for a fun girls' weekend; we went horseback riding and then shopped until we couldn't stand anymore! We just got back from Jackson a little while ago after a great weekend of friends, football, and baby showers. Next weekend Rob's brother is getting married, the next we'll be going to Atlanta to visit my sister... Just looking at my daytimer wears me out! None of our weekends have been, or will be, restful- not even a little bit- but totally worth it. For now, for this moment, Rob and I are back home early and are chilling on the couch watching a movie, and while not the most exciting event or memory of the month, it's definitely one of my favorites!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Monday, Monday
for a fun girls' weekend; we went horseback riding and then shopped until we couldn't stand anymore! We just got back from Jackson a little while ago after a great weekend of friends, football, and baby showers. Next weekend Rob's brother is getting married, the next we'll be going to Atlanta to visit my sister... Just looking at my daytimer wears me out! None of our weekends have been, or will be, restful- not even a little bit- but totally worth it. For now, for this moment, Rob and I are back home early and are chilling on the couch watching a movie, and while not the most exciting event or memory of the month, it's definitely one of my favorites!
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Race for the Cure


My Cheerleader

Thursday, October 02, 2008
At home with my honey
While Rob was in Texas, I went home to Louisiana for a weekend. It was a lot of fun seeing my family. I got to spend time getting to know my future brother-in-law, Scott, a little better; we girls had a good time shopping for bridesmaids dresses; I got to chat with my granny over a cup of coffee before everyone else woke up; and we all had a blast watching my nephew, David (check out his blog!). My mom must have taken a hundred pictures that weekend, but none have surfaced yet! It's so neat watching him grow and change. The trip had been planned for a while, and turned out to be a wonderful distraction in the middle of Rob's trip.
God has been teaching me a lot lately. I've been meeting with a group of women going through Beth Moore's Stepping Up, and have also had some really good conversations with a couple of girlfriends recently. God has been refining my heart, which is often uncomfortable for a time, but always good. I'm thankful for friends who have challenged me and encouraged me. My times with the Lord have been really sweet thanks to all of these things. I hope I'll be able to expound on that soon, and put words to everything in my head and my heart.
Random change of subject (thinking "out loud")... I want to cook a roast in the crock pot tomorrow. I don't have time to cut up the vegetables & get it all ready in the morning, but I'm afraid that if I cut everything up tonight it will be brown by morning. How do I not have time to cook in a slow-cooker?
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Busy, Busy Girl
I had a fantastic visit with my college roommate, Courtney, a couple of weeks ago. We lived together from 1999-2000 (until I graduated from LSU), and since I moved out we've only seen each other once or twice a year for a couple of hours at a time. It was so great to have a whole two days with her just hanging out. It was the ultimate girl weekend!
The very next weekend, my sweet husband took me on a 3-day cruise to celebrate our first wedding anniversary! We went to Nassau, Bahamas, and it was fabulous! It was so nice to get away from the busy-ness of our crazy life and just spend a couple of days focused on each other. I think my favorite part (more than Atlantis and the beach) was the long talk we had on the top deck of the boat every night. This was my first cruise. I've always loved the beach, because it reminds me of the hugeness and power of God. Being out in the middle of the ocean with nothing in sight but waves brings up those same thoughts. The water was pretty choppy and we had no shortage of ocean breezes (translate: crazy wind) thanks to Hurricane Hanna, but that didn't stop us from enjoying our trip.
I went back and read my blog post from September 1 last year- the morning of our wedding. I didn't know it was possible that I could be more in love with Rob than I was that day, and yet, I absolutely am! He makes me laugh, keeps me warm, and is a constant reminder that God loves me. I am so grateful that God chose to bless me with such an incredible man as Rob. I am the luckiest girl ever!
Friday, August 15, 2008
So much to say...
3's About Me!
Three jobs I have had in my life:
1. Auto body shop receptionist
2. Behavior therapist for autistic kids
3. Coffee Master/ Barista
Three shows that I watch:
1. The Office
2. Friends reruns
3. The Amazing Race
Three places I have been:
1. Hvar, Croatia
2. Damascus, Syria
3. Lynchburg, Tennessee
Three People who email me:
1. Courtney
2. Rachel
3. Juliana
Three of my favorite foods:
1. Mexican anything
2. Peanut butter
3. Pancakes
Three places I'd rather be right now:
1. With my hubby
2. Asleep
3. The Beach
Three things I am looking forward to this year:
1. My first wedding anniversary (sept 1)
2. Seeing my nephew David again
3. Christmas with Rob in our first home
Pray for Rob. He left for Florida today to "scope out" Fay's damage; it was a long, rainy trip. Pray that they can make some big progress this weekend so that he can come home early next week. Fortunately, I'm not alone- my college roommate, Courtney, arrived tonight for a weekend visit (our first extended visit in 8 years!) As sad as I am that Rob is gone (really, I am. sincerely.), I'm very excited about the total-girl weekend ahead!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Organized Chaos
QUICK UPDATES: The lows and highs
- Rob was in Cedar Rapids for a week. I cried a lot and slept just a little. I was kind of pathetic really. It's a good thing he came home when he did.
- The tomato's are struggling. I think we're down to two that might survive to full-grown so we can eat them.
- Rob's brother, Stephen, proposed to his girlfriend, Joanna. We've got two siblings getting married in the next year, and we're thrilled for them. We are excited about both of our new in-laws!!
- We made a quick road trip to Louisiana for July 4th and my dad's birthday (can you say there's anything "quick" about 16 hours round trip?!) It was great to see family that we hadn't seen in a while! We ate, watched old home movies from when my dad was a kid, laughed, visited, waterskiied, and worked to see who could make David laugh the most. He is growing in size and cuteness daily! I wish it was easier to get home more often...
- We were home for less than 14 hours when we left again, bound for the national Servpro Convention in Denver. Rob learned a lot in workshops while I worked hard at relaxing. It was a good time to reconnect with old friends and build relationships with new people as well. Rob was given the Director's level Platinum award- the highest from his "class"! (I think I was a little more proud of him than he was- ok, a lot!) We also took a vacation day after the convention ended and went to Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak.
- We got our government stimulus check, and like good, law-abiding citizens, we went out and spent part of it the next day. We bought a Roomba (robotic vacuum), and I love it! I could write a whole post on our wonderful new cleaning robot, whom we affectionately named "Danny Tanner". I probably will. Did I mention that I LOVE Danny Tanner?
Work is going well, and like any job it has presented its own unique set of challenges. I've felt a little like Nehemiah lately. Or wanting to feel like him is probably a better way to say it. God wanted him to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. Nehemiah didn't question God's instructions like Moses, or run from God like Jonah, he just trusted and set out with this HUGE, God-sized task in front of him. When I think about my project- getting 2 books translated into 50 languages by volunteer translators by December 31- I can't help but feel overwhelmed and question the reality of the possibility. I admit, I've had my doubts about whether or not it's going to be finished on time. But it's not up to me to question the Lord. So I'm reading Nehemiah's story, and trying to gain his strength and confidence. I'll let you know what I find out from him. And if I forget- ask me about it!!
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Rob & Jess + 8
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Good Night
We made the trip- and we're happy we took the extra detour- and got home around 12:30 last night. And then I spent today catching up on everything that had piled up while we were gone: grocery shopping, laundry, unpacking, etc. I tried a new recipe for dinner tonight, and it was not good. It has been a long day.
