Happy Halloween!

Bring on the trick-or-treaters!

Emily Renken, CCLS is back!!

I just accepted a job at a children's hospital here in town, and I'm SO excited! After a year of waiting for a child life position to open, I will finally be doing what I love again!

I'll share more in the next few weeks about exactly what it is that I do {since most people have no idea}, but until then you can go here to get an idea.

**Thanks to everyone who has supported me during the last year! You all mean more to me than you know.

Life Update

- Have you noticed anything different? I'll give you a hint: it starts at the top of this page. It's my new design! I've been playing around with it for a while {I have a secret 'practice blog' that I've been using to try out new designs}, and I finally created one that I'm happy with. It would be a lot easier if I had Photoshop or InDesign like we used for the yearbook in high school, but I don't, so Microsoft Publisher it is! If I keep blogging long enough I may give in and pay someone to do it, but I don't think I'm there yet. I will do my best to get the new tabs at the top up and running soon!

- I need to apologize for the lengthiness of this post. I should know by now that if a post takes me that long to write and edit, it's probably too long. It really should have been three different posts. Bear with me. I'm still learning. And if you did start to read it and either lost interest or ran out of time, I encourage you to go back and pick up where you left off. At least read the piano bar part. That's the best part! And if you make it all the way to the end there may or may not be a fried s'more waiting for you. Yum!

- Next up, the garden! Oh, the garden. I think it may have died at one point? I'm not really sure. For about a month or so it completely stopped growing. I was watering and fertilizing, and it just wasn't growing. At all. And some parts were starting to turn brown. Then out of no where it started growing again! And one of the plants even has blooms now! So we will see. By the way... My dad's tomato plants are taller than I am, and my PaPaw has them randomly growing out from underneath his porch. He calls them 'volunteers'. I call it not fair. I think just his presence makes tomato plants grow. *Thanks to our sweet neighbors and their boys for watering while we were gone. If we ever actually get tomatoes we'll bring some over!*


{Notice the ones on the right are a lot smaller than the ones on the left.}

- I haven't updated you all on my running progress in a while. I'm still running, just not as often as I did before the 5k. When we got back to Corpus {after Brandon working in Dallas for three months} I was so ready to jump back into yoga. Finding a good balance between running and yoga was tough at first {I was trying to add yoga without cutting back on running, and I wasn't doing either one successfully}, but I've now fallen into a routine that works for me. And even though I haven't ran in another actual race, it just feels good to know that I could if I wanted to.

- I haven't done a fantasy football update for two reasons: 1. I don't want to bore you. 2. I have actually lost interest, myself. The first few weeks were exciting, but after that it's been the same routine every week, and I just really don't care anymore. I'm still the owner, but I've hired Brandon as my manager {he sets my line-up each week, with my input of course} and my dad as the head coach {he keeps up with how my team is doing and gives me updates}. It's a system that works for everyone. Oh, and I beat Brandon this week.

- Lastly, if you haven't seen Pitch Perfect GO SEE IT!! I've seen it twice. And I'm trying to think of who else I can take, so I can see it again. It's that funny!



I hope you're having a great week!!

6 Things I learned during TX/OU weekend

1. Old men from OU are mean.

We were sitting at the hotel bar on Friday night waiting to meet one of Brandon's friends from work. There were just a handful of people down there, but one group in particular stood out. It was a table of eight or so men decked out in their OU attire. They appeared to be in their mid to late sixties.

As I was walking back from the restroom one of them shouted, "Hey, come over here! What does the back of your shirt say?" {I was wearing a Longhorn shirt that one of my friends gave me when I graduated. It was from the PINK line at Victoria's Secret, and the back read "PINK Loves Longhorn Alumni". It's a really cute shirt.}

I {being the sweet and innocent person that I am} walked over and let them read the back of my shirt. I thought to myself, 'Aww, these sweet old men are still coming back for the rivalry!'

Wrong. About the 'sweet' part. The trash talkin' began.

