...And then there were two...Thompson's

Saturday, July 14, 2012, started out like any other Saturday.... it certainly did not end like that ...

But ... let's take it back to the beginning of the story. 4.8 years ago.. PT and I started dating...

Five years ago, at the young age of 24, ah those were the days...sorry the pic is so tiny ;)

We were here right when we became "exclusive"... it'll look familiar towards the end of the post...(this was also taken 5 years ago)

Okay, Okay, I won't take it back quite that far. How about to the Friday before?

That Friday night, Patrick asked me if I'd like to go with him on Saturday to pick up a motorcycle he found in Arlington... but first, we would need to go to Boerne (see pic above) to get his dad's truck, and then drive to Arlington. But, we would need to be back in Houston that night because he had "something planned" for Sunday. So, reluctantly I agreed to accompany him on a 12 hour drive, in one day.

Saturday morning we left for our one day road trip. I woke up that morning a little hesitant about the long drive, but thought, hey, at least I'll get to spend some good time reading... er.. hanging out with Patrick. He picked me up at 9 am, and we were off, right after we stopped at a local taco place for breakfast tacos.

We arrived in Boerne around 1 pm, and were greeted by his dad. Patrick disappeared with his dad to go look at something, and I headed into the house to say hi to his stepmom and niece (who was in town visiting the grandparents). When I sat on the couch, and said hello to his stepmom and niece, I was informed that both were hungry for lunch, and were ready to go. Patrick and his dad returned to the house, and asked if I wanted to go look at his dad's new motorcycle in the barn. I walked out of the house with Patrick, and informed him that we should probably go get some lunch first because we were all hungry. He said, everyone can wait till after we look at the motorcycle. So, we walked down to the barn, and looked at the motorcylce.

This is where it gets good... on the way back up from the barn, his dad veered off to go "lock the barn." Patrick and I continued walking past the pool area, and he took my hand, and said - Hey, let's go look at the pool, my dad's been doing some work. So, we walked over to the railing by the pool that looks out over the view from the house.

That's the railing...

So, we are standing there. And, he comments on how beautiful the view is. I comment on the rotten watermelon on the ground below the railing. Still hadn't sunk in. Clearly. He re-directs my view to the actual surroundings, and then he started talking about when we first came there 5 years ago, and when I decided that I wanted to be a relationship with him. (That's paraphrasing of course - he said it much more eloquently). And, that's when my heart started to beat...because... why were we recapping our history? And he said a few more things, and then I look over, and there, in his hand, was a ring box, opened, with the most beautiful ring I have ever seen. And that's when he said - And this is where I want to make you mine. At that point, he got down on one knee, and asked me to marry him, and I said YES!

He stands up, we hug, and kiss, and he said - we aren't going to Arlington. I responded with, what? He said - that was just a ruse to get you here without suspecting anything. (clearly it worked!). He told me that we had a reservation at a hotel on the Riverwalk in San Antonio, and dinner reservations as well, and since I didn't pack an overnight bag, he was going to take me to the mall to get a dress for dinner. I. was. amazed. happy. teary. excited.

After the proposal, his dad wandered over, and shook Patrick's hand, and hugged me. I called a bajillion people, and then we headed to lunch at "Boo-dawgs" with Patrick's dad, step-mom and niece. I could hardly eat I was so stinkin happy/excited.

After lunch, we headed down to San Antonio, and checked into the Omni La Mansion on the Riverwalk. We were on the top floor, and had a view of the Riverwalk. We headed to the room... and this is what I walked in on ...

We immediately popped open the champagne, and cheered to the future Mr. and Mrs. Thompson (cheesy, yes, but it was that kind of day). We headed to the River Center Mall, and I picked out a dress and necklace at Macy's.

