Friday, April 26, 2013
Final Trip to D.C.
...at least for now. Juliet and I went up to D.C. last weekend to visit with Micah one last time before he finishes working there and we move. We had a great time! We got to visit base and Walter Reed Hospital (where Micah works) twice, once to swim. Micah and I went out one night. We spent one morning at the Zoo and one afternoon downtown D.C. Saturday evening we grilled out with some friends. I would like to mention that grilling with Micah and Nate (his roommate) is extraordinary. We did not eat hamburgers and hotdogs, but rather grilled chicken and fall off the bone ribs in homemade BBQ sauce that had been marinated for at least a day in advance. YUM. They pride themselves on being amazing "grillers", so they do it well. On Sunday we made the not so short drive down to Raleigh, NC to attend Jenique's, one of my dear friends from college, wedding. It was wonderful to share in her special day and allow several college friends to meet Micah and Juliet. We had a jammed packed weekend with lots of fun and lots of memories made. And I must add that Juliet is an incredible plane and metro traveler. She is not a huge fan of the car, unless she is sleeping, but she does great when she can move around even if she is in your lap. ...my little world traveler ;)
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Assault on the Carolinas
It's a charity bike race. Strange name, I know.
My dad and I completed our first ever bike ride in Brevard, NC last weekend. We did the 60 kilometer option and we had such a good time! Brevard is breathtakingly beautiful; farm land, rivers, mountain climbs, waterfalls, beautiful homes, and farm animals. We even rode by some llamas! It was certainly not a flat race but both of us were able to walk just fine that afternoon :) I cannot wait to do another one!
My dad and I completed our first ever bike ride in Brevard, NC last weekend. We did the 60 kilometer option and we had such a good time! Brevard is breathtakingly beautiful; farm land, rivers, mountain climbs, waterfalls, beautiful homes, and farm animals. We even rode by some llamas! It was certainly not a flat race but both of us were able to walk just fine that afternoon :) I cannot wait to do another one!
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| pre-race shot! |
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Just like Joseph and On moving to Texas
We are moving to San Antonio, Texas on June 2nd. Last year on June 2nd Micah and I weren't even dating. A lot has happened in the last year that I never expected, nor would have imagined. A lot of amazing things have happened, and a lot of things that I probably would not have chosen for this season of my life. One of the ones I would not have chosen: moving to Texas.
I have moved away before. Left home and gone to other countries with a lot of unknowns. I was fine with that. So it has nothing to do with being afraid to leave Asheville. Been there, done that. And it has nothing to do with Texas. In fact, I think I will love Texas. Is there any place in the US that is more Mexican?! Texas, however, would not have been my choice. Not now anyway, and for several reasons. It's a challenge for me to move Juliet away from family. I want her to know her grandparents and great-grandparents well (both the Sullivans and the Krishnans). I have been so well supported here in Asheville over the past few years and I have yet to leave this support network since Juliet was born. I have precious friends here. Juliet's biological father lives here and is very much a part of her life. Also, I'm going to Texas as a (at least for the time being) stay-at-home wife and mom. This scares me! Not the job itself, but I fear being lonely and feeling unproductive. Everywhere else I've moved I have had something/someone/some job waiting more me. So I had automatic friends, or at least acquaintances and automatic things to do and accomplish. Obviously I'll be with Micah, but he will work during the day (in a place where he will immediately meet other people). For all these reasons, moving to Texas has been an off and on struggle for me.
In Bible Study Fellowship we are studying the book of Genesis. This week we studied Joseph. Joseph's story has been an encouragement, a challenge, and convicting to me and at just the right time. I'm sure that was not coincidence! Let me quickly recap on the trial that young Joseph faced: thrown in a pit by his own brothers, sold into slavery, tempted, wrongfully accused by Potipher's wife, thrown into jail, and forgotten by the cup-bearer, his friend and someone he had helped.
Ok, so I'm struggling to move to Texas, which slightly pales into comparison (ha!) to the struggles that Joseph faced, and the example of Joseph's character, perseverance, trust in God, and the presence of God in his life have been medicine to my soul.
