Thursday, April 17, 2008
Sunny California!
Last week we were fortunate enough to get away from the snow for a short time. Rob, Sawyer and I went to sunny Santa Barbara to see our friends TC and Kristen and enjoy some warm weather. It's official, I love Santa Barbara. What a beautiful town right on the water. We loved catching up with the Johnstones, and Sawyer was able to experience his first visit to an In and Out Burger - a monumental moment. In addition, it was perfect weather and we were able to enjoy the beach and a boat ride to one of the uninhabited islands off the coast. The boat ride was a gift to us from one of our Young Life friends who is on staff in Santa Barbara; Emily was on our assigned team at Crooked Creek last summer and we have remained friends with her and others in her region. The ride lasted about four hours and we were able to see one of the islands and some sea lions soaking up some sun. They had seen whales earlier that day, but just our luck, no whales when we went out. However, we did end up right in the middle of a pod of about 3000 dolphins. That's right - 3000. It was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. Everywhere we looked, there were dolphins. They were swimming and jumping right next to the boat. I included some pictures but they don't do the experience justice. In a few photos, if you see splashes or bumps in the water all over the picture, those are dolphins - they were as far as the eye could see. Amazing. Sawyer was really into the boat ride and fell asleep in my arms at the very end. Too bad he won't remember the day. We'll definitely have to do it again when he's older. I wish I was still there, especially since it has snowed several days this week. Ugh.
I've been tagged.
OK. So, Laurie Sweeney tagged me. I guess this is a "blog thing" and the days of tag on the playground are over. Oh how times have changed. So, I am it, and this is how it works.
1. The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.
2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
3. At the end of the post, the player tag other people and posts their name, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they've been tagged and asking them to read your blog.
Here are the questions and my answers.
What was I doing 10 years ago?:
Let's see...ten years ago. That was 1998. I was teaching 8th grade in Houston - something I will never do again. I got ringworm on my face from one of my students, and a rat pooped on my desk - both equally disgusting! I took the 610 freeway to work everyday and lived down the street from the Astrodome - the 8th wonder of the world that is now dwarfed by Reliant stadium where the Houston Texans play football. I didn't hate my job, but I certainly didn't love it either. I lived with my good friend Amanda, and we were involved in the Single's group at First Baptist Church in Houston; Beth Moore taught my Sunday School class. This was the year I volunteered to take kids to Young Life camp at Frontier Ranch. While I was there, God called me to Young Life staff and the rest is history!
Five Snacks I enjoy:
In a perfect, non weight-gaining world. . .
1. Coca Cola Floats
2. Donuts
3. Kolaches - which don't exist in Utah!
4. Milk Duds
5. Movie Theatre popcorn with butter drizzled on top. (I can taste it now.)
In the real world. . .
1. Sour candy
2. Soft pretzels - oh how I love them!
3. Cheese
4. Olives - green, black, kalamata...love em!
5. Almonds
Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
1. Support Young Life - everywhere!
2. Supprt ministries in Rwanda and other places in Africa!
3. Send my children and their children to college.
4. Build my parents a new home!
5. Travel with my family.
6. Give to Big Canyon Ranch.
Five jobs that I have had:
1. Babysitter - I mean this is how I made a living in high school. I was booked a year in advance for holidays.
2. Grant writer and editor for Dean of Education at Texas A&M
3. Waitress at a disgusting Greek restaurant (this didn't last long)
4. High School English teacher and dance teacher
5. Young Life Field staff
now I'm a mom - my favorite job so far.
Three of my habits:
1. Reading
2. Writing
3. Mountain biking in the summer - melt snow, melt!!!!
Five places I have lived:
1. Friendswook, TX
2. College Station, TX
3. Houston, TX
4. Clear Lake, TX
5. Park City, UT
That's it. I am a Texas girl who lives in Utah.
People I Want to Get to Know Better:
(A nice way of saying TAG!)
1. Allie
2. Ashley
3. Melissa
4. Jessy
1. The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.
2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
3. At the end of the post, the player tag other people and posts their name, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they've been tagged and asking them to read your blog.
Here are the questions and my answers.
What was I doing 10 years ago?:
Let's see...ten years ago. That was 1998. I was teaching 8th grade in Houston - something I will never do again. I got ringworm on my face from one of my students, and a rat pooped on my desk - both equally disgusting! I took the 610 freeway to work everyday and lived down the street from the Astrodome - the 8th wonder of the world that is now dwarfed by Reliant stadium where the Houston Texans play football. I didn't hate my job, but I certainly didn't love it either. I lived with my good friend Amanda, and we were involved in the Single's group at First Baptist Church in Houston; Beth Moore taught my Sunday School class. This was the year I volunteered to take kids to Young Life camp at Frontier Ranch. While I was there, God called me to Young Life staff and the rest is history!
Five Snacks I enjoy:
In a perfect, non weight-gaining world. . .
1. Coca Cola Floats
2. Donuts
3. Kolaches - which don't exist in Utah!
4. Milk Duds
5. Movie Theatre popcorn with butter drizzled on top. (I can taste it now.)
In the real world. . .
