Finally back on my blogs!!

It has been way to long since I have updated this! Nothing much has really changed with Shawn and I....
He is still working nights and I am working at Coyne, Cundiff & Hillemann and running my photo business.

I recently got a promotion at work which is very exciting, I know work for Brad Cundiff and I work on personal injury, workers compensation and social security cases.

Its getting nice outside and we are ready for the sumer activities to get here!

Will be updating more soon!

Update

I have been so busy!! Photo shoots, new boss at work, fitness goals and keeping up with day to day life! The photo business is going good and I thank everyone who has been involved. Check out the photo blog for the most recent shoots.

Shawn and I are great, Shawn is working nights still which makes things a bit hard, but its nice to enjoy the weekends together.

Other then that, not much new on our end, I hope everyone is enjoying the summer!

Congrats to Shawn and Rita on their wedding this weekend! We had a blast.

Goals, Goals, Goals!!

Everyone needs goals right? I have set new fitness goals to reach this week, I will set a new goal each week! Wish me luck, I am going to need it!

Photography

The website is officially up and running!! Check out www.JGraelerPhotography.com
There is a great referral program as well as good specials! :) Check it out.

Great weekend!

Today was the first warmer day of the year! It was great to get outside and enjoy family and the sun! Yes I said the sun!! :)

We went out to Grandma's today and visited with family and I snapped a few pics while we were there of the girls and the sunset.

Shawn and I are doing well, he is still working nights in Wright City and I am still working at the law firm. Last weekend we went bowling and I got my highest score ever of 220!! I was very shocked and dont really know how it happened, but I will take it!

Tomorrow is Johnny's birthday and Grandma's and Josh's birthday was this past weekend, so we will go back to Grandma's tomorrow for a birthday lunch before Aunt Kim and Uncle Rick go back home to IL.

I have been taking a lot of studio pictures for friends and family and really enjoying myself. I will post the website links when everything is ready. Hope my readers are doing well, that is if I have readers! :)

Sundays!! :)

Hey Everyone!!

Its a lazy Sunday at our house today! I feel like I have done nothing but run run run the last few weeks and I am just starting to really feel better. I can tell Spring is coming soon because I am in the cleaning and "get rid of it if you dont use it" mindset and lets say I have not got to far yet.

Today we had Evans Baptism and it all turned out great, when Lily was baptized, she cried and cried and cried, Evan did better! haha

Work is going well for both Shawn and I, there are nights where it drives me crazy being home without him, but for the most part I am getting used to it.

Hope everyone is well!

Birthday's come around again...

Jan. 26th was my Mom's 50th birthday!! We took her out to the Mexican resturant and have a blast. The 4th was my birthday and I am 24 now! Nothing different at just, just another calender day. We went out yesterday and had lunch in O'Fallon and went bowling with the family. We had a blast, today Shawn is taking me to lunch and Kohl's for my birthday!

Birthdays!!

The beginning of the year is a busy time for us with birthdays! Shawn turned 25 this year, Sam turned 23, my mom turned 50 and I will be 24!! I called my Mom on her birthday and she told me know that she is officially getting old, she wants to take a mid afternoon nap. I just laughed becuase I am sure she did! :) Happy birthday!!

January so far...

Not a bad start of the year so far. Although things can change in the blink of an eye, as of today, things are good. Shawn started working on January 4th at a factory in Wright City, not his ideal job but is income right now. He works third shift with Nathan and likes the hours so far.

I have fallen into an adventure of Photography! I love it and its a great feeling when people ask me to do their family or children's pictures becuase they love MY work! I have decided to start J. Graeler Photography and I am currently working on the website, packages, prices, etc. I will post when it is all complete!

Charlie (our dog) has been limping a lot the last few days and we are not exactly sure what is going on. At some points its better then others. If he does not improve in a few days then its vet time.

A look at neices and nephews this year!

I wanted to share a few pictures of our neices and nephews! We have welcomed 3 new neices/nephews in the year 2009 and are very happy to show them off!!

Jake and Tyler Christmas 2009


Avery at Christmas 2009! Born summer 2009 to Karen and Kevin


Peyton! Jamie and Anthony's baby girl born December 2009


Lily! Sam and Andys baby girl who is growing very fast!


Last but not least... Evan! Born just a few days before Christmas is Sam and Andys latest addition!

Birthday and one year all in the same week.

January 3rd is my dads birthday, January 4th is my Grandma Starks birthday and January 5th is Shawns birthday, Felicias birthday and one year from Dad passing away. Here is to thinking of all the good memories with my dad and being thankful I have good things to celebrate on a day that can be very bad for me. I love all my friends and family and am amazed by the kinds words I received today!

