Call it Art.

I love handwriting.  In college, my roomies would often ask me to address envelopes or birthday cards to "make it pretty."  {Mind you, their handwriting was just fine, but they liked mine, so I obliged.} 

I remember fourth grade when we had to start writing in cursive all the time.  I loved it. 

My Nanny taught Mom and Laura to write in calligraphy, and I got to take some of her classes at Northlake Community College as well.  I felt like such a big girl.  In those classes and at Nanny's desk, I developed a love for beautiful handwriting and took it upon myself to make mine as pretty as possible.

Today I came across an article in the New York Times about cursive and how it seems to be going by the wayside.  I thought this was a valid point:

"Might people who write only by printing — in block letters, or perhaps with a sloppy, squiggly signature — be more at risk for forgery? Is the development of a fine motor skill thwarted by an aversion to cursive handwriting? And what happens when young people who are not familiar with cursive have to read historical documents like the Constitution? "

Perhaps so.  People can also miss out on a fine motor skills, it says, and most importantly, they are missing out of the art and the opportunity to "create beauty every day."

So here's to creating beauty every day, whether it's by hand, in music, in molding young minds, or with numbers.  And we'll call it art.

Engagement Photos are up!

Jess posted a few of our engagement photos on her blog today!

On Monday, Adam and I had our engagement photos taken by the fabulously talented Jess Graham.  I went to Baylor with her, and knew her before she even knew that she wanted to go into photography full-time.  Her availability was one of the reasons we chose September 24th for our wedding date!

The weather's been really stormy here, and we'd already rescheduled because it was quite windy the first time.  It ended up clearing up Monday afternoon, and even though the skies were gray, I think it added a dramatic touch...

Jess posted about 10 photos that capture me laughing a LOT.  I only had one fit of giggles, and she happened to post most of them!  I loved seeing these, and I can't wait until next week when we can see the rest of the photos.  She took close to 700!  Crazy.

I love that she captured us so well.  In the last picture on the bottom right, she really got Adam's dimple on camera.  It.  Kills.  Me.  :-)

Today marks 150 days 'til our wedding!  

Easter People

"We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song." 

Pope John Paul II

This was a weekend full of fun things, a great way to celebrate being Easter people.  Adam's parents drove in Friday morning and I lucked out with a half-day off from work.  {You may remember how I love half-days.}  First, we visited the Flight Museum at Love Field.  Adam would love to re-do our wedding already and have our reception in the hangar there, ha.

On our way back, we stopped for Sprinkles Cupcakes and each picked one out for dessert: Red Velvet, Carrot Cake, Cinnamon Sugar Praline and a Black & White  cupcake.  Adam's parents brought down Iowa chops and we grilled out.  It was de-lic-ious.  I thought it was a fair trade: Iowa Chops versus a little taste of Dallas.  Works for me! 

Saturday, Adam's Mom and I shopped for a mother of the groom dress at Northpark Mall.  It was fun to hang out with just her!  We looked into a rehearsal dinner option, too, and made it to four department stores in just a few hours.  

That night, our parents met for the first time.  {Kind of a big deal.}  We ate at the Grand Lux Cafe at the Galleria and it was a good evening, and everyone got along swimmingly.  :-)

 {Mike, Noreen, Adam, Me, Mom & Dad}

I asked everyone to take a pic at dinner because I felt like this was rather monumental.  Adam's brother refers to me as "the picture girl," because I take so many photos.  There are worse things, I suppose.  :-)  

{The girls: Noreen, SMoo, Mom, Me, Anna, Laura & Jonita}

Sunday morning, Adam & his parents came with us to our church.  I think it's a smidge bigger than what they're used to.  Ha.  They were troopers, for sure.  A lot of our close family friends came up and introduced themselves, so while it was probably a bit overwhelming to meet so many people, at least they know that Adam is well loved here in Texas!

We had lunch at our house with the Flaggs and Papa & Jonita.  Troy and Austin flew in for the weekend, so it was really nice to have the fam together.  SMoo joined us as well, since her fam is in Arkansas, but really she just fit right in.  And I guess it wouldn't be an Easter celebration without her!

It was a great weekend with my Easter people.  

