I LOVE this...and I love Julia Child. I think I should make one.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Walk in Faith...thank you Sara.
Inspired to write...
Sometimes life hands you what seems to be unbearable hardship. You aren't quite sure how you'll make it through the day or take another step. But just when it seems to be too much, you find that you do, indeed, have the strength to take just one more step...and another...and another. Walking by faith is the only way to do this...we just have to continue to trust that Jesus has the perfect plan for our lives. And even though it seems messy and hard to understand, that is okay. I don't think we are supposed to...that's the whole reason for faith. I challenge you to simply trust and keep on truckin' knowing that we have a faithful God that loves us more than we can imagine.
Sometimes life hands you what seems to be unbearable hardship. You aren't quite sure how you'll make it through the day or take another step. But just when it seems to be too much, you find that you do, indeed, have the strength to take just one more step...and another...and another. Walking by faith is the only way to do this...we just have to continue to trust that Jesus has the perfect plan for our lives. And even though it seems messy and hard to understand, that is okay. I don't think we are supposed to...that's the whole reason for faith. I challenge you to simply trust and keep on truckin' knowing that we have a faithful God that loves us more than we can imagine.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
grateful
I just feel so joyful on this beautiful Saturday and have so much to be grateful for. My first week of teaching was amazing. I love all 29 of my energetic 2nd graders and cannot wait to see what the weeks and months ahead have in store for me. I anticipate learning as much from these little 7 and 8 year olds as they learn from me. With the jitters of starting a new job behind me, I can now push forward. Week 1 complete, 13 more to go. It's gunna fly...
Guess what? It's a miracle, the SUN is shining in Seattle today! My wonderful husband bought me a new beautiful hybrid Specialized bike last week and today, I was able to introduce it to the pavement of Seattle. The sun was shining, the air was warm, and the outdoor activity felt beyond refreshing. When the sun peeks it's little rays out, anyone and everyone comes out of hibernation. The people here are so active and motivated...very non-American, right? I recently realized that you rarely see someone who is extremely out of shape. It probably has to do with the fact that the traffic is maddening and riding bikes and walking is so much more convenient...if do-able. Let's just say that the Burke-Gilman was full of people loving life today...along the water of Lake Washington, it was a great way to begin the weekend.
January is a time for new beginnings and I feel like we have had lots. We decided to finally go through with the membership process of our church, Mars Hill. We began class this week on Wednesday evenings and on Thursdays, we joined a new community group. It is so refreshing to meet other believers walking the same road as you. The leaders of the group are actually from Billings and I went to high school with one of them which is really exciting. A little piece of home once again. I swear, these Montana people are EVERYWHERE in Seattle. I won't complain! So needless to say, we are busy, busy throughout the weekdays but we love our little life. Such a unique time with just the two of us figuring out marriage and our very own way of doing everything beings our families aren't nearby. We do miss them all of the time but it is nice to have our own little gig out here :)
Well, Matt is at the driving range with Jeff and I'm supposed to be working on lesson plans so I guess I better get on that! Just wanted to share my joy and gratitude for today.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
just.another.wednesday.morning
During my last week of freedom, I planned on sleeping in, drinking coffee, watching movies, and well...that's about it. I'm really sad to say that I'm just not enjoying the down time. I can't sleep in and I don't feel like being lazy. I know that when Tuesday morning rolls around at approximately 6:00 a.m., I'm going to want to do nothing but stay in bed. Funny how that works, eh?
Well, let's see. We had so much fun with Chad & Cassidi here this last weekend! They are easy to please so we spent the weekend eating (lots) and just bumming around Seattle. A few pit stops here and there at Columbia Winery, Redhook Brewery, Greenlake, Umi, and Matador were just a few of the highlights...thanks for coming guys!
And now there is SNOW on the ground! It never snows in Seattle and has already snowed twice this year. It's so funny because it paralyzes the entire city but it's sometimes fun to feel trapped...the people in this busy city should take a few moments to breathe every now and again anyways. Believe it or not...one can actually survive without going to work and Starbucks. Weird concept, I know.
I don't even know why I'm blogging because I don't have too much to say...so I'll let you stop reading :)
Well, let's see. We had so much fun with Chad & Cassidi here this last weekend! They are easy to please so we spent the weekend eating (lots) and just bumming around Seattle. A few pit stops here and there at Columbia Winery, Redhook Brewery, Greenlake, Umi, and Matador were just a few of the highlights...thanks for coming guys!
