Violet is 1 month old!

Violet is officially 1 month as of yesterday.  She's such a big girl now.  She now follows objects with her eyes.  She's smiling and laughing socially.  We are still working on sleeping through the night but one step at a time.

Taking a nap in the swing for the first time

So happy!

Violet at 1 month and Steve

Violet and Her Monster

IMG_1857
Originally uploaded by SpamanthaB

My sister gave me the idea to take Violet's picture with a stuffed animal or something to see how she grows in relation to the animal. I chose this pink monster. We are still trying to figure out a name for it but this is the first picture with the monster.

Dad and Violet

IMG_1810
Originally uploaded by SpamanthaB

I love this picture. I just wanted to share it with everyone.

Violet Dianne is here!

IMG_1767
Originally uploaded by SpamanthaB

Violet Dianne Buchholz
2/25/09
7lbs 2oz
20 3/4in

Me 40 weeks 5 Days

Me 40 weeks 5 Days
Originally uploaded by SpamanthaB

This is the last pregnant picture of me. I will be going to the hospital tomorrow at 4pm to start the induction. Hopefully it won't be too long before she's here!

40 Weeks and 1 day

Still no baby.  We are patiently waiting....hopefully soon!

37 weeks

37 weeks
Originally uploaded by SpamanthaB

THis is me at 37 weeks. My hair is bad because of bed rest.

28 Weeks

28 Weeks
Originally uploaded by SpamanthaB

Well that was my picture at 28 weeks. I am more round right now. We are really behind on the whole picture thing. I should take another picture soon. I am now at 35 weeks. We are getting closer!

Sam's Belly at 20 Weeks

Sam's Belly at 20 Weeks
Originally uploaded by SpamanthaB

I'm trying this out

Ouch!

Yesterday I had the glucose screening and then also the shot for the RH factor stuff. So I had to get a bunch of blood drawn and then stabbed and what not. Not to mention that the drink for the glucose stuff was gross. Today my back is a little sore but I'm doing ok. Now we wait to find out the results. Well really the Dr's office goes on no news is good news. So I will most likely end up calling Thursday or so. It was a long day of waiting yesterday. And now today I have to make cookies for the LWML cookie sale.

I Don't Normally Do This

I'm shocked by this article. I found it while searching online at other things and I guess in the D.C. area busses are going to have ads from the American Humanist Association on them that say "Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness sake." They claim that its a way of advertising to "non-theists" because they are lonely during the Christmas season. 

Well yeah, I mean what's the point of celebrating a day of the year that is all about the birth of Jesus? Oh and the AHA also adds that they are "trying to plant a seed of rational thought and critical thinking and questioning in people's minds." So because I believe in God that means I'm stupid?  I don't have critical thinking skills???  Also that got me thinking too...because I'm not a "humanist" does that mean I'm against humans? How can humanists be all about humans but yet slam humans who believe in God and call them stupid. Thats not showing "responsibility to lead ethical lives of value to self and humanity."

All this talk reminds me of Expelled. Its frustrating.... GAH.

Silly Kitties

This is just too funny.... enjoy

Ordination

Nick's ordination was about 3 weeks ago now.  I was just able to edit and post the video of the sermon preached by Pastor Shoup.  So its in three parts down below.  The total length of the sermon is about 23 min.  But because of youtubes rules I had to split it up.  I made sure that you wouldn't miss anything so it should all be there for you.  Just start with the video on top and work your way down.

Brace Yourselves We've Got A Lot Of News

Sorry for the hiatus.  We had a very busy summer.  So Nick got a call sometime in July and then ordination was two weeks ago.  We moved just this past friday and installation is this sunday.  We are in Cleveland, OH.  Nick got a call to Our Savior Lutheran Church.  He's the sole pastor and has a lot of work coming up but I know that God will take care of Nick, the congregation and me.   We are working on getting settled so far we have found the grocery store and target. 

In other news, our family will be growing!  We found out in June that I was pregnant and baby is due in Feb.  So far things are going good.  Its been an interesting experience.  I'm past the morning sickness and now I'm just kinda tired most of the time.  I think that some of that has to do with moving and stuff.  I'll include pictures once we get everything settled.    

We're Baaack.

We are back from our vacation. It was crazy. Nick ended up having a phone interview and we went only to Kings Island and Cedar Point. We had a car problem as we were driving from OH to IL. We just passed Gary, IN and when I push the gas pedal the battery light goes on. I let off the gas and then it goes off. So we stop in Hammond, IN and stop at a garage and they look at it and it turns out to be the alternator. Stupid car. But they were able to fix it in an hour and its back to new.

Now its back to work. The weather has cooled down a bunch and its pretty nice. We don't need to run the air yet. I'm not sure whats going on with the flooding here. They are predicting some for St. Louis but we are far enough away to not have to worry. I hope its not as bad as they are saying.

That's pretty much all thats going on here. I would put up some pictures but the camera isn't working with the computer right now. I need to work on that.

Vacation!

That's right folks we are offically on vacation! We are going to Kings Island, Cedar Point, and maybe Great America. So we'll be MIA for a while. Check back later.

Congraduations!

Its official. Nick is a graduate from Concordia Seminary. We are still waiting for a call. At least he's done with school now! YEAH!!!