In a Ladder Truck

Today as I was driving, I looked over at a ladder truck, and there was Adam in the back seat. It made me smile really big.  Sometimes life surprises me, and it doesn't turn out how I pictured it.  It's better.  And I am so grateful.

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could

ever imagine

or guess

or request

in your wildest dreams!

He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us,

his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

Ephesians 3:20-21, (MSG)

Meeting Kelly Clarkson

I don't typically talk about work on this blog because, well, it's work.  And while it's where I spend a good chunk of my time, when I come home, I just like to be home.  That being said, however, there are some things that are really big...like a walk that 40,000 people attend, and one Kelly Clarkson in particular.

While it may sound a bit cheesy, Kelly Clarkson actually had a rather big impact on my singing start.  While on a church choir tour/mission trip in high school, I pretended to be her in a skit our family group did, and knew that I'd really have to own "A Moment Like This" if I was going to be the "good singer" on our version of American Idol.  The rest of the week, I sang my solo "Here I Am to Worship" with a lot more confidence, and people started asking me to sing more often.  I sang at Baylor, at church, and now at weddings and any chance I can get!

{Me, Molly, Kelly & SMoo}

I shared this info about our special guest with my Dad the night before the walk.  He was so pumped and was determined to meet her and get a photo.  {Most of the time I try to stray away from being "Gary's Daughter" at work because I don't want to be treated any differently than anyone else.  However, he's been really involved in the organization and very instrumental in making a difference, so it's kind of hard to ignore, which isn't always a bad thing!}  He made sure that the girls got a pic with the very first American Idol.  Thanks, Dad!

Molly snapped this photo of me and Dad at the top of the bridge.  40,000 people cross under it as they move past the start/finish line, and it was my first time to be up there and see this part of the walk.  

I was born too soon and spent three weeks in the NICU with spinal meningitis after I was born, so our family has been involved with the March of Dimes for a very long time because it's near and dear to our hearts.  I started going to the walks with my dad every year growing up, and it was always fun for us to share that together.  While I don't remember each one of them, the last three stand out quite vividly.  As it turns out, the walk has become a way for me to mark seasons in my life, and each year I go back, I wonder where I'll be next.

In 2009, I was fresh off a plane from studying abroad.  I was about to graduate from Baylor and didn't have a job yet.  I was anxious and wasn't looking forward to graduating.  To say that summer was challenging would be an understatement.  But in August, the March of Dimes offered me a full-time job, and I was thrilled to work where I'd interned one summer in college.  

In 2010, I worked my first walk.  I learned all the behind-the-scenes tasks that have to be done by our small staff to pull of this event.  It was a cool day.  I had also been dating Adam for about a month, and couldn't stop smiling.  I wasn't sure where it was headed quite yet, but I was having a blast with him.

This year, I had more of a handle on what my role would look like, and I even got to drive a golf cart this time.  {People think you're quite helpful when you can haul them from point A to point B!}  And a year later, Adam and I are engaged, and we'll be married by the time the next walk rolls around!  

The Lord has continued to be so faithful in my life, and I am grateful for a way to look back and see how He works in our lives.  

  Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; 

   it is fitting for the upright to praise him. 

 Praise the LORD with the harp; 

   make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. 

 Sing to him a new song; 

   play skillfully, and shout for joy.

 For the word of the LORD is right and true; 

   he is faithful in all he does. 

Psalm 33:1-4

Top Ten Lately

                                                        

Recent highlights taken from my phone...

1.  The roomdog and I tried a new Chinese Takeout place near our a-p-t.  We watched Gilmore Girls and were hoping that our delivery experience would rival Lorelei and Rory's.  Unfortunately, it did not.  We'll stick to Pei Wei, but at least we tried.

2.  Dinner at Fish City Grill with SMoo on Friday night was delicious.  We ended our two hour talk-fest with a rocky road ice cream brownie.  And yes, the brownie was warm...we double checked to make sure.

3.  AMP and I play Monopoly at Albertson's.  We collect game pieces and have recently discovered that winning the $1M may be harder than we suspected.  The best is when the cashiers give you more than they're supposed to because they like us.

4.  I'm convinced I look like a camp counselor driving a fifteen passenger van with my camo hat and wind breaker.  We had our big walk for work this past Saturday {more on that later!} and part of my job was to help pick up these vans.  It was also the day of 50 mph winds {I kid you not}, so driving that big tank was quite an experience.

