Luetchford Life Up North....

Meet Molly

2011-03-09T18:40:00.003-06:00

I wanted to officially introduce my blogging world to the new love of my life... not higher than
Phil of course, but in a sense my "daughter" :)

Molly is the newest addition to our family, she was my Christmas present from Phil. I love her to death, and dont worry yall shes a Texas girl too... picked her up from a friend in Pilot Point when we were down for Christmas.

Enjoy! :)
This is Molly in her coat..... Her first trip to the groomer.... her first trip home....

Shutterfly Christmas :)

2010-11-29T22:01:00.001-06:00

I have a great site to share with yall! I'm sure you are all familiar with Shutterfly but if you haven't checked them out this year for your Christmas card then you have got to go check out their precious photo cards. Here are a few of the possible cards you may be finding in your mail box from me very soon.

My favorites are cards where the picture is the main focus.

These are fun and a little funky. I love the pink!

These are classic and both beautiful

Pick out your own dream card here!

Also, are you looking for a great gift? Check out the calendars Shutterfly has to offer! Mom has one with pictures of my sister and I, some months with recent pictures, some with childhood pictures, some with a mix. Last year for Christmas, my cousin Shelby gave our grandparents a Shutterfly calendar with a photo of Daisy from every month of her first year. They travel a lot and this was a great way to display her picture all the time in their motor home. Everyone needs a calendar! The best part?! Personalize the dates with family birthdays and special messages!

Ok, one last thing! Are you planning a party this holiday season? Unfortunately after throwing a Halloween bash I won't be but if you know me you know I love to throw a good party. If you do have a party coming up either for Christmas or to ring in 2011, Shutterfly also has the invites you're going to be looking for!

Now... Why did I post about Shutterfly today? If you have your own blog, go here to find out! Happy shopping!

1 Year Already!!

2010-07-30T23:00:00.002-06:00

I am an awful blogger.... I get on here and read everyone else's blogs like daily, but I often feel I dont have anything important enough to blog about lol....

I thought I would give yall a summer update! :)

-We got all moved in to our house, and are slowly making adjustments to the house that we wanted to do like painting and fixing a few things here and there. Phil's parents came up for a week in May to help around the house a bit as well.
-We took a trip up to PA in June for Father's Day and for a Straw family reunion and I finally got to meet Phil's aunt and uncle and family who lives in Gabon, Africa right now. It was nice having an actual person to put in my mind when I talk to them on Facebook.
-July 4th weekend came along and Phil and I decided to take an early anniversary trip to Las Vegas. Phil's company takes off extra time for patriotic holidays so Phil didnt have to take many vacation days for our little outing. We had a blast and enjoyed just getting away for a few days by ourselves. :)
- July 15th we went down to Texas to see my family and a few friends while we were there (Yes, we traveled alot this summer) We were in Texas for a week and enjoyed it Greatly!!! You never know how much you truly miss someone until you have to leave them again. We then drove down to Orlando Florida for Jacob's select team Baseball tournament. Phil had to go back to work so he didnt stay long, but I stayed an extra week with my family. I missed baseball in my life and got a little of my southern tan back that I would never get in Iowa :) I just got back to Iowa yesterday just in time for our 1 year anniversary this Sunday.
Its amazing how time flies by. I have been truly blessed with the Godly man God chose to put me with for the rest of my life. I couldn't have asked for anyone better! :)

Love you all and miss yall dearly!!!! I start back with teacher inservices August 17th... my time is almost out for summer :(

From our home to yours! Love ya

Spring Break- Now we're old.

2010-03-26T16:45:00.002-06:00

Spring Break finally got here, and now as always it is about to be over way to quickly. Its amazing how fast time flies by. It seems like just yesterday that Phil and I were moving up to Iowa, and I was looking for a job frantically. Now, I am almost done with my first year teaching with my precious 1st graders, and Phil and I just signed on a new house. Yes, that means we will be here a couple more years, but that was something we already knew with Phil's job. We are glad though that the snow has FINALLY melted.

Here are some things that make me feel old that have came to mind this year.

- Phil and I will both be turning 23 in a few weeks, it makes me feel so old.
- Buying our first house.
- My first real job.
- Jacob (my youngest brother) getting his drivers license
- Some of my best friends having babies.... yes Meag. that makes us old!
- My first graders had no idea what 9-11 was because they weren't even born.

