I think I found my dream job! Hutch School is an accredited K-12 school sponsored by both Seattle Children's Hospital as well as Fred Hutchinson's Cancer Research Center. I can't imagine a more rewarding job than to be able to be involved with the lives of these children. To teach in this setting would be such an amazing opportunity. Check it out and support them if possible!
http://www.hutchschool.org/index.html
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Love & Infatuation
Finally! This past Saturday, our dear friends, Cassidi & Chad got engaged! We are so happy for them. It is just another thing to celebrate in this exciting season of life. We all knew it would be coming eventually but it still seems so surreal when it actually happens.
Today, I logged into an old email account that I have to search for an email that my grandma had accidentally sent there. I came across a folder labeled "Matthew" and began to read through what had to be about 100 emails from when we were just 16 & 17 years old. I was laughing at how incredibly infatuated we were with each other. We spent time away from each other during a summer at football camps, mission trips, family vacations and probably wrote back and forth at least 3 times a day. I can't quite remember why we didn't just talk on the cell phone. Did we even have them back then? I don't remember. Texting obviously had not swept the nation at this point. Anyways, it brought back some really great memories of how our relationship and life in general was just so simple. Our time spent together consisted of going to Softies (ice cream), watching TV in each other's basements, emailing back and forth, and hanging out with friends on Friday and Saturday nights watching movies and making midnight Taco Bell runs. It reminded me to always remember to laugh with Matt and to be silly with each other. These big times in life can get in the way of what is simple and filling. Weddings, houses, work, and real life can be real fun suckers sometimes so take a second to breathe!
Today, I logged into an old email account that I have to search for an email that my grandma had accidentally sent there. I came across a folder labeled "Matthew" and began to read through what had to be about 100 emails from when we were just 16 & 17 years old. I was laughing at how incredibly infatuated we were with each other. We spent time away from each other during a summer at football camps, mission trips, family vacations and probably wrote back and forth at least 3 times a day. I can't quite remember why we didn't just talk on the cell phone. Did we even have them back then? I don't remember. Texting obviously had not swept the nation at this point. Anyways, it brought back some really great memories of how our relationship and life in general was just so simple. Our time spent together consisted of going to Softies (ice cream), watching TV in each other's basements, emailing back and forth, and hanging out with friends on Friday and Saturday nights watching movies and making midnight Taco Bell runs. It reminded me to always remember to laugh with Matt and to be silly with each other. These big times in life can get in the way of what is simple and filling. Weddings, houses, work, and real life can be real fun suckers sometimes so take a second to breathe!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
It Never Stops
Our adventures never stop. We continually have plans for our weeknights and weekends and friends and family that visit. I think this is both great and necessary because life can get pretty sedentary with a full-time job and grad school schedule if you don't plan for fun.
This past weekend, Matt and I drove south to visit Jason (or Panch...whichever you prefer). I know, he was just in Seattle but we haven't been to his new home yet so we had to check out his life! We arrived Friday early evening and spent the rest of the night at this little pub smoking cigars and drinking a beer (well wine for me). Classy, right? Ha, I just loved it. There were giant doors that opened up the entire place to filter the smoke and we were sitting directly below a heat lamp. Pretty perfect...
Saturday, we ate breakfast at Pine State Biscuits for a Southern feel. Let me paint you a picture... buttermilk biscuits, gravy, cheese, fried chicken, and bacon all on one plate. Talk about instant heart attack but it was SO good. We spent the rest of the day exploring his favorite parks, coffee shops, and downtown areas. We had to make a stop at Voodoo Donuts. Food network anyone? Sunday morning, we left early because Matt's sister, Jenny, and our friend, Machi, are in town doing work with Campus Crusade. We ate dinner with them at Red Robin on the pier and then went home to watch a movie. Needless to say, it was a GREAT weekend! I'll post some pictures of Panch's world later...
Matt and I have really been challenged by learning how to balance our real-world responsibilities with a little bit of fun. Okay, a lot of fun. It's easy to want to sit on the couch watching TV all night after a ten hour day or sleep until 11 on the weekends but we are slowly learning that we feel much more energized and rejuvenated after spending time outdoors or being in fellowship with others. It's hard to always want to be outside when it's rainy (and it rains a lot here!) but it also makes for some memorable times as well. I think we've done a pretty good job so far with our time here in Seattle and I think it'll only get easier trying to tackle this thing we call "life" as a team. I'm really grateful for Matt's encouragement to always pursue adventure and memories rather than TV and laziness!
