First Dates

Nine years ago, Heb and I went on our first date.  That is pretty much 1/3 of my life. 

I first met Hebs way back in 2002.  He asked me out to an Aggie Basketball game early that next year.  Heb and I were trying to remember the team they played and I'm pretty sure it was the Gaucho's (who knows what school). 

What was significant about the date was that we talked the whole time.  It was just so easy.  It didn't hurt that Heb is so handsome too.  We talked and laughed and then went to have ice cream on Darwin Avenue.  Who knew that one evening would change my life so drastically. 

Back when we were dating, I put together a journal of our time together.  This is part of what I wrote about our first date: "I had a wonderful time with you.  It was one of my best first dates.  After that, I wanted you to like me.  You were so quality and genuine that I wanted to be part of your life.  I wanted to continue to laugh and to talk to you."

After that, I ran into him in the Sci Tech library or maybe stalked him there (I can't remember).  I'll never forget his yellow backpack.  It is just so Heber.  We never looked back after that.  We dated, we wrote while he was on the East coast and then while I was on the East coast.  We just clicked.

We celebrated last night by going to get ice cream, seemed appropriate.  We talked all about what it was like at the beginning about how we fell in love and knew we loved each other at exactly the same moment.  It's good to remember those moments, it only makes the present so much sweeter. 

Dear Virginia (the state),

Have you been reading my blog?  It seems like you have because just hours after my post on snow, we received a dusting that stuck.  You are good.  Keep it up. 

Hey, while you're reading, think you could do something about the traffic?  Heb would love a short commute this week.  That's all.  Thanks.

Ode to Snow

I must confess that I have never really loved snow.  I think it's because I'm not much of a skier.  If you meet someone who really loves snow, it's usually that they really love winter sports.  And where I have no athletic ability whatsoever...I've always been at a loss when it comes to the love of snow.

This winter, I've really missed it though.  It is already mid January and it doesn't even feel like winter has started.  I gauge the start of winter on when I have to pull out my winter hat - that's when it's COLD.  Not once have I pulled it out, nor my gloves and rarely do I even take a scarf.  Which is crazy because I am a devoted scarf wearer in the right weather.

Snow always makes me think of back when Heb and I were first married. I think of coming out of the library on campus or the engineering building together into the cold night air.  The world completely still and quiet and Heb and I bundled up together after having studied for hours.  It was such a relief to be heading out.  Hand in gloved hand we would find our car.  It was such a busy time that when there were moments of stillness, we would enjoy each others company and perhaps throw a snowball or two. 
 
Back then, we lived in a cute red brick house.  There were several winters where the snow just piled up outside. Often you could find us out scraping the walk, if our neighbors, Austin and Meg, hadn't done it first.  It was a happy time with good friends.  Several times this year, Heb has mentioned how he missed shoveling snow.  

From our first Christmas in the old house.

It did snow for an hour or two last week.  Looking out the window at the light puffs of snow, I think it was the first time in a long time that I smiled over the snow.  There is something really beautiful about the world being covered in a layer of white.  It just makes home feel cozier.  As of now, we have bare trees and lots of brown here. 

We'll be heading to Utah for a few days at the end of February to bless our Leo.  Let's hope there's snow!

Conked Out

I guess tummy time was just a bit too much for the little guy.

With all the growing he's been doing, I guess he needs his rest.  Went to the Doctor yesterday and he'd grown 3 1/2 inches. 

Today

Today, Heb was home for MLK Day.  We spent the day together.  Did boring things like vacuum and grocery shop but it was lovely.  Our guy is getting so big and grown up.  And just look at the size of those cheeks.   

The Wheel

When Heber was growing up, he had hamsters.  Dan and Pinky would run like crazy on the wheel in their cage.  Round and round it would go. 

Lately, we are pretty tired.  The first thing to go is our ability to communicate.  I either can't get the words to come out or I can't even come up with something to say.  It's sad really.  You would not believe the effort it takes to make this blog sound coherent.  So, if you've called or emailed or facebooked me or even spoken to me in person and I sound like I'm not all the way there, well I'm tired and can't talk.

When we can't get our brains to work, we say that the "hamster has fallen asleep on the wheel."  And he has around here, a lot.  I sure hope he wakes up soon.  I miss the wheels turning.

Here's some shots of the guy keeping us up in the night.  How can I be mad at that sweet little face?

Out with the Old

Every new year, Heb and I take a moment to write and burn some of our grievances from the past year. It's a way to start the year fresh by letting go of some things that really irked us in the past. You'd be surprised at how effective it is.

This year, our friends the Blake's and some other friends joined us in the tradition. How did we not get a picture with them?

The whole burning of grievances got me thinking about the blog. As you may have observed, I don't really write about negative things on the blog that much. I don't want you to think that my life is perfect, I just would rather write abut the things that uplift me, that are inspiring or are happy memories. If you want to hear about all the hard stuff, you'll have to talk to me in person. For now, I'll be writing about all those things that make me happy and leave the grievances for new years.