Reflections and the past few days

I was having a bit of a hyperactive evening Tuesday when I was over at Dusty's watching "Bridsemaids" with him and his sister. Since Dust decided to nap through out the entire movie while I was practically dying of laughter the entire time, when he finally woke up during the credits, I was kind of an energized little devil. I think I was just finally happy to be not talking about wedding plans for once and have him all to myself so I was just being weird and I'll admit, obnoxious. He was being a good sport in return by just letting me be myself and occasionally laughing at how dumb I was acting... to give you an idea, I actually created my own dance recently to the Mario Party theme song... I know, I am weird. I was definitely doing the dance the other night.

So I finally decided to let Dusty get to bed and head on home when I got a call from my newly established fiance as I was driving- He had called just to say, "I think you're kinda fun."

I immediately smiled because I remembered back to our first date in 2008 that had me completely nervous, super excited, and a little freaked out. Katie, one of my best friends, and I actually had huge crushes on Dusty during our freshman year and would always talk about how cute he was even though we knew he would never be available-- at least to us! So it came as a total shock when I moved in with Katie going into my sophomore year of college and Dusty randomly, very randomly, asked me to hang out with him one night after not talking to each other for months. Katie freaked, I freaked, but I also agreed, obviously.

That night is one I will never forget because we ended up going to "The Island" at Northwestern College, a staple of both our childhoods, and talked for nearly four hours. I was still nervous upon arriving to the destination that I actually squished a bug on the sleeve of my WHITE t-shirt, tried to laugh it off after Dusty pointed it out, and also fidgeted with my hands when he picked me up from my dorm in his silver Mazda. When our date was over and he dropped me off, I immediately ran to my room to tell Katie all about the night, but honestly I couldn't read him on where things were going to go from there. I had a blast and couldn't shut up basically the whole date... and Katie was dying to know if I felt like he was into me, I literally couldn't confidently say. Until I got a call from Dusty about ten minutes after getting dropped off- He called just to say, "I just wanted you to know Casey... I think you're kinda fun."

I reminded Dust of that memory just the other night when he called me after I left. It's so crazy to me that it is now three years later, three fast years containing some of the best memories I have, years that ushered me from my teen years into my 20's, years where I finished college and have moved around three different residences, and years where I fell more in love with Dusty every single day. Not to be a sap, but I am so excited to be marrying him. I feel pretty lucky to be the girl he's gonna have fun with for life.

I guess you could say the first date went well enough to go on a second one- Here's a pic providing evidence! At Benihana, September '08- I was 19 in this picture!

Wedding planning is going well- as well as it can be! We have almost set a date. We found a reception location that we LOVE and are trying to think of creative ideas to use at our wedding that will also save us some money :) I'm feeling good about my teaching job- I spent the day today reading up on VOTER RIGHTS in American Government and I think I'm ready to teach my first lesson come October 24th! Time is just flying. I'm trying to soak it all in one day at a time because I know before I know it, this season of life will be past me and I will be preparing for the big day. I'm also EXTREMELY excited to announce that my best friend and roommate from college, Jackie, got engaged tonight to her boyfriend (now fiance!) Elliot! I love this couple and I am so excited that they are entering this exciting time along with Dusty and I. They are a blast and we always have so much fun with them in whatever we do. Jackie is a bridesmaid in my wedding and she already declared to me that we will have many nights doing extreme planning over a glass of wine in the near future- Cheers to that!

The future Mrs. Wahl on the left with the future Mrs. Risbrudt on the right!

I've been going through music that we want to incorporate into our wedding day and I found this song that I just absolutely love. It reminds me of all the fun times I've had with my guy over the years, and makes me excited, especially, for what the future holds for us together. Hope you enjoy.

Life

Thanks for all the love you have shown me these past few days, blog people!! I have never felt more incredibly blessed and supported in my life, and I have definitely felt the love whether it be through facebook posts, emails, texts and calls or personal visits from friends and family. It literally is crazy to wake up in the morning and remind myself... "I am getting married!" I'll admit that I love to immediately glance toward my left hand and stare at the gorgeous ring that is now occupying my ring finger. Of course, in all this, I feel like the greatest gift I've received is Dustin. I still can't believe he pulled all this off, and I can't believe that I can officially tell people now that I get to spend the rest of my life with him. I really can't believe it. I am so incredibly blessed.

