Proof

This post is way overdue; however, I still wanted to post these pictures if nothing else but for proof that I went. In January, I went to Washington DC for the first time to visit Caroline. It was my first time in DC, and it was a blast. What a great city!

I began the trip with a flight into Baltimore (which can save quite a bit of money) and took the Amtrak, well, actually the MARC train over to DC. I arrived at Union Station and Caroline and Valerie came to pick me up. Valerie had just arrived as well, but at a different airport.

We had dinner at Pizza Paradiso in Dupont Circle. It was fantastic. It was also so fantastic to catch up with my two friends. The rest of the weekend was so much fun. I got to meet Caroline's new roommates, go house hunting with them (which was really cool because Virginia houses are quite different than houses here...and now I know where Caroline's new house is). We had a Marie Antionette brunch, which is an old college tradition of ours. It was really just a grand time. My favorite excursion was a trip to Georgetown!

I am posting the only two pictures that I took the entire weekend. It was rainy and cold and my focus was just on surviving the weather, not snapping photos. However, Val and Carol insisted that I must take a picture in front of the White House. And I insisted on not taking it along. So here you go.

Sweet Abilene

Every time I visit Abilene, I get that same feeling that you get when you go home. You know, that feeling that you are taking a break from the world and going to visit somewhere safe, where everyone really knows who you are and what you stand for, and the people there truly care about you? Well, thats how I feel about going to Abilene. Over the past few years, it has become my home away from home away from home (since I have 2 homes now, Kaufman and Houston). You don't really realize how great Abilene is and how rare being around friends who stand for the same things that you do is until you leave. Then you get it. Then you come back to it for a visit, and it is simply blissful.

This weekend was filled with great friends, great food, and, of course, Sing Song. You have to love that time of year when seeing someone at any given place in Abilene with red dots on their cheeks and long, painted on eyelashes is pretty normal.

We arrived in Abilene about 10:00 on Friday night. Fortunately, we still got to see lots of friends on Friday night.

Saturday morning Belinda, Caroline and I decided upon Whataburger for breakfast...always a staple. Shortly after that, Belinda, Clay, Ryan and I met Courtney and Dustin at Harold's! Still full from our Whataburger excursion, and knowing that I would be eating dinner at 4:30, I only had peach cobbler. But it was life changing peach cobbler. And it just happened to be one of those lucky Saturdays when Harold decided to sing. He told us that he had just had stints put in his heart, so he had a much harder time singing than he used to. He could have fooled me though. He began with "How Great Thou Art."

Now let me tell you something about Harold, the man can SING! I mean, its the kind of thing that gives me goosebumps. He just stood in the middle of his barbeque restaurant where people were lined up from the counter all the way out the back door and wrapping around the building and sang. After a few versus, he asked the whole restaurant to join in and led us all in singing "How Great Thou Art." Of course, everyone knew all of the words. These are the reasons that I love Abilene. Seriously, where else in the world does that happen. After one song, he moved into the next. He got everyone clapping their hands and began a soulful version of "Amen." It was awesome.

And in keeping in tradition, Kara and I got a Sing Song picture together. This is the first time in 3 years that we were not both in costume!

Sing Song 2010

Sing Song 2009

Sing Song 2008

After Sing Song, we all got to hang out again! It was great. I was reminded (not that I forgot, really) how lucky I am to have the friends that I have.

Love this one! It also makes me think of Sing Songs Past...

2009

2008

2006. Hilarious.

Love you all! It was a fantastic weekend!!

Valentine's Day

I have decided that since I am now married, I can give up hating Valentine's Day. Don't get me wrong, I still think that it is a ridiculous, commercial, non-holiday. But why would I turn down an excuse for a nice dinner out with Ryan and lots of candy? Therefore, this year, Ryan and I bought into the ridiculousness and celebrated V-day.

We even watched the movie, Valentine's Day (for the recored, I don't recommend it) with one of my very good friends from school and her boyfriend.

For dinner, we went to The Capital Grille in Houston. It was gooood!! And very stately.

AND, Ryan gave me very close tickets to the Houston Rodeo on the night that Keith Urban will be performing...which I am quite excited about.

I gave him some sweet new Sperry's! They are navy, and I really like them. I think that he did too!

Well, I suppose it is back to the homework that I have been putting off. Have a good one!

It's Beginning To Look Alot Like Christmas

Well, apparently I abandoned my goal of being a consistent blogger. I mean, I'm okay with it. School got hard, I got a little bored of it, and I stopped taking pictures for about 6 months. But today, I rejoin blog world...if only for the month of December and part of January (until school starts back).

With only two finals left, I am really beginning to get into the Christmas spirit. In fact, we have already had snow here in Houston, and Ryan and I decorated our Christmas tree today. We were kind of in a goofy mood when we bought ornaments, so it doesn't look as great as I had always imagined that my first Christmas tree would look, but it was fun nonetheless. We have a tree topper that takes up 1/4 of the entire tree because yours truly misjudged the size, red and gold balls, and an ugly stuffed Santa that Ryan decided would be funny to purchase. Oh well. I should put my pride behind me and post pictures of it, but I'm not ready to do that yet. Instead, I will present you with pictures of our lovely snow day.

This is the front of our house (yeah right, I wish). But it is pretty, isn't it?

We decided to do a little Christmas shopping that turned into shopping for ourselves in the merriment.

I am looking forward to my Mom coming to visit at the end of this week.

Oh, AND we are moving to a new apartment next weekend. It is bigger and better, and I will post pictures as soon as a have some. Merry 2 weeks before Christmas!

A Picture Says A Thousand Words--But I Don't Have One; Therefore, I Will Have To Type Those Thousand

For real though, this is going to be long.

I must say, I have been rather uninspired to blog lately. The reason being? Well, my camera broke. After 1.5 hours on the phone with Cannon and several dropped calls (in case you aren't aware, my apt has terrible service), I have a new part coming in the mail. 

Now, I am aware that the point of a blog is about words really, not pictures, but I happen to find that photos are the most interesting part of all blogs. But, until my new battery door arrives, I can provide you with no photo documentations of life's current happenings. Nevertheless, I will trudge on in blog world without photographic representation, but I understand if you don't read the blog posts lacking pictures...I tend to do that myself.

Today is Friday. I am very glad about that fact for several reasons:

One being Ryan. He is always so glad to see Friday. I am sure that I will be myself when everyday is not like Saturday to me (ie. I have to go to school during the week.) 

Reason two is that this Friday represents the end of the last week that I am home all day doing nothing. Bittersweet really, for I have learned to enjoy the solitude with endless possibilities...kinda. I begin orientations for grad school next week though, and I couldn't be more excited!

Reason three is that I get to see my parents tomorrow! My mom's birthday was yesterday, the 13th, and so we are meeting them to celebrate tomorrow night. It should be a very exciting time!

Reason four is that Ryan's cousins, Amber and Ashley, are moving in to Gardner Hall today at ACU. We had dinner with them last night and got grilled on all of the questions that I remember asking as a freshman..."So, how strict is the dress code...will i ever get a shower...did you ever get to sleep...what is freshman follies...what about the bean, is it scary?"

Oh the excitement buzzing around ACU this time of year. I must admit that I am living somewhat vicariously through them currently. I am consoling myself with the fact that I can retire to Abilene? (If Ryan reads this, he will veto that possibility promptly.)

Reason five, and I think this is the last one, is that we actually get to remain in Houston for the first weekend (with the exception of meeting my parents in Brenham tomorrow night) in I don't know how long. We are going to go to church and sleep in late tomorrow, and I am very excited about those two things. 

Although the weekends away have been well worth it. Last weekend in particular was spectACUlar (couldn't help it--former tour guide). 

We spent the weekend celebrating a very joyous occasion--Dustin and Courtney Koctar's wedding! But don't worry, she says we can still call her Flow. 

The weekend began with the renting of a Dodge Caravan...that's right, a minivan. Laura and Jon Hinson, Chris Corbett, Lauren Handley, Ryan and myself loaded up the van and set off for New Orleans. This was my first trip to the Big Easy, and i think I did most of the stuff you are supposed to do there. I went to Cafe Du Mond to have beignets--twice, bought Aunt Sally's pralines, took a walk down Bourbon street, had a hurricane from Pat O'Briens--the origin of the hurricane, went to a local jazz club, and stayed in the French Quarter--all within a little over 12 hours time. 

