Big Wedding Time!

After the wedding I was way too pooped to blog. Plus I just didn't feel like it hahahah. But i'll start from a little before the wedding. Well we had a few hiccups. Nothing crazy. The final dress fittings went well and it looked great when it was done. I was really surprised with Men's Wearhouse. When we first went we got excellent service. Even when the guys went in to get measured it was great. Most of the guys had no trouble at their fittings either or picking up their tuxes. The very last fitting and pick up Al went with our buddy Charlie and brother in law Adam. And for some reason they got the worst service. None of the people working their offered any help they were all too busy chatting with each other. And the manager that day was some lady with a thick accent who had no idea what she was doing. Up until now we worked with the store manager which was a younger gentlemen who was really on top of it. Anyways this lady was crazy! So a few weeks before when all the guys were fitted Allen and I let them know the wedding party would be wearing converse. You cant rent those so we bought the guys from the tux shop. But two pairs had to be custom ordered because they didnt have some sizes. So they were supposed to be able to pick them up when they picked up the tuxes. They get their and for some reason they order the completely wrong sizes. We have no idea why. This is like a day or two before the wedding mind you. This lady says well we dont have any of the size you need in the store but we can order them. Allen asks well how long will it take to get them. She says probably not until after the wedding possibly the day of the wedding. Allen says thats too late we will just get them from somewhere else and I want a refund for the ones we paid for but werent the right size. She says wait well give me your address and someone from the tux shop will deliver them the day of the wedding. Allen says no its fine we will get them somewhere else and take the refund. The lady tells him and Charlie and Adam wait I have an idea. and Walks away. They wait 15 mins and the lady is no where to be found. Adam has to leave for work and he is pretty much squared away anyways. So he leaves. After like 20-30 mins the lady returns. And says ok so have a nice day. Charlie asks well what was your idea? She acts like she doesnt know what hes talking about. They remind her of what she did. And she says well you guys left so I didnt know what to do. At this point the guys are confused and getting irritated. They tell her about Adam leaving for work because she took forever but they didn't all leave. In fact they had been waiting there for her this whole time because she said she had an idea. And she says oh yeah well I ordered them and someone can deliver them on the wedding day............what?!.............At this point Allen calls me and he is very frustrated. They already left the shop to get some lunch. I told him we have to get a refund and he said he was so mad he doesn't want to go back. So my mother and I went down there. You don't mess with my mom when she is in the zone hahahah. She went in there told the manager this service is unacceptable. The lady actually tries to say that they all left and that Adam took the pair of shoes we were trying to get refunded for. Which he did not he returned them that day. It really only took a matter of minutes until my mom got the refund and we left. I don't know how that lady got put in charge of anything but she clearly did not know anything.
The wedding rehearsal went well I was excited for the type of ceremony we were having. When we first talked about getting married I had this idea and I wanted to be a traditional non traditional wedding. But it turned out to be more traditional than I thought it would. And it was amazing :) after a couple of conditions were met my grandmother was able to do the ceremony. Rehearsal went pretty smooth and after wards we took care of some last minute details in the reception hall and went out to eat at Mimi's Cafe. Was a good night.
The wedding day was frantic and nerve wrecking before the ceremony. All the guys had to do was put on the tuxes and look sharp hehehe and they did they clean up nice! But the girls had hair appointments all morning. And we were running a little late already. I was so worried my hair wouldnt hold its curl because we had some trouble a few days before. But we all turned out lovely thanks to the girls at Vanity On Main in Santa Paula.

I love that Salon and I love my hair dresser shes awesome! Anyways, after we were all done we packed everyone into the cars and rushed to the Hotel. Lets just say it was a photo finish. I felt bad because the photographer was already there waiting. But she was really cool as well. Ari from Ari Photography was very professional and very understanding. And while my mom was frantically trying to tie me into my dress Ari just took pictures of our shoes and rings and flowers and was very helpful. I think one of the scariest moments was when my mom was tying me in and one of the loops ripped off the dress.

We were already running short on time and this happens. But my mom being the wonderful person she is had already planned ahead and brought a sewing kit. Oh my gosh was it a life saver. she sewed it back on and we were good to go. Until we found out there were two cakes in our reception area and all the flowers that were supposed to be on our cake were on the other one that wasnt ours. I was pissed. Really?! come on people! By the time I got down to the reception area it had already been resolved. The other cake was for the wedding upstairs and the cake guy had put our flowers(Which were beautiful as was all our flowers thanks to Shells Petals. She Rocks!) on our cake. Which turned out so cute!
<----Hahahah
And very very VERY delicious! I have A Gift Of Taste to thank for that. Anyways after that we proceeded to the wedding. The ceremony went beautiful except for my grandma insisted on wearing her mic inside her jacket so there was a lot of static during certain parts. But it still turned out lovely.

