Christmas!

Lance and I have now been out of school for over 2 weeks and we have had the best break so far. We were in Belton and had Christmas with his family, cousins, aunts & uncles and both sets of grandparents. It was great and we got the chance to see a whole lot of family! We got to Houston yesterday and we did Christmas here last night. We got all kinds of great stuff from both families and LOTS of gift cards and things that I am going to have a LOOOOOT of fun spending. Being that we are in graduate school and not really in a place right now to spend I cannot ever justify shopping and haven't really been shopping for anything "fun" since about May......I promise I am dead serious! So needless to say I am beside myself with excitement about my upcoming gift card/x-mas money shopping trip that will be happening sometime this week. I wanted to get a puppy with the money then I realized I would much rather get some new clothes and maybe a massage! But I would love a little Bichon Frise puppy someday. I had one as a kid and would love a little white fluff ball running around. Of course I would like someone else to train it and take care of it for me until it is 100% housebroken. So with that said a dog is probably not going to be in our family for a while!

Ok I have to go....I have a bachelorette to plan!! Whoo Hoo!!

My Grandpa

After looking at my cousin Lindsey's blog about my Grandpa I couldn't help but post something too. Yesterday was my Grandpa's birthday (along with Lindsey's) and it really made me stop and think about him. I know I share this feeling with lots of you out there who have had wonderful grandparents and lost them. There is no relationship like the one you have with your Grandparents and as a child you never imagine that someday they won't be a part of your life. I can't remember a Christmas or birthday or any holiday for that matter that my Grandpa wasn't a part of. He was first to show up at just about every event and probably the happiest guy in the room. He loved all of us so much and got so much joy from being a part of our lives. He & my Grandma moved all the way to Houston from Amarillo just to be a part of our lives and I am so glad they did.

My Grandpa had the happiest, most cheerful smile you have ever seen. Everyone he met was his instant friend & he did not notice peoples flaws right away, but their strengths. He loved people and loved God and most of all he loved my Grandma. His true colors came out when he began taking care of my Grandma who suffered from Alzheimer's. He devoted himself 100% to her and was the exact picture of a Godly man and husband. He took his promise to her and to God very seriously and I have more respect for him that I can even express. It killed him a little every single day to watch the love of his life slip farther and farther away. However, as she became more and more distant he didn't hesitate for a second and got up every day and worked even harder than the day before. His heart was so full of love for his family and I still miss his voice, smiles, hugs, stories, jokes & just the wonderful feeling of "family" that I felt when I was around him.

You know you are in the presence of a special person when just a hug or smile from them gives you the feeling that everything is perfect in the world....even if it is just for a few minutes. I love you grandpa & I cannot wait to see you again someday in heaven. Things aren't the same without you....but it is a comfort to know you are with Jesus & most likely eating bowls of salty food with grandma and loving every minute!

IRONIC!

So I got tagged to post the 4th picture in the 4th album on my computer & It is my cousin Lindsey! We are getting pedicures before my wedding & it is super ironic b/c today is her birthday! I Love you Lindz happppppy birthday!!! :)

I now tag......Lindsey Campbell, Lance Agan, Kandy Bozeman & Monica Head

It's Snowing, finals are over & I have NOTHING to do for 32 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SO I just took my last final! You cannot believe how happy I am. I am exhausted & cannot believe I have such a long break. We have a a lot of fun things coming up too! We are heading to Belton Friday, I am going to go into Austin and do some Christmas shopping with Betho & see her new apartment, we are going to Houston after Christmas and last but not least Betho is getting married on January 10th! When we get back to Lubbock Betho will be married! Oh yeah and tomorrow I am sleeping in and I CANNOT wait!

The weather is feeling very festive as well! This morning at about 5 am it wasn't cold at all and now at 4:15 pm is is FREEEEZING and snowing. It is so pretty to go outside and see the snow. I was actually outside digging through our storage for some christmas ornaments & I realized it was snowing and actually pretty hard. Unfortunantly, it didn't stick but it was still pretty. Ok that's all for now. I am going to a Christmas party in an hour and just realized I am supposed to bring food! Oops!

Hello again blog world!

So I should be doing about 1,000 other things right now instead of blogging, but I missed the blog world. Getting on my blog and writing about things is so relaxing and such a good break from the endless studying that is my life.

Things are pretty good around here. I have been literally studying day in and day out. I don't know if it is everyone in my program or just me but I have to pretty much spend about 2/3 of everyday studying to keep up & keep good enough grades not to get bumped from the program. So to be completely honest I am always in a little bit of a panic and am sooooo ready for the Christmas break! I can't even describe how good of a feeling it is going to be to know I am 25% done with graduate school! I also think knowing I successfully completed one semester will give me the booste I need to get through the next 3!

To be completely honest, when I get stressed I get on my computer and add baby names to my baby name file. I am so excited about having kids someday and considering that we aren't gonna start trying for 2-3 years, I have to do something to remind myslef that I will be done with school someday and have a cute little baby. Hopefully this degree with only make me a better Mom someday! That is the plan! :) Speech Pathology is actually the perfect Mom job b/c you can totally pick your schedule and work 2 hours a day or even 2 hours a week if ya want! So this is worth it....this is worth it....this is worth it......can you get an idea of my inner monologue everyday! haha! I do some major self motivation everyday! :)

On a different note, Lance & I are heading to Houston for Thanksgiving tomorrow! We are gonna stop in Belton for a night and then keep on going to Houston. This year we are going Thanksgiving with my family and Christmas with Lances. I am super excited for the holidays. Especially my 1 month break!!! I have big plans for a massage and lots of time at the galleria & BETHOS WEDDING. Her wedding doesn't seem real to me & I think it's b/c I have been so far away. She is moving to Austin on the 5th and going to be married on January 10th! Its crazy that it is finally here. We are hoping that by the time Lance & I are done with graduate school and have extra money again that we can go back to the place where we went on our honeymoon with Betho & Cody! I can't wait!!

Ok I have been blabbing about nothing for a while. You are a great friend if you are still reading this. I will hopefully have a good post with some good pictures after the holidays! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Our New President

I read this this morning and it has stuck with me all day! It said disagreement is not sin. Prejudice is. That's all I really feel like writing about politics but I think if we can rememer this we will all be much better off! Guard yoursleves (I need to as well) against conversations that take a turn in this direction. I have heard WAY too many already! We are called to be the example, not part of the problem. :)

Post to come!

I had the BEST couple of days in Houston this weekend! I finally got to see Josiah, met cute little Annie Head & Betho's shower was fabulous!! However, I just got finished with a 14 hour day at school! Yes that's right....its pretty crazy right now. BUT I will post all my wonderful pics soon for everyone to enjoy!

ACU Homecoming & years of KJK breakfasts!

This weekend Lance & I made a super short trip to Abilene for ACU's homecoming. We both had big tests today so we were only able to be there for about 24 hours but it was well worth it! Friday night Lance got to go out with all of his friends and I went out with all the girls like old times! Saturday morning I went to the Kojie breakfast at 7am and then to the ACU parade! So fun! My friends and I are going to try to go to the breakfast as long as we can so we can meet up at least once a year! Here are some pics throughout the years of us at the Kojie breakfasts!

Kojie Homecoming Breakfast 2008

Kojie Homecoming Breakfast 2007

Kojie Homecoming Breakfast 2006


Kojie Sing Song Breakfast 2005 (we invited Betho eventhough she's a "Siggie")

Kojie Sing Song Breakfast 2006

I'm a criminal!

So today I had a REALLY hard test that I spent about 30 hours studying for! I'm not even kidding! So I get up to school at 6:45am to study before my test at 9:00. Spend the next two hours taking the test, sit in another class for an hour. After all that my friend and I decided that we were going to relieve some stress by going next door to the maternity ward to look at the little babies through the window (its the next wing over from the speech clinic in the hospital). However, we couldn't find where you can look at the babies and were searching all over. We bumped into a guy who asked us what we were looking for and he pointed us into the right direction.

HOWEVER, as we were turning the corner, with our humongous over sized school bags, a security guard women abruptly asked us what we were doing and my friend innocently said, "looking for the place where you can look at the babies". The security guard quickly blocked us and said, "We don't have anything like that." So we turned around and left. We walked to the entire other side of the building and went into the bathroom to come out to see the woman again. She asked us why we were in the building (we weren't wearing out ID's) and why we were asking about the babies! She proceeded to tell us that you should never ask about babies or carry big bags like that into the area where the babies are. She wrote down our department, and what we said and told us never to do that again....and VERY suspiciously let us go.

