Joy

Discovering that after 4:30, cupcakes are buy one get one free...after I've already paid.

School Supplies

Adults who do not work in the school system tend to glamorize and idealize the beginning of the school year...particularly the purchasing of new school supplies. So many movies and books display characters experiencing extreme nostalgia as summer comes to an end and the big yellow buses make their autumn debut. Oh, the freshly sharpened pencils. The perfect rainbow of unused crayons and markers. And, the crisp, empty notebooks.

As all 29 of my students filed into my classroom last week, my thoughts were not quite so cheerful. My mind began to rush into a flurry of worry. Where were all of these new supplies going to hide in my room with only three cabinets (none of which are empty) and a few shelves already fully stocked with books? Then, there were the students. As I collected their supplies to neatly tuck them away, their concern became elevated, as well. What happens to that stack of sticky notes that won't fit in the bin? Will I ever see my glue bottle again? Can't I just take my crayons home?

The following day I was able to find a home for every last glue stick and Kleenex box. I reminded the kids that we would be using these supplies all throughout the year and that the extra supplies would in fact come in handy. We were all able to take a couple deep breaths by the end of the day and leaving my classroom I was just relieved that everything had been put away.

On the Way

Last Lazy Days of Summer

Driving home from Pilates/Sprouts tonight, it suddenly hit me that tonight is my last night of summer. I scolded myself for driving with my air conditioning on and windows rolled up. So, follow my lead.

Turn up the radio, roll down the windows. Let your hand ride the wave of the still warm breeze. Sing at the top of your lungs and breathe in the scents and sounds. Relive those days in high school when driving itself was a joy. And, nothing could beat the freedom of a summer night.

Fun time with friends at Evergreen Lake

A hike with Sly in Golden

Dreams

list
having a healthy baby
taking beautiful photographs (that people pay for)
living in another country
designing our own home
traveling to italy and greece with my husband
growing a garden that is an oasis
teaching pilates
running a 10k
writing a children's novel
learning to paint
having an organized basement (really, really organized)
going to national parks with my family
living near an ocean or a lake
raising my kids with a spirit of adventure and love for the Lord

Ahh Summertime

The boys come to Denver

One Year of Wedded Bliss
Beaver CreekLilyand Finn

Peter Pan

When Peter met Wendy, he knew he wanted to take her away with him to Neverland. There they could play and be kids forever, not having to consider the worries and responsibilities of adulthood. It often seems that people wish to be Peter Pan, longing for their younger days. The best days of their lives.

Today is my birthday. Many people would be bemoaning their proximity to 30. But, for me, today is the best day of my life. My birthday wish is that each year will be a little better than the last. I do have wonderful, hilarious memories from childhood, high school and college, but I would never wish to go back to those years in exchange for the joy of living this life now.

Every year, it seems, that as I get older love grows. Soon after my 25th birthday, I met Jose. We were both blissful as we learned about each other and fell in love. One night before Christmas he placed his hand over my mouth and told me that I wasn't allowed to say anything after what he was going to say. That's when he told me that he loved me. I thought--This is it! As good as it gets--but life has the capacity to overwhelm us with blessings and love if we're open to it. The next year we got engaged and married. This year we have been living in newlywed joy.

It astounds me that as time goes on Jose just keeps loving me better. He knows just when to be gentle, when to joke, and when to speak powerful words of truth. So, on this day that is, of course, all about me, I say thank you to my sweet husband for being mine, thank you to my parents for teaching me to be my own person, and thank you to my siblings for being my go-to people. I look excitedly forward to another year of learning about marriage, love, and what it means to make the most of the days we're given.