Poem Time

As this week comes to an end and we say goodbye to April, I would like to share with you a poem that was written for me by one of my dear friends, Miss Aubrey. I found this little treat in my inbox about 3 weeks ago and have been meaning to share it with you. I hope it makes you giggle out loud the way it did me. Aubs--you're so great! Someday I will write you a poem in return. :)

Happy weekend everyone!


Aubrey's Poem:

Hey Hey Grilled Cheese,
Read this poem if you please,
Its a baby treat for a girl,
who likes to wear a pearl,
Her name may be Sara,
but she is hotter than Scarlet O'hara,
She is soon to marry a boy,
and has a dog unto like a toy,
Her hair is blonde like the sun,
which contributes to our daily fun,
We like to explore our bayside city,
so life without her would be a pity,
Who knew this friendship would be such bliss,
if something happened, its you I would miss.


How cute is this girl, seriously??

The Royal Wedding!

I just had to do it. Write a blog post about the royal wedding, that is!!

I'm so excited for William and Kate! I know that I'm not British and I've definitely never met either one of these two beautiful people, but it's a real-life fairytale wedding people! As a bride-to-be myself, I share in Kate's anxious excitement of marrying a prince (well, I think Luke is a prince anyway!). I can understand the stress of planning a wedding, although I'm sure Kate has been through way more than I can even imagine. I'm not sure I could handle attempting to modernize a royal wedding while meeting the queen's expectations.

{Photo credit: E! Online}

Yes, I will admit that I will be DVRing royal wedding coverage and will probably wake up early to watch what I can before heading to work. It's history in the making! Someday, my kids will be reading in their history books about this wedding and I want to be able to say that I watched the wedding on TV. Nerdy, I know. :)

Best of luck and many blessings to the happy couple!!

Happy 1st Birthday Brooklyn!

Today my baby turns 1 year old! I can't believe it!! This makes me want to tear up just a bit and say something maternal like, "Brooklyn, I'm going to put a brick on your head so you'll stop growing!!!" Although she wasn't in my life 1 year ago today (I got her when she was 9 weeks old), she has been one of the biggest blessings in my life since I moved to Corpus Christi.

When tears fell during my transition from college to the real world (last summer was a little rough), Brook was there to cuddle with me. When I've had a long day at work, Brook is always waiting at the door for me to come home so that she can attack me with kisses and play fetch. The first time she obeyed my commands to "sit" and "get your Po Bear," I was so proud. Every morning she buries her head into the pillow next to me as if to say, "Mom, do you HAVE to go to work today? We could just hang out here and watch TV all day." Brooklyn is just a bundle of joy and to Luke and me, she really is our first baby.

This is the video of Luke and Brooklyn meeting for the first time out at camp. I'd only had her for a day and Luke had no idea I was taking her out there to meet him. It was love and play at first sight!

{One of the first pictures I took of my baby girl @ 9 weeks old}

{1 year old! Happy birthday to my big girl!!}

Dear Luke

You've had to deal with a pretty sappy me the last few days and I'm sorry about this. I don't really know why I've been so emotional lately (well, maybe I know a reason or two, ha!), but I've been a little more teary than the norm and you've been such a champ. I love you for this.

On the flip side, I think you may be one of the reasons I've been so sappy. I hate when we don't see each other for a week at a time, so I've cherished every second of the last 3 days we've spent together. This weekend was our first Easter just the two of us and I loved it. Between the two of us, there are about 2,849 family get-togethers throughout the year and I'm glad that we chose to spend this holiday together, just us. Today marks the 2 month countdown to our wedding and I'm so giddy it's sick. Seriously, I'm sure I'm driving the entire world crazy with our wedding countdown, but  don't care. Because I get to marry you and spend the rest of my life as your wife. Thanks for giving me the honor. I can't wait to see you standing at the end of my walk down the aisle. Get ready for tears. But I mean, come on, do you expect anything less of me? ;)

This song makes me think of you. It makes me think of our long-distance relationship throughout college and even still, the short distance between us throughout the week. Sorry this is such a lame video, but it's all I could find.

