let me hear Your whisper // how to make decisions

Do you want to know how to make big life decisions? 

Me too :)

I don't have an answer. I don't know if there will ever be anyone that can provide the exact perfect formula. But as we all try to figure that formula out, I do have a few thoughts. I'm learning, as always, to keep my heart drawing closer to Him…

{Click the link below for more}

a special day

Happiest of birthdays to two of my favorite people! They are both gorgeous, the life of a party, and are turning a quarter of a century old today- what a special birthday! I know that many people, but especially my life, would not be the same without them.

Love to you both!!

for the soul

This weekend we got to spend some time with a couple of friends from college. We don't all get to be together very often, now that everyone has moved to new places- and we missed a few others from our group of friends- but it was still so nice to laugh and reminisce and catch up, even if only for a few hours. It's cool to see the direction each person is headed, who they marry, what they're learning. We've each developed into our own people and made our own decisions, but we still have so much ahead of us. We are all still in such a transformative state- we joked about how we can't wait to be established and in our 40's and stop having these "so what are you doing with your life now" conversations, because these days it seems plans change every other week. But it sure is nice to have such good friends as the journey continues :)

homemade gifts

Do you get crafty when giving gifts to loved ones? Homemade gifts tend to be cheaper, but at the same time, the most precious. With the recent passing of both my dad's brother and father, I wanted to make something for him that could honor them and remind him of the good memories. I thought of making coasters like these, but after seeing the plethora of coasters that my parents have in their basement, I decided to take a more traditional route and just frame a few pictures. 

My dad's two older brothers- Chuck and Hank in PopPop's old football gear

To keep a common theme, I collected and made copies of old photographs of my dad, grandfather (PopPop), and two uncles playing different sports in their youth. I also scripted a sports-related Vince Lombardi quote- I wanted the gift to not be too emotional, but still sentimental. 

PopPop in high school

The most fun part was looking through all of my grandmother's (Grammy) photo albums and imagining what life was like back then, and what my family members might have been like as kids and teenagers. I may have grabbed a couple pictures for myself :) She has so many wonderful photographs; I told her that I call dibs on inheriting them all on day ;) I absolutely love (any) old photographs, and having them be of my dashing PopPop makes them even more amazing. 

baby dad and his two big brothers, Chuck and Hank

PopPop in high school

such handsome and wonderful men- my PopPop and Uncle Hank

xoxo

holiday traditions

In keeping with tradition, we watched "It's a Wonderful Life" on Christmas Eve. It has always been one of Andrew's favorites, but I actually didn't see it for the first time until I was in college! George Bailey actually reminds me a little of Andrew (pre-crazy/depression stage, obviously!). I decided that my favorite line from the movie isn't anything sappy or heart-warming, but is when George and Mary have left the dance, and Mary hides in the bushes while George holds her bathrobe and exclaims in a hilarious accent, "Well this is a very interesting situation." I just think his character is so witty, soft-hearted, and playful- and that scene brings so much comic relief :)

"and dance by the light of the moon- whatdidyouwishforwhenyouthrewthatrock?"

xo

Photos found here, here, here, and here.

Merry Christmas Eve!

Marilisa hand-made these sweet ornaments and passed them out to friends as Christmas gifts- aren't they precious? Just some clay, a cookie cutter, and some paint. What a great idea for an inexpensive, totally practical, and adorable present when you have many people to send love to. 

I hope you are enjoying time with your family, eating yummy goodies, and wrapping special, last minute gifts. Stay Cozy!!

xo

my hubs, the model

Our good friend and favorite photographer, Gracie, needed to test out some film and asked Andrew to help her out. With how quick and it easy it is to use digital these days, using film has become quite an art- but it produces the most beautiful pictures (some of my favorites from our wedding were shot on film). She definitely has the skill, and although she is still in the beginning stages of learning, her film pictures always come out so beautiful. It doesn't hurt that for this shoot she had an equally attractive model ;)

Follow this link to see the rest of the photographs from this shoot on her blog. 

xo

harmony-seeking idealist

Have you ever taken a personality test? Our campus ministry went through a phase last year where almost everyone took the free version of the Meyers-Briggs Personality test, comparing and analyzing one another. I found this short test this week, and although it is probably one of the most simple personality tests I have ever taken, I think the results are eerily accurate.

