Fall Hike

From Kelly:

Yesterday we went up to Estes to go on our annual fall hike! We were a bit concerned when we rolled into town to find ourselves in the middle of a rainstorm complete with lightening and all. But, we decided to try to wait it out by going downtown to do some shopping. We killed some time in the shops (I bought a cute little candleholder for Halloween). And then we got some ice cream. By then, the sun was out and it was 70 degrees again so we decided to head up.

The hike was 1.7 miles up to Gem Lake. Though there was a lot of elevation gain, it was a pretty good hike. We saw lots of gorgeous leaves, of course, and a some pretty cool rock formations as well. The lake was smaller than expected, but absolutely gorgeous and all in all it turned out to be a pretty awesome day!

Mike makes his second mark...

What's up everyone?

I guess it's my turn to relay the details of our busy lives to you all. Here goes:

For some reason, it feels like Kelly and I are busier than ever! Now that Kelly is working full time, it seems like our evenings are getting cut shorter and shorter as we both have to wake up early. Bedtime has been strictly enforced since Kelly likes to sleep and needs her full 8 hours...i'm usually partial to falling asleep at my desk, so I try to get at least 6 or 7 hours, but this 8 hours thing is great! I had no idea that staying awake at work was possible! :P

Kelly and I bought a three-month pass to the new Erie rec center at it's been a real motivation for me to get off my butt and work out once in awhile. I forgot what it's like to actually be "in shape," and i'm slowly working towards not passing out on the treadmill after 3 minutes of jogging. ;) Suffice it to say, we're both looking forward to getting and staying healthy!

Kelly and I went to Oktoberfest last Friday and met up with a few friends. We spent the evening drinking beer, eating funnel cakes (yum!) and chatting. The Rockies' last home game happened to be that night, so they put on a fireworks show that we got to watch. Then, this past Friday, I guess we didn't get enough "bier", so we went back to Oktoberfest. :P I broke down and bought a 44 oz. stein that will probably find its way into a box in the crawlspace later. ;)

I don't know if I mentioned this in my last post, but I recently became the treasurer on the board of directors of a start-up nonprofit organization. We plan to build Christian schools in Kenya, and all along the eastern coast of Africa. Obviously, we want to start small, so we're trying to raise money to build the first school in Kenya right now. Please be in prayer for our organization, Building on the Rock, as we continue to organize the corporation and plan our fundraising activities. Thanks friends!

I guess that's all for now. I'm sure I forgot to mention a lot of things, so i'll let Kelly fill in the gaps later. :) Have a great weekend!

Working Girl

Well I survived my first week of work and have even managed to come back for week two. . . Here's a little update on my return to the corporate world:

On Monday I arrived and had to watch a 40-minute training video on harrassment (what? I'm not allowed to whistle at guys when they walk by my cube?? Ridiculous! ) I then got oriented and had a bit of basic training (to write a new email I just have to click "compose mail". Facinating.) Things did improve around lunchtime, though, as they usually do. My boss, team leader, and a couple others took me to lunch at a mexican place. I love mexican food so this was a huge highlight.

On Tuesday, I had more training to do, but also attended a training meting at lunchtime. It was interesting to learn more about what MWH Constructors actually does. It was also nice to feel like I had a "real" meeting to attend-- filled with imformation that wasn't obvious.

On Wednesday things really perked up-- My team leader introduced me to the other team members who had been out the previous two days. There are 8 people on my team and a couple of the guys are my age, which is a huge plus because I was thinking that everyone I was working with would be way older and therefore harder to connect with. I also realized that I already knew about 5 people in the company pretty well, so that was encouraging too. It was funny though, because I'm not used to being in the business world and I was a little bit surprised when everyone I knew already shook my hand instead of giving me a hug when they saw me again :)

Also, my team leader told me about a trade show we will be attending in san francisco. MWH constructors won an award and so we basically just have to go out there and spend a couple hours a day manning a booth and talking to people about the company and then the final two days all we have to do is go to a $100/head cocktail party and then a $175/head dinner the next night. Black tie. I'm super excited, especially because our good friend Tony lives ou there so I'll have a chance to hang out with him! I love to travel so this was a huge perk for me! Then we had indian food for lunch with my boss and team leader. It was yummy. I think I might be addicted to Saag.

On Friday I had my first staff meeting. It was the first opportunity I had to spend time with my group, so that was a plus. We all went out to lunch afterward too and had some delicious sushi! I think I am going to get spoiled by all the free lunches I've been getting! I got to talk a little more with the guys here who are my age, so that was good. I found out that one of them lives at 19th and Pearl, so really cose to where I used to live/work, so that was pretty cool.

As far as actual work, I haven't had much. I've edited some tables, etc. But they are kind of in a lull around here, so I haven't been too busy. It will be nice when I get some work to occupy my time. . .

So, overall it was a pretty good first week. I think this job isn't going to be as bad as I thought it could be, especially because I'm going to be in charge of trade shows for our company, so that will involve some travel.

Well, I guess that's all for now, I hope you are having a great week so far and I'll talk to you soon!

