tonight's top ten list

today i started reading this book from the library about debt-free living [these are the kind of books i read for enjoyment...weird, i know] and early on the author asked this question: what contributes to the quality of your life and brings you satisfaction? she suggested i stop reading and make a list of ten things that define the quality of my life, which i decided was a good idea, so i did.  my top ten in random order: living life with my friends traveling feeling...

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happy birthday missy

as one of my very loyal blog readers, i wanted to wish you a happy day! and just for old times sake, here is a classic for your viewing pleasure: jen, shelly and missy @ salem church camp and this is what we look like now [well, when the babies were still in their bellies] missy, shelly and jen @ baby jonah's shower happy birthday my life-long friend...

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farewell fair oxford

this trip to oxford has been pretty laid back, which i've really enjoyed. since i've been here before, i didn't have to go full force the whole time trying to visit all the "must see" sites. i still saw some fun things, but it was great to rider bikes to the store, make dinner, go to church, and just feel a bit like a local. i was on my own for awhile yesterday and today while jackie had some meetings, and i had some interesting adventures. both days i went bike riding on some paths and ended...

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yep, that's snow

we woke up this morning to a delightful sight...lots and lots of snow! it was a very pretty and some of the students in the house were up bright and early to enjoy every minute of it, especially the ones from california. the backyard being the devoted church-goers that we are, jackie and i biked through the snow to church and then shopped around oxford a bit. we had lunch at the lamb & flag pub, and are now back at the vines [which is the name of the house they live in] to enjoy...

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our day in london

jackie and i took the train to london yesterday [i love being able to say that] for a little sight seeing. the weather was beautiful, especially for england. one of our first stops was the british library. now, i'm not usually very fond of museum-type attractions, but this was really cool. there is a room filled with old books and writings on different subjects, all kept under glass. they have some of jane austen's writings [these are originals mind you] and the codex sinaitcius, which is the...

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adventures in amsterdam

jackie and i are back in oxford after our little adventure to amsterdam. it is a pretty cool city. we walked around a lot [which did make our feet quite tired] and discovered that amsterdam has one of the largest bicycle populations on the planet. i really liked exploring all the little streets and canals, they were super charming. a few of the highlights were the anne frank house, where anne's family and four other jews hid from the nazi's; the keukenhof park [basically a botanical garden created...

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