I was bored, messing around on my laptop, and decided to come check out my blog. Apparently it has been over a year since I posted anything. I don't think anyone really reads this. It is mostly for me and my memories, besides I post on Facebook and actually write in an old fashioned journal with an old fashioned pen and paper.
Well, looking back that last thing I posted was a post about picking a date for our marriage convalidation in preparation to become a Roman Catholic. You can read about that post
here. I have also explained in previous posts about what a convalidation is, so there really isn't much need to go into that again.
On February 8th, 2016, hubby and I had our marriage legally recognized in the Catholic Church. It was a small ceremony. It was beautifully unorganized and chaotic. It was perfect for us. None of my family showed up. We forgot to reminded my father in law. My mother in law was there. My bestie, Kelli came out for the weekend from PA and was my Matron of Honor. Hubby's friend Alex was his Best Man. Our other guests included Alex's wife, Mae and Wayne, Alice, and Danielle. We went for a 1950's retro theme. My friend Danielle, not only did my hair in adorable victory rolls, she also did a reading of the Old Testament for us. After the ceremony Danielle, Kelli, Mea, Wayne , hubby and I went to Koto, for sushi and hibachi. We had an absolute blast. As a gift Kelli and her hubby got us a hotel room for the night. Bow chicka bow wow!! I later decided to extent it for the entire weekend and we had a nice little getaway. Overall, it was a memorable weekend, on I will never forget.
People and thing are placed in your life for a reason. Everyday I am reminded of this. One of the girls from my RCIA class also had to get her marriage convalidated. Her husband is in the military and most for her family doesn't live close. I offered to take pictures for her and came to support her. She brought her camera and I took the pictures. Doing that gave me the photography bug. I used to go to school for photography and have since lost my motivation and love for it. It became a chore and the reviews I got in the classes, broke my spirit. I allowed their negative comments to become a reality and stopped taking picture and sold my very expensive camera. Since taking picture for Diana, I regained my motivation and have since purchased a camera of my own. It isn't a professional camera, but it's a beginners type of camera.
Easter Vigil. The big day. The day I spent the last year working towards, studying for (there were not tests by the way), praying one finally came. I wore white pants and a teal top. I wore my hair down and curly because I new my hair would get wet. I was filled with excitement and honor and love. There really isn't much to talk about about it. I mean I can't really find the word to describe the evening. It was beautiful.
 |
| The moment I became Catholic. |
I was confirmed shortly after being baptized. I had to pick a confirmation name and he name that I chose was Gianna, after Saint Gianna Beretta Molla. I will do a post about her at a later time.
 |
| The 3 of us the were received baptism got to bring the bread and wine up to the alter for consecration. |
 |
| Receiving my first communion |
 |
| My mother in law, who was also my sponsor and I |
I wore my glass that day because I knew I'd cry and I didn't want my contact to pop out from crying. That's what happened at the vow renewal and my contacts were bothering me for most of the night.
So now that I am Catholic, I have gone to confession a few times. I absolutely hate going to confession I have to analyze every aspect of my life to see what I've done and what I haven't done. And I must confess it all.
I also purchased a veil. It was one of the things that attracted me to wanting to be come Catholic. Little did I know it is not a common practice nowadays. So, I purchased a beautiful veil and found a
church that offers the Traditional Latin Mass. And I loved it.
 |
| My Great Grandmother's Veil |
I had asked my grandmother if she had any veils that belonged to my great grandmother, since she was catholic in the old days and would have most likely had a ton of veils. She wasn't sure and searched her house and found a beautiful black, gold and silver veil. It is not the only thing that I have that belonged to my great grandmother. I am afraid to wear it because it is so fragile and the edges are starting to fray. But it is beautiful all the same. And will be a piece that I'll cherish forever. No I just need to get motivated into going back to church. Each week I say I will go to confession and start back up but each week I don't.
This time I took 2 weeks off I spent the week at home and then took 4 days and went to Colorado. I freaking love it out there. Billy doesn't understand why I like it out there so much. Quite simply, it's not New Jersey. I flew out on American Airlines on Saturday. I hardly slept the night before. It wasn't my first time flying but I am kind of a nervous flyer. Saturday once I got into Colorado I was sick, I felt awful. I'm not sure it if was food poisoning, we had chili cheese dogs the night before, or it is was motion sickness or altitude sickness. 
I wish my husband would go to places like this with me. I get hit with the "Oh they are your friends." "I don't know anyone there. What would I do?" "I hate the mountains." "Jersey has all I need." He doesn't understand that I want to travel the world WITH HIM. I want to see things WITH HIM. I want to experience things WITH HIM. I want to show him Colorado so he can see why I like the place. The air is different. It's not home. It's not like I am rushing to move out there, although that would be nice. But all I want is for home to visit there with me. 
