Mr. and Mrs. Harrison!!!

Josh and Abbie got hitched!!!  This precious couple had the most beautiful wedding on June 9th at Perini Ranch in Buffalo Gap, TX.  It was so beautiful, so much fun, and just simply perfect.  These two have such history.  Their love story began in 2004 and ended once in 2006.  But, God had bigger plans for them and brought them back together 2011 so that they would be united as one for the rest of their lives.  I have known both of these two precious people for several years and I couldn't imagine them without the other.  They are best friends and complete one another so perfectly.  Both of them have the biggest hearts, are dear friends, and just the kind of people that you are thankful for everday to share life with.  So, their wedding day was long awaited and worth every second of that wait!!!

The ceremony began at 6:00 under mesquite trees in West Texas.  When you walked into the venue, there was a sign-in table with some of their engagement pictures blown up to large poster prints and you could just see the love in both of their faces.  After the sign-in table, you walked into the ceremony entrance where they had made doors to walk through that looked like the entrance to a sweet old church chapel.  On one side of those doors, were their vows that they had written to one another for their wedding.  They were also blown up to poster size and are going to hang them up in their house so that they can look at them everyday.  How sweet is that?!?!  I love this idea!  Once you walked through the doors, the seating was old church pews along with some sweet white chairs.  It was all so beautiful.  The ceremony started with the groomsmen walking in along with Josh.  Josh's dad officiated the wedding, and it was the most precious thing.  I love that each of their family members played such a big role in every aspect of their wedding.  After the groomsment were in place, it was time to seat the family.  The bridesmaids were next to walk down.  Their dresses were made out of vintage slips and lace.  Abbie found the vintage slips and lace on Etsy and then had a girl make them that she also found through Etsy.  They were so pretty...all unique and all different.  The sweet little flower girls walked down next, followed by the ring bearer.  The ring bearer was Josh's nephew, Ryder, and he walked down the isle hold a sign that said, "Uncle Josh, here comes your girl."  OMG...LOVE!!!  The sign was made out of old fence pieces and the lettering was hand written in white paint.  Then...it was time for Abbie to walk down the isle with her daddy.  WOW!!!  That's really all I can say about how stunning she looked!  Abbie is beautiful all the time, but the look on her face was angelic.  I had seen her dress before, but seeing her walk down the isle with her daddy with that look on her face was breathtaking.  After her mom and dad gave her away, Josh's dad started the ceremony.  I loved how personable their ceremony was.  Their entire love story was told from the beginning and the way that they looked at each other was precious.  The presence of God throughout the ceremony was also so very present.  Ladell (Josh's dad) talked so much about how important it is to put God as the center of your marriage as well as talked about how wonderful it is to have truly found the person that God created just for you.  I loved that he talked so personally about each one of them.  We laughed and cried throughout the ceremony.  When it was time to do the unity candle, they did something I've never seen before.  They had two pieces of wood that when nailed together made a cross.  Together, they put those pieces together and then hung it on the backdrop of the alter that was behind them during the ceremony.  Then, they both walked over to both sides of the isle where their family was sitting and gave them all hugs and talked to them for just a moment before going back up to the alter.  Then, it was time to kiss the bride!!!  They were presented for the first time as Mr. and  Mrs. Harrison and it was time for the reception to begin!

Let me just say that this was probably the most fun I've ever had at a wedding!  The food was amazing, the music and dancing was a blast, and the company was even better!  The reception set-up was also under mesquite trees, with white lights and sweet lanterns strung throughout them.  They had a few couches and chairs set-up in various places with sweet pillows with their name on them.  There was some time before dinner was served after the ceremony, so they had a trail mix bar set-up so you could snack on something before dinner.  It was so cute...and so good!  They had so many different choices to choose from.  Anything from nuts, dried fruit, cereal, teddy grahams, cereal, etc!  Our little group wondered over there and filled baggies full of lots of goodies so we would have snacks before dinner was served!  Shortly after, the food began coming out and we all lined up to fill our plates!  Perini's catered and we had fried chicken, smoked ham, salad, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, and their famous bread pudding.  It was delicious!  Under our plates at the table were chargers made out of old mesquite tree trunks.  It fit in perfectly with the scenery and the amazing Texas food!  You really can't get much better than Perini's food...no matter what you ordered!  The first dance between Josh and Abbie was held during dinner, which was so precious!  Those two have some serious moves!!!  After that, the father/daughter dance and the mother/son dance took place and then it was time to cut the cake!  The cake was beautiful and had beautiful hand-made roses made out of vintage material placed all over the cake.  It was also so good!  After we were full of food and cake, we all began to make our way to the dance floor.  We danced the night away until it was time to see the Harrison's off to their honeymoon!  It was a beautiful, perfect wedding for one amazing couple.  We couldn't be happier for them and are truly blessed to have them as our friends and our family!  We love you Josh and Abbie...congratulations on starting your life together!!!

