Home Movies

This week I've been working on editing and compiling all of the "home movies" J & I have taken since we got married. After visiting my aunt and uncle in NOLA (who have ALL of their home movies beginning in the '70s on DVD) I felt inspired. Here is a bit of a preview. 

*Music by: Jack Johnson & Relient K

Weinberger Must-Haves: Drink Edition

Joe and I have been married for two and a half years now (crazy!) and I would say we are definitely into a comfortable, pre-kids routine. We've been through three moves, and before moving into our currant apartment we hadn't lived more than six months in a place. That being said- we've been living in our apartment in SA for 17 months. We are finally settled (of course we're moving across the country in October). It's interesting the items in our home that have become "must-haves". Here are some of them in drink form:

{1. Mexican Coke: we don't consume this on a daily basis, but it's a fun treat. > 2. ZingZang bloody mary mix: we use this for Micheladas mostly, which are great on these triple-digit days in SA. > 

3. Abita Strawberry Larger: whis is more for me. > 4. Canadian Club Whisky: this is more for J, most definitely.}

Summer by the Sea

The second week of June my mom's family rented a beach house on Galveston Island. While Joe could only spend the weekend, I was able to stay for the week. My cousin and I share a birthday so we celebrated, swam, ate yummy seafood, fed the seagulls and enjoyed some much needed fellowship. You know the old saying "It takes a village to raise a child"? Well... they are my village. Of course I'm no longer a child, a new generation has entered our family, and my cousins and I have suddenly become our parents. At lease metaphorically. 

Anywho- it was a sweet time, and I sure do miss them!

The past thirteen days I have been in various cities vacationing with my parents and our extended family. With my laptop back safely in San Antonio, blogging wasn't really an option. Of course all good things must come to an end, but I'm ready to be back in The Alamo City with my love. I have lots of fun pictures and stories to share, but for now enjoy Think Positive! Magazine's pic. of one of my most favorite cities, New Orleans.

Weekend in the Hill Country

Gosh we had such a lovely weekend in the beautiful Texas Hill Country with J's family this weekend. All I kept thinking was how much I was going to miss this (and them) when we move to D.C. in October. Here is our weekend according to instagram:

Up & Away

My man left this morning on a jet plane. He'll be back friday. My mummy is coming to keep me company. I'm looking forward to a fast week of girl time. 

Four Weekend Round-Up

My blogging in June has been much to sparse. June has held some huge highs and some equally huge lows. Adjusting to my new work schedule with Joe's work schedule had definitely been rough at times. Don't get me wrong I love my job and couldn't be more grateful for the work, but God's provisions are not always comfortable. This weekend is the first since memorial day weekend that Joe and I have had nothing to do/attend. The past four weekends have been wonderful and yet I haven't blogged a single one of them. So here is a quick wrap-up:

Memorial Day weekend we went to Joe's Aunt Mary and Uncle Jeff's lake house in Gainesville. We went on the boat, swam, and everyone loved on Rémy. We had a ball! 

The weekend of June 3rd my Aunt's family all made the trek to San Antonio. It was great to have them in our new home. We also celebrated me and Phil's (my cousin) birthday. I really appreciate them making the long drive. I know it is not easy. 

Okay next. The weekend of June 10th we headed to the Hill Country to celebrate Joe's Aunt Karen and Uncle John's 60th birthdays. We had a blast floating in the river, going to wineries, and star gazing. 

Finally last weekend I was in Grand Rapids with my 'sister'/best friend Sandra. I was actually there for a week visiting. I was able to give her a baby shower, and we drove over to chicago for two days to shop and sight see. It was such a refreshing time of fellowship.

Tomorrow Joe leaves for D.C. and in exactly two weeks I will be on a plane to Latvia. The summer is flying by. Before we know we'll be seeing back to school commercials.

Belated Father's Day

As of course you know Sunday was Father's Day. Joe and I have both been blessed with wonderful fathers. Both have challenged, encouraged, and loved us unconditionally. They are both men who love the Lord and I'm so grateful.

Pre-Curser

I have so much catching up to do it isn't even funny. I just got back from a six day trip to visit my 'sister' Sandra in Grand Rapids. We had such a great time just being together. We even drove over to Chicago for two days to sight see and shop. For my birthday she gave me the most wonderful book of pictures beginning when we met all the way through our marriages. She is six months pregnant and I can't believe how fast time has gone by. We got to relive a bit of our youth by going to see three movies and getting popcorn every time. It was awesome. I love that girl and I'm already really missing her.

Joe and I have had some fabulous weekends and I haven't blogged about a single one of them. I promise I will. Joe is going to D.C. again next week, so I'm sure I will have some extra time on my hands.

In other news Rémy is getting quite big. I'm not sure how I feel about that.

TTI Training Area

Hello? Are you there? Do I have any readers left? Well, I guess I didn't have many in the first place, but I'm sorry for the hiatus. It wasn't on purpose, but we are just so busy. I have one week under my belt of 'nannying', and I'm really enjoying it. I feel like I'm getting to relive a bit of my own childhood summers. The past two weekends have been filled with family, and I hope to post about them soon. The other day when I was on my new commute home from 1604 I saw a sign reading: "TTI Training Area". If you don't know Joe worked for TTI the first year of our marriage. I couldn't help but smile. It is amazing how quickly things change. Not too long ago a large part of our conversation was filled with terms like: TTI, different types of eighteen wheelers, rental cars, and various Texas counties. In a way it made me appreciate the new stability we have in San Antonio, and in another it made me miss College Station more than I can say. Isn't life funny like that? We hope and hope for change, and then miss the old days. Oh well, C'est la vie. Tomorrow is my birthday. I can tell I'm getting older because I just am not all that, well, excited. Like sands through the hourglass, these are the days of our lives. I hope to enjoy a good dinner at Luke, kiss my husband, and laugh with my mom. I'm positive all will occur.

