Living in the Moment!

This has been the first summer since I graduated high school that I haven't had a full time job. With that being said, I took full advantage of my time and all that this summer had to offer. So here's the highlights....

This June, Luke and I celebrated out 5 year anniversary! Not only was this a major milestone, but it was the first anniversary that we had disposable income. We decided that we deserved a trip; someplace close enough to drive, but far enough away to where we actually felt like we escaped for a bit. With that, we agreed on Glenwood Springs. This was my first trip to Glenwood, but certainly not my last. We had an amazing time!

The first day there we walked the river and then went to dinner at the best steak house I have ever been to...Juicy Lucy's!

 On the bridge over looking the hot springs and the Colorado River.

Juicy Lucy's

The next day we went on a mild hike up to Glenwood's most popular graveyard, which included Doc Holiday's grave.

Check out the grave in the background. 

That evening we took a dip in the famous hot springs, and then went to visit our friend Steph for dinner, which I proceeded to order deep fried french toast and onion rings. What are vacations for, right?!

Our final day in Glenwood we decided to hike up to Hanging Lake. The hike was fairly difficult, but so worth the work. The hike follows the river up the mountain, and at the top are three gorgeous waterfalls that lead into a crystal blue lagoon. It had to be one of the most awe inspiring places I have ever been. 

The trip was such a perfect way to celebrate being married for 5 years to the love of my life!!!

When we came back to reality, I delved head first into my summer job, being the acting coach for the Stampede Troupe's children's theatre workshop. I had a wonderful time directing scenes and getting to work with such dedicated and talented kids. The final product turned out great! 

My next trip was up to Vail to watch my brother compete in the GoPro Games in angling (fly fishing)! I got some quality time with my mom and sister-in-law; as well as watching some really unique events, such as slack lining. 

The three of us and baby Eussen!

Our next big trip was to Devil's tower in Wyoming. Luke and I joined my parents in camping out at the KOA right next to Devil's Tower. Our first day there we took the first trail up to the tower. It was a pretty easy hike but with some outstanding views! 

At night we had a blast enjoying extremely LARGE ice cream cones and watching Close Encounters of the Third Kind, which was filmed at the tower.

My dad, super excited about the giant ice cream cone!

The next day on the trip we took a drive into South Dakota and went for a visit to Deadwood. What a neat town. We took a bus tour, which included the graveyard that was so big, it had street signs to help you find your way around. 

Add caption

Wild Bill's gravesite

Calamity Jane's grave

On our final day, we decided to take a little road trip. We stopped in Hewlitt, WY. Here we found a hidden museum that housed some of the best Native American artifacts and items of the wild west. We also stopped at an Amish stand that picked up some delicious baked goods. After that we decided to hit a third state and drove into Montana, not much there, but we went! 

The kick ass museum we came across!

Our final adventure was taking the long hike around Devil's tower. It took awhile, but worth the work!

I was glad to sleep in my own bed when it was all over, but I certainly enjoyed the go with the flow atmosphere, and certainly enjoyed going off the grid!

The summer is practically over for this teacher, but before I called it quits, I wanted to squeeze in one good hike. I joined my parents and we went up to Rocky Mountain National Park and took a 5 mile hike up to Fern Falls. 

In the end, this was a summer that I will never forget. Things are about to change real quick, with Luke starting law school and me venturing into my professional life, so I am grateful to have had the time to live in the moment this summer. 

The Final Frontier

“He loved mountains, or he had loved the thought of them marching on the edge of stories brought from far away; but now he was borne down by the insupportable weight of Middle-earth. He longed to shut out the immensity in a quiet room by a fire.” 
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings

I have two places of solace, one being the mountains and the second being my bed, which usually includes twenty pillows, two cats, a Luke and a good book. These places bring me comfort because of their representation of who I am.

