Of Wool & Water

Remembrance

2012-02-09T22:23:00.000-05:00

". . . I respect your decision to leave the Master's program and follow your heart. It takes a good amount of courage to listen to that voice in your head . . . I'm very proud you realized this." [my amazing friend, Robert]

I recieved some amazing encouragement today from a friend and it reminded me . . .
Keep your eyes on God's faithfulness!
Look at what He's doing!

Since deciding to leave graduate school this past December, I've been filled and filled and filled up with God's grace, hope and the love and encouragement of friends and family! It's been easy to forget where I was but with messages like that, I'm reminded of the faithful steps I've taken and the amazing ways God has shown up and been faithful to me!

Not only that . . .I've been busy! On the go, go go!

Just in case you're visual like me. . .
This is me . . . on the go. :)

I'm still in awe of being asked to be a part of my church's Worship Design Team. I have the privilege of sitting amongst our Pastors and Pastoral staff to help develop our services and sermon series. Such an honor! Yeesh!

I'm getting my hands sticky and planning outreach events to help serve our community and tell people of the love of Christ. So much fun!

Allan & I have been leading a small group and loving it! We love the diversity in our group and the hilarity that always ensues. Ha!

AND to the most recent news . . . .

I'm heading up a team of awesome people to develop worship nights at our church. It's been on my heart for a while to start having dedicated nights of just worship and praise.

Think:

Coffee House

Contemporary worship songs & hymns

Acoustic band

Candles

and

the WORD!

So excited to get this underway and see God's hand move! And I'm so thankful to be a part of a community of believers that seek God diligently and think outside the box! Love them!

♥ Dana

2012-02-09T20:50:00.001-05:00

Been so busy this week!

Valentine's Day Dinner - Outreach this weekend

Excited!

2012-02-09T20:45:00.002-05:00

2012-02-09T20:44:00.002-05:00

It Is Finished!

2012-02-06T17:57:00.001-05:00

Remember this??

The renovation is complete!

Flood?? What flood?

Guest Bathroom - The walls are a light green but look more neutral in this picture.

Guest Bathroom Decor

The vanity is much smaller than the original and we love it!
Much more space to use!

The carpet is laid back down and life is back to normal!

2012-02-03T11:26:00.001-05:00

2012-02-03T11:25:00.001-05:00

2012-02-03T11:22:00.002-05:00

Life Lately, According To My IPhone

2012-02-03T11:18:00.002-05:00

1. My entire kitchen inside my living room.

2. Mmmm

3. Finding Nemo

4. Husband had a long day.

5. Snowy drive home from church.

6. Worship practice

7. Small group yummies!

8. Trinity Youth

9. Finally hung up our wedding photos.

10. Sunshine breaking into the house!

2012-02-02T18:23:00.002-05:00

It's February and I'm a girl that loves all things Valentine! ♥

Enjoy these free printables!

Valentine Cards from Hello Lucky!
- You Appeal To Me
- I'm Cuckoo For You
- I'm Wild For You
- Guess Who-ooo Is My Valentine?

Love Coupons from Love Vs. Design - Download Here
Love You More Than from Sweetest Occasion - Download Here

2012-02-02T17:45:00.002-05:00

2012-02-02T17:44:00.002-05:00

2012-02-02T17:43:00.002-05:00

2012-02-01T07:59:00.001-05:00

"Conflict and confrontation are never easy, but they are a necessary part of courageous leadership." - N. Gumbel

2012-02-01T07:54:00.005-05:00

2012-02-01T07:54:00.002-05:00

2012-01-29T14:08:00.004-05:00

You Know Me (feat. Steffany Frizzell) - Bethel Music

2012-01-29T14:04:00.002-05:00

2012-01-29T14:01:00.002-05:00

2012-01-29T13:44:00.002-05:00

The fight of faith is a fight to feast on all that God is for us in Christ. John Piper, A Hunger for God

2012-01-26T13:05:00.000-05:00

Baking, cleaning, laundry-ing & small group preparing*.

How are you Thursday-ing??

*Tomorrow is the very first "Watson" small group meeting! So excited!

