The Paradox of Our Age

This post won't have any pictures, because I suck and can't find the cord to my camera (and because I'm at work. shhhhh!).

Our lives since Christmas have included a little bit of change and a LOT of busyness (is that a word?). Unfortunatley that means, I'm horrible at keeping this up to date! So I'm going to try harder! Promise!

Marc is back in school. From what I can tell this semester is a lot harder than last semester, but he is taking it like a champ. He studies ALL the time, and has done really well! He has also become midly obssessed with fly fishing and has even tried it in the bayou (read:creek) across the street from us.

I am almost through with my teaching certification (two more weeks!) and I just got a substitute teaching job. I am so excited about it, and I hope it leads to some more opportunities. I really hope to work at a school called YES Prep next year. It is a charter school and  it would be the perfect mix for my social work/education background so keep that in your prayers! I would be overjoyed if I could work there... here is a link in case your interested in knowing more about it: http://www.yesprep.org/

First I have to represent my family and say GEAUX SAINTS! Mom, dad and Luke came down to watch the game with us here (since we couldn't go to Abilene) and we had so much fun finally watching the Saints win. It is definitely a big deal to my family and I am so happy we all got to experience it together!

On Valentine's Day I "surprised" Marc with a trip to Gruene, TX to go fly fishing. It wasn't a real surprise because I told him before Valentine's Day weekend, but I planned it all without him knowing. We stayed at the cutest little bed and breakfast. (I lied about no pictures, I found some on the internet so here they are)

I will add more later, but one is of our room (it was pretty big, you can't tell from the picture. And soooo cute!) and the other was our patio outside our room. It was perfect to sit and watch Chloe play in the yard (yep! she was allowed to come too!). The whole place was perfect. The owner made breakfast in the main house everymorning and it was delicious. I never want to stay in a hotel again.

Saturday during the day we drove to the Guadalupe and tried out fly-fishing. I am horrible and evidently there were NO fish because we didn't catch a single one, but it was so much fun! I think it will be our Valentine's tradition.

Gruene, TX has to be the cutest little town in Texas and Saturday night we ate dinner at the Gristmill... which is the restaurant in the old cotton gin. And Marc being the sweet sweet husband he is gave me this beautiful necklace from James Avery for Valentine's Day....

I had no idea he was going to do something so special! (I thought the trip was for me too since I got to pick the B&B and go shopping!). The necklace is beautiful, he did SO good!

We wanted to go dancing at Gruene Hall (the oldest dance hall in Texas!), but there was a concert that night and a line going all the way down the street. It was cold outside so we decided to head back to the B&B and watch the Olympics (Go USA!).

On Sunday we did our shopping in Gruene and found some cool antiques stores...it was a beautiful day and it ended our trip perfectly! I didn't buy anything because somehow people label random things as antiques so they can charge more, and I would rather have something new than old. However, we found a ton of cool random things to put in Marc's office someday (like old optometry stuff). So we will probably be back to look for that when the time comes.

Other than that, our lives our busy but boring. I work 40 hours a week and usually have class for 10-15 hours a week too. And Marc is going to school like 25 hours a week and studying for what seems like an eternity. We are busy bees, but we like it that way! I  have started making jewelry to keep me busy while Marc is studying and I love it! Its relaxing and I get some great jewelry out of it. I will post some pictures soon so everyone can see!

This is long but I want to leave you guys with this... They played it at the beginning of our teacher class last week and I loved it, so hopefully you can get something out of it too!

Paradox of Our Age

The paradox of our time in history is that we have

taller buildings but shorter tempers;

w i d e r  freeways, but narrower viewpoints.

We spend more, but have less;

we buy more, but enjoy less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families;

more conveniences, but less time.

We have more degrees but less sense;

more knowledge, but less judgment;

more experts, yet more problems;

more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much,

 smoke too much,

spend too recklessly,

laugh too little,

drive too fast,

get too angry,

stay up too late,

 get up too tired,

read too little,

watch TV too much,

and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.

We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.

We've added years to life not life to years.

