The State Fair of Texas!

We were able to head out on the opening day of the fair on Friday. We enjoyed the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes! We found the phenomenal, award winning "Chicken Fried Bacon"! Seriously...it was too much. And if that wasn't enough, we devoured the fried s'mores! WOW! My mouth waters just thinking about it. It was an awesome time to enjoy something together for the first time. I had never been to the fair before. Here are a few fun pics. I think most of the pictures look a little touristy than normal...sometimes thats okay! My fave is the first one from the Midway! Oh and the auto show was bam pow! Super Cool!

The Bride & Groom

Well...
The time has come to unwrap our wedding plans for November 22. Being that it has been a rollercoaster hell ride, we are relocating the wedding to Dallas with close friends and family. We have agonized over this decision. Thank you for your prayers and love. We will be joyous newlyweds in 58 days.

Fun Weekend

We had a great weekend in Alexandria! I just have to say that Josh's sister is the bomb! She is so giving and creative. Kevin did take a couple of pictures of us, too and this is one of my faves. This will be an awesome week and we will know more about Galveston. We are VERY optimistic! Hooray!

Happy Friday!

Mom and I are on our way out to Alexandria for the weekend to see my hubby and his family, but I have to share this. I totally forgot to post these pictures a couple of weeks ago. I blame Reid K. for this blatant waste of time.


No, these aren't our illegitimate kids, they are my brother and sister, Jacob and Jenna. Yes, we all have J names and G last names. We make the cliche work! Seriously, you should really yearbook yourself or someone who really needs a new yearbook photo!

Good News!

Mom got an email from Judy last night saying that my Uncle David called to tell them that my grandmother's house made it. They live 5 blocks from the Seawall! I am praying that my Aunt and cousin's house made it as well. It is really a miracle. I really don't know what we would've done if there was nothing to go back to. This is a small victory that has changed Lita Garza's future. This photo was taken last December.

Christmas Card Special!

I am pleased to offer a great new deal for the upcoming holiday season. What if you didn't have to worry about finding a great picture to send out for your Christmas cards?! You would have time to sing, dance, and play UNO! Well, maybe it would give you more piece of mind that holiday cards are taken care of. So what's the deal?

This special offer includes a 2 hour photo session, a proof book, and 25 personalized Christmas Cards for family & friends at the low cost of $215 bucks! These are the holiday cards we are offering this year. Don't wait! This offer is only good for sessions until the end of October. Spend your time on something else this holiday season.

New Perspectives

Well, these are just a few examples of the things that I will be posting throughout the fall. The beauty of these little plants calmed my spirit today. It was my silver lining. Nothing can be added to my life by worrying.

A Case of the Tuesdays

Well, I've been given some advice from JD and Mom...get out of the house! It seems that I'm not only driving myself crazy, but everyone else. It has absolutely been an insane 3 days and am now recovering although I had to re-plan a wedding. We know what we will do in the even that Galveston is out...I just felt like Heidi Klum. Anyways...it is going to work and we're excited either way. SOOO...I'm on my way to Joann's because Sydnee's birthday is on Thursday and even though they had her party last weekend, I need to make her birthday present. She is crazy about Tinkerbell and so I'm planning something insane. I will post pictures when I'm finished.

I'm also working on a great deal for my photography clients that involves Christmas cards and a photoshoot! Get excited! It is an amazing value for what you get. I will post details and examples tomorrow.

AND...I am hoping to have an online store before the week is out. My friends have made alot of comments (encouraging) about my landscape photography. You have a chance to get it! Yay!

Here are the things that make me happy today.
I found this picture of Josh as I was going through images yesterday. He is so cute and patient. I am one lucky girl!

This was our last cgb pic with Chris & Karen. I got such a nice note from Chris this morning about the wedding. I miss seeing them so much, but am grateful that our friendships reach beyond work to life. I can't wait to live 30 minutes away from Ruston. Yes, I just said it!

Okay, I'm out to enjoy the day and be inspired. I am looking for creativity through in the outdoors. I will start NOW!

Week / Weekend Wrap Up

Well, last week was absolutely amazing in regards to Monday through Friday. Josh and I took care of absolutely all of the wedding planning! Hooray! The only thing is waiting to see if everything will be there in Galveston. CRAZY! Anyways here are my favorite things about the week:
+Yogurtland aka Hello Kitty Land!
+The friendly folk at Banana Republic...a salesgirl hugged me over my rain boots and when I laughed she said I didn't need to patronize her and to own the hug. I'm so glad Josh was there to witness all of it!
+Baylor!
+Ninfa's...heaven a plate!
+Running into Darden on our walk through campus...Darden was in the middle of filming his documentary for PBS...he stopped to tell Josh that I am a great writer and that I have what it takes. It was one of the top 15 moments of my life!
+Talking about the CGB at Common Grounds...YAY!
+Shopping at SPICE & Congress!
+Super H Mart with the FAM!
+More Yogurtland
+Being Relaxed! Being Together!
+Cooking my first meal in my grandmother's kitchen...strange, but familiar...
+Apple Keynote = Apple Store Visit
+Pumpkin Spice Lattes! Thank you, Starbucks!

Not So Great things about the Week:
+the hurricane
+evacuating family
+keeping up with family
+choosing alternative wedding locations
+thinking through the possibility of planning a whole new wedding in 2 months...can you say elope?
+Josh leaving
+Missing Sydnee's Birthday Party...I will give her the bday present next weekend
+Worrying about my family's homes
+Worrying about other friends' homes

Silver Linings:
+A Handful of People have Offered their Homes as Alternative Locations for the Wedding and our church has offered to help in Galveston...even at my grandmother's house.
+News coverage showed no flooding one block away from my grandmother's house. Mom & I have hope!
+We are still getting Married! Hooray!

STIR CRAZY!

Well, we made it through the night on pins and needles watching news footage & staying on the internet. So since Thursday, I've been talking with family to keep updated on their evacuations. I wish they were in Dallas, but my bro, sis, dad, and stepmom are in Brenham, Texas along with my aunt, uncle, grandma and cousins. I understand not wanting to be so far away from home. I do think my grandma's home survived...I hope so. I also think that my parent's house is not flooded in Texas City.

This storm has been a huge source of stress being that we are to be married in 68 days in Galveston. I believe that most of the wedding venues are all right, but I have my doubts on our beach house...I could be wrong. I will have people check it out for me next week. It has been a very emotional time for my family and for me. I hate to see my favorite place and childhood home go through so much. I have to admit that seeing the storm surges break over the seawall sent Mom & I into panic mode. I'm so glad that Josh was here to calm me down & Mom as well. We will still be married on November 22, hopefully in Galveston. I cannot take planning another wedding in 2 and a half months, but we will do what we have to do. The important thing is that Josh & I will be married and our families will be there. There is a plan B already in effect if needed. We will make it through!

Thank you for calling and checking on the family. Thank you for the prayers! I appreciate it so much. We are contact with everyone and hope to hear good news soon! This running from hurricanes business is getting a little old. We had to evacuate last week and Josh had to get out of the way this weekend.

Please pray for my friends Meredith & Chad as they have family in the Clear Lake area. Meredith's parents are safe in Shreveport. They have gotten bad flooding. I have yet to see neighborhoods in Texas City, but I pray for news soon.

Open Mic Movie Night at GP!

Our Open Mic Night at Fretz Park was awesome! I had so much fun getting to know people and visiting with great friends! Here are a few pics of our little friends from Church. Oh! Grace Point Rocks!



I'm trying to work with ambient lighting more. I'm not really sure what to think about it. Let me know what you guys think! I would love to have feedback. On another note, I have to say that I love shooting kiddos. And even if I was terrible at it, I would still try because it is so fun. It is quite possibly my favorite genre to shoot so far!

PS. I'm in bed before 12:30am! Yahoo!

Labor Day Weekend

Well, we left the state of Louisiana unscathed by the pending threats of this Gustav character. This was the first time Mom had spent more than 3 hours in LA and it was different. It's not a very good adjective, but it was definitely not the norm. Even though we left at 9:45a.m., we did not have any traffic at all...that is miraculous! Please pray for our state as we resume a state of normalcy. I don't live there yet, but I do consider it home. Josh's family does not have power and is waiting out the storm. Please pray for our law enforcement as well--one of them happens to be my brother-in-law! Things will go smoothly...please pray for those who need the most help and give to the red cross or volunteer. We also need to pray about the other hurricanes as well.

We spent time on the way with Jenny and attended her fabulous art show. I have the most talented friends.And we were also able to stop and shop with Josh & Carrol Anne in Natchitoches. Mom LOVED it! I was just glad to see Josh! We'd been apart for 2 weeks...way too long. OH! JOSH FOUND MY NAVY SWEATS/SHORTS! It was the closest I've been to Christmas all summer! I got to swim with my nephew and niece, too and I did it in my clothes. I went for the WOW factor because I thought they would think I was cool...it worked & we put some boogie in it! It was a great night! Oh and this is proof that my camera does take bad pictures if you don't know what you're doing. We also were able to do Portico as a family! So great! Pretty sure Mom cried the whole time...don't know why, but she did. She later said that she was proud of him and that he is the BEST guy in the whole world. I can't argue with that.

I just have to mention my future hubby's character. Seriously, he makes me examine my motives and heart every day. He has been through alot of changes in the past few weeks and he doesn't make decisions out of fear or attempting to fill a need to be in a band. He is resolved and confident in the Lord. He doesn't care if the next move is comfortable or not, our comfort level is low on the radar when fulfilling God's Will. And so the changes keep coming, but we have the promise of our Hope in God, family, and friends to encourage us along the way and we are going to do the right things especially since we desire for our new marriage to be an example at all stages...even being engaged.

So right now, we talk and pray about everything. We pray every morning and that means that I have to get up and talk to God before that so I am prepared to give God my best, but also give Josh my best. Our communication is only good when we are in a constant state of prayer. Yes, we are apart, no, its not ideal, but we have the comfort we need. We always will. I am just so proud and honored to do life with this man who brings out the best qualities in me and also makes me work hard on the weaknesses. He is a wonderful leader and it is no coincidence that others notice that. I'm jumping off my soap box now, but I'm one blessed chica.

The visit was a complete success and I LOVE LOVE LOVE my family and hubby!