Mimsicle

Birthday Video

2012-01-07T16:46:00.000-08:00

{also horses in party hats and dorky sound effects}

Today is cute adorable little sis's birthday. 9 big ones. Since we can't be there, we thought we'd send some birthday cheer with a mini horse party. Because, if i remember correctly, being 9 meant that I started having posters on my wall. Of horses. And my dream was to someday own a big white one that I'd name Prince. {obviously}

Happy Birthday sis! Love you.

Untitled from miriam chesbro on Vimeo.

Click here to see Kaia's Video Bigger

Art Class & Swamp Thangs

2011-11-10T18:41:00.000-08:00

I just finished reading through a million endearing foodie posts by Joy and got all geared up to make delicious chocolate coconut scones and soups and cinnamon apple pies and biscuits! and oooohhh....it all rushes out of me as soon as i walk into the kitchen. I'm tired. I reluctantly opened my cupboards and took down my favorite bowl for cereal. Poured some corn chex and prayed to God we still had milk in the fridge. Dinner.

This is my life these days. I feel swamped. I'm a mossy swamp thang swimming in murky swampy waters. Super swamped.

Who knows where I was going with that. But! I do know where I was going with these here photos...art class. Projects. Photo projects. Particularly photos that have something to do with artsy fartsy words like: line, movement, scale, balance, symmetry...you know. So here's a couple around the neighborhood photos for your viewing pleasure or displeasure.

"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana."

PSU, day 1.

2011-09-26T11:10:00.000-07:00

I've got the first day of school jitters. I thought way too much about what to wear to school today. Packed an apple in my backpack. Got incredibly lost in the bookstore and almost peed my pants when i finally found my Italian book priced at $226.

Wait. I'm confused. You want to charge me $226 for this book I'm going to be reading while paying thousands of dollars to take this class? Do they realize the price of books every. where. else. in. bookstores? bah.

On an upscale note, I love my 2-D design art class i went to this morning. My teacher was dressed in a quirky mismatched outfit with dangly earrings, made funny remarks and seemed easy going. Everything I'd hope for in an art teacher.

I'm hopelessly lost when it comes to finding the different buildings, though. PSU is built right into the city. A benefit of this is the Chipotle right next to the art building. I can live with that.

So we'll see how it all goes. I have Pilates next. Then an African American history class, a philosophy class and a night Italian class.

I can already feel my brain thanking me for the stimulation and near future expansion. I also feel myself growing incredibly tired just thinking about the late nights. Thank goodness for the late night Thai food restaurant across the street from our house. Panang chicken to go please with a side of Italian tutor, thank you.

All things Chinese- [Part I]

2011-07-14T15:09:00.000-07:00

I haven't talked much about China here. And I'm not sure why, now that I think of it. China is a big(ish) part of Chris and my life. (More of that last statement can be attributed to my husband who is currently getting a language degree in Mandarin, has been to China 8 times, loves Kung Fu, and recieved the new Karate Kid on bluray for Christmas last year per his request. He wishes he was Chinese and says he's an egg. White on the outside, yellow on the inside.) I, on the other hand, adore Chinese people, but gladly return home to the land filled with cheese and granola.

Anyhow, we were just there again for a few weeks with a group from our church. We were there helping out a Christian ministry that works on college campuses sharing Jesus with students who are interested.

Part I of the trip was all things travel. Have you ever heard Jerry Seinfeld's bit on traveling and airports/airplanes? Do yourself a favor and go listen to all of his "I'm telling you for the last time" stand up. We just re-listened to it with friends in town and I actually might have had to cross my legs to keep the pee in.

1.- I will do almost anything for a window seat. Give you the roll from every meal I receive on this 12 hour flight in exchange for your seat you say? Done.
2.- I don't sit like a normal person. I never have and a long plane flight is no exception. If I know you well enough...one of my limbs will most likely protrude over the unsaid but well known invisible line of seat etiquette. I will, however, share my 5 lb bag of gummy bears with you. This seems fair to me.
3.- I am grateful for this place to call home.
4.- I love being in big airplanes. People stretching up front in their slippers...movies, blankets, snacks...funny faces of people who've fallen asleep with their mouth open...puffy clouds, little cups of juice on my little table with my little light on...thinking, observing...watching movies I'd probably never watch except for that I have 12 hours of nothingness ahead of me and a screen permanently set 2 feet in front of my face begging me to watch it -enter Never say Never here-...
5.- Team mates. Could. not. have. made. it. without. you.
6.- This is a joke. Getting into Canada is harder than China Immigration.
7.- My favorite. "A smile is the light in the window of your face that tells people you're at home." -Unkown

We arrived on Chinese soil safe and sound. Ready. Expectant. Eager....

The pantry...

2011-04-20T13:52:00.000-07:00

...is my husbands closet.

Don't believe me?

Our kitchen is also his recording studio.

I've been doing some thinking about this season of life.

Thinking about how our shower is so small I can barely shave my legs in it.
And how our lower kitchen cabinets double as bookshelves for all our...books.
And the fact that our freezer is a little door inside our regular fridge and coats all of our food in 6 inches of 'snow'.
And how we spend 80% of our time in our apartment sitting in front of our one heater.
We eat dinner, do homework, talk, watch movies, read, live in front of this thing.
Thinking about our boxsprings that are right on our uneven (beautiful) wood floors and squeak anytime you roll over in bed.
And of course the fact that we don't have a dresser and only one closet. Which, if you're us, comes to mean that my champ of a husband offered to use the pantry as his closet. Meaning you could easily flip your morning eggs and be pulling on some jeans without taking a step.

Really, it's convenient. And we all like convenience, right?

Honestly, I love it. I love our little home that has just has a few of our favorites. Our little sofa big enough for two. Always eating fresh food because I'm scared to put things in our freezer. And storing all of our belongings in trunks that double as coffee tables and side tables...

It's all in perspective.

confessions

2011-04-12T19:20:00.000-07:00

-I substitute string cheese for meals
-I love Gilmore Girls
-I wash my hair as little as possible
-I can't whistle
-I want to sing like Ingrid Michaelson. Or you, Natalie.
{ I have choir voice}

And the big kahuna.

-Sometimes, I pick my nose. (gasp)

Most likely, you are all upstanding citizens who keep their hair glistening Pantene model style and eat healthy balanced meals and have an awesome raspy edge to your voice. And definitely never ever pick your nose. But who knows, maybe someone out there is still trying to whistle and can't quite give up string cheese.

And to you I say, "We're only human. And humans get boogers."

On the brain...

2011-04-02T16:47:00.000-07:00

I've had a lot of things swirling around in my brain recently. Things being thoughts...which obviously swirl. Life is moving fast, and I've been finding it hard to keep up with everything going on. I've been thinking about...

how i should stop eating gummy worms until my tummy hurts
how i should start exercising to balance out gummy worm eating
how much i love all of the friends we've made here
how much i miss my friends and family far away
how we need to raise 6,000 for missions trip this summer (more on this later)
how excited i am for the trip this summer
how i should practice piano more...
how much i want to be a good gardener
how i've already managed to kill one of our plants

To be honest, I feel quite overwhelmed by life right now. There are a few big things that we're trying to figure out right now. The kind of things that make you wish you weren't a grown up but just 8 years old again, swimming at the lake....and only your homework to worry about.

But this I know to be true-
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Phil 4:6-7

And so, although my tummy feels gummy and my head feels full, I pray to know more peace. And I am thankful for the many blessings in my life.

{I'm the blondie}

Chocomize your life.

2011-03-30T14:57:00.000-07:00

Lately, I've been eating an outrageous amount of chocolate. I'm not even much of a chocolate lady. You know those people who buy things that say "Give me the chocolate, and nobody gets hurt"....or something to that extent. And no offense if you are that person, I just never have been....until this week. I think it's because Auntie Flow {that's what we called it back in my youth} will be paying me a visit sometime soon, but I feel like a crazy person!

Thank goodness I'm married to an equally crazy person...

Meanwhile, all this excessive chocolate eating has me ordering things like the Jillian Michaels 30 day shred workout video off amazon. It came in the mail at least a week ago. It's still in it's plastic. I talk about it nearly every day, thinking that by talking about it, I'm exercising. That doesn't work? I think I'm nervous about the word "shred"....?

Speaking of health, or lack thereof...Chris and I were in blockbuster a couple days ago hoping to find some childhood favorites to rent. The lady at the register in front of me asked her daughter to grab some popcorn for her before they checked out.

"Hey, just grab a couple of those Extra Movie Theater Butter popcorn packets for me"

"Mom, they have Movie Theater Butter popcorn over here...want them?"

"No, I want the Extra Extra Movie Theater Butter popcorn!"

"Um, I didn't know they even made Extra Extra..."

"Ok, just leave 'em. We already have a bunch at home"

Oh dear...

Cheerio Darlings

P.S. Go Here to create your own custom chocolate bar online and have it sent to you from Chocomize. Yum.

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes...

2011-02-20T16:17:00.000-08:00

"...these are a few of my favourite things!"

I've been listening to the Disney station on pandora this morning. Sound of Music snuck it's way in there and I couldn't be happier.

Reminds me of one of Chris's first camping trips with my family. We go camping a lot and there's sing-a-longs around the campfire most nights. We all broke out into every Sound of Music song we could remember...

"IIII am sixteen going on seventeen!" "How do you solve a problem like Mariiaaa" "Edelweiss...edelweiss" "Do-re-mi" "Cliiimb every mountain!"

Welcome to the Fam, love.

On a completely different note,I managed to decorate our mantle for St. Valentine's last week, so that's something...

{Valentine from Mum & Dad}
{"If music be the food of love, play on! play on!" ~Shakespeare}

Life has been very full as of late. I like full.

Full has come in forms of a Masquerade Ball...pictures to come...lunch date at Dicks Burgers...double date at Fosters Burger{same day!}, work, church, team meetings for a missions trip this summer, watching Friday Night Lights with the huz, cutting sugar out of my diet for a month, more work, more church, practicing piano and a little guitar!, making homemade pizza, Karaoke work party, braving the cold, lots of sitting in front of the apartment heater...missing family, craft night with a friend, Life as We Know It in theaters...loved it, helping to put on an amazing EP release show for my friend, Valentine's date, an 80's dance night at the Crystal Ballroom, lots of dishes, a beautiful hike around waterfalls {in which we walked back into a little cave behind the waterfall! I love Oregon}and more sitting in front of the heater...

And I'm sorry, but back to Disney:

A Whole New World, Supercalifragilistic, The Bare Necessities, Hakuna Matata, You'll be in my heart, and now playing songs from Enchanted...