 We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space.

We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.

We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.

We write more, but learn less.

We plan more, but accomplish less.

We've learned to rush, but not to wait.

We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion;

big men and small character;

steep profits and shallow relationships.

These are the days of two incomes but more divorce;

fancier houses but broken homes.

 These are days of

 quick trips,

 disposable diapers,

 throwaway morality,

one night stands,

overweight bodies,

and pills that do everything from cheer,

to quiet,

to kill.

It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom.

A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember, spend some time with your loved ones,

because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember to say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe,

because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember to give a warm hug to the one next to you,

because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember to say "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it.

 A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment

for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak,

and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

 

The post that is WAY too late.

First, I am so sorry it has been so long since I did this.... we have been so busy. Please forgive me!

Literally a million things have happened since I wrote last so basically know that December was so busy with Marc's tests and finals and getting Christmas ready both for us and for the kids at my work. We had a Christmas program (in which my kids did WONDERFUL!) and then my co workers and I worked at our "Christmas warehouse" to help get presents ready for all the families. I had so much fun, but I am so glad its over! We went to Abilene (in the middle of the ice storm!) for Christmas and stayed a whole week! It was so relaxing and wonderful. We loved spending so much time with friends and family. Here is a brief recap of our Christmas break because I am horrible at taking pictures!

So there is the summary of our break. In other news, I'm becoming a teacher!!!!! I'm getting my alternative certification in 4th-8th grade and will be able to teach in about a month! It has been so quick and relatively pain free. I'm really excited about it, there are many reasons that I want to be a teacher for now but mainly because I eventually want to be a school counselor and that requires two years of teaching.  I still have a passion for social work, but mainly that passion comes from an urge to help children. Since moving to Houston I realize that the key to success for many children in the inner city is education. Many of the children in my class have been left behind in school and are slowly falling through the cracks. It bothers me that I can't help educate them, at this point if I can keep them entertained and without injury I have had a good day. There are just too many that are too far behind. I want to make a difference to them. I know every teacher has the dream of changing the lives of a few students, and I am no different.

My favorite quote ever is  "Be the change you want to see in the world". I complained alot about the school system in Houston after seeing second and third graders who couldn't read. I complained alot about teachers who sent home homework but never looked to see if it was completed. I complained alot about teachers who were not passionate about their work and sat behind their desk all day. So, I decided I was being a complete hypocrit. I wanted a change, but wasn't doing anything about it. So now I am.  I know I can't change the school system single-handedly, but I can be different. I can care. I can WANT to work at those schools that no one wants to work at. I can look beyond the reputation of a student and see the story that lies within.

I have so many stories of children who at the age of 6 or 7 have known nothing but failure. They have no model for success and have rarely heard a word of praise. They lack the confidence to even try to find the right answer. I can ask a question and even when they know the answer, they look at me longingly... not even willing to try. They want a hint, or even better, the answer. They never raise their hand, never look me in the eye and usually won't even tell me they have homework. Its sad... and I am hoping to make an impact for at least one of these children.

My field director at my last internship called me a "bleeding heart". Meaning, I am overly compassionate. And he is completely right. I want to change the world and have spent endless days/night trying to find a way to make it possible. Some people think its crazy. To those people I say: "If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito." (the Dalai Lama).

On that note, I am devestated by the happenings in Haiti. If I had the money, I would be there helping in a heart beat. I cannot even fathom the devestation that has occured there. Since I cannot go, I will encourage anyone who can to donate to www.unicefusa.org. UNICEF is one of my favorite organizations, they help children all over the world have healthcare, clean water, education, nutrition and emergency relief. Please, if you are at all able donate to the children and families of Haiti. Many have been left orphaned and injured and they need all the help they can. If you can not donate monetarily please keep them in your prayers. The country itself is on the verge of anarchy and many more lives will be lost. Also, if you are looking for a charity to regularly contribute... UNICEF is a very worthy cause. Please consider them.

