Trip Around the Sun-Chapter 24

25 and FEELING FINE! 

Hello Dolls!

August is my favorite month, tied only with December. If you know me or have read any of my posts the past 2 years, you would know that August is not only my birthday but also the month that 6 years ago I began dating my now fiancé. Yes, I know with our upcoming wedding on February 15^th, after this year, August 25^th will no longer be an “anniversary”. But for me, it will always be a date I hold in my heart. In my opinion, dating for 6 years is plenty of reason to celebrate. Heck, some marriages don’t even last that long. SAD, but TRUE!

Now even though my birthday (quarter of a century! YIKES!) is today, we celebrated my birthday this past weekend at Top Golf in Houston. Typically we celebrate the weekend after, however unless you have been living under a rock, you would know that this week is the start of college football. A&M kicks off our 2013 season on Saturday versus Rice. With all the Johnny BS I am ready for a good game! Anyways, I had about me and 18 friends at Top Golf Houston this weekend and had a great time. If you haven’t ever visited top golf I highly recommend it. It always makes you feel really special to have a large group come together to celebrate your life. I feel so blessed to call each and every one of them friends.

I enjoy reflecting back on the past year on every birthday. It’s like your own “New Year” holiday. 24 had some hard times but it also had some of the best moments of my life! So here is a look back at my trip around the sun-chapter 24. Enjoy.

Last year around this same time I was once again blessed to have a group of people come together to celebrate. I’m not one of those people that think the older you get you don’t deserve a party.  Heck in my book, you just have more money to throw better parties! I had a wonderful time last year two-steppin’ and boogying down at Rebel’s with lovely friends.

October was a crazy busy month for me in 2012! I think Trevor and I were out of town nearly never weekend for Aggie Football and also wedding festivities from my friend Heather. It was a whirlwind of a month but I wouldn't change a thing.

Last Year the Aggies made their debut in the SEC. To say people doubted our ability to be successful would be the understatement of the year. But on November 10, 2012 we showed the Crimson Tide, the SEC and the rest of College football what we were made of. I don’t think I have ever had such a high heart rate during a football game. And yes, I cried when we won. #diehardfan

December is tied with August on best month of the year in my book. This past December was no exception. Being home with family for longer than 2 days is always a blessing. We’ve been doing the same thing every Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for the past 25 years, and I absolutely love it.

To round out 2012, Trevor and I hosted our first party at our new home for New Year’s Eve. We had a lot of laughs and a lof of fun. It was a wonderful night. The only tiny damper was the corneal laceration I managed to get at the end of the night. #worstpainever

Let’s talk about weddings. It is definitely that time in my life where everyone around me is getting married. I find it wonderful that everyone is finding their match. I wish every one of these couples a lifetime of happiness and hope for them they feel the same love they felt on their wedding day, every day of their lives together.

So May has to be like the #bestmonthever of Chapter 24. My best friend, Housewife, and soul sistergot engaged to the man of her dreams. Just so happens, I did the same. I am so excited to become his wife, it’s almost unbearable. You can read all about that joyful day here. It was been such a fun experience planning our weddings together. It’s like Bride Wars…without the war.

My girls move fast. What do I mean by that? Well, I got engaged in May, had a full on “Stock the Bar” Engagement Party in June. #blessedbeyondmeasure I also move fast, and Trevor and I were taking engagement pictures in July! No time like the present.

I can’t go without sharing (even though it was in August of this year) that I was lucky enough to have David Tuttera do a show in Houston. I was even more lucky when I got to meet him. #CanYouBeMyGayBestFriend? In all seriousness this guy is a genius, and quite hilarious too.

I always like to share the same excerpt from my first birthday blog every year. It reigns true every year.

“As a huge Jimmy Buffet stalker fan I live my life inspired by many of his songs. This one in particular I always end up listening to a lot when August rolls around each year. I think it's a great message and an awesome song. If you have never heard this song, I encourage you to take a few minutes and listen to it. It's called "Trip Around the Sun"-By Jimmy Buffett featuring Martina McBride. There is a particular line that says "Only time will tell if it was time well spent" and that is kind of how I want to live my life, no regrets, not worrying about everything, because eventually time will tell you if your decision was good or not. You can't predict the future so you might as well enjoy the ride."

The past year has been a whirlwind of different experiences. I learned a lot, struggled though some crap, grew in my faith, moved up in my career, found a new (and bonus HEALTHY) obsession- Les Mills Body Pump, GOT ENGAGED, and made some new friends. All in all it was a good year, but I am so excited for what the next year will bring! 

Cheers to my last birthday as a “MISS”.

 Now to get through this workday and start my new “trip around the sun” off with good food and company tonight! 

Sneak Peek- Engagement Photos

Monday's are never that great. Unless your on vacation or something like that...or don't have to be at work bright and early.

But this Monday is the exception! Today we got back a few of our engagement photos that our photographer was kind enough to rush for us so that we can get our save the dates ordered. I couldn't be happier with them. Taylor Brown, who is 1/2 of the photography business Foto-Tech, is simply amazing at what she does. Not only was she an ease to work with, but she is creative, kind, and fun. I am so glad we went with Foto-Tech for our wedding journey. If you are looking for a wedding photographer in the Houston/South East Texas region, I highly recommend Foto-Tech. :)

About a week and a half ago, we took of work early and headed down to Galveston to shoot our pictures. It was important to us to have our engagement photos really represent us as a couple. David Tutera always says that everything about your wedding should paint a story of each other's love for one another. So we wanted the pictures to look like us. We went with three different outfit choices, each showing a different side of us as a couple. 

First, since our wedding is themed "Black & White Tie Affair", we chose a dressy look, with me in a white chiffon dress with lace adorning the top, and Trevor in traditional black slacks and a white button up, completed with simple black tie. We want our wedding to be an elegant event and showing us in that same theme on pictures that will go on our save the dates was our goal.

Second, if you know anything about Trevor and I, you know that we are die-hard Aggie fans and most definitely bleed maroon. Not only did we meet while attending school at Texas A&M University, we are also football season ticket holders and have been since I graduated in 2010. We had to bring the maroon and white into the photo shoot since it's such a big part of us as a couple. Instead of the typical jersey look most people choose, I went with a maroon and white maxi dress while Trevor was in his typical football game gear, an Aggie polo, jeans, and cowboy boots. 

Lastly, we wanted to show a glimpse into our lives together, and a big part of that is the children we have. Okay, so maybe they aren't ACTUAL children but they are pretty darn close. :) Our fur-babies, Chanel and Shep are like are children, so there was no way they weren't being in the pictures. We also wanted to be in casual clothes because that is who we are! We love to spend time with friends and family just hanging out. I chose a mint casual top with black shorts while Trevor wore a coral button up with white shorts. 

After countless hours spent picking out the perfect outfits and making sure every hair was in place, we were ready (as we could be) for our pictures. Shooting outdoors is always fun, especially in the Texas Summer heat. Wind, high temperatures, and a million other things come into play, but Taylor did a fantastic job making us look fabulous. 

So without further ado, here are the first four photos from our engagement session we have received. I cannot wait to share the rest with you, which will be in 3 weeks, give or take. 

Let me know how you like them! Now it's time to get those "Save the Dates" ordered! 

Happy Monday Dolls! 

Wedding Planning Updates and David Tutera

When you get engaged the second thing people tell you after the initial "Congratulations!" and "So Happy for you!" is "Good luck, wedding planning is so stressful", or "Get ready for the stress!” I have to admit, my experience has been quite the opposite. 

Now don't get me wrong, of course there have been a few stressful moments along the way, but for the most part it truly has been a fun experience. And NO, I did not start wedding planning before I got engaged. Of course I thought of ideas and things I would maybe like but no real planning began until May 3 (the day after we got engaged). Plus, I did not want a long engagement, and after being a bridesmaid for 5 girls, I did learn that you have to move quickly on the big ticket items, I.E., church, venue, photographer. I really think that was the so called "worst part" was just trying to line up a date good for all those big items. 

So yes, as of last week I am officially done with all wedding planning except for our honeymoon. From the dress all the way down to the transportation, DONE! People look at me like I am crazy when I tell them that, but it's true. As far as the honeymoon goes we are waiting until later in the year for good deals since February is such a low travel month. So for all those future brides, just remember, wedding planning is as stressful as you make it but overall as long as you keep track of things and know your budget, it's really not that difficult. I can't understand how people get so stressed about it. 

Now one thing that I personally fine irritating about wedding planning is "The waiting game." Seriously you are always waiting on something! Since late May, I have been dying patiently awaiting the arrival of my wedding gown. I fell in love with a VERY unique gown and seriously cannot wait to get it in. It's one thing to try on a dress and love it but the GIANT, UGLY clips they use to make it fit you suck, and I want to see MY DRESS on me that actually fits (as a stomp my foot like a child). I was told it would be mid to late SEPTEMBER! :( But there is a chance it could come in earlier. SO needless to say, my heart skips a beat anytime a Houston number comes up on my phone. I have to take bridals in November so time is ticking...

