Age

I just took a quiz that told me how "Millennial" I am. My "Baby Boomer" boss sent it to me so we could compare scores. It was laughable how far our scores were from one another. Incidentally, I score fairly high for my age...which probably actually means I'm super immature.

I can't argue with that. I'm not exactly a poster-child for maturity. I have watched over an hour of television in the last 24 hours. I've played video games (if words with friends counts) and sent over 50 text messages  in the last day too. Being successful in a high-paying career or profession actually isn't that important to me (and not because I'm real honorable either).

So maybe I could use some growing up....

maybe...

later.

In any case, after spending time with a few aged folks a couple weeks ago, I've decided I want to know more folks from the "Silent" generation.

My sweet church spends every fifth Sunday of the month serving our city instead of holding Sunday services. Last month my Village put together bags for panhandlers...you know the one you whose signs you strain to read while you're waiting at a stop light.

It was a pretty incredible tool for me. I usually just role my eyes when I see those folks.

No longer...now I've got brown paper bags full of goodies to give them, which often starts a conversation that lasts at least until the light changes to green #stretchingme

I digress...

So for some of the bags we solicited help from the incredible folks at Westminster Manor. It was awesome.

I don't think I was exposed to old people enough as a kid. Generally I get pretty uncomfortable. Usually because I fail at making conversation or I don't talk loud enough, or I talk too loud.

Being stretched this much in one day was a little uncomfortable, but oh so worth it in the long run. I'm going back soon.

Here's some shots from the day.

Assembling bags for the homeless, complete with notes and scripture. It was real neat to pray over each one.

On to Westminster...so much fun!

This woman got a kick out of (read didn't know how to feel about) Pete.

She thought she was sneaky...nope. I caught old lady blue stealing crackers from the homeless.

I'm pretty sure some critical judgments are being made here.

Burton is my new friend I can't wait to get to know better soon. He's 92...and a photographer. AWESOME!

I can't wait to see him with his little girl. He's gonna be a spectacular daddy to my niece.

I really do hope we go back soon. I kind of want one of my new friends to take my millennial test.

ski

I may have mentioned here, a time or two, that I have the greatest friends in the world. Well...it's still true.

Just as ice and snow came to Austin, on a vacation that has become a tradition now (after three years), me and eight of my closest friends took a flight to the mountains last week. We swept into small town, Colorado and did some damage.

I wish the damage were beautiful and glorious...but facts are there's more damage to my body than that small town with every year. Skiing feels a little different than it did ten years ago. I'm still finding bruises a week later. I'll never let it stop me!

In any case, spending time with these friends makes my life fabulous. These girls are a part of what makes me LOVE this season of my days. Check us out:

This incredible abode is our home for the weekend, and I love it. There's something charming about its little details. Thanks Doodaddy and Doololly for the diggs.

And sweet Salida...you've come to mean so much to me.

Just a few from the slopes with the point-and-shoot:

Every year...

And just before our flight home, we stopped in to see one of my favorite little families in Denver. Check out how big Tate's getting!

As an aside...

In case anyone's keeping track today is, in fact, the 2nd birthday of this sweet little guy. Ideas on how we should celebrate?

laughter - it's what's for dinner.

A few weeks ago we celebrated my sweet friend's final days as a bachelorette in a cozy cabin out in Burnet. I love living in the hill country, where there are BEAUTIFUL places to retreat within an hour's drive.

The weekend was fabulous. Getting to know Erika's college friends was great. These girls know how to have fun...and be fun. 

When I replay the activity, all I remember is laughter. Turns out, that's all I documented as well...LAUGHTER! 

Enjoy!

Teachers bein' teachers:

ada adopted

As we came together in an Austin courtroom, I was overwhelmed with the literal picture of love that God was allowing me to be a part of. I didn't know adoption until three years ago. It wasn't something I even cared to be familiar with. I never understood the story of my salvation as it related to adoption before. I didn't recognize that I was grafted in and chosen by Christ as an orphan is chosen by adoptive parents until I knew orphans...until I saw adoption. That day the cold, sterile smell of the county courtroom was absolutely overwhelmed by the warmth in the eyes of this adoptive family.

I wish I could tell you all the details about Ada's adoption story. It's powerful to say the least, but I'll leave it at this: This little girl is one of a sibling group that walked through hell and back before reaching their forever homes. This one-year-old may know better today than I ever will what protection, redemption, grace, and provision from the Lord looks and feels like this side of heaven.

So to say that I feel blessed to do what I do/did here would be a tremendous understatement. As tears streamed down my cheeks, I was given a front row seat in God's story for a little girl whose stair could melt a glacier. 

Here's Ada...

Big brother was a hit. This kiddo was STOKED to be officially gaining a baby sister.

 

Ada's biological siblings watched closely a very familiar ceremony - as their adoption was final only months earlier.

This judge was incredible. The way she greeted, loved and encouraged this family was impeccable.

Family, friends and public servants close to the siblings' story were as excited as anyone to see this adoption finalized.

I love that this is the Lord's picture of family. He brought these two families together uniquely and perfectly...as He knew best.

My friend and the family's case manager...

