life according to the iphone

After being on a bit of a blogging hiatus, I am hoping to jump back in this spring with renewed intention. It has been quite a busy past few months for the two of us, lots of travel for Jared, MBA classes amping up his already extremely full workload, and trying to squeak sometimes even just a half hour of "us" time in before going to bed. Some weeks that hasn't even happened. 

Thankfully as this is just a space to document what is currently going on in our life, and as that sometimes likes to imply lots of {self-inflicted} pressure on my part to sustain it, I am reminded that sometimes - ok, a lot of times - that just keeping our head afloat during busy seasons like this takes much more precedence, and in the long run, I am much happier when I release that pressure to "present our life" and simply live day by day in the moment. 

All that aside, I think I have taken zero pictures on my actual camera in the past 2 months {something I am really hoping to change here} and am left with snippets here and there of daily captures on the phone. Just as good for seasons like this. :) 

What we've been enjoying lately... according to my iphone...

\\ Spring. Some days of sun, some days of torrential rain, and the joys that both of those bring. Today we are nestled inside so grateful for 4 walls around us. Rain on, rain on \\

\\ The chance for a friday night date. Indulging in the first ice cream of the season at a sweet local creamery {no pun intended} ;) \\

\\ having fresh flowers in the house. the smell and the hope of greenery to come. :) Trader Joe's is my one stop shop lately for beauties like these. Hey, when I'm ready for spring to come, I'm ready  \\

\\ the 8th grade selfie. I do not have ONE decent picture with my girls. haha They are the joy of my every Wednesday night, and mean the world to me. Even if I cant get them to cooperate for a single picture \\

\\ Baseball. Springtime around here means spending time at the ballpark watching the Royals to just see the blue of Jared's eyes for a bit. :) When it's not snowing, raining, or being cancelled for sopping wet fields that is.....\\

\\ Carter. enjoying that our sweet nephew is 16 months old and loving his personality! He loves looking at himself in the camera, and {occasionally} showing off his sweet toothy grin \\

\\ Family. I revisited my old home-away-from-home-on-the-weekends to watch my second cousin once removed {such a mouthful} play volleyball. It was so great to see my aunt, uncle, cousin and this lady... can't believe she's old enough to be doing this. :) Seems like just yesterday it was me \\

\\ Easter. Time spent with family. Rest. A beautiful Sunday. And now the coming weeks of continuing to sit in the Easter tide. It was so great to spend even a short time down in Storden over Easter with Jared's parents. Thankful for every opportuinty \\

Cheers new year!

So, I haven't even had a chance to talk about Christmas yet, and here I have all these new year thoughts bumping around in my head taking up space- so since 2014 is already here, lets talk about that first.

It seems so hard to believe that another year is already beginning, when this last year was just packed full with happenings! We loved 2013. I have nothing but great things to say about it, and it will definitely go down in the books for Jared and I as a year of growth. And as the months went on by, we continued to see how faithful the Lord is in our daily life, and in our relationships. We have so many things to be excited for in this coming year. Good grief, I feel like I could write a whole blog about what all is coming up, but I won't. :)

So, to take things in order here, a look back in pictures. How blessed we were these past 12 months. To be surrounded by great friends and family, to see new parts of the country, and to keep enjoying each others company. :)

January
We welcomed a sweet, calm, smiley nephew into our family at the end of the month. Oh, Carter. He brings us so much joy, and we love every second we get to spend time with him. And kiss his cheeks. 

February
It was a beautiful early winter, and we spent a lot of time outside - happy to say that Jared learned to skate backwards and hockey stop all in the same day. :)

March
I had some time off around Easter, and we spent time with both our families in Storden over Easter weekend. We are so thankful that our families enjoy each others company.

April
The winter that never seemed to end turned into an indescribably beautiful snowstorm the last week of the month. My complaining went out the window when our backyard was turned into a wonderland for a few weeks. 

May
We had the privilege of traveling to Vancouver, British Columbia and Seattle for an extended vacation and we had a blast. The pacific northwest totally won us over and we would go back in a heartbeat!

June
Another trip for us! Combining my 25th birthday and our 3rd anniversary we took off to Florida to treat ourselves to some sun (which ironically, we were ready for with such a long winter that had barely ended by this trip). We loved loved loved Disney, Universal studios, Hollywood studios - but visiting Hogwarts and Hogsmeade village stole the show for us!

July
We spent a good amount of time outdoors and with our friends celebrating the 4th, and just celebrating the weekends. :) But the highlight was the guys annual camping trip up to the boundary waters. We are always thankful they come home in one piece. They usually smell a little ripe, but nothing has been broken yet so I'll take it. :)

August
Our annual state fair rendezvous with Mike, Kait, and Ryland left nothing to be desired again this year! We upped our ante and left having tried more new food than old food. Heaven. I still never get my fill of the fried pickles though. 

September
I ran my first race! It was a 10K and I had family by my side, my mom, my inlaws, uncle Dan and running with my friend Grace was just what I needed. What a blessing to be at the finish line with all of them!

October
September's 10K was the buildup for the big guy - the Twin Cities 10 mile. Oh, the Lord's faithfulness.... this could potentially be my "best of show" for the year award. The Lord sustained me and showed me that I could accomplish this! And I never thought I could. :)

November
Ok, so the absolute best part of this month was our trip up to northwoods Wisconsin and the upper peninsula of Michigan with our friends Matt and Amanda. Canoeing, fires, food, flannel, hiking...this is the second year of going up to their cabin and we look forward to many more!

December
Was an awesome month. We saw so much of our family, we didn't start winter until the second week, we had a few Christmas celebrations (one still to be had), played lots of games, saw lots of friends, had a good chunk of time off work, bought a car(eek!), and welcomed in the new year with a great celebration. What a cap off.

