July 2013.

Here comes July! 

First stop, Indiana. The weekend after July 4th we headed to the annual Haist Family Reunion! Not before seeing three of Sam's favorite bands in concert that Friday! We saw Bob Dylan, My Morning Jacket, and Wilco - Sam was basking in all things "Americanarama".

Sam and I enjoying a morning on the farm. 

So thankful for Grandma and Grandpa Haist. Their marriage is a such a beautiful testimony to us.

It was a wonderful weekend spent with family! 

Next stop. CALIFORNIA. I feel like it is almost doing the trip an injustice to try to explain how wonderful it was, because it was just that wonderful. But I will try. It was refreshing, relaxing, and just what we needed. We didn't know just how much we needed it until we were driving through the mountains, standing in the Pacific Ocean, experiencing fine wine, and just purely enjoying each other. At the risk of sounding too mushy, I will say that taking this trip was so great for our marriage - this time without the constant interruptions of life. This time of soaking in God's magnificent creation. This time of talking, laughing, and experiencing. It made me sad to realize how much the business of our lives interferes with the joy of being married. To sit and have real conversations for a whole week that didn't revolve around our dinner menu for the week, or updating our calendars, or the gossip of our jobs, or complaining about feeling exhausted, etc. etc. etc. This trip was meaningful for so many reasons - but one of the greatest being we spent a week in one of the most beautiful places we've ever been, truly enjoying this sweet time together. And being so thankful for the blessing of our marriage. Here we go with an overload of pictures! 

First stop, Napa Valley. Vineyards. Wineries. Mountains.

At one of our favorite wineries, Sterling Vineyards. Breathtaking views! 

Taken at our last winery, Artesa. My personal favorite. Built into the side of a mountain! One of the neatest things we learned at Artesa was what a huge roll the food chains plays in the protection of the grapes. Our tour guide explained that the deer love grapes, but the coyotes that linger in the mountains keep them clear of the vineyards (not by eating them, just their presence). The hawks that perch in the vineyards and have no interest in the grapes, keep away the rodents and the snakes in the vineyards take care of the larger bugs that linger. It was pretty crazy to hear how nature protects the grapes so that no tampering or pesticides are needed. 

Upon leaving Napa, we decided to take the long route to get south to San Francisco. We drove west to Highway 1, and down the coast. As we reflected on our trip, we would both have to say this was one of our favorite parts. As we came around the bend of a cliff, we laid eyes on the Pacific Ocean, and it literally brought me to tears! It was so breathtakingly beautiful. 

Walking down into a valley to get to the ocean. 

My first time seeing the Pacific Ocean! 

It was pretty chilly.

And then we crossed the Golden Gate Bridge! San Francisco here we come!!!

It would be an understatement to say that our trip was very "coffee-centric"! Here's my very happy hubby the morning after arriving in San Francisco with his first (of many) expressos at Blue Bottle. Our coffee adventures included Ritual Coffee, (3) Blue Bottle locations, and Four Barrel. We also went to a coffee tasting, or in coffee geek terms, "cupping". 

Can you see Sam super tiny right there? One of our other favorite days was hiking around Muir Woods and admiring the magnificent Redwoods. It was seriously unbelievable. 

While in San Francisco, we did one day of being 100% tourists. We took one of those big open roofed tour buses for a three-hour tour of the whole city. We saw that sea lions at Fisherman's Warf, drove down Lombard Street (after waiting for 45min in the line), we walked the park across from the Painted Ladies (where Full House was filmed!), and we indulged in an amazing Ghirardelli sundae. After that day, we were wiped! We decided that being tourists is exhausting work. The city was beautiful, and the weather was absolutely perfect. That being said, the next few days in San Francisco we decided to hang low. Walking around Golden Gate Park and the Japanese Tea Garden. We also visited an adorable part of the city with used book stores, great coffee, and nice parks. We also ended one of our days by driving to Half Moon Bay, eating the best BBQ pork from a food train, and walking along the beach in 50 degree weather! The other crazy thing about northern California is the super dense, intense FOG!

One thing that was definitely not lacking on this trip was -- food. Oh my, did we eat amazing food! We found some amazing restaurants (thank you YELP!), and had some low key meals in our cute studio apartment a few of the days. Our last night in San Francisco we went to Fog Harbor on Pier 39, and I ate crab for the first time! It was to die for! Can you go wrong with a cup of melted butter? We ate our hearts out.

And then... it was time to head home. One of my favorite coastal driving pictures (above). We boarded our plane back to Chicago where we were greeted by Jim at the airport, fed an amazing meal by Gaye, hugged by a drugged up Ben (from getting his tonsils removed!), and finally reunited with the Dean clan and our sweet pup. We were so thankful for Mom and Dad Dean, Krista, Jesse, and Aunt Chrissy's care for Ethel while we were gone. She definitely went through some serious withdrawls (I wish I was kidding). Including, but not limited to, coming in from a walk and sitting in front of the door of the pantry where we keep her treats, staring at her dinner and wondering why it wasn't sprinkled with cheese, and whining at 5am wondering why we were ignoring her and not letting her run around and play with us. Nonetheless, she enjoyed all the attention and was definitely spoiled! 

And now we are back to STL in the thick of life again. So thankful for our beautiful vacation. Also thankful to have been married 3 years this month! What better way to celebrate an anniversary then with intentional time together, and in California for pete's sake! I am so thankful for Sam. For the wonderful husband he is, and for the selfless example of Christ he shows me each and everyday. He's a keeper!

Until next time. 

With love, 

Katelyn & Sam

Home sweet home.

Greetings from South City!

We have moved! Yippie! This is now officially the second place we have lived in 3 years, and our second home together. We love it. Not only do we have an outstanding landlord, but our neighbors are wonderful. We know all of the couples, and as it turns out all are in some way Covenant Seminary- related.

Perhaps the best part about our new apartment is that we can walk everywhere. We have a beautiful, tree-lined street, a friendly neighborhood, and best of all -- Tower Grove Park is a 5 minute walk! We are enjoying all that is South City. Botanical Gardens (free on Saturday mornings), World's Fair Donuts (just blocks away), AND biking over to my school to get some work done this past week!

Now, Ethel did not think that move was the greatest idea we've ever had. We actually resorted to buying "calming treats", which in fact could compare to doggy marijuana. They did the trick until she finally felt settled and at ease with her new surroundings. It was pretty touch and go there for awhile!

Since school let out in May, Sam and I have continued to live pretty busy lives. Sam has picked up 30-35 hours a week at Apple, and my schedule is just nuts for the summer! I nanny a 55+ hr week and then I have a week off. It sounds really nice, but by the time I catch up on "life" during my off weeks its time to go back again! Isn't that the way it always works? We did enjoy helping with VBS this year; always fun to be apart of helping precious children learn more about God!

Looking forward this month to the annual Haist Family Reunion in Indiana (this weekend!!!) and then (drum roll please...) SAN FRANSISCO!!!!!!!! If the font size doesn't say it -- we are pretty excited! For our honeymoon we dreamed of going to wine country but due to finances and trying to make wise decisions early in our marriage (wink, wink), it just wasn't feasible. Three years later, we are beyond excited to celebrate our 3rd anniversary on our dream trip! We will spend two days in Napa and then head to San Fransisco. Mom and Dad Dean will be watching E for us :) 

Other then that, we are enjoying the weather in St. Louis this summer! Did you ever think I would say that? The hottest its gotten is 105 with the heat index. The rest of the days have been 80's, and this week .... 70's! Unbelievable! We have been living it up with lots of walking, biking, grilling, and other fun outdoor activities. 

We would love to hear from you! If you didn't receive the email with our new address and would like it, send me an email!

Love, 
Sam & Katelyn 

Living Room - we love stained glass windows!

Guest Bedroom 

 

Dining Room / Sam's office

Kitchen - equipped with a dishwasher!!!!! 

One of the days we spent relaxing in Tower Grove Park.

 

 

May 2013

Hello!

We are in full swing of business this month! We celebrated our birthdays this month (Ethel included), Sam finished up his 3rd year of seminary (YAHOO!), I finished my first full year of teaching, and now we are in moving mode! We will move our first load this Friday with Gaye and Jim! Yippie! Although all exciting changes, we are feeling quite overwhelmed. Once we get through the month of June, we will hopefully have some time to relax. Moving just really takes it out of you!

