Baby Ruby

Kyle and I are officially Aunt Sarah and Uncle Kyle! We love our little niece and can't wait to meet her next weekend. Congratulations, Ryan and Amber!

Cammie and Brogan

We are so lucky to have met Josh and Courtney. They have become our really good friends and their kids are so fun! Here are some pictures of us grilling and having a good time.
Cammie loves Kyle and always seems to smile better for him than for me. But last weekend before going to bed she said only to me, "I love you, Sarah." Although my nickname as Kiddis might be officially gone, this really made my day. I like this picture a lot. I think that Kyle and Brogan have similar expressions here. This one made me laugh.
Josh's version of a kiddie roller coaster. The corn hole boards were the ramps. Next time, we will actually play corn hole.
Brogan incognito.

Go Tribe!

Last weekend, Kyle and I went to go see the Indians play. We had the best time! It was the most perfect day for a baseball game: sunny, breezy, about 82 degrees and we were lucky enough to get seats in the shade. I love to see the Indians games live. It is such a fun and friendly atmosphere that really is a family event. Thanks for taking me, Kyle!

Baby Caitlyn

Welcome baby Caitlyn! Kyle and I were so excited to meet you and are excited to see you grow up. Congratulations Pat, Teresa and Claire! Can you tell how happy Claire is to be a big sister? This brings joy to my heart.
The other day while at their house, Claire said out of the blue, "I love you Miss Sarah." She is one of my favorite little people.
Although they didn't want me to take this one, I think they will thank me later.

Amber's baby shower and jumping fish

A couple of weeks ago, Kyle and I traveled back to Grand Rapids for Amber's baby shower. Momo hosted it at her new house and we had a very fun time. It was so fun to celebrate with them and be a part of her special day. There were some good one-liners from Amber but of course, because I fail to post right after things happen, my memory now fails me. Amber, if you are reading, please help me with this one. I am so excited to meet my niece or nephew in only a month!


We went out to dinner with Kyle's parents at a cute restaurant in Rockford, MI. The town was really cool but my favorite part was getting to see fish that were over a foot long jump clear out of the water and try to scale a three-tiered waterfall. It was awesome! I had no idea fish were that strong. None of the fish made it all the way up the waterfall but it was neat to see a fly fisherman actually catch one right next to us. It took three men to reel it in. I don't remember what kind of fish they were. But, now I have a much greater appreciation for my two fish in my aquarium.
And yes Chris, Kyle borrowed your sweater. Thanks!

Spring break part 2: Stomach flu and Chicago

Well, the spring break of my dreams was a bit slashed by what I think was the stomach flu. We'd planned to head to Chicago on Wednesday but I was down for the count in Grand Rapids. I threw up 5 times in 10 hours and ate a saltine and ice chips the whole day. Kyle was willing to put me in the car with the infamous puke bucket but I thought it would be a better idea to wait to leave until Thursday. We did and I felt better most of the day. I had a happy meal at McDonalds on the way and thought I was on the mend. When we got to my house, Kyle and my dad went flying for a few hours while my mom and I went to the outlet mall. Overall, a good day.

Then on Good Friday, my stomach bug came back just as soon as it had left. Only one time throwing up but another puny day of staying in and being bummed out. It was good to spend time with my family but those that know me well know how much I don't like being sick or staying at home all day. I was sad. On Saturday, I finally got over whatever stomach thing I had and we went to Easter service at Willow Creek which was great. It was one of the best Easter sermons I'd heard in a long time and it was good to be back.


Matt came to my house

We had a short visit with Matt Schwabauer in Chicago and it was good to see him again. I am looking forward to a trip when I don't get sick and get to enjoy everyone more. But overall, it was a good break. Now the race to the end of the school year...