This past weekend, Matt and I drove south to visit Jason (or Panch...whichever you prefer). I know, he was just in Seattle but we haven't been to his new home yet so we had to check out his life! We arrived Friday early evening and spent the rest of the night at this little pub smoking cigars and drinking a beer (well wine for me). Classy, right? Ha, I just loved it. There were giant doors that opened up the entire place to filter the smoke and we were sitting directly below a heat lamp. Pretty perfect...
Saturday, we ate breakfast at Pine State Biscuits for a Southern feel. Let me paint you a picture... buttermilk biscuits, gravy, cheese, fried chicken, and bacon all on one plate. Talk about instant heart attack but it was SO good. We spent the rest of the day exploring his favorite parks, coffee shops, and downtown areas. We had to make a stop at Voodoo Donuts. Food network anyone? Sunday morning, we left early because Matt's sister, Jenny, and our friend, Machi, are in town doing work with Campus Crusade. We ate dinner with them at Red Robin on the pier and then went home to watch a movie. Needless to say, it was a GREAT weekend! I'll post some pictures of Panch's world later...
Matt and I have really been challenged by learning how to balance our real-world responsibilities with a little bit of fun. Okay, a lot of fun. It's easy to want to sit on the couch watching TV all night after a ten hour day or sleep until 11 on the weekends but we are slowly learning that we feel much more energized and rejuvenated after spending time outdoors or being in fellowship with others. It's hard to always want to be outside when it's rainy (and it rains a lot here!) but it also makes for some memorable times as well. I think we've done a pretty good job so far with our time here in Seattle and I think it'll only get easier trying to tackle this thing we call "life" as a team. I'm really grateful for Matt's encouragement to always pursue adventure and memories rather than TV and laziness!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
March 1st, 2010
Well, on March 1st, I turned 24 1/2. That's right, it was my half birthday. Now, normally it's just a huge joke that all started when my friend, Maria, started making a big deal out of her 1/2 birthday when we were in high school. From then on, we always will wish each other a "happy half birthday" and sometimes, birthday cakes are even involved. Well, I only sarcastically joke about my 1/2 birthday...teasing Matt by telling him we need to celebrate or that he has to buy me a present!
This picture below shows you why I'm marrying this man (well not the only reason but 1 of the millions). I was just sitting in my living room watching TV and he comes trotting in my front door with cherry pie topped with lit candles singing "happy half birthday to you..."
Notice the princess plates ;)
This picture below shows you why I'm marrying this man (well not the only reason but 1 of the millions). I was just sitting in my living room watching TV and he comes trotting in my front door with cherry pie topped with lit candles singing "happy half birthday to you..."
Notice the princess plates ;)
Sunday, March 7, 2010
So happy for our friends!
I'm already a slacker when it comes to this blogging business...this isn't good. I just got done reading our dear friend's, Erik & Brianne, blog and I am just in awe of all of the amazing blessings that have been showered down upon not only us but those that mean so much to us.
My sweet friend, Brianne, came into my life just two years ago when she moved to Bozeman and was needing a place to live. She moved in with me and a few of my roommates after only meeting her a handful of times. We quickly became the best of friends as well as our "man-friends" too! We always would joke about being engaged at the same time and we knew that once one of our men pulled the trigger, the other would eventually come around ;) Sure enough, they are engaged to be married on May 30th!! And, to top things off, they are now buying a house...what an exciting time in our lives. And to be able to share this time with some of the most dear people to me is amazing.
Also, our friends Steve & Cassie got engaged this weekend! Such a fun time for so many people that we love! Congrats you two.
Let's see...where did our week even go? I would be lying if I said I had entertaining words for you to read. We really did not have an eventful week at all. We did, however, get to go to a sneak peek of "Alice in Wonderland" on Thursday night (thanks to Luke!) which was really fun. The 3D effects were almost too great, they left me feeling a little sick to my stomach. After the movie, we (along with Luke & Lindsay) ate at "Five Guys" which is amazing, Southern, burger joint. We had been hearing really great things about it and had to try it because...well...it was Southern!
Speaking of Southern, I bought the the "Southern Living" annual recipe cookbook today and can't wait to try it out.
Ok, well this post is pointless! I'll try to encourage Matt to write to you now...he is much more intriguing than I.
