Birthday and Changes

Today saw Brittany's 17th birthday party. I made her a tye-died, Yellow Submarine cake and we had a few family members over for dinner. It was a LOT of fun. Jesse, Sissy and Che were able to drive down from Huntsville which was perfect timing.

Rigo asked his good friend Madie to be in the wedding party and I was able to ask Jesse to do the same. They both said yes, putting us at 3 attendents each. It makes me feel so much better to be able to have my both my brother and my sister with me at the alter and I'm sure that Rigo feels a ton better to have Madie in the wedding party too.

On another note, I think the guys agreed on a tux style that they won't mind. They were a little "concerned" about wearing purple, but everything seems to be settled.

Rigo's Dad is a professional photographer and has agreed to do our engagement photos this coming weekend. We haven't set a definite site yet, but we have a few places in mind. I thought that we should do a few at Oak Ridge High School, where we met, and a few some where pretty like a park or pond nearby.

First Steps

Rigo and I took our first steps towards losing weight today. Because we both work for Klein ISD, a gym down the street gave us a great deal! Our total registration fee, including first and last months dues, came to 50 dollars and our monthly payments are only 10dollars each.

I REALLY don't want to look like a puffy marshmallow on my wedding day so we're both going to be seeing personal trainers. We have our first session with our personal trainer on Tuesday and I am SIKED! He spoke with us today about our goals and said that they are definitely reachable in nine months.

Wish us luck!

Bridal Extravaganza!

Today saw my mom, my sister, Rigo, his parents, and myself at the Houston Bridal Extravaganza Show. It was amazing. Not only did we get to see and try all of the wonderful wedding related services being offered, but we also were able to get a few things done for the wedding. While Rigo's dad went around to all of the booths telling people that he and Mrs. Zavala had been dating for 30 years and finally decided to take the plunge, we spoke with hundreds of people about their services. I registered for lots of free stuff, like honeymoons and flowers.

We got a fantastic deal on all of the tuxes from Al's Formal Wear. They were a little upset that we planned to go to Men's Wearhouse, so they gave us a huge discount. Rigo's tux will be free, his best man, groomsman, and dad will get 30 off, and my step dad is getting 50 dollars off of his rentals. They also gave us two teddy bears :)

We arranged to have a jewelry party in September. The company's name escapes me, but I'll add it when I remember. There is no obligation to sell a certain amount of jewelry, and I automatically get a beautiful tennis bracelet to wear with my gown.

David's Bridal gave me a 50 dollar gift card that is good for two weeks. Obviously, I couldn't risk losing the gift card, so we stopped at David's Bridal on the way home. After a bit of running around inside, with the help of a wonderful sales associate, I found the dress. There's more! It was 150 cheaper than usual and they added my 50 dollar gift card to that! Putting on that dress made me realize that I AM A BRIDE! Can you believe it? I can't :) My mom took tons of pictures, but of course I can't post them or show anyone yet.

All Grown Up

Today, it really hit me. I was getting dressed and putting my on my makeup so that my mom and I could go out for the day. I always look in the mirror to make sure I look alright, only this time, I saw something new. I saw how grown up I've become. Since high school, life has flown by, and I haven't taken much time to really look at myself. I'm so excited about what is coming in my life and what I can't even see coming. I have such special relationships with all of those close to me. My mom and I have become so close, almost like sisters, over the past few years. My sister and I have also become a lot closer. Rigo and I have known each other for so long and over our seven years, we have truly grown together. My sister sees him as a brother and my mom wonders where he is if he isn't over when it's dinner time. I am so blessed to have the people that I do in my life and I hope that they never forget how much they mean to me.

Brittany returns from church camp tomorrow night, so she'll finally be able to help me with my Save the Dates!

Time for Mom, Fiancee and Bargains

I've spent the last few days trying to relax and enjoy my new engagement to Rigo. I've spent time at home, cleaning and listening to my music louder than usual. I've also been able to get a few things done that I've been meaning to do, such as my labels for the Bridal Show on Saturday, contact my wedding planner, and start kennel training my puppy.

