Carrying Me Through For One More Week

• The whole Bartel gang together again - always tops anything and everything.
  
• Stepping off the plane in Orlando and actually being able to breathe normally and keep my eyes open for more than 5 seconds straight... ahhhhh... the sunshine, a warm breeze and green grass will be welcomed with opened arms.
  
• The way they've absolutely perfected the manicured lawns and shrubbery in Disney. Hmmmm... on that note, the smell of fresh cut grass... every day.
  
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• The goooooooodddd fooooooooooddd!!!
• Watching Mikayla's face when she spots Snow White or Cinderella - the real deal - for the first time in The Magic Kingdom.... talk about magic. Just another thing we have in common.
  
• My Dad in all his craziness and insanity while on vacation.
• Fireworks and light shows above the castle - I'm not gonna lie to you, I've always had this thing for Cinderella's castle and don't think that just because I'm 26, going on 27, that this has even remotely changed.
• Flip flops.
• The Rainforest Cafe.
  
• Waking up in the morning to bright sunny weather and the promise of another sweet day.
• Good company.
• Laughing with my brothers again...and again...and again...
• Snapping some sweet shots with my Nikon and feeling fundamentally satisfied with the results.
  
• "Everybody got your card????" (to be said all high-pitched and nasally) Okay, maybe not so much.
• Salt water taffy.
• No cell phones. No emailing. No busyness. No work. Just hanging out together and letting it all go.
  
• Main Street in the Magic Kingdom - love it, love it, love it.
• Witnessing Kar's attempt to get as many autographs as humanly possible from all of the Disney characters in sight...whatever the cost.
• The villa, which we have yet to see, but we know it will be well, well worth the wait.
• "i-MA-gi-NA-tion" sung by Figmint, of course.
• The many, many countries of Epcot. I always like France the best.
  
• Lounging by the pool with Josh in his new swimmin' trunks.
• Downtown Disney at night.
• Being able to share this passion I have for Disney with Warren - he's gonna lose his mind.

Let the Good Times Roll!!*

Silly Munchkins

I couldn't resist.

Looking Back at a Good Time Indeed

Christmas is, as we know it, wrapping up for another season. Was it a good one? Yup. It was just what I needed. I sit here, on New Year's Eve (day) and can look back at what I would say was a refreshing and fun time of blessing with our family - both the Toews' and the Bartel's. I always say it, but what might seem to some as an obsession with my family, only continues to grow each time I make the trek home to spend time with them. Maybe it's because I don't have the luxury of hopping into my car to see them whenever I want. Well, regardless, I am in love with this little grouping of people that God has blessed me with. They are my everything.

The Toews Brothers - Devin, Warren & Brad - Bundled up for an afternoon of chores.

Devin & Laura - Opening gifts.

Brad & Angel

Brookie & Daddy - We got together with Dave & Mel and the munchkins to celebrate Christmas, as well as Dave's birthday, a few days before we flew home. They didn't come home with us this year because they went out to B.C. to be with Dave's family. They were definitely missed by everyone. It was great... just not the same.

Mikayla & Uncle Warren - dirty faces.

Baby Josh - his first Christmas!

Yummy crepes on Christmas morning - a Bartel family tradition.
Dad is the official crepe maker. So good.

"The Blob" - A homemade Christmas tree ornament Jon made when he was little. I think it's actually supposed to be Rudolph. Everyone knows about The Blob and everyone specifically looks for The Blob when we first see the tree each year. So here it is, in all its glory.
Ah, traditions.

Mom & Dad

All of the boys got "Planet Earth" - an amazing nature documentry DVD. (You should see it!) It was kind of funny how it all happend, though. We had originally bought it, among other stuff, for my parents. When they opened it, they acted super pumped and were asking all sorts of questions about it. Then, my mom promptly stated that she had a great gift for the guys to all open. So, when they all tore apart the wrapping paper, each guy got the exact same DVD. It was pretty funny. Maybe one of those "you kinda had to be there" moments, but hilarious nonetheless.

For Christmas, my parents gave us a trip to Disneyworld!!! All of us. Yeow! They always said that once Jon & Karen got married,, we'd all go. Welp, Jon & Kar tied the knot in September, so here we go! So exciting, so exciting! The Bartel family kinda has a thing with Disney. We've gone there several times before and it's kind of our thing. So, in February, Mom & Dad, Dave & Mel and the kids, Warren & I, Steve & Vicki and Jon & Kar are headed to Orlando Florida to stay in Disney for a week!!! Can't wait.

Jon & Kar

And so, I'm sad to see the Christmas season go, but I am looking ahead to a whole spankin' new year. A clean slate. A fresh page. What will it look like? What will take place? And I'm thankful for its freshness. Cheers to the wonder of new opportunities, the excitement of new challenges and the beauty of God's love. Happy New Year.*

This, That and the Other Thing

Yesterday was special. It marked two years since I married the love of my life. Warren and I have had quite the ride in the two years that we've been married so far. Some things have been overwhelming. There's been loss and sadness. There have been many challenges and bumps along the way. But there have been many joys and reasons to celebrate too. The good has absolutely outweighed the bad.

When I look at my life in a hypathetical state without him, it would seem empty and would lack so much. I have found a best friend in him. We're a team and we're one. We're in this together and I thank God for finding me a soul mate. I am blessed. Beyond words, actually.

And so, to celebrate, we went out for supper and a movie. Which brings me to the next point of this post - August Rush. Oh my GOODNESS!!! It was such a good movie - at the risk of sounding over dramatic, I will boldly say that it was truly one of the best movies I've seen. Warren had to agree (and ladies, that's saying something!). It was just so inspirational and well written. I would highly recommend it. It was that good.


Lastly, we are heading home for the holidays and I am (as always) bursting at the seams with excitement and anticipation. So, I had to stick in a little glimpse of a Bartel Christmas for the record.

I feel giddy when I think about: sitting by the fire with a cappuccino, visiting with my parents, eating a home cooked meal (mom's cooking is always the best), going to church on Christmas Eve, watching Monsters Inc for the 50th time with Dad, visiting the shop (the infamous Bartel Machine) and taking in that 'shop smell', unwrapping gifts with everyone - such a multitude of paper and bows and I love it, Mom's sugar cookies with mile-high icing, seeing Kodak again... and the list is unending. Should be good.*

White Lily

A time of suffering to God isn't hopeless. It's an opportunity for growth and it's the road to a closer relationship with Him. That's the idea anyway. But we don't usually see that right away. Our capacity of seeing beyond the here and now is often shadowed by the sorrow and the loss we feel. It's very real and very now and that's okay. We need to feel everything. We need to move through all the phases at the right time.

But there's something beautiful about the way God reasons with us, each of us on such a personal level and in such a way that only we can understand and make sense of. He knows what we need and how we need to hear it. He understands how we're wired and what will bring us comfort during a time where the tears flow freely and the hole in your heart only grows.

It was with an extremely heavy heart that I shuffled into our kitchen in the morning a few weeks ago, tear-stained eyes, shaky limbs, pounding head. I was hanging by a thread and felt things I just didn't know how to deal with, how to make sense of. As I entered the room, I lifted my head and scanned my surroundings. As I gazed out our back patio doors, the corner of my eye caught something that left me breathless. I looked down at the plant sitting at my feet and noticed a large white lily standing tall and in full bloom high above its leafy canopy below. The sun poured through our windows and there was a very obvious ray of light spotlighting this wonder, specifically lighting up the flower. Incredible. We've had this plant for a year and a half and there has never been any trace of a flower on it, I didn't even know that this was a flowering plant. Actually, just the night before, I had watered it and there certainly was no flower or even buds in sight. God knew. He knew. He knew that more than any sympathetic word, any hug or any perfectly written note, a visual picture of life, of beauty and of love was what I needed.

I cherish the idea of God as a Father. I envision a man with a soft expression of his face, kind eyes and gentle hands, scooping me up in his arms and holding me tightly. The comfort that I feel from that illustration is unexplainable. Maybe it's because of the relationship I've always had with my own Dad. Maybe it's because of the simplicity of God's love. It's not complicated. It's right in front of us.

As my white lily continues to stretch upwards, I am trying to do the same. I'm growing and I'm trusting. I believe in the promises of my God.*

A Sugar Palace for the Munchkins

I suppose I should start with a very exciting, yet painfully obvious fact - the Christmas Season is in full swing - how could I not make special mention of my absolute favorite time of year?

Ah yes, every mall is a heinous circus production, every Starbucks is lined up with holiday consumers, needing their cinnamon latte fix and most every home in Saskatoon glistens with sparkling twinkle lights and cedar roping around the front door. Weren't we just here?

And though Christmas faithfully brings out a certain nostalgic feeling in me from year to year, I owe it all to my love for family tradition and the warmth that hugs my heart each holiday season.

So, let old traditions continue and new ones begin. This past week has been no exception. It started off with a very fun and entertaining afternoon with the munchkins. We attempted our first (of many to come) gingerbread houses. Let me just gush for a minute about my ever-favorite role as an auntie. I could go on for hours. For every very precisely placed gumdrop stuck on the white icing-lined rooftop by one girl, there was an equally enthusiastically placed jube-jube in the mouth of the other. I'll leave the assumptions as to who did what with you. *grin* A terribly priceless afternoon.*

I stand, I stand in awe of You...

May the incredible love of JESUS knock your socks off!

"The Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need."
Psalm 23:1 NIV

Hey There, Little Fella!

Baby Joshua David Berg - weighing 8lbs. 8oz. - Thursday, October 25, 2007

He's pretty neat, hey guys?

Mikayla's such a big sister - she was holding him so carefully and just LOVED him.

Brookie was excited too...a little unsure...but she studied him like crazy. Who IS this guy??

Oma, of a grandSON for the first time!

Kayla wanted to be right by him all the time - she'll be a big help for her mom, I'm sure.

SUCH a good day!! I am overwhelmed. So much emotion for this new life that God's brought into the world. Ten fingers and ten toes. Who woulda thought you could be filled with so much love for someone you just met? I am so thankful for God's grace and love. A healthy baby is one of God's greatest gifts. I couldn't a be happier auntie.
More to come soon...for now, I wanna go snuggle him.*

Because of my Sketchbook

I am artistic. That's how God made me and that's my passion. Lately, I’ve been frustrated with the lack of opportunity to use my gift, in that I work full time in a job that isn’t pulling from this skill set whatsoever. I feel like it’s such a waste.

Mine & Warren’s life (like most people) is so busy. I realized the other day that I missed being creative. I hadn’t used my gift in a really long time. It left me feeling empty and anxious.

So, I went out, bought myself a new sketchbook, came home, put on some Sandy Patty (don’t pretend like you don’t know who she is), sang praise & worship music (along with Sandy) and sketched…..for 3 hours!!! I can’t explain how that felt. I can’t explain the closeness I felt with God. It was great. That’s how I spend time with God. That’s how I can visit with Him and feel closest to Him.

I have always found it tough to ‘do devotions’ because I don’t like to read very much and I don’t get as much out of books….it feels like school to me (and we all know how much I liked school). But when I can be in my own world, sketching, creating, designing, I’m quiet and can listen. I can connect.

I was encouraged and reminded of the fact that everyone communicates with God differently. God is always speaking to us, but in such different ways from each other. I felt so at peace because I was doing what God created me to do...and using it to be with Him.*

The Big "2-7"

Uncle Warren turned 27 on Saturday, September 22...and was the cake ever good!*

At Last...

A long-awaited update. I'm still waiting for a disc with pics of the wedding to come from home, but I've got a couple gooders for now. Check me on facebook. I'll stick 'em on there once they're here.

