Recent pictures

We thought since some of you haven't seen us in a while, we'd give you some recent pictures to help with your input on the previous post. Just keep these in mind when you reply to Ashley's post asking for wedding advice. Here is Austin and his current hair and Ashley's nose.

Ebay

So, I have a new addiction.

Ebay...

Over the years I have browsed through the millions of items for auction online but I have never seriously thought about buying anything....until about a month ago. A little bit ago I discovered that I needed a new computer cord for my laptop. Since my computer is three years old, it is considered obsolete by Dell standards and therefore they have quit making the cord for my computer. So what is a girl to do....that is right, Ebay to the rescue.
Well, I ordered the computer cord and it arrived at my home a few days later. I know that it is a used cord but it looks like it had been super-glued in one place because it is suspiciously shiny. So I sent an email to the seller informing them of my shiny cord and I never heard back from them. After a few weeks of no-answer I decided it was time to leave some feedback on the seller (For anyone who is new to ebay like I am, feedback is apparently something taken very seriously by the ebay community. It is their way of rating buyers and sellers and keeping track of sellers you can trust. And remember this was my first time to ever do this). So I give the transaction and seller a negative rating and listed that my reasoning for doing so was failure of the seller to answer my email.
The next afternoon I am sitting on my couch enjoying spring break and wasting time looking at blogs when my cell phone rings. It was a number I did not recognize and instead of screening it I decided to answer. When the voice on the other end started speaking I could almost hear the bottle-cap glasses and pocket protector. It was the seller of my computer cord. He was calling in response to the negative feedback I had left him the night before. He was telling me how he had sent me an email immediately after I had sent him one and blah, blah, blah. He even resent it to me while we were on the phone. Apparently the original one got lost in cyber-space. So after a painfully awkward phone call that lasted about ten minutes we decided to mutually withdraw the negative feedback....and now all is well. And I also learned that nerds love ebay.

So, back to the addiction. After finding my computer cord on there, I started looking up other items that I am in need of and am finding it difficult to find in stores (and finding them at a lower price!). Just yesterday I won something for the wedding from there that is at least $70 in stores. I was so happy that I found it on ebay and won it for half the retail price. And currently, I am keeping my eye on some pottery barn sheets that go with our new bedding that are being discontinued at pottery barn.
I think I like ebay because it combines two of my favorite things: shopping and sitting on the couch!!

Tag!! You're It!!!!!

Since no one took the hint from Austin's post, I take it upon myself to TAG people in hopes of geting some response in filling out the survey. Austin was so proud of the questions that he made up himself, and he was also excited to see what the other responses (your responses) would be.
So, I am tagging the following people to answer the questions in the previous post:

1. The Bufkin's
2. The Michael Sanks family ( I do not know what the proper plural for "Sanks" is)
3. Jason Herrington, aka Melissa's stalker
4. Melissa, the stalkee
5. Kristin and Bradley....or at least one of you!

Ok, I think that should suffice for now.....
And some names might be added to the list in the near furture....

(I am posting b/c I am procrastinating. My mom will be here in about 5 hours and I still do not have a clean room!!! I have until my class at 2pm to get it clean. Here I go......)

Useful Info about Austin and Ashley

I (Austin) still don't know how I feel about some of this blog stuff. For example, "blog" words like "tagged" just seem a little, um, let's say cheesy (not my first word choice). The idea is ok, that you ask your friend to fill out some kind of survey and pass it on and they're fun to do and (sometimes) fun to read, but they are what they are.
I was reading one of these "you've been tagged" posts recently and I thought Ashley and I could answer some similar questions. And maybe we'll ask some of you to answer the same ones. And maybe we won't. And if we do, feel free to not do it(as far as I am concerned, Ashley does not share this opinion). Whatever you want.
I won't tell you whose answers are in red and whose are in blue. You'll be able to figure it out pretty quickly. Where the answers happen to be the same, it is purely accidental, we answered these separately. Pay close attention, these facts may come in very handy one day if you are playing Trivial Pursuit:Austin and Ashley edition.
For anyone interested, some random likes and dislikes (in fours) of Austin and Ashley:

