Summertime and the living's easy--and kind of hard

1- giant crape myrtle growing across the street.

2- the view on my way to the irs office.

3- puppy cuddles and neon things.

4- date night, law library. this was a theme night of clint's creation. 

he took me to places that represent reasons why he loves me.

he's such a stud, seriously.

5- one excited snooki enjoying a little freedom.

6- new work shoes from my mommy. they fit like a dream.

7- no shoes. pool side.

8- delicious summer snack. and there's a wee bit of salt on top. i'm turning into my grandpa, nobigdeal.

9- houston skyline. i drive on her streets 'cause she's my companion.

10- palm trees even in abandoned parking lots. i love this about my home.

11- cat eye and 80s brow. gotta love the styles of 2012.

12- street flower. hardcore.

13- these must be giant daisies, because they are the friendliest.

14- southern tree with little tufts of spanish moss.

Do you notice something missing in these pictures?

Yep. My husband's face.

That's because his face is in a book in a library. 14 hours, every day.

Except for Sunday. (Sunday in for lovers.)

This absence of his shining presence is a necessary evil. DEATH I (STEP 1) is in 2 weeks, and it is kind of a big deal. So no one has seen much of him of his pals for 3 weeks now. And we've planned for this. Every exam period, every missed sports event, every PB&J-- it's all been practice for these few weeks of funfunfun and anxiety. This is the time I was thinking of when I told Clint under the canyon stars that I would follow him anywhere, support him in anything, clean all the things-- I would marry a future medical student, and I would love it. 

And I do. I really do. But sometimes it's hard. 

It wasn't until this past Sunday that it really hit me how much I miss him. He's decided to take Sundays off from studying to save his sanity and hopefully reap some Sabbath day blessings. I don't know about him, but I've certainly felt blessed as a result. I cling to those precious hours, and this Sunday my clinging turned to begging just a little bit. Please, just a little more time.

But time marches on. And so does the dutiful med student.

I love my med student. I can't wait to have him back, but I am so proud of him. And I'm thankful for his example to me of hard work. Really, really hard work. Every day. 

And I'm proud of all of my girlfriends holding down the fort as their hubbies study. Congratulations to those who have finished (Hoyts! & Christensens, right?!). Good luck to those who are testing today (Williams fam! & Englishes!). Happy summer, champs!

Husband, you probably won't read this until after your test, but I love you.