Chris and Jackie Manack

NEW BLOG

2008-03-15T21:16:00.000-07:00

Hey all I have a new blog! Just wanted to let you know!!!

http://web.mac.com/jackiemanack

switch out the links!!

love yall!!!

Oh My Gosh its March!

2008-03-02T22:22:00.000-08:00

Well Happy March! I am just sitting in my living room missing my husband horribly! He left me tonight to go to Arizona on a business trip :( so sad being grown up and what not. I had such a fun weekend that I thought I would give everyone a re cap!

Well lets go a little further back into the week ...

Wed Chris and I tried out a young marrieds small group! We both really liked it and are excited to get more and more involved!

Friday I got to eat lunch with my parents at my mom's work (Crossroads Bible Church) which was lots of fun! Then Courtney came into town, for a job fair, so we cooked dinner and got to catch up with her! She stayed with us friday night and Joey and Chassity came over and we played some catch phrase!

Saturday Chris and I took our sweet Benga to the park because it was BEAUTIFUL outside! Then my brother came over to hang out with us! It was so much fun! Chris and Ryley played X-Box most of the time but I didn't mind sitting and watching! I made dinner and we just hung out. Ryley is probably the greatest brother and 18 year old of all times! Love him! So he left us and Chris and I went to blockbuster and decided rent the first season of House because we have recently become addicted.

Today we went to church and then I had to take Chris to the airport :(. After that I went to my friends Jenny and Jonathons shower! It was so much fun hanging out with friends and getting to be with them at their shower! I am so happy for them! Then I went to my parents house and watched a movie with them and hung out for a while! Now i am all alone blogging in my living room!

So that is the up to date on Jackie's life! Its really windy outside and it makes scary noises in my house :0 I hate being alone!

Love yall!!!!

An Update ....

2008-02-24T19:26:00.000-08:00

Well I thought I would just update everyone on the happenings on our lives! We have been pretty busy running around the last month trying to get use to being married and for me, living with a boy haha! It has been so much fun though and we are loving every minute of it!

School is going great! I'm loving every minute of it and am getting more and more excited about the next few years as I get more in depth in it. I am learning so many cool things about God that I never knew before. It is just so cool and I'm really treasuring this time in my life! I am also in a bible study through the Village with Katie and Haley which has been really a great study. We are doing Beth Moore, Fruits of the Spirit. Each week it is EXACTLY what I need to hear! Chris is really liking his job! He is thinking hard about going back and getting a masters which would be great, he is so smart! TI must think so too because after 8 months of work they have already really recognized and rewarded him for what he does there! I'm so proud :)!

This week we bought a rug .. i know that sounds funny but it was a big purchase for me (ask Katie haha). I couldn't decide and Chris and I had been talking about this for so long that I just bought one! Thank goodness Ryan and Katie moved back and she was able to help me pick it out! Lets See..... My brother's basketball team is in the third round of the playoffs this week so we are going to that game on Tuesday!

This weekend was a lot of fun for us! We went to Ryley's game on Friday night and they won! Saturday Chris went golfing with a bunch of guys ALL DAY .. he left the house at 8:30am and got home around 6 that night! Which left me to do nothing so i went and spent the afternoon with my family which was so much fun for me! Saturday night we had Leigh-Anne and Kevin and Ashleigh and Brendan over which was so great! THe boys sat in front of the t.v and watched some bball and us girls just chatted for hours! Loved it! It is funny because Chris went to highschool with Leigh-Anne, and her and Kevin go to the Village which is how we met them. And I go to school with Ashleigh, but it turns out Leigh-Annes fiance Kevin went to highschool in Houston with Ashleigh and her husbanh Brendan! Small Small world! So we had a little get together! Today we went to church and then to Chris' parents house for lunch. Then we took our baby Benga to the park and wore him out and met my parents at Pei Wei for dinner! Fun fun weekend!

Well I hope all is well with everyone and that you have a wonderful week!!!!!

Happy I Love You Day!!!!

2008-02-14T15:17:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentines Day to everyone!!! I'm sitting here waiting for my sweet husband to get home with our Pei Wei so that we can celebrate our very first Valentine's Day and Holiday for that matter!! I'm so blessed to have him! The last almost month has just been incredible and I am so fortunate to have this man in my life!

Everyday I have been shown God's love by the blessings he has given me, even though I don't deserve any of it! Praise the Lord! I have the most amazing family EVER! and I am richly blessed with friends, especially lately.

I hope everyone has an amazing day and I love you all!

Busy Week

2008-02-06T12:39:00.001-08:00

Well this week has been kind of busy but lots of fun! We got back from Houston Sunday around noon. My friend Courtney stopped by to see the house on her way out of town. It was fun to be able to catch up and hear what is going on back in Oklahoma! Then I had three papers to write so poor Chris had to watch the super bowl with Me and My laptop. Monday we had our friends Leigh-Anne and Kevin over for dinner and got to catch up on their wedding planning. I am so excited for them! They are just so fun and we love hanging out with them!! Yesterday my brother had a basketball game so Chris and I spent the evening in Flower Mound, sad that they lost but it was fun getting to see my family! Tonight my hubby is taking me to the Dallas Opera to see Salome and I am really excited! Its in German so we have to read the English screen haha but its my first opera and his too so we can't wait! Tomorrow night is bible study then Friday is Ryley's senior night! We can't wait for saturday to get to lounge and enjoy spending time together without running around!

Anyways just a little catch up on our week! I might have a new blog soon but I will post all that! Love you guys!! Have a great evening

Savannah Grace is One Year Old!!!

2008-02-06T12:15:00.000-08:00

Well this last weekend we drove to Houston for our niece savannah's birthday! It was so much fun to hang out with everyone and I just loved it all! It was so fun to have our first roadtrip as husband and wife .. I know that sounds silly but it really was so much fun!! Well here are some pictures to show our fun time!!

Wedding pictures and some Honeymoon!

2008-01-29T19:46:00.000-08:00

We're Finally Married!!!

2008-01-28T19:14:00.000-08:00

Well the day finally came but went to quickly. It was such a fun time, and the wedding was beautiful better than I could have ever imagined. We were surrounded with our friends and family and had a blast!! St. Lucia wasn't too bad either! Chris and I left last monday and came home at midnight on Saturday! Pics to come but not tonight I am way too tired.

ummm

2008-01-16T10:58:00.000-08:00

so I am getting married in three days and I woke up with the flu ........ pray for me!!!

5......

2008-01-14T10:20:00.001-08:00

Well this week is going to be absolutely CRAZY!! We have something going on everyday and it just feels like it is flying by. I started my second semester today and am in between classes right now! I am glad to be back at school especially since it means I am getting married this weekend!

I had a blast at my bachelorette party this weekend! IT was really sad though, the night before my sister was throwing up and got really sick. The day of she had to go to the ER clinic and get an IV. She is the best sister ever because she still stuck it out and stayed until after the lingerie shower. I felt so bad for her and am so glad she is feeling better. She is probably the greatest sister ever. All the girls and I went to Logans after the shower and were the only ones in the place dancing haha! It was fun and I am so glad I got to see everyone!!

Love everyone lots!!!!

9 ...

2008-01-10T07:58:00.000-08:00

Nine more days!! Well today is going to be a fun day! It is my future sister-in-law Danielle's 17th birthday, and it is my sister and Kevin's 4th wedding anniversary. Today is also the last day of work for me as a nanny. I'm sad but also really relieved because I start school again next week and it is just too much for me. SO today is a very eventful day!

Last night Chris and I met up with Leigh-Anne and Kevin for a while which was so much fun! They just got engaged about a month ago and we are so happy for them! I am loving getting to hang out with them when we can! Today after work I am meeting up with Katie for lunch and a much needed catch up time! I love how the Lord places just the right people in my life at just the perfect time! He is so great!

Nicole and Savannah come tomorrow!!!!!! I am so excited! We are going to have a blast here the next week! Can't wait! Ok well I am off to continue working!!

Have a terrific day!!!

The Countdown continues

2008-01-09T08:00:00.000-08:00

Well .. 10 more days. Oh my gosh that just sounds so crazy. But yes in ten days I am going to be a married women! So all of my posts until then are going to sounds the same :)! Lets see what is new with the wedding stuff. I am about 60% moved into Chris and I's house in Carrollton. I can't decide when I should move all of my stuff in cause then I would be living out of a suitcase until we get married which doesn't really sound like to much fun. I can't wait to finally live there! I go over about everyday to let the dog out while Chris is at work so it is making me really anxious to just be able to live there!
On that note though, I will be very sad to move out of my parents house. I am probably a little more attached to my family then the average person, ok who am I kidding probably more attached than the most persons haha but I love them alot and have been pretty emotional this last week about moving. It's just that I do have that family who can talk about everything, who loves one another unconditionally, who are all best friends, and who talk about God openly! I have such an awesome family! I'm so glad that they love Chris like he is one of us and that he loves them as well! Yea for family!
Ok well my bachelorette party is on Saturday! I can't wait! I just am excited to hang out with my friends all at the same time! I feel like it has been FOREVER since i got to have a girls night with everyone there! AND BONUS my sister and Savannah Grace are coming in town on Friday and staying until the wedding which means I get a whole week of having my sister and my sweet niece here with me!
Well I hope everyone is having a great day! Hopefully I will be back soon to update!

Less than Two Weeks!!!

2008-01-07T08:34:00.000-08:00

Well we have less than two weeks now! Oh MY GOSH!! I can't believe it but two weeks from today I am going to be Mrs. Christopher Manack and on the beach in St. Lucia! I am so excited to see all my family coming in and all our friends who we haven't seen in a while! It's gonna be so much fun! I am one lucky girl... Chris is just so awesome! Yea ! Ok well hope everyone is having a great day! Love you guys!

Lead Me To The Cross

2008-01-02T14:37:00.000-08:00

Savior I come
Quiet my soul remember
Redemptions hill
Where Your blood was spilled
For my ransom
Everything I once held dear
I count it all as lost

Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Lead me, lead me to the cross

I have been so sad lately. I have something in my life right now that I wish with all my heart I could change, but the only way I could even remotely make it better would look something like compromising my stance in the Lord. I am who I am, I am a daughter of God, I love Him and I want to live my life to honor Him. I know that I am not a perfect person and i know I make a lot of mistakes but I know i have a perfect forgiveness and example in Christ. My heart breaks to think that on this earth that is not good enough. Christ is not good enough. We, and when i say we I mean us in the Christian community, judge people based on labels and colors and nationality. If I don't carry the right "name" or look the right way or practice my faith the right way than I am undoubtedly going to be "unworthy" to someone. I am a follower of Christ, why is that not ok? Shouldn't the ultimate judgement be His? I know he lived a perfect life, died for my sins, and rose from the grave. That is the gospel, I trust Him with my life and that is ALL His gift of salvation requires. There is no fine print. I wish I could let things roll off and I am normally ok with that but when my faith comes into question or how and where I choose to worship my Lord, it is very personal to me. Maybe I am learning a lesson with this situation, but at the end of the day when its all said and done, I have a savior who will lift that burden from my shoulders and give me rest. Praise God for that.

Sorry if I am sounding down in this post when I should be jumping for joy!!!! I am getting married in 2 1/2 WEEKS!!!! Oh my gosh I am so fired up. I can't wait to marry Chris! He is so wonderful and I am so lucky. I can't believe how fast time has flied. Sometimes I still can't believe I'm engaged and now I am going to be married! WOOHOO!! He is going to be such an amazing husband! YEA! Ok well Hope all is well with everyone!!!!

It's been A While

2007-12-18T13:47:00.000-08:00

Well I guess I haven't been on here in a while. Life has been crazy!! I am finishing up with my last final tonight .. its a paper, and then I will be done until next semester!! Wedding stuff really is almost done. We are just lacking in the RSVP department but apparently that is normal. Kinda of stressful.

