Things I Love Right Now

• pockets (sadly, 99% of what I wear doesn't have pockets.  However, I have a pair of pants that are thicker and, therefore, worn more during the colder months that has pockets.  Needless to say, I've been delighted to wear them in the recent days.)

• apple cider (I just had my first of the season.  Always a great fall staple!)
  
• updates from old friends (just heard from a friend from long ago in California)

• dance parties with my family (in the kitchen, in the car, at Charissa's reception... There has been a lot of family dancing lately.  It's so fun!)

• the phrase "It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful." (I am holding on tight to this one from The Nester as I update our home.)

• updating my Linked In profile (never thought I'd have any interest in this, and it wasn't my plan to even have a Linked In profile, but with my new job, comes lots of new things, and I've realized it is a good thing to boost my online professional appearance.)

• hearing Catherine sing (Lately she's always asking for a CD.  I didn't realize how quickly she was learning new songs until yesterday when she could suddenly sing about 80% of a song she just started listening to.  And it was from a CD of choir songs from my time in LA.)

• making decor updates to our home (in addition to changing our guest bedroom to my office, I'm trying to determine which furniture and other items we can part with.  I also finally painted our front door!)

  Ta-da!  Hooray for this Not a DIY-er!!

• embracing my unique style (Josh and I rarely agree on the same things, so it's not surprising then that we have different styles when it comes to how to decorate and arrange our home.  He has just started to give me more free reign, and I've been strongly drawn to some very unique things - artwork and chairs, specifically.  I'm learning it's ok to have my own quirky style, and it's ok to enjoy quirky things.  One of these days, I'll post pictures of the crazy unique additions.

• my boss (as I struggle to be a professional again and to figure out child care and family dynamics, I'm so grateful for an encouraging boss who sees my positive qualities and seeks to bring out the best in me.  It is a big time of transition, but he is patient and believes that family is a bigger priority than a job.)

Awhile ago I did these lists of "Things I Like Right Now".  I thought I'd post another.

• home decor
• "You're a Good, Good Father"
• re-thinking home decor
• peace
• baskets/containers
• re-arranging things from room to room
• crazy artwork
• rest
• space
• date night
• getting stuff out of our house
• Zillow
• pad thai
• watching football with Catherine
• small town Wakarusa, IN
• getting deals at yard sales
• Ben's soft pretzels
• the quote "not my monkey, not my circus"
• snuggling up with a soft, cozy blanket
• being encouraged, affirmed, and built-up
• encouraging other women
• "No Longer Slaves"
• finding my adventure
• a second cup of coffee
• deepening friendships

The last few days have been very different in my life.

I'm installing more routine and more self discipline when it comes to my schedule.

Getting up and ready early (early for me, at least).

Being more present in my daughter's life, as opposed to my own tasks.

Devotions at breakfast.

Going to bed earlier.

NOT napping (ugh).

Less internet searching, pointless scrolling, or Bejeweled Blitz playing.

Less time wasting.

More intentional time spending.

More meal planning.

More simplifying.

More praying.

Today's sermon at church was about "Life With Jesus."  I soaked it up.

My weekly moms' group kicks off this week where we will be studying how to be a woman after God's own heart.

And, ahem, official announcement:  I am now organizing Women's Ministry at our church.

Yah, that's even surprising to me.  So uniquely orchestrated, it could only be God.

I'm spending this Sunday evening pouring into the organizing and the communicating, and the foundational details, while listening to chick music and eating yogurt (all while dealing with a 3 1/2 year old who is up past her bedtime, with a variety of "needs").

Josh is getting into the groove of his back to work routine.  And now Catherine and I are entering into our new routines.

This is not going to come easily or naturally to me, so hopefully writing about it will help me with some accountability.  I praise God for the changes He has made within me, and I will continue asking God to renew and reshape me.

Last week, somehow at dinner I ended up quoting a song by Simon & Garfunkel.  This then led to Josh finding it on his phone and playing it for us all.

Catherine is totally on a music kick currently.  She's still singing Christmas carols (her own versions of "Joy to the World" and "Away in a Manger").  And the toys she's enjoying most at this moment are ones that play music.  And that's all she wants to do with them - listen to the music.  Even two toys playing two different songs at the same time (yikes!).

So, she was hooked once Josh started playing the Simon and G-Funk.

