Vacation with the Sola Family - sort of...

About a month ago, I went to Colorado to visit Kristy and her adorable family. Her husband JJ was scheduled to be deployed the day after I arrived. To make things even crazier, her two boys were sick and her 2 month old daughter, Taytum, was really sick with RSV and was in the hospital. From the moment I stepped off the plane, things were hectic! I spent the first night at the hospital so that Kristy could enjoy her last night with her hubby and her two little boys. It was so sad to see Taytum hooked up to a breathing machine and laying on a hospital bed. She is so little! The following morning, JJ had to say his goodbyes. It was an emotional morning - to say the least!

Kristy and I didn’t get to hang out much the first two days since we had to take turns being at the hospital with Taytum and being at the house with the boys. I would make the boys lunch and put them down for a nap while Kristy stayed with Taytum at the hospital. Then I would watch Taytum while she went home to make the boys dinner and put them to bed. Then we would switch – she would sleep at the hospital while I slept at the house. Then the next day, we would start over again. Sheesh! I’m getting tired just thinking about it…. The day after JJ left, we were fortunate enough to bring Taytum home from the hospital. She had to be hooked up to an oxygen tank but at least we could all be together at the house. It was so nice to finally take showers and eat something other than cafeteria food! We spent a lot of time just playing with the boys and watching TV with them. I think I memorized a few episodes of Dora the Explorer thanks to Braylon. We had so much fun just talking and spending time together. Oooohh and we snuck in a few trips to Sonic to get cherry lime-aids!

As crazy and emotional as this trip was, I was so glad I could be there for Kristy and her family during such a difficult time. I can’t imagine what it must be like to have your husband leave for a year when you have three kids under the age of 3. But if anyone can do it, it’s Kristy! She’s such an amazing mom and wife. I have learned a lot from her over the past few years as I’ve watched Kristy raise her kids. She loves those kids more than anything and you can tell by watching them together, that they love her too! Oh and let’s not forget JJ – what he’s doing for his family and his country is amazing! Even though the kids are too little to know what’s going on, they will one day know how amazing and selfless their daddy is and how blessed they are to have such a wonderful role model.

Kristy - Thanks for letting me join in on the craziness for the week! I know it was hectic but it was still fun hanging with you and your precious family. I love you guys to pieces and will continue to pray for all of you! I look forward to hanging out with you while you are in California.

Love,
Monkey

{I’ll leave out the part where I got sick with the flu and was glued to the couch for an entire day. Oh and the part where my flight from Dallas back to Orange County was cancelled and I had to be re-routed to LAX where I arrived at 1:00am. Oh and the part where I had no luggage because it got lost in translation and didn’t arrive until the next day and I had to miss another day of work – but it was still worth every penny!}

Administrative Professional's Day

Today is Administrative Professionals Day and almost my 4 year anniversary with CresaPartners. I have had several different bosses since I have first started this job and most recently I have come to love the guys I work for. Matt and Wes are two of the 6 guys I work for and they are constantly making me laugh - even when they are teasing me. Usually it is about them thinking I am pregnant. Anytime I am not feeling well, they think its because I have morning sickness. They are constantly asking what names I am thinking of or when my due date is. I don't know how long ago this joke started and I don't know why they get such a kick out of it. I don't think a week goes by that they don't bring it up. So for Admin appreciation day, I got cookies from one of my guys and a Nordstroms gift card from another. What do I get from Wes and Matt? A flower arrangement with the following note:

They said they tried to get me an "It's a Boy" balloon but they were all out. Thanks guys... I definitely feel the love....
{P.S. Next time you decide to tease me, at least spell "Congratulations" the right way...idiots.}

Kimberly Conners Events

This has been a long time coming but I finally finished my new blog for Kimberly Conners Events. You can check it out at http://www.kimberlyconnersevents.com/blog. I am still working on my website but it should be done soon - so keep checking back! Also, I love reading your comments so if you have something to say - please say it! :)

For those of you who don't know, I have started my own wedding and event coordinating company. I have been working as a coordinator for the past 3 years. I started as an assistant for Charming Events, working for Michelle Tortuya. We worked on over 20 weddings together at many different venues. I learned so much from her and she helped me build the confidence I needed to go on my own.

I absolutely love my job and I feel like I was meant to do this! I love getting referrals from friends and family so if you know someone who is getting married or throwing a shower or big birthday bash, please send them my way! I would be super grateful!

{Thanks for all your support!}

Quote of the Day...