Chris and i switched our phone service to AT&T this weekend. We got new phones and I got the IPhone!!!! Oh my gosh I absolutely LOVE it! It really is like a mini computer that I haven't been on my laptop nearly as much as I usually do during the week. Chris got the Tilt. Its pretty cool and he would say its better than my phone but that is just because he is jealous!! He is being stubborn because my family is really pro-mac kinda people and we converted my brother-in-law Kevin to apple so Chris swears he isn't gonna get into it ...... even though our next computer purchase is going to be the Imac desktop. He is so cute in his public protesting and secret converting that I indulge it haha. So that is why he is trash talking my phone actually every time I call he answers the phone by saying .. "Hi Mac" what a character I got!

Well I am really excited because this marks 4 1/2 weeks until the wedding. Wow that is weird to say. AND our friends Katie and Ryan moved back to Texas!!!!! We are meeting them for dinner this week and gonna show them our new house! I really can't wait I have missed my friend Katie so much! Also i am meeting my friend Haley for dinner tomorrow night which will also be really fun!! I love catching up with friends! I have just been extremely blessed with such amazing friends!!

Well I hope everyone is having an amazing day!!!

Now the time is gonna crawl!

2007-12-05T06:51:00.000-08:00

Well this past weekend we moved Chris into the house we are going to live in when we get married! I took over a good deal of my stuff that I am not gonna really need and we "decorated" the last couple days. It was so much fun and it is such an awesome house! Chris loves living there and I am a little jealous I am not gonna lie! So i am thinking that these next 6ish weeks are gonna go by slow because of that.

They are gonna go by fast though because I only have a week and a half left of school and then the holidays always seem to fly by and before we know it, it will be january! Oh my goodness I am so excited! We have started getting reply cards back in the mail and that is just crazy to me!! I am gonna be Mrs. Chris Manack in 45 days! We have been dating for 2 years and 2 months today (I know that is sad I am still counting that but all you girls know you do too!!) IT is weird to me I have only known him I guess a little less than 3 years. I feel like i have known him forever!! Well thank the Lord I finally found him!

Well I don't have much else to say today! Hope all is well and that everyone is having a great week!!!!

Back To School...

2007-11-26T20:15:00.000-08:00

Well today is officially the last day of my winter break. Tomorrow I am back to school for three more weeks and then I am off for Christmas! I can say that I have never been more excited to go back to school than I am right now! I of course LOVED the relaxation time and could do that for a while longer but I have really missed classes. Something about being surrounded by a large body of believers on a daily basis really encourages me. I just find myself in awe sometimes of the amazing position the Lord has put me in. Walking around campus and listening and engaging in conversation with my classmates is just an incredible honor. The Lord is so good and I am so blessed!!

Speaking of being blessed!! Chris and I met with The Kersey's last Wednesday to talk about the house, and we got to meet little Trevin!! He is so precious! As of now we are set to move our stuff in this weekend!! Chris is the lucky one who gets to live there alone until we get married but that is ok because I need all the time I can get with my family before then :)!! We are so lucky to be getting to live in this house while Kristi and Michael are in Arizona! I don't think it can be said enough how grateful we are to you guys!!

And finally, Thanksgiving was fun as always!! We had THe Page's (my brother-in-law's family) over for Thanksgiving meal and watched the cowboy game afterwards. Sweet little Savannah Grace is just getting so big! She is walking around using furniture as her crutch and she can walk only holding on with one hand! It is so sweet and so cool to watch her learn new things! If you haven't noticed i am basically OBSESSED with my niece! But she is like the cutest thing ever!! So I am closing this with a picture of her that just shows of her little personality better than words!! Love you all and hope you have a blessed week!!!

Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Storer!

2007-11-19T19:00:00.000-08:00

Well two of our friends Ryan and Brooke got married on Saturday! She looked beautiful and it was such a fun wedding!! It was so exciting to see them exchange vows and to know that Chris and I are going to be there in two months!! Time is just flying by! The wedding was in Oklahoma City so we got to see so many college friends! I didn't realize how much i miss all of those people! We had a blast! We also got to spend the weekend with Jene, one of Chris' friends from High School, which was alot of fun because i have never had the chance to really get to know her. Such and sweet girl and such a fun time! So we had a great weekend!Me, Kathryn and Becca!
haha Chris and Richard being weird
Me and Lindsey, one of my favorite people ever!!
Chassity, Jene and I. I had so much fun with these girls!
Chris and I at the reception!!
Zack and I

We are so hoping everyone is going to make it down to Dallas for our wedding as well because it is such a blast to have all your friends around you! Congratulations Ryan and Brooke you are going to be so happy together and we love you!!!

Invitations Stole My week

2007-11-16T06:34:00.000-08:00

Well Invitations need to go out soon so I have been running around trying to get all the pieces together for them. stamps and maps to the church and so on. Also we decided on these invitations that require ALOT of assembling and so it has taken a while. My sister has awesome handwriting so by the grace of God she has agreed to address them! We have gotten almost half done and finishing when she comes back over Thanksgiving! Last night I was up until 2:30 putting as much of them together as I could. I have not stayed up until 2:30 in A LONG time. But luckily I think I am at a point where all I need is her to finishing writing and I can just put it in the envelope! Who knew invitations would be such a task! This has made me not look forward to making the programs!!

Hope everyone is having a good week. Mine has been ok. I feel like i am just going through motions right now. I haven't had time to sit and read my bible in a couple days and i can feel it. It makes me sad, but its one of those things were I go back through my day and see where I made the choice to not do it. It's not that I am too busy, because God gives us enough time in the day to get done what HE wants us to get done. When we start saying things like there isn't enough time, and there should be more hours in a day, I think it is because we are adding our own agenda to Gods and His is the one that normally gets shorted. So that is where I am right now, I'm being very productive but not in the things that I should. I think it is also that Chris and I didn't go to church or small group on Sunday and it has taken affect on me because i am also not in class this week so most of my accountability is gone right now. It's also working out though too. Everytime i schedule time to go, I get "tired" and don't want to. My mom gets up almost every morning to jog, and she works like 30 hours a week and everytime I come in the kitchen or the living room, she is doing her bible study. I am working on the mental discipline to be able to do that.

