Guys it's been a mere forty days since the very first Happy Hour Live event and I still get giddy when I think about it. I'm not being overly dramatic when I tell you that it was one of the most fun nights I've had in a very long time. Just last night at dinner someone asked me if the event was all I had expected and I answered with a resounding, “more than I could have ever expected”. It was above and beyond what I expected.
When I started planning this event I had no clue what to do, or expect, or even what I wanted. I quickly realized that I wanted to create a night where women could come together, enjoy a good meal, and be a participant in the conversations that I get to have every week through the podcast.
I have to say that the night did just that.
I've also been asked what my favorite part was of the entire night. Although every.single.thing was my favorite, I do have to say that getting to hug so many women's necks that showed up for this event. My goal was to hug every person that walked into my backyard, and I have to say that I tried super hard to make that happen!
One thing that blew me away at this event was how many hands it truly took to put a night like this together. So many of my friends showed up and served. They checked-in guests, they served wine, they did my make-up, they put table-cloths on tables, they decorated, they ran errands, they did SO MUCH for this night!
When Aaron and I bought our home in November we knew that this place would be used for good. We wouldn't be greedy with our home, or selfish with what God had given us, and so when I look at these pictures and think back on the night with all of these lovely women gathered in my backyard and my deck I get a bit teary-eyed. We are thankful for the backyard and the deck to have women gather and enjoy a night together.
Most of these women came to this night with a few friends, some came with sisters, some got on an airplane, and some drove a few hours, while some popped over from Austin. BUT what happened was that we all gathered and women were encouraged, inspired, and pointed to Jesus. That makes me smile.
Parking was one of our biggest obstacles out here, but thankfully we had the cutest parking attendants in the entire world!
The moment finally arrived when I was able to get on stage and WELCOME everyone to my house and to the show. I admit that I was a bit nervous to be sitting in front of all of these ladies while chatting with my girlfriends. It took a mere seconds for the nerves to go away and for the night to take off.
Did I mention the goodie bags? I seriously LOVE LOVE LOVE to give things away and the ladies were given some amazing things during the night. My top two favorites might have been the koozie's and the cups with my logo on them. I'm the girl that picks up all the cups at the end of a Longhorn football game to add to my kitchen, and so hopefully these cups are making someone happier each time they use them!
Thanks to the fabulous sponsors who helped us put this great event on for everyone! Paper works // Maker + Ink // Persimmon Prints // Prep Dish
Talking with Jessica, Rachel, and Jen was not only an easy conversation for me, but it was so fruitful as well. There were so many moments when I wished I could pause time and write down everything we were chatting about. Not only was wisdom pouring out from these women, but also the funny stories as well.
The night just got better and better when the tacos + pie were served to all the guests. The saddest part of the entire night is that I didn't get one pork taco to eat. But in reality it's not that sad, I do live with Aaron and can have pork tacos whenever I want.
By the end of the night the backyard looked beautiful, my face had a permanent smile on it, and I didn't want the night to end. I'm so thankful for everyone that showed up that night, and can't wait to do this again!
Speaking of again …. we are doing this again!!! Today a little teaser of the audio from the night went live and I hope you were able to hear it. Next week the full 90 minutes of audio will be available for you to purchase for $1. (Actually …. you can pre-order it now and it will just show up in your inbox next week – how awesome is that! *UPDATE* Pre-orders are over.) It's one of my most favorite shows, and I know that you will love every single minute of it. On the show we announce the date for the next LIVE event at my house, and I SO HOPE that if you wanted to come to this one and you couldn't that you can make the next one!
All Photos taken by Kim Ellis
Listen to a 10 minute preview of the LIVE recording
Pre-Order a copy of the LIVE event *UPDATE* Pre-orders are over. Show will be available 4/22/216
I’m so excited you are offering the live recording!! Hoping I can make it to the next one but this will be the next best thing 🙂
Ps – the links you put in for the pre-order are taking me to a post from March 2008
Thanks. I’m not sure why. I just updated and hopefully that will work!
They are working now 🙂 was fun seeing your March goals back in 08 though!
So awesome!! love this, and I’m hoping to make the next one! that would be such a fun girls trip!
I can’t remember how I found your podcast but am addicted! I have started from the beginning and listen during my commute from Cedar Park to work at UT every day & it helps so much – fills my soul up with wisdom from women who are so much like me, so thank you. I would love to come to the next live taping!!! Ok – time to commute home & listen to episode 13!
