started journalling again and as much as I love writing everything twice, it was getting kind of meh.  So that's why I haven't been as consistent.

I've been trying to find Save the Dates, Invites and a first dance song for Josh and I.  It's been a very long, interesting time.  I am pretty sure I have the invites I want and everything so that makes me happy :)  And now I'm just trying to find a first dance song...

Soooo....a friend of mine got engaged and was showing off her ring the other day.  Being engaged myself, I asked to see her ring.  It was kinda....yellowish and really didn't sparkle much at all, despite the fact that it was 1.5carats.  I looked at it and very smugly said, "Oh, that's nice. would you like to see mine?"  And then I proceeded to wave my far superior, sparkly ring in her face.

And I didn't feel bad about it at all ;)

I love my ring.

I love my future husband :)

Oh. My. Freaking. Gosh.

I'M ENGAGED!!!!

You can read all the glorious details here:
johnsonchinnery.ourwedding.com

I am soooo happy!!

I get to see Josh tomorrow!  I get to see Josh tomorrow!  I get to see Josh tomorrow!  I get to see Josh tomorrow!  I get to see Josh tomorrow!  I get to see Josh tomorrow!  I get to see Josh tomorrow!  I get to see Josh tomorrow!  I get to see Josh tomorrow!  I get to see Josh tomorrow!  I get to see Josh tomorrow!  I get to see Josh tomorrow!  I get to see Josh tomorrow!  I get to see Josh tomorrow!  I get to see Josh tomorrow!I get to see Josh tomorrow!  I get to see Josh tomorrow!  I get to see Josh tomorrow!  I get to see Josh tomorrow!  I get to see Josh tomorrow!  I get to see Josh tomorrow!  I get to see Josh tomorrow!  I get to see Josh tomorrow!  I get to see Josh tomorrow!  I get to see Josh tomorrow!  I get to see Josh tomorrow!  I get to see Josh tomorrow!  I get to see Josh tomorrow!  I get to see Josh tomorrow!  I get to see Josh tomorrow!


I'm only a little excited...

So I definitely thought I would end up on academic probation this semester but somehow didn't!  My only concern is that my major's gpa is low (1.99) and I don't want to get kicked out of my major.  I think that as long as I bring it back up, I should be good - but I just pray they give me at least another half a semester to prove that I am academically capable of completing the material.  I think that I'll be fine but...who knows?  It's USAFA after all haha...

Josh comes out in three days and I am so excited to see him.  I have't seen him (or rather, won't have seen him) in seven weeks when he gets here.  AND it's for my Ring Dance!  So I'll be getting my class ring, seeing the love of my life, and we're going to go look at some wedding venues.  I am really, really excited to be with him again.  I mean, we can talk over Skype and Oovoo but it's not the same, at all.  There's something so unreal about that which makes me desire actual face-to-face contact and communication.

He said he wrote me a letter - it should be here today if he sent it on Thursday so I should probably go check my mail to see where it is and if it has arrived yet.  Like I said, I'm sure it has but who knows?

Trying to find the perfect smoky eye makeup tutorial to follow for Friday when I'm getting all made up for Ring Dance.  I am soooo excited!!!

Josh is here in three days!!!