NE Trip Pics

Mom, Dad, & Me

















My Cousin Sheree & Her amazing boy Kaden


















most of the cousins..Kyle, Cory, Brian, Sheree, Hannah, & Me


















yep...the thorn between two roses...Brian with Sheree & I


















my lovely cousin Sheree....



















beautiful baby boy....Carter Bruce. My cousin Molly's little baby!

What we do best...

I just snagged this pic from my new sister-in-law. This is a pic of my Melanie and I at our brother's wedding reception in September. I don't have a clue what we were laughing about...but as sisters, laughing with each other is what we do best.

I am thankful...

It has been a big year for me. I think back to where I was and what I was doing last Thanksgiving. I feel like I've lived a lifetime since then. A year ago I was in a relationship that was not right for me, our church still was in the process of looking for a lead pastor, I was about 30 lbs over weight, my relationship with God was on the back burner. I'm sure I can think of many other things going on in my life this time last year that are now drastically different.

This year, this Thanksgiving, I am thankful for so many things.

I am thankful that God has loved me and brought me through heartache. I am thankful for the time I had to experience the joy before the heartache.

I am thankful that our God brought us a wonderful lead pastor, and that God has sustained our church through two really tough years.

I am thankful that God has provided for me each and every month, and even provided above and beyond my expectations at times.

I am thankful that this Thanksgiving I get to meet my cousin's new little boy - Carter Bruce.

I am thankful for new friendship God has brought my way...and the many, many, continued friendships.

I am thankful for Adrienne, I don't know how I would have gotten through the past six months without her. God has blessed my life through her in so many countless ways.

I am thankful for a better understanding of health and a more disciplined lifestyle.

I am thankful for my parents - what shining examples in so many ways...of love, marriage, parenting, healthy lifestyles, blessing their family in countless ways, 60 years of life...i could go on and on...they are amazing people.

I am thankful for a new sister-in-law and a "little" brother of whom I am so proud.

I am thankful for a sister who is my best friend, her husband who supports her, and my three nieces who make my feel like the proudest Aunt Sarah ever!

While there are still some big struggles in my life, God has shown me this past year that we can get through anything together. I am most thankful for Him and His continued love.

Made my day...

Today I filled my car with gas for $1.89 a gallon...totally made my day!

Chilly day in CO

They say we may have 3-6 inches of snow by the end of the day. It hasn't started snowing yet, but it's cloudy and cooler than it's been in a while. It's Colorado...anything's possible.

But for this cooler day I'm sporting a great new sweatshirt...check it out.



















Thanks to TC from KS for bringing me this sweatshirt this weekend...just in time. You are a wonderful friend!

"Flat Stanley"...weekend in Colorado

Last week my cousin Sheree called me with a simple request. Her son, Kaden, is in a preschool class and now they are learning about the Post Office. Part of their project is to send a paper doll to a relative out of state, via the Post Office, for a vacation.

My part of the project is to take pictures with Flat Stanley through out my weekend to show how he spent his weekend.

We started with a trip to the taxidermist where mom works.

Then Flat Stanley went for a ride on the tractor with dad.

Checking email...

At an Arbonne Holiday Product Open House...
Trying some of the SKY for Men!

Getting ready to take a walk just outside of Boulder...

Check out the rocks behind us!

cheesey faces with Jim at Karaoke...

Flat Stanley jamming with Travis during rehersal...

check out my desk at work.

The Cactus Moon

When I was a senior in high school I went dancing just about every Sunday night at either the Grizzly Rose or the Cactus Moon. For six of those months I went with my then boyfriend, Chris. In March of 1996 Chris broke up with me. I honestly don't remember why, but I do remember one night shortly after we broke up. It was a Sunday night, and not being one to let someone else ruin a good time, I got ready to go dancing like normal. I had heard that a friend's older brother would be there, and I had always had a crush on him. So I mustered up my courage and went out. Later in the fall of 1996, during my freshman English writing class, I chose to write about that night. Here is an excerpt from that story.