This Pretty Much Sums Up My Feelings Right Now

Waiting it out....

I wish I had some big news but I don't. Still no word about a call...we'll still be getting one but we have to be patient. I think that is what God is teaching me right now. Patience...not my best virtue but I am trying my best. Last night we had the 4th year banquet which was a lot of fun. Its surreal to think that graduation is in two weeks from Friday and then its a matter of time before people are leaving to go their separate ways to start their ministries. Its an exciting time but bittersweet too. Its so comfortable to be here and in the seminary community. We won't have that anymore and there are some wonderful people here that I will miss. But until then we wait to hear God's plans for us and try to enjoy the time left with our friends.

Today's the day....sort of.

Well today is Call Day. About a year ago I put up the countdown and today we won't have a call. Nick will be "Call Pending." Its not the end of the world or anything. A little disappointing to not have a call on call day but it won't be taking away anything from the call that he does receive. We will be joyful when we do get one. We've heard that there is one district that with in the next few weeks that will have 11 calls to it. And then a smattering of other places across the country. Nick is not the only person who will be call pending. There are 17 other guys from St. Louis and 13 from Fort Wayne. So we are not alone which is also a nice feeling. We find comfort in Jeremiah 29:11 “I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord . . . plans to give you hope and a future.” As soon as we hear anything we will let you all know. Please keep the other 30 candidates in your prayers and I am hopeful to have us all placed by graduation.

He's Certifiable...wait no CERTIFIED!!!

Its official. Nick is certified!

Dear Nicholas, Brother in Christ:

I am very happy to let you know that the faculty of Concordia Seminary has ( to use the formal language) now expressed its satisfaction that you will meet all personal, professional, and theological requirements for the office of ordained minister, declare you to be of entry level competency and qualified for a first call, and recommend you, subject to the satisfactory completion of the appropriate course of studies, your receipt of a Theological Diploma or Certificate, and your receipt and acceptance of a call assigned to you by the Board of Assignments.

We praise God for his work in your life, and we rejoice with you as you move closer to service as a pastor in our church. May the Lord keep you safe and joyful as you complete your studies and prepare to serve.

Cordially in the Risen Christ,

Dr. Jeff Gibbs

Only 4 more days till call day. Still no word on a call or even if we'll still be call pending. Its an exciting time though either way. We can't wait to find out God's plan for our ministry!

I'm Starting to Think St. Louis Wants Us to Leave!

Back in July of 2006...actually on July 19th 2006 there was a bad storm that came through St. Louis and knocked the power out for like the entire city and some people were with out power for a week. There were a number of tornadoes. Then on my birthday(July 20th) it was like 103 (before the heat index) and not having power made for a crappy birthday. So we fled to Chicago for that weekend.


This winter in St. Louis was more active than the other winter we spent here. LHM closed a total of 3 days and most schools in the area used all their snow days and have to stay later into the summer this year. Very unexpected for us since the winter of 06 was very mild...and maybe it snowed once that year.

I am starting to suspect that St. Louis wants us out.

So at 4:30 this morning I woke up. Initially I thought it was just because the last 3 days I've been opening at Starbucks but then I heard the windows rattling and the bed was moving. An earthquake wasn't the thought on my mind. I thought a train was going by. But what is funny about that is that we don't live anywhere near a train track. The windows have never rattled before because of a "train." What was I thinking? Meanwhile Nick is snoring away unaware that anything had occurred.

So if anything goes wrong today or in the next couple days the entire city of St. Louis has the earthquake to blame it on. I also hope that we don't get a call to St. Louis because I would hate to see what the city would do next. It must know that I'm a Cubs fan.

You Know You're a Seminarian If..

This was one of the articles in the seminary's student paper. Some of them were pretty funny and I thought I'd share.

* You ask for your vicarage location to be based on where you want to go on vacation.
* You used vicarage to justify a new car purchase
* You have more than three brands of beer in your refrigerator.
* You do not complete you assigned readings but you pick up free books by the mail boxes
* Last year, you read thousands of pages, memorized hundreds of facts, wrote dozens of papers, translated ancient Greek and Hebrew text, and you still feel dumb.
* You know at least ten couple expecting a baby this year.
* Part of your attraction to your wife/girlfriend is the fact that she knows how to differentiate between the two types of righteousness.
* You think a leather-bound copy of Luther's Small Catechism would make a great gift.
And my most favorite....
* Conception suddenly becomes a result of "something in the water."

Well with knowing AT LEAST 10 couples expecting this year there must be!

I've Got Something For You!

Well it must be Eagle Man. This is a commercial from my childhood. This makes me laugh still.

A Call Day Update...

Well these last few weeks have been pretty tough. We are coming to the culmination of a long 4 years (or 8 if you include undergrad) and as of right now we don't have a placement. As of Sunday (4/6) 22 guys from St. Louis and 21 from Fort Wayne are call pending. This is a stressful time for everyone. So please keep all of the people involved in your prayers. We know that this will all happen in God's time. Its just hard to remember that when things are so stressful.