My little sister, and Maid of Honor, has been away at Christian camp all week, so it's just been me and my mom at home. We've had time to get some shopping done as well as our nails. I haven't had my nails done since I was in high school and I'm still trying to get used to typing with them. It's been nice just hanging out with her instead of rushing off to work everyday.

Rigo hasn't had as much time to enjoy our engagement. Even though he's working 4 day weeks during the summer, he has to work at least 10 hours a day. By the time he gets home, he's too tired to do anything much more than check his email and chat for a few minutes. We stopped by the store and picked him up a model rocket kit to mess around with. Anything to help him relax.

I've been doing my best to buy wedding materials only when they're on sale or if I've checked around to be sure that I'm getting the BEST price. I've been coupon clipping and everything! Today, I bought an embossing heat tool for only 14 dollars!

This picture is a very early photo of Rigo and I. I believe it's from my freshman year of high school.

My Poor Mom

Last night, my mom and I had to drive to Tyler, Tx to pick up my little sister from the Drum Major Academy. On the way we stopped to see my brother, his fiancee and their little girl, Che-Ivey. I hadn't seen Che since she was born, so I was super excited. We only had about an hour to spend visiting, but it was definitely worth the effort! Che is getting so big and she looks just like Jesse when he was a baby! While we were there, we found out some fantastic news; Jesse and Natalie are getting married on St. Patrick's Day. That's right, March. For my poor mom, that means that her oldest will be married in March, her middle child will be married in April and her youngest will be graduating high school in May. I hope that she is blessed with the strength to handle everything and be able to enjoy all the exciting occasions without being burdened by stress. That's just like my siblings and I to put extra stress on Mom.

In other news, I got a call from my Dad last night. He said that he will make it to my wedding if he has to walk...from Michigan.

I think I'll spend today working on Save the Dates :)

Planning

Wedding plans have begun! Because it's summer, and I don't have work or school, it's a perfect time to start planning our wedding.

Mom found a beautiful location out in the country. Jones Pavilion is owned by a couple that understands how expensive weddings can be and aim to help alleviate some of the cost by offering fantastic packages. The package that I chose includes so much!

It covers food, which will be homemade grilled chicken and sides, a DJ that comes with great references, linens, centerpieces, decorations, the rehearsal, and the officiant. The best part is that they allow you to go to a baker, have a cake made and the cost is included in the package!

Hopefully I'll have the money for the deposit soon.

Our colors will be black, white, and royal purple. I've already started working on Save the Dates, but I haven't gotten the finished guest list from his side of the family. Hobby Lobby had everything I needed to make them on sale! I love when that happens.

Our bridal party will be rather small. My Maid of Honor is my sister, Brittany, and my best friend from high school, Sara, will be my Bridesmaid. Rigo's Bestman is his closest friend, Bryan, and his Groomsman is another good friend, Matt.

There is so much to get done!!!

Our Anniversary

Monday, July 7th, was our two year anniversary. I took Rigo on a picnic in Houston and bought him two tickets to a concert. He took me to my favorite museum, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, and to dinner. We traveled back to our side of town where we decided to grab some ice cream at Chocolata in the Woodlands. We took our ice cream down to a new section of the Woodlands Waterway called Waterway Square. It has dancing fountains and fountains that 'dance' to music played every 15 minutes or so. Beautiful!

We watched the fountains for a while and played around in the dancing water, then when we were sitting at the top of the fountains, he pulled out the ring and asked me to marry him!!! I started bawling and the first thing out of my mouth was "Oh my God, that's so pretty!" Then I said yes, of course.

In the Beginning

Rigo and I met in high school just before my freshman year. We were both in the school band and I was in his math class that year. We started out as good friends and haven't looked back since. We've gone through hard times and good times as a couple and just as friends. We've gone to college together, worked together and lived together for a time. Now, seven years later, we're still inseparable.

This is our story.