4 days & 6 working hours left...

...until my time at Visible Productions will come to an end! Crazy, huh?

So I've had a lot of ppl ask me about my new job, and I thought I'd write a bit about it...
As I previously mentioned, I'll be doing Customer Support for Constant Contact. CC does event mktg, surveys and emails for small businesses, i.e. I get an email from my gym every month with news and health tips, and it is sent by CC. So, I'll be training for the 1st 3 weeks and then will just be answering phones and live chats about questions that our customers (the small businesses) have. It sounds as if I'll be busy almost all of the time, and one of the really cool things about CC is that they pay me for my 30 min lunch and for 2-15 min breaks, so I only end up actually being at work for 8 hours, instead of 9, with an hour long lunch.

CC is right across the street from my gym, too, so I am thinking I might be able to do a quick abs class some afternoons and/or go walk on the treadmill during my lunch sometimes. Which I am very excited about, because walking ALOT is definitely something I'll be giving up by leaving VP (where I sometimes walk as much as 3-4 miles in one day running errands)!!!

Besides the time off & gym fee benefits I mentioned previously, they also have a GREAT (and I mean FABULOUS) benefits package from health, dental and eye insurance to disability, tuition reimbursement, stock purchase programs (they're publicly traded and apparently doing very well-CTCT), and I could keep going and going and going. So, though I am taking a bit of a paycut, not only will I save BIG TIME in gas each week, but we'll be saving with insurance costs too!

Well, that's the 411, or some of it anyways, on the new job! I'll be starting Jan 3, 2011, so I will still get my originally scheduled paid vacation time from VP to go to TX (Houston) for Christmas next week too! SUCHA blessing!!!

IF I don't post again before then....hope you and yours have a wonderful Christmas filled with many, many laughs, fun times and blessings!!!! xoxo

Mom's Visit-Final Post

So now that I have waited this long to finish posting about mom's visit, of course I have forgotten most of what I was going to tell you. But basically, we had an awesome time, doing alot of nothing and various things like eating out and going to the movies (which are both SERIOUS "treats" for Chris and I). And now, ALREADY, I get to see her again in NINE DAYS because we're going down to Houston for 4 days for Christmas! I am so excited about this!

So, you might have seen this on facebook already, BUT one of the kinda big things we did while mom was here was re-dye my hair, as it was lightening up very quickly (which defeats the whole purpose of going back to my natural color and having no upkeep costs). So...



and the final "product:"
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQWQwDyngwAOzETT_fTl_8FXS3DRKFVDk-JJv0oT_oY6PQ-S_1ujmVkO8cFbUiZQ9F3zHGtzVcKUdDqOBj-sP6uRQEy5XgJSwmdSj8s7I7u03p6YfuDTp8tai6puLZWD-wC9Rrz_Ytu8/s1600/Us+Standing+2.jpg">

:)

New Mission Field

Just so you know, I still have a few things to tell you about mom's visit, but there's some breaking news that I need to share now. And I'll go back for mom's visit a lil later...
After 2.5 years, the Lord has opened the door for me to work in a new mission field. I am leaving Visible Productions as of the new year and going to work at Constant Contact as a Customer Support Specialist! I am very excited about this new opp, BUT very sad as well. I have not liked my actual JOB for a while now, BUT I love where I work and who I work with. So, this will be a bittersweet transition but one that I believe will be good, especially long-term!
There are way to many benefits that CC offers to tell you about, but just a few BIG ONES are...it's 1.8 miles from home (i currently drive 30 minutes one way everyday), there's room to grow and move up into management and other areas of the company, it is going to pay 2/3 of my monthly gym dues, and as much paid time off as I had at VP (which I thought I'd NEVER find somewhere else), I actually start off with ONE MORE paid day off at CC (with the ability to get more the longer I work there).
Just had to share the news! Love you all! Have a great hump day!!!

Mom's Visit-Post #2

So, after grabbing a Starbucks (compliments of mom...thanks, madre) in Denver's 16th Street Mall and walking around a bit down there, we headed a lil north to Hammond's Candy Factory. They give free tours, and for someone who loves the Food Network's "Unwrapped," I was PUMPED to see candy being made LIVE! :) I know I am a total dork, but seriously, I LOVE watching stuff being made. The tour was pretty quick and not too involved, but it was a really cool (and FREE) thing to do and very fun to see the process...

Waiting for the candy to cool a bit


After the candy has been stretched on the pulling machine...

The pulling machine was totally one of the coolest parts because it turned from that brown color you see when it's cooling to almost white. Unfortunately I didn't get a good picture of that, though. :(

Now he is rolling the striped piece around the almost white piece...this will eventually become a CANDY CANE! Cool, huh?


And just a random pic of the ribbon candy.


