Highlights of 2014

As with each New Year's Eve, I stop and reflect on the aspects of the year that most impacted me. Enjoy the fingerprints that 2014 left on my life!

Marriage: With four years of marriage behind us, we are stronger than ever. The trails around town allowed us to bike, hike and dream.

Tanzania: We returned to Tanzania in 2014 after our first visit in 2013. This time we traveled with Ethan too. It is only now as I look into 2015 and realize that we aren't going back, that I fully sense the importance that this trip in 2014 has had on my life. In realizing that something may be missing or imcomplete in the year ahead I see how the people and the experiences of this country have helped keep me grounded. It is the experiences of this trip that help me understand the vastness of God's love and the opportunity I have to love and serve.

Bible Study: In Tanzania I sensed the need to reach out to my acquaintance, Melissa Anderson, upon my return. Just days after being home, I met with Melissa and soon after we started a bible study which continues still. I am incredibly blessed by her wisdom and sense that my friendship with Melissa was well worth the travel to the other side of the world if that is what it took to get it 'jump started.'

Family: Many unexpected highs and lows experienced by my family (immediate & extended) this year. I am thankful to see my faith and love growing along the journey and I have grown to count on the new blessings morning by morning.

Work: I enjoy my work immensely. I don't take this season of joy and job satisfaction for granted. The travel is tough, but offers so many opportunities for personal growth.

Society of Women Engineers (SWE): I've been a member and have attended the conferences in the past. But this year, the impact is different, better. My passion has been renewed by my SWE relationships developed over the years. Simply inspired.

Photo of the Week - December 28, 2014

Christmas in Peoria, then back to Indiana, then back to Peoria. Some of my favorite shots with family.

Photo of the Week - December 21, 2014

As per the norm, I put off most of my Christmas shopping until the last weekend before the holiday. Jeff helped me quickly pull together a list and we conquered the task with a dose of joy and goodwill to spare. Thankfully, there was a cute elf to help us!

Photo of the Week - December 14, 2014

Jared turned 18 this week. . . where has time gone? Girlfriend at the party as well. What the what?!

Photo of the Week - December 7, 2014

Two weeks of travel = bad

Visit from husband over the weekend = awesome

Bien Venido a Miami!

Photo of the Week - Thanksgiving

The food we shared around the table on Thanksgiving was just one of the many things we celebrated this Thanksgiving. Many blessings for which to give thanks!

Photo of the Week - November 23, 2014

Big weekend!

House show with Hello Industry in our living room on Friday night.

And a trip to Indiana to visit with High School chums on Saturday.

Photo of the Week - November 16, 2014

Jeff and I took a quick trip to Bluffton for the weekend. Mom, Dad and I spent time reminiscing about our days at the 'old house'. We took a trip across town to my childhood home. I'm sure it was bigger when we lived there.

Photo of the Week - November 9, 2014

On Friday night, I had the delightful experience of having dinner with sweet friends who continue to teach me about the cultures of Pakistan & India. So thankful for these ladies in my life!

Photo of the Week - November 2, 2014

Jeff and I had an awesome week together and were able to reconnect as I wasn't traveling for work. He helped me on Saturday AM to prepare for a Baby Shower I hosted in the afternoon. Huge help from my hubby. It is good that we both enjoy entertaining! It was a delightful tea party for all who attended!

Photo of the Week - October 26, 2014

I spent the week in Southern California for work and the annual SWE conference. I was challenged and inspired beyond measure. There were many pictures I could share. I'm choosing this one - a special moment captured with a special friend, Tara Rossman. In the midst of all the work and all the professionalism, I love this very real picture.

Photo of the Week - October 19, 2014

I enjoy my work travel, but generally find it is much less glamorous than people think. I rarely have much free time to see the city or enjoy the setting. Well, this week was a HUGE exception to that rule. I had dinner with Chandler and Jill (Schmeckebier) Huselton. Jill is as sweet as ever and her daughter Liv is just as dear. And been is as charming as he is cute. So thankful!

Photo of the Week - October 12, 2014

I love to learn, and I love when my job takes me to academic institutions such as UNC. Now, I'm challenged to put the good learning into practice!

Photo of the Week - October 5, 2014

Saturday's in the fall = football. This week the match up was Purdue University vs University of Illinois. . . And Purdue won! Note me wearing the black and gold rather than Illini Oragne! Hail Purdue!

Photo of the Week - September 28, 2014

Jeff and I recently attended a wedding reception with a celebrity in the audience. . . . .well, a Caterpillar celebrity. This photo shows me with Ryan Neal, the operator in the Caterpillar China Shop video. With us in the photo is Dana Anderson, the talented artist who put the video together with final edits. I was uber proud to know them. Talk about a branding nerd!

Photo of the Week - September 21, 2014

Friday night, weary from a busy week with the look of tired deeply set in my eyes, I still found myself smiling. . . .my hubby took me out for Asian food. Great date night!

Photo of the Week - September 14, 2014

Jaci & Matt got married. We celebrated in style!

Photo of the Week - September 7, 2014

Jeff and I joined the 100-mile club at Forest Park Nature Center. I have a feeling you may see more photos like these this fall (or that is my hope!)

Photo of the Week - Labor Day weekend

Jeff and I extended Labor Day into a full week where we put our jobs aside and headed for South Haven, Michigan. We loved every aspect of the trip. Mom and Dad joined us. Perfect!

Photo of the Week - August 24

I celebrated new phases in life for sweet friends this week!

1) a healthy baby Micah for Michael & Crystal
2) a beautiful 'bride to be' for Jaci

Treasured memories.

Photo of the Week - August 17, 2014

We had a family vacation to Chicago. After visiting the art musuem, an iPhone with the Bean was the best self portrait I could manage.

Photo of the Week - August 10, 2014

I spent my Birthday in Napa Valley and San Francisco, CA. Tough duty for work! I had the pleasure of being with a fellow co-worker and friend as we explored some of the sights this week.

Photo of the Week - August 3, 2014

Jeff and I had a blast Friday evening. We had dinner with his Chinese intern, Mimi. We then toured the Art Galleries around town on "First Fridays". She loved seeing and experiencing the vintage typewritter.

Photo of the Week - July 27, 2014

Back from a week of travel in Miami, Jeff and I had a much needed evening together on Saturday night. A night out in Peoria is getting hipper all of the time!

Photo of the Week - July 20, 2014

Jeff and I had an awesome day together on Saturday. We made our plans as the day went along. The morning hours were spent biking and having lunch at Jane's Ice Box in Dunlap. Perfect date!

Photo of the Week - July 13, 2014

Jeff and I participated in a "Compassion Sunday" at New Life Church in Morton. Jeff spoke and I worked the table. The sweet girl I am speaking to in the picture understands life so well! When she realized that the little girl she was about to sponsor liked dolls, she declared: "We are alike! I like dolls too." Indeed, worlds apart, but both loved beyond measure by God. I love how this ministry makes the big world just a bit smaller. I also love how it makes poverty real and personal to those who will win the war against it someday.

Photo of the Week - July 6, 2014

I traveled to Indiana for the long holiday weekend. I didn't manage to take the traditional 4th of July pics: Fireworks, cookouts, family gathered together. I did get a few shots that capture the nature of my niece and nephew.

Nathan: The only 15 yr old that can rock a tie while sitting around the kitchen table playing games with family.

Megan: Creative and sweet. She whipped up this creation on her new iPad in no time.

Photo of the Week - June 29, 2014

Annual Fishing Derby = Fun in the sun, lots of family, plenty of games. Such joy!