The update to end all updates

Our absence on the blog these last few months really speaks to the craziness of our lives lately. I did manage to survive the spring semester (my third in a row of working 40 hours a week while taking 3 graduate classes) with my sanity intact, but just barely. Wanting my last semester of grad school to be a happier, healthier one, I decided to only work part-time at the library starting in June.

Best. Decision. Ever. Our apartment is a lot cleaner, I'm cooking dinner every night, I have more time to exercise/read/be lazy, and the best part is that I feel like I'm able to be a better wife. Now when Jason comes home I'm looking for ways to serve him and spend time with him instead of griping about how I'm so busy and stressed and/or nagging him to wash the dishes. Things are definitely a lot happier around here (as evidenced by the photo above) :)

As far as what we've been up to these past few months, here are monthly summaries:

March
We hosted Jason's parents for a lovely weekend. We attempted to visit a local ice cream factory but were unable to get tickets because apparently it's a hot Spring Break destination. We consoled Doug (Jason's dad - AKA the Ice Cream Fiend) with multiple trips to Spoons instead. (Photo: celebrating Patty's birthday)

Also in March, Jason passed the Prelims for his degree, which to my knowledge basically meant that he had to present his dissertation proposal to his dissertation committee so they could confirm that he's on the right track.

April
Homework, homework, homework. Yep, that was about it. Took a much needed break to spend Easter by the pool with some dear friends.

May
I wrote about a million papers (only slightly exaggerating), finished another semester, and started off my month-long break from school with a trip to Kansas City to visit our sisters and future brother-in-law. Had the best BBQ I've ever eaten in a gas station (or anywhere else). We really enjoyed spending time with Josh as he will be officially joining the Histand clan this September (photo: the sisters on the lawn at the art museum).

Also in May, Jason and I made history by taking our first vacation together (just the two of us) since our honeymoon four years ago (we know, how pathetic. But hey, we're busy and poor). We decided to celebrate our anniversary a little early by spending a weekend in San Antonio where we visited a Japanese Tea Garden and a Mexican market, went hiking and out to eat, and.....(this is the best part).....went to SEA WORLD!!! Awesome, awesome weekend. So fun watching my husband act like an ecstatic little boy during the Shamu show.

June
That brings us up to our current month, in which our marriage turned 4 and Jason will turn (tomorrow!) 28. We are once again playing on a coed softball team for which Jason is our star pitcher and I stand in the outfield and try not to let the ball hit my face.

Jason has some exciting stuff going on at school (he's building his own wind tunnel!) but I should really let him tell you more about that.

I'm so thankful that I can really enjoy this summer as the relaxing, laid-back season it's supposed to be. Hopefully that means you'll be hearing from us more often on this blog, but I'm not making any promises....