“ For better or for Worse!”

Our big day has come and gone, Alex and Sarah Garcia were officially married on October 1st 2011 at 5:00pm on the Frito Lay Ball Park in Plano Texas.
So many people told me how quick the day would go by and how you wouldn’t even remember half of what happen. So I want to log this so I have a permanent reference.

We didn’t really go the traditional route with the whole last single night thing. We slept in our bed for the last night of being an engaged couple. We woke early that morning and had pancakes, bacon that Alex so “neatly” cooks! After breakfast we went our own ways, the girls went to my parents and all the boys stayed at the house.  We started our hair around 10:30 and just had a good time relaxing at my parents house.  Makeup appointment was at 2pm…at that point I was a little anxious but it really had not hit me yet.  After we got home from our makeup appointment we had to hurry and get dressed, putting on that white dress has never felt so real as it did the minute I looked in the mirror and realized I had an hour before I became Mrs. Garcia.

Once we were all dressed we loaded up and headed to the ball park. About this time I was beginning to freak out just a little bit.  Not going to go into detail but the boys had some problems getting to the fields on time. Had some problems with the dogs, and then forgetting the iPad. It all worked out and we were only about 20 minutes behind schedule. Before I knew it, it was time to walk to the pitching mound.  I had been playing this moment in my head for the last 3 months, and nothing I imaged even came close to the real thing.

Once we reached the pitching mound and made our slow turn to walk down to home plate my heart skipped a beat. At that moment this is no words to describe the feeling I felt looking into Alex’s eyes and seeing his gigantic smile. If I ever had any doubts or worries they were all gone at that moment. We locked eyes and never looked away I was giving away at home plate by my dad, and the rest is history. We exchanged our vows and said “ I do”. It was perfect he said kiss your bride and I knew the rest of my life I would be Mrs. Sarah Garcia.

The reception followed and was better than I expected my mom, and aunt’s put so much work in to the hall it looked absolutely breath taking. The night carried on with cutting of the cake, speeches, and then the garter and bouquet toss. Through all the dancing and laughing we had an amazing time celebrating with our family and friends. Before we knew it, it was time to go and boy was I ready exhausted is an understatement of how I was feeling.

Our wedding turned out being so much more than I expected, now we are ready for the next chapters in our book.

Life is great!

Till then....

Keep smiling, because life's a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about."

"Just because you fail once, doesn't mean you're gonna fail at everything. Keep trying, hold on, and always, always, always believe in yourself, because if you don't, then who will, sweetie? So keep your head high, keep your chin up, and most importantly, keep smiling, because life's a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about." 
— Marilyn Monroe

My Tattoo 

Came across that quote this morning, and I can’t explain the feeling it gave me inside. It made me realize everything going on around me will pass, and life is one day at a time. Lately my days feel like minuets, and  my weeks have all ran together.  I just can’t seem to slow down time. Every time I look at a calendar… October 1^st keeps getting closer and closer. We are now roughly 45 days away, and I think I am completely freaking out.  I have been so stressed it has put a lot on our relationship. Yesterday is the first time in weeks we hung out and did nothing. Just enjoyed each other’s company for the evening.  Alex is working 50 – 60 hours a week, and when he is not working he occupies his time with Softball tournaments, or weekday games.  My on the other hand, have a list the size of Texas of things that need to get done.

Last week I  went to me very first dress fitting with my mom, $ 169’s in alterations later. I have a dress that fits like a glove.  After that we went to our cake bakery and paid them for the delivery fee of $ 120. Once all that was finished we then had to go buy the Sash that goes on my dress which was $ 69.   It seems to me everyone charges an arm and a leg for anything that has the word “Wedding” in the description. If I had to describe in one world how I feel about our wedding is would be…Ready.

Ready for it to be here, ready to stop the wedding spending, ready to be Mrs. Garcia.  READY!

Marilyn is right no matter how bad you think life is going, or how much you are just not feeling it…Keep smiling! That’s my biggest challenge in life is enjoying the little things. Remembering I have my family, friends, and Alex everyday to help me through any challenge that I come across. I need to remember not to compare myself to other, My life is just fine the way it is…even know we have rough days I love Alex with all my heart, and that’s why I am walking down the aisle to meet him at the end, till the end. 

Staying positive is my mission for these very short 45 days we have left before the big day. Not letting small things get me off path, like money, or wedding things going wrong or not the way I planned. Because like I have been told several times, no matter what happens on October 1^st 2011 the most important thing that is going to happen is we are going to stand in front of all our family and friends and take the next step of spending the rest of our life’s together, and when that happens the entire day will be a success!

Till then, 

Best Advice Yet!

So we had our usual Thursday night softball game in Little Elm, which I have to say is my favorite night of the week. I love spending time with Cindy, Brandy, and Holly and just having some real girl talk. Our real girl talk got really good last night and I heard the best advice yet. It is not the first time I have ever heard this, but last night it just hit me, the light bulb came on and it really meant something. It all started over a few beers and talking about the three M's... marriage, money and men. I started venting about last weeks mood and how Alex was not helping it get any better. Pretty much after pouring my heart out about how I felt about the three M's, Brandy looks at me and simply says " Marriage is Hard, and it's not going to get any easier. You learn to take the bad and enjoy the good." I have heard that so many times, but for some reason last night it just hit home. Made me look at my relationship with Alex in a completely different way.

Less than 2 1/2 months till this becomes a family! 

On a different note...I have been wanting a new king bed set for a while now. I had purchased a Queen bed spread several years ago and have been using that. It is to small, a greenish blue color that matched nothing, and I never cared enough to make my bed because I hated the way it looked. So I was talking with Kayla our roommate and talking about how I loved how she made her bed everyday, and how I really wanted a black and white king size bed spread, and I would make my bed everyday. So Wednesday night she comes home with a brand new king size beautiful black and white bed in a bag! I was shocked.... she said it was an early Birthday-Thank You present. This is not an actual picture of my bed before but I wanted to get the point across. 

BEFORE

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AFTER

Isn't it lovely? I am so thankful I have great people in my life. Thank you Kayla. That is not the only thing that Kayla has brought in the house that I love. Let's start from the beginning, Kayla and Josh which is Alex's cousin moved in the beginning of June, and are staying in one of our spare bedrooms. Long story short they needed to get out of his mom's house and we have more than enough room for them. Well they didn't come alone they have an adorable 3 year old little boy named Jayden. I absolutely love having him around the house, you can be having the worst day ever and you come home and see his smile how can you not smile with him. I mean look...

How can you not love this adorable face? What I love is that even Alex is a sucker for this little boy. Almost everyday he takes him outside to go hit some baseballs in the backyard. He can even cheer up Alex when he comes home in a bad mood. I love to see them together makes me really believe that Alex is going to be a great dad some day. 

Till then...

My Rain Cloud is Gone

I was starting to think I was going to be stuck in a funk forever. I had tried everything...girl's night, shopping, cleaning, and even comfort food!  Nothing seemed to work, I think it was like a cold it had to run it's course. 

So this week is going by very quickly which is a good thing because this weekend we have big plans to go cake tasting!  I am super excited and stressing out at the same time. All I think about when I start thinking wedding cakes is ... $$$!  With really no ideas of what I was looking for I went searching online, found this one and just fell in love.

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I love It! It's a little big but the simplicity of it just makes the cake so beautiful to me.  The tree bark stand really brings it together with the rustic look I am going for. I think I could even love it without the flowers. Of course the ribbon will be the Lapis Purple I am going with, and if I do go with flowers they will be a lighter purple color. Speaking of falling in love...

I found the tree bark stand idea at Kinser Event Company's Blog and I absolutely fell head over heels! Now if I can only find someone who is chopping down some tress to get some pieces cut. Seems like ever since all those cake shows came on TLC and Food Network everyone wants to charge an arm and a leg for wedding cakes. Maybe this being my very 1st wedding cake purchase I just have a small case of  sticker shock. 

So the Bride's Maid dresses have been found and it's all left to the girls to get them before the wedding. Megan and I went to David's Bridal yesterday after a long time of procrastinating the trip to find dresses. I had looked at DB's before and was not happy with the selecting, so then we were left with trying to get all the girls together to go dress sale shopping, resulting in failure. Got a email from DB's yesterday with some new fall dress styles and actually liked a couple of them. Resulting in dress success! 

