Almost done

Yesterday I turned in my last big paper until the final papers are due in both of my classes. My month of October was jam packed, with a paper due in each class every week. That's 8 papers in one month. November is virtually homework free according to the syllabus passed out at the beginning of class. I have come to discover that the program at UNT is all about researching and extending the field. They want to teach us how to keep thinking in new ways, and help get us interested in wanting to spend the rest of our lives researching different research questions. That is all fine and dandy, but my reasons for being in grad school are purely personal. This is a personal goal I feel I owe to myself. There is no reason for me to settle for what everyone else has done and get an undergrad. I should always be pushing myself to do more and learn more. I must admit though....in two and a half years, I am going to be sick of writing papers.

On another note...Dave and I signed a lease on a duplex yesterday! I am thrilled beyond comprehension to be out of an apartment. Our moving day isn't for another month, as our lease here isn't up until Nov 30, but I can't wait to be in a new home for Christmas. For those of you familiar with the metroplex, we will be living right off 121 and Glade. There is about 5 blocks or so of just duplex, all built around the 1970s. The one we leased is completely remodeled inside, with wonderful appliances and extremely nice carpet. I am thrilled. The best part....we will have a separate office from our spare room. No more cramming the "leftover" furniture into one room. We want to have everyone over for some kind of Christmas lunch or something while everyone is home. I can't wait to decorate.

....the second time around.....

This is me and our jack-o-lantern for this year. It didn't turn out quite like we were expecting. We were trying to make a "girl" pumpkin, so we were going to carve eyelashes. As you can see, after carving one on the very right hand side of the right eye, we realized it would look awful, so we just left them penciled in with marker. Oh well, she is still cute.

This is the second Halloween in a year that Dave and I have carved a pumpkin together. I have realized lately that we are getting to that point real quick....doing things for the second time. This will be our second Thanksgiving together, our second Christmas, we just started our second year as members at First Baptist.

I can remember laying in my pink room when I was little and thinking about growing older and it scared me. The world really scared me for a long time...and it still does....I don't think I will ever not be anxious about what is to come. Thankfully I have the Lord, his promises, his grace, his protection, and his love, and I know that as long as He is on my side, there is nothing that can stand in my way.

As we approach the second time for so many special things together, I am comforted knowing that not only do I have the Lord by my side, but I have Dave too. I guess this growing up thing isn't to bad.

Anyway...just some Saturday morning thoughts. Be blessed!

The new addition

We would like to introduce you to Suzy Spectra, the newest addition to our family. The delivery took several hours today and when we went in, we didn't even know if it would work out. Luckily after much nervousness, sweating, and hardwork (and that was just me), she arrived. She weighs in at 2,925 lbs. of curb weight. She is 176.4 in. long and sports a nice classic red finish. We are both delighted to have another red car in the family and hope that she is as helpful as her sister, Katie Corolla. Both mother and car( and father!) are at home and resting comfortably. Luckily, with 34 mpg on the highway, we won't have to have a lot of midnight feedings. Please feel free to leave messages of congratulations as this was a very hard process on her father. Thanks for all of your well wishes. Feel free to come by and take a look at any time.