With pralines in tow, we loaded up the several passenger mini and headed for Nashville, TN--one of my favorite places on earth. The boys split off to Dustin's posse for the weekend, I met up with Courtney, her Nashville bridesmaids, and Jamie, Morgan, and Caroline. It was glorious. I had not seen them in quite some time! We did the normal wedding festivites. Very fun bachelorette party, rehearsal, perfect rehearsal dinner at Maggianos, had pedicures (by the same lady that does Dolly Parton's--if you know me, then you know who exciting this was). 

Then it was time. We went to the church and began getting ready. Courtney looked absolutely beautiful. You will have to find pictures on Facebook, because this is an instance where words cannot describe. The church was pretty and the reception was amazing! Great food, great cake--the cake was Courtney's mom's strawberry cake recipe, dancing, and just a really good time. Joey and Sydney were there, which also made for an exceptional evening because once again, it has been quite some time. We sent Courtney and Dustin off with sparklers to their honeymoon in Cancun! I am so so happy and excited for them. The wedding was just perfect, and Courtney--wow, like I said, absolutely beautiful!

And then we drove 14 hours home. I have never been as happy to see downtown Houston as I was at 1:30 on Sunday night. 

Impact Back to School Shopping

Last night Ryan, Grant, and I had the chance to be a part of Bammel's annual Impact Back to School Shopping trip.

We met the little girl that we would be taking shopping. Her name was Alexis. She was going into 4th grade, and she was adamant that she wanted to go shopping with us by herself. NOT with her little sister. 

We got to Wal-Mart, which happened to be Alexis's favorite store. She found some shoes that she just adored and some new uniform clothes. 

We got the typical school supplies such as pencils and markers, and then moved on to the fun stuff. She really wanted "one of those backpacks that hang by your side." Some know that by the name of a messenger bag. Alexis is a huge Hannah Montana fan, as well as High School Musical. We found a pencil bag, lunch box, and messenger bag--all Hannah Montana themed.

Our next stop--CiCi's Pizza. Believe it or not, ANOTHER favorite of Alexis's. She had about a half of a piece of pizza, a small salad, and about 8 cinnamon rolls. That's right, 8!  She cracked us up on the way home. The happy, talkative Alexis began answering all of our questions with a miserable sounding "uh-huh" and "uh-uh." I looked back and she was hugging her stomach. She said, "I think I ate too much. Hope I don't get sick on the way home." Ryan was very careful to drive smoothly and I advised her to sit by the window on the bus. 

She was such a sweet girl, and we loved spending time with her! 

A Weekend Away

Exactly what I needed because I have been so busy and stressed and overworked. 

Okay, that's not true at all. I have been on vacation pretty much everyday until August 19th, but it was a much needed break for Ryan. 

Andrew and Abbie Harmon invited us, along with 14 other people to their family's new lake house on Lake Granbury, which is a part of the Brazos River. We had so much fun!

Ryan and I had quite the drive on Friday to make it, but it was well worth it. By the time we got there Friday, everyone was pretty much winding down to prepare for the fun that Saturday promised us. 

Saturday morning we woke up to coffee and muffins prepared by Abbie. The girls made our way down to the lake to float for a while. One we considered our skin sufficiently damaged for the day, we went to the yard where Andrew and Abbie were grilling hotdogs and hamburgers and the guys were all playing washers. 

That afternoon, Andrew took us out on the lake in shifts. We got to see some beautiful homes (including one that Kenny Chesney is building) and knee board. Tanna and Logan were champs. Shealynn and I, not so much. Shealynn, however, was hilarious. And I have a HUGE knot/bruise on my shin, which I think warrants an A for effort. 

After boating, we spent the lazy part of the afternoon on the hammock and sitting under a big tree reading. The guys were still immersed in yet another game of washers. For dinner, Andrew and Abbie made wonderful steaks and baked or sweet potatoes. 

It was the perfect summer weekend with great food, great fellowship, and, as usual, hilarious stories to be told. 

Andrew and Abbie were the perfect hosts.  Above, you can see Andrew in action . 

Below is an intense game of washers.