Monday, December 18, 2006

Ode to Christmas






Tis a wonderful season! I am loving everything about Christmas this year. Most of all I am loving the chance to relax (just a bit). Grad classes are on hold, school is out, and I have very little responsibilities right now. Today I purchased most everyone's Christmas... that was fun! Tomorrow I will watch some of my favorite Christmas classics and wrap/make presents. I think having worked so hard this semester has helped me appreciate that much more the bliss of having Christmas vacation. Erich will work half the day tomorrow and then we can be in bliss together.
This past weekend was a fun-filled time with friends in Austin. We have friends that are going to Calcutta to raise awareness in the US of human trafficking that is taking place all around the world. Erich and I are also wanting to join in their mission of bringing awareness to those around us. After delicious Indian food we had an intense time of catching a glimpse of the tragedy of what is happening worldwide to many women. From there we stayed with our friends Ben and Robyn (the only people that will probably read this blog-hehe) and had a wonderful time with them. It is always a wonderful time in Austin. I was able to do some bead shopping, get reinspired, and eat at one of my favorite places (Magnolia Cafe).

Sunday, October 15, 2006

Beads, Coffee, and Relaxation

What a great weekend for relaxing! Erich and I finally had a chance to get some time together. Friday evening was a great time of playing frisbee, going out to eat, drinking wine by the firebowl, and watching a movie. Saturday we went to the park with Osa, spotted a few armadillos and drove around looking at houses. We found a neighborhood we wouldn't mind moving into.. it has lots of contours and a definite preservation of the surrounding nature. I also had time to make some jewelry this weekend. This piece is definitely my favorite. I got the beads from a neat store in Alamo Heights in San Antonio and was inspired to make a pair of vintagy earings.

Saturday, September 30, 2006

San Antonio

I came home this weekend to visit the family. It is strange to stay in Lisa's room and have her off in Costa Rica. I am so glad she is there, having a great time. I just miss her. This has been a great weekend so far. I have tried to put in a little bit of everything... good food, good family time, business time, creative bead time, old friend visiting time, and even a little bit of shopping. Chachos is my all time favorite (fast-food) Mexican resturaunt in San Antonio. It is a must-stop whenever I am home. They have amazingly delicious cheap Tex-Mex. Their margaritas are great and the atmosphere is the essense of San Antonio- lively, friendly, fattening, lots of great mexicans, spanish everywhere, lots of color, cheap, 24 hours going strong, and quick for the city folk. It makes me so happy whenever we go to Chachos... The only downer is the layer of grease that sort of permeates everything. Because the resturaunt is open 24/7 they never quite make it around to getting that deep-cleaning all Mexican food resturaunts need. Enough with Chachos...
We saw Tyler "Mr Drum Captain" play during the half time at the football game. They had a great show themed "rainforest"- of course, we had to think of Lisa and her Costa Rican rainforest adventures.
It is nice to come home and get taken out a few times and spoiled a little by mom and dad. I really love San Antonio.

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

The days.. they are a 'flyin!

I was right when I said this was going to be one of the busiest years of Erich's and my life!!! After teaching 3 out of 5 days, I have grad class in the evening. Tuesdays and Saturday's I commit to Reliv business, Friday's Erich and I try to spend some time together, and the past two Sunday's I have been organizing everything for our Church's children's program! But all these are great things and Life is really good- it really is. I am enjoying the change. Erich is working so hard too! He has some challenging kids and some days that really aren't so great, but he is my winner! We are blessed to have so many open doors this year... so many new opportunities... and so many things to challenge us in the endless process of character building. If it weren't for Jesus and our awesome nutrition we would be completely wiped out- but we are going strong! 9:30 is approaching... time to go to bed!
Here I am preparing for Sunday Children's worship.

Monday, August 21, 2006

Friend filled weekend

(stranded on the lake)
Thanks Ryan, Cat, and baby Ira for a great time on the lake. I really didn't mind that we were stranded in the middle of the lake for a couple of hours....
I spent most of my weekend in the Dallas area, spending time with friends. It was really great to eat Cat's organic yummy food and to see beautiful Ira. Christi, one of my bridesmaids was recently married and had her Texas reception in Dallas. I was glad I could swing by for a bit and congratulate my dear friend. It's such a refreshing thing to spend time with friends.
Monday is hitting me kind of hard... but it was worth all the fun that was had.

Sunday, August 06, 2006

Happy Birthday Erich!

