Jackie's grad photos

ConGRADulations Jackie!!!
(ok..for all of you reading this that think this is the correct spelling -- go grab a dictionary--- look up congratulations and congradulations...see which you find!)

Goodbye goodbye

Last night we had to say good bye to Elder Plunkett---which was super sad because he (along with Elder LaRue who left a few weeks ago) were the first missionaries we met with. They gave us the lessons, baptized us, and have "given" us whatever callings/gifts that we've received in the church thus far. So they have been OUR missionaries! We have come to really enjoy Elder Masi (who replaced LaRue) though....So in this good bye session we just met and talked for a few hours, laughed, exchanged contact information, wrote in his journal and gave him some treats (a bag o'goodies) for his transfer....ok ok....he's only going to another ward in Albuquerque, but still he's leaving us and that makes us quite sad. But here are a few pics from our good-bye session...




Us and Elder Plunkett.......

Elder Plunkett and Elder Masi umm...during a serious moment!
Elder Masi and Elder Plunkett finally pull it together.......




We'll miss you Elder Plunkett!!!!

Wedding Survey ---

I love to think back on my wedding day---so of course I gravitated towards this wonderful survey I received!! Enoy!

What is your Husband or Wifes name? Justin
How did you know that she was the one? He is the only person I can tell EVERYTHING to and have no fear of judgment or that I'll be made fun of. He makes me smile no matter what (even if I'm SUPER mad at him).
How did the proposal take place? It was the day before Valentines day...I guess to throw me off...and he set up this pathway of candles and every few steps there was something that represented our relationship (a copy of the 1st movie we saw together, our favorite boardgame etc..) and each one had a card on it with one word each until it all ended up saying "Will you marry me?" when I got to the end of the walk way. He was there waiting with a ring and it was sooo romantic.
What kind of ring was it? It had diamonds on the band and a center diamond
What was the date of the wedding? July 28, 2007
What age were you when you got married? 28
Where did you get married? Wynn Resort in Las Vegas, NV -- we got married in the Primrose Garden--it was so beautiful--there were 2 gorgeous fountains, tons of greenery and since it was at night there were tons of twinkle lights throughout the garden...then we had luminaries set up up/down the aisle.
What were your wedding colors? Citrus green/Chocolate
How much did you pay for your dress? Gosh, I don't remember!!
Were there musicians/music on CD? We had a violinist who played throughout our ceremony
How many guests were there? I'm not sure of the final count but I think 40.
Did you have a dj or band etc.? We didn't plan on it, but ended up with a dance given that the venue we had our reception provided one and so we got one by proxy!! It was fun and people were dancing the night away and just enjoying themselves.
Who was the best man? Chris
What did they wear? Black tuxedos with citrus green vests and ties. Justin wore a Calvin Klein Tux (black with white stripes) a white vest and white tie. He looked WAY handsome!
Who was the maid of honor? Sarah
What did they wear? Chocolate floor length skirt, lime green halter tops with brown sashes
What were your flowers? The guys had white rose boutonnieres, bridesmaids had long stem roses "presentation style" which just means they weren't cut but left long stemmed and tied with a ribbon -- I had 2 dozen roses (ivory and jade roses mixed) with greenery surrounding the bouquet with ribbon covering the stems.
Who was the flower girl or ring bearer? Ezra
What was the cake like? It was 3 tiers -- white with small white polka dots on it--- chocolate bands over each layer - it said our initials on it (JWJ). One tier was lemon creme and 2 layers were strawberry creme cake. It was from Freed's bakery which is consistently voted the #1 bakery in Las Vegas...and it was DELICIOUS!!
Was there any special cerremonies or readings? We did a sand ceremony -- had a special vase made with our initials on it and poured green/brown sand into it...we still have it!
What was there for food? We had food galore -- it was an open menu so people could order whatever they wanted!!
Photographer orvideographer? We had a photographer and videographer through the Wynn (any one wanna see the video!!) and then we hired a 2nd photographer (Ashley Bartoletti) who was great!
Was there dancing? Yuppers
Who caught the garter? We didn't do that
Who caught the bouquet? We didn't do that either
Did you have the dollar dance? umm no
How many guests attended? approximately 40
Did anyone RSVP that didnt come?Amazingly enough no!
Did anyone show up that didnt RSVP? Amazingly no!
What about kisses? Lots of those!!
Did you have a bachelorette/bachelor party? Umm....we went out to eat and then spent the rest of the night just hanging out around the strip -- actually it was quite exhausting and not all that fun :( but Justin and I were together so it was more tolerable! I wasn't really into doing something tackly like chippendales/thunder from down under, drinking all night long, or any of that.
Do any thing special before the wedding? A few nights before Justin went to spend some time with his family alone (except for an unexpected invasion) and me with my mom. My mom and I went to see the Phantom of the Opera there (we'd been to see the one in New York and were excited to check this one out). It was important to us to spend time with our families before the ceremony.
Did you go on a honeymoon? yes, we went to New York City -- as it was some place we were both interested in going -- we stayed there a week and had a blast! Saw a few shows, went to all the museums, went to a Yankees game
Did you get mainly gifts or cards? Mostly cards and money!!
Did you buy a house? We already had our house
Do you plan on having any children? I think so, but we'll see what the future holds
Where will you live? We live in Rio Rancho, NM
What do you both do for work? We are both contract workers for various companies while we are going to school!
Do you think the marriage will last? Abso-posi-lutely
How long have you been married now? It will be 1 year 7/28/08 soo....10 months
Are you happy? Happiest I have ever been
If you could change one thing about your wedding, what would it be? Absolutely nothing -- it was the most amazing day ever!!
What kind of marital advice do you have to offer someone? Nothing really, I think everyone just needs to figure out what works for them as every individual and couple are different. For us laughter is key, spending as much time together is important, and communicating about as much as possible as much as possible!!

