Year One

I can't believe we've been married for a year already. We've already been through so much together and I love growing closer to you everyday. We've already made it longer than 99% of Hollywood marriages!

We've been to the Bahamas, Salado, Austin, San Antonio, Las Vegas, Dallas, and Mexico this year... how on earth did we manage that?!

We got a puppy and didn't really know what we had gotten ourselves into-- little did we know he'd become our own personal giant (see pictures below to see his change in size). We lived in our first place together, we got our first full-time jobs together, we went to the emergency room for the first time together, and got our first Christmas tree. We have no clue what we're doing most of the time but we figure it out together.

What a year! Marriage is not for the faint of heart that's for sure-- it's much easier, though, when you're married to someone like Colin Bates. When I think about our first year of marriage I feel overwhelmed with thanksgiving. I am so grateful for you and for God's provision in our lives this year. Happy First Anniversary Baby! 

*I make no excuses for the cheesiness of this post... my husband is awesome and hot and I can't help it.

Merry Christmas from the Bates!

Thanks Shutterfly!

Trip to Fort Worth

Just got back home from my trip with Megan and Cooper to Fort Worth. It was a whirlwind of a day. We left The Woodlands Saturday morning and off we went! 

We stopped at Wendy's to get some nutritious lunch... it was a pretty big ordeal because the Wendy's had very poor "signage" and we could barely find the drive-thru. We had to orchestrate getting everyone their food and then decided that we probably needed to get gas and use the restroom. After a slightly complicated pit-stop... off we went!

We got to Fort Worth after hours of talking (while sweet Cooper just slept and slept), went to a cute children's clothes shop, and the TCU bookstore where we met up with one of Meg's friends. We hurried to do everything we needed to do so that we could grab some delicious iced-tea and bite of dinner from Central Market while Cooper played on the slide. We forgot that it was 50 degrees out so the slide wasn't quite the adventure Cooper was hoping for-- but it was still fun and his mama humored him by playing with him on the slide for a bit.

We didn't take pictures on our trip as we both forgot our cameras but here's a sweet one of Cooper taken by Megan

I love my sister, Megan, and my precious nephew. I always learn so much when I spend time with Megan-- she is such a good friend and incredible woman. Cooper is the sweetest boy too! This morning Coop and I snuggled while Megan went to retrieve Starbucks for me (coffee-- my love language!), it was so sweet! He made sure I was warm under the covers and shared his "Bubbas" with me so I'd have some extra warmth too. He giggled every time I said the world "Voila!" and when I told him that I'd get to see him in 5 days he said "no! 2 minutes!" Oh... I love that little guy and his mama! What a great trip... hope we get to do it again soon.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

So, I love our tree. I love the smell, the lights, and the fact that it's our first tree! We picked the prettiest one we could find in our price range (which was the lowest we could possibly pay and still have a nice tree) and figured we'd go for the real deal since we have absolutely no storage space for a fake one. Our tree + lights were the only purchases we made... all of our ornaments were our wedding favors (genius). My grandma handmade my tree skirt and my mom gave me a wreath for the door-- love it.

I haven't had a real tree in a while and my only complaint is ALL OF THOSE PINE NEEDLES! I have a duster-buster charged and ready to go for my daily clean-up. Also, is it bad for dogs to eat pine needles? Cub has at least 20 a day so I hope not.

Hope you're enjoying your Christmas season!

Run Thru the Woods

I have been asked by two of my readers (perhaps, the only two) for more blog posts. Well, I have decided to give the people what they want. I thought I'd start with a running update...

So, on Thanksgiving morning ago I took part in the Run Thru the Woods-- a 5 mile turkey trot in my hometown The Woodlands, TX. My grandma and mom (I love doing things with them) walked the 3 mile course and we had fun at our first annual Run Thru the Woods experience.

Here are some snapshots of the race, borrowed off the facebook fan page and courtesy of Raceshots. 

I'm not going to lie to you... the race was freaking hard. I had trouble keeping a good pace. I think races are hard because I want to start fast with everyone else but then I lose momentum quickly. So, at about a week ago I was at 5.34 miles in my running and since I've ran slightly shorter runs just because I've been so busy! Our official training starts the 11th of this month.

7.76 miles to go
73 days remaining until the Austin Half Marathon

Wrapping Up the Past Few Weeks...

I'd love to update everyone on my running or other things that are going on but it's hard to move on from such a profound few weeks...

Jon's memorial service was beautiful.

Megan put together the perfect slide-show of pictures from Jon's life. It was sad and happy to see pictures of the Bates kids growing up together (especially childhood pictures of Colin-- so cute!).  Scot Pollok, their pastor, said some really encouraging things about heaven and about Jon's life. Colin sang two songs with a band at the end and it was my proudest moment as his wife so far-- he did so good, it was absolutely beautiful. Colin's family had so much support and even some members of Grace here in CS came as well. 

I'm sad that I won't continue to get to know my brother-in-law Jon. What a beautiful soul and kind person. I'm thankful for moments that I had with him-- and will forever hold onto the birthday card he sent me last year welcoming me into the family and calling me "sis."

After the past few weeks I feel proud to be a Bates. I really admire and love Colin's parents and I hope to make lots of memories with my wonderful brother-in-law Adam. I think that I probably have the most amazing sister-in-law in the world and am excited that Megan is quickly becoming one of my best friends. I love being married and getting to enjoy two incredible families! Anyway, there is sadness but much thanksgiving for family, memories, and for heaven-- where we will all meet again someday. 

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39

Jon's memorial is December 4th at 2pm in The Woodlands, TX. I'm thankful to be a Bates and for getting to know my sweet brother-in-law during his time with us. I'm thankful for Jesus and for eternal life.