Smell the Roses

Do you ever feel like you are living your life two thoughts ahead of yourself? I sure do. I really struggle with the tendency to always be thinking about what's happening next, rather than appreciate what is occurring in the moment. For example, this afternoon I got home about 30 minutes later than normal because I stopped by a wedding shower for two of the teachers at school. Joe had to go to an early meeting and my returning home late meant no work out time for us. After rough housing with Rémy a bit, we were both pooped and crawled in bed with Joe. Instead of just enjoying this quiet moment with my husband, I was thinking about how rushed I felt. Ugg, I hate this feeling. I had no reason to feel rushed, it was just the trap of my mental clock. Remember when you were a kid and summer felt endless. The summer evenings rolled into summer days and there wasn't a care in the world. I found myself so missing that feeling today. I want to be able to relax without thinking about what I need to, or should be, doing the next day, week, month, year, and so on. I keep thinking this feeling will go away when I get a job, or insert next big step in life. I have a pretty great two and a half months ahead of me; yet, my mind has already jumped to August.  I just want to be able to stop and smell the roses.

Visions of Days to Come

Whew. What a weekend we had. Friday evening Terry and Maren (m-i-l & s-i-l) arrived and our non-stop weekend began. We had lots of fun eating, shopping, and fellowshipping. Sunday we all enjoyed a day in the country for Greta Ralston's graduation celebration. Greta is Joe's lifelong friend's, Alex, sister. My most favorite thing about this weekend was watching my m-i-l Terry interact with Rémy. I wasn't really sure how she was going to react to an 8 week old puppy, but she seemed to more than tolerate him. I recognize that I have no idea the kind of love a mother has for her child, but I think I'm experiencing maybe a one-millionth of that feeling. I definitely have the 'don't mess with what's mine' thing down, and 'love watching you love what's mine'. That being said, Terry was such a wonderful "Grandma" to our little Rémy. She loved on him, watched him when I needed help, and didn't complain. In some kind of way I'm pretty much positive that Joe and I will have children of our own one day, and I know that they are going to have a wonderful grandma in Terry. Anyway, I guess enough with the emoting. I have an even busier week ahead of me. I'm not sure how I feel about this being the last week of school. I'm not going to think about it today.

The Time of Our Lives

You know that song "I've had the time of my life". It's at the end of Dirty Dancing. Well, I think I'm pretty much having the time of my life. Here's why:

Joe and I have seemed to finally adjusted to our new life here in San Antonio, we can't seem to choose between two churches we love (what a beautiful problem), and Rémy is a wonderful addition to our little family. This past weekend was really wonderful. Crazy busy, but wonderful. I took the opportunity to enjoy our new puppy, and disconnect myself from the world a bit. I didn't twitter, answer texts, (okay I did put pictures of the little mister on fb) but I quickly got off. I just needed some silence. Saturday I had a Texas Teachers session all day, and all I could think about was getting home and being anonymous. On Sunday the pastor at the church we were visiting spoke on sexual abuse, but the part I found so convicting (and heartbreaking for the women around me) were the verses he shared on modesty, our responsibility to protect the thoughts of the men we encounter, and the cultures we entertain in our lives. I wrote a whole post about it, but I'm not going to publish it right now. All of this adds up to a very fulfilling & rejuvenating weekend.

The school year is quickly coming to a close and I can't believe it. I'm working twice this week, four days next week, and then hello summer. Although I will miss subbing, I'm super excited about my summer job.

This weekend my mother and sister in-law are coming into town and we can't wait to have them. Speaking of my s-i-l, Maren recently competed in a young opera singers competition in Dallas, and tied for second place! Click here to see the article about it. We are so proud of her.

Rémy is taking a nap, so I'm going to take the opportunity to eat breakfast. Have a terrific Tuesday!

Just a Few

Here are just a few pictures and facts about our little Rémy Crockett. He has already stolen our hearts and then some. Right now he is asleep next to Joe, being the perfect little napper he is.  

1. Rémy was born on March 22, 2011.

2. He is now a day short of 8 weeks old. What I have found via google is that is equal to about a 14 month old human.

3. He sleeps... a lot. He plays or eats or poops and then crashes. Since we can't go outside yet, I'm pretty good with that. 

Rémy LA-OVES his daddy. 

 First sleep in his big boy crate.

 First meal.

4. He has pretty much got using the puppy pad to go to the restroom down... almost. 

5. We have mastered "sit", and are working our way to "down". 

6. He is sleeping pretty much through the night, and only whines at the beginning & when he needs to potty.

7. He is (most of the time) perfectly content to just sit on your lap and chill. 

8. Rémy wants so badly to play with Bella. She, on the other hand, wants nothing to do with him. 

9. When is running to his toy, Bella, etc. he does the cutest little hopping thing. I will get it on video eventually.

10. He wants you to come visit him!

If you would like to see more pictures of our little bat boy click here, videos here. Rémy can't wait to meet you, and I know he will steal your heart too.

