Sister of Mine

In my sister, I am blessed. God's gifted me in both a blood relation and a friend. Katina and I have had many seasons in life. We grew up in the same bedroom. First we shared a bunk bed and then had separate futons. I remember going from frenemies to best friends in that bedroom. When we first moved in, our bedroom had red, yellow, green, blue, and white striped wall paper from it's previous male occupant. We left if for some time, then tore it all off and in our family's style didn't paint if for a very long time. Our parents surprised us one weekend and painted it for us while we were gone. We had decided on our colors: blue and purple, sponge painted. A compromise, as they were both our favorite colors. During the day we'd have our own personal dance parties in our room, grooving to tunes such as Funky Town, Brick House, and Lady Marmalade. Lying in our separate futons we'd talk all night. Sometimes we cuddled. Sometimes we were quiet and I'd hide under the covers with only my watch's push button light to illumine the pages of whatever book I was reading currently. She probably did something similar without me knowing it. (I'm SO glad we didn't have laptops at the time!)

When we moved into our Nanny's house we fought horribly for the first month. She and I have this joke that we only fight now in front of our family. Our brother says we're the worst roommates. (He just doesn't know.) We've learned a lot and grown even closer over the past 6 months. We joke that this has been great training ground for marriage someday.

My sister and I have had some great adventures together. In December of 2010 we had our first road trip together. We couldn't go too far, so we went to Phoenix, AZ about an 8 hour drive from where we live.

We had In-N-Out

The golden boomerang of the west has the yummiest of burgers.

And went hiking

trail head

Katina demonstrates that the rocks are funny

We like each other. 

And we look alike, too.

In three weeks my sister and I will be adventuring together in Belgium for three months. I'm so glad God gave her to me, and can't wait to go to the other side of the world with her! 

Stay tuned for posts from Genval, Belgium. 

Picture Diary

My Mom made a calendar for our grandparents with pictures we had taken over the past year. She asked if I could contribute several of my photos, so it got me looking over a whole year's worth of photos. I really enjoyed the time of reflection on what I had done last year...so I thought I'd share. So get ready for...

A Year In Photos! 

disclaimer: This in no way encompasses the happenings of an entire year. These pictures just skim the surface of events, emotions, growth, pain, joy, and God's grace! Also, no worries if you don't want to look at ALL of these! :)


Proceed.

The year began with a wedding

Pictured is my friend the maid of honor.
Matchy matchy!

What's goin' on? Oh yeah, we're just goofin. 

Some sweet sister and friend fellowship time.

Then Chick-fil-A went and came out with these awesome ketchup packets of delightfulness.

I don't know about you, but this event may have made my year.

Heh heh heh

Then there were some amazing times with my friend, an international student from over the big ol' ocean. We went to the bosque, went to Zumba together and talked about weird somewhat creepy instructors. She lived with us for a while before hopping back over the pond. Love her lots! 

 

Saying goodbye at the airport. :(

There was some random snow.

And our beautiful dogs LOVE playing in it! 

Mags hurt her foot and had to wear a cute little boot.
Should've taken a video...

Then the snow melted, there were ample trails to conquer and therefore, much hiking to be done.  

And trips to be taken!

And silly faces to make!

And more trails to conquer in Colorado.

Where the rocks shaped like camels kiss.

And pictures are taken from forbidden points:

Exploring an area of the bosque we'd never been to before with the brosefs.

What? More hiking?

Yes.

A little scurry off the path of my favorite trail (Pino Canyon Trail)
there's this HUGE boulder with a tree growing out the top.

More Summer Fun

Sweet, amazing girl got married this year and is on a new adventure with her husband. :)

A spontaneous picnic in the mountains made some sweet memories and cute pictures.
L's comment on this photo on facebook was, "Ok, just sayin', how are we not all married?!?" She must be psychic because E's getting married next month! 

A's been such a sweet friend in my life.
She'll be getting married this year as well!

In June I went with my church youth group to Noah's Ark in Buena Vista, CO for a some awesome camping and overnight river rafting. Definitely recommend it!

Wet suits are awesome, comfortable, and extremely flattering. 

My Uncle is the Dean of a Baptist college in Texas and came here for a meeting so we got to see him... 

:)

...and show him the views.

Got to see Rascall Flatts with Jo

And explore the volcanoes with E

I love this city!

In August I made more friends from England. 

I have so enjoyed this dear sweet girl. 

Coon hats and a sheriff's badge.

                                         

The fall is one of my siblings and my favorite time to go to the bosque.

During a baby shower the sibs nabbed me and took me to our favorite bosque location.

I was wearing this. 

And the sky looked like this

Fall turned to winter and we had lots of snow.

Tina made a teeny snowman atop our bush.
He was very faithful at guarding our house.

Christmas  parties galore

Christmas staff party brought out some fun sweaters.

Soooo...happy New Year to you (two months late)!

It's such a blessing to remember and to think back on all that's happened and all that God's done. Here's to another year of growth and more hopes placed in Christ in 2012.