2012... a year in review :)

Whew!  This year went like a flash!

In JANUARY...

•  we went to Juneau to visit Tim's Aunt, Uncle & cousins :)  SO fun!  We ate delicious food from Aunt Becky, trecked around the snow with Johnny and Emily and has many games of Settler's with all the cousins.  I was feeling under the weather, and had my first panic attack on a plane, but it was such a memorable trip to ALASKA with the family!
• LEAVENWORTH in the snow!  We stayed at our favorite bed and breakfast, and found out that cross-country skiing isn't for sissies (like me).  Lots of time in the hottub, drinking beer, eating fondue :) 

In FEBRUARY

• We has a birthday party for my mom and she cried while we sang happy birthday :)
• We surprised Sally (the mother-in-love) with a party Kurkinen style at Joe & Asena's

In MAY...

• I celebrated a QUARTER CENTURY! With a FABULOUS birthday made special by my hubby :)
• We lost sweet Grandpa K.  

In JUNE...

• Tim started his position at Portland Parks :)  

In JULY...

• We had a fun celebration in Corbett on the 4th
• Phil & Megs welcomes Adam into the Kurkinen family!  
• Stephen & Christy came from Taiwan with their two girls (and one was on her way) and their exchange students.  It was SO fun to see them for a whole month.  I hope they come back next year!
• We went to Seattle and visited Jenna from nursing school and just fooled around for a couple days.

In AUGUST...

• Tim & I celebrated our third anniversary!  And went camping for the first time just the two of us :)  Cascadia was gorgeous!
• I went on a camping trip with Natalie and Katie... it was hot.  
• We got to take a Kurkinen picture with ALL of us!!  
• We went to Family Camp at Twin Rocks :)  Beautiful weather and lots of memories.

In OCTOBER..

• Tim turned 27!
• We went to our first couple's retreat!  And it was AMAZING!
• Stephen & Christy welcomed Joanna to the Kurkinen family - 12 grandkiddos in all now.

In NOVEMBER...

• Piper completed our family.... we just can't get enough of that crazy guy.
• We went to Seattle for a day and saw Lauren & Brant
• We has Thanksgiving at 

In DECEMBER..

• I had our regular Christmas get-together with the girls of Turd Ferguson in downtown Seattle.  We made some hilarious memories and traded jammies :)
• We celebrated Christmas at the Blodgett's after I worked Christmas Eve.  

There is so much to look forward to in 2013: Day shift. Tim will have some extra time with me, trips to the beach house we love, trips to Seattle to visit friends, celebrating 3 of our parents turning 60!, and more surprises to com, I'm certain.  It's fun to look back and see the blessings amidst the moments of trial.  

December Lately...

We're thinking of buying a home! Yikes!!! And I definitely am a little concerned about the process. We may even not find what we want and keep renting. Who knows...

I'm starting day shift soon (yikes!) :) What a transition that will be....

Lately I have had some personal struggles... God's peace is mine, though. He's ours. I'm thankful.

Here are some photos...

Piper

We adopted our newest family member: Piper! He comes from my dearest friend Natalie's mom and Grandma Boosie. Piper came from a farm so he us more used to cows and horses rather than traffic...

He is adorable, energetic and (mostly) obedient!

Most of the pictures are the same... But we can't help ourselves :)

What Shift? DAY SHIFT!!!

That's right, folks.  Just on the heels of my last post, I got some news that I will be going to day shift, My first day being January 1st!  :)  Hip, Hip, HOORAY!

I am so thrilled :)  Really.

Day shift is a hellofa lot of work, and of course working with all women = drama, but I am ready to take it on.

Can I list the POSITIVES?!

• sleeping at NIGHT (right?!)
• sleeping WITH my husband (when does that happen?  Only on day shift schedules!)
• Having my days off actually be a DAY off...and not sleeping through it only to be awake all night :)
• Being able to move further south without thinking of traffic
• Learning to have a regular sleep cycle 
• More time to see family, friends, go shopping, walk around
• An all around better outlook because I am SLEEPING
• Ahhhhh... day shift

So I refuse to listen to what the girls on nights hift say, "See you soon back here on nights shortly."  "It's horrible."  "You'll change your mind soon."

