The bouquet

Since Kirstyn already posted this on her FB, I don't have any problems posting pics of her pretty bridal bouquet here...so without further ado...

So - what do you think?  Pretty, no? It's exactly what Kirstyn wanted!  We went Saturday and picked out all the flowers.  She wanted silk flowers that represented real wild flowers.  No purple petunia's or anything unnatural.  She also wanted some burlap, hence the burlap flowers.  She wanted it to be airy and natural, like she went to a field and picked the flowers that day.  Her only other request was for a "cascade" style bouquet.  She is using all colors in her wedding, but wanted to really pull out the yellow, green and orange.  I think this is an excellent representation of what she wanted to achieve.  Way to go, Tamara!  You did a great job!

Tomorrow is the Bridal Portraits and Friday is the Engagement Portraits.  I can't wait to see them!  We have a very talented photographer who excels at natural light photography - she's a perfect fit.  You may question why we are taking these pics so far in advance - well, the fact of the matter is that our photographer lives in Indiana and can't come down very often.  So - here we are!  Fun, fun, fun!

On another note - pray for Malissia - her ears are hurting her and she can't hear anything - probably another ear infection.  You'd think at 16 she'd outgrow them, but no!  Also, I'm worried I'm catching a cold.  I have a bit of congestion in my chest that is being persistent. 

BTW - for those of you who have been reading my blog - I'm on Round 6 of Game On.  We took a small hiatus from Thanksgiving until Valentines.  I put on about 1/2 my weight loss before we began Round 5 (I was eating everything in sight as though I'd never eat again!).  Fortunately for me I was able to lose all of it back in Round 5.    Round 6 brought a few changes - we decided to increase our water intake to 3 liters, or 96 oz, or 12 glasses per day (MAX!).  After a few complaints, we decided they could reduce it back down to 8 glasses, but NO alternative drinks (we had been allowing diet sodas, crystal light, etc...if you finished your 8 glasses).  If you can finish 8 glasses and then drink 2-3 diet drinks or other types of beverages, then you can drink more than 8 glasses of water per day!  So there!  :)  Anyway, I'm struggling on - dreaming of going to the lake, peeing in the bed, drowning - but struggling along.  Also, our weeks are from Wednesday to Tuesday instead of Mon-Sun.  I have lost 4 lbs in the 1st week!  So maybe there is something to this....  Wish us all luck - there are 10 playing this round.

K.  Bye, now!

Parent Taught Drivers Education - YUCK!

Yesterday Malissia and I were going to get her Drivers License.  Much to our dismay, we discovered we were unprepared.  I had called the local DPS office and was told to have her VOE form from school, her permit, another photo ID, her SS card, her Birth Certificate, her proof of Drivers Ed class and a verification form.  The only thing we didn't know about was the verification form.  We stopped by the Drivers Ed school to pick up her classroom certification when they notified us that #1 we needed to go to the DPS or online to get an app to mail, along with $20 to the Austin office to get a packet that would include the verification form I was looking for.  SIGH!!!

The Orange DPS office is much quicker, so I called them to see when they would close.  It was after 4:30pm by this time and they close at 5:00pm.  No time to get there!  THEN the lady at the DPS office informs me that I will need to mail the app to the Austin office with $20 and that will allow the DPS to send me a packet of information allowing me to purchase the Parent Taught Driver Ed documents that need to be completed before Malissia can apply for the Driving Test and get her license!  SCREAM!!!  This packet will cost about another $85!

It's NOT that it's so much money - I just wish someone would have offered the driving portion in a class - that's how I did it with Kirstyn and Ryan and it was SOOO much easier - much less hassle!  Plus, if you have to PAY for a list of packets and then PAY for the packet itself, kind of a rip-off, money-making scam by the Texas DPS, NO?  Grrrr....

So the app and check are in the mail and now I have to wait about 2 weeks before I get the list of packets.  THEN I can send that off and wait who knows how long for the packet to come in, then I get to wait for us to complete the time frame the packet determines, and THEN we get to go apply for her TXDL!!!  AAAuuuurrrrgggghhhh!!!!

Does anyone else feel my frustration?  I need a good prayer meeting and a really intense workout session! 

Oh, well.  I'll get over it, I'm sure!  Meantime, Friday is the Bridal Portraits and Saturday is the Engagement Portraits.  I know, I know...it seems a little wierd doing everything all at once, but the photographer is from Indiana and is coming in for this 2 week time frame, and we have no idea when she'll be back, so we have to do what we have to do when we can do it!  :)  Fun, fun, fun!

K.  Bye, now!

MMMMM...lovin' that new car smell!

Well, I finally did it!  I bought a new car!  Woo-Hoo!  I love it!  It's a titanium gray 2012 Hyundai Elantra Limited.  It has it all - leather seats, leather wrapped steering wheel & column, audio and bluetooth controls on the steering wheel, cruise control, electric door locks & windows, auto-dim rearview mirror with Homelink, blinkers on the outside rear view mirrors, 4 heated seats, 8 cup holders, AM/FM/CD, A/C & Heat, sunroof,rear bumper applique, a cargo net and cargo tray, sliding center console, 12V amps and IPOD jack, 17" alloy wheels, plenty of room inside and plenty of trunk room...

