friday funny

Can I just share with you a cute story regarding Alex.

As we speak he is off skiing Steamboat.  Yup, he’s off in Colorado living it up with his buddies on the annual all-boy trip.  I don’t mind at all.  In fact, I actually encourage it.  I love spending time with my girlfriends and we chat, go deeper, talk about life, etc.  Guys on the other hand, it’s more shoulder to shoulder.  So if I can encourage my husband to go off somewhere where maybe the conversation in the hot tub might get past the latest sports phenomenon and youTube video, then I’m all for it.

Also, I should probably mention that I am also a wife that doesn’t mind not hearing from her husband while he is away.  I love him more than ever, but I don’t fret if we don’t chat every day or multiple times a day.  The second year we were married I realized just what that was like when I headed to Duluth with another one of the wives.  Her husband texted her multiple times a day, in fact I learned more about the trip through her than through Alex.  But that’s ok.  I figure if I don’t hear from him, he’s having fun.  Even if he gets hurt.  Yup, that was a different year.  I found out he injured his heels quite badly and had to be pushed through the airport in a wheelchair when I picked him up at the airport and he mentioned…”we may have to head to the ER right now.”  Yum, yeah.

So you might wonder where the story is.  Well this morning I received a text:.

.”Did you pack my ski pants?”

Yes, that’s right I pack his bag.  Again, I’d rather ensure he have everything than forget something.  I had to laugh because I had mentioned multiple times before he left that his pants were in with his skis.

I texted back “they’re in your ski bag.”

No response.  So I called.  He picked up before the first ring.

"Were they in your ski bag?”

“No, are you sure you packed them?”

“Yes, I put them in with your skis.”

“Oh, there they are.  I thought you were talking about my boot bag.”

Yum, yeah.  Seriously.  Hilarious to me the wife, maybe not to you.  So there you go, a cute, quirky, kinda funny moment straight from our house.

So, signing off for the day.

I’m off to live up my “singleness” :)

Caps for Sale

Eerrgh.  I *WISH* we had caps for sale.  That seems easier!  Instead we have half of a storage unit up for grabs.

Others may think we are a little hasty or spontaneous about purging our goods, but we happen to think we are just less attached and by the way, purging feels really good.  No not that kind of purging, the *getting rid of excess stuff kind of purging!

We’ve been thinking over our future lately, how long we will rent, when we will purchase our next home, and the absurd amount of money we pay to keep our things locked up across the highway.  It’s actually not that absurd, but still if we can save a little by downsizing our unit, then it’s cash in hand.

So this past weekend we put our thoughts into action.  Only problem we didn’t have a plan in place.  We just sauntered over to our unit, gasped in horror as to how much was actually in there, took almost everything out and then stared at each other.  Um…we need a plan.

We had furniture and goods for Goodwill, we had boxes to sort through, and plenty of tools to open a small hardware store.  So we rented a truck right there on the spot and got to moving.  Oh, and it felt so good to rid ourselves of so much stuff.

Our plan by the way was focused around the future.  We don’t know where we will end up but we are certain, in our frugal minds, that we will end up in a smaller starter home sometime in the next 5 years.  At the end of the day, we’d rather save and save until we can BUILD the house we really want.  That or renovate the perfect house.  Whichever one comes first.  To be honest, we're just really waiting until we can attain a mortgage for the same amount we are spending on rent and we spend peanuts on rent.  We'd also like to have money to run the company and invest in rental property.  We could be in a house now, but wouldn't as easily be able to BOTH of the other things.   Right now, we want the other things more, that and Alex has a view on when the housing market will hit bottom and his estimation is not for awhile.

So back to the caps or in our case stuff.  I’ll post a list later today with all the items and their cost before everything goes on craigslist in case anyone is interested.

One valuable lesson we learned, it doesn’t take a lot to make us happy and content and for that we are eternally grateful.

Gona-what?!?

