Say Yes to the Dress

I can't believe I forgot to blog about this!  Two weeks ago, my mom, dad and I headed out to our first bridal store!  To say I was excited would be a complete understatement!  I was soo ready to try on dresses and get one step closer to finding "the dress".  My consultant Maurice was amazing and so very brutally honest, which is exactly what I needed.  The first thing he asked me was what I was looking for and to be honest I didn't really know what I was looking for, but I definitely knew what I was NOT looking for.  No ballgown, no strapless, and no corset back.  Other than that I was pretty much game for anything. The only thing I was sure of was that I wanted it to be fitted (umm I've worked hard for my body and I wanna show it off!). 

So he brought me several dresses to try on.  Let me tell you, this was amazing fun!  I LOVED trying on all the different dresses and imagining myself walking down the aisle to marry my best friend.  Now, I am not an emotional person usually so I kinda figured that I wouldn't be brought to tears when I finally found the right dress so I was interested to see how I would react.  In total, I think I tried on almost 20 gowns but in the end I kept going back to #5.  When I put it on, I didn't wanna take it off.  I wanted to dance, I wanted to walk around in it and I wanted to take it home right then and there.  That's how I knew.  And when I looked at my dad, he was doing that thing that men do, you know clearing the throat, walking around nervously and not really saying much.  I guess that that could only mean he was getting choked up... awwww =)

So that was it... One store, 20 gowns and I found the dress.  I was sure this was gonna be a very looooong drawn out event but I guess when you find the right one, you just know.  So for all you out there dying to know which gown I chose, I'm going to do something very taboo...  I am going to post a picture of my dress here =) Enjoy!

Isn't it PERFECT!

Wordless Wednesday

Disneyland Half Marathon 2010

This past Sunday I did something I never thought I would do... I ran 13.1 miles.  In one day.  All at one time.  Yes, that's right I ran a half marathon!  Amanda and I had signed up for this marathon months ago and to be honest, when race day came along, I wasn't feeling 100% ready.  The furthest I had run in my training was 9 miles and I think I would have felt so much better if I had just gotten to 10 or 11.  But ready or not, here it came and I woke up on Sunday (at 2:45 am!) to drive to Anaheim and be ready to race at 6am.  On only 3 hours of sleep I was definitely nervous.  But my adrenaline was pumping and I was ready to go.  For me, this race was all about me.  I wasn't trying to compete with anyone, I only had 2 goals: Finish the race, and to run the whole thing... no walking.  And I succeeded!  I ran for 2 hours and 35 minutes straight, through Disneyland and Angels stadium and when I crossed the finish line I has almost emotional with pride.  I couldn't believe that I had actually done it.  The girl who used to weigh nearly 200 lbs was now running 13 miles and feeling pretty darn good too.  Amanda and I both finished the run and we both ran the entire time.  I was so incredibly proud of us and even thought I said this would probably be my first and only half marathon, I think I may have to just try it again!  Amanda and I have decided to make this one a yearly tradition!

Amanda and Daylin on the day we picked up our BIB #'s

Our ginormous medals!

There were a ton of photographers taking pictures all along the course so I really cannot wait to see what I look like after running for over 2 hours =/ but as soon as those are posted, I'll make sure to post them here =)

Things I love about Luis

In case you haven't noticed, I really love my fiance.  After almost 6 years together he still gives me butterflies in my tummy.  Hes just that awesome.  Granted, there are sometimes when he gets on my last nerve, and when those times come along, I just try to remember all the things that I love about him.  Here are just a few that I will share with you:

1. He hates when I buy him anything.
2. He will hug me/kiss me/tell him he loves me regardless of where we are or who is listening
3. He repeatedly tells my parents how much he loves me.
4. He repeatedly tells me how much he loves my parents and brothers.
5.When its cloudy and rainy outside, he will always tell me "its Mami Lupita weather".
6. Anytime we pass a baby he will always look and comment on how cute it is.
7. He doesn't snore and his feet don't smell.
8. Anytime I ask him anything, he always responds with "Yes/No my love".
9. He loved me at 190 lbs and he loves me at 135 lbs.
10. Every time I paint my nails he always picks out the color, and he knows all the names of the OPI polishes.


So there you go.. a little insight to why I want to spend the rest of my life with this man... I think I may have to make this a monthly topic =)

Wordless Wednesday

My dearest friend does this every week and I decided to follow her lead.

I think it's pretty self explanitory =)

Engagement Pictures

Last week, Luis and I took our engagement pictures with Aurora from Studio Eternity Photography.  She often shoots at the UCR Botanical Gardens and after seeing some of the pictures, I knew thats where we had to go.  Lush and green, it was the perfect backdrop for what I envisioned.  She took A TON of pictures but for now, here is a sneak peek =)

Love them <3

A little recap, and a promise

So Hi there... yes its me and I'm BAAAAACK! Life has been a little busy and crazy but oh so fun so here is a recap of the last month or so (omg its been that long???)

August started out on a great note.  Luis and I attended a fundraising event for Homeboy Industries a nonprofit organization that gives former gang members a second chance.  Started by Father Greg Boyle, these former "homeboys" can get their tattoos removed, recieve job training and a safe place to go to if they ever need advice.  Father Greg Boyle is hands down the best speaker I have ever had the pleasure of hearing in person.  I am so grateful for people like Father Boyle for helping those who society has deamed unfixable.

In August, we also added to our little family.  No, I'm not preggo, but we did adopt an adorable little kitten named Teddy.  There is no cooler cat ever, seriously, ever... He is amazingly funny and quirky and we just love him =)

Ok, now on to the fun stuff! We (meaning my mother and I) have finally decided on all the paper for the wedding.  Invites, programs and escort cards are done! Well not DONE but done in my mind, they are being ordered and we can start getting all those designed and assembled.  Luis and I also took engagement pictures last week with Aurora from Studio Eternity Photography who was just awesome! We shot them at the UCR Botanical Gardens which was so pretty and it was like taking pictures at 5 different places.  I seriously cannot wait to get them back!

I also have an appointment to start trying on wedding gowns! I am crazy/insane/batty/insanely/cockoo excited about this! I do have somewhat of an idea of what I am looking for, but I look forward to trying on lots of different gowns!  I do know for a fact that I DO NOT want a gown like this:

Thats right, no ballgown for me please!  I've worked hard for my new body and I'm ready to really show it off!


Lastly, after spending way too long in school I graduated and realized it was at the absolutely worst time ever.  The economy sucks, and no one is hiring... no one except Oak Grove, a residential treatment center and school in Murrieta.  I got hired on call (they don't hire new employees full time so I've gotta work my way up from the bottom) and my first day was on Friday.  I freakin' love it.  I finally feel like this is what I am suppose to be doing, I enjoy work and I am excited about working again.  What better job is their than just helping kids and making them get better??? I'm so excited about this new chapter in my life and am looking forward to finally feeling fullfilled.

So there is a recap of the last month or so in the life of Sara... and my promise is to keep you all (all my 3 readers) updated much more frequently =)

Caoi