As we move into 2014, we continue to stand on the promises of our God. That He is ever present, ever faithful, and always loving, even if the immediate circumstances seem a little outside of our plan. We are so undeserving of what this last year has given us, but so thankful. 

We have goals for this coming year, yes, but our bigger goal is this: to trust God, and to love others. In our work relationships, in our friendships, in our daily outward expression of what the Lord is doing in our life. This passage in 1 John was brought to my attention the other day by another blogger, and hit a chord with what Jared and I have been refining for our new year. 

"...And friends, once that’s taken care of and we’re no longer accusing or condemning ourselves, we’re bold and free before God! We’re able to stretch our hands out and receive what we asked for because we’re doing what he said, doing what pleases him. Again, this is God’s command: to believe in his personally named Son, Jesus Christ. He told us to love each other, in line with the original command. As we keep his commands, we live deeply and surely in him, and he lives in us. And this is how we experience his deep and abiding presence in us: by the Spirit he gave us." 

Cheers to a new year filled with love and growth!

the TC 10 mile

All the hard work over the last 10 weeks, the long runs, the short runs, the {horrible} treadmill runs, the beautiful sunrise runs... it all paid off last weekend. In 10 miles.

On a beautiful Sunday morning, running along the River Parkway while the sun was coming up and there was fog on the bluffs, and dusty over the river - seriously you guys, it was that good. I'm so thankful for the joy the Lord brought me during what I honestly thought was going to be the most mental and physical challenge I've experienced since freshman year pre-season volleyball. Thank you Lord for your faithfulness! 

I'm not a "runner." This 10 mile was my marathon. Even at the prime of my volleyball career, running was always hard. Always. But this run was my act of worship. To be thankful for the body the Lord has blessed me with. How many people would kill for the opportunity to take 10 steps let alone be able to run 10 miles? That was my mantra: thank you, gracious God, for this opportunity. For my able body. Every step. And that picture of me, above? Honestly how I felt the whole run. Like the Lord's presence was shining down on me. Reminding me that if I felt weak or weary, that He was right there.

And that guy? He's a rockstar. I'm so proud of how hard he trained to run a very, VERY speedy 10 mile. 

This race will always be a joyful spot in my memories. Not only was it a personal accomplishment, but the success of my family members and running with them was an added bonus. Something we will always remember.

And to our supporters - Mom, Dad, Lori, Carter-roo, Grace, Pam, Chris, Lauren, Matt, Amanda... your presence on that early morning and being there for all of us meant so much! Thank you!!

October 6th. You were a great day. Followed by a lazy afternoon at home, with hot chocolate and lots of stretching. :) Not to mention made even better by a full stomach of pancakes, eggs and bacon post race. 

So a big hug to my family, a BIG thank you to all those people praying for us, and an even BIGGER acknowledgement of the Lord's faithfulness to each one of us runners... it was a blessed day!

"Have you never heard?

    Have you never understood?

The Lord is the everlasting God,

    the Creator of all the earth.

He never grows weak or weary.

    No one can measure the depths of his understanding.

29 

He gives power to the weak

    and to them that have no might He increases strength.

30 

Even youths will become weak and tired,

    and young men will fall in exhaustion.

31 

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.

    They will soar high on wings like eagles.

They will run and not grow weary.

    They will walk and not faint."

the fair.

This year was the latest we ever went to the fair with our friends the Graff's, and I was about ready to burst. I kept drooling over everyone else's instagrams and posts - I don't think Jared knew quite what to do with me anymore. It's just in my blood. 

We ate some new foods... {that deep fried, flaky goodness I'm slightly hysterical about was pumpkin pie with cinnamon ice cream. Definitely a repeat}, also making the newbie list were the walleye cakes and a rhubarb shake. 

We visited new buildings, we spent more time playing...

...and here is a short montage of our wonderful day.... 
{*the two pictures above thanks to Kait*}

Already looking forward to next year! {I might have a slight problem} :) 

However - the fair marks the beginning of my absolute favorite season. I haven't given in yet on the pumpkin spice latte as it's still been in the 80s, but I do feel that buzz starting to creep in after a very cool labor day weekend. Oh September. With your remnants of summer & your teases of fall. You're a great month. 

20 years of ministry

A weekend in the beautiful country for a very special occasion. We all have our areas of ministry - but it has been an honor and a joy to see the servant leadership my father in law holds within his community. 20 years of service to his church - not something to be looked over. His congregation speaks of him with such beautiful words, such respect and such gratitude. I am blessed to be a part of a church family (although indirectly) that seeks the Lord so highly and has such love for their pastor. Dave, you are loved. And rightly so. Thank you for your leadership.

It was so great to have the whole family together for a weekend. I couldn't be more thankful for my inlaws. A father in law who is the most respectable and loving dad and husband, a mother in law who is the most hardworking and wonderful partner and support, I go over the top every single time I talk about my family, I know... :) but they are just wonderful! So enjoy... a compilation of phone and camera pics... of our blessed weekend.

We enjoyed time together, running & resting, on the lake & on the golf course, at pizza ranch & around the dinner table, driving through country sunsets & cornfields...

While the guys golfed with their parents, Lori, Carter & I joined some family friends at their cabin who were nice enough to let us enjoy the lake! 

Both first time paddleboarders! We were hooked. 

*lookin' lovely at pizza ranch post lake day... quite cold actually. :)

Some more of my beautiful family... so thankful for these guys.

Our precious nephew.

And these two... love them.

And this little guy... gosh I love him too. Got to see him enjoy his carrots this weekend. :)

Ooh, to end with cuteness. So thankful for a joy-filled weekend to celebrate the commitment of Dave & Chris. We are richly blessed!!