Even when the rain falls

The past week has gone by very quickly, though the days themselves seemed to drag on.  Last weekend, Jessy and I went to Cookeville, TN to teach at the TN 4-H Sheep Conference.  We taught high schoolers on Friday night for a few hours, going more in depth into sheep reproduction: estrous cycles, hormones, male and female anatomy (with heifer tracts for them to dissect), embryonic development, gestation, parturition, and advances in reproductive technologies.  They seemed to enjoy it.  Saturday morning, we had younger kids (middle school) that came in 3 rotations.  I led the discussion for that, with a little less detail and a little more general stuff.  Jessy and I then cleaned up, got in the truck and headed back to Knoxville to go to Becca's baby shower.  That was fun and there were a good number of people there (mostly from the lab).  That took place at Kim's house and once everyone left, she and I cleaned up a bit before getting ready for the rodeo.

The rodeo was in Blaine, TN which is right on the way to Bean Station (where I frequent to visit the slaughter house).  Kim had a great time, but it was definitely a culture shock to her.  I was under-impressed with the performance of the exhibitors.  My mom would say "the cows won".  It was a good rodeo though, with plenty of events and a hilarious clown guy who provided many laughs and tears at one point from laughing so hard. 

Memorial day was pretty enjoyable.  I got to go ride Essau in the morning which was so pleasant!  I went into work for a little bit to get some stuff done and then relaxed the rest of the day.  The rest of the week was full of slaughter house trips, reading papers, lab work, and staying busy. 

Jordan came into town yesterday (Saturday) morning since she was at a workshop in Gatlinburg all week.  We went to the barn to ride Essau, toured the campus, had Menchie's, watched Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, and ate at Dead End BBQ.  I think she enjoyed her time here.  She left early this morning to head back to Raleigh. 

Justin and I just finished our book this afternoon, Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus.  I really enjoyed it and recommend that everyone read it.  It can help relationships whether you are single, engaged, or married.  It has brought up so many things that people never think about, but are absolutely true.  There are lots of examples that help explain the concepts and there wasn't a chapter we read where one of us didn't relate to what was being discussed.  We both have a copy, so feel free to borrow it!! 

I've been thinking a lot lately about this time next year.  With everyone finishing school and so many people moving in and out of my apartment complex, it just makes me think about when I will get to finish and move.  Justin and Tim are moving into their new apartment this Friday, which will be the apartment Justin and I live in once we're married!!  I am so excited to get to see it in July when I head home for a 3-day weekend.  Even with so much more ahead of me, I catch small glimpses of light at the end of the tunnel and can get a little bit excited about graduating, moving back home, getting married, honeymooning, and settling into my new life!!  Justin and I have been looking at/talking about furniture lately which also adds to the excitement.  I found a table I love and we've looked at a few different beds and couches.  It's crazy to think we're actually going to get married one of these days!  For SO long it has been something that was so far down the road, but now we are less than a year out!!!  I guess now I can really start booking things and getting a little more serious about wedding planning since I'm in the "normal" time range.  There's a countdown on this blog now that will keep you up to date, but I will still just be counting down the months until it's less than 1 month away :) 

This Tuesday starts a Bible study/book reading group with my Sunday school class.  We'll be meeting at Barley's Taproom, a local pizzeria/pub where we'll discuss a chapter from a book each week (whichever one we decide to read).  I'm pretty excited about it! 

On a random note, here are two incredible songs that I have been playing over and over.  Enjoy!