What's Happening

So, we are MOVING! At first we were going to be here until May 2013, then it changed to December 2012, and now Travis found out about his clinical sites and it's moved up to August 2012! :)

Renting...well, it SUCKS. And we knew this. We had actually even looked into BUYING a house in Amarillo believe it or not! When we knew this is where he was going to be going for school I contacted a realtor, and when I found out about how if you're not in the house for at least 5 years it's a waste of your time/money to buy. So we decided to rent. Our apartments have had their ups and downs, believe you me! Travis moved up here August 2010, and I joined him Jan. 2011 after we got married. It's cold in Amarillo in January just FYI. We had 3ft of snow that first winter in one snow storm. We had blankets up on our windows and doors trying to keep it warm! Shesh, thank goodness we have a fireplace! So our rent when we signed the lease in August 2010 was great. $570 mo was excellent. Well, after a year...and we had a HORRIBLE neighbor below us. Oh My Goodness. She was young (probably older than us but acted like a 2 yr old) and she was HORRIBLE. Played her music so loud it'd shake our walls, she'd BBQ on her balcony with flames hitting the floor of our balcony, and she'd tie her dog up to the stairs and it'd come up the stairs (Pudge doesn't particularly like other dogs...so he couldn't go down the stairs). Well one day she threatened to shoot Pudge! Yeah! And THEN she went and told the management that we had an "altercation"...well, when we told them what she said, that was her final straw and they refused to renew her lease...and we threatened to leave if she didn't. Well she DID leave. Thank God! And we have a GREAT neighbor now!! :)

So we signed a (11 month) lease, we thought we signed a year...well, it had gone up to $620mo. Ok, not terrible...but more than we wanted! So this last year has been okay here. Nothing majorly annoying with our neighbors or anything, some etchy people moved in around the place but they quickly were evicted. So then we go in and find out what'd it be to renew for 6 months (assuming we'd be leaving in Dec. 2012), well $735!!! Yeah! Wow! And that'd put us paying until January...which, not happening. lol. So month-to-month, we thought, eh, not too much right? WRONG. $900 a month!!! Wow!! No way no how!! Plus paying for Travis to stay elsewhere for clinicals!? PSH!

So after we found that out, things happened to change with his clinicals and we had no need to be in Amarillo past August. So that's when we put in our notice that we'd be moving out. We are moving back in with my parents in Port Lavaca!

I know a LOT of people probably think "living with your parents...when you're married...and 25/26?!" Yep. Totally doing it. We will still have bills and pay them rent and such, but we'll be able to save in the long run. Our goal is to be in our own house with a mortgage by our 3rd Anniversary (Dec, 2013!)

So our life plan is following along track nicely, and sure there's been a bump here and there, but in the long run...I'd say we're super happy with how God has blessed us so much!

So, we have 2 weekends left in Amarillo. We have been packing here and there, but a lot to do still! My Mom & Dad in law are coming to Amarillo August 3rd and going to help us load up the U-Haul! We're going to take them to the play "Texas" in Palo Duro Canyon that Saturday night and we officially leave Amarillo on August 5th. It's bitter sweet. Amarillo was our first married home, our first place to live together, we've been able to go to New Mexico a few times and Oklahoma. Which is good...because I'm not so sure how often I'll be wanting to drive this far again! haha.

So...that's "What's Happening!" :)

Our Story 2005-2010, let the fun begin!

Hello again! Most of our family & friends know "our story" and when we were planning our wedding we had an awesome wedding website that my mother-in-law had created (it was www.travisandtara.com, and if you go there now, it's clearly not us!) It was an awesome, easy to remember site for our guests but since it wasn't a "freebie" it expired shortly after our wedding! Which is okay, no need to update guests on a wedding that happened over 1 1/2 yrs ago :) So here is our story for those of you who don't know, and if you do know, feel free to read on too!

When it all started...2005
Travis was VERY shy, (and I must say he's opened up so much since then!) and so was I. I would get red (not just pink, RED, blotchy red!) when I meet people or if I'm nervous, mad, shy, happy, you name it. Haha. So anyways, I had a bad (short) relationship beginning in Jan. 2005 and Travis was in a (not so good relationship as well) around that same time frame. So we both ended up joining Yahoo Personals (I don't even think it exists anymore!) to just meet some new people and see what happened. I don't think either one of us paid for the site, I had only been on there 2 days, and Travis messaged me. My first thought from his picture was "what? are you kidding me? Isn't he like, way too good looking to even want to speak to me!?" Well, we ended up chit-chatting online back and forth for a few hours, and then I gave him my cell and we ended up talking almost all night. Haha! I remember it was on a weekend, because it was Memorial weekend and I had to work at Dillards (in the kids dept) that Memorial Monday. So on that Memorial Monday we decided to meet face-to-face. And I'm not sure how "wise" it was to meet at my place of employment now that I look back on it and think about all the creepers out there, but I'm glad we did! I was folding some shirts at the counter and  I knew what time he'd be arriving so I could see all entrances and see him coming! He was walking straight towards me and I was just thinking "wow...he's pretty dang handsome!!!!!" I can't even imagine the shade of red I could have been at that moment! But anyways, we met, it wasn't very busy so we visited for quite a while. It went really good and we knew we wanted to see more of each other! So when the store closed I went over to his house, he invited me in but his Mom and brother were at (Nanny & Paw's lake house in East Texas) and his Dad was asleep. The house was so dark, I couldn't really get a feel for where I was! haha. So we went into his bedroom and we just talked for-ev-er! In fact, it was pretty late and his Dad actually called him on his cell phone from the other room asking if we thought it was time for me to go home. HAHAHA! Travis asked me if he could kiss me, I wasn't about to say no! So that's when we "officially" started dating. Monday May 30, 2005. So I ended up leaving after that, and when I was on my way out I totally almost walked right into his parents bedroom thinking it was the garage. Whoopsie...Travis stopped me before I could haha!

So as our relationship moved forward from that day, I ended up meeting his Mom & brother in June and he met my parents. He'd go to my parents house all the time, and vice versa. We both had Jeep Wranglers (mine was silver, his was white) and so that was fun! We loved to go to the park. In fact...let me get to our first "date"...

I feel horrible because I don't really remember the actual date, but I'm sure it was the first week or weekend we started dating. We got Arby's and went to Riverside Park! It was pretty awesome. I think Riverside Park is where we got to know each other the best. We would go there all the time and it is so peaceful and pretty and just talk about everything.

So 2005 I didn't really take a whole lot of pictures, but here's a few from our first summer of dating!

One of our first pictures together at my parents house June 2005

In my Jeep July 2005

 Riverside Park Sept 2005

We had a great first year, we spent a lot of time together bowling, with our families and going on dates on the weekends. I ended up moving to Victoria to my first apartment in 2005 due to school and work being in Victoria (and Travis!) and gas prices were (then I thought ridiculous but clearly they were cheap back then!)

1st Christmas together in my apartment in 2005!

About that...2006...!

In the beginning we knew we wanted to be married, but we were so young. So on Valentine's Day 2006 Travis & I decided to have a nice date night. We dressed up and went to Johnny Carinos, and then we went back to my apartment to hang out. Well, little did I know....Mr. Travis had a RING in his pocket! It was a promise ring! Of course I accepted it! Here's some pictures from that night.

At Travis' parents house before the date 2/14/2006

Us at his parents house before our dinner date 2/14/2006

My gorgeous promise ring!! :)

We had several date nights, spent lots of time together and then Fall 06' came and I helped Travis and his parents move him into his dorm at Texas State. We talked ALL the time, he came home every weekend and I would go see him during the week. We took many trips to San Antonio, Houston, and went on vacation with his parents that summer before he started at Texas State. We took our first overnight trip together in March 2006 and saw Brooks & Dunn at the Houston Rodeo as well as many other fun things!

On our way to go camping with my parents at the beach!

Camping at the beach with my parents!

Us :)

Winter fishing POC 2006

1st HLSR 2006 Brooks & Dunn!

Brooks & Dunn @ HLSR 2006

Vacation in San Antonio with Travis and his family!

 

We went to the San Antonio putt-putt and spent the night and went to Schlitterbahn the next day!! Summer 2006!

Schlitterbahn 2006 with his family!

1st UT football game! UT vs Iowa State 2006

At the creek!!

When Travis transferred to Texas State in Fall 06' I was becoming interested in Physical Therapy. He was working as a Technician at CMC in Victoria and I ended up "taking his place" at work! I loved it! We ended up getting to work together on weekends and such when he'd come home from school.

07' like Heaven...



In 2007 I moved back in with my parents, Travis ended up getting an apartment with his dorm-mate and they lived RIGHT on the San Marcos River! It was so much fun! We continued to take trips on weekends, worked together at CMC and talk more about our future. 2007 was a great year, sure there were hardships along the way with my 1st attempt to get into PTA school and get alternate listed but it was a great year overall!

Travis fishing in the river!

My fishy!

Snorkeling!

Snorkeling!

Snorkeling in the river!

For the 4th of July we went to east Texas to Travis' Nanny & Paw's house! They live on a private lake, Lake Echo, and it is FUN! We did a lot of fishing, went to the fishery, and went to Nancy & Charlies house across the lake for lots of food, family and of course FIREWORKS! :)

At the Fishery in Athens, TX 2007

On Lake Echo 2007!

As 2007 came to an end, we organized for our parents to get together for Christmas! They had gotten together previously so it was kinda the thing to do before Christmas so they could catch up and exchange gifts.

Little did I know it'd be the night that'd change my life! December 22, 2007!

We went to Red Lobster, had dinner, and then went back to Travis' parents house for our parents (and my Nana) to exchange gifts. Toward the end of the night as Travis was acting super weirdo, he pulled out this HUGE box and said I could open one gift early. Mind you, I knew he was making me something...I assumed it was a cat tree (You know, the kind w/ carpet and beds for the kitties to climb on!) Well, he slid the box my way and I opened it only to find it wasn't a cat tree!

There was a pink sign that said "dream" on it, he had painted it my favorite color and attached some little charms and a note to it. The note had a quote and said "open the remaining box and dreams may become realities"....well...I searched and found a box, it was an empty watch box! By the time I could get out "there's nothing in it...!" Travis was on one knee asking me to marry him!!! I said YES of course!! Little did I know my Dad had snapped a few pictures throughout the night...

Us all at dinner!

At Travis' parents house

The Sign!

The BLING!

We knew we'd have a long engagement, but this was a GREAT night and one I'll always remember! I'm so blessed and thankful that Travis had my parents, his parents and Nana there for this amazing suprise for me! :)

2008 will be great!

Combined some skiing w/ our engagement pictures!

Ruidoso NM 2008 January

HLSR 2008, Clay Walker!

Before exploring Houston!

San Antonio Riverboat! May 2008, Happy 3 year Anniversary!

For 4th of July in 2008 we went to East Texas to Travis' grandparents house, and we all drove over to Louisiana Downs for the horse races! My 1st time to gamble!

4th of July on the Lake Echo!

Fishing at Lake Echo!

In 2008 I got accepted into PTA school and started the program August 08! We took many trips and spent a lot of time together. I moved to Wharton for school and let me tell you, I-10 between Wharton & San Marcos got well traveled making trips to see Travis! I ended up moving back home at the end of the 1st semester to save some money and not drive so much between working and school!

2009 is going to be devine!

We set a date!! 09' was a GREAT year. Travis graduated with honors with his Bachelors Degree in Exercise and Sports Science, Pre-Physical Therapy Emphasis. We went to San Marcos and stayed with his Aunt Kay & Uncle Johnny as well as his parents and had fun at their time share pre-graduation, Travis got a pinata from me with a VERY nice piece of paper stating that he was going to see his all time favorite...the King...George Strait! And he got a car from his parents for graduation! Once all that settled down, he found out he was alternate for the PT program, so he worked full time, took extra classes and reapplied everywhere the next year! We set our date for our wedding, I got to go wedding dress shopping with my Mom, Mother in Law, MOH, and a Bridesmaid and found my dream dress, we picked out a lot of details for the wedding and we adopted Pudge! We took many trips as well, but to keep this from becoming a 300 chapter book, we'll limit the pictures to a few! :)

At the Putt-Putt with Travis' family before his graduation May 2009

Travis' graduation from Texas State University...WITH honors! :)

He got George Strait Tickets from me for graduation!

Us @ George's concert!

Ok, so if you're observant you may have noticed when you saw the original ring in the box, the box said "zales", and this one says "kay". Well, reason for that! THIS set is my set that I have now! In May 2009 we went to Zales to match up my engagement ring with the wedding band. They told Travis when he bought the ring in 2007 that the band that goes with it is always in stock. Ok, so we found it...ordered it...and when it came in it was NOT the right ring. They had taken diamonds out on either side of the setting to make it the correct carat weight and it didn't match at all. When we weren't happy with it they told us that "most brides just deal with it". I said, well, no luck here! I'm NOT dealing with it and horrible customer service. We marched our happy booties across the hallway in the mall to Kay and they said that we could return the wedding band to Zales, and trade in my engagement ring that we had from Zales to them for the set that they had that was comparable. Only thing was, my set from Zales was like, 1 1/2 ct total weight for the wedding & engagement ring and they didn't have that particular set. So with some convincing my now husband, we went to Zales, returned the wedding band, traded in the original engagement ring at Kay and got my new 2ct total weight set! I LOVE it. We would HIGHLY recommend Kay over Zales ANY day! :)

We went to our first Astros game together!

And saw a 3D movie at Moody Gardens!

4th of July with his family at Lake Echo (my mother in law, and our cousins Kailey & Katelyn!)

