Blog's a Funny Word: by the AKO Team

THANK FULL

2011-11-24T11:55:00.000-08:00

What a season of Gratitude this has been!

I've been reading the book "One Thousand Gifts" and it's been so wonderful to be reminded that being grateful right where I'm at can make a big difference. To just see the beauty he has put all around and it's not just a life of "someday when..." or "when I have time to...". It's freeing!

Today I am thankful for:

YOU!!!
For Honesty
For a Love that meets you in the mess
To be married to the most wonderful man!
For the sunshine (in Kansas!)
That someday we will have this feast together :)
And for being known truly!

Hope your day is is full of Thanks!

Love, Amanda

November = MORE Autumn!

2011-11-05T19:56:00.000-07:00

Have I said how much I love Autumn??? Well...I DO!

November is such a great month because it includes things like: Samantha Ann's Birthday, Thanksgiving, my Sweet Lemon's Birthday (aka Elizabeth Joy/Queenie Green Beanie/Flower/Liz/MY SISTER), and other cool stuff!

I've been getting crafty (speaking of crafty have you seen Get Crafty with Cleetus??? It gets me every time! SO funny!) These below were for our Navigators Women's Retreat. There hair doodads...in the shape of leaves (just in case you were wonderin').

But nothing competes with the real thing!

How do celebrate Autumn in your home???

October 2011 Recap - I Blinked and it was Over

2011-11-02T18:15:00.000-07:00

I really love this time of year! It's funny that in a lot of ways Autumn feels like a time for new beginnings even though it marks the the season for falling leaves and the ushering in of a cold and windy winter. But for me it just feels like a season with so many possibilities. I love the colors, the pulling out of sweaters and layering up. I love soups and warms beverages and snuggling into someone special. It's fabulous and I will forever love this time of year!

Here is a quick (slash LONG) recap of a wonderful October!

Grandpa turned 80!!!

I really love this guy!

We got to go to a Waterdeep concert! It was soul satisfying for sure!

My first "Mugs and Muffins" with the Kansas State Nav girls!

Wyatt had school pictures (but we took our own).

Before we took that the Olinger lads had a little fun.

Nothing says Autumn like a little baking.

Coloring Pumpkins (it may be our new tradition...because I dislike wilted carved pumpkins)

Nice lines, little Olinger!

My sweet dad took our family pictures. This one was cut because Austin thinks his shirt looks funny, but I still like it enough to share!

"I'm Gonna Put a Brick on Your Head...

2011-09-30T20:54:00.000-07:00

so you'll stop growing!" This is a phrase we use in my family to say "stop growing-up so fast". It sounds a little weird now that I think about it but hopefully you have the same kind of silly phrases in your own family history.

I was going threw some old photos and it made me get all teary. I miss holding "little" Wyatt. He is seriously getting big and a bigger part of me really loves that he's growing and developing and changing but there is also the small part of me that's like "Really!? This is happening too fast!".

I say...WE NEED MORE OLINGERS!

We've gone from this:

To my very own ham!

GOSH! Could they be any cuter!

Better to Make then Buy

2011-09-28T15:32:00.000-07:00

I have had a hustle and bustle of crafty things happening around my house. I prefer to make rather than buy (although making still involves buying but you get what I'm saying).

With weddings and more weddings, it just feels more meaningful to put the time into making something that, hopefully, will be better then that one small and seemingly forgettable item off of someone registry. Since we have a small budget I can stretch a dollar by creating PLUS I really love to make things. It makes my heart happy and it tends to be therapeutic!

Here are some resent crafty projects:

My sweet Grandma Jarvis had these A-MAZING vintage squares that were my great-grandmother's lying around her house and she gave me a whole box! All I had to do was lay some out the way I liked and after a few hours I had a picnic blanket for my wonderful friends, Luke and Stephanie!

Frame: Secondhand store, spray painted. "B": bought and hand painted black. "Love" paper: bought, it's actually scrapbook paper aka I'm a big cheater. Final Product: A personalized home decor piece for my friends, Lauren and Joey!

And this is a little drawing I did for my friends, Erika and Ben. They want to have a more unique guestbook for their wedding. Thumb prints for leaves and signatures in the grass line! I can't wait to see the final product!

More to share soon! Pinky swear!

Little Bits of Happy

2011-08-21T19:19:00.000-07:00

These are a few images of what I like to call "A little bit of happy". In the mist of our move there are these little corners of our home that just make me smile. They are comforting and bright and welcoming to a heart that is sometime wondering what she's doing in this new place.

This one might not look like much but it's my very own ART/CREATIVE closet! Thank you Lord above...the God who put this creative bone in my body! (Fun Fact: the painting on the far back wall is the first oil painting I ever did).

AND we have a silverware drawer (this might not strike you as all that amazing but let me tell you, the don't always come standard in rentals **cough** our last place)!!!

At the End of a Long Road

2011-07-22T07:55:00.000-07:00

Four years of working, reading, writing, stretching and when it's all said and done we g0t an ornately adorned two dimensional object commemorating the accomplishment (and it has my awesome husband's name on it). SWEET! But really, the knowledge both of us learned over the past four years is invaluable. What a journey!
It makes me think of Psalm 23 "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of DEATH I will fear no evil for you are with me" maybe I'm slightly over exaggerating but it was a ride for sure. There were times where we thought of Peter's response to Jesus when he said "where else would I go?" when limits were tested and we felt so weary. On the other side of the red sea we both feel so amazed by God's beauty and power and mystery. We didn't get crushed by the waves of education but rather, by his grace, were able to put one foot in front of the other and now we can look back and feel gratitude. Now our prayer is that we REMEMBER what he's done for us and trust him in the journey that follows.

Wyatt's Last Day of Preschool/What a Sweetie

2011-07-12T09:02:00.000-07:00

Wyatt got to be in 3 year old preschool the last couple months we were in Denver. He had so much fun in his class of all boys and one girl (don't feel too bad for her, she definitely held her own). They went over bugs for two-thirds of the time he was there and the last couple weeks they went over fruits and vegetables. So for his last day we brought a snack that corresponded. Just to give credit where credit is due, I saw this first done by my friend Amanda Donovan. I think she even had clouds at the end made of marshmallows (or maybe I imaged it...sounds like a good idea though). I tried to make half the rainbow fruit and the other half veggies but when I got to the blue strip it just turns to all around fruit (do you know of a blue vegetable???)

Wyatt's teachers really enjoyed the treat (I think the kids did too since I received an empty patter at the end of the day)!!

Wyatt has also been our little helper as we continue to fund raise with the Navigators. I've had the blessing of running out of thank you stationary (too many thank yous is a good problem, right?) and so I've combined Wyatt's love to watercolor paint with my desire to have cool thank you cards. And this is what I got!!!
Now I can send out Wyatt Keith original paintings along with a THANK YOU! Thanks, little love!

Blogging Demerit/My personal retreat

2011-07-10T19:16:00.000-07:00

Sooooooooooooo,
I haven't blogged in like, four months. WHOOPS! I could blame it on life or be more honest and say it hasn't been my first priority as of late.

So to make up for this confounded blemish on my blogging record I will try to blog WAY more frequently (do you notice the vague perimeters) at least until things get CRAZY again. (Does that sound better, my little lemon?)

Well. Where shall we start?
"Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start."

We'll rewind to May and pick up there.

My last day of work at Solid Grounds, the place I'd held employment since February 2009, was May 8th (also known as Mother's Day). It was a bittersweet day but I think the main feeling I had was gratitude. I was so blessed to have had the job and experiences that it brought. I learned so much about myself, business, leading, following, and ultimately how I have so much more to learn. Austin was very gracious to let me take a personal retreat during the Monday that followed which was also finals week (thanks honey!). It was glorious, to say the least. I went to my favorite restaurant, window shopped ALONE (which means I didn't have to worry about little hands or bored husbands, and I could look as long as I liked). Then I went to my sweet friends house (they were out of town) and laid out in their back yard, painted my nails, ate chocolate, had time to pray, paint and just down right relax. I am so thankful to have such a day after so many months of being pushed to my max both emotionally and physically. Now it's PICTURE TIME!

2011-03-30T17:38:00.000-07:00

I've had some convictions through lent about my words...my tongue.
God tends to let my rebuking also be supplemented with what I ought to be doing, so it came as no surprise when Jeff said this about words last Sunday:

"Is it true, (I usually don't spread lies)
is it necessary, (but I rarely consider if it's necessary)
is it loving?" (and if either of the other two are flawed it becomes unloving)

These verses have come to mind the last few weeks. It seems like such an easy thing...to watch what I say, but it's really not. I am reminded again of my need for Jesus and his cleansing blood...otherwise I would already be doomed by something as small as my tongue.

James 1:26

²⁶ If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. **OUCH**

From James 3

⁴ Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. ⁵ Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.

⁹ With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. ¹⁰ Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. ¹¹ Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?

Things I Like Today

2011-03-22T17:38:00.000-07:00

just bought their cd and it's so good!

in love with this dining room (more specifically, that wallpaper!).

macaroons...you're so pretty but I've yet to have one of you.

What do you love today?

Song Saturday - March 2011 Edition

2011-03-05T20:25:00.000-08:00

Men of Snow

Written by Ingrid Michaelson

Once I made a man all out of snow
He had the darkest eyes and a button nose
I told him all my sadness and my fear
And he just listened with a snowy ear

But when I came around the next day
My friend had gone and melted all away
I saw his eyes lying on the ground
And I made a sound that was something like crying

Oh one day you will go away from this
Oh one day you will know we're men of snow
We melt
One day

Winters come, my love the winters go
And time stacks up in piles like winter snow
And everything you love and hold so dear
It won't really matter when we disappear

Oh one day you will go away from this
Oh one day you will know we're men of snow
We melt
One day

This song come off more depressing than intended. It's just so beautiful regarding our finiteness.

Oh February!

2011-02-01T19:45:00.000-08:00

how can it already be February???

i can hardly believe the first month of 2011 has come and gone.
i keep getting asked, "what's new?" or "what's going on with you?" and have been unable to say anything beyond "nothing really". i work. i sleep. i make food. i play with Wyatt...and a whole month has gone by. sheesh! it makes the ever looming transition and immanent change seem too aggressive. i need more time. i need more memories and moments here in our first home!

*sigh* i don't really love ambivalence.
happy - sad
excited - nervous
impatient - dreading
hello - goodbye
:) - :(
hurray!! - boo-hiss!!

happy February none-the-less!
xoxo

Things We Made In 2010

2011-01-01T20:25:00.001-08:00

This has been a wonderful/challenging/life filled year. I am so grateful for how much the Lord has taught us as a family and is continuing to teach. I am learning to feel the waves of life as they come and depend on Him more and more because He is constant and faithful, completely unwavering in His love for us. This next year seems BIG! I know a lot of changes are coming so I'm trying to really absorb every memory, every feeling, everything. I want to accept that I am both happy and sad for these changes.

To help with this I have made (the longest post ever) this collection of pictures to think back on what we've made as a family. It was fun.

In 2010 we MADE:

MUSIC

(And listened to amazing music...Ingrid, you are a Godsend)

We Made:
LINES (Wyatt does this all the time, just lines things up)

We Made:
TRIPS TO KANSAS!!

We/I Made:
A DIAPER CAKE!!! And celebrated the birth of some of the cutest kids EVER!

These were badges I made for them to wear at their shower! FELT IS AWESOME!

I had the privilege of making few invitations
and did some graphic design work throughout the year.
Both a blessing and challenging!

We Made:
GIFTS FOR OTHERS! These boxes are seriously cheap at any crafty place...all you have to do is paint it and TADA, Be-a-u-tiful!!

We Made:
SWEET MEMORIES!

We Made:
SOME SWEET FOOD

AND SOME LOVE!

WE ALSO MADE SOME NEW FRIEND!
Both Young and Old!

***********************************************
And my new years resolution is to keep making :) I'm getting a sewing machine and I want to sew, sew, sew!!! Making is life giving for me so that's my goal in 2011. It's broad but so doable!

Last Leaf on Thankful Thursday.

2010-12-09T13:27:00.000-08:00

I love Ok Go. They're creative, talented and this song makes me happy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkYfB1C0Zgc

Trailhead Women's Christmas Party 2010

2010-12-07T11:48:00.001-08:00

So much fun!

Two of my BESTEST friends since we've been here in Colorado! I love you gals!

What did I get during the gift exchange you ask...well let's just say I got a Team Edward shirt that I'm totally wearing to work today. It's so perfect that I would get something like that from Amy!

Random!

2010-12-04T21:26:00.000-08:00

Here is a bunch of random things!

#1: My favorite meal to make with left over Thanksgiving turkey...TURKEY NOODLE SOUP!

