Top Events These Days

I'm a horrible blogger these days!! Which never means that I'm not up to anything so I have nothing to report (triple negative?), it means that I am up to too much and don't have time to report. I have about 30 minutes before Meredith gets here to take me to the airport (Bless that Woman!!) so I'll try to squeeze a post in.

 Well first, school has started up again. I really enjoy my classes, but whew, it's hard work. Just for grins (or frowns) I started writing down my hours for the week. I like numbers, what the hey! 62.5 hrs between Monday and Friday. Ouch.

I have been working on some really cool projects though! I'll spare you the details but if you're an environmental nerdy nerd it would be right up your alley!

 In more exciting news, I found a coffee shop that I like to camp out at and get work done. Working in an office of 4 people isn't so bad. Working in an office with 4 people next to 4 offices with 4 people and one of those offices SCREAMS the game Risk (what the hell is Risk?), well.. that's not conducive to good nerdy nerd environmental work.

Football season has started which is exciting. I don't care so much about the football part, but I DO love getting to be with family and friends and football seems to bring all of that together. Yes, I do commute up to Oklahoma for all of the OSU games. Yes, I am looking forward to when I live her permanently.

Now go back through and look at the pictures of Matt and I. Notice the lady in all of our pictures??? She's even smiling in one!

 

 

I got to be in the first wedding that wasn't my own! Matt's long time friend Marrik got married in September and she asked me to be a guest book attendant. I was really honored and thrilled to be part of her special day. Matt was an usher in the wedding, so it was fun to be in a wedding together (well, another one).

 

 

 

I was also asked to be a Bridesmaid in one of my dear friend's wedding next Fall! Hef (Heather) is going to be a beautiful bride and I am REALLY excited about this event. I want to create a "Hef's Wedding" board on Pinterest but decided that might be a little nuts. See, I have self control.

 

 

 

 

 

 Last week, I went to L.A. for a Sustainability conference to present a paper on how universities adjust their water usage during droughts (nerdy nerd, I know!). It was a GREAT conference. I like being surrounded by "my people". We went to Hollywood Boulevard and I am crossing the street and WHO do I see?????? HONEY BOO BOO CHILD!!!!!!!!!!!!! I walked backward back to the side I originated on and talked to her and her ever so eloquent mother, June. June was wearing make up. I was very proud of June. They gave me a signed picture which is going up in my office just as soon as I get to Lubbock.

I also went to Disney Land!!!! (One day I'll blog about the baby bucket list). I finally got the ride the tea cups. This has been a life time endeavor. When my family went to Disney World when I was 7, my mom wouldn't let me ride the tea cups because SHE got sick on them when SHE was like... 7. So this was a first order of business. And I didn't get sick.

As a Political Science student, and as an overall citizen, I've been trying to keep up with the election. I hope to do a political post (you love 'em!) soon if I can find the time. No matter what side you're for, I hope that you at least take the time to vote. A lot of people have fought for the right to vote, so if nothing else, just honor them who made it a possibility. Plus it's fun. Wear Red, White and Blue. I do.


I'll try to post again soon! Now I gotta get my bag together because Meredith will be here in a bit!

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Goodbye, Summertime

I am back in Lubbock, Texas. It's about 129 degrees today. I am at my desk surrounded by post its and "to do" lists. I write this blog post on my second monitor to my computer. Yep, I do
believe it's the first day of school.

I don't have class until 6. I'm feeling a little anxious because I actually have time to write a blog post right now, instead of scrambling to read a book in the hour before class. Some how I don't have readings the first week of school. I don't know what to do with myself!

I keep thinking about when you're little and you don't have cable so the highlight of your day is watching Days of Our Lives as 11:00 each day was the peak of the day until your parents got home. Summer has always been my favorite time of year for the simple reason that I love love love to swim. However, I remember it going by soooooooo slow as a child. Not this year my friends.

I say it each year, this was the best summer of my life. It really was. I spent time with my husband, traveled, met up with friends in Vegas, was able to attend events for friends and it was a simple affair, not two weeks of planning and hundreds of dollars of travel and lodging.

I also quickly realized that two people can indeed accumulate an unbelievable amount of "things" in a year. That became clear when the semi parked in front of my house and the movers started loading up our stuff. But it was all worth it, because I had no idea how much I missed Oklahoma until we got back. I finally feel like I have a home.

Tonight I am taking a "Climate Change" course and I am really excited about it. Tomorrow I am taking an Environmental Policy and Administration (which is my focus of study) course. Last semester I took a class on war and conflict and blah just ugh awful unintersting stuff. This semester I get to pick my classes and I think I am really going to get a lot out of it.

Despite the travel (nearly 6 hours from OKC to Lubbock), being away from my husband and my dog, the long hours I put into school, and the opportunity cost of being in school, I feel secure that God has put this oppotunity on my path because He has big plans for me. I pray that I will fufill His intentions for me, making every minute and mile worth it.

Here's to the 21st grade!

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The Pioneer Voyage

Every decade or so, I believe that one should ask for a bike for their birthday. I have wanted a cruiser bike for years. Do you see the basket? Do you? When I picked out this bike a couple months ago, I pictured Matt and I riding bikes over to the farmer's market (which is conveniently within biking distance of our new home). I would put all of my local goods in the basket. I would smile and be so green for a Saturday morning. These are the things an environment scientist dreams of. Well, this one anyway. I asked my parents to get one for me for my birthday. With surprisingly little reluctance, they agreed!

This morning I got up and ran to the chiropractor and even made my appointment nice and early so it would still be cool in the morning (well, relatively cool) when I got back so I could ride my cute new blue bike. I got my bottle of water (do you see the cup holder?!), my tunes ready, and put the garage opener in the basket. I listened to some good folk tunes on the way, thinking about how blessed this experience and how much I am enjoying the exercise.



Now if you see above (thank you city of Edmond for providing a map for my blogging purposes), I started at the green X. Between green X and red X I was nothing but happiness. At red X, there is this little center where you can use these machines and do some toning. It was really more like an adult playground. I probably looked ridiculous, but I totally enjoyed it for about 10 minutes. So then I go to get back on my bike and finish up my ride. Why does my bike feel funny? It's making a strange sound in the font tire. WHAT??!? Flat tire? Pioneer voyage?? How! Apparently such a thing exists as tiny thumbtack shaped rocks and there were 2 in my front tire.

So now we walk. I have to get back to green x. I just smiled when I passed people like it was perfectly normal that I was walking with my bike. After about half a mile or so, I realized that my tire is now trying to come off the rim of the wheel. Is there a solution for this? I almost abandoned ship right there.  But, I pull over with all of my confidence and try to shove the tire back on the rim. and then push the bike with as little pressure on the front wheel as possible. I am sure I looked like a real winner.

I continue along and at purple x this guy drives by on a gator (he works for the park). He asks me if I need help. I politely decline, telling him I appreciate him stopping. He tells me that about 100 yards from red x, there was an office for the park (I noticed along the way) and if I would have stopped there, they  have an air compressor and the tools for such occasions. Good to know.

It wasn't quite the serene ride that I thought it was going to be. I was looking for a workout, but this isn't quite what I bargained for. What I did learn, is that if you are looking for some extra resistance on a speed walk, just drag a bike with you and you'll get all you need. But if your ego has any sensitivities, I wouldn't recommend it.

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OklaHOMEa

I remember at the beginning of the year Matt and I had been going back and forth with each other and our travel agent as to where we wanted to go this summer. The summer didn't look like it would be nearly as busy as last summer, and with 9 months including his training and work trips, and my going back and forth to school every week and all of the running around that we do (attending every piece of "home" we could manage) we thought a trip with just the two of us would be a really good way to catch up. We're always catching up on life, but we needed to just relax and catch up on us. After a lot of discussion, we finally decided to go to Costa Rica. It is my most favorite place in the entire world (well, the entire world that I have seen thus far). I really want to surf again, I want to take a siesta while it rains, I want Matt to fall in love with it as much as I am so when we win the lottery one day we can buy a second home there.