I have been thinking a lot lately just about how much God has played into the last few days of my life, and really, it's quite overwhelming. I wanted to share a little story with you to explain just how crazy this all worked out, and how much God really proved to be faithful in making everything possible. Recently, Minnesota changed the process for obtaining a teaching license by adopting a new licensure exam called the MTLE (Minnesota Teacher License Exam). Previously, MN had been using an exam called the Praxis to test for licensure, but for whatever reason, they have switched over to this new test. Quite great for me as I was entering into my senior year of college (can you sense the sarcasm?) Anyway, these new tests have a passing rate of about 15% right now... much bleaker than the Praxis rate of about 60%. I was pretty discouraged when I failed the Social Studies content exam not once, but twice. In fact, I found out I didn't pass for the second time on Thursday evening at about 7 pm when I was driving in a rush to get to choir practice at my church from work. I was so bummed out and really frustrated, naturally, and almost thought about not walking in to practice, but I had driven all the way out and knew that I had to go. I rushed upstairs to our rehearsal room to sit next to my mom (we joined the gospel choir together!) and whispered to her that I hadn't passed. She looked as bummed as I did, rubbed my back, and told me we were on to the next song, called "Anything". I hadn't practiced this song yet and when we went through the lyrics, I was kind of shocked.

"God can do anything, anything and everything, there ain't nothing he can not do. God can do anything, anything and everything. He can do anything but FAIL." 

We sang through the song and I was almost annoyed... Really, God?! I just fail my exam and we're singing praise about how you can't fail anything? Do you ever have those moments where you kind of feel like God is being a little more than obvious about something? I had that moment at choir practice, as we sung the song "Anything."

So after choir, my mom could tell that I was pretty bummed out and she asked me to go sit with her in the car to chat. I basically burst into tears the second I shut her car door. I didn't understand the way things were going. I felt lost and unsure about my future in anything... and all my mom could do was try to comfort me the best she could. I do remember her saying to me, "Case, even though it doesn't seem like it tonight, God has something BIG in store for you-- something beyond your wildest dreams. You just have to trust and have faith that he will work everything out for good!" You know how it goes sometimes when moms give advice, I gave her a little hug, mumbled a "Thanks, mom...." and got into my own car for the drive home. I appreciated what she had to say, but really just felt like being sad for a minute.

I got home and really just wanted to crash and so I headed straight to my bedroom. That's when I noticed this note on my pillow...

Little did I know that the very next day, not only would I be offered the substitute job, but I would also be getting engaged. And God, in his funny way, proved his faithfulness in everything once again.

After the engagement night was over, I went to bed around 3 a.m. after a full night of celebration. I was exhausted, and yet there was another note on my pillow that just about moved me to tears from my mom...

I love my mom :) Mostly I am just grateful that she was encouraging and really speaking the truth into me the night before when I was really struggling to make sense of ANYTHING... If you're wondering, I sang that song with a smile on my face Sunday morning, because I knew that the words were true. God really can do anything, and will do anything for those who love him. I learn that more and more each day that I'm alive! I still feel so blessed, and I am so excited for what's to come in the near future.

*****

For those that are wondering, we have not yet set a date (that's the most common question I've gotten in the last few days). Right now, we are thinking this upcoming summer. Today we had our first official planning day by 1... heading to the jeweler to figure out a few things (my ring needs to get resized) 2... planning out a first round guest list and 3... discussing photography. After about 3 hours, we have our guest list down to a somewhat reasonable number. Also, we realized my side of the family alone, just EXTENDED family, is 59 people. You think that's big... The Wahl clan comes to a whopping 90 people. Put that together and you already get 149 with just our families... so yea. We love our families, and there is a lot of family, so we are probably going to have a decent sized wedding. Unfortunately, it sounds like it is going to take at least a week to resize my ring, and since our dear friends Molly and CJ are tying the knot this weekend, I want to have my engagement ring to be able to show people. Can you blame me? :) So that is where we are at. Planning is a lot of work, I am learning that just four days in. But it's completely fun as I expected it to be. What a crazy ride we're on together!