Ok, so I have to say that I am just beaming with pride after having two posts in a row with PICTURES! Hope you guys enjoyed them! Will post more about the rest of mom's visit next week! Have a blessed weekend!!! xoxo

Mom's Visit-Day One

Sorry it has taken me so long to post about mom's visit! We had a GREAT time!
So, on Tuesday (the week of Thanksgiving), after picking mom up at the airport in the morning, we had some breakfast and then headed to downtown Denver. Before mom came, I had looked up some free stuff to do in Denver (yea for FREE), so we toured the Capitol Bldg first...

The Denver Capitol


Cannon Outside


Steps out Front marking the Mile above Sea Level


The View from the Steps-NICE!!!


Some steps inside the Capitol


I won't bore you with the pictures from the inside because we took alot, but overall it was something fun to do, that was free, and it was a beautiful day to be out and about in downtown Denver, just walking and chatting.

So, stayed tuned for more from Mom's Visit....

Craziness

Sorry I have yet to put up pics from mom's visit. Alot happened, and we had a GREAT time, but work and life has been kinda crazy this week. So, I just wanted to say that I haven't forgotten about you and that I'll be posting stuff as soon as I have time.
Hope all of you had a GREAT Thanksgiving!
Talk to you soon!
xoxo

In 5.5 hours....

I'll be done with work for a whole SEVEN days! woohoo Mom gets in early tomorrow morning, and we're planning a day of free tours and walking in downtown Denver, and then we'll just see what we end up doing past that! Just wanted to let you know I was going to be M.I.A. for several days, but HOPEFULLY when I check back in sometime next week, I'll have some pictures to share with you!
Have a WONDERFUL holiday! Hope each of you gets alot of relaxation and family time!

So excited

Obviously I am getting more and more excited about mom's visit, as each day passes, BUT I am also excited about all the vacation I am getting to take (paid vacation, even) from now until the end of the year. Including today, I will only be working 21 days for the rest of 2010! How awesome is that? So, I will finish off this week; only work Monday of next week; have a 4 day week after Thanksgiving, followed by 2 full weeks of work (yuck...lol); and I will work 4 days the week before Christmas and have the entire last week of the year OFF!
I promise I'm not trying to rub it in for those of you that don't have jobs that offer as much paid time off; I'm simply so excited that I had to share it with you!
Thanks for listening!!!!! xoxoxo

Guess what happened today?

So, yesterday I was talking to my mom, and though I should've realized that this would be the case, I found out that my sis and fam (who mom now lives with) are going to DFW for Thanksgiving next week. And since we have a split family on our side, and my sister's in-laws only have one extra bedroom, my mom wasn't going to be able to go. WHICH leaves her at home from Wed to Sun, ALL ALONE for the holiday!!!! :( So, of course, I was devastated when I heard this. Now, like I said, my sis has in-laws and my dad's side of the fam all in the metroplex, and since we're going to Houston for Christmas, which means they're staying there for us, I should've known this owuld be the case. But I just hadn't thought about ti til I talked to my mom yesterday! And now I am devastated for her! And she is openly a lil bummed about the whole thing. So, my hubby, as precious as he is, last night when I told him, decided we should try and figure out a way for her to come up here next week and be with us. So, we had his dad, who knows people within Frontier looking for buddy passes for her, but that would mean she was on standby. So, as Chris was telling his mom, Patti, about all this, she said we definiatley don't wnat her flying standby during such high traffic times, and she offered to buy mom's way to come up here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Isn't that awesome? I mean, do I have the best in-laws, or what? :) So, instead of being all alone, NOW, my mom is ocming here in ONE WEEK! AND staying until the following monday! woohoo

Just ad to share this wonderful blessing with you and praise my in-laws for being amazingly generous and thoughful!!! xoxoxo Happy Holidays!!!

Mr. & Mrs. Hill

So, sadly, we were not able to make it down for the wedding of my college roommate, Kellye. BUT luckily, they came HERE to CO for their honeymoon. So we met them halfway (they honeymooned in Co Springs) in Denver for dinner last week. It was sooooo wonderful seeing them again, esp post-nuptials! They are precious and so cute (and a lil disgusting-lol), and we had the best time with them, as always. Thanks, guys, soooo much for coming up to meet us on your honeymoon! We love you and wish you all the best!
So, here are a few pics Kel took...