-There are more, but thats all I have for the time being :)

Hope you guys have a great last few weeks until the end of the year!
LOVE YALL LOTS!

http://www.cbhrealty.com/Listing/default.aspx?mls=1000797

(Home we signed on)

Snow....Snow...Snow!

2010-02-19T21:48:00.003-06:00

This seems to be whats in my weekly weather forecast ("Mrs. Luetchford thats a vocabulary word") It seems like all it ever does here is SNOW!! It never gives the old snow time to melt so the snow just continues to pile higher and higher on top of each other. I cant believe I would ever come to saying this since we often don't get snow in Texas, but I am officially tired of snow for the year!!

On another note I am so sorry I have not updated in awhile. I read everyone else's blogs every day when there are new updates and think to myself how I need to write a new post, but I never know what to say, or somedays just don't feel like typing and talking more after a long day at the school. I am loving my little first graders, they are soooo full of energy. We are currently at a stressful crossroad because conference time is approaching, so I am frantically trying to get assessments and report cards all done in time. Phil is still loving his job, and is busy with playing his bass guitar, basketball games, grounds school (flying), and soccer games.... oh yeah and with work lol. I feel sometimes like I already have kids, but I guess he needs to get his fun in before we are overwhelmed with kid activities :)

We are currently looking for a new house too. Our lease in our apartment runs out in May, and we are going to try to take advantage of that new homebuyers $ that's out floating around right now. We have been looking at tons of homes that all have something we like about them, but not everything. Its been a few difficult process, but a fun one all at the same time. We found one home we really liked, but it fell through when the counter offer was CRAZY! lol So were back to looking again. Hopefully something will appear soon. Keep it in your prayers please.

Other than that not too much new in the Luetchford home. We had a great Christmas seeing both families and enjoy time in both PA and Texas. We will be back in Texas in April for AO's 50th anniversary! WHOO :)
Oh, and back in Texas in July for MICHAEL BUBLE'.... YES, I am VERY excited about this concert! I mean come on its Michael Buble' .... He makes my heart MELT!!!!

Love you all and Miss you tons!!

Lauren

I'm tired of it looking a lot like Christmas!

2009-12-23T21:54:00.003-06:00

You know how the old saying goes, "Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas," or "I'm dreaming of a White Christmas." Well that has been and will be the case for Cedar Rapids this year. Although it will be my first REAL and TRUE White Christmas we have had snow falling, freezing temperatures, freezing rain, and ice for the past 2 weeks or so now. A huge snow storm is on its way and will be here for Christmas day as well. Fingers crossed our flights do not get delayed.

The Luetchfords though have been rather busy since my last update. Phil had a Big Band Christmas Concert at church last week, so I went to all 3 performances, what else was I suppose to do. :) I have been busy shopping, cooking Christmas treats for the offices, and of course teaching.
I got a new kid from Chicago Monday, which was 2 days before a break never do this to your children its CRAZY!!! This child has no manners, or proper language usage. Pray he comes back from Christmas "touched by an angel" or this is going to be a very LONG 2nd semester. We had our Christmas "WINTER" party Tuesday, and I got a load full of amazing and thoughtful gifts from my children... they are sooo sweet.
Today Phil and I got up, to freezing rain, and went down to Coralville (30 min drive) to get massages we had won earlier this year. What a way to start off our MUCH needed vacation. We did a little shopping and just enjoyed our day, even in the blistering cold. :( We came back home did a little housework and relaxed on the couch to watch a couple movies. Tomorrow I will start our new family Christmas tradtions and get ready for our many trips.
We are spending Christmas Day with just the 2 of us in Cedar Rapids, then flying out to Pennsylvania to spend some time with Phil's family for a few days. On the 29th we will be flying to Dallas and staying through the 3rd with my lovely family, and then its back to Iowa we fly. I am really looking forward to seeing my family and getting out of the snow for a little while.

It will be a new Christmas experience for sure, and it will be hard being away from my family on Christmas day. My brothers and I always woke up early to see our Santa presents, yes even to this day. We always made homemade Christmas cookies and with the leftover icing we made a 'poop' cookie for Santa (He just loves it!!! :) he he) We sing Christmas Carols at the top of our lungs and laugh hysterically. We travel to grandparents, and make up our Christmas program for that year in the car. Oh what great memories I will sure miss this year with my brothers and my family, I mean gosh Phil isn't near as funny as my boys (lol just kidding babe) I guess we all have to grow up sometime and make our own family. But things will be a lot easier once we move back home to Texas! :)

Wishing yall a very Merry CHRISTmas and a Happy 2010! (Were getting old!)
Love you all!!

