SMP 2.23.15

SMP = Seven Minute Post

We've lived in Colorado for almost twelve years and you know what? Snow days NEVER get old. Our district called one for today and we've all loved the pace of this day. John and I worked from home today (he's still working, actually) and there's a lot to be said for working in your pajamas while sitting under your electric blanket.

I do feel a bit stir crazy though after three straight days of being indoors. Thankfully I have a hair appointment tomorrow that will get me out of the house...and out of my pajamas. If the roads are still icy tomorrow I will walk to my appointment. That is how desperate I am for a haircut. 

Sounds like lots of our Arkansas friends and family have snow (or ice) this week too. My sister sent me a video of her four-year old playing outside in the "blizzard". A couple of inches of snow is definitely blizzard-like weather when you're four.

Stay warm, everyone!

Ketchup

Ketchup = Catch Up

Our area is expecting a winter storm to move through today and tomorrow. I can't even tell you how happy this makes me. John and I made a quick Costco and grocery store run yesterday morning for snow day essentials (like hot cocoa and baking supplies) and I think half of Colorado Springs had the same idea--it was nuts! We are all settled in for a snowy weekend and now all we need is for the snow to begin. Forecasters continue to downgrade our snow totals but I think we could end up with at least a foot. I'm a little bit giddy about a weekend spent completely at home.

I realized while looking back at some photos on my phone last week that I am due for a "ketchup" here on the blog which has become a sort of family scrapbook for me over the years.

Here's some of what we've been up to lately.

Remember when I said January kicked my tail? I wasn't kidding. This was a picture of one of my to-do lists. I'm very visual and rely on hand-written lists (no electronic to-do lists for me) and a thick black Sharpie to strike through completed tasks. I've had to faithfully push through some busy months but you know what? I've had more white space on my calendar the past two weeks than I've had since mid-October which I've happily filled with hiking, catch-up dates with friends, and a good dose of alone time. Self-care at it's finest!

Will surprised us while we were in Arkansas over Christmas break by announcing his desire to attend college in Arkansas. We were kind of surprised he wanted to go so far away but his excitement was contagious so once we arrived back in Colorado, we started looking into a couple of different schools and making plans to visit. He and I traveled to Arkansas the last weekend in January to check out the University of Arkansas and Ouachita Baptist University.

I can't even begin to put that trip into words. It was amazing and I could tell you story after story after story of amazing things that fell into place for us. I really had hoped that John would take him on these visits but John insisted that I go, his reasoning being that my "mama" heart needed to see these places that my first born could potentially call home. In hindsight it was exactly as it needed to be and I was so grateful for that time with Will. We got to see lots of family while we were there too--it was an exceptional trip in so many ways!

He's made his decision! I'm trying to be respectful of Will's desire not to blab it all over the internet so you'll just have to stay tuned until he grants me permission to share.

John and I are in complete agreement that what he has chosen is the best fit for Will and are excited about this next step for him. Our excitement has been countered with a few teary evenings around the dinner table just thinking how very different things will look for our family in the next six months.

I'm not sure whose bright idea it was to take a four-day trip just days before a big event I'd been planning but I returned home from Arkansas and jumped into the final countdown to our IF: Local event. Craziest week I've had in a long, long time!

Last year some friends and I got together for a weekend and streamed the IF: Gathering conference. It was such a catalyst for growth in each of our faith journeys that we wanted our church to host it for our community. I'm grateful for a lot of hard work from a team of people that made our event a reality. I'm still trying to put it all into words (it's a separate blog post for sure) but it was a really beautiful time. John's words are really the best I have to describe it: We simply set the table and invited women to join us. They came...and so did the Lord. 

The same weekend of IF, Sarah had her Snowball dance at school. She was co-chair of the dance so she was REALLY busy for the week leading up to it. She went with a group of friends--that's just the way I like it.

I hate I don't have a picture of her dress--we found it by chance at Nordstrom Rack and it was BEAUTIFUL! I was cleaning up after IF and didn't get to be there for pictures. Sadness.

On February 10, Will turned EIGHTEEN!!! We took him out to dinner the night before his birthday and let him open his gift from us when we got back home.

He had some friends come over for dinner on his actual birthday. Will has really good friends and I love them all. It's going to be sad to see them all scattered around the country at different schools next year. 

