people, places, architecture...

snapshots of Cali...♥

grad school days…

Architecture grad school... It's a challenging, wonderful life, and I couldn't be more thankful than to be walking with this guy!

We just celebrated three years of marriage (plus a few dating) and I intentionally love him more everyday. Living in Raleigh has been one of the best seasons for me. It's been bonding for us to have to rely so heavily on one another. And it's been a pure catalyst for growth for me personally.

I'm thankful, thankful, thankful- that we have all we need and even some to give/share. I'm thankful that our families are well and not so far away that we can't run home for a quick weekend. I'm thankful for our jobs and health and the friends we are making here. Thankful that school is going well for him and that I'm enjoying PreK! 

Hoping for -my teaching certificate to get pushed through! And for the opportunity to teach to come through for next year. I need courage and grace and so much wisdom with it all.

I always want to be an understanding and joyful wife. I want to give thanks in all things and love others as Christ has loved me. 

Thanks, Lord, for your goodness to us! May we grow to love you more and more!

increasing margins [because we're not the hero]...

when the hairy grad-school-schedule is wearing us down, we increase our margins. we are worker-bees that struggle with this on a regular basis.

we want to work, we want to be productive. we want to do so much that we sometimes find ourselves with zero margins and very little left to give.

so, friday night - dinner & conversation with friends.

and saturday morning - the farmer's market.

precious downtime, how we've missed you!

...................just processing here, but you know what I think the problem is?

I think it's a little hero-complex

like @PastorTyler talks about...

He is the hero. I am the rescued one.

why do I always forget that I don't have to be the hero?

He has already saved the day.
I can rest. I can trust Him.

work is good. even working hard is good.
but when I work like it all depends on me,
something's askew in my heart.
i've forgotten who is the hero 
and who are the rescued ones. 

we get to help because we've been helped,
bless because we've been blessed,
but we don't get to save the day.
that's already been done.

Stool project

Review #2:: the stool project

Some excellent creations coming out of the College of Design at NC State!

My favorite parts were helping by making J's cushion and how crazy-different they all were!

a few things...

1. I'm in love with this campus.
and the fact that it's only 1.5 miles from our house ♥

2. This day is my last official day of lunch duty.
I have actually enjoyed it!
However I'm glad to get to stick with my own kiddos from here on out...

(I particularly love this. Girls to the left, boys to the right. As if someone asked them to... Another table was playing 'cooties' .... Some things never change... and some things I just couldn't appreciate as a full-time classroom teacher:)

3. In between tutoring and lunch duties, I've had a chance to help set up our classroom (the Autistic preK program is new to our school and we had a lot left to do before the kiddos start back tomorrow). Visual schedules are just one way we help these guys relax and adjust to the school environment.

4. Those are Blue Like Jazz teary-eyes. 
It was good, ya'll. Real good.
Whether you read the book or not, I think you'd enjoy it.
(playing here)

5. I've got a hard working grad student over here. Love him. Praying for rest and endurance as he finishes out this semester. ♥

Thanks for stopping by. ;)
♥♥

life lately...

Thoroughly enjoying the new job... This week was full of car-rider & lunch duties, tutoring, and even subbing kindergarten for an afternoon!

Every day I have come home smiling and telling stories from the day.

And everyday J has looked at me and said, "It's so nice to see you doing work you enjoy and energized after working all day."

Thankful for the truth of these sentiments and for the chance to be back to kid-centered work! ♥

This was a big week for my love too.
He had several design models due by Wednesday and being quite the perfectionist, his work did not disappoint.

My favorite part of these crazy busy studio days is taking pictures, bringing a meal or snacks, and keeping a little company when the work nights are particularly long. ♥

Wednesday we joined Fischer & his fun parents at Waffle House for some celebrating another review down and a few days off for break/catching up...

While we were there, he taught a new friend how to thumb-wrestle. :)

This week I've also been continuing my creative obsession habit on instagram (& flickr) with the photoadays... Here's a sample from April so far. :)

RaleighEaster.com

Looking forward to the weekend ahead. 
My heart is anticipating tonight's service, tomorrow's egg hunt serving thousands of Raleighians, and Sunday's celebration service at Memorial auditorium.
Happy Celebrating to you!
♥

Shop day...

Jeremy's class has their first review of the semester Wednesday, so everybody was busy building in the shop this weekend...

InstaFriday (pics of the week)...

Some favorite camera-phone-moments from this week...
{{InstaFriday style}}

Sweet friends from home... they were passing through from a conference in Greensboro and made a point to join us for coffee, a tour of the studio, and a quick supper stop at the Flying Biscuit Cafe'! YUM! :)

I know we look like ourselves,
but this is us dressed up for Halloween.

I was "a student,"
and J said he was "a Duke fan dressed up like an NC State fan." :)

Even more festive: my co-workers(& the cutest customer!)

Sometimes when I don't have to work in the evening, I like to join J at the studio.

This week I got to 'help' cut chip board in the materials lab. :)

And today... after the work day, I'm off to see these guys with my dear friend Claire.
Can Not Wait!!!! 

Happy Friday, Friends!
♥

....linking up....