Rulo Wedding 6-28-08

Trying on dresses # 1!!!

Last night when Jason and I got back from IL, my mom thought it would be fun if we went to the Bridal Shoppe in Festus. I had a follow up eye appointment in Festus, so she thought it would be a good day to just browse. Since Kelly (future mother in law) is off on Monday's, we called and invited her along also. So my mom, Kelly, Hannah and I all went to "just browse."

Once I got in there, I really wanted to try some on, so Kelly and I started looking through the racks and pulling out dresses that I wanted to try on. I ended up with six of them to try on. One of the ladies at the Bridal Shoppe helped me into all of my dresses. I tried three or four until I found my favorite...which you'll definitely be able to tell which one was my favorite by the pictures! I liked the others I tried on, but once I put this one dress on, I really wanted it! I walked out and my mom and Kelly loved it. Meanwhile, each dress I tried on, Hannah (our flower girl) kept saying, "Cole...pretty dress!" She's so cute. She was having plenty of fun on her own. She tried on two dresses and some shoes! haha So back to my favorite dress...I didn't want to change out of it. The lady that was helping me with the dresses said since I liked it so much, I had to get "the full effect." That meant she gave me this absolutely beautiful teardrop veil and a tiara. Oh boy...I got teary eyed. I asked my mom and Kelly, "Okay...am I supposed to be crying already?!?" lol All I could picture was me in the dress and walking down the aisle and Jason waiting at the other end. Ah... I cannot wait!!!

I tried on six all together, and I did like the others, but I didn't like the others as much. My dad saw the pictures and so did Jason...and they both liked my dress the best, too. Of course they could have just been saying it to say it...but I think they were serious. Jason joked, "Well I also dont' have ten pictures of each dress like this one to compare it to!" Of course this is just the first time I've tried them on, so I may find something completely different somewhere else that I like even more. So far though...that's the one. Isn't it pretty? Enjoy the pics and let me know what you think! :)

Love,
Cole

P.S. Jason, I can't wait to marry you! I love you, babe!

Happy Father's Day!

Since today is Father's Day, I just wanted to write a little something to show my appreciation for some of the men in my life today that I look up to. Perhaps I'm being a little unfair because I did not do this for Mother's Day. Considering we had our boys to take back home and we got engaged on Mother's Day...my mind was in other places!

For any family that does not already know, Jason and I have decided to make the move to IL to be with our kids. I say "our" because I feel like that's what they are. The word "our" holds more validity now than it did before. The reason I bring this up in the Father's Day post is because it will affect my dad, as well as my future husband, who is an amazing father himself.

Even though my dad doesn't read my blog consistently, I know he checks in from time to time. He doesn't have to read it because we talk a lot. He mostly checks in to see the pictures of the kids, I think. I begin with my dad because no matter what, he is and always will be the most important man in my life. My dad and I have not always had the relationship that we have had the past few years. I cannot begin to tell you how thankful I am to have the relationship I have with my dad today. Growing up, I was always a daddy's girl. Still today, I am my father's daughter and I am more than proud to say that. I love my dad very much and I'm so thankful to have such a strong person in my life. Simply because I don't say it enough: Dad, I love you. I look up to you and I am proud to say that there is so much of you in me. I know you travel a lot with your job and I don't get to see you as often as I'd like.

The decision to move to IL has been difficult for certain reasons. I don't get to see you much now as it is. When I'm in IL, it will be even less. I just want you to know that no matter how many miles apart we are, or whether my last name is Flamm or Gleason, I am your little girl forever. Thank you for all of the advice you've given me. Thank you for spending hours on the phone with me while in your hotel room just because I want to talk.

Dad, I have never had to wonder if I make you proud because you've always told me so. Usually it was because of my grades or my singing or writing ability. While all of those things are important to me and I have accomplished so much because of them...I hope that I make you proud as a mother. I hope you see me and know how happy I am and that this is the best job on Earth. Shawn has already called you grandpa and that made me so happy. I love you dad...Happy Father's Day.


Because Father's Day landed on a non-IL weekend, the kids and I celebrated Father's Day with Jason last weekend. I know I talk about Jason a lot in my blogs...but right now I'm just going to talk some more! Jason is the one person that knows my every thought that crosses my mind about those three children. He knows the joy, the pain, the laughter, and the emptiness I feel when we leave. I have been making the trips to IL for about 10 months now. Believe it or not, (Jason belives it!), the majority of the trips back "home" (MO) have been spent with me crying because I feel so much pain and frustration when we drop the kids off at their house. Only someone in similar shoes can relate. I know how painful it is to be on the side I'm on. I don't even want to think about being on the other side.

