Is Everything Cooked to Perfection?

Hello to all from League City, Texas!! This is pretty much going to be a picture blog because I have been so super busy and have lots of fun things to share! Last week was pretty much preparation for tons of fun with Jolyn followed by tons of fun with my friends in Charlotte!! I headed to the airport on Thursday after work. I was a little nervous because I only had about thirty minutes between flights and I was going to be in the Atlanta Airport (it's huge). My nerves were right, too. I got to ATL early, so I let out a sigh of relief... too bad we spent twenty five minutes sitting on the plane in the runway. I was talking to this group of teachers (all headed to spring break as well) and everyone was so nervous for me, too, hoping that I might make it. As soon as the plane got to the terminal (before the seatbelt light even went off) all five of them yelled "GO"! I jumped out of my seat and started making my way to the front with 5 minutes until my flight was leaving. It was too bad I was at the last gate in terminal C and I needed to be at the last gate in terminal D! I got off the plane to find that my next flight had been delayed 15 minutes and I was very excited. I started walking instead of running until I realized how far I had to go. I started sprinting... FULL ON! I ran all the way to the gate and was completely out of breath when my phone started ringing. It was Delta. They called to let me know that my connecting flight had been delayed as well... lol... they wanted to make sure that I made it. It was very nice, I thought, too bad I already did the hard work!! The plane was delayed due to mysterious mechanical difficulty that cleared up right as I got to the gate (literally within three minutes of my arrival). Thank the Lord that I made it!! After that it was smooth sailing into Houston Hobby around 11pm. We stopped at Jack in the Box for chicken strips and then came back to bed to get ready for fun all around!

Friday, April 10, 2009

Jolyn lives in a great little gated apartment complex. It was really beautiful.






You cannot argue with that view!! Amazing to see that every morning!!

Jolyn had to work in the morning, so I slept in a little bit and then got ready for a fun day at the Space Center.


We started getting some Tex Mex with some of Jolyn's friends from work. Mom Alone was very yummy!


I had enchiladas! Perfect!


Next, it was on to the Space Center where I would be very impressed by the work that Jolyn does! She is so brilliant!


The guy at the gate said that I looked suspicious and I couldn't get in, lol.


I was loving every minute of the sunshine!!


This is Jo's building. Isn't the moon cool?!


My first job was to land the space shuttle. I did pretty good. The first time I crashed it, but that was because Chuck was being a bad teacher. After Jolyn helped me a little more I landed pretty good the second time! Go me!


Next, I flew the concept space shuttle. This isn't even real yet, they are working on it to replace the shuttle one day. The big boss man told me that!


Jolyn took me into this room where she is engineering one of the tracks to move the simulators around!! How cool?!


This is one of Jo's good friends Chad. He has helped her out a lot settling in and all! He is a nice guy!


I better not get caught here! This looks dangerous!


This was another simulator. This time we docked the shuttle on the space station. It was pretty fun. I am practically an astronaut now!


This part was really cool! The guy in the blue shirt is a real instructor. We went into the dome and he gave us a lesson on docking the shuttle onto the space station. That is right! I was trained by an actual instructor that trains astronauts!! That is something to write home about!!

We walked around a little more and found Jolyn's boss who wanted to chat a little bit. He was very sweet. I asked him when he was going to fly to Syracuse and talk to my students. He ended up sending us back to the building where they gave me tons of stuff to bring back to my kids!! We got coloring sheets, coloring books, paper airplanes and rockets, posters, trading cards... all kinds of great stuff! Then, in the gift shop I was looking for stickers for the kids and the sales lady said they didn't have any, but she had a roll that she uses for giving to kids. She ended up just handing me the entire roll!! It was so sweet!! My kids are going to be SOO happy! They love stickers!


Since it was Good Friday we went out with Jessica and Chris to eat some seafood. It was delicious!


Jolyn and I both had crablegs!! Awesome! After that it was bed to get ready for a big shopping day!

Saturday, April 11, 2009


Breakfast of champions.


Jolyn has become a lover of spicy things. She got the jalepeno, I just got the plain, but they were both delicious!


Yum.


Shopping doesn't really make for many pictures, but food does. You know I love the Chick-Fil-A!


We had fun in the mall. I am very excited to report that we got Jolyn some really awesome clothes! She looks hot! You might even see some on the rest of the pictures :-)


After fun shopping we headed home for a little break (nap!!) and then we went to dinner. You know I had to have some real Texas Bar-B-Que. It was yummy, too! The sauce was scrumptious!