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, sho does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Phillipians 4:4-7

I'm thankful for friends who are helping me pull through.  I'm thankful for a tender and caring husband who is learning that just being there is enough.  I'm thankful for my mother and the words she speaks about God's goodness.  I'm thankful for doctors who are forging ahead, not dwelling on things that don't work and not wasting our money.  I'm thankful for all of my friends that are pregnant right now (which is a lot)...don't ever believe the lie that I am not happy for you...I am!  I'm thankful that my God is SOVEREIGN, GOOD, LOVING, and that His will is always PERFECT.

The reason I have been sharing our struggle with fertility is because of how blessed I have been by the wisdom, insight, and care from others.  It seems a little bit more normal then, not like the elephant in the room that no one is asking about.  Also I know people are interested...even if they do not admit it.  And finally, because when I hear, read, am invited in to share in others' struggles I am almost always blessed myself.  I could not go through this alone and if I did the pit would be beckoning me every step of the way.  You, friends, have pointed me to the  cross and for that I am so very thankful.

It's not an easy struggle...but the Lord gives life.  He alone creates children and I believe wholeheartedly in a God who incredibly Sovereign, even in things that do not seem to make sense.  Even if we are never able to have our own children.  Even if he takes Alex away. 

To give you a brief glimpse of where we are...clomid did not work.  Ovaries are still stubborn and unwilling to ovulate.  So we are moving on.  The greatest blessing this week was that we are not so far away from meeting our deductible so the next 4 cycles of treatment will be paid for 100%.  That is a huge blessing.  We're moving on to Gonadotraphins.  Here's to 2010:)  Cheers!

18 days ago...

18 days ago I turned 29, one year closer to 30.  18 days ago I didn't really think anything of it.  And then as I sat watching 'Julie and Julia' tonight, I realized she was like me when she decided to do the Julie/Julia project...29.  I am NOT going to work my way through Julia Child's "How to Master the Art of French Cooking" but I might buy it:)

During the movie, Alex turned to me and said..."Honey, remember when you were so passionate about food?"  Apparently my lack of inspiration in the past few weeks has showed! 

Yup...I remember.  I remember rushing around at all hours of the day to complete my baking masterpiece while trying to cook my way through Dorie Greenspan's cookbook with fellow bloggers.  I remember pulling my first turkey from the oven, being ecstatic opening any kind of food gift, and making a huge mess of the kitchen and just shrugging it off.  I remember loving every minute of it. Simple fascination...similar I guess to when I realized Alex was the one.

But that woman I was has been lost a little along the way. That joy for food...it's diminished a little.  And frankly, I don't like it one bit.  In 2005 I read Julie Powell's book...right when it was coming out...I was following her blog.  It was good, but the movie was so much better. 

Thank you Julie and Julia for reigniting a passion, a love for simple food that tastes absolutely delicious.  Maybe my 29th year won't be so bad after all.

God has a sense of humor

First things first, I got myself out of the house for a great walk/run this morning.  It was during this great endorphin high that I realized how irony and humor come in to play when it comes to the Lord.

During this season of not knowing whether my body will ever be able to bring forth life, the Lord has been good to me, even causing a chuckle here or there.  I've been focusing on the goodness of the Lord and how being with him is better than life, any life.  So on my walk, I was checking my google reader and guess what, yet another person was pregnant.  Whether it's people I know personally or in the blogosphere, this is the time for bringing forth life.

During this season, I have a few choices...I can be embittered by this, acknowledge it and forge ahead, or I can embrace it and be joyful for those who are expecting.  I'm in between the latter two, because if I'm honest being embittered just does not fit my personality.  There are things better than children...like chocolate for instance, or so I'm fighting to believe!

So back to google reader...after reading the post, I laughed out loud.  Good thing there wasn't anyone around, it was quite a chuckle I had with the Lord.  He's pretty funny!  Why was I laughing and thinking he has a sense of humor.  Because I believe that sometimes the Lord puts trials in our lives to produce in us godliness, endurance, and faith in his will, not ours.

