Asking for Prayers!

I write to ask for prayers to be lifted up. I found out Monday on the way home from Chicago that another tumor has developed in Tyler's brain. He will be admitted for surgery on Wednesday at Duke and have surgery Friday morning. We ask that you pray for guidence during surgery, peace for the family, healing. Pray. Tyler is a supporting and loving father and husband. We love him dearly and pray him through this surgery. We love you!! 

Details...(or the longest blog ever...sorry!)

My sister and her friends Champagne tasting!!

Surprising my sister!!

So here it goes....

I arrived in Chicago at 11pm (was suppose to be 6pm) and went to where my sister was to surprise her. Tyler planned this whole weekend for her 30th birthday. She thought the whole time she was going with him but little did she know that she was going to meet 5 of her best friends. 

Spent all Saturday with her and her friends, shopping, champagne tasting, loving Chicago. Andrew had told me he was getting there at 5pm. When he showed up at the hotel to come get me where I was staying with my sister he was sweating so bad. He said it was from a hot taxi ride and walking with his bags. Really, he had arrived in Chicago at 2pm. He went to the John Hancock where he had planned to propose but after having a drink up there to relax and scope it out, he figured it was too "barish" and noisy with kids in the backgroud. He went to Navy Pier (too cheesy to propose there), to Buckingham Fountain (too many people around to propose there), and finally to Millennium Park. He had thought about doing it by the silver bean or another fountain but too many people, so he found this spot in a little garden where you could see the skyline/good view of the surrounding buildings. That was it! 

So Saturday night after he arrived he kept his bags in my sisters hotel room (I thought about calling her to tell her to go through his bags to see if there was a ring in there. haha) while we went to dinner at Table 52 (highly recommend it to visiting Chicago tourists!).  Then we headed to Rachel and Jonathans, where we were spending the night. We woke up Sunday to have a great b'fast. Best cinnamon roll I have ever put in my mouth. We did Navy Pier-the farris wheel at Navy Pier, Museum of Science and Industry to see a glass blowing exhibit, and walked up and down Michigan Ave--all the while he keeps his backpack with him. Thought it was strange but didnt say anything. He kept feeling his bag all day. Weird, yes I know, I thought so too! =)

I offered to carry the backpack but he refused to let me. I just wanted to see if he would let me and I thought well if there was a ring in there, we wont, but if not then he might let me.  He claims he didnt let me to be a gentlemen (so sweet). There was something too precious in there! 

At the end of Navy Pier

Taking a break from walking.

Taking a load off

I kept telling him to just go to Millennium Park after the museum since we were close but he didnt want to. So we went back to shower and freshin' up. He went and picked up some wine/champagne (as we would be celebrating later!) for dinner that we had planned with the Shaubs. While he was gone I was tempted to peak in the backpack but instead I just felt it to see if I could feel the ring box =) It was a big box so I was a little confused. 

He got back and I saw him put a bottle of champagne in the backpack (the infamous backpack!) and I told him I didnt see it when he asked.....heheh! I played along. Im still trying to tell myself nothing is going to happen so Im not disappointed if something didnt happen. 

So off to the park! 

We saw the silver bean (or really its a sliver cloud) and the fountains with the faces. He didnt seem to impressed with them (maybe bc he had already been there earlier the day before!) He then proceeds to guide me to the garden. (sure knew his way around good). By this point, Im thinking there is a 99% chance its going to happen. 

About 10 minutes before he popped the question!!!

We are standing on the little hill in the garden and he talks about the view and I start to walk off bc I had seen it and I was ready to see something else. But I coludnt get away--he pulls me back and tells me that he had lied to me about when he had arrived in Chicago. He arrived early so he could find a perfect spot. This is when he starts his sweet little speech on us and our future (ill spare you all the eewy gooey details!) Except the part of when he tells me he got me something, bends down to pick take it out of the backpack, gets on one knee, and asked me to marry him!

I said YES!!

Yeah!!

A fun dinner with the Shaubs!

It was perfect! We were so excited and thrilled!! We love it! The ring is beautiful and he designed it himself. The Lord has completely blessed me with a great new family! We couldnt be more excited about this new phase! 

Bling Bling!

More to come but wanted to post one picture!! Details later! 

what?

107 degrees.

Really?

Missing my favorite kiddos!

Love them.

Mom's Visit to the Big D!

What a great weekend we had together. Andrew and I picked my mom up at DFW Friday night, went to enjoy a great dinner. We showed her some of the fun parts of Dallas after a refreshing dinner and then headed home. Our goal this weekend was to find chairs for my kitchen/dinner table.