Every once in a while, that's exactly what I need.

If this post is cheesy, I may have been influenced by the background music...

"Beeeee my guest, be my guest!"

Knock your socks off.

2011-02-03T11:14:00.000-08:00

Things I've been doing lately:

Buying one woman's entire sock collection at an estate sale for 3 dollars. {this actually wasn't even close to all of them....and they were all in pristine condition} This was a very high point of the day for me. Because, I love socks.

Baking chocolate chip cookies. {possibly burning some of them...}

Practicing the piano. {Mom! Dad! if you're reading this. BE PROUD of me. I've been practicing. And one of my next songs to learn is La Bamba. "aaaaaaahhh llaaaaa bamba!" }

Wishing I was on some beach in Australia. Our apartment is on par with arctic tundra blast weather conditions.

Hanging around being a sickie.

Going on walks around our neighborhood taking pictures in the beaaautiful {albeit freezing} sunshine. Evidenced below.

Helping a friend plan her epic EP release show. {one week!} Listen to her glorious music here!

1. New {old} socks. Pick a color, any color!
2. Our sunshiney backyard.
3. Yes, Portland. You sure do.
4. Pumpkin hanging on for dear life. Little guy's going on 3 months old...also, my favorite purple plant which somehow grows without me ever watering it. I'm a negligent plant mother.
5. Household rule.
6. Coffee shop art.
7. Living among weeds. {front yard. a work in progress}

Last night Chris came home from work around 9:30. We had made plans to watch a show together when he came home, and were both really looking forward to it after a long day....unfortunately, after working early yesterday morning, I was tired by 9 and accidentally fell asleep while watching a movie. When he came home, I half woke up and felt so dissapointed that I was too tired to watch our show. I told him to drag me (literally out of bed), put shoes on me....and that we were going to run around outside in the freezing cold until I woke up enough to watch our show.

I can't help but smile right now, remembering {through a haze...I was still kind of asleep} being dragged outside, {chris in only basketball shorts, a t-shirt, and slippers in the freezing cold} and running down the street holding hands. All the while Chris asking me trivia about the show to get me ready for our next viewing.

This is serious business folks. No time for sleeping.

Cheerio Darlings

The Bow.

2011-01-20T11:36:00.000-08:00

№ 1- I like to sew.
№ 2- I don't have a sewing machine anymore.
I sold mine at a garage sale.
Because it made me mad.
№ 3- I still want to sew.
№ 4- I'm friends with Brittany.
№ 5- Brittany likes to sew.
№6- We kinda need help.
We only know how to make things like pillows.
№7- Modern domestic has nice sewing machines.
And nice ladies to help you.
And a Friday night 3 hours for 10 bucks special.

This is all I have to show for it:

However, I am quite pleased with the results. It's all about quality not quaaaantity. right?
It really only took me about 30 minutes to make this. But it took me the other 2 1/2 hours to figure out what to make. Classic me.

I stuffed it with some fabric scraps to give it a little mmph, and Voila. Bow. Bam.

She watched and taught the girls that sang at their embroidery frames while the great silk flowers grew from their needles. ~Louise Jordan Miln, The Feast of Lanterns

Piano tales + Corners of our digs.

2011-01-13T12:32:00.000-08:00

I started (re-started) taking piano lessons yesterday. Chris decided that I needed a hobby (and he is very right) to keep me from becoming some forlorn sloth (my words, not his) in this slow season on my life. So he called up this great grandmother lady named Sharon and set things up.

I love him for this. I'm not a self-motivator. I would probably read all day long every day if left to my own devices and then end up being very unhappy about the lack of progress in my life. I'm actually incredibly pleased to have someone take over and make a few decisions for me. A little kick in the behind is welcome.

I took lessons from about the age of 5 - 13 and then stopped once the craziness of highschool and after school sports and a very important social life to maintain entered my life.

And now I'm that cliche adult wishing they had never stopped practicing. But I'm still young! right? Or is 24 the new 30. Either way, 30 is still young in my book. And you're never too old to pick up anything, or so I think. Enough with this nonsense...what I'm trying to say is that I'm BACK!

And let me tell you a little bit about Sharon. She's quite spunky. And she only charges 10 dollars for a half hour lesson. (which is why I'm able to finally take them on our tight budget!) She gave me her address and when I was driving to her house I passed so many lovely old houses, and it seemed to be in a beautiful little part of town. And then of course, her house was the one house on the corner, amidst all of these classic old homes, that was worn down looking and yellow with pink trim and a baby blue door. Yikes!!

I made my way through the broken gate and the loony garden art and knocked on the door, which started a riot of little yipping dogs. A nice older man greeted me at the front door and let me in. The air inside their house was thick with cat smell, but decorated with antique furniture and the architecture of the home was lovely and everything seemed to be tidied up. Sharon was a total dear and led me over to her grand piano to begin.

Sometime in the middle of the lesson, their cat sat down right behind me and started making the loudest licking and cat burping (?) noises. I couldn't concentrate and was feeling like I may have gag reflex any minute from the cleaning rituals taking place behind me. Sharon didn't seem to notice and just kept using her tongue to keep her dentures in place, and click clacking away at the keys with her veeery long nails.

She really was the sweetest woman and kept mentioning how grateful I should be to have such a sweet and loving husband who cared so much for me. (I am). And then her husband came over at the end of the lesson to tell me my husband was a real keeper and they really really liked him. (geez chris! one telephone conversation and he's like an adopted grandson to them...). She told me on the way out the door, "You should really make him a nice meal tonight". Ok Sharon, I will. Chips and salsa. That's what's on the menu folks.

Anyhow, it's all very quirky and somehow very endearing. I love it already.

On a completely unrelated note...here are a few corners of our home. (or "the room" as we call our place) Photos were taken back in October on a particularly nice sunny day.

Cheerio Darlings!

Thirty Days of Kindness

2011-01-12T10:40:00.000-08:00

{source}

So I just discovered Dandee's adorable blog and I want to be her friend. So badly. She's classy and sweet and creative and lovely. I stumbled upon her 30 days of kindness guide and i'm starting tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes and perhaps you should hop on board if you haven't already!

little people

2011-01-11T09:01:00.000-08:00

{source}

I shall have elves for children. Little woodland fairies. They shall wear these adorable caps and says "yes mum" "thank you mum" all day long. Won't it be lovely...

{p.s. today is 1/11/11...we should have a party, no?}

Big Doings in the Kitchen.

2011-01-10T13:06:00.000-08:00

Our kitchen has just gotten a bit of a 'spiff up' as of late. It needed a little attention....the peachy walls that were there to begin with when we moved in seemed a little sad. And so, with the rare treat of a friday to ourselves...we painted a little chalkboard wall and called it a day. And I have to say, I'm quite pleased with ourselves. {lots of back patting going on...}

Not only that, but I woke up this morning with a rare feeling of determination. I would make us a breakfast of champions. The best morning feast we've ever had. It would rival the buffet line at camp...when you think that the option of any cold cereal you could ever want all packaged up in a cute little disposable bowl was too good to be true...along with bouncy watery eggs and a sausage patty.

I managed to come up with some goat cheese, a little leftover brie, cheddar cheese, bacon, onion, eggs and green onion. All thrown together to make a surprisingly delicious combo. {don't forget to throw a little garlic salt and italian seasoning into the eggs}...

Now that wasn't so hard, Miriam. Why don't you just cook something everyday and then someday when you have children they won't be stuck eating string cheese for every meal. {although, i love string cheese and wouldn't be altogether opposed to the idea...}

So, if you're reading this, and you're like me and you haven't the slightest idea what to make....open your fridge, throw everything that's in it into an omelette and call it dinner.

Voila.

It's sunny here in portland. That means I need to get my tush outside and enjoy it...

Cheerio Darlings.

Well hello New Year...

2011-01-03T18:54:00.000-08:00

...It's nice to meet you. Please be surprising and full of adventure and challenge. And I would be fine with a trip to Italy mixed in there somewhere, if you see fit.

And goodbye holidays. You brought all sorts of new this year as our first in Oregon. Our first real tree...in our first apartment here....with christmas parties with new friends...and our first Thanksgiving with my fam together....snow on Christmas day in TN for the first time in forever...a new sister in the family....

At a New Year's Eve party, in which my husband was playing music at, a friend of a friend said to my friend, about me (is this getting confusing?), "Is that girl over there dating that boy? Because she keeps checking him out..." (referring to Chris). Later my friend told me that, laughing.

And everytime I think about it, I just smile, knowing that I was caught checking out my husband. It's good to be in love...

♡ mim

P.S. I've also started jotting down notes on the go at my tumblr for fun. Cheerio darlings.

Anyway

2010-12-06T10:10:00.000-08:00

"People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway."
— Mother Teresa

I just copied this from lovely Jenna's blog. Something to live by today, and hopefully tomorrow, and the next.

Happy Monday darlings.

Thanksgiving {Part uno}

2010-12-03T18:00:00.000-08:00

Currently, I am sitting here on the floor in front of our one heat source in this lovely old house eating almond windmill cookies. I think I have eaten 4 or 5 already. Considering this is my first testing of these Trader Joe's delicacies, I think I deserve to break myself in with a healthy dose.

I also think I should be doing homework. Finals are this coming Tuesday, which means, "why, yes, Miriam...you should be studying". I'm more of a last minute crammer. It's most likely taking years off of my life...but God knows my time.

Chris and I went down to my parents house in Sonoma County for the Thanksgiving feast. It was his first time with my family for the big day. He still loves me and my family after it all. So that's a plus. We all had a great time together. My cousin's kids looked huge. I hadn't seen them since our wedding four years ago, and my ten year old cuz is taller than me. What are they feeding kids these days? Actually, I'm just kind of a shrimp.

We all watched Kittens inspired by Kittens on YouTube many times over and maybe kind of made our own version with a kitty book my aunt had. Also we had many important and meaningful conversations with other adults.

1. A table set for 16 at auntie and uncle's house.
2. Picking from the tea box for the perfect tea bag.
3. Sister and cousins. Sis suggested kissy face. Now i can see why...she's the only one who's good at it :) I look like I'm ready to kiss a frog.
4. Barbecued turkey. Only way to go folks.

Unlovely.

2010-11-05T20:28:00.000-07:00

"Love will consume all that is unlovely"

Our pastor mentioned this while he was talking last night. It could have been easily lost between reading Romans Ch 2 and then learning about the graciousness of God. He barely uttered it. But it stood out to me in Bold lettering. Perhaps italic too...In an old whimsical font.

I'm still trying to decide what it means. But I like it, a lot.

