Duh

We watched "Juno" last night for the first time.  Interesting and humorous flick.

However, I discovered the hard way that watching movies in which a baby is born is NOT good for my emotional stability.  

SEC Championship

There is nothing quite like Alabama football.  

We were fortunate enough to go to the SEC Championship game in Atlanta... while the results weren't quite what we were hoping for, we watched some great football and almost cheered the Tide to a national championship game.  

National anthem played by both marching bands

Bama fans in the Georgia Dome

Rallying the crowd

Here we are!

Josh, Chris, & Eddie

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas

Ah Christmas-time.  The chill that nips your nose.  The crunch of snow underfoot.  The smell of the fire lazily burning in the fireplace.

Wait.

It's 70 degrees in Tuscaloosa.  

(No worries... we are leaving Tuesday for Colorado where I'm sure the weather will feel a little more Christmas-like!)

Christmas cards

It probably comes as no surprise that we have decided not to send out Christmas cards this year.  But know that we still wish our friends and family a joyous Christmas and happiness at the turn of the year.

Many have asked for our new address... I never did get around to sending out "We've Moved!" postcards... and I was tempted just to post it here on the blog, but decided that might be slightly risky.  So, if you are in need of the Lauers' Alabama address, just shoot me an email at dlauer28 [at] gmail [dot] com.

Full house, full hearts

One chance in 92,000

As we climbed the steps at Bryant-Denny Stadium to reach our seats for the Alabama-Auburn football game, we looked up to see two familiar faces.  Jeremy and Charity Scott, friends of ours from St. Louis, were perched on the seats in the row directly behind ours!  Jeremy is originally from Tuscaloosa and, believe it or not, his parents have season tickets that just happen to be one row away from ours.  Crazy!  We enjoyed cheering with them as the Crimson Tide finished the regular season undefeated and shut-out the Tigers from the other side of the state.  

Charity and Noah over the summer.

Thanksgiving

In spite of the sadness that continues to interrupt my days, I have much for which I am thankful.  I got to spend this year loving my little boy and watching God work in him and through him.  My heart overflows with gratitude knowing that Noah is now whole and at peace as he hangs out with Jesus in heaven.  And I have a wonderful husband who reminds me of this truth when the tears are rolling down my face.   

Happy Thanksgiving to our family and friends.  We love you all.  

The festivities begin.

On the road again...

I have been very fortunate to travel with the Alabama volleyball team this season as they go on the road to play against their SEC foes.  We are currently in Florida, in a David vs. Goliath type match-up, hoping to show the Gators what we are really made of.  It is our last away match of the season with our last home match the Friday after Thanksgiving.

So, as I sit staring at the banners hanging from the ceiling in the arena marking the 16 consecutive years that Florida has made the NCAA tournament in volleyball, it cannot help but feel surreal.  Last year at this time, Josh's season with UMSL had already ended and the idea of coaching somewhere else had not entered our minds.  Today, he is sitting on the Alabama bench as the assistant coach and coaching against one of the sport's most accomplished head coaches in Mary Wise.  Life certainly offers unexpected twists and turns. 

The blessings at Alabama have been many.  We are glad to be with the Tide. 

Welcome

Welcome friends, both old and new.

We have decided to let Noah's story on our other blog stand as a tribute to his life.  

You are welcome to visit there as often as you wish...just click on the memory card to the left.  I know I am blessed each time a see his sweet little face.

This is simply a new chapter in our journey, as we figure out what life looks like now.  Thank you for your continue prayers!

Simply fun

I came across this video of a car commercial on a really fun blog called Cake Wrecks.  

It made me smile and I hope you enjoy it, too.

If you were as amazed as I was by this commercial, 

check out the video that shows a little bit more detail about its production! 

Sweet time with friends

I called St. Louis home for 16 years.  So when I had the opportunity to go back for a visit last weekend, it was like food for my soul.  My friends loved me well over the weekend and my heart felt almost whole for the first time in months.  

We picked a good season to become Alabama football fans!

The team is currently 9-0 and ranked #1 in the country!

Here are a few pictures from our first home football game:

Beginning anew

A new chapter.
Always remembering but looking foward.
In search of grace and peace.