Sic 'Em BU Homecoming

The weekend before my life got crazy with an event week was Baylor Homecoming!  Tegan was still with us, and Meg and Rich came back in town on Thursday evening.  It was fun to have them back in Waco for the weekend.

Tegan and Harley

The weather was nice, so our girls spent most of the weekend outside.

Kristen, Georgia, and Matt

On Friday, Megan's sister, brother-in-law, and niece came to Waco and stayed with us for a night.  It was fun to see them, and Georgia is so stinking cute!  She has grown a lot since the last time we saw her.

Friday night we headed to campus for the pep rally and bonfire. It was fun to be back on campus. 

Me and the hubs

Shay and me

We ended up getting to campus pretty early and found the library, that now has a Starbucks in it... new addition since our college days.  That's where we met up with Shay Bear and got warm drinks that took the chill off walking around before they lit the bonfire.

Me, Joey, Megan, Rich, and Shay

I enjoyed the music that the Golden Wave Band played at the pep rally... all the songs that I remember from the sideline when I cheered in college. Shay and Megan were laughing at me trying to make sure we didn't miss any of it.

Sic 'Em Baylor Homecoming 2011!

We Made It!

Last week was a pretty intense week with my big fall event for work on Thursday and Joey's first week of a new quarter.  We both worked A LOT of hours, and I am thankful that life is not that demanding all the time. 

It was a team effort at the Hance House last week.  Even Harley was trying to help (or she was just being ornery).  She kept laying on my black fabric that I was twisting with purple ribbon and lights to go around the Big Board.

Poor Joey, I think I only cooked once... We had take out, skillet meals, pizza, and he made breakfast one night.  It was yummy!  Our moms both came in town on Thursday for support and to attend the event.  I was so thankful to have them there.  I don't think I will ever be too old to feel comforted by my mom.  Megan even made the trip from Coppell.  I was very appreciative for the love and support.

The event was a raving success!  We had a sold out crowd and raised more than double what we raised at this event last year.  Everyone had a blast, and I had fantastic volunteer leaders that I could not be more thankful for. 

I am also quite thankful it is over!  After dreaming, planning, and working on this event for months, it was very rewarding to see it all come together.  It was a ton of work though.  I had a restful weekend and have scheduled a massage for next week.  Momma Hance won an auction package that included a 60 minute massage, and since it was in Waco, she gave it to me.  I am very much looking forward to it!!!  It's been years since I have had one, and my muscles are still aching from being tense and from all of the labor that goes into setting up and breaking down an event.  Thanks for the thoughts and prayers last week!  We are now post Signature Chefs Auction 2011 and it feels good. 

My Help

Have you had those weeks where just thinking about your responsibilities and the tasks you have to get done puts your stomach in knots?  I have one of those weeks coming up with a big event for work on Thursday.  The event will be our second-annual Signature Chefs Auction in Waco, and our large fundraiser for the fall.  We have worked hard on it for several months and most everything is falling into place, but there are many last-minute details that need to be accomplished this week.  I have had a lot of volunteer help, but being a one-staff-person office leaves a lot of room for me to pile the pressure on myself.  I want everything to be perfect and am ultimately the one that the responsibility falls on. 

I was reminded by a devotional from "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young this weekend that I am not alone. Here is an excerpt that I will probably come back to more than once this week:

Walk peacefully with Me through this day.  You are wondering how you will cope with all that is expected of you.  You must traverse this day like any other; one step at a time.  Instead of mentally rehearsing how you will do this or that, keep your mind on My Presence and on taking the next step.  The more demanding your day, the more help you can expect from Me.  This is a training opportunity, since I designed you for deep dependence on your Shepherd-King.  Challenging times wake you up and amplify your awareness of needing My help.

When you don't know what to do, wait while I open the way before you.  Trust that I know what I'm doing, and be ready to follow My lead.  I will give strength to you, and I will bless you with Peace.

I know this will be easier said than done, but here is what I will aim to focus on this week:

The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with Peace.
-Psalm 29: 11

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
-Psalm 121: 2

Even youths grow tired and weary; and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
-Isaiah 40: 30-31

Reunited

Harley has been Joey's buddy this week while he has been home studying.  She likes having him around during the day.  Here's a cute picture I got earlier this week.

