December in reverse order

Tradition

Let me start by saying Thank You to the six wonderful people (5 maybe?) who helped in my blog's very first poll! I'll be honest with you, it's a little more than I expected. And I will confess, I did vote in my own poll. I started making my Christmas cards before the poll was over, but, as suggested, seeing the trends in voting (can you say "trends in voting" with less than 10 respondents? Is there a maximum number you have to hit before you can even dare to use such a word?) did help me decide on what kind of templates to create for this festive holiday. I'm a decent way through my project but still have a lot left. My mom requested that I make 10 cards for her to send out to her friends so that took some time. And YES! you heard right! I am officially in production. Refer to my last post's title to fill in the blank here _______________.

So now Thanksgiving is behind us and Christmas is on the way. My husband and I drove to Houston to be with his parents for Thanksgiving this year. It was my first one away from home, and I must say it was a little sad! Thankfully we were able to Skype with my family back home for a little while and see their smiling blurry faces. Loved it. I knew once I got married that holidays would be different - traveling between two families in two far away places (from each other). It's time to start our own traditions as a little family. I can't help but find myself wanting to incorporate ALL of my families traditions with me and Chris. For example: decorating the Christmas tree. If I were home with my sisters and brother-in-law, we would be decorating the Christmas tree the night after Thanksgiving while having egg-nog, Keebler's almond crescent cookies, and most definitely the Christmas tunes. Since we're out of town for a few days, I'm hoping we'll be able to put our tree up on Sunday evening. But I most definitely plan on having those delicious little cookies and the nog. (Sorry Chris, some traditions might take awhile to wear out).

What holiday traditions are you looking forward to? And be honest... how many of you ran out on Black Friday? We went out at noon and found one item we wanted at Kohls. Then we got to the checkout line, decided we would not wait that long, even for $7.99 men's lounge pants, and walked out the doors. As frustrating as those big crowds can be, I'll have to admit, I kind of like it.

And for your absolute enjoyment, my additional plug for those cookies! Trust me, you'll love them:

Now Taking Orders

I have always considered myself a pretty crafty person. I like to use my creative juices to fashion pieces of artwork either on paper with sharpies (when we get our printer working I'll have a visual for this) or using paper for scrap-booking. It's fun, relaxing and I really enjoy it! Recently, I started making cards. You've heard of 'em: given on special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, just because. I've done it in the past but sporadically. I think moving to Dallas and having some down time has been the major contributor to my production increase. I decided to make all of our Christmas cards this year, too. Stay on my good side, continue reading here and you might get one yourself. I've already started and must say it's been a little more frustrating than I expected. Maybe because I'm making more than I've ever made for one purpose? I'm a bit of a perfectionist, too. Makes things like this difficult. Yes it does.

So on my last card-making venture, I did Autumn-themed cards. If you know me at all, you know my love for all things Fall run deep. I attached them below for your viewing enjoyment. They were SO fun to make! If it wasn't for actually wanting to send them to the girls I sent them too, I was going to keep them, buy matching frames, display them, and get them out again next year. Maybe I'll do that at a later date.I want to take a poll. If you will, vote for which card is your favorite. They will be numbered 1-6 in the order they appear here. It will help me create the best looks for my Christmas cards. Will you help me? Look for the poll on the right side of the page. I'll keep it open for a week and announce the winner! If you don't see it, it's because I couldn't figure out how to do it. Bummer.

Meat 'n Potatoes

It was this side of one week ago that Chris and I were sitting on this very couch eating a cheese and roast beef sandwich. Mmmmmm. What's that you say? One week ago today we were a day into our fruit (and veggie) only diet? Oh yeah, about that. . . I have a confession to make.

If I did not know it before, I know it now: I am strongly, wholeheartedly, a meat 'n potatoes kinda gal. So is my husband. Before going on the fruit diet, I read up on it a little bit and a one article said not a lot of people don't make it through the first few days because the hunger and withdrawal from sugar and salt is so strong. I thought, it's just 3 days, it can't be that hard. Besides, I love me some fruit. Well sirs and ma'am s, I am here to tell you that it is pretty tough! My stomach was grumbling most of the day, I had a funny taste in my mouth that wouldn't go away, and had a decent headache for my waking hours. I am by no means saying that fruits and veggies are the big EVIL and we should steer clear of them. We had a nearly tasty dinner of roasted vegetables (I'm not sure if that was cheating or not but surely our acts in the following hour were against the diet rules.) and it was soon after that we decided this diet was not for us. I think we were both waiting for the other one to say "I give up" so the other could follow suit. Since we had no meat in the apartment we hopped in the car and drove to the grocery store where we eagerly purchased a loaf of bread and market-fresh roast beef, sliced as thin as you can go. Diet done. Fifteen minutes later, I had never tasted anything so good.

So my lesson that I already knew but now, really know is that fruit and vegetables are a very important part of your diet and should be integrated heartily. They were integrated heartily into our diets for the rest of the week because my fridge was packed with fresh produce, I was just deciding to have it with a little meat.

I'm still trying to finish the strawberries, but those I could pop like m&m's.

An apple for the teacher?

Its breezy outside today, more like windy I suppose and I am absolutely loving the sound of it through my open balcony door. Now, if it were just about 10 degrees cooler, even 5, it would be a fantastically Fall day. In case you haven't noticed, I have an affinity for the season. Christmas carols are even starting to pop in my head, but can I really help it with all the Christmas-decor springing up? Admitingly, even if there wasn't such decor I would still be singing tracks off of The Rat Pack's Christmas Album in my head.
I have found it very hard to concentrate on job-searching today because of it all.. the Fall like weather that is. I'm pretty good about spending several hours of my day online and focusing on follow-ups and hunting for my next gig but today all I really want to do is listen to the leaves rustling (while drowning out the occasionally loud birds, planes, and car horns) and read a good book.
Any suggestions for a good book by the way? I'm thinking maybe a classic, or a really good mystery (not too scary of course). I miss the Library.

Tomorrow is going to mark Day 1 of a 3 day diet experiment for Chris and I. Not so much for the purpose of losing with fast (although I do need to cut back on my baking. Waist lines can only hold for so many chocolate-chip cookies before expanding another inch.). We have been reading and hearing a lot about fruit diets lately and the huge benefit they're suppose to have. It's supposed to detoxify your body and kid of reset your system I guess. I've read its arguments, though, that since you have a liver and kidneys, your body doesn't really need to detoxify in this way. None-the-less, it's something we're going to try. If anything well just eat really healthy for 3 days and maybe that'll make us (okay, not us... just me) not want to have that popcorn when we go to a movie. I went to Sprouts today and got some fresh fruit and veggies. I expect to feel pretty hungry throughout the day tomorrow but I will stay strong and ignore all the starch and treats in my pantry!

Ask me how we did on Friday.
Also, I think I'm going to start my certification process to become a teacher. This time next year I could be in a classroom of youngsters
. . . . But that's for another post.

Coffee Coffe Coffee

I like me some coffee.
My relationship with coffee has been a dynamic one over the years. In college, I loved it. I loved it sweetened. I loved it cold. I loved it hot. I loved it as a Reese's frappe. (I really miss my college coffee shop!) I can almost smell that frappe. But by the time I graduated and spent some time away from "free" coffee I felt that swiping a plastic card that had my money connected to it was just not the same as swiping my student I.D. We were on a break. I'd have the occasional small cup at home (usually with some French Vanilla creamer. Would you like some coffee with that creamer?)

Then a funny thing happened. I got engaged, and a few days before the wedding, my lovely aunt and cousins from Holland flew in. The girls stayed at my sister's house with us and on several of the mornings we asked them if they wanted coffee. Being the hip foreign girls they are they said yes and I asked them what they wanted in it. They said, "black is fine". Wow! Gutsy. Or normal I suppose. So, I decided to try it a few times over the following weeks and surprisingly, I kind of liked it! Okay, so I had it with a little sugar. I remember an especially good cup when we came back from our Honeymoon and were opening gifts on our living room floor.

So for the past couple of months I have had a hankering for coffee fairly regularly - more often in the past few weeks. Last week my heart said yes to coffee but my tummy said please stop!I listened to that until the next morning. Chris wanted some before work so I had to support him in his decision. Now I'm exploring the flavors I like post-college. I have found that I really like Starbucks' Cafe Mocha with soy. Ever since I found out I have a bit of an aversion to dairy, I try to be better about having coffee with soy. It's pretty tasty.

