My mind...

somedays I don't know where it goes.

For example...I was at the post office turning in my passport information and the following conversation took place. (M=me; P=postman)

P: Everything looks good so we'll get it mailed off for you.

M: Good, thanks!

(as he was putting the envelope in the mailing bin)
P: Have a great trip!

M: Thanks, you too!

Umm...I guess he could have a good trip home or to the bathroom...

A new find

I've been hesitant to put a new blog post up because I like looking at Jesse's handsome face when I see my blog, but I guess it's time for a new one since I can see his handsome face in person.

When Jesse was 8 years old his family lived in a semi-rural area in Arkansas. One day when his parents and siblings were gone and Jesse was home alone, an electrical problem started a fire in the house. As the fire started increasing Jesse called the fire department and his Dad who was about 45 minutes away and then he grabbed a picture of Christ and a family photo and got out of the house.

Recently, in the middle of wedding planning I came across this new (to me) website and I can't stop looking at it.

The Burning House is a blog where the author asks people the world over this question: "If your house was burning, what would you take with you? It's a conflict between what's practical, valuable and sentimental. What you would take reflects your interests, background and priorities. Think of it as an interview condesnsed into one question."

It's so facisnating to see what people would choose...

From looking at the pictures, here are few things in common that people would take:

People and animals that are currently in the house
Moleskin notebooks/journals
Photographs
Cameras
Phones
Passports

Bleuenn age 2

David age 27

Jennie age 19

Janet age 58

What would you take with you if your house was burning?

A few more engagement photos

As I mentioned before, these were taken around Keeneland. Sara, the photographer ended up with about 800 photos by the time we were done. She edited them down to around 220 for us to pick an engagement photo from...and now I'm showing you these ones. I wanted to post more but didn't want you to be subject to too much gushiness! I'm only thinking of you afterall.

Enjoy...

We call this one "Professor Jesse"

Getting ready to put a flower in his hair

"Behind bars" (notice the police cars behind us...)

The one we chose for our engagement photograph...?

We thought it was a good representation of Kentucky.

Google...

Have a look at their amazing benefits. Also here. Crazy!

Free lunch everyday, made with love by gourmet chefs?

And the first year in working there you get 15 days of paid vacation. Wow!

Help for Africa

I don't normally post about things like this on my blog, but during lunch I was reading the news (briefly) and came across this slideshow and story on msnbc.com about the famine in Eastern Africa.

As I was looking at the slideshow the pictures drew me in. I must be living under a rock because I had no idea that a famine was happening. I started crying and feeling really guilty for being so stressed over my wedding preparations when there are children and families dying of hunger. I am really blessed.

View the complete slideshow here
And ways you can help here

Expressions of love

How grateful I am for Jesse's expressions of love-
A kind word when I've had a bad day
A hug and a kiss
A joke he tells to make me laugh
His wonderful drawings with love letters included
The words: "I love you"

He is smart, funny, thoughtful, selfless, and ever willing to serve. He always sees the best in me, even when I don't, and helps me to feel the love of my Heavenly Father.

I'm so grateful that he will be mine for time and all eternity. And that knowledge is oh, so good.

Preview...

We went to Keeneland this past Saturday and had our engagement pictures taken by the lovely Sara J. We took some near a police car while we were behind "bars" (i.e. jail), and took some by horses when they tried to eat us. A few of them were a little cheesy, but some have to be, right?

Here is a preview...

For our very first date, we went to The Mad Potter and painted these...Cletus and a flower pot. Who knew we would end up getting married!
She posted a third one, but it's just a close-up of the second one.

You like? More to come!