Weekend Update

We decided to put our apartment for rent on Craigslist to see if we can save on the last two months of rent. That would be SO AWESOME if we could. :)

Saturday- I worked in the morning. After work, Colton and I headed to the Old Red Courthouse for bridal portraits. They turned out AMAZING!! SO GORGEOUS. I am really excited about her wedding, because it will be beautiful (Colton can't post sneaks until AFTER the wedding, but it will be worth the wait). Then, we went to Cheesecake Factory (the first time at the Northpark one together) the Container Store (I could live there, seriously), and a few furniture stores.

Sunday- We had church, then an awesome engagement session at the Cotton Mill. Then, we went to Mandy's house for her Superbuckle party. She took this picture, and I stole it from her P365 blog, but it's the only one I have. I know you are tired of pictureless posts as well.

We came home, did some laundry, watched Supernatural and went to bed.

Today, I have been talking to our new insurance agent (who I found out I know. He's married to one of my knottie and IRL friends. He isn't married to two people they are the same person. haha). We are so excited about finding home/car insurance in our (below our) budget for great coverage. Woohoo!! It just means we THAT MUCH closer to our house. We still close on March 8 (so exactly 28 days!). We found out they are going to fix the roof, so many good things are happening.

I start my new job tomorrow. I met my assistant teacher today. He is a doll. I am excited to work with him and think we'll make a great team.

Good Things in 2010

I started to do this last year and didn't get past January, so let's see if I can do it this year...
I encourage you all to think about something positive from every day. Even if it ends up being a bad day and write it down. At the beginning of each month, share your positive "good things" with everyone else. :)


January

1- Quiet night to ourselves. Great way to ring in the new year.
2- Blessed to have a great job, even if I do work Saturday mornings.
3- AWESOME day with my favorite ladies.
4- Quality time with the sister and Kandice.
5- Day off spent catching up on Bible studies.
6- Worked with awesome people.
7- Decided to apply at several preschools and see where God leads me.
8- Thank you for the gorgeous cold weather today. I love it.
9- Got to catch up with a high school/elementary school friend during her engagements.
10- Another fun couple Colton got to photograph.
11- Thank you for another Monday.
12- Day full of interviews (3). How lucky am I that I have a job and have so many interviews? Thank you, God, for allowing me such a great opportunity.
13- God has really been speaking to me today.
14- Had a wonderful day off getting ready for the cruise.
15- Worked hard one last day before vacation.
16- Made it to Galveston without a problem.
17- Had an awesome time with my family before leaving on the ship.
18- A great first day full of fun, food, and amazing new friends.
19- Beautiful day at the beach. God is AWESOME!

20- Swam with amazing stingrays. What beautiful creatures.
21- Witnessed more of the beauty God created for us in Jamaica.
22- Had a wonderful time taking pictures with all my new friends on the ship.
23- Won $80. :)
24- Left the ship with nearly 30 new friends.
25- Blessed to have the day off to recuperate from our trip.
26- AWESOME news from the doctor. Thank you Lord for healing my kidney.
27- Wonderful first day back at work.
28- Worked tonight, which means extra money in our pocket.
29- Got a new job, which means we are able to get a house.
30- Bought amazing new furniture for our future house.
31- Amazing service at church. Saw many people proclaim their love for Christ in baptism.



A post about Lyly is coming soon, I promise...

Anticipation

I am so excited. We are FINALLY going to be able to see Lyly. Eeek! I really like the outside of this house and hope the inside doesn't disappoint. Of course I will be praying that God's will be done in the whole situation. It is a perfect little place for us.

Weekend Update:

Saturday- I worked while Colton shot an engagement session for my gorgeous friend Meredith and her fiance Danny. I cannot wait for him to put the previews up. They are awesome! Then, Colton and I went "furniture" shopping. We figured we would just window shop and price things for when we did get a house. However, we ran into a fantastic deal at Rooms To Go and had to go ahead and purchase. It's so exciting. Just waiting for us to get a house and will be shipped. We picked out our couch, chair, ottoman and a 50' Plasma HD. I am so ready for our house now.
Although we didn't buy anything else, we picked out our washer/dryer, and our bedroom furniture as well. We are ready to get this show on the road. :) Then we hung out with Jen and Sam (ate dinner and watched Supernatural). I am so gonna miss them being in our apartment complex (but they are leaving at the end of this month, and we are actually moving a lot closer to their new place than our apartment. Meaning, we'll still see them all the time).
Here's our living room stuff...

