A Weekend of Fun

Well it's one of those Mondays that follows a great weekend. It was so great, in fact, that I don't mind today being Monday. Currently I have Good Morning America on TV, I am sipping some coffee and just finished my cereal, and I've been working on those fun "to do" list items like balancing the checkbook. I got up early this morning because Marilee and Burke Warren spent the night, so I wanted to utilize my alone time as much as possible :). They are sleeping soundly still, as is Uncle Trey.

Let me tell you a little about our weekend. Friday night was great because Trey and I went on a date. We visited the nearby town of Athens, TX (which is where I will be working) and ate at the McAlister's Deli there. I find it hilarious that our fun date included eating in Athens because they have a McAlister's...we are already turning into small town folk! Anyway, after dinner we saw the  movie Date Night. Overall, it was a very fun and funny movie. I enjoyed laughing and snuggling with Trey during the movie.

Around 2am Saturday Canton had a pretty fierce storm. There was a tornado nearby, and we saw damage all over. Thankfully, our house and vehicles were fine. We did lose power, though, and didn't get it back until sometime mid-Saturday morning. Since we were powerless, we went with Lee and the kiddos to eat some brunch. We ate at a place called the Shed, which is in some town near Canton. Saturday afternoon we hung out at Lee's house. Marilee helped me wash the 4Runner (aka "Baloo") and Lee's Tahoe. Trey cleaned the yard up, washed the boats out and did some repairs, gathered and cleaned out all the fishing gear, and who knows what else he did. He spent the day working outdoors, which is just what he needed. That man loves to work outdoors. He was made for it. Lee's friends Holly and Mindy came over with their kiddos that evening, and all the kiddos ran around outdoors and had a great time. We ended the evening fishing. I, thanks to Holly Williams, braved the big bad fish and (after a few tries) actually took the hook out of the fish's mouth. CRAZY! Here is a pic...

If you can't tell, I wasn't as calm as I make it sound. Trey and I then ate dinner at Baker's Ribs (I can't wait to take my family there when they visit this summer - I love Baker's Ribs!). Sunday was just a great day of worship and getting to know Canton people more. I joined a newlyweds Sunday school class and am excited to make more friends our age. The church had a very nice reception for Trey and I that afternoon. Then, after church, we all went to Dairy Queen for a healthy dining experience. Other couples joined us, and it was very fun. Then Trey and I had the pleasure of having both our niece and nephew over for the night. They both behave so well when they're here. They are such a joy, and we love having them around. Well there's your snaptshot of the weekend. A little glimpse into our world... :)

News

I got a job yesterday - ya! I will be working for an agency called East Texas Psychological and Neurological Services. Basically, I will be working with a private practive (no more working under a government grant, thank the Lord!) and will have appts scheduled by a secretary. The secretaries will also put my files together and do all that grunt work that is so time consuming and no fun. I will work three days a week, Monday through Wednesday, and the schedule will be incredibly flexible. I am so thankful for this opportunity. Thanks to those of you who prayed for me. I start next Tuesday, so you can pray for me then, too. I am continuously amazed at how the Lord has every detail worked out in this move. Both Trey and I get pay raises, we live in a home, we have amazing family nearby, we get to see Lee, Burke Warren, and Marilee everday, we love our new church family...need I go on? For a while, we were in Fort Worth thinking we were stuck there, but all along the Lord was working toward this move. It's so neat to remember where we were and to know that God had this in mind all along. Thank You, Lord!!

My Sister, My Friend

Gretchen's visit to GWU, Fall 05

I've decided to write posts over the next few weeks/months (however long it takes) about the people most special in my life. Today, I want to write about Gretchen. She goes by many other names, but most of you know her as Gretchen. We know her as Booger Butt, Spike, Stinky Poo Poo Number Two Two (don't ask), Gutenburg, Richens, Sees, Pretty Pretty Princess, G G, and so on. Whoever has the pleasure of knowing Gretchen knows what a special person she is. Gretchen is one of those women that exudes tenderness, compassion, and kindness. She is also hilarious and incredibly fun.

I'm sure I will later regret putting this pic on here...

The age difference between Gretchen and me is 6 years. I still remember the day mom and dad sat Jason and I down to tell us they were having a baby. Only, they said it this way: "How would you guys like to have a little baby brother or sister?" I remember nodding my head yes, but I also remember thinking I really had a say in whether or not this happened. Even after that conversation, I would go back and forth between wanting a baby sibling and not. It did not matter what I wanted, though, 'cause Gretchen was coming no matter what. I'm glad I didn't have a choice.

I know I will regret posting this one, but it's just too funny not to share!

Six years is quite an age difference between two sisters, but it didn't keep Gretchen from being my playmate. When we lived in El Paso, we would entertain ourselves by jumping on the trampoline, playing various imagination games, or watching excellent TV shows (Arthur, Lambchops Singalong, Shiningtime Station, My Brother and Me, Boy Meets World...need I go on?). Then we moved to Atlanta, GA. I think this is when we started to get really close. Moving to a place where you have no friends is a way to draw a family together, for sure!

With Jason in LA, Summer 07

                                    

Over the years, Gretchen and I have drawn closer and closer together. We've laughed, cried, fought, explored, and conquered together. One time, I was holding Gretchen up (trying to be funny, surprise, surprise), but then I dropped her on accident. It was all fun and games until Gretchen started crying, I looked down, and her pinky toe was at a 90 degree angle to her foot. Not a fun experience then, but pretty funny now. Or there's also the time we visited Jason in LA. We arrived during the business day, and he had to work. We were exhausted from our flights and ready to just lay out at the beach, so we hopped in his car to find a beach. We passed many beaches along the way, including Long Beach and Huntington Beach, and finally we decided to stop...at Dog Beach. Strange name, we thought, but who cares. There's the ocean, and there's the nice warm sand. So we paid to park, walked down to the beach, and found us a nice spot to lay out. We both passed out for a while, and I remember opening my eyes to a pile of dog poo near my face. Gretchen had a similar experience. We looked around and noticed an unusual number of people with dogs. Then it started to sink in. This wasn't named Dog Beach for fun. No, it was named Dog Beach because this is where people bring their dogs to run around without a leash, to poop and pee at will, and to roam freely.

Not at Dog Beach, but same trip. I think we're in San Diego here.

                                                

I could go on and on with hilarious stories, fun memories, and cute anecdotes about Gretchen Elizabeth Jones. Most of you have your memories and stories. I'm just thankful I have a sister who is one of my best friends. Not everyone can say that about their sister, but I can, and I love that.

Christmas 06

Wedding! August 16, 2008

Me, Gretchen, and Trey, Fort Worth Zoo May 2008

To My Love

(This is the first pic ever taken of Trey and I together, Fall 2006)

The other day, I had a realization that Trey and I will be married 2 years on August 16. That's only 4 1/2 months away! Where has all the time gone? It feels like only yesterday that we were approaching our wedding day and excited about all the unknowns of marriage. Now we're over a year & a half into it. I know for many of my family members who read this blog, a big deal for you is not 2 years, but 17, 25, 32 years. I can't wait to reach that many years, but for right now, 2 is pretty exciting for us.

Our first two friends, Jenny and Jonathan (not a couple)

Now let me tell you about the man I love. This post is dedicated to all things Trey (so he should enjoy reading it later on :) ). I first noticed Trey when he walked into that gym at Southwestern Seminary. And what I mean by noticed is my heart went a flutter and I just knew I had to meet that guy. Fast forward 4 years, and he still makes my heart go a flutter when he walks into the room. I remember when I was younger always being afraid that God would make me marry a short, ugly man (no offense to any short or ugly men out there...you're just not for me!). Imagine my shock and joy when that tall, good lookin' Texas cowboy chose me to be his bride.

My first time visiting Trey's family in Odessa

But there are many reasons other than his dashing good looks that draw my heart to Trey Holmes. After being married to him, those reasons have deepened and expanded. Let me tell you about them. First of all, Trey makes me laugh. For those of you who really know Trey, you know that he's not the wise guy who makes cracks all the time. No, he makes me laugh by the things he does and says. For instance, Trey is learning to shave with a straight rasor. On Sunday during the invitational at church, I look up at Trey and notice he has matching bandaids on either side of his neck. They were parallel to each other, almost like he put them there to make a fashion statement. It was hilarious. My only regret is that I didn't get a picture before he took them off after church!

At the SACC picnic Fall 07, recently engaged (check out Trey's hair!)

Trey is also a very compassionate man. Now he's a man, and there's no doubt about that. But when it comes to people suffering or in want, Trey's heart breaks and he wants to serve or help in any way he can. He is a "go to" man, one you can rely on to assemble a group to take action. He's a natural born leader, and he uses his skills to promote the Lord's kingdom. Now that's attractive!

Cowboys/Colts game, Nov 06

Trey not only serves others, but he also serves me. I know that man will do whatever he can to take care of me, and that is a comforting thought. Even the trivial things, he'll do what he can to make sure I'm happy. This morning, for instance, I woke up with a sinus headache. I really wanted a white mocha from Starbucks, but since there isn't one within a 30 mile radius of here, I knew the local coffee shop would do. Trey willingly went to the coffee shop for me so I didn't have to get out for a bit. He also filled my car up with gas during that trip. He takes care of me above and beyond the basics, and I'm so thankful for him.

My first Valentine's with a date, Feb 07

I love being Trey's confidante and companion in life. I love hearing him talk passionately about the ministry, the church, and all other topics he is passionate about (like guns). I love riding bikes, playing card games, watching movies, flying kites, hiking, travelling, and just doing life with Trey. Here's to many more memories to come!

Carving pumpkinds as newlyweds, Oct 08

Playin with the niece and nephew, Spring 2010

Fort Worth Airshow, Oct 09