The placement director Pastor Hoehner said if we don't have a call on call day that he is confident that we would have one by graduation or early summer. I know that if we don't have one on the 22nd that at some point we will. I know I just have to be patient...something that I've been working on for a while. Pastor Hoehner had this scripture in his email to the "call pending candidates" from 2 Peter:
“make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
So that's really all the info we have. Hopefully we will have more very soon. Keep us and all the calling candidates in your prayers.

Crap I need a Napkin!

No one ever offered me coffee before!

So CA has made a ruling on tips that Starbucks baristas recieve. And Howard had this to say about the ruling. So as a "shift supervisor" this is what I have to say. In all reality I am just a barista that counts money. There are many baristas that make more than I do right now because they have been with the company longer. Tips vary from store to store. My old store averaged about 50 cents an hour for tips per week. At my new store we get almost $2 an hour per week. I need any extra money that I get with the cost of gas going up and what not. And as far as being a "supervisor" that is a very loose term. I am responsible for more but I'm not paid that much more than the baristas (in fact its only a whopping $1 an hour more). I have no athority. I would imagine that most baristas would agree that shifts deserve that money too. We are only there to help out our partners and taking that little extra away would really hurt us. I am sure the courts don't realize what shifts acutally do. We are just glorified baristas.

WHOO HOOO!!!!

We are now down to the daily count for call day. Its crazy that its only 29 days away. It felt like it would take forever and now its almost here. This weekend we even went shopping for call day outfits. I have a very cute dress! I am getting nervous about it though. I mean the excited sort of nervous. I am looking forward to settling down and staying somewhere. I am also looking forward to not working 800 hours. I've never looked forward to a move so much. The only bad part is we have to start packing. I am a little concerned that we'll find out on the 22nd that we need to be there like May 30th or something. It will be a fast pack up for us so I want to start a little earlier then.

Our Easter was pretty uneventful. We went to church at St. James in University City then we went out for brunch...then we came home Nick played video games while I worked on crocheting a blanket...Its almost finished. OH and we had snow! Its nuts. It didn't stick or anything but there were some pretty big flakes coming down. That was pretty much it.

Now its downhill to call day! I am so excited.

Its not about baking cookies

I am taking a class at the seminary. Well its a "women's class" so to speak. They offer free classes (some do have fees) to the women (staff, students wives, or deaconess students) during the quarter. Some classes are more intellectual than others. Like one of the more popular classes with the sem guys is a class on Revelations with Dr. Gibbs. He offers that class for the women on tuesday nights.

Well this being the last quarter one of the classes that is being offered that I am taking is called Partnership in the Gospel. Its a class for wives/fiances of the MDiv guys and mostly we talk about what to expect and how do deal with stress and what not. On the first day we talked about how many people thought the class was on making sure that your house was spotless at all times and that you have cookies ready if anyone visits. And how unrealistic that is. Its just good to network and talk with people who are going through similar things. Tonight is another class. It should be fun.

So in other news, I just wanted to share this video. Maron was a friend of mine from grade school. She's now a Christian Artist. Its pretty cool.

Happy St. Patrick's Day....

As if you couldn't tell that I love these comics. I am sharing them with you. At least the good ones. This one is in honor of St. Patty's Day. We didn't make it to the parade on Saturday. It was supposed to rain so we visited friends instead. So since I don't have pictures from the parade I'll share this comic.





Happy St. Patrick's Day!

[Technorati tags: Cartoons, Chickens, St. Patrick's Day, Lucky Charms, Rainbow, Leprechaun]





-
Doug Savage

Pi DAY!!!

Happy Pi Day!

This one's dedicated to Ellie T.

[Technorati tags: Cartoons, Chickens, Pi Day, Lonely, Bar Scene]

I Made This!

the sweater that is....not the baby. Heh....Not my best work but it is fun. He's obviously loving it.

A sad starbucks story

Its sad to say what some people do for an easy fix in life. I'm sad to say that this story is true. A man gave his life for some Starbucks Partner's tip jar. I am asking everyone to keep this family and the people who did this in your prayers. I just don't know what else to say.

You gotta know when to fold em, KNOW WHEN TO FOLD EM!

So this might only be funny to Nick and I but I wanted to share it with everyone!




More Kenny.

Bonus Fun! Godzilla in Spring

[Technorati tags: Cartoons, Chickens, Kenny Rogers, Gambler, Poker Tips]

In Memory of Grandpa Arnie

Arnold Feldt
Born 9/29/1924 Died 2/27/2008

"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life." John 5:24

Grandpa's Obituary

Nobody's Ever Offered ME Coffee!

Well since most of my readers know that I am a barista...and seeing how the media is playing up all this change at the Sbux, I figured I should put in my two cents.
I've been with the company for about a year and a half now. I still love working there. And many people I know really hate Sbux. And thats fine. I'm not here to change everyone's or really anyone's ideas about the company. I do believe that we have an awesome product. I do love working there and its not for the coffee. I really love the people I work with (both parners and customers). It seems that when ever I tell some one I work for Sbux I get the response "Oh, I don't like the coffee." Thats fine. I'm not forcing you to drink it. I detest pepsi products but when some one tells me "I work for Pepsi" I don't say "Oh I'm a coke drinker." Ok moving on now.
I don't know why so many people out there think that as an employee we can't acknowledge that our customers would go anywhere else. It would be like a McDonald's customer not going anywhere else for a burger. That is just not the case. I do love what I make. I believe its the best. I feel the same way about the drinks I make as the papers I wrote in college. Its hard not to take it personal when someone doesn't like it or doesn't agree with your topic.
That being said there was this article on CBS. Sure we closed for three hours and sure we lost business but from our "re-training" its not about making money. Its about improving ourselves and the team and also improving quality of our product. And I think it was sucessful in doing so. We are able to refocus and relearn the basics and have a change of pace. So over all I think it was good for our team. And especially at the store I am at now.
So I am happy with the changes and I am looking forward to everything. People are always going to hate Sbux because they are "corporationy and make money" but thats just how it is. Its not about making tons of money its about giving our customers what they pay for. So thats my two cents, for what its worth.

