First world problem

Last night Trav and I ate our last dinner at Currents- our favorite restaurant in Tyler. Yes, first world problem :) SO many memories there with family and Trav. They are planning on opening somewhere else, but whenever a favorite restaurant moves it always seems to lose something. We had the best time! Vino, steaks, pie. Good times! Trav knows how much I love 2/14 (I know that may be cheesy, but have always felt loved by friends and family when I was single or not so I like a day to celebrate love!) My gift from the hubs is a trip to L'Atelier Parfums et Creations at the Ritz in Bali! Just the coolest and something I have always wanted to do- create my own perfume.

Speaking of Bali- yes! We are going on a trip of a lifetime to Indonesia in May. I can't even believe we are going. It takes over a day to get there: 5 hour flight to LA, 15 hour flight to Taiwan, 5 hour flight to Bali, but NO complaining because once we get there it is going to be like heaven!

But first on the agenda- Austin to see the Scottish-Turks, NOLA for my friend Heather's 30th bday, TMBG concert on our 8th date-aversary and Wicked!

Don't even know if anyone reads this, but it's going to be a happy 2013!  :)

xo
LH~

Pics!
Our home on xmas!Snow on xmas day!
 5th anniv dinner
 Ski trip!
 Mardi gras- post hurricanes.

VD Good times :)

My favorite day! Happy Valentine's Day! Feeling very loved today. Got some flowers and a sweet card when I woke up from my favorite. Then at work our director of nursing sent a bouquet of carnations and got some candy and chocolate covered strawberries. Hope everyone feels the love today!


Colossians 3:14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Fall is here!

I am currently bundled up in a coat and wishing I had a scarf today! So cold out! Absolutely loving it!!! Trav and I bought pumpkins on Friday evening at our church and we plan on decorating tomorrow night so that on Halloween we can have glowing jack-o'-lanterns on our front porch! :)

Tonight we have BSF- missed last week after exhausted from vacationing in the Smokey Mountains (pics soon). BSF is a worldwide bible study and this year is is over Genesis. I have never participated in BSF and it's a great study- if you have a BSF group near you I highly recommend. There are about 350 ladies that meet at our location and it's broken down into smaller groups by age, women from all denominations (this is never brought up)- it's strictly reading the scripture.

I have read Genesis many times in the past, but this time I am learning things I have never caught before. I feel like life just flies by and I am being taught to just stop and enjoy the small things in life and to make spending time with God a priority. Learning some awesome things. Truly awe-inspiring.

This past weekend we had the Parent's Anonymous second annual Oktoberfest. Such a fun event benefiting PA, which is a non-profit organization that works to put an end to child abuse. Really fun night with friends!!! (again pics soon) :)

Looking forward to Halloween on Wednesday! Going to stay in, cook fun foods and hand out candy!

Leaving you with a pic for today (today is Bob Ross' 70th birthday haha)

DDS, Tucket, San Fran, Napa :)

OK clearly this blog is not a daily or even a monthly occurance. Need to get better at blogging life. Enjoy looking back and seeing where life has led me.

Back in T-town! Life has been so busy getting settled in- loving every minute! Our jobs are going great- Trav loves being dentist and I got a great job at TJC as an academic advisor for the nursing and health science programs. We are livin' it up in the azalea district. Love all the older homes, nearby park and charming little brick streets.



Being close to family again has been great! Have been spending time with everyone and am loving it. We even try to ride our bikes to Nano's once in awhile :)

Graduation was excellent! So proud of my sweet Dr. Heaton!

Then we had a Nantucket celebration- 2012 Hammhealers trip! (LOVE my in-laws...how many people can say that?!)




Then we escaped to San Francisco & Napa for Murat's 30th surprise celebration!

 

Good times!!! Next up- Smokey Mountains of TN!! :)

Countdowns

Spring is here! Loving it! Trav and I sat by the pool yesterday before heading to some friend's for dinner. Was lovely. Afterwards the hubs says- "you smell great! What are you wearing"? Um, sunscreen :) We have spent so many amazing trips at the beach that the smell of sunscreen and a hint of perfume from earlier in the day is just great memories.


It is getting to be very busy in our lives right now. Time to wrap up work projects and for Trav- patients at the school. We are moving very soon- can't believe it. Getting anxious and really excited!


Can't wait to have a yard for the pups, for Trav to start his career, to be back at FCC- Tyler-the church where we got married, being close to family (minus mom and C...boo!- but I take Houston over Dubai any day) and so so much more to look forward to!


36 days until graduation
63 days until moving
79 days until Nantucket!


We are very blessed and Houston has been wonderful to us. Going to miss this city so much and all the friends we have made. Such great memories the past 4 years!


So here is a list of the best of the best for Houston for me! :)


Best Spa- Etheria Spa and Salon
Best Park- Hermann Park/ Miller Outdoor Theatre
Best Mexican Restaurant- Ninfa's on Navigation
Best German Food- Rudi Lechner's
Best French Restaurant- Au Petit Paris
Best Indian Food- London Sizzler
Best Pizza- Star Pizza or Pink's
Best Burger- Guy's on Old Spanish Trail or Lankford Grocery
Best Lebanese Market- Droubi's on Hillcroft
Best Chinese Restaurant- Ambassador
BestThai Restaurant- Thai Stix
Best Steakhouse- Pappa's Bros
Best Meat Market: Guy's on Old Spanish Trail
Best Farmer's Market- Canino's
Best Lounge/ Wine Bar- Boheme or Bacchus
Best Pub- Red Lion Pub
Best Happy Hour- Benjy's
Best Drink- Both at Volcano- Adult Icee (frozen rum/coke) or Strawberry Basil Martini
Best Brunch- Danton's Blues Brunch (try the gumbo bloody mary)
Best Zumba Class- 24 hour fitness Meyerland with Lisa or Nia Moves
Best Neighborhood- Montrose
Best Free Date- Hermann Park picnic or Natural History Museum on Tuesdays


Hope everyone is having a happy thirsty Thurs! :)


xo
L~

oh happy friday!

