Christmas in the Mountains

Levi and I just got home from visiting his dad in Colorado for Christmas. It's always been a Wilkins tradition to go on a snowboarding trip around Christmastime, but this year was a little different. Now, Levi's dad owns a house in Pagosa Springs, which made the trip easier.

We first visited Pagosa in October, and just one trip later it's already beginning to feel like our home away from home. It was fun to go snowboarding this year and think about how that is the mountain and those are the ski runs we will revisit for years to come.

I was pretty proud of my snowboarding skills this year. After not having boarded in two years, I was worried that I would fall every ten feet. However, I was pleasantly surprised that I didn't fall down on any of the runs, and I only fell once getting off the lift (a BIG accomplishment for me!).

Levi and his dad, Steve

Me and Levi

I also got to try out my baking-at-high-altitude skills. I have to say, I'm glad I don't live at a high altitude all the time, because changing recipes is a pain! Almost every ingredient must be altered, as well as the baking temperature. Despite all that, baking chocolate chip cookies at high altitude was a fun and yummy challenge.

The only thing missing from the trip was a hot tub. I told Levi's dad that I'll give him a year to get settled, but there should be a hot tub by next Christmas. We'll see!

A Creative Christmas

This year, I decided to make several of the Christmas gifts I gave. It was an effort to save some money and also give more thoughtful gifts. Pinterest filled me with inspiration, and I quickly fired up my sewing machine, hot glue gun and kitchen utensils. Here are some things I made, along with their tutorial links.

Coffee Sleeves

With Starbucks gift cards, of course!

http://craftystaci.com/2011/01/10/reversible-coffee-cup-sleeves/

Bath Soak

http://www.flamingotoes.com/2011/01/spa-scrubbie-and-bath-tea-soak/

Cookie Jars

I put this jar of cookie mix with a plastic Christmas platter, snowflake pot holder, red spatula and Christmas cookie cutters to make a complete gift.

http://www.loraleelewis.com/blog/?p=9435

Sewing Kit

This is the tutorial picture. The one I made was in a slightly larger mason jar with more sophisticated fabric and a fabric store gift card inside (along with the rest of the sewing items).

http://www.momtastic.com/diy/168161-diy-mason-jar-sewing-kit

Infinity Scarves

I failed to take pictures of the ones I made, which were solid apple green and solid plum.

http://comeonilene.com/2011/10/17/american-apparel-circle-scarf-knock-off-tutorial/

Superhero Cape

I made one of these last year, and it was such a hit that I made three this year!

http://www.soyouthinkyourecrafty.com/2008/01/super-tutorial/

Santa Hat Party Mix

Yummy, but a pain to make!

http://cookiesandcups.com/santa-party-mix/

Why, hello there. Who are you again?

Since Levi's last day at EMSA on the 14th, we've had an interesting transition. For example, last Saturday Levi and I ran errands all day and had a great time talking and laughing with each other. We both felt so freed just knowing that we'd get to have days like that more often for months and years to come! But, when we got home, I (subconsciously) plopped down on the couch, turned on the TV and starting ordering Christmas presents online, looking at Pinterest, etc. About two hours later, Levi pointed out that I hadn't spoken to him since we got home. Woops! I am so used to doing my own thing when I'm at home (because I've gotten used to being here alone), that I didn't even realize I was completely ignoring him.

As Levi so eloquently put it, "It's like being first married and learning how to live with each other all over again, except it's harder the second time because you don't have as much emotional good will." That's pretty accurate. I think we both expected to be having a blast with each other all the time when Levi's schedule changed, but it turns out that life still happens.

We also discovered that in our eight years together, we are just now experiencing the largest amount of time we've had together ever. It's weird and wonderful all at the same time. Despite our occasional frustrations with each other (that everyone has with people they live in such close proximity to), we are loving seeing more of each other. I never really considered it, but we could have had a much, much worse transition.

Here's to many more days, weeks, months and years of spending time with my wonderful husband, Levi!

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

I won 1st place in the office decorating contest and bragging rights and $20! My sash is super fun and says "winner" on it. I think I'll display it in my office for the next few months.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to win the decorate-your-office-for-Christmas contest

Levi's Job Update

Levi found out last week that his first official day with the Norman FD will be Jan. 3. He turned in his notice to EMSA this week, and his last day will be Dec. 14. As excited as he is to start this new chapter as a firefighter, he admitted there are some things (mostly the people) about EMSA that he will miss. I'll tell you one thing neither of us will miss - the schedule! It will be interesting to see how long it will take me to miss the four nights/week I currently have to myself. In the mean time, I'm looking forward to trying out the seeing-each-other-every-night schedule (at least for the first four months while he's training).

