listening to lately

have you heard Phil Wickham? He is touring with Shane & Shane and Bethany Dillon right now...wish they were coming somewheres around here...
Just recently came across him and love listening to him at Grooveshark, a free music site...move over Pandora! This is MY FAVORITE song right now and here is a taste of him playing it live:


I love the words to this one...not always how I find myself feeling lately but I want this kind of love and passion and am encouraged by the contentment he writes about:

The fullness of Your grace is here with me
The richness of Your beauty’s all I see
The brightness of Your glory has arrived
In Your presence God, I’m completely satisfied

For You I sing I dance
Rejoice in this divine romance
Lift my heart and my hands
To show my love, to show my love

A deep deep flood, an Ocean flows from You
Of deep deep love, yeah it’s filling up the room
Your innocent blood, has washed my guilty life
In Your presence God I’m completely satisfied

gobble gobble gobble...

already thinking turkey but thought I would jump on tonight and share the new lucky fashionista who will be rocking one of Abby's cowls!
I will give you a clue...she is in the picture below:

Mandii, Suzie, Emily and I at her rehearsal dinner last year.
I bet the anticipation is killing you so here it is....Suzie it's all you girl! Can't wait to see what you choose! Thanks everyone for your participation.

Happy Thanksgiving friends!

you know you wanna!

It is your last chance to enter the giveaway for one of Abby's gorgeous handmade cowl! Check out the original post here to enter by 6 PM on Turkey Day Eve (Wednesday).

Remember, you can enter twice by re-posting about it on your own blog or facebook and letting me know! Can't wait to draw a winner before the cold days come through round here. This seems to be the fave pick so far:

plenty of thankful to go around

last night I had my high school girls over and they just knew when they saw the little pieces of paper and pens sitting by their place settings that I was going to make them write out their Thanksgiving list. Just 5 things, anything really. I loved hearing what was on their lists and was admittedly challenged myself to put into words what I was thinking. So here in no particular order is my list for this Thanksgiving.

1. a job with people I not only really like but love
2. my puppy who has kept me company on many lonely days
3. the realization multiple times in this year how short life is and even the beauty to be had in grieving & what it does to our souls
4. faithful friends who pray for me when they say they will
5. the fight within me to learn contentment, as many times as I fail, it feels like baby steps are taking place. 2 steps forward and one back is still one step forward
6. a hubby who loves me through thick and thin and the renewal of our friendship in this past year as we seek to move from living as individuals into one life together
7. family who is faithful to be there for anything and everything we need them for
8. this old house. I love this old house.
9. music and the way it fits my moods, help me worship and expresses what I can't
10. blog friends who are willing to put it all out there and share their experiences, I learn so much by reading others online journals
11. coffee, black coffee, coffee with hazelnut creme, the occasional latte, coffee
12. grace that I don't understand
13. the journey through the Bible we are going through with our small group & church, it is kicking my butt into being in the Word daily, something I could never do on my own
14. creativity and enjoying making things by hand
15. my wedding ring. I was asked the other day by someone when I was getting married and I was able to share about the joys of being married almost 5 years to another girl who was engaged

I know I don't have you at my dinner table, but if I did I would pass you a little paper turkey and ask you to make your own list...

I promised and here it is

meet Abby, from whom creativity spills over. Abby and I went to Taylor University together (yah Olson Hall) and I have always loved the spirit and energy she has. I found her blog a few years ago and have enjoyed watching her family grow as she is now the happy momma to two little ones.
Isn't she beautiful?!

She will be giving away one of her beautiful handmade cowls that come in so many gorgeous colors and as you know, I am obsessed with scarves (as seen here and here) so I think it is a great option. Wear it with a plain sweater, your favorite printed coat, a long sleeve tee. Possibilities are endless. For your chance to win one of Abby's creation, go to her etsy shop between now and Wednesday and come back to let me know which is your favorite. You may also blog and/or facebook about this giveaway and comment with your link for another entry!

And remember how I mentioned that I would have a partner in this one. Well for those of you who live in the Wheaton/Naperville area, Alicia is going to share with you details on Abby's upcoming local appearances and some special deals just for you!

Have a great weekend! Can't wait to see which is your favorite.

it's been awhile

...since I have done a giveaway! And I LOVE the blogger and the handmade item that she will be giving away to one lucky friend. Curious yet?! All I can say is that you will love it too. No more clues for now about who she is and what you will win...until Saturday.

I will tell you though that I will have a partner in crime on this giveaway. So while you anxiously await more info...I invite you to check out Alicia's blog here in the to get to know her a little better. She & I met about 4 years ago or so...her mom & dad photographed our wedding and her mom is good friends with Ryan's mom. Let's all sing "its a small world after all" in a round, shall we? I think you will see Alicia's fresh perspective on life and the journey God has her on. So we will make a fun pair for this little giveaway for YOU. Blessings! It is almost Friday!

are you ready for this?!

from pumpkin spice, which my bestie so lovingly posted about here, to the next season. Welcome Peppermint Mocha.

