loving lately: spring edition

The fact that Ryan posted this video on his blog just makes me laugh. Mostly because it is 100% true. Make sure you watch to the end for the best part.



If you like it then you should have put a bird on it. Or maybe not?

Also loving lately:

Better Oats brand apple & cinnamon instant oatmeal. Maybe it is the cute individual packaging or the fact that once you pour the oatmeal, the package can be used as a cup for the water with a fill line but these are the ticket to easy mornings!


This book, which has by far been my favorite that I have read during my pregnancy. It is funny, helpful and honest, sharing perspective on how first time parents can learn a lot from those who have done this before. I'm thinking it would be a great addition to a gift for any first time parents. Find it on Amazon here


Bath & Body Works Summer Lemon Vanilla lip gloss. I am in no way a lip gloss snob and usually I am ok with off-brand chapstick. Although, I did have a pretty mean lipsmackers collection in high school. Either way, this stuff is the ticket and I may just have to see if I can stock up at the outlet today on our annual girl's day out shopping trip!

Also loving Hulu for making available episodes of the shows I love like Glee, Top Chef All*Stars* and my FAVORITE show, Parenthood.

photo shoot preview!

We had our pictures with Christy on Thursday and it was so much fun to be part of her creative style for a few hours. I really felt like she allowed us to represent ourselves with the pics, from shooting most of them to in our home, to including Toby, oranges (my numero uno craving) and things that are just "us" like commentaries (Ryan). She must know how much her clients can't wait to see their pics because she already posted four of them last night. I am headed later this morning to pick up the rest of the images that she is giving us as a sweet gift & can't wait to share a few more faves!

on wanting a van.

There are certain ways pregnancy seems to prepare you for being a mom. Like the fact that you don't know just how much sleep you will get and you find yourself awake for two hours in the middle of the night. Case and point, last night from 11:30-1:30. No good reason. At least with a baby there is a reason. It also prepares you in advance by the fact that carrying snacks in your handbag becomes a regular thing during these nine months, something that I have to believe comes in handy when there is a kiddo in tow.

However, nothing prepares you for a minivan. Some of us were just born wanting to drive one. Yes, I confess, any residual "cool" factor I have left might just go out the window but I love driving a van. I could attribute it to the fact that I learned to drive with a van or it could be that I just feel at home in one. All I know is that as I drive high-schoolers around on afternoons like today, I anticipate the days when my own kids will be the ones carrying on the conversations about their teachers, their days and the latest love interest. I am not naive to the fact that some days they will be too cool for me or that these conversations take place in hybrid vehicles, cars or trucks. But for now, I dream of a van.

For a little more inspiration on the swagger wagon, you can always throw it back to this hit from last spring. Thank you Toyota for putting my dream to music.

happy friday

I heard this song for the first time this morning and it made me smile:


more here.

Also Happy Friday to Marsha who won the Shutterfly giveaway!

sick day: link love

Well, I haven't left the house in three days now and surprisingly I am not going stir- crazy. Could be the fact that I am sleeping around the clock to try and get well so I can get back into the swing of things. Nothing to be majorly concerned about, just a sore throat and cough that has left me with no choice but to sleep, drink lots of water, and another good reason to eat oranges (STILL my craving of choice).

With that, I have had some extra time to visit my favorite sites and while I can't wait to share about the retreat this weekend, I thought I would give you a few of these lovelies first:

today's letters. Where have I been? This blog is fresh and chooses to enjoy the little things in life and in marriage. Also good to know that the mrs. is a TU grad. Check out their about page to read more of their story and the ways they have grown in their marriage.

Molly has been successfully blogging everyday for the past twenty days and has committed to doing so for eighty more. Especially unique because those are the 100 days before her first baby is to come into this world. I especially loved her thoughts on her dog Kruger being her trusty companion, so fitting for my last three days in bed.

Always love my hubby's perspective and have been appreciating his thoughts right now on the story of Abraham as we go through a 8 week series with our high school students. More here.

offermatic. Can we say obsessed? Like groupon but more. It sends you deals based on how you already spend and freebies for things you do. Send me an email: bekah_wallace@yahoo.com, if you want to sign up. (that way I get points too!)