Sunday- Colton played the djembe at church in all three services. I went to the second service and watched as many children and adults were baptized. It was awesome. They had all the children on stage cheering when the person was brought out of the water. It was a celebration on earth just as the angels celebrate in Heaven. So cool! We had another awesome engagement shoot with an adorable couple last night. Then, we went furniture shopping, got a redbox movie and came home to watch it. Colton, Chuck and I snuggled in our bed and watched "The Invention of Lying." It was interesting. Parts were funny, but I wasn't too crazy about how they brought in "religion."

This morning I went to the preschool I will be working at to pick up my info sheet for my training tomorrow. Then, I came to work. In approximately 15 minutes, I will have to tell my supervisor the news (that I got the job). Starting tonight, we are going to clean the apartment and take pics of our current furniture. Once we put an offer in and have a contract going, we hope to sell everything. Hopefully I will be able to post pictures of the inside of Lyly for everyone.

It's happened...

I have reached a point of obsession for blogging. It has only been 2 days that I have posted in a row, but I was waiting until this morning to post another one (mind you, I have nothing to say). I didn't want to post twice in one day unless it was important. haha. :) I check it every 20 minutes to see if someone on my list updated. I get super excited when I see a comment. Probably just because it is all new again. Who knows?

I am also super excited about all the MckCruise pictures pouring in. I can't wait to see MckMama's. She took some of Colton and I, along with the other cruisers...kinda like a mini photo shoot. I have been updating my facebook like crazy. I love adding all these pictures. I highly doubt more than 2 or 3 people will look at all of them (those being my mom and dad), but facebook has become my photo storage place. I love photos. As much as I like capturing the moment, I love being in them. 90% of the time, I am critical of myself in photos, but I love being caught, in the moment at someplace/with someone very special. They literally last forever. I love looking at pictures of my mom or Meme from back in the day, and I can only hope my child/grandchild(ren) will want the same from me. Since Colton and I have been together since we were 14, I have the most adorable pictures of us. Like this...

I may update again at work tonight, I want to try to get some scrap pages together of the trip. I don't know if I will be able to do that at work, but we'll see.

Let's play a game of catch-up.

HUGE THANKS TO MANDY for helping me make my blog prettier! (I made my own header, believe me she does a much better job at headers than me, so please don't be deceived. Her work is awesome.) I gave her personal blog a shout out last entry, so here's to her blogs blog. ;)

We last left off in October... Wow. Things have changed!

Thanksgiving and Christmas were awesome, spent with family and friends. We had our beautiful Christmas tree again and this year, Chuck posed perfectly in front for me. Becca and Zack spent Christmas with us at our apartment. I finally had the opportunity to meet my beautiful new cousin Chavon (who married my cousin Casey a week after Colton and I) who announced to us that she was pregnant. :) Hailey got a new boyfriend, that we all love so much and have had the most amazing time with. Here are just a few images from those...

Then, I graduated!! Actually, I graduated first, then Christmas, but oh well.

Colton's new website finally opened and business has been booming. We are so blessed with the most amazing brides, couples, families, and everyone who has contributed their wisdom and knowledge. It helps to know amazing photographers who have always been there, and meet new ones along the way. Everyone in the business has been so encouraging and helpful.

Finally, the event that Colton and I have been talking about, wishing for, and saving for 11 months finally came. Our cruise. It was FANTASTIC! Words cannot describe how amazing it was. I will let pictures do most of the talking (then caption) ...




Our huge, beautiful ship.


Cozumel, Mexico.


My new favorite people ever. Seriously, these girls became such good friends of mine in just a week. I can't believe Mandy (middle) lives just 10 minutes from me. You will probably see a lot more of her in the future. ;)


Colton and me with a giant stingray in Grand Cayman.


Colton ziplining in Jamaica.


Game night: I think this sums it up.

Our wonderful waitress, Renata from Croatia and our table mates. We had the best conversations.

I may break down each day in more detail with pictures/scrapbook pages, but for now...I hope you get an idea of what we experienced.

:)

I am going to try to post more often. After spending a week with bloggers, I thought it would be time to get off my butt and document my life. I start work again on Wednesday, so hopefully I will have time for a life recap. My new inspiration... http://www.jackandmandy.blogspot.com/ I love her and her blog.

