Day 103 and The Goodbye

Today Bailey left for the Christmas break.
I waved her goodbye from the front door this morning before my final.

For some reason, I want to say in my best Mr. Narwhal voice, "Bye Buddy, hope you find your dad," when I see this photo.
Haha ...another Elf reference...

For those of you who have asked, we're not exactly sure how 365 will work with us separated during the break. Rest assured we'll be taking pictures and collaborating and will not leave you hanging for the next few weeks.
However, expect some changes and embrace them!
Love,
Jessie

Day 102 and Bringing Home the Bacon

Yesterday's late conversation went something like this:

Bailey: I think we should have pancakes for dinner tomorrow.
Jessie: Yes- I'll get bacon at the grocery store after work.

...the conversation pauses for a bit as we study...

Bailey: Are you going to work before?
Jessie: Before what?
Bailey: You know, before...
Jessie: Before lunch?
Bailey: Before - before your test.
Jessie: I don't have a test tomorrow.
Bailey: Yes you do.
Jessie: No I don't.
Bailey: Wait, yes you do. Don't you?
Jessie: No, it's on Tuesday.
Bailey: Oh gosh, this sounds like a conversation a married couple would have. "What time will you be home from work honey?"
Jessie: Well, I am bringing home the bacon! (ba-da-bom-shhhh)

Laughter ensues and we begin formulating how to incorporate this silly conversation into Project 365. The following photo is the result. I am the working gal, literally bringing home the bacon, and Bailey is the lovely homemaker, cooking in heals and pearls. It's a wonderful life.

Day 101 and Christmas in the Park

We made a little stop after church at College Station's Central Park to enjoy the Christmas lights.

51-100 Rejects and a Request

Here are a few honorable (and not so honorable pictures of the last fifty days, that didn't quite make the blog.)

Also, I have a request.
When friends tell us they enjoy our blog, Bailey and I love to ask which photo is there favorite.
It doesn't matter if your my friend, or Bailey's, an acquaintance or stranger - if you keep up with this blog we'd love your feedback. Do you have a favorite?

If so, PLEASE email me at jess.jean1988@gmail.com with your favorite day sometime before Christmas! I would like to make a Hall of Fame for the Project, a Viewer's Choice of sorts for the first 100 days.

Thanks and God Bless!

Day 100 and Its Milestone Celebration

Bailey: Jessie, we've done this 100 times.

Jessie: Wow - so crazy.

Profound? Maybe not.

We started this project as a way to capture life's moments, unique and mundane, yet somehow we experience life through it as well.

In honor of 100 Days of Jessie and Bailey 365, we went to Target and shot some pictures with random products that highlight this milestone for the project.

Day 99 and the Star Creek Cabin Girls

Bailey's Sky Ranch, Star Creek Cabin co-counselors, Amy and Alana, came over tonight to hang out and tie-dye v-necks. They are so sweet, and I'm so glad they included me in their little art project. It was so fun watching "Say Yes to the Dress" with them and getting to chit chat about life.

Day 98 and The Park Bench

We were looking at a little black kitten playfully making its way toward us - nice little study break.

Day 97 and Sharing the Gift

In light of the Christmas season, members of New Life partnered with First Baptist Bryan and other local churches to sort and distribute food to needy families in the area. Others had already packed the grocery bags with the food like pasta, canned veggies, peanut butter, canned meat etc... while we had the joyful yet strenuous task (Bailey and I will be sore come sunrise) of loading them all up in vans to be distributed. I was amazed at how long and hard we worked in our assembly line of sorts and barely made in a dent in the number of bags that still needed to be loaded up. What's even harder for me to think about, is despite the fact that these thousands of bags full of food will be given out, so many people still go without such luxuries.
I'm quite comfortable in the lifestyle I've been given. Yet often I wish for more clothes, a nicer car, more decorations in my house, etc...; it was quite a humbling experience to pass along grocery bag after grocery bag of small feasts for families who probably wish for healthy food for their kids, a warm coat for the winter, a house to decorate.
Thank you New Life for constantly challenging our ways of thinking; for encouraging us to become a young women who have a heart for serving the Lord by serving others.

Group Photo After Finishing Up
(I'm learning to play with textures on Photoshop...)

Day 96 and The Light Reflector

I made a ghetto light reflector today and used Bailey as my test subject. We chose this photo for the project for all its awkward glory.

Thanks again, Bailey, for your patience with my silly creative endeavors.

Day 95 and Our Other Christmas Tree

Our wonderful friend Ashley, came to visit tonight and talk over cinnamon swirl coffee. Considering it was getting late and Bailey and I hadn't taken our picture for the day, we invited her into our little project. It was cold and rainy: perfect weather for an outdoor night portrait under the lights of our backyard, nontraditional Christmas tree.

Day 94 and The "Christmas" Tree

In honor of the Christmas season, we decided to redecorate our Thankful Tree and turn it into a Christmas Tree.

The song by Amy Grant, Emmanuel, in all of it's 1992 glory was part of the inspiration of this tree. I was totally making fun of the song earlier this week, and Bailey was shocked to find me mocking one of her childhood favorites. I have to say now, that every time I hear this song it grows on me. And after watching the video on youtube, I can't help but snap my fingers, bop my head, sing along, and secretly wish I owned a banana yellow blazer like Amy.
The tree is now decorated with ornaments, each hand painted and inscribed with different names of Jesus we find meaningful.

Jesus Christ
*Emmanuel*
*Wonderful Counselor*
*Prince of Peace*
*Holy One*
*Atoning Sacrifice*
*Lamb of God
*The Word*
*The Vine*
*Savior*
*Bridegroom*
*Light of The World
*Son of Man*
*God Saves*
*The Way, The Truth, The Life*

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light, those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined... For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
Isaiah 9: 2,6-7

Day 93 and the Gas Station

December 5, 2009

Bailey's family came to town for her little sister's Volleyball tryouts at Blinn. While her parents and Abbey were at tryouts that morning, we had the privilege of entertaining her little brother, Caleb, until they came back. Bailey always talks about how much she hates getting gas, so when she said she had to stop and get some, I thought it would be funny to take a picture of her at the pump.

Day 92 and Caroling for Compassion

Tonight, the Run for Compassion International Team at New Life hosted a caroling night in the Bacak's neighborhood. A sweet girl named Meredith, shared with us about the Child Survival Program as we drank wassail and snacked on ginger snaps. Then we braved the below freezing weather to ring doorbells, sing Christmas carols to the neighbors, and hand out information about this program.

We used to go caroling for my birthday parties when I was a kid (being a December baby,) and my last experience in 4th grade was all sorts of awkward. Needless to say, I was pretty apprehensive about the awkwardness (while Bailey was super cool as usual,) but with the little kids in front, every house(except for 2) greeted us with excitement. Everyone knows that "the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear." By the time we were finishing up, my nose was freezing, my toes were burning, and I was singing Silent Night and the First Noel without any inhibitions.
What a fun night in the presence of great company!

Day 91 and Claire's Baby Shower

Claire and Joey are an amazing young couple in our Wednesday night LIFE Group; their marriage is just a beautiful picture of God's love relationship with us and it's been a blessing getting to know them and learn from them over the semester. Today Claire had her New Life baby shower at the Askew's and it was so fun playing games, watching her open presents and just hanging out with and making new friends over hot soup and yummy apple cider. After the shower was over, we were able to snap this quick photo with Claire and her soon to be born, baby Kay. (Claire first appeared on our blog on Day 30, and I'm sure she'll be in plenty more along with Kay next semester - We love you Claire!)

Day 90 and Pumpkin Crunch

December 2, 2009

While the men sat and discussed their Thanksgiving hunting stories, the women were gathered in the kitchen, eating the yummy pumpkin crunch dessert Claire (second on the right) made. Baby Kay is due at the beginning of the new year, (but hopefully at the end of this one for tax purposes - haha!) and later in the evening we felt her kick in Claire's belly, it was so amazing!

Day 89 and Our Favorite Things Part 6

SONIC HAPPY HOUR AND VANILLA DIET COKES
They just make everything better.

Day 88 and Real Nature and a Fake Tree

November 28, 2009

Wrapping up our Thanksgiving holiday photos is the following collage. Bailey and Jeff experienced the beauty of nature at Painter's Bluff in Arkansas, while Jill, Sydney and I admired our beautifully decorated (fake) Christmas tree in our living room. Thanksgiving is just a warm up for the real holiday around the corner... two more weeks!

Day 87 and A New Family and A (Semi) New Tradition

November 26, 2009

Bailey spent part of her Thanksgiving with her new family (pictured below are Amberly, Jeff, and Heather) in Arkansas.
I spent mine participating in the Sartin's second annual (making it a relatively new tradition) Run
Through the Woods event in my hometown. In this picture we're on our way there early in the morning.
Both of these new things reminded us of how much we have to be thankful for!