In Honor of St. Patrick's Day

In honor of St. Pattie's Day, here is a photo from my trip to Ireland back in the Summer of 2006 while studying abroad with Baylor in Great Britain. I believe this was taken at Glendalough in Ireland. Ahhhh....I miss BGB.

Lauren & Rand's Wedding

This past weekend Lauren and Rand got married!! Stephanie and I were in her house party, and Jonathan was an usher. It was truly an honor to be part of their wedding! It was absolutely stunning. And unfortunately my camera was about to die the whole time so I barely got any pictures. Here are a few though.

Rehearsal dinner at Tony's in Houston. Fabulous, fabulous!

The ceremony was beautiful! All the flowers were white. The church was covered in flowers! Didn't get any pics of that though.

The reception was at Lakeside Country Club, and it too was covered with white flowers. The theme of the wedding to me was New Orleans glamour. It was complete with a blue lit bayou, twinkle light lined bridge, trees lining the drive covered in moss, romantic candlelit lanterns lining every walkway, and little fun touches throughout. Such as....a lifesize lion ice sculpture, cheeseburgers brought out at 10:30 pm on silver platters as the band played Jimmy Buffett's Cheeseburger in Paradise, Chinese Slippers brought out for comfort dancing, a chic photo booth, and to top the night off....as the couple left for their honeymoon, guests were treated to hot beinget's and cafe ole. Oh and everything was monogrammed...I mean everything. From the coffee cups, to the beinget bags, to the hand towels in the restrooms. Wow.

Unfortunately as well....since we were so busy throughout the day, I didn't even realize I hadn't gotten a picture of Lauren! This is the only one I have. We liked Mitzi (her mom's hair) so we took a picture of that. Makes no sense...I know. :( I'm sure there will be plenty of pics of Lauren later though. I'll find them somewhere. She was gorgeous!

These are flowers from the wedding. Mitzi told me to take some home and I did not hesitate! They are now brightening my dining room table. Breathtaking.

Another Houston Car Show

A few Saturdays ago, Jonathan and I woke up at 7 am to get to an informal Houston car club show that happens near the Galleria every first Saturday of the month. All sorts of cars from classics, to kit cars people build, to average sports cars that people make a hobby of improving, to the most exquisite, rare, and expensive luxury cars were there. We spent a couple hours just walking around and I really enjoyed it.

When you arrive at the Uptown shopping center, the shops aren't open yet, since the car show only goes til 10am, and every parking spot is filled with a special car. Many with hoods up so you can see the goods inside.

I thought this car was a really pretty blue. :)

Here you can see where Jonathan was able to find a parking spot in the corner for his car...we thought at the time no nice cars would come over near us because we're not part of the car club....well we got blocked in by fun cars, and one little teeny tiny cute cute red one beside him.

On the right in this pictures you can just barely see a black Lamborghini. I think there was something really special about this one because Jonathan went crazy over it. Also, he loved the red car. Not sure why right now. I'll have to get him to remind me.

Oh I know, why I was probably distracted from the Lambo and red car....the main part of the show was parked outside Ann Taylor Loft! And as part of getting me to come, I got to go shopping afterward! It was closed until the very end of the car show so we kept walking by and I'd look in the window and think about what I might like. Slightly distracting.

Ahhhhh........wonderful way to end the morning!

Letting down

I am officially letting down and de-stressing today. I have been nonstop busy the past month....like made a hair appointment and had to cancel because I had to work(on a Sunday)/tried to get my nails done and had to just touch them up myself (3 times)/my wonderful amazing in-laws came and cleaned my house busy.

I had a huge client deadline this past Monday, and I took a section of the CPA exam today. The CPA exam is the bane of my existence right now sad to say, but I feel very confidant that I passed the part I took today and I just have 1 left after this!

So this evening when I got home from my exam, I walked in to my house and on the stairs was this trio of things...(clearly its on my dining room table here but it was on the stairs...so sweet)

Oh Jonathan....how do I love thee, let me count the ways! He is so thoughtful and this was exactly what I needed after the month's business.

Well its been an entire month practically since I've blogged so let's catch up.

Our attic caught on fire last weekend. Well not complete ablaze thanks to a circuit breaker that does its job. But the secondary circuit breaker that we have for the heater only in the attic tripped or something and caught fire and turned off our heating/cooling system. Long story short, we got it fixed immediately but it was scary and we are very fortunate it was not worse, was covered by our warranty, and that we weren't sleeping when it happened. (I have pictures of the box they took out, but I didn't have my card in my camera so I have to find my actual camera cord to get them on here...I'll work on that. the picture is amazing....metal and plastic completely melded together and black...scary)

We joined our sunday school class at second baptist, the Newlywed class. We love the teachers and meeting new young couples every Sunday! It is one of the highlights of every week for me. The class is for couples in their first year of marriage, and is so wonderful at getting us to talk about things we wouldn't normally just bring up, and see God's plan for it all. Its sort of like year long marriage counseling.

The other big thing of the month is that we discovered a new TV show that I am obsessed with!

If you haven't seen The Big Bang Theory on CBS, well its time you did. I have never been this addicted to a sitcom before. We bought the complete second season, couldn't find the first so we got it on netflix, and we watch it every Monday night for the new episodes on CBS at 8:30. The show is about 2 genius scientists living in LA working at a university with their 2 geeky friends, and an aspiring actress, Penny, who works at the Cheesecake Factory and lives across the hall. Its just about their lives and quirks and interactions, but it really is awesome! It is the funniest show I've ever seen. The best episode...if you've never seen it and want to go rent it and be hooked...is in the second season called "The Bath Item Gift Hypothesis".

Besides that...we've been watching the Olympics...trying to keep a clean house, which yes...Jonathan's parent's really did come and clean our house. His mother called me and just offered...and I am not one to look a gift horse in the mouth. I am beyond blessed to have them. A wonderful example of selflessness and care.

Our condo complex has begun construction on the second phase, so that's been interesting watching construction and dealing with that. But I know it is a blessing because it will make property values go up which is always good!

As for the future....we are heading to fabulous LAS VEGAS friday!!!! We are going to a join bachelor/bachelorette party for our best friends Stephanie and David. It is going to rock.

Then tomorrow....oh I'm so excited about this.....Jonathan is taking me to go see Celine Dion's documentary movie in Imax about the world tour she just finished (which I saw in Dallas with Mom, Steph, and Maggie last January). I'm so excited. Related to that, mom and I have already decided that we will be making a trip to Las Vegas again in 2011 to see Celine when she revives her Vegas show. No question about it. We will go.

That's God

As I was driving home from Grand Prairie last night, along I-45 for four hours...I had prayed before I left that I would be alert and enjoy the drive. Well God answered my prayer in a wonderful way and a way that I think He speaks to me in particular. Through music. I stumbled upon a little country radio station from Crockett, TX that plays inspirational, Christian country music on Sunday evenings. A countdown of sorts; well the very first song in the countdown that came on just as I randomly flipped to this station was "That's God" by JoDee Messina. I've always liked JoDee's music. I think she was discovered by Tim McGraw. Anyway, the melody caught my attention and then the words...the words were just as if I had thought them and here they were in song. I had been thinking over the past week about just how do I explain my faith to someone who may not believe. My actions speak louder I know, but I was thinking about how to start a conversation with someone about why I believe, and possibly lead them to Christ. How do you put into words what God is and why they should believe too? Now granted, this song does not answer this question as by definition faith is not seen or heard. But, it did put beautifully what I believe is one way to see God.

This is JoDee's website where you can hear the song and hear her story of how she came to write it. Hope it works:
http://www.jodeemessina.com/index.splash.php?file=JDMTG-Radio

The album is new and this is the first single. I particularly love when mainstream artists do songs that are a testimony. I think that Christians in any field are missionaries, and for secular musicians that are Christians they can have a great opportunity to reach people who might otherwise be turned off by a religious song.


Lyrics:

Have you ever stepped outside,
felt the sun on your face.
Seen the waters of the ocean
Reach so far they start to fade
Have you ever seen a mountain top
Reach up and kiss the sky
That's God.

Have you ever seen the wonder
In the eyes of a child
And felt the way the room lights up
With that tiny little smile
Witness their amazement
At the simplest of things
That's God.

If you take the time to look around
You'll see it everywhere
Its right here all around us
Even when we're not aware
It doesn't have to be a miracle
It might just be the little tthings
And even those who say they don't believe
They may not know it, but everyday they see
That's God.

Have you ever heard a song
That reached inside your soul
That says what you can't say
Let's you know you're not alone
You'll find the inspiration
To keep on holding on
That's God.

Oh and people make a difference
Just being who they are
But when someone wants to lend a helping hand,
Maybe its somebody who just takes the time to listen
To let you know that they understand

Have you ever known a love
That opens up your heart
Selfless and encouraging
To help you reach the stars
Patient and forgiving
And accepts you as you are
That's God.

The Houston Car Show

Tonight Jonathan and I went to the Houston car show. I took off work early just for this because he has been talking about it for over a month! It was quite fun! Sort of like the car shows at the Texas State Fair, except I think a little bigger. Tonight was nice because it was opening night and there just weren't that many people there. We were in and out in an hour and then went and had dinner at Lupe Tortilla. By the way, if you haven't had their steak fajitas or their queso....you don't know what you're missing. I could drink that queso. Ok back to cars....

This is my next car...my mommy car. (No, I won't be a mommy soon but I envision getting this in about 3-4 years. :) Just realized he didn't really get a picture of the car. Its a Lexus RX350. You know, the smallest SUV one. So cute!

Here you can just barely see my man "posing" with an Audi R8. Apparently its very nice because it was one of the few you can't get in. (according to Dub just now, it is about $115K.) I say "posing" because he would not really pose with a car at the show. I think its not cool or something. I had no problem with it. :) You can't see it too well in this picture, but the engine is right there in the back window. Weird.

Then, this was just neat to look at...Toyota made a version of the Tundra all tricked out in tribute or inspired by the country duo Brooks and Dunn. It had this crazy tailgating setup all BUILT IN to the bed of the truck. A flat screen TV, stainless steel grill, steam pot, and serving area.

Then, the bed of the truck had this cover...it is all embossed leather in a cowboy sort of pattern with steel studs. The door handles are silver embellished like belt buckles. What?

Finally, the cream of the crop at the show were these Aston Martin DBS cars. According to Dub, they are 2010 models that have not even gone on sale yet. Just for comparison though...the 2009 models of these went for $270,000. These were roped off completely. These were Bond cars last year. Cool!

After some of these car prices...my request for a little Lexus SUV is just not to far out there I think.

Brain Break

Tonight I am working, but I need a brain break. This entry is just that. This is the first of many nights to work in the coming months. It is tax busy season. Oh joy! Part of me is glad that I am busy because of the past couple months of not being busy at work and the stress that brings in my line of work. Its all about chargeability. Clearly Nov./Dec. is the slowest time for taxes, but being so new to it all I want to be a valuable asset to my company at all times and not feel like I'm falling behind. That being said, I'm eating my words and am very busy. On top of that I'm a bit stressed that I am taking a part of the CPA exam on February 24th and have not yet really begun my studies for it. When will I find the time? I have to pass. I am praying today and everyday until then for efficency with my time, energy, and the desire to study and comprehend and retain.

But then when I sit here thinking about the stress I feel about it all, I realize that I should be thankful that I have a wonderful job to be stressed about and that I have an opportunity to become a CPA. So I'll stay positive and focus on that, especially knowing how hurt parts of our world are right now. I am thankful for the blessings God has given me.

Ok, so enough about being stressed...and a little more on my brain break...

This is what my wonderful husband is doing to help me:

Dishes. :) What a man!

Then, I have been meaning to post pictures of our home as set up as it is thus far and will do a bigger more detailed post sometime in the future. In particular, I will do one on decor, and then one on organization and Elfa Shelving (A true miracle invention). If you know me...you might be laughing at that, but we do have a pretty organized house now. Really! But for now, here is the latest project, our entry way.

We don't have a lot of space but its been needing something at least hung on the walls. On the left is a beautiful tiled cross that Caroline Kieschnick gave us for our wedding. On the right is a little table and mirror that were in my grandparent's house in San Angelo.

Prior to yesterday this mirror had a dark brown/bronze colored finish. Beautiful, but dated, and antique looking. So I took a leap of faith and painted it a glossy white to match all the molding and trim in our house. I was going for a more modern, updated look. I think it turned out pretty good!

Here is a close up shot of the beautiful detailing of the mirror. It is really exquisite carving. I hope I haven't ruined the mirror, but I really do like it better this way and to me it almost brings out the detail more this way.

Then, I bought some fresh flowers (ok, greenery because its so inexpensive and smelled so good!), and put it in this taller vase with turquoise irridescent pebbles in the bottom to bring in the turquoise that is the accent color in pretty much our whole house.
Hope everyone is having a blessed evening and takes a brain break every once in a while. It is quite refreshing. Now back to work.