Bring It, 2010!

Well, I can't believe its finally here, but seriously anything can be better than 2009. Sure, I got married. I had the best day of my life! Everything was amazing. But, I also lost my Mom in June. That is the worst thing ever to have happened. I'm sooo tired of losing loved ones, and although I'm kinda sad to see another year go bye, I'm excited to see what 2010 will bring. Edgar and I plan to save up for house and when our lease is up in July we hope to begin house hunting. If we have to wait another year, it will be fine as long as we are in the process of being a homeowner. We will be going to California in March to visit family and sight see. We have our family reunion in July and well will start another year at our jobs. I think we are at a good spot in our relationship and I believe we can only grow from here. So with that being said, so long 2009, I cant kick you any harder! I hope everyone has a great evening and no matter where you are, have a great NEW YEAR!!!!

My New Beauty...

{photo from cellphonedigest.net}

This is my early Christmas present from my husband. It's UH-MAZING! There's so many things that it does and so many applications that I can download for it. I've been playing on it non-stop and we got it Wednesday evening. Edgar got the T-Mobile MyTouch and he loves it. We never really have a surprise Christmas because we are just too excited to give each other presents. We tried this year-but as you can see....we already have the main gift to each other. I think we are going to get each other tennis shoes(because we DEFINATELY need them) and those will be a surpise. We adopted a child at the school I work at so we went shopping for him and bought him 3 outfits and 2 toys.

We gave a $35 limit on each kid. So far we have bought for our nieces Miranda & Adriana and Edgar's little brother, Poncho. We got Miranda and Poncho a DS game....one the new super mario bros and another mario vs sonic winter olympic games. We got our niece Adriana some yellow headphones (for her IPOD) and a $25 I Tunes card. I think we are giving my older niece Cristina and Edgar's other brother Erick a $50 giftcard to somewhere. We figure since their both 17, they can get a little more on their gift. We're not sure what to get our new nephew Robson. I was thinking of getting him a bond or something that he can have later in life, because really-who is going to remember their 1st christmas at 2 1/2 months!?!?!

We drew names for the adults and since my nephew and his Fiance(long story!) are graduated they are officially in the adult category. Edgar and I drew both of their names, which was really funny to me. Soooo we bought them baby stuff. They are expecting a baby in April, a little boy, and he's a HUGE Virginia Tech fan so we found this last night on the computer....

{Photo from campusemporium.com}

Today I get to take 24 Kinder kids over to the high school for our Adopt-A-Kid program. This is where the highschool classrooms all adopt 2-3 kids and bring them gifts and have a party for the less fortunate that were nominated by their teacher. I loved doing this when I was in high school-I'm excited it's still going on. I better get going, we're leaving soon!

Field Trip

Today I get to attend my first field trip as an "administrator". This is exciting because I get to go and see The Nutcracker performed by the Ballet of Austin for FREE!!! Edgar would NEVER go to something likethis with me, and to top it off, we get to eat lunch at the Spaghetti Warehouse-also for free! I'm really excited to go with our 3rd graders and they all dressed up so nice. Some even came in suits and ties! It's amazing to see them just as excited. I know I still need to update pictures of the Big 12 Game, which I swear my heart skipped a couple of beats(!), but I will soon, I promise!

{Photo from balletaustin.org}

{Photo from Spaghettiwarehouse.com}

Big 12 Championship Game

Today my friends, we are going to the Big 12 Championship game....at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium! This thing is going to be a beauty(I just know it!). I'm super excited, and my Husband, who is also known as "All Texas team Hater" (Because he's from California, duh!) is really excited to be going. He thinks if he has to sit through a Longhorn football game just because I made him come with, there's no better place to be than the 8th wonder of the world! I'm not going to like the travel, because sooo many people will be heading up that way-but I am excited to get there. Maybe we should have flown? :) Anyway, I'll take pics. I'll upload them when I get back. There will be another blog. And until then, just remember to look for me on tv-because YES IT'S POSSIBLE!!!!! :)

P.S. GO LONGHORNS!!!! Beat some Husker ass!!!!!!! :)

Christmas Cards

I've seen alot of people wondering about making Christmas Cards lately. On my July '09 board on the nest (Yes these girls are like my sisters even though the wedding has come and gone!) one of the girls posted a link for *FREE* 4x8 Christmas Cards. But by the time my computer had stopped being dumb, I couldn't recieve them for free, but only had to pay shipping and receive 50 for *$3.19*. It seemed like a good deal, so I couldn't pass it up. I received them in the mail 2 1/2 (because I ordered them in the evening) days later. I highly recommend ordering from them, and you only have until November 30th, so order away. Go to seehere.com Click on the 4x8 photo cards(whatever landscape you want) and design your card. Make sure your quantity is 50 and type in the promocode freebies4mom-1109. Have fun!

