Where Have I Been? I've been Cruising :)

Well the last couple of weeks have been pretty eventful. I was really busy at work and then Thanksgiving was here and then we left for our cruise Nov 30th. We had a blast. I decided to just relax this vacation and I was really able to do just that. We went to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel on board the Carnival Conquest. We went to Margaritaville in Jamaica. The beach there was a lot of fun. We ported in Montego Bay but went of a journey to Negril. It was really interesting. The people were so nice and funny. We then ported in Grand Cayman. It was raining that morning so we didn't get to swim with the stingrays like we had planned. We did however get to go to the Turtle Farm which was amazing, we visited the town of Hell and the Seven Mile Beach which was so beautiful. Our final day at port was in Cozumel which was a different location than the place we ported last year. It was really clean and not like Mexico at all but it was such nice weather and we had a lot of fun. Our friends Shane and Lori got engaged that night. He took her up on stage and asked her to marry her in front of a lot of people right before the show that night. It was so sweet. Good job Shane!!! I had a chest cold the entire time we were on vacation and am still fighting it off. We got back yesterday afternoon and I was ready to get back to work. Here are some photos from our week in the Caribbean.

Brittany & Jonathan's Wedding Invitation

So I finished designing my brother and future sister-in-law's wedding invitation. They really wanted something unique and I think it turned out great. I also recently designed another wedding invitation for a friend who is getting married in January as well. I'll post that later. Here are some poor quality photos of the invitation. Next thing to do is to get my Save the Date's in the mail.

Through Sickness and in Health...

So I don't really have ever talked about Brandon and my medical struggles from this past year. We both were pretty sick and were misdiagnosed and lived with being misdiagnosed for about a year each. My problems started way back in 2005 and continued to get worse until I went to see a doctor in January 2007. I had severe pain in my abdomen which I thought were female related. I went to a doctor at that time and he diagnosed me with Endometriosis. It was very painful and I missed a lot of work and could barely function at the time, but I thought at least now I have a diagnosis. He put me on birth control and told me to take Advil for pain. Because I didn't have a laparoscopy I was forced to accept that diagnosis but there was no way to say that was it 100%. I went for about another year still in pain. My job situation was crazy at the time so I was without health insurance for almost all 2007. In January 2008 I went to a different doctor Dr. Warren to get another opinion. She went through a lot of tests and an invasive ultrasound to come to the conclusion it was not Endometriosis. I was now back to square one. I then took a proactive approach and started doing research on my own. Together we concluded it was not female realted but rather bladder related. I was diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis or Painful Bladder Syndrome. I was put on a treatment medication which caused the disease to go into remission for a while. I still struggle with the pain some but it's bearable now.


Ironically, as this was all going on with my body, Brandon was also having his fare share of health struggles. A year ago he began having symptoms that we thought were not normal. After a routine health screening his nurse saw his blood sugar levels as well as other levels were through the roof. We rushed to a doctor who told us he more than likely had Type 1 Diabetes. We went to the ER and they diagnosed him as Type 2. Even though he had no family history and was not over weight by any means they thought the best route to take was to put him on oral medication and to change his diet. To make a long story short, he went several months with a misdiagnosis and even thought he was cured from Diabetes for a while. No such luck. The symptoms came back worse than ever and he was the incredible shrinking man. It was very scary how much weight he lost dropping at his lowest to a shocking 126 lbs. Finally, a few months ago, he found a new doctor Dr. Bisbee, to listen to him. After more tests the original diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes was concluded. Brandon has been on insulin for a few months now and is better than ever. I know that it is going to be a challenge being married to an insulin dependent diabetic. This became so clear to me this past Saturday. We invited my mom over to watch the Tech vs Texas game and Brandon was going to cook out. He was grilling outside and my mom were inside getting ready for the game to start. Brandon had brought in the food and seemed normal but he went back outside. I really didn't think anything of this but then I got a loud knock at his garage door. I thought it was him needing help with the door. I opened it and it was a lady saying she was driving in the alley and saw him stumbling and he fell off the grass ledge on the side of the house onto the walkway. I raced over to the side of the house and to my surprise an ambulance was there with Brandon. The EMS guys asked me if he was on drugs or had been drinking. Of course not!!!! I told him he was insulin dependent diabetic. Then it all made sense to them. They checked his blood and is was at a frighteningly low 22. Brandon was sitting up but very incoherent. I think he knew something was wrong because he got out his phone to call me even though I was sitting right next to him. So scary. They gave him a glucose injection and got his blood sugar up but it wasn't until then that he came to. He doesn't even remember going outside. It all happened so fast without warning but I'm so thankful someone called 911 and I was there to tell the EMS he was diabetic. I'm also grateful it happened at home rather when he was driving or something. I never want anything like this to happen again, but I know living with a diabetic will have it's challenges. I love Brandon with all my heart and accept whatever is to come. I will say those vows officially in March, but I think we have already made that commitment to ourselves in sickness and in health. I trust God has everything under control and he will see us through this. We have already experienced so much as a couple but I think it has only made us grow stronger and has reassured us of our love for each other and how strong our commitment is to one another. I love you Brandon, and I always will.

