it's here...

everyday joy

Today was a real doozy. The afternoon at least. On the way home from work Tim and I decided we would put a little distance between ourselves and the day. I debriefed with him and then we prayed for everyone involved at work. I felt lighter, and I feel so much love for the people I am privileged to spend each day with... each one of them a unique member of God's creation. This reminded once again why prayer is amazing. God can change any circumstance into something beautiful.

Tim treated me to dinner at Portillo's and a little date to Barnes and Noble. Per family tradition I had a hot dog; the Brooklyn blood lives on! For dessert, Tim had a chocolate shake and I had a caramel latte. I learned something new today- caramel syrup at Starbuck's does not have corn syrup in it. Boo ya.

We sat and looked at some magazines, and after thoroughly enjoying "Country Living- British Edition" and the French "Marie Claire Idées" I considered the following things:

1. I can't wait until Tim and I go on our dream trip to Europe (time of arrival yet undetermined)

2. I love gardens and I can't wait until we have our own little plot of earth (maybe a rooftop garden someday?)

3. I love the color blue- I love it on walls, dishes, clothes, everything. Calm colors are always a good choice.

4. I like sitting in the cookbook section.

5. I'm so grateful to be alive and spend an evening relaxing with my best friend.

I found a lot of comfort today in the knowledge that God made everyone and made every good thing- art, food, design, gardens, language, love, and on and on.

God has created so many good and lovely things. He is so good, I'm very thankful that He abides with me and knows me. May we all know Him better each and every day. Our ever constant, everlasting source of joy.

spring will come

I'm thankful that spring is on its way. It is hard to believe it today while the weather turns icy and we have sleet and snow. But the snow doesn't stay forever now, and the sun rises earlier everyday. Soon flowers will bloom, the birds will sing, and the wind will be gentle.

Spring will come, it will be warm again soon.

blizzard '11

This blizzard was incredible. I've never seen so much snow fall, ever. The first three pictures were taken while it was still snowing, the last ones were taken while Tim and I walked around and surveyed the damage later in the day. It was so fun to enjoy the snow and not have to worry about getting to work this morning, and we have a second snow day tomorrow. Crazy.

Tonight we are celebrating snow day by making a roast and potatoes, writing some poetry/music, watching a movie, and maybe making some chocolate chip cookies. What are your plans for your snow day?

Now we can all tell our future children, yes, I was there. I was there for the Blizzard of 2011.

i can't wait

I was looking at pictures from our honeymoon, and longing for summer! I can't wait to wear a sundress and walk around, feet bare and warm. I can't wait to drive to the beach after work and walk next to the lake with Tim... the wind tousling our hair, but not chilling the bone. I can't wait to sink my teeth into a slice of scarlet watermelon. I can't wait to get an iced tea at the coffee shop and walk through our neighborhood in flip-flops. I can't wait to play catch in the backyard, and smell the aged leather of our baseball gloves. I can't wait to feel the sun on my shoulders. I can't wait to feel the grass, the sand between my toes.

I cannot wait. 53 days until the first day of Spring. We're getting there!

snowy day

What an incredibly beautiful Christmas we had! I'm glad I have a little brother who helped me enjoy the snow on Christmas Eve by throwing snowballs with Tim and I at a tree. If I was eight again, forts upon forts would have been made and stocked for snowball fights that never came.

The above photo was taken with my Diana F+. I got an Instant Back for Christmas and can now take polaroid shots with it. Looks like the photo was taken in the 60's... I love it.

hancock

In the last three days I have been to the John Hancock's observation deck twice. At work a couple groups needed an extra person to go on their field trips downtown and I got to go. I was pretty siked.

Monday I turned my camera on and it was dead. Today I was prepared, battery charged and ready. I also took some shots with my Diana. Both days were a little hazy and not the best for photographs. But I still loved the view.

I like the shadows in the picture above, the view of Lake Shore Drive, and that I can see where Tim and I got engaged... almost two years ago now.

I went up the Sears Tower in high school... and it's funny the difference the years have made. Back then, I lived in California and didn't have any idea what I was seeing. Now, every where I look is full of memories.

I love this city.

beautiful gifts

Two beautiful things from today.

The rain on our car as I waited to go into training for work. I love the sound of rain on the car and seeing the droplets accumulate on the window. I've always loved being in the car while it rained, taking long drives especially.... watching it stream down the windows, feeling the cold glass against my hand, my cheek.

