Showing posts with label Winter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Winter. Show all posts
12/23/11
Scenes from a Christmas House
I wish all our family could come to our house over Christmas, but the busyness of this time of year always seems to catch up with us. I wish they could all see how we've incorporated decorations and ornaments that have been handed down to us on both sides from our grandmothers and great grandmothers. I wish they could feel "the glow" we feel in our home this time of year. Instead I decided to take some pictures so I could show them our cozy flat from afar. Hope you enjoy the tour!
12/19/11
Oh, hi there.
What a crazy couple months this has been for us! Kyle and I just wrapped up yet another semester of classes. He is now half way through law school, and I am done with my graduate couse work! All I have left is a couple big exams (one in January, one in March), completing my internships next semester (one at an elementary school and one at St. Louis Children's hospital) and I am DONE. I am amazed at God's grace sustaining us through the last (almost) two years. There were many unknown factors and risks when we followed the Lord's guidance to come here, but he has made our paths straight.
(SLU Speech-Language Pathology, Class of 2012)
I wish we had any other big news to report other than the busy-ness of life. For those who have been inquiring/praying for my stepmom, we still thank you! As of this morning, dad said she's hanging in there, working through the pain. She is done with chemo, done with everything, trying to make the best of whatever is left. She has had to cut back to working part-time, which has been very hard. Diane loves her job and takes so much pride in her work. She's always had a deep commitment to the bank where she is a Senior Vice President. They have shown her incredible kindness and made it clear that her years of hard work would not go unnoticed. We are grateful for that. She will keep working as much and as often as she can.
There is an uncertainty about the whole situation, however, that makes the holidays a bit bleak. My dad and Diane LOVE Christmas and typically go all out. Dad told me this morning they haven't bought a single present because they've been trying to spend every moment together. What could anyone say to that? How do you face the holidays, knowing it's the last with someone you love so dearly? Shrug.
(Thanksgiving 2011)
A number of other health issues popped up over the last couple months in my family, including my stepdad getting an abscess colon which is incredibly dangerous and life-threatening. Our family has been in relatively good health for a long time with no major issues, so I suppose we were just "due."
In the midst of all this, Kyle and I are still trying for a baby, which is gut-wrenching. All the drugs, the books, the blogs, the talking to other couples with infertility - none of it can really predict how you will feel when you go through it and still see negative after negative. Some days I am able to trust in perfect peace, and be content that God's timing is perfect and some day we'll see all of this clearly, other days I am a haze of emotions from bitterness to jealousy to deep sorrow.
I can honestly say, however, that because of all of this (NOT in spite of all of this) I have gained a deeper love for Jesus, and a deeper love for my husband and family. I am continually amazed at God's kindness to me in these hard times, and the way it continues to shape my soul.
I am so often reminded of my sin, how prone I am to jealousy and gossip, to resentment and hopelessness, but he continues to remind me that my hope is not in the things of this world, my hope is in Christ alone. He surrounds me with people who remind me of this. He shows me that lasting joy is not found in anything here. At some point all the people we love will pass away, all the dreams we have about our lives will mean nothing, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
(Psalm 73:26 ESV)
(August Gate's new location)
The next few weeks will be spent relaxing as much as possible, reading books, being crafty, and spending time with friends and family. Kyle and I have are so happy and so deeply in love with each other. I say that only out of gratefulness. So many are torn apart by hard times, but Jesus has pushed our hearts closer together. We are so excited to be home together (when not working) over the holidays. We are truly trying to count our blessings instead of sheep. I hope you all have a very merry Christmas filled with love and peace.
(SLU Speech-Language Pathology, Class of 2012)
I wish we had any other big news to report other than the busy-ness of life. For those who have been inquiring/praying for my stepmom, we still thank you! As of this morning, dad said she's hanging in there, working through the pain. She is done with chemo, done with everything, trying to make the best of whatever is left. She has had to cut back to working part-time, which has been very hard. Diane loves her job and takes so much pride in her work. She's always had a deep commitment to the bank where she is a Senior Vice President. They have shown her incredible kindness and made it clear that her years of hard work would not go unnoticed. We are grateful for that. She will keep working as much and as often as she can.
There is an uncertainty about the whole situation, however, that makes the holidays a bit bleak. My dad and Diane LOVE Christmas and typically go all out. Dad told me this morning they haven't bought a single present because they've been trying to spend every moment together. What could anyone say to that? How do you face the holidays, knowing it's the last with someone you love so dearly? Shrug.
(Thanksgiving 2011)
A number of other health issues popped up over the last couple months in my family, including my stepdad getting an abscess colon which is incredibly dangerous and life-threatening. Our family has been in relatively good health for a long time with no major issues, so I suppose we were just "due."
In the midst of all this, Kyle and I are still trying for a baby, which is gut-wrenching. All the drugs, the books, the blogs, the talking to other couples with infertility - none of it can really predict how you will feel when you go through it and still see negative after negative. Some days I am able to trust in perfect peace, and be content that God's timing is perfect and some day we'll see all of this clearly, other days I am a haze of emotions from bitterness to jealousy to deep sorrow.
I can honestly say, however, that because of all of this (NOT in spite of all of this) I have gained a deeper love for Jesus, and a deeper love for my husband and family. I am continually amazed at God's kindness to me in these hard times, and the way it continues to shape my soul.
I am so often reminded of my sin, how prone I am to jealousy and gossip, to resentment and hopelessness, but he continues to remind me that my hope is not in the things of this world, my hope is in Christ alone. He surrounds me with people who remind me of this. He shows me that lasting joy is not found in anything here. At some point all the people we love will pass away, all the dreams we have about our lives will mean nothing, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
(Psalm 73:26 ESV)
(August Gate's new location)
The next few weeks will be spent relaxing as much as possible, reading books, being crafty, and spending time with friends and family. Kyle and I have are so happy and so deeply in love with each other. I say that only out of gratefulness. So many are torn apart by hard times, but Jesus has pushed our hearts closer together. We are so excited to be home together (when not working) over the holidays. We are truly trying to count our blessings instead of sheep. I hope you all have a very merry Christmas filled with love and peace.
2/12/11
August Gate at the Mardi Gras Family Carnival
Our church volunteered all day at the Mardi Gras Family Carnival. This was a family event and a lot of fun! Kyle and I worked the "robes" station, where kids could come and make their King Rex Robes. Apparently, Rex is the king of Mardi Gras. Who knew? All the AG volunteers worked hard and seemed to be have a great time talking to kids, their families, and making colorful things.
It was a fun day and great to be out as part of the community.
If you can't see the photos, click here.
It was a fun day and great to be out as part of the community.
If you can't see the photos, click here.
2/1/11
Winter on Magnolia Avenue
Back in the fall, I gave you a nice little photo tour of our street. While Winter lacks the color and warmth of autumn, it has its own kind of beauties.
The ice began falling from the sky Monday afternoon and hasn't stopped falling yet. When I stepped outside last night the ice-covered trees sparkled in the dark. It was kind of magical. I took Watson on a little walk this morning and noticed all kinds of wintry beauty in the neighborhood.
I adored the spectrum of reds, purples, and greens in these icy buds. I walk by this small tree multiple times a day and I never noticed the colors until it was covered in ice.
This little old fence is covered with climbing flowers in the summer, but in the winter you can appreciate the intricate patterns and twists that have withstood years upon years of extreme weather.
None of this is snow on the ground. It is all ice for now. With every little stem of every little branch of every big tree, you can really see the richness and fullness of these trees. I'm amazed by the details.
None of this is snow on the ground. It is all ice for now. With every little stem of every little branch of every big tree, you can really see the richness and fullness of these trees. I'm amazed by the details.
My favorite thing about a snow storm, or ice storm in this case, is the way it makes the city so quiet. I'm sure I've said it before, but my least favorite part about living in the city is the noise. Somehow the snow and ice have a way of dampening everything. People stay in and so there aren't as many cars on the road or neighbors outside. There's silence and peace. When I took Watson for a walk this morning, we didn't see another living being besides birds and squirrels out looking for food. I love that.
