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Thursday, February 14, 2008
Love is In the Air...
Where love rules, there is no will to power; and where power predominates, there love is lacking. The one is the shadow of the other.
--Carl Gustav Jung
I read this in today's Star Tribune, and I thought it was lovely. Hopefully you have a sweet Valentine's Day planned. We're making a nice dinner, having a chocolately raspberry filled dessert, and probably watching a movie. I quiet evening without spectacular plans, but the type of night I've been longing for in the midst of baby busy-ness, musical craziness, and life in general.
Happy Heart Day, everyone!
--Carl Gustav Jung
I read this in today's Star Tribune, and I thought it was lovely. Hopefully you have a sweet Valentine's Day planned. We're making a nice dinner, having a chocolately raspberry filled dessert, and probably watching a movie. I quiet evening without spectacular plans, but the type of night I've been longing for in the midst of baby busy-ness, musical craziness, and life in general.
Happy Heart Day, everyone!
Monday, January 28, 2008
Almost February!?!?!
I looked at the calendar this morning, and I was shocked to see that January is coming to an end. I'm not going to lie, it's been a crazy month. We've been running around like crazy as musical season is in full swing, and it requires some creative shuttling to and from daycare along with late nights for Evan's mommy. One month down, one to go. We have about twenty rehearsals until opening night, and right now it's hard to imagine we'll be ready. Our rehearsals have, to this point, been held at the junior high. Our performances are on the high school stage. We cannot use the space until the One Act Play season ends (this week or next). Everything starts to fall into place once we're in our performance space. We have a great group of kids this year, and I know our production of Oklahoma! will be memorable.
In family news, we've been busy keeping tabs on my parents after their big kidney donation/transplant. Mom's new nickname is NAPA. She and dad are doing well--we went to visit them this weekend, and it will be nice when they can finally get home. All my blogging efforts have been channeled into their Caring Bridge site, so I'm sorry I've let this blog slide.
January is always hard for us. It's dark, cold, and long. Thankfully, we've come out the other end relatively unscathed. February should go quickly, and we'll be at spring break (at least I will be) before we know it.
I could write about many other things job related, but perhaps I'll save them for another (soon to come??) post.
In family news, we've been busy keeping tabs on my parents after their big kidney donation/transplant. Mom's new nickname is NAPA. She and dad are doing well--we went to visit them this weekend, and it will be nice when they can finally get home. All my blogging efforts have been channeled into their Caring Bridge site, so I'm sorry I've let this blog slide.
January is always hard for us. It's dark, cold, and long. Thankfully, we've come out the other end relatively unscathed. February should go quickly, and we'll be at spring break (at least I will be) before we know it.
I could write about many other things job related, but perhaps I'll save them for another (soon to come??) post.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Christmas Re-cap
Whew... it's the night before we go back to work, and I realize that I haven't blogged for almost a month. To my credit, December is very busy around here, and I vowed to eliminate things that could be eliminated from my schedule in order to enjoy the season a bit.
In spite of that, I still found myself rushing around most of the month. We DID get everything we needed to complete done, and Christmas came and went in its typical festive fashion. Here are some highlights:
1) Watching Evan's eyes light up as he reached for shiny ornaments on the tree.
2) Watching Evan's delight as we pointed out his fuzzy stocking on the wall.
3) Watching Evan try to figure out how to unwrap a gift.
4) Watching Evan's delight as Faith, our yellow lab, helped him tear wrapping paper.
Hmmm... do you see a pattern here? This Christmas was all about watching Evan. His first was marked by lots of excitement over pretty, shiny, and crinkly things along with an abundance of noisy, plastic stuff (most of it made in China) from his grandparents. It was fun! I can't wait until next year when he actually "gets" it.
We had a nice visit with our parents up north, and we were even able to spend a few short days at home before the work routine fires up again.
Our Christmas (and life in general) present to ourselves was a new mode of transportation. Our trip "Up North" in my college car, affectionately dubbed "the sardine can" from this point forward, spurred on our desire to find something bigger and more family friendly. Josh did a search on Carsoup.com, and we found, drove, and purchased a 2005 Chrysler Town & Country yesterday. It's lovely.
Happy New Year to you all!
In spite of that, I still found myself rushing around most of the month. We DID get everything we needed to complete done, and Christmas came and went in its typical festive fashion. Here are some highlights:
1) Watching Evan's eyes light up as he reached for shiny ornaments on the tree.
2) Watching Evan's delight as we pointed out his fuzzy stocking on the wall.
3) Watching Evan try to figure out how to unwrap a gift.
4) Watching Evan's delight as Faith, our yellow lab, helped him tear wrapping paper.
Hmmm... do you see a pattern here? This Christmas was all about watching Evan. His first was marked by lots of excitement over pretty, shiny, and crinkly things along with an abundance of noisy, plastic stuff (most of it made in China) from his grandparents. It was fun! I can't wait until next year when he actually "gets" it.
We had a nice visit with our parents up north, and we were even able to spend a few short days at home before the work routine fires up again.
Our Christmas (and life in general) present to ourselves was a new mode of transportation. Our trip "Up North" in my college car, affectionately dubbed "the sardine can" from this point forward, spurred on our desire to find something bigger and more family friendly. Josh did a search on Carsoup.com, and we found, drove, and purchased a 2005 Chrysler Town & Country yesterday. It's lovely.
Happy New Year to you all!
Sunday, December 9, 2007
December Already?!?!
Once again, it's been way too long since I've posted... sorry!
December has been a blur so far. We've been busy shopping, baking, hosting parties, attending parties, decorating, shoveling snow, and on and on. We're looking forward to a few days off over Christmas, but they will be filled with driving... and more driving.
On Saturday, I hosted my first (annual?) Christmas Cookie Exchange Party. We had a wonderful time visiting, eating yummy brunch food, (Josh was dismayed because there was no "man" food, only girly, fruity, frilly things) and, of course, swapping cookies. Everything is absolutely wonderful, and it was a great way to kick off the holiday season.
Dave and Carrie came down for the afternoon and they helped us shoot our Christmas photo. Yes, we're running behind schedule on the annual Christmas letter, but rest easy. Josh has a great letter all ready to print. Now, I am in charge of getting copies made, folding the letter, and getting reprints of our photo. Your letter should be on the way soon. Josh has built quite a reputation for himself with our annual letter. He works well under pressure, though, and this year's edition is sure to please.
For those of you who need a little teaser, here's our Christmas photo. Evan is nine months old (to the day) in this one. He's such a sweetie!
Josh also took out the camera today after church to get a few shots of Evan and me. Here are a couple of my favorites.
Monday morning is coming quickly. I'd better get settled in for the night. Here's wishing you a holly jolly Christmas!
December has been a blur so far. We've been busy shopping, baking, hosting parties, attending parties, decorating, shoveling snow, and on and on. We're looking forward to a few days off over Christmas, but they will be filled with driving... and more driving.
On Saturday, I hosted my first (annual?) Christmas Cookie Exchange Party. We had a wonderful time visiting, eating yummy brunch food, (Josh was dismayed because there was no "man" food, only girly, fruity, frilly things) and, of course, swapping cookies. Everything is absolutely wonderful, and it was a great way to kick off the holiday season.
Dave and Carrie came down for the afternoon and they helped us shoot our Christmas photo. Yes, we're running behind schedule on the annual Christmas letter, but rest easy. Josh has a great letter all ready to print. Now, I am in charge of getting copies made, folding the letter, and getting reprints of our photo. Your letter should be on the way soon. Josh has built quite a reputation for himself with our annual letter. He works well under pressure, though, and this year's edition is sure to please.
For those of you who need a little teaser, here's our Christmas photo. Evan is nine months old (to the day) in this one. He's such a sweetie!
Josh also took out the camera today after church to get a few shots of Evan and me. Here are a couple of my favorites.
Monday morning is coming quickly. I'd better get settled in for the night. Here's wishing you a holly jolly Christmas!
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Post Thanksgiving Stress Disorder
Whew!
We had a nice Thanksgiving with our families up North, but we're feeling the effects. We didn't get home until Sunday evening, and by the time we'd gotten everything reorganized and put E. to bed, we were beat. Waking up to work Monday morning was torture. I think we've decided that traveling on the day before work resumes is not an option. Even if we'd left at E's bed time Saturday and driven into the early hours of morning, it would have been better than spending all of Sunday in the car and then having to work Monday morning. Ugh.
