the pure interest

Hello everyone! I’m really sorry about my lack of posting… things are very busy right now. I’ve had a friend who’s grandfather died, back-to-back meetings, helping with displays and other projects for the new church, and christmas decorating up the wazoo!

For some reason… I’ve already done a ton of wrapping. The thing is, all the packages are empty! I did about five or six rather large empty boxes that will be used as a prop for our sermon series about “presents/gifts” … of course it will be tied back to God. We’re not that materialistic! And the others I was inspired by Danielle to just wrap a few cute sized boxes under the tree so it doesn’t look so bare.

I have some awesome paper that I got from Ikea last weekend… it is so adorable. They have an incredible line… pretty much every color you can imagine. I’m also not afraid to shop at Big Lots to get affordable ribbon and other papers! Here’s what I’m using this season:

Now if money was no object, I pine after these beauties from TheContainerStore.

and so many more!

My problem with posting is for some reason it takes me so long to decide on which photos to post, and what you guys even care to see…. so as I was taking the wrapping paper, I also did some Christmas decor. I Hope you enjoy….

zelda says hello.

Finally it is complete. While in Maryland, we were able to hit up the IKEA Baltimore and I completed my transformation! I feel really good about this space being organized with enough storage and enough cuteness and creativity that I will enjoy sitting for long hours! You likey? I’m pretty thrilled with it!  

(to fully understand that title and have a heartwarming laugh, click here) We are safe in Maryland after our road trip (everything happened except the fight and the road-game playing, which was awesome). I am now in the dark comfy basement while my in-laws are preparing the Thanksgiving meal. I had to come down here because Brian was snoring so bad last night! Is it ok to post this on a public blog? Hey, lots of people do it. Anyway…. I am so thankful this Thanksgiving.

• My relationship with Christ. He sticks by me despite my doubts and struggles. He died for me so I could share eternal life. He gave me all that is listed below.
• For my family. Everything about them is awesome and I love that we are so close that we are sharing information and all aware of what is going on so we can pray for each other and support each other
• My incredible friends. Some of them have been working so hard lately and yet remaining positive and awesome. A few are going through their own difficult times right now, yet are still there for me with my own problems and issues.
• My grandmother. We found out that they are leaning towards Ovarian cancer, but we still aren’t positive. She will begin treatment, but she says the peace of the Lord is with her. She is an inspiration and I love her.
• My husband and my Zelda. I can’t say how much these things mean in my life. All bring me so much joy.
• My home. Although it comes with its trials for sure (loitering, cars hitting it, expenses)… I am still thankful to have a comfy and cozy roof over my head and that we can afford a place to live.
• My Maryland family. It’s so awesome to have another place to come to and be with and share time with on the holidays. And an excuse to come to beautiful Maryland
• Our new church and the staff and people who have made it happen. It is still an adjustment for sure, but it is amazing and such a cool time for us all. I still can’t believe we’re there.

Have an amazing day everyone and DO overeat turkey.

 

My first true CSS site. It’s still in the works for sure, but so far I am pretty proud of myself. It needs a lot of content. Be gentle. The guy that owns this is an amazing guy and I recommend him for any type of custom jewelery, bridal jewelery, or anything you would need.

Artisan Jewelers Studio.com

I am happy to credit the basis of the CSS skeleton on a free template from this awesome site. (EDIT: They linked back to me! Thanks guys!!) And also when I ran into problems, I credit the help of my awesome CSS gurus Sarah and Matt.

I have been working on a set of family photos for some friends of mine, and I wanted to post some of the best ones. Unfortunately my camera was really not cooperating with me for a lot of them, so I ended up having to do some significant retouching at the end… but overall they turned out well and really showed their family dynamic. FOUR BOYS!

And this little darling is my good friend Meghan’s baby, and her name is Rachel Elizabeth (a perfect name, if you ask me). She is one of the most beautiful babies I’ve seen I think, and her expressions are priceless. Of course, I am a bit biased as she is my namesake.

Next week is Thanksgiving… I canNOT believe that. Thanksgiving in my adult life usually means a Thursday-Sunday trip to Maryland. This is semi-true this time, except that with the church new-ness, Brian and I need to be back by the weekend, so we’ll be making the 7 hour trip only from Wednesday to early Saturday morning. I hope the weather is good for everyone’s travels.

I get excited for road trips with Brian, because they usually go something like this:

1) We plan out what time we’re going to leave the night before and I try to get as prepared as possible

2) The next day, we inevitably get in some sort of stress-induced fight either on the way out the door or within the first 5 miles.

3) We both make up and attribute the fight to the stress of a road-trip, then we laugh and listen to music and play fun road games for the next half of the trip. I usually also take a picture of Brian at the wheel which I plan on one day compiling to show our children how he aged.

4) At around 2.5 hours, I probably will have to stop to use the restroom, grab a snack,  and depending on the gas gauge, fill up our tank. Brian doesn’t usually want anything until we pull in and then he says, by me a Coke Zero

5) We continue on our trip, and this second half feels pretty long because it’s basically all I-80… which is very boring, and at this point most of the leaves are gone so it’s not as pretty as it could be.

6) Brian wants to listen to talk radio or be in silence. I then retreat to my ipod and speakers, because I hate being in silence, especially on long road trips.

7) Depending on the time, we may stop for a meal… which usually consists of fatty and greasy fast food. For some reason, while on the road, I totally use it as an excuse to eat whatever-the-heck I want.

There is a bridge we pass by when we get into Harrisburg, and I always always try to get a picture of it, and am never successful. We then inevitably run into rush hour traffic.

9) We then get off I-80 and start to enter Maryland… I love this part. It’s much more rural and I know the journey well. We usually play a little white horse/cemetery game, because there is a farm that has about 5 white horses. NO one can come back from that.

10) We get close to Brian’s old high school and I now can’t wait to enter his parents house. It’s so fun to be there… I really like it. They almost moved and I’m glad they didn’t. We pull in, hear Daisy barking, sigh, and enter through the open garage door to my second family.  

*lusts*can I please have this typeface from Veer? Christmas gift maybe? haha!

This weekend was a historic time in the life of my church and the body there. We had our last service in the current facility this weekend, and to symbolize our move, we formed a people chain from West 38th Street to Grubb Road. (For you out-of-townies, you can click on this link to see the trail). We passed an old bible and cross that was present at our old “Swedish Baptist Church” on 7th street. It was very moving and symbolic. My friend Dave and I walked the whole way while being paparrazi and taking pics and videos. (We joined Team Pauli on the walk) You can see some pictures below!

I cried a lot this weekend, thinking of all that I’ve been through in that church. I was literally a child on that stage, singing with her dad, and I’ve grown into a teenager then a young adult. I was shaped in that building and with those people. The amazing thing is all those people are coming along for the new history-making. It’s just the structure we’re leaving behind! I’m helping the staff move their offices over today (including my hubby) so I need to get moving.

thumbnails:

and what would it be without a few fall photos for you all?

Also something really cool happened here in our town. An anonymous donor gave $100 million to local charities nad organizations. And this morning, we made the yahoo featured news!! I gotta admit, that was cool to see. Although I’m not sure about calling us a “struggling Pennsylvania town”… What do Erie Bloggers think about that?