BaRACK the Vote!

I Rocked my vote! I really hope Obama wins. We should know by tonight. I'm looking forward to seeing our country go into a different direction. I pray that things will change for the better for the United States!

Home Again

I am so happy to be finally home! Last week I was in Bellevue, WA learning how to use a program to help me develop and maintain the Tribe's website. It was a lot of information to take in, but I think I've got a good grasp on how to do it. My room was awesome. It was a very posh business suite with two flat screen TVs, a couch, a kitchen with the works, king size bed, huge bathroom. It was really nice. I even got to spend some much needed time with my very good girlfriend Elie. We had such a great time catching up. Brad and I missed each other so much that he stayed the night with my at the hotel and drove all the way to work the next morning. He is so good to me.

This week I was in Leavenworth, WA for a Transporation Safety Confrence held by the Washington State Department of Transportation. I shared a room with my coworker who is an archeologist. To get to my room I had to climb up a latter, really weird. I had no tv, no cell reception, and barely any internet connection. It was rough. It really started to get to me how much I missed being away from Brad. I couldn't call him, email him, or see him....it was horrible. We found ways around it....he called my room, I texted him from the street since I got a little reception out there in the freezing cold, I also wrote him a letter with old fashioned paper and pen. Last night Brad and I spent some time together on our couch and watched tv. I missed the simple things, like spending time with him. I relaly can't imagine my life without him and I hope I never have to. He is my everything.

Bridesmaid Dress

Alfred Angelo Bridesmaid Dress

Style #6583

Color Black

WASHINGTON (Jenn and Brandy)
(The store in Everett closed their doors for good!)
Wedding Belles
324 South 1st
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
(360) 336-5618

They have the dress in black size 12 so it will be huge on you, but at least you'll get to see it, try it on, and get measured to find out what size you would need to order.

FLORIDA (Becky)
Alfred Angelo Bridal
9344 Atlantic Blvd
Jacksonville, FL 32225
(904) 726-8851

TEXAS (Sister)
Alfred Angelo Bridal
3211 Preston Road
Frisco, TX 75034
(214) 618- 4044

My sister has already purchased her dress for $109.00 plus tax. When she ordered her dress they said that the dress may take up to 4 months to arrive. I checked with other dress stores and they are the same! Dresses in Washington and Florida are about $165.00, but in Texas they are $109.00 on sale. Since they take 4 months or so to come in and the wedding is in 6 months.....you girls should order your dresses soon.

So I was thinking that we could have my sister pick up the dresses in Texas so that you girls can pay less money for the dress. If you like this idea, you need to go to the store nearest to you (addresses above to try the dress on), get measured to find out your size, send send me your size and the money to order the dress and I can do it over the phone and have my sister pick it up in Texas. Do you girls like this idea? Let me know what you think.

I just want to make this easy for everyone!

I love you all.

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!

This year we had a huge family celebration of Canadian Thanksgiving including some of the Canadian fixings that I grup with such a peas pudding and figgy duff. It was so yummy, my mom is such an great cook. I hope to cook as well as she can one day. There was so much food. The Tesch family joined us at my parents house. The boys watched football whiole the girls helped out in the kitchen and chit chatted. It was a really great time. I love that I have this instantly huge family. The better part is that I love them all and they all treat me and my family as if we are their family, its awesome. The kids watched sleeping beauty in the kitchen it was soooooo cute.
I love having two Thanksgiving celebrations.

Wedding Announcement

Our wedding Announcement was published in the Whidbey News Times on Saturday October 11....the same day I went wedding dress shopping and found my dream wedding dress. What a wonderful day :)

Attention Bridesmaids

Okay I have found the bridesmaid dress! The dresses will be black and the train will have to be shortened a little bit since it is way too long. I am going to order all of the dresses in Washington. The place where I am buying my dress gives an additional 15% off bridesmaid dresses. I need you guys to go to the store and try on the dress, get measured and find out what size you are.

Here it is Alfred Angelo Style #6583:

This dress is available in Washington, Texas, and Florida. So all my girls can get their dresses! I am working on finding out the best deal in each city.

Okay Here's what I've got so far:

FLORIDA (Becky)

Alfred Angelo Bridal

9344 Atlantic BLVD

Jacksonville, FL 32225

(904) 726-8851

TEXAS (Sister)

WASHINGTON (Jenn and Brandy)

There is a store in Everett, Kenmore, Silverdale, Seattle, and Redmond. Which location is better for you to go look at the dress and try it on? Let me know and I'll post the address.

Learning Process

I was reading my sister-in-law Anna's blog on what she has learned by being a mother and I was thinking what I have learned while being in a relationship with Brad, so I thought I'd share.

1. Communicate.....Express your feelings and don't be afraid of how the other person is going to react. Brad and I are still learning to understand how one another communicates, but this won't happen overnight. Sometime I'll get mad because he is so hard to communicate with or vice versa. We'll learn this together and grow stronger a s a couple.

