Mama

This past weekend Taylor and I went to a concert with some friends. It was a great soul/blues/jazz band called Soul Track Mind from Austin. The lead singer picked me out in the crowd (I may have been hollering a lot) and proceeded to tell Taylor that this next song was for Taylor, about me. It was called "Look at her Mama" you can listen to it here. Basically the song says if you want to know what a girl is going to be like later on in life, just look at her mama, that will tell you everything you need to know. Everyone had a great laugh about it, but it got me thinking. My mom has had to overcome a lot on her own this last year and I am really proud of her.  She has come a long way and I really admire her strength, sense of humor and her courage. Plus, she looks amazing! Love you mama!

ODD

I am going to share with you a story my mom loves to tell about me.  When I was 2 years old, my mom was cooking and told me not to touch the stove because it was hot and I would burn myself. I reached out my hand toward the burner and my mother grabbed it and told me again very sternly not to touch the stove. As soon as I could, I reached out again and touched the hot stove. I burned my hand pretty bad but didn't shed one tear. My mom says I would never give her the satisfaction of letting her know she was right.

To be honest, I have been diagnosed before by medical professionals with oppositional defiance disorder, (O.D.D.) which I always thought was a load of crap. I was recently studying for a psychology test and came across a description of children with O.D.D. I could not help but think of this story. Now I'm sure lots of kids touch hot burners after being told not to, but I am most proud of the fact that I managed not to scream or cry. After discussing it with my mom we both decided I do not have ODD, I am just very "strong-willed". I like the sound of that better.

She also reminded me that on my first day of kindergarten, I refused to let her or my dad take me to school. I wanted to walk to school, which was a few blocks away, all by myself. I told her that I knew where the school was and I could get there on my own. That same day was my sister's first day of sixth grade and my mom could not pry my sister from her. My sister wanted my mom to stay with her at school the entire day. I don't think you could find two sisters more opposite than us.  Our poor parents

This story would not be complete without some cute/embarrassing pictures.

Notice my shirt says "Sarah", the joys of being a second child.

Nomad

We have been living in our apartment for almost a year and I'm starting to feel very restless. I have no idea why I am like this but I really don't like staying in one place longer than a year. Taylor knows this about me and was smart enough to make me sign an 18 month lease when we moved here so I have to buckle down for at least another six months.  Even then, it will be extremely difficult to move in the middle of the fall semester.  I honestly really like where we are living so I am not sure why I am itching to move.  In the almost four years we have been married, we have lived in five different places. What is wrong with me?

 Sorry but I had to. My baby girl is getting so big!

Home

This past weekend I flew down to San Antonio. My dear friend/guardian angel and his family were in town so I got to visit with them and spend some time with my fam. We were planning on going down the the beach but some things came up and we ended up having a great, relaxing weekend at home. My mom and I had some serious spa and shopping time. After living in the DFW for almost a year, I have to say San Antonio still feels like home.
Taylor went and visited his family in Utah. His grandfather was just diagnosed with double hit lymphoma, so they got to spend some needed time together. Please keep him in your prayers!

The Gurr Family

Miss these guys

Taylor and Grandpa Knapp

Good Reads Master

My sister, Sarah, has a very unique gift. I tend to think it is really a magical power, she can always recommend the best books to anyone. You just tell her a book you liked or what you are interested in and abracadabra, she will give you a book you will absolutely love. It probably helps that she majored in English, reads a minimum of two novels a week and works at Half Price Books. (with a great discount) But thanks to her, I have an unlimited supply of amazing books. I asked her for her top five general recommendations and here they are, in case you are looking for your next good read.

        1. Mudbound by Hillary Jordan

        2. Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson

        3. A Brief History of the Dead by Kevin Brockmeier

        4. This is Where I Leave You by Johnathan Tropper

        5. Room by Emma Donoghue (which I already reviewed here)

The Good Reads Master

Birthday Boy

Happy Birthday to my darling husband! Yesterday he turned 24 and we went to his favorite restaurant, Hillstone, to celebrate. We just got back from Florida so we are still recovering from our trip. We had an amazing vacation but I am ashamed to say we were having too much fun to take very many pictures. It was so gorgeous. Hopefully I can get some from our friends. Spring break has been amazing and I am dreading going back to school on Monday. At least I have a trip down to the beach next weekend with my fam to look forward to.

Birthday kiss

Coldplay tickets

 

It was tough to leave the pool

 It rained for about 10 minutes on the first day but we weren't about to let that stop us.

I found some amazing shells

Hello and Goodbye

Last week I went and said goodbye to my Mercedes. There were a lot of tears but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I did get some memorabilia to take home. Hopefully I can put together a little display case with it.
I'm actually really enjoying my new car. I am definitely getting used to driving an automatic, it is infinitely better in the terrible, awful traffic that plagues the DFW. I also love having a cup holder and who can resist that new car smell?

Don't worry, one day I will be driving something like this.