beautiful

I see Your face in every sunrise
The colors of the morning are inside Your eyes
The world awakens in the light of the day
I look up to the sky and say 
You’re beautiful

I see Your power in the moonlit night
Where planets are in motion and galaxies are bright
We are amazed in the light of the stars
It’s all proclaiming who You are
You’re beautiful, You're beautiful

I see you there hanging on a tree
You bled and then you died and then you rose again for me
Now you are sitting on Your heavenly throne
Soon we will be coming home
You’re beautiful, you're beautiful

When we arrive at eternity’s shore
Where death is just a memory and tears are no more
We’ll enter in as the wedding bells ring 
Your bride will come together and we’ll sing
You’re beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful

I see Your face, You're beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful
I see Your face, You're beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful
I see Your face, I see Your face
I see Your face, You’re beautiful, You’re beautiful, You’re beautiful

-Phil Wickham

fish.

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

― Albert Einstein

This goes out to all my type-A, perfectionist friends out there.

Some of us our fish, some of us our monkeys - but none of us can be the whole zoo.

Choices are like Onions

Ogres are like onions

Recently, I have been thinking about how much our actions/decisions (or lack of) are dictated by our past, our fears, our trust, etc.  Rarely do I make a decision that hasn't been affected by something else. Much like an onion, there are layers. Though you may have to sit there and slowly peel back each layer (and shed some tears in the meantime), you might begin to understand what is really at the center of your decision.

I have begun to realize that if this holds true for me that it probably holds true for others.  What may on the surface seem mean or rude or inconsiderate may come from a place of hurt, anger, sadness...

If this doesn't make sense, then at least you got to watch Shrek :)

Oh Tiny Christmas Tree

Oh Tiny Christmas Tree, Oh Tiny Christmas Tree

I'm back. Why was I gone so long?

1. I have never been able to keep a journal in my life.  I think every journal i have has at least 4 entries of 'this time i am going to keep up with this for real'.
2. My "beloved" CCI Lenovo Laptop saw its last day.  A virus, combined with my attempt to get rid of the virus myself resulted in a laptop that still has a virus but is now completely wiped clean.

However, enter one Mac Book Air and I am officially (hopefully) back.

So much has happened between September and now....
1. My mom came and visited David and I in Chicago :)
2. David and I took a trip to San Francisco
3. We traveled back to NC for the first time since July 1st for Thanksgiving
and so much more in-between.

But more on that later... I am FAR to excited to not post about CHRISTMAS.

This year we lucked out and found a Christmas tree "lot" across from our apartment. Considering we don't had a car this was like striking gold.

Prior to now, I always had a rule that the Christmas tree had to be
1. REAL
2. TALL - well taller than David and I

Now don't worry - our douglas fir is filling our apartment with the smell of Christmas. But in an effort to not have our tree to take up half of our apartment (ok, ok I exaggerate) we got our selves the most wonderful 4 foot tree there ever was.

Note the knee length jacket and my love for our 4 ft. tree

Before

After

One of my favorite things this time of year is to hear everyone's Christmas traditions.  David and I of course wanted to start a few of our own.  

So we decided that we wanted our Christmas tree to be full of memories and special ornaments.  Because we got married December 20th, we were gifted quite a few ornaments that are now precious to us and have added to them since. Then last year we decided to build on the tradition and buy each other an ornament every year. Something that was special to us - even though it might not make sense to anyone else. Check out a few below:

Given to us by David's parents. So lovely.

My good friend Alison played the violin at our wedding
and her parents sent us this super thoughtful ornament.

My husband loves coffee and I found this last
February and was so happy to hang it this year.
 

"I'm an elf" - My Ornament to David 2010

David's Ornament to me 2010 

The first ornament we bought to together at the General Store in the Mountains.
To stay we love this fat little santa is an understatement. 

My grandma has been giving us ornaments ever since we were little.
This is just one of many. 

