Party Like it's 1999!

We've had a very busy few weeks.
We bought a new bedroom furniture, and played with moving the rest of our furniture around to make it all fit.  I found that it's very rewarding to save up for such a big ticket item, and actually spend the money on it. 

 

This week was spent helping our friend Drew plan a surprise prom-themed 30th birthday party for his wife Krista.  We had such a blast on the "party planning committee".  Luke said I was the Angela of the group, but I think I was Phyllis.  I totally could have scored an anti-gravity machine if it fit the theme!

We got to use the garage of an empty house (it's on the market) to create the prom-gym effect.  I think it was a HUGE success. 

Here are a few shots, but there will be tons more (including videos) on facebook.

finally an update!

I feel like each time I write here, I begin with “it’s been so long…” Well guys, I’m sorry that I stink when it comes to updates.

I think this time I will work backwards in time.

Our Sunday School class is going to use Luke’s truck for the church’s trunk or treat on Halloween. We are trying to think of decorating themes, but haven’t gotten any great ideas yet. So if you have a thought…we’ll welcome suggestions.

Friday, October 22 Mom and Dad will be visiting us for the weekend!!! (So please pray for their safe travels as they drive Thursday and Friday) I can’t wait. Mom has seen our home, but Daddy hasn’t, so it will be a nice time showing off my new home to him!

Sunday, I am hosting a tea party! There’s no fancy reason. I just wanted to get a chance to know my 2 most immediate neighbors a little better, and they both have daughters, so it sounded like a super fun excuse for a girls-only get together.

Today the NC State Fair began. Since we probably won’t attend till next week it doesn’t seem like that would be a very big deal. Oh, but wait!! I work less than 1 block from the state fair grounds…that stinks because my commute is already around 1 hour due to the fact that I have to stay on a 2 lane highway w/ traffic lights most of the way to/from Raleigh. I don’t state this fact to complain (my Ft. Worth commute wasn’t much better) it’s only to enlighten you all to my plight that will persist through 10/24.

Last Monday the school had an anniversary party with free bbq (the vinegar/pork kind). We walked up and had a good time picnicking with some of our newer friends.

I am doing a Beth Moore bible study on Tuesday nights with this friend too. Let me tell you about these ppl. It’s kinda scary how alike we are, both a couple, and individuals. (it might not come across well without meeting them, but here’s my attempt.)
Michele: favorite color = yellow, wedding colors were black/white/yellow, small in stature, and width, loves the Bachelor/wipeout/other shows that I like, sucks at softball, 23 years old (it’s hard to find that age in our life station here.) from Sarasota Florida (obviously, I’m not…but that’s near my grandparents, so I count it)

Nathan: athletic, into apologetics and philosophy, loves chips&salsa/stupid-funny movies/basketball, married a younger girl. I don’t know him all that well, but Luke does.

They were married about a month after us, so we’re in a very similar life situation. They love life, one another, and Jesus. The Lord has blessed us with their friendship, and is using our differences to challenge my faith, and really soften my heart to Him lately. He seems to be using a lot of people that way for me…He is so good!

There’s really not a whole lot that happened past that stuff…
We went to a few birthday parties,
Met/spent time with some new neighbors,
Had an amazingly funny wrestling fiasco,
Went to the dr. (inflamed cartilage on my floating ribs),
We both started serving with the 1.5-2 yr olds at church,
Got our own Netflix account,
Lots of cleaning, working, playing, walking, praying, reading, planning, & enjoying the many blessings that our Lord has given to us in this life.

We love you all, and miss you so much! (can’t wait to get to see most of you in the next few months!!!)

July 3rd and 4th

We got to go out to Duck to spend the 3rd (saturday) with the Pattersons and Co.  It was such a fantastic day!  Luke learned to use a boogie board and everything!

On the 4th we tailgated with our seminary friends and watched the NC State Fairgrounds fireworks from nearby.  The Thurman's brought cornhole for us to play while we waited for it to get dark.  Thankfully niether Krista nor Amber went into labor that night!  (Krista just had her son this past week...10 lbs, 10 oz!)

