The Dinner Party

Last night we went to Stephanie and Seth's for a dinner party in our honor. IT. WAS. AMAZING. They truly outdid themselves from the food to the ambiance to the fantastic decor - it was all just perfect. Patrick told me I was only allowed to take 4 photos at the party but I think I may have surpassed my limit. I had to take photos of everything bc it was really so beautiful.

On our way to Steph and Seth's we first stopped by Fiesta grocery store. My sweet friend Mackay had told me they had cheap prayer candles and since we need 9 million for our wedding, I recruited Patrick to help me in one of my many trips to Fiesta. (They won't special order.) As luck would have it, there were 68 white candles in stock. I thought we'd get there to find only a dozen, so I was more than thrilled. I squealed once I saw how many were on the shelf and a man standing nearby started to act interested, so I had to act fast and block him with our shopping cart. Then we got to work loading all 68 of 'em in our cart. And that was just a sliver compared to the candles galore on that aisle. I snapped a few photos while we were in action so you can see.

After we left Fiesta, we were on our way to Steph and Seth's for food, fun and friends. We got there and Steph showed off her new curtains which she made. (Note to self: put friend to work at my house.) She was just finishing up with her appetizers when she lead me outside to see her "surprise." Um, yea. As I stepped outside, I saw the most amazing set up. Dinner was being served on the lawn! She and Seth have a large back yard which is perfect for entertaining. They set up a table near a large tree on the lawn for us to have dinner outside. Seth wrapped the tree in twinkle lights and Steph and Mackay created such a beautiful tablescape. They placed 4 large hurricanes with a variety of gords, field corn and mini pumpkins lining the center of the table. Of course, there were candles galore so it really was like a fairy land. The table linens were actually a friend's family quilts. I think we should have been in the Marta Stewart magazine bc it was so Martha!

Of course, dinner was delish. In honor of the Italian, we had Seth's famous baked ziti (also served at my birthday party), salad and peppers and sausage. Seriously, we gorged ourselves with food and wine. It was so perfect to sit outside and enjoy the great weather and each other. For dessert, Mackay brought out a tray of cookies made by a friend of ours, Kim. Hello talented. She made the cookies in the shape of leaves (I love themes) and iced each with our monogram: SMP. AHHH! They were too cute. And, she also packaged a few for favors.

It was truly the most fantastic evening. We can't thank Steph and Seth and Mackay for their generosity and talent. Here are a few more photos from our evening.

Here's a cute photo of the boys: Seth, Ryan and Patrick

Cocktail hour before dinner

Mackay and George

Steph, Rae, Liza and Me

Sarah with the hostess with the mostess times 2

Sarah and Patrick

Our Engagement Photos!

A couple of weeks ago, Patrick and I loaded up and headed North to Tulsa, Oklahoma to have our engagement photos done...finally! We were waiting for the weather to get a little "cooler" and by cooler, I mean around 90 degrees so we wouldn't melt! We have really great photographers who own TulsaPix Photography - Delena and Brant Pitchford. They are so amazing to work with and know just what we need! Delena sent me the proofs to view online and they're so beautiful. They are really just so talented.

She's also working on our fancy schmancy guest book. It's going to be so fun. It's a navy leather-bound book which will feature 10 - 13 of our favorite photos from the session. Each photo will basically represent a page of the book with the opposite page acting as the signature page. And the front cover will have a small window of a photo of us with our names and wedding date embossed/stamped into the leather. I'm so excited! Delena's working on the layout now and once we get it all set, she'll send it off to be made.

It was so hard to narrow down the photos bc we really loved so, so many of them. But I think we did a great job narrowing the selection and I can't wait for everyone to see it. That night, Monday Night Football debuted and I had told Mr. Patrick that I would make him a special "man dinner" since he was SUCH a good sport the day before as he trekked across the state line for photos...on the first weekend of football! So, I bought hot dogs (approved by the AHA), potato salad and beer while Patrick pulled the tv and laptop outside. The weather was absoluely gorgeous upon gorgeous and it was so fun as he watched football and offered his opinion during timeouts. It was so fun to hear which ones he liked best. And it was also the coolest feeling knowing that we are getting married and are picking the photos we like best after our first, real photo session as a couple. Ah, life is good.

Here are a few favorites:

It's Official!

