Friday Night!

Tonight should be super fun! Josh is running sound for a concert in Ruston and I'm hoping to blog pictures from it while its happening. I preface this by saying that they will be pics from my phone. I put the real camera down for the last week to have a mini vacation from work.
Sound Check 6:58pm

Waltz with Me = Awesome! They sound so great! Josh and I love those boys! Josh was able to help master their cd they are selling tonight.
PS. Best of the day = Hanging with the Hanchey's and being able to see Josh & Chris work together again. Miss that!

Last week!

We made our way to Dallas for Mag's Wedding! We had to stop off at Chocolate Secrets...AMAZING! And it made me sick, but I would still oerload on chocolate any day from them! YUM-O!
We are in the midst of hosting a Birthday Extravaganza for my new mom (Josh's mamasita!) so we're all pumped about that. I am hoping to post pictures from that. We're having an easy week and enjoying the extra space and time!
PS. We will have internet at our house soon! Praise God for providing and allowing us to not live beyond our means. It's just the internet after all.

Work, WorK, WORK!

I've been so crazy this week trying to get all kinds of stuff out to people and that is a good feeling! I know I said I wouldn't post more than one picture on my blog for my photography session, but I can't resist! You can see the biggie size images here!

Fun Friday

Today was a great day! There was a ton going on in our family and everything went well. Josh & I had the opportunity to hang with my cousin Trevor and it was so much fun! We got coffee, shopped at the Apple Store, made it to Guitar Center, ate at Snuffers & still had time to meet Stef & Matt at Yogurtland or as it is known in my family, "Hello Kitty Land". We are so so tired, but I wouldn't have traded this time for anything! Please continue to pray for Kari as well as rest for her family. Here are a few pictures from the day.


PS. I think this was one of the best days Josh has ever had!
Reason #1: talking guitars for 8 hours
Reason #2: snuffers
Reason #3: hanging out with such a cool kid (& his wife)
Reason #4: YOGURTLAND pistachio (so good...thats what he tells me...i would be in a coma if i tried it)
Reason #5: sitting for 45 minutes on the distressed leather couch in anthropologie talking guitar stuff
Reason #6: trevor's monster drink was put in a brown paper bag (trevor is still in middle school by the way)
Reason #7: good coffee & banana chip cake
Thank you Jesus for such an awesome time with family!

Our Trip Home!

Wow!
We've had a busy couple of days! We headed out Monday morning for Dallas. My BFF Jenny said goodbye to her Memaw on Monday afternoon and we had to be there. As we get older there are things that we have become more familiar with. One of those is saying goodbye to our precious grandmothers & grandfathers. Josh and I wouldn't have been anywhere else...just the things you do as friends.

We then headed to Waco with Mom for her recruiting trip! We had a great time shopping and eating at Ninfa's! We basically drove a total of 6 hours to eat some good mexican food! We had to have our pictures taken at Spice with a cutie of a Baylor Bear!


I also got a haircut from the World Famous Brian Dangerous! He is so so good! Although there are many things I can adjust to in Louisiana, a new stylist is not one of them! That is a wrap up from Monday through Wednesday! We'll see what Thursday, Friday, & Saturday bring.

Pray for our family for the rest of the week. My cousin Kari is having surgery on Friday. I wouldn't have made it through the last year if it wasn't for her. She was my strength and good companion when we lost Lita and our wedding was at her home. I think that God will do a miracle in her life this week. I have to be positive.

PS. I love this video of Josh as an elephant. This was taken at Ikea about 4 months ago! Enjoy!

I Love Algebra & Art!

New Life+New Logo(Same Name) = New InspirationpS. A subtle way to point you to the photoblog. Do it! You know you want to!

Jude Larsen Hanchey!

This is a joyous post for the Grammon's! Chris & Karen Hanchey finally have a son, Jude Larsen Hanchey. He is brillant and the sweetest little guy. We couldn't be more proud for them! We were able to see him on his birthday & it was truly a miracle...very very special day! Many tears, prayers, and thanks have been given for Jude.

2 Month Anniversary

There are some perks to living in Louisiana and knowing who we know. Last week we had the opportunity to do a little modeling for Kelly Moore Clark and her Give Me Moore workshop. I learned so much from just being a fly on the wall. All of the other girls did an amazing job, but we have to showcase the work of this incredible artist. We are so thankful to have this beautiful art in our home forever. I also fulfilled a dream of feeling like a model for a day with a handsome hubby to hold & kiss. AND it was our 2 month anniversary so that was just the cherry on top! It was a fantastic day!

Think Tank

I had lunch today with some of the girls from church. And I was asked the question of what Josh I do all day. Sometimes I don't know what to say because its too hard to explain. I can't speak for Josh, but I think alot about finding new inspiration, words, books, music, clothes, videos, New York. Those are the things that keep me current. One of my fears is not being able to reinvent and make it work. And at this point, I am having a hard time finding people to relate to. Our lives are really different from the ordinary and although you wouldn't think so, there are alot more self employed types here and that makes me think I belong some place is this culture. We don't even have internet at the house and I like it because I can actually focus on my work without interruptions. If I average a couple of days getting back to you about work stuff, just call my cell. It would be easy to clutter the invisible space with communication, but at this time I am choosing what has an influence on me. We have received many blessings this week and are so grateful for being held so close by the Father. I guess that I am allowing myself to become somewhat of an artist. I am married to one. He is sitting in front of his amp right now...creating. it is inspiring. We need more inspiration. So this is my attempt to embrace my inner thinker. I am probably better at this than I believe.

Our Trip to Memphis

It has been a whirlwind since Christmas....we've been to Dallas, Memphis, and home. It has been good to be home. We've had some difficulty with internet recently and so we are no longer mooching off of our neighbors. We have a solution, but blogging might be a little scarce for the next week or so and email as well. Thank goodness for coffee shops and friends. Josh & I are celebrating our 2 month anniversary today! We have pictures of how we celebrated. As soon as those are released to us, I will share them with you! Things are moving along quickly although I don't really know the destination. God is so faithful to us!

PS. More images from our trip on the photoblog!

This is an emergency!

So we like most of our peers have worn the label of prodigal. And we like others, have been lead home again. Joshua and I are burdened for a friend, consumed with his safety and life. And this is my plea to pray for him. Please pray for a couple in our church that are closer than his family. We are a body and with that we are fighting and working for him. I don't care where we find him, we will bring him home. I want God to do a miracle so we can say, "Look what He has done." We sang this song at Portico last night...I pleaded for God to bring him home. He doesn't look like my brother, but he is. Our hearts are breaking and yet we are searching. Isn't this the mystery of God, that he would be so consumed with us and yet still be righteous. Father, we will lead them home.

Tears of the Saints by Leeland:

There are many prodigal sons
On our city streets they run
Searching for shelter
There are homes broken down
People’s hopes have fallen to the ground
From failures

This is an emergency!

There are tears from the saints
For the lost and unsaved
We’re crying for them come back home
We’re crying for them come back home
And all your children will stretch out their hands
And pick up the crippled man
Father, we will lead them home
Father, we will lead them home

There are schools full of hatred
Even churches have forsaken
Love and mercy
May we see this generation
In its state of desperation
For Your glory

This is an emergency!

There are tears from the saints
For the lost and unsaved
We’re crying for them come back home

We’re crying for them come back home
And all your children will stretch out their hands
And pick up the crippled man
Father, we will lead them home
Father, we will lead them home

Sinner, reach out your hands!
Children, in Christ you stand!
Sinner, reach out your hands!
Children, in Christ you stand!

There are tears from the saints
For the lost and unsaved
We’re crying for them come back home
We’re crying for them come back home
And all Your children will stretch out their hands
And pick up the crippled man
Father, we will lead them home
Father, we will lead them home

New Stuff Here!

Hey Friends! Well, this has been a long time coming, but I felt the need to separate my work life from my personal life...yes...it does make sense. I am a two blog woman now. I have the photography blog...new and improved and this old favorite. The photography blog will have some personal photographs on there, but remains dedicated to work since I am crazy busy in 2009. Please stop by the new place and take a look around, http://jessicagarzaphotography.blogspot.com. I hope you enjoy the extra large images! True Stories will be dedicated to the lives of the Grammon family! I will post photos here as well, but much fewer than the past.

Stay tuned for the tale of the hungry vacuum cleaner.

Happy New Year!

We had a great opportunity to take some shots together on Thursday when my Mom and Lito came to visit us in Louisiana. They are good sports to jump in front of the camera. Here are the faves! Happy New Year from the Garza's, Palma's, & Grammon's! On a side note, this was our 6 month mark without my grandmother and we are doing better than we all thought. Thank you for the prayers! Love & Blessings in 2009!

Christmas Party at Austin's Bistro

I wanted to put a link to Kelly's blog so you could see our evening at Austin's on Wednesday. She's so good. It was awesome and so much fun to meet more girls and talk business, husbands, hobbies, and clothes! I think the picture of me listening to heather is silly. I look a bit shy...I felt insecure going into the whole thing which is why I piled on the red lipstick! Makeup is my anti-drug these days!

PS. Kelly asked if I might want to model for her in the new year...AYKM? Yes! This is a former chubby girl's dream! This is from my favorite teaching session she did...Kills It!

PPS...This is a totally self-indulgent post...I'm aware of it, yes, thank you!

It's A Wonderful LIfe

About a week ago, our friend, Chris Larsen posted this blog entry and it made me think...
What is my "Wonderful Life" List? Who would be included on it? For George Bailey it meant Harry, Uncle Billie, Mary, etc. And for me? Who are those people? It has been difficult moving to a different place, forming relationships and even having the motivation to make new friends. In the entry just before this one, I say in a round about way that I've struggled with even wanting to make new friends here...just good with what I've got I guess. And there's been so much change in the last few months that I don't really trust anyone. After losing Lita, I had difficulty trusting that God wouldn't take someone else away. It's only been with time that I am holding onto Jesus rather than man.

The past week has been filled with Christmas Party after Christmas party, lunch after lunch, and work. And I have to say that although I may had given myself reason to be reserved, even timid at times, I had to get out there and make new relationships. So here are the ones that make the top of the list (year after year):
Joshua (1 year - newbie...fantastic addition!)
Mom (27 years)
Lito & Lita (27 years)
Jenny M...formally Jenny T. (17 years)
Kim (17 years)
Dad (17 years)
Kari (20 years)
Megan, Kristin, Angelique, The band family, the Portico family, my new family. Just a word about the Portico family: I believe they are our outlet and confidants, our instructors, teachers, peers, and our friends. I love this church family so much and I believe they are my part of the Body of Christ. I appreciate all the photographer gals in the area with work and friendship. It is getting better all the time. We have "family" all over America and we are so blessed to love you all.

The Christmas Party

So tonight is a big night for me...I am going to a Christmas Party alone, but this isn't just any Christmas party! I was invited to share a meal with other photographers in the area by Brandi and Kelly. As you can imagine, it hasn't been easy wanting to make new friends (I already have the best girls in the world) and for other ladies in the area to take me in is just a blessing. It is pretty humbling to know that I would even be considered a photographer next to Kelly. I am so thankful for new experiences and growth. Please pray for me tonight if you think of it. I hope that I don't make a fool of myself.

AYKM? Love it!

It's been 3 weeks? What? Where does the time go? This is one of my many faves! Seriously!

Blogging Hiatus

Well, Jessica Grammon here back from the marriage haze and ready for the most wonderful time of the year. Joshua and I have had an incredible time these last few weeks. We will be married for 3 whole weeks this coming Saturday...Yes, we celebrate our anniversary every week! We have gotten back into the swing of living since officially moved to West Monroe. Josh is working for Portico and Twin Cities Bible Church and I am doing the freelance photography and writing thing. I have to say its a blessings to be busy for the holidays. We are booked solid with friends, work, and family. We live a much different life than others. We both work at home, we do our grocery shopping like other elderly couple on Monday mornings and we have fun. Josh has not thrown me out yet or even threatened a "no talking" time.

I am working on several projects right now...The photography business is STEADY! I have to say that all the prayer is being answered and we are looking into new concepts and techniques...and a New BLOG! I am also working on what is quite possibly the coolest and most insane project that could happen to me in my short life on this earth...only problem is...I can't talk about it. God is allowing me to work with some of the most talented people in the entire world and I am helping with some of my expertise in one particularly passionate area. I will post as soon as I am at liberty to do so. Bananas! Amazing!

I will post photographs from the wedding soon. I am in the midst of writing and shooting so posting has not been a huge priority. We are alive and well...and THANKFUL. Please keep praying for us as we remember you all. Merry Christmas!

Tagged: Christmas Survey

1. Wrapping Paper or gift bags: heavy paper and wire ribbon only...
2. Real or Artificial Tree: Fake...Allergic...more than one!
3. When do you put up the trees? The week before Thanksgiving
4. When do you take the trees down? The blue one is down after New Years, the Silver tinsel tree is down in February! Hallelujah!
5. Do you like Eggnog? Pleh!
6. Favorite Gift received as a child? My stepmom got me a bear sweater and it was kick ass
7. Hardest person to buy for? The person I like least during the year because I don't want to spend any money on them...sometimes it changes.
8. Easiest person to buy for: My sister...she's like a vacuum of wanting stuff
9. Do you have a nativity scene? If there was a Biblically accurate nativity with a stone manager, a Jewish Family and girl shepherds then I would buy it...otherwise no. We should all know more about Jewish/Biblical Culture
10. Mail or email Christmas Cards? Photoshop those email cards
11. Worst Christmas gift? Sweatshirt with cats on it from my Lita...she usually never gave bad gifts...was an off year I guess
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Impossible...White Christmas
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Usually August, but I did it in October this year
14. Have you ever re-gifted a present? Foolishness...shenanigans!
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Tamales and Sausage Balls
16. Lights on the tree? Three sets...one color strand...one white...and one novelty strand
17. Favorite Christmas Song? I celebrate the Day from Relient K
18. Travel at Christmas or Stay Home? Are you kidding?
19. Can name all of Santa's Reindeer? I'm sure I could but it would be embarrassing if I could do that and not name all the books in the Bible
20. Angel on the tree top or star? Peacock feathers please!
21. Open presents on Christmas Eve or Morning? We do it on Christmas day mid morning...lasts 3 hours
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? The hot weather
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? All of the ornaments that make up my childhood tree
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Tamales
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Dude, we're still getting wedding presents...shenanigans!

I am tagging everyone!

Tagged: The beat goes on!

7 Things I want to do before I die:
1. National Book Tour
2. New York Times Best Seller
3. Travel the world
4. See the hubby accomplish his list of goals
3. Give all my stuff away
2. Have photographic evidence of all the significant moments in my life
1. Love God more than I ever thought I could

7 Things I Can do...
1. Write...Well
2. Read...Voraciously
3. Create...More Ideas than I could ever accomplish
4. Photograph
5. Be my own Boss
6. Help people
7. Give

7 Things I Cannot do...
1. I cannot play sports
2. Play just for fun...I love competition
3. Not take it personally
4. Give it a rest
5. Leave it alone
6. I cannot say no
7. Be satisfied with anything other than perfection...Huge perfectionist...ugh!

7 Things that Attracted me to my Hubby:
1. The Rock and Roll thing doesn't hurt
2. His Heart
3. He is brilliant and can fix or build anything...including guitars
4. He Loves God like no one else I've ever seen and he is my spiritual hero
5. He loves everyone and everyone loves him
6. He is a goofy
7. He treats me like a princess

7 Things I Say Most Often:
1. That's Bananas
2. Thats a Nikon Coolpix
3. I Love you to Joshua
4. I'm trying to think, I'm trying to think
5. You know?
6. Punky!
7. Those little baby

Celebrity Crushes
1. Rachel Zoe
2. Annie Leibovitz
3. Sheryl Crow
4. Rick Steves (he knows how to travel)
5. Sarah Jessica Parker
6. Betsey Johnson
7. I love Jessica Simpson...always and forever

7 People I'm Tagging:
Everyone done been tagged already!