  "we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces charachter, and characherter produces hope..." Romans 5:3-4

I had a little conversation with the Lord at that point here's a quick synopsis:

me:  Lord, you're pretty funny...seriously, another person, you have got to be kidding...(insert laughter)

lord:  kidding, i am not. 

me: i know, Lord.  you are better than life, better than a baby, better than anything.  it will be okay, even if you never bless us with children, because you are better than anything this life can offer.

lord:  know this..."In the world you will have tribulation.  But take heart; I have overcome the world" John 16:33

me:  thanks for the overflowing of life...i can laugh now at the irony, because i'm growing in my understanding of who you are and why you put trials in our way...thank you for testing my faith.

Top of the morning!

"I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes." 

e.e.cummings

England.  Quirky.  Beautiful.  Refreshing. 

For the past week, Alex and I have been traipsing all over England.  From London to Sunningdale, Southport to Lake Country.  England has not disappointed.  From Paris Alex and I flew Easyjet to London, where we settled in for a few days.  Last year, our time in London was very short, only one full day.  This year we stretched it out and it was grand.  Upon arriving at our B&B near the British Library and Museum, we found our bearings and then began exploring. 

Highlights included the British Library and viewing the Magna Carta, the Lindisfarne Gospels, the Gutenburg bible, and the codex sinaiticus (one of two of the earliest Christian bibles dating back to the fourth century).  Other highlights included the British Museum, Hare and Tortoise (one of our new found favorite Asian restaurants), a 3-story Whole Foods, Kensington High Street, Imperial War Museum, National Army Museum, and Sunningdale Golf Course.

We really liked London but after four days were ready to hop in our rental and head north!  Thank goodness Alex is left-handed, it's much easier for him to navigate and operate our manual car:)  From London we drove up to Southport, England home of Royal Birkdale, the golf course we visited last year for the Open Championship.  It was even more fun being there after the event, remembering fun little tidbits from the tournament, and enjoying the gorgous landscape.  From Birkdale we traveled even furthur north, stopping for hot chocolate and a walk towards Derwentwater lake in Keswick, the heart of lake country.  Then we stopped for a walk on Hadrian's wall.  All the while we were driving up and down winding roads, with lush green landscapes and the company of many, many sheep:)

We are now in Ayr, Scotland home to many of the best golf courses in the world; Turnberry, Troon, and Prestwick to name a few.  We'll keep you posted on how they fare:)

By far, what we have seen up until this point, we are uttering the words of cummings as we go, we thank you Lord for your gorgeous landscape.

A Short Sabbatical

We're on a short sabbatical.  We've been sharing that it was a vacation, but after much thought and reflection, it's far more than a vacation...it's a sabbatical of sorts! 

Sabbatical or a sabbatical (from Latin sabbaticus, from Greek sabbatikos, from Hebrew shabbat, i.e., Sabbath, literally a "ceasing") is a rest from work, or a hiatus...In recent times, "sabbatical" has come to mean any extended absence in the career of an individual in order to achieve something.

There is a reason.  There is a purpose.  

2 years ago on our first anniversary, Alex and I dreamed big in our little cottage at Madden's Resort in Brainerd.  We took the weekend to ask big things from the Lord and well he answered.

          -we watched a lot of flip that house (we didn't have cable then, so on vacation we watched tv)

            and we dreamed big...what would that look like, wouldn't that be fun to flip a house?

          -we discussed our house and where we would live, when to sell and if we should sell

          -we cast vision for South Face and our desire to work as a team in growing the company

Well, if you know us, you know the Lord has answered, directed, established, and blessed our prayers.  In the past two years, despite many days and weeks of sweat, tears, labor and love we accomplished all of these. 

            -We bought and sold our first flip and learned to depend on the Lord in new ways

            -After a year and a half of fixing, remodeling, and relinquishing, our house on the lake sold

            -After two years, the Lord answered our prayers for clarity on where to direct South Face

The Lord has answered, directed, established and blessed us.  Now it's time to refocus, reenergize, and seek again His guidance for these next years.  May You direct our minds to see Your will for our lives.