Old man: "There's no way you've already graduated!"
Me {in my sweetest voice, wanting to represent my team well}: "Yes, sir! I sure did!"
Old man: "What year did you graduate?"
Me {again, smiling and trying to be nice}: "2010!"
Old man: "Oh yeah... Well how did OU treat you when you were there?"
Me: "We actually did really well against OU when I was in school."
Old men: "Oh, yeah right! Haha! That's a lie!"
Me: "Well, we did go to the national championship. That's what I remember!"
Old men: "Oh yea! And how'd that turn out for you???"
Me: "Yeah, that was a tough game. Colt got hurt, and..."
Old men: Laughing.

2. I'm way too nice to stand up to them.


When I realized that this group of OU fans had no interest in having a nice conversation with me I decided to walk away.

Me: "Well I was going to be nice to ya'll, but since you're being mean I'm going to leave."

Good one, Emily. Nice comeback. For a kindergartner.

I walked back to my group saying my real comebacks in my head...'How can you say that's a lie?? I'm pretty sure you're so old you can't even remember how we did against OU!'... 'At least we went to the national championship!'...'How'd that season turn out for yOU??'

As I walked away one of the men shouted, "Hey, you can't wear that shirt! You haven't graduated!"

Seriously??? Did we not just discuss this??

3. Piano bars are my favorite.

I kind of already knew this, but Friday night just proved me right. After visiting with Brandon's work friend we headed to Pete's Dueling Piano Bar. We walked in, ordered drinks, and got escorted right to the front row. Score!

Sitting in the front really made the night. We were right in the middle of everything; the battle of the Texas and OU fight songs, the men vs. ladies competitions, singing on the stage. Multiple times.

This night definitely made my list of funnest nights ever.

One of my favorite moments was during one of the table vs. table competitions. The pianist asked one member from each table to go up on stage. {Amber was our representative.} The people on stage had to learn a set of hand motions to a song. As the pianist played the song, the people on stage tried to teach the hand motions to the people at their respective tables. The table with the best performance won.

Since hand motions weren't really Brandon's cup of tea, Michelle and I competed for our table. We were standing up {at the front of the bar, remember?} putting all of our energy and effort into learning these motions. We were taking this competition very seriously. The song was played over and over, and each time it got faster. Each time it played our motions got bigger and bigger. We were really getting into it!

Right when we started to get the hang of this little dance the pianist announced, "Extra points will be given for skin!" Skin. As in showing skin that is usually covered by clothing. Except Michelle and I heard skiing. Like snow skiing.

We simultaneously looked at each other and said, "Skiing!" And we immediately started pumping our arms back and forth as if we were maneuvering ski poles. I was thinking, 'Oh yeah, we got this. No one else is pumping their arms as fast as we are!'

That's because no one else was even pumping their arms. They were all glancing around the room to see if anyone was brave enough {or intoxicated enough} to show skin.

And Michelle and I were at the front of the bar skiing like crazy.


4. Some people don't know what being a fan really means. 



At the game on Saturday there were some girls sitting behind us who apparently thought they were better fans than the rest of us. They screamed at us in their highest pitched voices to yell louder, the entire game. Forget the fact that one of them yelled "Let's go offense!!" when we were on defense, twice. And nevermind that one of them missed the entire first quarter of the game.

We got to the stadium almost an hour before kick-off. We've read Orangebloods on a regular basis. We've kept up with recruiting. And coaching. And the recovery status of players on the injured list.

But if being a fan were based on the price of your handbag or how revealing your game day attire was, these girls would have won. Hands down.

5. When you go back to watch your alma mater's football team, things may not be exactly the same as you remembered.

Like I told those mean OU men, when I was at Texas the football team did really well. I have fond memories of watching the 'McCoy-Shipley' duo play and seeing Will Muschamp get our defense fired up on the sidelines. Oh, the memories.

Now I've watched almost every game since I graduated, and I know that our team has struggled since that year. Please don't rub it in. But for some reason I was still expecting to see Colt-and-Jordan-like-plays on the field. I mean, that's how it was last time I was at the Cotton Bowl? Boy, did I miss those two.

If you pay any attention to college football at all you know that the TX/OU game was a complete nightmare. For Texas. I don't even know what to say. Except that I've never attended a game like that, one where Texas played so poorly. It was disappointing. That's all I'm going to say.