Arms around my body, kisses on my skin

I walk away, I walk away, but he lingers.

Maybe it should matter

More to be myself

I walk away, I walk away, but he lingers.

And everyone says
This love will change you

Well I ask, isn't that what love's supposed to do...

Thanks for changing me for the better. Thanks for being my best friend, biggest fan, and teammate. I'm so glad God picked you for me (because we all knew it was going to take a pretty patient man!).

Always in all ways,

Bird

9 weeks and counting!

{Easter lunch at Rudy's BBQ}

I was just sitting on the couch, looking at my calendar, and thinking about how busy my weekends are going to be all the way up to the wedding. I've always known that time was going to fly by quickly, but actually looking at the calendar has made this truth even that much more real. Here's what life looks like for me up until the wedding:

• April 23 & 24--This current weekend a.k.a. Easter
• April 30 & May 1--Becca's graduation pictures in CC
• May 7 & 8--last wedding dress fitting & Mother's Day
• May 14 & 15--TAMUCC's gradutation weekend (Yay Kubal and Erika!!)
• May 21 & 22--Beach to Bay 2011 and my bridal portraits
• May 28 & 29--Becca's high school graduation weekend
• June 4 & 5--Bachelorette Party weekend in Houston
• June 11 & 12--Kubal's bridal shower
• June 18 & 19--the last weekend before the wedding a.k.a. MAJOR WEDDING PREP!
• June 24 & 25--THE BIG DAY!!!!!

Holy moly, right?! These last 9 weeks before the big day are going to fly by! Although I've been engaged for 17 months, I know that once we're married and I look back on this time in my life, I'll miss it. This stage of mine and Luke's relationship will only happen once and I can't believe it has almost come and gone. It feels like just yesterday that I was leaving for college, crying in Luke's arms and talking about how it would be FOREVER before we'd be able to get married. This all seems so silly now. In 9 weeks, we will be husband and wife. It will be our favorite time of the year: summer, complete with scorching sunshine, humidity, and sticker burs. We'll be married on June 25th, exactly 5 days from the 6 year anniversary of the day we met (June 30, 2005). Please excuse my sentiment. I'm a little emotional about all of this. I can't wait to be Mrs. Luke Riley Hinton. SO SOON!! :)

Hope you all had a blessed Easter weekend. HE IS RISEN!

Birthdays and babies

{Happy birthday Kubal!!}

Tonight a group of us got together to celebrate Sarah's birthday at Macaroni Grill. Ms. Kubala will be turning 22 on April 24th, which also happens to be Easter, so we decided to celebrate a little early. Hope you enjoyed your dinner and b-day prizes Kubal! Love you!!

{Pretty Bibbles}

I also have a new critter in my house this evening. Luke's kitty, Bibbles, has joined Brook and I at the apartment for the weekend. Since Luke has the next 4 days off, he didn't want to leave his cat at camp that long without him. So, now I have two pets bouncing around, antagonizing each other and loving every minute of it. Hopefully I can get some sleep tonight. Wish me luck!

Vintage Bride

A couple of weeks ago, I went home to Hallettsville for a bridal shower. While I was home, mom and I worked on a few wedding details (of course!). In the midst of wedding planning bliss, my mom and I got out her wedding veil and the outfit she wore when she left her and my dad's wedding reception. I tried it on and it fit! It was so fun to try on the same outfit my mom wore as a bride and we even snapped a few pics. Now this is truly vintage bride.

{In my momma's leaving the wedding reception outfit. Check out those sleeves!}

{You better believe my mom looked foxy and classy in this outfit!}

Answered prayer

Sometimes it feels like it's going to take God years to answer your prayers. And sometimes it really does take that long.

And then sometimes you have a break down, park your car on a sidestreet by the marina, and cry out to the Lord out of stress and the lack of understanding. Then, 6 hours later, He answers your prayer.

