Kansas Bridal Shower

My Aunt Linda threw me a bridal shower on Sunday, December 28th. It was at the Raymond Baptist Church, in Raymond KS, the town where I grew up. It was a great time to see my family and all my hometown friends! The fellowship hall was decorated with cute yellow accents - we even had yellow cookies and punch! Check out all the pictures on the snapfish group room: troyandaprilswedding.snapfish.com/snapfish (see post below for more information).

I have to give a special thanks to my Aunt Linda, who planned the event. We have had a special bond since infancy when she removed my stinky umbilical cord!

Also, thank you to all the other family members who helped: my grandma, Aunt Deidra, Katy, Haley, Jill, Kaci, my mom, and my sister Nicole.

A Handy Map

Check out our wedding map!
http://aprilandtroy.weddingmapper.com
The map shows how to get to the church, the reception, and other local attractions!

We've Registered! You Can Start Shopping!

We are now registered at Target and Crate & Barrel! Visit www.target.com and www.crateandbarrel.com to see our registries and shop. Of course, you can also shop the old fashioned way and drive to the store!

We made an effort to choose a variety of items that we need and want. Some items are fun and some are serious needs. We thought it might be helpful to point out a few things that we really really need.
Luggage
Iron
Bedding
All Dinnerware
Doghair Vacuum

The Wedding Party

We would like to introduce you to the special people who will be standing at our side on the wedding day.

Matron of Honor:
Nicole Foster, my sister and best friend in the universe!

Bridesmaids:
Stephanie Hirsch, my forever friend from graduate school at Oklahoma State, now living in Houston.
Jamie Gant, roommate and friend from graduate school, now living in Oklahoma.
Courtney Ratliff, wonderful friend, now a social worker in the Air Force, stationed in North Carolina.
Tina Mounts, my first and most awesome friend in Dallas.

Best Man:
Dyron Taylor, long time friend from Georgetown, TX. Best man and friend. PBFL.

Best Man 2:
Connie Miller, brother to the groom and good friend.

Groomsmen:
Jayson Clark, long time friend from Georgetown.
Chris Miller, nephew, although more like a little brother.
Wesley Jones, long time friend from Georgetown.

Flower Girl:
Leslie Boulware, Troy's adorable niece. She is going to be soooo beautiful coming down the aisle!

Ring Bearer:
Domanic Wood, April's sweet nephew. He is so cute about being in the wedding! I think he finally decided it would be okay to carry just the ring and not a sword!

Ushers:
Derek Foster, April's awesome nephew and kindred spirit.
Isaiah Strong, Troy's smart and funny nephew.
These guys are just about exactly the same age, size, and personality! I can't wait to see them together!

Where to Stay? I've Hooked You Up!

If you're coming to the wedding from out of town, I've secured blocks of rooms at special rates at 3 locations. Rooms have been reserved for Thurs. March 12 through Sun. March 15th. Hopefully one of these choices will suit your fancy!

The Magnolia Hotel (Best location and accommodations!)
http://www.magnoliahoteldallas.com/

Queen or Double Queen rooms for $119.00
One Bedroom Suite for $179.00
For Reservations: call 1-888-915-1110; by email at dalres@magnoliahotels.com and refer to Bertram/Miller Wedding
To book online: http://www.magnoliahoteldallas.com/; Go to make a reservation - enter dates and put the following code under the GROUP CODE : BER/MIL+

Must reserve before February 10th
Rate Includes: Hot breakfast buffet, evening reception, bedtime milk and cookies snack

Renaissance Dallas (Just off Interstate 35, nice accommodations)
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/dalbr-renaissance-dallas-hotel/?groupCode=bmwbmwa&app=resvlink

Standard Room for $99.00
For Reservations : call 1 (800) 468-3571 and refer to Bertram/Miller Wedding
Book online at link above.

Must reserve before February 26th

Hilton Garden Inn - Market Center (Just off Interstate 35)
http://hiltongardeninn.hilton.com/en/gi/hotels/index.jhtml;jsessionid=A5RRF2D23UGICCSGBIV2VCQ?ctyhocn=DALMAGI

Single/Double Room for $89.00
For Reservations: call 1-877-782-9444 and refer to Bertram/Miller Wedding or group code 331893
Book online at link above.

Must reserve before February 19th

Please let me know if you have any questions or need advice about which hotel might best meet your needs!

Reception at the City Club!

We've decided to have our reception at the City Club, an awesome venue that sits at the top of the Bank of America building, the tallest building in Dallas. The view of downtown is awesome, the menu looks yummy, it is only a couple blocks from the church, it is within the budget, and I know it will be beautiful! So, it meets all of the poll choices!

Here is a picture of Troy and I in front of the building. We had to have this picture taken with this sculpture when we participated in the Urban Dare yesterday. I'll have more photos soon when I visit another couple's reception.

And The Big Day Will Be . . .

March 14, 2009!!

The wedding will be at First Baptist Church in downtown Dallas. Troy and I have met with the counselor, coordinator, and successfully completed our application, so the date has been set! Below is a picture of another wedding in the chapel where our ceremony will be. It is in the new building on campus and it is really beautiful! For more pictures see fbdweddings.blogspot.com.

Engagement Photos

Our awesome engagement photos can be seen at our snapfish group http://troyandaprilswedding.snapfish.com/snapfish
room code: miller

They aren't all on the page yet, but I'll be adding more soon!

(You can also add your own photos of the wedding or shower to the group!)

Our Engagement Celebration

I think we're happy!!!

Sorry if you couldn't make it to our little celebration, it was a blast!

No Blood On My Beautiful Diamond!!

As many of you know, I've been concerned about the conflict diamond trade for many years. Here is part of the statement from the jewelry store where my diamond was purchased:

"Our Source of Diamonds
We comply with the Kimberley Process and require all our trade suppliers of diamonds and diamond jewelry to provide us with a warranty that they do not supply us with conflict diamonds.
The warranty is as follows:"For any product fabricated from rough diamonds mined from January 1, 2003 onward, the seller warrants that the diamonds have been purchased from legitimate sources not involved in funding conflict and are in compliance with United Nations Resolutions. The seller hereby guarantees that the diamonds are conflict free, based on personal knowledge and/or written guarantees provided by the supplier of these diamonds."

Yippie! Blood diamonds are no good, friends!!

The Story of Our Engagement

On February 14, 2008, Troy and I were engaged! Here's our story!

I wasn't hoping to do much for Valentine's Day - Troy and I had spent the previous weekend in New Orleans for a conference where I was presenting. We'd spent a lot of money and ate too much, so I was okay with just taking it easy for Valentine's. He wanted to go out to eat, though, so we got reservations at one of our favorite spots, Via Real in Las Colinas.

Before dinner, I really wanted to take a nap. So, when Troy came to my apartment after he got off work early, I was a little annoyed. I needed a nap! I told him I was going to bed and he could watch t.v. until I got up to get ready. He asked me to give him a hug before I went to bed, so I did (with a little attitude). During the hug, he acted like he dropped something. Then he got down on one knee and got the ring out of his pocket. I was so surprised, I started hugging him and screaming; I could hardly hear him ask me to marry him! Of course, I said yes!

Troy really surprised me! He had picked out the ring without any input from me - just the way I wanted it! And, he did a great job! The ring is beautiful! Troy also had called my mom and dad to ask for permission - that really impressed my family!

I'm so excited and I know Troy is too. On the other hand, engagement might make him sick - he woke up Friday morning with the flu! :)

Make a postcard - it's easy!