First of all, despite all that was going wrong in Joseph's life God's hand was all over it! We were told in BSF that Developing your character matters more to God than your comfort and man did Joseph have some amazing character development going on! With all that was going wrong in Joseph's life God was with him in everything. In the few chapters that the Bible talks about Joseph it mentions how God was there several times. God used Joseph's brother Judah to convince the other brothers not to kill Joseph but sell him into slavery, God gave Joseph favor in Potipher's eyers and Potipher gave Joseph high authority in his home. Also, when Joseph was accused of committing adultery with Potipher's wife instead of being put to death (which was customary at that time) he was put in jail. In jail, God gave him favor in the eyes of the prison keeper and the ability to interpret dreams. So, God never left Joseph; He was gracious to him through every trail. Even though my trials are smaller I am trusting that God is planning every step of our journey even when things seem to not be going in the right (easy? preferred?) direction, He has good things planned and He is blessing our journey.
One of the most convicting things to me was Joseph's character. He did not complain or have pity parties for himself. I may or may not be guilty of doing one or both of those in the last few months. He was betrayed, unjustly treated, and so very alone, and yet he remainded faithful to God. He trusted God. God's authority and faithfulness was so apparent in Joseph's life that everyone he was around noticed it. Everyone saw Joseph as wise and trustworthy. They all recognized God's work in Joseph's life, making him successful, and were therefore they were drawn to him. If people were to look at how I sometimes handle my struggles that come with moving, they would not want to spend time with me. Instead of being excited for what God has next and trusting Him for good plans, I often complain or feel discouraged. I want to be, like Joseph, an example of God's goodness and provision in all circumstances. That is attractive and a testimony.
Lastly, one thing I have never noticed about Joseph until this study is how he cared about others. When he was in prison "he attended to [the cup barer and baker]" and one morning "he saw that they were troubled" (Genesis 40: 2, 6). When I am so fixated on my own "trials" I don't really have time to notice the things that someone else might be struggling with, which means I am also most likely not caring for them or helping to meet their needs either. Joseph cared for the other prisoners and took time to notice that they were troubled. I so hope, and I'm praying, that when I move to Texas (and now too!) that God would take my eyes off my own self-pity, help me to fix them on His promises and faithfulness and the ways he is currently working in and through me, and to open myself up to be available to be a blessing and encouragement in the lives of others.
There is just so many unknowns about Texas in my mind. Who will my friends be? Will it be harder than I think to be far from family? Will I feel lonely most days? How long till we find a church? But, Joseph has encouraged me and challenged me to be patient while trusting the Lord's plans. Joseph had many moments that seemed hopeless and impossible, but he did not use those as excuses to give into temptation or hopelessness. In Genesis 37, God gave Joseph a dream that his brothers would one day bow down to him. He knew that would happen and that God would work it out in His perfect timing. Joseph trusted that God was taking him on a fruitful journey of suffering that would build his character and work out God's purposes perfectly. I hope to do the same. Watch out Texas, here we come!
I have moved away before. Left home and gone to other countries with a lot of unknowns. I was fine with that. So it has nothing to do with being afraid to leave Asheville. Been there, done that. And it has nothing to do with Texas. In fact, I think I will love Texas. Is there any place in the US that is more Mexican?! Texas, however, would not have been my choice. Not now anyway, and for several reasons. It's a challenge for me to move Juliet away from family. I want her to know her grandparents and great-grandparents well (both the Sullivans and the Krishnans). I have been so well supported here in Asheville over the past few years and I have yet to leave this support network since Juliet was born. I have precious friends here. Juliet's biological father lives here and is very much a part of her life. Also, I'm going to Texas as a (at least for the time being) stay-at-home wife and mom. This scares me! Not the job itself, but I fear being lonely and feeling unproductive. Everywhere else I've moved I have had something/someone/some job waiting more me. So I had automatic friends, or at least acquaintances and automatic things to do and accomplish. Obviously I'll be with Micah, but he will work during the day (in a place where he will immediately meet other people). For all these reasons, moving to Texas has been an off and on struggle for me.
