Lent

I have never given up anything for Lent before.

Wasn't really a tradition growing up that my family participated in

In fact I have never really thought Lent too much before.

So this year I thought let's challenge myself and give up something.

I wanted to give up something that I devoted a lot of time too,

which for me is facebook.

I know, I know this sounds cheesy and kinda lame.

But its true.

Because a lot of times I have downtime at work where I sit

in front of a computer and LOVE facebook.

I loved it a little too much

and constantly felt this need

to know

the most

up to date

information, status updates and photos

of people.

Does it matter?

Nope but I felt this nagging need

to always know

So I have given it up

and

this will be hard don't get be wrong.

I will probably feel disconnected

and sad

when I realize I didn't see those pictures

people around me are talking about

But also good for me

Today: day 1

I have talked to more friends/family in other forms then facebook

then I have in the last week.

So maybe I won't be so disconnected from not facebooking :)

Also on day 1 I noticed how lovely the snow coming down

the mountain is.

Valentine's Day/James 28th Bday~

My Valentines Day Outfit :)

Dinner at Jame's house

Roses for Vday!

My valentines day was great.

James put a lot of effort into making it special.

I went over to his apartment and he had completely rearranged his apartment.

There was linen on his table with candles everywhere.

He bought me a dozen roses, he even bought a piano cd that could be playing cause he knows I like piano music.

He made an incredible meal that was to die for.

Then we just chilled out and watched a movie.

All in all it was great!

He even got me a personalized journal with a note in it for me.

So he did great!

Monday night was his 28th birthday so we went to texas roadhouse and then were going to go to ITZ cause he wanted to play games.

However by the time we got out the game place wasn't open so we went to go see valentines day movie and actually we both liked it.

I mean it was somewhat cheesy but overall cute.

Previous to the movie we could get the game fix in we played in the arcade :)

James and I played a racing boat game, he beat me everytime but once.

But it was his birthday so I had to let him win afterall!

We had a lot of fun this past weekend and I feel very blessed to have him in my life.

I am thankful that I got to celebrate his bday with him.

I got him a watch and he loved it!

Fun!

Recent pics from a few events of James and I.

James got me tickets

to go see CATS

and we dressed up fancy

and went to a nice restaurant in

downtown Denver....:)

dressed up

James and I(really I are working on his smile face) and this is what he did when

I asked him to smile nice for the picture.

nice huh?? :)

Salida

View from our FRONT ROW seats!!

for CATS.

the actors came out and would like stare at us

for like 5 minutes.

It made you hot inside

and feel a little awkward.

but so fun!

laughing a little too hard in this one:)

salida, CO

Again you can see James' awesome skills at looking hot ;o)

Blogging

I want to do it more.

Maybe it is because I am thinking/analyzing/pondering

more

now that I am in grad school.

I have done a bad job at blogging as of late.

Due mostly because

I think it is too much

and

I have nothing good to say.

Well that's the whole point of blogs

they aren't really important

rather

random

ramblings.

As I am rambling right now

I look out of my office window

and

the snow is creeping over pikes peak

and moving eastward

like a heavy blanket.

I love that I can see that outside my window

conversely

at lunch it was sunny and 50 on the 27th of January.

Tonight I will zumba

and do research

for a research proposal.

Dear Grad school:

please don't be

too mean

to me

and

I promise

to be nice

to you

love katie :)

School

So I have started my Masters career

in Social work.

This past weekend I was up in Ft. Collins from friday am to sunday pm.

It was long to be in class

however

I love being in school again.

To walk on campus

surrounded by

old buildings

and students

and academia.

It was great.

It made me miss my college days.

Life as a distance student who is only there on

weekends is totally different.

But it was fun to feel like I was back in college.

It made me remember the library at Grand Valley State University.

Where I was would always sit on the 4th floor in a window and study

and how I LOVED the smell of that library.

the books

and the elevator.

The elevator smelled like old books and I loved it!

It was also a joy

to be surrounded by like minded people

who care about the things I care about

and think

like me :)

Social workers

we are a strange breed

of people

but we truly do

make the world a better place.

We advocate

for those who don't have a voice

we educate those who have not had the chance at education

We love

those whom society throws away

We pause to listen

to those

people

don't want to listen to

We help people

stand up

after they have been

knocked down.

We are people who pick you up and help you find hope

when there

seems to be

nothing

to hope for.

So being surrounded by these same fish who swim in the same pond as me.

Makes me feel happy.

I feel like I have found my home again.

It has been so long.

Now with that said working full time.

going to school part time

doing 12-15 hours of an internship per week

and doing life

is going to be challenging.

But I think I can do it.

I am excited/anxious for this next phase.

However good things are on the horizon.
God has not forgotten me.

One step in front of the other :)

Here we go....

symbolism

There are some images we see that resonate with us.

Resonate with our soul

because we feel that they represent us

or

speak to who we are.

For me the image that makes me feel at home

are

angel wings.

Whenever I see the image

on a postcard

or a shirt

it just causes

me to take a deep

breath

and sigh.

I don't know why this is, but it is something God has given me.

A special link between Him and I.

I am not saying I am an angel

however

I do think

I am on the front lines for

fighting

for children

who have been

abused.

for a reason

I think that God

hand picked me

to be doing

exactly what

it is

I am doing.

People always tell me

"I don't know how you can do your job,"

I

think

how can I not?

This weekend I went to go see Blind Side.

It made me cry so many times.

Because it is my heart to love those who

have been abandoned.

I have literally walked the foot steps of the character

portrayed by sandra bullock

of tucking teenagers into bed and reading them bedtime stories.

It makes my soul

scream

to think there are

children

who will not be given a

toy this christmas

or have no family to go home to

because being on the streets

is safer for them

then to be under the

roof

of where their biological family

resides.

This christmas

be Jesus

to someone.

A child.

anyone who needs to be loved.

Wrap your wings around them

because you can

and have been blessed.

Open your eyes.

Get out of your comfort zone.

Find someone who needs you.

There are lots of people

sometimes they are hiding because

they are ashamed

or feel embarrassed

But find them

and

love them.

Also in this christmas season: take a moment to be quiet and really spend time being present.

Last night...

Last night James and I had a date.
We hadn't spent any good quality time together in forever.

So we went out to eat at jose muldoons for dinner.
Then I was planning our date, last night so I told him where to drive.
As we were on our way to the broadmoore...it started snowing like crazy.

So I told james what we were going to do as we were on our way there and he said let's just see how it is.

So we went and it was enchanting.
truly it was.

We walked around the back where the snow was falling down at a delicate gentle speed.
Just soft.

We walked around in the snow, held hands, and admired all the lights.
I hummed christmas carols
and we attempted to take pictures.

Last night was enchanting.

I figured out james is not very good at taking candid shots with his phone. we are going to have to work on that :)

We just enjoyed each other's company and it felt magical.
We stood on a bench and looked at all of the beautiful decorated trees and james chased geese.
They were chip ring very loudly and not happy that james was upsetting their home.

Then on Monday he had these delivered to me at work :)