Halloween Party 2010

My wonderful friend, Marysia (who's the BEST hostess EVER) put on another fun costume party this year. As usual, the camera I have is HORRIBLE, so I didn't take ALOT of pics due to frustration! But here are a few. Chris and I went as cowboy/cowgirl. We borrowed some stuff from his sis and bro-in-law and used some other stuff we had. These costumes are great cuz they're FREE! :) My fave, right? :)

My very own cowboy :)


My potluck/crockpot Halloween creation-lol


how precious are these kiddoes? you got your ladybug, your giraffe AND an elephant


doesn't Joey make a perfect carrot?


elvis has left the bldg...he's in the kitchen now


how hilarious is this? i LOVE this idea for a couple's costume


us



me & one of my fave lil girls, Mia (i mean Elmo)


so, plz ignore the beer drinking in this pic, but i was trying to get Patrick's costume, which is the Denver Buggets Bird Man (hilarious) and also Keith's, which is a member of the Taliban...be VERY afraid, people! haha


Can you believe it? I actually took and have now POSTED more than one picture! Hope you're not in complete shock, but also hope you don't get too use to it, either. Now that I have remembered how terrible my camera is, I might not get it out again for a very long time! :)

Hope you all have a GREAT weekend and a Happy Halloween! We have a long morning of a wedding in the morning, but we're praising Him for His constant provision of biz and money! xoxoxoxo

Jasmine

So I am sure that at some point in the past 3 years I have posted something like this, BUT to be honest, I'm too lazy to go back and look at every last post. So, if this is repetitive I apologize...
I just had to show everyone what my dog does to her "babies." Our dog is WAY spoiled, esp since she is an only child and all, and from time to time we get her a "baby" which is basically a stuffed animal. And her one goal with that baby is to de-stuff it AND get its squeaker out as fast as possible. So, obviously we don't spend very much money on these babies, because Jasmine turns them into rags within a matter of minutes!
Anyways, since she is our only child, and everyone else who blogs posts pics of their children. Plus I thought maybe it'd bring a smile to your face today! Happy Thursday! God Bless!!!

Christmas

So, I am not even sure if anyone even reads this blog anymore since I was sooooo terrible about being consistent for the past several months. But for any of you that stuck around, aren't you so proud of me for blogging so regularly lately? LOL! Though I still am HORRIBLE about taking and posting pics! maybe that'll be the next new leaf I turn over! Doubtful, but who knows!!! :)

Today I am thinking about Christmas and thought I'd pose a question to you guys...Chris and I have had "meager" Christmases pretty much since we have been married because of his employment situation. Though I am not complaining and as you all know, the Lord has blessed us immensely by constantly meeting our daily needs!!! However, having such Christmases has really changed my perspective on the holiday. I long for it to be more about Christ's birth, life and eventual sacrifice and resurrection and MUCH LESS about spending money and sometimes going into debt simply to fill the area under the Christmas tree. Now, I grew up with a much different kind of Christmas. I am totally NOT knocking my mom, but Christmases for us for about QUANTITY and time off and very. very lil about the Lord! So, my question to you is this....do any of you have ideas that you have heard of or that you practice yourselves that allows Christmas NOT to be about spending money? I ask this because both our families, though they do not intend to cause Chris and I stress or harm, still participate in the whole money-spending, gift-giving extravaganza. And i am NOT saying I am against this, because I LOVE giving gifts myself, but from our circumstances over the past few years, we simply have not had and do not have the money to spend on buying every single family member a gift. So I am wondering if nay of you know of any alternatives that would be appealing to our families. And also, another "issue" is that I have a lil sister, and Chris and I both have 2 nephews, and in years past when we haven't been able to give gifts to the adults in the family, we have still "had" to give gifts to the "kids." So do you have any ideas about that, as well?

Just curious to see what sorts of ideas might come out of this. Am just thinking of gifts I want to give already and am stressing over all those gifts adding up! You know?

Thanks for listening! In Him...

Long Weekend

Hola! Hope everyone had a great weekend and is having a great week so far! I'm so excited that it's almost the end of the workday and tomorrow is already Wednesday! woohoo

So, one of the perks of my job is that I get FIVE WHOLE WEEKS of paid time off a year, and thus, even with taking a week off at Christmas, I still have some time I need to take, otherwise I lose it. And the past couple of weeks have been really busy and tiresome for Chris and I so we decided to take off 1.5 days at the end of last week. Granted it would've been awesome to get away, but since we're on a strict budget, we decided to have a lil stay-cation. Now, we did splurge a lil by doing things that we NEVER do like going to the movies and out to eat a couple of times. But overall, besides the fact that the Cowboys RUINED my weekend by not showing up to play on Sunday, it was a very nice time.

We started Thursday by taking Patti out for lunch for her bday. Then we came home and took a NAP, TOGETHER! Wow, was that nice! :) Then we decided at the last minute to go see a movie. So, at 8pm, which is usually nearing bedtime on a weekday, we headed off to see Wall Street 2. The movie was just okay, but Chris and I LOVE going to the movies, and LOVE eating the popcorn and having hot tamales!!! So even though the movie wasn't great, it was a fun time!

Then, without an alarm to wake us, we got up leisurely on Friday morning, had a yummy breakfast at IHOP and headed off on an excursion in the car. I dunno if any of you know this, but my husband is quite the adventurer/explorer, and he was dying to take some unknown roads through the mountains and see where they ended up! OH MY! AND guess what? In my old age, I have somehow developed a case of car sickness, so his exploring through scary mountain roads and my queasiness always make for interesting times. :) BUT I barely had any sickness for the 2 plus hours we drove around, and we had a good time just being together and seeing some different places in Colorado. have I mentioned how much I LOVE living here? It is breathtakingly beautiful!!!

