photos by Sam

Hey everyone!! I just wanted to take a minute to post a slideshow of some new pictures from our wedding day. These photos were taken by Samara Link, talented photographer extraordinaire.

And I told her this already - that I’ve looked through them all at least 10 times already. But they are so awesome!! More than we hoped for. She captured the whole day and everyone so wonderfully – from every little detail to every facial expression. Looking at them, I just remember how happy that whole day was.

Thank you so much for your photographs, Sam! We really can’t put into words our appreciation. We will cherish them for always!

Enjoy!

photographs

What's up, home fries??

I just wanted to let you all know that we're in the process of updating our website. Some of the pages are still under construction, but take a gander at the photographs page when you get the chance (you'll be ESPECIALLY please to notice that we've added the photographs from the table cameras at the wedding).


Have a great weekend, everyone!!!

wedding photographs

Hey everyone!!

Just wanted to let you know that John Merrell, our ceremony photographer, has posted his photographs online.

His website is: http://www.johnmerrellphotography.com/

• Once you are there, click “Online Viewing”
• Then click “Joseph and Theresa Wedding” (2/21/2009)
• Enter my maiden name (if you don’t know it, then you can’t see them! he he he)
  
• Then click “OK”
• VOILA!!
  

On our computer, it doesn’t let us scroll from one photo to the next, so you may have to open each photo individually, too. Also, he told us that it’s more expensive through the website, so if you want to order prints, just let us know the sizes and photo numbers (photo id’s are listed under the photos and look like this: 001 Joseph&Theresa) and we’ll get them for a cheaper rate directly through John.

Anyway, ENJOY!!!!

Stay tuned for more updates soon!! Love you all...

oh heavenly day...

Hey everyone!!!

We just wanted to take a few minutes to share a few pictures from the most heavenly day. We actually had two different photographers on our wedding day - one who took pictures at the church/ceremony (a guy named John) and one who was there snapping pictures of everyone all day long (a gal named Sam).

The following are just a few samples of pictures that were taken by Sam, who I met through my friend, Lindsay (who I knew from way back in grade school...you know, right around the age where boys and girls started getting little things called "crushes" on each other). Both Lindsay and Sam are the most genuine and artistic people you'll ever meet (take a look at their blogs and you'll see for yourself!). In addition, Sam is such a talented and (dare I say) humble artist who just captured things perfectly. So we thought we'd share a few of her portraits from our most heavenly day!!

Enjoy!

And stay tuned for more to come...

we've been busy...

Which is why we haven't posted in a while (not that I post that much...). Guests started arriving Monday February 16th, and everything went into fast forward. Wednesday Anna (muchacha) and T started to make the cake. Thursday I went and tried on my tuxedo to make sure everything fit correctly, met up with all my groomsmen and some family there. Later in the afternoon I went and got a haircut, then we went down to Theresa's parents house for an excellent dinner with family and friends. Following the dinner everybody in the wedding went to Holy Spirit in Tempe for the rehearsal. I was sweating profusely I was so nervous. Friday morning everybody met up at the Kolberg's again, and the girls went to do their spa thing while I took all the guys to Dave and Busters for some lunch and games. After we had spent enough money we headed back to Theresa's parents house for another great dinner with family and friends. After that T and I had to split up and go to seperate hotels for the night. I went to the Hawthorne Suites in Tempe where most of my family was staying, and Theresa went to the Fiesta Inn where a lot of her family and friends were staying. I probably wouldn't have slept at all without a sleeping pill that night, and even after taking one I only slept about 6 hours. Saturday morning I had breakfast at the hotel with the fam, then went to run some last minute errands. First stop was Target (I needed black dress socks!), then Starbucks, then back to the hotel to check out (forgot my hiking boots there, they still haven't turned up). Went to a drug store and got nail clippers (gotta have the nails neat in case the photographer wanted those "both our rings together" pictures. Had lunch with Ray (stress doesn't seem to effect my appetite) and headed over to the church. Briefly considered running to Mexico (just kidding !!!!). I waited anxiously in the Sacristy, peeking out the door as the church filled up. The ceremony went off with only a small hitch (apparently fingers get swollen and make it hard to get rings on), that most people didn't even notice, and everything went beautifully! After about 3.5 billion photos we made our way over to the reception. Everything was perfect, we had great meal, danced more than we ever had before, 2 million more photos, hours spent talking to friends and relatives and then it was all over way too soon, but it was the one of happiest days of my life. The hotel hooked us up with the Presidential Suite that was nicer than I thought it would be. Sunday morning we slept in, then headed over to pick up our precious little puppy, then went to Theresa's parents house once more to hang out with family, and open presents (we are working on the thank you notes now, they may take a while because people were too generous). Monday the real world made a brief appearance when my truck wouldn't start, but we didn't let that ruin our day, we just loaded up the car and took off ! I'll let T tell you all about our camping trip in a later post because I need to go to bed !