Our trip to Great Britian is not quite a vacation.  It's really a sabbatical.  We're taking a rest from work to reevaluate, refocus, reenergize: so we can hit the ground running when we get back and most importantly reconnect as a couple.  These past two years have made us stronger, but there hasn't been a lot of time to relax and really enjoy each other.

After 10 years of owning his own company and all that entails, Alex has earned a break.  It's not easy.

Things we're dreaming of right now:  a family, a design firm that allows us to work as a couple in the best capacity possible, a chance to flip another house, to be a couple that does not waste their life but instead lives it with a single passion: to display Christ.

A Run to Remember

Today was a big day.  I ran in and finished my first half marathon.  Thinking over that statement, I think I am still in awe of accomplishment.  Not only because I finished but because I raised almost $1200 in the process for Lorenzen Cancer Foundation, a leading non-profit that uses its money to fund Pancreatic Cancer Research.

I wrote about my stepfather Jim and my desire to run with a purpose back in May...see this post. Last fall while we were busy flipping houses, I decided to start running again to beat the stress...I mean, who are we kidding, at that point there was a lot:)  So then when it was too cold to run, I sort of just stopped exercising all together, unless you count a few random dates with Jillian Michael and her 30-day shred.  So when spring came around, I jumped at the chance to start running again.  So in May, I got serious.  I laced up my shoes, paired it with a race, and got going...training for what ultimately would be my first half-marathon.  So anyone can do it...3 months to a half!!

So back to the race...

Last night I was so nervous and giddy all in one little package, ready for the race.  I laid out my things, wrote a reminder note, and set the alarm for 5:15.  After an okay nights sleep, I awoke ready to go.

(here's my stuff...pants/shirt/socks, HRM and watch, Ipod charged up, waistpack with water, and shot bloks for extra energy)

(this is my friend Shari and I before the race...she did awesome!!!)

So after grabbing coffee and a peanut butter english muffin, I hopped in the car with Alex.  He so generously and lovingly drove me to Woodbury, held my things while I found the nearest port-a-potty...just in case, and came to four different mile markers to cheer me on...i love him.  There were around 400 people running in the race.

 To give some background, I haven't been training very vigorously, just trying to log some miles and get that long run in.  In the past 3 months, I've ran about 7 long runs, and lots of 3 mile runs.  Last week when I ran 10.5 miles I was averaging 12 minute miles, on Thursday I ran 2.5 at 9 minutes a mile, so for this race I was shooting for 11 min. miles, even if I came in dead last.  I was just trying to finish:)

(here I am gearing up for the start)

(here I am freezing hoping it will start soon...it was around 50 degrees this morning)

(around mile 6, jamming out to Third Day, Bebo, and others...getting my Praise on)

(crossing the finish)

Biggest accomplishment after raising money for a fantastic organization...I ran at a pace of...10 minutes and 30 seconds, torching 1200 calories!!!  Far beyond what I ever thought and ready to race again...it's fun:)

The Little Black Book

Last week, while putting all of our books on the bookshelf, I happened upon Alex's little black book. No, not that kind of little black book! This little black book was his journal, the journal he had while we were dating. And I did what most would do, I opened it. I read it from front to back! I mean, we're married now, what harm is there in that:) I was intrigued by what he thought, encouraged by his love for me, and reminded of his deep, deep love for Jesus. Here are some quotes (I asked his permission) that I happened to love...brought to you from the mind of Alex, through his little black book! -(Dec. 3rd-after dating 6 months) Things I'd like to tell Andrea: "I hardly want to spend time with anyone but you (why would I, you're my best friend) -(9/29-the night of our first kiss) "I wasn't even positive that I wanted to kiss her because I wasn't even sure if I was physically attracted to her...Boy did that turn out differently than I thought...she's amazing!" Don't worry that one made me chuckle, I knew that one already but it was just funny to hear it in his words...later he wrote how beautiful I was...God does amazing things:) To my best friend as we near three years...I love you!