Sorry enough rambling. I hope everyone has a Happy Friday!!!

Ok

My relaxing week has turned HECTIC!!

2007-11-13T07:13:00.000-08:00

Well I get the next two weeks off of school so I was planning on getting some relaxing done. Well so much for that plan! I still am working all morning and then ..Today my mom, Chris, Kathy and I are going to City Place for a food tasting for our reception. Before that my mom and I are going to the linens company to pick out chair covers and table cloths. Then I have to find my wedding shoes tonight because I have my dress fitting tomorrow. Tomorrow after work I am meeting with my photographer and we are doing a "trash the dress" session with this dress she found. Then I have to go and have my dress fitted after that. I can't decide if I will be bored and sad or happy when this wedding planning is over. I mean clearly I will be married so that will make me happy, but I will have more free time! (Actually I won't because i am adding a class next semester.) Anyways, our friends Brooke and Ryan are getting married on Saturday so we are going to Norman this weekend. I am really excited! I love going on trips and seeing friends. Well I hope you are all having a blessed week. Love you all!

The Fajita shower!!

2007-11-11T15:06:00.001-08:00

Well this weekend was our last shower and it was a BLAST! My parents friends are awesome!! I hope Chris and I have friends like these one day too! There were 7 hostesses, Sheri Martin, Susan Egbert, Diane Hanson, Carol Gaige, Lynda Smith, Renee Troutman, and Sherri Sund!

The house was decorated in a Mexican theme and it was so awesome! The food was awesome and the decorations were out of this world!

I feel so blessed to have all of these people in my life and that they all help celebrate this time in Chris and I's lives! It was a great time! Alot of our friends drove in from out of town which was so much fun! Katie, Jenny, Jonathan, Courtney and Jaclyn all drove in from Oklahoma. And my friend lindsay drove in from Tyler! My sister, Kevin and Savannah Grace came in from Houston which was so much fun! My brother and his girlfriend Ashley came as well! Chris' parents and his sister Danielle and her friend Paige were there too which was fun!

Ryley also had a scrimmage this weekend and Savannah Grace had a little shirt made that said GO RYLEY on the front and then his number 22 on the back!!! It was so precious!

Thank you all for making this weekend so special for us! We are so so blessed to have each and everyone of you in our lives!!

Almost the weekend!

2007-11-08T07:30:00.000-08:00

This day is basically the last day of school for the next two weeks! It also begins my weekend so I guess I am pretty excited! I haven't been feeling all that great lately. Just kind of in a crummy mood and feeling sick. Luckily I don't have to work tomorrow, and we have our shower on Saturday !!!! YEA!!! and I get a two week break from school for Thanksgiving. So I can take one more day of feeling like this because hopefully I will get SOME down time here in the next few weeks. I am really just so excited about our shower this weekend. My two roommates from college are coming down, Courtney and Jaclyn. My sweet friends Katie and Jenny are driving down from OK. My friend Lindsay is coming in from Tyler! And all of our friends here are hopefully going to be able to make it! I can't wait! Well I guess that is all! I am sure more posts and pictures to come because my Sister, Kevin and Savannah will be here as well which means LOTS OF PICS!! I love it when they come in town! They will be here tomorrow!!

Weekends Fly By!

2007-11-05T07:07:00.000-08:00

Well this weekend really flew by! IT seems like that has been reoccurring the last few weeks. Its already Monday and I can't believe it! On Friday Chris' sister Danielle had a playoff game! It was the second round of Volleyball playoffs in Rowlett, and they won! SO now they play on Tuesday. It is fun learning a new sport. Chris get a little intense, (and I am being kind when I say little), but it is alot of fun to watch! After the game we went to dinner and hung out at Chris' house for a while. Saturday my mom and I did lots of wedding stuff! Well first I met my friend Haley for lunch which was lots of fun! Then my mom and I bought a wedding wagon for Savannah Grace to go down the aisle in..... so so so cute!! After that we went and tried on my wedding dress!!!!!! Oh my gosh it makes me so anxious! Then chris met us and we got the tux thing all squared away! After that we went back to my parents house in FM and I cooked dinner for everyone ... yes I know be shocked but it was actually pretty good! We watched OU beat A&M :) and then it was about time for bed for me!! Sunday was a normal sunday! We went to church at 11, then came home had lunch with my fam and watched football! Yea for the weekends! Also something kind of fun! My photographer called me and asked if i wanted to do a "trash the dress" photo shoot for her. Of course not with my dress haha, but she has a dress and so in a week or so we are going to go and take pics. It sounds really interesting and I am excited to see how the pictures turn out!!

Well I hope you all had wonderful weekends and have wonderful weeks!!

A whole year of being MJ!!

2007-11-02T07:37:00.001-07:00

So yesterday was my 23rd Birthday. Chris reminded me that this means a whole year of being 23 which was Michael Jordan's number, and so I am ok with this!! My family took me to On The Border on Monday and we did my gifts then. My dad was out of town on my actual birthday so we celebrated early! Christopher got me a new camera which I am so excited about!! My parents got me house decorations and fixed my DVD player! Ryley bought me movies and Ashley bought me a manicure set!! It was great fun!! Here are pics of all the couples!!

Me and my boy!!!

My mom and My dad!!

My brother and his girlfriend Ashley

I had lots of fun!! Wish my sister, Kevin and Savannah Grace lived close and they could have been there!! My actual birthday was awesome as well!! I had lunch with my friend Jenny who was in town from Norman and that was so much fun catching up!! She is so sweet, I just love her!! Then I went to my small group who made me cupcakes and brownies .. that are awesome!!! This is my group at DTS who I meet with every thursday at 2:30!! I couldn't believe they did that! Here are some pics of these wonderful people!! Joa, Austin, Danielle and Kristin with the yummy treats!!!

The Whole Group!!

Then after school I went over to the Manack's house and they had gotten me gifts as well so here is the last pic!! Hope everyone has a fantastic day!! Thanks to everyone who made my birthday special!!

Happy Halloween!!

