More Christmas

Our friends Jhing and Huan came by on Christmas day for some amazing grub cooked by Sarah.  We asked if they have any holidays where the Chinese place live trees in their homes, and they said, "no."

It's been festive and quiet around our home this season, and for that we are grateful.  There's been snow, rain, 50 degree weather and tornados.  Ahh, the midwest.  We are looking at another short week of work, and pressing in to the new year with purpose and direction away from the often meaning-challenged 8 2 5.  Here's to where we are going to, and not only where we are coming from-less like lemmings and more like leopards, lizards or Luftwaffe.

some Christmas pics

Pela cleaned up.  She received musical instruments galore, a scarf, a kimono, many books, printer's blocks and a sweet pair of boots.  yahoo~

Sarah was thrilled with her garlic twist.  We could go on, but we shan't here's a few pics of the cuties.  

yes papa?

maragogype/maragopype

happy winter

well, it's cold in Kansas City, and we had our first real snow.  It's been quite nice.  I enjoy driving in control with the Subaru in snowy conditions.  

We are enjoying watching Pela grow and learn new things.  She's taking many steps, and the cats seem to be Pela's best motivator to walk unaided.  

Not much to say here, other than we love all of you.  We miss those we don't get to see often anymore, our NC families, and IL families(Portland we love you too).  We hope to see you all in the springtime.  We pray you have a safe and enjoyably observant wonder filled winter.  

Christmas time is here

It's our first Christmas in Kansas City.  It's the first tree we've had for all three (5 including cats) of us.  We'll see which cat knocks the tree over.  I have my money on Owen.  He already drinks out of the tree feeder.  

happy 13th day of Christmas...

on choosing to think positively

I have been working to choose to think positively at work starting mid-last week.  It seems like a simple concept, and it is.  It always surprises me when I motivate to change my thinking, how much better I feel.  Happiness is relative, and you can only do so much to squeeze happiness out of your situation, as if it even comes from you. 

Thinking positively certainly brings more contentment, and I know it makes those around more happy when they see not the brooding self we can portray when submerged in the mire of workplace drama and inefficiencies.  That is what it is, and it's not going to change.  We can only make the best of it, and be the best we can be within our realm of influence.  ['we' is used in the proverbial wenessense]

Anyone with me?  Any tips?  How we think is a choice, yeah?   

cheers, 

grk

ideas in motion

well, my first print job is in full swing. The basement has been converted to a print shop.  The cats have been now banished to the upstairs.  I knew they couldn't handle the temptation to explore with wet ink everywhere.  I wish I could have seen the moment when BJ jumped on the table and discovered he couldn't walk between the lines, and freaked out as the cards stuck to his paws.  He's okay, the job's okay, and the future is not so far away as it was before. 

seriously

Who gets away with wearing an outfit like this, besides Bootsy?  I guess Pela does, this morning's superstar.  

sleepy smile

true

Good point, Brad.  I need to choose to be inspired. Please pardon my negativity.  Inspiration is all around, but cannot take responsibility for one's lack of determination to see the mundane through to the other side.  

squidhead=inspiration

coffee relevance [sarcasm warning]

boy, if you would have told me ten years ago, where I would be today, I wouldn't have believed a word of it.  This may be the pinnacle of my career in coffee.  I just never imagined I could be burning so clean on pure coffee passion that I... I... would be leading a pack of webelos around the roasting plant.  I don't mean to brag, but come on... Little Frankie's troop, and his mom baking cookies for the occasion?  Why would I ever want to leave a coffee job that has nothing to do with coffee?  dunno.  

someone call in a bomb threat.

peladose

Everyone got a little time with Pela this past weekend.  Grandparents on all sides had a fix.  It's fun to see Pela react to them all with love.

cuties

pals

Pela did well traveling with us to Iowa over Thanksgibbing.  Sarah's brother, Nathan & Emily, his wife of a few days got married.  It was a beautiful ceremony, and reminded me sharply of a husband's need and vow to honor, protect and cherish the Godgift he has received.  

Thanks Sarah for your beauty and wisdom you display every day.  

step it up creative dads & moms.

keep your skills sharp make lunch fun.  Pela is not there yet, but the bar has been set for yet another way to bless one's kids.  

Check out more here.

fascination

Happy Thanksgiving All

double kneed cords for big walls

I want this.

More inspiration HERE

It was a brisk weekend in KC.  The three of we got out a little bit.  Pela took in some strings and the culture(?) of the local chopping mecca of the plaza.  

"Selling, in its purest form is simply sharing enthusiasm."

-Dan Miller

rope swing house

I had to post this again. Ryan, thanks for being you, and Gloria, thanks for tolerating Ryan...

s u p ?

Bettisis

On my way back from Ethiopia, I had a 7 hour layover in D.C.  Our good friends James and Michelle were kind enough to trek up from Baltimore and hang out.  Michelle is happily teaching younglings, and James is fighting in the world of business, trying to do good business in a doppelganger version of my job in a different industry.  Anyhow, thanks J&M, we love you.  

some sights from today

oops, we went to Estes...

for about 45 minutes.  

more pics from the patch

you don't need pants to help out in the kitchen

whilst teething heavily, comfort measures have escalated.