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

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.

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...

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!

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.