Job offer!

Today was a memorable day for all of Houston due to the flooding, and for my husband and I because he finally heard about the job he'd interviewed for and was waiting on -- he got it!

He summed up the process better than I can, and so I just pulled his posting, where he sweetly thanks me, from Facebook.   Congratulations, its because of all of your hard work that you will get to be a full-time college professor!!

Kevin's facebook post to let friends and family know:


I haven't really put much on Facebook about this, but in March I applied for a full time faculty position that opened up at the college I have been teaching at since 2012. Today, I received word that I have been selected for the position! It was one of the best calls I have ever received! Words cannot describe how excited I am right now! As some of you may know, in 2010 I decided to take a risk and make a major career change from Software Engineering to becoming a college professor. Now I can finally say my ultimate goal has been achieved! There is absolutely no WAY I could have done this without the support and encouragement of my incredible wife, Carol, as well as the support of friends and family along the way. I would not have been able to do this alone, but especially without Carol, who I love with all my heart and without whom I would not have gotten to this point. I am forever grateful sweetie:-) And to all of the wonderful teachers and colleagues I have had along the way, I thank you as well, for you helped me dream the dream and to believe that I could make it happen! With great humility, I look forward to my new career while not losing sight of how so many of you believed in me and encouraged me along the way. Thank you to all! 

flooding

No one in Houston will forget this year's Memorial Day.  It has rained a lot this spring, but last night beat it all.

Even though we went to bed, we were awake most of the night listening to the rain and seeing the lightning, and all of the emergency alerts that kept blowing up Kevin's phone, but we were the lucky ones.  Many people (including my sister) were stranded all over town.   I know that my sister being out in the storm -- she found a gas station to seek shelter in, was part of why I couldn't sleep.  I knew there was nothing I could do, but still worried for her.

Today we could not stop watching the coverage, tv and social media, about it.   I really feel for the people who are dealing with flooded homes and cars today, and even worse for those who lost loved ones.  

Meanwhile, I felt a little guilty since we just had a nice stay at home day, smoked some ribs and road our bikes to pick up fresh bread from a local bakery.

I know there will be more photos to come, but here is a good collection of a few.

This storm reminded me a lot of Tropical Storm Allison, and its just rain - no real storm system.

Lovely wedding

My sister's wedding was a great success!

It was a very busy weekend and there were things that went wrong (there always are), but all of that fades away when we see how happy the newly married couple is and all of the guests had a great time -- groom's dad was one proud papa!  My parents were over the moon as well.

I know that my sister is glad the planning is over (so am I) and it was wonderful to see so many family and friends and watch her commit to a wonderful man and he to her.

We were fortunate with the weather, especially seeing the weather we had before and after their wedding day. I am actually really glad she got married on a 3 day weekend, I needed the extra day to recover.

I was most nervous about giving my toast, I was rewriting it even the morning of the wedding!     I was able to give it, with a couple of stops because I just choked up as soon as I saw her with her new husband looking beautiful in her dress, but I did make it through it...she's so sweet she offered to read it for me, but I was like -- no, I have to do it (and it was so scribbled out I don't think she could've read it even if she wanted to).   I am so glad she let me go first, but realized after I gave it I wasn't sure what I was supposed to do - who do I give mic to, where do I go???

Our hair and makeup took longer than expected since one hair stylist wasn't there (the one that did our hair did a great job!)  so we were running late to the venue, it made for quite a comedy of errors for 6 bridesmaids + bride to get ready.  

Kevin looked great in his suit, and was such a trooper -- staying even after the grand exit so we could gather up all the items to bring back to the hotel.  


*I hope to add more to this recap but wanted to get it up before the weekend comes to an end*

hectic May

Happy May!

I realized this was sitting in my drafts.....been so busy I've thought of this blog but not made time to post, which is a shame because when I keep up with it it gives a nice little record of what is happening in our world.  So you get a little bullet point list

• April Showers -- in April we had both the literal kinds of showers (rain) and parties --- sister's bachelorette party AND her bridal shower. The two events were very different but each very fun.    We hosted the bridal shower at the clubhouse for Events and Adventures -- the group where she met her future husband :)   
• I spent some time with my siblings at the house we grew up in trying to get it cleaned out and ready to get on the market, it was a weird feeling seeing it empty (they moved in when i was 6 months old so I have NEVER seen it empty).   I've had my chance to tell it good bye and just want to get the process done to get it sold.
• Kevin has been busy -- in addition to finishing out his semester, he had a job interview!  well actually 3 -- he made it through round one (9 interviewees!) and was able to go to round 2 which had 2 separate interviews.   We are still waiting to hear the outcome, no matter what it is I am so proud of him and he has now been through the full interview process for a faculty job -- totally different than getting his adjunct position
• once the bridal parties were wrapped up I started working on Kevins' 40th birthday party plans for June
• we are now only 6 days from my sister's wedding!!  hoping for some drier weather this week and YES  I am still working on my toast....I think its the hardest job in my role as Maid of Honor