love in living color.

Our engagement photos were taken last week in Dallas by the fabulous Brooke Ogilvie! She is in Lubbock, but traveled all the way to Dallas for our shoot. Not only is she a great photographer, she is the sweetest person you may ever meet. We had a lot of fun taking pictures all over Dallas. She posted a few pictures from our session and I will post my favorites here. I am not going to upload a facebook album until we have all of the photos from our shoot(which will be in 2-3 weeks.) So here are a few sneak peek pictures of Taylor and I......

GIG 'EM FROGS

You know what bothers me this Saturday at 9am? All of these bandwagon TCU football fans. FYI: You have had a good football team for years! And (besides my FAVORITE TCU cheerleader Melissa) TCU's fans rarely even make it out of the parking lot and into the stadium. Lots of tailgating, but not enough support for their amazing team. It took college game day and a #4 ranking to get people to the game. (I know-I had THREE people call/text me to borrow my TCU student ID to get into the game today.) There are TCU facebook groups about "getting out of the parking lot and into the stadium..."

And my poor, poor AGGIES! Aggie football clearly isn't about winning or being #4.... It's about supporting our football team no matter WHAT they're doing. (Even if it's losing to Colorado 34-35.....) It is one of the biggest difference about being an AGGIE vs. being a Horned Frog. You don't have to be a TCU football fan if you attend TCU, but goodness you WILL BE AN AGGIE FOOTBALL FAN if you attend A&M. and you will make it into the stadium before game time. We may not have an undefeated record, but we sure do love our team :)

Okay, I'm off my soap box. I will always cheer for my horned frogs, because that's where my college adventures unfolded! And, I did make it to the games ;) More importantly, if Texas doesn't win out..... TCU could go to the National Championship. So, the AGGIES beating t.u. would help my ags AND my horned frogs?! GIG 'EM!

a day in the life of a substitute teacher..

Luckily, kindergartners and first graders haven't quite figured out how to play pranks (YET...) However, subbing these little ones has definitely kept me on my toes. So far, I have:

-subbed a bilingual kindergarten class (clearly they forgot to request a BILINGUAL sub) and I had to dig deep to remember Senor Navarro's vocab lessons....
-had a 5 year old boy tell me, "I told my mom you were so cute that I was going to marry you. I told her I'm gonna marry my substitute teacher!"
-been called every variation of my name possible (Miss Garrison is clearly too complex)
-had a girl wet her pants because she "forgot she had to go to the bathroom."
but my favorite.....

"We wish you were our real teacher, Miss Garrison!"

......prayers every day for my own classroom next year :)

Baby, just say YES....

TO BUYING ME T.SWIFT TICKETS FOR HER CONCERT IN DALLAS MARCH 11TH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Taylor, (my taylor!) I need to go to this concert. I know, I know, you NEED to go? I can just hear him now: "Don't you know the difference between a need and a want, Rachel?" YES I DO. and I still NEED to go.

Don't let my pretend quote from Taylor fool you, he is also a T. Swift fan. Do you even know how many road trips we have spent jamming out to her albums?? Too many! I, however, have been listening to her long before her awkward moment with Kanye stunned America. I secretly feel like (if we, you know, met) we would seriously be best friends. (Well, that's not so secret anymore....) Her first album captured my heart and I am sure Taylor Swift MUST have dated the same boys I have...... and gone through every teenage experience just like I did. See, soul mates!

I just watched my DVR'd Oprah from yesterday (hello, my girl was on!) and I cried. I CRIED! You have to go and watch the show--it tugged on my heart strings. Are you listening, Amanda??! She is such a well grounded, inspiring little lady and I HAVE to see her live. I don't care if I am surrounded by 12-15 year old girls with T.Swift shirts on. I have to be there!

ps-The Monday after Taylor proposed he sent me this text:
"I talked to your dad, go pick out a white dress. It's a love story, baby just say yes." :)

See you March 11th, T. Swift.....