Little did I know that shortly after booking the trip, Matt would get a job offer in Oklahoma City that we couldn't refuse. The biggest portion that we couldn't refuse was that it was in Oklahoma. Ever since he moved to Midland we have talked about where we would like to live when we get back and all the fun stuff we will do and how much easier holidays and football and time with our friends will be. That was all a distant thought though. I figured we would get back after I finished my program. Remember that??? The school I've committed myself to for about 40-60 hours each week for the last year??? Well the Lord works in mysterious and surprising ways  sometimes and Matt and I decided that this felt like God was telling us to move and so we listed our house and bought another one.

Just for the record, being a grown up is nuts. I don't feel any level of qualified to sign anything that has to be notarized.

I went to Atlanta for a weekend for an Adeepi conference, got off the plane Sunday evening, and Monday morning my mom flew down (bless her) to help me get a few things in order before I came to stay with Matt. We lived in a hotel for about a week (2 weeks for Matt) and then it was time for moving day. Lisa was kind enough to go down with me to help supervise and movers.

Nothing says you have a ton of crap than having a semi-truck take up your street to load your stuff. This is for 3 families, but there weren't any other families....

 These guys were in charge of "crating" our T.V.s They come out and build the crate on site. I think the crates may have been worth more than the T.V.s

 Remember our office that we worked so hard on and loved? Hope the new guys like it...

 Good bye guest room. I am very impressed with how many people stayed in that room in the last year. We truly have some amazing friends.

 And right there. Tears welled up when I walked away. The very place where Matt proposed.

 Matt was so sweet and got me a house charm for my charm bracelet.

Welcome to our new home! I would post pictures of the new house, but I really want you to come see it for yourself. Let me know when you're free!!

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Another Shout Out to the Moms

Matt and I were in the car the other day going on a date because when you're married and have no kids and just want to go to the movie at that moment, you can. You don't have to ask for permission. You don't have to call a sitter. If you have an extra 20 bucks, then you're free to do as you please. We were talking and we passed by a soccer field and it had to be a thousand degrees outside. We saw all of the kids playing and I look at Matt and say, "Wow, parents are pretty amazing. Think of how busy we are, getting every thing done with the house and working on paper work and you're working and I am teaching and we have had these trips, and we've been out of town every weekend and it's all so much. Other people have just as much on their plates, but they even make time for soccer practice."

He agreed and said "It really is incredible what people turn into when they become parents. They just seem to make time for their kids activities because it's a priority".
I returned with, "You know, as busy as we are, it's actually pretty fascinating that so many parents get their kids to graduate high school, let alone all of the extra stuff that many parents seem to do too. I mean, for 18 years they did stuff like enrolled their child, had them clothed, and fed, and up and ready and actually got them to school enough days that they graduated. Incredible!"
Then Matt replies, "Yeah, it's like the ultimate Giga Pet".
Hand to forehead.

Remember Giga Pets????

I know that we're technically old enough to have kids. I know that our parents would love it. I have friends that have kids and they're doing a great job. We even still hang out! Danielle's daughter, Serenity, is the most precious little human. We went to a flea market with Danielle and Joe and Serenity last week and Serenity wanted to walk around and see all of the puppies. I wanted to visit with Danielle so I handed Serenity to Matt and I'd be lying if I said that watching him hold her and walk around and engage with her about how every farm animal "goes" didn't melt my heart, and make me reconsider for a fraction of a moment the whole school thing. I feel extremely convicted to stay the course and finish school. I feel that God has big plans for me in academia and it's a niche where I feel comfortable and feel that I can succeed and feel fufilled in my work, all while getting to be a mom.... one day.