Busy weekends

Last weekend (as I mentioned a few blogs ago) my mom came down and spent the weekend with us. We did, in fact, go to the zoo (which was much better than we had anticipated) and to see the new Narnia (which of course was great!). We then went to church on Sunday -- we went to the first part (Justin and I) of sacrament and then left to get my mom to take her to Sagebrush for church. Then we came home and had a birthday lunch for her (brisket with all the fixings) and some cake!! She headed home after birthday fun...

THEN it was Justin's birthday "party" that evening. We invited had 10 (i think) friends over for a Birthday Fiesta!!! Elder Plunkett (somehow?!?) hot this 3x3 foot pinata from Mexico and we filled it with like 12 lbs of candy...played pin the tail on the donkey...had snacks galore (I made pinwheels, chocolate/carmel pretzels, chips/dip, veggie tray, fruit tray/fruit dip, sandwiches, lil' smokies, and strawberry covered cake)...I was so busy running everything I didn't get a chance to get some pictures however I will get a hold of some from the Elders eventually. We partied up a storm from 600-900 pm -- and we were exhausted!!! Just kidding...but it was a lot of fun!!

This weekend we went to Fort Sumner for Jake's graduation---we had set out to leave Friday at 300 pm, but that did NOT work out. We had class from 1230-430, which we figured would let out early since it was the 1st day-- Umm no. We had this instructor that was approximately 88 yrs old and was slower than slow. He read the syllabus word for word...and it just took forever. So we left WAY later than expected, but we still made it (barely) on time. Graduation lasted like 1 1/2 hours, which was way too long for a class of like 13 peeps!! After that we headed to Justin's parents house for Jake's Grad Party --- We ate, talked, played Guitar hero with Jace until like 2 am. Then the following day we went with my mom to Clovis -- went to Juanitos, the mall, and (of course) wal mart. We headed back to fort sumner and spent a little more time with Justin's parents and then had dinner with the Fort Sumner missionaries. They said they don't get fed a lot in that ward so they were super stoked for us to take them out -- even if it was just to Dariland! Then we headed home (got back at like 1130) and here we are today!

I'm not sure what next weekend holds, but I'm sure it will be a busy one...just because that's been the trend around here!!

Be a Noble Contradiction...

So this weekend my mom was in town and as per the previous blog we took her to the zoo and to see the new Narnia. The new Narnia was great...I was a little hesitant since I loved the previous one so much...but it was great!! There was a line in it

"be a noble contradiction"

and it really struck me and I haven't been able to shake it from my mind. So to appropriately apply it to myself I looked up noble and contradiction:

NOBLE: Having or showing qualities of high moral character, such as courage, generosity, or honor. Grand and stately in appearance; majestic
CONTRADICTION: To assert or express the opposite of (a statement). To deny the statement of. To be contrary to; be inconsistent with.

As I reviewed these definitions I said to myself, "Self...this is such a true statement!!" I want to be a noble contradiction to the things of this world. I want to courageously say no I won't do the things that the world would encourage me to do. I want to demonstrate qualities of high moral character in the process of denying giving into the world's pressures. I want to majestically (proudly) say "I'm ok with being contrary and inconsistent to the world." I want to be a noble contradiction -- not in a pious or proud way, but rather in that that silent (leading by example) yet confident way. I use to be so proud that my life was very different from everyone else - I made different choices - I went against the flow - I was shunned at times for those choices however I LONG to be there again. I am slowly moving back to that place, which again means people don't understand.