Just wanted to give you all a heads up that my blog will be beautified in the process. I am going to try my best to learn HTML and photoshop to bring you the very best.

Here's to nothing...

no pictures post

I wish I had pictures to post, so that it would make this entry pretty, but I don't. :(
I cannot believe it is already AUGUST. Where did the time go? Colton and I have been busy with photoshoots and stuff, so I haven't noticed how fast the weekends go by. He was supposed to have three shoots this weekend, but two were canceled (family reasons). We did get to do one and we drove out to Keller for a children shoot. Fun!
We also went by colleyville to look at the venue for the wedding next weekend. IT IS BEAUTIFUL!! I can't wait. I get to wear my new black dress. Whee!
I went shopping with my mom this week and got that dress and then a plaid dress for $10. (Not together...the plaid was $10). It was a lucky day for me. I never get to go shopping, so it was a little exhilirating.
I made enchiladas (that we are STILL eating) Friday because I thought Hailey was gonna come over. :( She ended up staying home since Coltons Sat. morning shoot was cancelled and she didn't need to help him.
When we got back, we went to Steak and Shake with Sam and Jen (after attempting to go to the movies) and went back to their apartment to play games. SO MUCH FUN! I love game nights, so it was a blast for me.
As far as my diet and exercise plan...I haven't been very good this week, so I need to whip myself into shape again. haha.
Hopefully I'll have pics for my next post.

100 degree summer, lakes, rivers, and fireworks

Oh my!This past week was a whirlwind of fun and adventure. Wednesday, I spent the day packing for my two trips and getting food, snacks, drinks, etc. for everyone. Thursday, Kandice picked up Hailey and me for our roadtrip to our secret location for a 2 day trash the dress extravaganza. Seriously...it was a freaking blast. We played in sand, canoed, jumped in a lake, went grocery shopping, late night movie theater and creepy alley, swingset, played with animals and much more (all while wearing a wedding dress, I might add). To take a look at a tiny sneak peak, go here. You can see the bottom of my TRASHED dress. :)


This was our cabin for the night.




Kandice, me and Hailey at the grocery store.



Taking pics with the BEAUTIFUL scenery.



Sneak peak! (Hailey took it of us)




The super cute movie theater. :)




After taking all the pics, Friday we just hung out and picked berries.


Kandice, I had a wonderful time. Thanks for making my TTD pics rock. I know they are gonna look amazing. You're the best.
Jess~

Friday, as soon as we got back from Road Trip #1, we grabbed our other bags and headed to Oklahoma (Beaver's Bend) for Road Trip #2. It was so much fun to go away again. Hailey and I felt super spoiled getting 2 vacations in one week. We went on a TEN MILE kayaking trip down the river. It was super hot. We all got burned pretty bad...

Hailey and me at our pit stop.

Again.

After kayaking, we went to the motel to change and went out to the lake to watch the fireworks. Seriously, best fireworks show ever.

Colton and me. 6.4.09

Sunday morning...showing off our burns. Hailey and I pretty much got the same (thighs and stomach), Forrest was the worst, and Colton's legs and arms were burned.



Last group shot. :)

I'm walkin' on sunshine...

That song is stuck in my head for some reason. It is absolutely NOT sunny outside right now either. It's rainy and in the 70s(which is a lot better than the 100s). This weekend was super busy. Saturday, Colton was supposed to be shooting engagements pics in Las Colinas(where he paid a $50 deposit) at 2:00pm, plus lunch and a meeting with them about their wedding. He tried all morning to get a hold of her and couldn't reach her. We showed up anyways, just in case something happened with her phone or something. Well, of course, she didn't show up. Finally, we called her from my phone, and she returned my call, only to hang up as soon as she heard Colton's voice. How inconsiderate.
Seriously, this girl didn't even give any kind of explinationa nd stole 50 bucks from us.
Hailey spent the night, so we could go to church in the morning. We shopped (thrift stores and such) for her to find a cute sundress to wear when we trash my wedding dress this week. I wanted some pics of her with me and definately a shot of us jumping in the lake together.
We went to downtown Mckinney (where the following pics were taken), swimming, and just running around.
Colton got the idea that it would be fun to "spontaneously plan" a trip for this weekend (July 4th). When I get back friday from my TTD location, we will leave for Beaver's Bend Friday night (we=Colton, Hailey, Forrest and me) It should be an exciting time, but super busy weekend.

Check out my new sunglasses. tehe.


We found a Starry Night Frog (Starry Night being our favorite painting and frog being her favorite animal).
Can't wait to leave for my trips!! I will post many pics.

exhausted

Wow. So I have had an extremely busy weekend. :)
Saturday, I worked in the morning, got home, worked out and then took a shower to get ready for Colton's first wedding. Speaking of, Colton has decided to give photography a try. He has always loved it and thinks he has an eye for it. So he posted about it, and has been quickly getting a lot of interest. He is starting off making nothing almost, but he has to start from somewhere and build up his portfolio.
Here are some shots from that and his website:
Here
Anyways, I learned a valuable lesson...4 in' heels and being on your feet from 3-11, not a good idea.
Sunday, I got up early and went to the Cotton Mill to help Kandice with her mini sessions. It was hot as can be outside, but it was nice to get to see her again and hang out. I was getting so giddy talking about my TTD pics coming up next week. I can hardly wait.
Monday I worked, but I was so tired from the weekend, that I went home early. I couldn't even stay awake at work.
Today, Hailey and Lindsay and I are all going to have a girls day. What kind of trouble we get into shall be fun. :)
Later days (wow, old school "Recess" reference)

Happy Birthday, Chuck...

I have been trying to DL my pics to this post for three days now!! Sorry it's late.

Tuesday was Chuck Taylor's first birthday. I had the day off, so I took him to a few doggie stores and went by the dog bakery to get cookies for him and his birthday guests at Unleashed. He got a round one with "Happy Birthday" on it and everyone else got paw print cookies. I let him walk around the store and pick out whatever he wanted...he grabbed a giant pig ear, so I guess that was the winner.
We went to Unleashed, which is pretty cool since it is indoors, but I prefer the free one in Plano. Hailey and Sadie, my mom and Foxi, Ryan, Amy and Zoe all came too. It was fun for all.

Chuck and I waiting for Colton to get home so we can leave.

At the store, I let Chuck pick out anything he wanted...he picked a pig ear.

My mom's dog, Foxi and I.

Baby Zoe.

Baby Zoe and her mom and dad.

What happens when you give Chuck a stuffed animal. :) He LOVES them though.

Summer Lovin'

So much stuff has happened since I last updated.

I started summer school I,
I finished summer school I (with an A),
I don't start Summer II until July something.
Hailey and Taylor broke up.
Hailey and I have had some major sister time.
I have sang at a karoke bar,
and we took Colton's family to see our hood.
We bought a lot of "smell-good" stuff at Bath and Body Works big sale.
We found a new beautiful shoppin center.
Colton turned 22,
Colton got a tattoo.
(Ha, it's like a nursery rhyme..."Colton got a tattoo on the day he turned 22")
Hailey got a tattoo,
Jen and Sam got one too.
Me...I didn't. Not because I am a chicken, or because I was scared. I have never really wanted one. What would I get? I didn't want to make an impulse decision just because everyone else was doing it. I think hard about what I wear everyday and what I eat, why would I jump into a tatoo?
I am excited about this summer. We may host my cousin and her husband at our apartment and take them to 6 Flags in July. I have trash the dress pictures in July at the best location ever. I get to help my favorite photographer and good friend do beautiful family pictures (including my supervisor).
I have been losing a little bit of weight, slowly, but successfully. I have worked out everyday (except Colton's birthday) since last Monday.
I plan on updating more since I don't have school for the next few weeks.
Now we have pictures...
We (Colton, Hailey and I) took Chuck out for a long walk and adventure. We rested at the baseball fields and took Chuck off leash.



On Monday night, Colton's family came over and we went to the Shops and ate, then walked around.





Lastly, on Colton's birthday, Tuesday, we (Sam, Jen, Hailey, Colton and I) went to Blue Goose and then the tattoo place.

The ladies at Blue Goose.



Before they got tatted up.



Hailey and Sam's matching tats (Hailey's is much smaller. tehe)



Colton's tat



Jen's tat



Colton and Hailey at the tattoo parlor (see their wraps?)

It's been a long time coming

I decided to update with pictures...
First, Easter...

Next, we had a double date night with Sam & Jen as a pre-birthday and pre-wedding celebration. :)


Then, my birthday (April 28)




Lastly we had Sam and Jen's wedding on Saturday (May 2)