Sunday, March 29, 2009

My Dear Friend

Our good friend Scott lost his father this past Friday. Scott's dad had a heart attack and before anyone could do anything, he was gone. He was 58 years old. My heart breaks for Scott - he never had a chance to say good bye and will never get another day with him. Aren't we too young for this? Shouldn't our kids be adults and really know their grandparents before we lose them at the age of 80 or 90? It's not fair and I wish I could do more for him.

We all gathered last night to be with him and the one thing he told every single person there was, 'Call your Dad. Tell him you love him and that he's your hero.' So, I just want to pass that along.

Love you Scott.

Friday, March 27, 2009

Um, 22 days....

See how fast time is flying?!?! Correction to the entry below - 22 days til the wedding ;-)

This roller coaster they call Life

So much is happening every day and I have zero blog entries to document it all! Days are flying by - faster than I ever dreamed! I really thought time would drag the month before the wedding but I feel as though I'm being shoved into the next day with no preparation or recap of the day before.

So, let's start with my Bachelorette Party! My sisters are truly incredible - they held a full weekend of parties for me that I will cherish in my heart forever. This past Saturday was mani/pedis and lunch at the salon, a lingerie shower at Whit's house (love her place!), dinner at Cuba Libre and bottle service at LIFT. GREAT pics of that night - I will be sure to add when I have more time. We did brunch the next morning at Breadwinners to recap. Love my girls!! :-)

Beau and I got our marriage license today!! I wish I could say it was eventful, that we took pictures and that we capped it off with a great lunch......That wasn't it at all.....nothing about a government office is eventful (why are Gov't workers so mean? wait, never mind), instead of pictures, Beau fielded phone calls about impending layoffs at his company and we ended up grabbing a bite at the Wendy's next door. Where I cried. Not of joy. Not of elation. But of true fear that Beau may lose his job and that we might not get our first home. We are in the option period so there is still time to back out.

All of that being said, he's safe! Today. Who knows what the future will hold but he had a great conversation with his Manager who told him that he likes him a lot and that he has several projects lined up for Beau. I have faith in his Boss. I really do.

We have decided to move forward with the home buying! I won't burden you with the details but know that we played it safe from the beginning with this home knowing that we are in scary times and that a 1 income family is likely. Be happy for us!!

We close on the 8th and from the schedule below, you can tell that this roller coaster isn't slowing down, so strap yourself in and enjoy this ride b/c we are! ;-)

Wedding Update: 23 days - wowza! I can say we are getting married next month!, the grooms cake is pretty much finalized (thank goodness!), I have had more than 3 conversations with people saying that I don't want our faces on wedding paraphernalia!!, flower contract is signed, the guest list was up to 3 digits in less than 2 weeks and I have more lingerie than I know what to do with!! Life is grand (and terrifying).... ;-)

Friday, March 20, 2009

House Update!

I need to update this - they finally accepted our offer!! After tons of back and forth, they finally accepted! Of course, we just had the inspection yesterday and are now going back with the request to fix some minor things, which the contract stated in the first place so we aren't concerned. They are putting a new roof on the house, which is AWESOME! Not even expected.

And yes, we are absolutely crazy for doing this right before we get married!! But I'm loving every minute of it ;-) Beau is still home (LOVE IT!!) so he is able to take care of all the paperwork, cutting checks (that's the worst part :-( ) and overall, managing the whole thing. He's such a sweetheart :-)

Here is what our next month looks like:

4/8 - Close on the house!
4/10 - Move in
4/15 - Leave for Corpus!
4/18 - Wedding!!!
4/19 - Leave for Tahiti!
4/27 - Come back from Tahiti :-(
4/27 - Live in our new house as Mr. & Mrs. :-)

As you can see, there somehow needs to be some packing in there, not only to move but also for the wedding and the honeymoon. Bah.

Not to mention, work is crazier than ever. But you already knew that.

Wedding Update: 29 days! FINALLY finished counseling at the church :), centerpieces were finalized, grooms cake is TOUGH. They are all kind of boring :(, and I received my bridesmaid luncheon invitation!! BEAUTIFUL!! I couldn't have asked for anything more....

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Keep your fingers crossed!!

Beau and I put an offer down on a house! Yes, another one. However, this time it's different. I haven't seen Beau this excited (probably ever) with any of the other offers (we were beaten out by other offers all times). And as you probably know, Beau isn't exactly melodramatic so when he looked me in the eyes and said, "Stacey, we need this house." I knew it was serious. Not to mention, and it's hard to mention, that this is the most excited I have been too. I guess this means everything really does happen for a reason. Although I shouldn't say that b/c we haven't SIGNED anything yet. But the seller agreed to our terms so that's worth celebrating, right?!?!

Reasons we can't live without this home:
AMAZING hardwood floors throughout the house
This is the first house Beau has been able to SEE us in. Now, 5 years from now, etc.
The layout we wanted! Kitchen opens up to the family room
The LARGEST lot ever!! Larger than we have now! The backyard is huge! Perfect for our future Springer Spaniel :-) (and kids, as Beau mentioned :0)
Not ONE window looks at a neighbor's house or their brick wall or through their window! Do you know how difficult that is?? Love the pie-shaped lot :-)
Plantation shutters throughout
A beautiful fireplace, large kitchen and split bedrooms
A GREAT covered patio w/ outdoor furniture they agreed to leave!
A teeny tiny doggie door perfect for SHELBY!
Split vanities and an 8 foot tall separate shower - perfect for us tall folks!
The formal dining room AND private study we wanted
The most beautiful Bradford pear tree (we think) that I have ever seen in the front yard! See for yourself, and this is only March (although through my research for the name, I learned it only blooms for 2 weeks out of the year - boooo!):

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

There is a direct correlation...

between an approaching wedding and the amount of work that is put on one's plate at the office! My word, work couldn't be busier! I'm thrilled though - we are right in the middle of a campaign for The Cheesecake Factory and it doesn't look like it will let up anytime soon. Once we wrap this one - we will go right into planning and prep for Q3! My Manager, thankfully!, is already preparing for a backfill for me while I'm out of the office for 2 weeks! The Baskin Robbins team has been AWESOME to step up and volunteer their help while I'm out as well. WHEW! There is nothing worse than working around the clock before a vacation and still feeling like you can't leave - I've been there (Cabo)! I'm right in the middle of a project for Wendy's too - it never stops but I love it :-)



Wedding Update: 38 days left! Beau and I decided on our readings this evening. We also have to meet with the Deacon one more time before next Thursday. Difficult to do when your calls go unreturned. He's super busy, which makes our approaching deadline stressful. Gifts have been ordered - woo hoo!, Mama has gotten a lot of help from friends to wrap those gifts and prep for out of town bags in the rooms (you know, water and stuff). I can't WAIT to see my bridal portraits - hmmm, I need to follow up on that one...., bought my bridesmaid luncheon dress!, typing up songs for the band, & invitations have gone out! Mama is now working on invites for the bridesmaid luncheon, rehearsal dinner and farewell brunch - I don't even know what I would do without her!!!

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Beauzeau

Beau makes me laugh all the time - he is a true clown! Here are five conversations I've already had with Beau this morning:

Beau: There may be morning showers when we are in Tahiti.
Stacey: Really? I guess it IS April.
Beau: April Showers bring May flowers. And Mayflowers bring pilgrims."
Stacey: What?!

Stacey: Are you going back to sleep, honey?
Beau: I'm not sleeping. I'm checking my eyelids for cracks.

Stacey: You and Ryan had a lot to drink last night!
Beau: Now you know why Thursdays at the airport are so much fun.
Stacey: And all this time I thought you guys only had one drink at the airport!
Beau: We do have one drink. One drink right after the other.

Stacey: So will you go to the mall with me today?
Beau: Why do I have to go??
Stacey: Because I need you for moral support.
Beau: I can be there for moral support from here.
Stacey: Huh?!

Stacey: Beau, can we agree that once you are married and have a ring on your finger, that wearing your "I'd hit that" T-shirt is inappropriate?
Beau: [silly grin] but it's about a pinata...




I love this guy :-)

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Blogger Catch-Up

I had my bridal portrait taken this weekend and it was wonderful!! We voted for indoors since, it's safe to say, I chose the ugliest month of the year for my portrait! Besides, a picture perfect day in Corpus, sans wind and clouds, is difficult to find. We took it at the Kings Crossing Country Club and the most exciting part of it all was the natural light coming into the windows at the time of the shoot. It was so pretty! Watching my Mom's reactions was a particular treat :-)

Some things I have meant to blog about but haven't had time:

1) Beau's truck was ransacked one night! He randomly left the doors unlocked one night and some kids (we think) got into it and really stirred things up. We both keep our valuables out of our cars for this very reason but they did take both our car chargers, one of which recently broke. BAHAHA! Take that!

2) We are now zero for 3 on putting offers on homes. I really want to quit but you already know that. I won't belabor the point. I also won't mention that the 2 new homes on our list to see this week have had contracts put on them in the past couple of days. greaaaaat. It's never ending :-(

3) The Bachelor!! How could anyone not be wrapped up in this chain of events recently?! I haven't even watched at all this season and am hooked with the girl switch. Melissa shouldn't have given the ring back....ABC paid for it, after all!

4)Beau has been home for 3 weeks, going on 4! Words can't express how thrilled I am. My days are brighter, my nights are more joyful, I just love him! I love having him home even though he takes my remote, makes me sleep late and produces more body heat than 10 old guys in a sauna. What did I do without moments like now where I am sitting on the couch watching the Bachelor while he lies in bed singing the Outback Steakhouse theme song in protest?! Or when he sits Shelby up on her hind legs and makes up songs for her to sing (he's surprisingly good at rhyming words)?! ;-)

Wedding Updates: 46 days left! I wish you could have seen Beau's face when I asked him if he wanted to pick out water bottle labels with me ;-) Too funny - we are getting into the little details that are the finishing touches but put the layer of stress on the wedding planning that I've heard so much about. Fortunately, my mom is surrounded by wonderful friends that have offered to help from the beginning! Bridal gifts arrived at my parents' house recently and they look great! Now if I can get Beau to order his groomsmen gifts! He's killin' me! :-) I'm now shopping for wedding event dresses and honeymoon clothes. It really is all the fun stuff and I couldn't be happier!