Each time a tear has fallen down my cheek, Jason has been there wiping them away and holding my hand. He has offered so many words of encouragement and I try so hard to listen and be comforted. Sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn't. I cannot begin to tell you all that I have learned by watching him. Is walking into a relationship with a single dad who has three children that live in another state the ideal thing to do? Most people thought I was crazy. To quote Josh Gracin, "We weren't crazy." I have found so much more than I ever thought was possible in this man that I call my future husband. I have found truth and love, among so many others. I see the father he is and the selfless acts he performs for the betterment of his children and I fall in love with him even more every day. He has offered words of advice to me. Sure, I love kids. But I stepped into this role all of a sudden without much experience. I'll admit to being a little lost at times. When I'm unsure what to do, I ask Jason.

I am a better person because of Jason, and also a better "parent-in-training." On the nights where I have just sat and cried because I felt like I was nothing to those children and I so desperately wanted to be more, he sat with me holding me and making me realize that those children adore and love me. When I have gotten upset because of how much Jasmine looks like her mother, he tells me that's why it's important that I keep going...so she has another female to look up to. Another mom-like figure. I look at that young girl and I see her mother and it just kills me. I try so hard to listen to Jason because I know he is right. (There I said it! lol) His strength and resiliant character is something I look up to because I wish I could be more like him in those ways.

Jason, I know you don't hear it as often as you should, but you are an amazing father, and I love you. Thank you for all that you've taught me thus far. And thank you in advance for what you will teach me in the future.

Before I go, I can't leave out some other very important people: my grandpa, my uncle Dan, and my soon to be father n law, John. I hope all of you have a wonderful Father's Day!


Love always,
Cole :)

Women of Faith Conference 2008

As a few of you already know, I was invited to go along with Kelly and John's church to the Women of Faith Conference this year. There were 5 girls that shared a hotel room at the Marriot. A special thanks to the church because they were gracious enough to pay for our hotel room that night. You can see by the pics it was a very nice room. It kind of looked like a small apartment.

We met everyone that was going to the conference for dinner at Casa Gaillardo's. I'm probably not spelling that correctly, but I don't really care. It's almost 1:00 in the morning and I wanted to get this done while I thought about it! So anyway, we arrived at the hotel shortly after dinner long enough to admire the beauty of the room and drop off our bags. We had a shuttle service that transported us from the hotel to the Scott Trade Center both days. Friday night around 7:00pm was the pre-conference. It was the first time Kelly and I had ever been to the W.O.F. Conference, so we weren't entirely sure what to expect. They had several female speakers and a male speaker. The male speaker, Steve Arterburn is the founder of Women of Faith. I enjoyed everyone that spoke because they made me laugh, cry, smile, sing...and sometimes all at the same time. Yes, I'll admit, I was brought to tears a few times. Great speakers. They also had several artists: Natalie Grant, Nicole C. Mullin, Sandi Patty, Sheila Walsh, Ayeisha Woods and more. I loved all of them, but I think I was most impressed by Natalie Grant. Her voice was amazing. I was jealous of her voice! She was hitting notes that I just couldn't even imagine. I loved it!

We went back to the hotel around 10:00pm that night and sat up and chatted for a while. I was the first one to go to sleep at 12:30. I heard the rest of the ladies stayed up until 1:30pm talking. No thanks! lol I was also the first one up. I set my alarm for 6:00 and since everyone else's was set for 6:30, I hopped in the shower first.

About 8:00 we went downstairs to the breakfast room where they had a great variety of breakfast foods: waffles, pancakes, eggs, sausage (links and patties), potatos, toast, bagels, cereal, fruit, and all sorts of other foods. I went up for seconds. The potatos were the best...okay, I digress. We left for the second day of the conference. The conference lasted from 9:00am-5:00pm Saturday night. I had a lot of fun and even learned some this weekend.

Again, I extend my thank you to Kelly for inviting me along. This is the lovely Kelly "posing" on the bed. lol I wish I would have taken more pics...but this is what I have:

Virginia BBQ

This past weekend in IL, we thought it would be fun to go to the 42nd annual Virginia BBQ. Grandma Stella, Laken and I took the kids to the parde Saturday morning. They had a lot of fun with that. Of course all they were concerned about was the candy they got to chase after. Later that night, Jason and I took them to ride some of the rides. They all went on the big slide, the cars, the monster spin-around thing...and I don't remember what else...