I was born in the mountains, in fact I was born at over 10,000 feet above sea level. Sometimes I think that's why I'm so small...like the trees past the tree line. In any case, my roots are so deep into those mountains that whenever I get the opportunity to just be there, I always walk away feeling centered and grounded. I stop questioning my choices, I stop stressing over little things, I stop being focused on those people who simply don't matter. I become realized in what I'm doing and ever so sure of who I am; but even more than that, the mountains represent my ancestors and those alike. The brave individuals who decided to become pioneers and discover places that were completely foreign. I really envy those individuals. I had a discussion with my brilliant husband in the middle of the night, about how our generation is denied opportunities to discover distant lands. In the future, our next frontier will be space; however, by the time we get there, Luke and I will be way into our geriatric years. Perhaps our children will be those pioneers, but for now, we can only imagine what those lives would have been like and continue to visit those places that evoke the stories of far away lands.

Of course, to feed the still quenching urge to experience adventure and excitement, I will forever snuggle with my family and immerse myself in a book.

Still Wings

It’s officially the day after the closing of another show, and here I am…unsure of what to do with myself. For about two and half months, most of my evenings consisted of rehearsals and production preparations. As the show approaches, my life is consumed with the show. Hair, costumes, makeup, mic checks, and of course socializing with the cast and crew. And finally when it’s all over I relax for about two minutes and then I’m looking for something to do. So to fill up this empty space I figured I’d write about what I know, the stage.

This past show was different for me than others. I was able to take more of a back seat, really observe the whole process, and take the time to soak up the experience. One experience I focused on was being backstage. With every show I have ever done I can always pinpoint one specific second of the show where I experience the same exact thing, stillness. I know that doesn’t quite make sense when referring to a theatre production, but as much energy as there is, there is also a perfect stillness.

My first real experience with the stillness was my freshman year of high school. I was in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream playing fairy number whatever, and I recall sitting in the wings waiting for an entrance. For that time I was invisible. The wings were darkened, only lit by glow tape. The curtains hung from the ceiling, guarding me from the audience. I looked out at the stage where Titania was wooing Oberon. The lights on stage were mixed with blues and purples, making the floor look like a mystical ocean. In this moment, despite all the action being played out on stage, with the reactions and eyes of the audience glued to the stage, I was hidden and still. It’s this wonderful mix between the energy and anxiousness, applause and laugher, and the simplicity of the quiet of the wings.

For this last show, Diamond Studs, this moment for me was always during the same scene, the Unreconstructed Rebel. Every time I heard Ken’s voice, preaching to me about not giving a damn, I would stop and just be still. Up on the balcony, behind the audience, I had the perfect view. I could openly watch the motivational hymn speaking to the wounded, rousing the soldiers, and just as the hearts of the characters were being lifted, I could see the audience internalizing the same feeling. This is my magical moment where I feel like I’m sharing a secret. I’m not seen, not heard, just feeling. Feeling the anticipation, the appreciation, and the stillness. Always the stillness.

As much as I love being front and center of the show; to feel the spotlight heating my face, to hear my lines and then anticipate the reaction from the audience, I also crave the stillness. It’s perfect, it’s simple, and it’s a personal moment that I can attach to every show I have ever done. It’s just one more thing that lets me know I could never walk away from the stage.

Scorpio Predictions

My horoscope this morning reads:

"If you want something new and wonderful to happen in your life now, you have to free yourself of something old and dreary. The problem is that even though what you need to be free of is dragging you down, it is also a source of comfort for you. You have come to see it as a stable aspect of your life, even though it isn't positive. Change your perspective, and look at the situation more realistically. Once you move one, you will move up quickly."

On occasion my horoscopes induces goosebumps by how accurate it can be.

This New Year brought such a strange sensation for me. On one hand I felt relieved to be able to put one more year behind me, one more year of schooling, one more year of work, one more year of paid off bills that I can stick in my back pocket.

There was also a sense of excitement. This year is going to bring a lot of changes for me. I know that sounds cliche, but it's the truth. 2012 is going to be the year that brings me into adulthood. The list includes graduating, moving, careers, houses and the talk of future children; it feels as if everything we've worked so hard for is actually going to pay off.

However, with all the excitement, there's a place in mind that is completely blocked out with anxiety and fear. I have grown so comfortable in my daily life; although my days might not hold too much excitement, they hold stability. I go to class, work and then come home and crawl into bed next to my husband and do the whole thing over again tomorrow. Like I said, not exciting, but comforting. I have so much support here with my family and husband constantly here to keep me motivated; and now I'm faced with the fact that all this is about to change.