So, then we got some yummy Tully's coffee (Krista if you are reading this I know you are dying of jealousy...there's a Tully's now in a King Soopers that is 15 minutes from us now)...well, I got chai, of course, ran a few errands and then played cards and had dinner with Chris' parents.

So, like I said, it was nothing spectacular or fancy, but boy was it nice to have some time off just to be together, with no time constraints and a lil splurging! :) Just thought I'd share, since for the most part, we're boring and there's usually not much to tell ya! lol

Love you! xoxo ~hol

Happy Birthday, Patti!

So she might not love that I am making a big deal of this, BUT today my mother-in-law turns 52. And as I was praying over her this morning and praising God for another year, I realized the deep significance of her birthday this year. Though she is still recovering from her surgery, and her hair has yet to grow back more than an inch or so, and though she still has some procedures left until her breasts are "done," it is only by His grace and mercy that Patti is even here on earth to celebrate this 52nd birthday!

So, I just wanted to thank Him publicly for His healing hands that have helped Patti through this breast cancer journey these last several months! What a miracle that she is even here to celebrate 52! Thank you, Lord for your miracles, both big and small!!!

Happy Birthday, Patti!!! xoxoxo

Brunette

So, as promised, in this post will FINALLY be ONE WHOLE PICTURE! I am so sorry, guys, I simply just do not even take my camera places anymore, even WHEN we do have something fun going on! :)

So, I have gone brunette. For the sake of saving money ONLY! I don't hate it, though I will say it is now more red than brown, which is just interesting and somewhat annoying, but hopefully it won't be for toooooo long! I know it's just hair, but I LOVE being a blonde. It just makes me feel summery, I guess. But, being blonde when you have pretty dark hair naturally is pretty costly to upkeep. So, here is your promised picture:

Kid's Hope

Ok, so I must first apologize, as usual, for being so stinkin terrible about blogging. I promise I am going to try to be better and know that I will be at least for the next couple of weeks, because I have some things to say. And in lieu of saying them all in one long blog, I'm going to actually try and blog a few times over the next several weeks!!! So, hopefully this isn't a promise I end up having to break! :(

I just had to share with you guys something very cute...I'm not sure if any of you already know this, but Chris and I cannot have kids. And as sad as that is SOMEtimes, we both know we were supposed to be together especially because neither of us really had (or have) a huge desire to have children. So, obviously, as usual, the Lord knew what He was doing there!!! :) Anyways, one of those sad times is when I get to see Chris interact with kids, because he is AMAZING with them! I mean, seriosuly, he is sweet and patient and kind and loves to teach them things and how to play fair, etc, etc, etc!

All that being said, Chris has started volunterring at church with a ministry called Kid's Hope, where a bunch of people from our church mentor kids from a nearby school. They meet once a week for an hour and have been up and running this year for 3 weeks now. Chris' little guy's name is Jael, and the first time they met, they already had something in common...the TV show "River Monsters." oye! :) Ok, so anyways, I just got off the phone with Chris after his third week with Jael, and he said that Jael saw him coming and ran up to him and gave him a hug. And being that it is that time of the month, even typing that out brings tears to me eyes.

So, I just wanted to share this with you guys! I think it is so precious that the Lord is allowing Chris to be an influence and role model and buddy to this little guy, and if you ever think about it, please say a lil prayer for Jael and Chris' time together!

Love you all and hope all is well. Check back in soon, and I MIGHT even have a picture for you!!! :)

3 Years

At this moment, 3 years ago, Chris and I were in the car with his parents, bro-in-law and 2 nephews somewhere in OK, STILL in the car after about 18 hours of driving.....on our way to be married!!!

That was a whirlwind, crazy weekend, and honestly I dont even remember that much of it (which I hear alot of brides say about their wedding day). But it was the day that I began the role that I'm convinced I was made for...the role of being a wife!

I was never that girl who planned her wedding and named her kids and dreamed of being married someday. Sure I had my moments, but for the most part, the things I wnated most outta life when I was young, were just that...things and money and a great career and a great condo in a big city somewhere and a huge closet with lotsa clothes and shoes, etc, etc! Honestly, if you've ever seen the movie 13 Going on 30...her life as a 30 yr old in NYC was EXACTLY what I always dreamed of. But luckily the Lord had different plans and sometime in college my dreams began to change a lil. They still didnt include marriage and kids and such very often, but I definitely didnt wanna be alone in NYC with alot of nice things and a great career anymore. Anyways, long story, short, I have no doubts about the course of my life leading up to 9/1/2007 as I look back now, because everything was leading me to and preparing me to meet and fall in love with Chris!

