Sunday, July 31, 2011

Book Countdown...

How's your yearly reading coming along?  Tomorrow is August, which just blows my mind.  Anyone else?

Completed so far - 16 books


  • The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest
  • The First Born Series
  • Incendiary
  • From High Heels to Tractor Wheels
  • The Hunger Games Trilogy
  • Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
  • The Girl Who Fell From the Sky
  • Deception Point
  • Interview with a Vampire
  • The Lost Symbol
With 16 books down, there are only 9 more to go!  Still on the list to complete this year is the Sunrise series by Karen Kingston, the Narnia series and Jane Eyre.  I must confess, I started Jane Eyre and am having the worst time getting into it.  I have tried... but lost interest and read three other books in it's place.  I'll try and give it another go eventually...

Lulu is 3!

Lulu turned three this week.  I can hardly believe that our little puppy is growing up so fast.  I mean, where does the time go?  It just seems like yesterday that we were heading out to Nocona, Texas to meet this blue-eyed sweetie.  
We were so excited for her to turn one.  So much so that we invited over her friends and had a party complete with slip n slide, blow up pool and puppy cake.  I don't think she was as amused with her party hat as we were...
She's a good sport.
For year two we decided to take her along on our stay-cation in Dallas.  She was pampered with sweet treats, a big bed and time to relax with her peoples.

This year, Lulu and I were at my parent's house while Benjamin was at GORP - an orthodontic resident's conference.  Mom went all out with a cute cake and special treats.  
Jingle puppy wanted to get in on the cake action as well.
 Luli was very excited to get her little teeth into the cake and chased it around the table eating quite a large chunk of it!  The rest of her special day was spent napping on my lap, chasing birds and doing laps in the pool after dinner.  Happy Birthday, Lulu!

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Project 52: Week 28

Dallas trip!  Lady J and her sweet lemon cake. The trio of couples at Square Burger in McKinney.  Close up of faces.  Happy Pan and newly painted dining room!

Oh! Happy Day!

Weddings are such a lovely, splendid thing.  The excitement of the day is contagious, catching.  It spreads like one of those giggles that starts softly and then erupts into a flow of laughter that fills you from your head to your toes.  This is exactly how the day of my brother's wedding was.

For me, it started early.  Like 5:45 am early.  I was on Bride Transport duty.  I promptly picked up Salem and Brandi at 6:45 so that we could arrive on time for Salem's hair appointment.  She was dressed in a cute Juicy suit that matched her wedding colors and sweet silver sparkly Toms.  Brandi and I, in need of caffeine,  took a quick trip to Starbuck's after a little while and when we arrived back at the salon, Salem was almost ready...
Her veil attached, we loaded back into Blue Barry and headed to The Courtyard at St. James Place.  Upon getting out of the car we were greeted by Eric from Hoffland Studios.  Most of the photos from this post are his works.  Like this one.  Like we needed photographic evidence that I didn't have on a stitch of makeup that morning.  Like we needed reminding that I can't just "be normal" in front of a camera...  
Thank goodness the day wasn't about me.  Nope.  It was about her.  Sweet, precious, patient and beautiful Salem.
Her who decided to say yes and marry this guy.
Man, he cleans up well and looks so grown up.  So manly.  Too bad we'll always call him little Noahy J. Aways.  Even when he's 40 and has kids.  Even when he is 60 and has grandkids.  Even when he is 80 and has lost his hair.  He'll always be little Noahy J. 
 As girls normally do, we all had a fantastic time getting ready for the momentous occasion.  Salem has really sweet girls who have supported her through college.  From left to right we have Robin who is married to Noah's friend Elijah, Brandi who was Salem's room mate at UT Tyler, me and Sonja who completed the nursing program with Salem.  All three girls met at UT Tyler.  In all of the festivities, I could see that these ladies truly love Salem and were in favor of her marrying Noah.  The dress Salem chose for us is one that I could see wearing again.  I remember when she called to tell me about them she said, "And Sara, they have pockets!"  It's the little things like pockets and our love for quirky and colorful that we have in common and are few of the reasons I love her.
I also want to point out the mossy "J" in front of us.  My sweet, talented husband made that and my sweet, creative mother covered it.  If you would like one or two for your occasion or doorway, let me know and we'll work something out for you!
One of the neat things about Noah's wedding for me was the relationships between the groomsmen.  Let me introduce you to them first.  From left to right you have Shane, Brian, Elijah, Benjamin and Nate.  Elijah, Shane and Noah have all been friends since the 3rd grade.  I have seen these boys grow up through their awkward middle school years, their self-discovering high school years and then into college and beyond.  Nate arrived on the scene in high school.  Noah, Elijah and Nate all ventured off to UT Tyler while Shane went to Sam Houston.  Brian joined group in their Sophomore year and Benjmain, well, he's known all of them just as long as I have.  The neatest thing to me was that after all of these years they have all developed a love for one another that cannot be described as anything other than brotherly.  