The Hope of Our Calling (Week 1)

2012-01-26T12:35:00.000-05:00

I've been justified, completely forgiven and made righteous! (Romans 5:1)

We are currently studying the book of Ephesians and we are loving this current season of transformation! Transforming our minds into the mind of Christ; learning who God say's we are and what we have in Him.

Because of God's awesome GRACE we have so much. Do you know that since we are in Christ and receive that grace, we are JUSTIFIED before the Father? We are completely FORGIVEN and made blameless; Plucked from our inate sin and darkness. Because of Jesus we are made RIGHTEOUS, made right before the eyes of God; given the ability to come boldly before the throne. We are thankful for His grace and mercy in every moment - we are going all in!

God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this;

it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good

things we have done, so none of you can boast about it.

Ephesians 2:8-9

Receive His gifts & reveal these truths to your mind daily.

♥ Dana

2012-01-26T10:41:00.000-05:00

Love. Love. Love this worship anthem from Kari Jobe!

We Exalt Your Name - Kari Jobe (feat. Matt Maher)

Get her new album, "Where I Find You" HERE!

We Are Floored!

2012-01-25T09:19:00.000-05:00

Before & After

We have our new floors!

It feels so great to have all of the renovation almost finished.

Now to just finish the bathroom and we'll be done!

I see a light ahead.

2012-01-23T18:54:00.001-05:00

Say Your Name - Bethany Dillon

I’m trying to find a moment with You
These days are speeding by
This ring gives me a new point of view
I’m a dealer in my time

And if I can make a confession
My time is torn between
The man who has won my affection
And the God who made me
Oh, it all looks different
But that doesn’t mean anything has changed

Still I reach for You,
When I am afraid,
And this breath that comes from You,
Helps me say Your name

I look at the life of Anna
Your presence was her home
I look at the life of my mother
Praying on her back porch

One day very soon,
Face to face,
I’ll give an account of my time to You

- Bethany Dillon (Say Your Name)

2012-01-23T18:38:00.001-05:00

2012-01-22T20:07:00.001-05:00

2012-01-21T11:22:00.002-05:00

"Truth without emotion produces dead orthodoxy and a church full of artificial admirers. On the other hand, emotion without truth produces empty frenzy and cultivates shallow people who refuse the discipline of rigorous thought. But true worship comes from people who are deeply emotional and who love deep and sound doctrine. Strong affections for God rooted in truth are the bone and marrow of biblical worship."

John Piper: Desiring God

2012-01-21T11:16:00.002-05:00

2012-01-21T10:42:00.001-05:00

Totally excited to say that I've been invited to be part of our church's Worship Design Team!

My heart wants to pastor people in worship and help them learn and discover intimacy with God. Not just at church but in their own personal lives. . .at home, in the car, at work. Ultimately, if we are worshiping at home, spending time with God at home, learning to exhalt him at home - when we get to church on Sunday morning it will just be a well that is already open, ready to spill out the worship that's gone on all week!

"I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

Ephesians 1:18

I love this verse! We are called God's riches. His inheritance! We are His reward and gift.

A part of worship is getting that fact wrapped around our brains. That we - in our blemish - are what He wants. When we understand who we are IN CHRIST and worship Him whole heartedly. . .I just picture our hearts being flooded with light and like an endless cycle our worship goes out and His light, love and confidence come rushing back!

(sooo good. sigh.)

Needless to say, I'm so honored and so excited to be part of the team at Trinity!

Keep praying!

♥ Dana

2012-01-21T09:05:00.002-05:00

source

2012-01-20T21:34:00.000-05:00

1) Joyful, Joyful - Laura Hackett (International House of Prayer)

2) Joy is in Our Hearts - Sara Groves

3) Exceeding Joy - Hillsong

4) Joy Will Come - Desperation Band

5) Joy Follows Suffering - Michael W. Smith

6) Joyfully - Kari Jobe

Seriously, Though. . .

2012-01-20T10:16:00.000-05:00

"If God changes your heart, be willing to change your plans." - J. Meyer

"Vision wed with patience rooted in sacrifice combined with endurance clothed in humility--these mark the road to greatness." - L. Giglio

"God often takes a course for accomplishing His purposes directly contrary to what our narrow views would prescribe."- J. Newton

2012-01-19T21:29:00.002-05:00

DIY Cake Plate

2012-01-18T23:51:00.003-05:00

Okay so check out this SUPER CUTE cake plate DIY!

Looks so easy! I'm a sucker for frilly and pink!
♥ Dana

2012-01-18T23:09:00.003-05:00

Listen

2012-01-16T22:07:00.001-05:00

Just James - J. Moss

DIY Stencil Pillow

2012-01-16T21:52:00.003-05:00

LOVE this idea via Wit & Whistle!

Go check it out for complete instructions.

What quotes or sayings would you use??!

I could very easily go crazy with this idea!

♥ Dana

Weekend Updates

2012-01-16T00:01:00.000-05:00

Game night with so many of our friends! Even our littlest friends. . .

Mmm, Taco Bar!

I was building the Temple of Artemis at Ephesos.

7 Wonders, Dominion, & Bohnanza!

Lunch, games & great conversation with our friends Matt & Cathy!

. . .Oh! And sweet Ziva. ♥

What a great weekend!
We're so blessed.
♥ Dana

Dream Organization Must-See!

2012-01-15T21:41:00.001-05:00

Found a great new blog called IHeart Organizing and stumbled upon this post with so many sweet organization ideas for each room! I'm drooling over all the OCDness of it all. haha!

Tour the organization HERE! LOVE IT!

♥ Dana

2012-01-14T10:32:00.001-05:00

Gooooood Morning!!

2012-01-13T22:43:00.000-05:00

Dave Fitzgerald - Hope of Heaven

Life Lately, According to My IPhone

2012-01-13T22:32:00.000-05:00

1. Helping mom take down the Christmas Tree

2. Frozen yogurt night - shhh, we used chocolate sauce!

3. Cleaning & organizing our office.

4. We finally have snow!

5. Baking blueberry muffins.

6. We have painted walls, yay!

7. Dinner date with husband.

8. Fresh coat of nail polish.

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

Don't Tell Him I Told You

2012-01-13T22:30:00.002-05:00

. . . about how sweet he is to me! :)

I love my husband!

♥ Dana

Pink Hunters! Yes!

2012-01-13T22:13:00.003-05:00

2012-01-13T20:47:00.002-05:00

2012-01-13T20:46:00.001-05:00

Remember

2012-01-11T10:16:00.001-05:00

source

What We Do

2012-01-09T23:04:00.000-05:00

I paint my fingernails. . .

He does math problems. . .

Totally natural. :)

♥ Dana

Currently January

2012-01-09T22:52:00.003-05:00

Current Guilty Pleasure: Spider Solitaire! Thanks to my mother & father-in-law for getting me hooked! ;)

Current Read: "The Covenant" by Beverly Lewis (Abram's Daughters - Book 1)

Current Drink: White Chocolate Mint flavored coffee from my Keurig!

Current Food: Pretzels & Veggie dip

Current Favorite Show: Sell This House! Love watching all the staging ideas. Maybe one day we'll sell our condo. sigh.

Current wishlist: OPI Black Cherry Chutney nail polish

Current Needs: Prayer for Allan & I as we both conquer the winter sniffles.

Current Triumphs: Sticking to my Weight Watchers plan & working out.

Current bane of my existence: People who are lazy. There. I said it!

Current Indulgence: Vanilla frozen yogurt root beer floats! Yum!

Current Blessing: My hubby made me lunch, dinner & cleaned up all the dishes over the weekend. (awww)

Current Excitement: Can't wait to see our new floors put in!

Current Mood: Determined

Current Scripture: Ephesians 4:1- . . .live a life worthy of the calling you have received!

Current Link: THIS SHAMPOO is HEAVEN!

Baby Steps

2012-01-09T21:51:00.000-05:00

One of the immediate thoughts I had upon making my decision to leave nursing and pursue ministry was where do I go from here? How do I get started? I surely didn't want to sit around the house and wear a perminant spot into the couch cushions, thats for sure.

So I
began thinking
of small steps I could take.
You gotta start somewhere, right!?

Thankfully, I have fantastic, supportive staff - and friends - at our church that I've been able to confide in and recieve Godly advice. Our Outreach Director, Ellie has been gracious enough to meet with me and help me take my first steps. In order to get started, I really needed to define my spiritual gifts and my natural strengths.

So far, I've worked through a booklet called "Exercising the Body of Christ" by Kia Hunt. (you can download it for free by clicking the link) Spiritual Gifts are God given abilities that edify the church and glorify God. (Hunt, 2009) The workbook takes you through a series of chapters, delving into all of the gifts named in Romans 12; Prophecy, Ministry, Teacher, Exhortation, Giving, Leadership and Mercy.

"There are different gifts, but the same Spirit.

There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.

There are different kinds of working, but the same God

works all of them in all men." I Cor. 12:4-6 NIV

At the end of the booklet, there is a self-administered test to take that helps to identify what your spiritual gifts are and then how to implement them. I wasn't too surprised at my results. . .

My top three according to Hunt:
Exhorter - "One who is motivated to participate in the process of self and others growing closer to God."
Prophecy - "One who is motivated to see the truth of God's will revealed to all people."
Ministry - "One who is motivated to identify practical needs and fill them."

Strengths Finder 2.0 is great. Believing that we should "discover what's right with people and then build on it". Strengths Finder 2.0 asks the question - "Do you have the opportunity to do what you do best everyday?" Developed by researchers at Gallop, the online assessment helps you understand what your top strengths are at a more personal level and how to develop those strengths.

My top 5 themes:

Positivity (this basically says I'm enthusiastic & it can be contagious!)

Futuristic (I inspire others & have lots of dreams and make them happen)

Strategic (I identify problems easily & come up with lots of solutions - I think outside the box!)

Belief (I have unchanging values and purpose for my life - "I want to leave the world in better shape than I found it")

Communication - (I'm probably comfortable speaking to a variety of audiences and openly share ideas)

If you notice, my spiritual gifts and my themes compliment each other! I really enjoyed both of these exercises and totally recommend it for anyone who's struggling to find their niche or if you just want to do it for fun! You can find it at Barnes & Noble for like $15.00! Cheap!

I'm excited to see what God puts into action. I'm praying & seeking.

Next up for me:

Just got asked to be part of a planning committee for an outreach we're doing in February.

Stay tuned!

♥ Dana

What Happened??

2012-01-09T17:05:00.001-05:00

2012-01-09T17:00:00.000-05:00

Allan's 1st Birthday

Was my husband not the cutest baby EVER!?

I'm just sayin'. . .

♥ Dana

2012-01-09T16:54:00.005-05:00

2012-01-06T20:41:00.003-05:00

Laura Story - You Are Love

Happy Friday!

2012-01-06T20:32:00.000-05:00

Aside from myself "enjoying" a small cold this week, we've been pretty productive.

- Cleaned and organized some of our junk!
(I emphasize SOME)
- I'm pretty sure I did about 8 loads of laundry. Do we have 8 loads of laundry? yikes!
- I was able to work out 4 out of 5 days this week.
Yay! Go me.
- I made pistachio pudding. It was yum and didn't last very long.

Okay so maybe we weren't that productive but the pistachio pudding was the moral of the story. :)
♥ Dana

Free Stuff!

2012-01-06T15:00:00.001-05:00

I like cute.
And I like free.
So why not some cute free stuff!

From Alice Cantrell
2012 Calender - download it here!
Paper dolls! - download it here!
Valentines notecards - download it here!
Matching gift tags - download it here!
A picnic plan - download it here!

From Going Home to Roost
Super cute fonts - click here!

From Fonts for Peas!
More cute fonts - click here!

From Oh, Hello Friend!
An Oh so pretty, desktop calender for January - click here!

Enjoy!
♥ Dana

We Have Walls!

2012-01-04T13:56:00.003-05:00

Well we're making some progress anyways. . .it's better than what it used to be!

♥ Dana

Itty Bitty Donuts

2012-01-03T20:13:00.001-05:00

source

The box of donuts is really a pill box. Some are cheerio's dipped in chocolate, then sprinkles. The others are cheerios dipped in confectioners' sugar and cheerios rolled in cinnamon sugar. SO cute!

♥ Dana

2012-01-03T11:11:00.002-05:00

Display Those Photos!

2012-01-03T11:07:00.000-05:00

I love taking photos and I love displaying them! So when I saw this great photo display idea, I had to share!A few trays found from a thrift store, antique shop or grandma's kitchen and some cute magnets and VOILA!

Mount to an empty wall space or door and you can change up your photos as often as you'd like!

I'm so doing this!

♥ Dana

Happy 2012!

2012-01-01T23:26:00.000-05:00

Allan and I arrived home late last night and well, we spent our first "Married New Years Eve" . . .

SLEEPING.

and. . .

Bahahaha!

I remember last year at New Years Eve, enjoying the ball drop and the excitement of being engaged with my friends at work. 2011 was great!

We had our share of blessings and losses. . .

In January -

I took my Third Annual New Years Day Walk

Josh Groban sang Kanye West Tweets

In February -

Helped out at my first Trinity Food Pantry

We finished our Engagement Photos

Grandma Dorothy left us for Heaven

In March -

I was knee deep in wedding plans and sparkles

Inspired often

And found this. . .

In April -

Lip Sweaters

Participated in the EACH prayer walk

More and more wedding plans

In May -

Made Allan a really ugly birthday cake

I turned 30 and got a re-tweet for my birthday

This kid happened. . .

A girl became a princess & America's most wanted.

In June -

Planned a wedding shower

In July -

Final Exams

July 4th with the family

In August -

Our wedding shower

Combine Derby

Left my job at the hospital

In September -

Bachelorette fun

In October -

I learned how to fold a fitted sheet

Got married

and went to IRELAND!

In November -

Our neightbor flooded out our condo.

Allan and I tried to adjust back into our regular schedules, as newlyweds!

And finally in December -

We tried to live without walls

Upgraded the blog

Spent time with family for Christmas

and I made one of the biggest decisions in my life . . . so far

It's been a WONDERFUL year for Allan and I!

Thankful for all that Jesus has preserved, transformed and restored. But I'm even more thankful for all of the things that 2012 has in store for us.

Happy New Year!!

♥ Dana & Allan

Life, According to my iPhone

2012-01-01T20:26:00.000-05:00

Well actually, it's more like vacation according to my iPhone. . .

Christmas in Cheraw

2012-01-01T18:55:00.001-05:00

Allan's dad plays Santa Claus!

Presents!

Big Dude & Lil' Dude

We spent much our time relaxing and going for long walks. . .

Visiting the oldest church in Cheraw, SC - St. David's. . .

Climbing to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain . . .

and strolling down whatever country road we could find!

Thanks Mom and Dad Watson!
We had a blast!

2011-12-25T13:51:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas!!

♥ Allan & Dana

It's Been a Long Time Comin'

2011-12-23T22:50:00.003-05:00

If you had the perfect chance to pursue your dreams, would you?
It's been a long time comin'.

Singing at my graduation, May 2005

In May of 2005, I graduated from Wayne State University's College of Nursing, recieving my Bachelor's degree.
I went on to work in post-operative Orthopedics for 6 years at a local hospital. I learned a lot over the years. . .a lot about nursing, a lot about people and a lot about myself. I've accomplished so much and really succeeded as much as an average 30 year old can. . . bought a home, purchased a car, I've enjoyed luxuries big and small and developed my nursing career. Thanks to parents who fully believed in my future and my security, sacrificed alot so that I could complete my undergraduate degree.

Thanks mom!
Thanks dad!

In May of 2009, I struggled with burn out from my job at the hospital and really felt I needed a change. I applied for grad school and was accepted to the nurse practitioner program. How exciting! I had new goals and felt liberated from the stress and anxiety of my job.

. . .although it was a great place to be and great goal to have -that destination was not a scheduled stop on-route to the greater plan. Yes, I could get off there and set up camp and that would be okay. I could eventually enjoy the fruit of my toil and labor. Yes. I could.

But I won't.
In December of 2011, I withdrew from grad school and the nurse practioner program.

If you had the perfect chance to pursue your dreams, would you?
It's been a long time comin'.

