the Beckham family

new direction

2010-12-15T19:17:00.000-07:00

Recipe Cards

2010-03-24T09:31:00.001-06:00

It’s time to retire my old recipe book. I ran out of sheets to fill it, not to mention my dog chewed the cover a few years ago.

So my solution, create a design on photoshop that I can print on 4x6 index cards to type my recipes on.

This is the result!

Silhouettes

2010-03-13T13:05:00.001-07:00

THE IDEA found on Design Sponge

THE EXECUTION by Ellen

lovecakes

2010-03-03T15:07:00.001-07:00

I’m starting my own business!!! I cannot possibly eat my way through Martha’s Cupcakes (though Joel knows I've tried!) so I’m going to make cupcakes for my friends and family. Have any birthday parties coming up or hosting any bridal showers? Let me know!

Something Big

2010-03-02T07:56:00.003-07:00

I'm working on something big. I cannot wait to share it with all of you!!! More to come soon.

Writing Prilla

2010-02-25T16:04:00.002-07:00

I read an article in a Compassion Magazine. The point of the article was lost upon me but what stuck out was a detail said in passing—this sponsor had written their kid every month. So here’s so my stack of letters to write to Prilla and soon Auckline every month.

My favorite part is the frosting on the bottom right cupcake is covered with sparkles.

Valentines Day

2010-02-18T16:53:00.001-07:00

While we didn’t celebrate extravagantly this year, I think it was my favorite Valentines Day yet. Joel, lovingly, forwent the flowers and gave me a bouquet of sharpened pencils instead!

I love clean

2010-02-12T11:43:00.001-07:00

I have not seen the floor of our laundry room since I moved in…. actually, with the guys stuff still in there when I moved in, I don’t think I’ve ever seen it!

Best... and Worst Advice

2010-02-07T20:26:00.002-07:00

This weekend, we celebrated Courtney getting married with a bridal shower. One of my favorite parts was making this fun wall hanging with everyone's best and worst advice for Courtney. I printed the quotes and decoupaged them on a canvas. So cute!

wallpaper!!!

2010-02-06T14:14:00.003-07:00

my need for creativity

2010-02-05T09:56:00.003-07:00

"Women often return to the things they abandoned in pursuit of fame, likability, or recognition. From the get-go, these activities are not about exterior measurements." -Jennifer Freed

Today is a day I've waited for for months-- finally the wallpaper goes up!!! We had company over last night and I wanted it to be up so badly for them. But today, I want to enjoy my paper for the reasons why I bought it and not because of any the recognition it brings. That's a good thing to remember because I think I'm one of the only people I know who is (becoming) obsessed with wallpaper despite all the campaigning I've done. Pics to come...

Cosmo Cupcakes

2010-01-30T22:59:00.003-07:00

i tried duplicating these from happy cakes by using a combination of techniques, from combining other people's ideas online to winging it on my own. i soaked craisins in vodka overnight and then baked them in the box mix of yellow cake. then the frosting was buttercream with the juice from a lime and the zest. happy birthday, pa!

Matilda

2010-01-28T09:57:00.006-07:00

I heard this on NPR and found it humorous. The blunt title totally took me off guard. ~Ellen

MATILDA WHO TOLD LIES, AND WAS BURNED TO DEATH
by: Hilaire Belloc (1870-1953)

ATILDA told such Dreadful Lies,
It made one Gasp and Stretch one's Eyes;
Her Aunt, who, from her Earliest Youth,
Had kept a Strict Regard for Truth,
Attempted to Believe Matilda:
The effort very nearly killed her,
And would have done so, had not She
Discovered this Infirmity.
For once, towards the Close of Day,
Matilda, growing tired of play,
And finding she was left alone,
Went tiptoe to the Telephone
And summoned the Immediate Aid
Of London's Noble Fire-Brigade.
Within an hour the Gallant Band
Were pouring in on every hand,
From Putney, Hackney Downs, and Bow.
With Courage high and Hearts a-glow,
They galloped, roaring through the Town,
'Matilda's House is Burning Down!'
Inspired by British Cheers and Loud
Proceeding from the Frenzied Crowd,
They ran their ladders through a score
Of windows on the Ball Room Floor;
And took Peculiar Pains to Souse
The Pictures up and down the House,
Until Matilda's Aunt succeeded
In showing them they were not needed;
And even then she had to pay
To get the Men to go away!

It happened that a few Weeks later
Her Aunt was off to the Theatre
To see that Interesting Play
The Second Mrs. Tanqueray.
She had refused to take her Niece
To hear this Entertaining Piece:
A Deprivation Just and Wise
To Punish her for Telling Lies.
That Night a Fire did break out--
You should have heard Matilda Shout!
You should have heard her Scream and Bawl,
And throw the window up and call
To People passing in the Street--
(The rapidly increasing Heat
Encouraging her to obtain
Their confidence) -- but all in vain!
For every time she shouted 'Fire!'
They only answered 'Little Liar!'
And therefore when her Aunt returned,
Matilda, and the House, were Burned.

Inspiration or Infringement???

2010-01-26T14:20:00.008-07:00

Before now, I've been really conscientious about copying other people's work (like making almost exact replicas of cupcakes that I've seen at Kara's Cupcakes!) But recently I've really enjoyed being inspired by other artists and making a work of my own that's not just a duplication of the original. Today I am running to Costco to print a photo that Joel touched up for me. I think it turned out really well! What do you think?

Here's the photo I like (sorry to the original artist, I lost their name!)

And here's our version of a photo I took in New Zealand!!!

my ordinary life

2010-01-22T21:18:00.005-07:00

i've been reading a lot of other people's blogs and i love that they know they have ordinary lives and are okay with it. for so long, i've wanted an extraordinary life. i only realized this week (well, realized again) that i am great already and don't need the attention and accolades to prove my worth.

so now i'm inspired to write-- because now i'm not chained to "prove" to others while blogging that i have wonderful insights and have an extraordinary life. so welcome, to the ordinariness of me! and like i only skim other people's blogs, that's okay if no one actually reads it-- because this time it's not really for others.

tonight i wanted to post something that has inspired me. this picture to the left is a print i recently purchased for our wall. i love it! now i am hoping to put it together with a few other prints to make a collection for the entryway.

Our Road Trip to Alaska

2008-09-09T22:55:00.008-06:00

Harbor Seals in Tracy's Arm

The highlights of Alaska...

*the wildlife: we saw so many animals, we particularly enjoyed seeing bears, whales and moosen!
*the time away from life: hundreds of hours logged in a coffee shop reading with nothing else to do, so heavenly!
*the new experiences: fred meyers was a highlight... the beauty of civilization when you've been camping for weeks!
*the people: we met so many random people who boosted our appreciation for living different lifestyles and not conforming to cultural expecatations
*the mountains: how could this not be a highlight of going to alaska?
*the memories: i can check one more thing off the list of things to do before I'm 30-- drive the alcan :)

~E

Into Our Second Year

2008-07-09T11:54:00.004-06:00

Well, we're almost into our second year of marriage. I'm a few days early but we're leaving on our big road trip soon!

Some of the highlights have been...

*not having joel take me home every night
*watching joel play with spooner, he's so gentle toward her
*taking walks in the park
*breakfast in bed
*late night movies on the couch
*weekend afternoons at the coffee shop
*reading out loud to each other
*the picnic basket joel bought me
*spending my birthday in the mtns

Of course, there have been hard times but looking back it makes our relationship even better. I feel we'll closer and stronger because of our adversities. (Try telling me that when we're in the middle of a scuff. Ha!)

Our first year has been more than I ever expected it to be-- I've never known anyone who loves their spouse more than Joel does. He's so caring. :)

And now I'm stoked to start our second year!

before and after

2008-07-04T15:08:00.002-06:00

After my BIG test in Denver (which I passed! whoot whoot!!!) Joel and I went to Water World!!!! I love that place... so many great memories. Here we are sitting on the lawn eating lunch.

I love the before and after effect of these photos. The day after water world, we got our hair cut. Wow! The difference it makes!!! Here's us with our hair cut.

That just might have the be the christmas card photo of the year. Isn't Joel so hot??? :)

pictures from June... a pitiful few

2008-06-26T15:51:00.003-06:00

Not a ton has happened in June: just a bunch of studying for the NCLEX. To show for it, I have very few pictures! Here's the three that I do have...

The Family at the movie theatre celebrating Dad's birthday

A VERY photo-shopped image of our house. We thought is was very funny and inspiring. :)

We were outside admiring the new paint job on our house. Yay!

time to catch up

2008-05-29T10:24:00.002-06:00

the past few weeks have been crazy! may has flown by with finals, graduations (4 different ones!) and many birthdays. the month will end this weekend with 3 weddings and a birthday party on saturday.

joel turned 25 in april! for the occasion, we had a pirate birthday with his parents and rachel (among other celebrations during "birthday month.")

naomi and i went to jill's college graduation at csu.

my graduation for uccs with my old roommates, kati and kendyll, and the new roomate, kim.

