Meanderings of Adam and Stacia

Hey everyone!  Been a while since I wrote a new entry for our little blog here... I've been a little busy BEING MARRIED TO MY BEST FRIEND!!!!  Yeah... We've been married for 12 days now... 2 week on Saturday, and I just gotta say... IT'S BEEN TRULY AMAZING!!!  I still sometimes can't believe that we're married... WE'RE MARRIED!!!  Stacia truly is my best friend and now she's MY WIFE!!  That's wild to me, and yet... it's the greatest thing ever!!

So I've been living with Stacia for 12 days now... well, with Stacia AND Joey, my STEP SON!!!  He is awesome.  I will say, he gets up way too early and comes and jumps in bed, which isn't my favorite thing in the world... but we explained that he's got to wait until a little bit later in the morning, and he's been very receptive of that, so that's really nice to get to sleep until... 6:30am... still WAY early for me, but not terrible.  The early morning wake up calls have helped me to sleep better through the night, I think.  So a blessing in disguise.

Anyway, from the title of this post, you can probably assume it's about our honeymoon... WHICH IT IS!!!  We leave TOMORROW MORNING/AFTERNOON for the cruise!  We're going on a 9-night Mexican Riviera cruise... We're going to Cabo, Puerto, Ensenada and Manzanillo.  I really REALLY can't wait!!  We've got a few shore excursions planned, as well.  We're para-sailing in Cabo, we're going on a Pirate Ship Adventure in Puerto Vallarta, then we're getting a couples massage on the ship when we're in the Ensenada port.  It's going to be AMAZING!!!

I'm mostly looking forward to being able to relax, finally... we've been going crazy with the stress of the wedding planning before the wedding, and since the wedding 2 weeks ago, that stress has slowly been falling off, which has been great, but we still haven't had a real chance to relax... so these 9-nights are going to be AMAZINGLY WELL-DESERVED!!!   I've been keeping myself busy finishing up the putting the house together with all the new stuff (my stuff) and all that decorating and cleaning and straightening type stuff while Stacia is working and Joey is at school.  I've also been enjoying how much I've been cooking... which I simply LOVE doing, cooking is actually kind of relaxing for me, so I love doing it and that's a plus because Stacia likes my cooking, so that's great.  I've also been Making Joey's lunches for school, makes me feel like an official dad and I like that.  I've also still been working at the office and slowly getting through some school stuff... so it's been a very busy 2 weeks.

But none of that matters... WE'RE GOING ON OUR HONEYMOON TOMORROW!!!  AREN'T YOU SOOO EXCITED, BABY?!?!?!?!

My friends, it has come down to the wire... WE HAVE ONLY ONE WEEK LEFT!  I still can hardly believe that I'm getting married... but then even more crazy to believe is that I'm getting married in ONE WEEK from today!  It's truly amazing, to say the least.  All the little things that are left are falling into place, and it's really amazing to just watch as everything is just happening for us.

Don't get me wrong, we've put a GREAT DEAL of effort into this whole thing, but we are getting so much wonderful help from so many great friends!  It is genuinely a huge blessing to have so many people willing and ready to help with all these little details of our day next week.  

Tonight is Stacia's bachelorette party with her girls, and I'm so happy that she gets to spend time with friends and family tonight, I know she's going to absolutely love it soo much, so I'm really happy for her that she gets to have a great time.  And while she's doing that with her girls... I'm hanging out with some guys... doing up some bbq, some drinks, some movies, ping pong, and some o fmy favorite musicians jamming... so tonight is going to just be amazing for everyone involved.

So anyway, we have only one week left, and it is going to be the longest week... or perhaps the shortest week.  I just know that it is going to be a very busy one...  we're picking up our marriage license on Monday (the 19th), then I am trying to figure out a night for one final UNmarried date... one last date before we're married... maybe Wednesday or Thursday, either way, it will work out.

I'M GETTING MARRIED IN ONE WEEK!!!

Check out our Wedding Website if you need details.

Adam

Well you guys, I know you've been keeping up... probably more than I have, and I'm the one who is doing all the work for it (as opposed to you, not doing any of it... cause we all know that STACIA IS FOR SURE DOING THE MAJORITY OF IT BECAUSE SHE IS AMAZING).

Anyway... I need to update a few things here.  I think as of the last post, we'd just picked up both our rings... well, I already had mine, but we finally picked up hers after it got sized appropriately, so that is simply amazing.  We've got the rings.

Next thing... All the bridesmaids and groomsmen finally have their dresses/suits.  So that is a huge stress off my chest.  I know that I was worrying that the guys weren't going to get their suits in time or that the girls were going to miss the deadlines for picking up their dresses or something silly like that.  I really am just a little bit crazy when it comes to this stuff.  I just worry that things aren't going to get done, because I KNOW THAT I AM FORGETFUL, and so I just worry that sometimes other people might be as well, so I try to help as much as possible, and that sometimes leads to me feeling super stressed out for reasons that I don't need to be.  But that doesn't even matter at all, because everyone is set on their attire, everyone got their dresses and their suits.  So that is a huge checkmark off the to-do list.

There are several little projects I've been working on... a lot that Stacia is totally aware of, and then a couple that she has no idea about (sorry, baby, it's a surprise... but don't worry... only 12 more days until you get the surprise)!!  It has been somewhat difficult to keep working on all these things while still trying to maintain everything else going on in life, but I'm getting there, I'm doing it.  It may be hard at times, but that is what makes me appreciate the rest of the times soo much more.

On a sidenote, I filed another Leave of Absence from school.  So that means that I am going to delay graduating another semester... which means I won't be done until May of 2012... which isn't a bad thing.  I technically have until Fall of 2013, but I just want to be done with it, ya know?  I want to be able to be finished with school, have my Master's and get a good job... get working into a steady career that is at least SOMEWHAT enjoyable, if that's possible, so that I can feel like I am contributing to my family.  Yes, I am working right now, but I'm only working part time, and that is difficult as a man and as the leader of a family to not be bringing home the main source of income.  But I am coming to understand, with the wonderful help from Stacia, that God gives us different things at different times.  And perhaps right now he is just trying to refine me into who I am supposed to be for my last semester at school so that who I am ministers to someone else, and they see Jesus in me... so I hope that this extra time, and this extra slap against my ego is going to be used in some way.

Ok friends, family and fans... I'm checking out for the evening, I'm tired.  I had a long day... there's only 12 days left until I get married... so I am trying to soak up as much rest as possible, cause this next week and a half is going to be stressful to the max!!!

Love you all and thank you soo much for taking the time to read these blogs.  Don't forget to check the Wedding Website for details about church location, wedding party, the story of how we met, our registry, or anything else about us!!  Please sign the guestbook while you're there.  We love reading what you have to say!!!

~ Adam

Feels like it's just been a few days since I last posted a blog.  That might be because it's only been a week and a half or so, but who knows, right?  Either way... it doesn't really matter, because I've got more news to share with you all (whoever "you all" is in this case).

Today is the tail end of Wednesday the 17th, so that means on Monday the 15th, wait for it... STACIA AND I GOT OUR RINGS!!!  We were walking around MainPlace mall in Santa Ana and went to Ben Bridge (don't go to that one, the workers are LAME), and we were hoping to go to a Kay, cause we found ones that we REALLY liked at the Kay in the Spectrum, but that's neither here nor there.  We didn't find a Kay, but we saw a Kevin, so we went in and shopped around... nothing stood out, so we got over it and went to eat.

So we were eating Panda Express, then as we were walking over to the mall directory thing to see if there was a Kay somewhere in the mall... BAM!!!  Right smack dab in front of our faces... it was right there!!!  So we went in... spoke to the most amazing salesman, Chris, and after about 45 minutes... WE GOT OUR RINGS!!! They are super amazing, and I can't wait for everyone to see them... next month!!!

Best part about the whole thing... we stayed UNDER budget in buying them, so that's really great!!