-Phil and Lauren-

Things you thought you would never say

2009-10-26T18:04:00.002-06:00

So I have 15 1st graders this year. I am really loving it, but of course every class comes with a few of those "headache" children. Well with Swine flu going around as well as teaching in a low economical area, with a lot of family problems as usual. So one of my headache kids was out sick and then had a family situation that left him out until tomorrow. I saw him after school when he came to pick up his sister. He RAN up to me and gave me a huge hug and said he missed me, not a little, but a lot. Shoot I was okay with just the hug or the I missed you a little, not all of it! I literally had tears in my eyes when I saw him and he hugged me. With our crazy society today its hard not to worry about a kid when they are gone that long, especially with bad home lives. Although it has been a little quieter the past few weeks I wouldn't trade that reunion today for the world. This is why and how teachers keep going on day after day, for the little moments when you know you are changing a child's life for the good, and especially when you know those children often don't get the love and attention at home.
I love my children!

My New Classroom!!

2009-09-12T21:20:00.004-06:00

Here are a few snap shots of my VERY FIRST CLASSROOM!
Mrs. Luetchford's 1st Grade!!!!

My Going To The Chapel Summer....

2009-07-19T13:02:00.003-06:00

So this entire fun filled summer has revolved around this big wedding that is now just a mere 2 weeks away. I have had time with my lovely family for the past months including my baby cousins who are growing up way to fast and my Aunt and Uncle who I cant get enough of.....and our normal baseball filled -high speed summers....

We also celebrated mom and dads 25th anniversary early with a big party and tons of family and friends. We had a great turn out! We wanted to send them on a special weekend away/2nd honeymoon after all the chaos of my wedding gets out of the way. We had many sweet and generous people who stepped up to help with food and donations to help us celebrate this joyous occassion. We had to do it early, July 17th, because their real anniversary is August 4th and I will be out on the ocean somewhere :)
Thank you to all who came and celebrated with us, and to all who helped in any way, shape, form or fashion.... YOU MADE IT A BIG SUCCESS!!

Planning this wedding has been a lot of fun, but I am sure ready for it to get here and be done with. I miss things like going to Six Flags to go wedding shopping... oh the joys.... I am ready to be married to the love of my life and have my own place to call home, but I am not quite ready to move 15 hours away from all those who are so dear to my heart.

I have lived in Sanger for about 18 or 19 years and these people are Family to me... not to mention having most of my family within a 3 hour driving time and some just down the road. I am going to even miss ETBU, and all my beautiful people there and my 2nd life I had at school. As the countdown is at the edge of 2 weeks you start to think upon this "new life" and look back on the "old life" I never thought I would live outside of Texas in my entire life, and Iowa definitely was not on my top 40 states to move to, but like they say in the Music Man, " YOU OUGHT TO GIVE IOWA A TRY." So that is exactly what I plan to do. Moving so far from my family is so scary to me because its all I have ever known, and dont worry I will cry A LOT the first few months if not the first few years of our marriage just because I am such a family person. I am moving away from Tex-Mex, Sweet Tea, and McAllisters.... But all in all I am ready to take this change, with Philip by my side of course, and make the best of it. I know God has a reason for me/us to be so far away for now and with out a job currently and the whole shibang...(I dont know if thats how you spell it lol) Just know that cards, texts, emails, letters, facebook messages, etc will be greatly needed this first year as I adjust being away from the great state of TEXAS!!!! :)

I am also personally inviting all of you who read this to my wedding, If you didnt get an invitation its because I didnt have your address, so send me a message if you can come August 1st and ill give you all the details : ) I would love to see all of you there.....

With God Guiding My Steps,
Lauren Rachelle

BRIDAL PORTRAIT HELP!

2009-05-21T20:53:00.001-06:00

I need ideas of where to take my bridal portraits in a few weeks in the Dallas/Ft. Worth/ North Texas Area.......
Any ideas would be helpful!!

Hello Blog.... Its Been awhile

2009-05-20T15:01:00.003-06:00

So these past months have been super hectic and I have not been on to post. I should be better im sorry.
Here is a little of an update:

The day after my last post I broke my wrist.
Moved back engagement pictures.
Loved 8th grade Student teaching.
Graduated college with an education degree.
Philip graduated college with an engineering degree.
Bought my wedding gown.
Wedding plans coming along good, only like 73 days away!!!!!!!! So Close!
Moved Phil and all our stuff to our town house in Iowa.
Finally took engagement pictures!
Subbing a lot in Sanger.
Ready for Summer!

One Hundred Years Later....

2009-02-23T21:31:00.002-06:00

Hey you guys!

I am so sorry I have not updated at all this semester really..... MY BAD! : )
Student teaching is going well, its tiring and I feel like an old person with no life getting up at 5:45 every morning and going to bed at 10:00pm.... but all in all its all going good. Tomorrow is my last day with my 2nd graders before I move up to 8th grade Wednesday. I am going to miss the kids I have grown to love so much, but I am PUMPED about 8th grade... this is the age I want to teach for real, so its very exciting.

Wedding planning is coming along. I have narrowed my dress down to 4 different ones. Bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girl, and ring bearers all have outfits picked out. We have ideas for most of the other things, but its not all set in stone yet. Philip and I take engagement pictures this Saturday! IM EXCITED!!! I will be leaving there to go to a bridal show with mom in Dallas on Sunday afternoon. Mom wants everything to be done by the end of spring break, we will see about that lol.....

This past weekend the whole family, and Philip, went down to Houston to see most of dad's side of the family for my Granny's 80th birthday. It was really good to see everyone since we haven't made it down in such a long time. I enjoyed hanging out with them, and even better Phil had a great time!

Well, its 9:40 which means time to get ready for bed... until next time! I pray you all have a great week, and start sending me addresses for wedding stuff and showers, etc....
Its like 159 days! AHHH!!

-Lauren-

Random thought of my mind : )

2009-01-13T16:25:00.002-06:00

So I just want to know how many people notice that when you comment on someone's blog that when you type in that stupid jumble of letters at the bottom, that they could actually be a word if you wanted it to be. I just found it really interesting that they use letters that really look/sound like possible words. Teacher in me maybe??? Hmmmmm.....

Hope everyone is having a fabulous time back!

Love,

Lauren Rachelle Shuman (Soon to be Luetchford)

The Proposal!!!

2009-01-03T14:27:00.002-06:00

So I know I haven't updated in a long time and you guys must be dying already so here is my engagement story. More details about my trip in its entirety later : ) but I know what you guys are really after he he.......

So it was an all day affair on the 30th. We got up in our glorious hotel (Thank you Brian and Deloris) and got all dressed up for our Broadway show. We got to NYC a little early so we did just a bit of shopping, and saw the Phantom of the Opera on Broadway around 2:00pm. (This was something I had always wanted to do) Brian and Deloris then left us for dinner and Philip and I went to a fancy French restaurant for dinner. I had to try all these new things for an appetizer, entree and dessert, it was interesting lol. The entire day Philip had been giving me notes periodically that said reasons he loved me. Notes is one of my love languages, and Philip is not very good at them, so this in itself was very sweet. We then took a Taxi down to Central Park, I had never been in a Taxi before either. We got to Central Park in search for the ice skating rink. We walked for a long time around and could not find the rink. Central Park at night is not the safest, and could have came out of a scary movie, so I sure kept getting closer and closer to him. So Finally we found the rink in the middle of Central Park, first time ice skating since I was like 7. I was a little nervous about it all at first, but we had a BEAUTIFUL skyline of the city, and even though it was very crowded we had a lot of fun. The future in-laws met up with us and took a few pictures, then off to a carriage ride we went around the park. I kept saying that Brian and Deloris should ride with us and save money, but Philip insisted we go alone. Little did I know they were going to hide to take pictures lol. So Philip got the driver to stop at this little bridge over looking a pond in the park with another beautiful view of the city in front of us. I read my last letter which he had wrote back in November to me saying how he knew there was no doubt I was the one and a bunch of lovey dovey stuff that I will spare you. Then we walked to the top of the bridge and proposed. It was PERFECT! I couldn't have asked for anything better, and I just love my ring! The future in-laws came out and had sparkling orange juice for us where we toasted to a new life together. Then all the phones started to ring and text messages were sent : )

Well folks there it is... more details for the trip to come and pictures and personal showings soon lol.....
Oh, and mark your calendars for August 1st in Sanger, Texas!

-Lauren (soon to be Luetchford) : )

Christmas Joys

2008-12-21T22:04:00.002-06:00

So I just got back from Winnsboro for the Ethridge family Christmas!

I just love going to East Texas with the family to see mom's side... we always have such a great time, and there is always lots of laughter to go around.