Right now, I am waiting for my freshly brewed coffee to get cold in the fridge so I can attempt to make a frappe. I'll let you know how it goes. Here's hoping!

movies, potholders, and wedding bells

We have clearly established my love for Fall. Or, maybe we haven't and my just stating it is clearly establishing it. This Autumn seems like a brand new adventure since I've never lived this season in this particular city. Although it's still an average of 82 degrees outside, there is a fresh, crisp feeling in the air that is delightful when paired with a steamy cup of coffee. Usually, I prefer my coffee a little less than steamy. I'm not a fan of the 24-hour stay when I burn the tip of my tongue. Chris and I went out on our Autumn-Saturday last weekend and just ventured around. It was fun and proved productive at the same time. He took me to a Christian book store he frequents on his lunch breaks just to show me around. It was large and in charge with much more than books - pastors. Every man in the place looked like a pastor. But that's besides the point. On our way out I saw these:
They came as a set and I loved them as my very own right away. Chris laughed at me and said "honey" (you know the one, with a sigh but a little laugh because he secretly loves your materialism..). We walked away and I noticed he lingered. I smiled my sneaky smile and he said, we'll get 'em. It was like Christmas early. They're just so darn cute!

Fast-forward to this week. I thought mosquito season was over, but clearly it is not. Chris is the groomsmen for his friend Bryan's wedding (which is this evening) so we had the rehearsal on Thursday night. I sat and waited in the chilly air and while I did, the mosquitoes decided to have round 2 on my legs. Round 1 was 3 weeks ago while a bunch of us played softball. Mosquito-bite count was 18 red ones. Needless to say, I was up half the night last night itching and applying anti-itch gel. Tonight I think they're going to spray the area before the wedding. Phew. I might still bring my own though. Regardless of whatever irritating insects might be there, Bryan and Tara will have a simply beautiful wedding at the winery... full of twinkle-lights and of course, the wine.

I also have to make a quick plug for the movie, Life As We Know It
We went to see it last night, and although critics said to "Skip It" I say See It! I've always liked Katherine Hiegl movies, and this was no different. Bring plenty of tissues and choose good seats (away from noisey families). I'm a sucker for a good romantic comedy and this is at the top of the list and hopefully will be in our DVD collection. The movie portrays a difficult life circumstance and shows real emotion, I appreciate that. Maybe the basic emotional/relationship story line is typical but I don't care. Grab the girls and go see it, you won't be disappointed. If you've seen it and disagree with me, I respect your opinions but also think you're nuts.

Apple Pie... So Heavy

I'm back. Consider the absence due to wedding planning, the actual wedding, and then moving to Dallas. I guess that's the past 10 months summed up in a sentence! Heavy stuff, I know. Delightful stuff. We are paving a new way for ourselves, watching and wondering where life is taking us in this big Texas town... or a small Texas town if we move to the burbs.

When we got to Dallas I was pretty torn. I had acknowledged, even reminded ourselves, that God was moving us here and I was 100% behind that. But I still slammed the door pretty hard when we got to our apartment for the first time... our second floor, vaulted ceiling, separate closets apartment. Sounds wonderful? When we finally got our furniture it started turning into that. Now I've probably exaggerated it and if I post pictures of the place I'll leave you with several question marks. But I am getting used to the area and have ventured to most of the grocery stores within the vicinity. I think that is what is getting me adjusted to being here oddly enough. Knowing where my food is at.
That is something I have thoroughly enjoyed about marriage: the opportunity to cook. I've discovered I love it. Sauteing, sprinkling, rubbing, baking, they all keep me quite happy. Although, I look forward to the day when I have more counter space - maybe an island. Until then I am quite content moving some things around to toss flour in the air and slap some chicken (not quite like on Modern Family). Chris might have to corral me soon if our grocery bill takes flight, but for now, the occasional lemon, sweet potato and chili powder are alright. Don't be confused, those are not all in one recipe... or are they?
Yesterday, I made my mom's Appletart. A Dutch apple pie. Several good childhood memories are centered around this pie and it's delicious dough. So I decided I needed to bake it, and what other time to do it then the ushering in off Fall? So, I got to work:

And the finished product, messy as it looks: drum roll please
Oh yes... it all it's tasty glory there it sits. We had a little piece after dinner. But that's a different story. For dinner, I fastened my apron once again and decided to make shrimp scampi with angel hair pasta. I had it for dinner when Chris and I went out a while ago and it was so good I wanted to recreate it. Here are the little guys, waiting to be tossed into the lemon butter sauce:

Sizzle, sizzle, sizzleIn the end it tasted pretty good. However, Chris' first reaction was, "It's bland." After I reprimanded him for the comment (in good taste of course) We added some garlic salt and parm and that spruced it up nicely. There were even some leftovers.

This recipe will go in the books, we liked it. Paired with some wine (blush for me) it was nice. Too bad my stomach didn't appreciate all the butter, garlic, and pie. If you ever repeat my evening... put more hours between the two.

Maybe days.

New Decade, New Decisions

It's hard to believe it's 2010 already! As with the past several years, 2009 seemed to fly by, I kind of miss it. I really wish I would've kept up with posting for the past several months because a lot went on I could have posted about. The biggest thing:

I'M ENGAGED! Chris proposed on September 26th, and it was perfect. He actually was sick with mono when he proposed! It wasn't exactly according to his plan but it turned out lovely. We've been engaged for a little over 3 months and have only 4 months (ish) to go. Our wedding is in May, and quickly approaching. I think it's hit me a little more that I'm getting married in the past few days, since we've moved into 2010. It sounds silly but in the past 3 months I kept thinking, "I'm not getting married til next year, it's still so far away." Well, really it's not! There's still so much to do and I can definitely understand why people elope. I never would, but I understand why they do, it's a lot of work!

So now, I'm spending a lot of my free time (the small amount it is) to get wedding details in line. We're taking the DIY route for our wedding. I've been searching blogs and websites high and low to find simple and affordable ways to make a big impact on your wedding day. Having a vision for the day has been the easy part really, finding ways to make all my ideas fit into the vision is the tricky part. I just have to keep in mind that at the end of the day I'll be married to my best friend, the love-of-my-life and that is the blessing I'll be smiling about on that Saturday! It's very easy to be worried about what others will think of my wedding, whether or not they'll like the food, appreciate the decor, or have fun at the reception. In response to this Chris showed me something he had written down that a pastor said in a sermon once. He basically said we would stop worrying so much about what other people thought if we realized, that in reality it's not us they're thinking about, but themselves.

Refreshed.

Bartender: 3-day weekends for everyoone, on me

I've never been to a bar and ordered shots for everyone and said "On me!" Actually, I don't plan to do such a thing, but if they had a forum where you could request 3-day weekends for everyone, always....I would do it! (What the on-me part would, I have no idea.) I want to hug Labor, I want to send Labor Day a card and say, "Thank you! Thank you for contributing to the well-being of working adults all over the country."
I would sign it:
xoxoxo
Sarah

It amazes me what one extra day in a weekend can do for your morale! On a regular weeknight you have this lingering feeling in your stomach that you can't quite relax yet. Sure, you're done for the day but you don't give in too easily to the beckoning "R&R" because you know there are 2, 3, 4 more days left to your week. Then hello Friday (night)! Remember TGIF? That knot in your stomach goes away and you sigh a big one: Welcome Weekend, Welcome. Well, I introduce to you the extended version of the SABO (sigh a big one): the 3 day weekend. You're liberated! Not 2 days, but 3 days of leisure (even though we know at least one of those days will be filled with errands). Unfortunately, on my first SABO of the season I was sick and am still kicking it, but boy was it a relaxing weekend!

Anyone want to start a petition to whoever "they" is to get 3-day weekends??

P.S. About that Jane Austen read-through, I'm still thinking about it. But my sister has several of the Shopaholic books. They seem fun.

Project Proposal

Hello my faithful (and unfaithful) readers! (We'll get to you unfaithful ones later.)
My sister Tabitha, Laura, and I went to see Julie & Julia on Saturday staring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams. I must say... I quite enjoyed the flick! Before seeing the movie I read an interview with the lead actors and Norah Ephron (director, writer) that gave a little inside look to the film. This article was not a spoiler, rather just putting a magnifying glass above the plot, so to speak. I won't say toooo much about it for those of you who have not seen it yet. I liked how both stories (of Julie Powell and Julia Child) showed their lives as married women. They say this in the article, but so many movies are about falling-in-love, or failed marriages, divorce, etc. It was nice to watch a movie about happily married couples with regular problems, working through them.

So, obviously the premise of the movie (based on a true story) is how Julie decides to blog her way through Julia Child's cookbook. This got me thinking: Should I blog my way through Julia Child's cookbook!? That was followed by a hearty NO! Who do I think I am!? Did I have a dose of crazy this morning? Okay, so my reaction wasn't really that strong, but let's face it...it was more entertaining for you to read right? But I did think, maybe I should blog about something in particular? Maybe have a purpose to this little thing I infrequently post on? The one thought I had was to read through Jane Austen's classics and blog about it as I read it...every few chapters maybe? Again, not as a spoiler for those books...just something to do.
I probably wouldn't start this until Autumn. There's something about Jane Austen and books like hers; for me they're just meant to be read in cool/cold weather with some hot cidar or cocoa.