the countdown is ON!!!

I'm sure you have noticed that Joe and I have been a little lacksadaisical on our blogging over the past month or so. Please accept our apologies. We have had so much going on lately and definitely should have been blogging about it. We've been working, planning, meeting with DJs and MCs, meeting with the church wedding coordinator and musicians, hiking, camping, making seating arrangements, designing programs, getting kidney biopsies, etc.

[by the way...that last part was just Joe]

In addition, the next week or so may be a little crazy, too, because......Joe and I are gettin' hitched in exactly 7 days from today. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?? Time just flies by like you wouldn't believe, huh? We were talking about this last night, actually. When you're going through anything, it always seems like it will take such a long time to get through. But once it's past, you look back on it and realize that time just flew right on by. For example:

When we knew that Joe had to get a new kidney and that he would be on dialysis for a while, that time went by SO SLOWLY! And then the transplant day itself was crazy - realizing that it was all actually happening. He was actually getting a new organ! And right after the surgery, wondering if his body would accept or reject it, if there would be any complications, etc. It was all physically and mentally draining. But now, he's going on 4 months and 1 week with no complications whatsoever! Jen and the Mayo Clinic really worked a miracle!

And when Joe proposed last April we knew that we had almost a whole year before our big day. But now it's only 1 week away.

Time just flies by.

This weekend we will be cleaning like mad people, putting programs together (I am making them myself and really hope they turn out okay), getting a trial run of hair and makeup (this will be me only), as well as getting some last minute shopping done. Other than that, we are pretty much DONE and it is so exciting!!! I am excited to marry Joe because he's my favorite person! I'm excited to see all of my family and to meet Joe's friends and family I haven't met! I'm excited to spend time with friends, to see all of our family friends, and just have a good time! I'm so excited!!!

Thank you all for being there for us every step of the way...

25 Things You Never (kinda, maybe, sorta) Knew About Me

This is a little survey thing going around on Facebook and thought I'd share...

---

Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.

(To do this, go to “notes” under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people, then click publish.)

1. I am so much in love with Joe. He's my favorite and he's just plain awesome. And we are getting married in 2 weeks!!!!

2. I have bitten my nails since I was in the womb. Last year, one of my 2008 New Years' resolutions was to stop biting my nails. It actually lasted about 9 months. My best time yet! This year, I am going to last the whole year, though. Almost 2 months now so far, and counting. Do you think they have meetings for nailbiters? he he

3. I love the Twilight series. LOVE it. Really can't get enough of it. I even went to see the first movie, Twilight, in the theater 3 times. And yes, I know how old I am.

4. I never had a dog growing up. Not saying that's necessarily a bad thing, but I finally got my first dog (Lucy Fur) at age 27 and am loving every second of it!!

5. I would like to write and publish a novel before I die.

6. After 16 years, Tim Robbins is still my favorite actor.

7. I accidentally slammed my sister's finger in our car door when I was about 6 years old. At least I THINK it was an accident. I don't really believe that, at age 6, I would maliciously plan and attack her finger.

8. I love to watch movies. All kinds. My favorites are The Shawshank Redemption, Braveheart, Love Actually, Pride and Prejudice (Colin Firth version), The Departed, The Red Violin, Crash, Bridget Jones movies, The Last Samurai, Boondock Saints, The Goonies, Someone Like You and The Fifth Element.

9. One of my absolute most favorite things to do is go camping. In fact...that's what Joe and I are doing for our honeymoon!

10. Joe and I have started hiking a lot recently. We decided to live in Phoenix right near the Phoenix Mountains Preserves because at the time we were thinking about living somewhere where we could spend a lot of time with our dog (we actually didn't have a dog yet). We FINALLY started going recently and it's just so much fun. I know the trails are right in the middle of the city, but there's actually a point where you hike up to the top of one of the summits and then start hiking down into a canyon-type area, and you can't hear a sound. You can actually see the Phoenix skyline off in the distance, but it's so silent and peaceful that it's almost eerie. I love that.

11. I hate talking on the phone. HATE it. And I work at a job where I am required to talk on the phone at least 3 hours every day.

12. I love music and think of myself as very musical. I play the guitar and piano and like to sing a little, too. I go through spurts every now and then when I will either play the guitar a lot, play the piano a lot, or do neither for a while. Right now, I'm starting to get in the piano phase again. I really need to keep at it, though, because some songs I used to be phenomenal at are now quite rusty.

13. I really want a Volvo. I have for years. I think the first time I really noticed them was when I first moved to Boston. There, every fifth or sixth car was a Volvo. They aren't very common in the southwest, so that's why I first took notice of them when I moved to New England. I really like the newer ones and I would LOVE to have one of the new C30's, but I really have a soft spot for the V70 (circa 1997). And I figure it's a fairly attainable goal...considering that every third and fourth car in Boston was either a Saab or a Porsche!

14. I would be a TERRIBLE actress.

15. I have a serious fear that Joe and I are going to lose our jobs. The way things are going right now, I'm actually terrified of it.

16. I love tuna casserole with a side of sweet peas.

17. I get really messy sometimes, but in an organized way (if that makes sense).

18. Sometimes I don't make sense.

19. I recorded about 11 tracks in a studio while I was living in Boston, and about 5 or 6 of them were originals. That was so much fun! I really want to do that again as some point.

20. I love graphic design. I'm not phenomenal by any means and am still learning, but I love it and really wish that I could possibly own my own design business one day.

21. I really miss Cheers and The Hampshire House. A lot. The people I worked with there really became a sort of "family" for me while I was living in the northeast. There is such a huge place in my heart for all of them.

22. We had a cat, Noodles, when I was 7 years old. After about 6 months (give or take a few) it ran away.

23. I want to travel more. I really want to go to Oregon this year. I also want to go to Alaska someday. I would also like to (finally) take a trip back East again. We haven't been able to go back since moving to Arizona. Also, Joe's never been to California, so we're definitely going to take a trip there. Outside the United States, the places I'd most like to see are Santorini (and really all of Greece), Italy, the British Isles, South America (in particular Iguazu Falls), Canada, and Australia and pretty much anywhere in the South Pacific.

24. I love to read. Pretty much just fiction. Especially women's fiction (i.e. "girlie books" that usually some in a bright pink, blue or purple color) and suspense (i.e. anything by James Patterson or Dennis Lehane). I know that I should be more interested in non fiction books, current events books, and the like. But at the end of the day, I'd much rather lose myself in someone else's imaginary worlds. My favorites are The Alchemist, The Giver, The Da Vinci Code, Pride and Prejudice, the Twilight series, and pretty much anything by Dennis Lehane, James Patterson and Marian Keyes.

25. That deaf, dumb and blind kid sure plays a mean pinball.

wedding update

Doing the invitations was a very interesting process.

Turns out that I don't have very good reading comprehension because I read up on exactly how to formally address wedding invitations and even explained the process to Joe and Alanna....and then threw caution to the wind only to realize about 20 invitations into it, that I had been doing them all incorrectly. They looked fine, of course...but were incorrect, nonetheless (according to wedding invitation etiquette).

To those who receive the erroneous invites, you will probably know who you are. And I take full responsibility and admit that Joe and Alanna did everything perfectly. Enough said.

The whole process was a lot of fun, though. And it made me realize how much there still is to do!! My mom, sister and I went to meet with the florist earlier in the week, so that's underway (and I'm SO EXCITED to see what she puts together with our flower choices!!!!). But there are still some things left undone. Once Christmas comes and goes (as it always seems to do so quickly!), then we'll be getting more in gear for the preparations.




I am really looking forward to seeing all the friends and family who are able to join us for our special day. It will be so much fun!!!

just checking in...

Greetings everyone!!

1. To those affected by the crazy weather in the Northeast, you are probably not even able to read this right now because you are without power (if you don't know what I'm talking about, click here). So even though you may not even be able to see this post, just know that our thoughts are with you as you have to deal with the lack of electricity, lack of heat and lack of all other things that are a Northeastern necessity during the winter months. Seriously, for the sake of all that is holy, I pray that the power situation is resolved soon. It's just terrible that this has happened during wintertime. Keep us posted!
2. I can't resist one more minute gone by without mentioning Twilight. Joe, Alanna and I went to see it on opening day and I wanted to talk about it right away, but wanted to wait. One reason is that I wanted to see the movie a second time, because that first time all I was noticing were the things that were different from the book. So, yes...the dork that I am...went to see it again. Joe actually went, too! I asked him many times if he wanted to see anything else other than Twilight and he just said "no"....only later did I find out that he only went to see it again to be supportive of my crazy obsession. He's so great, isn't he?? Anyway, we saw it again and I really liked it better because I could look at it more objectively. I know a lot of people gave it mixed reviews, but I liked it a lot. I think they did a really good job in selecting the actors and thought that everything they added just made the story really come alive. Yes, I may be crazy and should just stop talking about it already, but I just really enjoyed these books. And I hope that if they make a sequel, it's as well done as the first movie.
3. My friend, Lindsay, just had baby twins this past Sunday - Boston and Teagan. I am so thankful that everything has been going well for them. Her pregnancy started off a little rocky and there were many health concerns, but all is well. They have even posted some really precious pictures of the little ones, so take a gander if you are so inclined. I am just so happy that the family is finally all together and that mom and babies are doing well. Congratulations, Lindsay and Michael!!
   
4. Work is good. It's definitely been an adjustment, learning a new occupation, and I'm not 100% certain how it will all turn out. But for now, it's keeping me busy and keeping our bills paid, which is definitely something that not everyone can say right during this economic time. So, for having a job and roof over my head, I am definitely thankful. And I'm working overtime tomorrow which isn't really the first thing I think of doing on a Saturday morning, but will definitely help us out a little more, especially during the holidays!
   
5. The wedding is coming along like the little engine that could. The invitations just came in, so that is our big project for the weekend. Exciting!!! As for everything else, Joe and I are probably the biggest procrastinators in the universe (what a pair!!), so it's all coming together slowly. But it will be perfect. Normally I'm easily stressed out about big things, but right now I'm just excited and happy and I'm sure that everything will come together just fine.
6. Last, but not least, and update on Joey 3 Kidney Man! The Good News = he's healthy. It's been 2 months (time flies!!) since the transplant and all is well. He's doing fantastic and has never felt better. They are even starting to reduce and get rid of some of his prescriptions because his health keeps improving. And we got each other bikes for Christmas (see pictures here) and have been riding every day, so BOTH of us are more on the health track. The Bad News = Joe has to go back to work on Monday. (although, it's not terrible, because at least he'll be getting a full paycheck again). Plus, we'll be able to share in each other's misery again when we both get home from work every day and vent about how we wish we were independently wealthy and didn't have to go to work every day! (not holding our breath, though)

Hope all is well with everyone. Stay warm and safe this holiday season!!

you can tell a lot about a woman...

...by the amount of time it takes her to pick out her wedding dress.

Alanna and I went to a bridal shop last week to look at dresses and color options and stuff...and when we got there and started looking around, the (kind of rude) lady said that "in order to look at stuff and try stuff on, you need an appointment". Whatever. We signed up for an appointment.

Our appointment was set for today. On the way there, Alanna stressed the need for me to not take forever (as, apparently, I tend to take forever when trying on clothes in fitting rooms). So we got there a minute or two before our appointment, and I had picked a dress after 30 minutes (and that INCLUDES trying them on!).

I swear to you.

We were done at 11:30.

Then we picked out color options and Alanna tried some dresses on and we settled on a few bridesmaid dress options. It was so FUN!!!!!

Anyway, I even told Joe (on his lunch break) that I had gotten a dress and he didn't believe me. He said, "you mean the person who usually procrastinates everything actually picked a dress already?" I laughed....because it's TRUE!! I'm a procrastinator (it takes one to know one, Joe!!).

Now if you can tell a lot about a woman by the amount of time it takes her to pick out her wedding dress...then does that make me too hasty? I am a person who usually DREADS decision making. It could be because I'm partially phlegmatic in nature (it's been suggested by our Evenings for the Engaged mentors, that we read about our personalities so that we can all better understand each other and everyone else we know). But, anyway...maybe I was too hasty? I don't know. But one thing I DO know is that it's a pretty dress and I like it and that's all that matters.

all things joe + theresa

I thought that I would take a minute to update everyone on life in T & Joe Land:

1. This weekend was so relaxing! Saturday was fun. All we did was sit around, relax, play with Lucy and relax. Yes, we did pretty much the same thing the previous weekend, but sometimes it's just really good to do nothing, you know? And then Saturday night we met up with my friend, Lindsay, from grade school and her husband, Michael. I hadn't seen her since I was about 14 years old, so it's kind of like we have to get to know each other all over again since there is a universe of things that have happened since we last saw each other. But she's just so easy-going and fun to be around, so we all had a blast! Let's do it again sometime, Linds!!
   
2. Joe and I started to attend Evenings for the Engaged. Our first session was last night (Sunday). I gotta say...neither of us wanted to go. First of all, it's at 6:30pm on a Sunday night, lasts for 2.5 hours and is way out in East Mesa (about 45 minutes from the apartment). Plus, Joe has to get up really early for work, so we were just in a bad mood about the whole thing. Plus, we had this vision of crazy Jesus Freaks praying and chanting in circles and telling us how to live our lives. Ok...so that was MY vision. But on the way there, we were thinking, "you know...I bet the other couples attending these sessions aren't really thrilled about coming either...so let's just keep an open mind and give it a shot." Turns out, the couple hosting the session was pretty laid back and even funny at times, the other couples seemed really nice (there were 5 other couples in addition to us), there was nothing really Jesus Freaky about it (except all the crazy pictures on the walls), and the time actually flew by once we got there. And the group, as a whole, decided to start meeting a little earlier on Sundays. So that was cool. I think it will be an interesting experience and, actually....I'm looking forward to it!
3. As for everything else: Joe is still on dialysis for a few more months until he gets his new kidney from Jen - I am still working as a graphic designer part time and looking for full time work (if anyone has any contacts that may need work, LET ME KNOW and I'll get you my resume) - Lucy is wonderfully cute as always (although...she gained 2 pounds in one week so it looks like I'll have to start walking her more than 2 miles a day) - and life (besides the crazy heat) is just...good.
   

self-explanatory

why Tax Day 2008 wasn't that bad...

Good day to you all! -

Life in Phoenix is getting a little more interesting lately, to say the least. For example: Lucy Pants (I like to call her Lucy Pants sometimes) is starting to "talk" more, work is picking up a little in spite of the "recessing" economy, Joe is having his evaluations and tests at the Mayo Clinic this week and next week (GO JOE! I hope they OK your transplant!), and the weather is a-changin! (got up to 97 this week!).

Also, the sometimes feared and dreaded Tax Day has come and gone. Most of the time I'm at least able to get at least 20 bucks back from the government, but there have been a few times when I've had to paid an ungodly amount to the IRS. During those years, I would pray for dear life that April 14th would just sweep over to the 16th. But here are a few reasons why April 15th this year wasn't all that bad:

(1) We have a brand spankin' new computer thanks to tax money...it's so AWESOME!!!!!


(2) I have a new haircut which is growing on me...especially since it's getting so warm out lately (it hasn't been this short since the 8th grade!)


(3) I have newly grown fingernails! For those who don't know, I've bit my nails to the cuticle (pretty much) ever since I can remember. And probably before then, too! This picture proves that after 20+ years of biting, quitting is still possible!

(4) Did you notice the ring?