Vani's Baptism

As I was looking through the pictures I have on my camera, I shamefully discovered that I never posted about Vani's baptism!  Vani was baptized in August along with other children and youth from our church.  Vani had been excited about getting baptized for a long time.  It was exciting and emotional to watch Vani take this step in her faith.

Vani chose Psalm 100:1-2 to be read during her testimony.  Dan got choked up as he was talking and preparing to baptize Vani.  Anytime Dan gets emotional, I lose it.  So, I was a teary mess.

I am so proud of you, Vani, for declaring your love for the Lord!

Turning 30

****Warning!  This is a lengthy post with lots of pictures!****

In case you didn't feel the earth shake or feel a shift in the air around you, then you must have missed my 30th birthday.  All joking aside, I turned 30 almost a month ago and other than saying I'm thirty, my day to day life hasn't changed much.  Maybe that is why I haven't posted about my birthday or maybe I'm in some deep depression and denial about my age or maybe I'm just lazy and not much of a blogger.  I think I'll go with the latter.

My birthday was celebrated in fun fashion thanks to my family and amazing friends.  My parents, brother and sister-in-law and the Franks threw me a surprise party.  I must say, I was pretty tricked up until the last moment when we were pulling into the parking lot.  The Franks helped delay the time with coffee from Flying M and a walk on the greenbelt.  Then the surprise part began.  We had a yummy dinner at Smoky Mountain Pizza and celebrated by hanging out and eating cupcakes.  My mom did a great job making sure people from all aspects of my life were invited.  It was great!

I love these pictures from our time down at the river!

So many of my favorite people.  I felt so special and overwhelmed!

Did I mention the happy mail?  My good friend, Jennifer set up the operation.

My birthday week was capped off with a dinner out with some of my favorite girls!  Jennifer arranged the event and even made a cake to eat in the restaurant!

Another fun night of celebrating and feeling overwhelmed from the love.

I feel blessed with the wonderful people God put in my life and the love they showed me.  God's timing is perfect and I am recognizing that this year.  I reflected on my 20's and I did some incredible things!  I graduated from college, secured an amazing teaching job, paid off all debt, bought a house (debt doesn't count here), traveled to India, London and Ireland, went on a cruise and visited 3 more countries!  I look forward to what God has planned for me in the next decade!

My Love Language

Have you heard of the Five Love Languages?  I have known about them for years, but knew that it was geared more toward married couples and families.  Well, if you give any book series enough time, they will come out with the singles edition.  Thanks to my friend, Josh, I was able to borrow the book and give it a good read.

So, what is my love language?  After reading and thinking through what makes my "love tank full", I feel loved through Quality Time.  A very close second are Words of Affirmation.  This has been helpful in examining relationships that have changed over the years through life, marriage and babies.  It's not that I am less loved, but through less time with people, I can feel that way.  I enjoy spending time with those I love and I will often set-up the time to spend together.  However, I have discovered that Quality Time means even more to me when I am pursued and asked to be together.  If I can't spend time with you, the next best thing are Words of Affirmation.  I don't need a sappy letter, but again, pursued intention to talk to me and tell me I'm cool (or something like that).  This isn't a campaign to change the way you are friends with me, but a sharing of what I have discovered about myself.

The five languages are: Quality Time, Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Gifts and Physical Touch.  I recommend taking time to figure out your language.  I even had fun trying to figure out and discover the languages of those around me, specifically my five roommates and my parents.

P.S.  Just because Gifts are not high on my list, doesn't mean I don't like getting them!

When a Family Moves In

This blog has been awfully quiet since the middle of August.  That's because since then, school has started (it has drained me every day) and a family of 5 moved in.  That's right, I said a family of 5.  That brings a total of 6 people living in my house.  The Franks put their house on the market and received an offer sooner than expected AND during a water leak issue.  Needless to say, things moved differently than planned and during the first week of school we spent time moving them out of their house and into mine.

I LOVE MY ROOMMATES!  Since discussing the possibility of them needing to live at my house for awhile, I was excited about it. (Crazy, I know.)  The Franks are here for who knows how long and it's going well.  So what does it look like when 5 people move in at once?  Take a look.

As a joke, I provided Dan with a room rental agreement.  It outlined the expectations of him providing construction around the house, Reb making taco meals and Josiah doing all the lawn care.  It went over well and so far I have had tacos, my lawn has been mowed and they bought me flowers!