Watson looks cute all the time, but I like him covered in little ice crystals. He likes it too and did not want to go inside today. In fact, he's been begging all day to go out. Times like these I wish we had a fenced-in yard...
He kept getting hit in the eyes with sleet while I was trying to take his picture. He sat still like a good boy, though. I almost felt bad for him, but the look on his face was also pretty cute.
Back inside the house, a few of our windows are iced over...
... and there's turkey roasting in the crockpot. Phoenix, Snow Patrol, and Mumford & Sons are giving me a warm, happy feeling through the stereo.
Hope your snow/ice days have been peaceful. Here's hoping we get a repeat tomorrow!
The ice began falling from the sky Monday afternoon and hasn't stopped falling yet. When I stepped outside last night the ice-covered trees sparkled in the dark. It was kind of magical. I took Watson on a little walk this morning and noticed all kinds of wintry beauty in the neighborhood.
I adored the spectrum of reds, purples, and greens in these icy buds. I walk by this small tree multiple times a day and I never noticed the colors until it was covered in ice.
This little old fence is covered with climbing flowers in the summer, but in the winter you can appreciate the intricate patterns and twists that have withstood years upon years of extreme weather.
None of this is snow on the ground. It is all ice for now. With every little stem of every little branch of every big tree, you can really see the richness and fullness of these trees. I'm amazed by the details.
None of this is snow on the ground. It is all ice for now. With every little stem of every little branch of every big tree, you can really see the richness and fullness of these trees. I'm amazed by the details.
My favorite thing about a snow storm, or ice storm in this case, is the way it makes the city so quiet. I'm sure I've said it before, but my least favorite part about living in the city is the noise. Somehow the snow and ice have a way of dampening everything. People stay in and so there aren't as many cars on the road or neighbors outside. There's silence and peace. When I took Watson for a walk this morning, we didn't see another living being besides birds and squirrels out looking for food. I love that.
Watson looks cute all the time, but I like him covered in little ice crystals. He likes it too and did not want to go inside today. In fact, he's been begging all day to go out. Times like these I wish we had a fenced-in yard...
He kept getting hit in the eyes with sleet while I was trying to take his picture. He sat still like a good boy, though. I almost felt bad for him, but the look on his face was also pretty cute.
Back inside the house, a few of our windows are iced over...
... and there's turkey roasting in the crockpot. Phoenix, Snow Patrol, and Mumford & Sons are giving me a warm, happy feeling through the stereo.
Hope your snow/ice days have been peaceful. Here's hoping we get a repeat tomorrow!
1/31/11
Snow Day!
Tomorrow is a snow day. SLU cancelled classes for the first time in 10 years, and there isn't even any snow or ice on the ground yet! We have a lot of work to keep us busy around here. I suspect there will be much reading and writing happening, and hopefully some Netflix-watching, too!
I'm making a turkey breast in the crockpot for tomorrow and we are pretty well-stocked on groceries. If we needed anything, I'd say it would be potatoes and bananas, but we'll survive without them, I suppose. We have other fruits, vegetables, meat, bread, milk, eggs, and all the other basics! I'm pumped.
Poor Watson is not so pumped. He has been cooped up too much lately and not getting walks every day like he's used to getting. He is very antsy which makes him even more poorly behaved.
I love a good snow day, especially when I get to stay in and snuggle with my man. My man, however, would probably take a few days of school over more snow and ice. He unabashedly hates winter and loves the heat. I unabashedly hate any weather over 82 degrees, so there! Anyway, you won't likely find him acting like this tomorrow.
Via Kate Spade
I'm making a turkey breast in the crockpot for tomorrow and we are pretty well-stocked on groceries. If we needed anything, I'd say it would be potatoes and bananas, but we'll survive without them, I suppose. We have other fruits, vegetables, meat, bread, milk, eggs, and all the other basics! I'm pumped.