A 10-Mile Race

I've been awaiting an opportunity to really push myself mentally and physically for quite some time, the problem, well if I'm honest, not enough motivation.  I've also been awaiting an opportunity to support Pancreatic Cancer.  I found my perfect chance and I'm motivated.  Why?

For those that don't know, four years ago my step-father Jim, of 12 years passed away after a courageous battle against Pancreatic Cancer.  Though my relationship with him was always touch and go through my teenage years, I was always thankful for his place in my life.  I lived with him and my mom for years and by watching them the Lord opened my eyes to what a strong and faithful marriage was, what enduring and thriving looked like, and how to be passionate about something while also maintaining the utmost integrity.  He wasn't perfect, we all are not, but in those last months of his life, my eyes were opened to all I had missed out on in my years of adolescent angst.  I treasure those months deep in my heart.

His death was the first in my life of someone who had great impact on my life and of one I loved dearly.  I want to run for him and for all those who are affected by Pancreatic Cancer.  Why?  Because, of the 40,000 that are diagnosed a year, 37,000 die that same year.  Because of cancer research and experimental trials, Jim was able to live longer and with a better quality of life.  Every May it's still sad as our family mourns his death and yet we are so thankful that he's worshiping Jesus right now.

So I'm doing it.  I'm going to run in the Medtronic 10-miler in October.  I'm running the race, not because of me, but for him.  And just so you know, I was always a sprinter not a runner, until today.  Today I ran 7 miles, nonstop, and I will be running all the way until October, when I hope to make him proud and raise support for a worthy cause.

To an amazing man and my journey on the pavement.  I'm ready to run.

Humpty dumpty sat on the wall of Jericho

probably because i am more black and white than gray all over, it's very difficult for me to take a stand on more gray area topics. such as: -how much tv is too much? -where should we spend most of our time and with whom? -is this movie okay? -what kind of music should we listen to? -should we eat organic? -what kind of beef should we buy? -how green should we be? -should we paint the walls blue or green? -homeschool or public school (note: we do not have children yet!!) i think by now you get what i mean. my mind is daily bogged down by questions that remain unanswered and in all truth will probably not be all that important at the end of the day. i'm like humpty dumpty up there on the wall, not knowing what to do. i need joshua's army to come and rescue me with the blasts of the trumpet, to crumble the wall before i fall and my pieces are unable to be pieced together. i think my black and white mentality makes this even more difficult, because one way has to be the best. wow, that is so wrong. one way will be the best, but it will be what is best for our family:) can you help me...what are some ways you tackle the questions...do they fall to the wayside? do you take a stand? or do you prioritize what is most important? i think the latter may be the best way. it's so overwhelming.

Black and White and Blue in Between

are you a black and white thinker? i hate to admit but i am. i see things in extremes. it's always or never, yes or no, good or bad. this is a problem i have dealt with throughout my life, and when you think this way, more often than not, it brings along with it the blues. lately i have been tuned in more than ever to my need to change this way of thinking. you might ask why, and you may already know why. black and white thinking in my opinion, is not kind to the Lord. because with this mindset he is either giving or taking away, punishing or blessing, good or bad. i have to fight to see joy, to find grace, to see my sin as not all consuming. which is good, but more often than not i see myself as unworthy instead of saved by grace. it's a hard fight. one i will always have, but i want to fight in a God glorifying way. just this past week i have been struggling earnestly with some sin. even after confessing it and filling my head with grace-filled scripture, i still felt like i was a horrible, sinful person unworthy of the cross. now that is just sinful pride and satan whispering you're not worthy. but it usually takes another person to come along side of me and speak truth over and over again. i'm thanking the Lord for my grace-filled and ever patient husband. i've been reading "how people change" by Timothy Lane and Paul Tripp. i've been thoroughly encouraged by their words namely these: "God calls you to be dissatisfied. You should be discontent, restless, and hungry!...The life of self-examination and joyful disontent should not be confused with a life of paralyzing self-condemnation. God does not call us to self-loathing but to a willingness to examine our lives in light of our hope as new creatures in Christ" (how people change, 2006) ...and i'm clinging to these truths: -God is not surprised by my struggle -The Bible is for people just like you and me -Christ enters into my struggle. He has been there!! -Christ will help. I am confident I am not alone. -Christ pleads my case to the Father. I have an advocate. -I can come to God with confidence. I am beginning to take my black and white and conform it into many more shades of gray to in hopes turn my blues to reds as I look to the blood of Christ as my perfect redeemer. I am praying that one day I will be able to see myself as a flawed person in a broken world with a view of myself as filled with gospel infused hope, where I am not discouraged, but encouraged. what kind of thinker are you?