1. Sour candy
2. Soft pretzels - oh how I love them!
3. Cheese
4. Olives - green, black, kalamata...love em!
5. Almonds
Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
1. Support Young Life - everywhere!
2. Supprt ministries in Rwanda and other places in Africa!
3. Send my children and their children to college.
4. Build my parents a new home!
5. Travel with my family.
6. Give to Big Canyon Ranch.
Five jobs that I have had:
1. Babysitter - I mean this is how I made a living in high school. I was booked a year in advance for holidays.
2. Grant writer and editor for Dean of Education at Texas A&M
3. Waitress at a disgusting Greek restaurant (this didn't last long)
4. High School English teacher and dance teacher
5. Young Life Field staff
now I'm a mom - my favorite job so far.
Three of my habits:
1. Reading
2. Writing
3. Mountain biking in the summer - melt snow, melt!!!!
Five places I have lived:
1. Friendswook, TX
2. College Station, TX
3. Houston, TX
4. Clear Lake, TX
5. Park City, UT
That's it. I am a Texas girl who lives in Utah.
People I Want to Get to Know Better:
(A nice way of saying TAG!)
1. Allie
2. Ashley
3. Melissa
4. Jessy
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Sawyer is One!!!
One year ago, God blessed us with a baby boy.
Since then he has become our little pride and joy.
We never realized the goodness and laughter he would bring.
So much that we will forever give thanks and our giddy hearts will sing.
Among the dirty diapers, dirty clothes, wipees and drool,
We smile and recognize that our lives are completely full.
Like all we sit and wonder where the time so quickly went.
And we look to the future and imagine how the next year will be spent.
Thank you Lord for giving us the most cherished gift of life -
Life here on earth, everlasting life, and life from a husband and wife.
Our 8 lbs. 5 oz. gift entered the world, without hesitation or fear,
On April 4th, 2007 he had us all wiping away our tears.
After nine months of planning, prayers and the labor pains
We were given our little man, who loves life, "mama", "dada", Truman, and trains!
Happy Birthday Sawyer!!
We love you - so so much!
Here's our boy this time last year. What a blessing!!
The Party!
Yes, we are those people. The people who had a big party for our little guy who turned one. Despite the fact that he won't remember a thing, not one single thing, from this day, we threw him a party anyway. We celebrated our little man with a train themed party. It was so much fun, and we are SO thankful for all of our friends and the fact that they love Sawyer! The party was complete with train decorations, burgers, hot dogs, juice boxes, a train cake, and lots of friends! Thanks to all who came to celebrate the first year of Sawyer's life!
Is anyone looking at the camera? Oh wait, Abby is. Thanks, Abby!
The Cake!
I decided it would be fun to make a train cake for the party. Well, it was fun, but it was also hard, time-consuming, messy, and more of a construction project than a baking project - but it was fun, and it turned out to be a really cute cake. Rob helped with the icing, otherwise I don't think I would have finished before the party. The entire cake was edible, including the chocolate twizzler railroad track, the rice crispies (rocks) in between the railroad tracks, the oreo tires, the licorice coal in the coal train, the pretzel logs in the log train, and the popcorn smoke coming out of the engine. The fish in the pond next to the train were edible as well. It was fun!
Before...
Elizabeth, going in for a taste!
Brendan, waiting patiently for a piece.
During...
After...
Since then he has become our little pride and joy.
We never realized the goodness and laughter he would bring.
So much that we will forever give thanks and our giddy hearts will sing.
Among the dirty diapers, dirty clothes, wipees and drool,
We smile and recognize that our lives are completely full.
Like all we sit and wonder where the time so quickly went.
And we look to the future and imagine how the next year will be spent.
Thank you Lord for giving us the most cherished gift of life -
Life here on earth, everlasting life, and life from a husband and wife.
Our 8 lbs. 5 oz. gift entered the world, without hesitation or fear,
On April 4th, 2007 he had us all wiping away our tears.
After nine months of planning, prayers and the labor pains
We were given our little man, who loves life, "mama", "dada", Truman, and trains!
Happy Birthday Sawyer!!
We love you - so so much!
Here's our boy this time last year. What a blessing!!
The Party!
Yes, we are those people. The people who had a big party for our little guy who turned one. Despite the fact that he won't remember a thing, not one single thing, from this day, we threw him a party anyway. We celebrated our little man with a train themed party. It was so much fun, and we are SO thankful for all of our friends and the fact that they love Sawyer! The party was complete with train decorations, burgers, hot dogs, juice boxes, a train cake, and lots of friends! Thanks to all who came to celebrate the first year of Sawyer's life!
Is anyone looking at the camera? Oh wait, Abby is. Thanks, Abby!
The Cake!
I decided it would be fun to make a train cake for the party. Well, it was fun, but it was also hard, time-consuming, messy, and more of a construction project than a baking project - but it was fun, and it turned out to be a really cute cake. Rob helped with the icing, otherwise I don't think I would have finished before the party. The entire cake was edible, including the chocolate twizzler railroad track, the rice crispies (rocks) in between the railroad tracks, the oreo tires, the licorice coal in the coal train, the pretzel logs in the log train, and the popcorn smoke coming out of the engine. The fish in the pond next to the train were edible as well. It was fun!
Before...
Elizabeth, going in for a taste!
Brendan, waiting patiently for a piece.
During...
After...
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