Happy Birthday to my father

 My family at a wedding last Spring

Today is my father's 63rd birthday. It was always easy to know his age as he was born on February 28, 1950.

A little bit about my dad, who to me, is one of the greatest people I have in my life.

He grew up in Tennessee about 30 miles from Knoxville. His childhood wasn't exactly glamorous. His father passed away due to a bad valve in his heart when my father was 6. My father has always worked. When he was 7, he was the paperboy. He has a strong sense of work ethic and is the hardest working person I know. (He is "retired" now.)

He would tell me that in college he worked the night shift - 11pm-7am, take the early classes and be asleep by noon. He did this all through college. In fact the first job he had out of college they hired him for the night shift because they knew he could stay awake during those hours.

My brother and I wanted for nothing when we were growing up. We had amazing family vacations, various fun toys, and our college paid for. My dad wanted my brother and I to "have fun in college, because I didn't get to." And we did. When I say that we wanted for nothing - it is true. We had all of the "things" one needs in life - but we also had every non material thing one could imagine. We had a loving home with two parents so in love, family time, laughter, and a house so full of love. I count my immediate family as my "best friends." We talk almost daily - and I wouldn't want it any other way. We have a family that now, as an adult, I find to be so incredibly rare. I owe every ounce of who I am to that loving family my parents made. We even have a text message group for just the four of us that we text pictures, what is happening in our day or just funny jokes to each other. This helps us stay connected. This makes me so happy.

B, my brother, Dad, me, mom and Abuelo at my College graduation

 

 

My dad also said that the moment I turned 15 and was able to work that it was time I got a job. And I did. I have always had one since.  I don't think work ethic is learned - I think it is within each person or not. I hope to have at least half of the work ethic my father has.

He traveled a lot, but also took us to those places. When he was working on a big deal on Wall Street, I met him for a week there- to watch Broadway shows, have tea at the Plaza and shop at Bloomies.  When he was working on a deal in New Mexico, my brother would go and meet him there and go skiing. As a family we would go on our school breaks to wherever my father was meeting with clients. We traveled everywhere. Some of our travels include things that few can even imagine.

On one of our many trips - this was Hualtulco, Mexico - at the Corona Factory

One of my best gifts from my father was this book called "Why Daughters need fathers" and in it he wrote about life and how life is about experiences. How he hoped that whenever I was a mother I would take my kids on adventures and say "I remember when my parents brought me here." And while I don't have kids, I have more than once said that to B while on vacation. I have traveled much more than most. I am so lucky my parents instilled in me how big this world is.

I'm sure my parents would kill me for this photo - but they were having way too much fun!

 

 

My dad is one of the most selfless people. (I think my mom is number 1 in that department and my dad is number 2). As a couple, they are the most selfless and giving people I have ever encountered. They have helped almost every single person in my family through hard times, because it is the right thing to do and that is what families do. Growing up all of our grandparents at one point or another have lived with us. This also helped me get to know my grandparents more than most grand kids do. I was lucky to have all of those years with my grandmothers right there until they passed away. I know their stories, I know their lives and they knew mine - not just a few pictures and a few stories, we KNEW each other. My parents have seen people struggle and always give a helping hand - and on more than one occasion have opened their doors to young people that need a better place to call home. They've opened their homes to family friends whose house was destroyed in Katrina and when people were stranded from Rita - they cooked up all of the pasta, lasagna and everything else in their freezer to give it to strangers stuck in traffic. My parents have taught me that helping others is just what you do.

People come into our home and tell us you can feel the love, hear the laughter and sense the joy we have. This - is what I hope to bring to B and I's house whenever we have children.


Everyone that knows my dad tells my brother and I how "lucky" we are to have him. I tell them I know it.

B and my dad at the "river house"

 

The reason I know it is because he is on "borrowed" time. I realized last week that I have lived more with him on "borrowed" time than with him not on borrowed time. It is an amazing feeling. You see on December 3, 1995 - my father had a heart attack. My brother and I were sleeping at friends houses that night and my father was supposed to be on a plane. Instead of that late night flight, he wanted to spend the night with just my mom "since the kids were away." He was going to take the morning flight instead.  In the middle of the night he woke up and told me mom he didn't feel right. She said "let's go to the hospital" - and they went.  He has always said if he were to be in a hotel room that night instead of with my mom he never would have gone to the hospital. On the way to the hospital he had a heart attack.

He wasn't given a large change of survival. We were told the circumstance and my almost 13 year old self could not imagine my life without him. This was when I realized my parents were not just my parents, but my mom was looking at life without her husband. I saw the dynamics of love and family.

My dad survived his surgery and the grueling days afterwards. I know so many that don't. Every December I know how lucky I am. I don't need strangers, friends or relatives to tell me that. (Although it is very nice to hear!)

My family at Christmas

 

 

So my dad post surgery is even more adventurous. After the surgery my parents bought a new house (a house they had seen  years before and thought "wow who could live here" - my mom called it a home she never could have dreamed of living in). My dad bought a fast car (my mom said the kids were never allowed to drive it - the day I turned 16 and got my licence my dad threw me the keys - my mom protested - it was great to drive in High school), a few boats, and we went on a lot of trips.

My dad always wanted to get his pilots license and fly an airplane. This was a childhood dream, something I don't think when he was 15 he truly thought he could attain. He not only owns his own plane - he built it. Yes, built it. It is built by his own hands (an inspected thoroughly by the FAA).

This past weekend he took his "two babies" flying for the first time. He has been flying for years, but we had yet to go up in his plane. He actually has flown to the airport down the street from my office. I then pick him up there, we go to lunch and then he flies back to my parents house.

This Sunday, it was magical. (A little scary, but magical!) His dream. We saw it come true. I climbed into the airplane, learned the safety rules, buckled up and went on the best flight of my life. (I have been on a lot of planes, but this one was my favorite!)

Being Built

 

 

In the hangar

 

Sunday's flight

 

 

You see what happened in 1995, didn't limit my dad from anything. It took 9 years for the plane to be built (9 years, many different hangars, redoing wings post hurricane Ike, and a labor of love.) But now - it is, I think, one of the coolest things someone could do. Not only is is amazing to go to the "airport" - which my brother has dubbed "adult day care" - because it is a bunch of middle aged men that hang out with their planes - but to see my dad accomplish one of his dreams is amazing. To be part of it - is nothing short of a miracle.

 

 

My dad later told my mom that it was a little scarey to be flying his babies - but his babies - we loved it.

 

 

To my dad:

 

Dad,

I am truly so grateful for you and mom. Each year that goes by, I know more and more how lucky I am to have the family you both created. I have always had a loving home that is full of laughter. I never knew it growing up, but I know it now, how incredibly rare it is to have a family that is so close and actually loves being together. Thank you for instilling in me a sense of adventure, a love of a travel and a love of people. I am so blessed to have you. I cannot wait to have you walk me down the aisle -something I have dreamed about since I was a little girl.  I can't wait for our "father-daughter" dance. I know each of the moments I've had with you for the past 17 years have been moments that I was not guaranteed and I feel so incredibly lucky to have had each of them.

Happy Birthday!

 

Love you,

A. N.  

 

Whatever Wednesday- NEGATIVE

So today has been an amazing day.


I have written about "the big C"  a few times...here are the posts in chronological order should you want to have a little bit of knowledge as to what I am talking about. I RARELY talk about something that I have been dealing with since 2009.

January 2009

April 2011

October 2011

November 2012

Today I got the call from my doctor. They said my tests came back 100% negative. I am in shock. I am so overjoyed. I go back in 6 months.

Today. IS A GREAT DAY.

So here we go. The doctor said they think/are hopeful that this will all be behind me.

Is it time for champagne yet?

Actions are better than words

 

My mom used to say this to me when I was little - as an adult - this has always stuck with me as it is one of the many things that she said to us growing up that has stuck with me as ALWAYS being true. 

Whatever Wednesday - wedding whatever

Well...here goes.

1. I am in the midst of addressing wedding invitations. These are a pain in the tush - but I wanted to write them myself. Labor of love. I also have pretty good handwriting so I will save the money we would have spend on a calligrapher and put it towards more flowers. I still have 80 more to do. Heaven help me.

2. I love flowers. I love that my mom does too. There will be a TON of flowers at B and I's wedding.

3. My wedding cake is tasted and designed. I love it. I am so excited. I promise at some point after the wedding I will do a picture dump of everything.  CHECK!

4. I need a haircut. I really want to get a new style- but that will wait until after the wedding. So for now - I need to get a trim badly.

5. Does anyone know of a place with cute maxi dresses? I need some. Hello Thailand...I want some comfy dresses.

6. 80 days. 