So here they are you really can't tell from the picture but the fabric is Satin, and the sides have pockets, which the girls love! It was a very quick and easy trip and I am very happy to say "It's over"! I am very excited to be checking things off my list again. I ordered our invitations last week so they should be coming in soon. I think I am going to keep those a surprise, don't want to give everything away! 

So cross your fingers we find cake's Alex and I can agree on...style and price!!!

Until then.. 

I just need to ramble...

Why is it the idea to blog only pops in my head when I am annoyed or pissed and have the urge to get it out?  I don't want this to be a place where I come and just bash my life or where I come to pour my heart out, not really my thing. I am just going to take a few deep breathes and start over....
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3......

This weekend was a very busy weekend as always in our house. I got the feeling this weekend like I have been neglecting wedding planning. The previous statement is very true to set the record straight, seems like I have an overwhelming feeling when it comes to wedding planning. I am back at square one with... " I don't know where to begin!" So there I went Sunday night at 8pm writing out all the things that needed to be done before August 1st.

The list looked a little like this..

1. Invitations  - Order & Ship
2.Cake - Appt & Order
3. DJ - Find and Book
4.Center Pieces - Mason Jars (10)
5. Tux's for the guys
6. Bride's Maid Dresses

Then my mind went on a 10 mile run, and didn't stop for any breaks. I was then stressing about the funds to cover all this and when and were all this had to be done by. Was there going to be a surcharge for this and a late fee for that. I stopped my self before having a small panic attack. Monday morning has been a success I called and booked the cake tasting, and A-ok'ed the invitations with Alex so they are ready to order on Friday. I messaged a few DJ friends of ours to see if they would be interested. Last but not least made a phone call to my brides maid's to scheduled a dress shopping trip for Friday.

I think I am pretty amazing sometimes every now I am stressed up the my eye balls, Just a few seconds to get my mind right and I am off on a mission of getting things checked of my list again. Megan is a humongous help she has no idea how much she keeps me sane...Thank you Megan.

This week is going to be busy as usual...just excited to have today to do nothing!

Till then,

Stuck in a Funk!

So I have been in this "mood" now for almost a week now, and it doesn't help that I can't really explain what it is I am feeling or why. So I looked up Funk in the dictionary and this is what I got...

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This explains a lot...I am going to go with 1 and 2 combined. I have a great fear of life....and what may come in the next 4 months, and I also have this dejected mood that seems to be just lingering. I am really not sure if it is the wedding coming up in 3 months that has be so stressed out so much that I can't even function. Maybe it's our busy schedule and our endless checklist of projects and outings that are costing us money. Seems like the theme of my life right now is "If it's not one thing, it's another!" Complaining is really the only thing I feel like I am doing right now days. 

I am looking forward to this weekend though and spending come quality, much needed time with my bride's maids. We are going dress, and accessory shopping for their dresses. Really hoping I can shake this mood by then I really don't want to be a Debbie downer. I think my "Funk" is due to lack of me time. I love Alex to death and I love every minute of every day I am with him, but I am going through this whole I am losing my Independence phase (again) I am freaking myself out about the wedding and that It better be the right thing to do, because I don't want to be part of the 85% divorce rate in the US now days.  

Not to worry I will be okay, give me a few days and I will be back with a happier post. 

Till then...

Boiling Point!

So Friday is finally here this week seems like it just flew by. With the Housewarming party tomorrow my mind is going 100 miles an hour and I don't know what to do first. Trying to focus on breathing and not having a panic attack. I love gatherings with friends and family it is probably one of my favorite things to do, but when it is at our house for the 1st time " I am freaking out!" "What if there is not enough, forks, pickles, napkins?" These are questions and thoughts that keep running though my head and stressing me out. I have made a physical, mental, and iPad checklist of everything I need to clean. Think I am crazy...don't worry so do I, but it is just something that makes me feel better.

My Hunny Bunny is trying to help me sleep tonight by going to Sam's with me after work, and getting all the food and everything we need for the party. I am also having one of my very best friends Megan come over extra early tomorrow to get a head start on this cleaning project. Very excited to present our 1st real house to all our friends and family.

Other news in our Itty Bitty Life...I pick up my wedding dress in 2 weeks so I am really getting back on this low carb thing and trying to lose some weight. I am calling it Project Shed Some Pounds. Sounds way better than that horrible "D" word they use. Invitations are going to be done by mid July. I really hope that is not to late for an October 1st wedding. I think after this party is over  I can breath sit back, and start slowly getting back into the wedding planning.

I am hoping to take some pictures this weekend, If I am not running around like a chicken with my head cut off! I'll keep you posted!

till then,

" I have forgot to stop, & smell the flowers."

"Life".... It's one of those words I to often use to explain an unfortunate situation or incident. My life right now is going so fast in front of my eyes I don't know where to grab and hang on to. I remind myself at night the things I didn't finish, and the things I need to add to tomorrows list. Its overwhelming and exhausting I have so many mixed emotions, but what is coming out the most is anger.

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I have reached a point where my body, and mind are telling me no, and I want to keep going. I am mad at the world because I feel like I am doing this all alone. In reality all I have to do is ask. It's a self battle with me and my thoughts, and what I want. I compare myself to other people, and where they are in life. I have forgot to stop and smell the flowers. I have been so involved in moving, getting unpacked, getting ready for housewarming party,The wedding (only 3 1/2 months away), softball, and working. I have forgot to remind the love of my life how much he really means to me.  I have forgot to call my mom and chat on the phone just to hear how she has been doing. I have forgot to run a hot bath and soak with some candles to relax.

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My vision is so tunneled right now I can't see anything around me, and I am terrified I am going to miss these moments.  These are the moments I am never going to get back. Alex and I have no kids, and we have our life...our plans, and everything we do is for us. I don't appreciate enough of what I have in life. I need to remember to stop and smell the flowers, because what if one day those flowers are not there to smell? Brings tears to my eyes to even image living a day without Alex, or my parents, our close friends. 

Instead of filling my mind with thoughts of what is not done, and what I am going to have to do next. Maybe I need to listen to what God wants me to hear, I am so busy always doing, and never have time to stop and listen.It's sad that I have to watch " P.s I love you" to make me want to lay in Alex's arms and smell his shirt...just to have that memory...and feeling.  My goal this week is listening. I am going to close my mouth and open my heart and listen to what God has for me to hear. 

P.s Here is our cute Housewarming Party invitations I made in word! 

Till then...

Almost Back to Normal.....Almost!

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Through the blood, sweat, and the tears we finally did it. We are moved! Although moving plans didn't really go exactly as planned, but what does these days? We figured we would start moving through out the weeks before so we would not rush it all in before the weekend softball trip to Wichita Falls came the last week of May. So we moved load by load day by day, and seemed like there was no ending to moving. We would load the truck, and think we had a lot done and come back and there was even more stuff to move. Moving is one of my least favorite things in the entire world. Hard to believe because there is a lot of harder things, but something about the stress from moving, and the loading and unloading. I HATE IT! Ahh now its all over and we are officially moved in as of last Sunday when I unpacked the last box standing! Feels good the house is so roomy and as we look around our neighborhood we are the youngest people there which makes us smile in a sense of accomplishment.

My goal now is to make it through June alive and get right back to wedding planning in July. Also I have some really cute ideas for project around the house I am so excited to share.  I really love to look at before and after pictures and I can't wait to have our own from our 1st house.

stay tuned...

"It's not Luck, It's Faith!" - Me

What a wonderful week so far...It is only Wednesday and I am all smiles with no complaints. Lets start with this weekend. We made a short trip to San Antonio to stay with my aunt and uncle for our wedding pictures. We woke up early Friday morning and started shooting, 3 hours, and 250 pictures later we ended up calling it a day. We came out with some really good pictures, here are a few of my favorites.

We had so much fun, and it was easy with my uncle as the photographer he had a lot of fun. I am just thankful he was feeling well enough to take the pictures. So after the pictures we had lunch and then took a dip in the pool, including Misty. She had her 1st road trip and with some help of Benadry she did really well. 

We got back Friday night and Alex worked Saturday I packed and got ready for the move this weekend. Sunday we celebrated Laura Perez's birthday Juiced style and did a cook out after our softball game.

