Jassee really blossoms in the snow:

i think that he is dreaming of a white Christmas...and i am too!

snow and school

Mornings bring me joy. It makes me glad to wake up early be before the sun, start a pot of coffee and guess as to what the early morning light will bring. It's been chilly the past couple of days. In the teens and single digits at time. I couldn't be more thankful for a warm house and homemade chili. Or a car that is still able to trek through snow covered roads. Or mittens, i'm so thankful for mittens!

I'll be honest though. There has been a sense of frustration within me the past couple of weeks. I have been in a whirlwind of school finals preparations and assignment deadlines. Countless times I have wondered what it would be like to actually dedicate myself to this thing called school, learn the taught material, and let myself be inconvenienced by group meetings at the convenience of others. So finally in my college career (87.5% through it) I decided to be the student that I have known for years that I should be. As a result: another thing to be thankful for.

The other day I was talking to mom and telling her that these past two weeks have been the hardest of my college days. It's true. But I feel like more than the knowledge that I have gained and encouragement i've received, is how blessed i am from the friendships that have formed in Group Study room 212.

So I just ask that you would please pray:

• for me as I try to let God use me be a student to teach me obedience and discipline
• for joy and encouragement (as i often want to SCREAM, but refrain due to library etiquette and other understood reasons)
• and for the friendships that have began to really remind me that the mundane of school has purpose bigger than i know. they are a lot of fun.

The sun is out now. There are more colors than it seems from the hundred shades of grey from the picture above.

3 day Thanksgiving...make that 4

Though Thanksgiving Day was last thursday, i'd argue the celebration started on tuesday as Raleigh and I, with her sister Reade headed to Grandma Shellenburgers mountain-side cabin in the ounce of a town, Wetmore. Last year was my first time going, making the instant wave of heat from the fireplace all the more welcoming.

Dinner and a movie, August Rush, tuesday night was a wonderful start. Reade had surgery on Monday morning which meant much needed sleep for her recovery. After the parents cooked breakfast and while miss reade slept in the early morn, Raleigh and I decided to bolder up a mountain. Wonderful hike, quiet, yet filled with laughter as we had to slide down the mountain in out "thanksgiving wear." Later we picked out the 314 tree!

reade, getting ready the best way that she knows how


from the top

here's the cabin!!

this year's tree...predecorated

So then we went home later that day in order to re coupe, make some sweet potato casserole, can get mentally prepared for the PIT tournament that was going to go down Thanksgiving day.

However, Thanksgiving morning I found myself laughing and talking turkey with family and friends from NC. I am found so thankful that even though we are not together in person, we are able to share similar moments and look forward to the times that we do spend together. I do look forward to being home soon.

As we made it to Simla to spend time with the other side of Raleigh's fam the snow had begun to flurry and the eatin' and PIT bracket makin' began. End result: full tummy's and a hoot of a trophy to carry home! (I'll have to post a picture of it soon.)

Friday was one of my favorite days of thanksgiving: morning brunch with the Tillman fam, then Raleigh and I headed to Denver to see our friends Rachel and Megan(from the road trip to arkansas)...had some bangin' hot wings sided with lots of laughs. And lastly, Mrs. Becky taught me how to make an Advent wreath from the trimmings we collected in the mountains that seems to go well with the rest of the decorations!

THANKS FOR COMING MOM!!

Mom in Colorado = Amazing

Mom befriending foxes = suspicious

Mom and I sitting in red wood bar stools = fancy

Mom sipping on hot chocolate in the snow = yummy

Mom getting to meet the kids I nannied for last year = priceless

Mom trekin' the Rocky mountains with Riccara, Chandler, and I = Acclimating

On the way up Mt. Cutler, Mom was determined not to slow any Coloradians down. So juggling an uphill hike, a conversation, and breathing Mom strolled up the mountain. About half way up I decided to keep mom ahead of me "just to make sure", 'cause she said she was fine. I shortly called the hike to a screeching halt once she started swaying left to right. We laugh now, but I'm not sure if she would have stopped. Haha.

sunset the night mom left = beautiful sight to reminisce about the weekend

Kajsa Joy

A couple weekend ago I was able to go and watch some soccer and see my friend Rudy and her little girl Kajsa (meaning Pure) Joy. I couldn't help but share a picture of this beautiful little girl. Rudy and I were able to catch up a little, while Kajsa just kicked her feet and talked away. Wow, what a sweet girl.

Rachel G or BUST!!

Oh man. You ever sit down in a pink velvet rocking chair, kick the feet up and grab hold of a good classic novel? You won't believe this, but I did that tonight. Wierd. Granite, I highly recommend it.

This past weekend will go down in the books as a time I'll always cherish. Raleigh and I drove 11 hours to Siloam Springs, Arkansas last Thursday. Home of the Golden Eagles and our dear friend Rachel Gerdin:

While in Arkansas we went to a bangin' concert, ate at an amazing cafe 3 (yes, 3) times called "Cafe on Broadway," watched Rachel play her last game, ate Brawny's ice cream, got to hang out with some of her friends (who are hilarious), played Rock Band, saw U of A, and were able to be with Rachel...which I would say was the main goal!

Here is a pic from the soccer game. It was cold and windy. They are such troopers. I'm glad for sports like basketball and blankets. Thank God for blankets.

Being on the road for 22 hours gives need for a good co-tripper. Raleigh and I live together well, get along and such, and eat the occasional meal together. But never in a million years would I have thought to be so blessed by my time with Raleigh. I haven't laughed as hard as I did in those 3 days in a long, long time.

I'm so glad to have spent time with good friends. And these things'll such make a road tripper smile:

Sweet Rainbow. $1.89 gas.

as the strum of a guitar
vibrates my soul i
watch as the fall unravels

one leaf at a time.

though each plays its
own melody
together they've become

a glorious song.

and as the sun reflects
the fallen yellows and reds
wonder arises

what will this season bring?

my Love.
my Love.