Mad About...

Kwacha!

My husband's reputation preceded him by 10,000 miles.  
Soon after we finished high school my best friend went to South Africa on a mission's trip.  While she was there she took lots of pictures and I remember sitting in her room at her parents house looking through them when she returned.  There was a short African guy in a lot of the pictures and she told me that he was really sweet and  spent a lot of time with their team.  In the mornings, she and another girl would go running and he would go along with them.  She said it was to make sure that they were safe.  
When I was first dating Kwacha I noticed that he and Christen were friends on Facebook.  When I told her that we were dating I asked her how she knew him and she told me that she had met him when she went to South Africa.  (He was there attending Christ Seminary.)  I only then realized that he was the guy in the pictures!
Who would have thought ten years later, that short African guy would be my husband?!
I didn't spend a lot of time in my teens and young 20's praying for my future husband.  But I did occasionally.  At least I hoped he was out there.  And he was.  Way out in Lilongwe, Malawi.  I don't think any of our friends would have thought to set the two of us up.  But God did!  I love that He is the ultimate matchmaker.  He knows what is best for us, and my best is definitely Kwacha.  


(The picture above is way blown out but I thought it was good at representing how out of all the people in the world, Kwacha is mine.  ;)

Mad About...

Pregnancy!

You better not be thinking that my baby looks like an alien.  (Okay actually you totally can, because I sure think she does right now.)  A friend at work thought her face was her whole body, but that's actually her arms and belly below her face.  I know these things can be hard to decipher.

 

Can I just say that I l.o.v.e. LOVE being pregnant?  I kinda always thought I would but wasn't sure.  I mean -- throwing up, having no energy, gaining weight that can be hard to lose, not to mention the PAIN of CHILDBIRTH!! what's so great about that?  But seriously, so far I have loved every (pretty much) minute of it.

 

By the way, totally lied up there.  I have not always thought I would love it.  When I was a kid I was freaked out at the thought of giving birth.  I had seen enough movies at a young age of women giving birth.  No thanks.  Adoption for me!  I really did tell my mom that I would adopt when I grew up.

However, the older I grew and the more I understood what an amazing thing pregnancy is, I couldn't wait.  I mean, really folks, a tiny little person grows INSIDE of you!  They feed off you, they call your belly home, and they live in there for 9 months!  It's crazy!  Kwacha is just fascinated by the idea that a baby's safest place is it's mothers womb.  You'd think with where technology is today (and it is pretty amazing how they can keep 24 week old babies alive now), they might even do better outside.  But God has created the perfect little environment for these sweet little things.

 

The "profile" shot.  It's really not, the sonographer couldn't get a good profile shot, but I like how she's waving.  :)

 

I know I might feel a little differently in about 20 weeks when I'm not getting any sleep at night but right now I can't wait to meet her. 

 

Here's a full body shot, head on the left, legs on the right.  She's about the length of a banana here head to toe.

 

And, I'm sorry if anyone finds the following inappropriate but....

 

...proof she's a girl!

 

The sonographer told us that in ultrasound school her teacher taught them that when looking for gender, for a girl you look for a hamburger (three lines).  Well, there it is!

I am so thankful that God would allow us to become parents and I pray that she would continue to do well in there so that we can meet her!  His sovereignty is always wise and good, so matter what happens, I am so thankful for the experience He's given us so far!

 

Mad About... (Christmas Edition)

The Nutcracker!

I think I can safely say that this year, I am obsessed with The Nutcracker.  I have listened to the whole thing in my car probably around ten times this Christmas season.  Everytime track #10 is about to end, I think, "Okay, it's time to take a break." But then it just moves on to track #1 and before I know it, I've listened to the whole thing again!  I just can't get enough of it!  The music is beautiful and I am just amazed that anyone could compose something like that!  Is it totally nerdy that sometimes I get a little teary eyed listening to it?  Um yeah, thought so.  #9 gets me every time.

But what is better than listening to the music in my car?  Why, going to see the ballet of course!  I've seen the ballet a number of times but the best performance I witnessed was done by the Moscow Ballet at some theater in L.A. 

We had balcony seats...not really expensive ones, but a great view nonetheless.  The setup of the stage was amazing.  It wasn't just a single curtain that they kept changing with little room for the dancers.  It was huge and open with props and real set design.  And there was a live orchestra!

I don't think we'll be able to go this year because it's turned into an extremely busy season.  (We can't even find a whole open day to go to Disneyland.)  So I'll just keep listening to the music in my car...and imagine visions of sugar-plums dancing in my head.  ;)

Mad About...

Flying!

Stuffed animals, reading The Babysitter's Club books, my parent's music such as The Moody Blues and ABBA, strange landmarks, rest stops. These are the things that comprised family vacations as I was growing up. Road trips. We never flew anywhere. My dad believed in saving money and getting there the old fashioned way. Not too bad if your grandparents live in Arizona. Unfortunately for Emily and me, our grandparents lived in Michigan and Montana. Try five days straight in the car. Torture. (Although now I actually miss those trips.)

It wasn't until I was 10 years old that we took a plane for the first time (not counting the one time when I was a baby). Okay, maybe 10 sounds young to some of you, but I felt really old at the time, and most of my friends had flown in an airplane dozens of times.

I still remember that first lift-off. Strange that a girl, normally extremely shy and timid and afraid of heights, would love the experience so much! I don't remember feeling any fear. There was a light layer of clouds and we sailed through them as the sun shone bright. The rush of the engines and the sudden weightlessness was thrilling! I still love flying to this day.

It's easy to romanticize flying...to forget about the screaming babies and talkative old men, the airplane food and the limited leg room. I like to look back at pictures from the fifties. The glamour of it all. The fun stewardess outfits, the flight wings pins they used to hand out, the excitement of traveling to exotic destinations.

It's really a humbling experience as well. Nothing else makes me feel as small. As you fly farther and farther away from the earth, the cars and people go from looking like matchboxes and ants, to nothing. You can't see anything. And it's a good reminder that the world definitely DOES NOT center around me. Funny and sad how often I think that it does. God is big. He's holding our planet in His mighty hands. All of the oceans are like a small puddle in His palm and He can weigh the mountains like dust on the scales. That's the main reason why I love flying, the reminder it is to me of our amazing Creator!

Mad About...

Coffee Bean's Belgian Waffle!

This may look like an ordinary waffle, but trust me my friends. This is NO. ordinary. WAFFLE. I remember, about a year or so ago, I walked into Coffee Bean and saw this delectable wonder sitting on the counter in a glass dome. I thought, "Mm, that looks good," but I guess the purse strings were drawn a little tight that day. I left without the waffle. The very next day I was eating lunch with Emily and Erin at work and they were talking about this delicious waffle they had the day before at Coffee Bean. I said, "No way, I almost bought that yesterday." They immediately got crazy eyes and couldn't believe I didn't try it. They said it was one of the best things they had ever eaten. They said I didn't even need to use the Nutella that came with it. They said it was that. good.
So of course it was was only natural for me to try it that afternoon. I was thinking, "Seriously. This has been talked up way too much. There's no way it can be as good as they say. Friends. It was better. I should really learn to trust those girls.
That belgian waffle became a way of life for me for some time. I had to tell other people about it. I had to take my friends and experience their joy in trying it. Ahem....you know...not an excuse to have another one myself...
All was going well until one dark summer day. I bounced into Coffee Bean with the taste of the belgian waffle already on my tongue. I stepped up to the counter. I was a just a tad nervous because I didn't see the waffle out on the counter. But I thought, "They're probably just whipping up a fresh batch." The barista asked me for my order and I gave it to him. And then the 12 words I thought I would never hear came out of his mouth. "We don't have the belgian waffle anymore. No one ever orders it." WHAT???!!!! EXCUSE ME???!!! AM I NO ONE????!! I stood there with what I am sure was a look of shock mixed with horror and sorrow. I think I might have uttered, "Seriously?" And then after a minute? Okay maybe 5 seconds I said, "Okay fine then, never mind. Bye." The barista of doom asked, "You don't want anything else?" I said, "No." And I left that store, vowing I would never return.
A couple of months later I met up with Glenna and Janea and Glenna suggested we go to Coffee Bean. It was a different location. The one at the mall. I reluctantly agreed. We walked in and lo and behold, there. On the counter. Was my beloved waffle. You'd think I was a 5 year old walking up to the gates of Disneyland for the first time. I ordered the waffle with butter. (It enhances the flavor.) It was a blessed reunion.
When I started having health issues, I had to say goodbye to the belgian waffle for quite some time. But recently, I have been able to eat desserts here and there. (Okay I might have them a bit more than "here and there", but that's another blog post.) Shelsy and I will often go to Coffee Bean on our break and order Blueberry Peach Iced Teas. We go to the infamous Coffee Bean that ruined my life for awhile. :) Guess what they sell there now? Yeah. Looks like it was in high demand after all! Barista of doom!

Shelsy didn't think I talked it up too much either.

I created another monster.

Mad About...

Piano



I think I could listen to piano music for hours. Especially when I can hear a friend play in person. There's just something about it.


I found out in recent years that I am absolutely not a natural when it comes to playing musical instruments. A depressing discovery seeing as I have played the piano since I was in the fourth grade, when my Grandma bought us a Baldwin. I can read music, slowly, but I can't just sit down and play a piece off the top of my head. Sure I memorized a few when I was younger for recitals, but they all left my brain and my muscle memory long ago. Nevertheless, I love to sit down (with music) and play. I've also found it's a nice way to relax at the end of a long day.


That being said, Erin gave Emily a book about a month ago that has chords for a heapful of classic rock songs. (Emily plays the guitar now. For awhile I said that "Emily is learning to play the guitar" but I think she is beyond that now. For sure.) The three of us along with Sarah (am I allowed to let this out?) will get together every now and then for the particular purpose of...well...jamming. I mainly watch and listen, but I enjoy it. It's opened up a new apect of music to me, playing with other people! So now, on my own, I am trying to kinda teach myself how to improvise with chords. We'll see how it goes. (Did I mention that Sarah is really good at piano??)

Mad About...

SINGLENESS!

Bet you never thought you would read THOSE words on my blog! :) But lately, it's so true! I'm really praying this isn't just a phase or a feeling, but a true conviction that will last. I actually think it might though. With the new year arriving one of the primary areas I want to grow in is contentment, so about two or three weeks ago I started reading a chapter on contentment in a book that was regifted to me. :) One I already had. But oh how thankful I am that it was given to me because it reminded me that I owned the book in the fist place. I think the title is Women Counseling Women.

Well, the chapter on contentment is SO GOOD! For years and years I have been told that singleness is a gift...and for years and years I secretly said in my heart a big, fatty "HA! yeah right." I'm truly saddened to realize how I did not believe God's Word that says that singlesness IS a gift because it's a time of undistracted devotion to the Lord. Here I've been wasting the last few years at least by allowing myself to be distracted by an unnecessary distraction! I'm not married! There's no reason to be distracted! :) I've spent so much time worrying when worrying accomplishes ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! And I haven't spent nearly as much time as I could have been JOYFULLY serving the Lord and delighting in Him.

The chapter talks about how women often look for joy, peace, comfort, hope, security, etc. in a husband. But those things cannot be found in a husband. Sure they might be to some extent. But what about when your husband sins agains you, (or you sin against him) or he loses his job, or he dies? Well then you're faced with the fact that joy, peace, comfort, hope and security are found in CHRIST ALONE.

All that to say, I would still like to be married someday, but if that's not what God has planned for me, I know there is contentment in Him. I just finally believe I agree that both are gifts; there are hardships and great joys in each.

So, here's to singleness! (Can I get any cheesier?) And here are my favorite pictures that came up when I typed "singleness" into Google:

Apparently singleness is throwing your hands up into the air and becoming one with nature...











Apparently singles are nerds who eat unhealthy food...







Don't give up and leave town if you're single, people!



Just trust in our ever loving God! :)

Mad About...

Interior Decorating

If I could have any job in the world, it would be to be a wife and mom. But considering I'm not in control of that, teaching assisting is wonderful! I really do enjoy teaching this year. I'm growing more and more convinced that I would like to stick with it. The little Kindergarteners have stolen my heart!

That said, if I wasn't a teacher, I think it would be a blast to be an interior decorator. The great thing about interior decorating though, is that anyone can do it for fun...in their own home or room! ;) And I get to redecorate my old room again! When I moved out and lived with some friends for awhile, Dany moved into my old room upstairs. When I moved back, I converted the sewing room/den downstairs into a bedroom. I took most of what I had in my room at the Valley house and stuffed it in there, and painted the back wall...what else? Red!

Here's some pics of my current room downstairs:











Well, this little room has served me well, but it's time to move on. Dany is getting married on December 28th and so she and Thomas are flying to Germany on the 18th. That means my old room upstairs is free. I contemplated staying downstairs, but I absolutely love my window upstairs! It has a beautiful tree right in front of it, giving the feel of living in a tree house...and it has a ledge wide enough to be a window seat. Perfect for reading! In addition, how can I pass up the chance to decorate a room again?!

So right now, I'm trying to decide what to do with it. I love red, but it's time for a new shade. I think I'm going to paint the back wall a bright blue/tealish color...move my black rolltop desk up there...maybe use one of my larger paintings that Amber gave me as a headboard, and besides that...the sky's the limit!

Here are some pics I found as inspiration online:






The pic of the mirror and little dresser are to prove to my mom that teal and black work together.



Tell me what you think about the above wall color. Now mind you, it would just be my back wall...a small wall. My mom LOATHES the idea. :(

And to finish off; some pretty knobs for my dresser:







Yay for decorating!

Mad About...

TARGET!

Or as it is properly pronounced...Tar-djay. That's kinda hard to type out phonetically. I pretty much call it that without fail and a couple of years ago my mom told me that my Grandma Shaw also called it that without fail -- only she seriously thought that's how it was meant to be said. :)

Anyway folks...think about it. Necklaces, purses, wedding presents, birthday presents, baby shower presents, eggs, milk, chocolate, make-up, shampoo and conditioner, tents, sleeping bags, paper, sweaters, opaque stockings, umbrellas, sunglasses, pillows, blankets, mp3 players, novels, sudoku, Starbucks, pasta, candles, cd's, wrapping paper, gum, underwear, cereal, pots, pans, mulch, tennis shoes, scarves, wallets, greeting cards, puzzles, bathing suits, Pizza Hut, nail polish, photo albums, Sudafed, Hello Kitty diaries, cacti, Burt's Bees products, clocks, storage bins, strollers, dvd players, hair straighteners, dog food...

Name me one other place where you can find such a pletheora of items under one roof.

A few other reason why I love the Bullseye:

- It's favorite color is red.
- I can ALWAYS count on seeing a friendly face. Even when I've just left the checkout line and think I made it through without seeing anyone I know, there Summer Paige will be opening the door. (I seriously used to run into Summer everywhere!)
- (I have this thing where when I'm making a list, I have to have at least three bullets.) But the whole post is about how I can find almost whatever I need at Target, so there you go.

I LOVE Target! But I won't marry it. Although I could get married in it...or not.

Mad About...

I have always enjoyed blogs in which the writers have a little special somethin' that they post weekly. For example, Lisa Martin has her www.wednesday.what? Girltalk has Friday Funnies. I enjoy things I can count on. So, I have decided (in keeping with my thankfulness theme) to post things that I am "mad about" on Fridays. Probably not every Friday...but I would like to be optimistic about it. Without further ado, today I'm Mad About...

CINNAMON!



I have recently decided that cinnamon makes almost anything taste better. I think I actually heard that in a movie a couple weeks ago. Although, I think they were talking about butter. But in my book, it's cinnamon. Cinnamon is delish! This might be the very reason why Cinnamon Toast Crunch is my favorite cereal, and maybe just maybe why I eat it every morning.
After I saw the movie Ratatouille for the first time, I had this overwhelming desire to start cooking. I wanted to come up with my own recipes or add secret ingredients to favorite meals in our house. I made a salad one night and added...you guessed it...cinnamon, and it really made a difference!
A few nights ago I went to Coldstone's with a friend and thought, why not add some cinnamon to my cake batter ice cream? Let's just say, it was dangerously delectable.
Have you ever added cinnamon to your coffeemaker before you started brewing? If you haven't, go ahead and try it. I doubt you will ever turn back.
All this to say, I'm thankful that God created cinnamon. In my opinion, its the best spice out there!