Loved Amanda's list today on how to simplify life. So practical and refreshing to think that changes just start with small steps.

a little reminder, that I posted a shutterfly giveaway that ends on Thursday night. Go here for the rules and to enter.

My favorite indulgent blog. Hollywood Housewife. different than she sounds and yet so refreshing on a regular basis as she journeys through a life I will never know but love to read about from afar. Especially loved her recent series on her true life love story.

My friend Christy's phototography site. She recently offered to do some maternity pics for us as a barter for some computer/printer updates she needs in her home and studio offices. I have know Christy for 6 years and have loved watching her business blossom since she first started taking pics on the side while she was an art teacher. Now to decide what to wear & when (aka, how big do I want to be)?. Open to all insight!

Last but CERTAINLY not least, Kelly & her husband David are adopting from South Korea and have designed some rocking t-shirts with this logo to help raise funds and awareness:

Check out their blog for more info on ordering a shirt and for the coffee lovers, they also have an adoption coffee store here where $5 from each bag purchased goes towards their bringing their little one home. What a cool way to be able to support them!

what links are you loving lately?

nesting is real.

I am in full swing clean the house, get rid of things we don't need mode around here. For example, I am pulling all furniture out to clean behind it, dreaming of stacks to take to Goodwill, dying to go through both of our closets for things we don't wear (with the exception of my future wardrobe when I am no longer wearing stretchy top pants) and find myself listing things on Craigslist here and there.

Proof that nesting is real. In other pregnancy related news, the clumsiness has begun as well. I dropped not one but two glasses this week. Thankfully no one was hurt in the process. I am still feeling great and looking forward to my six month check up this week to find out how this little one is doing.

currently loving: citrus

This is me at a road side stand in California, happier than a lark because we found fresh fruit, something I cannot get enough of right now. Cravings are such a funny thing but all I know is that a major glass of oj in the morning and an orange or two throughout the day make me so happy.

Poor Ryan, he was left to take artsy pics of fruit while I joyful dug through the bins for the biggest ones. Here is to hoping that I get my cravings for some good ice cream & coffee drinks back this summer!

confessions

* I may drink hot chocolate just for the marshmallows.
* I am too lazy to upload the recent pics I have taken but wish my posts had more pictures lately, thanks for reading anyways!
* I can't make pasta without having the water boil ever. It happens EVERY time.
* The last time I deep cleaned my bathroom is beyond me. Gross, I know but I seem to be happy with doing just enough to get by in that department sometimes.
* I am truly loving the little bump developing around my middle and for the first time in a long time, I feel so at home in my own skin.
* My commitment to writing feels a bit like working out sometimes, I don't always love getting ready to do it and find every excuse not to, but when I do, I swear the same endorphins buzz through me (minus the calorie burning).
* Sometimes when I get up in the morning and see all of this snow I consider for a moment, just a short moment, going back to bed and covering up in my flannel sheets to pretend that it is Saturday.
* I just checked out The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and it is due in a mere seven days. I fully intend to give the 600 pages of it my best effort in that time.

these are my confessions (cue Usher lyrics)
what do you need to get off YOUR chest?

the need to create

I've been itching in my skin to do some major creating lately which means I haven't done any in way too long. My need has been playing itself out by my picking back up where I left off in my writing and starting to dream about creating Christmas presents for those I love. I know, it is a bit early but a girl needs a good reason to dream once in awhile.

The book event on Monday further affirmed that within me and before I go any further, I must say that the word that comes to mind with the whole evening was simply "lovely". Everything from the chapters that Shauna read to the conversation that followed, it was a blessing to be part of it and having Molly by my side as the perfect companion made it even sweeter. We have both been so blessed by Shauna's writing and it just affirmed what we knew was true, that words shared have meaning and that stories matter.


