Wish List

At the urging of the grandparents' (ahem...Mom A and Mom T actually), I have now created an Amazon Wish List to keep a running list of gift ideas for Tyndell (am I supposed to add ANYTHING we want on there?) and our family. This post title link will take you to the list online and I have also added a link to the right. It's a universal list so anyone can search for my name on Amazon and it will most likely come up, but I thought I would add the links on here just in case someone can't find it. Jeff and I are admittingly picky about kids' stuff AND we don't have a lot space in our house for stuff so....yeah...it makes us a tad difficult. This feels a little weird doing this wish list thing though - it's like I did it because I now have these expectations and want a bunch of gifts, but that's really not it. I'm literally just following directions from my Mothers on this one....it's a little weird...but I understand their point of view SO hope this helps anyone interested in this sort of thing!

15 Minute Adventure

Last Saturday morning, Tyndell and I went on a little 15-minute adventure around the corner from our house. I don't think I've expressed yet on here Jeff and I's EXTREME distaste for DST - that's right - the dreaded, Daylight Savings Time. Ever since it's started, I've been so sad because I hate coming home from work and it's dark already but mostly because it makes going for walks with Tyndell after dinner pretty much impossible. I have passionate concerns about getting her into the sunlight and outside a little bit everyday and DST is definitely putting a damper in that. Anyway - I try really hard to spend some time outside with her on the weekends, especially now, even if it's just a few minutes before we have to do something else so that we can offset the effects of DST during the week. I am always amazed at the cool things lurking behind every corner in Florida - look at this awesome iguana and beautiful Cypress Trees we found just across the street from our neighborhood! We also saw this Apple Snail and some egrets too...anyway, for a moment we were able to forget our DST woes and love the nature that is available just around the corner...I'm pretty sure Tyndell is wondering, in this picture, where we could plant some of our own Cypress Trees...and whether Karma and Zen would appreciate a little lizard friend at home.

Happy 11 Months! Happy Dedication! Happy Birthday!

This has been a busy past week! Not only did Tyndell turn 11 Months old last week but she was dedicated at church this past Sunday too. It was a great day - oh yeah - and it was my birthday too! Anyway - since my parents moved down the week before last (have I mentioned this? I need to do a celebratory post on that) and Jeff's parents came down for the event, it was definitely a family affair....lots of hanging out. The Dads and I and Tyndell even made it down to a fun park and "Living Green Fair" on the beach in Fort Lauderdale and it was a beautiful day as you can see (and yes - that's a WHALE that we are posing with)! And we went over to my parents' house on Sunday to eat and hang out. Anyway - some fun shots from the weekend....and notice my new hairdo complements of my BFF Lauren, see the close-up above with the hot chicks - she gave me bangs AND highlights! Thanks L-dogg...

Pizza Night

Every few weeks, we try to get together with our best couples friends and have a pizza night - think friends, food, and chaotic kid play. We figured, we just make the get together simple - everyone brings something and we let the kids run amuck so that no one feels the pressure to get babysitters all the time but we still get to see each other. We hosted the last one at our place and here are some fun photos of the night. The only thing I missed was Jeff setting up the cornholes for nighttime play...

Proud Moment

Through the Master's program that I was involved in at Michigan Technological University, I met and was priviledged to work with one of the coolest advisors ever - Jim Mihelcic. He and his wife fall into that category of rare people you meet that you want to be like because you see the incredible influence they have had - they are inspiring and make you want to work hard to make the world a better place. When I think of people that have truly influenced me in my life - I personally have had two teachers that particularly come to mind and Jim is one of the two of them (the other being one of my elementary school teachers).

Well - it has been his vision for a long time to take all the lessons learned from the Peace Corps students and compile them into a field guide textbook - and it's finally complete! If you click on the title link above you can get your own copy of this awesome resource. I am so excited about it because there is nothing like it out there - it really helps to describe sustainable engineering approaches in the developing world for water and sanitation problems. Obviously - I am passionate about water issues because that is what Jeff and I did when we were in Mali and several of the problems and solutions we encountered are described in this textbook...and may I mention that I am credited as a contributor to two chapters (sorry for the plug but I am excited)! Anyway - the wonderful part is that people don't have to recreate the wheel in this context anymore and it will help facilitate faster, better solutions to people of real need. I am so proud of Jim and all that he has facilitated and really excited to have been a part of this project.

I'll find a nice picture of us with Jim and add to this post soon....