18th anniversary!

Well maybe not 18 years, but 18 months! Today on the 18th we have been married for 18 months. So that almost makes it like a golden month-a-versary or something too ;) The picture that is my profile picture for this blog was taken a year ago, on our half-a-versary. We went out to one of our favorite restaurants [TX Roadhouse..yum yum!] and then just spent the evening together. It was hilarious cause when we asked the waitress to take our picture, and we told her the occasion was our half-a-versary, she was so confused. We forgot that most people don't know what that phrase [that we made up] means :) This year, there will be no celebratory dinner, cause we have bible study. We are beginning a study on couples in the bible this week. We, as couples, will take turns researching and then teaching about the couple that we have. This week is Gail and Jose's turn, with Adam and Eve.

This past weekend was a fun one, spent in San Antonio, and an update will come soon complete with pictures!

Next weekend I [and Russell] will be leaders on a High School Retreat called Dive. I will be with the girls that I lead bible study for, and am so excited to be with them for a whole weekend. Russell will be with 11Th grade guys that he doesn't know, pray that they will like him :) Also, pray we will be able to connect with them and that God will use us this weekend in these high schoolers lives.

Cupcake chronicles part 2

Well Cupcake strikes again. Cupcake is overall a very well behaved puppy, but occasionally she sees something that she wants that she shouldn't have, and takes it, and eats it. earlier this week Russell left his newest pair of topsiders [sperry's] out, and Cupcake and/or Lucy had made both of them their afternoon snack. Today I went to the gym and left my sunglasses [gorgeous Vera Bradley sunglasses black on the front and a pink pattern on the inside] on the bench by the door cause it wasn't sunny. I came home and the sunglasses were missing. I found them chewed to bits on the floor. Let's just say I got the maddest I have ever gotten at Cupcake at that instant [she had a piece of plastic hanging from her mouth further stating her guilt]. As I was frustrated with her, she came and laid her head in my lap to get back in my good graces. I still love her, and always will, so I couldn't stay mad long. This reminded me of God's great love for us. We mess up constantly [way more than Cuppie] and He still loves us. And not only does He still love us, but it's unconditional- nothing we can do can change or take away God's love for us. This is something that is hard to grasp sometimes when we feel like we are unlovable for whatever reason [things we have done or failed to do] . We are children of a BIG and Loving God.

On another note, I have started subbing this week. It has been fun getting back into the classroom and interacting with kids. I have subbed all week at a school that is one of the closest elementary schools to our new house, so that is nice.

Also, this weekend we are GOING TO SAN ANTONIO!!! We are sooo excited to get to go see the Roberts. We are even bringing the Cupcakester so she gets to meet her Aunt Court, Uncle Josh, and cousin Sage :) This will be a fun weekend to get away, have a Valentine's double date, and catch up with good friends. I hope all of you have wonderful weekends!!

Love,
C

Our house!

Here's a picture of the front of the house! More to come when they are more than just empty boring rooms :)

the Mustang game

Today as I was driving out to Champions for an interview, I started to play the Mustang game with myself. If you are wondering what this game is, let me refresh you of a game you probably played as a kid in some form or fashion. As you drive you look for [in the version I recently played] mustangs, VW bugs, and Japanese box cars [Scions]. You want to be the first in the car to see it and call it out by color and style. If you are wondering why I decided to play this game, well it just felt like I should be, cause I kept seeing so many of the cars in those styles. Last week I had the privilege of babysitting for the Blom's for a few days while they were at MD Anderson where Trey was having surgery. The Blom's have 4 kids ages 5-almost 12. They are home schooled, but the older two belong to a co-op where they attend classes till about noon 4 days a week. The last time I did this [baby-sit for 4 kids for several days] it was rather intense and downright scary. The baby for one, could crawl out of her crib, which the mom forgot to tell me, so while napping she climbed out, and pulled her dresser on top of her, which blocked the door, she's screaming bloody murder, etc...PS this was hour 3 of day one. Well fast forward to a couple of weeks ago. Julie asks if I can watch her kiddos for a few days so they can go with the Stephens to Md Anderson for Trey's surgery. And guys, I know the Blom kids, I've watched them before. They have manners, know the meaning of the words NO, etc. So I agreed, though I had a nightmare the night before driving to College Station involving kids and fallen down dressers. I thoroughly enjoyed the few days I spent with the Blom's, though was totally wiped out when I drove back to Houston. This now ties back to the Mustang game, which we played any time we were all in the car. At first Josh and Sam [the older two] were owning the rest of us, but once I got the hang of it, we [me Kaitlyn and Zach] gave them a run for their money.

An update on the house, I took lots of pictures...But I misplaced my camera cord, so I can't upload the pictures to my computer :( We close at the end of the month, possibly sooner. All the financial paperwork is done, the inspection is done, and now we are just getting jazzed about moving in! SO, if you don't live in Houston, but you love us and we love you...you should plan on being a house guest soon!!