our first year....

before we went to eat

Okay, I know I am long overdue for an update so here we go. Last Monday, Jordan and I celebrated our first year of marriage together!!! It was a lot of fun! Due to the fact that we are saving a big down payment for our house come next May, we decided just to go out to eat and spend the “big one year” in Birmingham. Jordan made the day extremely special! Unfortunately, my husband’s wallet gets hit big time for the month of December. Our anniversary is December 15th, Christmas of course is December 25th, and then last but not least my birthday is December 31st. Needless to say, my poor husband goes broke on just buying for me for the month of December. Okay on to what Jordan got me for all these days…haha!! Last year, when I received my wedding set, Jordan and I had decided that we would upgrade it eventually not knowing that it was going to come this soon. So Jordan re-made my wedding set into a completely different setting for my anniversary, Christmas, and birthday gift. He upgraded the center stone for me as well. He is just too sweet and too much!!! So needless to say, for everybody that knows me really well, knows that I absolutely LOVE my gift!!!! I know a lot of you are questioning how he surprised me with this, and to be honest, I knew he was doing this, but I did not know what to expect nor how it was going to look. I absolutely LOVE and ADORE my new wedding set!!! I posted pictures above of the anniversary night:) Now onto more important things and what Christmas is really about. I think it is absolutely fitting that Christmas follows Thanksgiving. I don’t ever want to forget to give thanks to our Savior that was born to take the sins of the world upon Himself so that we can spend this time to reflect and share with family and friends. I am so thankful for my family and the time we have to spend together over the holidays! I do hope all of you readers out there have a very Merry Christmas! And don’t forget the real reason why we give gifts at Christmas because the greatest gift of all gifts was given to us (a Savior which is Christ the Lord)! Merry Christmas:)

Heal our Land...

and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14

Oh God, how we need healing in our land now more than ever. I know we don't deserve God's mercy at all, for all our country has done is turn our back on God. We murder babies, take prayer out of schools, and now we're going into this new presidency with a muslim president who believes in partial-birth abortions. Our country needs prayer desperately, and we need to turn back to what we were founded on which is Godly morals and principles. I really can't say anything else except that I pray God has mercy on us again!!!

A little bit of Everything....

Okay so I am back to the blogging world. I know it has been a long time since I have blogged so I have lots to share. My travel season is going well with Southeastern. I am still in the middle of the season, but it is coming to an end very quickly. Just to update some of you readers out there, I posted not too long ago that Jordan and I have a possible job transfer to Nashville, Tennessee come May of next year well in the meantime because our apartment lease has ended, we have moved in with my parents into their basement until we have a definite “You are going to Nahville”. So this past weekend was spent moving everything we own and putting it in storage so now it seems like we are pretty much settled in to our basement apartment, but we are still working on some things. I am however, thankful we are out of apartment living for now. I know some people enjoy living in apartments, but I for one am not one of those people. It was a very temporary arrangement for Jordan and I, and we are glad to be out of it. The reason for this move to my parent’s house is we really do not know where we are going to end up come next May so we did not want to be stuck in a housing situation especially the way the real estate market is going right now so again another very temporary arrangement for us at this time. I absolutely cannot wait to just know where we are going. I am really counting down the days to the big move whether it be here or Nashville. I know once the holidays get here (which are coming really fast by the way) it’s pretty much downhill from there. Yay for the holidays coming!!!!