6. State Fair cotton candy is the best cotton candy EVER.

Michelle and I have always loved cotton candy. We've eaten cotton candy everything; ice cream, fro-yo, lollipops, the-cotton-candy-they-used-to-sell-at-Movie-Gallery-in-Yoakum-that-isn't-even-very-good-but-we-ate-it-anyway-because-it-was-still-cotton-candy. You could say that we are cotton candy freaks! 

We had been looking forward to this cotton candy all weekend, and after the game we headed straight to the giant cotton candy stand we had spotted earlier in the day. It was a long walk through a giant crowd of people {we could hardly even move}, and as we shoved and elbowed our way towards the stand Brandon said, "This better be some good cotton candy..."



{Oh, yeah. We each got our own bag. BTW- We were tired from lack of sleep and standing for four hours,
and the humidity was awful so our hair looks kind of gross. But the cotton candy was good!}

Oh, it was! It was amazing. I wish I could have bought enough to last me until State Fair next year.



And because I have no where else to put this picture...

{Breakfast at the fair: corndog, margarita, fried s'more}



Although we came home with a loss, this was definitely one of my favorite weekends. And I'd say I learned some pretty valuable lessons!

10 Day YOU Challenge: Week 10

Week 10.

The last week of this link-up.

I have learned so much about myself over the last ten weeks!

This week is one picture.

One!

I love pictures, and choosing only one was tough.

I have been thinking about it since week one.

'Should it be one of my bridals? A photo from our wedding? A pic with friends? Family?'

I just couldn't decide.

So I found a pic that combines all of the above.

