{adorkable life} Kevin and Mel

The One with the Devil's Schemes

2012-01-28T17:35:00.001-05:00

It's interesting, this thing called life. Walking day by day in the grace of God brings an even more vibrant perspective. We have those days or weeks (or months, if we're lucky) of blessing and plenty and overflow. Everything seems almost perfect. We get along with our spouses. Money isn't an issue. Friends are abundant. Trials seem non-existent. Our prayer lives are rich, and our connection with God, intimate.

But Satan doesn't like it when we Christ-followers are profiting, advancing. No. Satan feels threatened.

That's when the attacks begin. Sometimes they are sneaky and rise up in the form of inner turmoil or a fleeting thought. But other times it seems Satan demands all-out war on our lives. He throws unbelievable trials at one, one after another, in missile assault. Marriages suffer, bank accounts dwindle, friends abandon us, trials seem endless, prayer lives are non-existent, and God seems so far away.

And that is Satan's goal--to pull us as far away from our gracious God as he can. He wants us to blame God, abandon God, forsake God, curse God. He knows he doesn't have the power to severe our relationship with God, but he will do everything in his power to bring us to the point of rejecting our Lord.

How angry he must be when we proclaim through streaming tears,

The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
may the name of the LORD be praised. Job 1:21

-----

This is the kind of brutal assault Satan has been pouring out on our pastor and his family. Thursday morning, his father passed away. In the midst of the grief and phone calls and funeral arrangements, he gets a second dreaded phone call--his mother has an aggressive brain tumor.

Why do things like this happen, and in such terrible timing? The questions are endless.

But the answer is in the thanksgiving--in finding God's grace.

It has been a tremendous privilege to be considered as close as family in these painful times. Kevin and I have been blessed by Randy and Sheryl endlessly, and being called on to help is a gift. To be the ones they call--crying with the news, to be trusted to stay with their four children as they rush out the door to the hospital, to know enough about each of them and their lives to be able to step in and carry on in their absence--I didn't realize how incredible a blessing that would be. Thankful to be a part of this, to be given the responsibility by God to help our friends persevere through this pain.

This is what the fellowship of believers is all about--trusting each other, taking care of each other, loving each other, praying for each other, mourning with each other.

The One with the Paperclip Project

2012-01-25T19:45:00.000-05:00

My husband's mind works like no other. I love to sit back and watch the wheels turning. Many of his mannerisms change as he sinks deep into thought--his breathing slows and deepens, his eyes sometimes bat back and forth as if reading line after line of information, he might pull out the "air calculator," and if he talks to himself it's in fast mumbles.

The other day, I witnessed his creative genius at work. We had spent the afternoon hunting around various stores for a miniature plate stand or study paper holder that would hold his iPod touch upright on his desk--you know, for the optimal Netflix-watching angle. No perfect prop was found, however.

this just in: Out of nowhere, he jumped up from his desk, stopped in the middle of his class work, and I suddenly heard the piano start playing. (Which happens very rarely.) He must have had one of those chord-progression moments that he just needed to release. It happens.

---

After eating lunch, Kevin came into the living room. He had found one of those large X-shaped paperclips. I watched as his used his needle-nose pliers and twisted and pulled and fanangled that metal into submission.

I had no idea what he was trying to achieve. How would that little ol' paper clip turn into something strong enough to support his iPod.

Sure enough, the stand took shape. Kevin, in all his mathematical-angle understanding, had created a fantastic product.

Check out this little guy:

I'm so impressed.

So proud. My husband rocks my socks.

*please pay no attention to the cracked screen. There was a little accident months ago.

Subscribe.

The One with 10 Wintertime Recipes

2012-01-24T16:29:00.001-05:00

Top {Ten} Favorite Winter Recipes

It's that time of week again! Top Ten Tuesday! And this Tuesday I have decided to share with you all some of my most favorite cold-weather recipes. Bon appetit!

1) Rich Hot Cocoa. If I didn't know how caloric this drink was, I would make it every single day. It's that good.

2) Banana Nut Oatmeal. This may or may not have been our breakfast for the past 2 weeks. And we're not even tired it. (Here's a secret--we like to use a Tbsp or two of peanut butter to add to the goodness. And I haven't had walnuts, so I just skip that part.)

3) Fresh Homemade Whole Wheat Bread. Nothing beats this stuff. We could probably devour the loaf and call it a meal. But I have some sense of rational thought and typically try to serve it alongside a well-balanced meal.

4) Slow cooker Chicken Noodle Soup. Cheap, fast, and easy. And ridiculously comforting.

5) Creamy Butternut Squash and Chicken Soup. Not your typical soup, but so creamy and so good-for-you, you won't stop at just one bowl. I know I didn't.

6) Leftover Ham and Potato Soup. (Are you sensing a theme here? We love soup.)

7) Sweet Heat Chili. Did someone say "chili"? I am so there!