The pink sunset sky. Tim and I ran downstairs to get a picture of it before we ate dinner. Within minutes it was gone. Glorious.

God's gifts to us are many, and beautiful.

road trip-niagra falls, canada

On our trip to Buffalo, Tim and I took a jaunt across the border to see Niagra Falls. It was so sweet. It was pretty cool being in Canada, and the falls were amazing. It is one of those things you just have to see, I can't explain it... so I will leave you with these photographs.

october

I took a walk today with Chewie (Tim's childhood dog) through our neighborhood. I believe the time of day was what our wedding photographer called the "bewitching hour." Everything looked beautiful outside so we ran back upstairs to get the camera. I was a little disappointed at my attempts to catch the gorgeous lighting, but I still thoroughly enjoyed my walk with Chewie and the beautiful leaves.

It smelled like cold weather was rolling in, and it mingled deliciously with the smell of perishing leaves. I truly love autumn, I love the cool days, sweaters and khakis, changing leaves, pumpkins, apple cider, etc. It reminds me of days spent running around outside as a child, thrashing through leaves and building forts. It reminds me of when Tim and I started dating three years ago (it seems like forever ago, that sweet exciting time). It's such a lovely season filled with wonderful memories....

What do you love about autumn?

a fortnight and a half in review

Wow. The last few weeks have been crazy. Good, stressful, tearful, and blessed. Can all of those things be contained in 21 days? Certainly.

I have been wanting to write all this time and I haven't found the space in between family, church, work, vacation, a wedding, and friends.

Generally, I write lovely monday posts on Mondays. Today, I'm going to write a little differently. Today, I elaborate.

A fortnight and a half in review:

1. The week before our vacation with family was one of the most stressful weeks at work ever. Period. But somehow, even though I was frustrated and cried many tears, I didn't collapse like other weeks. I found strength in the Lord through the Psalms. God was my refuge, a very present help in my time of trouble. My weaknesses didn't disappear, but God was strong in every circumstance.

2. We went on vacation with Tim's family to the Northwoods. It was very relaxing and fun. We got to spend quality time with Tim's parents, siblings, their spouses, and our adorable nieces and nephews. We also took hikes, boat rides, waterskied, and fished. I caught a ten-inch bass with Tim, and I'm pretty sure it was the first decent fish I had ever cast for and reeled in. Thank you husband for the valuable fishing lesson, that bass was a small beauty.

3. Saturday my dear brother Isaac married his lovely wife Alysa. I am so happy for them, and I'm so excited to see where God takes them in the future. Like I said in my last blog, I'm looking forward to the day they live next door to Tim and I so our future children can grow up together. Well, unless the Lord wills it that may never happen.... but even so I'm looking forward to family reunions, and trips to each other's homes, and all other good things that come with growing up.

4. My roommate from college and her husband came to stay with us over the weekend and came to the wedding. It was so fun to hang out with them, we are very blessed by their friendship.

5. Yesterday Tim and I played our first show in awhile at a church on the North Shore. It was extremely fun, we enjoyed playing and talking to people that came and the other musicians that played after the show. We are hoping that this show will give us a little momentum as we look into playing some more.

6. I started my new position at work today, and felt very relaxed... and very little stress. It was awesome. I'm looking forward to dreaming, writing, and singing more with the extra mental energy I experienced today.

7. God's love and faithfulness to Tim and I is never ending. I am overwhelmed with how He has cared for us this year, and amazed at how He continues to draw Tim and I closer to Himself and to each other.

These are a few lovely happenings from my past few weeks... hopefully it wasn't too boring. How is God working in your life? What beautiful things did you see today? I'd love to hear about them. Love and peace.

an evening at the beach

Last night Tim and I went over to the beach. It was absolutely beautiful. A storm has just rolled through, and the clouds were breathtaking. I wished I had my sister (a very talented photographer) with me last night. These pictures don't give justice to the beauty we witnessed last night. I just love the beach.

"When I look at the heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that You care for him?" Psalm 8:3-4

memorial day camping

1. The pines.

2. Lights by the campers.

3. Nephew tried to prevent the bags tournament.

4. Pinecones, we play baseball with a few of these and an old broom-handle.

5. Campfire.

6. A fancy attempt at sand writing.

Hope you all had a great Memorial Day, and I hope you are all excited for a great summer! I know I am.