Day 221 and Our Friend Reunion

It was a blessing from the Lord that is all worked out. Bailey had the week off from camp and happened to be in Fort Worth; I had Friday classes and work off (meaning I didn't have to get back super early for next day.) Waco was the halfway point so Rachel and I drove up to meet Bailey there for dinner and coffee. Oh how I've missed her, it was great seeing Bailey's lovely face and hearing her sweet voice in person. Rachel, having attended Baylor, was our tour guide, and after dinner at Food for Thought, and coffee at Common Grounds, she told us of this really cool bridge in downtown. The sun was beginning set, making for a great photo op for the project. It was hard to say goodbye, but I'm so thankful for the evening with my bff and can't wait for her to come back to College Station for one more semester.
To enjoy more of our favorite "reunion" pics, check out the Picasa Album...

Day 220 and Home Away from Home

Hey Bailey,
What a lovely picture of you, the old suburban(?) in the background is a nice touch. haha
I thought I'd get in Day 220 before we met up tomorrow... which I'm so very excited about! Rachel and I were talking about places we could go for pictures, I guess we'll have to wait 'til tomorrow to figure that out.
Anyway, a great amount of these summer days for me have been spent at, yep, you've probably guessed it, Mugwalls Coffee Shop. My anatomy classes have been quite a heavy workload, and having no room for distraction, I discovered that the best way for me to study involves me getting as far from my computer (aka facebook, blogs, emails, etc...) as possible. Usually I leave straight from work and study for a couple of hours each day. It's been really great getting to know the baristas and regulars who come in as often as I do. Maybe in the fall you'll be able to join me :)
Love you and see you tomorrow!!!!
Jessie Jean

Day 219 and the Goat Farm

Hey Jess!

Well no pictures of actual goats, but this is the view from our new backyard (which overlooks an alpine goat farm). The big plus of this whole move is no humidity out here in West Texas. Good hair day...every day! We spent the day in Ft. Worth with my grandmother doing some wedding planning. We got a veil, shoes, picked out bridesmaid dresses, and invitations! It was such a fun time with the women in my family.

I cannot wait to see you in Waco on Thursday! Yep, ya'll heard it....Jessie and Bailey are reuniting! Any picture ideas??

See you in TWO days,

Bailey

Day 218 and Monkey Bread

Bailey Dearest,
I'd like you to meet the Gardenhire ladies. From your left is Amy, Hannah, me and their lovely mother, Melissa. Saturday afternoon Cale and I drove down to his hometown in Rockdale to spend the weekend with his family. While Cale and his dad were doing manly things outside after dinner (aka, working on his car) I asked if we could surprise them by making one the family's favorite breakfast treats, Monkey Bread. We all gathered round the kitchen island, and got our hands a little cinnamon-and-sugary so the dough could rise and be cooked in the morning. It was so much fun getting to spend more time with his family; by the time I went to bed my cheekbones hurt from smiling and laughing so much. I hope you get to meet them this semester, they've already been such an encouragement and blessing to me.
Hope all is well in the Sky Ranch world, may the Lord continue to give you strength and energy this last half of summer!

I miss you and love you,
Jessie Jean

Day 217 and the 5th of July Parade

Jessie,

How wonderful it was to talk to you last night! It blessed me so much just to "girl talk" with you. This picture was taken when a group of us from Sky Ranch went to Highland Park to be in their 5th of July parade. It was a blast! Soon after, I went to the doctor to find out I had pink eye...not so much a blast. I'm so sorry I have stunk at posting. With it being such a crazy few weeks here at camp, it has been difficult to find a few minutes to get the picture up. I promise I have been taking pictures though! Well I'm off next week so I'll be in Brock. Look at your schedule really good and see if you could meet me in Waco one day next week for dinner. It's only an hour(ish) away :)

Love you sooo much!

Bailey

Day 216 and Morning Starbucks

Bailey Elizabeth,
What a bittersweet time that must have been with your family. I bet they were so blessed by you and Jeff's presence and help. Have fun in Brock!
Cale and I drove to Conroe to spend the Fourth of July with my family. After hanging out late with Jill, Jackson, Sydney, and Jaclyn, we got up early to spend some time together just talking and reading the Word at Starbucks. Afterwards we went up to the church to cook breakfast for the youth group where my grandpa put Cale to work cooking sausage over a hot greasy stove! haha so fun.
I miss you; phone date soon PLEASE!
Love,
Jessie Jean

Day 215 and the Goodbye

Jessie,

Jeff and I spent all day Saturday helping my parents move out of my childhood home, 271 CR 2430. It was bittersweet packing up and reminiscing on memories from the last 13 years in this house. Oh man, what great memories I had. Building tents in the backyard one summer, riding my bike all around the neighborhood, family meals around the dinner table...these are the thoughts that make me smile. This has been home for so many years, but it's so good to know that it's not this building that makes a home but the people that dwell inside. Well, it's off to Brock, Texas...

Love,

Bailey