8) Challah Bread (Jewish Egg Bread). This stuff is too good to never experience for yourself. So delicious, it's almost dessert (and that's saying something coming from Miss Sweet Tooth.)

9) Homemade Pizza Dough (which automatically means PIZZA FOR DINNER, right?!) We have this every single Friday night for dinner--whether it's 100 degrees or 10. You should too. :)

10) Zesty Oven Roasted Potato Wedges. These are our favorite accompaniment to our almost-weekly burger night. De-double-lish.

Subscribe. why don't ya? :)

The One with the Super Fast Sleds

2012-01-23T18:04:00.001-05:00

Last minute plans are sometimes the best kind!

After an absolutely lovely Saturday of book reading (The Help), birthday girl visiting (one of my beautiful Sr. Teen girls), and biology studying (with another one of my girls), I joined Sheryl & the kids for a date to Friendly's. We were all in the mood for ice cream (when are we not?!) and Friendly's was giving away FREE 12 oz Fribbles (shakes)! Awesome!

The five of us downed our shakes in time to hit the slopes. Ok, the hills. I had brought my camera along for the sled-riding activities, but I didn't expect to find myself zooming down the hills with the kids. So much fun! It was incredible how fast we flew down the gradual grade of the sledding hill--especially given that the grass was poking through.

Maddie and I had three or four speedy rides--all the way into the trees. I tried my darndest to dig my heels and hands into the snow to slow us down, but nothing seemed to work. Luckily, Miss Maddie didn't let much scare her. we just laughed and laughed as we skidded to a stop amongst the shrubs time and time again.

My mitten-glove hybrids didn't seem to perform very well under pressure and I had to wimp out and head for the car earlier than the kids. Fingers so frozen they burned. I wish I could find my ski gloves.

By the time we packed up and headed home it was dinner time and I had zero plans for feeding my poor husband. Thankfully, the kids starting begging me to come over for dinner and a movie (Ramona and Beezus), and Sheryl was more than willing to have us join them.

And that night it felt like we were family. Last minute plans. Dinner around the regular table--not the fancy one. Laughing, talking, sharing. No pretense. Just being ourselves, together. After dinner, we all enjoyed the movie and popcorn, as well as corralling the littlest one who has become quite the entertainer in her second year.

Thanks for a great night, family! :D

The One with His Vivid Will

2012-01-20T11:33:00.001-05:00

Today's Five Minute Friday writing prompt is:

Vivid

At times the will of God seems mysterious, unknown. We have trouble handing our futures and our dreams and our pains over to his trustworthy hands. As if He has somehow failed us in the past.

But He has never me failed me. And He never will.

But you know what? Sometimes, the plan of God for our lives becomes vividly evident. As if, all of sudden, the blinders were removed, the lights turned on, and the color surrounds us in brilliance. We look back and recognize his hand in every step that led us to this moment of vivid understanding. For just a little while we see how his plan is so good, so full of purpose, so much more than anything we ever could have asked or imagined.

When we receive those glimpses into his will for our lives, it is a gift, sustaining us through the next many months of traversing the roads unknown. Cling tightly to the memory of those vivid reveals of God's plan, and journey with him through the valley to come. One day, you will see clearly on another mountaintop.

Subscribe to The Adorkable Life by Email

The One with Dream Supporters

2012-01-18T22:11:00.000-05:00

You know what's amazing? Having a friend who believes in you. I mean really believes in you.

It all starts with a random brainstorm a few moments before the head hits the pillow. The kind of thoughts that keep you thinking, writing notes down in the dark, hoping the letters are actually forming words on the page.

You keep your vision, your awesome idea, to yourself, mulling over the details, the ins and outs of possibility. And then again, maybe it's not that big of a deal. Maybe it wouldn't work out anyway. Maybe it was a stupid idea. Too hopeful, too idealistic. Just get over it. Put the idea aside and move on.

Then, out of nowhere and with no forethought whatsoever, you share the vision with a friend. You're all blasé about it, as if you wonder why you are even sharing the thought with anyone.

But her response baffles you. She comes back with words of meaningful belief, encouragement, spurring on. "Don't give up on your vision," she says.

And maybe she's right. It is possible that your vision was not a random thought formed out of exhaustion or lofty dreams. Maybe those plans were set there by our good God who has greater plans for you. And for them.

Do not allow yourself to be so easily discouraged. Those visions of community, passion, health, wholeness--they are good.

The One with Glimpses of Grace

2012-01-16T19:55:00.003-05:00

Every once in a while I have an "off" week. You know the kind, don't you? I just feel "blah" for no apparent reason. The couch becomes my best friend, and I can't motivate myself to move more often than necessary. I watch too much tv and feel guilty about it, but I can't seem to do anything else. Even reading seems like a chore. Every afternoon I become overcome with tiredness, and I slept for an hour (or 3). I am emotional, but could find no roots to my moods.