7. We met with our Priest. He is great. He is marrying us. CHECK!

8.  Any tips on not biting nails? Seriously for real my nails and I don't get a long.

9. Any tips on cleaning rings? My poor engagement ring gets so dirty - I have no idea what the heck I do to it!

10. I feel like this is a wedding blog lately. But that is where my life is at right now. I hope to be a normal sane person - but for the next 80 days - the wedding is where all of my free time and efforts are going!

11. Any moistrizers that y'all can recommend? My face is dry. THIS IS NOT NORMAL. Please don't be a sign of being 30.


That is all.

Beautiful, Passionate, Complete

Happy Valentine's Day....to my Valentine.

Happy Valentine's Day to my fiance.

Happy Valentine's day to:

The one that lets me be me.
The one that loves me completely.
The one that knows pjs = yoga pants and old college t-shirts.
My biggest cheerleader.
My love.

I cannot wait to marry you in 86 days.

 You make wanting to have a family together something I look forward to. I cannot wait to see you as a father. You make growing old together something I cannot wait to do.

You make my life infinitely better just by being in it.

I cannot wait for the honor to be your wife, to be next to you all the days of our lives.

I love you.

Whatever Wednesday

So I need more blogs to read. I've been reading some of the same blogs for years...I feel like I actually know some of the people (which is weird, but whatever!)

Here are SOME of my favorites:

1. Dawn's food blog. I have made so many of the recipes posted - and she is lovely. I love this blog so much. I feel it was fate to find it when we were paired up in a swap.

2. Christina's - Hungry Meets Healthy - I have no idea how I found this blog - but I love it. I also love that she makes me feel lazy and so reading her blog makes me get out and MOVE.

3. Al's Traffic Jelly - I love Al. I love that we are friends, that we e-mail one another and encourage one another. She is fantastic.

4. Adrienne's The Rich Life (on a budget) - I find her thrifting very inspiring and I love her happy outlook on life.

5. Melissa's Beantown Prepster: Part Deux- I love reading about life as an expat - I've followed her from when she was still in law school, through getting married and now living in England!



This are NOT all of the ones I read, but these are ones I encourage you to check out!


What are your favorites? I'd love to see more! :)

The light from within

 

 

I find this to be so incredibly true.

Make sure you see the light from within others.

Whatever Wednesday

1. So my Houston bridal shower was this past weekend. To say I was completely blown away by how much work the hostesses did to make this event so special, would be an understatement. I am so incredibly blessed.  I will do an entire post on this once I have the pictures.

2. I have to register for more items as my friends and family are WAY TOO GENEROUS. I have almost nothing left on the registry and I have another shower and the actual wedding to go!

3. B was in London during the shower and he texted and called me during it to let me know how much I am thought of and loved. It warmed my heart so much.

4. Thursday night the girls and I are going to some new restaurant opening and I can't wait. We don't get together often enough - and usually it is for sushi - so this is something new and exicting for us.

5.  B gets fitted for his tux this weekend. I don't think he is thrilled.

6. Some people annoy me. A LOT.

A Good day

 

Sometimes this is all that does make a "good" day. A case of the Mondays...

Greener Grass

 

 

I feel too many people just "give up" on their marriages and don't fight for them. I find marriage to be so sacred and I wish more people did as well.

Friday Five

I realized I missed "Whatever Wednesday" but I don't care. So today's post is a Friday Five...Five things I'm thinking about.


1. I am working on my gift bags for my bachelorette party. Just a little something to thank everyone for coming. I am over the top excited about them. I LOVE giving gifts! I cannot wait for NEW ORLEANS!

2.  IT IS FRIDAY. Is it 5pm? I need a cocktail.

3.  My first bridal shower is this weekend. I AM BEYOND EXCITED. EEEEK!

4. Kelly over at Kelly's Korner is doing a Singles day - and I want to include my 27 year old brother...but I think he would kill me. Plus, I think being a few months post law school and post taking the bar, he is enjoying just doing his own thing.  So maybe one day...or maybe I should stay out of his love life completely.

5. I am having a hard time coming up with my bridesmaid gifts. They are ALL very different - and I have a 14 year old junior bridesmaid as well. 3 are moms, 2 "suburbia" types, 1 "city" type  (all are stay at home moms, so I wanted to treat them somehow), 1 is VERY alternative and single (ie her tattoos will be covered for my wedding! We are complete opposites, but she is one of the best gals in the world!) and the last one is 14 - (I was her first babysitter. Her parents lived across the street from us and her mom was my "2nd" mom.)   So any ideas? I don't want to get them all the same things since they are so different. What are 14 year olds into anyway?

100 days

In 100 Days, I will be waking up about right now. ON MY WEDDING DAY.

