24 Hour Fast

last weekend, the yg had a 24 hour fast. yup, no eating for 24 hours!

we got the jh and hs together last morning for a quick breakfast and then no food for 24 hours!

it was a great time.

games, walking thru melting snow,

listening to a guest speaker about Uganda (we raised money for the fast for uganda),

movies, more games, devotionals,

sleep, church and

WHAM the fast was done!

barely noticed the lack of food ;)

it was great!

reflecting on the fast:

bcrc yg is awesome...so much fun and such a good group!

god has blessed us abundently!

taking away food allows you to focus on those around you even more!

Snow Day continued...

yep...it's continuing! over night the snow turned to an icy rain and covered the snow

in a nice icy layer! awesome!

we woke to a mix of snow and ice and terrible roads!

so fun...i love you seattle.

on another note...yesterday was super entertaining.

we walked the neighorhood to see a few struggling people driving up hills

and people skiing, snowboarding, sledding down other hills (or streets)

take a look!

 oh the fit :)

 

 

 this truck thought it could go up the hill but then proceeded to slide back down...dont worry we moved out of the way!

what's this, you might ask?

 

yep a street party! complete with grill/bonfire and sledding, snowboarding down the hill!

 they were out there all afternoon until after 10 pm! crazy!

well...hopefully we will escape and be able to get to work tomorrow or take some new photos of the snow!

happy winter :)

SNOW DAY!!

Its snowing...a lot! No work for Brandon and me :)

Hope to post some sweet pictures after our walk around the neighborhood!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Let's Catch Up!

so i obviously didn't post pictures when i said i would...opps!

so let's catch up!

after christmas, we traveled to michigan

to see brandon's family

hang out in cute downtown holland

lots of eating and being merry

maybe some matching pjs pants ;)

we then traveled to chicago to see my parents

allysha surprised us by being there!

saw some cousins and grandma

brandon showed off his sweet bowling skills

and i....lost...yep i am terrible at bowling

lost both games :(

but still a fun time
and of course more eating and being merry

we are now back in the PNW and falling back into the swing of things.

back to work, yg, cleaning, and the norm of life.

this weekend we had a wonderful suprize...

SNOW!

slow moving traffic

yep...trees with sweaters...i have no idea why!

and a street car derailed...major traffic problem!

and the post wouldn't be complete without a photo of food....beet, endive, goat cheese, pistachio salad = soooo gooood!

2012

wahoo! welcome 2012!

we just got back from a wonderful trip to michigan/illinois.
getting to see cousins, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, parents and siblings...
it was great!
i know we are already 6 days into 2012 but i am undecided about making a new years resolution :)
there are definitely things i want to do and change but i cant seem to narrow it down to a list i can actually acomplish!
some people i know are doing 12 in 12 (one resolution for every month)
i hope to decide tomorrow!


pictures from our trip tomorrow! i promise!

The Birth of our Savior

The last few weeks I have been reading through the gospels, focusing on the birth of Jesus. I thought it would be a good way to getting in the Christmas frame of mind...the correct frame of mind. One thing that has really amazed is the simplicity, the trust, the blind faith that everything is going to be okay. Mary and Joseph so simply accepted what was coming, they believed in what the angels said and knew that God would provide.

Its hard for me to comprehend. Personally, I think I would freak out. I mean having God's child...I think I would flip! Yet, Mary accepts this...and Joseph...look at him. He thinks of divorcing Mary (slight freak out, I think) and instead the angle tells him to marry her and trust that the baby is God's. Amazing. I cannot even imagine but I am glad it happened.

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

Luke 2:11

Being thankful....

We have so much to be thankful for and it often gets lost in the holiday craziness. I am trying more and more to see the good in my life and focus on the blessings God has given Brandon and I. Especially, during this time of year I think its important to give thanks where it is due!

God has blessed us with...

a beautiful place to live

each other

wonderful friends

delicious food

 health

jobs that we enjoy

wonderful family that love us

Christmas joy and decorations

Really the list goes on and on. I am just so thankful for all the blessings He has given us, most importantly our salvation. 

Merry Christmas!

Chickpeas...Yum

Yes, chickpeas! Chickpeas, please! So yummy they deserve their own post.

We made fried chickpeas since our favorite neighborhood restaurant took them off the menu. I dont blame them though...they try to keep the menu seasonal and new. check them out if you are in the Seattle area.

 http://serafinaseattle.com/cicchetti/

We made our own...and like i said, Yum!

 all fried up

                                    Tasty!                                    

Gone :(

Beatiful Weekend

This past weekend was wonderful! The weather on Saturday could not have been better. Sunny skies, warm temps (in the 50's), no rain...its was great. Who would have thought it was December!

We started Saturday off with a hike with the JH kids (thanks Pastor M for tagging along!)

We hiked Rattlesnake Ridge which overlooks a beautiful like and is surrounded by other mountains. By the time we got to the top we were sweating but the view was well worth it!

Amazing, right?

Saturday evening, we headed over to C.K's for a Christmas get together. Brandon made some pork buns and they were a huge hit.

Also, Brandon and J decided to match for the occasion! So cute :)

And of course, the rain returned on Sunday and the Packers lost.

I guess that's the way it goes...

Christmas Cheer

I am looking forward to some many things and so many of them are great blessings in my life! So I think they deserve to be listed out!

faith, celebrating the birth of our savior

family 

time with family!

christmas at the K's

christmas in michigan

christmas in illinois

three christmases...who could ask for better ;)

cookies!

time off from work 

snow...hopefully just the right amount!

good food (which is never lacking)

friends...both new and old

walking downtown Chicago at Christmas time

candle lite churches

watching white christmas, elf, christmas story...so good!

oh the list could go on, and on, and on....

by the way 10 days to Christmas!