6 months.

Today marks 6 months of being his Mrs. (!)

The best 6 months of my life.

I couldn't be more in love.

We're going on  a hot date tonight to celebrate.

(I may even wear a little eye liner...)

Happy weekend to you!  Go in love.

Kaylyn x 2.

This is Kaylyn (on the right...well, on the left too, but...).  We met on Blogger over 2 years ago.  Having the same name with the same spelling is just the beginning of our similarities!   Our meeting is one of those divine appointments that only God could have managed and we quickly became close friends.  We first met in person in August of 2008 and had the best time.  Then she came out here for my bridal shower in May 2009, which was just the best surprise ever.  And now they (they being Kaylyn, her sweet little girl Aven, her husband Brent, and a little one that is growing in her belly, pics here) are coming out this weekend to play (and work, too)!  

Danny and I couldn't be more thrilled...

reason #2592 why I love my husband.

Because when it is 10pm on a weeknight and I have been having stomach problems all evening, Danny puts on his north face jacket, slipper mocs, and beanie, braves the rain outside, and comes back ten minutes later with not only 7Up, but also a bag of Sour Patch Kids...for when I feel better.  

I love my man.

f&l.

Every last Wednesday of the month we hold an outreach event for the youth, rather than a typical service of games, worship, and teaching. And that's tonight! So we've planned an amazing night for our youth and leaders.

Fishes and Loaves is an improv comedy group from LA. They have shared the stage with MADtv and SNL. And most importantly, they love Jesus. So if you are free tonight, I hope you'll come and laugh with us.

It's going to be wonderful. You can find church directions here. (website under major construction, so it may not be working, but you can email me at kayunterkofler@crosspointcrcweb.org)
7-8:30. See you then!

good ol' m&c.

For all you non-Southern Californians, I should probably let you in on the climate that we've had as of late. Over here it has been the rainiest season in years. While the record rainfall has made me one happy little lady, it has wreaked havoc on my locks and reminded me once again that I need to go for it and buy those rainboots I've been wanting (floral!). Anyways...

In anticipation of Danny's arrival, and considering the rainy/cold weather we've been having and the weekend he spent in the snow, I knew there was only one option for dinner: comfort food.


I made pork chops & broccoli & homemade mac, and it hit the spot. His Our fam has a killer mac recipe, but with the holidays just passing through I thought it was time to try a new. So I went for it and boy, are we glad I did. There is nothing like a little (or big) bowl of cheesy goodness.


Homemade Mac & Cheese (taken from Kitchen Therapy)

Recipe calls for:
1 pound pasta
1 1/2 C whole milk (Don't be afraid of the whole once in a while.)
2 T flour
1/2 t salt
1/4 t powdered mustard
2-3 C cheese
s&p

Boil 1 pound of pasta until al dente and set aside. (I used big curly noodles because I think they are cute. What a girl.)
Heat 1 C of whole milk.
Meanwhile, mix the other 1/2 C of milk with 2 T flour.
Combine in the sauce pan.
Stir until sauce thickens.
Add 1/2 t salt and 1/4 t powdered mustard. (This is one of those spices that I had to buy. Sometimes you've just got to give in and go for it.)
Stir in 2-3 C of cheese. (I used cheddar because, to me, cheddar is the tastiest and most flavorful besides feta. I also used closer to 3 C than 2.)
Add s&p.
Taste and add more _______ if needed. (I added a bit more milk.)
Combine pasta and sauce. Voila. You can eat it then or put it in a dish to bake later. (I put mine in later with the chops...20 minutes at 400.)

Sorry there is no picture to go along with this. Apparently we were so excited we couldn't wait 30 seconds to take one...

Eat and be merry!

this weekend.

cons:

-I couldn't sleep. (Until 2:30am, which is when I said yes to Benadryl.)

-I thought someone was in my backyard. (Turned out to just be the hot air from the dryer making steam and turning on the motion detector. Wish I had that scenario on video to share with you all...)

-Missed my husband so, so, so very much. (side note...I can't even tell you how much I love this man. When I am with him I feel like I am truly alive. Becoming one through marriage is such a truly spiritual, intimate thing. I don't understand it, but I experience it daily. And this weekend I felt like a part of me was missing.)

-Bought Denver a bed. Threw it away that same day, after he ate almost 1/3 of the stuffing out of it.

-The guys got in a car accident on the way up (or as Danny so carefully gave me the news, they had "car trouble")...everyone is safe, except for my father-in-law's truck. Eek.

-Den broke my heart when he sat like this at the door, waiting for his daddy to come home.  (what a fur ball.)

pros:

-I got a ridiculous amount of homework done.

