Sometimes...

You need to be reminded of just how special you are to someone. So with that said, "You're my HERO!"

I love you :)

Yay for snow!

So once home I was instructed that I had to take Dixie outside to play in the snow and get some good photos of her playing in the daylight...so thus it begins...

She is begging "Momma please don't make me go in the snow, I will never pee or poop in the house again, I promise!" It was really quite pathetic to see this face looking up at me...

So I ran inside and got her tennis balls and that was all she wrote!

It's like she suddenly forgot all about the snow and was having a blast!

Then I'm trying to get it so I can throw it again and she began running from me

Our pretty house all covered in snow! :)

We made the neighbors come out to get our photo...I didn't bundle up enough though...it was COLD!

I had to send Jason out to the grocery store for some things and he took photos of our neighborhood entrance all covered in snow...I think he was hoping for deer and this was all the excitement he found

So after dinner he decided to go play with the neighbor...he gave him a run for him money...

But in the end, it was VICTORY to the 3 year old!

So yay for snow 2010! I wonder if we will get another snow like this any time soon??? It was sure pretty to wake up to this morning! I just wish I had a good enough camera to get the pretty sun rising up over our house right now!

It's not snowing!

So all day long people kept saying how it wasn't going to snow but by about 10am it was a downpour! By about 1:30pm a few of us just couldn't take the suspense anymore and had to rush downstairs for some afternoon fun!

All of us that braved the cold

And thus the madness begins!

Take that!!!

Our photographer...had to get a shot with him :)

Our usual shot of ourselves

It was a lot of fun, and by 4pm, Judge Sims decided that it would be the best thing to let everyone go home! Yippee!

Photography...the last chapter!

So...the results of court...we won. There is a 10 day appeal period then I can rest easy, but the judge found in our favor so it's a huge relief for Jason and I.

Wonderful wonderful weekend!

So Jason and I decided to go down to Bridge City this weekend. We finally have all our wedding albums so we can take them to everyone and we haven't been down in a while so it's time for a visit.

Friday was interesting, we stopped in Baytown for dinner at Johnny Carinos which is a pretty normal thing for us. They were super busy so we had to wait about 10 minutes but then we were seated right next to the kitchen. It was neat to watch everything going on, I kept commenting on how much work goes into everything and how amazing it was that no one was running into each other! Well, I noticed there was a dish that was sitting on the counter that looked like what I ordered, I watched everyone passed things over it and worked all around it but never touched it for about 5 or 6 minutes. Then it got moved to a tray where it remained for another 5 or 6 minutes but it had a second dish with it, so I assumed it was coming to us, well someone walked up and grabbed that second dish then walked off with it leaving the first one again all alone there. So after a while a hot (fresh) bowl of chicken fettuccine was placed on that tray and it was brought to our table. As soon as it was set in front of me I had a displeased look on my face, I felt the food with my finger and just as I though, cold. No, not just a little, it was cold on top and then a little warm when I tossed the pasta around. When our waitress came she insisted that she bring a new plate but I told her it was fine, and it was, it's not that it was ice cold, so I could at least eat it but when you get your food you would expect it to be nice and hot and this wasn't. After a while the manager came and said something and of course took care of the meal and was pushing dessert of us but we were done. I told him it was fine, it was actually quite comical because I have gotten food there before and noticed it was a little cool once it came and always wondered why, well, now I know! It probably has been sitting there for a while and not being brought to me fresh. So, my food may have not been super hot, but it was worth it and we got out of there for $10! Now how often does that happen?!?!

Saturday we went and had us some breakfast, I love going back to his parent's house, they make the best breakfasts!!! We took his granny her photo album from the wedding, this was her first time to see the photos from the wedding, she loved it and I know it made Jason very happy to show them to her. Then we went to Beaumont to get all our jewelry looked at, got my ring all shiny and cleaned! We left everything there for about an hour and went walking the mall so they could get good and clean, Jason teased how he was a "single man" again since he didn't have his ring on! (He kept his hand in his pocket for the entire time we were at the mall!) We got done in Beaumont and went back to Bridge City to get ready for dinner and gambling with his parents. Let me tell you, I have never seen money go faster than that night for me...I was crying inside on how fast I lost the money I was gambling. It was TERRIBLE! We had a good time though, stayed out all night long and boy were we tired!

Of course you know I can't sleep late, not matter what, so I was up and at 'em early. Thankfully Jason's dad had a cup of coffee for me to wake up with! We just hung around the house all morning and then after lunch went to visit granny one last time before we headed home. The entire way I think my mouth was watering at the fact that I knew as soon as we got home we were going to be having some WINGS!!!! Jason and I went 8 days without our normal wing fix, it's crazy!

We needed that fix and some good rest for what tomorrow brings! Check back tomorrow for the results of our civil suit with our photographer...

Woo-hoo to the Prez!

I'm so proud of Jason, he is the past president of our Lions Club but he won an award for "Most Retention" meaning that he was able to maintain our club's membership for his tenure as president. Here he is at our meeting tonight getting the patch for our club's banner.


YAY Jason!

Happy Valentine's Day

Well we have had a busy busy weekend of festivities. On Friday we worked a concert for our Lions Club, the Dennis Ivey Show. It's a traveling Opry style show that we have had for two years now and it seems to be a hit among those that attend, even though this year we had a few falls - eek!

Saturday we went to a fundraiser for Scotty's House, our area's local Child Advocacy Center. They had a steak dinner, silent auction and great entertainment - Zona Jones. Of course we were on the bus pre-show but had a really good time the entire evening, we only wish it would have lasted longer. Here are a few photos from that:

A group officers from Bryan PD

Typical photo of us dancing

The ladies from the DA's office with Zona

And as usual, our photo with Zona

Valentine's Day was nice, I woke up early and made Jason breakfast before we went to church together. We got out and came home to start watching the Daytona 500 that we had started to record. We watched it for a couple of hours then went to see a movie. Oh...while at home Jason gave me a dozen chocolate covered strawberries. We went and saw Edge of Darkness with Mel Gibson, it was very good!!! We filled up on popcorn for the afternoon since we had skipped lunch then had a late dinner reservation at, our traditional, Cafe' Eccell. I thought something was wrong with my dish that evening but I wouldn't know for sure until the next day when I was home sick all day!

It was a nice "First Valentine's Day as a Mrs." nonetheless, I mean, Jamie McMurray won the Daytona 500...that's AWESOME!

Finally!

Yes it's true, we finally have our wedding albums!!! FINALLY...but only after some drastic measures had to be taken...I won't get into those details just yet but here are the albums...

Last week we got a call that our books were in, minus the grandmother books but there was an "added surprise" in there just for us. (Sidebar: I'm sorry, are you really trying to bribe me now?!) So here is the Fine Arts album as well as one of the smaller Mother-in-Law albums. Now...again, the MIL albums are about twice the size they should be, again, probably another "added surprise" just for us.

Now on to the real "added surprise" for us, a wall calendar. What the heck am I supposed to do with a calendar that has 5 photos of us...I can't write on the calendar, it's not like I can follow along and tell what day it is...it's horrible...but again, probably just a bribe...

So then I see a familiar face this Wednesday and he says he left me a surprise on my desk. He tells me that the grandmother books are in and we were given an "added surprise" yet again...really at this point added merchandise isn't helping! So the books are amazing, but they aren't the ones we ordered, again, I think a little something extra to smooth things over...pretty sure we went with the cheapest book possible...just a leather bound front and no fancy photos or anything but instead this is what we got.

Then the "added surprise" again, a carrying bag for the albums. Probably a $0.99 bag he found at Wal-Mart!

So thus ends the hunt for our wedding albums...now begins the rough road ahead. Because it's a pending civil suit, details will have to follow at a later date.