Happy Holidays!

This ornament says "Our first Christmas Together 2009". We got it to celebrate our year of marriage.

Today, Edgar and I went to Target and bought our Christmas tree. I <3 it. I'm seriously loving starting our own Holiday traditions as a married couple. Our tradition this year was picking out a "theme" and I let hubby do the honors. He chose the red&white/silver theme, and I rolled with it. When we got home, we couldn't just have them sitting in the boxes, so we decorated the tree together. When he started to comment about having "too much" stuff...I let him know there was no such thing. I am currently jammin out to the *NSYNC Christmas CD. :) I know your jealous. ;)


Here's our 1st Christmas tree as a married couple! Wahoo.

I'm alive. :)

Okay, so I've definately been a BAD blogger! I was very busy mourning the death of loved ones, getting married(!!), moving into our apartment, getting the "I need Christmas to come, like now!" bug, cooking and loving it, trying(which really failed!!!) to decorate the apartment, welcoming the birth of my newly *and chubby* nephew-Robson, spending time with family on My Mom's b-day and my Sisters 1 year death anniversary, being VERY ill(just a sinus infection, but an oh so painful one at that), and welcoming the holidays with open arms. I think I'm ready to be a blogger again.
Now back to my nephew. He was born October 15, 2009 at 10:45 P.M. Believe me, it was a very thorough delivery. That little boy just didn't want to come out. She, my sister-in-law, was at 9 cms for 7 HRS!!! They finally had to do a c-section and out popped Mr. Oh so cute and chubby Robson. He's such a handsome boy. He looks NOTHING like I would have imagined him to look, and he was 8lbs15oz. I'm so excited to be an aunt of 5 and especially to have 2 nephews now!
Not much new has occured in mine and Edgar's life. We did go and see This Is It this weekend in theatres and it was pretty damn good. We also went to my cousin's house and watched GI Joe and The Proposal, both of which we've never seen before.
Oh yea, I got a promotion at work! I am the principal's secretary, known here as the "Senior Associate". It's an awesome job, a wonderful payraise, and also I actually like to wake up in the mornings! Yes, the new promotion comes with harder tasks and multiple ones at that, but this is just what I have wanted and I caught on pretty quickly.
Okay, back to work I go. Until later.

Day of the wedding. Church Ceremony

After falling asleep, rather early. Probably like at 1:30 a.m. I finally went to sleep. My Sister and I (along with her 3 girls) stayed in a hotel the night before the wedding so Edgar could have our room at my Mom's house. We woke up at 7 and got (semi-dressed) to go over to the reception hall and begin decorating by 8. It went smoothly. I'm so glad I thought about who was going to do what. I thought I was short one vase, but it was really hiding out in the kitchen area and we found out just in time for me not to panic! lol I was seriously considering running to wal-mart to get another vase at about 9 that morning. Luckily, it didn't have to happen. Then, I also wish I would have taken a picture of everything that happened that morning. My camera is REALLY picky about what batteries I put inside(totally gonna put a new camera on my Christmas list) and Edgar was supposed to bring some by and give them to my sister, so they never made it and I never got any pictures. But, my cousin did and when I finally get them from her-hopefully soon-I will post a picture. The hall looked AMAZING! I was soo excited it turned out so nice, and it was great to see my visions come to life. After over a year of planning, I was afraid all of the pieces weren't going to match. When they did, it was a weight lifted off my shoulders. I got soo many compliments on everything, I wanted to give myself a pat on the back all night long. :)

Anyway, finished decorating and hanging out at the hall around 10:30 and had to rush back to the hotel because I was supposed to start on my hair at 10:30. When my hair took longer than expected, and I didn't get fully ready until around 1:30 or so...I was beginning to get nervous. I had told mysef I would be at the Church by 1:10 and that's when anxiety began to set in. I was afraid I was going to be late, people weren't going to show up, people would see me walk in through the side door...etc. But, when we got there everything was okay. The Priest came up to me and said "It's 2:03 on my watch, time to get the show on the road". I began to feel like a weight was on my chest. My knees felt like they were going to buckle beneath me and I began to breath very heavily. I even had to go PEE!!! :) It wasn't until they tried to start the music, after the bridal party began to line up, Edgar sends someone to tell me the CD wasn't working. This was the same problem we had at the rehearsal the night before. I made that CD 2 times!!! It worked in the car, how come it wouldn't work in the Church!?!??!! I was just about to say, sorry, no music just walk in-when one of my Bridesmaids said "Chad (her fiance) will play a song on his guitar. ::Cue angels at the pearly gate:: AHHHH!!! Those words were magic to my ears, and they literally saved the day. I don't know how we could ever seriously repay her. So, the bridal party was able to walk in and everything was great.