He kept the songs coming, and before long, Catherine was standing up on her chair, arms raised, hips swaying, pig-tails bopping, dancing to the tunes.

After awhile, it developed into a daddy-daughter dance.




Eventually we all ended up on the kitchen floor with another of our family dance parties.

It.Was.Beautiful.

We could have reprimanded our daughter for standing on her chair.
We could have reminded her to eat her dinner and play later.
We could have said electronics don't belong at the table.

And we would have missed a beautiful moment.

Beauty in the mundane.



Don't miss it.

Feeling giddy and full of love and happiness at this moment.  Even though we are a household of sickies - coughs and colds, we have much to be thankful for.

So glad for our extended family nearby.

For extended in-laws who invite us into their family and into their home.  To share their food and their family traditions.

For singing and Christmas caroling.

For Christmas lights and Christmas trees.  Ornaments that Catherine helped put on the tree this year.

For this angel of ours who got to participate in her first Christmas pageant:


For generosity and unexpected gifts in the mail.

For Christmas cards - the ones we send and the ones we receive.  Even the ones where we don't even know the sender.  Ha!

For Christmas Break and times of rest and extra sleep.

For coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and other beverages to keep us warm and toasty.

For unexpected warmer temps and even a bit of sunshine this week.

For celebrating the holiday three days in a row with three sets of family.

For the kick I get when people ask Catherine if Santa is bringing her lots of presents, and she has no idea what they're talking about.  Santa WHO??

For fun, family Christmas movies we can watch together - Charlie Brown and White Christmas this year.

For almost escaping the holiday season without hearing "Christmas Shoes" - so close!!

For anticipating a trip to IKEA and goodies to bring home to make our house homier.

This makes me happy.

Once upon a time there was a man who I thought I was going to marry.

I'll go ahead and ruin the ending for you:  I didn't.

There were painful and multiple breakups that led me down a path of great depression and loneliness.

An emptiness that only God could fill.

My battle cry during that period was that God was with me even if I couldn't feel His presence.  It was a daily reminder.

Time passed.  My heart healed.  And God brought someone else into my life who did indeed become my husband, for which I am so grateful.

But for a moment, let's go back to that former suitor.

One of the "red flag" warning signs for me that he was not my Mr. Right was seen every single time we went to church together:  He refused to sing.

The time of our church service where we gather to worship and sing praise to God together was often the most meaningful time of the service for me.  And then I would look over at him and see him standing there, just observing, and not participating.

But I'm not going to dwell on the negative.  Or the past.

So fast forward a few years to this point in time.

The man that God brought to me is a music teacher.  And he regularly serves on the Worship Team at our church.  Those are the people who sing on stage as a guide and model to others.

He sings.
He likes to sings.
He loves to sing.

Tomorrow, for the second time, he is filling in for our regular Worship Leader and leading the entire congregation in singing.


 This irony is not lost on me.

I'm glad I waited and did not settle for what was not God's best for me.

God is the giver of all good things, and I am rich from His blessings.  Thank you, God.

Currently reading...

• articles on how to survive a road trip with back pain

Currently eating...

• Smoked sausage roll from Rise 'n Roll

Currently drinking...

• Kiwi Strawberry Snapple - old school!

Currently missing...

•  Auntie Barb & Cousin Monique

Currently watching...

• nothing on tv, but we did just receive a mammoth antennae that will allow us to actually get local channels

Currently rearranging...

• kitchen, front room, and living room - mentally

Currently stressing...

• planning packing for the road trip

Currently baking...

• nothing; four very ripe bananas ended up in the freezer after I talked about making banana bread for days

Currently lamenting...

• the extremely short lifespan of our kiddie pool

Currently enjoying...

• www.thesaurus.com

Currently harvesting...

• spinach, lettuce, strawberries, raspberries, basil

 Currently attempting...

• to figure out multiple annoying technological problems affecting me simultaneously (computer won't charge; phone won't send pictures to email or facebook)

Currently anticipating...

• being with Roomie Sarah

 Currently singing...

• How Can I Keep From Singing

Currently dreaming...

• about space (not of the outer variety) and working at my former job (recurring dream)

Currently creating...

• margin

• Introducing Baby to 80's music
• Cadbury Easter eggs
• Catching my baby smiling
• Seeing my girl light up when she sees her daddy
• my pink robe
  
• the fact that my friend Kate will be in town soon!
• houses
• home decor
• cake pops
• Hacienda guacamole made table-side
• HGTV
• fountain drinks!!!
• beautiful spring like weather!!!
  