{Diane, Kenn, Me, Brandon, Kayla, Riley}

A photo from our wedding day,

with our friends,

who seemed more like family.

~~~

Kayla & Riley,

Remember our five-year promise?

Don't think I'm not counting down the days!

Diane & Kenn,

We need to plan our reunion ASAP!

The moment it hit me...

** Written Tuesday, October 2, 2012**

I made pork chops for supper tonight;
just like my MaMaw used to make,
fried in a little bit of oil with just enough flour to give them a light crunch.

As we sat down to eat I told Brandon that these were MaMaw's pork chops.
I explained that if she had made them we'd have mashed potatoes with lots of butter and gravy to go with them.
We would have had okra gumbo, too,
because that was my favorite.

I told Brandon how much I wished he could have tasted MaMaw's cooking.
He would have loved it.

I took my first bite, and it had just the right amount of crunch.
As I ate the memories started flooding my mind
and took me right back to MaMaw and PaPaw's kitchen.

I started thinking about all the times we sat around their table eating MaMaw's pork chops.
They were Michelle and Cody's favorite.
I wished that Michelle and Cody could have eaten them with me tonight.

Then I thought about Michelle's birthday being on Saturday,
and that if MaMaw were here she would have invited Michelle down from Austin
and made her pork chops on her birthday.

I continued to think about MaMaw while we ate,
and I found myself wanting so badly to feel her presence.

After we finished Brandon helped me clear off the table,
and I started washing dishes.
I thought about all the times I had helped MaMaw wash dishes.
She would wash, and I would dry.
We were a team.

As I stood at the sink tonight I couldn't help but wonder why I was thinking so much about MaMaw.
I mean, I have missed her every day since she died,
but I hadn't felt like this in a while.

And then it hit me.

It's October.

The month that MaMaw died.

I immediately started crying.

After walking into the living room and being comforted by Brandon and Princess
I realized that October 11th will be ten years since MaMaw's death.
It feels like it was just yesterday.

And although missing her hurts less over time,
Octobers are always pretty tough.

10 Day YOU Challenge: Week 9

Is it week nine already?

I Cross my Heart by George Strait

This is the song we danced to at our wedding, so it is obviously very special to me.

Our love is unconditional, we knew it from the start.

I see it in your eyes, you can feel it from my heart.
From here on after let's stay the way we are right now,
And share all the love and laughter
That a lifetime will allow.

I cross my heart and promise to
Give all I've got to give to make all your dreams come true.
In all the world you'll never find a love as true as mine.

You will always be the miracle that makes my life complete,
And as long as there's a breath in me, I'll make yours just as sweet.
As we look into the future, it's as far as we can see,
So let's make each tomorrow be the best that it can be.

I cross my heart and promise to
Give all I've got to give to make all your dreams come true.
In all the world you'll never find a love as true as mine.

And if along the way we find a day it starts to storm,
You've got the promise of my love to keep you warm.
In all the world you'll never find a love as true as mine,

A love as true as mine.

 

 

Woman Like You by Lee Brice

This song really hits home for me. First of all, it describes exactly what Brandon would be doing if we hadn't gotten married. It also makes me think about how different my own life would be. I would be able to live wherever I wanted and possibly still be working as a child life specialist. But, I'd be doing it alone. And if I have to choose one or the other, I choose B.

 
Last night, outta the blue
Driftin' off to the evening news
You said "Honey, what would you do
If you'd never met me"
I just laughed, said "I don't know,
But I could take a couple guesses though"
And then tried to dig real deep,
Said, "Darling honestly...

I'd do a lot more offshore fishin'
I'd probably eat more drive-thru chicken
Take a few strokes off my golf game
If I'd have never known your name
I'd still be driving that old green 'Nova'
I probably never would have heard of yoga
Be a better football fan
But if I was a single man
Alone and out there on the loose
Well I'd be looking for a woman like you."

I could tell that got her attention
So I said, "Oh yeah, I forgot to mention,
I wouldn't trade a single day
For 100 years the other way."
She just smiled and rolled her eyes,
Cause she's heard all of my lines
I said, "C'mon on girl, seriously
If I hadn't been so lucky

I'd be shootin' pool in my bachelor pad
Playing bass in my cover band
Restocking up cold Bud Light
For poker every Tuesday night, yea
I'd have a dirtbike in the shed
And not one throw pillow on the bed
I'd keep my cash in a coffee can
But if I was a single man
Alone and out there on the loose
Well I'd be looking for a woman like you."

She knows what a mess I'd be if I didn't have her here
But to be sure, I whispered in her ear
"You know I get sick deep-sea fishin'
And you make the best fried chicken
I got a hopeless golf game
I love the sound of your name
I might miss that old green 'Nova
But I love watchin' you do yoga
I'd take a gold band on my hand
Over being a single man
Cause honestly I don't know what I'd do
If I'd never met a woman like you."


Michelle's 21st Birthday Recap

Wow. What a weekend! I'm so glad I have a little sister. I feel like I got to turn 21 all over again! {Minus the morning-after-headache, because I was the driver.}

If anyone knows how to plan a party, it's my sister. Every year since she was three years old Michelle has spent at least two months planning her birthday party. This year was no different. We've been talking about it for several months, and I think I was looking forward to it just as much as she was.