We then had to go tell our professor that we were accused of trying to steal a baby and to be expecting a report from security! I do have to give them credit for keeping such close tabs on the babies. I mean I know Jamie just had a baby, Rox is pregnant and it seems like about half the world is pregnant right now. But I promise I don't have the baby bug so bad that I would steal one!

Baby Josiah!

Jamie & Jay's baby is finally here! I haven't seen him yet in person but from the pictures he looks 100% perfect and definitely the cutest newborn I have EVER seen! Go to Jamie's blog for all the info but I just couldn't resist posting a pic of little Josiah! Congrats Jamie & Jay! I Love You! :)

IT'S FREEZING

Today when I woke up is was 45 degrees, REALLY windy and raining! Yuck...I am not loving this weather. It's not the cold that bothers me but the wind. I went into therapy today and looked like I had hiked to school. However, my clients looked the same so I'm sure no one was judging!

On a positive note....this cold weather means that the holidays aren't too far away! I am so ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas! Speaking of Christmas....I have realized that when you get married your Christmas list dramatically changes. I still want clothes and shoes (of course!), but when my mom asked me this weekend what I wanted I found myself being MUCH more practical, and asking for things like a new printer and new bath towels. I guess when you go from two people working full time to two full time students you have to adjust what you ask for! :)

Countdown to Christmas
71
Days
10
Hours
52
Minutes
...But who's counting?

Apple Orchard & Arts and Crafts!

So the weekend of country fun continued yesterday at the Apple Country Orchards. http://www.applecountryorchards.com/ . It was really pretty and super down to earth and country. This place made the corn maize look like New York City! It was just outside Lubbock in a little town called Idalou and we walked in and found a tiny little restraunt and bakery. There were kids outside decorating pumpkins and hayrides going in and out of the orchards. The food was really good and they had the worlds BEST apple turnovers! It was just fields and fields of apples, and it was so pretty to get to walk through and see!

This weekend has been so fun and refreshing and I am so glad my mom made the trip to come see me. We have been watching lotsof "girly" movies and eating lots of food! She is actually in the kitchen right now cooking lots of food for me and Lance to freeze and eat for the next couple of weeks. SO NICE! I also have to announce that I made a wreath & it actually came out cute!! For anyone who knows me they know that arts and crafts are NOT my forte! But I think this project was actually a success....with the help of my mom of course giving me some tips! Ellen, my mother-in-law gave me a wreath that was really cute & it just had a ribbon on it. So we decided to spruce it up & it turned out SO cute! We definitely have the most festive door at our apt. complex!

Ok that's all for now. I am going to have to face reality for a couple of hours today and work on some homework!

One of the pretty apple trees....this one has lost a lot of apples already.

The view down one of the patheways. You can't tell from this picture but this place would be amazing for a wedding!

Me and Vick at the Orchard!

Last but NOT least.....my work of art! :)

The Corn MAIZE!

So today my Mom got to Lubbock to visit! Lance is out of town until Sunday on a guys weekend so my amazing Mom decided to come up an hang out. When she got here we were planning on trying to drive to Palo Duro Canyon and go hiking and stuff but the weather is looking really bad tomorrow....so we got online and looked at stuff to do in Lubbock. We found this Corn Maize & I had actually heard about it from one of my friends so we decided to try it out!

We got lost on the way and were kind of out in the country and we found a sweet little old many driving his tractor and he gave us directions. Once we got there it was the cutest thing! There was a pumpkin patch that was actually growing real pumpkins. They were cooking brisket sandwiches, corn on the con, hot dogs, sausage and lots of other yummy stuff. Their was a petting zoo for the kids and a hay ride through the fields where the kids could go pick their own pumpkins! The best part was the actual Corn Maize. It was like 10 ft. high corn and a huge Maize that you had to find your way through. There were lots of clues and things to help you through, but we were STRUGGLING! It took us almost 2 hours to find our way out of the thing. We eventually just started following this one family b/c the Dad knew what he was doing and we were going crazy! But it was really fun and really "Texan". The sunset was amazing and everyone seemed to be having so much fun with their families. Being out in the country like that is sooooo refreshing and such a nice break from being up at the hospital for school!

Here are some cute pics from the night. Tomorrow morning we are heading out to the Pumpkin Festival. Their is supposedly a lot of fun fall stuff and a famous bakery that it is supposed to be amazing! I'm sure it will be another super fun day with my mammasita!

-Here are some pics of us lost in the Corn field, some pumpkin patch pics, sunset pics & me shooting corn at hay trying to win a prize!! :)

Another post just b/c I can & I miss it!

So I posted about Betho's shower but I really miss blogging and actually have some free time tonight so I am going to blog some more! I could actually be doing 1,000 things like school work or cleaning the kitchen but It will get done eventually!

I really don't have much to report on school. I just finished my first round of test. I didn't do amazing but I didn't do terrible either & I am just relieved they are over! We are at mid term now and that mean I am 1/8th finished with grad school! YAY! I have been learning a lot about how Speech Pathologists can work in the NICU and lots of other settings and I am really starting to get excited about actually doing this job as a career and not just seeing Speech Pathology as classes and lectures! I have had the chance to work with a lot of clients and it has been really rewarding already.

We are pretty used to Lubbock now. I can almost get anywhere and that is nice. It is a super easy town to get around in and I fill up on gas WAY less! We live right next door to a super walmart and that is amazing! I am just not organized enough to get all my grocery shopping done in one trip so it is nice to have a walmart next door for those items I forget! Which is a lot...always! We also have a chicken express right across the street. I would love to say I am one of those girls that has never eaten that and never will but then I would be TOTALLY lying. In college I would allow myself to eat it 2 or 3 times a semester but the fact that I am stressed out a lot & those delicious chicken fingers and biscuits are just across the street is dangerous. They don't have those in Houston so the temptation was eliminated but now it is back! I cannot even imagine the calories in that meal.

We still haven't found a church but have liked a lot that we have looked at. It is super hard to find a church and Lance and I tend to lean in a little bit different directions when it comes to what we like in a church. I mean we both believe in the same thing but when it comes to the worship style we are a little different so we are trying to find a place that we are both happy with. However, we have been praying about it so I'm sure it is only a matter of time before God will show us the way. Along the lines of church, I was driving to school today and that song "I Know My Redeemer Lives" came on and I am not kidding I burst into tears. I LOVE that song and I swear hearing that right before I began my school day changed my day. I was so happy all day!

Lance is doing great in school too! I am so glad he is getting this degree and can't wait for him to have a job he loves! He is an extra good husband lately and has been making my life so easy. He even made tacos and cookies last night for dinner. We are nearing our year and a 1/2 anniversary and I can't believe it has already been that long!

I will leave you with the top 10 things on my mind right now.....

1. I am loving "John & Kate plus 8" No kidding it has made me want to have 5 kids.
2. I am super creeped out in the amount of twisted creepy movies coming out lately. I don't like it at all.
3. I am so happy that it feels like fall here. It never went above 70 today.
4. I just learned a little fashion tip that I love. It is that you should always wear three pieces. Like a cardigan, belt or scarf with your outfit. I love it and have been sporting cardigans for the first time in my life!
5. I haven't had time to cook yummy meals and it makes me sad. I feel like Lance and I eat bad food lately and I hate that!
6. Being in Houston this weekend made me realize how much I miss it and how much I miss teaching. I saw my kids this weekend and hung out in Lance & my old neighborhood and it was super sad!!
7. Having TONS of kids someday has really been on my mind lately. I don't want kids for a good 2-3 more years but for the first time in my life I really think I want like 4 kids.
8. I am really excited about Betho's wedding....it is really starting to seem like a reality.
9. I have noticed I have really bad test anxiety and am desperately trying to figure out how to chill out!
10. I want Jamie to have her baby and can't wait to meet Josiah. I also can't wait for Roxanne & Brian to find out if they are having a girl or a boy!

Ok that's all for now....I have a lot of paperwork to do and I can't put it off anymore!

Shower Fun

I had so much fun this weekend in Houston for Betho's shower! Her shower was an "English Tea" theme and it was super proper and fun! We even got a lesson on how to eat the food the proper way, and not the southern way! I got to spend a lot of time with family, ate at Papasitos twice, saw lots of friends, went to First Colony on Sunday and ate at my favorite Chinese restaurant (Goo Goo Yen) after church. It was SOOOO good to just get to hang out with the family. It was also amazing to see college friends and hang out like old times. Here are a few pics of the shower. Enjoy! :)

some of the family posing for a pic!

enjoying some tea & scones!

