April 27, 2011

Aaaaaand they're off!!!

Soooo the weekend we were moving into the house I stopped unpacking boxes, sat in between them, and emailed the owner of Sassyrae Expressions (lovely lady doing our wedding stationary). I told her I thought it was about time to order wedding invitations. She was impressed that I beat her to the punch! She said she was thinking of emailing me, but thought she'd wait another week since she knew we were moving into our house that weekend. She thought she needed to remind me that I was getting married soon!

I have to admit...when the house stuff got rolling I put wedding stuff to the side. Now that we're comfortable in our new home I'm ready to get back on with wedding planning. I mean it's all planned, but there are still little things here and there we need to do that I finally have found time to do! Soooo got the wedding invitations in the mail, LOVED THEM, and knew I had to get them sent out soon!!

My friend Krystal planned on coming over last night to bring us our shower gift, and some Scentsy stuff ::yum!:: I knew she would be THRILLED when I asked her to help address wedding invitations! And boy was she! haha! I'm so thankful she was here to get me through it though! We got them ALL addressed & stuffed in one night! I stopped by the post office today to get some more stamps and the invitations are off!

Such a relief!! Next step:: shower hostess gifts, thank you cards, ::breath::, centerpieces, more wedding party gifts, ::breath::, ceremony plan, ::breath::, ::breath::, ::breath::...I just keep remind myself---it's all for the marriage to the most perfect man for me!

April 25, 2011

A Perfect Weekend

Seriously...no seriously (as Jake says) this weekend was PERFECT! Seriously...no seriously...almost every weekend is just about perfect...I really am so blessed! Ryan was schedule to work Saturday, but took off since it was the last Wedding Workshop we could go to at the chapel before our wedding...also, with all the fires in West Texas Ryan's fire department sent some guys to go fight some fires! Ryan had to say no since we had so much going on this weekend! It meant we had 4 days together!

We need to get Ryan some Dodgers gear!


Thursday night we went to Jared's baseball game. They won 4 to 2! Go Dodgers!!!

This is the first year I remember not having to make up a weather day on Good Friday. I was glad RISD changed that as a weather day. Ryan and I were both off...the day got away from us! I went and had my practice wedding hair done then was home so Ryan and I could head to Arlington for his dad's SURPRISE 50th birthday party!
Us after taking a break from all the dancing at Dad's party!
Saturday we attended the Wedding Workshop at the Chapel we're getting married at to lay out how the ceremony will go. It was very excited, and interesting to see our different perspectives on things, but it was good! And apparently I'm the only bride at the chapel that is "difficult" by wanting to do things not most people do. Whatev! We planned on going to Easter service Saturday night, but since the workshop went longer than we thought it would we did our weekly grocery shopping, picked up the dog from Grandma & Papa Gary's, then out for Date Night! ...after we dropped the groceries and dog off of course ;)

Ryan said it was my choice for Date Night...I chose to go eat at Zanata's which is an Italian place in Downtown Rockwall that serves pizzas like Fireside Pies...wood burning or whatever. ;) It's delish! And after appetizer, meal, dessert, and wine we think it's pretty affordable! We watched a movie at home..."How Do You Know" with Reese Witherspoon...I would not suggest it! Bless Ryan for sitting through it! I was bored!! I know he had to! ...and that is why I know I am marrying my best friend! (Wedding Workshop, Grocery Store, and Chick Flick) Is he the best or what?!

Since we didn't make it to Easter service on Saturday night we went Sunday morning. When we got home we were fast and furiously getting our home ready for company! That's right...we hosted Easter lunch at our new home! Everything was perfect EXCEPT the HUGE crick I woke up with Sunday morning. :/ After cooking all the sides, appetizers, and dessert then finally eating I had to go lay down. I was sad I missed out on spending time with my family especially my nephews, but I was in so much pain!

I'm thankful for my mom & dad and Ryan keeping it all together! Ryan woke me up after everybody left & the house looked great! Seriously...no, seriously...he is great!!

Pank and Pank

In case you don't know our wedding colors are pink and pink...or pank and pank if you have seen Steel Magnolias. ;) Ryan's such a good fiance` who said, "whatever colors you would like dear." He understands this is something I have been dreaming about since I was a little girl. He has certainly given his input on things, and I think we have surprised each other on decisions...for instance when choosing vows we compromised between traditional and more modern. You'd be surprised who wanted which! Guess you'll just have to find out at the wedding!

My very first Bridal Shower was last weekend, April 16th. I had been looking forward to it for so long that when the day finally came I didn't know what to do! I was sooo excited! The weekend started out with my friend/bridesmaid, Marcia, coming in town for the shower on Friday night! We grilled ka-bobs and Mom & Grandmother came over for dinner & Mom's birthday dessert. :) Marcia and I finished the night off with JUST DANCE! Stand by for a video...having trouble uploading it!

We didn't let the night get too crazy because my shower was the next day! Ryan's mom came to our house early to see our humble abode. Our shower gift was too big to take to the shower so we got our first gift early! TV trays!! We are certainly enjoying them & very thankful to Mom & Dad for them!! :)

I was overwhelmed with the beauty of the shower! Everything was absolutely perfect! The guests, the food, the cake, the table, the champagne, the game, the gifts, everything!! My mom put my Meghaaaaaan in charge of taking pictures...she did an excellent job at fulfilling Mr. B's request of taking a million pictures! It's difficult to choose just a couple to post on the blog, but here we go...


