What's been up lately!!!!

So, lately things have started falling in place for us. I would be lying if I said it isn't a little nerve racking with all the things going on that are about to change our lives in a big but amazing way! We are definately excited about the apartment still and I think Ashley is really getting settled in and feeling more at home but just a little anxcious for me to move in so she's not living alone anymore. I am definately getting more excited as the days go by because I am starting to see the big opening at the end of this long incredible tunnel I have been going through with the school and the Corps!
On another note, I have been getting to work with horses a lot lately and have really gained a lot of knowledge in a short period of time. My riding technique and ability has improved really quickly in the past couple of weeks which is really awesome to me! I have really started to understand what makes a horse follow someone and in the process I have learned a lot about myself and the tuff task of not giving up on something difficult. It may sound a little corny but I have learned so much from starting to train horses because of how smart they are and it has been one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.
Off to another topic! As exciting as the past few weeks have been they have also been really stressful because Ashley and I haven't been able to spend the amount of quality time together as we would like togehter in church and outside of church. But, this past weekend definately turned that around and made us feel like we were living a different life because of how good being able to go to church together made us feel.

To close out this blog entry, I will say that many people have asked me questions about knowing when you have found the person that you are supposed to be with for the rest of your life and how do you know if it is true love! My response to them is what a lot of people say. When it happens, when you find that person, you will just know! You will know deep down in you gut and heart because that other person will feel like your counterpart that has finally filled that void that God has put in your life for your spouse. She will make you a better person and allow you to fulfill God's will and plan. That is one hell of a strong feeling and bond that is built with another person that is meant to be your partner for the rest of your life. When you meet that person all of the sudden you don't feel nervous about making a covenant with another person under God that is a part of life that completes two people in a way that only God can create and allow!

The wedding is getting closer and we cannot wait until that day when we get to spend an amazing and fun day with the people we love the most! Love yall!!!

Some Free Time...maybeeee.

It has been over a week since I've been able to sit down and have enough time to blog about updates...and maannnnn are there a lot of updates! :D Wonderful updates of course! We are finally moved and settled into our apartment and it is absolutely amazing! I have decorated (blank walls drive me nuts) and I will have pictures up as soon as I get my camera cord from my parents house. Jake and I are completely in love with the area which is why I think we have decided to stay around here rather than move into Sugarland. Although we won't be able to build a house around here, the older homes are sooo nice and so adorable that we would rather spend the money to stay in this area rather than build a new house. I am SSOOO excited!

I had my bridals done at Briscoe Manor last Wednesday. The day ended up being gorgeous which relieved me because the day before it was rainy and gross so that kinda made me nervous. My mom and Tanya spent the day with me getting my hair done and my makeup done which was a lot of fun! I can't wait to spend that kind of day with all of my bridesmaids! :D It was surreal being in the chapel we are getting married in in less than three months with my wedding dress on and everything. Daddy even met us there and it was amazing! We went all over the property and took pictures. I cannot wait to see the final product...I'm sure Alison did an amazing job just like everything else she does. I should be able to see them sometime this week. We scheduled my Boudoir session for June. For those of you who do not know what that is, it is very sensual and sexy pictures done for the groom. I am like 98% excited and 2% nervous about them and I know that once I get started I will relax 100%. Tanya did some a while back and they turned out incredible so she is going to go with me and talk to me about poses and stuff while I do them. Here is a website with some examples...but Alison will be doing mine. http://www.houstonboudoir.com/#

Thursday, Jake, Debbie, my dad and myself went back to Briscoe for our private food tasting and to narrow down some details of the wedding day. The food was CRAZY GOOD and it was really hard to decide which dishes we wanted at the wedding but we did it...only because we had to. :D We also picked out a kids menu for the little ones so they aren't eating an entire plate of the adult food which I'm sure they wouldn't like. Soooo they are going to be enjoying chicken nuggets, fries, and fruit! We also hired two babysitters for that night up in the groom's suite so the adults can be worry-free and have fun! The only sad part is when Rachel (wedding planner) was asking what I would like in the bridal suite to eat and drink she informed me that I am only allowed water :( (because everything else could stain my dress which I'm glad they are looking out for but a nice Mimosa or glass of wine would be nice). We will also have cheese and crackers to snack on while we are getting ready and waiting. OMG I CANNOT WAIT! Not to be concided or anything but this is going to be an amazingly gorgeous wedding...not because it's ours but because of the people around us helping us prepare and the people that will be there to celebrate with us and watch us take this amazing covenant with God.

Even though I didn't really have much of a Spring Break due to all the wedding stuff and the TSU track meet, it was a great week and we got a lot accomplished. Jake and I are in the process of doing some pre-marital counseling and we are learning a lot about each other through http://www.fireproofmymarriage.com. Fireproof is a book that I suggest to any couple about to get married. Its incredible how spiritual you find yourself to be and close to God we really are. He is working in us every second of everday...He is all around us; we just have to take the time to look and notice.

Pictures of the apartment are coming soon I SWEAR! :D

With love and prayers,
A

Ahhh memories

Ummm, first of all I just want to set the record straight that I was not the one asking for the other person's number the first night Ashley and I might at the rodeo. Hahahahaha, okay maybe I was!!! Well lately Ashley and myself have been extremely busy and time has been flying by and bringing the wedding thankfully closer everyday. I am sitting here watching "The Soloist" and it has reminded me of the little things in life that are so special and how it is those little things in life that make me truly happy. Ashley and I share so many of those little moments that make me happier than I have ever been before. One of those special times we had was a few years back during which was what I believe was our first spring break together, hahaha!!!! It was probably the best and absolutely worst spring break I have ever experienced myself and probably Ashley as well. The great part is that I just saved a bunch of money on my car insurance by swtiching to Geico...no but seriously Ashley is asleep and keeps calling me while she's sleeping and not saying anything. Well, back to the story now...we were driving through Rockport and looking for our condo and finally we got there. I should have known by the rain that followed us into Rockport that something was not right about that day, haha. But, I was wrong because we found our beautiful little condo with tons of huge beautiful trees around! So, we checked in and got settled in the condo and then proceeded to go grocery shopping and thats when the fit hit the shan!!! Those dang huge beautiful trees became a huge ugly pain in my butt and more so a huge pain in Ashley's car's butt, hahaha! Ashley, asked me to drive to the store and I said ya I'll drive and then BANGGG!!!! I hit the huge tree in my blind spot, in Ashley's car, and in only 30 minutes of arriving in town for our first VACATION togather! HAHA, it really was a great spring break once we got passes the histerical crying and freak out sessions. In all seriousness that is a memory that I cherish forever because of how much fun we still had together even though I wrecked her car and it rained the entire trip. I have known for a long time that I loved Ashley with EVERYTHING I have and EVERYTHING I am, and I have never doubted!

J

LVS 14 Blue

Please meet my babies! :D They truly make my day! I LOVE THEM SO MUCH and are soo proud of them! DO WORK!

Vendors Galore!

Thought I would share our vendors with you in case some of you are planning a wedding! Of course, we believe we have booked THE BEST OF THE BEST!

If you ever need photography, videography, caterer, or venue for any event, PLEASE use these vendors! They are incredible to work with and make your life so much easier than imagined! LOVE THEM and recommend them at the drop of a hat!

Photography
http://www.carlinosphotography.com
This woman knows what she's doing! SO MUCH FUN!

Videography
http://dontgetmarriedwithoutme.com
Rob is amazing! His videos are so real and not all that fancy crap! They really capture the moment!

Venue
http://www.briscoemanor.com
Of course, the most gorgeous place on Gods green earth to get married. The pictures don't even begin to do it justice! They are partner with Behind the Bash catering...who are just as perfect!

Flowers
http://www.freshbloomsofhouston.com
Cristina did a mock up of our centerpieces RIGHT THERE on the SPOT...it was gorgeous! Jake and I were just floored! I have my bridals next week so I will get to have a sneak peek at what my bridal bouquet will look like! :D

Cake
http://www.cakesbygina.com
Can we say yyummmmm!?!?! I think this was Jake's favorite part of wedding planning! We CANNOT wait to see Jake's cake! :D Secret revealed 6.18.10.

Don't forget to check out our registries at Macy's, Z Gallerie, and Bed, Bath, and Beyond! :D
http://www.macys.com
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com
http://www.zgallerie.com (password:ajm61810)

We move into the apartment this weekend...YAY! We start painting on Thursday so once we are done painting I will post pictures of the gorgeousness that is our apartment!

God Bless,
J&A

3.6.06

4 years ago today, Jake and I met at the rodeo while seeing Robert Earl King and Cross Canadian Ragweed. It's a long and actually entertaining story...which I'm sure Branson will be making a speech about at our wedding considering he was there. :D Huh B?! Anyways, Jake almost didn't go and I was on a date. A group of us met at a Chili's nearby and I don't actually remembering officially meeting Jake but he remembers meeting me because he told Jess that he thought I was hot. She told me and I believe my exact response was, "Who's Jake?!" HAHA! So, at the rodeo, he ended up dancing with my sister and I was, for some odd reason, really jealous. I'm not a jealous person but with him, it just was this weird ping in my stomach. So I intervened in my own unique way just to make him notice me and not my freaking sister! He ended up asking for my number (5 feet away from my date might I add) and called me like 2 minutes later before I even made it to my car. He hung up on me because apparently he didn't want to seem too desperate. Umm a little too late for that, dontchya think?! We spoke the next night on the phone for several hours and it's all history from there. At the beginning of our relationship there was a lot of staying up all night talking about anything and everything and watching Dangerus Minds. The funny part about that is that everytime we were together and would stay up talking, Dangerous Minds would come on so apparently they play that movie late at night. We quickly fell in love and knew from very early on that we were meant to spend the rest of our lives with each other.

Here are some pictures of the night we first met. :D

This was our first picture together...the first night we hung out after meeting at the rodeo :D