my favorite

just chillin' at my new desk eating some of this...

remember how it is my favorite chocolate?

well recently these girls posted a blog about candy and I commented about my love for milka. a few days later I was chatting with them and they said, hey, would you like these 2 milka bars?

well, I said, I'm really trying to eat healthier so give them to me and I will [eat them in my car on my way home] take them home and share them.

the first one disappeared pretty quickly after I brought it home. josh ate some too so don't you dare think I ate it all myself! this is bar #2 and I brought it to keep in my new snack drawer, now that I have enough space for a snack drawer at my new desk.

Tuesday

So it is Tuesday, right? I have been busy so far this week. I moved to my new desk at work. It is much bigger and more private (I think). I am excited to get into the work that this position will require. I also have kitchen duty at work. This is of course the highlight of my week. It is the thing that I will forget each day and by the time I remember and go to the kitchen someone will have already done my work for me. Hmmm….

Tonight we will be going to a Sky Sox game with Josh's crew from work. I am looking forward to getting to know them more and their spouses too! We went to a game on Saturday and the Sox totally blew it so hopefully they play better tonight. I'm going to have to get me a shirt if we keep this up.

Trust you are doing well and enjoying your day.

update #5

We went to the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo with the Short's and Lacey and her friends who are also our friends. =)

update #4

Then we went camping! We went to a campground near Rampart Reservoir and it was Charlie's first time camping. She loved it! Here are a few pictures and more are at our picasa site.

update #3

I made this cute little sweater for Caleb who will be coming from Ethiopia to join our friend's family. This was the first time I made a hood for the BSJ and I was quite pleased with it. It was also the first time I did any striping and I enjoyed that too. Josh picked out the buttons and I think they are really cute and simple. We are excited to meet Caleb in a few months!

update #2

Some of the things we've been making lately...
Delicious Salsa with veggies from the farmer's market-

Delicious Pita Bread housed in my recycled bread bag-

Turned these materials into...

this!

update #1

Happy July 4 from Charlie. =)
and Josh.

and Annie.

new

New blog coming soon! We have been keeping pretty busy so I have lots of pictures to post!
Stay tuned!
Well don't stay here and wait but check back in the next 24 hours or so!

Yes, I know how to type also

Wow. I haven't posted since, I think, we were engaged....over a year ago.I actually had to ask Annie the other day HOW TO GET TO our blog. I'm a bad e-husband.
Tonight I have the evening to myself at our house, which is a first in a very long time. Annie is at the Leadership Academy doing her thAng and I had to come back to let the dog out and eat. I gotta say, I was bored in about seven minutes. I know a lot of guys talk about how nice it is to get away for a while, but I hate it. I just really like being with her.So I got on YouTube for awhile, played the guitar, ate, read blogs, and remembered we have a blog and here I am.

Speaking of YouTube, it's a pretty funny thing. Just yesterday we were at work looking up videos, honestly, for training purposes...smoke explosions to be exact. If you are interested, we can debate how this is different than a flashover, black fire, backdraft, and flame over. Anyways.
In little time, we went from those videos to stupid firefighter mishaps, which lead to car accidents, which lead to shark attacks, which lead to surfing accidents, which lead to drunk people, which lead to funny drunk stunts, which lead to college stunts,which lead to shooting bottle rockets out of your butt, which lead to the cinnamon challenge, which lead to vomiting, which lead back to training. If you ever just waste time on YouTube, you know exactly what I mean. It's a curse.
So I had to get out of there before I spent three hours looking at videos of russian cop fights, beat box contests, remixes of Crank That, and sports bloopers.

Also, I need to correct a post Annie put up. She stated recently that when Lacey was gone, she had to go to the gym BY HER SELF. I went to the gym AT 430 AM (AM) like two or three times. For the record.

What else do you blog about? Cooking?
Not very good. I need to cook tomorrow at work for my new crew for the first time and I'm nervous. I'm thinking wet burritos for lunch and bbq chicken for dinner.
I also attempted to make homemade ice cream for a little get together we had the other night and completly butchered it. I made everything correctly as far as ingredients and ratios go, but it never froze. Even after FIVE HOURS in the freezer, after 30 MINUTES of beating, after 50 MINUTES of churning in the automatic thing we have out back. Complete liquid. I also pushed the little speed control thing on the fancy KitchenAids thing we have and covered our counter in approx. 1.5 cups of whipping cream/milk/sugar/salt/vanilla extract/half and half.

Though I do have to admit I read a couple girly blogs, the Pioneer Woman (she's hilarious) and bye bye pie I'm going to regret having that on the internet.
Have a good night. Talk to you again in a year.

Josh

Independence

Hello, hope you had a wonderful Independence Day. We celebrated on Saturday the 5^th because Josh had to work on the day of. Such is the story of our lives. According to his new schedule since he switched shifts he is working my birthday and Jesus' birthday this year. Oh so now you know what shift he works if you know anything about firefighter's schedules. Please do not come to my house when he is at work. We do have guns and I know how to use them.

On with the story, sorry folks. In case you did not cook yourself some good eats this weekend I would like to direct your attention to what I prepared. The people who love food will thank you for providing this for their enjoyment.

1. Main Dish: Loose Beef BBQ
   recipe here. Also, Elaine (who wrote the recipe), you are a food genius. This is THE best BBQ I have ever made. I make it about 3 or 4 times per year and each time it gets better and better.
   
2. Second Main Dish when we decided we would have 5 people instead of 3 present: Chicken Salad (My own recipe, so easy…boil 4 BS chicken breasts, let cool, cut up into little pieces. Then finely chop 4-5 stalks of celery, dice up a Fuji apple, toast some pecans and chop them up real small. Mix it all together with about ¾ cup PLAIN yogurt and ¾ cup mayo. Drop in some lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Serve over lettuce or on a bun.)
   
3. Appetizer: Jalapeno Bacon Yummies
   recipe here. In case you haven't figured out yet, The Pioneer Woman is an amazing cook. And seriously, anything you make will be a huge hit. These things were to DIE FOR. And I never thought I would say that about jalapenos but oh boy, were they good.
   
4. Then I made a simple little pound cake and served it with some homemade strawberry sauce. Don't have the recipe here at work with me but it is only like 4 or 5 ingredients.
   
5. I also made some raspberry simple syrup and mixed it with Pellegrino. My new favorite drink.
   

The rest of the food was brought by the guests and I was sad to see it go. Oh wait we have leftovers and all that good stuff.

Then on Sunday it was Josh's last day with his crew so I made some homemade ice cream and cookies for them. The ice cream was so good. I just adore homemade ice cream. It brings very fond memories of my dad mixing it in our garage in Hudson. Actually since I have now made it myself 2 times I realize that my mom had the harder job of preparing all the ingredients beforehand. He just had to layer ice and salt around the thing and push it down every so often. But all that to say, my dad makes a good homemade ice cream with the help of my mom. I miss that delicious fresh strawberry ice cream. Come visit so you can make me some. Please, come visit.

Oh and an announcement, I will now be the Executive Assistant Vice President. Oh sorry, pulled a Dwight Schrute there. For real now, I am going to be the Executive Assistant TO the Vice President of Academic Affairs. Long title, yes please. J Basically it is a little promotion for me and it is very nice. I am definitely looking forward to the change of pace and some new responsibilities. God has been very faithful this past year but it has been a very long year as far as work goes. There have been a few major challenges that created quite a bit of stress in my little world and just the thought of doing something else brings my heart rate down. God has really shown his grace to me in this time. He has supplied peace in my soul and gave me rest for my weary heart. Oh, woe is me. There were some weary times, not too many, but there were some and I have really found rest from that. So, thank you to all who know the details of this situation and have lifted me up in prayer. I have been blessed through your kindness. I am grateful for your wisdom and honest opinions that you shared as I considered this new job.

Now, off to the airport to pick up my little buddy, Lacey! I have my workout partner back after three long weeks of doing that blasted elliptical machine by myself I will now have someone to race again!! Wootwoot!

are you here?

Dwelling in Beulah Land

I know it's got lots of "old" words but these words have been in my mind for the past weeks so I figured maybe I can pass them to someone else this way. =)

Far away the noise of strife upon my ear is falling.
Then I know the sins of earth beset on every hand.
Doubt and fear and things of earth in vain to me are calling.
None of these shall move me from Beulah Land.

I'm living on the mountain, underneath a cloudless sky.
I'm drinking at the fountain that never shall run dry.
O yes! I'm feasting on the manna from a bountiful supply,
For I am dwelling in Beulah Land.

Far below the storm of doubt upon the world is beating.
Sons of men in battle long the enemy withstand.
Safe am I within the castle of God's Word retreating.
Nothing then can reach me—'tis Beulah Land.

I'm living on the mountain, underneath a cloudless sky.
I'm drinking at the fountain that never shall run dry.
O yes! I'm feasting on the manna from a bountiful supply,
For I am dwelling in Beulah Land.

Let the stormy breezes blow, their cry cannot alarm me;
I am safely sheltered here, protected by God's hand.
Here the sun is always shining, here there's naught can harm me.
I am safe forever in Beulah Land.

I'm living on the mountain, underneath a cloudless sky.
I'm drinking at the fountain that never shall run dry.
O yes! I'm feasting on the manna from a bountiful supply,
For I am dwelling in Beulah Land.

Viewing here the works of God, I sink in contemplation.
Hearing now His blessèd voice, I see the way He planned.
Dwelling in the Spirit here I learn of full salvation.
Gladly I will tarry in Beulah Land.

I'm living on the mountain, underneath a cloudless sky.
I'm drinking at the fountain that never shall run dry.
O yes! I'm feasting on the manna from a bountiful supply,
For I am dwelling in Beulah Land.

Tuesday news

Well I will soon have some exciting news to post here about my job. Things have been a bit stressful for the past year but they are working out very well. I am thankful that the Lord has provided and continually been my Guide through this time. At times the ambiguity of the situation seemed to be more than I could handle but I am happy to share that God gave me much grace during those times and I just needed to rely on him and I was filled with peace. There were a few meltdowns along the way but Josh was such a great supporter and encourager. He is such a wonderful man. I sometimes wonder how I made it this far without him but it is because God opened the spot in my heart for him at just the right time. My Beloved completed me in perfect timing. God saved me long ago at just the right time. God has supplied all my needs every single day of my life. He has not left me, or forsaken me. E-V-E-R.

Though hard things may be happening all around me, I rejoice in God my Savior today. I rejoice in God, my Strength. He has made my feet like the feet of a deer and enabled me to go on the heights. I exult in Him above all else. He is Provider. Giver. Sustainer. Carrier. Friend. Center. Surrounding. Enduring.

Though the fig tree should not blossom
And there be no fruit on the vines,
Though the yield of the olive should fail
And the fields produce no food,
Though the flock should be cut off from the fold
And there be no cattle in the stalls,
Yet I will exult in the LORD,
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
The Lord GOD is my strength,
And He has made my feet like hinds' feet,
And makes me walk on my high places.

Habakkuk 3:17-19

Has God blessed you today? Give you his good word over your life? I hope he has! In light of the post a few days ago, I have really been trying to keep that thought present and it is changing my daily proceedings. It is influencing me and showing me to have joy in all situations. Now I am sure a few months down the road I could be singing a totally different tune but for today I am choosing to rejoice in the God of my salvation for all he has done—past, present, and future.