Maybe It's Time

Maybe it's time I start postin' some of OUR WEDDING DAY PHOTOS. I thought I'd start with the prep photos from October 8, 2011. Oh, how I loved that day! 

The whole day we were watching the rain start and stop from the hotel windows. And while we were praying for the sun, the ceremony turned out perfectly indoors while it poured outside. More on that later....

These are all photos that were taken before Jon and I had even seen each other. The mood in each room was obviously different. The girls were relaxing with champagne and a little Texas country music while the guys passed around a little an entire bottle of Jaeger. Although, Jon's breath smelled minty fresh (not like licorice)- I think he was a little too preoccupied to take part in shots that day.
While I was seating in the make-up chair and my bridesmaids were in the bathroom curling hair, I heard Pat Green's "Maybe It's Time" come through loud and clear on Kelly's IPod:

It’s time I said this in front of God and everyone
I don’t intend to ever let you go

Yeah maybe its time to jump start forever
Maybe its time we lay these two hearts down
It’s time we seal this love we’ve found
Well maybe its time...

How perfect is that?! And I was soooo ready to walk down that aisle! I remember thanking God for my soon-to-be husband (and Pandora) at that moment.

All My Love,
Jessica

Perfect Lil Weekend

Ahhh, getting back into a normal routine has been absolute bliss!  Friday included a great evening in downtown Austin with Kelly & Kyle. We started off at Cedar Street Courtyard for a little outdoor musica since it was still 55 degrees at 9 PM.

When we realized we were the only people there under the age of 50, we decided it was time to change venues, but certainly not before busting out to a sub-par cover of Madonna's, "Material Girl."


Much to our surprise, West 6th Street was pretty much dead. Kyle then explained that Thursday was the new Friday, Friday was like a Tuesday, and Saturday was still, well, Saturday. Sigh, staying on top of the social scene is such a chore.


There was still plenty of action to keep us entertained. We found the most enjoyment out of a pack of girls who, from what I can gather, only came out to take pictures of each other. My fav chica of the bunch is the below, "BOOTYLICIOUS."

Wherrrre do you find jeans like this? Did she make them? More power to her.

This how I really felt about her wardrobe choice.

Kelly and I did our best to imitate their sexy picture poses. Successful.

Saturday we set out on a furniture hunt with K&K, searching everywhere from Pottery Barn to a consignment shop. Jon and I were looking specifically for a painted media console to match our new TV which is set to arrive this week!


We found one piece that was close to what we wanted, but perhaps a little too distressed.

The store, Nadeau, was amazing though and all of the pieces in the showroom came from India.


Our partners were a little more successful in their hunt. They ended up with a beautiful rug on sale from Pottery Barn.

It's sooo soft, like a 9'x5' sweater.

Saturday evening we went to our first neighborhood potluck. I didn't get any pictures, I'm just not ready to reveal my blogging-habit to the new neighbors yet. I quite enjoyed the large age-range found on our block, and our ability to all get along over a couple of Michelob Ultras. Between the group, we've got stories from Iraq, Vietnam, and WWII covered.


Sunday we ventured into the thriving metropolis of Georgetown to check out the library. Per my grandmother's suggestion, I picked up some decorating books to peruse for home ideas. 

Paula-help a sister out.

I also found this gem in the "For Sale" section.

Luckily, Jon said we already have his issued etiquette book from West Point.

Here's the antique version. We found it in a town-square shop. I guess manners have always been a big deal.

Post Georgetown excursion, I communicated with my parents about their upcoming visit. They will be here in less than a week! My Dad has been craving some live music, so I asked him via text if he wanted to go see Wade Bowen at Midnight Rodeo in South Austin next Saturday. Wade Bowen is the artist who wrote our wedding song, "Who I Am." I immediately received a phone call in response to my text - my father wanted to make sure he wasn't actually committing himself to a....rodeo...at midnight. I put his fears to rest by explaining it was merely a questionable honky-tonk, no live bull-riding included, and we would be home and in bed at a decent hour.

We plan to polish off the evening with some mini-chicken pies made by Jon's grandmother and transported all the way back from North Carolina, a true delicacy!

Until Wedding Wednesday....All My Love,

Jessica

Faithfully Yours, 2012

I'm finally back! I know I have definitely been slacking since mid-December. To be honest, I didn't take that many pictures of this past week. I just wanted to soak it all in...that wholesome North Carolina Christmas, that "mountain momma, take me home" Christmas. I wanted to breath in every second of the holiday with my sweet husband and family. 

I kept remembering the last time I was in Winston-Salem. I was visiting Jon's family for Thanksgiving sans Jon. It was a time in my life when I thought I might just die of a broken heart. My fiance was a million miles away in Iraq and all I wanted was him home for the holidays...in my arms...in my eyesight...safe. 


And this year, THIS YEAR, he was here in flesh with a solid, shiny ring on his finger. We had the most amazing time, celebrating with relatives, shopping for deals on furniture, and catching up with old friends. 


The trip was flawless, almost. The night before we headed back to Texas, Jon and I both started to feel a little cold coming on. We tried to ignore the symptoms and hit the road for our 20-hour journey early in the morning. About 3 hours into our drive, Jon started feeling a bit woozy and before I knew it, he was reaching for the nearest zip-lock bag. I got sick soon thereafter, and I mean REALLY sick. We stopped at the nearest pet-friendly hotel and slept (amongst other things) for a solid 24 hours. When we awoke the next morning, we were feeling much better, but also quite devastated about the fact that there was no way we could make it home in time for our New Years celebration. 


We arrived home at 11:54 pm on December 31st. I have never been so happy to see my own bed! We celebrated the New Year with a quick kiss. As temporary "mouth-breathers", we weren't much for smelling each others' breath.


I didn't even think about my New Year's resolution until today, but I think, simply put, I want to love harder. I want to show my husband, my family, my friends that I am committed and I am loyal to them. 

This man has commitment down pat. 

He has taken this marriage so seriously and the biggest compliment I will ever receive is that he considers me his equal. 

I love him so much.

I feel like lately all I hear is rumors and rumblings of infidelity on all levels in the world around us. Jon and I made a promise to each other long before the wedding, to protect each other from the outside world. The biggest part of that promise is a 100% commitment to each other. 

This year, I hope people make a genuine effort to decide who is truly irreplaceable in their lives, and make a commitment to them. Commit wholly to love and protect them.


2011 was the best year of my life, CHEERS TO 2012!


All My Love, 
Jessica