On top of the travel-induced grogginess, we're realizing that December is just a busy time. We have decorating to do, parties to host and attend, shopping excursions to take, gifts to wrap, goodies to bake, and on and on and on. This all comes along with another trip up north. I can't wait until the day when we decide it's time to start our own family traditions and we just stay put. (A girl can dream!)
Anyway, in this season of hurrying, I hope you find time to slow down, relax, and enjoy the magic.
Stay warm,
M
We had a nice Thanksgiving with our families up North, but we're feeling the effects. We didn't get home until Sunday evening, and by the time we'd gotten everything reorganized and put E. to bed, we were beat. Waking up to work Monday morning was torture. I think we've decided that traveling on the day before work resumes is not an option. Even if we'd left at E's bed time Saturday and driven into the early hours of morning, it would have been better than spending all of Sunday in the car and then having to work Monday morning. Ugh.
On top of the travel-induced grogginess, we're realizing that December is just a busy time. We have decorating to do, parties to host and attend, shopping excursions to take, gifts to wrap, goodies to bake, and on and on and on. This all comes along with another trip up north. I can't wait until the day when we decide it's time to start our own family traditions and we just stay put. (A girl can dream!)
Anyway, in this season of hurrying, I hope you find time to slow down, relax, and enjoy the magic.
Stay warm,
M
Monday, November 19, 2007
Blur
Time sure flies. It's been over a week since my last post, yet it seems like just yesterday. We've been busy around here. I'll hit the major points...
1)Evan is up to six teeth. It was tough going, but he's got a nice set of chompers!
2)Our dishwasher croaked. Lots of dishpan hands for a couple of weeks while we wait for our new one--and a new stove and refrigerator (Sears had a deal!!)
3)Josh and Dave had a great pheasant hunt in Marshall (limits by noon!)
4)Scary student issues at Melissa's school
5)Getting excited about the holidays (and my cookie party)
6)Contemplating Christmas shopping--not much done yet :(
7)Sleeping a bit better at night, Thanks E man!
8)Conferences this week for Josh
9)Awesome Youth Frontiers Courage Retreat for Melissa's students
10)Prepping for Musical Season to start
11) and on, and on, and on...
We're heading up north for the weekend, and I'm a bit nervous about the trip with Evan. He's become so much more active. Six hours on the road may not be very fun. We'll leave early on Thursday, though, so traffic shouldn't be too bad, and we'll make good time over the river and through the woods to Grandma Evelyn's house. We'll head back early Sunday morning so that we can unwind and try to fall back into our routine here. Then, I've got Christmas decorating to do in preparation for my first (annual?) cookie exchange party. Fun! :)
Happy Turkey Day, everyone. Give thanks for all good gifts.
1)Evan is up to six teeth. It was tough going, but he's got a nice set of chompers!
2)Our dishwasher croaked. Lots of dishpan hands for a couple of weeks while we wait for our new one--and a new stove and refrigerator (Sears had a deal!!)
3)Josh and Dave had a great pheasant hunt in Marshall (limits by noon!)
4)Scary student issues at Melissa's school
5)Getting excited about the holidays (and my cookie party)
6)Contemplating Christmas shopping--not much done yet :(
7)Sleeping a bit better at night, Thanks E man!
8)Conferences this week for Josh
9)Awesome Youth Frontiers Courage Retreat for Melissa's students
10)Prepping for Musical Season to start
11) and on, and on, and on...
We're heading up north for the weekend, and I'm a bit nervous about the trip with Evan. He's become so much more active. Six hours on the road may not be very fun. We'll leave early on Thursday, though, so traffic shouldn't be too bad, and we'll make good time over the river and through the woods to Grandma Evelyn's house. We'll head back early Sunday morning so that we can unwind and try to fall back into our routine here. Then, I've got Christmas decorating to do in preparation for my first (annual?) cookie exchange party. Fun! :)
Happy Turkey Day, everyone. Give thanks for all good gifts.
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