The amazingly cute chub monster baby Anna Kate. If you want to see how much she has grown since I have moved to Lubbock check my post from about 2 months ago when I posted right after she was born! This was her first "girl party".

COMING HOME!!

So I have 2 tests down and one to go on Thursday and then I AM GOING TO HOUSTON FOR BETHO'S SHOWER!! I am flying out of Lubbock Thursday afternoon and staying in Houston until Sunday. I am so excited about going to church at First Colony, seeing the family,seeing everyone at the shower, going to church and going to Pappasitos! Poor Lance isn't coming and he is going to have to spend the weekend alone here in Lubbock. However, I am thinking he will watch a lot of football and be perfectly fine!

Ok I am going to clean my MESSY apartment and then study!

Oh and I have to send out a public blog congrats to Rox and Brian on the baby!! I can't wait to meet this little person!!!

Lubbock Rodeo & Country Music Concert!

Well I am heading to the Lubbock county fair in few minutes! We are going to listen to some country band and go to the fair. Considering I have never been particularly interested in country music this should be interesting. But I figured we are only going to be here for 2 years and may never be back.....so why not embrace Lubbock...Right? I will post later with pics if I can get my camera to work.

Nothing else really big to report. I have had a bit of a rough go of Lubbock so far. I got sick and had an allergic reaction to my antibiotic....which hasn't happened to me since I was 5.....and I looked like I had the worst ever case of chicken pox for about 5 days! When I walked into the doctors office the people around me slowly began to move away. I think they were afraid they may catch whatever I had! My face was absolutely covered and one of my eyes was a little swollen shut. Fortunately it has pretty much gone away now & it only still lingering around my feet! Hallelujah!!

Lance & I are both still studying away day & night. However, I can't really complain about being busy b/c it has made this semester FLY by so far! I cannot believe it is almost October. I made pumpkin pie the other day in honor of the first day of fall and decorated my apartment with my fall stuff. In Lubbock it actually feels like fall so it makes me excited that all the fall/winter holidays are coming up. But more than that it makes me happy that my semester is nearing the 1/2 way point to being over!!!!!

I am heading to Houston Thursday for Betho's shower and am really excited. Soon after that we will be going to Abilene for homecoming and I can't wait to see everyone again! I am assuming I will also be making a trip somewhere in the next 1-3 weeks to meet Josiah Blackburn too! My cousin Jamie is due VERY soon and I can't wait to head to Houston to meet him! I am just praying I don't have a test or something that day. So I have a lot of trips I am looking forward too. Not to mention I have 2 tests this week so as I am flying to Houston on Thursday I will have just finished the last 2 of my first rounds of tests!

I definitely feel REALLY far away here in Lubbock. However, the longer we are here the more I am getting used to it! Now that my horrific rash is gone I am looking at Lubbock a little more optimistically! During the rash "incident" every morning I would wake up and get SO mad that I still looked like a freak! Then as I drove to school I would just think to myself....I look like someone threw a red can of paint all over my body and I live at the end of the Universe!! Good attitude I know!! Poor Lance probably thought he lived with a monster...both in the physical and emotional sense!

However, we have met some really great people that I know God put in our life and we have really been enjoying church. It is just a reminder that no matter where you live, or what you are doing God has a plan and knows what is going on. I have also been reminded that everything isn't always easy and that's ok too. I think he had to knock me down once we got here in order to knock some sense into me and make me chill out.....but I am grateful that he did b/c I have really been able to see Him working in my life since our move.

Ok that's all I for now.....I am off to the fair! I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Quick Addition!

I just read in Meredith's blog that Christmas is 99 days away!!!!! I love christmas SOOO much and can't wait! I decorated my house in November last year b/c I was so excited. So hopefully this news makes someone elses day as much as it made mine! :)

bethanyandcody.blogspot.com

Bethany Lynn Freede has entered the blog world and all should read! I have the link posted in my blog so the inner thoughts of Betho are just a click away! I have is linked as "the future Girods"

And now about my blogging...I have been the worst blogger ever and it is for several reasons.
1. We don't have a wireless router yet so if I wanna blog I am stuck in this little study nook and I don't like blogging in the same place I study for hours.....too much negative association!
2. I have been studying 24/7! I have a test a week for about the next month and I am still trying to get into a routine with school.
3. All I have been doing is school! I have been seeing clients that are really interesting, but because of confidentiality I can't write about them.

