a celebration of 3.33 decades of life

Last Saturday night I had the honor of celebrating my 33rd birthday with Mr. Mike Murrow and other fun friends (because Murrow turns 33 four days after me). What a great night--everything I could have wanted. Dear friends, good food, silly fun, deep talks...all in just a few hours. I must admit that the award for favorite present received goes to Matt and Heather Troxell, who gave me a framed clipping of my picture and quote that were recently featured in the Good Times. I am now SO immortalized--thank you Troxells :) (and i love the cancer-causing mug as well).

Many thanks to those of you who were there, it was so good for my heart just to see and be with you...and please just know that I miss you guys deeply. My drive home was sad...there certainly ain't community for me up here like there is down there. Hm...perhaps Jesus will bring me back down there sometime soon...in a more permanent sense...

Enjoy the pics my friends!! Mikey...it's always an absolute joy to share the bday with you. Happy 33, my friend! (ps check out Murrow's blog for more pics) (pps yes it looks like there's loads of alcohol and yes it's just for show...well, mostly)

Thanksgiving with the Fam...

So, I'll keep this one quick since it's just 'psycho auntie' gushing about her nephew, but...

I DO have the cutest nephew ever!! Lucas is 9 months old now and absolutely precious. He's super big for his age and is just starting to crawl and teeth(e?). Never thought I would be THIS over the top about a baby!! All the more reason to not have kids of my own...I get to hang out with him when he's fun, and when he's cranky, I get to hand him back over. Perfect!

Lucas with his Pop and his first stand up in his crib (come on...you KNOW he is a CUTE kid!!) Man, I'm psycho about him...

Ok, I'm done now. But he IS just GREAT!!

goals...running...whatever...

So, yesterday I went for the longest run of my life. It's been a goal of mine for awhile now, this certain 'time' that I wanted to run for. And yesterday morning, I was just feeling it. Unplanned, until about halfway through my run, and then I thought...'what if?? what if TODAY is 'the day'...what if I just go for it?' And so, I did...and it felt good. It felt GREAT, actually :)

And it has made me think about the concept of challenging yourself. I've been working hard on that one this fall, really pushing myself to go beyond what I THINK I can do, in some areas. And it's been really beneficial. Reinhold Messner, arguably the greatest mountaineer of our century, said in a recent National Geographic interview something like "It's not that I'm so unafraid...it's not courage if there's no fear, no risk involved...I'm afraid, but I do it anyway." And I like that...the concept of challenge, and pushing ourselves to do things that are out of our comfort zones, BECAUSE they grow us.

So...all that to say, those of you who are considering some challenges for yourselves...go for it. Be willing to risk a little. It is almost always worth it :) I leave you with a quote from Anais Nin:

And the day came
when the risk to remain
tight in a bud
was more painful
than the risk it took to blossom.

so get out there and blossom, suckas! :)

hm...this blogging thing is kind of fun...you just get to write your random thoughts, and who knows if anyone ever reads them...but who cares?!? :)

Fall in God's Country...

So....I'm going to attempt this blog thing. I'll probably use it most just for pictures, and random updates for those of you who might actually be interested in what's occurring (sp?) in my life here in the great white north (soon to be great white, actually).

which brings us to my current topic: fall in the Scott Valley. I live in a truly BEAUTIFUL place. it's absolutely amazing. October is by far my favorite month of the year here, and this one has really been fantastic. here's pics (try not to convulse in envy).

that is all...since it's supposed to get really rainy, starting tonight!