2007-10-31T07:11:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!! I love this holiday because it is the day before my birthday... but also don't love it so much because my parents named me Jaclyn and being named Jaclyn has left me being called jack-o-lantern on this wonderful day. So I hate to break the news for those people who think they are really creative coming up with this but it stopped being original in the second grade! Chris thinks its just hilarious to call me this but I guess I will just have to get over it!

I miss trick-or-treating! I guess it would be frowned upon for me to dress up tonight and go door to door but I think it would be lots of fun! I will settle for handing out candy to all the cute little kids who come to the door!

Side Note --- My wedding dress came in!! I am so excited to go try it on! It is getting closer and closer! Kind of scary!

HOpe everyone is having a terrific day and I love you!!

The Power Shower

2007-10-21T17:00:00.000-07:00

Well we had our first shower this weekend! IT was awesome!! We got so many great gifts and got to see and meet lots of fun people! Little Savannah Grace stole the show!
She was adorable! I won't gab I will just show you pictures! Love yall!

Amazing Grace

2007-10-10T11:37:00.000-07:00

"Well the thing I find most amazing
In amazing grace
Is the chance to give it out
Maybe that's what love is all about"
-Brandon Heath "I'm Not Who I Was"

These words have just stuck with me the last couple days. Something I definitely need to be better about is giving grace out to those who hurt me. We are to try and to become more Christ like and he shows grace on everyone, no matter what they have done, no matter if they believe in him or not. How mind blowing is that. Even the people who speak out against him are shown the amazing grace of Jesus every breath they take. That is such an incredible revelation and yet I find it so hard to extend grace and mercy sometimes to the people who I love. The lyrics to this song are so awesome, they really struck me hard. We are giving chances to give out amazing grace. God is letting us take a part in his purpose, in his plan. He is using us, he doesn't need us, but he uses us. The instances where we can show his amazing grace to others are a gift from God, a platform to show His love, grace and mercy. He is extending us a part in his masterpiece, and when I look at it this way, why would I ever turn down an opportunity to be a part of His plan. And yet I do when I let pride take over, and boy do I let pride take over sometimes. Anyways, just thinking and so amazed at the way God moves and works in our lives!

Hope everyone is having a good day so far! Love you all!

Study Break

2007-10-09T10:18:00.000-07:00

Well I don't really have much to say, just wanted to take a study break so I am on here now! The bridesmaids dresses are in! I'm so excited to finally have some stuff coming together. We have the decorations for the reception all done too! I think we are at the 3 1/2 month mark so that is good we are getting all this stuff together.
Chris is going on his bachelor trip weekend on Thursday. Its kind of weird! He wanted to golf so they had to do it early but it is so crazy that all of this is starting! The next weekend is our first shower! AH! Well I hope that everything is going great and that you guys are having a good week.

BOOMER SOONER

2007-10-06T20:42:00.000-07:00

Well we BEAT TEXAS!!! Don't get me wrong I love the state of Texas .... but the University of Texas, well thats another story!! We had a blast seeing old friends and getting to be part of our school for a weekend again!! Friday night I got to see Jaclyn which was awesome because I miss that girl so much! Saw Courtney, Aaron Chass and Joey as well the majority of the weekend!! Chris' brother Ryan goes to UT so we got to hang out with him a little on Friday night! We had a fun fun weekend! And OU winning today just topped it off!! Boomer Sooner ... and in the words of the Sooners ..... Texas Sucks!!! Love you guys!!Chris and I at Texas Land and Cattle Friday night for dinner!!!
Jaclyn and I in the West End Friday night!!Chris and I with Ryan in the West End!!

Exhausted

2007-10-04T09:27:00.000-07:00

Well I am exhausted and today is my longest day of the week. Ah! I feel like I have been going non stop the last couple days and this weekend is OU/TX which means no sleep for sure, AND sunday we have a jammed packed day as well. Oh well I love to be busy but sometimes I love to sleep. And poor Chris has a bad cough so that makes it not so much fun. On another note we are so excited to see our friends this weekend that we haven't seen in FOREVER!! Both of my roommates will be here which I am so fired up about! Friday we are going out to eat with Courtney Aaron and Chassity and Joey. I don't know when the last time we did that was! Saturday we are going to beat Texas and then not gonna lie I am going to sleep! Hopefully there will be no celebrating involved in that victory ... I promise I am a true Sooner just a very tired one! So this weekend is going to be lots of fun!

I'm learning so much in my classes! It is so much fun getting to go to DTS and be involved in all the things that go along with that. I have to remind myself how lucky I am everyday just so I won't take one second for granted like I did at OU. I remember when I graduated OU looking around thinking there is no way I was here for four years, I didn't feel like it left the impression on me I thought college would. I am determined to not let that happen to me now. Even though it is not like being in college I am surrounded by people I know i could have deep lifetime friendships with, and they would be based on Christ instead of earthly things. That is incredible to be immersed in an environment like that, and i am going to take advantage of it!
Along those lines Chris and I visited a small group last Sunday and we loved it. Chris is just a natural in those environments as we all know! He has never met a stranger I am convinced of it! I have a little harder time not being shy and opening up but again with God's strength this is something I am trying harder at!! We had a speaker in one of my classes on Tuesday and he said "There are no strangers in the world just friends we have not met yet".

Hope everyone has had a great week so far and that this weekend you will be rooting for our Sooners!! Love you all!!!

A Game of Tag About my man!!

