September Happenings

So much has happened since my last post! I knew that August and September would be busy, but wow. I'm tired just thinking about it!

AUGUST

One of the highlights of the past month was my trip to Idaho with my dad, Kenzie, and Casey. We had a ball! On Sunday, the 12th, we arrived in Boise. Unfortunately, the weather was no different than Texas (HOT!) and there were several forest fires in the area making it difficult to breathe! Boise is gorgeous though. The town is sooooo clean. Enjoy a few pics below:

 It looks cloudy out, but it was actually sunny. Lots of smoke from the fires!

 Twin Falls, ID. Random giant, beautiful canyon in the middle of nowhere.

 Sun Valley, ID ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!

 Bike riding on the trails in Sun Valley

Boise capitol (Looks kinda like Texas'?)

 All in all, this was a BLAST, although it was the longest I had been away from my hubby since we got married:( He was ready for me to be home!

The following week, we celebrated Eric's birthday. We traveled up to Dallas that weekend and went to a Dallas Cowboys game! We also had a great time with his brothers!

Dallas Cowboys game! (We won)

Then, the fun began...Eric started school August 27th. At this moment, I would say, so far so good! I think he really "enjoys" the classes (as in, tolerates going and is making good grades). I'm really proud of him for taking on this new adventure. 

August 30th we celebrated my birthday! This was probably one of the best I have had in a long time. I spend the day working, but we took an extra long lunch to go to our newly opened Panera Bread.

SEPTEMBER
 
With Eric now in school AND working part time, I don't get to see him as much, but it has allowed me to spend more time on...dare I say it...Pinterest.

I have started working on a few projects this month that I would love to sell on Etsy. What do you think?

I'm still working on a few wreaths and will post more pics later:) 

I also got to attend my first A&M football game since 2007 thanks to my Aunt Marcy!

Game Day in Aggieland...nothing like it!

Keith went to his first Homecoming this past weekend. Lauren and I spent all afternoon working on his mum one Sunday afternoon a couple of weeks ago. We might be biased, but I'm pretty sure his date had the BEST one!

Keith and Catherine

WHEW! I think that about covers everything that has been going on. October is going to be just as busy with something going on every weekend this next month!


PRAYER REQUESTS

First of all, I want to thank everyone that has already been praying for us. God has blessed us more than we deserve. I'm so thankful that I have a husband that encourages me and adores me. He is truly amazing!

*Please pray that we will continue to look to Christ in every decision that we make, and that our eyes would be fixed on him. Let His will be done in our lives and not ours.

*Pray for financial blessings on our family through college grants/and or other means this next year.

 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

August Celebrations

Happy Friday and Happy August!!

It's birthday month for both me {30th} and Eric {22nd}, and we have lots to celebrate about! Not only our birthdays, but Eric is officially starting school August 27th! I couldn't be more proud of him! I know in the long run, it will be worth the sacrifices we are making now. While most of our friends are done with school and into their careers, we are just getting started! Better late then never, I suppose!

Last weekend we took a girls trip to Dallas for the American Idol Concert. Wow! We girls know how to have fun together! This trip has become such a bonding experience for all of us especially since this is the second time we have done it. If you put 4 girls in the car for 3 hours, you are bound to cry, laugh, joke around, sing...and stop to pee 5 times from College Station to Dallas. We have managed to perfect the Idol concert experience. We now know that if we sacrifice the last couple of songs in the concert, we can have front row access to meet the Idols outside after the concert. I managed to get 9 autographs out of the 10 performers this year plus many pictures with them! Here are a few of the pictures below:

 Mom and Me

My Bestie and Me

Our Favorite: Colton Dixon!

All the Idols

2012 American Idol winner: Phillip Phillips! Sorry, I was a creeper in this one!

Finally, this month, myself, Casey, Kenzie, and my dad are headed off to Idaho for 5 days. My dad is working on a project up there and decided to take us with him! I'm so excited! I went there when I was really young, probably in 4th grade or so and don't remember much. I'm sad to leave Eric behind, but I'm sure he could use a break from me for a few days!!:) 

All in all, this month is shaping up to be one of the best I have had in a long time. So thankful for the new adventures God is taking us on!

  
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Anniversary Trip

Well, we made it to our 1 year anniversary!! With Eric starting school in August, our funds have been limited, and we were unable to take a big vacation, so we decided on a fun road trip around Texas for our anniversary.

Our road trip began in Houston on Saturday, June 16th. For Valentines Day, I gave Eric a 1 hour Ferrari rental. After a scheduling conflict, they upgraded him to a Lamborghini (aka: his dream car). So, on the 16th, we drove down to Houston for his rental. Needless to say, he had the time of his life. It was probably the second best hour of his life to date, right behind marrying me of course:)

Picture speaks for itself

That night, I got to attend one of my best college friend's wedding! So much fun! Congrats Jenni and John!

Sunday, the 17th, we woke up and drove to San Antonio. The 3 hour drive seemed to fly by, literally, especially since the speed limit is now 75 mph most of the way! We checked in at the Omni and decided to hit up the River Walk. I love walking around downtown San Antonio. It is just so much fun! We ate dinner at this awesome Mexican food restaurant in the Market Square.

 Our view from the Omni

On the 18th, the day of our anniversary, we decided to do a little shopping. We drove up to La Cantera and shopped at this great outdoor mall. After a couple of hours of shopping, we headed back to the hotel to swim and get some sun. The weather was perfect!

We had heard from several people that we had to try this restaurant called Chama Gaucha. A few days before we left town, I called and made reservations. After soaking up some sun, we got ready and headed to dinner. I was told not to eat much the day that you go eat there, because you eat sooo much food! Boy, were they right! It's a Brazilian steakhouse, and these guys walk around with 15 different cuts of meat. When you are ready for more meat, you turn over your card to green which means you want more, and they cut you off a piece from this giant skewer. The food was soooo delicious, and the service was awesome. Although a little pricey (at least for us poor newlyweds), I would highly recommend going there!! We will definitely go back! If you like salad and meat, this is the place for you! Here is their website in case you are interested in going!

http://www.chamagaucha.com/

Shopping, laying out and swimming, and an amazing dinner made for the perfect anniversary!

On the 19th, Eric and I drove from San Antonio through the hill country to Fredericksburg, TX. We spent several hours eating lunch and walking through the little shops in town. During lunch, Eric mentioned that Enchanted Rock State Park was only 15 miles away, so we put our workout clothes on and hit the trail. It was gorgeous!! Although it was hot, I had the best workout I have had in a long time! 

The beautiful Texas Hill Country

Me about to die close to the top

After our 2 hour hike, we hit the road back home. We had such a blast on our "Tour Through Texas" weekend get-a-way. It is one vacation and anniversary that we will never forget!

The 1st Year

As we approach our 1 year anniversary (YES, 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!!) next Monday, I realize how quickly time flies and how blessed we are!

I have not posted on here in a while, so I apologize, but this first year has been crazy!! Lots of ups and downs, but I am so thankful to have an amazing husband, family, and friends!

Many of you already know, but Eric no longer works for JCPenney after 2 years. We thought for a while that God was leading us to move to Houston so Eric could continue working for them, but He had other plans for us.

During those couple of months, God really showed us His love and the importance of praying together as a couple. I learned that His timing, not mine, was perfect in every way. While I wanted immediate answers, this was not His plan for us. He taught me patience and most importantly to seek Him first. Through all of this, I learned that even during the hard times, our marriage could be strengthened rather than broken apart. When our eyes were fixed on Christ and we let His will be done, a peace like no other came into our hearts and in our home. "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33

I'm so happy to say that during those two months of uncertainty and prayer, Eric felt like God was leading him to go back to school full time! We have been in the process of tying up lose ends and getting applications and testing done. If all goes well, he will be starting at Blinn for summer session II in July and will finish up at Sam Houston!

He also started working at Macy's part time in Loss Prevention. While we are taking a significant pay cut with him going back to school full time, I have no doubt that God will provide for us, because I know in the long run it will all be for the better. I'm so thankful to have a dad that hired me to work for him and have had a steady paycheck each month when many people can't find a job. I am also thankful that through Eric's service in the military, his school will be completely paid for! GOD IS GOOD!

So, after the first year of marriage, I can say that I have learned 5 major lessons:


1. A family that prays together, stays together.


2. After many terrible dinners, I am only a slightly better cook.


3. Premarital counseling really does help!


4. Times flies when you're having fun.


5. I love Eric more today than I did a year ago when I said "I Do"

I can't wait for many more years of marriage with my best friend!