Let it SNOW...Let it SNOW...Let it SNOW!

Ahh, SNOW...I just LOVE it!! There is something so calm about it. I love how it makes me feel so excited, so much like a kid! Last night the anticipation of the storm was killing me...I had to check outside every 5 or so minutes in hopes the snow would start. I even stayed up until after midnight, dying to see some snowfall before I went to bed!! When I woke up at 5am, I was thrilled to look outside and see everything covered in a thick, white blanket. How beautiful!!! Oh, how beautiful...

Around 9am we headed out for a walk...our first stop, Starbucks! Thank goodness for the Starbucks employees that still made it in...we were thankful for our hot cup of joe! With coffees in hand, we proceeded to walk, and walk, and walk. I swear walking is WAY more fun in the snow. We travelled about 3 miles, found some wonderful patches of un-tracked snow...have I mentioned how much I LOVE the snow! Here's some pics from our walk...I'm thinking we'll have another one later this afternoon!



Marathon Training Round 2

Yep, I'm doing it again! Running 26.2 miles once just didn't seem like enough, so I'm trying my hand (or I should say "feet") at it again. I decided that while I'm still young and not encountering any limb issues, now's my chance. While I can't say running for almost 5 hours straight is fun, per say, I can say that there is no other feeling like crossing the finish line and knowing I just accomplished 26.2 miles. It's something many people can't or won't ever experience. But, I've done it once, and I'm doing it again. I hope it feels just as good the second time!

My training plan started last week and went okay. Unfortunately, I have a cold. So with my body telling me to rest and my training plan telling me to run, it makes for a rough week. But here we are, on to week two and things are shaping up for the better. My first 10 mile run is this Saturday. Route is mapped, running buddy is booked, and mental status is excited! We shall see.

Here's a funny video about a marathon running. This cracked me up because a lot of the responses from both the non-runner and the marathon trainee in this video are realistic and are often similar comments I hear when I tell people I'm running a marathon! Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cw5MHsO-JI8&feature=email

Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy

I DID IT!!!

On Saturday December 10th, I graduated from Pacific Lutheran University with my Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy. It still hasn't set in...

It feels like I'm on a break and in no time will be back in classes. But it isn't so! This is the first time I've graduated and don't have more school to look forward to...when I graduated high school, I knew I was headed to TCC...when I graduated TCC, I knew I was going to UW...when I graduated UW, I didn't know where I was going, but I knew I was going back...AND NOW, I graduated PLU and...

I will not be getting my PhD! Well as of now, that is...

I've become accustomed to being a student...YIKES! What to do now...the opportunities are endless! Thank goodness my career in Marriage and Family Therapy will require continuing education, so I do have something to look forward to!

There are so many highlights from my program at PLU and I would love to share all of those, however, I will probably do that in another blog on another day! I am truly thankful for the chance to go to graduate school. I read that only 6-8% of Americans have Master Degrees. WOW! I am part of that small percent and it feels great (the paying back the loan part is a whole other story, though...YIKES).

I am extremely grateful for my family and friends that supported me through this process. I definitely couldn't have done it without being encouraged along the way. I loved celebrating after my ceremony and am so thankful to everyone who stopped by. Here's a few pics...

Best husband ever! Thanks for being so supportive!

Mom and Popo!

John and Janis

With my professors! They are wonderful!

My wonderful professors and classmates!

Waiting to be hooded...

BEING HOODED!

After getting my hood! Feeling so accomplished!

Chels!

 Sis and Bro - and Ty who didn't want to look!

Ann and Missy

Wonderful Ariel! Couldn't have made it through the program without her!

 Time to party...and EAT!

 It was so fun having everyone come and celebrate!

The AWESOME PLU cupcakes Joe made!

Santa Claus is coming to...NO NO NO...Santa Claus CAME to town!