Every year we have to do a Christmas program for Grandma to allow us to get our presents. Each family puts together some extravagant production, normally made up in the car on the drive over, or sometimes the same songs/dance the little ones did in a big Christmas production at church or school. This year though we got on top of things, took us 21 plus years, and we got our production for Grandma done ahead of time. We did our own rendition of the Hawaiian Christmas song by Bing Crosby. This is a song my dad grew up singing at the Shuman house with his sisters, so we decided to share it with the Ethridge family : )

We all dressed up in our summer/Hawaiian best and had a grand ole time. We read the Christmas story, ate Jesus' Birthday Cake, another tradition of ice cream cakes only Grandma makes, and the presents!!!

This year I got some beautiful turquoise earrings, an itunes giftcard, and the complete Love Come Softly series on DVD, a must see if you haven't .... they are great and have good moral guidelines.

I had a lot of fun with the family and close times with my adorable cousins I so often miss so dearly while I am away at school. It was sad to think that this very well might be my last Christmas single.... for sure my last one as a college undergraduate. Wow how time flies by!!

We all woke up this morning and went to church with the grandparents, this is something Grandpa always likes best! His entire family at his church where he pastors.... he loves it!

So far it has been a great Christmas.

-Stacy, Holly, and Kristen are coming over tomorrow and we are going into town to shop for Stacy's bridesmaid dresses for her June wedding, and having a much need girls night at my house!!! I CANT WAIT!

-Tuesday mom and I are going to get our nails done and do final shopping before our big Christmas Eve celebration!

- More updates on the holiday joys as the week progresses!

Have a Marvelous Merry Monday Everyone!!

Just For Fun Because I am Bored.......

2008-12-18T22:42:00.002-06:00

8 things you've always wondered about me!I was tagged by a few people.

8 Favorite Restaurants:
1. Miguelitos (Sanger)
2. Olive Garden
3. Don Juans
4. McAllisters
5. Taco Bell
6. Chilis
7. Ernestos (Pilot Point)
8. Johnny Carinos

Things that Happened Today:
1. Took Jacob Lunch
2. Scott and I ate Lunch with Jessica
3. Shopping
4. Went to Ernestos
5. Helped Mom bake Christmas Goodies
6. Talked to Philip
7. Watched T.V.
8. Talked to Stacy

Things I Look Forward To:
1. Christmas
2. Graduating
3. My Trip to Pennsylvania and New York to see Philip
4. Getting married
5. Starting a real Job!
6.Having a family
7. Stacy's Wedding in June
8. Weekend at Grandmas

Things I'm Scared Of:
1. Being alone in the dark
2. Cockroaches
3. Spiders
4. Not being able to provide for my family
5. Moving to Iowa
6. The 'Real World' outside our ETBU bubble
7. Losing loved ones
8. First Year Teaching

8 Things I Wish For:
1. Engagement Ring :)
2. Plantation House
3. Christ to be the center of my family's lives forever
4. Healthy children
5. No more College Loans
6. To Travel the world
7. To be able to go to every MLB stadium across the U.S.
8. To live close to everyone I love so much

8 Things I Watch on TV:
1. Grey's Anatomy
2. Desperate Housewives
3. One Tree Hill
4. Reba
5. TLC (Anything on that channel)
6. Disney Channel
7. Lost
8. Extreme Home Makeover

Enjoy... send me yours back if you get a chance : )

Finals are done!

2008-12-12T23:31:00.004-06:00

Oh my goodness what a week!
Finals were crazy with tons of take home tests, a research paper and in class exams, but I pulled through and made 5 A's and 1 B!! I was so excited!!!All that hard, straining work paid off! I am so ready for my student teaching next semester I cannot even stand it. I will be in Hallsville and I cannot wait!

I spent a delightful week with friends and loved ones in the mist of all the craziness.