People now feel that any changes I make in my life are due to my decision to "turn Mormon" -- however none of my core beliefs have changed -- the things I thought were wrong as a Christian I think are still wrong. The things/choices I disagree with now I disagreed with back then. I think it's offensive to "Christianity" at large to say that Christianity is ok with blatant sins...As I've said in previous blogs things like using drugs, living an unchaste life, cursing, stealing, cheating, drinking to excess, lying, etc...are wrong no matter what religion you are.

I know we attempt to justify behaviors -- however a sin is a sin and I want to be that noble contradiction to those things. I will never achieve perfection -- I strive daily --- however I will make mistakes and trip up, but that's what I like about the noble contradiction statement. I think it indicates that we are going to "give it our best shot." We were doing our home teaching this week (bible study essentially) and we read something that said "after all that we can do"....and I thought that is so true -- God doesn't want us to sit on our bums and wait for salvation or a closer relationship with him. He waits for us to move towards him and after doing all that we can do to draw closer to him he pours out fully on us....

So I challenge you all to think about what being a noble contradiction means to you.... and be that.

Swamped....2

Well I survived this week....barely. I am caught up with all of my assessments (so no work this weekend!!). My mom is coming this weekend and so we are taking her to the zoo and then to see The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. We are also having the missionaries over tonight for dinner (we are grilling steaks, corn, mashed potatoes and shells & cheese) which is always fun! Well..I'm off to grocery shop.......fun times.

Swamped....

I have been swamped at work and so I've been slacking on the blogging....but I just wanted to mention the sweet thing Justin did for me today....I think because i've been so bogged down. He got me a card with two peas on the front and it said, "There's some things that are meant to be like me with you and you with me." Then he got me the new Michael Buble CD, which I just love!! Like I've said before Justin's the best husband ever!! I just wanted to share that and give him som props!

What is an Isotope??

Saturday we had the Tornows over for the weekend.....One of their daughters (Sabrina) was playing in a soccer tournament and so Mike came with her and they stayed with us. We went to see her game and then we all headed back here to relax for a little while. Then we headed to watch the Isotopes play....We had never been to see one of their games and so we were all pretty excited. We sat next to some SUPER cool people, which was a nice surprise!!! We saw some familiar faces while there: Amy (Rector) Allen and Coach Martinez. Justin knew Amy best and I knew Coach Martinez so it was like a strange reunion. What are the odds we'd all be at that game,that night, in the same section.....Crazy!!! Then we headed home watched a little Saturday Night Live (which was a re-run). Sunday Sabrina had more games, but they were only going to stay for her morning game and then head back to Farmington, so we were able to go to church this morning. We started this geneaology class during Sunday School so we are pretty stoked to start that whole process!!! Here are some pics from the Isotopes game.......Enjoy!



Jumbo-Tron


Baseball Action



Justin and Tornow


Orbit!!!!!!!

I can never do nothing in this house...

So.....yesterday we went to see George Lopez perform.....We've had a BIG week!! Neither of us had to work yesterday so we cleaned the house (we're having company this weekend), ran some errands, and then it was time for the show. Angela (my cousin) came with for big night o' fun~~!We got to the Santa Ana Star Center and it was pretty bumping even though we were there relatively early. We found our seats, got snacks and settled in. Almost as interesting as the comedy show was the booze fest going on around us. We had been planning mentally for how this night would play out, and it was pretty much like we imagined. Honestly we were the only ones not drinking -- so we sat with our Sprite just observing the insanity around us. It always amazes me how many people drink....how people afford to drink....and why people drink. In my opinion it just seems like such a waste.....but I'm sure people could argue that since my lips have nary tasted a drink that I wouldn't get it and honestly, I'm ok with that. George Lopez was hilarious as usual....we had a good time!! Then Angela was like, oh yeah let me call my ride to come get me, and that just wasn't going to pan out which she assented to at oh 100 am (we'd been out of the show since 1100). So we had to drive from Rio Rancho to Tramway -- ALL THE WAY ACROSS TOWN!! She couldn't have lived any further unless she had lived in another town. So we're driving along and then she's like, "oh can you stop me for water," so we stop her at this ghetto 7 -eleven where you have to push the buzzer and tell worker inside your order and she gets it and dispenses it to you in this window apparatus. As she's waiting for this water to be dispensed a young gangster girl approaches. All in gang garb -- dickies, blue bandana, lip lined lips, white K-swiss, bandana hanging out of her pocket ---and we were like "OH MY HECK!!" But she just borrowed her cell phone and left......I'm sure that won't come back to haunt angela! Then we dropped her off and headed back our merry way!! So....without further ado here are the pics from last night!! Enjoy!

The Stage -- We were early

Me waiting to see George!!!!
No one else wanted to be in the pic

George Lopez!

Close up of George

J&J

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