Time to Give Thanks

What are you thankful for?

Jessica and I went to Branson, MO to spend Thanksgiving with her family.  It was a wonderful weekend that was filled with plenty of food and fun.  We stayed at a beautiful seven bedroom home that had a little something for everyone to enjoy. 

Inside, there were three main attractions: 

1. Pool Table

The family had an absolute blast with the pool table.  Every night we had a pool tournament in which the highlight was Grandma's participation.  Classic!

2.  Beautiful patios with beautiful views.  

Sometimes a change in scenery is a good thing and we surely had a beautiful change.  Our inclosed patio/balcony was the perfect place to sit, relax, and ponder.

3. Charlie!!!

We just can't get enough of baby Charlie.  In case you missed the previous submission, Charlie is the newest member of the family and I think he enjoyed the vacation just as much as we did.

In addition to the beautiful home, we also saw a few shows.  All of the performances were good but my favorite was the "Noah's Ark" show.  The performance featured real animals along with an amazing set and lighting.  But of all the activities, my favorite was the dinner spent as a family.  We all gathered around the table to share a wonderful meal and each other's company.  

So this leads me to what I am thankful for this year. Most years my "Thankful List" is inspired by material things, and the excitement of having one month left in the school semester.  But this year is different... I realized that I have been blessed with not one, but two wonderful families.  My father always told me to surround myself with good people and Jessica's family has been nothing but good to me.   27 days until Christmas...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Update

Mardell and I have been really slacking on this blog... Lately life has been crazy.  When Mardell isn't working at the grade school he is working for the K-State Athletic Department where he is a security supervisor.  I have been very busy with homework and lesson planning.  I only have one week left in my second grade classroom at Lincoln Elementary in Junction City.  I recently found out where I will be placed for Student Teaching, and I am looking forward to spending next semester in the first grade classroom.

We are both really looking forward to our upcoming trip to Branson with my family to celebrate Thanksgiving.  My family decided it was time for another trip and my Grandmother picked Branson.  So starting Wednesday morning we will be head out for five days filled with many shows and lots of family.

Here are a few things that have happened since our last post:

November 16th was baby Charlie's baptism.  Mardell had to work the basketball game on Sunday so we headed to Waterville Saturday night to so that he could spend time with the family.  Charlie was so good during the service, but definitely did not enjoy having to wear shoes.  Following the service the celebration was concluded with a wonderful lunch.

 

A couple weeks before Halloween, Mardell and I got festive by carving pumpkins.  We decorated our patio with pumpkins and two of them got smashed by pumpkin thieves, so we had to make a quick trip to Dillons first to replace them.  We had a blast cleaning out the pumpkins, Mya and Ellie even tried to help!

At the beginning of October we decided that we needed a weekend get away so we headed to KC.  Mardell surprised me with tickets to see The Lion King, put on by the traveling broadway actors.  It was absolutely amazing!  I have never seen anything like it and would love to go again.  I was really disappointed that we were not allowed to take pictures during the play, but pictures would not have done the play justice.  

Dress Shopping

This post is long overdue!!!

On August 23 my mother, sister (& baby Charlie), and I decided to hit up Kansas City in search for my dress.  I had made appointments at David's Bridal and at another boutique in Overland Park.  I had been browsing online for dresses and came across the "perfect" one and I could not wait to try it on.  As soon as we got into the boutique my sister and I started pulling dresses for me to try on.  Of course we saved the gown I thought I wanted to try on last.  Surprisingly I fell in love with the gown I tried on right before "the one".

We still had to go to David's Bridal so we stopped and picked my cousin up for lunch (and margaritas) at Old Chicago.  We then made our way to David's Bridal but after trying on the other gowns nothing caught my eye.  We browsed the bridesmaid dresses but I really just wanted to go back to the other boutique to try the dress back on... so of course we went back and ended up buying my dress!!

It was a great day and my mom and my sister were so much help!  So now I'm just anxiously waiting for it to arrive and for my fitting!  Here are a few pictures from the day, but none of the actual dress since I do not want Mardell to get a sneak peak :)

 

 

Capture the Moment

"To photograph is to hold one's breath, when all faculties converge to capture fleeting reality. It's at that precise moment that mastering an image becomes a great physical and intellectual joy."
-Henri Cartier-Bresson

Today my fiance' and I took our first engagement pictures. We spent hours considering different photographers and searching vigorously on websites. But, what we needed ended up being right in front of us. My great friend Laura blessed us with her gift of photography and in return we blessed her with the rare opportunity.

We all had so much fun taking pictures. We traveled across Kansas State University's campus and found several beautiful flowers (flowers are starting to be very common in our wedding journey). Like most things that Jessica and I do, we enjoyed each others company. We laughed, held hands, held each other close and ofcourse... admired that engagement ring!

The highlight of the day was traveling to Pillsbury Crossing. This was our first time traveling out to this landmark and we had so much fun! In case you don't know, Pillsbury Crossing is a beautiful creek with a gorgeous waterfall. When we arrived many people were out enjoying the weather, playing music, barbecuing and swimming.

I am very thankful for my great friend, Laura. Anyone can take a picture but very few can capture moments. As Jessica and I plan for this wedding it is easy to get caught up in our destination (wedding day). But the true joy will be in the journey (all the days leading up to the wedding).

Save The Date!!!

We've been able to finally set the date.  The past week has been spent getting ahold of different possible locations for the reception and we found a place that was available on the same day as the Kansas State University Gardens.  Since I have been wanting my wedding at the Gardens for awhile now, and that's the place where Mardell proposed, we've been planning the date around it's availability.  We wanted the wedding to be at the end of May/beginning of June and we're in luck - May 30, 2009 is the official date!!!  Now it's on to finding a photographer, florist, and picking out the cake...

Save The Date

May 30, 2009

Kansas State University Gardens

Let the Games Begin

T.G.I.S

Thank God it's Saturday!  Since proposing to Jessica our days have been soooooo busy.  I really feel like we have not had a chance to really focus on starting our wedding plans.  But today is Saturday and we have a full day of wedding MANIA!

Jess and I went out to a book store and collected a bunch of wedding magazines.  For a while we sat and got ideas on wedding cakes, photographers and decorating ideas.  Most guys probably would have dreaded this but I am so excited to help plan this wedding.  

We got so inspired by some wedding ideas that we decided to go to Hobby Lobby and look at some arts and crafts supplies.  Jessica is so creative and loves working on projects.  So her imagination motor was running at high speed.  We decided to make some of our reception decorations.  Of course doing so will help minimize our cost but I really think we decided to do this project because we enjoy doing things together.  

Come Monday we will start working on a wedding date, location and guest list.  So let the games begin!

And So It Begins

So here we are...

The start of our new chapter in life.  The new chapter began on July 29, 2008 on a cool summer night at K-State's gardens.  The day started out as an ordinary summer day.  I had been planning to propose to Jessica all summer (she didn't know).  I came home from work early with a beautiful floral arrangement and a thoughtful card.  Jessica LOVES flowers so I knew it would make her day.  We got dressed up (just to celebrate a Tuesday) and went out to a nice dinner.  I have never laughed and smiled as much as I did at the restaurant.  Every part of me knew that it was the right time to propose to the love of my life.

The evening continued with some "Dream Driving" (Dream driving is where we ride around the wealthy neighborhoods and look and big houses.  We often talk about our future and where we see ourselves in 5-10 years.).  After driving around for thirty minutes we stopped at the University Gardens.  The sun had nearly vanished but light was glowing from a beautiful fountain in the middle of an array of fresh flowers.  For what seemed to be hours, we talked about everything!  One thing I love about Jessica is she is my best friend... we can talk about absolutely anything.  

After a while we had reached a point where words could no longer do our time justice.  So I stood up and looked her in the eyes (everything was in slow motion at this point).  I reached in my back pocked, pulled out the ring, and dropped down to one knee.  I asked my best friend and lover of three years to be my wife and she said YES!!!

So that brings us to now...  For the next 9 months I (including Jessica) would like to share our story with the world.  So without further ado... WELCOME TO "TIL DEATH DO US PART".