I was still feeling like OMG I'm about to seriously pass out and my nephew looks at me and he's like "okay, come on Laura-it's our turn!" The minute I walked in front of those doors and felt the wave of everyone looking at me, I began to feel a huge splash of emotion hit me. I stared at Edgar the whole way down, because I LOVE to look at the Groom when he sees the bride for the first time, it's soo emotional, and yea it was! I had to actually look away because I began to tear up and I didn't want to cry walking down the aisle! By the time I got down and Edgar held my hand, every kind of crazy emotion left me and I knew this is what I had been waiting for.....

Me, while getting ready with my Laura & Edgar 7.11.09 zip-up hoody on.

Me with my handsome nephew aka the other love of my life. I chose him to walk me down the aisle since my Dad passed away in '03 and since my Mom was no longer here either.

Michael, handing me off to Edgar.

I, Edgar, take you, Laura....

I, Laura take you, Edgar......

I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss your bride!

I proudly introduce-Mr. & Mrs. Edgar Perez!

Time to play catch up.

I'll be posting updates on what's been happening pre/post wedding and other occurences in my life. I've been busy, but I haven't been TOO BUSY to blog...I just don't know what happened. Oh yeah, that damn FarmTown on facebook. I should probably cancel it so I can get back to reality for more than 2 hours in the day. I thought insomnia would leave me for good...well until Christmas Eve...but nope-it's been hanging high above my head all week long!

Let's see. We had a FANTASTIC rehearsal dinner. I was really skeptical about having it in my back yard. But, the California family didn't complain TOO much about the heat, and everything turned out great. We had TONS of space so that worked, noone was crammed into one area. We were outside, so we could be as loud as we wanted. My uncles got a kick, and felt really special, because they got to cook the food. It was our every weekend meal-BBQ. But for some reason, everyone LOVED it! lol I actually got to sit down for about 15 minutes and eat. I lost Edgar pretty much most of the night, but he was visiting with family so it was okay. They loved our gifts, and wish I would have handed my camera to someone to take pics. Saying goodbye to Edgar that night was probably the hardest thing I had to do all weekend long. I don't know why it was just so hard, but it was. I got teary eyed when he walked out the door. Not even telling myself that we would be committing our lives to one another in just a matter of hours changed how I felt at that moment....

Here are some pics of the festivities.

Edgar's middle brother, Erick. This was taken the Thursday before the wedding.


A very crooked picture of probably about 1/5 of the people at our rehearsal dinner. By the looks of it, this is a pic of nothing but DH's family members from Cali. I wish I would have thought to take a picture of all the cars in our backyard. WHEW! lol
Our last picture as a single couple! Before we said our goodbyes.

I'm alive...I promise...

I'll update tomorrow. Right now, I'm off to bed.

The wedding

It was great!!! It was perfect. People are still talking about how it's the best wedding they've ever been too. I was really iffy about the band that Edgar's Dad picked out, but it turned out okay and they were really amazing. I could go on and on but I won't. I'll upload just a few pics. More to come later.



Mr & Mrs Perez

The Favor Table

My beautiful Cake Table

Me and My Mamo & Papo

My sexy new husband!

I finally cracked....

I was wondering when it was going to hit me. It hasn't hit me this whole week. Not even seeing my sister cry, or picking out a song to dance with my brother too(because my dad passed away in '03), or seeing my bro's myspace status "My little sister is getting married this weekend!" and he was excited, and not even because family is coming TOMORROW!!!!

I cracked because I was thinking about my Mom and how happy she was when she saw me try on my dress for her (which I am soooo glad I did, because she hadn't seen me in it in a while!). I was sad because my Sister was supposed to be my other MOH, and I have her bouquet, because I made them sometime last year. I turned it into my toss bouquet, so someone is going to get some really special flowers. I cried because my Dad was supposed to walk me down the aisle and give me away. There's just soo many mixed feelings because this is supposed to be my special day, everything is supposed to be perfect but it won't be. Deep down, I will think about how they aren't here with me to celebrate it all, and I will feel sad. I don't know how I'm really going to enjoy my day 100% thinking about it all. I guess I'll just have to remember how excited they were for me, and try not to be sad. It was soo sweet, I just went up to Edgar and he knew something was wrong with me. He held me while I cried and told me that they would all be with me spiritually, but it's still not the same ya know? Egh-oh well. I'm sure it will continue to come up for the rest of my life.

