New Title. Same Blog. Same Me!

Hello!  I wanted to share some of my favorite photos from our wedding which took place on June 25th!  We had an amazing photographer (Sarah Maren Photography); she has an eye for creativity :)  Sarah teams with her husband to create beautiful photos! 

I would also like to mention that my blog will now be titled Narrations of a Newlywed.  I would like to document the comical and ordinary events that the hubs and I experience together.  I need to get my inspiration back.  I miss blogging.  I miss reading your captivating and motivating words!  Here's to new beginnings :)

Getting ready.  I am SO obsessed with my iPhone.  Even on my BIG day!

My lovely bridesmaids!

Flower girls.  I adore their flower arrangements!

Beer drinking ladies.

Love the colors!

Our first meeting.  We decided to break tradition and have a groom/bride viewing.  The hubs was too adorable :)

The photographer took us to this abandoned property.  I love the feel of the field! 



Smooches!

Classic Ian.

Groomsmen plus an usher.

The bridal party.

We are excited to start the reception! 

The venue: The Croatian American Cultural Center

Center Pieces

For the representation of unity, Ian and I wrote love letters to one another on reasons why we love each other.  We are to open the letters on our one year anniversary.

The Rings.

Last Night's Dream

The things that we have will "outlive" us in our lifetime and continue to be in existence generations after.  Our legacy will live on within these objects.  When someone touches these objects, will they remember your life?

This thought was sparked by a dream that I had last night.  I dreamt of my Nana Moi last night who passed away in 2007.  In the dream we were at an outside fair.  She was sitting at a round table with her girlfriends; they were drinking water and tea from clear glasses and stone mugs.  Nana Moi asked to see that I was wearing her diamond ring that was passed down to me.  She also asked if I like wearing the ring.  She smiled.

I awoke feeling a sense of sadness...a longing for my grandmother.  She was an extraordinary woman who had many life lessons and stories to tell.  During World War II she worked as a telephone operator and a large truck transporter.  Nana Moi was as tough as nails.  Her husband was a combat photographer in WWII and a police officer for the Santa Monica PD.  Together they raised two boys - one being my father.  After losing her husband in 1983 to lung cancer, she was determined to live her life to the fullest.  She stayed busy by joining clubs, volunteering at the thrift store (which raised money for sick children), and traveled the world. 

Unfortunately in 2001, a rare disease determined the fate of her final existence.  This disease imprisoned her.  She lost her ability to see clearly.  She was unable to communicate or walk due to her weakened muscles.  Her memory began to falter.  There were moments where she thought that her house was not her home that she had been dwelling in for over forty years.  She was just a visitor.  January 2007 was a terrible start to the new year for we forever lost an amazing woman.

I look at the ring and the many other cherished objects that I have inherited and recall the special times that Nana Moi had given to the family.  I think of the type of person that I would like to grow to be someday.  An object is more than matter.  An object is a physical reminder of the existence of love and life. 

Domesticated Diva

Time is flying as a married gal!  Can you believe it has been one month since Ian and I tied the knot :)  (Photos will be posted soon!)  I now earn the title "Domesticated Diva". 

Don't get me wrong.  I am thoroughly enjoying every waking moment of my newly domesticated life.  I have swapped my Coach purses and love for new clothes with my new found adoration of kitchenware and cleaning products.  My  new scent is Pinesol!

I do not want to forget these newly required June Cleaver moments...so I have decided to document my experiences as a newlywed.  Maybe then, I will not take my acquired title for granted.  Perhaps I can even swap advice from my fellow bloggers!

My New Obsession: Crate and Barrel

I am probably the last one on the planet to discover Crate and Barrel!  Really,  I truly believe this!  A few weeks ago I started my registry with C&B...thanks to a recommendation from a friend of mine.  Her sister raves about their kitchen accessories and home decor; she is currently registered there as well.  I have also heard through the grapevine that C&B was a popular place to register.  So I thought, why not?!  You only register once.

I immediately stepped into the store and was engulfed with hues of orange, yellow, and green!  My spirits were instantly uplifted; I felt like I stepped right into a chic home catalogue.  My eyes were unable to track the plush pillows, the magnificent mixing bowls, the delightful dinnerware.  I was gaga over the garden accessories.  Secretly in my mind, I was dancing to the upbeat melody of the Caribbean music that was playing throughout the store.

Here are a few of my favorite items on my registry.

  What has been your experience with Crate and Barrel?  Good?  Bad? 


Thanks for Reading!

Hello Again!

My my it has been much too long since I have last posted a blog.  I let the sands of time slip through my fingers once again.  Much has changed since the last time I have written.  I am getting married in just three short months! 