9/23/11

About a month ago, Dusty and I went on a little trip to Stillwater, MN for some ice cream and decided to drive around. If you've never been to Stillwater, you are seriously missing out. It's been one of my favorite MN destinations since I was a little kid... I love the river walk and the cute little shops and just the quaint-ness of it all! Well, if you know Stillwater, then you surely know it's Wisconsin counterpart, Hudson, just across the river by way of the Stillwater Lift bridge. Hudson was a popular Sunday afternoon family trip that we Millers would take growing up.. mainly because it's one of my dad's favorite places to fly fish and my mom and sister and I loved the shops downtown. The whole area of MN-WI small towns right on the border= amazing!!

Well back to our trip, I tried to convince Dusty that we should just spontaneously head over to Wisconsin (it was at about 9 p.m.) just for a random adventure. Dust wasn't really having it and just wanted to go home. I was kind of bummed but I told him that eventually, someday, we had to do a Wisconsin trip... just random and out of the blue! He reluctantly agreed.

Fast forward to last weekend- Dusty had his cousins, Kevin and Lindsey in town from Iowa to celebrate the first birthday of their beautiful little daughter, Ayehush. There was a big huge party at the Wahl house with tons of family from Dusty's side and at the end of the night, Dust and I, Callie and Andy, and Kevin and Lindsey hung out in the living room for a couple hours just chatting when Dusty started to crack jokes about getting engaged. Now, keep in mind, I am kind of an emotional basket case when it comes to talking marriage because I will admit that I'd been wanting it for awhile. I was trying very hard to be patient but sometimes (okay, majority of the time) I would get really sick of waiting and put a little a lot of pressure on Dust to just finally ask. Dusty, being the unique and equally stubborn as I am person that he is, told me that I simply would have to wait and that everything, when it happened, would be a complete surprise. Not what I wanted to hear, but whatever. Anyway, that night, Dust was started to hysterically laugh talking about how I better not hold my breath thinking anything's coming soon... he actually once said that he could use the money in his engagement ring fund to buy "two McDoubles" (direct quote) to which the entire room CRACKED up... except for me. My blood was BOILING!! I was so upset and angry with him that I wanted to slap him across the face!! I couldn't believe he'd be so inconsiderate that he'd joke like that in front of his family... and on the other hand, I couldn't believe that his family thought this was so funny!

Little did I know that earlier that day, Dusty had actually PURCHASED my engagement ring, told all four family members, and was throwing in jokes (still not sold on whether I think this is actually funny or just plain cruel!) to throw me off. Literally, after that conversation, I was convinced that I was dating the guy with forever cold feet.. and I was pretty mad at him. Later in the night he apologized to me for being a good sport, and I scolded him for a long time (overnight, in fact) for being inconsiderate and mean about something that I take very seriously. Looking back on it now, I actually feel bad- considering that he had let in his family on what was going to take place, and the ring was purchased.... wow!!!

So earlier this week, Dust asked me if I was busy Friday night and I had no plans. He wanted to take me on a date because we hadn't been out together for a nice date in a long time. I was all for it considering I had worked four days in a row from 6 am til 2. Friday came and I got off work and asked Dust what I should wear, for any inkling of what might be taking place that night. I literally had NO idea what was in store for the evening.

Then that afternoon about 3 p.m., I got a call from the high school I student taught at... offering me a job teaching history classes for a teacher who will soon be gone on maternity leave!! Literally a shock-- and so amazing!! I accepted their offer and KNEW that since Dust was surprising me with our date plans, I had to surprise him with this awesome news. I also called everyone I knew close to me, parents, siblings, Dusty's mom, his sister... To tell them the great news- I got a job! However, their reactions were weird... When they answered the phone, they acted like they knew I had something BIG to tell them. I didn't think much of it, and headed over to Dusty's house for the first part of our date- Lion King in 3D!!