Another "waiting game" situation is waiting for pictures to come back. Last Thursday, Trevor and I took our engagement photos. As of next week, our wedding is officially 6 months away, which is the proper time frame for save the dates. So now we have access to the online album but they are unedited and also have the watermark on them. We have to pick out the ones we want and specify the ones we want for the save the dates, which the photographer is going to get back to us on Sunday! The rest we should get back in about 3 weeks. I can't wait to see them and order the save the dates. I already have the designed picked out and everything. I will make a post about it once I we have mailed them out. Goodness, I love wedding planning. 

When it comes to wedding planning, there is no one greater than the fabulous DAVID TUTERA! and tonight, we are going to a show of his at the House of Blues called Dream Bigger. SO EXCITED! If you know me, you know I LOVE David Tutera. I think he is pure bridal genius. Fingers crossed I win some good prizes. :)

Happy Thursday Dolls!

Who Doesn't Love Wedding Cake?!

Hello All! I hope this week is rounding out nicely for everyone. 

Of course Fiance' and I have been full steam ahead with wedding planning. We had orientation at our church on Monday which went wonderfully. I love all the ministers and can't wait to see who will be marrying us. Below is a pamoramic shot of inside the church. Since we will be getting married at 5:30 in February, they said the sun will be setting right through the stained glass hitting the alter and it will be darker around the main seating. AHHHHH! So excited. 

 

Next week is meeting with the caterer for tastings of food and drinks. YIPEE! 

Which brings me to this weeks topic, wedding cakes! We have our official tasting with Edible Designs by Jessie July 11th. Which means I have 21 days to come up with a design I want for my cake, and also for Trev's. I know I want to keep with our black and white theme (MAYBE SOME TIFFANY BLUE) but goodness there are a lot of choices out there! So here are some of my favorites I have found. Feel free to sound off on the ones you like. :)

What do you think? I think the first and last are my favorites as of now!

Here are some fun ones we have found for Trevor. Of course he is most proud of being an Aggie, but nearly all of his friends who have been married before him has gotten an Aggie cake and he thinks he may want something different.

He's a chemistry nerd so he actually loved this idea. (LORD help me)

Ultimately it will be Trev's choice on his cake. I know he will come up with something fun!

***Update*** I am still working on becoming certified for body pump! Woo Hoo. On Tuesday I will be teaching two tracks with them MIC! Say a little prayer for me. 

Happy Thursday Dolls! 

The Proposal Story! (Finally)

Thursday, May 2nd seemed like any other Thursday to me. I woke up and got ready for my typical Thursday. Knowing I had a long day at work didn't make me any more excited. Little did I know, it would be anything but an ordinary day....

While at work that day I was texing with my friend Jessica. We had made plans to have a gossip fest wine night earlier that week. We were texting back and forth trying to figure out a location. We originally had made plans to meet somewhere in the middle of our two homes, after all, Houston is a big city. Over the course of the day though, Jessica started suggesting a particular place not far from her house. I will deny this if you ever ask me about it but I really was annoyed at our new location selection since it was nearly to Jessica's house but I went along with it anyways. She also said that she would pick me up from her house, which confused the hell out of me since we were going to somewhere that was right down the road from Jessica's house. But Jess came up with the perfect excuse and said she will be picking up her 17 month old daughter at her in-laws house after we were done that night. (Clueless Moment #1- Didn't even phase me)

When I got home from a VERY long day at work I noticed that an Engagement Basket that I had made for Housewife's Engagement (To catch up on that, check out this previous post). I yelled politely called out to Trevor asking where the heck Housewife's basket was. Trevor came down the stairs to inform me he had to take the basket to work for a presentation. My response was "A basket.... for a presentation?!?! What the hell kind of presentation is it that you need a basket?" He stumbled through some excuse and I actually bought it. (Clueless Moment #2-this basket was actually party of the proposal). 

Trevor and I then went up to a tanning salon so I could get a spray tan for the wedding that upcoming weekend. On our way home from the tanning salon I turned to Trevor and said "Do me a favor, before you propose, make sure I get a spray tan." (Seriously, swear on my life. I can't make this up) I had no idea that Trevor was trying his absolute best not to lose it since he was planning on doing just that in a matter of hours. Also, on the way home from the tanning salon, Trevor gets a call from his brother Matt. When Trevor answered the phone I could hear Matt talking very enthusiastically about something but out of no where Trevor cuts him off and says "I'll call you later", and hangs up! I was really confused at this point because Trevor loves to talk to Matt any chance he gets. When I asked him what that was about, Trevor just said he wanted to spend time talking to her since I would be out all evening. As sweet as it sounded, I  didn't buy that at all and just figured he was talking about playing Call of Duty later (which I despise).

