Ten Things Tuesday

Let me just say, I love doing this each week! Here is my list of thankfulness:

1. I got to meet my new niece Caroline on Saturday! Lawsy mercy, she is beautiful! Jason and I took turns holding her all day, and we loved it! And we had a great time playing hide-and-go-seek with Lucy and Lauren! Here they are:

2. We got a check for $165 dollars from our mortgage company for an escrow overage, whatever that means. But woo-hoo! Unexpected funds!

3. I'm on a fresh fruit kick, and I have loved the blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, nectarines, and cherries that I have been finding at the grocery store! Yum!

4. Every time I venture outside this time of year (which is not that often, obviously), I say a prayer of thankfulness for air conditioning.

5. For years, I have wanted to take my clothes to a consignment shop. Today I finally did, and I think it's going to be a good thing!

6. None of our loved ones were hurt in the earthquake in California today, praise God!

7. I am one of the Beta Club sponsors at SHS, and my co-sponsor and I had an excellent planning meeting together today! Yay organization (which I credit mostly to her)!

8. I was told the workshop I am starting tomorrow was three days, but it is actually only two days!

9. I got a pair of Fitflops! I read about them at The Fashionable Housewife, and decided to try them. I have only had them for about 6 hours, but so far I like them!

10. I am thankful that I got to help Jason in his 6th grade Sunday school class this week~ I loved watching him interact with them! He is so great with them, and they really respond well to him.

Have a great week everybody!

Four Years Ago Yesterday

Our four year wedding anniversary was yesterday, and we spent most of our night reminiscing about our wedding day. I thought it would be fun to share some of our favorite memories from that day with all of you. It's the behind-the-scenes look at our wedding!

* I loved the morning of my wedding, because it was so laid-back. I woke up early and went alone to have my hair done, which was the quiet time I had requested. When I got back to my parent's house though, I spent the morning laughing with my parents and brother and sis-in-law, and Lucy, who was still so little. Good times!

* As we were about to leave for the church, my maid of honor called to tell me that traffic was backed up on Bear Valley Road, and to take the interstate. I got in the truck with my parents, and as we neared the on-ramp, we saw... stand still traffic. Apparently, some sort of equipment had fallen off of a truck and caused all sorts of delays and closed streets. We were stuck for a long time, but I remember it being kind of fun. I had my veil on already, and people were honking and waving at me.

* During the traffic, my maid of honor Christine called back to tell me they had taken advantage of the traffic to stop and wait it out at Starbucks. She wanted to know of she could bring me a coffee. I told her I wanted my usual~ an iced grande three-shot vanilla latte with nonfat milk. When we all finally got to the church, she handed me a venti two shot latte and said, "You don't need three shots today." She was right.

* Jason tells me that while he was waiting for the wedding to start, he was in the church kitchen, "surrounded by Del Taco food". Several people brought food for the boys, and it was everywhere. I was also handed a taco, but never got to eat it.

* Jason told me he was super nervous, and when he heard the first of the music, he got a little nauseous. But then he saw me, and he said he was all better. Aw!

* I wanted to ride in Jason's truck to our reception, but my dress barely fit! It was fun though, because people were honking and waving at us.

* Neither of us ate a piece of our wedding cake. Just the bite we fed each other.

* Our friends and family attacked our truck with decor, and even infiltrated our honeymoon luggage. We cracked up! There were so many surprises to discover!

* We stopped at In n' Out on the way to the hotel. We were so hungry!

It was a perfect day for us! I only have a few pictures on this computer, and they are below!

At the reception

Sweet Daddy gives me away.

Look how little Lucy was!

Ten Things Tuesday

I'm trying to get back in the habit...

1. I am thankful to have this week with relatively no schedule to follow. This is my last week before all sorts of school stuff starts , so I am enjoying every minute.

2. I am thankful that we had a safe trip to California! God guided us safely all the way there and back!

3. I am thankful for the time we got to spend with family on our trip! It goes too fast though!

4. I am thankful for our parents, who spoil us so much! We love you guys!

5. I am thankful for Jason's Uncle Bill and Aunt Claudia in Oklahoma City, who are always hospitable and fun to be with!

6. I am thankful that my sweet new niece Caroline is here, healthy, and pink!

7. I am thankful that I got to spend an entire day with my cousin/BFF Christine and her sweet baby Braelyn. It was such a treat to spend time with them both!

8. I am thankful for my sweet husband. I know I say this almost every time, but he really is the absolute BEST. We have so much fun together.

9. I am thankful for sweet, juicy nectarines. And bing cherries. And (unsweet!) iced tea!

10. I am thankful for rain showers, because they cool the air and smell so lovely.

California Dreamin'

We got back from our trip to California yesterday. We had a great time! We spent time with family, went to the beach, and to the mountains, and just enjoyed being on vacation. Jason rode bikes (motorcycles and bicycles), and I did lots of shopping and reading. I took the camera, but only took a few pictures. I will post them later.

For some reason, we are always a little shell-shocked when we get back from a California trip. Even though we love our life and home here in Searcy, we can't believe we live here. It's so different from the world we grew up in! We are happy to be home though. Jason is at work, and I am working on getting things together here at home~ laundry, bills, grocery lists, cleaning out closets, etc... Those of you that live in Searcy, I am going to be having a little clothing sale soon, so watch for details on that!

In other (wonderful) news, I have a new niece to meet! Caroline Kate Box was born Friday, July 18th, and is healthy and beautiful! Jason and I can't wait to meet her sweet little self!

Like I said, I had plenty of time to read on our trip (3 days each way in the car= time to read!). I want to review them all, but since there are so many, I'm not going into much detail. Here goes:

Stolen Innocence~ Long, but incredibly interesting and heart-breaking. I don't read much non-fiction, but I am always drawn to these accounts of women who broke out of the FLDS polygamist sects. This one was especially interesting because this girl is the same age as me. I give it five stars.

Escape~ Another interesting account of breaking free from the FLDS. This amazing thing about this woman is that she managed to escape with her 8 children. Fascinating. Five stars.

Love the One You're With~ I found the plot and characters underdeveloped. Entertaining but forgettable. 3 stars.

Chasing Harry Winston~ Chick lit bliss. I read this one first, and I have forgotten most of it, but it was fun and fluffy and perfect for summer vacation. 4 stars.

Belong to Me~ Recommended by my sis-in-law Jenny, and rightfully so. I loved the book, loved the detail Marisa de los Santos puts into her writing... everything about this book was beautiful. A new favorite. 5 billion stars.