How lucky am I...

To have a soon to be sister in law as an awesome photographer (even if she doesn't know it yet). Check out my FAVORITE picture from our 3 hour photo-session last week. I applaud Derek for being so patient and wonderful during it all. 280 pictures later.. many were my favorite but this one, & the boy in the picture with me, I especially love, love, love!!

Tomorrow is a sad day for all of Law Enforcement. On March 21, 2009... 4 Oakland Officers lost their lives in the line of duty... I remember the day as if it was yesterday.

I was at a scrapbook expo when Derek called me to tell me 2 traffic officers had been shot. As the words came out of his month, tears came into my eyes. No more than 30 minutes later, Derek called back saying 2 more Swat team members were shot. FOUR.... 4 Oakland Officers had been shot in a matter of an hour. I left the expo and hurried home to see Derek before he too would have to go to work that night at 8pm. It was around 3pm when I finally got home and there he was sitting on the couch with the words "Breaking News" on the t.v. as the news reported all that they knew. After a long hug, we sat there staring at the tv in complete disbelief. Derek's phone rang and I couldn't hear who was on the other line but Derek's responses of "yes sir" "okay sir" told me that it was probably his Sargent calling. Derek hung the phone up, looked at me and said "I have to go to work". At that moment those words were too heavy to hear. I began crying and pulled him close and said "i don't want you to go". I held Derek and told him how proud I was of him. I told him I loved him and to be safe. I watched him put on his uniform, strap on his belt, pin on his badge and drive off to work.

Everyday Derek goes off to work I do exactly what i did on March 21, 2009. I hug him close, tell him how proud of him I am, that I love him and to be safe.

Please keep the Oakland Police Department, the families of the fallen officers and the band of brothers that risk their lives daily in your prayers tomorrow.


Love,
Jamie

87 days til the wedding..

The wedding is right around the corner. In the last few days my mom & I have been in such "wedding mode" everything is about the wedding lately & we're having so much fun. Next Monday I have my dress fitting in the morning and then were meeting with the florist around 1. Lets hope the heels I ordered online fit cuz I need the shoes Im going to be wearing for the fitting.. (gets nervous for a second)..

Anyways... Here are some of my floral ideas that Im going to share with the florist when we go..


I love the centerpieces in the top left corner of this pic.


Arent these shepherd hooks so awesome. We found some at Wal-mart today & they will be lining the isle with pretty flower circles hanging from them similar to here. Were thinking red ( & maybe orange) Gerber daises.

We've Registered!!!



We had so much fun last week registering at Bed Bath & Beyond! Check out what we registered for...



http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/regHome.asp?order_num=-1&



Type in Jamie Muratori or Derek Russell



These last few days I've been very productive. Invitations are almost done, the guest list is finalized, I wrote guest lists out for all the bridal showers & my wedding dress is in so I went and tried it on again.



Im looking forward to Friday, we have a tasting with Alex's Catering where will be picking out all the food for the wedding!



In house news.. things are coming along. It is so much fun to be a homeower. Derek & i are having so much fun decorating and enjoying our beautiful home! Im looking forward to so many memories made in this house!



Well thats all for now!

Countdown

3 months

3 weeks

6 days

til

the

Wedding.

WOW

I cant believe D & I have been engaged for over 6 months. I remember back in July I thought next June was SOO long away. Time sure has been flying by and I can not wait til June 5th.

Yesterday I stayed in my P.J.'s til 3pm... but I have a very good reason for doing so.. I was being very productive & printed out the invitations!! We got diy invitations from Michaels & yesterday began printing them all up. Although it was time consuming I'm super happy how they've turned out. Most of the invites are printed but I still have to do the response cards and direction cards. I have to recommend the invites at Michaels. They are good price and really easy to do at home.

Now that the wedding is less than 4 months away I'm finally feeling like its finally around the corner! Many more projects and p.j. wearing til 3pm is in my future & I cant wait!

In recent news...

D & I ARE HOMEOWNERS!!!!! (huge smile)

We closed our our first house on Jan 12, 2010 in Vacaville. So far we have done so much work to make the house updated and beautiful. I cant wait to see it when its all done. The house is 3 bedroom 2 1/2 baths 2,100 sq feet & drum roll please....




With a POOL.. Ya its green when I took this pic but thats because no one took care of the pool for months since it was a foreclosure.. You just wait til you see the whole backyard in a few weeks... We can now actually see a few more steps hehe

Well that's all of the house tour pics.. More to come soon as we finish up painting. Hope you enjoyed!!!

Hello! I just wanted to share a couple pictures from wine tasting! We went with a huge group of friends the Sunday after Christmas. We had such a great time. I say we make it a tradition every Christmas.

A lot has been going on unrelated to wedding planning. When I originally started this blog I was going to blog about all things wedding. Since then life has happened and I wanted to share that along the way too. The wedding posts will become more often in the next few months as I get ready for the wedding and complete ALL the diy projects I have for myself. Only 5 more months til the wedding. I cant wait. I know I will be so busy in a couple months with showers, bachelorette party, & planning!!

In recent news....

Derek & I bought our 1st house!!! Papers were signed Friday & the keys will be in our hands first part of next week... Awesome huh?? Buying a house so soon was completely unexpected but when we saw this house we knew it was exactly what we want in a first home! The last several weeks I've been spending hours each day surfing the internet for furniture and cute decorating ideas.. I've been quite successful and I cant wait to try it all in the new house!

The buying a new house/getting a loan/decorating/picking out paint has taken over my life right now. I am so excited for the house to be ours and I know Derek and I will spend many years of wonderful memories inside those wall.. & in the backyard... hehe. I'm ready to spend a couple more weeks devoted to decorating and painting then I must get into wedding mood!!

I am so grateful for all the awesome things that are happening in my life right now. I thank God every day for allowing me to have such a great family, fiance and friends!