It's 2012...Great News!

Where do I begin? 2012, is already off to a GREAT start! I'm pretty sure, that it's safe to tell you all. Megan and Robbie, our good friends, got engaged. Shortly after midnight, on New Year's! :) It was super sweet. They've dated for a long time. A super long time! But then again, Billy and I only dated for 4 months, before we got married. :)

Robbie had everything planned out. He bought the ring, and then asked all of us ladies, what we thought about it. Honestly, it was perfect. Just what Megan likes. The BBs were performing. And right before midnight, all of us "significant others," joined the band on stage. We counted down until midnight. And before you knew it, Robbie was down on one knee! It was so perfect. And beautiful!



In other great news, my little brother who's in the Marines, is coming home! He has been stationed overseas, for almost his entire career! Let me tell you, it completely stresses me out. I pray for him, multiple times a day. But I know, that he's doing exactly what he wants to do. We had a serious talk one day, and he told me, this was his calling. This is what he's supposed to be doing with his life. I respect that. And I'm so proud of my brother. But let me tell you, when he told us, that he was coming back to the USA in September, I just about died of happiness!

Like I said, I know that he enjoys his job. To him, it's his calling. But it will be nice, to have my brother a little closer to home. In a much safer environment. At least for a little while. I know that our entire family, is looking forward to this.

And the last of our big and happy news, Billy's brother and his wife, are expecting baby #6! We're so happy for them. I think that this is going to be their last little one. So it's a little bittersweet. Do you know what I mean? We felt the same way, with our twins. We were excited about our twins. But we were sad, knowing that we wouldn't have anymore babies.

Yes, 2012 is already looking up. So many great things to look forward too. 2 days in, is your 2012 looking good? I hope so. With the state of the world, and our country, we all need something to hold onto. Something to give us some hope.

~Manders

Some Wednesday Whimsy

My little sister is getting married June 12, 2010! Yay! I am so super excited. She is very different from myself. I met Billy in May 2005, we went on our 1st date 2 days later, and exactly a month later we were engaged. By September we were married. I didn't fuss over dresses, flowers, or any of the other details. Not my sister!

Every few days, I get an email from my sister. With tons of wedding ideas. She buys every Bridal magazine, and searches out every thing having to do with weddings. So, today I was excited when I saw these salt and pepper shakers. She wants to use them on the tables. Part practical, part decoration. I just want a set! I am really hoping that she picks them.

If you are getting married. Or just like them, you can find them here. For $3.50 a set. In either pink and brown or black and white. I might just have to buy a set for myself!

~Manders

A Beautiful Wedding

We just got home. Billy is putting Lauren to sleep. She is so exhausted! And was happy for nap time today. As we all are! But yesterday was such an amazing day! Once I got to the suite that they had rented, I got organized. That is the key to a successful day! I remember that much from school and my training. I was 30 minutes early, and happy when 6 women showed up early. I got to setting hair in rollers. And by 10:30AM all the hair was done. Except the little girls. We decided it was best to wait until the last possible minute for them.

The women definitely had my heart. They were so excited when I pulled out the air-brush. The same way Lola and I had gotten excited when I first got it. The makeup was also very easy to do. Hispanic women have the most amazing skin. There complexions need very little help. And really, we were going for the natural, summery look. Lola worked on little girls while I perfected the bride. We were completely ready and dressed, out the door and in the cars 3 minutes early!

I don't think I have ever known of a wedding to be on-time. But these women were amazing. And everything was so super organized. I credit Lola for that. She never leaves any detail undone. Even the dresses were hung out on these gorgeous racks. The room looked beautiful. How many times can you say that?

They took pictures before and after the wedding. The guys were first. Then they were ushered into the church. The girls took a lot of beautiful pictures too. The ceremony was gorgeous! With mariachis and everything. The groom, a rather large guy, cried the entire time his bride walked down the aisle. It was too sweet! The guys wore mariachi suits instead of tuxedos. It was really pretty. After the ceremony, the large wedding party took pictures for about an hour and a half. They took pictures in a grassy area behind the church. It was filled with hills. And Nico has such imagination. He grouped them in small groups on various hills. Then went out and snapped a bunch of shots. The wider shots had all of these people, but it was so beautiful and simple. I wish I had one to post. It was just a neat idea!

The reception was dream-like. The tables were amazing! Lola had been helping them get everything together. And she has a good eye. Back in February, our Wal-Mart stopped selling fabric. Right before, they put everything on sale. And she had Amelia buy bolts of fabric in the colors of the wedding. She helped them make the table linens out of this fabric. Then they bought a bunch of white candles, all sizes and shapes. And the tables were decorated with candles, a couple of mirrors, and varying heights of glass vases with the flowers. The lightening of the hall was amazing. And with the candlelit, it was magical!

The food was so good too! And baby was cooperating last night. So I got to enjoy every last bite of food. The dessert plate was my favorite. And Lauren's too! The desserts were mini Mexican desserts. Simply love! The cake was gorgeous. It was a replica of the church they got married in. With lights and everything! WOW! And the gift at the end of the night. Prepare yourselves for this. Was a candy bar!!! A table with glass vases of various sizes and heights. Filled with candy in the colors of the wedding. We were each given a heart shaped tin to fill with our favorites.

But the best part of the night was the dance. Lauren danced the night away. She and Little M, M, Little S, Little A, and a bunch of little girls danced together. They were too adorable. Billy and I danced too! It reminded us of our wedding day. We ended up not leaving until the dance ended at 2AM. Then we went with some friends to IHOP for breakfast. It was a day that we never wanted to end.

Billy and I had so much fun! Our wedding and theirs couldn't be more different. We had a small wedding, 3 other couples besides ourselves. They had 20-25? Our wedding was small, intimate, and a country style wedding. Theirs was posh and overflowing with everything. But it was so nice. We have met many new friends that we will have for a lifetime!

All the best wishes for the Newlyweds!

~Manders

A Beautiful Day for a Wedding

Today is Amelia's wedding. I for one, am very excited! Lauren and I each got a new dress. Mine is white and strapless, with kelly green accents. I am going to wear emerald jewelry and some fun sandals. Lauren's dress is pink and green polka dots. She is very proud that she will match the wedding colors. Billy is wearing a nice suit with a tie to kinda match my dress.

I am really excited about the whole gig though. Not for the money. I am fortunate enough to not have to worry about finances. But I am excited about getting back to work. So much so, I couldn't sleep last night. Billy thought it was very cute. All my cases are packed. My brushes are ready to work some magic. Lola packed up all of her things too. She is funny like that. Lola has her own brushes and stuff for me to use just for her. :)

Now, I just have to wait. Billy is making breakfast. And Lauren is sleeping. We rented a room near where the reception is being held. For 2 reasons. There will be a place for Billy and Lauren to rest before the wedding while I am working. And so we don't have to drive the hour drive home at 1AM. It's all set.

I am just anxious. The group of woman are amazing. Everyone is so up beat and excited for the big day. In total, I will be working on 40 ladies, and I think it was 10 girls. I can't really remember now. I call it "pregnancy brain!" But it shouldn't be too tough. I will work on the moms, and grandmas first, then the bride, Lola, then the other women, and finally the girls. Lola has already offered to help me with the girls. And I am so grateful. But we should have plenty of time. We are meeting at 8AM and have to be ready for pictures at 1PM. I will do hair first, then makeup.

All of the bridal party is getting pretty much the same hairdo. Amelia picked out a nice summery up-do. The toughest one, will probably be Lola. She has such long hair. And Little S. Not for the hair, but for the scarf. But I am excited!

~Manders