Party time!

Here are some pics from Doug's Graduation/Judy's Birthday Party. It was lots of fun!
We had to put people in our garage because we had so many guests. Luckily, it was a BEAUTIFUL day, so we left the door open to let in the sun and heat.

Goodies!

"Look who's one! Look who's done!"

Here's Judy's ladybug cakes.

Momma and baby.

Doug opening presents...which was awkward, because it was mostly money. Then Doug got tongue-tied and stopped reading the cards aloud. So it turned into everyone watching Doug read cards. To himself.

It was fun watching Judy open presents. She actually opened them, too, which I didn't think was normal for a 1-year-old.

Our nephew, Alex, playing photographer.

Judy's cake fest. She doesn't eat sweets very often, so she was pleasantly surprised.

I love this pic. You can see how much she is enjoying it. Unfortunately, she got sick shortly after this.

Here's Doug's family, all except the boys--his dad, brother, and brother-in-law. We've got to get a pic with all of them sometime!

Here is Judy playing with mommy and daddy and her new toys. She thoroughly enjoyed all of her presents.

Doug's Graduation

Last night, Doug graduated with his Bachelor's in Biochemistry from UNM. On Monday, he starts his new job as an Immunochemistry Staff Scientist at a biotech company. Yeah, he's smart. He is always trying to explain to me what it is that he does, but I don't get it. It's like a different language.

I am SO very proud of him. He has worked very hard his entire school career. Countless nights were spent burning the midnight oil studying for his classes. It finally paid off and now he is done. Well, in a manner of speaking. He plans to continue on and get his Master's this fall.
Here we are, waiting for the ceremony to begin. That's his sisters Beth, Melissa, Emily, and his mom. Uh, and me.

Melissa and Emily

You can tell the keynote speaker was noteworthy. Not. They had a politician speak, and all he did was talk about his accomplishments and how great he was. He must have been mixed up and forgotten that he was at a graduation and not a campaign rally. I texted with Doug the whole time. Tacky, I know, but that way it was like we were sitting with each other.

Nosebleed section.

Doug's mom was so proud.

Moving the tassel to the left.

I got him roses. Is that nerdy?

The after-party with niece and nephew and sisters.

Doug and our nephew, Alex.

Doug and our niece, Judy.

More pics to follow of his graduation party from today.

Winter Wonderland!

It snowed! And it's still snowing! I have a two-hour delay, and Doug's 7:30 am final got moved to 3:00. Woot!

Entertainment

I am sitting on my couch still in my jacket watching 7th Heaven (the worst acting ever). This is my life. L-O-S-E-R. Thanks for following my blog.

Larynx Issues

It's quite appropriate that my mother has been bothering me to make another post, because I currently have laryngitis or something like it. I can't really talk. Last night, I couldn't talk at all, and it was quite frustrating. Sometimes I would finally get something out, and Doug would ask me to repeat it. Grr.
Yesterday was parent teacher conferences, which was interesting because my voice sounded like a mixture of an emphysema patient and a 13 year old boy. It was very laborious to talk with these parents, physically and sometimes mentally, because I was actually quite nervous. Overall it went well though. I am always intimidated by parents because I think they are going to look down on me because I am so young, but they actually end up thinking I know what I am doing--imagine that!
My voice is a bit better today, but I am still trying to let it rest, which is, needless to say, difficult for me. Oh, and I've discovered something about Doug and me. People always think that I talk too much and that I don't let Doug talk, but that's not the case. He is just quiet. So last night was pretty boring, because neither of us talked. I felt like we were one of those old couples in the restaurant who don't say a word the whole time. Nice. I almost poked my own eyes out. I hope I get better soon.

Hope?

Well, the election is finally over. Some people are elated with the results; some are devastated. This has been a very emotional election. Something has really been bothering me this year though. While I am happy with the fact that more people actually CARE about voting this year, I can't help but notice how much faith people are putting in a mere man. Whether it's Obama or McCain, or even Clinton or Palin, for that matter, our hope should never be in a person. While a person can do great things and put into place effective policies, we must be careful not to deify a person. And I feel like that is what a lot of people have done this election. From the iconic pictures of Obama with the word "Hope" underneath, to the countless emails I have received touting McCain as the savior for this country from all things evil, I think people are going too far. We already have a hope--Jesus Christ. We already have a Savior--Jesus Christ. These men are just that--men. Fallible, limited, although well-intentioned, men. Let's be careful not to put more pressure on them than they can handle--or than they deserve.

Pumpkin Patch Pics!

Here they are! In reverse order.