I decided to do a little kitchen stock inventory when we moved. I've discovered that after nearly four years of marriage I'm missing:

• 2 dark green mug
• 4 large water glasses
• 7 (!) small water glasses
• 2 large spoons
• 3 small spoons
• 1 dark green cereal bowl
• 1 small appetizer plate
• 14 pieces of tupperware

It's like socks in the dryer...where does this stuff go?

A Quote To Live By

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”
-Theodore Roosevelt-

Top 10 Things I Love About Our New House

1) It's a good financial investment. To be honest, I just like that I can decorate and "nest", but RJ has taught me (and I've read 2 books at his request) that buying a home is good for our financial future.

2) I can finally get a dog! I've been wanting a puppy for a long time but in the last 7 years I haven't lived in a dog friendly place. Although they aren't the most practical canines we want a pug. We have asthma; pugs snort and have difficult breathing; it's a perfect fit.

3) Corner lot. Lots of space for fun plants and outside parties.

4) The little red barn. There is a little red barn in the backyard where I can send RJ to go do man stuff. Finally he won't be waxing surfboards or tying fly line in my living room.

5. Our neighbors. In three days, we've had a neighbor close an window that we accidentally left open, another neighbor left us a bag of avocados and shared her water when ours wasn't yet turned on, and a young couple down the street brought a plate of breakfast muffins over. I love the 1950s style of our neighborhood.

6. Guest Room!! THE FUTON (which has slept many a good friend) is still around, but now we have an actual Guest Room with an actual Guest Bed. Friends and parents no longer have to sleep in our living room and listen to the loud fridge grumble.

7. The house comes with a driveway. I no longer have to wash my car in the middle of the street.

8. "New furniture". Now that we have a house payment my budget has tightened significantly, but I'm loving Craigs List. It's so fun to find cool furniture and actually have a place to put it.

9. Dishwasher and Garbage Disposal. I don't have them yet but I'm putting them in asap.

10. Feeling Blessed. A house is a just four walls with a roof. Four walls that the Lord could take away at any moment. BUT I know, that, for now, the Lord has specifically chose this house for RJ and I. He took away a few others before hand-picking the blue one with roses just for us. It is seriously exactly the home we've been praying about for more than two years. And I'm glad the Lord made us wait. It was super frustrating about 6 months ago but once again He has reminded me that His timing is perfect, His plan is perfect, and He fully alive in all aspects of our lives. I pray that we create a home and glorifies Him!