Yesterday, Har was reunited with another buddy... Tegan is here to visit for the week!  Rich and Meg came in town to attend the fundraising gala for the organization that Megan works for last night.  BU Homecoming is this weekend, and they will be back in Waco for that, so we offered to let Tegan stay with us for the few days in between. 

They are having fun together!

It's a busy week for me with my big March of Dimes fall fundraiser coming up next week and Joey in the midst of finals, so we are glad Harley has a friend to keep her busy.  Only a couple more days until the weekend... and that means Baylor Homecoming and Joey being done with finals!  Woo hoo! 

New Addition

Harley is getting a little sister.... a four-legged one!


These will be the parents of our new husky girl. 

Momma is on the left and dad is on the right.

We have put down a deposit with Hero's Huskies, the breeder we got Harley from, for the first pick of a female in the litter from the parents above.  We hope to select a red and white husky girl from this litter that is due mid-November and will be ready to come home with us around Christmas.  We have been talking for awhile about getting another dog, and the timing of it all just fell into place.  Harley is so social and playful, and we think she needs a friend.  We call her the energizer bunny since she always wears other dogs out and will keep instigating because she wants to keep playing.  We are very excited about adding a second dog to our family and look forward to the funny stories about the two of them I'm sure we will share.

Happy Halloween

It's been a tradition since JW and I got married to carve a pumkin for Halloween.  This year has been busy, and I wasn't very enthused about the project.  But, last week Joey got our carving kit out and said it was a tradition, so he was taking a break from studying and we were going to make it happen. 

This little guy is called a Bugaboo in the book of patterns.  I think he turned out pretty cute.

Our front porch is ready for trick-or-treaters.  I just need to stop by the store today to stock up on candy.  I plan to buy the good stuff because last year we didn't have that many kids come by, so we were stuck with all of the leftover candy for a month... darn! :) 

Happy Halloween!

Light at the End of the Tunnel

Today marked the last class day of PC 1 & 2 for JW!  It's not over yet.  He will have a final this Saturday, and then two next week, on Tuesday and on Friday.  But around here we are celebrating that the evenings of reading and briefing an intimidating number of cases and rules to prepare for class the next day are over.  Don't get me wrong, school will by no means be a walk in the park for the remaining two quarters Joey has left, but from what we understand, the worst is behind us when this quarter is over next Friday. 

Joey came home today and put his last tally mark on the refrigerator.  He has been counting down, making a tally mark on our refrigerator for each day of PC this quarter that he accomplished.  I am proud, and I know he is, of those 47 tally marks.  Time after time I am reminded of my husband's character as I watch him through this challenging part of law school.  He is not interested in just getting by, simply passing, or not fully preparing for class with the hope that he just won't get called on.  He gives it his all, the same way he strives to do most things in life.  I am ready to have my hubby back though.  JW has done a great job trying to balance things, but I know it has been a challenge.  School has been all-consuming this quarter.  I think we can do anything for a season, but are certainly thankful this one is nearing its end.  Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and recognizing that in six more months JW will graduate is motivation for that final push. 

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
James 1: 2-4

Home Cooked Sunday: Fall Themed

Tonight our menu is fall inspired.  We had a couple of days this week that were pretty cool.  We even turned our air conditioning off for a few days, and it made me want to make a something warm that tastes like fall.  When I think about fall food, I picture stew slow cooking all day and filling the house with a delicious aroma, maybe a warm apple or pear cobbler, chili, root vegetables, squash, pumpkin, and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.  So, it's probably not quite cold enough to keep the air off and bundle up, but tonight we are going to crank up the air and enjoy some warm soup and a pumpkin infused dessert.  Fall will get here, even if it's just a few days between now and winter. :)

Menu
Dinner: Taco Soup and Corn Bread
Dessert: Pumpkin Cheesecake

Taco Soup

recipe adapted from one by Paula Deen

Ingredients

• 2 lbs. ground beef
• half of an onion, diced
• 1 (15.5 oz.) can pinto beans, drained
• 1 (15.5 oz.) can pink kidney beans
• 2 (15.25 oz.) cans whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 (14.5 oz.) can Mexican-style stewed tomatoes
• 2 (14.5 oz.) cans diced tomatoes
• 1-2 (14.5 oz.) cans tomatoes with green chiles (depending on how much spice you like.  I stuck with 1.)
• 1 (1.25 oz.) package taco seasoning mix
• 1 (1 oz.) package ranch salad dressing mix
• beef broth, to add moisture if needed
• Corn chips for serving
• Sour cream for garnish
• Grated cheese for garnish
• Chopped green onions for garnish

