"What Are You Passionate About?"

Every time I run into a certain someone, **cough, cough, Melanie** she always asks me what I am passionate about. To be honest I think I have been living in survival mode for so long that I have never stopped to really think about what my true passions are.  I ran into that certain someone again yesterday and of course she asked, "What are you passionate about?" Needless to say, I spent the better part of the last 24 hours contemplating my true passions. Here is what I came up with!

I am passionate about my family and friends.  Although I am an introvert, I actually feel the most energized and motivated when I am around people I am the closest to- especially my best friends. I am a quality-time girl through and through.

Deep, meaningful conversation makes my world go 'round.  I love hearing people speak from the heart. Such raw emotion. If there's a question people do not want someone to ask... I will probably be the one to ask it. Not out of rudeness, but simply because I crave it.

My heart yearns to have children someday. Is it weird and/or allowed to be passionate about something/someone I have never met?!

I am passionate about making jewelry.  Some people dream of having an art room for painting (or maybe that's just Allie from The Notebook:-)), but I dream of having a room to make jewelry in one day.

I am passionate about keeping things clean and organized- probably almost to a fault.

I am passionate about my Jesus. I am not alot of things by nature, but I strive to be more ____ (fill in the blank with any fruit of the spirit) out of obedience to Him.  He truly is the reason I get out of bed every morning.

I.heart.music. If I had to choose between the radio or television, I would choose the radio every single time.

I am passionate about shopping. Window shopping, craft shopping, clothes shopping, house shopping- I love all of it.

And this post wouldn't be complete without my favorite quote by Donald Miller in Blue Like Jazz.

“I never liked jazz music because jazz music doesn't resolve.  But I was outside the Bagdad Theater in Portland one night when I saw a man playing the saxophone.  I stood there for fifteen minutes, and he never opened his eyes.  After that I liked jazz music. Sometimes you have to watch somebody love something before you can love it yourself. It is as if they are showing you the way." 

With that being said, at the end of the day I am pretty content doing almost anything as long as it is with the right people. True story.

Love,
Bk

The Rest of the Story

Okay, I guess it's time to explain the OTHER half of the ski trip.  We all woke up Thursday morning feeling refreshed and ready to hit the slopes. Our final day of skiing for the year was rapidly approaching and we still had some energy to burn.  The skies were crystal blue, the slopes were freshly groomed, and the lift lines were a little lighter.  We were ready!

During the first slope down, my family was doing a crossover trail (the kind that intersects another trail- usually a black or a blue) so we could get to the backside of the mountain. While my family was crossing over the trail, two guys about my age were racing down the intersecting slope. And I mean, racing.  The first guy ran over the back of my uncle's skis and went airborne. The guy's skis went everywhere!  I was skiing right behind my uncle and I saw the second "racer" coming.   I pointed my skis down the mountain to dodge him (and the other guy's skis) and ended up landing in a patch of fresh powder:-). I sunk to my waist.  And laughed. And then laughed some more. There's something about being stuck in snow up to your waist with your skis still on that makes it nearly impossible to get out of by yourself.  Totally embarrassing. Here's a picture of the aftermath for your entertainment.

Next, our group decided to follow a blue trail that we had never been down before.  Blue being the keyword here. We are all fairly good skiers and had skied a ton of other blues and even a few selective blacks on the previous days, but I'm pretty sure this trail was marked incorrectly.  We met at the top of the trail and peered down the edge of the mountain... at moguls and a steep slope. Believe me. The picture below doesn't do it justice.

Since turning around was not an option, my uncle pointed his skis toward the trees at what looked to be the "easiest way" down.  Needless to say, he disappeared and all we saw was snow falling from the treetops.  Man down!  My cousin and I somehow figured it out without falling- it wasn't pretty, but we made it.

THEN it was my dad's turn.  This man rarely falls, but when he does...:-).

Until next time,

Bk

Durango, Colorado

It's true! Another ski trip is in the books.  Although my aunt and her family have been planning their trip since last ski season, my dad and I didn't decide to go until the beginning of this December.  And I'm so thankful we did!!  I know it's cliche, but there really is something about going on vacation that is good for the soul:-).

After our first full day of skiing, my family (along with 500+ of our closest friends) met down at the base of the mountain on New Year's Eve to watch the torchlight parade and fireworks show.  This was the best I could do to capture the moment. You'll have to take my word for it that the fireworks show was a little better than four squiggly lines in the air:-/. 

Boom. 

Pow.

.

.

.

.

Crackle.

Crackle.