Saturday morning we woke up and grabbed breakfast at The Corner Bakery, sat outside, enjoyed our breakfast, and set out to accomplish our goals. After looking at Restoration Hardware, Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn, and World Market, we finally found some cranberry upholstered chairs. My apt was kinda missing some color so I didnt want any wood chair as I knew it would only add more brown/wood color (boring!). So we found the chairs--check! Next--explore Dallas! Shop! We went to Highland Park Village for lunch at Mi Cocina. Sat at the bar and split chicken quesadillas and each had a Mambo Taxi (they are as strong as they sound, margaritas made with tequilla and a "touch" of everclear--that was to my surprise. Andrew later told us thats how they make them). Well we decided to have one each, the waiter told us they named it Mambo Taxi bc after three, you need a taxi. Well more like after one! We had a blast. It was great. After lunch we shopped and crashed. We were exhausted from running around all day (and most likely due to the margarita). We took naps and got ready for another Mi Cocina meal (went back since she liked the quesadillas so much).  We had dinner there with Andrew and his sister Katie. It was a joy to have Katie join us.

Cant forget our Sunday trip to target, I got a real vaccume and a toaster! Its sad when those things excite you these days. My sister gave me an old dirt devil that didn't suck up anything. She tried to bumb it off on me and it worked. I thought I was getting a good deal, well sure enough it hardly works. I have been trying to make it work for the past 3 months. So needless to say, I needed a good functioning vaccume. 

Mom got to meet the whole family this weekend during lunch on Sunday at the Morgans. It was amazing. Mrs Morgan made a feast and we enjoyed it over great conversation. All of Andrews siblings were there so that was always fun. It was very sweet of Mrs Morgan to make such a great lunch for my mom and I. 

After lunch we drove my mom around some more to show her SMU and some other hot spots before she departed back to Nashville =(

We did NOT miss our Sprinkles Cupcakes. We were so full after lunch but it was a must for her to try Sprinkles. We split one and it was gone in 0.5 seconds. No joke. Amazing! She likes them just as much as me. 

With mom's help this weekend and 3 months later my apt is finally coming together. I was blessed to get a great coffee table from a girl at work. She so sweetly just gave it to me (and in return I gave her Sprinkles Cupcakes--perfect for any occasion. Yes, Im a walking advertisement for them).  So you will just have to visit for yourself to taste Sprinkles and see me! 

(its a weird angle, taken from my mac.

doesnt do justice but its worth a shot)

All in all we had a fabulous weekend. My mom's quote through the weekend were:

"its so hot."

"its so flat."

Both--very true statements. Only reached 105 degrees this weekend. Minor dry heat I would say. UGH! 

That was the end of our time. Sadly enough. Tears were shed and we departed. But I cant wait for her to come back! 

LO to LOP!

Andrew and Mom at the Reception in the backyard.

No caption needed.

Like mother, Like daughter.

The only picture I got of us all weekend. 

7.12.08
Our favorite Lo got hitched! She went from LO to LOP this past weekend. 

The wedding wasgreat and oh so fun. It was especially great for me cause I got to see Lo get married, for one, and for two, I got to see all my favorite friends!! It was so much fun. There were tears on the way home to say the least. It was a special time to spend time with Laura, family, and friends. Andrew and I got in town late Thur night and we were able to catch up with my mom and Lee for a little bit before I was too tired to talk. Friday we got up and Andrew had his normal coffee run and I got ready for the B'maids luncheon that was in Springfield. Good friends and good food. Laura gave us these great plates that she, JD, and JD's mom made in JDs home town. They are so heartfelt and cute. Mine is already displayed in my kitchen. I love it! 

Friday afternoon, we had the LONG tour of Springfield--ok, so thats a stretch. Springfield is not that big so we toured it, toured her home that looked great for the wedding, and went to PawPaw's house. Soon it was time for the rehersal/dinner. She got married in the church she grew up in so that was special for her and her family. The rehersal dinner was great! Great southern food. Couldnt ask for better food. Pork tenderloin, corn pudding, green beans, salad, mashed potatoes, and chess/fudge pie. YUM! I didnt hold back on the southern food at all this weekend. Im feeling it now! 

Saturday was the big day! Beautiful. She was amazing. The ceremony was special and sweet. We walked a few blocks, maybe 1 or 2, to her house where the reception was held. We arrived through the front gate to get some lemonade, and you walked through the front door to view the cake and get food. On to the back yard where there were 2 white tents, white lights, and tables set up. So pretty! The storm quickly approached and the Powells were out of there. They left in a tacky decorated Jetta! haha! It was great. So much fun to decorate. I have never actually decorated a car for a wedding so we had fun doing it. Don't worry--I didnt hesitate to write KS on it! =) 

They were out of there and on their way to Hawaii. 

Saturday night we went out in Nashville, which was a blast. It was a rewind to college and stayed out too late. I lost all concept of time because I was with such fun friends. I got to see my childhood best friend Brittney and it just made my weekend. 

All in all the weekend was wonderful. Sunday came too quick and Andrew and I were headed back to Dallas. Tear. I loved my time in Nashville this weekend. Lo, you looked beautiful! I love you! Congrats!!

B'maids luncheon with our gifts!

Lo and Pam (Lo's childhood hair stylest! She is the one who gave Lo all those perms!!)

Bride and me before she got hitched!

Reunion for the 4! Miss these girls bunches!

The Powells!!