Showered with love

I've been so giddy the last couple of days!! On Sunday, Luke showed up at my doorstep with flowers! I knew he was driving into town to hang out with me, but the flowers were totally unexpected. I'm a huge flower lover and he definitely knows the way to my heart. See how pretty these are??

Another little unexpected gift was a new iPhone 4! Today at work I found out that some of my co-workers had been having trouble getting ahold of me while I was out of the office because of my cell phone being "long distance" from Corpus Christi. This got me to thinking, when my clients call me, are they having to pay long distance fees? That is NOT ok! So after talking to my manager and director, we decided it was time for me to get a local cell number. Luke went with me and we both transferred over to Verizon, who gives me a discount for working with the company I do. We're now on the same cell plan and on top of that, Luke bought me a new iPhone 4! Now, Luke will have reception out at camp and we can have FaceTime calls!! He's such a sweetie pie. :)

 {Woohoo!!!}

And speaking of showers, there are some amazing ladies in Beeville, Texas that are planning my first bridal shower. I'm so excited!! It will be on March 19th at the church I grew up in, FBC Beeville. My sweet aunts and a few other ladies will be hostessing and I just know it is going to be a beautiful shower. I can't wait! I'm sure there will be a blog post to tell you all about it, pictures included!

Roadtrip to San Antonio

I was really excited when I found out that Luke not only had this weekend off, but he also has this upcoming Monday off as well. It's very rare with Luke's job that we get to spend an entire weekend together, but three whole days? Love it!

 {I miss this silly guy when he's out at camp}

So what else did we do today but work on our wedding check list! Luke and I drove to Beeville this morning to finalize our wedding registry at Wicker Basket. With our first wedding shower at FBC Beeville in 3 weeks, this was a must! After this, we continued on our road trip towards San Antonio. It was our original plan to meet up with Allen Frans, the pastor that will be marrying us, in San Antonio, but the traffic was awful for him driving south on 35 from Round Rock, so we ended up meeting in New Braunfels. 

We had a great time hanging out with Allen and working through our second pre-marital counseling session. Luke and I laugh about this being called "pre-marital counseling" as if we already have issues, but in all honesty we're really enjoying it! It's fun to learn more about each other through our assessment test and we're even realizing that we know each other better than we thought (good news!). Of course there will always be parts of our relationship that we'll have to work on as all couples do, but I'm proud of us for walking through this together and making it a priority. Plus, getting to hang out with Allen is a blast! He rocks! Today Allen gave us the book, The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman. I've taken the 5 love languages test before, but Luke never has and neither one of us has ever read the book. Although it's not a part of our pre-marital counseling, Allen has encouraged us to read it together. I read the first 3 chapters out loud on our way home tonight and we're already loving it. Thanks for the book Allen!

{I always love a new book. If you haven't read this one, I definitely recommend it}

After we finished meeting with Allen, Luke and I went to Americus Diamonds where he bought my engagement ring to look at wedding bands. I didn't think we'd actually buy my matching band today, but Luke was totally ready. So ready, in fact, that he did some trying on himself and we ended up picking out, ordering, and purchasing his wedding band too! I'm always a little overwhelmed when he and I drop so much money at the same time (wedding planning has done this to us a couple of times before), but at least this part is taken care of and we can mark it off the list.

{After buying our wedding bands}

{In front of the ultimate diamond store!}

Today was so much fun, but I think I need at least a 48-hour break from wedding planning. As much as I love this entire process, I just need to not think about everything for a little while. I get overwhelmed so easily! Easier said than done, I know. Maybe a good night's sleep will do me some good. I can't remember the last time I slept for longer than 6 hours and didn't wake up to an alarm clock.

Hope everyone is having a restful weekend so far! Goodnight bloggersphere. :)

Ode to Summer (Part One)

This blog post is titled Ode to Summer, Part One because there will undoubtedly be more odes to summer before this next summer is over. :)

As I was getting out of my car at my apartment complex and thinking about what I wanted to "cook" for lunch (yeah right), I realized how incredibly beautiful today has turned out. Today's high is 79 and the sun couldn't be shining more if it tried. Instantly I decided that Brooklyn and I were going for a walk! That poor puppy is in her crate 8 hours a day anyway, so she could definitely use the exercise. We only walked for about 20 minutes before her tongue was about to fall out of her head, but I'm so glad we got to enjoy the sun for a bit and absorb our daily dose of Vitamin D.