ENG 101: 12/13/1996

"The scene inside was the usual. There were men lounging at the bar, a beer in their hand. As I walked by I winked... The horseshoe shaped dance floor provided ample seating along the railing. Every so often you would see puffs of smoke reach for the ceiling.

I tried to find Kevin's table, but it was occupied by a couple I did not know. My heart sank when I realized that he probably was not there. I turned to go. At that moment my favorite song came on. I ran to the floor to join everyone in the dance. Maybe I would stay for a while anyway.

Just as the song was ending I felt a hand on my shoulder that caressed its way down my arm. Before I could object I found myself in the embrace of a strong man. As the grey felt hat appeared before my eyes I knew it was Kevin. He had come after all. I was so excited that I turned right around to make sure it was him. He gave me his award winning smile and kissed my cheek.

The rest of the evening was a whirlwind of dances with Kevin. My feet hurt by the time I had to leave, and I was out of breath. We were finishing a slow dance to a famous love song by Garth Brooks when Kevin politely asked if he could hold me closer and kiss me. My heart raced at the feel of his lips against mine. Nothing could ruin this night now.

We turned to leave the dance floor and my eyes caught the stare of my ex-boyfriend, Chris. Kevin and I walked right past him as if he were just another cowboy. But as we did Kevin put his arm around me and kissed me. I felt the burning stare of Chris blazing into my back. I could have died right then and died a happy woman."

So there you have it. That was a good night. The kind of story you only read about or see in movies...but it is one that I'll always have tucked away in my memory.

Fourteen

I went to a Christian Day School for Kindergarten through 8th grade. I spent those nine years with mostly the same people. This is important to note as I continue with this story. One of the people I spent all nine years with was a boy named Andy. From the very start, Andy & I had what my mom called a "love/hate" relationship. More often than not, we loved to hate each other. But in those rare moments of love Andy started asking me out every semester starting in 4th grade. I finally said "yes" fall of our 8th grade year. Actually, I probably would have said "yes" in 4th grade if my mom hadn't intervened.

I remember that day as a 4th grader clearly. I came home from school and told my mom that Andy had asked me out. She promptly told me I was too young to have a boyfriend and I had to call him and tell him I couldn't go out with him. I was so embarrassed. I still remember sitting on the edge of the bed in my room I shared with my sister. We had a white old fashioned style rotary phone, trimmed in gold. My hands shook as I dialed his phone number. My voice cracked when I told him the news. Then, after I hung up the phone, I started crying. Fast forward four years and by the time we entered 8th grade, hormones were flying everywhere. For some reason when I was passed the note asking me this question one more time, I decided to answer "yes".

Going out in 8th grade doesn't mean much - at least it didn't for us. It meant that we hung out on the playground at recess and called each other on the phone from time to time. But we were going out for both my birthday and Christmas, which as any single person knows - no matter what age, it's nice to be with someone on those special days.

As with most young relationships, ours didn't last long. You can see that things were already starting to go south after Christmas of 1991.

"December 29, 1991: ...Andy is bummed. He told me that even the Lord won't help. It hurts for me to hear him say that. So much in my life is going on it seems Christ is the only help. Andy doesn't see it that way. oh, well...I'll pray for him."

Shortly after, our brief relationship was over. By the end of the year we were able to remain friends. I have always had a place in my heart for people that I've felt I could help in some way. And Andy was no exception that year. At that time in my life, I thought that if we were together I could some how help him through whatever was going on in his life. This is what I wrote later that summer of 1992.

"July 13, 1992: ...Today I sent a letter to Andy, nothing like the last one. This one is more discreet and hopefully will get a response. I want to get with him to have fun and maybe we can go out again. He & I have so much fun together."

All I can say is that I was fourteen years old. Thankfully, I have learned a lot about myself, about men, and about relationships since then. But, we all have to start somewhere.