Christmas photos of Ada taken a couple weeks ago at the Foster Care Christmas Party.

Thank you, Jesus, for your faithfulness to show me who you are.

t-w-e-n-t-y-t-e-n

I was reflecting the other day about this year, and how thankful I am for it. It really seems like yesterday I was putting together this decade end review post. How in the world has it been another year?

It seems appropriate that this day of the year I'm always so awed at how quickly time passes and how much more quickly it passes with every year.

So here we are at the end of another incredible year, that I likely wouldn't have written or expected even if someone told me.

Seeing as its the end of two thousand TEN, I thought I'd do a top TEN list of sorts. This will be the top TEN memorable moments of two thousand ten (in no particular order...that would take too much thought).
-------------------------------------
ten - Burke wedding weekend
I referred to the moments life just "feels right" in this post. So I'll go ahead and make number ten Sarah's wedding weekend with my faves. The specific moment being during the rehearsal dinner toasts. Sitting around a table with the six of us plus husbands will forever be one of my favorite spots.

nine - In August I went to DC with my family for Dad's Birthday. As we stood at the steps of the Lincoln memorial and heard the name of Jesus boldly proclaimed with hundreds of thousands in attendance, I felt like I was part of history.

eight - Mumford and Sons at Stubb's.
This year I fell in love with Mumford...as maybe the rest of the world did (call me unoriginal). Their show was probably the best I've seen.


seven - Nights with ATX friends
There are too many of these to choose only one to mention, so I'll make number seven all those great nights hangin out with Austin friends. Whether a party, camping trip, ski trip, small group or a night at a pub I've got the best friends in the world and am thankful for the many moments that make up these friendships. (This is for sure cheating...i just listed seven sets of moments)

six - Bro's emergency landing
I don't think I wrote about this here, and it's likely that this moment belongs on Ben's list more than mine, but in any case I'll praise the Lord by putting it here. My little bro, the pilot, emergency landed a small airplane in a field in November. In the air, the plane's engine died and Ben had minutes to find a landing place and put the plane down without harming anyone. He's pretty amazing.

five - Elise Joy's birth
My Claire had her first born the day before Christmas, and though she's so far away, I was giddy the moment I found out she'd been born.

four - crossing the border into Cali.
I road tripped with two of my best friends from Austin to LA this year. It was a LONG drive, but so much fun. The moment we crossed into California makes the list for sure.

three - adoptions
I keep choosing moments that can't be contained to a moment. Forgive me. My job affords me the awesome privilege to be a part of many adoptions. This year I've photographed a couple that do much more than bring tears to my eyes. There were several notable moments this year where the Lord shaped my heart while in a court room witnessing physically our spiritual story of adoption.

two - Everest Road Photography
I think 2010 will be categorized in my head as the year of Everest Road. This year Julie and I started a business. There are so many moments that go into this one as well. Its humbling to know God's provision in it all. I am blessed blessed blessed by all God's done and look forward to what the years ahead hold.

one - You'll have to wait!
This one's a tease. I shouldn't list it all, but I think that would be dishonest. I'm saving number one for a later date. Keep you comin back! :) It's what I do!

So all in all - a GREAT year! Seriously, the way God surprises me is my favorite! I don't know what tomorrow holds and it'll be so fun to read this a year from now and see all the fun moments that have filled 2011.

As a side-note: I can't decide how I feel about the fact that I used twitter blog or facebook to remember a lot of these moments. #maybelamethatmylifeisonline

AND...I keep thinking of more incredible moments. I could go on all day listing great vacations, birthday celebrations, days on the lake etc that have made 2010 AWESOME! Trust me...I'm the luckiest girl in the world!

Christmas Eve Photos

I have the greatest family in the world...

we're a mess.

Today is December 25...you know, Christmas Day.

Not for us, though.

We're saving Christmas this year until we can all be together.

The married one spent her holiday with the in-laws this year which leaves us stragglers in Friendswood spending this day like any other.

I'm not complaining.

Being together is more important to me than the date...for real.

One thing we did do similarly to normal is attend a Christmas Eve church service at my parent's church last night. After we took family photos (sans a couple of important people..don't be bitter, Rachel, we'll retake them when ya'll get here).

Because I have time today, I thought I'd post them here to wish you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

You'll appreciate a few things about these photos. Apparently we can't do family photos with fewer than five...hints old man Sam (my parent's 13-year-old dog) joining us this year (what's that about, mom?). 

I think having Sam in the photo this year makes since as my parent's house has become a literal ZOO with all of our pets (in their absence sister and bro-in-law even allowed their "incredible" cat to be a part of our Christmas Day :) ).

All that to say...MERRY CHRISTMAS! I hope your day is incredible. Praise Jesus for what this day represents. 

As messy as we are, I'm so thankful for a family that has shown me what Jesus' love looks like.

and a few outtakes to give you some real insight to the Schmale fam (my brother...the comedian):

December 27, when you're all remembering what a great Christmas Day you had...we'll be celebrating as if it were the 25th. Maybe stretching it out isn't so bad. Don't tell my sister I said so...it's kind of fun to make her feel bad. :)