A little light reading

Here are the books I read in 2010:

1. Dear John - Nicholas Sparks
2. Parenting from the Inside Out - Daniel Siegel and Mary Hartzell
*3. Wesley the Owl: The Remarkable love story of an Owl and His Girl - Stacey O' Brien
*4. The Boy who was Raised as a Dog: and other Stories from a Child Psychiatrist's Notebook - Bruce D. Perry and Maia Szalavitz
*5. The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder - Rebecca Wells
6. The Wisdom Trail; In the Footsteps of Remarkable Women
*7. Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
**8. Crazy Love - Francis Chan
9. Eat, Pray, Love - Elizabeth Gilbert
10. Good Dog. Stay - Anna Quindlen
*11. Little Bee - Chris Cleave
12. Committed: A skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage - Elizabeth Gilbert (Ok so I didn't finish this one - because I disliked it with great passion)
13. Other People's Rejection Letter, Career Killers, and 150 Other Letters You'll be Glad You Didn't Receive - Bill Shaprio (more of a coffee table book)
14. Awkward Family Photos - Mike Bender & Doug Chernack (also a coffee table book)
**15. The Bible NIV - God

KEY
* Books I think you should read
** Books you definitely should read

On blogging

I've been thinking about blogging lately. Why no one blogs anymore, why I don't blog anymore. Wondering if Facebook has taken place of blogging? Do we really only have time to read one liners about someones life, do we only have time to write one liners?

Would anyone read my blog if I started writing again? Would I have anything to say? Why do I continue to read the blogs I do? Here are some more thoughts

• I feel a lot of pressure when blogging, like I have to say something profound- something worthy of blogging - most of the time I don't have anything - that is also why I don't post on Facebook.
• The blogs I read don't often have anything profound to say - they write consistently, usually about the day, thoughts, observations and the like. Or they have a purpose - like a daily recipe, craft or on the topic of faith.

I would like to say that I am now going to commit to blogging more, but I can not. I do however miss blogging and it gives me satisfaction, so maybe out of that enjoyment I will blog more . . . who knows?

Chinese Gardens

Our public library has this amazing cultural pass program where you can sign up and receive two free adult passes to various places around Portland. Several Saturdays ago Josh signed us up for the Chinese Gardens. We took a picnic lunch and had a great day!

Some of the beautiful greenery.

There is great texture and beauty throughout the gardens.

So if you are in the area sign up for a Washington County libray card and go somewhere!

Honeymoon - Part II

Ok here is part two! A picture of us on the beach one evening.

Here we are at this amazing lagoon. Where we spend time snorkeling. While there we saw some amazing fish and a sting ray!

This is part of Tulum, some Mayan ruins.

We saw iguanas! They were awesome.

How much more touristy do you get?

Honeymoon - Part I

I know this is long overdue, but here are some pictures from our honeymoon. We had an amazing time in Cancun.

Here is the view from our room:

It also overlooked the pool

Our all-inclusive resort had several different pools and restaurants. It was awesome.

We saw Lenny Kravitz . . .

. . . and Kiss . . .

. . . at Coco Bongo, a club that does impersonations

Josh wrestled an angry Gypsy . .

and we took pictures with Spiderman.

Spiderman tried to steal me away and Josh almost had to beat him up!

Josh was leery of the native alligator

Stay tuned for some more pictures!

Lessons In Marriage

In one month of being married I have learned a few lessons:

1. How to share the bed covers . . . . well I'm still working on this.
2. Not to expect left overs or my half eaten candy bar to still be there when I come back for them.
3. How much fun married life is.
4. Asking for what you want is more likely to happen if you ask nicely
5. Not to shut the bedroom door completely when I leave otherwise the hubby will be locked in (our apartment is old and the door is warped, so you can imagine his surprise when he woke up and could not get out of the bedroom!)
6. How to be patient and loving.

I'm am looking forward to all our years to come. To continued growing, learning and bonding. I love you Josh - Happy one month anniversary!

* More pictures and stories to come!

Good Weekend

As summer nears we have started doing more outside activities. I love it. This last weekend we saw the fireworks that were apart of the rose festival. Unfortunately I forgot my camera. We were standing on the Morrison Bridge - front and center of where the fireworks were going off. Saturday we went hiking at Saddle Mountain with some good friends (Noah and Jessica) Who sadly are moving back to Alaska at the end of the month. Here are some pictures:

I was really pleased with the way this picture turned out. Can you see the forest through tress?

It was foggy, which made for some cool pictures

Josh and I on a bridge.

Can you count the rings?

Yea! Noah, Jessica, Josh and I made it to the top! There is supposed to be a beautiful view, but we couldn't see it.

Nothing to say?

How can I have nothing to say in such a busy and overwhelming time in my life? Have you ever had so much going on that you have no time to process, digest and dish it out?

Engagement: such a strange, wonderful whirlwind. It has gone so fast! There is just over two months left. Which means we have been engaged for almost 6 months. We still have a lot to do/plan. I've realized that wedding planning is not my calling. It has been a lot of fun working to make our day special and unique, but I will be glad once the day is here. I cant wait to celebrate the day with family and friends, but most of all I can't wait to be married to Joshua Akers.

Internship: such a strange, wonderful whirlwind. Being in a high school setting is somewhat surreal. Being there brings me new perspective on myself and has caused me to relive memories and moments that seem like yesterday. I look forward to working with the students and their families. The challenges are many; drugs, gangs, depression, peer-pressure. The rewards/blessing vast; an amazing high school/counseling staff, amazing learning opportunities, closer to having a masters degree!

Classes: not bad right now. Which is good because I am paying a lot of money for them! All in all I am mostly done with classes. I have several left, but mostly I'll be able to just focus on internship.

Work: paying the bills. As I get closer to being done with school I get more antsy to stop serving people food and start providing therapy.

Life: is that what is flying by?

God: is teaching me so much. I am learning to trust, rely and depend on Him. It is a continually process that takes work every single day.

By the way - what's up with my sidebar? How do I fix it?

Seasons

Ecclesiastes 3. 1-8
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate;
a time of war, and a time of peace.


Unlike the weather in Portland the seasons of my life have been moving quickly. Very quickly. It seems that at times before I even realize I am in a season that time has passed. I have been meditating on this verse for some time now. It applies to all aspects of life right now.

One of which is: internship. As part of my graduate program I have to do an internship. Actual experience counseling people. Internship is the source of stress, anxiety and tears for many grad students. Just securing a site is an ordeal as you compete with your peers in interviews much like job interview, except you don't get paid.

The time between when I secured my site and my start date (about two months) has been full of fear and anxiety. Almost overwhelmingly so. I questioned my abilities and competencies. I was stuck in this place. It is not a good place to be at. It is not conducive to movement. A place of fear holds you captive and disables you.

About a week ago something shifted. I became unstuck. I realized that this is a new season for me. It is a season of learning and growing. It is a season of being vulnerable to "not knowing it all." A season to try and retry. I do have the skills and competencies. I am not a seasoned therapist . . . Yet. We all start somewhere.

This new place is a better place to be at. More free, open and rewarding. Not that the fear and anxiety has completely disappeared . . .

Plus more blogs to come . . *




* Hopefully

One Year

Today marks one year since the heart wrenching event at Virgina Tech. How soon we forget.

The university president said "while the passage of time has helped us in many ways, we remain deeply and profoundly saddened by the events of that tragic day." Of course they would but what about those of us who weren't directly impacted? I have to admit that it wasn't on my radar. Who had time or energy to remember everything. That really isn't my point here. I just wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the lives that were lost, to join the mourners, lift up prayers for friends and families, and to look forward.

May God's providence be with those at Virgina Tech. May the blessing of peace be with families and friends.

Spring!