-Because of that, my husband gets a non-distracted wife for the week.

-We rejoined last night over an amazing meal.  (Recipe coming soon.)

-I fell more in love with Danny.  And he fell more in love with me.

-I went out to dinner with my niece and nephew.

-Also watched G-Force with them. (The little orange and white one reminded me of puppy Denver.)

-Cleaned the whole house.

-And lastly, no boogie men got me and I am alive.  And here is evidence.

(new curtains!)

Can't wait for this week.  It's going to be one of rest and fun and celebrating...

I'll be back tomorrow with the most amazing homemade mac&cheese recipe.  And later this week I'll share exciting things that are happening at youth group.  And the upcoming weekend that makes my heart beat fast with joy.

Peace.

sigh.

Oh friends, the past few weeks have been one big sigh.  Danny has been sick sick sick, which means we haven't braved the great outdoors for weeks now.  In some ways it has been helpful for all the homework I've been slammed with, but still... we are all a little antsy.  Danny is on antibiotics now and is venturing up to the mountains this weekend for a snowboarding man-trip. This will mark our first nights apart since we became husband and wife.  I don't want to talk about it.  How did I ever live alone?

And me?  Well, the biggest thing we have planned (we being Den and I) is a rabies shot on Saturday morn.  Other than that, I'm going to hang in my jammers and drink lots of coffee and tea and hot chocolate and (hopefully) accomplish all my homework goals.  Oh, and I also plan to have a dinner date with my father-in-law and maybe, just maybe, enjoy a little Redbox rental.  ($1 movies are so great, but even greater are the free-codes my mom has been sending my way...)

The other night Danny wanted me to take a picture of him and little D.  I wish you could see all the attempts I made...they make me laugh so hard.  Danny would blink, Den would move, I wouldn't have the camera in focus, etc.  This is the only one with my husband not blinking (okay, maybe a half-blink) and my pup not trying to run and tackle  me.  As for the focus?  My apologies.  

Here's another, just of Den.  What a cutie.

Last night Denver was eating a worm on the patio.  I yelled for Danny to come and make him stop.  Danny attempted to "pick it up and throw it", but ended up cutting it in half.  I live with worm-killers.  Boys.

I love these two...

PS And just so you know, those empenadas were simply wonderful.  I used regular raisins (because they were already in our cupboard) and ground turkey.  Just thinking back on them makes me happy.

excitement x 3.

Today a local college student came to church to interview me. I felt so inadequate to be on this side of the interview, but it went really well. I hope she left feeling encouraged as a woman who wants to enter vocational ministry in the next few years. We parted with a hug and she said, "I am so excited to see where you end up." It made me smile. I'm really excited, too.

I am also excited for the rest of the day...it is rainy and gloomy here, just the way I like it. Husband has the day off and in just a little bit I'll get to go home to him and Den. We have a fun little afternoon adventure planned. It will be such a lovely break from school and work.

Tonight I am making the empenadas from last month's Real Simple. Enough said.
Happy Monday to you, my friend...I have a huge feeling that this week will top last week by 1,000.

the day before today.

Yesterday was a rough, but good, day.  Can I tell you about it?

I woke up at 2 am crying, telling Danny I couldn't swallow.  It felt like I swallowed a balloon.  That's right- I was SICK.  Now, Danny has been sick since last weekend.  We tried our best to keep me from getting sick (i.e. no kissing, minimal cuddling, and separate drinking glasses), but it was inevitable.  Those little green guys (the ones from the Mucinex commercials...they are forever ingrained as my image of germs) traveled from him to me and I suffered the consequences.

Anyhow, he got me meds and stroked my hair until I fell back into the world of sleep.  Woke up to a 6 am shower of getting as much out of my throat and nose as possible, got ready for the day, accompanied by a dog at my feet, and skidaddled.  

I have found that leaving the house between 7:10 and 7:15 gives me the least amount of traffic on the 215.  So pulling out of the complex at 7:14 made me smile.  (That, and the extra strong coffee-filled tumbler in my hand.)

The school day went fast and I enjoyed my classes.  Which, by the way, are Gospels Witness to Christ, Field Education, Contemporary Issues in Ministry, and Church & Society.  The major stresses of the day came not from the many papers and exams listed on the syllabi, but from the news I received from my mom mid-day.  

Kevin, my step-dad, was in the ER- blood clots likely.  This was not good news from a post-chemo patient.  I was discussing this with my sis when, go figure, my phone died.  So my husband came to my rescue and e-mailed me all the news he received throughout the day.  (I hate how helpless I feel over being cell phone-less.)  

