So This Is Life.

Before I say anything I want to say thanks to all the awesome comments I got on my last post! Seriously it helped so much! Shane and I have decided to cut our list down and are finalizing it this week. We thought about doing no kids but I really want his nieces and nephews in our wedding so we are cutting it down to close family and friends. I really hope that those who are not invited don't get offended.

I have another question though! Do you send out wedding announcements to people you aren't inviting? Or just send nothing at all? That part confuses me.

Anyways! Shane and I got a huge taste of life this last week. He was let go from his current position at Good Year Tire and Auto. Why you ask? "The owners are wanting to go in a different direction with you." is the answer he got. He asked if there was something he had done and they said his work ethic is great, his sales were above theirs, but the owners just wanted to go in a different direction. WHO SAYS THAT?!?! The really messed up thing is that the two managers that were telling him this sat there and acted like this was all new to them and they pretended to be in shock. They kept telling Shane that they would figure something out and make sure he still had his position. They sat and told him how they have his back and they are going to make sure everything works out. They text him all last weekend reassuring him of this. However, literally the next day they had a new guy in his position. Who is this new guy you ask? THEIR FRIEND!!

I'm not worried about what Shane and I are going to do about our bills or anything along the lines of money. We are extremely smart on that end. I am just frustrated that there are shady and back stabbing people out there that do those kinds of things. I thank God that Shane is an extremely productive person and he will find a new job very soon. In the mean time he is finding ways to make money on the side which is something I absolutely adore about him.

I am a firm believer in karma and that what you put out into the universe will come back to you. There is always a plan for everything and there is a reason that position didn't work out for him. It may feel unfair and frustrating right now but down the road I know we will look back and be grateful that it happened. I don't know what will make us do that but I do know we will feel that way. I'm glad our relationship and our love for each other is strong enough to overcome these types of obstacles in life.

 

That last one definitely reminds me of Shane. I hope you have all had a great weekend! :)

Help!

So our wedding is in about 6 months!! Holy cow. I am starting to get stressed out! Shane and I are trying to put a list together of who to invite and I feel like it is really hard! Especially for someone like me who is a total people pleaser....I want to make sure everyone is happy and no one feels left out or is mad at us. The only thing is...if we invite every single person we can even think of then our budget for our wedding is exceeded which puts us in a hard spot.

We were lucky enough to get the most incredible venue for our wedding which has seriously made planning things a lot easier! I'm assuming next is booking our caterer...which is why we were writing down our guest list.

Which brings me to all you fellow married bloggers! Help me out! I have some serious questions that need some serious answers!

How did you cut down your guest list?

How did you avoid making those people that weren't invited not feel bad?

Were you scared people would be mad at you?

Did it help a lot with your budget?

There are a few of my questions. If you have any other wedding planning advice please feel free to fill me in!

Here is a sneak peek at our venue!!

The Engagement!

Once upon a time, I got engaged. It was on December 23, 2012 to be exact. What's that? You want to hear how?? Oh fine...you talked me into it! Here is the story:


Shane had told me earlier in the month that we had a family dinner to go to on the 23rd. The day of the "family dinner" Shane's brother Charlie came in to town for Christmas and I was so excited to spend the whole day with him catching up on everything! We spent the morning, and most the afternoon, at Starbucks talking about anything and everything. After that we went back to the house and I started getting ready for the family dinner! Shane had specifically told me to get really dressed up because everyone was planning on having a DSN (dress sexy night). I was so excited and even put awesome eyeliner on! (Bad idea in the end)

This is Charlie and me after I had gotten all ready and was feelin HOT!

We jumped in the car and headed for the place we were having dinner. After Charlie drove around for what felt like FOREVER.....we pulled into this empty place where there were NO cars....I was so confused! Then Charlie says to me, "I have a confession to make. You need to get out of the car right now." After he said that and I looked over that the path way made in the snow I had an idea of what was going on.

As I got out of the car I saw a giant white arrow pointing to the pathway cleared in the snow. Above this pathway was a giant sign that read "Memory Lane". It literally had Shane's creativity written all over it. It was right then that I knew this was all going down. I was so nervous, excited, scared, excited, more nervous, and then really excited!

He made this whole sign himself!

As I walked up to the pathway there was an envelope hanging. I can't remember exactly what it said and for some reason we can't find the letter! But it said something along the lines of "You look gorgeous tonight. I can't wait to see you. Your whole life is about to change so take your time walking down this memory lane I have created for you. I love you." I looked down the path and there were so many pictures hanging down. There were mason jars with candles inside of them lighting the path where balloons hung from Shepard's hooks lining the path.

