So I wanted to make a nice Christmas Card this year and post it to our blog, but unfortunately the photo card makers actually want you to buy prints of their pretty designs, so instead you get a funny card! Click the link below to check out our video Christmas greeting! It really took Mosby a while to get the moves down....
http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/m1OdEyIjHdnM9wTmk5N6
Couldn't help myself,
Kirsten
Monday, December 14, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Words of Wisdom
A friend of mine, Ryan Alaniz, from the department is doing research in Honduras this year and is documenting his time on his blog (http://buildabetterworld.blogspot.com/). He has such a heart for people. The other week he put up a quote that was really encouraging and thought I would share it with you all.
Ryan says, "The Archbishop of El Salvador, Oscar Romero's story is a beautiful one of conversion and sacrifice for the poor. Indeed, activists throughout Latin America continue to call on his spirit for inspiration. I do the same below, citing one of his most famous homilies:
“It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view. The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision. We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work. Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of saying that the kingdom always lies beyond us…We plant the seeds that one day will grow. We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise. We lay foundations that will need further development. We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities. We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something, and to do it very well. It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest.We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker. We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs. We are prophets of a future not our own.”
Ryan says, "The Archbishop of El Salvador, Oscar Romero's story is a beautiful one of conversion and sacrifice for the poor. Indeed, activists throughout Latin America continue to call on his spirit for inspiration. I do the same below, citing one of his most famous homilies:
“It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view. The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision. We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work. Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of saying that the kingdom always lies beyond us…We plant the seeds that one day will grow. We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise. We lay foundations that will need further development. We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities. We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something, and to do it very well. It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest.We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker. We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs. We are prophets of a future not our own.”
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
I finally was able to decorate for Christmas. I am usually all about Christmas immediately following Thanksgiving, but this year it took me a couple of weeks to really get into it. I think it was probably because we had the second warmest November on record here, so it still felt like fall. Well fall is definitely gone now and we are supposed to get 7-10 inches of snow tonight, so it really is beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
Here are some fun things we are looking forward to during this season:
*Holidazzle Parade
*Mates of State concert
*Cohort Christmas party
* Waiting in line to get Swedish Sausage at Ingebretsons
* General Swedishness
*Attempting to take a "family picture" in which Mosby will sit still, preferably wearing a Santa hat
*And of course, Christmas movies!!!
Until next time,
Kirsten
Thanksgiving in Willmar
We had a great time in Willmar celebrating Thanksgiving! Most of our time was spent laughing until our sides hurt and catching up with one another. For some reason I was not in picture-taking mode, so here are just a few pics to give you a "taste" of our Thanksgiving.
Pic 1: Grandma must be telling one of her hilarious stories. She is cute AND funny- at age 94!
Pic 2: Telling some more stories (and me sitting exactly like my mom).
Pic 3: My cousin Jean and Uncle Doug (AKA Connan O'Brien).
Pic 4: The best table at the Willmar Bowling alley:)
It is always so fun to get together, so we are already looking forward to Christmas at the Guthries!
Pic 1: Grandma must be telling one of her hilarious stories. She is cute AND funny- at age 94!
Pic 2: Telling some more stories (and me sitting exactly like my mom).
Pic 3: My cousin Jean and Uncle Doug (AKA Connan O'Brien).
Pic 4: The best table at the Willmar Bowling alley:)
It is always so fun to get together, so we are already looking forward to Christmas at the Guthries!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Procrastination for Fashion (it almost rhymes...)
Now I do not think of myself as a fashionista by any means, but I like to shop just as much as the next girl. I'm not sure if there is a name or an overall consistency to my fashion choices, but I do gravitate toward 50's-ish structured pieces and anything that involves creative draping or gathering. If I had to shop at 3 stores for the rest of my life, they would probably be places like Fossil, Anthropologie, and Levi's....classic, but with a creative twist. The reason you probably would have no idea that this would summarize my style is because 1) out of sheer laziness and comfort, I usually wear jeans and a sweatshirt and 2) because we have a tight budget so if I do purchase anything, it has to be extremely practical and can be worn in nearly any scenario. Sigh....
Well, the whole reason for this little story is because I have found a website that I love called ModCloth. They sell designs from independent and up and coming designers, and it is actually somewhat reasonable (it's no Target or T.J. Maxx, but it's also not as pricey as the previous stores I mentioned). They also sell 1 vintage piece everyday-it's pretty fun to see what they find. Here is their link: http://www.modcloth.com/.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Sunday nights
I kind of feel like blogging, but I have nothing really interesting to say or any fun pictures so I will just tell you a fact. Every Sunday night, no matter how cheesy it is or crazy Ty is, I almost ALWAYS get teary eyed (okay, sometimes a little more than that) watching Extreme Home Makeover. All I need to watch is the beginning and maybe even the end when they see their new house, but I tell ya, it never fails.
Have a wonderful week friends (or friend....or self..... depending on how many people read this)!
Until next time,
Kirsten
Have a wonderful week friends (or friend....or self..... depending on how many people read this)!