Josh wrote a blog last night, which got me thinking that maybe I should do the same.

I thought I'd share with you what has been entertaining me lately.

Music: We listen to Pulse FM on our commute - love their morning DJ. Through a special deal they were having, we were able to get cheap tickets to see Amy Grant & Micheal W. Smith in concert this week. When I first heard they were touring, I thought it was neat. When I heard they were playing their old school music, I wanted to go!!! I knew all but maybe 5 total songs between them both (4 being Michael's music). It was a walk down memory lane as I had seen them in concert during her Lead Me On tour back in '88! It was so much fun!! As an added bonus, for the encore they donned 80's apparel from previous album covers! Smitty wore this argyle sweater, and Amy wore this awesome blazer from her Unguarded album.

Movies: Last weekend my family & I saw The Grace Card. The acting started off a little shaky but got better. It told a good story and preached a good message. I would recommend it.

TV: Well, our tv decided a couple weeks ago that it was no longer going to access ABC or Fox, so that leaves us with NBC, CBS, and the WB. We've been watching The Office but not really finding it humorous anymore. Yawn.

Books: I continue to read middle school literature. I am almost finished with a book called Gideon's People. It is set in 1911 and shows differences and similarities between an Orthodox Jewish family and an Amish family. It's been really interesting! No idea what I'll read next.

Games: I am addicted to Bejeweled Blitz on Facebook. I refuse to accept applications on facebook though, so I play on Josh's account.

Beyond the entertainment, work continues. This year is flying by! The 3rd tri is going really well! I had some changes in my schedule, and things have been just dandy!

What's goin' on?

1. Voting: my college classmate Troy is competing to win a trip to the Tony's. Great voice, great talent. Very easy to vote, and you can do so repeatedly here. Voting ends Tuesday, June 1 at 3:00 Eastern time.

2. Nervous tummy: Since high school I have had a lot of stomach problems, especially while under stress. Needless to say, I'm under a lot of stress currently. But in 5 weeks, I will be on our honeymoon and will hopefully be feeling better then!

3. Researching music: We have yet to come up with a first dance song. This just adds to my #2 above.

4. Enjoying a long weekend: Holy cow, this Memorial Day weekend has been awesome.

5. Accomplishing much, but still so much more to accomplish. It feels never-ending, but it will be much better after the wedding. Isn't it funny how the wedding seems like the end, but really, it's just the start of the marriage? So bizarre.

6. Receiving rsvp cards. I LOVE getting these in the mail, but I'm always sad when people decline.

7. Rearranging the attic, making room for Josh's stuff, etc.

8. Dress fittings: I think I have done 3 so far. The 4th is tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

9. Hair & makeup: I did a trial run-through and had a great experience with the salonist.

10. Coughing and having a raspy voice: Apparently I'm allergic to cottonwood. You see it floating around all the time lately. It's giving me a runny nose, itchy eyes, a sore throat, a bad cough, and a weak voice. My mom is going through the same thing.

Birthday hangovers are great. All the good things from yesterday just flow into today.

This morning I got to sleep in, then dance and sing along with U93's 90's show while getting ready.

I'm wearing my new birthday jeans, enjoying some Michael Buble, and smiling.

I'll soon be heading out to brunch with my future mother-in-law.

It's a good day. Another good day. Thank you, God.

• I'm wearing my favorite long comfy sweater that's practically a robe.
• I'm also wearing blue jeans!
  
• I get to see old roomie Alicia for lunch today.
• I'm getting things done.
• I get to see Josh tonight!
• Dinner at John & Heather's tonight!
• Good news about a work event in May that equals less money we have to spend, YES!
• Good music that I get to listen to today.
• Encouraging friends
• Tomorrow's my birthday, and I get lunch with Mom at one of my favorite special occasion restaurants!
• Upcoming brunch with Janice
• Making plans for the wedding weekend!
• The heater under my desk keeping me warm. :)
• Knowing "this too shall pass."
  

Well, I feel like it's been awhile since I've posted. What's going on lately? . . .

• So looking forward to seeing Kate in town from Florida!
• We passed our interview with the Pastor of Church A so we can now start the process to plan the ceremony.
• We keep going around and around on a bridesmaid dress.
• I'm having fun planning food, music, special touches, etc.
• We opened up two registries. Plan to do two more.
• I'm hoping to go to bed early; I'm exhausted.
• We are looking at a rental property as a possible place to live together once we get married but still waiting for specifics.
• I'm looking forward to watching the Colts in the Super Bowl!
• Planning a wedding is a lot of work.
• Went to the local civic theatre for a show last week - fun!
• Got an important meeting tomorrow. Moving on up in the world.
• Going out with my girls this weekend.
• Taking a stationery DIY class.
  

Busy, busy, busy...

• I like cheap! After much discussion, Josh & I decided to go to Cici's for our dinner before our last FPU class. We enjoyed a wide variety of pizzas, salads, cheesy garlic bread, and desserts - divine cinnamon rolls and brownies all for $4.99 each!

• Yes, FPU is over. It was a long 14 weeks! We both agree it was a good class with great benefits and that we learned a lot! But we are happy to have our Sunday evenings free again!

• My downstairs neighbors moved out yesterday. 4 1/2 years of living together. I miss them already. But I've already got someone else lined up to move in next month! Cheri, one of my girls from a Growth Group a couple years ago. That will be fun!

• Seeing the empty apartment was sad but also hopeful. It made me start thinking how I would set up house if I was moving into it. Sometimes a fresh start is good. I wish I didn't have so much clutter in my apartment. It just seems to pile up until it's out of control.

• I'm proud to see the Indianapolis Colts doing so well!

• I'm so glad that the last couple days have been warmer than earlier in the week!! We were having days with single degree temps for our high and wind gusts up to 50-60 mph!! That was incredibly rough. But, most of the snow has melted now. We had a warm-up and even saw the sun again! In case you weren't aware, winter is a very challenging time for me. Southern California softened me, and I've never been the same.

• Speaking of California, I'd like to know why I keep dreaming I am back in California and back at my old job. My old job doesn't even exist anymore (which you would know if you clicked on that link)! Last night's dream was a combo of being back in L.A. AND being back in Okinawa. Why?... I don't know. But Okinawa was quite emotional for me.

• Speaking of emotions, woo, my pastor should have warned us to bring extra tissues to the service today! The morning was phenomenal! Friends who are moving away lead us in worship and meditation before communion. The whole worship team sounded GREAT. The best way to describe the morning is that they BROUGHT IT! Sam's message was full of honesty that hit hard, and it wasn't just me. I was literally surrounded by crying people. The message was full of the good news that there is hope in the Lord, no matter what are life circumstances are! Truly amazing! What a blessing to be a part of this church!!

• I decided to take last Friday afternoon off work. I had a number of personal errands to run and wanted to get them done on a weekday rather than the weekend. I feel like I could stand to take 2-3 more days off, ha!

• Josh & I went to the Goshen High School Christmas Concert the other day. Previously I had only heard the 5th-8th grade choirs and middle school and high school musicals. Wow, they sounded great, and it was such a treat to be there! And to actually enjoy a concert with my honey next to me, rather than up on stage directing!
  

- I am looking forward to seeing Josh. Tonight is his first concert of the year. I like being able to go to all his concerts and be there for him. Afterwards we're planning on trying Dunkin's pumpkin coffee. UPDATE: Apparently it's a pumpkin latte. Hmmm, not sure if I can consume that much milk. We'll have to see.

- I am looking forward to this weekend's big game!! I absolutely loathe USC, so I really really really want to win. I got my wish to win against a team that beat USC! So hopefully we can pull out the W with this game too. I'll be honest though: I'm hopeful and doubtful at the same time. Make sense? Sidenote: I can't believe how much tickets are going for for this game. I never pay more than face value (and even that is rough), so it's a shock to look at prices people are charging and paying to attend (see previous link)!

- Lately, I'm just really unsure about what to write about here.

- I've been giving a great deal of thought to money lately. It pains me to spend money for anything beyond basic needs. Sometimes, though, I can't resist. Like this beautiful decorative mug/container that I found during First Fridays in downtown Goshen this month. It was a good price at a cute local shop, and it goes superbly in my bathroom, where I had been wanting more decorative pieces to match the new color scheme. I am, however, still waiting for the bathroom accessories to go on sale at Target! Seriously, what is the deal?!?

- Also on my mind lately: autumnal baking (for example, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin bread, apple crisp, etc.) and home decorating. These are areas I would love to actually step forward in action, but it seems so rare that I am actually a) at home or b) at home with energy.

