My boyfriend.....the Firefighter....

Alright...so, since I forgot my Cabo picture CD at home this morning (and because it seems that most of you are more interested in hearing about my new love), I will fill you in on this new and WONDERFUL relationship of mine!!!

To really get the whole picture, I should start out at the very beginning....

"I once was a little girl growing up in.....HUH? What? Oh...ok, let's fast forward a little bit ahead..."

So, my best friend Tracey tells me a few months back that she has reconnected with her junior high boyfriend on Facebook (amazing the people you can find on that network!) This guy was her first kiss and everything! They go on a few dates and both realize very quickly that they are totally into one another....(very cool)

Tracey's birthday was in June and she invites "newbie boyfriend" to her birthday party. Little did I know that he would bring his brother....TWIN brother (fraternal, not identical). Well, it didn't take long before the sparks started flying between me and the brother...We just hit it off right away and talked and talked and talked ALL night that night! Here are some pics of the first night we met...(I had posted these a while back, but without this story..hehe)





Here's a pic of me with both brothers...As you can tell, they look nothing alike...


We were just drawn to one another after that night. We went out the following Tuesday...and Friday...and Saturday...and every other day we could see each other. He is everything I've ever looked for in a man. He is kind, honest, intelligent, witty, loyal, strong (in mind AND body!) and of course...TOTALLY ADORABLY HANDSOME!!!

We all went out for 4th of July fireworks...

Mike, me, Tracey and Mark (you can see he's about a foot taller than me..haha)


I just love staring into those beautiful eyes...



We went to his parent's house on July 4th and I met the whole family! It was such a treat! His parents are INCREDIBLE and I really look forward to spending more time with them...

Here we are swimming with two of his nieces...


After hanging out at his parent's house for a while, we headed over to my parent's house to celebrate and cookout...

My dad was joking that he makes our whole family look like midgets....Here we are with Me-ma and Dad-dad...



Out by the pond...


We had a great time and my parents LOVE him! They are both very happy for us and look forward to what the future holds... ;)


Since his birthday was last weekend, I decided to make him dinner and have a little "Birthday Fiesta" for him. I made him a yummy dinner and strawberry cake and had fun watching him open his presents.




We had an amazing time...really spectacular...

We just make each other smile every time we look at one another...It's such a special thing...


Oh...and did I mention...HE'S A FIREFIGHTER!!!

He's my hero....and I love him...and he loves me...

To Do Tuesday

Umm....I dunno....perhaps.....UPDATE MY BLOG....

I'll get right on that peeps! Hopefully, I'll have a nice, long, pic-filled post for you by tomorrow!!!

Now, now.....Calm down....I'm right here....

Alright...I know, I know...I've been a bad bloggy friend lately....

But, going on an 8 day vacation and then heading back to work to play "catch up" is quite daunting! That's all that I've been doing this week, so I apologize for still not posting about my trip...but, I will MAKE time this weekend to fill you all in!

AND...not only have I been busy at work, but it's my boyfriend's birthday this weekend (yep...you heard that right...my BOYFRIEND) and I have planned a special night for him!!!

So, I've been busy prepping for that as well...

Fear not, my sweeties...I will be back with a bloggy vengeance once everything settles down....then, you'll be telling me to shut it! :)

Home Again, Home Again....Jiggity Jig

I know that all of you out there just can't WAIT to see all of my amazing pictures and hear all of the FABULOUS stories about my trip to Cabo (haha...I really DO live in Summer World)

Unfortunately...I am SOO busy catching up at work and home that it will just have to wait a bit longer...(please don't cry...)

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend, and I DO promise to blog about my adventures VERY soon!

Love you!

Cabo Checklist....

So, I guess I can sometimes be a bit too organized...but, come on now...Better to be prepared, right??? Here is my fun little checklist for my trip....

Things to do before leaving:
· ____Put Pinesol in toilet and pour a little in the drains.
· ____Turn off AC
· ____Make sure all appliances are turned off/unplugged and fridge/freezer doors are closed
· ____All doors locked, blinds closed
· ____Put computer and all other valuables out of site
· ____Check flights to make sure no delays
· ____Take out trash
· ____Throw away food in fridge (ask Mike what he wants)
· ____Make sure Mike has my keys/fob (checks mail)

CLOTHES
· ____swimsuit and lingerie bags
· ____sets of underwear (2 per day = total of 16)
· ____pajamas (need for 7 nights)
· ____dress outfits (sundresses, skirts, jumper)
· ____shoes & socks (sneakers, flip flops, sandals, dressy, slippers)
· ____swimsuit cover ups
· ____workout clothes
· ____swimsuits
· ____hats (floppy hat)

TOILETRIES
· ____toothbrushes / floss and floss refills
· ____toothpaste
· ____deodorant
· ____hairbrush
· ____hair things (ties, clippies, etc)
· ____shampoo / conditioner (travel size if possible)
· ____soap/body wash
· ____face wash/ moisturizer (for night)
· ____lotion
· ____perfume; body spray
· ____sunscreen/ after sun lotion or spray (all types, face and body)
· ____lipbalm w/SPF
· ____Q-tips/cotton balls
· ____medications (Zomig)
· ____razor
· ____make up (waterproof mascara, powder, tinted moisturizer, stick color, eye liner, gloss, lipstick)

MISC
· ____Travelers check, cash, drivers license and passport
· ____cell phone, cord, charger
· ____Camera & charger
· ____books, magazines
· ____travel journal
· ____Sunglasses
· ____extra plastic baggies
· ____Reservations/confirmations for hotel, transportation, all-inclusive, flights


Now, you may be thinking..."Umm...there are a few things you're forgetting, Summer" Well, I'm not (I hope)...because if it's not on that list, it just means that Tracey has already told me that she packed it! :)

So, whatcha think? Am I forgetting anything???

On the beach in 24 hours!!!

So, at this time....in 24 hours....I will be sipping a fruity beverage, feet in the sand, sun warming my bikini-clad body and smiling from ear to ear!

I know that this is all I've been blogging about...but, I JUST CAN'T HELP IT! I haven't been on a vacation in FOREVER! And, going with my best friend is just the icing on the cake!

Oh, and this same best friend had mentioned to me that Forever 21 had some CUTE dresses and such, so I decided to mosey on over there yesterday evening. Before I had both feet in the door, I was DROOLING!!!

So...I have to unpack my clothes (that my dear friend Allison already helped me pack up on Tuesday) and repack all of my new clothes!!! LOL!

HAPPY THURSDAY!

Getting SOO excited!!!

I can't believe in only 4 short days, I will be relaxing on the beach in beautiful Cabo, sipping on a fruity drink and spending time with my BFF!!!!

Is it wrong that I'm taking 11 bathing suits for 8 days? (wardrobe change!)

I've been working HARD to lose as much weight as possible before this trip and get my body ready for bikinis....and, I feel SO much better about the shape I'm in!

It's really amazing what you can accomplish when you set your mind to something!

I'll do my best to post some pictures of my adorable bathing suits tonight!

4th Weekend....(I'm worn OUT!)

Happy 4th of July to everyone (a day late...sorry)...it's been a CRAZY weekend!

For me, it all started around 2 p.m. on Thursday afternoon....I'm sitting at my desk working...(a.k.a. looking up recipes for desserts, updating facebook and reading blogs) and my boss walks back in from lunch, pauses a moment and says, "What are you still doing here, Summer....go on home and start your weekend!" (can I just say, once again, how much I LOVE my job and the people I work with?!)

*Disclaimer: A normal day for me does not include recipe searches, blogging and facebook. But, it was a slow day with nothing to do....so....*

2 P.M. - START MY 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND

I get home...I lay on my couch...I fall asleep...LOL!

My phone rings about an hour later...and my "special someone" will be arriving shortly to take me out....tehehehe....So, I better get myself presentable and beautified...

He arrives and we make a shopping trip to Central Market...

~For those of you who have never had the "Central Market Shopping Experience", I would highly recommend it, if you have one in your area. Being that I did go to culinary school, I especially have fun...but, WOWEE WOW...it's SO much fun!!!~

We pick out some fruit, cheeses, bread, crackers, smoked salmon, etc...and have a little indoor picnic at my place. It was really adorable and romantic...hehe...

Umm...have I mentioned how absolutely wonderful my guy is???

What??!

What's that, you say?!

I didn't tell you about him?!

I know...I know...but, for now...just know that he is a true gentleman that is kind, honest, hard-working, tender, sincere, funny, smart, strong (in mind, spirit and body) and adores me as much as I adore him..... :) I'm one happy little girl...

7 P.M., JULY 3RD - A group of us go to watch a HUGE fireworks display. Great food, great friends, great fireworks and LOTS of laughter! (pictures to be posted later...)

12 P.M., JULY 4TH - "Meet the Parents Day" - First, I went to his parents house to celebrate the day, and LOVED meeting everyone there! They were all so welcoming and kind...and I just felt "at home". Truly wonderful! (pictures to be posted later...)

4 P.M., JULY 4TH - We arrive at my parents house to celebrate and eat.


Me-Ma, me, Mike and Dad-dad...


Yummy shrimp...


Nothing like a good ribeye...


Gotta have baked potatoes and sauteed mushrooms...


And, of course, banana pudding!!!


Out by the pond relaxing...








There were ants in my chair...so, he got them out... ;)



Mike and me...


Fire hazard!!!


Such a jokester...



Uh-oh....good thing we've got a fireman around!!! hehe



Those darn rose bushes behind me kept freaking me out!

Finding Friendship!

When I started this blog last year, I never imagined that I would cultivate actual friendships and truly learn about other people here. Since blogging, I have made SEVERAL good friends that I do truly care about. I can see their hearts pouring out in their posts and I try my best to share my life with them as well.

This entire experience has been so enriching, encouraging and inspiring! The caliber of women I am getting to know are extraordinary and I'm always impressed by seeing such beautiful and stylized writing.

**You women are TALENTED!!!**

Just yesterday, I had the amazing opportunity to meet one of my FAVORITE BLOG FRIENDS!!! Here is a picture of me with her oldest daughter, Sophia!!



Right after I got out of work...I headed to our "meet-up location" (sounds very spy-like and covert, I know...haha) And, when I saw her sitting there with her beautiful children...I just knew I was going to enjoy myself! Right from the get-go, we hugged and felt as if we were just old friends catching up after not having seen each other for a long time. Her generous and kind demeanor were evident from the first moment.

And...I SO enjoyed meeting her beautiful girls (Vera...they might have been energetic..but, come on...I would be too had I been in a car all day...LOL)

Overall, it was such a fun experience...and I look forward to meeting more of my bloggy friends in the future!

(Bloggy friends...if you've ever in Dallas...I'm just sayin'...let me know!!)

New Adventure...

This afternoon, I will be embarking upon a new adventure....uncharted territory....

I'm meeting one of my BEST bloggy friends IN REAL LIFE!!!!

I couldn't be MORE excited! Her kindness and zest for life just jump out of the words on her blog, and I just know that we'll be instant friends! Her posts inspire me, make me laugh, make me cry...and make me smile.

Wish me luck! (I hope she doesn't think I'm a nerd....uh-oh....haha)