Hello Again, Abilene!

We're heading to Abilene this weekend to attend Sing Song and to visit my cousin Brittany, who recently moved there. I'm really excited and am looking forward to seeing friends and family, visiting our old church, and spending time in a city that's close to my heart.

The trip back to Abilene will be bittersweet. We moved to San Antonio almost seven months ago, but it feels much longer; my life has changed so much since the move, and in many ways I feel like a different person. Living in San Antonio is great, though; I love my new job, being in a bigger city, and living close to family. However, a tiny piece of me will always miss Abilene because of those special college, grad school, and newlywed memories.

I miss those local, mom-and-pop places that big cities can't replicate, like McKay's and Cajun Cones. I miss spring-and-summertime walks with Brendan around the ACU jogging track. I miss my Highland family and a church who fit me perfectly. There were also a lot of reasons why I was ready to leave Abilene, but I sure do love the memories I made there and the people I left behind.

Number 27

Brendan turns 27 today! This morning he said he was finally beginning to feel old, but I kindly reminded him that I will always be two years younger than him.

Happy birthday to my wonderful husband!

I'm Alive

Yes, it's been way too long since I've updated, but I'm still here. So many things have happened in the last month that they deserve a brief re-cap. So, my friends, take in a few weeks in the life of Erin, in no particular order.

1. I'm teaching To Kill a Mockingbird, my favorite book ever. Joy.
2. Brendan and I visited the niece in Fort Worth, and I can't believe how fast she's growing up. While there, I was sexually harassed by a five-year-old when we visited the children's museum; as I bent over he declared, "I can see your bottom!" Lovely child.
3. We celebrated our two-year anniversary at a bed-and-breakfast that's on the land of my grandparents' old ranch in Blanco County. Even though they don't live there anymore, it was wonderful to show Brendan a piece of my childhood.
4. Spring Break destination = Vegas! I've never been, and the trip should be the perfect mini-vacation. I could invoke an abundance of Vegas cliches right about now, but I'll spare you. See, I bet you're thinking of them already.
5. I'm officially halfway through the school year, so I count that milestone as a little victory.

Two Years

Brendan and I celebrate two years of marriage today. Two years seems so short, but I feel as if we've always been married, always been together.

Our one-year anniversary couldn't come soon enough, and we looked forward to that first relationship milestone to celebrate our marriage. Now that year two is here, I don't have that "Yes! We made it!" feeling, but more of a warm contentedness and a desire to keep going. Instead of celebrating the event, I would rather rejoice in our relationship together.

Merry Christmas

Due to the inevitable chaos that ensues when one is a first-year teacher, unfortunately my Christmas cards will be tardy this year. But fear not; they will be in the mail very shortly. So, here's a little something to tide you over. Happy Christmas!

My Little Niece

Brendan and I spent Thanksgiving with his family in Sugar Land, and one of the trip's highlights was spending time with my little niece, Allison. She's eight months old, and every stage keeps getter more fun. Sure, she was cute when she was super tiny, but she didn't do very much, except sleep and stare at you. Now Allison is crawling and sitting up, which means she can finally play with toys! We already bought her Christmas presents, which was way too much fun.

Here are some highlights from our visit at Thanksgiving.

Giving the herkie. Perhaps she has a future in cheerleading.

Sweet, sleepy baby

How can you resists that face?!


Enjoying some playtime with Aunt Erin

Giving Thanks

I have a full week off from school this week, so I'm (finally) enjoying being lazy and not doing anything. As much as I love my job, it can be very exhausting in many ways, so I'm looking forward to re-charging and enjoying some time with family.

We're traveling to Sugar Land on Wednesday to spend the holiday with Brendan's family. It's the first time for me to spend Thanksgiving with his side, which seems crazy since we've been married for almost two years. Being introduced to another family's holiday traditions and foods is always interesting, but I'm looking forward to seeing how the Vosses celebrate. Hopefully it will include the Cowboy game and a long post-lunch nap.

One more thing to be thankful for this time of year: my baby niece. I get to see her this week for the first time since July, and I cannot wait. Babies make everything better, and I can't wait to snuggle with her, or at least try to catch her as she's crawling madly across the room.