And now there is SNOW on the ground! It never snows in Seattle and has already snowed twice this year. It's so funny because it paralyzes the entire city but it's sometimes fun to feel trapped...the people in this busy city should take a few moments to breathe every now and again anyways. Believe it or not...one can actually survive without going to work and Starbucks. Weird concept, I know.
I don't even know why I'm blogging because I don't have too much to say...so I'll let you stop reading :)
Thursday, January 6, 2011
onto.a.new.year
We're back from Montana! Two weeks sure fly by when you're having fun! It was so much fun being back and seeing so many of our favorite people. Not to mention, it was constantly sunny, lots of snow, and no traffic. Can't really ask for too much more. But...as refreshing as it was, it's always good to be "home", right? This is just the beginning of an exciting year for our little family of two. 2010 was full of blessings and we are so grateful for that...but we are also ready for normal life...whatever that means.
On January 18th, I begin my first day of teaching the 2nd grade! I am so excited, I can barely stand it. Until then, Matt and I are enjoying the company of the lovely Vanessa, Chad, and Cassidi! We love having visitors...please come visit :) Little pieces of home brought to us out here in rainy Seattle. It's always fun to have Vanessa here...it means we get to eat lots of sushi and drink wine! Chad and Cassidi fly in tomorrow morning and I cannot wait. Such a great way to end my season of playing stay-at-home wife :)
Other than that, I'm happy to report that nothing new is coming our way. Matt is still hard at work at Boeing, ceasing every opportunity for growth and learning. It'll be interesting to see where he will choose to go with his career...I watched fly fishing on the Big Horn pull at his heart strings last week which makes me smile. No matter where we're at, I continue to be grateful for a husband that will always willingly support our little family and incorporate as much fun into our lives as possible.
On January 18th, I begin my first day of teaching the 2nd grade! I am so excited, I can barely stand it. Until then, Matt and I are enjoying the company of the lovely Vanessa, Chad, and Cassidi! We love having visitors...please come visit :) Little pieces of home brought to us out here in rainy Seattle. It's always fun to have Vanessa here...it means we get to eat lots of sushi and drink wine! Chad and Cassidi fly in tomorrow morning and I cannot wait. Such a great way to end my season of playing stay-at-home wife :)
Other than that, I'm happy to report that nothing new is coming our way. Matt is still hard at work at Boeing, ceasing every opportunity for growth and learning. It'll be interesting to see where he will choose to go with his career...I watched fly fishing on the Big Horn pull at his heart strings last week which makes me smile. No matter where we're at, I continue to be grateful for a husband that will always willingly support our little family and incorporate as much fun into our lives as possible.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Montana.for.the.holidays
Coffee in hand...check. Completion of ALL graduate classes as of yesterday...check. Christmas shopping done...check. Plane ticket that will take me to God's country...Montana...on Sunday...CHECK! Staying in Montana for two whole weeks...check!
Let's be honest here, it does not get much better. I am continually grateful for my loving, selfless husband. He has to work through the 23rd and then Jeff and Matt will be making a 12+ hour drive to Montana, not arriving until the afternoon of Christmas Eve. Matt knows how anxious I am to be at home and bought me a plane ticket to fly home Sunday to spend the next week with my family doing nothing but enjoying the holidays and precious time with them! The last time my entire family was together was for the wedding and we had other things to focus on at that time :) Now, I can just relax and enjoy their company. Could not be more blessed!
On another note, I am done with graduate classes! I begin student teaching on January 17th at Lynnwood Elementary in a 2nd grade classroom and will graduate April 30th. The job search is already underway even with a few leads this time...I bet Matt is sure excited for the months to come that will involve a dual income :) Once again, he has been so supportive, encouraging, and willing to work hard for the both of us over these past four months...another true blessing to be able to focus solely on school. It has helped me learn so much more from my classes and I could not be more grateful.
Well, Matt and I are definitely in need for some sunshine. I'm relying on Montana for that even though it may be cold. We have had nothing but rain, rain, rain, and more rain. I'm not talking about the glooms and drizzle that Seattle is known for...I am talking about downpours, side swiping rains that has continued to knock the power out multiple times over the last week. Not to mention flooding and landslides...awesome Western Washington! We are learning to love Seattle and its mild temperatures though. Don't get me wrong, it's no Montana but we never run out of things to do and we don't have to worry about mild frostbite every time we step outside our front door.