After the parade, I brought the kids back and had them help make dinner for Jason. I was trying to do some sort of Father's Day thing for him. So the kids and I made pigs in a blanket. I figured that would be something easy and fun for them to make. They seem to really like when I let them help me cook. Then I had a little bag of goodies for the kids to give their dad. It makes me feel bad that we miss certain holiday's, but I do what I can to make them special anyway. After all, he proposed to me on Mother's Day...there's no way I could top that with anything. lol

That was basically our weekend. As always, I can't wait for the next one! I hope this finds everyone doing well.

Enjoy the pics! Also featured in the pics is Blayke, which is Jason's cousin. And that's grandma holding him. Laken is Jason's cousin too, and Blayke's big sister. She's so sweet.

P.S. Jasmine got her hair cut recently. She donated it to Locks of Love. I love her new hair cut...she's looks so adorable and grown up!

Love,
Cole

-Tigger-

I decided to make Tigger an appointment at the vet to get him neutered. He's had a major attitude lately, so we thought that might "fix" some of his problem. After calling around, I decided I would take him to the vet that my family normally goes to--Animal House in Arnold. Tigger's appointment was this past Monday. My mom was off on Monday, so we took him to the vet around 8 in the morning to drop him off. We were told he should be done about 4:00. Since Tigger was registered under Glen, I had his last name switched over. I explained my brother had the cat before I did. We also warned him that the last time he was there, he got the vet...so be careful. The vet. assistant assured us that he'd be fine. We left call back numbers and I asked for them to please give me a call if something happens.

About 10:30 I get a call from the vet. Tigger was ALREADY neutered. How funny is that? Apparently Glen had got him neutered at some point when he had him. Glen thought he did, but he couldn't remember for sure. Well, obviously, he did! They told me that they had to charge me for the anesthesia because they couldn't get anywhere NEAR him without it! They also said he may have an ear infection and he had a tooth that needed to be pulled. Apparently, the pulp of his tooth is exposed and they think that's causing him pain. At the time, I said I'd do the tooth later. After I talked to Jason who said I might as well pay for the tooth to be pulled, I called back and they had already said Tigger was awake and they couldn't "knock him out" that soon again. So in three weeks, he has to go back to get the second part of his distemper shot, and I'll have them fix his tooth problem then.

My mom and I picked Tigger up around 12:30 or so. I walked in and said, "I'm Nicole...Tigger's mom." My mom added, "The one with the attitude." The assistant looked at us and said, "Oh...that one." She showed us a bandage on her hand where Tigger either bit or scratched her. They told us they couldn't get him to walk out of the cat carrier, so they had to put a trash bag around the cat carrier to gas him that way! They said, "I'm sorry he must not like us...it's a shame because he's such a cute cat!" Oh...and when Tigger bit/scratched the girl...he was SEDATED! I joked with my mom on the way out that I'm surprised they didn't call and ask us if they could declaw him while they're at it. After looking at his paws...they had trimmed his nails....for free! That was probably for their own good! Below are some pics of Tigger in his new little cat play center that Jason and I bought him at Walmart. Glen, Daniel, Mom, and I put it together....it was more mom and Glen than anyone, actually. Then there is a picture or two of Tigger after his vet visit with his new collar and tag on. Little does he know he has to go back really soon!

Jason's 24th Birthday!

Memorial Day weekend Jason and I were in IL with the kids. We both had Monday off of work, so we got the chance to stay another day with the kiddos. Since Jason's birthday was the following Sunday (June 1st), I decided to surprise him with a little birthday party. I managed to pack everything I needed for it (cake pan, cake mix, icing and decorations, his gifts, gift bag, etc) without him knowing. Saturday morning, he went into town to get the kids and I stayed back. While he left, I cleaned the house, made the cake, went to the store, and got all of his presents ready to go.

Once Jason got to grandma's house with the kids, I made the kids lunch and pretended as if nothing was going on. Jasmine and Shawn were in the living room watching TV with Jason, and Luke walked past me in the kitchen, so I called him over and said I had a secret for him, but he had to be quiet and not tell anybody. I told him what was going on and asked him if he wanted to help me with the cake. Of course he said yes...so I told Jason to keep the other two in the living room because I was talking to Luke. He asked me what was wrong and I just pretended that there was something wrong. I said, "Nothing...everything is fine...but I need to talk to the other two in a minute...but keep them in there for now." He's asking, "Cole, what's wrong?" I told him I'd talk to him too, in a few minutes. He finally just agrees and goes into the other room. So Luke and I iced the cake. Then I called the other two in to help put candles on. I designed the cake to look like the Wii remote. (Wii is a video game console).

