My Ordinary Life

I guess I haven't updated on my life lately. But then again...there isn't too much to update on...Here are the basics:

1. Me and Jonathan entered the Folger's Jingle Contest. YES, yes we did. And that means that for the past four weeks Jonathan has been writing this song and thinking of ideas. And he made me....ACT. GASP. I hate acting. I always have. haha. I'm awful at it. But I tried to get into it for Jonathan's sake. And who knows...maybe we'll win $25,000 and be able to pay off all of Jonathan's loans from college. ha. I know, I want to do such glamorous things with our winnings.haha. It's a long shot. But God does work miracles. And hey, our video turned out well for our skills. I just hate seeing myself. So if we make it to the top and everyone in America sees my acting skills (or lack thereof) I will decide to go into hiding for an indefinite amount of time. We do have a copy. I am willing to show only those who promise to not make fun of me. ha.At least it's better than my highschool play. Remember? As much as I want to...I can't seem to forget.

2. I have been volunteering in the nursery at church. It's so nice to be members somewhere again for the first time in years. And it's nice to be involved. I have been in the 2 year old room. Adorable kids. LOVE Them. Jonathan has been playing drums for the worship band every couple weeks. I am glad he has had a way to use his mad skills again. It's hard to find a time to play in our apartment (we have his drums set up in our closet downstairs. haha. Yes....it's true. It really is big enough. That just means we don't have room for things like the vacuum cleaner and whatnot. But I think it's a fair trade! I like hearing him play (and the neighbors do too...).

3. Our small group is about to start World Relief. Which is where you adopt a family of refugees that came over from another country. You pour into their lives and teach them how to survive in our culture. They aren't believers. It's a WONDERFUL opportunity and exactly where my heart is. So I am VERY excited.

4. I am still working my tail off at my job. haha. I do still enjoy it. But at the same time I complain about it a lot. I need to stop that. God has definitely blessed our lives. So grateful he has provided for our every need! I have been carpooling to work with a friend who is in the same boat as me. Her husband is in seminary. And so we've been saving on gas money. Cause it's almost up to $4.00 up here. Which is ridiculous.

5. Jonathan's family is coming up this weekend for a visit and I am cooking my very first HUGE meal for his family. In fact, I've NEVER EVER cooked for them. I don't think my deviled eggs count. SO nervous.I am sure it will at least not be a complete disaster. ha.

Other than that...my life is boring. Just thought I'd update. It's been a while...

The New Me.

Yesterday I finally got to see my good friend, Cameron Liner, again. We live in the same city but are so busy we hardly see one another. We met in the Philippines. Because we shared so many difficult and life changing situations together, we became really good friends, really fast. She is incredibly creative and unique. Something I struggle to be. But something I aspire to be at the same time.

Yesterday when we were hanging out she took me to a make-your-own jewelry store in downtown Raleigh called Ornamentia. They have everything you would need to make jewelry. And they even help you out when you are trying to figure out how to put your jewelry together. We searched the store and finally found some beads and got to work. It was clear to everyone in the store that I was a rookie. I had someone from the store decide to come sit with me and give me pointers. Cameron didn't need pointers. She was born to be creative and crafty! Ha.

I learned they had a thing called jewelry "boot camp". This is where they teach you how to make jewelry. I realized that if I learned how to do this I could save SO much money from buying jewelry. And I could somehow find a way to make myself more creative and crafty. Something I am always wanting to be more of. Because it comes in handy when you are a wife and mother. And it saves you money.

So, I have debated going to "boot camp". And even if I don't I am going to plunge into jewelry making. I have decided it's my new project. A new way to inspire myself to think in a creative way and learn to do things I don't already know how to do. I am sure being crafty will be of use for my life.

I am also trying to think of other ways I can learn things that will help me save money and be more creative in life.

So, I am plunging into the world of creativity and hope to emerge a new person.

Cameron made me a cute necklace in honor of my birthday. I am including the picture below:

A New Life!

I am officially an aunt! I have decided it's pretty crazy the love you can feel in your heart instantly for someone. Someone you have never shared a conversation with. Someone who has done nothing to make you love them. But this is the way I felt the moment I saw my new neice, Kyleigh Grace Eller. She is a beautiful creation of God and I am already praying for her heart! I love her so much! I imagine this is how a mother feels on even a bigger scale!

She was born on January 26, 2011 and weighed 6 lbs 15 ounces and was 21 inches longs. She is in the top 75th percentile for her length. Crazy huh? Maybe she'll be the height of my brother ben? Whose to know? Heights do come in the family genes. haha.

Anyways, I was very lucky to get to take off of work for a day and spend a long weekend with my family and holding her. It blows my mind how hours can pass and you don't even know it. And all you've been doing is holding and looking at a baby. Not sure why it's so fascinating. haha. But she is a very cute baby!

Here are some pictures: