Beyond

This has been a very busy week but I am thankful. I started a job on Wednesday at a company called PreSonus as the receptionist. It is great. The company is a fairly new company that makes audio equipment for churches and bands all over the world. On Wednesday someone from Israel called and I was having the hardest time understanding him! My hours are 8:30-5 Mon.-Fri. The company is extremely laid back. We get to wear jeans everyday which is a little surprising since it is their corporate office. This job made me wonder why I ever worked in retail! They are currently building a new office building so they are located in the Bon Carre business center. I brought this up because when my parents came down in October we drove all over trying to find the Bon Marche mall that my mom went shopping in when she lived here. Well we had no luck it was gone...so we thought. Well, the lady at work told me the building we were in was the old Bon Marche mall! I thought that was pretty funny!

I had to take a picture to show my mom but she said it doesn't look familiar. I have a feeling they did a lot of remodeling.

Wednesday after Bryan and I got off work we met at church for our class. We met a couple that just moved to Baton Rouge from Houston as well. The guy works for Blue Bell! We told him we were from Broken Arrow where one of the factories is located.

Friday after work I went to the Women's Conference at a church we have been visiting. It was wonderful. The conference was titled Beyond which really resonated with me. Through this whole week I was in situations that I didn't know anyone. I had to go beyond my comfort zone. I realized I may not know anyone but God is always by my side no matter the people I am with or what state I may live in. Paula Rinehart was the speaker who spoke about how to make us strong women with soft hearts (titled after one of her books). She spoke mostly about Hannah in 1 Samuel and how she was not able to have children but never turned her back on the Lord. She was then blessed with a child. Strong woman. However what spoke to me the most in Paula's speech was on Saturday when she spoke about the Psalm of David (Psalm 23). "The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing...Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me..." Just what I needed to hear. God has answered many prayers and I am beyond thankful.

It was wonderful coming home and sharing with Bryan stories from the weekend and just spending time with him. We drove through LSU on our way to dinner last night and I took a quick picture of their version of OSU's library lawn...

This picture does a poor job portraying an open lawn full of students playing soccer, taking naps under the sun, walking their dogs...etc, but I think you get my point. It sure made me miss Stillwater though.

After church I was finally given the "okay" to release the wonderful news that my sister and brother-in-law are having another baby!!!! We will soon be Uncle Bryan and Auntie Kate to two little ones! It won't be easy living 600 miles away! ;) Well I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Hornets

Yesterday Bryan and I went to New Orleans (again). We went a little early just to drive around the non touristy areas. It was extremely sad. The places we had been going to were the areas that had been rebuilt since Katrina. So yesterday was definitely an eye opener. Many houses were boarded up or just abandoned completely. The picture below is an example of what many of the houses we saw looked like.

If you have been to New Orleans you would know that the houses here have so much character. So many look identical to plantation homes which makes seeing the area we went through so sad.

On a lighter note, Bryan and I were in New Orleans for the Hornets game. Before the game I told Bryan we had to go to this ice cream place called Creole Creamery that was recommended by a friend. There were so many fun flavors!

I don't know if you can read it but I had red velvet ice cream and it wasn't just the flavor of red velvet it had the cake mixed in with a birthday cake ice cream! It was heavenly. (Thank you Melissa!!)

Well on to the game. Bryan and I had went to a Hornets game when they had relocated to Oklahoma City right after Katrina. It was fun to see them play the Mavericks too, however, I was hoping Khloe Kardashian was there! Haha. We did get to see Zach Galifianakis though! He is shooting the movie Dog Fight with Will Ferrell in New Orleans. Anyway, here is a couple of pictures!

I thought he was cool! haha.

Hope you all had a great weekend!

Just a little paint

After my eye appointment yesterday I spent the rest of the day re-painting our coffee table and end table. I have been looking everywhere for a new coffee table but of course the practical side of me came out and I never bought one. I guess it is kind of silly to buy a new coffee table before we get a house because I will probably end up changing my mind. Again, it is hard to decorate an apartment because it is temporary and who knows when I will have to re-pack it all again! I can't wait until we live in one place longer than a year! Seriously, I have 3 library cards from 3 different states! Haha. So anyway, here are is a before and after picture!

Before

After

It isn't that different but I do like it better! I had so much fun painting that I went around the apartment trying to find more things to paint! So for now this will satisfy my urge to buy a new coffee table and end table. Hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday! Bryan and I start our Dave Ramsey course tonight at church! I can't wait!

Our weekend

Another fun weekend has come and gone. Friday night we went out to eat to a seafood restaurant called Chimes. It was delicious. I actually have a seafood dish that I actually like. Thank goodness for that. I have always hated having to order a salad and hush puppies every time we go to a seafood restaurant. Saturday we went on a long bike ride. We hadn’t ridden our bikes since we lived in Pearland. We used to ride them to the grocery store, to McDonalds, and even to the Pearland Town Center for ice cream. I do miss it very much. So Saturday we loaded them in my car and headed to the bike trail downtown. We started under the big bridge and continued through the LSU campus with a stop to see Mike the tiger. I also wanted to show Bryan the different places Pitch Perfect was filmed. We then took a quick break on LSU’s version of Library Lawn and lay in the sun watching people throw Frisbees and walk their dogs. Again, another beautiful day in Louisiana. We finally made it back 7 miles later. Which may not seem like a lot to most people but we are beginners and our rear ends (and my legs) were in pain!

After doing Bryan's favorite activity it was time to watch the Miss America pageant. I don’t think I have ever missed watching one since I was like 5. Going to see the Miss America pageant has been on my "bucket list" for years. Maybe one day. Well this year it was 10 times more exciting because Miss Oklahoma was someone I knew!!  Bryan was even getting into it when they started the final eliminations but maybe that was because I was standing 2 feet from the TV with sweaty palms! Anyway, Betty was beautiful and she did amazing!!

Sunday we went to Sunday school and realized everyone in our class was either old or already had kids. I have a feeling this group has called themselves the Newlyweds for quite some time. I do love the church though. One of the girls has a beautiful voice. We sang one of my favorite songs “Your Great Name”…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuuLBPOYcI8

Isn’t it wonderful?! What a wonderful praise and worship song. We then spent the rest of the day shopping/looking at furniture. I had told Bryan how I saw that there is a mall that has a Dillard’s outlet that I had wanted to go to but was a little nervous to go to without my body guard. Well it was amazing! Everything was like 60% off with an additional 40% off on top of that! Bryan kept dragging me around the store because I was in such awe.  I found so many things that I had wanted to get while I was working there in Pearland but didn’t want to pay the money for. Bryan got a dress shirt for $5 and a swimsuit for $8. Anyway, I get excited about good deals.

Today is another Monday. I will be cleaning and continuing my biography on Julie Andrews. Is there a good book you would recommend me to read? Well, I hope everyone has had a wonderful weekend! I miss you all!

A long week

So after being constantly entertained since the beginning of December with a long Christmas at home, New Years, and Amber coming to visit activities have come to a stop. This week has gone by so incredibly slow. The second Amber left I applied for a few jobs one being a merchandiser at Joann Fabric store that opens in March. Well my interview was yesterday and it was just plain depressing. The man told me most of the days begin at 5am and the nights are not over until 11pm and sometimes all nighters. Oh, and weekends and holidays as well. As much as I would love to merchandise a craft store, I had to decline. I don't know why I thought this retail store would be different from the rest. So, I will have to find something else to do with my time. Luckily, I got some fun sewing and craft things for Christmas that have kept me occupied. Bryan got me this fun book that I recommend to anyone who likes to sew. It is called One-Yard Wonders that teaches you things you can make with just one yard of fabric

What a creative gift from my husband. He did good. I know there is a lot of weddings coming up so I think I will try and start making some fun oven mitts! Tonight we have been invited to John and Brittinee's, (John is one of Bryan's co-workers) for dinner so I made a cake! I love to make cakes, however, Bryan and I don't eat many sweets unless it is candy or ice cream so they seem to quickly go to waste. Well, I am thankful tomorrow is Friday and I am sooo ready for a weekend with my husband!

Amber came to visit!

We had so much fun with Amber this past week! After picking her up from the airport Tuesday evening we had dinner in New Orleans at what we thought was a seafood restaurant but was Mexican! I was fine with that. Since Bryan had to work Amber and I started Wednesday off touring the LSU campus. We saw the sororities that overlook the lake and even Mike the tiger was out! We then ended the day shopping in Perkins Rowe and the Mall of Louisiana. We lost track of time and didn't leave until 5 but yet got home before Bryan! 

Mike either sleeping or really depressed!

Thursday we toured the capital. Louisiana's capital building is the tallest in the U.S and the location where Huey Long was shot by a political enemy in 1935.

50 steps leading up to the capital. One for each state. 

View from the top! A little foggy around the Mississippi.

So, yes we finished the day shopping again and went to dinner at Tsunami Sushi in downtown Baton Rouge. Friday we met Bryan, John, and Brittinee for lunch and then continued to LaPlace for our swamp tour!! Since alligators are in hibernation we didn't see but a couple baby gators so Amber will be coming back this summer! :). 

Finally it was the weekend and we were all ready to head to the French Quarter! We knew it was supposed to be packed considering there was a Saints playoff game that Saturday night, and all the LSU and Alabama fans were there ready for the Monday night game. I am still bitter that it is not OSU. I am pretty sure I was the only one wearing pink in the middle of all the purple, gold, and red. We parked by Tulane and rode the trolley in again! 

Robert E Lee Monument built in 1884 in the middle of Lee Circle. A 60 foot marble column with a 12 foot statue on top.

One of the many pretty hotels!

The balcony of the Riverfront restaurant.

Jackson Square

We had beignets at the famous Cafe Du Monde. They are my favorite!!

My yummy pina colada at Organic Banana in the French Market!

I thought this was so funny! (It says LSU if you can't tell)

oh the weird street entertainment...

Yea I don't get it. haha.

This little girl was the best one of the statue people!

Again, I don't get it. I feel like he is always there.

I had been wanting a picture like this with Bryan on Bourbon street. We finally had a friend there to take it!

We rode the ferry again at sunset! 

I thought the palm trees were fun!

Amber getting her palm read! I just had to get a picture!

Some LSU player. haha.

Heading back after a fun day. Combined we had a total of about 50 beads and it's not even Mardi Gras!

Thanks for coming to visit Amber!! It was fun getting to share our fun adventures with a friend! Can't wait for you to come back!!!

LSU campus

The first couple of days to our new year were great! Like I said earlier, we had a lazy New Years day. It was a beautiful day, 72 and sunny, so we did not want to waste it! So we headed to the LSU campus to take a walk around their pretty lake. Yes I wore my bright orange OSU hoodie which I proudly wore. I guess we picked a perfect day to go because there were a million birds out which people were feeding. After about a mile around the lake we saw tons of white pelicans. I grabbed my phone and started taking pictures.

These pictures don't do it justice. It was funny because I was taking pictures with my phone in the middle of all these people with there super fancy cameras...

I am sure there pictures were much better! :) So after our fun walk around the lake we headed back home and got ready to go see a movie. We saw We Bought a Zoo which was really cute. Hope you all had a wonderful New Years day!

Today I have been getting ready for our guest!!!

AMBER IS COMING!!! I am so excited! We will be picking her up at the airport at 6:30 in New Orleans. Can't wait!!!

Happy New Year!

2011 has come and gone and we are looking forward to what 2012 has to bring! I will post a little recap of our Christmas in Broken Arrow. Bryan and I drove to Broken Arrow a week earlier than expected for my Grandpa's funeral that was on December 12th. Since it is a lot of driving and we had planned to be in Broken Arrow the week after, Bryan flew back to Baton Rouge to work the rest of the week and I stayed at my parents. My mom, sister and I had fun making our stockings that week while getting extra time with Payton! 

Payton and Uncle Bryan were making the best our of our trip to Hancocks while my mom was helping my sister and I pick out our fabric!

We picked Bryan up from the airport on Friday the 16th and had fun with family (including my Grandma who came up for Christmas) and friends that week. We enjoyed the Candlelight Christmas Eve service at Asbury which is always beautiful and enjoyed being with my whole family Christmas day at my parents house. Of course time flies when you are having fun so our trip quickly ended and we drove our 10 hour drive back to Baton Rouge. The next day Bryan started back to work while I did many loads of laundry trying to get back into our daily routine. 

As for New Years Eve Bryan mentioned going to New Orleans. Thinking and hoping we would only live here for one New Years, I knew that it would be the only chance we would have so I was up for it yet a little nervous of the craziness! So that evening we putt on our jazziest outfits and headed to New Orleans! Again, we rode in on the trolley, that was packed with people (mostly tourists) and headed to the French Quarter. Mardi Gras beads were flying from the balconies which I caught a few until they started asking girls to flash them. And yes, women actually do it. Mostly older women in there 40s I would say that are wearing tube tops. I was shocked so after I bought my mask and saw my fair share of...crazy people we headed to Jackson Square area and met a few of Bryan's coworkers and their girlfriends/fiances and had a late dinner. Around 11:30 we headed to the river to watch the "fleur de lis drop" and all the fireworks with about a million other people.

In the trolley!

My fun mask! There were so many different ones!

The police rode on horses through the crowds of people.

Quite an experience that we will never forget! I felt like everyone had their own bottle of Champagne except us! Around 12:15 we started quickly walking to the trolley stop with everyone else. We walked from stop to stop with less and less people at each and luckily got on one. I had my head up against an open window the whole time felling a tad claustrophobic. We finally got to our car and made it home safely around 3. What an unforgettable night. We are now having a lazy Sunday thinking about going to see a movie or at least trying to enjoy the beautiful weather. Thankful Bryan has the day off tomorrow!!