In Bible Study Fellowship we are studying the book of Genesis. This week we studied Joseph. Joseph's story has been an encouragement, a challenge, and convicting to me and at just the right time. I'm sure that was not coincidence! Let me quickly recap on the trial that young Joseph faced: thrown in a pit by his own brothers, sold into slavery, tempted, wrongfully accused by Potipher's wife, thrown into jail, and forgotten by the cup-bearer, his friend and someone he had helped.
Ok, so I'm struggling to move to Texas, which slightly pales into comparison (ha!) to the struggles that Joseph faced, and the example of Joseph's character, perseverance, trust in God, and the presence of God in his life have been medicine to my soul.
First of all, despite all that was going wrong in Joseph's life God's hand was all over it! We were told in BSF that Developing your character matters more to God than your comfort and man did Joseph have some amazing character development going on! With all that was going wrong in Joseph's life God was with him in everything. In the few chapters that the Bible talks about Joseph it mentions how God was there several times. God used Joseph's brother Judah to convince the other brothers not to kill Joseph but sell him into slavery, God gave Joseph favor in Potipher's eyers and Potipher gave Joseph high authority in his home. Also, when Joseph was accused of committing adultery with Potipher's wife instead of being put to death (which was customary at that time) he was put in jail. In jail, God gave him favor in the eyes of the prison keeper and the ability to interpret dreams. So, God never left Joseph; He was gracious to him through every trail. Even though my trials are smaller I am trusting that God is planning every step of our journey even when things seem to not be going in the right (easy? preferred?) direction, He has good things planned and He is blessing our journey.
One of the most convicting things to me was Joseph's character. He did not complain or have pity parties for himself. I may or may not be guilty of doing one or both of those in the last few months. He was betrayed, unjustly treated, and so very alone, and yet he remainded faithful to God. He trusted God. God's authority and faithfulness was so apparent in Joseph's life that everyone he was around noticed it. Everyone saw Joseph as wise and trustworthy. They all recognized God's work in Joseph's life, making him successful, and were therefore they were drawn to him. If people were to look at how I sometimes handle my struggles that come with moving, they would not want to spend time with me. Instead of being excited for what God has next and trusting Him for good plans, I often complain or feel discouraged. I want to be, like Joseph, an example of God's goodness and provision in all circumstances. That is attractive and a testimony.
Lastly, one thing I have never noticed about Joseph until this study is how he cared about others. When he was in prison "he attended to [the cup barer and baker]" and one morning "he saw that they were troubled" (Genesis 40: 2, 6). When I am so fixated on my own "trials" I don't really have time to notice the things that someone else might be struggling with, which means I am also most likely not caring for them or helping to meet their needs either. Joseph cared for the other prisoners and took time to notice that they were troubled. I so hope, and I'm praying, that when I move to Texas (and now too!) that God would take my eyes off my own self-pity, help me to fix them on His promises and faithfulness and the ways he is currently working in and through me, and to open myself up to be available to be a blessing and encouragement in the lives of others.
There is just so many unknowns about Texas in my mind. Who will my friends be? Will it be harder than I think to be far from family? Will I feel lonely most days? How long till we find a church? But, Joseph has encouraged me and challenged me to be patient while trusting the Lord's plans. Joseph had many moments that seemed hopeless and impossible, but he did not use those as excuses to give into temptation or hopelessness. In Genesis 37, God gave Joseph a dream that his brothers would one day bow down to him. He knew that would happen and that God would work it out in His perfect timing. Joseph trusted that God was taking him on a fruitful journey of suffering that would build his character and work out God's purposes perfectly. I hope to do the same. Watch out Texas, here we come!
Saturday, April 13, 2013
On Wedding Planning
I have not updated about how wedding planning is coming along, but people keep asking, plus I'd like to be able to look back and remember how I felt during this time....so, here we go!
Over all, I would say I'm really enjoying it! I love planning, especially "fun" events, so for the most part I am enjoying picking things out and making decisions. That being said, it is a little tough sometimes (isn't it this way for everyone though?!?!). There is just a lot going on in my life right now (but I wouldn't change that! I like busy.) which makes it hard to really feel like I can just focus on wedding stuff for a day here or there and just knock things out.
