Christmas Letter 2011

December is here, which means the air is full of the sights and sounds of Christmas. It also means it’s time for our annual reflection of the remarkable ways we continue to grow and change. 2011 has been very good to us, and we end the year genuinely thankful for all we have and the joy we share. 

In January, we went to Wyoming to visit Blake’s family. While we were there, we toured the above-ground coal mine where Blake’s dad works. I got to ride to the top of a silo, and we saw some huge equipment. Blake, his dad, his brother, and his cousins went ice fishing in the mountains. They caught some fish and went sledding, but I think I had a better time staying in town and shopping with Blake’s mom. We enjoyed lots of time with Blake’s folks’ new puppy, Jaxsyn. She’s a super sweet dog, always 100% interested in whatever you’re doing. We toured the new rec center in town and ate lots of great food (including buffalo burgers from a nearby ranch). We even brought some much-welcomed warm weather with us. You’re welcome, Wyoming! 

 

I spent a lot of time this year working on sewing projects. Early in the year, I made six baby quilts in about 3 months. This summer, I made another baby quilt, a baby doll quilt, and two twin size quilts. I enjoy giving quilts as gifts. And I think I even convinced Blake that fabric shopping can be fun. Then I gave my sewing machine a much needed rest. This fall I crocheted a couple of pairs of baby booties for coworkers having babies. 

In March, I surprised the Taylor girls by attending my college friend Stephanie’s engagement party in Chicago. It was great to see those girls again. Seven of us girls from Second South English hall were there together with husbands, a fiancé, and lots of kiddos. I still can’t believe it’s been 10 years since we graduated college. 

 

In May, we went to a wedding in NC and spent a few extra days at the beach. Our friends from church were getting married, and my parents came down as well. It was a beautiful weekend and we enjoyed several walks on the beach in the sunshine. The wedding was held in the courtyard of a historic lighthouse. We also enjoyed touring the Wright Brothers museum in Kittyhawk. 

Late in June, we found out that our prayers were answered: we’re going to have a baby! A baby girl is due March 3, 2012. In the picture here, I’m 23 weeks. Kitty is looking forward to being a big brother. 

In August, I began my 7th season coaching the Freshman cheerleaders at West Springfield HS. This year, our JV competitions were a couple weeks earlier than usual because of scheduling issues in October and that meant we hit the ground sprinting! Competing with the JV team once again, we practiced 6 days a week for 9 weeks straight – not to mention football games! It was exhausting – but very exciting! We had some amazing talent on our teams this year, better than we’ve ever had before. We placed 3rd at our first competition and 2nd at the second. The team did great! The Varsity team won a 6th straight district title, came in 4th in the region (by ½ a point), and advanced to the state competition where they placed 11th in the state. What a great year for the whole WS cheer program! 

Blake continued in his doctoral program at George Mason University full-time in the fall, working for a new professor on campus and at the running store a few times a month. For those who are wondering, he is studying in the College of Education and Human Development. He is focusing on how people (especially young adults) develop through their lives, how they set goals and make decisions, and what role education plays. He has a secondary concentration in counseling. He still has a few more courses to go and will be working on his dissertation after that. We’re very grateful for how much progress he’s been able to make toward this goal in the past year. 

Blake has also tried to keep active and get outside to run. His favorite place is a trail by a lake near our house, and he sometimes sees deer and foxes in the woods. We still go for walks on our 1.5 mile loop through the neighborhood, though with a baby on board, we now bring water and take breaks. Regular walks and talks – the key to a happy marriage. 

In October, Blake went to Maryland on a church men’s retreat. He enjoyed sessions by Gordon MacDonald and Brian Pruitt and music by the Katinas. Also in October, he traveled to Minnesota for a reunion at North Central University. It was his first trip back in almost seven years, and he saw many friends and former professors. He went to a cross country meet, toured a radio station, laughed at an improv comedy show. 