Perhaps we are all unlovely in some way...and God's love consumes us slowly transforming us from the inside out until we...glow...shine...exude, love.

But what of those who do not know the love of a Savior? They are lovely, all the same. Yes?

And now I've come full circle. And I haven't the slightest idea. I'm sure it means a multitude of things. One being...perhaps, Love what is unlovely. Until it is fully consumed by your love...and cannot then be, anything but....lovely.

On a side note:

This is our neighbor, Martin's, car. He lives upstairs and this is parked in front of our house everyday. He's always bringing home the most random things in it and then toting them upstairs. And he likes to wear old fashioned hats. His car kind of makes me want to hang little riff raffy stuff in our jeep too. I think it mostly just works with his car though.

Canopy dreams.

2010-10-15T19:48:00.000-07:00

#1. My husband is an absolute dear.
#2. My husband is very handy.

These two things when combined = Me coming home from work to a canopy hanging over our bed because I had mentioned a couple night prior that I thought it would be fun to have one.

And as for that fantastic crazy quilt, that was a gift from my Aunt Bethie around the time I got married. Because she too, is a dear. It's very old, and was given to me with scraps of vintage fabric so that I can add onto it, as others have before me. Isn't it wonderful!?

Just looking at this photo made me all of a sudden wonder at how things in our lives tell such a story about our lives....

The Trunk: was found at the dumpster (can you believe it!) and it carries our board games and other odds n' ends, but surely it has a history much older than I.
The Candles: were wedding favors at a friends wedding. They have rice and wheat in them! And if you're wondering why I have sooo many since obviously I should only be taking ONE wedding favor (ha)...well there were a bunch left over at the end...and I just didn't want them to go to waste ;) I kept throwing them in my purse. oops!
The Sock Monkey: was a stocking stuffer from chris a few Christmases ago...I love!
The Stuffed Dog: i made out of a mitten following directions from the book Sock and Glove.
The Throw Pillows: from a walmart in China. Chris and I spent half of our engagement there working at a foster home. We even had a scooter that we rode around town to get bubble tea every day! (this is also the season of my life where I realize the magic of a McDonalds cheeseburger and fries...This only lasted for the time we were there, however)

And so much more, as I look around our cozy little studio apartment and relive each season and story....

There's a hairdryer down by our bed because our sheets are cold when we hop in at night. So we turn it on high and blast heat under the covers to warm up our toes. It's tradition, and it's wonderful.

Try it.

Out to Sea.

2010-09-27T18:48:00.000-07:00

Have any of you read A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken? It is so lovely. It is one of those stories that captures your heart, and takes it on a journey...never to be the same upon it's return. Reading this book made me want to sell most everything, save a few books and close to my heart favorites, and buy a boat. And Chris and I would sail down the coast line until we reached Mexico, and then we would sail down to South America, drop anchor and explore the world.

What do you think sweety?

The rest of the beach photos. See Haystack Rock from the Goonies?! And all of those wild and freeee blackberries! I picked so many and ate them with yogurt for days.

Things around here have been very student life-ish as of late. Chris and I both started classes last week. This translates to---> I ate half a can of olives and a bowl of cereal for dinner a couple nights ago. Currently I'm sitting in a cafe with my really fat history book open next to me, but I'm blogging instead. Classic. And I've started consistently buying gummy bears from the student book store.

Cheerio Darlings.

I. Love. Camping.

2010-09-24T15:33:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago Chris and I ventured out to the coast with our tent, some sleeping bags and a mattress, a couple chairs and some fire wood...We had a small little break in our week to squeeze in one lovely night on the coast and it was bliss. Pure and utter camping bliss. {yes, i consider camping as one of the highest forms of vacationing} I love it.

I didn't catch any photos of our campfire...or Chris playing guitar around the fire. I sang along as I warmed up beans and tortilla's wrapped in foil over the fire. We added some fixings and called them burritos. We walked on the beach before it was completely dark and I collected a few shells. We made s'mores and then cuddled up in our little tent made for two.

I. Love. Camping.

Our campsite was right on the beach. Just a few sand dunes between our tent and the never ending Pacific Ocean. We could hear the waves crash and smell the salt air right from our little campfire. And did I mention that I love seagulls! They're everywhere on the beach.

The campground reminded me so much of a campground I grew up camping at, Bodega Dunes. We'd go with all of our family friends every year growing up. All of us kids lived in the dunes...running back only to be fed and then out again. We would slide down the mountains of sand on boards or hold hands and run down as fast as we could!

I. Love. Camping.

I love card games at night under lanterns...and hot chocolate around the fire. I love tents and everyone sleeping together. I love snacks on the beach. I love looking out at the ocean, knowing that God is so big that He CREATED that massive ocean and every morsel of sand...and at the same time, He created me.

Chris and I took a mini-hike through a forest with a creek and a swinging bridge only to pop out at a small private beach called Smuggler's Cove. There were surfers everywhere and Chris was mesmerized. He decided that next summer he's going to jump into a wetsuit and learn to master the waves :) I'm all for it. I think I might bring a nice book and cheer him on from the shore though. The water is freeeezing.

There's more photos, so I'll share those with you tomorrow.

Cheerio darlings.

Lately...

2010-09-18T17:27:00.000-07:00

These are just a couple photos of a weekend trip we took with good friends a couple weeks back. We passed Mt. Hood on our drive out to the deserts of Eastern Oregon and it was breathtaking. So refreshing to be surrounded by mountains and the woods, rivers and lakes. I loooove being outside and feeling so small next to the such beeeauuuty.

I feel like I have so much to catch up on! The tiny details I want to remember when I'm 80.

So here are some details from the past couple months of Portland life....

Indian Food date with Brittany...looking out the restaurant window to her new apartment across the street. So excited for her (and husby) to move down the street from us!
Being introduced to the yummiest healthiest gummy bears. Because I love gummy bears.
The Office on the couch with Christoph. and a huge bowl full of dill pickles.
Being in a home group from our church with amazing people.
Meeting new friends.
Lighting candles because it's starting to feel like fall here.
Rainy days like today <3
Being wrapped in crocheted blankets made by Gram. so cozy.
Trying to be more imaginative with my cooking. {Definitely made an interesting combo of an omelet yesterday and felt like i was really going places with cooking.}
Discovering that you can get a huge and delicious quesadilla from ChaChaCha down the road for $4.95. Even has quac, sour cream, and salsa on the side. score :)
Finding an amazing thrift store! dangerous.
A little redecorating for Autumn...
Photo shoots with gorgeous ladies....
Good friend moving here soon!
Thursday night family dinners....and a Taco Tuesday.
Farmers market cheese. Trying every single one of them. Chocolate Stout Cheddar was our all time hands down favorite. Had it not been $11.oo for half a pound, we would have cleaned them out.
Game nights with friends. Go team Mirtney! {combo of Miriam and Courtney}
Lots of volleyball with friends at family camp. i love camp.
Zip lines into the lake...
Playing "Signs" into the wee hours of the morning.
Bunk beds and community bathrooms. I'll say it AGAIN, I love camp.
Shortbread at Stumptown. 3 cookies devoured in one sitting. {they're small}
Cheap movie theaters everywhere. $3.00 for movies once they're out of the big theaters. I can definitely wait. and you can buy beer and pizza and other yummies too and eat them at the little tables in the theater! thank you, Portland, for being so awesome.
Rainboots.
Wood floors.
A whole wall of our apartment being windows! i love this.
Good neighbors upstairs.
Lots of campfires in the backyard. Discovering that we have racoons :)
Camping on the beach with husband and loving every second. music around the campfire...s'mores....burritos. smugglers cove...surfers...hiking...shells. skipping stones in the ocean...beanies....sleeping bags....drift wood....
Outdoor movies at the youngs....homemade ice cream sandwiches
Learning to make homemade rolls from Mama Kim
Outdoor concert with Scott and Lisa at the Westins house. So amazing!
Jimmy Macks with S&L....great Jazz.
The Belmont Street festival. right outside our front door.
The mailbox down the street where you can leave a book for someone or grab one for yourself for free. And it's aqua. i love it.
Starting to wear pearl earrings every day.
Family coming to visit and cozying up in our little studio apartment all together.
Swirl frozen yogurt down the street. dangerous as well.

Whew. That's what happens when you don't blog for a month and a half. And I'm sure I forgot a million things too. I really want to cut that out and just blog about things when they actually happen. That sounds nice : )

So, all in all....Chris and I love living in Portland. We love living in a city, but in the more homey laid back part of the city. Still with a lot of fun things to do, but not so much hustle and bustle. I found a job working at a restaurant where you can make your own pancakes at your own table!! It's super fun and busy and right down the street! We live in a little studio apartment right in a really fun part of town. We really like the church we've found and it's walking distance from our house. Classes start next week, which we're actually really excited about! We've met a lot of really wonderful people and things here are finally starting to feel like home. Thank you for such a warm welcome, Portland, Oregon. We think we really like you.

Roadtrip from Nashville to Portland {Part III}

2010-08-12T18:11:00.000-07:00

***

Part III of our cross country trek was very rocky. Thank you Utah!
We stopped in Salt Lake City and had the Best Sushi Of Our Lives (!) @ Happy Sumo.
Also scored a pair of jeans from Urban Outfitters for 19 buckaroos. I thought they were 50 something and brought them up to the register completely prepared to pay that for them and then they were only $19 and do you KNOW that feeling! Like life is smiling at you. That's when you get to thinking "well i was going to pay that money aaaanyway so maybe i should pick out some earrings and a scarf too now that the jeans are sooo cheap..." You start justifying all sorts of things. Well i just stuck with the jeans. Exercising some serious self-control.

And to be honest, i don't remember much about Idaho....must not have been too exciting.
There was a lot of singing along to Ben Rector over and over again...and Mumford & Sons because they're my favorite, and many many more. I think Justin Timberlake might have even snuck his way in there too. Which we're totally ok with.

Almost to Oregon folks.

