Engagement Photos

We got the photos!  Some of these I stole from our proof on Sara's website because I am too impatient to wait for the DVD of the high res photos. 

If you want to read details about the photo shoot see my previous post.  If you want to see the photos, scroll down and enjoy!!

Love this one.  We'll have to revisit with our kiddos and take this a a yearly family photo!

All copyright Sara Miller with Photographs by Sara.  Isn't she amazing?!  Love love love!

Can't wait for the wedding!

I surrender!!!



I've given up!  Ok, maybe I haven't given up but I am surrendering.  I surrender all wedding planning to my wedding coordinator.  It's hard enough trying to please everyone, but it's even harder trying to please them while I'm 300 miles away.  My amazing fiance keeps reminding me that it doesn't matter what everyone else wants, all that matters is what I want.  But I'm not that person. 
Believe it or not, I'm a giver.  I don't think I've always been a giver, but more recently I've put others before myself.  I'm trying to live a 'saint-like' life so I guess that's why.  But at the end of the day it's like "DID YOU NOT SEE WHAT I JUST DID FOR YOU!  HELLO!! A LITTLE CREDIT HERE"  But I'm not getting that credit and it's not important that I do.  It's more important to be an example of service and faith.  My boss suggested I read this book, Jesus of Nazareth, so hopefully that will provide some insight for me.  How did Jesus handle always being the good guy?  I know he threw that fit in the temple, but on an everyday basis, how did he suck it up and keep on keeping on?




St. Isabella of Portugal
Patron Saint of Brides
Pray for me!

My fiance is also a giver and sometimes we clash.  For example: He had a 5 gallon jug of gasoline and offered to put it in my car (free gas!) and I said "no, no, put it in your truck".  And he was hurt that I didn't take his offering.  But I thought I was sacrificing and putting him first.  It was funny when we talked about it at the end of the day, he told me "if someone offers you something you take it".  He has told me that before so I guess I'm not getting the message.

Got off track there, sorry.  So I'm hiring a wedding coordinator!  That way everyone can get mad at her if they don't get their way. 

As I interviewed her I asked a few questions:

a) What about your job do you love? 
     her answer: "the details, I love each and every detail coming together to create your wedding.  I love your happiness at the end of the day"

GREAT answer.  I'm a detail person and it's the details of this wedding that are driving me crazy.

b) What is the one thing you notice brides always forget or overlook? because I feel like I'm forgetting something
     her answer: "When a bride hires me we are always on track and nothing falls between the cracks, but the one thing they don't do is take my advice.  They hire me as a professional and don't listen to my professional advice so that's one flaw some brides have." 

I thought that was a good honest answer.  I could see myself telling her I know best and then my decision ruining the wedding.  And what's the point of paying her 20% of our wedding budget if I can't let her do her job.  Then I'll look like a fool TWICE! 

I really do like this chick, so I'm pretty sure I'm going to hire her.  Her fee is 20% of the wedding budget, but at this point I'm ok with that because this planning process is not fun for me right now.  Knowing she's in charge will help keep things fun and relaxed!



St. Elizabeth of Hungary
Patron Saint of Young Brides
Pray for me

 Living Life to the Fullest with a support team of dedicated women!

-Rachel

Sharing is Caring

Have you heard about Kony 2012? 

My 15 year old sister sent me a Facebook request about Kony today.  And then my friends at Dateless Until I Do wrote a blog post about it as well.  They included a 29 minute video that I started to watch, but the tears were flowing so be warned!

The author of this video begins by pointing out that due to the internet, social media and facebook we can share everything today.  And when you look at Pinterest, Twitter, Google+ you realize people are very willing to share.  It's almost addicting.  But then, when it comes to war, murder, injustice and the loss of human rights - who is willing to share their view on that?  Especially when it isn't our war and our personal human rights....

I've realized if I want my blog to be a platform of my life and what I find important than I must be true to myself and share this with you.   I'd share it with my family, the Man and my friends so I'm sharing it with you.  Watch this video

I also want to share with you an amazing book I recently read. 

It was given to me by the Man's sister.  His sister is an incredibly loving stay at home mom who volunteers her time with the Church.  I was shocked this small town mom would find a book about a person and event halfway around the world!  This book ,"Left to Tell", is about the 1994 Rwanda genocide.  Not exactly the bedtime reading that I am familiar with.  But don't worry this book will not give you nightmares.  Instead the author, Immaculee, passes along her courage, faith and passion for Living Life to the Fullest!  If you need a copy of this book feel free to borrow mine!  But purchasing this book online ensures the funds go towards the recovery of the people of Rwanda. 

In the mean time, learn about Kony 2012!  Hopefully someone has already shared this with you and you can share it with someone!

Chatty Cathy

• Sometimes you hate being the single friend.  
• Sometimes you wish you hadn't stood by your friend on her wedding day and had actually objected and didn't "forever hold your peace".
• Sometimes you wish you didn't encourage your girl friend to get back with her boyfriend when they are having that big fight.
• Sometimes you want every night to be Girls Night

<-- Cathy the classic 'single girl'

  

But sometimes you love being the single friend.

