So much to do, so little time!!

It has been a while since I last updated the blog!! We have been so busy lately. Colin and I have been leading "small" group for young adults at our church this fall (I put small in quotes because we have almost 30 people in the group!). It has been pretty awesome, we are making some great relationships and growing closer the Lord everyday. In the beginning we were both a little hesitant to be in leadership positions like this, but wow, it really has been great so far! We are excited to see were it goes as we continue on!

Last Sunday I completed my first half marathon!! I don't think I could have picked a harder one to do for my first. The first 3 miles were almost completely up hill! And on top of that it was POURING, and windy and cold. It was almost totally miserable. But about half through it I started feeling pretty good and when I finished I felt so accomplished! I think it will be a while before I do another but I am definitely glad I did it!!

Today I am spending most of the day packing for our California trip! We leave bright and early tomorrow morning! I can't wait! I so need a vacation!!!! We're going with most of my family to celebrate my Grandma's 80th birthday. We will be staying in Oceanside which is in between San Diego and LA. We plan on going to Disneyland, the San Diego zoo, shopping, hanging out with family and relaxing by the pool!! We'll post pictures soon :)

Changing Seasons

Happy Fall Everyone! Tomorrow is the official first day of autumn and boy does it feel like it! Leaves are changing color and falling! It's practically pitch black out when I get up in the morning and the air is starting to have that fall crispness to it...and most importantly Starbucks is promoting pumpkin spice lattes and toffee mochas :) It's a new season! For Colin it is a new season in his life as well. Today is his last day working for the City of Portland, this is the longest position he has had since he graduated college, and it has given him so much experience. Hopefully enough for him to find a full time permanent position...what would that be like?! It seems twice a year we find ourself in this spot where the future is unknown. It has been these times when we realize how much we need to rely on the Lord and let him show us how great he is. We've also learned our lessons in managing money through these times. This time is not nearly as scary since we have gotten our budget down to work with just one income, it's just inconvenient because it means we won't be able to pay as much on our debt! We appreciate your prayers we try to figure the "what's next"!


"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. -Jeremiah 29:11

Life Update

Wow, I have been slacking in the Blogging Department!! The last month or so has been jam-packed with fun stuff!!

At the end of August we went backpacking with another couple from our church. We went to the Salmon Huckleberry Wilderness next to Eagle Creek. It was wonderful! We didn't see any other people while on our hike and we camped right next to the creek. The weather held up until our hike back to the car it started to a rain a little bit. It was fun to get out and spend a little time with nature :)
All geared up!

The next weekend was our anniversary!!! 2 wonderful years of marriage :) I have to say that sometimes wonder how I got so lucky with Colin. He really is a great husband and a wonderful man of God. I strive to be as good to him as he is to me!!
One of my favorite wedding pics :)

Also during our anniversary weekend my friend Michelle made a spontaneous visit from Idaho! I usually only get to see her once a year but this is number 2 :) She just started selling Premier Designs Jewelry so I put on a party for her last minute so she could write the plane ticket off as a business expense! We went out on the town one night to a Karaoke place called Voice Box for a friends birthday shindig. On the way there we were both saying how we probably wouldn't be singing any songs. But that wasn't the case I think we sang like 20 songs....all songs that took us back to our high school and middle school days (aka boy bands) :)
Me, Michelle & Ashley...singing our hearts out

We spent Labor day weekend in the Ochoco Forest (down by Prineville, OR) at a cabin with Colin's family. It was so fun! We made amazing meals (we were definitely not "roughing" it), played games, took walks and just relaxed.


These last couple weeks I have really been stepping up my 1/2 marathon training. I asked Colin if he would start running with me to keep me going since he isn't training for anything. And it has been great! So far we have done two 4 mile runs at a way faster pace than I am used to and a 7 mile run. I was pretty proud of those 7 miles!!! It's been a while since I was able to make it that far! I still have a little over a month left until the big day, I know I can do it!

This last weekend our church had a free concert with Warren Barfield. I had never heard of him before this, but he was AWESOME!!! And I actually did know a couple of his songs. One of them was featured in the movie Fireproof (great movie by the way). So we bought all 3 of his CDs. Below is a link to a song you may recognize if you've seen Fireproof... enjoy :) "Love is Not a Fight"

Robert A Sachse 11/14/1927 - 8/16/2010 R.I.P.

On more of sad note, my grandpa (my mom's dad) passed away on Monday of this week. It was pretty sudden. He was riding his bike down at the harbor (like he did everyday) and fell and broke his hip. He was rushed to the VA Hospital and then he started experiencing heart failure and had to be put on life support. His kidney's started to shut down a couple days later. The doctors said he probably would not live without being on life support and he passed away a few days later. In a way it is almost better that he didn't have to live for weeks or months on life support. His quality of life up to this point was pretty good and the last thing he did was what he loved doing...riding his bike. The timing is kind of crazy since we have a trip already booked to go down and visit them in California in November. It will still be good to go down and visit my grandma, and have family around her during this time. Just wish we could have gone down sooner so Colin could have a chance to meet him.

Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
-1 Thessalonians 4:17-18

Lake Steven's Tri & other fun things from the weekend :)

This last weekend we headed up to the Seattle area for Colin's last triathlon of the year! I think he has been feeling a little burnt out and he was just ready to get it over with. This was the first major Ironman sponsored triathlon that he has done. So all the famous pro-triathletes were there. It was kind of cool! And the course was actually set up pretty well so I could get a few pictures. This was definitely more organized than some of the smaller races we have been to!


Starting out on the run!

Looking good on the bike!

Finishing strong! Way to go!!!

Happy to be done!

When we got to Seattle we went with our friends to an outdoor bike races. Then Saturday we went to a Seahawks game. It was pretty fun and our seats were like 2nd row. I have never been to an NFL game...it was only pre-season, but still pretty cool.

Friske's & Kambak's outside Quest field for the Seahawks game!

How is it August already?

I cannot believe it is already August!! I am hoping for a long indian summer to make up for all the dreary weather we had in June. So now Colin and I are hoping to fit in a few trips to take advantage of the weather while it's here! This weekend we may go camping, just for a night or go to the beach. I vote for the beach, I like to camp but the weekend of August 21st we are going backpacking with another couple from church and labor weekend we are going on a camping trip with some of Colin's fam, so the beach sounds good to me :). Colin has his last tri for the season the weekend of August 14th, in Lake Stevens Washington. We will be staying with our friends Brian & Elisa again, they are so nice to let us come stay with them every time we are up there!!! And our 2 year anniversary is on the 29th of this month!! I'm not sure if we are going to for sure yet, but we both kind of wanted to head up to Wild Waves (a water/amusement park) in Tacoma for the day! I haven't been there in years! That is our tentative plan.

We have lots to look forward to! The other night we booked plane tickets to San Diego for November. We will be heading down there with my family to celebrate my grandma's (my mom's mom) 80th birthday. Colin has not met this side of the family so it will be fun and I haven't been down to see family since I was a sophomore in college. We will be going to Disneyland (Colin has never been!!), the San Diego zoo, hopefully surfing and other fun stuff!

For Christmas this year are going to Sitka! It will have been 2 years since we were there last. First we are going to make a stop off in Anchorage and see Ashlee, Brian & the twins for a few days. Should be a fun trip. Though I really love the sun and the summer I am looking forward to our winter trips :)

Bye Bye Bank of America!!!!

We have finally paid off our car! WOOO HOO!! No more payments to Bank of America. ever. again. Now we just got to start plugging away at our student loans :) It looks sexier, now that it is totally paid for :) lol