Summer is Here!

Summer has officially started and boy can you tell here in Dallas! Most days are in the high 90's...if not 100 degrees. The good thing is, I'm not really out in the heat much...since I have an indoor job, BUT it doesn't really cool off at night either. It just stays HOT. Last night the sun set around 9 and it was still around 93 degrees. This is pure craziness for June! Summer activities are also in full swing. The YMCA is busier than ever, with summer camp on site, 2 camps off site, swim lessons all day long, families coming to the pool, and our normal crowd is here too. I'm working my usual hours at the YMCA, but I'm teaching Art Think Jr. for the little ones at 2 day camps. Art Think Jr. is basically the same thing as the Art Think I taught during the school year..except it is geared towards elementary students instead of high schoolers. I must admit, I love those little kids!! They have such fun, interesting answers to the images and they don't complain like the high schoolers do. In addition to showing slides, we also do a little art project at the end...which I find super fun. Hands down, love the little kids!

Josh on the other hand...is not loving the little kids. He is working with summer camp at the Y this summer. And though he is getting VERY tan, he isn't enjoying the fact that they aren't allowed to really discipline the kids.

We've had a few fun weekends, with Beth's Wedding, a Motorcycle Race Watch Party, a Frisco Rough Riders game (they are a minor league team that feeds into the Dallas Rangers MLB team), and in a couple of weeks we will be joining my family at Table Rock Lake in Missouri for a much needed week vacation! We'll be picking Olivia up from Kamp Kanakuk and then spending time at Big Cedar Lodge, one of the most relaxing places on earth. I can't wait to relax with the family..and SEE them! I haven't seen my dad or sister since OCTOBER!!

Here are some pictures from Beth's wedding and the Rough Riders game. Unfortunately, my camera died at Beth's wedding, so my pictures are limited.

Beth's Wedding

Though a little blurry, this is a picture of all my dear college friends! Left to right: Jackie, Sarah, Beth (the beautiful bride), me, Shay, Emily

Two of my college roomates, and bridesmaids in my wedding
Me, Jackie, and Sarah

Sarah, Emily and me

The wedding party, post wedding pics.

Rough Riders Game
Self photo before the game began.

Picture of the field from our awesome seats!

Deuce, the team mascot...not quite sure what animal he is.
The other mascot is Daisy, the female..she was cute too!

Joshua and his helmet of Dip 'N Dots, a baseball tradition.

One thing we both definitely enjoy about baseball games is the food! Nothing can beat a hot dog, coke and some Dip 'N Dots...or funnel cake in my case!

Week of my birth!

This coming week has a lot of exciting things going on...including my birthday! Though birthdays aren't quite what they used to be (meaning..no big sleepover party)...I still get so excited for birthdays. I love celebrating others' birthdays, and I love celebrating mine as well. It is that one day a year that can be totally focused on that individual...which I think is so special and wonderful. Joshua and I don't have anything exciting planned, as we're leaving the next day for ATLANTA!! We'll be heading out for Beth and Ramsey's wedding! I can't wait to celebrate with them and see all my beloved friends. Since that is going to be our big cost for the week, we're going to do a small dinner, just the 2 of us.

Joshua, Ashley, and I went over to see Kristi and Greg yesterday and did a mini birthday celebration for Kristi. Greg is in school with Joshua and Ashley, and we've all become pretty good friends. It's always nice to have another married couple around! Kristi's birthday is today, and she is on bed rest due to her pregnancy...sooo, we took her some Yogilicious (mmm, so good) and balloons. It was great to see both of them and be able to spend some time catching up with Kristi. Joshua and I plan on taking them dinner in the near future, just to help out while Kristi is out of commission.

I also got my haircut yesterday! It's pretty short..above the shoulders. I really like it though, it is the perfect summer cut. I'll have to post a picture later!

As promised...here is a picture of my new hair style. It has grown out a little since the original cut...but still pretty much the same!

Week of rest...

This time last week Joshua and Van (my father-on-law) departed on their 9 day trek to Vegas and back! It has been interesting...and a little lonely...living on my own. I've gotten to catch up on all of my girly tv shows, which include...but are not limited to...Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill, and the new episode of the Bachelorette! Last Monday I totally vegged in front of the tv for all 3 of these shows, it was awesome! I've also spent some time reading, cleaning, resting, and exercising. Last week I walked to the grocery store to grab dinner, something that was actually really rewarding. The weather here has been so gorgeous..so I've tried to spend as much time outside as possible. After teaching on Thursday I spent some time relaxing pool side, getting a start on my summer tan.