I loved every part of that ceremony. Communion and even the unity candle lighting. We had a scare with the Unity candle a week before the wedding. Again thanks for nothing Mens Wearhouse. We had ordered it custom through them and when it got to us it was fine until someone barely touched the lettering and and it rubbed off!!!! Half my name was missing!
<----more came off later
We were freaking out! I sent a very angry e mail to customer services and demanded a replacement ASAP. But I never heard from them. So we had to improvise. I tried using paint pen, sharpie, and nail polish and nothing would write on this candle! While we were getting the gifts for the wedding party we told the guy helping us about our dilemma. And he gave us an idea. While you can't engrave a candle you can engrave a little metal plate with an adhesive you can stick to the candle. So thats what we did. I rubbed off the rest of the names and we got some ribbon and stick on pearls and totally redid the whole thing and it looked 10X better than the original. I was so relieved!!!!'

Two days before the wedding I received a box in the mail. It was a replacement candle from Mens Wearhouse. It was free so I cant complain. But they never contacted me to tell me they were sending one! It would have saved so much time and frustration! But I still liked the one we made. So thats the one we used and kept the other as a spare in case anything happened to the better one. I just couldn't believe it hahahah But anyways ceremony went well. And ended with us leaving to "the eye of the tiger" hahahah While the guests enjoyed cocktail hour we took the rest of our wedding photos. I can't wait to see them when they are ready! DJ Mike Freitas AKA Allens brother was our DJ. And he did a fantastic job. He introduced us into the reception hall with Lets get ready to rumble remix I think it was hahah and our wedding party made us a tunnel to run through. Was pretty fun.

We then went into our first dance where we danced to the song Adam Sandler sings to Drew Barrymore in the wedding singer. "I Wanna Grow Old With You" it was so sweet but Allen kept tripping up on my dress because the train was still down hahaha I guess we should have thought that one through a little more.

After that we went into a combined Mother Son/ Father Daughter Dance.

The reception was great. I have never danced so much. The food was amazing the cake was great. We couldnt have had a better group of guests. The speeches were emotional and humorous even Allen teared up. Our best man did a great speech and gave us a meaningful gift as part of it. He gave us bride and groom Minnie and Mickie Bobble heads that had magnets in their noses so it looked like they kissed when together.

And he told the guests a short version of how we got engaged at Disneyland. He told us later that the only way to get those bobble heads was if you get married at Disneyworld. And that the host family he stays with on his down time from the Airforce Academy happened to get two somehow when they got married, so they gave him one after he told them what it was for. That touched my heart that he planned all that for us. He truly is a good friend. It was a good night. Allen and I totally smashed cake in each others faces

and I think it just wouldn't have been us if we didn't lol It was fun even if I did get a pound of frosting in my nostril. The bouquet toss was fun but the garter toss was even better. Allen did a dance I don't know where he comes up with these moves but it result in him laying on the dance floor and kind of moved like a caterpillar to to the bottom of my dress where he pretended he couldn't find it then did.

And of course as soon as he tossed it all the guys scattered. What is it with men these days come on marriage is something you want remember? But one of them maned up and grabbed. It was pretty amusing. We did a money dance which helped us out a lot. Plus seeing all of Allen's guy friends try to have a romantic dance with him was hilarious.

We counted up all the money from just that dance alone was over $100 that contributed towards our honeymoon. We didn't even know if we were going to be able to afford one. Luckily between money gifts and money dance money we had enough to plan a pretty decent honeymoon as well as put a big chunk in savings. It was a pretty crazy night and by the time we got to our wedding night hotel. We were both so tired all we could do was knocked out. The wedding was amazing. It was in a beautiful location, the wedding party looked sharp! and the staff was friendly and helpful it was just the greatest day of our lives. And we keep getting so many compliments. I know we are very blessed.

More Wedding Stuff and Premarital Counciling

Well the wedding planing is a lot better now. I still feel bad about all the money that has been spent so far. But I am getting excited. I got my dress!!!! It was totally God. I was so worried. We tried Davids Bridal a while back and it was horrid. The store and the dresses were dirty, the girls who work there are stuck up and have an attitude about them like they are so great because they work at a bridal shop....I dunno. And all the dresses were in plastic bags and you couldnt really see what they looked like unless you opened them up. Problem is if you open one up like my mom did you get a sales girl come pretend to "help" you while reaching for the dress and telling you how you are not allowed to do that and that its for everyone's safety. uhhhhhh are these dresses going to explode if you touch them?! Im sorry but for the quality of their store and customer service they dont deserve to have attitude. Anyways so I didnt really know what I was looking for then. After researching online I found a designer I really liked. So I searched for places around here that might carry it. I found a place in Simi Valley called Kays bridal and made an appointment. I went with my mom one afternoon and was happy and quite surprised at what a difference there was. The ladies were friendly and helpful. None of the dresses where in bags. They were clean and beautiful and reasonably priced and we got to touch and look at all the dresses they had out. Now while this was awesome I was still worried because they had told me that because it took four months to order and receive the dress and I only had two months until the wedding I would have to buy one they had in the store. :( I remember praying a few times for God to help me find one. Just bring me a beautiful affordable dress. And what happened next is why I say it had to be God. The lady is walking around suggesting dresses. she takes me and about three dresses to a fitting room. the first one I ask her to help me with she says oh this one is brand new. We went to market and wanted to get more variety in different sizes and we liked this one. we have only had it in the store 3 days and your the first to try it on. We have been wanting to see someone in it. I get all laced upand she takes me out to the main room to look in the mirrors and me my mom and the lady both were just stunned. Its like it was made just for me!!! Needless to say that day we left with dress bought and a beautiful handmade headpeice and a veil. Just recently we got all the bridesmaids measured and dresses ordered. And Allen and I went to Mens Wearhouse and got the tuxes set up except the guys need to go get measured. I am getting excited. We still have things here and there to take care of. Like giving the deposit to the photographer and getting favors for the tables. But yaaay!
Now on another note. I finally got to ask my grandmother if she could marry us. However there were conditions. Which were expected. My grandmother is a pastor and she takes marriage very seriously. Because it is one of the most powerful bonds spiritually. The bible says where one can cast a thousand two can cast ten thousand. And with a good godly marriage nothing can come against us. So thats why she requires the bride and groom and best man and maid of honor to be born again. What does this mean? Not literally physically born again as a baby. But spiritually. Walking the right path. Because a marriage will not last if it is unequally yolked. And her marrying us means she will be held accountable before God. So yeah all it takes is a simple prayer. Doesn't mean you are converted to another religion. Just basically renewing your life with God. Asking for forgiveness of your sins and starting new. Another requirement which is pretty standard for most Christian based religions is Premarital Counseling. Allen and I didn't know we would have to do this still seeing as we are technically married. But yup my grandma kinda sprung it on us. I was a bit annoyed at first but then quickly thought, why? This could be good. It will be educational. And the persons counseling us are people I have know since I was very young. And I love them to pieces. We had our first session on Tuesday. And it was really good. Even Allen seemed to not be so put off by it anymore. We learned a lot about ourselves and our personalities and why we are great for each other. We learned what marriage truly is in Gods eyes and because we finished that lesson a bit early we did another half lesson which was what the role of husband really entitles. It was very good and I am excited for the next session. We have 6 sessions before the wedding. Well like 4 or 5 and a half now. But yeah I am very happy with how things are going right now.
One last cool little thing that happened. So during our session Allen gets asked if he works. Allen has been out of a job for 6 months now and has been having a hard time finding anything. That night they pray for him and they pray for Allen to get a good job one that pays well good benefits something he can do and enjoy. The next day at the end of my work day one of the ladies at work comes up to me with some papers and says has Allen found a job yet? I said no and she hands me these papers for a government job. I looked them over and it was a clerical job in camarillo but it was working for homeland security and immigration just an office that happens to be in camarillo and he could totally do it!!! It was office work easy. And they have great benefits and good pay. I was so jazzed. I I talked to my mom about it later that day and she said the night before she had also prayed for Allen and jobs. We helped him update his resume today and he applied online. I am praying for him too. I am trying to stay positive and be confident that he will get this. coincidence? maybe. Could I be setting myself up to be let down? yes. But it is important that I stay positive and supportive for Allen. And put my trust in God. I have already experienced things like this before and not been let down. If it is Gods plan that Allen should be at that job and if Allen truly wants this. Then he will have it.
I love this stuff :0)

