Thursday, April 30, 2009

Today is Our Friday


I would just like to preface this post by saying that the only reason I have posted so frequently this week is because I know you are all going to have withdrawals while we are away on vacation for 9 days and I am trying to make up for that:). lol. I do want to add that if Joey and I happen to have internet access in our hotel then you can count on there being a post or two while we are gone so stay tuned! This week has been so busy to say the least but things are coming together little by little. Tonight we drop off our little Kota Mota at the kennel and if you think of it (as silly as it sounds), say a prayer that Dakota does better this time at the kennel then she did the last time we went away. She lost a lot of weight the last time and was really sick when we got her back. I want her to have a fun and to remember to eat this time! What can I say, I'm a worried mama!

Please pray that our flight goes smoothly and that we are safe and sound during our time in the DR. We can't wait to tell you all about it when we get back!!! Joey and I are so thankful for the perfect timing of this trip. God must have known that by this time in our lives, we would both be completely exhausted with life and in dire need of a break. Off we go to have FFFFFUUUUUNNNNNN!!!!!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009

This little Kota...


Freaked me out this morning to say the least. I was sitting in my office while Dakota sat at my feet chewing on her raw hide bone when all of a sudden I hear her whining in an odd way and I look down and she is stumbling all over the floor. I didn't want to jump to conclusions that she was choking because I have done this before and it turned out she was just getting really excited about swallowing a piece of her bone. I looked at her and she looked at me and stopped moving and we had a stare down match for a second as I tried to figure out what was going on. The bone was half hanging out of the side of her jaw and evidently had gotten locked in her jaw and was choking her in the process. I pulled the bone and it was stuck fast in that jaw of hers. I pulled harder and the poor thing yelped bloody murder but, the bone was out and she was once again able to breath! Ahhhhhhh....will there ever be a day with this dog that I can just chill and know that she won't run into a wall at full speed and knock herself out, poop in our master bathroom and then proceed to walk the poop all through our house, bark incessantly while I am on the phone with a customer, or just go and get a bone stuck in her throat for crying out loud! It's a dang good thing I work from home to look out for this little rascal let me tell you! What would she do without me??
Monday, April 27, 2009

Anniversary #5 and a story of sorts


I met Joey during the first semester of my junior year in high school. I think the date would have been September of 1999. We sat across from each other in a keyboarding class and little did I know that the prankster in front of me would someday be my husband! I was shy and careful when it came to guys and Joey was wild and outgoing, but the best thing of all, he put me at ease like no one I had ever met before. Joey's computer somehow "broke" and he was moved into the only available computer which happened to be next to me.
We talked to each other constantly about our lives, our interests and other random things and I know we both really looked forward to that class each day. Then the class came to an end in December of 99' and when we came back to school in January of 2000 I was in music appreciation and Joey was in Home EC. I had moved on and figured we would see each other around, but Joey had not moved on and in fact he met with the guidance counselor and switched into my music class!! Things progressed from there as they always do. We exchanged numbers, began talking on the phone, during lunch, during class, between classes etc and finally I worked up the nerve to ask Joey on a group date. I had never asked any guy out or on a date before mind you. That was not my style at all and it took all the courage I could muster to do so but, I just knew in my heart that this guy was worth it. We went on several group dates and solo dates and we were absolutely smitten with each other. Not long after Joey "asked me out" and I turned the poor guy down for personal reasons which I will not elaborate on here. Under normal circumstances that would be the end of most relationships but, not if Joey could help it. He was crushed to be fair and I think he might have moved on if a friend of mine hadn't told Joey one day in the cafeteria line that I still cared deeply for him and that I was just sorting some things out in my life at the time. (I will owe her forever!). That was all it took! Joey was filled with renewed hope that he could still win me over and he began to pursue me all over again. What a guy huh!

I remember going out to eat at Toppers pizza with Joey shortly thereafter to discuss what was going on and why I was hesitant to commit to a relationship with him. It was a tough conversation..one that I'm sure most 16 year olds have never had to have, but it was a pivotal night for us. After talking and really hashing things out, I accepted Joey's second request to be his girlfriend. That was the night of our first kiss as well...an awkward one to say the least. From there the rest is history. Joey has never once stop pursuing me since the day he met me. He told me a couple years after we had been dating that he had a dream very early on before we were even together that I would be the girl he would marry! To this day, I know God put that dream in Joey's heart and Joey couldn't let it go until he saw that dream become a reality! May 1st, 2004 at Calvary Chapel, Joey and I exchanged wedding vows before our family, friends and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

If anyone were to ask me today, "Do you have any regrets about marrying so young" or "do you think you missed out on things," I can say without a moments hesitation that this is the best life I can imagine and I wouldn't want to change it or take it back for all the money in the world! I have a best friend, confidant, counselor, encourager, jokster, lover, hero and prince all wrapped up into one! I have someone to laugh with, someone to cry with, someone to hold and be held by, someone to worship God with and someone to get old with. I would be a liar if I said that every day is a "bed of roses," or that marriage is as easy as pie, but, with a little tender love and care marriage is the most wonderful gift that God can give a man and woman to share together. Happy 5th Anniversary Joey! You are the most amazing man of God that a woman could ask for and you are just as charming and handsome as the first day I met you!




Sunday, April 26, 2009

5 days to go....


Me and this amazing guy are about to embark on an fantastic tropical vacation in just 5 short days to celebrate 5 wonderful years of marriage! I can't believe the time has finally arrived to pack our bags full of shorts and flip flops, snorkel gear and sunscreen. This picture was taken of us on Easter and I had forgotten to post it. Just wanted to post something on the weekend for all you faithful blog checkers:). Happy Sunday and God bless each of you today!
Friday, April 24, 2009

Travis and Annie - Engagement photos










These two put up with my amateur skills so well! I asked if I could practice taking pictures on them as they are engaged and they agreed and were such troopers with this overly long photo session. You guys did great! Thank you! Photography is such a work in process though let me tell you! lol. I have so much to learn about lighting, exposure, and how to work the camera but, I have to say that this is the funnest hobby I have had in years and I am grateful to anyone who lets me take pictures of them and increase my knowledge of the camera! Anyone else need family pictures, engagement pictures, pictures for fun etc. just let me know! I need lots more practice and hey, you might get a good picture or two out of it!! lol.
Thursday, April 23, 2009

Words in my mind

Wordle: this is now

Thanks for the idea Marissa! That was refreshing! Now to get Joey to do one...haha, it would probably have the words truck, fishing, boat and bass over and over again!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009

What caught my eye today






I love blog hopping when I have free time as well as internet window shopping for furniture on craigslist and ebay. Here are a few of the things that caught my eye today. I also love this quote by Mother Theresa. Please know that I do not condemn any woman who has had an abortion and I would never point a finger of judgement but, in my heart of hearts I know that every child deserves a right to live and I just love the way that MT puts it in this quote.
Monday, April 20, 2009

I think I've been stuck in the 80's



Love this video!!

The Big 26 -

My 26th birthday was April 13th and this year I really wanted to do something different and fun. I have always wanted to do an 80's themed party so this year I thought what the heck, I'll go for it. I invited our friends from our church as well as our neighborhood. We met at a mall to eat first (just like the high school days:) and then we headed over to the local skating rink. We were by far the oldest folks at the rink which made us feel really old and our outfits drew a lot of stares and laughs which was great!



I kinda went for a Pretty In Pink outfit. Joey was likened to Rob Lowe. We had some outfits that resembled Miami Vice, Madonna, Top Gun, Flash Dance and the preppy look. We had a blast!!!
Thank you to everyone who came and made my birthday special this year. It will always be a fun memory to look back on:).




