Face Plant Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Erik thought that he could tame the Ziffy Whomper, but...

Face Plant from Erik Luchauer on Vimeo.

A Month of Celebration Monday, January 07, 2008

We get most of our celebrating for the year done in one month! In December, it's Erik's birthday, Christ's birthday, my birthday, and our Anniversary (in that order). Oh yeah, it's crazy. But so much fun. This year, we celebrated 7 years of marriage! I can hardly believe it's been that long. Essentially, we've been together for 10 years now. I just want to say how amazing my husband is and how blessed I feel to share my life with him. We both have changed and grown so much over the years, and it's been beautiful to me how God has given us more love and appreciation for one another each year. I've been thinking a lot about the institution of marriage lately (partly because Erik's brother Mark just got engaged!), but I really see it as a respectful partnership. Erik has taught me so much about respect and sacrificial love. We were 21 when we got married (YOUNG!) I know we're still young but, wow, we've learned a lot about ourselves and the world around us during that time. I look forward to what God will teach us in the next 10 years...

Erik totally surprised me by taking me to Asheville for a weekend to celebrate our anniversary. We visited the Biltmore Estate which was amazing and ridiculous all at the same time. The picture at the top is us on the rooftop tour at the estate. I found 2 little yarn shops, and couldn't resist this pic with the sign. I never imagined "paradise" having anything to do with yarn, but I'm sure this was close.


My sister Amber cooked us an AMAZING birthday dinner before we left for Michigan, she is probably one of the best cooks I've ever known (vegan all the way, but actually super delicious). It meant a lot to us that she would give up a whole day to cook us a special feast. We had to improvise with the candles on our cake. Tea lights will do!

Christmas with my family definitely involved some hard core guitar hero (that's my Mom below, rockin' it out).




In Michigan, we got to spend some quality time with Mark's new fiance, Jess (above, with the scarf I knitted her for Christmas). She is amazing and we are so excited to have her in the family! We laughed until our sides hurt the entire time. Erik's Mom, below, cracking up during our game of Mafia.



We got to spend an evening at Micheal Moore's house (that's right, the documentary film-maker). Erik's Mom and Gary are good friends with him and his wife, they live down the road. They are truly amazing people, genuine and kind. Also, hilarious! We had a great time.


Ok, so our wish came true! We got some crazy snow while we were there (that's Northern Michigan for ya). Check out the love boat completely covered.


Thanks, everyone, for the birthday and anniversary wishes. Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season! We certainly did.

Socially Conscious Christmas Gifts Friday, December 14, 2007

If anyone is interested, there are some really great bath and body products that are hand made by residents at Magdalene (a 2 year residential community for women with criminal histories of prostitution and drug abuse) located just outside of Nashville, TN. The women create natural and organic handmade products from lavender fields in which they help tend and maintain. 100% of the sales proceeds go to support the residents.

Erik and I had the privilege of hearing Becca Stevens, an Episcopal Priest and founder of Magdalene, speak a few years ago. We also got to meet and hear stories from some of the women who's lives have been changed as a result of the support at Magdalene. It really is a phenomenal ministry that is making a real difference in the lives of women.

Here's the link:
www.thistlefarms.org

Skiing on the grass! Wednesday, December 05, 2007

So, usually when we ski in Maggie Valley there is considerably less GRASS. This past Saturday, Erik and I went skiing (well, of course Erik snowboarded) with my friend Regina. It was totally spur of the moment on Friday night, we were like "we're going at 6:30 tomorrow morning!" That's how we roll...

It was just funny to me to see all of that grass under the lifts. The runs were nice though, a little icy at first, but it turned out to be a great day for the first ski of the season! Maggie Valley, N.C. is only about an hour and 1/2 from us. That's Regina in the white pants!

Beautiful views from the lifts!

Fall in the Smokies Wednesday, November 28, 2007

There is nothing like fresh mountain air, and a weekend with friends! We were in North Carolina a couple of weeks ago soaking up the last of the beautiful fall colors and spending time with old friends. It was this same weekend a year ago that we all got together in the same place. Maybe this is starting to become a tradition?




Erik, Will, and Gaines all braved the trampolines at the Asheville Mall. What a strange concept, to PAY be strapped into a harness and jump up and down for 5 minutes. Weird. But pretty funny.



Shawna and Will are amazing parents! Gaines is so smart and respectful, I've never met a 2 1/2 year old like him. They're expecting a new addition to their family very soon. I can't wait to meet her!