2008 Already a Big Year . . .

. . . and it hasn't even started yet! Well I continued to make 2008 a bang up year; on saturday I bought a new car! And I absolutely LOVE it!! It was such a relief to get rid of the VW and get into something reliable. My first brand new I mean 2008 brand new car!! :O)

Cheers to a Happy New Year to everyone!! Hope 2008 is a wonderful year for you and your loved ones!

One flat tire, one flat spare and a whole lot of laughs

So on Saturday I learned the value of a good car insurance policy. Nick and I headed down to Denver in hopes of finding a place to live (which we did find some really fabulous places) and so after our search we began our journey back up to Fort Collins.

Still in Denver on i-25 we heard a loud "POP" and couldn't figure out where the noise was coming from. "Is it your car Jai?" Nick asked. "No way. I don't think so." I replied looking in my driver's side mirror to see smoke coming from the back of my car. We pulled off on to the shoulder of the major highway only to find my back tire to be completely shredded. As we started to get ready to change the tire we learned that VW equips their cars with ridiculous jacks and of course I had no tools to get the wheel off.

Thankfully through my insurance I have covered roadside assistance. So there we sat on the side of the highway just waiting as hundreds of cars sped past us. The tire guy did finally come after 3 sets of bad directions from the insurance company and we were back on our way. Nick thought the spare seemed a little flat so we found a near by gas station for air. As Nick started to fill the tire he looked at me and said with a frown "There's more air leaking out than there is going in." There we stood unbelievably frustrated, tired and starving not knowing what to do next. We were able to find some 'fix a flat' stuff which did finally get us safely back to Fort Collins.

I guess the morale of this story as my girlfriend Miranda put it "I guess I'm just meant to be in Denver!"

Stepping Forward

So today makes it official . . . I have accepted a position in South Denver and will be moving in the next couple of weeks. I am incredibly excited and can't wait for this new chapter in my life to begin. Fort Collins has been very good to me but it is definitely time to move on. It's like Dad has said "Go big or Go home!" So going big is what I intend to do!

I'm sure there will be much to talk about over the next couple of weeks. Let's hope I find a place to live!

quiet moments.

The sun has already set, only a few people are still in the bank and Randy is playing Christmas music on his violin. It is quiet and still. And after a rather rough day I feel at peace, a moment to take a deep breath and think . . .

I've learned that life is beautiful even through the heartache and the trials. It is at the end of the day when life can whisper your name and asks you to come and sit beside her, to enjoy her. To soak her in, to be quiet, to remember and reflect on those tender moments that mean so much.

My mistakes I've made them and yet I know I would choose them again. My regrets are few and my heartache I have left but not forgotten. My hardships I would not trade them. And my scars I wear them without shame. I would not ask God to do any different and I am grateful for each moment He so graciously gives.

8 things . . .

Brooke asked me to continue the "8 things you may not know about me" so here they are: (and if you do know this about just pretend you didn't!) ;o)

1.) My favorite place I've lived was in a little tin-roof hut on the island of St. Croix, USVI.

2.) I'm deathly afraid of snakes, I can barely stand to see them even on TV!

3.) I wish that I could be a traveling journalist for National Geographic.

4.) Even though I have quite a few scars I wear them with pride . . . after all they tell the stories of my life.

5.) Riding up the first ski lift for the day is among my favorite moments in life.

6.) I let Tobias sleep under my covers with me (I know but he's so dang cute and a great snuggler!).

7.) Feeling the sand between my toes, letting the sun kiss my cheeks and listening to the waves roll up the shore is my idea of the perfect day.

8.) I love a good glass of wine but only buy the bottles that are pretty.

Home . . .

It was one of those evenings that feels just right . . . with a glass of wine in hand, Christmas music softly playing in the background and my most favorite people, Brooke and my mom, sitting near. Everything felt just right, everything was just as it was supposed to be the night before Thanksgiving. Dad and Brian were outside in the cold bbq-ing when we realized that Tobias and Kingstin were no longer with them. In a panic, we all ran in different directions yelling their names and praying under our breathes that they would come home. As my search continued I realized they were not coming to my calls. I stopped, feeling my heart racing, my voice was quivering and the cold was stinging my lungs. Sadly I could still hear my families call. I knew there was one place I needed to look next . . . the highway. I knew I could not bare the sight alone so I turned to go back for my dad's company . . . as I approached their house I saw my dad I whispered through my tears "Nothing, I can't find them." He smiled "I did." They were safe and at home.

So as we sat in the living room all of us home, the Christmas music still playing I looked across the room . . . stopping to look at my family. Tears began to well and all I could think was how grateful I am for them. This evening I was grateful for the safe return of my dear puppy but even more it made me reflect on what truly is important this holiday season: my family.

I am so blessed.

I've decided that I would try something new. So I decided I would start a blog so 'welcome to this side of the story!'