September 1st was essentially one of my favorite days up-to-date and I'll tell you why. Inspiration. I can only think of a few other select dates in my adult life that had such a profound impact on my heart and on my soul. Call me cheesey, call me whatever the heck you want but in all honesty, God touched my being on that day. He did. I felt so much pride for Jon & Kar and I was bursting at the seams beacsue of it. The wedding was a beautiful portrait of who they are as individuals and who they are as a team. Together, they've been through so much - basically growing up - and this day was a long time coming. It was perfection.

The wedding itself had everything. Sentiment, tons of laughter and a whole lot of music. Highlights were: When Jon saw Karen for the first time, coming over the bridge with her dad - his expression made me weep... Hailey (Karen's childhood dog) walking down the isle with a bow around her neck as a part of the wedding party (entitled Member of the Founk Family in the program).... When Jon twirled Kar around on the dance floor as they were introduced before the reception began....Pina Coladas!....The speeches were all awesome. They were so touching and full of memories.... Vicki's video production - Holy Smokes! It was fantastic!!.... The dance.... When Jon got up with his guitar and sang for Kar - it was beautiful....the energy and the joy that was evident throughout the whole day - in the guests, the family and most importantly, the couple. Everyone had a GOOD time.

It's an interesting thing. The fact that I look up to my little brother so much and the roots he's firmly planted in his faith, his work ethic and his dreams. Here I sit at 26 years old, going on 27, and I look to him for inspiration and advice. It's special. I just can't really explain it. I'm just so proud. So proud. It's exciting to watch him grow and to watch him now take on the role of a husband to Kar. It's a whole new level and it's a blessing to witness.

And now our family's complete. I'm thrilled to be able to finally call Karen my sister after all these years. There is something special about these two and I'm excited to see what their bright and shiny future will look like.*

The Beauty of it All

*sigh!* Well....the day came and the day went. It was perfect. What a wedding! What a couple!!! I was completely inspired after the day and as I crawled into bed at 2:00am after the wedding, I thanked God for my little bro and his new wife. I love them both. Lots. I don't know that I have ever felt so proud of who they are as individuals and as a couple.

What a blessing.

I will definitely post more, along with pics, once we get them. In the meantime, I will continue to be the proud sister that I am, excited to see what God's gonna do in their life together.*

I'm A-Comin'

Friday afternoon. 12:02pm. I find myself ancy with anticipation for another summer weekend. Wouldn't you know it, my favorite season is wrapping up. Blech. I don't know about you guys but to me, the air feels 'fallish' already, especially in the mornings, as I walk up to the clubhouse. The evenings are getting shorter too. Sad. Bummer. I dread what's coming. But you know what? It's been good. Summer kicks. Love it. I can't tell you how many ice cream cones I've downed within these past few months. Too many to count. Well worth it.

So, though I'm sad to see my summer fade, I'm bursting at the seams with excitement for what's to come. This year for me, end of summer means I get to go home to see my little bro get hitched. September 1st, 2007, marks the very anticipated wedding of Jon & Karen. Something I've looked forward to for months now. And yes, it'll be a party. No doubt about it.

That being said, I get to spend the week before at home, in Leamington, with the whole fam. Mom & Dad, Dave & Mel and the chicklets, Steve & Vicki and Jon & Kar. Oh, and Kodak. Knowing this puts a smirk on my face and my heart beats a little faster. Ahhh! So excited, so excited.

I have no idea how I'll make it through this last week of work before my holidays...*

Silly Girls

I sure do miss my girls. Come home soon!

All of a Sudden

We hit a deer last night. BAM! Just like that, our car was wrecked, our hearts were pounding and we were once again reminded of how fast and how unexpectedly life can change. Man. The situation could have looked a whole lot different.

After we called the cops to come put down the deer and continued on our way home, I was shaking like a leaf in my passenger seat, tears in my eyes. As I looked out the window and watched the scenery change as we drove on, I praised God for second chances, for wake up calls and for His great love. I looked up at Warren beside me and my heart felt full. I am blessed. I have love. That's all I need.

After such an emotionally draining week, I felt a renewed determination to live my life with more purpose. To have more intention in everything I do. We had no warning of hitting that deer, and in the same way, we have no warning of what tomorrow will bring in our own personal
fate.