Now, it has been a HARD road, and honestly, coming from a broken family, I never had those surreal ideas of marriage being pure bliss all the time and something that was easy. But from the day I married Chris, I knew I was meant to be and made for being a wife and sharing my life with someone else, and I have loved every minute of it (even the ones where all I wanted to do was cry and kick my husband in the butt-haha)!

So, here is to my husband of three years...it feels like it has been a lot longer than 3 years, and it is truly hard to imagine that I have only known Chris for 3.5 years, because I feel like I have known him for a lifetime...but anyways...thank you, baby, for making me laugh, for taking out the trash, for cleaning the oven (which u know I hate to do), for being a master vacuumer and griller, for sharing your deepest and darkest secrets with me, for trusting me, and for loving me the way only YOU can do! I LOVE you and truly can't wait to go through the ups and downs of the next 3 years and 30 years! xoxoxoxoxoxo

UNBELIEVABLE

The title is simply for lack of a better, more awesome word for Him! He truly makes it impossible to not believe in Him sometimes!!!

Just to give you a tiny idea of our lives right now...Chris and I are not sure how we will make it financially past next month. As it looks now, we will be through our Savings by the end of September! Now, I do NOT tell you this to make you feel sorry for us, but just to make you see how very big of a deal this is...I was just notified that I will be receiving a $0.50/hour raise. Not only is this HUGE, BUT the raise is also retroactive back to July 1st, so JUST when we needed a lil extra money the VERY MOST, the Lord provided this!

Just had tears in my eyes as I found out and wanted to share with all of you yet another example of His love and faithfulness in our lives! Chris and I have always felt peace about our seemingly-bleak financial situation, but He has always provided in the past AND especially now, we have faith He will continue to do so!

Love you all!!!!!!

We serve a God of miracles!

Ok, so this morning I just had to give Him all the glory...on Sat eve, Chris did a wedding video. He went alone, because it was only a one-camera shoot. When he got home that night, I was in the middle of laundry, so I threw his pants he'd been wearing into the wash. I checked the front two pockets and then asked him if I needed to check the others, since they were cargo pants, and he said no. I have gotten into the habit of asking because we have washed several tubes of chapstick!!! Anyways, after the wash was done, and I was emptying everything into the dryer, I found a TAPE at the bottom of the washer! If you're making the connection....this was the tape of the ceremony he just filmed! Chris was devastated! I felt soooo horrible and was so mad at myself for not checking all the pockets in his pants anyways AND for rushing to get his pants in the laundry! Chris felt so stupid for leaving the tape in there and not remembering it! Anyways, the list of all the horrible things we felt goes on and on. BUT as soon as I found that tape and realized what it was, I started praying! And I encouraged Chris to do the same, even though it was very hard for him not to just be sooooo mad at himself! I also encouraged him to just leave the tape to dry overnight and just "deal" with it in the morning. So, we both prayed all night long, to the extent that once we turned the lights out, I could truly feel the Lord's presence in our bedroom! Yes, I prayed for a miracle that the tape would be okay, but I also prayed that if it wasn't, He'd give us both the peace and wisdom to know what to do and where to go from there. And as soon as I woke up that morning, I started praying! Then we both got up, had some coffee, etc, and our Father, the miracle worker, who cares about even the smallest things, like a wedding tape for Chris' biz, answered our prayers, and the tape is fine!!!!!!! I truly cannot express to you the joy and the unexplainable humility and love that comes over me even as I retell this story! I realize that there are people out there, even Christians, that'll say this was NOT a miracle but just luck and good fortune. And it's totally fine if you believe that, but I know with all of my heart, that the Lord worked a miracle in our lives and on our behalf that evening and that as we slept, He was restoring that tape! So, as I said, I simply had to give Him all the praise and glory and honor that is due Him, not only for this miracle that might seem small but was HUGE to us and Chris' biz and thus our livelihood, but because He loves each one of us so much that He even cares about such things, big and small, in our lives!
Sorry if I started rambling, and thx for hanging in there with me for yet another all-text post! Love you all and hope He works miracles (small and big) in your life this week!!!

Sorry!!!!

I seriously have no idea where the month of July went, but I am so sorry that it has been over a month since my last post. Unfortunately I still do not have pictures to add to this post, either!!! :(

Just wanted to update you real quick on a couple of things...
I have my annual review at work on Thursday. I cannot believe I have been here for 2 whole years as of July...wow! I am liking it okay. Mostly, I am just happy to have a job in this horrible economy, and everyday I am trying to view my job more and more as my mission field. That change of attitude has definitely helped my perspective on having to go to work every day! Anyways, the past 2 reviews did not go all that well for me (i.e. last year is when they told me they were thinking about getting rid of my job or cutting my hours), so if you could just be praying over that time with my immediate boss, Veronica, over my feelings (and Chris') post-review - no matter what happens, and just for a peace during and leading up to the review.