2. Laugh. Laughter helps avoid arguments or disagreements. Brad has such a great sense of humor. If I get mad at him, he'll make me smile and I'm not mad anymore. He has this power over me....

3. Don't keep secrets. Brad is honest with me and will tell me anything, even if it might be something I don't want to hear. I would rather hear it now than later. When something happens bad or good Brad will tell me right away so that I hear it from him and not someone else. Brad isn't only my husband he's mt best friend, and I tell my best friend everything regardless if its bad or good.

4. Don't stress over the small things. If the house isn't clean and things aren't done, don't freak out. I am the one guilty of this. I am somewhat of a clean freak. But I have realized that those things can wait and eventually they will get done. I have realized when I stress, arguments happen.

5. Keep the friendship alive! Sometimes with busy schedules and routines, it is hard to remember that you are friends. People say keep the romance alive, which is also a great way to a happy marriage, but I think you need to remember that you are friends also. This is one is hard to explain but you just have to learn to be comfortable around each other!

6. Show each other affection. I am big on this. I have no problem giving Brad a kiss or a hug regardless of where we are. By holding his hand in church or holding onto his back pocket when we stand next to each other, he knows I'm right by his side no matter where we go and what we do. Its comforting.

7. We are a Team. Remember to always keep the other person in your best interest. Brad is my number one and he is mine. Everything I do now effects him, because he is my other half. Its hard to adjust to since I was single for so long and so independent.....but I'm learning.

I'm interested.....what have you learned? I could always use advice :)

Handsome George

George Andrew Tesch, 79, a lifelong resident of Oak Harbor, passed away peacefully with his family by his side, on Tuesday, Sept 30th, 2008, following a short and sudden illness.George was born in Oak Harbor on Jan 29th, 1929 to Max Albert and May (Wagner) Tesch. He attended school in Oak Harbor and enlisted in the U.S. Army to serve his country during the Korean Conflict. After a Honorable Discharge, he returned to the island he loved to marry the woman he loved, Jacoba Mensigna on Sept 18, 1953. Shortly thereafter, George and Cobie started their family with twin boys, Dwight and Barry. He loved being a devoted husband and father and will be remembered that way. George worked for many years as the produce manager at the Commissary on NAS Whidbey, until his retirement in 1985. George loved being a grandfather and many fond memories were made by him and his beloved grandchildren, and later great-grandchildren. In 1992 he decided to busy himself by working part-time as a shuttle driver for Whidbey General Hospital. All who came in contact with "Sweet George" (as he was affectionately known) remember him for his quick smile, big hugs and kind words. He recently retired in 2007 from WGH to stay home and spend time with his beloved wife of 55 years, Cobie, and tend to his garden. George loved to travel, often taking his RV all around the country and many a weekend was spent with his family at Lake Conner Park, going on walks, playing horse shoes and relaxing around the fire. George will be remembered by all as a loving, big-hearted man, who was quick with a laugh and had a way of making you feel like you were his best friend. He will be greatly missed.

George is survived by his loving wife Cobie; two sons, Dwight Tesch and his wife June of Burlington; Barry Tesch and his wife Debbie of Oak Harbor; three grandchildren, Brad Tesch and his wife Nikki, Marc Tesch and his wife Anna, both of Oak Harbor, and Jennifer (Tesch) McGill and her husband Brian of Snohomish, WA; four great-grandchildren Grace Elaine, Delaney Anne, Ezra Marc and Audrey Claire, and many nieces and nephews whom he loved. George was preceeded in death by his brothers Fred Tesch (2006), Al (Max) Tesch (2007) and his sister Maxine Pease (2007).In keeping with George's wishes, no services will be held. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society or the American Diabetes Association. Family and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest register by going to www.whidbeymemorial.com . Arrangements have been made with the assistance of Whidbey Funeral & Cremation Service, Inc. located in Oak Harbor.

Advice

Advice given to Brad and I from Grandpa Tesch.

"Be kind to each other. Always respect one another."

We will work on following this advice and living by these words. George and Jacoba have been married for 55 years so I'm pretty confident in knowing how to have a successful marriage.

I will be a fantastic wife.
I will be a great mother.
I will take care of Brad.
I will be by his side through thick and thin.
I will be kind to him and respect him.....
because I love him.

Thrilled....

I am getting so excited that I will soon be Mrs. Tesch.....thrilled actually. He is my perfect match, he completely levels me out. I love that. Whenever I worry, he is the voice of reason telling me that every thing will be okay. We have each other and that's all that matters.

I am getting so excited planning the wedding. We can't afford a lot right now so I am buying things for the wedding little by little. Mom and Dad bought Brad and I beautiful champagne glasses from the Navy Exchange. They have swarvaski crystals in the stem of the glass. They are so pretty. When we were in Cannon beach I found these cute thank you note cards. I found them online for $7.95 a box. In Cannon Beach they were $8.95 a box. I haven't ordered them yet, but they are so perfect. I think it will be my next wedding purchase once Brad and I have some extra money to spend on wedding stuff.