As soon as I call the other two in, Shawn sees the cake and says, "CAKE! BIRTHDAY CAKE!" (Remember when he did that with the bike, LOL!) I told them that the blue bag was from them to give to their dad. Luke asked what was inside, so I told them... and then we called Jason into the dining room. He was actually surprised! I couldn't believe that he didnt' suspect anything, but he didn't. He sits down and Shawn hands him the blue bag and says, "Dad it's from me...it's a game!" LOL Jasmine gets upset and says, "SHAWN! WHY DID YOU TELL DAD IT WAS A VIDEO GAME!" Then we looked at Jasmine and laughed and she went, "Oops!" LOL I didn't take any pictures because I forgot to charge my camera.

"Will You Marry Me?" in IL!

As many of you already know, on Sunday, May 11th (Mother's Day) was one of the best days of my life because Jason proposed to me. On Sunday after we left my parents house, we took the kids to get new shoes and then we started on our way to Alton to meet grandma with the kids. On our way to IL, I see Jason fidgeting with something. His mom had called me, and I told her that Jason was hiding something from me. I managed to see it was a black (or so I thought) box. Of course I had hoped there was a ring inside of it, but I was trying not to get my hopes up in case it wasn't. Later on, Jason said that he was trying to put the ring box in his pocket and he thought I'd be distracted enough talking on the phone that he could do that...but when he put the box under his leg to then move it to his left pocket, I saw it...oops.

I got off the phone and I'm asking him over and over again what the black box is. He says he doesn't have a black box and doesn't know what I'm talking about. I'm getting tears in my eyes already because I know he's trying to cover himself up and he knows that I know what's in the box. So finally, he admits to the box...but it was a dark navy blue, not black. So he's holding my hand...and (since I ruined everything!) asks me if I will marry him! I cried when I saw the box because then I knew for sure what was inside. Then I cried when I saw the ring...and I cried even more when he finally asked me. I thought I said yes, but apparently it was more of a tear-filled nod! And then he told me that he had like three different ways planned of how to ask me and present the ring and he was just playing it by ear trying to see which one would work best for the moment...and accidently, I saw the box and ruined all of his plans. I felt bad for that...however, he did say that he thought it would be perfect to ask me to marry him on Mother's Day because by saying yes, I would be a step mom to his children. I thought that was really sweet.

So I spent the rest of the trip back home calling a ton of people. I called my mom first, who I made cry accidently. When she answered, I was so excited and I'm saying, "Guess what? Guess what?" over and over again. She starts crying because I sound hysterical on the phone and she's trying to figure out what's wrong. She knew we were going to IL and then back to MO, so she figured we had gotten into an accident or something. She's crying and going, "Are you guys okay?!?" I'm like, "Yeah...we're fine!" She's going, "Then why are you screaming?" I said, "Because I'm excited!!!!" After I told her, she calmed down and was really excited for us. I then called my dad and the list went from there. When Jason called his dad, he had actually predicted that Jason and I would be engaged before summer...so that was kind of cool. His brother is in the Navy and asked us to wait until he's home so he can see everything.

Then I got on Myspace and started telling people on there and I sent an email to everyone at my church, and Jason and I received countless congrats and wishes. Everyone has been really supportive. One of the coolest things though was what my work did for us. That Monday that I got back to work, one of my co-workers, Valerie, handed me a card. It had this cute little poem in there about a congrats on your engagement. I assumed it was just from her. I opened it up and there's 17 signatures all together from people that I work with...in the pharmacy, managers, cosmetics, photo...everything. I thought it was really sweet.

When we got back to MO we went to the jeweler to see about getting my ring sized. The lady told me she'd have to send it off for a week to get sized. Jason said I looked like I was going to cry. She looked at me and asked, "Are you okay with that or do you want to hold on to it a little longer?" I said, "Well, I just got it like an hour and a half ago!" So she gave me one of those sizer things for the time being, so I could show my ring off. Finally, last Thursday night at work, I was in the drive-thru and my sizer broke. So, last Friday I took my ring in to get sized. I should have it back in a few days. I miss my ring though! For those that haven't seen pictures of it...here they are.

We've both been getting a lot of questions as to when and where our wedding will take place. The answer is...we have no idea yet! lol My mom has been driving me NUTS asking all of these questions and I don't have any answers. But I'm sure she's really excited, so I can't blame her. Right now there is a lot up in the air, so we'll let everybody know when we start figuring things out. As of now, we're both just happy and in love and enjoying this time right now. :)

Oh, one other thing that was kind of funny...Jason's step-dad John, always jokes around that if Jason doesn't marry me, he will. He thinks a lot of me. So after I called Kelly, I called John and said, "John...I just wanted to let you know that I can't marry you." He starts laughing and says, "Well I know...there are laws." LOL And I said, "Yes...but the reason I say that is because I'm marrying Jason!" Then he caught what I was getting at and it was kind of funny. After that, we went to my aunt and uncle's house for a quick visit and to show my ring off. Then we had planned on going out to eat, but we were so occupied with calling people and visiting (my mom asked us to come by the house while we were out), we weren't too concerned about where we went...and also because the restaurant we wanted to go to was already closed! Oh well...another time! :)

Mud in MO!

I know it's been several weeks since I have posted anything new. Mother's Day weekend, we had the rare opportunity of bringing the kids to MO for a special weekend. Grandma met Kelly and I halfway in Alton to pick up the boys. Jasmine was not able to go because of school. Kelly and I picked up the boys who had dirty hands and faces from doughnuts...too cute though. On our way back to MO, we stopped at Kmart and then had lunch. I had never been to the restaurant Kelly took us too, but it's in Fenton up there in the bluffs. I can't think of the name of it right now...O'Charly's, maybe? GOOD FOOD!

While we were so close to my mom's work, we took the boys inside so my mom could meet the kids that I always talk about. They ran around the store a little bit...and then we went to Kelly and John's house and waited for Jason to get home from work. We didn't do a whole lot that first night...just all hung out and enjoyed spending time with the kids.

Saturday was the special day....the Mud Run. For those that don't know what I'm talking about, a mud run is basically this huge field where people take their trucks and "play vehicles" and just drive around slinging mud everywhere. I had never been to one before, but it sounded like fun. John drove in his truck with Kelly and their daughter Hannah up in the front. Jason held onto Luke and I held onto Shawn in the back of the truck bed. As soon as we started going, all I could do was laugh because Shawn was making funny faces because he didn't know what was going on and he was getting mud on him and he was whining. So I put my hand over his eyes to make sure that wasn't a problem and I guess that made him feel better not getting on his face. Both of the boys loved it! We all got pretty muddy...well, those of us in the back, anyway. I will have pictures to follow...

Saturday night, Jason and I left the mud run a little early with the kids to bring them back and get us all cleaned up because we were planning on having Luke's birthday that night. After a while of scrubbing mud off the kids and myself...we got things ready to go for Luke's birthday. The big present we bought him was a bike. Complete with a batman helmet and pads. We did the cake first...which I made and then Jason and I decorated. We had dinosaurs and tress and rocks on the cake. Luke loved it! Then we started giving him his other presents...some coloring stuff, puzzles...then the helmet and pads. He said, "It's a helmet!" Then he just liked of looked like, "Well...what do I do now?" We asked him what the helmet was for. He said, "A bike! But I don't have one." So then Jason went out to the garage and we had Luke close his eyes and brought in the bike. The funniest part was that Jason has the bike in the kitchen, Luke's eyes are closed and Shawn looks at the bike and yells, "A BIKE!!!" So much for the surprise! lol

Then on Sunday morning, Jason brought the boys up to my house so my dad could meet them. As I'm walking the boys into my house, I said, "Now I have a few people I want you to meet." Shawn says, "Who Cole?" I told him my mom and dad. I reminded him he met my mom at the store a few days ago and he says, "I like your mom!" Everything at my house went great...I made spaghetti, which my immediate family loves, but I didn't know how kid-friendly my version would be...and they loved it and asked for seconds, so that made me feel good. I think one of the coolest parts of the time at my house was Shawn was playing with a toy at our table and he dropped it. My dad picked it up for him and put it back on the table and Shawn looks over and says, "Thank you, Grandpa!" HOW COOL IS THAT? He said that completely on his own! The boys thought it was so cool that they got to go to my house, meet my parents, see my room, and meet my cat! The rest of Sunday deserves it's own post all together. Stay tuned! ;)