I was literally freaking out! I couldn't believe this was ACTUALLY happening!! My smile was seriously painted on my face. This memory lane was AMAZING and I was sure to take my time taking it all in.

After my wonderful walk down memory lane I came to another envelope...now don't judge me but for the life of me I can NOT remember what it even said. My nerves were so out of control I can't even explain what was going on! I was excited and nervous and I honestly felt like I was in a movie!

All I can remember is that at the end of the letter it said to wait for him right there. As I waited the song "Here Comes Your Man" by Meaghan Smith came on and out walked Shane. I literally froze!! I was so shocked that all of this as happening and how perfect my almost fiance is! So Shane made his way up to me, and he will kill me for saying this buuuuut....he was choked up!! He got emotional people!! This is huge. Honestly, it sorta freaked me out because I have never seen him get emotional, especially from happiness. He told me how beautiful I looked and that I mean the world to him. He told me I was supposed to be the one crying and all emotional and not him. He then went into telling me that like this memory lane he wanted to keep creating many more memories with him. He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him!!! Of course I said yes!

But WAIT!! That wasn't all....after I said yes, Shane stood up and pulled out another box. He said he had another surprise for me....He handed me another box! I opened it up and inside was an old key...

THAT'S RIGHT! I GOT A VW BUG!!! She is a 1967...with 65 fenders :) I am the luckiest girl in the whole entire world! Now we have the bus and the bug. I am in heaven! Wanna know the 2nd best part?? Shane got all of my family to come down so they could be there! It was the best surprise I have ever had! We were able to have both of our families be a part of our engagement. After he proposed and we started walking towards the bug I noticed my Mom, Dad, Kjandyce, Braxton and Ashley, and even my GRANDPARENTS!!! I am extremely close with my grandparents so I about died when I saw that they were there! Seriously....best day of my life.

So there it is! My engagement story! I'm sorry it took me so long to finally blog about it. Since then there have been a few family things going on and I have to admit I slightly lost the motivation to blog about it. Buuuut here I am! I promise I won't have such a loooooong amount of time between posts ever again!!

A Terribly Great Night.

Today was quite a day. I am back in Vegas as of today for training until Tuesday. I wish they would've just let me stay the weekend so that I didn't have to do so much driving. If you know me, then you know I'm not the biggest fan of driving. I actually loathe it. A lot. Almost more than being alone. Actually, I am alone when I'm driving because if I ever have anyone else then they are driving...so yeah.

Anyways! To start my wonderful driving day off I got to be accompanied by, what felt like, 100 mph winds. Which meant I had the steering wheel at ten and two with a grip that would probably make someones fingers fall off. So when I finally saw the giant hotels of Vegas in the horizon you could understand why I was relieved. That was short lived when I discovered Las Vegas Blvd was closed due to the Las Vegas Marathon. This would be fine if I knew where the hell I was going in Vegas...but I don't. Apparently everyone in Vegas has some built in detor map in their heads because there was not one detor sign ANYWHERE. I looked. So I drove around for about thirty minutes counting on my handy iPhone's GPS to recalculate and get me to my hotel with out coming anywhere near Las Vegas Blvd. Yeah...didn't happen. Also did I mention I have had to pee since Mesquite??

Fast forward what felt like an hour.

I had managed to back track and park in the Circus Circus parking lot. If I didn't find a bathroom and fast I would have more problems than just being lost. I called Shane and started bawling on the phone. I said a cussed out Las Vegas and complained how upset I was. I then proceeded to tell him how this was all his fault. Shane being calm and understanding (thank God) just said ok and made sure I was safe. He then guided me street by street, on speaker phone, to my hotel.

It took me two hours longer than it should have to get to Vegas but non the less I made it. I was frustrated and upset and I am so thankful I have a wonderful man I can count on to be there for me no matter what. I did apologize to him for being emotionally charged and blaming him for dumb things. I love him. It's funny how we take the little things our significant other do for us for granted sometimes. He really is so wonderful.

But wait! The night doesn't end there! For my drive starting off so awful my day actually ends up being a wonderfully amazing night! I was lucky enough to go out do dinner with my Aunt and Uncle and my cute cousins from my real dad's side! This was seriously a great way to end my horrible day. They live in Vegas and I can't believe I forgot until Tanisha, my cousin, mentioned it on my facebook! We went to Gordon Biersch Brewery and talked for hours! It was seriously so great to catch up with them. I love family. It's crazy how strong of a bond family has, you can go for a long time without ever talking to each other and then in one night it's like you never missed a day. There aren't may friendships out there like that. Only a few of the best friendships are lucky enough to have that bond of family.