Spring break part 1: Michigan

We are currently in Grand Rapids, MI spending time with Kyle's family in their new house, visiting with many old friends and professors and braving the cold weather to spend time outside. Once again, no pictures yet but I will come through on this and the March post. Don't you worry. We had a grill out at Ryan and Amber's new house where I preceded to get a small cut on my finger from the Cutco knives. Watch out for those - they're sharp! Thanks to neosporin, things are getting better on that front. They have the cutest house and are very close to having a new baby for us to hug. Can you tell I'm excited? We had the best burgers at their house and had some laughs and I'm looking forward to seeing them again tonight.


Kyle with Chris and his pals

We have spent the past 2 days driving back and forth to Holland. We hung out with Chris and his friends (who are incredibly nice), went to the Gathering, walked around campus, had meals with Chris and friends and visited with some of my favorite professors. It is so special to return to my college campus and visit professors who not only remembered me but knew me very well and played a central role into shaping my life into what it is today.


Me and the Sharps

Dr. Sharp and Linda had us over for a delicious meal last night and it was so good to spend time with them. We are headed to Chicago tomorrow to visit my family and friends. This is turning into a great spring break. Sometimes, you just need to get away from Ohio. Yay for vacations!

March in a nutshell

March was madness and went by so quickly. I took many pictures and meant to document our story but it has come to this - one month behind almost every time. Oh well. Such is life. My dear friend Michelle came for a quick visit to Cleveland in the beginning of March. She flew in on a Friday and we made a whirlwind trip to the quaint town of Lewisberg, WV to find her a place to live after she gets married this coming June. We had a great time! The weather was gorgeous (70 degrees!) and so were the hills. We stopped on the way to Lewisberg in Charleston, WV and ate lunch at one of my dad's favorite places: Tudor's Biscuit World. This restaurant is one of a kind. Biscuits accompany every meal and when the server asked me what choice of side I would like, she mentioned on called "chunkies." This intrigued me because I had no idea what chunkies were so when I asked, she replied "Taters of course." So, I had to try the chunkies. They were good and we had a good laugh out of that one. We found a house for Michelle and Shawn to rent which was on the top of a huge mountain. The drive of the mountain terrified me because of the one lane, steep drop off, no guard rails and blind curves. Nevertheless, Michelle and I loved it and it was definitely something VERY different from the suburban Chicago childhood we'd grown up with. All in all, it was a great trip and if you are ever passing through WV, stop in Lewisberg. The town was lively, vibrant and full of all kinds of unique restaurants and shops and next to the New River Gorge National Park. Kyle and I are looking forward to visiting them sometime this summer.

In the middle of March, our dear college friends Matt and Jennie came to visit. Matt drove over from Boston and spent the week with us and Jennie came from Oklahoma for only one night. Definitely not enough time! We had a great time reminiscing on old college days, eating at distinctly Cleveland restaurants (10 cent wing night is a beautiful thing!) and simply spending time together. Being with them again was like being with family and I would consider both of them to be that to us. We dreamed of all living in the same area again and having our kids all play together. I hope this becomes a reality in my life. Friends are so great and I am so glad to spend time with all of you. Our home is always welcome!

Choir, babysitting and family...a good but crazy weekend

This weekend was full of all kinds of activities. Kyle is out of town on his annual ski trip which seemed to make the weekend and this week just a little crazier. After school Friday, I took 12 of my students to participate in a region-wide honors choir. We were one of 8 school districts to participate and although the late rehearsal Friday night and all day Saturday rehearsals were long, it was really fulfilling to work with competent and engergetic middle school singers. I was proud of how my students volunteered to help the host school and were carrying chairs to the rehearsal room before I even got there. I think that says a lot about the character of these kids and their willingness and eagerness to help. All in all, it was a good event and I think I may end up hosting it next year.

