important happenings

I didn't upload my pics in time to share what John got me as part of my birthday gift in my recent postings. He has bought me my sewing machine, the desk on which I sew and now the chair on which I sit and work on the desk on which I sew! What a guy. Its the cutest thing from Pier 1 and I love it. It is my salsa!Also, a pic of the restaurant he took me to in JAX. With my mangomamarita and the guac that knocks your socks off.

This week we had my aunt Lanae and uncle Lanny visit us in Gainesville while they were in Florida for vacation at Disney World. We enjoyed a few hours together on Monday. They owed us a starbucks treat because they bet against the Gators for the national championship. Suckers; you never bet agains the Gators. Just ask Joe and Joy, and Mark Smith. ha, we get quiet the loot for being Gators.

Important to notice though is the transformation Lanny underwent in just a few hours. From betting against the Gators to be being one. It doesn't take long. He left Gainesville wearing Gator gear.

And you wanna know why he became a Gator? Who wouldn't after running into Tim Tebow on campus. A heimans winner and quarterback of the Gators. We were looking at all his trophies and accolades in the stadium minutes before seeing him and getting a pic with him. Only in Gator Country!

Thats right. A Tebow sighting is something to blog about. Of course you know that John was embarrassed to be "the guy" who asks for a pic. So I did. And so John was "the guy" whose wife asks for the pic.

This weekend we are off for our spring conference with all the florida nav students. john is the director so if think to pray for him, our students (all 150 from across the state) and for our speaker Bill to bring the Word.

a recommendation

This is the book I have been reading now for 5ish months.  I am reading it consistently and slowly so that I can really absorb and work through the ideas she presents in this book.  I highly recommend it as Paula takes a look at different aspects of women's hearts and what it takes to be more open and honest about our hearts desires, wounds, needs and joys.  It has been really inviting to read, but has been one of the most challenging books I have read when it comes to being honest about your soul.  I love it.  Not finished, I am only 2/3 done which tells you how slow I am at processing and opening my little heart.  Hope you enjoy it is you pick it up.

birthday month

The only perk to not being with everyone you love on your birthday is that your celebration extends into days and weeks and the whole month as people love you.  This year was the first I did not celebrate in Fort Collins with my fam.  However that does not keep my mom and sister from making me feel special.  Thanks ladies for making me feel warm and cozy in Florida.  

My actual day was spent in Arizona at a wedding.  We snuck in some birthday festivities with free ice cream at 9 in the morning, grapefruit picking, sitting poolside with my brother and sister in law, a nail salon paint job (thanks Paul) and a chicago dog (thanks Pamela). And of course it was a special treat to see Becca the next day.

Once back in florida John had planned an evening in honor of my new age.  Last night we drove to Jaxsonville where there is a Cantina Loredo restaurant.  This summer John and I found this restaurant to be a haven for us in the middle of Branson Missouri.  I had no idea there was one in Florida.  But as we walked along a fun outdoor shopping plaza I saw the restaurant and knew that was were John was taking me.  It is always a little magical and romantic to explore nooks of new cities with my husband.  We love to try new spots and to imagine life there.   

What a lucky girl I am to be surrounded by people who make me feel treasured.  Thanks fam and friends, and thank You Lord for placing these in my life and for giving me abundant gifts in this life and eternity.  Here we go 24!

New Year New Look Right?

Thankfully I read other peoples blogs, and they remind me to switch mine up.  

these pics have nothing to do with a new look, except for the new babes that have entered our lives the past year.  We took these Teten pics on a blistery Christmas Day.  We are pretending we can be outside in  sweaters.  Fun crew eh?

my little orange blossom

So the Teten brigade jumped into a van and headed south for a wedding of Matt Brunk. It was a trip filled with memories and laughs and cold dips in Arizona pools. One of my highlights was getting to see Becca who now lives an hour from Phoenix. She was willing to drive down to see me after work on Saturday and we enjoyed tasty beer and food at the Yardhouse. A restaurant that holds great memories for John and I. It was such a special treat to get a few precious hours with my Becca and catch up. She is a dear friend and I am so glad it worked out to see each other since we have lived far away for three years now. Becca's beer was named Orange Blossom and that is how she became my little orange blossom. Yay for friends in desert places.

my neices

this christmas was the first time John and I got to see our precious nieces in one room together. We could not handle ourselves they were so cute. John's ultimate dream was not realized though, he really wanted to hold both babes in his arms. Oh well. Maybe when they are like 4! Here are some pics of them together and with their mommas.
I love this pic for obvious reasons. I wasn't even there to witness this, but Vivian is wearing the outfit that Pamela and I picked out for her for Christmas.



these babes are just amazing. And I admire their mothers for how much they have transformed their lives in order to care for such little ones. I am jealous for more time with them.

Posin's with the fam.

This was a quick little photo shoot my sister arranged as a gift for my mom.  It was freezing outside so we are trying our best not to hunch in frigidness.  But I love some of the ones Eric took.  Take a look.