Charles in Charge

Of our days and our lives.
(everybody now)
Charles in Charge
Of our wrongs and our rights.

The chicks hit up another stop on the round o' weddings. This time it took us to the Woodlands to see Wes and Teri get hitched. There was one aspect of this wedding, though, that will set it apart from all other matrimonies in the future. No, we didn't get to meet Scott Baio, but we did get to hang out with one really cool guy named Charles.

Roitsch, that is.

Jess, Claire and Sarah enjoyed the Whitney wedding to the hilt because of this guy.
We laughed, cried and snorted our way through the most fun reception ever!!
He entertained us, fed us ("Ladies, dessert!"), and gladly served as our personal paparazzi man.

Thanks Charles!
Since we are "besties" now, lets do it again, k?

So giddy I could pee my pants

The Six Chicks

We have come a long way.
Braces and long hair and A&M have become distant memories.


We have traveled to many places.
Learned many lessons.
Probably grown up a little bit. But only a little.


We've walked through a lot together.
One wedding is just the tip of the iceberg, really.
I mean, puhleese.

And after all this,

We will soon be re-united.
December 28-29.
My new favorites dates. (It used to be April 25)

May the countdown begin....

in living color

Recent email conversation between chick #5 and chick #1

#1- I still dream of all of us living on the same cul-de-sac some day.

#5- Glad someone else shares my pipe dream.

Seasons Change

Here I am. It's been almost two months since I finished camp, and here I am. I'm currently sitting at my parent's kitchen table in my pajamas sipping the amazing hazelnut coffee my mom just bought as I think about my limited plans for the day (I think I'll get a pedicure and get my car washed). I don't mean to gloat. Trust me, being ok with this "season" has been a long and hard road. But from where I sit today I can finally recognize how much the Lord has blessed me the last couple months. I would never have guessed that time at home without work or responsibility would have been so necessary for my spirtual, physical and emotional survival. But it has. God's taught me to wait on him. He's taught me to rest in who he is, and, incidentally, who I am not. He's teaching me to be content, but to find complete satisfaction in Him alone. In this "quarter-life crisis" (as some have called it), I've longed for my home more often than not. Its tough to accept that true, deep, tangible satisfaction won't come this side of heaven. This world is not my home so the insecurity and confusion that often come with it are part of the territory.
I wish I was writing this entry to tell you that I know where I'm going next. Sorry to disappoint, I'm still waiting for that direction. However, I will update on some things I've learned since I've been in this season:

#1. I just don't think I can describe the blessing of family - my family atleast. I've had a birthday since I've been here. I'm 24 now (CRAZY!) and my parent's showered me with gifts. They've bought me a car, contributed to my new camera, a new phone (not too bad - the contract was up :) )and helped out a little with a trip to see one of my best friends who pours it out for Jesus in New York City.


#2. I love to accomplish tasks (check things off of a list). I spent an entire day a couple weeks ago going through my parents books and alphebetizing them on their new bookshelf - it was amazing!

#3. Getting your driver's license renewed is a pain!

#4. Finally with some time for pleasure reading, I can report that Karen Kingsbury writes a mean novel

#5. I love to have a HOME, my own space, my own decorations, but long for community and fellowship with others

#6. Everyone (and I really do mean almost everyone) in Friendswood gets married early (right out of high school) :)

#7. the Wii makes for hours of great entertainment

#8. after a year of no TV...I think I've made up for it thanks to abc.com and alluc.org

#9. Garage Sales are hard work and I'm not really sure that they're worth the money...the jury is still out.

I think that'll about do it for now. For those of you who are worried...I will work hard to keep this blog alive. Don't you doubt...the six chicks still live, breathe and BLOG!!!!

~js

Texas our Texas...

...All hail the mighty state!

Or something like that.

Oh the Places You'll Go.

I must admit, I've been a bit out of pocket for the last year or so of my life. This would explain the lack of 'Jessica' you've seen on this blog. As for the others...I don't know their excuse. For some it is a streak of independence (starting their own blog - PISHAA!), others it's a new marriage, and still others it's a new job and other new adventures. But I'm back...out of pocket no longer, and with so much to report.

Graduation gifts....that's what this entry's title makes me think of. While I never received this beloved book by our friend Seuss (may he rest in peace) for graduation, I feel like I've experienced much of what he spoke of in only a year and some change since my own college graduation. 2006-2007 has been a crazy time of travels. I've had the oppurtunity to set foot in 5 continents in only a year. This entry will be my report...

Let's start off with my travels to North Africa in February. This trip was facilitated by the Forge...so as you will see my 13 roommates/friends/classmates/cohorts/comrades/etc. served to be most of the entertainment. We were fortunate enough to have a twelve hour layover in London on this journey, which is where we will cover our first continent.

EUROPE!

So this is us in front of Buckingham Palace. We were proud of ourselves. We ended up doing London in only 5 hours. Obviously only seeing the major sights, but it was fun. I felt a little like I was on The Amazing Race. Next stop....

AFRICA

We spent almost 2 weeks in N. Africa visiting friends and getting to know college students. This picture is from the ancient ruins of Carthage. So much neat history there. It was so neat to experience a totally new culture. Only I am so suprised at how westernized our world is becoming. Walking along the city streets there felt almost like I was in a US city. Ok...for our next stop...one in which you will all be very interested, I went to...

ASIA

This is us in Thailand. Now obviously I'm not in this picture, but don't be fooled. Brooke and I were on an another elephant taking this photo. For more picture and details on this trip please click here - http://brookebrandon.blogspot.com/2007/05/fastest-week-of-my-life.html.

and finally for my last international trip of the year (so far)...

CENTRAL AMERICA

Now this picture is from the great country of Costa Rica. I was fortunate enough to spend about ten days this past summer with Pine Cove at a church called La Communidad de Amor. This is a picture of my team at the church. What an amazing time of ministry and growth. We were fortunate enough to assist these Tican people as they put on camp and outdoor ed classes to little ones. Such a cool time!!

So...it was really only 4 continents, but I feel like Costa Rica is kind of in South America so I like to say 5. Needless to say, it was quite a year of travel for me. Which only makes me excited about what's to come. I guess we'll just have to wait and see, because Oh the Places We'll Go!!!

Beau and Jenna are Engaged!!!!

Beau Haralson proposed to Jenna Fagen on July 5 in Colorado Springs, Co at the Broadmoor Hotel.

In true Beau fashion it was an elaborate, romantic, and creative proposal.

Basically he surprised her in her front yard as she was leaving for work. He let her go change (good move) and he took her to a special breakfast at the Broadmoor.

Side note: The Broadmoor Hotel is spectacular. If you are ever in Colorado Springs or near it, try to go see it!

Midway through breakfast he excused himself for a minute.
The server brought a clue to Jenna.
This clue led her to a special place they had many fun conversations last summer when they were able to stay at the hotel with Jenna's parents.
Another clue led her to a special bench right by the pond where they had another memorable conversation.
At this point our new friend, Charles, from the Broadmoor met her at the bench and led her to the final location.

He took her to the open air tower you can see in the background of their picture.
There were rose petals leading her to the top.

Side note: Apparently no one ever gets to go in this tower.

When she got in the tower, a scrapbook of their letters and pictures and memories that Beau had made was sitting on a chair for her to look through.
She didn’t know that Beau was also in the tower…he was right around the corner. So he started to play his guitar.
She came around the corner!

Side note: My family and all the Fagens were way down below on this little bridge and we could see what was happening!

So he played the song he wrote for her called “My Beloved” (also engraved in her ring) and then proposed!

She said YES


A few more pics of the proposal:



The view from the tower



Our view of the proposal. If you look really close you can see the little specks that are Beau and Jenna.


Beau pre-proposal...so excited!


The Scrapbook






It was a really exciting day! I’m so happy for my brother who found an incredible girl to be his wife!

hh

It's been one year!

Lauren and Brice Helton have been married for one year!

Congratulations to the couple that we all love!

Brice, we can joke about how you are now part of the chicks and how you have final say on the other chick's boys, but it is only because we love you and respect you so much. Thanks for putting up with us. Thank you for loving our La so well and showing us what Godly leadership really looks like.

Lauren, not only did you challenge all of us by the way you kept your eyes on the Lord while you were dating B-rice, but you have been such a wonderful example of a wife. You have made us all laugh by embracing 6-man football, continuing to make chicken salad every other day, and chaperoning prom. You are in love with Jesus and Brice and you make being a wife look so fun!



Congratulations on one year, Heltons!
We can't wait to see where the Lord takes you two!

Hello, my name is Tex

This is Tex. He is my dog. He was born in October and I got him in December with plans for him to move to Kentucky with me. It didn't really work out for him to come to Kentucky with me, but I am so glad I got him anyway!

He is a German Shorthair Pointer.

A bird dog! He points - I didn't even have to teach him that!

Now, I don't know if I will ever take him bird hunting myself, but supposedly he is a very quick learner and my uncle says he is a "classy pointer"... so he's got that going for him!

a



I've been meaning to introduce you to Tex for awhile now. Today I finally was able to get my computer and blogger to cooperate!

I really don't want the chick blog to die! I will do my best not to let that happen... no spin-off blog for me!

Don't give up on us...

HH

Private Practice

I am venturing out.

Go see my new blog.

http://claireborne.blogspot.com

that is all.

Off Again...

Although I am a little bitter that I am the only chick who still updates this blog, I am going to update anyway just to keep everyone posted (since that is what this blog is for, right?).

I am leaving....again!

I hate it. I hate leaving people that I love. I have made some amazing friends that have touched my heart deeply and that I will never forget.

But I feel that this is how I am going to get more of Jesus right now. I learned that it is not a matter of if it is right or wrong, but whether I will get more of Jesus in this adventure or not. So, I will go--because it is the most clear word I have received--and will stop as soon as I am not getting more of Him. I pray that He continues to direct my path and that I will not stop pressing into Him.

So, I'm off to Young Life's Mountain Lodge camp for the summer in Soda Springs, CA (the Tahoe area) and then the plan is to move to San Diego--for how long...who knows?

Please stay in touch--and chicks, please update this stinkin' thing!

Remember when......

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos
we performed Lauren's favorite musical on the steps of the Texas Capital....


we became w-H-arf girls...


we took cheezy pictures...


we graduated...


and I got a tattoo.....

it is time

I must apologize, blog updates have been a struggle for this little Forge student this year. The lack of internet access combined with the stack of books to read and papers to write is not excuse enough for my relational maintenance FAILURES. :) So...to compensate, I'll give your hungry little eyes some pictures from my year until I have tiime to debrief in length (which may or may not come post-graduation April 28).
I come to you from McAlisters Deli in Tyler, TX. Praise the Lord for wireless internet, right!?




I will say (with 3 months left) that The Forge has been one of the most challenging things I've ever been involved in. I'm fairly confident that in the end I will be able to tell you how worth it it all was. Thank you all so much for your prayers. I promise to be better at blog updates in my next phase of life! :)
~js

where are they now?

That's right folks.
The chicks are all grown up.
Off and doing their own thing.

Quite a variety of things, I might add.
Just look at this, we've got;

Tunisia.

Thailand.

Flower Mound HIgh School.

Italy.

Kentucky.

Dallas.


Just in one week people.
These chicks are unstoppable.
Look out.

OOO, beads!

The adventures of Sarah and Claire continue.
With the wintery weather's approach, we decided to drive through the night to get to the ball.
That's right. We left at midnight and with two giant coffees and our Coke and Dr. Peppers arrived at 6am.
We are hard core.

Why would you drive through the night to Lafayette, Louisiana you ask?
Because, who would want to miss this:






(Uncle Leon and Aunt Ro never disappoint.)


Plus, those Cajus know how to party.
There was dancing.




Costumes.




Yummy beverages.


And lots of fun!




And as an added bonus, Claire and I decided that we are gonna look good when we are older!
Here's to some hot mamas!