Oh poor blog, once again I have neglected you. When I wrote my last post on transitions, I probably should have known that the energy to blog would disappear for a bit. Alas, I am back. I thought I would start the year with a couple of easy blog posts and at least start with the Paul + Charity 2013 in review.
2013 was the year of learning that I (Charity) lack control in this life, and that God is looking out for me. A serious car accident in February help me realize that though I seek control, and I often believe I have it - it only takes a moment to see that I have only been fooling myself. That God is the only one in complete control. My little car was crushed between a van and a SVU, but amazingly I walked out with bruised shins and a hurt neck - nothing that couldn't be healed.
Then a few weeks after the car accident we learned that I would miscarry another life. I had gone into this second pregnancy believing that because I had done everything right, we would be successful at starting our family. Again the idea of control was ripped out from under me. I have no idea what God is doing in that area of life, but every day is a reminder to trust and surrender.
Paul and I did some major traveling in 2013: San Francisco, Portland, D.C., Den Haag, Amsterdam, Rome, Venice, and Barcelona (+Vegas and Texas for Paul). Where do I even start with highlighting these experiences? They were amazing and filled with joy. They allowed us to grow our relationship deeper and to interact with the world on a level we don't often get to do. I am thankful that Paul desires to see the world and that we'll keep on exploring together!
In the midst of all our traveling, 2013 was the year that friends and family came and visited us! It started with my cousin Lisa and her daughter Izzy, my sister Destiny and her husband Kevin, my bestie Raena, my mamasita, and Paul's aunt and uncle.
2013 was the year of new opportunities and challenges. Paul spoke at his first technology conference in Texas - the Big Android BBQ. Paul also received a promotion to Principal Software Engineer and then made the leap from that to a management position. And it was a good year job wise for me too! 2 years and 3 months after I graduated with my Master's degree I was finally offered a School Counseling position. I said goodbye to the YWCA after 7 years and have been loving the transition!
Other random notes: Paul ran a half marathon after entering only 7 days before the event, he ran his 2nd 200 mile relay race (so he still loves running), we moved our new couch in through our second floor window and didn't cause any damage, we celebrated 3 years of marriage and 5 years of dating (or a faux anniversary as Paul calls it), we took our first (and second) cooking class, we started creating urban adventures (long hikes around the city), and went to Charity's first NFL game (Redskins vs. Cowboys).
The final highlight of 2013 is recognizing great friendships. We are surrounded by wonderful people in our life but very blessed to share the ups and downs with our friends the Kaetzel's. Mark + Marin challenge and encourage us as a married couple, as parents, and as friends. Over the last 20 years we (Paul has a 15 year head start on me) have been able to grow closer with them and they really are family. Plus, if you can survive B&B 2013, you're bonded for life!
Transitions
Just as the temperatures are dropping and leaves are changing - Team O is in transition too. Life currently feels like it is moving at a crazy and hectic speed. We're holding on and trying to take it one day at a time.
I started a new job! After two years of looking and interviewing I finally have a school counseling job. I am working at the middle school level which is great. This middle school is 6th through 8th which is fascinating. A 6th grader is SO different than 8th grader! I see kids running around half my size, and kids taller than me with facial hair. Whoa!
I am a .6 counselor which means at this time I only work at the school 3 days a week. That definitely brings pros and cons. A pro is that this schedule is allowing me to transition well out of my position with the YWCA. I'll finish up there in about three weeks. I'm thankful that I can be of service, but I am also looking forward to having that time back. I will be able to use my Mondays/Fridays for research, refreshing myself on hot topics for middle school and putting time into planning the rest of this year at the school. I am thrilled! I'm also honestly overwhelmed. I've had some tough issues come through my door, and it is often scary that people think of me as a professional. But I'm in it and definitely pinch myself quite often to make sure this is still real!
Moving on to Paul. After nearly 14 years of being a professional software engineer as an individual contributor, Paul is taking a new position with his company. He will be moving into a management position where he oversees 8 people managing his companies cloud operations. His new official title is Manager Cloud Operations and Engineering. This is a major switch from what Paul has done in the past. I am so excited for him and though it will be a big challenge, I know he is up for it.
