Boys will be Boys!

My groom to be leaves for his bachelor party weekend in just a few short hours. No work for him today- just play! He and he crew of friends and brother Brent will steal away from families, work and responsibility today to find noise, testosterone and outright rowdy FUN that is somehow written in their DNA.

They'll arrive at their beautiful suite at Hotel Zaza in Dallas, amuse themselves no doubt with spirits and talk of the weekend's festivities before heading out to the Dallas Mavs vs. Denver Nuggets game. And the rest is top secret history... or will be.

I am happy today knowing he will spend this landmark event with the guys he loves the most, making memories they'll laugh about ten years from now. This one, I'm sure will go down in the history books, as my party did for me.

How blessed we are to have such wonderful friends and family to share these celebrations of life with us. How blessed we are to have a sovereign Guide through this life that understands we love adventures. How blessed we are to have found each other to share those adventures, and everything else in between.

I love you, babe. Have the time of your life.

Peace, Content, Love

These aren't conditional. I will not wait until things are exactly my way to reside in these gifts I want to call my home.

I give up control, submit- yes, submit, without fear of feeling hollow or losing my spirit.

I will love unconditionally, contribute to a peaceful home, and give up worry, control and false securities. Be still in contentment.

If I love, I will feel love, I will see love, and I will share love.

Our God is an awesome God. He reigns with widsom, power and love.

Last Fling Before The Ring...

"You need a white dress and a tan and that's all you need to know!" - Michele- my best friend and co-bachelorette party planner. She and Alex had planned a memorable evening of fun that began with a day of pampering for myself. I took the day off from work, for no reason other than, to shop for a dress, get spray tanned, a manicure and pedicure. It was just fabulous. I hadn't taken that kind of time for myself in a very long time and doing so put me in that empowered and confident place that left me feeling beautiful, sexy and ready to have a GREAT time.

Saturday evening rolled around and I met my girlfriends in our downtown suite. Missy, Amye and Stacie in from out of town. Miranda, Alex, Michele, Nichole, and Jennifer made us the perfect 10 to celebrate the night away.

Michele had the evening catered by the Hub and the food was great. We had martinis and girl talk while we played games to dirty too mention on a blog and opened girly gifts and that will keep on giving. We laughed continuously and enjoyed the kinship, silliness and respect we share for each other. I basked in the surreal moments of this celebration trying to take it all in. Each one of these friends brought a kaleidoscope of memories from my past leading up to this night. As I looked around this circle of friends, I acknowledged- again- how amazing it is to be loved and taught and supported by other women along the journey. Women are often shamed for being catty or manipulative- but thankfully- my circle is full of love, support, and authenticity- ingredients for life-long friendships and God-mothers.

After our shenanigans at the suite- we headed out to bounce around town to our vip reserved tables and bottle service Michele had arranged for us. We danced, laughed and sang the night away before turning in just before the sun made us. Brunch at Moonshine was much needed and lovely. My only regret is that it didn't last just a little longer. What an unforgettable night- thanks friends.

My Cup Overfloweth

Last Saturday was my bridal shower hosted by Sallie's super-fun girlfriends- Vicki, Debbie, and Roberta. It's was Ladies only, and my girlfriend Alex joined me to make it an even 10. The perfect number to circle Vicki's festive and elegant table for a delightful brunch of casseroles, fresh berries, mini-sandwiches, green salad, and Roberta's curry chicken salad. We were greeted with mimosas and fresh strawberries- then chatting, introducing and admiring the decor and spread Sallie's friends had thoughtfully arranged to make it a special day.

Brunch abounded with conversation, stories and laughter. We heard of Katie's Maddie- adventures in college, Vicki's grandson Andrew, Beatriz and Alex swapped stories of life in Monterrey, Ana listened to baby name origins, Debbie and Barbara traded experiences of the adventures of education, and Sallie cracked us up with wisdom & witticism on the birds and the bees. We covered a lot of ground as the memories, conversation and wine flowed.

We opened gifts- mostly dishes, which reminded me of shopping in the mall with my mother as a young girl. She'd ofter linger in the dishes department prodding me- "Which dishes will you choose when you grow up? Which ones do you like best?"
"I don't know...." I reply puzzled. "Who cares about dishes?"

Well, here I am all grown up and thrilled about dishes- Butler's Pantry- unique, elegant, and ready for any occasion. My how time flies.

The best thing about all this is, no, not the dishes. It is these treasured moments, landmark events that build us up to do our best in this life and warm our hearts. So ladies, thank you for making me laugh with your toilet paper bridal gowns, thank you for allowing me to be the "Queen for a Day." My Cup Overfloweth.

X- ified!

Admission- one of my goals has been to get back into the best shape I can be! Get myself looking and feeling my best through diet and exercise, in other words- change my lifestyle to one that will maintain my physical health as a priority.

Well, this is easier said than done. This year, I finally reached the breaking point. My clothes were no longer fitting me as I preferred. I confess, the waistbands were a little tight when I sat done to work at my desk. I am not proud to admit this. Like many people, I have a FULL, sometimes over-flowing life. I juggle so many balls that sometimes I just have to put one down! Clean house or work out? Grocery store or work out? Glass of wine or work out? Yard work or work out? Well... somehow, working out just kept getting benched.

Until now! I have started the P90X program to X-ify myself! And today, da da da DAAAA! I am sitting in my skinny pants and I can't feel the waistband. AHHHHH! Sweet rewards! I still have much more to go- but I can feel my life-style changing. I no longer want to bench working out- because look at it this way, no grocery store, no house, no yard, no glass of wine is going to tell me- "Wow! You look great in those pants!" So, I decided to document this moment of victory. So that if I lose my focus again, it won't take so long to recover it.

In addition to exercise, nutrition is key. The golden players are my super shakes.

2 Scoops of Usana Meal Replacement

2 Scoops of Standard Process SP Complete

1 Banana or 3/4 cup of frozen organic fruit of your choice

1/2 try of Ice

1-3 cups total of water and/or organic orange juice

Blend and Enjoy!

These shakes fill me up, give my body wonderful vitamins and give me an energy boost to start my day. Plus they taste great. So, I'm sharing the love. What a great day.