65 Days

65 days is how long it's been since I broke my ankle. s.i.x.t.y five days. Crazy huh? And I almost feel like it's been longer. Since that awesome event, I haven't been able to really do anything... running is out of the question (tried last week and got about 5 steps before the shifting of everything in my ankle scared me to death), basketball is out, soccer, and kickball- not to mention CrossFit as well. And while I've had time to do other things, I haven't taken this much of a break from anything athletic since I was a young kid. And it makes me feel icky!

The last couple weeks since I got my big boot off though, I've been able to do a little spin (finally made it through a spin class tonight), weights, kettle bells, and Jake has started me on the famous P90x.

It feels so good to be back working out and man I sleep better too! While super sore today, I'm so happy to feel that feeling again. And with the wedding coming up and the HONEYMOON, it couldn't be better timing to get back on my feet!

Engagement Pic Advice

So what’s the first thing you do after you get engaged? Well in our case, since we have only 4 months (3 months and 11 days now), I have done a million things right off the bat. But typically engagement pictures are taken. Ours our scheduled for the beginning of May and I can’t tell you how excited I am for them!

Being so into pictures, I’ve actually booked two engagement sessions. I got a GREAT deal as a Living Social deal (like Groupon) and asked Tera Leigh for one session. And also, over the last 4 or so years, I've been so in love with Abby Coyle's photography, I had to book her too! She went to OBU with me for a little bit and we had some of the same friends, so I've admired her work for many years now- always knowing that I wanted to use her when I got married. And since the wedding is in CO, I thought engagement pics would be the perfect opportunity!


But the real reason I wanted to blog about this, is to ask those of you have already been through the engagement/wedding picture sessions, what you recommend. Colors? Lighting? Outfits? Things you wouldn't wear? Things you were so glad you did? 


I love that photos last a lifetime and so I want to make these as memorable as possible. Plus we have two great photographers working with us, so I can't wait to see the results! Please share any words of wisdom you have!!!

Engaged!!!!!!

As most of you all know.... we're engaged!! The wonderful night was March 18th in beautiful CO! We've been talking about getting engaged for months now, so when Jake got on one knee in my beautiful Rocky Mtns, I turned into a bawling mess, as I couldn't believe the day was finally here! Here's a pic before he asked that night and right after:

I was a mess so we didn't take any more pics until we got to my parents house. And while this picture is poor quality, you can still tell the emotions that were present! :)

My family was so sweet and had the house decorated to celebrate. I think one of my favorite memories of the night was Dad giving us a toast and the time spent really celebrating what this commitment would be all about. What a blessing to have such an amazing family to celebrate with us! And Jake's parents were just as great... they were calling all night, so excited for us, and welcoming me into the family! God has truly blessed us!

My sis was in on it all the entire time, too! They were really good at keeping everything a secret from me!

And of course, I have to show a picture of the ring! I'm in love with it! And the Mr. Jackson who bought it for me! :) 

Feb 2011

Can you believe Feb 2011 is already over? I know I have a few more days until the actual end of the month but still, the days have just been flying by! Right now I am actually in Vegas on a play work trip (we have actually only had to work for about 3 hrs over 3 1/2 days!!) and I'm taking a break from the festivities to blog. We've been going non-stop and as some of you know, it hasn't been too good on this ol ankle that I broke last Sunday:

I won't show you the colorful pics because they are pretty nasty. These were just taken the night of the basketball-game-rolling-of-the-ankle-on-a-fast-break accident. Not fun. And it's definitely made this Vegas trip a hard one but I can't complain. We've been staying at the Wynn and between massages, spas, great dinners, and Le Reve tonight, it's been a fun trip. 

I'm busy right now adding a post and poll on my A Passion to Give blog right now, so if you get a chance, hop on over there and vote! 

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

And it's up and running!

Please take some time and check out my new blog at A Passion To Give.
I'd love to hear about what you're doing to make a difference in your community or about any organizations that you recommend checking out. Also, please meet my new little girl from Compassion... MAVIS! She's a sweet, little 5 year old girl from Ghana that has won my heart already!
Thanks so much for reading and partnering with me as we highlight those around the world with a passion to give!

A New Blog!!!

Hey y'all! Can you believe it's January already? Let alone 2011??! Unbelievable how quickly time flies!


Since the last time I posted, tons has happened! And one of the things that really has been on my heart is starting a new blog that I'm passionate about. Those that follow and read this blog know that I hardly ever write/update and most of the time it's because I just feel that I don't have a lot to say that's really all that important. While I love reading friends' blogs and what they are up to on a daily basis, I just can't bring myself to do the same because I just feel that there's so much more I'm passionate about and things that I would like to get YOU, as a reader, passionate about as well. Therefore, I have started a new blog that won't be as personal as this one, but will be updated more often with topics, activities, ideas, pictures, and people that are really making a difference. "How?", you ask?! Well I will just have to leave you hanging until I get the other blog completely set up. Thanks to Jenn who has been working on it for tons of hours! I'm pumped to get it started and will let you know when it's ready! Thanks so much! Keep checking back in!

Another Great Fall Wknd

I haven't been on here in forever! I just wanted to put up a new favorite pic to show the great weekend we had. And then I got to thinking that I wrote a similar post last fall... and sure enough, this weekend EXACTLY a year ago, I was so thankful for a GREAT fall weekend! Amazing how time flies and yet we still hold the same things as valuable. Well here's to the great weekend and many more to come.....