New Apartment

We finally moved!!

We moved in to our new apartment last week, and we love it. We didn't have any furniture really, but God blessed us. We found this couch for $25!! There is some fading and a spring that needs to be fixed, but other than that it was in really great condition. And it fits perfectly into our living room.

This is an awesome table I found on Craig's List. Fantastic condition and great price for it's age, I just couldn't pass it up. It was one of those moments where I just knew this was the table I had been looking for for my future home.

We really have been blessed and can't wait to see what God has in store for us!!

Upcoming Recipes

Since I have started working again (after a year off), it has been hard adjusting to cooking once I get home. Mostly this has do with the fact I am on my feet all day and just don't feel like standing in the kitchen at home. So I have been thinking of what I can do to make it a little easier to have a good home-cooked meal and still enjoy cooking while not being exhausted. Also, Nick's breakfast habits have changed so I am thinking of things we can cook the night before or whip up in a jif.

My solution: Slow cookers.

I have used my slow cooker before, but probably not to its full potential. In the coming weeks I am going to be trying some new recipes specifically for slow cookers and see what happens. I'll be posting some these recipes--at the ones that work--and offering suggestions for the recipes and tips for using slow cookers.

So here are a few recipes that might be making an appearance soon: Asian Pepper Beef, Lemon Honey Chicken, Oatmeal, and Morning Casserole.

Lastly, I have seen some recipes for slow cooker bread baking. I think I may try something and take it to church on Sunday, see what people think. On to a new adventure!!

New Endeavors...From the Kitchen

Recently, Nick and I were talking about Advent Conspiracy (more on that here http://www.adventconspiracy.org/hope/). I thought it was a great idea and wondered what I could do to spend less and give more during the holidays (the rest of the year). Well, here is what has come from that.

These are a few cards I created to see what I could do and I think they came out pretty nice. For Advent Conspiracy, I am going to create a line of greeting and holiday cards for purchase with all proceeds going to Blood: Water Mission (http://www.bloodwatermission.com). As I get more supplies, I feature the cards that will be for sale.

The name of the line will be "From the Kitchen". I thought this would be appropriate as I would be moving from kitchen creations to card creations--From the Kitchen. Well, check back for more details later on. Hopefully, you'll see something you'll like.

Patience

Streams in the Desert is the devotional guide I am reading. It is such a great devotional; I would definitely recommend it if you need a good one.

In todays reading, it really hit home. It was talking about obstacles that are hinderances to our spiritual growth and how we so often are impatient for them to go away. However, these obstacles are the very thing which produce the gift and quality of character we pray for--one of the main ones being pateince. And the only way to acquire these gifts and character traits are to endure the trials adn overcome obstacles which seem unbearable. I must remember that God is in control and nothing is impossible for Him. I need to stop running away, submit to God, and trust He will help me overcome these trials.

My trials and obstacles:

1. Living with the in-laws

2. Not having a home

3. Not being in control of the house I live in

4. Not serving in Peace Corps already

5. Not being in school

6. Having all "my stuff" in storage

7. Leaving for Peace Corps soon

8. Comparing myself to others

9. Failing to see the real me--the one God created

10. Not really knowing who I am

These are some of the marjor things that cause me to be impatient, snippy, angry, jealous, and generally disgruntled with life. I am aware of all this, but I haven't really taken any steps to deal with it. I just blow up and things seem okay for awhile and then it all builds up again. Maybe now that I am "publicly" acknowledging my need to trust God to handle, I will be able to let some of it go or at least have the strength to push through.

Here I go. God, save me!

An Oldie...but a Goodie

I grew up listening to late 80s and early 90s pop love songs. The song "I love a rainy night" came to mind and I HAD to listen. It just made me think about other songs I used to listen to all the time and brought back some fun memories. Here is a list of a few faves:

I love a rainy night--Eddie Rabbit

I wanna ance with somebody--Whitney Houston

Karma chameleon--Culture Club

Don't you want me, baby--Human League

What I like about you--The Romantics

Conga--Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine

Wake me up before you go-go--Wham!

and anything early Mariah Carey

What did you listen to while growing up?

