Catching up...

Okay, okay... So much for regular blogging. But here's an update.

Two months to catch up on! Wow!

Well, the landscaping has slowed down (stopped, really) as it's just so blasted hot. Oh, we did install soaker hoses! We have hoses running around the back of the house, up the southwest side wall, and around the front (though the front section isn't yet buried). Our foundation very much appreciates this work. Otherwise, we're enjoying living in our house (not working on it), which is really nice. We assembled a three-person porch swing which now lives on the back patio with the grill (which has moved outside for the summer). We haven't had many gatherings, though did host the first of what we plan to make an annual Memorial Day weekend gathering of President's Scholar alumni from SMU (Adam was a PS).

Adam is back in full force in his triathlon training. He read Jillian Michaels' Master Your Metabolism: The 3 Diet Secrets to Naturally Balancing Your Hormones for a Hot and Healthy Body! He's enjoyed it, and is already seeing the effects. Basic premise: eat whole/natural foods (not processed), eat 4 times a day (8am breakfast, 12pm lunch, 4pm snack, 8pm dinner), and eat until you're full. He's also, of course, in full gear as far as exercise. He's registered for another Half IronMan triathlon on September 25th - the Red Man (http://www.redmantriathlon.com/) in Oklahoma City.

I've been juggling a lot professionally lately. I've decided to transition away from Crossroads Community Services. I feel that the learning curve has tapered off, and I'm ready for new challenges and learning opportunities. I have a couple of possibilities open, and have bought myself a bit more time with a temporary admin position back at FUMC Dallas, where I worked through undergraduate school and a year after, before moving to CCS when I started grad school. However, I'm feeling some time pressure now. I'll keep everyone posted on developments on that front.

As far as family fun, we've had a great summer so far! We spent a week at the Bryan family's traditional summer getaway - Surfside Beach, Texas. We stayed in a beautiful house, beach-front, with Bill & Corinne, and watched Hurricane Alex whip up some AWESOME waves from a few hundred miles away (amazing!). Rain during the week, just one power-outage and a beautiful Fourth of July weekend to wrap up a great week. It was a great time -- check out some pictures here. We've also had some great sails and other in-town adventures with Jeanne & Tom (and the Ship).

I do have one sad note... My Beta (fish), Pez, died today. He lived a good, long life, but it'll take me a while to adjust to no soft buzzzzzzzzzz in the corner and no need to feed a fish on my way out the door in the mornings. (I'm still staving off the slowly-growing inner tug for a dog... But our fence has some pretty significant gaps under it, so it's really not ideal for a dog [and neither is my schedule, at this point]. Give it a couple more years, and you'll probably see a Boston Terrier hanging around...) :-)

All in all, life is good these days. I'm getting the lets-throw-a-party itch, so keep an eye out, if you're in town, for an invite. :-) (And if you're an out-of-(our)-town-er and will be in this part of the world anytime, please let us know - we'd love to see you!)