By No Means...

By no means do I consider myself a professional. I wish I could but let's face it, it is purely a hobby. I LOOOVVVEEE to take pictures. Whether it's with a disposable, my phone, or my nice Nikon d700 (handed down by my overly generous father)...I have always loved taking pictures. When my dad was in the Navy he taught himself everything there was to know about photography and became an amazing photographer. He put himself through his doctorate program taking portraits and building a studio from his home in Mississippi-so inspirational. He was a 20-something going on 30 with a kid..finishing his schooling, managing a business, and becoming a phenomenal photographer. I grew up watching him do his "magic"...when Dad would print photos he still used all the old school chemical and machinery for a darkroom. Every time a picture would flash onto the paper and then move to the chemicals and "magically" appear, I was amazed and inspired. My dad's artistic eye is not only my inspiration but my everlasting love and passion for his approval and him to be proud of his daughter who strives to be half as good of an artist as he. Again, I don't pride myself to be even artistic or professional. Photography is purely a hobby that I have taken upon myself after years of watching my dad's pictures reflecting his joy of photographing us kids. Now that I have my own (kid)...I can't help myself but pull out my nice camera and take as many pictures as possible!! There isn't a camera that could catch enough moments and feelings of being the mother of this amazing, beautiful child But..Here are a few....

Gets me through some tough times with people...

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:21

Repeat.

I think it's time....

For some Updates and Pictures!!

I noticed that I haven't put any pictures since like my first two posts!! So I wanted to share some of my favorite pictures throughout the past year...Europe...Engagement...Wedding...and Fun times with friends

Europe

I went to Europe quite unexpectedly with my cousin who had just graduated from college. Our grandmothers both had given us money to go enjoy a trip touring Europe. When I found out he was getting that money, I jumped to the opportunity! Considering my life now, I am sooo happy that I did!!

First stop-Nice, France!

Met some great people and enjoyed touring the small, beautiful town that has been featured in many movies! Gorgeous

Next Stop- Interlaken, Switzerland!

This was my favorite stop! I loved the weather (Colorado-ish), the mountain views, and the friendly and active people that live there. I love it so much, I can't wait to take Joseph! (I secretly want to raise all of our kids there, and they can become little mountain yodelers! ha)

 A great thing about Europe is the natural springs...run out of water? Oh just fill up your water bottle from a spring in town!

Yes, me...terrified of heights, went hang gliding! Most thrilling and liberating feeling of my life!

Then-Italy...also one of my favorites considering we have family there!

First Venice...

Where we met up with my sister, Brooke who had been studying in Prague all summer!

Our gondolier was good looking too :)

Then to Cinque Terre which is on the Italian Riviera and the area where pesto is made from. The most amazing views and pesto ever!

Then to Florence where we met and spent time with our distant cousin, Annalisa!

Last stop was to Rome. Had to go see Rome!! Amazing city!

Such a great trip! Spent most of the time trying to get great photos with the camera my very generous dad passed along to me! Enjoyed being away for 3 weeks but was definitely ready to come home :)

Some random good ole times in 2010...

 Sisterly time

 My best friend Tay and I last March

Enjoyin lunch at Abels on the Lake

Wurstfest 2010

 On our way to Wyoming!

My handsome man!

Joseph taught me how to fly fish..my first fish!

Horseback riding in Jackson Hole with my sweet sister in law

The Stuckey Fam

 Caught the bouquet at Chance and Shannon's wedding!!!!!

And Joseph caught the garter!

And one week later...he proposed!!

Found me a dress!

Two weeks later...found out some news!

Wedding planning was rushed from 6 months away to 2!

Had a fun, alcohol-free bachelorette party with amazing friends planned by sister Brooke and Best Friend Taylor!

Then on February 19, 2011, 4 months pregnant, I became happily Stuck...Mrs. Stuckey that is! :)

I can't wait to post pics of our sweet baby boy when he gets here in mid August! Lookin forward to a hoottttt summer with popsicles and flip flops!

DAY 13: This week

Nothing too exciting...

finish my spring cleaning

start studying for the GRE :\

reach 22 weeks prego!

Thhhaaaats about it! Like I said..regular week of working and being pregnant! :)

DAY 12: What's in your bag

Wallet
Phone
Lip gloss
2 chapsticks
and tons of random papers that I have no idea what they're from!

DAY 11: Your Siblings

Oh my sibs. I have three. And they are all amazing and wonderful in their own way. Starting from the top-Josh. Josh and I have a great relationship. I've always looked at him as my "cool" big brother. Still to this day, he shows me how "cool" he is when we hang out. I love his style, his attitude, and his fun spirit. He lives in the Houston area working as a therapist--following the family footsteps.

Chris. Chris and I have had a roller-coaster relationship throughout the years. Mainly because we're so close in age, we had fights growing up about social situations and which friends we could hang out with. He's only 13 months older than me so we practically were like twins. Did everything together for the first time as kids. He's always been such a wonderful protector of me and I'll always love him for that. Even now, as a married woman, I could call him and he would come down and kick anyone's ass that needed to be kicked. I remember when he was 6 and I was 5, we were getting on the bus to go to school. He had crutches at the time and I was trying to help him get situated before the bus took off. I had a skirt on and the boy behind me lifted my skirt and made a remark. Chris took his crutch and jabbed the kid square in the face haha. Ohhh Chris.

Brooke. My very smart, independent, traveling younger sister. I was just telling my husband last night how smart she must be because she never seems to be in any sort of pickle or bind like I find myself in oh so often! She knows exactly what she wants and she usually gets it. She and I have had an up and down relationship as well through the years, but mainly normal sister stuff. Though she's my younger sister, I've spent years looking up to her and striving to possess some of her qualities. We are completely opposite people but as we grow we are able to see more and more things eye to eye.

Love you all! Ya'll have seen all my goods and all my bads and have loved me unconditionally. There's nothing like having family and close siblings. Oh! I'm getting emotional writing this--(pregnancy hormones??) MMMMMUUUAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!

I have three new siblings!!!

My husband has three siblings as well and I feel so fortunate to have them as my family. Though they did not know me for the first 20 years of my life (definitely a good thing), I have grown close to each of them and truly think of them as my brother and sisters. Stacie, his older sister, lives further away and I have not had the opportunity to become super close to, but I love her and her 4 daughters and am here for them anytime they need me.

His younger brother, Tyler, has always felt like a brother to me. From the very beginning, he and I have opened up to each other and have always been close. I like that he shares the same protective quality that my brother Chris has, and makes me feel like a true sister to him. Plus we have the same initials now so how can we not be close!??!?! :) TJS!

And his sweet sister Amanda. Amanda is much like Brooke in some ways as well. (Maybe there's a pattern here) Very smart, very independent, and very determined. I love her artistic abilities and very much envy her creativity--so much I can learn from her!! I've felt close to Amanda as well from the very beginning. It's been almost 5 years I've spent with this family and I would say I felt a part of the family probably around the 3rd or 4th month of knowing them (ski trip :\ ha) And Amanda is always a joy to talk to, sing with, and spend some good ole sisterly time with!

Love my Stuckeys!!

20 week check up!

On a baby note...

We went to our 20 week check up (5 months) and they did the whole anatomy of the baby. We saw the four chambers of the heart, all ten toes, all ten fingers... arm bones, leg bones, face--nose, lips, tongue!...full spine, little pee pee (hehe).

It was really cool! Can't believe my little guy is growing so much! He's 12 oz now...the weight of a coke can! But he's 10 inches so a bit bigger! So exciting!! I love feeling him move and especially love seeing him move during the ultrasounds!

DAY 10: What you wore today

Not any brand names...not anything exciting or expensive...

I wore a white and blue shirt that was nice and baggy before I was pregnant--Now it's huggin the belly. And some baggy black capris.

Simple.--How I try to live my days!

DAY 09: Your Beliefs

I believe in God.
I believe in Love that lasts.
I believe in good morals.

I believe that EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON!
You can find a lesson in anything and everything. Though it is really hard sometimes, I believe you can gain strength and grow from each and every obstacle that life throws your way.

I believe in Karma.

:)

DAY 08: A moment

On December 10, 2010 my husband, then fiancé, went out in Austin to celebrate my sister's birthday. We had something planned for the next morning that was making his stomach toss and turn a bit so we didn't stay out too late celebrating.

Saturday December 11, 2010...exactly three weeks after our engagement had begun, I sat down to take a test.... in the bathroom... a test that would determine the rest of my life! The first test's result appeared within 20 seconds... Positive. I called for my husband to come into the bathroom and revealed to him that we need to take the other two that came in the box. I waited a few minutes while thoughts and worries filled my brain. My husband's face was quite pale but he couldn't keep showin' those pearly whites, big grin.

I took the other two and with in less than a minute...both positive. I'm pregnant...!!!! We both just started laughing that then turned into cheerful tears. Definitely not planned...definitely a lot to do to prepare...but we were both thrilled.

We spent the day around town..mainly in silence...so many things going through both of our heads.

I was about a month pregnant, now I'm 5 months and I'm still in shock! Excited to meet the little guy in 4 months!!

DAY 07: Your Best Friend

I am quite hesitant with best friends. I've had some rough friendships through the years and "best friend" didn't mean anything to me. I had a lot of "best friends" that have turned their backs on me, as I'm sure I turned my back on them at some point. So I never believed in the name. I believed in "she's my best friend for right now" Until I met Taylor.

***Now, my husband is my real best friend. My best friend through life that listens to everything and always has my back, however everyone needs a gal best friend.. a sistaa :)

When Taylor and I met, we didn't get along. We had a lot in common ;) that didn't mix well with each other. We met during my third year in college when I had just transfered from Sam Houston to Texas State. Though we didn't care for each other, we still hung out with the same group of people and therefore had to tolerate each other and be "friends" with smiles and drunken hugs.

After a few years of forcing our friendship, I hated to admit that the whole time I had known her, I actually thought she was nice/cool/gorgeous (which might have contributed to why I didn't like her so much?) I hated that I actually was interested in what she had to say and found myself wanting to be like her. UGH! Don't you hate it when that happens!?!

I gave in to the temptation when she desperately needed a place to live. I had an extra bedroom and graciously offered it to her ( I mean cheaper rent for me right??) Living together was something that I was open to and am so glad.

Taylor is not only my best friend but I look at her as my sister. (I do love my amazing sister Brooke, and my new sister-in-law, Amanda) So I feel so lucky to have three beautiful and supportive sisters. Taylor and I have a connection that is undeniable. When some see us together, they don't understand how we're two different people--we talk the same, look alike, think alike...everything is in sync with us. I love being around her though she gets annoying sometimes too :) like a real sister!

 I finally have a best friend that I truly believe will be in my life through odds and ends and I love her so much that I will proudly and strongly stick by her side through anything. We're the Meredith and Christina, the Rachel and Monica, the Thelma and Louise, the Kelly and Donna!!! ;)

Love you Tay! IIIII MMEEEAAAANNN!!!!!!!!!!!!
*BH Love!

DAY 06: Your Day today

I'm excited to write about my day today since a few days ago I wrote about what a "blah" day I was having. But I actually want to write about my day yesterday too! I didn't get all the things on my To-Do list done, nor do I plan to. (I'm sorry, I just don't feel like cleaning out any closets)

Yesterday I went shopping :\ with some of our wedding gift cards and I bought all new things for our bedroom! We've had a full bed for as long as we've known each other and it's been tight..and getting more tight with my ever growing belly. So a week or so ago, we bought a queen!! yay! But we didn't have a queen comforter! When I have a vision, I go all out.

So my vision was bright, happy, positive, on the white side. I've always decorated my room kind of dark but this time I wanted something better. (Almost a beach-y feel but not overdone)

New white/blue comforter, new light blue sheer curtains, new antique teal and white nightstands, new white shelves...NEW ROOM!! I love it!

I also got some photos printed and put those happily in some picture frames that are now filling my house! And I did cook ribs last night that was very yummy..and I plan on cooking something yummy tonight! It's been a productive two days!!

DAY 05: Your definition of Love

That's a hard statement because I think love is different for everyone-each friendship or romantic relationship has a different type of love.

My definition of love with my husband is...

Acceptance.

He will never change and I will never change unless one of us really wants to. So we have to accept each other 100% as we are. Which we did awhile ago btw.

Also, Compromise...so important.

But most importantly, feeling like you can tell them anything. Best friends. Love that is fun at times, hot at others, and deep/meaningful in between.

That's how I look at love :) oh...and trust is without a doubt a necessity!

Blah Day!

Being unproductive sucks. It's the first day of spring break and I decided that I would rest and relax over the break (since I'm milking being pregnant and all). So after a day of doing absolutely NOTHING, I don't think I can "rest" all break! Not only have I been a bum, I was supposed to cook a scrumptious dinner tonight and that hasn't worked out either! So I literally did nothing productive today ha!

Tomorrow (and the rest of the week)'s To-Do list:
-clean out the two guest bedroom closets
-buy a comforter
-finish putting away wedding gifts
-get wedding photos printed and start a scrapbook
-buy shoes for a wedding this coming weekend
-go to the woodlands/conroe friday!

That should keep me busy and on top of all that, I'm going to cook dinner hopefully every night! Nothing wrong with being lazy..not to mention on a MONDAY! The one day that everyone wants to be lazy...but I'm going to be ready to be movin tomorrow (after I sleep in of course)!

DAY 04: What you ate today

You would think that because I'm pregnant I would be eating crazy stuff. But I haven't even had any weird cravings so it's not too weird.

