{7 Things to Know}

And now for the post you and I have been waiting for all week...

7 Things to Know posted here each Sunday.

1. I forgot to mention in last week's post that my mom scheduled 3 job interviews in 2 days! Last month I helped her revamp her resume to look hip and help show off her mad skills. I hope it pays off real soon!! I really like helping people with their resumes and wish I could some how turn that love into a money making opportunity...
2. Busy week of work: productive project meeting, opening of accounts, calling clients to schedule appointments, calling clients to update them on their new accounts and transfers, generating forms, website updating (favorite!), scanning of daily work, etc., etc.
3. "Snow, glorious snow!" - yeah, I'm not usually singing about snow this time of year here in MinneSNOWta, but this winter has been one for the record books for having the least amount of snow. So when I almost got a snow day on Leap Day, I was kind of excited! I say "almost" because I while I did have to come to work, it wasn't until 10:30 am. I got a text at 6:15am, but didn't see it until the phone call at 6:30 am which is right about the time I was thinking of getting up. If you know me at all, you know I jumped at the chance to go back to my warm, cozy bed!
4. Yearly goals. Do you have them? For the second year in a row I've typed mine up and I track my progress monthly. I've been following a blog of someone who updates weekly on how what he did that week towards his goals. Well, I'm not that ambitious but reading that blog has helped me remember to check on my goals.
• This week I learned about SMART Goals and I hope to incorporate these into my yearly goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Based.
5. I did not schedule my annual appointments like I mentioned last week...FAIL! I did however reach my fitness goal of burning 400+ calories two times this week! SUCCESS!!
6. A few blog posts I enjoyed this week:
• From my finance tracker, Mint.com - Ways to Save When Buying a New or Used Car
• From an encouraging website for singles, Boundless.org - What to Pray for Those Who Don't Know Christ:
• Pray that God draws them to himself (John 6:44).
• Pray that they seek to know God (Acts 17:27, Deuteronomy 4:29).
• Pray that they believe the Scriptures (1 Thessalonians 2:13, Romans 10:17). 
• Pray that Satan would be kept from blinding them to the truth (Matthew 13:19, 2 Corinthians 4:4). 
• Pray that the Holy Spirit works in them (John 16:8-13). 
• Pray that God would send them someone to lead them to Christ (Matthew 9:37-38). 
• Pray that they would believe in Christ as Savior (John 1:12, 5:24) and confess him as Lord (Romans 10:9-10). 
• Pray that they would turn from sin (Acts 3:19, 17:30-31). 
• Pray that they would yield all to follow Christ (2 Corinthians 5:15, Philippians 3:7-8). 
• Pray that they would take root and grow in Christ (Colossians 2:6-7).
• From Lifehacker.com - What to Buy and What to Skip at Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s, Create a Hidden Cork Board Message Center on the Inside of a Kitchen Cabinet, and Use CD Racks to Organize Container Lids in Drawers
• From CookingLight.com via Lifehacker.com - Cooking Tips
7. This week there are two more things to cross off the "theJob* Relocation 2011" project list: track lighting installed for the artwork from last week AND our etched glass logo arrived! You can see both in this picture:

"I am not young enough to know everything."

-Oscar Wilde

So you see! There's no end to the things you might know, depending how far beyond zebra you go.

-Dr. Suesse


*theJob = name changed to protect the innocent

{7 Things to Know}

And now for the post you and I have been waiting for all week...

7 Things to Know posted here each Sunday

1. You've heard of a peanut allergy, a pollen allergy, and a cat allergy (I used to wish I had a cat allergy!), but have you heard of a cold allergy? That was a new one for me. Read here about a Minnesota boy who's not moving to a warmer climate, but he is allergic to the cold!
2. I think it's funny that Lifehacker posted this about What You Should Do if You Suspect a Car Is Following You. Say, what?! :)
3. Some call me organized (thank YOU), but I'm not so organized that I have my annual Doctor, Dentist, and Eye Exam check-ups scheduled. This was a good reminder to get on that. I already have the tools they mention and I've even set a reoccurring reminder for me to schedule the appointments, but no, I haven't done it yet this year (or last year for that matter). I'd like to take care of the scheduling before the end the month...yikes! Only a couple of days left!!
4. This is mainly for my sister-in-law Meg who just started couponing. I've often asked myself, "Is Couponing Even Worth Your Time?" The link has some good thoughts on the subject. Interesting note for the blogging world - upon checking the stats for my blog, Meg's blog is one of my biggest traffic sources!
5. Christian Personal Finance - I've referred to this site before and I'll say it again, it's a great resource! If you don't subscribe to a reader (i.e. Google Reader), I'd encourage you to sign up for their weekly email.
6. This devotional arrived in my inbox the day after I mentioned or maybe complained to a far-away-friend about my own local friend(s) status. Funny thing, a couple days later I got a text to hang out and go bowling. Both the devotional and the outing were encouraging to me!
7. I was excited last month when plants arrived and now after 4 months in our new space, we finally have art! Yay - we're getting closer to being "done" with our move!! Currently we're still working on signs for our cubes and a sign at our front door and trying to get conference table bases repaired or replaced - very thankful to have the company we purchased them from cover the costs. I think there are a couple of other things still left to do, but for now I can't remember what they are. I'll be very glad when I can put the "move" behind us - it's been a long 2 years of planning, ordering, waiting, calling, emailing, meeting, ordering, waiting, calling, etc., etc., etc.! 

Make it a great week!!

{7 Things to Know}

Below is the 4th post in my new 7 Things to Know which are posted on Sundays.

1. My mom's birthday was Friday. The Mpls Gang (Mom, Dad, Jen, Eric, Morgen, Carsten, Ethan, Me, Jess and Luke) celebrated at Jess & Luke's.
• Luke broiled up steaks and mashed some potatoes, Jess made salad and green beans, I brought garlic bread (yum!), and Jen brought homemade cupcakes. Probably the best meal I've eaten since Christmas!
• Us kids gave mom a bunch of money to go shopping and Jess and Jen took her on Saturday. I got to see her haul after Dad and I got back from Deo Rehearsal.
2. Workout update - This week I didn't quite reach my goal of 400 calories in 33 min.: Wed - 386; Thur - 397; Fri - 396 --so close! The default calories on MyFitnessPall for 33 min is 552. I have a ways to go to get there, but I'm up for the challenge!
• This link from Lifehacker says "that working out actually helps boost your energy level, not dimish it." Personally I agree with the first commentor of the post: I usually want a nap after I work out!
3. I'm ready for a new car. My muffler has sprung another leak (probably the same hole that was patched last fall, but maybe a new one...?), and it's starting to sound like (as my nephew would say) a "super-fast" car. I'm not really ready to go car shopping so I'm officially inviting someone (anyone?) to help me. Any takers?
•  This week the Better Business Bureau posted this JD Powers article
•  Good Question: Should I buy or lease a car?
4. Morgen helped me grocery shop this week - not sure if she was so much "help" as she was just good company :)
5. As you know from time-to-time I review books here on my blog which would lead one to believe that I like to read, which is true! I read about "Little Free Library's Pop Up In Twin Cities Neighborhoods" and thought it was kind of a cleaver idea. Of course, I'm about to purchase a Kindle, so I'm not sure I'm a good candidate to be a lender from a neighboring library...
6. I post links from this site all the time on facebook. I love their ideas! Here's a few I starred in my Google Reader this week:
• This week they asked, "What aren't you using this winter?" Check it out!
• This Transformer Jacket looks really cool! I think I'll at it to my Giftie Giftie list!
• How to organize your gadget accessories was another great post.
7. I love Twizzler's. Notice I didn't say licorice or Red Vines. I said Twizzlers. I've loved them for as long as I can remember. I even wrote it down as my favorite candy in my high school senior memory book. The only thing better than Twizzlers is Twizzer Pull n Peel. I'm pretty sure those came out while I was in college as I some pictures from choir tour with us playing with them while we waited for a meal that was late (Ooh, that's a funny memory! The power had gone out at the church, and whatever it was they were planning to serve didn't get hot. I think they brought in McDonalds for us. That was a first!)

{Deo Cantamus} Tune My Heart Concert

Yesterday my dad and I began rehearsing with the Deo Cantamus chorale for our upcoming concert Tune My Heart. We'll be singing Saturday, March 24th at 7:00 pm and

You're invited!!

Tune My Heart Program

Nun danket alle Gott - Johann Pachelbel
Te Deum - John Rutter
Come Thou Fount - arr. by Mack Wilberg
Day by Day - arr. by James Anderson
God Be In My Head - Joshua Bauder
Do Not I Love Thee, O My Lord - Craig Curry

Click here to listen to songs from past concerts on Deo Cantamus' YouTube channel.