Long time no blog

It has been a while since I have been on here. I cannot say enough that I am so ready for this year to be over with. Christmas time is my favorite time of the year, this year however seemed to just be another weekend with a few extra days on it. It has been a hard year and even harder holidays without my dad.

Shawn has got the job at Grief in Wright City working 2nd shift at a factory. He has not started this job however but we will hopefully get a start date soon. It should be in the first few weeks of the new year.

I have been taking pictures for friends and family lately and having a blast. This has been my own get a way from things and I enjoy it very much. I decided to open a business for photography. I plan on getting an LLC set up and to start doing what I enjoy to get extra money! Anyone who knows me, photos have always been a huge part of my life with scrapbooking and old family albums so this is perfect for me.

We have a new nephew!! He was born 12/22/09. His name is Evan Joseph Tuley and the little brother of Lily Jane. Everyone is doing well and he is adorable! He looks like his uncle Shawn's baby picture to a T.

Unfornitatly, also on 12/22/09, my uncle passed away. He lived in Tulsa OK with his wife Lisa and son Robert. My heart hurts for his wife and children during this holiday season. This is the second son my grandmother has lost in under a year. This is another huge tragagy for our family, and only god can give us the streght to get through these things. My Uncle Richard was a man I looked up to very much and will miss. I just visited with him over the thanksgiving holiday and he was very pround to show me his new place and the deer they feed and tons of video! I enjoy very much hanging out with the Starks side of the family, yet it is very hard since they are all so much like my dad.

On a lighter note, I am so excited for new years. We are having friends at our house for poker and rock band! I hope 2010 is a much better year then this year, but only time will tell.

Thanksgiving is fast approaching!

I have been looking at ads for next week and making my shopping list! Usually I have most everything done by the time black friday comes along so I am more or less shopping for Shawn and I!

Shawn had an interview this week with a factory in Wright City and they called him back for a background check but nothing more yet. Keep your fingers crossed that he will get this! If so, he will be working nights which will be a huge adjustment but nothing we cannot work around!

Halloween, Lily's Birthday and Johnny coming home!

So Halloween was fun, not as much fun as last year :( Shawn was not feeling well and the amount of trick or treaters were not as high as usual. We had a little fire outside and hung out for awhile and then packed it up early to go inside and watch scary movies. Overall it was a nice relaxing halloween which is unusual for us!

Sunday November 1st was our neice's second birthday! We went over to Laura and Pauls to have dinner and cake and let her open presents. She is so cute and spoiled! This will be her holiday as an only child!

Monday November 2nd my brother Johnny came home!! I had to work so I had to wait wait wait all day to go see him after work. I have to admit I was so excited on my way out there I was jamming out in the car while singing and dancing! It is so nice that he is home now!

This next weekend we have my Grandma's halloween party and Lily's birthday party so I will post pictures then!

Life is always changing!

I hope everything happens for a reason as Shawn got layed off Friday. :( Hopefully it will only be a week or two and then he can go back to work, or get another job. With the holidays coming up and bills being tight as it is, I hope something happens soon!

Mr. & Mrs. Howell!

October 24, 2009 Sarah & Ryan Howell's wedding!

I had a great time working with Sarah and Ryan thoughout the planning porcess! They have had a great year and many more to come! Here are a few pictures that were taken at the reception!

Golf Tournament

The Golf Tournament was great! We had a good turn out considering the weather and the six inches of rain we had the few days prior. We ended up with 42 golfers and everyone had a great time!

We are thinking about making this an annual event to raise money in my Dad's name for local families who need assistance. That is still in with works but I think it would be a great way to continue raising money in my Dad's honor! If anyone knew my dad, they know that he would help anyone he could without thinking so we would like to do the same.

New Camera!

I got a new camera over the summer and I LOVE IT! I got a Canon Rebel XSI and it takes great pictures! I still need to learn more and get the editing software I want, but its not a bad start at all! Here are a few of my favorite pics that I have taken recently. We dont have kids yet, so I take pictures of random things! haha I will post more pictures soon as I have tons at home!

First Blog

Hello! Welcome to our blog. I never thought I would have one of these, but it really is a lot easier to let your friends and family know what is going on since we don't get to talk to everyone as much as we would like!

Things are going well with us, Shawn is working at Unlimited Truck & Trailer in Warrenton and he loves it! It am still working at Coyne, Cundiff & Hillemann, P.C. in Lake Saint Louis and working on building my wedding business, True Events Wedding Planning. I am also working with a company called Ameriplan which is a benefit company helping people who cannot get insurance for whatever reason. So if you know anyone who does not have any insurance, or would like an additional supplemental program, let me know!!

Our favorite holiday is coming up, HALLOWEEN!! For us, that is the holiday season kickoff, I love the holidays, could do less of the cold, but it would be weird to have a warm Christmas! I plan on posting at least once a week, so if you want to subscribe to get notification on when I post, beware!!