My News

courtesy of Dirk Knudsen

 Ok friends -- I know for about 2 months now I've been casually mentioning that something was in the works.  But darling husband didn't want me sharing details on the blog.  He's a little superstitious & cautious.  He never wants to step on toes.  So I had to stay mum.  A few close friends & of course family knew what was going on.  **FYI - this is NOT a post about babies, so don't get excited in that way! ;) 

2 months ago my high school opened the job for their head football coach.  My sweet husband is probably one of the best coaches I have ever encountered -- and I know I've shared about him before.  So when this job opened up, we were beyond excited.  The opportunity to finally apply for one of his dream jobs & lead the charge at our local high school.  The job opened 12/22 & my efficient husband had his application submitted by New Years Day.  And then the waiting began...  Waiting for the school to interview/hire coaches for their spring sports.  Waiting for the call for an interview.  The interview came.  My dashing husband showed up looking professional & prepared.  The result of that interview we later found out came down to a 4-2 vote in support of giving him the job! We were beyond excited...but puzzled a bit also.  What would happen next?  The next call informed husband he would be asked to give a 45minute presentation on how he would run the program at the school.  Again my wonderful honey put all his efforts & focus on preparing for that presentation & he worked nearly non stop for the next 4 days to be ready.  After his interview he called me fully energized. He said he had nailed it & felt completely confident & comfortable.  But most of all, he felt a release -- this entire journey we have been praying for contentment & patience, releasing any hold we might have on that job to the Lord.  That His will would be done & that we would find joy in where He would have us.  
Again the vote after the final presentation was 4-2...can we say stressful?!  We had to wait a full day before we got the news....

We were at boys basketball game when the athletic director of the school spoke with Isaac & offered him the position as the Head Coach!!! ECSTATIC does not even begin to fully express how I felt when Isaac told me in the parking lot of the high school.  I may have even done a jumping spin to release my energy!   And to make it even more special, Isaac shared the news with me along with the current head coach & his wife that Isaac has worked with for 7 years.  They are one of the best couples I have ever met, and they fully welcomed me in to their family & community.  They're a good picture of how I hope Isaac & I can be in a lot of ways. Scott & AnneMarie have taught both Isaac & I a lot of lessons about being a head coach & a coach's wife.  Those lessons I'll hold near as we venture in to this new arena.

So now it begins....here I stand as a 26yr old head coach's wife, at my alma mater.  Being completely honest there are parts of me that are beyond nervous about what's to come & what expectations there may be of me, and those I may have already placed on myself...But thankfully we have amazing family & friends already surrounding us in support.  If nothing else I have clearly seen how the Lord works for the good of those who believe & He has the perfect plan in place for us.
Here's the link to the small announcement published by our local newspaper sharing the news on Isaac's hire: KeizerTimes 

Here's to a new adventure! I'm back to my Celtic Blue!
<3 

Here's the deal...

Sometimes there are just days when nothing seems to go right, feel right, or be right.  Today was that day.  Everything felt off.  And so the only remedy for this type of day is to come straight home, put on the most comfortable clothing, eat a delicious dinner, drink an adult beverage (if you so choose), and watch some trashy TV. 


Yup that's right, trashy TV is a must on days like these.  What are you go to trashy TV shows?? Some of mine include the following: Basketball Wives, Real Housewives of...., The Bachelor, Teen Mom, Jerseylicious, Diners/Driveins/Dives, etc.  I will say I DEFINITELY steer clear of shows like Hoarders, Intervention & the like.  Those types of shows give me such an anxiety...yeesh.  


Friends I hope to have some more news to share on the home front, but the last few weeks our attention & focus have been on one topic -- one I can't share quite yet in its entirety.  But I'm hoping to roll it all out here soon.  But if you could, please keep sending those good thoughts our way!


Here's to being thankful tomorrow is a new day!
<3

My Haven....(picture heavy)

I think my last post I shared about our cabin in WA & how much it means to me.  This past weekend we did some work, but mostly rested.  Mom & I left town in the early afternoon and drove the 4hrs to Ocean Shores...with a few stops for furniture/groceries in the mix.  A few hours later my dad & hubby showed up (they both were working at their respective basketball games).  