So as crappy as my day started it ended up being pretty awesome! I have an amazing man and a wonderful family. I'm glad I got to end it on a positive note!

This Guy! I mean....really?! How am I so lucky?

{via}

Miss Independent...

Or not. I realized tonight that I am not very independent when it comes to being alone. I hate hate hate it. I try really hard not to use that word but I can honestly say that I really do hate being alone. Some people find it soothing or relaxing. "It's nice to just be away from everyone" they say. "It gives me my ME time." "I enjoy it." I say nay.  I do not agree with any of this. I got a taste of this so called "me" time tonight and I did not enjoy it one bit.

Here's the scoop. I am in Vegas for some extra training to add to my awesome Banker skills. I am in Vegas alone. Without Shane. He couldn't get work off so I accomplished a few firsts tonight. I drove in Vegas for the first time ever, I checked into a hotel alone for the first time ever, and here is the best part...I ate alone in a restaurant for the first time ever. I wasn't a big fan of any of the above, however, I am least fond of the that last little portion.

So I have decided that I am officially a grown up now. Mostly because I ate alone in a sit down restaurant. I also ordered an appetizer. No, not as my meal...as an appetizer. I'm not thaaaat grown up I guess. It seems like doing things alone is something that comes with getting older. I don't think it's a bad thing that I don't like doing some things alone, but I also don't think it is a bad thing that people enjoy it. Just a personal preference.

What do you prefer? I would love to hear where you guys like to go when you go out alone!

Show The Love

I am feeling very full of love today. Love is such a powerful thing when you show and voice the things you love those things become stronger gaining even more love. I love my new position at my wonderful job. I am excited to be awesome at what I do and gain even more understanding of this wonderful banking industry. I love how warm and wonderful the weather has been. It has only snowed once and I love that too! I love my family and how they care so much about me. I love my Dad for everything he has done, and still does, for my older brother and me. Being technically our "step" dad he never had to care as much as he does. I love him for caring so much and being so passionate about wanting the best for Braxt and me. I love my little sister and how wonderful our relationship is. She is growing up so fast and I love that she can confide in me for advice and look up to me as much as she does. I love my big brother for all the wonderful advice he gives me. With out him I think I would let my emotions get the best of me and he is able to bring me back into balance. I love his wonderful wife and my new sister in law. She is such a beautiful person inside and out. She is the perfect match for Braxton. I love their marriage and look forward to having a wonderful marriage like theirs one day. I love Shane, more than I could ever describe to anyone. He is my other half. He does so much for me and will do whatever makes me happy. We have an amazing relationship with so much love and respect. I could not dream of a better man to be with. I love my Mom and how great our relationship is! I did a whole post on my thankfulness for her here. She is an amazing woman and I love her so much. I love my real dad, Benji, and how far he has come since this time last year. I am proud of the things he is accomplishing and I love that we are starting to mend our relationship. I love God and how no matter how my life is going he has a plan for me. I love that he is always there for me to talk to and pray with. I love how I have found a place for faith in my life and that Shane has helped me find that place in my heart. I love my life. I love everyone who takes place in it. I love that everyday is a learning experience and I am constantly growing as a person. I love who I am becoming. I love The Way I Am.

Friday Letters!

Oh, hello Friday. I thought you'd never show up. Here is what I've thought of your little week.

Dear Man of Mine,

I love you and I think you are the smartest, most caring and wonderful man alive. Don't ever let anyone make you feel otherwise. You are my everything and I appreciate all that you do for me. Thank you, for literally everything. I am crazy in love with you.

Dear Neighbors,

Rave music at 4am? Not Cool. People have to actually get up and go to work in the morning and can't party every night of the week. Go. To. Bed. No, I'm not sorry I called the cops on you.

Dear The Power,

Thank you for being a book full of love and helping me understand that even the toughest of situations have a positive outcome as long as I focus on the love I want to come out of it. You saved me this week. Seriously.

Dear Parents,

I love you both more than you know. I'm sorry sometimes we disagree and see things differently. Thank you for caring so much and loving me unconditionally. I couldn't ask for better parents

Dear Big Brother,

I would be so lost and hopeless with out you. Thank you for always being here for me and helping me think through things in a different way. You are an amazing big brother and I am glad you were the 1st born because we all know I would have epically failed at that task. 

Dear Work,

I am so excited to be done with training so I can show everyone how awesome I am. I know people have pretty high expectations of me and I ready to go beyond those. Lets get this party started.