Poor Watson is not so pumped. He has been cooped up too much lately and not getting walks every day like he's used to getting. He is very antsy which makes him even more poorly behaved.
I love a good snow day, especially when I get to stay in and snuggle with my man. My man, however, would probably take a few days of school over more snow and ice. He unabashedly hates winter and loves the heat. I unabashedly hate any weather over 82 degrees, so there! Anyway, you won't likely find him acting like this tomorrow.
Via Kate Spade
1/3/11
Holiday Rundown
I'd originally titled this post "Christmas: The Breakdown," but decided that carried the risk of it sounding like I had a bad Christmas, and that is FAR from the truth.
We spent Christmas Eve at my mom's house where we had a huge dinner and played games. It was a night that I would call... eventful. I'll just leave it at that!
Christmas day my mom's family has the tradition of volunteering at the Salvation Army and bringing dinner to the residents there.
Grandpa, Kyle, and Noah setting up the salad table
Noah loving on Granny in the kitchen
We helped with that then grabbed Watson and took him to my dad's house. After hanging out there for a couple hours we went to my cousin Dustin's house where my dad's family was gathered. We not only celebrated Christmas, but my great-grandma Jennie's 94th birthday.
My dad and me
Dad and Great Grandma
Our plans to travel to Pennsylvania to visit Kent and Hope fell through. This was very sad, but a very agreeable alternative awaited us in Chicagoland. We spent New Year's with the whole of Kyle's mom's side of the family and celebrated Christmas, New Year's, and Aunt Stacy and Uncle Toby's going away to Italy where they will be stationed for the next three years. It was a grand old time except that Watson was bad, Mama Bass was very sick, and Kent and Hope were absent.
Kyle and his phone
Cousin Scott napping with Sassy
Having Christmas with Nancy in the hallway outside her room because she didn't want to expose us to her germs
Aunt Denise and Uncle Mark
Cousin Max accidentally gave Aunt Laura a fat lip.
Toby, Moury, Mark T., and Mark B.
Aunt Denise's pretty house
Hope you had a fantastic holiday season and that the new year is treating you well so far!
We spent Christmas Eve at my mom's house where we had a huge dinner and played games. It was a night that I would call... eventful. I'll just leave it at that!
Christmas day my mom's family has the tradition of volunteering at the Salvation Army and bringing dinner to the residents there.
Grandpa, Kyle, and Noah setting up the salad table
Noah loving on Granny in the kitchen
We helped with that then grabbed Watson and took him to my dad's house. After hanging out there for a couple hours we went to my cousin Dustin's house where my dad's family was gathered. We not only celebrated Christmas, but my great-grandma Jennie's 94th birthday.
My dad and me
Dad and Great Grandma
Our plans to travel to Pennsylvania to visit Kent and Hope fell through. This was very sad, but a very agreeable alternative awaited us in Chicagoland. We spent New Year's with the whole of Kyle's mom's side of the family and celebrated Christmas, New Year's, and Aunt Stacy and Uncle Toby's going away to Italy where they will be stationed for the next three years. It was a grand old time except that Watson was bad, Mama Bass was very sick, and Kent and Hope were absent.
Kyle and his phone
Cousin Scott napping with Sassy
Having Christmas with Nancy in the hallway outside her room because she didn't want to expose us to her germs
Aunt Denise and Uncle Mark
Toby, Moury, Mark T., and Mark B.
Aunt Denise's pretty house
Hope you had a fantastic holiday season and that the new year is treating you well so far!
12/22/10
Happy Momma
This is my mom.
Isn't she so pretty? She doesn't even wear much makeup or dye her hair. She's just naturally lovely.
I am so thankful for her! She came down to see me last weekend and we went to the Christmas Festival in St. Charles, MO. Then we went to see Mannheim Steamroller at The Fabulous Fox Theatre. The festival was great, and The Fox was fabulous, but Mannheim was a little bit of a let-down. We had fun, as usual, though, and I loved seeing my momma laugh and smile.
