Futuristic

Sarah and I got new cell phones yesterday. We had to renew our plan and wanted to update/upgrade our phones. It made sense for us to get new phones but keep our old phones as backups in order to be able to drop from our monthly bill the cost of insuring our new phones. We both ended up choosing to go with the Motorola Krave.



Motorola Krave

While LG has generally been our brand of choice, the lack of availability of LG phones and their relatively high cost deterred us this time. After rebates and renewal refunds we only ended up spending about $50 on these new phones. Can't complain about that, you know?

Anyway, these phones are pretty outstanding. While we opted not to get any of the higher-end options (the data package, essentially - internet, TV, email, etc), I'm quite pleased with how the phone will serve it's most basic functions of 1). helping me to talk and text with people quickly and easily, and 2). making me look totally "with it," "hip," and "trend savvy." The touch screen interface took some adjusting to, but also seems to be quite intuitive and fun to use. The phone itself is just very pretty, too. I feel quite futuristic with it in my hands.

Having a new cell phone means having to make new ringtones. I've got some Bohemian Rhapsody, Tenacious D, and Smash-era Offspring so far. I'm sure that there will be plenty more in the future.

Today has been Easter. We had some friends over and I cooked a 10 pound ham. We also woke up at 5:30am to go to an outdoor sunrise worship service at the landing next to the Oyster River in Durham. Two people were baptised in the sub-40 degree water of the river. It was as perfect an Easter celebration as I've seen; not a lot of fanfare or ornamentation about the holiday itself, but instead the simple dedication of two hearts to the humble and lasting Savior. There were no lilies, no purple robes, no banners, no flags. Our pastor wore a wetsuit. It was simultaneously very anti-climactic and overwhelmingly powerful.

But waking up at 5:30am has left me quite tired and without much else to say. So, I'm off.

Stay Gold, people.

MMK

adorable! 36ish weeks

Papa with Baby Kole...cute. MK hates this picture. I enjoy it.


Ahhh, love.


MK says, "Babies are delicious". I'll take his word for it.

SLK

...and accumulating more baby stuff!

Life in the 'shire. I love it! I laughed slightly when I found out snow was falling back home this past weekend. If I do not see snow again this season, I will surely not be a sad lady. We had a few nice days last week but have had a rather dark and rainy weekend. I actually enjoy rain most of the time...as long as I can curl up on the coach and not have to venture outside. Plus, the grass is starting to turn green and that can only mean spring will be here soon!

Last Thursday we had a baby appointment. We will also have a baby appointment this Thursday - we are down to weekly appointments. Can you believe it? Where does the time go?! Anyways, the appointment last a whole 5 or 10 minutes. Everything appears to be normal - heartbeat, BP, position, growth, etc. I will be 37 weeks on Thursday which is technically considered full-term...so realistically little Baby Kole could appear in a few days or a few weeks. Oh, the waiting!

A couple of our dear friends (Marshall's co-workers) threw us a baby shower on Saturday. We had such a good time. Everyone was so generous and more than excited to share their happiness for us. I am so thankful to everyone who has helped us with this new stage of life - I don't know how we would do it on our own...both financially and emotionally! We are so blessed.

Welp, the hubby just called me...time for LUNCH! And this Momma does not miss ANY meals!
Hope all is well. Love and hugs. New pictures to post later!!!
SLK

R.I.P Big Red

I did something today that I immediately regret, but that had to be done out of necessity. You see, I'll be applying for a summer job in the near future with an employer that enforces some rather strict codes regarding the hirsute nature of a man's face. In other words, I'll be applying for work with a beard tyrant.

In order to not make a terrible impression upon submitting my application, I shaved my beard this evening.

I'm actually pretty depressed about the loss. I miss the beard. I felt right with it. It felt good and I liked the way that the full beard made me look. Without it, I feel like a 12 year old impersonating an adult. So it goes. I've already vowed to begin growing it back in the beginning of August and to never again seek the employ of a man/company that requires me to wear my chin un-haired.

Anyways, I tried a couple of different styles as I sheared/shaved it off. You'll notice I'm not smiling in any of these pictures. The shave was a somber affair.

The full beard.




Technically known as "Friendly Mutton Chops," though the moustache isn't fully connected.




Creepy moustache.


Prepubescence.


Some people need to grow up and start loving beards.

Stay Gold.

MMK

upcoming events.

i just realized mk and i have a lot of things to look forward to... just thought i would share!

1. in two weeks - jacob eisch has an on-campus with UNH. mk and i are praying he is offered and accepts a position here for fall 2009. he is family.
2. the most obvious - BABY KOLE!
3. i will be ending my service shortly. i'm realizing i am quite excited to move on to the next stage of my life, but also a bit sad to step away from working with at-risk youth for a while.
4. May 17 - 24. MY MOM IS COMING TO VISIT! WOOOT! mk will be extremely busy with end of the year duties, so it'll be so nice to have my mom around to help out with the little one. plus, i haven't seen her since christmas - I MISS HER!
5. SPRING! warmer temperatures which leads into number...six
6. SUMMER! summers in new hampshire, in the seacoast specifically, are GLORIOUS! durham turns into a quaint, QUIET, little town. i love it.
7. July-ish. Justin will be visiting! mk and i are both eager to spend some quality time with him out here in new england.
8. August - SYLVIA VISITS! sylvia and i became friends during my time at Family Video in macomb. i love her bunches, and know her and i are both in need of some quality time spent together.
9. September - KEVIN & SARAH'S WEDDING! marshall will be kevin's best man (at the wedding, and forever). both are very dear friends of ours and we couldn't be happier to see them commit their lives to each other. also, we are excited that the event will bring (all three of) us back to Iowa for a short visit.
10. Fall-ish - i'm anticipating enrolling into the phlebotomy certificate program (to draw blood and handle other specimen samples at hospitals, doctors' offices, and other healthcare settings) at the manchester community college. i'm under the impression that the class and internship will take approximately a full semester. once both have been completed, i'll be looking for a part-time to full-time job. beware...i may ask some of you to assist in my practice. mwhaha.

look at all those fun times ahead! i'm excited, to say the least!!!!

SLK