Does anybody have any ideas? Anyone there? I think this could be fun! Sure, it's by no means an original idea and a lot of people have blogs about specific things (decorating, cooking, photography, etc.). This would just be something for me I guess (and I suppose my faithful or unfaithful readers.)

Oh Dearest...

I have been wanting Chick-fil-a lately. That blessed chicken cuisine has been calling my name for weeks! I simply have to give in to this craving...and soon. I need my fil-a!

But, this post really has nothing to do with that. It was just on my mind. (Oh sweet, sweet chicken.) I'm in the middle of watching Pride and Prejudice right now. This is arguably the best movie of all time. I praise Jane Austen's accomplishments! Oh, and let me clear something up right now: The 90 minute "recap" of Pride and Prejudice starring Keira Knightly a few years ago is not the flick I am speaking of. I am talking about the brilliant production done by A&E...the no holds barred (is this phrased correctly? I couldn't really remember), spare-no-detail account of this story. It is almost 6 hours long and absolutely wonderful. I started watching it while I was in bed last night but of course fell asleep (this is doomed to happen when you start such a long movie in the late night hours). So, I'm redeeming myself now with a Saturday afternoon viewing.

Sometimes I wish I lived back in those days..among society's elite in 19th century England. It seemed like, for the most part, they had their heads on a little more straigt in regards to priorities. Also, I love how they dressed and talked. People don't say things like "Oh Dearest..." anymore (actually meaning it). I wish we would...it's lovely (also an underused word). Tabitha, Rachel, and I used to watch P&P on a regular basis..staying up late at night and making an evening of it. It was so much fun! It reminds me of autumn, the fall.

Oh the fall. I'm so ready for the leaves to turn red and orange and beautiful colors! I'm ready for fall clothes, hot cider and cocoa, pumpkin carving, scarves, etc. I just love it! But...that's a whole other post on it's own.

And oh...happy August!

i shall pay a tribute

On this cloudy yet pleasant day I think it is more than appropriate to say HAPPY 4TH OF JULY or HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY! Even though our country has it's problems, I am still so thankful to be living here, blessed in the ways that I am, we are. It's funny, it seems like for the other 364 days a year, we feel okay to "dog" America, ridicule it's leadership and comment on what we may not know much about (that part is me), but on this 1 day we remember that we have pride in our country and we really are Proud to be an American (and on goes the song). My favorite part of this colorful holiday is of course, the Fireworks. This 4th of July, I am happy to be seeing those sparkles in the sky with my main squeeze, the man I love, the man God has ridiculously blessed me to be with: Chris.



Yesterday we celebrated our 6-month aniversary from when we started dating. However, we've known each other for about 9 months. Either way.. it seems longer! God brought him a long quite unexpectedly (which is funny considering the way we met.. but really, I didn't think that was how I would meet the man I'm gong to spend my life with). I don't think I tell him enough how much he means to me and how much I appreciate all the things about him, everything he does for me. My love language is words of affirmation (just words in general I suppose). I guess I always assumed that's how I'd show love also. However, we figured out yesterday that he is really the one who is very good with the words and giving those out. I show love by acts of service and the occasional gift. I tell him how I feel but he is much better at it than I am. God knew what he was doing when he made this guy for me! I wish I could better put into words how special he is to me. He makes me laugh, so much, and sometimes the things aren't even that funny... it's just how he says them. He can get me out of a bad mood by making me laugh or smile quicker than anyone. I admire his genuine love for the Lord and his eagerness to learn and to serve. I have so much to learn from him...I am constantly challenged! Trust me..this list goes on and on but I don't want to put too much mushiness out there in the blog-o-sphere (even though as a couple, we are very much romantics). So..to celebrate 6 months together (and has it been a crazy, whirlwind, terrific 6 months), we decided to recreate parts of our first date. We ate lunch at Houlihans at Hamilton Town Center, then went to see Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (quite good!). He even leaned over and asked to hold my hand during it (just like our first date). Since we got a late start and spend a lot of time driving, we spent the last 6 hours of our day at the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA) and saw The Goonies on the terrace. (IMA has this program called Summer Nights on Friday nights during the summer where they show movies on the terrace...so fun!). Tabitha and Rusty joined us for that activity and we had a lot of fun! What a great way to end our 6 month-aversary!



