Monday, July 28, 2008

Its been a year....

I can't believe a year has come and gone so quickly. A year ago today Adolfo and I got engaged and now the time is almost here, WOW! This weekend was plenty eventful. Friday my firm had a celebration for receiving a Best Place to Work in Austin award. We were treated to a night of Happy Hours, Bowling and Fajitas. Adolfo and I had a great time and made new friends! It was really fun and if yall are ever in Austin you should check 300 Austin Bowling, its a really nice facility. We'll since we were having so much fun with our new friends we decided to go downtown, and man it has been awhile!

So we started with some dancing....good times!


And some more dancing and this time we got a treat! We had a great time hanging out with everyone we will definitely have to do this again!

So Saturday, Adolfo got up early and went fishing, it really had been too long for him, and he let me sleep in late. We had a UPS sticker on our door and I was completely confused because all our Wedding orders had already been delivered. What could it be?

Excuse the hair, this is the "Its Sat and I just got out of bed" look.
Its a special delivery for Adolfo and Celeste! I opened the box....

And Adolfo opened the present! Yeah our first Wedding gift! What a surprise...

So Saturday, my mother and Taylor came to stay with us because my Bridal portraits were on Sunday morning. We spent Saturday together shopping for the Mother of the Bride outfit, and we found it, my mom is going to look great. We did a little extra shopping for Tay and then my mother treated us all to Olive Garden. I really have the best mother EVER!

That evening we just went back home and relaxed because we had to be up bright and early for pictures. So Tay made cookies and we watched a movie, very relaxing!

So Sunday is here and what an adventure it was! This was my lovely Bridal Portrait Bouquet....

I took my portraits at a newer park in Austin, and I didn't really know what to expect. Wow, what an event. We got up really early Sunday, and let me tell you it is super hard to get into a wedding dress in the middle of a park parking lot. But after I was in, lol, we were ready to take picks. It was so hard walking a majority of the park, trying not to get the dress dirty, beating the sun so the picks would be great and my makeup still on, trying to make sure my hair wasn't blowing in my face. It really was a crazy day! But I trust my photographer and I know I will love my bridal portrait! I am just glad it is over. My mom on the other hand will probably not allow another daughter to take an outside shot again, sorry sisters, I guess it is one benefit of being the oldest.

So that afternoon we were pretty worn out and I am kinda glad it is Monday and back to work, for relaxation. I really enjoyed getting to spend time with the family and I appreciate them always being here for me more than they know! You keep me calm at a time where it is anything but!

I hope everyone had a beautiful weekend, Until next time. Ces.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

I only have words...

I think my body is still recovering from this past weekend. For any of my fellow friends who have planned a wedding, you will understand what I mean. This past week was nothing but preparation for the big mail out, yes that is right, invitations are out. I am so fortunate to have such a close and large family. Friday night consisted of my mom, Tay, Heather and me spread out in the living room assembly invitations. Tay was in charge of RSVP's and stamps, great job Tay! After the last set off 100's, yes that is right, HUNDREDS, lol, Heather had a great idea. We forgot return address labels for the main envelopes, so at 11:30 at night what to do? We all got in the car and headed to Marble Falls to pick up labels, we didn't get back till 2 am and then I stayed up with Kelsey till 3am. Who thought that was a good idea?

Saturday was the address and stuff day. We all met at my Aunt Lydia's house and started the process. Can I say how smooth it went, I am a firm believer that if you put in enough time planning the overall process will be shorter and more relaxing and enjoyable. Well it went amazing, I had everything organized in groups of 50 and everyone had a role. I think we got it done in less than 3 hours.

I had a great team. My Aunt Lydia, my mom and I all wrote. Michelle and Aunt Emma stuffed and sealed and my Grandma Marie stamped. Heather did her nice return address labels and tay was the IT and invitation list person. Because all the prep work was done, it really was a good time just getting to hang out and catch up, because it definitely had been awhile. Thank you family again, for being so amazing and supportive during this crazy time.

Yes I did have a few moments this weekend when I thought I might go Bridezilla, but I try to catch myself, sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't. I apologize now and know if I explode it is because I love you and I am so close to you that I know once all this craziness is over, you will still love me....

So even though I have gotten alot of the important things out of the way, I am still all nervous and jittery, more so know than in the beginning! I am so ready for this day, and the chance for Adolfo and I to truly start our lives together and husband and wife. Even though there is minimal that I can do these days until it gets closer, I can not sleep and my head hurts. I try to sleep but I think I am so ansy inside that I am working myself overload.

So that my state of being these days, all hyped up! I take bridal portraits this weekend, so I am getting my final fitting Wednesday, a haircut Thursday, and my portrait bouquet on Friday. And it is less than a month and a 1/2 until the big day.

Thanks for letting me share. Until next time, I'm going to breathe and calm down. Ces.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

It made my night....

After work last night I stopped by HEB to wrap up my grocery shopping for the week. A couple months back Claudia had purchased my mother and I a few "Green" HEB bags and have been in my trunk ever since she gave them to me. It really had been awhile since we had gone to HEB or really grocery shopped, its been busy. So last night was by first opportunity to bust them out, and I LOVE THEM, no more paper or plastic, I have been converted!


I live on the third floor, in case you might not know, and grocery shopping time is not the most pleasant time. Sure I love strolling in the store with Adolfo, but I hate loading and unloading. Well, last night it all changed! What usually would have been about 7-8 loads of groceries were condensed into 3 Green Bags! Instead of loading up my arms to only make one trip, I was able to put all three bags on my shoulders and only make one trip. I couldn't believe how big they were.