I work two days a week, which is really not bad at all, but being a teacher you can't just show up to work and then leave work at work. I have to do lesson plans and grade, so I use evenings after Juliet is asleep for this. Then there are wedding errands, meetings, phone calls, shopping, etc. We are trying to do most things buy ourselves to save money, which is what I would choose, but of course adds a little more work. This is not hard work, just lots of little details to remember and think through. Then there is simply figuring out moving to a new state. Did I mention we are officially moving to Texas?!? We will move right after the wedding. So, I try to squeeze in packing here and there because I'm sure packing the week of the wedding will cause a little stress :) My biggest job currently is being a mom to Juliet. She is so fun these days and we are just loving the warmer weather. However, Juliet makes doing all of the above a little bit trickier. It's just harder to be as productive with MY stuff with an 18-month-old either trying to "help" or needing attention. We have to work around nap schedules, park days, and melt-downs as well, which limits the amount I feel like I can get done in a day. And I can't forget all the regular life stuff like weekly activities, laundry, and working out (Thanks to my dad for getting me on the 5:30am gym routine which seems to be the most efficient time to workout!). So we are all just trying to hang-on for the ride! ...and if you notice something at the wedding is not "right" or missing, I'm asking for forgiveness in advance, okay? Thanks!
On another wedding note, I have SO much help! People are so wonderful to me. Really and truly. I have lots of ladies from our church helping me with flowers, decorations, ...you name it! They are all so talented in different ways and I'm thankful that they are sharing their gifts with us. Also, my parents are always SO wonderful to help me with Juliet. They are awesome babysitters if you need one! (You are welcome for the advertisement, mom and dad. ha) And I don't know what most grooms are like or how they typically help in the whole wedding process, but Micah is so helpful and involved. He doesn't mind when I ask him to do something (heck, he usually just volunteers) or when I am constantly asking his opinion because I just can't decide. So, even though this is a busy season I am certainly not working alone :)
One more wedding comment I want to make, as a reminder more for myself than for anyone else....
There are LOTS of friends, family friends, and acquaintances of mine and my family that are also getting married this year. All of our weddings are different; different styles, different locations, and different budgets and I am finding that it is so hard to go to someone else's wedding and not take notes, get ideas, and compare when you are also planning a wedding of your own.
Micah and I wanted to have a nice wedding, but we still wanted simple. We decided that we would rather have some of the money that we could spend on a wedding to use elsewhere in our lives, and we both decided that we would rather invite everyone who was important to us and have a simple wedding more than have a fancier wedding with fewer guests.
Well, despite what we had decided we wanted, after going to lots of other weddings that were very lovely and special I was beginning to feel the pressure to make our wedding seem nicer, more unique, fancier, more "this" and more "that". When I told Micah, he was so good to remind me that we could do "that" or make some changes to our current plans, but do we really want that? And he was SO right. I don't. I want our wedding to reflect us, not someone else. In the plans that we already have we are including the things that are important to us: a ceremony that will present the Gospel, celebration outside, lots of guests, dinner, Latin and Indian flare, dancing, sugar cookies and icing, and Sangria and beer. It's us and it will be perfect.
Over all, I would say I'm really enjoying it! I love planning, especially "fun" events, so for the most part I am enjoying picking things out and making decisions. That being said, it is a little tough sometimes (isn't it this way for everyone though?!?!). There is just a lot going on in my life right now (but I wouldn't change that! I like busy.) which makes it hard to really feel like I can just focus on wedding stuff for a day here or there and just knock things out.
