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.

Making It Our Home :)

Ignacio and I have lived together, for less than a year. I move from my apartment, with a roommate, to a house that he rents. We're probably going to stay here, until after we're married. Maybe even another year. That's part of the reason, that we're saving all our extra pennies. We want to buy a home, within the next 1-2 years.

In the last few months, honestly I haven't done much to make this feel like home. It's not that I haven't wanted to. Or that I don't enjoy living here. It's just that we've been really busy. And saving all those pennies.

But since school is out for the summer, I'd started tackling a few things. Like unpacking those last 10 boxes. The ones, that have sat in our spare room/my office. You know, for 8+ months. :) They really started to bug me, while I was studying for finals. Lots of the things in  those boxes, were little trinkets. You know, the stuff you decorate your home with. The "fluff" stuff. :)

One box, had a bunch of pillows. Another had candles. I set those up in our living room. Ignacio told me, that he liked them. And why had we waited so long, to put them out. I don't know. I agree with him. Those little things, are making our house, feel like a home. Just makes things feel cozy, and inviting.

Now that all those boxes are unpacked, we pretty much have an empty room. My desk is in there. That's it!! And we have some wedding stuff in the closet. But nothing else. Not even curtains!! I know that I want this space to be inviting. A space that I can use to study. And do wedding planning. Or just sit and blog.

But I'm on a tight budget. I keep thinking to myself, a yummy cake, pretty pictures, and our honeymoon are much more important than a new desk and chair. But really, it's tough. I figured I'd take to my favorite place, for some inspiration.

I have an old desk. That I found at a yard sale. Years, and years ago. Like when I first started college. It's pretty beat up. And an ugly blond wood. But I like the shape. Do you see this picture? We, and by we I mean Ignacio, is going to paint my desk. That blue-ish color. And I'm painting the room, this coral color.

I have a white rug. It's from my old room. With white curtains, and 2 white lamps. I'm thinking of buying some green lamp shades. And maybe painting my chair green. Or that pink. I just haven't decided yet. Oh yeah, I just bought that beauty. From our neighbors, who were having a yard sale. It cost me, all of $1!!

Um, I might have actually spent a little money. You see, I went to Hobby Lobby. And had a bunch of coupons. Yes, I made each one of my sisters go through the line for me. And bought a few pink desk accessories. I think I might have spent $20. :)

This is what I'll be tackling over the next few days. My office. And searching for another chair. Something upholstered, and comfy. :) And I want to find a pink blanket. The color of this pillow. I'm actually really excited about this plan!!

That's the plan. For the next few months, to tackle each room in our home. So far, we've got our bedroom done. And the living room. Ignacio's office/studio is pretty well done too. It's been that way, since we started dating. His office, was the only room that was "done." Probably because he works out of there. :)

Hopefully, I'll continue to get inspiration. And keep moving forward with this. I also like to pick this woman's brain. She is so good at interior design. And saving pennies. You should see her stash of coupons!! With all this, our house, should be feeling like our home in no time!! 

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!!

Just Breathe.....

Today I started back at school. The beginning of our Spring Semester. Crazy how from the second the alarm went off this morning, until I was driving home this afternoon, all I could think of.....was home!!

College for me, has been a dream come true. Something that I wanted to do, since I was a little girl. But I wasn't always sure it would be a possibility. Low and behold, I got a scholarship. :) Then my mom and dad, offered to help me out. Just a little. With some of my books. And I got another job.

For the first 2 or 3 years that I was in college, I worked. Hard. Long hours. I had 2 jobs. And went to school. It was also the first time, I'd lived on my own. Even if I had a roommate, I felt like I was doing it for myself. For the first time in my life!! All tough things. But I knew I could handle it.

But it's like something has changed. I no longer want to be in college. I'm done. So over classes, homework, and group projects. Maybe it's being engaged. And looking into the future. Planning the next phase of my life, with Ignacio. That suddenly makes me want out of college.

I graduate in just over a year. May 2013. It seems like a million years away!! I know that it's not. I've taken out the calendar, a million times. Counted the months. Then the weeks. And finally the days. 16 months. I can do it!!

My one salvation, is my job. I work on campus. It's not a big job. It's a work study job. But it's a fun deal. I enjoy the people I work with. And it's a lot of the "fluff" stuff, that goes with teaching. I get to design bulletin boards, make tons and tons of copies, and help with projects. Really, I help my professors get things together, for the "Student Teachers." And you know what? I don't just enjoy my job. I also enjoy the people I work with. :)

During my 90 minute commute this morning, I thought about all these things. Wondering why I left home at 6:30am, and was still stuck in traffic. I used to live on the west side of town. Near my university. Now I live across town. On the east side. I'm still not used to this commute. Months later, it still drives me nuts!! Why am I doing this? And why, at this point are my classes still so early?

Well, I just turned to God. I turned off my radio. And started to pray. I NEEDED that!! I needed to reflect on all of this. To put it into perspective. To remember that I'm lucky. I get to go to college. I have a fiance, who wants to pay for it. He wants me to succeed. Dare I say, almost more than I want to. And I'm 3 semesters away from graduating. I can't give up now. Instead, I breathe. And turn to God. I know he will help me through this.

Who Would Have Thought??

I've been thinking of all the possibilities for our wedding. Honestly, I've been spending so many hours on Pinterest!! Just looking at all the possibilities. The ideas on there, just make me smile.

I probably should join Pinterest. That way I can make a wedding board. But that seems so premature at the moment. Being that we're still over a year, away from getting married. I do like to look around on there. Collecting a few ideas. I don't know if I've mentioned this yet, but Ignacio and I set a date. April 27, 2013. :)

We're going to really start planning in the Fall. Until then, we're saving our pennies. Who knew that weddings were so expensive?? Wow!! The one thing we are going to do, is look at venues. There are so many possibilities. And I really want to get married outside.

Since we live in the southwest, it has to be a spring or fall wedding. It's just too hot in the summer!! That's why we picked spring. We've already met with our priest. And started our pre-cana sessions. It's a little early. As in we should start 6 months, before the wedding. But we feel like it's a good thing to start. You know, get us talking about the important issues.

Don't get me wrong. I've been buying bridal magazines. In fact, Ignacio had been planning our engagement for a while. Because my first issues of bridal magazines, showed up days after our engagement. :) He's a sweetheart!! And I've been spending hours and hours on Pinterest. Other than our wedding date, we've picked the wedding colors. :)

Thank you Pinterest!! That's where I found this picture. My favorite color is red. But I NEVER thought of purple. Don't you think they were made for each other? I do!! I'm thinking a deep red and deep purple. Oh, I can't wait!!

If you have anymore ideas for me, please let me know. Tell me about websites, magazines, blogs, etc. I need all the help I can get!! Especially with the money saving ideas. Boy, I could use some of those. :) Off to search Pinterest for some more inspiration!!