oh july, where are you going?

have you ever bitten your lip (or tongue) at the beginning of the day and had it remind you all day that you hurt it?  or better, have you ever filled your thermos with scorching hot coffee from your keurig machine, taken a sip and burned your lip through the spout? yeah, these both happened.  the first, yesterday and the second today. ouch. my mouth hurts.

HOWEVER, the month of July has been flying by and filled with goodness all over the place...
1. Kelsey is gonna have a baby! Yea! I am so excited. She and Brett will be great parents.
2. Sarah and Kyle are getting married! Yes, she got engaged last Saturday. I had permission Sunday to tell friends, but it seems I haven't gotten to you all yet, so here it lies, on my blog.
3. Maddie had baby Jonah.
4. Church- studying Habakkuk and his struggles with doubting God. It's only the 2nd week in and I have been discovering the hidden away doubts I have about God and his greatness and what true faith in Him looks like.
4. My parents' anniversary is this weekend! They have been married since 82- you do the math. (hint: almost 30 big ones!)
5. Art night Saturday! My sweet friends and I are sharing time together and serving each other in a time that we all appreciate very much, yet, haven't spent enough time together doing. So, we set a date. (I think I'll plan a menu) We have ideas in mind and I am making sure to pick up the messy place before they come. Hopefully...
6. Ana is leaving soon for her excursion to Mexico. I am so excited that the time has finally come and she is able to stand firm in faith with her brothers and sisters in Christ as she moves through the process.
7. Wendy and Matt are traveling Texas! I pray that the Lord will continue to help them make contacts and share Christ with those here and share what's going on in their ministries in CO.

Are you overwhelmed by the goodness happening, yet? You should be.

There really are so many things to give praise for...We thank you, Lord, for your goodness, mercy and grace as we move about serving others and sharing your love with those who don't know you and don't yet feel the Love you have for them.  Regardless of the wretch we are, you saved us on that old rugged Cross.  We praise you. Amen.

reminiscing this week about our cruise. oh it was so fun...

completely wet from seattle rain we waited so patiently for our hotel room

finally on the boat. so relaxed. now where's my coffee and cookie?

after dinner, we'd sit outside and watch the sun set

sarah, dad, and me after one of the shows

i love them so much!

ArT and CooKies

the cold weather and snow outside are starting to make me antsy for the warmer months.  don't get me wrong, i definitely like snuggling with my beau, watching chick flicks with the girls, and art nights with alma and kate however...those sunny days when the weather is perfect to sit outside and read a book just won't get out of my head.

know what else won't get out of my head? heart art and cookies
sarah and bendrix have a lovely little shop on etsy... i found these pieces here.  quite lovely in time for valentine's day.

originally i found them here @ happiness is... but i always like going to the real source (s and b)

other things....have you visited joy yet?  i told you that you should.  if you haven't, go see her lovely, little
v-day cookies here.

(**photo is courtesy of joy- please go visit her site) whole wheat chocolate brown sugar sugar cookies.
mmmm :)

urnatur

oh to be rowing in a boat. day dreaming...and thinking of culinary concoctions to cook back at camp



the anthropolgist

meaning: "ancient nature," also a retreat in southern sweden

the anthropologist: a little site/blog/website put on by anthropologie (see link by clicking on ancient nature)

the site highlights artists each month.  wonderful artists.  this month's happens to be a photographer in southern sweden- check out the videos and photos on their site. they're beautiful.  a little fyi: when you enter the site, just click over the next photo and the pics slide to the left.

 my favourite



the treehouse



quite an amazing treehouse.  my friend, kate, and i have always talked of each having our own some day.  atop all the amazingly tall trees in a beautiful area of the world, sits a home.  secluded.  peaceful.

happy thursday, friends.

10-1 wonderfuls.

10.  sleeping in after a long weekend and the morning sky staying dark long enough for me to stay asleep!
9.  getting to wear jeans at work on a Monday- to root for the Rangers as they come back from 1-3 games against SF Giants.
8.  coming to work and finding out that I won a contest on a friend's blog from college mille baisers. $35 gift card to CSN stores. I never win things!...but I did today.  Thanks, Lacey.
7.  knowing I have the evening off to relax, watch the Rangers (and hopefully catch Mom in her new shirt on TV), and spend time with Lola and Emma Grace
6.  for once, not feeling too overwhelmed by work...staying calm and collected even though so many things are rushing around me.
5.  i have 3 special friends' bdays in November...I just love birthdays.  I bet they'll enjoy theirs this year. :)
4.  homecoming with chase, a target excursion, fire pits at the Monty, baseball, phone chess, beef filets,.. and *Coke...might be the best sunday night I've had in awhile.
3.  warrior yoga try it. bob's 15 min abs is highly challenging...however, you can feel your awesome abs after 2 workouts.
2.  the return of art nights~ martes a la siete con mis amigas y sus arte, la comida, y la musica
1.  It's November, friends.  A month to remember all the things we're thankful for...what are you thankful for?  I'll start, I'm thankful for the year that I've had; a challenging one with many losses (illnesses, my aunt veneica, my great aunt, several friends without jobs), gains (my job, my new friendships, chase, the rooted church, sarah getting in to U of H Optometry school),  and learning along the way that Jesus has been my all - in every part of it.  How great He is!

What are you thankful for?