Slooowdown.

There are so many events I feel I have to blog about.. Like.. Jessica's birthday.. the fact that Matthew had his appendix taken out last Sunday night.. Matthew's family coming to visit.. etc. My mind is a little jumbled though (nothing new). Tonight I'm just going to leave you with a picture of Matthew's family.

The past few weeks have been a blur but a good blur. Life is moving fast and I'm trying to slow down. Tonight we made a fire.. (because is freezing out!) made tortilla soup.. and are going to catch up on our shows via Hulu. Jessica is spending the night and I may even watch Little Women in bed for the millionth time. Tonight I feel overwhelmingly thankful. Life is good & it is all because God is good.

PS. Remember that time I wrote about Ben Howard a while back? Well, I finally got his album like I said I would. Once again, I am in love. It is the perfect type of music for this time of year.

Pumpkins.

It's Saturday. This morning Matthew and I rode our bikes to a donut shop then watched rowers on the river. We made a trip to Greenlife Grocery, tried lots of food samples, and walked in an expensive ourdoor store (Which we regretted as soon as we walked through the door.. along with eating the donuts so early in the morning. I wanted to throw-up on the ride back home due to the incline back to our house. Ha.) Overall it has been a fun day and it has just begun. We are meeting up with Jessica and Logan to celebrate J's birthday and are going to a Pumpkin Patch. Eeek! Happy Autumn Saturday!
(Isn't this image gorgeous? Found on Etsy!)

Fall.

I'm still having a hard time believing its October! It is by far one of the best months of the year. I mean, who doesn't love pumpkins, pumpkin lattes, the cool (but not too cold) weather, pretty colored trees, cute coats, earth tones, and Fallish music (Ya know Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes, etc.)? Plus, my BFF and like 5 other high schools friends birthdays are this month. There are so many things to celebrate.

Tomorrow the new Feist album comes out. I have heard a little bit of it and I am SO in love already. Happy Monday! It's going to be a good week.. I can feel it.
(Cute calendar from Etsy!)

October.

Our Friday night in pictures: friends, Music (Wilder Adkins & Threadbare, Brother), & Late night waffles.
Today we are going to bop around town, walk to the balloon glow in the park, and enjoy the cold weather! (It's 11 o'clock and it's still in the 50's outside!?!)
Happy October!

Football.

This past weekend was perfect.
Our Saturday drive to Tuscaloosa was beautiful, foggy, and cold! We picked up our friend Erica in Birmingham and met Davis Ann on my old stomping grounds (Our cute gingerbread house that we lived in for 3 years.) It felt good to be back there. I'm happy to say that I did not get a "I want to be back here" feeling. Yes, I do miss my friends and living in that house, but I'm happy with the change that has come about in my life. It was good to not feel nostalgic for once.
The title of this post is a little misleading because I honestly could not tell you one thing that happened during the Alabama vs. Arkansas game. I talked the ENTIRE day & through the ENTIRE game.
I'd like to say thank you to Matthew & Brad for not getting annoying at my chatting during the game ;)
But really. I didn't want to leave my friends & am already trying to figure out when I can see them next.

Tonight I had my first Pumpkin Spice Latte of the season. Who am I? Usually I have already had 10 by now. I needed to get out of the house tonight so Matthew suggested we drive to Target. What a little sweetie pie huh? He knows just what I need. We listened to a little NPR, drove with the windows down, and talked about what all we had planned for the Fall.
I love Fall. Have I mentioned that?

P.S. We made THIS Yummy Mozzarella Pesto BLT tonight. Matthew's mom gave us the recipe a while back. You should try it out! :)
Happy Monday.

Five.

Hello my friends! It has been a while it seems...
5 Random things: (just to keep you updated)
1. This weekend I get to see my sweet friends from college in Tuscaloosa for the Alabama vs. Arkansas game! I am SO excited. I have not seen Davis Ann (my roomie) in almost 5 months!
I've had major friend withdraws...
2. Can you believe the first day of Fall is tomorrow?! It's finally here. Maybe i'll celebrate with my first Pumpkin Spice latte of the season. (Ever since I left school, my expensive coffee days have gotten smaller and smaller. I guess that could be a good thing.)
3. My friend Chris (Wilder) came out with a new CD. The song he wrote & sang at our wedding is on it! Hooray! (It is number 7 on the album.) My good good friend Gabrielle sings with him on it too. You should check in out HERE! (You will be glad you did.)
4. I'm currently a nanny. Did I tell you that yet? It's true.
5. Here is the headboard that Matthew and I made! Pretty simple & easy.

Lazy.

Since last weekend was filled with home projects & such we decided this weekend needed to be quite the opposite. (I'm going to post our headboard creation soon!)
This weekend has been R e l a x i n g & L a z y.
Last night Matthew and I tried a local Japanese restaurant then came home to have a movie night. We moved our mattress to the middle of the living room and fell asleep while watching an old 90's film. It was a pretty fun night. We both felt like kids again.
This morning we slept in, made breakfast, & sat outside in our hammocks to drink coffee and read. The weather has been amazing. I think Fall is deciding that it wants to come and make its home here.
Hope everyone else is having a fun weekend so far!

P.S. I'm trying a new recipe from Cooking Light tonight which should interesting. I'll let you know how it goes and if it is worth sharing!
P.S.S I've been bad about blogging lately. I'll get better I promise ;)
This picture is from last Saturday night downtown. Thanks Logan! :)

September.

Life lately. 
It has been pretty slow around here but there are a few things that have made up the past couple of weeks. 1. We have made a couple of trips to visit my family in Alabama 2. We have been working on some home projects (rearranging the living room & today we are making a headboard & doing yard work!) and 3. We have been doing a lot of coffee drinking & long sleeve wearing, all in response to the amazing pre Fall weather. I love that it is September. It's a beautiful month.

New.

It's been a long week. I'm going to give a life update soon but for now I'll leave you with this:
The design I made this week.
(I took this on my phone. My card-reader isn't working so they're not on Etsy yet!)
Hope everyone is having a good week! :)

Thankful.

3 things I'm thankful for this morning:
1. God's grace & mercy & that He leads me into all truth Psalm 25:4&5, Psalm 51:6, & John 16:13
2. My husband who makes coffee for me every morning! (This makes me such happy girl.)
3. My BFF who spends the night with us sometimes and who makes me giggle by leaving a tub of icing in 'her room' on the floor every time she spends the night.

(and 4. Such supportive friends & family.. It's more than a blessing than I think i'll ever grasp)

I'm working on this wreath for our door this Fall. I'm still going to add things but I like the direction it's going. I thought I'd share because I know my Mom would like to see it even if no one else ;)
Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Maybe.

On one of my recent job applications I got asked this question:
"Do you possibly want to go back to school one day to receive a Masters degree?" 
My response: "Maybe"...Not "yes".. and not "no".. but "maybe."

Meaning.. it made me feel a little better about myself saying this. I mean I couldn't say no? That response would make me look like an unmotivated underachiever right?..
They don't know me. I may have, for one second, really thought "maybe" but then that thought just makes me laugh. Oh the things we do to make ourselves feel better.

I told Davis Ann this via text and here is her response:
Davis Ann: 'Bahahahaha so typical :) Sarah thinks dreamy to herself "a masters? sure.. i could do that someday..." subsequent mental image: listening to an awesome Pandora station while studying at an awesome coffee shop or walking around a beautiful campus in the Fall with pretty leaves & a cool outfit drinking a pumpkin latte..'

Ha. She nailed it. It is also the exact picture I have when I think of my college days that are so far gone..
I guess I forget about all the work I had to do ;)

In conclusion to all of this: I am now receiving 10 calls a day about getting my MBA.
Lesson learned. Those jobs sites... they'll get you.

In other news there is a link I'd like to share with you today....
clink HERE! to see the "projects" I've been working on.
Happy Tuesday! (Although it feels like it should be Wednesday.. such a bummer)

Musica.