In Less Than Two Months...

...I'll be using this ticket to find out where I will be living in less than 4 months or so. CRAZY!

Welcome Baby AJ

Congratulations Donna and Paul! Baby AJ was born at 1:45 am on Feb 5th 7lbs and 19 inches long. Isn't he a peanut? Donna is amazing, 26 hours of labor and no drugs! God's blessing's to you guys!

WI Politics

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=711639.

Well not that I live in WI or could even vote for Dr. Burkee but I am encouraging those of you that do to vote for Jim Burkee. He was a prof of mine at CUW and a pretty awesome one too. It seems that Sensenbrenner is trying to push around Burkee. So yeah, thats all I have to say about that.

More on Expelled....

Not that I am home from work and jacked up on caffeine...I am just trying to find out more information on Ben Stein's New movie Expelled. This is so interesting. I just want to know more. So I went back to the website and found Ben Stein's blog. Here is what he had to say on Oct. 31

Let’s make this short and sweet. It would be taken for granted by any serious historian that any ideology or worldview would partake of the culture in which it grew up and would also be largely influenced by the personality of the writer of the theory.

No less a genius than the evil Karl Marx noted that even after capitalism succumbed to Communism, society would still be imbued with the class artifacts and cultural values of the system that preceded it. Much smarter analysts than I have noted that the whole system of Marxism, especially its sharp attacks on capitalists as a class, was motivated by Karl Marx’s envy of the much wealthier industrialist/capitalist members of the Marx family.

In other words, major theories do not arise out of thin air. They come from the era in which they arose and are influenced greatly by the personality and background of the writer. (In law, this theory is known as “legal realism”. Judges make up their minds on the basis of their prejudices and then rationalize their decisions by pretending to be bound by prior case law. One might call what happens with ideologies “political realism.” Persons make up their ideologies based on their times and their life situations.)

Darwinism, the notion that the history of organisms was the story of the survival of the fittest and most hardy, and that organisms evolve because they are stronger and more dominant than others, is a perfect example of the age from which it came: the age of Imperialism. When Darwin wrote, it was received wisdom that the white, northern European man was destined to rule the world. This could have been rationalized as greed–i.e., Europeans simply taking the resources of nations and tribes less well organized than they were. It could have been worked out as a form of amusement of the upper classes and a place for them to realize their martial fantasies. (Was it Shaw who called Imperialism “…outdoor relief for the upper classes?”)

But it fell to a true Imperialist, from a wealthy British family on both sides, married to a wealthy British woman, writing at the height of Imperialism in the UK, when a huge hunk of Africa and Asia was “owned” (literally, owned, by Great Britain) to create a scientific theory that rationalized Imperialism. By explaining that Imperialism worked from the level of the most modest organic life up to man, and that in every organic situation, the strong dominated the weak and eventually wiped them out,

Darwin offered the most compelling argument yet for Imperialism. It was neither good nor bad, neither Liberal nor Conservative, but simply a fact of nature. In dominating Africa and Asia, Britain was simply acting in accordance with the dictates of life itself. He was the ultimate pitchman for Imperialism.

Now, we know that Imperialism had a short life span. Imperialism was a system that took no account of the realities of the human condition. Human beings do not like to have their countries owned by people far away in ermine robes. They like to be in charge of themselves.

Imperialism had a short but hideous history–of repression and murder.

But its day is done.

Darwinism is still very much alive, utterly dominating biology. Despite the fact that no one has ever been able to prove the creation of a single distinct species by Darwinist means, Darwinism dominates the academy and the media. Darwinism also has not one meaningful word to say on the origins of organic life, a striking lacuna in a theory supposedly explaining life.

Alas, Darwinism has had a far bloodier life span than Imperialism. Darwinism, perhaps mixed with Imperialism, gave us Social Darwinism, a form of racism so vicious that it countenanced the Holocaust against the Jews and mass murder of many other groups in the name of speeding along the evolutionary process.

Now, a few scientists are questioning Darwinism on many fronts. I wonder how long Darwinism’s life span will be. Marxism, another theory which, in true Victorian style, sought to explain everything, is dead everywhere but on university campuses and in the minds of psychotic dictators. Maybe Darwinism will be different. Maybe it will last. But it’s difficult to believe it will. Theories that presume to explain everything without much evidence rarely do. Theories that outlive their era of conception and cannot be verified rarely last unless they are faith based. And Darwinism has been such a painful, bloody chapter in the history of ideologies, maybe we would be better off without it as a dominant force.

Maybe we would have a new theory: We are just pitiful humans. Life is unimaginably complex. We are still trying to figure it out. We need every bit of input we can get. Let’s be humble about what we know and what we don’t know, and maybe in time, some answers will come.

By Ben Stein

Another thing I found on this blog page was a quote...against the film.

"It's (EXPELLED) going to appeal strongly to the religious, the paranoid, the conspiracy theorists, and the ignorant –– which means they're going to draw in about 90% of the American market."

-Atheist blogger and fabulist PZ Myers, on a film he has not yet seen.

I just can't stop thinking about all of this. I am very interested in this film...I will be there opening day to see it. If it plays in St. Louis.

Anyone....Anyone...

So just a quick note before I leave for work. Check out the preview for Ben Stein's new movie Expelled. This looks like it could be good. See it for your self.

Bored...

So I'm working part time at LHM again. I have to cover the front desk on fridays for an hour. Boo...its just really boring. So I figured it was time for an update. So I am picking up more hours at LHM. D$ is going to have a baby and I'm filling in for her for a bit. So that's exciting. I'm doing new things that I didn't do before and some things that I had. Sbux is crazy as usual. One day its slow the next we can't keep up. I do love it. It keeps me on my toes.
School is going good for Nick. He's almost done with this winter quarter and soon he will be signing up for the last quarter of classes. I am really excited about that. Only 3 months till call day. Not that I am counting. I am ready to settle and start a normal schedule and stuff. Sem life is tough and fun. Its sort of a bittersweet time here.
Other than that not much else is going on. I can't believe that lent is just around the corner. Um..we saw some good movies recently. Talk to me is out on DVD. I really liked it. Runway Girl was also out and as many of you know I am very much in to the 60's and stuff...but this movie is a major skip. I am also working on a new baby blanket for someone I work with. So yeah thats all...

Happy 2008!!

Our last Christmas home was a good one. We had a lot of people to see and we got everyone in. It was a fun time but very busy. Now Nick and I are sick and we are resting these last few days off. So this next year will be a big year for us with Call day in April and then graduation in May. We'll keep you posted as to what we find out.

Wintery Scene

St. Louis got a bit of snow on Saturday night. So I thought I'd run to the Seminary and take some wintery pictures. There are more on my flickr site but heres a preview.

The snowy chapel

Wintery Luther


Nick and the Snowman of the Quad

Walking in a Winter Wonderland??

Well its kinda snowy here in St. Louis. I guess we are getting like 4-6 inches of snow. I don't know but there is quite a bit out there and its still snowing. YIKES. Enjoy the wintery pictures of St. Louis...they don't get this type of weather that often.

And I've Never Been To Boston In The Fall...

But I have been to St. Louis in the fall...its pretty out right now.

Finally!

Well this whole posting every day is harder than I thought. I just have a weird schedule and I don't get the time to get on the computer as much as I'd like.

Anyways, I finally have the new pictures up from my photo day. I played with a couple of the features so check it out! Here is a preview of something I saw at Forest Park. For those of you who don't know its the location of where the 1904 World's Fair took place.

Not so good

So this NaBloPoMo isn't going so well for me. I missed another day. But I have a good excuse. Before work I went out and took some pictures with the fixed camera. It was fun. I went to Forest Park and then over to the seminary. I have a new "art project" for myself. I am going to be taking pictures of the sem during all the seasons. Its a very pretty place and the seasons can really enhance the beauty of it. It was fun. Sooo...you'll get to see some of those soon. I work to much so hopefully by monday you can see those.

Get ready!!

Well tonight I have to work from 10pm to 2am for the christmas floor set. I am not really looking forward to it. I have to close tomorrow now and I really wanted the day off. But one of our shifts just had a baby (well his wife did) and he can't come in now. Understandable...but now I am closing 3 days in a row. I can't wait until thanksgiving! I need a break.

New Projects

Well I finally finished one crochet project and I am now starting on another. I would give more details about it but its a present and I don't want that person finding out what it is. But its my first time making something like this and its going pretty well.
Wednesday night is the floor set at Starbucks. I'm not looking forward to it. But I do have Thursday off. So whatever. It just feels too early for Christmas. But I guess there are only 2 more weeks till Thanksgiving. This year is just flying by.
I have my camera back but I haven't had time to take pictures and get them on the computer so enjoy a picture of a Lutheran pumpkin.

Nothing in particular

Just another post of nothing ness...I got my camera back. I am going to take some pictures soon. I've been working too much. I want this shirt.

Well its techinically still the 3rd for me!

So I know its the 4th. I missed another day...oh but I didn't! See I have just finished my day and I am just now ready to go to bed. It was a CRAZY close at work tonight and I am having a hardcore apple cider before bed. What a way to end the day. So thats it basically. I'll leave a real message on the 4th.

Day 1

Well November is the month of NaBloPoMo (otherwise known as National Blog Posting Month) and I am already a day behind. Thats sort of how things have been for me this year. Our last year of seminary and I'm always a day behind. Yikes.

For me right now things are good and busy. I am working at Starbucks and LHM which has been exciting. I'm working a lot but things are going really well. This year is a little bittersweet everything is our last right now. We are enjoying our time in St. Louis and seeing friends but next year we'll be spread out through out the country and making new friends. So its a little odd. The colors are so pretty here right now. I wish I had my camera but it isn't doing so well.