After many long discussions and long cries. . .my husband told me to fly. To pursue my dreams. It's been a scary decision to make but so easy. I will explore and seek out whatever doors the Lord see's fit to open for me and I will pursue my dreams of worship ministry. My heart has never felt so filled and in the right place. Whether it be marriage, motherhood, ministry or all of the above. It's in these places that I belong.

"For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength."

1 Corinthians 1:25 (NIV)

♥ Dana

2011-12-23T22:50:00.002-05:00

2011-12-23T19:34:00.002-05:00

(Via . . .Iwillnotfear)

2011-12-23T19:30:00.002-05:00

Christmas Cheer

2011-12-22T13:09:00.000-05:00

With the little bit of space we have in the condo right now and all of the construction happening, our first married Christmas has been lacking a little bit of Christmas festive-ness!

No tree :(
No lights :(
No garland :(

But thanks to our wonderful friends and family, we're able to have a little. . .

Such great Christmas cards and lovely photos!
We feel so loved!! Thanks guys!

- Dana & Allan

2011-12-22T09:47:00.002-05:00

(Via i am blessed)

2011-12-22T09:45:00.001-05:00

(Via i am blessed)

2011-12-22T09:34:00.002-05:00

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. - C.S. Lewis

2011-12-22T09:29:00.005-05:00

2011-12-22T09:29:00.002-05:00

Come To Me - Jenn Johnson

2011-12-22T08:54:00.001-05:00

Yeesh. . .Holy Spirit knocks your face off in this one. :)

Maggie Moo

2011-12-20T19:15:00.000-05:00

Spent the afternoon with my favorite new "niece", Maggie! Isn't she precious!?

Thanks for a great afternoon Kristen!

♥ Dana

2011-12-20T09:53:00.001-05:00

Chris Tomlin - Your Heart (David)

Innumerable Choices

2011-12-20T09:46:00.001-05:00

People often think of Christian morality as a kind of bargain in which God says, "If you keep a lot of rules I'll reward you, and you don't I'll do the other thing." I do not think that is the best way of looking at it. I would much rather say that every time you make a choice you are turning the central part of you, the part of you that chooses, into something a little different from what it was before. And taking your life as a whole, with all your innumerable choices, all your life long you are slowly turning this central thing either into a heavenly creature or into a hellish creature: either into a creature that is in harmony with God, and with other creatures, and with itself, or else into one that is in a state of war and hatred with God, and with it's fellow-creatures, and with itself. To be the one kind of creature is heaven: that is, it is joy and peace and knowledge and power. To be the other means madness, horror, idiocy, rage, impotence, and eternal loneliness. Each of us at each moment is progressing to the one state or the other.

- C.S. Lewis (Mere Christianity)

For reflection, James 3:13-18

2011 A Gift Guide For Anyone! (Because it's difficult to gift for your family who has everything!)

2011-12-20T09:27:00.000-05:00

Ninja Cookie Cutters

Handerpants!

Seriously though - you can get me this! :)

Or This!

Balloon Animals Kit

Me & You Pencils

Wool Sweater
(Bought Allan one similar to this and he looks yummy!)

Men's vest (inspired by Marty McFly, no doubt!)

Tabletop Foosball

Issey Miyake
(So your man can smell delicious like mine!)

Madero Hoodie

Comfy Loungers

Make someone a lovely dessert!
(I'm going to try this for our Christmas dessert!)

♥ Dana

2011-12-20T09:21:00.000-05:00

2011-12-20T08:27:00.001-05:00

(Via Tinywhitedaisies)

2011-12-19T23:01:00.001-05:00

”The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing.” - Zephaniah 3:17

December Playlist

2011-12-19T22:35:00.002-05:00

1) Be Born in Me (Mary) - Francesca Battistelli

2) Angel's Lullaby - Christy Nockels

3) Adore Him/Christmas Eve - Kari Jobe

4) Emmanuel (Hallowed Manger Ground) - Chris Tomlin

5) This Baby - Steven Curtis Chapman

6) Here With Us - Joy Williams

7) A Baby Changes Everything - Faith Hill

8) Joy To The World - Casting Crowns

9) God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Mercy Me

10) Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel - Sufjan Stevens

2011-12-19T21:55:00.005-05:00

(Via "Tinywhitedaisies")

2011-12-19T21:54:00.001-05:00

(Via "Tinywhitedaisies")

2011-12-19T21:44:00.001-05:00

(Via "This Life's Not About Me")

2011-12-19T21:43:00.001-05:00

"We have to be braver than we think we can be, because God is constantly calling us to be more than we are, to see through plastic sham to living, breathing reality, and to break down our defenses of self-protection in order to be free to receive and give love."

