Sunday, November 15, 2009

He makes my day...



...I hope he makes yours too!

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Found and Loved

There's a photographer in North Carolina that took pictures of my cousin Beckett's first birthday party. Ever since July, I've continually found myself going back to her blog. She takes incredible pictures and always writes a wonderful words that just capture the people and the pictures completely. A few days ago, she posted a blog about empty spaces. It wasn't a shoot with anyone, just her thoughts and pictures. I fell in love with what she wrote about the blog post. I borrowed it from her, made a minor change, and am posting it.

"Taking a minute to quiet my heart and feel really grateful this morning that God created beauty in the empty spaces. Even when the vibrant leaves of the fall fly south for the winter, I am in awe of the intricacies of the tangled twigs left behind to withstand the cold air on their own. And that when baby teeth go missing and big girl teeth haven't quite found their way, a mouthful of crooked spaces is simply lovely. God does the same with me. There are spaces in me that are empty and unfinished. They ache for heaven, long to find a love for a lifetime. God loves those spaces in me. And even though I often hang a 'do not disturb' sign and the only sounds you can hear inside are tears and little hiccups, He meets me there. And when my cry is quieted, He lifts my chin and pushes the matted hair off my face. He tells me I'm beautiful. Loved. His. And then He uses that space to reveal Himself in ways that are mighty. And I am grateful. Grateful that there is beauty in empty spaces. Lots of it."

Thursday, November 5, 2009

New little joys

























































This past weekend, I was at a baby shower for my cousins Carrie and Jenny. Carrie recently welcomed Elliot and Jenny is expecting a baby boy in December! I'm so excited to meet him and am so glad I got to meet Elliot.

1. New big sister Emerson
2. Making monster faces with Em
3. Elliot taking a snooze
4. Snuggled up with Elliot (he made me want to fall asleep!)

Friday, October 30, 2009

Time with the little ones






























































1. Ten year old Catherine climbing up to play with Audrey
2. Three year old Audrey running Catherine down
3. Six month old Caroline hanging out with me at the playground
4. Catherine and Audrey heading up the hill to the elementary school playground

I had a wonderful time with my girls last Tuesday. They definitely kept me busy, but I wouldn't have it any other way. It's hard to believe how quickly they're growing up.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Keeping busy...surprised?

What a week it has been...and by week, I mean last week :)

Monday and Tuesday I was at the hospital all day for training. Talk about lots of sitting. Thankfully all the occupational and physical therapists got us up and moving. But I'll be doing my department training this week, which I'm looking forward to!

Wednesday was fun. Sadly, my dance class at Oak Creek was canceled, but the girls all had visits, so hopefully they all enjoyed some time with their families. And I was thrilled that I got to go to Sponsor Revelation at the Tri Delt house. We had a big ol' family reunion, picked up six new babies, and finished the evening with our traditional dessert at Big River. YUM.

Thursday warmed my heart. I got a last minute invite from Dr. Michelle Inderbitzin, my Inside-Out instructor, to attend an event put on by the 7th Step Club at the penitentiary. Obviously I said yes...it has been almost a year since I've seen all the guys in my class! I went up on Thursday evening and spent the night listening to three speakers. One crime victim and two inmates. I will admit that I did get a little teary eyed. But I SO very much enjoyed seeing some of "my guys." It was good to know that they are all doing well and they're just as fun as I remember them being!

Tomorrow, I'll be headed up to Portland to spend the day playing "mom" to my three lovely "nieces." The newly ten year old Catherine, three year old Audrey, and six (almost seven) month old Caroline.

Wednesday, after training, I'll be headed out to Oak Creek to work on a new project with Michelle. I hope to get at least a couple minutes of dancing in, as one of my girls is getting released on Friday. It's bittersweet, but mostly sweet.

Well, I do believe that's it for now. Enjoy your week!

Sunday, October 11, 2009

I'm new at this...

So, I figured I'd give this whole blog thing the old college try. As of now, here's what's going on in my life:

*I graduated from Oregon State in June with a bachelors degree in Human Development and Family Sciences.

*I have applied to graduate school and will hopefully start in January. I'll hear sometime in November if I got an interview, which will be in December. I applied to George Fox University's masters of arts in counseling program.

*I teach dance (hip hop and jazz) at Oak Creek, Oregon's youth correctional facility for girls.

*I work at the Mario Pastega house, which is the hospitality house at the Corvallis Medical Center.

As of now, I'm just working on getting my life figured out and learning where I want to go. Who knows how this blog will go, but we shall see!