Bridal Shower

Ok, so the blog you've all been waiting for... Descriptions of my bridal showers. I'll do my California one first, since it didn't really have any humorous moments. Well, it was a lovely day in Folsom.. sun shining, hummingbirds flying around, etc. I helped my family prepare for the likely onslaught of people just dying to see me pre-wedding and my ring.

Then I went to my dress fitting. I can't post pictures of me in my dress since Graham might see them, but if you want, I can email you a few. Anyways, my dress and veil are GORGEOUS. They are quite white, so it's a good thing I've been tanning. I look slim from the front, but not so much from the side (what can I do besides become anorexic?), so I'm hoping to take more pictures facing the front. The night before the dress fitting, we had a fun time marking where the sleeves need to go to cover everything. I still have pen on my boob and back. It's all about the round neck--it's lower than the square neck!

Tish joined me and my mom at the bridal shop, where she took my mom's side about where my veil should go. I want a back piece... not a front one! Anyways, I compromised, but we'll see where it goes on my wedding day... So after that, we headed back to my house to decorate. My sister likes pink and brown, so even though those aren't my wedding colors, it still looked nice. We got all creative and used some of the candle holders I'll be using at my reception.

1st picture: Maren is telling me here that she helped pick out this stuff for me for "her" gift to me (thanks Joanna). It included an olive wood spoon, which if you use while cooking, is supposed to make for a long lasting and happy marriage (so the French say). I thought that was very nice. Joanna and her sisters all have one, and they're all still married, so... I think it'll work.
2nd picture: My only piece of lingerie sent from Mallory and Whit. It is VERY cute. Graham was very excited to hear I got some. I tried it on and I look pretty hot...

3rd picture: Part of our creative decorations. I don't like carnations, but when stuffed into a little square vase like this with a bow, they looked adorable. Thanks Anna! (Yes, I have a sister-in-law named Anna and another named Joanna.)

4th picture: The brownie tower with brown plates and the pink and brown bow. I added the bow and convinced my mom to get the good brown plates.

5th picture: Julie's main idea was to serve "mocktails" in the cute little glasses. We had diet sprite and cran-raspberry juice with frozen slices of lime and maraschino cherries. They were delicious and very fun.

Anyways, even though people didn't come that said they would (the invitations were sent out pretty early), I had so much fun! I got to see old friends, family, new family (new baby boys!), and friends from the ward. It was very chill--NO games--and fun to think all these people were coming to support me getting married. I got some awesome presents and a bunch of new cookbooks. I was like, do these people know me or what? I love to cook!

So, my Portland shower was a little more awkward since I haven't known Graham's family for that long.. But, all of them showed up (even Graham's cousin who'd had a baby 3 days before) and gave me good presents. Oh, and only one of my friends showed up. That was really nice of her and it made me feel better about myself.

Ok, so the "heirloom" thing... Graham's mom gave me some things of Graham's great-grandma: a porcelain cup and saucer and a porcelain bowl. It was very nice of her to give me those things and nothing big or bulky like a quilt. She also gave me the down-alternative comforter I registered for, so that was even better. Graham's grandma bought me jewelry. She told me she gives all granddaughters getting married something like this, but Graham's sister-in-law only got a picture of her future husband before they got married. Anyways, I digress..

So, I open the bag, and it's an earring box from Zales. I'm like, is this a trick? I open it up, very curious as to what's inside, and I see... EARRINGS. Pearl and diamond earrings with gold accents. To all of you that know me very well, I haven't worn earrings in over 10 years (I have weak earlobes that are almost ripped from wearing earrings when I was young). Plus, I don't like gold, nor do I really like pearls. I'm like, oh crap, she wants me to wear these on my wedding day.

So I'm debating... Do I take them and never tell her my ears aren't pierced? Do I tell her later they aren't pierced? Or do I now tell her straight up I can't wear them? So, this is how it went down..

I exclaim, "Oh my gosh... they're beautiful!"

...Pause...

I whisper, "But I can't wear them.."

Silence.

So I have to explain my ear situation to everyone.. and now everyone in Graham's family now knows the story. Good thing everyone thinks it's funny. His grandma has since bought me a nice diamond bracelet (in the shape of hearts) to replace the earrings. Not my style, but I can (and will) wear it.

Anyways, 30 days from tomorrow and I'll be married! Yay!!!!