Wreck Em Tech!!!

On Friday at work we had a Chili Cook-off to raise money for Children's Miracle Network. Each department had a different theme and dressed up to match their booth and served chili. It was a lot of fun. Our department's theme was Texas Tailgate. Our team was Bevo Brand Chili :) We decorated our table with all Texas Tech gear and served chili and beer (creme soda) and candy. There were two mishaps however. One, Krista was responsible for making the chili and decided to warm it on the stove before the event and burned the bottom of the pot. We unfortunately had a stinky booth. So we burnt the Bevo chili. The second minor mishap was Susie was suppose to get white Christmas lights to string up on our tent, but she ended up purchasing Chirstmas lights made to use outside to lay on a bush. Needless to say they don't string up very well. We put them on the table though and they looked good anyway. We didn't win any of the categories but we still had fun. Maybe next year. I would like to give a loud shout out to the Texas Tech Red Raiders for winning an awesome game over the UT Longhorns 39-33!!!! It was amazing. We're now ranked #2 that's amazing. Go Tech, Beat OSU :)

It's beautiful, It's perfect...but I can't breathe!!!!

OK, so last Friday my mom and I traveled up to Amarillo for the "umpteenth" time to see if my dress fit and to take it with us if it did. I was very excited to see it again and a little anxious as well. We got to David's Bridal around 3:30pm and were told to go to the back where alterations were. They told me to go into the first dressing room put on my shoes, slip, bra etc. and then they would come in to help me get into my dress. I did and the lady was helping me into my dress when I hear her say, "Uh oh". It was a little tight she said. A Little????????? I would say very very tight. Where the dress closes in the back is where the problem is. I took a huge deep breath in and she zipped me up. Ok I'm freaking out at this point. Well, it must have been all over my face because when I came out of the dressing room the other alterations lady who has been helping us through this whole process was there to tell me everything was fine and I looked beautiful. I'm like listen lady I might look beautiful, but if I can't breathe then how do you expect me to wear this thing? She said it was too high on my back and pulled it down a bit. It felt better but I was still not convinced it fit. The ladies did my bustle, which by the way is going to take an army to do at my wedding, and then they said OK your done. I felt weird. I felt like I wasn't given enough time to inspect the dress. We were in the store only for about 30 minutes and the whole way home I wished I had more time to examine everything. I was planning on trying on my complete look, but they really didn't give us that opportunity. It was really weird. When we got back to Lubbock and to my mom's house my mom and I decided to try on everything again. It was really difficult to get into and I still couldn't get the dress zipped up all the way. What a nightmare!!! At first we thought they forgot to put in the eye for the hook and eye, but I found that Sunday. Anyway, it will all work out and I will be a beautiful bride. I fluctuate in weight during a certain time of the month and retain a lot of water so I'm hoping that's all it was. I'm going to try it on again tonight maybe to see if I can breathe. Wish me luck. If not I guess it's back to the gym for me :(

"They Sold Their Souls for Rock n Roll"

Recently Brandon and I watched a "rockumentary" called "They Sold Their Souls for Rock n Roll". It's about the power Satan has over the lives of people in rock music and people world wide who are influenced by rock n' roll. It's a very powerful and very poignantly truthful account of the rock n' roll industry. It's extremely haunting and really makes you think and question everything. It's a lot for me to blog about but if you would like to know more visit www.goodfight.org. I encourage all Christians to watch it and take a glance into there own lives. Here is a bit of my own reflection.