It's my DADDY'S birthday!!!

Happy Birthday Daddy!!!  My dad's b-day was on May 27th and we were all together in Kerrville to celebrate with him.  His birthday usually falls right around Memorial Day.  This year, his birthday was Sunday and Memorial Day was the following Monday, so it was nice to have the time and extra day together.  Since we were in Kerrville, he got to spend most of his birthday weekend relaxing down at our ranch in Comfort.  My brother didn't go with us this trip, so it was just my dad and Cody down at the place this time.  They had a ball though!  They did a little bit of hunting, a lot of relaxing, and also spent some down down on the river.  The Guadalupe River runs through our place, and it is breathtakingly beautiful.  The Hill Country has gotten quite a bit of rain as of late, so the river was actually up since last summer when we had that terrible drought.  We did a lot of eating that weekend at some of our favorite places in Kerrville as well as the little towns near Kerrville.  When the boys came in on Sunday (my dad's b-day), it was time to head to lunch and my dad had already chosen his favorite Mexican food restaurant to celebrate his birthday at.  So, we loaded up and went to Acapulco for lunch.  All of our food was so good and we left that placed more than full!  But...we had a birthday cake to cut into when we got home...so we saved a little bit of room for a slice!  Dad's favorite cake is German chocolate, and that's just what we got him!  We put some really cute "Happy Birthday" candles in the cake, sang Happy Birthday to him, and then had some cake!  Soon after that, we loaded up and headed back to Abilene.  When we got home, we all unpacked, loved on our four legged babies, and then headed out to a birthday celebration dinner.  But first...we had to give him his present!  He has been DYING for a Kindle for so long, so we all went in together and got him just that.  He is loving it too!  One of his favorite things to do is read, so now he can have all his favorite books in one handy little tablet.  After he opened his present, we went to Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner.  Since none of us had to work the next day, we all got a couple of drinks along with dinner...everything was so good!  It's been ages since any of us had eaten there, so it was a yummy treat!  After dinner, we headed back to our house to sit on the back porch to watch some TV.  Dad, mom, and Michael went home first and picked up their dogs to come over for a play date with ours, then headed over.  We sat outside for a couple of hours and just enjoyed the cool night breeze and the five doggies playing up a storm!  It was a fun birthday...I'm pretty sure he really enjoyed it!!!  Happy Birthday Daddy...love you so much!!!

Mother's Day

Mother's Day is always a special day.  Our moms sacrifice so much for us throughout the years, and so this is one day set aside to truly celebrate the women that have been so influential in our lives.  This year was a fun mother's day because my Mimi was in town for my graduation.  So, we got to spend mother's day with my mom, Mimi, and Cody's mom.  Cody's sister and her family were also in town, so we got to see them for a split second before they headed back home to Del Rio.  All the moms in our family were celebrated...and deserved even more than we could ever possibly give them!

That morning, my parents, brother, and Mimi went with us to church.  We go to Beltway...and LOVE it!  So, every chance we get we are bringing anyone who isn't already a member there or bringing them with us if they have come in town to visit.  The church service was amazing...as always.  The worship music was wonderful and is such a great way to worship our awesome God as well as get ready for David's message.  It's wonderful to have your family sitting all around you at church!  It's also such a wonderful experience to feel God move throughout the service and truly feel his presence in such an amazing way.

After church we went out to eat at Olive Garden.  This place is my Mimi's most favorite place, and we hadn't been there in awhile, so this was the perfect day to go to exactly where she wanted to go.  It was a pretty long wait...2 hours to be exact!  But, the food was good and the company was even better, so it was completely worth every second!  After lunch, we headed back to our house to give my mom and Mimi their mother's day present.  We gave my mom a gift card to Coldwater Creek...her favorite store and gave my Mimi a Madam Alexander doll and some flowers.  They loved them!  I helped my mom use her gift card not too long ago on some really cute clothes...so I know she enjoyed the gift card!  Her birthday was in April...and we got her a Keurig...so she's been indulged these past few months!  Rightly so...she deserves to be spoiled with all she's sacrificed for us.  We stayed at our house and visited for awhile and Brittany came by for a little bit while we were there to wish my mom and Mimi a happy mother's day too...sweet girl!  After we had visited a bit, my Mimi decided to head home.  So, we said our goodbyes and then headed over to Cody's mom's house to spend some time with her and his sister.  We almost missed Chrissy...they were driving down Cody's mom's street as we rounded the corner...so we caught them just in time!  She loves Pier One, so we  got her a cute little decorative bowl and filled it with some glass decorative balls.  It's always good to see them...we don't get to enough.  After we talked to them for a bit, they headed out of town and we headed the rest of the way to Cody's mom's house.  We started a charm bracelet for Cody's mom a few years ago,  so every birthday and mother's day we usually buy her a charm to add to her bracelet.  This year, we bought her a charm from James Avery that said "MOM."  Pretty fitting I think!  Our moms and grandmother's are such special ladies...they don't get thank enough for all they do!  So, we had fun getting to spend some quality time with each and every one of them this year.