After the choir festival, I spent Saturday evening babysitting Cammie and Brogan while our friends Josh and Courtney went on a date to the Cleveland Orchestra. Before coming over to babysit, I went home and put on sweatpants and my glasses. I came over looking frumpy and happy to hang out with the kids. I gave them what I consider to be the fastest bath known to man (rinsing shampoo with 2 kids age 3 and younger is not an easy task). Cammie liked to take my phone and look at Kyle's picture. I think she has a crush on him. In case you forgot, she is 3. It was really cute. When she looked at his picture, she thought he was there to talk to her. THen we had to call him to say hi and she got on the phone and said, "Hi Kyle (long puse while she smiles to herself). I think Kiddis (my madeup nickname from Cammie) is sick. She is cold and has a blanket." I thought this was hilarious! My frumpy clothes and glasses made Cammie think I was sick. Then we watched Cinderella and I pulled her to her bedroom riding on a quilt. It was a good night had by all.

On Sunday, I drove down to Hudson to hang out with the Wilkes. We went to church together and then Sarah, Kate and I went o lunch and did a little shopping. We had some good laughs. I love going to their house and feel so thankful to have family here. Aunt Carol made us homemade lasagna which was really good and gave me 2 more meals worth to take home. I appreciate it very much.

Yesterday, interim grades were due at school and we had a staff meeting that was part of a 4 hour training on child abuse. It breaks my heart to be reminded through pictures and examples of just how many children in this country are suffering in the hands of their own family members. When they showed the pictures, they made me so sad that I almost started crying. Children and family are precious gifts from God and I will be keeping a more watchful eye on my own students.

Fun in Florida

Over Christmas break, we were able to go to visit my parents at their place in Winter Haven, FL. It was one of the most fun trips we've had in a long time. Their house is in a retirement community and it seems like they have activities and games going all the time. We learned how to play shuffleboard, bocce ball, got in a few rounds of mini golf and had fun walking in the sunshine and riding bikes. One of the coolest things about my parents' new place is that my Mom's sisters live there too. We had a lot of fun with Aunt Wanda and Bob playing games every night but they did seem to beat us at every new game they taught us. We missed seeing Aunt Jo and Uncle Buz by about 2 weeks since they went home to Indy.



My Dad suprised Kyle with a sea plane lesson for his Christmas gift. Kyle had a great time and got to help land a take off on a few nearby lakes and flew low over the water looking for gators. My Dad also bought Kyle his own log book so he coud document any further flying lessons he might have in the future.



Here we are waiting for Kyle to land. What a beautiful day!


When my parents bought the house, they also got this awesome 3 wheel bike as a bonus. Love it!


We played a lot of putt putt. Its one of Kyle's favorites. Here are Kyle and Bob assessing the course.


The new year's eve rummy game.


Playing Bocce ball.

During Christmas, my parents got a Wii so we had a lot of fun playing new games on that too. I thought it was neat that they were able to plan poinsettas outside and they looked so festive and beautiful. We also sampled some really good local restaurants there and always made the early bird specials. We are so happy that Mom and Dad are enjoying their retirement and hope to visit again sometime soon.

First official snow day

Well, the gigantic winter storm battering the plains has reached Cleveland with gusto. We already had about 8 inches of snow on the ground and by the end of today, we should have about 10 more inches on top of that. Kyle has shoveled once so far today and I have also shoveled once. It just keeps coming at about an inch per hour. So, after drinking yet another cup of coffee I will go out and battle the snow again.

Riley is happy to be snuggly and have me home.

I must say that teaching in a warmer climate is sounding better and better to me. Any suggestions?

Amy's wedding!!

Over Christmas break, Kyle and I traveled to Rochester Hills, MI for our dear friend (and my college roommate) Amy's wedding. We had the best time! We shared a hotel room with my college roommate Jennie and her husband Jason and had fun laughing and recounting rediculous memories of college and our fun times. The rehearsal dinner was held at Rochester Mills Brewery and they had the BEST hand dryers ever. They were made by Dyson and threw out so much air that your had were dry in 10 seconds. I thought it was really great and then Jennie snapped this picture of me enjoying it. Jennie and I both sang in Amy's wedding and it was really fun to sing together again and just enjoy the company of great friends.


Here is the caption Jennie added to this picture, priceless! "Reunited and it feels so good! Appearing for one afternoon only to a plenty of seating room left crowd, performing their smash hit, the "Alleluia" we learned 20 minutes ago! Yeah!"

Kyle and I hadn't seen Jennie and Jason since their wedding (2 weeks after ours in 2006) because we moved in opposite directions. Jennie and Jason currently live in Norman, OK where she is teaching middle and high school choir and Jason is in his third year in medical school. Jennie also started a blog (the link is on the left) so check it out because she is seriously one of the funniest people I know. We miss them very much and are hoping to see them more since Kyle's parents will be moving close to where their parents live in Grand Rapids.



The beautiful bride with the Hope ladies.


Amy and Shawn with us still in prime photo-taking mode.


Kyle and Jason at the wedding. They had to sit together since Jennie and I were singing. The photographer however thought that they were "together." Hilarious!

We love you Amy and Shawn and wish you the best as you embark on this new adventure of life together!

Voiceless, DayQuil and Snow Squalls

The title of this one sums it up. Today and I sick with a cold, blowing my nose a LOT, my voice sounds cracks like an adolescent boy, occasionally coughing, taking DayQuil and looking at the forecast for this area which is under a Lake Effect Snow Warning and whose farcast for the next two days calls far 6-12 inches of snow with snow squalls. Snow sqaulls...seriously? Ugh. Never before has that been the sole descriptor in the forecast. Not good.

Here's what the Weather Channel said for this area:
"LAKE EFFECT SNOW WILL BECOME HEAVIER THIS AFTERNOON INTO TONIGHT AND CONTINUE UNTIL LATE FRIDAY NIGHT BEFORE STARTING TO TAPER OFF. THUNDER MAY ALSO OCCUR IN SOME OF THE HEAVIER SQUALLS ALONG WITH AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW.

SNOW ACCUMULATION TODAY MAY REACH UP TO 3 INCHES LOCALLY IN THE HIGHER TERRAIN. ACCUMULATION TONIGHT OF 1 TO 4 INCHES IS EXPECTED WITH LOCALLY 6 INCHES POSSIBLE IN THE HIGHER TERRAIN WITH SIMILAR AMOUNTS EXPECTED FRIDAY. BY SATURDAY MORNING... SOME AREAS COULD SEE BETWEEN ONE AND ONE AND A HALF FEET OF SNOW FROM THIS LAKE EFFECT EVENT."

Isn't it funny that they like to put the warnings in all CAPS? I also laugh because they called it a "lake effect event." So, I'd better go get more NyQuil before these squalls find me. Boo to snow!

Laughs, Snow and Stress twinges

I chuckled to myself as I started this post because just about this time every year I post about the same thing...pending holiday performances, long evenings of conferences, lake effect snow falling, papers and projects to culminate the semester and as always, this little twinge of stress starts to creep back into my life. I knew when I wanted to be a music teacher that the holidays bring concerts, concerts bring joy to concert-goers and concerts bring the twinge of stress. What I would describe as that small anxious feeling always there at the back of your stomach, causing you to eat less, run around more and have this feeling that no matter how much time and effort is put into trying to get everything done exactly how you want it to, no single thing is ever as good/perfect as one would hope. This also is the time of year when we do music fundraisers. How I wish I would never have to be involved with one again!

Some positives in the midst of the madness are that I just found out that my college friend Jon Ornee's band is coming to Mentor, OH this weekend! I was sitting at lunch in the teacher's lounge today and saw a flyer laying on the table about AgSilver. I was so happy and I told the other teachers that I knew them and most of the band members went to college with me. What a small world! After further investigation, I found out one of the teachers in my prayer group is hosting many of the band members at her house. Kyle and I are excited to see them HERE this weekend!