In two weeks, Chris will have a wedding every weekend for 3 consecutive weeks! Other than that, though, the biz and all "extra" stuff he has done in the past is pretty slow, so you could definitely keep praying over this.

Patti is doing pretty good. She is down to ONE LAST CHEMO TREATMENT, which'll be next Wed - PRAISE GOD! And tho it looked bleak at first, this last half of treatments hasn't been TOO BAD. Her surgery is scheduled for Sept 21st and then she'll have several months of going back in every couple of months for the breast reconstruction. But as of about March or April of next year, she should be (Lord-willing) cancer-free and completely done with all of this and bad to "normal." As far as the gene thing goes, though, we really don't know much else, so nothing new has happned on that front with Jen or Chris.

I guess that is about it, for now. Thank you so much for bearing with me and my monthly (or less) posts and my pictureless, long posts!!!! I love you all so very much and am truly blessed to have people in my life who have a common love for the Lord and who I can count on to pray with me! PLEASE let me know how you're doing and what I can be praying for, specifically, for you!!!

Hol

Patti

For those of you who are keeping up with Patti, my mother-in-law and her treatments for breast cancer, here is the latest...
She started round 5 of 8 chemo sessions today. The last half of chemo will be less meds but still just as many side effects, though the side effects do change with this half. Also, we just found out yesterday that this second half entails her being at the hospital for SIX hours every time (compared to about 2 for the first half-yikes!), so please be praying for her!
Thank you so much for all of your prayers, she can feel them and is drawing strength every day from them. She's so thankful and knows that MANY people, nationwide, are lifting her up!
Also, on that note, something else that needs prayer...Patti recently got back some test results that showed her to possess a gene that they are linking to the cancer. The good news is that after her chemo, they can take out all her "problem stuff" and she will have a 99% chance of cancer never returning! Praise God for that! The bad news is two-fold, though...that surgery will be a day-long process in which they'll remove both ovaries and both breasts and reconstruct the breasts, so that's a daunting surgery to think about, especially post-chemo. Secondly, because she has a GENE, that means that both Chris and his sister, Jenny, are more likely to get cancer themselves in the breasts, colon and ovaries (that one's just applicable to Jenn, obviously). So, please be praying over those tests for both of them and they have them run and just for wisdom in getting that whole process going.
That's it for now. Sorry for another all-words post, but I wanted to share all the details of what's going on with Patti, for those that have been asking and praying along the way!
And again, thank you soooooo much!!! xoxo

M.I.A.

Hey Everyone,
Well, I cannot even remember the last time I posted something on here, so I realize that I may be writing to myself because I lost any readers I did have. IF there is anyone else reading this, I do apologize for having been such a bad blogger the last couple of months. Honestly, they have flown by and some of the time has been pretty rough for various reasons, and so I simply have not been motivated to write anything.
But I am back now! :) I will say that, unfortunately, I am not back bearing pictures, so I also apologize for that. But, if you’re STILL interested, here’s what’s been going on with us…
Chris had his very first wedding of 2010 two weekends ago, and it went GREAT! It was a great setting, the pl were wonderful AND when Chris took the finished product by, the lady LOVED it, said she’d pass on his info to anyone she knew getting married and even gave him a tip! Praise God! AND THEN, this past weekend, he filmed a concert for a local band. AND he might be doing another band this coming weekend. So, we are so very thankful for His provision of business lately!!! It’s been so long since I wrote that I don’t think I have mentioned that Chris’ unemployment has finally run dry. We knew this would happen eventually and have been so thankful for the money that he HAS gotten from that over the last 1.5 years! But needless to say, I struggle everyday with just giving it ALL over to Him and trusting in His provision! I have good days and bad days where this is concerned but am really trying to bathe the issue in prayer, trust in Him and stand on His promises. I’ve really been clinging to Jeremiah 29:11 the past few weeks about Him having a plan for us, one that does not include harm and DOES include a hope and a future for us! AMEN, huh???? And boy has it been so evident in the provision of business for Chris!!!
So, other than that, we’re just doing the daily grind. Chris is on our church’s softball team, and they play every Thursday eve. The guys have a blast and are really good too! And us ladies/fans have a ball chatting and cheering them on! And it’s a great time outside of church to get to reconnect with church peeps!
Well, I suppose that is enough of an update for now. Don’t wanna bore you with too long of an all-words post right away! I promise I will try and take some pictures here and there so as to break up the different posts! :) Love you all very much and hope He is blessing and speaking to you every day! IN HIM!!! <><

Being Lazy

So this past weekend, we went with Chris' fam down to the lake in New Mexico. We had a blast! I took lotsa pics but do not seem to have the patience to put them up one at a time here on my blog. SORRY! But as I was thinking about it, I realized that I cant think of a single person who reads my blog that isn't also my friend on facebook. So if you wanna see the pics, go to my facebook page and check them out! Seriously, I do apologize for being so very lazy and impatient!!!! yikes! :)

In other news, the Lord has truly been blessing us with His provision (as always)...Chris has been working Part-time quite a bit lately with the one restoration company AND he also has been getting quite a few phone calls about weddings and various other video jobs! So praise God for that! I'm just doing my thing here at my job and getting very excited for summer/warmer weather!