Midnight Train to Georgia...well almost

This weekend Nick and I took a trip to Georgia to see some good friends and attend Faith wedding reception. It was a long, tiring weekend, but it was good to see the girls. I really miss having girl friends to hang out with anytime so it was refreshing to be back together with all of them. Pictured are Allison, myself, Faith (the blushing), and Patti Mae.

Here are Nick and I (compliments of Allison). Normally I don't like pictures of myself, but I love this one and another Allison took of her and I. Also, Nick cleans up pretty good. :)

This probably my favorite picture of Faith and Brian. I like the angle; I think it just adds a cool element to your traditional wedding pictures. Also, Faith's dress was FABULOUS!! She picked a beautiful, classic shape with a gorgeous lace overlay and a bit of sparkle. Loved it!!

July 4th Pictures

Here we are the Nationals stadium. It was a bit windy on the concourse but felt great!!

The entrance was right next to the metro station. There were a lot of people there.
Here's the stadium. It looks all gray when you see it on tv, but in person it actually really nice.
Go Chipper!! Chipper Jones had a great day...even if we lost. Go Braves!!

July 4th Weekend

I planned a special trip for Nick and kept it secret for 3 months!!! A definite record for me since I like to give presents the same I buy them. Anyways, it was a trip to see the Braves play the Nationals in Washington, DC.

We got a steal of a deal at the Raddison Inn in Arlignton--$99 for two nights!! (Really it was buy in night get one free but still...) It was a really nice hotel--sleep number beds, down comforters, roof top pool, close to shops, restaurants and metro stations. However the service was terrible. The staff was not friendly, and they charged for parking and extra amenities!! What kind of hotel is this!

Friday, we visited my grandmother in Richmond for about an hour and a half then continued on our journey. That evening, we did find this modern Thai restaurant where the food was fabulous. I got my favorite Thai dish, Pad Thai, and Nick got Basil Rice, which was extremely spicy. We stayed in for the rest of night since we were tired from the trip. We watched "Bridge to Terabithia"; it was definitely better than I thought it would be but not one I would be upset about missing.

Saturday, we sunned at the pool for a bit, got ready for the game, and headed off for the metro. As a side note, DC Metro is confusing so make sure you pay attention to the signs and ask attendants if you need help!! Well, we got to the game about an hour before hand and walked abround the new stadium which looks much nicer in person than on tv. It is huge, but it seems like there would not really be a bad seat. They had good food and places to seat and eat without missing any action. We had great seats just past the third baseline and were close to all the action. Nick had a blast--even if the Braves lost. I am so happy he enjoyed the game. That night we stopped to eat at Noodles and Company. (If you haven't eaten there, you are missing out on some awesome food!!) Then we turned in for the night and just watched some tv.

Sunday we headed out early in search of a Dunkin' Donuts. Normally in abundance up North, we could not find one and abandoned our search. Then about five minutes later we found one and saw a 7Eleven on the way. So armed with a boston kreme donut, small coffee, chocolate chip muffin, and a medium Slurpee, we were back on the road home. Suprisingly, there was no major traffic on our way to from DC, but when we got to Oxford, NC (a little slice of nowhere) there was amjor traffic backup. We turned off on the next exit, got "lost", and then ended up back where we exited off in the first place. However, after our 30 minute detour, traffic was flowing and we finally made it home. Then left an hour later to have dinner with my sister and her husband, but that was really nice, especially since we had not seen them in 3 months.

All in all we had a wonderful time, and we so happy to have some time away.

Invest and Invite

What are you doing to invest in the lives of your friends/family/co-workers? I am really good as at investing in people. I listen to their needs and encourage and support them. I know their likes and dislikes. I give advice or guidance when asked. I like to buy them out-of-the-blue-thinking-of-you gifts. But so often I fail at the second part of the mission--inviting.

It is so easy to simply invest in the "right this moment"point of someone's life, but what about their eternal moment. Am I so invested I know, or at least have a good idea, that this person has made a decision about their eternal life? Not so much. I am trying to better with this. I live my life as a follower of Christ, and I know people see that. However, I want to see them living as a Christ follower as well. I want them to experience the same peace and hope and forgiveness and strength. I just need to take more time focusing on their eternity as well as their "right this moment" need.