Shortly after they got home Jessica shows up at our house and says she needs to change before we head out for dinner. SHE TAKES FOREVER! I was again, slightly confused at her behavior but just thought maybe she needed some down time after a full day with her 17 month old daughter, when in all actuality she was stalling to give Trevor time to get things ready. We finally get in the car to head to our selected location and Jessica turns IN to our neighborhood instead of OUT to the main street. When I asked her what the heck she was doing, Jessica said she wanted to look at the neighborhood playground because Mackenzie (her daughter) just loves tire swings. After driving by the playground and turning around, we pull up to a stop sign where Jessica stops so she can get directions going on her phone, which wouldn't be a big deal. But we were stopped for like 10 minutes! Trying to get direcitions to a place that is right by Jessica's house. LOL

Now at this point I am starting to really believe the rumors that after women have babies they get EXTREMELY scatter-brained. Utterly confused why Jessica needed voice activated directions to go back towards her own house, I decided just to let her sort it out. We finally get driving and Jess takes the WAY long way to get to their location. And by long way I mean taking 1960 over Beltway 8 in Houston at 6:30. Anyone who lives in Houston will understand the absurdity of that route. Now I'm really thinking hard at this point about ever wanting to have kids  if it makes you this bonkers. We were almost to our location when Jessica gets a call from her husband JB, who as far as I know, is at his parents house with their daughter. They exchange a rather funny conversation and when she hung up she told me that JB was asking about how long to heat up Mackenzie's bottle for when in reality he was actually with Trevor at the location and asking for an ETA! (Clueless Moment # 1,548)

They arrive at a place in Spring called The Vintage. As they are making their way towards the center of it all, (from the furthest parking spot away) I started asking Jessica where we are going and she's pretty much not answering me and telling me a random story about running into a poll one time. I decided to just give up, and follow her. As we come into the main area that has a big fountain and wine barrels surrounding the courtyard, we pass up the first place that I originally though we were going. I just keep following Jessica thinking we were just going to a different one when she passes the next one up too. While looking at Jessica, I ask where the heck we are going, Jessica replies, "I think I want to go here" and she is looking forward. Not realizing what she is talking about I finally turn my attention forward and  (To my complete and utter shock) I see Trevor standing their all dressed up holding a BASKET (yes the basket from earlier) filled with 3 dozen roses.

I couldn't move. Once I saw him standing their, smiling so big, I seriously stopped walking. I was in pure shock. All the signs from that day came flooding back to me at once and I couldn't believe I had missed it all.

Some of you may ask how I didn't know, after all we have been dating for nearly 6 years, it couldn't have been a surprise. Well I can tell you 100% it was a surprise. I knew it was coming but always thought it would be on a holiday or at least a weekend. Which Trevor told me later, is the exact reason why he did it on a random Thursday in May. He wanted me to have that moment of surprise and shock. (I love surprises) He also knew trying to get me to any location out side of the city (like on a vacation or day trip) I would have picked up on it and realized what was going on. Back to the story though...

As I stood there not moving, I heard two things. One, Jessica telling me to WALK, and two, a camera going off. I turned to the right to see JB, Jessica's husband taking picture of it all. At this point their was no doubt in my mind what was happening and I started to (in true Danni fashion) shake uncontrollably. As I made my way up to Trevor I can tell you I've never been so happy in my entire life. Once I made it up to where he was standing he began to tell me all the things that every woman dreams of hearing from the man of her dreams. As he spoke, tears began to fall down my cheeks. He finished his speech and then he dropped down to one knee and said "so with all that said, I NEED you to marry me." He then opened a ring box to the most beautiful ring I've ever laid eyes on. I somehow managed to get out a yes and even more impressively, Trevor somehow managed to get the ring on my extremely shaking finger. After that Trevor picked me up, and kissed me for the first time as his fiance. BEST. MOMENT. EVER

Once he put me down and I was able to stop crying, Jessica and JB came out and congratulated us. I was so happy they were a part of our special day. JB took some more pictures and then we went into the wine bar and restaurant that just so happened to be the first place Trevor and I went out in Houston. For next thirty minutes I could barely speak. I think I said "THIS IS CRAZY" about 20 times. That was all I could get out! Once I finally found my brain and voice again, I called my Mom, Dad, Grandparents, and Friends and let them all know the good news while we all enjoyed some delicious champagne, wine, and dinner. It was an amazing and perfect day that I will never forget as long as I live. 

We have to say thank you again to JB and Jessica for helping Trevor with the big moment. You guys are amazing and we love y'all! 

I am so blessed to have found the man of my dreams. I cannot wait to become his wife.