Bootlessness

In all our excitement about Levi's new job, I forgot to mention that I'm no longer wearing the boot! Now I get to wear this stylish "flipper" (as Levi calls it):

Only 2.5 more weeks until I get to wear a real shoe again! It's been an eight-month healing process, and I'm glad it's coming to an end. I haven't felt much pain since I switched to the flipper, mostly just muscle soreness from not having used those foot muscles in a long while.

We are full of blessings around here! Thank you, Lord, for taking care of us, even when it's not on our timeline. We know your timing is perfect.

Levi the firefighter

That's right, Levi got offered a job this week with the Norman Fire Department! I've thought about how I would write this post for literally years as we made our way through hiring processes for multiple departments (I say "we" because it was an emotional roller coaster for both of us!), but now I don't know what to say.

I guess I should say that Levi can't really believe that it's true. After not getting hired with six departments over the last three years, it's hard to believe it will ever happen. There is one final obstacle this week: medical tests that will determine whether or not he's physically fit for the job. He just knows there will be some part of his anatomy that is unusual, and the rug will get pulled out from under him. I daily tell him otherwise.

We are so excited and feel like we can finally let go of the breath we've been holding until now, waiting for him to get this job. It's such a relief! Thank you so much for all of your prayers and encouragement over the last few years. We couldn't have made it here without your support!

Lights Out

What I expected to be a nice, quiet evening to myself at home tonight turned out to be quite the opposite. While Levi was getting ready for work, I was hanging out in the living room when we heard a huge "boom" and the house shook a little bit. We both quickly ran around looking in rooms and out windows trying to figure out what had happened.

When I looked out the kitchen window to the backyard, I saw this:

Our neighbor's large, old tree had snapped in the wind and, on its way down, it literally ripped the power lines off our house. Of course, this left us with no lights or heat on what would likely be the coldest night yet this season. With Levi headed to work, Molly and I were on our own.

After talking to our neighbor, I found out that the power company would reattach the live wires to the house, but an electrician would have to come fix something before the power could be restored. This will likely be tomorrow, so tonight Molly and I are at my coworker/friend's house having a sleepover. It feels quite rebellious to be having a slumber party on a "work night."

Thankfully, no one was hurt and our property was not damaged (as far as our house structure, anyway). I'm really glad Molly was inside at the time! I'm also thankful to have had a full list of people in mind who would have taken me in tonight, had I asked. We are so blessed!

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Also, many of you are probably curious about how Levi's interview with the Norman Fire Department went today. He felt very prepared and feels he did a good job of answering the questions. We're not getting our hopes up, as we have been disappointed several times before, but we are still praying that it would be God's will for Levi to get this job. Hopefully we will hear something by the end of the week. Thanks for all your prayers and thoughts today. They were felt by us both!

3rd Annual Pumpkin Painting Party

Yesterday, Levi and I had our nephew, Grayson, over for our third annual pumpkin painting party. It's been fun to see how his motor skills, color choices and painting methods change over the years, and yesterday was no different. We all had a lot of fun, and the activity held Grayson's attention longer than mine or Levi's. He must be an artist in the making!

Unfortunately, the pictures we took on Levi's phone got wiped off when he updated the operating system last night. But, never fear because we still have pictures from our post-pumpkin-painting trip to the school playground in our neighborhood. Grayson is such a big boy and can maneuver all of the big kid toys by himself. He also really loves Levi and would often tell me a certain activity was for "boys only". The day was filled with lots of laughs, and we can't wait to do this again next year!

After Levi got off this jumping toy (which Grayson had informed me was for "boys only"), I got on it with Grayson and he promptly said "You're done." When I ignored the comment, he said "You need to put your feet on the wood chips." Well, okay then. 

The Springs

Last weekend, Levi and I (along with Levi's brother Jake and his fiancee, Becca) road tripped to Pagosa Springs, CO to see the house Levi's dad recently bought. It's a beautiful log cabin with lots of neat details:

While we were there, we relaxed around the house and toured the area.

We made s'mores and sat by the fire:

We chatted at a coffee shop overlooking the heart of town:

We watched people fly fish on the river that runs through the middle of town (with public hot springs along it):

We visited Treasure Falls:

We took in the beautiful views:

We went mountain biking:

We also played extreme, no-rules, no-score-keeping ping pong where floor, wall, and ceiling shots were acceptable (I wish I had a video!).

It was great to get away and experience a place that our family will be going for years to come. We can't wait to go back!

Unexpected blessing

No, this post is not what some of you might think. I'm not unexpectedly pregnant. Levi got a chief's interview with the Norman Fire Department! He got a call today that said the chief reviewed his application and the results of the oral review board, and he wants to interview Levi. Of course, we are shocked and elated by this turn of events! Thank you for your continued prayers and make sure to say a little one on November 2 for Levi's interview.

