Engagement Photos!

The abandoned house that Eric was freaking out about! He made me promise to never go there by myself!

This water was disgusting! This is actually right across the street from my brother's house!

I am so HAPPY! I love Eric so much, and I'm so glad that I got to share these pictures with all of you!

The dress I'm wearing is actually Morgan's, but we found it together!

There were so many flies! They kept landing on us, and it smelt so bad!

Hey Everyone! The wedding is in full speed! We took our engagement photos this past weekend, and they look great. We Would like to send a shout out to Morgan Wood... GREAT JOB ON THE PHOTOS, AND THANK YOU!!!!!! We are getting so excited for the wedding, and hope you are too! Here is a little taste of some of the pictures.

The Finer Things Book Club

A group of friends that I have had for many years has decided to start a book club! I"M SO EXCITED!!! I love to read, which I think I have inherited from my Mom. The book we have decided to start with is The Alchemist written by Paulo Coelho. I have currently only made it to the 14th page, but I can already tell I'm going to like this book. It's about this young boy Santiago, who becomes a shepherd just so that he can get the chance to travel the world. I admire people who drop everything they have, and set out to see the world. I'm looking forward to continuing this book! If anyone is interested in joining a book club, let me know. We will be meeting at the beginning of every month.

Larissa, my light!

Eric here. It's time for another man post. Prepare yourself.

Actually, there will be much less diatribing and sesquipedalians. I just wanted to recount a sweet story (I'm semi-under orders from Larissa though).

You (depending on who exactly YOU refers to) may or may not know that I work as a school bus driver for the high school district. I know what you're thinking. I can hear your thoughts right now. "Eric, thats so cool. Those kids must love you! I wish my bus driver was a young stud like you, not some creepy, fat old man who obsessively wore cut-off shorts and sported a skullet (a mullet on a balding man)." Yes, I've heard it before. But let's just move past that, I have a story to tell.

So, I had a trip driving a cross country team to a place in Chandler, and Larissa came with me! It was great having her with me. Much better that staring into a lonely abiss for 4 hours. We were lucky enough to get ourselves set up in the lounge of a community rec center near the place where I dropped off the team. I had my laptop, and after Larissa and I talked for a while about the wedding and future plans and whatnot, I settled in to do my homework, and Larissa set about the business of taking a nap. It was funny actually. Before Saturday, I had never really noticed Larissa's more feline characteristics. She didn't just take a nap. She pulled a chair over to the corner of the room and opened the window so the sun shined on her just right, then curled up to take a nap. Very cute. I chuckled to myself as she set up her little catnap.

But as she drifted to sleep, I took another look at her, and saw her in a different light. Those of you who know me may recognize that I am a man who is oft given to poetic devices. Well, watching Larissa sleep evoked a flurry of thoughts and words, which I typed down and now post here, for your reading pleasure. I call it, "Larissa, my Light."

Larissa, my light.

Sitting here, just seated so,

I see my soul, so very near.

Basking, glowing. Shimmering so sweet

with iridescent complacency.

And looking on, as lookers do,

I see my life in Navy Blue.

Reclining, sleeping. Constructing pleasant

reenactments of reality.

I’m pensive now, and ponder on

The thoughts I see just breathing on.

Inhale. Exhale. Animations of

a world wrapped in personality.

I begin to feel, rich flames like fire.

I see effulgence reflect desire.

Pining. Sighing. Resplendent rays—

anticipation of serenity.

Listen now. Sounds so dense,

I see peaceful strains of silence.

Flutter. Turn. Soft polyester

abrasions sing carols so brightly.

What do I see here?

That lays claim on thoughts, on feelings, on sound and sight?

The center of my soul and life?

It’s so beautiful.

She’s the woman who will be my wife.

And I love her completely.

I've included a picture of her sleeping, which I took using the webcam on my laptop. I hope you enjoy it. I really do love this girl!