Instead I am going with what God has been speaking to me, my Mom has confirmed, Tim has confirmed, my other Momma Sally has confirmed, my frineds have confirmed:

THIS WILL BE A FREAKING BLESSING!!!!!

And more news on our soon-to-be family member .... Piper!

Made Me Glad

This month has felt SO full.

I know we all feel like that.  Some seasons can be bursting at the seams.  Even with all good events.

And I have some BIG dreams and HOPES that I would love to see God help bring about.  I've been in a rut.  Some good change, a routine, and more simplicity in my mind would be such a gift.

Until then, I fully know God's hand is in all of this.  My life, your life, the World.  He is weaving a story of need, of peace that passes all understanding and of deliverance.

So I send up prayers, and trust He's got my back through this time.  And when I am filled with anxiety, I pray for my unbelief, that He will help me believe that He is the LORD, my Deliverer.

When we were talking about Israel and The Exodus at church yesterday, I was reminded of how many times God had to say to Israel, "I am the LORD your God"  "I am the LORD;  Your Deliverer."  In the midst of their persecution, and wandering, He proved Himself faithful.  And He still will do that for us. He is in the midst of our suffering and reminding me to see the ways He has pulled through for me in miraculous ways, when  I saw no way out.

Here's the song that was running through my head ... "Made Me Glad" by Hillsong

I will bless the Lord forever 
I will trust Him at all times 
He has delivered me from all fear 
He has set my feet upon a rock 
I will not be moved 
And I'll say of the Lord 
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/h/hillsong/made+me+glad_20542544.html ] 
You are my shield, my strength 
My portion, deliverer 
My shelter, strong tower 
My very present help in time of need 

Whom have I in heaven but You 
There's none I desire beside You 
You have made me glad 
And I'll say of the Lord 

You are my shield, my strength 
My portion, deliverer 
My shelter, strong tower 
My very present help in time of need

Gingerbread Pancakes- it tastes like Christmas!

 It's been in the 80's and 90's this week... and it's amazing!  I bask in an Indian Summer.  The way when I walk outside and the sun hits my face and shoulders I can't help but be in a better mood.  Seriously.  No matter what the temperature. 

I also really really really like Fall... and it's coming!  The crunchy leaves, sweaters, cozy on the couch with a book and tea moments :)  And Tim and I can catch up on our favorite shows...

In honor of Delicious Autumn I’m posting my favorite pancake recipe: Gingerbread Pancakes.

Seriously.  It tastes like Christmas!
Gingerbread Pancackes.

1.5 c. (cup) white flour
1.5 c. wheat flour
1 c. b. sugar
1 T. (tablespoon) baking powder
1.5 t. (teaspoon) baking soda
1 t. salt
1 t. g. (ground) cinnamon
1 t. g. ginger
1/4 t. g. nutmeg
1/8 t. g. cloves
1/2 c. water
1/2 c. coffee, brewed and cooled to room temp.
4 lg. eggs, beaten
1/2 c. butter, melted and cooled
1/4 c. lemon juice

Mix all dry and wet (sugar with wet) items separately then combine. Cook on griddle and enjoy!
We top our cakes with whipped cream, applesauce or syrup (or all three!)  Yummmm!

*Side note* The first time I made these the batter was too thick. I have not altered the recipe from the first time I made them so extra water will be required. I also double this recipe and freeze the remaining cakes for a quick breakfast another morning

Home Improvement

I've been getting the crap out of our home for the last month. Simplifying so we won't have to move so much stuff next year and learning to live on less. It's been so freeing to donate and give away. A lot of people mention how I could garage sale my items or sell online, but I am just fine giving away an item the very day I label it as "unnecessary." So our place has SEVEN car loads less...

And I am reading an AMAZING book titled The Joy of Less by Francine Jay... It's transformed my perspective on our stuff and how I want to live not by surrounding myself with things, but rather live through experience. I have seven car loads less to organize, clean, store and stress over. More are going in the 'donate' pile each day :)