Joey got me a new lens for my camera and a few other camera gadgets that will help me in my photography. I love the new lens (these pics were taken with a different camera). Thank you baby for the wonderful birthday gift!!
Sunday, April 19, 2009

Some of the others


Vinnie was easy to take pictures of and actually it is kind of hard to pick the ones that are my favorites because they were all so cute! I especially love the picture of Vincent with his mamas finger in his mouth because the contrast in the size of the hands is really neat. Thanks again Christine for letting me take a kazillion pictures of your son!! It was a blast!




No, not talking about the others from LOST just some of the other vinnie pics that I liked from Friday's little photo session.
Friday, April 17, 2009

Baby Vincent Round 2


I took a lot of pictures of Vincent again today with the new lens that Joey got me for my birthday. Vincent is almost 6 months old now and is absolutely adorable as is his mommy Christine. I wanted to share my favorite picture of the day!
Thursday, April 16, 2009

Easter with friends





I'm always looking for an opportunity to take pictures of people lately. I don't care of who or of what but, I am always ready. I took a few pictures of our Pastor and his family as we were heading out after spending a wonderful Easter brunch with them. They are such a delightful family and are very easy to get good pictures of. Joey got me a new lens for my birthday this week so I look forward to trying it out during future photo sessions and comparing the
outcomes. Hopefully I will get better as time goes on!

.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Our Churches Easter Video (I'm in it a wee bit:)

A few weeks back I was asked if I would like to be the "wife" character for a video that our church was filming to be played on Easter Sunday. My first thought was to say "no way jose," because I am petrified of any type of public performance, public speaking, auditions, acting etc. I have always challenged myself over the years to face this fear by taking drama classes in school, speaking in front of large audiences etc. in hopes that it will get easier and so far I haven't had any luck. I decided to do this video for the same reason, to challenge myself and even though my part was small, it was difficult for me, but I am glad I did it. Baby steps right! Anyways, this video is a little sad, but the point of it was to get the church to think about who they turn to when times are tough. Do they turn to God and seek His peace and comfort, or do they turn to everything else that this world offers. God is always there for us in both the good times and the bad and in this video the man is shown in two different perspectives; leaning on God for his strength and leaning on his own will and what a difference it makes! Hope you enjoy it!
Monday, April 13, 2009

Landscaping (pictures in reverse order)

Welcome to our front yard! Thanks Granddad and Grandma for the Welcome sign! We both love it!
Ta-Da! We are going to go buy some seasonal flowers here shortly to plant around the edge of the border, but regardless, I am so happy with the change of color, variation and style. These plants will all grow to be much larger over time so our yard will look much different each year. I love it! Can I also say that this picture doesn't do our new yard justice at all because the colors are hard to see as are a few of the smaller plants that don't even show up. Come over and check it out!
You can also see our new storm door that Joey installed a few days earlier. Now we get to look outside and enjoy our garden all day everyday...oh wait, that's just me because I work from home:).
Next step, dig another good sized hole for the Red Dragon Japanese Maple (Joey's baby). I wasn't sure about the mini tree at first, but now it is one of my favorite features of our border. Great choice baby!
First step, dig a huge hole for the Okame Cherry Tree and then figure out how to roll the 400 pound beast up our steep yard and into that huge hole. What an adventure that was!! Thank goodness Joey is so strong and creative!
Our yard before with the builder plants...not terrible, but I don't care for the 70's green/yellow evergreens..let me rephrase that...I hate the green/yellow evergreens...out they go! We pulled everything out. Not a single original plant remains! Fortunately, a neighbor up the street wanted all of our old plants so nothing was murdered just to calm all of you hippies out there:)
Getting our azaleas at a different nursery. We have a picture of Joey pulling the cart too but he isn't very proud of it:) haha
I enjoyed picking out a few border plants and for anyone who knows me..you know that I have a hard time making fast decisions (yes, character flaw)...can you imagine how hard it was for me to pick 4 of these plants with 400 to choose from. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Thankfully, I have an exceptionally patient husband:)
Joey scoping out the plants at the world's cheapest nursery. Never again will we pay full price for a tree at Home Depot or Lowe's.