Little Things...

I think the reason I've become bad at blogging is because I think I need to sit down and write a huge long update every time I blog. And since I don't always have the time or inspiration to do that, I end up not writing at all. So instead I'm going to try and blog some short entries, just a few thoughts each day.
Just like Martha Stewart, it's often the little things that make my day.
Here are some little things I've been enjoying lately:

This Young House blog is the life and design of a super cute couple John and Sherry. They share design tips and secrets from their own house and also give advice and make inspiration boards for reader submissions. I've already gotten so many ideas for our new place from this blog, whether it be furniture arrangement or color schemes. I love how they blend modern style with classic, clean design. Check them out!

Pacing the Panic Room is a husband's account of his wife's second pregnancy. For 39 weeks Ryan documents the baby's growth through super cute, creative pictures and a little note on how the pregnancy is progressing. You can skim through just the photos or read the whole blog for the entire story. His wife, Nicole, is so photogenic and stylish even when it's obvious she's uncomfortably pregnant. Though the pregnancy photo series is over (baby Tessa was born on June 29, 2009!), Ryan has already added a week 40 photo of mama and baby. He blogs that he is not sure if he will continue the series now that their baby is here, but I sure hope he does! I am so inspired by the beauty of the whole thing: of Ryan's obvious adoration for his wife and family, for Cole's glow and quirky smiles as she looks at her pregnant belly, by the care that this couple has taken to document this time in their lives; it's all so beautiful!

Ok, that's all for now. Be ready for more (but little) updates!

Summertime

I know, I'm bad at this blogging thing. But, I'm going to get better, I promise! It's funny because during an average day I think of like 3 things I want to blog about. It's all about getting it down on paper (well, webpage, but you know what I mean). Comment a lot friends, so I'll stay inspired :)

Yesterday Travis and I pulled the first big harvest from our garden. We've been using herbs, but those grow so fast, I don't count them.

Here's a starting photo of the romaine lettuce:














Here's the start of the whole garden (from St. Francis' perspective):




And here's the bounty!!!















And that's only like 1/10th of it!!!!!!! Woo-hoo!!!

While we're on the picture train, here's a sneak peek of our new house:














It's such a secret garden house:















Especially the back yard:














It has a mudroom!!!















Awesome HUGE front room:














We had the inspection yesterday and everything seemed to go pretty well. Sure, there are things that need to be fixed, but nothing that's a deal-breaker. Yay! New house, here we come! We close on June 15th, so cross your fingers that everything goes smoothly between now and then.

Lesson of the day: we're officially old. Growing vegetables and buying a house? Yep, O-L-D.
(I secretly, or not-so-secretly, like it)

A confession...or a couple

1. When I came to divinity school I was not familiar with the word "theodicy," which deals with the issue of evil in a God-created world. When people would bring it up in class, I thought they were saying "The Odyssey," as in the ancient poem by Homer. Needless to say, I was confused about why we were talking about this in seminary. Even now, knowing what it means, when someone says this word I am still confused for a split second.

2. I can name many of the capitals of central and South America. This is due to a song I learned in high school. I never took Spanish, but the kids who did got to listen to a catchy song that taught them most of the capitals of Spanish-speaking countries. Us French kids were jealous and wanted to listen to it too. Our teacher said no. My friend Chip and I would surreptitiously take the tape player to the back of the class and secretly listen to it during class. Our teacher would look around and ask "Who's singing?" But we never got caught and this information aids me today because I can answer many geography questions on Jeopardy.

AHHH I'm back!

Friends, it's been awhile.
To catch you up, here are a few of my favorite things from the past few months:





Mr. Miles

Mr. Carver








Yes, after 3 months of not blogging, 2 of my friends have had babies!!! Miles belongs to Will and Chelsea, our friends in Durham. Carver belongs to Val and Ethan who live in Gainesville, FL. I'm sad because I haven't gotten to meet Carver yet, but I feel so lucky to get to snuggle Miles at least once a week. (I steal him at small group all the time.)
Of course, this leads you to ask: "Doesn't this make you want to have babies, Amy?" Well, yes and no. Holding Miles and looking at his perfectness and smelling his sweet baby smell definitely make me want a baby ASAP. Then I'll have a crazy busy week and can barely get myself fed and clothed and I think "Ok, not time yet!"
Just because I know it's not time doesn't make me want one any less though. It just makes me really excited thinking about when it'll be our turn and reminds me to soak up all the baby knowledge and advice I can. It's great to watch friends go through experiences and be able to take notes. Especially when those friends are really great parents and people in general. (Will/Chels, Andy/Anita, Val/Ethan, this means YOU!)
Thanks for being such great teachers guys!