On a happier note, family is coming TOMORROW(well now it's after 12...so it's today)!!! I can't believe it. Actually, I can. And I'm 100% excited and ready for them to be here. I'm feeling more and more anxious because I'm ready for everyone to be all at the same place. I've been doing a lot lately to try and keep busy. There's only so much you can do when you have finished everything wedding related that you can possibly finish before hand. But, we have been cleaning the yard. Mowing, weed eating, and watering the grass everynight. Getting all the materials, food, tables, and chairs for the outside rehearsal dinner we are hosting at my house Friday night. Which is technically tomorrow night!! Holy Moly!! Today we went and had the final meeting with the dj, talked dances, songs, timelines and must plays. We also went and picked up Edgar and his brother Erick's tuxedos from men's wearhouse. They looked so handsome! I can't wait to see them on Saturday all cleaned up.

When I wake up (I'm setting my alarm for 9 AUGH!) I am going to get my e-ring cleaned, getting Erick a gift, getting some bowls for salsa and chips, Rent 50 chairs for Friday, and then around 3 or so I'm getting my toes and nails done. We will be leaving at around 6:30 to go and pick up family from the airport. Tomorrow....tonight.....will be a LONG night I just know it. We haven't seen this part of the family in over a year. And, we only saw them for 1 day when we did see them when we visited California for a wedding last May. It's gonna be fun. Hopefully I recap again, if not this might be my last post as a single woman!!!! Let the good times roll.....

Just in case....

You don't know how many more days we have until the wedding.....it's SIX! 6 Whole days...less than a week. lol Yea, I woke up this morning with a not so settled tummy! lol I wonder if it's my nerves starting to kick in? Anyway, let's recap.

Friday, Edgar and I had our bachelor/ette party together because when my Mom passed away the planning got put on hold and then we ran out of time, so we just opted to have it together in my backyard. About 40 or so people came, and it was such a fun time. Even though the guys were there, the girls still had plenty of fun. We played Ring Toss with an inflatable male part! Then we also played "Pin the junk on the hunk". That one was just hilarious. One of my bridesmaids had taken pics, and I'm waiting for them to come through my e-mail. I didn't give her the "okay to post on facebook or myspace" but who knows what kind of pics they were. ;) So once I filter through, hopefully I will post some up.
Saturday we woke up, most importantly, NO HANGOVER!!! We went outside and cleaned out the yard. We have this idea of recycling the cans of both that party and the wedding, see how much money we can come up with! We met up with Edgar's Mom and Dad to get cases and cases of beer for the wedding. We hit up the 4th of July specials and the limit was only 2 per person, so we all went in about 3 times, including my sister and her husband! That was an experience. On Wednesday and Thursday of last week, while I was doing my own weekly run of wedding necessities, I ran into Randall's and bought a total of 63 12 packs of sodas, 58 of which were for the wedding. I mean seriously, who could beat the $1.99/12 pack special??? Here's a pic for your enjoyment.

Yesterday after our shopping trip, we came home to play in a water slide thingy that blows up with air. It was the funnest thing ever. Who doesn't need some relaxing, go back and act like a kid, fun time-before the wedding??? Anyway, we played in there with Edgars 2 bros, ,my 2 nieces and my nephew and his girlfriend. Those were some awesome memories! lol Then we got all cleaned up and went to Taylor to watch the fireworks. That was fun too, until my niece brought the dogs not thinking of how they would react to the fireworks, and my dog(inherited from my Mom!) literally freaked out. I will post a whole blog on how I got "Bubba", sometime soon. But here are some pics to hold you over.

Today, I'm working on my big centerpieces for the tables. It's soo surreal because I know that has been last on my to-do list since I started wedding planning. And I kept saying I wouldn't do it until the last week until the wedding. But guess what!?!??! It's here! We see family in 4 days and the wedding is just right around the corner.

Hair & Make-Up Trial

Okay, it's a quick post because I'm going to my Gma's b-day party. But heres 2 pics of how my hair and make up trial went last night. I was hoping it would hold for my bridals this morning, and IT DID!!! I was nervous to take my pics, but it went WELL! I'm excited to see the teasers he's supposed to e-mail me later. I do have 1 on my camera, but the camera's in my car so I'll post it later.