Well, that's it for now, I'm off to pack and clean my house! Also getting ready for yet another engagement party for our sweet friends this Friday...tis the (engagement) season!
Let's be honest here, it does not get much better. I am continually grateful for my loving, selfless husband. He has to work through the 23rd and then Jeff and Matt will be making a 12+ hour drive to Montana, not arriving until the afternoon of Christmas Eve. Matt knows how anxious I am to be at home and bought me a plane ticket to fly home Sunday to spend the next week with my family doing nothing but enjoying the holidays and precious time with them! The last time my entire family was together was for the wedding and we had other things to focus on at that time :) Now, I can just relax and enjoy their company. Could not be more blessed!
On another note, I am done with graduate classes! I begin student teaching on January 17th at Lynnwood Elementary in a 2nd grade classroom and will graduate April 30th. The job search is already underway even with a few leads this time...I bet Matt is sure excited for the months to come that will involve a dual income :) Once again, he has been so supportive, encouraging, and willing to work hard for the both of us over these past four months...another true blessing to be able to focus solely on school. It has helped me learn so much more from my classes and I could not be more grateful.
Well, Matt and I are definitely in need for some sunshine. I'm relying on Montana for that even though it may be cold. We have had nothing but rain, rain, rain, and more rain. I'm not talking about the glooms and drizzle that Seattle is known for...I am talking about downpours, side swiping rains that has continued to knock the power out multiple times over the last week. Not to mention flooding and landslides...awesome Western Washington! We are learning to love Seattle and its mild temperatures though. Don't get me wrong, it's no Montana but we never run out of things to do and we don't have to worry about mild frostbite every time we step outside our front door.
Well, that's it for now, I'm off to pack and clean my house! Also getting ready for yet another engagement party for our sweet friends this Friday...tis the (engagement) season!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Thankful.in.D.C.
1 final down, 2 to go. Did I mention I will be DONE with classes as of December 16th?! I still have January-April to student teach (I was placed in the 2nd grade!) but at least I won't be logging on to MSUB's distance learning website 5 times a day. I can't wait! Well, let's see...December 9th...really, where does the time go?
We were fortunate to be able to spend Thanksgiving in Washington D.C. visiting my dad which was SO fun. The time went quickly as usual, but we managed to squeeze lots of fun in including: Holocaust Museum (not fun, but VERY interesting and sad), Capitol Building tour (personal tour courtesy of Senator Dorgen's intern), Washington Monument, American History Museum, Thanksgiving dinner :), a piano bar, sushi, etc...this list goes on and on! But those of you who know my dad can believe that we also did our fair share of sleeping in which was much needed! Here are some fun photos of that trip...
We got back from DC on the Sunday following Thanksgiving and then we took off Friday for Denver to visit the Haagensons! You may be thinking we see each other too often...which is probably true beings plane tickets are involved each time! But, it's totally worth it...good friends are few and far between :)
We leave two weeks from today to drive back to Montana for Christmas and cannot wait! Pray that the roads will cooperate for us...blah. I'm just going to drug myself and fall asleep in the back seat...leave the driving up to the boys! Before we leave, we have Matthew's 25th birthday to celebrate, classes to complete, and Christmas shopping to do...busy....busy...busy.
We were fortunate to be able to spend Thanksgiving in Washington D.C. visiting my dad which was SO fun. The time went quickly as usual, but we managed to squeeze lots of fun in including: Holocaust Museum (not fun, but VERY interesting and sad), Capitol Building tour (personal tour courtesy of Senator Dorgen's intern), Washington Monument, American History Museum, Thanksgiving dinner :), a piano bar, sushi, etc...this list goes on and on! But those of you who know my dad can believe that we also did our fair share of sleeping in which was much needed! Here are some fun photos of that trip...
We got back from DC on the Sunday following Thanksgiving and then we took off Friday for Denver to visit the Haagensons! You may be thinking we see each other too often...which is probably true beings plane tickets are involved each time! But, it's totally worth it...good friends are few and far between :)
We leave two weeks from today to drive back to Montana for Christmas and cannot wait! Pray that the roads will cooperate for us...blah. I'm just going to drug myself and fall asleep in the back seat...leave the driving up to the boys! Before we leave, we have Matthew's 25th birthday to celebrate, classes to complete, and Christmas shopping to do...busy....busy...busy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)