Okay, so on a MUCH happier note. We got to see our good friend Heather and her mom and new baby Paige!! I was so excited they came to town! We visited with them over some coffee at the Galleria and I got to hold the precious little girl! Here is my new favorite picture (and the best way to end this blog because she is just to freaking cute)!!

(I told you she was cute!) 

Thankful...

It's a week until Thanksgiving and this is a week that I even need to remind myself of what I am thankful for. So here they are (in no particular order!). I am thankful for:

1. My wonderful, loving, caring, funny husband. I am so fortunate that he has been so supportive of me! I am SO proud of how hard he is working in school and I cannot picture my life without him. I feel ready to face everything that comes our way as long as he is with me! (As a sidenote, I'm also thankful he let me put up the Christmas decorations so early because they make me happy.... even though I know he was probably annoyed with having to help me with them 2 weeks before Thanksgiving even got here.)

2. Chloe... our dog. I guess its a little weird to be thankful for her, but she is our baby. She has kept me entertained for a countless number of hours and always seems to know when I feel sad or sick. She's the perfect thing to keep me company when Marc is gone studying all those late nights.

3. Our families. Marc and I have been blessed to have the most supportive and loving families. They have encouraged us in all of our endeavours and have supported our relationship with each other since our high school days (which meant a lot to a young couple). Each of our parents are wonderful examples of what good marriages should be, and we are so lucky to have them in our lives. We are also lucky to have wonderful siblings, who are not only our brothers and sisters but our friends.

4. My job. Even though somedays I do not feel thankful at all, I realize that in this economy I am one of the lucky few that found a steady, well-paid full time job with good benefits. It has been a huge blessing, and gave us  the ability to live in a very safe apartment in a nice neighborhood. I'm also incredibly blessed that I work for a Christian agency...it is refreshing to hear clients talk about their relationship with God and their spiritual journeys. I am a firm believer that the spiritual aspect of this shelter is what makes the clients successful... without a strong relationship in Christ I don't believe we would see such dramatic changes.

5. The kids at my job. Somedays they drive me up a freaking wall, but then again they are 6-8 years old... they are supposed to do that. They always say the funniest things and they all have the kindest hearts.  They make life seem so simple even though it is much more complicated for them than I can even imagine. I love them, I really do.

6. The donors. Without the people that donate to my workplace, it would not exist. I am constantly amazed at the people who will donate their time, money and effort to help those who are less fortunate. Today one of the moms was even wearing a brand new pair of jeans I have wanted! I know she was so proud that I could compliment her on something like that.

7. Our cars. Living 6 hours from home it is such a blessing to have reliable transportation.

8. A college education. And one paid in full at that. Just having a degree has kept so many doors open for me, and I am so thankful.

9. DVR. I work too many crazy hours to watch my favorite shows. Sometimes they are all that keep me sane!

10. My never dying Iphone. It has been soaked in water twice and loved me enough to come back each time. Its shallow, but its pretty much my lifeline to Abilene so I am thankful.

11. Our friends. (yeah told you this wasn't in order... they should be much higher on the list!). We are pretty lucky in this area too. We have had the same group of great friends for quite sometime and although almost everything about our group has changed over the past few years (breakups, reconciliation, marriage and even babies!), we still love them all! There are not many memories I have from high school and college that do not include them, and sometimes those memories get me through when I am so terribly homesick! (P.S. we miss you guys!)

12. Grace. (again, this should be much higher!) Boy do I need it! I can be jealous, selfish, angry, proud, and every other thing that makes me not deserving of Grace.

13. Answered prayers. It seems like we have gotten alot lately. Little Hana is doing great and precious baby Paige and Heather are healthy! The children in my class are doing better and all of my tests at the doctor's office turned out fine (even though we thought they probably would!).Marc did good on all of his tests (but we will chalk that up to great studying and only a little prayer :).

14. Having insurance. So far I have been to the doctor's office 3 times and we have paid a total of about $50. Wonderful. And I have a feeling I will be back soon... working with kids makes me SICK (I mean literally I am always sick.hehe.). This time of year, plus all those little snotty noses, means I am washing my hands every 20 seconds and still getting the sniffles and achy body. YUCK!