Monogram

I have been doodling monograms for months now (on paper, napkins, school work, etc...) and finally sat down and tried to work on one on the computer today. Look what I came up with:



I would like to find a way to incorporate some green in the monogram, but for now, this will do!

Wedding update

Guess what's going on 10 months from now?! OH no big thing, just my WEDDING DAY! Can you believe it? I can't.... On October 11th, Taylor and I will have been engaged for six months....six sweet, sweet months.

Having said that, I should really be rocking and rolling with wedding planning! So here are the updates as of late:

WE HAVE BOOKED OUR DREAM BAND!!!!!!!!!! Taylor and I went to a wedding in Longview back in July and absolutely fell in love with the band that played at their reception. And what do ya know? They're Houston based! So naturally, I was convinced this band was made to play at our wedding. They play so many genres, it is sure to be a good time on the dance floor. For a sneak peak at Dry Water, visit their website!


And also, WE HAVE BOOKED OUR DREAM PHOTOGRAPHER! Thanks to Megan Goforth, we found Brooke Ogilvie out of Abilene and I KNEW we had to have her. She is truly talented and we cannot wait to have her photograph our wedding. I was a huge stickler about picking the perfect photographer, which is why I have been researching them for four months......... Luckily, persistency pays off! Brooke will be capturing moments of our special day next July 31 and I am beside myself excited. She will also be doing our engagement shoot (in November!) and my bridal portraits next spring. Check Brooke out!

If you can't tell, I am super excited about the recent vendors we have picked out and booked for THE BIG DAY. In my mind, the band, photographer and videographer (in the works!) are the most time sensitive elements in wedding planning. Florist and cake extraordinaire to come!


On a side note- The AGGIES are playing Arkansas at Cowboy Stadium this Saturday! We will be out there tailgating ALL day (even roasting a pig!) and then the big game is at 6:30. I am SUPER pumped to spend the day with all of our Dallas Aggies. BTHO ARKANSAS!

case of the mondays.

"Two are better than one.
If one falls down, his friend can help him up.
If two lie down together, they will keep warm."
Ecclesiastes 4:9-11

I am so very thankful for my sweet Taylor. I don't know why I am so deserving of a love like this, but I am certain that this kind of love is Heaven sent. Taylor has taught me that love doesn't have to be difficult- that when it's meant to be, it comes easily. Ah, what a lucky lady I am! Sorry this is a corny post-but I had such a rough day, and Taylor completely turned it around (and he's at work!) I can't wait to marry this man!

beautiful love.

So maybe I am a good week late on posting this, but better late than never.....

Last Saturday (8.8.09!), Ivy and Troy were married! It was absolutely magnificent. In fact, I don't know if there are enough beautiful words to describe their day, so I am going to post pictures. I will say, however, it exemplified this wonderful love they share with one another, and could not have portrayed their personalities in a better fashion. They are such remarkable people and I am honored to know them both. I cherish Ivy and her family dearly and enjoyed watching them soak in those happy moments on Saturday. Such wonderful people.

A glimpse into Ivy becoming Troy's WIFE.....

sweet peace.

"Pain throws your heart to the ground,
Love turns the whole thing around...
No, it won't all go the way, it should,
But I know the heart of life is good."
-John Mayer

My mom always tells me to "pray for peace within yourself; for when you are at peace, there is not much else you need." So that's what I do. I don't pray for a job, I don't pray that my heart stops missing my home so dearly, I don't even pray for answers to all of my questions. I just pray for peace. I pray that God's love and strength will consume my entire being so completely that peace will occupy my heart. Without doubt and worry and fear and anger, I have much more strength to believe--strength to believe that everything is unfolding just as it should. Sometimes I just want to scream at God "ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME?! DO YOU EVEN HEAR ME??" and so I do. And He reminds me that faith in Him is a mighty, mighty thing. He reminds me that my timing is not His timing (does he not know I'm a control freak?) Ah, yes, He does. What a wonderful, peaceful feeling...

