Just got my license- marriage license that is!

So this is how Thursday went:

Max and I headed down to Water Street to get our marriage license! Craaazy stuff. It's all coming together so well. I can't believe I'm getting married next month. I haven't been down to Water Street for about a year. It still has the same old town, dingy appearance but it felt different this time around. There was a kind of energy that has never been there before. Maybe because I was excited for what we were about to do, but I noticed things I never had before. Like a cute antique shop that looked about 100 years old right on the corner of Lake Mead and Water Street. Or the Farmer's Market that was going on right in front of City Hall with stands full baskets full of bright, red strawberries, tie-dyed shirts, homemade trail mixes and salsas, and even a stand that sold Tacizzos ( perfect mixture of a taco and a pizza..)

Plus there was this cute little boy that was having the time of his life running through those areas that shoot water out of the ground after you press a button. I mean, this felt like a cozy, California day and not the desert.

Needless to say I had a great day that got me SUPER excited for my big day. Here's some pictures of my CA Bridal shower that my WONDERFUL mom and sisters threw me. I had a blast and can't wait for my bridal shower here next Sunday. I know my BM and FMIL have some great things up their sleeves.

Can you believe my mom made these? She's the BEST caterer ever!

Sangria... mmmmm.

Adieu jolie!

How am I supposed to make it out alive?

I have no idea how I am going to handle the next four months of my life. I don't know how I am going to survive both full time work and school, leading a group of incredible young women to Christ, getting MARRIED, going on a honeymoon, moving, and trying to give my best friend the BEST bridal shower that has ever been and will ever be. I just have to take it step by step and rely not on my own strength but seek God. That is the only way I will make it out of this alive.

Nostalgia slowly crept up on me and gave me a swift kick in the behind this past week. As I was looking around my room I started to realize that I would shortly have to start packing all of my junk.

..and one of the worst things you ask???

donating my trophies and medals...

I know, i know. Of all the lame things I could be saddened by I get depressed over giving away my trophies. I just am proud of them I guess. I worked hard for those things. They represent mile after mile of countless races, yard after yard I spent rushing in flag football,  and every stupid time I cried in softball when I struck out. I used to have this complex when I was younger that being good in sports would make my dad's side of the family proud of me. They never cared about my trophies. Besides, their kids had WAY more anyway. When I look back at it in those terms it almost seems freeing knowing what I am about to do. I'm going to keep four medals though-of the races I am most proud of. Just so my kids will know that back in the day their momma used to dominate in cross country! Nah not really. And no I don't plan on having four children, i only want two. But I have heard many a story of women accidentally getting pregnant even though they were told it was impossible and were being extra "careful" so I'm just giving myself a little buffering room.

It is going to be so weird once my room is all packed up- just seeing all of my stuff gone. It will be especially weird that I have Proverbs 31: 10-12 up on my wall permanently. Oh well, dad can fix that later I suppose.


   "A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm all the days of her life."


Lord,

Let me bring Max good and never harm.

Amen.

Life after my Bridal Shower

So I am oober excited that I'm 72 days away from marrying an insanely wonderful, precious, sweet, kind, and adorable man!

On another note... here's how my bridal shower went.

My flight to San Jose was spent with me crying and wondering why God deemed it appropriate to have my flight be delayed because of very heavy ominous clouds. (I'm not a baby honestly- but the clouds made it look like the whole Earth was covered in snow and then I thought we will never land and I surely will die in this plane... I'm glad I didn't.)

Then as soon as we got landed safely, my mom met me at the airport and we spent the day eating yummy teriyaki, getting pedicures, and just talking. After the sweet relaxation time with my mom and younger sister we went into full blown party mode. My gosh was this exhausting! I felt like I didn't stop working until I was boarding my flight back home (which also went  horrible thanks to some lovely turbulence and resulted in marvelous vomit and me exploding into tears on my best friend's shoulder as soon as I got here.)

So the party was beautiful and I got LOTS of Bed, Bath, and Beyond giftcards and a couple cute lingerie outfits and we were off to an Irish Pub for the night. I danced the night away with my mom, older sister, and some cousins. Don't you love watching those really awkward 50 yr. old-ish men who absolutely can not dance but do it anyway. I know I do.

Thats all of the important details, I think.



...And now my mom is acting completely childish because I don't want a mariachi band at my wedding.

I was actually a little offended that she would suggest this but I kept that detail out, to which she replied, "Why you're Mexican?"

(Inner monologue)

UGHHHH!!! Are you kidding me?? Wow. Yes, I'm Mexican mom thanks for noticing. Also, thanks for knowing my taste in music and knowing that a mariachi band would be something I would LOVE having at my wedding. Oh wait, no... no.... no!" 


So then I asked if maybe we could compromise on an idea we both liked that could be included so that we both felt like  my heritage was represented but it would be something we both liked.

"No." said my mom. Quickly and rudely.

Then she said she had to go and told me to have a good day.


Yea, the rest of my day was great.

California here I come!!

T-minus 44 hours until I'll be in Northern California... YES! I'm SO SO excited for this weekend! My mom and sister are throwing me a bridal shower there so all of my family will be able to come. I'm pumped and ready to go! (if you couldn't already tell). I'm just in need of a break and it couldn't come at a better time. I finished summer school classes last Thursday and have to go back for Fall Semester in 20 days- some summer break. Oh well- it's definately better than nothing!

Things on the agenda while I'm gone:

-meet up with the best friend in Napa (hopefully!!) or Sacramento. I'm secretly pulling for Napa, don't tell Julie though. I'm such a wino and have never been there. I hear it's gorgeous though.

-get a pedicure... desert climates are not very nice to your feet, unfortunately.

-help my mom prepare Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Ham and Pineapple Wraps, Salmon with mango salso, and some other delicious concoctions. No wonder I love food- my mom did such a great job of
feeding us well- even when we had no money. Thanks Mom!

-spend some quality time with cousins that I love dearly. I'm a little sad that the only time were all together is during a funeral. Isn't it strange how you take family for granted until they're not living in the same state.

-possibly stop by the park i got engaged at on January 2.


-go dancing with everyone. I'm mostly excited to be with my big sis though. (I'm not a good dancer so hopefully I can provide some laughs and hopefully not fall!)

-go running in California on actual grass that is naturally grown.

-enjoy 70-80 degree weather (it's been far too long!!)

-sleep with my little sister

-joyriding with my mom in her car with the sun roof down listening to her sing.


okay, that's enough. I beginning to get impatient. Any other ideas for things I should do while I'm in CA?

Things I daydream about

Most people I know daydream about their future spouse, money, this amazing mansion they want to live in one day, etc. Not me. I am, unfortunatley, far less luxurious in my daydreams.


I dream of a crisp, clean, white kitchen.

...of fragrant, soft candles.

....of all of this stuff basically.

THIS LAST ONE IS MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE!!!!

Engagement Pictures!

Merci Beaucoup, Allie & Omar!!

We had so much fun taking these pictures and are so blessed to have you in our lives!

There was just a few that I loved. Which was your favorite?

Adieu.

Surreal

This place I'm in right now feels so strange and wonderful and a little sad. These days it's as if I'm finding out everyday that one of my friends is moving. The people that have captivated my life and entertained me, and hugged me while I cry, and made
me laugh, infuriated me, and cooked with me- they're leaving. I was depressed at first but now I find that maybe I have some purpose for being the one to stay in Henderson and stick around. I guess this means I'll be turning into that "road-trip" girl. You know that one whom everytime you see has different stories to tell of her latest road trip, with pictures taken in front of some funny, little crappy diner, with a million kajillion miles on her car. But it will be worth it.

My fiancé and I have no plans of moving-ever. We'll see what's in God's will, but I really do call this place my home. It's incredible that I'm marrying the man of my dreams in 100 days!!! It feels like it creeping up on us everyday.

He continually takes my breath away and shows me so much grace and is so captivating. I couldn't have dreamt him up. I'm so excited to begin a life with him.


Why do friends have to move away right when you're beginning to appreciate how beautiful and silly and uplifting they are?


Adieu Jolie.