I could think of so many more things... but this is long and I am in super need of a sudaphed and some hot tea! I hope everything has a wonderful Thanksgiving and that your list is much longer than mine!

So Many Exciting Things!

There are so many things for me to write about (most of which aren't of any interest to anyone but me, oh well!).

First, after much deliberation I got my haircut! And I LOVE it. It is so much easier to style in this Houston humidity (why didn't I do this when we moved here?) So without much wait here is my new hair:

Not a great picture... but you get the idea :)

Next, Marc and I were planning on going to the ranch this weekend but he had another stupid test  (on a Friday evening!) so we ended up not going. I was kinda bummed. It would have been so good to see family and relax all weekend, so Marc made it up to me by taking me to the Aquarium. I have to say I am SO happy we live in a place that has exciting things to do on the weekends and I love aquariums (reminds me of the one in Boston, on our honeymoon :)

We even got to eat at the Aquarium Restaurant, which was freaking amazing ) and I remembered to take pictures!!

The view from our table at the restaurant.

A gianormous eel. Seriously it was HUGE.

Marc kept trying to make this guy talk... he refused.

I loved this little guy! He was polka-dotted!

Two white tigers at an aquarium? Why not?

They were so pretty though, and really active (unlike all the animals at the Abilene zoo!)

So not only does the aquarium have a restaurant and white tigers, it also has a ferris wheel, carousel and train ride! It was so much fun!

 

Our view from the top of the Ferris wheel!

At the top!

Pretty!!

Needless to say, we had SO much fun! AND on top of that I found a coupon online that was buy one get one free day passes for the aquarium and rides... so we did all of it for only $16 (minus dinner of course... that was not very cheap, but delicious!).

Sunday, we had our normal day of relaxing and football watching (even though the Broncos and Cowboys didn't play, we still watched EVERY.SINGLE.GAME). We also we grocery shopping at Central Market, which is my favorite but not that close so I don't get to do it often. I love the choices of organic meat and fruits and vegetables (okay, I'm not one of "those" people... but I do think it all taste better and would much prefer to eat and cook with organic products.) Oh and Central Market has awesome sushi for a good price (and you wonder why I like it so much!)

So for dinner I made my favorite meal, and what I think might be Marc's new favorite too. I tried to take pictures so I could do my first recipe blog (and for the record I actually used NO organic food in this because I bought everything prior to shopping at Central Market)! We will see how this goes...

Cheesy Stuffed Pork Chops

You will need:   

• Boneless Pork chops at least 1" thick 
• 6 slices of Bacon
• 1 box of Stove-Top Stuffing
• 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
• Seasoning for Pork (I used Season Salt and Garlic salt)

First pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees.

Next cut bacon slices in half and fry.

Then, season pork chops evenly on both sides and fry in bacon grease until the middle is no longer pink (*disclaimer* I actually did not do that... the middle was still pink and to me thats okay because you cook them for long enough later in the oven for them to be done anyways. We didn't get sick, so you can use your own judgement call on that.)

 

While the pork chops are frying, make the box of stove-top stuffing as directed. Then add the bacon (crumpled) and 1 cup of cheddar cheese.

When the pork chops are done frying, cut slits in the middle and stuff with stove-top mixture. Then close the slits with toothpicks (I didn't have any, so I broke the ends off some wood skewers!) Cover the porkchops with remaining stuffing mixture and 1 cup of cheese. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. YUMMM. (I didn't take an after picture... oh well! just know its amazing!)

I also made homemade mashed potatoes, but I didn't take any pictures. Boo. And they are remarkably easy to make so no recipe just : cut your potato of choice into cubes and cover with water in a large pan. Bring to a boil and cook for 8 minutes. Drain the potatoes and mash (add milk, butter and other seasonings to taste... i use about 1/2 cup of milk, 1/4 cup of butter, and garlic salt, salt and pepper. Delicious, but not healthy.)

