Week 12

March 20, 2011 - We drove back home today from Nacogdoches, and I think Maggie was happy to see us. We spent the whole day cleaning the house, which did wonders for my stress level.


March 21, 2011 - The laundry never ends. But I now have everything washed, dried, and hung up. It's not something that happens a lot, and it feels really good.


March 22, 2011 - Today is our 3 year anniversary! Jack picked me up from work this afternoon and took me to California Pizza Kitchen where, as you can see, we had a really romantic date. (After this photo was taken, he wadded up that straw wrapper and threw it across the table, into my shirt.)


March 23, 2011 - Today Team HP had a happy hour, and all of eight people showed up. Oh well, we had a good time anyway!


March 24, 2011 - Today we had to set up for a video shoot, and Brenda got on the dolly as Owen wheeled it downstairs. We have fun.


March 25, 2011 - Today the Harbor House opened over at Lake Lavon, and our friend and Jack's business partner Greg owns it, so we headed out there for dinner and then he took us out on his house boat. As soon as he let me drive it, one of the engines failed and we were stuck out there for a little while. Coincidence? I think not.


March 26, 2011 - Today I finally put our food back into our pantry, and as it turns out, there's not a lot left that I didn't throw away. But hopefully that means the moths are gone for good. After that, Jack and I went to dinner at Macaroni Grill and then the movies to see "The Adjustment Buraeu." We haven't had a date like that in a long time! It was really lovely.

Week 11

March 13, 2011 - Today we had a great day together shopping and running errands, including picking up some new pillows at Target. Ours were pretty flat after three years, so we were excited to replace them. Yes, we are so very interesting.


March 14, 2011 - It never ceases to amuse us how excited Maggie gets to snuggle up between us every night. She's such a cuddly little dog.


March 15, 2011 - Tonight's dinner? Bad. Bad bad bad. I made our favorite slow-cooked pulled pork for sandwiches, and then made the mistake of "toasting" (read: burning the crap out of) the bread. We joked that we were eating the pork on croutons. Dinner FAIL.


March 16, 2011 - We got our Dallas Summer Musicals tickets in the mail today! I'm so excited. We didn't think we could afford them this year, but then they had a 3-show season ticket so we decided to go for it. It's a stretch and we have to sit in the very back, but sometimes you just have to splurge.


March 17, 2011 - Last night, I was really craving a milkshake, but we didn't have any ice cream or milk. "I can't make you a milkshake," Jack told me. "But, my milkshake brings all the boys to the yard!" I responded. "That's the other reason I'm not making you one," he said. He's so funny. So tonight, when he came home, he had a Sonic milkshake in hand. What a great guy.


March 18, 2011 - Today we drove down to Nacogdoches to visit Jack's grandmother, who had to have a pacemaker put in yesterday. It's so nice to have the freedom to leave when we need to now that he owns the school! We headed over to Lufkin to visit Jack's old school and see our friend TJ teach a class. He's a funny guy.


March 19, 2011 - We spent the day visiting with family in East Texas, and it was a beautiful day to sit out on the porch and drink a beer.

Week 10

March 6, 2011 - Today was the first day of Jack's Mastership workout in Vegas. Afterward, they all went to lunch. He's enjoying getting to know them better.


March 7, 2011 - Today was another Mastership workout in Vegas, this time in Red Rock Canyon. After the workout, they took some pictures out there, and Jack got this great one with Grand Master. Not many people get this kind of picture with this guy.


March 8, 2011 - Today Jack climbed Turtle Peak Mountain in Vegas with his Master class, and he e-mailed me this photo at the top. He said climbing that mountain was harder than any of the workouts they had done that week, but he seemed to enjoy it quite a bit!


March 9, 2011 - I picked Jack up at the airport today, and even though I did enjoy my alone time this week, it's nice to have him back with me!


March 10, 2011 - Today I had a TV interview with the VP at the MS Society for a small local news program. I was flattered that the MS Society chose me to represent the BikeMS ride.


March 11, 2011 - It's my birthday!! I turned 25 today, and after work, Jack brought me my present (an iHome!!) and took me out to BJ's Brewhouse for dinner (and dessert!). It was a really, really good birthday.


March 12, 2011 - Today was birthday number two! Today, after work, Jack took us to get pedicures together and then we went to Casa Rita's, a new Mexican place that we really enjoyed!

Week 9

February 27, 2011 - Today we spent the day putting the floor down at the taekwondo school, as well as reupholstering the benches and finishing up everything up for the opening tomorrow. It looks really, really good.


February 28, 2011 - Today was the first day of classes at the new school! I stopped by after work and the classes were HUGE. Guess everybody was pretty excited to see the new school!


March 1, 2011 - Today was color belt testing at the new school, and everybody looked great! So did the school.


March 2, 2011 - Tonight was the last day before Jack left for Vegas, and even though we had to leave super-early in the morning to get Jack to the airport, we decided to have a late-night date to our favorite pizza place. Even though we didn't get a lot of sleep, I'm glad we went.


March 3, 2011 - Today I had a video shoot at the church. It went well.


March 4, 2011 - As soon as Greg left for Vegas this morning, Misty started having contractions. Of course. Greg hopped on the first flight he could get on and I spent the night with Misty while she was in labor. Their daughter, Kaitlin was born just after 3 a.m., a mere 12 minutes after Greg arrived.


March 5, 2011 - This was my view today - I headed to the hospital in the afternoon and spent the entire day holding little Miss Kaitlin. She's pretty good company.

Week 8

February 20, 2011 - Jack's dad and uncle have been in town all weekend, working on the school, and they have it completely tiled and the front counter and half-wall built. It looks AMAZING. So perfect.


February 21, 2011 - Our kitchen is still a disaster after the moths-in-the-pantry incident. I moved all my flour and things like that to these air-tight canisters. That makes me feel much better about our food. I would really like to put cute little labels on them someday when I have time!


February 22, 2011 - Today my sweet husband picked me up at work and took me to lunch at Jason's Deli. I love having lunch with him, especially these days, when time together is rare. (By the way, in this photo, he's showing me that he "loves me this much pickle," because he gave me half of his pickle when he didn't get one. Which is a pretty big deal in our world, since we both love pickles so much!)


February 23, 2011 - Today, my friend Rachel said she felt weird but didn't know if what she was feeling were contractions or not. I asked if she was having a baby, and she said she didn't know, so I drew her the diagram on the left. Then, Ellyn complained that the diagram didn't apply to her since she was having a c-section, so I sent her the diagram on the right. I am nothing if not helpful.


February 24, 2011 - Today, I was making spaghetti, and I went to break a bundle of it in half, and it came up and scratched my hand. I think this may be the first pasta-related injury anyone has ever gotten.


February 25, 2011 - I can't believe how great the school is looking! Jack's dad and uncle got the cubbies up, and pretty much all that's left is the workout floor! After we visited the school to drop a few things off and take this picture, we headed to Houston for the Humble tournament. It's not a great time to leave, but we're thankful for all the people who stayed behind to help finish up the school!


February 26, 2011 - Today I spent the day sleeping in in our hotel room and then shopping while Jack was at the tournament judging all day. It was just so nice to have some alone-time to relax and recharge. It's been a trying couple of weeks.