#2: Wyatt helping Grandma/Mom Olinger make dinner for us tonight.
#3: I FINISHED! I FINISHED! I FINISHED!
The story behind this quilt is: I started it two years ago for my brother (who doesn't read my blog). It's made entirely of recycled t-shirts (minus the back which is also a cotton blend just like t-shirt material). I started hand quilting it BUT it was super thick and difficult to accomplish (aka VERY time consuming). I was going to pay a friend who has a long arm sewing machine to machine quilt it for me but she also couldn't do it because is was too thick AND too soft. So I finally decided to just tie it off. My mom-in-law came this weekend and helped me finish tying and hand sewed the edges for me. Can you believe it??? After two years it's finally done! YIPPY!!!
It's so soft and I hope my brother really loves it!
#4: Our first moving box was packed tonight (sad and happy face). #5: Our beautiful Christmas tree!!! We didn't put it up last year because of our little love but this year it's been golden. He hasn't touched a single thing and loves to look at it!
#6: I got this Aspen ornament today to remember our time here in Colorado. #7: My favorite Christmas ornament! Do you have a favorite??

Family Photo Fun

2010-12-04T07:21:00.000-08:00

Some of my family came to Denver for the Thanksgiving holiday. It was so much fun and we has some time to take a few family photos. Here's a preview.

They're a hoot! This really is the most wonderful time of the year!

Hello September

2010-09-27T21:55:00.000-07:00

I know that September is nearly over but I wanted to share some of my favorite things about this glorious month and the start of my favorite season, Autumn!
First thing I love about this time of year is the color scheme. My decorating is saturated with these colors...I just can't help myself they are just too AWESOME!
Second thing I love about this time of year is how the leaves cry out in bright arrays of breathtaking color...what if we all went out the way leaves do? Instead of withering and just fading away, we become brilliant and radiant where others couldn't help but say "wow, isn't she just beautiful!?". Not to be morbid but I hope that my last days are filled with this kind of amazing beauty!Seriously! This is just too awe inspiring! You just can't help but become introspective and contemplative. One of my friends was saying "I don't know what it is about this time of year but it just makes me want to go deeper". I think we've been conditioned to turn our brains back on in the fall because it's when academia resumes. I love it, I love it, I love it!
I also really love the smells and tastes of Autumn. I made these Pumpkin, Banana, Raisin muffins to celebrate the start of Fall over the weekend. It made the house smell so yummy! I also love to bake this time of year because I don't feel so guilty making the house a little warmer, while in summer it just adds to the already overly warm environment. What's your favorite thing to bake?
The last thing this time of year really gets me in the mood for is making things! I don't know if it's because the holidays are on our doorstep or if it just feels right. I started this scarf (thanks mom Olinger for teaching me) while watching Gray's Anatomy for the first time...don't know if I'm going to get into that show but I always like the music they pick (they played Mumford and Sons while I was watching and I honestly think that was my favorite part).

Please share your favorite thing about this time of year! :)

Thankful Thursday

2010-09-09T05:08:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I've posted a "Thankful Thursday" and not because I haven't (double negative, sorry) been thankful for anything but rather because Thursdays are difficult days to blog on.

So on with THANKFUL THURSDAY BEFORE IT'S OVER!!!

Number 1: Wyatt got a potty last night (well, we technically got him the potty) and not even 24 hours after the purchase he went in the potty! It was awesome! I was getting him more literature (that's my tactic for now, book reading on the potty) and when I came back he had gone. The hard part was getting him to understand he couldn't keep sitting there. He really likes that thing.
****He is probably going to hate this picture in a couple of years. But if I had the privilege of having my main picture in my grandparents hallway (until I was at least a pre-teen) be my potty picture then I think Wyatt can handle this :)******

This was taken at my childhood church, West Side Baptist Church, when I was like 3 1/4 or 4. My dad had to go in with me to help...and just happened to have his camera. This is me still, very modest (right Sam, Michelle?).

Number 2: Thankful for Family!

I love these guys! It's been great starting our own family!
On top of the family we were blessed to be born into, I feel like we've been blessed with an awesome church family, work family, and community family since we've been out here. LOVE ALL OF YOU SO MUCH! XOXOXOX

Oh the places you'll go!

2010-09-03T14:47:00.000-07:00

This might be incredibly weird but ever so often I like to look down...see where my feet have ended up. It's probably because one of my best friend in college took this amazing picture of her feet and I've always loved the idea.

On our trip back to Kansas I kept remembering this idea a would snap a picture. Here's what I came up with!

Sheesh...an August Post before it's over!

2010-08-30T22:09:00.001-07:00

This month has been CRAZY! And when I say crazy I mean, CRAZY GOOD!

We have had the privilege to see so many people we love both at the end of July and almost every weekend this month. My house has been a lot cleaner (if you were one of the visitors don't let your imagination go to wild because I'm sure you're thinking "I thought it was a pig sty!!!"). Let's just all assume that Amanda doesn't looooooooove cleaning.

Here are a few photos from our trip to Kansas and of our honored guests!

YIPPY!

So those turned out to be a ton of cousin pictures but can you blame me, I mean, look at them, they're flippin' adorable!

In other news (not to toot my own horn, I'm just excited) I'm assistant manager at my work starting Wednesday!

More Summer fun!

2010-07-05T14:25:00.000-07:00

Coloring on his arms!

The smell of pine trees.

Summer rain which equals summer rainbows!

Our Mountain Man!

Hope you are having as fun of a summer as we are.

Summer Fun

2010-06-02T13:02:00.001-07:00

Party time!

"Don't worry piggy. We will be landing
on earth shortly"
(at the Denver Nature and Science Museum)

Our deck: the apartment's version of a yard.

He always needs his hat, shades and a book
whenever we go some where.

Fun at the park!

I love summer-time!

Three in one day! aka The Hoe Down.

2010-05-19T22:16:00.000-07:00

Yes. I am going to post three updates in one day. I'm feeling share-y today.

A couple of weeks ago Austin and I went to a
Hoe down put on by Denver Seminary.
It was so fun!
Some of my personal highlights were:
the corn fritters (they were like donuts...for dinner),
the food in general was AWESOME,
they had a caller for line/square dancing,
and
it was just great spending time with my main man.

I was trying to tell one of my customers at Solid Grounds
what a great weekend I had because I went to a
"hoe dance" he was confused and I was embarrassed.

I LOVE THIS ETSY SHOP!

2010-05-19T22:11:00.000-07:00

I LOVE Katie Daisy!

Tell a Better Story

2010-05-19T07:54:00.000-07:00

I have been reading "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years"
by Donald Miller the past week.
I LOVE this book!
It's primarily about living a better story.

He's writing style is so inviting.
I mostly feel like I'm listening to a friend just share their life with me.
That might be weird.
One of my favorite points he shares is
how fear can keep us from
telling a better story.

Last night I read how the
grandness, the vastness, the uncontainable
beauty of nature is, in some ways,
encouraging us to tell a better story.
A story that matches it's beauty.

That's what I love about this season!
It's so alive; full of so many possibilities.

How are you telling a better story this spring???
Are you too afraid to go for it?

