Operation Cute and Colorful Placemats

John and I moved into an apartment about a month ago... crazy going from a house to an apartment but this is what we wanted to do for now until we learn the area to see where we want to settle down. 

The apartment has white walls, which make things a little less homey. Our living room and dining room is all one big space.  I decided I wanted to add a splash of color to our table with some new placemats.  My color scheme is purples, greens and yellows.  I had bought some from Target yesterday,  but they are too big.. they look absolutely ridiculous.  So, here are some others I have found online.  

Operation Cute and Colorful Placemats is in full swing. 

  

A Little Sunshine Amongst the Fog

So yesterday I was feeling pretty bad... nauseas and had a headache. Just feelin' like I was in a fog.  I think it might have been from taking some allergy medicine.  I usually hold off as long as possible because that stuff literally makes me crazy.  I end up feeling like I am having an out of body experience. So... after church I ended up coming home and taking a very long nap.  It was such a beautiful day though, so John suggested we get some fresh air and go down by the river and have a dinner picnic.  

So we did... the sun was setting and it was extremely beautiful and the weather was perfect.  

Just what the doctor ordered. 

Here are some shots from the day...

Beautiful sunset....

My man.... I liked how the sunset was reflecting in his sunglasses. 

He takes such good care of me:)

  

My birthday wish...

SO I'm turning the big 30 this July, 

and I think I want this for my birthday.  

                                                                             How cute!!!!!!!

Socks....

I want to hear about your experiences where the Lord has completely knocked your socks off when you were least expecting it....

I was moping today, because I'm just missing South Carolina and moving has been 

super stressful for me.

Tonight I got an email that truly lifted my spirits, and it was completely unexpected. 

Thank you Lord for loving me.

Always.

Quick Update

We.Made.It.

The drive up was not bad at all.  We barely hit any traffic, and we found an octagonal shaped Starbucks in York, PA.  All is well :)   John and I had to drive both our cars up, so we were apart for the drive, but thanks to my friend Wendi, I had the book Unbroken on CD. Great story if you haven't read it!

We got to our new apartment and unloaded our cars and then pretty much crashed at my aunt and uncle's house.  We awoke bright and early this morning to unload our POD.  If you are in the market to move, we would like to shamelessly plug PODS.  Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.

A personal thank you to my mom and dad (who are the best parents ever), Joe, John C., Laura and the kids.  YOU BLESSED THE SOCKS OFF OF US!!
Also... to my friend Jenn who had a beautiful arrangement sent to our house today to say "Welcome Home".  It brought tears to my eyes.

It's 5:42, and the place actually looks like a home.....

I've been a little weepy today.  Can't believe I'm not living in South Carolina anymore.  The sun IS shining brightly here today and I am extremely grateful for that!

To my Florence friends.... you have been on my mind all day!
Miss you. Love you.

The Day Before the New Adventure

Well.. tomorrow John and I start a new adventure.  We are moving back to Pennsylvania from South Carolina due to John getting a new job.

Many people have been asking me how I am feeling about the move....
I will be completely honest...

 I have struggled with the fact of moving.  

I have really grown to love South Carolina the past 9 months that I have been down here.  It was rough at first moving to a new place, but over time I adapted and have met some wonderful people.  I also am thankful for having my in-laws close and also my best friend Jill, 2 hours away.  

I have also enjoyed the time that I have had with John down here in South Carolina.  It has been so extremely good for our marriage to be away from PA to start off. It's just  I never went away from college, never moved out of my home town and have just desperately been craving full independence.  

Looking back I enjoyed the challenge of coming to a place where no one knew me and I knew no one.  It forced me out of my comfort zone and I have met some wonderful, wonderful people.  I think I am most sad about this.  It's been said that it takes someone about 6-7 months to adapt to a new place.  I am just past that mark.  I see SOOO much potential in relationships with the people I have met down here, and it makes me sad that my time with them has been cut short.  However, I am thankful for social media and technology.  People are no more than a click away at any time.  But, I just want the people I have met down here, and you know who you are, that I appreciate you so much :)  

All that to say... I love my husband and am behind him 100%.  I wouldn't want to be moving with anyone  else :)  We know that this is where the Lord is leading us for right now... so we choose to follow.  

My baby sister...

My sister Molly got married this weekend.  It was such a lovely and fun wedding, 

with some surprises as well.

Best wishes Molly and George!!