But as I promised...here is a mini photo tour of our cabin...I left out a couple items, like the bathrooms & laundry closet.  But you should get the jist of the place.  It's not much -- but it really is a haven, a safe place to let down your hair...or just wear your sweats. Here we go...

The "back" of the cabin

The cabin sits on a canal -- so the locals refer to the side facing

the canal as the "front"

 Our "one butt" kitchen -- simple & to the point.

Ideally in a few years we're going to re-model this bad boy to make

it more functional :)

Dad & Hubby doing work in the downstairs bedroom

It's not a lovely shade of yellow 

 Dining Area + bamboo shelf w/ family photos & trinkets

Living Room -- mom & I will be painting side tables white

And we're on the hunt for the perfect coffee table...

Our room upstairs -- new bed & everything! Pretty peaceful

 

Upstairs sitting area...mom calls this the "den"

  View from upstairs sitting area out to the canal

Sun porch

I've said it before & I'll say it again -- this is probably one of my most favorite places in the world.  The town is unpretentious, the people are kind, and it's quiet.  I love this place.  My Gran was such a good steward with her home to leave a wonderful place for us to go to & rest. I can not wait until the next weekend I can get up there!!

<3

 

Glory Glory It's Friday

Thank you Dear Lord baby Jesus that today is Friday... It has been a crazy week.  Filled with a crazy work schedule, craziness at home, hosting friends last night, spending time with my niece and trying to maintain a solid grounding.  To quite frank, my thoughts & emotions have been on a roller coaster & it's quite tiring.

I'm sure the Lord has something He's trying to teach me in this -- and I'm anxious to see what that might be.  But let me tell you, in the moment, in the thick of it...it is so challenging to rest knowing that to be the case.  So I am frantically trying to finish my work here at the office, so I can run home to pack for my weekend at the cabin.  My beloved cabin, one of the places where my soul truly finds rest.  

I'm hoping to just rest, relax, and enjoy the quiet....
What are you doing this weekend??
<3

The Cabin

I'm not sure if I've ever mentioned it before -- but there is a place that completely calms my soul.  It's the one place where I have always been allowed to just kick my feet up & nap all day long if that's what I had on my agenda.  My Gran's cabin is the best place on earth.  It is so calm, so quiet, and so unassuming.  No false pretenses in Ocean Shores.  Just real people living life.  No hoity-toity personality, just down to earth life.  It's so refreshing.

Since my Gran passed last year, it was hard at first to go there and not think she was just upstairs in her room napping (something she was notorious for).  But in spite of her not physically being there -- the peace that came with just being present in the cabin was immeasurable.  My mom & I have often described it as being like getting a big hug from Gran.  I try to go up there at least once a month, just to decompress and rest.  And let me tell you -- this coming weekend can't get here soon enough!  We'll be tackling a few projects around the cabin, but mostly looking forward to kicking up my feet and resting.

It's comforting to be in the place that my Gran loved so much & be surrounded by reminders of her.  Her motto for the beloved cabin: "It's just the beach" -- which always meant, there's no pressure here so just be yourself!  
I'll try and snap some pictures of the cabin this weekend to share.

On a side note -- I have to apologize for the nutty, pessimistic posts lately.  Ever go thru those phases where nothing seems to be right or in line?  That's been me. But was reminded at church yesterday to submit to the Lord with humility & trust that the "upper" story will take care of the "lower" story I'm living.  But I'm always welcoming prayers in that department -- releasing things aren't my strong suit.
<3

beyond ready

at this point in the day i am beyond ready for the weekend.  ready to get out of the confines of my office.  ready to get away from nutty clients & annoying office politics.  and i am more than ready to not have to think about every single thing that i'm doing & how it's being perceived and/or interpreted.

why do people always have to assume that something is wrong with me because my door is shut. i'm freakin' working people.  urgh

i am thankful that the sun is out, it's at least been nice to be wearing my sunglasses....a rare event in OR in February.  and so the only thing on my agenda this evening is to get dinner for my sick husband, put on my jammies, and curl up in bed to catch up on my DVR. can not wait!
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