I'm Back

I'm back! I love reading other people's blogs, and Gavin and I do some amazing things in our lives that I am ashamed at my lack of posting for the last year! So, this is me trying to get better at this. In the past year we celebrated our one year anniversary, hiked the tallest waterfall in the US, enjoyed a Highline "festival" in Moab, Utah, bought, sailed, and sold a sailboat, celebrated the weddings of a few dear friends, made new friends, and spent some quality time with old friends and family. God is good and has most certainly blessed us.

I can also report that I got a job... that I recently quit! I was working for a methadone clinic as a counselor for opiate addicted patients. I was incredibly challenging and yet so rewarding at the same time. Although I only spent about 5 months there I feel that I made some amazing friendships with my co-workers and learned so much about human compassion and God's inspiring ability to heal lives. I was working from 5 am to 1 pm and that coincided with Gavin's shift from 6 am to 2 pm. We decided that it was time to part ways with my job when Gavin's hours at work changed and we became ships passing in the night (or rather, mid-afternoon). It was really a challenge for us to go from so much quality time together down to essentially only 6-8 hours of time together per week. We decided that this was not what we wanted and made the change. I miss my co-workers although I only quit working about a week ago. Now on to whatever God has in store for my career.

We were able to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with our families at home and we had another Christmas out here in Las Vegas. Gavin had to work, but it was nice to celebrate together as a family of 2. We went home for a wedding in February, but other than that we have not had much time to spend with our families lately. We are planning on spending some time in Atlanta and Lake Martin around mid-April. I need some time with my mom, my grandmothers, and some of my girlfriends. A girl needs that, ya know? I am really looking forward to that trip and praying for good weather so that maybe my dad will take us out on the boat.

I think that that is about all that I have to update on off the top of my head. I am looking forward to spending more time with my wonderful husband and really jumping back into crafting that I have missed so dearly!

God is good, all the time.

Robbie Seay Band - Oh, Love That Will Not Let Me Go

I wanted to jump back on here and share two songs that I have been listening to on repeat for the last week! I hope that you enjoy, God bless!

Winter Snow Song - Audrey Assad with Chris Tomlin

Some Good Blog Reads

This week has been the coldest weather that Vegas has experienced yet this winter, and therefore, Gavin and I have been in hibernation mode. Well, bless his heart- he has to work out in the cold, but other than that he has been keeping inside. It isn't really like us to stay inside for so long, but since we have been getting the house situated and my health has been less than stellar we have stayed close to home. We think that we might be able to get our hands on a sailboat at a very reasonable price soon. That would really be awesome because Gav could work on the boat throughout the rest of winter and have it sail-worthy by spring!

Good news: I picked up my MRI scan this morning and as far as I can tell from the report the scan was all clear! Hallelujah, Praise Him! I was so relieved that I may or may not have shed a tear in the parking lot! I still haven't had my follow-up appointment with the neurologist yet, but I couldn't wait another week and a half to see the results. I am not sure what the next course of action will be, but I am happy to report that my hives are currently under control- another answered prayer!

Now, onto the purpose of this post...

With some of the time that I been stuck inside, I have been browsing the internet catching up on blogs that I had neglected since before the wedding. Chelsea (her blog is here) emailed me a link to a new blog called Today's Letters. It took about 3 minutes total for me to become obsessed! More specifically, click here to see what got me hooked on this cute couple! I have also been reading a lot about this cute family at The Newlywed Diaries to get some inspirations for decorating our home! Jennifer, the author of the blog, was a Sigma Kappa with me at Auburn and a few years older. She has a due date for her first baby on January 9th! I have also been stalking this precious family at Fly Through Our Window because her children are adorable and her words are inspiring! And last but not least, I have been following The Southern Swoop Blog. Her name is Joanna and she was the girl who did my hair for the wedding. Aside from the beautiful photographs that she takes, she also does hair "tutorials" and I am always in need of something new to do to my hair outside of my usual ponytail.

I hope you can check out some of these blogs and be entertained as I have been!

Also, I definitely already have a constant set of nerves for next weeks games. This has progressed from only have nerves when I thought about January 10th... my heart knows that this time is near! AH! WAR EAGLE!

Out with the Old, In with the New

With today being the last day of 2010, I thought that it would be appropriate to re-cap 2010 and all of the beautiful ways that God has blessed us this year. A year ago yesterday, we were taking Lesley to the airport to head back to Alabama after she graciously drove the 2,000 mile journey with me. I started 2010 as a brand new resident of Las Vegas! I spent an incredible year playing outdoors, and being in love with Gavin! I climbed out at Red Rocks, I went on some incredible hikes, I took thousands of pictures, and Gavin and I learned how to slackline. We also got engaged in July and married in November... a beautifully short engagement (which made me very happy) that my mom will not soon forgive me for! We were showered with love from our friends and families, and even from people we had never met. It was so humbling to open box after box, and envelope after envelope from people sending gifts, best wishes and prayers for our future together. I knew that we were loved, but I was blown away by the graciousness of others. Thank you to everyone who played a part in celebrating with us. We ask that you continue to pray for our marriage, health, and happiness. We took a nice long honeymoon in Europe (pictures will be up soon). We also spent Thanksgiving and Christmas together as a new family. I think that it is important to spend time counting our blessings because it reveals just how much God is moving in our lives when we may not take the time to stop and truly be grateful. Thank you Lord for an incredible 2010!

The chiming of the clock at midnight brings us a new year, and with that comes the traditional resolutions. Gavin and I made a quick list (well, I made a quick list because he doesn't make resolutions) this morning of things that we wanted to accomplish in the new year. It wasn't your typical list of things we waned to "do better" about. Our combined list looks like so:

• Win a National Championship- the Auburn Family
  
• Walk a highline {slackline}- G
  
• Learn more about my camera- K
• Pass my test and get a job- K
• Visit Moab, Yosimite, and Tahoe- K&G
• Learn to surf- K&G
• Sail on Lake Mead and then to Catalina Island- K&G
• Try to see the Northern Lights
• Strive to be healthier individuals (and get rid of my hives)- K&G
  
• Strive to always be a light to others and a devoted follower of Christ-K&G

So there you have the Kidd's 2011 list! What is on your list?

To totally change gears, we are still working on the finishing details of our home. As I said in a post earlier, I don't think that decorating is a chore that you really ever "complete," so much as it is a work in progress. I made my first "Honey Do" list complete with only two tasks. Gavin thought that this was funny since my two tasks involved our ipods and our cars. We have a few projects that we want here in the next week. I will be adding posts with pictures so that you can see what our place looks like and so that I can document the changes that we make.

I pray that God will bless you in 2011 with health and happiness! Also, be looking for our wedding pictures soon... they just came in the mail as I have been writing this post!

What's in a name?

So, today is day number 54! I love today more than yesterday, and I anticipate the same feeling tomorrow! I do regret to inform you, however, that my name is still legally Katharine Reynolds Ireland. I was so excited to receive our marriage certificate in the mail, and I went straight to the Social Security Administration office and changed my name with them in five minutes flat! And it was free!! Easiest government experience of my life, right? Well, that should have been my first clue that something would go wrong. Two days later, I get to the DMV bright and early with my venti Starbucks coffee to comfort me in that early hour (8am). So I am waiting in a line to get a number to wait in another line, all the while praying for patience and kindness and sipping my latte. Once I am finally helped I explain that, "Well, I have recently lost my former driver license, moved, and been married, so I need a new license to cover all that jazz." He looks confusingly (if that is a word) at all of the paper work I hand him, and doesn't say anything. I re-explain, "I just want to change my name to Katharine IReland Kidd, and update my address." He looks down and replies, "Oh, you can't do that, that is illegal in the state of Nevada." To which I laugh thinking he is joking, and say, "Excuse me? Illegal?" He goes on to explain that it is illegal to change your name in the fashion that I had requested. I was still praying for patience, but trying to understand what he kept using the work "illegal" as if I were harming someone by choosing to keep my maiden name. He said that my only options were to a) keep my name as it was, b) hyphenate Ireland-Kidd, or c) drop my maiden name and be Katharine Reynolds Kidd. I inquired about Nevada state law versus other state laws explaining that I am from the south and that it is commonplace to keep your maiden name. He just handed me my paperwork, explained that the best I could do is get a license with and said "I am only responsible for Nevada state law, your request is ILLEGAL, and perhaps your southern states have not caught up with the law." UGHHHHH! I smiled my meanest smile, took my number, and had a seat!

