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| Well, I did it!! It's been a little over a year since I last posted on Xanga. A LOT has happened in a year--let's re-cap . . .
1) Seth and I are still in York 2) I still work for the Admissions Office, but as a recruiter now 3) Seth switched jobs--he now works for the News Times (York newspaper) 4) Seth is back in school studying History 5) We MOVED out of the old house that was making me sick all the time into a really nice apartment--we LOVE it! 6) We bought some land in Kansas with my folks (30 acres of pure nature!) 7) We successfully saw my dad through his last bout with cancer and he's happy and healthy 8) Our dog doesn't "mess" in the house any more, nor is she a puppy (the two are probably related) 9) Seth's CD collection has been expanded from 734 to 921 (ok, I made those #s up, but he has a LOT) 10) Our marriage is stronger than ever, and we are continually being blessed despite the natural ups and downs that come with any year. I am pleased that much of what Xanga was needed for has passed. I feel that despite the space between our family, our relationships are stronger than ever. New venues for communication have surfaced and like everything, this has had it's time.
I've been thinking about what the next year will hold and I have NO idea. This LAST year wasn't really what I expected, either . . . I guess that means I'm not in control of it.
I'm ok with it. 
We Love YOU!
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| We (Seth and I) have been entertaining a lot of big dreams lately. Seth is ready to be back in school. I am thinking about grad school. We are both ready to be south (hence Seth's recent post). We have a desire to own land, and be close to home.
Although we can never stop dreaming, we have been debating over the tug we feel between what we want (usually immediately) and the responsibilities we have. My job with York is awesome--I really enjoy using my gifts to be a part of the Admissions team--I believe we are being more productive and united. Also, we are slowly (but surely) reaching our goals here, building a financial future that, with God's blessing, will allow us both to return to school, own some land, and start a family---eventually.
With all of this discovery happening (about what we want, and will dream about and work for), our purpose here has grown clearer and our patience has grown stronger. I can only attribute this to the Spirit. My prayers have been full of question marks lately, but God has remained faithful, encouraging us to wait upon his promises. I'm not going to lie--it's not been easy. When so much restlessness and discontentment fill our hearts, we begin to wonder whether or not what we are doing is worthwhile. In the last week I have been reaffirmed that we are where we need to be. My conversations with God are still full of question marks; however they are now questions like "How do you want me to make the most of this time in York?" "How can we use the gifts (monetary and spiritually) you've given us to bless our futures and your people?" and, "How else can you use me, Lord" that fill my prayers.
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| Autumn is here!! When I was younger, summer what my favorite season, hands down. I loved the blazing deadly heat and humidity. Now that I think about it, the passion I had for summer probably had more to do with the fact that my responsibilities were laxed and I could spend countless hours a day at the Clinton Lake beach just soaking up the sunshine and having not a care in the world. Now that I am a bit older, I realize that my tastes have changed. (And I am not too proud to leave my childish ways behind. :) Now, the summer is just as full of responsibility as any other time of the year, and I have to pay to keep the air conditioning on the same way I have to pay to keep the heat on. Because of that I can take a step back and say, "I am turning over a new leaf." Fall is my new favorite season (and I am even looking forward to winter!).
I know it's been a while since I posted. I have been out of typing commission for about a month while my fractured index finger was healing. It is getting better, though still a little stiff. There is a medical doctor on faculty now at York and he has informed me that this is the time I will have to "work through the pain" if I ever what full mobility back in my finger. For those of you that know me, you know this is not pleasant for me and my low-threshold for pain. Although I am trying to do what I can to make it match the mobility of my other hand, I have come to grips with the fact that my two index fingers will never look identical again . . . :(
Another new development in the Todd household is the addition of one very cute Baby Girl. (We call her BG for short.) She is a chihuahua and pug mix and she is the new light of my life. I'm afraid I have worn out using the word "cute" because that is EXACTLY what she is. She is rather little (about 9lbs), but she is getting her winter fat.
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| This weekend Seth and I up and left York to help his sister finish moving, and to surprise the fam in Lawrence. It's going to be Mother's day pretty soon, and I couldn't think of a better gift for my mom than to have the whole family together again in our home.
Everyone knows the kind of trials my dad has been through in the last few months; however, as my dad's unfailing companion, my mom has been beside him the whole time--always comforting, always faithful. To me, that makes this Mother's Day extra special. She deserves more than a single day of recognition can give. I will always be proud of my dad and he is my hero. But my mom has shown me a new side of love during this time and I have grown to respect her and treasure her so much more because of it.
So, Kristy Louise McKinney: loving mother, faithful wife, strong, righteous, lovely, hard working, special beyond belief, sacrificial, and I could go on and on and on.
Lord, I want to thank you for cancer; through this experience I have seen a new side of my mom and her dedication to you and to my dad. Her strength and selflessness has given me a new standard of love and faithfulness. Through her I can see you--thank you for Mom.
This is a picture of the family in December:
This is a picture of the family when I graduated last week:
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