Year Anniversary

I missed my year anniversary.  Michelle and I wanted to celebrate living in STL for a year but we were out of town or busy when it happened.  But I just wanted to mark being in STL for one year and completing the first year of three in the Counseling program!
What a year it has been!  I ran out of gas for the first time, had a flat for the first time.  I've learned about kefir and beer making (not that I've attempted the beer process, just tasted the fruits of Brook's labor). I have learned more about my faith, the PCA, and theology and realized I actually knew more than I thought.  It has been an all around pretty good year.  The Lord has definitely taken me out of my comfort zone and placed me in a season where I feel that I am constantly being grown and stretched.  But I don't think there is any better place to do that than here alongside so many other people who are walking the same path.

Emily

While I was home I had the privilege of celebrating Emily's birthday.  Katherine, with the help of a few others whipped up a fantastic birthday dinner for us to eat in honor of Emily's 26th. It was great to be able to see some sweet friends and catch up on their lives as of late.
What better way to celebrate Emily's birthday than to be together with 3 of the sweetest girls I know! What a great night to be able to see Katherine, Emily, and Laura all at once.

More on how great the night was soon...

Relaxing at Home

This past week I spent some time at home again. One of the nights while I was home I went with the fam to a Maker's Mark Ambassador event.  Maker's was revealing one of their new liquors 46.  We were able to get a free sample and a free drink. Then they also had some appetizers for us to snack on too. These are the souvenirs we got from the evening.  Thanks for the fun, free event Dad!

Donuts

This weekend I did a little dog/house sitting.  Other than Max having a bit more hair than I prefer it was a pretty great job.  Over near Kristen's house is one of the donut shops that Mom/Dad started telling me about a few days prior because they had seen it on Food Network.  So of course I wanted to try it out!

World's Fair Donuts is on Shaw, near the Hill and the Botanical Gardens.  I went at 11 in the morning and there was still a line for fresh donuts.  The line was totally worth it! I think I found a blueberry donut that rivals the Donut Hole in Destin.  Yes, there are 4 donuts. Yes,  I ate all of them in 2 days and it was totally worth it.  They were really good.  I loved the buttermilk cake donut and the blueberry cake donut.  I would definitely go back for them.

MIA

Well I have been MIA for a while now! To catch you up to speed on where I have been for I guess what has been almost a whole month since I last appeared, hang on. After the 4th I hung around STL for a bit longer. I am no longer living in my single room anymore. I moved into a double room of the apartment sharing my tiny space with Michelle.
After moving all my stuff I headed home for almost 2 weeks.  I spent time hanging out with friends, eating Little Rosie's and standing by Laura Edwards Davidson in her wedding.
While home I also made a stop in Auburn to see friends and eat a Big Blue/Momma G's/BBQ House. It was fantastic to be back and see how much the town has grown! I also made a pit stop in B'ham to see Allison. It was a whirlwind stop but I'm hoping to make it back to see folks again!   Oh, and don't forget quality pool time. Oh how I miss it!
Now I am back here in STL. Last night I went to the Muny to see The Sound of Music. Great performance and I LOVE that it is free! Now all I need is a pair of binoculars to see from our free seats. 
I still don't have a job but have been applying to two or three jobs almost every day.  Hoping to hear something back in the next 1-2 weeks. School starts back Aug 26. I'll be back in Huntsville for 2 weddings on the 28th and hopefully a baby too!

July 4th!

Happy Belated July 4th!

This year I was able to get a double dose of fireworks.  St. Louis is divided up in to different townships and almost each one does its own set of fireworks.  On Saturday night I went out with a few girls to check out Webster Groves' community fair and fireworks.  We walked around and split a funnel cake.  They turned off the field lights and shot fireworks over the fairgrounds.  It was a great night with the girls.

Sunday night a group of us went down to The Arch to watch the fireworks for the 4th.  It was a great way to celebrate and WAY crowded.  We were able to listen to the B-52s and hang out.  Once it got dark enough the show started and was over faster than I was ready for.  I know you can't really tell from the picture below but there were a TON of people there!

My new toy

Life has been crazy around here lately.  I've done some last minute travelling to be with friends and I am in the process of wrapping up my summer class, research methods.  I think the most exciting thing that is going on around here right now is the surprise Mom and Dad sent to me via the Honeycutts.  It came just in time for the 4th of July. Maybe I could even make some Butterfinger ice cream in honor of our family gathering (J&C)! But I know I have some strawberry sorbet and peach ice cream in my near future at least.  The neighbors and I are all excited about my new toy!