I will get up, put a cute little white dress on and head to my Bridal Brunch with some of the lively and lovely ladies that are in my bridal party. I will tell them each how much they mean to me, why I chose each one of them to be by my side. I will cry. I will drink Champagne and I will laugh.

I will then head back to the hotel where the hair and makeup team will be awaiting each of us. We will get beautiful, have pictures taken and enjoy the afternoon.

I will get into my beautiful amazing WEDDING DRESS.

My dad will then see me, his only daughter, as a bride. I will cry.

The music will start and it will all begin.

By IT - I mean this is the beginning on the newest journey - one that I am so excited for - I WILL BECOME A WIFE...and not just any WIFE...but B's WIFE.

I know things will not go exactly as planned (do they ever?!) but as long as 100 days from now, I end my day becoming his wife...all is well in the world.


We went from the very beginning:

The beginning

Happy

My life

to 100 days until we get married.

I am so blessed.

My brother's birthday - a weekend of drinking

My brother got into Houston on Friday night.

B and I had dinner with a few friends and then we all met up with him at a bar called Cottonwood. It was so much fun.  Think college bar - with bocce ball, bags, horseshoes and washers - and yet not dirty and gross.

We drank and celebrated.

A thrilled brother...

Saturday night was family dinner. We went to Coppa and it was fantastic. They even brought out cotton candy with a sparkler in it for him.  Afterwards, we all went back to Cottonwood. This included my parents and my grandfather.
We met up with more friends and just laughed.

All in all - a wonderful time.


I am still recovering.

Internet down?

 

Yeah...I am this person.

Happy 27th to my baby brother

Friday Favorite - The fact that I am an older sister to the most amazing little brother.

My baby brother is 27 years old today.

He has grown up so quickly into such a wonderful person. I am so blessed to be his sister and even more blessed that we have chosen to be friends. I feel that I have to state that because I believe that while yes we are family, lots of siblings do not get along and lots of siblings do not consider each other to be friends. I consider my brother to be one of my best friends.

This is BOTH of our favorites - us in Colorado - I am sure I have posted it a zillion times - but it makes me smile every single time I see it.  It makes me think of his nickname for me when we were little because he couldn't say my name - He would call me "Ala"

 

 

 

Life without him would be indescribable - I cannot imagine not having him around and lucky for me, for the first time in YEARS he lives in the same state as I do. I love it.

 

 

I'm truly blessed to have such an amazing family.

 

 

To my baby brother:

 

I am so incredibly proud of you. You have always been kind, caring and full of joy (and energy)!  Mom and Dad used to tell me how you missed me when I left for school, or if you were with them running errands, they let you get a piece of candy you would say, "only if Ala gets one too."

 

As the years flew by, I couldn't wait to get my license and do my own thing - only then did I find out I was allowed to drive ONLY if I also was in charge of getting you to tennis and other activities. I remember when we drove around the 610 loop TRYING to find some tennis place - I think we found after the 2nd lap. I remember all of our vacations - you were my friend, my travel buddy, and you never were that "annoying" little brother. I loved having you around. We would explore everything. I still cannot believe that at 18 and 15 years old our parents let us drive from Texas to Florida. It was FREEDOM. (You drove WAY too fast and I let you drive WAY TOO MUCH of that trip).

 

The day mom and dad dropped me off at college, I was so incredibly excited. Life was about to begin! The thing I remember as I left the house that morning was the realization that you and I would never live under the same roof again. That saddened me. I tried my hardest to be at every event that would be considered "important" to you in high school. I hope you never felt that I didn't care. I hated hearing about how great you were doing and yet not being there to see it all happen. I LOVED when your tennis team would make state because I knew that meant you would be in Austin and I would see you - even if just for a few hours. Even if it meant watching tennis - my all time favorite sport to watch ;)

 

I knew when you left for college you would understand why I hardly came home - because I was growing up, seeing the world, meeting people and trying new and exciting things (and partying) - you were the same way.  The fun rivalry between our teams, going to Lincoln and you coming to Austin - all of those memories bring joy to my heart.

 

After graduation, you came back to Texas. Albeit not Houston - but you weren't THAT far away - you were close enough for a weekend visit!

 

When you got into Law School - I was so happy for you and yet saddened because that meant you were leaving Texas once again.  I know those years were tough and terrible (and good too).  I'm so glad that afterwards you were employed in Texas. I am glad you are home - not in Houston, but close enough!

 

I am so proud of you. I am proud of your accomplishments, who you are and what you stand for. I am the luckiest person in the world to have such an incredible brother.

