change will do you good

For those of my faithful readers that aren't familiar with BJ's tendency to appreciate change more than most, here's a quick update.

First, he's headed back to...

He'll start September 2nd, pending he passes the background check. This time, the job comes with totally different circumstances and everything has really fallen into place. So, as ironic as it sounds, we both truly believe it's a good thing.

And 2nd, he's held out for just over a year with his truck (which may very well be the longest stretch for him with a single vehicle). We just picked up this fun little toy in Denver...
As much as I love my 4Runner...I'm finding myself very envious of this bad boy! I think the 3rd change might be from his/hers vehicles to whoever sneaks out of the garage first!

happy anniversary springs!

'Twas this very day/night last year that we closed on our house in Amarillo and hit the road to Colorado Springs.
Perhaps this occasion isn't one that all our friends and family are likely to celebrate...but let us rejoice when we consider that TJ, Robin and Ginny are all still alive, breathing and functioning in spite of the distance!And while we (desperately) miss being close to our families, I am so grateful for the friends, opportunities and "growth" BJ and I have encountered and experienced this past year. C'mon... ya can't blame us for loving it here!

parenting

Our friends, Mark and Barb asked that BJ and I be their new baby's godparents. As of right now, this unborn baby is a boy named Hunter...I dunno if I'll fully commit to that until he meet "him" in October or thereabouts. At any rate, we're both more than honored to assume this role for our friends. We love them dearly and I love Hunter so much already. However, being raised in the Church of Christ (or generally non-denominational for those of you not in the Bible belt) I thought I'd better check around to see exactly what our responsibilities come with this title. And yes, I get all my info from Wikipedia.

Traditionally, the godparents were counted informally responsible for ensuring that the child's religious education was carried out and for caring for the child should he/she be orphaned.

Yikes! I was prepared (or as much as one can be, wishfully thinking that Mark and Barb will live forever) for the orphan part. But we're responsible for Hunter's religious education? That's a lot of pressure. Not that we aren't willing...we've just got some studying to do, I guess.

Ah, but keep reading...

The modern view of a godparent tends to be an individual chosen by the parents to take a vested interest in the child's upbringing and personal development.

...this I can absolutely handle.

I (we, but mostly me) am blessed to have so many babies of friends that I love like my own. Granted, none of their parents have asked me to be their children's religious educator. I'm going to assume it's only because they have actual blood-related ties to equally appropriate "candidates" rather than the fact that they don't trust me with their kids' safety and/or salvation. Regardless of any official title, I love my Keaghan (not a baby anymore), Jaxen, Meredith, Henry, Edie, Ryan, Anna Lee, Delton, Clare, Jane, Sydney, Eli and Hunter, not to mention our (so not babies) niece and nephews. I love them so much, I'm gonna refill my birth control again!

newest expense

Lookie what we got!! Air conditioning! And boy, it could not have come sooner...it was a blistering 70 degrees today...Since I'm lame enough to document this newest addition/luxury to our house, I figured I'd also snag a few photos of the yards. This is our feeble attempt at Xeriscape - \ˈzir-ə-ˌskāp, ˈzer-\a landscaping method developed especially for arid and semiarid climates that utilizes water-conserving techniques (as the use of drought-tolerant plants, mulch, and efficient irrigation). It'll fill in, right??
I had just finished watering...that's why the rocks are darker around the plants. [duh]
If I had Photoshop on this computer, I'd point out where stuff already died (or was eaten by rabbits). Maybe you can find the shriveling or just plain blank spots on your own...or don't. Also don't take notice of the grass...or lack thereof. We're still contemplating our battle plan for that. Perhaps a little late in the season, you say? [scoff]
This is my dern neighbor's yard. This picture doesn't come close to showing how beautiful it is. The words lush, bright and exotic instantly come to mind, not to mention the relaxing "tinkle" of the waterfall. Maybe I just need a Buddha statue and mine will look like that too?!

29 on the 29th

A quick thank you to all the folks that acknowledged my birthday with a card, phone call, gift, etc. I love you all dearly...especially the ones that sent gifts! :) Just kidding...kinda. I wish I was smart enough to somehow pass along the voice mail I received from Meredith Grace Moreland (who almost shares a birthday with me) it is really sweet and will likely be saved for a long time.
And speaking of folks that share birthdays...a shout out of some sort is in order to Cousin Megan, whose life I "ruined" on her 3rd birthday. Siggie Cara who I believe prefers to celebrate most similarly to me...with as little fanfare as possible. And JFK, Jr. may he rest in peace.

BJ got off a little easy this year, considering I purchased a fairly expensive purse a couple of weeks ago and told him that could be my gift. 'Cept don't forget I'm a brat and I sent him a link for a bracelet that I wanted...so I got that too. Perhaps the biggest surprise of all...was from my parents. No, it wasn't the little bunny garden statue (a homage to my previous post)...nor was it the Texas flag that I requested. It was the SIZE of the Texas flag!! I guess they thought it best to drape our entire house with it! Oh they do know me well...

(actual size)

survival of the fittest

Call us lame. Call us bleeding hearts. Call us weenies. We don't care. We love all the animals that live in our backyard and in the park just beyond our fence. We especially love Marshall. He is the baby bunny that lived under our deck and let BJ and me pretend he was our pet. BJ fed him cracked corn, carrots, ginger root...by fed, I mean BJ would scatter it on the ground and Marshall would cautiously creep out to eat it while we watched.

Much to my dismay, I came home from work, gas station, grocery store and Jun's for takeout only to find our sweet Marshall in our sweet Ruby's mouth.

I love that girl (and her sister) more than just about anything, so I don't think I was able to make my voice stern enough or point my finger stiffly enough to make her understand that it was NOT OK...especially when her ears lay down and her sad face breaks my heart. I mean, she's our little huntress, it's her nature, right? Dern Darwinism.

Alas, Marshall still resides under our deck because Ruby dropped him under the stairs and I don't have the cojones to go get him. In his memory there is a red solo cup emblazoned "MARSHALL" in black sharpie on our kitchen counter that will likely remain until the trash truck comes again next Wednesday.

it's that time of year again...

(click here to enlarge)Last year I sent a mass email to friends, family, acquaintances, etc. -- soliciting money for the CFF walk. This year, BJ and I won't be in Amarillo to participate but I wanted to be sure that you all know contributions are WELCOME! Considering how much we love Lance and the rest of his family, this "cause" is near and dear to our hearts. Janice is linked over there on the side or get in touch with me and I'll get you to her.