Walking on Water

Our hike with the Luczkiws in early spring turned into a grand adventure!  As we got a little more confident we ventured further out into the lake, had sliding contests, and twirling routines.  Never thought I would skate around on a true frozen lake - anything is possible in Southern Illinois!

Snow Day!

Thesis update

I am coming out of my hole for a minute to update everyone on my thesis progress.  I went into hibernation mode two weeks ago after a meeting with my professor...however not much hibernation has been done, more like worker bee hermit!  Anyway, I am kicking things into sixth gear and haven't had ANY time for just about anything else.

But here is what I have accomplished so far:

• I finished data collection a.k.a. I finished all my interviews and no longer have to travel to another University to meet with athletes.

• I then transcribed those interviews word for word verbatim, I finished with 69,571 words.  Which equated to about 227 pages of data.  Oh man.

Chris's New Hobby

Hi everyone!

Over the break, I came across a hobby that I found I take great joy in: woodworking...in the most general sense of the name. It began because I wanted to make some Christmas gift for a couple of my friends out here and I wanted them to be special. I don't know why God put it on my heart to build things out of wood for them since I had nearly none of the proper tools for it and no experience, but He did. Thus began my journey with woodworking, and what a fascinating journey it has been! So full of learning and mistakes and yet, God has had His hand on it the whole way; He has provided me with tools via borrowing from others, He has provided me with wood via kind people or random pallets that I can salvage, and He has provided me with time to do it. Most importantly, though, He has blessed me with a wife that is supportive and loving and allows me the freedom to try my hand at these things... It has been great!

I started off with little gifts for my friends, as I said earlier: a couple of pipe holders (one a pipe holder, ash tray combo), a wall-mount bottle opener (not pictured), and a coat rack.

NYE & NYDay

NYE 2014

I unashamedly was taking self-timer selfies while waiting for Chris...but in my defense it is because he get SUPER IMPATIENT with the self-timer. So I had to make sure the lighting was good before I got him in from of the camera, because the clock starts ticking after the first one and there is not a lot of time for retakes! Haha

Christmas in Carbondale

Christmas Eve

Kirkwood Olympic Lifting Meet

The Jordans and the Roths made a day of St. Louis and Olympic lifting!  Chris and Mitch competed in this competition last year, and decided to go for round two.  They both did really well, finishing second in each of their respective weight classes.  I don't actually have pictures of them lifting, because my hands were tied with recording.  Suffice to say their form was impeccable :-)

The groupies

Sustainable & D.I.Y. Christmas Decorating

Cindy's Visit

We had the wonderful privilege of hosting Aunt Cindy for a week!  We had so much fun hanging out and spending time together.  Here are some of the highlights.

Sunset at Alto Pass Winery

The wind was not cooperating with our hair!