Tastes Like Fall :)

I've said this a million times, I'm not a cook. Not a good one anyways. I try. And try hard. But I think this is going to be a long process. But I'm trying. And if you've noticed lately, in my "Favorite Blog List," I've added a ton of cooking blogs. I need some help. And a little inspiration.

While searching through Cooking Classy, I noticed this simple little dip. And it sounded delish!! Did I mention, easy peasy. Yes, it's something that I could definitely handle. :) Now just look at how yummy this picture is!!

I've also mentioned a few hundred times, that we meet our "Mariachi Family," every Tuesday and Thursday. There are only a handful of us, that live here. In the "big city." Everyone else, lives about 45 minutes away. And our church, is actually about an hour from our home. But it's a nice little deal, that we have going on. Church, great friends, and a yummy dinner. :)

Mems always, and I mean ALWAYS, cooks dinner for us. And it's always so yummy! We leave with bellies full. And hearts overflowing. :) And while Mems does all the cooking, all the time, others bring treats too. Chiquitita is well known for her cupcakes. They are little bites of Heaven!! Oh my!!

I've decided to try and contribute something this week. I'm going to make a double batch of this pumpkin pie dip. For tomorrow. I might even make some on Wednesday. We're having a family dinner at my abuelitos' house. Yay, this is the first time, that I feel really confident about something I've made. Even if it's a simple recipe.

Incredibly Sweet!!

This shouldn't be too surprising. I was lost in the world of Pinterest tonight. It's Friday night. And as "normal" for me, Ignacio is working. I can tell that the weather is changing. Not by the temps, but the fact that Ignacio's schedule is changing. It's slowing just a bit.

For example, tonight, we got to have dinner together. That doesn't happen often. Not on a Friday night. Does it mean he'll be home on Friday nights? No. It just means, I get to share some time with my hubby. :)

Like any typical Friday night for me, I refuse to even look at any school related stuff!! I'm not even sorry about it. Because my brain is fried from the past week. College does that to you. Friday nights to me, mean pjs, movies, a little junk food, and hours on Pinterest. I know!! I have a problem. :)

While searching for some recipes, don't be too shocked! I'm trying to cook here. :) I came across cbroc. And the beautiful Amber. I searched through her pins. All of which, I adore!! But when I saw this sweet pin, my heart just melted!!

Amber is absolutely glowing!! And adorable. From her Pinterest page, I found her food blog. And personal blog. Turns our, Amber is expecting twins. This December. Oh, that just melts my heart!! And this chalkboard idea, has me all excited. And I don't even know why.

No, I'm not pregnant. It's not even on the brain, at this point. Ignacio and I, are enjoying this "honeymoon" stage that we're in. Quite a bit!! ;) But this does make me think of babies. Not right now. But in our future. And the lovely ways, that we can document that time of our life.

Oh, and I might just have printed off some of Amber's yummy recipes. I'm telling you, Pinterest is such a great place!! You can learn so much there. And well, fill up your time. While you wait for your hubby, to get home from work. :)

To My Hubby.....

Nacio,

Today, I become your wife. Nothing could make me happier. Nothing!! Just to know, that we have the rest of our lives together, makes today even more incredible!!

It's hard to remember a time, before I knew you. Extremely hard. Because I feel like my entire life, started after we met. I never realized that one person, could make you feel so wonderful. That one single person, could make me a better person. But Ignacio, you are that person to me.

I think of today, as our beginning. The beginning of our lives together. The first step, to not just building our lives together. But of building our family. I often find myself dreaming of our future. Of a home, so cozy and welcoming. Spending evenings enjoying dinner together. And long talks, that bring us to morning. Falling asleep in your arms. I dream of the babies we'll have. And one day, the grandbabies, that will climb in our laps. And ask us about our love story.

Today, we start writing our love story. Our love can only grow from here. I look forward to everything about today. Of seeing you, at the end of the aisle. Pledging my love to you, in front of God, our family, and friends. I can't wait to dance with my husband. And feed each other cake. :)



I know at times, I wondered if we could pull this off. The 2 week whirlwind, to our wedding. But you never wavered. You ensured me, that we'd make it. Not just make it, but be amazing!! That our wedding would be special.

None of those things, that I thought were important, are. You and me, are what's important today. Our love. Pledging that to each other. Sharing this special day with our friends and family. I know that. It's all I can think about. Just how lucky I am, to have met you. To know that you love me. And that we're starting our lives together, on this day.

