Pivot!

Hi there.

Well, moving day is quickly approaching.  Jered and I spent the majority of our morning/afternoon packing up his stuff.  I played the "meanie" role, as I forced him to go through all of his school stuff and decide what he was keeping and what he was going to throw away/sell online.

Fun way to spend our 11 month anniversary, right?  Well, it will be more fun than the day we attempt to move our furniture out together.  Really, really hoping that I can find a stand in for that experience.

Otherwise, this will be Jered:
 





And this will be me:


That's right.  It won't be pretty.  We'll just cross that bridge when we get there... Maybe I can bribe some of his buddies.

Have you seen The Secret of NIMH?  Remember Auntie Shrew?  Remember her freaking out because they weren't ready to move when the plow came?  Well, that may be me when moving day comes around...






That's not a good look on anyone, right?  You see why I am so looking forward to it?  Luckily, I have found many helpful moving tips on Pinterest, many very obvious, but I probably wouldn't have thought of them on my own.

If you have any tips, I would love to hear them! 

Have a great night, friend.

Aim

Birt-day Girl

Hi friend.

As I mentioned last week, I have been scouring DIY blogs for project ideas.  Mom and Kate were gracious enough to dedicate a large portion of our weekend at home to crafting since it was my birt-day wish.

I was getting in the mood for it last week before we left for home, and I decided to look at Anthropologie online because I keep seeing all these people who make adorable knock-offs for much less money.  I kept wondering how they came up with the ideas, and then I thought, "Well duh, Aimee.  They probably look at the store and get their ideas from there."  This girl's a smartie. 

So I went to anthropologie.com and started perusing.  I came across this scarf:

 

So, you double it up and it's a cute, dressy infinity scarf.  I saw this and thought, "Hmm... I have a scarf and a long beaded necklace that I never wear... I could make this easily..."

 

I was going to sew them together and thought this might be the easiest project I would have ever made.  And then I realized.  This scarf has loads of little tassels on the ends. All I have to do is tie those suckers together.

It was quite literally the easiest and quickest thing I've ever put together, and Anthropologie is selling their version for 50 bucks.

 

I also took these outdated cargo pants that I had never worn, and cut them into some shorts that fit perfectly.  I have already tripled their use in one week.

None of my projects that I did at home turned out just how I wanted.  Ha.  They require a tad more work before I will show them to you.  But here are a few things that did turn out on our crafty day:

 Katie made some earrings out of seashells from her NJ trip.

 

This is her infamous assymetrical pair.

 

 I added the side zipper to this fantabulous tee.

  Mom added the lace cuff to Kate's shorts, 

and took them in for her since she's turning into a little skinny minnie. ;)

Since I'm going to be having some extra free time in the next few weeks, I will probably be joined to my sewing machine at the hip.  You know, if it had one.  Then I can show you some of my projects. Hopefully. 

Are you wondering how my birthday went by and I haven't gushed about the cute stuff Jered did?  Prepare yourself because here it comes. (Yay!)

He wanted to do something with just us, and didn't want to take away from our time at home, so he waited until we came back and had a night together.  

I came home from a day full of work, a headache, and a hard hour of working out, to a clean apartment, music playing, and a candlelit dinner.  We pretty much skipped our Valentine's Day tradition this year, so he incorporated it into my birt-day dinner this year.  So, as you may recall, we had chicken noodle soup, Ruffles chips and dip, and sparkling juice.  For my 5th year flowers, he chose a pot of five beautiful orchids, and for my birthday he gave me a book that he knew I would like since Molly had posted it recently.  (I pretty much love everything she endorses.)  Topping everything off, of course, was my annual poem, which naturally brought tears to my eyes. 

Jered didn't want me to post this stuff because of the harm it could do to his street cred, but then I thought, "Oh please, which of his guy friends are going to read this blog and hurt that?  Except for you, Jeremy, but you already know about Jered's sensitive side.)

All in all, I felt like a pretty lucky girl on my birt-day and unofficial birt-day.  Sorry about my gushing, but you expect it by now, right? 

Also- Happy Birthday to the real birthday girl today- Kelly!  I hope you have a truly wonderful day!

With that, I leave you for today.  Hope you're having a good one, friend.

Aim

Feeling Pretty Blessed

Dear friend,

Head's up- this might be lengthy...

Does it ever shock you at how many emotions or memories a song can stir up in you?  I don't know if it's that way for everyone, but if you want to cut me to the core and get to my heart as quick as possible, find a song to do the talking. 

First- I have to confess that I had notes written in church to be the basis of this letter, but I am sans my Bible right now, and thus sans notes.  I'm going off of an emotion saturated memory.

Maybe I should start by telling you that Jered and I spent the majority of the last week with my family, and in addition to the great time we enjoy while there, I also feel that returning to my home church is a highlight of my time in town.

This week was no exception, and as you may have guessed, it centers greatly around God's use of music to tap into my head and heart.  First of all, the worship song we sang at our wedding happens to be on the playlist almost every. single. time. we go home.  Mom has assured me that they only play it when we are there, which is always randomly scheduled.


Needless to say- every time we sing it, I tear up, and this week was no different- especially as I held on to Jered's arm and felt it break out in goosebumps during the song.

It didn't stop there though.  It's difficult for me to go to my home church and not think of Mike.  After all, he wasn't just a friend, but our Pastor for many years- many years that made up the biggest part of my becoming an adult- a Christian by my own beliefs and convictions.  His ministry shaped my character more than he would ever know.

As I sat in the service, our new Pastor's style- the way he calls up missionaries to share and asks how he can pray for them, asks people to share testimonies on the spot, his messages- really stood out to me.  I found myself thinking, "This is good.  Our church is going to be ok.  He is going to help hearts heal.  He is going to continue on Mike's ministry for the Lord."

We took communion, and I was feeling quite convicted over the caliber of my wifeliness.  (I just made that word up right this second.)  So I was already turning quite emotional over that, when the song started.  I knew it right away before they started singing.  I don't know if you remember, but I've written about it before HERE.

Here are the full lyrics:

Be still, there is a healer
His love is deeper than the sea
His mercy, it is unfailing
His arms are a fortress for the weak


Let faith arise
Let faith arise


I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart, these things I remember
You are faithful, God, forever
 
Be still, there is a river
That flows from Calvary's tree
A fountain for the thirsty
Pure grace that washes over me


So let faith arise
Let faith arise
Open my eyes
Open my eyes


I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart, these things I remember
You are faithful, God
You are faithful, God, forever 

This song meant so much to me last time we sang it.  I was trying to reestablish my trust in God- that He knew best.  Our church body was staring death in the face as it threatened to take one we loved.  And this week, it struck me so strongly because of that memory, and the realization that God was carrying us through that hard time and is still carrying us as we continue to heal. 

The next song was Amazing Grace.  Pastor Bill asked us to stand and hold hands across the aisles, to sing it as one church body.  The last time I remember doing that was at Mike's memorial service.  It was the first time we, as a church, had met in the new sanctuary, and we sang it a Capella.  And as we sang it, I had this overwhelming feeling that we had survived.  That my home church was in the hands of a Pastor that God had ordained for such a time as this.

In case you didn't know, friend, I am a major crier.  I tried, but couldn't hold back the overpowering emotions.  And if this wasn't the epitome of the conclusions I had just come to- I don't know what is:  Pastor Bill made his way through the front of the congregation, and came right over to me, and prayed for me.  He had no idea that I was crying because of how blessed I felt because of God placing him in our lives.  I was sad, thinking about Mike and how I missed him, but I was also feeling unbelievably blessed at God's provision.

Whew- speaking of being a crier- I'm trying not to right now, so I will move on.

Here were some more highlights of our week at home:

Spending time at The Farm with family

Fireworks with Kate and Jered

 

Birthday dinner and a movie with my favorite family

 

Saw our precious flowergirls- two of them wearing their dresses

Looking matchy-matchy for church 

(I don't know why this is all being spaced out so strangely. Sorry bout that.)

Anyway- it was a great week.  If you aren't living at home with your family right now- isn't it weird how every time you go back it feels like no time has passed and it's no less home than before?  

Well my friend, I am done for now.  I will talk to you later.

Aim

Ready to Dress Up the New Nest

Hi friend.

Having a happy weekend?  We are here.  Well, pretty lazy, but good. 

Jered has been studying nonstop.  (In my opinion.)  Yesterday he decided to take a break- which, in my opinion, was a good idea.  I woke up to his smiling face asking me if I wanted to go out for pancakes.  Why yes! Yes, I do!  So we enjoyed a long breakfast at our favorite corner diner. 

Then we lazed around the apartment most of the day.  I cooked up a ton of chicken for the next few days, tried making banana chips, and made some lime cilantro dressing from my Cast Iron Skillet Cook Book that I got from Grandpa Bill and Grandma Robbie for the wedding.  It turned out pretty good!

Jered and I have spent the last two afternoons in a quiet classroom on campus.  Yesterday we wasted a couple hours on the computer- he looked at land and listened to music, and I pinned and blog browsed.    Today we packed up a big lunchbox full of healthy goodies, and he is studying and taking practice tests, but I am doing the same old thing. 

I have found a blog that I am in love with- look up sweet-verbena.blogspot.com.  She does so many DIY projects, and better yet- makes them seem really easy and posts great directions.  I am basically stock-piling ideas right now for our new apartment.  I cannot wait to feel like we live in a grown up place and something a little less dorm roomesque.

But friend- if you could just see all the ideas piling up in my head, you would think we were getting ready to move into a big house, not a two bedroom apartment. Ha.  I'm going to have to do some major picking and choosing and planning to make everything work together and still look simple- which is ultimately what I'm wanting- nice and simple.

I'm also trying to figure out how to get some of the styles I like without making it too "girly" for Jered.  Although I don't think my taste is that girly to start with, he is definitely a "man's man," and I want him to love the look of our apartment too.

Here are some of my favorite finds of the week:

The wreath and the table are both from my new favorite blog.  I found the barrel tables on Pinterest.  I also found some great antiqued glass tutorials for candles and jars and such.

I've already asked Dad to help me with a father-daughter project. (That great TV table.)  I love how simple it it- and she say's it's crazy sturdy.  To me, it seems modern and rustic mixed together.  

Since we will be home for a few days over my birthday weekend, I've roped Mom and Kate into trying some of the other projects.  Hopefully we will have some beauties to share with you next week.

In case you were wondering, Jered is now playing his harmonica with a backtrack he found online.  Being the loving, supportive wife that I am, I have headphones in and am listening to old Mickey Mouse cartoons.

Well friend, time to get back to my lovely weekend with my handsome husband.  I sure do wish I had brought my camera with me so you could see him right now.  Maybe we'll venture back this way again this week and I can sneak a picture in somewhere.  Anyway- later!

Aim

The Fount

Dear friend,


Did you have a nice weekend?  I sure did.  We ended up having an impromptu visit to Jered's family's house.  While I enjoyed some girl time with Jessica, Kelly, and Beth, Jered got some much needed basketball and more importantly, hunting time.  He really needs to get out of doors more often.

We sang three of my favorite songs in church this week.

The first was Our God- which admittedly, I have sung in confusion, and often through tears as I sing lyrics that proclaim our God is healer and awesome in power.  I believe with my whole heart that it's true, but it's still hard to realize that sometimes God's plans are different than my own.

The second was In Christ Alone.  It gives me chills every. single. time.  No power of hell, no scheme of man could ever pluck me from His hand.  Til He returns, or calls me home, here in the power of Christ I stand.  Gosh, I don't even know what to say about that one, except that if you don't know the lyrics to it- look them up real quick.  Life-altering words.

We watched a video about the writer of the last song.  Turns out it was written by Robert Robinson, to which I initially thought, "Who would name their kid that?"  Then I learned that he was a man from the 1700s and had his life greatly changed by God.  They revealed that the song was Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.  This song is one that I don't think of often, but when it does come up on the Sunday morning worship list, it always breaks my heart.

Come thou fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing thy grace
Streams of mercy never ceasing
Call for songs of loudest praise

I love that it points out that God's mercy demands our loudest praise.

Teach me some melodious sonnet
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise His Name I'm fixed upon it
Name of God's redeeming love.

Won't it be wonderful when the angels are teaching us new worship songs?  Wow- what a picture in my head!  The second half creates so much conviction in me- I want to be wholly fixed on that name.

Hither to thy love has blessed me
Thou has brought me to this place
And I know thy hand will bring me
Safely home by thy good grace

He has blessed me in so many ways.  If it weren't for how He's worked in my life, I think I would be in a totally different place right now.

Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Bought me with His precious blood.

He desired to save strangers from the ultimate danger- eternity away from God.  He saved me when I had done nothing to deserve His smallest attention.

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee:

I could never be "even" with Him for what He has done.  I will always be a debtor to Him.  

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here's my heart, O take and seal it;
Seal it for Thy courts above

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love!  To know that in the depths of my heart, I will always be prone to sin, to leave this God who has so mercifully saved me, is absolutely heartbreaking.  How fitting that it ends with a prayer for God to "take and seal" my heart for Him.

Do you get why I love this song even when it breaks my heart so much?  It's just a "wow" moment for me every time I think about those lyrics.

Well friend, that's really all I have to write to you about today.  Hopefully I will talk to you again soon.

Aim

Perspective

Hi.

I've had a little more time to write recently, in case you hadn't noticed. 

Yesterday was glorious, if you were wondering.  We spent the afternoon by the pool at Jeremy and Kelly's.  While the boys played basketball, Kelly, Jessica, and I soaked up the sun.  I watched while Kelly and Jessa practiced their dives into the ice cold water.  It was a delightful time of togetherness.

So, I heard a message at church a couple weeks ago, and one anecdote really stood out to me.  I don't remember who the story was about at all, but I don't know that it matters.  It was a well known, much loved Christian leader of some sort, who had done a lot of good things throughout his life.

He was on his death bed and people were coming to visit him before he died.  One man knelt beside him and encouraged him by saying, "You are going to receive so many rewards in Heaven."

The dying man answered, "No, brother.  I am going to receive mercy."

I thought that was such a great reminder that we, as believers, are not receiving anything we've earned or that we deserve- thank God!  Since our good deeds don't make a lick of difference, I am so thankful that I'm not getting what I deserve.  That statement made me smile, but it also humbled me because I know I'm not nearly as good a person as that man was. I, too often, forget just how blessed I am that God chooses not to look at all I've done wrong.

Our God is merciful. 

Hopefully that thought makes you smile today.

Later,

Aim

Family Time

 Hey all.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend.  This girl was sick for the majority of it.  Have you seen Big Bang Theory?  You know how Sheldon is when he's sick?  You know how Leonard ran out of the apartment for his life while calling his friends, giving the warning, "code green?"

Well, if not, you should see it.  Hilarious.  And also, I felt bad for Jered having to deal with a wife who probably was alot like Sheldon this weekend.  Pitiful.

Anyway, I don't remember if I told you, but we visited my family last weekend after we stayed at Jacob and Molly's.  We wanted to surprise my dad for an early Father's Day since we couldn't see him this weekend.  I don't know if he was really surprised or not though... He always seems to know what's going on somehow.

It was a lovely weekend.  Mom and I did some bargain shopping, and Dad and Jered... you guessed it: played Wii Golf the whole time.  Except for when we went to The Farm and had a chance to see a bunch of family.  Then Jered jumped in on a Euchre game!  He's growing up so fast.

But our family time did not end there!  Last night we had the chance to spend time with alot of Jered's family while we celebrated Kelly's graduation.  Soaking up as much time together as we can before we're all more spread out again.  Justin's home for a bit before he takes off for his mission trip and then back to Cali.  Jessica's heading off to college in Arkansas for the first time in August.  Can you believe when I first met her, she was in 8th grade?!

 

And then, of course, we won't be living so close to Jeremy and Kelly for very much longer- which I've decided is going to be really weird.  Road trips will be a must.

To our delight- Justin stayed with Jeremy and Kelly last night, and Jessa stayed with us, and it's a GORGEOUS day today- so fun is in the schedule this afternoon.  Don't know how.  Don't know where.  But it is destined to be.  Woo hoo!

I was going to write more today, but I think I'll stop there. 

Til next time!

Aim