Continuing our tradition of a Thanksgiving weekend getaway, Blake and I found a good deal on a beautiful hotel in Gettysburg, PA and – after eating a Thanksgiving meal with my parents – we were able to spend a few days relaxing, touring, shopping, and enjoying each other’s company.

The rest of the winter will be spent resting, nesting, and preparing for our arrival. We are both very eager to be parents and for the world to meet our little girl! 

We appreciate your love, friendship, and prayers. May God bless you and yours in this Christmas season and in the new year to come. 

Love, Blake, Tiffanie, Kitty, & Baby Buzz 

"Our LORD, you break the bows of warriors, but you give strength to everyone who stumbles. You give the hungry more than enough to eat. A woman did not have a child, and you gave her seven." 2 Samuel 2:4-5

giving thanks

[ok, so it's been a while since we've blogged. too too much going on!]

three years ago, blake and i started sending daily emails in november, listing the things we were thankful for. here is my list for 2011.

1. i'm thankful for decaf coffee, cream of wheat, comfy pants, kitty's ears, and lunchtime naps.

2. i'm thankful for headphones, rhapsody music, a short commute, sweatpants, prayers with blake before bed, and when kitty sits close.

3. i'm thankful for the last game of the season, soft sweaters, 65 degree days in november, free cookies at work, days when the clock seems to move fast, Buzzinga kicks, and every moment blake cooks/fixes/chooses our meals. i'm also thankful that for the last game of the season, the weather report says: "Today is the kind of day that gives fall a good name!" amen. no rain! no snow! no freezing temps! 

4. i'm thankful for 3 one-legged stunts on the freshman team (for the first time in 7 seasons!), girls on the football team, boys on the cheer team, waking up with DCTalk songs in my head, (the few) good nights of sleep, the promise of chili for dinner, and knowing i don't have to set my alarm tonight.

5. i'm thankful that in approximately 17 weeks, we will get to meet a sweet little miracle. i'm looking forward to a lifetime of love, laughs, snuggles, and joy with our dear baby.

6.  i'm thankful for long sunday naps, sweet lifetime friends at church, five guys burgers and fries, and making it to cheer states by 1/2 a point!

7. i'm thankful for fantastic, loving, godly, patient, level-headed, funny, generous, helpful, selfless, wonderful parents and parents-in-law. Pat and Leon and Jo and Alan are the best in the world!

8. i'm thankful for margins in my schedule, finishing long-running projects, taco in a bag, quiet days at work, the prospect time and energy for new projects, and bebo.

9. i'm thankful for my first wednesday evening off since aug 3, the yummy pizza i made last night, Blake's selfless sharing of the last of the milk, and an on-sale halloween costume that will no doubt be way too big for little Buzza next fall.

10. i'm thankful for the condo folks who came to fix our leaky ceiling, 14 years of amazing college friends, God's promise that i am His, all the coupons that Gap/Oldnavy keeps sending me, a washer/dryer in my home, close/free/ample parking at home, and charlie brown tv specials.

11. i'm thankful for all who have served and are serving now. what a sacrifice. Thank you!

12. i'm thankful for cinnamon raisin toast, my mom's large collection of sewing notions, when kitty knocks stuff off the table just to watch it fall, the end of a good (exhausting) cheer season, and the usually-cut-out clips in Friends episodes on nick@nite.

13. i'm thankful for the tuba man who plays his tuba while walking down braddock road, mcgriddles, sunday afternoon naps, time to try new crochet projects, and Cindy - cuz she's so awesome.

14. i'm thankful for new socks, new pajamas, no plans after work tonight, tacos, the swiss army knife on my keys (thanks, Kara!), the sharpie in my purse, generous/knowledgeable/experienced friends, and walks in the neighborhood.

15. i'm thankful for my parents' neighbors, Michael and Cecile David. they look out for my folks - yard work, snow shoveling, and checking in on them. we couldn't ask for better neighbors - they're the best! thanks!

16. i'm thankful for reading glasses, travel coffee mugs, my soft pillow, my soft bed, foot massages, quiet, pens that make my handwriting look good, and goldfish crackers.

17. i'm thankful for our apple slicer, dishwasher, free crochet patterns, when kitty lays on buzz's head, tivo, reliable cars, and laptops.

18. i'm thankful for contact lenses, weekends, spaghetti and meatballs, online banking, online shopping, online communicating, online pinning, and real stuff in the mail. 

19. i'm thankful for comfy-clothes, no-make-up, no-chores, never-leave-the-house, crochet-in-front-of-the-tv Saturdays.

20. i'm thankful for smart, interesting sunday school teachers Ron and Ronnie, snuggly kiddos in the nursery, seeing college students home for thanksgiving, and easy access to countless well-stocked grocery stores.

21. i'm thankful that hillside road is now one piece again, for long-time cheer coach friends, pumpkin bread, gilmore girls back on abcfamily everyday, ravelry, pinterest, and etsy.

22. i'm thankful for short weeks, the red couch, queen Esther, Blake's good grades, pup pup, and google reader.

23. i'm thankful for days off work, days when i don't have to work, time at home instead of work, no work, closed work, time off, and eggnog.

24. let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way. colossians 3:17. i'm thankful for grace, life, love, joy, and the promise of peace. happy turkey turkey!

25. i'm thankful for comfy shoes on a day with lots of walking, lots of time with my hunny, pockets, rest, and good deals.

26. i'm thankful for coming home after being away, a nice place for kitty to stay while we're gone (Pat's house), free storage in Pat's basement, a loving family so close to home, and a sweet sweet hunny bear who is so helpful and hard working.

27. i'm thankful for warm days in november, nice offers for baby gear from friends, for freedom, safety, protection, and leftovers.

28. i'm thankful for new opportunities, good moods, snacks, heat wraps that stay hot all day, and friends with lots of various talents and passions. 

29. i'm thankful that 2012 is going to be a great year: a new baby and the olympics!

30. i'm thankful for my sweet, loving, selfless, fun, helpful, giving, no-drama, peace-loving, smart, kind, hard-working, encouraging, handsome, unbelievably wonderful hunny bear of almost 5 years!

10 in 2011: Books 5-7

Our "entertainment reading" is going well this year. I now am through seven books before the end of May, in addition to all my academic reading. We also have found that when you read something you like, you are much more likely to want someone else to read it. We keep sharing the books that we've read, asking for chapter-by-chapter updates and hoping that they enjoy it too. It's like having your own personal book club.

Book 5 - David Livingstone: Missionary and Explorer: This book was an overview of what has to be one of the more incredible journeys ever taken. David Livingstone worked long hours in a factory as a young boy, eventually saving enough to go to medical school. After medical school, he traveled by boat to Africa, and if I remember right, he only came back home to Scotland once more in his life, even though he married and had four children. He traveled Africa by ox and by foot for more than three decades, exploring areas previously unseen by Western eyes. There were no roads, there were wild animals and parasites, and the native tribes were hostile and merciless. Completing each stage of his journey required tremendous courage and patience, more than I think most of us would be willing to give. He also, of course, went through significant times of pain and self-doubt, but he never gave up, even though it meant sacrificing his safety and security. His story and sacrifice are amazing pictures of risk.


Book 6 - Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron: I actually enjoyed this book. That might surprise some who know I'm not a natural cat lover, but that's because this book is a lot more than just cats. It's not just purring and toy chasing and "rub me on my belly." No, it actually has a good story. It's about a woman dealing with hardships in her family and community, and the cat (Dewey) who just happens to be her one consistent joy in the storm. There was a lot of drama for a book with a furry cat on the cover. Well written.

Book 7 - Highest Calling by Larry Lea: This book does an outstanding job of explaining the Old Testament passages on priesthood and service. Working with several ministries over the years, I know how difficult these can be for people. The most common questions posed are: Do these books (Exodus, Numbers, Leviticus, etc.) have any relevance for today? How am I supposed to apply them to my life? Dr. Lea shows have valuable the priestly ministry was in those days, and how in Jesus the same calling applies to all believers. Everyone is called, and everyone has the same access to God that the high priest did in OT times. That access shapes how we approach God today. I thought his personal examples were excellent, and I wish he had even more. I plan to reread this book in the future.

sewing projects

while blake was busy reading books this year, i was making quilts. so far this year, i've made 6 baby-sized quilts. i was hired to make two of them for a friend, and the other four i made as gifts. i've read several quilting blogs to learn new techniques and treated myself to some new sewing machine 'feet' to make certain parts of the process easier. they're business expenses, right?

i made this blanket for my college friend stephanie, whose son ethan was born in december (on blake's bday)!

i made this blanket for my college friend linnea, whose son david was born last august.

i made this blanket for my college friend, laura, whose son lowrie was born in january.

here are some close-up shots of the quilting and embroidery.

i made this quilt for my cheer coach friend, jenny, whose son landon was born in february.

the only girl blankets that i got to make recently were the ones that my cheer coach friend, lasonia, hired me to make for her new nieces, emersyn and mckynli.

also, i have read quite a few books recently, too. but sewing projects are much more fun to talk about.

10 in 2011: Books 2-4

One of my resolutions for 2011 was to read 10 books in addition to schoolwork and other stuff. Ten may not sound like a lot to some people, but compared to my past few years, it would be a lot. I read the Bible, I read articles for class, but I've only sporadically started and finished books that were "just for me." My first book of 2011 was the 17 Second Miracle, which I wrote about earlier. Today I finished book four.

Book two: The Good Guy by Dean Koontz -- A guy innocently is handed an envelope and told, "$10000 now, the rest when she's gone." He opens the envelope and finds the picture of a girl and an address. He has no idea why someone would hand him this, but then someone else walks up and assumes he is the one doing the hiring. He tries cautiously enough to get the girl out of trouble, but he ends up realizing that doing the right thing will cost him all his safety and security. An interesting thriller that I listened to when we were flying to and from Wyoming. [I listened to one part while sitting on a frozen lake in the mountains!]

Book three: Choosing to See by Mary Beth Chapman -- Well written and heart-wrenching. Worthy of a second read somewhere down the line.Tiffanie and I both flew through this book.

Book four: The Secrets Men Keep: How Men Make Life and Love Harder Than It Has to Be by Stephen Arterburn -- Taken properly, this book can be helpful to both men and women. I thought he had some sections that were healthy and thought provoking. At the very least, it could provide good material for husbands and wives or pre-marrieds to discuss. As with any book on identity or relationships, it needs to be considered thoughtfully in the context of personal experience and how God has shaped you. Some sections didn't apply to me but others were right on.

we share our table

these three pictures tell a story from our dinner tonight.

kitty lays on the table like this basically every time we eat dinner. then he gets in trouble when he streettttccchhhesssss his foot onto our plates.

p.s., that's apple juice. in case you were wondering.

New Year, New Book - The Seventeen Second Miracle

Well I started off this year with a trip to the library, a trip to the bookstore, and a purchase of three books online for the upcoming semester. Those ventures were in addition to receiving 3-4 new books from our families for Christmas. One of those gifts (the only one specifically for me) was The Seventeen Second Miracle by Jason F. Wright. My intentions with new books are usually better than my follow through, but I sat down and read this book over the course of two days. It was easy to read and engaging. I enjoyed it.

The cover and plot to the story are thoroughly unassuming, but the characters are genuine and the story well-crafted. Through the reading I kept telling myself that the story was about simple things -- a group of high school students discussing the challenges of growing up, a young couple working out the kinks in their marriage, an older man trying to teach his son about life -- but the interaction of those things kept bringing the story to life, and making me care about where it was headed. I liked the simplicity of it. Jason Wright created some genuinely touching moments in these characters' interactions, and perhaps the simplicity of everything else in the story made those aspects stand out.

So thank you to my parents for this gift. Its message is loud and clear. I want to go out right now and buy my wife flowers. And she won't even have to say thanks.