Joy Marie

For those who have been following me for a while, remember my cousin I talked about that was diagnosed with ALS 8 months back?

Well she passed away Monday. Fortunately I am ok with it, cause I know she is no longer in pain. I miss her dearly already, she was one of my MOST favorite people EVER! She is my dad's cousin but to me she was always more than just a 2nd cousin so when I was young she gave her self the name Auntie Cousin Joy, noone could ever understand why! Just want to share a few things about my Auntie Cousin Joy.
This is Auntie Cousin and I on her Birthday in Sept, we threw a pretty big bash, knowing it would be her last

Here's Aunti Cousin as a baby.. I know you can't see it very good, but LOOK at that smile. Today during service when friends and family spoke about her, EVERYONE mentioned she was always smiling and always brightned everyones day!
My mom surprised me and gave me Aunti Cousin Joy's 11th grade report card. With the love for teaching my mom knew I would just be thrilled! I can't wait to make a frame with flowers from today, her pic, and the report card

I Just want to Thank everyone who has been there for me and sent their sweet love this past week. Especially 3 of my dear friends, Megan, Bekah, and Rachael, they have been there for me and checked on my non stop! Thanks girls!

I can't wait to see Joy again in heaven, were gonna go dancing on the beach :)

One last thing... She will always hold a place in my heart, my parents got my middle name from her :) Jennifer Marie!

Are you ready for some FOOTBALL???

So excited to get together with some friends tonight and cheer on Texas!!!
Hook 'Em Horns!

Koozie/ Wedding

I plan on making Koozies for one of the events mentioned in my post prior to this one....

I need some advice...

What should I put on them?

It wouldn't look like this.. Would be a solid color with just a solid color writing on it..

This one can be done several ways.. It doesn't have to have any art work...

If we do the "To have and to hold" I like 5 & 11...

Has anyone ever made Koozies before? Or got one as a Wedding favor?

Planning...

What a busy lady I've been lately simply.. planning! Let me list for you what I've got going on!

*First and for most, the cruise.. We leave Saturday its supposed to be in the teens here in Houston and were headed to the Carribean's :) heaven!

*My Auntie Cousin Joy who I talked about several months back that was diagnosed with ALS, passed away on Monday... So been planning her funeral and what I want to put in her casket, I know that might creep some out but its a celebration of her life to me.. Pics to come (of what I put in there, not the real deal)

*Getting ready for school, another semester starts the Tuesday after we get back, even though its going to be a breeze compared to last semester, I still gotta prepare :)

*Rachael's Stock The Bar shower that her Bridal Party is hosting, I have been in charge of that... I've thought of so many great ideas and creative things to do, I hope she loves it all!!

*Rachael's Bachlorette Party, that's still in the works...

*Kristi's Bridal Shower that me, my mom, cousin Lory, and Aunt Diane are hosting in March. her colors are shades of orange and graphite gray.. Let me show you a few things I was thinking...
I LOVE pom pom's... So I will be ordering about 5 of these to decorate my house for the shower... Not these colors, this is just an example.

Invitation option 1... In graphite gray and orange..

Option 2: in colors as listed above

So any thoughts, opinions?

I also was going to mini scrapbook 5x7 pics of Kristi and Aaron and have them laid out as decor

I don't plan on using any "theme" decor. I'm sticking with the colors of the wedding here are the napkins, the plates that match are cutier but I can't find a pic


So there ya go.. that's what I've been planning! And I LOVE every second of it...

Resolutions/Goals

I am set out to make not only resolutions for the new year but also "goals" I find if I make goals rather than tons of resolutions, I might better achieve them!

Goals:

*Read More

*Learn to Cook

*Loose Weight

*Be a better friend

*Get out of the house more (big HOME body over here)

*Show my love for others more often

*Read more of the Bible

*Get back involved in a small group

Resolutions:

*Work out 3x a week

*Eat Better! (after the cruise next week)

*Call people more rather than text

*Build a better relationship with God

That's all I got for now... I'm making a super long list for the far future, will post soon!