- I feel like I've been searching for passion for years. Maybe that answers my question from yesterday. To summarize, I am searching for something, but I don't know what. Maybe I am searching for my life's passion. This topic is a bit of a touchy subject for me currently, so I think I'll just leave it at that. Anyways, my great friend and college roomie Becky frequently reviews books on her blog. She recently reviewed Find Your Strongest Life: What the happiest and most successful women do differently by Marcus Buckingham. And after doing so, she was kind enough so send the book to me! It couldn't have come at a better time. I have been warned to take it with a grain of salt, but I am eager to delve into it. Reading - again, something I wish I had more time for. Sounds like Donald Miller's book Searching for God Knows What may also be a good soul searcher for me right now.

Well, I am off to the concert! Leave some comment love if you feel so inclined!

What makes up a great Saturday?

• sleeping in
• getting errands done
• getting a free book
• wonderful music and activities at farmers market
• getting awesome coffee, treats and a pumpkin from farmers market
• a nap
• a college roommate visiting
• Art Beat in DTSB
• free parking
• seeing old friends & new
• hot dogs
• art
• jewelry
• fun
• Chocolate Cafe
• chatting on the sofa
• watching the ND game with the fam
  
• smorgasbord of food during the game
• the Irish winning!
• talking and praying with my honey to end the day

And what makes a great Sunday?

• sleeping in
• church
• visiting with friends
• being surprised by my honey
• being surprised by my honey washing my dishes (awwww!!! Isn't he great!?!)
• shopping the mall with Josh
• Panera salads
• FPU class
• being excited about creating a budget
  
• a visit to Target
• phone call with a good friend
• hearing the birth announcement of a friend
• sipping flavored decaf coffee
• watching the Colts
• a light breeze coming in my open living room window
• knowing Mom made it back safely from Missouri
  
• knowing I don't have to get up early tomorrow

A couple few weeks ago Josh planned a surprise date for me. I returned the favor yesterday.

We did brunch at the wonderful, locally owned (!) Uptown Kitchen - soooo good AND fun! I would definitely recommend it if you haven't been! The owner came around & visited with us for a couple minutes. It was very neat.


Then we went over to Jumpin' Juice & Java, enjoyed visiting with some friends, hanging out, sipping fruit smoothies, reading the paper - oh, and a private concert from Jars of Clay!




From there, we headed to downtown South Bend to catch an afternoon game of Silver Hawks baseball! Even though we lost, it was still fun watching the crazy antics of Swoop and company.


We went home to watch a couple episodes of Arrested Development and let our tummies get hungry! Then we promptly filled them up with great food at Papa Vino's!



It was a wonderful day with my wonderful boyfriend!

1. Bath & Body Works – Buy 3 Get 3 FREE promo going on currently! Awesome deal!!

2. When the weather starts warming up I start craving ice cream in the afternoons.

3. In today’s mail: a catalogue of wedding invitations and accessories. I have no idea how they got my info! Really, I swear!

4. I keep a drawer full of snack foods at work just in case I need something to make it through the day.

5. I am SOOOO sick of hearing the made-up word redunkulous.

6. I can’t eat fast food fries with ketchup from another fast food restaurant. For example, if I order McDonalds and have leftover ketchup packets I can only use that ketchup for future fries from McDonalds.

7. I am trying to re-teach myself how to say the word “comfortable.” Yah know how we slur it out to sound like “comfterble”? Lately I can only say it very enunciated as “com-for-table.”

8. I am bummed that Earth Day is stealing the thunder of Administrative Professionals Day today.

9. Lately I have stopped drinking beverages while eating a meal and only drink after the meal.

10. Today in Staff Meeting my co-worker shouted, “Give that boy a valium!” I liked it so much I had to write it down.

11. The eastern sky this morning was amazingly beautiful and breathtaking! Driving to the gym I just kept gawking at the sky. I wished I had my camera but knew a picture wouldn’t do it justice. Incredible shades of blue and a sliver of a moon with a bright shining star right next to it.

12. In the last week I have been struck with cases of hiccups countless times. WAY above average.

13. It really bothers me when I sneeze and nobody around me says “Bless you.”

14. I’ve been thinking I need a Best Of album of Elton John’s. “Tiny Dancer”, “Rocket Man”… Hmmm, maybe that’s all I need.