5.  Last night, I got to spend some quality time with my Aunt Laura.  This must happen more often.  We browsed some wedding invitations to get ideas, ate at Mi Cocina and perused dishes at Dillard's.  Turns out, they have a better selection than Macy's.  When I shared this tidbit with AMP, he said, "Well, I guess we'll be switching our registry to Dillard's!"  What a guy.

Things not pictured, but highlights nonetheless...

6.  Adam stopped by work yesterday just to give me a hug.  I needed it.  It really made my day.

7.  Phone calls from Amanda and Mary Ellen to catch up.

8.  Finding time to read a book or two lately.

9.  Getting organized around the apartment and finding time to cook again.

10.   Lunch with Papa & Jonita on Sunday.  We had a great time catching up.  I'm so thankful to be back near my family again!

11.  And one more for good measure: tonight I get to spend some quality time with AMP.  I.  Can't. Wait.

Dallas Blooms

The Friday after Adam and I got engaged, we made it to the Arboretum.  I've been wanting to go with him for a long time, and it worked out for us to go during the Dallas Blooms festival.  Spring in Dallas is just absolutely beautiful, and I was really glad to take a half day off from work and go with AMP.  :-)  

Lunch Love

To me, lunch is like a mini-weekend: a little break in the day to escape from the regular schedule.  During the week, it's a time to catch up with a friend or family member, a time to grab something quick and run an errand, ro just time to get out of the office.  It's a necessary part of my day, both for my tummy and my brain.

When Adam and I first met, we had lunch together a few times.  He'd come to my office and pick me up, and we'd talk and eat and laugh.  I look back and remember the anticipation of him coming to get me and getting to have lunch together.  To me, the hour was always too short.  But I soaked it in and always hoped for another.  I got my wish.  :-)   

Saturday, I met several girls for lunch at Chip's.  It's one of my favorite places (good burgers, delicious cheese fries and some of the best chocolate shakes).  In high school, my fam would go down to eat there for lunch every so often, so it just screams "Saturday Lunch Place" to me.  I love the atmosphere and the food.  They actually just repainted and added an outdoor patio, which only adds to the appeal of the place to me.  It was a fun day of catching up and laughing together. 

Today I lunched with Papa.  {He bought...and let me know that I could treat him to dinner next time.} It was the first time I'd seen him since AMP and I got engaged.  He said hello with a big hug, and then I showed him my ring.  He put on his reading glasses to see it, inspected it with great care and then kissed my hand and told me how happy he was for us.  I'm so glad to share this time with him.  We proceeded to talk about a wide variety of subjects for the next hour or so, including our funny (strange?) extended family and all the home-improvement projects he's doing for people, and how he recently went turkey hunting. I love spending time with my Papa.  It's really such a treat to have him nearby. 

So those are just a few reasons why I love lunch...mostly it's because of the people I eat with.  And now I am officially hungry.  Again. 

Bridal Registries & Other Adventures

Dear Adam, this weekend was so much fun.  I find myself looking forward especially to the ones where your work schedule has you free on Saturday and Sunday.  Those are my favorites.  But you already know this.  Saturday we went to register at Macy's.  This was a fun experience, although you were a little bummed the scanner was just a scanner, and not a gun.  Maybe at the next place we register, you'll get a gun.  :-)  Finding a skillet big enough for several pancakes and picking out a set of knives seemed to be the most difficult part of the day.  Who knew deciding such things could be so challenging? 

We laughed a lot, as usual.  You may shoot me for posting this pic of you with the China.  You crack me up. 

We spent two and a half hours looking at all sorts of things for our new place, from dishes and kitchen stuff, to towels and bedding.  And it's a deal:  a red kitchen equals a blue bedroom.  

 

After Macy's we went to Sears to look at tools.  Pretty sure this is Heaven-on-Earth for you. 

We went to church where I grew up on Sunday with my parents, and you handled all the hoopla and extra attention like a champ.  They love you.  Duh.  Then, we got to do really normal things like grocery shop and cook.  Our run at the park brought back good memeories, and I'm excited to start running there with you again. 

