Confession

I'm a huge bargain shopper. And I can get super excited over a good deal. For instance, I was with two close friends this weekend and we were shopping at Target. I had seen a super cute tote a couple weeks ago but didn't want to pay full price and had totally forgot about it. But as we were shopping, we saw the tote on clearance for $3. Needless to say, it is now in my possession. :) Woot!

And I am starting to realize more and more how much money I can save by making things, especially decorative items. I've become a frequent shopper of Joann Fabrics (ha!) and love browsing through all the material. Today I came home with a sample of fabric that happens to match pillows (which I almost got rid of) and framed artwork (that had been sitting around unused) I already have! Hooray!

I think the fabric might be used to cover a couple plain white lamp shades I have...and of course I'll follow the handy dandy tutorial of my friend Tara! I've been stumped on decorating our living room and now that I have some things that are starting to coordinate, I think it'll give me a jump start! Is it totally dorky that I wish I had a couple days off to just sit around and do crafty projects?!

Oh well, there you have it.

success!

So, Tara came over this weekend to help me with my first sewing project. Its been a long time since I've used a sewing machine. I do vaguely remember a sewing class I went to when I was younger...but it really has been awhile. And that "gem" that Mom VB is letting me borrow turned out to be a wee bit finicky! We just couldn't figure it out! I lovingly nicknamed the sewing machine 'Grandma Singer' mostly due to her age, crotchetiness, and lovely smell. ;)

Anyway, we spent most of the afternoon trying to unjam the bobbin. And then finally later that evening, after reading the ENTIRE manual online multiple times, I got her working correctly. She just needed a little love. :) Ahhh, sweet success! (pics to follow after the project is complete!)


Sunday afternoon we spent watching the World Cup Final and were disappointed that the referee made some terrible calls and the Netherlands did not win. I even showcased one of Kyle's orange Netherlands jersey to the pub where we watched the game! Sad end to the world cup, although I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed watching the games over the past month! Woot for soccer! :)

A small treasure

Look at this gem I brought home from Michigan...



It's a (super) old sewing machine that Mom VB is letting me borrow. One day I will purchase a sleeker looking one (and one that doesn't weigh 50 lbs!), but for now this does the job. :) I was even able to download the original manual online. Who knew?

I can now start on some long awaited sewing projects. More updates on that at a later date!

Kyle's sister Erin got married this weekend. Although a whirlwind of events (as most weddings are), it was a great time. I spent a lot of time with Kyle's Aunts getting last minute details done. Both are from Colorado and we rarely get to spend more than one meal or a few hours a year with them. It was great to have several days working side by side on projects and just talking about life and family. Kyle's younger cousins, Ethan and Caleb LOVED Emma. They would wrestle in the basement for hours with her while we attended luncheons, the rehearsal dinner, etc. We also got to see Kyle's great Aunts, Marion and Jeannie, who live in Ft. Lauderdale. They have so much energy and even drove the 21 hrs to Michigan! Bravo!




The wedding was outdoors and there is something about it being outside that always stirs me. I never thought I would get married outdoors until my own brother's wedding. God's presence at their wedding felt so tangible to me. There was a holiness and a sense of something so sacred that it even persuaded me that I wanted our own wedding to be outdoors. I had the same feeling on our wedding day. And then again this weekend, I felt that same sacredness. It moves me to tears everytime. I can't accurately describe it but I truly believe when relationships are committed to the Lord, He chooses to show up in extra special ways, and His presence is truly felt at such events to bless those unions.


[Erin & Tyler with siblings/ushers]






[Emma loves road trips!]

Summa time!

This summer has begun just as I had pictured it would in our first house:

We grill out nearly every evening. Kyle is quite the chef on the grill! Do most men have a natural instinct for this?!

I have begun frequenting our local Farmer's Market every Saturday morning and am learning new recipes for the fresh fruits and veges I get every week. I might be obsessed. :)

On the less humid evenings, Kyle and I take Emma for walks through our neighborhood and the adjacent one, eating popsicles as we go!

Our next project is to re-screen the back porch (from when Emma busted through it twice) so we can sit out there on evenings, minus the bugs! And I've recruited Tara to help me make shades to keep out the rain that has a tendency to blow in and make large puddles (resulting in a muddy doggy).

I heart summer time.