A stroke of good luck

Here is a picture of our new puppy, Grace, on the cover of the Cabela's catalog. We got her in August and have enjoyed trying to get her to do what we want. Oh the joys of having a puppy, especially a lab puppy.

Yep, that's really her. By a stroke of good luck at the vet, we got hired and paid to do this photo shoot! Pretty awesome right?

Peacefully and with tons of love

My life is like those buses in Mexico. A rollercoaster.

Wedding = sad, emotional, perfect, and awesome.
Few days after wedding = depressed it was over.
Honeymoon = fantastically perfect.
Week after Honeymoon = fucking horrible.

Let me explain.

We left Mexico, with the cuban cigars that my dad had asked us to purchase. We had taken them out of their wrappers and boxes, but stashed the boxes in another suitcase. We got to customs in Salt Lake City, and they asked us we had anything edible, smokable, blah blah blah. I, being the rigorously honest person I am, said yes. Then feigned innocence. When asked whether I knew where the cigars were from, I said no (not so rigorously honest). The customs agent then told us we had to show him the cigars. So we did. The super awesome customs agent proceeded to tell us all about the bay of pigs blah blah blah nuclear war blah blah blah. We were then escorted to a small room, asked to sign papers with our names and addresses, saying we had brought them in, under an embargo, and they were destroying them. They threatened to fine us $500 and put it on our permenant record. But then said they wouldn't do it, because people do this all the time. Even though I know Adam will be the one who gets searched from now on when we go through security at an airport. God damn customs.

We flew back into the states after our amazing vacation at about 8:40. We had parked our car at a hotel with a shuttle. They let us leave our car parked there for free. When I called when we flew in, they said their shuttle stopped running at 8pm. WTF? It was like a half mile away, but we were loaded down with baggage (literally) so we had to call a cab. God damn shuttles.

We made it home about 11:30. Dropped our bags on the floor and sat on the couch. Depressed to be back in real life, and totally exhausted. The rest of this story is not so funny. And makes me cry to type it.

At approximately 12:20 am, my brother called, who had been watching our one year old black lab. She had been hit by a car at my parents house and he had her at the emergency vet. I immediately asked him how bad it was. He thought it was only a broken leg. The vet called us after x rays and an exam. Not good news at all. Our little Stella Bella had a fractured pelvis, fractured spine, fractured nose, a black eye, bruised lungs, brain trauma, and a misformed vertibrae which had caused her back legs to go out five or six times prior to this accident. She was alert, but in a lot of pain. We were devestated. We decided to go to bed and try to get some sleep since we could not do anything til morning anyway.

The next morning, all I wanted to do was call my parents to ask them what to do. They were in Lake Powell, out of cell service. Talk about testing our marriage right out of the gates. It was the hardest decision we have ever had to make, by ourselves, or together. We visited her on Sunday and the vet had hope. But Monday things went down hill. I went with my dad to the vet to see her on Monday morning. We talked to the vet, and got a second opinion. She was in so much pain, even on pain meds, that she would howl every time she moved. It was heartbreaking.

At about 11:30 am on Monday, July 27th, our little Stella Bella, the bad run away dog, went to doggy heaven. Peacefully and with tons of love.

You don't realize how much a part of your life dogs are. And those who have never had a dog in their lives will probably never understand. But it's like a piece of you is broken and missing. Everytime I come home, there is no little black being running to the door to greet me. No little puppy head in the shower licking the water off of my legs. No dog to bark back at me when I tell her to come. No one sleeping under my feet at my office.

Our little Stella Bella was a milestone in our relationship. We picked her together and raised her together. And last week we had to let her go together. She will always be a part of us, but we will pick our hearts up and move on together, forever holding onto her memory.

Rest in peace my little Stella Bella bad dog.

Crowded Roller Coasters with No Safety Equipment

Apparently I forgot to mention, WE ARE MARRIED!!

But as important as that is, and as much fun as we had on the big day, this honeymoon stuff is so much more fun!! Eleven days in Mexico!!

We are in Puerto Vallarta and totally enjoying ourselves. We were here in January, and so we had already figured the city out a little bit. We ride the local bus everywhere. Except when we were coming back from Wal Mart because we had a bunch of groceries. These local buses are kind of like roller coaster rides. Crowded roller coasters with no safety equipment. Fun right?! It really is.

When we booked our honeymoon we had all these grand plans to go on excursions and adventures. And guess what? We have not done any of them. We have literally done nothing. Laying on the beach and going in the pool, and going into town for dinner pretty much consumes are days. I forgot to mention sleeping til noon. Yeah, tough life, I know.

We were sitting under our palapa yesterday, contemplating an adventure for today, and I suggested massages. Adam was unsure as he had never had one before. I called to set up an appointment at a local spa, and the price shocked me. I mean, it is Mexico and all, but really? $35 per person?? For 75 minutes?? That's a fricken steal! So we booked them and headed into town this morning. After coffee, a delicious breakfast, and wandering around a town a bit we found the massage place. I could tell Adam was nervous, but he played along. He enjoyed it too I think. It was getting hot after our massage so we headed back to the condo on the bus for a siesta.

The wedding was a success, rain and all; our honeymoon is perfect. Today, as we start our new life together, we could not be happier. That glow they talk about could be from the sunburns but I'm pretty sure it's coming from the inside. Our eyes are bright, our skin smells of sunscreen, and our bellies are full. La vida es buena en mexico!

Dear Facebook, You suck.

Dear Facebook,

You Suck.

Love,

Jessica Can'twaittobe(insertnewlastnamehere)



Today I went on to Facebook to change my name so my middle name said "cantwaittobe(insertnewlastnamehere)". Facebook, in a big red box, informed me that I was now blocked from changing my name for two weeks because one request had already been rejected.

Um, Facebook, my wedding is in TEN DAYS! That is four days shorter than two weeks. So, um, how in the holy hell am I supposed to change my current last name to my new last name when I get married??? Because everyone knows, that is one of the things you must do immediately after saying I Do!

I suppose, thanks to Facebook's lock out, I will have to not only wait two weeks, but also wait another week, until I get back from our honeymoon.

Thanks a lot Facebook. You suck.

Come out of black out only to walk down the aisle and marry the man of my dreams

"Chaos in the world brings uneasiness, but it also allows the opportunity for creativity and growth."

My life feels a little chaotic. Can you tell by the time between posts? Um. Yeah.

Here is just a glimpse into the chaos that I call my world:


It may not look as crazy as it feels. I feel like I'm being pulled in two different directions (or more). I feel extremely excited to be getting married. I love Adam with my whole heart, and couldn't dream of spending forever with anyone else. I'm not nervous about being married. However, I'm a nervous wreck about the wedding. The actual event scares the living hell out of me. Walking down the aisle in front of 200+ people, makes me want to throw up a little. I have butterflies just thinking about it. Being the center of attention for probably 48 full hours, makes me want to poke myself in the eye with a sharp stick.

So, here is my plan for the morning of the wedding, to hopefully curb my nerves.

Step one: Get up early, since I probably won't be sleeping anyway.

Step two: Yoga with Aunt Vin and bridesmaids in order to find some sort of center.

Step three: Lock the door after Aunt Vin leaves, so no one else can enter.

Step four: Take a long hot shower inside a locked bathroom, as to have no interuptions.

Step five: Pour a large mimosa. Recipe-champagne, orange juice, and pineapple juice (pineapple juice is key to cover up the taste of alcohol).

Step six: Black out mentally to deal with the stress of the morning.

Step seven: Come out of black out only to walk down the aisle and marry the man of my dreams.

Sounds good right? I thought so.

Oh and just to add to my stress, I decided a month ago that I was going to run a 5 mile race on the fourth of July.

P.S. I have never run in my life until the month of June. Awesome.

Say yes to the dress.

With six weeks to go, I thought it was time to debut the dress.

Please ignore the fact that the picture quality is terrible, it's in a dressing room, and I look nervous as all hell. Oh and now I'm minus a few pounds.

Waterproof mascara? I think so.

This year is a big year for my family. Tomorrow is a big day. 

My baby brother, 

my little man, 

my little Jackie,

 is graduating from high school tomorrow. 

I cannot believe it. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. I couldn't be more proud of his success, and wish I could have been more like him. His admittance into the engineering program at University of Colorado at Boulder and his $8,000! in scholarships make me swell with pride. 

With pomp and circumstance playing over the speaker system in the same gym that I walked in, I? Will be bawling my big sister eyes out. 

Waterproof mascara? I think so. 

She's my aunt not my mom

Aunt Katydidnot is amazing, and definitely the best aunt ever.

It's my birthday today and I feel blessed to have her in my life, even though she is way too far away.

Go here. Everything you will ever want to know about me and who made me who I am. It's there. In her words.

Thanks Aunt Katie. I love you.

Oh and p.s. she's my aunt not my mom.

58 days before my wedding

SAN DIEGO HERE I COME.

I'm getting married in 78 days, and the best. aunt. ever. (aunt vin, you are also the best aunt ever) just bought me a ticket to see her in May. I fly out May 14th, which is approximately 58 days before my wedding and come home May 18th, 53 days before the big day. Who's counting? Really?

Not only this, but she is also planning me a bridal shower, with a bunch of women I have never met, and a few friends that I've known since I was barely walking, 20 years before the wedding. I think the women who I've never met will be the best part. For some reason I find it very intriguing to go to a bridal shower with a bunch of strangers. Maybe I'm the strange one.

This fizzy shower (probably literal) will go down on May 16th, 55 days before the big day.

So, as I count the days til my nuptials, I will also start a shorter shower countdown. 21 days til California and the best. aunt. ever (tied with aunt vin of course).

For Everything There Is A Season...

It only took me four and a half years, two of those working full time, taking online classes (21 credit hours each semester).

Although I bitched and complained, that it would not be worth it, it sure feels good to have it.

Thanks Mommy and Daddy for supporting me through all the crap. It was worth it.

I really like the idea of eating California rolls

This is from the Facebook note that is spreading around the cyber world that asks you to write 25 random things about yourself. I tried to resist the peer pressure. Back bone gave out.

1. I don't believe in romantic things. Their intentions are usually not true.

2. I am a sucker for a tall man with baggy jeans around his butt, and a sideways flat billed new era hat.

3. Crunchy peanut butter and raspberry jam (without the seeds) sandwiches have a special place in my heart.

4. I was blonde for a minute, and when I tried wedding dresses on, I realized I just wasn't being true to myself. I am a redhead inside and out.

5. On July 11, 2009, I will inherit two nephews, three brothers in law, and four sisters in law, and they have become like blood relatives to me.

6. I have to shower everyday. period. no exceptions.

7. I am a taurus and a redhead, and that makes me eternally stubborn.

8. I once threw an alarm clock at my dad and ripped my aunt kate's silk shirt, and broke wine glasses.

9. When it's my birthday, I let everyone know how many days til my birthday for the month leading up to it, and celebrate for a week afterwards.

10. I HATE the seams on socks. They MUST be straight across my toes, and my shoes have to be a half size too big, or i FREAK out. STUPID SOCKS.

11. I graduated from college from CU in December. I took classes online while I worked a full time job. It was the hardest and the best thing I have ever done for myself.

12. I believe in something bigger than me, but I'm not sure what it is yet.

13. Some people say that I'm "fake responsible".

14. When someone gives me a time to meet them, they should just tell me thirty minutes earlier than the actual time, because I'm consistantly late to everything.

15. I force myself to like sushi because I really like the idea of eating California rolls.

16. I wish I was happy with my body.

17. I found a wedding dress that I never ever thought I would like, and ending up loving it.

18. Dirty dishes drive me up the wall, but i hate cleaning them. Thus leading to a sink full of dirty dishes.

19. I want at least four children. So does Adam. I wonder if we will change our mind when we have one.

20. I love love love Christmas, but I don't like the pressure when you have to open presents in front of a bunch of people.

21. I have a black lab puppy, and she is my best friend. Truly.

22. One of the things I regret most is that I have let friendships from college slip away.

23. One of the things I am most grateful for in my life, is that I am still friends with the girls from pre school.

24. My aunt Kate is my best friend. She moved away and broke my heart.

25. This was a lot harder than I expected it to be.