{Flashback Friday} :: High School Freshman

I mentioned a few months ago receiving an invitation in the mail for my 10 year high school reunion. Mike and I will travel to San Antonio to attend that event this month. I think it will be fun to catch up with people, to see "where they are now." Plus it gives us an excuse to see my parents :)

As we get closer to the reunion, I decided to pull out some old yearbooks and scrapbooks for fun. It's always entertaining to look back at old pictures of yourself! So in honor of my 10 year reunion, I thought I would share some photos from my high school years at San Antonio Christian Schools {SACS}. You're welcome :)

{Disclaimers on the grainy/not so great photos: 1) these photos were taken back in the days before digital photography and you didn't get to see your photo until you picked it up from the photo lab, and 2) my scanning capabilities are not up to par when I am trying to make a scrapbook fit on our tiny scanner bed!}

 

First up today: Freshman year. I was the definition of the skinny awkward kid haha. Popularity was not my game, though by the time I hit high school, it didn't seem to bother me as much. I was part of the last freshman class to be at the Burwood high school campus, before they built the K-12 campus out on Renner Road.

Definitely rocked the 90s bangs. And apparently had not grown into my ears yet??

 

We didn't have prom at my school {hello, small private Christian school}, but instead we had banquets. The cool thing was that we had 2 each year, and it was open to all grade levels. Our freshman year, most people just went with a group of friends, which was a fun way to get dressed up and "party" with your friends. {And by "party" I mean enjoying a sit down meal and classical music while mingling with your friends at a fancy hotel downtown. Super classy.}

 

Christmas Banquet, circa 1999

 

I was fairly active in my church's youth group, attending Bible studies, service projects, and even going on a few mission trips. We had several changes in youth leadership throughout my high school years, which was slightly disappointing, but I was thankful that a lot of my friends from school were my friends in youth group as well. 

Mission trip to Tecate, Mexico

 

I also tried out for and made the varsity girls' soccer team. Our season actually ran during the winter {can you believe it? me running around in shorts during the winter??}, but I LOVED every minute of it. My soccer days are some of my favorite memories from high school. I had the best coach, who not only helped condition us to play the game, but also poured into us spiritually.

Sweet friends, loading up on salad and pasta the night before a game

Varsity Girls Soccer, Winter 1999-2000

 

1000 Gifts #460-549

 

460. The long days of summer.

461. The warmth of the summer sun.

462. The lazy days of summer {even if they are few and far between!}

463. A fresh haircut.

464. Walking through a freshly cut lawn.

465. Time with both sets of my grandparents; thankful I still have all 4!

466. An extra day off from work.

467. Reflecting on our study in the first half of Exodus.

468. Encouraging conversations with sweet friends.

469. The cooler mornings leading up to fall.

470. The waning warmth of summer.

471. Dinner with the sweet Wilsons.

472. The cooler temperatures of autumn.

473. The changing of seasons and welcome of autumn.

474. Pumpkin Spice Lattes :)

475. The new bushes growing in our front yard.

476. Watching our little church family grow.

477. The growth that comes from the Holy Spirit.

478. Getting snuggles from my sweet niece while her mama got a much-needed nap.

479. Lunch with my mother- and sister-in-law.

480. Helping our neighbor switch out his truck bed.

481. Thankful for time with our Redeemer family.

482. Thankful for sales at the grocery store.

483. Thankful for an early bed time.

484. God's abundant mercy.

485. A clean heart that only comes from God.

486. Hearing another person's story.

487. The first Redeemer Church baptism service.

488. Watching sweet friends get baptized!

489. My husband's unconditional love.

490. Thankful for grace.

491. Thankful for joy.

492. Thankful for a specific season of Thanksgiving.

493. Wisdom in His Word.

494. Conviction in His Word.

495. Encouragement in His Word.

496. The scent of my favorite fall candle- Leaves :)

497. Date nights on the couch in front of a movie.

498. A good night's rest after a few hard nights.

499. An encouraging lunch with other Acts 29 wives.

500. Catching up with my brother over Sonic Happy hour.

501. Dinner with sweet friends.

502. Grocery shopping with my love; thankful that he is willing to go with me.

503. Fall decorations out...even though it's still 90 degrees outside :)

504. Thankful for a home to decorate.

505. Strength and energy for a really long day.

506. Sharing an overview of our weekend with my sweet co-worker.

507. The much-needed rain!!

508. Ugly cries with your husband that mean a stronger relationship.

509. Having to be patient for a surprise, knowing it's a good one.

510. Fighting with insurance companies and pharmacies...only to realize how thankful I am to have access to both.

511. Early bed times.

512. A company that cares about my health and wellness.

513. The date night jar my husband made for us!

514. Laughter in a conversation with a co-worker.

515. Encouragement in a conversation with a friend.

516. Our monthly Faith & Culture event that encourages thoughtful conversation.

517. Freedom in salvation.

518. Redemption in salvation.

519. Grace in salvation.

520. Breakfast with my best friend.

521. Spending time with kids in our church.

522. Productive Saturdays.

523. Watching a friend finish her 1st half marathon.

524. A husband who is willing to get up early with me to watch her finish her 1st half marathon.

525. Sundays filled with church family and activities.

526. The quietness of the early morning.

527. The beautiful "fall" weather {at least in the mornings and evenings right now!}

528. Walks with my husband around the neighborhood.

529. The reminder of being set apart, grafted into the family of God.

530. Strength for a long day.

531. Conviction from God's Word.

532. The confidence of knowing God is sovereign and always provides.

533. The ability to go home for lunch.

534. Sunshine.

535. Early mornings with Jesus.

536. Cuddles with my puppy.

537. Holding down the fort at the office...makes me thankful for my sweet colleage Cindy.

538. Pumpkin Pie Spice creamer :)

539. A Friday evening spent baking my favorite cake for sweet friends.

540. A Friday evening baby-sitting our neighbors' adorable son.

541. Watching dear friends get married.

542. Catching up with Woodcreek friends.

543. Family dinner with friends.

544. Chick-Fil-A on a Sunday ;)  {Mike got to preach at our local store...no chicken though}.

545. Thankful for enough to cover our expenses this month.

546. Thankful for the rain.

547. Thankful for the promise of a new glorified body one day.

548. Thankful for the cooler weather.

549. Thankful for strength to make it through a hard day. 

 

{iPhone Rewind} :: September

We spent Labor Day weekend with my parents in San Antonio. We learned a new card game called "Golf" and really enjoyed playing several rounds!

Mike packed us dinner and we headed out to the park. We decided to take Sasha with us, and she wasn't too sure about the swans...she seemed interested in them, but was really more concerned with the fact that Mike was feeding chips to them and not her :)

One of my sweet co-workers recently got married and is moving to Ft. Worth. We had a going away lunch for her, which was bittersweet. On our way out of the restaurant, they wanted to snap a photo; this is what happens when the accounting department is on the loose!

My sweet husband told me he had a surprise for me that he had made himself. He went to Michael's, bought supplies, and then made this adorable date night jar :) I love his creativity and how he spent the time to think of date nights for us. I'm excited to see all of the dates he planned!

My boss gets cooler mail than your boss! ;) Seriously, what the heck? It came with assembly instructions and the promise of more pieces to come...haha. I guess it worked because it got my attendtion, for sure.

The sweet lady in our church is still working on that project for work, so we offered to take her kids for the afternoon. It was also her birthday, so the kids spent the day making her a cake and sweet posters/cards!

Kroger had this creamer on display right as you walked in the door...and it was on sale...and I totally bought some...and I'm totally addicted. It tastes like fall {if fall had a taste}  :)

We got to baby-sit our sweet neighbors' little boy. He thinks "Pathtor Mike" is the coolest person ever {and let's be honest, he is}. He had a grand time using Mike's face as a race track for his cars :)

Mike had an opportunity to preach at our McKinney Chick-Fil-A! The owner hosts a quarterly worship service for his employees and asked if Mike would come preach on community. It was fun to be in a Chick-Fil-A on a Sunday! Sadly, there was no chicken, but we did get sweet tea :)

Plano Balloon Festival

Our sweet friend Morgan has been training for her first half marathon. She picked the Plano Balloon Festival race, and we were excited to go support her!

A little nervous, but definitely excited before the race

While we waited for her to run her race, we got to see the balloons launch. Hot air balloons are just fun! And it was a much better show than when Laura and I attended the balloon festival a few years ago :)

The moon was still out!

Waiting with Mr. Mike for her mama to finish her race

Michelle was VERY excited to see the balloons :)

Team Morgan!!

Finishing strong

 Congrats Morgan! We are so proud of you!! :)

DIY: Date Night Jar (courtesy of my husband!!)

My sweet husband gave me a surprise this week. He presented me with this lovely jar:

How adorable is that? He spent time thinking of fun ideas for us that I get to pick out of the jar when we have a planned date night. I love it!! So not only will it help us be more intentional about having date night, it will also be nice to have ready-made ideas. I'm excited to see what he came up with!

He said he saw the idea on Pinterest {via someone's Facebook post...but props to him for taking interest in my love for Pinterest ideas} and set to work. Can we just take a minute and appreciate the fact that he went shopping at Michael's {one of his least favorite places} and made this himself? He even purposely chose the color from our wedding {teal}. Best. Husband. Ever. :)

Materials: Mason jar, acrylic paint (or according to my husband- magical love paint haha), tongue depressors, paint pen

Total Project Cost: Priceless :) Ok- he spent $10.

We had our first Date Night Jar {DNJ} date last night: going out to eat and a movie. We have been holding on to a couple of gift cards to the Cheesecake Factory, so we decided to go ahead and use them {hey. if you can get away with date night on the cheap, I say go for it!}

We went to see Elysium. It was bad. Seriously, skip it. But it was still fun to have a date night with my love!!