All grown up...

It's hard to believe that my little sister, Hannah, graduated from highschool just over a month ago. It seems like yesterday when I was tying her "cool" shoes (in the picture above) or helping her order from the "session-con-stand" at football games. The baby has officially grown up.

There will be a mas exodus from Mom and Dad's home in August. Recently, Tonja (our foreign exchange student) returned to Norway... We were so sad to see Tonja go! Soon Jess will head to Phoenix and Hannah to Manhattan, KS.  She enrolled at K-State just last Saturday and she's scared and excited all at once. I remember the feeling - change is so full of possibilities! We are thrilled to have her in Manhattan with us. Hopefully I'll get to hang out with her once in awhile... and by "hang out" I do not mean do her laundry. :)

Here's a photo of Hannah and Tonja leaving for graduation... Congrats! We are so proud of you and we love you!

More photography practice...

Some great friends of ours recently asked if I could take photos of their new baby boy, Kyler... I was SO excited to be asked, and even more excited to meet the little guy for the first time! :) This was the perfect excuse to buy a new camera... at least that's what I told my husband. I've been wanting to purchase one for awhile and finally made "the investment." I went with a fancy-schmancy Canon Rebel T2i. So far, so good! The camera is great, but the operator is definitely still learning... Kyler was perfect and beautiful, most of the time. There was that pooping-on-the-blanket (and his dad) incident, oops! I guess that's my fault for wanting naked baby bottom shots. What a sweet little guy. He cried a little, but I thought even the crying was adorable. Overall, it was a really fun day. Here are a few of my favorite moments!

Four years ago today...

... I married the love of my life.There have certainly been ups and downs, but life with Cole is far better than I could have ever imagined it to be! I can hardly believe four years have already gone by - how time flies! I'm looking forward to celebrating many, many more anniversaries as husband and wife. Life is good!

Cruise III: Cozumel

It's been nearly three months since our cruise and I should probably be done posting blog entries about it, right? Wrong! Here's one final tribute to our recent trip... I promise to stop bragging after this! ;)

Our ship's third and final stop was in Cozumel, Mexico. We chose a sting ray encounter for an excursion that day. After touching, holding and feeding the rays we relaxed on the beach for a few hours and drank some yummy Coco Locos! Wish we were still sitting in these chairs, listening to the waves...

This was my third time with a hands-on ray experience and Cole's first - and we both loved it! This excursion gets two thumbs up!

Cruise II: Isla Roatan

Cold and dreary weather in Kansas today makes excellent timing for a tropical blog post... Wish we were still on the beaches of Isla Roatan, which was stop number two on our recent cruise. This small island off the coast of Hondouras was definitely our FAVORITE of the three destinations. While there, we talked to several vacationers and even priced resorts for a future trip. I had never even heard of Roatan prior to booking the cruise - what a pleasant surprise! The beach was gorgeous, island was clean and felt very safe in comparison to Belize or Cozumel.. We hope to return someday soon.  :)

We spent our St. Patrick's Day lounging on the beach, snorkeling and drinking St. Patty's Punch. The kids played in the sand and water... Cole even found a starfish. Overall, the day was just fantastic, left us feeling very "zen." Here are some photos:

Cruise I: First Stop, Belize!

This year Cole and I could hardly wait for "Spring Break 2010." We've had to learn the tough lesson that once you hit the "real world," you don't get a spring break anymore... why didn't they warn us about that in college?!? Anyway, this year we booked a Western Caribbean cruise with some friends from Salina and March just couldn't get here soon enough!

We returned last Sunday to 6" of snow in Kansas City, and reality hit hard! We have both come down with some kind of sinus infection gunk, yuck! Seems like everyone around here has the same congestion... Memories of our warm vacation have eased the pain a little, though!

The cruise was 7 days long, with stops in Belize, Isla Roatan (Hondouras), and Cozumel. It was absolutely wonderful! Neither of us had any motion sickness issues, which was something we were worried about. The cruise departed a few hours later than it was supposed to, so we left New Orleans just at sunset, which was really very pretty.

After spending two full days on board our ship (the Carnival Triumph) with about 3,500 others, we were ready to dock. The first port was Belize - tenders came out to pick us up. We scheduled a "cave tubing" excursion, riding tubes through cave formations over a river. Afterward we shopped a little. I didn't get many photos in Belize, since our excursion was a wet one... Here are a few photos:

 The ferries picking us up were so tiny next to the cruise ship - it was amazing watching them pull up alongside!

Getting ready to cave tube - we also got to take a 30-minute hike thru the rainforest. Our guides taught us a lot about various trees and plants. 

Belize has over 200 small islands just off the coast - many were for sale. Cole thinks we should buy one. I think this one looks a little TOO deserted for me. :)

Great news!

I should probably be writing a blog post about Christmas or my resolutions for 2010... but those posts can wait! Yesterday we found out that my little sister got into dental school, and I am about to burst, I'm just so excited and proud of her! Jess has been accepted into Midwestern University in Glendale, Arizona, after a few long, stressful years of waiting. This was her second time to apply at Midwestern; she interviewed last year, too. So after this most recent interview a few months ago, she had been trying very hard "not to get her hopes up." After visiting several different dental schools, Midwestern was actually Jess's favorite, mostly because they're a very new, state-of-the art campus.

Her experience applying to dental school has given me a whole new perspective on professional school. For many people, it's really a terrible waiting game. Applications are due in December (I think), and those on a waiting list could find out that they have been accepted as late as a week before classes begin in August. So for anybody who applies more than once, it can lead to years of waiting. It hardly seems fair... stressful, to say the least.

