Wonderful Weekend!

This past weekend was definitely fun filled and exhausting!

Friday, my soon to be Mother in Law came in from Puerto Rico and we finally met face to face (as opposed to over Face Time!). I was very happy to finally meet her. Harry misses her very much, this I know, so I was happy to see them reunite. 

We spent the day with her in New Jersey and I got to meet Harry's stepfather, and visit with his siblings and nephews. His momma made us lunch -- pasteles and white rice! Delish!!!! In between lunch and going to one of his sister's homes, we took a walk to the water. It was nice to spend some time talking and enjoying each other's company. We watched people fish and ride their bikes. It was very sweet to just be. 

Harry stayed in Jersey for the weekend  and I came back to New York. I had planned to hang out with Nat as we haven't done anything together just her and I this summer. 

Saturday she and I went to the city to check out a street fair. This one was much better than the one we had gone to the previous weekend.  After that we hopped on the subway once again to head down to SOHO. I wanted to look for jewelry for the wedding, but we were unsuccessful. The traveling was very draining. Although we did not find what I was looking for, we did find an empanada truck and shared one filled with yummy chicken! Lol. Upon arriving home I made us dinner and she hung out. She did try to help, but it was okay. I was super tired from the previous day's long drives and the long walks through the city, I think I just wanted to do it all on my own. The next morning I had a race and wanted to get to bed early, but that didn't happen exactly as I had hoped. 

The following day was another busy one! 

First, as mentioned above, I had my race -- 5 miles -- plus two more. Marathon training is in full effect and exhausting. However, I'm so thankful to God that I'm back at it post surgery. 

Post race smile!

After I returned from the race and Nat from the gym, we attended my friend, Marlene's son's christening. It was a very sweet event. Although the priest spoke some excellent words of advice, the babies couldn't wait very long for him to finish. Haha! It was a lovely ceremony and I pray God blesses Hunter and his parents, Marlene and John, every day. 

Once the christening ended and we snapped a few photos, we attended the luncheon at Chat-19 and it was simply delicious. We got to catch up with friends, have enjoyable conversation and just enjoy a relaxed afternoon. 

Nat and I even got to take a few photos! 

She's so beautiful and grown up! I can hardly believe it sometimes. Love this kid very, very much! 

All in all it was a successful weekend. Nat went home yesterday after the gym, a walk, and a bad egg and ham sandwhich experience, and Harry returned from Jersey. Poor Nat. She was so sick from having eggs. 

She is leaving to head back to school in a week and we hope to have a last supper (till Thanksgiving) with her on Sunday. I will miss her, but am glad we were able to spend a little bit of time together before she goes. 

While I am still recovering from the weekend, I am thankful for every moment that came with it!

Slowing Down...

August 5th and I finally feel as though most of our wedding plans have been taken care of, thank God! I've spoken to my mom more than ever about things that have had me stressed out & she's been such a help! We actually celebrated her birthday this past weekend! 

Isn't she beautiful??? 

She's been a big help! So thankful for her!!

All in all, I wanted to have as much of the planning completed before going back to work and with a little help from God, friends and family, that's exactly how things have gone. I can say I'm excited, not too stressed out, and looking forward to whatever the next step is. 

Loving our smiles ... 

The summer is winding down with just a few games of kickball left, one more vacation to go and then work will begin. 

Tina came to last week's game and I really was thrilled to spend some time with her. She's a good soul.

Until work begins, I plan to spend some time w my love, my family and maybe some friends, if we decide to plan anything. I hope to relax as much as possible. I do have much to do and organize around this apartment, but I will get to it in due time. For now, I would like to enjoy each moment as it comes. 

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...