Other positives are that the twinge of stress in my life always makes my jeans fit a little looser this time of year. Kyle commented last week, "You look really skinny. That always happens when you have a recital or a big paper due." Haha. Oh grad school...how I need to get away from thee. After this semester, I am half finished. My hope is to be done by the fall of 2010. I hope that becomes a reality.

Last night it started to snow here. I didn't think much of it when I drove to work this morning without my scraper or mini shovel. Poor choice. I spent about 6 minutes wiping the snow off my car with my thinly gloved hand as the kids drove by on their buses and waved (and probably laughed at me). All the while, my car was VERY low on gas and I was concerned the defroster would run out my gas and I wouldn't make it to fill up at Sam's Club. I'm sure you will be happy to know that I made it (with gas at $1.89) and that we are currently under a lake effect snow warning. I don't like snow...it tends to complicate my life. Moral of the story = PUT A SCRAPER IN YOUR CAR NOW!

The verse that keeps me going through the craziness: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)

I hope this gave you a good laugh, a story to relate to and a word of encouragement. Have a blessed day!

Happy 25th, Kyle!

I love you so much and I feel so blessed to share this adventure of life with you! Happy birthday and many many more!

Happy birthday, Dad!

We are so thankful to have you as our Dad! We love you so much and hope that this birthday is one of the best yet!

Riley and Amber

I love this picture! Its just plain perfect and it makes me so happy. We love you, Amber!

Pictures from our summer vacation to the Smokies

Yes, this summer was incredibly busy with more grad school and travels. I thought the fall wouldn't be as bad but the amount of mayhem at the start of the school year and the rush towards an onslaught of holiday concerts always takes me by storm. Nevertheless, I wanted to share with you some of our pictures from the August trip we took to Smoky Mountain National Park.

On our way to the Smokies, we met my parents for lunch in Berea, Kentucky, one of Kyle's home towns and where my mom went to college. We ate in a restaurant/hotel that is owned by Berea College called Boone Tavern. The food was delicious and I enjoyed trying the famous spoon bread that I had heard about all my life. We then took a walk through the college campus and my mom pointed out some of the places that meant a lot to her when she was there. On our campus tour, we were able to get into the chapel where my parents got married and Kyle got a few pictures before the security guards asked what were we up to. It was great to see them even if it was only for a little while.

As always, vacations with any member of the Cox family always involve some sort of adventure. On our way into the park, I stopped and asked a young teenage girl to take the traditional picture by the sign. Immediately after that, Kyle found a 4 inch long millipede. Gross!


After hearing about the fun Ryan and Amber had a few years ago on their trip to the Smokies (which was so weird because we stayed in the EXACT same cabin), we decided this sounded like a fun trip for us to try. I had been to the park a few years ago with my parents and my aunt but this was Kyle's first time. Ryan and Amber inspired us to try to take on a LOT of hiking trails.
One was a loop trail which I thought would be fun because we wouldn't have to retrace our steps. However, to both of our surprise, it was a huge loop straight up and straight down a big mountain.
My legs were so on fire and even though this memory is a little old, I still laugh about the fact that the only people we passed on this trail were an middle aged couple who look us straight in the eye and said, "You've got a long way to go still." What words of encouragement, right? Just when you think you've gasped long enough and were close to the top of the mountain, there was still a long way to go. That trail was intense and took us about 5 hours.

We decided to take it easy the next day and hikes smaller trails only one or two miles long. It was really lucky that Kyle and I decided to take that loop trail instead of the Rainbow Falls trail we were going to take because that very day, a 8-year-old boy was attacked on the trail head by a bear. After watching that on the news, Kyle decided we should take it more easy at the end of the trip.

Overall, it was a great vacation and has obviously left vivid memories with me. If you visit the park, stay in one of the many cabin rentals. They are so cute, have a great view of the mountains, most have hot tubs, and they really make us feel like we really got away from the craziness of everyday life. Hope this vacation recap made you smile, want to visit the Smokies (it would be REALLY fun to go in the fall), and remind you of the warmer days of summer.