Top 10,

Our Top 10 Places we want to experience:
(In no particular order)
1-Ireland.
My husband is Irish so we definitely want to experience this beautiful country someday soon. We were originally planning a huge family trip in 2011 but this economy just isn't allowing it. 2012 maybe? Hopefully.2-New York City.
I want to experience the New York Minute so badly.
Our friends, Tiff and Galen went a while back.
Ever since then, I find myself randomly browsing through her trip pictures on Facebook.
Its so beautiful.
The city of lights. The city of dreams.
The city that never sleeps.
We definitely want to go to the Big Apple someday.3-Mexico.
This is mainly me. Blake's been, but I have not.
I definitely want to go with him someday.
Preferably to a nice resort somewhere. All inclusive.
Where the drinks keep flowing.4-Italy.
Can you say class.
We would love to run away and experience the culture, history, and art of Italy.
*Sigh* Someday.5-Australia.
Good day, Mate.
A coworker of mine ran away to Australia last year for two weeks and it changed her life completely.
We want to go so bad.6-Costa Rica.
Again, our friends went, and their pictures of this place...Amazing!
Geeze, we would love to go!
Hike through the wilderness and chill on the beaches.7-Africa.
I love Africa.
I love the culture, and African art is my absolute favorite. I can't get enough of it.
Look through our home and you'll see African masks, statues, and paintings throughout.
We really want to go on safari. And do some volunteer work someday.
We've always talked about utilizing Blake's nursing degree in Africa.
Run away for a month and work among the African people.
Blake...nursing. Me...tagging along for the ride.
Oh how I love this rich and beautiful land.
I love hearing stories of Africa from my brother-in-law.
It awes me. Someday. I wish.8-Japan.
This is Blake's.
Blake loves Japanese art and history.
And it truly is beautiful. So delicate, yet complex.
Everything.
Such a beautiful, distinct, and precise land.9-Hawaii.
Because our Honeymoon was our most memorable and favorite time together.
We want to go back. Do some island hopping. Snorkeling.
And maybe I can gather up the courage to attempt surfing with Blake someday.10-Havasupai.
I've been to this beautiful reservation twice.
This place is amazing.
Waterfalls everywhere. Nature-made water slides.
Hikes galore. The best backpacking I've ever experienced.
Mother Nature at her best.So...Where to first?
What do you think?
-Blake and Jess.

Nomad. No-more.

Morning runs.

The perfect time for an epiphany.

Today's morning epiphany...Movement.

I've never really thought of how much Blake and I have moved in the time we've been together.

I've just always known we've moved a lot.

It took me but a minute to really digest the amount of moving we have done.

You see...

Blake and I have been living together for just under six years.

We have moved...

Six times.

In six years.

I'm so glad we're no longer nomadic creatures of movement.

I'm grateful to be settled...

For at least three years.

Then we'll see what happens.

-Blake and Jess.

Thank You, Husband of Mine.

Today I was thinking...
I am very grateful for my husband.
I'm so happy that I can have someone in my life, which I can be perfectly honest with and receive the same in return.
I truly value the open and trustworthy relationship Blake and I have always had with one another.
We have both made choices throughout our life.
We have both failed.
And succeeded.
But all of these choices have eventually led us to the path we are currently on...Together.
And I am so happy for that.
Because of this, I can honestly say that I have no regrets in my life.
The past is the past. And the future is unknown.
All I have is the present. And I'm happier than ever, enjoying my time here.
So...Not sure when you'll see this, but thank you, husband.
For you honesty and kindness.
You are my best friend.
Cheers to You.
The End,
Love Jess.

RIP

Our dearly beloved camera has passed.
It took a massive fall from a roller coaster the other day while Blake and I were running around like lost little children at Lagoon.
That's right. Lagoon.
Interesting place, that Lagoon is.
And we had a lot of fun.
Sadly...The camera didn't survive completely.
It slipped out of Blake's front pocket while we were experiencing an upside down corkscrew coast on 'Wicked.'
It takes pictures.
But it no longer focuses.
Useless.
Time for a new camera, I guess.
Blake and Jess.

Potting.

One project each day.
That has been my goal with this house.
I just want to get one thing done from start to finish every single day.
Today's project...Potting plants for my patio.
My yard is too green.
Its driving me crazy with its greenness.
I definitely need some color in my life.
So I hit up a couple thrift stores today after work.
Found some cool pots.
Planted some cool plants.
Geraniums, Marigolds, Cordyline, and of course...Lavender for luck.Not only did I get my potting done, but I also found some sweet buys while out and about.
One antique turquoise and white mirror. Ten bucks.One white and very square coffee table. Ten bucks.
It doesn't get much better than that.
Although, the table does need a bit of love.
Which Blake is happy to give.
He's been wanting to start refinishing furniture for a while.
His friend, Curtis, does refinishing as a hobby and Blake has wanted to get in on this action.
Here we go.

Now I just need to figure out what tomorrow's project will be.
-Blake and Jess.

Home Accents.

P.S. I Love You.
What an amazing movie.
I love this movie. And I can watch it over and over.
And over again.

If you frequent 'P.S. I Love You.' as do I, you will have noticed numerous times that their apartment in the movie is brilliantly accented in turquoise, green, and soft yellow.
This is what I want in my home.
I love warmth. I absolutely adore a deep chocolate brown.

But I also love the boldness of a random turquoise wall.
I love the softness of subtle greens and yellows.
I want to incorporate my love for these colors into my home.

So...
I find myself looking at walls today. Walls that I can soon paint turquoise.Master Bath. Turquoise. Landing. Turquoise. Family Room. Turquoise.
Where can I stick a bright green vase, lamp, or an over sized yellow pillow.
Turquoise, green, and yellow. Three of the most noticeable colors.
Vintage. Classic. And Modern.
They have the ability to be everything and anything you could ever want.
Maybe my adventures in decorating will result in frequent failure.
But that is the brilliance of finally owning our own home.
It doesn't matter.
We do as we please.

Turquoise, green, and yellow.
That is the theme.
-Blake and Jessica.

Hair cut.

Indiana got her very first hair cut today..

She got the treatment, that's for sure.

Hair washed, deep conditioned, and shaved and trimmed.

Nails trimmed and filed.

Teeth brushed.

Mouthwash gargled.

I think she likes it.

I definitely think she enjoys being outside in the sun more now that she has a hair cut.

I know I broke my promise.

Not to shave her...

But it was necessary.

Poor little girl. With her thick black hair.

She is much better now.

And holy shit is she skinny with long ass legs.

I never even noticed it before.

She was hidden behind all that hair!

-Blake and Jess.

House.

I love our house.
We're still in the process of getting settled, but its coming along.
This whole house thing is a lot of work!
I wouldn't have thought so...But what did I know.
Sheesh!
I never thought I would care about such small and monotonous things...
door knobs, faucets, weeds, flowers, etc. etc. etc.
It's crazy...
And I definitely never thought Lowe's and Home Depot would be such fun places to shop.
What a change...
I find myself pondering what vegetables to plant in my garden...
What colors to bring into my yard....
What flowers...What trees...How to battle all the damn weeds...
What shower faucets and kitchen sink faucets do I want...
Which ones meet my needs.
Craaazy!
And we love it!
We honestly could not be happier.
Sorry it took so long to update you all....
We'll keep you posted on this whole house thing.
I'm sure we'll have some funny mishaps to share with you all...
Like late night fire department calls, for example.
-Blake and Jess.


P.S.~A rather large BBQ is coming soon....Look for invites!