Water logged.

Remember back in January when I woke up at 3am to find my house with 3 inches of standing water? and the weeks of industrial fans/humidifiers and carpet/floor replacements? Well, last night about 10pm, my roommate's bathroom flooded. and part of her room. A pipe in the wall broke and the water was rushing into her bathroom and closet. My room is fine (thank goodness-I couldn't deal with 2 floods in 6 months..) but her bathroom and bedroom need repairs and our water is OFF. So I am sitting at Taylor's apartment watching Full House and job searching/blogging. I was planning on heading to my parent's house on Thursday, but I may just head back tomorrow. I am not sure that I want to deal with the AMLI's poor management and maintenance team..... no telling how long this debacle could take.

On a lighter note, I really really need a new book to read. I want to read something all-consuming, something I can't put down! I have been heartbroken since I finished Twilight in June and just can't seem to find a good book. I don't need anymore vampire tales, but I just need some good recommendations! I started reading Something Borrowed and had to stop--I just can't read a book that condones unfaithful relationships, lying and friends betraying life long friends over men. It was like a grown up, New York version of my life junior year of college and I do not plan on reliving that saga! So, all book suggestions are welcomed!

All things WEDDING.

My fiance calls me "ridiculously oranized," my future mother in law calls me "gifted," and my mom "just can't believe this OCD child is hers." Maybe I am over the top with my organization and cleanliness (doesn't everyone color coordinate their closets according to seasons?) but it's the only way I can function. I also L-O-V-E all things crafty and creative (enter my favorite store: Hobby Lobby.) I have made several scrapbooks and really enjoy them, but they take so long to complete from start to finish. So I figured I would combine my wedding planning and scrapbook-ish/crafty side into one fun "project!"

Enter: "All things Wedding" book.

^ My wedding book + my wedding notebook/journal (with tabs of course-thanks, Target.)

^ First 2 pages of my two toned binder!
(That happen to be eerily close to my wedding colors!)

^ A little inspiration-Rachel style :)

^This is from the bouquet section, I believe..

^ A cake page

The back of the binder! It's a collage I made of different magazine cut outs
that encompasses my wedding colors to a tee.
My inspiration is a peacock feather: think rich blues, emeralds, ivories and golds!

I use this to organize all of my great wedding magazine/wedding blog finds. It's my "master" wedding planning book that travels with me A LOT of places. Wedding vendors we have visited just love my picture references, so it has been a hit thus far! and hey, wedding planning is supposed to be fun, right? :)

jobless bum

I need a job. badly. School cannot start soon enough........ Can you believe I'm saying that? but I need a job. I need money. I need to start substituting! I have applied to a job or two outside of teaching in the classroom, but I have a feeling they are looking for someone with more experience....JUST MY LUCK! I just keep wishin, and hopin and prayin........ :)

You'd think all of this "working from home" (region 10 schoolwork online) would be relaxing. You'd think I would enjoy not having to set an alarm every morning. and you'd think being able to stay in pajamas all day wasn't so bad..... WRONG! I dream of having to set an alarm because you know what that means? It means I have somewhere to go! something to do! I am just so stir crazy and so desperate to go help my little corner of the world. I need a purpose! It's just a tad frustrating being jobless even though I have this expensive A&M diploma hanging on my wall.... It taunts me every day. I'm just trying to stay positive/keep my sanity/not go completely broke, etc.

What happened to growing up and "being whatever you want?!" Apparently my third grade career day didn't take the recession of 2008/2009 into account....

arry potta!!!!!!!!!!

