The Art of Disappearing by Naomi Shihab Nye

When they say Don't I know you?

say no.

When they invite you to the party

remember what parties are like

before answering.

Someone telling you in a loud voice

they once wrote a poem.

Greasy sausage balls on a paper plate.

Then reply.

If they say We should get together

say why?

It's not that you don't love them anymore.

You're trying to remember something

too important to forget.

Trees. The monastery bell at twilight.

Tell them you have a new project.

It will never be finished.

When someone recognizes you in a grocery store

nod briefly and become a cabbage.

When someone you haven't seen in ten years

appears at the door,

don't start singing him all your new songs.

You will never catch up.

Walk around feeling like a leaf.

Know you could tumble any second.

Then decide what to do with your time.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

We might be a little late in telling you this, but we hope you had a lovely holiday.

Eric made me the most beautiful watercolor Christmas card

We were actually very good this year and waited until Christmas morning to open our presents

we made a yummy apple pie for Christmas at Debbie's house

Eric always does an incredible job with pie crusts

We had a really fun New Year's Eve spent with friends from our couple's bible study. 

Eric in motion (I didn't have the right setting on the camera)


me using all my strength to place the bean bag

Eric thinks quickly on his feet and captured this short video of Becca and I placing the bean bags. All of my strength was not enough to beat her.

One of my favorite parts of Christmas this year was Eric & Friends doing Joy to the World at church on Christmas Eve. Enjoy the small snippet.

mr handyman

jumpy cuppy sat on a wall

jumpy cuppy had a great fall

all of the king's kitties and all of the king's men

put sinky winky back together again

.

Camp Berea With the Youth Group

We drove one of the vans to Camp Berea in New Hampshire. The drive was about 4 hours.

It was frustrating at times, but a lot of growth was seen in the kids and the leaders.

(yes I grew out my beard, but is nicely trimmed again)

The worship band, Sidewalk Prophets, was great. They just got signed to a record deal, so we'll keep our ears open for their new song on the radio.

The speaker for the weekend was Super Duff. The theme for the weekend was momentum. He presented the gospel in a very unique way, that spoke well to the kids.

The bald guy in the middle is Nate. He's the camp director.

They were getting ready to attempt to rip the phone book in half.

The girls got roses for Valentines Day from one of the female leaders. They were to let them know that God loves them for who they are.

They ended up wearing them in their hair pretty much all weekend. Don't they look lovely?

who's taller?

During the weekend they split the campers in two teams, and played Red vs. Blue games all weekend. The winning team got to go eat first. We always ate first. :)

Another Red vs. Blue game. They had to knock the knights head off.

We enjoyed the lodge a lot. Emily read in front of the fire.

Girls warming their toes after playing in the snow.

Carpet ball was a popular game.

The lodge had a balcony with pool tables. Our group spent a lot of the time playing pool as well.

Youth Pastor, Paul, trying to catch a break.

We tried to stay on our feet as we walked around on the giant frozen lake.

The lake was surrounded by mountains.

Christian and John challenged each other to a boxing match. They both got knocked down a lot. The officials are still out trying to decide their final score.

There was a dodgeball tournament to end all the games on Saturday.

Our team of guys was called the TIErants. (They all wore ties)

The girls are nervous for the whistle to blow to start the dodgeball game.

catching up

Many of you have asked how we've been feeling. We are doing much better after a few days of rest. My body seems to be back to normal, but not my face. I woke up Monday morning with a swollen lip and the worst cold sore of my life. The picture below is after a lot of the swelling went down. 

It is that time of year at work - - year end, taxes, new year

my new workspace is messy

I hate working in a mess, but I don't have a good filing system in place or homes for everyday things (like incoming mail, mittens, etc). Even though I've had this job for months, I still feel very new.

Our dentist appointments went really well. We each need some fillings, but we love our new office. The dental hygienist actually told me that she flosses while going potty. I think that I have a face that makes people open up.

Rachel, my co-worker, gave us the great idea to put our extra (non-contaminated) peanut butter out for the birds and squirrels. Actually getting the peanut butter onto the pine cones was much messier than we expected, but they went over very well with our outside friends.

one of those days

poor Eric had a run in with a ceramic mug and our sink

we'll be at home depot tonight

pardon while we play

Eric decided to give our little blog a face lift. Let us know what you think of the pictures!

Me in a chef hat (I have no memory of ever putting one on or where this picture came from)
Me flying a kite
One of our wedding photos
Eric playing guitar
Eric being a studly pirate

tired little busy bees

It is 27 degrees. All four of my car doors were frozen shut this morning and I wouldn't dream of leaving the house without my coat, scarf, and mittens. But the sun is shining. And at first glance, it feels like spring.


We had a great weekend in New Hampshire with the youth group. Tons of pictures are on facebook (Eric did a great job putting them up so the kids could see them right away) (it took him over three hours because he was so tired and they kept commenting on them). Hopefully, when we are feeling better, we'll update the blog as well.


The long weekend took its toll on us. I was miserably sick all last week and this weekend and am not sure how I will make it through another five day work week. Eric is spending his day off on the couch trying to feel better. We are quite the pair.



Being sick has given us a chance to really slow down and appreciate what we have. You don't realize how nice it is to breathe out your nose until you can't.

Happy Valentine's Day

We wish you lots of love this happy hearts day.
And not just the sentimental flowers and romantic dinner kind (although they are nice too).

Since college, God has challenged me to really show love to others during this holiday. It didn't originate as a "Hallmark holiday" and any reminder we have to show love should be accepted.