I love spring time! I love the warm weather, the smell, the activities and of course March madness that all come with spring.
Here is a spring poem for you

Spring
by Robert Frost

Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers today;
And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year.

Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,
Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;
And make us happy in the happy bees,
The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.

And make us happy in the darting bird
That suddenly above the bees is heard,
The meteor that thrusts with needle bill,
And off a blossom in mid-air stands still.

For this is love and nothing else is love,
The which it is reserved for God above
To sanctify to what far ends He will,
But which it only needs that we fulfill.


HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SPRING!

Wedding Updates

Alright, I know I've been pretty bad about updating this blog. I have TONS to write and say, but very little time. But here is what I'll start with.



Our official date is August 9th, 2008. Here is our place! It has a big beautiful back yard and I am so excited to be married there!

<>

I think I have the dress picked out, but I can't post that here. Working on colors and such, and am hoping to send out save the dates soon.

Also our wedding website is: http://www.joshandkristi.us/

It is still a work in progress, but check it out! And sometime I will post about the rest of my life, thoughts and theories on Lost

The Year in Review

I meant to post this on January 1st, but we have been very busy sharing our exciting news with others. BTW no exact date set, just sometime in August (maybe the 9th)

2007

JANUARY

1. Who kissed you on New Years? Josh - on the check because I was very sick

2. Did you have a New Year’s Resolution this year? To be the best I could be. (sounds like the army)

3. Does it snow where you live? Sometimes

4. Do you like hot chocolate? Yep, Land Of Lakes is my favorite .

5. Have you ever been to Times Square to watch the ball drop? Nope, but I'd like to do it once just for the experience.

FEBRUARY

1. Who was your Valentine? Josh. We went and saw Snow Patrol (a Christmas gift)

2. When you were little did you buy Valentines for the whole class? Yeah. One year I even made them. Or rather Mom made them!

3. Do you care if the groundhog sees its shadow or not? Yes

4. What did you receive for Valentines Day? Well Snow Patrol tickets were a Christmas gift . . .so maybe dinner?

5. Are you a leap year baby? No

MARCH

1. Are you Irish? Yes. And English, French, German, Swedish and Italian. What a mutt!

2.Do you like corned beef and cabbage? No way

3. What did you do for St. Patty’s Day in 2007? I don't think anything.

4. Are you happy when winter is pretty much over? Sad that snowboarding season is over, but very happy to see the sun!

APRIL

1. Do you like the rain? Not really. Maybe I'm living in the wrong city. .

2. Did you play an April fool’s joke on anyone this year? No

3. Do you get tons of candy for Easter? No.

4. Do you love the month of April? Its alright.

MAY

1. What is your favorite flower? Sunflower?

2. Finish the phrase “April showers…”:Bring may flowers. Duh.

3. Do you celebrate May 16th: National Piercing Day? Never heard of it.

4. Is May anything special to you? For now its around the time when Spring Semester ends

JUNE

1. What year did/will you graduate from high school? 2001.

2. Did you do anything fun during this Month? It's my birthday

3. Have a favorite baseball team? Not a big baseball fan

JULY

1. What did you do on the 4th of July? Went camping. Got eaten my millions of mosquitoes. There were immune to the bug spray - crazy!