We enjoyed having Laura in town!!!

2008-04-23T20:27:00.000-06:00

peds interview

2008-04-23T20:25:00.001-06:00

I had my pediatric interview at Memorial Hospital today. I think that it went well-- but they are hiring 2-4 people out of 45 applicants. They sounded really encouraging, like I might get the job, but I don't know! Competition is stiff!!! They said that they will make a decision in the next week and call people then. So only the Lord knows at this point!

home improvments

2008-04-18T15:32:00.001-06:00

The house is coming together. Rachel painted the hallway-- and one of the very last mirrors came down. Momentous day. Some contracting friends tore down rotten wood off the house and replaced then. Next step? Painting the house! Any ideas for colors? Keep in the mind the mustardy yellow brick... then gutters!

Joel's Eye

2008-04-05T17:50:00.002-06:00

This is a bit post-dated information but Joel's eye is better! We went to his appointment on Thursday and the doctor said that if he hadn't known that Joel had irritis these past few weeks, that he never would have been able to tell on this examination. Hooray!

Also, good news: Joel doesn't have to take it easy for the next few weeks. He's allowed to jump back into life, and we're both so excited about it!!!

Today's full of studying for my OB exam-- got to get it done early. Laura B. is coming into town!!!

Taos for Spring Break

2008-03-31T15:06:00.003-06:00

Joel's "intense" shades-- as promised

The Progress

2008-03-31T15:02:00.002-06:00

Buena Vista for my 24th Birthday

2008-03-31T14:48:00.004-06:00

Spring Break

2008-03-30T09:05:00.002-06:00

We spent a night in Taos, New Mexico on Friday/Saturday. Joel has been couped up in our house for two weeks, and the doctors give him another week. We were so excited to get to go somewhere else for spring break, and as Joel said it "do nothing in a different location."

Joel got comments from other 20-somethings about his shades. "I love your sunglasses. They are so intense!" :)

Photos to come! Right now I need to go finish writing a paper for school.

Progress

2008-03-07T09:42:00.002-07:00

I am having a productive morning!!! Yes!!! I love mornings like this. I already completed by next case study (it didn't take me an eighth as long to finish as my first one did) and prepared the cover page and started the references since I have to compile this one. Man, I feel like I'm on a role!

The house is rolling along too. Since Joel is working from home now, it feels like we are accomplishing so many things. We installed to door downstairs (the dear old puppy sheet finally came down at last), the basement bedroom now has floors. The trim is cut and painted, and waiting to be nailed down. The window box is nearly in... and we had potential renters come look at the house yesterday!!! They are friends from Campus Crusade, and Joel and I are loving the possibility of having this house be a ministry house! Yay!

It feels so good to see progress. I know that the day is coming when I'll be done with school and we'll be in another smaller, more manageable place-- hopefully one that we L O V E.

sugar fast day #4

2008-03-05T16:01:00.003-07:00

today is day four of my sugar fast. i started on sunday, after I realized that my sugar addiction was really destructive. it's been super hard for me the past few days, but i've made it through!!! i hope that it'll give me more independence from relying on sweets to quell my moods. i do plan on eating cake and ice cream for my birthday on sunday, though!!!

colo. springs symphony

2008-02-28T20:44:00.004-07:00

joel and i went to the symphony this weekend. they were playing movie soundtracks in honor of the academy awards. my favorites were from The Mission, Titanic, and Star Wars. Joel really loved Lord of the Rings.

Baby Steps

2008-02-21T10:34:00.004-07:00

Joel and I have had a long week. Not only are there a ton of things due this week, but we're both fighting something. Yuck. The good news is that Joel doesn't have to go into work any longer except for when there is an important meeting-- so he'll be home all day long with me!

I have an exam this afternoon-- my first one for the semester, and I'm freaking nervous!!! I'll let you know how it goes.

Getting Them Done

2008-02-19T15:56:00.003-07:00

So today went way better than I had imagined it to be. It was actually pretty slow with not a ton to do. That was such a relief! So I have one more day of clinicals tomorrow and then I'm done for a week. Whew!

sick :(

2008-02-18T16:03:00.002-07:00

I woke up sick today-- sore throat and cough. I skipped class this morning and managed to study for an exam that I have on Thursday for a little bit. Joel's been doing my laundry for me and it has been such a blessing to me. I spent the rest of my time watching a movie and napping in bed. With long days at clinical tomorrow, please pray that I will be able to get through them. I guess being on the postpartum floor on Wednesday, which I've been complaining is SO slow, will be a blessing this week. I'm so looking forward to Friday when I can crash for a little while!

Life As It Goes On

2008-02-16T10:36:00.004-07:00

I have been having this daily battle: do I give into my feelings of being overwhelmed and stressed, or do I fight them? And if I choose to fight them, how long can I last?

So I've been trying to focus on the great things in my life that cause me so much joy. Like spooning with my husband in the morning, and sitting in my big comfy chair to read. :)

Yesterday was a good friend's birthday and 10 of us drove up to Denver to eat at the cheesecake factory. Unfortunately, I forgot to bring my camera. Bummer. But I did order some very yummy tiramisu, and Joel and I talked to Kendyll's parents the whole time, playing our "adult roles" as Joel and I like to call them. Ha! No one's fooled by us trying to pretend that we're grown up.

Comments

2008-02-13T16:35:00.002-07:00

I really want to write something, so y'all know that I'm alive, but I'm not sure what to say. Scanning my brain... nope, nothing to comment on, other than that newborn babies are way too cute for their own good (I've been on the postpartum floor all day for school, and holding the way most cutest little kiddos, ever.)

Oh, another thing. I met someone named Tatum this week, and I really wanted to ask her if she had a sister named Greer. You see, I've been stuck on this tangent for a while of how names in combination are important. Hence, the Tatum and Greer combo that I saw online. Ha! :)

I guess I did have something to say.

Love y'all!

my new haircut

2008-02-02T10:03:00.001-07:00

You know when you get a haircut and you're not sure if you like it? Well, yeah...

When my hair is down...

...and when it's pulled back.

Then begs the question, if I don't look like myself, who do I look like?

a Japanese Anime character?

Audrey Tautou in Amelie?

The verdict is still out. I don't know if I like it.

the shoulda, wouldha, couldas

2008-01-30T12:58:00.000-07:00

I have a friend who lives across town who needed a ride home today. Even though I offered to take her home, it didn't take much to convince me that she could find another way home. I was tired and ready to kick up my feet, so I let an amazing opportunity to love her slip through my hands. And to think of all the people who have loved me by giving me rides home-- I "should" have insisted. It's so hard to love other people selflessly!

penguin drop

2008-01-21T10:10:00.000-07:00

yesterday my mother-in-law came by for a "penguin drop" and brought us soup and other goodies to eat. my heart is blessed-- we had no food in this house! thanks, jennifer!!!

yesterday, i also had core group, and lauren never showed up! i think that we've all walked through a new door into something unknown, whether we're ready or not. you see, due to budget cuts, lauren was layed off from first pres...

sick in bed

2008-01-18T16:49:00.000-07:00

i woke up with the worst sore throat in the world!!! Nooooo!!! even though i missed having breakfast with aunt kim, god has given me the time to rest. currently, i'm reading through expecting adam, this great book about a harvard intellectual who has a downs syndrome baby. it's been really great! y'all should read it!

also, check out beth moore's blog. she provides me so many things to meditate on-- her heart is so beautiful and encouraging.

Core Group

2008-01-17T10:07:00.001-07:00

I'm home for just a few more days before school starts again next Tuesday, so in the meantime I'm putting together a scrapbook of core group thus far. We have six sophomores in our group, and honestly we have some great photos.

New Inspirations

2008-01-15T11:26:00.001-07:00

A friend of a friend uses her blog to "keep track of her week." That sounds like fun! Of course, it'll include more details than anyone cares about.

Yesterday evening, Joel and I went to church to listen to a discussion about prayer. It was led by two Egyptians from a sister church in Cairo. Boy, my heart just leapt up to them-- they had so much passion and spirit.

I'm in a moment of spiritual growth, and I want to start praying every morning that God's will be done in my life. That he makes every second his, and helps me to meet every divine appointment he has for me. Maybe, right now, He knows that it is with you!

Core group has been dragging, so I went to the library yesterday and got a book about how to effectively lead core groups. I'm praying so much that God will use it to bring a revival to our group.

On a last note, the speakers last night said to pray for humanly impossible big dreams-- I think that I have been in reality for so long, that I need to step into God's vision and see what BIG things he wants to happen here.

