Married Christmas

WOW! It's the night of December 26th. We have been in four cities in three states in the last nine days. We have seen so many people we love and have gained so many pounds eating with them all or sipping Starbucks. Our first Christmas as husband and wife has been quite the event. On the 17th of December we flew into Phoenix, AZ where we were amazed at the extent to which we missed the valley of the sun. We stayed with a much loved family (the St. Clairs) and scheduled every hour out for the three full days we were there. Each day was 16 hours of meals and mocha shared with some of the best people on earth. It was SO good to reconnect with friends we truly know and who truly know us. Needless to say we slept well those nights.

On the 21st, we drove down to Yuma, AZ to spend time with the Sprague Family for Christmas. I worked with my dad at the store and Joanna ran errands and wrapped tons of gifts. Christmas morning came fast and as we shared gifts and laughs, Jo and I felt very blessed and spoiled. After a delicious breakfast, we quickly packed up, drove back to Phoenix, and boarded a plane to snow covered Denver, CO.

As we flew in, the sun was setting behind the majestic Rockies; peircing the clouds and brilliantly illuminating the vast. We are in Colorado Springs now. Our "Second Christmas" was an all out paper shredding. When we got to the Springs, we quickly wrapped the gifts we had for the Armstrong household and drove over to their new abode. There are a lot of people in our family anyway, but we had the five neices under 10 gracing us with their presence as well. Once the first gift was opened, the rest came quickly after. It's always special when we are all together under one roof. We spent our "Third Christmas" this morning watching the joy of a two year old as she helped pass out presents and ripped into her own. Our niece Irelynd is a precious little blond who could make a man with no teeth smile.

It has been a whirlwind, but we wouldn't trade the past week and a half for anything. We are blessed with great friends, incredible family, and especially eachother.

Humbled,

The Sprague's

A few pictures in no particular order

Movie Stars

In the middle of a historic metropolitan, a glass castle surrounds an outdoor diamond rink. The sun is bursting through an opening in the modern day fortress and the rays warm a 30 ft. Christmas Tree in the center of the ice. The Spirit of Christmas fills the people wrapped in scarves and jackets as they follow eachother around the tree.

This past Saturday, we went ice skating in the middle of Pittsburgh. We felt like we were in the middle of movie. After the ice skating, we walked past a large display of gingerbread houses on our way to a warm cup of joy from Starbucks.

I think we found our new tradition (as long as we're in Pittsburgh)

My Red Headed Scottish Friend

So she's not really Scottish, but I did go Scotland with Sarah. This past Friday, Sarah Lovell came up from WVU to hang out with Taylor and I before she started her finals this week. It was great to see her again!

Let it Snow!

I know we are from Colorado and it is nothing new, but you would have thought we had never seen snow before. We woke up to flurries the other morning. It made our day! We even tried to have a snowball fight with the little snow the hit the ground. There is just something about snow that is romantic, beautiful, and a gift from God. I'm sure we will get tired of it eventually. But right now, it lifts our spirits and gets us anxious for Christmas!

Can you post a Prayer Request on a Blog?

The semester is taking it's final stride into the finish line of Christmas Break. Students have all of their big papers and tests do in the next couple of weeks, after being teased of peace and rest for Thanksgiving. Stress is running high and patience and grace seem to be blinking their empty light. There is no story of what's going on or pictures of our latest adventure. This is just heaviness of heart asking for plentiful petition. If Joanna and I ever cross your mind in the day or for some reason you think of college or a college student; throw up a prayer for Pearce. Pray that we would all be able to finish strong. Pray that TRUE community would happen here. Pray that God be ferociously present here. Thank you.
p.s. We can't wait for Christmas Break either! :)

Snubbed by Starbucks

For the past two years, Joanna and I have had a holiday tradition in early December. Starbucks has put on Holiday Parties at each of their stores, sharing Christmas Cheer and Joy by giving free tall drinks and pastry samples. People would come from all over to enjoy the spirit Starbucks created. Apparently the Christmas Spirit is not on top of Starbucks list this year. Our tradition was cut out from under us...no free drinks! That's what Christmas is all about right? Oh well, we paid for some drinks anyways and we'll just have to start a new tradition. Merry Christmas everyone!

Just Us

We are trying to get better at updating our blog. Unfortunately we don't lead very exciting lives or have children to write about. Our Sunday consisted of sleeping in (we go to church on Thursday), being lazy around the house, cleaning house, going to church for a Christmas open house, eating out at On the Boarder (Yea Mexican Food!) and a trip to Target to buy a movie to watch tonight. So that is our exciting life. And in case you forgot what we look like, here is what we looked like today!

What a Day!

This morning, we woke up to a overcast 64 degree day. By ten it was absolutely pouring and the high reached 68. Around noon, the winds began to pick up, the sky's cleared, and Beaver Falls got hit with 50 mph gusts. Tonight, the clouds have again covered the vast, and with the wind chill, it is about 18 degrees outside. Where are we living?