The other Jennifer

A few weeks ago Kyle turned 24 and I had a special surprise in store for him. He loves Jennifer Nettles and always talks about how he has two Jennifer's he loves. I like to make birthdays a big deal and want to spend a little more on gifts since we don't really buy each other gifts for the other things we celebrate together like anniversary's, christmas,...you get the idea. Kyle probably dreads opening his gift from me each year since there is usually something he has to figure out before he knows what his gift is and this year was no different. I like to be creative and to make him feel special on his birthday. This year I made Kyle a "Guess that tune" where I had four songs from the same artist on a sheet of paper with words missing from each song. He had to guess what the missing word was and then at the end guess who we were going to see. His reaction to the gift was priceless :)

Kyle and Caleb eating birthday cake

Kyle's gift from his padres

Trying to figure out the songs

Kyle asking me if we're going to see Sugarland!

In shock that we're going to see the other Jennifer he loves 

Here are pictures from our first country concert!

You can't go to a country concert without cowboy boots and hat :) We looked like we knew what we were doing 

Dear Husband

I'm so glad I get to share in the adventure of life with you. Thanks for being born so we can do cool and new things ;)

Love 

Your Wife 

Kendall Grace

On July 16th I became an Aunt again but this time to my first itty bitty niece!!

Having a little girl in the family {who has so much hair already} was excuse enough for Sarah and I to make some cute hair clips inspired by pinterest, of course :)

Our hair bow inspiration came from here and here

And I couldn't resist getting these cute shoes and bow from the gift shop at work

Dear Baby Kendall

This is just the beginning of cute ideas that are headed your way. We love you!

Love

Aunt Jenny and Aunt Sarah 

Out here in the open

On the 4th of July we headed to Kyle's uncles Lake House for a day in the sun. We went kayaking, tried out Bentley's new life jacket, and enjoyed a day off of work. Lake Kincaid is only an hour from our house which makes it a nice place to visit for the day. Here are some pictures from our day at the Lake.

A little timid at first

Rosie does not look at thrilled as Bentley to be in the water

Pinterest Party

Back in May I invited some friends over for a Pinterest Party. Our boards are filled to the brim with ideas but making the time to do them can be challenging. I will never pass up an opportunity to have our house filled with people and to decorate it girly. Enjoy pictures from our pinterest inspired celebration.

Yummy treats

What's a party without door prizes and favors?

Sweet friends enjoying the day being crafty :) 

Wings of Harmony

Forever ago {since I finally figured out how to add photos again} I got to spend time with some of my family at the Krohn Conservatory butterfly show. Here are some lovely pictures from the day.

Doomsday

August 7th was a day I was dreading/was ready to get it over with. I am now officially a middle schooler again, I got braces on my top teeth. A few years ago I noticed my two front teeth moving and now they are overlapping each other again like they did before I got braces many years ago.

 Back in December I wanted to see what it would cost to get my teeth fixed. I went to my original orthodontist but in the first couple of minutes he told me I would have to get more teeth pulled and my jaw broke before he would fix my top teeth, needless to say he was out. Next I went to an orthodontist that does invisalign but when they told me it would cost $5,000 I thought I would not be getting my teeth fixed.

 A few months ago I got a call from the orthodontist that did invisalign saying I owed them for taking x-rays but after talking to them I was able to work it out where I got braces on my top teeth for $900. A big difference from the original $5,000. I have been dreading getting braces again. The sore mouth, not being able to eat certain foods, and the embarrassment of wearing metal in my mouth again are all things I'm going to deal with until February. I'm try to not complain but February could not get here soon enough. Maybe in a few weeks I will not mind my braces but right now they are not my fav.

 ***Sorry for the lack of blogging but I couldn't figure out how to add photos.

Those Sweet Words

Wishin and hopin and prayin {lots and lots} and I can finally say that THIS girl has a new job!! After applying for lots of jobs, having 6 phone interviews, 11 in-person interviews for different jobs I finally got to hear those sweet words on Thursday "We would like to offer you a position"! And then, a short time later I got to say the sweet words I have been wanting to say for awhile "I'm putting in my two weeks notice".  I am sooo excited to have a new job, I cannot explain it in words.

Some of the things I am really looking forward to are:
*Being able to use my degree
*Truly feeling like my job will be making a difference in someones life
*Room for growth in the hospital
*My drive to work will go from 60 miles round trip from my house to 15!
*Working with people who want to make a difference in someones life and not always worried about making a profit

Though the journey was long and I wanted to lose heart the Lord was always faithful. There were times when I wanted to give up but the Lord continued to help make my current job bare able and my trust in the Lord has been strengthened through this journey. Kyle has been a great support for me during this time and I'm really glad that we were in this together. My family and friends were also incredibly encouraging through all of this and I am blessed that I have so many people in my life that I can share life with.

Now it's time to celebrate this exciting news and only 8 more work days to go at my current job :)