Engagement

Joe and I went over to a good friend's house, had a great lunch with the family, and then had a little photo shoot. We wanted to get some good pictures for ... perhaps some "Save the Date" cards, Christmas pictures, or some fun decoration ideas at the reception. We had a fun time and got some great shots . . . after I decided to start smiling. Joe however, has the same wonderful smile in every picture (well, almost every picture).

Last night it also decided to snow! Which made it cold, but also gave us a nice background. Up until now, the snow has only been around for a day or so, but I think this time it will stick .... maybe we will see the ground in March?!?

Dave told us to be "dramatic" .....

Joe was standing a few feet away from me, down a hill. We are almost the same height now.

When I was between the ages of 0-5 years, I refused to smile in pictures - I was just trying to recreate that

Date Night

Awhile ago, Joe and I decided to set aside one week night as Date Night. We picked Wednesday's. Lately though, Wednesday's have been full of other obligations (this Wednesday my boss at the Archdiocese is having our office over for dinner) so Joe and I have been forced to reschedule - which is just fine.

Date night has been such a blessing. It gives us a set time to spend together. We sometimes have more of a "business" type meeting, now discussing the details of the wedding or planning something, but mostly it is just time set aside to enjoy one another.

Tonight Joe planned Date Night - It was a great one!

We played poker! He brought the chips, and cards, and sun glasses and hat - even big pretzel sticks as fake cigars.

Not that life will ever totally get back to "normal" after the death of my dad - it is comforting to know that life does go on, and Joe and I are living life, having fun, and enjoying each day together. Today marks the one month date since my dad died. It is hard to believe.

God continues to bless the struggle and the suffering. His grace is sufficient.

Let it snow ...

November 7, 2009 -

The snow is falling in St. Paul, MN this morning. This is not the 1st time this season we have seen white, but it is the 1st time that it is sticking ......

Winter is upon us.

Perhaps we will see the ground again in April.

Day's like today, I would like to be back in Seattle, where school would be cancelled due to the .05 inches of snow dust on the ground. But in MN - it's life as usual, even with feet of snow.

Who invented snow plows?