Since she still had a few friends who weren't twenty-one Michelle wanted something that everyone could enjoy. She had several things planned throughout the weekend, and her friends came to whatever worked for them. And of course I wasn't going to miss anything. 

Friday evening a few of us met for dinner at Cheesecake Factory, one of Michelle's favorites, and afterwards we went to see Pitch Perfect. It was such a cute movie! We finished off the night with delicious birthday cake {that I showed you on Saturday}.

{Me, Court, Shell, Amber}

On Saturday morning Alayna and Lindsey got to Austin. We had a pizza picnic on Mt. Bonnell, and the amazing view plus the gorgeous fall weather made it a perfect afternoon.

{Me, Linds, Alayna, Shell}

We did a little birthday shopping at The Domain and then went to Painting with a Twist.

After Kayla and Gayla made it to Austin we all got dressed and ready for the night. We ate and watched the Texas game at Santa Rita...

...And then we went back to Michelle's house before heading to Sixth Street. 

 

{Me, Gayla, Alayna, Shell, Kayla, Amber}

We called for a cab to pick us up, but it never showed, so I drove us down there. I had told Michelle all along that I would drive, but she was so worried that if I had to drive I wouldn't have fun. I promised her that I would still have a good time. And I did. We all did!



The entire night was absolutely hilarious. It started at the first bar when the bartender gave Michelle her first free drink of the night, and she looked at Amber and said, "Do I pay for my drink now? Can I take it downstairs??" Maybe you had to be there.. But Amber and I busted out laughing.

The rest of the night was filled with laughter, singing, dancing, and more free drinks for the birthday girl. By the end of the night we had all laughed so hard our stomachs hurt. We walked back to the car and drove home, but not before snapping a picture in front of the capital.

After I parallel parked my mom's Tahoe in front of the capital {I took her car so no one else would have to drive} we realized that since it was 2:00am there weren't too many people walking around who could take the picture for us. But don't you worry! Amber hopped out of the car, took off her heels, and ran as far as she had to to find someone. She was gone for several minutes, and right when we started to worry that she had fallen down {because it took her that long} we spotted her in the distance running towards us with two nice-looking people to take our picture. They {the two people} seemed kind of annoyed that we asked them to do this. I guess maybe I would, too, at 2:00am.

{Dad, I know you're feeling so worried as you read this. Please trust that we were a very responsible group, and that we would not have put ourselves in a dangerous situation. There were plenty of people driving by, and we were in a well lit, highly secure area: the capital.}

Where was I? Oh, yes... I handed off the camera, we all moved close together, and Michelle slid down into a split. Like a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader split. We laughed so hard! Michelle smiled and said, "My right leg is my best leg!"

After laughing historically we thanked the nice-looking people, got in the car, and drove home.

Once we all made it inside we continued to laugh and relive our favorite moments of the night while we snacked on puffy Cheetos and sausage rolls.

I'd say the entire weekend was a success, and I'm so glad Michelle asked me to be a part of it! I can't wait to tell her future kids how their mommy did a split at the capital! {wink}

Michelle, what is it with you and capitals???

I hope your 21st is 'Acamazing'!!

This weekend I'm in Austin celebrating Shell's 21st birthday!

I'll do a full recap later in the week, but so far it's been a perfect weekend.

Pitch Perfect.

{Yes, we saw the movie. You should, too.}

 

{The most delicious cake and the cutest shot glasses I've ever seen}

 

Happy birthday, Shell Shell!!

 

 

To get to know my amazing sister read last year's birthday post here. 

Happy Birthday, Princess!!

Dear Princess,

Today you are ten years old. Ten years old! I just can't believe it.

You have accomplished so much in your lifetime! You spent so many years making sure that my mom and dad's backyard had just the right amount of holes in it. Even though they seemed angry at times, I know that deep down they appreciated it. I mean, who else would have dug that many holes for them?

Another one of your accomplishments was running all the way across the big city of Yoakum. Even though you scared me so bad, and I cried for an entire day, you kept on running. How many other nine-pound dogs can say they've done that? {By the way, I'll be forever grateful to the nice lady who saw your picture on one of the 'missing' flyers and brought you back to us.}

During the past year your life has become much more laid back. Since moving into our house in Corpus your days have included napping, snoring, snuggling, eating treats, begging for people food, and making the occasional trip to PetSmart.

You have definitely been living up to your name and have us wrapped around your little paw! But we don't mind one bit. We'll keep on spoiling you as long as we can!

Happy birthday, girl!

Love,
E & B

10 Day YOU Challenge: Week 8

Happy Tuesday!

This week is about movies.

I enjoy watching movies, but I don't necessarily have a favorite.

I'm sure that after I post this I'll think of several that should have been included.

Three Films

"Finding Nemo"

{via}

Oh, I love this movie so much!

I may or may not have it memorized.

"Titanic"

{via}

This is such a good movie.

I remember I was in fifth grade when it came out.

I spent that year arguing with one of my friends about who loved Leo more. 

I still have a few of the notes we passed back and forth, and boy we took that argument seriously! 

I think we thought Leo was going to marry whoever loved him most. Haha!

"27 Dresses"

{via}

I could watch this movie over and over!

It's such a cute movie, and I love Katherine Heigl.

My favorite scene is when Jane and Kevin sing 'Bennie and the Jets'.

I sing along every time!