I'm so proud of Jess for knowing exactly what she wants and for staying the course! She is an intelligent, beautiful, strong woman, and she'll make an excellent dentist, too! We are SO looking forward to vacationing in sunny, warm Arizona! Mmmm. That especially sounds nice right now - this has been such a bitterly cold winter.

Congrats, Jess. I love you so much and couldn't be more proud! :)

Haven of Hope

In October of 2008 I signed up to be an independent distributor with Premier Designs Jewelry, and it's a decision I am SO glad I made. At the time, I was looking for a little extra money and a little distraction. I had recently miscarried, and the timing felt right for starting Premier. The business has given me a chance to enjoy some girl time and like most people entering the business, I was hoping to pay down some of our debt: student loans, cars, etc. Already, we have paid Cole's truck off early! So for a little over a year now, I've been known to many as "the jewelry lady," a phrase that made me cringe at first - I mean, how cheesy?! :)

Last weekend I was honored to get to travel to Haven of Hope, a retreat center owned by Premier Designs in Argyle, TX. Anyway, it was my first trip to Haven, and one of my jewelers, Kailen, came along, too. The trip was amazing. We met Andy and Joan Horner (the founders), toured Premier manufacturing and the home office, learned a lot about the rewards of growing a long-term business, and most importantly, gained a new appreciation for the company. How many other corporations encourage prayer and focus on Biblical principles? Not many! Haven was an incredible experience, one that's actually really difficult to put into words! Here are some photos from the trip:

 

Already, I've had a great experience with the company... I'm looking forward to growing my business consistently and hopefully someday being able to stay at home with our kids! In it's 25 years so far, Premier has made a difference in so many lives, mine included! What a huge blessing!

Giving thanks!

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.  

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

What an awesome time of year... Thanksgiving has been my favorite holiday for quite awhile now. As a child, Christmas was probably my favorite, for obvious reasons. Christmas always brings so much stimulation for kids - new toys, flashing lights, lots of sugar... :) Of course, Christmas is a wonderful time of year, and for reasons that greatly trump toys, lights and sugar. Most importantly, it's an amazing reminder of God's love for all people and a celebration of Christ's birth!

So the American holiday of Thanksgiving probably shouldn't be my favorite, but it is. I think I made the personal transition to Thanksgiving being my favorite sometime after Mom was diagnosed with Hodgkins. I was young and impressionable... and mom could have died. Her battle with cancer was the ultimate reminder to count your blessings. Our family always joins hands at Thanksgiving and we each share what we're thankful for. There is never a dry eye in the house. I can't remember from year-to-year what anyone lists, but I will never forget the swelling in my heart, the feeling that God is right there with with us in the room.

Thanksgiving for me, is always a necessary reminder. We should count our blessings year-round! Something about the holiday brings with it peaceful reflection and an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Every November, without fail, I transform into a teary-eyed, sappy girl. My poor husband! God has blessed my life so tremendously, and I am really undeserving of all He provides.

This year, I feel like I have more to be thankful for than ever before. I'm married to a wonderful, Godly man. Don't get me wrong; Cole isn't perfect, our marriage isn't perfect and I'm not perfect, either! (I know - shocker.) But God had a perfect plan when he put us together and I am continually amazed by the ways that He works in our relationship, bringing us closer together in happy times and with every trial we face, too. On our wedding day, I never dreamed that I could grow to love Cole more than I did in that moment; of course, I was completely wrong about that. If you think I'm emotional and sappy now, just wait until we've been together for 10, 20, 30 years. It's only going to get worse, Cole. :) I love you.

I really believe that Cole and I wouldn't be together today if it weren't for faithful, praying parents! Several times when I was growing up, I remember Mom telling us that she and Dad's prayer for us girls is to marry kind, loving, respectful Christian men. So I'm thankful for my parents, for loving and supporting and praying for us. I'm thankful for my Dad. He has always been a great example of a loving husband and father and positive role model for us girls.

I'm thankful for my in-laws! So thankful that long before Cole and I ever met, they were raising him to be a good man. They've welcomed me into their family with open arms, and are so loving and accepting of me, even with all of my flaws. I'm thankful for my sister-in-law, Emily. She is beautiful inside and out, and has such a kind-hearted, happy-go-lucky personality. It has been really fun getting to know her better.

I'm thankful for my little sisters. Two beautiful, talented, intelligent young women who amaze me on a regular basis. I have so much love in my heart for you two girls. When I think of you, I know that you each have great things ahead of you, and I'm so proud and excited to see what the future holds!

I'm thankful for family, good health, our friends, our jobs, my Premier Designs business and our home. I'm even thankful for our faithful four-legged pups, Royce and Layla.

What are YOU thankful for?

Tonja's Senior Pictures

I've always had an interest in photography. It started in high school when I was on the yearbook committee - or whatever you want to call it. (Cole would say geek squad, I'm sure... but in all reality, we were a very cool group!) During college I took my first official photography class - a one hour, easy-and-fun course taught by Tod Megredy at Southwestern College. What a blast! Ever since, I've wanted to get the hobby really going, but just couldn't seem to find the time, energy or money... Nice cameras aren't cheap! About a year ago my friend, Sarah, started her own photography business - with lots of encouragement from me. :) Sarah's new biz has been going great, and for awhile now she has been suggesting that I give it a try... Recently she even loaned me one of her cameras to practice my skills. Thank you so much, Sarah!!!

I was extremely lucky to get the chance to "practice" on Tonja, a foreign exchange student from Norway who is staying with my family this year. Tonja was so much fun to photograph - she was completly laid back, patient with my lack of experience and willing to try just about anything. I couldn't have asked for a more cooperative or beautiful model... The girl has absolutely flawless skin and the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen!!! Here are a few of my favorite shots: