My cheerleaders won the State Championship!

Next major happening!?

Wilson Cheeleading took home another first place trophy! Our girls worked hard all year and it paid off. I love when that happens. Obviously it is great to have the life lesson that things don’t always turn out the way you want, but an even better/ more fun, life lesson is when kids experience hard work paying off! Man, I really love to win! 

It was a ton of fun to watch these ladies live up to their potential, hit a great routine and take home the trophy they deserved! It was my last season coaching and a great way to end an awesome 5-year run.

Remember me? Just a few updates!

So many things have happened since my last post! I will go in order over the next few days.

First things first.

I got engaged! Brian proposed to me in the freezing rain during the snow-pocalypse we had in PDX not so long ago.

It all started on Saturday morning when the cheerleading competition my girls were competing in was canceled. His plans took a major turn, because now I would be with him all day! He INSISTED that we go over to his parent’s house, even though the roads were treacherous and it was snowing hard. I argued and practically melted down in protest, but he persisted. I seriously thought we were going to die on the road as frozen dismembered ice cube versions of ourselves. Now I know why he was so stubborn, the ring was there!

Once we got back to my house we went sledding with Marina all afternoon. It was ridiculous fun. When we began our walk to the harbor-side McCormicks from my apartment, the freezing rain had started. The walk was miserable, and much longer than I remembered! The last time I made that journey it was 75 and sunny…

Brian proposed on the waterfront in the snow, under freezing rain and twinkly lights. I wouldn’t want it any other way!

Sorry for the large face/ square Insta photos.

Danke Schoen

Seriously! Thank you for sticking around to the point that you will even read this. Christmas happened, I went to Austria, cheer season is happening, etc. Long time no post.

A lot has happened and I am going to start with Austria! It was amazing you guys. I have been back for a LONG time and I have yet to upload my photos. Instead, I will email myself a few from my phone so I can show you. Yes, I am that lazy. Just let it go. I am also not able to take any more photos at this point… my phone is full. I have resorted to deleting apps, music and audiobooks. All to avoid plugging my phone in for 10 minutes. Priorities!

First we went to Innsbruck and served at a Young Life camp for US military kids stationed overseas. It was a blast! Awesome kids, awesome skiing, awesome views!

Night sledding

At the top!

After camp we went to Salzburg. I LOVED Salzburg. It was by far my favorite stop. It had the city feel that is so intriguing (like Vienna) but it was still in the Alps and beautiful (like Innsbruck). We acted like Liesel and Ralph (Sans Nazis), climbed to the fortress and drank beer made by monks.

The top of the fortress

Our fun travel companions!

The Sound of Music Tour

Being Liesel and Ralph... 26 going on 27

Then we went to explore in Vienna. We prayed at St. Stephens, ate schnitzel (overrated) and simply just enjoyed everything Austria has to offer!

Schonbrunn Palace

That's all for now!

What is your favorite Christmas song?

Let’s get real. At holiday parties we get stuck making small talk. One of my favorite, easy, I don’t know you conversation topics is Christmas music. You can get jokey about how they play it too soon, trash how annoying Feliz Navidad is etc. But if I want to actually get to know someone a bit better, I will ask about their favorites and why. My own answer is a two-parter. I have a favorite song, but it isn't about Jesus. And that sort of feels wrong, since Christmas is REALLY about the birth of Jesus! So instead, I go with one Christmas song and one Christmas carol.

Christmas song
My favorite Christmas song is Silver Bells. I love it because it reminds me of how it feels in Portland during the entire month of December. Just the reference to busy city sidewalks, cold weather and the feeling that everything is festive! (even the traffic lights) It especially takes me back to what the holiday season felt like as a little girl. I have memories of walking through down town Portland from my dad’s office building all the way to the Keller. Of course we were going to see the Nutcracker! It is only a 5 or 6 block walk, but I remember it being so cold and not even being phased, it was Christmas after all! We were decked out in our holiday best. I actually vividly remember wearing a green and black velvet cape... so ahead of the trends! I just love the holiday bustle of the city.