Four favorite television shows: Pardon the Interruption (PTI), Jeopardy, Allie McBeal (surprised you didn’t I?), and Spring of Trivia (a Japanese show), Alias, Rachael Ray – 30 minute meals, Friends, American Idol
Four recent books I have read (and finished!): Beowulf, Grendal, Under the Black Flag (about pirates!), and Trouble is my Business (Raymond Chandler); The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Peas and Thank You (Veggie Tales), The Five Love Languages, The latest Ashley Stockingdale book (Kristen Billerbeck)
Four cities I would like to return to (for vacation): Kobe, Japan; Assisi, Italy; New Braunsfel, Texas; Edisto Beach, South Carolina; New York; Istanbul; Washington, D.C.; Astoria, Oregon
Four cities I would like to visit for the first time (for vacation): Casablanca, Morocco; Seattle, Washington; Singapore; Lusaka, Zambia; Cape Town, South Africa; Paris, France; Las Vegas, Nevada; Sydney, Australia
Four dream jobs: Novelist, Pro Football Player, Music Critic, Travel guide writer; Superspy, Socialite, TV Talk Show Host, Rock Star
Four favorite Garth Brooks songs: You Move Me, What She’s Doing Now, Learning to Live Again, Much too Young . . .; Callin’ Baton Rouge, Two of a Kind, Wrapped up in You, Ain’t Going Down ‘Til the Sun Comes Up
Four favorite Beatles songs: Michelle, Here Comes the Sun, Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, Hey Bulldog!; Yellow Submarine, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, Hey Jude, Can’t Buy Me Love
Four favorite sports teams: Louisiana Tech University Bulldogs and Techsters (all sports), St. Louis Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys, Georgia Tech Yellowjackets; Louisiana Tech Bulldogs and Techsters, Dallas Mavericks, Texas Rangers, William and Mary Swimming
Four scariest animals: Killer Whales, Foxes, Hyenas, Pelicans (but only the "fighting" ones); Snakes, Hippos, Lions, Putsi Flies
Four websites I view often: collegefootballnews.com, Louisiana Tech Bulldog Barks and Bytes, ESPN, yahoomail; google, gmail, friend’s blogs, theknot
Four foods I love: fried okra, sandwiches, okonomiaki, chicken and dumplings; fondue, chocolate, cheese, Thanksgiving dinner
Four of my favorite works of art: Ashley, The Old Guitarist, M.C. Esher’s Waterfall, Himeji Castle; Starry Night, The Sistine Chapel Ceiling, Victoria Falls, Cafe at Night
Four dead people I’d like to have dinner with: Both Grandfathers, Marco Polo, the apostle John; My Grandma, the apostle John, Thomas Jefferson, David Livingston
Four favorite hymns: Amazing Grace, Come Thou Fount, Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee, Be Thou My Vision; It Is Well, Joyful, Joyful, How Great Thou Art, Holy, Holy, Holy
Four favorite flowers: Cherry Blossom, Climbing Rose, Dogwoods, Dandelions; Tulips, Stargazer Lily, Gerber Daises, Daffodils
Four movies I could watch all the time: The Princess Bride, The Seven Samurai, The Last of the Mohicans, License to Drive; Sweet Home Alabama, Just Married, The Last of the Mohicans, The Sandlot

Still on cloud nine!

Ok, if you read my last post completely then you know I promised pictures of the long awaited ring! Seriously, it was an ordeal to get a picture of it. For some reason, everytime I tried to take a picture of it, it would now show up...like it was invisible or it would just look like some bright spot in the picture. Well, here it is for your viewing pleasure and also, for the story of the engagement go to our wedding website listed under my links on the right.......



Austin designed this ring all by himself (which is a great story that you should get him to tell you someday)! All that I had ever really told him was I liked antique-looking.

So you might be wondering about the side stones.....they are tanzanite. Don't go to Google just yet, I will tell you about them.....Tanzanites are only found in Tanzania and are blue-ish/purple-ish in color. Also, apparently, they are a super soft stone and pretty fragile (I know, I can hear the gasps now as you think about my gracefulness). A long time ago I happened to mention to Austin in passing that when I was in Zambia, many of the missionary ladies I knew had Tanzanite jewelry and I thought it was a pretty stone. That boy pays attention!!!

I LOVE the band on this ring. The filigree that Dale the jeweler did is amazing!! I told Austin I wanted to bake him (Dale) some cookies to thank him because he did such a good job.

This is a picture of us soon after we got engaged on Christmas Eve. The picture is great and all but I mainly wanted to post it so I could show you what I cropped out of the bottom left corner of the picture............

I think all the excitement just wore him out!!!!

(This is Austin's dad!)

Me and Alexander

Have you ever read the children's book

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day?