My Meghaaaaan and I...We've been friends since 5th grade!


A generation of brides: Grandmother, Mommy, Me, Aunt Marisa, and Julie (SIL)

Chris=Chef of the Best!

Shocked by a $500 giftcard from my brother, Rock & SIL, Julie...if you know my brother you'll understand this ;)

I was REALLY excited about all my gifts! Especially this blender/food processor from Aunt Marissa!

Cups, "not fancy glasses" for my groom from my mommy

Krystal and I were friends in elementary school & reunited freshman year in Jacket Babes!

Hostesses with the Mostesses

Marcia, Mom (Ryan's mom), Me, and Zina (My mom's cousin & my neighbor!)

BEAUTIFUL Table

Amy and I loooove 1st grade!

Playing a game where I had to chew bubble gum every time I got a "Ryan" question wrong...we're in trouble...I had to chew a lot of gum! I was trying to blow a bubble with it!

Rasberry Tea, Punch, and Champagne! The pitcher was my gift from Chris & Missy...they could tell from my registries that I REALLY wanted one!!

Me and MOH, Missy!


Another gift for Ryan...this one from Amy for his "patio"



April 17, 2011

SOLD!!!

Can you believe it?!?!?! We still hardly can! We discusse d dreams, and how we would love to own a home before getting married so it'd be a place to begin our family....it just all seemed so far away! We began looking into renting because we just knew we couldn't be home owners! Well thanks to Darla & Jeff Ryan (realtor & lender) it happened! And also a HUGE thanks to my brother & SIL for introducing us to J.R. & Darla! We didn't get an actual picture of the SOLD on the sign, but when Ryan's parents came in town for the Rehearsal Dinner rehearsal (YAY!) we took them by the house, and just eeeek with excitement when we saw this on the sign....

We spent some time with Amanda and Calen that evening...we were excited to share our excitement with them! They were just as excited, and while they waited on us to get to Arlington from Rockwall they bought us these as a house warming gift....

Aren't they sweet?! The one on the right is MUCH nicer than the one on the left, but we don't tell Ryan that since he nicely hung them on our back patio. The birds seem to favor the red & black one, but who am I to judge?!?! Ok so I may have to either switch the sides or put more food in the UT one before Ryan sees that the birds are drawn to the BURNT ORANGE...YUCK! Maybe an emptier bird feeder means an emptier team?!?! haha!

So...here we are...all moved in...we are very thankful to Ben who helped moved our stuff & take this sweet picture. :)  To say thanks we took him to a nice meal at....Applebees ...Chili's! Ryan and I were up bright & early the next morning lunch came about 10 AM with Chili's leftovers. As we sat on our barstools (garage sale special!) eating using toliet paper as a napkin we couldn't help but laugh at ourselves & just take it all in with pure bliss! 
Our first couple of days were spent getting everything moved over from our old roommates AKA parent's houses and unpacking....boy do I owe a HUGE thanks to my mom, Missy, and her mom, Chris for all their help in keeping me sane while worked & we unpacked! He could tell a big difference when he came home, and it was beginning to feel like a home. :)

We truly are so blessed with the family & friends in our lives...everybody has been so great in helping us make our house a home! We've had visitors, gifts, and lots wanting to come see our house! We will be having a house warming party so be looking for invitation via Facebook. We are really enjoying these moments, but now I can't wait until the next person gets to experience this & I get to share the wealth we were blessed with!

Ketchup::Catch Up::Catsup

When I was in school I remember my teachers saying we were going to play "catch up" today. Which meant I got to draw and color so the kids who were always absent or never turned anything in could get work done. But I always thought they said Ketchup! For the longest time I thought Ketchup was a game teachers invented because I always got to play! I actually had a student ask me this year (1st grade) how we play Ketchup! Woopsie! Guilty!

So here we go...I haven't updated in a very long time which means a lot has been going on! There still is a lot going on, but with a motivating talk from Daddy and support from Ryan I am sitting here in front of Dancing with the Stars (GO KENDRA!!) updating our blog!

I'll start with VALENTINE'S DAY! Let's see what I remember...

Valentine's Day was on a Monday this year so most couples celebrated the weekend before. Including our friends, Kevin & Sarah...they went all out this year & got married! ;) Ryan and Davy were ushers in the Weatherford wedding while Jenn and I found trouble! We took a break from dancing to take this picture!

Good thing I take vitamins otherwise I probably wouldn't remember all this! On actual Valentine's Day (Monday) my sweet, sweet, sweet Fiance brought me lunch then graciously stayed to run the HEART (BINGO) station for my class party. Did I mention he is sweet?? And how I love this schedule?! The fact that he was able to do is but also willing!! We spent the evening with my family and a 6 year old named Jake AKA Nephew who was celebrating his 6th birthday at Kyoto on Valentine's Day! He's such a Romeo!

I have to say...it was a weekend of love! :)