Song Saturday - Awake My Soul

2010-05-08T10:22:00.000-07:00

SONG SATURDAY! Hopefully this will be a new thing I successfully do. I love music, so song Saturday is designed to allow me to share songs that I have been diggin'. I LOVE this song. "where you invest your love, you invest your life" and "you were made to meet your maker", love those lyrics!

Awake My Soul 
by Mumford and Sons

How fickle my heart and how woozy my eyes
I struggle to find any truth in your lies
And now my heart stumbles on things I don't know
This weakness I feel I must finally show

Lend me your hand and we'll conquer them all 
But lend me your heart and I'll just let you fall
Lend me your eyes I can change what you see
But your soul you must keep, totally free

In these bodies we will live, in these bodies we will die 
Where you invest your love, you invest your life
In these bodies we will live, in these bodies we will die
Where you invest your love, you invest your life

Awake my soul, awake my soul 
Awake my soul
You were made to meet your maker
Awake my soul, awake my soul
Awake my soul
You were made to meet your maker
You were made to meet your maker  

April Recap (this is going to be a long one).

2010-04-29T14:38:00.000-07:00

April has been totally crazy, thus I have not blogged. So Brace Yourself (i.e. go to the bathroom before reading or get a warm beverage, this is going to take some time).

EASTER!!!!
Easter was so awesome this year.
After 40 long days of lent I was so ready to
celebrate the resurrection of our Lord!
~~~~~~
I had to work in the morning, which was fine.
So I did what any mom would do and hard boiled
a dozen eggs and brought them for my co-workers
to color.

I think six or seven different people ended up coloring
an egg or two. It was so fun!

I got to work with these two sassy ladies.
I love Lacey and Martine!
~~~~~~~~~~~

CHURCH

After singing our hearts out that night at
church we had a huge meal together:
Family Style!

Our Table
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Baby Shower Time!

I got to go to a friend baby shower from
our church. Before unwrapping her gifts,
we all read a blessing or prayer for her little boy.
After a person read they would pass the yarn on
to the next person. It was to symbolize how we are all
connected to one another.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LESSON TIME

Let's color....

everywhere!
Wyatt's first mural. I was upset
but also a little proud of his creative
expression. Sometimes I want to
treat the walls like a big canvas too.
But not so cool when you rent.

Thank you magic eraser! Grandma showing Wyatt
how to clean up his mess.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Benefit Concert

Mom Olinger helped (made 90%) make these
beautiful pink scarfs to sell at the benefit concert last Friday.
I sold *sigh* one.

The benefit concert went really well. It was a packed house.
We made $300 for the Susan G. Koman foundation.

If you have made it to the end you get a gold star!

He's Two and Totally Amazing!

2010-04-20T14:00:00.000-07:00

I really love this boy and count every day as a blessing!
LOVE YOU WYATT!

I want to punch cancer in the FACE!

2010-04-13T20:26:00.000-07:00

This is what I have been working on allllllll day. Finished it twice and my loverly computer crashed Illustrator for me. Got to love technology.

It's going to be a good show...I'm a little nervous but it's for a good cause!

MARCH! And Thankful Thursday!

2010-03-04T11:51:00.000-08:00

WOW! It's March! Bring on the Warm Weather!

Wyatt turns two in twenty days! Yippy!

I gave him a little hair cut. Don't mind the styling...I was trying out
"fancy" hair for his Aunt's wedding.

Oh so Thankful!
I got to go to the Gallery, Redline, to see their group exhibition entitled
"Love Lines" with my dear friend Amy this past week!
It was incredible! One of the coolest parts were all the studios
around the edges of the gallery...most of the doors were open
and I felt like we were a part of a secret.
Here is a preview of what we saw.

"Us" by Jonathan Saiz

"The Stumble" by Bruce Lowney
And The one and only AMY WALKER!!

"Piano" by Jonathan Saiz

"At a Certain Point, You Ask the Right Question" by Wes Hempel

Thankful Thursday

2010-02-25T12:26:00.001-08:00

That we can have totally different goals yet still have so much fun together!

I take the laundry out of the basket. "I want in the basket!"
I sort the laundry..I sit on the laundry
I put the laundry away...I pull the laundry out of my drawers.
And you know what? We have a wonderful time together!

Just Normal Things

2010-02-23T13:00:00.000-08:00

Wyatt and I were reminiscing about his younger years.

I was cleaning out his drawers and found
this hat and his new-born pass.
He cracks me up.
(and yes, those are wrist warmers he is wearing..he loves them)

Meals from the last week!

I am working on this painting currently...please be kind acrylic!

Happy Tuesday! XOXOX

Valentine's Day (Love Awareness Day) and Trading Art!

2010-02-16T20:31:00.000-08:00

I like to refer to St. Valentine's Day as "Love Awareness Day" not "Singles Awareness Day". Let's think back to elementary school when we gave Valentines to everyone...that sweet Rainbow Bright or Teenage Ninja Turtles card that said something so simple yet sweet. The idea behind this small act was to remind our peers that we care about them. What happened to those days? I worked on V-day and I heard so many customers say "happy singles awareness day". BLAH! No thank you! I LOVE love! And not love like...heart bubbles, chick flick, cupid in a diaper, "love"; I'm talking: we don't deserve, God of the Universe (1 John 4:8), "He came not to the world be served but to serve" kind of love, who gave us life - kind of love! Love is BIG! too bad the English language doesn't have more words to describe the different kinds of love (Greek-style). So that's my rant on V-day. Maybe Easter is the day of true love...YIPPY!

Now Picture Time!

Heart Sugar Cookies!

Austin was inspired by his sweet heart and made this
adorable sign! Thanks honey!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A friend/co-worker of mine traded me this painting
for an ipod case. The painting is suppose to represent
how there can be life in a dry, barren place.

I made the ipod case from felt. Felt is so wonderful.
Cheap and versatile!

I love the golden rod color..

Thankful Thursday: First Edition

2010-02-04T11:51:00.000-08:00

I am going to do this thing every Thursday (hopefully)

where I share what I am thankful for.
With all the hard things that life has woven into it,
it can be difficult to remember how much awesomeness is also present.
So here we GO!

1) I am thankful for sharing! Wyatt is still at the age where he can share whatever we are eating without purchasing/preparing another scope of ice cream, omelet, or whatever. He can always have a portion of what we are having and that is really AWESOME! He still has his own meals but if he wants some of what I am eating it doesn't really affect anything. Soon I know he will out eat me by many portions :(

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2) I am thankful for TREES! This isn't a new one but these trees I made for the season!

This is short but Wyatt isn't taking nap...not so thankful for that new habit...oh well.
What are you thankful for this week?

The Month of Love!