Honey Nut Cheerios
Blue Berry Muffin
Yogurt
Turkey Sandwich
and I'm making bbq ribs for dinner!!

DAY 03: Parents

My parents and I have an amazing relationship. We went through a lot together due to my teenage stubbornness back in the day and we've luckily come through being so close. I am so lucky and fortunate to have parents that have provided and supported me with everything. They are both extremely smart and though to this day I don't always want to listen to them, I know that 99% of the time they know what they're talking about. I recently got married and throughout my marriage I will always strive to learn and model my relationship off of what they've had for over 30 years. They never gave up on any of us and I know that's hard to do as a parent, especially when one is causing constant stress and worry. Thanks for holdin on Mom and Dad!! Love you both very much!

DAY 02: YOUR FIRST LOVE

Um...hmm..my first love. I was 16 when we met, we were both ending our junior year and we spent that summer falling in love. One of the best summers I've ever had. After two months everything went down hill...(for about 2 more years) but I'll always remember him and look back at that summer before senior year. Thanks first love for teaching me all the important first serious relationship lessons that a youngen needs to learn!--thanks for showing me that what we had wasn't the kind of love that I wanted. I'll always love you for that :)

Day 01: Introduce Yourself

Hola! Yo soy Tessa! I'm a twenty something, Texas raised gal who's been on the search for life's adventures for quite some time now! An adventure has been sent my way recently making the last four months and the next 5 months only the beginning! I live in the Austin area and am going through all the normal changes and life decisions we all go through at this very young age! A dog...a cat...and a bun in the oven, my husband and I live a happy and healthy life discovering the world! :)

Thirty Day Challenge

Day 01: Introduce yourself

Day 02: Your first love

Day 03: Your parents

Day 04: What you ate today

Day 05: Your definition of love

Day 06: Your day

Day 07: Your best friend

Day 08: A moment

Day 09: Your beliefs

Day 10: What you wore today

Day 11: Your siblings

Day 12: What's in your bag

Day 13: This week

Day 14: What you wore today

Day 15: Your dreams

Day 16: Your first kiss

Day 17: Your favorite memory

Day 18: Your favorite birthday

Day 19: Something you regret

Day 20: This month

Day 21: Another moment

Day 22: Something that upsets you

Day 23: Something that makes you feel better

Day 24: Something that makes you cry

Day 25: A first

Day 26: Your tears

Day 27: A favorite place

Day 28: Something that you miss

Day 29: Your aspirations

Day 30: One last moment

Life has been a'changin!

I truly believe that everything happens for a reason. I've believed that ever since I broke up with a boyfriend at the age of 15 and had to find the good that was coming from the break up--why we dated, what I learned, why God had me even experience that short relationship. Ever since I discovered that belief, I've applied it with all my struggles and obstacles in life. You can learn from anything and everything! And I am constantly on the search for all challenges!

I've been out of school for two years now and have yet to find a job that provides a livable salary or has challenged and helped me grow in my career. I got my teaching certificate and have been on the search ever since. I work well with kids, enjoy them and love watching them grow! I would make a great teacher! (Not trying to toot my own horn here, just confident in my abilities) I've had a few interviews and have been working with special needs children and have not landed a job! Now with all these budget cuts, it's almost impossible!

A few months ago (~6 or 7) I was crying to a friend about how my life is going nowhere. I have been on the search for "the reason" for my career struggle, and financial struggle as well and have not come up with any results! Why hasn't God allowed me to use my skills and talents with children and as a teacher to help the school system and these kiddos?! I want it so bad!

Be careful what you wish for :)

About 3 1/2 months ago, my boyfriend of over 4 years decided to pop the question! Such an exciting time! Being engaged is so much fun and magical! Tons of giddy feelings and constant smiles!--Something is finally happening in my life that's worth talking about!!

Wait a minute...be CAREFUL what you wish for....

Three weeks after the proposal, I noticed some body changes that were undeniable...I'M PREGNANT! Nothing happening in my life!??! Yea! We rushed the wedding a little bit and now only half a year after crying about my boring life, I'm now happily married with a baby boy on the way!  And now have new career plans that I am so excited about!

God's laughin now!!! Everything happens for a reason, I haven't gotten that teaching job because I have one thing to focus on right now, being a mommy. I wasn't positive about going back to school, because I need more time to think about what I want to go back for, this gives me more time to think about it. I have been struggling to help make me a stronger person, to give me experience with kids, and to really think and feel for what I'm supposed to be doing for my life...that's "the reason"

I LOVE FINDING MEANINGS!!