Today I needed something incredible to happen. And then it did.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever.

Psalm 107:1

{This was my view of the marina this morning as I prayed. His glory is truly everywhere!}

Refocusing

Being an adult was a little extra difficult today. Not from a maturity standpoint, but a responsibility one. Recently I've been focusing more on what I don't have and my inabilities, instead of being grateful for what I do have and God's ability. Ever since I was a little kid, I've struggled to let go of control over my life. I can get so wrapped up in what I need to get accomplished that it's not until I'm lost, dazed, and confused that I remember that I just need to lay my burdens at the foot of the cross. I sort of hit that point this evening and like a swift kick in the pants, God reminded me that life always runs smoothest when the Creator of the universe is in control.

So, now that I have laid it all down, I'm going to make a list of the many things I'm grateful for. Thank you God for Your blessings of life!!!

1. I am so incredibly thankful for Luke. He is every bit the calm to my crazy. When I'm going nuts, he calms me down. He is the voice of reason at all times. Words cannot express my love for that man.
2. I am thankful for my family. Life would be incredibly calm and boring without them. I mean, who would I fight with? So much of the good in my life is because of my mom, dad, and sisters.
3. I am so thankful for my friends that make me laugh on a daily basis and listen to me vent even more often (and buy me diet cokes, you know who you are!!).
4. I am thankful for Brooklyn and her stupid squeaky squirrel that she insists on squeaking for 3 minutes straight in my ear until I pick it up and throw it, only to begin the same process over and over again. Her sweet little kisses and silly faces bless my life so much.
5. I am thankful for my job. This is one of the most stressful areas of my life right now. I love my job, but sometimes the pressure builds up and overwhelms me. But this job couldn't be a bigger blessing and I know that God is growing me tremendously here.
6. I'm thankful for my health and the ability to work out on a daily basis. I'm thankful that I was taught about health and physical fitness at an early age so that I can better take care of myself for life.
7. I'm thankful for my upcoming wedding and for everyone that will be playing a role in it in one way or another. This is another big area of stress, but I know June 25th is going to be the best day of my life. I can't wait to be married to Luke!!
8. I am thankful for my church and the way God speaks to me through the worship and studying of His Word within those walls.
9. I am thankful for my apartment. I am thankful for the roof over my head, my bed which was a gift from a very kind person, the hand-me-down couch that is still uber comfy, and the Ikea furniture I've accumulated.
10. I am thankful for my new car. I am thankful it carries all of my life around Corpus Christi and that it is reliable. 
11. I am thankful for my washer and dryer. It is a huge blessing to be able to do my laundry in my apt instead of having to haul my laundry up and down three flights of stairs to the laundromat.
12. I'm thankful that I live in such a cool city. I love living by the beach and I love that the sun shines so much here. 

God's blessings go way beyond this list, but these are the big ones I thought of off the top of my head. Now, I'm extremely tired and ready for bed. I need a really good night's sleep so that I can be ready for a busy week starting tomorrow. 

In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 4:8

Puppy Love

I couldn't love this pretty little girl more. This morning, she jumped in the shower with me (note her almost-dry, frizzy hair) and laid down next to my feet. She's so silly! So, she now smells like Bath & Body Works' Butterfly Flower body wash. Better than wet dog! Luke and I love this little pup SO MUCH! 

New books and vintage postcards

I have always been a lover of books. When I was little, I would beg my mom to buy me new books any chance I got. I was a huge Dr. Seuss and Amelia Bedelia fan as a young child. Once I got into my pre-teen years, I read every Baby Sitter Little Sister and Baby Sitters Club books. Each time we visited my Nana in Victoria, I would take home another one of her old Nancy Drew books. To Kill A Mockingbird was my favorite to read in high school.

