let me eat cookies

at the end of a very long day, a good two

and a half hours of which was spent in

traffic, all i can think about is chocolate-dipped 

cookies. 

actually all i can think about is chocolate donuts,

but these will do for now.

now i just need some milk on the table for me :)

i dont know how you people drive to and from work

in traffic every single day. truly. i doff my cookie to you.

another housing update

i have that song "home home on the range"

in my head (i hope that's not just a texas thing).

not sure why except that we are camped out with the

in-laws/parents again, but of course they don't live

on a range:). it's just that feeling of peace, of being with

people you love and who love you and are so gracious

to take you in when you discover fleas at the hotel

you were going to stay at...

two years ago we came to "visit" and stayed for four months,

while looking for jobs. it's just like old times, and we are all 

much happier (and safer) here. thank you dear mama and papa grace
for taking us in again!

their house is so wonderfully peaceful and roomy and

full of light and comfy couches and twinkle lights. and

lars is ecstatic to be reunited with his best friend, molly.

start your day riiiight!

moving day is an especially important day to not miss

the morning cup of coffee. 

thank you self for planning that so well.

why, you're welcome. 

:)

everybody on the floor

camping out in our

last night in the apartment.

the truck is packed and loaded, 

ready to be unloaded tomorrow.

it's been a long day...

time to hit the sack. 

(literally)

but i am not sorry to see these tacky

brown/beige carpets go!

around these parts

the last photos in this little apartment:

it's been good. kind of small. kind of dark. 

not terrible. but we're bound for bigger and better.

and let me tell you,

i am SO done with packing. this is our third move in 

2 years. and i'm kind of ready to stay awhile. 

unfortunately, that may not be the case with our

new place, but maybe someone else can come pack

us up next time? that would be swell. thanks.

i think we have too much stuff. p.s. 11pm at walmart is the best place to get boxes!

empty. beautiful.

taking a break.

bye bye dishes! (only for a month)

lars, don't worry. you're coming with us.

run run run your feet

my first 5k!!!!!

which is crazy because i love running and 

always have. i guess i've just never had the 

opportunity? the race, which was actually pretty,

crowded was hosted by kaiser permanente 

and free for us through jazz's work. SO fun. 

we got there just in time to join the "runners"

and take off at the starting line near Turner Field.

i'm so thankful that it wasn't raining, but the air was

so crisp and cool, which was wonderful during the race,

but a little chilly. it was SO SO wonderful!

and we even got to eat for free after.

how sporty we look --

 let's do it again soon, okay?

rain rain (don't go away)

i think  summer is over. 

at least, that's what the weather man seems to be saying

with all this rain up in here parts. i've even been wearing

long sleeves and sweaters! who am i kidding...i wore those

all summer because of the a/c!:) anyway, lars is really

loving this new cool weather and i have to admit it feels

pretty nice. i was a little sad at first to see the sun go

so soon (and who knows, it'll probably be back right in

time for our move on sunday), but it's nice not to sweat

every time you step outside, eh? 

in other news, enjoying some free time and counting

down the days till we take up the nomadic life:)

what i'm reading now

(mostly) the corrections

by jonathan franzen.

not sure what i think of this book yet. it's so detailed, so well

written. you almost get lost sometimes the writing is so literary.

but i think i will love it. i'll let you know:)

all aboard

traveling by bus.

i'm kind of convinced it's the only way to travel,

when on the road. someone else to drive? yes please.

long hours of being stuck in your seat and nothing to 

do but read, eat peanut m&m's and take pictures together? 

oh sure, why not:)

torrential downpours during dinner break, marveling at the

existence of life in the middle of seemingly nowhere and making

it home in time to pick up Lars are also all good in my book.

but, it's so nice to be home.

florida

weekend highlights:

time with the family

porpoise sightings in the harbor

jazz and his dad are so handsome

walks outside

cleaning up

woke up too early this morning after our 2 a.m. 

arrival, but things are looking good after an afternoon 

nap. ready for another opportunity to hear God's speaking 

with all the other precious lovers of Jesus. 

also really happy for: 

a king-sized bed, a waterfront hotel, coffee (per usual),

reasons to dress up, getting away, sleeeeeeeeep, and

 going for a run tonight on the boardwalk with the jazzmeister. 

sadly, i didn't take any pictures last night on the bus

ride. it was just too much of a hassle after the work of 

actually getting us and our luggage on it on time, 

coffee and dinner in hand, lars dropped off at boarding

(sad face) and navigating the labor day traffic.

on the road again

road trip!

(pictures later)

it's the 1st!

September + a day off.

september was always back to school time.

it still is, only i never really left. but atleast

being on the quarter system, each "semester" is

only 10 weeks long and i even get a week off before

the fall quarter starts. which is good.

sometimes you just need a day to do laundry,

throw away old clothes, help a friend move

into her new house, exercise for reals

and organize your sock drawer.

i also started a Bible reading challenge today.

my group and i are reading the new testament 

every day, due to finish on december 1st.

i'm excited to redeem some of those waste moments

that happen every day, no matter how busy i am,

and being washed in the water in the Word!

 

here's to a wonderful september!

saved by the bell

the end of summer quarter,

but not the end of summer yet.

i'm still looking forward to a trip

down to florida for a conference, 

a few more days of having a bedroom

separate from the living room, my first 5k,

a visit from a dear friend, nightly cricket symphonies,

reading (just) for pleasure and waking up late.

happy birthday!

birthday tart.

i visited chelsea (and her mama and sammy the dog) at her

soon-to-be house to deliver for a birthday lunch.

of course i forgot to take pictures of the tart, 

but there was fruit tart and a candle:)