And so does creating, so I am going to spend part of my evening scouring my favorite craft sites to see what I can be inspired by. I have some friends who just started making their own homemade vanilla extract for gifts, in cute little glass jars (I didn't know vanilla beans + vodka + time= vanilla but it is true!). I have considered doing some type of food related gifts, like taking balls jars and filling them in layers with soup mix, or even better, the ingredients for something sweet. I am convinced there is a way to update this gift idea in a way that isn't country bumpkinish. Maybe updated labels or including a fun whisk or mixing spoon would add some flair?

pics taken from this site

With that in mind, here is a little giveaway to get your creative juices flowing. I also have on hand a few little embellishments of my own from Uppercase Living (like a chocolate brown pine cone sticker that needs to find a new home on a vase filled with something fun--will post pics when I find that perfect thing).



This "family" embellishment is all yours, in either black or cream and I think it would look wonderful on a frame with a black & white pic, on a wall collage, on a platter for your mother-in-law or even on an old shabby chic window as such:


I want to know what you are inspired by and creating right now! Also open to other DIY Christmas gifts! Leave me some inspiration in the form of a comment by Monday night at 6 p.m. to enter. Happy Creating!

lullabies and line-dancing

Yes, something sweet and something Southern, all in one weekend and the combo made for a great Saturday from beginning to end. The first being Michelle's baby shower thrown by yours truly in honor of her little baby boy coming in October. I loved being able to share Michelle's joy with many of the friends she has met since moving to Holland 5 years ago. More pics to come of the day and the little bird/nesting theme that surrounded the celebration but for now, here is one of BrieAnna, Michelle & I.


And if that weren't enough excitement for a rainy September day, our Youth Group Fall Kick Off was planned long before we knew the weather and I was so happy with the way it turned out despite the rain. We held it at Post Family Farm and descended on the place with thirty-some high schoolers, chili and cider and our dancing shoes. It was originally set to be a square dance but some last minute changes turned it into a line dance. After the first one was "cupid shuffle"...I knew it would be more than alright. Here is a picture of me and my cowboy which Ryan affectionately titled "Gap Goes Cowboy" or something of the like:

Some other fun pictures from the night:




I still secretly think that half of the fun of doing youth group is being with the other leaders and sometimes we sneak off for a few minutes for our own little pow-wow. It's just nice to be part of a team where everyone loves to be together and I don't want to take that for granted. Here is my partner Jana & I working our moves on the barn floor...YeeHaw!

a few of my favorite things: fall edition

As we transition into fall, I can't help but be excited and distracted by the changing of colors in my very own front lawn. wow. brilliant and inspiring. Here are a few other things I am loving lately:

1.my new Mary Janes ala Target because even though I would hope to always keep my style more "classic" in nature, life is too short to not include a little flair: (sorry for the small pic)


2. Swirlberry! yum. They just opened a shop in downtown Saugatuck which is the perfect healthy alternative to my normal mile high ice cream cone. They offer a "make your own" frozen yogurt bar and Tuesday evening's combo included latte yogurt with chocolate chips, granola & a little coconut on top.

3. writing. off the blog and with introspection. I am pushing through thoughts that find their way into my mind regularly covering everything from transition to fighting for joy in everyday life, to forgiveness and friendship. I'm starting to get more attached to it, this little document that keeps growing and taking a life of its own. I'm not sure what more will come of it but I am starting to take more seriously the idea of sharing it with others in some fashion or another. If I am honest, I want to write a book. So I write and whether it shows up on a shelf somewhere or not, I am loving the process.

4. Also loving fall for students and the transition as it brings them back to local high school and college campus'. Monday night I roamed the lawn at GVSU, laughing and hugging some of my favorite students as our ice cream bars dripped in the heat. I love the uninhibited passion that returning to campus brings as some spent summers at camps, internships and working around home. Everyone had a story to tell, including my hilarious friend Carly who promised she would start blogging again and did she ever deliver. She shared her sentiments about how fast it all goes on the cusp of her senior year here on her blog and I loved reading her perspective.

5. And last, but certainly not least, how could I share my fall favorites without including these little gems:
They always remind me of fall at Taylor because every September I would go down to the front desk at Olson Hall to find a package waiting from my mom and inevitably these were included. I think one year I ate a whole bag in one sitting. what? their addicting!