We had such a great time!

TEXAS

We got to go to Texas for the first week of June because Luke was asked to speak at Frontier Camp's homeschool teen week.  

We got to spend about a day and a half in Nacogdoches with my parents...which was so nice.  I really enjoyed getting a chance to spend time with them, however short it was.

While at camp we wakeboarded...I'm still working on my camera skills, and Luke's working on his flipping skills.

I'm not so good...so there.

We also helped out around camp (this way Holly)

Saw old friends...the Super special Camp crowd of too many ppl to list...and...

Sandi, Denise, the Sanders, Mom, and Christopher all made special trips out to camp to see us.

and made some new ones (DARRELL!)

Talked to Jesus...

and got baptised by my hubby!

We played and snuggled with the sweetest of all Hendersons

And forgot to take pictures when the beautiful Green ladies came to see us in the airport. :(  Although our hour and a half went quickly, we LOVED getting to see/spend time with Jenny and the girls.

Also Rebekah and Chris came to see us in DFW.

Over all, it was an incredible trip.  Much needed.  Our God is so good and gracious to have allowed us to come home, in addition to providing a way to get us there.  PRAISE HIM!!

P.S.

We think that the teenagers that Luke was speaking to actually enjoyed hearing his apologetics topics.  They seemed to comprehend and enjoy his messages.  It was very encouraging to see.  I'm so proud of him!!

May 30 is the best day ever!! (always)

Luke took us to "The Grove" a Bed and Breakfast in Marion, SC

(side view...our windows are the 2nd floor right corner)

Our room was amazing...yes that's a window seat on the right edge of the pic

see?

ginormous jacusi tub

the rear garden

Pretty barn

The front of the house

I spoke to Denise while we were at Myrtle Beach

(he's jealous)

The water was so clear!

1st kiss of our 2nd year...

Yea for homemade icecream topped w/ Heath bar crumbles on the porch!!

Happy Anniversary Baby!!!!

Blessings Galore

Can I just say WOW!? The Lord has blessed us tremendously!  We are surrounded by so many Godly friends there is no possible way it was an accident.  Each time we get to spend more time with them I am amazed at the goodness and love of our God.  
We have been able to help out some of our friends a few times over the last few weeks by taking them dinner and giving them extra "hands" for the night.  They have been such an encouragement to us with their sweet spirits and intense love for the Lord.  Basicly their situation is this: they have a 2 or 3 yr old and a 5 yr old. Within a few weeks of their 3rd child's birth they took on 2 other children (a tough set of their family events) So now they're a family of 7.  5 kids, 4 in diapers...yet they are the ones encouraging us when we spend time together.  I know this is not very discriptive, but to be safe, legaly, I kinda have to be.  The point is, we have come to love them dearly in our short time here, and they have been huge blessings by allowing us to help them out. 
Also, Luke is super cute when he's playing with the girls and holding the boys!

wowey wow

Denise's birthday was last week.  I was left out of all the festivities, but I got to talk to her for a bit the other day which was great!
I have skipped so many things first this picture of my birthday present from Liz and Matt

Liz make them...and they're beautiful!!

this was Luke's birthday icecream cake!

This one's for Sandi...Luke made "Sandi's Beef-a-licious Brisket" it was so fantastic that we had to take a picture for her. ;)

We were so excited to find this that we drove way into Raleigh for lunch...also, look at the pretty clouds!

also, spring is soooooooooooo pretty...this is on the way home from work

and this is my housing, LOVE it!

We had a pic-nicwith a bunch of our friends and evie is the cutest thing around, so i had to put this pic up. 

Also, since we aren't creative and we can get stuck in a dating "rut" we stole the Irwin's A-Z idea, our A date was Alice in Wonderland + Applebees.  And it turns out that "Avril" had a great song at the end of it.

Coming soon....."B"each day!!