2010-02-02T12:55:00.000-08:00

Now that she has received it...This is what I sent Michelle Van Winkle for her birthday!
A banner stating "I LOVE YOU"!
I do love her so much! She has been my friend for eight years now.
CRAZY! I thought it would be fun to share
since it is the month of remembering who we loooooove!
As a gift, feel free to download this mini-calendar below.
I was trying to do one for every month as
Christmas gifts but it was too much!
I will try to complete the month we are in and share it with you!
XOXOX

HAPPY FEBRUARY!

February:
The month before spring.
The month when Valentine's Day is celebrated.
The month where I realize we are knee deep into a new year.
The shortest month of the year (probably to be kind to us warm weather lovers).

I hope you all have a wonderful February!

Add to the Beauty

2010-01-25T12:47:00.000-08:00

I love the beginning of a new year
(minus the fact it happens during the heart of winter).
There is something that feels redeeming and alive
about starting a new chapter.
There are so many possibilities for growth and change.
I anticipate a year where Wyatt will change more than I can realize,
a year where there will be discovery and adventure, a year with the highs and lows that life brings but most of all I hope it is a year of beauty discovered!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On that note I wanted to share some beauty from the last month.

I have been longing to make these cute little "thumb print" cookies.
I feel like I've seen them EVERYWHERE and was just dying to make them myself.
I found a similar recipe while at Mom and Dad Olinger's house.
They had gotten some preserves as a gift and allowed me to use them for the recipe.

I had a delightful time making them!

TaDa! So cute, right?

While in Kansas I got to spend some much needed time with
my sweet and precious friends. This is at Michelle's house.
This was a delectable platter for the evening events. What a posh
bamboo platter, Chelle!

Poor little love was getting a cold on the way back to Denver
so the sweetie slept about half the trip back.
He was too cute not to capture!

He was feeling better in no time.
He loves his new toys.
Aren't those jammies SO cute!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am a part of a women's small group at my church.
It has been so wonderful meeting twice a month and sharing our lives.
It always feels so rich with authenticity.
Our leader, Amy Walker, hand wrote all of us this beautiful verse!
I keep it on my calendar, so to not forget!

This is the most random...really. So one of my new years "hopes"
was to be more creative, even if it's incredibly random.

That being said. I hard boil eggs for Wyatt every few weeks
so he has another source of protein and I mark them with an "X"
so to not confuse them with the unboiled eggs. While doing this
mundane act I thought "what the heck" lets get creative.

It made me think how I want to be a good egg...cheesy?? I think so, but it was fun!

Chapter 2010

2010-01-06T10:38:00.001-08:00

In case you can't read it:

1. Be creative more often.
We bought a new camera in December so I am already feeling like my creative juices are flowing but I still want to DO MORE! I have the tools I need to make the time.

2. Send more letters.
I was going to say something about being a better friend because I do want to be a better friend, and sister, and daughter, and granddaughter...so being a better mailer of things seems like a good place to start.

3. LEARN MORE about veggies so I can use them more.
I am loving to cook. It's also a creative outlet while also serving the purpose of meeting a basic need. I just want to be more educated on the healthy stuff so I can incorporate more.

4. Hold my tongue.
Less negativity more love!

5. Read more good stuff.
Less novels and more bible and books that challenge my mind and heart.

6. Be kinder when telling the truth.
Especially with my sweet husband. Sometimes I can be snappy.

What are your Hopes/Resolutions for 2010???

A time to celebrate!

2009-12-17T09:23:00.000-08:00

One of my most favorite things about Christmas is how it really brings people together. Which is so suiting because isn't that what God is really wanting? For us to be brought together with him through His Son Jesus!
YES!

Which leads me to the Christmas parties we've gotten to go to!

Austin and I went to a Christmas party (just the two of us) at our friends, Teddy and Emily Holmes.

They have a wonderful home! I love Emily's taste.
They had warm beverages, all that were very yummy!

The food was also soo amazing! Cheese, Olives and Jam...
really makes me thankful that God made us with taste-buds!

The next party was the...
**SECOND ANNUAL WOMEN'S CHRISTMAS PARTY**
(this year at Solid Grounds Coffee Shop)

I think there were about 22 of us total!
It was a BLAST!

There was even a real tree to put our gifts under.
We had gift exchange and the gifts were really awesome this year!

Who are you excited to see this Christmas season?

Winter Song: The Holidays with a Two Year Old (almost)

2009-12-11T14:29:00.000-08:00

Oh the delights of this joyous season!

I, like my best friends, love this season. I mean who doesn't want to bring trees indoors for crying out loud (I love trees for all of those who don't know). This year, however, we are doing things really low key. It's not that Wyatt wouldn't eventually understand that Christmas ornaments are more beautiful on the tree rather than in his sweet little mouth, it just brings me more holiday cheer to be minimalistic in my decorating endeavors.

CHECK IT OUT!

If you were visiting us the first taste of Christmas
would be this beautiful wreath from Dad and Mom Olinger.
I like it a lot because it feels Colo-radian

On the other side of the door is this felt star ornament.

These little snowmen candles are on our mantel.

These berries are also on the fireplace mantel.
(I actually have these up all year...is that cheating?)

Last but not least, our little snowman that resides in our bathroom.
Can you see our new camera??? I LOVE IT!

It's twelve days 'til Christmas. What are you doing to celebrate???

Playing House: Thanksgiving at the Walkers House

2009-11-28T13:42:00.001-08:00

The Walkers (friends of ours from our Church) were so kind to let us house-sit for them Wednesday through Saturday. There house is so warm and welcoming. It felt like one of the most peaceful Thanksgivings we have ever had! Not only was it peaceful but because of the non-"rush rush, stuff stuff" mentality we also got to really sit back and be THANKFUL for each other and the year that is nearly behind us. Here are some pictures of the wonderful meal we had:

One for the perks of staying at someone's house are the cool dishes! I put all of our potatoes (from here) into these quaint little dishes.

We put fresh parsley in the potatoes! Yummm!

We had all the traditional dishes:
stuffing, green bean casserole, rolls with homemade jam,
mash potatoes with gravy and TURKEY of course!

We had left over pumpkin so we put it into this little dish and
had ourselves a photo shoot with this Amy's sweet retro platter. SWEET!
(I know, I'm a nerd.)

For dessert I made three pies:
Pumpkin, Apple and Blueberry Peach (don't ask).
Featured here: DUTCH APPLE PIE

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Love,
The Olingers

Let's Get Thankful!

2009-11-26T15:19:00.000-08:00

To follow my dear friend Michelle, I am going to make my list of gratitude!
I AM THANKFUL FOR:

1) An amazing husband who is my best friend and brings out the best in me (on most days).

2) My first son! I love you Wyatt Keith Olinger! He has taught me so so much about myself and how dependent I am on my Father in Heaven.

3) I'm thankful for a job that is actually really fun! I hope I can keep working there until Austin in done with Seminary!

4) Thankful for such awesome friends both here and in Kansas, England, Holland and any other place I am forgetting.

5) For an awesome family (Olinger, Weaverling, Jarvis and Bohannan) I love my siblings, parents, grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and my sweet niece.

6) I am also thankful for blogs. It may seem shallow but it really does inspire me and helps me stay connected to some really dear friends. Yeah! for good uses of internet!

7) Trailhead. It has been both encouraging and challenging being a part of our church. I love the woman's small group I am a part of and the youth group girls I lead. I have love love loved being on the worship team. And most of all I have really loved how everyone has become like family and shows me the love of Christ!

8) I am so thankful for the arts and how they say things that no words can fully grasp. I love how art helps me understand my Creator more intimately and also helps me deepen my faith. Even though I am not "painting" I am living art in a way, by molding and shaping my precious sons life and creating a home that is beautiful (at least attempting to do so).

9) I am thankful for the Hope of tomorrow, for the Love that binds us all together and helps us look beyond ourselves, and for the Faith that helps us be anchored to a firm foundation so we don't get lost in the sea of life. And I am thankful for a Savior who gives us these things in abundance!

10) I am thankful for you! Thank you for reading this and I would love to hear what you are thankful for!

A Year and a Half!!! aka 18 months!

2009-09-23T10:40:00.000-07:00

This is him from today! You can see his sweet personality in this one!

GO CHIEFS!

He has been a bit drooly lately...all those teeth coming in!
He love his poppie!

Fun at the park!

Those sweet brown eyes are too much!

I can't believe how fast 18 months have gone by! It has been such a wonderful experience having him in our family. He has his rough days, like the rest of us, but more than anything it has been such a privileged to see him grow, discover and live his precious little life.

What is something you have enjoyed about Wyatt in his 18 months of life?? (it will be fun to share this when he is older)

The Beauty of God

2009-09-09T10:08:00.000-07:00

This past weekend on our church labor day retreat I had the great (and a bit stressful) privilege of leading an experiential time of reflecting upon God's beauty. The time was shorter than I had anticipated but what I had been praying while I prepared and planned this activity hopefully still transpired. There is no real way one person can create an experience that really gives God the honor that He is so greatly do. But I prayed that God would meet His people during that time. It was a powerful time for me of surrendering all my efforts and letting God just work. I gave everyone this handout before they started and I wanted to share it because it is so much on my heart. I know it won't have the same effect because there are no stations to go to via internet but I hope it still stirs something. (Thank you so much Michelle and Amy for listening to me process and wrestle through this time. Thank you Sam for the beautiful images...people really responded to them! And thank you Allison for praying with me when I was at my wit's end. Love you ladies!!!!)

The Beauty of God

This time is designed to give you tools to remember, experience and discover the Beauty of our Dear and Glorious Heavenly Father. Just as an architect, artist, chef or craftsperson’s work reflects their heart and often times their very essence so does God’s creation reflect His character. This experience is pushing you towards the littler things to help you see the big picture. It takes a lifetime to discover and digest the wonderment and dynamic beauty of the Creator of the universe. Below is a brief description of each station:

Christ’s Forgiveness: This station is to remind us of the great and precious sacrifice of the SON of God. As a parent or child think of the price of this gift. Read over Isaiah 53:5 and remember. The love that was poured out for us is too immense to measure and its power is still active today. We have a God who empathizes with every heartache and pain that this life lays upon us. He knows what it is to be human. He knows how it feels to be rejected, he knows the pain of losing loved ones by the awful sting of death, he knows…he knows. What great beauty and love do you find in this fact? Pray and ask God to reveal the deep beauty of his Son and our High Priest, Jesus!
The Sense Station: We all take in the world through our senses. It’s how we gather information; how we process the world. We did not have to be created with tongues that can taste so many things or with noses that can smell a million aromas. Tastes and smells are often times associated with memories. Taste and Smell and remember. God obviously wants us to enjoy life otherwise why would we have taste buds? Taste and see that the LORD IS GOOD!
The Names of our Lord: This section is self-guided but it’s power and significance is staggering. He is so beautiful one Name cannot contain His awesomeness.
The Prayer Labyrinth: This section is also self-guided but as you walk, read, and contemplate, remember to take time to notice the little things. Pick up a leaf and examine its veiny surface. Breath deeply, look closely and reflect upon the Creator.
Music: Music is very powerful. All people groups value the role music plays in their culture. Take an ipod/mp3 player and listen to a song or two (or spend the whole time listening) the words are printed off to help you focus in on the meaning behind each song. As you listen to the words that are written to and about the Lord also think how it is by His inspiration that we have instruments and tools to create such songs.
DVD: This is a compilation of images to bring the little things and the big things to the forefront. The music is called “Hope” which is fitting because it is what we all cling on to. Things are not always the easiest here on planet earth but our real home is in Heaven. Things will be fully restored there and there will be no more goodbyes. Our hope is in the Lord.

Mathilde Anna Gerta Maas

2009-08-26T10:32:00.001-07:00

It was so fun having Mathilde here! Wyatt, Austin and I miss her so much! Can't wait to see her again!

Looking Good!

Nothing like a good (fake) belly laugh!

2009-08-22T10:44:00.000-07:00

The little goober was fake laughing all night! It was quite amusing. I take full credit for the cheesy part of his personality.

Our sweet boy!

2009-08-21T11:35:00.000-07:00

Things that Happened this summer

2009-08-21T11:21:00.000-07:00

Things that have happened this summer:

Katie got engaged to a charming young man and they planned to be united in March 2010.
Miriam Joy, our first niece was born! She is totally awesome!
Austin took 5 hours of Hebrew and did exceptionally well! (100% on his last paper exceptional!!!)
We went to Kansas in June and had a fun time having family photo shoots…thanks dad and Melissa & Michelle!!
BABY BOOM! Joy and Jamie had a sweet little lad and Reagan Ann and Jerry had their first child and they are both so precious! I LOVE BABY LIPS!
Houses! Houses! Houses! A number of our dearest friends have purchased homes for the first time. It’s so nice to all go through different things at different times so we can help one another when it’s our turn.
Mathilde came to visit from July 21^st to August 16^th. It was such an incredible time to reconnect with my sweet sister and dear friend. We hope to visit her in two years!
Sam and Andy visited us all the way from England. We had fun hiking, eating amazing food, and just being with each other. I love you Sammy!

Now school starts up in one week and who know what we can pack into seven days! We thank the Lord for such wonderful friends and that all our physical needs are met daily. Austin and I continue to work on loving each other and our son in more selfless ways. I hope everyone else had a good summer…if you haven’t shared, please tell me all about it!

