New Year, New Life

Starting over fresh is always good. Jason finished up his time in the Army in December after almost 4 years...crazy how the time flew by (but then again sometimes it didn't!). I have been working in Ft Worth since October at a new skilled nursing facility and I love it. The people and patients there are great (well, some of them). Jason will be starting school at UTA on Jan. 17th. He's taking history, psychology, biology, and anatomy to finish up his kinesiology degree. He wants to get into PT school after that. I'm proud of him for going back to school. School is hard enough, but going back takes motivation! In a few years, we'll both be therapists! So if you need speech or physical therapy you can come to our home :)

We are now living in Keller in a quiet neighborhood. I do miss our old home because of all the memories we made, but with a new house in a new city we'll make new friends and new memories! It's starting to feel more like home now that we've gotten the boxes out of the house! So thankful for the military packing our stuff and moving it. I hate that part!

I hate making new years resolutions because I rarely keep them, but I would like to try and improve my life in a few ways. Jason and I are looking for a church home and would like to be more involved in going to church more often. This past year we were always out of town and had friends over, so it was hard to consistently attend church. We are also looking to get into better shape (as is everyone I'm sure). I have been going to 24 hr fitness the past 3 months and am loving the classes. Now that Jason is here I'm excited to have a workout partner and someone to keep me accountable. I always think of the phrase that my cycling teacher says "What are you willing to do to be in the best shape of your life?" I like to think of that as not only physical shape, but mental and spiritual as well.

Hope everyone has set goals for the new year and is thankful for the life they are given! Many blessings!

My First Black Friday Experience

So usually I am one to deter away from crowds and crazy people, but there were a few items I was really hoping to catch good deals on. And every year, my mother-in-law and sister-in-law go to the infamous Black Friday shopping. I have never gone, nothing has appealed to me to even want to go near a store at that point. BUT, this year I decided, why the heck not. It's one more thing on the Bucket List, right?

Our first stop was Walmart...and let me tell you, if you thought Walmart was bad on a Saturday buying groceries, you thought wrong. I have never seen so many people act like starving hyenas wanting blenders, toasters, and Shark vaccuums. I was after one thing...the stand-up mixer for $18. People were even coaching others on using "strength" to knock down their "opponents." Seriously, what the hell?! We felt like we were in prison waiting for the guards (cops) to let us attack our items. I cannot even express in words the madness...we got in and out as fast as we could and trust me, WE DID! The ambulance showed up as we were leaving. I mean seriously?! Is it really worth hurting our fellow humanity over a blender? My sister-in-law and I got out safe with our goods and we were on our way. Let's just say things definitely were MUCH better after we left Walmart. If we can do that, we can do anything!!

Kohl's, Macy's and JC Penney's weren't even a comparison to Walmart...we had a blast waiting in line, getting to know other people, finding AMAZING deals, and best of all, bonding with family.

Jessica and I around 1:30 am at Kohl's with our goods :)

A Lot to be Thankful For!

Another Turkey Day has come and gone. Did everyone eat to their heart's content? This year, I spent Thanksgiving Day with my in-laws and we went to Truluck's Dallas. It's a diner-style decor with fancy seafood and steak menu! My father-in-law and I had the traditional Thanksgiving lunch including turkey, gravy, potatoes, dressing, broccoli and cheese casserole, cranberry sauce, green beans and bread. YUM :)

But the secret was the appetizer...Pumpkin soup. I know...sounds disgusting, but wow it was amazing...tiny pumpkin seeds in it also. Man, its one of those must-try before you die kinda things.

I have had an extremely blessed year full of health, wealth and happiness...Jason and I may not have it all together, but together we have it all! I love you very much best friend!

Happy Thanksgiving and continue to be thankful everyday, for each day is a blessing in itself!



Football, Fall & FUN!

I don't know about the rest of you, but I am SO into all the college football games going on, esp OU, duh?! If I miss a game, I'm so lost. Who is this person I've turned into? Haha. I'm glad its something fun me and my husband can share together. It's a "bonding" time for us on Saturdays. I love watching boys who enjoy the game as a passion and not a paycheck. Agreed? For that reason, I boycott professional football. Although, guilty, I play fantasy football...mainly for the heck of it and nothing serious :)

As for the weather, I am so thankful that its finally cooling off. Love looking at fall sweaters, home decor and best of all, amazing comfort food recipes. Some of my fav fall foods include pumpkin bread, casseroles, fudge, turtles, corn casserole, ham, etc... Making me hungry just thinking about it all! Who else is getting excited for when after Thanksgiving comes around....BLACK FRIDAY, holiday movies and colder weather. Man, I cannot absolutely freaking wait! I will be more excited when Jason and I are back in one spot with a new house and settled into the next chapter of our lives together. That is the most important thing I look forward to.

There is LOTS to be thankful for this month and every month, continue to think of how God has been a blessing to you, how you can be a blessing to others, and remember what He did for us so that we can live an abundant and joyful life!

Sunday, prayers for you!

Just wanted to take a moment to reflect on a friendship with my long-time dear friend, Sunday. I have known Sunday since I was 16...hard to believe it! I remember thinking I had never known a Sunday and he is definitely one of a kind!

I remember first dancing with him at Dance Discovery and meeting him by being Teri Wilkerson's assistant with all the dance auditions thru the ACU theatre dept. His charisma is impeccable. His laugh and smile are contagious.

I can hear his voice cheering for me and pumping up all the dancers from off-stage during performances. He is a cheerleader indeed! He always made me feel like I was, one of his loves,' Britney Spears' backup dancers. Being at Lindsay (Perry) McGill's house and watching Britney Spears dvd's and learning the dances were the highlight of our weekends with Sunday Ibok in college.

We were in so many performances together and I think one of the most memorable ones includes Oklahoma at the Paramount Theatre in Abilene. I was his partner in the dance dream sequence and I have never laughed so hard nor had so much fun rehearsing with him.

He is definitely the Lord's treasure and I am so thankful he was a part of my life growing up in Abilene. I continue to pray for his healing as he is on life support at Baylor in Dallas following a brain aneurysm. Pray he is able to pull through and continue to bless others lives' through his love for people and for the Lord.

BOOMER SOONER is BACK!

So it is official....college football season has begun! I absolutely love it! Getting friends together, having a fun "rivalry" with everyone, eating great food & drinking while cheering on your fav team. Perfection! Makes me wish I had gone to a Big 12 school, but ACU was great don't get me wrong! Just nothing like being an alum from a large school.

Can't wait to see what this football season holds...and how hard OU is gonna kick UT this year, what what :)

It's been a year already!

SO much has happened in the past year and its crazy how time has flown since I married my best friend on Saturday August 21, 2011. Over the past year, we have met so many amazing married couples and have found friendships in all of them that we will never forget. We made our house a home, have 2 wonderful doggies, and have enjoyed being in each other's company.

We went to Austin, TX for a little anniversary trip this year. We stayed at the Hampton downtown...free breakfast in the morning and free booze at night, who can complain?! Jason tempted me to try sushi and thai food for the first time, both of which I found out I liked :) Yes, I admit it! We went to see the TX Military Museum, which was pretty cool...shopping on South Congress in the vintage stores. I liked the hippie shopping more than Jason did though :) Ate some Amy's Ice Cream, which is quite delish...if you haven't tried it it's time to try it out! Hmm...what else...had some fab grilled fish tacos at Baby Acapulco's...visited the Austin Zoo as well as the Art Museum...liked the zoo more than the art museum though. We went downtown to 6th st the last night and we had a blast. Feeling like a college student again since it was college night!

Overall, both of us enjoyed our time spent together as well as relaxing from the stress of everyday life. We both are looking forward to many years to come and continuously pray God will lead us in the direction of where He wants us! I love you more than chocolate, weiner dogs, and hip hop music baby! And that's saying a LOT :)