Big News!!

I never thought I would have a Cnidaria as a sibling. For all of you non-scientists (like myself), that's a jellyfish. I suppose it's kind of like having a dog sibling, like Scout...except that this one can inflict a lot of pain (Scout doesn't do that), and could potentially be deadly. I mean, look at poor Dory! She almost died!

All kidding aside, I am excited to say that I am finally going to have a brother! A real, live, human (I think) brother! As of yesterday afternoon, my lovely big sister Erin (she sometimes goes by the alias Eloise) is engaged! She and Bryan have been dating for close to nine years and they are finally going to tie the knot! I am super excited for my big sister because she is an awesome person who deserves the world. She has a guy who appreciates her for the amazing person that she is and I am looking forward to the day I call him my brother (although let's face it, he kind of is already)!

I visited my sister in DC a couple weeks ago over my Spring Break with a friend. While I was visiting, Bryan informed me that he would be traveling to Akron two weeks later to ask my parents' permission to marry my sister. I was not allowed to tell my parents and obviously couldn't tell my sister. It has been painful to hold it in, and I was thankful this past weekend when my parents finally found out. Keeping a secret from my mother while she is stressing out about things is not an easy thing to do. And for those who know my mother and are wondering, yes, she is already stressing out about the wedding. Within 24 hours of Bryan's visit she was already worrying about a mother-of-the-bride dress. Sorry to call you out, Mom, but it's kind of hilarious! Now that my sister is officially engaged, the wedding planning can commence! Thankfully I LOVE weddings and am already on the ball. Erin and Bryan met while working at Target, so I decided that, naturally, their colors should be red and khaki. Erin is obviously thrilled with the idea and can't wait to walk down the aisle to her groom who will be wearing khaki and a red polo while carrying her bouquet of plastic flowers from the $1 spot.

Okay, back to being serious again. I am ridiculously excited for my sister and can't wait to go through the wedding planning process and stand by her side as she says "I do" to the jelly-man! We will definitely make lots of memories and I look forward to keeping you all updated as the process continues.

As if helping to plan the wedding won't be stressful enough, I've got about 18 months to find myself a date! Applications are being accepted!

The future Mr. & Mrs. Arroyo

Wedding Bells are Ringing

Headed to Akron for another weekend at home and another wedding. I cannot believe my Frappy-Dappy is getting married! So looking forward to celebrating her special day with her tomorrow!

Also looking forward to seeing my best friend, Mo, and finally giving her her engagement gift! I cannot believe she is getting married! Wedding bells everywhere!

Will be sure to post about the wedding and whatnot after the weekend. Enjoy your Labor Day everyone, I will be spending mine at work--no rest for the Muskies!

*Don't forget to work on your September pictures logs!* :)

Whirlwind Weekend

Last weekend I was fortunate enough to head home for the first time since the big move down south! It was a busy few days, to say the least, but many memories were made and I was thankful to be able to spend time with many family and friends.

Friday I left work an hour or so early to pick up Miss Bella from my apartment and start the journey home. Once in Akron, I dropped Bella off at my parents' house, got lots of kisses from puppy dog Scout, then got back in the car to drive to Strongsville. After a quick stop at Forever 21 (remember, I currently live in the middle of nowhere), I met up with good college friends to celebrate Elizabeth's 24th birthday at Buca di Beppo. Delicious Italian food, 5 good friends, followed by an interesting new board game. We had lots of laughs and am glad we were able to gather to celebrate yet another birthday.

The 5 of us at dinner

Saturday was an absolute blur, but I knew this going in. First up, Saturday morning. Quick stop with Chris to Subway for a nice breakfast sandwich (where was my favorite sandwich artist when I needed him?!) and then we drove up to Cleveland for the OROC (OutRun Ovarian Cancer) 5k. This was an event I have been looking forward to ever since I found out about it. My grandmother passed away from ovarian cancer when I was in kindergarten and I have never really had the opportunity to do something in memory of her. This was my chance. The event was huge and it was so inspiring to see all of the survivors there, along with the family members of others who were not so fortunate. I was amazed when it was announced that the t-shirts this year were designed by the youngest survivor participant--a junior in high school. Props to that girl for fighting and for being an inspiration to others. We had 9 people running for Team Uno (named after the card game I remember playing with my grandmother), and I am so thankful to those that participated. Everyone ran well, and the backdrop of downtown Cleveland didn't hurt either.

