Music is good for the Soul

So last week was the two concerts I've looked forward to since well August when they were posted. Night one --- The Thieving Birds (www.thievingbirdsmusic.com) were opening up for Stoney LaRue. I've seen Stoney a few times --- usually it's the same ol' show - but for once this time was different. You could actually hear and understand him and it was just hours after hours of instrumental music that puts me to sleep. The Thieving Birds got to pick what show they wanted to open for this semester - so they picked Stoney. They've been to the bar 3 times - opening for Jason Boland, Randy Rogers, and now Stoney. They of course put on an AMAZING show like always. It's always a joy to see them happy and do what they love. They gained a lot of fans up here this trip. I heard a lot of people saying "man, y'all are awesome". I could have told them that. It's always interesting when they come up - something always happens. I was wound for sound by the time we got home - 3 Vegas bombs in a row was not a good idea but whatever. :) There wasn't a trip to the donut shop, Ihop, or McDonalds --- this time it was Dennys. There wasn't ketchup involved this time in anyone's wallet -- just lots of laughter.
And the next night was my other favorite ---- Aaron Watson. This was definitely a different show than any of his ever before. Aaron and his wife & family lost their baby girl, Julia Grace last week. (Well, the 10th). She was born with Trysomy 18 - which my friends, Jenny & Lanny lost their little boy Miles to the same thing about 2 years ago. This has broken my heart for them. They are such a loving family - no one ever deserves to be put through this. I know they have put their faith and trust in the Lord and He has guided them through this pain and struggle. He had posted a blog part 1 of his Giving Julia Grace back series right before he went on stage. Me of course started to read it. I had to quit or I was just going to bawl up in the dj booth until everyone left so I could go home and cry some more. Here is his blog -- http://barbedwirehalo.wordpress.com/2011/10/21/giving-julia-back-week-21-part-one/
It's very emotional. It's so sad for anyone to loose a child - even worse when you know Aaron. His family is his world. But back to the show----I stood in the dj booth for awhile with my camera shooting over the 400 people there to see him (well and there was a good chunk of girls there to see Damian). Then I made my way through the crowd and stood right next to the stage. No one bothered me and I enjoyed the show like always. I gave him a hug before and after the show -- I held back the tears and avoided talking to him about Miss Julia Grace. They're in my prayers every night as they still go through this pain and reality of life and how precious it is.

Aaron took this of us during his show :)

Us with Aaron

This situation has made me realize even more how precious life is. I constantly pray for the expecting mothers that I know and don't. My cousin and his finace' just had a beautiful baby girl that morning. (About 3:30 - so when we were sitting at Denny's with the Thieving Birds). And one of my best friends, Shalayne, is due in January with a baby boy - Ezra :) I'm throwing a baby shower a week from Sunday with her sister in law and sister back home after our quick trip to Fort Worth for a wedding and new born shoot with Miss Teegan. I have more news but I can't share (and no, I'm not pregnant), but someone VERY close to me is. I can not wait to publicly share the amazing news and sonograms I got by email. I'm just asking everyone who reads this to please THINK PINK!!!!!!!

Fall is in the Air

So I know it's been forever since I've last blog - but every time I start one it's the same thing about how fast time is flying. Well it is. I can't believe October is almost over. And it's only 66 days til Christmas. That's not very far off. Since I last blogged - Josh & I went to the K-State vs. Baylor game. Which was an awesome game - Thank you Aunt Connie & Uncle Steve for the tickets. The kid behind and his family were incredibly annoying. But other than that it was fun.
The next weekend was a trip to Fort Worth, Texas to see John Seidler & Rachel Halliday tie the knot. It was a great trip. We went down the day before so we weren't in such a hurry to get around and checked into our hotel. We stayed in downtown Fort Worth at the Hilton hotel. This hotel crazy enough was the last hotel JFK stayed in before he was assassinated. Creepy! We spent that Saturday morning at Christmas in Cowtown -- it was such a blast - lots of Christmas shopping. When then went back to our hotel to get all dressed up.