So happy it is Friday! And the biggest part of my job, interview season, is over! It went by really fast this year. We interviewed 356 medical students and will accept 50ish- whew. Good applicants this year!

Anyways- looking forward to this weekend! Tonight we are going to a Rockets game! First NBA game so will be a fun date. Last night we found a new favorite in Houston- Hideaway on Dunvale $12.00 lobsters! Love finding random places that we have never been. The options here are limitless. Really going to miss Houston.

Lots has happened since my last post. Was so great visiting Charles and Leslie in Centreville, VA! Great to see where they live. Little Christina, one of my nieces, shared her room with Travis and I. We felt like princesses :) We also did a lot of sight seeing in D.C., which was awesome. It had been 10 years since I had been there and I appreciated it a lot more than when I was younger. We had amazing food, including fried turkey- for the first time. Yum! And Leslie, my sister-in-law, made bacon stuffed french toast. wow. :) We basically ate and drank through the Christmas holiday....such a fun time to all go visit C&L!

After Christmas, Travis and I took an Amtrak train to NYC for our anniversary! We stayed in Herald Square Hotel and spent 3 days just enjoying our time in busy NYC. Match 65 was home to our favorite meal on our anniversary- parsley butter escargot, burger with foie gras- wow, and a lobster salad. We also went on a pizza tour, which was fun and delicious. Central Park to look around on a freezing 26 degree afternoon. Then we went to see Harry Connick in On A Clear Day You Can See Forever- he was amazing. We got to see Jake the Snake and see where he lives and meet his sweet pup- Smee. Just a fun 4th anniversary trip! (us at Rockefeller Center!)

NYE we spent in Tyler with the Heaton fam- and crew from Knoxville. It was a Swiss themed night complete with cheese and chocolate fondues. Was so fun to see the nieces and Benj again! Domino announced where our 2012 family vacation is going to be.... NANTUCKET!! We are going to Nantucket for the 4th! so so excited. What a dream vacation. In need of some cute clothes from Vineyard Vines! :) Going to get to go to Boston too and take the ferry over from Cape Cod. Just all exciting.

So glad the rents are back! They have officially moved into their house (in Spring, TX) 100%! Even though I am married and have my own home, it feels like home going to visit and stay with mom and Charles. They were gone for over 6 years, but it still feels like no time has gone by. All the furniture is the same and they have the pool table set up. Crystal and Zane came last weekend and we had a lot of fun- just good times!

Other happenings:

1. Work Biggest Loser Competition- bring it ;)

2. Charles' bday on the 11th! Celebrations to commence in Galveston!

3. World Championship BBQ cookoff- can't wait

4. Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo- yaaay!

5. Girl's trip to Austin with Cara and Mallory. Ready for Lake Austin Spa!

6. Celebrations for Fi's bday and St. Patrick's day in A-town!

7. March for Dimes in April

8. Travis graduates 5/18/12!!!!

good things to come~

xo

L

16 Days Until Christmas!

Can't believe Xmas is in 16 days! Excited about an east coast Christmas! Visting my stepbro and his sweet family in Virigina- 20 minutes from Washington, D.C.. Can't wait to see their place...first time to visit and it's been 10 years since I have been in DC.

After Christmas Trav and I are taking a train straight to Penn Station! Can't wait to be in NYC for our 4th Wedding Anniversary! :) We have it all planned out- ice skating in Central Park, visting Rockefeller Center, Cafe Lalo-for all those You've Got Mail enthusiasts-you know why :), pizza tour in Little Italy, 9/11 Memorial, Empire State Building, French bistro, Live Blues/Jazz...ahh just can't WAIT!

Then to Tyler for NYE. Staying with my dad and NYE a little celebration at Domino's with the Hammacks & Knox Heatons . Can't wait to see the nieces and nephew :)

ok! My Favorite Things 2011:

1. Trombone Shorty- New CD: For True

2. Southern Living Magazine- always excellent!

3. Prada Candy Perfume- mmmm!

4. Greenberg Turkey- get one for Christmas!! Make the Turkey Ball: 1 C. turkey, 1 8oz package cream cheese, 3T. Mayo- food process all items together- form into ball, refrigerate 1 hour then roll in coarse ground pepper or pecans. yum!

5. Brookstone Pop-Up Speaker The best sound and only 19.99- amazing gift!

6. Susie's South Forty- buttery pecan toffee- great gift!

I still have shopping to do. Why are men hard to shop for?!

Looking back on my previous blog- can't believe that was done 5 months ago...

Our Heaton Family Vacay was excellent- St. George Island treated us well! My dad turned 53, shortly after a heart scare. He had a 99.1% blockage and the docs were able to save him with a stint before a major heart attack. That was scary-so glad they caught it in time!

Mallory's baby shower was beautiful and now baby Lilly Rissmiller is here. She was born 10/4 and she is just such a doll! Then we had Murat and Fiona's wedding festivities in October and the wedding was 11/6. My bestfriend is now married! Beautiful wedding! So fun :)

In November my parents moved back from Dubai!!! For good. So glad to have them back in the USA. Can't believe it had been six years since we have lived in the same state. They are living in Galveston, but bought a house in Houston and should close on it this week!

Also, on Tuesday the hubs heard back from his #1 choice in Tyler and the wheels are now in motion for him to have a position after graduation. So exciting!

It's been a wonderful, crazy, fun 2011 :)

Merry Christmas! (Remember the reason for the season!)