what we've been up to...

last weekend alex and i headed to appleton to visit my family. we had a great time, playing with my nephews and niece, seeing my brothers and sister-in-law, hanging out with my mom, and dining with my dad and step-mom. it's always busy, but worth every ounce of energy! highlights: -seeing 'slumdog millionaire' and eating movie theater popcorn with mom -playing with the trippies in luke's bed tent -chatting it up with chris and jen -enjoying the melting pot with dad and teri and matt -just relaxing together:) lowlights: -coming back home:( but i am very excited to be able to go back to appleton for an extended time over the week before easter! other news on the homefront: our house is up for SALE again...with a new lower price! let's cross our fingers that maybe we will be two for two on the house sales! why are we selling...well because we don't want to find ourselves stuck in a place too small, too far away, and at times too expensive. so we are spending our time getting things all ready and in order for potential home buyers! that's about it!

preamble, timothy and economic meltdown

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

What happens when people take something that is inherently good and turn it into something utterly destructive? Well, look around...we are in it.

Isn't it sad that our forefathers fought for freedom...for our freedom, so that we can live and thrive in a country in which we are free. We are able to do most anything we wish and yet things are crumbling around us. My 2 cents: We are inherently sinful, without Christ we are nothing, and sin abounds wtihin and around us. When something good is taken hold by those in whom sin abounds, destruction is going to happen. Case in point, Timothy 2 is coming true...

II Timothy 3:1-5,7 "But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of god; holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."

i love google reader

so i used to be that girl that would sit on my computer checking all my ministry, food, homemaking, etc. blogs all night long. then i found google reader, and now my time on the net is diminishing and my time can be used for far more important things, like watching reality tv with alex. wow...i don't know what's worse:) google reader, it will change your web browsing!

Taboo Topics, are you comfortable or not?

Politics, money, religion, and more. Topics that can cause those around you to flare up their tail feathers and retreat quicker than you can say, jump. For some of us, we invite these topics into our conversation with excitement, ready to share our opinions openly and sometimes forcefully. For others of us, we shy away, uncomfortable with conflict, even that of good debate. I am sure there are some of us in between, but for the most part I have seen people fall into one of these categories. Unfortunately I fall into the first category, and for the most part I usually make a fool out of myself in the process, putting my foot into my mouth more than I would care to. I have known my whole life that I have a strong personality, either you like me or you don't. But as I have grown in my walk with the Lord, he has been ever so graciously pointing out my weaknesses, especially in this area. Growing up I just wanted to be heard, so the more forcefully or excitedly I said something, usually ensured that someone would listen. As an adult, conversation usually doesn't happen this way! Take this past weekend for example. A couple of topics came up that really excite me; saving money, Costco, Super-Walmart, budgets, etc. For some reason, if I am excited about something, I for sure want to share my opinion and the pride in me wants everyone to think it's a great thing and to come on over and join me in my opinion. PROBLEM: when excitedly sharing something, do not come across forcefully, especially if in the end you could go either way on the topic...WHY: because it can hurt feelings and make friendships strained. For me, this weekend the Lord opened my eyes to sin...opened my eyes to the fact that my words are not gracious and uplifting and that I am not always thinking about what I should say and taking into account where others might be at. For those I have hurt, I am truly sorry. For those willing to come alongside me, pray that God would continually change my heart and the words of my mouth to be more like Christ. So where do you stand? I will continue to share openly and honestly in these taboo areas, I feel comfortable and unless they are demeaning to my husband or too much information, that will continue, but I hope to do it in a way that is worthy of the cross.