However, as soon as things slow down I will try to be better about blogging! But I'll fill ya in on some Lubbock stuff....we have had some prayers answered already. I have made some really good friends already and that has made everything much more enjoyable. We haven't found a church yet but we know there are lots of good ones out there. We visited one a couple of times and we are going to try out class on Sunday. We are adjusting slowly but surly to this crazy weather here. Every morning when I leave for school it is in the 60's or 70's and it is AMAZING! I don't know the last time I wore a sweatshirt in Sept. but right now I am definitely bundled up and it is great! :)

We are both looking for internships for the summer and hoping everything goes well. For both Lance & I our internships are kind of a big deal b/c it may have a lot to do with where we settle after grad school. It is probably more of a big deal for Lance so we are just hoping he can find something great, that is near family, and is what he wants to do!

That's all for now, I am going to take a nap. I sat in my research methods class all morning dreaming about my bed! I hope everyone has a great end of the week & weekend! :)

LOVE THEM!

Ok this is very different for me to be overly interested in politics. BUT I must say I am pumped about the McCain/Palin ticket! I spent last night and tonight watching their speeches and I am so pumped about the possibility of having them as our leaders. McCain has so much class and didn't waste any of his time slamming other people. He has done so much for our country and I am AMAZED by his war stories. I love the way he just simply states his ideas and has faith in the fact that what he is saying is right. It is definitely clear (in my opinion) that he has our Countries best interest in mind!

I don't know much about Sara Palin at all, but from what I can tell she is GREAT! She has what seems to be a really great family and she's not afraid to admit that they aren't perfect. It is absolutely insane that supporters of "you know who" will get on TV and use the F word every other sentence about the republican party and then judge a 17 year old girl for getting pregnant and judge McCain for his failed first marriage. The fact these people who live by the idea of "do whatever makes you happy" actually have the nerve to come down on this poor girl is beyond me. I was actually on people.com today and was looking at pictures of all the celebrities piling into Denver to be at the convention. Among them were numerous people who have children out of wedlock, people who believe in religions like Scientology, people who are on their 2nd or third marriage etc. Here is a little blurb from one of many things written about Palin's daughter...

"Unwed pregnant teens, redneck baby daddys, shot gun weddings -- are these the corner stones of GOP family values? In case you didn't hear, John McCain's baked Alaskan has a pop tart. Yes, Sarah Palin's 17-year-old daughter Bristol is unwed and five-months pregnant, by Levi Johnston"

"If Sarah Palin has accomplished anything in this election cycle, it's to expose the right wing extremist for the bigots and hypocrites they are"

I am not one to judge and I know people come from a variety of backgrounds and have a variety of beliefs. I also understand that some people that define themselves as "Republicans" are terribly hypocritical and closed minded, even racist and probably stir up a lot of hatred in a lot of people. It just gets a little bit disgusting when people start throwing insults at innocent people and are SO horrible hypocritical! Uggh....it is just disgusting! I do need to say that I have respect for Obama as well. I can't imagine how hard it must be to be in any politicians shoes. I agree with VERY LITTLE of what Obama has to say, but I don't think he is a bad person.

So there is my 2 cents about the McCain/Palin ticket. I am loving it! :) GO USA! :)

WONDERFUL LAST 10 DAYS!

So I have had the most fun the last week or so. My family moved us in here last Friday but Betho stayed until today. I just took her to the airport about an hour ago and now I am actually really sad. I haven't known Lubbock so far without Betho. She took me to school and picked me up every day last week. It was so fun getting done with a long day at school and getting to come home and hang out with Betho and Lance. None of us know anything about Lubbock so we have been all around trying to figure everything out. We have gone out to eat, decorated my apartment and watched lots of movies and LOTS of John and Kate + 8! It is both of our new favorite show and has kind of made me want to have 5 kids.

But now that Betho is gone I guess I have to accept the fact that she doesn't live here with us. Although, I really wish she did. I think Lance had a lot of fun having here too! It has been great having a grocery shopping buddy, chick flick buddy, cooking buddy and decorating buddy. As much as I love Lance I don't think we will ever be a couple that enjoys any of those things together.

