Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial Day!
This year I have been thinking a lot about Memorial Day. I love this video. Politics aside, it really puts the holiday into perspective. (Plus, our friend Brian is interviewed in it. Go Brian!) Enjoy!

Judd and I enjoyed the holiday by visiting with family and friends at a cookout and by attending and walking in the Grandview Memorial day parade. Lucy on the other hand, enjoyed the holiday weekend by stealing and eating the cookout hotdog buns, half a bag of chocolate chips, and about a quarter of a pizza.

Grandview Memorial Day Parade

Today's Thanks

Today I feel thankful for:

My Husband (Love you JuddT),

My Parents,

My sister,

My Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins,

My "new" family,

And all of my friends.

Blessings

I've been doing a lot of research lately for my "life long to do list". It turns out it is a lot harder than I thought it would be. The important things you do in life aren't necessarily the giant accomplishments. Instead, they are the day-to-day moments that make life more meaningful. That being said, it is rather difficult to think of the little moments and not focus on the giant life events.

I've also come to realize that I have been putting too much focus on things that I want to do in the future. If life was over today, what I want to do in the future will have no meaning. The past and present are equally as important as the future. Life is too short not to live in the current moment. Therefore, my blog is going to start a new chapter. As well as adding events to my "to-do list" I will also reflect on the blessings and little moments I have already experienced.

Jessica, reflect on the current moment and the blessing you already have instead of the ones you simply want.

Finally Summer!!!

WOO WHOO!!!! Its finally summer!!!

What is the best way to start off the summer? Ice cream with friends of course. Poached pear reisling ice cream is now officially my favorite.

Hello Summer. Its about time you arrived.

The Wedding Chronicles: Part III

Professional News!

Back Story: About 20 seconds into planning my wedding I realized this whole planning thing was a little out of my element by myself. If I was going to be the BRIDE, I couldn't also be the COORDINATOR the day of the wedding. My job was to say my vows, drink champagne, and try not to fall while wearing heals in front of everyone I know. My job responsibilities (and those of my family) couldn't also include mopping the floor, moving chairs, yelling at vendors when they bring the wrong flowers (vent over...), fixing the cake when the icing falls off (another vent over...), and calling everyone within a three county radius. I had enough to focus on with the heals....

Thus, I had the help of my dear friend Rita (We will now only refer to Rita as SuperRita). Rita is an angel. No, a SUPERHERO. I haven't the slightest idea how anyone on earth plans and executes a wedding without the help of SuperRita. NO IDEA. SuperRita made my wedding everything I had ever hoped it would be. She worked harder the day of the wedding than she probably ever thought possible. I am so thankful for the passion that she had for my wedding and the friendship that has blossomed.

Thank you SuperRita.

Flash Forward to now: Rita and myself have decided to start our own event planning and coordination business. Together, we have a very detailed knowledge of wedding and party planning and coordination, catering, and vendor services. Just this past month, we have already had the honor of coordinating Clay and Heather's wedding week, including set up, vendor success, rehearsal, wedding ceremony and wedding reception.

The responsibility of making another couple's wedding more special, relaxed, and memorable brings me so much joy. It is such a great honor to be the person to assist the bride and groom with responsibilities that are so close to their hearts. I've been that bride. I understand the emotional memories that are made in every moment on your wedding day. Rita and I cannot be more exited to make that a reality for another couple.

Thank you SuperRita. I cannot be more exited for our new adventure.

The Wedding Chronicles: Part II

Wedding season has officially started!! Our first wedding was the wedding of my sorority sister, Becky, and her new husband, Jason. What a fantastic event! I got to play "college student" all over again for an evening with (whom I would consider) THE BEST members of our sorority.

Becky and Jason included a photobooth in their reception. Judd and I fully took advantage of the opportunity. (Okay...I took advantage of it. See the previous post about photobooths. Having a photobooth directly next to your bar may or may not be a good idea.)

Love note: Becky, I love love love you. I am so glad I was able to take part in your special day. I am also glad that I was not your wedding coordinator. You are a braver, more carefree, and relaxed bride than I could have ever been. That being said, please do not go completely bridezilla after seeing this post (I love you remember?). Your wedding was beautiful and when you look back in 30 years you will laugh....I think.

Warning: The following pictures are not to be viewed by anyone planning a wedding, thinking about a wedding, paying for a wedding, or even going to a wedding. If I had viewed these as a future bride I may very well have collapsed into a little ball of lace covered stress.

The "before" shot.

Oh God....the "after" shot.

Deep breaths....

But not to worry. The cake was yummy and everything else went as planned.


Thank you for inviting us Becky and Jason. I am so happy for both of you.

Confession

Yes....I did finally blog again simply because Judd has been reminding me every day for the past 3 months. And get this....I think I have plans for more too....

The Wedding Chronicles: Part I

Judd and I have learned something new during our first year of marriage. When you invite 300 people to your wedding, you can expect to be given invitations to an UNBELIEVABLE amount of weddings over the following few years. I remember the process of sending invitations: "Well, they invited us to their wedding and we were so honored so we obviously want to do the same". It turns into a never ending cycle of wedding toasts, champagne, and First Corinthians.

Last year we had 6 weddings. This year we have 11. You read that right....ELEVEN. It is a good thing that I can honestly say I ABSOLUTELY LOVE weddings. I'm not sure what I can say for Judd...During the last wedding I found us having a conversation regarding centerpieces and we can have detailed debates on the effectiveness of invitation wording. I believe my husband knows more about weddings than any other former-groom on the planet. Challenge him. You'll see.

Life To-Do list: Check!

One of the items on my "lifelong to-do list" was to take photos in a photo booth. Thank you Becky and Jason! I enjoyed your wedding greatly and may have significantly taken advantage of your photograph opportunities.