Spring Update

Somehow, I blinked and nearly half of the year has passed. The newness and hope of a new year still seems fresh to me, and yet, January 1^st was ages ago. This year. Sheesh. It's been pretty crazy so far; and I feel like I'm always playing catch-up.  So, here's a brief snippet of what we've been up to:

We celebrated the New Year with our family in Colorado while we were there for Cole's third rotation. Oh man, Colorado just might have stolen my heart.  Our time there was so sweet, so refreshing and, in many ways, so healing.  We lived with Cole's aunt, uncle, and cousins - and it was wonderful.  I didn't work while we were there and spent many long mornings over coffee talking with Cole's aunt and cousin. I read a ton and cooked a lot and spent a lot of time with Cole's family who loved us unreservedly and extremely generously.  Our time in Colorado was so, so precious. I could go on and on, but words just can't capture the sweetness of that season. Needless to say, it was super hard to leave.

In mid-February, we roadtripped back to central Washington where we lived with Cole's parents during his last rotation - and where, consequently, we'll be to stay.  Cole enjoyed his final rotation immensely and I enjoyed spending time with my wonderful mother- and sister-in-law.  And, we both appreciated being just three hours away from Portland and three hours away from Spokane - two cities that house so many people we love.  It has also been so nice knowing that we are here to stay. After a year of moving, I'm excited to start putting down roots, and I couldn't be more thrilled to be living so close to family.  In March, I started working at a local grant writing company and have enjoyed the opportunity to stretch and grow and learn something new.  (and to get to write!)

Nearly a month ago, the house we've spent over a year planning was finally finished and we were able to move in.  With the help of a lot of friends and family, we have slowly unpacked boxes (some that haven't been unpacked in over 4 years!) and have started to settle in. I've loved making it "home;" and I still can't believe that we get to live there.

And two weeks ago, my husband walked across the stage, received his doctoral hood, was handed his diploma, and officially finished optometry school.  I could not be more proud of this man and his incredible work ethic and discipline.

As we reflect over the last five months, I am so humbled and in awe of God's faithfulness, grace, and utter generosity.  Despite the darker moments where my faith was lacking, He has continued to shower us with far more grace than we could ever deserve. Grace in the waiting, grace in the disappointment, and grace in the provision.

And we're looking ahead to a ridiculously busy summer.  Hold on tight, it's gonna get crazy.

Our Top 10 Moments of 2011

Dear 2012,
Well, here you are. Already.  We are pretty darn excited to see what you have in store for us.  We anticipate that this year we will become a third year optometry student and admissions counselor, one year older, and hopefully a better husband and wife. 

We will celebrate our second anniversary, find out our placements for rotations, add 365 gifts to the list, and ask each others’ forgiveness a lot.  We look forward to opening our home for more dinner parties and "Friends" marathons. We have some pretty high expectations of you because, well, you see, 2011 was pretty good to us.  It set the bar really high. Just so you know what you have to live up to, here is a “Top 10” sampling of the great hand that 2011 dealt us:

1. Our January weekend at the beach

2. Surprise trip to Seattle

3. Going to Chuck E. Cheese (!!!)

4. Memorial Day weekend in Spokane - "Wicked"

5. Meeting our niece

6. Our trip to Colorado and Reno

7. Celebrating our 1st Anniversary back home

8. An August visit from my family

9. Our December weekend at the beach

10. Christmas with our families

So there you have it... 2011 brought some pretty sweet moments.  But it also had its tough moments, its hurt-feelings moments, its cry-for-no-reason moments, its homesick moments, its stupid-argument moments, its worrisome moments, and its growth-sucks moments.

Through it all, we praise the One who holds our past, present, and future in His omnipotent and just hand.  And, we recognize that ALL is Grace.

For His Glory and our ultimate good,


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Our Top 10 Moments of 2010

Dear 2011,

We are very excited to see what you have in store for us.  We anticipate that this year we will become an uncle and aunt (courtesy of E&C), a second year optometry student and admissions counselor, and hopefully a better husband and wife. 

We will celebrate our first anniversary, mourn the moving-away of our brother-, sister-in-law, and niece, and ask each others’ forgiveness a lot.  We look forward to opening our home for more dinner parties and “HIMYM” marathons. We have some pretty high expectations of you because, well, you see, 2010 was really, really good to us.  It set the bar really high. Just so you know what you have to live up to, here is a “Top 10” sampling of the great hand that 2010 dealt us:

1. Cole pulled off the most epic proposal ever. Hollywood’s got nothin’ on him.

2. He was also able to spend some time in Mexico helping people see better.

3. I graduated from college.

4. Um, well, I kind of married my bestie. Highlight of my life.

5. Ten days in Maui?  Yes, please.

6. We moved into our new home. We LOVE it here!

7. I got my first “big kid” job. Insurance and vacation, holla!

8. Cole aced his first semester of grad school. What a stud!

9. We got to spend nearly 2 weeks at home with family over the holidays.

10. God has proven time and again how good and gracious He is. He is epically faithful and eternally patient.  

He still loves us even though we mess up. A lot.

So, 2011, there you have it.  The bar is set pretty high.  I sincerely hope you can rise to the occasion; and I have high hopes that you will.

-Laura

Christmas 2010 Highlights

Musing with extreme thankfulness and awe at God’s faithfulness, we are coming to the end of our relaxing 12 day vacation. I am overwhelmed at God’s faithfulness in providing a job that allows this time off. I am amazed at God’s grace in allowing Cole to attend school. I am blessed beyond belief at the love of our families. Best. Christmas. Ever.

Since our break (and my sabbatical from the blog) has been quite extended – and because I just adore lists – I decided to compile a “Top 20” list of the highlights of our break to keep this blog from becoming too long-winded. Or something like that.

1. The 7-hour car ride with my husband. Rapping contests, Odyssey, and singing at the tops of our lungs – all with my best friend of all. It was pretty rad.

2. Singing “Twas the Night Before Christmas” with the Brennans after an early Christmas – then begging Grandma to keep playing so we could sing with her. Can you say “happy place”?

3. Cooking in the kitchen with my mom and sisters. (Note the plural there. Love it!!)

4. Listening to game after game of Ping-Pong between my husband, brother, dad, and sister. Love family bonding.

5. Christmas Eve Advent time with family. Luke 2 and Linus. Falling asleep to “Elf.”

6. Christmas morning with my amazing family. Egg Dish, Cinnamon Rolls, Crosswords, Euchre, and my hubby – it does NOT get better that that!

7. Christmas dinner with ALL 22 Schlects around the table!

8. Talking with my cousins and realizing what incredible people they’re growing up to be.

9. Talking with my aunt for nearly 2 hours about… well, everything. Her wisdom and humble advice encourage and challenge me. I could have done that all day.

10. Staying with my brother and his wife. Watching Cole and Brian play with their helicopters in the kitchen with the focus and determination of elated 10 year-olds!

11. Watching Cole play with the cousins. He’s going to be a great daddy. Seriously, though.

12. Listening to my dad and his brothers play cards. The Schlects are just a little competitive and a lot sarcastic.

13.  Working on a puzzle for nearly 8 hours straight.  Don’t judge me.

14. A double date with my hubby, parents, pizza, and card games until midnight. Possibly THE highlight of the break!

15. Crashing Winter Conference to see old college friends. So. Much. Fun. I loved hearing from those of you who read the blog. :) 

16. Bathroom sink chats with my sister.

17. Talking with my sister-in-law for nearly 6 hours. Straight.

18. “Christmas Dinner” at Wine O’clock in Prosser. And the Boboth Christmas celebration that followed.

19. Realizing that Sunnyside, or rather the people there, really are my family too. One of the greatest blessings of marriage has been inheriting another incredible family.

20. Our “Girls Day.” Hair, nails, lunch, and a movie with my mother- and sister-in-law. Side note: Tangled is a movie worth seeing.

21. New Year’s Eve with some old college friends. Life-threatening fireworks came at no extra charge.

22. Relaxing with the Boboth family around the newest Shrek movie. J

23. Being reminded -day after day- what an incredible family I have been given and what an incredible family I have married into.  Thank you, Jesus.

It has, indeed, been a great break.  It is with great reluctance that I set my alarm clock tonight for work tomorrow. This time with family and friends, however, has been exactly what we needed. It was so much fun – full of great conversations, a heck of a lot of laughter, encouragement, and card games.  While it is harder than ever to say goodbye, I can take solace in the knowledge that we will get to do it again next year.  So I will sniff back those tears burning in my eyes and look forward to the next time we’re home again.  God has been so incredibly gracious and faithful to us.

-Laura