Wedding Planning

Well even though we got married at the courthouse Allen and I still wanted to have an actual wedding. We have been planning for months. And so far so good. Still a lot to get done. I feel bad though. Because I am the bride my family pays for a lot but I know there isn't a whole lot of money right now. So I am doing my best to help my parents. They put down like $3000 for a down payment on the venue. I paid $120 for invitation kits. I know it's no where near what they paid. But any way I can help I want to. I am eternally grateful to them. They do a lot for everyone here who still lives at the house. Plus I know how much my sisters wedding cost I added it up for my mom annnnd yeah. Hahaha not going to be that much. But moneys tight and it's going to be tough. But we will make a way. We already have a venue, Cake is ordered, ordered the topper,DJ, making the invites. The venue provides a lot for us so a lot of the decorations and things we wont need to buy. Although I feel guilty shes even doing this, my mom is set on taking from her 401k to give us a small cushion. But then she will have to pay it back over 5 years :( I told her not to but she says it's fine and that she has had to do it before when money was tight. It will be ok. I hate this economy and I hate that I am not rich. If I were I would do so much for my parents. But for now life is what it is and I am doing the best I can.

Kitties are so big now!!!!

Well it's been 3-4 months and the kitties are getting so big! Helios is the largest one out of all of them and he is Heavy! The male cheetah twin Peace is right behind him. It seems like Allen and I have the daintiest 2 out of the bunch. But it's ok they are our little girls :) All these kitties went from being tiny underweight fluffs they needed to be at least 1 lbs I think when we got them. They were only ounces. Now they are about 4-6 pounds. They just look like small cats now rather than tiny babies that probably shouldn't have left mom yet. But man are they little terrors when they aren't napping. It's like they live to destroy. If they aren't climbing curtains they are off shredding something or knocking things over or trying to get Allen's goldfish. *Sigh* But we love them! They certainly make life more interesting. Here are some recent up to date pictures of them from then and now:

HELIOS:

SKITTLE:



MASHA:




Crookshanks:



CHEETAH TWINS (PEACE & COURAGE):

Married!!!!......Sort of :op

Allen and I were talking about this for a while. I know He wanted to do it sooner. But I wasn't sure if I wanted to do it this way. But a week ago we decided. I did some research to see what we needed to do. And what we needed to bring. I called to set up the appointment. Then we announced it to our families. March 5th would be the day well go to the court house and Allen and I would get married. :oD Now this was just to make things official and right. But we are still having a regular wedding and reception in July. It's hard to get an official date because his best man is in the Air Force Academy and we pretty much have to work around his schedule. But we will figure something out. So the big day was today. I wore a white sun dress and my special custom converse for the wedding. Allen found a nice outfit that coordinated well with mine and he wore his new custom converse as well. It was an interesting process. And I was kind of nervous because this was the first time both families had met. But they all seemed to get a long ok. Allen and I had to fill out some paper work then we waited. There were a few couples before us. And then when it was our turn we were so excited and so were our families. We went into the room which is basically a few cubical walls put together. the family squeezed in and we proceeded with the judge and ceremony we exchanged vows and rings. And He surprised me with a dip when we kissed. We took a million pictures in the room and outside the government center where they have these neat huge trees. My sister took pictures there when she married her husband the same way. It was fun. So afterwords we went out to eat at this delicious chinese restaurant Allen's family introduced me to. It's been one of my favs ever sense. We had the party room reserved except we didnt completely fill it so we had a random chinese family in there with us part of the time. It was great everyone got to know each other better. And they made Allen and I kiss a million times. Which isn't a bad thing :) we ate our fill and then it was time to go ice skating!!! we rished over there because we lost track of time at the restaurant quickly changed and went skating. It took a while for the rest of them to show up. But they did eventually and we all had a wonderful time. A lot of funny falls. My brother ate it pretty hard while racing Allen's cousin. And some of us even me fell just by losing balance on the ice. I was just standing and fell! lol I got ice all over me hahahah We took lots of pictures and were very tired afterwards. Most people went home. Allen and I stopped by the house then went to Camarillo to meet up with his mom and dad and Sister and her husband. Yay inlaws!!! lol they treated us to dinner which was awful generous considering they also paid for everyone's lunch! You guys rock! then they took us to Rocket Fizz where we got some awesome candy and Sodas. I love that place. Was a very eventful day and needless to say we knocked out when we got home. haha There are lots of pictures on my facebook. Too many to post here. But I will post a few good moments. :D