After many tests and scans we found out in early evening that it was just a major case of Pneumonia and that he will be in the hospital for a few days receiving IV antibiotics and breathing treatments.  Not good but, obviously, better than the "what-if's".  Talked to him today and was so good to hear his typical voice.  He is improving and will go home in a couple days.  Mom is good too, especially after all the scares of yesterday.

So now I am at home, where I will spend all my Fridays this semester (thank you, Jesus).  The house is cool because the sliders are all open, trying to air this sick-house out.  I am wearing my Christmas slippers and it smells of bleach because I am washing our white comforter.  My pup is sleeping and happy, twitching away.  The coffee table is packed full of tissues, cough drops, water cups (multiple), and text books.  I am also, you guessed it, knee-deep in homework.  Already in love with my Synopsis of the Gospels book.  Left side is Greek and right side is the four Gospel accounts side by side.  It might just be me, but right now this is my favorite book on the shelf.

Am praising God for the lack of blood clots, my husband who takes such good care of me, my mom who has a heart bigger than _____ (I can't think of the right word, but you get the point), tissues with lotion and Vicks, and the opportunity to be slammed with such amazing studies.

Happy weekend...hope you'll get to spend yours not being sick.  

finger pointing and prayer.

Someone just sent me this photo they took during our wedding reception.  I love this picture a lot.  Sometimes a picture takes you back and you can remember your thoughts, the smells, the butterflies, the joy, the sounds of your friends and family surrounding you...this is one of those pictures.  It makes me smile...that was such a wonderful evening.  

Tomorrow is another first day of school for me.  My classes run from 8am - 10pm straight through.    Yea, crazy I know.  Please say you'll pray for me.

his new favorite place.

Danny didn't let it last long...but those were 3 pretty cute minutes.

on bracelets and God's presence.

Early early early this morning I met with 2 high school girls who ironically teach me way more than I attempt to teach them.  We talked about God's constant presence and our need to recognize him.  To talk to him throughout our day.  To never hang up the phone, so to speak.

And we tied these bracelets around our wrists to remind ourselves of these things.  (look, sis!  pink-ish polish!)

Then this morning I was feeling attacked and judged and hurt.  Possibly the biggest heartache I've experienced in ministry as of yet.  

And I cried a lot.  And talked to God.  And read some comforting words.

And then a wise friend reminded me...

I am not a 23-year-old kid running this youth ministry.  I am a 23-year-old woman running this ministry.  I am educated.  I am experienced.  And beyond all of that, I have been appointed by God.  And for that reason alone I don't have to justify my position.  (Wherever you're at & whatever you do, please know that you don't have to, either.)

Now, this afternoon, I am feeling strong and courageous.  I am looking at my wrist and remembering the day has been filled with his Spirit, even when I have felt alone.  It's going to be okay.  Plus, there's a pup keeping my feet warm and I have a good book in my hand and tea water in the kettle.  Indeed, it will be okay.

Until tomorrow...

Peace.

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

diy chalkboard.

Step 1:

buy an old frame from the thrift store. this one is from the first apartment I shared with my best friend. it had cockroaches and questionable neighbors from every direction. bad idea, we know.

Step 2:

paint it! I suggest using all of those ads they stuff into each and every mailbox that's in an apartment or townhouse complex. I chose goldenrod...partly because it's my favorite color but also because we already had it.

Step 3:

go on a little date with your frame to Home Depot. ask the nice wood cutters to cut you a perfectly-sized piece of thin wood. go smooth or go home, because otherwise your chalkboard will never befriend your chalk.

Step 4:

paint it! this can you'll probably have to buy, but it will last a long time and you can use it for a plethora of projects, many of which I'll be sharing with you in the next few months. (i'm obsessed.) this will put you behind about $11, but it's so worth it.

Step 5:

if you're like me (in the sense that if you try to do ityourself you will most likely hammer your finger and end up somehow also with a broken arm), ask your husband/brother/father/boyfriend to nail the wood piece into the frame. if you're not like me (in the sense that you're a handy girl), go for it.

Step 6:

wait 3 days for the chalkboard paint to set. condition it with the side of a piece of chalk. write, hang, and enjoy!

bon appetit!

review no. 3

AVATAR!Danny and I basically knew nothing about this movie. Except that apparently to everyone else, this movie was big time. So my father-in-law treated us to Avatar 3D, our first 3D movie ever.

I am trying to find the words to describe this movie and I'm just sort of speechless. My best friend called it "enchanting" and I think that is a great word to sum it up. It is no wonder why you'll find this movie sold out, even 3 weeks after its release date. It is not just a form of entertainment...it's an experience. It was such a wonderful combination of science fiction, romance, comedy, suspense. I even held my pee for 2 1/2 hours because I couldn't stand to walk out and miss something wonderful. Pee-holding-worthy...it's that good.

