Extreme Stubborness

I have loved running ever since my last year in college. I had a super great group of girl friends, who are still a part of my life today, who were runners. Four of us ran a half marathon together that last spring of my senior year at SFA. After moving to Korea I competed in several 10ks. When we moved to Myanmar I continued to run, but I also tore my ACL and had knee surgery. Since that accident I have not had a serious running streak. So, I am now almost 32 and trying to get back and shape, and I am trying to renew my love for running. A few weeks ago I kickstarted it with a 10K. I ended up talking my friend Amy into it and off we went with no training at all. I do think a lot of it was stubborness, but it was mostly me loving the fact that I was racing again. We finished within an hour with no walking. Pretty good for no training.

Opportunities in America

There are many things I love about being back in North America, but one thing that has been really fun for me is getting involved in craft shows this holiday season. I have been crafting monogrammed ceramic tile coasters, and they have been a hit. As of a month ago I have sold over $1,000 woth of these coasters in just a few short months. Here are a few photos of the coaster journey.

Fall Fun

Jackson, Trevor and I each had a first this fall, we all got to go to our first pumpkin patch in Texas. We went with my parents and our friends the Mitchell's.

Jacksons Turns One!

Jackson's first birthday was a very special day. His birthday occured on a Saturday, so the party was very easy to plan. We had a small gathering of some of our close friends and family and a good time was had by all. Jackson was a great little birthday boy. He was very happy to have a house full of people.

My Little Toddler

Jackson turned one month ago today, and today is the first time in his life that mommy and daddy will not tuck him in. Trevor and I are away for the night and I am taking this free moment to blog. This first post will be a recap of Jackson's first year. Enjoy the photos taken by my talented husband.

A New Trick

Jackson learned a new trick while we were in Washington on a family road trip. Enjoy!!

Finally a Post

It's' true that China blocked my blog during the last few weeks of our time there, but we have been in North America a while now, so I apologize for the delay and absence of Jackson photos. Here are a few things to recap our lives over the past few months.
-we have officially moved away from China, our stuff is on its way.

-although we have officially moved, we will be unofficially moving back on a short term basis in october. trevor will be starting a business in china that will have us three there for about 5-6 months.
-we had a super duper long and wonderful visit in canada. jackson adores his canadian grandparents, and aunts and uncles. he loved berries, bird walks and morning devotions with grandma especially. we had the opportunity to visit alberta while we were there which is a first for all three of us. we went to lake louise, banff, and ate lots of pies.
-jackson has continued to develop and grow like crazy. he started crawling really well while we were in canada, he cut his first two teeth there, and started saying ma ma and da da. he slept through the night a few times, but we are still working on that. he is eating all kinds of foods these days and keeps us smiling constantly. we think he's tops.
-trevor has been thriving in this entrepenuer mode. he is allowing all his creative juices to flow and is making lots of great contacts and decisions along the way. i am so proud and happy for him to get this opportunity. it will be exciting for sure.

-i am really enjoying being a mom, jackson is wonderful and he always has a smile to share. i am back at the gym trying to get back in shape, hopefully i'll enjoy myself.

so here are some photos of our days in canada!

First ride on a ski lift

grizzly

moose

While it Lasted

If you refer to my first post ever, I mention the fact that China often blocks these blog sites. They have had it unblocked for a while, but it is now blocked again, and it means that posts are very difficult, time consuming and risky. So this is it for at least three weeks when we arrive in North America.!!!

Flexible Fascination

Jackson is just getting so cute these days, sometimes it kills me to leave him every day. Only five weeks and that will be over for a while. Here is Jackson's latest fascination.

Last Minute Shopping

Well, it's not exactly last minute, but we have to get some things done sooner than later. Trevor and I have started a collection of Chinese furniture. Most of them are reproductions of antiques, a few are antiques, and a few are custom made peices. I think that the Chinese have created some of the most beautiful peices of furniture, and we are very proud of our newest ones. Here they are:

This is an Elm wardrobe laquered in red.

THis is a reproduction of an antique stool

I don't know what to call this so we usually say it's a lattice, anyway, we had it custom made and laquered to match some other furniture.

Well, it's not exactly last minute, but we have to get some things done sooner than later. Trevor and I have started a collection of Chinese furniture. Most of them are reproductions of antiques, a few are antiques, and a few are custom made peices. I think that the Chinese have created some of the most beautiful peices of furniture, and we are very proud of our newest ones. Here they are:

My Husband Rocks

THis past weekend we took part in the Southern Delta Region Conference middle school basketball tournament. Trevor was in charge of the entire event. He organized everything from buses, food, uniforms, coaches, dinners, nurses, pep rallys, substitute teachers, videos, websites, game booklets, name tags, referees, players, play lists, crutches, ice packs, a basketball team, coaches lounge, parents lounge, media crews, and more. Trevor is very talented, but he is at his best when he is organizing big events. He has been doing these kinds of events for while now, but this tournament was the best he has done yet. I love watching him doing things he is really good at and excited about about!! It was a great weekend, and there is still a bit of afterglow around our house. Here is a short clip of the video of the opening ceremoney.


Oh, and here is the link to the website that was put together for the event!!