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).

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.

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.

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.

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.