While photos were being taken of the two of them, Mom snapped these of the cakes.  You know that you're Steelers fan when your groom's cake looks like this:
No.  It was not red velvet cake.  I think it was chocolate and coconut.  And it was amazing.  Props to Cakes by Gina.  Salem's Bride's cake was a white with lemon and was delectable.  Wedding cakes are scrumptious.
Cue the harpist.  Get in line.  Do one last lipstick check.  See the Grandparents and give them all hugs.  Get in line.  Bust an impromptu dance move.  Get back in line.  Hug and kiss Noah.  Get back in line.  Smile and walk.  The ceremony was just perfect.  Perfect for Noah and Salem.  It was unique to them.
They both wrote vows to each other.  Let me tell you I cannot remember the amount of times I had to bite my lips just to keep myself from loosing it.  These two people are perfect for each other.  God knew what he was doing when He blessed my brother and our family with Salem.
The reception was littered with a subtle bird theme.  The flower arrangements were all uniquely created some having nests in them.  The ice sculpture was a "J" with two love birds perched on it and their favors were Tyler Candles with nests and eggs on the top of them. 
Yup.  There they are.
In summation, Noah and Salem got hitched.  Every one that turned up had a fabulous time.  We busted dance grooves on the floor, Noah split his pants open during one of his moves.  Cake was smeared onto faces, toasts were given.  Flower petals showered the happy couple as they left for their hotel in a Rolls that had their names on the license plate.
To two of the greatest kids around:  It was an honor to be a part of your day.  Love both of you for ever.

Project 52: Week 27

For some reason, it seems like a year has passed between when these photos were taken and now...  Here's to a major catch up on Project 52...  Over halfway, can't putz out now!
The newly weds with Noah's homemade potato salad.  Mom and Dad.  Me and Hubs. Kids in the pool.  Lulu and her float.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Chair Love

This fantastic creation by Linvin popped into my life today and I have put it on the "Someday in the Future" wish list...
Can't you just see this in a garden or a reading nook, or a study or how about a little girl's room?  My heart is aflutter with all of the possibilities!  The names of each color are as equally whimsy as the chairs themselves - Chic Black, Happy Yellow, Sweet Mandarin, Ethereal Blue, Purple Sunset and Red Passion.  If only it weren't $900.  Ah well...
photos

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Unwired...

We have been officially in Pearland for a few weeks now.  Boxes keep disappearing and the house is looking more and more lived in.  The move went relatively well and once I have internet full time in the house I will catch up on the last few weeks of life.

You read that correctly...still no internet.  AT&T is on my bad list right now.  I don't feel completely out of the loop - I've been connected as much as an iPhone can keep you connected.  However, I did take a look at my Reader when I dropped my mom off from being out and about the other day and it proudly boasted 1000+ unread items!  Where do you even start?!  And there are so many things on my list of things to blog about...

Hopefully you have not given up hope on us and I will be back with exciting adventures to report on!

Thursday, July 7, 2011

1461 Days

I have been married to Benjamin for 1461 days.  Well, actually 1462 days now...  4 years.  Four years ago we were wed.  Four years ago our adventure as Mr. and Mrs. started.
Here's the highlights of Year 4:

  • Applying to Orthodontic Residencies
  • Traveled to: Cleveland, OH; Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, PA; Kansas City, MO; New Orleans, LA
  • Accepted into residency in Houston
  • Skydiving
  • Grape Stomping
  • Both siblings get married
  • Roller Derby
  • Musicals
  • Graduation from Dental School and all of it's festivities
Plus all of the mini adventures we had with family and friends who were always willing to come along for the ride!  I am excited to see what Year 5 holds for our little family and how God will continue to grow us.  

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Project 52: Week 26

Moving Day.  What a crazy day... Thanks to Jeffrey for being with me in Allen while Benjamin was waiting for the truck in Pearland.  He was such a trooper enduring the 4 hour delay in the truck arriving and helping me clean the house after the truck was packed.  And in case you are thinking that your eyes are deceiving you, they are not.  There are 4 colors that you are seeing in the photo above: yellow, orange, turquoise and maroon.  No, we did not paint the house before moving into it and yes, this proves that there are people who paint their houses crazy colors like I do!

Friday, July 1, 2011

Two Weeks

The past two weeks have been quite a whirlwind for Benjamin and I.  He started treating patients in Houston while I stayed in Allen and continued packing.  To say I packed every waking moment of the day would be stretching it.  My time was broken up by visiting with sweet friends for lunches and dinners.  Benjamin came up for his last weekend of living in Allen and then back to Houston.  I was able to witness my dear friend James get married on a Monday and then drove to Houston on Tuesday for my brother and Salem's wedding festivities!  The entire week was amazing!  Visiting with family and celebrating their new marriage was a blast.  I'm sure that once the routine of life gets back to normal, I'll document the happenings!

Now I am sitting in a mostly empty room with boxes everywhere.  Today the movers come to haul our stuff to Pearland.  Today is July 1st.  The first day of a new month.  The first day of a new season of our adventure.  Ecclesiastes tells me that there is a season for everything under the sun.  That I cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.  And I'm thankful for that.  I'm thankful that I can rest in knowing and believing that He is directing our path.

As one of my new favorite songs says, "It's not the end of everything, just the end of everything you know."  And to some extent moving is like that - it's the end of the day to day that you know and have grown to be comfortable in.  Grown to love.  The new day to day will start off like a new pair of shoes that need to be broken in - that will eventually become a favorite.

The next two weeks we will be getting settled in Pearland.  Benjamin will continue to be in full swing of residency.  We will be without internet connection in our house.  For two weeks.  I think that the Starbucks baristas and I will become close!  I will start the job search and help Lulu get acclimated to her new home.

Here's to the next two weeks and a new adventure!

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