Gig 'Em Longhorns???

For my brother Trevor, two B.As and one J.D. is just not enough letters behind his name.  After law school in Kansas, Trevor was accepted to University of Texas' L.L.M. program and had a few M.B.A. classes thrown in for good measure.  What can I say, the kid is educated!

While at Texas, Trevor joined the UT hockey team so my mom and I decided to head to weird Austin to see him in action.  Now its very difficult for me to see Trevor in such an ugly color such as burnt orange, but I was totally impressed by how well he can skate!  He's super aggressive....gee I wonder where he learned that....and seems to have a lot of fun out there.



It was inevitable.........



Now I have seen first hand how strong a mother's love is, as my mom wore a UT sweatshirt!!!  I couldn't help but gag a little bit as they played the UT fight song, but if there was ever someone more at home in Austin its Trevor, so I can't help but be happy for him.

Nice try mom....

#1 Fans!

In another Longhorn event, Amy Zoch had her baby shower in La Vernia, for which I got the honor of helping hostess.  I also got to fold a lot of tissue paper.....I can't wait to find out if Baby Zoch is a boy or girl!!!



Flotown Girls!

  

Diaper cake assembly



 News on the home front, we got our bedroom floors finished!

Stained Concrete

Happy House Projects =)

O Lord, you are our Father.
We are the clay, you are the potter.
We are all the work of your hand.
Isaiah 64:8

All you need is LOVE

This past week was my birthday, and as spoiled as it is, I have been known to celebrate my birthday all month long.  I take birthdays VERY seriously and this one was no different.

I was woken by the beautiful aroma of a spiced pumpkin latte in bed and my wonderful husband who knows me OH so well scheduled me a massage and a mani/pedi.  HUGE brownie points!!!  Plus I got these gorgeous things....

 

Then we went to Christopher's and I had my all time favorite "South American Marinated Beef."  I wish I knew how to describe this delectable treat, but all I can muster is yuuummmmmm, so I'll let them.:

"Grilled beef tenderloin tip marinated in cilantro chimichurri on spring vegetable enchilada with roasted serrano butter sauce "

AKA: gourmet steak and enchiladas......need I say more???  Then they presented me with two desserts!

What an awesome birthday day thanks to Larry.  As great as all the pampering and feasting was, my favorite part of the whole day was chatting with him over dinner....It could have been Whataburger (I may have been equally excited about french fries) and I would have been just as thrilled.

Also, many thanks goes to my family and friends for all the emails, phone calls, and facebook posts.  You all make my life so full and I'm humbled by all the LOVE!

I happen to share a birthday month AND week (usually) with a pretty special guy.  My father-in-law just celebrated his birthday so Larry and I decided to head to Lampasas to visit and have a co-celebration.  Papa Love and Mimi are the proudest grandparents I know and we were lucky enough to steal a weekend with them that they weren't already spending spoiling Ewan.  I can't blame them...I can't resist that little man either!!!

I was thrilled to watch Papa Love coach the Lampasas Badger football team against Burnett.  Its the first time I've ever gotten to see him coach, not to mention the first high school football game I've been to in 10 years!  Brought back a lot of fun memories.....and yes, parents are still as CRAZY as ever....at times you would have thought these kids were playing for the Superbowl!  At least it was entertaining.

 

Two things I learned about my in-laws that I didn't already know, but should have:  1)  If there was ever any doubt, Papa Love is in his element coaching.  He's a natural leader, cool, calm, and collected, and those kids respect him.  2) Larry says his mom was/is the meanest teacher in school.  This I find hard to believe especially since about 30 kids came up to, yelled hello, or hugged Margaret as she made her way to and from the football game.  My heart swells as I think about what an impact Margaret and Larry have on those kids.  Kinda made me want to be a teacher for a second.....than I remembered that this was me I was talking about and just ask Larry.....NO patience in that area.  Mega praise to those two....plus they raised a pretty incredible son!!!

We capped off the weekend as we usually do with our spare time these days......house projects.....This weekend it was painting the living room/ kitchen. Larry racked up some more of those brownie points by skipping hunting Sunday night to help me get it knocked out!

Sorry pea green/terra cotta orange with red curtains....you're outta here!!!

Talk about LOVE!

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

1 John 3:18



Girls just wanna have fun....

What a fantastic start to a birthday week!  Larry worked this weekend and I had to take an exam in Houston so without hesitation I called my best friend Sara to see if I could stay with her and make a weekend of it.  One of the most difficult things about leaving Houston was leaving Sara, and I was really looking forward to a girls weekend.

Many people consider Sara their best friend. In fact, I always joke with her that when she gets married her bridal party will wrap around the church!  Her groom will have to ask every male he's ever known just to make it even.  If you meet Sara you know exactly why this is so.  She is one of the most genuine, good-hearted people you will ever meet, and boy does she know how to turn on the Southern Hospitality!  You never leave her house hungry (or thirsty) for that matter.  She is wise way beyond her years and always sees the big picture.  I can depend on her for anything and she's always got my back.

I was trying to think about what my favorite thing about her was, but I can only narrow it down to three: First, that she has a great heart for the Lord and does His work to the best of herself.  I know He is so proud of her and what she means to so many people.  Second, that she sees in me and appreciates the things about me that really matter and doesn't hesistate to encourage me in them.  Third, Sara has a way of...keeping me down to earth....If ever I start taking myself too seriously all I need is a dinner with Sara to right that one.  She never misses an opportunity to point out the humor in a situation (usually about something I did in those carefree college days) and I love her DEARLY for this. 

Sara and I with our other bestie Bekki

Well in true southern hospitality form, I was greeted in Sara's home with wine, cheese, and fruit as we sat on her patio and enjoyed the GORGEOUS fall weather.  We were both so tired from our weeks and decided to get to bed early.  I had my exam in the morning and she was doing one of her million service projects Race for the Cure.

Saturday after my test, I was ready to shake all that stress.  Sara lives a great live in one of the coolest and  most eclectic parts of Houston, Montrose.  There are so many awesome restraunts shops and businesses in walking distance and lots of young professional types inhabiting the 70-100 year old homes in the area.  We dined a lot...and took a million pictures....here are some of the highlights:

We're so old now, we almost went home before dinner!

Check out this birthday treat!  Cherry cotton candy!

I wanted my all time favorite Creme Brulee=)

Haha its just chocolate...

Baba Yegas.....I can't recommend this place enough!  Best brunch ever!!!

I also ran down to make a quick stop at First Colony Church of Christ and grabbed a quick treat with a BEAUTIFUL woman in Christ, and also my mentor, Sheila.  Sheila is a whole blog post by herself so I'll just post this picture for now.

I'm feeling particularily inspired by our Lord this week so I'll leave you with one of my favorite verses that keeps me motivated.

Love to you all!

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of

power, of love and of self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1.7