If you have read Amber's blog lately, then you have read how she thinks bad days come in multiples. I must say that I agree with her. It seems that for the past two weeks things just don't go my way. It has truly been a series of unfortunate events. I will spare you all the details of my terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days because I am not looking for a pity party. It got so bad there for a while that I told Austin I would not blame him if he wanted to rethink marrying me. But alas, he is so GREAT and DREAMY...he says that I can not get rid of him that easy.

So in other procrastinating news....

It seems as if I only update when I am putting off school work (hence this post). My, how my posts have changed over the last three years. I went from updating frequently and writing about how cool Africa is to seldom posting and writing about how school stinks. Wow.

And maybe I don't post as often these days because the whole blog thing is not that new to me. Yes, that is right, I have been a blogger for over 3 years now.....I was a blogspot user when you had to PAY a monthly fee to be a user....talk about incentive to post.

In any case, I am glad so many of you have finally seen the way of the blogger and decided to follow it. But before I end, let me give credit where credit is due. I would have never become a cool blogger user if it had not been for my friend Kari Masson (Borders). You should read her stuff, you will think she is cool too!

*Next post to come: THE RING!!!!!!!!!!!

(Can you tell that I learned how to link words to websites!!!)

It looks like maybe I have been living in Texas too long! Here is a picture of me (Austin) and Ashley plowing a field. As you can tell by the amount of rust on the tractor, it took us a long time. The tractor was new when we started. Big field.

Everyone should click on this link....

http://weddings.theknot.com/pwp/view/co_main.aspx?coupleid=3272287465734868

What is that noise in the distance??

Ok, so from reading the comments of my previous post, I am gathering that many of my fans out there have put two and two together and know I have some BIG news to share (and it seems that most already know the news). Well, for those of you left in the dark and sitting on the edge of your seat, here it is......I made all A's and a B+ this past semester!!!!!! Oh yeah, and I am engaged!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOO HOOO!!!!!

On Christmas Eve, Austin and I were in Heber Springs, Arkansas (where my parents live). We were spending the day with my family until that night when we would drive an hour south to Little Rock to spend the night with his parents. The day was normal (well, as normal as normal can be around the Howard house). Earlier that day my sis, my bro, and Austin and I made a last minute Wal-mart run to pick up a couple more gifts and some groceries for Paula Jean. While at Wal-Mart I mentioned to Austin that when we got back to the house that my dad wanted me to wrap some presents for him and Austin quickly asked me to do the same for him....and I lovingly granted him his request.

Turns out that sneaky Austin used the time that I was wrapping presents to ask my dad if he could marry me. That story is pretty humurous, especially if you know ol' Buddy at all. Let's just say that Austin caught my dad completely off guard!

So now it is about 5pm and we leave my parent's house. I am currently under the impression that we are headed to a cute part of Little Rock called the Rivermarket. It is pretty and runs along the river and it has some shops and restaurants. For weeks he had been saying that he wanted us to go there on Christmas Eve to have some time for ourselves (like a mini-date) and without our families (hey, that sounded great to me!). He had also been saying for a couple of days that he wanted to pick up his sister another present from there. So naive Ashley fell right into his plan!

Now it is 6pm on Christmas Eve and we are driving through the Rivermarket in pouring rain!!!! Of course all the shops are closed and neither one of us are about to get out of the car. So, Austin keeps on driving and finally comes to stop in a parking lot in a shopping center. In the center of the shopping center there is a large covered area that is like an amphitheater and it has some fountains around it. Austins informs me that due to the rain this is where we are going to have our mini-date. I am still clueless to what is about to go down.

We make it under the covered area and Austin begins his speech immediately. Unfortunately for him I had no idea how important what he was saying was and I kept interrupting him by saying, "Awww, thanks!" and "I love you, too!". I was also interrupting him by kissing him everytime he said something sweet. Even to this point I didn't realize what he was doing! Then he took my hands and got down on one knee and asked me to marry him! I was in complete shock!!! My first words to him were, "Are you kidding me!!!!!" After a couple seconds of uncontrolable laughter I said yes!

Can we say worn out! This whole break has been non-stop busy! We were gone from Ft. Worth for nearly two weeks and I do not think I spent more than two consecutive nights in one bed. Not to mention that I was sick the entire time! We traveled all over while we were gone. And this post would have made it out sooner if it weren't for the fact that Arkansas does not have internet! Well, at least our parents don't.

So now my life consists of fielding wedding questions from our mothers and looking through my Martha Stewart magazine and wedding planner! For anyone wondering, the wedding will be May 20, 2006 at First Baptist Sherwood, Arkansas at 4pm. So, mark your calendars and save the date!!!! Also, beware....I will soon be tracking you down for your address!

And pictures will be coming soon, too!!! We have tried to take pictures of the ring, but they do not turn out well because it is so sparkly!!! What a terrible problem!

School is........

Wait, what's that....Two posts two days in a row?? Yes, then it must be true....finals are upon us and Ashley will do anything to keep from studying.

(And if you are Austin, Michael, Kim, or Jason and are reading this before Wednesday afternoon, then I caught you not studying as well!)

Ok, back to basic skills in Christian counseling...

And feel free to fill in the blank about your opinion of school.

School is..........

What was I thinking when I decided to go back to school??? Only two days, two papers, and three final exams to go......No sleep for me until Wednesday afternoon....

This was taken on Thanksgiving at his aunt's ranch in Clifton, Texas. After lunch we decided to go for a little ride and explore his aunt and uncle's land. This picture was taken by his sis. It was nice spending Thanksgiving with Austin's family. There is only one part of the trip that I would like to forget about but I just can't. I wanted to punch Austin in the face Thursday night concerning a poor judgment he made. Let's just say that the game of RISK was involved and anyone who has ever played with me knows that I do not take that game seriously at all! Ok, I am over it now....nope, not bitter one bit! Although, I cannot argue with his logic for his decision, but stil..

.

Amanda, Austin's sister, and I decided to take a picture break during our day-after-Thanksgiving shopping spree. Unfortunately, neither one of us made any purchases.

Favorite Things in '05

Well, I decided that if Oprah can do it, then so can I. Every year she compiles a list of her favorite things and shares it with her viewing audience. Ususally she will give away her favorite things to her studio audience, however, I am not quite as capable as Oprah to provide my favorite things to my reading audience. I am sure that as the days go by I will think of additions to this list, but here is my list so far (as compiled during my 8:00 class this morning)....and feel free to add something that you think I might have left off or feel free to list some of your favorite things in the comments section. So, without further ado, I present to you

ASHLEY'S FAVORITE THINGS IN '05!!

• Courrier New 12 pt. font.......seriously, try it in a word document and see how much longer it makes your papers! Students, it will revolutionize the way you do your research papers!
• Entire Seasons of a television show on dvd.....Is there a better way to spend a lazy day on the couch?
• Fondue....I owe this favorite thing to Deanna, Miss Paris herself! Cheese, chocolate, you name it. I do not discriminate when it comes to fondue.
• Icee's...and more specifically "polar bear icee's" according to Jason. What is the deal with Texas and their boycott on polar bear icee's. I mean even if you do find one you have to pay $2.50 for it!!!
• Side-swept bangs...This hairstyle has been a God-send to girls like me who have eternal baby hairs and wispies around their face that sometimes curl up and look like wings. Thank you side-swept bangs for providing camoflauge!
• DOTS Fashions (clothing store)....This is a recent find. I discovered DOTS last week as I was making a Wal-Mart run. Think cheap prices like at It's Fashion in Ruston but super-cute clothes! Looks like I will get detoured frequently seeing how both stores practically share a parking lot.
• Goose Down Comforters....I can't think of much else that is cozier on a cold morning than snuggling up in a big, fluffy down comforter.
• Blogspot...This service was once one of my major forms of communication when I was in Zambia. If you are reading this now, then most likely you yourself are a fan of blogspot or some other website host.
• Ginger Essence Perfume by Origins....My sister wore this once a few years back and I always liked it. So, a couple of months ago I bought some of this aromatic goodness. It is a perfect scent for fall and winter in my opinion.
• White Tea and Ginger Body Lotion by Bath and Body Works....This is the perfect accompaniment to the aforementioned Ginger Essence.
• Sweatshirts With a Kangaroo Pouch....To me, comfort is a well-worn sweatshirt and the crowning jewel of a sweatshirt is not a hood, but rather a place to put your hands. I think the kangaroo pouch should be a standard feature in sweatshirts. Even if you do not want to put your hands in it, it is great for keys and cell phones.
• AUSTIN!!!!!....I think everyone should have one, but, sorry, I do not share.
• My Grandma's Pecan Pie....I could share the recipe, but then I would have to kill you. I am under strict orders to be extremely picky in giving out the "secret recipe." Also, in recent months, this recipe has become even more dear to me.
• Rachel Ray on the Food Network....I love her cooking show "30-minute Meals"!!! I was randomly flipping through the channels one day and decided to stop on the Food Network for the first time ever and her show was on. I do not know why I like her so much but I do!!
• RISK!!....This game brings out the ultra-competitive and manipulative Ashley.....what a great game!!!
• For Every Body Candles....These candles can really fill a room! I am a believer in this brand (and they can be bought from Kohl's or at www.foreverybody.com).
• Arbonne Swiss Skin Care and Cosmetics...Yes, I too, use Arbonne (for any female who knows what Arbonne is). My sister is a consultant for it and she "baptized" me into it this summer. I really like their make-up and it makes me feel grown up to use it.
• Cotton Candy....What is not to like about pink or blue spun sugar that melts on your tounge???
• Six Flags Season Pass....Austin and I took advantage of ours this weekend. How great to be able to spend 2 hours at the park, ride two rides (three is you count the carousel), eat some cotton candy, walk around holding hands, and decide it is time to leave! The best $40 I spent this summer.