Isn't she so pretty? She doesn't even wear much makeup or dye her hair. She's just naturally lovely.
I am so thankful for her! She came down to see me last weekend and we went to the Christmas Festival in St. Charles, MO. Then we went to see Mannheim Steamroller at The Fabulous Fox Theatre. The festival was great, and The Fox was fabulous, but Mannheim was a little bit of a let-down. We had fun, as usual, though, and I loved seeing my momma laugh and smile.
One Year
Inspired by a blog friend, I decided it would be beneficial (for myself) to break down our year.
January: We spent New Year's Eve at the Corson's house, and made brisket for friends on New Year's day. I continued to nanny for the Horst chil'ins. I began my last semester at SIU. We completed our applications to law school and grad school. The waiting game began.
February: We celebrated my birthday and Valentine's Day (or Birthentine's, if you're nasty) by going to St. Louis for the weekend. We stayed at the Cheshire Lodge, had a date at The Fountain on Locust with our newish friends, Josh and Kim, visited the art museum, and discovered Gioia's Deli. I spent the month wondering where in the heck God was going to send us or if we would stay in Carbondale for a few more years.
March: I spent the first half of the month anxiously awaiting news from graduate schools. I started feeling like we weren't going to be staying in Carbondale and treasuring our time there. Over Spring Break, I got my first acceptance, and it was to SLU! I was at my grandma and grandpa's house when I got the email on my phone. We all screamed and smiled and cried and jumped around the kitchen. It was a really special moment.
April: After three acceptances and two rejections for me, we were feeling like St. Louis was the place God was calling us, though all the details weren't exactly in place yet. Kyle still hadn't heard from SLU Law (and a few other schools), but planned on just getting a job in the STL area and re-applying because we were so sure we were supposed to be there. We had a marathon day of apartment searching, signed a lease, and the next week Kyle got his acceptance to SLU. Crazy lessons about stepping out in faith were learned.
May: A month of celebrations and new beginnings. Had a great celebratory night with classmates meowing around Carondale. Graduated and moved to St. Louis on the same day with the help of many friends and family. Started attending August Gate, where we knew we should go even though we'd never set foot in the doors. Started graduate school at the end of the month, and began a painful summer of living away from Kyle while he finished up his job in So Ill.
June: A haze of school and loneliness and driving back and forth between STL and So Ill. Oh, and threw a bridal shower for my soon-to-be sister-in-law, Hope.
July: A haze of school and loneliness and driving back and forth between STL and So Ill. Oh, and threw a bridal shower for my dear friend, Ellen. Then we both stood up with her and Bradley at the end of the month at their wedding. It was our last hurrah in Carbondale. Saying goodbye at the end of their reception left many of us in tears.
August: Kyle came home to Saint Louis for good! We celebrated the end of a long, hard, lonely summer. We got a puppy! Celebrated 4 years of marriage. When we first began praying about going on with school together, we just prayed we'd be in the same city. God went further. He put us in the same city, at the same school, and our buildings right next door to one another. Unbelievable goodness and grace. No accident there!
September: Traveled to Virginia to celebrate the wedding of our brother and sister, Kent and Hope. It was fun to travel with family, and even more fun to gain a sister in the Bass family. Went to school.
October: Really started making better friends at church and at school. Praise God. The summer was so lonely, even though friends at church reached out to me, I definitely was not myself then. October finally clicked and I started feeling more like me. School started getting harder on us, and it became very clear that our dog was really, really bad. We knew he was our "Marley." We hosted a Halloween party that seemed like a pretty big success, but we forgot to take pictures.
November: A haze of school and puppy-wrangling. In John Mayer-fashion, I wonder if I am going to make it through to December. I got to travel to Philadelphia for my first ASHA convention with classmates and faculty. Spent Thanksgiving with Kyle's family in Anna. Got to celebrate with Keith and Loni the night of their engagement.