That night, we had so many leftovers from the celebration party after graduation, so we asked my parents to come over and help us eat some of them!  I laid all the sandwich stuff out along with all the fixins.  Mom and dad brought their doggies over to have a play date with ours, and they had a ball!  We ate together and visited for a little bit, then headed outside to sit and play with the dogs.  It was such a great day and an even better weekend.  I'm so thankful for all that God has done in my life and for blessing me with an amazing mom, grandmothers, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law!  Love you all so very much!!!

Graduation Day!!!

I officially have my M.e.d!!!  I cannot believe that after two years I am completely done with school.  I feel like it went by so fast while at the same time takin so long!  I also think that probably depends on which class I was in at the time.  If I liked the class and was enjoying the research I was doing, the papers I was writing, and the assignments that had to be completed, then it went by fast and was fairly enjoyable.  On the other hand, if it was the opposite, those seven weeks seemed like two years in themselves!  But I am DONE and I had the best time celebrating with friends and family after graduation was over.

Since there was so much going on in town that weekend, and I wanted all of our friends and family to come and celebrate with me, we decided to have a get together at our house after the ceremony was over.  My sweet Mimi came down from  Hamilton...the same Mimi that I always take Faith to go see with my mom.  And my Grandma and cousing came down from Kerrville, and then her neice, I call her "Aunt Kay" (even though she's not really my aunt!) and her daughter-in-law and two granddaughters came from San Angelo to see my graduate and come over afterwards.  My Aunt Kay's daughter, that lives in Abilene, her husband and son came over too!  I'm named after my Aunt Kay...so she holds a special place in my heart and it was so fun to have her there!  My parents, Cody's parents, and his sister and her sweet family were also there too.  We also had our family (our friends that we call family) come over to celebrate too...Jake, Leah and Sydney, Brent, Bria, and Jansen, Tony, Julie, Logan, and Drew, Erica and Adam, Michael's girlfriend, Brittany and her parents It was so much fun being with everyone and just eating, talking, and enjoying each other for the night!

The graduation ceremony went off without a hitch!  Which I was super thankful for because I was terrified that I was going to fall somehow.  I guess that's what I get for wearing 5-inch heels...but I wouldn't wear anything else!!!  I never even teeter on them, but I had so many nerves that I just knew something was going to happen.  But, I didn't fall or even have a slight slip-up!  It was weird getting my Master's because it's just so different than when I got my Bachelor's.  The gowns are different and you walk in carrying the hood.  Then, you actually get "hooded" by the dean of the department from which you're graduating from individually.  When you get your bachelor's, the person you choose to hood you does it and you get hooded all at once by the person you chose instead of the dean of the department.  So, when getting your Master's, you are more in the spotlight.  There is so much work that goes into getting a Master's, so now looking back, it seems deserving to be hooded invidiually by the dean of the department...it's kinda like you're own little moment in the spotlight!  But, I was nervous about it.  When you're standing up there, you have time to really look at how many people are there to watch their loved ones graduate as well as look at all the other graduates that are about to walk that stage after you.  I really tried to soak it all in because I knew (more than likely) that this would be my last time walking across the stage.  It was so surreal.  I felt a little bit like I was in a dream...a good dream though!  For so long I had awaited the moment when I would walk across that stage and be completely done with my Master's degree, that for that moment, it almost didn't feel real.  But it was!  And after the ceremony, I found my sweet family that came from all over to watch, took some pictures, and headed home for the real celebration!