I had my email entered incorrectly, so hopefully you received my comment about how awesome your podcast is 🙂
It was SO fun to be part of the very first Happy Hour Live! Your friends, your family and your guests all made it so very special. My friends couldn’t wait to hear about it. “It was like walking into a group of 100+ people I didn’t know, yet being surrounded by family and friends,” almost as if you had auditioned everyone. Certainly everyone was testimony to who you are. Thank you Jamie & Friends & Family for a wonderful evening. PS–No doubt about it, your parking attendants WERE stinkin’ cute.
I just pre ordered the live event recording, I can’t wait to listen to some of my favorite girls! Hoping I can join yall at the next live event!
Just finished listening to the live show and wow, what a blast!! So fun! I hope to be able to go to the next Happy Hour Live event on Sep 10th!! When will tickets go on sale for that? I’m sure you will give anyone plenty of warning. I’m just so excited; need to mark my calendar and try to get tickets 🙂
I can’t wait to listen to the live podcast!! I preordered but it’s not showing up in my podcasts today. Was there something additional I needed to do in order to listen?
I ordered the preorder earlier this week and I can’t seem to find where it was delivered to my inbox. Can anybody help?? Thanks!
Did you get this worked out Wynn? Check your spam. Let me know if I can help! jamie@aaronivey.com
Nicole – It would have been delivered to your email that you used when you bought. Did you get it? If not, let me know and I can help! jamie@aaronivey.com
I never really comment on things (trying to get better about that!) but I seriously LOVE your podcast! I read about it on a blog a few weeks ago (Ruthie Hart – fellow Austinite!) and I am so happy I started listening! I am a professional photographer so I listen when I edit photos! It’s amazing! I am from Austin (born & raised) and went to UT AND went to Stone when I was at UT so I just love love love feeling like I’m listening to my friends back in Austin talk about life and God and girly things! I live in The Woodlands now (womp womp) because my husband plays drums in a worship band at The Woodlands UMC. So there’s another thing about you that I relate to 🙂 I could probably go on for ever, but last thing, I just listened to Episode #50 (I’m still catching up!!) and I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT GILMORE GIRLS. For real, it was a STRUGGLE to get in to it!! I made myself watch the first season while editing, and now I’m proudly in the third season and I’m really starting to like it! It’s just overwhelming how many episodes there are! But now that I have your podcast I’ve been slacking again. I’ll watch through it one day.
I can’t seem to find the email either. I’ve checked my junk mail and trash thinking maybe i accidentally deleted it. Excited to listen to it.
Haven’t gotten the show but I sent you an email Jamie – thanks so much!!
Jamie,
You’ve got a GREAT thing going here! Keep it up! It’s loads of fun and refreshingly upbeat.
I didn’t know where to ask you about this but, I pre-ordered the live show but don’t know how to download it. It didn’t show up in my in-box (email). I subscribe to the podcast through Downcast. don’t know if that makes a difference.
Thanks for any help you can give.
Linda H
Oh my goodness!!! mark my words. I live in Cali, but I WILL make it down or over to your place. I somehow found your podcast, I don’t even remember how and I’m so obsessed its unhealthy. My husband is jealous, my kids are being neglected and my friends are like HELLO?? I don’t even… 🙂 I think I’ve listened to almost half of them since I found you, maybe 3 weeks ago.. HA… Anyway, I’ve been so encouraged. I’m a beginner blogger, blogger, youtuber, I have no idea what I’m doing really… but like you guys talked here its hard in the beginning cause you want it to be big right away.. and it gets discouraging cause you know like 3 people are reading it,, Not even my mom reads it.. I think its my husband reading it from 3 different devices and he’s made up names for himself and leaves nice comments so I can feel like its not totally wasted.. 🙂 Listening to you and especially Jen has lit a fire in my soul to keep writing and filming, even if its just something for my kids to read later on.. Lawwwwd knows they’ll be entertained!!:) Thank you for stepping out and starting this podcast. You have no idea how many hearts your touching. I think we would truly be bff if our worlds collided somehow. cause seriously, so much in common, so much. I mean, down to our pee issues.. When you mentioned how the shower warm water and pee happens, I was “yep, Lord. its so meant to be”:) anyway, obviously huge fan. keep it up!!