More little things (the Orange addition)

2009-05-23T10:35:00.001-07:00

I bought these carrots for .99 cents.
Where a jar of carrot baby food would cost .89 cents for 8 oz.

The color is so rich.
(I was able to fill two tubs full of carrots, yum.)

There is something so satisfying
in making food for the ones we love.
Plus there is a bonus in knowing it good for little love!

I recently decorated the house so I will post pictures soon...

It's the little things in life (birthday edition)

2009-03-25T11:26:00.000-07:00

This video speaks for itself but I just have to say I really love the little things.

Where I Hangout While Mommy Folds My Clothes

2009-02-27T20:30:00.001-08:00

He was fascinated he could hang out in the laundry basket...new things are excited I guess! :)

New Job and New inspirations!

2009-02-24T14:01:00.001-08:00

I have recently gotten a new job at a local coffee shop, Solid Grounds, (www.solidgrounds.org) that is owned an operated by a local church. It has been so refreshing getting back into a job where I see and interact with people and see direct results from my actions. *Sigh

Solid Grounds has different artists come in and hang their works so I have been working on a few things...here is one:

"Amelia" or "Blessed are the Pure in Heart, for they will See God"

My boss has also mentioned some graphic design work they may have for me. Here is a flier I made for some live music we will have this weekend...well it's not working so I will have to find a different way to post it.

I am going to paint some today! If you have any suggestions for what I should paint post them in the comments!

Shimmy Time

2009-02-08T22:35:00.000-08:00

We finally captured the amazing shimmy! Enjoy!

Wyatt and his cuteness!

2009-01-30T23:17:00.001-08:00

A tale of a little man trying to not just make it in life but also have tons of fun. This journey would involve much taste testing. (As Austin would say "Everything goes straight into his mouth". It's my theory that the mouth is the best way to quickly get acquainted with an object/person...)

Presenting: The One, the Only, Wyatt Keith Olinger!!!
Here he is modeling mom's "cheeto" hat.

"Doesn't taste like a cheeto.."

"But biscuits are good to eat!"

"Mommy and Poppy are pretty great too! They give me plenty to snack on!"

Pre-November Recap

2008-12-03T21:01:00.000-08:00

I made this image by combining a few photos off the internet and then put one of my favorite quotes:
"Human Nature is not a machine to be built after a model, and set to do exactly the work prescribed for it, but a tree, which requires to grow and develop itself on all sides, according to the tendency of the inward forces which made it a living thing."

I like it a ton and may even eventually do a painting from this concept!

October Recap

2008-12-03T13:31:00.000-08:00

Dear wonderful family and friends:
I apologize for the tardy update. No excuses, I will do better.

OCTOBER:

Wyatt was dedicated at our Church, Trailhead, on October 19th. The Olinger family (Mom, Dad and Katie O.) and my dear friend Reagan Ann Kemper traveled here to help celebrate the occasion.
It went very well. Austin and I both had to read a statement that basically meant we were giving Wyatt back to the Lord and that we trusted Him with our precious son. Pastor Jeff then prayed for all the families and babies. Wyatt proceeded to "talk" through the entire prayer. Maybe he was just practicing is praying skills.

Erica and Justin came the following weekend to spend time with us. We celebrated birthdays (Erica's and mine), went for a brief hike, went shopping at the mall, and played sequence. It was a wonderful time. We are so excited for the both of them because they are expecting their first child at the end of May. YIPPY!!! Wyatt will have a cousin!

I turned 24 on October 27th! Twenty-four is my favorite number and has been since I was six. In kindergarten my desk number was 24. When I was learning about numbers, more specifically multiplication, I found out many numbers go into 24 (1,2,3,4,6,8,12). Austin and I were married on the 24th of June. The list goes on and on. So yeah, it was a pretty cool birthday. I taught my first art class to some adults from our Church that night. I received so many nice presents (Austin totally rocked the presents this year!). So thanks everyone for making the last 24 years of my life so amazing. I really love you!

Wyatt had his first Halloween and I made him a rollie pollie costume. We didn't go trick-or-treating because he can't have candy so we went to a pumpkin carving party and shopping with him in his costume. I didn't document these events very well so here is the best picture.

SO SWEET RIGHT?!?!

This is getting a little lengthy so I will post one more thing of Wyatt and write more in the near future...I promise.

Family Visit (Part II)

2008-09-30T13:27:00.000-07:00

Oh Yeah! Part two! So on Saturday we went to this awesome park about a mile away from our apartment. It was so much fun. There is a few ponds, a killer play ground and beautiful landscaping. I can't wait until Wyatt is a little older so he can enjoy it more.

He wasn't into picture taking at that moment.

Example of the beautiful Landscaping

I stumbled upon these models in this giant tree..."Work it, Work it!"

YEAH!!! I love grandpoppy

Fun weekend with the Fam! (Part I)

2008-09-28T13:30:00.000-07:00

We were so happy to have my dad (step style), Naomi and Eli come to visit us this weekend. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH and wish we could see them more often. We went up to the mountains on Friday to a place called O'Fllon Park. It's a modest little park that has some awesome short trails and there is a little stream that runs through the whole length of the location. Wyatt had a great time...we have found he really likes the outdoors.

Along with the hike we took and the million pictures I took. We also played some hill billy golf which is hard to explain but is a really simple and fun game. While Naomi and I weren't playing that we were doing a premature "Senior" picture shoot and practiced our model walk.
Dad and I also through around the frisbee a bit. It was fun to get some fresh air and spend some quality time together!!!

Half Birthday!!!

2008-09-24T21:08:00.000-07:00

Me and Fred with my new high chair!!

"W" is for Wyatt!

"OK Mom! I've had enough pictures now!!"

Wyatt is six months old, can you believe it! He has mastered getting his feet up to his mouth to chew on. We bought him this mini high chair that fits onto a regular kitchen chair. It was cheaper and is better for the space available in our apartment!! Wyatt is still too young to have cake so Austin and I celebrated by eating some DQ...Yummy!

Wyatt's Newest Photos :)

2008-09-15T22:32:00.001-07:00

Here is some more of my cuteness!!! I love you guys!

Look how sweet I look in my dinosaur bib!!

"Hi Mom."

Attempt #1Attempt #2 (I want to wear the glasses!!!!)

Yeah!!! Finally!

Looking Cute with my Poppy!!!

Church Labor Day Retreat

2008-09-15T22:07:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since I've updated so I am starting a few weeks back. Wyatt and Austin went on their first Trailhead Church Retreat over labor day weekend. (I went last year alone because Austin had just started working at Best Buy and couldn't ask off). We stayed in the lovely Highlands Camp in Allenspark, CO (about 20 mins away from Estes Park).
www.highlandscamp.org
We really enjoyed our stay. Every family had their own room, each having four or more single beds. The first night Austin and I thought we could share a single being slender people and all but about halfway through the night I kicked him off and into his own single. Wyatt is so funny. He always sleeps so well when we are on "vacation" while at home he wakes up ever 4ish hours like clockwork. I think he slept a solid six hours the first night.

On Saturday morning the women had a time of sharing and reflection. It proved to be a very meaningful time of sharing our hearts with one another. Many people broke down and it was evident that we all needed someone to listen to the challenges of parenting and marriage and just life is general. For me the time was priceless and I felt as if I walked away from the whole experience loving all of the women in a different and deeper way.

The guys went on a manly hike in the afternoon. The rest of the day was filled with relaxation and rest. We played games with a number of people (we love games!!).

Sunday morning I was in charge of worship during a time of prayer. We sang six songs total and Austin helped by playing the guitar with a few other dudes. It went so much better than I could have imagined. This was my first time being the el capitano for the Worship Team, so I was a little nervous, but everyone did a great job and I have a lot of fun in the process. I hope I can do it again someday.

After lunch we went to Estes Park where I looked for some Christmas presents. We went with two other couples from our Small Group from church. It was a grand ol' time.

In closing: We are so thankful that God had provided us with a church family since we moved to Colorado. We still miss everyone from college very much and of course our wonderful families but are glad that some meaningful friendships have started to form here.

for more pics go to http://www.evrett.com/2008-trailhead-retreat

Let's hear some CHATTER!

2008-08-20T22:06:00.000-07:00

He is getting too smart for us and every time we think he has done something video/camera worthy he decides he is done doing it. So I had to sneak attack him with the camera while he was telling us how is day was. He has started talking more lately. He'll wake up from his naps and just have so much to say. I am going to say that he inherited that from me :) He also will just bust out in random fits of laughter but it's too random to capture. He is such a joy! We all miss you very much!!!

The Crash

2008-08-18T21:22:00.000-07:00

Sorry I have been so slow getting these pictures posted but here is the damage...and if you don't know the story already it goes a little something like this:

We were going to make a left hand turn off of 6th street when a sweet young man rear ended us. He confessed that he had just gotten his car fixed from another accident recently which made me feel a bit sorry for him. We were and are all right...it just shook us up a bit. Praise the Lord that it wasn't worse.

If you are wondering the car was declared totaled by our/their insurance.

In Other News!!
Wyatt is still so adorable and his big brown eyes are becoming more curious everyday. I LOVE LOVE LOVE being home with him and I think he likes it too.

New Wyatt Pictures

2008-08-18T20:00:00.000-07:00

Hello All the People I LOVE!!!
Here are some new pictures of yours truly!

Here I am looking at mommy. I look so much like a big boy...almost five months old!

Mommy thinks I look like an old man in this picture. Does anyone want to play some chess??

You maybe wondering why I am wearing this hat with long sleeves...it's because Denver got a cold front last weekend it was in the 50's. Burrr!

Beware everybody! This is where Poppie hurts my big feelings! Not the lower lippy :(

2008-06-24T16:24:00.000-07:00

Here I am entertaining Wyatt with a little dancing!

BIG FINALLY...LAUGHING!

Yay! it's summertime!

2008-06-10T12:02:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody this is Austin's first posting. My last semester of seminary was pretty stressful so I'm glad it's summer time. I have spent most of the summer relaxing, seeing family, and spending time with my new son. Wyatt is getting to be more fun as he is crying less and more observant to the things around him. That is all, I hope everyone is doing great.

Here is Wyatt's first Olinger family photo. He is so excited to be part of the family.

This is Wyatt again, and the title is "old man at the wishing well."

Summer fun: Smiles all around

2008-06-04T23:23:00.000-07:00

Smiles at last! Our little man is smiling and responding to us which is such a joy! He loves the car so much so I was able so capture a few of his awesome grins. Yesterday was his two month check up and he is weighing 10lbs 12ozs and he is almost 24 inches long...he is a tall skinny baby the doctor told us. He also had to get three shots, which was painful for all of us. So far the summer is off to a good start. We love having daddy home to hang out with us and allow some relaxation for his brain. We are looking forward to everyday together and are so thankful for how this time is making us all grow. :)

Happy Mother's Day

2008-05-11T21:47:00.000-07:00

Today was my first Mother's Day, which is really hard to believe! Yesterday I got to start celebrating with Austin giving me my present from Wyatt which was "Dan in Real Life". An excellent movie if you haven't seen it.
Austin had to work from seven to two today so Wyatt and I just lounged around this morning and I got to sleep in a bit. At three I met two of my pals from small group, Ali and Emily, at this little tea joint called The Tea Box. It was so relaxing a fun to just get to chat and being solo for a short time without our little sweeties demanding every other second. I got a iced peace white tea and a peanut butter and apple sandwich with some nice chips. De-licious!
After the tea and chat we went walking a few blocks to check out all the closed shops...it was getting late so most people were closing.
I called Austin to see what we were doing for church and how little love was doing. Austin was super exhausted and Wyatt just fell asleep so he told me to just go ahead a go while he stayed home. So off to church I went for the prayer gathering. It went really well and I got to meet some newbies in the church and prayer is just awesome to do together.

In closing: I have to admit that my first time of celebrating this holiday with myself included was really great. Being a mother is a mission in itself and has it good times and hard (from the seven weeks I've experienced). I am looking forward to Father's Day so Austin can relax and feel appreciated!

Fun with Photoshop!

2008-05-08T22:03:00.003-07:00

BEFORE and AFTER

Here is a photo I altered. I made us have whiter teeth and put a cool filter on us to make things more dramatic!

A little of Wyatt :)

2008-05-06T10:33:00.000-07:00

Leaves of Spring

2008-05-06T10:17:00.000-07:00

So today is BEAUTIFUL here in good old Colorado!
(Back to how I suck at blogging. I think it's because you always have to wonder "What is worth writing down for all the world to see?" There is so much pressure with these stinking blog-a-roonies.) ummm, yeah. Small group is coming over night and I am making a post-Cinco de Mayo meal. Hopefully it turns out.
Things I hope will happen today:

Michelle finds out she got the job she wanted.

I am able to get the house clean, myself clean, a meal made and see the little girl I use to tutor.
Wyatt stays cool and content.

Alright...I promise Austin will start writing on this darn thing also :) until then. Have a wonderful day!

2008-05-05T10:10:00.000-07:00

Hello world!
This is the first entry for the AKO Team.
I, personally, suck at keeping up with these things but we will see how this goes.

Closing thoughts:
Happy Cinco De Mayo!