I love my cheesey smiles!

With Kristen

Christmas in a Stable

Tonight my heart is full. I am sitting all snuggled up under a blanket, warm, and conversation of my family sitting around the living room. Today, was a great day.

My morning started off cold and tired. I had hoped and prayed that all our months of planning and preparation had worked. All my to do items were checked off, our trucks were loaded, and I was following Ryan to the stable for our Christmas Eve services.

It was a harried morning. Last minute changes occurred, but there were no major catastrophes. After about four hours of setting things up, we started to greet friends, families, and visitors alike to our unique venue. As they walked passed the horses in their stalls, families found their seats and prepared to take in the experience.

The service started off with Dave Villiano on violin. Some of the most beautiful music I've heard. Then the band joined him to start off with some familiar Christmas carols and hymns. The singing was balanced with a reading from the book of Luke and a brief Christmas message from Eric.

And then it was over. Wow. How the day flew. We tore down and loaded everything back into the trucks and drove home. My heart is so full...so thankful. God was at work today in every way. From the weather, to the volunteers, to how smooth everything went, to the very people he brought to the services.

We had so many volunteer who gave of their hearts, their time, their talents today to make this happen. I am always amazed at how our church comes together as a family and makes these events something to truly remember. It was an amazing day. Amazing day!

My 30 something mind

Over fried mac and cheese and spinach dip last night, Jenn and I decided that we are too old to fall for young love. Let me explain. It seems that we both know people who are young, in love, and married when the circumstances around them shout out to wait! Like still living with mom and dad because you have no place to live yet. Our 30 something minds say "let's get some things squared away first before we start this life together under our parents roof". But that's the key - our 30 something minds. We would never do something like that now.

At 31 I have learned (I hope) to balance being independent and still needing someone in my life. Even the past couple of days shed light on that. I hate having to make certain decisions by myself, and I can ask others opinions and thoughts, but ultimately, the decision comes down to me. And it just doesn't seem right. Somewhere in my head and heart I feel like there should be someone here to make these decisions with me. Building a life alone can be a tiresome and lonely experience.

I've grown up a lot this past year. I guess in some ways I have had to, much to my dismay. I always thought I'd be the naive one who would fall head over heels for some guy and be swept off my feet. But now I'm the one taking things slow, thinking with my head, and seeking counsel of those older and wiser than me. So not my typical reaction. But I have no choice. Do I want to suffer another heartache like I did this year. No. Do I want to hurt someone unnecessarily? No.

And so, I continue to wait. I continue to put myself out there and experience life the best that I know how. And I trust in the end, God's got it all figured out and this time will some day make sense.

My Work Desk

O.k..so this gives you an idea of what my desk sometimes looks like. Three computers, all with a different function in my work life. Yeah...I love it.

Wonderful Weekend

Despite the sub-freezing temps in WI, my weekend with my sister's family was great. Friday was spent doing some shopping - what else would we ladies do? We enjoyed all our favorite spots and even ate lunch at Chilis. What can I say - we know what we like! But it was during our trip into Walmart that I spotted this sign. This is how people keep warm in Wisconsin during the winter!




















Then Saturday was another flurry of activity with Christmas rehersal for the girls followed by a basketball game for Aimee. All the while, little Abbee was sick. It started during slumber party with Aunt Sarah on Friday night. She was soon over it - a 12-hour bug - and back to her bouncy self before we knew it!

Sunday was spent dealing with Ashlee now sick and trying to make the day fun for the girls. Mom and Dad went to Milwaukee to see a concert, so we took the girls to see a movie. Big treat for them! We saw BOLT. Cute movie. Didn't quite keep the attention of the five year old...but they enjoyed the outing just the same.

It may not have been a very active weekend, lots of normal running around. But we loved every minute of it. I tried to soak in my nieces laughter, hugs, snuggles, and general energy as much as I could. And of course, there were so many moments of laughter with my sister. I will never view the 20Q game the same after our "adult" incident with one at Kohls. I was laughing so hard I had to sit on the ground. I never laugh like I do with her.

