A New Job

I suppose it's time to spill my exciting news to the blogging world... I didn't want to say anything until it was official, but I got a new job! (With the same company and same division, just moved to a different role.) Meet the new, Marketing Coordinator! :) I would just like to point out the irony in the fact that I started college planning to major in Marketing, but switched to Finance. Now I work for a financial services company doing Marketing...haha!

Monday I started my first official day as the Marketing Coordinator for the Investment Services division! It's been a long process, but I feel very fortunate to have been given this opportunity, especially so soon after starting work for the company. Back in December, my sweet friend and co-worker Judith had a baby and was fortunate to be able to stay home with him. I am forever grateful for all the training she gave me and encouragement that I too can do the job she & I both loved, until she found one she loved a little more. :)

In February we started looking to fill her position and I was one of the people who interviewed for the job. Late in February I was told I would be promoted, but not until they found someone to fill my current position. More interviewing and a few weeks later and I've officially moved into a new cube and a new role, with new responsibilities, big ideas, and a new coworker!! (Don't worry Judith, I will always miss you no matter what - I'm just excited to have someone helping out again!) It's been exciting and stressful to prepare for, but I see lots of great possibilities and I think I'm truly going to love my new job! First on the agenda, catching up from all the projects we've been behind on while short-handed and preparing for our big sales conference in May! Then, perhaps I'll work towards getting my Series 7 license! Wish me luck!!! :)

On a separate note: I want to ask that everyone please keep my Champa in their prayers. He's been experiencing some strange symptoms and is most likely looking towards surgery. Please pray for answers, wisdom for the doctors, comfort for him and my Gram, and a safe, effective procedure. I'm not picky in my prayer requests though. :) Thank you!!!

Happy Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday to my blog!!! haha Ok, only one time - I won't do it again. :)

In honor of the Blog-Birthday, and the fact that it just needs it, I've renamed the blog! For the record, I know it should be "The Story of Our Lives," but we're married and our lives have become one so I'm calling it "The Story of Our Life." :) This is our journey, and all the twists and turns along the way. I hope you're enjoying it, we sure are! And I hope this next year brings about many more exciting adventures, and perhaps even some better writing! (Well, don't hold your breath.)

This last week was busy. We got in late Sunday night from Bryan and then Darrin left Monday for California. He had training to go to for work. I mean, really? I had to go to training on I-10 in the middle of traffic hell and he gets California, by way of airplane! Not fair! :) Also while he was gone, I got to make another trip to the doctor. Gosh, I just looooove going to the doctor while Darrin's GONE...or not. My heel had been hurting really bad and it turns out I had planters fashionitis. That dang doctor gave me a shot! To top it off the prescription didn't get called in to the pharmacy and I had to wait an extra 24 hrs just to get some pain killers for it. I was exhausted and in all sorts of pain when Darrin got home at midnight Wednesday night, but I was SO glad to have him home!!! I get kind of scared on my own. hehe Needless to say, I'll be in flats for probably two more weeks. I did buy some super comfy grandma-brand shoes tonight that at least look better with slacks than tennis shoes do, so I'll survive. :)

Last, but certainly not least, we got to go to a pretty special wedding this weekend. 350 miles away, through the beautiful Hill Country and West Texas plains, we went to Midland, TX. Our sweet friend, Brittany married a very nice Aggie gentleman. Some of you might recognize him from his days as quarterback at Texas A&M. Or maybe from the last few Cowboys' games of this season when he started for God's team! It was quite the spectacular event. They packed out her little home church (where her Daddy's a minister, in fact, both of their Dad's married them) with 1,000+ guests. It was beautiful, and very sweet and we felt pretty honored to be included in that group! I'll leave you with some pictures...

So I definitely had the most handsome date there.

Check out her gorgeous gown that was made especially for her!

Their first dance as husband and wife. So sweet!

In all that crowd, we managed to snag a shot with the happy couple! :)

The Cindys from the Ladies Sunday School class that me & Brittany used to go to.

The Barton gang!

Oh, and a few more pics that aren't from the wedding, but we think they're pretty stinkin' cute! Our Babies!!!!!

They play in the sink ALLLLL the time. Their favorite is when the water is running really lightly and they'll sit there and swat at it for hours!!

Posing for the camera. They're getting soooo big!

Always on the go...

Last weekend was the second in a row that we traveled away from San Antonio (after nearly 8 weeks in town!) We were so thrilled to go home and spend some time with our amazing families. I'm beginning to realize just how nice it is to have them in the same town.

In true Jamie-style I planned quite the hectic weekend for our brief 48 hrs. home. We started by meeting Martha & Eric for dinner at Fish Daddy's Friday night. Saturday morning we woke up to breakfast made by Perch - yummy!!- then met Brother Chris for our one year [and 3 months] follow up meeting. Our dads met up with the guys for some golf at Pebble Creek after. I went shopping with Martha for a little while then took off to go see my BFF Abby and her sweet little family. Little Emma's already over 10 lbs! I had just enough time to meet up with Martha again for pedicures before the guys got done with golf.

Beautiful Abby & sweet Angel Emma. Doesn't she look great already?!

Bill with Emma, Daddy's little girl :)

Pretty Pedis

Pedi - pals :)

We were going to go check out the new barn out at the L&L Ranch and then head to the Lampley home for dinner, but Layne & Jenna had other plans, sort of. They had managed to slide off he road and ended up with a sign landing in the hood of Jenna's Mustang! Don't worry, no one was hurt, but we definitely didn't make it out to the Ranch before dark! After a mini-family reunion out at the "scene of the accident" Darrin & I headed over to my parents house to hang out with Mom & Dad, the girls, and their boyfriends. We ate some yummy tacos and tamales and played Baseball, the card game.

Car damage

Chrissy & Titan

The support-crew

The golfers and repairmen

playing baseball

the gang at the Lampley house

On Sunday we had the pleasure of worshipping with our families at our most favorite church, Central Baptist. We caught lunch with Martha & Eric's new Sunday School class after then headed back to pack up and change. On our way out of town we finally got to see the new barn at the L&L Ranch which looks great!! :)

By the time we got home Sunday night we were exhausted! Maybe one day we'll go somewhere without any plans...then again, maybe not! ;) Thank you all for making time to spend with us last weekend - you're the best!

Guess who's been traveling again?

...that would be us, of course! Two weekends ago we finally got the chance to get away again, just the two of us, for a short weekend. It was absolutely wonderful! I had Monday off from work and Darrin got to take his first "Vacation day" from the real world so we could go to Barton Creek just outside of Austin. We tried to convince the hotel staff that we were "the" Bartons but they didn't buy it...we were not upgraded, nor did we receive a free night's stay or complimentary round of golf. Nevertheless, we had a spectacular time! Have I mentioned I just LOVE my husband? :)

On Sunday "we" played a round of golf -no I still don't play- at the Palmer Lakeside course. It was CRAZY windy, but Darrin still did great! They paired us up with a really sweet older [than us] couple that were part of the "Owners Club" at Barton Creek. They spend a month each year away from their home state of Minnesota, or Missouri, or something with an "M," enjoying the Texas heat and many rounds of free golf. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me!

Darrin's really excellent form.

This was the prettiest hole on the course, although all of them were beautiful.

That night we had dinner in the Resort's steakhouse and got to dress up a little bit. The food was so-so (we're just not frilly food people) but the company was superb! I love date-nights!

On Sunday db played yet another round of golf at the Crenshaw Cliffside course right by the resort. We were paired up with another, slightly younger, couple who is also a part of the "Owners Club." We've really gotta check that deal out one day!

Most of the holes looked like this, tee box on one side of a drop off and the green on the other. 

Yes, that would be his TEE SHOT about 2 ft from the hole!

deer playing near the course

They ran after the lady with us almost hit them with her golf ball! haha

Gorgeous!

Beast of a bunker!

I am so grateful for my husband and the time we get to share together. We may think our lives are hectic, but we are blessed to be able to enjoy weekends like this with each other having a great time and relaxing. I'm also thankful for a pastor that gave us "getting away together a few times a year" as a "homework" assignment from pre-marital counseling. :) :)

This post is already long, so I'll save our other two weekend trips for another one. Don't be surprised if it shows up later today, though - I seem to only take time to post anymore on the weekends!