Thx for sticking by me as I have been so bad lately about blogging at all, and when I do, about not including pictures! Love you all very much! Happy Memorial Day to all of you!!!!

Things...

Sorry it has been so long since my last post. Hopefully none of you were on the edge of your seat waiting to hear back about Chris' job stuff! :) He did not get the full time job, which is disappointing, however, I was a lil nervous about some aspects of the job anyways and was really praying over it. So I truly believe he didn't get it for a reason. No idea what that reason is, but the Lord is in control, and I have complete trust in that fact!!!

Chris has been doing quite a bit of part-time work for All Phase the past few weeks, so that has been very nice, and every week, he's been making more and more contacts about more weddings this summer. Other than that, I'm just working and doing the usual day-to-day stuff.

I will mention that thee years ago yesterday, Chris and I met for the very first time in person! :) Kinda cool to think about that. I even remember what we both ate at lunch and what we were both wearing! So awesome to look back to that day and see the Lord's hand in it and every day since then in our relationship!!!

I know this is a random post, but I will also mention that I get to meet one of my college roommate's fiancee tomorrow down in the Springs, and I am very excited about that.

So, other than that, not too much new is going on. Hope you have a wonderful weekend, and MAYBE one of these days, I'll actually have some pictures to post on here again! lol!
In His Love...

Praise the Lord!

Just read Psalm 113, and it starts and ends with that phrase! And one of the verses talks about how He is to be praised all day long, from the time the sun comes out til it sets. So, I just thought that was an appropriate title for this post!

So, Chris has now booked two weddings for August, and we just wanna give Him all the praise and glory for this provision!!! We've both really been blanketing the biz in prayer lately and cannot give credit to anyone but Him for these bookings! So I just wanted to share that very good news with you!

AND also, Chris has a potential full-time job offer that might be coming in the next few days, so please join us in praying that the Lord's will be done in this and for discernment of whether to accept it or not, if it's offered to him. I will give you all the details later, if he does end up taking it!

That's it for today! Love you all so very much and will keep you posted on things! Thanks so much for your prayer support, your love and for caring enough to read all my blogs with NO PICTURES-lol! xoxo

Patti

Some of you already know this, and some of you do not. I had previously shared this news with some people for prayer support, but it wasn't something that was being publicized to everyone in the beginning. That being said, Patti is my mother-in-law, and she is a wonderful one, lemme tell ya! :) And a lil over a month ago, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. And tons of ppl came outta the woodwork to pray for her, and the Lord was and has been VERY PRESENT throughout this whole process. She immediately had a lumpectomy, and has been recouping from that surgery for several weeks now. But now that she is healed, chemo and radiation are just around the corner. So, on Wednesday, she will have her first round of chemo. I believe this will be once a week for a few months and then, as of now, the plan is to do radiation every DAY for a few months. So, the rest of this year, though we're blessed that she is still HERE, is gonna be rough and long for Patti. So, could you all please join us in praying for this journey? And now that I have asked that, lemme just tell you how the Lord has been alive and active in this situation from the very beginning...

After several years of trying to lose weight, Patti, in just a very short time, easily shed 10 pounds, which the docs tell her probably led to an early detection of her lump. Also, the night before she verified the lump and went to her doctor, she suddenly woke up in the middle of the night with a sharp pain in her breast and made a note to check that in the morning, which obviously we believe was the Lord alerting. Patti has a personal relationship with her wonderful Gen Practitioner and was able to not only email her and ask about the lump, but the doc got her in right away to look at it. She was also able to get in for surgery just a lil over one week after finding the lump. The surgery was very successful, and not only did they get all of the cancer, but there was none in her lymph nodes, which would've been a very big and scary issue! Oh, and did I mention that we just happen to live near Denver where one of the world's leading c cancer centers is located! I mean, seriously, even in the midst of this horrible, scary thing, the Lord was and is working! Thank you, Father!

Ok, so that's just a tiny bit of what He's doing already in this situation. And my mother-in-law has been giving Him all the glory and leaning on Him completely! Praise God!!!

Anyways, sorry for all words and no pics in this post and in the past few posts. But thx so much for your love and prayers! Love and cherish each and everyone of you!!!

