Year End Review 2011

What a year 2011 was!

I am grateful for all the amazing people in my life and all the opportunities both Brandon and I were given this year. I know I'm still a little behind, but I hope everyone had a fantastic 2011 and here's to an amazing, exciting, prosperous, life-changing 2012!

Our 2012 Highlights:
-Brandon got a new job
-Lisa got a new job
-Lisa got a new car
-We added Timmy to our family
- I ran my 2nd half marathon
-We had our first holiday with both sets of parents
-We took our first vacation together
-My best friend had a precious baby boy
-My Godson turned 1
-Girls trip to TAMU for football and fun!
-Dad turned 50! (Whoa!)
-Mom and Dad had their 30th anniversary!
-Oh - and we got engaged!!!!

Some of my favorite pictures from the year:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

Things I'm looking forward to in 2012:
-Buying a house
-Getting married!
-Going on my honeymoon
-Turning 7 - that's right - I have a real birthday this year!! Woo hoo!!
-Being done with wedding planning!!!!!!!!!
-Starting the rest of my life with the one I love

Resolutions:
How many of you make new year's resolutions? I don't like to call them resolutions so much as goals for the upcoming year. Some of my major goals I hope to accomplish are:
-Being a better blogger - I'm not off to the best start, but I'd like to start blogging more frequently. I really enjoy the outlet!
-Creating more! Thanks to pinterest I've been inspired and I'm proud to say that I am actually a pinner that can say: "I've made some of the things on my pinterest page!" There are so many great gift and craft ideas for the home and I'm excited about moving into our new home, so that I actually have some room to create and let my inspirations flow!
-Making healthier choices - this is really an ongoing goal. I'm always looking for easy, delicious ways to be healthier as well as finding fun, interactive ways to be more fit.
-With the last goal in mind, I've already come up with a fun way to keep active! 12-n-12! It's the year 2012 now and the past 2 years I've run a half marathon and done a couple of 5k's. My goal in 2012 is to run 12 races, with at least 1 being a half marathon! My first race of the year will be Jan. 28, which will be a 5k. Then another 5k in February - the color run...look it up! I can't wait!!!! March and April aren't scheduled just yet, because of trying to schedule my wedding showers, but I plan to get it all worked out this weekend! I'll probably also do the 10K at cowtown in Ft. Worth, the weekend before my real birthday! yay!
-Being the best I can be as a wife and a mom to our fur-babies! I'm always trying to improve myself and my home!

Make 2012 the best year yet! I think taking things back to simplicity is one of the most amazing things anyone can do! When you just stop, breathe, take in the moment and believe, the simplicity of life will overwhelm you!

Love,
Lisa

Lunch Break = Blog Catch-Up!

It seems like all of these blogs are just "catch-up" sessions now. It's crazy how fast time flies by!

 

Where to begin?

 

Wedding Planning:

 

Some things I've learned....

 

1. If I have daughter's one day, I will HIGHLY encourage destination weddings! With that being said - here's to having boys!

 

2. DIY projects seem like a lot of fun and somehow they are all "just 4-10 easy steps", yet they NEVER turn out like those pictures!

 

3. In reference to above - video tutorials are much more effective (still not 100%)

 

4. All boys care about (ie Dad and Brandon) is whether or not the girls (mom, me and sisters) are fighting and when the cake tastings are.

 

5. There are too many options...I feel like I'm in an endless sea of veils, shoes, cake designs, dresses, flowers, centerpieces, invitations, dj's..oh my!

6. There's something called a house party - and I'm going to have one! ;) http://bellsandbouquets.blogspot.com/2010/01/whats-house-party-and-what-do-they-wear.html (I had intentions on dedicating a full blog on this subject matter, however time has been about as scarce as rain or sub 100 degree weather in Dallas, lately, so read about it if you care to know more!) The members of said house party have yet to be notified.

 

7. Which leads me to, yes, people do ask if they can be in your wedding/invited to your wedding. I'm not talking about a friend saying "um, am I going to be in the wedding", but people actually saying "can my kids be your ring bearer/flower girl" or "need an extra bridesmaid?" or "We're invited, right?!?!" A-W-K-W-A-R-D. I'm almost certain there is an etiquette pertaining to these things...people should read up on that kind of stuff!

 

8. Don't sign a contract too soon! We got luck with getting our deposit back from the first venue we chose. We're now officially contracted with the Las Colinas Country Club and I couldn't be happier! It's Ah-mazing!

 

 

9. I know how people make full time livings off of planning these events and I should really consider a career change/starting up a business, because stuff really shouldn't be as expensive as some of these places make it! I would make a killing in the wedding business.

 

10. I'm so glad I know that B is without a doubt THE ONE because I am NEVER putting my self through this mess again! ha.

 

I've already notified the girls that will be my bridesmaids. My sisters, my cousin Alyssa and of course Mary will be my MOH. Brandon knows 3 of the 4, so we'll wait to make that announcement! haha. And yes, as I mentioned I will be having a house party to honor and recognize all the amazing girl friends that I have who have been there through it all and if Brandon had, hmmm...15ish(?) really close guy friends, they'd be bridesmaids! haha. They haven't been told who they are yet, so still TBA.

 

August is booked up, September is starting to and there's already 2 weekends in October even that we have plans (one of which will be our engagement session). Last weekend was Mary's Mansfield Baby Shower.

