Haha...those words are so funny to me (Nicole, but I suppose Bryan would also laugh if he heard me say how mature I have become - gotta keep him on his toes :P).  Tonight I find myself sitting at my computer 'preparing' for a mid-semester presentation with a client tomorrow morning.  I know that most people do not even bat an eye at the idea of giving a presentation, but anyone who has seen me in an academic setting knows that I loathe presentations. People staring at you. Words flying from your face. It is all bad news. Inevitably I start doing something weird during my presentation like swaying back and forth, making my audience sea sick. I've tried everything to attempt to combat this fear - holding a paper clip, clenching my quads, practicing for hours on end, holding a podium, praying, memorizing my speech, - oh and the list goes on - but nothing has seemed to alleviate my fear of public speaking.  Typically, the days leading up to my presentation I am writing a speech, creating a PowerPoint, and freaking out....but not tonight!!! Take that presentation! Thank you Lord for taking this anxiety from me! :)  

It is official, I (Nicole) am a wet blanket.  Friday night the Vanderbilt Women's soccer team was down 0-1 to LSU midway through the second half.  The last two weekends on the road have been a touch rough, my 'Dores couldn't find the back of the net.  So when LSU scored my heart sank but I was praying that hope was still alive.  My dear friend CJ Rhoades was able to sneak a header past the LSU keeper, knotting the score at 1-1.  Over the course of my 5 years playing for Vandy, I have found that the women's soccer team has knack for taking games to overtime - a talent that is unmatched in the SEC (we will take whatever title we can get haha).  So of course this game stretches into overtime.  At this point I am getting nervous because another loss would surely crush the spirits of the team...so I sat on the edge of my seat and watched...the seconds seemed to tick slowly by until out of nowhere a freshman broke away from the defenders and beat the keeper! GOOOOALLLL!!!!! VANDY WINS!!!!!  And what happens next surprised me - my eyes start welling up with pride and joy!  I know, I'm a wet blanket - but it was so beautiful!!!! :) I don't think I ever cried after scoring a goal or winning when I played, look at what retirement is doing to me...haha.  Fight 'Dores!

The Warrior Dash was awesome!!!! There is nothing like finishing off a 3.1 mile run by jumping over fire and crawling through mud!!! :) I know it is difficult to tell...but yes, Bryan is wearing JORTS!!! I love that man!!!