Hey, From Denver

So, we're here in Denver for our Acts 29 Boot Camp and assessment. We got here yesterday with our Christ Church pastor, Justin Hyde, and it's been a great time so far. Only glitch...I am now in our room for the second time with an upset stomach. Not sure what's going on with me. Right now I am missing a breakout session, but I think I will be feeling okay to go to the next main session.

Anyways, yesterday, after we checked into our hotel we ate dinner at a great little Belgian pub, the Cheeky Monk. Fabulous. We will be returning before we go home, that's for sure. Tired of feeling a little sick all day, I went back to the hotel, while the guys went to a Boot Camp mixer thing. Thankfully, a little rest and some American Idol (Go Crystal!) was all I needed, cause when the guys were done and ready to hit the town, I was ready to join them.

We asked a rickshaw driver where we could get some good dessert. He told us a few places and kindly offered to give us ride for free. Now, I am a little embarrassed to post this picture, but I must, just to give you an idea of how hilarious this was to me. 1. You can't really fit 3 comfortably on this particular rickshaw, 2. The driver was FLYING through downtown Denver and 3. I couldn't stop thinking of this:

(Hilarious scene from Arrested Development. :)

Anyways, here is said embarrassing rickshaw picture. I look so ridiculous because I threw my head back laughing so hard.Clearly, I should not be in, nor take pictures while flying in a rickshaw...poor Casey barely made it in the picture.

So far today, we've enjoyed a little extra sleep thanks to beloved black-out curtains, some Starbucks, and a couple great sessions at the boot camp. During the lunch break, my sweet Casey changed a flat tire on our rental car so that he could bring me and my upset stomach back to our room. Thankfully, I am feeling better now, so I think I'll head to the next main session.

More from Denver, later...

A Birthday Riddle

What birthday girl has....

two thumbs,
the most awesome friends EVER,
and a nose ring?
?
?
?
?
?
?

THIS ONE!

Can you see it?

Here's a closer look.

See. Just teensy and cute.

Is this an act of rebellion against aging, you ask?

Um...NO!
Nope.
It is nothing of the sort

And frankly, I resent your implication!
;)

More pics to come soon.
Thanks Casey and friends for makin' my 30th birthday ROCK!

A Few Sabbaths Ago

The fam took a trip to the butterfly exhibit.

Very fun, indeed.
We then met some friends for dinner and an Astros game. Dinner was also very fun. The game left a little to be desired. Those Stros...what's going on with them?!

Now...off to officially celebrate the big 3-0 with the hubs! :) Woo Hoo!

Have a good one, y'all!

Promised Lemonade Tea Recipe

I made a pitcher of this yummy lemonade tea a couple of days ago, and it reminded me that I promised to post the recipe. Here she is:

- 3 Cups of water
- 2 Family-size tea bags
- 1 package of fresh mint leaves (actually haven't used this ingredient. I always forget.)
- 4 Cups of cold water
- 1 (6-oz) can of frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed

1. Bring 3 cups water to a boil in a 2-qt. saucepan. Remove from heat, add tea bags, and stir in fresh mint. Cover and steep 10 minutes.

2. Remove and discard tea bags and mint. Stir in sugar until dissolved.

3. Pour tea into a 3-qt. container, and stir in 4 cups cold water and lemonade concentrate. Serve over ice. Garnish with fresh citrus slices, if desired.

Haven't tried these versions, but...in case you're interested ;)...
Bourbon-Lemonade Iced Tea: Prepare recipe as directed, and stir in 1 cup bourbon. Makes 9 cups.

Spiced Dark Rum-Lemonade Iced Tea: Prepare recipe as directed, and stir in 1 cup spiced dark rum. Makes 9 cups.

Recipe from Southern Living Magazine

A Bouncing Bear No Longer

The first day of school:

The last day of school: Braelyn is a Bouncing Bear graduate.

It was a pajama party, btw.

Such a big girl. I'm proud of her for sticking it out. There was a while there that I wasn't sure we would make it. But we did. And now we are very, VERY thankful for summer!