Chris... thank you for sweeping me off my feet and keeping your promise to not let them touch down.

commitment issues

For all intent and purposes, the title of this post really only has to do with this first mini-paragraph. My name is Sarah and I (think) I have commitment issues.... to this blog. I think that's pretty bad; it's like having a commitment issue to myself. My intentions to post are good, the time I allow myself to do so are a different story. (For those of you wondering why I keep posting about not posting and are instead thinking why doesn't she she post? Well..that's a good question and the very one that might get me out of my slump! That, and the hope that my computer will be fixed and signing on will be exciting once more rather than a 30-minute process.)
....................
We've started a new Sunday School class at church called "Living your Life as a Beautiful Offering." It's geared towards women specifically and is taught by Angela Thomas as a DVD series. Today was week 2 but already I'm falling in love with the message (based off of the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5). I guess the point of it all though is to fall back in love with my Saviour. Or grow in love really. I hate to admit it, but I've been in a slump. A slump of desperately wanting to spend time with the Lord and feeling Him call me to do so, but choosing to do other things instead. What's really difficult is that when I'm with other believers, I'm excited and passionate about the Word and wanting to talk about Christ! Then, when it's time to live it and do it on my own.... I'm dragging my feet. Why this dichotomy? If I know I'm in it can't I just pull myself out of it? It sounds so simple but has been anything but.

Today's "lesson" (I don't like to call it a lesson because that makes it sound less than what it is really, but for lack of a better word...) was pulled from Matthew 5: 6 which reads, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled." Fantastic! This is great news! But what do I do if I'm not hungering and thirsting for righteousness, for the Lord, but achingly want to be? This is the very question that was posed in the series. To my relief an answer was provided. I'm usually not one for "steps" and what she offered weren't so much steps as they were points of guidance, applicable and real. The one which resonated with me the most was that if we're at that point, we just need to "drag ourselves into (Christ's) presence anyways." Wow! This week I can actually pin-point instances when I tried to distract myself from the Lord's obvious tug on my heart! My excuse: It's late, I'm tired, I really just need to sleep. Proverbs 13:4 says, "The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully blessed. " I'm incredibly humbled as I write this. As often as I hope more than 4 people read my blog, I'm secretly hoping I have an empty following, because then not as many people would read what has actually been going on in my heart recently. But faith isn't to be hidden. I need mine to come out from hiding. God doesn't call me to a lukewarm relationship with him. He has so much more for me, I can't be satisfied with a simple taste.

"....Prone to wander Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love.
Here's my heart Lord take and seal it, seal it for Thy courts above"

too tired

I do realize that on that last post there were several errors with font, coloring, alignment, etc. Grrr... I say! Grr... I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to things like that but after trying 10 times to correct it at 10:00pm I think I'll just have to let this one go. Here's to good decisions!

salute to may

First of all, I think it's necessary and important to recorgnize this day for what it is: Memorial Day. Twe salute or heros, sung and unsung, who fought long and hard to grant us the freedom's we enjoy today...being able to say so on this blog probably being one of them! The glory first and foremost goes to the Lord of course, but we recognize those men and women as well whom He chose to use. My pastor made an intersting point this Sunday in saying that Memorial Day has seemed to go to the wayside since it became a 3-day weekend. Because now that's what it is. To be honest, I looked forward to this weekend not because Monday, today, was Memorial Day, but because it meant a 3-day weekend, and a 4-day work week to follow (I had other things to look forward to as well but will mention that later). Mostly, the day is still recognized for what it is I think, but it's starting to be clouded with hoorah's for pool openings, black and white desserts for Race Weekend and some good 'ol R&R. In an age of fast pace, "have it your way," immediate gratifications, it would serve us well to remember why we made certain holidays a holiday in the first place. I just regret I didn't dwell on this more throughout the day. Note to self. ......

Well this was quite a week! It seems like it was actually the length of 3 weeks where in reality, it was the regular 168 hours long (I suppose a little more because I'm counting in today as part of last week...since it was part of the weekend 'n all). I've waved goodbye to some old and new television favorites for the season and welcomed with open arms the new season of So You Think You Can Dance this past week! As anxious as I am to see how J.J. Abrams & friends are going to wrap up the final season of LOST, I am very happy for 20 new dancers to enter my life for a few short months! I've missed Mary Murphy's crazy screams and Hot Tamele Trains! (I am pretty sure I had a typo in there but am too lazy to check it right now). As much as I love this show it makes me frustrated because I was never able to pursue dancing. I had a taste of it in high school and absolutely loved it. In a different life, I would have been involved in dance I think. The only thing keeping me from getting up in front of my t.v. and doing the choreographed dancers along with the contestants is that I would probably drive my sister crazy for the interuption and I'm sure I would not have the energy after a day full of 4 and 5 year olds.