2007-09-29T14:34:00.000-07:00

The Game of Tag about your MAN:

1. Who is your man? Christopher Daniel Manack
2. How long have you been together? 2 years and will be married in 4 months!
3. How long dated? 2 years
4. How old is your man? 22
5. Who eats more? Thats debatable because I love to snack and he doesn't so it seems like I eat more but during meals he def eats more.
6. Who said "I love you" first? He did
7. Who is taller? Chris! By like 8 inches!
8. Who sings better? Although he tries so hard I am gonna have to say I do... sorry babe!
9. Who is smarter? Chris for sure is way book smarter! I may have a little more common sense when it comes to people and situations though.
10. Whose temper is worse? Again ... not sure.. we fuel each other because we are both so competitive. I think it depends on the situation.
11. Who does the laundry? I have a feeling that will be my job.
12. Who takes out the garbage? This is gonna be a Chris job but I bet I end up doing it!
13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? haha good luck Chris I sleep in the middle!!
14. Who pays the bills? Chris will
15. Who is better with the computer? I use a Mac he uses a PC so obviously me since my computer is so much better!!!!
16. Who mows the lawn? Chris will
17. Who cooks dinner? I will cook!!
18. Who drives when you are together? We switch... mostly Chris though.
19. Who pays when you go out? Chris does but sometimes he will let me!
20. Who is most stubborn? We both are!
21. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Uh .. according to Chris he has never been wrong. haha just kidding we both are pretty good at this.
22. Whose parents do you see the most? It is pretty even
23. Who kissed who first? He kissed me.
24. Who asked who out? He asked me out for a "lunch" date haha.
25. Who proposed? Chris
26. Who is more sensitive? Me
27. Who has more friends? Prob him because i am a homebody and I have a few really close friends and he has a bunch of social friends. Although now all our friends are both of ours so I guess we have the same amount of friends!
28. Who has more siblings? same ... I am the middle of 3 and he is the oldest of 3.
29. Who wears the pants in the family? Chris will..... hey I'm ok with that!

Lets see what you have to say Nicole, about Kevin!!!!

Love you all!!!

Wedding Cake

2007-09-25T07:03:00.001-07:00

No this isn't the cake we picked but last night we did get our wedding cake all squared away. It is exciting! Poor Chris had to sit through a three hour meeting deciding whether or not to do diamonds and dots or swirls or monogram and on and on. He was a pretty good sport though! He even threw a few suggestions in here and there! We got to try it and it was delicious! MMM can't wait for the real thing! I feel like there is a lot of waiting around involved in wedding planning. You pick out all these really fun things but yet you don't get to see it again until your wedding day! That's ok because I know it will be worth it i just wish it was a little closer than 4 months away!

So Chris and I are starting a small group on Sunday through The Village Church and we are really excited! It is a young marrieds, even though we aren't yet married!! We just want to get plugged in and start making friends haha! It is so fun getting to start our new life together and join things as a couple! We (well right now I) have a black lab named Benga. I had to take him to a vet and fill in all the info and I told them well, I am engaged but will be married and this is all Chris' info etc. So now when the call me they ask for Mrs. Manack and when we get medicine or a bill or anything for the dog it says Chris and Jackie Manack on it! It is so weird but AWESOME at the same time! Guess I better get use to it!

I have a huge homework assignment I should be doing right now but I just wanted to let all the girls in my wedding know how excited I am that they can be there! I know that is kind of a random thought but I just am so thankful for each and every person! I am so excited I get to spend this important day with the most important people to me!

Ok thats all! I hope the Lord blesses your day!! Love you All!!

Iowa- Missy's Wedding

2007-09-23T20:45:00.000-07:00

My cousin Missy got married this weekend in Iowa! She is now Melissa Collins! It was a lot of fun and she was beautiful. I love family get togethers! We have a large large family but it is always a blast when everyone is together. My whole immediate family was there which was awesome! Chris and Savannah G bonded and we now call him her boyfriend haha. She was kissing on him this weekend, but since she is 8 months old and precious I let it go!
This is little Savannah with Chris' glasses on. She is so cute!! Here are some pics of us at the wedding!!

We did have some bad news this weekend however. My mom's parents (my grandma and grandpa Shattuck) are not doing that well. My grandfather was admitted into the ICU when we got to Iowa so we never got to see him :( . My grandmother is also very sick and not doing that great. My family needs some prayers. They are the sweetest people I have ever met. Anyways if you could just remember them in your prayers. Thank you guys!

well hope everyone had a great weekend! Love you all!!

Wedding Bands

2007-09-19T21:57:00.000-07:00

Well we purchased our wedding bands! I am kind of thinking maybe we should have waited because now i just want to wear mine! Its awesome! I tried to convince Chris today how fun it would be to act like we were little kids and play wedding! Then we could wear our rings but not for real just for pretend! Chris didn't really go for that but hey I tried! I really do feel like a little kid playing house sometimes! I don't feel like it is real yet. I mean i know in four months I will have a new last name, have to share a house with a boy, and have a new "family". But it hasn't hit me yet that this is real!! I can't wait until the second it hits me ... I am thinking it will be walking down the aisle!

Other than that we have no more wedding updates! My little brother turns 18 on Friday!! AHH oh my gosh! He is so old! I can't believe it. He is just the most precious person EVER. I know I know he is my brother but really just the greatest boy ever. We are all going to Iowa this weekend for my cousin's wedding! Chris and I are so excited to see Savannah Grace, Nicole and Kevin and ALL of my relatives! It will be a blast! OK well I am going to bed! I hope things are going great for everyone and that the Lord is blessing you! I love you all!!

Jackie

True You Photography!! Our Engagements!!!

2007-09-18T16:59:00.000-07:00

Our engagement pictures from our photographer are up!!!! She has a blog where she posted a few ... you can look at the list of my favorite blogs its linked. If you want to see them all go to trueyouphoto.com/anderson!! Love you guys!

Engagement Pictures

2007-09-16T14:57:00.001-07:00

Chris and I went and got our engagement pictures done this weekend. We met our photographer Christa Davidson at the canals in Las Colinas and then we went and took some pictures with Chris' mom as well. Since we don't have the pictures from our photographer yet I will share some of the ones Kathy took. Hope everyone is doing well!! Love you All!!!!

I love music

2007-09-13T12:09:00.000-07:00

I am not skilled to understand
What God has willed, what God has planned
I only know at His right hand
Stands one who is my Savior

I take Him at His word and deed
Christ died to save me; this I read
And in my heart I find a need
Of Him to be my savior

That He would leave His place on high
And come for sinful man to die
You count it strange, so once did I
Before I knew my Savior

I heard this song on the radio today "My Savior My God" by Aaron Shust and i just wanted to share it! Awesome song put me in a great mood! I have to go to school soon so I am having a short break in between work and class. Hope you all are having an awesome day and are as excited as I am that TOMORROW IS FRIDAY!!!