That was me, two weeks ago. Thankfully this type of experience is completely atypical for me. Most days, I'm up-beat, energized, and motivated. I spent much of that week in prayer, asking Jesus to take from me the weightiness, the burden. I prayed and prayed some more, even hoping that I might discover a few of the roots of my behavior.

At the end of the week, I finally had that "aha" moment. It was (of course) filled with an abundance of tears. A release. And it felt so good. The pain, the problem, was now at the surface, ready and willing to be handed over. And He was faithful to deliver me. Once again. And I feel a bit more refined, as if that week of darkness and pain was another moment the Lord was spending with me, refiner's fire style. Growth never occurs without pain, a dying to self. Feet are shuffled, tears are shed--but so are shackles. Thank you, Jesus.

And I give Him all the glory for the past few days of encouragement after encouragement. Many of those moments of joy may have been missed, forgotten, ignored, if I hadn't spent an entire week wrestling over those exact issues with the Lord. He opened my eyes to see beauty where I was just feeling frustration. He gave me hope, where I felt defeated. He filled me up, though I was depleted.

He is faithful. Be on the lookout.

The One with the Still Mornings

2012-01-13T15:39:00.001-05:00

so pleased to be joining up with Gypsy Mama's Five Minute Friday challenge. The starting concept is-

Awake

These past two weeks have been beautiful. Awaking early in the morning, before the sun rises, all because I have an 8am "devos" date with my husband.

I have always been a morning person. I enjoy the thrill of early morning runs, watching the sun peek over the horizon, knowing so much of the town still sleeps. Those few days over the Christmas holiday were especially peaceful. Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse - surprisingly accurate depiction of small town America on the mornings of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Not one car passed me. No one was out to get the newspaper. No garage doors creaking open to reveal cars packed and ready for the work day. Here or there a light shone in a window, a chimney released its warm smoke, but mostly all was still.

I feel peace in the mornings, as hard as it is to pull back the warm covers and peel open my sleepy eyes. It is quiet. A new day, ready to be written. Will I follow obediently in the path God has laid out for me, holding his hand and following his lead? Or will I try to maintain control and guide my steps on my own?

The One with my New Bracelet

2012-01-12T13:09:00.000-05:00

Before Christmas Kevin told me he had ordered a gift for me that might not arrive until after the holiday. I would remember this occasionally as the days and weeks passed, but overall didn't think too much about it. The past few days, though, I had been teasing him about whether or not I believe he had actually bought me this so-called gift. :)

Saturday evening, as we arrived home from a day long Bible Quiz meet, we found a package in our mailbox. It was a large envelope, and Kevin thought it might be gift. I still had absolutely no idea what it might be. He had done an amazing job keeping it a secret. (And evidently, I had done a not-so-impressive-job keeping up with our monthly financial records or I would have seen the expense. oops.)

As I tore about the seal, a small package appeared. And then I saw it. A business card from The Vintage Pearl. Already I was thrilled and I hadn't even seen the gift. I had been admiring TVP's jewelry designs and commitment to Christ for years now and sent Kevin a link to the website probably a year ago. I said, "If you ever need gift ideas, look here." Of course I had completely forgotten about that. (I'm obviously not so great on the memory-thing.)

In the midst of excited gasps and squeals the most elegant bracelet fell into my palm. Out of pages and pages of necklaces, earrings, bracelets and more, Kevin had chosen this gorgeous freshwater pearl bracelet, with an adorable heart-shaped toggle clasp, and a silver hand-stamped charm with a message from his heart. The words read--

more than rubies: proverbs 31

Be still my heart. I was stunned, thrilled, and I wrapped my arms around his neck. The tears came quickly, flooding my cheeks and running onto his shoulder as he is accustomed. This was was the most intimate, heartfelt, meaningful gift he had ever given me, and I will cherish it forever.

I haven't taken the bracelet off of my wrist since Saturday, and every time I hear the gentle tinkling of the pearl against the charm, my heart is filled again. Reading the echo of his deepest thoughts in those precious words means more than I can express. I have always know my worth to Kevin. But now I have that reminder on my wrist, every day.

Thank you, darling. I love you.

The One with {Memorable} 2011

2012-01-10T09:00:00.000-05:00

I know we're well past the craze of New Year's posts and lists about best blah-blah-blahs of two thousand eleven, but I'm still mediating on these unforgettable moments of the former 12 months. I'm giving myself permission. I hope you don't mind. ;)

And now, in no particular order (no seriously, these are not in any sort of order. I know you can't believe it, but it's true)
Top Ten Memorable {serious, sad, and silly}Experiences of 2011

1} Taking 15 teenagers camping for 8 days to our home-away-from-home Family Camp

2) Celebrating the births of so many of my good friends' babies and getting to be together with my college girls at one of the showers.

3} Finally jumping on the Harry Potter bandwagon and loving every minute of it. (darn it, Kevin was right again. :D)

4} Moving from our sprawling Michigan parsonage to our quaint, slightly-dilapidated, but perfectly-sized-for-us house in this quintessential small town in New York.

5}Watching my husband excel in his first semester of his MDiv program in seminary. (Who would have thought we'd be here?)

6}Building a deep, true friendship with the most amazing woman. Endlessly thankful for Sheryl.

7} Finally passing my 6-mile-barrier in my running career (thanks to Sheryl, actually). I ran 7 miles with her and then 8 on my own the following week. Oh, and running my first official race.

8}Expanding my photography skills with official photo gigs--at Elise's wedding, with Josh & Amanda's engagement shoot, as well as a family session in December.

9}Opening a successful (ever growing) piano studio in our new town and actually having a studio.

10} Adding more than 160 recipes to my now-three-year-old recipe blog: Adorkable Recipes. And getting featured on Tasty Kitchen.

Did you have any special moments in 2011? I'm sure you did. I'd love to hear about them!

linking up with Oh! Amanda's Top Ten Tuesday.

Subscribe. Subscribe to The Adorkable Life by Email

The One with Our Daily Bread

2012-01-09T15:08:00.001-05:00

For the past week my heart has been so happy, so full. My husband and I made a commitment to spend a half hour together every single morning reading our Bibles, discussing, and praying together. We're not really "New Year Resolution" kind of people, but I guess that's exactly what we did. We resolved to change our lives, change our days, change our year before it even began.

Thanks to Kevin's Grandma A for sharing the link to the Joni & Friends Chronological Bible-in-a-Year Reading Schedule, we have a purpose and a plan each morning and we go from there. We have found that it works best if we read the day's passage to ourselves, making notes or comments while reading, and then spend time sharing our thoughts once we're both finished. It has been so much fun doing this together. Our conversations start different every day, and who knows what we'll end up talking about, but having that time to think deeply, Scriptually, Spirit-led, together every day is incredible.

Then we share our hearts--concerns, prayer requests, thoughts, burdens, joys. These types of interactions have proven to be joyful and fueling for both of us. And to start the day that way is just thrilling.

It has given me a renewed purpose, a better reason to wake up early every morning. No excuses. Accountability to reading God's Word. Thought-provoking conversation. And time together, deepening our marriage relationship.

And even though we're starting out in the book of Job (not exactly the easiest book of the Bible to read) and this past week wasn't the greatest, we couldn't be more joyful. There was one morning we had to leave the house at 8am--our devotional date time. I was going to read my passage on my ow, but Kevin eagerly asked if I would wait until the evening when we could spend the time together. ummm, YES, no problem. :) Amazing.

Between this endeavor, and my commitment to pray for my husband each day in January, I feel joy-filled.

Have you made any life changing commitments this month? Or do you have any words of experience or advice to share with us?

The One with the Belated Christmas

2012-01-05T10:14:00.000-05:00

Kevin and I had a lovely time with my family at our belated Christmas celebration. It was so thoughtful of mom and dad to save all of their gifts for three days past Christmas so we could all open them together. If only Ash could have joined us. (We missed you, Ash! Thanks for the great gifts, though, and adding your hilarious wit to each package.)

Mom, Dad, Grams, Chuck, Gramma Mary, Kevin and I were like little kids with piles of presents all around us, waiting eagerly for the next person to open their gifts, revealing their thrill and sheer joy at the contents.

Here is our little Christmas in photos.

Gramma Mary was being quite the little stinker in her photographs. Check out that 88 year old spunk!

Hi, Daddio!

Kevin's "Hey, I got a toothbrush in my stocking" expression over overflowing glee. Cooper (the dog) looks amused. Or maybe just complacent.

Grams and Chuck are adorable?

Dad, busting up about one of his gifts. I think it was the fact that we stuffed a beautiful golf shirt into a teeny tiny little box.

My lovely mama, opening some of her presents.

Check out how beautiful Mom looks in her stylish new jacket. Seriously.

Dad telling me some "fish stories" again. LOL (yeah that's a pun. and probably true as well. just kidding, Dad.)

Kevin and I high-fiving because we're SO GEEKED about our new set of lamps. Seriously! a) four lamps that match. b) lamps that look great with our decor. c) a floor lamp for next to the new loveseat instead of that hideous "eyeball lamp" Kevin dislikes so much. d) a small lamp perfect for Kevin's desk. e) two side table lamps--adding a third, softer light to the living room as well as the dining room. THANKS, Mom & Dad. In case you can't tell. I'm really excited. :)

My new stainless steel pots & pans set! So excited to try them! (Yes, they're still in the box. It's been a long week.)

Look at this beautiful table my mom set! Aren't those candle-inspired cloth napkins awesome?

We all sat down to a delicious dinner. Dad had found a great deal on prime rib roast and we followed the butcher's instructions step by step to result in the most delicious slab of holiday meat ever. Thanks, Dad! The three of us--mom, dad, and myself--made a surprisingly good team in our tiny kitchen, bringing together a beautiful meal at the perfect time. Prime rib, mashed potatoes, mom's famous cheesy vegetables (the best I can remember them being), crescent rolls, and dad's Italian tossed salad. I was so proud of Dad for helping through the whole process, including taking dishes to the table for us. Brownie points!

Thanks, family, for a wonderful Christmas together. Love you!

The One with the {P Family} Photo Shoot

2012-01-04T16:19:00.000-05:00

Just a week before Christmas we met up with one of the nicest families in our quaint little downtown for a photo shoot. It was bitter cold, so none of us lasted long, but the time we did have was worth it. With the beautiful courthouse in the background and the sunlight streaming in, Kevin and I captured some lovely shots. Thanks, P family, for enlisting us to do your family photos. We love you guys!

The One with the Ultimate Popping Corn

2012-01-03T16:07:00.000-05:00

During the week of Christmas we were excited to host Kevin's mom, dad, brother, and grandparents for a few days. It was a tight squeeze at times in our little house, but we all had a lovely time together. We perused downtown boutiques, checking out all the historic spots along the way, celebrated together in a Christmas Eve and Christmas Day worship service, enjoyed a party with lots of church friends, ate a fantastic pot roast dinner at Randy & Sheryl's and watched Courageous with them, toured the local schoolhouse-turned-Bed-and-Breakfast and as well as the college campus where Kevin takes seminary classes, and played a rousing game of Apples to Apples.

In the midst of all our goings and comings, we found time to sit and relax. Some read, some napped, some computer-gamed, some crocheted. And two or three times we watched a movie or tv show together, including Love Comes Softly (one of the movies mom received for Christmas), Mrs. Miracle (your typical Hallmark movie), and an episode of Monk and MacGyver. Yeah, we're that awesome.

During the showing of Love Comes Softly (which is way more intense to watch now that I'm married and understand these things...sheesh, Janette Oke), I decided to start a batch of popcorn. Now, if you know me, you know I love popcorn. And in the past couple years I've really fallen head over heels for the homemade variety. You know--kernels, oil, pot, salt, done. A few times a week (not even kidding) I heat up our heavy-bottomed pot and whip up a batch of my favorite snack. No problem. I don't have to shake the pot or watch it like a hawk. This stock pot does popcorn right, all by itself.

So I started the popcorn and left the room to watch the movie with the family.

After the popcorn was popping away, Dad asked me if I needed to check on it. I said, "No" knowing my awesome pot would be just fine. I did think it sounded a little louder than usual, but we just turned up the tv and ignored it.

When the popping began to die down, I went out to take it off the heat. What I saw made me simultaneously want to laugh and cry. There was popcorn popping and flying ALL OVER my kitchen. I had forgotten the lid to the pot and those beautifully popped kernels (along with all the oil!) was EVERYWHERE. I started cracking up laughing and the family quickly rushed to the scene, pulling out cameras and ipods to capture the moment. It was pretty memorable.

For the next 20 minutes, I was sweeping up popcorn, picking it out of baskets and shelves, having Kevin move the stove so I could get the hidden kernels, and scrubbing up grease on my hands and knees. I made another batch of popcorn and settled in for the end of the movie. All 5 minutes of it. :)

I'm hoping I'm not alone in kitchen mishaps. Anyone else? (This same weekend I also burned chex mix, forgot the timer on the rolls, and let potatoes boil over.)

You know you don't want to miss a minute of this craziness. Subscribe. (or by Email)

The One with Surrendered Dreams

2012-01-01T19:17:00.003-05:00

January 1st, 2011 is so vivid in my mind. The transformation God was working in my heart. Contentment.

I didn't even need to look back into all those months blog archives to be transported to that time alone with Jesus on the couch. But, reading my own sentiments all over again stir up in my heart a renewed pursuit of true contentment. {please read it again with me.}

This year I have learned much and grown deeply. But there is still so far to go.

I have clung to Christ in new ways. But each day brings a choice.

I have repeatedly meditated on the words of the worship chorus Surrender (by Marc James; Vineyard.)

I'm giving You my heart, all that is within

I lay it all down, for the sake of You my King

I'm giving You my dreams, laying down my rights

I'm giving up my pride, for the promise of new life

And I surrender all to You, all to You

And I surrender all to You, all to You

I'm singing You this song, I'm waiting at the cross

All the world holds dear, I count it all as loss

For the sake of knowing You, for the glory of Your name

To know the lasting joy, even sharing in Your pain

And I surrender it all to you, all to You

To surrender not just today or my present struggles. I've found it's actually easier to give up my struggles and sins and give over my heart to Jesus in a moment of emotion, than it is to truly say, "God, I'm giving you my dreams." Those wishes, hopes, aspirations have somehow seemed off limits to surrender. But every single time I hear that song, I am convicted of the necessity to give over my future to Jesus. Why not? He deserves all my trust. He holds the world. He knows my heart. He will cherish my dreams, yet bring me step by step through the life He knows is best for me.

And so my 2012 will start with the same purpose as 2011. Contentment each day, found totally in Jesus. And surrendering my dreams to Him.

Have you made any commitments in this new year?

The One with the Last of 2011

2011-12-31T23:01:00.002-05:00

I have had this blank blog post opened all day long.

And I got nothing.

I was hoping for something inspiring or motivating or thought-provoking. Or, at the very least, witty. But any worth while thoughts seem to be eluding me tonight, the eve a new year.

Please know that I tried. I really did. I'm sorry I didn't come up with something to fill this space. For the past five days nonetheless. Awesome pictures, capturing hilarious and memorable moments, fill our camera card, but I haven't had the time (or honestly, the motivation) to do anything about them.

Maybe next year.

*wink*

WELCOME 2012! May the Lord's hand be evident in all your days.

The One with One Gift Idea

2011-12-26T10:00:00.000-05:00

Just a week before Christmas I came up with (what I think to be) a brilliant gift idea. Homemade. Personalized. Keepsake. Creative. Unique. All the marks of a great gift.

I set to work on my GIMP editing software and came up with four 8x10 inch prints for four of my favorite kids. I choose fonts and colors specifically for each child, clicked "save," and uploaded them to Walmart.com. Within an hour, I received an email that my prints were ready for pickup! I bought frames right then and there and VOILA! Personalized wall hangings for each child's bedroom.

I was thrilled to hear their exclamations and see their expressions as they each opened their gifts! I wasn't sure how much a 2, 4, 7, and 9 year old could appreciate such artwork, but they all seemed to love them. :D

See Ashlyn's face?!

The only snafu in this whole process? Picking up the photos from the photo department. The woman looked through my four prints and then looked up at my suspiciously. She didn't believe I had created them myself. I wasn't sure how to convince her, but she eventually had me sign a copywrite release and let me go. *whew* (I guess that's sort of a compliment--that they looked professional.)

Merry Christmas, L kids! We LOVE you!

Did YOU do any homemade gifts this year?

Care to Subscribe?

Subscribe to The Adorkable Life by Email

The One with our Christmas Wishes

2011-12-24T14:48:00.002-05:00

The One with Cookies & Deliveries

2011-12-23T14:55:00.000-05:00

This week has had its ups and downs, but today I'm finding my {favorite} things about the past few days. Looking for the thanksgiving always brings joy.

Last weekend I delivered 5 dozen Vanilla Almond Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing to a friend who had ordered them from me. Yesterday I heard she thought they were the most delicious, most beautiful sugar cookies she'd ever had (or seen.) I'm was thrilled! I do love the uniqueness of the vanilla almond flavor. It takes the simple sugar cookie to the next level.

With a freezer over flowing with cookies, I decided it would be nice to deliver a few sweets to our neighbors. Since we just moved in 4 months ago, we still haven't met many families on our block (shame on us). But cookies always bring people together, right? And yes, I decided to be all...well..."Melanie" about the packaging and give a little COOKIE CODE inside the boxes. :) I'm certain it will be appreciated. And probably made fun of. Most mostly appreciated.

I even made festive labels and tied the boxes with ribbon. SO CUTE. I add both of our business cards so our neighbors wouldn't have to try to remember our names, and so they would have our contact info if they ever needed to get a hold of us. (And hey, if they decide to come to our church or take piano lessons from me, I wouldn't be bummed. :D) I hope that was ok.

And just because I love 'em, and I thought you might too--
Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

and their new adventurous counterpart--
Rolo Blossom Cookies.

What are your {favorite} things this Friday?

linked up with Rachel @ Finding Joy

The One with a Prayer Commitment

2011-12-22T09:35:00.001-05:00

One of my favorite bloggers is a woman of faith, deep conviction. Rachel is real. honest. encouraging. inspiring. Recently she posted about a topic that convicted and stirred my spirit for many days. 31 Days to Pray for Your Spouse. A challenge to pray for my husband every single day through January 2012.

This 31 Days to Pray challenge is initiated by Ashley Pichea, author of the eBook 31 Days to Build a Better Spouse (on sale for just $2.99). With its witty title, this book starts with the core of marriage--praying for our spouses. I haven't read the book yet, myself, but I am hoping to get on the bandwagon soon! And I encourage all of you married folk to join in!

Even if you don't read the book, there's nothing stopping you from joining in on this 31 Days to Pray for your Spouse Challenge starting in January 2012. You can sign up and be an "official" participant, being encouraged and accountable to others--or you can just keep this commitment between you and the Lord.

Either way, it's more than worth you time.

I am so excited to be committed to praying for you, Kevin, every single day for an entire month. In fact, I couldn't wait, so I started a few days ago. And Jesus is already doing things in my heart, stirring me, changing me. I think this whole "change your spouse" thing may actually be more a "change the spouse that I am" thing. I'm sure you wouldn't mind, right? ;) I want to become more respectful, more supportive, more encouraging. A woman who stands strong beside you, giving you the courage and confidence to be the man God is calling you to be. I love you. And I am praying for you in new ways these next few weeks.

If any of you decides to join in on this challenge, I would love to hear about it! Drop me a line to let me know you're participating--we're in this thing together!

Subscribe.

The One with the Week's Excitement

2011-12-20T10:17:00.000-05:00

Top {TEN} Things I'm *Super* Excited About

(or, to be grammatically correct--"Top ten things about which I'm super excited." You're welcome.)

1} getting to go running this morning. 5 miles in the brisk winter air with my awesome new cold gear Under Armour is pretty much awesome.

2} seeing my face on the home page of TastyKitchen.com! YAHOOOO!!! I am over-the-moon-excited to be the Featured Member! Thank you, Pioneer Woman and TK! I've been a member of this amazing recipe collection site since it's debut in 2009 and being featured has always been a dream of mine. (And this came just a week after my Light and Crispy Waffles were added to the front page of Favorite Recipes. Remember?)

3}having Kevin's family here for the holiday! (and visiting mine soon after.)

4} giving my husband his Christmas gifts (though I have to try awfully hard to keep him from shaking every box under the tree. Sheesh.)

5} all of the lovely gifts we bought from Etsy sellers.

6} adding my SEVENTH piano student to my roster! I have been doing my best to expand my studio through various advertising venues--something I'm not naturally good at. But I would love to have my studio continue to grow and the best way to do that is to keep spreading the word.

7} meeting a mom of one our teens at our Christmas party and having her say --"Oh! You're the one the S. Family is taking piano lessons from. They talk so highly of you!" and then having her practically ask for a business card. woot!

8}our Christmas Eve service. I love Christmas Eve services!

9} ooooh! and I am honored to be the one leading the singing at that Candlelight service! how fun!

10}the moment when the grass is completely covered with inches of snow. I LOVE snow. (and I'm totally bummed we're not going to have a White Christmas. Come on, people. This is Western New York!!)

What are YOU excited about this week?

linking up with Top Ten Tuesday.

Wanna Subscribe?

The One with the Agelessness of Relationships

2011-12-17T14:39:00.002-05:00

I love that God has given me the gift of being relational. A few years back, I took Mark Gungor's Flag Page inventory that assesses an individual's strengths and weaknesses, what makes them tick and what ticks them off. At the end of the survey, the system spits out a literal multi-colored flag depicting your talents in the areas of people, tasks, creation, leading, and showman.

Mine wasn't multi colored. It wasn't even bi-colored. It was ALL BLUE. {All "people talents." "Let's relate!"} The areas of loving people, being sensitive, thriving on encouragement, being thoughtful, and sincere at heart are some of the ways I feel most motivated, most alive, most happy.

Then it shouldn't surprise me to look back at the last week and see who I spent quality time with.

My husband. (20s)

Sheryl. (30s)

Meg. (17)

Ashlyn. (9)

Peggy and Chelcie. (60s/70s)

And Monday, I have a date with a sweet 4 year old. :)

Pretty cool, huh?

I noticed this beautiful lifestyle trend on Thursday evening as I was anticipating the arrival of 9 year old Ashlyn for our girls night. We were going to watch a movie, crochet, paint nails, and much more that we wouldn't have enough hours to accomplish. The two of us had a lovely time together. And all that after my Wednesday night...

Fifteen minutes after piano lessons ended and I was making dinner for Kevin and I, the phone rang. It was Meg. She hadn't gotten the message that our youth group high school girls night (cookie decorating) had been cancelled. I felt awful. I apologized profusely and she was gracious. But minutes later I sent her another message, inviting her to come over to my house and spend some time just the two of us. A short time later, she sat down on my sofa. We wrapped up in blankets, hot cocoa in hand, and enjoyed some much needed girl talk.

I was talking to my mom at the end of my week, and she was encouraged by the time I spent investing in these young girls. She reminded me of the great gift it is to spend quality time mentoring girls, giving them my undivided attention. That is a gift. I hope to continue developing relationships throughout my life, pouring my heart, my experience, my prayers into others' lives. But right now is especially perfect for this passion of mine. In this season of life, before we have children, I can really designate in focused attention on girls like Ashlyn and Meg. What a privilege. I can give to others what Leslie & Susan gave me to me when I was girl. Time.

Do you have girls you mentor? Or someone who mentors you? Maybe both? I think these relationships are priceless. Don't let age divide us. Learn from one another. Love each other.

Subscribe.

The One with the Risky Fashion

2011-12-15T17:18:00.001-05:00

Christmas Sweaters. A controversial topic.

Depending on your age, your environment, and most importantly your fashion sense, you may or may not agree with what I'm about to say. Some of you may be slightly offended. At first. But then, in the same vein as Stacy and Clinton on What Not to Wear, I hope you will find a new exciting actually beautiful sense of holiday style.

But please, friends, for the LOVE OF FASHION don't wear sweaters or vests or turtlenecks or blouses with any of the follow decor--

Reindeer.
Snowmen.
Santa Clause.
Holiday ornaments.
Christmas trees.
Wreaths.
Blinking lights.

really any blatantly Christmas pictures/objects/designs whatsoever. (sorry, Mom.)

Like these...

source

Don't be that nice lady in Salvation Army who saw the sweater I was selecting for my UGLY Christmas Sweater Party and sweetly commented, "How Pretty!" oh honey. It was all I could do to keep my composure. And I want to save YOU, my friends, from the embarrassment of ever being seen wearing a sweater/turtleneck/blouse/vest that someone somewhere has chosen to win the UGLY sweater competition.

-----

Be subtle about your holiday fashion. I believe it can be totally cool to be festive and seasonally appropriate in the way we dress. Choosing a beautiful red blouse, or maybe the quintessential little black dress with a gorgeous necklace would say more than any Reindeer or embroidered Christmas Tree ever could.

I love these outfits.

source

source
(I would wear this dress in a heartbeat!)

source

So think outside the box this Christmas. There is no need for blinking lights necklaces or earrings. Unless you're trying to win that Ugly Sweater Competition and wanted some "stylish" accessories. Go through your closet and pull out all those unfashionable festive items and donate them to your youth group. or Goodwill. Ugly Sweaters are a popular item now for Christmas parties. Donate away. :) Or wear one yourself--but only if you're TRYING to be the champion of Ugly Sweaters.

Do you admit that you sport "ugly" Christmas fashion? Are you willing to change? For the good of all mankind? ;)

Oh, and ps--I love you all. Even if you do wear an ugly sweaters.

Subscribe.

The One with the Mixed Up Days

2011-12-14T15:25:00.005-05:00

Funny story. I was going to write a "Top Ten Tuesday" post.

But then I realized it was Wednesday.

Why am so confused?

Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I was sick Sunday and missed church and youth group. That totally throws off my groove, ya know? Although I didn't go through the typical Sunday routine that I've a part of for the past, oh, I don't know, 26 years of my life, I did still participate in a Sunday morning worship service. Thanks to the wonderful church I attended during my college years, I watched a live feed of Pastor Mark's advent sermon. It was so cool. And even more cool to know that my family was sitting in the sanctuary at that very minute.

It might also have something to do with the fact that I've been to an elementary school Christmas concert AND a middle school band and chorus Christmas concert in the last week. That is a very unforgettable experience, no matter how many middle school concerts I've been to in the past few years. Which is a lot. I'm thinking somewhere in the realm of 8 or 10. shew. I give those directors crazy KUDOS!

What else is distracting me? Christmas planning. My extremely dry, cracked hands. The blisters and callouses on my feet thanks to terrible running shoes. Wanting to go home to help my mom since she significantly damaged her back when she fell down the stairs. Hoping Kevin's sickness wouldn't last long. Hoping Kevin would get his 20 page page done asap. (I think I stress for him.) My stuffy, runny nose.

Awww, yes, it's the mostwonderfultimeoftheyear (as Sara) says.

How are YOU holding up this holiday season?

The One with the Loveseat we Love

2011-12-12T10:44:00.000-05:00

Welcome to our new living room, complete with our like-new hunter-green loveseat. It fits the former-piano-wall perfectly. Moving the piano into the front room to create a music studio was the best idea we ever had. Now we have a worth-while use for that room (with all of our music and instruments in one place) AND we have an extra couch in our living room for more seating.

Notice the front door area? There used to be a bookshelf there. It was loaded with our music (and our high school year books, but that's another story.) Now, that bookshelf is in the music room (smart, eh?), and in its place a four-hook wall shelf. It fits the space perfectly (makes me think of my grandma because she gave it to us), and finally gives guests a place to hang their coats. (We have no coat closet.)

And now, for the official up-close-and-personal reveal of our new(to us) loveseat---

She's a beauty! The design of the loveseat, including the short/stout wooden legs match the style of our couch just right. And now we have seating for 6 very comfortably and up to 7 or 8 with a little squeeze. (Four people can sit on the couch without too much squishing, and 3 people could sit on the loveseat. And don't forget our glider rocker.)

It's in great condition. The couple we bought it from had purchased it new just a year ago and rarely used it--it was in their formal living room. They even delivered it for us!

We love the new splash of color it adds to our neutral furniture, and it suits our earthy-color choices very well. Kevin even noted that with the green loveseat, the cream couch, and the brown pillows, we have recreated our wedding colors. (What an observant husband I have?!!)

Now that we have room for guests, you should come over for a visit!

What makes YOU feel comfortable in someone's home?