Smashburger

Kyle and I tried out this new (to us) place Smash Burger for lunch last week. It was nice inside and the burger was good, but mine was really messy and fell apart, so I was annoyed and using a ton of napkins. They put on too much ketchup and mustard and everything was just slip sliding about and the patty broke into a few pieces. BUT, frustrations aside, the food was good and presentation nice. We'll have to go again and I'll keep it simpler next time, or maybe try a grilled chicken sandwich. 

I've never seen these ketchup packets before! Crazy. 

- Mrs. M

Birthday Cake

For Kyle's birthday I made him a carrot cake, using the same recipe as the one I made for Valentine's Day. I decided to just make one layer, though, so I cut the recipe in half. I planned out a little theme for the cake too, and decorated it accordingly. I'm not that talented so it's nothing fancy, but I'm pretty pleased. All that's missing is the Jurassic Park Jeep, and maybe some limbs strewn about. I can even hear Dr. Alan Grant saying "they do move in herds." 

Stage 1: baking and design prep

Stage 2: Ice and decorate. I used walnuts and green and blue decorating sugar to create a land/water look.

Stage 3: Add dinosaurs and candles. Yes I put on 24.

 And all lit up ready for the birthday boy! He really liked it. :)

- Mrs. M

Happy Birthday!

Today Kyle turns 24! We don't have big plans, but I'm going to make him his favorite peach whiskey bbq chicken for dinner, and a carrot cake for dessert. :)

I love you!
- Wife

Car Kitty

 Stray kitty appeared out of nowhere while I was out in the backyard putting out water, and she walked around to the front yard and hopped on top of our car to hang out for a bit. It was too cute. I'm not sure if she is pregnant or not. Thoughts?

- Mrs. M

Thursday Thoughts (14)

{one} Stray kitty has been spotted around more. She is really friendly. She followed me right to the front door and sat there waiting to come in. Huxley discovered her, and tried to get out to hang with this new friend. It was pretty cute. 

{two} Kyle's birthday is Sunday! Hooray!

{three} Kyle and I tried this new (ish) place Smash Burger for lunch. It seems like a nice place and we both enjoyed the food. They put way too much ketchup and mustard on mine and it kind of fell apart and was a big mess, but it tasted good!

{four} First day of class went well. I somehow escaped never having to do an annotated bibliography in undergrad, but I have one due Tuesday. It doesn't look that bad, but I remember everyone hating doing them. Anyway, I'm still super excited for everything, so that's good. 

{five} I think my re-organizing and redecorating of my office area is pretty much complete. Here's a preview. I love my new gold skull.

{six}I'm so excited for new Arrested Development episodes. So excited.

via

- Mrs. M

Orientation Days

Tuesday was my not-actual-but-kind-of first day of school! We had an orientation to the program day, today was internship orientation, tomorrow starts a week-long Intro to the Profession course, then all classes/internships begin on the 20th. I am a mega dork so I've been super excited and planning and getting ready. Both days went well! When the first day began with a prayer and the associate dean telling us about how the faculty had prayed for us, I was thinking "well crap." But another professor assured me it's really OK and my lack of religion wouldn't be a problem for me/anyone else (even though Sar has told me this a couple times, I still get nervous). We got a bunch of information in different sessions, and had a nice lunch (soup, salad, baked potato bar!). There are a handful of students from Fort Hood that I am aware of, and another military wife is also placed at my internship. I also recognized (and was recognized in return!) by a couple girls I met during preview day in February. Maybe there is hope for me afterall. :)

Both days I received nice comments on my attire and my snazzy bag, so that was cool! I'm sure jeans and a t-shirt are a-ok for class, but I've decided to take a bit more professional, though still fun, approach to dressing for grad school and work. I found that in working (social work) with kids it's good to have balance between some fun and colorful pieces that they themselves like and will comment on- opening up communication and some fun discussion about light things, and staying professional to maintain the boundary. Aside from that, it feels good to dress up during the week days. I was never one to don an all-around sweatsuit to class, but I feel my style has really developed since graduating last April, and it's fun to put together a nice, comfortable outfit. and maybe snap a picture of it before heading out :)

how about these crazy chair pods, eh? Every part of them moves. 

 morning in downtown Waco

I'm also excited to explore Waco some more. Aside from it being the home of Dr. Pepper, I'm told 90% of all Snickers and Skittles are made in Waco, and it has the second largest metropolitan park in the US (after central park in NY). I've really only seen Waco through Baylor, and I'll mostly be at the Social Work building which is in downtown Waco and less on main campus (which is still less than 5 minutes away), but I'm hoping to get to know the town a bit, possibly with some future friends and/or husband! The drive only takes about half an hour or 35 minutes, and traffic hasn't been bad these two days. There are a ton of trucks on 35 which can get annoying, but the drive has been easy and pleasant so far. It also helps that I like mornings, so getting up at 5 to work out and then get ready to leave around 7 is kind of nice for me.

-Mrs. M