25 Things about Me!

This little MeMe has been going around Facebook, but I was tagged by my friend Cara to post my answers on our blog for those who are not on Facebook. I love these little questionaire type quiz things! Maybe I will be able to get Alex to share as well! Here goes: Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you. (To do this, go to “notes” under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people (in the right hand corner of the app) then click publish.) 1. Nothing is better than a melty pbj, surprising b/c as a kid it was pb only 2. I love food, everything about it and I love to cook 3. I am excited to move back to Prior Lake, the view is amazing 4. I love my job and wouldn't change it forthe world 5. I love time by myself, I'd be a hermit if I ever lived alone 6. I have 16 nieces and nephews with two more on the way and a very big family 7. I love holiday traditions and wish I could have all the family together at once, the more the merrier 8. I really like to travel and am looking forward to more trips with Alex 9. I once flooded my cousin's basement and then proceded to drop kleenex all over. what a mess:) 10. I really enjoy our new small group and every person that is in it! 11. I really like to be active, sports, running, hiking, just being outside 12. I don't like the beach...sand=itchy, but I love the lake 13. I wish my step-dad could have meet Alex, I think they would get along fine. 14. When I was little I was a really sassy...I'm glad God has given me the grace to change:) 15. I have TMJ really bad that my jaw will lock in place...it's really scary when it happens. 16. My brother has triplets and his daughter apparantly reminds everyone of me (see #14) it's a great reminder, but she really is adorable, attitude included! 17. I really love to do laundry, it's therapeutic 18. I'm glad I'm not in control...if so, things could be really chaotic. 19. I love helping with women's ministries at church and sharing my life with other women. 20. I really like to laugh! 21. I can't wait to hopefully be a mom one day, I think I am going to like it:) 22. My favorite job was working with autistic children at Fraser, it was really rewarding. 23. I am addicted to reality tv, I don't know what it is, but I can't get enough 24. I like puzzles, word games, crosswords, etc. I loved linguistics in school and diagramming sentences, total nerd:) 25. I love Jesus...and I don't ever want to hold that back...he changed my life

Warehouse stores, are they worth the trouble?

VS

Yes! For our little family of two, a warehouse store pays for itself over the course of the year. Our first two years of marriage we were members at Sam's Club and have just switched over to Costco. Is there a difference? yes and no. The prices at Sam's Club are still slightly lower, but the stores are not as new and the brands are mostly generics. Costco on the other hand has more organics, and name brands. Why did we switch, location. Though we are moving back to Prior Lake and the Sam's is right down the street, it's worth the trek to Eden Prairie due to the fact that we are hoping to be back in St. Louis Park soon! What do you buy for a family of two? We tend to fill our cupboards with staples from these stores, so it is probably a good thing if you have some freezer bags and some storage space. Some things are better than others, but in the end we are saving money. Brogle Top Ten 1. Gas (Alex filled up a couple weeks ago 25 cents lower than the others) 2. Flour (25 lbs. at $6.99 vs. 5 lbs. at $2.50, 28 cents a lb. vs. 50 cents) 3. Chicken (averaging $2.99 a pound at Costco vs. $6/lb. at the regular store) 4. Ground beef (12% fat content, 6 lbs. @ $2.21/lb. vs. $4/lb. at the grocery) 5. Toilet Paper (36 rolls comparable to Charmin $19 vs. $24 for comparable amount) 6. Diswashwer Detergent (2 giant bottles (250 oz. total) $8.50 vs. $13 for generic equivalent 7. Romaine/Mixed Greens (huge bag for $4 vs. individual bags at $2/5) 8. Ziplock Bags ($7.87 for 216 vs. $25.86 for the equivalent) 9. Milk ($2.25 a gallon, cheapest otherwise is $2.99 at Walgreens) 10. Vanilla Extract (16 oz. pure vanilla for $6 vs. $5.60 for 2 oz, that's $44 for the equivalent) Other bonus buys: FRUIT, VEGETABLES, Laundry Detergent, Diapers, etc. These are just some areas we save in. Cost to join Sam's Club ($30) and Costco ($50). Not only are these things cheaper but how valuable is your time. It is so worth my time to spend an hour at Costco three times a year buying staples than it is to do it monthly or more at the grocery store. How do you budget for these items if you are on a tight budget? Well, Alex has set our budget up on Excel with a category that we save monthly for, for the quarterly trips to Costco. That way our food and staple budget will not get blown in the first week. We will be posting a generic budget form to illustrate this next week. If you are interested, let me know...I'd love to give you a tour!