Monday Stacy and I went to finish Christmas shopping in Tyler, we ended up at Davids Bridal with her finding the dress she LOVES! Its such an exciting time!!!! :)
I had an office party that evening, and then another party at Olive Garden with some close friends to celebrate winning 1st place for homecoming, Mark getting into class, Matt & Sarah goodbyes, and Philip with Senior Design...I had taramisu (that is sooo spelled wrong) its my favorite though!
Tuesday lots of work and studying to get all my finals in Wednesday morning!
Wednesday evening Philip and a couple from LETU came over to look at the 'famous' Marshall Wonderland of lights! he he.... We did have a lot of fun though!
Thursday I worked all day, and then spent the entire evening with Philip.... Our last night for a few weeks together. It was a very sad time, but we had a lot of fun, Saw Australia... good movie...and talked alot about memories of the past 7 months...
Today was our semesterly Senior Pizza Bash at work, so I took pictures of everyone with our Bob Riley cut out, and spent the day with Lindsay "working"
Tomorrow is graduation where some of my closest friends are graduating, so that will be a little hard, and then off to Sanger I go. Im sad to leave, but ready for a break. Philip flys out in the morning : (
I'll be going up there on the 27th - Jan 4th! I CANNOT WAIT! We have so much planned for that week it is ridiculous!!!!!

Just for Fun

2008-12-10T09:55:00.002-06:00

Just for fun I want to steal this from LeeAnn/Kristen before I have to finish my last final of my Bachelor college career .... its okay for me to take a small break : )

Outside my window: The lobby door keeps opening and slamming shut.... I wont be sad to get rid of that noise....

I am thinking: Where are my dang keys? I need to start packing. Almost done with finals. Do I have time for a nap today, and Its so cold outside!

I am thankful for: My amazing family and loving boyfriend! My friends who have helped me make it through this semester! WE MADE IT! : )

From the kitchen: OOOO We dont even want to go there... its piled up over finals week.

I am wearing: T-shirt and sweats.... Yay for rolling out of bed for a final.

I am creating: Right now not a lot....i just finished creating lots of Christmas goodies this weekend.

I am going: To finish my last finals ever!

I am reading: Before the Ring with Philip... i need to go get a new Christmas break book not sure which one though

I am hoping: I find those darn room keys. I make A's in all my classes. Everyone has a fantastic Christmas!

I am hearing: Silence! Its such joy! And the humming of my computer and the heater.

Around the house: Its a disaster as it always becomes during the last week of school. A definite make-over is needed!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Finish my final finals he he... Go out and look at Christmas lights tonight with Philip. Work all week, Date night, Graduation and GO HOME!!!

This is from: www.thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com

Mommy Do I have to.....Oh where oh where can they be???

2008-12-07T13:15:00.002-06:00

It has become that time again. FINALS Week!!!! The week that college students dread all semester, and cannot wait to see come to an end. I often feel like a little girl not wanting to do something just begging, "Mommy, do I HAVE to do my final?" Here I am Sunday afternoon, needing to complete piles of take home tests that the lovely Education Department likes to give, and not wanting to do a single one. I mean, do you blame me? This is my LAST semester of finals, and I have 3 take home tests, and research paper, and 2 other in class Finals! UGH!

I know as soon as I start them it will be fine, its just doing the "starting" that gets me. On top of all that I have misplaced my room keys. I have searched High-Low, Near-Far for these keys and cannot find them ANYWHERE, it is about to drive me INSANE!!!

On a good note, I baked all morning for my office and my amazing boys over at AO. I love baking little goodies, especially at Christmas time, and to see those boys faces when they dug into Sugar Heaven was such fun. Philip and I are still trucking along, just waiting for the break to come! We are super excited about what this break has in store. Stacy and I are also going to Canton tomorrow for the First Monday extravaganza. We are PUMPED, and going to put finishing touches on Christmas presents for all. YAY!

Well, I best get back to, or start I should say something thats due soon lol... please pray those darn keys show up somewhere. Hope you all have a stress free week! : )

Love ya,
Lauren

Break at Last!!

2008-11-21T16:03:00.000-06:00

As I sit here in my apartment waiting for it to be 5:30 when Philip comes I reflect back on this crazy week.... take that bake crazy SEMESTER!
Its amazing how in college we have gone since the very beginning of August until the End of November without one single break, then come back for one pointless week and leave again for Christmas!!! What was our University thinking!

This week has been one for the books, you could ask almost any person and they would tell you that this was one of the craziest most stressful weeks of the entire semester. i think our professors forgot that we have another entire week after week get back before finals! Hello! Everything didnt have to be due TODAY! Goodness!

I am really excited about what this weekend/ next week has to hold! Here is the run down of my LONG awaited Thanksgiving Break!