This test says my type is The Harmony-Seeking Idealist. Try it here and let me know what it says! Do you agree or disagree with your results?


Image found here.

what was your wedding soundtrack?

With it being Christmas time, I have heard the classic "Come Thou Fount" in multiple settings. It immediately brings me back to our wedding day, because this is the song that played as Andrew, the groomsmen, and the bridesmaids walked down the aisle. 

Although I was tucked away and hiding, waiting for my entrance and unable to view this part of the ceremony (boo!), it still brings to me the imagery of the warm, early summer day with a gentle, cool breeze, the field of tall green grass, Andrew and his closest friends riding up in the old, beat up, baby blue pick up truck, and each of our favorite people making their way down, preparing for the vows soon to be exchanged. 

Here's a list of some of the songs we used, that still fill me with sweet memories any time I hear them:

Precessional: "Home"- Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, "Half Acre"- Hem, 

"Ho Hey"- The Lumineers, "Strawberry Swing"- Coldplay

Honored Guests, Grandparents, and Parents: "Sweet Afton"- Nickelcreek

Groom and Officiant, Groomsmen, and Bridesmaids: "Come Thou Fount"- Sufjan Stevens

Ring Bearer, Flower Girl, and Bride: "Awake My Soul"- Mumford and Sons

Washing of our Feet: "For the Widows in Paradise, For the Fatherless in Ypsilanti"- Sufjan Stevens

Recessional: "The Dog Days Are Over"- Florence and the Machine

Our First Dance: "Swept Away"- The Avett Brothers

What was your wedding soundtrack? Or, if you're not married, what do you want it to be? 

Which Christmas songs bring you special memories?

To view more of our wedding photos, click here or here.

xo

All Images provided by Gracie Blue Photography

are you empathetic?

Have you seen this video describing the difference between empathy and sympathy?

I can find myself frustrated with my almost overwhelming ability to be empathetic, because it leaves me feeling stuck right next to the person, totally unknowing what to say to "make it better." I just feel it with them, and I think, "Surely this is getting them nowhere! This must be making it worse, adding to this pile of feelings!" But I absolutely love the last thing she says, because it totally puts it all into a much more truthful perspective.  I am excited now to grow in my empathy ability :)

 "Rarely can a response make something better. What makes something better is connection."

xo

that time of year...

Yes, Christmas time, but I mean… Christmas card time!! I used to think that it was silly and somewhat vain for young couples, sans children, to send out Christmas cards of themselves to all of their friends- like, who cares? We have Facebook, we know what you look like. 

It wasn't until last year when I sent out our first Christmas card as a married couple that I found out what all the fuss is about. I wanted to send a few wedding and honeymoon pictures, along with a sweet personalized, hand-written note to our family members. As cards from my friends all across the country poured in, my home became full of Christmas joy and the beautiful smiling faces that I love so dearly- and it made me wish I had printed enough of my own to return the favor!

So, this year, although we are probably currently poorer than we will ever be again our lives, it was still essential for me to send out some cards. I decided on a style at Walgreens. The quality is not up to our desired standard, but it only cost us $20 for 40 cards so you know what? It's okay :)

Especially now that the majority of my friends are married and living in different cities and states, on top of this year being one that our friends and family have played such a huge role in the ups and downs of our ever-changing journey, I'm so excited to send a picture with a "thank you for loving us and putting up with us" message on the back. The cards from my lovely friends have already started arriving, and I am looking forward to posting a few and showing them off here within the next few days. Think about it, if you were just to frame a picture in your home of a couple you are friends with, that would just be plain weird. But a Christmas card makes it perfectly normal to scatter your home with pictures of people that are not you or your family members! 

