Mrs. Lauren Marie Wilkinson Adams

I had a few minutes to spare, so I looked up how to change my name. I found some good info here.

Here is their list "of four basic steps to new-name nirvana."
1. Get Proof
Arm yourself with a certified marriage license -- be sure it has a raised seal, which means it's authentic. Call the office where your license was filed to get copies if they aren't automatically sent to you.

2. Set Social Security Straight
Contact the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213; an automated system will talk you through the name change process. Your new card will be free -- if you're contacted by a company that claims to do this for a fee, don't buy it. These companies have nothing to do with the SSA and should be reported to authorities.

3. Motor on Down to the DMV
Visit the Department of Motor Vehicles, which requires you to make a personal appearance (read: wait in line). Bring a book to read and every form of identification you can lay your hands on. No matter what, do not forget your certified marriage license.

4. Fill in the Blanks
Once you have a social security card and driver's license in your married name, other changes should be fairly easy. Some institutions only require a phone call; others may ask for a copy of your marriage certificate or social security card. Be sure to notify:
Friends and family
Employers/payroll
Post office
Phone company and other utilities
Banks and other financial institutions
Credit card companies
Schools and alumni associations
Voter registration
Passport (Do not do this before the wedding -- your passport name must match the name on your ticket and all other travel documents! It's easier to take your honeymoon with your maiden name.)
Mortgages and leases
Wills
Insurance policies
Magazine subscriptions

Wow - it is SO close!!

I can't believe how long it has been since my last post! Time is flying by - and I can hardly keep up! I took Monday off from school, and I was actually able to knock quite a bit off of the to-do list! I emailed our pastor, organist, photographers, cake-baker cousin, picked up the marriage license worksheet (there is a 3-day wait before we receive the real deal!), dropped vases off at the florist, called the DJ and the vet, ordered the guestbook...hmmm...I think there may even be more!

I am SO SO SO excited!!! Only two more weekends to finish planning...but I am lucky and only have 6 more days of school, so technically I will have a full Friday to Friday to work on the "wedding to-dos" without having to worry about papers, lesson planning, grades, etc. - thank goodness!

We are trying to decide what to do for the door at the church - kind of an afterthought. Mom and I like this...


Nick and I are attending Jamie and Renee's wedding on Saturday - it will be the last wedding we go to before we are married ourselves! Nick's job will be to continue to take "mental notes" like he did at Katie and Clint's BEAUTIFUL wedding two weeks ago! It was SO good to see my college friends at the Moss' wedding! Here are some highlights:

Next month...

Now that it is officially May, we can say that we are getting married next month! One month from Wednesday - WOW! Time sure does fly!

This weekend has been SO busy! I didn't have school yesterday, so that helped a little bit! Nick and I worked out, and then we went downtown to pick out our rings and make thank you notes. We finally made a decision on Nick's ring! It looks something like this......except his will "have some bling" - we added four diamonds!

Last night, Mom and I went through some of our to-do lists, and we made some of the reception decorations. I need to finalize some of the program wording and prepare to have them printed. I also need to make a list of time-sensitive to-dos and to-dos that can wait until I am done with the semester!

Today I had to wake up EARLY to go the Free State and finish up some planning. Then, I worked out and showered before my last shower. Some of my mom's friends had a beautiful shower for me, and it was SO good to see everyone! I had not seen some of the guests in months! The food was fabulous, the decorations were beautiful, and the company was wonderful: )

beautiful table!

Mrs. Adams and the future Mrs. Adams; )


me, Mom, and the hostesses (Marsha, Lanny, and Sandie)

After the shower, Nick and I ate dinner with Butch and Judy and friends. Then, we sorted pictures at Judy and Butch's and took some home with us. Nick hooked up a scanner Judy passed along to us (thank you!) while I wrote thank you notes. Then, I scanned a few pictures before tiring out completely! I am pooped! Tomorrow I have a busy morning grading, lesson planning, washing clothes, and working out. Then, we are headed to Tara's to finalize our cake - YAY!!! I'll finish the weekend at Brandon Woods...and hopefully grade a little more before bed! BUSY - but worth it; )

Old pictures; )

I am in the process of scanning pictures for the guestbook and slideshow. Here are a few of my favorite Nick pictures...: )

Where did the weekend go?

I really do not have time to write this, but I have a minute or two before heading to Brandon Woods.

This weekend was busy - but fun: )

I worked at Brandon Wood's Friday night, and then Nick and I tried to watch a movie that I am showing this week in class. He watched it...while I slept! I fell asleep around 9:15! I tried SO hard to stay awake, but I just couldn't do it: (

Saturday I worked out in the morning and worked at Free State in the afternoon. Then, last night, some of Nick's family friends held a couples shower for us! It was a lot of fun - once we finally reached the shower! There was a tornado warning (sirens and everything!) just a few minutes before it was time to leave! Nick and I headed over to Butch and Judy's to seek shelter! I was still in rollers and not dressed! The storm was rather mild compared to some we have had in the past, but - sadly - this was just the first one of the stormy season: ( Hopefully we won't have one on the wedding day now that we've dealt with this one!
The food was delicious! We had "Poor Boy Tacos" - one of our favorites - for dinner and brownies and ice cream (YUM!) for dessert! We are so thankful to have such loving and generous family and friends!

Today I ran TWO 5K races! I ran in the Run for Erica this morning, and then I ran in the Dog Jog with Callie, Sarah, Steve, and Chewie. Sadly, Nick was sidelined from his first race because of an achilles injury: ( - but he did come support us! We all had so much fun! It was a bit windy - but we were happy for a race without rain!

Family Photo:

Our new shirts:

Me and Cal after the race:

Only 41 days to go! Mom and I are making centerpieces next weekend! I am excited to cross another item off the endless to-do list!

I am hoping Nick and I can put some sort of song list together next weekend, too. I love, LOve, LOVE this song! I heard it on one of my favorite blogs - Green Wedding Shoes. As much as I love this version, I know that we will have to go with the original - it is a Wilkinson-family favorite!




Obadiah Parker - Hey Ya from Ryu Lekranty on Vimeo.

cake?

Nick and I are meeting with Tara, Nick's cousin (and my soon-to-be cousin!), a week from today about our cake! She is baking it for us, and we are SO excited! Her cakes are amazing - she is definitely VERY talented! We can't wait to see how it turns out! Only six more weeks until we see - and eat - it: )

I really like the way this cake looks! I like the size of the three tiers, and I like the ribbon at the bottom. Our ribbon would be dark red like the bridesmaid dresses. I like the looks of a few flowers - our flowers would be sunflowers!

I like the colors on this cake! I don't think the flowers look very good, though - and there seems to be a lot going on!

Here is a cake with sunflowers. This cake has more flowers than I want, but I like the looks of the yellow flowers popping off the white cake.

This one may have just about the perfect amount of sunflowers. I may want even fewer since we may have the ribbon, too.

I can't decide what to do about a cake topper: ( I'm not sure if I just want to have flowers, or if I'd like to have a letter or something else on top. Sarah has these for her cake...

SO cute! I thought about a small paper or wooden "A". I don't really want the silvery kind. Maybe Mom could make one...hmmm...

hair and make-up

I have hair and make-up appointments made for all the girlies! YAY! We start at 11am. That does not seem TOO early! We found some RIDICULOUS wedding hair pictures, but I think we'll go with something a little more relaxed!

I really like the style below - but not for me. I didn't grow out my hair for no reason!