While on our walk I began to day dream about the summertime. I mean, how could I not with so much sunshine surrounding me? I have compiled a list of a few reasons I LOVE the summer, living by the beach, etc. Hope you all are looking forward to the summer as much as I am!!

 {I adore this J.Crew bikini!}

Summer 2011, these are the reasons I am anxiously awaiting your arrival:

1. A girl can never own too many bikinis! I begin searching for a new one THE DAY Victoria's Secret and J.Crew put out their new summer lines.
2. Summer is one of the top reasons I love living in Corpus Christi. That and Luke. :)
3. Everything smells like coconut! Body spray, sun tan oil, and snow cones, OHMY!
4. I'm just happier. Sunshine makes me happy. I want to work out more because it's bikini season. And working out makes me happy. SO MUCH HAPPINESS!!
5. The beach. Not much more needs to be said about this one. 
6. Summer is the best season out at Zephyr! Thousands of kiddos get to learn about God's love while playing paintball, jumping on the blob, and sleeping in bunk beds. 
7. I met Luke in the summer of 2005. I will marry him in the summer of 2011.
8. I get to be tan!!
9. Flip flops and short shorts. 
10. The smell of sweat and sunscreen mixed together. I know this may sound gross, but I love the way I feel after I've been outside for an hour during the summer, no matter what I've been up to.

And these are just a few reasons. Have you started looking for your 2011 swimsuit yet?!

I love my job!

With all of these blog posts about wedding details, I've decided to write about another area of my life that has been blessed recently. I am absolutely in love with my job! On a daily basis, I get to help local businesses in the area with their marketing strategies and grow their business. I work with some pretty cool people (shout out to the second floor!) and we laugh just as much as we work, which is a lot!

When I remember back to just four and a half short months ago when I was still looking for a full-time job, I just laugh. God knew exactly what He was doing when He allowed me to lose my first job back in July. Had I applied to work at KRIS back then, my director would not have been ready to hire me. But October was the perfect month because it was then that he was looking to hire and I was applying. God's timing is just so wonderful like that!

In two weeks I'm going to be running in the 24th Annual Goodwill 5K Spring Sun Run with a team from work. KRIS Communications is a sponsor for the event, so many of my co-workers and I will be participating. I love that I work for a company that sees so much value in supporting non-profits in the community. I'm really excited because this will be my first race in 2011. Hopefully the weather will be right for my first spring run of the year!

Where do you work? What do you love most about your job?

And P.S. Happy National Magarita Day!!

Wedding weekend whirlwind!

What a weekend! My mom came into town on Saturday around 2 p.m. and we quickly got into wedding planning mode. First stop, wedding invitations. We went by the cutest party and invitation store in Corpus Christi called O Gosh! I had no idea that picking out invitations would be so exhausting! Contemporary or traditional? Single card or pocket invitation? White paper or ivory paper? Bow or no bow? The options are endless! After picking out our top 3 or 4 invitations, we decided to sleep on it for a couple of days and then go back to order them.

Next stop, Michaels! We went to look for a few items that we may be putting on every other table that won't have a floral arrangement. I'd love to tell you what these centerpieces will look like, but I can't give away all the surprises! After Michaels, we made a quick stop at Pier 1 because we just love that store! It's too bad you can't create a wedding registry there because I love all of their colored glasses. 

{I love these recycled glasses!}

After Pier 1, it was off to dinner. We ate at P.F. Changs and I had my favorite drink, an organic agave margarita! We also love us some chicken and broccoli and mongolian beef. Yum!! P.F. Changs is right by the mall, so of course we had to do a little shopping. I got the cutest little work top from Francescas, a new pair of black leather pumps, and a pair of nude pumps. Shopping with my mom is always legit!