For now, this is my official Favorite Things '05 list.

Again, feel free to leave some comments.

They say it's your birthday.....

Well, life for me has been a bit emotionally draining these past few weeks. I am curently behind in school and will be playing catch-up over Thanksgiving vacation.....so it will not be much of a vacation for me.
But in other EXCITING news....we here in Ft. Worth are gearing up to celebrate that wonderful INTERNATIONAL HOLIDAY on NOVEMBER 18. My 26th birthday. To kick off the festivities, Meredith and Justin and Austin and I are going out to eat at Simply Fondue. I discovered the joy and goodness of fondue when I lived in Virginia with Deanna. Miss Paris herself introduced it to me and I have been in love ever since. I am looking forward to celebrating with three of my favorite folks on Thursday. Then, on Friday (the actual birthday), Austin is taking me to a place that is every 26 year old girl's dream (per my wishes)....the circus! I don't know why, but I have always gotten excited about the circus. Could it be the lions, the clowns, the cotton candy, or how about the flying trapeze family?!?! And to cap off my birthday weekend, on Saturday we will be hanging out at the house, eating lunch and playing games....we being Kim, Kim's beau, Meg, Michael, Austin, Jason, and maybe a few others. I am hoping to get a good game of Risk going. I have not played Risk since I left Zambia, so I hope my mad skills as a world dominator are not lost!! I might need to call my pals Mal and Chris for a little pep talk before the game begins. Ok, I must now go so I can get back to pretending to work on a paper.
Love to you all........

introducing....

I think everyone would benefit by going to www.thebufs.blogspot.com

Since my hoss of a paper is due in one week from now and I have yet to put the first word down on paper, I think it is the perfect time for an update! Life is not the funnest right now. School is about to get the best of me and I am lacking the motivation to work harder. At least one thing remains true, Austin is a great boyfriend. Last night we had a take-home test to finish in one hour and fifteen minutes. I will not go into detail about how I did, but I wil tell you that I spent nearly the next two hours sobbing. Austin knew I was pretty upset about it so he came to my house just to give me a hug!!! Awwww!!!! I will say that I felt much better when he left as opposed to how I felt before he got here. But I can do it, only about six more weeks of school left for this semester. And by the way, Louisiana Tech has a GREAT thing going on with the quarter system!!!!! Maybe I am just feeling overwhelmed since it is mid-term.
If anyone has any great theological insights on sin and suffering, let me know.

The oh-so-sweet boyfriend!!

Procrastination....Who, me??!!?!

Well, I think now is the perfect time for me to update. I say that because I am looking for any excuse to keep myself from writing a 15 page paper on suffering for one of my classes (who cares that it is only 35% of my grade and the grader for the class is an ex-marine who is so strict and not overly-friendly that my friend named him the "mean marine.")
I had wonderful intentions to spend my whole day in the library...Unfortunately, my follow-through was not as wonderful. The good news is I got to spend some quality time with Austin this afternoon. We went to Starbucks and used up the rest of our gift cards we had received.
Last night I visited the Bufkins (Mer and Justin). We did not do anything really except talk and eat at Chick-fil-la. It was so nice to sit back and be with good friends.
Last weekend was an eventful one. Austin's parents came into town. Saturday night we all went to the last Ranger's game of the season. But the exciting part of the weekend happened that afternoon. I went to get in my car at about 4:30 that afternoon and noticed that things were not right...it was obvious someone had been through my car. I took a quick survey of my car and everything was accounted for....except about 75 cents in change that was in the change holder. I made a quick decision not to file a police report since the windows were not broken and nothing was stolen. I was on my way to meet Austin and his parents for the baseball game and thought I would just deal with it at his house. I went to put my key in the ignition to start it and it would not go in. I looked at the key hole and saw that something had been done to it, preventing me from starting my car. So, now I call Austin and he comes over with his dad. I also call my parents and the police. His dad was able to fix the ignition problem by removing a piece of a metal file that was used to try to crank my car. Can you believe it?? Someone tried to steal Dave (the name of my car). Too bad for them that they did not know how tough he is and that he fights back!! Apparently when the file broke off, they cut their hand. When they realized they were not getting my car they decided to swipe my spare change. When they went to grab it they left their blood beside the change holder. When the policeman came, I showed him the blood and he called the CSI people!!!! Yes, I had CSI at my car. Actually, it was quite anti-climatic.
After the drama of the attempted Dave theft, Austin's mom and I made our way to the ballpark to meet up with the Perry men. After the ballgame there was a spectacular fireworks display to Beetles music. It was about 20 minutes long and I loved every minute of it! It really made me want to go see the Christmas lights in Natchitoches this year.
Well, I have succeeded in putting off my paper for the last 30 minutes. I suppose now I can resume with my studies.......

A year ago....

Well it has been one year since I left Zambia and arrived back in the States. It is frightening to think about how time can quickly pass you by. However, it has only been in the last few weeks that I have come to miss Zambia and the friends and life I had there.
Since being back in America:
*I have lived in Richmond, Va.
*I have only been with my parents for about 2 of the past 12 months.
*Been reunited with many friends.
*Yet to see many friends.
*Moved to Fort Worth.
*Started seminary for a masters in family and marriage counseling.
*I have learned what it means to be broke.
*Been able to experience the joy, blessing, love, generousity, and selflessness of parents to their children!
*Three months ago started dating a really cute, really tall, and really sweet boy(whom I miss right now b/c he went home for a visit).
*The President of Zambia came to know Jesus Christ as his savior.
*Got to live near Stephanie and Tommy.
*I have been able to spend some great quality time with Austin.
*Got to see many dear friends that I worked with in Zambia.
*I spent 6 weeks with Paige! I love that lambchop.
*Worked at MLC and confirmed that I was not made for an office job and my spirtual gift is not service.
*I met Deanna and she has become a close friend. For some reason she put up with me for 8 months and would even feed me!
*I have been blessed enough to move to a place where I am surrounded by close friends, including my bff Meredith.
*I get to live with a great friend that I have known since jr. high, Kim (www.kimbolina.blogspot.com). I am not sure if she finds my slacker ways as endearing as Deanna did, but we have fun nonetheless.
*I have discovered the joy of a cell phone and text messaging.
*Recently been overwhelmed by school and the amount of reading, work, and studying I will be doing for the next 4 months.


To be continued....

Is he the best or what??!!?!?!

So yesterday (Tuesday) turned out to be a great day even though it started out pretty rough. This has been my second week at my new job as a nanny. I like it so far but now the kids are starting to test me and their boundaries (too bad for them I have little toleration for disrespect). Yesterday I worked from 8-6 and had trouble the entire day with one of the kids. When I got home I was tired and just wanted to relax. Fortunately for me I have a sweet boyfriend. Austin had planned a little date for us and when I got to his house he met me at the door with a dozen pink roses! Then he took me to a place that overlooked the river and we ate strawberries and he read to me. It was really nice and a great way to end my day from all the craziness I had endured earlier. As if that was not enough, he placed little surprises for me to find throughout the house. The surprises were things he knew were my favorites (like Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream). Why can't more days end like that!

August 1...really?? How does time go so fast? At the end of this month I will have been back from Zambia for one year? Hard to believe.
So Kim and I are all moved into our apartment and I have already registered for my fall classes. The only thing left is to find a job, and asap! I already have one but it does not start for a couple more weeks.
It has been a truly great couple of days for me. Last night I hung out with my usual group of friends but there was a new addition...a long lost friend from the college days, Jay Whittington. That boy is funny and it is always fun when he is around. I especially like to watch when he, Michael, and Austin are all together...nothing but laughs.
Today I got to talk to Mal and Chris (pals I worked with and lived beside in Zambia). They are in New Orleans at seminary. I miss those guys! They were great friends to me the last two years. They are each married now and all grown up. But I wonder if their wives know that they like to get manicures and do facials?!?!?! Good times and great memories!
I love my friends....


Me and Kimmie