2009 already!?!

I can't believe it! Looking back there is so much that has happened this year...

Bought a house.
Dave's parents come visit.
Started a new job.
Got engaged.
Went to the Bahamas.
Got laid off from new job.
Got married.
Remodeled the house.
Started a new job.
Celebrated by 27th birthday.
My sister got married.
Went to the Fiddler's Convention.
Celebrated Dave's 35th birthday.
Dave's entire family comes for Thanksgiving.
We go to the Grove Park Inn to celebrate being married for 6 months.
We celebrate Christmas together on Christmas Eve morning the travel to my parents...then Atlanta to visit with Dave's family.

2008 had it shares of highs and lows. I am so thankful for everything God has done for us! We are so blessed.

Looking forward to 2009 here are few highlights we are looking forward to-

Skiing at Beech Mtn.
Becoming debt free.
Grosser Family reunion at Lake Lure.
BJ Ben (Dave's little brother) gets married in Orlando.
At some point in time this year we are going on a real vacation- somewhere tropical and all-inclusive.
Dave becoming a relief driver at the FD.
Loosing 10lbs.

OH the things to get excited about! Hope you have a wonderful 2009!

cool giveway

check out http://simplemom.net/ for a cool giveway...

2 weeks...

Its been that long since my last post. Mainly because I get so wrapped up in stalking other peoples blogs that I forget to write on my on. I think it is probably easier for people with children to blog...they always seem to have more to say.

The past two weekends have been pretty busy. November 7-9 I went on a women's retreat with Forestville Baptist Church. I somehow got roped into running the computer/sound equipment. :o) It was a great retreat-in-a-box that Beth Moore does called "Loving Well." Beth Moore is hysterical and such an awesome communicator. I got the chance to get to know some of the girls better from Forestville. It was a good girl time!

This past weekend (Friday-Saturday) my mom and sister came to Greenville and we shopped both days! It was a fun time. Its a new shopping tradition my mom wants to start with us girls...unfortunately Amy had to work so she couldn't be there for the inaugural year.

Dave and I have been working really hard on a couple of projects for around the house. Trying to get the place in tip top shape before his WHOLE family comes up for Thanksgiving next week.

I am soooo excited that I should have my wedding album by next Tuesday.

That's all I have for now...until next time...

Glad it is OVER!

I couldn't be more thankful that this election season is over. I know for the majority of the people in America they have very strong opinions about either McCain or Obama. I don't mind saying that I voted for McCain. BUT I would also like to say I personally have nothing against the color of Obama's skin. I have had several people accuse me of being racist. That isn't it at all, I think it is wonderful that in my lifetime we will have a black president. I didn't vote for Obama because his CHANGE isn't the type of change I feel like America needs. Honestly, we it came down to it I feel like I voted for the lesser of two evils. And I am a proud ONE ISSUE voter. Even it Obama believed in all the right things but still supports abortion of any type I can't in good conscience vote for him. ABORTION = MURDER. Regardless of his views, I will be praying for him has he leads this country...thankful we live in a democracy were he isn't the only one that gets the say-so.

Off my soap box...

I've been pretty busy this week and realized I hadn't blogged since last Wednesday. Once I get the pictures downloaded I will have to post all the fun things we did this past weekend. Friday night we went to a haunted corn maize. It was sooo much fun! We were lost in it for almost 2 hours and I literally almost peed in my pants!

Saturday- Dave got up early to go on a morning hunt. He came home with a 6 point buck! Our freezer is going to be FULL! We went to the Art Bomb for their open studios and then went to the mall for a pretzel and shoe shopping. Dave bought me 2 new pairs of shoes!!

Sunday I went to my parent's church (since Dave was at the FD). It was good to eat my mama's cooking and see my grandparents.

This weekend is going to be so busy too! I am going on a women's retreat with Forestville Baptist Church. I better get to work...I'll post pictures later!

Wordless Wednesday

Weekend Recap

Not that anyone cares about what happened to me moment by moment but nevertheless I am going to post a few details from my weekend...

Friday morning I got up at early (6:30--this might be considered normal for some people but I don't work Fridays, so I should sleep in). I wanted to have breakfast ready for Dave when he got home from the FD. I made flat pancakes (this is his mom's recipe and we love them), turkey bacon and fruit salad. It was yummy.

Flat Pancakes

6 eggs
1/4 cup canola oil
1 cup low fat cottage cheese
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup 2% milk
1/2 Cup flour
1/4 tsp. Salt
1-1/2 TBS sugar

Combine in blender. Pour out on Hot griddle that has been generously sprayed
with PAM. Enjoy!

After breakfast I went to have my hair trimmed and highlighted (which was very overdue). I went home to see Dave off on his Weekend Boy Adventure at Durhamtown Plantation. I went to my favorite little place for a pedi/mani...I know I am bad...I was due a little pampering.

Friday night was Jose and Lindy's rehearsal dinner.

It was at Brookwood Church and Jose's mom and aunts had prepared a wonderful Costa Rican dinner. I had a lot of fun catching up with friends and reminiscing about our old theme parties...

Friday night Mellissa and Tina (our friend from Ireland) spent the night with me. We had so much fun! Saturday morning we woke up late and went to Waffle House for breakfast- then back to the house to get ready for the wedding festivities. Jose and Lindy could not have asked for better weather. It was absolutely wonderful outside and the Brookwood Church amphitheater is the perfect place for an outdoor wedding. After the ceremony (which was conducted in English and Spanish) we all headed to Soby's for the most amazing wedding reception ever.

(notice the ring bearer-i think he needed to potty)

After another sleep over that included soaking our very tired feet...Sunday we went to Sky Top Apple Orchard. We took Diesel along for the fun.

After a very eventful weekend I came home to a sleeping husband who was exhausted from his weekend. We went to the grocery store and got a stuff for grilled cheese and soup and rent a movie. I cooked dinner and we were on the couch watching the movie...of course I was asleep half through the movie.

Pumpkins!

Wednesday night Dave and I carved pumpkins. It was so much fun- I hadn't done that in years. We had a contest to see who made the best pumpkin- why don't you vote? Dave is at the FD tonight and leaves in the morning for a "guy trip." I will be busy all weekend with Jose and Lindy's wedding. It's going to be an exciting time!

Fall = Hunting Season

For a fall surprise I got Dave a tree climber deer stand. It is pretty neat how it works- but I am not good at! Dave took me to the hunting club he joined this past weekend. It was pretty neat...I saw one deer. We are planning on going camping there in the next few weeks.

Wordless Wednesday

Mondays...

The most dreaded day of the week for most! Though it always seems the world has fallen apart at work over the weekend I am just thankful I only have 3 days left in the week! WoooWhoo!

This is going to be a super busy week so I will go ahead an apologize in advance if I don't post again until next Monday. Dave will be at the FD Tuesday and Thursday of this week and then he leaves Friday morning on a weekend trip with some of his guy friends. My friend Lindy gets married this weekend so there are all sort of wedding festivities to be had! Weddings are great but this year I have had my fill so I will be glad when they are over for the year. Next year we already have two weddings going on...one of those being Dave's younger brother Ben's wedding.



Tonight we have Bible study...then I have got to fold laundry when I get home. Clean laundry is exploding out of my laundry room! If I don't get to it tonight the clean and the dirty will get all jumbled together.

Happy Monday!

you gotta love a clean house!

i hate cleaning the house...but love it when its done! since dave is at the FD today i spent the day cleaning...well that is after i got out of bed at 11. lazy i know! thursday night dave and i went to my parents to spend the night and we hung out there most of friday. friday night we went to a wedding shower for friends of ours. this has definitely been the year of weddings for our group of friends. oh and we got the copyright release on our wedding pictures...that was exciting and so much fun to go through. here are a couple of my favorites...

i made it

i made it!!! through the night that is at our house. no waking up at 1am to drive to someone else's house because i heard scary noisies. i did it and i am proud! i fell asleep just fine- a matter of fact Dave called me at about 11 to check on me because he had heard from me to say i was going to bed...and he woke me up. i did wake up around 2:30 and had a little trouble falling back asleep but i just reminded my self the Great Protector was watching over me.

i am excited because after i get off work today and Dave finishes up this job he is working on we are going to my parents to spend the night. we haven't spent a lot of time at my parent's house since we got married. we are going to pick up bellacino's (my dad's favorite) on the way there and tomorrow dad and Dave are are going golfing and me and my mom are going to hang out. fun times!

Struggles...

I love being married-everything about it I love...well except one thing that I had thought would be easy to adjust too but it hasn't been. With Dave being a fireman every 3rd day he is at the fire department for 24 hours. Some wives might count it a blessing to have 24 hours all to themselves, but my issue is I hate being alone at night. Being a scardy-cat is something I have dealt with since I was a small child. Since we've been married I am been making the 45 minute drive to my old roommate's house to stay with her...but that has got to stop. When I am at home alone at night I just don't sleep well at all. I am a light sleeper with Dave there...I practically don't sleep when he is gone. I know that fear is not from the Lord and I need to give it up. Please pray with me that I can overcome this fear! Tonight I am going to try and stay at the house by myself!

crazy busy weekend.

aaaaaaaaaah. i love the weekends. we got a lot done around the house. we took the shutters off the front of the house and painted them black. i took pics but i don't have my camera with me today at work. it looks awesome...much better than the washed-out hunter green color. i totally missed my friend amanda's baby shower...i thought the invitation said it started at 12...as i grabed if off the fridge on my way out the door at 11 i realized it said it was from 10-noon. i need to pay better attention! i bought dave a tree climber stand for hunting. we put it together friday afternoon and then he did a little demo so i could see how it works. he then wanted me to try it...not a good idea...i ended up about 10 feet in the air and then fell. tree climber stands aren't made for girls. oh and my favorite part of the weekend...saturday morning we sleep in a little bit...till 8:30- and then we went to waffle house. hmmm good. i love that place!

ready for weekend

I am so glad today is Thursday. I love weekends! (who doesn't?) I've got a lot going on this weekend tomorrow I am helping Dave clean a newly built house in the Cliffs, Saturday I have a baby shower for my sweet friend Amanda, Saturday night Dave and I have a birthday party to go to, Sunday I am going to my parent's church for pastor appreciation Sunday and then I am racing back to GVL for a lingerie shower for my dear friend Lindy who is getting married in 2 weeks! So far this month as already been packed with a fun weekend and the rest of the month is jam-packed with things to do! Below are a couple of pics (sorry they are so blurry I forgot my camera and these are from my phone) from the Michael Buble concert I went to last Saturday with my friend Sarah. We ate at an awesome new restaurant in downtown GVL called Stellar. They have awesome cheese fondue!

(Oh and just for the record the reason we look like we are so close is because we were...Sarah won 3rd row seats!!)

I (heart) Wednesdays!

I love Wednesdays!!! Mostly because Wednesdays are like Thursdays in my work week since I don't work Fridays! One more day! Yahoo! I am blessed to have a great job were I was able to set my own hours (I work from 7-4) and I don't work Fridays! I am the office manager at Dillard-Jones Builders, LLC. Lots of people have asked what do you do Jessica? Well alot- everything from collecting the money to paying it out to punchlist and walk-throughs to handling complaints or praises. There is rarely a dull moment. We build some awesome homes. Check out our website at http://www.dillardjones.com/.

Happy October

I can't believe it is already October. Its seems like I just got married last month...which would have been June. It is amazing how fast time flies! A couple of weekends ago Dave and I woke up at 5 in the morning to go meet some friends to drive to Columbia, SC so Dave and Mike could run in the US Marine Corp Mud Run.

Bad Blogger!

Ok- so I might should win the award of the worst blogger ever. I haven't blogged since May. I don't think there is anyway to catch everyone up! So instead of complete run down I will start fresh and give you the condensed version of my life over the past 4 months.

I planned a wedding in 3 months.

Married the most amazing man.

Experienced the Extreme Home Make-Over (TR-style).

Started a new job.

Those are the high points. I will try and post some pictures of the different things that have been going on. Dave and I are still trying to find a church home and can't quite decide were we want to settle down.

We started back with our Brookwood small group this fall! Man we love those guys! We are doing an awesome new study- One Month To Live (http://www.onemonthtolive.com/). Its a great book full of wonderful truths.

Well-its about time for lunch. My sweet husband made my lunch for me last night. :o)

My boys...

HaPpY bIrThDaY DADDY!

today is my daddy's birthday! so i just wanted to let everyone know what a wonderful father he has been! i can't imagine what my life would be like if i didn't have his love, encouragement, and support. he loves Jesus and is a wonderful example to me and my sisters of the way to live a life that is pleasing to God. i love him so very much! tonight we are celebrating his birthday at olive garden. i am so thankful for my daddy!

Monday Monday Monday

i feel like i need another weekend to recover from the weekend i just had. i hate MONDAYS! it was a busy weekend full of showers (2), running up and down the road, and a wedding. friday night we had a great shower at my friend lisa's house. she and sarah both really out did themselves with the couple's cookout. lost of great friends, food, and fun. dave and i both have some of the greatest friends in the world. we appreciate them all very much!

saturday, i got up early and drove to my parent's. my mom and i went and met with another cake lady. since i am not a big cake person, it has been very hard for me to imagine paying a whole lot for a wedding cake. luckily, ms. loretta had very reasonable prices and i like her stuff so we decided to go with her for the wedding cake. thankful that is one more thing checked of the wedding list.

that afternoon my sister's threw me a shower. a good friend of mine from high school was able to make it and several of my mom's friends from her work place- blue ridge orthopaedics. it was a good time...and the food was great of course (since my mom made it all). thanks to my sisters for all their hard work!

saturday evening i raced back for Allison's wedding. which was BEAUTIFUL! she was gorgeous and the church was decorated perfectly and the reception was awesome! i didn't stay very late because i had to get back to the house to take care of zeus. when i got home i didn't know how tired i really was till i laid down in the bed and didn't wake up until i heard dave coming in at 8:40 sunday morning.

he brought me some flowers he stopped on the side of the road to pick for me. he is too sweet. he also went to wal-mart on his way home and brought me my own box of cereal since i refuse to eat his kashi. we went to forestville this morning and got to hear the new pastor- rob jackson. we both really like him. i think we will start going to forestville full-time. :o)

sunday afternoon dave went treasure hunting and i cleaned the house, organized shower gifts, and took a long nap. i cooked dinner and we had a picnic on the back deck and watched the sunset. i don't think i have mentioned it on this new blog but I LOVE MY HOUSE. dave and i are so forunate to have found it!

sorry for the long ramblings...i'll try to post some pictures tonight.

Late Night

last night i stayed up until 1 am working on my wedding invitations. i love them. they aren't your traditional invites but i think that is why i love them so much. needless to say getting up at six this morning hurt. i thrive off sleep...i normally need a good seven hours in order to have the optimal day. i'll pay for this all weekend...which is busy in itself.

tonight my dear friends lisa and sarah are hosting a couple's cookout for dave and i. it should be lots of fun. tomorrow i am going to my parents for another shower (yahoo for showers!) hosted by my sisters. i also need to meet with the cake lady and florist. then i get to rush home for a wedding tomorrow night!

i just got back from a vacation...yet i think i am going to need another soon!

hello blogger!

well...i have officially decided to move my blog to blogger from wordpress. wordpress frustrates the poo out of me-so all my friends do blogger so i guess i will too. i don't know why i was trying to be cool and go with wordpress. you can still check the ole' wordpress blog to catch up with my life up to today. http://jessleigh7.wordpress.com/ personally, i find blogger more user friendly. i also prefer my look on here to my wordpress blog. enough of the blog drama...onto the real-life drama...

51 days and i'll be mrs. jessica smith. that sounds so wierd yet wonderful. other "exciting" (i use that word loosely) news: i was laid off from my job yesterday. i am going to be working until May 9. it is such a strange feeling. i love my job-i wouldn't want to work anyone else. since january 18 when i started my job i have told everyone who ask that i had found my dream job. its sad and depressing and frustrating...not really exciting at all. it raises 100 million questions as to what i am going to do...with a wedding around the corner and the planning that invovles i am not sure where to even start. the positive thing is...i've been here before...and i know God has a plan.