Looking at Rainbows

Recap

2012-01-26T00:46:00.010-06:00

So just a list, more for myself, of some important moments in the last few months that I want to remember....

In no particular order.....

I was inspired and begin training to run a marathon. I will run the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon on April 29th. My cousins were "fighting" over Christmas trying to bribe me into coming to either OKC or Chicago to run but since the Chicago marathon isn't until October and who knows what I'll be doing then or if I'll still be motivated I decided to run the OKC marathon. (plus I've visited the Chicago cousins and have never visited to OKC cousins)

Speaking of OKC cousins I got to meet baby Lilah and she is a beautiful chunky monkey! And I got to have a thoughtful and wonderful heart to heart with her mama!!

I ALSO got to meet baby SIMON who is also a beautiful chunky monkey but in his defense the SMALLEST Beaver newborn yet! :)

I had to go to the ER for the first time in my life (it wasn't really an emergency but it was a Sunday night so nothing else was open)

I have had two more staph infections that required doctor visits (hence the above mentioned ER visit)

Gunnar got to meet Grandmother (my great grandmother who is 96) This was important to me. I wanted her blessing I guess. She was married to my great grandfather, Granddaddy, for 78 years when he passed away. Now she is the matriarch of our family and I wanted him to meet her at least once.

Gunnar shot a pig with his bow from 30 yards! First pig with his bow. Perfect shot right through the lungs! He came and grabbed a bunch of us, cousins and uncles and such to help "find" it. (He had already found it but wanted show everyone and got us into the chase)

Shot a buck at Sherwood. This was my first time to shoot a deer with Gunnar (we're still not sure how that happened that we dated so long without me shooting one with him) It was TOTALLY fun!!!'

Ground and made my own hamburger meat with my own buck!! YUM!

Car broke down so I got stuck in Mertzon for a week longer than planned.
IT SNOWED in Mertzon and because I had gotten stuck there I was able to enjoy it!!
Got to attend a Jesse Duplantis meeting! Several seeds were planted in my heart that the Lord has been bringing some serious revelation and illumination on ever since! Afterwards I initiated a brutal and deadly snowball fight with Penny, Jonathan, Reb and Gunnar! I'm telling ya, only the tough survived!!

Went of a family hike :)

I got an iphone!!

I'm still dating a wonderful man who is so good to me and whose desire for the Lord is encouraging and contagious.

The Lord is exploding Psalm 23! Its like I've never read it before! I'm loving it!! The Lord is so faithful and such a good teacher!

Quick and easy

2011-11-04T19:56:00.004-05:00

So want a meal that is so yummy quick and easy? Well you should totally try this. IT's from the pioneer woman and I made it today. So easy and so good. Im not a huge fan of spaghetti but I love lasagna and pasta so this is is right up my alley!

Bowtie lasagna

Go try it! Right now!

ok bye

We pulled it off....

2011-10-30T18:08:00.014-05:00

....well almost.... :(

This weekend was the Missouri game and Gunnar's parents, brother and family friends, the Foxes, came to town to party the weekend away!! The game in which we were supposed to solidly win ended up going into overtime as the Missouri kicker missed a field goal right as time expired. They ended up scoring in over time and we did not.......yeah... Typical Aggies! Besides the crummy game the rest of the weekend was a whirlwind blast!!

I only took pictures at the game but since I haven't taken many since being here in College Station that still made me happy!

We got Reb a guest pass so he got to sit, well stand, in the student section. As per Aggie tradition the students stand the entire game to show their support for the team.

This is Gunnar's Canadian roommate, John and his little brother Reb.

Kinda an awkward angle...

Ryan Tannehill is the quarterback for A&M. He's from Big Spring actually which is kinda cool, I mean who comes from Big Spring?!

So like usual I was the only one taking pictures but Gunnar stole my camera for a little while because he knew I would like a few pictures too. I really liked this one he snuck in!
Seriously?! For as quiet and seemingly "shy" people think Gunnar is, how does he always come up with faces like this?!

So the A&M band is like the best thing EVER!! Like really, if I hated football I would consider it worth it to go to the games just to see the band! Oh and you have to stand up when the band is on the field too.

This was an AWESOME performance. The execution and intricacy of this performance was like none any of the fans had ever seen. Even the seniors and juniors were talking about how surprised and amazed they were by just how awesome it was. Best part of this game I must bitter sweetly say.

Half time!! (notice everyone is sitting down)
Gunnar was so excited that Reb got to come to a game!! He really misses getting to spend time with him.

The group minus me starting from the left, top to bottom Jonathan (Gunnar's newest roommate), John, Reb, Gunnar, Amanda (Kristina's roommate), Kristiana (Hudson's girlfriend) and Hudson (Gunnar's roommate).

After the game we met Gunnar's parents down on the field to take some pictures. That was the first time I'd been on the field after a game so that was kinda fun.

I'm pretty sure this is my favorite picture of the day!! Gunnar and his dad were helping his mom get down from the stands and I made them pause for just a second to grab a picture. I think its so sweet!
After the game we all went over to Gunnar's house and a bunch more people came over and the Foxes and Sullengers cooked a huge meal for all of us!! It was amazing. We played 42 and spades and talked and laughed and enjoyed it all around! Carolyn Fox made her amazing, to die for, awesome, and every other adjective I can't think of Gooey Butter Cake!!! Ahh I was in heaven!! I kept thinking through out the night how glad I was to be here. To be living in College Station, living life and making memories with Gunnar. Long distance was good and I think totally in the Lord's plan and purpose and grace. It taught us to communicate in a way that I think would have been harder for me to learn had we been together. I can sure see the Lord's hand in beginning our relationship the way He did and I am so grateful knowing that the Lord really does know what He is doing and knows and desires the best for His children. That season is over and I am enjoying this next season so much. Now don't get me wrong, its not all peaches and cream over here. Gunnar is in a KILLER semester of school and I'm looking for another job but I'm so glad the Lord has brought us together to do all this together. Do I think that married people will read this and think "oh girl you don't know nothing yet"?? Yes! But I'm in the season that the Lord has me and I want to enjoy each season of life for what it is! Sure we don't know much but hey we'll only be young and in love once, why look so much for the future that we forget to enjoy the present?

Wow I didn't really mean to go into all that but it was good to remind myself of all those things . I know I will look back on this time and cherish the memories.

Pictures

2011-10-26T21:02:00.004-05:00

So (this comment has nothing to do with this post) growing up I DID NOT like two of the most classic "kid foods," macaroni and cheese and peanut butter sandwiches. Now, at the ripe old age of 23, I love them! What's with that?!

Moving on...

Sunday Gunnar took me on a little ice cream date and I have been wanting to show him these animals that I drive past everyday on my way to work so we got ice cream and went and parked. Well Gunnar wasn't sure what these things were either. Some of the them have straight horns, some spiraled, some long, some short.

If anyone knows what these big guys are please fill me in.

Oh and they have fallow deer too.

Makes for a fun drive to work everyday!

Orange Cake

2011-10-18T00:32:00.002-05:00

So remember that I promised to take more pictures??? Well I can't find my camera so yeah..... I'm pretty bummed! Anyway I will find it and picture taking will occur!

In the meantime....

Thursday was Gunnar's roommates birthday. He turned 21 and you know what he wanted to do? Play Scrabble! So we had a big group team scrabble night. Gunnar and I soundly lost but I think Jonathan had fun so that was the main point! I made him an orange cake that London, my roommate, made recently and it was SO easy and SO good!!

So I wanted to share the recipe with everyone!

1 yellow box cake
orange juice
1 15. oz. jar of orange marmalade
powder sugar
eggs
oil

Mix the box cake according to the instructions except add 1 c. orange juice instead of water. Add orange marmalade. Mix and bake according to box instructions. Bake in bundt pan. After the cake is cooled mix orange juice and powered sugar until the icing reaches the consistency you desire. Drizzle over the top of the cake. Soo easy and soo good!!

List...

2011-10-12T22:30:00.002-05:00

1. Making breakfast for supper after a long day is therapeutic.... ok well maybe not therapeutic but a darn good idea!

2. Hot tea is where its happening! I know its a little soon, I mean its not technically cold yet but its close enough for me.

3. I want a dog.....

4. Aggies beat Tech....that made me happy!

5. Popcorn is my new obsession.

6. If you haven't watched Top Shot, you should!!

7. ok bedtime....

As seen from my camera lens

2011-10-07T22:36:00.010-05:00

So I've done a horrible job of taking pictures since I've lived in College Station and I have committed to reform that fault but in the meantime here is life from my camera lens the last couple weeks.....

So Kyle Field is becoming one of my favorite places on campus during the day. I have been walking through campus and praying the last few weeks and every time I do I am drawn toward Kyle Field. It just seems to represent all the people A&M touches and encounters. Plus its a really neat stadium.

The bell tower, taken from Kyle Field.

So Gunnar's roommate John bet Gunnar 5 bucks that he couldn't do 50 push ups in 2 minutes so Gunnar took him up on it and blew it outta the water!

London and I went and played Bingo one night last week! It was such a strange mix of people, old people, black ghetto people, and college kids! It was really fun though and we're totally going to take a big group back someday!

The weather has been so gorgeous lately we have been taking every opportunity to be out in it. Fishing isn't really my favorite past time in the world but its just been the excuse to be out in the fresh air. This is Ben, Gunnar's roommate, and Gunnar trying to hook some bass.
And of course Gunnar takes every opportunity to ride the dirt bikes. He was even awesome enough to give me a ride or two.

So my parents and Gunnar taught me how to play 42 this summer and I fell in love with it. SO ever since I moved to CS I've been wanting to play. I knew my friend Jon knew how to play but no one else. After asking every person I know, I found out Shea knows how to play. We finally set up a game night at my house and played. I had NEVER won a game up to that point and was really starting to think that I was just bad luck but finally on our second game Jon and I won!!! I was SOOOO excited! haha

Shea and Gunnar were having fun messing with my roommate when she asked them to smile. It really irritated her and I think her reactions satisfied their "oldest child" souls.

I will take more pictures.......I will take more pictures..... I will take more pictures.....maybe.....

Peace.

Sexy...

2011-10-06T00:06:00.006-05:00

A boyfriend who will help me fold laundry.......
.......now that's sexy!!!

Road Trip!!!

2011-09-26T23:24:00.004-05:00

We went on a whirlwind trip home this weekend! And nothing helps a long road trip like caramel, double brownie fudge blizzard!!!