Puppy dog kisses,

May I Introduce...

Rémy Crockett Weinberger

This adorable French Bulldog is our new addition to the family. We have been anxiously awaiting him, and are so happy he is finally home with us. A bit about his name: Rémy is a common French name (one of the few that actually originates from France) and is pretty stinking cute; Crockett is in homage to the famous hero of the Alamo, Davy Crockett (we do leave in San Antonio after all). As I type this Rémy is asleep in his crate. We will see how he does tonight, but last night we let him whine (did not take him out of the crate, talk to him, etc) and he stopped crying after about 15 mins. Tonight has pretty much gone the same way. We have already taken well over 300 photos. If how we are acting is any indication of how will be with children, phew that baby will have more pictures of him/her than they could ever want. He is already such a sweet blessing to our little family. 

The Boy is 5!

Last weekend I was in Houston to celebrate Mother's Day, as well as my dear cousin's, Peter, first born's 5th birthday. I still can't believe it! It seems just yesterday we were anxiously waiting by the phone to hear of his birth and his name. My cousins Peter, Phillip, & Oksana are the closest things  I have to siblings, and we have all be very close my whole life. I value and treasure this so much. That being said, I love this little boy like an aunt. I wish we lived closer and I could spend more time with him (all of them actually), but maybe someday.  Here are some pictures from the past five years: (they are not in chronological order)

Happy 5th Birthday, Joshua! Joe and I love you bunches, and can't wait to see all that God has in store for you!

3 Days Left...

...till Bella is an only child no more. Since we got our camera we have taken lots of good pictures of our favorite kitty, but I haven't had an excuse to share them. Well here it is.

Here is some info on Bella:

She is 3.5 years old.

She LOVES blankets. If you are using one she will sit on your lap and lick it to no end.

She was a gift to Joe, from me, for Christmas. 

She hates her litter box, but always uses it. PTL

One of her favorite spots to chill is inside of the hamper.

Our Mommas

"I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. 

They have clung to me all my life."

-Abraham Lincoln 

Our moms are lovers of Jesus. Our moms taught us in the way we should go. They encouraged us, pushed us, disciplined us, and we couldn't be more grateful. Our moms are beautifully different, yet wonderfully similar. We are both immensely blessed by each of them. They are confidants, friends, mentors, and cherished. They are able to laugh at the days to come. We arise and call them blessed. We love sharing this unique time in our lives with them. We do not take it for granted. We look forward to the day we see grandbabies in their arms. We will always be their babies.

"A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts."

-Washington Irving

Happy Mother's Day!

We love you so very much,

First of Many

Here is the latest video posted on youtube of our little frenchie. He is the darkest, cream one and has a defined white stripe between his eyes. Joe and I really can't get enough of him. We are constantly checking for new videos and watching other videos of frenchies. Still no name... hopefully we will agree on one before we pick him up next friday. I'm headed to Houston this weekend to celebrate my cousin Joshua's fifth birthday and Mother's day. Tomorrow my mom and I are going to see a chick flick in the middle of the day, go to lunch, and shop. So excited!

Everyone Needs More than One

 God has blessed me immensely by putting scores of Godly women in my life from a very young age. 

Of course my mom, is my mom, but more about her later. 

Although I was quite young when my grandmother's health began to decline, her influence can still be seen in my life. Her obedience to the Lord influenced my mother, and therefore influenced me. She was a lover of music, class, and southern things; and all of these things run through my veins. 

As the saying goes "It takes a village..." The second person on this earth who has spent the most time with me, done more for me than I could ever adequately express here, and loves me as her own is my Aunt Diane. Her love of the Lord is inspiring and we have shared so many wonderful moments together. I say all the time how badly I want to be an aunt, she is why. 

The ladies below have been sunday school teachers, served in Latvia with me etc. They have all (I feel) poured into me. I have cried with them, and they listened. They gave spiritual wisdom and advice, and were examples of Godly women. I know God used them to shape me into the woman I am today. I can't say thank you enough. 

Terry, my mother in-law, is the relatively newest Godly woman in my life; although, I met her when I was 15. She is wonderful and I will share more about her later as well.

 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
   she can laugh at the days to come.  She speaks with wisdom,
   and faithful instruction is on her tongue.  She watches over the affairs of her household
   and does not eat the bread of idleness.  Her children arise and call her blessed;
   her husband also, and he praises her:  “Many women do noble things,
   but you surpass them all.”  Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
   but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.  Honor her for all that her hands have done,
   and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Proverbs 31:25-31