Saturday, June 28, 2008

Why spellcheck will never replace editors...

A sign spotted on the door to my apartment complex workout room:

We apologize for the incontinence; our office will be closed Saturday, June 28, 2008.

Monday, June 23, 2008

Yummy Cake and Mexico

Good choice, readers! The cake was delicious. However, after I chose it, I heard from several readers who said they liked the chocolate one but just didn't vote. I think you all learned an important lesson: make your voice heard! :)

I was gone June 12-18 on a mission trip to Mexico with my church in Waco. It was a really great trip. We divided into two groups and went to two churches each. While the adults attended seminars, we entertained the kids. All of the kids are always so sweet, and they were so excited to get their bubbles and boxes of crayons. One day, we got to take the kids from Casa Sonrisa (a children's home) to the park. That is always one of my favorite activities. Even though most of the kids I had gotten to know in previous years were no longer there, I made friends with some new ones.

My Spanish wasn't too bad, but I could definitely tell I hadn't used it in a while. By the end of the week, it was getting much easier. I really need to try harder to practice regularly.

I really love the Mexico trip. I hadn't gone on the trip in four years, although I did spend six weeks in Torreon three years ago. I decided to make it a priority to go in the future. It is so fun to see the same people at the churches year after year, and I love being able to talk to the kids in Spanish. Also, it was great to spend time with my mom and brother. (My dad was supposed to go, but he ended up having to go on a business trip instead).

Here are a few pictures from the week. I couldn't find my camera charger, so I don't have that many, but that seems to be the story of my life.


Me sliding with a girl from Casa Sonrisa. I fell at the bottom!


My mom, brother, and I with Juan and Marta Meza (the preacher and his wife). My mom and Marta are so alike. They love each other so much, even though mom doesn't speak Spanish, and Marta doesn't speak much English. It's really sweet.


My brother painting a room in the preschool Marta is about to open. I could not show the picture of me painting because I looked so gross! Painting in a non-airconditioned building in 100-degree heat does NOT agree with me.

All in all, it was a great trip, but I was sure ready to see Darby when I got back! It was hard being apart for a week. I think he had the worst of it since he was stuck in Abilene all alone working. I appreciate him for being so supportive of me pursuing my interests. He really encouraged me to go, even when I got nervous about being apart for so long. I am a lucky girl! I got to spend a week in Mexico and was able to come home to my wonderful husband, 2 more days off work, and birthday presents!

Friday, June 20, 2008

And the winner is...

Raspberry White Chocolate Cake! Thanks for your votes. They helped a lot. I will be eating the cake in just a few hours, so I'll report back. I'll also blog about my trip to Mexico. But there's no time now. I've got celebrating to do!

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Decision 2008

Okay, all you blog readers (all 2 of you!), I need your help. I have a very important decision to make, and I can't do it alone.

I need to decide what cake I want my mom to make me for my birthday. I know, I know, it sounds kind of silly, but believe me, I have thought about this a lot. I LOVE dessert , so this is a big decision. There are so many cakes that sound good to me, but I don't make cake very often because I don't want to end up eating the whole thing by myself. So my birthday is an opportunity to enjoy really good cake without guilt. Here are the ones I'm thinking about. Leave me a comment letting me know what you would pick.

1. Raspberry White Chocolate Cake



2. Chocolate Banana Cream Cake



3. Caramel Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting



Thanks for your help! :)

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Happy "Birthiversary" to Me and Darby

This weekend, Darby and I celebrated our birthdays and one-year anniversary all at once. It's a little early for all those things, but Darby was in a wedding in Dallas, so we wanted to take advantage of the fact that we were already there. We stayed at the DFW Hyatt Regency, which is where we stayed on our wedding night. It's a great hotel, but we did have one complaint. Their cable doesn't include TLC!! (Somehow, we didn't notice that on our wedding night; I guess that's a good thing!) But, now that we're an old married couple (haha), watching "Flip That House" is one of the things Darby and I look forward to most on vacations. From now on, we're going to have to get a cable listing from any hotel before we make reservations!

On Saturday night, we went to Medieval Times (Darby's birthday pick). Darby had been a couple of times when he was a kid, but I had never been at all. It was a lot of fun. The show was pretty cheesy, but the food was good, and we had fun cheering for our knight. The funny thing was that our guy must have been new because he kept losing all the contests. It was hilarious! Darby commented that Medieval Times wasn't quite as fun as he remembered it being when he was 10. :) Gee! Who'd have guessed?

On Sunday, Darby took me shopping at Grapevine Mills mall. What a sweetheart! He waited patiently while I tried on the whole Ann Taylor Factory Store. I got several cute shirts, including some button-down shirts. (If you know me, you know that is a huge victory). Darby also got some nice-looking polos at Old Navy. I love how when guys need a new wardrobe, they can just go out and buy six of the same shirts in different colors. Perhaps I'll get there soon. (See this post). That night we went to The Melting Pot fondue restaurant (my pick). If you ever get a chance to go, you should. It's pretty pricey, but such a fun atmosphere, and the food is great! We were both so full when we got out of there.

The whole weekend was absolutely wonderful. Darby and I had so much fun reminiscing about our wedding day and thinking about all of the great memories we've shared since then. I am constantly reminded what a blessing it is to be married to my best friend. I enjoy all the time I spend with him, even when we're just hanging around the house, but it sure is nice to be able to get out and enjoy the "high life" for a weekend.

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Summertime!!

Well, summer has officially begun. We've had two days of 100-degree heat. I always forget how hot it can get! But that's okay, because I LOVE SUMMER!! Here are just a few of my favorite things about the season:
1. Swimming - Darby and I love going to our apartment pool, when we can manage to find a time that it's not swamped with kids. I think I am the only young woman who actually likes to swim, though. Anytime I see girls my age out there, they are just laying out. Don't even get me started on how dumb that is. I even see people using tanning oil, which is crazy with all we know about skin cancer. Ladies, pale is pretty! Repeat that 10 times. (Unless you are dark-skinned naturally; that's pretty, too).
2. Long days. I love that it's still light at 9 p.m. It helps this old lady stay up until a reasonable hour.
3. Mint Mocha Chip Frappuccino at Starbucks - After three long years, it's finally back! However, I don't like that they put chocolate whipped cream on it now. Whipped cream should be white! Just like my skin :)
4. Cajun Cones! When Darby and I go walking, we stop and get a sno cone and then keep walking. We burn the calories as we consume them; that's how we keep our trim figures. It's all about equilibrium.
5. Weddings. For the past three years, every summer has been dominated by wedding stuff. 2 years ago, I was in Whitney's and Kalyn's weddings. Last year was my wedding, of course, and this year is Darby's turn to be in 3 weddings. I have always loved going to weddings, and it's even more special to me now that I've made that commitment myself. Plus, it's a great chance to see friends who have scattered for the summer.