And here's the one we chose for our Christmas card this year:

xo

green with envy

I saw these shoes at Target a few days ago and have been drooling over them ever since… and online today, they are on sale- marked off by $7. On my Christmas list… ;)

There are a lot of cute shoes at Target right now and it has sent me into a "I love shoes!" frenzy.
I'm becoming one of those girls… whoops!

on the red carpet

When we were in LA last week, we went to a Holiday parade in Hollywood. There were several guest performers, including LeAnn Rimes, the GooGoo Dolls, and Stevie Wonder. We didn't see the actual performances, but we did get a chance to see Stevie Wonder and the GooGoo Dolls lead singer warming up and practicing a few hours before the parade began! How cool is that?! Stevie Wonder is even more amazing live! Here's a short video of him practicing "This Christmas."

selfie with Stevie (he's on center stage in the green shirt) ;) 

xo

saying goodbye

Friday morning, at the age of 82, my Poppop left this present world. This past year has been a long, hard battle both for him and his family, and while his passing brings mourning and sadness, it also brings peace- because he was a good man who loved the Lord and led his family to do so, and because he is no longer trapped in a old, dying body. I am filled with sincere joy as I imagine being able to see him again one day, but for who he truly is, in a body that is alive and strong. 

There is a photo from when I was about 5 or 6 of him teaching me to rollerblade, hand in hand, our backs to the camera. We reenacted the shot at our wedding, and they will always be framed side by side in whichever house Andrew and I call home. He was a special man who loved his grandkids deeply.

I am so proud of this family for their resilience and strength over the last couple of months. With the recent passing of Uncle Hank, and now PopPop, we've shared some really tough moments; it will be tough for a while. But I am filled with more love for each of the 17 (now 18, with A), and already feel even more bonded and connected to them. Man, it is good to have a wonderful family!

Along with 9 (plus Andrew) grandkids, 2 sons, and 3 daughters-in-law, Poppop leaves behind his beloved bride of 63 years. The left picture is of their wedding day, and the right was taken just a week ago. They remained by each other's sides and shared the deepest love right into his death, and I believe even death can't take that love away; it will cross right over into eternity with him. I have been so impressed by Grammy and her faithfulness to God, constantly clinging to His promises and striving for peace that passes understanding.

My good friend, Gayle, also had her grandmother pass away this weekend. Her and I have shared and bonded over some similar life moments, transitions, and feelings this year. Please be praying for her and her family as well as they reflect on and rejoice over a life well lived, and mourn the loss of her presence.

It is such a good gift to have family that we can love- I think the sadness and how much we miss our loved ones only reveals how deep and special the love really is. I am so grateful because it means I have people to love and to love me back. 

The memories I will hold onto are:

-Every year up until about 9th grade, begging and going with Poppop and Dad to the golf course the day after Thanksgiving just so I could drive the golf cart.

-Poppop telling me, whenever he got a hair cut, that he got into a fight with a lawn mower. 

-His infamous "25 by 85" speech (wanting 25 people in our family by the time he is 85. There are currently 18, so we've got 3 years to contribute another 7 ;) )

-At every holiday event, we all had to spend at least an hour doing karaoke, which he would record on cassette tapes, and then play back and listen to (on his own) immediately after our jam session, while we were all still there...

-The feeling of his big, tough, weathered, wrinkly, veiny hands and how to me, he always smelled of listerine and cologne

"Soon we'll reach the shining river, soon our pilgrimage will cease, soon our happy hearts will quiver with the melody of peace…"

xo

First 3 images by Gracie Blue Photography

have a grateful weekend

Remembering all the yummy food last week as I sit here and try to think up what to eat for dinner. It was my first time having Thanksgiving turkey in 6 years! We are on a "vegetarian break" as we are in transition and at the mercy of our friends and family and whatever they want to feed us :)

While in Savannah, we got to take a little walk on the beach. Isn't the ocean beautiful in the winter??

have a good and grateful weekend

xo

hello, december

What a fun week this past week has been! I have much to share and catch up on. California was beautiful, and the Ellen Degeneres show even more fun than I thought! I haven't been able to watch the episode yet, but I hear we made a few camera appearances ;) (Here is the link for the video clips from the episode we were there for.) I hated for it all to end, but at the same time I was ready to come home. The time zone changes and many hours spent traveling wore me out! And now… Christmas time!

xo