The greatest game ever played...

to us, well as I'm sure you have figured out already, that game is golf! Growing up, there was a golf club in my hand at an early age, we watched many a tournament on a nice Sunday afternoon, or Saturday for that matter, I knew the players names, I watched Tiger come on the scene, a favorite of my grandmother, who lived with my grandfather, months out of the year, on the golf course in Naples. One might say it's in our blood, but I would say we just like it. For me to have found a husband who enjoys the game as much as my father and brothers, seemed daunting, I didn't think it possible. But I found Alex, whom I tease for his mind boggling statistics of this player, on this day, years before he was born, who made this score, on this course. It's incredible folks, and yet I am sure that there are those who love the game even more. Alex and I, well we had our first date over a bucket of range balls in Edina. Nothing like golf to bring to people together. I am, what seems at first, a little cynical over golf. Most vacations revolve around which golf course he can play in his attempt to cross all 1oo off the list. Most weekend afternoons are spent with the announcers voice in the background. If I come across as a little cross, well don't listen. Because secretly, I love golf almost as much and makes me grin that he loves golf that much and that I can share this joy with him, walking along some of the most gorgeous landscapes, enjoying a round of 9 holes on a muni track, or cuddling up to him discussing the players on a Sunday afternoon. My friends, it's called bonding time at the Brogle household. Just yesterday, my loving husband, encouraged me to play along with him, despite the fact that I haven't picked up my clubs in over a year. We spent about what seemed like an hour at the driving range, trying to work out the kinks. Lo and behold, once my hands were screaming, from months of free time, we fixed my problem and I began to turn my hands over when I followed through. Who would have guessed that was the problem. I even went out and parred a few holes. By the end, I was so happy to have played, but I was dead tired and today when I woke up I realized one big detail.... I am a nine-holer from this day on...and that's that.

As for the past week...

it's been a busy...but good busy. A little glimpse into the past week... New Year's Day- We had a bunch of friends over for a very casual and fun day of football watching, chatting, and enjoying the company of friends we haven't seen in awhile. That night, hungry as can be, Alex and I went in search of dinner, ending up at Davanni's. With pizza in hand we went home for a dlightful picnic on the floor. Friday- It was back to work for both of us, for me that meant playing monopoly with Riley and keeping the energy of three boys in check as cabin fever set in. Alex on the other hand was busy finishing up a basement remodel in Lakeville. That night we settled in for some comfort food and enjoyed the peace and quiet. Saturday- Another busy day. On New Year's Eve we had two showings of the St. Louis Park house. In turn, one couple was very interested and requested a second showing for Saturday. After a very relaxing morning, we got our act in gear, cleaned up the house, and headed out. Me to the Outlet mall in search of some great deals and Alex, to well, the backyard. He was set to head out in the work van but it wouldn't start. With me in Albertville, he was stuck to the van, so he holed up in there with blankets and work:) poor guy! That night we spent the night with Nate and Sarah from our small group...so much fun getting to know them better! Today- Church, brunch with my great friend Shari and her boyfriend Mike and an afternoon of quickly getting our seller's disclosure finished, wishing my brother happy birthday, and relaxing. Alex just headed out to watch the game with friends so I am settling in with a new book! We're ready for the week ahead, please pray with us for God's guidance and hand in next days over the house in St. Louis Park. Oh that His will would be for it to sell!