Perfect Timing

Gosh... Where do I begin? I cannot believe I am about to write the post about our engagement. It is something I have dreamed about for years and it became real last night. SO lets begin!

Holland had mentioned going to take pictures in front of the bean at Millenium Park at night time once my cousin PP picked us up from the airport. The last two times I have been to Chicago PP and I always take a signature pose at the bean, so it was a must thing to do on our list! We all had an awesome day in Chicago. We ate breakfast at Ann Sathers and went to see the Hunger Games movie. We were kind of running low on energy since we only had three hours of sleep so we relaxed and napped at my cousins apartment until her husband, Billy got home from work.

We got on the train and we were all debating if we should go eat first or go to the bean first. Holland said we needed to eat first because I get a tad bit grumpy when I am hungry and he was right. By the time we were at our stop I was REALLY hungry.  We ate the best deep dish pizza I have ever had in Chicago at Giordannos. Seriously, it was like Ninja Turtle cheesy good when we took the slice off the silver pan.

After dinner we started to walk to the bean which wasn't far away at all but BOY it was COLD!

We started to take pictures and it was so strange because I have always been to the bean in the daytime when there are at least 100 people there. Everyone must have been busy making turkeys and sides!
Now looking back, it is hilarious because Holland just kept insisting on taking more pictures. He kept looking back and seeing if the few people that were there were clear out of the way so we could get a good picture. He also made me take off my beanie and I was saying " OH MY GOD! Its freezing! Why do I have to take off my beanie!?" He insisted so I just went along with it.

 Then it happened..........

 I had just talked to a friend a few weeks ago about her engagement and I asked what her now fiance said. She said it was all a blur and I REALLY tried to focus in on the words Holland was saying to me but I felt just a complete shock and emotion take over my body.  Very slowly he said: "Amanda Richelle Bruns... I have always loved you and I will love you forever, will you Marry Me?"

You would think after eleven years together I would SCREAM yes, but I just stood there still in shock for a good 3-6 seconds. I finally was able to formulate the words.."Yes, Of course". 

 After this moment I started to jump up and down and come back from the clouds a little bit. I did not put the ring on right away because I just kept shouting "Oh my gosh! ITS SOOOOO PRETTY!" and I said "I CAN CALL YOU MY FIANCE NOW!!!
 I slipped off the ring that I wore on my middle finger of my left hand. It was a ring that Holland gave me for my 16th birthday- almost 11 years ago!  I went from feeling freezing to feeling warm. I could not stop my smile and giddy feeling. I know people are saying Finally!! Believe me I think that too. However, I always knew it would happen when the time was right, and the time was perfect.

I am beyond excited/Thankful for all the great things that are happening in our lives. Chicago has always been a special place to me especially in the last three years of my cousin moving here. It will now always be a reminder of the true beginning of our forever journey together.

Thank you to everyone who was in on the secret and to my cousin for capturing the moment. I love you!!!

Thank you all for the congrats and well wishes. We love and appreciate every single word.

Love,

Amanda and Holland

Take that Allergies!

I have suffered from allergies my entire life. I remember the day of my first Communion I sneezed and gross snot was covered in my white lace gloves that my mom spent a pretty penny on.  ALLERGIES ARE TERRIBLE. As I got older I got used to being very excited that Fall was coming but nervous because I knew I was bound to get a sinus infection and feel terrible for the next few months.

This year my Allergies were even worse. Typically I suffer more in the Fall but really any change in the season causes me displeasure. I went to the doctor four times in the month of September and ended up with an inhaler, antibiotics, nasal spray and antihistamines (sp)? My doctor recommended for me to be tested to see exactly what I was allergic to. I had wanted to get tested years ago but was told I needed to be staying and living in one city for two years before I could test.  During college I was back and forth and all over the place sometimes for months at a time due to breaks. Now that I had been living in San Antonio for two years it was a good time for allergy testing.

I was tested for airborne and molds that are common in the area. I was tested for 48 different things ranging from molds to cockroaches-yes cockroaches! EW! The allergist had what looked like all these vials of oil that she put into my arm just by touch-not injections.  I had bumps all over my arms and I felt extremely itchy within seconds.  I had to wait 15 minutes before they would stop the test and luckily I had paper work to fill out to keep my mind off of the itching.

 Once canceled, the allergist removed the oils off and measured the bump size where I had positive reactions. A definite positive sign is a bump that looks similar to a mosquito bite that is around 5 mm big. I had some that measures 17-23 mm big! My biggest things that I was allergic to were cedar, bermuda grass(that is the grass that is like EVERYWHERE) and molds from dead grasses,plants and fruit. The allergist told me she had never seen anyone allergic to so many molds. I tested positive for 12 out of the 14 molds.

 Lets just say I was a great candidate for immunotherapy!

The allergist took the top 10 Airbornes and top 10 molds that I was allergic to and made my diluted vials.  I was trained for three sessions on how to give myself the injections and at first I thought " Man, there is no way I am going to be able to give myself a shot!" However, I have been and it has been simple. I give myself two injections every other day.

I have one of those red containers to put my syringes in and my mom got me a package of alcohol swabs.  I have an epi pen in case there is every a bad reaction where I am unable to breathe and Holland and my portable suite mate know what to do in case I ever cross that bridge which I HOPE I NEVER DO.

The vials of diluted allergens will increase over time as my body builds up immunity towards it. My doctor recommended to do this for a year- possibly two. I am thinking of doing it as long as I can so the effects will last longer as well.

If you are in San Antonio and looking for an allergist let me know! I have had a very positive experience so far and I hope that next Fall I won't be losing my voice and feeling terrible from my favorite season coming in.