lists

So much to say, nothing to blog! That is how I have felt lately. So overwhelmed, tired, and busy. I have had some crazy accidents (red kool-aid on the white carpet for one!) that I have felt like a chicken with its head cut off!
I do have things checked off my list however:
Entire apartment vacuumed. check.
Baseboards vacuumed. check.
Airfilter in apartment cleaned. check.
Flower girl dress picked up. check.
Engagement scrapbook almost done. check.
Bathroom and kitchen floor swept. check.
List for Jill for bridal shower. check.
Hair appt. made. check.
Resumes and cover letters sent. check.I could go on and on, however I still feel like there is TONS to do, and not enough time/motivation to get it all checked off my list. I just need to calm down, keep my eye on the most important tasks at hand, and be brave. I am also trying to slow down and enjoy the little moments that are passing by. I mean, I am getting MARRIED in two months!!
I also realized that I haven't written about how wonderful my friends and family made my birthday! Saturday we went to Walla Walla, WA. with Jill and Corey, Jamie and Dan, Luke and Kelly, and Maci. We went wine tasting and out to dinner and drinks. Then we all had a big sleep over at Jamie's house. Sunday morning Jill and Corey and Brandon and I got up for coffee, and drove to Helix, and then made it to Hermiston. There, we took a nap, Jill made a fantastic dinner, we went for a walk, and then out for ice cream. Wow! It was so great. These are pictures from our early dinner. Yes, that is toilet paper on the table. No napkins, or paper towels in the house. TP works great! haha

And the boys did dishes. Thanks guys! I love you all!

Look at how cute

my new slippers are!
These are replacing my UO slippers that I have worn ragged here at Rocky. The unfortunate part? These new ones are so cute and clean, I don't want to wear them and ruin them! haha
These past few days I have done a lot of reflecting and thinking about who I am and the changes that are happening to me, as well as those around me.
It is important that we all remember that we are here to do more than we know.
We are here to do things beyond our realization.
It is more important to be motivated, humble, and helpful than to be jealous, petty, or to hold grudges.
When we slow down and really look at the life we are in, we are better able to see what is going on around us, and to see who we really are.
The past few days have been a chance for me to take a walk, smell the grass, feel the wind, read a book, do some art. I think we all need this time in our busy lives.

Congratulations!

Way to go Brandon! As of Monday, he is full time with Hamilton Construction Co. Yippee! This does mean that he will be even busier than before, but they have been so generous to him. I see this as a 'favor' to Brandon, letting him start full time salary while he is still in school. This way he will qualify for insurance and retirement so much sooner. I am so happy for him, and so proud of him.
So Friday night, while I was home alone, I baked sugar cookies that spelled 'Congrats'. It was a nice night, I baked cookies, danced in the kitchen, decorated my new coffee cup from one of my girlfriends, and worked on a scrapbook. I felt like I accomplished a LOT.
However, I did look at this a lot-

and I thought to myself.. "I have had this since Christmas, and I have only used this twice"... haha! I am hoping to use it WAY more once I have someone to cook/bake for. Let's hope so!

More birthdays

Happy Birthday to me,
Happy Birthday to me,
Happy Birthday to me, (and Brandon, and Luke, and Jamie)
Happy Birthday to me!
Ha Ha
Tomorrow a bunch of couple friends are all off to Walla Walla, Washington (the town so nice, they named it twice) to go wine tasting and to celebrate birthdays. Jill, Kelly and I are all very excited to go, and I'm sure Brandon, Corey, and Luke will find some acceptable 'boy wine' to drink.
I am looking forward to visiting with friends, exploring new places, and taking some pictures. Can't to have Brandon home for the weekend either!

Planning

I haven't done too much wedding planning, need to do lots more, quick!
For my girls, here is the tentative schedule for July:
Thursday- sun, relaxing, laughing, visiting, drinking.
Friday- lots of prep work, rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, decorating, etc.
Saturday- 2pm pictures, 5pm ceremony, 6pm PARTY!
Sunday- Brandon and I leave for Mexico, the rest of you do... whatever. =)

Happy Birthday Brandon

Brandon REALLY wanted a new travel size BBQ for his birthday. Trust me, it was hard to convince him NOT to buy it the night we tried to BBQ chicken on his balcony. His old BBQ had pretty much died, and we had quite a time getting dinner that night. So he was thrilled to see this great gift all wrapped up in the living room the night we celebrated his birthday.

I think Harley Ann had more fun with the box than Brandon has had with his new BBQ!

It was a great night with family. Thanks for letting us celebrate you Brandon!

Documenting Life

On one of our quick trips up to the house, I decided to go out in the mud and 'document' what we see when we go 'home'. This is life in the mountains, running a logging operation and a fire fighting operation. You see lots of 'stuff' all the time. It is nearly impossible to stay clean, so don't try- and there is always something to be doing.
Brandon thought I was slightly cooky to be taking pictures of this stuff, but he didn't know me in high school. He didn't know the Becky Jones that took pictures of this kinda 'life stuff' growing up in Pilot Rock.
These are the pictures of a part of our life, fancy or not!