Nick is doing well too. Next week is finals and we have only two more quarters left of 4th year. Wow that went fast. He's been doing well in classes and really well at field work. He gets to preach over the quarter break and is looking forward to it.

Well thats pretty much all I have. I'm going to try and post everyday...we'll see how well I keep that up!

Something old, something new...

Congratulations Steph and Sean!
Oct. 13th, 2007

Red Scarf Project!!

I just wanted to let any of the knitters/crocheters know that if you would like to participate in the Red Scarf Project again this year you'd better get started. They have changed the dead line from January to October 15th! So start sending your red scarves to:

Orphan Foundation of America
The Red Scarf Project
21351 Gentry Drive
Sterling, VA 20166

For more info on details go Here.

Hello again!

I am back from California and the trip was really fun. I got to see a lot of cool things. Texas never ended but Cali was beautiful.

This is the desert in CA.

I know its blurry but this is one of the vineyards we passed.

San Fransisco at Night

When I was there the weather was beautiful. It was in the low 80's and the breeze was awesome. It was really neat. Now its back to the grind stone.

Nick is back in classes and he is really excited about them this year. He is looking forward to discussions with the classmates and profs. He is really excited about this last year. I am too but its just strange. We are almost done with all this schooling. I can't believe that we are actually done...well almost. This Wednesday we have a meeting about the call process....which sounds like its going to start sooner than I thought. Its a little scary I must admit. But more exciting than scary. I can't wait to see what God has in store for us.

It is nice to be back in St. Louis. We get to see old friends and go to some places that we couldn't go to for the last year. Its also really weird because they tore out the bridge that goes over hwy 40 from our apartment. I used to know my way around the city and now I don't. They are also doing construction on the roads that I need to use and that is frustrating too. So I am relearning by trial and error. If I get lost I turn around. Its worked so far.

I am working at the Delmar Loop Starbucks. Its a very different store from my old one. Its going to take some time to get used to it. I miss the people from Moline a lot. They were really great. I also miss the drive thru. It was so much fun. Now I have a new challenge. Getting used to the store where everything is stored above my head. I need a ladder to get just about anything. I need to invest in some giant heels. That might not be safe though.

So thats all I've got so far. I'll update with pictures later.

Real quick

We made it to St. Louis well and I am back from CA. I am waiting to get internet in the apartment before a real update. sorry

Its that time again

Well everyone its that time again for us to move. We move on Saturday and then on Sunday I am flying to New Orleans where I'll be picked up by my friend Jenna and then driving to California to help her move. I know I am crazy but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I am very much looking forward to our trip. It will be a lot of fun. I will update with pictures then.
Sam

Some interesting CUW news....

So two of my professors Dr. Burkee and Dr. Walz (both in the social studies/history field) are going to be running for congress... against each other. You should read this article. If you live in WI and can vote for one of them please do. I respect both of them and really I don't know who I'd vote for. I guess we'd just have to wait and see what they have to say. I am looking forward to following that.

Ch ch changes....correction

Well I was using Photosite for my pictures. I really liked the albums and all the pretty effects and stuff I could do with it. I really enjoyed using it. But I learned today that they are closing their site. I've decided to cut my losses and all the time I spent creating photo albums with music and stuff...I AM switching to flickr and I will be posting more pictures there. I'm really bummed out. It won't be as pretty and as many albums. (Flickr only allows 3 free albums to non paying customers. I may pay to have more later) I am going to update the link as soon as I post this blog.

On a different note...HOLY COW!!!! 25 days till we move. I am so not ready....I'd better get packing.

One month and counting

Well the Buchholz's had a pretty good July 4th and week. A good friend of ours from CUW came to the booming metropolis of Geneseo for a visit. Being a crazy group of kids we went to Chicago on July 3rd for the big fireworks. That was a lot of fun! We hit up some other sites in the city, Michigan Ave, Millennium Park to see the infamous Bean, and then down to the Taste of Chicago where pretty much everyone and their uncle came to the city for. And ended the night with some fireworks. Good times had by all. We cooked out on the 4th and watched fireworks on TV (apparently in the Quad Cities area people do fireworks on the 3rd or on the Friday after. Not sure why) and then watched some movies we rented. It was a great time. And now back to the grindstone for a few weeks before we move. I'm freaked out a bit about the move. I have so much to do and so little time. We move in about a month. I am sure I can get it all done by then! We'll see... Here are some pictures from the week!

Nick, Sam, and Erin in the reflection of the BEAN!

WhoooHooo Fireworks!!!




Nick and I at the Park

UPDATE FINALLY!