It's time to shine.*

Forever Changed

I have so much to say, but every time I've gone to type something this week, I'm left staring at a blank screen, tears welling up in my eyes.

I've been so overcome with grief and sadness for a guy I only knew of, never really having any real contact with him. My heart just aches for his wife and his family. The tears just won't stop.

As I've spent a great deal of time reading related blogs, comments and facebook entries this week, I've been overwhelmed by this amazing Christian community holding up the Toews family. In a time that seems impossible, where the tears are never-ending and an extreme amount of exhaustian has taken over, all we can do is hold them up in prayer and believe that God will do the rest.

We question. We ask, Why God? Why Nate? And why at such a young age when he was clearly living his life for You? But in the end, I have really been snapped back to a humble reality this week - God is in control and He will decide. Questioning is an endless circle. We are human. We can't possibly understand God's ways. We're small, standing before our Big God. He has always known that Nathan would come home to live with Him at this time, even back on the day he was born. He knows that timeline for all of us.

We seem to think we're invincible. I often do. We get so caught up in day-to-day stuff, that we almost get cocky and lazy in how we're spending our time here on earth and how we're fostering our relationships. Nate's story has richly affected me. I've never felt this way before, it's something pretty big. I believe that God is doing amazing things though this incredibly tragic situation, and changing people through it. Talk about an intense sense of timing. On a day where the Toews family experienced a horrific death in the family, they also experienced this miracle birth, welcoming Caleb Nathan into the family. That's our God.

I stand, I stand in awe of You.

How am I living my life? What would people say about me if I died? It's been a huge question in my mind this week. I can't shake it. It has brought me to a quiet place.

I thought Jamie said it so well in her last blog entry. We are God's. Our bodies are not our own. They are simply shells, a holding space for our time here on earth. What an encouragement to know that Nathan isn't dead. Physically, he's gone, but he is alive and well, prasing his Father in Heaven. That's a blessing.

More than anything, I want to wrap my arms around Rosanna and the rest of the family during this time. I am praying for you constantly. Time will ease this excrutiating pain you feel. It will. You will always miss Nate, always. But we serve a loving Father who understands and will walk with you the whole way. You will never be alone.

I am forever changed.*

Rustic Heaven

A much needed getaway. That's what this weekend was. Life has been a ball of chaos for us for the past month and getting away with some friends was just what the doctor ordered.

On Saturday, Steve & Sandy Dick and Warren & I packed up the Escape and headed for the lake, leaving our worries behind. It was wonderful. Wonderful. Steve's family owns a cabin near Echo Bay, and we were able to use it for 2 days. We had some really great talks, laughed tons (as usual) and enjoyed each other. God is good.

Later on that evening, Brad & Angel joined us, bringing even more life to the party, as you can imagine. We chilled by the fire....until the lightening storm hit, that is....ate lots of food, and cozied up to watch a movie until 2am. It's so much fun doing stuff with other married couples. I really felt blessed this weekend.

I guess more than anything, I thank God for friends. Friends who share the same values as us and give us so much support. What a blessing.
And between the three couples, we're all somewhat at the same stage in life. Steve & Sandy have recently started their own business - Steve's a journeyman electrician and he recently started his own company, Leading Edge Electric. Brad & Angel are really making a go of ranching and everything that includes. And Warren & I just bought the practice and are also business owners, learning, growing and trying hard. So this weekend was the perfect ticket for getting away from it all and focusing on having fun and relaxing. No cell phones. No emails. No meetings. It's something I think we should do more often.*

Just Me.

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Nope. Not that I know of.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Yesterday.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Yeah, I think so. It's kind of a mix of writing and printing.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Oven Roasted Turkey Breast.

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Not yet….we’re excited to someday….

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Absolutely!

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? A lot? No. But sometimes.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yup.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Do I have a death wish? No. There's your answer.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Don't really like it.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Anal / super organized Cyndy? Uh...yeah.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Physically? Nope. In character and personhood? Yeah.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? All of it! Aw man, I could live off of that stuff. I really love frozen yogurt.

