Going Blue

Our blog is going blue for the next week. I think you know why.

Sing your praise to the Lord!

So, Nick and I have decided to join our church choir. We both like to sing so it wasn't a totally foreign idea for us to begin with, but when I mentioned to my friend Kelly, whose mom just happens to be the music director for our church, that a song the choir had sung one Sunday morning was a piece Nick and I had learned for All Region auditions in high school, we were recruited. Tonight was our first practice, and we had a blast. Look out for more to come from our adventures in church choir!

In additional news, we'll be officially joining our church at the end of next month. Woo hoo! Posts are slow now, and I apologize, but I've hit my busy season at work. Bear with me, and I'll come up with a good picture or two in the next few days.

Last, we really do have a big praise to sing. We were able to pay off Nick's first college loan this month!!! It wasn't a big one, but it's the first one, and it feels like a big milestone.

This is just embarassing

A shortened version of this story appeared in the Daily Gamecock today, our campus newspaper. I am so embarassed for my alma mater! If you haven't already, read it here: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/15/education/15baylor.html?hp. I will spend the rest of the day hanging my head in shame. Ugh.

PS If you don't have time to read the whole thing, it's basically saying that Baylor paid freshmen to re-take their SAT's, some think in order to boost the US News and World Report ranking. Boo.

Fall is here!

Today was a great fall day here in Columbia! Finlay and I woke up early to volunteer at our church's pumpkin patch. Finlay was the portrait of perfection - he got compliments on his behavior all morning!

Afterward Finlay went to Diva Dogs for a little grooming and I went shopping. I got our dining table all ready for fall. Enjoy the pictures!

It sounds like Nick should be coming home on Monday night so keep your fingers crossed. Have a great Saturday everyone and Sic 'Em Bears!!

Voting Absentee

Mom, our conversation tonight inspired me. I've just downloaded my absentee ballot request from McLennan County. I always wondered who actually did those, especially during the 2000 elections when I was glued to MSNBC and they kept talking about waiting for all of the military absentee ballots to come in. Well, now I'm doing it!
I don't think it will be much of a surprise to any of you that I will be voting for Barack Obama, and I'm aware that my little blue voice will probably be drowned in Texas' big red tide, but if I didn't submit my vote I wouldn't be doing my civic duty. Although I declared democrat on my application (Daddy, I can hear you cringing) I'm still an independent at heart, and will be trying to read up on the other candidates in other races in McLennan County and Texas. Your help (links, etc.) would be greatly appreciated! I do intend to be an informed voter.

More Chicago Pictures

I'm home safe and sound from Chicago! Here are a few more pictures from the conference.

Lauren, Dana, and I near our hotel.

Fabulous dessert at House of Blues Friday night. I shared it with Chris and Veronica!

Picture Time!

I'm in Chicago this week at the NACADA conference (national academic advising association), and I've got a few pictures to show you! Now, I know this is a lot of me, but Nick told me today that he's been checking the blog for pictures so please indulge me for his sake. By the way, all is well in Qatar, aside from the fact that he's sleeping in a shipping container. Please continue to pray for his comfort, his stamina, and his safe return in a few weeks.

Spouses get-together Tuesday night. We made pottery!

At the top of the John Hancock building - Chicago skyline.

Close-up of me and tall buildings!

Melissa - world's greatest supervisor - and I getting some deep dish pizza at Gino's East!