Hello Readers!
Sorry for not updating you in a while. Things have been very busy here in Geneseo! Our time here is winding down and now we have to get ready to go back to St. Louis. It seems strange that there is only one year left of school for Nick. It will be nice to finally settle down and stay somewhere for a while. Well, let me update you on all that is going on.
Nick is finishing his vicarage. He only has something like 3 or 4 more times of preaching before he's done. Last week was VBS and both Nick and I both helped out with it. Nick is taught the 7th and 8th grade class and I helped with the 3 and 4 year olds. I was in charge of the crafts. Its was a great week. It was very busy seeing that I still ended up working a 31 hour week on top of it. I am also thankful its over. I had a great time helping and working with the preschool teacher again.
Nick's still doing the youth bible study and has really enjoyed working with the youth. He's had a lot of visits and other things going on but things at church have slowed down a lot since the summer came. I guess everyone sort of feels that way. Its a blessing though because we have so much to get done before August.
I've been working like crazy. We've had people out of work and stuff for a while so I had a lot of hours. I'm really going to miss the people at work. They have become really great friends to me. So far I've packed maybe 3 boxes. I am trying to get rid of some things too because we are going to be back in a very tiny apartment. Hopefully we'll get it all to fit in. I am sure we will. Its just a lot of work. If you would like to check out some of our VBS pictures check out the photosite. I've added a whole bunch there.

Hello

Hello all,
Well the lenten season is in full swing by now. I've been promoted to shift supervisor at Starbucks. Things are good. I am also helping out with the preschool on mondays. The kids call me Mrs. B. Its kinda funny and a lot of fun. I don't have any new pictures. I should take some. It was really nice last week. Its gotten a little colder since and I guess its supposed to warm up in a bit. I really don't have any new information. Here are some pictures of Nick from a trip to Chicago a few months ago. I make him pose and he lets me take picutres.

Sorry!

I know its been a while since my last update. Things have gotten busy here (and cold). Nick is doing well. He's really got a routine and things are going very smooth now. I am now assisting in the preschool on mondays at church. Work is going great. I've been there for such a short time and people want me to be a shift leader (in non Starbucks talk its sort of like an assistant managerish). That has been really great and a little challenging. I don't know when I'll find out about that but as of right now I do have more responibility. I am the retail lead. I am in charge of all our stuff and how its set up. So thats neat. We got some snow yesterday but we are having some technical problems and I can't get any pictures up. I'll put some up very soon! I hope everyone is doing well!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Well 2006 was good to Nick and me. There isn't much I'm really looking forward to in 2007. Well other than its closer to Nick being done with school. So that will be nice.

Christmas was great. Mom, Dad, and Mike came for a couple of days, we got some awesome presents (THANKS EVERYONE!), Nick had like 70 services that weekend, I worked like a crazy person (but the money was well worth it...tips were $65 for one week!), and we got to go to IA to see Nick's extended family. We had a lot of fun. On the way home from IA I got sick. I don't know if it was overeating or flu but I felt like crap. I have finally bounced back and I am no longer on the cracker and gatorade diet.

New Year's Eve was a huge night for us. (Insert obnoxious laugh here) I worked a 12 hour day. I worked from 8:30-4 at the store in Bettendorf and then from 4:30 to 8:30 I worked at my regular store. I did it as a favor to a co-worker. She needed some one to take the later part of her shift (the 4:30-8:30) so she could go to Champange, IL to visit her old college friends. I know it meant a lot to her and I wasn't planning on anything so yeah. When I got home Nick and I had some pizza and some Asti and then Nick fell asleep at about 11:25. I stayed up till 12:15! So we really partied like rockstars!

Now for the next couple of weeks I hope to get back in to a routine. As my pseudo "new year's resolution" I am going to try to get back in to the working out habit. Nick and I didn't keep that in our schedules once things got busy with christmas things and services and work. So we are going to restart that again. This year I want to take more pictures. So I hope to do that. I didn't take any at christmas and I am bummed that I didn't. But I am also not happy with my camera and would really like a new one. Oh and I am also hoping to crochet more. I have a number of projects that need to be completed...but I'd really like to do some more charity stuff for like Project Linus or Warm Up America. We'll see how much I can get done. So thats pretty much all thats going on here. Nick has preached a whole bunch. You should watch his sermons....if you click on the link to the church you can check them out!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Christmas is Coming....

The goose is getting fat! Heh...I love that song.

So after trying to go christmas shopping then the Service Engine Soon light comes on and puts a damper on the shopping trip, I take the car in and $200 later...my car is mostly better. I guess there is still a small problem with the mass air intake. The guy said that its on the low end of the range that ford says it should be but that it shouldn't be a problem. I was worried that it would cost me more like $800 before I took it in. I am under the impression that cars just break bad and cost a ton. So I was a bit relieved.

During my day at home while the escort was getting fixed I finished a baby blanket. I am so proud of it I am putting a picture of it up here too. The blanket is pink, white, and brown. My sister said it sort of looked black on her screen. This pattern came from the book Happy Hooker. This book has lots of great information in it. Its great for a begining crocheter.



Here's a close up of the detail work of the edge.

5 Days to Christmas!

Wow time flew. The 10 or so inches of snow have all melted and its raining tonight. Ick...I've got a lot to do on my day off. Which sucks cuz I wanted to sleep. And wouldn't it figure that right as I was going to finish up Christmas shopping the "Service Engine Soon" light comes on in my car. So tomorow I also have to take the car in. I hope that it doesn't cost too much. I don't know whats wrong with it. It hasn't been running weird or anything. Everything seems to hit all at once. I just hope I can make it through to the New year

Picture Time!

We had a pretty bad snow storm the other day. We got like 10 inches. It drifted though. This is the front of our house. Our front stairs are burried still.

