Just had to post this one...mmm...Alps....


My buddy Mira went back to the Alpine ski resort that we hit last year in Austria and sent me this crystal clear picture. Best skiing ever, man!

the beauty of gift certificates and anniversaries

Wow, I haven't blogged in quite a while. I can't use work as an excuse for not having the time, at least not for the next couple of weeks. I officially left my former job the week before last due to some less than ethical stuff going on around the office. While I signed a bunch of non-disclosure stuff, it's not illegal to point people to press. This article was published in The Chicago Tribune, unbeknownst to me, on my last day about the company's Chicago office: http://ubdaily.educatorsportal.com/index.php?news_date=2004-12-13&news_id=1786

Anyway, the Lord was once again faithful in providing another job within a week at First Technology Credit Union, sort of a personal banker trainee sort of deal. It is a bit less money, but the benefits are good and there will hopefully be no moral binds. All this to say, I've got a bit of time off at the moment. I finished the lengthy interview process with First Tech last week and was just offered the job to start on Jan 18. Three weeks off and a few gift certificates to deplete. There's just something great about having money ear-marked for a particular store. It really allows for the no-guilt shopping, especially when you have limited funds. Thanks to everyone who sent the plastic our way. Katie's fav: Pottery Barn from the Stanley's. My fav: Powell's Books from my sister, Tim and the boys. The one most likely to be used tonight: Olive Garden from my parents on the occasion of our anniversary.

Yep, I didn't forget. It's been two awesome years today that have held an enormous amount of adventures so far. I feel unbelievably blessed to have shared them with Katie. She's followed me around the world and around the country (sometimes a few steps ahead of me out of sheer excitement) and every situation confirms the wisest decision I've ever made. I still can't believe she said "yes." I would imagine that most men dream of having a wife as gung-ho about life and as courageous as she has been. I can't wait to see what's in store next.

I love you baby.

Merry Christmas





The day is here and fun has been had by us both. Highlights: Tim's infamous and authentic SMU sweatshirt has been officially passed on to Katie (pictured above), expanded edition of Return of the King, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle tee, SNL Trivial Pursuit and books galore (including Bob Dylan: Chronicles Volume I). We miss you all. Have a good week.

there is a guy fixing our washing machine at the moment (a perk of renting) and he is from a central european country, i can hear it in his accent. and he is talking about the 'spill' of the suds and water all over the floor. i guess in trying to fix it, he started the water and it went all over. so michael is hopping back and forth bringing towels to help the flood and i am blogging.

it's nice to rent. we were talking today about the idea of buying a house. i think we are at least a good 2 years away from even considering it (probably more) but just talking. there are a lot of perks to renting- people to fix broken items, a clean yard, a pool, washing machines and dryers galore. when i look at houses i see big yards with big trees...raking and sweeping and mowing. i am sure it will be great later when kids come, but for now, it's not a bad set up.

it's nice to be content here. we were driving home last night, crossing one of the many big bridges surrounding the city, looking at the lights of the city and being very in love with this place. and church this morning was wonderful as usual. and today we went downtown with 2 other couples and strolled around. we are thankful.

my dad sent us some of his famous chocolate chip cookies through the mail in a tin. it's time to eat more of them. Have a wonderful week before Christmas. - love katie

So right now I am thinking.....

-that my hubbie is bringing home chicken strips for me (don't worry he won't eat them)
-that i like walking to and from work everyday, even if it's raining
-that i think it's bad a** that brent is writing a kid's book
-that oregon is my state for life
-that a real christmas tree is the best smell one could have in their house
-that television is overrated
-especially cable
-that margaritas were invented by geniuses
-that teaching kids in the future sounds great
-i need to write a christmas list
-my chicken strips are here.
kate

Starting the season off right...

Katie woke up this morning like a champ and braved the CBEST exam. It's basically step one in getting accepted to George Fox and certified as a teacher in Oregon. After the four plus hours of bubbling in those dreaded little ovals, we hit the Holiday Ale Festival downtown. Four bucks gets you a novelty mug and a ticket to the interior of several heated and interconnected tents where the microbrew flows like wine. We sampled several, but our favorites were Tannen Bomb and Toymaker. Other notables included Wreck the Halls and Blitzen Ale.

In other news, we're going out with a couple from church tomorrow afternoon to cut down a Christmas tree. It's been a long-standing rumor that the Stevenson kids are allergic to pine, but I think it was just a clever ploy to make a bunch of kids agree to a fake tree. My parents probably would've used that line if they would have thought of it. I remember some seven or eight years ago when my dad came home with a plastic tree and that was that. Those days are over; we're going for the real deal. How can you live in Oregon and have a plastic Christmas tree? I think we'd be asked to leave.

Oh yeah, tomorrow night: Pedro the Lion. Mmmm...Pedro...

New photos in the galleries to your right.