Until next time,
Kirsten
Monday, November 9, 2009
The return of fall
Apart from the 4th of July, fall is certainly the most Americana-esque time of the year. Something about it takes us back to the late 19th century farms of America, where all everyone ate was apple pie, and the women were happy to be plump:) I find that to be especially true in our neighborhood since we are surrounded by such historic homes. Here are pictures from our fall walk today in the neighborhood.
As a family scholar, I surely recognize the that this is an idealized image of the past, but I am amazed at its power in this season. I myself have had some serious nesting instincts the last couple of weeks. All I've wanted to do is bake, cook, make warm soups, drink apple cider, and decorate the house. I wish I had the time to actually do these things, but Pumpkin spice lattes will have to take the place of the various pumpkin baked goods I have dreamed of making in the past week (although a pie is in the near future). I try to ignore all of the Christmas stuff out already, because I like celebrating the Thanksgiving season first. Plus, it is strange to think about Christmas when I am still in flip flops (especially here in Minnesota- you know Christmas is nowhere near when you are able to wear flip flops and not get frostbite). So for the next few weeks I will be soaking up the last of the fall colors, 50 plus degree days, and the images of Americana that are so present in our minds.
The great thing about our Thanksgiving plans this year is that our dinner will be far from a farmhouse in New England. In fact, rather than smells of apple spice, we may more likely get wafts (sp?) of smoke and old shoes. Yes, we will be eating at the Willmar Bowling Alley along with hundreds of other families at the Thanksgiving buffet. We couldn't be more excited though. Why? Because it is time spent with our family, enjoying one another. Not only that, but it is also being a part of the community and sharing in one another's holiday and thanks giving. There is just something really fun and festive about it. And hey, maybe we'll burn off our turkey by bowling a few rounds!
The great thing about our Thanksgiving plans this year is that our dinner will be far from a farmhouse in New England. In fact, rather than smells of apple spice, we may more likely get wafts (sp?) of smoke and old shoes. Yes, we will be eating at the Willmar Bowling Alley along with hundreds of other families at the Thanksgiving buffet. We couldn't be more excited though. Why? Because it is time spent with our family, enjoying one another. Not only that, but it is also being a part of the community and sharing in one another's holiday and thanks giving. There is just something really fun and festive about it. And hey, maybe we'll burn off our turkey by bowling a few rounds!
Until next time,
Kirsten
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Grown Ups
It's official: Will and I are both in our LATE twenties. 27. 28. It doesn't quite roll off the tongue yet. Now I am not one that dreads aging by any means, but it is still surprising how fast time flies sometimes! Though I don't know how old I really feel, it does seem like we've done a lot of growing up in the last few years. In fact, we just made our first major purchase together, a new (used) car! It's pretty exciting for us as we haven't had the best of luck with cars in the last year (see previous postings). We are, however, incredibly lucky to be facing our first car payment ever at our age- we have our very generous families to thank for that. I'm sure we'll have some pictures up soon of the new car, complete with Mosby's head out the window.
This week is a little hectic for us as we get ready for a trip to Atlanta. I am presenting some research at a conference and am looking forward to meeting lots of people that are focusing on the same topics as myself. Will is coming for moral support:), while Mosby gets to have a week of doggy partying with Uncle Scooby in Caledonia. Unfortunately, it sounds like the rain is going to follow us down there, but it will still be warmer at least! What a rough October (weather wise). Am I right fellow Minnesotans? At least I've heard that a cold October means a mild winter....let's hope.
This is the first time either of us have been to Atlanta, so if you have any recommendaitons of sights to see, you should hook us up.
Well, wish me luck and see you when we return from the South!
Kirsten
This week is a little hectic for us as we get ready for a trip to Atlanta. I am presenting some research at a conference and am looking forward to meeting lots of people that are focusing on the same topics as myself. Will is coming for moral support:), while Mosby gets to have a week of doggy partying with Uncle Scooby in Caledonia. Unfortunately, it sounds like the rain is going to follow us down there, but it will still be warmer at least! What a rough October (weather wise). Am I right fellow Minnesotans? At least I've heard that a cold October means a mild winter....let's hope.
This is the first time either of us have been to Atlanta, so if you have any recommendaitons of sights to see, you should hook us up.
Well, wish me luck and see you when we return from the South!
Kirsten
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Rainy day blog
Well, there is no real reason for this blog, I just felt like writing something other than papers:) It seems like we've gone straight from summer to winter here- we had snow over the weekend, yesterday, and snow/rain mix today. I won't let myself believe that this is the beginning of the end, though. I am SURE it will go back to regular fall weather soon, right? At least it is good weather for getting work done. Warm coffee shops with their fireplaces blazing are calling my name these days. They may lose their luster after a few months, but for now, it feels pretty cozy.