Michael Jackson

I would just like to mark this day by saying this is the first legend in my generation to pass away. Michael Jackson was a music great and he will be deeply missed. I am saddened this day and just stunned.

Three Fishermen

This is one my favorite pictures I've taken. I took it last September while on vacation at the beach. I love the shadows, the lighting, the ocean and island in the distance. I love it when you are just snapping away with your camera and bam! you get this perfect shot. Once I thought about submitting it to the art contest at the state fair, but I never did. Maybe this year??

and all hell breaks loose

So we went to the beach two weeks ago and had a wonderful relaxing time. And that was the end of that. Since we've been back home it has been go, go, go and I am just not used to this type of schedule. There are tons of things going on at the church so I am constantly busy whereas I used to work a little, chat some, do a little more work, chat more and then time to leave. I am taking on more responsiblities with our small groups, Next Steps (deals with first time guests, new believers, and care ministry), and Block Party. I really like volunteering there. It is a great environment to be, but lately, I am tired when I leave.

Also babysitting is proving to be alot more challenging. This Monday I kept Ethan and his sister Elhannah (7yr old). They are wonderful kids--self-sufficient, quiet, well behaved, but it was chaos Monday. Elhannah was watching a movie while I fixed lunch, and when I returned upstairs she said she had a headache. I told her to lie down and went to call her dad. Well, while I was calling him she came downstairs and told me her head was really pounding and started crying and rolling around the bed moaning. Couldn't reach her dad or her mom or my mom or the parents again or my dad the first time, then I finally reached my dad the second time I called him and asked what to do. He said give her some baby Tylenol (all I had in the diaper bag), but she refused to take anything--even if I mixed it in some juice. Finally, after about 15 mins of crying and moaning, her dad calls me back and I tell him whats going on and he says he'll be there soon. In the meantime, Elhannah leaves the room and is in the bathroom gagging and heaving. By this time, Ethan is getting cranky because he's hungry and sleepy. It was madness and I thought I might have to take Elhannah to Urgent Care! Luckily her dad was there about 15 mins later and while we are outside she vomits in the yard. It was disgusting! Also the dad calls me later and tells me she has Strep as well. Fun. She is doing better now, but her dad said she was pretty sick Tuesday and Wednesday.

Before Elhannah's incident though, we got locked out the house (we were house sitting for friend) at 2am Sunday morning. It is a long story so check it out on Nick's blog. I spent all day cleaning Cynthia's house and was at church yesterday and today. I just feel exhausted and the week isn't over yet. We are going a party Saturday, taking Nick's dad to lunch Sunday, and going to baseball game Sunday night. Then babysitting, volunteering and weekend plans begin all over again. It's going to be like this through mid-July. I guess it is good; it will help time seem to go by faster and be even closer to leaving.

On a lighter note, I am getting a new hairstyle soon. Kind of a modified Victoria Beckham bob. I am hoping when the back grows out it will grow more even with the front. I have hair angel and she is doing a great job helping me look good while growing my hair out again. I like my short hair but it is kind of a pain to keep up.

Anyways, I had a new recipe idea for Buffalo Fried Wontons. I think I am going to try it next week so I'll report back soon. I really like to cook, but most stuff I make is a modified version of some else's recipe. I am excited to create my own. I REALLY hope it turns out well.

Well, off to watch my favorite show...So You Think You Can Dance. Yeah!!

Surf's Up (Video)

This the video I made featuring the rolling surf of Oak Island, NC.  I think it turned out pretty great.  Hope you enjoy it.

Surf's up

Nick and I had a great time at the beach this past weekend.  Probably, the best trip we have taken to the beach.  The weather was perfect...a little overcast but cooler tempratures and ocean breezes kept us feeling wonderful.  The ocean waves rolled in perfectly.  Pelicans and seagulls dove in catching fish like crazy.  Not really any kids, only the locals, so it was so peaceful.

This is one of my favorite pictures from the weekend.  It's all the shells we collected, but I thought it was an interesting shot from the "wrong" side of the shell.    We both are trying to get better at our photography.  We took some action shots of waves, but I want to try making a "movie" of the pictures first.  If it works out I'll post here.