But honestly, they really are amazing, and I couldn't be happier with our picks... they're just so... US!!!

So you'll all get to see them next month, and you'll love them, too!!!

Don't forget to check out our Wedding Website for details about where we're registered!

So this last weekend (August 5, 6 and 7), I did a lot of organizing and moving in of a bunch of my stuff into Stacia's house (soon to be OUR house).

Stacia works full time, and I am so incredibly proud of her and all the hard work she puts into her job each and every day.  Being the Financial Controller of a big company is very noteworthy and I couldn't be more proud.  I, on the other hand, only work part time, and while I'd like more hours to afford for more income, I'm willing to let the ego and pride fall for a bit because I'm also working on finishing my Master's in Literature and Writing and planning a wedding and looking for more work AND moving my life up and over to Stacia's house... so the part time work is good for now, because it allows me to do all the heavy lifting, so to speak, and get all the work done that needs to be done, and that Stacia doesn't necessarily have the time to do.

So, like I said, I moved a bunch of stuff over to her house and while it was incredibly exhausting and completely wore me out, I feel like it was very productive.  It's going to take some time to get used to the idea of living there and her house being our house... but with time it will feel like home... like OUR home.

I still have a lot to move over, and she's still got a lot to re-organize and move out, etc., but we're getting there.  There's only 46 more days until the wedding, and that blows my mind... it's literally just around the corner... a month and a half... crazy... AWESOME.

So I'm a couple weeks late in posting this update, but not to worry, there hasn't been too much crazy that's gone on since then.

We've sent out all the invitations and received a great deal of RSVPs back already, and we are very excited about that.  It's always fun to come home and see a big stack of those waiting to be entered into the Excel Spreadsheet (that Stacia works on, being that I don't fully understand how to work that program - I'm a words guy, not a numbers and formulas guy).  So that's one thing, and it's awesome.

We've also figured out decorations for the reception AND we're already working on center pieces and a few other special little things here and there... so that's pretty much a really cool deal, we're soo happy that things keep on falling into place so well.

We've already received a few wedding gifts, and we love them soo much.  So to those of you who have already purchased gifts, thank you, they are amazing.

We had a wedding shower with the wedding party and family and close friends.  It was such a fun day... just hanging out, bbqing and enjoying everyone's company, I enjoyed it a great deal.

BIG NEWS!!!  Stacia just the other day bought her first brand new car ever!!!  It is such a nice car.  It's a Hyundai Tucson LIMITED... it's got ALL the bells and whistles... I LOVE IT AND I'M SOO INCREDIBLY HAPPY FOR MY GIRL!!!

Ok... that's about all we've got going on right now.  Keep checking back to see all the new progress and updates, etc.

Love you all.

~Adam & Stacia

PS - Check out the Wedding Website for details about Registry and Map to the church, etc.

Well... now the time has come for another update.  Yeah, it's been a while, about three weeks or so, since I last posted what all was going on, so I'm going to shout out real quick and let you all in on the most recent happenings for us.

Tomorrow, April 23, we are FINALLY getting our engagement pictures taken.  I may have mentioned, but we have scheduled twice before to have our pictures taken for engagement, but both times had to be cancelled, which we completely understood, but which still frustrated us.

So with that said, we're meeting with Jonathan Lavey tomorrow afternoon to enjoy the entire last half of the day shooting pictures in various locations and with various props, and some very special ones that will remain a surprise until a later time.

Yeah, so we are pretty stoked to finally get our pictures done, and we are excited that it gets to be with Jonathan, he's amazing.

I'll let you in on some of the shots at a later time when they are back to us.

~Adam

Here is a little video I put together to illustrate my marriage proposal to my very best friend in all the world, Stacia Rae!!

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So a lot of people are asking how I did it... what is it, you ask?  Well... IT is how I proposed to my best friend and girlfriend.  Well... let's take a journey together and I'll explain the whole thing to you... ready... set... GO!!

We've been friends for a really long time.  Her brother is in the band that I used to go see ALL the time (and now the band that I manage).  So I've known her through the last 5 years or so, which means I've seen her through married life, having a wonderful child, an ugly divorce because of a very sad and misguided man, single life, single motherhood... I have seen her through it all.

I love this woman and her son.  Stacia Rae... she's truly the greatest thing that's ever happened to me.  She's grown me up and matured me more than anything or anyone I've ever known!!!

So there's the background... here's the story:

Stacia was gone at dance practice, so while she was gone, I went to her house to get it all set up...

I got 2 dozen roses (1 dozen red, 1 dozen pink).  I put a single long-stemmed red rose in the knocker of her front door.  As the front door opened, she walked into the entire living room covered with black sheets to make it a pure and plain surface, then atop the sheets were about 90+ pictures of us, all sizes (5x8 all the way to 8x10), all documenting our ENTIRE friendship, relationship, courtship, best-friendship.  Sprinkled on top of all the pictures was the rest of the dozen red roses.  Then towards the couch is the coffee table with is wrapped in lights (that perfectly looked like candles) and a few pictures of Stacia, Joey and myself, framing on the center of the table, a scrapbook that I've been working on since December, documenting our friendship/relationship with stories for each picture found within.  Then the last picture in the scrapbook was a picture of her front door that basically said to come out to the porch because I had a surprise for her.

So I took her hand, had her close her eyes, and walked her to the porch.  I held her face in my hands and rested our heads together, then I began praying for us.  The main emphasis of my prayer was this:  "God, help our lives as one be a beacon of hope to the world.  Help our stories show the world that there is beauty in darkness, and help us to provide a light to the lost."  And I had her open her eyes... and I told her this: "Baby, you know how I love listening to you talk... well now I want you to listen to me talk.." and I told her I loved her, that I loved Joey.  I told her that I plan to spend the rest of my life loving both of them and protecting both of them (and the babies that we'll have someday).  Then I took her hands in mine... looked her in the eyes and said, "Stacia Rae... my sweet, sweet babygirl..." got down on one knee and said, "Will you marry me and be my wife?"

AND SHE SAID YES!!!!!!!

So there you go kids... that's the story, I know this was long... but it was worth it, right?

So that's how my girlfriend and best friend became my fiancée and best friend!!

Hey friend, family and fans:

With the beginning of this new year, I can see so very much that is going to happen and so much that I have to be excited for.  Some I can share right away, some I can't quite share just yet in that it is not ready to be revealed.

It's January 4, and tomorrow the majority of my family will be flying to South Carolina to see my baby sister, Carla, graduate from Boot Camp and officially become a Marine.  It is crazy what is going on in that kids life.  I think of her as a little kid still, but she's 19 and she is a United States Marine, it's crazy.  So we're flying across the country to see her graduate and share in her pride, so that's cool.

At the end of the month, the bar, The Gypsy Lounge, that I've been a bouncer at for the last 2 years is closing.  This place has been the epicenter of my music experience for the last 6 years.  Some of the greatest music and musicians I've seen in this world have been through this bar, and I've been entirely blessed to get paid for the last 2 years to sit and listen to this music as I check IDs and take money.  So it will be the end of an era, and this place will be missed... I am going to be losing a lot of music, and that is sad.

In May, I should be finishing my stint in graduate school.  If all goes as planned, I'll be walking with my Master's Degree in Literature and Writing in the middle of May... which would be amazing!  I've put so much hard work and a lot of time into this project and the fact that I can see the finish line in view... it's really almost overwhelming!!  I can't believe that it's almost here.

There are a few other things that I'm very excited for this year... but I'll save those for another day... but stay posted, you'll be excited.

Sometimes it is important to take a minute and realize the things in our lives that bless us each and every day. I just want to make sure I take the time to understand and be thankful for all the blessings I have in my life.

Yes, I complain from time to time, probably more often than I rightfully should, but at the end of the day, when I lay down to sleep, and I close my eyes, I can see all the things I've been given and all the blessings I've received and I make it a point to give thanks for those things, even for the things that have caused me pain in the past, but have made me the man I am.