Monday morning I reported to work like normal and was listening o the radio and all of a sudden hear my name and that I had 10 minutes to call in to start making $100 an hour on their payroll.I called in and it was me they we looking for. I won $500.00 Monday and I was ecstatic, I have never won anything on the radio and for my 1st time to win $500. I was just pickled to death. Thank you KSCS you made my year!!!

The rest of this week is going to packing we move this Friday and Saturday and I can't wait I am super excited and I think everyone else is too. (Misty, and Grace) I am more than ready to get it over with though! 

I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

" I said Yes to the Dress"

Good Morning,

I had a wonderful weekend, and got so much done! My weekend actually started early when I got off to get some things checked off my to do list. Alex and I took Misty to the dog park in Allen with Alex's cousins Josh, Kayla and their little boy Jayden. After the dog park we went home and just took it easy had a nice relaxing evening.

Saturday morning was my 1st ever adventure with trying on dresses. Megan, Lana, and my Mom all went to David's Bridal for my 10 O'clock appt. Alex's mom and sisters joined a little later. I tried on about 8 dresses and fell in love with the 1st and 3rd one. When it came down to it I picked the 3rd one the 1st one was gorges but a little to fancy for our Baseball/Rustic wedding. It was a lot of fun though, it made everything feel really real, looking at my self in the mirror wearing a wedding dress and Vail! It was a lot to take in and I realized I am not a little girl anymore and soon I will be a married women . Everyone had a lot of fun Lana, and Megan even got to try on a few bride's made's dresses. Didn't find anything so we are going this weekend to go look.

This week and weekend are going to be crazy, heck this entire month is going to be crazy!  We have a short week this week we are leaving for San Antonio on Thursday to drive down and stay with my Aunt and Uncle.  We are going to wake up early Friday morning, and go take some pictures for invitations, and to have for decorations at the wedding. After pictures we are driving pack Friday evening/night. Alex is going to work Saturday morning, and I am going dress shopping with my bride's maid's. Then Sunday is Laura's birthday on Juiced so we are going to cook out after the game and celebrate her birthday.

I officially have packed 7 boxes, and I am proud of everyone of them.  I just can't find the motivation to pack the house the move. I am very excited about moving, but not excited about the move. I am really looking forward to all that extra room. With everything going on I am still trying to stay strict on my eating habits so I don't gain any more weight and would like to lose seriously about 10 - 15lbs before the wedding.

So that is our update, still playing softball 6 days a week, packing, planning, and trying to remind myself to breathe.

Till next time<3

" Life is about laughing & living through good & bad times!"

Last weekend was very productive. I can officially say I have marked off at least 3 things off my Wedding to do list. We went to Kay's and Alex picked out his ring, and I got my wedding band, it was funny I kept wanting him to look at the more expensive ones' and he was just fine with the plain Jane ones's. That's Alex never really likes to be flashy except for when it comes to Softball bats! I also ordered our Save the Dates I only paid $15.00 for them I got a free 100 and just had to pay shipping and handling. From vistaPrint.com I am hoping they run a special on invitations so I can go through them as well.

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Back

So now with all the big stuff out of the way right now it gives me some time to just sit back and relax and enjoy the silence from all running thoughts in my head. Misty started her 2nd round of traning classes she is now in the intermediate classes and Monday was her 1st one. I have a feeling that this class is going to be more work for us than it will be her. I am excited to see what will come from it though. She has already learned "Stay" and she does it very well even with distractions. Our baby is growing up she is now officially 40lbs see...

Speaking of good deals I found this special at Canvaspeople.com they were giving away a free 8 x 10 canvas picture all you have to pay for was shipping that came to $ 14.56. I love it I think I am going to get a plate stand and put it somewhere in the house. I might just go do a couple more and have them in our bathroom at the new house.

Life is good right now, not to hectic just enough where it is easy to keep it together. Alex has a bachelor party this weekend. He will be leaving Friday and coming home Easter Sunday. They are getting a cabin in the wood by some lake and spending a much needed guys weekend away. I am going to use the time for packing, and throwing stuff away. There is our mid-April update stay tuned for more!

"A smile is a curve that sets everything straight."

Well the suspense feeling is gone...we are officially not joining the Army, and now we can move on from all that. I have to admit It would have been an interesting run, but I am so much more happier knowing I get to have Alex in my arms every night.