I've been working all morning cleaning the house and doing to preparations for the move. I'm going to Atlanta for an Adeepi conference, so I have to get about 1000 ducks in a row by Wednesday. It's just me! No one else is demanding my time (not even Pistol!). But somehow I wonder how I'll get it all done, and what if I DID have distractions? (Except those self inflicted distractions like wanting to go lay out at the pool and go to a movie with some friends....)

My big and my g-big both had babies in May and I know that they're going to be wonderful mothers. They're successful and bright, and so capable. I'm glad I have them to look up to because I can't even imagine doing it all right now. So to all of you moms out there reading this, thanks for being a good role model, because I have no clue how you do it.

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The House on the Monopoly Streets

I may be a little biased, but I think Matt's and my "how we met" story is pretty cute. In Stillwater, OK, my little, Anna said that a few friends were going to her boyfriend's house to play games and just hang out for a chill night in. She was the homecoming chair that year and had made a lot of friends with the Delts, so some of the boys came over. I had never met Matt before and we all sat down to play, and I may or may not have cheated a time or two (Monopoly is a long game and lets face it, I was going to win ;) ). I had Matt's attention pretty early on, and he had mine. It was all history from there.

Well it turns out that our first home is in a neighborhood with streets all named after monopoly properties. We live on Oriental. It's pretty cute and felt meant to be. It also makes for a good story ;)

We also got engaged in this home. After he asked me to marry him, my first response was "yes!" and my second comment was.. "Now I am never going to be able to sell this house!"
Little did I know that in a short year I would.

Our house went on the market yesterday afternoon. We have had 2 house showings in less than 24 hours. This is encouraging! However, I have issues with change. I don't mind things being "in addition to" what we already have going on. But I typically dislike having to exchange one thing for another.

Last night we had several friends over to watch the game and just hang out one more time before we move. It was such a good time that after every one left, I was a little sad. These are good people. This house has done a lot of entertaining in the last year. I'm truly excited about all of opportunities for us in Oklahoma. Family, Life long friends, a new house, closer to OSU, less long long trips to Oklahoma what seemed like every other week, all great things. But It's hard to think of what we are leaving behind. Why can't I just have it all???

But the good thing about the 21st century is that if there's a will, there's absolutely a way. Internet, social networking, no fees for long distance calls, cars, planes and the list goes on allows for an opportunity that if people want to stay close, they will.

So before we go, here's a few photos of the house that has held memories of my first year of marriage, times and experiences that I'll hold onto forever.

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Big News!

Let me go ahead and and tell you right off the bat that no, Matt and I are not having a baby. Not right now anyway. But, for where we are in our lives right now, for us this news is just as exciting!

Now that the boss man knows, we can officially tell people that Matt has accepted a new job in Oklahoma City and we are moving home. I can safely say that in our first year of marriage, we made the 6+ hour drive each way to Oklahoma at least 16 times. I might be grossly undershooting that one. I know that since the end of July we have put 25,000 miles on my car, so we're goin somewhere. Season tickets to OSU football games, holidays, and special events call us home on a pretty regular basis.

Oklahoma is just where our heart is, and we do know that if we do start a family in the next several years, we would want to do it closer to our parents.

We put in an offer for a house in Edmond yesterday. I feel like one should feel older to be doing things like putting an offer on a house, but I guess life doesn't wait for you to be ready for it. I feel hopeful that the house is going to work out. If not, well then that just means that God has a better option waiting for us.

Yes, I am still going to go to school at Tech. Instead of living in Midland and going to Oklahoma all the time, we will live in Oklahoma and I will regularly travel to Tech. It will be a little trying, but wont be much different than what we already do. Plus- during those 40 day Christmas breaks, I can spend them at home instead of using up Matt's vacation time to spend a few days at home.

So if you're inclined to such things, we would love some prayer for this extremely exciting time in our lives. If you're in Oklahoma, please come visit us. Looks like we will be there in just over a month! Now I have a paper and test to write. Then I need to run errands and pack for Vegas. A post of our upcoming adventure coming soon!

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