Always Thankful!

My mom and I have this saying that we always repeat to one another. "I'll always be thankful."  We've been saying it since I was a small child and still say it to this day.

I make it a priority in life to always be thankful for what I have and the people in my life. Every day, at least once, I try to think and be thankful for the important people in my life. While I think we all struggle at times to remember how blessed we are, I've found that in the face of tragedy we always seem to realize how much we actually have.

On Wednesday, my parents and David and I gathered around 2:00 pm at my house to prepare for the "bad weather" everyone was talking about. Of course, having no idea what was in store. My mom had prepared some delicious food and we sat down to spend some quality time together all to the tune of James Spann and ABC 33/40 of course!

Well, fast forward to 5 pm on Friday...

I'm sitting here talking with my momma, while browsing pictures from the horrible events that occured and and listening to the news that is still coming in. The Lord took care of my home and my family. The tornado just seemed to pass us by. My whole family was blessed really.  Our only "news" was from my cousin, a student at the University of Alabama, who lost her apartment, her belongings, and her vehicle. ...but she's still alive! So many other stories didn't have endings that happy.

So, today I'm thankful for so many things.

My parents, grandparents, friends, the fact that I have a nice, safe, dry place that I get to come home to every night and a bed where I can get a good night's sleep. I'm thankful that we have food on our table and that I have gas in my car. I'm thankful that I have a debit card and some cash in my purse. I'm thankful for David and that there's a day coming in just a few short months when I'm going to be his wife.

I'm most thankful that I have a relationship with Jesus Christ and I find comfort in knowing that He is the reason why I'm sitting here right now. He is the reason that my family was protected. ...and I think it's important to remember that even in the face of such tragedy, he knew exactly what was coming and exactly what was going to happen. Some may not undertand it now, but He does and has been surprised by absolutely nothing that has happened in the last 72 hours. Even when things are so scary and so sad, it's nice to know that Someone has it all under control.

"i'll always be thankful."

Getting Organized!

So my mom and I recently spent a good couple of hours browsing the Wedding Planning section at Barnes and Noble. After much deliberation and consideration, we decided to go with The Bride's Essential Wedding Planner. It was a close finisher to Martha Stewart's Keepsake Wedding Planner, but with less pictures and what seemed to be more useful info. ...but as you know, a planner with no work is just another little book to put on the shelf!

...so while I was watching Dancing with the Stars last night I spent time going through bridal magazines and selecting my favorite cakes, flowers, bridesmaid dresses, hairstyles, etc. I clipped pics that I love in preparation for meetings with caterers, photographers, florists and got them organized under the appropriate subtopics for easy finding.

I'm now feeling prepared to actually start the planning process and look forward to sharing with you my findings as we go!

stay tuned. :)

Love Me

Love me in the Springtime, when all is green and new,
Love me in the Summer, when the sky is oh so blue,
Love me in the Autumn, when the leaves are turning brown,
Love me in the Winter, when the snow is falling down.

Love me when I'm happy, and even when I'm sad,
Love me when I'm good, or when I'm oh so bad,
Love me when I'm pretty, or if my face is plain,
Love me when I'm feeling good, or when I'm feeling pain.

Love me always darlin', in the rain or shining sun,
Love me always darlin', after all is said and done,
Love me always darlin', until all our life is through,
Love me always darlin', for I'll be lovin' you!

- Amanda Nicole Martinez -

IN LOVE!

It's the bride here! ...yes, I still love the sound of that! :)

My sweet friend so graciously created this blog for me as a wedding planning "gift" and I'm just THRILLED that I have this space to share my triumphs and sometimes trials with you all as I go through the next 7ish months until my big day arrives!

They tell me that while this is a very exciting time, it can also be a time of "emotion" as we'll choose to call it.

I've already found the most wonderful man in the world (sorry, girls, you missed him), so, in this space, I will share with you my journey as I pick the perfect dress, cake, flowers, location...

I hope you're holding on because this is going to be one big, exciting ride!!! ...and away we go!

Planning

Cakes and snacks and plates and chairs,
Trying to seat guests in pairs,
Who will sit there? Who will sit here?
The time for the big day is near.
Flower colors must be chosen,
Should the champagne come out frozen?
So many choices to be made,
And lots of people to get paid!
Planning weddings can be tough,
But if you plan them well enough,
No one needs to ever know,
What it takes to put on the show.

by Lucilla Moretti

Save The Date

Well, its official ~ November 7, 2011

Love has such a great way of growing
Often by leaps and bounds lovers say
Loving hearts have a way of knowing
When to decide on a Wedding Day

So this year is really quite fitting
Extra special to happen this way
Leaping hearts fluttering and flitting
With joy heading to a Wedding Day

Love does not tell time by a clock face
Calendar neither holds any sway
Love moves on at hearts very own pace
So do two hearts chose a Wedding Day

Enjoy all the moments that will come
There’s not really much more I need say
Two hearts are rejoicing in one home
Having heart-picked their own Wedding Day