MiKe'S LeDgE

a couple of weekends ago, the skate park in seguin was re-opened and it was re-named mike's ledge in honor of my cousin, michael raetzsch.

unfortunately, it rained the day of the reopening...the skating competition was cancelled but the cutting ceremony still took place inside. there was a great show of support despite the weather.

michael's friends put together a touching video of michael doing what he loved most--skating. the video really highlighted michael's personality and brought smiles and tears to those watching. what a blessing to have such true friends.

mike's ledge is one of the things that will keep michael's memory alive.

thanks to my aunt and uncle, the seguin activity center and the seguin community for making this possible!

my aunt worked tirelessly in preparation of the big day. my aunt and uncle's positive attitude in being able to bring some good out of something tragic is such an inspiration. they will continue to work hard for michael's passion.

Claim Your Drink!

chalkboard name tags so everyone can claim their drink!

ice skating and the laundry room

i did a short little project today. i made a chalkboard for the laundry room. supplies: $1 tray from the dollar tree that i already had, $5 chalkboard spray paint, $1 ribbon, a glue gun and chalk.

wa-la! i also spray painted 2 crosses that i have had for at least 15 years. as you can see, one cross is bigger than the other, but hey, it was free. so, it works.

another view.

adam and i also attempted at going ice skating today. we were still smiling before we started.

it didn't last long though! ice skating just isn't for us. we tried the ice skating on the top of whole foods over the holidays and i thought that it must have been the cheap skates that whole foods had...

chaparrel's skates weren't any better. we were happy to be done!!

easter part 2

after church.
i just love that adam will let me pick out his clothes to match mine! hah.

with adam's sweet grandma!

easter part 1: simply blue-tiful

easter '10 @ the raetzsch ranch.
a day to celebrate...
with family.
the renewal of life.

just like the bluebonnets that are in full bloom this spring after a cold winter...

easter is a time to feel rejuvenated.

happy times

and happy memories.

happy hearts

and happy smiles.

enjoying the...

field of blue

happy easter to you!

BLESSED

*ribs and angel food cake with family*
*carmelized salmon with orange and pineapple salsa over rice for my birthday dinner made by a really cute cook in my home*
*a surprise visit by adam at school with a dozen roses in hand*
*a class birthday "party" complete with a homemade barbie cake that a room mom made* one word sums it up:

BLESSED

*a blessed birthday*

more of a southern delight

uh, thank you...thank you veeerrry much!...for stopping by to see part deux of our southern tour. 2nd stop: music city, nashville.

music row=6th street - the trash all on the ground, the homeless people and the eccentric people watching.

in many ways, a lot like austin. in many ways, the complete opposite of austin. a statue of billy graham. the prescence of churches are reflective of the city's strong christian roots that are still holding on tight.

the bluebird cafe. such a cool music venue where a lot of famous and not-so-famous songwriters like to test out their music. we got in and had the best seat in the house, a foot and a half away from brandon heath, a christian music singer that we hear a lot on the radio.

it was a very unique music experience with the musicians sitting in the middle of the intimate cafe taking turns playing songs in a circle. everyone is supposed to be silent as the musicians play. to top off our wonderful musical experience, i had fried green tomatoes for the first time ever and to say i liked them would be an understatement!

the next morning, we ate at the fried griddle, a place where you make your own pancakes. another "unique" experience. adam was intrigued; me not so much. i prefer someone else making my food if i am going out to eat and am paying to get it made! hah.

after our do-it-yourself breakfast, we went to a plantation, the bell meade plantation. at the belle meade, they bred race horses. a lot of the famous kentucky derby championship horses such as sea biscuit are descendents of a horse that was bred at the belle meade. because of the prestige of the belle meade thorough-breds, the plantation was untouched by the union army.

the belmont mansion, a house that the union army stationed themselves in while nashville was under the control of the union army.

we then took a duck tour of downtown nashville. quack. quack.

at the loveless cafe, voted #1 in america for southern comfort food and their biscuits are like no other. you won't go home hungry! i guarantee it!

on the last day of our trip we went to president andrew jackson's home. here is adam in front of the jackson's limosine carriage.

the hermitage. home of our country's 7th president, andrew jackson.

just chillaxing on the former president's former lawn.

andrew jackson was quite an interesting president. he founded the democratic party, was the 1st president to win both the electoral votes and the popular votes, and sided with the union although he was born a confederate, just to name a few.

ta-ta to tennessee hospitality! we hope to see you again!

conclusion: i recommend this georgia, tennessee trip to anyone who loves beautiful views and wants to learn more about our truly great country's past. i promise your pride in our country will be rejuvenated!