Haley and me before the race

Anna, Me, and Lindsey after finishing

After the race it was time to run errands, followed by get ready for wedding time! I left North Olmsted to head to Emily and Paul's wedding, which was an absolutely beautiful event. It seems like Emily and I are always missing each other when I visit my sister in DC, and it meant a lot to me to be able to share their special day with them. Both Bride and Groom looked wonderful and so happy to finally be married and living in the same state. I know they will have a beautiful life together and I pray that they fall more and more in love with each other each and every day.

Emily and her dad heading down the aisle

First kiss as husband and wife

Me with the new Mr. & Mrs. Glass!

After the wedding I drove back down to Akron for my dear friend Natalie's Bachelorette Party in the Valley! I met up with the group of girls after they had been out for awhile, but I sure didn't miss out on all the fun. At each bar Natalie had cards we picked for her that had different "dares" for her that she had to complete. Some of the ones she had to do while I was there were to ask a guy to show her a hidden tattoo, steal a sip of someone's drink without them knowing, and find a guy to take off his shirt and flex his muscles for everyone at the bar. Needless to say, not everyone was cooperative, but we found some pretty interesting guys to participate. Any time I spend with my friends from home is a blessing, and I am so looking forward to Natalie and PJ's wedding in just EIGHT DAYS!!!

Natalie and Me shortly after I made it to the bar

Natalie, Me, and Britt--high school buddies

Needless to say, I was exhausted after Natalie's Bachelorette Party and slept in pretty late on Sunday. However, when you're a Brady sister and you are visiting home, it is absolutely necessary to go on a shopping trip with Mom. So that's what I did. My mom and I spent the day together running to a few stores, having lunch, and then meeting up with Dad to see the Vietnam War Memorial that was set up near a cemetery in Fairlawn. It was a replica 3/4 the size of the wall in Washington, DC and it was just as emotional as seeing the real thing. There were also pictures and memorabilia (if you can call it that?) from the war. Of course, the Army was there, and it was kind of a reality check to see the men in their uniforms, the guns, etc. (I guess I forgot to mention in my last blog, Chris joined the Army and is leaving in November). Two of the nice soldiers decided I needed to learn how to throw a grenade, so they taught me. Apparently my 12 years of softball paid off because they said I would've hit and killed my target. Thanks, Coach Dad!

Learning how to throw the grenade

 The wall

After heading home from our shopping excursion, I made the trek back down to good old New Concord to get ready for another week of work. All in all, it was a wonderful weekend and I am looking forward to my next trip home (next weekend) to spend more time with more family and friends!

Love is In the Air!

The last two weekends, I have had the pleasure of attending the weddings of two dear friends. The first, on August 14th, was the wedding of two high school friends--Stephanie and Greg. The two of them have been dating since our freshman year of high school, went to college together at Bowling Green, and are now living in North Carolina where Steph is getting her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Duke. The wedding took place at Lake Forest Country Club in Hudson, Ohio. The small ceremony was outside on the country club grounds surrounded by flowers. My other high school friends and I all agreed that Steph looked beautiful and we definitely had a hard time trying to keep ourselves from crying. The rest of the wedding was a lot of fun, and it was great getting to hang out with high school friends and dance the night away! Here are some pictures of the occasion:

Me and Steph after the ceremony



Getting a kiss from my handsome date



Perfect ending to their first dance as husband & wife

The next weekend, on August 21st, was the wedding of college friends--Biz and Dan. Funny story, Biz and I were acquaintances all throughout college...we were in Campus Crusade together and saw each other around campus but never really talked or hung out. That all changed our senior year when we both worked in the Psychology Office on campus and had a class together our last semester. Needless to say, we spent much of our time in class laughing--how we always spend our time together! Since then, Biz has become one of my closest friends and I felt so honored to be included in her special day. The wedding was held at St. Denis Golf Course and Party Center in Chardon, Ohio. Unfortunately the weather did not hold out for the outdoor ceremony, but that didn't stop Biz from being a glowing bride or Dan from grinning from ear-to-ear as his bride walked down the aisle to him. I cried throughout the ceremony and could definitely feel a lot of love in the room--from those attending and the love that the bride and groom felt for each other. It was a perfect day, rain and all. Below are some pictures of the wedding.

Chris and I with the bride and groom



Walking down the aisle toward her groom

So happy!

I love weddings, and it was especially nice getting to watch two friends marry the men of their dreams. Isn't love a beautiful thing?