My love of both old and new books still exists, but throughout college it was stunted when I was forced to read huge textbooks that I despised. I rarely got the chance to pick out a new book to read "just for fun." There was never any time. But living in New York revived my passion. I mean, what book nerd doesn't love a hole-in-the-wall used bookstore in Brooklyn or the New York Public Library?? At least once a week on my way home from work, I would stop at the Borders in the The Shops at Columbus Circle and browse the aisles. There was just something (more legit?) about looking at the New York Times Bestsellers in New York. This was my favorite after-work past time, that and buying dinner to-go at Whole Foods. (New York, I miss you!!!)

After work yesterday I stopped by Barnes & Noble. I wanted to pick up Katie Couric's new book, "The Best Advice I Ever Got." I was also sucked into buying Emily Griffin's, "Something Borrowed" in paperback for $7.99.  I can never resist a good girly book for cheap! Although this wasn't exactly the same as my New York book shopping, it reminded me of how much I love this experience in general.

{The two newest books to grace my bookshelf}

I would love to say that I'm the kind of person that doesn't judge a book by it's cover and that walks through every aisle at a bookstore looking for the perfect book, but I can't. For some reason, I'm a sucker for the first shelf to the right as you walk in, titled, "NYT Bestsellers." I can always find at least one book on this shelf that I just have to buy. Side note: I also love the smell of freshly brewed coffee mixed with books hot off the press. Book store smells = bliss!

{Bestsellers}

{New fiction and non-fiction. I do like these shelves too!}

After I got home from Barnes & Noble, I stopped by the office at my apartment complex because I had gotten a pink slip in my mailbox that said a package had been delivered for me. I love getting cool packages in the mail! This one in particular was a late birthday present from one of my best friends and college roomie, Catherine. To clarify: it wasn't actually sent late, just delivered late by the supid snail mail system.

{She would put a note for me explaining the gift on a piece of paper titled, "Baylor Women's Network," ha!}

The gift was an awesomely framed, vintage postcard of downtown Corpus Christi (close to where I work!) that she had come across a little while back. How cool is this?? The framed postcard is now sitting on my desk at work. Cat and I share a love for vintage items and only she would buy me such a thoughtful gift. My favorite part of her note about the framed postcard said, "It's old, so it reminds you to remember your past, but it's of your new city and hopefully it will bring you good luck in your new life with Luke in Corpus." Cat--seriously, you rock!!

{The framed postcard and singing birthday card}

{How fabulous is this??}

The worst part of wedding planning...

Can you guess? I'm sure the answer is different for every girl. But for some reason, my answer is wedding invitations.

My mother and I went to the invitation store together at least three separate times. I've been back a few more than that. Want to know how many hours she and I have spent looking, both together and apart, at invitations online? I can't even tell you; they are uncountable!!

Once we finally found THE invitation, the details became an issue. What color font? Ribbon or no ribbon? How many pieces? Are these pieces needed? Or those? Well, of course there is a word limit. Unfortunately, I've always been one for many words. But I also went to school to be a journalist. You would think that this would mean that I'd write too many words, but would then be able to edit to perfection. Nope, not one bit! I have over analyzed the words of every piece of this invitation over and over again 1,000,000,000 times (at least!).

I thought I was going to throw up when I placed the order. Should I look through the invitation one more time to make sure our names are spelled correctly or that the directions are written out properly? Did I pick the font FNR for that piece or CPG? What if in the special instructions the printer messes up?? WHAT IF SOMETHING GOES HORRIBLY WRONG?!?!

Well, I ordered them anyway. Here goes nothing. Well, not nothing, but you get what I'm saying. It's over. The order is placed. The payment has been made. No turning back! Let's hope for my health that I have crossed all t's and dotted all i's. Because I may have a heart attack if they aren't and this would throw an even bigger kink in the wedding plans. :)

{Thank you Carlson Craft for the beautiful wedding invitations!! I can't wait to see them, hopefully perfect!}

Beginning to feel a little wifey!

This weekend I was blessed to attend a bridal shower that the ladies of FBC Hallettsville put on for me. It was so nice to see so many sweet faces that I haven't seen in months. In fact, I hadn't been in Hallettsville since Christmas! I was also very blessed to have all three of my sisters at this shower. We all live in different cities, so we're rarely all in the same place at the same time.