Our first picture in front of the Alamo since moving here.

Happy Summer!

Isaiah 6:8

This blog post has been brewing inside of me. So, I thought it was time to pour. It makes me a bit nervous, because these are my inner, most venerable thoughts; however, it is part of my story. Isaiah 6:8 says, "I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, who will go for me?' and I said 'Here am I, send me!". The summer of 2002 this became my 'life verse'. My dad a year before went on his first mission trip to Latvia, and to say he came back a different man would be an understatement. My family was called to Latvia, and my dad was the first on God told. I wouldn't get the message until the next summer. My dad took another trip to Latvia, and this time our church was able to bring back a few Latvians for one month. I got the opportunity to serve with all of these Latvians on a mission trip to San Marcos. On that trip I really felt God calling me to missions, specifically to Latvia. I don't know how or why, but I knew it in my gut. Maybe it was the slight glimpse I got of this wonderful country. I was in love. Immediately we were planning our trip in 2003. My mom was the last to come around. Being the caring, loving mom she is, it worried her a bit. However, God worked a miracle and got us there in July of 2003. It changed all of our lives. The minute I stepped out of the sliding doors into the airport, I was home. After this trip my dad really felt my family should move there, obviously this didn't happen. I guess if I were to tell the honest truth, I think it was God's perfect will for us to mover there. This was a very rough time for me. It was my freshman year of high school, and I just didn't want to be there. Thankfully, God grants grace and we were able to heal as a family. The following summer only strengthened my love of the 'singing nation'. Every trip held some kind of growth, of course. I have been at my lowest and highest there. One of the biggest blessings was having the opportunity to love on kids. Of all ages. My last trip I was given the opportunity to pray with a teenager that I had known for several years, and lead her to Christ. It was a huge blessing. I am so humbled to have been a part of God's work. The stories are virtually endless. Every year I would go in wary of the new team, and every year it was perfect. This summer I was not able to go to Latvia. I have know since November I wouldn't be. Joe and I were at our pre-marital counseling and the leader stressed the importance of the 'first year'. I remember he said, if you are really involved in something (even some kind of ministry) without your spouse, consider dropping it for the first year, and really focusing on your new ministry. Oh man that stung, but I knew. I knew I couldn't go. (I have never told anyone this before). It broke my heart. It is still breaking my heart. One of the most significant blessings from 8 years of travel/service with a lot of the same people, is they become your family. One of the hardest things is not knowing I have a Galina hug coming sometime soon. Galina is a women that has cooked for us, served with us, and loved on us. She is an amazing women. I wish I could adequately express how much I love everyone. Right now, two people are there from our church. They are great, great guys, but it is killing me to not be there. Whenever I get an update email, I cry. Whenever I see a picture, I cry. I have a small, constant ache. This may seem obsessive. I really am trusting God. I'm not depressed or anything, it's just I want to be there so badly. I can't really think about next summer yet. I'm not shutting the door. If it is God's will for me to be there, I will be. Here are a few pictures from our travels.

Milu, Milu.

2003: with Amy and Carrie. We have shared so many sweet, funny memories.

2003: With the Straume triplets!

2009: We were about to leave for the airport. I have watched these sweet girls grow up. I hated have to say goodbye, instead of see you next summer. They walked with their dad to tell us good bye. They drew pictures for me, the one that put me over the age was a picture of an angel, saying "May God guard your way". There was not a dry eye in the room. I was a bit emotional.

2009: We watched these boys grow up as well. They were so sweet, and unfortunately they seem to be lost in the word. Pray for them.

2009: This is sweet Galina. She has been through too much to say here, but she is faithful. This was one of the evenings when were all staying in Ziedkalne. We do this every trip. We live together, eat together et cetera. We become a family. Every night we would cry out to God together. It was amazing. To be completely open and accepting of each other. Too many times Christians are hardest on other Christians. Love people, love. (Ok, I'll get off my soap box). I am always so convicted because I don't know one Christian family that fervently cries out to God together. Including my own. When was the last time you cried out to God with someone? I hope I can learn to do this more.

2009: This is a perfect depiction of our time in Latvia. At the end of the day we always meet and eat together. We fellowship like we as Christians are meant to.

2008: This little guy is my buddy. His name is Vaidims. Pray for his salvation.

2008: My Ladies!! Every year we take pictures here.

2007: This is right after I got my tattoo, and right before Joe got his. It was too funny. My mom was all worried about it then. All crying and everything, & now she totally loves it. She thinks it's a great story. I nearly passed out, not from pain, but from just the fact I got a tattoo. I'm sure this comes as no surprise ;). The guy had to give me alcohol to sniff. Serving with Joe in Latvia has been my greatest joy, well almost. I would not have married him unless he felt called there as well.

2007: The greatest 4th of July ever! Ever! With the exception of 2008, this will be my first 4th of July in the States since 2003.

2005: Me and Carrie's Girls. How I love and miss them.

2005: Serving at the orphanage. I wanted to take them home. Joe and I are really thinking/praying about adopting from LV.

2004: She was in my VBS group. We still keep in touch. She is precious.

2004: My Mommo & Tetis. We are all our best selves there. We are truly our selves.

2004: This is one of my favorite pictures of my mom. She looks so happy and at peace. She is the most sacrificing person I know, and I have loved serving with her in Latvia. I'm so thankful to God she loves Latvia.

2006: Our feet look like this at the end of everyday. It's awesome. I love walking everywhere. I love that if I close my eyes I can see the courtyard at the church, walk out of the gate, turn left, then right, to go to the store. I love that I can smell it. I love how it looks and feels the same when you fly in. It feels like coming home.

'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news...'