I have been knocking things off of the endless wedding checklist these past few months.  I just need to find invitations and a florist :) I am currently looking for houses in the Sacramento area.  Actually, the experience has been quite pleasant and entertaining!  I have found many houses that fall into my price range and expectations.  What I really desire is a big kitchen! 

Here are some photos from my e-session with the wonderful Sarah Maren.  She is an AMAZING photographer based in the Sacramento Area.  We had a great time with the photo shoot despite the frigid, bleak weather :)

 

Oh Kids!

Snow White and Ariel from my Preschool Class

Ah! I have been revived from the dead! It is amazing to me the power of antibiotics. Just a few simple doses and I feel like a brand new Jenny. I’m not usually one to over medicate the symptoms, but I had to rid of this flu; I have been missing too many days of work. Let’s knock on wood and hope that I do not encounter the dreaded flu again (for at least a few years)! Though that may be nearly impossible considering I work in a pre-k classroom full of booger-nosed rug rats! (I truly mean that in a good way.)

Everything they touch, I touch. The children are still learning the acceptable way to be “healthy”. We teach them to cough or sneeze into their arm and to clean up after themselves. Sometimes, I will catch a younger one placing dinosaur tails or fake food into their mouth! It’s very comical to teach them to “pretend eat”. (They probably think I am crazy!) Last week, a boy had picked his nose and proudly displayed his gooey goldmine on his finger. I had to contain myself and grab a tissue for him.

There are two twins in my class. Let’s just say that they have a brotherly love/hate relationship. I found a few boogies on one of the brother’s back. Gross!

So as you can tell germs spread quite freely in the classroom where I work. This time I will be ON GUARD!

Happy Halloween Eve

So what is everyone doing this Halloween weekend?  Any special plans?  Unfortunately I am down with the flu so I am unable to celebrate the festivities.  There are only two good reasons for the flu: guilt-free nine hour Lord of the Rings trilogy and the ability to lose those extra five pounds.  That's it though.  Whatever you have planned, have a safe and Happy Halloween kiddos :)  At least I was able to celebrate somewhat last week before the flu took over my existence!  Arrrrgh mateys :)

During my lazy, bedridden moments these past few days, I have discovered an awesome app for my iPhone!  (This one's for you my fellow iPhone lovers!)  It's called Instagram.  Instagram allows you to snap photos and share them with your friends from all around the world.  It reminds me of Twitter, but rather you update your friends with creative photos of your day.  The app even has built-in filters to transform your blah photos into something quite artsy.  I like Instagram because it is creative and quick to use.  Check it out!

Has it really been seven months?

Whew...I have neglected my poor blogspot for far too long.  The guilt is finally eating away at my soul!  There's no excuse except for pure laziness and lack of motivation.  That's it!  How is everyone these days?  Anything new? 

I have been a busy gal these past few months.  I finally have a teaching job - though it is not exactly what I had in mind.  I'm currently teaching preschool fulltime to a bunch of fun-loving, booger-picking rugrats!  The days are filled with whimsical songs, finger paint, read-alouds, and letters galore.  The kiddos keep me on my toes and they surprise me with the amount of knowledge that they have learned in just a few months.  We have our challenges, but I must remember that this is the time and place where they learn fundamentals.  Plus...how can you not laugh when one of your children says, "When I go to the doctors, I get a shot to make my boogers go away."  Adorable :)

I proimse you that I have NOT been a Bridezilla during my wedding planning!  I have been keeping a cool head and of course it has helped to have a year and a half engagement.  I'm getting married in eight months (finally)!  Here's what I have completed so far:

• Wedding Ceremony and Reception Site - Croatian American Cultural Center
• The Dress - Alfred Angelo
• Photographer - Sarah Maren Photography        
• The Guest List
• Bridesmaid Dresses - David's Bridal

I need to get motivated and book an officiant, create save-the-date cards, research a florist, find a cake baker, and research honeymoons within the next few weeks :)  Then...I can breathe!

As stated in my New Year's Resolutions, my goal was to start the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) program at my local Catholic church.  I am proud to say that I have been attending classes regularly since March and I am loving every minute of it!  I am learning a wealth of knowledge about the Catholic history and ideology and about my own faith.  Every Sunday, I am reminded why I chose this path for myself and I couldn't be happier.

Well...that's what I have been up to the last few month.  Yeah, it is still not an excuse for my absence.  I missed you and your lovely blog posts :) 

Now I'm off to watch Jack Ass III in 2D.  I love watching silly people do silly things that I am too afraid to attempt.  Bye for now friends.