The thrill of hope, a weary world rejoices!

Merry Christmas from Blake and Tiffanie :)

Snow and Santa Claus: Both are coming to town

The weather report is in. A large amount of snow is due to drop on our doorstep tonight and tomorrow. Too bad I already had my chili quota for the week! We made chili the other night and poured it over cornbread. I had never tried that before, but it was really good. I guess this weekend I'll have to break out a new, warm concoction.

Oh, and on another note, the University of Wyoming is playing in a bowl game tomorrow. This is the second time this year I'll be able to see a game. For some odd reason, I was able to watch their game against Texas (in Laramie) on our tv in Virginia earlier this year. It was kinda like being home. The bowl game is in New Mexico, but I still think we should wear something in brown. I'm not very country, but I do like to cheer for those kind of Cowboys. And I guess, who doesn't love all the bull riding you can see on tv these days?


Anyway, happy snow day tomorrow, wherever you are.





UPDATE:

Here's our view out of our patio door! There is over a foot of snow and it's still falling!

holidays!

over the thanksgiving holiday, blake and i went to the charming, quiet town of Annapolis, MD. we were very pleased with the small town feel and the short, one hour trip from home.





you're right when you ask: "is that where the Naval Academy is?" yes, and we drove to their stadium to take some pictures and look around. blake has a long list of NCAA Division 1 stadiums that he has visited (around 40) and this adds one more! bonus! at the stadium, there was a real Blue Angels plane that blake was excited to see up close.



when we got home we put up our christmas lights.



last saturday (12/5), it snowed for the first time this season! it was so pretty! here's our view from our living room. fancy, i know.



we decided to take kitty out in the snow. isn't he the cutest cat you've ever seen!? he's so handsome in this picture!

and surprisingly enough, he wasn't too thrilled about being outside.

we finished the weekend with some indoor decorations. Merry Christmas!

brinkley has a rough life: part 3

hope you're thankful for this edition of brinkley has a rough life.

"i wonder if they realize i'm not really listening..."



"here's my favorite blanket, i can't believe you guys put it in here... wow, it's so warm."



this is the most handsome cat you've ever seen.



big shrimpin'



studying for the M-CATs. (whew. good one.)

sweet tt

we interrupt your regularly scheduled kitty pictures programming with this important blather.

last night, i made my first batch of home-brewed sweet iced tea. i won't venture to call it "sweet tea," because i'm not confident in my tea-brewing/-sweetening skills just yet. i was drinking store-bought sweet tea and going through roughly three bottles every two days... and it's a hassle to keep the fridge stocked that full of sweet tea. so i decided to make my own. turns out, this is a pretty common thing to make: iced tea. who'd have thought? and it's cheap to make.

so, i'm trying to cut back on the soda (shock.horror.gasp), and eventually cut back on the caffeine. addictions are hard, friends. so since the sweetness of the tea is doing the job, i've switched. well, switched during the week at least, "i can drink whatever i want on fridays" (name that ivy house quote!) i even made this batch of tea with decaffeinated tea bags. it's really like i'm being healthy (minus the heaping cups of sugar).

i think it tastes pretty good so far (i'm drinking it now). next time, i think i'll steep the tea for a shorter amount of time, i'll probably add more sugar (because i can), and maybe find a way to cover the pretty glass pitcher while it's in the fridge. i can't really tell if this slightly tangy flavor is perhaps from sitting all night next to a box of papa john's pizza.



speaking of pitchers, we got this one for our wedding and have never used it before. perhaps the tangy flavor is dust. i rinsed it, folks. but still.

also, i noticed that we have two glass pitchers. they're both very pretty. we should really use these wedding presents we've had for almost 3 years.

three years, guys. it's been almost three years. wow. love it.

i'll send you back to kitty pictures programming very soon... don't fret!

brinkley has a rough life: part 2 - the box edition

this is "brinkley has a rough life: part 2 - the box edition." five (of many) pictures of kitty curled up in boxes. boy, does he ever love a good nap in a box.

"slurping milk makes me tired."















ooh, look, the kitty i ordered arrived today!















furry. fluffy. purring. feline (BUZZ). oh shoot.















