Golden Anvil

My Saturday was very busy! Just last week, I started volunteering a few hours a month at the Ogden Pregnancy Center. I figured if both my Mom and Mother-in-law were involved, I should be too. Actually, it just started out with me wanting to make baby cards for them, now I'm going to do that and go in a few hours a month to work on the admin side of things - filing papers, etc.

Anyway, because of that, I found out the volunteers were doing a beading party. I went with some wire hoops and old beads I had laying around and got a feel for what it was like to make jewelry. Oh boy...am I hooked! I went home and with a glimmer in my eye looked at my husband and said, "I have a new hobby!" Today I went out and bought the essential pliers and a bead board. I'll be keeping my eye out for coupons that come in the mail as a I begin building my wire and bead collection. (Hint Hint - Gift cards to a craft store would be a perfect birthday gift!)

I guess it's been a while since I posted, so it's time to fill you in on my peaceful little life (Are you jealous? You should be!)

It surprises me every year how difficult it is to get back into a regular schedule after the holidays. I still am running around, trying to figure out what I'm supposed to be doing! Slowly though, things are settling down, and I'm finding myself with some new projects that I'm excited about.

It looks like I may spend about 4 hours a week teaching preschool one-on-one with a kiddo from our church. He has some developmental delays, and Mom would like him to have a jumpstart before possibly entering a group preschool experience. I spent some time ironing out the details with her today, and it looks like we are going to start the first week of February. I'd appreciate prayers for wisdom and guidance as I prepare, and then begin working with this little guy.

Andrew and I had a great vacation in Oregon - the trip went way too quickly for both of us. The weather was the typical winter rain/wind combination. Fortunately both Andrew and I came prepared with several layers of clothes, which made the "natives" chuckle. Dry cold is very different from wet cold, so even though the temps were about 10 degrees warmer than it is in Utah, we were freezing most of the time.

 Mom and Dad B, my brother, and Andrew and I braved the cold one day and took a short trip to the beach. After some pretty intense rain and wind on the jetty, we were able to cut down to the beach where we were sheltered from most of the wind. Shortly thereafter the rain let up and we even saw a patch of blue sky! It was fun to spot seals bobbing up and down in the water (at one point we spotted five). The waves coming in were pretty spectacular as well.

Welcome to my new blog site. Hold onto your seats and prepare to be amazed!

Err...not really. I'm starting to blog for three reasons. One - it is a good excuse to keep up with my writing (post-NaNoWriMo). Two - it will help me keep in touch with family and friends. Three - my husband set up this impressive site, and I love to support him in his projects.

I don't know how often I'll be able to post. With the holiday season ahead, who knows.

In my house, there is a room I pass each day. The door is usually shut. I glance at the door as I walk by, back and forth, completing my daily tasks. While I know its purpose, I don’t often stop to reflect on why it is there, or why it is shut off from the rest of my house; such a stark contrast from the open cheery rooms warmed by the sun on cool winter days.

But sometimes, sometimes I am brave. I open that door. I enter carefully, almost reverently, into a totally different world. I creep over to the blinds and open them, watching the sunlight fill this pastel green room with warmth. I am filled with hope.