September 11th

2007-09-11T20:54:00.000-07:00

I spent this morning watching the news from the morning of 9/11/01. They played the coverage of this terrible day. It amazed me how much I forgot, how I had already distanced this from my mind. I sat and watched and was so sad all over again for these families who were involved and re-live this event every day not just once a year. Tomorrow we will all go about our usual day and because the date says 9/12 we won't think about these people. Some of these people remember every day because they lost a loved one or even went through this event. I just pray that we love on the people we have every day and be thankful that we have them. We live in a broken and fallen world, every person struggles and has tragic events going on in their lives. Anyways, after rambling what I want to say is that in the midst of our suffering no matter how big or small, if we place our faith and trust is in Christ we are safe from the grasp of the devil. No I dont mean we won't have sorrows, troubles, tragic events, but no matter what the outcome even through death we are taken to live with our heavenly Father, and nobody not even Satan can touch that salvation. Praise the Lord for that!!!!

On another note Chris and I ordered our invitations yesterday! SOOO exciting! It will be here so soon.

I love you all and hope everything is well and that God is continually blessing you!!

Visit To Norman!

2007-09-10T13:19:00.000-07:00

Chris and I made a trip up to Norman this weekend! We had a blast! Friday night we got to Katie and Ryan's and chatted with Katie for a bit and then went to Campus Corner to see some people we haven't seen in forever. We ran into a bunch of people we miss a ton, Lindsey, Brooke, Richard, Ryan, Zach, Trey the list goes on. It was so great to see everyone!!

Saturday Chris went to the game!! I walked around Campus with him before and went and saw some of our friends! After I went back to hang out with Katie at her salon on campus corner! It was lots of fun to just be able to sit and hang out! CAN'T WAIT FOR HER TO MOVE HERE!
Anyways we met back up with Chris after the game and went to meet Ryan at a tail gate!

After the game we went back to the Martin's watched their wedding video:) watched more football then went to On The Border for dinner ...mmmmm!!! Afterwards we went back up to campus corner and sat listening to music at Brothers! We had the best time with our sweet friends Katie and Ryan and seeing some of our other friends this weekened! It makes me miss Norman a tad bit!!

A game of tag... Read to find out if you are it!

2007-09-10T12:41:00.000-07:00

SO my sister has tagged me in this little game. So here it goes....

The Rules:

1. I have to post these rules before I give you the facts.
2. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog (about their eight things) and post these rules. (**if you’re a non-blogger, you can email them!)
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

1. As a child my idea of a fun Saturday was organizing my mom's kitchen pantry and doing chores... I was and still am a little strange.

2. As a kid Chris never liked Salad dressing so he would put water on his salad.

3. In first grade I really like saved by the bell and Tiffany Amber Thiessen was my favorite. So I told my teacher on the first day my name was Tiffany and so up until open house when my parents came I was Tiffany!! IT was AWESOME.. and then i went back to being dumb ol Jackie.

4. In second grade Chris really wanted to wear glasses so for the year book picture he snuck a pair of glasses out of his house and took his picture with them on. His mom paid for re-takes!

5. Chris and I both played basketball in highschool ... which isn't really random but we have found out that we have been in the same gym and the same places multiple times in highschool!! .. thats weird

6. I lived in Germany as a small child because my father was in the air force.

7. The first time Chris was out in the snow .. instead of enjoying it like most little kids.. he was worried the whole time about his shoes getting dirty.

8. Sometimes I start laughing about nothing and the more I try to stop the harder I laugh, and Chris is pulled into these laughing attacks with me. We are special.

We are tagging our list of friends on here haha .. Katie and Ryan and Angela and Chris! and anyone else who wants to join in!!

Boomer Sooner!!!

2007-09-06T22:17:00.000-07:00

Well Chris and I are leaving tomorrow to go to Norman! I am very excited! I have not been there since late June and Chris hasn't been there since we graduated in May. Its kind of weird going back knowing that it is not home. Oh well it is going to be a blast! Our friends The Martins :) are being so gracious and letting us stay at their house, which I am so excited about getting to spend more time with Katie! Katie is also letting Chris use her ticked to go to the OU/ Miami game on Saturday and he is soo pumped about that! It will be awesome to see some people we haven't seen in months! Ahh I am just so excited!

Sunday I am getting to meet with Haley for coffee which I am just so excited about as well! One of my favorite things to do is sit and hear how God is blessing my friends! I see His work in my life but it just makes me smile to hear other people testify to His love and mercy! Anyways, after that Chris and I have our second pre-marital counseling session with Scott Ward, he is going to marry us! He is so great and we are learning alot from him!

Other than that i am thinking I will never get all my reading done this weekend but hopefully I can do it in the car ride to Norman! No real news on the wedding stuff except we picked out our invitations and that is always exciting!!

Hope everyone has a Fantastic weekend!!! Love you!!

A Day In The Life

2007-09-05T21:45:00.000-07:00

Well if I wasn't about to fall asleep I am sure this would end up being long.. so lucky for those of you reading I am tired! We found out that Benga is still undiagnosed but we got some medicine so hopefully it will get better!
Chris and I went to dinner with Connor and Lacey tonight at Mexi-go which was lots of fun, as always! On our way out we ran into Chassity and Joey and got some starbucks. It was a fun evening of catching up with friends!!
Well I am off to bed. Hope your all had a blessed day! Love You!!!!

Exhausted!

2007-09-04T21:11:00.000-07:00

Well the first day of the week and I am so tired! It was a long day! Today I have three classes so it is my longest day of the week but it feels good to get it over with. I am learning so much but in learning so much I am learning I know NOTHING about what i thought I knew alot about. I don't know if that made any sense but God has humbled me beyond measure in the last week.
I realize that I will never reach a level of rest and satisfaction in my knowledge of God because there is so much to know that no one human could possibly know it all. Even all humans put together could never come close to understanding the complex mind of our wonderful Savior. It is a troubling conclusion as well as a relief! I can do nothing to make God love me more. His love for me is unconditional and it is perfect, I can never lose this and I can never gain more. It puts the whole perspective of salvation through works to test. If the scripture says that God's love for us is perfect and that his love for us is unconditional then nothing I do will change this. By saying I can earn his love I am questioning God's power. I don't deserve anything, I can't earn anything, there is no checklist that I can follow to get a ticket into heaven. No it is by the grace of my Lord and the mercy of his hand that I can be saved by faith and faith alone. What God has given us to study clearly states, "for it is by grace we have been saved through faith" what a magnificent thought. I don't have to try to be perfect because I would fall short everytime but through the blood of the lamb I am made perfect in Christ. I still can't wrap my mind around that amazing truth!! God is so good!! I am nothing apart from his power. This was just on my mind after class today.
Well poor little Benga has a Vet appointment tomorrow morning :( He is limping so bad and it has been going on for a while. I hope everything is ok. He is making me so sad because we can't play ball with him or take him for walks and well, we all know Labs need to get their energy out.
That is all for now! I hope everyone is have a wonderful night! Love you all!!

Labor Day Weekend

2007-09-03T13:17:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful labor day!! I got to meet with one of my favorite people for coffee, Katie Martin, and had some much needed catch up time! Three hours went by way too fast but I am so glad I got to see my friend! After that I am now studying for my classes this week!

Other than that nothing eventful has happened in the last couple days. I am starting to feel kind of lonely! I mean not like I am all alone lonely but I am ready to start life lonely... if that makes sense. I can't wait to get involved in a church and meet people and for Chris and I to start meeting other couples as well! I am absolutely LOVING living with my family right now though! I have a little less than five months to enjoy with them before i get married and enjoying every second! I didn't put a pic of Puerto Vallerta on the last entry so I thought I would share some on this one!!

Well that is all for the moment! Love you all and I hope all is well!!

We are Blessed!

2007-08-29T11:51:00.000-07:00

Ok so I started this and then quit because I really doubt anybody looks at this but I figure I will just go ahead and write anyways! This week has been very eventful for Chris and I! We got a house!! The best deal ever! One of my sisters college roommates lives in Carrollton where we are wanting to move! Her and her husband Michael are moving to Arizona for his work for a while but keeping their house here. They are so gracious enough to let us live there while they are gone! It is the cutest house! Anyways God has really blesses us there!

We both started school this week! I started at DTS (Dallas Theological Seminary) and Chris and SMU! We are both really excited about it! I am feeling so lucky to be in the position to be going to DTS. It is amazing. Every class we open with a prayer and that in itself is the coolest thing I have experienced after coming out of a Big Public College. Anyways, again another wonderful blessing from my heavenly father!

Chris and I just finished our "Before You Say I Do" class at Prestonwood Baptist Church. We really really enjoyed it and I would STRONGLY encourage people who are engaged or thinking about marriage to attend because we have learned more about ourselves as a couple and as individuals in the last seven weeks that we have in the almost two years we have been together! Both of our parents were able to come for a lunch last sunday for the in-law or out-law meeting! It was hilarious! Needless to say we ALL learned alot about becoming part of a new family!

Also this week I started my job full time being a nanny for the Robert's family. There are three little boys and they are precious! It works out perfectly with my class schedule and even though my days sometimes got from 8am to 10pm I am loving it!

As far as wedding plans... Chris and I have kind of hit a wall! We have already done so much that we don't have to much left to do! This week we found our wedding bands so now it is a process of ordering them and buying them. I got the bridesmaid dresses order a couple weeks ago which is a HUGE relief! We are needing to look at Tuxedos now! Other than that we are pretty much ahead of schedule!

I hope everyone is having a blessed week and that you are being shown the love and mercy of our father in the same way that Chris and I have seen it daily! I am just blown away at the lavish gifts we who live in the country receive and hope that we can become a generation of thankful worshippers who know that it is NOT ABOUT US!! That we can recognize that we are apart of this magnificent story and how awesome it is to be able to play the roles that we are given! It is all for his glory!! God is so good and I am so thankful each and every person in my life!! I love you all!!

Busiest Weekend In Dallas

2007-07-30T22:07:00.000-07:00

It has recently come to our attention that we have picked the absolute WORSE weekend to get married in Dallas. My mom and I were driving around last week to check out hotels for our guests and we found out some interesting information. Apparently there is a city wide convention going on in Downtown and they have booked out all the hotels within a three mile radius. So ... discouraged but not hopeless we called it a day and went home. Today my wonderful mom got on the phone and the computer and started calling hotel after hotel after hotel. One of the hotels .. we actually were able to book rooms at.... told us that that is the biggest market weekend of the year. GREAT! So what all this means is that when we get our hotels we need to get everyone to book their rooms ASAP. Of course we pick January thinking we will have no problems booking anything haha, oh well we will get it all worked out! Oh the joys of wedding planning!!

Have A Blessed Day!! Love You All!!

Houston with The Page's!!!

2007-07-29T17:31:00.000-07:00

Ok so I went to Houston last week to visit my sister Nicole, her husband Kevin and their sweet baby girl Savannah Grace!! She is just getting so big and she is SOOO precious! I just wanted to post some pictures of her because well I can admit it I am a bit obsessed with how cute she is. My parents .. her mimi and papa... bought her a harley shirt! CUTE! Anyways I miss her and the next time i see her she will be a whole month older and probably crawling :) ! I love you Page Family!!!

Requested by Chris

2007-07-29T16:54:00.001-07:00

Well Chris has requested that I start a blog so that we can document wedding plans... so here it goes. We have a little less that 6 months to go and we have made a TON of progress! Our biggest struggle is going to come when we try and find a place to live ...:(! we have a Lab so that narrows our options. Oh well it will all work out! We are just so thankful that God has brought us together! I am so grateful to spend the rest of my life with my best friend!! He is wonderful!! Oh and PRAISE GOD I got into grad school!! I'm so excited!!! Well thats all for now

God Bless!