Tomorrow (Friday, December 19th) the Young Adults (college+) are going to be gift wrapping at Borders in Orland Park from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This will be a free service to Borders guests, but we will be accepting tips. 100% of money that we receive will go directly towards Parker Road Bible Church's Outreach Ministry. We're all very excited about supporting this ministry.
Friday night or Saturday morning, Dan and I will be going to Wisconsin to celebrate Christmas with his family. The weather will determine which day we leave. We will be gone until early Tuesday morning, at which point we will both get up and go directly to work. Dan's family has a lot of fun activities planned for us and we're both super excited!
Dan and I are finished with our Christmas shopping and just in time! Once we get back from celebrating Christmas with his family it'll be time to celebrate with my family. We've got so much to look forward to! Plus, we're engaged... so that'll enhance the whole Christmas season that much more!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
"One Week"
This "one week" rule is not the easiest thing, but I am very happy that we're doing it. Whenever my mind starts to wander and I start thinking about wedding plans I snap myself out of it and just smile. Another couple of days won't hurt me or our plans. Right now I'm just enjoying the thought of being married to my one-and-only prince charming!
By now just about all of our loved ones know the great news about me and Dan. I am very pleased to report that everyone has been very supportive of us! We are so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends who care about us so much. That will make the next couple of months so much easier.
By now just about all of our loved ones know the great news about me and Dan. I am very pleased to report that everyone has been very supportive of us! We are so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends who care about us so much. That will make the next couple of months so much easier.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Dan and I are Engaged!
So the past couple of days have been incredible! As you can see from my title, Dan and I are engaged and I couldn't be more excited! Here is what happened...
From Navy Pier Dan led me to the Hancock building. It was slightly raining, but not bad at all. Once we were among the tall buildings the wind was almost gone and we could finally feel the 50 degree weather. As we got to the Hancock building Dan led me down the stairs by the big Christmas tree that stood in front of the building. By now the was little, if any, rain. As we got to the bottom of the tree Dan said, "Karolyn, what is that? Does that have your name on it?" I was genuinely surprised to see a single gift hanging from the tree with a huge tag that had my name on it! He instructed me to open my early Christmas present and I did just that. Inside was a small, wrapped box. It rattled, so I knew it wasn't a ring. Inside the box was a Mickey-shaped necklace with a heart. "Aw, look at that," Dan started, "Mickey came to wish you a Merry Christmas." I loved it! Dan offered to put it on me and I accepted his offer. Just as he finished clasping the necklace he released the ring and it slid down the necklace. I felt the ring and my heart just about stopped. I turned around and Dan got down on one knee. He made a beautiful speech and I started to cry some tears of joy. He asked me to marry him and I did not hesitate to say, "Yes!" Then, Dan got up, kissed me, and held me! Dan took the ring off my necklace and placed it on my finger. It's exactly what I wanted! I love my ring! Oh, but our evening wasn't over!
Dan took me into the Hancock building where I called my sister right away! She was excited to hear the news and honored to be the first one called. Dan's folks already knew what was going down... and so did my parents (for about a month).
At the end of the evening Dan notified me that he had rented a town car limo to drive us home. He did not want me to have to take the train back. "A pretty car for a pretty girl," is what he said. The car ride was great... we spent the whole time on the phone with loved ones, sharing the good news!
Sunday, Pastor Scott announced mine and Dan's news to the congregation (with our permission). Everyone was so happy for us and made us feel very special. I am very grateful to be part of such a supportive church family!
Last week my life was a constant rollercoaster of ups and downs. Sadly, more downs then ups. It seemed like one thing after another was going wrong. After a full day of working I would come home and stress over everything that was "messed up" and needed correcting. It felt like as soon as one thing was fixed another problem would emerged from behind the dark shadows that followed me. I was not a happy person, but I made it through each day.
Friday, December 12th, my luck started to change! Dan and I went to the mall before dinner so that we could try and pick up a few Christmas gifts. My lousy days encouraged me to treat myself to a new outfit for my special secret with Dan. I had gotten a Victoria's Secret "secret" gift card from a purchase I made last month and decided to use it. I was guaranteed it would have at least $10 on it (and possibly up to $500). I saw a shirt that I really liked and wished that they had it in a different color... I saw no such shirt anywhere, I assumed I had made up the whole existence of the shirt. When I was about to give up I looked up and saw exactly what I wanted on a manikin on a top display in the store! Not only was it the right color, it was also in my size! Not only was it my size, it was the only one in the store! Wow! So when I went to use the gift card I found out that my secret gift card had $50 on it! So I bought an additional top to go with my outfit and paid very little out of pocket! Wow........
Saturday, December 13th, Dan had a whole day planned for us and I knew nothing. Early that afternoon we took the train downtown. When we got down there we took the trolley to Navy Pier where we went to the Winter Wonder Fest! There, Dan and I went ice skating and decorated Christmas cookies!
From Navy Pier Dan led me to the Hancock building. It was slightly raining, but not bad at all. Once we were among the tall buildings the wind was almost gone and we could finally feel the 50 degree weather. As we got to the Hancock building Dan led me down the stairs by the big Christmas tree that stood in front of the building. By now the was little, if any, rain. As we got to the bottom of the tree Dan said, "Karolyn, what is that? Does that have your name on it?" I was genuinely surprised to see a single gift hanging from the tree with a huge tag that had my name on it! He instructed me to open my early Christmas present and I did just that. Inside was a small, wrapped box. It rattled, so I knew it wasn't a ring. Inside the box was a Mickey-shaped necklace with a heart. "Aw, look at that," Dan started, "Mickey came to wish you a Merry Christmas." I loved it! Dan offered to put it on me and I accepted his offer. Just as he finished clasping the necklace he released the ring and it slid down the necklace. I felt the ring and my heart just about stopped. I turned around and Dan got down on one knee. He made a beautiful speech and I started to cry some tears of joy. He asked me to marry him and I did not hesitate to say, "Yes!" Then, Dan got up, kissed me, and held me! Dan took the ring off my necklace and placed it on my finger. It's exactly what I wanted! I love my ring! Oh, but our evening wasn't over! Dan took me into the Hancock building where I called my sister right away! She was excited to hear the news and honored to be the first one called. Dan's folks already knew what was going down... and so did my parents (for about a month). When I got off the phone with Kathleen, Dan took me up to the 95th floor of the Hancock where we had dinner at the Signature Room. The view was breathtaking and dinner was delicious! It was all very romantic! Dan ordered us a bottle of wine and later we dined on steak. We spent the whole dinner smiling at each other from across the table.
At the end of the evening Dan notified me that he had rented a town car limo to drive us home. He did not want me to have to take the train back. "A pretty car for a pretty girl," is what he said. The car ride was great... we spent the whole time on the phone with loved ones, sharing the good news!At home my parents waited anxiously for us to come home. They congratulated us and gave us our first gift. At home I was all smiles and felt like I was vibrating... I felt so alive, so happy! I got very little sleep that night.
Sunday, Pastor Scott announced mine and Dan's news to the congregation (with our permission). Everyone was so happy for us and made us feel very special. I am very grateful to be part of such a supportive church family!Well, since Dan and I got engaged we have been on a "one week" rule. For one week we cannot make any wedding plans. Our only job right now is to enjoy being engaged and savor this time together. It's not the easiest (holding off on planning our wedding), but we are enjoying it!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Holiday Hustle and Bustle
The past couple of days have been filled with lots of holiday activities! In between working my various jobs I've found some time to do some holiday shopping.
Friday, December 5th I worked all day at Williams-Sonoma. Dan had his last day of classes and then spent the rest of his day studying for finals at my house.
Saturday, December 6th Dan and my dad went to the Men's Breakfast at church and afterwards they went to see the new James Bond. Once they got home Dan and I went out to Oakbrook Mall to do some holiday shopping. It was cold and there were a few flurries in the air, but it was all delightful. That mall looks so lovely at night when it's all lit up!
Sunday, December 7th I worked at Williams-Sonoma in the evening. The mall was open until 10:00 p.m. but there weren't many shoppers that late. I guess no one is in quite the rush... yet.
Monday, December 8th I worked all day at Williams-Sonoma. I did a lot of pre-wrapping so that we can stay ahead of the crowds. It did get too busy, but I didn't have to deal with many guests because I was in the back most of the time.
Today, I came in to work at church and was surprised to see my new work space all set up! All thanks to Anthony! It's still a bit disorganized, but Anthony came by and we got a lot done. We have so many ideas for expanding the church's media and web site so that we can better serve the congregation and the community! I'm anxious to see what God lays before us.
Also, today Dan made a surprise stop by the office to bring me some Starbucks! My dad went to pick him up at school and bring him to our house so that he could pick up his car from the shop. On his way back to school he stopped by and visited me for a bit. It was so good to see him! He's the best!
Friday, December 5th I worked all day at Williams-Sonoma. Dan had his last day of classes and then spent the rest of his day studying for finals at my house.
Saturday, December 6th Dan and my dad went to the Men's Breakfast at church and afterwards they went to see the new James Bond. Once they got home Dan and I went out to Oakbrook Mall to do some holiday shopping. It was cold and there were a few flurries in the air, but it was all delightful. That mall looks so lovely at night when it's all lit up!
Sunday, December 7th I worked at Williams-Sonoma in the evening. The mall was open until 10:00 p.m. but there weren't many shoppers that late. I guess no one is in quite the rush... yet.
Monday, December 8th I worked all day at Williams-Sonoma. I did a lot of pre-wrapping so that we can stay ahead of the crowds. It did get too busy, but I didn't have to deal with many guests because I was in the back most of the time.
Today, I came in to work at church and was surprised to see my new work space all set up! All thanks to Anthony! It's still a bit disorganized, but Anthony came by and we got a lot done. We have so many ideas for expanding the church's media and web site so that we can better serve the congregation and the community! I'm anxious to see what God lays before us.
Also, today Dan made a surprise stop by the office to bring me some Starbucks! My dad went to pick him up at school and bring him to our house so that he could pick up his car from the shop. On his way back to school he stopped by and visited me for a bit. It was so good to see him! He's the best!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
The Holiday Lite
It's that time of year! Time for Christmas decorations, cookies, shopping, and music! 93.9 has been playing Christmas music for a while and it's the #1 station that I listen to this time of year. You can listen too! Click the following link to listen live: 93.9 The Holiday Lite.I know I've been horrible at blogging, but I have been extremely busy. I haven't been seriously in front of a computer for about a week. My schedule has been nothing but work. Last week I worked all morning into the afternoon at either church or Williams-Sonoma (or both) and then when I came home I would edit for several hours. Thankfully this week won't be as busy.
Thanksgiving was a blast! Kathleen, Jess, and I cooked Thanksgiving dinner (again). Jess and her boyfriend, Andrew, came over Wednesday night and we worked hard getting everything ready for the big turkey day! Thursday the rest of the Kovals came over and we had an amazing day. Dan was with us as well... I couldn't have asked for a better day with the people that I love! Saturday, the five of us went downtown to visit the Chriskindlmarket and shop at Macy's. It wasn't too cold and the shopping madness was rather calm. We had a great afternoon together! Kathleen started her journey back to school Sunday afternoon. I'll miss her, of course, but she'll be back soon! Yay!
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