O-o-o-o-oklahoma

The wind didn't seem to sweep down the plain too much whilst I was enjoying my Girls Reunion this past weekend. Too bad, or I might've tried to use that as an excuse when the nice police officer pulled me over for speeding.

I've only received 2 tickets in my life, and both have happened in Edmond. The first was at 15th & Bryant during finals week my junior year in college. The other was this past Friday at 15th & Santa Fe as I was on my way to Mandy's so we could leave for dinner. My excuse? I REALLY had to pee. Surprisingly, the officer wasn't the least bit interested in my explanation. Alas and alack....

And yeah, I was thinking I might need to avoid 15th in the future, too. Dara and Mandy, any interest in moving? :)

hmmm...

I know I haven't updated my blog in a month, but it kind of puts me out that Blogger goes around telling everyone so matter-of-factly: "Variety is the Spice of Life - 4 weeks." Not much variety, eh?

Here's a recap of some of our latest and greatest:

- How many Blankinship kin can you fit under one roof at the same time? Here's a hint: roughly the same number of clowns can be packed into a circa 1964 VW Bug.

-We've done lots around the house lately. Replacing the carpet has rivaled the interior paint job as "the most dramatic rose ceremony...er, home updating project...yet."

- I took a great group to Camp Impact! This was definitely the busiest I've ever been at camp, so please accept my apologies if you were hurt/offended/etc. by my not getting to see you. I was hurt/offended/etc. by it too!

- I had the deluxe edition of a stomach virus last week. I was wanting a vacation, but a week stuck on the couch and/or toilet isn't exactly the luxury retreat I was after. I'm just keeping it real, folks. And no, "stomach virus" was not code for "morning sickness." There is no bun in this oven. But thanks for asking.

Warm Fuzzy

So I just have to tell you that I absolutely love the kiddos at church. We started our new summer series, SUPER U, this week for our K-5th graders. We had such a blast and I was so excited to see the kids soaking in their memory work, getting the point, etc. And then Becky and I filled in with the 4th & 5th graders in their small group time. We're having the kids do prayer cards each week this summer, and their teachers are committed to praying for them weekly. Well I just read my kids' cards and am so touched by their tender little hearts. It's a great reminder of how powerful a child-like faith can be!

And speaking of awesome kiddos, I'm also pumped to have Reed and Cassidy here among throngs of other Blankinship kinfolk. Note to self: take some pictures!

Do you...

... change your shampoo and conditioner regularly so your hair doesn't become "immune" to its effects? How often?

... ever forget other people are around and can actually see you do the weird things you do when you think nobody's watching? Like what?

... use q-tips even though your ears allegedly clean themselves? Me too!


Just checking!

Recap: Anniversary

We celebrated our first anniversary by taking a little weekend trip.  We stayed at Floy Farm, a little ranch in Flatonia where we went quail hunting.  That's right.  I said WE went quail hunting.  In the name of trying to spend a little quality time with my darling husband, I agreed to try my hand at quail hunting.  Pictured are the flowers Mark got for me, along with our cake topper that we actually ate a piece of (Jayna, that was for you!), 

Mark and me with our "loot" -- 11 of 20 birds, 

and me with the first of two birds I managed to shoot myself (we were both shocked).  

After our stay at FF, we went to La Grange where we stayed at Brendan Manor, a quaint little B&B.  That was definitely my part of the trip -- jacuzzi tub, long nap, no agenda, etc.  All in all, it was a great weekend.  Time has really flown, but I am so grateful to have spent it with Mark.  He is a wonderful, caring husband and I am so blessed to have him!

What?!

How is it that 3 months have passed since my last entry? I must be having lots of fun because time sure is flying.

We've been plenty busy these past few weeks with our trip to see Team Blankinship in FL, Mark having back surgery (he's doing great -- starting PT this week), David and Debbie coming down to see us and help over Easter weekend, a trip to Dallas to see the King Tut exhibit with David and Debbie and Grandma Jane, and plenty of other things too. Not that Becky reads this, but I owe her a shout-out for helping me work on the back yard for 7 hours on Saturday. Thanks! (And Morg, the "shout-out" part was for you. I know you're fond of it.)

Pics to come...you know, if anyone is still reading this thing.

4

Kimberly (or Kim Berly, as it says in Mark's phone) tagged me to post the 4th picture in the 4th folder. Here it is, a collage from Mandy & Matt's wedding:

I think I'm supposed to tag 4 people, so.... MANDY, MORGANDI, MYRA, and MAEGAN -- go for it! (And yes, I'm going to gloss right over the fact that I haven't posted in almost 2 months and act like it's no big deal. Thanks for asking.)

tagged

Well, I was in desperate need for an update and it seems at least three of my dear friends agreed and thus tagged me in this game of Crazy 8's. Here goes:

8 Shows I Watch:
- Project Runway
- Ugly Betty
- Private Practice
- Grey's Anatomy
- Jon and Kate Plus 8
- What Not to Wear
- various hunting and fishing shows with Mark
- a few minutes of the Today Show before I leave for work

8 Favorite Restaurants:
- Texas Roadhouse
- Macaroni Grill
- McAlister's
- Panera Bread
- Formosa Garden
- Olive Garden
- Boston's
- Chick-Fil-A

8 Things That Happened Today:
- Woke up groggy, snoozed multiple times
- Arrived at work later than anticipated
- Lunch with a sweet friend and two of her kiddos
- Made the secretaries happy by turning in petty cash receipts
- Made a to-do list, accidentally threw it in the trash, decided it was Divine Intervention
- Heard the "low battery" beep on my cell phone, lamented not charging it all week
- Packed up all the Breakfast With Santa stuff in my office and took it to the storage room
- Successfully ordered 3 new glider/ottoman sets for the church nursery

8 Things I Look Forward To:
- Not setting an alarm tomorrow!
- Finishing the paint job in the laundry room
- YF Class progressive dinner on Friday
- Finding time to see Twilight
- The big 3-0 next week
- Nothing scheduled on Saturday
- Getting my side mirror glass replaced
- Heaven

8 Things I Wish For:
- A long, happy, healthy marriage
- Being a mom who raises godly children
- All my scattered girlfriends to move to Texas
- A relaxing vacation
- To quote Dara and Miss Congeniality, "world peace"
- Restful sleep
- A phenomenal new book series I can throw myself into
- A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

8 People I Tag:
- Arwen
- Kim
- Jill
- Jaime
- Kristie
- Charity
- Lisa
- Shannon

Drum Roll Please....

For all of you who have heard me say something along the lines of needing to start, write, work on, or finish my thesis (which should be everyone I've met in the last 5 years, give or take) -- the time has come for me to defend that silly thing and be done with it for good!

I'll be in Edmond on Monday and Tuesday to defend, finalize, and print the official documents to send off to the bindery. I will return to SA a free woman! And sometime around late January, I'll receive my hardbound copy and my Master's degree in the mail. Wahooooo!!!

Wish me luck, say a prayer, and see y'all soon!

changes

So I am trying to figure out how to make a cute header picture thing. This is a so-so first attempt; I will keep revising it. But I wanted at least something to put up when I changed the template for Thanksgiving. What can I say...I'm a sucker for a cute turkey.

In other news, for those who are on Thesis Watch: I finished my rough draft last Friday at approximately 6:08 p.m. CST, at which time I sent it on to my committee members for review. I'm awaiting their feedback so I can make edits this week. So far, I know I need to add 8 sources. Hopefully there won't be a whole lot more. (What are the odds?) And also hopefully, my defense will get scheduled for sometime in the next couple weeks. Oklahoma, here I come!