Sorry sorry sorry sorry!

We've been doing well lately! Super busy, but really great! We just took a trip back to Springfield, MO to see Brad's parents and it was so great to be back there! We hadn't been to Springfield since Jess and Ryan's wedding last June and my shower. Whoa. So here's the play by play.

We got in Saturday and headed straight to Carl and Rosemary's house where Brad and I passed out for an hour nap before some family friends came over for a cook out. This was so much fun, we got to spend time with people that have been a big part of Brad's life, and I was excited to visit with people who took the time to travel all the way up to our wedding last year and let them know how much we appreciated that. I felt like at the wedding we didn't get enough of a chance, or we didn't do a very good job of showing our family and friends how grateful we were that they were a part of the day, so this was such a fun night. We had some DELICIOUS food as always. Rosemary is just a flat out great cook, and Carl rocked the grill out so it was a great night!

Brad with Jonathan at the cook out...goofy kids.

Sunday morning we SLEPT in, I think later than we've slept any Sunday morning since we've been married. We then got up and had a great mix of breakfast, including hotdogs and deviled eggs, and then headed to St. Louis. Rosemary and Carl stayed at Harrah's and went to a Joe Cocker/Steve Miller Band concert while we headed to Jess and Ryan's to spend the evening with them! These two are such awesome friends! We don't get to see them much, but it's like no time has passed when we do. Brad truly has such great friends from back home, every one of them is so genuine and awesome, so I have had such a great time getting to know them all, with their wives/families/girlfriends over the last few years. We're spoiled. Anyways, Ryan and Jess had gone all out and made us a FANTASTIC dinner. Brad and Ryan had these T-Bone steaks which were by far the biggest steaks I've ever seen. Jess and I had cute filet's wrapped in bacon, which as we all know is a WINNER in my book! We had corn on the cob with herbed butter and cilantro. Brie with brown sugar and grapes for an appetizer. Homemade potato chips, literally, and a desert that my words couldn't even describe other than amazing! After we ate dinner we just relaxed with the two of them, although we were total losers and headed to bed way early. It was so great to see them! Here's a pic from Monday morning, we look a bit like scrubs as we hadn't showered yet. Thanks Ryan and Jess for letting us stay...please come down here now so we can return the gesture!

Monday, after Ryan and Jess left for work we headed over to meet Brad's parents, his Aunt Susan, and his cousin Alex for a brunch. I tell you, for all the good food we had this weekend it's a wonder we're both not 15 pounds bigger. Brunch was great, it's always fun to see family, and I hadn't realized how close we were to Susan, Mark, Alex, and Ashley's house. So after we ate we headed over there to visit. Brad and Alex played some Wii, and now I can't remember who won, so we'll give the victory to Alex. I spent time just talking with Susan and Brad's parents. It was neat to see their home, I had never been there before. After awhile, we decided we needed to head back to Springfield, and that we did.
Monday night, Preston and Courtney's nephew was set to play T-Ball, and we really wanted to see that, so the two of us and Rosemary hitched a ride with Betty G up to the game. It was HILARIOUS! For Preston and Courtney, since you all can't be there we took videos. See below. Anyways, the little guys and girls were so much fun to watch, along with all the dads on the field trying to give some sense of order. We had so much fun! We also got to see Jason and Stephanie's new little girl, Emerson, who is just beautiful. Here are some pictures of the game...Preston and Courtney we really missed you two since we were with your family but not you! It's amazing to see the work being down in Puerta Vallarta though!



Here are the videos...

I love this, Elliot caught up to the sweet little girl ahead of him, and then turned around.


Priceless.


Again.


Got it the 2nd time around.


Last at bat...hard hitter!

Now we're back home and getting back into routine. As nice as it is to visit family, it's always nice to come back here too.

Work is good. I know on my end I'm feeling like I am geting my feet on the ground, and that I am a competent nurse, which is a relief. I will tell you though, I'm still having crazy dreams. Yesterday I dreamt that I never once, in 12 hours, went to check on my patient, and I was really embarrassed when the nurse I gave report to started asking questions. In this dream I also asked Brad to go draw some blood for me. Who knows. I'm losing my mind. Brad's job is going well too. We believe that in 2 months or so he'll be back on to compressed work week. (Wed-every other Saturday). This is great in some aspects, but it has made a little confusion for us as we decide it it is time for me to switch to a days position. Who knows, we're just praying and giving things time to settle.We know whatever happens, we'll make do so we're just happy that he won't have to work 5 days a week anymore on this schedule.

We've gotten to spend some time catching up with friends lately here in Austin. We've missed them. It seems like all of us have been out of town lately, and then we're each taking different classes this summer, so it's nice to catch up when we can. Below, Katie and Evan and the cornhole set. This was from back when they were our very first official guests. This weekend 5 couples went to lunch after church, it was great just to all sit and talk and enjoy. I love it. I love that the Lord has given us friends that have made Austin home to us.


At the Stone, we've both been taking a leadership class this summer. Brad is taking a class for potential small group leaders, and I am taking one on mercy ministry. I can't even explain how excited this class makes me. I love that we are going to be actively working towards showing mercy to those in our community and our church. I love it. That's all there is to it. Love it! We've also started Kidstuff once a month with the little kiddies. Heck yes. And our small group has grown and we're getting to know each other better and better. Yay! God is go good!

Alright all..I promise to post more frequently so I won't receive any more angry comments! Take care, hope everyone is doing well!