We had dinner reservations at Biga on the Banks. A fantastic restaurant in downton, on the Riverwalk, but not in the touristy area. The Chef at the restaurant is a James Beard nominated chef. Patrick had no idea what that meant, and I only know because I watch Food Network and Top Chef. The food was excellent, and we sat outside on the balcony. I didn't take any pictures of the food, but you'll have to trust me that it was awesome. Patrick had quail and axis deer, and I had a filet with corn pudding. Of course, I had to tell the waiter that we were just engaged, and he brought out complimentary champagne... and this dessert:

It was supposed to be sorbet, but he thought we said "creme brulee." Which isn't a big deal, except I'm allergic to the entire dessert. But, it didn't matter because we were so happy!

4.8 years later and engaged!

July 14, 2012 was by far one of the best days in my entire life, Patrick took me completely by surprise. I'm truly happy, excited, and lucky to be marrying Patrick, my best friend, and the best guy I've ever known (besides my dad of course). I cannot wait for the coming months... and no.. we have not yet set a date ... too busy enjoying being engaged!

Showering the Perkins Pack

Lauren, one of my best friends from college - the L to SnL - recently gave birth to 6 tiny miracles. It was an honor to throw her a baby shower (with Emma) at the beginning of June. I am so proud of Lauren and the momma that she has become. I cannot wait to see these little ones grow up, and I cannot wait to one day see one of my kids (future kids - god willing) marry one of hers. The plans are already in the works ;-). I didn't take very many pictures, too busy hostessing, but here are the ones that I took of this fab shower. The theme was "Popped."

Adorable cake donated by - Cakes by Gina

Decorations

The spread - Emma did a fabulous job with all the food ideas - we had strawberry pops, fruit pops, popcorn, marshmallow pops, and so on and so forth.

The cake was a hit!

The Momma and Me :-)

Maddie's Wedding Weekend in ATX

About a month ago, PT and I attended the wedding of a dear friend of mine from Junior League. Maddie and Stephen were hitched in ATX at the UT Golf Club. And, I do have to say, it was one of THE nicest weddings that I have ever been to in my life. The wedding and reception were very nice, but Maddie really really went over the top with the details. She thought of everything - from the fans and tissues, water and lemonade, for the outdoor ceremony, to the party favors of brisket tacos and boston baked beans (Maddie and Stephen moved to Boston shortly after the wedding for Stephen's residency). I had a great time with my JL girls, and a fabulous time celebrating the long awaited marriage of Maddie and Stephen!

Maddie arranged to have charter buses carry us from the hotel to the UT Golf Club - definitely a good idea, especially at the end of the night.

Shannon and Barry on the way to the wedding

Me and PT on the way to the wedding - my fave part of this pic is Chelsea and Jason in the background - hilarious.

Chels and Jason on the way to the wedding

 The ceremony was outside under a covered patio area. It was really beautiful.

Pre wedding photo shoot.

Sarah and Josh waiting for the ceremony to start

 Maddie provided fans and tissues, plus lemonade and water for the ceremony.

And I promise I am wearing a dress.

Allie and Adrienne!

View of the reception area...sort of.

 The reception was at the same place - but in the clubhouse area. It was half inside, half out. The band played outside, and the dance floor was under twinkly lights. The band played a lot of oldies, and it was perfect weather to dance outside!

JL girls - so thankful for them!

Too cool for school.

Reception area

Maddie and Stephen

 The food served at the wedding was delish - Beef Tenderloin, salad, horseradish mashed potatoes, chicken fried steak in a martini glass with gravy and mashed potatoes, shrimp and grits, crab cake corn dogs... the list goes on!

One of the many beauitful centerpieces

Maddie and Stephen

Maddie and I met when we were waitresses at the JL for every saturday for six months. Last year, we did our volunteer placement together at the Memorial Hermann Puppetry (puppet shows every wednesday for the kids hospital). She will be severely missed, but now I have a fun friend to visit in Boston!

If you like pina coladas...

Memorial Day Weekend came and went. Amazing how fast three days can go by! PT and I went to visit his brother and family. It was a nice, relaxing weekend. However, right now, I am in hot and steamy Texas, but, this time next week, I will be at a place resembling this:

Most likely reading this:



Drinking this:



With this person:

And, I cannot wait! 7 days and 6 nights in paradise. Sounds all right to me.

But before that - I will be celebrating the marriage of Maddie and Stephen, and throwing by BFF and mom extroardinaire - Lauren - a baby shower for her new babes!

The Return of the Sara.

Where in the world is Sara? Here I am! Yes, it has been a 7 month sojourn, but I have returned to blogger land.

Do not dismay my friends, there is nothing really new to report. I am still a working woman. However, I am now 1 year away from turning the big 3-0. The boyfriend and I are still happily dating. And, my niece is still just as cute as ever:

I will try to start posting more often in the coming days/months. I cannot guarantee daily or even weekly posts, but hopefully more often than 2 x a year.

I am excited about one thing at the moment - a tropical and romantical vacay with the boyfriend in a few short weeks. I look forward to spending a week with this fellow:

Until then my readers, much love.

Weekend Rewind (a little delayed)

This past weekend I didn't do much, and it was lovvelly (said like Eliza Dolittle).

Well, my weekend sort of started on Thursday night. I went to see My Fair Lady with the Junior League - we watched the final dress rehearsal. It was a good performance, just longggggg. Beforehand the "little leaguers" and I grabbed wine and apps at Artista.

(Sidenote - I have become absolutely terrible at taking pictures the past year. terrible. I am disappointed in myself. I'm hoping to remedy that).

Friday night I went bowling with some friends for our friend's bowling for Leukemia event.

Saturday I went to see Breaking Dawn with a co-worker/friend of mine. We saw it at 10:30 am, thinking the theater wouldn't be packed, we were wrong. We still managed to snag some seats in the middle in order to best view the cheesiness. And man, it did not disappoint with the cheesiness. What can I say - I read all the books - I have to see the movies. Patrick doesn't understand, but I told him that it is not important for him to understand.

The afternoon I dealth with a dead battery and ended up at a bar across the street from the battery place for 3 hours. No, I do not have a problem - as my parents asked. Ha. It was originally only supposed to take 1 hour, and 1 turned into 2 turned into 3. What can you do.

That night Patrick and I watched the last Harry Potter movie - which we originally saw when we were in Vegas this past summer. We are that cool.  (BTW - I owe a post about the Garth Brooks concert we went to in vegas in July. It was ah-mazing.)

Sunday was a household domestic duties day. Nothing exciting to report!

I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving tomorrow, especially our first thanksgiving with my new niece who is now almost one month old. My how time flies.

I am thankful for a lot of things this year. Especially that little nugget above.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Changes.

Wow! It has been 5 months since I last blogged. Time has flown by. Lots of things happened in those 5 months, and I won't even begin to catch the blogger world up. The two most important, however, should be mentioned:

1. I got a NEW JOB. I switched firms in July. I am now an attorney at a civil defense litigation firm, and I could not be happier. I am a lot busier (hence the lack of blogging) but its a good busy.

2. My niece was born on Halloween! Scarlett Ava was born 4 1/2 weeks early at 4 lbs 14 oz, but is doing great! She is so strong and teeny tiny. I already love her so much. My sister is doing great, and transitioned into motherhood fabulously. Here is a photo of my ScarAva:

I have taken so many pictures already of this cute little peanut, but haven't had a chance to upload them to facebook or blogger. Most are currently residing on my iPhone, which is convenient for me to look at during the day, but not convenient for posting pics on my blog. I cannot wait to see the person this little peanut becomes!

Oh, and because I love the following picture, this summer I went on a fab vacation to Lake Powell, AZ and Las Vegas. Here's a picture I took from the houseboat that we lived on for five days on Lake Powell:

Thank you to my faithful readers who may still exist. I promise more blog posts this upcoming year! Especially with holiday season approaching, I'll have more stories.

Until then, this is Sara, no H.