I had the brisket just for James. I know how much he loves brisket and I think he would have been pleased!

After dinner we headed to church. It was an evening Vigil services and it was really moving. We started with candles outside. One candle started it and then we all spread it to each other. Then, we went inside and sat down. After some readings there were six baptisms. They were older kids (teens) and were actually baptised in a real font. They got down on their knees and the priest poured water over them in Baptism. It was really amazing. It actually made me want to wait to get my children Baptised when they are a little older and able to really understand. I got teared up during the service. I loved the priest. He was very genuine and happy. The entire service including several confirmations as well lasted over three hours! I didn't even notice until we were leaving though... it was that good! I think that something that really touched me during the service was when I realized that if James and I end up in Houston, this could actually be our church, where we bring our family! It gives me goosebumps to think about! I am so ready to be married to him and together! I miss him so much!


When we got home, it was practically Easter!! Jolyn made me a surprise Easter basket. Little did she know, I had one for her, too!! Yay!

Sunday, April 12, 2009


Easter morning was all about the chocolate covered marshmallow eggs! I have been waiting months to eat these babies! SOO delicious!


Jolyn is looking so flippin' cute in her new clothes this Easter morning!! I am lovin' every minute!


After watching Madagascar II we headed out to meet Jessica and Chris for lunch.


There was a slightly crazy rainstorm that lasted about an hour. If you can see that guy out there under the umbrella... he was selling NEWSPAPERS! HA!


We ate at Perry's and I have to say that it was a good choice. Everything about it was great!


Jolyn ordered the ribeye, but they accidentally sent a NY Strip, so we took the strip! Look at it! How could we not? And... we got it for free because of the mistake!! How great is that?!?!


The freshest salad I have ever eaten!


Dessert was the money maker though! YUM! There was no resisting.


Banana's Foster is an Easter miracle!


That is all that I have to say about that.


This was the most delightful chocolate covered strawberry I ever ate!!


Of course, we cannot go without a shout-out to Ja! He was the best waiter. He really made sure we were taken care of!


After lunch we headed back to the apartment to take a break before dinner. We ended up walking around the complex. It turned out to be a beautiful day!


Sisters!


Finally, we took a 45 minute car ride to meet up with Jolyn's friend Jennifer and her husband Jerome. I have known Jen for years. I was glad to find out that she married and really great guy, too!


The sweet couple. We ate Korean. They knew just what they were doing. I actually cheated and had tempura, ha!

Monday, April 13, 2009


Sadly, Jolyn had to work this morning and miss out on some perfect weather! I did some work on my paper and then brought myself to the pool and soaked up the sun!! It was so super nice. Jo got out early and we were able to hang out while it was still beautiful.


We got some pizza at Double Dave's which is great because it is right next to Jo's apartment. We walked right over.


Just me enjoying a Vanilla Coke. Yum.


You gotta love that Longhorns wall!! When are we moving to Texas?


Another mistake got us some free food! You have to be happy about that. They accidentally charged us for a large pizza and so the owner gave Jo a coupon for a free med. pepperoni pizza! That is her favorite!!


The pizza was SO good.


Jolyn: please do not miss out on a single pepperoni slice!! :-)


This is the life! I am not ready to leave tomorrow :-(


This was our last stop of the day. It was really cool. I will say that it was very very safe and controlled and I learned a lot in there. I have some great pictures, but I don't want to post them for the sake of internet surfing kids or parents of my kids. It was, for sure, and experience for the books though!

If there is one thing that can take the hard out of a hard situation it is family and friends. I am so blessed to have a great group of both! Being without James and not knowing what he is doing or where he is always takes a little bit of the hop out of my step... Jolyn and I have had nothing but a complete blast since the moment that I got here and I have to say that put some hop back into my step! I couldn't possibly thank her for everything that she did for me while I have been here. She made this trip and I am so happy that I have her as a sister and a best friend! I look forward to my spring break bringing me to another best friend on Wednesday!! ... it is too bad I have to leave here to do that! I will definitely be back here again! There is no doubt about that! Thanks a million Jolyn, I love you to pieces!!

As for the sailor, I miss you, Baby, and I cannot wait for you to get home. We are going to get back here to Texas ASAP. I actually might have a thing or two to show you on that trip, too!! I love you. Be safe and please hurry home!

I wish you each a bright and beautiful week! I hope that the Easter bunny was good to you!

always,
Jamie