***this picture gives me crazy butterflies! smiling eyes are my favorite.

Roadtrip from Nashville to Portland {Part II}

2010-08-05T14:14:00.000-07:00

Day 3 folks.
Kansas City, MO ----> Julesburg, CO
497 Miles = 8 hrs 2 min

{There was lot of open road, and map navigating to do. I'm the official navigator...and I must say that this is completely by default because Chris is the official driver and well, I'm the only other passenger. It has nothing to do with my navigating skills which are sufficiently sub par. In other words, it seems that my unintentional and subconscious goal in life is to get us lost.}

{This bus made us happy. It's just so...orange. And we miss Chris's already. And it reminds me of my childhood when my family would pack up into one of these babies (ours was orange too, but a slightly newer 80's model) and go camping and travel around the country a few weeks every summer. I think I've been to most of the national parks in the western US...thanks mom & dad!}

{food on the road consisted of a lot of truck stops. you know those places where they sell random dolls and figurines and jarred pigs feet and they're calling numbers for showers over the intercom and then one section is blocked off into a kind of restaurant? and the sweetest lady in the world comes over to take your order and you order eggs and biscuits. }

{we arrived in Julesburg, Co around 6:00. what is there to do in Julesburg you ask?}

{this photo pretty much sums it up}

{We found ourselves eating dinner at a Flying J's (another truck stop) which was THE ONLY thing open in the whole town! no joke. we looked around. we asked. no restaurants open, no grocery stores open, no nothin'. Well, I decided to peruse the dessert menu...and then decided this called for desperate measures. We bought two decks of cards and played nertz. }

{ I kept winning...this is my winning face}

{next order of business was to set up our tent. as close to the pet exercise area as possible. i love tents; i love camping. this was kind of fake camping because it was just a rest area. actually it was called the Pony Express. fancy.}

{i jumped right in and made myself at home...and then convinced chris it was a good idea to watch My Big Fat Greek Wedding (which was the only movie we had with us) and had an early to bed night. }

{teepee shenanigans}

Over halfway there!

Road trip from Nashville to Portland {Part I}

2010-08-04T13:40:00.000-07:00

Ok, the time has come my friends. Here and now, i shall document, for all to see, the first two days of the Chesbro Jr. family road trip.

{The first ten minutes looked a little something like this. Still in Franklin, TN at this point.}

{Our first major landmark. Crossing over the Mississippi River!}

Might I add that while in Arkansas there were some quotable moments:

"I really wanna hit an ardvark. I feel like that would complete the Arkansas experience" -Chris

And then at Marker 125 on the journey, "This road is so smooth, it's like driving on Meili's butt" -also Chris

{we passed Loretta Lynn Dude Ranch (next right!) and Bucksnort.....why}

{there was plenty of gas pumping, which is always exciting, of course. there's the potty breaks in nasty gas station bathrooms...and then the consuming of more snacks you buy just to entertain yourself along the looooong stretches of AR landscape. not that we didn't also play alphabet sign games to entertain ourselves as well. this is when Miriam discovered she had a very short attention span and lost brutally to the sign champion Sir Christopher Chesbro}

{finally we arrived in Fayetteville, AR where we stayed with these two beauties and their wonderful family! Chris and I met these two cuties in China when we worked at a foster home for blind orphans called Bethel. And now they've been adopted into a sweet, loving family in AR! so fun to see them again. two of our faves....shh.}

{Day two: hopped in the car bright and early and made our way to Springfield, MO where we would meet up with one of our all time favorite kiddos, Tristen!}

{He is one of the funniest kids in the world and i miss the snot out of him!!}

{evening of day two we arrived in Kansas City where we stayed with the sweetest little family in the whole world! I can't believe I didn't get any pictures of their house because the whole thing, inside and out, is incredible and lovely and quirky and SO fun!!}

{They took us to this amaaazing little ithinkitwasgelato shoppe, and i completely forget the name but it was so beyond delicious i will never forget it. I got the creme fraiche on recommendation from Kristyn and it was perfect. But they also had other interesting choices like: caramelized banana, strawberry balsamic, vietnamese cinnamon, goat cheese with wildflower honey! etc...so yum. I'm so bummed I didn't get a family photo of them before Michael left for work! But here's momma Kristyn and their adorable little guy, Gunyea}

So there's the quickie version of the first couple days! 1,332 miles and a little bit tired.

My tumblr

2010-08-03T20:55:00.000-07:00

This is an experiment. As we all know, i am not the most reliable blogger. Therefore, i have started a tumblr account {in addition to this blog, not instead} where i hope to post quick little things more frequently. The only reason for it is because it's super convenient and can be done on my phone which hopefully hopefully hopefully will help me start better blogging habits!

{fingers crossed}

follow me Here!

Day trip to Cannon Beach

2010-08-03T17:00:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago Chris and I took a little day trip to Cannon Beach!
That big rock is Haystack Rock from the Goonies!
On the drive out we had the most delicious freshly picked cherries bought from a little side of the road vendor. Yum. Pits flyin' out both windows as we go.
It was super warm in the afternoon {i maybe got a wee bit burned} but once the sun set i was whippin' out that down jacket {square head or not}, it was chilly!
We went tide pooling and saw tons of sea urchins and even pet a star fish.
A bit of sushi for dinner. Chris tried a sushi pizza. I don't know if it's a keeper though...
The water was freezing but we braved the cold. If you hold hands and scream as loud as you can while running into the waves it helps...
And we miiiight have chased seagulls across the sand bar to see them all take flight together.

'twas a lovely day at the beach my love.

Rough Draft of our new pad.

2010-07-09T21:57:00.000-07:00

Ok, so since my last post, we've moved to Portland, Oregon. Which is not hard to believe since i post about once a year. ha. daily posting will be a life long goal for me.

anyways! these pictures are for Patti and anyone else who's been asking about a quick peek into our new itsy bitsy habitat. {Don't judge the mess and quick photo taking!}

{Our bed, obviously...and an old trunk at the base}

{We found that sweet little sofa for free! Walls were meant to be a bit more grey than they turned out, but things never look the same at home as they did in the paint store do they...}

{kitchen sink...my favorite mirror}

{i've always wanted open shelving! more dusting perhaps, but i LOVE it}

{excuse the cords...isn't that amazing old hardware though?}

{my little spice rack, finally being used...}

{for the love of glass door knobs}

So here's just a little rough draft of the place. as soon as it's all set up and everything has a home i shall post more full room photos. but alas, we are still newbies to the place and it shows. cardboard boxes anyone? i can help you out.

roadtrip photos next!

Highlights of the Week:
-warm evening bike rides with chris through our neighborhood streets
-a stop off at swirl a few blocks down for some evening froyo
-getting internet!
-good finds garage saleing this morning
-beach dates to cannon beach with husband
-tide pooling at Haystack rock!
-fresh picked cherries for sale
-pool times at the youngs
-heart shaped cupcake baking with Amy :)
-AMAZING 4th of July/Wedding weekend in Seattle {that's a whole other post}

Lowlights:
-serious sunburn from beachin' it
-tired tired tired
-writing resume, ick
-skeeter bites....itchy phooey itchy poop.

I'd say the good times win.

Happy Weekend!

sometimes i make friends with our eggs...

2010-05-31T21:10:00.000-07:00

Hello Lovelies,
Happy end of Memorial Day to you!

Ours was lovely...sleeping in till almost 11:00 like we're 16 again.
A couple leftover mini cupcakes for brekky.
Burgers with pineapple on them (!!!) for lunch with the amazing Wards.
Movie watching in the theater with the same amazing Wards.
Barbeque with friends. Taboo game night!

All in all, waaaay too much food. Which is how every holiday should be spent in my humble opinion. And if you've never tried pineapple on your burger before...well then you should get to it now shouldn't you! (or guacamole) Guac burgers are equally delish.

..............................

P.S. Meet my new friends: Sue, Al, Patrick, and Darla.

Peanut Brittle. delish.

2010-05-19T11:08:00.000-07:00

I've been super inspired by the amazing blog Today's Letters as of late and have decided to write my own little letters. You must head over to read her sweet sweet blog.

Dear Husby, thanks for splitting a kaysuhdila over lunch with me and letting me eat up all the fruits...i dont think you even knew there were fruities because i scarfed them up so fast. and for screen sharing with me when i don't know how to do things on my computadora because im technically handicapped.
Dear Wards, we love your house. Thanks for letting us stay there while we're homeless :) i do believe the bed sheets were spun by a million little silk wormies in egypt and fit for royalty.
Dear lemon, you make water so much nicer...
Dear LOST, i cannot believe that you're almost over. We shall make sure to go out with a bang this Sunday....oatmeal cookies, yes please!!!
Dear Jeep, please please would you make cold air come out. The humidity level was 93% yesterday. AC is a must mr. jeep.
Dear love, i also wanted to let you know that even though sometimes you have dragon toenails, i like nothing better than walks down the road with you. thanks for taking the side by the cars :)

I forgot about you...

2010-02-08T13:42:00.000-08:00

your legs were tied to a post to keep you standing up.
you bent over from the hips to play with toys at your feet.
you could just barely reach.
I played with you and your blocks for as long as i could.
secretly, you were my favorite.
you were an abandoned orphan in china.
your smile lit up my life.

we talked with our hands.
pointing at this.
laughing at that.
i couldn't speak thai.
i sat on a stool at the bar.
you sat beside me.
i think i was drinking orange juice.
you looked around the same age as me.
I would have never known that you were a prostitute,
{except for that i was at a brothel.}
i tried to love you with my smile.

you had that classic latvian look.
you were in highschool.
you liked boys. i could tell.
you taught us some of your russian phrases.
i didn't like your countries mayonnaise pizza.
i forget your name.
but i remember your braided blonde hair.
i hope you know that Jesus loves you.
i hope you knew that we loved you too.

you played with rocks with your friends.
kind of how we play with jacks.
scooping them up out of the dirt quickly.
you have no other toys.
there's too many children with almost no money.
you sang so well early in the morning with the rest of the children.
the music drifting our into the mountains around us.
the sun just barely rising.
you all woke so early.
you had to make your own food, there were few adults.
and many chores for everyone.
you did not complain.
you served us the best of what you had.
you were an orphan boy living in the mountains of thailand.
i was thankful you were safe and would not be trafficked like so many others.

you were a nanny at a foster home in china.
you had little money and your own children to feed.
i was engaged.
we were to have a pretend wedding with the children before we left.
they wanted to be there, but we were to be married in America.
you bought me a pink dress to wear for the wedding.
and a sparkly hair clip.
i would have never bought the dress for myself.
but it is something i will never give away.
it is simple, yet extravagant because you gave when you had little.
it is one of the times in my life that i felt most loved.

you worked in "little india" in singapore.
you sold dresses in a big market.
you were kind to my sister and i.

you sold bracelets on a blanket on the street.
you were intrigued by my blonde hair.
i could tell.
i wanted my bracelet to say "miss miriam".
i was young.
you were old.
you wanted my money.
you were very poor, and i don't blame you.
i love your country's ice-cream.
fresh fruity ice-cream.
only mexicans can make it like that.

your name was apple.
you lived with your mom.
you were staying in the same hostel as my ywam team.
i tried to befriend you.
you were very very broken.
you did not know how to recieve love.
you were not trustworthy.
but that was ok.
some people don't know how to be that.
someday i hope you find the love you need.

you were a baby.
sitting by your mother in the doorway of your home.
you lived in the slums.
i walked on planks over garbage to get to your house.
you were playing with big scissors.
your mother didn't take them away.
i suppose things are different in thailand.
you'll live and you'll learn.
sometimes that's the best way.

these are just a few stories i remember from my journeys to far away places.
there are hundreds more, but i do not have time to write them all.

i was reading the compassion newsletter today and thought to myself.
i forget too easily. i lose the compassion i once felt for these people too quickly.
i move on.

who nose?

2010-02-04T12:50:00.000-08:00

Chris had a birthday a month ago; i threw him a little shindig.
These cups were one of the highlights :)
so. amazing.

The Man, The Myth, The Legend...

We love you snowy weekends.

2010-02-02T13:32:00.000-08:00

{backyard bikes}

{some serious man tools to get the ice off my car}

{Hot cocoa n' cards...snowed in}

{moccasins for any weather. that's my motto}

{a surprise visitor!}

{slippahs}

Twas a delightful weekend...

and there's promises of more snow this weekend.
perhaps a fort castle?

they called me pixie...

2010-01-31T20:26:00.000-08:00

I may or may not have had my hair cut into some kind of euro pixie cut. I'm adjusting. I have a feeling that i will love it. In a week...after i've gotten over the shock factor.

The little ladies...

2009-12-11T19:24:00.000-08:00

{Me and Meili}

{the little sisters}

{the owl smiles}

{big sister owl smiles too}

{we've always called her bird...so it's very fitting}

I helped Erin and Gram watch the girls tonight.
They're such a "hoot"!
get it?

party harty. (hardee? hardy?)

2009-12-06T20:57:00.000-08:00

Went to a couples shower tonight.

No husband for a date...

Still had fun though.

See?

Kind of a unique facial expression huh?

Here's a close-up for your amusement:

Yeah, i'm going to archive that one away for when one is unexpectedly called upon to make a funny face for a "silly photo". I think it's a real keeper.

Here's a more normal approach to picture taking...

Dear Husband {Part 3}

2009-12-05T21:44:00.001-08:00

Here are a few corners of the living room, all dressed up for the holidays. I love and miss you...

hurry home,

mims

P.S. A couple Uncle John Bathroom Reader facts for your enjoyment:

The sound of E.T. walking was made by someone squishing her hands in jello.

Many snakes can live a whole year without eating.

If you eat 10 lbs of potatoes you only gain 1 lb of weight.

Sleepwalking is hereditary.

Alright, headed to bed. Goodnight! Or i suppose it's good morning for you...either way, good day. :)

twice in one week...

2009-12-03T18:18:00.000-08:00

For Dinner...

I just don't know. Is this ok?

It was the last 2 in the box. So i'll have to figure something else out for tomorrow night...

I maaaay even cook something...eh? eh?

Dear Husband {Part 2}

2009-12-01T07:45:00.000-08:00

So here's the thing:

The girls helped me put the tree up, and i kind of fell in love. And i decided that we simply cannot sell it! it's just such a great tree, and someday we might want such a wonderful tree again. We can always let it hibernate for a few years and get real ones. And if we ever move, we could let someone borrow it for a few years, oh please oh please!!!

{just a little christmas mess}

P.S. i made a wreath for our door too! 'Twill welcome you home...

Christmas tree extravaganza

2009-11-30T21:27:00.000-08:00

A little explanation should proceed these photos...just to give clarification as to why there are 3 crazy girls out on their own buying christmas trees and setting them up sans husbands. Erin and my husbands are in Europe right now working for a band which is touring...so we decided to help each other out with setting up, since we've been left high and dry! and Joanna just joined in on the fun, thus adding more to the madness.

{we love christmas and all things CHRISTMASY!}

{tree huggers}

{this looks nice, but is it the right shape? too fat? i really dont want it to be fat on top. let's keep looking. why is it so skinny? can we take this string off? now i need the trunk to be big enough for the tree stand. i dont know, does that trunk look skinny to you? is that a good tip to put a tree topper on? what do you think? no good? hmmm....here's one. ok, i'll take it}

{i got it guys! don't worry, i got it}

{let's just see if we can lift this over our heads. yes, yes we can}

{lets just keep it up there, carry it on in and put this puppy STRAIGHT into water cause that's what the nice man said}

{no explanation needed}

{celebration of successful tree setting upness}

P.S. finally pictures with my red hair...there you go venessa!!

Uncrustables by candlelight

2009-11-30T13:23:00.000-08:00

. . . . .

This was my evening last night:

Uncrustables & milk

Down slippers which resemble hooves

A nice smelling candle

Seinfeld

. . . . .

Who says you can't eat uncrustables by candlelight?

{For those of you too sophisticated to know what an uncrustable is, it's a pre-made PB&J without crust...because yes, some people are just too darn lazy to make the simplest of food...and really, somehow these taste better. Mom, i'm sorry it's come to this}

Honestly though, go out and buy yourself a box. $2.59 for a 4 pack. Worth every penny.

And since I'm on a roll of embarrassing myself, i'll let you know that when chris and i were first married, and i realized that all of a sudden i had to feed two people in this world, i rushed over to Costco and bought the mass quantity box of these babies. He never complained. He actually asked me to buy another box when we ran out.

That's when i knew; we were meant to be.

Dear Husband {Part 1}

2009-11-29T16:46:00.000-08:00

Hello far off travelor...

I miss you. Please tell the Finnish people i say "hello", and perhaps someday i shall visit. (if i get very lucky)...and perhaps give the Swedes the same message. In fact, just tell the whole of the Netherlands one big "helllloooooo over there!"...from me.

. . . . .

Here are my christmas shoes i was telling you about:

it's a wonder what many functions a bobby pin can have.

. . . . .

The decorating party was fun. Just wasn't the same doing the Snoopy Dance without you though. Didn't you win some kind of prize last year for most hideous christmas sweater? Or at least recognition?

Anyhow, you were missed by many (me the most)...

i love love love love love you! i bet that guff n' scruff beard of yours is getting a little out of hand. kinda tuggable? twirlable perhaps? well i'm looking forward to seeing all the scruffiness upon your blessed (couldnt be sooner) return!

love, Miriam

The Secret to Success

2009-10-21T15:11:00.000-07:00

"A couple of hundred years ago, Benjamin Franklin shared with the world the secret of his success. Never leave that till tomorrow, he said, which you can do today. This is the man who discovered electricity. You think more people would listen to what he had to say. I don't know why we put things off, but if I had to guess, I'd have to say it has a lot to do with fear. Fear of failure, fear of rejection, sometimes the fear is just of making a decision, because what if you're wrong? What if you're making a mistake you can't undo? The early bird catches the worm. A stitch in time saves nine. He who hesitates is lost. We can't pretend we hadn't been told. We've all heard the proverbs, heard the philosophers, heard our grandparents warning us about wasted time, heard the dang poets urging us to seize the day. Still sometimes we have to see for ourselves. We have to make our own mistakes. We have to learn our own lessons. We have to sweep today's possibility under tomorrow's rug until we can't anymore. Until we finally understand for ourselves what Benjamin Franklin really meant. That knowing is better than wondering, that waking is better than sleeping, and even the biggest failure, even the worst, beat the heck out of never trying."

-Dr. Meredith Grey

Found this here and felt inspired.

Happy Autumn!

{christopher, my love}

2 whole wonderful years.

2009-10-15T10:16:00.000-07:00

that's how long i've been married to zees b.e.a.utiful boy.

{click on image to see his crazy face a bit bigger...it's worth it}

Sooo, our 2 year anniversary was on Oct. 6...and Chris was unexpectedly able to come home for a week. {scared me to death by surprising me from behind the door when i walked in one evening thinking he was in Cali!}...and so we last minute picked up and went away for a weekend to Blue Ridge, Georgia to celebrate! It's very close to the Smokey Mountains and we stayed on the Ochoee river.

Us, fishing...{or attempting to} on the river right behind our cabin.

The decks leading all the way down to the river...

A few highlights from the trip:

-the Swan Drive-in movie theatre.
-fishing here, there and everywhere
-hot tubbing on the deck
-scrabble on the screen porch by the river
-lots of polaroids! {if only we had a scanner...}
-driving together
-cherry seven-up!

And...our anniversary was actually a couple days after we returned.

That day's goodness included:

-Pumpkin waffles to begin with

-a surprise locket for me {from the 1930's!}

-eggnog mustache

-trip to the nashville science center

-Indian food for dinner
-Big Bang Bar! {its a dueling piano bar in nashville}

Anyhow, i feel as though the occasion was well celebrated :o)

Now he's gone again, but just one more week and then he'll be home!
{for a couple days at least}

Adios amigo.

2009-08-31T15:10:00.000-07:00

Mi amor is no more. In Franklin at least.

He's flown off to Germany, and then France and England. Poor Fella.

However, we had such a great couple weeks together...i thought i'd write down a few highlights so i can remember (when we're old and grey) what in the world we did with ourselves when we were young and without kiddos.

. we had a campfire in our leetle leetle backyard. we roasted hot dogs and then put them in macaroni and cheese.
. we sang around the campfire while chris played the guitar.

. we rode bikes all around town exploring new streets and quirky neighborhoods, dreaming of the day when we have a home with a yard and our own mailbox.
. mexican cheese ice-cream and banana pops.
. movie nights out...sneaking food in. sssshhhh...
. making up our own language :-)
. Lunch dates with friends after church
. friends over to our place...a little irish cream, pazookie, scattegories, and cranium
. friday night out at Wild Ginger
. Pueblo Real queso
. Nashville Shores water park
. Completely re-doing our living room
. movie nights in said living room
. Mellow mushroom pizza at the pool
. ivey cakes coconut cupcake!
. Settlers (board game) at D'Arc & Wes's
. Wedding shower. i discovered Mike's hard lemonade. i love it.
. my surprise birthday party! (chris is an amazing husband and threw me the sweetest party in the world. he even got all my favorite food and drinks and an ice cream cake too!)
. visiting with Bradley (Chris's junior high pastor who also married us) and his wife Mida together. Love them.
. babysitting their kids together. the singing bee tv show...amazing and chick-fil-a!
. breaking into the pool (we forgot our pool key...i almost didnt make it over the fence)
. guitar lessons in the living room
. yahtzee game nights on our new rug which we love!
. runs with brandon and erin after zumba
. lazy days in leipers fork....crazy nice old ladies in antique stores
. driving in the bus around town together

and even more i'm sure...

now the lovely boy is gone...but i came home from work to notes hidden all over the house because he's just that thoughtful...

(yes, at times we refer to one another as "hottie mcgee"...feel free to make fun of us)

(i'm pretty sure he didnt mean this in any kind of sacrilegious way,just so funny how he wrote it)

(this was seriously needed. thanks love)

Dear Christopher,

Please hurry home so that we can make more memories together. And if you wouldn't mind too much, i'd really love a little treat from Europe? Something, you know....Europe-y. k, thanks...you're the best.

Love,
Mimsy

He bought me flowers; i put them in our new living room.

2009-08-23T16:40:00.000-07:00

Christopher went to the farmers market and bought me flowers. the most beautiful flowers i have ever been given at that. He then proceeded to bring them into my work and embarrass me. (that wonderful kind of embarrass that makes your cheeks bright red because everyone in the restaurant is staring but you feel so loved it doesn't matter)

anyhow, i put them in our new living room. because we HAVE a new living room! well, it's really the same room just completely redone. and we love it! we repainted it. that color that looks light light greyish blue color. and then proceeded to riiiiiiip up our carpet and stain our concrete a beautiful grayish color. i love it (to say the least)

so here's our living room.
and my beautiful flowers.

the stained floor...

fell off the bandwagon...

2009-08-10T16:47:00.000-07:00

I've a little bit been living (little bit been? sorry mrs. martin) in an airplane, car, or bus this summer....and i just fell off that darned bandwagon.

But im back...with stories and adventures to share galore!

let's start with my birthday shall we?

Sadly, Christopher was gone for my birthday...but a few lovely friends of mine scooped me up and took me out for a lovely night out.

it was wonderful :-) not to mention some lovelies i've been given! mom and dad got me those sweeet moccasins ive been so desperate for. AND a pair of earrings my mom picked up from france for me. and anners (seester) splurged on a beautiful pair of handmade earrings i'd had my eye on. Christopher Kyle actually got me the holgaroid!! Yay! (i'll hopefully post some soon once we get a scanner!)

but one of the absolute best packages ever arrived this afternoon. i'm sorry to make you all jealous, but Meredith over at Plumb sent me a box of birthday sweetness. i absolutely must share, because she is oh so talented it's ridiculous!

so i got this hat. favorite hat i've ever owned. first thought was, "oh wow, why would anthropologie be selling winter hats in august?" well, they aren't.

SHE MADE IT!!!

(i know i could have just set up the timer...but taking a mirror picture and covering up half of my justgotoutofthepool face was sorta part of the plan)

also, she's shopping for my future children. (and her's...we'll share) she knows me so well. i just bought a kids bowl last week because it was so stinkin' cute and i was afraid i'd never find a bowl for my kids to eat cereal out of that was just quuuuiiite that cute.

have you seen anything cuter than these? (i dont think so!)

and as if that wasn't way spoiling me too much.....she threw in a minnetonka moccasin key chain because they're my favorite shoe.

hey meredith. friend across the country and way too far away from me. i love you. thanks for being the most thoughtful friend and making my birthday so special all the way from california. you're the best.

and i'll be back soon. promise! i'm back on the bandwagon.

Birthday Wish List...

2009-07-16T07:52:00.000-07:00

Well well well...my birthday's right around the corner and my mother, sister, chris, family, etc...will soon ask me that question that i never know the answer to!!

"what would you like for your birthday?" im always stumped. and then of course i think of things i'd like aaafter my birthday. so im determined to be prepared this year.
and it's 100% fine if i dont get a single item from this list! but i'll darn well know the answer to that question.

ok. numero uno. i've wanted this pair of moccasins for about a year now. (ever since my last pair got holes in the bottom)

i like the dark brown ones in a 7 1/2. and they can be found here.

Also, and this is shooting for the stars....just really dreaming with this one.

the Holgaroid.

this lovely little contraption can be found here.

I would love any of Phil Wickham's albums. I love him but don't have any already.

Then there's always beautiful jewelry...

this necklace (but with an "M") found here.

Nail polish! i don't really own any except for red....and ive been dreaming of yellow nails and orange...perhaps a purple??!!

and totally random....but ive needed this for years...and never want to spend the money on a good one....i dream of another angle brush (the really little one to put on eye liner) from Mac makeup.

Also, while we're talking makeup...i dont own any lip liner (except for a cover girl one that never stays on) and would love one that stayed on longer than 15 minutes...i mean, what's the point!

and then this little beauty has been calling my name for quite some time now too....ooh so many things to love in life aren't there :o)

and it's found at a lovely etsy site here.

Now, if i don't get a single thing off of this list, that will be fine! but for those of you who like to have suggestions...here she be.

love you all!

Day 4.

2009-07-16T07:21:00.001-07:00

alrightio. this concludes the lovely lovely stay with my boy.

and it included a zoo!

Day 4 was also a show day...but being as kind and as sweet as he is...he managed to sneak away from tech world long enough to pop into the zoo and visit a little wildlife with me!!

i kissed a monkey. (ok, sort of)

This is one of the reasons i love my husband. he's crazy. (in the best sense of the word.) not to mention that i sort of made him do this. "babe, just stand right there. great...now a little to the right. perfect. now just, look like a beast for a second. awesome. thanks"

I got a little over-the-top excited about heading into aussie land...(i lived there for about 4 months doing missions work with YWAM and loooved every second of it!!)

And these little guys run around everywhere just like deer here. loved it! we (YWAM friends and i) would run around chasing them...totally dangerous i know. but oh so much fun. and those little joeys!

Aussiemobile

okay. so thats that.

Day 3.

2009-07-13T08:27:00.000-07:00

Finally!

sorry about the delay. i've been in chicago all weekend (looove that city) with friends and seeing chris at a show there. SO much fun. but more about that later.

back to my visit with chris LAST weekend.

Day 3 involved a little bit of shopping. and my favorite kind!

This old salad dressing bottle was one of my favorite finds. i'm thinking of keeping buttons in it...or maybe just leaving for decoration. who knows...i may even mix up some concoction, call it dressing, and throw it in there!

Anyhow, it was a show day. so the shopping had to come to an end....headed back to the venue...and watched a little showy show. (er, i watched. chris worked his tail off)

view from chris' world side stage.

all in all, a fantastic day with my love.

just look at the man...hottie mcgee. (excuse the cheese)

ill be back later with day 4. and then on to chicago awesomeness!

Day 2.

2009-07-08T21:19:00.000-07:00

ok...day two was jam packed full of "day off" goodness. meaning, no show that day. meaning lots of free time spent together!

this free time took place in Minnesota. and what better thing to do in Minnesota than to go to the Mall of America. and that we did. seeing as how it was the 4th of July, it seemed very fitting.

this is the craziness of the USA's largest mall. yes, that is a rollercoaster.

all this "mall ratting" (as my husband describes it) led to some serious munchies.

Best crepe of my life. right here.

in fact, so good...that i got it everywhere in the frenzy of eating it.

then we went to see The Proposal, so conveniently playing at the theater in the mall. here's a snapshot of "we're so happy to finally be together...lets take lots of in-love pictures everywhere".

this is sweet Mia...she's a friend from out "on the road".

and then of course there must be fireworks! and there were, lots of them. but here's just a couple sparkler shots.

zac likes sparklers too.

Day 1.

2009-07-07T07:52:00.000-07:00

hey everybody! im back!

sorry about the lack of blogging going on...i went out to visit chris on the road for a few days! so good to see that boy's smile again :)

anyhow...i was gone for 4 days. and day one took place in Detroit, Michigan.

For those of you who don't know, chris and i spent quite a bit of time in China before getting married working at a foster home for blind orphans. we were teaching them english, music, science, etc...and of course lots of swim time in the pool! One of our all time faves was a sweet little girl by the name of Chun Bin.

Since then, she has been adopted by a family living in Detroit! So since i was flying into that very city to visit chris, her family picked me up from the airport and we all got some good catch up time! so sweet to see her again.

This is Day One.

chandalier chic.

2009-07-02T15:20:00.000-07:00

i'm in love. with everything about this photo. i love the chandalier stencil...i love the idea of hanging jewelry on top of it. i love the chair. i love the desk and the empty frame. i love it all!

photo found here.

More Mad Hatter Madness...

2009-07-02T15:02:00.000-07:00

So, brandon chesbro (my brother-in-law) took some amazing pictures of this crazy event. go check them out at his blog ChesbroMania!

Photo by Brandon Chesbro.

aaand, happy birthday amy!

2009-06-30T18:01:00.000-07:00

Amy is special. She loves unique. She loves quirky and fun. She's a kook, which i love her all the more for! She's an absolute hoot.

All this as a prelude to saying that she threw herself a Mad Hatter tea party birthday party. And it was a-mazing.

Here's the birthday girl.

and here's heather...such a good friend...got there early to set up!

and here's me. sometimes im crazy. waitaminute, im always crazy.

Chris told me, that i simply could not attend the mad hatter party without wearing a hat. he then suggested i wear his amazing kyrgistanian hat. so i did. i was the only one wearing a hat at the party...and to top it off, everyone thought it was a lampshade. haha...oh well.

Ni hao.

2009-06-30T16:53:00.000-07:00

Here's the deal. Im crazy in love with my husband.

And because i love him so much...i did a little sumtin sumtin for him while he's out on the road so it's all perfect and ready for him when he gets home.

i got your plate changed!! (Ni hao = "hello" in chinese...chris speaks and loves chinese)

Now it's just waitin' for you to rock it around town!!!

love you,
Miriam

happy birthday little lady!

2009-06-29T20:50:00.000-07:00

Today was sweet Lauren's birthday...

so at the stroke of midnight (last night) we brought a cuppycake out to her on the couch which was outside and sang our little hearts out.

it's official. she's an adult.

also, excuse the tea light...im fresh out of birthday candles.

"we need to get to boo"

2009-06-29T08:51:00.000-07:00

i felt like juno last night. a little. bringing indoor furniture outside was the extent of me feeling like juno actually. im not pregnant...at all.

we picked up my couch.
attempted to bring it outside through the back door.
couldn't quite make it.
instead took couch through front door and walked around to back patio.
set up laptop.
hooked up extra speakers.
then proceeded to eat pizza and cupcakes under the stars, on my living room couch, outside, while watching monster's inc.
it was hilarious.
we all had fun :)
(i wish christopher was there...)

silhouette silliness.

2009-06-29T07:19:00.000-07:00

I love silhouettes.

I've always loved them. I still have (or my mom does) the one my fourth grade teacher traced of my shadow on the wall and laminated for me. i have some serious swoopy nose action in silhouettes...serious.

Anyhow, now i want to make a bunch...but like this!

arent they so fun!! im a little confused on how to do them....any suggestions?? is the trace the persons shadow against the wall with a projector my only option here..?

hmmmm.....

live!

2009-06-28T13:06:00.000-07:00

i've decided it's time to make a "live" list.

i saw a quote on The Polished Pickle and wrote in on my mirror in red lipstick. This was all in an attempt to be loud and clear in reminding myself to live to the fullest every little day!

By the way....i love megan marie over at The Polished Pickle. She's so elegantly beautiful, but at the very same time will get down n' dirty playing with her boys.

so, here's my list:

~ have a campfire out in our campfire pit
~ string up outdoor lights
~ keep my garden alive!
~ make my own popsicles
~ go to Europe!
~ rip up my icky carpet (just do it miriam!)
~ learn to be happy doing things by myself
~ write a short story
~ paint! create!
~ get better at photography
~ see the play Wicked!
~ learn a few new songs on our piano
~ guitar too while im at it!
~ roadtrip with my love
~ go to the nashville flea market
~ encourage others more
~ use coupons and get free stuff!

here's just a few....im sure the list will grow over time...

37 cents.

2009-06-27T14:30:00.000-07:00

this is apparently what my service is worth. to one woman at least. these are the coins that were left for me...after speedily bringing her her food...asking if she was doing ok at 7 minute intervals..."refill mamm?" she was eating alone...and this is what she left me.

this is what "irritating" looks like.

i think she's just mad at life. nothing personal i presume. but now it's left me like this. this is what "irritated" looks like.

oh well. it's really not a big deal. but let me encourage you all! if you get good service...we've now moved as a country to 18%! and if that lady comes back...oooooooooooo......37 cents. it's insulting.

My Milk Toof.

2009-06-26T23:12:00.001-07:00

Recently, i've stumbled across the My Milk Toof Blog. And it's providing for soooo much amusement. How cute are those little teefies! Please read if you're in a silly mood. Enjoy.

steffie's weddin' part 2.

2009-06-22T21:57:00.001-07:00

alrighty-o. moving on to a couple wedding photos....

my little sis, and steffie's little sis.

Mom and sis tearin' it up.

happy father's day duddy!

2009-06-22T21:05:00.000-07:00

this is my fam out at the river on father's day. we're a little bit kooky.

steffie's weddin' part 1.

2009-06-22T10:38:00.000-07:00

Well! now that the weekend's over....i can breath again. lots of craziness going on here...good craziness! i was a bridesmaid in a friends wedding over the weekend and then of course fathers day on sunday! go go go!

so here's a few rehearsal dinner shots.

Me and Weednut. (Leah)

Firsts, seconds, thirds.....sixths anyone?

The Bridesmaids minus Leah-Badeeeeeiiiaaa.

Me: "James! (other bridesmaid's husby) wait, no! not. ready. for. picture. aaah!" something like that....

i've taken about a million and a half photos this weekend...so more wedding and father's day photos to come soon!

(i love you christopher...miss ya like crazy)

we are just so crafty...

2009-06-17T09:41:00.000-07:00

yesterday, the lovely meredith and i hung out. we shopped. and shopped....and perhaps did a wee bit more shopping. oops!

HOWEVER, we also were quite productive in the crafting world. so that makes up for it. right?

Here's us with the goods and the messes we so easily make. (i'll let her share more pics with you on her up n' coming blog...cant wait!)

love...of the manliest sort.

2009-06-15T14:55:00.000-07:00

these two kinda make me smile. ok, really make me smile. i mean, look at 'em! too cute.

my amazing husband is in the red. luuuuuuv him.

The City on a Hill....

2009-06-15T14:47:00.000-07:00

San Francisco. Oh how i love you...you've been the backdrop of some of my favorite dates with Chris, including our engagement! you have an amazing zoo... and the exploratorium! China town....great bread bowls down at the wharf....the most beautiful christmas tree at christmas. strange people on every corner...hot dog stands, jewelry on the sidewalk. The Golden Gate bridge....sail boats in the harbor. the parks...the trolleys going up and down the hills.....bands playing in union square...

it's good to be back.

i came home to ants.

2009-06-07T12:45:00.000-07:00

So i went to atlanta for a few days. sooo good to see chris! i actually hadnt seen him since he left on may 14th. we had a nice day together (he had a day off) just hangin' around...watching a movie at an incredibly old theater...we were 2 of 4 people there. when we walked in our heads bobbed in front of the projector making silhouettes of us on the screen.

that old.

next day was a show day...i just hung around seeing what a typical day was like for him. met lots of awesome people...everyone was super nice. then i had my first viewing of Paramore! they were awesome...put on a really great show. and of course No Doubt was unbelievable. really good performers. so then i had to leave my love and come back home. doesnt really feel like home without him here though. i guess home is more wherever he is than where our stuff is. so, im homeless for another 2 months. yikes.

anyhow....opened the front door....and i was greeted by an entire community of ants. aaaaaaaaaargh. i went wild killing these guys. spiders...where there's just one of 'em..... i try and just put them back outside. but ants....im sprayin, wipin, smashin, vacuuming, you name it. and now they're gone....*catch my breath*......ok.

Meet Platypus

he loves me! (so well)

2009-05-20T14:01:00.001-07:00

Dear Christopher,

Thank you for my surprise package in the mail. It just completely brought my day from asi-asi to muy bien. You are the greatest husband. ever. (well, i think so at least)

i love you like crazy! And i do love the koi fish. i named him fernando. (fernie for short) thanks for all the extra smiles you bring to my days. :o)

Missing you,
Miriam Chez

P.S. starfish don't have brains -Uncle John

frog legs and peach soda

2009-05-15T18:34:00.000-07:00

two things i tried for the first time this evening. the former was interesting. sorta like chicken but a little bit sour? the latter is a new favorite.

It all started when i saw the sign yesterday evening.
i then convinced (actually she happily agreed) Erin, my sister-in-law, to go try them frog legs out this evening with me.
A nice man took a photo of us to document our first time eating frog legs.
A different lady came over and told us that some of the frogs come from China. i'm wondering if this one's a chinese frog. just look at it!
so, we dug right in...erin called the cornbread a grease biscuit, and the coleslaw mayonnaise lettuce. sorta tasted like it...but we had fun. :o)
I'm officially crazy about peach soda. I can't believe i've gone all these years without knowing about it!

well peach soda. I've found you now...and i will buy you often. you are very much appreciated by me and my taste buds.

love, miriam

Chris, look what i found!

2009-05-15T15:39:00.000-07:00

I found a photo of our stairs/slide!

Chris mentioned the other night to me that he'd really like our future home (the one where we have kids living in it) to have a slide right next to the staircase that the kids can slide downstairs on. i LOVE the idea.
photo found here.

#39

2009-05-15T15:28:00.000-07:00

So, here's my tackling #39 from this here list.

A letter to my washing machine:

Oh washing machine. we havent been together very long. less than a year at least. I'm very sorry that you've been neglected at times in your life. stuck in storage, another machine replacing you. i know it's not your fault that you're old...and that vintage washing machines arent really viewed as "cool". it's ok. you work fine for me. i wish i knew how to properly use you though. should i just leave you on warm/cold all the time? that's what i usually do. i bet you could do all sorts of wonders with my clothes if i fed you better soap and knew what settings you liked best. but for now, we're fine. you havent torn up any of my clothing (which i very much appreciate) and that's all i really ask.

Maybe someday i'll send you to washing machine heaven, but until then, we're buds.

P.S. i'm sorry i feed you bobbypins all the time. i know they're not healthy for you. im trying to kick the habit.

So long, farewell, "uhveedlesaygoodbye"...

2009-05-15T14:57:00.000-07:00

or that's how i grew up saying it at least...

well, he's off. gone. no more to be seen or held.

we did have one last good date night down at Mellow Mushroom the night before he flew away. ordered waaaay to much food. but pizza makes for great leftovers. (just had some!) the hummus was delicious, the company was great :o) im really going to miss that boy of mine a lot. he's extremely lovable. but perhaps even more missable. life's just a tad bit more dull when he's not around.

however...im planning on really spicing things up while he's gone! lots of fun girl time....perhaps painting the bathroom and living room? gardening, sewing, drawing, exploring. tons of photos, that's for sure. we gotta keep each other updated on the goin-ons of our lives.(you better be blogging you little rascal you!)

here's my love in his amazing 1964 VW bus. (i think he thought my feet were slightly annoying...but he humors me :o) )

100 things + bubble blowing

2009-05-12T19:39:00.000-07:00

found this website today and i love it. it's completely inspiring...sounds like loads of fun. I'm going to tackle at least one of the things tomorrow. i'll let you know how it goes.

also, my kooky husband and i had a little bubble blowing night-o-fun the other night to see what kind of gum really blows the biggest bubbles. throughout this process, i realized that i am married to some kind of bubble blowing icon, and i, am sadly the worst bubble blower that ever there was. sad, really. i always thought i was ok. that we all sorta blew 2 inch in diameter bubbles. and that's ok. that's how the gum bubble thing works. WRONG. chris was consistently blowing bubbles the size of his head. i stand amazed at this talent of his. here's some proof. and this one was by no means NEAR the largest either. jimminy cricket. i have absolutely NO clue about the peace signs either. cracks me up...
stocking up for the experiment. "which gum blows the best bubbles?" we didnt actually buy aaall that gum. but we got a good selection all the same. bubbilicious (my fave), big league chew (chris' gum of choice), bazooka, good old fashion gumballs, etc...
my pathetic attempt...
having this happen over, and over with his massive bubbles popping quickly became my favorite part of the evening.
gumballs at hand for my practicing needs...

so it was fun. great. i love him. love him. LOVE HIM! he's crazy, just like me.

It's the good stuff...

2009-04-30T19:38:00.001-07:00

things that have made me happieeeee this last week.

1. Good finds garage saling

{yes. i bought some nice old lady's lifetime collection of matchbooks.}

{didn't buy the sock monkey. chris put that in my stocking this last christmas. love him.}

2. Bike riding with my love

3. Rooftop excursions in downtown Franklin

4. Making amazing shirts with Tabby (pictures later)

5. The twin nephews finally arriving

6. Volleyball

7.Mexican ice-cream with my love

8. Being given a practically brand new camera bag (neeeeded one)

9. The United tour at the Ryman in Nashville

10.Bluegrass music

11.Finally riding in Chris' VW bus together!

12.Picnics in the park

13."17 Again". Hilarious. "googleable!!!" haha....

14.The Wannabeatles. Soooo great.

And Chris is coming home again tomorrow! yippeeeeee

The Bus. It's up n' running.

2009-04-28T08:01:00.000-07:00

So, my amazing husband, Christopher...has a slight obsession with VW buses. and i love it!! (and him) i may not be AS in love with them as him, but he's a hard one to beat... however, i myself DO admire the vehicle and am quite excited that we can finally take the thing down the street!!! (it's been a bit of work for quite some time to actually get the thing running. yes, chris bought a car that didn't drive...and i love him all the more) But now it does! huzzah.

They're here!

2009-04-28T07:50:00.000-07:00

The twins have arrived! They were born early early Tuesday morning at Baptist hospital in nashville. Now, these aren't MY babies...my sister-in-law D'Arcy just had the twin boys...so im an auntie! yet again! So so cute. here's Benjamin. (at least i thiiink it is? this twin thing is going to definately take some practice in the differentiation dept.)

dont be alarmed. they're perfectly healthy! they were just born a bit early (even for twins) and needed a little help for a few days breathing and regulating their body temperatures.

The new mom with her other lovely children.

home sweet home

2009-04-28T07:19:00.000-07:00

ok, mom. (and anna)...(and meredith)...(and ali). Here is the oh so humble abode. Try and pay no attention to the horrible lighting and hasty picture taking in my attempt to just bite the bullet (even though my house was messy!) and just take the picturas for you all. firstly, the back half of the living room...

next we have the piano. oh the piano.

then of course heading up the stairs...

our bedroom.

the chair in the corner of our bedroom.

On the mantle that is our headboard. (or is it mantel?) mantle. shmantel.

and, back down into the kitchen.

and here's the other room upstairs. this room serves as office, music studio, craft studio, extra storage, etc...

BIL

2009-04-14T19:27:00.001-07:00

I finally have a brother! His name is Brandon...and he's my awesome BIL (brother-in-law). just thought you all should know about his many talents and that if you need a photographer or videographer and you live anywhere around nashville...he's awesome! Here's the man himself...
you can check out his work here

I was adopted for Easter by the Richards.

2009-04-14T18:58:00.000-07:00

So, sadly, my husby was out of town for Easter, but very luckily indeed, the richards family didnt seem to mind having one more crazy blonde join the party...

The day started out with an easter basket surprise to me from tabs. toooo sweet!
and yes chris, that's the shirt i bought for you from urban while you're away...but i figured it needed some love, so i've been wearing it to bed. oops!

don't be alarmed. tab puts white stuff on her face sometimes...something about not wanting to get zits i think?

then of course a sort of stiff awkward picture of us with our easter dresses.

next we headed to church and then back to her house for some punch makin' time! good times, good times. have you ever seen such frothy goodness?

everyone headed over to the stables to visit the horsies...tab tried on her dad's sweet shades at my request. (so sweet to humor me)

there was more birthday singing...

and the blowing up of peeps in the microwave (this was new to me...very exciting)
this is what it looks like after it deflates. sad little pathetic peep.

i might of had a little photoshoot in her parents bathroom because im so in love with it! it's such an amazing little space.

stevey joy and shaohannah showed up later with marybeth. how cute are they!?

it was a good Easter...lots to thank the Lord for...but mostly that He has risen! and gone ahead to prepare a place for us to spend eternity with Him. Amaaazing.

Love you all and happy birthday tabs.

Red Lobster. i think i like you....

2009-04-14T18:50:00.000-07:00

So, it was miss tabitha jane's 20th birthday on Easter... and because i was spending Easter weekend with the richards, i was invited to her annual birthday dinner at red lobster this year! i had never been....and i have to say, i quite enjoyed myself. One of my gifts to her was a puppy dog made out of socks. it's sorta started a little stuffed animal making frenzy among some of us to create an entire zoo of little sock animals. !!

and then there's Tanner and Emily Richards. they're special people whom we all adore. i mean, just look at 'em!

And then there's missa and danny. two of the sweetest people ever. ever. ever.

(i wish you were there christopher kyle!)

my kind of furniture....

2009-04-14T18:41:00.001-07:00

it was one of those moments. the kind where you're instantly in love and you know, no matter how much they cost, you will find a way. somehow they'll be yours and your world will be just a littttle bit better because of them. that's when i saw them....my agua outdoor patio chairs, complete with rust n' everything. and so i got them. two of them. (and yes, my life is a little bit better now)

naturally tabby loves them, with them being mermaid colors and all. she so kindly lounged in them and modeled for me. i feel suuuummer calling!

simply lip puckering!

2009-04-14T18:36:00.000-07:00

my sweet auntie has the most amazing meyer lemon bush. (in california) and i have always loved to pick loads and loads of lemons off of her lemon bush every year and make yummy stuff with 'em! this year, i live in Tennesse...no meyer lemon bushes here. but because my auntie is so sweet and thoughtful, she sent me a box full in the mail!! oh all the lemonade to come!! mmmmmm.....

also, i bought a jade plant and it sort of keeps me company with chris gone so much. that's how much i love this plant. we're kitchen buddies.

i miss you oh mr. better half

2009-04-14T18:26:00.000-07:00

chris and i had a little debate on the subject of better halves in relation to couples. He preferred to just accept the fact that i was his better half and he was mine. But of course, i needed to figure it all out.....how was it possible for me to be his better half and for him to be mine? if my half that he had was better than the half of him he kept of himself....how was the half of me that i kept, not the same as the half i gave him, and therefore also still better than the half of him i had. or vice versa. all of this discussion is not the way to have a romantic evening with your loved one (just in case you wondered.) In the end, we decided to just accept the fact that the other is our better half...because indeedy i do think he's just too good to be true. and what can i say, he really is my better half. I mean, how could i not be wildly in love with a dude who so confidently flaunts these sunnies? love it.

also, i miss our waffle mornings together...come home soon!

the kids in my life...

2009-04-05T17:35:00.001-07:00

So, between the little sister in laws, Kaia and Meili, and my adorable niece and nephew, im all kidded out! and i love it! :o) Here they are in all their cuteness...

Meili and her best friend "puppy". "Puppy" goes everywhere we go....lucky puppy.

And then there's Lovely Kaia and Princess Caroline...those two...

And then Christian...the lone boy of the group. Until those twins arrive of course! eeeeek!

i mean, how cute are they???

sneak peak...

2009-04-04T22:14:00.001-07:00

Im working on a new project...im really excited about it. Here's a little sneak peak!

surprise!

2009-04-04T21:57:00.001-07:00

sooo....because we love our boys so much, we decided to surprise them at the Chatty show! We hitched a ride with all those lovely Richards and off we went.....much fun. Here's the boys in all their musical glory....

one month and a few you two!!! yippeeeeeee

yes, it is spring indeedy.

2009-04-04T21:25:00.000-07:00

I decided that i could certainly create my own cowboy boot/ white dress day outside in my own backyard. and then of course i needed a snack....and dandelion crowns only make my day better...

And this one's for chris...love ya!

i'm pretty sure it's spring...

2009-03-29T15:01:00.000-07:00

image via ffffound

i'd really like it oh mr. sunshine, if tomorrow it could look like this. i'll put on my boots, and go lay in a meadow for a nice nap. please?

More Misery...

2009-03-29T14:38:00.000-07:00

I have this book called More Misery, written by Suzanne heller.
I was flipping through it today and thought back on those days
of being a little person.

Oh sweet childhood...

Misery is when you're playing jump rope and you have loose underpants.
Misery is when you buy 2-hole paper for a 3-hole loose-leaf.
Misery is having unsightly hair on your legs and you're not allowed to shave it off.
Misery is when you have corn on the cob and you don't have your front teeth.
Misery is having soft bread and hard butter.
Misery is when you want to go home and you forgot your phone number.
Misery is when you have an ice-cream cone and a ballon and a terrible itch all at the same time.

Uncle John's Bathroom Reader

2009-03-27T19:27:00.001-07:00

There is much to be learned from bathroom readers, and i fully intend on doing so. This is why i own the largest 4-ply bathroom reader i could find. Without this wealth of knowledge, i would never have known that

a) my hands and feet have more sweat glands in them than any other part of my body

or

b) that my tongue has it's own tongue-print. sorta like a thumb print but tongue style

To my dear Christopher Kyle, i shall update this blog often with bathroom reader facts because i know how much you love that thing and will miss it. This is part of the reason we go together so perfectly...our love for Uncle John.

Instead of blogging...

2009-03-27T19:09:00.000-07:00

I should be doing many a different thing...

To Do List for RIGHT NOW:

1. Write essay and take quiz for horribly boring online political science class. (these are due tomorrow morning)
2. Take a shower. (i know most people don't need to put general hygiene on their to-do lists...but i do. )
3. put sheets into the dryer so i can sleep with sheets tonight...preferably.
4. make oreo cake balls for sister-in-laws baby shower tomorrow.
5. sleeeeeeeeeeeep

Oreo Cake Ball Recipe (because they're so easy and so delicious and you must make them)

One package of oreos
8 oz. cream cheese
one pack of almond bark or baking chocolate (?)

Crumble up oreos. (i just put them in a large zip lock back and use a rolling pin to crush them) Then mix together with softened cream cheese. Mix together well using electric mixer. Chill the mixture. Later...roll oreo/cream cheese deliciousness into balls (i make them slightly smaller than ping-pong balls) and then chill those for a little bit. Melt chocolate or almond bark and dip the balls in it! lay on parchment paper to dry and then enjoy!!!!

he's leavin' on a jet plane...

2009-03-24T19:36:00.000-07:00

or maybe just a tour bus...but far far away. and that's all that matters. aaaanyways, this blog is so when he's gone...he can keep up with all my adventures. and i with his at his very own blog.
so, we decided to go out with one last hurrah before he left.
Things might have gotten a little out of hand at the park...but who can deny the joys of mosaic dragons and the dangers of climbing all over them? Of course we had to start the date with a little jaunt over to Fat Straw. If you haven't been....i'd highly recommend it. It's on Villa near Belmont here in Nashvegas. After making fools of ourselves in front of some very respectable chinese folk at the park (chris was of course evesdropping trying to catch every little bit of Mandarin he could)...we went to Fido's to use the facilities before we let loose on the streets and then headed down to Cafe Coco to grab some personal pizzas and french soda. (have you ever heard of french soda? i mean it's just syrup and soda water. sorta thought that was an italian thing...but who knows) Some group was there playing....it was decent. Chris started some good clappin to one of the songs....he's so stinkin' cool. alright, well, we love each other. it was a great night. I'm gonna miss the stuffin' out of him...

alright little miss blog...here we go!