{"God bless husbands, with decorating obsessed wives!"}

While browsing a favorite blog of mine, I came across this quote by Shelley Smith of House of Smiths. I laughed out loud because Andrew is always giving me a hard time about how obsessed I am with decorating! I am always looking through design magazines and browsing blogs to come up with new ideas to decorate our apartment or new ideas for DIY projects. Oh - and did you catch that? I said Apartment!! Lord knows when we finally make the big move to an actual house, he is going to experience a whole new level of obsessed!

Does this quote come stitched on a pillow somewhere? Because....I would order it. Seriously!

And while we are on the subject, here are a few pictures I recently found for inspiration/ideas on how to use my favorite color - blue - in a kicthen!

{Beautiful backsplash}

{Love this island!}

{Love the ideas of colored cabinets - just not with this flooring}

I'm so excited!

Tonight I met with Libby, who contacted me a few weeks ago about her upcoming wedding on May 22nd, at Talega Golf Club in San Clemente. She brought along her mom and her fiance, Chris - who gets major points for coming to the meeting (it's not often I get to meet the groom at the first meeting). We discussed her wedding details and I can honestly say that I am so excited about this wedding! When Libby mentioned her idea to do a candy buffet - I knew we were meant to work together! I also was stoked to learn that she had booked my favorite florist - Aly with The Vine's Leaf. Aly and I have worked on several weddings together and I can't wait to see the amazing flowers she picks for this one. I don't want to give to much away but I can say this - the bridal party is HUGE! They have 10 bridesmaids and 11 groomsmen , which can only mean one thing - a kick butt party at the reception!

Libby - Thanks for trusting me with your big day! Oh and did I mentioned that I am excited?

{Also, a big thanks to Cristina, my brother's girlfriend (and one of my good friends) for referring Libby to me.}

(image courtesy of flicker)

Briana & Chuck - March 6, 2010

“Dear God…Please don’t make it rain today so that Briana and Chuck can have a beautiful wedding ceremony outside. Thank you.”

That was my first thought when I woke up on Saturday, March 6th. I knew that the weather called for a 90% chance of rain but I thought I’d pray one last time. As I made by way up to the Doubletree, San Pedro, it seemed like the weather, and God, were going to cooperate. I had been looking forward to this wedding for a long time!

Briana and I first met 4 years ago when I started my job at CresaPartners. When she asked me to help her coordinate her wedding, I couldn't have been more excited! Our first major planning decision was her wedding colors – Tiffany Blue and Red! I have to admit that I got a lot of strange looks when telling people about these colors. “Just wait!” I would tell them. “It’s going to be awesome!” Briana has such a free spirit about her and this wedding was a true reflection of her personality. She chose to incorporate love birds as part of the wedding design – from the save-the-date cards and invitations to the table numbers and seating chart – no detail was left unplanned. She chose white chair covers with Tiffany blue organza sashes. She also chose to do a candy buffet as the favors. Her sister-in-law, Tara, did an amazing job putting it all together!

Unfortunately, no amount of praying kept the rain away that evening and we had to move the ceremony inside. We were so bummed that we couldn't have it outside like we had planned. However, when I saw the faces of the guests as they walked into the reception room, I was floored! People kept saying how stunning the room looked and how much they loved the colors together. The up-lighting, the amazing centerpieces, and the beautiful gobo-light helped make the room come alive. It was just how Briana had envisioned it! The rest of the night was filled with heartfelt toasts, yummy food and some hilarious dancing! It was so awesome to watch two people, who were so obviously meant for each other, celebrate their wedding. They both have such wonderful families and friends and there was no shortage of laughter and hugs as they celebrated their two families coming together.

Briana and Chuck - You two definitely know how to party! Thank you so much for letting me be a part of your special day! I wish you both nothing but the best as husband and wife!

{Thanks to the following vendors for your amazing work!}

Aly Morford, The Vines Leaf
Joe Rosenberger, Today's the Day Weddings
Joseph, Invisible Touch
Susan Sabo, Susan Sabo Photography
Laura Lovato, Doubletree, San Pedro
Donna Badger-Nell, Invitations Unlimited
Von Stegall, DVS Mobile DJ Service
Nevada Prewitt, Officiant

Pictures to be posted soon...

In the mean time, the beautiful bride.

I'm in Love...

So this morning, I was checking my usual favorite blogs, when I stumbled upon this post. I am absolutely in LOVE with these roman shades! Aren't they amazing? I can just picture them in my dining room. I already have blue as the main color in my house so I think these would be perfect! I think I just found my next DIY project. Now I just need to start hunting for this fabric....