This summer Sam will continue to work at Apple, picking up some more hours, and he is taking a class in August. I will begin nannying full time tomorrow, with a nice break for the Haist Family Reunion and our anniversary trip to San Fransisco in July (YAY!!!!!!!!!!). I will say, summer time is not as exciting when you're an adult :). What we are not looking forward to this summer is the awful STL heat. This is the time of year that I always swear we will be packing up and moving North as far as we can go!

Other then that, please pray for a smooth move! We get our new keys on June 5th. We will send out our new address via email soon!

Love,
Katelyn & Sam

So proud of my sister, Krista, for graduating from IWU in April! She is an amazing teacher!!!

Happy Birthday to Sam!

Happy Birthday to me!

Our new apartment building! We will be on the right, bottom. Yippie!

"He is not here, but has risen."

"And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, 'Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.'"

 

He is risen! He is risen indeed! 
We had a wonderful Easter celebrating the empty tomb, and Christ's victory over death. We had a beautiful service at South City Church and a delicious brunch before the service. The sweet girl I mentor, Jasmine, spent the morning with us. Then we went to lunch at The Cheesecake Factory, went for a long walk in Forest Park and came back for an hour long nap! It was a beautiful, and relaxing day.

That being said, this was our first holiday spent without family and I anticipated it feeling kind of lonely. However, as we spent the afternoon walking through Forest Park, my cup overflowed. We didn't feel the least bit lonely, and for the first time in almost three years, I looked at my husband and knew with every inch of me, this is my family. Sam is my family. My heart is full.

Until next time.

Love,
Sam, Katelyn & Ethel

Can you believe that exactly a week ago there was 12 inches of snow on the ground? And yesterday we hit 70 degrees and sunny! Crazy St. Louis weather!

 The sweet girl I mentor, Jasmine.

 Easter 2013

 After church we went to lunch with our St. Louis besties, Amber and Sean. We went back and forth about hosting a few people for lunch, but in the end decided what says "He is Risen" like the amazing cheesecake at The Cheesecake Factory! 

 Then we spent our afternoon at Forest Park, strolling around in the beautiful weather!!! 

Rest.

Hello,

This past week Sam and I were both on spring break. We decided a few months ago to also take this week off our second jobs. Therefore, for the first time in what seems like forever, we had a week with nothing to do! We were encouraged to take this week and not schedule anything -- which is extremely hard for both of us. Before we knew it, we had scheduled dinner dates, coffee dates, and time trying to "catch up"with people. It took everything in us to cancel those plans and finally take a much needed sabbatical. But.. we did it! And it was awesome.

Resting is really hard for us, and we struggled at the beginning of the week with what resting (with each other) "looks like". By the end of the week, we were a little teary eyed as we reflected on the week of intentional time with each other. Engaging with each other in real conversation, not the daily (in passing) conversation. We found ourselves delighting in listening to a record without multitasking, going on walk that was just for enjoyment, and spending time loving each other well. We haven't felt this way since our honeymoon, and it so refreshing. We feel rested. That being said, tomorrow we jump back into the daily struggle to communicate in between our four jobs, and finding the tiny cracks of time to spend intentionally with each other. We see the need to take time "away" from our busyness, and be present with each other so we hope that we become better at scheduling that time.

All to say, this has been a week of resting, delighting in each other, celebrating God's magnificent creation in wonderful food, breathtaking art, snugly naps with Ethel, and walks in beautiful places. We are thankful for a week of rest that has helped us realize our hastiness in life and the struggle to be intentional ... but the beauty that comes from slowing down.

Lots of love,
Sam, Katelyn & Ethel

 

We started the long process of cleaning the basement and organizing our "stuff" for our move. We were on a roll, so we decided to spend 10 hours on Monday cleaning... the final product felt great! We gave 50 bags to Goodwill, and have a good amount of stuff that we will be selling at a yard sale in April. Yay for productivity! That may not sound particularly restful, but it felt so good when it was over.

 We spent a morning at the St. Louis Art Museum. It was fun enjoying beautiful art and enjoying intentional time together. Lunch at Chipotle followed, and dinner with a good friend/pastor (the one that married us), James. James was in town for the LIFE conference meeting, and we enjoyed dinner and wonderful conversation at one of our favorite restaurants -- The Tap Room. 

 We also enjoyed a 48 degree day of park hopping and apartment hunting! 

