Lady Gaga

Nick and I got to see Lady Gaga this week!!! It was INSANE. I walked in the room in my bright yellow dress surrounded by people in their pink wigs with black make up. Most of the men there were flaming gay. It was so crazy. We had a blast!!! She is such a great entertainer. We danced along to some of the songs we knew and laughed at some of the atmosphere. She definitely spoke to the gay audience and cussed at the crowd a lot... but, it was all in good fun. She was strange, yet very sweet and humble to the crowd. Her background dancers were very entertaining with their flame... to say the least. I really enjoyed it. I have only been to semi concerts like Robert Earl Keen and Lisa Loeb and others when I would go to telethons to interview the entertainers... Joe Nichols, Bellamy Brothers, etc... but, not like a true concert like this! I am so glad we went because it was a great experience and just really neat to see someone so talented perform for 25,000 people!!!

Blair & Lauren's Wedding

INTRODUCING ALBERT BLAIR AND LAUREN ELIZABETH FRASER NUTTING:



I was trying to push this post back as far as I could awaiting pictures from others… but, people are taking too long! I took a new inexpensive camera to the wedding… ummm so inexpensive it didn’t take good pictures!!!... So atleast we can get the ball rolling…

Lauren Fraser married Blair Nutting last weekend. Why is this so important? Lauren has been my friend since we were six years old. Blair has been my friend since we were sixteen years old. Last year Blair took a liking to Lauren… after years of being friends… and now the rest is just plain history!!!

We all went to Horseshoe Bay for the wedding… so beautiful!!! It was more of a high school reunion than anything. Almost our entire group from high school was there! Friday night we did Rehearsal and then the dinner. Blair’s mom is one of my favorite people in the world. She was our teacher in high school and oh my gosh, she is the most old timey sweet lady. We had a blast at the dinner catching up with all of the “adults” from growing up. Lauren’s parents were friends with many people in our town so it seemed like everyone’s parents were there!!! Nick was a little lost getting to meet everyone!

On the wedding day the bridesmaids and house party were all invited to a brunch at the Marriott. Nick went golfing bright and early so he was on his own. Chandra and Michael got there so we had lunch with them at the Marriott before the wedding and got to catch up on pictures of Landry!

Here comes the bride…

This wedding was huge. Nine groomsmen and bridesmaids!!! The preacher began the wedding and as I stood on the podium awaiting to read my bible verse… he seemed to forget me!!! As I stood there just chilling finally James pulled me from behind as we had been forgotten… I was a little annoyed that I looked dumb until the preacher called us back up to the podium at the end!!! Quite entertaining…. The main point is that my friends were married!!! They are so in love… so adorable… Blair is one of the best men on the planet. He is just a good person. Lauren is amazing beyond belief. Such a perfect match.

At the reception I got to share a table with Heddy and Justin, Lacey, Chandra and Michael, Josh and Autumn, Zack and Holly… It was so great to get to catch up with other classmates as well… Most of our guys came in from all around the states. I hadn’t seen Lacey in a few years so we talked forever about life. After Blair and Lauren went off into the sunset… or dark sky since it was midnight… a few of us headed out to a random bar near the Marriott. Everyone was dancing on the bus… so much fun. I hadn’t hung out with Casey and Kyle in a long time… Kyle doesn’t have Facebook so it’s hard to know what he’s doing at all times!!! I’m not used to staying out that late anymore, but man, it was fun!!!

Friendships that blossom from many years ago are so precious. It’s that feeling knowing that you don’t have to explain yourself and you don’t have to explain your background. Everyone knows what you did in high school and everyone knows your first real boyfriend. It isn’t about proving yourself or playing the game. It’s just about being there with people and catching up on life. I know Sarah would have loved it and we were sad that of our group she had gone to Heaven. She was smiling from above… that is for sure! Nick enjoyed himself and had a great time with everyone. He seemed to fit right in! Our high school reunion is coming up in September and it shall be tough to top the wedding of the year!!!






Chandra McBee Brooks, Heddy Wigington Duran, Lacey Anderson


Justin, Cody, Me


Kady Knox, Hayley Knox, Chandra McBee Brooks, Heddy Wigington Duran








Blair is married!!!





FLASHBACK... This is our group in high school... Most everyone in this photo was at the wedding... including the bride and groom!!!...



Lauren and I in 4th grade...

Fireworks

We had the greatest Fourth of July weekend... even with the rain!!!

Saturday night we all went to Kaboomtown to watch the fireworks in Addison... They were great, but not the best... After that we met up with Mike & Norma who had come in from Tyler. I have been friends with Mike since he was the sports guy in Abilene and then in Tyler... Late and fun night!!!



Mike, Norma, Nick & Me

Dad, Brenda and Malachi came in Sunday on their way to Branson, Missouri. We met up with Nick and his family at the Teter household to watch fireworks at the Country Club. It reminded me of Ina's growing up. It was the best. We had such a wonderful time with family. Dad had a good time talking to everyone and really gets along with the Grays. He told fun stories and we all had grand laughs. The fireworks were just amazing!!! We were right under them!!! We didn't get to hang out with Jenna much because she was playing hostess, but we will see her in a few weeks! Malachi also had a good time swimming and enjoying himself! Dad and Brenda went on up to Branson to meet with Steven and my nieces and sister in law. So jealous, but I'm glad I had a little time with them! Every moment is precious with family and they were right there with me. God blesses us...



Dad & Me

Sandstorm

I sat staring at the dashboard wondering if maybe I was dreaming. If I dreamt a little harder I could wake up and my car would start. My car is only two years old. How does the battery die that quickly? I calmly remembered I am a strong woman and didn't call my Dad or Brenda because I wanted to solve it myself. I quietly called the numbers needed and waited... and then I called Nick because he is good with cars. He sent his dad to bail me out of the jam. I guess I just couldn't do it myself. I gave God a lot of props for loving me and giving me help. And asking myself why I don't have jumper cables. During this time it is pouring rain... all bringing me back to my original point I wanted to make when writing... It all ties together when we feel like we are dreaming and in a pickle.

Many years ago I was driving with a friend in West Texas. The dust was so thick I could not see in front of my car. I was driving 10 mph creeping along clutching the wheel. I knew I couldn't stop on the side of the road knowing someone might hit me. I knew I could not speed up as I had no idea what was in front of me. I just stayed right there driving slowly... going... going. And this happened a few times when I was driving home from Lubbock in the pouring rain. Nowhere to go, but pray. The sandstorm that day was fierce was we trotted along in the grainy sunshine.

I flashed back to this story after that same friend is going through a sandstorm in life. It seems impossible, yet we must keep going. We cannot stop because it is simply not an option. If we do stop we could get whirled away from the journey and lose our place in the sand. Vision blurs us, but we keep going because God is there the entire time. I always feel peace in these situations knowing God is telling me somewhere it is going to be just fine. We must hold on because we have no other true choice to happiness.

I thought about that today as I quietly sat waiting. I could not go anywhere. I was stuck. Plain stuck. And I was just fine. I did feel the tears welling up at one point terrified of how much money this could cost me in the end, but then I told myself to "Man Up" because I'd be just fine. Thick sand and pouring rain can cloud our journey so many times in life, but it's all about trotting through the mud to the sunshine.

55 or 56 Candles...

I thought my Dad turned 55 today. Oops. He said, "I read your Facebook status. I'm 56, Julie." Oops. Joe Mark Adams turns 56 today. I just toasted him on Father's Day so today I just say, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I don't even think he has wrinkles? And he thinks gray hair is George Clooneyish. His skin is a beautiful dark brown and his eyes are a bright green. He's pretty spiffy. 56 is the new 21, right?

The River

I love floating the river! Nick and I met everyone in New Braunfels at this amazing little house on Friday night. There were about 20 of us. We first went to the GristMill which was so cool because it is next to Gruene Hall, the oldest dance hall in Texas. I roamed around watching the dancers and listening to the music. The next morning we all got up early and ate Gian Carlo's chefmatic breakfast and were ready to hit the river. There were so many neat people with us. Nick's best friend, Tony and his girlfriend, Katie have the neatest group. There were people there from Russia, Sri Lanka, Katie is from England and Gian Carlo I mentioned before is from Italy! I always learn so much from them. The river is still in flood mode so there was a lot of destruction on the sides. It was pretty sad. The float lasted five hours and the water sure was cold so by five hours I was ready to go! I loved the peacefulness of floating and just hanging out though. When we got back we just hung out on the deck for hours talking to everyone. That is the way I love to spend summer nights! Nick and I got up early the next day and went to The Oasis in Austin for lunch. It had gorgeous views!!! We had such a nice time with good friends.

Happy Father's Day

I leave in an hour to make my way to the river. It seems a bit college-ish to float the river, but in all reality it's an escape from just that - reality. I don't know how to relax, but when I go to the river it's cool and just fun and everyone is really neat. Last time we went we had a group filled with people from England, Russia, Mexico and Germany... we go with Nick's best friend, Tony and his group from Houston and they have a lot of friends from different places.

Needless to say... I won't be in front of my computer for Father's Day.

My Dad and I have been through so much and I have written about it and could write about it for days. He is one of my best friends. He is my hero. He is amazing. He has been eating right lately and making me smile even. Dad shows me what it means to work hard and reap the awards. He is a great leader and a good hearted Christian man. He has a wild streak deep inside him which I see glimpses of at times. Growing up Dad and I would make Mom laugh and annoy her with our crazy antics. He gave me piggy back rides and told me bedtime stories. He had a quick temper so I was a good little girl! He hated all boys I brought home! He wrote me a letter one time in 7th grade when I didn't have a date to the football game and made me laugh by acting like a little kid who said I was cute! Mom and I were very close as gals, but I was always my Dad's little girl. After Mom passed away it was hard for us to figure out how to make it without her. We were a three legged family and without her we didn't have a huge part of our system. We were a family that did everything together and without her it seemed impossible at that time. As the days passed and as God looked down upon us we learned how to walk again and how to live. We learned to be friends and to be supportive of one another. I remember as a freshman in college before Mom passed that I began to see my parents more as friends than parents. It just happens as you grow up and learn they are normal and we all turn into them!!! It has been a tough journey at times! I thank God for blessing me to not only be a part of the Adams lineage of amazing men like my own Dad, but for letting me be the daughter of Joe Mark Adams.