Best news of the summer

This shaggy haired hippie is coming home to live with me!

NYC Candids

I think I might be in NJ, take 1.

Discussing the finer points of a good pie. Pie meaning, pizza pie.

I might be in NJ, take 2.

Beautiful Manhattan! Soho, Tribeca, Greenwich Village, new Freedom Tower.

Hoboken Train terminal

A 3-story REI in the middle of Soho.

My favorite souvenir, plus life changing chocolate cupcakes from Amy's Bread on Bleecker Street.

I might be in NJ, part 3...yes, Manhattan skyline on my morning run.

Self portrait at Starbucks on Broadway. What a fun day!!!

Candids Part 2

Oh yea, I ran a 1/2 marathon in 2:27.

Canton Inaugural 1/2 Marathon, 2012

Chicago candids...

Michigan Ave with middle school girls. Yes, standing in front of the American Girl Doll store!

Girls trip! A week spent in Myrtle Beach is always a hardship...not!

Candids Part 1 and filling in between the pictures!

Wow! I feel like time is LITERALLY flying before my eyes. I have so much to be thankful for! This has been the best summer, and I'm grateful for all the Lord has done, and is continuing to do in my life.

Here are some candids from The Gospel Coalition Women's Conference in Orlando.  What a BLESSING to have world class Bible teaching, a 5 star hotel, and a fun girls weekend!


 

Go Scots! My alma mater. Love!

Hardcore sisters scoping out front row seats at 6:30 am! Thanks Mom!!

Basically, my favorite female Bible teacher. Kathleen Nielson.

Out of control! Presbyterian girls on the loose!

1.

Life lately!

NYC with Dad

The glorious Tribeca

Charming little neighborhood in Greenwich Village

Meeting up with a friend from elementary school!

Hoboken Terminal

Gorgeous architecture and old school design

Myrtle Beach!

Suffering away...

Girls trip! Friends since 6th grade

The Windy City

Awesome team from Dayton Christian

Riding the "El"

Lake Michigan

We definitely laughed the ENTIRE trip!

The Bean, Millennium Park

Michigan Ave

6 month catch up

No pictures, no recipes. Just a 6 month update since January, more for myself than anyone else.

• Started running again and think I've found my thang. I love Saturday morning runs at Hills and Dales Metropark. Lovely, just lovely. I've officially gone farther in the last month than I have in 3 years. 
• Running a half marathon this weekend in Canton, OH. I've legitimately trained and feel ready to show this race who's boss. And by boss, I mean, finish with a moderately successful finish time of 2:20.
• Wrapped up my 7th year in Christian education. I feel that I've seen the good, bad, and ugly sides of Christian ed, been burned a few many times, seen great and not so great administration, have now sat on both sides of the spectrum (admin, and classroom), and have to say that there are pros/cons to both.
• Pros of administration-I love that I have a more flexible schedule. Not that I have to be at work more/less, but it's a different kind of work flow. There is much more independent, self paced work projects, and things that can be done remotely (ie, via email/phone or anywhere with internet access). I keep regular office hours during the school year, (7:30-4pm) and have an insane season during IEP conferences which require much longer hours. However, I love that I can go to lunch and not be obsessively checking the time, I can work a doctor/dentist appointment during my morning. I can work from home. I get to travel between two schools during the year, and get a break from the four walls. This sounds cliche, but my Iphone really makes my work accessible "on-the-go" with the Outlook app, dropbox, email, etc...
• Cons of administration- meetings, meetings, meetings, meetings. Kudos to the powers that be who truly keep us no longer than necessary during our twice a month corporate admin sessions. Also, I feel like I'm in customer service when dealing with parents. Some of them are really a piece of work. I love that they are receiving full blown tuition assistance and have the audacity to throw temper tantrums over minutia. The other con of admin is paperwork, paperwork, paperwork. Enough said.
•  Gotten really plugged into a FAB church. I love it. Love my pastors, shepherding elders, the women who've surrounded me, the ministry I'm able to serve, the teaching, the guidance and accountability.
• I've delved SO much into reading the past few months, more than ever. And I LOVE it. I'm diggin' the biblical theology (Graeme Goldsworthy), and books on marriage, the family, relationships (Lane, Tripp). 
• Enjoying a season of growth, and renewal.
• I'm gardening and DIY-ing as much as can be done with a rental.
• Wishlist:
• Bike (for trails)

2011 recap

1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?

Graduate with a Master's degree, relocate to a new state by myself

2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I didn't have anything specific last year, just a desire to know where the Lord wanted me. My resolution for 2012: being the woman God intends me to be.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My friend Heather had a baby girl, she is cute as a bug!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not family, but a mom of a student in my class passed away.

5. What countries did you visit?
None...just states

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
More of Christ, more contentment in Him.

7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
July 8, 2011-my brother married an amazing woman. I got a sister, and friend!

8. What was your biggest achievement for the year?
Graduating from Covenant College

9. What was your biggest failure?
Trying to live life in my own strength

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nope

11. What was the best thing you bought?
I didn't buy it, but I received a digital kitchen scale as a gift. Love that thing!

12. Where did most of your money go?
Relocating to Ohio

13. What did you get really excited about?
Relocating to Ohio!

14. What song will always remind you of 2011?
Probably quite a few...lots of Coldplay

15. Compared to this time last year, are you:
-Happier or sadder?
About the same...just waiting on the Lord


-Thinner or fatter?
The same

-Richer or poorer?
The same

16. What do you wish you'd done more of?
More time with the Lord, more time enjoying my students


17. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Complain, impulse buy


18. How did you spend Christmas?
I flew back to Las Cruces, and enjoyed a nice two week break with my family. My mom, and I made a Christmas Eve meal (roast chicken, potatoes, sides, apple pie), we all went to an 11pm service, and enjoyed homemade cinnamon rolls in the morning. We went to church, and to the movies on Christmas night w/ my pastor, and his wife.

19. What was your favorite TV program?
Mad Men, 30 Rock, Parenthood, Friday Night Lights

20. What were your favorite books of the year?
How People Change-Tripp/Lane

21. What was your favorite music this year?
I really got into Coldplay, and Ray LaMontagne

22. What were your favorite films of the year?
The Kings Speech

23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 29, (eek!!) and celebrated in Lexington, KY with some family friends. I also celebrated with my brother, sister-in-law, and co-workers.

24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Being with Jesus.

25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
More plaid, more wedges, more "uniform" look for work (pencil skirts, cardigans, button down shirts), lots of tall boots with skirts, dresses, jeans.

26. What kept you sane?
Running, being outside, quiet time in the morning, chocolate

27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
The valley is a place of vision, and Christ is all.