I'm in love with this song by Ben Howard this week. Don't you just love randomly stumbling upon new artists? Matthew and I have spent the evening watching different videos of him. His voice is kind of mesmerizing. Too bad his new album does not come out till October. AND you cannot get his EP on the U.S. itunes store? I mean really? Who knew there were separate itunes stores for different countries? Not me. (But maybe I'm just behind the times and everyone else knows that BUT me?) Boo. I know I will be purchasing it somehow though. Just one more thing to look forward to this Fall.
Have a happy Friday! :)

Here are a few links to go into the weekend with:
1.You should check out Ben's song 'Gracious' It's another good one.
2. PoppyTalk Handmade is so great. Take a LOOK at the 'In Love' necklace by Laurel Denise.
3. Loved THIS dainty bracelet I saw via Pinterest on Etsy.
4. If you are looking for a good worship band check out United Pursuit Band... 'Live At The Banks House' has been my go to for the past month or so. (Literally listen to it everyday.)

Picnic.

Matthew, being the sweet husband he is, took me on a picnic last night. We went to the top of one of the mountains near our house & enjoyed Lunchables together. (It's our little thing we like to do given it's what we had on our first date.) The view from where we were was amazing. Thanks husband :)

Today's agenda: painting my little heart out/work on my project, meeting with a mom (who moved from Texas like we did!) about babysitting her sweet 8 month old, clean the kitchen that I've been avoiding since Saturday, & find a new book to read. I've been given a few suggestions but ill take more!

P.S. Every morning I check the news via NPR or CNN. This morning I couldn't stop thinking about how depressing everything going on around the world is. This verse came to mind: 'Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we put our hope in the Lord our God.' Psalm 20:7 So, it's today's verse.

Project.

I'm working on this new project... I have mixed feelings about it but think I like it. Here's a little peek of what I have so far. Hope everyone is having a fabulous day! Happy mid-week! :)

Premature.

Every year around this time I wear long sleeves & buy Candy Corn in hopes that Fall will come sooner than It should & every year around this time I sweat in my long sleeves.
There is nothing better than getting to wear long sleeves and shorts though.. That was always my outfit of choice to wear to class during the Fall semester.

I know this may be a little premature and all but cool weather, fires in the fireplace, pretty color leaves, &  a new cozy wardrobe is all I have talked about this past week (Just ask Matthew, he's heard every bit of it.) You can just feel that we are on the brink of it. The weather has cooled off teasing us all because Im sure the heat will return in a week or so. (Buying "fall" smelling candles hasn't helped.)

Every year around this time something inside of me desires change. I'm glad God created seasons. It always gives us something to look forward to. *Sigh. It just makes me happy.

P.S. Did I mention my friend Sandra made a surprise visit Sunday night? We had coffee at this coffee shop I had been wanting to go to. It is indeed my new favorite spot.

{sources: white, bed, girl, cup (unknown)}

Best.

Matthew & I have spent the past few days hanging out with my mom and sister. I had not seen my sister since we went to visit Alabama in March because she has been working a children's camp all Summer. We had a really great time together doing things we would do back home. I'm so glad they came.
After this past week & a half, it would be an understatement to say we were tired. We spent our Saturday afternoon on the couch, in our P.J.'s, watching Mansfield Park. (I'm on a "time periods" movie kick.)

We thought that our evening would consist of Chinese take out, another movie at home, and a glass of wine. Instead, we got the sudden urge to go to Tazikis Greek restaurant downtown. This was the best decision we made all day. We sat in the restaurant on the 2nd floor, listened to coffee house on XM radio (Which played some of my favorites.. Amos Lee, Civil Wars, David Gray, and a little DMB which made me smile at the thought of old memories.) we were given a FREE piece of chocolate cake, and ate the best Lamb Gyro I have had in years. It was one of those nights you want to describe the way you feel in a million ways but can only come up with the simplicity of "good". We just felt good. We walked around downtown a little bit, ended up getting candy from the old general store, and headed back home. I like nights like tonight.

EmersonMade

I've been thinking about these EmersonMade jeans all week. I first saw them HERE on A Cup Of Jo last October and have had them in the back of my head since. My mom bought me a pretty blouse today & I think they would look so good with it for the Fall. Sigh* maybe one day. I love EmersonMade.

Type.

On Typography:
I love type. I love design. I love branding. 
I love looking at type. I love looking at design. I love looking at branding.

"Type is saying things to us all the time.. Typefaces express a mood and atmosphere..they give words a certain coloring." Helvetica

The documentary film Helvetica expresses many different opinions about what type should express.
All I know is that one of my biggest pet-peeves is when someone uses the wrong typeface and when design does not express what is trying to be conveyed. Typefaces are what convince you to buy a certain product whether you realize it or not. I know most people don't really care about type & design and some have probably never even given it thought. But for me, being an Art major in school, this is all we were trained to think about.

On the first day of Typography class my graphic design teacher said something along the lines of "this class will ruin you..you will never look at Type or design the same way again." She was right. It's almost annoying how much it has effected me. I am now a critic. I don't pretend to know how to produce 'good design' myself (I have a lot to work on) but my eyes sure think they know what it looks like.
(Random fact: Helvetica is the typeface you see the most in advertising today.. you just may not know it. It is everywhere. It can change into so many different forms..)

"The typeface invites open interpretation.. Helvetica says everything" Helvetica

Visitors.

Small life update: This past weekend Matthew's parents came to visit. I am so glad we got spend time with them! Overall it was relaxing, refreshing, and fun.
Today my sister Ray is coming up to stay with us and my Mom is joining her on Thursday. Matthew & I are calling this week "Family Week 2011". Now if only our other 4 siblings & my Dad were coming too the week would be complete.

The past few morning I have woken up feeling like I should be able to walk out on our porch and enjoy the cool crisp air. The season has already changed in my dreams at night & It's making my body confused. (Random fact about me you may not know: I remember my dreams almost every night.. & they are always very detailed.) Iv'e been watching the Emma miniseries from the BBC. The beautiful Fall scenes on the show probably are not helping. Thanks to my sweet husband for buying it for me on Amazon :) Happy Wednesday!
(Matthew's parents bought me these flowers from the Farmers Market on Sunday, aren't the pretty!?!)

Random.

Last night Jess, Logan, and I went to Volkswagen's nature park. The boys rode their mountain bikes while Jessica and I "hiked". This little adventure is becoming our weekly tradition. I really enjoy spending time with them. It's amazing how different our lives have changed since we moved. Having friends near by makes the biggest difference in the world. I'm thankful for that today. I know good friends are not easy to come by and I have an abundance of them. Just thinking about it overwhelms me with the graciousness of God. He is so good to us.
There are still a few things we miss about the first place we called home together and of course we miss having Matthew's parents around. Good thing they are coming to visit this weekend! Hooray! It seems like its been months since we have seen them. Matthew and I have had fun planning what we are going to do with our visitors in our new city.

Last night I told Matthew I felt "moody anxious." His reply: "that sounds scary." I laughed. Thankfully I no longer feel that scary way. Today I just feel good inside. Really really good.
This is going to end up being a random post but I want to share a few sites from around the web that I found good/interesting/fun this week. Enjoy! and  have a happy Thursday!

5 Wonderful Links:

1. I really want to make THIS from the Pioneer Women.
2. I loved THIS study on packaging design.
3. I really enjoyed THIS post from Joanna Goddard about little girls.
4. I gonna let you in on where I get my cute desktop backgrounds HERE. Thank me later ;)
5. And HERE is my Pinterest page. I'm not sure why I have not shared it yet.

P.S I've said this to myself a million times but I am ready for Fall! Eek!
Found here. A little Fall inspiration.

Dreamy.

I have never been much of a reader. I hate to admit that. The truth is that I have always wanted to be one. It's not that I don't like books.. I just always seem to buy the wrong ones. I buy a book, read the first few chapters, & put it down.. & repeat.
There does come a time when you come across a book that you simply cannot put down & people like me become a reader for a week. This week, that's me. The last time I felt this way about a book was when Matthew and I first met. I was reading Francine Rivers book 'Redeeming Love'. We had only known each other a month or two & in his pursuit he told me that he "loooved that I was a reader." Ha. Of course I played along and let him 'looove' this about me. Who wouldn't? We laugh about it now & he still tells me how attractive it is when I read. Oh the funny things that boys like. I guess I'm more attractive this week ;)

A few days ago I 'tweeted' that I wished Davis Ann & I lived in the same city so that I could borrow a book from her. Now Davis Ann is a true reader & she had the book I have wanted to read. My friend Erica stopped back through on her way from AL and to my surprise brought with her a gift. She brought me Ree Drummond's book "Black Heels to Tractor Wheels." Davis Ann had sent it along with her just for me. I started reading it yesterday afternoon & have not put it down. And that my friends is a good feeling. I'm already mad that it is going to have to end at some point. Good thing Ree has a blog. The book is funny, sweet, & makes you a little giddy. It makes you feel more 'girly' than you want to feel.

I've been dreaming of the simple country life for months now and reading her book is not helping the slightest bit. She makes everything sound so dreamy. I guess we can make what we want dreamy in our own eyes right? It is all about your perspective.. That is what I have been learning the past few weeks.
Last night Matthew and I rode around the old historic district and looked at houses while we drank vanilla Diet Cokes from Sonic. It was the best night. Something about it made me feel like I was in high school again. Like the good side of high school.... I felt the way I did when J & I would ride around in her car, listen to music, & pretend we were somewhere that we were not. We were always good about living in a dream. I feel a little silly admitting that I have always loved to do that for fun. It's our form of entertainment and something about it is so freeing.
Last night was dreamy in my eyes. Its fun to feel that way sometimes.

(This photo has been sitting on my desktop for a week or so.. I found it in one of my folders I created over a year ago so I no longer know the source. I Thought it was fitting for today's post. Isn't she beautiful? The title of the picture is 'farm braid.')

Details.

Homemade biscuits, Rain, Letters, the Word, & Open windows.
Snapshots from our rainy & relaxing weekend. Happy Monday!

Optimistic.

Here is the run down on my week: It was slow. Really S L O W.
My computer died on me because my battery is shot (thank goodness for the ipad). It will work as long as it is plugged in but there is a problem when the power cord goes out too..
Next, half of our family is in San Francisco. Awesome right? Bad thing is that we could have gone too if we didn't move. Jobs ruin everything right? ;)
AND j and logan went to bon iver last night.. Without us!.. I guess I can't blame them.
I know what youre thinking.. And this is not supposed to be a 'Debbie downer post. I'm actually pretty optomisic at the moment. Today is Friday and who doesn't love Fridays? :)

Since I'm not on my computer to upload any pretty pictures here is a video of the Givers I watched today. It is so happy! I have fallen in love with them. Every song is good but my favorite this week? Go Out At Night. Enjoy! Happy a happy weekend! :)

Introducing: Givers from The Line Of Best Fit on Vimeo.

Southern.

This past Saturday we went to my cousins gorgeous plantation wedding. The wedding was up on a mountain right down the road from my grandparents house. The view from the house was breathtaking. If I'm going to be honest, living in other states in the U.S. sometimes made me want to think less of where I grew up. Now, even with its flaws, I see things from a different perspective. I love that little town I call home. I love the history, I love the charm, and I love the southern culture that will, at times, drive you insane. On Sunday we spent the day with my Mom's family. We celebrated the recent engagement of one of my other cousins along with my mom & aunt's birthdays. Our little road trip home was just what we needed. I feel refreshed and thankful.
My intent was to make this post more about what went through my mind over the weekend but every time I sat down to write nothing would come out. Maybe next time i'll be feeling more poetic & thoughtful.

Lovely.

Spending the day with Erica yesterday was such a treat.  There's nothing like sweet friends.
Today we are headed south for a wedding & to celebrate my mom's birthday. The whole family (minus ray & dan) will be at our house on Sunday to celebrate! Hooray for weekends & friends.
Until Monday.
Have a lovely weekend!

P.S. Check out this awesome write up on my friend Chris (Wilder).. I love the opening Ryan Adams quote. P.P.S. Picture #1. Erica.You may get a sign on the door too if you come visit us ;) Picture #2. I just had to show you Matthew's new haircut. Hehe.

Something.

Something I'm excited about: My friend Erica coming to visit.
She is on her way here form Richmond, VA right now! I have not seen her in months. She is staying the night with us on her way to visit our friends in Alabama.

Something I've been doing: Wasting time on the internet.
Like every other women in America, I've spent more time on Pinterest more the past few days than I have the past 3 months combined. I decided that EVERYTHING looks better & more appealing if taken with a nice camera.. It doesn't matter what it is.

Something I'm ready for: Fall.
I had a "I'm ready for fall" moment yesterday. I am now trying to remind myself to enjoy summer while it is here... (even with a heat index of 100 & humidity at 85%. Blah.) I have to get in just a few more swims before the leaves turn from green to the beautiful shades of red and yellow.

Something I'm looking forward to: A road trip.
We are going home to Alabama this weekend for my cousins wedding. I miss that place.

Something I cannot stop thinking about: Psalm 90:12
"So, teach us to number our days so that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

Something I love this week: This picture.

Five.

Five Things. (Because it has been a while.)

1. Matthew asked me to give him a haircut last night. I know bad haircuts should not be a laughing matter but I couldn't help it. I laughed so hard I couldn't breathe. He now has a shaved head. (Which, in my opinion, looks pretty hott with anyways. And hey, I told him I didn't know what I was doing but he insisted.)
2. Today I started working on an oil painting I started in 11th grade. Yep, that was almost 7yrs ago.
3. I'm still un-employed & still not happy about it.
4. Last night I met president Obama in a dream AND listened to Bon Iver in a dream. I have had his song 'Perth' in my head all day. My dreams never fail me to be interesting.
5. I woke up to coffee & breakfast in bed this morning from Matthew. Happy 7 months to us! :)

(Here is a sneak-peak of a different painting I'm working on. Have a good Tuesday!)

Weekend.

This past weekend was packed. We had our first overnight guest & I don't think we could have had a better time. The weather was amazing & we got to spend time with good friends. Simoni, Matthew's fraternity brother/roommate in college, came to visit. We cooked dinner, explored, went to the farmers market, hung out with Simoni's beautiful sister, & road bikes with j & Logan. We wanted a second bedroom just so we could have friends come & stay. Simoni stayed for 2 nights & we already have another visitor stopping through later this week! (Plus, J is spending the night on Tuesday!) I'm so glad the room is getting used in the way we hoped it would.
Last night, as we were laying in bed, Matthew & I talked about the weekend. We couldn't get over how encouraged we feel after spending time with people we love & we could not be more thankful.
Here are just a few pictures from the weekend. I hope your weekend was just as beautiful.

When we laugh indoors the blissful tones bounce off the walls and fall to the ground. Peel the hardwood back, To let them loose from decades trapped And listen so still. -dcfc

Reminder.

Jess & I used to write these letters to each other in high school. To us, these ‘letters’ were more than notes we passed in class. I have kept everyone of them & plan on doing something with them one of these days.
I found one of these notes on my living room floor yesterday. Im not sure how it ever got there considering its from 2004 (If you do the math that is 8 years ago!?) and the rest are tucked away in a box. I guess It doesn’t matter how it oddly escaped; I’m just glad it did.
A line in the card made me laugh today when I re-read it…

“About that situation.. (which I’m not disclosing in this blog.) Do what you want. Remember earlier when you got weird? It’s best to just be cool Sarah and don’t worry.”

She goes on to quote Lynyrd Skynyrd's “Simple Man’ after this.
I’m not sure why I am even sharing this. I guess to publicly remind myself to ‘not get weird’ and to ‘be cool’ & to 'not worry' even when I seriously want to freak out about life. What she told me that day, years ago, still applies to life now… to me not having a job in particular.. & to everything.
I have to pray.. trust.. and have faith in God. His timing is perfect right?

“As for God, His ways are perfect. The word of the Lord is proven, He is a shield to all who trust in Him. For who is God except the Lord? And who is a rock, except OUR God? It is God who arms me with strength, And makes my way perfect.” Psalm 18:30-32

This weekend one of Matthew’s awesome friends from school is coming up to visit. Also, J and I decided we are going t0 the Peach Festival downtown on Saturday. Yummy. Hooray for Friday!
It’s going to be a good weekend. I just know it.

“Take your time, don’t live too fast. Troubles will come and they will pass.” -LS

Watercolors.

Our guest bedroom (or as Jess likes to call it "her room") has slowly become my craft room. I made this book a few years ago as a final project in one of my classes. The book, which contained a poem written by my friend Chris, was illustrated using watercolor paper I made. This book was my inspiration for some new projects I'm working on. I can't wait to share them soon.
(P.S. Like our gray walls? I find it funny that I usually paint with BRIGHT colors but could only decide upon a GRAY for our walls. I'll give a mini tour of our casa one day soon?!)

Playlist.

This past weekend was a success. It included new friends, trying a new restaurant, two long walks, exploring our neighborhood, discovering parks, going to the zoo, visiting another church, & watching Justin Biebers movie 'Never Say Never.'
Job searching also happened this weekend but with no further success. If I don't find a job soon I may go crazy. Life of the employed & unemployed: Already looking forward to Friday.

Something that aids the horrible job search process: Music.

I've been listening to the same playlist on my computer since move in day. The list is a little random, is a mix of old & new, and grows every few days but I thought I'd share.

1.) Adele: 21 2.) Bon Iver: Bon Iver 3.) Death Cab for Cutie: Codes and Keys 4.) Fleetfoxes: Helplessness Blues 5.) Givers: Ep 6.) Josh Garrels: Love & War & the Sea Inbetween 7.) Bethel Live: Be Lifted High 8.) Corinne Bailey Rae: The Sea 9.) a few songs by Patty Griffin, David Gray, Chris Tomlin, Mumford & Sons, Florence & the Machine, & Edward Sharp & the Magnetic Zeros.

(You can download Josh Garrels' album for free HERE.)

Life.

Lets be honest.
We miss Texas a lot more than we thought we would.
This morning was the first day I woke up feeling completely refreshed since I've been here. (It was a glorious feeling. Being tired makes you so emotional.)
Last night Jess and I got to hang out alone for the first time in like a year (no joke). We sat outside of Whole Foods and talked for about 2 hours. I'm still amazed at how we have lived apart for so many years but understand each other better than anyone. It's a crazy thing.
Tonight we are going to hang out with some of Matthew's new work friends!? We are sincerely going to make an effort to make friends this time around. Everyone has been so kind to us here. We have been invited to do things and have gotten so many church suggestions we don't know what to do with them. As Matthew and I like to say to anything that is different from Texas/a southern cliche' "Welcome to Tennessee".
I've been reading though "The Purpose Driven LIfe." Our church read through it together when I was like in middle school but I thought I'd give it another read through. It's been really good. I've been encouraged by God's pleasure for his people. I get overwhelmed with how weak of a human I am most days & God has been sweet to remind me of who He is in the most powerfully simple ways since reading the book. Overall things are good. I'm thankful for everything this move has brought to us; whether it be friends, emotions, testing, encouragement, & uncertainty. It is all for our good.
But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; 
I say, "You are my God" My times are in Your hand. Psalm 31:14&15
(Here are a few pictures from a few night ago. Evening walks by the river with Matthew = one of the best things about living here. So beautiful.)

Job.

Today I'm back at the coffee shop job searching. The process is as bad as it was last week. I need a new trade. Job searching is a job. Prayers please? :)
On a happy note: I got the new DCFC album a few days ago. My favorite song? 'Monday Morning.' If you have not heard it yet you should go check it out.

Today is Thursday.. one more day closer to Friday.
(Did I mention we have a swing in our yard? Hooray!)

'She may be young but she only likes old things, And modern music it ain't to her taste, She loves the natural light, captured in black and white, She sees mirages of mountain ranges, Within a blink of her eyes it changes, Back to the open plain, oh no she can't explain. I cry out "Love keep your arms around me", I am a bird that's in need of grounding, I'm built to fly away, I never learned how to stay. The night is gonna fall and the vultures will surround you, And when you're lookin' in the mirror what you see is gon' astound you. But all these lines and greys refine, they are the maps of our design, Of what began on a Monday morning.-'Monday Morning' by DCFC