After watching the DVD I was curious about my own musical influences. Since I do like several types of music, not only Christian but secular music as well, I was curious to find out how many of the people I listen to might have also fallen short and sold their "souls to Satan" at the price of fame and fortune. Here is what I discovered.

These are artists that I have in my iTunes that I believe have denounced God's teachings and have followed a different path. I don't want to proclaim that they "sold their souls", but through their lyrics and lifestyle choices one can observe that they do not proclaim biblical truths in their music.

Amy Winehouse: She gave into the temptations of drug abuse and will probably die from it. She had fame but could never quite get grip on reality.
Ashley Simpson: She was in the shadow of her older sibling for years and when she finally broke out of her shell she was praised for breaking all the rules and following a new path. This path was not God's path.
Ben Harper: His album cover for Fight For Your Mind is a depiction of himself in agony engulfed in what appears to be the fires of hell.
Panic! At The Disco in their song I write Sins Not Tragedies undermines the sanctity of marriage and also uses God's name in vain. Are we so jaded as a society that we don't even notice theses details and skip over the lies told in songs like these all for the sake of listening to a catchy tune? I think I'm somewhat guilty of falling into this trap. When your are constantly bombarded by the same lies told to you over and over again you become comfortable in hearing those lies even if you know they are lies. The reality is this: Society is way to comfortable with lying.
Taking Back Sunday: Sunday is suppose to be a day for God. To honor and worship Him. Are we really willing to say it's right to take back Sunday. The very name of this band acknowledges that it's not our day in the first place. So why is this band promoting the idea to take back something that was not given to us to do as they or we will. Do we deserve it? The world says we deserve it. The world proclaims if you earn it's yours, but the bible states what's yours comes from God. Satan has power over this if we let him. He can destroy you if you let him. He can make you believe that it is by your own power that you make you who are, but I think it is by God's grace that you are who you are. I might have stretched a little on this one to come to that conclusion, but after watching that documentary, it has really forced me to look at reality and society and what I stand for in a whole new way.

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Watch out for false prophets. They come
to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves." –Matthew 7:13-15

These are only a handful of artists I decided to take a second look at. I can't testify that they did in fact "sell their souls" to the Devil, but what their lyrics and music suggest appears to to do just that. I like the saying, "If it looks like a dog, and acts like a dog it must be a dog" even it's not. I think this applies to those artists who think that even if they don't believe in the crap they are selling they still have to own up to the power it has over their fans who buy into it.

I liked this music for it's popularity and catchy tunes, but I believe I too have been a pawn in Satan's attempt to destroy and persuade people not follow God but rather follow our own rules. Forget right and wrong, you create your own destiny. This is a powerful statement that a lot of people have come to accept and use in their own lives. However, if you follow your own paths and give yourself up to this world, you will die, but God gives us hope. Jesus did not come to save the righteous. He came to save the sinners. Turn your life and eyes upon God and He will truly deliver you from Satan's grips and give you eternal life.

“Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.” (1 Timothy 1:13-16)

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” –Philippians 2:9-11

Wedding Planning... It's so much fun!!!

Do you sense the sarcasm because it's totally there. I feel like I'm more creative than most people so I always thought I would be natural at wedding planning. Not!!!!!!! I'm so not organized. I blame it on the artist in me. I truly believe you would have to really love weddings to make a career out of planning them. I just don't think it's for me. Nonetheless, I'm still on this wild ride until March 21st. That's right people only 5 months and 20 days until I'm Mrs. Hughes. I can't believe it. Well here are the things I've done thus far and what I plan to accomplish this month. Any advise from you married women out there would be much appreciated.