{New black pumps}

{New nude pumps, except mine don't look wrinkled like this one}

On Sunday, we made even MORE wedding progress. Mom and I met up with Luke out at our venue, The Ranch at San Patricio for a cake tasting and floral consultation. I'm SO happy to say that Luke and I both picked out our cakes! We got to bring all of the leftovers home and I'm pretty sure Luke will be taking some out to camp for the guys to eat. Get excited boys!! We're still working on the flowers, but flowers are my favorite so I'm being a little OCD. Anyone shocked about this?

{Can you guess which flavors are which? I bet you can't!}

{Luke with his left over mini-cakes}

After the cake tasting and flower consultation, mom and I went to Bed Bath & Beyond and Macy's. I didn't think I wanted any china, but I decided today that I do. Call me crazy, but there is just something about registering for a beautiful set of china that is so traditional and bridal. I used to think I'd never use china, but I'm just going to make myself do it. I love the china we picked out!

Whew! Like I said earlier, what a weekend! I feel like we got so much accomplished and I'm super tired. It is going to be difficult to transition back into work mode, but at least I have new heels to wear to work. :) Next weekend Luke and I will be headed to San Antonio to meet up with our pastor, Allen Frans, for our next pre-marital counseling session and to (hopefully!) buy our wedding bands. I love how smoothly everything is coming together. I can't wait to be a Mrs!!

New URL, New Title, and New Chapter!

Hello family, friends, followers, and fellow bloggers--I have some exciting news! After almost 5 years of blogging at the address www.saragreeneyes.blogspot.com, it is time for a change.

I created this URL when I was a sophomore in college. Luke and I had been dating for a little over 2 years and one of his favorite pet names for me at the time was "green eyes." (cheesy, I know!) So that is where saragreeneyes came from.

However, now that Luke and I are about to walk into the next chapter of our lives, have only 4 months until the wedding, and because so much of what I'm blogging is about wedding preparations and our transition from a dating couple to a married couple, I think it's time to mature the URL and title of our (my!) blog a little bit.

Starting in a few days, this blog's new URL will be: www.saraandluke.blogspot.com

If you're a blogger and you read my good ol' blog every once in a while, please update your blog roll! If you're family, a friend, or a follower, please make a note of this change. I'd be so sad if y'all didn't know where to find our blog! You'd miss out on all the crazy stories of Luke moving all of his stinky boy things into our apartment, Sara burning dinner, etc. :)

And one last thing, if you're a regular reader of my blog, would you please click the FOLLOW button at the top right corner of the blog? This way, you'll show up in my Followers column and I'll know who you are. I always love to know who is reading because it makes blogging more personal. Thanks!

I'm excited for a new URL, a new title, and a new chapter in mine and Luke's life together.

Cheers!

I LOVE love!

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you lovers out there! I've never been big on Valentine's Day personally, but this one was a little extra special. This V-Day is the first that Luke and I have spent in the "same city." Same city is put in quotes because technically I was in Corpus Christi and Luke was out at camp, but that's a lot closer than CC-->Hallettsville, CC-->Waco, or CC-->New York! He sent me a beautiful bouque of red roses at work and since he had to work out at camp today, we're having a special dinner tomorrow. :)

{My pretty flowers!}

Hope you all had a fabulous and love-filled Valentine's Day!!

Daydreamin'

My sweet friend, Libby (check out her cute blog here!), writes blog posts every so often in the format I'm about to use. It's cute, to the point, and a valuable way to get many thoughts into one post. I am always one for many thoughts, so here it goes!

Tonight I want...

...to go here.

...to honeymoon here (and I will!).

...to buy this dress.

...to cuddle this puppy.

...and taste some of this wedding cake (I'll do this on Sunday!).

Montague

{Monte}

Luke and I would like to introduce to you the newest member of our family, Mr. Montague, better known to us as Monte! We found him wandering the streets of Corpus Christi and to say he was a mess is an understatement. His hair was about 4 inches long and completely matted. He in no way wanted to be caught, but we finally got a hold of him and it was a good thing, since he almost got run over about 3 times while we were trying to catch him!