- Men seriously eating their crab legs
We had a last minute get-together with friends, food, and margaritas. Erich has been working on getting ready for the first of the school year and I have been out driving all over town meeting my students and families in their homes. These are always an adventure. Most of my children live in trailer parks, apartments, or little efficiency homes. It always intrigues me to see different lifestyles, but encourages me to know that I have a profession that influences their future. Erich and I both look forward to what looks like one of the busiest, yet most productive and most exciting years of our married life together.

The cute kids had fun too!

Fun in St, Louis


Erich and I returned from a wonderful weekend in St. Louis, MO. Who would have known you could have that much fun in St. Louis? We went to the international conference for RELIV. We wanted to check out the company, the people, and learn to build our business. We were so impressed, had a great time meeting people, were amazed at the stories we heard, and left excited about the business. Our hope is to build an income to have enough for me to stay home with our children and to hopefully bring Erich home for some of those years too!! We are truly greatful for this exciting adventure together and for the opportunity to help people with their health and finances.
Here are some shots from our hotel... great view!
-Laurie

Sunday, July 23, 2006

Summer come and going going gone...


a little tea party for me



Sea World




I began by returning to my school and teaching summer school for the month of June. Erich was inundated with studies and summer classes with his cohort. We enjoyed thursday evenings at zapatos with his classmates and monday evenings on the porch of ozona grill. June flew by. We had no shortage of activity between weekend visits with family and friends, baby shower hosting, and beginning our new business...
Our new business... RELIV. We are pretty excited about our new nutrition products that have already done great things for us and even more excited to share them with others. Don't worry- we won't become networking freaks... but we will share when propted by any complaints of aches, pains, surgerys, heart attacks, and the like.
July...
I have been enjoying grad school in the two classes I have this month-Special Education and the family and neurological/genetic disorders in children. Special education is really a fascinating field with fascinating people. I am excited to see where it all will lead. Between classes we have been on the go almost every single weekend. We began with our trip to Galveston at our Galveston resort (almost an oxymoron)- but it was really great! After Galveston we had fun with friends in New Braunsfels. This coming weekend we look forward to our trip to St.Louis.
Erich is eager to fix up his classroom (he says he needs my help). Meanwhile... he parouses the book stores and comes home with stacks of purchased books (..."$500 worth of books for only $40".... sounds like me!). We are excited for his new career in teaching and so blessed that he has such a wonderful place to start out in.
Hopefully I will get back in the groove of posting (although I think Robyn is our only fan : )... but that is inspiration enough for now. I will try to get my necklaces posted soon.
-Laurie

Erich by the Comal




Lisa's Graduation

Friday, February 24, 2006

ahhhida!

Aida! what a passion filled musical by Disney. Our cute local theatre put on their rendition of this highly creative, beautiful musical. It was a much needed change in pace from the rush rush of life these days. My week has consisted of so many things....
1. I am apart of a 3 year grant that is launching it's pilot year activities this week. We had training until 6 two nights this week.
2. Wednesday I decided to take off because I was getting the urge to return to grad school!!! So... what do I do? I go to Texas A&M, visit the Special Ed department, get my application, decide I do want to apply for this fabulous scholarship that is available, realize I will be taking the GRE in a few days, and begin studying the rest of the evening for the GRE. Thursday I needed another day off from my day off.
3. Lisa, my sister came in town Thursday. I introduced her to a popular food item here- chicken wings. She didn't understand why someone would want to eat those little things when there was more mean on say... a drumstick. Go figure?
4. Friday we hit the theatre and saw Aida. The girls sitting next to me were obsessed with Rhadames... (who happened to be my sisters old boyfriend in real life). It was hilarious. Unfortanetly, theatre is like an addictive drug. Now I want to audition for the next show Cats... Erich just shakes his head as I prance around the living room singing "Jellico cats"!
5. Tomorrow I will fill out my application, continue my studies in GRE land, and hope for the best....
i'm living la vida loca ahora....
However, amidst the business I am reminded of one simple truth. SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS AND ALL THIS THINGS WILL BE ADDED ONTO YOU. Whatever all these things are that He has for me- and I would really rather do all the things He has planned for me, not just the things I think up.

