The question I have waited 28 years for...

I finally have something exciting to write about!  My blog has been at a stand-still lately... mainly because I was busy dating the guy who asked me that really important question.  He is great, makes me a better person every day, and loves me a lot... Jonathan is the lucky guys name:)   Lana Nissen (like listen)...weird.

Some of you might be thinking... "Wow, I didn't even know you were dating someone, or you were not Facebook official and you are now engaged- whaaaat... can that even happen!"  I met this mystery boy 5 months ago in April and it has been a "right from the very first date story."  Yes... 5 months is a short amount of time, but for those who really know me know that I am a serious dater, who is not into games, just a long-lasting love.
  
Let me just go ahead and say... you guys are right.  All of your statements that used to annoy me really are true!  In a past post I wrote how the statement: "It will happen when you least expect it" annoyed me. I went on to say that I have been "least expecting it" for a few years now.  Well let me just say that I did not expect it to happen in the way that it did.  Timing is everything was another statement I heard a lot- which is TOTALLY true!   

You want to hear about the Proposal right?  First I want to tell our Story...cause it is fun/crazy/strange.  

OUR Story

So I had been single for quite the long spurt (as you all know)...I had not given up on the idea, and I was completely fine being single, but I was in a rut...a not trying, keep myself busy so I don't think about being single rut.  A coworker of mine was the one who pushed the idea that I need to try harder, because times a ticking, and I am a good catch (he said that- not me...but I agree- yes, I am confident, you gotta be at times).  SO a few of my friends and cousins had been pushing me to try internet dating...and I thought- why not, what is there to lose?  Yes, I will admit at first it seemed like a desperate, slightly embarrassing route to go, but I thought how else am I going to meet guys, it could be fun, and I could always shut it down.  Lets, just say you feel good about yourself after a while cause man... some of the characters I met were "interesting."  I mean you get free meals, and funny stories, but at times it was a beating!  I think some guys thought I was lying when I said I literally have no baggage and I am waiting for the right person.  From a bee keeper, to a treasure hunter, to a food chemist, to a baseball coach, to a teacher, to a youth pastor, to a foot doctor, I had quite the assortment.  Most of them were sweet guys, around 35, but just not what I was looking for.  Frustrated with the whole internet dating thing I got a message that caught my attention with its weirdness.  

The Message: "You're friends made you do this? I AM Jon's friend...this is perfect.  Almost as perfect as Jon, you wanna go out with him?"  This message raised a lot of questions... like how do I know Jon is real?  Do you have a wife...if so why are you searching for him?...what is wrong with him that he cannot do this himself?  He answered all of my questions with witty responses, and let me know that he was doing this behind Jonathan's back, because he would never do it himself.  

The rest is history and we are very thankful that numerous things happened in our favor... too many to mention.  I am especially thankful that Wyatt and Daniel found me, and gave me J's number.  By the 3rd or 4th date we both knew that it was all meant to be, and by the end of the first month we told each other I love you.  Super fast in Lana world, but perfect.   

THE Proposal (cue the sappy music)

Cassie (sister who was in on it the whole time) and I pulled into my driveway and she suddenly said, "umm, I need to go get something."  I did not really question it so I walked up to the front door which had this sign on it.  I turned and looked back at Cassie and was like- ahhh!  I knew that the proposal was coming, but had no idea it was coming on a Thursday... I mean who does that?!?  

So after getting passed these signs I was excited and nervous...and so was J:)  He had thought of every detail... and made it so special!  He polished and fixed the wood up for the "floor" and set up my patio to look like our wedding... he had listened to the things I want...he even told me...I know you don't want sunflowers, but that is what was in season.  iphone pictures...I apologize in advance.

He had Bon Iver in the record player playing... which is one of my favorite albums.  He told me he loved me on the hammock and so that is why he made the marquee I love You sign for the tree.  He tied wood on the poles and drilled holes in them for the flowers, and had cotton candy Rita's Ice in the bucket that he served.  Yes, he thought of everything:)  He even made the ring box- which I LOVE!  I really love my ring..  I love the shape of a marquise and thought that it could be cool turned horizontal.  The guy who made the ring said he has only made a few like that, so I was excited about how well it turned out!  Yes it is gold, and more than I needed or deserved...but awesome.

I am glad he did it Thursday because it was so fun telling my students Friday! If 

you have not watched the video of my RST students... you have to on my facebook page (they were adorable). 

So yeah... we are happily engaged!  Let the 6 month wedding countdown begin.  Yes, you read right (March 14th or 15th... not sure yet).

                                                    

This and That

Hey guys... I have been busy with some life things, interesting life things. Learning to continue to trust God, and just have fun with the adventures he gives me. I was thinking about these sweet kids today. Oh how I miss them- please mention them in a prayer today:)

BOOTS!

Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love my Frye boots... and last year they really started to look raggedy.  I bought them at a thrift store for $25.00 5 years ago- best thing that ever happened to me- haha... boots wise:)  So, I was on the hunt all last year, and none really stood out to me- until Natalie and I found these babies- I love them... Yes, a little weird- but oh they are beautiful!  I can't wait to get them!!!

Glory Days and Fall

So I was looking through my posts and I came across THIS JEWEL... I want to write another one like it- had a few boys tell me to write one about boys- I am just kind of scared to do that- maybe I will get Austin to help me:)  I also came across this Fall 30 for 30- thanks to it, I have 30 outfits planned for fall!  Oh no...I gave away my secret.

Wish List

I have been patiently looking for a few items to put in my house... I thought maybe putting them up for all to see would help me find some of these items.  If you are a antique/flea marketer (or if your grandma has some of these items below and wants to get rid of them) let me know!  If you enjoy finding things on craigslist... happy hunting:)  I could dig and hunt all day at stores, but for some reason I hate looking online!

I like everything in this picture... I really love the piano though.  I have the perfect place for one!  That LOVE sign in killer.

I want to find letters like that for my guest room!

I am loving this lamp!

This color would look perfect in my mint bedroom... It would give it a pop of color that is missing.  Right now everything is white, gold, and mint.

Love that light... I need one for my living room.

I want to find a bunch of these to hang in my bedroom.  Possibly different shapes, sizes- but with gold and crystal.

Love the small letters- Must find some like this!

So cute!

Not necessarily this chair, but one that is funky for my bedroom.

I love this idea of using a corner for planning outfits for the week!  Gotta do this.

I love the look of this patio.  I have the lights, and three chairs but I need another chair and some sort of table.

Like the look of this patio... A rug could be cool.

When you walk through my front door, i do not have room to place a table up against the wall, but if I cut it in half it would be perfect.  

Feeling a little like Home.

Ok, Ok... it has been FOREVER!  A friend inspired me to write a new blog post.  So I thought I would  talk about what has been making me crazy busy... my lovely house.  I filled y'all in a few posts ago- but here are a few pictures of it and what I have done to it.  I have learned how to use a drill, fix leaks, recycle, paint trim, kill wasps, use soaker hoses..umm and a MILLION more things.  My friends and family have been so good to me through it all!  They have helped me fix up the house, install things, give me a housewarming party... they are the greatest.  Here are a few pictures during the whole getting settled process:)

       

BEFORE...

I plan on painting the inside of the porch the blue in my kitchen, and painting the chevron pattern above the garage and below the window... using the blue in my kitchen, a grey color, and a tannish color.  I also plan on painting the garage door... a grey color.  Sounds crazy... but Robin and I think it will look great and fun:)

I can't believe how different it looks now!