On the Hunt...

for a house!

We are excited and nervous because this will be our first home. We have rented for so long that it just feels comfortable, but we are ready to be homeowners. I need all the advice I can get. Should we use a realtor? Or do it alone?

We are probably going to end up building a house. Has anyone else done that? What would you do differently the next time? Did you pay for upgrades or do them yourself?

Help me out!!

Soap Opera

The other night we were able to go to the Houston Grand Opera and see the dress rehearsel of Tosca by Puccini. (Our friends gave us their tickets because they couldn't go.) I had only been to one opera before and this was Jacob's first time. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I knew nothing about this opera, but there was a synopsis to read and supertitles in English so we could know what was going on as they sang. Who would've thought you could sing so passionately about a woman's fan or a basketful of food? And somehow it all sounds better in Italian. The performers were amazing and I was in awe at how powerfully and beautifully they sang. There were a few slow parts and overly dramatic parts I rolled my eyes at, and by the end all the main characters were dead, but overall I thought it was worth my time to see. Jacob didn't even fall asleep, but I guess that would be hard to do while people are being murdered on stage. Has anyone else been to an opera? What do you think of them?

Friends

Some highlights of my trip out west were seeing a couple of friends I hadn't seen in a long time. Carole and I have been friends since junior high and her family just moved to Utah from South Carolina. We figured out that we hadn't seen each other for about 3 years. I finally got to meet her little boy (who has the cutest big belly), and saw her daughter Emily again (who called me "Kimmy" in the sweetest little voice!). We had a great time laughing at old pictures of us, playing games, and eating brownie sundaes. Thanks for letting me stay with you Carole!

Christina is my friend from when we lived in Virginia; our husbands went to dental school together. It was great to see her family again and catch up on what they've been doing. We miss living close to them. I used to be able to walk down the street and see Christina whenever I wanted. Her 3 little girls are adorable and I'm excited for them to have a baby boy in a couple of months. Thanks for letting me come visit you Christina!

I really do believe that I have the best friends anyone could want. They have to be to listen to me ramble on, right? I wish I could've seen more of my friends over the holiday. Maybe next time...