 Read more about my experiences with Deo Cantamus here.

{7 Things to Know}

As a way to hopefully increase my blogging, I started a new feature called 7 Things to Know. I plan to post this each Sunday.

1. This is a question weighing heavily on my mind and it seems to becoming up more and more! Should I hold out for an iPad 2 ($499 or $449 on sale...) or just get a Kindle ($79 or $199 Kindle Fire)...? I know I wouldn't buy the iPad until the end of the year at the earliest, but I know I would use the Kindle today if I had it!
2. I typed the previous early in the week and then I got a phone call - well, two phone calls actually - that are helping me decide when to get a Kindle and which one. So remember my first 7 Things post...when I mentioned Virtuwell.com? Well, it turns out they are working with some research company who wants to pay me $75 to come in for an hour and review a smartphone app for them. Uh, letmethinkaboutthat...yeah, I think I can do that!! (Never mind that the patch-job on my 1996 exhaust pipe has decided 3 months was long enough to stay on as a temporary fix, now sounds like I added a glass-pack to my muffler, that I should be out car shopping and saving every penny...)
3. We're working on hiring a new person at work. Lots to do yet: figure out what the person is going to do (my boss has a list in his head!); buy new computer(s); set up office space (i.e. me make list and order more supplies); post the job (first with our affiliate company and not sure where else yet); I'm sure I'll have more to add in the coming days...
4. I mentioned before that I track my workouts through My Fitness Pal. It's really come in handy to help me stay motivated. The end of last week I started a new program on the elliptical machine and am now trying to increase my calorie burning each time. From last Friday to this Friday I increased my calories by 23. I'm hoping to increase by that much and more by next Friday.
5. My co-worker has been putting off a project - I should send this link. Two ideas from the article stuck out to me: the six-box to do list and make an appointment for yourself.
6. Blogs and articles about organization and how to do my work better always interest me, but blogs and articles about lists make me down-right giddy! #listnerd 
7. Since I work in the financial planning arena, here's answers to 5 retirement questions you may have. You may or may not be interested to know that question #3 about RMDs pertains to a big part of my job. I have almost 100 accounts that I keep track of all year long to make sure the RMD gets calculated and distribution are made.

Hope you learned something new today!

Happy Sunday!

Have a great week!!

{7 Things to Know}

As a way to hopefully increase my blogging, last week I started a new feature called 7 Things to Know. I plan to post this each Sunday.

1. Here's a lesson on how to pray that I am still working on learning. 
2. Wednesday was change your password day. Did you change your passwords?
3. I've been mulling it over for about a month: I need to quit drinking pop. Ok, I'm going to make it official and say that I am quitting. Who's with me?! There are other beverages out there that will quench my thirst just fine. I need to have less sugar any way. I might have to try some of these ideas.
4. Have you ever gone to bed with bad attitude? One night this past week I was really struggling and I know it was just one thing that set me off, but I couldn't shake it: I tried. I tried again. I moved on and then something else set me off. I finally prayed about what I was struggling with and decided to go to bed after journal-ing a bit about how I was feeling. The next morning I woke up with a better attitude, but swollen eyes :/ Later that day I read this post. I appreciate this author's honesty and his way of tackling problems: with lists! :)
5. Hanging out with my nephews and niece are 3 reasons I live in Minneapolis.
6. I can be a football fan, but I choose not to be. I watched a bit of the big game with it on mute. I was happy for the Giants' win, but I enjoyed a movie on Hulu more!
7. I started reading a book to review called "The Final Hour" - stay tuned for my review blogpost!

Carsten and I decorated cookies on Saturday :)

Three random pics from today: Me & Ethan at lunch; Smoothies for this week's breakfasts; My last day of medicine for my sinus infection!

{lesson on how to pray}

Sunday evening's sermon by Sam Horn was part 2. Here's part 1 which I didn't hear since I was home sick.

I'm including my notes, but I don't know that it does the actual sermon justice or explain how much this has impacted my prayer life in the last 24 hours.

Matthew 6:9-15

9 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.10  Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.11  Give us this day our daily bread.12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

A Patter to Guide Our Prayers

• who we ought to pray to
• to God Himself
• not to humans
• what are we to pray for
• something true in heaven that we want to see on earth

A Patter Reveals A Set of Priorities

• adjust our prayers to reflect these priorities
• exaltation of God's name
• excecution of God's righteous will to be done

Petitions

• daily provisions
• ask, why do I want more if I haven't used what He gave me already 
• for His purposes
• forgiveness
• protection

Attributes

• you'll never exhaust Him

{7 Things to Know}

As a way to hopefully increase my blogging, I'd like to start a new feature called 7 Things to Know. I plan to post this each Sunday. Good idea? I think so!!

1. This week I was sick. I diagnosed myself with a sinus infection and then confirmed my diagnosis through virtuwell.com instead of going to the doctor. Virtuwell turned out to be a huge money and time saver. I really liked how easy it was! Now I'm on the mend with some antibiotics and feeling so much better!
2. A friend is ghost writing for a few blogs. One of them is amazonkindlebooksforfree.com/, which I've really come to like. I don't have a Kindle, yet, but I'm enjoying the Kindle for PC feature for now.
3. I'm still working on getting out of debt. Blog posts like this one from are helping to keep me focused. My current project is eliminating my student loan.
4. Working out 3-4 times a week for the past few months has increased my ellipitcal trainer use from 20 to 45 min. The gym is on the 1st floor of my work building so I really have no excuse! I'm now trying to incorporate some core-strength training via a video at home. Hope to do the strength training 3 times per week. I like to keep track of my workouts at www.myfitnesspal.com.
5. My brother turned 31 this week. In case you missed his birthday blog post or any family birthday from the past year, go here.
6. My current work projects include event planning, workflow, website updates and establishing an email marking campaign. Online account access and e-delivery of statements and correspondence is becoming a key way to helping our clients more quickly and effeciently. Something fun that I got to work on this last week was creating a one-page piece that can be used in client meetings as talking points for the advisors to discuss email addresses and our website with the clients. Our website has not been very usuable until this past year and I know I'll be spending a lot more time on our website this year.
7. Why did I pick 7 things? Maybe I'll have to adjust this feature in the future...ahhh...here's one: I finished my taxes this week! I know I have it pretty easy so it doesn't take me long for which I'm very thankful!

Well, that's it for this week's installment of 7 Things to Know. I'm already looking forward to next week's post!

Oh, and here's a bonus #8 - I read this devotional this week on comparing what is good with what is easy. This was the theme verse:

Micah 6:8

He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?

Happy Birthday, Jake!

Continuing this past year's tradition...

31 Reasons I love you, Jacob Taylor!

1. You're my brother. My one. And only. Brother.
2. You're a tease.
3. You're smart.
4. You're good lookin'! 
5. Your Jake-of-all-trades: teacher, coach, artist, mechanic, technician, handyman...
6. You married Meg.
7. You gave me my second niece, Lily Bug (who got your locks of curls!! Will my third niece have curls too?).
8. You're a great dad to Lily .
9. Michael Jordan was your first hero.
10. You were a cute, chubby baby!
11. You were a cute, nerdy little boy.
12. You were always our "fish" whenever we were near water.
13. You're the only one of us with a Masters degree - go Jake!
14. You like to try new things.
15. You're creative and crafty.
16. You're an artist like dad.
17. You know how to live on a budget.
18. You're a homeowner.
19. You can play the piano something fierce.
20. You never shot me in the neck with your BB gun.
21. You're tall.
22. You take great videos of Lily Bug and post them on facebook regularly. (yes, that's a hint too ;)
23. You're an awesome website designer. wanna fixed my blog?
24. Even though you went to PCC, yep, I still love ya!
25. I'm guessing you were the Sega champ of our house growing up - "It's on!"
26. You're athletic and fit.
27. You're always up for an adventure.
28. You live near the beach!
29. You're a willing helper - always ready to get your hand dirty.
30. You're a faithful leader.
31. You've got skills!

Read about more family birthdays here.

{Goodbye, 20Eleven}

Happy New Year!!

Here's a little pictorial summary of 20Eleven:

January	February	March
Since 2010 was kind of a recovery year financially from 2009, I had lots of goals for 2011 one of which included paying off a credit card.	Mom turned 60! Lots of snow in Minneapolis!	Dad turned 60! Got to go to a few hockey practices - Nephew Carsten’s new past time!
April	May	June
Morgen & I enjoyed sunny walks at Medicine Lake.	Carsten and I walked for Metro Women’s Center – raising money for their new Amazing Grace home.	Niece Lily turned 1! Flaming Family Reunion
July	August	September
Beautiful “We’re sorry” flowers from Morgen, Carsten, and Ethan...	Our tradition for the past 3 years has been to have Jess’s birthday party at my house.	Finished paying off my credit card so time for a haircut…just a shape up since I spent 7 months growing it out!
October	November	December
Jess and Luke were certified foster parents for over 6 months when Safya came to be a part of our family for a short few weeks. Looking forward to them having another placement sometime soon!	I decided to chop my hair. Absolutely no regrets!	Mom and Dad moved to Spooner, WI. I took back their tree I had borrowed for 5 years and helped them decorate.

ahh...another year older

My sister was the first to post this on her Facebook page and the rest of the family followed suit. I'm copying it here because I really enjoyed it!

Happy 36th Birthday to my sister, Bekah

Posted on Facebook on Sunday, December 18, 2011 at 7:23am

36 reasons why we all love you…

From Dad…
1. You have a tender heart.
2. You were not adopted...it was Jen:)
3. You send me Deo CDs.
4. You sing soprano.
5. You get the most out of a car
6. You like to read.

From Mom…
7. You have always like to sing in church (I remember when you were little, you put a lot of expression in when you sang in church).
8. You answer my computer questions while I'm at work & you are at work.
9. You sometimes like to sew (pillow cases at least).
10. You enjoy a good challenge for learning.
11. You enjoy cooking & baking.
12. You supply me with good books. (after you've read them - mostly)

From Jen…
13. You take our kids "off our hands" often.
14. You appreciate organization.
15. You are a techie.
16. You make yummy pumpkin bread.
17. You plan ahead.
18. You make our kids feel special and loved.

From Jess…
19. You are a giver.
20. You are hospitable.
21. You like a good game of football.
22. You cooked for me for 2 years.
23. You like inside jokes.
24. You never stop learning new things.

From Jake…
25. You are very creative with pictures.

26. You always could sing more beautifully than me.
27. You make the best BabyRuth Bars.
28. You are the only one I have ever known to have the nickname "Rosco".
29. You forgave me when I put a rock through your car window with the weed eater.
30. You inspire me to want to read books (someday).

From Anna…
31. You helped me learn how to read... At 19.
32. You're the only one I allow to call me Ann
33. Your Kraft Mac & Cheese was always the best after King's Kids!
34. You are a maker of lists!
35. You are our world traveler.
36. You make great snoothies.

Christmas lunch

My firm's annual Christmas lunch came early this year. Our "virtual" assistant was scheduled to be in town the first week of December so the lunch was set for then too.

A few links about past Christmas lunches:

• Last year we were at The Cheesecake Factory which happened to be 2 days before my birthday.
• In 2009 we went to Fogo de Chao for dinner instead of lunch, but I can't find a post about it or pictures! I'll have to check with Jen because she went with me.
• In searching for blog posts about where we've had our Christmas lunch I found this for 2008 but I don't have any pictures from that lunch nor do I have pictures of a post for 2007s lunch...not sure where it was at either!

So now for this years lunch...we went to Manny's Steakhouse. I've heard about Manny's almost since I started working for Box. Various vendors have taken the guys there, but I'd never had the chance to go...until now!

We started out with some bread and then appetizers: Maine Lobster Cakes and the Not-Dog. Here's a picture of the Not-Dog (the biggest slab of bacon you've ever seen covered with chili and put in a hot dog bun):

For the main course I had the Tenderloin Steak Salad (sorry no picture). The steak was delicious, but the dressing, LARGE onion and LARGE tomato were only so-so.

But...Boss1 also ordered "Sides to Share" - Manny's "Loaded" Hash Browns, Broccoli, and Mac N Cheese. The hash browns were the best - so yummy!! (again, sorry no pictures)

I did take a picture of my co-worker's "The Duke", which was a large hamburger topped with a steak! There was no picking this up with your hands!

  

Another co-worker chose the Surf and Turf Mini Burgers. Her mini-hamburger was not even as big as half of "The Duke"!

  

We were really too full to eat much after all the bread, appetizers, main course, and side dishes. But even after all of the yummy food, the best part was The Manny's Brownie (Boss1l had asked the waiter if one order of the brownie would give us each a bite):

Um, we got more like a slice, not just a bite! No other words are needed, the picture shows exactly how yummy it was.

In between all the food we had a nice time just hanging out. We're all usually so busy getting work done that we don't take time to just chit-chat.

I wonder where we'll go next year?!

{tis the Season}

Found this little diddy in my unpublished list...looks like I started it the beginning of December, but didn't quite finish it...Well, I'm posting it anyway...

**************************************

As we move from the Season of Thanksgiving to the Season of Give Me, I mean Giving.I wanted to make sure to take a few minutes to write down some things that I'm thankful for this year.

I'm thankful for...

My family - my parents recently moved from 9 hours away to 2 hours away. Ahhh, so great!

My car - poor thing is on the end of it's long journey, but I'm hoping it lasts a bit longer.

My job: tasks, projects, boss, workspace, coworkers, free gym. All things things make my days go by quickly and help me never to be bored with my job.

Hot water, electricity,

**************************************

Women of Faith Conference

(This post was written last week but due to my lack of Internet at home I wasn't able to post until now...how's that for another excuse!)

This post is a long time coming (about a month overdue to be more precise). I’m ignoring the pile of dishes left over from my mini-bake fest and postponing my Christmas decorating to write this overdue post. But first maybe I’ll make some tea…be right back!

While the tea was brewing I did put away some clean dishes, but blatantly ignored the pile of dirty baking dishes (all right, there were also a couple of days worth of supper dishes too). Oh, and before you think that I was baker-extraordinaire today, let me clarify that I baked two batches of Trader Joe’s box pumpkin bread into 16 mini loaves and made pancakes for my late lunch. The pumpkin bread is for my co-workers and probably my niece and nephews who love pumpkin bread (but their mom doesn’t like pumpkin so they don’t get it much).

So back to the point of this post…Women of Faith (I last blogged about this here). But first, let me just say, I make some good Flaming Tea – yum!

Some months ago I for the price of a couple of blog post, I received two free tickets to attend the Women of Faith conference in downtown St. Paul’s Xcel Energy Center back in October. Not having ever attended a Women of Faith event, I didn’t have many expectations. The tickets included events on Friday during the day, but since I had no one to go with until the evening I opted not to attend, but now wish I had so I could have heard Dr. Henry Cloud.

So Friday night, my sister-in-law’s sister (and my brother-in-law’s cousin – yup), Lindsay, and I headed to the evening session. We stopped at Smash Burger to use a Groupon Lindsay had picked up a while back and got their in plenty of time to park and get to our seats.

Friday night’s session was mostly introducing us to the speakers and a mini-concert by Natalie Grant. On Saturday I started to take notes on my phone from some of the speakers, but I had technical issues and lost the notes…While all of the speakers had outstanding testimony’s of God’s grace in their lives, two speakers stuck out to me: Lisa Harper, single and age 48, who is working on adopting her first child and Luci Swindol, single and age 79, who has lived a full life and reminded us all to live in the moment. 

One verse that stuck out from the sessions was I Timothy 6:17, “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.”

Saturday Lindsay and I ate lunch at Cosetta’s, an authentic Italian restaurant with good slices of pie, and I’m not talking about apple pie! 

Happy Birthday, Jen!

It's Jen's birthday today!! She's my #1 sister and continuing this year's tradition of birthday celebrations, here's...

38 Reasons I Love You, Jen!

1. You're my #2 mom!
2. You made me an auntie when you gave me my first beautiful niece!
3. Oh, and you gave me two handsome nephews!
4. You've succeeded in your career goals: wife, mom, piano teacher.
5. You daily demonstrate your faithfulness to God. 
6. You're the shopper among us!
7. You found a great partner for life in Eric.
8. You're not afraid to try new things: 5k, crockpot meals, crocheting, etc., etc., etc.
9. You'll always be early - not "on time", not late, but early...just like dad!
10. You might not be the best joke teller, but you let us get excited for you when you do crack a funny!
11. Through the years you've encourage me to do things I wouldn't have done on my own (ear piercing, leg shaving, fashion trends, moving...)
12. S-U-P-E-R, Super-dup, that's what you are!
13. You're one of the main reasons I could listen to/watch piano playing for hours.
14. You used to be my travel buddy - trains, planes, and automobiles!
15. Speaking of travel...you helped me survive my first year overseas when you came to Guam to visit.
16. You're known as J'f-nerd, but that's just your name - you can't help it! ;)
17. I like to think that sometimes you copy me, but really I'm just copying you!
18. You're an excellent party planner!
19. You're an inspirational home decorator.
20. You inherited a green thumb from mom...how come I didn't get one?
21. We can always count on you to have your camera. It might not have charged batteries, but you have your camera!
22. You're generous.
23. You're not an animal lover...poor Snickers!
24. You look like mom.
25. You always have a plan.
26. Did I mention you are quite the shopper?!
27. You are a smart dresser and a great date (i.e. work dinner at Fogo and work anniversary gala).
28. You're a leader among your peers and your friends.
29. You're taller than me. (What?! I need tall people around me to reach the stuff on the top shelf!)
30. You're a good cook!
31. We got to go the same college.
32. You're a world traveler: Mexico, New Zealand, Guam.
33. You're a fierce competitor when it comes to Racko...dare I say, champion?!
34. You have common sense and an excellent sense of direction.
35. You like Princess Di.
36. You're newly conscientious about dangerous toxins.
37. You're kind, loving, caring, helpful.
38. You're my sister!