{Martisek women}

I loved seeing so many beautiful friends this weekend! These girls have all played a very special part of my life in Hallettsville and I've missed them all very much.

{Kelsey, Shana, Me, Callie, Shelly, Claire, Becca, and Emily}

The only one of these beautiful girls not from Hallettsville is Kelsey, who is originally from Victoria (not too far from Hville!). Our story begins at Baylor, freshman year in our honors classes, but that's another story. However, throughout college this beautiful woman became my Tri Delta sister, my "little" in Tri Delt, a bridesmaid in my wedding, and a wonderful friend for life! I love her dearly and I'm so happy she could make it this weekend.

{Love you Kels!!}

This beautiful lady in this next picture is my best friend from high school, Shana, who is is also the angel that will be singing in my wedding. Seriously, this girl has the most angelic voice I've ever heard and I can't wait for her to bless our guests with her voice as she helps Luke and I praise the Lord for His love on our wedding day.

{Love you Shana!}

I had a wonderful time at my shower. While I sat in the head chair opening gifts, the ladies took turns asking me questions about Luke and I, our honeymoon, my new job, etc. We had a great time laughing and catching up. I was also given some sweet marital advice from some of the older ladies in the church. Very cool!

 {I love my new apron! Someone made the comment that this was supposed to be lingerie and I blushed hardcore, ha!}

{76 more days until I'm Mrs. Hinton!}

Katie Couric

When Katie Couric announced in 2006 that she was leaving The Today Show to take the position of anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News, I was about 2 months from my high school graduation. I knew I was headed to Baylor for college, but I really had no idea what I wanted to major in, let alone thought that I'd take a news internship in NYC for my last semester of college. Everyone was making such a big deal about KC becoming the first solo woman to be hired as the anchor of a weekday evening news program for one of the three major broadcast networks in the country. However, at this point in my life, the news just didn't concern me. Although I thought Katie Couric sounded like a pretty impressive woman, I had no idea that just 4 short years later I would be interning for the same network in the same city that had hired this woman and made history.

Katie has definitely had her ups and downs as the anchor of the CBS Evening News. Many people have criticized her and questioned this career move. However, she has also played a huge role in the media and covered some incredible stories. While interning at CBS News, I learned how incredibly smart KC really is. I am proud to say that I worked in the same building, in the same city, and with the same publicists that Katie Couric worked with on a daily basis. I hope some of that brilliance and drive rubbed off on me one way or another! Oh, and of course, KC and I are sisters at heart. Delta love Katie!!

Today I read an interesting article in the New York Times online. It covered an interview in which Katie Couric talked about a few regrets she's had over the years. Here's an exerpt (and my favorite part) from the interview:

Interviewer: At your first job at CNN, the head of the network, Reese Schonfeld, famously said you just didn’t possess the gravitas to be in TV news.

KC: Which I think is Latin for “testicles” by the way. But to give this some perspective: I was 23 years old. 

Don't you just love this?! In her first job and at the age of 23, people were questioning Katie Couric's capability to cover the news. As a strong-willed and "perky" young woman, Katie has created a legacy that will forever motivate young women like myself to set goals and believe that they can achieve anything they set their minds to. I can't speak for anyone else, but I know that when someone tells me I can't accomplish something, this only adds fuel to the fire and pushes me to prove them wrong. I'd like to the KC and I are similar in this way. :)

I can't wait to purchase Katie Couric's new book! I love books that are made up of many people's advice and life experiences. I'm very much looking forward to April 12th. You better believe I'll be one of the first to walk out of Barnes & Noble with this one!

I also can't wait to see if the rumor that Katie will become the host of a syndicated talk show is true. I could TOTALLY see her doing something like this! Good luck with the new book, possible new show, and all your future endeavors KC!!

Weekend Recap

Productive weekends may be one of my favorite things! (Cue Julie Andrews singing, "Girls in white dresses with blue, satin sashes...")