Have a fantabulous Friday!

Here fishy fishy fishy!

Can't sleep...so here's what you get :) It is indeed that time again, the hubby has begun the fishing weekends. He went a couple of weeks ago, but he missed the memo the fish got...it was cold and he came home empty handed, well he more than made up for it this weekend. This was taken with my phone so please excuse the low quality of the photo.

I have to be sure to give credit where credit is due...half of the fish were caught by another avid fisherman so they weren't all caught by Jason but he sure did clean them all on his own...

So now we have a nice fishy smell that fills the house, I can't find enough lemons in the house...it usually takes about a week to get the smell out...just in time for Jason to go and fish some more next weekend! Woo-hoo for such a lovely weekend! And P.S. GEAUX SAINTS!!! So super excited!!!

What to do?!?!

I really thought I could make myself keep up with this blog thing better than anything but as my husband reminded me yesterday, I surely haven't done much! Now that the holidays have come and gone, Jason and I find that we have nothing to do! For the past few weekends we have sat at home and done NOTHING! Now don't get me wrong, I love that we don't have to rush around on the weekends and do things, but sitting at home is getting a little old. I thought work was going to pick up for me but it actually is pretty slow until about March. Now Jason on the other hand, if you've seen the local news lately then you know he's been super busy! It's like I have always said, "the only way I keep up with my husband is if I see him on the evening news!"

Fishing should be starting up soon so that will consume our weekends...our freezer is a little "fish free" right now so we need to go out and get some! I am hoping that I can bring home my bridal bouquet that was getting preserved by a company in Waco. I've been getting photos of it along the way and it's finally done so I'm super excited about that. If you have read the paper or watched some local newscasts lately then you have seen a story running about a photographer, yes that is our wedding photographer but it's not our story. We were aware of it but have chosen to stay out of it all. We are still waiting on items but are taking care of things the only way we know to do. Will keep everyone posted on that as it all unfolds.

Still really enjoying my daily "don't sweat the small stuff" calendar of nice things, here is today's:

"If you can see the value in becoming a little less serious - for yourself and those around you - then you have it in you to do so. Instead of waiting until the end of your life to have a change of heart, make that effort now. You'll be glad you did."

These really just make my days and have surely helped me when I'm having a rough day.

Since I have been free on the weekends, I got to spend a day this past weekend with a very special friend. Coffee, cinnamon bread, great conversation, then a nice "girls" lunch with her two precious girls. In all of her running around and hecticness she has going on these days, I admire her for all her kind words she always has to offer when I'm having a horrible day and the crazy calls of ranting! (Next time run a stop sign in BRYAN!!!)

Yay for Fridays! Hopefully the day will pass quickly...will post photos of the bouquet if I end up going to get it!

I could get used to this blog business

This blog thing might not be so bad...I still don't know what all to write about, I have nothing exciting going on in my life to write about but my days at work and that's nothing to jump up and down about! I did come up with some resolutions for the coming year to strive for that I felt I would share with you.

I am still determined to some day run a marathon and if a certain someone has her way it will be by the end of the year...but a trip to Berlin is not in my future!! Jason and I are going to start small...5k's here and there and then build up. I am going to stick to it this year!

The biggest thing I want to strive for is just being a happier person. I tend to let every little thing bother me and I'm not afraid to let you know that you are bothering me! I have been told that I have looks that say a thousand words...my response to that has always been "would you rather me say those thousand words I'm thinking of or just let you look at my disgusted face?" Well I intend to stop with that! I would hate for my face to get stuck like that...I can remember my mother always telling me that if I pouted long enough my face would get stuck like that!

I remember once hearing a line, "I cannot control how I am perceived, I can only control how I present myself." So I intend on presenting myself a little better! I got a desk calendar for Christmas, one of those day-by-day calendars of little daily "don't sweat the small stuff" lines. They are pretty interesting...today's was good:

"Most of us handle the 'big stuff' pretty well. The stress you feel often comes from fighting those 'no chance of winning' battles where the outcome is practically irrelevant anyway."

