It's been a while...

I haven't been doing this blog thing very long and already I am slacking off. Someone should probably pop my hand for doing so. I enjoy writing. I enjoy taking the time and doing something for myself instead of constantly wondering what I can do for someone else. Don't get me wrong...I live for doing selfless things for others. I enjoy helping others whenever I can. Others often say that I put everyone before myself and I agree with them. This blog gives me the chance to just be myself and do something for myself. I am dedicating myself to this blog at least once a week for my "me time". If I slack off, I demand someone to show up at my house and pop my hand, much like you would do for a 2 year old.

I believe it has been 2 weeks since I last wrote. So many things have happened within those 2 weeks. I shall start from the beginning of those 2 weeks and work my way to the present and brace yourself, this could be an extensive, never-ending blog. Like I stated earlier, I enjoy writing.

On October 24, my brother ,Matt, came home from basic training and AIT school for the Army. My family greeted him at the airport like some crazy people that you see in the movies. We were waiting at the terminal for him and when I saw him with his BDU's on, I cried. It was such a bittersweet moment. I finally get to have him back at home for a few weeks and he looks so good in that uniform. Needless to say, mom never fails at making a fool of any of us and proceeded to push some random lady out of the way so she can run see Matt, but aside from he unneccesary roughness it was a great morning. I took Matt back to my house(where he lives when he is in town) and we immediatley began putting up decorations and running errands for the annual Halloween party that Josh has every year.

There's not much to tell about the Halloween party. Just imagine a bunch of drunk people making a fool of themselves. Boom....thats what the Halloween party is all about. I hardly ever drink anymore, therefore, it was quite an experience watching these people all night. Thankfully, the cops where not called this year on sound violation as in years past. We did have a cop show up for an illegally parked car(we live in a subdivision...we didn't know). Evidently a neighbor called saying that this car was blocking the street. Whatever...it was taken care of. No biggie!
I should probably explain a little bit about this picture. We were decorating the outside of the house a couple of nights before the party and we had this gigantic ant hill in our front yard. Josh and Scott decided to pour gas on it and light it on fire. This is Josh lighting his cigarette with the fire. I may never make it to my wedding if he keeps doing crazy things like this.

After the Halloween party, I went directly into wedding mode. It literally feels like I have been thinking about nothing but the wedding when I am not at work and sometimes even at work. This is such a big day in my life and Joshs life and I feel like it has to be perfect. I finally have a church to get married in and I have the lady that is doing the food. Now it is just a matter of getting everything lined up and actually getting to the day. My to-do list is getting shorter but at the same time the stress level increases. I still need to print the invitations and get them out and buy pillar candles for the centerpieces. Pillar candles, by the way, are not cheap by any means. I got the flower girl dresses the other day and they are adorable. I am so excited about them. I keep reminding Josh to call the rental place for the table linens that he has a "hook-up" with and he still forgets. Even though I remind him 2 or 3 times a day, you would think he would be completely annoyed with it by now that he would actually pick up the phone.

Things with the wedding are falling into place, but I am terrified that I am going to forget something. I have checklist after checklist and I keep checking it 2, 3 or 4 times just to make sure, but I worry about things alot, which is not helping make this any easier. I know when the day comes, it will all be worth the time, effort and stress, but I just need to get to January 2, 2010.

I finally got my braces off after nearly 3 years of having them on. I refused to walk down the aisle with braces on. I had the orthodontist take them off early. He said that they still needed to be on for about another 6 months, but I like being stubborn and made him take them off last week. I finally have straight teeth which is something that I have never had before. I was often made fun of growing up because of my teeth. I had actual fang looking teeth. I swear, I could have passed for a vampire. I cannot stop feeling my teeth with my tongue and lips...it is just weird, but I am so happy that they are finally off!


I guess, this is all for now. I shall be consumed by more wedding worries when I get home. I hope everyone has a blessed day and a great week.

54 day until I become Mrs. Peyton. HOLY COW!!!

Craziness...

Craziness is the term that I have used to describe my life lately. I have been on a never ending roller coaster it seems like. I feel as though I can't catch a break. I am constantly running errands and I never feel like I am at home lately. Pretty much all I do is sleep at home. The next 2 months will be ridiculous. I have already started feeling the effects of stress or at least my face tells me I need to slow down and not stress. I have never had a problem with acne or having break outs but all of a sudden my face is broken out and well...its pretty gross!

Last week I was in Florida. It was amazing. Josh and I went with another couple that is very dear to us. Without Clay and Tiff, I do not know what we would do. I know, for a fact, that I wouldn't know how to cook some of the things I do. We stayed right on the beach, 21 floors up. I would have to say that this was one of the best trips to Florida I have had. We played putt-putt a couple of nights. Clay was able to claim "Putt-Putt Domination" twice, but Tiff and I beat both of the guys in one round. We walked the pier and watched the sunset the last night. It was gorgeous. It reminded me of when Krystal and I were in Key West on a sunset boat ride. Although it was a bit chilly a couple of days, Tiff and I made a point to still lay out. It has definatley been decided that people in Florida really do not know what cold is. It was in the mid 60s on the chilly days and the people that were from Florida were walking around with winter coats on, while Tiff and I laid on the beach in swimsuits. We were determined to get tan. If only I had a nickel for each strange look we got...I am pretty sure I could pay for my entire wedding.The moment we got back from Florida the roller coaster began on its journey to the first hill...ya know that one right before it drops straight down....My dear old dad was supposed to be working on getting me a church to get married in for the last 6 months. Let me just say, daddy does what he wants when he wants and own his own time. So almost 2 months before the wedding, I still did not have a church. I have scrambled around all week to find a church. Daddy finally made some phone calls, with the help of my older brother and me, only to find out that the churches I had originally wanted, I could not use. Brad immediatley put together a list of all the Baptist churches on the west side of Nashville that I would consider getting married at and I started calling every church on that list. Of this massive list, only about 5 allow non-members to get married at their church. I have looked at 4 of these and am not so thrilled about them. I have 1 more left on my list and the appointment is at 4:00 Sunday for me to see the church. I am keeping my fingers crossed very tightly that this is the one. If this is not the one...well...lets just say that I will not be a very happy bride. Luckily, I have most everything done for the wedding. Josh and I have had such a long engagement that I was able to buy things along the way. Invitations are ready to be printed as soon as I get a church to stick in the final draft of the invite. The major things that are not done is the church and food. The BIGGEST things that have to be done.

Along with wedding meetings with vendors and churches this week (and lets not forget the fact that I still have a day job)...My house has been turned upside down for Joshs annual Halloween Party tomorrow night. I cannot even walk in the front door of my house right now. I have Halloween decorations laying everywhere and I just hope that there is enough time in the day to get everything done. I have new kitchen appliances that have to go in today since the old ones have already been taken out and all the clothes have to be washed as well.

If I can make it to tomorrow night....I think I might be okay for the night, but it all starts over Sunday morning.

On a very happy note...MY BROTHER COMES HOME TOMORROW! I am so excited. I cannot wait. His plane lands at 11:10 in the morning (just in time for the Halloween party tomorrow night) and I will be at the airport with my family waiting to see him. It has been entirely too long. I have his room clean and all of his clothes washed, just like he were living at my house again. I spoil him alot, in case you haven't noticed. I wash his cloths, clean his room, make his food and keep up with all of his bills and accounts. Now...if only I could get someone to do this for me. Although, I really can't complain. My older brother did my laundry and cooked me food when I lived with him. I guess it's a cycle that my family goes through.

Anyway...gotta get off here and get back to reality.

A Penny for Your Thoughts...

A good friend of mine recently asked me if I was happy. I just kind of sat there for a second in shock because she actually asked me that question. I thought that I was happy. I thought that, for the most part, I seemed happy to others. Sure, I have my moments where I hate the world and would prefer to just sit around and feel sorry for myself, but overall I thought I gave the impression that I was a happy individual. After the initial shock factor that she could possibly ask me this question, I began thinking... "is anyone ever truly happy"? Are you truly happy when you have whatever you want and all the money in the world? I know I sure would be jumping for joy, but than again I was taken back by what my mom had said about 3 days earlier when her and I were actually upset about the same thing that involved a certain couple that only cares about there money. They do not seem to care much about their family or their son, but they care about their material things and money. Than my mom says the most true thing that she has said in a while.... "There are no U-Hauls in Heaven and you can't spend your money when your dead".

So...with that being said, YES...I am happy...YES, YES, YES and another YES! As it gets closer to my wedding (only 81 days!!!), I often find people asking me this question. So, just to clear things up...I am very happy with the direction that my life is heading. I am very happy with my relationship with God and I am very happy with Josh. I have a roof over my head, a truck to drive, I have food to cook each night(although it may not be very good...Josh swears it is...I'm learning, in my defense), I have clothes to wear, I have the best group of friends that anyone could ask for and a family that stands by my side. I may not have all the material things like an Ipod or the real Sperrys, but the radio in my truck works just fine and I happen to like my knock-off Sperrys.

I would not trade Josh and I's relationship for anything else in this world. I cannot wait to be his wife and the mother of his children. I will be walking down the aisle to be his wife on January 2, 2010 and that is what truly makes me happy. I know that I will have everyone that is most important to me standing by my side on that day and for that I am grateful.

HAPPINESS is a state of mind or feeling characterized by contentment, love, satisfaction, pleasure or joy.

I can honestly sit here and tell you that I am content with life. I love and am loved. I am satisfied(but am not settling for less than I deserve) and I get pleasure and joy out of the works that I do for others and the things that the good Lord has blessed me with. So by wikipedia's definition. YES...I AM HAPPY! More importantly, I know deep down that I AM HAPPY even though I may not always show that on the outside, but rest assured that I AM HAPPY and I will stand on the highest mountain top and scream it (if I wasn't afraid of heights, of course)!

Whoever Said Brothers Weren't Cool Lied To You

I woke up this morning to a text message from my younger brother, Matt, and it said " I passed my pt test" and all I could do was smile. I couldn't even text him back at that moment because I was too excited (and half asleep). To an average "civilian" this may not seem like such a big deal. However, to me and my family this is exactly what we needed to hear. This is what we had been praying for for the last 3 weeks. This meant that Matt comes home in 2 1/2 weeks for a few weeks. This meant that after the weeks he would be home, he would be moving to Ft. Campbell, Kentucky to provide our great nation with security and defense and we could actually see him on a more regular basis, BUT this also means that I am closer to having to say bye to Matt AGAIN for a long period of time while he FIGHTS in IRAQ!As I drove into work this morning, I began thinking of my 2 brothers and how they have always stood by my side through everything in my life. Whether it be pageants, twirling, or extremely bad break-ups, they have always been there to put a smile on my face. Often times when we were growing up, they went without so that I could have. They sat on the sideline while mom and dad cheered me on and traveled with me across the United States twirling. I realized that growing up most of the attention was on me. I was the middle child and the only girl. My older brother, Brad, is 10 years older than me and Matt is 16 months younger than me. I took them for granted. It is that plain and that simple.

Brad sacrificed more than anyone and he still does. Brad was more of a father figure growing up and as I became older, our relationship as turned into a close friendship. Brad and I have this ongoing joke that I can rob a bank as long as Brad is with me and it would be perfectly okay in our mothers eyes because Brad would be with me. He has always been the mature, responsible one. When I was a teenager, he could talk mom into letting me do things and I could go out and do what I pretty much wanted as long as he was with me. I didn't mind having him there because all of my friends were older and he fit in pretty well with everyone.

I can remember vividly the day that mom, Brad and I were shopping at Dillards (when Bellevue still had a mall) when I was about 7 or 8 years old. Brad was a senior in high school and was working at either Baskin Robbins or the putt-putt place. It was a Friday night and mom and I were looking at dresses for pageants (nothing out of the ordinary). I fell in love with a white, off the shoulder, lace dress. Mom did not have the money to buy the dress and was telling me that she would get it later. About that time, Brad came over and said he would buy the dress. WHAT??? The check he got that day couldn't have been much at all...this was back in 1996 and this dress was $100.00. Of course, I had no idea than how the whole money thing worked (I always told mom to just write a check...I didn't think you had to have money to "just write a check"). I was so happy that he bought me the dress and I wore it in the very next pageant I competed in. This is the type of thing that Brad does. He is the most sincere person that I know and he would go above and beyond for me and Matt.


I can honestly sit here and say that I am the luckiest sister in the world. I have not 1, but 2 amazing brothers. We all have had our fair share of fights, but I can tell you this right now...I WILL NEVER take them for granted again. You never know how much time you have together. Matt has taught me this throughout his service in the ARMY. Life is short and family is really all you have. God has truly blessed me with the brothers that I have and I would not trade them for anything.

Must Try Everything Once...

As I sat on the couch today waiting on Josh to come home, I was on Facebook (as usual) and looking at my friend Katie's profile. I had remembered that she had a blog and decided that I would see what she had been up to lately. As I was reading through her blog, I became more and more interested in the blogging world. I thought to myself that this would be a great way express my feelings, concerns, happiness and, more often than none, my thoughts and ideas instead of laying awake each night with thousands of things running through my head. For the time being(for the next 3 months), most of these blogs will consist of my desires for my "dream wedding" and the many trials, tears, and relief of actually getting to "the big day" where I will, in fact, become Mrs. Jennifer Peyton...WOW...that looks so weird...I have never seen those 2 words together on a computer screen. It is a little breathtaking.

This is my first blog and I must admit that I am really unsure how this whole blogging world works. I am a little overwhelmed but, at the same time, I am very excited. I am opening new chapters in my life and I must take baby steps to get there. So at this time, I do not care if 1 or 1,000 people read this blog, I am excited that I have something else to occupy my time other than Facebook and wedding plans.

Until next time, remember that "I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me". Phil. 4:13