I went out to the patio after dinner to check on our tomato plants (since the ones we grow may be all we get this summer!) The one that's finally turning orange has a big hole right through the middle of it. Ugh- can't eat that one. I sighed and was about to come back inside when I noticed how pretty the sky was tonight. The threat of thunderstorms in the area, coupled with the creative genius of almighty God, brought some particularly bright pink stripes to the dark blue dusk sky. Pink always makes me happy, but tonight it just felt like a gift from the Lord, sent to make me smile. I called Rob to come join me, and we sat outside in the cool evening just enjoying the beauty around us. From our backyard, you can see pretty far up into the hills. It was so peaceful and relaxing to sit still for a little while, talking and laughing and forgetting the craziness of the day and the dirty dishes still on the table and remembering all over again how much I love my husband and how good our God is. I am tired, and excessively grateful. Life is too short to miss these moments.
PS- Congrats Kayla and Scott! Marriage is incredible- you're going to love it!!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
I started my job at Lifeway, and I love it! Everyone is so nice, and they have all gone above and beyond to welcome me. The task ahead of me is huge and I'm ready for the challenge. It's been fun telling others that I'm the new multiethnic editor- everyone asks if I know all 50 languages. I usually reply that I've got 47 down pat and am working on the last three!

Another bright spot in the past couple of weeks was a weekend in Ft. Worth. Rob and I flew out to visit family and meet our new nephew over Memorial Day weekend. Of course, I'm a biased aunt, but David is absolutely the cutest kid in Texas! I hate that we waited so long to see him, although I'm glad now that we did... he was able to smile and interact with us a lot, which was really fun! Now, I don't want a reputation as a meanie, but isn't this the cutest picture?!? Crying or not- I love this kid!
In spite of my wonderful new job and time with sweet David, this week was a hard one. We got back on Monday night without our luggage. Besides our clothes, my car keys, check book, work ID badge, Rob's work file, and several other important things were in the lost suitcase. American Airlines had put the wrong tag on it at DFW, and we had a claim ticket for a woman headed to Washington DC; they had no idea where our stuff was. We tried not to be upset about it and headed home, where we found that our refrigerator had gone out over the weekend! (The first clue was the can of biscuits exploded in the fridge!) Not exactly what you want to come home to after a weekend out of town.
And I can't show you a picture of the ugly, so I'll just tell you about the huge, purple & black stripe across my back. I slipped on a staircase at work Tuesday morning and hit the lower part of my spine on a step before sliding the rest of the way down. No, I couldn't fall on my tailbone where I've got plenty of cushion- that would have been too easy! I was able to get up and walk immediately, but I was in a lot of pain and had to go straight to the doctor. They did x-rays to confirm that nothing was fractured, and thankfully everything looked good. It's still rather painful, but fortunately I can tell that it's improving every day. Please pray for a complete recovery! On top of the physical pain, my pride was hurt almost as bad with embarrassment for having a workman's comp claim before I even had my first paycheck.
I came home from work Tuesday and cried. Between the lost luggage, the expensive fridge repairs, and my hurt back, I felt very defeated. I wondered why God was allowing these attacks from all angles. He gently reminded me that He is good and is always in control, and I was stressing over relatively small "stuff." I got a big dose of perspective later that night and felt silly that I had cried over these trials. Because that's all they really were. Disciples aren't exempt from the hard road. As followers of Christ, our journeys are peppered with speed bumps and detours. We just have to learn to trust God to get us around- or through- the obstacles and allow Him to strengthen our faith through those times.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
The week in Review
So, as for my list of things I wanted to accomplish... finish the bonus room (nope), finish the touch-up painting around the house (some- I can't find the original wall paint), lunch with friends (yes- every day), day long retreat (sadly, no), sew a dress (yes!), get a pedicure (and a manicure! Happy Birthday to me!!!). While I didn't finish everything, I still think it was productive.
Really, I'm excited about starting my new job tomorrow. And a little sad that I have to get up early.
This post is completely pointless. I promise- the next one will be worth reading.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Temporary Unemployment...
- I slept in until about 8:30
- Woke up to breakfast in bed cooked by my fabulous husband
- Stayed in bed until the Today show was almost over
- Met my cousin for lunch
- Went to the mall and shopped for a Mother's day gift for my mother-in-law
- Came home and painted my toenails
It's a tough life, but I'll persevere through until I start at Lifeway next Friday!
Monday, May 05, 2008
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
In other news, tomorrow is my last day at Girtman & Associates. It's been a good year, but I can't really say that I'm sad to be leaving the world of construction and doors behind... I'm way too excited about the opportunities ahead of me. And I'm REALLY excited about having over a week off in between jobs! There are so many things I want to do with my time off- finish putting everything away in the bonus room, finish touching up the paint around the house, have lunch with a few friends, go on a day-long retreat, sew a dress, maybe get a pedicure... ask me on May 16 how many of those things I actually accomplished! It will be a good week... maybe I'll start early with a bubble bath right now...
Friday, April 25, 2008
Flooded with Praise and Thankfulness
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Some things I've learned this week
2. Dolly Parton said in Steel Magnolias, "Noone cries alone in my presence,"- and that's still true. When my friends are hurting and cry, I cry with them. Even if I'm a hundred miles away.
3. If God puts someone on your mind more than once- call them.
4. We are called to serve God with gladness- wherever He calls us. In ministry, in our daily jobs, in marriage, in the grocery store. Our joy is to be in Him; not in our situation.
5. Clover may look fluffy and harmless, but it's roots are deep and strong. It's the monster in my flower-bed.
6. No matter how hard or sincere you pray, God doesn't turn grapes into chocolate. I know. I asked Him. He said NO.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
100th Post - Lots of catching up to do!
I'm finally starting to feel "settled" in our house. Don't get me wrong- I've still got plenty to do- but I've gotten all the boxes out of the living spaces that we spend our time in. The bonus room and guest rooms are definitely still works in progress. The downstairs and master bedroom are in pretty good shape, though, so I'm feeling a lot less pressure to work on house stuff every moment that I have free. It's a good feeling! We're blessed- God has filled our home with friends, love, and laughter often, and we're happy to have a place to welcome everyone! (That's your invitation to come visit!)
Rob & I will celebrate two years "together" this week on April 1! Time sure flies when you're having fun!! So much has happened in both our lives since we got together in Gatlinburg- we've both moved several times, changed jobs, gotten married, moved a few more times... it's been kind of a whirlwind, but in a good way. The next big thing coming up? We're going to be an aunt & uncle in a few weeks (days?!). My sister Mindi is going to have a baby any day now, and we're almost as anxious as she is to find out if it's David or Ali!!
There is one thoughtful insight I can share. This past week I got to experience God in a new way. I think for the first time, I had a few moments of that "peace that passes all understanding." On the way to an appointment that could have been extremely nerve-wracking, I found myself with no anxiety and no apprehension- only a calmness and peace in knowing that God is in control and nothing can change that. I was reminded that My Father wants what's best for me. This "new" revelation was only two days after Easter Sunday- a day set aside to celebrate Jesus being alive! I got to spend a lot of time this week dwelling on the goodness of God, His Grace and Provisions and Mercy. It's a hard thing to thing to comprehend, and I realize that I may never grasp the full extent of God's grace. And I guess the good part of that is that I'll keep on searching!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Our First Home!
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Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Prayer Request
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Need to Brag
ADVICE TO THE SINGLE GIRLS: Find a man who loves to cook!!!!!
Friday, January 18, 2008
Quick Post
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Links
First- I decided to change the "Wedding Photo" website to a "Jess & Rob's Photos of Everything" Website. I don't know how many different albums I can have there, but if there's a limit I guess I'll just rotate the old ones out as new ones get added. All that to say- there are new pictures up!! (if you're interested in seeing our trip to The Big Apple). Bookmark our page!
I also wanted to send you a link to my friend Angie's blog, Bring the Rain. It was created to share the story of her baby, Audrey, who hasn't entered the world yet, and get people praying for their family. It's a sweet dedication from a family I've grown to love (Angie & her family are in our community group from church.) And while I know their story will stir you to pray, I'll caution you that it will also strike your heart- get a tissue before you read. Please share their journey and please pray for them!