In this process, I have handled the change very well, something that I don't normally do.  However, I discovered a pet peeve I didn't know I had.  The dishrag must be rinsed out after use and hung over the faucet.  If you don't do this, the rag will smell like mildew.  The Franks have kindly smiled and placed the rag where I like it.  Who knew that is what would bug me most?!

I am sure I will post more on what life is like in this living situation.  Wait until Rebekah's parents come and we have 8 people staying in the house!

Harper is One!

It's amazing how fast a year can go!  It seems like this was just yesterday,

and now here we are today,

Harper is a sweet, snuggly girl.  She loves her "babies", gives kisses and likes to do things her way.  She has been walking for a month, says many words including "hi" and "uh-oh" and is very particular about how she is touched and looked at.

Sean and Kayla hosted a birthday party at Merrill Park in Eagle.  There was water spouts, a playground and plenty of shade.  Harper played, opened her presents (which Sawyer thinks are his) and ate a ladybug cupcake. Here are some quick shots of our evening:

 Having fun in the water

 Harper's new "baby"

This is that particular thing I was talking about

 Happy Girl!

Happy Birthday Harper Grace!

For the Love of the Games

Unless you are living in a jungle, inside a dark cave and under a rock then you are fully aware of the 2012 Olympics in London.  This post is meant to be an ode of love for the Olympics and also a small cry for help about the addiction I have to these summer games.

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First, I have decided that summer Olympics are far better than the winter games.  No explanation needed.  Second, the fact that I am off during the summer allows me unlimited access to sit in front of the telly (notice how British I sound?) ALL day.  In fact, I will not even attempt to add the hours I have spent watching the Olympics.  The number will astound you and only point out my sick addiction.

So what have I spent my time watching?

Gymnastics!

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Swimming!

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Volleyball!

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I have enjoyed watching stories about the athletes, celebrating their victories and yes, I even cried over disappointment and victory (Jordyn Wieber).  With a little over a week left of the Olympic Games with these sports continuing and track and field, I am confident the telly hours will continue to build.

GO  USA!!

 

Jana's Bridal Shower

One of my closest and life-long friends, Jana, is getting married!  In less than 2 weeks she will marry Randy, and I have the honor of standing by her side as her maid of honor.  I also had the joy, along with 3 other lovely ladies, of throwing Jana a bridal shower for our church members and friends.  It came on the heels of a very hot week, but thankfully it cooled off a little on the night of the shower.

The "formal" shot of Jana and I

This is more of how we roll...

My dear friend, Amber, offered to take pictures of the shower and she did a wonderful job.  Please check them out here: AmberMurphyPhotography!

Jana and her bridesmaids

It was a wonderful evening celebrating and I can't wait for the wedding!

Sawyer is 3!

Two posts in one day?  This is what happens when two special kids in my life have birthdays one day after the other and I need to play catch-up.  Onto the birthday boy...

Sawyer is a smart, silly and social boy!

He loves to roar, dance, play and talk.

He is the ultimate negotiator, likes watermelon and loves going to church.

He can operate a computer by himself and would watch Curious George all day if you let him.

Due to the very hot weather last week, Kayla moved Sawyer's party from the park to her parent's house.  The party was a family affair from both sides and the cousins were all able to play together.  There were sprinklers for the kids and air conditioning for the adults.

 On an unrelated note: I want to get married in this backyard!

Sawyer received lots of games and clothes.  In the middle of opening presents, Sawyer became upset.  He thought he was missing the party even though he was told that opening presents is apart of the party and we would eat cake next.  What a cute weirdo!

So excited for cake! 

Give the baby back her cake! 

The sugar/birthday crash is coming...

Happy Birthday, Sawyer!  You are my favorite brown-eyed boy!

Vani Turns 9!

As usual this post is late and very after-the-fact, but since Vani is already thinking about next year's party, anytime is a good time to talk about birthdays.

Vani is a fun, social and playful girl!  She loves art, accessories and dolls.

She reads chapter books, enjoys learning about sea life and can make
macaroni and cheese by herself.

Vani wants to be baptized, has had 8 teeth pulled recently and only has to wait
one more year before getting her ears pierced!
(I can't figure out the weird white highlighting action...)

Vani had a hard time focusing on a theme for her party (there are usually many ideas) but she landed on an Indian/art theme.  With some friends from church and school, the house was soon filled with 9 giggling girls.

Had to put the candles in a bagel! 

Getting some henna-like hand art 

Realizing that her gift is a pet fish! 

Happy 9th Birthday, Vani Alice!