*

Summing Up 2009, survery style!

I saw this over on Miss Mojito's blog and on Thoughts of the all Consumed Bride and thought I'd jump on the bandwagon and fill it out also! So here it goes..

1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?

Hmm this is hard, I'm a pretty repetitive person...Well I was in one of my best friends weddings, does that count,ha! I jumped wake to wake on the Wakeboard!

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

Don't remember but yes I will do some this year (post to come)

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Our closest friends from our childhood had his first baby, Allison a couple days ago. Can't wait to see her :)

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Seems as though this would be a yes every year. My dad's aunt passed away and now my cousin is loosing her life to ALS and will be gone soon :(

5. What countries did you visit?

2009, hmmm none for once, but got some planned for 2010

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you didn't have in 2009?

A fiance :) ha jk! Just God's love to get stronger

7. What dates from 2009 will be etched upon your memory, and why?

Probably just Birthday celebrations with friends and family, oh and our first annual Crawfish Boil and my best friends wedding

8. What was your biggest achievement of this year?

Taking 24 hours in school and kicking a** with my final grades :) :) :)

9. What was your biggest failure?

Gaining weight...

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Unfortunatelyyes... Endless illness that we still have not found any answers to.. Please pray that after some more test and various doctor's we find some answers this year (been going on for 2.5 years now :( )

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Hmm too many to name... But the best fulfillment would be all the Christmas presents for Brian

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
n/a (ha)
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Thankfully, no one really. I am blessed with Great Family and Friends!

14. Where did most your money go?

Probably out to eat at resturants... eek :(

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

2010! Knowing I created some life long friendships this year and having "the" being together forever talk with Brian

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?

I will say Boom Boom Pow like Miss Mojito and Thoughts of the All Consumed Bride!
And a little bit of chicken fried :) yes I'm from Texas, ha!

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?

a. Happier

b. DEF Fatter by about 40ish lbs.. not good!

c. Same, I don't have an income

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?

Work out and eat better

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?

Spend money...

20. How did you spend Christmas?

With my loving families

21. Did you fall in love with 2009?

I don't think so... ha!

22. What was your favorite TV program?

Anything on TLC especially anything Wedding related..

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

I don't "hate" anything or anyone, I do not use that word...

24. What was the best book you read?

Don't remember... Need to start a new one!

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Umm I took a Music Class at school (it was reccomended) I learned how to play the piano and recorder!

26. What did you want and get?

Love from my family and friends and stronger relationships with some of those people

27. What did you want and not get?

nothing..

28. What was your favorite film of 2009?

The Hangover

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

24, Went to Wild West with some of my closest friends!

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Not being so confused about my healt

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2009?

Ummm very casual, since I've gained so much weight I don't like anything on me... So I wear a t-shirt and sweats a lot!

32. What kept you sane?

God and my bf

33. What political issue stirred you the most?

Don't wanna talk politics...

34. Who did you miss?

Some of my old friends, who live only minutes away but we just have grown apart...

35. Who was the best new person you met?

I don't remember if Rachael and I MET this year but we became close this year!!!!

36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.


Like is short... Friends come and go but the great ones stay... You are what you put in your mouth, eek... Give what you expect to receive... list could go on and on!

Happy New Year

I hope everyone had a fun/safe night last night doing whatever you may of done..

I did not spend the night out partying, clinking wine glasses, or around a big chaotic group!

I spent my night with the love of my life, Brian. We talked, looked at our calendars for the year to come, worked on our scrapbook, enjoyed a nice dinner with his parents and some of their closest friends, and watched the ball drop on TV.....
And I wouldn't of had it any other way!
People kept asking yall are going out, aren't going downtown.. Nope not this year, we've done it for years in the past and it cost so much $$$$!

Overall 2009 was a great year besides my health!

I look forward to 2010 and making myself a better friend, girlfriend, daughter, sister, bible study teacher, student, and lover of God

More to post later on what I want to "change/work on" in 2010

off to clean and start the new year off fresh!