Sew Fun!

Nat and I had another wonderful weekend. We look forward to the weekends even more now that we are married, knowing that we get to share them together! Both Nat and I feel so blessed to be where the Lord has placed us right now. Yes, I have struggles at work, and adjusting to married like isn't always easy (though we really can't complain) but we are both just so happy!

On Friday we shared dinner with some of our dear friends. It was our second "Quad-Date" (Four couples). The boys grilled out the meat, while the ladies talked about honeymoons, weddings, and babies. It was a wonderful time shared by all. Nat and I cooked twice baked mashed potatoes, that turned out to be Delicious!! I always enjoy a cooking success.

Saturday morning I got up and went shopping with my sister-in-law, Erin, and her two precious daughters, Katelyn and Elizabeth. To Katelyn's excitement we were shoe shopping. Katelyn. Loves. Shoes. She was quickly out of her stroller and marveling at all the shoes each store had to offer. Jens is in trouble, this girl has a passion for shoes.  The trip was successful, Erin bought some Sperry's, and I'm pretty sure Katelyn was happy, even though she left empty handed.

After a day full of chores, and a quick game of Rummikub (yes we are already an old married couple!) Nat and I headed out to the drive-in movies with some couples from church. The  car was packed with plenty of blankets, pillows, candy, and drinks.. and when we got there stocked up on even more junk food to complete the experience. We saw True Grit, and The Dilemma. Nat will have to speak for True Grit, I fell asleep. But The Dilemma was funny! And more importantly we had a lot of fun hanging out with our fun friends.

Sunday after church (Which we are LOVING) we went over to our friends Matt and Jessi's (really original, huh?) house. The girls were having a "sewing party" and the guys were going to play football. Afterwards we all had burgers and hung out. I was expecting to just be a spectator at the sewing party, considering I have not sewed anything since my high school apparel class. But while at the fabric store I just got that itch to be creative! So I came home with the materials to make two throw pillows for our couch. Did we need two throw pillows? No, but you can never have too many, right? So anyways, I ended up loving sewing! I had two great teachers to help (Jessi and Tindell), and the pillows actually ended up being pretty cute! Well, from far away, just don't look close or you can see all the errors.. :) It was fun, and Nat even likes the pillows!!

Nat- Sewing machine for valentines day?

Goals

It may be a little late for New Years Resolutions, so I'll just call them goals. I need to have them in writing so that I can hold my self accountable. So here we go...

1) Walk everyday. No really, like everyday. My mom does this and I admire her for it. I've been trying to force myself to run for some time now, but I'm going to admit it. I.HATE. RUNNING. It hurts! I can do it with my husband, but when I'm by myself it's just miserable. I do however enjoy walking. It gives me time to clear my head and I just feel healthier when I do it. I figure it's better to walk everyday then sporadically run, right?

2) Wake Up Earlier. My morning routine has gotten a little out of control. I blame it on being exhausted. Which I am. But honestly I get way more sleep than most people and have no excuse for pushing the snooze button 3, sometimes 4, times. I have been late to work a couple of times, and not only that but my mornings are too rushed, and often lead to a frusterated start. I have been doing my quiet time at night for a long time, it just works better for me, but I still think I need to get up in time to not be rushed, read a verse or two, and be encouraged before I start my day.



Thats it- just two. I can handle that!!

Weekend

Here are some pics from our weekend; what a fun one!!

On Friday we had game night with fun friends! (ok fine, the boys dominated!)

Saturday Payton, Cooper, Holly and Clee came over for Dinner and games. Payton and I played dress up!

FYI this is what happens when you don't add eggs to the brownie mix...fail.

Payton "putting on make up"

Payton and her feast!

Sunday: a Greek birthday party for Nat's friend Peter!

A Weekend in the Country!

This past weekend was a weekend full of firsts for me! Nat and I, along with the Heston clan (including our nieces and nephew, yes!), traveled to Brownwood, TX for a weekend at the Wilson's "Four Oaks" Ranch.  First #1- First time for me to join the Hestons for an extended visit to Brownwood, and the first time to the Wilson's ranch. It. Is. BEAUTIFUL! It was so nice to get a break from "city life" and enjoy the simplicity of the ranch. Of course, this ranch is far from "roughing" it, it was luxourious and gorgeous, but still.. you get my drift. On Saturday we met up with the Heston's friends, the Cutbirths. It was a pleasure meeting them, then we headed to the Brownwood legend: Underwoods. About 7 plates later, my stomach was hurting, and Nat and I headed back to the ranch for some good nap time. Nat and Jens headed out to go hunting, while I stayed back and enjoyed on of my absolute favorite things to do- play with Payton and Katelyn (and Lizzard and Coop of course!) That night, we enjoyed a delicous steak dinner, had a birthday celebration with the January girls and finished off the night with some games. At around midnight, my second first occured- I went spotlighting with Nat and Jens! I didn't actually shoot anything, but I did a GREAT job holding the spotlight. We didn't kill any coons- which is what we were originally after - but we did shoot about 6 or so rabbits. It was a fun experience.

The next morning, after breakfast and some play time with the kids, we headed out to the shooting range. I had NEVER even come close to a gun before so I was a little nervous, but Dub, Jens and Nat taught me how to shoot a 22 revolver! (Third First) I hit a bullseye on my third try!! After that I was addicted and shot probably 10 more rounds. Then I took a ride on the four wheeler, another new obsession. I am loving this "country" life!

After lunch, to my dismay my husband had to go home for work, but I stayed along with the Andersons and Hestons. Jens and I took the four wheelers out for another spin, and Katelyn and I got to spend some fun time together. That girl is hilarous! I am loving her new vocabulary, including "Jessie!" Everytime she sees me she says "Where's Nat?" In her mind we are a package deal! But Sunday night she just kept saying, "Nat went byebyes."  It was a great family fun weekend. I feel so blessed to be a part of the Heston Crew! Here are some pics...(more pics to come... like of my bullseye shot!)



Nat with his shot



me with all my rabbits (not really)

Ready to go spot lighting!!

pretty horses

Payton giving me birthday loving

the birthday girls blowing out our candles

Katelyn excited about the tissue paper!

The January Birthday Girls

The Wilson's House

Katelyn and me with our new singing buddies! Thanks Betty Sue!

Name Change

Can I say that I think it is completely unfair that I have to jump through hoops to change my name, while my husband is warm at home? This morning I ventured to the social security office which has the ridiculous hours of 9-4. Like no one else has a job? So I had to take a little time off of work and figured I'd "beat the crowd" by getting there right at 9:00. HA. Actually I got there at 8:45 and there was already a line out the door, as well as almost all of the interior seats filled. I was quite discouraged considering my precious off time was ticking away. Luckily, it moved quickly and I was actually on my way by 9:30. I am now officially Jessica Heston!! Now I have to go to the DMV to change my liscence, HISD HQ to change it with HR, contract my insurance company, change my car title, bank, teacher certification.... etc. What an adventure.

If I am missing anything, let me know!

doesn't even begin to capture the madness!

Cooking Adventures

One of my favorite things about being married is cooking for two. It's so fun to make meals for and with my hubby! We've enjoyed using our wedding presents. One of Nat's favorites is the deep fryer. So far we have deep fried pickles, and made baja fish tacos. I've also made some fresh salsa using our chopper, food processor, and new knives! Cooking is so much fun with all of these toys!!

Here are some pictures of our creations...

Battering up the pickles

Nat's a deep frying machine!

The fried pickles- they were delicous

Making our waffles

our yummy waffles

My freshly made mango salsa

you can see the baja tacos on the plate in the background... yum!!

Honeymoon

Our honeymoon was A-MAZING! Nat and I headed to Cancun, Mexico on December 12th, the morning after our wedding. From the moment we got to our hotel (El Dorado Royale) the week was nothing but perfect. We ate, relaxed, ate more, played games, slept, sun bathed, and ate some more!! The week was completley worry free, and a great time for us to spend some time together as husband and wife!! Here are just a few pics of our adventure!

We went swimming with dolphins!

They were so sweet! :)

Thursday night on our sunset cruise.

One morning at breakfast.. Like I said we ate A LOT!

Nat and me on the beach

Nat eating at "La Fondue"