Tonight: Watching my friend April play some basketball before Philip and I go out on a very exciting 6 month anniversary date!! (More on this to come later :)... Lets just say Im really excited)
Tomorrow: Phil's band 'Twice Denied" is playing in Canton at the Door in a Battle of the Bands competition. YAY!
Sunday: Going to church with Meagan and Weston, whom I am staying all weekend with..Thank you for great friends! Phil and I will probably go eat or something after that with them too... that night I am going to Phil's Society's Thanksgiving dinner... the 3rd one I have had this week... Yummm....after dinner I head to great ole' Sanger!!!!!
Monday and Tuesday: I have appointments and hopefully some shopping with mom will occur before we head to Winnsboro to see Grandma and Grandpa!
Wednesday: Scott is picking up Phil (They still had classes lol) and meeting us in Winnsboro... the boys are going to see the new 007... Phil's 2nd time to see it, and Lauren still 0. ... : (
Thursday! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!! This should be a given ...eat and football ALL DAY! : )
Friday we pack up the cars and head to Houston for Granny and Papaw's 65th Anniversay
Sat hang out day in Friendswood
Sunday head back with the family to SFA, drop off Scott, pick up my car and Phil and I head back to the grand old EAST TEXAS!!!

I am SUPER excited about what all this break has to hold!
Hope you all have a blessed Thanksgiving and time with your family!

-Lauren Rachelle-

Holidays in sight Engagement rings so bright!!

2008-11-14T14:26:00.000-06:00

Wow!
I am so sorry that my last few entries were short. I have not had goodles of time to fill you in on everything. But as I sit here on a Friday afternoon chilling at work doing nothing I thought I would spill.

Unit as I said is done! This is such a burden lifted off of our shoulders. Our biggest education project and we are DONE! My Unit group, Bekah, Angela and I went out Monday evening to Olive Garden to celebrate. We had a blast just relaxing and not caring about school for just a few short hours before reality hit us in the face again. :)

Autum is just around the corner and so is Thanksgiving! You can slowly start to see it in the trees, andyou can definately fill it in the air and freezing rain we have had all week. This Thanksgiving is my last one as an undergrade college student, and very possible my last one being single as well! CRAZY! Had you asked me if I thought I would be going through this around Thanksgiving last year I would have told you I was about to admit you into an insane asilum. But no, this Thanksgiving Philip is coming home with me to meet the extended family. I am anxious to see what all is in store for the week, but I cant wait. Spending time with some of the people I love most, My family and Phil, its going to be life-changing. Before heading home for the break I will be celebrating my 6 month anniversary with Philip, going to his battle of the bands contest, church with close friends, catching up with ones I often do not see and having a thanksgiving dinner with AO (Phil's Society)... I CANNOT WAIT! I am so super excited!

On the excitement note Phil and I went engagement ring shopping last night! OH MY GOSH!!!!! We had such a blast, and he now knows what I have always wanted, which crazy enough is the one he would have picked for me! Isn't he just perfect!!!! I was really nervous about going because this is such a big step in our relationship, and I still often feel like I am still living a dream, but it was not as nerve racking as I thought when we got there. He loved seeing the smile on my face and how excited I was, and I was just in such a state of shock I couldn't wipe a smile off my face. I cannot even wait to spend my entire lifetime with him. He is absolutely perfect for me, and I cannot wait to see the road God takes us down in the years to come!

The semester is soon ending, which means student teaching and I am an official ETBU Graduate! AHHH I do not feel like I should be this old! I have slowly started figuring out things I need to start working on and what not for my future, but notes on that to come in a later time.
I best get back to work some.... hope this long enough for you loves, cough, LeeAnn, cough : )

Hope you all have an AMAZING weekend!!

Love you all!!!!

-Lauren Rachelle-

Unit Complete

2008-11-10T12:57:00.000-06:00

I TURNED MY THEMATIC UNIT IN TODAY!

THIS IS A BIG PROJECT FOR EDUCATION COURSES, AND IT IS SUCH A RELIEF TO BE DONE WITH IT.
I CAN FEEL GRADUATION JUST AROUND THE CORNER, ITS SO CRAZY, BUT I THINK IM READY!

HAVE A SUPER DAY YOU GUYS!

LAUREN

Alpha Omega

2008-11-02T01:56:00.000-06:00

I LOVE , LOVE, LOVE PHILIP WAYNE LUETCHFORD AND ALL MY AMAZING BOYS AT ALPHA OMEGA...

THATS ALL I HAVE TO SAY RIGHT NOW, OH AND IM GLAD HALLOWEEN AND ITS FESTIVITIES ARE OVER AND READY FOR THANKSGIVING BREAK!!