Here is a picture of this year's Christmas tree. We didn't put the garland on it this year. Its looking good.

This is a weird night thing I tried to do...it looks kind of bad but thats ok. It still looks sort of neat.

Happy Exactly One Month Til Christmas!!

Yeah I'm excited.
So Thanksgiving was great for Nick and I. This year we went to The Cellar's (a restaurant in Geneseo) and had their Thanksgiving Dinner. It was decent. Not the best but good enough. Even better that I didn't have to cook the whole thing my self. We sat around all day watching tv, went out for dinner, and watched a movie that we had rented. Good times had by us. This was a picture of the sunset on Thanksgiving night. It was super cool. I hope everyone else had a great Thanksgiving.

My Old Locker Buddy

Congratulations Sarah and Justin. Sarah and I were locker buddies freshman year of high school. This is one of the greatest proposals ever. This is the Men's Glee Concert at the U of I in Champange.

Attention all you crafty people out there!

The Orphan Foundation of America is sponsoring or whatever their Red Scarf Project. What they do is around Valentine's Day they send out care packages to their scholarship recipents (I am an OFA Alum if you will) and they include a red scarf in with it. Its supposed to be handmade and because these college kids don't have families (in many cases) they get something that shows that they are loved. I loved receiving the OFA packages. It was really cool to get them so Crocheters and Knitters...the challenge is to create a red scarf (or more depending on how ambitious you are) and send it to the OFA for their care packages. If the link up top didn't work for you then here are the rules and info from the OFA website.

Love to knit, crochet or know someone who does? Send warmth and encouragement to America’s college-bound foster youth. OFA needs thousands of handmade scarves to put in our Valentine Care Packages to these parentless youth attending college on their own. Your handiwork will truly be the personal touch in these packages and bring students the encouragement they need to move forward and graduate to a brighter future. For over 25 years, OFA has provided funding and family-like support to foster youth in transition. www.orphan.org Scarf guidelines: Size: approximately 60” long and 5” to 8” wide. Scarves should be long enough to be wrapped around the neck with tails long enough to be tied in the front.
Style: Think unisex collegiate. Fringe optional. Should drape, tie easily and be soft.
Color: Red! This could mean burgundy, cherry, russet, red stripes with other colors, multicolor hues including red. Other unisex colors, including black, navy, gray, teal, olive or gold, are also welcome.
Finished & tagged: Yarn ends securely sewn in. For the personal touch, attach a tag saying “Handmade for You” with your first name, city, and group affiliation, if any. Donors have also included washing instructions, messages of encouragement, and gift cards/burger bucks/book of stamps. Thank you! Your scarf may be the first handmade gift a young man or woman has ever received. Your efforts will truly be appreciated! Mail to (January Only): Orphan Foundation of America Red Scarf Project
21351 Gentry Drive, Unit 130
Sterling, VA 20166 Scarves are accepted throughout the month of January ONLY due to limited/temporary storage capacity.

Please don't call PETA

This is how Savannah's Halloween went. It was fun. Nick and I sat on the porch and passed out candy until it was all gone. We ran out by 6:30! There are alot of kids by us. Nick and I didn't dress up (although we wanted to...just never got costumes together) but Savannah was Frankenkitty. She didn't like her little costume. She even had little braclet type things that went around her legs but it was hard enough to get the hat on her. We only left it on her for like 15 min. She seemed pretty miserable. Just enough time for me to get a couple of pictures. Maybe at Christmas she'll let me put reindeer antlers on her! I doubt it.

Sometimes All You Need Is A Hug

This is a cute little video. Everyone needs free hugs!

They Keep Me Caffinated

Well, since the last post I've finally got and stuck with a job that I really like. I am working at Starbucks. I know its not a glamorus job but I do enjoy it so far. The benefits are GREAT too. The people I work with are awesome. I've been there for about two weeks now. I'm not the best barista yet...well I'm not even a barista but I will be soon. Its not hard work just fast paced and you can't freak out when it gets busy. So thats been nice. And what is awesome is that I can transfer to St. Louis if I would like to. So work is going great! I don't have too much else to say so I'll just get running.

It sure has been a while...

Sorry I haven't been keeping up with the page. Things got a little nutty here. Well I worked at that temp job for about a week. We were having trouble working out the only having one car issue. If I would have continued to work there Nick would have had to drop me off in the morning drive back to church (do his visits) then drive back to moline to pick me up. We would have put 88 miles on the car each day. That wasn't a good idea to me. So I had to quit. We are getting a second car soon (Thanks to Mom, Dad, and Grandma Fern!!) So I've filled out tons of applications and finally places are calling for interviews. I did get hired somewhere. They aren't paying very well and I'm trying to find something else that will pay a little better and that isn't seasonal with a possiblility of being permanent. I'd rather not say where just yet. But I do start orientation tomorow. I've had a few interviews since I got hired. I have another interview tomorow after orientation. I have two places that I'm really hoping for. So yeah, we'll see.

Nick is good. We've offically been here for two months now. Its kinda crazy that two months have gone by so quickly. And at the same time it feels a lot longer than two months. I guess thats what happens when you don't work for two months...So thats pretty much it here. I hope everyone is well.

Sam