But all good things must come to an end and I know Lance and I will start feeling more at home in Lubbock soon. If I could adjust to the weather that would be a great start. I drink like 1,000 bottles of water a day and have a sore throat by every night. Coming from 100% humidity to 0% has been really rough. It was kind of raining this morning as we were walking into church and it was WONDERFUL. It was the first time in like 10 days I have been able to breathe without feeling the burn in my throat. I don't wish it was as humid as Houston but I could definitely go for a little more moisture in the air! :) On a positive note, my hair is awesome here, it is loving the weather! :)

Something is wrong with my camera so that is why all of my pictures came out kind of dark. But Here are some pics of the apartment. Betho was wearing my pink robe in all of the pictures. I made her be my model. These are pics of the guest room, kitchen, living room, guest bathroom, and kitchen. I forgot to take on of my bathroom but I am sure no one is going to die without seeing that picture! Our room isn't decorated really yet b/c last time I started hammering things into the wall the person on the other side started banging back! So I am working up the nerve to do it again.

That's all for now, I hope everyone has a great day off tomorrow! :)

Apartment pics to come!

Well I was hoping to post a bunch of pictures from our apartment but I am having problems with my Snapfish album and only have one to post today. However, it is of our cute breakfast room and I like that room! :)

So we have been here for a few days now and are still trucking along. The reality of going back to school has been a little bit rough. Especially for Lance who has been out for 2 years. We are also adjusting to a very different schedule. Lance has all evening classes and I have all morning/afternoon classes. My program is also in the Health Science College so I am really not even a Tech student. It is an extreme amount of work and I am going to be SUPER busy for the next two years. There are 37 girls and 1 guy in the program and everyone is really easy to get along with. It is comforting to know that I have 37 other girls in the same boat with tons of classes and clients for the next two years. I have already really had fun getting to know some of the people.

I also got my caseload today and am SUPER SUPER pumped. I was selected to be in a group that gets to help sweet little people from the nursing homes and other people in the community that have had strokes. Not to mention that my other clients don't go over the age of 4! SO FUN!

I also have to express some HUGE misconceptions I had about Lubbock so far. I really thought the town was full of a bunch of farmers and people driving tractors down the road. I assumed the people at Tech would be really country and wear boots or something to class. Well that is WRONG! The girls at Tech are the cutest, most stylish things I have ever seen. I mean don't get me wrong...I am very aware that I am in West Texas but they have definitely not missed the boat on fashion and expensive cars! Not to mention, the 25 sorority girls at Rosa's today eating about 5 burritos each in their size 0 jeans reminded me that I am not 19 anymore either!

My parents and Betho drove across the state to help us move in here and we worked SO hard on this apartment! My parents are AMAZING to come all the way to Lubbock to help us move. We had some friends over and they were amazed at how settled in we were! And that is ALL thanks to my wonderful parents, Lance & Betho (and john and ellen who hired us movers). I wish we weren't so far away because we have tons of room here and LOVE visitors! Anytime you are driving to Colorado or New Mexico or whatever else is this way stop in! :) However, we aren't too homesick yet because Betho is still here and staying until Sunday! But I think we are going to be really happy here for two years.

Ok well this has been kind of a long, rambling post. I am thinking that my life is about to get a little crazy and I don't know how much I am going to be able to blog. I hope I still can a lot though! :)

Have a good week....we miss everyone in Houston are thinking about you! :)

We made it!

We're here. It took a LONG time. The apartment is GREAT. We miss Houston more than I can say. First day of class tomorrow at 8:30. Very Tired. Real post tomorrow. :)

Our trip to Colorado.....

We just arrived back into Houston a few hours ago from a WONDERFUL vacation to Colorado. Me, Lance, Betho, Cody and my parents spent 5 days in Estes Park, Colorado and we had so much fun. I am really struggling with looking out the window from my computer desk right now and not seeing any mountains or anything pretty. I want to go back already!



