November is over.

We had a lovely Thanksgiving in Mississippi with Tim’s family. The 11-hour drive went fast and gave us a great chance to talk. We celebrated some family birthdays, enjoyed cooking, eating, crafting, shooting, trampoline jumping, shopping, playing games, and watching movies together. Some of the family from Alaska came down, and it was great to see them and spend time with them after so many months apart! On Saturday, I (faith) took off to Mobile, to meet up with my dear friend, Melissa. We were too busy talking to snap any pics together, but it was so good catch up, if only for a few hours! We have much to be thankful for.

We originally started this blog to share what is going on with us as a couple (and our little dog, too!). The blog became especially important to us after moving south so that we could help keep our friends and family up to date on our adventures. I think our blog posts are usually positive, or at least entertaining. But, things aren’t great and I don’t feel like there is anything positive to say, although thankfully we have nothing bad to share.

We’re just having a rough time. Things are far from terrible, and we’ve definitely seen worse, but this time of year is just hard! The holidays are hard. Being away from family and friends is hard. It’s hard not having a permanent job (Faith’s current position). Living in an apartment building that smells like curry all the time is hard. Conveying sarcasm on the internet is hard... We recognize that there is definitely a positive aspect to all the hard or sad things we're dealing with (we have each other…. we love Christmas…at least I HAVE a job…curry is good, etc.), but the point of this blog is for you to know what’s going on, so we’ll try to do that. Really, we will. You'll get to hear about the good, the bad, and the ugly!

James 1:5 says that God gives us wisdom when we need it. So, we’re asking God for wisdom and we’re asking you for your prayers.

Tim's favorite part of being an uncle... becoming "Uncle Tim, the jungle gym"! He's very talented and can sometimes do this while sleeping.

Cookbook birthday gift. Thanks Nana!

A giant Cup-CAKE for birthday celebrations all around!

75% of the handsome Long brothers

The Pioneer Woman

One of my favorite bloggers, The Pioneer Woman, has recently published a cookbook, so she's touring the mid-west and doing book signings. I'm excited to have a signed copy of her book, and even more excited to have met her!! I really was pleased to go for myself, but I got books signed for a few Alaska friends also, and I know they'll love them! I love her recipes and photos and can't wait to try out some new dishes. Also, I love her sense of humor and love of life. She's a middle child. I get her.

Really, I am still grinning, still giddy. She was just as lovely as you'd imagine- if not more so. She's beautiful, sweet, and funny. Confident, cool, and collected. She had Marlboro Man, and her two handsome boys for added entertainment. The fellas were handing out t-shirts after the signing. Tim got there WAY early, and saved me a seat--earning husband of the year award in the process.

As soon as I got off work, I made my way to Christ Church Cathedral downtown. The venue was absolutely gorgeous! She started promptly with a Q&A session for about 45 minutes, then we were at the front of the line to get the books signed. So anxious about FINALLY meeting her, I didn't get a posed photo with her. My handy photographer snapped plenty of other pics during the signing though. If you want to see all of them, check out: http://picasaweb.google.com/faithandtim/20091117ThePioneerWoman?feat=directlink

At least somebody there was cool and confident. I got so excited, I don't remember all the details of our conversation, like that I forgot that I was going to tell her I was born in her state! Maybe it's better that I forgot. I don't think she would have cared so much about that one. Glad there are lots of pics to jog my memory...

cute. cute. cute.

What a gorgeous family

Have you seen a more precious helper?

Almost my turn! I had "only" 5 books, but was relieved to see other folks with more than that

Yeah. I'm pretty much in love

Marlboro Man himself. when he first started hauling those bags into the church, there was giggling, flashing cameras, whispers, *sighs*, and lots of gazing. It felt like a "Wherenberg" preview, only it was 200 women saying, "it'smarlboroman.it'shim.marlboroman".

Gosh, she's funny!

I have a bad feeling that this was my uber sarcastic response when she said, "You've got beautiful skin". I thought I said something about how great it is to live in a place with moisture in the air, compared to the desert which is Alaska, because Fairbanks is technically a desert. What-the-WHAT?!
Unfortunately, it LOOKS like I said something more like, "Yeah, I get that a lot. But, thanks. Just sign, lady." Please tell me that's not what I said. *sigh*

She said that Tim reminded her of Cowboy Matthew. I agree:
http://thepioneerwoman.com/blog/2009/08/a_tale_of_two_homeboys/

Happy (early) Birthday to me. She welcomed me to "this neck of the woods". NOW, I feel welcome :) I can't wait to get started on these recipes. As a thank you to Tim for saving seats, getting there early, and taking lotsa pics, etc. I told him I'll whip up any meal out of this book. I'll let you know how that goes.

What happens in Vegas...

Conservatory at The Begllagio

Paris Las Vegas

Lady Liberty, at New York New York

…goes on the blog. I recently enjoyed a nice break, and trip to Las Vegas with a friend from Alaska. City highlights included the fountain at the Bellagio, fish tacos, The Lion King, shopping, and good conversation.

Usually, when I come home, I cherish the familiar, and can appreciate small changes in my absence. Funny thing about coming “home” to St. Louis: it’s only the second time I’ve left the place, so coming home, was every bit as new as leaving. I was still happy to come home, but I wouldn’t say it feels like home during the trek from the airport to our quaint apartment in the county. We’re still working on feeling at home, and see progress every month.

Church is good, work is good, life is good. Tim’s training schedule is a bit lighter now than it was in the summer. Faith is still working (thankfully!) as a temp at a local University. The position, job, coworkers, and experience are certainly a blessing. Tim is also looking for a flight student or two. Life here, working (only) one job each is fairly quiet and enjoyable.

We’re looking forward to some holiday travel, and will definitely post pics and updates. We love and miss you. We love to hear from you and enjoy keeping in touch!!