SNOW!

I know what you're thinking. My last post began by mentioning how it felt like spring outside. And it did. Sunday was 75 degrees, sunny and perfect. But you know how it goes in Texas. Today is a different story. It began snowing this morning around 7 a.m. and hasn't stopped since!

Isn't the Baylor campus beautiful?!

And the Waco Suspension Bridge?!

(Photos courtesy of the Trib--please, I'm not getting out in this mess to go take pictures...)

In honor of this majestic occassion, I got to leave work early. And, my favorite bar examiner finished part one of the test and was able to meet me at home for some grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. (Yes, we like to eat this meal A LOT.) Following lunch, we walked outside for a few minutes and agreed to make a mini-snowman.

Our first snowman

Since all my meetings were cancelled for today, I'm going to make some bread and yummy soup for dinner tonight. Say some prayers for John as he continues preparing for the bar exam Wednesday and Thursday!

Remembering Winter

I know it's still the middle of February but today felt a little bit like spring. It made me long for warm sunshine, cookouts, going to the lake and longer days.

But, just as soon as I began thinking that, I recalled how I experienced a "real" winter this year. I'm not talking 50 degrees Texas days (although it was colder and snowed more here than I've ever remembered) either. This past December I made my first trip to the snowy mountains of Colorado and took in some of the most beautiful scenery I feel I'll ever see.

Courtney and Rett invited John and I to Rett's parent's cabin near Wolf Creek, Colorado to ski, relax and hang out before Christmas. We drove all the way there, picked up some food at the grocery store in town, and then hunkered down and embraced the cold weather with a giant supply of hot chocoloate, Christmas movies, Scrabble and Phase 10!

You should know that when I write "ski", I really mean Courtney and I tried learned to ski. Sort of. The boys were lucky that neither of us had been skiing before and that they could leave us with an instructor all day while they took off down the slopes. So, that's what happened. Court and I met Craig, who we immediately told we used to "blade" together in our neighborhood back in the days of 1996. (Craig loved us despite this.)

After learning how to literally, put our skis on and how to walk in them, Craig decided we were ready to go up the mountain. Doubtful, Court and I agreed and boarded the lift all the while asking him a million questions about how we exit the lift at the top of the mountain. Craig assured us we'd be fine--he had never had a skier fall getting off the lift.

Until December 20, 2009 that is. As soon as we reached the top, Craig counted to three and the following scenario happened at the instantaneously:

I exited, miraculously landed on my feet, and took off. Took off about half way down the mountain at full speed since I hadn't been instructed how to stop. I panicked and screamed until I finally realized that if I turned up the mountain, I would stop myself. By the time all this happened, Court did actually fall exiting the lift (probably jinxed by Craig's comments) and was totally fine. Needless to say, we were both traumatized within the first 20 minutes of our lesson.

After two hours of taking small stretches down the beginner slopes, Court and I slowly mastered what I refer to as basic skiing. Take a look for yourself...

The next day we were able to go down some (easy) slopes with the guys and even attempted a few turns along the way. I must admit that for first time skiers we did pretty darn well and we were certainly impressed by John and Rett's jumps, tricks and speed!

We had a GREAT time and look forward to going again soon! Thanks again to Courtney and Rett for being such lovely hosts and traveling companions!

Presenting Mr. John Marshall Hardage J.D.!

Two weekends ago we celebrated a BIG milestone in John's life--he graduated from Baylor Law School!
My favorite part was the regalia he got to wear....That cap is priceless...

Following the ceremony we stopped by a reception at the law school before heading to La Fiesta for lunch. It was great to see John and his law school buddies relax and celebrate a day they thought would never come! Those guys worked really hard to earn that J.D.!

(This is where John studied lived for the last three years.)

The entire weekend was especially memorable and we're really thankful to all of our friends and families who came to celebrate with us. On a particularly sentimental note, John's mom gave him his grandfather's Baylor Law School class ring from 1954! John was really touched to receive it and wore the ring during the ceremony.

I couldn't be more proud of John. I know the last three years have certainly shaped and refined him more than he'll ever realize and I can't wait to see the many ways the Lord will use him in the future!

Valentine's Day

After last year's attempt to make Valentine's Day really romantic (see story to follow), John and I decided we'd rather spend time with each other just being us. This looked like me making parfaits for breakfast (with red berries and pink yogurt of course!) going to church and spending the afternoon at home so that we could both ::groan:: study. As soon as evening rolled around, we were both ready to celebrate our first Valentine's Day as Mr. and Mrs. Hardage!

I made one of our favorite meals, homemade tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches!

After dinner, I gave John a gift I'd been crafting for quite some time. It was more of a gift for us but something I wanted to do ever since I heard about it from Courtney several weeks ago. It's our own Library of Love, if you will. Here's a few examples.


We then settled down for some more wine and played a gooood game of Scrabble while watching a recorded Bruce Springsteen concert. (John's idea of a perfect evening.) After the game, we watched an episode of Law and Order: SVU before heading to bed. (My idea of a perfect evening.)

And I'll leave you with a little memory from Valentine's Day 2009...

I had heard about a winery in Waco. That's right, a winery in Waco! Immediately I pictured a piece of Napa Valley tucked away behind Highway 6 and imagined me, John and my old roommate, Katie, and her soon-to-be husband, Jad, tasting wine and having a little picnic celebrating Valentine's Day. What could be more perfect?!

We drove straight to the address and were instantly confused. All we saw were a couple of double-wides and approximately four grapevines. Not exactly the Napa Valley image I had created. Regardless, we went inside, tasted (and purchased!) some wine and then drank a few sips outside in the bitter cold of February before we called it quits and drove back home. It was certainly a Valentine's Day to remember!

Me and John at the winery...

Katie and Jad...such good sports!

Lot's of love, y'all!

On Becoming Bloggers...

Top five reasons we're starting a blog:

1. We read blogs and were inspired to start one ourselves.
2. John is funny and I know he'll keep it interesting.
3. I want a way to remember all of our upcoming (and past)adventures together.
4. We want to share our life's moments and musings with family and friends.
5. Isn't this what all newly-married couples do? (Insert sarcasm)

We'll keep you posted! ;)