Just a quickie

From Kelly: Well after watching the Broncos defeat the Chargers by the skin of their teeth, it didn't seem quite right to just flip off the TV and get going on chores. So, I'll meander my way through a short blog.

Tomorrow I start my new job. You would think this would mean I was done with the old one, but not quite. I am still wrapping up a baby dedication that was scheduled for next week so today I had a meeting for that, and I taught the elementary class, and then next week I need to do the dedication on Sunday and finish up some paperwork. But THEN I will be totally done. That is going to be a strange strange feeling!

Mike is currently off saving the world. Well, someone's world at least. Daniel (his best friend)'s sister has a vision to build a school in Africa and in order to do this she needs to establish a non-profit and in order to do THAT, she has to have a board. So Mike has agreed to join the board and tonight is their first meeting. I think it's so great that he's been able to get involved with something related to helping other people and serving God in a tangible way, so I'm excited for him. And trying to keep my nose out of it at the same time-- letting it be his thing.

We have also been attending a new thing called Deepen that Pathways is putting on on Wednesday nights. It's a time of eating together, worship songs, a short teaching time, and then table discussions with a smaller group. There have been about 50 people in attendance, so it's a good size and I've really enjoyed the chance to do a Bible study again (not to mention the free dinner is a way bigger incentive than it should be). :)

Our friends have been living the high life lately: Heather and Daniel had their baby girl on Thursday. She is an absolute perfect combination of them-- Heather's nose and Daniel's chin. Totally adorable! I can't wait to see her grow. Also, Mariko and Colin just returned from Japan. They said it was hot but not sweltering and they got to see a wide variety of sights all around the country. What a cool trip!

Anyway, guilt is setting in and I'd better go check the laundry. . . Have a great week!!

Mike makes his mark on the blog

From Mike: What’s going on, party people? Alright, since Kelly started this blog, I figured I would inject some of my own personality into it and let you know some of the other things that have been going on in our lives lately. (and just so you know, I’m not writing this because Kelly has been bugging me to write something for a week now... honest!) ;)


Anyway, it’s been awhile since I have written a blog, so bear with me as I attempt to get back into the habit of sharing information with you that will undoubtedly bring me much criticism and embarrassment.


Kelly and I celebrated our six-month anniversary on September 1st! Of course, by “celebrate,” I really mean that she watched a movie while I fed my addiction to World of Warcraft… in completely separate rooms of the house. :P In all honesty, we both forgot that it was our anniversary until about half way through the day! Whoops! Now that is true love, my friends…


Did you know that you can re-live your childhood memories by joining an adult kickball league?? Well, Kelly and I started a team called “Just for Kicks” in the Mile High division of the World Adult Kickball Association! (and I thought those days of being the dorky shrimp who always got picked last for sports were behind me…) Anyway, it’s a ridiculously good time. We’re a little over half way through the season and we have a record of 2 wins, 4 losses. Our scrappy little team of amateurs may have a losing streak, but at least we can hold our own when we play flip-cup at the bar after each game! J


As for life on the home front, after much deliberation and several tiffs over chores, Kelly and I have decided to hire a housekeeper. I am excited about this for several reasons: first, because I suck at keeping up with my weekly chores; second, because I swear Kelly would divorce me if she noticed that the bathrooms weren’t getting cleaned every week; and third, because I’m just really, really lazy. :P Not that I’m counting on the housekeeper to ensure marital bliss, but it can’t hurt, right?


I’ve been noticing my waistline gradually expanding over the past few months…blame the desk job… Anyway, Kelly and I finally broke down and bought a pass to the new Erie rec center. We tried it out for the first time on Saturday and decided that it would be good for both of us to get back into a workout routine. So, as soon as this paralyzing soreness and tendonitis wears off, I’ll go back for a second workout. :P So look out friends! Maybe the next time you see me, I’ll be all beefy with 0% body fat! (or at least have the willpower to decline when you offer me food…)


I may be alone here, but who else is excited for football season??? I love football, and all the joy it brings. Not college football, mind you. No, I’m talking about Broncos football!! Speaking of which, did anyone watch the Broncos spank the Raiders last night? It may have been a boring game, but any game where the Blue and Orange can beat a team by almost four touchdowns is a great sight to see. Now we’re leading the AFC West! Super Bowl XLIII, here we come! :P

Anyway, that’s all I have the stamina to write now. I hope you’re all doing well and are being blessed richly. Until next time! Mike, out.

The whole job "thing"

From Kelly:
Well, since I created a buzz about the job thing and have generated more questions (sent to me via email) than I seem to have answered, I think I need to do some 'splaining.

So, I thought back in June that it was time for me to leave Pathways. I just wasn't feeling like I was the right person for the job anymore and was pretty burnt out on various aspects of the job, such as working every Sunday and having volunteers cancel on me at the last minute. Mike and I were also kind of longing for a church that was a little closer to home, so we could meet some people nearby.