I was also able to catch up with some dear friends! This week I had some lengthy phone calls with Sarah, Emily, and Hawley!! I definitely don't get to talk with these girls enough, so it was nice to be able to sit on the couch and chat with no time limitations. Haha, that makes it sound like Joshua sits there and times my phone calls..totally not the case. But, when we are home together I usually don't answer my phone and just enjoy my time with him.

My weekend was spent being a total bum. I rented "The Reader" and the old "Marie Antoinette" film with Kirsten Dunst and also watched a few movies that came on TBS. "The Reader" was very interesting, though I have to admit I fell asleep towards the end..it got a little slow. "Marie Antoinette" was SUPER slow..and though the costumes and music were awesome...it was kind of a waist of a rent. I did get some exercise in this weekend, which is always good. I also spent some time by the pool, and then Sunday I went in to work.

Though I've enjoyed the time alone...I defintely prefer living life with Joshua and having someone to spend my time with every evening. 9 days has definitely been a little too long to be seperated, but I'm glad Joshua and his dad were able to take this trip together. I know it'll be a great memory to look back on.

Well..that's it for now! Next week I head to Atlanta for Beth's wedding!! I can't wait to be there for her and share in such a special event. I'm also really excited to see all of my dear friends from UGA! I'll also be celebrating my BIRTHDAY next Wednesday! Woo hoo for 24!

Optimisim

There was an AWESOME special tonight on ABC called Michael J. Fox: Adventures of an Incurable Optimist. As everyone knows, Michael J. Fox has Parkinson's disease...but rather than keeping him down, Fox's optimism and positive outlook on life has kept him going. Yes, he does have great resources for the best doctors, the best medicines, etc...but without that positive attitude, who knows how well he would be doing now. This special explored optimism, not only in the United States, but also world wide. And you know, it was just a great reminder...a REFRESHING reminder to live every day with a big smile on your face, loving life, giving thanks for all that you have, thanking our Lord for all the gifts he has provided, and just generally enjoying life.

I've have be stressing a lot recently...mainly focused around finances...and this little special reminded me to relax, take a deep breath, and focus on the positive. Though Joshua and I don't always have the funds to do everything we desire...we DO have each other and that is the biggest thing to celebrate every day! So rather than continuing my stress on finances, I am going to focus on the good stuff...friends, family, free fun, and the Lord.

Ok...so that is all for the moment. Hehe, just wanted to share a breath of fresh air. It's always nice to see someone so happy, that has reason to be so angry. Thank you Michael J. Fox for your inspiration!
Oh...and as a last note, Michael J. Fox has a book out: Always Looking Up. I am definitely putting that on my list to read!

Spring!

It has been quite a while since I've updated the site...so sorry about that! Joshua and I have been busy with lots of different activities. Work has been pretty demanding recently..and it feels like I can never quite catch up. I don't mind though, because then I'm always busy! Joshua is starting finals this week...which is keeping him busy. I have gotten back on the workout wagon and I'm trying to workout every week day. It seems like it would be really easy, since I WORK at a gym...but it's really hard to get away from the desk sometimes.

Other than work and school, Joshua and I have just been trying to spend time together doing things we love...like going on walks, watching movies, and going on occassional long drives. This spring has been wonderful so far and we both feel like we've grown closer with all the time we've spent together. This past weekend we went to one of my co-workers for her birthday and we had a lot of fun! Stacie lives out in Rowlett, which is about 1/2 hour from Dallas and she lives really close to the lake. Josh and Stacie's husband got along really well. He is a Dallas Police Officer and I think they have a lot of the same interests and life values. I think we'll definitely have to hang out again.

Other than that, we're just doing our normal routine and looking forward to a few trips this summer. Joshua is going on a 9-10 days motorcycle trip to Las Vegas and back with his dad right after school ends, which leaves me in Dallas all alone..but I know they'll have a good time and their time together is always important...father-son bonding time! We'll be heading to Atlanta for Beth and Ramsey's wedding, which is June 6th! I can't wait to go and witness their marriage and as a bonus see all my wonderful friends again!! Then we're going to go to Branson, MO to see my family and stay at Big Cedar Lodge after Olivia gets out of camp at Kamp Kanakuk! I'm pretty excited about this because I haven't seen my dad or sister since October! Plus, I went to Kanakuk when I was younger, so it'll be like returning to childhood for me. We're still trying to figure out what to do for our anniversary, but it'll be special no matter what we do.

Ok...I better get back to work. Just wanted to do a little update!