4th of July

Ready to go to the firework display on the 4th of July.

Confession of a Food Snob

If you know me, I am a bit of a food snob. Well, not really. But I do get a bit fussy if I don't get green vegetables for several days. And I generally refuse to partake in gas station food, particularly Allsup's burritos...I would rather starve.

Then on vacation, thanks to Jeremy's desire to eat every couple of hours, a magnificent discovery was made...Stripes convenience stores with a Taco Company. These tacos/burritos were yummy to the point that we went out of our way a couple of times in search of another one and basically ate lunch before lunch on one occasion. Yummy still to the point that we looked for more on our way home (Stripes are common but Stripes with a Taco Company seem to be less so) and Josh called us with the exciting news when they found one near Lubbock this past weekend.

So if you drive by a Stripes with a Taco Company in your near future, I recommend paying them a little visit. Coming from a sort of food snob, it will be worth your while.

Sea World 2010

In addition to the beach, we also made a stop in San Antonio where we had dinner and purchased this little Mexican dress for Abby. She chose red because she thinks that Gran is going to find my pink and turquoise ones from when I was a little girl. Hmmm...

But the real reason for stopping was to go to Sea World. It was soooo much fun, and may have honestly been our favorite part of the whole trip, especially if you could have heard Abby's enthusiastic remarks throughout the day.

"I took my picture with Shamu. Awesome!" (the chosen adjective for the whole trip)

"Mama, take a picture of every animal. I want to remember them ALL." Oh, and did you know that one of the whales had a baby back in January? It came out with its mama during the show, keeping us enthralled the whole time. No picture though.

"This is so fun. This is so fun. This is so fun!" She actually said this after sliding in the waterpark but she also liked feeding and petting the dolphins. A couple of other highlights from the day included riding Journey to Atlantis enough times to make me halfway sick and seeing the show, "Believe."

Beach Pictures

When our lives were just crazy and not super crazy, we went on vacation. Abby Grace has never been to the beach so that is where we went, to Port Aransas. We had a fantastic time playing in the ocean, catching sea creatures, wiggling our toes in the sand, and just hanging out with our friends, the Josh Damron and Wayland Damron families. While we were there, we had a photographer take beach pictures of us, and a few of them are now posted on her BLOG. And because I know you want to see, I am sharing the link.

www.aleighphotography.blogspot.com

Her pictures speak volumes when it comes to her talent, but I will throw in that her personality and ability to handle kids in the sand was equally impressive.

Lastly, I am still hoping to get vacation snapshots posted soon, along with 4th of July pics and a move update.

Hamlin Pied Pipers

Yes, I have been absent for a while; we have been busy. Let's see, I graduated, took (and passed) the NAPLEX, went on vacation (a post on that to hopefully follow soon), and took the law exam today. But that is not all! We are moving to Hamlin!!

I know...I know...you have questions.

Where in the world is that? Well, it is near Abilene, but more importantly, near Stamford. If you know us, that is significant as Jeremy is from Stamford and my parents are from Stamford/Sagerton and make frequent trips back there.

Why are you moving there? It all happened very quickly, basically within the last week. Jeremy interviewed for, was offered, accepted, and was approved by the board for the head baseball position there.

When do you move? Not sure yet. We are in the process of putting our house on the market and signing a contract on a house in Hamlin.

That is all the questions you get to ask for now, as our house goes on the market tomorrow and I have much cleaning and straightening to do. But I might let you ask a few more later...

Finally, I apologize for the impersonal nature of our announcement. I hope to get a few phonecalls made, to tell you what you already know, in the next few days!!

Dr. Laura Kate Mueller

What an amazing, surreal, and emotional weekend it has been! I graduated from pharmacy school!! But it really wasn't just me. On many levels, my family and friends also graduated with me as they have been by my side every step of the way. Therefore, my graduation weekend festivities were made that much more special because Jeremy and Abby, Mom and Daddy, and Larry and Susan were all able to attend them with me. I will keep the actual graduation details brief (Luncheon and Hooding Ceremony on Friday and Graduation on Saturday), but I am going to include a slideshow of some of the great pictures that were taken and tell a story that I have been crying over for 2 days now.

Slideshow:

Story:

After I left the hotel for graduation on Saturday morning, Abby wanted to get me a present, so Jeremy and his parents took her to Wal-Mart to pick something out. If you can see the necklace (and earrings) in this picture you can see what she chose. If you know me, you know that it really is not my style but you will soon see why I will cherish (and wear) it. Upon my opening it, Abby was just beaming...and talking 100 mph. So I got down on her level and asked her what she was needing to tell me. She said, "Mama, your friends got necklaces yesterday and they never called your name. I wanted you to have one like your friends to wear for graduation. See (pointing to the pendant), it is like theirs." She was referring to those in my class who had received honors and were presented with medallions. I don't think she could have given me a more special or thoughtful gift. And according to Jeremy, they tried to get her to switch to about 6 other necklaces, but she would have nothing to do with such; she knew exactly what she wanted!

Oh, and one other thing, Abby also kept telling me all weekend, "Mama, you dance good on stage." Ha!

4 Year Well Check

Abby Grace went to the pediatrician today for her 4 year check-up. She weighs 37 1/2 pounds (75%) and is 41 1/2" tall (90%). One thing about it, she is consistent with her percentiles! I was a little sad, though, as we traded head circumference in for blood pressure this year. I guess that is what comes with growing up. Overall, she got a great report, and 3 immunizations, a few tears, and a lot of "OWIEs" later, we were off to the new play area at church to play.