Bridal Shower Numero Uno

I don't want to forget anything so I better hurry and write it all down.....

I had my first bridal shower this past saturday at Allie's house! It was so perfect and so much fun! Allie took care of every single little detail. We arrived and were promptly served a mimosa and then we mingled until everybody showed up. After that Brooxie prayed for the food and for Andy and I's future. Then we ate this amazing egg casserole that Allie had prepared. There was also a huge bowl of fruit salad, little smoked sausages and sock-it-to-me cake. We played two games. A toilet paper dress competition and a clothespin game, where if you say "marry or marriage" you had to give your clothespin away to the person who caught you.

Then to the really fun part when I got to open some gifts. I loved everything my friends bought me. Something about getting gifts makes me feel so loved. It's a wonderful feeling knowing that this person went out of their way to buy me something that they think would look great on me. Ahhh! It was great.


Here are a few photos from the morning.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

This Christmas was unlike any other. For starters it was at my aunt and uncles house who live on the North side of town. Normally we do Christmas eve dinner at my grandma's house who lives in Alamo Heights. This was a much appreciated change because it meant I was able to split my time between my family and the Rafie's much more easily since we were on the same side of town. Another great thing that made this Christmas special was having all 16 cousins together at once. We haven't had that happen in years! Christmas day was exciting because we had two additions, Ercelia and Ashley, to our morning tradition of opening gifts and eating breakfast. It was refreshing to be around a ten-year-old who still believes in Santa. After breakfast with my family Andy picked me up and we went to his family's apartment to open gifts. It was a big change from last year's Christmas morning when we were in a huge home opening gifts. It was amazing to see how unfazed his family was despite the cramped situation. It was a great reminder to be content in all circumstances because we are so blessed and some family have much greater things to worry about.

What a year to be thankful for. So much has happened in this year, and I want to take a minute to sum up the highlights!

I celebrated my one year anniversary at my first official job!

I bought my very own brand new mountain bike!

I fractured my zygoma.... bone in my face.

I got engaged!

I went to the ER for the first time in my life.

I highlighted my hair for the very first time!

Andy and I got our first home!

I road tripped to Colorado with Andy and Kennedy!

Andy and I camped at Enchanted Rock with Kathryn and Phil!

I started a blog and have kept up with it for the most part!

Andy and I were featured on Style Me Pretty!

Andy and I celebrated our three year anniversary!

We loaded two trailers full of furniture and moved out of State!

 My BFF moved back to Texas!

The list of highlights could go on and on... I am grateful for so much. My family and my fiancee. My dog and my new huge backyard that kennedy can play in. My amazing group of old and new friends. I think 2013 was good, but 2014 has so much in store for me. I cannot wait to see what this new year will bring!

XoXo- 

Ilianna 

Home Sweet Home!

Sometime back in November Andy and I flew to Kansas City, Missouri to shop for our future home. We hit the ground running as soon as we got picked up from the airport. I had made a list of the homes we wanted to checkout, so one by one we begin to visit them. It only takes about three minutes to decide if the house is a yes or a no. After about five houses into the list, all of which were a big NO, we stopped for lunch and decided we wanted to scrap the list for the afternoon and go look at the house that Abe and David had selected for us. Apparently earlier that week they had stumbled upon this house and said it was one of the best homes, for that price range, that they had seen in Kansas City.

As soon as we got to 11212 Applewood Drive Andy and I knew it was the one! It was everything we could have wanted! A cute red front door, a big kitchen, an enormous backyard, no basement (something I think I spooky and prefer not to have), two bedrooms and one bathroom. Oh and it has good door knobs according to Andy! This house is also near a lake and in a safe side of town. It's all so perfect!

This will be out first home as a married couple and it will always serve as a reminder of how amazing God is to take care of us. For a numerous amount of reasons this house could have very easily not worked out, but God provided for us is a huge way. He paved the way, when for a while it seemed there was no way for us to own a house.

First of many photos to be taken at this house :)

The back yard is longer than a football field, it could hold an olympic size pool, you could run laps and get tired!!

Engagement Party - November 16, 2013

This enagement party reminded me how truly lucky I am! It was everything I could have wanted and so much more. Andy and I felt loved and cared for and it was so endearing to see everybody celebrate with us. That night was a night I will never forget. Having my dad and Andy's parents there, combined with all our close friends was just the best thing I could have asked for. I really can't say it enough.... I am blessed and so very lucky and grateful. This is the start of a new and exciting season for Andy and I. We are truly taking a leap of faith and trusting God with our plans for the future. I can't wait to see what's around the corner!  

A Bridal Shower for a Lovely Lady!

Brooxie Jones is getting married!!! In just a few, short days she will become a Rafie!! I have had the honor of getting to know Brooxie and she has surprised me with her kindness, outlook on life and wisdom. Not only will we be sister-in-laws, we will be best great friends that love, support, uplift and care for one another. I cannot wait for what is in store for our friendship, but I am even more excited for what is in store for she and Seth!