I work two days a week, which is really not bad at all, but being a teacher you can't just show up to work and then leave work at work. I have to do lesson plans and grade, so I use evenings after Juliet is asleep for this. Then there are wedding errands, meetings, phone calls, shopping, etc. We are trying to do most things buy ourselves to save money, which is what I would choose, but of course adds a little more work. This is not hard work, just lots of little details to remember and think through. Then there is simply figuring out moving to a new state. Did I mention we are officially moving to Texas?!? We will move right after the wedding. So, I try to squeeze in packing here and there because I'm sure packing the week of the wedding will cause a little stress :) My biggest job currently is being a mom to Juliet. She is so fun these days and we are just loving the warmer weather. However, Juliet makes doing all of the above a little bit trickier. It's just harder to be as productive with MY stuff with an 18-month-old either trying to "help" or needing attention. We have to work around nap schedules, park days, and melt-downs as well, which limits the amount I feel like I can get done in a day. And I can't forget all the regular life stuff like weekly activities, laundry, and working out (Thanks to my dad for getting me on the 5:30am gym routine which seems to be the most efficient time to workout!). So we are all just trying to hang-on for the ride! ...and if you notice something at the wedding is not "right" or missing, I'm asking for forgiveness in advance, okay? Thanks!
On another wedding note, I have SO much help! People are so wonderful to me. Really and truly. I have lots of ladies from our church helping me with flowers, decorations, ...you name it! They are all so talented in different ways and I'm thankful that they are sharing their gifts with us. Also, my parents are always SO wonderful to help me with Juliet. They are awesome babysitters if you need one! (You are welcome for the advertisement, mom and dad. ha) And I don't know what most grooms are like or how they typically help in the whole wedding process, but Micah is so helpful and involved. He doesn't mind when I ask him to do something (heck, he usually just volunteers) or when I am constantly asking his opinion because I just can't decide. So, even though this is a busy season I am certainly not working alone :)
One more wedding comment I want to make, as a reminder more for myself than for anyone else....
There are LOTS of friends, family friends, and acquaintances of mine and my family that are also getting married this year. All of our weddings are different; different styles, different locations, and different budgets and I am finding that it is so hard to go to someone else's wedding and not take notes, get ideas, and compare when you are also planning a wedding of your own.
Micah and I wanted to have a nice wedding, but we still wanted simple. We decided that we would rather have some of the money that we could spend on a wedding to use elsewhere in our lives, and we both decided that we would rather invite everyone who was important to us and have a simple wedding more than have a fancier wedding with fewer guests.
Well, despite what we had decided we wanted, after going to lots of other weddings that were very lovely and special I was beginning to feel the pressure to make our wedding seem nicer, more unique, fancier, more "this" and more "that". When I told Micah, he was so good to remind me that we could do "that" or make some changes to our current plans, but do we really want that? And he was SO right. I don't. I want our wedding to reflect us, not someone else. In the plans that we already have we are including the things that are important to us: a ceremony that will present the Gospel, celebration outside, lots of guests, dinner, Latin and Indian flare, dancing, sugar cookies and icing, and Sangria and beer. It's us and it will be perfect.
Friday, April 12, 2013
Trip to Danville and Danville Baby Shower
Last weekend Juliet, my mom, and I headed up to my grandparents' home in Danville, VA and Micah drove down and met us there. It was a fun and relaxing weekend! My mom's best friend, Ann, and her daughter, Hannah, hosted lovely a wedding shower at their home for us and it was fun for Micah to get to take part in one of our showers :) The weekend consisted of lots of food eaten and time spent just being together. Micah and I were able to go on a 20 mile bike ride together before church on Sunday and enjoy the beautiful weather and countryside. It was such a treat to have Micah visiting with my grandparents one more time before the wedding. It just fits in so well! I loved hearing he and my grandfather just talking about common interests (like guns!).
Photo credit: my Aunt Anita and Micah
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| Awkward family photo. haha |
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| Our lovely shower hosts, Hannah and Ann Cassada |
Friday, April 5, 2013
Braids!!!!!!!
And on the hair topic, I trimmed Juliet's hair this week. It was starting to get a little long in the back and she had lots of split ends. I'm hoping the tiny trim to even things up will help it to grown in nice and healthy!...and in a very quick manner!
Easter 2013
Juliet's Nini (Micah's mom) bought Easter dresses for Juliet and Naomi. Precious.
We spent Easter dinner in Hickory visiting my dad's mom, brother, and sister-in-law. My grandmother had eggs and chocolate out and Juliet helped herself ;)
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| Finally, I let her be FREE after the required Easter morning classic picture. And free she was... |
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