I forgot how much I loved this movie from my childhood as I looked to my right and saw a little girl snuggled in her dad's lap (my dad took me to this movie when it first came out almost 18 years ago) and listening to the music made me feel like a little kid again. Dusty was silent and kind of on edge the entire movie.  We have terrible luck in that every time we go out to the movies, those sitting close to us feel the need to verbally express every emotion and thought with every passing minute- didn't change with Lion King. The girl behind us was pretty distracting (not to mention about 20 years old) and Dust was getting pretty annoyed. I actually thought it was kind of funny and was curious as to why he was so upset about it, but I shook it off and the movie ended. We got in the car and I asked what the next phase of the date was, even though I knew that we were headed to Wisconsin :)

Sure enough, that was the plan. Dusty explained that we could go to dinner, or go do something he had planned that would only take "20 minutes or so." I didn't really care but at this point I was pretty hungry, but Dust decided that our little "activity" would be best to do first. So.. off we drove across the Stillwater bridge into Hudson, Wisconsin. I KNEW IT! I was pretty pumped up, but really curious as to what we'd be doing. I'd assumed we'd just kinda drive around and then head back into MN. Dust explained that we would be doing something illegal and dangerous, and also mentioned that we could get into huge trouble. Okay-- by this point I was really confused. I had no clue what those descriptions meant, but knew that if Dust had planned it out, it had to be interesting.

So by this point, we pulled up to a house for sale along the St. Croix river... a vacant home with nobody living in it. It was a pretty cool house with an awesome view, and I was pretty intrigued when we first got there. I still thought nothing of it as I was on my phone, tweeting, and looking across the street as Dusty told me to stay put while he set some things up. Again, no clue in my mind as to what was about to happen. He came and got me from the car and brought me to the roof of the abandoned home- you can actually climb on top of it!! When we got on top of the roof, I saw a set up blanket and a lantern, nicely planted by Dust minutes before. I asked if we should sit down, and he said no. We started to talk -- First, he explained that he was excited to be there with me because he knew how much I wanted to visit Wisconsin and he was happy to be able to do something like that for me on our date. Dust then apologized for the previous weekend, making fun of getting engaged/married and said that he had been a huge jerk (Ya think!!!) He went on that he took engagement very seriously and didn't want to joke about it any longer- he also explained that he WANTED to marry me, and knew that he loved me (I was still unaware at this point- I am somewhat oblivious don't ya think?!) I nodded and just kind of went along with what he was saying- until he started to mumble and kind of mix up his words... That was when I started to think that something was up. He then got down on one knee, pulled the ring box out from under the blanket, and said those four words....

"Will you marry me??"

Me: ...... ARE YOU SERIOUS?!

I honestly could NOT believe it. I was totally shocked. When Dusty finally made it clear that this was in fact for real, I screamed YES! Jumped into his arms and hugged him for about 2 full minutes, laughing, crying, giggling, tearing up again, jumping up and down, and repeating WE'RE ENGAGED about a million times. It was literally completely perfect. I was wearing a gorgeous diamond ring on my finger, completely alone with the most amazing guy on the planet, just reveling in the fact that he asked me to marry him, and so thankful. We looked out on the river at the most beautiful sunset, and it was then that I realized how amazing God's timing and plan is. I had a job and a fiance within a matter of hours, after weeks of uncertainty toward what life held in store for me. Pretty sweet how this all panned out :)

Not only that- but I now realized how everything had been working out the week before- Dusty's attempt to throw me off by joking with his family the previous weekend, my family's reactions to me telling them about the job... it was crazy. I still can not believe it. I am totally shocked and excited and just unbelievably happy to be marrying the man of my dreams, my best friend, and my absolute favorite person. I know how cheesy that probably sounds but I can't think of any other way to describe the man that I've found in Dusty. He is perfect for me and I feel so lucky to be the one he wants to marry. Not only that, but I'm getting a pretty sweet deal in his family as well. I am absolutely thrilled to officially be a part of the Wahl clan. My family (as you can imagine) is so incredibly excited as well. Dusty asked for my dad's permission earlier last week and since then, my mom described that she feels like her and dad won the lottery. That makes me so happy to know my parents love Dusty so much. What a blessing!!

