Another move

It seems like every time we go apartment hunting (which has been a lot the last few years) we always find the right place at the very last minute. This time was a little like the first time going to Dallas in that we were under a tight time crunch to catch our plane, so we got a little nervous in the end, but found just the right place. We had about 5 realtors working with us and we saw a lot of cool and crazy places. We were really experiencing culture shock the first day because we have never lived back East and it is definately different than anything we have ever experienced.
This is not our house...just the capitol. We totally forgot our camera but we will take pictures as soon as we move to share them with you.

This is West Hartford Center, about 4-5 blocks from our new place, its a really fun place with plently of shops and bistros. If we want to fit in we are going to have to buy some fancy trench coats and scarves...I'm sure that can be arranged.

Like other cities on the East coast, Hartford is very unique and old. Most of the homes and buildings were built pre-1920, and since most of the land has been "spoken for" in the cities you won't find many big box stores or fast food franchises unless you drive outside the city limits. There are little markets and "mom and pop" shops and restaurants everywhere, and lots of colorful big houses and red brick buildings. We will live in a very safe and fun area in West Hartford on the 2nd floor of a HUGE house. Part of our apartment includes an unfinsihed 3rd floor attic that is the size of the entire 2nd floor. I am crossing my fingers the movers can get everything up our little stairs because its a tight squeeze. One of the big shocks for Joni was the lack of closet space in the places we looked at, and it is nearly impossible to find a two bedroom apartment with more than one bathroom. We found one of the few apartments in Hartford with carpet, we loved the wood floors everywhere but we preferred the place we found that has been totally renovated.

So we are off again to a place that couldn't be more different than Texas, it kind of makes us wonder where life will take us next after our short stint in Hartford (we'll be there for a little over a year). We're excited to see more of the country as we take the 30 hour trek to get to Connecticut, and we are hoping to see Melecia and family on the way in Virginia...as long as Joni and I haven't killed each other by then. For now we are just excited to be going to Utah and Idaho for Christmas. As always, we love playing host, so let us know if you ever want to stay at our place for a visit back East, we are two hours from New York and Boston but we just know you would only be coming to see us...right?

Congrats to Joni for finishing up her job, today was her last day!

Congratulations PAUL!

Here are a few pictures from Paul's graduation this weekend. I'm proud to be married to a two-time Aggie! Above is a picture of Paul and his study pals - they were nick named "the marrieds" among the students in the H.R. program. Its going to be hard to leave all the friends we have made here in Bryan/College station, but are also excited to move on to a new chapter in our lives.

Congratulations Paul, you did it!!!

JONI

Two miracles happened last night.

1) It snowed in College Station, Texas

2) The world didn't end, and nothing in the town shut down because of the snow

This picture is not Texas snow but since its the only real snow we've been around the last three years then it'll have to do for now.

I would have taken pictures but it would be kind of embarrassing. There was enough, however, to be able to make a good quick snowball. Dilly's first "experience" in the snow involved a tail between the legs (more like a little "nub" facing downwards) and intense sniffing inspections, as she bounced over the stuff like it was hot coal. Once inside she bolted into the bedroom and hid under the sheets where Joni was still sleeping, I can't wait to see what she does in Connecticut.

So, I am done with school. My week has been filled with finishing one book, starting another, playing basketball, playing video games, and talking on the phone with about ten different people to try and set up appointments to see apartments and houses. Friday morning we will go see President Bush speak (there have been secret agents all over town checking things out) and Friday night I get my diploma...wierd. I'm realizing how much I look "down the road" in the life. I'll think about how I can't wait to go back to school, then how I can't wait to graduate, then how I can't wait to start a job, when I should really be focusing more on making myself happy right now. I know a lot of people would die to be in my position right now doing what I'm doing with my free time, I just need to soak it all in and enjoy it while it lasts. I feel very blessed to have a job lined up, and stressed for friends who don't.

So with the soaking it all in comes soaking in the Christmas season. I remember some of the best Christmas' I have ever had were the best because of what I did BEFORE Christmas. I'm not just talking about watching Christmas movies (which is the best) or decorating the house, but getting out to provide service. I'm glad I have parents and friends who have taught me the importance of service, especially during this time of year. Sometimes I wait to hear in church what service is needed, other times you can find it on your own. Some of the most memorable experiences in my life were helping at the soup kitchen, singing at nursing homes, going caroling, or picking a family to help out on Christmas. Its hard to get out there at first because it can be outside our "comfort zone", but it quickly becomes worth it. Everything becomes less exhausting when we remember what and who we are doing it for. How did this turn into a sermon?