Photos from 2007

2008-01-11T10:16:00.000-07:00

Like last year, I wanted to post my favorite picture of every month. However, I don't have even a single photo for half the year! With the exception of February, I have no pictures before July!!! That's because I was too busy planning weddings to even bring out my camera! Well, I'll just post a few of the exceptional ones, and we'll forget the one for each month thing. How about it?

Sicko

2007-11-07T09:30:00.000-07:00

I've been sick for a few days... I'm starting to come out of the funk, so I'm so thankful for that! It was my 2nd migraine ever and it knocked me down pretty bad. We transformed our bedroom into a bat-cave, Joel stuffed blankets in all the windows so that I could sleep in total darkness. Joel's been a fantastic nurse-- so great that I think he went into the wrong field. He gave me so much TLC: I can't count the number of back and neck massages that he has given me. He truly is the best husband I can ever imagine.

Psalm 23

2007-11-04T13:29:00.000-07:00

Well, my favorite little girl is back on GodTube. I cried today when she says "forever" at the end like she's pondering on the beauty of living in God's house. There's something that strikes me so deep. Perhaps it's that this image to us is what we, as God's children, look to Him when we stand so firm in his words.

Locks of Love

2007-11-03T13:03:00.000-06:00

This Blesses My Heart So Much

2007-10-22T22:29:00.000-06:00

This clip changes, I guess. It used to be of a little girl reciting Psalm 23. I came back to listen to it again and it was gone. I'm leaving it up though so we can watch it change from time to time. It'll be like the sky.

My New Class

2007-10-17T16:26:00.000-06:00

I started a new class this week: community health. It's been a wang, bang, shebang kind of week. I'm waiting for them to spit me out as they have already chewed us up!

My group is focusing on tobacco, mostly youth prevention. Did you know that average age a person starts smoking is 10 years old?!

I've realized from the STINT Team who have been freakishly intentional about their whole ministry, that I need to start making my ministry intentional. So, I'm starting with what's already around me: classmates.

I have tried to be more encouraging to them lately and not jumping on board with their pessimism just so that I fit in. I don't know if it's made an impact-- but that's less of the point than me changing how I interact in my world.

I also ate caramel dip with my apple today for my afternoon snack. Mmmmm!!!

the power has been unplugged on the spotlight effect

2007-10-11T12:31:00.000-06:00

so i freakin discovered that i am not who i am because of the dang spotlight effect. but it's no longer going to rule over me, and i'm going to break out of my shell. i am going to speak, act and do as if no one cared half as much as they do.

the Sunday Blues

2007-10-08T14:29:00.000-06:00

Joel and I spent our Sunday involved in church as usual-- I have returned to going to the High School Sunday School class to be an encouragement to my girls and the other students.

Then, Joel and I came home and moped around a bit. We were both feeling so discouraged about our lives in general-- our knowledge about who God really is, and how to listen to the Holy Spirit.

We're doing better this morning, although this week will prove to be a hard week of "finals" for me, so please pray for us!!!

Twin Lakes Nordic Lodge

2007-10-06T22:37:00.000-06:00

We took off in a hurry to go to the mountains this weekend. We were planning to camp-- you should have seen the backseat of our car! It was filled to capacity with blankets because I told Joel that I hate being cold when I sleep!

When we got up towards Independence Pass, the Colorado National Forest campgrounds were all closed! We pulled a U-turn and ended up at... THE BEST PLACE IN THE WORLD!!!

It's a lodge-- it's set up sort of like a hostel. The main room had a huge fire place in it and a cute dog sleeping on the floor. Soon enough, we joined in with Spooner with us, talking to these folks. We fell in love with some of them.

The best part was feeling instantly connected with one woman who lives on the other side of the pass. Her youngest daughter has run away three times now and gotten herself so deep into drugs. Joel, this woman, and I held hands and just prayed for her daughter and her family.

Another Post

2007-10-03T11:28:00.001-06:00

We haven't been doing much posting. As you can see by the frequency of which we post, Joel and I are so busy!

This week, I had an exam on Monday. It actually went quite well. So, thank you for your prayers. Also, yesterday I spent my eight hour clinical in an out-rotation to the ER. I was a bit disappointed by the lack of drama as we see on the tv show ER but I did see a little 6 year old boy come in as a trauma case after falling off of a 2nd story balcony. Poor guy!

Joel's been busy with the house-- we're painting his old room, and prayers come true, we're turning it into my craft room!!!

You found the right site!

2007-09-23T21:50:00.000-06:00

Here we are!!! Thank you for joining us!

This site is for both Joel and I to blog--- you'll find out about our lives from both of us.

We love you!!!