I am a BAD blogger. I created this thing with the very best of intentions. However, I've found that creative writing is not my strongest point, and I tend to push it off. So, an update on my life. I am still working at the Olive Garden, which is not my favorite thing in all the world. I actually struggle with it quite a bit, but the Lord has blessed me with a very good co-worker who makes it much more bearable. We're both in similar spots in life, and can relate well. I feel like right now is part of God's divine design, and is very important, but not the ultimate reason why I'm here. So I struggle with feeling uncontent. But i know He has good plans for me, and so i push on toward the prize. It will be so worth it.
Brian is doing very well in school, and I like to brag about him any chance I get :) He had straight A's the first semester, and made it on the deans list, good job honey! You make me so very proud. He will also be joining me at the Olive Garden, working in the back of the house part time to bring some extra money in. Hopefully he likes it, it gets kinda crazy back there at times.
We're still living in Canton, and thoroughly enjoying city life. It's so nice to be just a few minutes away from anything you could possible want, and to have neighbors to chat with. Our little home is just perfect for us, and has just enough room in the back for a garden this summer, which makes me VERY excited!
Okay, well i think it's time to sleep, hope you enjoyed the update! :)
- Kris

Red Jello, Bedtime Stories, and I Spy...

It was a year yesterday, since my Gramma passed away.

This is such a bittersweet feeling. My Gramma loved the Lord completely, with everything she had. I know how happy she is, how she's rejoicing right now. But when I take the time to remember, I get choked up because i miss her so much. Shortly after she passed away, i had a dream. She was in heaven, but for some reason i was talking to her, face to face. I remember looking at her with anticipation, and the biggest smile ever, and asking "Gramma, do you have a nice room up there?" I know she does.

Grandma, these are a few of my favorite memories with you...

- Every time i would come over to your house as a little girl, i would run straight for the fridge, or your dry sink beside it, and you ALWAYS had my favorite jello, or buttermilk cookies ready, because you knew how much i loved them.

- You had this fun little swing set in the back yard. Us grandkids would always play too hard on it, so you were constantly cementing the posts back down (sorry)

- When I would stay the night, you would always read us a bedtime story. You had a great story voice. My favorite was the cloth book. I have that book up in my room now, and i plan to read it to my kids someday.

- You always told the same life stories over and over. Sometimes, i wished i could hear a new one, but oh what I wouldn't give right now to hear them all again. The best was when you talked about your own Grandma.

- We would stay up late, you, Ray, and i, in the kitchen, playing i spy. Oh how i loved that.

- Whenever you were in the kitchen, you were humming a song.

- One time, after i did something really hard, you told me that if pride weren't a sin, you would be proud of me.

- When there was a sale in Kidron, we would sit by the window in the toy room and watch the traffic go by.

- When i would come see you in the hospital, or the nursing home, you always kissed my hand before i left.

- When mom and i came to clean, you always told us there wasn't anything more to do (even though there was), so we could come sit with you at the table sooner.

Gramma, know that i love you, and that you are missed so, so much.

A New Era

Well. There are so many things changing in my life right now, I figured I should add one more:)

Ever since Brian and I first got married, we knew that God had something for us, that would be stretching, exciting, and life changing. For a long time we prayed about it, and felt like we were in a time of learning,waiting, experiencing, and preparation (which we still are, more so now than before). God has given a glimpse of part of his plans... a few months ago we were driving home from an evening full of grocery shopping when Brian popped the question, "How would you feel about me going back to school?" That's where it all started:). I of course was ecstatic. My husband is brilliant. I've bragged to my friends that whenever they need a question answered, they can ask him and he'll answer it for them. And it's true. He is so smart. I rememeber when we told his parents, and his mom sighed so loudly and said "It's about time!".

So, yesterday, we packed up or precious little house in Amish country, and moved 45 minutes away into the wonderful city of Canton, where Brian will be starting school next week. We have a cute little house just a few blocks from Malone (his University), and we LOVE it here. It has three bedrooms (plenty of room for when we start adding kids to the mix...), a nice living room, dining room, and kitchen. And there's a small backyard for Murphy to run around in. Plus, we live close to everything, instead of 15 minutes away, which will be very very nice.

And that's just part of what's going on in our lives right now. It's stretching, and a little overwhelming at times, but I'm loving it, and can't wait to see what else God has in store for us. God is so good, amen?

Brian, I am proud of you. You are courageous, brave, and passionate. I could never do what you're doing. It amazes me to see you so excited about something, and brings tears to my eyes to see your enthusiasm and drive when it comes to the years ahead. My love, you can do it, and i'm behind you every step of the way.