Christmas carol
My favorite Christmas carol is Go tell it On the Mountain. It also happens to be my mom’s favorite. I’m a copycat. It is just SO GOOD! But somehow, it isn't super popular. How can that be!? The message of the song is spot on.

Sachertorte, dirndls and Maria von Trapp.

What do these things have in common? You guessed it! I’m going to Austria!

One sunny afternoon in June, Brian let me know that I may have the opportunity to go to Austria with him. Brian works for Young Life and his region is putting on a camp in Austria. I had little information, but he then said, “We leave the 26th of December and we will probably get to ski.”

We are going to Axams, Austria (outside Innsbruck). Fact: The 1964 and 1976 winter Olympics were hosted in Innsbruck, and many of the ski events were hosted in Axams.  AT OUR RESORT! It is only a little beautiful. Take a gander at the hotel where camp will be:

The extra bonus here? Brian and I are going to travel after the camp. We are going to Salzburg and Vienna to get our tourist on. I can’t wait! I freak out about how much fun it is going to be and Brian quickly reminds me that it is going to be a ton of hard work… to which I say…

Then I ignore him and get excited again!

Happy Christmas season you crazy fools! If you want to get me a present, feel free to get me anything Tyrolean, Austrian or Bavarian – Those are all kinda the same thing right?

I guess I have some research to do.  Also, the captain is a terrible winker! Let’s just blame the Nazis. On another note, you can bet I'm excited for the Carrie Underwood Sound of Music special!!

Victoria's Secret Model Eats Ice Cream with Tayor Swift.

How's that for a headline!?

I LOVE the VS Fashion Show. It taped last night. Is it just me or is T-Swift working on her leg game? Maybe she is tryna get on Carrie’s level? Get em guuurl!

Some people get annoyed with the VS fashion show and get all “How can we possibly live up to this unnatural body standard!?” Uhhhh no one said you had to. It is just good entertainment with awesome musical acts. Crazy person. Also, it is winter. So it isn't like anyone is suggesting you put on a bikini tomorrow. I am suggesting you put on a big chunky sweater. It will all be okay!

PS. Those girls don’t eat food like normal people. Have you had food? It’s delicious! You know that saying, “nothing tastes as good as skinny feels”… ??? That statement could not be more untrue! Whoever wrote that has never had truffle fries. or ice cream. or cheese.

This may or may not have been photo-shopped. Tune in on Dec. 10th to know for certain!

I plan on watching the VS fashion show on my couch. With a bowl of ice cream. In my big chunky sweater (for warmth from the ice cream). I could not be more excited! I always enjoy the energy and enthusiasm behind the show. And you know I love me some T-Swift!

Feel free to call me an anti-feminist. The show airs on December 10th, come over to throw things at me if you must!

[1][2]

Things I care too much about.

A few weeks ago, I listed some things that I don't care about. So I decided it couldn't hurt to share some unnecessary things that I care way too much about. Here we go!

String cheese:

This is important you guys. Not all brands of string cheese are created equally! I am picky about string cheese. My surprise favorite: Target brand. String cheese is the perfect salty snack!

Nailpolish:
I didn't care so much about nail polish until Sara influenced my life. But it has turned into a way to relax. You have to pay attention to your nails as you paint them.  It totally gets my mind off anything potentially stressful and gets me into a zen mode. Then over time this happened…

That is in my bathroom. I’m not proud. Okay, maybe a little.

Coffee:

If you try to give me weak coffee, I will throw that scalding hot beverage in your face. I’m not even sorry about the hideous burns, should have tasted it before handing it to me.

Chapstick:

I have perpetually dry lips due to that fact that I drink too much coffee and not enough water. I am also a professional at losing chapstick. So if you ever have a spare, maybe slip it into my purse? Thanks in advance!