You can find me in da club

So I've been hearing my middle school students talk about going to "da club" on the weekends and what they are going to wear to "da club." Out of pure curiosity, I just had to ask. I pointed out to them that they are 12-13 years old and thus about 8 years away from legally entering "da club". Not to mention, where are we?... oh yea, Palestine, TX! No too many clubs in these here parts :) After further investigation, I have been informed that "da club" is actually simply a birthday party with dancing. Case Closed.

I found Jesus

Jesus is alive and well in Palestine, Texas. Let me tell you, I have experienced Jesus this past week in a way I never have before...in school. Now, as a Christian woman, I think these instances are amazing and think it's great that people here are not afraid to talk about their faith. However, the girl who grew up in San Diego is just having a little bit of culture shock getting adjusted to this new place. Let me share some of the instances that I have found awesome and awkward all at the same time. In order to understand the reasons behind the awkward laugh that I experienced each of these times, you must remember that I can't help but think how the situation would be completely different if it took place in San Diego (a place where I had a teacher who refused to say the pledge and instead would go outside during the pledge and say a poem to nature). Picture this...

1) You are at new teacher orientation at you new job and the Assistant Superintendent asks everyone in the room to bow their heads to bless the food before lunch (reasonable enough but still would never happen in SD)

2) Now picture new teacher convocation, with the entire staff of Palestine ISD present and the School Board President gets up and starts talking about how Satan is trying to come into the district and bring it down but we know that God will prevail! (Oh, you know I had an awkward giggle here and couldn't help but to look around to find the person that would be offended and sue)

3) The Superintendent goes over all of the awards and achievements of the district to which everyone says "Amen!" after each one is listed. (apparently the fact that we were having the convocation at the Evangelistic Temple was really reaching some people)

All in all, I really do think that it is awesome that I live in a town where the question isn't "Do you go to church?" Instead the questions is just "Where do you go to church?" because trust me, everyone goes to church here. Even the cable guy had to leave in the middle of installing our cable so he could go to church. There is just a little part of me (the California part) that can't get over the fact that we prayed three times today while I was at work. Maybe more places should be more like Palestine.

Beauty and the Beast

Last night I had a girls night out at the Theater with Kate and Reese (Kate is going to be a bridesmaid in the wedding and Reese is the flower girl). We went down to the new Winspear Opera House in Dallas (which is beautiful by the way) to see Beauty and the Beast the musical. Belle is Reese’s favorite princess right now so it was fun to see her get excited about seeing Belle and dancing to “Be Our Guest” in her chair. The musical was really fun to see. It’s very cartoon-like in their sets and everything though. The only real disappointment was Belle’s famous yellow dress. It looked like Belle had just walked off the set of Gone With the Wind. She had all of these flowers in her hair (what about the yellow bow with her hair in a low ponytail?) and there was NO sparkle in the dress. What Disney princess has a dress without sparkles?? Needless to say, I was let down a bit. Be Our Guest was easily the highlight of the night though. Here are some pictures of us at the theater.

Don't Mess With The Dress

Do I have a story for you all! I had my first experience being a feisty bride today. Let’s start from the beginning though. Yesterday afternoon I received a voice mail that started like this, “Hi Jenna, this is Caroline from the Bridal Boutique (where I bought my dress). This doesn’t happen very often but…” But what! Is my dress discontinued? Was it ruined in some fire? What’s going on?! These are all of the things that went through my mind. The message continued on to explain that some girl out there in the world wanted my dress because he wedding was coming up shortly and they wouldn’t have the standard 6 months to make hers. So, the designer wanted to know if I would be willing to give up my dress to the girl and then they would put a rush on my dress and I would receive mine about a month and a half later than I had expected. She said I didn’t have to give her my dress but the designer wanted to ask. My heart was filled with compassion in thinking that every girl deserved to get her dream wedding dress. That lasted for about a minute until I realized that I had followed all of the right rules: I went to try on wedding dresses well in advance, planned time in the schedule of events for my dress to be made, already had my bridal portraits planned based on when I would get my dress and when the alterations could be done. I had all of my ducks in a row, why should I get the added stress of some bridal store somewhere in the country re-ordering my dress and possible getting it wrong or not having enough time for alterations. Let’s just say sympathy quickly flew out the window. I think bridal sympathy gets checked at the door when another bride whom you do not know starts to infringe on your day.

So this morning, I called back once the store opened with the decision already made to unfortunately say no to giving my dress up. The lady seemed to have changed her tune when I spoke with her today. She went from “you don’t have to do this” to “we do this a lot and typically the brides so ‘of course you can give her the dress!’” Well I for one would like to speak to these brides. I expressed my concerns that if I didn’t get my dress until October, we would have time for alterations before my bridal portraits. To which she responded by asking if I could call my photographer and ask to reschedule. Well let me just rearrange my wedding for this girl I don’t know, who for all I know is a very poor planner, a spoiled girl who decided she no longer liked the dress she already bought, or is having a shotgun wedding and needs a dress last minute. The kicker was still to come though. I finally told the woman that unfortunately I didn’t want to give up my dress. She said “ok, well I’ll call this poor little girl and tell her she can’t have it.” REALLY?! I’m sorry! Shouldn’t you be looking out for the person who spent the money in YOUR store and who YOUR client is?! After she made that comment I knew I had made the right decision. That concludes my first experience being a little feisty in the bridal department.

San Diego

Today is my first day back since the trip to San Diego for the 4th of July. Casey and I took his good friend Justin out with us so he could experience California for the first time. It was a great trip! We spent the first night touring downtown and visited Coronado, the Gas Lamp District, and had ice cream at Ghirardelli’s. Saturday we ate breakfast at the Green Flash right on the ocean and followed it up by playing bocce ball and lying out at the beach. The Kuptz family came over for dinner that night. It was so much fun to get to see everyone and catch up. Sunday the boys played disc golf and my mom and I did what we do best…SHOP! We celebrated the 4th down at La Jolla overlooking the beach. The Marine band gave a great show and it was easily the best firework show I have ever seen. I usually feel cheated on the 4th because I think the show was too short, but this one was the perfect length! Monday was a time to relax by the pool and take naps. Dad cooked a great meal and my mom and I got to have girl time and watch The Bachelorette.

Wedding Website

I am finishing up the final touches on our wedding website but I wanted you all to be able to see check it out. Just know that it isn't completely finished yet. You will be able to go here and get information about the wedding, see where we are registered, and see pictures of us with our wedding party.

http://www.theknot.com/ourwedding/JennaHill&CaseyWilliams

The Warriors

Casey and I survived the Warrior Dash!! Casey was the true warrior though. He had been throwing up sick the night before the race and didn’t feel good at all the next day but was determined to finish the race. We went through all of the obstacles together which included: “Tornado Ally” (a fan boat blowing on you), several mud pits, swimming through a bog and under logs, climbing over giant spools and hay bales, with a finale of hurdling over fire and crawling through mud under barbed wire. It was quite the adventure and an accomplishment. The only downside of the event was that they promised fire trucks to hose people off after the race. Well, the fire trucks turned into one man holding a hose. We waited in line for over 45 minutes to get hosed off. Here are the before and after pictures of us at the race (Casey’s friend Justin is the other guy in the photos)