My sweet friend, Brianne, came into my life just two years ago when she moved to Bozeman and was needing a place to live. She moved in with me and a few of my roommates after only meeting her a handful of times. We quickly became the best of friends as well as our "man-friends" too! We always would joke about being engaged at the same time and we knew that once one of our men pulled the trigger, the other would eventually come around ;) Sure enough, they are engaged to be married on May 30th!! And, to top things off, they are now buying a house...what an exciting time in our lives. And to be able to share this time with some of the most dear people to me is amazing.
Also, our friends Steve & Cassie got engaged this weekend! Such a fun time for so many people that we love! Congrats you two.
Let's see...where did our week even go? I would be lying if I said I had entertaining words for you to read. We really did not have an eventful week at all. We did, however, get to go to a sneak peek of "Alice in Wonderland" on Thursday night (thanks to Luke!) which was really fun. The 3D effects were almost too great, they left me feeling a little sick to my stomach. After the movie, we (along with Luke & Lindsay) ate at "Five Guys" which is amazing, Southern, burger joint. We had been hearing really great things about it and had to try it because...well...it was Southern!
Speaking of Southern, I bought the the "Southern Living" annual recipe cookbook today and can't wait to try it out.
Ok, well this post is pointless! I'll try to encourage Matt to write to you now...he is much more intriguing than I.
Monday, March 1, 2010
John Piper
Matt and I had the privilege of going to listen to John Piper at Mars Hill this weekend! He flew into Seattle from Ethiopia on Friday night and spoke...along with preaching at church yesterday. He is so amazing. It's funny because he is this incredibly talented, dynamic speaker yet he has a little bit of a lisp which made him extra cute. (side note: cute as in old man, grandpa cute) Also, our friend Jason Pancheau joined us for the weekend which made it extra special. I won't go into great detail as to what Piper's entire talk was about but I will share my favorite quote... "If you are engaged, look your fiance in the eye and tell him/her that they will always be #2. If that isn't sweet to their ears, don't marry them!" Isn't that great? I'm so grateful that I know Matt takes joy in me putting Jesus first in my life before him.
Let's see, what else? We took Jason to this great place called Ray's Boathouse. It is close to where we live but neither Matt nor I had ever been there. My roommate originally had told me about it and I'm always hearing great things so we decided to give it a try. It was so beautiful. When we first got there, there were no tables in the bar area (we went specifically for happy hour which is only in the bar) so we decided to grab a beer and sit out on the deck. It was a little chilly but the restaurant is directly over the water and it was sunset. Right after I took the picture below, we watched Matt's baby, the 787 Dreamliner, fly directly over our heads! What a perfect time to be outside.
One more great thing about this weekend was croissant french toast! I know that's silly to be so excited over breakfast...but Matt and I have this recipe from an amazing little bed and breakfast in Ft. Pierre, SD that took us years to steal from them. It's croissant french toast with an ice cream/berry sauce drizzled over it. We usually only make it on Valentine's Day or for special occasions but I guess Panch coming to town was special enough.
One last thing...Matt and I are officially Mars Hill "Preparing for Marriage" graduates!! We have been going through this 8 week course for our pre-marital counseling. We learned so much but it will be nice to have our Sundays free again.
Can you believe it's March 1st? Halfway done with engagement!! Just over 5 months left...
Let's see, what else? We took Jason to this great place called Ray's Boathouse. It is close to where we live but neither Matt nor I had ever been there. My roommate originally had told me about it and I'm always hearing great things so we decided to give it a try. It was so beautiful. When we first got there, there were no tables in the bar area (we went specifically for happy hour which is only in the bar) so we decided to grab a beer and sit out on the deck. It was a little chilly but the restaurant is directly over the water and it was sunset. Right after I took the picture below, we watched Matt's baby, the 787 Dreamliner, fly directly over our heads! What a perfect time to be outside.
One more great thing about this weekend was croissant french toast! I know that's silly to be so excited over breakfast...but Matt and I have this recipe from an amazing little bed and breakfast in Ft. Pierre, SD that took us years to steal from them. It's croissant french toast with an ice cream/berry sauce drizzled over it. We usually only make it on Valentine's Day or for special occasions but I guess Panch coming to town was special enough.
One last thing...Matt and I are officially Mars Hill "Preparing for Marriage" graduates!! We have been going through this 8 week course for our pre-marital counseling. We learned so much but it will be nice to have our Sundays free again.
Can you believe it's March 1st? Halfway done with engagement!! Just over 5 months left...
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