 

 

Mary = Super Cute Preggo!

Got to see a couple of old friends from high school and college and it was SOOOO great seeing Mary (and Andy) and getting to spend some time with the Bridges! The Houston shower is in 2 weeks! This weekend coming up is Chris and Kayla's wedding in Waco! I'm super excited as I know it will be a blast. They are 2 blasts in a glass, so it's 2x the fun really. And there's sure to be some fist pumping, so really, you can't ask for a better time! haha.

 

 

Brandon's b-day was this week. I've been bursting trying to keep in the surprise b-day gift I got him/us. We had dinner at the Dallas Executive Airport and THEN...went on a sight-seeing FLIGHT over Dallas! We were in one of those teeeeeny tiiiiiny airplanes, but neither one of us were nervous. It was something fun and different and way better then cologne and a dvd, I'm sure! ;) PLUS we had perfect timing with the sunset and I got some really incredible pictures!

 

Much prettier when I'm not in one of those buildings! ;)

Pretty awesome pic, if I do say so myself! Got so lucky with the sunset!

Legit! ;)

 

Last night we met up with some friends at Fuzzy's Tacos to celebrate! I hope he had a great bday and I hope B has a great last year of his 20's. Dun dun dunnnnnnnnnnnn! Next year he'll be married and turning 30! haha.

 

B had 2 interviews today, so our fingers are crossed! Also excited bc I got my new running shoes yesterday and the countdown to half marathon #3 has begun! White Rock in December! :) Ya know...cuz I have tons of time to run! ;)

 

Well, my lunch break is about up, so there ya have it!

Out of Sight, Out of Mind

Hello Blogger World...

I've missed you so...however my precious little puppy decided to have a midnight snack...that snack was my $85 macbook charger. So...I was computer-less for a few days. That is NO fun!

So much to catch up on:

-Wedding Plans/Planning
-Baby Showers
-Birthdays
-Weddings
-Job Hunting
-Working Out/Running
-Football
....oh my!

Unfortunately I have an early morning wake up call awaiting, so I can't really get into it all now, but I'm off on Friday, so hopefully I'll be able to catch everyone up on all of our shenanigans.

Until then...

Lisa

Why they call life a rollercoaster....

Up, down and all around is where we've been lately!

Father's Day: Went to A-town to hang out at the pool with the family. I have to give kudos to my daddy-o! He was a champ and let us ALL bring our dogs. So it was his 2, plus my uncle's dog, plus Amanda's sometimes dog and then our 2. With 6 pups running around, fighting, barking and swimming there was not a dull moment! It was a great day!

Dad with a dog toy in his mouth...classic...

Timmy trying to climb onto the float

Yes, Chloe is wearing my dad's hat!

Father's day card from all 6 doggies!

Pedicure for B

This old bird can't hang like she used to.

Last Weekend: We watched my sister's doggy. Well - it's the doggy that she watches when her friend is at drum corp every summer. He's really ugly but it makes him kinda cute. He's also super smart and I think once he's trained he'd be an awesome dog. Lesson learned though - until we have tons of land...we are a 2 dog max. family! Whew...they were a lot of work! Timmy and Bart were non-stop all weekend. I get worn out just thinking of them!

Next Weekend: Fun and Fireworks! I'm pretty excited about the 4th of July! We're thinking about going to a Rough Riders game again this year. But we'll definitely catch a couple of fireworks shows and we'll head over to the 'rents for some bbq-ing!

So, busy and fun filled weekends as usual. During the week I think we're both just trying to stay positive right now as far as work goes. Neither one of us are in an ideal situation and I just keep hoping and praying that we figure out what is the best for us and our fur-babies. Who knows...we've even discussed giving Arkansas a go! ;)

I'm sure they'll be lots to update on next week at the long weekend. Have a great rest of the week and a safe and happy holiday!!!

It all started when...

Well, let's see.... I suppose it's time to get you up to date on who I am. It all started when my mom and dad met in their mid-teens.... Just kidding, we won't go there.

Quick recap: (of the past 5 or so years at least)

Graduated from A&M in December of '06 with my degree in Psychology. If only I knew then what I know now... I've made the best of it though. I recruited for the first couple of years out of college. The past (almost) three years I've been working for a petroleum consulting firm downtown. Yes, it's fun working in a high-rise! Love my company, but the job just isn't me.

Family still lives in Arlington. Two little sisters....

Manda - 22

Becca - 20

Now a days, living in North Dallas with the boy. I love living with my best friend and we definitely have a lot of exciting things heading our way! Never a dull moment with this one around...

Due to my lack of interest in the petroleum industry, I've decided to go back to school for nursing. Still in the pre-req stages and though it's frustrating to think about how much is left, I couldn't be happier with this decision. It's always been a desire of mine to be in the medical field, so better late then never.

Last and most importantly (at least she'd like to think so), I'd like to introduce you to Chloe Elizabeth. She's my fur-baby, or dogger if you will. Chloe will be 8 this year and she teeters between grumpy old lady and spunky little pup. We've been thinking a lot lately about adding another 4-legged kid to our family. I think it would keep the spunk in Chloe and get her to be a little more active. Plus I need a running buddy since Brandon and Chloe refuse to join me! ha.

That's all for now folks! Gotta get through the rest of my week so I can get to that 3 day weekend! Doing anything fun for memorial day?