That said, I just want to take a moment, set an example (mostly for/to myself), and just simply give thanks for the blessings in my life.

My family:

Rex (dad), Vivian (mom), Lorah, Travis, Jason, Faith, Josh and Carla. I love you all and have been blessed to be part of your family these last 27 years of my life, and I look forward to many more. Even though there have been some very difficult times, and some times that I may wish to erase, they have helped to shape each and every one of us to be the people we are today. Perhaps some of us still need shaping and working on, but we're going to get there, and in the end, we're all still going to be family, and that's all there is to it.

Xaden, Maverick, Elizabeth and Noelle... I love you all, sweet little children. It has been and will continue to be an honor to be your uncle, whether I get to see you or not, I will always be your uncle and will always love you guys and girls with all my heart. I hope that one day when you're all grown up, you'll look back and say that I did right by all of you, that I taught you something important, that I showed you love.

My friends:

I've had so many blessings in my life in the form of friendships. I may mention a few here, but if your name is not mentioned, please don't feel bad, there are just certain people in our lives that touch us, that make an impact and change us in some way that we'll never forget, and I want to acknowledge that.

Stacia Rae. You're my best friend, and I love you with all my heart.  You've become more important to me than I thought any one woman ever could. I love you with all my heart. I love you more than anyone ever before. I adore and cherish everything about you, and your friendship is so very important to me. Your relationship is more important than almost anything right now. I know that you were put in my life for a reason, and I know that reason is going to be a very lasting one. I know that you're for me, and I'm for you. We work so well together, we make each other happy, we were simply made for each other. The pains we've been through are so similar and have made it so that we connect on such a perfect and intimate level.  I have never had such a lovely and God-honoring relationship with anyone in my life and I love what we have and plan to keep it for as long as He allows me to.

Joseph Denges. Such a loving and caring man. I've known you for about 6 or so years now, we've gone through some pretty hard times together. We've been able to relate to each other through the pain we experienced together, and by melding and molding our friendship through such hard times, we've been able to come to each other through the hardest of times, and we've known that the other will always be there. You've been such a light to me, Joe, and I hope that I've been one to you. There were times when I felt so very alone, and there you were, offering your friendship and understand of my situations. I owe you so very much, Joe, I owe you my life. Thank you.

Justin, Matt and Dusty (the rest of the guys from Hollowell). You guys have all been so amazing to me in letting me become the fanatic that I've always been of your music. You've made it clear that above and beyond any idea of me as a fan, I am a friend first, and that means the world to me. You brought me with you as we traveled across the country to Tennessee and allowed me to be part of something that is still one of the most fun trips I've ever been on. Thank you so very much. Thank you for always including me in practices, as well as just regular times to hang out, all band business aside. It is that idea, those recognitions of friendship that I appreciate so very much.

Chris Jackson. What can I say about you, brother? I've known you my whole life, and while we don't get to hang out save for a few times a year, if that, now that we're both grown ups and both so very busy, I will never forget your friendship and will always cherish you and the impact you've had in my life. You were there with me in some pretty dark times, you stood next to me, you were my friend. Chris I love you, brother, I always will. I'm so very proud of the man you've become, the father that you are, and the husband that you are. I admire you and your dedication and love and loyalty.

Everyone at San Marcos. Having been homeschooled my whole life until college, going to school and attaining my degree (both of them, soon enough) is a very big deal for me. To be able to stand proud and say that I have a Bachelor's and a Master's in Literature and Writing will be a good day. There were some who said to my parents that homeschooled kids just aren't going to make it, or that they won't be as smart or do as well as public school kids. Well I stand as proof that we can and will achieve! Jane, Lea, James, Andrew, Jeff, Chris, Ken, Katy, Jeremy, Amira, Robynne, Cori, Martha, Yuan, Oliver, Heidi, Lance, Mark, Sue and many, many others... THANK YOU.

To anyone I didn't mention, I apologize, I still love each and every one of you.

Take a minute to be thankful.