Shout Out

This post is a shout out to Dwight and Lauri, Nick's mom and her husband! First, we want you all to see what the Houston Chronicle recently had to say about Dwight. They were very complimentary, and you can see the article here:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/robertson/5856821.html

Dwight and Lauri just got back form a trip Dwight led to the Holy Land. Lauri sent us some great mementos from their trip - thanks! Tonight I tried the Dead Sea mud body mask. I thought a self-pampering night was in order since I've got to wait up until after midnight for Nick's plane to land. My bathroom is a bit messy now, but my skin feels so soft! I can't wait to try the bath salts, but I'm going to wait until I get in my big garden tub in the new apartment. Thanks for the gifts, you two, and we are so glad that y'all are enjoying your new life together!

Nicholas' Travels

Unlike Gulliver, Nick may not be headed to the land of the liliputians. However, it feels like he's been about everywhere else this year, and he's off on another trip today. In case you're counting, here's the roadtrip rundown since November 07:
3 weeks in Omaha, Nebraska
8 weeks in San Angelo, TX
1 week in Washington DC
2 weeks in Death Valley, CA
And now he's off to spend the week in Tampa. We'll see what voyages August brings.

Nick told me a sweet story a few days ago that I should have posted for July 4th, but sorry, I didn't. Here it is now, maybe you can still enjoy its patriotic spirit. Now, you know we don't get misty at our house over patriotic stuff, but I thought this was heart-warming and a validation that the sacrifices we make, like when Nick is gone as often as he is home, are appreciated.

This story happened to Nick when he was in transit to California. He was walking through the airport, rushing to make a connection when a little hand shot out into his path holding a piece of paper. He tried to walk past it, but the girl to whom the hand belonged called out to him. Still thinking that he had misunderstood, Nick paused a minute and then kept walking. The girl then walked up to Nick, placed the piece of paper in his hand, and walked back to her seat. Continuing toward his gate Nick opened up the piece of paper and was touched by what he saw. The note read "Thanks for everything you do, from a free thirteen-year-old girl."

Isn't that sweet? People like her make it a pleasure to serve.

4th of July

This independence day the Hall family showed our patriotism by stimulating the economy. We headed up to the Southpark Mall in Charlotte, NC to pick up a few things for Mark and Lauren's wedding weekend.

Fin did not enjoy all the fireworks. He spent the night cowering like this:

Happy Saturday everyone!

5 Weeks To Go!

Well, I did it. I survived the Summer I semester. To do this I had to turn in an original short story, design my ideal college, and complete a comparative organizational analysis by midnight last night. Fortunately it didn't take me quite that long, and I finished up yesterday at 3pm. It feels so good to be done! Now I'm really in the home stretch. I'll still be working full-time, split between Parents Programs and the History department, but since I'll be completing a practicum and and independent study for Summer II I won't be spending any time in the classroom. Phew! (Incidentally this means that I won't be spending any more time in the classroom before I am awarded my M.Ed on August 9th - crazy!)

Today Nick and I are celebrating with a shopping trip to Charlotte to buy clothes for Mark and Lauren's wedding weekend. We'll try to post some more pictures ASAP. We hope you're all enjoying a relaxing Fourth of July!

It's Official!

It's official. Today I registered for my last class in the HESA program. I'll be finishing up on August 9 of this year instead of December. Hooray! I'll be doing official graduation/hooding exercises in May since my program only "hoods" once a year. I'll post some pictures then.

News Brief

Ok, I still don't have time to write a long post - I've got 3, count 'em, 3 papers due Thursday - but I do want to update you on what's been happening.

1) This month Nick's spent a week at Langley AFB and 2 weeks at a base in California (more on that will follow)

2) I got to visit Texas for Lauren't Waco shower at the Brophys house. Here's a pic:

I had a blast hanging out with my family (thanks Mom and Dad!) and also a big thanks to Bec who came in for the weekend. We absolutely don't get to hang out enough, but I loved the time we did get to spend together!!!

3) I also got to be in Texas for Father's Day, and got to have brunch at Ridgewood with my dad and grandad. Nick and I gave Dad a bottle of Hall Cabernet Sauvignon - couldn't pass it up! I hope you've already enjoyed that bottle, but if you haven't do it soon!

4) OK, so here's the thing with Nick going to California. He was supposed to leave on Sunday at 6am. He left on Tuesday at 6 am. A combination of rolled flights, canceled flights, delayed flights, and engine trouble added up to a total of 7 trips to the airport on my part and Nick making the final trip in a cab. When he finally got to California, two whole days late, his suitcase did not follow. It did not follow on Wednesday, or on Thursday. In fact, we'd started claims proceedings for a lost suitcase when the suitcase finally arrived in California the next Wednesday, mysteriously full of leaves. Hmm. At least he got his clothes back.

5) My friend and supervisor Anna had her baby boy! Check him out on her blog: www.annamcleod.blogspot.com I met him Thursday and he is too precious for words!

6) Last night Nick started playing on a soccer team. It doesn't seem to matter to him that it's in the Latino Amarillo league, nor should it. However, it was a bit hard for him to take directions from his coach in Spanish. We'll have to work on that since he intends to play out the rest of the season with the team at his coach, Angel's, invitation. Don't even get me started on how he found the team. It was pure Nick.

So now you're pretty much caught up. Hope you're all having a good weekend!

I'm Coming Back Soon...I Promise!

I know it's been two and a half weeks since my last post. I'm sorry! I work 7am-5pm MWF and 7am-8pm (including class) on T Th, and when I'm not at work/in class I'm reading or writing for class. I'm hoping to get some time this weekend to catch up, but until then...I loved seeing so many of you in Waco. It felt so good to be home for a bit!

Also, on a sidenote, please pray that United Airlines will find Nick's suitcase. He's been in California for a full week now, without clothes, because they have lost his baggage. I'll give you the whole story when I have time. I wish everyone a wonderful week!