Dealing with disappointment

Well, it's happened again. Levi didn't get hired with the Norman Fire Department. He had the best interview he'd ever had last week with a panel of six firefighters, but he got the news Friday that he was not selected to proceed to the chief's interview. Since the interview went so well and one of the guys on the panel actually told him "great job" as he walked out, we're really not sure what happened. Levi made it to the chief's interview last time, and there were more than twice as many candidates plus he didn't interview with the panel as well as he did this time. The only thing we can do is believe that it is not God's plan or timing for Levi to get a job with Norman.

He's currently in the hiring processes for the Moore and Oklahoma City FDs, though his heart was really in Norman's. He's not going to give up. He's being very strong and trusting the Lord, though it's been hard. I've been especially disappointed, as I was looking forward to him getting a better work schedule soon and I'm just ready for the whole emotional roller coaster of hiring processes to be over (I'm sure I'm not the only one who wants these things!).

Thank you for all of your prayers and encouragement during the last two and a half years of Levi's pursuit of a job as a firefighter. Though it's frustrating, at times, to continue to pray the same prayer, please continue to ask that the Lord would give Levi a job as a firefighter, but more so that the Lord's will would be done. Also, please pray for Levi and I as we try to find peace and comfort in knowing that the Lord always works for our good (Romans 8:28) and His glory.

Happy October!

Guest Bed Makeover

I found this bed at a garage sale a few months ago and knew it would look great in our guest room. It was painted black when I bought it, but black really isn't my color so (surprise!) I decided to paint it green. It's a soft mint green that ends up working somewhat like a neutral.

I'm excited about how the color I chose works with the quilt that my neighbor Wanda gave me (it's from the '40s) to give off a vintage vibe. I also like how the room looks like a room at a bed and breakfast, cozy and quaint. If you need a place to stay, we're ready and open for business!

The Bone Stimulator

I finally got it!

This strange contraption is supposed to heal my foot. When it's on, I can't feel anything happening so it seems silly to wear it, but I'm just hoping that it will work! I only have to use the device 30 minutes per day, and it is supposed to send electromagnetic waves that will "trick" my brain into sending bone growth, healing hormones down to my foot. I don't understand it, but I'll give it a try! My doctor told me he's never had a bone stimulator not work for a patient. Let's hope I'm not the first!

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In other news, Levi passed the Norman Fire Department physical test yesterday! That was the most difficult hurdle of the process, since it is easy to make mistakes. We're both very glad that it's over. Interviews should be next month with job offers extended Nov. 1. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers during this process.

Happy Lazy Saturday

Boot Camp

It's bad when the bank teller is surprised you're still wearing a boot cast. That happened to me today. I guess it's not that shocking, considering that in a week I will have been wearing some sort of cast for the last six months. I haven't bothered to blog about it because (1) I didn't want to be one of those complaining types and (2) I expected it to be healed rather quickly.

Let me give you the run-down for those who don't know what's been going on. I'll give you the CliffsNotes version:

• About a year and a half ago the pain started, but I ignored it until six months ago when my foot started swelling.
• Spring Break (March) - I get a walking boot cast for extensor tendonitis and wear it for three weeks, my foot isn't any better.
• I go back to the doctor and am told to wear the boot for another three weeks, which I do with no improvement.
• I switch doctors and find out I actually have a stress fracture (which took more x-rays and a bone scan to figure out) and the doctor tells me he wants to put me in a fiberglass cast. I ask to wait until after my beach vacation and he agrees.
• July - I get a fiberglass cast and have to wear it for three weeks.
• I get the fiberglass cast off and am then told to wear the boot another three weeks.
• August - I get told I can stop wearing the boot and my foot feels great for two days. Then, it begins hurting again in the same way as before. The doctor has me continue wearing the boot.
• Two weeks ago, the doctor said he'd order me a bone stimulator, which I have yet to receive. Apparently now he has to write a letter of "medical necessity" which will take another week. Clearly, I just want the device to play with. Come on, people, this is getting ridiculous.

That's the story in a longer-than-planned nutshell. I'm starting to believe that my foot will never be healed, and in the meantime my constant fashion companion is a black boot of which I've now worn off part of the rubber sole. So yes, bank teller, I will be wearing this boot indefinitely.

Weekend Project #6: Flower Beds

This weekend, we took advantage of the cooler weather to rip out the dead plants and old mulch from our flower beds and replace them with new flowers and mulch that will hopefully survive in the coming cooler weather. Most of our plants took a beating this summer, and watering wasn't enough to keep them alive. Hopefully, we'll have better luck with this batch.

BEFORE:

AFTER: