No One Can Say...

That we're not living it up!  We've been so very busy lately, but I wouldn't change it for anything.  I believe the last time I posted we had gone to the Texan's game, and since then things have hardly slowed down. 

Maxi

A lot of our time and energy has been on getting Max, the cat, set up.  He's adjusted to life in our family beautifully, despite a traumatic trip to the vet to be neutered and declawed.  I really struggled with the decision to declaw him because I can imagine it is intensely painful, but after repeated swipes at the furniture we decided it was the best course of action.  We'd hate if he took those claws to a human, small or adult.  So off to the vet Max went, and great news, he returned to us just as happy and well adjusted as he was when we dropped him off.  I am so smitten with this kitten.  He loves to be around the family, curl up with Bella, and purrs like a champ.  My only, not even legitimate complaint, is that he does not display the normal cat behavior of hiding away for periods of time.  He is literally never away from us.  It's a bit overwhelming when you're in the bathtub and he insists on straddling the tub ledge to be close to you.

Maroon 5

Emily and I went to the Maroon 5 concert this past weekend.  We went to the pavilion area a bit early, and decided to intentionally arrive late to the concert.  This concert featured Train and Maroon 5, and I am totally annoyed by Train.  We had a leisurely dinner then made our way into the pavilion where we found that Maroon 5 went on BEFORE Train.  Yikes!  I had planned our timing based on the assumption that Train would go first.  Thankfully we made it to our seats about 10 minutes before Maroon 5 came on.  The concert was a lot of fun!  Maroon 5 is every bit as good live as they are on tv and in the studio, and because of the order they played, we were able to get home at a reasonable hour.  I wasn't going to sick around to hear a bunch of people whining along to Drops of Jupiter.

Beautiful

I'm on the board for our local branch of Keep Texas Beautiful and we recently had our Board Retreat.  I think retreats serve a really good purpose to set a plan for the year to come, but they are also a whole lot to take in.  As my old friend Nancy says, "The brain can only absorb what the butt can endure."  It was a long day, and I'm anxious to see how this year progresses as a result of the many wonderful ideas discussed at the retreat.  This organization does so much to keep the citizens thinking about the image our community portrays.  Right now things are quite nice around here, but it will require a commitment from everyone to sustain it.

Bridesmaid

I'm going to be a bridesmaid for my college roommate in July 2012.  Not long ago we spent an afternoon at the bridal shop.  She tried on several wedding gowns, all of which looked beautiful on her.  She's gorgeous and vertically gifted :-), so they all look very proportional and lovely on her.  She picked a really cute red knee length dress for the bridesmaids.  I'm really comfortable in it!  I am oh so grateful that she picked something with a high neckline that we'll be rocking cowboy boots with.  I can't wait for their big day to be here.  Again, I LOVE weddings! 

Sunday School

Stephen and I are currently teaching first grade Sunday School at our church.  We usually have anywhere from 8-15 students each week.  The kids are all so sweet and engaged in the lessons.  It's been a wonderful experience for Stephen and I to shape and grow these young believers.  It also gives me the much needed teaching fix I'll probably always need to have.  We recently completed a month long unit on Worship.  I'm anxious to see where the next unit takes us.

Suggestion

I encourage all of you to check out http://jenhatmaker.com/blog.htm.  She is a part of my best girlfriend's church in Austin.  She has a very gifted voice for sharing experiences of how God is working in her life.  Her blog posts always leave me moved and inspired!

Bible Study

A while back I began a bible study, called Brave Questions Women Ask by Angela Thomas.  I'm going through this study with my sister and several old and new girlfriends.  So far the study has gone well, and I'm anxious to see where it will take us in the weeks ahead.  So far we've addressed feeling worn out and dealing with the thorns (trials, pain causers) God allows in our life.  It's nice to hear that the women in our group all experience the same things, though in different circumstances.  It really allows you to pull yourself out of the "Why me?" mode that it is so easy to get stuck in.

Adoption

Seriously?  You expect me to have any news to share?  Pshaw, as if. :-)