With all that out of the way I am now looking forward to our 4 year anniversary coming up this month on the 26th. I am not sure what I want to do yet, was thinking of going to our 1st date restaurant it's called Luna De Noche. I will never forget before we walked in the restaurant he made me leave my cell phone in the car, so we could have a nice, and quiet dinner. Then half way through dinner it started to storm like the sky was falling, and everyone and my mom was trying to reach me since I was only visiting from San Antonio. It was a good first date, had the butterflies, and the awkward silences...who would have known 4 years later, we would be engaged and getting married!

Misty Update:

Well Misty starts her 2nd round of training classes starting on Monday the 18th. Her teacher actually asked us to make sure she gets the next round because she is just to smart and needs the training to be the very best dog. It's so funny we get so proud when she does so well in her classes, like she is our daughter. She is getting so big to last time we weighed her she was at 37lbs. I can't believe it 7 months ago she was only 9lbs and barley could wear her collar we got her.

Moving Update:

So "WE GOT APPROVED!!" we are moving into the town home in Plano. We are hoping to have everything packed by May 15th, I want to start moving stuff over on the 23rd and get totally moved in by the end of that week. I am excited I want to go in and paint and get everything nice and clean. So excited this is will be our "1st official home" I think Misty, and Grace will be excited to...more room to run for Misty and much more places to hide for Grace. See our Google Map's picture of our new home!!

Wedding Update:

It will be here before we all know it!! We got the official "YES" to get married on the ball field, and we have not yet booked our Venue but it is looking promising. I am going to get my mom to call them today and save the date for October 1st 2011. Then we will have a date!!! It's so exciting getting to actually do the things I have been excited to do. Next I want to go try on dresses. That is going to be fun!!!! It's going to be so hard trying to keep it a secret from Alex, because I never keep anything from him, BUT it will be well worth it!

"Be All You Can Be"

Today is the DAY! We will find out if Alex is eligible for the Army. It's kind of weird I am excited knowing that he has a very good chance of getting accepted this time. I was so anti-Army a few weeks ago, but now I think I have come to terms and I am trying to see the good in the change. I will be able to be a full time student and have the opportunity to travel, and see things we have never seen. With all that said I am still very nervous. Looking forward to knowing where our life's will be going in the next few years!

Relief. Relax. Refreshing.

This weekend brought some good news!! 1st of all we found somewhere to move, and I am more than excited about it. Alex's mom is currently living in a Town Home in Plano..Right across the way from My Parents house. She is moving out in May sooo...we are just going to step right in and live there she is going to keep the deposit on the house so we don't have to fork up 2,000 to move in. It is a 3 bedroom 2 1/2 bath, it is absolutely perfect for Alex and I. Also found out that I am officially over my "Cold Feet" about getting married. I think I crawled up in to my little brain and was freaking my self out over the dumbest things. Friday April, 1st we will find out if the Army is going to be "All we can be" for the next 6 years, or if we will continue on living the way we are. At this point I am 100% either way. I am ready to stand by my future husband any way I have to. Just being able to say that is a huge

With all that stress, and battling everyday with my self, am I happy, will we make it, and all the stuff I was sitting around basically making everything worse is GONE. I am now free to focus on the things that do matter like our wedding coming up. April 1st we will be setting our date for October 1st at the Party Barn in Wylie. We will be getting married on the Little League Field in Plano...I know right what a thought, we spend all our time at the ball fields anyways...why not get married on one? I thought it was a cute idea, and totally fits us perfectly. With just the Wedding, and Moving on my mind it is a lot easier to

My excitement now is finding furniture for the new house, I am really excited to find the TV stand for down stairs, since we are not using one at the apartment we are in right now, because the mantel is so big the TV just sits on it. We are going to need a TV Stand, and some furniture for our guest bedroom, and of we can never have enough Nick Nack's. I am going to let Alex have the 3rd bedroom and make it a game room/ softball room. Where he can have his own space...I am not even going to decorate it...much. :) Misty will be so excited she has more room to run, and a BACKYARD!! Thank you Jesus now I can just let her go, and come when she pleases. No more walking down 3 flights of stairs just to have her go potty and run off some steam. Also Grace is going to enjoy all the new places she can find to hide from Misty. Right now everything is good and I am looking forward to a good month ahead, and knowing that is very