b. a. l. l.

If there is one thing the doypostle pups love, its a morning ball chasing. I can't say that I blame them. I mean who wouldn't want to run at full speed in 29 degree weather with a ball covered in thatch in your mouth, hoping to not get taken down by a slide tack by your best friend at 7 am?

Me neither. :) However, it is really fun to watch them go crazy. I love these pups and how they smile the entire time they are outside. They always play good together and wear themselves out. I wish I could get better pictures, but the camera and the pups were not cooperating. Plus, I don't know how interesting a series of pictures containing my frozen hand, Sarge pawing at the ball, and Maggie gumming it up would be. I'll leave you with this one though...

Hope you have a lovely Thursday!

Weekends

Weekends are funny. Most of my friends have unconventional schedules and I work almost every Saturday, but there is something about a weekend. Friday nights are just a little harder to get into bed. Saturday mornings, I still want to lay in bed just a little bit longer. And Sundays feel peaceful to me, no matter what I have going on. Its probably YEARS of conforming to a schedule that will take years more to break, but I like it just the same.

It's a beautiful weekend here in Northern Colorado, and I hope its amazing where you are too. Make sure you get outside today. Whether you are working or not! Take a walk, hike or bike ride. Heck just walk to the mailbox instead of driving! Park far away from entrances of buildings! Whatever it takes to make your that you make time to enjoy outside today!!

Off to work. Loves!

Photoshoot!

So, this past Sunday FoCo Girls gone derby did their second trading card photo shoot! It was amazing! I was all done up by Devin F., who is simply fabulous and also hilarious. Such a blessing that she was there because I would have never been able to pull off what she did.

It was a blast! This was taken with my phone, but still...check out that hair!! Absolutely fabulous! Last year, we did photos on a white set, and it was super fun, but this year we posed with classic cars. I was with a bright orange El Camino...and while its not my fav. car in the world, the engine was pretty stinking sweet. I won't have those photos for a couple months, but I did whip out my Hipstamatic app to take some artsy fartsy pictures...

Holy waistline batman! I love this picture! I had black leggings on the bottom, a la Sandy at the end of Grease and then of course my skates. Watch out 1950's , FoCo is bringing you back! Here's is a closer photo of me:

I really love this photo of me. I sent this one to my mom and she said she did a double take, thinking it was her mom! When Devin was doing my hair, I felt like my mom's mom must have felt doing her hair before she went out dancing. Here is a picture of her...holding her baby boy, that I would 30 years later call Unk.

I love that I kinda looked like my grandma on Sunday. I look soooo much like my dad's side, so its cool to see that part of my family history come out...Just special to me. Hope you all liked the photos! Love you all!

ps, thanks unk mike...i borrowed the pic of g-ma candy from your facebook!!

Mad Max

if if if

i love snow. if i don't have to work, if there are good books or movies nearby, if i have the right attire, if it's 31 degrees out, if the dog poops and pees in a timely fashion, if the roads are cleared promptly, if. if. if.

i was noticing the other day how often i put clauses on things. i'd love this song if the course were different. i like mornings, but i never get to actually enjoy them. its strange how normal this habit of mine has become. i think it makes the excitement and joy of a blessing less genuine. i don't think of myself as a bitter person, but i think this is really one of the ways that i have become a bit jaded.

a few days ago, jess challenged me to not complain for an entire day. she had read a blog that challenged her the same and shared with me. it was a really fruitful day. God used me that day in ways i didn't think he needed me for. surely it wasn't because i didn't complain about having a bad hair day, but it truly did change the way i spoke and behaved. it was a good skill to practice.

i am going to try to live life with less clauses this month. less ifs and buts. please keep me accountable to this. thanks for reading friends! loves!!

resting

i am having a hard time figuring out what to blog about today, and i think its because i am so tired. its sounds really lame, but its just the truth! i had a really long work week and i have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off. i am aching for a trip i will be taking in a few weeks that will help me relax and unwind. but its far enough in the distance, so i need to figure something out before then. i just need rest!

God is pretty clear about setting time aside to rest. that he will protect us as we rest. that during rest he offers love and guidance if we just take the time to still ourselves. here are a few verses that i am reading and meditating on today:

Genesis 2:2 - on the seventh day God had finished his work of creation,

so he rested from all his work.

Matthew 11:29 - take my yoke upon you. let me teach you, because I am humble

and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Psalms 91:1 - those will live in the shelter of the Most High will find

rest in the shadow of the Almighty

hope these words bless you today! rest up good and find strength in truth. love you all!!