I purchased all the extras - the extended warranty on bumper to bumper, InTire, and a 7 year maintenance warranty.  It gets 29 mpg city and 40 mpg highway!  I'm in love!  Woo-Hoo!

It's all the blessings of God and my dad!  Dad helped me get what I wanted and what I needed for the long haul, then he financed it for me!  He even bought my old car, the 2004 Toyota Camry, for Malissia to have dependable transportation!  So very, very nice!  Malissia is even more excited than I am.  Now I need to go get her TXDL and we will be uptown!  :)

Well, that's the biggest news I have for now - I can't imaging anything better.  Talk to you guys later.

K.  Bye, now.

San Antonio TEXAS!!!

The Faith Tabernacle Apostolic Church young people took a trip to the fabulous San Antonio, Texas this past weekend!  We had a blast!

Thursday the bus left at 7am and we arrived at the Riverwalk Mall at 12:30pm.  We saw the Alamo IMAX and then headed straight to the Alamo for some perspective.  It was not my first time for the IMAX or the Alamo, but every time is a reminder of how brave the men were who fought for our freedom.  Thank God for real men!

This was followed up with a boat trip around San Antonio's Riverwalk.  My two favorite buildings are the one with gargoyles (not sure why!) and the one that is built so that when you are in front of it, it looks like a wall with no sides to support it!  Loved the story about the 3 story hotel that was moved 6 blocks away to make room for a MUCH larger hotel.  It was a historical building, so it couldn't be torn down.  It had to be moved in 1 piece.  It took several days to move it!

We finished off the night with supper at Mi Tierra's.  It was delicious.  We checked into the KOA and unloaded the bus.

Friday morning dawned bright and early.  We loaded up on the bus and headed to FIESTA Six Flags!  We spent the ENTIRE day there.  The only rides I rode were the two water rides (remember Thunder River and the Bamboo Shoot at Astroworld?  Same thing!).  I am afraid of heights so most rides are NOT my thing.  But I love to people watch, so I was a happy camper.  The weather was perfect.  I had a brisket sandwich for lunch and a funnel cake for dinner!  :)  We had pizza delivered when we got back to the KOA that night.

Saturday morning meant re-loading the bus and heading of to La Cantera and The Rim for some shopping!  Kirstyn was able to find a couple of really cute outfits for her upcoming Engagement Shoot and Malissia found a jumper for the Spring PicNic!  Whew!  That's a lot less sewing for me!  :)

The trip home was relatively uneventful.  Everyone was tired, but kinda sad to see it end.  I'll try to get my hands on some pictures to share.  My only sad thought the entire weekend was that Ryan wasn't there with us.  I truly missed him.

Last of all, yesterday was the Christening for baby Zoey.  It was a really sweet service and I was glad to be there to support my little family!  Zoey was happy and quiet all service (she even napped on my shoulder for a bit).  Halen was his cheerful little self and teased Malissia who REALLY wanted to hold him.  :)  She'll win him over, yet!

It was a great weekend, but I am still tired.  The garage sale is this weekend, so I'll be really busy when I'm not in church or at work!  Maybe I'll get to rest next weekend!  Also, the Game On is going to begin Wednesday.  I'm ready to get back on the band wagon and lose some weight!  :)  Wish me luck!

K.  Bye, now.

Great Weekend!!!

It has been the BESTEST weekend ever!  Well, it was really good, anyway!  We just finished our 4 weeks of revival, but the revival spirit hasn't departed!  Last night we had 2 new souls born to our church family!  SOOO exciting!  It reminds me of a song from years ago - I just feel like something good is about to happen!

Next up on the list is...drum roll...I'm GETTING A NEW CAR!  WOO-HOO!  I will soon be the owner of a 2012 Hyundai Elantra Limited in Titanium Gray!  I'm so excited.  And thankful.  I have God and my Dad to thank for helping me out.  It's really nice to have someone to sit down with who takes the time to walk you piece by piece through what you need/want/can afford...and help you make a final decision.  I've waited a long time for a new car and I can't wait.  The only other person who is as excited about my new car is Malissia.  SHE gets my old one when I get the new one!  :)

This weekend the Faith Tabernacle Young People are taking a trip to lovely, scenic San Antonio, TX!  OLE'!  Buenos Dios!  Mi Casa y su Casa!  Well, that's about all the spanish I remember from High School!  I LOVE San Antonio.  A day on the riverwalk, a day at Fiesta, and a day shopping in the lovely outlet malls!  There are almost as many adults going as there are young people, so I find myself wondering who will have more fun - the adults or the teens.  Hmmm...it'll be some stiff competition.  We are having a singing around a campfire at the KOA Kabins with pizza and s'mores.  Yummy! 

It's spring break this week, so I've put the girls to work on straightening up the house before we go out of town.  I love being able to come home to everything nice and neatly in it's place.  Makes coming home splendidly wonderful!

We are still planning the wedding.  It's going to be such a fun, lighthearted wedding.  Just like Kirstyn & Colby!  Less than 1 year to go now!  Time's awasting.  We have her dress and have the cake ordered and the photographer scheduled.  I know it'll be here before we know it!

Well, that's all for now.  Hope you all had as good of a weekend as I did!  Love you all bunches!

K.  Bye now.