"i thought the box said: Cats."
















"keep sewing, i'll be right here."

brinkley has a rough life: part 1

this is your first installment of: "brinkley has a rough life."

we have tons of pictures of our wacky kitty... so i'm going to share a few a day with you for as long as the pictures last. ok, maybe not that long. there are a ton.

"did you pick up any goldfish crackers at the store?"
















kitty begged us for his own couch. this is all we could afford.
















because he was feeling a bit pale on the underside, kitty layed out for a tan.















this is right after i purchased him at anthropologie.
















"story time is over, kids. come back later."
















seriously, this kitty has a rough life. don't you feel sorry for him?

Sight and Sound

In September, my parents, blake, and i all went to Strausburg, PA to see a show by Sight and Sound called, In the Beginning. It was a hugely colorful and exciting show about Adam and Eve, including live animals and angels rolling around the stage wearing Heelys (sneakers with wheels in the heels). It was a fun trip! Thank you to our friends, the Riggers, for the tickets!! We HIGHLY recommend this show - there are theaters in PA and Branson, MO!

God wants you to be happily married.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/156372


I was on a long drive yesterday and I got the idea that God wants people to be married. Immediately, almost as soon as it came out of my mouth (I was talking to myself), I thought of a million objections and anecdotes and “how could you possibly say thats” and more. It just seemed so bold, so direct, like here are a bunch of things in life that you shouldn’t do (kill people, stick your hand in a bear trap, wear white shoes after Labor Day) and here are some things you should do (love your parents, take a hot shower after a snowball fight, get married). A part of it seems so simplistic and natural, yet I think people have significant issues when it comes to this topic, for a wide variety of reasons. Some talk about biblical views of singleness and celibacy, some talk about not being ready for a commitment, some talk about wanting things to happen in the “right time,” and some feel they don’t have the boldness, charisma, beauty or charm to be a dashing, lifelong catch. Some in our day have even gone far enough to question why people should get married at all, calling it an antiquated tradition which has borne more hurt and pain than it ever brought joy. Some point to abuses in roles, abuses in commitment, abuses in faithfulness, even physical abuse. All of these are stated reasons why people shouldn’t get married.

I think the answer to these objections is not just the presence of marriage but the presence of exemplary marriages. Stopping the traditional arrangement of marriage will not change what is fundamentally relevant to every human being. We still need relationships; we still need to know and be known; we still need to have a place where we can sacrifice and be sacrificed for; we still place a premium on trust. I don’t see any of those things changing, no matter how modern we are. And you see clear examples all around us of people whose lives were negatively impacted and sometimes ruined because someone failed to walk in the way they were created. What if it all was as simple as “one life, one wife”? Think of the immense heartache that would dissipate if that principle were followed more closely. Think of all the infidelity, all the isolationism, all the wounded warriors wondering when their day was coming. The scope is tremendous. Why do we not want to say that godly marriage is a great answer?

There are so many caveats and things that I’m not saying that I don’t even want to take the time to write them out. But there’s a place in life where you take the simplicity of an idea (much like a proverb), and you let it move you half an inch closer to the place where you know you should be. For the time being, that’s probably all it will move me, but the thought has been in my head yesterday and today. God wants a vast majority of people to be married, and it solves a million more problems than it creates. How the guys in this article can justify a Peter Pan existence is beyond me.

confessions of busyness

contrary to a former self, i've found in recent years, that i'm drawn to the busy, hurried life of a full schedule and lots of responsibilities (because who am i kidding - if i'm not teaching, coaching, or cleaning up, i'm probably not coming!) i used to be very lazy, i didn't let anyone rope me into helping or taking part... i had lot of tv to watch and naps to take. (don't worry, i still do both of those things, much to the dismay of my house that's not being cleaned - by me, baj cleans more than i do!)

i don't know what it is about busyness that has drawn me in... it could be that i get new stuff to complain about: "i'm just so busy, i have so much to do." some say it's to make us feel important: "i have to be there to do this or things don't happen," or "they'll notice if i'm not there to do my job!" when i have other stuff to do, it's easier to tell people: "no, i can't help you with that." it's like a built-in excuse.

today, and in recent weeks, i've been reading articles (and an actual book. yes, you read that right) about things like prayer, busyness, sadness, and spiritual growth. i like reading multiple snippets/articles from different authors about certain topics in order to see what common themes come out. [i do the same with bible verses - i look up key words and search verses and chapters that talk about them. i post some here: tiffkin.blogspot.com]

[i should qualify that... in accord with my later points in this blog, i'm reading these articles during work. but the book i read on my lunch break - when i'm not running errands or running home to nap.]

quotes from these articles...
Kierkegaard is quoted: "The press of busyness is like a charm... Its power swells."