So, in an effort to make your HEB experience just as enjoyable as mine, or any store in fact. I highly recommend the cloth grocery bag. At HEB, each bag is $.99 plus tax. $.05 of each bag goes to a HEB/Keep Texas Beautiful Recycling Grant Program. The funds will be distributed to recycling programs to enhance activities. So join me in doing our little part in making our world a better place and go by some bags!

Until next time, Ces.

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Engagement photos by Mary Sledd....

First off, if you ever need any type of pictures done, our photographer is Mary Sledd out of Austin and she is amazing! Two weekends ago Adolfo and I scheduled our engagement photos. What an experience! I have taken many photos in my day, but man you can not even imagine. These were on the spot and so much fun, we have over a hundred photos to go through and see what we love, really you only need one favorite. I will share a couple with you and tell you a little story. I am only going to share some, all our favorites you will see at the wedding or when you are with me....but here are a few...

We started at 10am in the morning, the time just flew by, and we barely got there in time. Adolfo had an amazing idea to take them in Johnson City and they were awesome. We truly have the love of the Hill Country in our hearts.

This was our final picture of the session. I was so happy to get to take this one because I love these chairs! When I was little my Grandpa Leon had chairs just like these, well metal and not with all the fancy colors, and he would sit outside all day and garden and watch the birds and traffic, each time I see them I think of him and his peaceful hours enjoying the country. So much of who Adolfo is reminds me of him and it was only appropriate to take a picture in the chairs.....



This pictures is one of my favorites, it was such a challenge to look comfortable on the moving fence and Adolfo was the only thing supporting us and keeping us up! But I love it, this is where Adolfo and I go running when we are in JC....

Mary told us to copy the clowns face, all I could thing of when I saw this was SING SONG FACES, lol....Got to love all the crazy little things at the old Feed Mill...

OMG! Can I tell you how hard it is to get a serious kissy picture, lol. One it is only the both of you and the photographer, and you are just told KISS. It's the hardest thing to do. I mean is it eyes open, eyes closed. And I couldn't stop smiling. So I thought I would share one of the many attempts. I am trying not to smile, and Adolfo looks like he is about to suck in my whole face, lol...fun times.

It alot of our photos she did an amazing job of just capturing us. But in so many we were laughing, what were we laughing at? We can't remember.


We took alot of pictures in our hour together and I can't wait to display them, We love them, they truly are US! I am so thankful we got through the session because 1) it was HOT and 2) My contacts gave out. I am so glad that I was able to get through the pics because right after the shoot I through them away. Hits the glasses in the last post. Since it was so hot we decided to wear light colors, but I could not find a yellow shirt and Adolfo could not find blue. That is why we are in Yellow and Blue, but I really love it and think it worked out great. Hope you love them and I will share more later, I don't want to ruin all the fun by letting them out! Until next time. Love Ces~

Sunday, July 06, 2008

In the past week....

So not alot of activity on the blog this past week, but there was definitely been activity in our life! Last weekend Adolfo and I took our engagement photos and then had to meet with the priest to confirm our wedding schedule. I will share our engagement photo story a little later in another post.

But, the day we took our photos my contacts were hurting my eyes, that's about how long they lasted because this is us after the shoot and I have been in my glasses ever since until I can get in to see my eye doctor. I hate glasses!

Here I am in my HOT glasses waiting for the priest, the first 15 minutes, Tic Toc....


Here is my handsome fiance waiting for the priest, 15 more minutes later....


Finally, we get to see him and he tells us he needs more information, and to just contact him later. Its driving me NUTS! Last week however was a really great time. My family came to stay with Adolfo and I for a whole week for my Tay's orientation at UT. My Dad stayed one night for the Parent's orientation and my mom and Tay stayed till Thursday. It was so crazy, but Tay has mastered her way around the campus. My mom and I mastered 21st and Speedway, there is a cozy table and that is where we met her each day. I had a wonderful time just hanging out with them and I love it when they stay with me. Adolfo grilled burgers for us one night, we got free pizza another night, and then it was time for my family to go home. Tay got a great schedule and is all set up to start this Fall! Of course, my mom loves to get us presents, so to say Thank You they bought us our official UT football T-shirts. If you know us then you know that during football season, Adolfo and my attire consist of jeans and a UT shirt! We were so excited! Tay also got me this sweet "Someone at the University of Texas loves me" t-shirt.

Tay was not in the mood for pics this week, lol, but I got one of her walking to the Natural Science building, this is the place that will soon be her second home....


So little sister, I am so excited about your new journey it will be challenging but it will be tons of fun. Don't be afraid to push yourself because we are always going to be here to encourage and help you. The rest of my week included training in San Antonio, good times.

Adolfo and I just got back this evening from a great 3 day weekend. Friday we had so much fun hanging out with family laughing and dancing and just celebrating the 4th of July. On Saturday, Adolfo hung out with my family on the lake, he had a little time to fish as well. I on the other hand focused on the wedding. My sister Claudia came in for the day so we just got some things done. It is overwhelming how fast time is going by, I never thought I would want this day to be over, but I am ready to be Mrs. Castro and look back and say wow we did it! Today my my family, Adolfo and I just chilled around the pool. I chilled with baby Kaden and the family played an intense game of water volleyball. It was a nice time to wind down and get ready for the work week. Engagement pics will be up soon..To Be continued.

I hoped everyone had some great time off enjoying love ones and being outside. Until next time. Ces~