Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Day 230 and the Proposal.

Friday August 27, 2010
It's been while friends. Our summer apart proved to be more difficult than expected, but it was fun to keep up with each other on the blog when we did, and we're back now that school has started.

And boy, what a way to restart the fall. Cale asked me to marry him!

Our story began just over a year ago when we met right before the start of the school year at a church hangout. I remember being nervous when he shook my hand, I thought he was so handsome. Bailey and I met Claire Bellington, who invited us to her Wednesday night LIFE group; the same one Cale attended. It didn't take me long to realized I liked him a lot, but ultimately until he made a move, we would just be friends. The following months involved a lot of trusting the Lord and being patient, which was not easy, just ask Bailey! haha

In the spring, however, the opportunity presented itself to attend a conference in Maryland called NEXT that June with four other friends including Cale. We had so much fun exploring Baltimore, meeting new people together, discussing theology (which at times was way over my head,) silly things, keeping each other awake on the road, etc... After months of knowing he was someone I respected, I realized on this trip that he was someone I really enjoyed as well.

When we got back from the trip we kept in contact via texting and email, even though he was in Houston for an internship, I still saw him on weekends too. A few weeks later he asked me out on my very first date and we immediately began our relationship. Somewhere between all of the mini road trips, intentional conversations, goofy jokes, prayers and coffee shops we fell in love. It happened quicker than I thought it would, but then again, I think I always loved him.

He proposed this Friday. I was in shock of course. He took me on a picnic to celebrate the conclusion of internship and the beginning of the school year. After we ate, he brought out a puzzle for us to put together. It had pictures we'd taken of us on it over the summer; only, a piece was missing. I stood up to see if I was sitting on it, and when I looked at him, he confessed he had it.
"But before I give it to you, I have to tell you..."
That's really all I remember. The rest is a blur until I heard the words every girl dreams of hearing, "will you marry me?"
I was in shock. I didn't respond right away either, just hugged him for a long time.
Then I cupped his face and finally responded with something like, "Cale I'm scared but I love you now, and I'll love you tomorrow, and two weeks from now, and two years from now... Yes! I'll marry you!"

Shortly after this Ryan and Sara Price came out of the bushes screaming, congratulated us and took some amazing pictures of us in all of our excitement. We drove to Mugwalls (our favorite coffee shop in town) where Cale surprised me with a huge party of practically every person in my life who (whom?) I love and adore. Our families, friends from Conroe, old roommates, family friends, church family,oh it was so special! I first remember hugging my mom and crying a bit. Then I began looking for Bailey. It took a while to find her, amongst all of the people and hugs. But I finally did and was just so thankful to have her there when I'd missed her all summer.

I'm so thankful for Cale and his careful planning and thoughtfulness. The ring is perfect. The proposal was amazing. The surprise party after was icing on the cake. The Lord is so faithful in providing me with a young man like Cale, who loves me so much yet loves Jesus more.

I'm looking forward to this new season of life and hope that Bailey and I can treasure every moment of it. We are busy girls now, both with weddings to plan. We may not post as often, but know that we'll keep it up! Thanks for being patient readers!

Love,
Jessie Jean

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Day 229 and Adios at Pappasito's


Hey Bailey,
You've met the Liverett family, right? They've been a huge part of my life since high school and their oldest son (and one of my dearest friends) Thomas, is leaving for New Zealand tomorrow . He's going for a five month long discipleship/mission trip and we are so excited for him! Tonight we had a going away party for him at one of his favorite restaurants, Pappasitos Cantina in Houston. It was great getting to spend time with the Liveretts, Jill and Tyler, other church friends (and of course, Cale.)
Enjoy what's left of your time at Sky Ranch!
Talk to you soon I hope.
Love,
Jessie Jean
P.S. It was so humid outside tonight... hence the light haze on the camera lens. haha

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Day 228 and the Hammock


Hola!


This was Jeff's graduation gift from me and has become one of our favorite things to do. After spending some time at the local coffee shop spending time in the Word, we set up in Tyler State Park and read. We also went to Pier One and dreamed of what our house together will look like. I think we already have some paint colors picked out for his (soon to be our) apartment :)

I feel like I haven't talked to you in ages. Can we talk soon?

Love you!

Bailey

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Day 227 and the Surpise Anniversary Dinner

Hey Bailey,
I'm so glad you got to spend the week with Jeff's family, I bet he was so refreshed by their company and encouragement. Plus I bet y'all had lots of fun! Last night I was invited to celebrate the 25th wedding anniversary of Alan and Melissa Gardenhire. Hannah arranged the whole thing, secretly inviting the Floyd family, who are very close with the Gardenhires. We ate dinner at Madden's in Bryan, and sat outside the Village Cafe for a bit just talking and enjoying each others company. It was so neat hearing how the success of their marriage was a complete testimony of God's faithful work in their lives; they are an amazing family and I've loved getting to know them. It made me so excited for you and Jeff and the journey you two are about to embark on. How great will it be to sit with y'all (and your children) one day, celebrating 25 wonderful years of pursuing the Lord together! I miss you dear friend, thinking of you and praying for you.
Love,
Jessie Jean

Friday, July 23, 2010

Day 226 and the Green's Come to Town

Jessie,

I love the room! It's fun seeing some of my things already being used! I was also thinking I love how bright and sunshiney all of your pictures are...beautiful! Well, this weekend the Green family (minus Amberly) came to visit us at camp. We went and ate dinner last night and blueberry picked this morning. I think I spent more time eating them than picking them, haha. We are having such a great time...they been such a huge blessing in my life this last year, I can't wait until I'm officially a part of their family :)

Love you friend!

Bailey Elizabeth

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Day 225 and A View of the Room


Bailey,
It's been a tiring week; with working before and after class, and two tests in two days for anatomy, I definitely looked forward to coming home and resting (and reading a letter from a pretty sweet guy) today. ;)
I wasn't in a really creative mood, but when I read your phrase in the 224 post, "pillow talk," my train of thought went something like this: "pillow talk... she doesn't know what pillows I used for the bed!... or the bedspread I used... or what I put over the bed... She doesn't even know what any of the room looks like!" Haha I told you I'd take some pictures of it for you, and here I am delivering. Click here to see more pics on our public Picasa Album.
It was such a pleasant surprise getting to talk to you last night as well. I know it will be hard to leave Jeff (tell him I said hi too!) but I'm definitely going to cherish this last semester together. Hurry back okay?
Love you,
Jessie Jean
P.S. I'm so proud of how "on top of it" we've been with our posts lately!

Day 224 and Reeci Moon

Tuesday, July 20, 2010Jessie,

So glad I got to chat with you last night and hear about what's going on this week. Although it's going to be sad leaving Jeff at the end of the summer, I am looking forward to spending one last semester with you! Late night pillow talk, wedding planning, 365 adventures...can't wait!

I would like you to meet my friend Reeci Moon. One of my favorite things about my job is getting to play with my John's kids Reeci, Boston, and Charli. Reeci is five years old and all girl! We love braiding hair, dancing, and playing barbies together. One of my favorite things about this girl is her sweet spirit. She is so loving toward her younger siblings, and it so evident the Lord is moving in her heart.

Tell Cale I said hi!

Love you,
Bailey

Monday, July 19, 2010

Day 223 and Dad and Me


Hey Bailey,
Love the photo, it was so fun (but not too hard) figuring out which pair of legs went with each of you ladies!
I spent the weekend in Conroe celebrating my Dad's 52nd birthday and hanging out with Cale and my family. After dinner on Saturday, we thought it would be fun to show Cale some home videos of us Sartins. So in honor of my dad and the hour we all spent watching us at this stage of life (1992ish) I made a "then and now" photo collage. I couldn't help but be so thankful for my family and look forward to making many more memories of my own one day.
Talk to you soon!
Love,
Jessie Jean

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Day 222 and Like Mother, Like Daughter


Jessie,

I meant to post this yesterday, but didn't get back to camp until late (so you can totally post one tonight if you have it). I walked out of the bathroom and noticed that my mom, Abbey, and I all had the same cuffed jeans on. Not only do we share similar hair colors, the same nose, and those unique hazel eyes, but we also (sometimes) share our taste in fashion. What a great time I had this week with these two women! We laughed and talked so much....how much I cherish these moments, knowing that I will be moving away married in just a few short months.

Can't wait to hear about your weekend!

Love,
Bailey Elizabeth

Friday, July 16, 2010

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...

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

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

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

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

Sunday, July 11, 2010

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

Friday, July 9, 2010

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

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

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

Sunday, July 4, 2010

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

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Day 214 and A Surprise Delivery


Dearest Bailey,
That is so neat that y'all went blueberry picking! Did y'all make a good dessert out of them? I look forward hearing about what you and Jeff are learning through the book. (Though I'm really just looking forward to talking to you in general on our phone date!)

Today, my sweet boyfriend sent me the most beautiful flowers, so of course I had to show them to you! The past couple of days have been rough studying for anatomy and dealing with advising issues at A&M, so this surprise just made my day. I pretty much can't stop smiling.

Anyway, I love you and miss you.
Talk to you soon,
Jessie

Monday, June 28, 2010

Day 213 and Blueberry Pickin' in Edom

Selfish? Maybe. I have been waiting a whole week to post this picture lady! Jeff and I had a morning off last week and we spent it in the little country town of Edom. We left at 6:30 a.m. and headed to breakfast at a diner called The Shed and then went on our blueberry pickin' adventure. It's 15 acres of pure yumminess! We picked a couple of pounds of berries and then headed to get some blueberry lemonade in the store. Yum! We spent the rest of the morning reading out of Sacred Marriage and visiting the antique, jewlery, and pottery shops in the town. What a wonderful date! I'm glad that Cale has joined the blog...does he know what he's gotten himself into with us two crazy girls? I'm excited to hear about your weekend...phone date soon!

Love you,
Bailey

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Day 212 and Flip Happy on Jessie Street


Bailey,
I have a confession to make, the ball was in my court for taking and posting a photo, and I selfishly held on to it for too long. Here's the deal. I wanted to introduce Cale to the blog but wasn't sure how, so I've been waiting until the weekend to see what kind of photo opportunities would happen.
Also, I looked back at some of our earliest posts to see how Jeff was introduced to the Project, and honestly it was really quite simple... It was Day 10 and he surprised us with pancakes for breakfast. (However, a couple of times before that, he was mentioned, one time as your "stud boyfriend." haha)
So I thought this was actually pretty perfect. Cale and I drove down to Austin together to meet friends from New Life for a fun weekend at Lake Travis, but before we caught up with everyone, Cale said he a had a surprise that was definitely 365-worthy.
We stopped at a little side walk restaurant, called Flip Happy Crepes, located at 400 Jessie Street! Haha I've never seen a street sign with my name on it, so I was pretty excited. It was a great date, and a good way to introduce Cale-as-my-boyfriend to the Project, who also surprised me with breakfast... for dinner!
Love you and miss you,
Jessie Jean

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Day 211 and the Groom's Cake

Saturday, June 19, 2010This weekend I went to my cousin's wedding, and this was his groom's cake! It was awesome in detail, but it reminded me of that scene from Steel Magnolias with the armadillo cake. I knew this had to be the picture from the wedding!

"But the worst part of the cake is it's red velvet--blood red! People are gonna
be hacking into this poor animal and it will look like it's bleeding to death!"