Zoom . . .there goes January!

Wow - Time is flying by so here's a quick rundown. The bachelorette weekend and first engagement party are already behind us. Can you believe it? Here are a few super cute pics. 
The Bachelorette weekend was a blast in Nashville.  Finally I was able to get all my girlfriends together in one zip code.  We did more talking than partying I think but we didn't care one bit.

The Engagement party went well I think but still learning how to do this. I hope I don't stick my foot in my mouth too much.  If so, I will blame it on alcohol or the fact that being in love makes me loopy.  :)  I really am on cloud 9.  We are blessed to have such great friends and families.  Both Josh and I feel a little guilty about all the attention we are getting but I guess that's normal.  Time for round 2 this weekend in Thomaston...more posts to come, I promise!!!

 

Eating at Merchants, the best food and champaign cocktails! 

Josh and My dad and stepmom goofing off in the kitchen.

I'm blogging from my iPad

This is so cool! Josh is watching te game and I'm upstairs just shopping in my IPad. I should probably be packing for my charleston work trip tomorrow but that can wait. For those of you that don't know me I live and breathe by my planner but those days have come and gone. This thing is my planner, note taker, web surfer, solitaire dealer, and face timer with sis. I love it. I hope everyone's Christmas was amazing! We r all so blessed! Mine was beyond words and so was new years. Pics soon to follow....probably after the bachelorette party this weekend. Watch out Nashville!

Buxton and Sugar

This weekend has been a ride.  Josh had plans to go to Dave's land to hunt deer all weekend and I met Mama in Athens to do some Christmas/Mother of the Bride Gown shopping.  Friday night Josh and I enjoyed a well deserved dinner at Sheehans (soooo good) here in Augusta.  That was worth waiting all week for and I'm glad we got to try a new restaurant too.  Saturday morning Josh got up at the crack of dawn to go hunting.  I was on the way to Athens when he texted me a picture of his first deer this season!  ...yay!  Shopping in Athens was great, as usual, and we may have found Mama a dress.  Mama and I drove back to Augusta and started getting ready for this morning which was a Baker's Paradise.  We had a Caramel Cake, Cheese straws, and Cookie Cutter Cream Cheese Cookes on the agenda.  However, last night Josh called (after he killed his second deer) and turns out poor Buxton got into the dead deer a little too much causing his stomach to flip and Bloat.  Josh said he was hiding under cars and trying to vomit because he was so sick.  He and his Dad rushed back later that night and Buxton went into emergency surgery.  Poor thing!  Turns out - he is way better today but not completely out of the woods.  We went to visit him this afternoon and he seemed better than I expected.  Now we are celebrating with a lot of sugar!  See picture...Mama and I knocked all this out this morning.  Crazy!  We should start a business! 

Holiday Baking with my Mama!

Now Buck can have a Merry Christmas!

Our First Christmas Tree

Here is Josh picking out our first tree.  Soon I will post pics of it all dolled up.  We need to fill some new Christmas Frames I got too at my first bridal shower.  Here are some of the goodies.  I got a little bit of everything.  It was so much fun.  Thanks to Maryann, Christie, and Katie! 

December News

Hey Guys!  Sorry, I've been very slack in posting.  These days I feel like I can't get away from the laptop.  I'm on it constantly and it drives me nuts.  There's so much to tell though and here's a start.  ...And I promise to post more in these last days of 2011. 

We got our first wedding gift!  Yay!  Thanks Texas friends. 

I've been traveling so much lately work and in Wilmington, NC look what I saw.  McRae St! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hey Everyone!  Sorry I've been so absent.  I've been traveling so much lately for work it's so hard to get caught up and enjoy the fun things.  Either way, it's the day before Thanksgiving and this girl is about to take some time off.  YAY!  I'm trying to think of what's been going on in our world that you may have missed.  Here's the short version:
-  Capers got a hair cut.
-  Buxton keeps getting in other people's trash can.  Yikes!
-  Both Josh and I have been sick.  Sorry Josh, I told you not to kiss me. 
-  My Stepdad's mother passed away this week.  So sad.
-  I bought 2 new pair of shoes.  Oops!
That's it!  ha ha  Best wishes for a Fabulous Turkey Day with Friends and Family.
Love, Jamie and Josh

Athens Last Weekend

We had a lot of fun last weekend.  We made the most out of GA/Auburn and stayed in Athens the entire weekend.  Friday almost got out of control....dinner and 3 bars then Maryann saved us from the wrath.  We still woke up feeling less than awesome.  The tailgate was fun and we got to see so many of our friends....kind of wishing the game was at 7p so we could all hang out longer.  All and all a great weekend with great friends  - and UGA beat AUBURN!! whoo whoo!!!

Friday Night

Megan, Me, Casey, Maryann, and Shelley

At the game with the "cup that got away".

"Save the Date" Candids

Big Thanks to Hodges for taking these amazing pics...here are the out takes!  Buxton was a challenge but once we got him in place we gently placed Capers in his spot.   

Straight Chili'n wins 5th Place!

Josh and I competed in the Chili Cook Off at the lake and did relatively well considering there were 21 teams. Here are some pics!

Really early that morning!

This is a picture from the fireplace (where I spent my morning) looking out at all the cooking teams at about 9am.  The sun was finally starting to shine!

We were trying to get sympathy votes - sign reads "please vote for us so I can pay for her engagement ring".  It was a good idea but didn't work that well - we didn't win People's Choice.  That's ok though, we were straight Chili'n.

Wedding Registry

Wow - this pretty much sums it up.  Josh with a scan gun and a whole lot of options...

First Annual Augusta Pumpkin Carving Party....narrated by Josh McRae

Hey Ya'll!  Get ready for a "Blog Party"...this is my first time so just bear with me here...it was a late night.  Sooo Jamie and I decided it was about time to start a tradition....Pumpkin Carvin' Contest of course!  We've had them before in Charleston but something about Augusta really brought out the best in everyone's carving/partyin abilities.  I was told that my role was to provide food...so we had our Straight CHILI'in competition chili, corny corn bread, and hot dogs, which to my dismay were all gone this morning. As for Jamie, she was to be the Rule Master (all seeing, all knowing, omniscient..."One With The Pumpkin")...come to find out she was under qualified but we made do.  After everyone had their fill-o-food the competition began...fierce but no fingers lost: 

Everyone had 1 hour to produce their finest pumpkin creation....Lil Paul and Hal provided moral support and beer as needed.  All cell phones, PDAs, and/or laptops were confiscated as the finished products were to be judged on Facebook/AMERICA.  Here were the contestants...judge them for yourself....but you know deep down the James Brown Pumpkin is your fav:

So after almost 2 hours of the Rule Master trying to navigate Facebook we arrived to a winner...The Fat Man's Pumpkin!!!  K thanks cause there are 2 Fat Man's pumpkins...o well.  No worries because by this point the Pumpkin Party had evolved into the Plankin Party...1.) dont try this at home.  2) for those of you who don't know what planking is (Jamie didn't either) It's the art of "active laying down."  What follows may be disturbing to some viewers:

"Shootin' the Gap"

"Handicapped"

"The Flyin Squirrel"  Even Capers is like WTF!

The night finally came to a end with a beautiful rendition of Adele's "Someone Like You" by Jamie  and Paul both laid out on the couches.  All said it was a big time.  - Josh over and out.

Heavy Mind

I apologize for being absent....been busy with a few project lately.  One other thing has been heavy on my mind.  One of my best friends has been going through the worst nightmare.  Her post this morning sums it up...

I want to say THANK YOU for the prayers, support, and love - As I write this post... My heart begins to beat faster. This week has been the hardest week of my life so far- On Monday... My sweet angel was diagnosed with leukemia- those were words I never thought I would hear. As much as I want this to be a bad dream- its not...this is real! Words can not begin to describe the hurt we feel- my heart... physically hurts in a way I have never had to feel! But I do know... OUR GOD IS GOOD! Let me share my past few days with you... Not to make you sad or cry.. But to make you take a good look at your life and hopefully make some changes if needed- I want all of you to learn from this experience I am facing- oh! I have learn so much since monday! I learned there is nothing more precious than my family, not to worry about all the silly and small things ( like I did before) let go of any anger you are carrying, love life, smile, forgive others who have hurt you dearly, that I have the best HUSBAND a girl could ever ask for, enjoy the simple things in life, ...I could go on forever and wish I could go back and change many things but I can't... So I start now! My life has been changed forever!!! - and I am a much better person already and it feels good!!! And the journey begins... On Monday- we were hit with news a mother and father would never want to hear!!! At first- I was very angry- I yelled out loud- WHY??? How could this happen to my beautiful, full of life, and innocent little girl who I love dearly- I will never understand it- but I knew I had to pick myself up and get myself together- because I still have to be the MOMMY they need me to be!!! - Tuesday was the beginning of our long journey- ella has her first surgery... A spinal tap, bone marrow tested, and a PICC line put in and chemo! - it was so hard to let her go in the hands of these doctors I had just meet- as she yells for mommy while they are pushing her away! But we made it! She got through the surgery and I snuggled with her in the recovery room! That night- me and ella stayed up til midnight... We celebrated ! This was the first step to recovery! We called all these nights- our little slumber parties! She hasn't eaten in over a week- but that night she had an appetite!!! Someone had sent her a basket full of junk food ( food that I never really allowed to be part of her diet ) but she was loving it- and I let her! Kit kats, cupcakes, ritz crackers w the cheese you spread (ughh) ...and her first cracker jacks ever!!! It was a night I will never forget for sure!!! On wed- ella had another dose of chemo and it went as good as it could go!- two days done and many more to go- the leukemia ella has is 90 percent curable- praise god!!! We can beat this! So- please continue to pray for us- pray for my strength and the ability to stay strong! Also- pray for my sweet anna claire and baby luke- this is affecting their lives tO in sooo many ways!! Its been so hard leaving them!!! I'm missing them so much- I miss the normal routine, - making breakfast, packing lunches, doing homework with anna claire and ella, rocking my sweet boy to sleep at night, eating dinner together- cooking dinner, - all the things before that seemed so hectic at times- oh how I miss them! As I lay here in this hospital bed with ella tonight- I wish we were at home sound asleep - and our morning consisted of me making breakfast , chasing ella around the house to get her dressed for school, finding that matching bow while luke crying in his swing, looking for matching shoe in the shoe basket! Yes ! Our mornings were crazy and stressful- oh- but I miss those times! The simple things we take for granted!!!! I could go on and on! My life has changed so much!!! But I know in the end - we are going to be a stronger family and live life so differently!!! This is hard, it hurts bad, I cry and cry some more, but somehow put a big smile on my face when I with ella, ( the strength I didn't know I had) , pray hard, love like I haven't love before... Again- thanks for all the encouraging words- they mean so much!!! Its very hard to sleep at night... Those are the times the tears are shed... I can go to these messages and find some comfort!!! I love the lord and know he will not let me down!!! He is with me every minute- and I truly feel it! I love all of you!!! Please take this and learn from it- please!!! You all don't realized how blessed you really are- I'm probably the worst writer ever- I'm a much better talker! But I hope you have been touched by the beginning of my journey!

Way to Go Havird!

Congrats Havird for placing 49th overall in the 1/2 Triathalon that was in Augusta on Sunday.  For those of you new to this (like me) it's a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, and 13.1 mile run.  Oh, Havird is Josh's cousin.  We are so proud - these athlete's are amazing!

Jan, Paige, and Josh (sitting) catching photos of Havird's Run

Almost there....

Crossing the Finish Line! 

Brownies and Onions

Check them out!  My Georgia Brownies....  Thanks Maryann for show casing the goods.  Bobby, is there smoke coming from your grill?

Josh cutting 8 onions with his goggles on.  Guess what it smells like in our house? 

Last Weekend's Dove Hunt

Last weekend, Josh and I went to Thomaston to dove hunt with Daddy.  Josh got about 17 birds!  It was fun and great weather.  I was the bird spotter and my other job was to update everyone on the UGA score as I listened to the game.  We cooked the birds that night and they were hmmmm good!  Lots of fun!  Thanks Lynne for hosting us!

The worst part! - cleaning birds

Daddy's Hands

Hmm! Good to know...

So, I generally eat eggs, a protein bar, or cereal for breakfast.  About once a week I will treat to myself frozen waffles or dare I say pancakes.  I love the syrup and butter!  :)  Anyway, I recently purchases sugar free syrup at the grocery store vs the regular and I love it!  It's obviously not as sugary but really does taste the same.  A great way to cut calories when you're enjoying the good stuff!

UPS Delivery -

YAY - it's here!

"You've got my heart and your daddy's boat..." - Sugarland

Steinhatchee, FL, where Josh's family has always gone on their fishing adventures, is where we spent our Labor Day weekend. This is the cutest little fishing town. These folks there eat, live, and breath by the saltwater flats and it was so cool to be somewhere so different than anywhere else. You can ride out in the boat for a long time and never be more than 6 feet deep. There are so many lively creatures there too...we caught lady fish, black fish, catfish, snake fish, trout, cobia and some baby sharks. The storms that rush in from the water are amazing. I can't wait to go back!

My first trout

Rob and Megan

josh - fixing stuff

Storm that ran us (and about 100 other boats) ashore

My Other Family - the McGarity Crew

Hey Everyone!  Hope you're having a great week.  I've been traveling so much lately.  This little trip this past weekend to McDonough was more for FUN though.  One of my best friends, Julia, was in town for her sister's baby shower.  Julia lives in Dallas and we hardly ever get to hang out.  Typically time spent with her involves a really tasty cocktail, awesome clothes and beauty products, and super girly conversation.  :)  Her family is beyond sweet too!  They know how to have a Georgia good time...if you know what I mean.  Go Dawgs - 3 more days. 

 

The world is a mess but Capers is ok.

We've got a HURRICANE in the midst, a EARTHQUAKE to deal with, and REBELS are taking over Libya, but Capers doesn't care.

This is what he does everyday behind my chair as I put out advertising fires and take conference calls.  That's one lucky pup!

Juicing Pics

Here are some pics of the process.  Some things to note, juicing is super messy.  (Katie, I think we are missing some parts..still cleaning celery off the ceiling.)  Also, you go through a ton of veggies to make just one cup full.  Oh, and your house smells aweful for a while.  We are still going to keep doing this, at least until our veggies are gone, but we may need to add one of these babies to our wedding registry....  Maybe one that is self-cleaning.  :)

The End Result - Yum!

10 things you may not know about Jamie

1. Breakfast is by far my most favorite meal.
2. I love watching Dateline.
3. My favorite band is Counting Crows.
4. I secretly want to be a blonde. 
5. I only exercise if I can enjoy it. 
6. I have an extraordinary sense of smell.
7. My favorite place in the world is Colorado.
8. You can take me to any ice cream shop and I'm still going to get cookies and cream. 
9. I love the hours of 6am - 8am the most.
10. I turn my phone off every chance I get.

I'm an official GA resident!

Sorry South Carolina - I've gone back to my roots!

Juicing - getting veggies in liquid form

Today was our first official day of Juicing.  For those of you who don't know, juicing is when you take veggies and put them in a juicer and the result is a liquid form of the veggie with all the nutrients and veggies.  I'm trying to replace one meal a day with a full glass of juice.  I think my body is going to go into shock.  I just drank my first one and have the worst headache and feel crazy full.  The taste was aweful but we think celery is to blame so we may be nixing that soon.  Anyway, I will keep you updated on this new leaf.... more to come. 

Beach Trip and Other Updates

Hey Everyone - I'm back!  Beach trip was very relaxing, even though work has been nuts.  We presented to South Carolina's Orthopaedic practices last night at Kiawah, getting home at 1:30am.  Then next week I'm in ATL for 2 days - but that's a little fun because I get to see and hold little Hazel Claire.

On two side notes, I started eating Almonds and they are really good!  Also, I'm thinking about juicing to get more vegetables.  Thoughts?

Here are some beach pics to show how much fun we had!

Poor Josh - but such a trooper with that cast.

Group Pic!

Surfer Dudes!

Alright, now bring on the cooler weather!