Yep, that's right! Santa was here! For the second year in a row, Joe and I had the joy of playing Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club's Santa Breakfast. I felt so much joy as I watched the little kids come see Santa - they LOVE him. It was so sweet watching kids give Santa the lists they made, giving him hugs, asking about what kinds of cookies he likes, and wanting to hear his "Ho Ho Ho's!" It brought back all the fond memories I have of believing in Santa. I remember leaving cookies, trying my hardest NOT to fall asleep so that I could actually see him, wondering how he made it to all the houses, and thinking how amazing it was that he brought me exactly what I wanted for Christmas! Oh, the days of believin'. I can't wait to repeat those traditions with our kids someday. This year we decided to make a visit to mom and dads! Had to make the best of the suit rental!! We also got to visit Kate and her niece, Courtney (who's visiting from Australia). Not sure what Courtney thought of us...haha!! I must say, I think I pulled off the Christmas moo-moo okay. Here's a few pics of the fun!

Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Yikes...it's been almost two months since my last post! I cracked up when I realized my last post was "All things fall..." and here I'm posting Christmas and we are headed full on into winter...chill in the air, snow in the mountains, Frosty the Snowman on the radio, and the smell of Christmas trees everywhere I go. Whoa, how time flies.

As I was reading over the fall post and about how much I was loving fall, I must say I am loving winter and Christmastime JUST AS MUCH! I've concluded that I'm loving the seasons more than ever because I'm actually getting a chance to experience them this year. For the past two years, my brain has been geared towards school...even during the holidays. As school has been winding down the past couple months, I have noticed that I'm actually able to take in the sights and sounds of the seasons...and what a wonderful feeling it is!!

In one week (from today, exactly) I will be graduating with my Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy degree. Pretty crazy thinking that I have my masters! I'm really not sure what it feels like to NOT be a student...even during the two years off from school, I knew I was headed back so my mentality was still "school." I've been dreaming for the day that my mentality shifts from "school" to "career" and I am in shock that it is here already! While I'm excited to get a career going, I am more excited to feel like I have a life again! It's been a tough journey, though I'm so thankful for the experience.

So, in the spirit of Christmas and graduating and all the other exciting things to come, cheers to what's ahead! And may we never forget the true meaning of Christmas...the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

And now for a few photos of the "it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas" series...Enjoy!



All things Fall...

Well, Fall is here! I can't believe how fast this year is flying by, but I have to say I'm excited. I think my excitement is mostly due to the fact that I graduate in TWO months. However, there are so many other things I love about Fall. Here's just a few...

scarves

vests

hot coffee

the smell of fires

the changing leaves

soup

pumpkins

sweats/sweatshirts

candles

comfort food

boots

...and most of all the crisp, cool air. There is something just fabulous about breathing the fresh air of Fall. Today I spent some time giving my home the "Fall" feel. I love that it just takes a few pumpkins and creative thinking to add a little flavor of Fall. Here's some pics...

This little chalkboard is going to be so much fun...a World Market find!

A touch of pumpkins!

My table centerpiece...these were a good, inexpensive find at Freddys

Love this idea!

 It isn't Fall without Candy Corn

Lucy loves Fall too!

Matt Nathanson, Maroon 5, and Train

Conversation between me and Missy (my lovely friend/co-worker) at the beginning of September...

Me: Missy, when does Maroon 5 come into town next? We should really get tickets! It's been almost a year since we've seen them...

Missy (with frightened look on her face): OH NO, I totally forgot I bought tickets to their concert...we may have missed it.

Me: Are you kidding me?!?! How do you forget you bought tickets???

Missy: Look on the White River Amphitheater site and see when it was/is!!!

Me (frantically trying to remember how to spell amphitheater and google it as fast as I can): Whew, it's September 13th...We DIDN'T miss it! 

Missy: YAY! We are totally going!

Next day at work, Missy proceeds to bring me a pink Ipod full of Maroon 5, Matt Nathanson, and Train songs to "study" all the words for the concert so I could "sing-a-long." She says "You MUST listen to this wherever you go...!!" And what did I do?!? I listened to that darn Ipod for 2 straight weeks, preparing with all my might for the concert! 

Tuesday September 13th came and we were overjoyed with excitement!! What an awesome concert...Of course, MAROON 5, was our FAVORITE...can't get over Adam Levine's moves on stage! As Joe says, I was goooooogly-ing over him...hehe! What can I say, he has some good dance moves!

Here's some pics from our night! Enjoy...

So Excited!!!

Thumbs Up for Maroon 5

Matt Nathanson

Our Favorite...Maroon 5

Train

Oh Adam, how we love you and your moves!

And James, we love you too!

We were in row 13!! Such great seats! Until next time...