I do stress over dumb little things I can't change. So, a big thing to change: quit worrying and just start living! I can't change the past, can't predict the future, so I just need to enjoy the gift of the present.

I want to try and stay in touch with friends and family more. Sometimes life gets in the way but I want to really try to stay in touch. Not taking anything for granted, because you can never be sure of when it may all be gone. Whew...I feel like I am typing a Hallmark card!

Let's see...changing the subject, we are a house divided right now. I rooted for 'Bama last night in the BCS Championship Game and Jason was rooting for Texas. He says it should be a Texas team I am rooting for, listen in on a conversation we had with my dad the other night:

Dad: "Do you two have your Texas gear for tomorrow's game?"
Me: "Heck no!"
Jason: (under his breath) "Please don't get her started again..."
Me: "A true Aggie will support A&M and anyone playing against Texas! You never root for Texas!"
Dad: "Yes but a true Texan will support a Texas team."
Jason: "Yea, a true Texan!"
Me: "Oh really?! So if the game was between Texas Tech and Alabama, who would you root for?"
Jason: "Alabama!"

My sweet husband, bless his heart...he makes me smile so big sometimes! So, needless to say, after the results of last night's game, he's a little sad. And I might rub it in his face a little that Texas lost. :)

The new year is a little odd, from what I can tell, Jason and I don't have anything planned for the weekends. Last year at this time I was beginning all the bridal showers and busy weekends of final fittings and planning for the wedding. Now we can just relax and not worry about anything. Our anniversary trip is already booked and we don't have anything from now until then. Let's hope it stays that way!!!

Finally bit the bullet - no pun intended!

So I finally bit the bullet and created a blog, figured this is probably the best way for friends and family to keep up with us. I had always said we would create one after we got engaged to track all the craziness of the wedding...that didn't happen. Then I said I would create one after we got married to track our life together...that didn't happen. So now, as we are approaching our first anniversary I thought that starting at the beginning of 2010 was a good time to start a blog.

A LOOK BACK

2009 was an amazing year, we got married...enough said. That is enough excitement for a lifetime, and ours was no exception to some catastrophes. From flowers to decorations to a photographer that we are still dealing with to this day, it was one crazy year! I know I couldn't have made it through those first few months of the year without some major help from my friends.

I think Jason and I are finally getting settled into this "married life" situation! My mom frequently tells me I am becoming "domesticated." What the heck is that? Don't you do that to animals?!? It's hard with our busy schedules to find the time to cook and clean, but we make do. (Even if that means hiring a maid and eating out all the time!) We are planning a vacation for our first anniversary. I still get butterflies when I hear myself saying things like "married" and "my husband" and "anniversary." Just the other day someone said "Thank you Mrs. James" and I was like "oh, that's me, I'm a Mrs. now!" I hear our niece saying "Aunt Mandie" and I'm like "just one year ago I was 'Mandie' and now I'm an AUNT!" As a little girl I was always dreamed of the day I would marry and live happily every after and now that it's all here I still catch myself. It's exciting that I am living my dream, talking about starting a family...I can remember being a baby (well a kid) and now I am thinking of having babies of my own!

SO WHAT DOES 2010 HAVE IN STORE FOR US?!

Well, a first anniversary, maybe a family, a couple of weddings and who knows what else!?! We both work in pretty unpredictable environments, sure there's always work (crime), but you can never be sure of when it will be busy and when it will slow down. We cherish the time we have together at home, away from work. Fishing season will begin soon and we can't wait, with the wedding last year we never got a chance to go out...Jason took our poles out a few days ago, they had a little dust on them!

So...I don't know how this blog thing will go, I'm not one for writing things out so this, to me, is some-what like a diary and I never got into those. We shall see though. I can't promise that I will be on here frequently but will sure try!