Website

We have a wedding website:
http://GrabowskiVarner.ourwedding.com

YAY!

Our Engagement Story

After dinner, but before the actual proposal.

Right after I said, "YES!"

Showing off the ice.

The incredible scrapbook Robert made me.

YAYYYY!

On Friday while I was in Olathe my good girl friends (Elise, Leigha, and Kelsey) texted me and asked me to join them for a girls' day in Springfield on Monday.  We left today around 11:30.  We ate lunch at Panera, hit up the mall, stopped by Bed Bath and Beyond, got feather hair extensions (wild! hehe), stopped by Andy's Frozen Custard, and then headed back to Bolivar.  Leigha kept insisting that we had to be back to town by 5:00 because her mom wanted to make dinner with her (lie).  I texted Robert to let him know I was on my way back, and he said we could make dinner at my house because my parents were going out to eat (as he had asked them to do).  I got to the house and helped him finish up dinner (grilled chicken, corn on the cob, and mashed potatoes).  I teased Robert and said, "Should I dress up?"  He said, "Yes.  Go put on your long, blue dress."  I knew something was up then.  I'd been teasing Robert for several days because I knew it was happening sometime soon.  When I asked if I should dress up I was totally kidding, so when he said yes I knew.  I smiled really big, and then left to change.  Robert said we didn't need drinking glasses because we weren't eating at home anyway.  I got slightly confused for a minute, thinking that we had actually made dinner for other people.  We took the food with us to a pavilion in town.  Robert had a table, chairs, cloth napkins, and drinks awaiting us.  We ate our delicious dinner, and then Robert got out his guitar.  He played his guitar and sang a beautiful song he had written just for me.  During the song I went from tearing up a bit to smiling from ear to ear.  After that, he had me open a package which was a scrapbook he made all by himself.  He had been saving tickets from dates (movies, plays, sporting events, etc.) the whole time we've been dating, so the scrapbook consisted of tickets from dates, pictures, and notes we had given each other.  It chronicled our relationship and ended with a new note from him where he promised to love me and take care of me forever.  When I finished, he got down on one knee and proposed.  Of course I said, "YES!"  We snapped a few photos, and then headed back to the house where my parents were waiting for us.  Robert had asked their permission last week, and they are very happy for us.  Jim and Amanda came over to celebrate too.  We called Robert's parents and our grandparents to share the good news.  Then we went over to Elise's house to have an engagement party with about fifteen friends.  When we entered the house we saw a lovely hand-painted congratulations sign made by Elise, and it had twinkle lights around it.  Leigha had made a cake, and we toasted with sparkling grape juice.  It was a perfect day, and I am blessed.

I'm Melting

Today it's supposed to be 108 with a heat index of 115.  Can you say "sweltering?"  I cannot remember another summer in my life where it has been this hot for this long.  Can you?
This is the last week of summer school.  I'm getting so antsy for it to be over.  Only 53 hours to go to be precise.  I have to go to Drury for actual in-person class Today, Wednesday, and Thursday from 5:20-8:00.  Not too bad.  I've turned in everything for entrepreneurial communication, and now I'm just waiting for things to get graded.  I'm nearly finished with communication consulting.  I just have an oral presentation on Thursday and a paper to turn in with it.  Thankfully, all the work is done.
To celebrate the end of summer school Robert and I will be spending the weekend with his family.  The weekend will consist of going to a water park, sleeping, relaxing, watching movies, eating good food, and NOT thinking/talking about school.  It is greatly needed.
When we get back I'll still have about a week and a half sans class.  Next Wednesday Robert and I are taking the day off and escaping to St. Louis.  We plan to go to the zoo, have a picnic lunch in Forest Park, go back to the zoo, and eat dinner on The Hill.  It'll be the first real date we've had since before summer school started.  Sure, we've had meals together and wandered around Wal-Mart for cheap and easy dates, but it'll be nice to get away without feeling guilty or like I should be studying.  It'll also be nice for Robert because two days after our trip he starts RA training.  I guess it's our end of the summer last hurrah.
Yet another change: Jim (my brother) found a place to live.  This is a big deal and very exciting for everybody.  Things seem to be falling into place.  The satellite guy came today and got everything set up.  Water and electricity were set up yesterday.  Tomorrow the Internet/phone guy is coming.  We've gotten quite a bit of stuff moved over there.  It makes me feel old to know I have a brother who has a rental house.  Crazy!