goodbye, friend

Dear 2010,

You won't be over for a couple more days.

But I miss you already.

You were a good, good year. And I'm sad to see you go.

You were the year that this amazing guy turned 30

& graduated from nursing school.

And you were the year that I finished seminary

& earned this.

Oh yeah, and you were the year we welcomed this little guy.

He might just be the best thing ever.

Yep, I'd say you were a darn stinkin' good year.

Goodbye, friend. I'll remember you fondly.

My 29th Birthday

Sunday was my birthday.

We are excited for Baby Baker to arrive but we decided that, since our weekends of picking up and going somewhere are coming to an end (or at least a hiatus), we would pack the car for the day and head to Vail.

I had never been before and David had only been in the winter but it was BEAUTIFUL! The weather was perfect. There was a farmer's market so the streets were packed with local vendors selling baked goods, homemade soap, and beaded bracelets. There was even a steel rim band!

We walked along Gore Creek to the gondola ride, which took us to the top of Vail Mountain. The views were fantastic and we ate lunch at the top. Even at 37 weeks, I was able to hike around a little bit and it felt great to be moving and active.

Sunday evening we headed to City Park Jazz with some friends. Even though it had been hot all day, the evening weather was perfect and cool AND I didn't get a single mosquito bite. (Oh, how I love Denver...)

I enjoyed celebrating with our Colorado family, but I felt the love from our Kansas family as well. Thanks for the phone calls, texts, and cards! =)

P.S. I hesitated to put up the pictures because I look huge, hot, and tired in all of them but decided that was just part of turning 29 this year. Here's hoping that I look more like myself at 30!

Time to Party!

Once graduation was over, it was time to party! Saturday we headed to Colorado Springs and visited Garden of the Gods and Seven Falls.

Saturday night we had a party at our new house. David grilled burgers and we had LOTS of yummy food (thanks to my mom, Patty, Lauren, and Greta). Hooray for parties!

Graduation!

It's official. I've earned my Master of Divinity degree!

Lauren, my mom & brother, Steve & Patty all arrived Thursday afternoon to begin the festivities. Steve helped David get the back yard ready and the girls shopped for party food. (After we got pedicures!)

We had an early dinner at Maggiano's Little Italy before the graduation ceremony on Friday night. I was SUPER hot during the ceremony (Thanks to Bambeano) but enjoyed it anyway. For me, the most special part was the "dialogue" between professors and students.

My advisor had this to say:

"Don't retreat back into an uncritical faith or stay forever in the place of deconstruction and endless questioning. Join the company of those who are rebuilding. This is your job, to help these ancient traditions speak good news to a hurting world."

To which I responded:

"Like the story of Jacob who wrestled with the Angel, many of us feel like our time in seminary has been one long night of wrestling--full of doubt, fear, struggle, anxiety, and even pain. Today, however, you are here to witness that we walk away blessed--we may also walk with a limp--but we carry our blessing with us."

It's hard to believe graduation has come and gone. A BIG thank you to my family for being here to help me celebrate!

Baby Shower in Denver

I don't have all the pictures from last weekend's shower, but here are a few that my mom took. It was a very special day!

My mom flew out for the weekend =)

The hostesses:

Mandy, Lorissa, and Greta

Greta wrote and led a "Mother Blessing Prayer for Tiffany," which was my favorite part:

God, you who birthed us and nurtured us, be present with us in this moment as we celebrate new life and ask your blessing over our sister, daughter, and dear friend, Tiffany. God in your grace,

Hear our prayer.

We give you thanks, Mother God, for those who have come before. For the countless generations of women who have brought your miraculous life into this world time and time again. May their strength and wisdom be a blessing for our friend now, as she becomes a mother. We give you thanks for Iva Lee, Tiffany's mother, and hold her in your love and grace as she becomes a grandmother. God in your grace,

Hear our prayer.

God of compassion, we give you thanks for those who prepare the way for this new child. For friends and family. For Tiffany, who works diligently and stands courageously on the side of justice and truth. For the child's father, David, who cares for and heals your children who are sick, hurt, and addicted. For every person, everywhere, who is making this world a better place for children to live. God in your grace,

Hear our prayer.

Tiffany, may you feel God's spirit of peace--for good health and calm nerves. For smooth doctor checkups. For an abundance of stretchy pants and as much sleep as you can possibly get. For joy and wonder. God in your grace,

Hear our prayer.

To the new baby, you who are growing, kicking, and making yourself known already--we don't even know you yet, but we love you. Do us a favor and be as good as possible to your parents. When it comes time to be born, be brave. We cannot wait to welcome you! God in your grace,

Hear our prayer.

And now, may the Spirit of the Living God, made known to us most fully in Jesus Christ, go before you to help prepare the way for this child. May it go beside you, so you know you are never alone. And may it dwell within you to remind you that you are loved beyond your wildest imagination. Amen.

***

I am a very, very lucky woman indeed.

Best. Weekend. Ever.

Well, I can tell my life is changing. There were immigration rallies all over the country this weekend but I was nowhere to be found. Instead, I was opening baby gifts and eating tiny quiche. Maybe someday I will figure out how to be a justice-seeking mama...

Despite my guilt, the weekend was really, really wonderful. The shower on Saturday was hosted by my dear friends, Carrie and Lauren, and my two sisters-in-law, Rachel and Emily. It was obvious to me (and everyone who came) how much energy and love had gone into planning and putting on the shower. The decorations were beautiful, the food was divine, and every detail of the shower was carried out with thoughtfulness.

The shower on Sunday was hosted by two friends at my mom's church. Aldersgate is where I was baptized and confirmed, and where I spent most of my growing-up years. It was special to celebrate a new baby with people who "remember me when."

Overall, I felt totally showered with love and care. It is a very special thing to know that so many people I love also love my baby and wish good things for him. I'm a very, very lucky woman.

Oh, and to top it off, we found out on Sunday that David passed the NCLEX!!! When he graduated from nursing school 6 weeks ago, I didn't think I could ever be more proud of him. I was wrong. =)

David's graduation

HE DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy 30th, David!

Yesterday was David's birthday and we celebrated big! We went to breakfast at "Snooze" and sampled a pineapple upside-down pancake. Yum!

David thought our weekend in Keystone was his BIG birthday celebration but, little did he know, I had another trick up my sleeve. I took him to Wynkoop Brewery for dinner and our friends in Denver were there to surprise him. It was very cool. =)

He was flooded with cards and phone calls yesterday wishing him "Happy Birthday." It's easy to understand why this guy is so loved!

Birthday Weekend in Keystone

Since David is turning 30 next week, we decided this birthday celebration should be special. We headed to the mountains on Friday and spent two nights at the Inn at Keystone. Our friends drove up on Saturday so the boys could ski with David and the girls could keep this big-bellied gal company at the outlets.

Keystone is only an hour away but it felt like a real retreat from our hectic lives in Denver. We had a great time celebrating a REALLY awesome man! =)

Happy New Year!

Well, we have lived in Denver for 2 1/2 years but this was our first new year's here! Matt and Lorissa came over on New Year's Eve and we made cheese and chocolate fondue. It was yummy and WAY cheaper than going out for fondue. Denver does fireworks on New Year's Eve so we went down the street to watch them.

We actually stayed up until 1 (no small miracle for the pregnant lady!) and then went over to their house on New Year's Day for brunch. The guys made us brunch while we put our feet up and drank tea. I LOVE "Man Brunch!" =)

A Look Back at 2009...

In January, we went to see "The Color Purple" at the Denver Performing Arts Center.

In February, David turned 29...

went skiing with his dad...

and I was invited to preach at Trinity's Ash Wednesday service.

In March, we were honored to be a part of Matt and Emily's wedding. (Yay for a new sister-in-law!)

...and we went to California to see our "California Family."

April and May must have been uneventful because I have no pictures from these months! (I'll just insert two cute pictures of our adorable puppies...)

The summer was BUSY! In June, we celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary...

and my 28th birthday...

and Bob & Sally's 60th wedding anniversary in St. Louis.

In July, my mom and brother came to visit...

and I went to Israel/Palestine...

with Christian Peacemaker Teams.

In August, David hiked his first "14er"...

Carrie & Greg came to visit us...

and so did Lauren.

In September, we went camping in Colorado for the first time...

and ran our first 10K together...

and Steve & Patty came to visit.

In October, I went on retreat with the women at Trinity...

and we celebrated Halloween with friends.

In November, we celebrated my brother's 21st birthday...

and announced to our families that we are having a baby.

In December, David was the best man in his friend's wedding...

and we celebrated Christmas with our families.

2009 was a REALLY great year! We are so thankful for our family and friends who helped make this past year so special and we eagerly anticipate all the adventures that 2010 will bring...David will turn 30 and will graduate from nursing school, I will graduate from seminary, and we will become parents in July!

We wish YOU a year filled with joy, love, and blessings. Here's to 2010...