graduation day.

My Graduate.  This was a while ago, but is very much worth a blog post.  My husband graduated from Virginia Tech with his Masters in Philosophy.  I am extremely proud.  Grad school has proven to be quite the challenge, but through it, I have seen Eric grow and develop as an educator and as a scholar. I was simply impressed by his ability to read and understand the incredibly challenging words that are in every other line of his philosophy books. And now he is going on to get his doctorate!

I am so proud of his accomplishments thus far and I can't wait to see what he'll do next.  

 

a duck pond date.

    We have had some really beautiful weather the past week (along with some really awful and gross weather).  Honestly anything sunny and over 45 degrees seems glorious.  Last weekend Eric and I took a walk around the duck pond. Eric surprised me by stopping at the store on the way to  buy bread, fine cheese, apple, and a Russell Stover marshmallow egg as a treat.  I felt quite luxurious sitting around the beautiful water eating my baguette and cheese...very french.  It seemed that everyone was out on such a magnificent day.  There was even a mom with her little toddler on a baby leash...I kinds love those. I hope this wonderful weather means that spring is just around the corner...although the ice on my windshield yesterday morning makes me doubt...

beauty of blacksburg.

When I first found out that we were moving to Blacksburg, I was disappointed and nervous to move so far away from my family and to such an unfamiliar place.  Over the past year and a half I have been pleasantly surprised by how I have grown to love this area.  One of my favorite things about Blacksburg is the beautiful mountains. Every season has its unique element of beauty.  Another characteristic of the Blacksburg landscape is the hills...everywhere.  Up and down, everywhere you go!  This makes walks around the neighborhood an intensive cardiovascular workout.  However, every time I go for a walk I am always overwhelmed by the beauty of God's creation. It makes me happy and it gives me joy.   

Spring has Sprung.

Spring is in full swing. You can tell the moment you step outside your door.  I love this time of year, and Virginia is proving to be a beauteous state to be in.   Here are some shots from a walk my man and I took one evening (he was embarrassed that I kept going into peoples yards to take pictures of their flowers!)  Silly husband.

Pandapas Pond.

Throughout this weekend we had beautiful 60 degree temperatures and despite my lack of outdoorsiness and athletic ability, I was determined to go hiking.  After all, we live only 40 minutes from the Cascade Mountains!  We did not have time to drive out to Cascades, but we went over to the Jefferson National Park and walked around a beautiful pond set back in the woods.  

We fed the geese and played "Pooh Sticks" (from the classic Winnie the Pooh).  Beautiful afternoon!

Muggle Quidditch

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taken from http://www.timeslive.co.za/

On Sunday Eric and I decided to go for an impromptu walk around the duck pond on Virginia Tech's campus.  It was a beautiful day, the sun was shinning, and the birds were chirping.  As I gazed ahead at an ahead field, Eric and I noticed tents set up with a crowd gathered.  As I looked closer, I realized that there was a sort of sports field set up.  This field reminded me of something that I had imagined in books and then seen on the silver screen.  Quidditch.  I scarcely hoped to believe this could be true. 

 I come to find out about the VQL, Virginia Quidditch League.  Colleges put forward a Quidditch team to compete, ultimately leading to the Quidditch World Cup...yes, this is a real thing. They have chasers, beaters, and a seeker, and they run around with brooms between their legs.  But my favorite part of the game is the snitch.  Now in Harry Potter the snitch is a magical gold ball that flies around until it is caught by one team's seeker.  In Muggle Quidditch the seeker is a player dressed in yellow who is constantly running around the campus until caught by a team's seeker.  Is this not the greatest thing that has ever been?

taken from http://www.ruckmakers.com/2010/11/muggle-quidditch/

taken from http://ealmagazine.blogspot.com/2011/09/fitnessbeauty-july.html

taken from http://ealmagazine.blogspot.com/2011/09/fitnessbeauty-july.html

  I can't lie, if I had found out about this at Bethel, I would have made this happen.

A Winter Wonderland.

It took 3 months of up and down temperatures for us to finally have a bit of snow!

An Afternoon Walk

While our friends and family are experiencing freezing temperatures, ice, and snow; We are enjoying an unusually mild winter in Virginia. A Sunday walk was definitely in order.  

The sun was shinning, the sky was a deep blue, and I was with my man, true beauty.