Carl Jung wrote, "Hurry is not of the devil; hurry is the devil."

"The great danger is not that we will renounce our faith. It is that we will become so rushed and preoccupied that we will settle for a mediocre version of it." (i don't know who wrote this, but it wasn't the author of the article i read it in - it's quoted frequently.)

from my readings, i'm starting to realize that sometimes (ok, most of the time) i short-change people by having too many distractions in my mind when i'm with them, or by doubling up my calls/emails/conversations with other activities, or by spending too much time talking (and thinking) about myself or my advice or comments.

the other night, for example, i was trying to fix an issue with my laptop, the guy from dell was remotely accessing my computer (and taking a loooong time), so i called my mom. i didn't wait for a time when i had all my attention to make a personal phone call (yes, of course, the tv was on too), but rather, i tried to cram it in when i was waiting for something else. whether it's trying to multi-task relationships or failing to focus on people around me without embarking on self-serving stories, comments, advice, or making mental lists while i "listen," i find myself very distracted much of the time.

i work for some serious multi-taskers in my multiple jobs (work, cheer, church). and i've convinced myself that i'm letting them down by not filling my schedule full - i must prove that i am taking on as many possible responsibilities as i can or i can't possibly express exhaustion or the need for a break. i mean, these people know about being busy - "see, here's how i'm just as busy as you guys...."

i like my jobs, though. i like my regular job (although it's kinda low on my list of priorities, but also low on my list of take-away stresses, so that's good). i love coaching (i'm a cheer nerd, what can i say?) i love teaching sunday school. i love the youth group. i love serving in the nursery. and i have carefully chosen all of these jobs. i like all of them. i do them because i like to. but, i just don't always have time left for anything else like: rest, spending time with baj when i don't have cheers and stunts and drama running (sprinting) through my head, naps, tv, cleaning, reading, spending time with students or friends or family. i have a lot of things pulling me in a 100 directions. by the time i get home at night, i can't even think straight. i can't even imagine standing up long enough to put away the dishes (thank you thank you, baj, for picking up my slack - it's a significant amount of slack!)

i keep saying, "as soon as we're finished with cheer competitions, life will slow back down. november will be better." and i know this is true time-wise, but i really hope it is mind-wise. i'd like to re-learn to let things go (like i used to), to let things roll off of me instead of internalizing and agonizing about what happens, what doesn't happen, what might happen. i'd like to be able to wind-down easier.

and sometimes i think i just need a vacation or some time away... but i know coming back to the same life and the same jobs (or even if i had all new ones) means that i'll fall right back into the same patterns. it's not just my circumstances that need to change, it's my mind.

the New Living Translation of Romans 12:2 is this: "let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think."

i spend plenty of time in my own head. i can go an entire 8-hour work day without talking to anyone around me (other than on email or "hi how are you"). i'm in my head all day and sometimes that sends me far from reality and takes me out of touch with life around me. even teaching and coaching separates me from connecting with individuals... i'm in front, shouting out orders or information or instructions, and i'm disconnected. i'm talking and not interacting. it's protective; teaching, coaching, and instructing certainly take a certain type of energy... but it's neat and tidy. it's from 4:45 to 7 on week nights, it's from 10:10 to 10:55 on sunday mornings... when the clock strikes, it's over, good-bye. connecting with people takes time. it takes investment, it takes a different type of energy that i struggle to find. it takes selfless-ness. it takes restraint from advice-giving, instruction, distractions. it takes compassion. the more time i spend in my own head, reliving my concerns, my stresses, my pain... the less capacity i have for compassion. i need to shift the way i've been functioning for several years.