 

I am lucky that you and B seem to laugh together (probably at me most of the time) and seem to have a good relationship forming.  

 

I know there are more memories to be made, more adventure and more exciting times. I cannot wait.  

 

I love you.

 

Ala

 

 



Whatever Wednesday- actually about wedding things

After work today I meet with my mom. To discuss wedding cakes. Now, my mom and I have VERY different ideas about wedding cakes.

My mom's 1976 cake was over the top - it had bridges, doves, a fountain, and 6 cakes. (4 tall and two coming from the bridges.)   Now, she doesn't want that for me (THANK GOODNESS) but she does want something over the top. She thinks of the wedding cake as something everyone goes and looks at and she may be right - I just never noticed any - I'm not much of a cake person to begin with- especially ones that are not chocolate - so I always noticed the groom's cake, not the "brides".

This makes it a problem because - B's cake is OVER THE TOP AWESOME. I am so excited about it. Mine - not so much. Mine is a wedding cake - his is one of those 3-D cakes - and so very him....


So how to make a cake "more like me" - I have no idea. Here are some that I like....

 

All of them I would change up to meet what I would want...but that's a start.

Weekend Roundup

This past weekend B and I went to Austin.

We love Austin. We love the people there, we love the city. Austin is where we met. While Houston is where we fell in LOVE - Austin is where it all began so many years ago.

I was in my second year of college when B and I first met. We have no idea WHERE we first met. We suspect it was at one of his fraternity parties.  From meeting we became great friends. We would meet up for coffee and have long talks.  Then once I was of the 21 age - we would go to our corner bar.

This weekend we hit up our old places. We even tucked into our old corner bar where many a nights we spent talking. We were the oldest in that place by about 8 years, but while part of it had changed - it remained and felt a little like the old days. (Except this time I am the only girl in the bar wearing an engagement ring and we were the only ones that were not 5 drinks in.) I love that bar. I love the emotions I get from that place.  So many of my fun times in college were in that bar. So many stories, many friends and life. It was the "Cheers" of that era of my life. Of B's life as well. 

I love that our life together is preceeded by 6 years of friendship and stories of our friendship.


It was fun to go out, act like we were 21 without a care in the world (also to find out we are not 21 anymore and we cannot drink like we used to, even though we tried!) and see old friends.

I love Austin.

As I wrote the other day: 

There is no other place that makes me as happy as I am when I am in Austin. So many amazing memories- I made some of the best friendships here and met my future husband here. This is the best city!

MMMM

 

 

Me too...;) Darn Diet!

Friday Favorites

So we are headed to Austin this weekend and I am so excited.

Favorites in Austin:

1. THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS-AUSTIN.   Did you have any doubts that this is my number 1?

 

 

2.  An old standby and favorite place ever...TRUDYS - because they have Mexican Martinis. The best drink ever.

 

3.  South Congress. This is where I love to find unique items and I love the "vibe" of the area.

 

4. Climbing Mount Bonnell - DURING THE DAY. (It is a teenager hangout at night). During the day it has beautiful views of Austin. So gorgeous.

 

 

5. Driving down 2222. It is my favorite road.

 

Lastly though - My favorites in Austin are the people. Mainly my best friend and B's best friend both live there. They and their spouses were the lucky ones - they graduated from UT and got to live in Austin.

Whatever Wednesday

So it is freezing in Houston. And I hate it. I don't live in Chicago, I don't live in NYC - I live in Houston. THIS IS RIDICULOUS.

Also - my office has COLD AIR BLOWING. My fingers are almost blue.


Ok I'm done ranting.


Onto raving - Since the weather sucks my face is super dry. So I needed an intense moisturizer - I've been using YU-BE and I LOVE IT.  I am sure I couldn't use it year round due to the humidity in these parts, but for now - thank you sephora for my 3 little tubes that are getting me through this weather!

This stuff is FANTASTIC.

 

 

 

 

 

Onto other useless junk in my head:

 

On the new years plan I also wanted to lose 30lbs before the wedding. I'm at 11 lost so far. Holy amazingness. I haven't done a lot besides be REALLY conscious to what the heck I put in my mouth. So yeah... I didn't mean to lose that much so quickly - but I also feel like my body was like "get rid of this junk NOW"  - So I am on a lean and green diet along with a protein shake in the AM.  I know it will tailor off - but I would love to be down 20 total by February 16.

