new name

hey everyone,

our blog will be moving over to a new name. probably something along the lines of "thesuggstories". hope you will join us there and keep up with our lives.

much love,
joy & jordan

Out of Hibernation...

 Well..after a LONG time away from the blog, I am wanting to jump back on this bandwagon. It's amazing how time flies but yet only feels like a few days. 

From my last blog, I think I was celebrating 3 months. Well folks...It's now been a whopping 9 1/2 months of marriage! I can't believe we are coming up on our 1 year mark. Hmm..what to do on our 1 year anniversary!?!? (I will get back to that subject later..but any suggestions??..please post in the comments) I should also wish you a HAPPY 2014!! Another year in the books. I just wonder what is it in store...

My Mom, Jordan & I on New Years Eve

  Jordan and I had a crazy start to our school year in August. We were optimistic going into it but we soon faced the exhaustion head on. Not only were we taking on our regular hours of work, but we both took on additional after hours of coaching. I ended up coaching both our varsity and jv volleyball teams, while he stepped in as the middle school soccer coach. Along with Coaching we were adjusting to new class schedules and routines, plus the most important aspect...being married (my favorite job) ! I tell you what, it was a stressful semester but overtime it leveled out and the Lord carried us through. I look back at those months as a huge stepping stone going forward in our marriage. I came away learning what I can handle and what I can't; what I should say or not to say; and simply when I should ask for help. It's humbling and I probably will be continuing to learn those lessons throughout my life. 

Weekends and holidays are what we lived for during the fall semester. It was during those times we got to take a breath, rest and get rejuvenated. We have found such pleasure in quality time with one another as well as our family. The Lord was so gracious to give us so much time with them. Our Thanksgiving break was spent at the Cross J Ranch along with all my siblings and their kids. The house was busting at the seams with people, but oh how we all enjoyed visiting, watching football and cooking food. Through that, we have created a family recipe blog so we could all share our favorite foods with one another. (I have yet to post in it but will be doing it soon!) 

Christmas break was a long vacation for Jordan and I. We left New Braunfels on a Friday afternoon and didn't return until 2 weeks later. We picked my mom up and headed for Red River, NM to spend Christmas with my in-laws and brother-in-law and his wife. We had a few days to ski and just relax. The snow was beautiful and fires were warm! After a week with the Sugg's, my brother and sister, along with their families came in for a few days. We all packed up on Jan 3 and drove back to Texas. 

Jordan, Me, Kristy & Cory on the slopes

Jordan & I being look alike ski patrol

Jordan & I found "our tree" we marked last summer..we added year '14

Celebrating 9 months in Taos Ski Valley!

  We just finished our first week of school this semester & into our second week. The spring semester looks much more promising in every aspect. Jordan is finishing up high school soccer in 5 weeks and then we switch to wedding celebrations. It's hard to believe this time last year I was in high gear trying to pull off a wedding in 3 months. I love how God brings things full circle!! Praise God!

Looking back, we have had our ups and downs as we tackle one month of marriage at a time. It's been an adventure learning all about how to be a wife, taking care of household chores and serving my husband. To be honest, it's hard due to my ugly and selfish desires. It's a process that takes time. I wouldn't change where I am for anything because to be honest...being married is the greatest challenge, yet most rewarding gift I could've asked for. Jordan is the best gift for me and God chose my husband for me, to ministry to my heart in becoming more like Christ. Each day with Jordan is a blessing and I'm humbled to be called his wife. 

Walking in Grace,

Joy

happy 3 months!

wow. i can hardly believe that i've been married for 3 months today! it has been the greatest journey so far. having my man next to me to do every single day with, is absolutely amazing. he brings so much more life and excitement to my ordinary mundane life. he is my best friend and the one person i love doing everyday life with.

looking back over the last 3 months so much has occurred. here's what the last couple months have looked like...

May ~ 

while this month was a tougher one for us newlyweds, we learned much more about our roles as husband and wife. as we entered our 2nd month of marriage, we had many reality checks that challenged us to step out from our selfishness and serve the other. it's in those harder moments that you are drawn closer together. the conversations, emotions and feelings you share allow for a vulnerability and transparency far deeper than you can describe in words.

the month of may brought lots of events...

1.) we welcomed 1 of 2 new neices to the world. on april 18, tinley grace was born. jordan and i finally got to meet her over mother's day weekend...

tinley grace at 3 weeks old... 

2.) we finished up our school year at nbca. we were thrilled to finally enter into our summer together and have lots of play time..which included camping to guadalupe state park

our campsite...

3.) we have spent several days floating the comal river; which has become one of our favorite things. it has provided such a calming, peaceful and yet great conversational place for us to share and talk about life. 

4.) we also welcomed our second of two nieces to the world. on may 31 reese michael was born!

holding reese just a few hours old

baby reese getting treatment for her jaundice 

jordan getting some reese time...

June ~ 

we started and ended this month with weddings! one was in boerne, tx and the other in cleburne. both were outside weddings and absolutely beautiful! 

at joseph and barbara's wedding in boerne, tx june 1st 

beautiful outdoor ceremony

June 14-16 : i had an opportunity to attend one of the largest volleyball coaching clinics. it was held at tcu and we had the coach from standford, ohio state and penn state share their coaching highlights and inspire all of us. 

my colleagues with the penn state coach

June 22...Cory and Kristy's Wedding in Cleburne

jordan and i headed up to cleburne for his brother's wedding. 

at the wedding...

cory and kristy during their first dance...

my beautiful momma

the sugg women are now 3!

 excited to do life with these 2 precious ladies

happy family! love my in-laws!

Here's to month 4 with my man and all the adventures in july! we are headed to red river, new mexico this week, working tbarm next, then it's up to fayetteville, arkansas and branson, missouri! it will be fun ride with my hubby! lets go!!

Life as a Mrs...

So it's been 1 month and 3 days since I became Mrs. Sugg! I can't believe we already have the first month of marriage under our belt. It has been the most beautiful, gracious, glorious, yet challenging, character building, sharpening adventure of my life thus far! I am amazed each day that the Lord allows me to spend another day being a wife to the most wonderful man. I definitely married up and I am honored to stand next to Jordan. He is God's gift to me and I feel so privileged to get to serve and love him each day. God has been washing HIS Holy word over me and showing me more ways to love Jordan than I could have fathomed on my own. I LOVE MARRIED LIFE...AND I believe I always will...though it may be tougher at times, those moments are for the better. They are making ME, making us, more like Christ. 

Thank you Jesus for the man you have blessed me with! I do not deserve him at all, yet he is the one you chose before time. He is a man after your heart and that makes me run after You faster! May Your hand be upon us as we run life together! Our desire is to make much of You in bringing Glory and Honor to Your Name! Amen.

Here is a snap shot of the wedding told by our amazing photographer! They are pretty spectacular! :)

Click on the link to read our story told through our photographer's lens...

Joy and Jordan's Wedding Pictures