A testimony. A resource. A memoir.

Its time for our readers to get to know some of our bridal party... and there is no better place to start than with your maid of honor!   For those of you who don't know my younger sister Katie, growing up she was my sidekick, my stage-hand, my monkey that would bang the cymbals if I asked.... basically, if I was the center of attention, she was right there to introduce me, applaud me, or be my partner in crime.   So now as we have both "grown" up, and its time for me to make the biggest decision of my life, it means the world to me that there Katie will be.... right by my side, my-stage hand, making me look better and supporting me as I change my last name once and for all. Just so we are clear, there was, however, one time when I was furious that Katie shared my stage.... when I was about 6 years old I was determined I would be a childhood star.  So my parents, indulging me in this dream, let me audition for a kids movie called "The Donut Man".  Katie, 3 at th...

So many of you may already know this--but BJ loves Apple.  I mean I feel like he is passionate about their products, moderately obsessed, and just ridiculous sometimes if you ask me.  It could be regarding a computer, an ipod, or the Iphone.... once he starts talking, just know you will be chatting a while..... Today I was thinking about how much money we have given Mr. Apple and so let me just share all of the his products that BJ and I have collected and now have in our possession (this is sick, and I bet you all have even more!): 40G Generation 2 Ipod 80G Video Ipod 30 G Video Ipod Nano Ipod 2 Shuffles 2 MacBooks 2 Generation 1 Iphones... well, that is until today. About one month ago, BJ told me he was going to sell his Iphone and buy the new one when it came out... how ridiculous (I thought).  Who needs a new Iphone when not even a year ago we got them?  Apple... oh the tease you are.  Ridiculous until I found out that we could sell our phones, get new ones, and probably profit in...

 BJ and I have been tagged! And well, keeping in step with true blogger fashion, we will comply with this game passed by our dear friend, Mindy. What I was doing 10 years ago... Around July 1998 I actually worked at ASI Gymnastics in Addison, Texas.  Now, if you are one of my friends who took tumbling with me in college, you may very well be wondering WHY in the world they would hire me!  I was leading birthday parties and small summer camps for like 3 year olds--so I could keep up :).... other than that, I remember spending a lot of time laying out, heading to Kanakuk, and probably spending hours with Julia, Caroline, Jaclyn and Ashley. 5 things on my to-do list today... Managing our clients Save the Date personal deliveries to her guests, ordering more Baccarat hearts for these glorious Save the Dates, helping deliver these Save the Dates, paying my floral and cake deposit for OUR wedding, and getting home to Maebe (Ben and Kristen's dog) that I am housesitting this week! Snacks ...

So, we had engagement pictures last week... and well.... here are some that will not make the cut! Our photographers are Luke and David Edmonson , and we are really excited about how great most of these came out.  They just took about 3000, and so, there were bound to be SOME that would make us laugh.. so, enjoy! What is BJ looking at??  Getting fresh.. eh! So, when told to strike a pose.... here are some differences in our interpretations! It was WAY to bright and hot... in fact, I had a little fainting spell (um, ya... embarrassing) "I have to marry HER??" (thanks BJ!) I don't remember what he had just said, but BJ can be one funny boy...! oh my gosh.... what are either us of doing??? okay... show is over folks... get outta here!!!

We are still just under four months away. A great vacation and long awaited rest from the planning. This is how we both see our honeymoon. What a great place to start learning to be married. Hawaii offers some great beaches, mountainous volcanoes, exquisite dining and luxurious resorts where we will spend seven days and nights playing, viewing, eating and sleeping .  We were able to receive some amazing gifts that are helping us get to and stay at a resort in Maui. I am not sure how the locals refer to their islands but I think that you are not supposed to call the islands 'Hawaii'. That name refers primarily to the big island. Neither one of us has ever been to Hawaii. After all the world ventures we have been apart of separately we are going somewhere that will be our first new adventure together. I think what we both are really going to enjoy is the beginning of marriage at a place that is new for each of us and where we only have and want each other to rely on. I guess if y...

Our plan when we started this blog was to update it regularly with fun, exciting news as we begin our life together. However, life is pretty crazy right now, and unfortunately we haven't been able to write in a while.... Summer is here, so BJ is going 100 miles and hour keeping up with kids around the clock (FUN!), and Karen, well she just started a new job working with DFW Events... all this excuse is to explain why you can't bore yourself with our updates... But, This is ALL changing. Stay tuned over the next few days.... we are turning over a new leaf and plan to keep you all informed and excited about the adventures of BJ and Karen! For now, enjoy this picture of my puppy, Kassie... what a cutie!

I am looking at the blog stuff and realize we get comments from people I, or we, have not spoken with in some time. We really love our friends and are blessed to have gotten to know so many wonderful people thus far in our lives. But, sometimes we feel bad. I am not sure how much keeping up with everyone is appropriate. We love every friend we have, and we both wish we had more time and ability to stay closer and in better touch with what is going on in everyone's life. But...let's be honest, lots of people are just closer in mileage. In this stage of life finding those around you to build a great community can be really hard. Jobs might be transitional and life has drastic changes. So the scramble to figure out where those old college friends, roommates, team members, church buddies, organization leaders and the mess of people that want to just be close to awesomeness can just wear a person out! Good thing Karen is great at details. We are really excited to see all of you at ...