We sent Valentine's to loved ones and are ready for our weekend adventure with the youth group. We are praying for couples going through trials and loving on as many children as we can. All of these small things really add up to a lot of love. And that is what this life is all about.

We encourage you to be a light and love to someone this Valentine's weekend.

If you need a few suggestions on how to do this - - you could pray that:

the long drive to and from with the teenagers and is safe and uneventful

the leaders would stay healthy (some are already not coming due to illness)

the leaders would able to keep up with the kids (we are not spring chickens)

the Lord would do a wondrous miracle in their hearts

fun in the mail

this lovely little letter was in our mailbox from a dear friend

we have been nibbling away at the little bar

thank you sara!

I don't do windows

but he does...

http://www.raincitystory.com/flash/screenclean.swf

Eric's 25 Random Things About Me (also posted on facebook)

1. I love making music, and I wish it could be my full time job.
2. I think coffee is the best beverage in the world.
3. I really really can't spell.
4. I wish that I was in better shape... but not enough to actually work out.
5. I love to mountain bike, but have no bike.
6. I love video games, but only really in the winter.
7. I feel like I'm good at lots of things but not really good at any thing.
8. I'm sort of addicted to Facebook.
9. I wish I could have a really long beard, but I don't think it will happen.
10. I have dreams where I'm riding a motorcycle, even though I've never been on one.
11. I can't wait to be a father.
12. I have huge fears of being a father.
13. I used to really want a tattoo, but I never had to guts to get one. I'm glad I didn't because it probably would have been a Dave Matthews tattoo or something.
14. I love our new apartment. I really feel like I'm home.
15. I wish I read more.
16. I have a really hard time with conflict. I've heard that's because I'm a feeler not a thinker...
17. I love the balance created in my marriage, even though it creates that conflict I have such problems with.
18. I cry sometimes when I watch reality shows like The Biggest Loser.
19. I love the show Psych.
20. I now have some of the best friends I've ever had.
21. I wish God would yell at me sometimes... instead of whispering.
22. I like when I feel artsy.
23. I cant' believe I get to spend forever with my wife.
24. I wish I could get a Basset Hound.
25. I wish I took more pictures.

the lego card

Nicolas loves LEGOS, so when he was in the hospital after the accident, Eric made him this amazing card. 

The family is doing well and healing. Nicolas is back in our class, but cannot participate in any gym games. Even with all of the metal in his mouth, he is still smiling.

in case you don't have facebook

I (Chris) was tagged on facebook recently and decided to participate. Many of the people who read our blog do not have facebook, so I decided to carry the list over.

25 random things about me

1. I am not addicted to facebook. In fact, I have to force myself to use it.
2. I love llamas. I mean really love them. If we were ever to have a house with lots of land, I would get a few. Once, I came across a pair of Keds llama shoes and I’m still upset that they didn’t have anything close to my size.
3. I wish I had the courage to be an artist.
4. I sing in the grocery store aisles. Loudly.
5. I love to get mail. Sometimes, Eric will take the junk out of the mailbox and leave a letter from a friend for me to find.
6. I want a small life. I want to be able to touch all four corners of it at once.
7. I buy every cute pair of comfortable shoes I find. This usually amounts to me buying two pairs a year.
8. I am shy, but also an extrovert. I talk a lot when I’m nervous or tired.
9. Lately, I’ve been embarrassed when people ask about prayer requests and I have none. At this season in my life, I’m really content and feel abundantly blessed. God has answered my prayers and feel that this is a time to prayer for others.
10. I truly believe that God has put feeding squirrels and birds on my heart.
11. I do not watch scary or tense entertainment anymore. I’ve learned to only allow what is encouraging and uplifting into my life. Instead of gore, I watch Murder She Wrote reruns and Psych.
12. I have dreams that all of my teeth fall out. It is one of my biggest fears in life.
13. Strategy, board, and card games are my favorite way to spend an evening. I only wish I knew more of them. Currently, Settlers of Catan and Bananagrams have captured my attention (both computer and in person).
14. Having people over at our house fills my heart. I never thought I’d like to “entertain” but I feel really comfortable in my space and want people to enjoy the things God has blessed us with - - the Xbox we won, a large dining room table, our cat whom people fall in love with, and us.
15. I have a hard time saying no. To everything. And everyone.
16. I only started to love my hair the past few years. It always felt mousy, too big, frizzy, and ugly.
17. Compliments are a hard pill to swallow. Especially when they are about my kindness, character, outfit, or hair. Hearing praises about my work is easy, but everything else is difficult.
18. I buy my calendar almost six months in advance. Susan Branch sells out quickly and I would hate to have an ugly calendar.
19. I struggle with the idea that there are always two sides to every story.
20. Live music (concerts) is something I avoid like the plague (but then I married a musician), but I love the theatre – both plays and musicals. Watching actors on stage and enjoying their energy is one thing, feeling like your energy must feed musicians on stage is another.
21. I hate to shower. More than you know. And for many reasons.
22. I buy expensive, delicious, amazing soap. I don’t use it as often, so it makes it worth the price.
23. I love blogs. I love being able to see someone’s life unfold. It is a place to share our stories, struggles, and blessings. I feel that I truly know authors of blogs I’ve been following for years. It is like reading an autobiography without time changing any details.
24. The Amazing Race is the only show I would consider being on, but I would hate for how physically weak I am and how I am under constant, intense stress to be on television for me (and everyone) to see.
25. I believe that gardening brings us closer to God and teaches us many of His lessons.