Completed
Booked Church: First Baptist Lubbock
Booked Reception: Underwood Center (so cool)
Bought Wedding Dress, Undergarments, Jewelry, and Shoes
First Fitting Oct 10th
Chose Wedding Party
Ordered Bridesmaids Dresses
Booked Officiant: Brandon's oldest brother Gary Hughes
Booked Photographers: Captivated Images
Had Engagement Photos Taken, Love them :)
Started Invitation and Save-the-Date Design
Ordered and Received Paper Samples (they're perfect)
Started Guest List
Launched website: mywedding.com/jenniferholmesandbrandonhughes

Things to Do in October
Book Florist
Book DJ for Reception
Book Rentals for Ceremony
Finish the Guest List!!!!!!!
Print/mail Save-the-Date Cards
Order Paper for Invitations
Get Room Block at Hotel
We are going to be using a trolley to transport the bridal party from the church to the reception so I need to book that
Register (I'm pretty excited about this one)

Things to Do in November
Book Rehearsal Dinner (I'm about 90% positive we are going to have it out at Cagle's
Get with Brandon's brother Mark to discus our cakes mmmmmmm!!!!! (He's the bakery manager at Markestreet and has agreed to do our cakes for us)
Schedule Hair Consult
Choose and Book Men's Attire
Start selection of music for Ceremony and Reception
Book Ceremony Musicians
Purchase Ceremony Decor and Bride's Book

How's that for organization. Well it's a start. Wish me luck, I'm going to need it :0

My blog got a facelift...

So I thought it was time to redo the look of my blog. I'm loving these colors lately. It's probably because they are my wedding colors. I will blog about wedding progress tomorrow.

Engagement Photos!!!!

So yesterday the very talented Dominique Harmon of Captivated Images called me to tell me they posted a "sneak peak" of our engagement photos we took last Saturday. We got up really early and stated off in a field of sunflowers as the sun was coming up. So cool. We also took several out at the South Plains Fair. It was so fun. Then we ended up at Maxey Park at this old abandoned pool. We had so much fun. Thanks Dominique and Barry for such a great day. Here are some of my faves from their post.

Lately...

So lately I have been concentrating less on my wedding planning, (which I'm still think about a lot just not doing anything about), and focusing on other things in my life. I realized I'm a little burned out and I need a break. I do have 6 months to go after all so I think I deserve a break.

My job just took an interesting twist. We just moved offices. I'm so excited!!! If you had seen or spent any time at all in my old location you would understand. So here are my top 10 reasons why I'm excited we moved:)

1. I get to decorate my new office and make it more my own style. I get to have green walls and get to hang actual art.



2. No more walking 7 minutes in the cold to the office door. I literally would park my car and walk seven minutes to my office. It sucked everyday especially if it was raining or cold outside. I can literally now can park at the front door.

3. It takes me 5 minutes to get to work instead of 20 minutes. No more 5 o'clock traffic down by Tech again. Woo Hoo!!!!!

4. No more freezing cold office. I would wear long sleeve shirts, a jacket and wrap a scarf around my neck everyday and I would still be cold at my old office. I got sick the other week just because it was so cold. Which brings me to my next reason...

5. No more sickness!!! I hope. Working in a hospital, especially a medical office like we did, you are more prone to getting sick. I think everyone in our office was sick at one point or another. Yay, no more germs :)

6. No more looking at generic Dr. Office walls. My old office was literally an old exam room. There was no creative stimulantion coming out from those wall. It's hard to keep a creative mind when the environment you work in has no personality.



7. No one can bother you out here. If I need to go the hospital I can, but if I don't then I really am free to actually work and get things done.

8. Some of the people we moved over here with are pretty cool.

9. I can go home at lunch and I don't spend my entire lunch break driving.

And my top 10 reason is...

I feel we won't have to move anymore!!! I hate moving anything and I think we will call this home for quite some time. After all, who's going to want an office with with a wall color called "Lafonda Jalapeno"

Where Did the Weekend Go?

