Instead, I'd like to stretch out my sore writing muscles and share some of the happenings around the Werner household the last few months! If you haven't kept up with us, Luke and I are living in colorful Colorado now, and oh-em-gee-like-totally you guys, we love it.
Here are a few of my favorite things -
1. The Rocky Mountains are our playground.
Now readers, I love me some Illinois cornfields, but there is just something so breath-taking, so adventurous about living near/in the mountains. It's unpredictable and beautiful, wild and yet ageless. We have soaked up every minute we could this summer and fall trying to explore the Rocky Mountains' endless treasures, and we still can't get enough. We haven't even scratched the surface (or peak, shall we say) of all of the places we want to see.
(View from near the top of Cheyenne Mountain. We live right at its base.)
(Estes Park, probably the most beautiful place I've ever been.)
(Luke and I in Estes Park, contemplating becoming hermit mountain dwellers.)
2. Hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities.
Now I'm not one for skipping a night sleeping in my wonderful bed. But if it makes my sweet husband happy, I'm willing to try out some of his beloved hobbies. I doesn't hurt that his beloved hobbies give us views like this one. I have slept outside in the mountains (well, in a tent, but that doesn't protect you from bears) for the first time since we've been here, and although I nearly cried tears of joy when I was back with indoor plumbing, it was still a fun experience. We've also done plenty of hiking and driving, and have gotten some awesome views for our work.
3. Our house.
I just love our little abode. Alright, not so little. We have more space than we know what to do with right now, but I'm having an excellent time of crafting to fill the walls, nooks, and crannies. We live on post and can't get enough of our fenced-in back yard, short commute to Luke's work, and lots of neighborhood friends.
(Creep-proof picture of our house. Don't be that guy and try to find me for my autograph, okay?)
(The coffee nook! Right beside our kitchen, it houses my books, Keurig, and keyboard and is my inner-hipster's dream.)
4. Visitors, near and far!
We have had so many people we love (and who love us!) come visit us this summer. Since we live so far away, I can't explain how nice it is to have some "normalcy" with our family members, even if it's just for a week or two. I loved getting to host, cook for, and hang out with everyone who has made the trek from IL to visit!
We also have family in the area too! Luke's brother Jake, in particular, has been such a blessing to have close by. He attends the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs (same town, about 40 minutes away). He and Luke have lived apart for 5 years, so to have him so close is great. A boy can only go so long without his best friend.
(My parents... my dad loves Colorado but hadn't visited in almost 30 years and it was my mom's first time seeing mountains. I don't get to be selfish with my time with them very often, but I was this trip!)
(My siblings [+niece or nephew Zimmerman!!!]. Two and a half weeks of adventures, laziness, laughter, and reduced cell phone bills. I can't even begin to describe how much fun we had, so I won't try in this post. It was THE BEST.)
(Luke's parents + Jake. They got to visit TWICE this summer! It was lovely and well needed! Plus his mom stuck with my craziness and helped me pick out our new couches ;) )
5. Army life is like "Beauty and the Beast".
Some days it's smart and beautiful and so far from provincial. Some days it's unkempt, grouchy, and unreasonably territorial over where you can and can't go.
Or maybe that last one is just me.
Nevertheless, it is an endless learning process that pushes both Luke and I to be better people, better servant-leaders, and better partners to each other. Luke absolutely loves his job and his guys, which makes even hard days worth it for both of us. It is always challenging, full of ups and downs, but we are better every day for it.
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(That's Luke commanding his Stryker, a picture featured in the Ft.Carson newspaper about 5 weeks after we moved here. What can I say, he got famous fast.)
(Luke's office some days)
("Helping")
(Gettin' fancy... it's a definite perk. On hard days I remember Luke gets to wear a Stetson on Fridays and everything magically melts away.)
6. Most of all, my favorite thing is that my soul is doing this most of the time.
I am genuinely happy and joyful to be where I am. I am loving life, along with the monotony and curve balls it throws at me. God is good and I am reaching more for Him on my own personal journey than I ever have before, and I'm so overwhelmed with gratitude to realize how He fulfills his promises. And I'm thankful to be surrounded by the beauty of His creation while He's at it.
Come visit us so I can show you more of my favorite things!
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