September 16, 2012 will always make my heart flutter!! It's the day, that you went from my best friend, boyfriend, soul mate, and fiance.....to my hubby, life pattern, lover for life, and future father of my babies. :)

I've never been so happy in my life!! So confident in a decision. Then I am today. Pledging my love and life, to you and God. Ignacio you've had my heart and soul for years. Today, we make it official. But in my heart, I've loved you since day 1. I can't wait wait to spend the rest of my life, with you!!

XOXO.....Your Wifey

One More Day.....

One more day. Just one more day!! I'm so super excited. I can barely contain myself. :) Tonight the mariachi is playing a HUGE concert. I'm so excited about that. My abuelito can't wait to hear and see the group. For almost 2 weeks, it's all he could talk about. Seeing Ignacio on stage. It just makes my heart smile.

Today is also Miss Mariella's birthday!! Yay!! She's 4 years old. We're all going to a fun breakfast for her. It must be so odd to celebrate your birthday, in the middle of this conference. But she's loving all of it!! And she gets to dance her little heart out tonight.

I don't know what I'm most excited for. The concert tonight. Where we get to see all our friends play and sing. And their little ones dancing. The fact that my abuelito is so happy about this week. The concert. The wedding. This trip. Or our wedding. I'm just overflowing with emotions right now.

That might be, why I cried just minutes ago. I was doing a quick search on Pinterest. While Ignacio is showering. And I came across this picture.....

There is a lot that we're not having at our wedding. But this picture, I want one just like it!! It's so sweet. And perfect. Oh, I just can't wait!! My last 24 hours as a single, are going to be fun. But honestly, I can't wait to be married to my best friend.

Making Our Way.....

We started one our adventures. Headed to Las Vegas. It's supposed to take some 12 hours. We're driving. But we put in a 2 hour cushion. To make any needed stops. We are traveling with my grandparents, and nieces and nephews. And somehow, we're supposed to all meet up at 6pm. For dinner.

Most of Ignacio's family left yesterday. And spent the last night in Las Vegas. But we had a few things left to get done. We decided to drive. For 2 reasons. 1 it's cheaper. Way cheaper. Two, we're traveling with my abuelitos, and nieces and nephews. My very pregnant sister, would also like to say, she prefers driving. :)

We left early. Cars packed. Full!! Of people, and wedding goods. All I can think about, is Ignacio. How he's doing? If he's working too hard. If he's really OK after those floods. You know, it would flood in Las Vegas. Days before our wedding. :)

And I can't help, but think about my abuelito. How is he really doing?? Should we really be making him, travel all this way. With such little time, should we have just waited. I can't help, but to have these things on my mind. No matter how hard, I try not to think about them.

In the last few days, I've tried to remain calm. To remember the reason for all of this. Because I love Ignacio. And I love my abuelito. And I want both of them, to share in this big day. I want to marry my best friend. And I want my abuelito to "give me away."

To keep me a bit more "occupied," I joined Twitter and Pinterest this week. I know!! You would have thought, like a year ago, I would have joined. But it took until this week. I also joined Facebook. But since there is a bit more personal information on there, if you want to "friend" me, leave me a comment. :)

I've also been really thinking about the things, I want from our wedding. The memories I want to make. And keep. Things that not only will be special now. But in the future. Most of these, being pictures. Really, we've given up so much already. Just trying to make this wedding happen. That I knew, I wanted a good photographer.

I just want to have pictures, that I can look back on. And remember this special day. And all of those people, that shared in our special day. It should be no surprise, that I turned to Pinterest. My oldest sister and I, just cried our eyes out. Over this picture.

We were thinking the same thing. At the same moment. My abuelito and me. We HAVE to get one just like this!! HAVE TO!! And I'm not joking about all the crying. It's a good thing, that my mom and abuelitos were napping. And my dad is concentrating on the road.

That's what we're doing today. Making our way. Please say a few extra prayers for us. That we all get there safely. And return safely on Monday. I'm going to go back to "pinning" some ideas. We've still got 5 1/2 hours on the road!!

So Ready!!

In the morning, actually in a few short hours, I leave for Las Vegas. Just days, before Ignacio and I get married. I'm not scared. Or nervous. Or even anxious. I'm ready!!

Since we realized we'd have to move our wedding date up, it's been go, go, go. And I knew, that I'd be in charge of so much. Because Ignacio had to work all this week. I'm sure, we could have asked for the week off. But in all reality, this week is really important. Not just for his career. But for our bank account.

