happy father's day

Happy Father's Day to my sweet daddy! I love you SO MUCH

a girl just needs her daddy.

When I was in middle school and had homework questions, I would always go to my mom first. My dad would always get into the assignment a little too much for my liking. All I wanted to do was finish my homework so I could go roller blade outside with Genie and listen to Ace of Base. My dad did not seem to realize (or care) that every minute I spent on homework, I was missing out on super fun and important things outside. I always knew I was in for the long answer when he would get the Atlas out. UGH. To add to my frustration, he would never tell me the answer! He would want to talk it over with me until I came to the right conclusion on my own. I know now that he was simply trying to teach me and wanted me to soak up everything I could. However, at the time, I was not thankful for his long-winded answers.

Even though he would go overboard on the help, he always knew the answer. He would help me get to the correct answer, without actually telling it to me. When I went to college and after I graduated, I had more important questions to ask him, (like car insurance, proof reading cover letters, etc.) and his long-winded answers were just what I needed! I called him all the time. Seriously. Every major decision I had to make, I called to get his opinion/help. We would talk through things, he would offer his opinion; it was great. He had a plethora amount of knowledge, and I needed to know everything!

Sometimes, I miss my dad's long-winded answers. At times, I find myself aching for his advice and knowledge. Don't get me wrong. My mom is absolutely fantastic, and I would be lost without her, but at times, a girl just needs her daddy. Dads just know things. Random things. Things that only a daddy know. Last night, Brad and I were going over my 401K plan. I just changed jobs and only now eligible to enrolled through the firm. We had a question, and Brad said he was going to call his Dad. I was instantly jealous. I wanted to call my dad. I wanted his advice. I wanted his long-winded answers.

I didn't get to ask him for 401K advice, but I did get to hear about his day and how excited he was that he won in his golf game. While at times I get sad about the things that are no longer possible, I am constantly reminded of how lucky I am that he can share other things with me... like how he beat Uncle David at golf. :) Things are different now, and I am getting better and better at accepting the change.

my loud and not so normal family

Last Thursday, my family and I went to dinner at a fancy place here in Austin. Mom really wanted to have one "final dinner with just the 5 of us" before the wedding festivities started. We dressed up and went to the Headliners Club and had our own private room. Within five minutes of being there, I was quickly reminded why it was a good thing we had a private room! My family is loud and goofy. A few of our normal family conversations (keep in mind that we probably talk at a level louder then most):

Mom stands up and tries to give a toast about how things are changing and she is so thankful for all of us. Blah Blah Blah. You can see the tears gathering in her eyes. Allison interrups- "Mom! Are you crying?" Me- "Omgosh. Mom. She isn't dying. You need to relax." Rebecca- "I'm the bride. I'm the bride. Mom- "UGH! Ok. Fiiinneeeee girls." (Dad just sitting and watching all of this happen... keeping his thoughts to himself.)

Rebecca was trying to go over the wedding weekend agenda. Allison kept interrupting, not letting her get through it. The next thing I know, Mom, Allison, and Rebecca break into a song from the Sound of Music. Dad hums in the background. It went something like this:

Rebecca- "Ok. Let's start at the beginning."
Mom and Allison look at each other and then quickly start singing- "Doe. A Deer. A female deer. Rae. A drop of golden sun...."
Rebecca then decides to join in.
Dad starts to hum the tune.
I look at all of them and think quietly to myself- "Um. I think I need a new family."

Towards the end of dinner we decide to take family pictures. Of course someone throws out the idea to pick up dad. Why? I have no idea. But, clearly we had to try it. Dad was a little heavier then we expected. It ended with Rebecca crumbling to the ground, Dad almost landing on top of her, and me getting stepped on. After dropping Dad, Rebecca asked why she wasn't the one to be picked up, since she was the bride?! Naturally, we quickly agreed and picked her up. I love my family and am beyond blessed. However, I think you can see why we needed that private room....

our only normal picture of the night
it seemed like a good idea at the time.
this was a much better plan.

mixed signals

My good friend, Joe Don, and I used to have a blog. It was called Games are for Toddlers, and we mostly talked about crazy and random relationship games that people play. We basically just took our sarcastic attitude and wrote/vented about whatever we wanted. While I am working on my next few posts, I figured I would share with you one of our previous posts. *Note: We referred to all guys as Todd and all the ladies were named Sally. Our topics were not based on anybody in particular; simply randomness that came to us.*

MIXED SIGNALS: Why do we do it?
To all the Todds out there,
Why can't you be up front with your intentions? Why can't you just let all the Sallys know how you feel? Are you dense? Gay? Unable to make a decision? Meanwhile, all the Sallys are at home screaming into the ear of their besties asking them to analyze your every little move and word. Please Todd, please help Sally out. Are you not aware that your inability to man-up on what you want out of the relationship with Sally is affecting not only her, but all of her friends who have to listen to her whine/complain and try to figure out what the heck you are doing? Are you doing it on purpose, or can you really just not make up your mind? Stop the insanity Todd!

To all the Sallys- listen up!
You probably aren't much better, so you can wipe the angelic looks off your face. Don't play your little coy games with Todd. It's not fair. If for some God sent luck, Todd decides to man up- you need to do the same. It is a two way street people! Stop with all the confusing "vibe-reading" games, and just be honest.

Ponder this if you will- trying to "read" the other person never really works out the way you want it to. (You know you are shaking your head in agreement right now.) Is she leaning towards me? Did he mean to touch my arm? (No woman, he just walked behind you and accidentlly ran into you. Geez) Is he going to kiss me? Is she texting another guy? Blah Blah Blah. You wanna know why girls go to the bathroom in groups? They are talking about you, Todd! Please be honest with your intentions so Sally and all the other girls in the world can stop analyzing every move you make.

memorial day

This weekend rocked. I love 3 day weekends. I love when friends come in town. I love going to the lake house. I love playing in the sun. I love floating the river. What more could a girl ask for?!

Friday- Mary, her boyfriend Craig, Meredith, Jessica, Dubie, and Lauren all came in town. I love it when friends come visit! We went over to a friend's house and watched some of the boys make jello shots for the upcoming float trip. The girls were not allowed in the kitchen, and were not allowed any input on what was going in the jello shots. (I think this was a wise decision and I am not sure I want to know what was in them). They came up with crazy names and weird things to put in them. Boys will be boys.

Saturday- 40 people. 1 party bus. 1 rockin party mix. Need I say more? It was a blast. The Comal River was packed, but it was perfect! SO MUCH FUN. The weather was amazing. I got myself settled on my float and didn't move for the rest of the day. AMAZING. After the float trip, a few of us went to Maudies to dominate some mexican food. Hello heaven.

Sunday- Brad and I gathered up a group of friends and went to the lake house for the day. The day included a rowdy volleyball tourney, jumping off the dock and laying in the sun. I don't think I could have asked for a more perfect day. Sunday night, we went to Maiko, a yummy sushi place that has a great Sunday happy hour. Are you jealous of my weekend yet?

I wish every weekend was like that! Can we have 3 day weekends all the time? It would make life so much better. I need all of my friends to move to Austin so we can spend our life outside in the sun. GREAT. GREAT. WEEKEND. Friends- please come back soon.

rebecca is all grown up.

I can't believe Rebecca is graduating. Seriously. It blows my mind. Not because I never thought she would be able to graduate, but because I can't believe she is old enough to be graduating from college. Rebecca and I are about 4.5 years apart, which means that I am lucky enough to be able to remember bits and pieces of her growing up. I have a vivid memory of the day she was born. Allison and I were with our grandparents driving to the hospital to meet our new sister. We were struggling with her name... for some reason Rebecca just wouldn't stick with us. I remember we parked in the hospital parking lot and Mimi started to clap out her name. RE.BEC.CA. We joined in and finally got it down. RE.BEC.CA. Boom. We semi-learned our little sister's name. I remember seeing her for the first time. I don't remember everything about those years, but that one day is such vivid and wonderful memory. I had 2 little sisters. Rebecca was such a sweet and innocent little baby... little did she know what she was getting into with Allison and me as her older sisters!
Now, that little baby sister is all grown up, and she has turned into a beautiful Godly woman. She graduated from the University of Texas on Friday, and, in 20 short days, she will be getting married. (Wow, don't I feel unproductive and old.) From the day she was born, she has known who she is. She wasn't swayed by peer pressure; she knew who she was and what she wanted- and she went after it. She never swayed from her beliefs. My goodness, I am so proud of that girl.

If you don't have a younger sibling, then you might not understand where I am coming from. It is a weird feeling to know that one of the people, who you have tried to look out for and protect their whole life, doesn't need you to do that anymore. She is all grown up. She is getting married.

I was lucky to have 2 younger sisters around when growing up. Even though they are both adults, I still consider them my "little sisters." I will always be there to bug them and try to look out for them. And if they don't like it- TOUGH COOKIES.

walking through the drive-through.

Preface- Brad and I walked to the bank. After his banking experience, he said he was scarred for life and told me I should blog about this. Read on....

I used to work in the old Chase Bank building. For those who don't live in Austin, I am fully aware that means nothing to you, but just go with me here. The building still has a drive through where bankers can go to the ATM or deposit checks.

Picture this:
Ground floor- Chase drive through
2nd-7th floor- parking garage levels
8th-11th floor- office buildings

OK, so now you have the basic idea. If you work in the building, you have a few options for depositing a check or getting some cash monies.

Option 1: You can go in the parking garage, get in your car, drive all the way down, do your banking business, drive back up, find a parking spot, and go back to work.

Option 2: Take the elevator downstairs to the bottom floor, walk through the drive through, do your banking business, walk back to the elevator, ride to your floor, and go back to work.

WHICH ONE DO YOU DO?!

I ask this because I decided to do option 2. Why waste all of that time getting your car and driving when you can get some fresh air and walk through? I don't understand why anyone would pick option 1.

Yes, it is funny/awkward/ridiculous/awesome when I am in STANDING in line (in between the people who are SITTING in their cars), but who cares? It is ten times easier.

So, I ask you- which option do you pick? Do you go with the one that takes much more effort and time, but it is less awkward/normal? Or, do you pick the second one that might be a little weird, but it is a million times easier and quicker?

PS- Now you can see why Brad was scarred. He also said he would never go to the bank with me again. Clearly he would have picked option 1.....lame.