God, transform me. change my mind. renew me. the more time i spend seeking God, the more i realize that i have a lot of changes to make. so i thank God for His grace. i pray for strength and wisdom. and for a softened heart. i pray that the time i spend in the bible can translate into truth in my words and compassion in my heart.

next step... how not to turn "compassion" into game of trying to gather affirmation from others: "hey, i just spent all this time investing in you, why aren't you thanking me!?" unconditional love... whew. only through God's grace.

steak and potatoes for lunch

i like blogging. i'd blog everyday if i thought anyone really cared about what i had for lunch. i transfer this desire into useless emails to sarah, laura, and blake. but they pretend to like it.

i would also like to blog more during the day (i mean, work really really hard... oh who am i kidding... my brain works best, ok, only works, during the day, i might as well go with it - in between real work, of course). especially because by the time i get home at night, i'm too tired to be creative, witty, or frankly, to remember to do the tasks that i planned at noon to do when i got home at 7:30-8pm.

but we have pictures that i'd like to upload because who really wants to read endless blather when they can see cute pictures of baj and me and the kitty?? but alas, the pictures are on the camera/laptop at home and, thus, the can't-blog-(properly)-at-work dilemma.

so today you get blather.

blake is the nicest boy ever and here's a little reason why... on tuesday, he made us yummy steak and potatoes... and packed up two lunches with the leftovers. yesterday i had one yummy serving for lunch, and today, he left me the other one to bring for lunch. i got both leftovers. what a nice boy!!

when i started my leftovers today, i thought i might only eat half and save half for another yummy lunch tomorrow. but i forgot that plan and ate it all. on an entirely different note, my tall black boots feel really tight in the calves. have i really gained weight in my calves? let's just pretend they were way too loose before.

today is our first home freshman football game. hope it doesn't rain!

(also, sometimes i post verses that i'm reading on my "other" blog, mostly so i can keep them all in one place, but also in case anyone else wants to check them out. http://tiffkin.blogspot.com/)

kitty likes coyotes

we were watching a show about coyotes in yellowstone in the winter and kitty looked up, prowled over to the tv, and got right up next to it and pawed at them on the screen. what a weirdo! (sorry it's a little dark because the camera was adjusting to the bright tv screen... but you can see the good stuff. :)

Do the hygienist hula

So I went to the dentist this morning. It's a nice office right down from my house, and I posted a question on facebook asking what flavor of fluoride I should choose. The last time I went, I remember them having enough flavor options to rival a local Dairy Queen. So the dentist came and did his thing, and the hygienist broke out her 2009 fluoride catalogue (complete with a three panel centerfold). I was considering my options and leaning toward something between Strawberry and Bubble Gum when she said, "You know, I think you should try Pina Colada. You'll really like it." My thought was first, "What's wrong with the Pina Colada? It's it expired? Does no one like it? Do they have a whole back room full of Pina Colada fluoride that they need to clear out?"

But I didn't have anything against the flavor, so I decided to try it. She did a little hula hipshake and slid it into my mouth, and I nursed coconut gooeyness for the next two minutes.

The funniest thing was when I came home and without being baited, Tiffanie said, "Did you get Pina Colada fluoride?"

our trips to va beach and chicago

the last weekend in june, blake and i went to eric and katie's wedding in va beach. we stayed in the area for the next 3 days and enjoyed the sunshine on the beach.

















it was a beautiful wedding on the beach.

















we went to a botanical garden in norfolk, va.































the flowers were beautiful. here's a pink rose with a beetle on it.















some pretty orange lilies.















after va beach, we came home and flew out to chicago for the 4th of july weekend. here we are at linnea's house.

on the left: linnea, john, and lily; stephanie, stephanie, and steve; and tiffanie and blake.















tiffanie, kristen, stephanie, sarah, and baby allison :)

caught brown-necked

sarah and seth sent me some beautiful white and pink lilies. they're HUGE!








































when we came home from work yesterday and the vase wasn't knocked over, we thought kitty was being good. and kitty swore that he didn't go near them. but his fur says differently. (his neck is usually white). naughty kitty!



























today, kitty looks a little more yellow in the neck.