It was a great meal. I have decided to start making meals the night before (Marc is in school 9-4 most days and I work 12-8 so we have quick meals all the time and are tired of wasting money and eating boring things). Also, I love to cook and this means I will get to more than once a week now! Marc thinks I'm crazy because I cannot wait for the day we get to have people over for Thanksgiving. I love cooking and baking and I love Thanksgiving, so it seems perfect. Maybe I will make a few dishes this Thanksgiving, depending on where we end up celebrating!

Other than that everything is normal. Marc is studying, and I am reading, cooking and making jewelry. I am back to loving my job. I had a few weeks there where I wasn't sure it is what I wanted to be doing... but I have to say I think it might be just where I need to be. Plus, I get to plan the Christmas play the kids put on... HOW FREAKING CUTE! yay! However, I do need some ideas. I am in the market for a narrated Christian program so the kids don't have to memorize speaking parts (any ideas on where to buy one would be greatly appreciated!).

Oh and its not getting over 80 degrees here all week! I love this time of year!

Best friends, good food and FOOTBALL!

What a wonderful weekend! We were so happy to have Nathan, Katie and Sleeve come visit us all the way from Abilene! They are such great friends!

They came very very late Friday night (they drove to Houston after going to a concert in Dallas... so they got here at 3 a.m. or so) and we all stayed up talking and catching up (and watching The Office!) until 4:30 or so. We were all SOOO tired that we slept until almost noon on Saturday, it was perfect. Then we ate lunch at our favorite restaurant and then Marc and I gave a mini-driving tour of Houston. It was rainy and a little cold, so there was no point in getting out of the car :) Next we all went to the grocery store so we could buy food for the boys to cook. That's right... the boys cooked for me and Katie.

As soon as we got home the boys started playing some weird zombie video game that Katie and I were not interested in at all, so we did what any good wife/girlfriend would do and went to spend some money! I took Katie to the Galleria and we had so much fun. We did end up walking the entire mall (which is enourmous) looking for a Forever 21, and never found one. How can a mall so huge not have the only store we really wanted to shop at? However that didn't stop us from spending some money and having lots of fun in the process.

When we got back 2.5 hours later, the boys were still playing weird zombie game (I thought video games were just a college-boy phase, but Marc swears he will be playing them with our children some day. But I guess that means I won't have to). Once we complained enough, they turned off their game and cooked for us (in their defense, the meat was marinating). They grilled us steak, shrimp and asparagus. It was delicious! It was by far the best meal that came from my house in a long time! Katie and I made brownies for desert to top of the perfect meal! We spent the rest of the night watching college football and then watching the boys play some more weird zombie game. Its a good thing that Katie and I had a lot to catch up on!

Sunday was basically the best day ever! We all woke up pretty late and decided to spend the day just relaxing. We got a pizza delivered and laid around watching NFL Redzone during the commericials of the Cowboys game. It.was.amazing. After the Cowboys game, Katie, Nathan and Sleeve had to all head back to Abilene. It was very sad to see them go, but we had a great time with them! (We promise to make the trip to Abilene next, we know how unfortunate the drive from Houston to Abilene is!)

Here is my (actually Katie's) one and only picture from the trip :

After that we got back to our normal routine, we watched the Broncos win (5-0 baby!) and the rest of the Sunday games. I made shrimp alfredo with the leftover shrimp from Saturday night and then Marc went back to studying. Today completes my weekend. I was really supposed to have today off, but decided to come in anyway and have an office day. I am trying to think of some new ideas that we can implement into our program and will spend the day working on those. However, since I came in today I get Thursday off! How wonderful! And we will be spending next week at the Ranch deer hunting (well, Marc will be hunting. I will be watching football and reading a good book). I can't wait to see our families!

Oh and (Belated) Happy Birthday to both of our Moms! We love you guys and we are so greatful for everything you have done for us! We wouldn't be where we are without you!

And Happy Birthday (on time!) to Marc's Brother Mitchell! We promise we didn't forget about a present, we will bring it with us this weekend!

We hope all of you have (or had) a wonderful time on your birthdays and we wish you all the health and happiness the next year can bring! Love you!!