Here we are relaxing after a day of frolicking on the beach.  Happy as clams.  We enjoyed ourselves immensely and can't wait to go back again. 

Busy busy busy

This is a wonderful dessert I made for dinner Monday night.  We had Nick's grand- parents over for dinner.  I fixed a great meal of zesty pot roast, potatoes, carrots and gravy.  The secret was adding salsa while cooking the roast.  For the dessert, I made a double chocolate torte (recipe here).  It was delicious, probably the best dessert I had ever made.  My only suggestion would be to use a different mousse recipe; the one given was a little time consuming and difficult.  Everyone had a great time and really enjoyed everything.  

This is the little boy I am keeping.  He is great!!  The other day he was fussy and that was just a little whining before he took a nap.  I mean it just doesn't get better.  He is absolutely wonderful. He is exhausting though.  I mean even though he is great, he is all over the place and wanting to explore everything.  Also, he wants to walk everywhere instead of crawling, but he has to hpld onto my hands.  I love keeping him though.  I am so happy to help his parents out.  I really think being here will help in his development.  We take walks, explore the outdoors (flowers, leaves, rocks), and learn about dogs, animals, birds, colors, and numbers.

Tomorrow my dad is coming through town.  He is taking me to lunch which is fabulous.  I have come a long way in my relationship with my dad--just in the last year and a half.  It is still really weird getting together with him, but we are working on it.  Also I am happy he is coming through town because that means he has work (he hasn't worked in about 8 months).  Thank God!

Also my sister got a new used car.  Funny thing is it is the same color, year, and make as my car. She has to replace the windshield and paint it, but it was steal of a deal--$350.  I am so happy for her.  Her and Chris have grown so much in their faith and relationship just in the last six months.  I can't believe how great they are doing, but it is a great testimony to the Lord's faithfulness and his forgiveness.

Whirlwind Weekend

This weekend is packed!!  Tonight Nick and I are going to see "Up".  It looks fantastic and we have been waiting months for it to come out.  Then we are stoppinga the rec center to swim some laps.  We haven't been swimming since we moved so I am really looking forward to it.  I liked when we lived down the road fromt the rec center; we played racquetball quite a bit and swam often.  After swimming, we are going for a bite to eat.  Who knows where, but we will definitely be enjoying our time together.

Then tomorrow, Nick's family and we are going to the "Got to be NC" festival.  It is an awesome festival that promotes North Carolina products, farms, and bbq-ers.  There are tons of exhibits, free food, a bbq cookkoff (and tasting), and a mini carnival.  We went last year and had a great time.  I am really excited about it this year!!

Then Sunday, our small group will be meeting for the last time until fall.  It will be nice to see everyone, but it is sad knowing it is the last one.  By the time we start meeting again, Nick and I will be leaving in a few weeks plus we will be out of town visiting friends and family.  I must say when we joined this group last February, I really did not like it.  Everyone was so different from ourlast group, and the meting had a much more serious feel.  However, I really have grown to enjoy meeting with them, and we have met some really cool people.  Now I still miss meeting with our old group, but I look forward to seeing everyone in the new group also.

Well today is exactly four months until we fly out with Peace Corps.  On Sept. 29, 2009 Nick and I will be in Philadelphia meeting the folks we will be training with for the next three months.  We'll get anymore vaccinations, have final checks on passports/visas, learn a bit about where we are going/staying in Turkmenistan, and then we'll leave out for 27 months.  The closer it gets the more I realize everything we are leaving behind.  I mean some things are good to leave behind--boring jobs, consummerism, television addiction.  But everyone we know is here, all my cooking stuff is here, safety in knowing everything is going to be fine is here.  I mean we're crazy doing this.  Sometimes I want to back out and just move to Colorado but I know if we don't do this, we are just going to keep getting stuck in a rut with our jobs.  I really want to be excited about this trip (and I am most times), but it is really scary at the same time--at least I will have Nick beside me.

