Be Patient and Pray

Do you ever wake up, and just thank God for the people he sends into your life? Recently, I've been doing this a lot. I mean a lot!! I don't think I've mentioned this before. You know that Ignacio is a professional musician. He's got his teaching degree, for music. But he prefers to perform. He's a professional mariachi. And teaches private lessons during the week.

Years ago, he was in another really good mariachi. From what I hear. I didn't know him at the time. Essentially, the musicians were all so good, that they were asked to join the "touring groups." As in the elite professional mariachis. That meant their local group broke up.

3/4 of the guys went to the professional touring groups. The other 1/4 wanted to stay right here. As I hear it, Ignacio had only played in the group for 6-8 months. He was also in college. And decided to stay home. But he kept in touch with these other musicians.

A handful of those guys, joined 1 local group. It's the best group here. They weren't looking for anymore violin players. That's what Ignacio plays. Just a few months before that, they had hired 4 violin players. Ignacio, and 1 other guy, went to a different group.

A lot happened since then. A big flood, here in town. That split that group, between 2 cities. The jefe of the group (boss) had a family emergency. That took him out of state, for a few years. Things like that. But the group, stayed together. Rallied around each other. And they are so good!! They even have one woman in the group. Who rocks the socks off of people. She is that good!!

This woman, also happens to be a good friend. And when the mariachi was looking for another violin player, she remembered Ignacio. It didn't hurt, that they ran into each other one day. You see, her "day job" is working at a hospital. And during the Fall, Ignacio had to go to the ER one day. We ran into Chiquitita. I'd never met her. But she was incredibly sweet!! Made sure that we got the best care.

About a week later, Ignacio had a follow up appointment, and we decided to have lunch at the hospital after. Mostly for the sake of time. And we were hungry!! We ran into Chiquitita again. And she started to tell us about this opening in the group. Ignacio and her set up a time, that he could go audition.

Next thing I knew, Ignacio had the job!! I know, a lot of it is because of our friend. She put in a good word for Ignacio. It's been a complete blessing!! In more ways, than I can even begin to tell you. The money is a lot better!! Ignacio has so much more work now. And steady work. He's in the best group, in this area. There's a lot of traveling. Oh, and this flipping AMAZING group of friends!!

Sorry about that long run on. But it helps you to better understand the following things. We have a new "family." That embraces us. The reality of our situation is, that weeks after Ignacio got this new job, we moved in together. Never brought it up to anyone. That I was moving. But on "moving day" all these wonderful people were there. To help us. And they brought lots of food!! And some gifts. :)

From the beginning, they invited us into their "circle." To join them twice a week for church and dinner. Every Tuesday and Thursday night, we meet. It's just over an hours drive for us. But it's so worth it!! The friendships that have bloomed, in such a short amount of time, are so strong. Intimate. And much needed!!

Now with Lent, we'll meet more often. Our church has special masses, almost every day. And I'm looking forward to it. The ladies also invite me to a bible study. For women. And it was such a nice retreat. I learned so much about myself. About what I want in life. And I've gotten so much closer with God!!

These ladies, have opened their hearts to me. Especially, this lady. Who inspired me, to start a blog. This man, opens his home to us, all the time. He feeds us all, and never asks for anything in return. This "family" was unexpected. But were so happy for them!!

When my week is not going as planned, I can turn to any one of these people. For an ear to listen, a shoulder to lean on, some advise, and lots of prayer. It means so much to me. I've never had a lot of friends. I've had a few, close friends. But this new situation, makes me so happy. And thankful. That God would bless Ignacio and I, with such sweet and pure souls.

I've learned so much about life, in just a few short months. I've learned to appreciate more. To pray, and depend on God, much more than I was doing. That there are incredible people out there. I've been inspired to be a better person. To do more for others. To be more, like this lady. Who gives with all her heart. Not ever thinking, of what she will get in return. I'm glad that God sent us, these friends. Who with all honesty, are our new family!!

Beautiful!!

I took to Pinterest for a little inspiration again. :) I've been looking for outdoor ideas. I haven't really "nailed" what I want. But I've been searching.

I've also been talking to 2 of my friends. Louisa and Manders. About wedding ideas. Louisa is getting married in June. And Manders is doing all the hair, makeup, and nails.....for both our weddings. :)

I think with my dress, the outdoor ceremony, and a simple, floor length veil.....that it would be best to wear my hair up. I started searching out "up dos." Most looked like "prom hairstyles." Nothing that I was envisioning. Then I talked to Manders again.

She showed me the picture that Louisa found. It's amazing!! Too bad, I can't find it now. :( It's what I was thinking of. Loose, elegant, soft. Again, I searched. With no luck! A lot of the hairstyles that I liked, were modeled on blonds. Which I'm not!! And I think, what made them look so good, was the highlights and lowlights. My hair is dark. Super dark.

I immediately knew, I needed something different. More simple. Something that highlighted my natural hair. More than anything, I didn't want to look so different, that I didn't recognize myself. Do you know what I'm talking about? Have you seen those brides. The ones that you have to do a double take with. To make sure, that it's the same person. Ya, I don't want that!!

Manders emailed me this picture early last week. And I LOVE it!! I actually had seen it a while back, on Pinterest. When I went back to look, I just knew, this was going to be it. We're trying it out later this week. To be honest, we don't have to. I'm already sold!

I think this will be a nice hairstyle. Something that my veil can work well with. But after the ceremony, and I take my veil off, will still look nice. And polished. I'm glad that these pieces are falling into the puzzle nicely. And so early!! This wedding planning business, isn't so bad after all. :)

A Gift for My Love.....

Ignacio and I were trying to decide on what to do for Valentine's Day. Being that we're saving money for our wedding. And we really didn't want to spend money, that well, we could spend on our wedding.

We decided on a low-key Valentine's Day this year. Which is pretty ironic. The last few years, we've made big plans. Gone out. Not on the actual day, but close to Valentine's day. Mostly because Ignacio usually has a day full of gigs. That's part of being in love with a musician. :)

But this year, we're going to order in some good food. Rent a few of our favorite movies. And spend a quiet night at home. Just me and him. Celebrating our love!! ;) Gift wise, well we were thinking something small. Not too much money. Just a small gift.

Immediately, I had no clue what to buy. Ignacio is not a complicated man. Heck, he'd be thrilled with an ice cream cake. Or a new CD. But I wanted a more meaningful gift. I took to the internet. And searched.....

Pinterest had all sorts of fun ideas. Jars with sticks, with ideas of things to do for one another. Decks of cards, with reasons why I love Ignacio. Little gift basket ideas. Things that he'd enjoy. But nothing seemed intimate enough. You know, special and meaningful.

I kept searching. My searching also turned to engagement picture ideas. Things we want to try out. we're taking our engagement pictures, at the end of the month. Ignacio also joined me for a little while. We were looking at things that we enjoyed together. While searching, I suggested to Ignacio, that we should make something for each other. For Valentine's Day. He liked the idea.

Well, to my surprise, we found a picture that we really enjoyed. An idea that seemed intimate, timeless, and perfect!! Something to capture this exact moment in our lives. Then it hit me, we could do this for each other. For Valentine's Day. :)

What do you think? Ignacio liked the idea too! Immediately, we called our photographer. We hadn't even noticed that it was nearly 10pm!! But she loved the idea! And we made the appointment. You see, the picture above, is actually 2 pictures. Framed separately. But hung like this. :)

Ignacio went yesterday. While I was in class. And this evening, when Ignacio  went to work, I went to the photographers. I really can't wait to see our pictures!! We've been guaranteed, that they'd be ready on Valentine's Day. And now, I'm so excited!! This is going to be something that we'll have, and cherish for years and years. :)

Dress of My Dreams!!

My sisters convinced me, that I needed to search out a wedding dress. Since now. OK, it wasn't that hard to convince me. They told me that there were 2 sales going on. And well, we went. Spent an entire day, playing dress up!! Figuring out what worked, and what didn't.

I knew I wasn't going to buy anything. Not yet. Being that our wedding date, is more than a year away!! But I wanted to start looking at my options. Deciding what I liked. And what I didn't. Because really, I've never thought of a specific wedding dress.

There are a few things that I knew ahead of time. I wanted a somewhat traditional dress. With lace. But not a ballgown. I want to get married outside. So my dress needs to reflect that. Nothing too crazy. But something timeless, and elegant.

We looked around. I found a few things that I liked. But nothing that just screamed "that's my dress." I spent some serious time, going through bridal magazines. Tons of them actually!! But nothing was really standing out. There were things I liked from this dress, and things I liked from that dress. But not a single dress, that had them all.

My sister suggested that I search online. I took to some bridal websites. Saw things that I really enjoyed. I actually printed out a few dresses, and emailed links to a local shop. Then, while searching for outdoor wedding ideas on Pinterest, I found her!!

Isn't she gorgeous?? I like that this dress isn't completely strapless. Being that we're getting married by a priest. I feel strongly, that I need to be covered up, in a religious ceremony. The lace is just amazing!! And the silhouette is just perfect!!

I would like a deep red flower instead. I've searched around, looking for the source. With no luck!! But the lady at our local bridal shop, told me she'd do some searching. And if she couldn't find it, we could actually have it made. And ahead of time. So I can see it, and really fall in love. You know, with plenty of time before our wedding. :)

It's crazy how life works out. But it's nice. I'm also thinking about wearing red shoes. I think that would be nice. I'm so glad that my sisters took me shopping. :) And I've been assured, that this dress, should be in my budget. Who knows, I might even start ordering our wedding favors too!!