Jerrod and Amanda in WA

Our friends from college, Jerrod and Amanda, spent their summer vacation with us in Seattle. We had a great time playing on the beach, going to a Mariners game, kayaking, and enjoying things the Pacific Northwest has to offer. I'll probably write more about their visit when I have time, but for now, check out the photos on our picture site. (By the way, this is my first time linking from our blog, so please let me know if it works. Thanks!)

Blog Takeover

Mackenzie and I entered the blogosphere (that's right--I know the lingo; I'm not proud of it, though) when we first moved to Seattle three years ago. I maintained a photo blog (which is still up and running although not as frequently updated) that allowed friends and family in the Midwest to keep tabs on our adventures in the Pacific Northwest.

About a year ago, Mackenzie decided we needed an actual blog, as well. I was reluctant, mainly because I wasn't interested in posting longer, potentially more personal, entries. Plus, I wasn't convinced that people actually read blogs or that they were a helpful tool to stay connected with people. Also, I noticed her struggle to keep the blog updated.

A few months ago, I started writing articles for the Mars Hill Church (from here on referred to as MHC) West Seattle Campus Blog. That experience has served many purposes. First and foremost, it has given me an opportunity to serve God and the community in a small, humble fashion. Second, it has motivated me to do more writing in my life, rather than simply trying (desperately, at times) to teach others how to write. Third--and this is the point of my intro--it has sparked an interest in exploring the available technological tools of today, rather than resisting their influence (I've been exploring things like facebook, goodreads.com, podcasts, and other potential time-wasters that I hope to use in a positive, beneficial way).

The past six months have clearly been a season of predominantly positive change and growth in more ways than I can comment on in one sitting. God has been using our involvement with Mars Hill Church to change our perspectives and lifestyles in many ways. I hope to explore several of them on this blog because of the accountability a blog creates to keep material fresh. Recognizing that this coming school year is going to be packed full of adventures (I'm leading a community group at church and continuing to write for the blog, we're both going through the National Boards process, I'm creating the curriculum for a creative writing class, and I'm committed to at least one more year of coaching football and basketball--I'm sure I left something out) I pray that God would help me use this medium to make sense of all that Mackenzie and I encounter and share that process with others who are interested.

9 days...

Believe it or not, there are only 9 days left in our school year. After three years on the west coast, we've finally adjusted to being in school well until the end of June. Long gone are the days of the last day of school being in May!

9 days left. There seems so much left to do...report cards, awards, packing to move to a new school, wrapping up curriculum, parties, and so much more! It has been a fun year and it is hard to believe that the end is so near. I had a wonderful class this year; not free from challenges, but it was a refreshing change from my position last year.

Continuing with the theme of change, I will be teaching fifth grade next year. I have the privilege to "loop" with my students. For the most part, I will have many of the same students next year that I had as fourth graders this year. This is a unique and interesting opportunity. I am really excited about the ease of transition to fifth grade. It should be fun....not without incident I'm sure, but exciting nonetheless.

Overwhelmed

It has been an insane winter...full of crazy happenings, bizarre weather for the Pacific Northwest, and annoying episodes as homeowners.

It seems as though it has been one thing after another, with little reprise. It all began a few days ago with me (Mackenzie) driving into our driveway and realizing that the gate to our fence had blown off in a windstorm and was laying in the middle of our carport. (This reminded me of the night our screen door blew off in the gale force winds a few weeks earlier.) As I discovered this, Cliff called to say that he had noticed a crack in his windshield. A few days later we were unloading our trunk, went to close it and it bounced right back up. Ever needed a new trunk latch? We did!

The next day, we had snow again here in Seattle. All well and good except people are incapable of driving in such weather. I came home last Wednesday as it was snowing to find that the ceiling in our mud room/laundry room off of our kitchen had a bowed ceiling and paint was peeling from the wall. Even I could tell this was not good. After Cliff's 3 hour commute home in the snow (should take him 30 minutes) I got to tell him the good news that we needed some serious help. After a stressful night, conversations with insurance, and a couple of contractors we were feeling a bit better when we came out of the house to realize that one of our tires on our other car was completely flat. Needless to say, it did not need a small patch, but had to be completely replaced. Life has been an adventure!!! :)

Through it all, we are reminded time and time again how the things we are dealing with really are small and insignificant. BUT they are still stressful, annoying, bothersome, and worst of all for us -- expensive. We're really trying to see the positive in all of this...We're learning new things, experiencing the struggles of home-ownership, being challenged to work together, and meeting contractors along the way. :) Things have been a bit much, but I am reminded very often how truly blessed I am.

Love to you all...