Okay on to other important things. I just wanted to share my opinion about this presidential election our country is facing. It is so scary to think that Obama might be the next President of the United States. He is a complete Socialist through and through and that scares me to pieces. I am however putting this entire election in God’s hands trusting that He will have mercy on our country yet another time. I don’t blame God for possibly wanting to take His hand off our nation one bit. I mean we have aborted 4 million babies in this year alone. We have taken His name out of everything. It would not surprise me if God is ready to place Obama in the presidency to send us toward the end times. According to the Bible, there is no America in existence in the end times. I believe that if Obama is elected as president, we are headed that way into a “No America”. I for one absolutely love Sarah Palin!!! If only John McCain had the enthusiasm and directness that she has, I believe the polls would be turned around. She doesn’t take crap from anybody, and I love that about her and that’s what we need. I would love to see Sarah and Obama go after it in a debate!! I am not saying this just because she is a female. I am saying this because I am praying that John McCain will pick up on these traits and attack his opponent the way he needs to. I got so frustrated watching the 2^nd presidential debate last night. Neither candidate gave me a direct answer as to what their plan is for the bailout situation, healthcare, and economy in general. We need to stay over in Iraq because the job is not finished over there. Obama wants to take the soldiers out, and the soldiers are wanting to stay there because they know it is not finished. All Obama wants to do is go after Osama Bin Laden which I am for doing also, but we can’t leave Iraq in the condition that it is in. UGH!!! I could go on, but for the sake of my readers, I won’t. We just really need to be on our knees praying that God will have mercy on our country for a little longer. If you’re not registered to vote, get registered!!!! We need Voters!!! Republican Voters at that!!! So sorry for the lengthy blog!

Taking A Break.....

Okay so I just wanted to inform all of our readers that I will be taking a break from blogging due to the fact that I have started my travel season with my job this week. It is going to be crazy over the next couple of weeks with seven college fairs within a four day period. I just wanted to explain for the delay that is about to come:) I am, however, really excited about getting to travel and not be stuck behind a desk all day!!!:) So I promise to blog by the third week of September that is when I will actually get a breather. Thank you for your patience as well as your understanding…haha!!!!

Happy Birthday To You!!!

On our way home!!

Leaving Brio and on our way to the Cheesecake Factory for dessert

Jordan and me waiting for our order to be taken at Brio's

There's the birthday boy!!!


Okay so just wanted to give you the weekly update. Sorry it is a little late. Jordan’s birthday was Monday, August 18^th so we decided to celebrate it the weekend before. We had a delightful meal at Brio and then went on to the Cheesecake Factory for dessert. I also got him some clothes for his birthday. He is one spoiled hubby that is for sure. The sad part is- he knows it!! So anyways, then Sunday we went over to his parents house for his family birthday lunch. We just decided how we would spend out birthday dates because his birthday came before mine. We made an agreement to spend one night celebrating our birthdays together by ourselves and then hook up with the family and do whatever they want to do for our birthdays another night. It’s amazing how you have to appease the parties that are involved when you get married. I personally miss being single sometimes due to this particular part. Anyways, we had a great time, and I absolutely love it when my husband tells me it is the best birthday he has ever had!! Love you Baby and Happy Birthday even though it is a couple of days later now. Hope you enjoy the pictures!! They were taken to sum up the birthday event!!!

Beach Weekend!!!

Kelsey, Me, Keli, and Jessica at LuLu's

Me and Kelsey enjoying the sun!!

Model pose from the sisters!!

Just a little update on what’s been happening in my life lately. I just got back from the beach this past Sunday with my sisters and a good friend. It was soo much fun and a much needed relaxing trip. Lately I have been stressed out at work with the enrollment being down and then Jordan and I are experiencing a change in living location. Our apartment lease is up at the beginning of October so we will be moving into my parent’s basement for six months while we are waiting on a job transfer to take place. So you can imagine how stressed out I have been with these changes. I really feel like I am so stressed because I do not necessarily like these changes that are coming about. Anyways, back to the beach trip, I am so glad I got to spend some quality time with my sisters!! It’s funny now that everyone is married except for my youngest sister, we realize how much time we do not get to spend together much less see each other. I will tell you one thing, I am personally tired of eating. It seems like we were eating every chance we got too which when you are on vacation is most of the time. I was so ready to get back and get back to my usual workout and eating schedule. But I do miss the beach and the simple life as some call it. I have posted some pictures above from the weekend. Until next time, Love you guys!!!!

And The Weddings Just Keep On Coming...

My funny hubby and me!!

The Ziermans and the Bankstons


Okay so I know it has been a while since I have blogged, I am so sorry. Jordan and I live a very busy life. It’s amazing how working full time for both of us and Jordan going to grad school part time takes a whole day or even a whole week up before you know it. Jordan and I live for the weekends!!! We get so excited about Friday because that means Saturday is coming which in turn tends to be a restful day sometimes. Over the course of our busy weeks, we have managed to take the time to attend some weddings on Saturdays. This past Saturday, as most of you know, was Tim and Stephanie Zierman’s wedding. It was absolutely beautiful!! Jordan and I had a great time catching up with some friends we had not seen for about a month. Stephanie was beautiful, and she looked so very happy and glowing the entire time. It’s so funny because you will go to some weddings, and you can tell by the time the reception comes around that the bride is just exhausted, but Stephanie held it together and didn’t look a bit tired although I know she was. I have a few wedding pics above to basically sum up Jordan and my time at the wedding.


Most of you know my brother-in-law (Jonathan) is engaged to my best friend (Brittany), and they are getting married on March 7, 2009. Well Sunday we ordered the bridesmaid dresses!!! YAY!!! She has officially decided on a color and a dress!! I am so excited about this due to the intense searching for the perfect dress and the flip-flopping of the color every couple of days….haha!! I love you Brittany, and I know you will read this so I am just as excited as you are about the official decision. Let me explain my future sister-in-law for a second, Brittany loves a lot of things and all of them are very different. She is not the type of bride that goes into the wedding planning knowing what she wants and the colors she wants it in. Picking her bridal gown was the easy part for her, but the bridesmaid dresses presented a challenge because she liked most of the dresses in the store…haha!!! But I am so happy for her and so excited about being a part of her special day!! She is so very sweet and doesn’t like to hurt anybody’s feelings which in turn leads to indecisiveness, but she would not be Brittany if she did not have this particular quality about her. Love you Girl!!! You thought I was excited about the wedding before, I am even more excited about it now!!!!

Weekend, Movie, and Pool fun!!!

I wish there was more to blog about, but fortunately, I finally had a restful weekend. It seems like Jordan and I have been running around like a chicken with its head cut off ever since summer got here. We have had the joy of going to lots of weddings for our dear friends, and we have finally got it down to one more wedding for the summer. By the way, because I know Stephanie reads my blog, I am sooooooo excited about your wedding and I am looking forward to it!! So back to the weekend, Jordan and I had a restful yet fun weekend. We actually got to go on a date Friday night. We went to dinner and a movie, and yes, the movie was the DARK KNIGHT!! I must say, it was a good movie, but honestly it was a little too long for me. I mean I don’t mind two hour movies, but when you get into 2 ½ to 3 hour movies, you really lose me. For one thing, my butt was hurting from sitting in a chair that long even if it is a comfortable movie seat. I just can’t sit that long maybe because I am A.D.D. when it comes to sitting and focusing for a long time…haha!! No I am really not A.D.D. I just don’t like focusing and thinking about a movie plot for that long. Anyways, it was a good movie overall and is definitely worth seeing. I definitely enjoyed Friday night just being with my man! We tend to want to hang out in groups a lot or should I say, go out with other couples a lot which is fine, but every couple needs a night to themselves. Saturday was spent working out and going to the pool!!! Woohoo!! I love the pool and laying out in the sun! I am getting ready to go to the beach for the weekend of August 8^th so I am needing as much sun as I can get before the trip comes along. However, I do go to the tanning bed, but the tanning bed doesn’t tan you as dark like the sun does. I also love laying out with my girl friends. My soon sister-in-law to be came over and my little sister (Kelsey) so we had lots of fun girl talking and soaking in some rays. Anyways, I will quit boring you with this blog. I know it was just a bunch of rambling on about the weekend. Just thought I would catch everybody up on my life!! Until next time!! See ya!!

Wedding and engagement fun!!

Me and Jordan at the reception!

Me and Kristle at her wedding reception!

Well this weekend was quite eventful with another weekend of wedding fun. Saturday a good friend from high school (Kristle Swann) got married!! I have to say this was one of the prettiest weddings I have ever been too! The reception was gorgeous!! I love going to weddings, but there is one thing I don’t like about it. Now that I am married I can no longer pick out ideas for what I would want for my wedding, but now I go to weddings and critique what I would have done differently. Nevertheless, I loved my wedding, but I would have changed a few things and done some things differently. I have posted some pictures of the fun event for those of you who were not there and do not know her.

