Peace Out, Summer

Every spring, I get so excited for summer. That first day where the sun is shining, the sky is clear of clouds, and the temperatures hit 70 degrees-- nothing feels much better.

This year, I feel like I can officially say I hated summer [the weather, not the events]. Other than the few weekends that we spent in the pool or on the lake, this season was miserable for me. Maybe it's because I am getting older. Maybe it was the humidity? I don't really know. Hell, I was too dang hot to be able to think straight. What I do know is that this summer wasn't even close to as hot as last year, but it felt 1000x worse. The thought of having to walk to my car made me want to cry. I don't think I have ever sweat so much by simply just breathing.

If you live some place where the highs only hit 80 degrees, I envy you. Here in Austin, we are thankful when the high is 95.

Friday night, a "cool front" came through bringing our high temps to 91 with a beautiful breeze from the North. Being that this past weekend was our first UT tailgate of the season, I was in heaven! Also, my insane craving for fall was only intensified. For a few months now, I have been on a soup and chili kick, and now I officially will be lighting my pumpkin spice and cinnamon apple candles.

I know the temperatures are going to spike again before the heat officially surrenders for the year, but I don't care. Pumpkin-this and pumpkin-that, I'm coming for you! Sweaters and fluffy socks? You betchya!

Raymond will be [once again] so annoyed by my immense love for the holiday season, and I can't wait to smother him and our home with decor.

Are you looking forward to the cooler/holiday season or do you live for sweet summer time??

Labor Day Family Reunion

As I mentioned before, for the long holiday weekend, we had plans to attend a family reunion. Now while I have heard all about Raymond's family and have met quite a few of them, I met about 100 more this past weekend. Being me, of course I brought my camera but left it in my bag the entire trip. I didn't take a single picture, so I must thank R's sister, Sandra for all of these pictures-- I stole them all from her Facebook. Thanks Chach!

Warning: Prepare for photo dump.

Friday started out with dropping off our puppy (waahh) with my parents and hit the road to Brownwood 3 hours Northwest to pick up R's son (also known as Raymond... we'll call him #3). After swooping him up, another, and another 4 hours in the car, we finally arrived in Uvalde. I tell ya, it never felt better to get out of the dang car! After a quick last-minute dinner around 9:30 p.m. we headed back to our motel. No, not for sleeping... for drinking in the parking lot!


Mother, Brother In Law, Sister, Nephew, Son, Me, Father





Sister, Raymond, Me, Cousin

An early Saturday morning wake up called for a delish breakfast of pancakes and then we headed to run a few errands, and off to the park for a day of hot, sweaty fun. The day was made up of activities including a silent auction (cannot wait to share what we won!), sand volleyball, water relay, obstacle course, and tug-of-war. While it may have been disgustingly hot, the sweat and scorched feet from the sand were absolutely worth it and we had a blast.

Around 4:30 p.m. we all packed up and headed back to the motel to quickly shower and take whatever kind of a nap we could, to be at the hall by 6:00 for dinner, awards, and most importantly the dance.

The night was wonderful and while I wore comfotable shoes, my feet hurt the next day from dancing so much! I am so thankful that Raymond has such a wonderful family. While there may be tons of them, they all do such an amazing job of making me feel comfortable and welcome. I feel like I am already a part of their family and to be honest, there really isn't a much better feeling. The entire time we were there, I found myself thanking God for placing them into my life.

We're Back

...from our little vacay. While it was absolutely fantastic to get away for a few days, it feels even better to be back home.


Beautiful Hill Country

I am slowly catching back up with the world, but still have a lot to do. Because it is a holiday though, I plan to not let the little things (laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping) really have a huge effect on me today. Hopefully we can just spend the day relaxing, and maybe even do a little bit of BBQ-ing.

I am most excited to snuggle up with our little baby boy. Guero spent the weekend with my parents while we were gone, and I cannot say how much we missed him. We would talk about him and how much we missed him as we were laying down to sleep each night.


Saying goodbye :-(

Reunited and it feels so good!


Reunited and it feels SO good!

I'll be back Wednesday to fill you all in our trip! Until then, tell me: How did you spend the long weekend?

Stupid Cupid

Saint Valentine's Day, often simply Valentine's Day, is a holiday observed on February 14 honoring one or more early Christian martyrs named Valentinus. It is celebrated in countries around the world, mostly in the West, although it remains a working day in all of them.

The day first became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. By the 15th century, it had evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines").

Modern Valentine's Day symbols include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards.
(source)

We hear all the time, that Valentine's Day is made up by the candy, floral, and greeting card industries. Sure, maybe they are advertised a bit more, and yeah, maybe they make a crap ton more money because of the holiday... but one thing that remains true, we all give in to it.

I have seen endless status updates about people being anti-valentines day because they don't have someone to share it with. Give me a break. Why do people get so depressed because they don't have someone to buy a box of chocolates for? You don't even know what you're going to get in that surprise box. Some are filled with heavenly caramel and the others, with fruit flavored toothpaste. Would I still eat the entire box? Yes. But do I cry when I don't receive one? No.

I understand if maybe you're a little upset, or you're longing for a significant other to be in your life. That I can get. But I just don't see how not getting a bag of chalky candy hearts can make you hate and boycott life for 24 hours.

Growing up I had a boyfriend on ONE Valentine's Day my entire life. All the other years, sure I wished I had a boyfriend. But not because I wanted presents, but because I was a teenage girl!

My point is that we, as grown adults, should not be posting depressed statuses about today being the worst day ever invented. Let's leave that for the 14 year olds.

With that being said, I actually don't have an opinion toward the holiday at all. If I get some flowers and a teddy bear, woo-hoo for me! If the day went away forever, that'd be alright too.

What do you think of the Holiday? Hate it or love it?