Remembering...

This weekend is the annual Fall Festival at the church my brother and his family go to. I was thinking back to this time last year and how much life has changed. That weekend, my mom and step-father Barney drove over to spend the day with us and enjoy the wonderful weather. WOW, what a difference a year makes. NEVER in my life if you would have told me that day, eating a hot dog and watching Grace play would Barney that a year later he would be gone. It is a loss that my family feels everyday. How short we had him and how long he will remain with us is amazing in itself. He came into our lives to fast and just that fast he was gone again. As I sit here in a house my mother never imagined owning, living in Conroe again, and not having him with her, I am stunned at how short, amazing, lonely, wonderful and miraculous life can be....

Also, I remember that a year ago I didn't even know Jeff, my soon to be husband. I was dating someone else in fact and praying to understand why that relationship wasn't what I dreamed it should be. I was trying to hard to make it something it wasn't, spending to much time worrying, crying, and hoping things would change. They did...we broke up. After that happened and I moped around for a while, I decided to give online dating a try again and there he was, my prince.

I guess this weekend is I have been doing a lot of thinking...and have come to a conclusion that isn't shocking to me at all. Life is about Change...sometime that change is good, great, sad or horrible but change it is. It is going to happen and we must ride the ride....

Final Things....

Today is the two week mark, we are two weeks away from the wedding. We got the marriage license yesterday and Jeff's ring today. He picked out one that was titanium and looks really good on his hand. From there is was off to buy a suit and new pair of slacks. He needed one, I guess. Every guy should at least one suit, or so I tried to tell him. He looked so handsome and he liked the way he looked as well. We got more gifts in the mail today and finished sending off the last of the "after wedding" brunch mom is having at her house. She said, she thinks the post office won't know what to do without us and all our mail outs. I said true, but then comes the thank you notes for wedding presents. Tonight is Jeff's bachelor party. His friends and family are getting together in Huntsville to celebrate. I am so glad that my dad is going too. Don't know how bad he is looking forward to it but he is anyway, which is good for him to do.

Bachelorette Party

GIRLS NIGHT OUT!!! On October 18th, 10 of my best friends and family hit the road for Houston and girls night out. We all met over at my mom's house and then headed to Houston. My cousin, Karen had already found us a great Mexican food place and then it was off to Howl at the Moon. That is a great place to go, home of the dueling pianos. We ate, drank, danced and laughed so much I was exhausted afterwards. It was so much fun and I am so lucky to have a great group of family and friends.

Couples Shower

WOW, what a weekend...on Saturday, Oct 11th Jeff and I had our couples shower at Buca di Peppo on the Woodlands. It was great. It was hosted by Jane/Jim, Mary/Kim, Caroll/Tom and Karl/Joy, they are all my aunts and uncles. It was a great time and we had so much fun. All of Jeff's family was there and most of mine. The food was great and we played two games. One famous couples and another "project runway" style brides show. Each group had to make up a person as a bride using newspaper, toilet paper and tape. IT WAS HYSTERICAL! Jeff and I loved it...seeing his friend Cody dressed as a woman and then there was my dad! He was a riot, very out of character for him. Both he and Jennifer's dad were dressed up and as people were saying the things they do for their daughters! It was great. Viola, Macy and Nancy were wonderful as well. It was great to see what people can do in a short time...to funny! The night was great and so much fun. Jeff and I loved it and feel so blessed to have all these wonderful people in our lives. All the more reason after the weekend of showers to be excited about the reception, it will be so much fun!

Dessert Shower

Well thanks to Hurricane Ike, my first bridal shower had to be postponed. It was a dessert and wine shower. I was disappointed to say the least but what you going to do, no lights..no water, no shower! Jennifer, Terra and Stella had wanted to host a shower for me so on, October 10 the rescheduled shower took place. IT WAS GREAT!!! We all went to Jeff and Jennifer house, which was decorated beautifully. They had so many wonderful desserts and wines to choose from. I was so happy to see all my friends and family there. Even my Aunt Caroll from Las Vegas was able to come, she wouldn't have before, so that was one positive from Ike. I got so many wonderful things, Jeff and I don't even know how to say thank you enough...it is a very humbling experience to see all the packages and know they came from people you know who care so much. Some of my family got to meet Jeff's mom and Aunt for the first time and it was an instant laugh fest. It was a great time had by all, especially me the bride. I was so honored to have a wonderful sister like Jennifer who would go to all that trouble, she is the best.

Bridal Pictures

On Saturday, Sept 20th I was supposed to have the first of my two wedding showers. Well thanks to Hurricane Ike that was had to be changed to Oct 10th. I was disappointed I will say but what can you do, we had no power. Can't have a bridal shower in the dark...no fun there. So that big event is coming up and now because of the new date, several like Caroll are coming that would not have been able to before so that is one positive and I can not wait!

On Saturday, Sept. 27th Mom, Mary, Mimi and I ventured to Rice University to take my bridal portraits. To say I was a little nervous is an understatement. I wanted everything to be perfect (I am a bit of nut about that stuff, working on it though). I had spent the morning getting my hair and makeup done and was really happy with the turn out. As Carla (hairdresser) and I said..."this will go in the hairdo hall of fame." I loved it...and then it was off to Rice.

We stopped first and got a smaller version of my bouquet that I had ordered, LOVED IT. Then it was to the area parking lot to change into my dress, yes that is right. I changed into my wedding dress and such in the parking lot of the university. Dana, the photographer and I were off with our helpers. Thank goodness Mary and Mom were there. I needed a lot of help, with my dress, flower, veil, etc. Looked like I was famous....but I think we got some great shots. I have always loved that school and all the wonderful architecture. It was also so special to share that day with my mom, Mary and my grandmother. It made the day even more wonderful! Now, I just have to sit and wait to see them...I AM DYING!

Where did the time go?

It has been so long since my last post...where do I begin. Well,I guess I need to begin at the end. The end of the last post that is...Well September, what a month.

The move went great, had few moments of WHAT AM I DOING, WHERE IS ALL THIS STUFF GOING! Slowly but surely, it is going to all be alright. I have had days were I have thought it will never happen, I will never get it all done, never get it all moved into place, never be settled but I know it will. I know that it is only stuff and I will be able to wade through it sooner or later. It is really amazing how the little things in life make you so happy. For example, working my way through the boxes and finding the front door! Jeff just laughed at me but I was so proud...WE HAVE A DOOR, I CAN SEE IT BEHIND ALL THE BOXES! I guess this is something all couples go through but I think for Jeff and I it is a little different because we are older, we both have more stuff. Tons of stuff and making it all come together (the deer heads) is our greatest challenge and biggest source of laughter.

The month was going along fine until a storm named Ike showed up. At first they told us, he was going farther south, no worries for us. Well he changed his mind and headed right for Houston and I-45. Just like they said he would, that storm right up the freeway through Conroe. We were out of school for a week, without power for about 6 days (felt much longer than that, but we made it through. Had a few limbs down in the yard thank goodness. I know many people that lost a lot more than we did. I will say that the good thing about the whole experience was learning to relay on each other so much more again. We spent time as a family outside, cooking on the grill, eating together, carrying water, etc. Just being together without any other outside distractions and that was nice. But let me say..as much as I loved it, this girl loves her air conditioner too!

After Ike, it was back to trying to return to normal. That hasn't been easy for some. I see that at school all day, everyday...but we are going to be fine and taking it one day at a time.