Read about more family birthdays here.

{women of faith}

Back in July I found out I was selected as a blogger for the Women of Faith event. 

This opportunity was given to me because I review books for Book Sneeze (Thomas Nelson Publishing) and then blog about the books. 

I'm receiving two registrations to attend the event so I plan to bring Lindsay! along for the ride.

This will be my first Women of Faith event. I plan to write a post after the event so stay tuned!

 

Remembering 9-11

September 11, 2001 

My Memory:

10 years ago I was just back from Guam about 3 months. Just about a month (maybe just a few weeks?) earlier I had started working at a large, local insurance company in McPherson, KS where my parents lived and worked. I remember sitting at my desk and realizing that the speakers had been turned up so we could hear the radio. They were describing what was happening, while it was happening. It didn't seem real. I remember going home at lunch and watching the towers collapse. Dad was home for lunch too. Mom actually worked with the local EMTs' headquarters. I don't really remember much else from that day except maybe a lot of TV watching and sitting at the edge of our seats wondering if something else would happen. 

I remembered flying that November to Minneapolis to spend Thanksgiving with Jen and Eric, Anna and Jess. I'm sure I was a little anxious about that first flight, but the reality was just a little extra security that soon became our new normal. I also remember a snow storm kept me in Minneapolis an extra day.

That following January I moved to Minneapolis. I only lived there four months though because there were no office jobs to be found. I worked a temp job until I lost my roommate and couldn't afford to live by myself: Anna had lived with me but decided to go back to college. She had decided to become a cop. Not sure if her career choice had anything to do with 9-11 or not.

Another's Memory:

Thank God for testimonies like this that give us
great hope for the days in which we live. -Darrel L. Flaming

What's Your 9-11 Memory? 

Happy 32nd Birthday, Jess!

It's Jess's birthday today!! She's my #2 sister and continuing this year's tradition of birthday celebrations, here's...

32 Reasons I Love You, Jess!

1. You're the middle child. ...If you weren't, Jake and I would have to duke it out! ;)
2. You had the reddest hair in the family until Lily came a long!
3. You're courageous.
4. You love participating in athletics.
5. You work hard and know how to get the job done.
6. You're strong willed.
7. You're our very own Joanne Liebler - so glad you found your Dean Johnson ;-)
8. You're a licensed foster parent - can't wait to be a foster aunt!
9. You're a class act. 
10. You're a wise counselor to your friends and family.
11. You don't give fashion advise.
12. You're an expert Flaming Tea maker. (But I don't mind if you practice more on me.)
13. You know God's Word and you share it.
14. You're low maintenance.
15. You do impersonations well.
16. You're not embarrassed easily...unless you wake up in the emergency room...
17. You're a loving aunt to our shared nieces and nephews.
18. You have a servants heart.
19. You listen well.
20. You're a good coach.
21. You're respected by many.
22. You were a great condo mate.
23. You love Jet's pizza - any pizza, really! You'd eat pizza for any meal.
24. You know how to pick 'em! ...Thanks for giving me a cool B-I-L!
25. You're determined to do what's right.
26. You taught me the one basketball play I know.
27. You're not afraid to make a mistake.
28. You talk in your sleep. Whaaah-t?! it's cute!
29. You've kept your first real job for a long time.
30. You're good with them numbers and figures and such.
31. You look like our mom.
32. You're my sister and friend!

Read about more family birthdays here.