My Summer

This summer I will be doing something that most people who know me would be extremely surprised by...babysitting.  I will be watching an 8 month old little boy, Ethan.  He is extremely laid back, probably one of the best kids I know.  He is very bright and inquisitive.  I am hoping he'll be walking soon, but he sure does crawl around fast now.  I really am enjoying keeping him so far; it is tiring, but at least it is only for a few hours.  I'll probably talk more about him later on, but surprise, surprise I still cannot believe I actually said yes to babysit.

Also, next week we get to vacay at the beach!!  Nick's grandparents have a great little cottage.  They built it back in the '60s and it still looks exactly the same--vinyl sofa and chairs, orginal matresses, vintage serving/diningware, and formica dining table and chairs.  I love it just like it is (although a new matress would be fabulous).  It is like stepping back into a time where life made more sense and you could actually relax--no computers, ipods, or cell phones.  I am really looking forward to going.  It is going to be the last time for a couple years so I really want to each it this time.

Also, Friday will be exactly four months until we begin our adventure with the Peace Corps.  It is still scary to think about leaving everything for two years but it will be a literal once-in-a-lifetime experience.  We did receive some language audio and pdf files this week.  It covers basic Turkmen--abc's, numbers, and basic phrases (ex. where is the bathroom?).  It seems pretty easy to learn, although there is more use of consonants making some words harder to understand.  Overall though, I think Nick and I should do very well with picking up the language.  On a side note, we do have to get dental exams redone.  So please pray with us for the money to be provided to cover this without having to use our savings up again.

Lastly, my garden is looking good.  We have five watermelon sprouts, my zucchini is making a comeback, and there are flowers on the hot banana pepper plants!  The only thing that has not been sucessful is my cilantro which is this one thing I was most excited about.  Oh well.  

Anniversary Dinner

For our anniversary, we went to dinner at George's Gareage.  It was fabulous, as usual.  We shared a crab cake appetizer.  Probably, the best crab cake I have ever had, and I've had alot considering I am from Maryland.  Nick had seafood pasta for his entree.  It was angel hair pasta with shrimp, scallops, mussell, clams, and calamari and a spicy white wine marinara.  Really good but too much stuff for one dish and a little expensive.  I had a spinach salad and linguine.  The salad had feta, walnuts and delicious blueberry vinagrette.  I love the linguine and it was only $9!!  It comes with this fabulous spicy marinara.  Then we shared tiramisu for dessert.  Also fabulous and not too expensive.  It was a great night and a great meal.   We love George's and if you are ever in the area and want a nice meal check it out.

Only 180 More To Go

Yesterday was our 3 year anniversary.  I still can't believe it's three years already.  Everyone keeps telling me it only seems to go by faster the longer your are married.  I want to slow down though.  I already feel like I am missing stuff or memories are running together.  But all in all, I love it!  I love being married, I love the man I married.  He is an incredible gift from God.  He loves all of me and that is something I never thought anyone but God could love.  He challenges me.  He goofs off with me.  And he takes care of me.  We have been through up and downs already and we're still just starting out.  Through it all though we are only closer to each other and to God.  We have the most wonderful marriage and I cannot wait to see what waits for us in the next 180 years.

I love you babe!! You are the greatest man I know!  Happy "late" Anniversary!

Virginia Creeper Trail

This weekend Nick's family, some friends and us went to Damascus, Va for a bike trip.  We had a blast. 

On Friday night we had slight mishap with the tacos.  Nick's mom dropped a whole sheet of tacos and Ricky decided this little broom would be great to use for clean up.  Funny...but what a mess!!

 This is us starting out on the Virginia Creeper Trail.  It is a 17 mile long up or downhill trail.  Obviously, we went downhill since none of us are experience cyclists.

The trail is gorgeous.  There is a river that flows by the whole trail with several bridges that cross over.

This is me finally finishing the ride.  The last mile is KILLER!!  My butt was so sore and my arms ached, but I FINISHED!!!  17 miles!

This is the river by our cabin.  There was a huge log "bridge" to cross over.  That is Nick's mom finally making it over.  It was a beautiful area we stayed at.  If you ever get a chance to ride the trail, do it.  It was really gorgeous and so much fun!!