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Their eyes and hair.

15. RED OR PINK? Well, it depends on what you're talking about. Hmmm... if you're talking about candy, I like red. Red means cherry and you usually can't go wrong with cherry flavoured anything...unless it's medicine. Ugghh barf. But that's a whole different story. Now if you're talking about sunburns, then pink, for sure. See, red would mean "Ouch!" and pink would mean a mild uncomfortableness, and a soon-to-be tan. But let's see...are we talking clothes? Then red. Definitely red. Never been a big pink girl. The odd time, yes. Not usually. ...So again, it depends.

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? I get frustrated at my intense need to have control and order in every area of my life. I'm a neat freak. I'm an organizational freak. I look at spontanious people and I think, "I could do that..." and then I snap back to reality and realize, yeah right. I also hate it when I lack confidence in certain situations and around certain people because I do consider myself to be confident in who I am. I'm learning. I'm growing. God is changing me and it's a continual process.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My family. Mom, Dad, Steve & Vicki, Jon & Karen. It sucks. Distance sucks. I hate it. Meh.

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? Whatever. I do like reading through them, though, I'm not gonna lie to you. Especially when work is slow and time's dragging.

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? No pants....a sundress & silver ballet flats.

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? A big old Mr. Freeze and it was perfect.

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? C-95 FM.

22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Baby Blue.

23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Summer. Hardware stores. Warren's cologne. Cookies in the oven. BBQing. Chlorine.

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? A client at work...

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? N/A

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Much to Warren's dismay, uhhh... no thanks.

27. HAIR COLOR? Blonde. Highlighted. Summery.

28. EYE COLOR? Light Blue.

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Nope.

30. FAVORITE FOOD? Cheesey hashbrowns. Tacos. Shishkabobs. Apple crisp. Stir fry.

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy endings. Definitely. No matter how predictable. Love 'em.

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Waitress.

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? See #19.

34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer. Summer. Summer.

35. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs.

36. FAVORITE DESSERT? Apple crisp. Ice cream.

37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Skip.

38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Skip.

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? I'm not.

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Something Optometry-ish. I can't remember the name.
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? Craig Ferguson. Hilarious. Absolutely hilarious.

42. FAVORITE SOUND? Mikayla & Brookie laughing.

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? I don't know.

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Haiti or Europe.

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Sketching.

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Leamington, ON. Oh, how I miss it...

Seasons of Change

Haven't posted in a while. We've been here and there and everywhere. Life has been full of change and a new season has come into our life...in every sense of the word.

First and foremost, spring is here. How sweet is that? Thank the good Lord for flowering trees, higher temps and most importantly, no snow. Spring in Stonebridge means mud, mud and more mud. Being a new community means no lawns, no landscaping, no trees (yet). It's very brown. However, things are booming in our little corner of the city and we are excited about all that is yet to happen within these next few months of summer. Last week, our driveway was poured. And who woulda thought we'd get so excited about cement....but it's our cement and that makes all the difference. We're one step closer to getting rid of the mud pit. It's so great having our own little place to make a home. Love it.

Well, as of last week, we are the proud owners of an optometry practice. Yup. After many months of lawyers, accountants, banks and meetings gallore, Warren has bought the clinic from Dr. Zaleschuck and we now are happy business owners. It's a huge step forward and we're extremely thankful for what God is doing in our life. There's a lot to be done, a lot to learn and a lot to organize, but every ounce of me is proud of Warren and the guy he is. Here's to a full heart.

Work at The Willows is busy as heck. Now that the golf season has exploded, my desk has become dumping grounds for contracts, banquet arrangement sheets, booking forms and menus. Busy and diggin' it. That's me. For the most part. There have been moments, trust me. But today, as I look out my window, the sun shines brightly and I know that I'm right where I'm meant to be. I feel that God has been using me in different ways at work and that alone, gives me confidence.

Welp, gonna jet. Moving on to the next thing...and I know there are many.*

HOT!

...enough said.