• You love knowing people are thinking of you when they get an extra concert, movie or sporting ticket.
• You love that you're the one your friend can call on Valentines when their husband is out of town on business (hey- sometimes Valentines Day is a week day).
• and,        I personally love that I'm the friend my girls can text late at night when their guy is laying by their side fast asleep or in the room watching a ball game and not paying attention to them.  Cringe all you want you know it's true.

See?  Girl friends will talk about feelings when your guy doesn't... Photo Courtesy

This is a reminder to my future self ....don't forget your single friends! 

They were there for you when you needed them, they wanted to be in your life then and they probably want to continue to be a part of your life. 

Life Life to the Fullest with your True Friends!

Where did the time go?

I can't believe it's already June!  This year has FLOWN by!  I didn't blog much in May because I could barely sit still!  I was up in Dallas for family graduations, my sister's dance recital and a wedding. 

My friend Ally, Bride, Groom and Me!

.

         When I was finally back in San Antonio I was focused on work.  June 4th and 5th I worked the 7 am breakfast until the 7 pm reception. To recover from my 24 hour working weekend I took a trip to Corpus Christi and went fishing in Port Aransas on the 10th and 11th. I didn't think I was a fan of fishing. Why sit around all day for the possibility of catching something (you don't know what, but something). As you can tell, I only participate when I know the end result is a sure thing. This is why I'm hesitant to gamble or play the stock market. This may also be why I am single and not on the career path I prepared for in college.

          The fishing trip was nice if you disregard the sea-sickness and the friendship that tragically ended. The 2 story fishing boat was air-borne at least 3 times and the rocky waters went on for an hour and a half! I didn't eat breakfast, so the only thing that came up was the champagne from the night before. Yea- eww!!
          And as for the friendship: I’ve come to realize as flattering as it is for someone to want to spend all their time with you, it can be draining and unhealthy. My mental, physical and emotional health were being sacrificed for the satisfaction of having someone who will "always be there".
         Always be there for what?
         Always be there for who?
The only person who needs to "always be there" for me is me. I don't say that in a selfish way, I say that because I'm not always there for me. I depend and let other people be there for me so that I don't hold all the responsibility. The person on this trip was always there for me but they would take a part of me with them, leaving me empty, drained, and lacking in self satisfaction and even self love (why love yourself when someone else can?)
          After the trip and after I guess "finding myself" in the Gulf of Mexico, I came back to San Antonio and finally felt at peace in my house. I had never really considered it "home" but after being on an island of awkwardness for three days, by Sunday I was able to relax in the comfort of the home I've created for myself. Which if I might add is FABULOUS!
         As I'm re-connecting with friends in town I'm choosing to only let in positive and healthy people. To only share my time (note: not give my time, but share it) with people who will make me a better person and friend. People who love me and I freely love in return.

Because really, at the end of the day, all you need is love.

-Rachel

I just kicked genuine love to the curb

When the NCAA Women's basketball tournament was in town the company I work for was to be at the Alamodome all weekend. I was to be with the crew in getting them fed and hydrated. My co-worker was dedicated to the teams locker rooms and all that. But on prep-day I got this HORRIBLE pain in my backside. I showed up to work and walked miles around the dome, but when it was time to put on a smile for the client I burst into tears because of the pain!

That night the pain was so excruciating I couldn't sleep - I drove myself to a Texas Med Clinic was given a steroid shot and a pain killer shot in my buttocks, sent home and passed out. Only to wake up the next day in even more pain! I have no family in San Antonio - only (drinking/college) friends and ex-boyfriends. So I called my ex and he drove me to the doctor - but he needed to be at work and left me at the doctor to find another ride (hence why he's the ex) I called another friend (we'll call him an ex too, even though it was a VERY short-lived relationship). This guy picked me up and took me home. He's old-school and who really believes in that "rub an egg on it" trick. Well, I didn't let him rub me down with an egg, but he did help me.

I won't go into details - but the source of my pain was very awkward. And this guy stayed by my bedside for 2 days and nights. He made a hot bath for me every night to help me relax, he cleaned my apartment, he popped a pain pill in my mouth when I woke up crying from the pain. Seriously - I didn't know I had anyone in my life who would do that - and I especially didn't see these actions coming from this person. I'm not sure if I have anyone in my San Antonio life that I would do that for...kinda sad, I know.

Well that was Sunday. Yesterday after 7 days and 24 hours together I had had enough. I couldn't handle the attention and the service. It was driving me crazy. Aren't I a horrible person? "Hey buddy, thanks for being there when I needed you, but you can leave now."

It got me thinking about this thing I recently heard: The 5 languages of love
This guy’s love language is "quality time" all he wants is to be with you....no need to talk, no need to touch, no need to do anything - just be together. I'm NOT a quality time person. I don't have time to be a quality time person. I'm an "acts of service" person - do something for me and I'll appreciate it and likewise, when I love you I'll provide acts of service for you.
Then it hit me - is this was marriage is like? I mean when you're married you spend all your time with that one person, maybe not all your time, but they are there when you go to bed and there when you wake up (AHH!). Do I need to become a quality time person? I can't just throw out my husband when he isn't doing acts of service like I did to this poor guy. I know there's compromise in a marriage, but yikes! I might need to *gasp* change. or maybe when the right person comes around I will be a quality time person... because I will want to spend time with the person I'll spend the rest of my life with. Let’s hope that’s the case – if not I’ll be calling my ex’s until the day I die.