Okay now on to more wedding things. My brother-in-law got engaged to my best friend over the weekend!!! WOOHOO!! I am so excited so now I am in another wedding for March of 2009. I am so excited for them!! They have been dating for a long time and are finally engaged. I wish I had a picture of them to post but oh well, I am sure you will see lots of pictures coming up on facebook of all the wedding events that will be taking place over the course of this year and next year. Oh yeah, I must explain the story. My brother-in-law (Jonathan) introduced Jordan and I to his girlfriend about 3 months after Jordan and I had started dating. Come to find out I graduated high school with her and cheered with her in high school so we reunited and have been best friends ever since. I just wanted to wish them a congratulations through my blog because I know they read it. So to Brittany and Jonathan…I love you guys, and I wish you all the happiness in the world!! I am so excited to share in this moment with you and the moments to come!

And we're back......

I promised I would write after the 4^th of July holiday so here I am!! We had a really eventful weekend with all the family stuff. I have to admit, I kinda miss the days when you just had to spend time with your family….ya know the single life days. But now that there is two of us, we do the whole families fighting over who will get to see who routine. I dread holiday weekends for that reason. Each family demands our time and before we know it, our long extended weekends become short regular weekends. Friday we spent the day in Cullman with Jordan’s family. Every year they have their annual cookout, and we’re expected to be there the whole day for that. Then of course, my family wants to see us too so we spent Saturday afternoon at their house and cooked out again. I am okay if I don’t see another piece of barbeque for a while!! Don’t get me wrong, I love spending time with our families…the problem comes when our families only live an hour away from each other, and they want our time all in the same day!! The good thing about it is my family tends to be more flexible with holiday weekends. We don’t have to celebrate any holiday on the day it is supposed to be celebrated. We are just fine celebrating it a day after or even a week after. Thank you Mom and Dad for your flexibility!! So needless to say, this weekend was not all that restful, but we did have fun! On a serious note, I do ask that all you readers out there be praying for Jordan and I as we are coming up on some major life decisions here within the next month. Jordan and I have decided to fast this one out in regards to we really just need to hear from the Lord on what to do. We are at the point where we don’t know what God is doing around us, and we are just riding along in the chaos. So I went to Jordan this weekend with the suggestion of we needed to fast and pray for direction and clarity. So that’s exactly what we’re doing. We’re praying for wisdom, direction, and purpose. I am a firm believer that God will speak if you give an ear to hear so that is what we are doing. We are fasting two things that consume our time, and we are giving God our ears to hear and our eyes to see. In due time, I know He will reveal Himself to us and just let us know that we are going to be okay, and He is in control amongst the chaos going on around us. So for those of you who are in this same predicament in your married life or soon to be married life, I am praying for you too. I am praying that God will show Himself to you in a way that you have never seen Him before. Just as I am hoping He is going to do with Jordan and I. I am requesting that God just really shows up and that it is evident and that He is evidently here carrying us through.

I am so sorry:(

For those of you who are patiently awaiting my next blog, keep waiting…haha!! I am so sorry for taking as much time as I have. Jordan and I have been super busy that I have not had the time to blog it all yet. I promise it is coming, and I will blog everything after the 4^th of July holiday, and I will hopefully have some pictures as well!! I am off work tomorrow so I get to start my 4^th of July holiday early so we will get back to you guys on Monday. Again, I apologize for the delay.

Waiting on the future and adjusting until it gets here...

I titled this blog “Waiting on the future and adjusting until it gets here” because that is exactly what Jordan and I are experiencing right now. Jordan is working so hard trying to fly through Grad school just so we can make it to the next phase of our life and that is starting our family. I really cannot even begin to explain how much his hard work means to me. It’s just so hard waiting for time to pass by. I mean we know where we’re going and where we want to be, but it’s just not the time for those things yet. However, as much as I complain about the learning process, I am learning and adjusting to a lot within my first year of marriage. I know that’s what the “first year of marriage is all about” adjusting to things you’re not used to. I personally believe “adjusting” is what I am going to be doing for the rest of my life not just my first year of marriage. I mean the next phase is kids and that is a big adjustment, and I have to say one that I am extremely ready for. Then of course, I will always be adjusting to my husband being an accountant. They always work really odd hours anyway. I know I am speaking to all the wives when I say I will always be adjusting to being a caregiver. I mean I really do feel like a maid sometimes when I work eight hours a day and then come home and work another four hours with cooking dinner and cleaning up and then comes laundry after that. I find myself not getting to relax until it is time for bed. I know it sounds like I am complaining from the tone of this blog, but I really do enjoy being a wife. I know I am going to enjoy being a mother even more. In the meantime, adjusting to change is not always easy, but it’s worth it all in the end. It’s funny because when your past this point and you reflect back on changes, you seem to find yourself saying, “I am glad that is over, or I would do that again to get to this point where I am now”. So to my husband who will be reading this at some point in time, I really do appreciate you working full-time and going to school part-time. I feel like I am doing the exact same thing just in a different way. Just like you tell me all the time, everything is going to be worth it in the end. Thank you for all you do and all you’re going to do in the near future. I love you and bring on the changes!!!

Oh for the love of fun weekends....

Me and Magen (the brides maid to be) at the lingerie shower!

Me and Stephie (the bride to be) at her lingerie shower!

Blake's first tractor ride!

The after effects of your first birthday cake!!

Blake letting us know that he has arrived and waving to the camera!!



Well this past weekend was busy as usual, but I had some fun times with family and friends. Saturday was the start to the really fun day!! First, we had my nephew’s first birthday party. I know I had posted about two weeks ago about my other nephew’s first birthday party that we had. The issue is Logan and Blake are three weeks apart so we will have these back to back birthday parties for a while until they get old enough to not care about partying. Anyways, Blake’s birthday party was this weekend at Oak Mountain State Park. We had a blast, and as you can tell by the pictures, Blake had a blast as well. I just think he is sooo cute in his little swim shorts. I know all of you bloggers who have nieces and nephews probably think yours are sooo cute, but I must say, I have all of ya’ll beat. Mine are the cutest little things God created, but I just love little people (babies and toddlers) in general. After our fun in the sun day at Oak Mountain, I had a lingerie shower to get to. My very good friend Stephanie is getting married in a couple of months. I cannot believe we are almost to the wedding date, and I know she cannot believe it either….haha!! Anyways, she got a lot of good stuff. Lingerie showers are my favorite!! I love to see what the bride gets so I can go out and get some more good stuff of whatever I saw that I liked at the shower. I know I ask so many questions at these things, but now you know why so I can know where it came from. Anyways, all in all, it was a great weekend!! Lots of fun and loss of sleep which I am now needing to make up. Until next time, love you guys!!!

Grad School Here We Come....

Well Jordan has officially started Grad school. I am so proud of him!! He has had 4 quizzes so far and has made a perfect score on all 4. Yaaaayyyy Honey!!! I am so proud of you! I am really excited that he has decided to get on the ball with the whole Grad school thing because this is going to allow me to be at home with our kids. No, there are not any kids yet. Our plan is to start next June. Jordan will have his Master’s degree by then, and it just seems like the best timing for the whole situation. Plus, we told ourselves we would start trying to have kids after a year and a half of marriage so, so far we are on schedule…haha!! You know how I am with schedules. Another motto I like to live by is “There is a time and a plan for everything”. Of course, this is all up to God’s timing, and His timing is so not my timing, but we are at peace that this time next year would be a good time for us to start the family plan. One thing I have had to learn to be patient about is getting to spend quality time with Jordan. He is currently studying at night because he has to work during the day so this cuts into our nightly t.v. programs we usually watch together. I have to admit it was hard at first, but I know in the end this is all going to be worth it for us. So for right now I am watching our shows by myself and filling Jordan in every commercial…haha!! I know this situation is only for a time, and soon we will be watching everything together for years to come. So to Jordan who is more than likely going to read this, Keep up the good work and know that I love you so much and I am so very proud of you!!

To the busy weekends....

Logan eating his first birthday cake!!


Okay. So I know it has been a while on the blog thing. I was really good at posting at first, but now I am getting really bad at it so I promise to get better. This weekend was definitely fun-filled and very busy. Friday night I had a girl’s night out with Jennifer Martin Burks and Kelsey Hoffman (my little sister.) It was a really good time just catching up with Jen and what she thinks of married life so far and her honeymoon, etc. Saturday was my nephew Logan’s first birthday party. He is so cute and made it through his first year of life. They say the first year is the hardest on anything so I am glad to see he made it!! Then Sunday rolls around, and Jordan and I attended his family reunion. That of course was fun, meeting a lot of people you do not know that is. I say this with all the sarcasm in the world. It was just okay. First of all, it was in the 90 degree heat so you can imagine how hot we were. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the entire day was outside. But anyways, it was nice however to see where Jordan comes from as far as his family history and dwelling is concerned. I know most of you know this, but Jordan and I are like day and night. This family reunion proved that to me more than ever. His side of the family comes from deep country roots, whereas, my side of the family is “city-fied” through and through. I know most of you that know me really well know that I do not do country too well at all. Overall, I did learn a lot this weekend about Jordan and how different we really are, but somehow we do love each other so very much. So Jordan if you do get around to reading this, I do not know how we got together, but I am so glad we did and no matter how redneck you become I will still love you just the same.

Jordan and I on our date/movie night!!

So to all my blog readers, I am so sorry for not posting for a while. Things have been very hectic around the Bankston household since Jennifer Burk’s wedding. Now that things are somewhat back to normal, I will catch you up. This weekend we took a trip back home for me to Memphis, Tennessee. It felt so good to be home!! We have not been back since Christmas so the reason why I say it was for me is because it was a much needed trip for me. We really just had a blast with a fun-filled family weekend. Friday was spent basically just traveling. We got off to a late start due to the fact that we locked our keys in the car with my 11 month old nephew still inside of the car. That was a good start to the trip. Thank God he is such a laid back baby. When we finally got the car open, he was asleep in his carseat. Although I would probably be asleep to if I had to entertain myself for an hour with nobody to talk to. Saturday morning and afternoon was spent doing fun and girly stuff. We had a cookout Saturday evening, and I went fishing for the first time in my life. I know that is so hard to believe, but I really did. I so will get pictures of that on here soon. Sunday was a date/movie night for Jordan and I as well as my sister (Keli) and bother-in-law (Ben). We went to Carrabas to eat dinner, and then we went to see “Iron Man”. So I have to say, I was not exactly thrilled about seeing “Iron Man”. It was an okay movie. I told Jordan I did not like it. Although, he knows this anyway because I was talking throughout the movie just asking questions I really did not even care about, but I tend to do that when the movie is boring to me. It’s really a good thing in a way because Jordan thinks I am really into the movie and trying to figure out what is going on…..haha!! My husband is so clueless sometimes, but boy do I love him. So overall, this weekend was a busy and fun weekend. I got to spend lots of time with my sweet husband away from our normal everyday life so that is always good! It’s amazing how different things are when you are away from home and your normal routine. You actually get to relax together and take each other in. It seems like when you’re home, you find things to do that need to get done, or you’re cleaning up after everything and everyone. So to my husband who will be reading this, I had a great weekend with you just relaxing and spending quality time with you!! I love you!!

What an eventful weekend....

Jennifer and myself at her wedding! What a pretty bride!!

Well this weekend was a very eventful weekend! I was in a really good friend’s wedding! It was so much fun, and Jennifer Martin Burks if you happen to read this when you get back from your honeymoon, you were an absolutely stunning and gorgeous bride!! As I was saying, my weekend was very busy yet exciting because I was able to catch up with high school friends that I had not seen in a while. Jennifer and I graduated from high school together so we have a lot of mutual friends, and our mutual friends along with us are very good at attending things that involve life milestone changes and events. This blog is more or less written for Jennifer to congratulate her on her new life with Kaleb and to let her know Jordan and I will be praying for you as ya’ll make this transition together. It’s a fun transition, and I hope you guys experience nothing but happiness from this point out. I love you girl!!