A weekend in the life...

This weekend was wonderful. My little brother (who is not actually little and 18) came to visit us from College Station this weekend and we had SO much fun! Friday night we just hung out and caught up with each other, because I don't get off work til 8 and I am pretty much exhausted by the end of my day chasing after children.

On Saturday, the three of us watched college football and ate pizza until we decided to head out to the outlet mall in Cypress. The outlets are AMAZING, but its all outdoors and it was raining so that took away some of the fun. I only bought one dress, even though there was a Coach oulet, so Marc was happy. Then we all ate at this wonderful restaruant/pub that Marc and I love called Two Rows and watched A&M play. Then we came home to watch U of H play and were HUGELY disappointed by their loss.

Sunday was a big day at our house. The Cowboys and the Broncos played each other that afternoon, which is like creating World War 3 right in the middle of our little apartment. For anyone who doesn't know... Marc is a huge Cowboys fan and I am a huge Broncos fan and we will usually cheer on the other person's team, except for on Sunday. So we did what any loving, nurturing couple would do and we bet on the game :) If the Cowboys won Marc got some XBOX game he has been dying to have, and if the Broncos won I got a shopping spree... Guess who won??? :) Yeah, I already spent all the money on some new work clothes... and a wallet. Yay for me! Although I did rub it in his face a little, I made him stuffed pork chops for dinner so it was actually a pretty even trade.

Eric went home on Sunday night and things immediately got boring around here. Marc is back to studying and Chloe is sleeping like always. I had a really good day at work yesterday, and then today came. I think my mind got confused and thought today was Monday. However, I am so excited to get through this week because Nathan, Katie and Sleeve are coming this weekend and I can't think of any thing better than seeing them! It has been way too long! I think I am going to go run. I need stress relief, and to lose a few pounds. But before that I think I want a few more Milano cookies... :)

Small Town Kid...

In other news, I miss Abilene. I thought I was a city girl until we moved to the city... turns out I'm a semi-country girl that really likes visiting the city. I'm not sure what it is about Abilene, but it has its own kinda charm. Sometimes it really sucks to walk into the grocery store here knowing that there is NO way I know a single person in there. I hate knowing that if my car were to break down here and Marc were in class, I better have a towing service on my speed dial because there is no one else to call. And even if I did have a close friend that I could call, chances that they would be remotely close to my location in this enourmous city is very small.


So in honor of missing Abilene, and never quite being able to express it in the right way... here is a list of what I miss - in words and pictures, because well... pictures say it better than I ever could!


I miss...

- always knowing that even if there was NOTHING to do in Abilene on the weekends, we had great friends to sit around with.
- camping... well trying to camp and always returning home at 2 in the morning because it really wasn't that great of an idea.
- listening to Eli Young songs every weekend and having best friends that know  every word as well as I do
- having so many people over that our entire yard was full of cars, because the crazy vetranarian wouldn't let us park in "his" parking lot
- Sharky's
- having friends that knew that 7:00 really meant somewhere around 9:30.
- when Saturday night meant that less than 8 hours went by from the time you said goodbye to your friends til the time you saw them again at church on Sunday.
- Free, delicious home-cooked dinners every Wednesday night with Marc’s family.
- watching my little brothers (and sister!) grow up.
- making Elayna help me rearange my furniture when Marc was working.
- having a house with a backyard.
- how driving “all the way across town” really meant a 15 minute drive.
- the West Texas Fair & Rodeo
- Abilene High vs. Cooper Games
- Fujis and Bonsai
- the “Butternut and Treadway” and “695-1181” commercials
- Knowing that my friends closets were a better place to look for clothes than the Abilene mall.
- The Grape House.
-  not needing a GPS to get EVERYWHERE
- the Bumann's hot tub when it was 10 degrees outside.
- Thursday nights at our favorite place :)
- fitting more stuff in a refrigerator than anyone could ever imagine
-actually knowing our neighbors.

Most of all I miss...

And of course :

Most of all I miss you girls dearly!!