We loved it and think you should see it, too. We agree, this one is big time. Give in to the hype, my friend.

PS Oh yes, we kept the glasses.

14 years.

14 years ago to this very day, my daddy entered paradise. At the young age of 32 ALS won the battle and he left this world, only to enter a new one. I miss my dad a lot. A lot a lot. But the short 9 years I had with him forever impacted who I am. And for that, I am eternally grateful. I can't look at a picture of me smiling and not see his face. I can't drink a glass of milk without thinking of that one time it came out his nose at the dinner table because he was laughing so hard. And I can't smell Old Spice without remembering his morning scent. My dad died, but my dad also lives. He lives through my mom, my sister, my nieces, my extended family, and myself. But most of all, he lives in the presence of God. And it's because of this that I can smile today and rejoice for him.

My favorite picture of my dad & grandma.

I'll be seeing you, Daddy! It doesn't end here...and you're the one who taught me that.

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. - Philippians 3:20-21

menu.

Here is what's going down in our home this week (literally).

Monday - fettuccine with homemade Alfredo & salad. We're having new friends over tonight so I am doing mini-trifles for each of us as a special treat. Layers of vanilla pudding, joe-joes (the best vanilla cookies ever...found only at TJ's), and cool whip. Mm.

Tuesday - risotto with sauteed mushrooms and broccoli. I am making my own risotto now, instead of cheating my way with a box. It's time consuming, but so fantastic.

Wednesday - teriyaki bowls. rice, chicken & stir fry veggies. A quickie since youth group starts back up this week.

Thursday - here's a new one...chicken & green chili paninis. I bought a loaf of green chili sour dough bread. Plan to make my own dijon/mayo spread, pound the chicken thin, add some medium cheddar, more green chilies, and grill to perfection. Served with kettle chips. Yes please.

Bon appetit. What about you? What's cookin?

review no. 2

Danny got this little gem in his stocking this year, courtesy of our brother. We had never heard of it, but we're sure glad we got gifted with it. Some have said the movie is "immature". Well, we loved it, and if that says anything about us...we're okay with it.

Danny says watching any British movie will make you laugh. I second that. We fell in love with the main character right away. I couldn't have been more proud of all the effort he put into reaching his goal (I won't ruin the surprise). I love to cheer for the under dog. And we were surprised that David Schwimmer was the director. Hm! Even more reason why he is my favorite friend.

It also made a personal impact on me. This weekend I decided I wanted to start running. So I asked my runner-of-a-husband if he would accompany me. He is so gracious and good and patient to have said yes because I am no runner. So we ran last night. And I hit my wall. And I decided, if Dennis Doyle (Simon Pegg) can do it, so can I. And I did. I ran the whole way- and boy was I pleased.

The only thumbs down I have is that the casting of his little boy seemed a little...off. If the movie family doesn't look like they could be a real-life family, I'm turned off. Other than that, it was wonderful. Even the disgusting part about the foot (you know what I'm talking about if you've seen it!). D & I couldn't stop laughing. My sister would have died.

That's all. We're excited for the sequel, Fight Fatboy Fight, to be released in 2011.

Next up: Avatar, baby!

you say goodbye, i say hello.

Oh nine, you were so good to us.  We found a new church home, I became a youth director, I moved into our little townhouse, we planned a wedding, I got showered with everything from a tea pot and wine glasses to ruffles and lace, finished my first year of seminary, have a cancer-free father, got married (the best day of oh nine, in our opinion), honeymooned it up in Portland, have a new niece (#4), went roadtripping to Santa Cruz, got our Denver, got 1/2 way done with my M. Div, learned how to budget for two (will share about this another day), started my love for cooking, watched tons of movies, and celebrated our first holiday season as husband and wife.  Oh yes...it's been good.

Twenty ten, I'm not so sure what you've got in store.  For certain a trip to Michigan and a trip to Wisconsin.  Possibly a trip to North Carolina and Virginia and a Christmas holiday in Jerusalem.  Also in store is another road trip, friends from NC coming to stay with us, the search and move into a new home, finishing my first entire school year as a youth pastor, coming within a semester of graduation, and 3 weddings of dear friends (so far!).   Anything else will be a surprise...please be nice.

Our resolution is: pictures.  Take more of them, edit more of them, post more of them.  So hold me accountable, k?  I need your help.

Am off to cuddle with our pup.  Who, by the way, is a whopping 16 pounds and growing daily.  I've given up the gym for carrying him up and down the stairs.  Just kidding...but seriously.  He's an arm workout.

Enjoy all the newness of the new year...I have a good feeling about this one!