We went home for an event as Gunnar's church which was AMAZING!! But it just so happened that CVG was hosting their meet the same weekend so I got to go watch my old level 5s compete and see all my kiddos! I even ended up entering scores for beam and getting to hang out with the new Mrs Gomez!

Taylor, level 8, is the oldest girl still on the team and I got to have a good catch up conversation with her! I've been keeping up through texting but it was good to have a real conversation! I sure love that girl and I know the Lord has good things for her life!

Apparently the cool thing to do that weekend was to "fishtail" your ponytail!

G-Money!! I sure miss that girl! She got to show me her new level 7 routine though which made me really happy! It was really fun getting to see everyone and have them all excited to tell me all the news and their new skills, crashes, and stories!
The current level 5s. Sure am proud of those girls! Especially, Mary Grace (the one in my lap)!

12 toes? 4 thumbs?

2011-07-22T15:40:00.003-05:00

So Penny got a new friend and he has a strange thing going for him.....

...............................He has two thumbs on each foot!! or maybe he has 6 fingers?!?! Not really sure...

Kinda cool looking huh?! Oh and yeah totally didn't even think about taking a picture of the whole kitty! haha

What a shock!

2011-07-12T14:54:00.008-05:00

Two posts in two days! What is this world coming to?!?!
Last night Gunnar and I and the boys had some fun cooling off and chillin out in the pool!
Gunnar showin' some skillzz

And as per usual with any group of normal healthy guys there will be wrestling, dunking, tackling, ganging up on the girl, and ball chunking involved!!

And a certain amount of acrobatic feats to impress each other....

(he said he smashed his head and is pretty sure his feet touched his head about .5 seconds after this picture was taken)

So we all had a lot of fun and of course I was the only one who thought to pick up the camera but I was there I promise! Gotta love being the only girl/woman (this is still being determined and may never be fully figured out) in a group of rowdy boys/men!

The Tower

2011-07-09T20:51:00.006-05:00

This is the Sullenger's windmill that I got to help put up (I still plan to write a post about that some day). As you can see there is a black storage tank beside the mill. Well the plan is to build a tower to place another storage tank on and by tower.......

......I mean TOWER!!

This thing is huge and HEAVY!! I got to come out the other day while Gunnar was still welding the top pipes on that will hold the water tank and watch him weld.

They always keep a water hose on hand so if a spark starts a fire they can get it before it gets out of hand...

This part of the welder is called the "stinger"

Just for the record unless you want your eyes burned you never look directly at a the flame while someone is welding so to get this picture and a few other ones I just guessed where to point my camera and got lucky!

I really like this one and am bummed that its blurry....So when they figure out how to stand that heavy thing up and get it over the windmill I'll let ya know.

THAT kid

2011-06-15T20:46:00.013-05:00

House of Faith runs a sports camp every year. A week long camp of sports, bible lessons, memory verses and sweat! This summer all the kids participate in the sport of their choice for the first half of the day then after the bible lesson, huddle group time and some water they split up into classes they get to sign up for. There is games, golf, hip hop dance, and, thanks to yours truly, gymnastics! Now let me explain this process.... I load mats of various sizes and purposes, a mini tramp, a small beam and various other pieces of equipment into a small bus and sit in a puddle of sweat as I drive over to Glenn Jr High and unload everything and set it up in the girls gym.

Now, even though I am no longer very involved with HOF it is still very close to my heart and I love the kids they are aiming to reach. Namely "that kid." That kid is the one I spotted the first day. He didn't want to do anything I asked including taking off his shoes and socks. He was the one that had to prove that HE didn't have to do what I said. The one that instigated all the other boys goofing off but then acted "cool" and not goofy like the rest of them. THAT kid is the one who had to prove he was tough and no one could tell him what to do. As far as disciplining goes he seemed to be my hardest/slash worst kid in the group but ultimately that merely depends on how you choose to view "that kid."

I seem to always fall for THAT kid. That's the one I want to reach. To crack through the defenses they have built around their hearts just a little bit. To keep my word when I set boundaries and to show them that they deserve respect as a person.

Anyway back to that kid a little later in the post. As I got to the gym today Logan walked up and I asked him to help me unload some mats to which he responded "on one condition.... if I help can I play on the trampoline" I laughed and said "Sure!"

Well here is a small example of what he meant by "play on the trampoline" and believe me this is just a taste of what he decided to try!

And this.... He invented all sorts of ways to crash onto the mats but these were all I caught on video.

I even got involved in the fun and discovered that I still have some of the old skills left...

So back to THAT kid. Well he signed up for gymnastics the first two days and fought the rules the whole time. He was pretty athletic and I knew he secretly enjoyed all the skills I was asking them to try. As I was driving to Glenn today I was thinking about him and sorta had a bet with myself that he was going to be back today. Yesterday right as we were finishing I had asked all the kids to come off the mats and go to the other side of the gym. Well he didn't and tried one more flip on a mat just to show me he could. I knew letting it slide would be going back on my word and ultimately disrespecting him by not requiring him to adhere to the standards I had set. I asked him to go sit against the wall. I could tell by the way he looked that he knew he had done wrong. He knew he was caught and he looked kinda shocked that I backed up my word. It seemed almost like he was testing me. Is she really going to make me sit out if I try a flip? Will she keep her word? Does she actually care about me enough to enforce the standards she set? Before I started the class I told the kids that there were two main rules. No flips and do what I ask you to. I told them them that there would be no warnings with these rules. Gymnastics is dangerous and so I wasn't going to give them three warnings or something like that. They flip and they're done. So when he did that last flip and I made him sit against the wall he knew that I was only sticking to what I had said I would do. Anyway back to today.... I was explaining what we were going to do today to the kids and that kid wasn't in the group. As I'm explaining Rachel walks up to me and that kid is beside her. She says "Kelli I know you're already a little over 20 kids but (we'll just call him Pablo) Pablo really wants to do gymnastics again today if that's ok. He promises he will listen and do what you tell him to" Well of course I let him come! He stood there looking rather sheepish like he couldn't believe he was allowing himself to be so vulnerable and actually showed that he cared about something but he really cared so much he just had to ask to come. I said of course he could and kinda shook his shoulders and told him he better behave and got him to laugh a little bit!

Pablo asking to come to gymnastics today was a huge victory in my eyes and he honestly did great! There are several other boys like him in that group and all of them keep coming back! They all did awesome today and I told them that if they worked hard I would let them flip! Well man you would have thought I hung the moon the way they got excited about that! One of the boys another kid kinda like Pablo yells "Come on everyone we have to work hard!" haha Pablo did better today than he has all week and yet he still seems to feel the need to test the boundaries. Today was a victory though! I cracked the shell just a little bit into his heart and gained the right to be heard in his life. That makes me so excited! Several other of the wilder boys let me in a little as well. One of the crazier ones worked really hard today for me compared to the first day. As we were finishing I noticed that he waited until everyone else had walked off then came up to me and asked "Hey miss, I did good today right?" It touched my heart! He was looking for someone to affirm him, to let him know that he can be somebody or something! And honestly he had done awesome that day, both in gymnastics itself and in how hard he worked and listened! It gave me great pleasure to look him in the eye and tell him "Yes you did awesome today! I am really proud of you!" and watch as his eyes light up as he ran back to his friends!

As I am not involved in HOF much anymore it was so good to stop and invest in something bigger than myself. To pour some life into some kids who need affirmation! Having the opportunity to use gymnastics as a channel into the hearts and lives of "that kid"s makes it even better! Here are some pictures of the kids today!

Teaching a cartwheel

The tramp was definitely the favorite!

Jenny helping kids try round offs

Explaining how to place your hands on the beam when attempting a handstand

Pictures and an update

2011-06-06T17:31:00.003-05:00

For those of you who might not have facebook here is a link to the wedding photos. He only has some up so far but you can at least look at what he does have up.

http://sealedimages.com/f1040608736

As for me...
Well today marks day 5 with no feeling in my chin or lower lip. Quite the strange feeling actually and it makes eating rather a challenge. I had all four of my wisdom teeth out Wednesday. The one tooth (lower left) that they predicted would be no trouble because it had already popped out of the gum and was straight, ended up causing the most problems. They put me to sleep and all that and next thing I remember as I started waking up was that I was FREEZING and shaking and that they were telling me I was alright and they had one more to tooth to go. A combination of the medicine and cold had my legs shaking like crazy. I couldn't talk so I started signing C-O-L-D with my fingers over and over again. I heard a nurse ask "is she doing sign language?" Then another nurse, with a victorious tone, yells, "COLD she's cold!" to which I grunted or something and they got me a blanket and the shaking slowed down some. Turns out that that tooth that was not supposed to be a problem actually was. It was straddling a nerve and the roots were curled around it. They said I was flailing some in my sleep so they had to wake me up so I would be still while they got it out as to not sever the nerve. In spite of theirs efforts turns out they nicked it anyway but all have assured me that I will get complete sensation back, I just hope it hurries!!

Recovery has not been the best and I ended up with a fever for several days causing me to just feel gross but I'm starting to feel a lot more like my old self, in spite of a numb chin and lip, and hopefully am on the rebound. Tomorrow its back to work and I'm just praying that I won't get a kick to the mouth.

A list....

2011-06-03T22:04:00.005-05:00

Sorry no pics......just a list of recent decisions and observations.....

Weddings are exhausting and make eloping seem very appealing.

Losing the maid of honor dress and finding it only 15 minutes before the group is supposed to leave for pictures causes all the other small problems to pretty much be non-existent.

Rope swings are fun!

Goats are elusive and aren't necessarily predictable

I love Gunnar Sullenger

I have a brother-in-law.......strange.

Having your wisdom teeth out 4 days after your sister's wedding is a good excuse to keep resting after everyone else has pretty much "recuperated"

Having the Dr wake you up because you are flailing under the anesthesia so they can get your last tooth out without damaging the nerve it's twisted around is a very strange feeling.

Apparently Gunnar and I's new thing is to match!

Shellac is amazing and I totally recommend it!

I love family!

Borrowing over 650 place settings of china and not losing or breaking one piece.....a miracle!

Men of character are so enjoyable to be around.

I don't want to see another piece of glassware for a very long time.

Feeling like you look like a million dollars, and having you boyfriend tell you so is an awesome feeling.

Naps are wonderful uses of time.

I still can't feel my bottom lip or chin....its been 3 days...they think they nicked the something nerve. This has been a blessing of sorts as I haven't had any pain, haven't even taken an ibuprofen, but I would like to be able to feel my lip again.

Mrs Kristi is the best friend, prayer partner, mentor ever!

Baby goats are pretty much one of the most entertaining things to watch!

I get really into Britain's Got Talent!

Walking into a group of groomsmen when they aren't expecting you is never a safe idea.

My sister's last name is now Terral.....cool!

The Last American Cowboy is a good show, surprisingly.

A good band sure helps put the final touches on a good wedding.

I like to dance.

Ty and I are both a little, ok a lot, out of practice when it comes to dancing a polka!

And to quote a good singer in my opinion, "I love this crazy, tragic, sometimes almost magic, awful, beautiful life!"

Rope swings and metal boats

2011-05-08T23:48:00.014-05:00

I've been trying to tan some before the wedding. The only problem is that usually this time of year I run a lot in the early afternoons and get a lot of sun that way. Well because of the shape of the dress I'm wearing in the wedding, I can't have the razor back tan line that I'm usually sporting this time of year. So today we decided to have some fun while getting some sun at the same time. Penny, Jonathan and I took out one of Mr. Jim's boats and had ourselves some creek fun not excluding a rope swing and a few trees!

Penny and Jonathan took us on a rather zig zagged path down the creek. We never really did master the art of going straight!

Our first attempt at getting a picture of all three of us. None of them really worked out all that well!

To get in the rather cold water we decided to row to a tree they knew about, tie our anchor to it, climb into the tree from the boat (NOT the easiest feat in the world) and then jump into the water to jump get it over with all at once.

Penny went first. (love the hair)

Jonathan

My turn!

After we had jumped in!

Our second attempt at a picture of all three of us. Penny's face looks rather squished and you can't even hardly see Jonathan.

Third and final attempt. We gave up after this!

We made it to the rope swings next. They were across the creek from the tree. There was a short one that Jonathan is going off of here and there was a tall one. If you look at the tree in the background you can see a ladder leaning against the tree. To get to the tall swing you had to climb up that ladder (which was crooked and tied to the tree) and then use a smaller rope to pull in the actual rope swing.

I was going to try it but chickened out so Penny decided she had to show her big sister up. (yeah didn't realize that the leaves were in front of her face)

We both did it one time. It took me FOREVER to go the first time and then we swam back over to the boat and brought it and the camera across the creek to the rope swings and documented our second attempts on the swing.

Penny going off the tall rope swing!

My turn! As you can see you had to sit on your butt and kinda slide off the tree to swing out.

Hahaha My very graceful form.... not!

Penny was pretending to be Mr. Lewis (ya know Lewis and Clark) and right when I snapped the picture she moved and now looks like a river diva or something :)

Shower

2011-05-04T09:20:00.005-05:00

We had Sara's Mertzon Bridal Shower this weekend. It was a fun occasion and I met many people I'd only heard of before. I really don't know that many people in Mertzon at all actually. Anyway it was a good occasion and Sara and Wyatt were very blessed. Oh and there were these awesome homemade cream mint things and Mrs Sullenger's (Gunnar's Mom) grape salad (my favorite!).

Sara and the Grandmothers - Wyatt's dad's Mom "Grandma" on the left and our dad's mom " Gran" on the right

Sara and the Moms

The sisters. Clara (Wyatt's sister), Sara, Kelli and Penny

Sara's old boss and a hostess for the shower made Sara a "fastener" to wear in her hair at the shower.
Standing with all her gifts :)

Sara and her friend Courtney :)

CVG Team Banquet 2011

2011-04-30T15:32:00.007-05:00

Thursday night was our annual Concho Valley Gymnastics Team Banquet. All the girls get dressed up and we all meet at a restaurant and we hand out certificates and recognize accomplishments from the year of competition. It's really fun for the girls as they get to see their coaches in something other than a tshirt and shorts and we get to see them in something besides brightly colored leotards, spandex, and sweaty ponytails. The booster club always gives all the coaches a gift and they are very generous. We really do have awesome parents for the most part :)

I didn't think about the fact that this will be my last banquet. I'm hoping to move to College Station when Gunnar heads back to school. (we're just kinda over this whole long distance thing) Anyway after we handed out all the certificates and announced our CVG Most Valuable Gymnast, Todd (my boss for those of you who don't know) announced to everyone that it would be my last banquet and that they had had a plaque type thing made as a gift. All the girls moaned and all the parents and everyone started clapping and saying things like "we'll miss you". I started tearing up. I hadn't even really thought about it and so it was really unexpected and I was totally blessed. It's nice to feel loved and appreciated. In two weeks I will have been working there 5 years. I started two weeks before I graduated High School. Anyway they presented me with my collage and all the girls signed the matte. I will always cherish my time there.The bottom picture is a hands on picture some parent had of me at a meet. I really like it. Thank you Angela and Katie and whoever else helped for making this for me!!!

This is me with the optional (highest level in our gym) girls. Their the ones I've coached the longest out of the whole group. I remember when they only came up to my waist and I was teaching them how to do a handstand on the beam. Now I'm teaching them to do back flips and back handsprings on the beam! Man!

The current team coaches and no we never look like this! haha

2010-2011 CVG MVG Taylor Turner

All in all it was a very bittersweet night. I would like to say though that I have had a great boss and I am so thankful for him. He is a great man and I am proud to have worked for him. Angela has been a great "second boss" as well and I am so glad to have worked with her!! I really have worked and currently work with some awesome people over the years! God has really blessed me in my job and I am grateful for the last 5 years!!

Richie!

2011-04-29T00:20:00.004-05:00

So I have so many things that I have been wanting to blog about but I have lost my camera cord and who likes a post without pictures?! Well I finally found my card reader tonight so now I'm in "catch up" mode.

This weekend I got to help Gunnar and his family build a windmill, well not really build, the windmill itself was already built, but put up anyway, on their place (that was a lot of parenthetical phrases). I'll post more on that later but after windmilling one day we set out to Tom Green to feed cows. Gunnar, Reb, Joe Mark (Gunnar's 17 yr old cousin) and I. Well we got a little distracted from the cows and well......

Meet Richie!Ignore Gunnar's face. He and Reb had been chasing helpless animals (ok not helpless at all, goats are pretty "take care of ourselfers!")through the rocky and prickly peared (and yes I did just make that into a verb) pasture.

So yeah we caught a baby goat. Ok well Gunnar and Reb caught a baby goat. The took off running through the pasture and Gunnar said that half the herd went to the right of a cedar and half the herd went to the left and the baby couldn't decide which group to follow so he just laid down in the middle. Joe Mark and I were shocked when they came walking back to the truck with an actual goat in their possession.

Within minutes of his capture, Joe Mark named him Richie and the name stuck. We did consider some other names such as "super goat" when he decided to run across the truck seats and take a flying leap out the open window. I yelled to Gunnar and Joe Mark and they caught him again before he got in with the cows and got squished!

I held him all the way home and he is now Gunnar's newest roommate in College Station. I think Gunnar is enjoying having him around. Apparently he's quite taken with their dog and bleats when she leaves his sight. Gunnar is planning on using this goat to help catch the other wild goats they have on their place. Might work out rather nicely actually and besides, what better way of making a memory than well ya know, livestock!

Road trips and Aggies

2011-04-05T23:27:00.003-05:00

So apparently Texas A&M is a good school for instigating road trips! Or maybe its the fact that I'm dating an Aggie but either way this weekend was a weekend of road trips. Considering the fact that the longer the semester goes the harder it is to be away from each other, it should not surprise anyone that one of the road trips I'm referring to was me taking the 5 hour drive to College Station. I couldn't get off work so I left Saturday after work and came home Monday morning. I left my camera at work so no pictures :(

We had a great time for the most part. We went dancing Saturday night with one of Gunnar's roommates and a girl he is pursuing I guess you'd say. Sunday after church we both fell asleep on the couch and then went and watched two of Gunnar's roommates play a city league soccer game. They did awesome the first half and then got kinda dominated in the second half and ended up loosing the game. It was fun though.

We tried to go fishing but it was way too windy. Gunnar loves chicken quesadilla so he decided that I needed to make them for everyone. They were a big hit and everyone loved them. Hudson even said that he wasn't even hungry anymore after he finished with them. I took that as quite a compliment considering he's a twenty year old college kid who never gets home cooking!

Sunday night we watched the first two episodes of The Last American Cowboy. It's a tv show that's actually right up our alley and I loved it!!

So on to the second road trip. Last night around midnight I texted Gunnar and asked him to call me cause I was going to bed, well 30 minutes later he still hadn't called (very unusual) and I couldn't make it anymore and fell asleep. This morning when I woke up I had a missed call and a voice mail. The voice mail said "Hi Kelli, I guess you're already asleep but uh well so me and John and sage and Peter are on our way to Indianapolis. This is crazy!" haha

So at the last minute Gunnar and his roommate John, a friend from Mertzon Sage and Gunnar and Sage's old roommate Peter, found tickets and decided to make the 17 hour, 1000 mile road trip to watch the Lady Aggies play for the National Championship. I think they made it just in time too.

I asked Bob if I could some watch the game at his house and so Eva and I went and watched the game with Bob and Rachel. Bob even went and bought us ice cream! They kept saying they weren't going to make it for the whole game and were going to bed but they could just never leave!!! haha What an AWESOME game!! Just what you want from a National Championship game. Down to the wire and a fight the whole way. Both teams demonstrated extreme stamina and determination. So when Gunnar got to the game he texted me and told me that they had THIRD ROW seats right behind the Notre Dame bench. I asked him how they scored those and he said "I have no idea" haha oh that guy! :) So while watching the game I could see the 4 guys in the stands most times the ball was on that side of the court. How fun is that?!?! Now they are at some hotel where there is about to be a press conference with the team. He keeps texting me saying "I can't believe we did this!"

So here's to the 2011 Fightin' Texas Aggie Lady Basketball National Champions and here's to road trips and making memories!! Can't get much better than that!!

Life's simple pleasures

2011-03-29T13:51:00.003-05:00

So I really want to be able to enjoy life's simple pleasures so when I saw this squirrel on my fence post I decided that even squirrels can be considered a simple pleasure in life!

the perfect girl....