I talked to my professors, Who were all so sweet. And understanding. I went to my classes Monday and Tuesday. Went to 2 classes today. And to take 2 exams today. I will have off, until next Wednesday. It's not all fun and games. I've been studying my brains out! Doing so much homework. All to keep up, with my classes.

Today, I finally got to see my dress. And the bridesmaids' dresses. They are gorgeous!! My sister picked up all the shoes. And I'm pretty positive, that we've got everything! Fingers crossed gente!! Because in a few hours, we are on our way to Las Vegas. You know, to meet up with Ignacio and all our amigos.

It's been go, go, go. But I haven't yet, felt overwhelmed. I owe a lot of that, to my amazing friends. Most of which, I met only after meeting Ignacio. That's one amazing part of him being in the mariachi. We are all like family. Depending on each other. Really, helping everyone out.

Yes, they've been in Las Vegas since Monday. I owe so much to this mujer!! Who not only booked the chapel, and the reception space.....but also made our decorations. And probably called in every favor she could!! Yes, Ignacio and I are so lucky.

Most of all, I have Ignacio to thank. He keeps my head on straight. Reminds me of what is important. That at the end of the day, we're doing this, because we're in love. And we want to share this special time, with our familia. That's the important stuff.

Yes, I'm ready to be married. Ready to start my life with Ignacio. Ready to be his Mrs. Ready to celebrate with our family and friends. Only today, did I realize our actual wedding date. September 16, 2012. To those of you who don't know, that's Mexico's Independence Day. Sorta just works out. :)

It's very different from April 27, 2013. But close to that other big Mexican holiday.....Cinco de Mayo. It all works out well. And like I said, it only matters that Ignacio and I are getting married. And sharing this time with our family and friends. At the end of the day, those are the things that really matter in life. Not the "perfect dress, cake, date, and hair." Yes, we've got our priorities. For us, it's all about the people. And real emotions.

So Excited!!

I don't know about all of you, but lately, I've seen the trailer for Bless Me, Ultima.....about a million times!! OK, let's start from the beginning. As in, I first got my hands on this book, when I was in high school. I think I was a freshman. I had the same literature/spanish teacher for 2 years. She was so into our culture. And always had us studying really amazing people.

I fell in love with this book. I don't exactly know what it was. It just spoke to me. When I first started college, we were required to read this book again. I remember searching my parents' home. I knew I had it. I knew this, because I had read it 5 or 6 times, in just 4 years. When I finally found it, I was so excited!

Pretty sure, I read it in 2 days. :) And when I took my copy with me to class, my professor pointed out how "worn out" my book was. Little did he know, I LOVE this book! My copy just showed my love.

OK, back to the original reason for this post. I have seen the trailer for this movie, about 20 times a day. Over the last 10 days. I'm so excited for this movie to come out!! I really hope that the movie doesn't disappoint. And that it's a good reflection of Rudolfo Anaya's book. I know a few people that are excited to see it. As in mi amiga. And you can bet on one thing. I'm going to be watching this movie, the first chance I get!!

One Last Chance

Today has been a very tough day. We found out that my dear abuelito, doesn't have much longer on this earth. I feel like my entire world has been rocked.

You see, my biological dad, up and left when my sisters and I, were little. Real little. He hasn't been around for over 25 years. Not even his own family hears from him. We're close to his side of the family. But it's just an unfortunate situation.

Since my dad wasn't in the picture, my abuellito (grandpa) has been our rock. He was our "father figure" growing up. My mom worked hard, and long hours. She had to support 4 of us!! On her own. That meant, lots of time with our abuelitos.

Maybe because I'm the youngest. Or the more sentimental and emotional one, I grew really close to my abuelitos. I've stayed really close to them. And although God sent us an amazing dad, years later. In the form of my stepdad. Let's all be real here, he's our dad. And we love him just like he was our biological dad. Because he's ours. And he loves us in the same unconditional way.

But that bond with my abuelitos will never go away. They're my rocks. Where I pull my strength from. Where I learned to love and trust. My abuelitos taught me so much. Just by example. They are the most amazing people, I will ever know.

Last year, my abuelito was diagnosed with cancer. He's fought a tough fight. And was in remission for just over 7 months. I'd hoped that he'd walk me down the aisle. Give me away. Be a big part of our wedding day. Instead, today he was given about 6 weeks to live.

I'm crushed! To say the least, it's been a very emotional day. I went with my mom and abuelitos, to my abuelito's doctor appointment. It was supposed to be a routine checkup for him. To check his status. Instead, we left crushed. Heartbroken. And a tad bit deflated.

I've cried more than I ever have. My heart just plain aches. I'm worried about what tomorrow will bring. How will we get through all of this. How will I ever say goodbye? How will that be possible?

And then, that little detail creeped into my mind. April 27, 2013. Almost 8 months away. I just knew that I couldn't wait that long. And after talking with Ignacio tonight, we've decided to move that date up. Way up! As in September 16, 2012. Because I just couldn't bare, my abuelito not being at my wedding.

I know, it sounds a little crazy. Beyond the budget breakdown, and saving money.....we haven't done much in the terms of wedding planning. I'd been collecting little things, here and there. But we were focusing on planning this Fall. I don't have a dress. I haven't even asked my bridesmaids, to be my bridesmaids.

But I have faith in God. That he will allow our family, this last celebration. Together. It's not going to be huge. Or fancy. I'm 100% certain, that all those little things I wanted to order, customize, or create.....won't get done. But we will be married. With our loved ones there.

So why September 16, 2012? For one, it's close. For two, Ignacio and the mariachi will be in Las Vegas. Teaching forming. From September 10th-17th, they are scheduled to be there. And well three, isn't Las Vegas known for their quick weddings?

It's going to be fast. It's going to be different from what we had envisioned. But we'll be married. With our loved ones surrounding us. The details will somehow work out. I believe that God will give us that much. Being that he's taking my rock from me. I'm so lucky to have Ignacio. How he understands the importance of familia. And I'm lucky and blessed, to still be able to include mi abuelito.

Back to Normal :)

Since June, our little routine has been "off." Mems and Cari headed to Mexico. For the entire summer!! Our usual "dinner and church" routine had to change. You know, since Mems was going to be gone all summer. Jelly and Selena stepped up. Offering their homes.

And when they left on their summer trip, Amelia and I offered up our homes. We live an hour away from everyone else. Linda and Gabi did too! Both are expecting baby girls. And Maria and Dawn offered too! We were just trying to keep our little routine going. :)

Now let me tell you, I'm no cook! So when we had company, I made simple meals. Or bought some food. :) Thank you KFC!! You do make chicken right. It was rough. But we tried to make it just as fun. Grilling out a few nights. But it was different from our "normal."

Oh, and our dear Chiquitita has been sick. Since June!! So she went up north. We missed her so much too! Can you tell, we just weren't in our element. We felt like we were missing an arm or something. It just showed me and Ignacio, how close we've become to all of our friends. :)

At the beginning of the month, most of our friends came home. From their exploration of the state. Mems and Cari came back on Monday. Just in time for Cari to start school. And on Tuesday, this mujer came back.

It didn't mean that Tuesday was back to normal. But it was getting there. We went to church. Then ran to the soccer fields, to see this little guy and this one, play soccer. First game of their season. It was a lot of fun!! Not only did we cheer on the boys, we also enjoyed some yummy food. Cooked for us, by Mems.

Last night was back to normal. :) We went to church. Met at Mems' house for dinner. And spent hours catching up. Laughing. Looking at pictures. Just enjoying life. And let me tell you, all summer, I've been looking forward to this night.

This little quote, I found it on Pinterest. It made me think, of all our wonderful friends. How they've showed Ignacio and I, a different way of life. How to be better people. And enjoy the little things in life. If it's true, that we become like the 5 people, we spend the most time with.....I'm glad that we spend so much time with our friends. I wouldn't mind being just like them!!

Dancing Away My Troubles :)

Is there a song that you just love? One that instantly puts you into a good mood. I have one!! That song for me, is Little Big Town's Pontoon.

The first time I heard it, I was dancing away. In my car!! Yes, I know. But I will not apologize. It's a good song. Totally reminds me of summertime. And good times!!



The last few days, have had me a bit stressed out. I've eaten so many carbs. You'd think I was an athlete or something. No lie!! Sweets, they don't have a chance around me!! Is anyone else like that? You eat your stress away.

Then this morning, I got in my car. To make the commute across town. My favorite song came on. Suddenly, I was dancing around. Forgetting about all my worries. It hit me like a ton of bricks. "Girl, put the food down. Turn the radio up. And dance out some of that stress!" I didn't even mind that I was in traffic for 45 minutes. :)

If you excuse me, I'm going to turn up my radio. Maybe tackle my closet. Definitely dance around the house. I NEED to enjoy my last few days of summer!!