I immediately called Brooklyn's groomer at La Pooch, Ms. Nancy. I asked her if we could bring Monte in to see if he was healthy or sick. She checked out his eyes, teeth, skin, etc. and said he was actually in pretty good shape except for how awful his hair was. She predicts that he's about 1 year old. Unfortunately, Monte was covered in fleas and ticks. But Ms. Nancy was so sweet and charged me for a normal hair cut instead of what she should have charged me to clean Mr. Montague up. He got his ears cleans and nails trimmed at no extra cost. After a good trim and flea dip, Monte was all fixed up!

After his visit with Ms. Nancy, Monte visited the vet. He was tested for heart worms (it came back negative. woohoo!!), got his puppy shots and his first heart worm pill, and was given an overall check up. The vet said he weighs 7.2 lbs. That's our big boy!

At first, Monte was super skiddish. He jumped at every move we made. However, after Luke and I got back from dinner he started lightening up. He went potty outside when we took him (yay Monte!), did great on the leash, ate out of his new food dish, and jumped up into Luke's lap to cuddle. These are HUGE strides for a puppy that was scared of us a few hours ago!

{We already love him!}

{And of course, we still love this little twerp like it's going out of style!)

Moving Into "Our" Home

Two weeks ago I was scheduled to move out of my 1B/1B apartment at the end of March. Tonight I will be sleeping in my new 2B/2B (at the same apt complex) for the 4th night in a row. How is this possible you ask? Well, it's a super long story. But here's the short version: I signed a lease on a new 2B/2B that my apartment complex had already leased out unknowingly. So I received an email the next day bearing this bad news. In return and because the signing of the first lease was their mistake, I was offered the next size up in a 2B/2B at a discounted rate and was given the option to move in immediately. I said yes and here I am! I packed and moved in just 3 days. Crazy, huh?

What is even crazier to me is that I'm living in the apartment that Luke will move in to after we get married. I don't like to wish away life and I don't want to rush this time of my life, but I must admit that this new apartment already feels like his home too. I love that Luke helped me move out of my old apartment and into the new apartment that we'll share in 142 days. I can't wait to decorate a home and cook for this boy. :)

We were blessed over and beyond when we found out mid-move that my parents wanted to buy us a new washer and dryer for the apartment. Woohoo!! No more hauling laundry to the laundromat downstairs and no more searching for quarters! And then to top it all of, a very giving  person in our lives gave us a brand new queen-sized mattress for the apartment after he heard we were planning on buying one. I had literally prayed earlier that day that God would provide for Luke and I as we were making big purchasing decisions and then we were given a new mattress only hours later. His blessings just continue to overflow!!

{Our new Maytag washer and dryer. Thanks mom and dad!!}

Brooklyn is a big fan of the new apartment as well. There is so much more space for her to run around, and believe me, she does! She still sniffs at everything as if she's thinking, "Now wait a minute. This is my couch. These are my chairs. This is my bed. But why are we somewhere else??" It's pretty cute.

{Brookster in her new apt!}

Wedding planning is going well. We have found a new caterer (the one we booked last August wasn't available for the new wedding date), I've picked out my wedding cake, I'm just moments away from putting a deposit down on the linens/napkins/etc., and I'm a tad bit closer to choosing a florist. I know, I know. These things should be done already! But work has been crazy and with it being tax season, my mom is swamped with work too. How are we supposed to get any wedding planning done with all of this work to do?! I'm also being asked about wedding shower dates, which are very fun to plan. It's looking like this spring will be full of wedding showers! :)

Life is so hectic, but I feel very blessed. It's crazy to be how we can get so consumed in our own little worlds and forget how it's God that is truly in control of our every breathe. I'm humbled that He still chooses to bless me even when I'm more focused on the things of this world rather than that which is not of this world. This weekend, I have the amazing opportunity to serve as a leader to 11th grade girls at Central Baptist Round Rock's DNow. I know this is an event for the youth of this church to be reconnected and rejuvenated through worship, service, and fellowship, but these weekends always rejuvenate me too. I'm excited to get out of Corpus Christi for a little while, to get out of my work and wedding worlds, and to just love on these young girls. God is going to move in big ways this weekend and I'm excited!