My Hot Date...

The other night I met a tall handsome man while walking through a local neighborhood. We hit it off immediately. I look forward to seeing him again soon. But in the mean time, I'll just enjoy our picture!

We Pulled it Off!!!

I can't believe we did it!

Today Mom and I flew into Milwuakee and drove the hour and a half north to surprise my sister. Every year her church does a special Christmas service for the women at the church. Mothers and sisters gather with loved ones for a special dessert and program at the church. Every year my sister sits there with women she may not know, her longing for her family magnified. But this year, Dad decided to send us back to be with her. And we decided to surprise her.

As we drove into the driveway, our excitement peaked. We have been planning for six weeks, and keeping the secret was not easy. But it was worth it. Ted told Melanie to close her eyes and we walked into the kitchen. Mom leaned down and said "Who loves you, babe?" in Mel's ear. Her eyes flew open and she focused on mom. Tears immediately started flowing...from all three of us. Mel was so excited, so overwhelmed. She said it felt like she was dreaming.

The program was so beautiful. A sweet and wonderful reminder of Christ at Christmas. Great dessert. Great conversation. Great music. It was a wonderful evening.

I look forward to the next few days as we enjoy the company of my sister, her husband, and of course, the three little ones! I cannot wait to spoil my nieces and soak in all their smiles and energy.

Man, what a great start to this trip.

refine

One entry found.

Main Entry:

re·fine

Pronunciation:

\ri-ˈfīn\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

re·fined; re·fin·ing

Date:

1582

transitive verb
1 : to free (as metal, sugar, or oil) from impurities or unwanted material
2 : to free from moral imperfection : elevate
3 : to improve or perfect by pruning or polishing <refine a poetic style>
4 : to reduce in vigor or intensity
5 : to free from what is coarse, vulgar, or uncouth
intransitive verb
1 : to become pure or perfected
2 : to make improvement by introducing subtleties or distinctions

Today I looked up the word "refine". It came to mind and I was curious about the definition. I've thought a lot about how God refines us. I've seen emails going around of the refining process and how that compares to our process spiritually. But I was struck by something when I looked up the definition on Miriam-Websters dictionary online. One word stuck out to me.

"free"

That's it. Free. When something is refined, it is freed from something. I always viewed the refining process as removing something from an object...but this definition seems to imply that it's more of a process of freedom.

My first thoughts on this as I consider my spiritual journey this past year is a yearning for freedom. A freedom from my base nature. A freedom from living my life the way others want me to live. A freedom to be the woman God created me to be. Pure and simple. I want God to continue to refine me. To remove the parts of my life that are ugly and mean. To free me from thoughts that are not of Him. To free me from chains that He did not put on me. To free me from my own insecurities.

The harder I try to do this myself, the further down I slip. The more bound up I get in my own world. But the more I turn to Him as the Refiner, the more freedom I will experience.

What a Weekend!

This past weekend I had the chance to enjoy a couple of really great events. First, was our annual Christmas party for our Arbonne team. What a great group of women and men! We enjoyed wonderful food, great conversation and laughter, and dancing! Our wonderful Mercedes sales man, Rod, was there to join in the celebration...he's like a part of our team! We love Rod.









With Mom & Dad at the Arbonne Party

With Rod, our Mercedes "guy"....






But, the best part of the weekend came on Sunday afternoon. My friend, TC, came into town. He's a KC Chiefs fan, and I, of course am a Broncos fan. So, for my birthday, TC bought us tickets to the game. I LOVE being in Mile High Stadium during Broncos games, especially when you have a 4th quarter like we did on Sunday. Division games are always full of rivalries and so much fun! We had GREAT seats, and the weather was perfect. It was truly a memory I will never forget.










View from our seats...it was amazing!
















Prayer circle after the game...players from both teams...














TC & I