a day in the life....

While we patiently await Lauren's descent from Wedding World, I thought I would entertain our faithful readers with my present reality: summer job. Some of you may know that I am taking care of the elderly through a home care company called Ray of Sunshine. Well, for the past three days I have had the pleasure of spending my days with a little 81 year old gem named Mrs. White.

We begin the eventful days by catching up on old times, and literally I mean old times. Over the course of three days I have heard Mrs. White recount roughly 70 of her 81 years. I have heard the same story many times and could reinact them for you if you are so inclined. After the stories, we sit. Alot. We watch CNN--all day. Or we flip to the tried and true TCM (Turner Classic Movies for you young 'uns.) During some of the more boring parts of the lovely black and whites, or during her mid-afternoon nap, I busy myself by dusting, vacuuming, or cleaning bathrooms! (side note: after two years at Eagle Pass these activities are like entering a new world--free of dust, hair, and mold). After the Cinderella phase, its on to dinner time. We eat at 5:15. In the past three days I have become quite the chef: breading and frying fish, making hash brown and sweet potatoes. But by far the most interesting encounter I have had is with the substance known as spam. Yes, that's right--I squeezed the meat-like product from its can and sliced it up. I then fried it in a skillet, where I kid you not, after simmering for awhile--it flipped itself over. I saw it with my own eyes. Like one, big vienna sausage the little sucker just up and decided he was done on that side. Needless to say, I will never be eating that.

So to my readers, that is a day in my life. I miss you all dearly.
To my beloved Mrs. White, I have learned much and hope to be as spry as you when I am 81 years young.

sv

a new format...

...for a new chapter. if anyone (i.e. one of the chicks with the password to this blog) does not approve of the selected format, feel free to change it. i won't be offended!!! The past four years has been AMAZING, but we are now all moving on to new chapters in our lives. You have seen where three of us will be and as soon as Lauren updates you will know about the other three. We have loved every moment spent at eagle pass and are excited about the years to come!! Please stay posted...this is not the end of the chicks...just the beginning of a brand new adventure!!

Goin' to the Chapel....

...and she's gonna get MAAAAARRIED!!!!!

That's right folks...our very own Lauren Ashlee Garrison will very soon be Lauren Ashlee Helton! Watch out married life, this girl is ready for you! I feel as though this post should highlight the story of Lauren and Brice (the groom-to-be) since after all they will become one (BONE OF MY BONE...FLESH OF MY FLESH!!!!!) oh so very soon! So, alas, a story of two souls destined for each other...hold on readers....this could be a tear-jerker!

[disclaimer: Although I am very well-versed on the lives of both Lauren and Brice, I do not claim to be an expert of any sort, so bear with me through any discrepencies! Also, I don't have many pictures of Lauren and Brice in the early days, so please excuse the random pics...but I had to spice it up a bit!]

Lauren Ashlee Garrison was born December 30, 1983 on a cold, windy day in Ft. Worth, TX. She grew up in Ft. Worth and attended Lake Country Christian School for her entire life. She was the most popular girl in school and accepted Jesus into her heart at a very young age. She was a cheerleader and everyone loved her (she was the most popular girl after all...the only competition she had was a young squire named Brookie, but Lauren still made it through). Her freshman year of high school she and the rest of her school went to Oral Roberts University (Go GOLDEN EAGLES!) for a cheezy conference for all private schools and that is where she saw him--the boy of her dreams! She was captivated by his hansome physique and rugged looks. His eyes were mezmerizing and she didn't know what to do with herself. Shortly after, he kissed her (in truth or dare, but hey, a kiss is a kiss), and would dream about that kiss for years to come. Every single year, she would count down the days until she would be able to go to ORU just to catch a glimpse of his good looks! The years went on and she continued to pine over this boy (while still putting Jesus first of course!!!) until one day her freshman year of college, he invited her to go to a Dave Matthew's concert with him. The sparks flew like crazy and he shortly thereafter he went with her to Missouri to hang out with MeMaw and PaPa (we do love them so) on the Yacht! At the end of the trip he told her that they couldn't talk for 7 weeks to see if this is really what the Lord wants for them. After serveral miserable weeks of wanting to talk to this boy for soooooo long (and still communicating through away messages..I know your tricks!), she was finally able to see him again in the horrible town that is Lubbock, TX where he told her that he wanted to pursue her (I know....so sweet, hunh)!!! They dated for 2 years [many cute things occurred in these 2 years including him telling her he loves her, them going to NYC together, and her admitting that she actually did toot during that fateful leg wrestling competition, but alas, this blog is getting way to long], and one beautiful day in October he asked her to be his bride!!!!!! Since then, Lauren and Brice have been planning the wedding of the century. The church is booked, the reception hall is built, the dress is here, the invitations are out, and they are soooo ready. As I type there is currently 45 days, 18 hours, and 40 minuts, and 19, 18, 17, 16.....seconds until she walks down the aisle to her soon-to-be companion for the rest of her life!!!

After they are married they will go to Mexico for their honeymoon and have the best week of their lives (up to this point at least!). Needless to say...they are both very much looking forward to the honeymoon. We, the chicks and Steph, recently gave Lauren a "kitchenware and underwear" shower which, thanks to Kendra, equipped her for the week!!!!! Lauren, clearly, is really excited about something......what could it be!?!?!? Okay Claire...enough about that!!!

After the wedding, they will reside in Dallas, TX where he will continue to coach football and track at Covenant School of Dallas and she will look for a job in addition to being the best wife in the whole wide world!

Lauren Ashlee Garrison,
On behalf of all the chicks (and Steph of course), we love you so much! It has been such a joy to get to walk with you through these last 4 years and especially during these last few months of preparation for your marriage. You are an amazing woman who encourages us and challenges us daily. You are the best story teller of us all and can make us all laugh at the drop of a hat! There are so many stories that I debated about putting in this blog, but you are just sooo funny....it's hard to just pick one! We love you with all of our hearts and cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store for you and Brice!

cb