Last Friday night we had a family Valentine dinner at home. John got each of the kids a little something and there was a little something for me as well (a necklace!) He is the most thoughtful husband and father. I am grateful for him every single day. 

I was with some friends last Friday and they asked what I was going to make for our family dinner that night. I laughed and said "SANDWICHES". My family requested paninis, which is really just a glorified sandwich, right? So yeah, I served sandwiches for our family Valentine dinner. And it was perfect.

John took me on a Valentine date the next night. We went to one of our favorite restaurants in Palmer Lake that was serving a four-course Valentine dinner. Deeeeeeeelicious. They even gave me a long-stemmed rose before the dessert course. We were home by 7pm which is just the way we like it.

 Last Sunday after church, I took this little cutie on a mommy-daughter date. Will and Sarah were off doing their own thing and she asked me to take her to Ulta and Bath and Body Works. She and two friends started an Instagram account where they review beauty products. I giggle a little bit because none of them wear much makeup so they mostly review lip balm and lotion and antibacterial gel and nail polish. Abbey had some money burning a hole in her pocket which she combined with coupons (cute AND smart, eh?) to stock up on goodies to review. Adorable. 

She got her braces put back on in January--round two! She'll get them on the bottom teeth in the next few weeks. She will also turn thirteen in about a month. I think I'm in denial...

I think that about covers what we've been up to lately. Life is good. Busy, chaotic, and full but GOOD. The snow has started falling here and it's beautiful. I see some cookie baking, hot tea, and some reading time in my immediate future. Happy weekend!

February Currents

Current Read: I just started Daring Greatly (a re-read for me) and last month I read The Best Yes by Lysa TerKeurst. Well, truth be told I bought the audio book and listened to the book since I was traveling and had quite a bit of time on airplanes. I like audio books until I reach for a pen to underline something. Yeah, that's slightly awkward.

Current Playlist: Lord, I Need You has been on repeat for weeks now...

Current Color(s): Red and denim.

Current Food: I'm just not in a food mood lately. I'm not motivated to cook or plan menus. Thank goodness for a husband who helps me in the kitchen. It's pretty fair to say he's handled most of the cooking lately. He's a keeper.

Current Favorite Favorite: I'm officially obsessed with this nail polish. L-O-V-E. It looks beautiful and lasts for at least a week (if you use the topcoat) and comes off with regular remover. Win-win-win! It's pricier than regular polish but hey, it's cheaper than a salon manicure!

Current Addiction: Podcasts. I think I mentioned last month that I'd share some of my favorites so here ya go--Coffee With Chris (Christine Caine), Smart People, TEDTalks and The Chalene Show.

Current Wish List: I want a new purse. I've been looking since before Christmas but I cannot find one that I like. I've decided I might be too picky.

Current Need: Oh man, I broke my scarf hanger and really need a new one. I grabbed a scarf before church on Sunday and the part that hangs over the bar completely broke off. Ummm, it's possible I may have pulled a little too hard.

Current Triumph: We will be filing our taxes in February! We typically file an extension (or two) every single year so you have no idea how huge this is for us. We have some outside pressure to get them done early this year and that pressure is spelled F-A-F-S-A . If you don't know what that is, consider yourself lucky.

Current Annoyance: It annoys me that social media creates a false sense of relationship. Just because someone knows stuff about you does not mean they that know you.

Current Blessing(s): I have a handful of friends that I am very close to--my inner circle, if you will--and I am beyond grateful for their influence in my life. They know me, they love me, they support me, and they keep me accountable to the things I have made priority in my life.

Current Outfit: Grateful for a slow day at home that finds me in workout clothes, no make up, and my hair in a messy ponytail! I can't even tell you how happy that makes me. 

Current Excitement: We celebrated Will's 18th birthday yesterday! So excited about some future plans he's making...but they're not mine to share quite yet.

I'm also excited about Valentine's Day. A little blue box (you know the one) arrived in the mail yesterday for me...but my husband is making me wait until 2/14/15 to open it...and it's killin' me.

Current Project(s): Having just wrapped up two big projects, I've purposefully kept my plate free of projects for the next several months and have been uber selective about what I am saying yes to. Being project-free feels very, very good!

Current plans for the day: I've worked a little, rested a little and I suppose I should begin to think about what's for dinner and making my carpool rounds.

Adios, amigos.