So Schmanda arrived for her visit in sunny Colorado!  

  

We hadn’t seen her since her wedding in Dayton, Ohio over a year ago.  

She brought Josh an authentic Russian drink.  He loved it.

…at least that was our interpretation.

It’s been so nice to have company around the house, cooking together, spending quiet evenings at home.

    

We took a short trip to Colorado Springs to introduce her to Garden of the Gods.

              

And then some of this…

Monday we celebrated my birthday and Josh, Schmanda and Hallie did a great job of making it special…

          

Indian food, birthday presents, pumpkin pie, apple cider and flowers from my grandparents and a warm fire!

More recently…

Flat Irons View Trail

Boulder Falls

Rearranging the livingroom

The End.  For now.

This weekend we hiked around Boulder and the fall colors were breathtaking.

    

My birthday celebration has begun (a week early!).  Today we received a care package from my parents.  Josh was thrilled that MY birthday package had Popular Science magazines for him.  Nerd. Even Hallie received gifts.  Thanks mom and dad.

  

And to top it all off, my best friend Schmanda is coming ALL THE WAY FROM RUSSIA for my birthday!  I’m very much looking forward to spending the beautiful last week of October with her here in Colorado!!

    

Today is the birthday of our newest nephew:  Myers Heath Johnson!

There’s not a better month of the year to arrive.

Congratulations Eric and Jenny!

This weekend we drove from Colorado to New Mexico to visit with some good friends from Ohio who were in Albuquerque for a short stay.  We had such a refreshing time full of good food, thoughtful conversation and lots of hard laughter.  All things Josh and I didn’t realize we needed so desperately.  We were also able to stay the night with a few other friends from Ohio who are currently stationed in Albuquerque.  I love being welcomed into peoples’ homes.  Catching up on life late into the night, making beds on floors, couches, pull-out beds, making shower schedules, having breakfast together.  There’s truly something magical about the community of it.  

Josh and I traveled so frequently during or dating months and early-marriage years that spending time en-route has become like home.  There’s something deeply comforting to me about being with Josh on my way…somewhere.  We had not traveled together since we returned to Colorado after our summer here-there-and abroad.  In some large ways I hope we never feel so comfortable in one place that we forsake the departing and arriving.  On our way together.  

 

There are such precious times of quiet living on the 3rd shift schedule.  Awake when the world is sleep. Tonight I’m home resting, enjoying time spend on the couch with a good book and favorite blanket.  Hallie sleeping snoring at my feet. This fitting recipe baking in the oven, filling the house with its warm smell.  A hot cup of tea and time to meditate on the goodness of God.

We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.  In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.  May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.  Psalm 33:20-22