 

I cannot believe the wedding is less than 4 months away. WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE? Soon I will be able to say under 100 days. I remember when it was 300 days. I cannot wait to be married to such an amazing man.

 

I never knew I cared so much about how a table looks until now - ya know the whole wedding planning thing. I also never knew I cared so much about useless things like place cards, menus etc. Oh yeah.

 

My bridal shower is in a few weeks. I am very excited. It is being thrown by two of my mother's best friends. I am truly lucky and very blessed. B and I are having a couples shower in April that is being thrown by his Aunt up in Dallas.

 

Today my friend V and I are going to a Kendra Scott store opening here in Houston - I cannot wait to see all of the things and then I cannot wait to go to Happy Hour - even though I will only be able to have 1 drink and only veggies to munch on - see above about weight loss.

 

So yeah - that's what is swirling in my head.

 

 

 

 

 



Manageable tasks

 

 

The start of this year at work has been a rough one - so I have broken all of the things that need to be done into manageable tasks...Thanks Mark!

Friday Favorites

Random Five Favorites:

1. Getting e-mails from blog friends - it is fun to make friends through blogs and I love how encouraging we are of each other.

2. Almonds - raw almonds. I love them. I have to put them in baggies otherwise - I will eat all of them!

3. My rosebud salve lip balm.

4. Youtube makeup tutorials by Tanya Burr - seriously. I love her blog and her videos.

Tanya Burr's Youtube page

5.  THAT IT IS FRIDAY.

Whatever Wednesday

While I have loved my "Wedding Wednesday," I have to be honest - I just don't have that much to talk about when it comes to our wedding. I mean, maybe I am just not one of those girls that can go on and on about their wedding.

Yes I have dreamed about the day I get married. I dreamed about my life - who I would marry, how our life would be. I was not one of those girls that dreamed about the actual wedding day. I dreamed about marriage - and if our dating and engagement is anything like our married life - we will surpass any dream I could have imagined.

I mean I want to unfollow all of the wedding things I follow on pinterest, they drive me nuts, but they do give me great ideas to spring from so for now they stay on - but come May OFF THEY COME!

So - perhaps there will be more Wedding Wednesdays and perhaps not - so for now - Whatever Wednesdays work for me.   A place to write whatever I have on my mind.


Today it is the rain.  I live in Houston - we have been under "flood watch" for a day and it continues until tomorrow at Noon.  I LOVE THE RAIN - but I love the rain MORE when I am at home, in my jammies, drinking hot tea and reading a book - NOT at work in work clothes reading policies.  I read all of the time. My goal is 52 books a year - last year I read 57. I'm a very fast reader and I love reading. I do on occassion read during my lunch time at work - I shut my office door and read. Yes I know I am nerdy, yes I am ok with it.

Which leads me to two questions -
Do you have any book recommendations? (It can be chick lit, hard reads and anything in between, my list is getting dangerously low!)

Does anyone else love the rain?

A NEW YEAR...and a NEW BEGINNING

 

 

This year is wide open with possibility - jump in and make things happen!

Friday Favorites

Since this is my first Friday Favorites since Christmas - I will post my favorite Christmas Presents:


1. My future MIL bought me stationery with my married name on it. I love it. It was the first time I saw my "new" name in print and I thought it was incredibly thoughtful.

2. My parents gave me my SCUBA lesson/certification program. I cannot wait to get certified so that I can dive in Thailand!

3.  My brother got B and I both UT snuggies. It was hilarious. They are burnt orange and tacky and wonderful.

4.  My future MIL also got me a beautiful Clutch that I just love. It is so me and I never would have splurged for it myself.


5. B and I got each other our wedding rings - ok we said we were going to get them, but we have yet to actually go get them - We've tried them on, now we just need to go pay for them!


Did you get any Christmas presents that you just love?!

2012

2012 has been the most amazing year yet.  As I do every year - I will re-cap the year with the answering of a few questions:


Where did you begin 2012? In Houston with B!

What was your status by Valentine's Day?  I am happy and in love with B - not engaged yet!

Were you in school this year? nope.

Did you have any encounters with the police? nope.

Where did you go on vacation? London. Big Bend.

What did you purchase that was over $500?  Roxy's vet bill!

Did you know anyone that got married? Yes - and I was in their wedding!

Did you know anyone who passed away? Not this year. 2011 was a hard year.

Did you move anywhere? no

What sporting events did you attend? Texans, Rockets

Where do you live?  Htown

What is the one thing you thought you would never do, but did, in 2012? Get engaged. Ok I thought it would happen - but wow. What an incredible feeling!

What has been your favorite moment? The moment B asked him to marry him. I think this will always be one of the top 10 moments in my life. For now - it is number one. The moment we say our vows, I know will replace this.

What was something you learned about yourself? I learned it is ok to be vulnerable. It is ok to let others help you. I also learned that Cancer sucks.

Any new additions to your family? May of 2013 I will gain an entire 2nd half of a family!

Get a new job? nope

How old did you turn this year?  30. It is a good age.


I truly feel so blessed to have such an amazing life!!!

To the end of this year and the beginning of the next one...

May next year be an even better year than this year. May your year be full of love and laughter!



Family Blessings

Happy 30th...to ME

As I turn to a new chapter in my life and enter into my 30s...here is what I have to say about my 20s:

So as I sit back and look at who I was when I turned 20 to who I am now - I am 60% a different person.
I say 60% because I think I have always been a kind, compassionate person.
I don't think I always stood up for myself - I learned my self worth and value in my 20s. I learned it is ok to not smile through everything, and I learned not to always have a wall up.
When I was 20 years old- the same women that are in my bridal party were in my life. I was blessed.
When I was 20 - I backpacked through Europe ALONE.

I've moved, made new friends, lost some friends, watched friends get married, watched friends have babies.

I've traveled, seen more of the world, met all kinds of people.

I've become me.

As I enter into my 30s - I will become a wife (May of 2013!) and hopefully, god willing, in my 30s, I will become a mother as well.

I look at this next chapter with so much joy.

Home

Roxy is home. She is resting and the vet said she will be better soon.

I already see her personality coming back.

She saw me and her tail wagged like crazy and she was licking our faces.


I missed this pup!

Roxy

She spent all day Wednesday at the Vet. She is still being fed through an IV, but we did add some can food to her diet.

It is so hard to see her like this. She is usually only 10.5pounds and right now she just feels like bones. So tiny. She has probably lost about 2 pounds, which is a lot when you are that small.

She slept at home last night again and seems to be slowly getting better.

All I want for Christmas is my puppy - healthy and happy.

Getting better

Roxy came home last night. She heads back to the vet this morning as they wanted to watch her one more day.

She wasn't 100% herself, but she is doing better.

I just love her so very much. B and I are so happy that she was home.

Wedding Wednesday

So the menu is set, the save the dates are out...and there is SO MUCH MORE to do.

This Sunday my mom and I are ordering our wedding invitations.

I am beyond excited.



It took a lot of time for me to figure out what I wanted - that didn't break the bank.

I want Thermography
I want gold lettering
I want simple, yet elegant.


Let's see if I can find something like this:

My Roxy puppy

Yesterday when I left for my lunch break to head home, B called me and said to hurry home.

Roxy had been throwing up all over the house. When I got there, she was so sick looking.

We packed her up and headed to the vet.

I held her wrapped up in a towel and petted her face telling her how much I love her.

The vet took one look at her, got her temperature and said they were going to run tests and get her an IV for fluids as she was dehydrated.

That was Noon yesterday.  The vet wanted to keep her overnight. So here I am playing the waiting game.

I miss my puppy. (I know at almost 5 she is not a puppy anymore, but she is my puppy - she is 10.5 pounds and full of energy - she bounces all over our house and makes us laugh constantly.)

I want her home. I want her ok.

Positive Thinking

 

 

I believe in the power of positive thinking.

Wedding Wednesday

Tomorrow is a day that I never thought would come!

Tomorrow I go with my mom to try on MY wedding dress. The Bridal salon called and said that it was in. I am so excited.


Coming from Spain - made with beautiful lace and amazing silk. I cannot wait to put it on. Mostly because THIS is what I will be wearing when B and I become husband and wife.

Forever Friends

Wedding Wednesday- Menu

We had our tasting a few weeks ago and our menu has been set. I am BEYOND excited and the food is out of this world!


For our cocktail hour, we are having passed Hors d’oeuvres:

Warm Jumbo Lump Crab Cake with Remoulade

Warm Grilled Colorado Lamb Chop, Rosemary-demi glace

Warm Feta Cheese and Sundried Tomatoes Wrapped in Phyllo

Shredded Hoisin Chicken Wrap on Asian Spoon - I dont have a picture


For our salad:
Mixed Sweet Lettuce, Oven Dried Strawberries, Granny Smith Apple, Feta Cheese, Toasted Walnuts, with Champagne Vinaigrette


The entrees are a choice of Roasted Gulf Snapper or a Steak.

 

 

And then the cakes - I am so excited about B's cake. We have not done my cake tasting yet, but that will be sometime in January.

The Four Agreements

in Thanksgiving

My brother lives in the same city as B's family. So this year for Thanksgiving, my family went to that city and we did Thanksgiving 3 times!

Thursday we went to a Latin Fusion restaurant with my parents, my grandfather, my brother and B's parents.  After eating we went to B's parents house and watched more football than ever before. Fun was had by everyone.

Friday, we went to a Pizza place with the same people as above but also including B's Dad's parents and B's dad's uncle. (B and B's dad are both only children.) Unfortunately, you can't see B's grandmother's face in the picture - but she is so lovely!



(Left side of the table front to back - my brother, B's grandfather, B's mom, B, my dad.

Right side of the table front to back- my grandfather, B's great uncle, B's dad, me, B's grandmother, my mom.)

Lastly - on Saturday we went to a Mexican restaurant with my family, B's parents and B's mom's side of the family. Everyone drank and ate way too much - but it was wonderful.


I feel truly blessed that the blending of our family has happened so easily. With B being an only child, my brother is our only sibling and I couldn't be more blessed to have him and B get along so well.  We are so blessed to have our amazing family!

Save the dates

 

 

We sent out our save the dates last week. This is feeling more and more real than ever before.

 

 Obviously the one below has a few things removed (names, website, day and location).

 

But here is what our Christmas Card/Save the date looked like:  

 

 

 

Rich

 

 

So very true.

A Weekend breakdown

This past weekend B went hunting and I was home.

I had a breakdown.

I look at my life and I am surrounded by love. I love my life - so please don't take this the wrong way when I say that this past weekend I just broke down.

You see - while there are MANY amazing things happening in my life - there are some unsavory ones.

I was at the 9 month mark of having this all behind me - and then I got the news. It came back.

Like I said - I have so many things to be thankful for and I am a truly optimistic person - but I think I had too much time on my hands this past weekend - and I lost it.

I am just sad that hasn't gone away - and sad really isn't the correct emotion. I am upset, angry, sad and scared. I love my life right now - I ABSOLUTELY LOVE planning my wedding - to my dream guy. I never in a million years could have dreamed the love we have. I never in a million years thought my life could be what it is.

This is the most joyous time in my life - and yet I am fearful. I shouldn't be - but I am.

I go back in January for the next appointment to see if it has progressed or retreated.

So, while most days are about flowers and cakes and pretty dresses - SOME days - I am anxious and scared. 

All of this is part of life - and through all of this - a different kind of love has been shown to me. How B cares and loves for me through my ups and downs - through the great news and the devastating news - the way he loves - it is the way I need to be loved. For this I am the most thankful for during this Thanksgiving.

Amazing moments in life

via

 

 

 

Sometimes, I have to remind myself of amazing moments - moments that make me stop and think -

 

Life is good.

Fill in the blank Friday

My best quality is my loyalty.

One of my less flattering qualities is my temper.

I'd rather be  READING.

Something I have been challenged with lately is  losing weight. BUT I WILL GET THERE.

I am looking forward to Thanksgiving with my entire family - old and new!

A super random factoid about me is I love to travel!

I want to do a lot of reading this weekend!

Wedding Wednesday

BRIDESMAID DRESSES


So I picked out the Bridesmaid Dress.

 

I wanted something that was Chiffon and light weight. I also wanted a light green.

I also wanted it to not be crazy expensive.

I loved this one the most of all of the dresses we tried.

 

The girls will be strapless, and my junior bridesmaid will have spaghetti straps.

 

Sunsets

Together

 

Right now we are in the "we want to go everywhere together phase".

Fill in the Blank Friday

Link up with Lauren at The Little Things we Do to play along


1. Something I swore I'd never do, but ended up doing anyways is I have no idea - but I have a feeling whenever i become a mom I will do all of those things!

2. Something I have always wanted to do is go to Thailand!!!

3. Something I have no desire to ever do is  I am copying Lauren, but skydive - seriously jumping out of a perfectly normal plane? I will pass.

4. The best thing I ever did was meet up with B. Seriously, hands down the best thing I ever did was say "yes" when he asked if I wanted to get together for drinks and catch up. We caught up, and pretty much saw each other every single day afterwards.

5. When it comes to trying new things I am ALL FOR IT. I love to try new things.

6. One thing I have never done is hmm, I've never eaten a full tomato. I HATE THEM.  

7. My favorite thing to do is READ.