Lonestar Lagniappe

  “ If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.” ~Anne Bradstreet~ This weekend Daylight Savings Time began.   While this time of year initially bugs me (who really wants to lose an hour of sleep anyway??), I end up really loving it.   I love to run outside, so the fact that it is lighter longer is very good for me!   But more importantly, this signals the start of spring! (I know, I am so observant.)   Everything and everybody seem a little bit more refreshed and full-of-life. March 20 is the first day of spring this year… YAY !   I have to say - I think this is my favorite part of the year.   I. LOVE .   Spring.   The colors are brighter, the air is better, the sunshine is sunnier, my closet is cleaner, attitudes perks up, I use more exclamation points than normal (!), I try to be outside more, my Pinterest board stars livening...

I recently began listening to a band called NEEDTOBREATHE.  They have some great Christian songs/lyrics.  I can't stop listening to one of their songs called "Garden".  Read the words below...this is a great reminder and a great prayer: Father, let me heart be after YOU. Garden, by NEEDTOBREATHE: "Won’t you take this cup from me, ‘Cause fear has stolen all my sleep. If tomorrow means my death, I pray you’ll save their souls with it. Let the songs I sing Bring joy to you. Let the words I say profess my love. Let the notes I choose Be your favorite tune. Father let my heart be after you. In this hour of doubt I see, But who I am is not just me. So give me strength to die myself, So love can live to tell the tale. Let the songs I sing Bring joy to you. Let the words I say profess my love. Let the notes I choose Be your favorite tune. Father let my heart be after you. Father let my heart be... ...

Hello Friends! **Disclaimer: This will be a lengthy post!  You have been warned ;)** I hope you had a great Christmas/New Year holiday and that you and your family were richly blessed.  I know we were.  Here are a few photos of the ending of 2011! *************************************** Mom and I at the Nutcracker!  One of my most favorite things to do. Warren's first time at the Nutcracker. He enjoyed himself...?!   Merry Christmas! (in Baton Rouge)  Natalie's wedding with the beautiful Goodwin/Altman girls. What a blessing these girls are to me! LadyBug ready for the game! (too bad we lost - and played horribly!) *************************************** We were busy in Baton Rouge with Warren's family for Christmas.  It was nice to see all of them, be off of work, sleep late...all the usual stuff!  Then we came back home to Houston and had Christmas with my family.  Nothing big happened for th...

hello :) Well, it's been quite a while since I've updated.  I really have no exciting or interesting reason why.  I guess life is just happening and got in the way.  So, I'm diving right in. As we approach Thanksgiving this year, I got to thinking about our Kates family traditions for this holiday.  We always eat the same meal (very delicious, mom!), sit in the same seats at the table and find ourselves stuffed from our feast and napping in front of the T.V.  That is what I have thought of Thanksgiving for years.  Of course, I am, as I'm sure everyone else is, more aware of what I am thankful for on this day (like the fact that our country is extra-proud to be American and extra-thankful for our troops and their sacrifice on say, July 4).  When we were younger, mom made us pass around a basket of corn (as I recall...) at the dinner table.  When the basket got to you, you took out a corn husk and had to say 1 thing you were thankful f...

Hello friends :) I know on my last post I talked about getting a puppy.  Well, about 1.5 weeks ago, we got a sweet little Boston Terrier puppy named Ladybug!  She was 3 lbs. 4 oz. at her first vet visit - tiny!  She is just adorable and is adjusting nicely to our family.  If you will, permit me to brag for just a minute.  ;)  Here are a few adorable pics of our pup! Above:  Playing in the grass.  Well, not really playing - she likes to eat it. Below: Playing with daddy - oh, and mostly trying to bite him.  We are working on that! Above: Playing with her ladybug! Below: Getting ready for LSU football season.  So, anywho we are excited to have her.  She is showing a great personality, and is very energetic.  At this point, she is understanding that biting is bad (but still does it anyway) and has learned how to sit!  We are just introducing a collar/leash, and she seems to be adapting well....

Hello :) Well, a few weeks ago we went to NYC!  I was in Princeton, NJ for a day while Warren finished his training, then we went to NYC! It was, as expected, AMAZING!  I just love the rush of the town, the energy, and the public transportation (not).  We had a great time being tourists and seeing all of the sights.  Here are some pics from our adventures... Above : Princeton, NJ - the cutest little town you ever did see!  So quaint.  Lots of lovely shops. Below : Grand Central Station at night - gorgeous!  Above : Stopping to take a pic of us, wandering around Manhattan! Below : Warren in Times Square at night! Above : Warren on the Brooklyn Bridge.  We hiked it.  It was HOT. Below : Me with Shepard Smith @ FOX News.  Thumbs up. Above : Where we started our adventure into the city every morning: Newark International Airport Train Station.  We had a great time.  There was lots o...

Hello friends! So, we are mostly settled in Houston!  Warren has begun his job, and I have begun working part time for a dental office.  With the exception of a few curtains and wall decorations, things are falling together.  We are getting into our routine, meeting new friends, and exploring Houston. I know what you're thinking.  "Jordan, you grew up in Houston, what is there to explore?" (Or maybe you weren't thinking that.  Now you are!) Well, that's easy.  I grew up with everything in about a 10-15 miles radius of our house - school, church, grocery store, gymnastics, swim team, friend's houses, driver's ed...you name it!  So as I introduce Warren to "my" city, we are learning together.  How?  When we decide to go out to eat for a date night, we usually try and pick somewhere we haven't been, somewhere I faintly remember is cool, or somewhere that some random website rates as a "good eat". Warren has been out of town ...