A night I'll never forget!

Well, Jeff and I have been ENGAGED for a week today and it's been amazing, overwhelming, and nerve racking all at once. Who knew I could turn into bridezilla overnight? Don't worry, I'm working on it. I just can't wait to be Jeff's WIFE. I love you Jeff.

For those of you who couldn't figure out my previous post...Jeff proposed at my "birthday party" and I wasn't expecting a thing.

The decorations: Rebekah and Kim came early to make the place look great(Rebakah hand crafted 2 runners (i'm a little jealous of her creativity and skill) and went to the market to get fresh flowers).



The guests: I'll just show you the babies because they're so darn cute! But our friends and family were also there ;)



The minutes before: Here I was, not expecting a thing. Answering things like "what do you hope happens next year?" with things like "I hope I get ENGAGED!" Notice, no ring on Jenny's little ring finger.



The cake: Who knew something so precious could be hidden in something so gross as a carrot cake (sorry Jeff). Looks like I might have to reconsider this bugs bunny treat.



The confusion: Could this really be happening?



The conclusion: I said YES, of course! Overcome with joy I grabbed my Jeffy and pulled him close for the official engagment pose.



Glad I could share some of this with those that couldn't be there (thanks Dave for taking so many photos). Those memories not captured on film will be kept safe in my heart.

Here's to a long happy life together!

Not just a birthday party

More to come....

Oh the Possibilities

What you see is "work in progress". I love fabric, and crafting and creating things for others to enjoy. These rags will soon be transformed into baby bibs and skirt aprons. I'm selling them (usually I'm a not-for-profit kind of girl) at a Costco Employee Craft Fair at the end of this month. I've got a lot of work to do!! Luckily this weekend I will be crafting with Kristen and Rebekah, they're joining me in the craft fair adventure. Rebekah will sell her jewelry and Kristen will sell her fabric covered water bottles (the kind that warm or cool you, not that you drink out of). I'm really looking forward to it!

Sorry So Late

I'm apologizing mostly to my friend Jocelyn. I promised this picture to her weeks and ago and this blog post hours ago.

I love you Jocelyn, hope you're enjoying your time with Joey. Your BOYFRIEND!

Feast your eyes below.

The Internet, it actually works!

Last night Jeff taught me all sorts of neat things about the internet, electricity, and telephone wires. What I love most about how Jeff explained things is that he taught it as if I were a two year old and was very VERY thorough ;).

Well, let's see how well I do.

You have a computer that's hooked up to either a cable, dial up or wi-fi connection to the internet, you type in a web address and that request goes through the "line" to a DNS (digital name server I think) which acts as a switchboard operator because it knows were to find the server you're looking for. If it doesn't have the the IP address in it's database it will send it to another DNS until it finds the site you're looking for. You then are connected to the site and that connection allows you to receive the information that is written on the hosts server. TA DA...there's the internet in a nutshell...hope you were able to keep up. I know I used a lot of big words like DIGITAL and SWITCHBOARD.

Don't even get me started on electricity and telephone wires!

So Jeff, how'd I do?

Going to the Chapel and...

Laura got MARRIED! Congratulations!



(pictured, left to right: Keri, Laura, Jen, and me)

That's right, on September 30th, 2006 Laura Collins became Mrs. Troy Loftus.

Jen and I made the 1.5 hour drive to Yelm to witness the blessed event.

The wedding took place outdoors at a plantation home and the bride was beaming...beautiful dahlias were found carefully placed about and friends and family gathered to see the union. I was impressed and overjoyed by seeing Laura so happy, confident, and comfortable as the center of attention. Laura- you are an amazing woman!

I am so grateful to be a small part of Laura's life, and not just that, to have a consistent relationship in the form of a small group with Laura, Keri and Jen. I have been getting together with these women (and on occasion: Jaymie and Julie) for 3 years. In that time, I made a major career move, Jen had her first baby, Laura got married, Jaymie got engaged, and Keri survived being her schools year book advisor. ;) I'm so proud of all of you and am thankful to count you as friends.

Once again, congratulations Laura...too bad I didn't stick around to catch the bouquet ;)

Here are more photos from the wedding: