hello people.

We are in our new apartment, and loving it! It is just such a favorite of mine to now have four burners, an oven and a dishwasher!! We are still settling in, everything doesn't have a place yet, but it is getting there. We heart our green wall, it is not neon green like our old kitchen, but it isn't a sage green either, more like a guacamole green. On the day we moved in there were little presents left for us by the Buzzuto company that owns the apartments, and I love little presents. There was basic stuff like a new sponge, dish soap, toilet paper, paper towels and snacks. But the best one of all was this handy little hammer. Now to the untrained eye it was just a hammer, but to our friend Ed it was a multi-use tool, that opened up into like 6 different tools. Good thing he was there that day, we would have just thought it an ordinary hammer.

Jeremy can now bring his cruiser home the nights he is working, which is just amazing. Last night he was even able to stop home to have "dinner" (if you would call it that at 10pm). At one point I was even able to see him run lights and sirens from my living room window. I was thanking the Lord the other day while driving that his plan is always perfect, and he has us just where he designed us to be.

And in other news, I just received a call that our table and chairs are being delivered today!!!

Jer and I went to check out the library down the street yesterday and were very impressed. It is like getting a whole new movie collection. The nice library lady told us they were known for their dvd collection, boy was she right. Then we found out I didn't even need to get a new card, they now have the library cards that work for all of Maryland. Pretty sweet. Jer and I decided to each pick a book off of the "classics" shelves. He is going to reread Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett and I will be reading The Member of the Wedding by Carson McCullers.

Our first night we went to one Giant, and Jer became friends with the deli boy. Who after chatting with us a while, printed out the receipt and then added two more ounces of cheese on. Which of course Jer missed and I took note of, because those are the things I heart in life. Though don't tell because we don't want to get coughalonzocough in trouble. The best part is Jer called him by his first name and he was a little startled that Jer knew it, but then Jer graciously reminded the guy that he was wearing a name tag. :) But the next night I checked out a different Giant, and decided it was much nicer and will be my grocery store. Sorry Alonzo.

I will do a photo update soon, but for now I have to go wake up husband so we can go to his cousins' football game.

contentment

I am currently reading The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs. In it is one of the best definitions I have found of christian contentment.

Christian Contentment: is the inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, freely submitting to and taking pleasure in God's disposal in every condition. (p.40)

Praying that this year I would grow in this area and have a steadfast, quiet, submission to the Lord. Not just verbally, but in my heart and thoughts.

a girl recipe

Well. How shocking is this... I have a recipe to share. My girl Casey and I were just talking about on Sunday how Sharpie is the next Martha Stewart. Like sometimes when I read Pioneer Woman, I think to myself, self she some how MUST be related to Sarah. Mike definitely got quite a catch in the food department of wives. Anyways, I made this little pasta dish tonight, while my cop is working. I wrote this one down while in the bookstore the other day, I seem to have forgotten to write down the actual name of it. So in honor of Sarah I shall dub it Lucia-Yorgenson.

Lucia-Yorgenson

Cook 2 cups of Gemelli (or other short pasta). Drain and rinse under cold water. Toss in a large bowl with 2 cups chopped spinach, 1 cup grape tomatoes-halved(side note I am not a fan of those cherry tomatoes, though they are cute I think plain tomatoes taste much better), 4oz of fresh mozz(cut into pieces), 2 oz salami(cut into pieces)

Whisk together 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar, 1/2 tsp of salt (or more if you are me, and handfuls if you are Gen with a G), and a dash of pepper. Drizzle right before serving.

Yum. Now I have never bought salami before, I know that may be shocking to some, clearly I am not very adventurous with my foods. BUT, incase you don't know, it is much cheaper to purchase from the deli for this recipe instead of those prepackaged ones because you need such a small amount.

In other news: While standing in the grocery store today, next to my cart, which had my purse in it. A very stern granny told me I should not leave my purse unattended. I was not happy with her, she was not happy with me. I do believe I have met the first old person I did not like. I never thought that would happen.

october thus far

Care Group Camping Trip '09

Christopher & Jer putting up "our" tent...really we borrowed it.

It was very windy and rainy. I was praying all night that the rain guard would not blow away considering the Riddlesbergers have yet to use this lovely tent. I am sure it would have made a great story, but not when your husband hasn't slept in many hours. Thankfully, everything remained tied down.

Our evening guest. True love.
Ally and I were able to ride up together. She is one of my favorite people to talk to. You never leave a conversation with her without loving God more. Ally has a little dude inside of her that will grace us with his presence very soon! I can't wait to meet him.

The Parsons & the great marshmallow test. You see Heather a true farm girl has been taught by her dad the art of marshmallow roasting... however, as she was showing us, her marshmallow took the great plunge into the fire, while her snowboarding artsy husband roasted his to perfection.

The saw was crucial. Good thing Brian is rugged and has a relaxed wife. I would never let Jeremy near a saw like that!

Our leaders: Beth & Dr. Steve ummm they slept on a blow up air mattress....totally not rugged of them.

I love him. This guy made a handy little bagel holder over the fire thing.

After camping we headed up to our 2nd home Covfel for the 25th Anniversary. What a sweet day. They had 3 bands the 80's, 90's and the future. Really funny videos, by far the best one was Tom Smith's Land Ho. Sitting next to Sharpie was one of my favorite parts; just hearing Bill Patton made us both tear up, the whole night was like watching home movies and just the fact that Sarah and I have been friends since junior high and now both married still remaining friends is so kind of the Lord. God has been so faithful to Covenant Fellowship and its people. Besides Jeremy, Covenant Fellowship has been the biggest means of God's grace in my life. My relationship with the Lord, my closest friendships and my best memories are all a direct result of the local church. It stirred in my heart to pray for the next 25 years. Psalm 145:4,13 "One generation shall commend your works to another...Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations"

In other news: I cut open my first pomegranate the other night. It was yummy.

What a steal. See that little candle holder on the left. Free. Yes, I found it at Michaels a few weeks ago. I had prayed the Lord would help me find good deals, so that I could grow in the area of decorating my home. Well, when I went to check out I asked the girl to do a price check because it was on a shelf with a bunch of discount items. I thought it was going to be 30% off. She rung it up and it was 1 cent! Ha. Then she goes well when it comes up like that, then we are just trying to get rid of it, so I'll just give it to you for free. :) That made this little wife's heart very happy.

Go Phillies!!!

befriend faithfulness

Psalm 37:3-5

“Trust in the Lord, and do good;

dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.

Delight yourself in the Lord,

and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord;

trust in him, and he will act”

When I first read through this today, my heart was amen-ing that he will give me the desires of my heart and he will act. Which is a blessing, that the Lord chooses to pour out goodness on his children. But the Lord slowed me down to look back again and see what I am called to do. To trust him, do good, befriend faithfulness, delight in him and commit my ways to him. (Oh, I love that part....befriend faithfulness). All of these things require a guarding of my heart and thoughts, discipline and a whole lot of grace. I am thankful that the strength needed to be obedient to God's word does not come from myself, but the one who calls me to them in the first place.

Step One: Memorize this passage :)

Sauce Master

Traci and I had a big adventure a few weekends ago making apple sauce. I know, how domestic of us, we even impressed ourselves. Well. If it wasn't for this handy mill (http://www.norpro.com/store/products/sauce-master) we borrowed from Auntie Laura, it would not have been so easy. Now our first batch was coming out pink, we couldn't imagine what we did wrong, but apparently it was just the type of apples we were using. Then we discovered the ultimate secret of apple sauce making... Honey Crisp Apples. Yum.

Our little helper aka a pleasant distraction.
The handy mill aka sauce master.

So, I was out running errands and said a little prayer that the Lord would help me find good deals. I run into Home Goods real quick just to check prices on some things and what to my wondering eyes would appear but the SAUCE MASTER!! The sticker said it generally runs for $65 but that their price was $50....but it was a red sticker and at the bottom said $18. WOW MOM. I took it up front to make sure there was nothing wrong with it and left the store a very happy domestic wife. I brought it home and made sure everything functioned correctly. Next on my list of things to make: Spaghetti Sauce. Too bad the tomato season just ended.

Jeremy does a good job trying to be excited with me when I get good deals. But I think other wives are the ones who really appreciate a good deal.

So, share your most recent deal or find???

and the color is.....

Ryegrass: http://www.sherwin-williams.com/search/?search_terms=ryegrass&section

We found out that we only had 6 options. Since green is both of our favorites, and a generally safe color, we went with that one. The big move will happen October 27th/28th. I can't wait!!! I started a list with Moe yesterday of all the things I will be able to cook now with a full size oven and 4 stove tops!! Pizza and cookies are at the top of the list. :)

Once we move we are going to try to get a new desk and a new dining set. So, I am on a big hunt for a good deal. Send me any ideas of places to check out!! Below are the images I have in mind. Not necessarily a white desk but that is the sort of frame I am looking for. Even if I find a beat up one at a thrift shop, I'm thinking it would be fun to fix it up and paint it. Megs, I saw your green one and was very jealous, but was able to show Jer just what I had been talking about. I hope some day you have a blog just devoted to decorating tips. :)

I found out today that the liquor store up the street from our house is a great place to get boxes. Hopefully, our new neighbors won't think we are big drinkers because of all the labels. :) Though Aunt Reenie, I do miss those lovely paper boxes. I do have two left from my Philly to MD move.

Next on my to find list is a Tape Gun.

photos

Ha. Ok, so we went to Georgetown and it was lovely...and the only pictures we have are these dark ones on these scary and epically long steps. But apparently these are the steps in some famous scary movie.

Christine, Jeremy's cousin, goes to Mount St. Mary and is on the soccer team.
This horrible picture would normally never make it on my blog. BUT that is her coach. He is also the brother of Jon on Jon & Kate plus 8.

Jer & Colleen.

My pregnant Stephie.

Jer teaching Caleb some wrestling moves.

Proof that Miss Brewer is trying to steal my man!

The O's game. First time I've ever been to Camden Yards. Courtesy of Uncle Sean.

This guy moved home.

We were really close.

Yet, this guy, still need his trusty binoculars.

Surrounded by Redsocks fans.

My dude turned 24.

Traci and I made applesauce. It was on our bucketlist. The secret of applesauce making: Honey Crisp Apples and Auntie Laura's handy mill. Which might be added to my christmas list.

While I was doing this, Jer was playing in the mud. Aka atv'ing with the boys.

Then the next day he organized a little soccer game. A nice fall day. Except all the guys who went atv'ing could barely walk let alone chase a ball around the field.

My favorite short stop.

Joey.

We keep forgetting....

Multiple times this weekend, we've been hanging out with people for quite a few hours before we remember to tell them our big news. We're moving. Not to Philly, just need to clarify that one, since it was a popular question. We are saying goodbye to Olney and hello to Columbia. The Lord has really been teaching us a lot about his faithfulness to us over the last few weeks. We literally went from thinking we should move to maybe we are called to live here another year to we are moving at the end of the month. :) Which is why we keep forgetting that it is actually happening.

I love to see how what the Lord has ordained is always so much better. The place we are moving to seems to have one blessing after another. Jeremy will be their "courtesy officer", which allows them to give us a pretty good % off our rent, and doesn't require too much of Jer's time. A full kitchen, I will have a full stove top and oven!!! For a new wife that is huge. I keep thinking of all the things I can now make. It has a washer and dryer in the apartment. A little walk out patio. A big walk in closet in our bedroom. There is a pool and 24 hour gym on the property. We can walk to the mall, movie theater, a bunch of restaurants, the library and Merriweather where Jer sometimes works concerts. The place seems very community oriented which we are excited about another opportunity to get to know more people. In the club house is a little mini starbucks hub where you can get free coffee, cocoa and tea. AND the best part of all is that it is in the Charlie area where Jer works, so if he needs to stop home while he is working he is able to. So, he could come home for dinner or just to say hi. :)

We know that all of our searching would of come up short if the Lord had not directed our steps. And we are so thankful for his kindness to provide for us. The BIG question now is what color to pick for the accent wall they are painting for us. So, do submit your suggestions. :)