grab a cup of hot cider...

and let's get caught up on each others' lives.

of course this will be a one sided conversation.

but maybe it will evoke you to send us a note of happenings...

well after some erratic weather i think fall is here.  our leaves are changing and there's that fall smell in the air.  what makes that smell?  a combination of burning wood, decaying leaves, and spices.  i love it!

just a few notes of happenings for us...

*  we took a trip to naperville two weekends ago.  spent time with my mom, sister, and her boyfriend.  we went out for sushi which i never thought i was a fan of, but i'm converted.  also during our visit i got to see my friend kara.  kara became my dear friend while in high school, through our church.  it had been two years since we've seen each other...even though it was a crazy-busy time for her i was so grateful to reconnect with her.  i love getting to know her as a mom and a wife, someone who continues to grow and desire for more.  she was such a significant part of my life, especially as i came to know truth and God's love.  and i'm glad she continues to be in our lives.  so thanks for the quick coffee break kara!

*  i'm submitting this blog with our new toy...we got a mac!!!  crazy i know...it is an investment in my photography business.  it's shiny and different, but we're becoming acquainted with one another.  

*  i attended two photography workshops this past week.  i'll probably share more later about this experience because it's huge for me.  but in a few words...i'm now self-employed as a photographer (no more saying i'm not working or unemployed)

*  mike has some work changes himself...same jobs just different hours.  in a couple of weeks his switching to second shift.  so he'll be working mon-fri noon to 8 pm.  still strange hours but it will mean he gains some more balance and normalcy.  it will be a big change going from working solo during 3rd shift to working alongside more co-workers.  but i think it will be a good change

*  we celebrated this past weekend our new home.  many of our friends and new neighbors stopped by for a little party.  it was good to be motivated to finish up some house projects and enjoy a fall evening with our community...thanks to those who came out to help us celebrate.

well i think i'll go pour myself another cup of cider and enjoy the beautiful fall afternoon...enjoy!

good jeans...

like a glass of fine wine or fresh baked cookies or a good kiss...there's nothing like having a pair of good jeans. as soon as you put them on it doesn't matter what lies ahead in your day (laundry, grocery shopping, pulling up weeds from the garden) you feel good. at ease in your skin.

the journey in finding these jeans can be long, discouraging, sometimes hopeless. we might settle for jeans that are "almost" right. but oh the delight we feel when we encounter a good pair of jeans.

today i'm wearing my new pair of "comfort-food" jeans (and i didn't spend a fortune, thank you kohl's)...i think today is going to be a good one.

favorites...

this summer i was honored to capture six weddings with my camera. each celebration was unique and delightful! here are a few of my favorites from each wedding...

ross and kelli krutihof had a beautiful outdoor ceremony. i had the best background and lighting to shoot with...a relaxed and intimate day. (and how cute is this grandpa!)

candace and stephen keller's wedding was a fun celebration. despite threats of rain the weather was beautiful...

seth and grace johnson...this bride was so elegant and sweet. you could really sense that this couple is loved by their family and friends...

sarah and ryan schreiber...this girl couldn't be filled with more joy! always smiling and laughing. they were so sweet with each other on this day. too easy to shoot.

i often shoot weddings of students i met while at calvin. well jackie is my second RA that i shot their wedding pictures. it was hard to stay focused on my job cause i was so misty-eyed. jackie and jeremy's day was too much fun. lots of laughing and goofing around. and the ring-bearer!

dan and christina...dan was my RA my second year at calvin. this was a fun experience cause they wanted non-traditional/artsy pictures downtown. it was fun to try new things and they were game for anything.

through my lens...

a lot has happened and not happened since i left calvin college this past may...

* we moved into our first home...daily i am grateful for this space, for the blessing to own a home, to have a kitchen that can fit more than 3 people, for the number of family and friends we've been able to feast and rest with here.

* i've rested. three years as a resident director challenged me, filled me, but also required a lot of me. relationships and my own well-being at times has suffered. so i'm resting, reconnecting with people, reading books, and dreamin of where/who God is calling me to be...

* i've been pursuing jobs. since graduating from taylor university (10 year reunion next fall...wow!) i've worked in higher education. mentoring, training, discipling, serving college students. it's what i know and love. so when my time as an RD needed to end I still desired to work with college students. i applied for a few positions at colleges. and for the first time i didn't get the jobs. i admit i've been "spoiled" in having career opportunities fall into place. and i can't say that i was crushed when i didn't get the jobs. it's just this journey of finding your place, your vocation stirs up questions, doubts about your identity. i am thankful to be stretched. i've had to surrender agendas, control, expectations. and i have to wait, trust, and dream. i continue to pursue some jobs openings but i'm also draw to pursue some other dreams.

* dream one...start up a private counseling practice. at first i was hesitant. not sure if i felt ready, competent, or passionate about it. but things have been stirred in me, people have encouraged and inspired me (thanks for carissa, jen, kristin, kelly, and my husband for speaking into my wonder and desires...)

* dream two...photography. the ache to create and capture with my camera moments still resides in me. this summer i had the blessing of shooting 6 weddings. i've done a few portrait shoots this fall. i'm taking a photography workshop at the end of this month. i spend hours reading and researching this art (and business) of photography. i can't deny that i love it. but again my drive to be perfect at it creates a wall.

* dream three...be. i want to be present to my husband and pour into our marriage. i want to invest more into my relationships with my family and friends. i want to be committed to a community, where we serve and pray and love well. i want to be open to the moments...to be aware of the needs of others. to see where i can celebrate and grieve with others. i want to care well for myself. heal where i have neglected. maybe even a little pampering...i want to dream of starting a family. i want to be.

new additions...

we knew once we moved out of the residence hall we'd be adding a pet to our home...there was debate between cats and dogs. despite my itching for a puppy i realized it wasn't conducive with our lifestyle. so cats it was...we picked up two kittens from the humane society. both girls...scout (named from to kill a mockingbird) is the calico and lucy (many inspirations for this name...over the rhine song, beetles, peanuts' comic) is the orange/white one. they've been entertaining and sweet...

my favorite season...

apple cider. crunchy leaves. bonfires. piles of apples and pumpkins. steamy soups. fuzzy sweaters.

i love this season.

last weekend we went to the fallsburg fall festival with new friends, the lewis'. jj, tegan, annika, and issak live just a few houses down. mike and jj have known each other for a couple of years, through work and the counseling practice. i'm looking forward to being in community with such playful, generous and sincere people...