2. Did you go to the fireworks? No

3. Did you blast the A/C all day? No I swam in the freezing river.

4. Is somebody's birthday this month? Oh, not that I can think of off the bat.

AUGUST

1. Did you do anything special at the end of your summer? Moved!

2. What was your favorite summer memory of ‘07'? Just hanging out with friends and family.

3. Did you have a sunburn?Yeah, I always do. But not as bad as Josh.

4. Did you go to the pool a lot? I took up swimming laps in my apartment pool. Very therapeutic.
SEPTEMBER

1. Will you be attending college/school? Yep, still working on the MFT degree.

2. Do you like fall better than summer? No.

OCTOBER

1. What was your last Halloween costume? This year I dressed up like a road.

2. What is your favorite candy?Skittles

3. What was your favorite thing(s) about this month? Going to the Roloff farm.

NOVEMBER

1. Whose house do you go to for Thanksgiving? Josh's parents

2. What are you thankful for?My friends and family. Good health, God and all the many blessings in my life

3. Do you love stuffing? Only Stovetop

4. Do you go shopping the day after Thanksgiving? No way!

DECEMBER

1. Do you celebrate Christmas? Of course!

2. Have you ever been kissed under the mistletoe? Not that I recall.

3. Get anything special last year? Can't really remember

4. What do you get this year? A ring! A new computer and a tent! I made out like a bandit

5. What do you love most about December? Spending time with friends and family and Christmas music

We're engaged! It happened on December 15th at Snoqualmie Falls.

It was a complete surprise. Merry Christmas to me!

Tired

I think there is a good tired and a bad tired. Good tired is the tired that you get from having a busy but productive day. It's when you lay your head on the pillow and can sleep soundly because you feel good about what you got done. Tomorrow will be a fresh day where you can tackle new tasks. Bad tired is where you just pass out at the end of the day. Where you know that you may only get several hours (3-4) before you have to get up and do it all over again.



I just finished my last class this semester and I am tired. Exhausted really. I thought it would feel better than it did to be done, but I am just so worn out. This semester beat and battered me. It took al ot from me. I'm too tired to feel excited to be done. I don't feel like I have anything else to give, and alas we have to holiday season.



While I am thrilled to have some time off, thinking about the busyness of the holidays makes me more tired. I pray that time with family and friends will renew and refresh me. I pray that in three weeks I am able to pull my battered self together and start the spring semester

A love letter to Andrew and Aimee

I like love letters. They can convey so much. Writing can be easier than speaking feelings and emotions. I want to write several love letters, but my first is to my dear friends - headed to Africa.

Andrew and Aimee,

It's funny how you don't realize how much people mean to you until they are gone, or almost gone. I have been so blessed to know you over the past six (or so) years. You are honest and real with everyone. You welcome all into you lives and treat them like family. You share your family and yourselves freely. You are not scared to show your true self; be it silly, sad, tired, overwhelmed, happy, ext.

I have loved all the experiences we have had. Long days at PUMP, frustrating days at PSP, working at the dollar store with you Andrew. I remember our evenings with Brenda, Billy and Hershel talking about everything and nothing, watching the news or playing games or reminiscing after lifegroup.

It has been a blessing to walk alongside you over the past years. To talk about struggles, fears, wants and wishes. To pray with you and sit with you. I have seen you grow so much. I have seen God bless you, stretch and grow you. It is amazing to look back and see how God prepared you to be parents and to be missionaries. Each small task, struggle, and success preparing you to handle and do more.

As you have prepared to leave I have been able to see how many other lives you have touched. How hard it was for everyone (not just me) to say goodbye. I am so excited about the work you will do. I have no doubt in my mind that you will bless, strengthen and encourage so many people. I pray for those who will be saved by your lives testimony. I am eager to see Anaiah grow, learn and blossom. God is good and will continue to provide so much for you and those around you.

Andrew and Aimee, as you travel today I ask for special providence over you. Safe travels, extra measures of patience and energy. I ask that He keeps you in good health, protects Anaiah's little body, and gives you smooth traveling. In arriving may you settle easily and may the Cashs' help to make Uganda feel like home as quickly as possible. May God lift homesickness, fears and weariness. God provides what we need when we need it, may you remember that.

I love you guys, am proud of you and praying for you.

Set Free

Last week I had Josh put my spider friend outside. He needed to be set free because:

1. I was afraid he would get bored of the shower and decided to crawl into the bedroom and down my throat while I was sleeping. And
2. He didn't have a web or anything and so I don't think he was eating . . . (But Josh later told me - if he was hungry he would leave . .)

Anyways I kind of miss him.