Monday, February 13, 2006

Amor



Love has been the theme of this past weekend. I experienced much love from family and friends with good food and good music..... these two things always make life that much sweeter. Friday was a wonderful 25th celebration of surprises, relaxation, thai food, wonderful presents (including the camera I have used to take my most current pictures), and time with my husband to watch some of the olympics. On Saturday the fun continued with live music at Bourbon street. Sunday I had a ladies "fiesta de amor" en mi casa... que suave! It was a sweet time of laughs, encouraging words, a little dancing to Tuti's columbian music, and yummy yumminess! Thank you to all those who made my weekend such a wonderful one. I am still basking in the overflow of love...

Saturday, January 28, 2006

Little Perks of teaching Pre-K




What a blustery, busy week! Wednesday we took our annual field trip to the fire station where the kiddos receive their "diplomas" for completing the fire safety training. They really learn what to do in case there is a fire in their house. The highlight of this field trip for me is the opportunity to be elevated in the huge fire truck ladder. On Thursday while in the middle of exploring and enjoying oranges one of my students began to choke and could not breathe! I had to perform the heimlich manouver on her..... Thank God I had just recently been trained in the art of dislodging orange pieces from little kids throats.
Thursday Eve I was invited to the African American Association's annual banquet. It was an honor to be there in the presence of so many beautiful, regal people with dark skin. I especially enjoyed my friends Nadine and Ms. Ellen. Ms. Ellen had us rolling with laughter as she shared her stories of life before the civil rights movement. It was like reading chapters out of Maya Angelou's books.
Friday was our concert- Jose Luis Orozco. For those of you who are not in the know of famous children's performers and those that are famous in the latin world... he is like the Raffi of Spanish speaking children. It was such a great concert! Especially the part when I was called up on stage to dance and sing with Mr. Orozco himself! I can't say that I am stage shy....
All these events culminated Friday evening leaving an exhausted teacher who went to bed at 7pm only to wake up to PINK EYE!

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Congratulations are due




Hooray! Angie got a great new job and promotion and Karen got her new guitar!!! Here we are celebrating together with some margaritas, chips and salsa... Check out the chunky cutie eating her chips and salsa. She is a true Mexicana! Karen and I had to play some songs together later on that evening. It is so wonderful playing worship songs with friends.

Saturday, January 07, 2006

Nuns and other recent habits....


'Tis the season of the nun. I know it sounds strange, being that I am married and have broken one of the first commandments of nunness. However, I have become so inspired as of late by the simple, beautiful, reflective, spiritual life many of these ladies lead. I recently served my term acting as a nun in the local theatre's production of the Sound of Music. This was my introduction to the world I am becoming increasingly interested in and familiar with. Before the show, I had begun reading Mother Theresa's "In Her Own Words", having had a previous interest and drawing to her wisdom, and life's example of Jesus. Since the show I have picked up another book by an older, but just as simple and wise nun- Saint Teresa of Avila. This book too is written in first person by Teresa herself and has served to inspire and encourage me to choose the life most rich.... to persue the depths of knowledge and relationship with Jesus Christ. Don't think me any holier for it- I just realize all the more the need I have for encouragement and example as I fall so very short and far from what is most important, most of the time.
Two of my favorite parts thus far...
"If we do not know what we recieve, we shall never wake into love." (talking about knowing the depth and impact of what Christ offers us)

"Here is a jewel (talking about understanding more of the sufferings and the man, Christ Jesus) which, when we remember that it has been given to us and that we possess it, forcibly invites us to love. All these benefits come out of prayer founded in humility."

The story on the old Singer


So I just finished making 5 dozen chocolate chip cookies and a big batch of brownies for Mr. Dan Hilliard. Dan Hilliard, Sounds like a cowboy's name... a cowboy who fixes sewing machines! Mr. Hilliard and I met for the first time a week ago. I met him at his huge victorian house and together we fixed my perfect little vintage sewing machine on the bed of his Ford truck. It was some true Texas bonding time. I even pulled out a few 'ol aggie bonding tricks with him.
It all started when I got the urge to have another creative outlet during my free time. I have piles of fabric under my bed, in suitcases in the closets, and a perfectly great machine that just needed a little tinkering. Mr. Hilliard has made my creative clothing one step closer to reality and didn't charge me a dime. After we worked together for an hour or so, I asked him how much it would be. With a whimsical, "happy new year!" I knew he had enjoyed my company as much as I enjoyed him. He could't bear to ask for a $ amount. I encouraged him to tell me his favorite kind of baked goods and promised him that he would see me again. With my fixed machine in hand, I smiled and returned joyously home. I am further inspired to get to work with some of the ideas I have been mulling over for the past few months. I am waiting, however for my Swiss miss mother-in-law to teach me the ways of sewing, for I know nothing right now.

Anticipate photos of my home sewn creations to be posted soon....

Thursday, January 05, 2006

COYOTE CROSSING: Erich's latest adventure

Yes, indeed, yesterday had the potential to be like any other day, but that is not how the script unfolded... Since Osa's health has been out of kilter, she has been restless and frustrated in her time of recuperation. I suppose like young people, she isn't used to the idea of mortality. Nevertheless, yesterday morning I determined to take her on a long walk at a nice park. The park I had in mind is located on the rural outskirts of southeast College Station. It is called Lick Creek Park, and the whole idea of the park is to keep it wild and undeveloped. The only manmade development is the series of trails that run throughout the thick forest land. It's a great place to go and take long walks because it truly offers a sense of nature.

So, Osa and I headed out for the trails and enjoyed the solitude that a college student on break can acquire when everyone else is at work. It was wonderful and the weather was just right; the birds were chirping and singing; and truly there was nothing but forest in sight. Prayers glided from my spirit so easily as there was nothing in this "garden" to remind me of corruption. However, about a mile into the forest there arose a great commotion to the left of Osa and me. At first, I thought we would see a deer or two scurry away, but as soon as I stopped and turned I saw something I never would have expected. Running full speed towards us was a coyote, but he was not alone. It shot across the trail to the other side of the woods faster than I could blink. Osa was about a yard from me, and the coyote ran by no more than 10 feet away from us both. Osa hesitated and then appeared as though she was going to take to the chase, but I shouted "NO! SIT!" and I grabbed her collar and put her on the leash (luckily I had one with me). All the while there was still another coyote to our right watching us, and I thought there might be more, but I couldn't tell because the brush was so thick. Yet, I just knew Osa would be done for if I let her go. The dog that ran past her was at least her size, which means that it was at least 60 lbs, and it had a sort of grey color; as it blazed by us it turned its head and looked dead straight at us. Its eyes were green, and although it ran so fast, I can remember its face so vividly that even now in my mind's eye I feel as though I'm looking at a still shot of the coyotes face. Looking into those eyes, I saw peace. Not the kind of peace that you might expect, but a peace that made me think this animal is not afraid, it knows exactly what it's doing, and it is doing it with ease. Needless to say, this is not the kind of peace I was looking for! Yet, I also admired the creature. For one it looked a lot like Osa (our German Shepherd) in its shape and form, but it also reminded me of her because of the eye contact. Osa is good about giving people eye contact, and I think when anyone looks into her eyes they can see that she is intelligent. Oh, yes, I could see that this coyote was intelligent.

Yet, so much more transpired than what I have just described. It is amazing how quickly thoughts can run through our minds. We can process multiple things simultaneously, create several hypotheses, and draw a conclusion for action within a few seconds. I don't even know if I can say this is a thought process because it all happened instantaneously. I think that might fall more under the category of intuition. For instance, as soon as I saw the coyotes I instantaneously knew that they are normally more afraid of humans than we are of them, yet they are defying this rule. Then the slippery slope of fear kicked in and claimed that one transgression of the natural order could give way to another, and this begat an image like one I recently saw in the Chronicles of Narnia where Osa and I would be surrounded by a wild pack of coyotes (not wolves). They had to have been watcing us for a while which was an eery thought in and of itself. Yet, I also knew simultaneously that they seemed to be after my dog, and their ploy seemed to be to lure her into a chase where they could then turn on her and eat her for lunch. I also knew that I was all alone and about a mile away from my car, so as fear sought to capture my imagination, faith arose within me and filled me with the knowledge that God is with me and He has given me dominion over the earth and all the animals within it. So I simply trusted in the name of Jesus whose rule and reign is ever increasing and shall never end, and I briskly walked with Osa on the leash back to the car. The 10 or 15 minute walk was a little eery and I had to keep my faith up because I did not want those creatures to attempt another trick. Logic told me they wouldn't, but the woods weren't as quiet as they had been before, and there were several times I thought they were at least following us.

Well, thankfully they never did regroup. It was quite an adventure: one which I actually liked having, but I would not like to plan for the near future. It just reminded me that I need to trust God at all times because I never know when something out of my league will cross my path.

-Erich