Off I Go!

A little over one day and I'm on my way to the Mexican Riviera! I never dreamed that I would be going on a cruise...and haven't really started packing because it still feels a bit unreal (besides the fact that I just don't like packing-am terrible at it!) Luke has been sick with a cold. As soon as it hit, I panicked, because so far we have shared every single cold and flu symptom, and I refuse to be sick on my cruise! So...I have been taking AirBorn and Echinacea among other things...I think maybe this will be my first victory over the attacking germs of my husband! I plan to take my watercolors with me, so perhaps you will see some more pictures when I get back. So long, farewell, and please don't say anything too important until I return!

Squirm with Cuteness

Thanks JoyAnna

I can't get enough of this!

A Day in the Country

Little discoveries, little pleasures

After looking at dozens of $50 black dress shoes to go with my formal dress for our cruise...I finally found this darling little pair for only $25!
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Organic deoderant! I like natural :)
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I finally refurbished my supply of "Ancient Happiness"...simply the most exotic and delicious green tea.
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For my birthday, my family got me started with watercolor paints...I've only dabbled so far, but can't wait to spend more time learning.
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I went to Pier 1 with a $40 dollar gift receipt from a gift that just wasn't my style. I found that the entire store wasn't my style...so after hours of shopping without finding "just the thing"...I brought Luke with me and he immediately spied this sweet tea set...as if I don't have enough already!

Iowa

It's a gorgeous, warm day! The sun is shining; the birds are singing. I moved my desk in front of the livingroom window so I could sit in the sun and feel the fresh air. I must admit, one good thing about Iowa is that on average it's about ten degrees warmer than Michigan in March. The not-so-good thing: the wind is blowing like crazy. And of course, no trees. Well, yes, there are trees...but not the big, full, luscious Maples and Oaks that line the streets of my home town. It's funny how I long for spring all through the winter, and then when it hits, I long for something more (in this case trees to break the wind).

After two years in Iowa, I think I am discoving that I will always have these longings for where I grew up...they aren't going to go away. It isn't that I don't love certain things about here, just that they aren't taking the place of things that I grew up loving deeply. I would never ever leave this place...it is where the love of my life is. But I am beginning to see that I need my Lord to fill some of those longings that just can't find a venue here. And I realize that this is good for me. It is good to find the loveliness of Christ in the midst of things that are unlovely.

May the loveliness of our Lord fill me and you in all the spaces of our souls that have lost something that was once lovely.

Oh the Weather Outside is Frightful...

But my apartment is cozy and it's my birthday :) I'm actually 25 today. For some reason I always thought I would stay 22. In fact...I thought my body would stay 22! But unfortunately, I'm one of those desperate women who is working out for an hour every day just trying to get back her college body. I also feel strange being only married 6 months while my sister-in-laws are only two years older than me and have 4 kids!

Well, we have a blizzard outside, mom is coming to visit for a week, I have a painting lesson on Saturday, and leave for a cruise in three weeks exactly! I don't have much to complain about right now. I'm just glad I can stay home during the storm :)