Mosby has been super spoiled by us lately. I swear he just gets cuter and funnier by the day. He can still be a troublemaker though. A couple of days ago he escaped thanks to the help from an unsuspecting neighbor who was leaving our building. Mosby is not one to pass up an opportunity to chase squirrels and rabbits to his heart's content, so he made a run for it. I hopped in the car to go find him (Will followed him on foot), and as I started driving down the alley I looked in the rear view mirror to see Mosby running full speed after the car. "Don't leave me!" Mosby promptly jumped into the car through the open window. Forget car doors, the window is much faster. Needless to say, it's hard to stay mad at the little guy when he goes to such great lengths just to enjoy a car ride with you! He also is really funny on his walks now that the leaves are falling. He goes to great lengths to avoid stepping on the dried leaves. The other day we were running and it looked like he was limping or maybe got his foot caught in his leash, but no. He was just avoiding putting his foot down on the parts of the sidewalk that were covered in leaves! Hilarious.
We are looking at cars this weekend. Hopefully by next weekend we will have a new (used) one!
That's all for now.
Kirsten
Mosby has been super spoiled by us lately. I swear he just gets cuter and funnier by the day. He can still be a troublemaker though. A couple of days ago he escaped thanks to the help from an unsuspecting neighbor who was leaving our building. Mosby is not one to pass up an opportunity to chase squirrels and rabbits to his heart's content, so he made a run for it. I hopped in the car to go find him (Will followed him on foot), and as I started driving down the alley I looked in the rear view mirror to see Mosby running full speed after the car. "Don't leave me!" Mosby promptly jumped into the car through the open window. Forget car doors, the window is much faster. Needless to say, it's hard to stay mad at the little guy when he goes to such great lengths just to enjoy a car ride with you! He also is really funny on his walks now that the leaves are falling. He goes to great lengths to avoid stepping on the dried leaves. The other day we were running and it looked like he was limping or maybe got his foot caught in his leash, but no. He was just avoiding putting his foot down on the parts of the sidewalk that were covered in leaves! Hilarious.
We are looking at cars this weekend. Hopefully by next weekend we will have a new (used) one!
That's all for now.
Kirsten
Saturday, September 26, 2009
The return of the blog
I've been thinking a lot about returning to the blog lately, so I decided it would be fitting to do so from the place where it all began- Clearwater Lodge. For the first time since we worked here, I am back for a visit. Will and I tried to get up here all summer, but the weather and our busy summer schedules did not cooperate. So I came up this weekend to get a bunch of reading done for my prelim (the big comprehensive paper I have to write on my specialty areas). You may be wondering why I am writing on the blog if I am supposed to be working, but I promise I have been productive:)
I have really been struck by the beauty and calming nature of, well....nature. This is not new news to many of you or even to me, but Will and I really spent our summer enjoying the city, so we haven't been camping AT ALL this summer (gasp!), and I didn't realize how badly I have missed it. The fall colors are just starting to emerge, the air is fresh, and the smell of pine is now mixed with that of dried leaves. Reading is a lot more fun when this is your surroundings rather than an office!
I suppose I should get everyone up to speed on our family lives a bit here since a lot has happened since the last post:) Will got his Master's in counseling psychology from Bethel in May and is starting his new job tomorrow! He will be traveling around the Cities, providing counseling for kids and families. Sadly, it will go in to the evenings, so me and Mosby will have to somehow keep ourselves entertained until he gets home (i.e. go for lots of runs and play fetch). We have gophers football season tickets again, and this year they are playing in their brand-new outdoor stadium. We've been looking forward to this season for a long time, and it has been worth the wait. So, most Saturdays we will be occupied with that this fall. What else? I was able to teach my very first class this summer and I loved it- I cannot wait to be doing it full time! Until then, it's back to the old grind of reading, writing, and TAing, but we are going to Atlanta for a conference at the end of next month that I am presenting at, so that'll be fun.
Well, I will try to post again before another 5 months go by (maybe even with pictures..oooo),
Kirsten
I have really been struck by the beauty and calming nature of, well....nature. This is not new news to many of you or even to me, but Will and I really spent our summer enjoying the city, so we haven't been camping AT ALL this summer (gasp!), and I didn't realize how badly I have missed it. The fall colors are just starting to emerge, the air is fresh, and the smell of pine is now mixed with that of dried leaves. Reading is a lot more fun when this is your surroundings rather than an office!
I suppose I should get everyone up to speed on our family lives a bit here since a lot has happened since the last post:) Will got his Master's in counseling psychology from Bethel in May and is starting his new job tomorrow! He will be traveling around the Cities, providing counseling for kids and families. Sadly, it will go in to the evenings, so me and Mosby will have to somehow keep ourselves entertained until he gets home (i.e. go for lots of runs and play fetch). We have gophers football season tickets again, and this year they are playing in their brand-new outdoor stadium. We've been looking forward to this season for a long time, and it has been worth the wait. So, most Saturdays we will be occupied with that this fall. What else? I was able to teach my very first class this summer and I loved it- I cannot wait to be doing it full time! Until then, it's back to the old grind of reading, writing, and TAing, but we are going to Atlanta for a conference at the end of next month that I am presenting at, so that'll be fun.
Well, I will try to post again before another 5 months go by (maybe even with pictures..oooo),
Kirsten
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