Bluebonnets and wedding bells

This weekend was absolutely beautiful! The bluebonnets (Texas state flower) are in full bloom outside our apartment. I see at least three cars stopped everyday with kids in easter outfits and parents with the camera and tripod in tow stopping to pose for pictures in front of them. Some kids are happy (mostly the little girls in their floofy dresses), and some are not. But - cute all the same. O the memories of the TORTURE of family photos.

This weekend was also the wedding of Chris Sobey and Jenna Helmer. The ceremony and reception were held at the Southwest School of the Arts downtown. It's a beautiful historic chapel in the downtown area with a gorgeous garden in the back. it was particularly amusing with the liberachi band went by right as Jenna was saying her vows. "Welcome to SA" she said!

I went to college with Chris (aka...Sobey). He and Jenna met in medical school here in SA and have both moved to Nashville to start their residencies in Anesthesiology. Jenna is the sweetest girl you'll ever meet and she was simply breathtaking on her wedding day.

The best part- was being together again with friends from forever ago! As I was walking in- the shuttle from the hotel unloaded and I several people call out "Yocum?!?!" all at once. I haven't been called that in so long! Everyone in college referred to each other by our last names for whatever reason.

The only time we ever really hang out is at weddings. So much has changed since we wasted time doing nothing 5 years ago. Life was a breeze then. Now we all have real jobs and most of us have gone back to school for some reason or another. But- when you get us all together again...it's back to the same old same old. I can't believe it's been 5 years! Yikes!

The dancing was so much fun- and it honestly felt like we were in the basement of Brookwood all over again. I love me some dancing. Byron's not much of a dancer and I'm definitely a white girl out there-but I love it! Please note Sobeys' air guitar move. Classic Sobey. Everyone looks great, and it made my heart happy to hear about the successes everyone has enjoyed in the last five years. Unfortunately- my camera phone doesn't take great pictures in the dark- but you can sort of see the Sig Ep tradition of singing to the bride.

I wish Byron could have come. He was on call- yet again. All my college friends tease me that I'm hiding him away bc a. I'm ashamed of them or b. I am afraid of the stories they might reveal. Only two of my college friends have met him. He's always at the hospital whenever anyone comes to town, or stuck on a plane somewhere. Some day people- someday! He's great- and you're love him!







Monday- I took off work to get on the phone with various lenders and educate myself about this whole home-buying process. I learned a lot. Armed with new information-I dragged Byron out of bed that evening to meet with the realtor and look at a few new houses. We looked at one I liked (From the weekend before). I was SURE BYron would like this one. I was wrong. He has an eye for repairs- and apparently- this one would need a lot. I just noticed the "Bones" of the place and liked the layout. But- with his job demands- we just can't delve into a true fixer upper. And we all know I'm not doing any heavy construction. Pshh.

ONto a house- we knew was out of our price range- but the realtor wanted to show us- to demonstrate what could be done with a house. Last- we went to a house- Byron Vetoed at first- but who are we kidding- I book the appointments. just kidding. One of our friends encouraged us to just take a look as it was a reasonable price in a FANTASTIC neighborhood. He was right. We both LOVED it. It's great. It's still a little on the higher end of our price range- and it's currently under contract pending the sale of the buyers other house. But- as our realtor says "If it's meant to be...It's meant to be". The house had only one owner and it was so well cared for. It's a great size and has excellent features- like a fireplace, big backyard, greenhouse (Not that I'm planning on doing all that much gardening), and it's in a safe neighborhood (a major point of interest for me).

We both we excited after leaving this house and had to calm ourselves down in order to prevent a rash decision. But- it gave me that much more energy to find a good lender quickly. I don't like doing this kind of research, but if I have a goal in mind - it makes the job easier.

I can't believe a whole month has gone by with nothing really to report. I'm actually ok with that. It's nice to have a routine again. It's spring here- finally- and we're getting some great weather. I keep telling myself to enjoy it while it lasts, and encouraging all our friends to come visit now. While they still can. Before misery becomes the status quo. I'm hoping we paid our dues last summer with the heat and all- but I'm not holding my breath.

Byron has been working a lot. He's gotten to be skin and bones! I try to feed him extra brownies and desserts when I can. Gotta make sure he gets his nutrients:) We've seen a few movies together- and hit the arcade with Dan and Kate. We're trying to decide where to go and what to do for vacation in a month. Suggestions and free lodging is welcome. Do we stay in TX and explore a new area or do we fly east for some family time?

We have started the process of hunting for a house- since our lease runs out in June. We found a realtor we like- but this house hunting stuff makes my head spin. There are so many decisions to make and ducks to align in a row. Sigh. It makes me want to just lie down and take a nap. I do get excited at times- but then I realize how much "stuff" needs to be done. I'm sure it's much worse for Byron. The last thing he wants to do when he gets home at night is drive around looking at houses. But so far- he's been a good sport. My strategy is to give him a brownie and a cup of coffee on the way out the door. That usually buys me at least an hour.

I also adopted a stray kitty. Well- sort of. I feed him every day. He's waiting for me every morning before work and he's sleeping on our doormat when I get home. he's sweet. he's sort of scruffy and always has stuff stuck in his fur or eye booggers on his face- but I like that he likes me. This is extra motivation to move into a house with a yard. I got to play with some piglets the other day and it made my desire for a little piggy of my own undeniable. So- one of my only "specs" for the house- is a fenced in backyard.

Other things that have just started up:

1. Softball with our sunday school class. We play downtown (YIKES) every tuesday night. Last nigh we had 25 people show up to play- which was a little difficult trying to get everyone in. Subs are necessary, but - hopefully- we won't all show up at once!

2. I was a judge at the local science fair with some co-workers. I judged the middle school girls botany. The kids were really cute. I really enjoy doing stuff like that- getting out in the community- and doing science stuff.

3. Volleyball with the Medical school: So- at the science fair- I met a few people who also work at the Health Science Center and they asked me to play on their team. We play every Thursday night on the sandcourts right outside my office! I'm excited for this. I see these teams playing all the time while I'm running on the track and I'm always tempted to ask if they need an extra.

4. Financial Peace University: Byron and I started taking a class offered at church called FPU. I'm mildly obsessed with Dave Ramsey and his talk radio show. I'm inspired to get out and stay out of debt. Hearing stories from regular people- climbing out of a mountain of debt, makes me believe we can do it too! FPU gives great advice, strategy, and TANGIBLE goals that keep the ball rolling. Gazelle forward as Dave would say. It's tough- and there are parts of the class I do NOT enjoy - but they are good training principles. After beginning the class- we have determined that I am indeed the "free spirit" in our family, while Byron is the "nerd". Yes- I know how to make a budget. I do not however, care to keep all my paper receipts on file for 7 years. I'm soooo not that into detail. I do not put my budget into excel each month,or color code my line items. Byron on the other hand is VERY organized and has everything played out to a T. But alas, I must learn to be more organized and pay better attention to detail. I do it everyday at work- why not in my budget?