And just for fun...
It has been so good to be back in Brenham this week. We have been missing our friends! Yesterday, we went to our favorite story time with the fabulous Ms. Lou Lou, and then grabbed some lunch and ice cream. Ahhh...it's good to be home!

Now that is just good ol' fashion fun, right there!

A Brief Update

Our Internet is out at the house so I'm here at Casey's office trying to check emails, check blogs, update my own blog, make Etsy purchases (so lovely, I think!), and whatnot as quickly as I can.

So...we're keepin' this baby short.
1. We are not moving quite yet. That lease situation fell through...and to be honest...I think it's for the best. Red flags were flying up all over the place. So, I'm glad that we were saved from a risky situation, but a little frustrated to be back at square one.

2. I had a birthday yesterday. No need to get bogged down with numbers. We'll just say that I had a very nice day and look forward to more celebrating this weekend. ;)

3. While we waited to see if we were moving or not, we thought we'd put that time in limbo to good use and had a garage sale. We did pretty well, but what I am most happy about is that each room of the house is cleaned out and about 95% junk-free. (There's always those few pesky things that you just don't know what to do with but can't throw away.) We've kept out everything that we use everyday and boxed up everything that will go to storage...so hopefully, when we do actually move, it'll be a little easier. It feels great! Like losin' a couple unwanted pounds, you know!?

4. We leave for Denver on Tuesday. Excited about that!

5. I am really, REALLY ready for normal! (If there is such a thing?) Have to chat about all that when I've got a little more time. Until then...

Inhale then Exhale. Repeat.

As of the last few days, I am having to remind myself to keep breathing. Things have been CRAZY here.

We spent all of last week in Magnolia. Then, we drove to San Antonio for my brother's college graduation.

See. We're so proud.

Sometime before we left for San Antonio, we got a call that someone was interested in leasing our house. Okay. Great.

Then, sometime while we were in San Antonio, we got a call that the family wanted our house and needed to be in by Thursday...as in tomorrow. Meanwhile, we are in San Antonio having fun...trying not to think about the fact that we are about to pack up our entire life in about three days AND consolidate to apartment-size living. Inhale and exhale.

See...we're having fun!

(We actually were having a great time. My parents kept Braelyn, so Casey and I got a few fun night out on the River Walk. What a blessing!)

By Sunday...the lease and the move seemed certain.

We drove home to Brenham on Monday. Casey met with the family to work out an agreement and we found out that this deal is not as certain as we thought. Apparently, there was another house they were interested in AND even if they did want our house we wouldn't have to be out until the end of May. Feelings at this point: A little frustrated that a certain deal is no longer certain, but relieved that I don't have to move in three days. Packing aside...I really wasn't prepared emotionally to leave this place I love so quickly. So, I am thankful for the extra time.

Since Monday, we've been waiting to hear one way or the other if this family wants to lease our house. While we wait, we have been preparing for a moving sale that we are having Thursday and Friday morning. If they do decide that they want to lease our house, we will move out next week, because in two weeks Casey and I go to Denver for our Acts 29 assessment.

I am trying my darnedest not to be stressed. Trying to take it all in stride. And really, my mind doesn't feel that stressed. My body on the other hand...is rebelling against my no-stress policy. On Sunday especially, when the frantic moved seemed inevitable, I kept finding myself taking huge breaths, cause I guess my body felt that breathing regularly was just too much to handle under the circumstances. And yesterday, as we were sorting and cleaning, my back muscles were clenching for dear life. I wish my body would get the memo...WE ARE NOT STRESSED! We're getting a laugh out of this! Ha ha. Ha ha. ha. So funny.

Anyways, we're makin' it and we have lots of wonderful help. I'll let you know as soon as we know what is actually happening. :) Now...it's time to clean out Braelyn's room...sorting stuff into keep and garage sale piles. I have a feeling that there's going to be a battle over every little furry friend and forgotten toy. She doesn't seem to love the idea of downsizing and decluttering as much as do. Sigh::: Better get to it!