As I am sure you have noticed, the last few months have been a little bleak as far as posts go. Well, get ready for a full stream of content during February.

The sudden burst is my way of gushing over my husband and giving him a Valentine's present that will last a little longer than a fantasy book or cheesecake. So happy Valentine's day Cole (a little early and for a whole month)!

You see, he worked really hard to put this all together for me, so I want to make sure it is overflowing with posts to make sure I am using it to the full potential that he gave it. . . .

In November, so a while ago, I took fashion show pictures for the Lincoln Journal Star. Project Funway benefitted Fresh Start, a nonprofit transitional housing program for homeless women, offering case management and supportive services.

The night included fashion from students at UNL and members of the community. It was an interesting place to take pictures because they turned all of the lights off but left big spotlights on in the front of the room. I need to work on my differently lighting shots, so this was a chance to practice. . . .

During our Christmas weekend, Cole and I traveled to South Dakota and back into Nebraska to his grandparent's home. With our legs cramped in his Honda, a hop on hay bales rejuvenated the afternoon.

Maggie and Cole did the most racing, but Kady and I bound along behind them a few times. The other adventures included cartwheels and long jumps between bales, some small and some deep grassy caverns.

As you can see, Cole did a fair amount of jumping. The crazy part is how nice the weather has been. Without these conditions, I never would have been outside in December playing with just a jacket on. . . .

For all of you out there with a real tree, not a red spruce that glimmers with glued-in lights, don't throw your tree in the trash. Your Christmas tree can have a different life instead of rotting away with holiday leftovers and plastic packaging.

Your tree is just one of the 33 million sold this season that can have another purpose once all of the shiny red bulbs and tinsel are removed. . . .

It's not even Thanksgiving yet, but Cole and I already bought Christmas presents for a little girl. Who is she? We don't know her, but we do know that through Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child program, a 10-to 14-year-old girl will have a box packed with presents and the hope of Jesus shown to her.

As you see, we packed some fun into our little box. I really hope she likes to draw and write. It was fun searching for things to pack in our box, and it will be even more exiting to see where it goes. We printed a special label so that we can track our box and know it's final location. Then we can pray specifically for her and her location. . . .