This weekend went by too fast. I feel like I say that every weekend, but here it is Monday morning and I feel like I got nothing accomplished. I always say I'm going to clean my apartment. Every week I say that this will be the weekend I get it done, but this past weekend I really had every intention of getting that accomplished. When you are an on the go artist like I am cleaning isn't always a top priority, but I really would like for it to be clean. After all, in 6 months I'm going to be living with the "master of cleanliness" so I better change my ways fast. Well instead of cleaning I went out with my mom and Brandon on Friday night. We had so much fun. We went to Friday Night Art Trail. If you are a Lubbockite or a visitor of Lubbock you should really check it out one month. Every first Friday of the month artists from all over display there art in various galleries around the downtown area. You hop from gallery to gallery looking at all the art and tasting wine and eating cheese platters. It's so much fun. My dad is currently working part time at the Clay Studio and part of the perks of working there is that he has rekindled his passion for pottery. It's really more than just a passion, it's a talent. His work is amazing. Well anyway, he had some of his more recent pieces on display at one of the galleries and we decided to check it out. We then went out to Texas Roadhouse were I proceeded to order the most overpriced, under quality margarita ever!!! Overall it was a pretty fun night though. On Saturday Brandon left to go fishing and camping with some of his buddies and I began a two day shopping spree. I don't what I was thinking, but I went crazy this weekend. I always feel guilty after a huge weekend of shopping, but it's probably because I hardly ever spend money. I did however get some really cute clothes, a new book, some new sunglasses, and some really cute shoes :) Sunday went by too quick and here we go again. The start of a new week. Whether I'm ready or not, Monday always comes after Sunday and I guess it's about time I accept that.

Bridal Jewelry :)

So I picked my dress, my veil, I still need to choose my shoes but I went ahead and got my jewelry. I love it. It's exactly what I wanted. A couple of weeks ago I was browsing the net when I came across this website for a company called Redot Designs. It's a fabulous website for bridal jewelry and special occasion jewelry. I wanted something really stylish and classic but I didn't want to spend a fortune on jewelry I will only wear once. Luckily I probably won't have to. The pieces I chose are ones I probably will wear again. So much fun :)

New Wedding Stuff

So I haven't posted anything in a while, but a lot has happened since my last wedding update. I found my dress!!!!!!! I'm so excited. It's more than I could ever imagine. I got it at David's Bridal in Amarillo. I want to give a shout out to my consultant Dianna and all the fabulous ladies in Amarillo. Thank you for making my experience so great. I'm not going to post any photos of the dress because my curious fiancé, Brandon, likes to check my blog every now and then and I don't want him to see it.

I will however post some photos of my bridesmaids dresses. I went back to DB last Saturday to have my dress pinned for alterations and just to look at bridesmaids dresses. I had no intention of buying them, but after trying on a few options, I ended up selecting a gorgeous yet simple long A-Line dress that totally compliments my dress. It has a sweetheart neckline (which mine has) and is in a beautiful jewel tone Aqua color called Oasis. I also selected a shorter length version of the dress for my Junior Bridesmaids. They are all going to look so beautiful :)





I have also been researching photographers for months now. Besides invitation design the number one most important thing for me is to have great photos. I wanted someone who could capture my vision and produce amazing photos for a price I could afford. I decided to go with the fabulous duo of Dominique Harmon and Barry Nelson of Captivated Images



They are just really amazing people and their work is phenomenal. I know all are photos are going to turn out great. We have our engagement photo shoot set for September 20th so I will post those hopefully sometime shortly after that. I can't wait.

I'm now working on my hair style, flowers, table center pieces and other fun stuff. Here are some photos of things I like.

August 8, 2006

Today is the two year anniversary on my dad's suicide attempt. I debated on whether or not to write anything about this. It was such a real and raw time in my life that I would like to bury forever, but every year on this day I'm reminded of where we were and how far we have come.

I don't know why it happened. I don't know why he lived. I don't know how you take a gun point it to your head and pull the trigger and not die. But he didn't die. He lived. God didn't want to take my dad's life that day.

Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." My hopes and dreams were shattered on that day August 8, 2006, but a new hope and future were brought to the surface. "Where there is death, there shall life be as well." I can't explain what it feels like to see a parent battle to live knowing that he had done this to himself. It's not like being in the hospital wanting your family member to get better so that everything can go back to "normal". I knew my life would never be "normal" again. I knew if he lived or if he died my life would never be the same. I was right. I was suffering for months after all this happened. It was a quiet suffer. My pain grew even more after my parents separation then divorce happened, but the one thing I gained from all of this is this:

"God offers pain relief if we ask for it. It is His GRACE that gives us the comfort of knowing He will never leave us to battle the pain alone. It is His GRACE that gives us peace during the storm. It is His GRACE that allows us to get through the pain, and then grow from it."

I grew from it. I could of easily crumbled, and I really wanted to at times, but I learned that through the tears laughter occurs. My relationships with people are better now. My mom and I are as close as we have ever been. My brother is like my right hand man. After all this God blessed me with a partner in life that could understand my pain and let me cry on his shoulder whenever I need to. My relationship with my dad has grown too. I admire him for the person he's become and how far he's come. I love him for the person he is and not for what he did. I'm healed knowing that God has forgiven him and I find peace within myself knowing that God's grace has been shed upon him. Therefore, I'm able to forgive him.

August 8, 2006 was the worst day of my life. I was so angry for what he had done but so grateful that God let him live. It’s a miracle he lived. He did live though. It was so hard going through all that but he lived. Through this I'm reminded daily of God's love for his children and His enabling power to heal the broken.

Brittany and Jonathan's Save the Date

I finally finished Jonathan and Brittany's Save the Date. These photos aren't very good, but I'm really pleased on how they turned out. Enjoy!!!

Hold The Phone...

So where do I begin. The past week has been a total stressful disaster. Well that's being a little dramatic but really my stomach has been in knots. It all started last Tuesday when my mom called the church to see if my wedding date, May 30, 2009, was booked. It was, ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!! So the next day we scheduled to come in and meet with the guy who is charge of booking the church. We were going to look at the sanctuary because Brandon had never been there before and we were planning on looking at what days were available. Well we all got there around 11am and the guy wasn't there. He had left early or something for some reason. What? Are you kidding me? Doesn't he realize that I'm trying to set my date. It's only the single most important day of my life, and he left early. Well we decided that Brandon could look at the church anyway and maybe we could catch the guy the next day. Brandon loved itand we both agreed that this is where we would be married. The next day my mom tried calling the guy back and he wouldn't answer his phone. I'm sure he is really busy but I couldn't believe this was happening. Well we then decided since May 30th wasn't going to work out then we were going to push up the wedding to April 25. "April 25, 2009" I liked how that sounded so that would be the date. We went to look at the Underwood Center that night (Wednesday). We both loved the facility and for sure wanted our reception there so i told my dad to go ahead and book it. Friday morning my mom got a hold of the guy at church and he said April 25th was available. I was so excited. We then scheduled an appointment for Monday to book the church. However, about twelve o'clock my dad called and said that date was already booked for the Underwood Center. I was devastated. I couldn't believe it. I went to Brandon's at lunch and he just told me to calm down that everything would be fine and work out. I felt better. My dad gave us a list that night of what all would be available from March through June. Only one day worked with both the church and the reception site. One day out of all those months? Crazy!!!! So this past weekend I didn't sleep very well, I prayed a lot that God would take over this for me and that I would be able to see clarity for what ever came out of this. By today I felt at peace. If that date was booked then we would keep April 25th and find another reception place. I know that God is always in control of my life. I was confident whatever the outcome, I was going to be happy. We went to our appointment at 1pm and... we got the date, yeah!!!! March 21, 2009 I will marry my best friend and partner and I couldn't be happier. I'm going to have my first pick of ceremony and reception places and it's going to be wonderful. I thank God for everything every day, but driving back to work I couldn't stop smiling and praising Him for this wonderful gift.

It's Begun...