Saturday was one of those days where I let myself sleep in just a little, but purposely made plans so that I'd have to get up and start checking items off the to-do list. After a quick stop by the bank and the mall, Aubrey and I met at David's Bridal to pick up our beautiful bridesmaids dresses for Kubal's wedding. They are so pretty!! P.S. I'm really excited to be a bridesmaid. After planning my own wedding and understanding the stresses, I can't wait to help make Sarah's day as stress-free and memorable as possible!

 {Bridesmaids in each others' weddings, 5 weeks apart. Love you Kubal!!!}

After picking up our dresses, Aubrey went with me out to Tim and Audie Lawley's house (these are mine and Luke's AMAZING honeymoon travel coordinators!!), where we all chatted, had lunch, and Audie helped me pick the restaurants where Luke and I will be eating on our honeymoon. Who knew Disney had THAT any places to eat?? After talking about our itinerary and scheduling breakfast/lunch/dinner reservations, Luke and I are both more excited than ever to honeymoon!!

 {The view from the California Grill during Disney's fireworks, something Luke and I will get to experience on our honeymoon!}

Aubrey and I then went back to the mall to look for our bridesmaids shoes for Kubal's wedding. I was super pumped because JCPenny had them in my size AND they were on sale on top of a sale! I am now the owner of some awesome pink heels. I may even wear them to my bridal shower next weekend! GREAT choice Kubal and thanks for finding them Aubs!!

 

{Cute, huh?}

After some Marble Slab ice cream, Aubrey and I parted ways and I went home to Miss Brooklyn. She and I spent the rest of the afternoon just laying around and watching TV. I did, however, get off the couch long enough to make a trip to HEB Plus to get some groceries for the week. I knew Luke would be coming over later and I had absolutely no snacks in the house, which is never good when he visits. Sometimes I wonder if that boy ever eats while he's out at camp. He eats everything in sight when he's at my apartment! 

{The best napper I know!}

On Sunday (today), Luke and I headed to church at Yorktown Baptist Church. Although I am not as active as I'd like to be (yet!), this church has already blessed me tremendously and I'm so glad that God has lead Luke and me there. It's also nice that Aubrey and Felicia have started going there too. Church with close friends is a blessing! I was also extra excited for this weekend's service because we as a congregation were given the chance to listen to the mayor, sheriff, police chief, and congressman speak about their faith and ministry within Corpus Christi. This was sort of a Q&A with Pastor Jeff and at the end, the congregation prayed for our leaders. It was so great to hear these men speak from the heart about their jobs, struggles and joys, and prayer requests. I'm so grateful that God's hand has placed these men in their respective roles. It was a great service!

{Love this church!}

After church, Aubrey and I went BACK to the mall, ha! The funny thing is, we had a conversation about how we never go to the mall just to go. Similarly, our reason to venture over to the mall is usually to get one item we need and then leave. So today, we purposely went just to walk around and hang out. With a diet coke in hand, we walked the entire mall just having girl time. It was fun! My new car was bought its first car-smelly-plug-in-thing from Bath & Body Works and I bought my first pair of shorts for the summer for $10. Score! Aubrey bought a cute floral dress that I'm positive she'll adorn with a cute belt and jazzy jewelry. She's the best at this!

This evening, I cooked an easy dinner, went for a short run, and painted my toenails. I've decided that since this next week is going to be a very stressful, busy, and (hopefully!) successful week, I need coral toes to help me rock it out. This color was $1.99 at CVS! And on a more serious note, this next week at work is going to be a big one for me. I have many wonderful, but stressful projects going on at work and much of my efforts will come full circle over the next few days. Any prayers you may me able to say for me would be greatly appreciated!!

{I've heard coral is THE color for spring this year. I've seen this color everywhere!}

Now, Brooklyn, Luke, and I are just chillin' on the couch watching The Nanny. Yup, he watches it with me/plays on his laptop. Love him!

{Our family of 3}

Hope you all had a great weekend!