So that, in a nutshell, is the story of how the love of my life asked me to marry him. I wanted to write it out so that friends and family who aren't here to hear all the details can get the story... and let's be serious, I wanted to brag about how great this was :) I was totally shocked. It literally could not have been more of a surprise. I am so blessed. THANK YOU GOD!!!

Oh and I will add details as they come- for now we are just enjoying this time together and so excited about what has happened this weekend. It's been quite the celebration and I have felt so much love from so many- friends, family, and even a few strangers! Life is pretty great and I will never forget this day. It was perfect in so many ways. I love you Dust! You made me the happiest person alive for pulling off that surprise-- even if you had to do a few things to throw me off. Good job! I wouldn't have changed a thing!!

Right after he asked-- Happy couple!

The most perfect engagement ring- I had no say in any of it, he did it all himself! Not bad, don't you think??

Against the rooftop of the abandoned house- WE ARE ENGAGED!!

Mr and Mrs- soon to be anyway :)

Skol.

The following post strictly contains my angry rant opinion on what the future holds for Minnesota football. Read on if I have sparked your interest.

This is my first year belonging to a Fantasy Football League. To be quite honest, I have NO idea what I'm doing. I know I drafted a somewhat decent team, despite the fact that they haven't allowed me to win against the "teams" I've played in the last two weeks.... But! I have a team stocked full of Packers. Aaron Rodgers. Dennis Driver. Greg Jennings. The Packers Defense. I've been told those choices are pretty solid.

The question you are probably asking yourself, like I have been for the past few weeks- "WHAT IS SHE THINKING?" A Minnesotan, tried and true, pledging Fantasy Football allegiance to members of the Green Bay Packers???!

Here's the thing.

I've lost all hope in the Vikings.

I thought we had it two years ago when Favre spent his first season in the purple and gold. But like all good things... that came to an end. The multiple embarrassments of last season (Childress can't decipher a good challenge flag, Favre gets caught sexting, Childress gets fired, Favre beats interception record by 5000, Randy Moss: the Rise and fall) really have got me to thinking if I very seriously should consider pledging my loyalty to another team. It didn't help matters much this past Sunday, when apparently the Vikes didn't realize that you do in fact have to attempt to keep winning into the second half of a football game. Sadly... we did fall victim to the smarmy group of pirate Buccaneers.

Happier Times in 2009... my sister in her T-Jack jersey (useless now)

Where can the Vikings bring happiness now? I dream of a year when the Vikings were the beam of hope this great state needed to carry us through another harsh winter. A year when the Metrodome was sold out to the thousands of fans boldly waving their PURPLE PRIDE towels while hoisting beer into the air, clashing with horned braided drunkards.... Shouting SKOOOOOOLLLLLL VIKINGS with no shame. I dream of the year: 1998.

It was the best of times.... It was the worst of times (Ventura was elected governor that year, after all). But Minnesota had a winning NFL team. Who could forget those days when the Cunningham jerseys weren't faded into a nearly violet purple? When Randy Moss was the rookie WR we had been waiting for? When Denny Green was a household name? When Will Smith provided the tune for a hit KDWB morning show song??

Man... those really were the good old days. Now I'm stuck in a time period of utter despair... where we acquire yet another washed up old quarterback who's glory days are long behind him. Where we have to get rid of a starting defense men because he's too fat. Where each week I shudder to think of whether it could get any worse... Is there hope for the Vikings? Is there hope for Minnesota sports? Do I dare say that I'm going to have to start cheering for the Lynx because I've lost my faith in all other professional sports teams here? Do I dare say that I have to search elsewhere in the Midwest for another team to cheer on??

I could be a Lions fan? Clearly they do exist....

What's a girl to do... when I've already turned my back on my team to try and make something of myself in the world of Fantasy Football. When I can't help but revert to the glory days of 4th grade when the Vikings seemed to be truly the Kings of the world... When life was just plain better for everybody. Come on Vikes. Turn it around.

At least give me reason to believe in the Packers, only for the sole purpose of boosting my fantasy team.