Madeleine L’Engle, Walking on Water

Thanksgiving Leftovers

2011-12-19T21:29:00.000-05:00

Since Thanksgiving, our condo has been through the ringer. The past three weeks have felt like EON's with dirt and dust, dry wall and the smell of must. Yuck!

During Thanksgiving weekend, our neighbor left town (and couldn't be contacted) and left a toilet running. Water poured and poured from his kitchen ceiling for 3 days and saturated our bathroom, kitchen hallway, pantry and living room carpet. Allan pulled back the carpet and cut out the saturated padding - which ultimately saved our carpet - and we played with the shop-vac, drying up the slow Watson Pond.

Thank goodness for home owners insurance! Other than our deductible, they are paying for thousands of dollars in damage. We've had someone come in and dry out all of the wet spaces and cleaned up a little - so we can at least cook in the kitchen without being totally grossed out. They've also cut out all of the bad dry wall and molding.

But here are some photos as it currently stands.

Part of the living room

Kitchen hallway (thats a tarp on the other side - in our neighbors kitchen. It's
the only thing separating us right now. Weeeird.

Half-bath

Half-bath entryway.

We're supposed to have a contractor come out this week to get started. . .we'll see if that happens.

We are excited though because we've been approved for new flooring! Goodbye ugly builder-grade linoleum. Hello . . . . half way nicer, medium grade linoleum? ha!

Ahh, the joys of home ownership!

Anyone want a condo?

♥ Dana

Things Are Looking Different Around Here

2011-12-16T16:57:00.002-05:00

It's been a crazy couple of months with wedding plans, honeymoon, grad school . . . but I'm happy to say things are starting to settle down and settle in.

Marriage has been wonderful!

Don't get me wrong, we're not perfect. . I mean we're getting used to each others quirks and bad habits but it's fun.

Allan likes to air-dry the dishes next to the sink.
Dana likes to throw them in the dishwasher or dry them and put them away.
Allan likes to fold his socks together in halves.
Dana likes to fold them together into little balls.
Allan likes to make coffee with his french press.
Dana likes to use her Keurig.
Allan likes to grocery shop up and down the middle aisles first, then shop the perimeter.
Dana likes to grocery shop back to front. The catch it while you can method.
Allan prefers bar soap.
Dana prefers body wash.
Allan likes to re-use. EVERYTHING.
Dana likes to use sandwich baggies, pre-packaged goodies, plastic spoons and bottled water.

(don't judge me)

Seriously though. . .we're having so much fun getting to know each other more and more. ♥

As you can tell the blog has a new look and a new focus! You like?

- Dana

Our Wedding Day

2011-12-16T16:28:00.003-05:00

Just a few of the many memories from our special day! (in no particular order)

Thank you to my great friend and awesome photographer Kathy Hammell at Captivating Memories!

2011-12-16T15:53:00.005-05:00

source

Currently December

2011-12-16T14:24:00.001-05:00

Current guilty pleasure: Watching the entire X-Files series (we're up to season 3!)

Current read: The book of Genesis

Current drink: Diet Dr. Pepper

Current food: Greek yogurt & fruit! :)

Current favorite show: See guilty pleasure. gulp!

Current wish list: Anything Erin Condren

Current needs: Manicure and pedicure!

Current triumphs: Drinking more water.

Current bane of my existence: The lack of drywall and well, WALLS in my condo. Grrr.

Current indulgence: Moose Tracks chocolate frozen yogurt

Current blessing: My husband! (always)

Current excitement: Just recieved my Erin Condren "On-The-Go" planner!

Current mood: Content

Current Scripture: Luke 1:35-38

Current link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WWWTW1P8rQ

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