OUR GOD REIGNS!!!!! :)

Mom's Visit

Well, the bad news is that, tho mom brought me a camera, we did not take a single picture! SORRY! But the good news is that we had a BLAST together (duh!)! We didn't do anything real exciting. We got haircuts, watched movies, organized and decorated at the house, played lotsa wii games, hung out, talked alot, ate some yummy food, laughed alot, etc! And it was, as usual, very hard to see her go! But I'm so thankful for the time that we had together, especially since in ONE WEEK, she will be moving to TX with my older sis and family, so I won't have the luxury of talking to mom as much as I'm used to. Tho I'm so excited that not only will they all finally be in one place (makes for much easier visiting), but I'm so thrilled to have mom not living alone anymore! So, that is a huge blessing!
Anyways, just wanted to update you on her visit...it was great, and of course I missed her the second she left! But we do have plans already to go to Houston for Christmas, which'll be the first Christmas I've gotten to spend with my side of the fam in 3 years! So, that's a blessing, as well.
Hope you're having a wonderful Good Friday and have a wonderful celebration of His rising on Sunday!
Lotsa love! xoxoxo

Mommy's Visit

My mom is coming to visit for almost a week. She'll be here tonight and will leave next Wed morning! I'm very excited. Haven't seen her since last February! AND she's bringing me a camera, so just maybe, I'll have some pics to post of her visit sometime late next week.
Have a good one! xoxo

and the big gift is....drum roll, please.......

Yes, people, I got a wii from my sis, nephews, and mom! Holy cow, I cannot even believe it! I have wanted a wii since they came out but have been completely unwilling to buy one for myself (you know, my ULTRA frugality, and all), and apparently, my youngest nephew Caden, decided back in December that THIS is what he wanted to get me for my big 3-0! How cute is that????

They also got me the wii fit...

Super Mario Bros game...

and Caden picked out a pink controller for me...a must-have, in his opinion...

And since Chris knew about this, he got me wii Fit Plus...

and the Biggest Loser game, too!

My goodness, whata present! I'm truly overwhelmed by this but so stinkin excited. In fact, last night was my first night with all of this, and I stayed up til after 10pm playing everything. And for those of you who know me well, THAT IS REALLY LATE for me!!! :) So, I have to say this was an amazing birthday...I also should tell you about the eve of my bday, too because Chris also got me a board game I have been wanting for years...

AND took me out to one of my fave places to eat...

yum! yum!

so what can i say besides i am blessed and way excited about finally having a wii! helps me deal with being 30 a lil bit better! :)

LOVE U ALL!!!!!

Only a few more hours of being 29....

so as I have been telling everyone, I was born in TX at 5:37pm, so technically I am not, and thus will not be claiming 30 until 4:37 MST! But that is, sadly, less than 4 hours away at this point. But I'm still holding on strong!
I would totally post pics of my day so far, but my camera want caput (sp?) after Mexico, so I will just have to tell you about all my bday surprises, and you'll simply have to use your imagination.... :)
My wonderful girlfriends came up and surprised me at work this morning with balloons, cards, a Starbucks Chai (yummy) and some pumpkin bread (yummy!). And they sat and chatted for a bit. It was a WONDERFUL surprise, and I loved every minute of it....dont I have amazing friends???? :) AND shortly after they came by, I rec'd the most beautiful bouquet of flowers from my in-laws with a card that said, "to the most wonderful daughter-in-law any 2 ppl could have and wish for." Um, do i have amazing in-laws, or what?
So basically with all the love I've gotten on facebook and through these wonderful ppl in my life, the dreaded transition day has gone by very well, so far.
I will have to post later this week too because I'm told that I have some awesome gift coming from my whole fam and Chris on Thursday, so stay tuned...

Saying Goodbye to My Twenties!!! :(

Well, it hasn't hit me just yet, so I'm not entirely sure how I'm feeling about turning 30 tomorrow, but I THINK I don't like it at all! :) Sigh!!!
However....though my 20's were GREAT in so many different ways...how amazing that now I will, Lord-willing, get to spend AN ENTIRE DECADE knowing and loving Chris! Thank you, Lord! So, at least in that respect, I'm very excited and thankful for this upcoming decade of life!

Last of the Mexico Pics

So it's hard to believe that it was two whole weeks ago that we were in our lil dream world of Puerto Vallarta! Especially since I am literally STILL peeling, the LENGTH of both of my legs! But I do still have some sorta tan, for now! :)

So I just had a few more pics to share with you of our first night when we went to a town called Bucerias and ate dinner ON the beach (toes in sand and all), of Mon's night's Movie Night (we watched Mamma Mia which was OK, but it was the absolute best setting I have ever watched a movie in), and of us just playing in the water and such! Hope you enjoy! Soak up all the scenes and sun that you can form these, cuz as I said, they are SADLY the last ones!!!

Mas Mexican Pictures

This is SO not in any order, but I did wanna show you what we left back here in CO when we were on our way to Mexico...

and then we arrived...

here...

Our hotel

Our rooms

...and THE BEACH!!!

Ok more to come later, but as you prolly know, it's really hard to put lotsa pics at once on blogspot. So...I promise to put more on later (hopefully today). xoxo