A Week of Shocks...

We made it.

We made it through our first week of school.

Normally this wouldn't merit such accomplishment- but this year it definitely does.

We both have new roles this year.... roles that require us to wake up at 5 in the a.m.

Jon is the early morning seminary teacher and I have a job teaching high school dance... 

and school starts at 7:00!

It's been quite the adjustment.

I've been kind of jealous that Jon gets to teach from the scriptures everyday... because my first week has been a little less than spiritual ;)

I thought I was used to Houston and it's diversity, but everything came as one big culture shock this week.

My school is 60% Hispanic, 30% African American and 10% white.

My kids speak in Ebonics or Spanish... and half the time I can't understand them.

I say "What?" a LOT.

If there is a white kid in my class- they're Emo and hate life.

Some of my kids are homeless...

A lot of my students already have kids... and if they don't have kids- they're pregnant.

I found a condom on the floor during one of my classes...

"What is this?!"

"Mrs. Brame, Mrs. Brame- it's for science class!"

"Riiiiiiight..."

"Well at least we're being safe!"

I never knew that Sex Education fell under my position as Dance Teacher.

Go figure.

But besides the shock- I couldn't be happier. 

We went to our high school football game on Friday...

and were in shock again.

Texas football is KIND of a big deal.

We loaded up on the bus with the Drill Team...

(P.S. the bus had no AC... but don't worry- it was only 107 degrees)

We had always heard that there is nothing like football in Texas-
and we are slowly learning why.
These people LIVE and BREATHE football.
This was an away game.
But no matter- we still brought the band, the cheerleaders and the drill team.
12 buses in all.
And we had our own police escort.

I helped with the drill team off and on throughout the night and the biggest shock of all came as I rounded the corner to bring the team over to the field...
They were praying.
It's good to know that the world isn't completely terrible.

And although we didn't win-
we sure enjoyed being among the great hordes of Texas football lovin' fans.

To the Beach!

So who said Houston is ALL humidity and sticky sweaty heat?
(Ok probably me... but moving on...)

We DO have beaches!

So come visit- maybe we'll take you to this gem...

Surfside Beach.

It's where I ran my half marathon and almost died (post here)-

but in the summer when the sun is shining (and when you're not so worried about dying)

it's quite a lovely place.

Nice beach access...

 Beautiful blue sky AND water

(This isn't Galveston folks- the water is actually blue)

 Water balloon launching

 Lounging

 Football playing

 Relaxing...

 and just having a good time.

You can't beat that.

 What a perfect thing to do on a hot summer day :)

A Little Visit to the Promised Land

I love Utah.

Love, love, love.

Especially northern Utah in the summer time.

Is there anything more heavenly?

I think not.

After what seemed like the hottest/most humid summer ever in existence-

we got to end it with a lovely taste of Utah.

Ahhh...

As I blog here in Park City the sun is setting and a cool DRY breeze blows through the window mixed with the smell of grass and pine trees. 

L.O.V.E.

The reason for this lovely Utah trip?

My little brother got married in the Salt Lake City temple...
(to read more about temples... click here)

 

After the beautiful ceremony inside the temple-

we waited for the couple to make their appearance... 

Matching sisters...

That's the best smile we could get out of Mary ;)

 My parents

 Oh and HERE they are!
The bride and groom!
What a happy couple...

The "other" happy couple ;)

 Cute kissing parent pic

 Brothers

 Sisters

 The beautiful backyard reception...
Remember how Utah has lovely summer weather?
This night was no exception-
it was BEE-YOU-TI-FUL!

 Friends

 Cute sisters and cute cousin sang the cutest song.

 

And I'm kinda proud to say that we pulled off a "Wedding Flash Mob"...

put on by yours truly.

It was a hit.

 Cutting the cake

 And a little bit of dancing...
don't they look so happy?
Cute.

 You love birds have fun in Hawaii!

It's CaroLINE, Brian....

We love Brian Regan.

He's a genius.

He's clean.

And he's SO funny.

We bought tickets to see his show in Houston- but ended up selling our tickets because something came up and we couldn't go....

Feeling a little depressed about it,

a month ago I got online to see where his other shows were.

As I scrolled down through his tours, I saw "PEARL, MISSISSIPPI"

WHAT?! Why would we come to Mississippi?

Turns out it was a benefit concert for kids with SMA,

and he did it as a favor for a friend.

Either way- we were glad we got to benefit from that favor!

We had a blast!

 The pic is washed out... can't tell that it's actually him.

But it is.

We honestly laughed for 2 straight hours...

and definitely had stomach aches afterward.

Doorknobs...

Yes, ok... I'll admit it.

I took pictures of doorknobs.

Remember how life in Mississippi is a LEEEETLE bit slower than normal?

But c'mon! 

We live in this cool old house and I swear all the doorknobs are original.

Ok, maybe not- but they look it and feel like it.

 And I just wanted to remember them all...

so no making fun.