Spring break would not have been complete without some snuggle time with the cutest twins in town. I spent an afternoon drinking Starbucks and enjoying Mariah and the babies this week, while Sam got some school reading done. Of course, he couldn't pick me up without a little Caleb time.

Thursday night of spring break, we spent a night at the beautiful Chase Park Plaza Hotel in St. Louis. The hotel was built in 1922 and has hosted every US president from the 1920's to 1990's. It has also been a venue for many famous musicians, and the Miss America pageant in 1956. Needless to say, its pretty swanky. We enjoyed dinner at Eau Bistro in the hotel (most amazing fettuccine and sea bass ever) and a movie to follow at the Chase Park Cinema (inside the hotel).

 To end our spring break on a great note -- Mom and Dad Haist came to visit! We enjoyed a meal at home on Friday night when they arrived, and of course good eatin' the rest of the weekend. We went to one of our new favorite breakfast places, Half and Half, on Saturday morning and then spent the rest of the morning at the breathtaking Cathedral Basilica. There is NO paint in the Basilica -- its all mosaics, making it the most mosaic filled cathedral in the world. Then we enjoyed seeing a matinee movie at a creepy theater in the afternoon, followed by dinner at Sugarfire Smokehouse. Unfortunately, our weekend was cut short by the impending snow storm. Its already coming down pretty hard!

 And of course -- an Ethel picture. Not just any Ethel picture, but the perfect picture to sum up our week of rest. We're pretty sure Ethel does not struggle with with the ability to rest.

Wintertime.

Hello! 

Well, once again, its been a long stretch since our last blog. In all seriousness, it's Sam's fault. Every time I sat down to blog he just happened to be at work and didn't know his Google password off hand! So, blame Sam :) (just kidding!)

Since its been awhile, here is a quick update on our lives this winter. 

Sam got us Wicked tickets for Christmas! This was my second time seeing it, and I love it!!!! We went to a beautiful dinner, and then enjoyed the show at the breathtaking Fox Theater.

 We have finally moved into our new church building! Yahoo! Its beautiful. Unfortunately, after a week of being in the new building the AC units were stolen. Welcome to the neighborhood! 

 

My parents and Jesse came down for the big Grand Opening of our building on January 27th! We had a blast spending time with them and of course eating delicious food. I was very brave, and decided to join the choir for the big event -- here we are singing a beautiful song called "Blessed". 

 In general, we are just too busy! When we do have time to sit down together during the week we have found ourselves in this sleepy rut. We usually turn on the TV and are both snoring logs in minutes, during the little time we have to spend together! So, we have started to play more games and we are really enjoying it. We played Monopoly on Monday night (Sam's favorite), and it was fun ...but only because I won :) 

What is a blog update without a picture of cute dog?? She is finally getting over a 2 week antibiotic for an infected cyst on her foot. Poor little pup.

Another highlight of January (other then my parents coming!) was this cutie and his sweet parents coming to visit!!! We got to watch Alex as Robyn and Justin enjoyed the performance, STOMP. We had a yummy lunch at Pappy's and then this little guy kept us on our toes most of the afternoon. He's just too cute! 

Other then that, we continue to work and be busy! Every night of our week is filled with something... which is something we are going to be more conscious of next year. Its time to cut a few things out of our schedules! We have felt completely exhausted these weeks after Christmas! Spring break couldn't come soon enough! We have been very thankful this semester to start up our Thursday meal swaps with our St. Louis besties. Amber cooks every other week, and we cook the weeks in between. Its so refreshing to sit down with friends during the week and share a meal, and every other week I don't have to cook or do dishes!!!! 

Looking ahead to the spring -- we plan to pack up our apartment over spring break and prepare to move in May. Its exciting now that we know the city better, to apartment hunt. I just couldn't be more excited to be in walking distance to a park. It feels so isolated to drive 20minutes to the nearest pretty place to walk!

Until next time. Lots of love.  

Katelyn, Sam & Ethel 

Christmas Letter 2012

Dear family and friends,

It's that time again to update you on our lives over this past year, with our Christmas Letter! Which is a good thing, since we were pretty awful at blogging this year. Here goes the update.

Sam is 2.5 years into seminary, and we are still confirmed that this is where we need to be. He took Intro to Counseling this semester and "found out" that he is a perfectionist, and lives with a major perfectionist -- oh the clarity it brought! This year has by far been the craziest year in seminary. We have been so blessed by his new job at Apple, especially because he loves it so much... but it has added a whole new craziness to our schedules. During the holidays, he's been working 35+ hours a week in the midst of finals! Yikes! He made it through finals though, and is finally enjoying a little time to himself, as well as doing lots of laundry for me! Love it! He will be taking one J-term class in January, and the second semester will resume the last week of January.

I have been so blessed this year with a wonderful class at South City Community School. I enjoy my students' more everyday and they have brought so much joy to my life. The school itself has been a huge blessing. I have felt loved, nurtured, stretched, and challenged -- a good balance of all of those things makes for a fantastic first trimester to the school year. Nannying has also started looking up, after a rocky start this past August. The kids are beginning to respect me more, which has allowed for us to get along a lot better. Grayson, when talking to a friend about me, even said I was "legit" (yay!). They are in a major time of transition for their family, and could use our prayers. Its also been very exhausting having two jobs. That being said, most days I am just so incredibly thankful that I am doing what I love, that I feel like the energizer bunny!

 Sam is still playing drums in the worship band at church, and I continue to teach Children's Worship once a month. We love our church, and we are so thankful for feeling loved and cared for by our church family. We are excited to move into our own building on January 13th! A lot of praying, fundraising and work days have gone into owning our building, but it will all be worth it. Our prayer is that we will see the Kingdom of God growing through our outreach and worship in the neighborhood we are moving into. Sam will start his internship at South City this May.

As you all know, our little dog has been through the ringer this year. She is a champion! In fact, for the first time since July, she drank water this morning (she has been getting it from her food). Sam and I smiled at each other and Sam made the perfect comment, "Its funny how ordinary things that all dogs do,  have seemed so unordinary with Ethel. Do you think she feels okay (because her water drinking what such a shock)?" Something as simple as drinking water is GREAT news, for it will help rinse her teeth that have started decaying like crazy. YAY for the small blessings! If there is one word to sum up Ethel's year, it is thankful. Thankful for a living (adorable) dog, thankful for outstanding doctors in Indiana and St. Louis, thankful for parents that have footed doctors bills that we wouldn't be able to, and overall thankfulness for a God that delights in our little dogs!!!!

Being in seminary, we (too) often hear "what are your plans after seminary?" That's a good question! We have no idea. Our plan right now is to move out to South City in May (2013). This is the part of St. Louis where our church and the school I teach at are and we spend about 10+ hours a week going to and from South City (about 30min from our apartment now). It makes the most sense for us to live in South City for convenience (especially with Sam starting his internship) and it will also give us more opportunity to be involved in church ministries. Our apartment at Gulf Drive has been wonderful, but it has also felt very isolated and is not in a very nice/convenient part of STL. We look forward to apartment hunting in the next few months (NOT the packing part) and finding a new place by Tower Grove Park, which is our favorite park in St. Louis! That being said, right now the "plan" is committing to stay in St. Louis for at least a year after we graduate. My job is wonderful and will eventually be really wonderful with offering part-time teaching and free on sight childcare provided by the mothers of students (amazing!!). We are also hoping staying in St. Louis will be a good time for Sam to pick up more hours at Apple after graduation and a rich time of connection making and gaining more pastoral/church ministry experience.

One word to sum up our year is blessed. We are blessed by each other and our marriage. We are blessed by our sweet pup. We are blessed with parents and in-laws that love us unconditionally, support us, and desire to see us flourish. As well as the overwhelming support of our wonderful extended families, and the great love of our grandmas and grandpas. We are blessed to have wonderful friends in St. Louis, during such a transition phase of life. We are blessed by a seminary that nurtures and teaches Sam and blessed by a school that cares for Katelyn so well. We are blessed to live in a city that gives us opportunity to love others, outside of our comfort zone. We are immensely blessed by our church family and the way they loves us and point us to Jesus. I could go on forever. Thank you Lord for blessing us, even though we are so undeserving of all of these blessings!

And as we come in to Christmas, we are blessed to worship our King! "Hark the Herald Angels Sing, GLORY to the NEWBORN KING!" Hoping that you have a blessed Christmas as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. 

We love you.

Love,
Sam, Katelyn & Ethel