The Farewell Dinner...

A picture of Amanda Harshman and I on Mother's day!

So last night, I had to say good-bye to a dear friend:( The only good thing about the night was we had a wonderful, yummy meal at Brio!! I have to say the good-bye I could have done without. After all the tears were poured, I think it has finally hit me today that we will no longer get to hang out with each other. She is leaving for Lexington, Kentucky. I am so very proud of her and all the things she has accomplished. So Amanda, if you are reading this, I know Samford University was a hard road to travel, but I am so proud of you girl for persevering. You are such an encouragement to me, and I will miss you so much. I absolutely hate good-byes, but I know you will be back to visit me from time to time as well as me visiting you. I love you and good luck in Lexington. I will be praying for you!!!

Getting Organzied in the Kitchen....

Me and Keli (my OCD sister....haha)

So I am currently working on getting organized in my kitchen with my recipes. I love to cook, and I know you are going to find this hard to believe, but I really do cook every night with the exception of Fridays and Sundays. Jordan made it very clear to me when we got married that he hates eating out and likes to eat at home. Knowing all of this, we worked out a deal that I would be in the kitchen 5 nights a week, and we would eat out the other 2 nights. I personally don’t mind being in the kitchen cooking after coming home from work, but when Friday gets here, I am officially sick of being in the kitchen and cooking and want to be taken out. You might be asking the question of why Jordan doesn’t help me out and cook for me? You see, we tried that. Jordan did try to cook for me shortly after we were married. Unfortunately, my husband is a terrible cook, and he is a terrible cleaner upper too. I know he does not mind me blogging this because he would tell you openly if he could. Anyways, I have asked him to stay out of the kitchen and please do not clean up whatsoever…haha!! Besides the fact, that the kitchen is my domain anyway, and a place where Jordan can find me, but I want to be in there doing things myself. Another good thing about this is I get full credit after the meal and lots of thank yous:) Okay I did not mean to get on a rabbit trail. I am trying to get organized as far as my recipes are concerned. Right now, my recipes (the so called “family recipes”) are written on notebook paper and stuck in a cabinet which is hard for me to find a specific recipe, but now I have accumulated so many that I have to thumb through them every time I would like to use one of them. I recently went to my sister’s house and saw that she has a binder with all her recipes nicely typed and color coded. I decided that I was not going to be that OCD, but I was perfectly capable of typing my recipes and putting them in a binder. The color coding was a little much for me. I figured instead of throwing the recipes in a cabinet, I could pull out my beautiful binder, and it would create cabinet space for me. Okay, I might get a little OCD and buy the transparent paper protectors or pockets whichever you like to call them. Anyways, I don’t want you to get too excited for me. After all, this is a slow process due to the fact that there are so many recipes, and I do have a life outside of getting organized. Okay I am done explaining my process however, I would like to thank my sister Keli for her great example and influence and now my life will be much more consumed with busy work:)

So I'm now a BLOGGER....

So I had a really good friend of mine tell me I should start blogging so she could keep up with me. All in all, I thought it was a good idea so I was like what the heck. I was a little hesitant getting one due to the fact that I am terrible with technology and computers. However, thanks to another really good friend I am now fully capable of writing new entries and loading pictures. Thank you Katy for helping me get my page started, and thank you Magen for telling me to do so (haha). Some of you are probably wondering why I chose the template for my page. Although, if you know me really well you would think that it was an obvious choice for me. I absolutely love diamonds, and I expect them every Christmas (haha). No not really. I do happen to get them every once in awhile. I love things that sparkle. My motto is "If my outfit doesn't sparkle than my jewelry has got to". It's a really good motto to live by, and I apply it to every day usage. So I hope you enjoy my diamond page. Check in with me often. I am sure I have some good and juicy stories to tell about my life. I pretty much live my life as an open book anyway. So I promise if you tune in, I will keep you fully aware:) Until next time!!


Kari