Speaking of 4 and 5 year olds...I had 25 of them graduate from Pre-K 2 this Wednesday! I have only been in the classroom with them a few short months but it only took a few weeks to absolutely love the silly bunch! Even though graduation was Wednesday, they are still in school through the end of this week until the summer program starts. Many of them I'll see throughout the summer, and some as they stay in our building in the fall, but I'm sad to see some go as well! I have learned so much through being in this classroom! I never knew how much you could learn about the Lord through the eyes of children...most of whom I'm not sure know the name of Jesus. In their own ways, I think they are still praising and bringing glory to Him. Absolutely beautiful.

I can't end this post without sharing the other highlight of my week/weekend. I met Chris' parents! Most of my friends have not even met Chris yet...that's a different topic...but if I haven't said it enough, this man of mine is absolutely incredible. I thought that when I first met him and tried to convince myself that was just first impression maybe and it might wear off a tiny bit. But nope! God continues to bless me through him daily and I can't help but praise Him for it! I'm blessed enough to love and be loved by someone amazing. And this weekend I got to see where he gets some of that! It was a pleasure to meet his parents weekend...as nervous as I was about it. I was excited, but lets face it...meeting the parents will always have a tiny bit of nerves at least to go along with it. We all had dinner Friday night and slipped into conversation and laughing quite easily. I had the chance to have breakfast one-on-one with his Mom Saturday morning and that proved to be a real blessing. I could tell she genuinelly wanted to get to know me and that was nice. She had a lot of wisdom to share as well...thank you Cindy :) We spent more time, the 4 of us, on Saturday evening then wrapped up by going to Cincinnati today for a Reds game...my first Major League game! This family loves baseball and I'm excited to be getting into it more as well. Unfortunately, heavy rain hit in the 4th inning and we decided to go home. But it was still a lot of fun! We sat in the rain with our poncho's and umbrellas for a while before everyone fled to take cover from the down-pour. before the rain we did manage to get some good pictures! Thanks to his parents, Chris and I finally have some pictures of the 2 of us :)

Below I'm posting some pictures of today. Enjoy and see you soon!

Before the game started, on one of the upper decks

These were our seats! They were right behind home plate!

This was shortly before it started raining. I'm glad we got it in!

These $2 Ponchos were a life-saver! Too bad they couldn't cover
the whole park from the rain.

i have a blog and her name is beautiful

I decided it was time for a change. I'm reviving my life as a blogger and as such decided it was time for a template face-lift. I must say I'm happy with how it looks! Of course, I can not take the credit for it's design, only for what fills it's space (which, let's face it, is way more important : ) I am hoping that having a blog that I will actually enjoy looking at, I'll be even the slightest bit more inclined to post on it from time to time; maybe even more than twice a year! But I'll keep my expectations low to start with. I don't want to overwhelm myself early one. My goal: once a week. I will be impressed if I remember to do it this often and will be delighted if I advance to multiple postings in a week. I think I have some wonderful "blogettes" to live up to however, my sister and Amber being only two of them. I'm looking forward to this new commitment to the blog world and hope to see many more of you there with me.

Speaking of commitments, I need to read a new book this month. Chris has insisted upon Black by Ted Dekker. Once I'm done with this series, any suggestions? I am wide open, ready for your suggestions... you could say I'm an open book! Ha....oh dear, I think it's time for bed.

Nearly 6 months later...

I am back! For any of you who have stuck with me through my 6 month hiatus from the blog world...my hats of to you! That is committment! I really have no excuse for not blogging. I've just been filling my time with lots of things (one of them not blogging I guess). I really should get back here though, now that I remembered my user name and password!

So, my sister, Tabitha, has started this tag. Instead of doing "Your Top 3..." and things of the like to get to know each other, she has suggested to really get to know one another we look at our guilty pleasures. So friends...I would ask you, what is your guilty pleasure? I have to say that I have 3. Celebrity Gossip is the first...and I'm not too embarrassed to admit that; every now and then I just have to flip through that magazine in the checkout aisle or read the omg feature that all the celebrity links go to. I will also say I like High School Musical with all it's cheese! And I have been known to watch Disney Chanel shows now and then.