My leaves are raked, I bought milk that doesn't expire until December. I am ready for you to bring me in to the next season.

26 things you were dying to know.

I have been kind of missing my hubby this week since our date night. Between me not feeling too hot and all of life going on, that date feels like alot longer ago than last Wednesday. So here I am, thinking about him :) Enjoy!

1.Who is your man? Ryan Scott Wallace
2. How long have you been together? 8 1/2 years total, 4 1/2 married.
3. How long dated? 4 years
4. How old is your man? 26
5. Who eats more? Probably me, I try to do the 3 meals plus snacks thing...he forgets lunch sometimes
6. Who said "I love you" first? He did but I think we knew in our hearts the same summer...I was just scared to say it
7. Who is taller? Ryan by a handful of inches
8. Who sings better? Ryan is actually a really good singer, he has a wide range and I love singing next to him in church cause it covers up me. I'm not bad but I'm not good either.
9. Who is smarter? We got the same grades in high school but I had to work harder at them than he did. Plus now he is kicking my tail with his college grades! Although he doesn't have Handy Andy and a floor of 40 friends to distract him.
10. Whose temper is worse? Hm. Mine is quicker to flare and it takes alot for him to get angry but I think his anger is deeper when he is mad.
11. Who does the laundry? I do because I think it is therapeutic and am super particular with lots of pieces of clothing
12. Who takes out the garbage? whoever remembers
13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I think we have switched since moving our room to main floor because I like to sleep against the wall. But I also get up first so that means I always have to crawl over him.
14. Who pays the bills? I do. Or better yet, online bill pay does.
15. Who is better with the computer? haha. trick question?! Ryan is genius with the computer. Although at work I usually can keep up with others.
16. Who mows the lawn? the high school boy that lives next door; just keeping the economy moving. I think we were designed for condo living.
17. Who cooks dinner? me! Which ranges from a full dinner to pizza in the oven. We are not always home at dinner time due to working out, social stuff, my uppercase parties, but I think someday when we have a family I will love dinner time.
18. Who drives when you are together? Ryan always. Sometimes I offer on long trips but that lasts about an hour usually
19. Who pays when you go out? Seems like Ry usually does out of habit unless I have cash on me. It is all from the same place anyways.
20. Who is most stubborn? it's a tie
21. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? We're both pretty equal on this. I think he's better at it though.
22. Whose parents do you see the most? It seems to fluctuate, I see and talk to my mom alot, we go to his mom's sometimes on Sunday for dinner. Both of our dads are a couple of hours away.
23. Who kissed who first? I think I kissed him? Pretty sure he kissed me back. :)
24. Who asked who out? He did; as friends really but we went to dinner quite a few times before we were dating
25. Who proposed? Ryan, on Navy Pier in January of my senior year. It was cold but so us because we have so many great memories in Chicago.
26. Who is more sensitive? Me to the small daily things and him to large matters in life (and stray dogs--we have probably rescued 5-6 and found their owners).

ok. your turn! Don't make me beg!

it's beginning to look alot like...

autumn still. But in efforts to get ahead of the game and in reaction to an unexpected night at home...yours truly is pre-Christmas prepping. Like ordering Christmas cards from Shutterfly with some of the new family pictures that we got taken a few weekends ago (promise to post them soon). I am also making a Christmas gift that might take a few creative sessions to complete...is it for you?

community

I'm thankful tonight (thanks Amber for the reminder). I am not feeling well again and I was not able to be at the visitation for Ryan's grandpa but so many others were. Friends who came out of the wood work, family members who dropped what they had going, people who surprised us and people who we just knew would be there. So that feels like an extension of the body and is keeping me from feeling bad for myself tonight.

Philippians 1:3
I thank my God every time I remember you.

late night date night

last night was a gift. I can't remember the last time we were the 2 crazy kids pulling a late night mid-week and it was a celebration of living it up. Despite my ever present runny nose this week, it was glorious. Ryan pulled out the entertainment book (a mature piece of the crazy kids evening) to find out where we had buy one get one in GR and gave me 3 choices. I settled on what seemed the obvious, Old Chicago because I knew that pizza is always a happy default. I ended up ordering the Oriental Chicken:
Teriyaki chicken over spiced, chilled noodles, crisp greens, carrots and red bell peppers with our house Italian and sweet chili dressing, green onions, wonton strips and toasted sesame seeds. (as taken from the website menu). yum. He got a bacon cheeseburger and both parties were happy.

From there we froclicked aimlessly around the mall, stopping to debate if I am too short for the over the boot jean look:

these were the particular pair in consideration and in retrospect, I think part of me was just excited that they fit over my calf because that NEVER happens. I didn't get them. not sure if I will.


We also saw a late night movie @ the $3 Celebration Cinema @ Woodland. Which is amazing because we have stopped going to movies as often anymore, due to my redbox obsession but I do still love sitting in theater. We went to see the movie 500 Days of Summer which "is not a love story. It is a story of boy meets girl".

It features these 2

...and I loved Zoeey Deschanel's captivating beauty and Joseph Gordon Levitt's hipster style. Along with the chalk wall in his bedroom, which we spent a good few minutes whispering about in the theater.

It also rekindled my lost love for Regina Spektor with her enchanting voice and beautiful piano skills. All in all, the night was a 2 thumbs way up, a night to remember and a welcomed break in the constant push and pull of life.

lessons on how to love

Last Wednesday morning we had the joy of something that happens from time to time in our office. After our normal meeting, we invited some special guests who are participating in ministry around the world into our space. And what unfolded was such an encouragement. The couple whose story was shared spent their first 20 years of marriage working overseas, translating the Bible into a language that was never before written.

When they returned home, one of the first things they did was go to a grocery store in Miami & the girl at the checkout asked them "paper or plastic" and they thought she was asking if they were paying with cash or credit. Funny story, yes, but at the same time, a realization of how much life took place in the 20 years that they were overseas. There were so many awesome testimonies that they had to share but also some really practical resources as a result for those who are back home, praying for them and supporting them. Some of the things they shared really surprised me and reminded me that I too easily assume I know what people need.
Here are a few of the things that were surprising...and helpful:

-find out what kind of software upgrades are needed and mail a copy
-Send local newspaper stories and even cartoons to your friends overseas, reading about things that are familiar will be interesting and fun for them to read
-make sure to include them on your invitation list for weddings, graduations, baby announcements, even if you know they cannot attend the events, they love to be included
-decaf coffees & teas are often hard to find overseas and are easy and light to mail
-encourage your missionary friends with devo books written in English, they probably don't have the same access to those as you do at your local Family Christian Store

Taken from "65 Ways to Love & Encourage Missionaries"- Ed & Linda Speyers

I know for me it is so easy to get wrapped up in the day to day of my own life and I am always encouraged to hear about what is going on to advance the gospel in other parts of the world. So here are a few ministries I know of and would love to hear from you on others you read about/are praying for. Feel free to add to the list below:

blessed assurance

We recieved the news this morning that Ryan's grandpa is no longer suffering but is face to face with his Jesus. I am so thankful I went to see him Friday night and tell him how thankful I am for the role that he played in my husband's life. How Ryan couldn't have made it through those dark times without him, how his Godly example of love and care for Grandma inspires our marriage, how I love that I got to know him while Ryan and I were dating. He always called me the "girl who loved trees" because he claimed that I could go into a forest and make friends with even the trees. Half of him expected him to call me that Friday night, even though he was no longer able to speak much.

The lyrics to "Blessed Assurance" are running through my mind as I think about the amazing transformation Grandpa's earthly body recieved as he entered the presence of his Lord. No more pain, no more suffering, just lost in His love. I will never understand the ugliness of Alzheimer's and why it is part of so many families' journey here on earth. So this morning I stand in the blessed assurance that life here is just so short and temporary and there is something so much better waiting for us.

it's friday!

and I'm up early! so here are a few things to celebrate and one to pray for:
-we got our family pictures taken on Sunday and I have my proofs already! (note above). Why didn't we do this sooner? I can now replace the pictures that have been in frames for 2 years.
-my dog seems to know it is cold sometimes in this old house and has decided that cuddling at my feet is the perfect place to be, I agree.
-headed tomorrow with Ry and some other youth group leaders to the Lead Now conference for the day on the East side to see Donald Miller, Francis Chan, Matt Chandler on the big screen as a church there is doing a simulcast of this conference:

Did I ever menion how much I love conferences? Truly love them. The organization of them, the coffee breaks, the sessions, taking notes. I'm there.

I also have a prayer request to share as we navigate the next few weeks. Ryan's grandpa who was the best man in our wedding has since been struggling with Alzheimers and things are moving quicker than we thought they would in the last few weeks. If i can boldly ask you to pray for peace in this situation for our family, that would be much appreciated. I am honored that I got a chance to know Grandpa so well while we were dating and know that he has served such a full life ministering to his family and others around him.

a day late and a dollar short

I was told I should have been her for Halloween:

I'm a day late and a dollar short. (ok 2 days late) but was curious about the recommendation from a good friend and found out that Flo, the Progressive Insurance Girl, has a cult following of fans. Who knew? He told me it was her bubbly personality; hmm..maybe I drank too much coffee that morning!