Mom's Birthday and Drama Galore

2008-10-26T20:29:00.000-06:00

-Wow, I dont even know where to begin on all that is going on in my life.
-I went home this weekend to surprise my mother for her birthday... she was surprised! It was great to be home for Jacob's baseball tournament, and just to be in my hometown.
-I took mom and saw High School Musical 3... GREAT MOVIE! We loved it!
-My staph is slowly, but surely clearing up! YAY!! People no longer look at me funny, so thats always a good thing.
-Phil and I are doing amazing... I love him more and more everyday!!!!
- Please pray for my apartment, we have been having some tense randomly throughout the room, and its driving us all CRAZY!!!! None of us are ever there, one getting married and I in a serious relationship, and all busy with school... its just crazy. But a ton of tears have been shed, and lots of ignoring and silent treatments. I hate coming back to my apartment at times because of it all. So please just pray that this too will pass.

Have a great week! Halloween events all just around the corner! : )

Lauren

My infectious Face... no i dont have Chicken Pox

2008-10-20T12:03:00.000-06:00

So, I have staph on my face....
its not the same sort of Staph you normally hear about, but its stil staph.
It looks like I have chicken pox sores all over my face, and Im not suppose to put make up on it really so EVERYONE stares at me... its awful.
I had to throw away all my makeup and wash my sheets and pillows.
The doctor gave me an antibiotic to hopefully help it clear up by Friday. Please just pray for it, because it really hurts & itches. Sometimes so bad i want to cry!

Thats all for now....have a lovely day!

What is Wrong?

2008-10-19T13:59:00.000-06:00

So Homecoming weekend is over, and its now time to start school work again. I had a blast seeing Alums and spending time with my family and Phil!!! We had a ball!!!

I am not sure what is wrong with me right now, but I seem to have developed some sort of skin disease. I'm going to the doctor about it tomorrow, but I would love if you could just pray for me because I am not sure whats going on. I have this rash type thing that has been there for about a month or so on my shoulders, and then about a week and a half ago i got this peeling thing above my left eyebrow, i didnt think to much of it until it kept getting worse and worse and still not healed. Now i have about 4 or 5 more random spots on my face that are peeling just like that and they hurt really bad! Its really random, its looks like I have chicken pox or something. Anyways, I just want it to go away so I can look normal again. So please pray for me during all that.

The end of this semester is just around the bend. I have tons to do, but I am definitely ready for the finish line!

Have a lovely afternoon!

Pictures of me and My love!

2008-10-16T17:17:00.000-06:00

So, I just got the pictures Phil and I took Sunday and wanted to show you a few...
Pictures by my beloved friend and photographer Chelsea Jenkins.

ENJOY!!

IM BACK!

2008-10-15T16:51:00.000-06:00

Okay,
So I have glorious friends who have talked me into working on my blog again.
There is no way I can possibly catch you up on my life in the past year, but I'll do my best to keep you posted as of now and the continuing days.
I am sitting in my apartment as it continues to pour rain outside. Its my Senior Homecoming this Saturday, so we have been staying super busy with building floats, bonfires and everything in between. My family and Phil are coming down for the big weekend! I am sooo excited, especially to see my family since I have not seen them since the beginning of August.

Snow in Texas???

2008-03-08T16:44:00.000-06:00

So I still cannot believe all the snow we got yesterday, and then how warm it was that same afternoon and today.

I thought I would share a few snow pictures with you! : )

Update on my life...

2007-06-10T19:25:00.000-06:00

Hey Friends! I have not updated this in a VERY long time, pretty much since Kaity went to Germany, when I opened this. I thought that this is now my way of talking to Kaity that I should keep it updated a little bit : ) So this is once again for you Kitty. So this is the beginning of my 3rd week of Tiger Staff, 2nd with campers. We had an AWFUL camp last week. They had no leadership, so the kids went wild and wouldnt follow the rules. This week is the first of 2 weeks of SUPER SUMMER! Im really excited about them. The staff moved in Thursday, and since the first hour they were on campus they have been incredible! I love working for them. I have even thought of interning with them one year. I mean I love to plan, organize and follow through, and I have always wanted to work with camps why not right! So anyways..... Things are going good here right now. We are actually in a BIG Storm, which i absolutely adore!!! John David and I are incredible. He treats me really good and I just love spending time with him and his family. Please pray for our relationship, as he is graduating college next May so we are having to make vital choices coming up soon. Just pray we both keep God number 1 and that we follow His will and not our own. Not sure what else to write just now, but I will write more soon! Love you all lots!

Shuman