I was hoping that I would be able to speak to a woman who could understand what I was trying to do, I mean, maybe the man I spoke with was confused. I hardly understood why my request was so difficult. I could change my name at the Social Security office with no trouble, so what was Nevada's problem? Luckily I got a women, but all that that got me was an understanding empathetic look. "Yes" she said, "unfortunately keeping your maiden name as your middle name was considered illegal," and that I would need to petition for a legal name change in family court. Heaven help me! Family court?

So off I go to Family Court (saddest place I have ever been), and stood in line to get a number to stand in line. I was helped my a nice old lady who was very understanding. She said that I cold purchase the paperwork to represent myself in court, but that the DMV was mistaken in sending me to family court because I would have to file the paperwork downtown at the court house. I was relieved that I only had to spend $5 to buy this nonsense paperwork, but then she informed me that, "But I hate to tell you sweetie, but it costs $270 to file the paperwork and another $80 to run your name in the paper for 3 weeks in a row." I wanted to cry. I just want my husband's last name!!!!

Gavin and I decided on a different approach for changing my name in the state of Nevada. We went to the post office and picked up the information for a new passport. It turned out that all I had to send them was a certified copy of our marriage certificate, and a check. I got my new passport with my new name (katharine Ireland Kidd) in the mail last week. So, I am still not sure how I can change my name (hassle-free) with the agency that is responsible for the accuracy of my identity as it pertains to the USA and to foreign countries, but the Silver State wants me to petition this change for consideration in front of a judge.

I am going to the DMV on Monday morning with my new passport and my new social security card to try my luck at a license again! I will let you know how all of that goes!

(Sorry if this was long and detailed. I omitted a good portion of the story, but for me the quotes were to frustrating to leave out.)

MERRY CHRISTMAS

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
Luke 2:14

I love the Christmas season... the lights, candlelight church services, family, tradition, good food, and God's amazing love, joy, and peace. I love our family Christmas tradition. Sassy spends the night on Christmas eve and we eat a a wonderful meal after our church service. We wake up in the morning, drink coffee, open gifts, and my favorite part: the stocking. Judy is an elf genius at stuffing our stockings!! From there we pile into the car and head to Birmingham to have the Ireland Christmas... all 30 of us! It is an amazing day!

But sadly, this year I am in Las Vegas far away from the traditions that I am used to. As sad as I am about not being with my family on Christmas Day, I am so happy to be starting new traditions in my new family of two! Gavin has to work both tonight and tomorrow night (Christmas night) so going home was not an option. We have our tree all nicely decorated (with discounted ornaments from Lowe's... I don't care who knows it!) and the house is clean ready for a visit from Santa and a day spent relaxing together and reflecting on the reason for this blessed season.

We have been church hunting the past month or so, and that is a tall order during the Christmas season. We are praying for God's direction, but we were able to find a place we liked well enough to return for their Christmas Eve service. The service was focused on "Immanuel- God is With Us." It was a beautiful service focused on the gift He came to give... His perfect peace. Las Vegas is a bleeding city in this economy. Gavin and I have become more and more aware of this as we began searching for a house to rent. The foreclosures have left normal families homeless and forced to either leave the city or to rent in an unsafe area. The homelessness is on every corner. I thought the message the pastor brought tonight was perfect for the people of Las Vegas. And also perfect for me. What kind of person would I be if I truly handed over my struggles, my anxiety, my fears? What would my life look like if I disciplined myself to continually be in his favor so that He might bless me with his heavenly peace as it says in Luke 2:14? I realize that this hasn't been my focus, and what could be more important that living my life to please Him? It may be a continual struggle, but He has promised peace! What joy He has for us!

Well, all of this to say Merry Christmas to you all from Las Vegas, but mostly I pray that you will be be surrounded by God's perfect consuming peace!