2011-03-21T22:38:00.004-05:00

So Gunnar likes to tell me that I am the perfect girl for him. This sounds very sweet and romantic and all but let me list some of the reasons he says this...

#1. I'm making him a knife...more on this later...

#2. Let me set the scene...

14 hour van ride home from New Mexico....

30 min drive out to Mertzon....

1:00 in the morning....

Nike shorts and leopard print booty slippers....

We make it out to Gunnar's parents house and his mom tells us that Laci (the dog) has treed a coon and she will be barking all night unless we go kill it.

Gunnar grabs a gun and tells Reb to grab a flashlight then all four of us (Gunnar, Reb, me and Laci) head down to the creek in the middle of the night and proceed to shoot a coon out of the tree, watch Laci go attack it, and then carry it to the brush pile.

As we walked back to the house we laughed about me being the perfect girl for Gunnar. I mean I didn't even bat an eyelash about walking around in the weeds in my booty slippers or shed a tear when he shot the coon. It's nice ya know, to belong to someone who tells you that you are perfect for them! All the mistakes and struggles and imperfections and they still say they love you anyway and you are perfect for them. I'm so glad I get to be Gunnar's perfect girl :)

Ski Trip Post 2

2011-03-21T12:39:00.010-05:00

So these pictures are in no particular order cause that just takes too much time.

Penny!

Matt!

Me hitting the tire jump!

Gunnar!

Eva coming to a stop.

Roomies!!

The Dew Run

Not sure what day this is but Gunnar really liked this picture. We were on the lift.

The first orun of the second day. We all loved the view from the top of lift 2.

The tire jump. I was going to try to jump the tire but we figured out that because of the way the jump is made I can't get high enough fast enough.

The whole group the second morning waiting for the shuttle.

This is the second day of skiing and the first day of hitting the jump run. Matt caught some fun pictures of us jumping.

The group the second day on the way to the jump run. Gotta love this view!!
Gunnar, Micah, Penny, Me, Eva, Matt and Cindy.

The glasses haha

Matt somehow fell into Penny while we were trying to take a picture and they couldn't get up for a while. Micah and Gunnar laughing is the best in this particular picture.

Ok So between three cameras we got so many good pictures!! Here's just a few to share with ya'll. Hope ya'll enjoyed!!

Ski Trip Day 1

2011-03-15T20:45:00.009-05:00

Ok here's some pictures from our first day at the adobe cabin and the first day on the mountain. We've had a great time so far and I really like the mountain, not sure its as great as Wolf Creek but its pretty amazing still! I love mountains!

So we drove all through the night and got to the place around 8 I guess. Eva remembered this crazy puzzle that was here and so she found it and got it out thinking that we could spend some time each evening working on it or whatever. Nope! I started helping her and I was determined to finish it! We worked on that thing for about 3 hours! Penny, Gunnar, Kayla and Matt all helped some too but Eva and I were non stop!! haha

Excuse our lovely, "driving in a van all night, morning faces/hair"

Trying on glasses and being dumb at the ski rental shop!

The first night in the hot tub. And by "hot" I mean "HOT"

So hot in fact that Matt got out to cool off on the rocks for a minute! haha

Penny caught Matt splashing us while we were trying to take a picture :)

Cindy, Me and Gunnar on our first morning to the mountain!

Sisters!! We were just about to head out for the first run of the day.

Gunnar, Me and Micah on our way up the lift. I think this is the run where I made Gunnar and Micah go down their first blue and they both did awesome!! Ahh I love skiing.

Lunch break!! Gunnar was trying on Eva's hat!
Roomies!!

The four of us took off together after lunch and Gunnar pretty much had to stay up or get left behind! (not really we would never leave someone behind) By the end of the day he was beating me down the mountain!

I love mountains! Penny and I took a picture here to send to my mom and then we let Gunnar join us for one more.

So I know its hard to see but that's Penny and Matt on the lift in front of us!

Oh yeah!

Gunnar, Matt, and Me about to drop into a fun blue!
After we turned our skis into the storage place, Gunnar bought mochas for us and Penny!! Perfect way to end the day on the mountain!

Some random metal glasses we saw on the way down the mountain. I think the plan is to take a picture with all of us on them before the trip is over.

So tonight we all enjoyed chili and corn bread as we sat around the dining room table laughing as everyone shared their stories of the day. After clean up we enjoyed another evening in the hot tub and now I'm thinking its time for a shower and my oh so wonderful bed!!

Coffee Filters

2011-03-07T14:55:00.003-06:00

I was cleaning my bathroom this afternoon and when I went to clean the mirror I realized we were out of paper towels. Well I remembered an email my grandmother sent me about all the uses of coffee filters so I decided to try them out. They worked really well in cleaning glass and leaving it streak free without all the lent fuzzies. Just a little FYI for yall in case anyone runs out of paper towels anytime soon! :)

SURPRISE!!

2011-03-05T00:25:00.003-06:00

So I got home today from work and Gunnar was at my house! He had decided to come home with a friend this weekend so he can work tomorrow and he decided to not tell me and just show up at my house. I figured it out as some of his texts were a little fishy but I kept telling myself to not get excited cause I was probably wrong. Well I get home and am on the phone with Sara so instead of getting out right away I sat in my car to finish my phone call. The door opened and I see Gunnar inside my house!!! I started yelling "I knew it! I knew it!!"

He has been so encouraging lately and intentionally investing in building me up through a kinda "transition" time in my "I don't know what's next" life. He even brought me flowers!

I am so grateful for the Lord putting that guy in my life! We do serve a faithful King!

Homecomings....

2011-02-21T23:43:00.003-06:00

So Rachel's blog post made me think about this video. It's a little long but SOOO worth watching. Thank you Jesus for all our soldiers!

Soldier's Surprise Homecomings

Real people

2011-02-21T14:03:00.007-06:00

Friday night I enjoyed a night of friends, cotton candy, cowboys, fast horses, wrecks, tacos and Aaron Watson! I didn't have my camera with me so I didn't get any pictures but I did steal some from Rachel. :)As we were walking around the fair grounds before the rodeo we got into a discussion about how many different types of people you see at the rodeo/carnival. We could spot all different types of people. A lot of this is kinda stereo typing but just so you get the idea we could spot people who were real deal western/cowboy, the wanna bes, the white trash type, the ghetto, the "normal," the gang thugish type, and on and on. We were discussing how it was kinda fun to see how many different type of people the carnival/rodeo/stock show attracts.
Later I was thinking about enjoying the friends I was with and realized that part of the reason I enjoyed them so much was that they are all not afraid to live who they are. As we watched all the different people around us, I begin to think that I was hanging out with 5 people who were all very different with differing backgrounds, interests, dressing styles, jobs and hobbies, and each one was comfortable with who they are. They were all just being real. There is quite an attractiveness in a person who is secure in who they are in the Lord. It made me desire to develop in the character and person that God made me. To live and walk in the plan He destined for me and not spend so much time looking at other people's plans. He has a destiny that is designed especially for me and one that's designed especially for you. Let's walk in our destinies!

My current office!

2011-02-15T14:50:00.004-06:00

So we have a love seat that we keep put in storage. Well today was a beautiful day but I had already decided that I wanted to work on my new budget/spreadsheet since I'm a real adult now and have to pay health insurance and all that fun stuff. So since I didn't want to be stuck inside all afternoon I came up with a brilliant idea!!

I introduce to you......

my current, and movable, office!!

I was productive and still got to soak up some sunshine and is it just me or was I taking pictures of snow and ice just a week and a half ago?!?! Yup I'm pretty sure I was!

Oh how I love Texas!!

So I forgot....

2011-02-15T00:11:00.005-06:00

Yeah I forgot about Valentine's Day. Ok I didn't really forget I just didn't think about it. I mean it was never special in anyway growing up and I just didn't think about it. Gunnar told me Friday I think that he had mailed me something and I thought "Oh snap! Oops!" So yeah I know its usually the guy who forgets but well I guess we sorta switched around on this one. I do have a gift for Gunnar but I'm making it, and he wont get it til later.

Ok so I don't know if anyone cares about this or not but I'm writing it because I want to remember. So I was never one for Valentine's Day and never really thought about it. Part of that was that I was always tough and strong and didn't see myself as very feminine or girly. I always kinda regretted that. Well in the last couple years God's has gently and lovingly helped me see myself as the woman He created. So now I find myself thinking about things out of old and long developed ways of thinking that I want to change. What's so wrong with Valentine's Day being special anyway? If I love someone who wants to make it special why would that be bad? And yet I used to think I didn't care about such things.

Well today I received a dozen red roses, delivered by Gunnar's mom which was really sweet. These are the first red roses I've ever gotten and I'm glad Gunnar was the first. That might be silly but I think I've just decided that I'm ok with that.
I also received a letter and these leather crosses. Gunnar is making a pair of chaps and he used some of the left over leather and made me a couple crosses to use as bookmarks or whatever. I love that! One it was just a little something that wasn't expensive or extravagant and yet was a special gift.

I also got a very fun and real phone call, which is very meaningful to me! I'm one of those quality time kinda people :)

So I guess I'm up for Valentine's Day after all. And it helps to have one great guy to make it special!!

Snow....well more like ice but ya know, close enough!

2011-02-03T23:33:00.007-06:00

So Tuesday we closed the gym, HALLELUJAH!!, and I spent a nice cozy morning by my fire watching cars slip and slide outside my huge window! Later, though I got a little bored and decided that the roads were ok enough to drive to Mertzon. Dad said it should be alright. Well after a few rough spots and a little sliding I made it out to Mertzon and enjoyed a fun filled family day as ASU and Wyatt's job were both closed as well.

I'm a big fan of contrast so snow in a cactus makes for a pretty sweet picture in my book!

So this my my ideas and not Sara's but she sure did seem happy with it! haha

The newly engaged, and COLD, couple

It was so weird that you could play in the snow and it didnt melt and make you wet and colder! I mean I thought this was Texas?!?!

Penny made me come outside and take a few pictures of the huge icicles they found but I only lasted about 30 seconds because my hands got so cold I couldn't feel the camera buttons!

Road trip!!! and an ENGAGEMENT!!

2011-01-31T21:53:00.010-06:00

So Eva and I both love basketball and Gunnar lives in College Station which happens to be the home of a pretty decent school with pretty decent basketball teams ;) so we decided to plan a road trip and go to a basketball game. Before we went Gunnar told me to bring my shotgun because we might get to shoot skeet. Well I was super excited because I haven't done that in a long time but I thought Eva wouldn't even want to try and we would have to make her try. Turns out I was dead wrong, I think she was more excited about it than I was!!! haha

Gunnar taught her how to hold the gun, how to load it, where and what the safety was and all that. He was a really good teacher and it was fun watching them try it out.

They put a clay pigeon in the brush first and she shot it. After that she wanted to try shooting a flying one and actually hit one her second round! YAY!! She did so good!
After shooting the 20 gauge she wanted to try her hand at a 12 gauge so Gunnar let her try that. She hit a flying clay pigeon with that one too. She said she was sore later and we think it was because she had such a death grip on the gun haha

Gunnar and I both had our fun shooting too! I'm so glad we got the chance to do that! Dad had given me a huge box of shells for Christmas so I was really happy that I got to use some of them!

The sharp shooter herself!

Yeah we're that cool!

After shooting we were planning on going to the A&M vs UT hockey game but apparently no one had anything to do Saturday night and they sold out right as we got there. We went home and hung out instead. Gunnar helped me make monkey bread and it was SOOO good! I always cook for Gunnar and his roommates when I visit so this time I made chili. It turned out really yummy and I secretly think that's the only reason his roommates like me! Not really! They're all great guys and are really fun to hang out with.

We ended the night with a feisty game of Settlers. I still don't think Gunnar has forgiven Eva for blocking his building scheme!

Sunday we went to a great church service and then headed to the game. Gunnar's cousin Emily also goes to A&M and some of her family was in town and had extra tickets so we sat with them. They are a lot of fun and the game was so good. Well except that we lost. The Baylor girls are No 1 and A&M is no. 6 and we lost by 3 points. ahhh so close. It was a record crowd for a girls game and really was enjoyable and exciting! Gunnar isn't really that into basketball so I'm trying to convert him and teach him to love it! haha

The "kids" after the game.

Eva, Me, Gunnar, Shea, Emily and Joe Todd

And I know some of you might not be interested in this but man it is so hard to leave. I just want to stay forever and it's so hard to leave not knowing when I'm going to see him again. I'm so glad that I am so blessed in so many ways and that there is so many good things to focus on!! But it's still hard. I just keep wanting just one more hug, one more goodbye , a few more minutes, and on and on...

But my sadness soon got pushed aside as right as I'm leaving Gunnar's house I get a text from my mom telling me that WYATT WAS PROPOSING!!! Yeah I called her right away to find out more! She told me she needed to call me back on the house phone as her cell phone doesn't get very good service at their house so in the minute it took her to do that I called Gunnar and just said, "Wyatt's proposing!! ok mom's calling me back I'll call you when I know more" and hung up! haha So I'm driving and trying to navigate traffic and talking on the phone and getting really excited and talking to my mom then calling Gunnar back and then finally I get a phone call from Sara. She was gushing and I'm not going to write her story here as I'm sure she'll want that pleasure but she didn't know I already knew and said "well I was going to send you something but my phone won't let me, so I'm just going to tell you..... I"M ENGAGED!!!" I was the first person she told because she knew I was out of town and wouldn't be at the house when they got there. That really meant a lot to me! As she told me the story I started tearing up which really surprised me. I'm so happy for them and am so honored to be part of it. I got to see the ring today and I must say that it is perfect. She was absolutely glowing today! I'm so excited and ready to help plan a wedding! Time to crack that maid of honor whip! haha

So overall it was an absolutely wonderful weekend! Yay for life!

For all you coffee lovers out there!

2011-01-26T10:29:00.004-06:00

So this girl I work with kept telling me about this coffee that I should try but I never remembered to go get me some, so for my birthday a couple weeks ago she bought me a bag!

HEB makes it and it's called Taste of Texas. There are several different blends; Austin blend, San Antonio blend, Hill Country Blend and the kind I got is the Houston blend. From what they tell me it's the best one!

Pure bliss...

What are you looking at?

2011-01-23T22:07:00.004-06:00

So I know this isn't the best picture but I took it while sitting at a red light at Knickerbocker and the loop. It really was an Am-A-zing sunset!!
As I turned onto Knickerbocker and was heading south towards the lake, I could not see the sunset at all as buildings and signs covered it until I was on the bridge over Nasworthy. As I entered the bridge, if I looked to my right there was this incredible sunset but if I was watching the road I could not see it at all, not even out of my peripheral vision. I got to wondering how many people were driving right past it and hadn't even noticed how beautiful the sky was because they hadn't turned their heads or were too absorbed in whatever they were thinking about to notice.

It made me start thinking about how we often do this in life. We are so focused on what's ahead of us or what's most prominent in our thinking we fail to see the beauty that is all around us. The sky in front of me was just the dull blue of dusk, not really exciting or noticeable and yet with a small turn of my head, a shift in my focus, so to speak, there was all this glorious beauty.

Now if I had continued to look at the sunset totally, I would have eventually wrecked my car. It made me think that in our lives there are certain things we are required to focus on in a given season or we might be at a point in our life's journey that we have no desire to camp at and yet we must pass through. I know for me, being in a long distance relationship is certainly not how I would have picked things to be right now and yet that's where we are right now and for the moment that can't change. While I must focus on that and how to successfully navigate all the ins and outs of a long distance relationship, I can also choose to look on the beauty around me whether that be a great family, fun roommate or whatever. Yeah it's hard to miss my boyfriend all the time but how blessed am I to have people here who love me and are always available for a hug or a talk. We may not be in a situation that is bad or good but just mundane or comfortable, I mean the sky in front of me wasn't stormy or spectacular it was just sky and yet even in that I could have missed the beauty the Lord had for me. In many situations that are hard or bad or good or whatever if we choose to "look" around us we can find so much beauty in what the Lord is doing and yet how often do we miss it?

What are you looking at?

A problem...

2011-01-19T10:31:00.009-06:00

This is a goat trap. Gunnar needs one.

The goats push in the closer side and then can't get back through the other side.

The problem is that this goat trap belongs to a guy from his church.

This is raw materiel and tools.
This is my boyfriend welding.

And this is the beginnings of his own goat trap.I always loved that about my dad. If he needed something he could probably just go outside and find some scrap materiel and build it. It seemed to me like he could do anything! I loved watching him work and make stuff. You could always ask questions and he was never too busy or rushed to stop and explain something to you and if you were interested and asked he'd always teach you how to do what he was doing. He also always could answer more questions than I knew to ask. If I asked one question instead of just giving a short answer, he'd always go farther and explain how something worked or why it worked that was or the history of something or whatever.

So when I drove into the Sullengers place the other day and knew that Gunnar needed a goat trap and saw him out welding, it made me really glad that Gunnar shares that quality with Dad. He just up and welded himself a goat trap out of scrap metal around their place. How cool is that?!

This was my contribution. hahaI stood on it so it wouldn't tip over while he was measuring. And I took pictures and was generally very impressed and attentive :)

This is Chippeway supervising.
She pretty much runs the place :)

Cows

2011-01-14T21:42:00.004-06:00

Cows make me laugh....

I mean how can you not love this face?!

They see food, they come running! :)

This baby is my favorite. I mean how can you not love this face?! He was a little camera shy though. He hasn't figured out that people feed him yet!

Yum.....

Yeah, I can't help it, cows make me laugh...

Tonight...

2011-01-13T00:33:00.005-06:00

it was cold!

Like really cold (for us Texans)....

So....

We made another fire....

Let me rephrase that....

GUNNAR made another fire...

I made hot tea...

And beat Eva and Gunnar in Settlers in a last minute monopoly card play that caused Gunnar to not be able to build a city and win...

He was bitter...

very...

and almost left...

but not really...

then we made smores.....

cause we're that cool!

A good night I'd say!

Fire!

2011-01-11T11:24:00.002-06:00

So after living in this house almost 4 years we finally got around to building a fire!! Last night was a great night for it since it was raining ice and got down to however low!! Guess it took dating a guy with a wood supply and a love for fires to finally make it happen :)

We may or may have not tried to smoke ourselves out and had to climb on the roof to discover a giant rock on top of the chimney....

Also I may or may have not left the toast in the oven while outside helping Gunnar with the chimney and thus filled the kitchen with smoke from the burnt toast....

Nah none of that stuff happened at all!!....

Life...

2010-10-18T22:32:00.005-05:00

Just thought I'd write a little update.

In no particular order here's a summary of my life as such...

Still in love with the best guy ever.
Have gone out of town every weekend beginning Labor Day weekend, except September 18th. Im getting to coach meets this season which is so fun but requires quite a bit of travel. September 18th we hosted a meet here so instead of driving time we had set up and clean up.
I have been attending Gunnar's church every Sunday night. They're doing an American History series by David Barton and it has been amazing! Plus that has allowed me to see Gunnar's family and all the friend I've made at his church over the summer on a regular basis.
I went Dove hunting for the first time.
I got to see 1000's of Monarchs migrating, TWICE!!
I am now working full time at the gym as the Gym Manager of sorts and Assistant Head Coach
I have taken on a 2nd part time job at ASU as the Online Editor for the Ram Page, ASU's weekly campus newspaper. Sara is the Advertisement Manager there and told me about the job opening. In addition to a little extra saving money it is a great opportunity to learn and a great asset to my resume. I'm really enjoying it and learning a lot.
Made two trips to College Station so far, in between meets, and have even discovered a couple small short cuts :)
I've discovered that rather large scars take a long time to heal and can turn all kinds of colors based on how hot or cold I am.
I've gotten staph 4 more times but this time I knew what to watch for and caught them before they got bad.
I am graduating in December and applied for graduation just last week. I'm only taking 6 hours this semester. I only needed 15 hours to graduate in May but two of the classes I needed weren't offered until this fall so I had to split them up.
No, I do not have a definite plan for after graduation.
I am regrowing my hair out. I miss my long hair.
I have discovered that you learn quite a bit about yourself when you are in a long distance relationship, well probably any relationship, and have had to rely on the Lord to change me and grow me. This is one of the best and hardest things I've ever done but it is soo worth it. Gunnar is so good to me and we are growing and learning in this relationship.
I am still living in the house on Beauregard and am currently in need of one more roommate. Molly's moving to San Antonio :(
I'm stuck in this place of wanting to enjoy the moment and season but really looking forward to and longing for the future.

Well I guess that's about it for now. Here's a couple pics of a few of my girls at our last meet. They're level 5s and rocked it on beam!! I am the main beam coach and was SOOO excited! They scored 9.1, 9.3, 9.4, 9.4, and a 9.5! Whoop!!

An encounter with staph

2010-07-30T00:21:00.008-05:00

*warning....pictures below*

So I'm sure everyone knows this already but I have had a rather not fun encounter with a staph infection the last couple weeks. I noticed Thursday, July 15, that I had a small red irritated spot on my leg. I coach down on my knees on vinyl mats all the time and let's face it coaching gymnastics is a rather sweaty occupation in the summer so my knees get irritated kinda often. Well Friday when I woke up my first though was "OW my leg hurts" The irritated spot had grown and was red and swollen and very painful. As the days went on it got worse and worse. I could press my thumb into it and it would leave a thumb print like if there was clay or play dough under my skin. I thought it was a spider bite and was even kinda worried that it might be a brown recluse bite. By Saturday my whole leg was swollen down my shin and calf and I had a line of pain running from the wound all the way up my leg into my groin and my lymph nodes were swollen. Gunnar's mom, Ann, suggested that it might be staph from the moment she saw it. I tried twice to squeeze it as hard as I could to see if I could get anything out of it but never could so I had started thinking it was a bite instead of an infection. The actual wound started looking like a cigarette burn which was kinda weird. Anyway by Sunday night we decided that I definitely needed to go to the doctor and Monday morning when I woke up I could no longer walk without limping and I was getting fever.

I went to a clinic and the second the doctor looked at it he confirmed that it was indeed staph. They moved me to another room and begin the process of getting it cut out of my leg. He injected numbing stuff into it and then cut it open. It hurt quite a bit as he numbed it but then I watched him cut it open and it didnt hurt at all. He made a small slit and then blood and white chunky stuff came out. He proceeded to cut under my skin and use forceps to open it up more. I couldn't feel a thing and kinda enjoyed watching. Well after he got all the staph out (he thought) he packed it and then wrapped it up. I left the clinic and made it to Sam's to get my prescription. Every time I got off it and then would try to walk again it hurt worse. By the time I made it to the pharmacy in Sams I was shaking uncontrollably and felt like I was going to throw up. I've never felt that type of pain before I guess cause I've never needed to throw up from pain. My friend Michael works in the pharmacy and by the time my prescription was ready I seriously thought I was going to throw up all over Sam's.....so not cool!! Anyway Michael graciously offered to bring me one of those wheelchair buggy things and I made it out of there without loosing my breakfast. When I got home I almost fell down stepping out of the car it hurt so bad. By this point I was done trying to be tough and asked my mom to come get me and take me home. I couldn't go to work and didn't want to spend the whole day at my house by myself, not to mention I couldn't really walk. She did and I spent the rest of the afternoon sleeping and laying around since I couldn't really do much else. Gunnar came over later and we hung out with my parents. All my siblings were gone to House of Faith camp so it was kinda cool getting to hang out just the four of us.

The next day when I went back to the doctor my leg had gotten worse and the doctor sent me to a general surgeon. Mom took me to Community where they had to admit me through the ER. Well after two hours of waiting and lots of phone calls, texts, visits and prayers the surgeon, Dr. Jolly, finally came and saw me. Cool name huh?!?! Anyway she took one look at my leg and told us that the type of cut the previous doctor had made was not suffecient to get all the staph out. Then she took one look at the antibiotic I was on and said "ahh that's crap"." Well that makes you feel real awesome let me tell ya..... So she tells us that shes going to have to open my leg a lot more to get the rest of the infection. By this point my leg had filled with puss. Apparently puss is acidic which counteracts with the lidocane and causes it to not work as effectively.....short story...my leg never got completely numb!!! Yeah it hurt!! It was bearable at first and then she flushed it all out with saline and was about to pack it and wrap it up and then she spotted one more spot of puss. Yeah the staph had tunneled down into another cavity. So she brings out more lidocane and starts cutting away. AHHHH man!!! That hurt. I do not cry about pain or injuries, like I just don't. Well I had tears running down my face. Finally Mom says, "Kelli its ok to cry!!" After that I gave up and stopped trying to be tough and kinda started crying. The thing was that I was so tense I couldn't actually cry so it was kinda these shaky halted sobs as I let myself take a breath. Finally she finished and I will say that she was quick and effecient and I did really like her even though she cut a large hole in my leg!! After it was over I sat up and was shocked cause I really did have a big ol hole in my leg!! She packed it and then I got to go home. I spent the whole evening asleep on the couch....apparently fighting an infection and getting a hole cut in your leg takes a lot out of ya!! haha I could tell it was actually done right this time though because that evening I could already walk with very little pain and was feeling a lot better.

So the next day when I went to the wound care unit they asked for my permission to take a picture of the wound and I asked if I could take a picture of it too.

The doctor stuck her pinky down that hole to the right!!.....Like all the way!!!

If you notice the red surrounding the hole, well the day before that red was covering almost my whole leg. They marked it with marker so that if it was worse the next day they were going to admit me into the hospital on iv antibiotics. Anyway the next day it looked much better and they taught me how to pack it myself. I have to repack it every other day. Here's a couple pics of the first time I did it myself.

Yummy

Down the hole. Excuse the hair but I can't really shave around it so yeah...

Cleaning it. I had quite the audience. This was the first time Gunnar, Dad, Sara and Wyatt had seen it. Sara turned it into a photo shoot haha

Repacking it...

All repacked and ready to rebandage

So I am healing nicely now. I went to the doctor again Wednesday and he said I have to keep packing it for two more weeks. The hole has to fill up and then the skin will grow over it. I was rather discouraged Wednesday but Gunnar brought some healthy and Godly perspective to my mindset like that I'm not on crutches, that I didn't have to be admitted to the hospital and that I am healing and it will get better. What a guy!!

Through this whole process I was so greatly reminded of how blessed I am with family, friends, a church family, my employer and coworkers and a wonderful and godly man in my life. I received prayers, phone calls, texts, fb messages, and visits in the ER from so many different people. I just love how the body of Christ's operates. I truly am so blessed to have so many great people in my life!! Praise the Lord!!

A new yummy!

2010-04-19T21:55:00.003-05:00

So recently, and I don't even remember where, my mom, Mindi Berry, and I were talking about cooking and about making up recipes. Apparently this is something Mindi and I both enjoy doing. Well she told us about something she had made and ever since then I wanted to try it. It is SOOO easy and turned out really yummy so I thought I'd share it!

1 can tomato paste
1 box cream cheese
chicken (I used breast fillets)

Mix paste and cheese together, I also was using Rotel for something else so I poured the juice into the cheese. This made it a little thinner and gave it some spice. Brown the chicken, I used a Mrs Dash seasoning but whatever you want would work. Then smother the chicken in the cheese and tomato mixture and slow bake it til the meat is done. It turned out really good and was quick and easy to prepare!! Way to go Mindi!!!

Creative weekend

2010-04-18T19:04:00.005-05:00

So this weekend has been an unusual one. First I all afternoon Saturday and all day Sunday with nothing I just had to do!!! That like never happens!! Ive been traveling a lot with work and have been spending time in Mertzon the weekends Gunnar has been home. Anyway I decided to let my creative side out a little this weekend so it wont completely shrivel up before I'm done with school. I mean I know it takes creativity to write 10 page investigative business reports but somehow its just not the same ;)

So Saturday afternoon Sara and I went fabric shopping for curtains for my room. We got lucky and found the "perfect" one!! More on that later after I get them made but you should just know that they're going to be amazing!! haha

Today I painted a mirror I got from my grandparents a while back. It was an awful pukish gold/brown color so I painted it black!! I love how it turned out!!

Before

yuck!

After

Sorry its dark but it was the best I could do.

Ahh much better!

This just in.....

2010-04-08T22:13:00.002-05:00

I just registered for my LAST college semester!!!!!!!!!!!!! Man that felt good!!!

Cowboys are my Weakness...

2010-04-02T00:10:00.003-05:00

Ya know...The Trisha Yearwood song.

One of my favorite lines in it has always been,

He brings me fresh daisies in a coffee can...

Well I got more than daisies and it was a plastic cup instead of a coffee can but the idea is still the same!

So much color!

I love wildflowers!!

Oh and he picked a bunch for his mom too! Im totally thinking this cowboy is a keeper!!

So there are times...

2010-03-29T11:30:00.014-05:00

in life when we as Christians choose to put others needs above our own. We give our time, money, wisdom, homes, resources or energy into something that's full purpose is to benefit others. We do this, hopefully, out of our love for the Father and our love and desire for others to know the Father they way we do! And yet it always seems to me that when we do this we end up more blessed and satisfied than the people we were hoping to bless. Our joy is increased and our love for the Father and His amazingness often grows deeper as we give of ourselves. As it says in Acts 20:35, "...remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

I realize that sometimes things we do for the Lord go unnoticed by everyone except for the Lord, or sometimes our efforts just seem to fail miserably and we have to be able to have peace within our inner man that our intentions were right and that the Father saw our efforts. Other times though, it seems like the reward for giving of ourselves is so tangible that you can almost feel it!

All that to say this... House of Faith Family Camp 2010 was this weekend!!!!! Gunnar got to come to help and it was a weekend full of work, packing and unpacking, cooking, teasin', dish washing, serving, laughing, loving, family, FREEZING water and JESUS!! My good friend Michael's sister got saved so that of one MAJOR Hallelujah (as Bob would say) of the weekend!!

We had the Talledega del Frio Race and every family got to decorate a box to race Fred Flintstone style. Everyone got REALLY into it and it turned out to be a major hit of the weekend!! My family didn't get to decorate but acted as the paint and supplies managers! haha It actually was really fun and we didn't get paint on us at all ;)

Gunnar, Dad and I setting up. I was already covered in paint!

Trying to thicken up the paint

That little munchkin was a handful!! I caught him twice with about 15 coffee straws in his kool-aid , adding creamer to it! There was kool-aid all in the creamer and all over the bowl and not a parent in sight! haha

Now not all Family camp was work. We did get to get in the FREEZING water and jump off a cliff. Gunnar, Penny, Me and Alfonzo.

Fonzo went 1st!

I was second! Gunnar said I won major girlfriend points for being the kind of girl that would do thing kinda thing! Score!!

Penny was next!

And Gunnar went last!! The water was so cold it hurt, really bad, but it was so worth the memory!!Gunnar and I after our jump. We were both still shivering. It took me a LONG time to stop!! :)

Tara in costume for a semi pointless interruption!! Her and Eva were FANTASTIC and so so funny!!

Matt, Penny and some kids. The one on the end is Angel and she was my hiking buddy on the way down from the hike. She talked my ear off the whole time and she even made up a hiking song with me!! She was a pretty cool kid!!

Washing dishes, and more dishes and more dishes. Nothing like serving and working together to help get to know someone better!!

The ladies of the kitchen!!! These women were AMAZING and put in so many long hours cooking and preparing for all the 262 people at camp!! Props to them!!

So over all it was such a satisfying weekend!! There were families that will be changed forever after this weekend. There were relationships established that will give HOF staff and volunteers channels into family's lives that will cause families to change and to keep changing from now on! People saved, blessed, taught, and hopefully by just being out in creation away form technology, work and our daily lives these families got a new appreciation of just how big and good our God is and how time spent as a family and making memories like that is something that cannot be replaced.

Once upon a time...

2010-03-25T13:21:00.002-05:00

...there was a girl who wrote blog posts about things she noticed about the world, events in her life, and other such happenings. Something happened to that girl... She went away... She stopped writing... she lost motivation...

Well I'm here to announce that that girl is back from wherever she went! I'm ready to write and share again. Nothing happened specifically to cause me to stop, I just slowly died out. I miss writing...I want to share my life and my thoughts, lessons learned, memories experienced, etc! I'm ready to write again!!

Be ready world!

I am back!!

Hangin' out in Aggieland!

2009-10-12T01:55:00.014-05:00

So this weekend Wyatt, Sara and I headed off to Aggie land to visit our friend Gunnar! We had quite the time and really enjoyed seeing Gunnar and hanging out! We went to Midnight Yell, watched a very good ballgame (even though they lost :( bought some Aggie gear and finished off Saturday night with some dancing to a local Texas Country band! We went to church the next morning and had breakfast with my friend Jon and his dad who was in town for the game. Over all it was a fun filled, friend filled and joke filled weekend!

Here's some pics!

"Hey look! There's Kyle Field!"

Wyatt, Sara and Gunnar after the game.

Enjoying the game!

At Midnight Yell

This was our first attempt at a group pic haha

Nothin like the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band!!

SISTERS!!!

What a weekend!

2009-09-20T23:26:00.008-05:00

This weekend was full and fun!! We hosted a meet at work which was super fun and exhausting! Our kids really made some improvement over their performances last week so that made me really excited not to mention I actually got to coach this one! There is just something about gymnastics that really gets me deep inside who I am! I hope that's a good thing haha

Our level 5's and 6's won the team competition and we had lots of winners and placing in the individuals too. My three 2nd year level 5's took 1st 2nd and 3rd in the all around in their age group!

Jillian, MaClay and Danielle (or as they are more often called... Gilligan, Carrot and Danny)

The 6's and 3's

Level 5's take 1st!

While it was very fun and enjoyable I have to confess that I skipped church and slept late Sunday morning (I know I know.... how could I?!) but I was up and ready for some paintball this afternoon! I had never played before so it took me a couple rounds to kinda get the hang of it but once I did I decided that I think it might be my new favorite thing to do!! Its what Jonathan wanted to do for his birthday and Jamin had a group of people out there playing so we all played together and I had a blast. I even have some lovely bruises to show for my bravery (HAHA)

Sometimes I really like being a Criner sister! :)

The whole gang

And then I watched the Cowboys game....poor Michael...

Great Day for a Ride...

2009-09-18T15:13:00.003-05:00

So last night I asked Bob

"Want to take me on a motorcycle ride tomorrow?"

His answer...

"Well of course!"

This...

plus this...

equals FUN!

Goodbye vacation...

2009-08-25T23:54:00.003-05:00

Ok so I know this isn't the most exciting thing to be blogging about but I really want to get back into blogging now that the summer chaos is behind us.

So school started Monday and I can officially announce that I have 24 hours left until I graduate so 12 this semester and 12 next semester and I'm done! As for what I'm doing after that well Im not sure yet. I have several ideas and things Im praying about though so I'll keep ya updated.

Work is still fun and exciting! Ive moved into taking a real leadership role as part of the competitive team coaching staff. I work with some awesome people and am still learning so much from them. I really love coaching, especially the team! I'll hopefully keep you updated with pictures as the competition season starts and progresses!

What I've learned from BJ...

2009-08-24T02:39:00.002-05:00

I just read this in a book a friend let me borrow called I Would Die for You about a teenage kid named BJ who died from a disease he got while on a mission trip in Peru. Im only on the 4th chapter but was struck by a blog entry the book quotes that BJ wrote before he died.

"By the way...While even I often have to stop and figure out something that the Bible says that may have previously been contrary to my beliefs, you're looking at the Bible in the wrong way to say that when you find out about a portion of it you disagree with. Instead of only believing the Bible if it matches your own personal beliefs, make your beliefs match what the Bible says, because it has much more authority and relevance than our petty circumstances which bring about unsolid opinions. Many times my beliefs have changed due to finding a passage in the Bible that contradicted my old beliefs, but when this happens, do not assume that the Bible is wrong, assume that you are wrong. Because we are wrong a lot, but god is never wrong."

Now I realize that some of the writing is a little off but he wrote that when he was fourteen! It struck my spirit as a good reminder of how I want to be shaped BY the Word and how I want the Word to be the ultimate autority in my life and belief system.

The new and the old...

2009-05-17T20:00:00.006-05:00

This past summer my Grandpa Buck died. Now Grandpa Buck was not actually my grandfather but we called him that because he had been the only positive father figure my mom and her siblings ever had growing up. Technically he was my mom's cousin's husband but was a good 40 years older that my mom...yeah I know weird family anyway... At his funeral I got a revelation that I had known before reblasted on my spirit with a deeper knowledge. There were many older people in attendance and I begin to notice how genuine, true and deep their love for the Lord was. Prior to the funeral, I was introduced to the pastor who conducted it. He was a smaller man who was the pastor of a small baptist church out in Dove Creek I think. According to "greatness" standards, I doubt a little country church fits the bill for "an amazing accomplishment" yet when I shook his hand I was struck by the love, joy and honesty I saw in his eyes. You could just tell by watching him - the man deeply and truly loved the Lord and people! There were many other people there that were like this pastor. Just ordinary small town older folks who loved the Lord with all their heart.

During the funeral -it was the most joyous funeral I've ever attended- several family members told stories, read letters and in other ways honored Grandpa Buck. He was the meanest, toughest, hard working cowboy you could ever meet! Tough and grizzled, a man who sat tall in the saddle and worked til the job was complete, yet he'd start crying talking about how his Savior died on the cross for him. He never met a stranger and if someone gave him long enough...more than a "Nice to see ya and I gotta go"...He'd ask them if they knew his Jesus. As I looked around the crowd I saw so many white haired, tough, faithful "old" children of God who were made out of the same "fabric" as Grandpa Buck.

The current movement in the church seems to be always something about the "new." We say things like "The Lord's doing new things in the body of Christ," or "He's raising up a new generation." What we have failed to realize or have overlooked is that all this new stuff that the Lord is doing is because of our grandparents who have been praying for the last 50 years for a move of God in the earth. We have somehow started to believe that we're special because the Lord is doing new things in us. He's raising up new warriors. While this is true let's not forget to thank the everyday normal, small town people who have been faithfully serving and seeking the Lord for years and years. We're reaping their fruit. Actually if you truly look at it, in a way we ARE their fruit! The Lord honors the new and the old!!!

Be the kind of woman...

2009-04-22T21:32:00.001-05:00

...that when your feet hit the ground each morning the devil says, "OH DARN, SHE'S UP"!

Haha Thanks Gran!

Thriftin'

2009-04-11T18:56:00.011-05:00

So Friday Sara and I went what we call "thriftin'" haha. We go shopping at thrift stores. Technically we're looking for great "finds" but more often than not we have more fun making fun of the crazy things we come across. Ya know things like dark green velvet wedge heels or sequin smothered wedding dresses or things that we can never quite figure out what they are. Here's a pic of a life size panther I just had to examine. And in spite of all the fun and quirky things we found we both found a couple great "finds" to make the trip memorable and worth it. I found a box that I was so excited about especially since it was only 5 dollars!

Pretty cool for someone who's been to Scotland and loves things that have to do with Texas history. I googled the company and apparently they are the oldest wine merchant in London originating in 1698. They're still family owned after 300 years!! Now that's cool! I'm thinking that the box was sent from England to New York then to Texas in the early 1900's. I emailed the company and asked them if they could tell me anything about it. Anyway its in great condition and will work great as a piece of decor in my room or living room. I also got a rather strangely shaped blue glass vase goblet thing that will be perfect as a candle holder.

Sara has this fetish for overnight bags from back in the day. Or just luggage pieces in general. She seriously wants to buy everyone she sees but has managed to show some self control haha... She did find a matching set of a suitcase and an overnight/toiletry case though that were in great condition and that were redish, which is her favorite color of sorts. Here's a pic of one of them

Anyway over all we had a great afternoon and I would totally recommend going thriftin' to someone as a fun way to spend an afternoon if you're into that sort of thing!

A blast from the past!!

2009-04-05T22:59:00.017-05:00

Sara's working on her slide show for graduation so she has a bunch of old pictures scanned into the computer and this weekend while I was home I looked through them all and thought some of them were just so cute or funny that I would share some of them with everyone!

Sara is asleep in over half of her baby pics!! Seriously! Its true!

See!! And apparently she had a knack for making Dad fall asleep too!

See what I mean?!

This is her with my cousin Trait.

haha like most things I'm sure this was totally my idea!

"Look Sara. See what I found!"

"Wow! Really? That is just so cool!"

So I found this picture to be completely adorable!

(For those who don't know this is our cousin, Ty)

Looks like we were playing dress up and the human jungle gym all at the same time.

I actually remember this day. I think that horses name was Joe haha

Take a look at Jonathan...apparently all those candle are quite mesmerizing!

Dad was holding a horny toad in this picture.

Sara's funny cause she looks interested but not brave enough to get too close :)

My great grandparents!

Helping Uncle Donald farm!

Do you say it?!

2009-04-01T22:09:00.003-05:00

"Thank you" that is...

Just a thought. I was just in HEB doing some grocery shopping and my cashier was very fast and efficient. Now I didn't have a huge load but I did have several bags of groceries that I needed to purchase and I was checked out and walking out to the parking lot in under 5 minutes from when I got in line. As she handed me my receipt I looked her in the eye and said "Thank you" then looked at the bagger and told him thanks you too. They both did a little double take and smiled back at me as I turned to leave the store. I guess it was their double takes that worked as a reminder for me that I thought would be good to share.

Saying Thank you and looking someone in the eye is such a small gesture that can really say a lot about how you respect and treat people. If you're like me you often mumble a thanks as you're trying to stuff your receipt into your purse and get outta there. Yet taking to time to specifically say thank you to someone can help make their day!! Just a thought...

shooting and baseball...

2009-03-28T17:14:00.007-05:00

So I'm really loving having older younger siblings...if ya get what I mean! Its really fun being able to go to their games, or competitions, or whatever and cheer them on and get to be the supportive one. I was always the one that had the meets and games growing up and everyone came to watch me so its fun to be able to go watch other people now. I must admit that when it first started I was horrible at it. I would get SOO into whatever it was we were watching. It was kinda a hard and fun transition from being the participant to the spectator. I just wanted to be out there, involved! haha Anyway all my sibling have become involved in the 4H shooting out in Mertzon over the last several months. A while ago they all made the county team. Next week end is District and this weekend they all had practice competitions to prepare. Jonathan won 3rd place several weeks ago in the county competition and yesterday he won first place, beating the kid who had beat him last time by about 30 points. (I'm told that's a lot I don't really understand the whole point system yet haha) Mom said he was trying to act all macho like he didn't really care but you could tell he was really excited about it and was proud! haha boys *rolls eyes* Here's a pic of him with his first place ribbon:

He also had his first base ball game yesterday and they lost 10-8 but from what I saw (I only got to see the last inning and a half) they played well. You could tell they were all a little nervous since it was their first game. Jonathan plays first base and also pitches some. Here's a couple pics of his going for a grounder and pitching:

just a few pics...

2009-03-21T23:28:00.012-05:00

...of life lately

...at the rodeo

Enjoying chocolate covered strawberries...YUM!

I love this pic! Laugher is so energizing!

Nothing like the carnival!

Boyd Polhamus looking ghostly cool

Having lunch with Aunt Tracey! I love her so much!

Two of my favorite people ever!

Kevin and I on the Dew Run!

Enjoying the view

I hit some sweet jumps...

2009-03-16T21:27:00.005-05:00

...but didn't land them all thanks to other people! haha

ok ok I admit...

2009-03-15T21:41:00.005-05:00

...I'm a horrible blogger!! OK not really I have a good excuse! I work 32-40 hours a week and am in the hardest semester of school I've ever taken. This last week was a killer. All my profs must have looked at the semester while they were planning all the syllabuses and thought "I'll work it so that the midterm/major technical writing assignments/photography assignment falls right before spring break." But Praise the Lord! He really gave me grace to handle it all very efficiently. I can honestly say that I never dealt with anxiety or was stressed out about getting everything I needed to done! Anyway just wanted to tell everyone that that crazy week is now over and I am now in COLORADO on a MOUNTAIN and have spent all day and will spend the next two days SKIING!!!! Life is good!

How anyone can stand on top of a mountain and see the great scenery and unending mountain range and not believe there is a God is beyond me! Anyway its been great so far and I promise a full update and blog soon!

And now its time to go to bed before I fall over...haha

Looking beyond the surface...

2009-02-11T23:37:00.027-06:00

I've had this post percolating in my mind for a few weeks. The thought is this...What do we look at all the time but never actually take the time to see? I'm in a photography class this semester and the other day our lecture addressed this issue in regards to taking pictures. My prof talked about how we go through life looking at things from eye level. How would it change if we looked from down low or up high? Now while she was talking about our physical world I think that statement could be applied to other aspects of life as well.

This weekend my family and Wyatt went to Brady to celebrate my grandmothers birthday. She turned 84 and we decided (actually I think Sara and Jonathan decided) to put ALL 84 candles on her cake! Let's just says that lighting them all was quite the experience and I came away from it with singed hair and a great memory ;)

After lunch and cake all us kids decided to go hiking. Now you must remember that winter in Texas just means that everything is brown and dry. All the nice landscape scenes are rather bland and ugly.... or so I thought. That day in my photography class my prof quoted a poster she has hanging in her office that says "We don't need new landscapes, we need new eyes." That thought really struck me and I thought of it again as we were hiking. As we started the hike and even before as I had driven to the ranch I noticed how bare, brown, dry and rather non attractive everything looked.

Sara looking out

We decided to hike around the rim rock and find a good place to turn down into the canyon to hike to the bottom and then were planning to hike back up another canyon to where the prayer blind sits. As we hiked along we never found a place that was clear enough to hike down easily so we finally just decided to bulldoze through the brush and boulders and make an adventure out of it. The minute we turned down the mountain and got into the brush I noticed how everything was suddenly different. While when looking at the landscape from the top it looked dusty and colorless once you got into it it was full of color and beauty. The orange and red fall leaves carpeted the ground. The trees added texture to color with their differing cloaks of bark. There was mistletoe and algeritia adding green to the mix. The boulders and trees created an intriguing and mysterious trail affect. I don't know it just made me start thinking about how much I would have missed had I not gotten into the landscape. It also made me start wondering how often we do that with people. We see them a certain way and never take the time to look beyond the surface at qualities or attributes that are hidden beneath the surface. This could go the other way as well. We often look at people who are beautiful or talented on the outside and don't notice the shallow or immature character of the inside.

I also thought about people who I've known forever but don't actually really know. Ya know like those people you've worked with for years, or gone to church with or whatever. Have I, as a person, gotten to where I just see the same landscape and never get to know who they really are inside?

Here's another thought...Life is all about perspective, right?! Most pictures or snapshots people take are from eye level but what happens when you decide to get a shot from a new angle. Often pictures can be created that are very captivating or just simply eye catching. I liked both of these pics a lot.

Wyatt

Looking at Porcupines

Again something that can be demonstrated with the physical is often a much deeper truth. What parts of my life do I need to look at from a new angle? How can I choose to veiw my life and who I am that will enable me to see God working in a way I've never seen before? I don't know but its something to ponder...

I'm a "Professional" :)

2009-01-30T11:59:00.002-06:00

So today I'm making another trek to the great West Texas city of Lubbock to coach a gymnastics meet. I'm super excited, not about making that ugly drive again but to coach as an official USA Gymnastics (USAG) Professional Gymnastics Coach. Sounds pretty spiffy huh? I've coached a couple meets before but wasn't actually supposed to be on the floor and would have been kicked off if they had checked. Those were small meets though where no one really cares. Now I have obtained my USAG professional coaching number and completed safety certifications and background checks. I'm super excited because this is really what I love to do! I mean who could ask for a better job than get to teach children how to do skills that could potentially kill or really hurt them and do to them well. (ok that might be slightly exaggerated but it sounds cool...many skills don't have the potential to kill them ;) Then get to go to a meet and help them prepare and preform in front of very critical judges and a large audience!

Here's to going for the GOLD!! haha

the power of music...

2009-01-26T21:51:00.002-06:00

So this is something I've been wanting to write about ever since I saw Wicked in London this summer but as most of you understand life happened and I never got around to it :) Well... I attended a Brad Paisley concert last night (which was AMAZING) and was struck with the same thoughts and feelings as when I saw Wicked so I decided I needed to just start this thing and write!

When I saw Wicked, I remember being blown away by the musical talents of the actors. I remember getting goose bumps several times as the lead actress reached the climatic points of several songs. I felt myself being drawn into the music in a way that was strong and stirring. Captivated by the ebb and flow of the musical rhythms and melodies and drawn into the story I felt myself strongly moved by what I suddenly realized is a FICTIONAL story. Now obviously I knew it was a fictional story going in but the realization that I could be so affected by something that wasn't even a real event started stirring thoughts in my head. It made me start thinking that if I could be so strongly moved and effected by a group of people acting and singing about fictional happenings how powerful the Lord must have created music to be. Also, most of the actors would dance while they sang, creating patterned effects across the stage full of color and energy that allured the eye and complimented the rhythms and sway of the music. These also seemed to speak to me and draw me into another place.

As the musical progressed I started thinking that God has created humans to be effected, sometimes to the point of change, by music. All throughout the Psalms, David talked about singing songs of praise to the Lord and playing instruments of worship towards the Lord. He had thousands of musicians creating music honoring the Lord. Music somehow seems to transfer us to a new of different place where we can worship the Lord in a sanctuary of beautiful sounds undisturbed by chaotic "noise." It can take us to a place where we can be changed and molded.

Last night at the Brad Paisley concert, I begin to think of this again as Dierks Bentley was preforming. His lead guitarist started playing some sweet guitar solo and I felt myself once again being drawn into it with a seeming invisible yet powerful force. The notes seemed to somehow resonate on my heart and I felt myself being pulled into the music. As the concert progressed, Brad came on and put on a great show using over 10 guitars!! I started to think about this concept of music again and how it can lure people's heart into itself. Many of Brad's songs are goofy, pointless, or "unchristian" and yet because of his and his band's very talented musical skills, the songs all seemed to pull on my heart. I started thinking about how if a fictional musical or a country music singer's music can have such a power over me even if for a brief period just how powerful music can be.

During the concert I was reminded of how I had felt at Wicked. How I was amazed that something that really has no lasting meaning or effect on my life (plays, concerts etc) can be so powerful and somehow stirring. The music at these two events and at others as well, has an ability to capture my heart and draw me in. This made me start thinking about worship and how the Lord has designed a part of worship to include music. Its like He has created us to be musical beings (even those who have no musical ability can enjoy and be affected by music) who can be changed and allured into this place of melodies and notes. That He has created or designed a way for us to bring honor to Him while being drawn to Him using a catalyst of music. While singing or listening to music with the Lord in mind it is so easy to be drawn into a deeper place with Him where your heart becomes clay in His hands. Music also has a way to stir my heart up where I seem to notice and want to honor Him more. To notice and be captivated by the beauty of harmony!

While I'm not sure if this will resonate with anyone else's heart I felt compelled to write it simply as a way of examining it more thoroughly and to "get it off my chest" so to speak :) So, as the title suggests, I have come to a deeper understanding lately of how music is powerful!