The ski lift in the picture below was our meeting place every morning.  Surprisingly enough, we only saw the base of the mountain two times a day- once in the morning and once in the afternoon.  We pretty much killed ourselves skied our hearts out on the backside of the mountain the entire time we were there. We even somehow managed to find ourselves in some moguls which I hope to show you a video of soon:-).

This was my first time skiing with my aunt and her family.  In fact, this was my first time to visit Durango, Colorado!

My cousin Sam was a rockstar on the snowboard.  He was pretty much a blur from the top of the mountain to the next lift line.  Don't worry, Sambo, I'll catch you next year!

There wasn't a ton of shopping at the ski resort; however, the girls (plus Ryan) managed to find a few shops while we were there.  What's a trip without a little shopping, right?

Considering the views were incredible, the skiing was almost perfect, and the people were very friendly, I definitely hope to visit Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort again!  

Thank you, Jesus, for another vacation with my family.
Bk

A New Kind of Goal

Although I typically make a goal list of twenty plus (mostly tangible) items, I thought this would be a good year to just take a break and try something different. One of my favorite bloggers (and previous employers for that matter) always chooses ONE word to focus on throughout the entire year. This year she chose to meditate on the word explore. I think I am going to join her this year:-).

I have tossed around several words in my mind these past few weeks to try to determine which one would prove to be the most beneficial for the next 365 days. While the words vision and thankful have made it to the top three on my list, the one word that has prevailed to the very top is prayer. I think it encompasses being 'thankful' and having a 'vision' for the future, while also remembering what is truly important.

I recently read an article written by Billy Graham where he said one of his greatest regrets is that he wished he would have prayed more.  That really hit home with me.  I mean really, Billy Graham?! Here are a few things the bible tells us about prayer:

"Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known." Jeremiah 33:3

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." James 5:16

It's been a tough year no doubt, but do you know what? I am still learning and growing. In the words of Lysa Terkeurst, I am making "imperfect progress." But progress nonetheless.  (Thanks for the book recommendation, Angie!)  I hope to start a prayer journal that stays by my bed at night and in my purse throughout the day.  I want to be more intentional about counting my blessings and turning to God during the difficult times.  I want to hold my tongue more- even if it means a quieter me.  I want to develop a deeper relationship with Jesus. And I know all of these things start with prayer.

Will you join me?
Bk

"...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6

Updated Twenty Goals in Twenty-Thirteen

1. Turn 30 (and be happy about it)!
2. Learn to hand-stamp jewelry. BOOM! Completed 1/18/2014
3. Continue studying the bible with a great group of friends.
4. Design a line of necklaces for Hootknows.
1. I made three styles, but never posted them for sale.
5. Read 2 books (unlike last year).
1. Becoming Myself by Stasi Eldredge
2. Suck Your Stomach In and Put Some Color On! by Shellie Rushing Tomlinson
6. Make 5 new smoothie recipes.
7. Sew a t-shirt quilt.
8. Upcycle an old sweater.
9. Complete a puzzle… always a favorite around Christmas time.
10. Go to the beach...err New York!
11. Celebrate Thanksgiving with my family this year.
12. Take MORE pictures!
13. Buy old costume jewelry at an Estate Sale (and use it to create new jewelry).
14. See Carrie Underwood in concert.
1. Grand Ole Opry
15. Try a new restaurant in East Nashville- Bethany, I may need your help on this one.
1. The Pharmacy
2. Marche Artisan Foods- Thanks, Bethany!
16. Buy and/or build a house (again!).
1. I moved back to Louisiana... does that count??
17. Learn a new hairstyle.
18. Run a 5k while my legs still work.
19. Go snow skiing with my family and friends- we missed it this year!
1. Snowshoe, West Virginia
2. Durango, Colorado
20. Invite a new couple over for supper- expanding my bubble.
1. Dinner with Hunter and Angie's friends
2. Dinner with Kelly Howard
3. Lunch with Stephanie Gonzalez
4. Coffee with Christina Franks
5. Lunch with new co-workers

... and ONE to grow on!

   21.  Celebrate my brother’s wedding!!

I did better than I thought I would considering all of the life changes this year decided to bring. I recently read an article by Dave Ramsey that stated 67% of the wealthy write down their goals, whereas only 17% of the poor do this.  While I am by no means rich, I at least had to stop and pat myself on the back for a step in the right direction:-).  A girl can dream, right? I'm just kidding. How did you do?  I would love to hear about it!

Happy New Year from Durango, Colorado!
Bk