I got up the nerve in early July to tell my boss that I quit. Well, he wasn't too happy about that and we worked out a plan where I would stay and we would hire a friend of mine to do Sundays and volunteers, since those were the two areas that were stressing me out. So, we did that. Katey started a couple of weeks ago and I was happy with my job again, even getting to do some communication things, which I was really liking.

But then. . . An old co-worker contacted me whom I have done some freelance work for in the past. She is at an environmental engineering company called MWH and they needed someone in her department. Now, she has asked me to come work there before and I have always said no. I had no desire to get back into the 80-hour work weeks and stressful culture I was in at my job before Pathways. But, she was relentless, so I told her I'd at least come in for an interview.

At the interview I met my potential boss, whom I really liked. She told me more about the job and it didn't sound too bad-- very little overtime (which can be made up as comp hours), a chance to work on a variety of marketing materials, some event planning for trade shows, some travel, bonuses, and some work on a new business line they are starting to develop involving biofuels. So, they basically offered me the job right then and fedexed the offer sheet overnight for saturday delivery in this really spiffy leatherbound portfolio. I was even more enticed when I found out they had offered me the top salary available for the position.

After giving it a lot of thought, Mike and I realized that if I take this job (which pays a LOT more), we would be able to pay off all of my debt that is still lingering on credit cards and student loans very quickly. This is a huge deal since we'd like to have kids in a few years and really don't want to be making debt payments when that happens (kids are expensive enough). Plus, this job will give us an opportunity to look around for a church near us where we can both feel at home and where we can hopefully meet some people nearer us. Also this job is much closer to home, which will save on car wear. So, overall it was kind of a financial decision to make the move.

I am pretty bummed to leave pathways when it comes down to it. I am going to miss my coworkers and the families I work with so much. I am also definitely going to miss the flexible hours. I am so nervous I won't even be ABLE to work normal hours again. . . I am also kind of stressed about when the heck I am going to get things done, like going to the dry cleaners or the post office. But, many people do that, so I'm sure it will be fine.

I'm also sad to leave because I have put so much energy into building the children's program at Uptown. I know everything there is to know about what happens there and I'm nervous that things won't go as smoothly when I turn it over to someone new. And I'm also bummed to be giving up some new things we have started recently that seem to be going really well. I hope the ball doesn't drop on those things.

But, I just keep thinking that this feels like the right thing to do and that by stepping out of my position I'm giving someone else a chance to thrive in it. I feel like this is what God is leading me to do, so all I have to be willing to do at this point is follow. . .

We suck at keeping in touch. . .

Which is why we ("we" being Kelly, Mike will find out when he gets home from work) have decided to start ourselves a blog! No promises about how often we'll get a chance to post, but something is better than nothing, eh?

These last couple of weeks have been absolutely nutty. Starting with my birthday, I feel like we've been spinning out of control. Since I know I would burn myself out on this whole blogging thing right from the start if I went into a lot of details, here are the overviews:

-- I had FOUR great birthday celebrations (birthdays are a huge deal for only children). First, we had a family celebration at Rock Bottom, then on the actual day we went to the Rio with a bunch of friends, Friday I had a co-celebration with my mom at Cheesecake Factory (which was not busy at all even though it was a Friday night. I couldn't believe it! I think it's because it was right before the DNC and people were afraid of downtown), and on Saturday night we rented a condo in the mountains with 8 other people. It was so fun to enjoy the mountains with my closest friends, especially because they were all still adjusting to the altitude :)

-- Six friends of mine were in town for the DNC, which was awesome. I love hanging out with those friends from college that I miss so much, though it almost makes me miss them more when they leave. We basically did something together every night, and I was working, which left me feeling very full on my extrovert meter. Luckily Mike got to stay home a few of the nights to re-charge his introvert meter :)

-- On Thursday afternoon, I was walking down 17th street and Hillary Clinton pulled up! She got out of the car and stood about 5 feet from us and talked for a minute. It was REALLY cool! I'm not much of a Hillary fan, but it's still cool to run into a celeb like that! Also on Thursday I ended up with passes to see Barack's speech. I even got to sit club level! What a huge treat! Barack is so inspiring to me. I especially liked the way he was kind and supportive of McCain and talked about how much he knows McCain loves our country. I thought his behavior was a lot more respectable than some of the meanness that is coming out of some Republican mouths lately.

-- On Friday, I interviewed for a job that coworker had randomly called to offer me. It is a job in the marketing department of an international environmental engineering company. I have decided to accept the job. It will be great experience in all aspects of marketing, I'll be travelling some, I'll be doing some event planning, and there is talk that they want to make me senior level next year. So, overall it's a great opportunity for us to pay off my debts and for us to save up some money for a couple of years. I am not looking forward to getting back into the 9-5 grind again, though!

-- Sunday was the CU-CSU game. We grilled up Buff burgers and then sat in the second row on the 30 yard line. Our seats were pretty incredible. Too bad the Rams couldn't pull off a win. Now I'm stuck doing all of Mike's chores for a week. . .

Whew, blogging is hard work! That's all I can handle for now-- We'll try our best to keep you updated as new developments unfold ;) Talk to you soon!