Happy Anniversary

Weren't we the cutest little things?? Could either of us have imagined on August 19, 1995 where we'd be today? Three lovely and lively kids...our little house...both working in vibrant ministries that focus on Kingdom work...and a marriage that gets better and better with time. I like walking this journey with you and look forward to growing old with you (except for the annoying old man habits you are already developing). I love you.

So Much For Flattery

This is what happens when you have a marriage built on honesty...

Allan: You sure do have a lot of gray in your hair.
Kristi: It's true. Should I color it?
Allan: Hmmm...yes.

Okay, then. There you have it. Don't hold back, hon, really.

Technical Pain of Epic Proportions

Note To Self: When one is implementing a new spectacular tagging system for one's prized, uber-organized email structure, deleting one's previously used email folders will in fact erase all of one's emails. That would be years and years worth of emails. Including all of those marked "important" and "follow-up". Losing all of one's emails can be that little shove that sends an already mentally fragile mind over the precipice.

Note To Self: Good call marrying a guy who can fix all of that in a few days.

Question #1

My friend Jennifer, over at Creative Outlet Labs has introduced her readers to Canadian executive coach Michael Bungay Stanier and his 5 3/4 Questions You've Been Avoiding. I figure that if I work through one question per day, I'll be a whole new person by mid-afternoon on Saturday!

What's going well for you?

My marriage is probably my greatest team success story. Allan and I talk deeply, argue well, laugh often, and genuinely enjoy each other.

My kids are not out-of-control and I have not caused them any intentional physical harm (how's that for looking at the positive!). Although parenting is a tough process, my children are generally sweet kids who hug me a lot, make me laugh, and dance & wrestle with me with reckless abandon. They are healthy, active, and on target developmentally.

We are financially stable. We have a home and a car and can pay our bills on time (or close to it).

I have a wonderful extended family to whom I am immensely proud to be related. Everyone is healthy. No one is too much of embarrassment to handle.

My job is one for which I feel deep passion.

I am enjoying the age I am, the health I have, and the ways I am growing mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Although we do not connect as much as I would like, there are seasoned friendships in my life that bring me much peace.

We get to live in Portland - a place I deeply love (especially on a sunny fall day like today).

Beautiful Day at the Park

Happy Valentine's Day

I happen to be spending this Valentine's Day with my three littler loves while my first love is out for the evening. Signs of our old love (old in the good sense - like aged wine) that I am noticing on this particular evening when he's not here? I had to hang up my robe that always ends up tossed on the bed; I didn't realize that had become part of his daily routine. No one is telling me that I shouldn't be watching Criminal Minds before bed (although it bothers him much more than it does me). There are no willing hands here to rub my feet. I have to clean out the kitty litter - blek! One day to remember to say "I love you" is fine, but it the little daily gifts that mean everything.