When we got home, it was time to set out all the food and get everything ready for people to come over, hang out, and eat!  Mom and I had bought all the food earlier in the week and had it all prepared before we left for the ceremony so we didn't have to do anything but set it out when we got home.  We decided upon sandwhiches, a fruit tray, veggie tray, sausage balls, little smokies, chips, and a big cake to serve!  It was all so yummy...but we had more fun all being under one roof and spending time together.  Most of the boys went outside and watched tv out there while the girls stayed inside and gabbed...so typical!  My grandma and cousin left pretty early because they were driving back to Kerrville that night.  And my parents and Mimi left along with our other family members a little while later.  Our friends stayed for quite a bit longer and we just stayed up talking and loving on the sweet babies that have been brought into our tight little circle.  We always have so much fun together no matter where we are or what we're doing!  It's a once in a lifetime blessing to have friends that you really do consider family.  We have been so blessed to have amazing parents, brothers, and sisters...I don't know what I would do without them and the example that they have shown me growing up and even as an adult.  I know I wouldnt' be where I am today if it weren't for them and their support.  I also have to brag so much on Cody.  I know throughout these past two years there have been times when I have been so stressed out and really just a bundle of nerves, emotions, and anxiety.  He was, my shoulder to cry on, my support, my encourager, the person I vented too, and my rock.  I am so blessed  to have him as my husband.  I know that God made him just for me and I thank him  everyday that Cody is who I get to spend everyday with and go through the best times and also the worst times.  I love you so much babe!!!  My parents were also there for me every step of the way.  They always gave me words of encouragment when I didn't think I could push any more, they knew just what to say to help get me focused and continue on.  My family and friends were so supportive and I know that each and everyone of them played such a big role in helping me to complete this degree with confidence...and a 4.0!!!  I love each and everyone of you so, so much!!!

This is the grand finale!!!  This was my graduation present from Cody, my parents, Cody's parents,and my Mimi.  It's the Tag Heuer Aquaracer!!!  I was completely taken aback when I opened up the bag and saw the box sitting inside.  Cody put this together all by himself!  He coordinated with everyone and picked it out.  He said he wanted me to have s omething that I will always have and remember getting for completing my Master's.  He is amazing!!!

Quality Time with My Sis!

This post is so, so late!  But better late than never so I say!  The last weekend in April I got to see someone very near and dear to my heart.  Well...two people actually!  My sweet friend...and big sis Amie and her precious little boy, Gavin, and I got to spend a whole Saturday together playing in Southlake Town Square!  I normally go and stay with Amie, Ryan, and Gavin for a few days during the summer.  But these past two years, I have gotten to go down and see Amie, and now Gavin for a quick visit on the last Saturday in April.  My Mimi has a huge doll collection and is in the process of selling the ones that she no longer likes. Well...Grapevine has this doll show the last weekend in April where vendors can come and set-up and sell some of their collectibles.  Amie and Ryan live in the metroplex, so while my mom and Mimi are selling dolls...Amie and I go shopping!  This time was no different!

Let me just tell you...Amie and I can do some serious shopping!  We have been known to tackle Northpark in an entire day...and get our Starbuck's fix while doing so!!!  Since these visits are shorter, we go to Southlake Town Square since it's close and has amazing shops and great places to eat.  Since Amie had Gavin last summer, he now gets to come with us and I get to love on him throughout the day...LOVE!!!  So, Amie picked me up at the Grapevine Convention Center and we headed off to start our day.  On this particular Saturday, the shopping center was having an art show/fair and so we walked around that for a bit before our tummies told us it was time to eat.  We decided on Corner Bakery...which never disappoints and then headed on to do some shopping!  It was such a beautiful day and it was so much fun walking around, shopping, and hanging out with each other and Gavin.  We got some cute things for us and for Gavin too!  Soon...we decided that we needed to get our gelato fix.  See, here's the thing with us two.  We love our Starbucks, gelato...and just food in general!  Plus, we work up such an appetite with all of our shopping we have to reward ourselves with delicious goodies!  Might as well treat ourselves all the way around!!!

I love this precious girl to pieces!  We have been so close ever since college when she was my big sis when I pledged Ko Jo Kai.  When we both got married, for a few months we both lived in the same townhouse neighborhood in Abilene and worked out together nearly everyday and also got together and visited at least once a week.  Now that she's in the metroplex, we try to see each other as often as we can.  So, this is always a good time to get a quick visit in before our annual girls get together in the summer.  Oh...we're also both teachers so there's lots of visiting throughout those months!  And this year, Gavin turns one!!!  I'm not sure where the time went, but I can't wait to get to celebrate his first birthday with this sweet family!  This precious little boy is so much fun to be around and every time I'm with them, I just fall more in love with the little guy!  He is so much fun and Amie is such a good mom!  The whole day we were shopping, he just chilled in his stroller, some of the time with his shades on!  I also got to sneak in some snuggle time when he was wanting to be held...he's just so sweet and fun!  Cody and I are so blessed to have friends in our lives that we call family, and this sweet family is definitely part of our family of friends!  Love you sis...can't wait for our summer get together!!!

I LOVE this little boy!  I could love on him for hours!!!

My sis, me, and G.  Love these two so, so much!!!

One cool dude!!!

Love this face!!!  This was at our gelato stop...he was having a ball!!!

We were in very deep conversation!  He was contemplating on chocolate or coffee gelato...it's a big decision for anyone to make!

Precious G!!!  This is one of my favorite faces he makes!!!  Love him and his sweet momma!!!