In four hours, I'll [FINALLY] be watching the long awaited Harry Potter & THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE. It is the 6th of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series and by far my favorite book (of the series.) Taylor never got into HP (watched a few movies) but clearly never fell for the magic that is HARRY POTTER. I absolutely adore Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and all of the other characters who have so brilliantly(!) portrayed these characters in the movies. I actually think I'm going to be Hermione for Halloween next year.... or maybe not if I want to stay engaged! ha! Regardless of Taylor's lack of interest in Hogwart's and all that encompasses wizardry, HE SURPRISED ME WITH MIDNIGHT SHOWING TICKETS TONIGHT!!!! And so we will be watching The Half Blood Prince with all of the other avid HP fans and I am thrilled. Poor Taylor has to work tomorrow, so I'll be lucky if he stays awake ;) Hey, it's better to be sitting next to a sleeping fiance than go to the matinee showing (alone) tomorrow morning at 10:00 am with all of the 10 year olds..... which was my next option.

Taylor says my obsession with HP is my only downfall, and I say his lack of interest is HIS only downfall..... but I am hooked. I am a 22 year old Harry Potter junkie. and I'm not even slightly ashamed ;)

"I like my money right where I can see it: hanging in my closet."

I need new summer wedges. and when I say NEED, I mean need. My brown wedges from last summer seem to be coming to the end of their life. Really? $90 for a pair of shoes that can't even last a year, Steve Madden? The steel ball to the heel is already showing and the wood is chipping. Who wants to wear those?! See, I do need new wedges.

I may need to venture over to Nordstrom today for some of these babies...

I'm starting to think that living 5 minutes from Northpark Mall is a very very bad thing...

Going to the chapel....

People, we have actually made some WEDDING PROGRESS! Can you believe it? This past week when I was at home, my mother and I spent our Saturday with 4 appointments. We visited three venues and ONE wedding dress boutique. What a day! If you know my mom and I, you know our best mother daughter duo talent would definitely be SHOPPING. Our favorite Saturdays are the ones we spent opening and closing the stores in Houston. Can we still have those shopping marathons once I'm married? hmm... a girl can dream!

Anyways, we found THE PLACE! We're going to have the wedding reception we've dreamed of and I could not be more excited. Sugar Landers, this place will mean as much to you as it does to me and I can't wait to share it with our out of towners, too! drum roll, please......

SAFARI TEXAS' MAGNOLIA BALLROOM!
The entrance to the "cocktail" rooms

The second "cocktail" (pre-reception) room

View from the dance floor (in the back)
View from the front (leaving the cocktail rooms)

If you haven't heard, Taylor and I have changed our date to July 31, 2010. My good friend Megan was recently engaged and it was the only way to fit both of our weddings in next summer! Sorry for the confusion, but as SOON as we officially book our reception site, I will notify everyone of the date change. We have the ballroom tentatively until Saturday, but we will make it official this week.

and last but not least, I FOUND THE DRESS. Yes, THE DRESS. I wish I could wear it every day...... and if you're lucky, I'll show it to you when it comes in sometime in November ;)

HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Home sweet home is a mere.....five hour drive away! Do you know how much I hate driving between Dallas and Houston? I absolutely detest that stinkin' drive. It's never ending and oh so boring. but you know what's awaiting me after that icky drive? MY FAMILY!! and friends. and good food. and a familiar city. and shopping. and lunch dates. and pool days. and the 4th of July with my whole family (and Taylor!!) down in Matagorda! I need this week at home so badly. I am so homesick it's unreal. I feel like I'm starting college all over again..... sheesh.

but guess what? give me a week at home and I'll be missing Dallas dearly.....I'm a mess, I'm aware :)

sweet silver lining

"but so many people are looking to me
To be strong and to fight
but I'm just surviving.....
I may be weak but I'm never defeated
And Ill keep believing
in clouds with that sweet silver lining."
-Kate Voegele

Graduated.
Traveled to (and fell in love with) Italy.
Boxed up four years of college into two cars.
Moved to Dallas.

oh, and now....
Plan a Houston wedding (and get through obstacle after obstacle).
Find a job.
Finish my certification.
Spend time with my fiance (who works 80 hours a week).

slow down.
breathe.
smile.
and believe somehow this will all work itself out, somehow. someway.

Oh, La Dolce Vita

ITALY TOMORROW!!!!!!

I'll be back in Houston on May 29.....ready to tackle this whole "real world" thing....

Until then, I am going to eat gourmet pasta, drink fine wine, soak up Roman art and history, ride through the Tuscany country side, indulge in the fashion in Milan and truly live as if I don't have a care in the world......because for these two weeks, I don't!

Ciao!

here i come, world.

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.
You're on your own.
And you know what you know.
You are the guy who'll decide where to go.
-Dr. Seuss


Ready or not, I'm about to graduate from college. In eight hours I will be in a sea of caps and gowns frantically filing down the aisles of Reed Arena. I sincerely hope our convocation speaker has a humorous speech in store, because I am a ticking time bomb. One sentimental story about growing up, moving on and starting our lives and I am going to have mascara coated tears running down my face. Nobody needs to see that. I have been so consumed with school work, teaching prep and organizing my life that I haven't even had time to be sad. or to shed one tear. So, tomorrow, as I sit in my cap and gown listening to our professors, I will finally have the time to relish in this monumental occasion. and there will be tears, I just know it. I can only pray for Bill Cosby or Ellen Degeneres to be speaking tomorrow.........

here I come, world.
ready or not!

soaking it in

I am taking my last college final EVER in 12 hours.

I can't even concentrate on my psych of women reading because of the million other thoughts racing through my mind. After turning in my psych 485 materials and taking my test at 10:30, I am done....absolutely and positively done with college at Texas A&M. I want to slow the clock for the next few hours so I can breathe in all that embodies being a college student. I am getting teary-eyed just thinking about the past 4 year journey that's finally coming to a close......

I feel like Mindy, Melanie, Melissa and I were just moving into Colby at TCU, and they have all three graduated from college.....and I'm next. Where does the time go? How can four years have passed just like that? I can't believe I moved to Fort Worth when I was 18--just a baby! and all of a sudden I am twenty-two and graduating from Texas A&M. I certainly veered off the course I had so strategically planned for myself, but hey, the best laid plans......

People always ask if I regret going to TCU and wish I would have come to TAMU my freshman year. absolutely not. I wouldn't trade my freshman year at TCU for anything in the world. I lived and I learned more that year than I have learned any year since. I learned that that wonderful, beautiful people do exist outside of Sugar Land :),that life long friendships can begin when you're 18, and that those who love and support you will ALWAYS love and support you. I finally opened my eyes to all of the wonderful opportunities that existed outside of the bubble I had created for myself, and it was spectacular. Out of my 8 bridesmaids, 4 of them lived, learned and endured freshman year with me at TCU. They have seen me at my best, my worst and certainly everywhere in between. God sent me to TCU, I am sure of it. I am so grateful for those nine months in funky town and I will keep those memories safely tucked in my heart forever.

but, let's be honest, I WAS BORN TO BE AN AGGIE. When my parents started taking me to games at Kyle Field in my diapers, it was game over. Some say it's enstilling Aggie traditions at a young age, maybe it's brainwashing, but whatever it may be, it's a part of my soul. Maybe it's because I am third generation or maybe it's not. I truly believe that anyone who enters Aggieland can feel the bond that us Aggies will always share. I am so proud to be graduating from this University, not only because of its prestige and the education I have received, but because of what it means to be a part of the 12th man. The traditions, the spirit, the enthusiasm, the common bond we all share to be a part of this school is irreplaceable. To walk the campus that my grandaddy walked in 1953 is surreal. To study at the same library my parents studied at in 1978 gives me chills. It's impossible to explain to someone who didn't come to A&M what this common bond feels like, but it is forever. I have told my mom for as long as I can remember that my husband only had to have one quality: he had to be an Aggie.....and look at me now! My fiance is class of 2008 and I will forever be able to share this Aggie experience with him. absolutely phenomenal. I am certain that I followed the right path by becoming an AGGIE and I know my parents are going to be beaming with pride as I walk across that stage on Friday......