Patrick and I are officially compatible! =) We recently took a compatibility test of about 200 questions at our church - Mary Immaculate. It's part of our pre-marital counseling that we're participating in during our engagement. (In December, we're going to Engaged Encounter which is a weekend retreat for engaged couples here in Dallas.) Back to the compatibility test. So, we scored in the 90th percentile and are "leaps and bounds" ahead of most engaged couples in terms of communication and compatibility, according to Priscilla, the Family Life Minister and our fearless leader at the church. (We officially joined Mary Immaculate and now need to stay in town one weekend or get our lazy selves out of bed on Sundays to start going regularly. It's a really wonderful parish and both Patrick and I love it.)

I sent our parents an email the day we got our results back that said we were official now and could get married. haha. Well, Patrick's Dad replied with such an amazing note. I printed it out and will save it forever. One of my favorite lines he wrote is: "My prayers for you are almost soley directed at God helping you with long-term patience and love for each other. You will have no more statisfying moments in your life than when you get to your later years and look back together at all the events and accomplishments and trials of your life that you lived together." And that basically sums up how I feel about this journey Patrick and I have emabarked upon. It's so exciting - and scary at the same time - but I know that Patrick and I can do it.

Sunday Fun Day

We had such a great time yesterday afternoon with my brother, Stephen, and his girlfriend Juli. They took us to a Rangers game and we had such great seats. The weather was absolutely perfect and with bellies full of beer and hot dogs, we were happy campers!



After the game, I headed to Michael's to pick up some ribbon I had ordered for our WEDDING. Hello project! My mom and her sorority friends are going to tie all of our favor boxes for the wedding! Thank you Mama Julie and ladies. As soon as the boxes come in, I'll take a picture of a sample favor and post it. They're small, white square boxes which will be tied with a navy satin ribbon! We are carrying on the Italian tradition that both my mom and Nonni had at their weddings - each favor will have 5 white jordan almonds tied up in tulle - hopefully my mom's veil if we can find it! The 5 jordan almonds represent the union of bitter and sweet in marriage and the five wedding wishes: health, wealth, happiness, fertility and longevity.

Guess Who's Back in Town?!

This weekend was so great to have one of my sweet friends Kerri back in the big D! She moved to California a few years ago, so it's always so great to have her in town for a visit. On Friday, Kerri and two of our other girlfriends, Amy and Ashley, ate at Shin Sei for a little sushi, vino and gossip! We had a ball. Afterwards, I headed home bc I had an event early, early the next morning but I hear the girls had a great time at the TOT. A little sidenote: Ashley and her sister just opened Hemline, this darling dress boutique off of Lovers.

On Saturday night, we all went out to dinner at Villa-O and had the most yummy food. Kerri's boyfriend, Mark, was in town for a meeting, so I got to meet him and what a doll he is. We feasted on food and wine and then headed to Uptown Bar and Grill for some karaoke. Um, right. Apparently we didn't get the memo that we're old. Even Patrick said that he felt ancient. Every person in there was either a current student at TCU or SMU. And, we didn't realize that it was game day and SMU parents weekend...or that Uptown Bar and Grill is now the local college hangout. Nonetheless, we had tons of fun and I cried when Patrick and I left.

Kerri was on an eaaarly Sunday am flight, so I had to say goodbye on Saturday.

We always have a fabulous time together and last weekend was no different. Thanks for the fun, Sweet Kerrs.

Our Story

Patrick and I met two and half years ago at my birthday party. He came with our good friends Stephanie and Seth and three weeks later, we started dating. I like to say that we practically got married on our first date bc we were inseparable from day one. On day 3, my mom had come to the big D to visit me for the week and Patrick took us to dinner at Patrizio's. Apparently mom does know best, bc she claims to have known at dinner that she'd just met my future husband. Thankfully I didn't know this until she told me after Patrick proposed otherwise it would have been a very long 2 years!

If you're reading this and have ever met me, you'll know that I've always believed that God was planning the perfect time to introduce Patrick and me. (I say it wasn't a moment too soon!) I am so thankful for the faith that we both had in Him and in each other to wait for the right introduction.

We've had a whirlwind of 2 years and it's been so amazing. I am truly blessed to have found such a keeper. I'm famous for my lists of 'reasons why I love you' so in a post to come, I'll offer up Patrick's but for now, here are my top 5:
1. his selfless heart
2. his kind words
3. his love for our puppies
4. our constant laughs
5. his dedication to us

I'm so excited to share our adventures of planning a wedding and all that makes up who we are. I think Patrick might be glad that I've found something to keep me entertained for awhile! Our wedding is February 21, 2009 in my hometown of Ponca City, Oklahoma. Stay tuned for lots more about the big day.