The next day Josh & I went over to Plano to see my cousin, Matt and his fiance Cat. They're expecting a baby girl, Teegan, that was due yesterday. So I'll have a new cousin here within the next few days. :)

The following weekend was wedding #2. Josh Reischman & Shannon Dare. It was a beautiful wedding and we're so happy we got to go.

Josh did this to Josh & I at our wedding - so it was only appropriate that Josh & I returned the favor :)

Longest Road Trip Ever

So this last week I took the last week I took a road trip with my mom, Grandma, and Aunt Connie. Josh took me to Topeka last Friday (9-16) to meet up with them so I could ride out to Owensboro, Kentucky where my brother & family recently moved to. It was about an 11 hour drive but well worth it. The drive was beautiful - lots of trees and sites I'd never see before. Besides for flying to New York, Georgia, and Florida, I'd never been east of KC. We stopped for lunch in Columbia at Fazzoli's. I got to see the St. Louis arch and the Cardinal's Stadium for the first time as we drove through.
Then we headed on to Illinois, Indiana, and finally Kentucky. Cole and Cason were (im)patiently waiting for us to arrive. We had to take a detour route through Evansville, Indiana because a bridge was out. Jer called 2 miles away from our turn on S-40 (great timing! otherwise we would have been so frustrated). Once we got there Jer fixed up tacos and we celebrated Cason's 7th Birthday (that was the day before). He wanted to save his ca
ke for when we got there.
We mainly hung out and talked for that evening. We all knew the next morning was going to be early - Cason had a football game at 9 and Cole at 2. It was so great to get to see more than 10 minutes of their games this year. Last year I caught 10 minutes of their games before shooting a wedding. Regretting not going to more of them last year I wanted to at least make one this year. Cason played the entire game - doing awesome even though their team lost 13-0. The refs were so terrible. Granted, it's flag football but come on. One kid kneed another boy in the crotch - they're 5-6 --- good grief.
Everyone braving the rainy weather. (Grandma, Aunt Connie, Jeremy, Mom, & Amy)

Cason got to be a captain - #31.
Cason #31 (2011 Giants Football)

In between the games - Aunt Connie, Grandma, Mom, Amy & I went to Joanns to check out the fabric for the projects we were able to tackle. We got materials for a headboard and to cover Amy's kitchen chairs. That took more time than we'd ever thought. Once we checked out we headed for home. (and we had to go back because they overcharged us). Jer ordered a pizza from "Pizza by the guy" so we picked it up on the way home before Cole's game. It was delicious! Then we were off for Cole's game. Cole got to play nose tackle for the first half and his first time playing quarter back for this team the 2nd half. They won 33-0. It was awesome getting to see him play. They're both growing up so fast!

Cole also got to be a captain that day - #54

Cole got to run the extra point in.

Mom, Amy & I went to TJ Maxx after Cole's game and found 2 of Amy's barstools. They're GORGEOUS! We're keeping a look out for a 3rd since there's space. The rest of that day mom and I worked on covering Amy's chairs and starting the head board project.

Mom & I with our masterpiece

Sunday we had a big breakfast and then Jeremy took mom, Grandma, and I around Owensboro, showing us the boys' school, future schools, downtown, the Ohio River, and his office.

Mom & I at the Ohio River in Owensboro, Kentucky

We stopped by Lowes for a hanger for the headboard and headed back home. Mom & I worked all day on the headboard and then went to Kirklands for some new home furnishings. We then had a big family dinner at Cheddars. Good food except whether its Wichita, KS or Owensboro, KY they always screw up my meal and I have to wait forever. So it's not my favorite place to go anymore.

Side note -- all 3 nights Cole and I shared a bed. Every time I'd move he'd be right next to me --- feet, leg, arm, whatever in my side or back. Such a weird sleeper but Cason's almost worse --- Cason tried to pick my nose when we had the boys this summer.

Unfortunately, Monday morning came and we had to head for Branson, Missouri after the boys went off to school. That drive seemed to take forever and ever. We left Owensboro about 8:20 and got to our hotel at 6 - checked in finally at 6:30 because they didn't have our reservation right. Before getting to our hotel we made a pit stop at Russell Stover's candy for some goodies. We also had dinner at the famous, Lambert's in Ozark, Missouri. They throw hot fresh rolls at you. I got the privilege of catching most of them for our table. They were yummy but they were hot when catching them.

We had a beautiful condo tucked away at the south side of Branson. We went to the Lee Greenwood/Louise Mandrill show at the Welk resort. It was a beautiful theater --- I loved the curtains. Not my type of show but it was fun. He sang "Please Come to Boston" - I have now heard Lee Greenwood, Wade Bowen, David Allen Coe, and Garth Brooks sing it live. Wade's my favorite by far! Grandma enjoyed it - except it was too loud for her.

The next day we stopped at the Tanger outlets for some fun quick shopping. Never in my life would I think I would agree to going into Coach - but it was an outlet so mom & I went to check it out. We both ended up with purses --- on sale big time. With a $5 donation to the support of breast cancer, you got an additional 30% off. I still haven't took "Madison" out of her bag except to show my husband - who still thinks I'm nuts. She's beautiful and I'm in love haha. I went to check out the Disney store while everyone else went to Harry & David's. I found some reasonable shirts for Kohl & Coy to start my Christmas shopping. It'll be here before I know it.

After our Tanger Outlet experience we headed south outta town to Arkansas to cut across to Oklahoma and back down to Plano to see more family. We had Girlandi's (sp?) pizza - a coal brick over pizza. It was good surprisingly. When I found out their "hamburger" was a meatball I was not too thrilled. But I was starving and it worked. It was great to finally get to meet my cousin Matt's fiance, Cat. They're expecting a baby girl in 3 1/2 weeks - I can't wait to meet Miss Teegan also!

Mom & I stayed that night with Brian & Allison since my aunt's house is a little full at the moment but it was perfectly fine with us. We just wanted sleep. We left shortly after noon the next day to head back to Kansas. My aunt & uncle had a wedding back in Guthrie, OK that following day so they were quick to drop us off and head back south. Josh came and got me the next day after my hair appointment. So overall I traveled (technically) through 14 states (8, but some were counted twice) and 1, 982 miles + (doesn't included all of the driving around.

It was a trip I'll remember forever. I'm so glad I got to see Cole & Cason play a football game this year, help Amy with their new home, see where my brother works, the Ohio River, Branson, and my Texas family.

I can't believe it's September

Holy cow - it's September?! The last few weeks have been a complete blur. Josh & I have been helping his mom fix up and paint their house and update. We spent last weekend there -- got new furniture, a carpet cleaner, and I huge up more pictures. I'm almost done -- I run outta steam about 11 at night. But by Christmas it'll be all done -- I HOPE!

September is the month of birthdays --- I heard on the radio the other day it's the most popular month for birthdays. It starts with my brother, Josh (5th), Mom (7th), cousin's daughter Camielle (9th), cousin Brian (11th), nephew Cason (15th), high school bff Shalayne (17th), Josh's grandma Evelyn (22nd), husband Josh (23rd) -- I'm sorry if I forgot anyone. Hopefully I get to go to Kentucky to see Cason for his birthday next week -- I can't believe he's going to be 7!!!!!!!!! I remember the exact day like it was yesterday that him and Cole were born. They're growing up so fast.

I know I missed a blog last week but I've been swamped at work so maybe I'll get two up this week - highly doubt it since I have 2 more collages to design for Cox Brothers BBQ to hang in their new restaurant in Junction City. The best part about those is seeing how they live -- they travel, have fun, drink til dawn, eat delicious food.

Well, I'm going to get back to work -- or at least my new favorite website, pinterest.com -- makes me feel inspired again that I've lost for so long.

1st weekend at home

So Josh & I have been on the go since the end of May - literally every week or weekend we have been in Louisiana, Texas, Wellington, Tonganoxie, Wichita, or wherever else. It has been fun for the most part but exhausting. This last weekend was our first official weekend at home, we have been home since last Tuesday -- so we're up to 9 days at home! Doesn't sound like much, our total will be 11 before we're on the road til November. This fall brings us to Texas for 2 weddings - John & Rachel and Fish & Robyn with a Tonganoxie wedding in between. Usually wedding season has been the summer for us but this fall we have 3 in 5 weeks to go. Our first weekend off is the 3rd week in November and well, it seems like far off but heck, Christmas is only 4 months away today. Tomorrow marks our 14 month married anniversary :) It's so crazy how time flies by!

This week is a blur

So I'm trying to think about what to blog about this week and well this morning I'm drawing a complete blank. So I guess I'll just go over what else has been going on ---

Last week, Josh's grandma, was placed in a rehab center for her muscles. She's been going to physical therapy every day this week and we can tell a huge difference. Hopefully she'll be out of there soon - they said it'd be about 6 weeks or so. So we spent the first part of this week in Tongie - seeing her, painting the kitchen, and cleaning out old stuff.

This work week has been a blur - just trying to get caught up. I'm just glad it's Friday so I can sleep in tomorrow.

Here's a before & after of the painting - no decor yet, ran outta time.

Catching Up

So I wasn't able to blog last week because lets see - I was only near a computer for a day and I had to get caught up on work. On July 17th, my Uncle Kris, my dad's youngest brother, passed away. He was only 44 years old. It's still weird and it baffles me that he is gone. He passed away from health complications. He wasn't in the best of health but was getting better but his kidneys couldn't keep up with him. This was the first time I had ever had any part in planning a funeral. I was unfortunately at home for another funeral when my uncle passed. I went with my Grandma and parents to the funeral home after burying an amazing lady, Mrs. Peggy Richmond. So needless to say it was a very emotional week. It was weird and nothing I would wish on anyone. Deciding what urn, programs, guestbook, songs, and everything else is tough. Since I have been scanning all of our family photos I was able to get them to Tytus to put together an easy slideshow with their program. It turned out beautiful. To see it - go to this link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GIyjV4wvhU

He will be missed by so many people. He was a very loving man when it came to his daughters and granddaughter.

Following planning a funeral - that next Sunday, we had to go back to Wichita to help my brother, Jeremy and his family get ready to move to Kentucky. This again wasn't something I wanted to do - I know it's something new and exciting but I miss them like crazy and it's been almost 3 weeks. I have now helped my brother move 8 times - EIGHT TIMES - in my life. This was the easiest as far as packing because well, we didn't. They had a moving company that had to pack and load everything. We were busy running errands and painting getting the house ready to sell. That was one of the most emotional goodbyes ever. But I'm excited to plan trips to see them as often as we can. It's only about 9 hours from here --- that's nothing. Ha! Just sucks all 4 nephews are a day's worth of driving away but they're all worth it.

Following that week - we were home for a whopping 4 days before heading back to Wellington for my Uncle's funeral. Since he was cremated we waited until my Uncle & family from Kuwait were here to have the memorial service. It was a nice service - Rev. Clayton (who married us) did a wonderful job. The slideshow got everyone. I don't think there was a dry eye in the family section. I will never forget my Aunt Connie reaching over to grab my hand during it - such heartbreak has happened.

So after all of this - Josh & I worked all weekend in Topeka at Central Zones Championships Swimming. Huge pain in the ass. Worth the paycheck - but not the heat (thankfully it rained, except for the fact we had computers but they were covered). We got back to Manhattan Sunday - slept most of Monday (went and saw Captain America) which seems to have been forever ago. And then that night, Brenda, Josh's mom called me and his Grandma is in the hospital. She had fell and hit her head, and then her sodium and potassium levels were low. Her heart rate is back to normal, but I haven't heard an update today.

If anyone reads this - please keep my family in your prayers. It's been a rough month and I only hope it gets better.