Directions

Brown the ground beef and onion in a large dutch oven, drain excess fat, then transfer back to pot or slow cooker.  Add the beans, corn, tomatoes, taco seasoning, and ranch dressing mix, and cook for 6-8 hours in a slow cooker or simmer for 1 hour in pot on the stove.  If the soup needs more moisture throughout cooking, add beef broth for desired consistency.  To serve, place a few corn chips in a bowl and ladle soup on top.  Top with desired garnishes. 

I also made corn bread to go with the soup.  This one is perfect for dunking!

Pumpkin Cheesecake

recipe courtesy of Paula Deen

Ingredients

Crust:

• 1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 stick melted salted butter

Filling:

• 3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 (15-ounce) can pureed pumpkin
• 3 eggs plus 1 egg yolk
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

For crust:
In medium bowl, combine crumbs, sugar and cinnamon. Add melted butter. Press down flat into a 9-inch spring form pan. Set aside.

For filling:
Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add pumpkin puree, eggs, egg yolk, sour cream, sugar and the spices. Add flour and vanilla. Beat together until well combined.

Pour into crust. Spread out evenly and place oven for 1 hour. Remove from the oven and let sit for 15 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours.

Happy Fall... even if we have to pretend it's cold outside and our leaves are changing colors!  This is the last week of law school classes before finals start, so prayers for JW and our other law school friends to finish strong are appreciated.

Blast from the Past

Joey turned 26 last Friday, but this week I was thinking... we have been in a relationship for 10 years!  This is going to be embarrassing, so prepare to laugh.

Emily lived down the street from Joey, so for his 16th birthday, we made JW a birthday cake at her house with a little car on it, and walked it down to his house.

Me, JW, Emily, Jennifer

This is also before we taught Joey how to smile in pictures. :)

I know... my hair was bad.  This was in the high school cafeteria.  I was a freshman and Joey was a sophomore, but had just transferred to Dulles from a private school.

Homecoming 2001

This Homecoming marked the official start of us becoming boyfriend and girlfriend.  Joey actually went to the dance with one of my friends, but dropped her off at home after the dance and came over to my house where my parents were cooking breakfast for a big group of us.  We started liking each other after we both had other dates to Homecoming, so it was a little complicated. :)

Homecoming 2002

Sadie Hawkins Dance 2002

Homecoming 2003

Prom 2003

Sadie Hawkins 2004

Momma Hance, JW, Me, Mom

Go Vikings!

December 2003

Joey holding my little brother, Hunter, after he was born.

2005

After a year of not dating during Joey's freshman year in college and my senior year of high school, the Baylor v. A&M Game my freshman year was the start of our relationship again... and the rest is history! 

I hope you got a kick out of this walk down memory lane.  I have made a big scrapbook of me and Joey's dating relationship through high school and college, so next time you're over, ask to see it.  If you thought this was funny, you'll be pretty entertained by it.

Hot Digity Dog

Waco got a dog park!  It is called the HOT Dog Park (Heart of Texas), and is actually not very close to us, but worth the drive to get some of our pup's energy out a couple times a week.  We have been wishing Waco had a dog park for some time now, so we are happy campers!  A vet close by donated the land, and a group of community members went through a pretty long process to get it going.  We are so thankful!   It's a beautiful fenced in park with lots of hills and trees, but there are Jurassic Park sized mosquitoes.  Being from Houston, we know skeeters, but I have never seen blood suckers this big!  We learned fast that bug spray was a necessity if we weren't going to be eaten alive.  It opened on Saturday, and tonight was our second visit.  Forgive the bad phone pictures...

Harley found a chocolate lab mix that reminded her of Tegan I think... they were buddies the whole time we were there. :)

Yea for new friends!

This water bucket was in the far corner of the park, but our pup found it.  And instead of getting a drink like all the other dogs, she jumped right in. 

She was a mess.... surprise, surprise.  But, at least she was a tired mess and very thankful we drove 20 minutes to let her play.