So this entry was just an appearance I suppose with real posts to follow. You have to start back slowly with these things ya know! Also, The Office is starting and that takes Priority (yes, capital P) at 9:00 on Thursday nights.

the most wonderful time of the year

Winter is quickly ushering its way into our lives! We just had our first snowfall! Now, I know it only lasted about 10 or 15 minutes with itty bitty snowflakes but I loved every second of it. Good things can happen this time of the year. Everybody is just a little bit different and I love it. I'm a huge romantic so forgive how this statement reeks of romantic energy but... snow makes everything more magical. I heard that somewhere once and I think I agree with it. And I don't think there's anything wrong with thinking so. I prefer to be optimistic and hope for the best, whether that always happens or not is another story.

I need to remind myself to keep that hope and optimism. The past month has been a bit of a struggle with trying to find a new job since I left my old one. Some say I should have found a new one before I left the old, but that's just not how it happened and I think that was for the best. God has used this time that I haven't been working for a lot of good things and I'm so grateful for that! I've been able to spend more time with my older sister and strengthen our relationship as well as be around my baby niece! I love her so much and it's been so exciting watching her grow up! More importantly though, God has taken full advantage of this time to grow me more and more in Him. Afterall, He knew ahead of time this time was coming for me and dare I say He planned it this way?? I think I do! I can honestly say that I'm not the same person I was when I graduated college or even started my first job out of school. The Lord has taught me so much about Himself, and myself, since then. It's been a lot to swallow, but absolutely wonderful. I've always had a hard time understanding His love for me and that it's something that will never go away. I don't feel good enough. Well, that's probably because I'm not good enough, but that's the point. I haven't been able to get around that fact and it has held me back for far to long. Enough is enough. God's love for me has nothing to do with me, other than the amazing truth that He has chosen me to be the undeserving object of that grace-abounding love. I think I'm starting to understand this (as much as possible anyways) and just accept it rather than fight it. And to be honest, just accepting this has freed me up a lot! I am so happy right now and I haven't been able to say that in a really long time. I am content with where I am! Yes, I look forward to things to come (job, new apartment, etc.) but I'm overjoyed at what He's doing in my life right now. He has brought new people in my life whom have challenged me in the deepest parts of my faith and that has been so refreshing. God has brought me those people in the strangest of ways, but I'm learning more and more that, that is often how He operates. Thank you Lord for your unexpected blessings!

So, even though I can't find a job and the finances will run dry eventually, I must remember to keep my eyes on the Lord and look heavenward. It's the most wonderful time of the year right now and I'm happy! I'm not going to let the aforementioned things distract me from where God has so graciously placed me.

Bring on the snow!

Oh Autumn..where are you?

Inside I'm chilly and crisp and perfectly content sitting with my Pumpkin Spice drink listening to jazz and soothing music before it was tainted with vulgar beats and lyrics. But outside it is warm. Yes, it is October but it is over 70 degrees outside. Oh autumn, where are you? Sometimes I think if I do everything that is supposed to be done in the fall, the weather will inevitably follow. Ah, such a naiive thought right? Fall is my favorite time of year! The leaves are changing color and it is absolutely beautiful. People have pumpkins and broomsticks on their front porch. There are signs out for haunted houses and "Trails of Terror." Come on Mother Nature, what are you waiting for?

Only God could make such beauty out of death. The earth is more-or-less dying in this season but for some reason I feel so rejuvenated. I love the crisp fall days complete with apple cider and earth tone scarves. It's a family tradition to attend the Covered Bridge Festival every third weekend in October. However, this year we have baby Ella in the house so Tabitha and Rusty won't be going. Rachel will be out of town as well so my usually CBF buddies will not be in attendance. So I'm thinking I won't go. We'll definitely miss the warm sweet biscuits and apple butter but supposedly there is a place in Indy we can get them! Anyways, the Festival is a measure of Fall for me. It says, "I'm here! Fall has officially started ladies in gentlemen; pull on your jackets!" I'll have to find a new way to get that message this year. Maybe it will come when the weather finally stays in the 50's rather than jumping back and forth between fall and the dead heat of summer.

Have any of you been to Brown County, Indiana? If not...please go. Now! This fall! It is the most beautiful part of Indiana and I dare say one of the most beautiful places in the Midwest. I'm planning a weekend there with a friend sometimes in November. However, I am in need of a quaint, splendid and affordable B&B or lodge of sorts for our weekend there. Any tips? Send them my way if you have any.

I'm off to search....