December: Completed our semesters by the grace of Jesus. When the semester ended, we mostly spent our days at home wrangling our bad, bad dog, cooking, watching all the TV we missed during the semester, and enjoying each others' company. Christmas in Springfield with my family. As things slow down, the pain of infertility creeps back in as it always does when I'm not insanely busy. As always, I'm ready for a new year and thankful for a God who is faithful and isn't done with us yet.
January: We spent New Year's Eve at the Corson's house, and made brisket for friends on New Year's day. I continued to nanny for the Horst chil'ins. I began my last semester at SIU. We completed our applications to law school and grad school. The waiting game began.
February: We celebrated my birthday and Valentine's Day (or Birthentine's, if you're nasty) by going to St. Louis for the weekend. We stayed at the Cheshire Lodge, had a date at The Fountain on Locust with our newish friends, Josh and Kim, visited the art museum, and discovered Gioia's Deli. I spent the month wondering where in the heck God was going to send us or if we would stay in Carbondale for a few more years.
March: I spent the first half of the month anxiously awaiting news from graduate schools. I started feeling like we weren't going to be staying in Carbondale and treasuring our time there. Over Spring Break, I got my first acceptance, and it was to SLU! I was at my grandma and grandpa's house when I got the email on my phone. We all screamed and smiled and cried and jumped around the kitchen. It was a really special moment.
April: After three acceptances and two rejections for me, we were feeling like St. Louis was the place God was calling us, though all the details weren't exactly in place yet. Kyle still hadn't heard from SLU Law (and a few other schools), but planned on just getting a job in the STL area and re-applying because we were so sure we were supposed to be there. We had a marathon day of apartment searching, signed a lease, and the next week Kyle got his acceptance to SLU. Crazy lessons about stepping out in faith were learned.
(I took not a single picture in the month of April.)
May: A month of celebrations and new beginnings. Had a great celebratory night with classmates meowing around Carondale. Graduated and moved to St. Louis on the same day with the help of many friends and family. Started attending August Gate, where we knew we should go even though we'd never set foot in the doors. Started graduate school at the end of the month, and began a painful summer of living away from Kyle while he finished up his job in So Ill.
June: A haze of school and loneliness and driving back and forth between STL and So Ill. Oh, and threw a bridal shower for my soon-to-be sister-in-law, Hope.
July: A haze of school and loneliness and driving back and forth between STL and So Ill. Oh, and threw a bridal shower for my dear friend, Ellen. Then we both stood up with her and Bradley at the end of the month at their wedding. It was our last hurrah in Carbondale. Saying goodbye at the end of their reception left many of us in tears.
August: Kyle came home to Saint Louis for good! We celebrated the end of a long, hard, lonely summer. We got a puppy! Celebrated 4 years of marriage. When we first began praying about going on with school together, we just prayed we'd be in the same city. God went further. He put us in the same city, at the same school, and our buildings right next door to one another. Unbelievable goodness and grace. No accident there!
September: Traveled to Virginia to celebrate the wedding of our brother and sister, Kent and Hope. It was fun to travel with family, and even more fun to gain a sister in the Bass family. Went to school.
October: Really started making better friends at church and at school. Praise God. The summer was so lonely, even though friends at church reached out to me, I definitely was not myself then. October finally clicked and I started feeling more like me. School started getting harder on us, and it became very clear that our dog was really, really bad. We knew he was our "Marley." We hosted a Halloween party that seemed like a pretty big success, but we forgot to take pictures.
November: A haze of school and puppy-wrangling. In John Mayer-fashion, I wonder if I am going to make it through to December. I got to travel to Philadelphia for my first ASHA convention with classmates and faculty. Spent Thanksgiving with Kyle's family in Anna. Got to celebrate with Keith and Loni the night of their engagement.
December: Completed our semesters by the grace of Jesus. When the semester ended, we mostly spent our days at home wrangling our bad, bad dog, cooking, watching all the TV we missed during the semester, and enjoying each others' company. Christmas in Springfield with my family. As things slow down, the pain of infertility creeps back in as it always does when I'm not insanely busy. As always, I'm ready for a new year and thankful for a God who is faithful and isn't done with us yet.
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