15 days and counting...

Am I supposed to be this calm so close to the wedding? Yes-I'm anxious, yes-I'm struggling to get everything done, no-i'm not freaking out. I kinda want to feel the wedding stress just so I can totally understand why some brides act the way they do. I'm flying pretty right now, but I'm not sure I like it. I'm not sure if it's because our engagment was WAY too long! :) but I can't just acccept that it's coming up. I can't make my brain realize that, I'm getting married to the man I love in just around 2 weeks and I've been planning this day for a LONG TIME!!!! Hopefully soon.
I've been knocking things off my list left and right lately! Let's see if I can come remotely close to explaining everything I've done so far....well in just the passed couple of days.

• Went to the dentist
• Designed, copied, and folded my programs.
• Added Ribbon to my white bird cage that my Mom insisted I had for the cards.
• Started and finished both pomander flower balls for the Flowergirls, since we can't do flower petals at the Church.
• Called to make sure all the guys were fitted at Men's Wearhouse.
• Bought my white zip-up for my "Mrs. Perez est. 7.11.09" but I'm not sure when or how I'm gonna go about finishing that.
• Made Rehearsal Dinner arrangements, only to decide we aren't having one.
• Switched the rehearsal to Friday so all of the bridal party will be able to make it.
• Ordered the flowers(the only real ones) for the centerpieces. Picking them up the day before the wedding because we are doing them ourself! lol
• Bought my wedding shoes.
• Made hair and make up trial-which is today by the way.
• Bought the last of the vases that we are gonna need for the centerpieces.
• Bought another guestbook, it was mentioned that I should have one at the church and one at the reception. We thought this one looked to plain, so we took off the white ribbon and added some green and black ribbon to match the wedding. Looks good!
• Folded and dropped off the boxes at my Sis-in-laws work because her Mom is making the cookies to go inside for the favors.
• Gave Edgar's Dad a check for $300 for the alcohol, he's paying the rest.
• Paid off the hall for the reception!!!!!

Sad...

My Mom passed away. The worst part, I wasn't at home when it happened.

More Pics...

Some table decorations.

A picture of my gift "table" early in the shower.

One of the many vegetable trays.

Some decorative fan type things.

Another shot of the table.

A pic of me and my nephew (aka the love of my life) at his graduation. He's a giant I know. :) Oh yea, I don't know why I'm sideways again. :)

A pic of Edgar, cousin Patrick, Cousin Jonathan (aka JPO), my brother in law Paul, and my bro Ruben Jr. (aka Chotey). Michael in the background. I realize my BIL is making a funny face, I don't really want to explain it, but you can imagine what happens when boys are together and their quite comfortable with each other.

Sideways pic of my nephew and his graduation party cake.

Edgar and I dancing at his party.

These are a pic of thanks you cards I gave at my work shower. I'm excited (lol not really) to begin writing thank yous from this other shower.

playing catch-up with 32 days left....

Okay. So to explain my absence. My Mom is very sick. Actually, sick isn't the right word. She's stable but the dr's say there's nothing more they can do and they aren't giving her much longer to live. She will be coming home soon and we have already began the massive clean up around the house to get ready. I've come to terms that these are going to be some very hard days, but I would give anything to be able to have my Mom still be in my life. I'm going to enjoy every minute with her, even if it is going to be hard. I'm just excited to have her back home after over a month.

I had my shower this passed weekend, on Sunday, and it was great. We also had my Nephew's graduation party on Friday and that was fun too. I can't believe he's out. Anyway, my Grandma gave me lingerie, and I was embarassed!!! She had hid it in a towel, so when I pulled it out it fell out.

I'm.literally.exhausted! I can't even think anymore and I just want to fall down and pass out! I did my first day of 'the shred' and even though it's level 1, don't let it fool you. I didn't stop, or give up, but it was hard. I've heard a lot of girls say they have seen drastic results, so we'll see how it goes for me.
I got my dress fixed. My Sister in law's mom did it for me. My wallet thanked her! I still need to find shoes, uhm figure how I want my hair. There are only a few things I need to complete before my wedding comes. The most exciting is that we're going to get our marriage license on Thursday. I'm anxious!!! I'm also doing summer school, and I get out at 1 now.
Here are some pictures because I know you're just super anxious....

I don't know why this is sideways.My Kitchenaid mixer from my Mom!

My cake from my Godmother.Of course Edgar helped set-up before guys day out at the movies. <3
Katie, Lorie, My sister Michelle, My BFF Cassidy. Some 4/7 of my bridesmaids.