I want to hear your best Christmas story. Lets inspire some people with our blogs to make this Christmas the best one yet. Maybe we can inspire someone who normally wouldn't get out there and volunteer, to do so. The more Christmas spirit out there the better, it will help us understand the true meaning of it all instead of arguing about whether or not to use the word "Christmas". God bless us everyone...not bahhh humbug! (it only seemed fitting to say that...with an English accent of course).

I am still cursing myself for not bringing my camera this week to Joni's colonoscopy...okay that sounds wierd, not for the actual procedure, but for the part when she's on drugs and still coming out of it (She's okay by the way, all systems are a go...no pun intended).

Joni always had the upperhand on me because I am such a lightweight with drugs, they make me really crazy and really sick...little did she know she is the same way. When we have kids I feel for them if they have to go through any type of procedure under any type of drug, cause there's officially no hope now. So picture this, imagine Joni trying really hard to keep her eyes open and frowning constantly in confusion because every time she talks her speech is slurred. For some reason she thinks that licking her lips will help her talk faster but it doesn't. So I figured I'd give away our Christmas presents a little early this year and explain to you some of the things Joni said and did while on drugs, here we go in no particular order:

To the nurse (this was a first for her): (Joni pointing to the curtain next to her bed) "which one of those colors is your favorite? Mine is somewhere between the yellow and the green" (She asked this question 3 times).

"I've got a great idea for a movie...it involves a man...and he goes to work...(she dozes off)"

(After I kissed her on the cheek) "Woah...I thought you were a grizzly bear coming out of hibernation to eat a reindeer"

(As I am looking for her bag of clothes) "Wierd...I thought we were at the grocery store and you couldn't find the carrots"

For the first time ever Joni was afraid to pass gas which is exactly what you are supposed to do after a colonoscopy, so the doctor comes in and as he is talking to us Joni lets out a ten second long squeaker and just uses the little barf pail to fan away the smell while she's still passing gas.

Later on the lights are a little bright for her, so she puts the barf pail over her face to shield her eyes from the light.

I got out my phone to take a short video of her and she acts really confused and won't stop asking what I am doing until I hold up the phone to take a picture...she gives me a half smile and says "howdy", then looks confused again.

I think for me the best part was just watching her different facial expressions as she was coming in and out of consciousness trying to talk. I placed a cold cloth on her head and over her eyes so she didn't have to use the barf pail anymore, but then she forgot it was there and was desperately trying to see what was going on in the room without removing the cloth from her eyes.

I guess in the end we're pretty thankful that everything is okay so we can look back on the whole experience and have a good laugh. I'd love to hear some "coming out of surgery stories", so consider yourselves all "tagged" to tell your best one. I'm looking forward to it.

On the way home I told her everything she said and she was laughing pretty hard, but then she didn't remember any of it an hour later. So now its on record, kids, don't do drugs.

Thanksgiving '08

For the first time in a long time we went to Colorado to see family there and enjoy a little Thanksgiving madness, its been 4-5 years since we visited Longmont. We played some football and managed not to have anyone end up seriously injured or dead...which is good. We did a lot of "hanging out" and had a lot of fun just laughing, playing games, talking, and eating leftovers. I wish my dad could have been in the picture with his goofy tall hat but I guess someone had to take the picture. A lot of people were getting over some bad colds so it was a bit of a sick-fest, but nothing like the puke-fest we had a couple years ago in Ashton.

Ryan's wife Ali has a fun little program on her computer that distorts your face and makes you look really creepy, we had a lot of fun playing with it, but apparently its just as fun to watch how people react to the different faces.

We all went around the table to mention what we were thankful for before stuffing our faces, and we managed to smile after feeling uncomfortably full.
And how would a trip to see family be complete without playing a few video games?

It was so refreshing for us to be with loved ones and it made us a little sad that we are moving even further away from family soon. We really enjoyed being with everyone and it was a little strange being with so many people during the holidays without a single kid or baby in sight. Sometimes all the attention is given to little kids (and rightfully so cause they're cute) but it was nice to focus on each other and get to know each other better. Having said that, we are really excited to see our beautiful neices and nephews soon. Great, I probably just got myself in trouble with that one. I love little kids...I also love "adult time".

This is pretty much my last week to crack down on school to try and salvage my current GPA. It has gone by so fast and its still hard to believe its all coming to an end...and that I'll actually be a Master of something. I'm trying to do that, having started 2 different John Grisham books that I don't want to put down. Its great to be back home and with our little Dilly, she went berzerk (spelling?) when we picked her up. We are happy to have had a wonderful Thanksgiving and we are looking forward to Christmas soon.