Our annual 4th of July picture 2009 :)

Meet Pudge! Pudge is MUCH bigger now. We adopted him July 2009 from PetSmart. I say, we, I did. haha. Travis was working that particular Saturday, I went to PetSmart with my parents with their dog to get her shaved and Happy Tails was there holding this cute little guy! I thought for sure he wasn't up for adoption...but he was, I convinced my parents (I was living with them so I had to have their permission!) and we adopted Pudge that day! I called Travis at work and told him..."we have Pudge now"....he goes "what's a Pudge?" haha...it was hilarious. They were inseperable. Still are!

April 2009 I went to Raisin L Ranch with my future husband and mother in law and we fell in love. The whole thing was just amazing. We put our downpayment down that day. We returned December 09' to see how it'd be decorated for December 10' and my Nana was able to go with us as well as my parents, and my in laws. Everyone loved it. The owners are AMAZING to work with and help you so much it's unreal. You definitely pay for what you get when it comes to venues!

So in August 2009, I was about to start my 2nd year of PTA school, I had one year down and 1 clinical down, and just ONE year to go! Yay! So I decided to gather my Mom, Mother in Law, MOH, and a Bridesmaid and we went wedding dress shopping at David's Bridal in Sugar land! I tried on a total of about 7 dresses, I knew #3 was it, but I wanted to be SURE! Needless to say, we left with me having my dress ordered! Here's the clan...

From L to R: Kari-MOH, Mom (my mom!) Me (DUH!), my Mom in Law, and Megan

We had a great time ending 09, and starting 10'. Travis had his interview at Texas Tech in 2009 and found out he was accepted to the Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program class of 2013.

Let 2010 BEGIN!

2010 started out kind of rough. My Nana got really sick and ended up passing away in February. It was such a sad loss, she was a great woman and she definitely taught me a lot of things that I will carry with me throughout my life. I know she is always with us, as well as Grampy & Grandma Bernice.

We took our engagement pictures in March 2010 at Texas A&M College Station. Our photographer was from there so we decided to do something different! We got our save the dates out and it was on! :)

I graduated from WCJC with my Associates in Applied Science May 2010 and took my state boards in June and became a Licensed PTA!

May 2010 we celebrated 5 years of "dating", we went to San Antonio and stayed at the Drury Plaza on the Riverwalk, had an amazing room and an awesome time! Instead of a Coach Purse (Travis bought me a new Coach purse (from the outlet) every anniversary!) he bought me a pair of Justin cowgirl boots!! :) We had so much fun on this trip. He was headed to Texas Tech shortly after this trip and I was about to begin working woman world! haha!

Travis accepted the position at Texas Tech Amarillo, so we found him an apartment that ultimately I would join him in once we got married and moved him and all of our stuff up to Amarillo with the help of my in laws!

While Travis was busy hitting the books I was busy with wedding, wedding, wedding!!! We had FOUR wedding showers! How blessed are we to have so many people who care about us, it was awesome. Due to the heavy overload of pictures already, I'll tell you a little about them!

From Sept-November we had 4 showers. The 1st being one that my Aunt's on my Dad's side held for me, it was a tea party shower, very fun and got LOTS of good and awesome gifts! October I had the church shower hosted by ladies from Blyth Road Church of Christ, it was wonderful!

I also had a Lingerie shower hosted by my bridal party, and then Travis got to have some fun at our couples/wedding shower! It was fun too!

I also went with my Mom and Mother in Law to Houston and we found their dresses for the wedding as well as I went to Corpus Christi to have my dress altered and get my bussle done, as well as get bridesmaid dresses with my girls!

My dress with the new Bussle!

In October, well, it was supposed to be in September but thank you to Tropical Storm Hermine my bridals got rescheduled! So in October my MOH Kari, Megan, my Mom and Mom in Law and I went to Raisin L Ranch for Bridals! Here are some favorites!!

Getting ready...love this picture of my Mom & I!

Then December 18, 2010 finally arrived. The week prior and after were a whirlwind. Travis was in Amarillo until Dec. 16, I picked him up at the airport and we got his haircut, after I spent the morning with my parents, Travis' Mom and my brother in law at the church arranging everything. Then we packed our stuff for our honeymoon. On the 17th we did what little needed to be done at Raisin L Ranch, had rehearsal dinner and then before I knew it it was wedding day! It went by so quickly, but it was everything and more than I could have ever dreamed of. My husband...waiting at the end of the aisle was the best. Then when I heard I was Mrs. Smith just gave me instant butterflies!!

Our wedding was truely amazing.

Thanks to some amazing family members we were able to spend a few days at Walt Disney World in Florida for our honeymoon!!

 So this is kind of "Travis & Tara" in a nutshell from beginning-marriage! I will post again soon to pick up where this leaves off. Travis & I couldn't be happier! Hope ya'll enjoyed this post!!! :)