The Room

Remember floppy discs? Of course you do . . . you do right? I still have floppy discs. I still have some actual floppy floppy discs. Now there are memory sticks. These are much more efficient, hold more information, are smaller and are not as easy to break.

I found my floppies while going through a box in my spare bedroom. Can we talk about my spare bedroom? I love it! It may be my favorite room in the house. I do love my bedroom, where I keep all my clothes and get sound sleep (most of the time, but tonight is not one of those nights.) And I love the kitchen because the food is kept there.

But the spare bedroom allows for something that no other room does. It contains my scrap booking stuff, a desk, a grad school book shelf, and a newer big beautiful bookshelf. This bookshelf is the home to many lovely, colorful books. Sadly, most of these books are unread. I never realized how many book I have until I got them all in one place. The spare bedroom is also the home to all the boxes that have not yet been unpacked. Home to the box that contained the floppy discs.

I will share a picture of this room as soon as my camera battery is done charging. Which, by the way I found the charger, in the box with the floppies.

But here is what is so special about the spare bedroom. It allows for me to be. Be creative, be messy, be thoughtful, be me. It is messy because for now it is where I shove everything that does not have a home quite yet. I do hope for the room to become functional sometime soon though.

Whenever I enter the room something magical happens. I am surrounded by my favorite things - books, pictures, my Ipod and random other things. Soon the room will host my purses on a handy purse holder that will hang on the backside of the door.

When in this room I am inspired. Inspired to create works of art - pages of scrapbooks, ramblings such as this. Inspired to read these fabulous books I posses. And energized to live and be in this room.

I hope to share more stories and pictures of this wonderful room - but for now thanks for reading this babble.

The webs we weave

For the past week I have had a spider living in the left corner of my shower. Before I tell you about this spider you need to understand the context of me and spiders.

I really don't like spiders. Actually I'm very afraid of them. When I first moved out on my own I was so scared of them that I could not even get close enough to them to squish them. So I would put a cup over them and wait for a friend to come over and kill it. Or I would get the vacuum wand and vacuum them up. (Although I would often fear that the spider would lay eggs in the vacuum bag and thousands of tiny spiders would come crawling out of the vacuum wand)

Being 25, I have decided that I need to grow up and evolve and be able to rid an unwanted spider from my house. I still freak out but I am able to (sometimes) grab a tissue and flush the little arachnid down the toilet.

Okay, so the spider in my shower. This spider is pretty little - not the smallest of the smallest - but not too big either. When I first saw him my first reaction was to kill it. But I didn't want to spray it because, I don't know if you have ever sprayed the ceiling in your shower, but it does not work out so well. So I made a mental note to get tissue after the shower and flush him. The next morning he was still there and I remembered what I had forgotten . . . but I couldn't bring myself to do it. So I made another mental note to have Josh kill it next time he was over. Well, I keep loosing my mental notes. So the spider has been there a week. Mostly he stays in that corner, where I can see him, but every now and again he moves over closer to my head - and you better believe that I'm extra attentive and ready to spray - when he does that.

But I have become comfortable with this spider. Every morning for about 12 minutes we share a shower and co-exist. I forget about him almost as soon as my shower is over, but every morning I am happy to see him still there. Now, I'm not personifying him by giving him a name or talking to him, but it is comforting to see him each morning. This may be crazy but I enjoy the company in the morning. I also know that I am being very self-disclosing, but it's the kind of mood I'm in.

*I was going to put a picture that resembled my spider but it creeped me out looking for a picture*

More stars and the missing battery charger

A couple of days ago Josh and I met Brandon Roy
of the Portland Trail Blazers. He was greeting and meeting downtown. There were not very many people there when we were so we got to chat with him for awhile, shake his hand several times and get several ardicograhps. He was laid back and cool.


Unfortunatly I cannot post a picture because my camera is dead and due to the move I cannot find the battery charger. So, frustrating!


But here is a picture of our carved pumpkins.

Josh's, Mine, and our friends - Kyle's and Nicole's (in that order)