Wedding Planning

I am quickly realizing what every bride before me knew--wedding planning is not easy, nor is it stress free. However, it is exciting and it does not need to be stressful. 

Having attended many weddings and being a bridesmaid a few times, I have a good idea of what I would and would not like for my own wedding. Something small and classy, but lots of fun, as well.  Sadly, though, weddings are expensive! Goodness, makes me wish I had been saving money forever for this exciting upcoming event. Everything will work out and get done. I'm not too nervous. 

This weekend was filled with dress shopping with my sisters and mother, and sending emails to venues asking for information. I hope and pray this week we can get one of the dates we have in mind nailed down at a venue we both love and get the rest of the planning underway. 

My sisters managed to each choose a dress and I love their choices. They compliment their styles and body types very nicely. Next, Harry's sisters will do the same, and then the matron of honor. It's all very exciting! 

Really, it has not been all that stressful, I suppose. It's all the little details that I either forget or don't know about that add up financially and send a little stress my way. However, with the help of The Lord, my fiancé, my family and friends, I am sure things will work out very well. 

First Week Home

It has been a wonderful, yet busy week back home from vacation. I was supposed to have tutored two mornings, but that was cancelled, so I did some wedding planning before my afternoon tutoring sessions. Great time management skills right there. :) I asked both sets of our sisters to be part of the bridal party and they said yes. Looking back now, I wish I had asked in some cutesy way as opposed to text messages, but it was okay. They all happily accepted. I am still figuring out of I can have friends in the bridal party, as well. We always said we didn't want something too big, but having a few friends as part of my party is important to me. It will all come together one way or another,  I am sure.  

On Monday, I went to David's Bridal to shop around. I thought I found a dress I liked, but realized I didn't love. It was simple, and I was settling because I didn't want to spend a lot of time shopping for a dress. I decided to call a coworker who works at a bridal boutique and asked if I could stop by before my Tuesday afternoon tutoring session. That visit was a success! The workers there were very helpful and brought me dresses I never would have chosen on my own. I found one I really liked and decided to go back yesterday with my mom, Nat (as Marisel was working) and Shannon to confirm my choice. When they saw the dress on me, I could hear the approval in their reactions.  We all said 'Yes to the Dress!' It was very exciting!! It's a slightly different dress than I imagined I would want but truthfully, I do love it! I won't see it again for 4-5 months, though. I better watch my food intake over the summer and then some! I also spent time making calls to visit some possible venues and made appointments for today and next week. Thankfully, Shannon will join me today and Harry will do the same next time. 

The week is over now and we have dinner plans at my assistant principal's house. That is always interesting and fun! I'm looking forward to it and this weekend. Tomorrow I am going to David's Bridal with my sisters and mother. After that there should be some down time ... Till next week!

Angela and Giovanni's Wedding

This past Saturday, my co-worker and friend, Angela, was married to her long time love, Gio. They are a sweet, young couple who had a beautiful wedding ceremony and reception. I am certain that their life together will be just as beautiful!

The bride looked amazing! She was beaming and that was very special to see. 

My co-workers and I had a ball dancing, laughing and catching up at the wedding. The energy was contagious. 

Harry and I took some celebratory photos of our own, as well!

Today she and Gio left for their honeymoon to Antigua.  I'm sure they have had a wonderful first day there! Cheers & blessings to their new life as one! 

Justyn's Middle School Graduation

My little, big nephew graduated from middle school last month. It's hard to believe he will be venturing into high school at the end of the summer. I remember when he was just a baby ... A baby who had a terrible case of colic. Over the past 14 years, he has outgrown the colic, thankfully, and has become a wonderful older brother to Ayden, yet still remains a handful to my sister. ;) My family and I are extremely proud of him for this first of many graduations to come! I love him very much and wish him well in high school! Work hard and good things will come your way!

The graduate, my sister and Ayden.

And here is Lindsay, too!

The aunts! With Jun's son, Tomo!

Justin with his second or third mother, Jun, & her newborn, Tomo. Ayden seemed to slip in there, as well. 

Justyn's middle school crew.

Catch Up!

The last time I updated my blog I was healing (and I still am) and heading back to work. Now I am on summer vacation, and I am working on getting certain areas of my life in order. 

The past three months have been busy! The remainder of the school year flew, thankfully, not without a few stressful moments here and there, but I was certainly glad for summer vacation to begin. 

Next year I am supposed to be working in a new position in my school. I will be an Academic Intervention Service teacher for Kindergarten students. In this position I will no longer have my own classroom, but will service the lower percent of the students and work on getting their academics up to grade level. This will be my first educational experience with kindergarten students. So far, my work with this age group has only been at camp. I am definitely looking forward to this experience and challenge! I will also be working with a new group of teachers. While this makes me as slightly nervous, I know them all and they are lovely. I am sure my transition will go smoothly. 

Right after school finished, Harry and I took a trip to Ocean City, MD. If I say we had a ball, it was better than that. Firstly, the 5 got drive wasn't terrible, thankfully. Our days there were filled with morning workouts followed by breakfast on the  hotel's front porch. Afternoons were spent on the beach. Sometimes we'd get happy hour drinks (him) and wings, and play ping pong. Every evening was different. We'd have dinner either on the boardwalk or venture out someone else, followed up with mini-golf, a trip to Walmart or an evening boat ride, and each evening ended with a walk on the boardwalk.

This was the day we arrived!

Days on the beach ...

We bought a beach umbrella!

We went on an evening boat ride. The houses along the way were amazing!

We played miniature golf and ping pong! I lost! 

Apparently, I could own a fudge house! 

He waited for this funnel cake! I enjoyed a few bites.

We also got engaged. I was pleasantly surprised and very excited! We are elated and thankful to God for bringing us back together. 

We haven't announced it on any social media yet, but I wanted to write about it here. 

Last night celebration!

Our last day was bittersweet. It was time to leave, but our stay was so pleasant and our memories so happy that we didn't want it to end.

Till the next time, Ocean City, MD...