In addition to the position change, Paul is presenting next week at the Big Android BBQ. This is the first professional conference that Paul is presenting at. Much of his time the last couple of months has gone into developing his presentation.
And this is a taste of the exciting things going on with Team O.
Other fun things during September:
A visit from Paul's Aunt & Uncle.
Lots of fun dinners with friends old and new.
A trip to the State Fair with the Kaetzel Pretzels!
A Brazilian Cooking Class Date Night (thanks to my SIL)
Lots of snuggle time at the house.
My Meet Mrs. Oremland Poster that is now hanging outside my office door!
That's a wrap!
I started a new job! After two years of looking and interviewing I finally have a school counseling job. I am working at the middle school level which is great. This middle school is 6th through 8th which is fascinating. A 6th grader is SO different than 8th grader! I see kids running around half my size, and kids taller than me with facial hair. Whoa!
I am a .6 counselor which means at this time I only work at the school 3 days a week. That definitely brings pros and cons. A pro is that this schedule is allowing me to transition well out of my position with the YWCA. I'll finish up there in about three weeks. I'm thankful that I can be of service, but I am also looking forward to having that time back. I will be able to use my Mondays/Fridays for research, refreshing myself on hot topics for middle school and putting time into planning the rest of this year at the school. I am thrilled! I'm also honestly overwhelmed. I've had some tough issues come through my door, and it is often scary that people think of me as a professional. But I'm in it and definitely pinch myself quite often to make sure this is still real!
Moving on to Paul. After nearly 14 years of being a professional software engineer as an individual contributor, Paul is taking a new position with his company. He will be moving into a management position where he oversees 8 people managing his companies cloud operations. His new official title is Manager Cloud Operations and Engineering. This is a major switch from what Paul has done in the past. I am so excited for him and though it will be a big challenge, I know he is up for it.
In addition to the position change, Paul is presenting next week at the Big Android BBQ. This is the first professional conference that Paul is presenting at. Much of his time the last couple of months has gone into developing his presentation.
And this is a taste of the exciting things going on with Team O.
Other fun things during September:
A visit from Paul's Aunt & Uncle.
Lots of fun dinners with friends old and new.
A trip to the State Fair with the Kaetzel Pretzels!
A Brazilian Cooking Class Date Night (thanks to my SIL)
Lots of snuggle time at the house.
My Meet Mrs. Oremland Poster that is now hanging outside my office door!
That's a wrap!
{Sister Visits}
I'm writing this a month late and while helping my mom learn how to create a blog! Talk about multi-tasking :)
In July my sister Destiny and brother-in-law Kevin came through Seattle for a few days on their way up to Alaska! It was so much fun playing tour guide for both of them. This happened to be the weekend Paul ran Ragnar so we got lots of quality time together.
They flew in late on a Wednesday evening and after a little late night chat, we all went to sleep. Thursday was our relax day. The three of us went for a run around Greenlake. This was the first time that Destiny and I had ever run together and it was a lot of fun. Kevin flew on by us so he missed out on some good girl time. Thursday evening we went to dinner at the Space Needle to celebrate Destiny's 29th birthday (one week early). It was a delicious meal and a beautiful evening to take in the city.
On Friday we picked up destiny's friend Melany who bussed it up to Seattle from Portland. From there our day was pretty epic: Pike Place Market, Kerry Park, Volunteer Park, Fremont Troll, and Gasworks. After dinner, a glass of wine and some R&R was needed!
Here are a few photo highlights!
In July my sister Destiny and brother-in-law Kevin came through Seattle for a few days on their way up to Alaska! It was so much fun playing tour guide for both of them. This happened to be the weekend Paul ran Ragnar so we got lots of quality time together.
They flew in late on a Wednesday evening and after a little late night chat, we all went to sleep. Thursday was our relax day. The three of us went for a run around Greenlake. This was the first time that Destiny and I had ever run together and it was a lot of fun. Kevin flew on by us so he missed out on some good girl time. Thursday evening we went to dinner at the Space Needle to celebrate Destiny's 29th birthday (one week early). It was a delicious meal and a beautiful evening to take in the city.
On Friday we picked up destiny's friend Melany who bussed it up to Seattle from Portland. From there our day was pretty epic: Pike Place Market, Kerry Park, Volunteer Park, Fremont Troll, and Gasworks. After dinner, a glass of wine and some R&R was needed!
Here are a few photo highlights!
Sister's getting ready for dinner at the Needle
Destiny & Kevin
Destiny & Kevin on the Needle
Kevin enjoying the seafood at the market
Kevin on the Troll
Trying to be cute!
Poor Man's Space Needle at Volunteer Park
Destiny & Kevin from the Ferry - On our way to Bainbridge Island
Love this beautiful city!
{Camping Season}
Nothing says summer like camping! Paul likes to tell people
that I didn’t start to like camping until we were married. Which as I have told
him a million times isn’t true! Camping is practically in my blood. Every
summer in Alaska consisted of camping and fishing. You can always count on me
to be into something that allows me to sit around read, not have any chores to
do, and puts me close to water!
When I moved to Seattle, I stopped camping. No one in my
friend circle seemed to camp, no one had supplies; it just wasn’t part of the
norm. In 2011 Paul and I went out for our first camping trip and it was a blast
AND a learning experience. For instance, flashlights or headlamps are very
important when it gets dark. Whoops!
This summer we’re trying to pack in as much time in the tent
as possible in between house guests!
We’ve gone up to Larrabee State Park twice now, once with friends and
once to celebrate our anniversary. In the next month and a half we’re heading
to Lake Wenatchee and Deception Pass State Park to finish off camping season.
I love camping because we can sit around and be lazy, read,
play games, throw the ball with Charlie, and just relax without feeling like we
should be doing something around the house. It is a guilt free mini vacation! I
still require that we camp near water, but that is really to oblige the dog!
Here are a few snap shots of our beautiful view at Larrabee State Park.
Beautiful view
Our buddy Charlie having a great time throwing the ball to Charlie
Watching the sun go down
Obligatory Family Photo
{Forever Friends}
I feel that I can safely say friendships ebb and flow throughout life. I think the older I get, the harder this lesson is. I want to find people to invest wholly in, be invested in and know these friendships will be forever friends. I realize though that there are so many barriers to making friendships last a lifetime.
I am blessed to have a lifetime friendship with my dear friend Raena. When we met in the 5th or 6th grade I think we were what you would call "frenemies" And then somewhere in Junior high we started becoming friends. In high school our friendship was solidified through our coming to Faith together in a local youth group. In fact, all those years ago, it was a phone call from Raena inviting me to church that started this faith Journey.
In college we visited one another and wrote each other often. I still keep my container of letters from Raena. Since our early 20's, life has taken us in different, time consuming directions: grad school programs, marriage, children and life in general. We don't pick up the phone often, we email only a few times a year, and letters... well do Christmas cards count?
The cool part is that Raena and I have such a shared history and years of friendship, that it feels that we just pick up where we left off. I can be open, honest, and authentic with her.
I was super blessed earlier this month that Raena took her first vacation out of Alaska in a long time to come to Seattle with her daughter Haven. My favorite highlights were our quality conversations, laughing together, reminiscing, and of course seeing how taken Haven was with Paul.
Here are some photos from our visit!
Enjoying Kerry Park
I am blessed to have a lifetime friendship with my dear friend Raena. When we met in the 5th or 6th grade I think we were what you would call "frenemies" And then somewhere in Junior high we started becoming friends. In high school our friendship was solidified through our coming to Faith together in a local youth group. In fact, all those years ago, it was a phone call from Raena inviting me to church that started this faith Journey.
In college we visited one another and wrote each other often. I still keep my container of letters from Raena. Since our early 20's, life has taken us in different, time consuming directions: grad school programs, marriage, children and life in general. We don't pick up the phone often, we email only a few times a year, and letters... well do Christmas cards count?
The cool part is that Raena and I have such a shared history and years of friendship, that it feels that we just pick up where we left off. I can be open, honest, and authentic with her.
I was super blessed earlier this month that Raena took her first vacation out of Alaska in a long time to come to Seattle with her daughter Haven. My favorite highlights were our quality conversations, laughing together, reminiscing, and of course seeing how taken Haven was with Paul.
Here are some photos from our visit!
Enjoying Kerry Park
Enjoying the 4th of July at the Zoo!
The easiest way to get a toddler from Point A to Point B
Sometimes a little hand holding is needed!
Happy Haven at Molly Moon's
When Charlie had to sit, Haven felt like she had to sit too!
This included when we stopped at street corners.
A little Monkey time before we head to the airport.
Our farewell photo!
Thank you Raena for blessing me with so many years of friendship!
Paleo Strawberry Coconut Ice Cream {Dairy & Egg Free}
Seattle has been heating up these past few weeks. The warmer temperatures mean cold treats are a must! Ice Cream has been our favorite cool down treat lately.
However, after some recent allergy testing for Paul we learned that dairy and eggs are a no-no for him. I've also been experimenting with dairy more and it turns out when I eat too much, my face breaks out. So we're back to 'no dairy' in the house.
I was recently reading this blog post for homemade Strawberry Ice Cream from The Pioneer Woman and I knew I wanted to make it. The trick was figuring out what to do instead of dairy, eggs, and the white sugar! Coconut milk and honey to rescue!
This recipe is easy, quick and delicious!
A quick note about honey. Not all honey is created equal! I used clover honey for this recipe. However I've noticed different brands may have different sweetness factors. Yep, sweetness factors. Start off slow with your honey and taste test along the away. I know, I know, taste test ice cream? You're welcome!
Without further ado:
Strawberry Coconut Ice Cream
Adapted from The Pioneer Woman
Ingredients
However, after some recent allergy testing for Paul we learned that dairy and eggs are a no-no for him. I've also been experimenting with dairy more and it turns out when I eat too much, my face breaks out. So we're back to 'no dairy' in the house.
I was recently reading this blog post for homemade Strawberry Ice Cream from The Pioneer Woman and I knew I wanted to make it. The trick was figuring out what to do instead of dairy, eggs, and the white sugar! Coconut milk and honey to rescue!
This recipe is easy, quick and delicious!
A quick note about honey. Not all honey is created equal! I used clover honey for this recipe. However I've noticed different brands may have different sweetness factors. Yep, sweetness factors. Start off slow with your honey and taste test along the away. I know, I know, taste test ice cream? You're welcome!
Without further ado:
Strawberry Coconut Ice Cream
Adapted from The Pioneer Woman
Ingredients
- 3 Cans Coconut Milk (Full Fat)
- 2/3 Cup Honey (more/less to taste)
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Bean Paste (or Vanilla Extract)
Strawberry Puree:
- 1 LB Strawberries (hulled)
- 2 Tbs Honey
Directions:
- Freeze Ice Cream bowl per manufacturers directions
- Chill coconut milk for at least 30 minutes
- Mix coconut milk, honey, and vanilla in a large bowl to a smooth consistency.
- Puree strawberries and honey in food processor and add to the coconut milk.
- Now pour this mixture into your ice cream maker and freeze it according to your ice cream maker's instructions.
July What?
How is it already July and where did June go?
Team O (or 'te amo' as the customer service rep from Redbox pointed out to me last week) has been a little lame on blogging during the month of June, but that is because we've been running around, staying busy, and having fun!!
Here are a few highlights of June. We kicked June off in Portland celebrating the birthday of our little cousin!
We went to our buddy Max's first book reading and signing. It was pretty epic!
We finally found a new couch for our living room, then said couch would not fit up our stairs so we bribed a group of friend to make this happen:
Paul ran a half marathon! Charlie and I cheered from the sidelines.
My cousin Lisa and her little one drove up from Sacramento to visit!
And we topped off the month with a little rest
and a church BBQ, where the only photo I took was holding the baby! But how could you resist! Isn't she the cutest!
Not pictured for the month of June: Community Group Reunion, Graduation Party, Baby Dedication (yay Olivia!), and Birthday parties!
Now on to conquer July!
Team O (or 'te amo' as the customer service rep from Redbox pointed out to me last week) has been a little lame on blogging during the month of June, but that is because we've been running around, staying busy, and having fun!!
Here are a few highlights of June. We kicked June off in Portland celebrating the birthday of our little cousin!
We went to our buddy Max's first book reading and signing. It was pretty epic!
Paul ran a half marathon! Charlie and I cheered from the sidelines.
Not pictured for the month of June: Community Group Reunion, Graduation Party, Baby Dedication (yay Olivia!), and Birthday parties!
Now on to conquer July!
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