Winter Wonderland!

We have had a winter here in Kansas that makes me reminiscent of my Minnesota days…lots of snow! I typically am not a fan of snow (mainly driving in it…I've actually realized that I do love snow if I don’t have to go anywhere!). Steve and I were excited to break out the cross country skis my parents gave us for Christmas a few years ago. We went to Shawnee Mission Park (of course) and forged some trails. It was absolutely beautiful. Fresh, fluffy snow and a bright blue sunny sky! It couldn’t have been a more perfect day. Here are some pictures documenting our adventure. This adventure actually happened January 20, and I figured I’d better blog about it soon or winter will just keep hanging on (come on, spring!).

Steve was the super manly one that forged the path. I was so bundled up, it took me awhile to get my camera out to take a picture of him in action…see him way down there?

Enjoying our own seemingly private tour of the park, we made fresh ski tracks, and even came across some deer tracks!

Anyone who knows Steve well knows he is an AMAZING downhill skier. So he humored me and pretended to get into his tuck. Haha. He's a good sport.

Then we found an actual hill! Well, not quite a Black Diamond run, but good enough for me! And Steve was definitely a fan of the “fresh powder”

Here are our tracks!

I was wondering where the ski lift was…

But I made it!

We had so much fun, but after several runs down our hill, we remembered we had to trek all the way back home...

With a few photo ops along the way…

P.S. That little love note in the snow was done by my amazing husband. He's so romantical. I just love him! We had such an incredible afternoon together, and after we got home, we hobbled walked around our apartment complex with Norman, so he could enjoy the nice day, too. Then, being the hip young couple that we are, we settled in for a nice late afternoon watching some Jeopardy. That evening, we got the phone call that (almost) changed our lives forever…

I'm in LOVE, I'm in LOVE, and I don't care who knows it!

That is one of my favorite lines (from the movie "Elf")...but I'm sure it's no secret who has this girl's heart, even without shouting it from the mountain tops. On this Valentine's Day, I am reminded just how blessed I am to be married to such an amazing man. One who:

• Loves God with all his heart, and is opening himself up to what God is doing in ways like never before
• Works tirelessly to support our family, and worked so hard to get to the point where he could do so
• Has grown into such an incredible leader for our family (even when his wife is not the easiest girl to lead)
• Shares my heart for adoption and also the ministry that goes with our journey of open adoption
• Has a huge heart for missions and wants to be used by God in ways that previously would have made him uncomfortable
• Constantly looks for ways that he can love me better, and has the most gentle servant's heart
• Is going to be the most incredible Daddy to some very lucky kids

How lucky am I?! Over the last 6 1/2 years, I have had the privilege of watching God work in Steve's heart, taking him out of what used to be his comfort zone, and transforming an already amazing man into so much more. Walking along side of him on this journey of life causes me to rethink my priorities and strive to "act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with my God" (taken from Micah 6:8).

I cannot wait to see what God does in and through us as we enter this next year together. We both feel like we're just now getting started on the life we want to live, and want to be sure to keep our focus where it belongs...how we can best be used by the One who created us.

Happy Valentine's Day to my loving, amazing, compassionate, talented, handsome, funny, incredible sweetheart!

I am so thankful for you and I love you so much! You are truly the best one.

Fun with Friends in January...

Yeah, I know…it’s February…which is why I'd better finish this post pronto! We were blessed with TWO visits from friends in January, both of which were fabulous!

Our first visit was from the Calvarese family. Jessica is one of my closest friends from Oklahoma. We met Jessica and her husband Justin in our Newlyweds flock at Henderson Hills Baptist Church back in 2007. My friendship with Jessica flourished over email, actually, as we would encourage each other through tough work days (and then when Jessica was done working, she’d encourage me through tough work days while I could encourage her in her new job as a mommy!). They have two precious boys, Ian and Owen, whom I call my “Oklahoma nephews.” It just melts my heart when I hear Ian call us “Aunt Liesl” and “Uncle Steve.” LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that.

The Calvareses came for New Year’s Eve weekend and we had a blast, despite some very cold temperatures! Since our favorite activities revolve around Shawnee Mission Park, it was a bummer that it was so cold! But Justin, Jessica, Ian, and Owen were troopers and we were able to show them a little bit of the park.

We also went to some fun local places that I hadn’t seen yet, like shopping at The Legends, and lunch at Winsteads, a super cool (and tasty!) local diner. I was so excited to introduce Jessica and Justin to my favorite coffee in the world…Caribou Coffee! They loved it.

(Photo courtesy of Jessica)

We also went swimming at their hotel, and just enjoyed each others’ company! We are so blessed by them!

Here are some more photos courtesy of Jessica...

A couple weeks later, we had a visit from our friends Jen and Jason, as they passed through Kansas City on their way to visit some more friends in Arkansas. Jen is actually one of my sister Christi’s college roommates and Marching Band buddies from the U of MN, and during my sophomore year at the U of MN, we all lived together as my sister finished medical school, Jen went to grad school, and my friend Julie and I were undergrads. So Jen has always been like another big sister to me. When I followed Christi’s footsteps and joined the U of MN Marching Band (I’ve always looked up to her and wanted to do things she did!), Jen was on staff and I can’t even tell you how much that put me at ease during my first weeks at college.

Jen and Jason were married just 5 weeks before Steve and I were, so we have that fun bond as well! Jen and Jason are avid outdoorsmen (outdoorspeople?) and I could not wait to show them “our” park. I knew they were going to love it. Even better, we had gotten some snow right before their arrival, so that added a whole new adventure! Jason especially enjoyed collecting acorns at the park so he can plant his own tree.

We had so much fun hiking and laughing. And, since Jen works at an environmental learning center in Northern Minnesota, their visit was also very educational!

Jason taught us about deer markings on trees...

Jen found a bird nest with a nice little blanket of snow on it...

Jason displayed his love for trees...

And Jen and I met a new friend!

Such a fun day of hiking through a beautiful snow-filled park!

We really enjoyed our time with our friends! Thanks, guys, for coming to see us!