Our favors at the wedding.
Instead of sparklers or rice we have everyone ring these bells as we left our wedding reception.
Now it can serve as an ornament :)

Our First Christmas - 2008

My mom bought us our very first ornaments.
We love having these on our tree and all over our house as decorations :)

How could you not love this tree topper.
Don't worry we are finding a replacement soon ;)

Now off to watch Elf. Not really - but it sure seems appropriate.

KT

3 Months

On Saturday, David and I will have lived in Chicago for 3 month. I know - we can't believe it either. 

In honor of this momentous occasion (and the fact that I finally uploaded my pictures), I wanted to post a few pictures from my parents visit our first week here.

Picture with the bean

 

 

Lunch & Blues at Buddy Guy's Legends

 

 

 

 

Waiting for the show

 

 

 

 

Water Cannon

Hanging out on the Chicago River Walk

Navy Pier Farris Wheel with David :)

The 'Rents

Navy Pier

View of the downtown Chicago

My crazy father

David letting me take pictures

Watching people walk the pier

Checking out the city

Captain Peanut Butter

 Due to my lack of camera memory (and we aren't talking memory card space people) I missed many of our adventures. 

1. My father graciously put together our kitchen table and TV console. 
2. Eating yummy food - Deep Dish Chicago Pizza, Mayan Palace, etc.
3. Eating Pinkberry on opening day in Chicago
4. Our 45 minute walk through the Art Institute of Chicago on Free Day
5. Our very crowded experience on the El
6. Lots of walking

Wow... can't believe I just remembered all that. Can't wait for the next visit!

Introspective

I don't like change.

This is not recent news to me - but after a discussion David and I had a few days ago,  I began to think about what that really meant.

If you turn it upside down, inside out, flip it over whatever you want to call it, this means that I am dependent on the "normal."  I want things to stay just as they are.

You may find this weird since about 2 months ago David and I packed our few belongings into a yellow Penske Truck and took off for an adventure in the greatest city of the Midwest - Chicago.

It all fit :)

But this was always "normal" to me. David and I had talked about moving to a big city since before we were married.

Pit Stop = Picture Stop

My response to change is never lovely at first - but then I usually warm up to it just in time for change to occur again.

When it comes to the small things (i.e. a new menu at a restaurant) - I am just being silly.
When it comes to the big things - I am not trusting God.

My goal is experience & accept change.  My goal is to not be so dependent on the "normal". My goal ultimately is trust God.


So I will start with Baby Steps:

Bill Murray I am going to take Baby Steps with you towards accepting change. By the way if you have not see What About Bob - rent it.


p.s. you know it is time to update your blog when your mom comments on the lack of posts. Love you Mom ;)

Food Facts

Fact: I am extremely indecisive when it comes to ordering food

I always narrow it down to 2 choices and then look at David with puppy dog eyes and say "ahhh... what should I do?" My mind immediately starts running an imaginary pro/con list.

Then the server comes - pressure is on - and I make my decision. I would say i usually get it right 50% of the time.

Choice A.  Choice B was ribs - the right choice.

So, once I find something I like - don't expect me to switch. It's just easier that way.

Fact: A hokie sign does not indicate how good the food will be.

Don't be fooled!

I believe David and I have eaten here at least 5 times. We are obsessed. We first went with my parents our first week in town and all 4 of us were beyond impressed.  We have since taken David's brother in law and plan on introducing others as well.  We have also discovered the very small (but charming) patio in the back- you just follow the skinny one person pink hallway. Awkward hallway encounters are just part of the fun.

No worries - I always order the same thing. 2 chicken flautas and a steak taco with rice and beans.

Fact: Once you find a great Mexican place - don't stray.

David and I discovered this today. Wanting to switch it up a little we decided to try a Mexican restaurant closer to downtown.It all went downhill after they brought out the salsa.

Mayan Palace - from now on our loyalty lies with you.