I've always wanted to feel like I served a bigger purpose than myself, that's why I fell into teaching, that's why I got married so young, and that's why I've always wanted to be a mother. I want to know that my life was spent constantly growing and giving, and now I have an opportunity to do more than I ever thought possible. For anyone who hasn't heard yet, Luke is getting ready to make the biggest decision of his life, he is about to sign on as an Officer in the United States Air Force.

I always knew that whatever Luke did, it wasn't going to be in the ordinary. Luke's never been the desk job type and I knew that when I married him, it's one of the reasons I love him. He needs adventure and he needs to be challenged and I know that if he chooses this path he will find what he's looking for.

When I do tell people that this is what is in store for me I always get such interesting reactions, mostly, "Aren't you upset?"

Why would I be upset?

I know that this requires a lot of sacrifice from me and it's going to kick me right out of my comfort zone, but it is my job as a wife to support my husband. I always told Luke that the one thing I will never let him do is wake up one day and regret that he didn't do something.

So yes, I am terrified at what this all means. I know that it will mean distance from both him and my family at times. It means possibly putting a hold on applying for jobs. It means taking on all the other responsibilities and finances so that he can focus on his career. It means all this and more, but I feel that this is what I am meant to do. This is one more opportunity for me to serve a bigger purpose.

I never thought I would be a military wife, but if it is my husbands calling, than it is mine as well.

Fall 2012!!!

I had my advising appointment for school today. It went really well and it was great motivation to finish out the semester.







A few exciting things happened during the session:



1. I have been approved to get an official graduation check


2. I am set to graduate next fall semester!!!!


3. I am in the top 15% of my class in academics


4. I received an award for academic honors








It feels like it has taken me forever but I feel like I'm finally reaching my goals!!

Worth the Climb

I felt extremely accomplished and proud this past weekend. I did my first climb. The climb wasn't exactly planned because we didn't know where we were going, but we ended up near Mt. Evans. Our plan was to go see the aspen leaves....my favorite, and we ended up climbing.

The hike started pretty simple and I knew once we passed a sign that said if we continued we would need to sign a permit, which we didn't...I knew I was probably in for a bit more than a hike.

Once we really got going I will be honest, the altitude started kicking my butt. I took a few breaks here and there to catch my breath and pace myself, but with my own determination and my husband encouraging me, I made it to the top, and it was so worth it.

The view was amazing and all the things that have been on my mind and causing stress just seemed to vanish. It was a wonderful moment of clarity and I am so glad I did it.

I have always been hesitant to climb because I know how I get in high altitudes and I didn't know if I could hack it. Now I know I can and I'm willing to do more. I'm hooked!

I Have a Yogurt in My Backpack

I am officially a teacher candidate! And it feels fantastic!

I started my literacy hour today. This means that I am put into a group of three teachers and four students at a local elementary school and we read to the students using the Text Talk method.

For my assignment I am at Maple wood Elementary School every Thursday for an hour working with second graders. Even though it was my first day, it was quite an experience and an eye opener.

After briefly meeting the kids I noticed their conversation quickly turned to food. This was then followed by each of them pulling out some sort of food from their backpack and revealing that they had all kept these food items to eat when they got home. Now I remember being in school and being hungry by the time the bell rang, but never once did I think to hoard food in my backpack.
Now we had been prepped on how poor this school was. The usual high percentage of free or reduced lunch, a high number of ESL students, and simply that these kids are from broken homes and live below the poverty level.

However, even with that in the back of my head, I was not prepared to see first hand the basic survival skills going into play with second graders.

The second big experience for me was their excitement. This program is not a tutoring program, it is a voluntary literacy hour. Anyone in first or second grade can sign up for it. We had been told that the program was popular with the kids, but I had no idea how much these kids wanted to be there.

I just had a real moment of clarity today. These children were so happy to be there and found so much to be excited about in the simplest of tasks, despite the harsh card life had dealt them. I realized that this is why I'm doing this. These genuine moments right here.