Friday's Letters

Dear Contractors, please keep the side door to my office closed. I turned the air back on because y'all complained it was too hot but I refuse to get in trouble for wasting the a/c with the doors opened.

Dear Mickey Mouse, I can't wait to see you on Sunday. & I definitely cannot wait to eat breakfast with you and all your friends!

Dear Saturday Bride, I'll see you tomorrow! It's going to be a hot one!

Dear Philly, You can't get here fast enough.

Dear June, Where have you gone? Soon it'll be Christmas

Dear weight, you're a weighty issue. I refuse to have this conversation with you again. Can you please take residence elsewhere. Like off me?

Dear BFF, Thank you so much for all your help lately! You're much appreciated.

Dear sweet FB comment, You have no idea how much you touched me last night. I needed to hear those exact words so thank you!

Link up with Ash.

Baby Ashlyn Marie

Meet Ashlyn Marie. She arrived this morning at 7:53 weighing 6 pounds 9 ounces and 19.5 inches long. 

I love that my sweet friend/hair stylist had another baby girl.

I mean look at all the cuteness going on here. And that hair! My goodness she's just too precious for words.

I love how Amber is adoring the newest addition to her growing family.

Congratulations Camp & Amber. I can't wait to take Ashlyn's newborn pictures this coming week.

{I long to be a mother one day and seeing all my friends have babies makes me so happy because I get to cuddle each of them. Tonight I read something I thought I'd never hear come from a girl who has not 1 but 3 kids. I know too many ladies who want nothing more than to be a mommy. Please don't take your babies for granted when you have them. You're kids are only brats if you don't raise them the right way. Yes I know I just opened a can of worms but seriously don't tell me to go hang around bratty kids and that will make me change my want for having babies. My sister has two amazing babies and yes sometimes they can get off their rockers but they know better. }

I'm literally in tears over the sweetest comment I have ever read. " Gorgeous! Jenna you look so good holding a baby, you'll make a fantastic mommy :) Ashlyn is just perfect!!!"  This is exactly what I needed to hear.

-JennaDK

Philly Bound!

Do you see it?

Its confirmed!

I'm headed to Philly after 3 years!

-JennaDK

a new place in town

I love finding new places to hang out. Lately I've been loving all the new FROYO places popping up everywhere. Literally. 

Last week LivingSocial was running a special at this cute little place $10 for $20 bucks of FROYO! What a deal!! & I'm crazy about a good bargain!

Tonight the 4 of us met up for a sweet snack then went shopping at Target! My favorite store if you know me. I found the cutest Little Black Dress EVER! For only $25! I tried getting a picture of me in it tonight but the lighting in my house is really weird so here's the link . Run get this dress! Seriously its beautiful! Besides I have the perfect place to wear this LBD.

-JennaDK

Floods

I snapped these pictures driving into work on Monday. The floods here in FL are something I have never seen before. Yes we get A LOT of rain dying the summer but nothing like this. We have roads that have been washed away in some parts of the town. Please pray for those who are affected by all the rain. Also please keep those in Colorado in your prayers who are affected by the fires.

A friend of mine posted this picture on Twitter last night and I just thought it was so crazy to not share! Yes even the gators are relocating to their new flooded homes.

This is the mall less than a mile from my house.

And this is my BFFs condo where we go running!

-JennaDK

feelings lately

Lately my heart has been so happy. 

 I'm excited for the next chapter in my life but definitely not rushing into it. 

Over the last few years I have grown up. 

 A LOT!

 I was scared.

 I was young.

 But I also thought I was ready for marriage. 

I know now that I wasn't ready for marriage.

I always wonder what my life would be like if we stayed together.

It's crazy to see how God has worked in both of our lives.

Who we both are today.

Who we were back then.

How we're still friends even 886 miles apart. 

How every little song reminds me of him.

Why everything happened?

I'm anxious to get on that plane.

Nervous to see him at the airport.

Will I run up to him to give him a hug?

Will I have a nervous smile on my face?

What will we say to each other?

Will we act like we've always known each other?

Will the visit be the 4 days planned?

Or will I leave early?

Lord I hope and pray all will go according to your plans.

Every time I say his name my face lights up. 

My friends can hear it in my voice and see it on my face.

Why do I always see things that remind me of times spent together?

Is it meant to be?

I love how we met. 

Will we be able to tell our kids, grandkids, great grandkids, etc... the story?

These are things that are constantly running through my mind.

I can't help but to love him even now.

I'm still patiently waiting, hoping and praying.

-JennaDK

Weekend Recap

My sweet friend/hair dresser gets to meet her 2nd baby girl on Thursday. I can't wait to meet Ashlyn Marie.

I've been taking Amber's family pictures since her first baby girl Adyson was just a newborn.

I love that our friendship is grown over the last year and a half.

My weekend was crazy busy with my sisters 10 year high school reunion and lots of editing. Next up is a wedding and another maternity session as well as Ashlyn's newborn photo session.

Hope y'all have an amazing Monday.

-JennaDK

Week in Review

I pinned this on pinterest and my BFF's hubby made it for me! 

Is this pathetic or what? He's absolutely adored by my brother and myself.

I'm seriously always a day late or a dollar short. This time I was a mile late.

Everyday when I get home Dodger jumps up in my lap and lays on me. He seriously is the sweetest, most cuddly dog ever! I love him and he obviously loves me!

Hope y'all have a great weekend. I'm crazy busy with meeting a friend about a fundraiser to help her family out since she was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma Disease, running a photo booth at a 10 year high school reunion and a maternity session. This summer is filled with lots of sessions and I couldn't be more excited.

-JennaDK

Liebster Award

Here's the description of the award (taken from Kayla's page):
 The Liebster Blog Award is given to upcoming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. The Meaning; Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing and welcome. I may sound like I'm repeating Haley when I say this, but it is SO nice to know I have readers. Sure, I don't have the big numbers like some girls do, but I am TOTALLY fine with that. I blog for me, not an audience. And I have met some incredible women through this little land of blogging! Moving on to the nitty gritty...

 Here are the rules for receiving this award: 

 1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves.

 2. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you plus create 11 questions for the people you've tagged to answer. 

 3. Choose 11 people and link them in your post. 

 4. Go to their page and tell them. 

 5. Remember, no tag backs! 

11 Things about Me: 

1. When my alarm goes off in the morning I'm up for the day. No snoozing for me.  

2. I left my heart in Philly 3 years ago.  

3. I HATE shopping!!! 4. I consider Dodger a human!  

5. I paint my nails on a DAILY basis {is that bad?}

  6. I can't remember the last time I washed my car! Yikes!!

7. I maybe cook once a week.

  8. I hid my tattoo from my family for 3 years! When my mom saw it she thought it was fake.

  9. I also used a friends Id in high school to get my belly button pierced. Once again I hid it until my family went on our annual family vacation to our condo in St. Augustine before they saw it. And yes once again my dad this time thought it was magnetic! Then it got stuck & ripped out twice while i was working at a restaurant! :( ouch  

10. I can't live without my iPhone. Seriously.  

11. My niece is a spitting image of me! Looks and personality! I love it!!!  

Kayla's Questions: 

1. Favorite guilty pleasure TV show? I love FRIENDS & The Big Bang Theory

 2. Favorite birthday of the past, and why? I'd have to say probably my 16th birthday because my parents bought me a Chevy cavalier z24

 3. Best vacation you've ever been on? This is easy!!! When I was dating AJ we went the the Dominican Republic for a week. We actually met two other couples who I'm still friends with on FB.

 4. Are you a coffee drinker? If so, what do you take in yours? No thanks! I try to stay clear of dark drinks... Except sweet tea! Its my weakness.  

5. What beauty product do you not the leave home without? Lipgloss. Any kind will work but I have to have my lips moist.  

6. If you could go back and change one thing about your past, what would it be? Not breaking things off 3 years ago. I was young, stupid and scared. Scared to leave my life here in Jax to make a move a thousand miles away! But after 3 years of kind of having a friendship off and on & dating for both of us we're talking again.

  7. Long or Short hair? Long! Im trying my hardest to grow my hair out!  

8. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? Somewhere tropical.  

9. What's the first thing you notice about the opposite sex? The way they talk. Is that weird?

  10. Favorite book of all time? Goodnight Moon

  11. How long have you worked at your current job? 5 years but left recently for 5 months

My 11 questions for you:

 1. Favorite meal?

 2. All time favorite memory from your childhood.

 3. What kind of music do you like?

 4. If you could be a celebrity who would it be and why?

 5. What are you favorite healthy snacks?

 6. Favorite apps?

 7. Where do you shop?

 8. How do you stay toned?

 9. How long does it take you to get ready?

 10. Your most embarrassing moment?

 11. Have you ever been out of the USA? if so where?

 -JennaDK

I'm not tagging anyone but if you'd like to participate then feel free to answer these questions!

The dreaded visit

I haven't been to the dentist in probably 3-4 years! GASP! I know it's horrible. They ended up making me get X-rays again since its been so long. Let me just start out by saying that those devices they put the cards that hold the pictures DOES NOT fit in my mouth! I had 18 X-rays to take and my mouth is all cut up on the inside! That should feel good now that I'm getting my teeth cleaned in a few minutes! Who makes those devices? Don't they have small ones for kids? Surely they do & they could've used that on me!

Next time I won't wait that long to get my teeth cleaned! Here's to scheduling a teeth cleaning every 6 months.

I also just found out I have one tiny cavity on my wisdom tooth. Such a sad day for me. Now I can't have a good report to tell my mom. 26 years without a cavity and now I can't say that! :(

I think I deserve a glass of wine!

I love that I just signed hundreds of consent forms and they still misspell my first name! -JennaDK

What I'm currently doing...

- eating vanilla yogurt raisins 

 - listening to country music 

 - watching the clock tick waiting on 5 to strike

 - annoyed with an ex but what's new with that

 - thinking about getting Mexican and FROYO tonight but more excited about working out 

 - wishing I was laying on the beach soaking in the rays

 - excited about all the photo sessions I have booking up this summer and spring!!!

 - looking for airline tickets :) swoon

 - reading texts from him 

 - downloading new apps on my iPad

 - catching up on my favorite blogs

 - just remembered I didn't watch The Bacherlorette last night

 - wondering if Dodger made a mess today

 - thankful that my mom comes over every day to let D out and bring my mail in 

 - secretly hoping that I have another surprise waiting on my counter from my BFF and her hubby

{sorry JB fans he's taken :)}

{only kidding-- no need to send hate mail}

{11 more months of these coming my way}

 - looking for flights from here to there 

 - wanting my bed

 - wondering what kind of treat I'll get at the dentist.

 What are you currently doing?

 -JennaDK

Happy Father's Day!

I've tried to write this post at least 5 times and each time I tried to upload pictures blogger denied me! So here I am writing my Father's Day post 2 days late! Sorry dad! It's not like you even know this blog even exists!:)

Meet Tucker. This is Dodger's lookalike!

Meet Sadie girl who has has no less than 6 surgeries in her life! The girl loves to eat EVERYTHING!! From nags of Hersey kisses to cupcakes with the paper wrapping to socks to Kung fu panda happy meal toys!

My dad loves a good low country boil! I think this is the second Fathers Day that we ended up with a huge feast like this! The flies though!!! Good Lord!

The brother who ate all the crab legs! Seriously???

The brother behind the low country boil! Also the craziest guy I've ever known who has the biggest heart!

We laugh because if you look closely my dad is wearing my moms glasses that are pink underneath with rhinestones! But all in all my dad has a sensitive heart. I'm sure he was holding back tears because my sister always knows EXACTLY what to say all the time.

Yep I have to agree "old guys rule" my dad is an amazing man. He's the backbone of my family. I've learned a lot from him growing up. - he taught me to drive. I was always so scared to drive in the car with him and even to this day he makes me nervous. I did learn to never trust a blinker! You never know when some jerk will forget he has it on. -I was taught the importance of paying my own bills. I wanted a cell phone in I think middle school {7th grade maybe} and the only way I was getting one is if I paid the $40 a month statement! Luckily for me I babysat!! - I learned to never take a car without permission! Growing up we lived on the back roads to a Walgreens and my sister took my parents suburban to pick up pictures we had printed. Well she was driving the "bus" and hit the curb pulling into the parking spot and popped the tire! I was so scared for her!!! But dad wasn't mad at all! - I learned real early how to get out of going to bed at our early bedtime. I would fake a tummy ache and lay on my dads chest while squinting my eyes to watch tv! - He taught me to eat a spoonful of butter while I watched him cook dinner. - He also used to eat raw hamburger meat! { yeah I know gross and I won't do it now } but when he would make spaghetti he would leave a little bit to much on. It was something we always did. - He taught to me love. My dad will always be my first love.

My dad is the hardest to buy for! If he needs something he goes right out to get it! We always have such a problem figuring out what to buy him! Hence the reason he is holding a 4 foot whipper snacker, the reason I bought him another big bubba cup and peanut m&ms.

The two oldest. We all can't believe ow old were getting!!

Thank you Lord for this beautiful day that my family was able to celebrate our dad!

-JennaDK

Life Happens

Dodger looks so tiny here. But this was Thursday after work. I've been leaving him out of the crate while I'm gone because he HATES the crate! I literally was having to carry him and make him get in the awful thing. Now every morning when he sees me puts my shoes on he jumps on the couch and curls up in a ball looking so cute. He hasn't gotten into too much trouble only 2 bags of treats.

The only way to get a picture of Oakley is to hold him down. But he sure loves to cuddle still. I bet he hates the Dodger is running the house throughout the day with him. Dodger grabs Oakley's tail and pulls him around the living room. Poor thing.

I finally was able to get my hair colored the prof. way! I'm still loving being a brunette and I'm not sure if I'll ever go back to being a blonde. Who knows I may have a change of heart. I've noticed a lot of celebs coloring their hair too.

{FYI::: I haven't ran all week! But I have cut out most carbs from my everyday foods. Also I'd like to know why Panera has to have the best green tea around. Its addicting and I live so close to one but it's going to kill my diet.}

-JennaDK

That's the way I jigalo

I just had the best laugh for today. My brother Josh is our family clown. He's absolutely crazy and if you're in a bad mood or feeling down he'll certainly put you in a better mood. So today I'm minding my own business when out of the blue I get a text. 

{side note: he owns his own lawn company and always texts me to get weather updates. Now he's frugal... Nothing wrong with this considering his planning on retiring by the age of 37 but the boy will not pay more than $40 for a phone bill.} 

When I checked my phone this is what was happening.  

{we obviously didn't know how to spell JIGALO until I used the google.} 

 JennaDK

FL/PA

Do you see the trending topics here?

Everywhere I turn I see this!

I believe these two belong in one.

Patiently waiting! Maybe one day I'll be able to share how I met the one my soul loves.

-JennaDK

Haley's First Dance Recital

 H had her first dance recital on Wednesday. She did such an amazing job dancing her little booty off! Once again she made me one proud Aunt! It was a long day of rehearsals then the actual recital and I know she was getting tired. But little Miss Sass proved she was "Fierce"! H was in two dances {one tap and the other the cutest ballerina EVER}. I was told not to bring my Canon because the ushers would ask me to leave but I did happen to video her two dances on my iPad. Not the best quality but I still got em. Ha take that you ushers! Only kidding they never even knew I was video-ing it.

During the recital I kept leaning over to talk to my sister {Jamie} just reminiscing all the dances we were in when we were H's age. Did you ever dance? Do you remember the craziness back stage changing into your next outfit? Did you mom ever pull your hair so hard and fast just to get you ready before rushing out on stage? Well, my mom sure did. We had out little caboodle's set up with thousands of bobby pins, make up galore and yes the awful aqua net hairspray! 

My mom wants to take a clogging class { all 4 of us girls- Ash {SIL}, Jamie, mom and myself} and be in the recital next year! How fun and embarrassing would that be? Who knows what the future may hold. We sure had fun dancing in our seats last night.

H- you did so great during your dances. I love you and can't wait for the many more recitals you'll be in.

-JennaDK

Emily's Newborn Session

I had the opportunity to shoot Emily's newborn photos. Her mom and I have known each other for years through our parents being friends. I actually grew up with Kirsten's sister Julie, we all went to church and school together as well. Sweet little Emily Grace is already 3.5 weeks old. She was such a trooper during these pictures too. 

Who doesn't love a sleepy baby. I thought this yarn was too much for words. She makes me want to cuddle her all day long.

This has to be one of my favorite poses. Something about a baby laying in a basket just melts my heart. 

After I wrote about a lot of my friends expecting I realized how selfish I was being. I'm so excited about all these new babies in the next few months and I hope I get to cuddle with them during a session as well. Thank you Kirsten & Nick for letting me cuddle your sweet angel.

-JayDeeKay

Day 8- 6 o'clock

Life has be CRAZY!!! At least this week has been for me. But I was able to finish off the week with getting my hair colored again! This time by my stylist and not a box. 

I'm really loving the brunette look on me. Its fun & sometimes I don't feel like "Jenna" the blonde! Does that make any sense? 

& because I never get any pictures of Oakley here he is! Kind of! haha He's always on the go.

Today I left Dodger out of his crate while I went to work and I'll leave the door into the garage cracked for O. Well D decided to close the door on O but never tore anything up in the house! I'm one happy momma. Thank God I was able to get in touch with my mom though so she could check on my babies during the day. 

{disclaimer::: no animals were injured today}

Hope y'all have a great weekend. Mine is filled with photo sessions!

-JayDeeKay

Happy Graduation

How did she grow up so fast?

She's on her way to kindergarten! 

H finally conquered her fears and sang in front of everyone. She did such an amazing job. I was such a nervous wreck for her. 

{I'll try to get the video posted although I'm snapping away.}

Such a proud mama!

Can you stop growing up now?

-JayDeeKay