So I'm engaged, now what? I tell you what... a lot of planning that's what. It's begun. We are starting to plan our May 30, 2009 wedding and it's really overwhelming. So many details go into planning but I'm confident and ready to get this ball rolling. I have chosen locations (even though nothing is booked yet) at First Baptist Church in Lubbock. It's the church I grew up in and it's going to be beautiful.The Louis Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts is where I want to have the reception. It's this really neat art gallery down town across from the Civic Center. It's going to be amazing. Now I have to book these locations and start working out the details. I asked Brittany, my future sister-in-law, to be my matron of honor and we are both so excited about it. It's so much fun planning our weddings together. I also am asking my friend Kari in Oklahoma to be a bridesmaid and I asked my dear friend Shanda Hasse to be a bridesmaid. She is 8 1/2 months pregnant and expecting a baby boy Noah Thomas any day now. So much fun. I'm also going to ask all of Brandon's nieces to be in the bridal party. Korrie will be a bridesmaid. She's 16 and so beautiful and spunky. Alyssa is her sister and is 12 and will be a junior bridesmaid. Kymberlee his other niece who's 10 will be a junior bridesmaid as well and her little sister Ashleigh is 5 and will be my flower girl. I'm so excited. I really want it to be a family affair. All of these girls mean so much to me and I'm honored for them to serve as my attendants. I made these cards that I sent them to ask each one of them to be in my bridal party. I illustrated them and printed them myself. They turned out cute . I chose my colors!!!!!!!! I think. I have changed my mind about 10 times though, but I made this board of inspiration that solidified my decision. They're Chartreuse and Indigo Blue with Ivory accents. I'm so pleased about this color combo. If anyone has any ideas let me know.

I'm Engaged!!!!!!! Can you believe it?

Well it finally happened. The best day of my life. The day when the best man I know, the guy who has changed my life for the better, asked me to marry him. It was the best proposal ever. It was more than I could ever have hoped for or imagine. We planned to take a trip to San Antonio for the 4th of July weekend. We were staying downtown at the Hilton on the Riverwalk and it was going to be just an amazing mini-vacation (so I thought.) We got to San Antonio Thursday evening and Brandon had planned for us to go to this amazing restaurant and vineyard in the hill country called The Vineyards. We shared a very romantic meal with great food, wine and conversation. We talked about our life and how much we meant to each other. The restaurant part is back in this glassed in sun room and you could see the sun setting over the hills and across the vineyard. We were the last reservation that night so by the time we were finished with our meal the place was almost empty. There were candles lit everywhere and soft music playing in the background. I thought to myself, this would be the perfect place to get engaged. I wasn't getting my hopes up though. The waiter came by and asked if we wanted dessert, and of course we did. I then came back a little bit later and said that the wait staff had prepared our dessert for us outside in the vineyard. I asked Brandon if he knew about any of this and he said it must have been because it was our first time there. Lie!!!! We were then escorted down the stairs and down a long walkway to a white table that had chocolate covered strawberries and creme brulé. The walkway was more like an atrium covered with vines that were exposed to view the night sky. It was also covered with tiny white Christmas lights. It was beautiful out there. The waiter said to take our time and he left. It was just me and Brandon out there by ourselves surrounded by this romantic set up. My heart started beating really fast. Brandon said Jennifer I love you, I just want you to know you make me a better man and I can't imagine spending my life without you. He then proceeded to get down on one knee and said "Jennifer Elise Holmes will you marry me?" I was shocked and said "really?" and hugged him with tears in my eyes and said "Yes!" Then I saw the ring so I screamed. It was the best moment ever. I was just so thrilled and surprised. He had bought me the ring I had picked out months before and Robert Lance Jewelers and I was so in love with this ring. We just laughed and hugged and kissed and I was shaking and couldn't stop smiling. The waiter came back and took pictures of us. I immediately called my mom and she had already knew it was coming. Brandon had gone to both my mom and my dad to ask permission to marry me and that meant so much to me. I then called my brother who didn't believe me but was so happy for me. I called my dad and he was trilled as well. As we were driving away we noticed that the parking lot, which is not covered in gravel but rather colored glass, was sparkling in the moonlight. It was so neat. For the rest of the weekend I was the happiest girl on earth and I couldn't stop looking at my ring. I love Brandon so much. He's the best guy I know and I love him for so many reasons. I can't wait to marry him and become Mrs. Brandon Hughes! "Jennifer Elise Hughes", I like the sound of that. Wedding details to come later, but our tentative date right now is May 30, 2009!!!!!!!!!