colorado bound

The first time we went to Colorado I almost killed myself and my husband learning how to ski.

I looked like this:

The last time we went to Colorado I was pregnant and sick. I stayed in the house all day and threw up a lot.

I felt like this:

I looked like this:
(Man I was pale and sickly looking. Gross!!!)

This time will be different. I will not be a first time skier and I will not be pregnant. Wonder what this year's picture will be. Betcha I'll be wearing that same coat! ;)

I am so looking forward to seeing the mountains and to sharing that beauty with Lauren. She's got her snow suit and snow boots all ready to go. What a little snow angel she will be! The drive on the other hand...not so excited about. Can you blame me?

Christmas Eve...

...at home.

The presents are beneath the tree, the stockings are stuffed, and there is a darling little girl in Santa jammies sleeping soundly down the hall.

I am soaking in every moment of this Christmas and will treasure these moments as a little family in my heart. I know that time will too soon pass and this will be only a sweet memory.

Merry Christmas!
May you be surrounded by those you love and immersed in the presence of our Lord.


One of Lauren's presents under the tree: a rocking chair for reading and a favorite book with a note from Mommy and Daddy inside.

taking a leap...

...into the familiar and the unknown.

After a lot of prayer and discussions full of words like "pros" and "cons" and "what's best for our family" with my husband, I have decided to accept a very part-time and a very flexible teaching position with a small local college. My time away from Lauren will be extremely minimal and I feel peaceful about the way things have transpired.



Classes start on January 19th and I hope I am ready! I have a lot of reading and preparing to do before then!

Thank you Tammy for the resources! You are the best! It was great to see you, Leslie, and Kelly today!

decision time

Much has been going on in my life and I can't wait to share when it all goes down and the decision has been made, but for now I'll leave you with one of the songs I've been listening to. I *heart* Sara Groves, she always says just what I am feeling!

"Hello Lord, it's me your child

I have a few things on my mind
Right now I'm faced with big decisions
And I'm wondering if you have a minute...

I don't doubt your sovereignty
I doubt my own ability to
Hear what you're saying
And to do the right thing
And I desperately want to do the right thing"

Sara Groves - Hello Lord

I AM

Oh gently lay your head
Upon my chest
And I will comfort you
Like a mother while you rest
The tide can change so fast,
But I will stay
The same through the past,
The same in future, same today

I am constant; I am near
I am peace that shatters all your secret fears
I am holy; I am wise
I'm the only one who knows your heart's desires
Your heart's desires

Oh weary, tired and worn,
Let out your sighs
And drop that heavy load you hold
Cause Mine is light

I know you through and through;
There's no need to hide
I want to show you love
That is deep and high and wide

Oh gently lay your head
Upon my chest
And I will comfort you
Like a mother while you rest

~Jill Phillips~

math major...

or hair model? Oh the possibilities for this silly girl!

all we needed were dresses, aprons, and pearls

Well we are finally feeling better around here and I am so excited to be getting back into some kind of routine! Yes, I realize that next week with the Christmas festivities my schedule will again go down the drain, but don't burst my bubble, okay?

This morning I decided that I wanted to make vegetable soup for dinner. Shawn and I love this recipe mainly because the secret ingredient is canned tomatoes from my grandparent's garden. Yum-O! I can't even begin to explain what that jar of tomatoes does to the soup, but it is fantabulous. Seriously. Anyway, then I just throw in a bunch of veggies and browned hamburger meat and let it cook in the crock-pot all day long!

I decided that today was the day Lauren got to help me! She was absolutely adorable and I just couldn't help posting these pictures. She sat so well on the counter (don't worry, I was right there) and stirred and stirred.


She was so proud of her stirring abilities! I'm sorry - is that smile not the best? How did I get so lucky to hang out with that bundle of joy (most of the time) everyday?


I let her add the potatoes after I peeled and cut them and she loved dropping them into the soup mixture. P.S. Notice how much of the sauce is splattered all over the bowl, and the counter, and the tile, and the toaster, and the girl... Oh well, it sure was fun!

P.P.S. Yes, she washed her hands before handling the food! ;)