The week started off perfectly and then we got the dreaded weather report that it was supposed to be in the 30's, raining, snowing and sleeting on and off for the rest of the week. Considering our plans ALL revolved around outdoor activities we were kind of at a loss for things to do. I mean who really plans for snow in August!? On our second day we had been hiking all day long and the weather was perfect. Very sunny and warm. However, about mid way through our hike it started raining and we couldn't figure out why the rain was hurting and was so cold. We soon came to realize it was because it wasn't rain but ICE COLD HAIL! We rushed to put on our ponchos and just kept hiking in the freezing rain. It was actually pretty fun and we felt kind of hard core so that was cool! :)


Even though some of our plans were cancelled we had one of the best trips ever. We had a great house and cooked TONS of food, played lots of games and watched tons of Olympics. (I am totally into the Michael Phelps obsession by the way). We went on lots of great hikes...rain or shine....and saw some really cool animals. We even hiked up into the mountains and went fly fishing with the waders and everything. Lance and I were terrible. We caught less fish combined than every one else did individually. I spend most of my time trudging across the stream to get my hook out of a tree or out from under a rock! At one point I got really frustrated and said to Lance "I hate fly fishing, I am not catching anything!" He then replied, "Well you are sitting on a rock with your pole on the ground so I don't see how you are going to get anything." It made me laugh! But it was a great new experience! It is just amazing to look up and see a huge snow covered mountain right in front of you.


It was our first trip with the guys and I know my parents....especially my Dad liked having some more guys around. Now we are on to our next task....packing for our move. We leave in 2 days for Lubbock. And I have to say I am really excited to move into our apartment. We are so excited about having two bedrooms and two bathrooms! I can't wait to get it all decorated and post some pics! I love change and can't wait to start our new (albeit temporary) life!

(at the top of one of the mountains...so pretty!)

("cold" family hiking day)

(hardcore hiking in the hail...it had stopped by this pic)

(we were the extremely cheesy tourist who took and old fashion picture)

(us in our waders after 7 hours of fishing!)

Mamma Mia!!

I just got back from "Mamma Mia" and it was THE best movie I have seen in a long time. I was laughing/singing/dancing in my seat the entire time! If you haven't seen this movie yet you are missing out and definitely need to go! I know a lot of people aren't into musical type movies but I really think if you have any weirdness or quirkiness inside you, you will LOVE this movie!

20 days and counting...

So we have a lot of stuff going on lately. On Friday we are going to Abilene for Betho's graduation from GRADUATE SCHOOL! She is now the most educated person in our family! She got her master's, worked full time and was a teacher in the department all in one year. Way to go Nug!I am always up for a trip to Abilene no matter what the reason, so I am looking forward to the trip.

A week from today we are going to Colorado on a family vacation and then 2 days after we get home we are off to Lubbock for good! So we pretty much only have 5 days left here and are squeezing a lot into everyday! We have dinner plans every night with different people and in the mean time Lance & I are trying to get everything together for school. Tech actually sent me about 14 PowerPoint on a CD in the mail to study to "get ready" for the semester. I am choosing to look at that as a positive and be thankful for theopportunity to get ahead...otherwise I may be a little overwhelmed. :)

I went and bought some stuff for our apt. yesterday. Considering the fact that we are gaining a bedroom & bathroom we needed more stuff. I have been told numerous times that Marshall's is the best place to go to get good deals on good stuff but I am SO intimidated by that store. Huge stores where you have to sift through things to find good deals has never been my thing. Hopefully without sounding like a snob....I must say that I would much rather get my stuff from a place where things are neatly places on the rack or on a shelf. I am just too impulsive and impatient for the digging. However, I am glad I listened to my friends because I found some great clothes, a shower curtain and seat cushions for our breakfast room table & it was CHEAPPPP!

Just in case I don't have time to blog again for a while I want to post some of my favorite pics of this year in Houston. We have had so much fun & will leave with lots of great memories! :)

Hanging out at Jamie & Jay's....we have been so thankful for them!

The night Betho & Cody got engaged! Such a cute family I must say! :)

Right before leaving for the church! That was such a fun morning with all the girls!

John Mayer concert in the Woodlands...this was right after the honeymoon.

Me with the Hubby & almost brother Cod-Cod at some show.

Me with my new car at our apt!

Watching Craig Biggio hit 3,000 with Garrett & Michelle! We will miss you! :(

The high school Biology teacher brought Sharks to my classroom for the kids to "experiment" with! Look at my little scientist!

Dress up time!

Anna Kate

Don't have time to write. But Betho hasn't seen Tim & Shel's adorable little bundle Anna Kate yet. Here she is! She is so cute & TIINY! All of her little cousins were so sweet to her & did such a great job holding her. I can totally see how Mom's keep wanting to have babies! They grow so fast and the newborn phase is so cute! She is 7 days old. :) Enjoy!