Life List

Friday, September 26, 2008

The Grand Canyon
The Swiss Alps
Mt. Everest

Bryan and I have an unofficial life list. We have talked about the different things we want to do, but don't have an official list. So here it begins...look for updates as we check things off and add things. Here is our starter list:

1. Visit all 7 continents

2. Visit all 50 states

3. Skydive (Bryan)

4. Ski in the Swiss Alps

5. Stay at the Sound of Music House (Karen)

6. Learn a different language (other than Spanish)

7. Back-pack in Europe

8. 7 wonders of the world

9. Go to base-camp of Mt. Everest

10. Stay in a 5-star luxury hotel

11. Visit all the US National Parks

12. Go to the Masters

13. Have something published

14. Make our own signature wine

15. Drive and Astin-Martin

Dreaming

Thursday, September 18, 2008

This is where my brain has been all day. Today was my first day of being "checked out". We are closing out our 6th week of school so I think I've hung in there pretty good. While my brain was not fully engaged with my students it was fully engaged in dreaming. Dreaming is renewing for me. I have always been a dreamer. I love to know other peoples dreams and help them dream. While I do love to dream, and I dream big sometimes, I hold my dreams loosely and let them rest in the hands of my Savior, knowing He can dream far bigger dreams that I could imagine. However, it was nice today to take a break mentally and renew myself. I will be a much better teacher tomorrow for it ( i guess next time I should plan it for a Saturday).

Change for the better

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Well there has been some discussion for the past week that Bryan might be moved to a different school due to enrollment numbers. We were ok with this seeing that any other school would be closer than where he is now.

Finally today, after roughly 11 months of driving a stifling round-trip 110-120 miles/day for at least an hour and half each way, the assignment was changed. Starting Monday, Bryan will be at Norcross High School which is 7 miles from my school. Total we will cut 40 miles off our commute, saving gas and time. His school hours are also different which will allow us to arrive home at least an hour earlier than we have been! Needless to say our drive could always get shorter but for the remainder of this school year we will at least be able to get home earlier and save a little bit of money.

Wedding Vow Renewal Service

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Today at church we finished up our Wedding Project Series with a Wedding Vow Renewal Service. At first Bryan and I were a little hesitant thinking that vow renewing was for people who had been married a long time. However, as Shawn spoke this morning I realized that it was simply an opportunity to say "I'm still in it, I'm just as committed today as I was .... years ago". So we decided to go ahead and do it. Bryan loved every minute of it, and while I enjoyed the personal significance part I laughed, turned bright red, and hated that people were watching us. (At least he was on stage playing in the band during the kiss part or I would have been BRIGHT red!!). During the series we have talked about 5 decisions its important that we make:
1. To Believe (the best about each other and the best about the marriage)
2. To Leave and Cleave (why this the way God designed it)
3. To Love (Ultimately demonstrating Christ love by loving each other the way Christ loves us)
4. To Submit (Choosing what is best for the marriage and again reflecting Christ)
5. To Renew (To renew and remember our commitment to each other and God)Although we weren't all dressed up it was so good to reaffirm to one another our commitment to each other and to our marriage especially after 2 years of "rich or poor, sickness and health" etc. I feel blessed to have such a wonderful husband who has always loved me like Christ does and is quick to forgive and extend grace. However, I love knowing that it can be even better than it already is!

House Fun!

Monday, September 1, 2008

We have been finally (a year after moving in) doing some painting and decorating. We also found a beautiful antique piece for a steal! Here are some pictures of our progress. None of the rooms are completely finished but i have expensive taste and found curtains that will break the bank. More will come as I finish each room!

We paid $40 for this antique dresser and bought some new, matching knobs and stained them and fixed the stain in some rough spot.





This is our first kitchen color...it was a little too bright for my taste. So we repainted it today along with the loft. Our friends Beth, Buck and Peyton graciously spent part of their labor day helping us paint! I still have a faux finish to do in the kitchen but I am no longer blinded by the walls until its all finished.

Picture 1 is the final finish and picture 2 was the first color (they got out of order and i can't figure out how to change it)