After making pancakes with your magical ingredients, I learned as we sat at dinner that you've never been able to snap.  So we practiced, and you're getting it!  Snaps for you. 

According to my iPhone app that we check quite often, there are only 166 days until we're married.  It'll be here before we know it...or at least that's what everyone says!  Here's to more fun-filled days and really great conversations.  I love spending time with you.

Love, The Bear 



Bishop Arts District Birthday for SMoo

We celebrated SMoo's birthday at the beginning of March, and I never posted the pictures.  Her parents & sister {in school at OBU} came in town from Fayetteville and were so sweet to take several of us out for dinner.  We went down to the Bishop Arts District in Dallas and ate at Tillman's Roadhouse.  It was SO good.

Madison, SMoo, Me and Kaitlin

The decor in the restaurant is really cool.  It's like a chic-country/lodge feel, and in the back is a room made to look like a forest, and it has peacocks on the wall.  {I love peacocks!}

Her parents ordered her triple chocolate cake from Whole Foods.  

It was even more delicious than it looks.  

Obviously I love SMoo, and her parents are pretty sweet, too.  They are so great about making you feel included and part of their family.  Mama Sally and I text occasionally, and we are even Facebook friends.  {She's hip like that...}  In college whenever any of our parents came to town, we usually got to come along for some good meals, and they'd stock our kitchen and take care of stuff we didn't have time to think about.  {Ah, college.}

I would highly recommend Tillman's Roadhouse...especially when someone else is treating you!  :-)  

Girls' Lake Weekend

Last weekend I invited my sweet friends to the lake for a little getaway.  It was so much fun.  We'd planned it about a month in advance, and Katie even got to come down from Nashville.  I mixed old and new friends that mostly live in the Dallas area or nearby.  It's so fun when your friends like your other friends!  :-) 

Molly is so on top of things and already emailed out pics from the weekend.  Since she's waiting on me to send her my pics so she can blog about it, I won't post all the same ones she has, but these are ones we both took, so I hope you don't mind, Molly! 

Friday night we met at Campisi's in Dallas before picking up Katie at the airport.  Claire, Lyndsy, SMoo, Molly and I ate, and we added Nathan (Molly's husband) and Adam to the mix, just for kicks.  It was a fun dinner, and we had Mr. Campisi's daughter as our waitress.  She was bossy and told us that we had to order their garlic bread.  I'm glad she was, because it was delicious!

SMoo and I picked up Katie in our car, and we'd forgotten how funny she is.  I mean, I know she's funny, but my gosh.  It was just like we'd lived together for the past two years and like no time had passed. 

Saturday we all hung out on the deck--it was a beautiful sunny day.  Our two teachers, Claire and Katie, both graded papers and got some help doing that, too!  We sat around and talked and snacked and hung out.  Molly, Amanda and Megan (who's moving to Dallas soon!) joined us around lunch time, and we had a great time. 

We ate at the Blue Burrito for dinner, went to Wal-Mart (because that's what you do at the lake...) and then stopped at Dairy Queen for a blizzard. 

Katie, Me, Amanda, Claire, Megan & Molly

Lyndsy & SMoo

I just love these girls, and I am blessed by their friendships, old and new!

One thing I miss about college is getting ready all together.  Claire and I have such different schedules, we rarely "primp" at the same times.  Amanda and I fixed our hair together in the big bathroom...just because we could!  People ask us all the time if we're sisters, especially now with her cute short hair.  It was fun to see my Waco friend!

Sunday we went to Canton and walked around and bought some cute stuff.  Claire and Lyndsy headed back early, so we missed them especially that day! 

I love this pic.  Just because Katie has a Nashville drivers' license doesn't mean she's not a Texan at heart!  Please note Katie's "baby."  She and Molly carried these bags of kettle corn around all afternoon.  Cracks me up.

{Corn Dog #1}

I also had a corn dog for the first time on Sunday.  It was delicious.  So much so, that I got another one that afternoon.  I may have over done it, because I saw it again later.  Lovely.  I was on my way out the door to church and called Adam and told him I wouldn't be making it.  He came over and took care of me, and we sat and watched the Women's Final Four tournament.  He was so sweet.  :-)

This weekend was wonderful with some much-needed girl time, and I can't wait to have another one again soon!