What are some of your fall favorites?

a little of this and that

Thanks to Miss Mandii, this little blogger award will break my blogging hiatus. With this award, the commissioning is to write 7 little bits of info. Without further ado:

1) When I was in high school, my dream was to write for Women's Sports and Fitness magazine...sadly that publication was cancelled when I was 17 and it took me until I was 22 to get rid of my archived copies. Now I would love to blog for michigan.org as a guest travel blogger. love me some Michigan!

2) I rode a tandem bike for the first time this week and it was way harder than it looks; I will definitely be sharing more thoughts about that in the near future on here.

3) I love nothing more than an old home. I'm not sure I will ever own anything built before 1950-- although the idea of a condo with built in landscaping does sound nice.

4) This Saturday I will attend my 27th Danish Festival- that's right, I have been going every year since I was born as a family tradition that includes a 2.5 hour parade and lots of candy. that's for kids of course.

5) I am almost late everywhere I go. Just close enough to late to be stressed and under pressure but not enough to miss anything. Not a good habit but true.

6) Shorts are my least favorite thing to wear and I just found a pair, maybe the first, that I actually like a lot for $12 from JcPenny.

7. I would love to go to Egypt one day. I never thought those words would come from my mouth but after our time in Israel I am deeply intrigued by the story and places of Egypt. Clarification, this doesn't replace my desire to visit the blue and white places of Santorini, Greece. just for the record.

As part of this blogger award, I get the joy of passing it on to two more friends. So Bethany and Amber...you're up next!

cottage life

This weekend was an unexpected getaway for Ryan and I and we spent the whole weekend at my grandparent's cottage, just the two of us and Toby of course. We did nothing more than take naps, read, talk and eat good food. It is a MUST to have a bowl of ice cream every night around 9:45 at the cottage...We haven't had any time with Ryan's school schedule and such to do that since Israel and it makes such a difference to just breathe deeply for a few days.

I didn't even take any pictures intentionally so that we would just enjoy the slow life and that we successfully did. Our one outing included a trip to the local small town theater to see this movie:

and oh my goodness, the cast was amazing.

I loved the depth of the plot and would encourage you to check it out yourself. Leonardo has really flourished as an actor, in my humble opinion, since the original days of Titanic. Not that I saw it 3 times in the theater or memorized many lines from it in high school or anything. Regardless, it was a talented bunch and a great thrill from beginning to end.

I also realized this weekend that my fast food snobbery is turning around thanks to McDonald's new smoothies and the good ole snack wraps. Not sure this is something to be proud of but more of a confession that you can't knock it till you try it...

And last but not least...a giveaway winner!! Happy that after all of her entries in past giveaways, Bethany will now be rocking this flower in her hair, on her summertime bag or wherever she pleases:

and this is why I am excited for the YG missions trip

Gearing up for another week and just can't wait to see all of the craziness and growth that unfold with the 27 students coming on our trip. Laura and I have been working on detail after detail to make it work. I just realized tonight how good it feels to be part of this again after missing it last year (my laments here). I also took a little stroll down memory lane to Missions Trip 2008...

And a little bragging on Ryan with the s-aweeeet t-shirts he designed:


and because we love to work with creative people, our friend Adam is printing them...check his work and creative outlet here.

three about me

I saw this list online this weekend and thought it was WAY fun :)

3 names I go by:
Rebekah/Bekah
Beckish
Beks

3 places I have been (or 3 places that have been influential in my life):
Kenya
India
Israel

3 favorite drinks:
Crystal Light Raspberry iced tea
Diet Coke
Water

3 jobs I have had:
Cone World ice cream server (5 years baby!)
Non-profit consultant
High School Youth group assistant

3 TV shows I watch:
LOST
Arrested Development
The Parenthood

3 places I would like to visit:
Seattle
New York City--I went once in high school but want to go back with Ryan
Texas

3 favorite retro TV shows:
Dawson's Creek
Felicity
Blossom

3 places I have lived:
Grandville, MI
Upland, IN
Zeeland, MI

3 favorite dishes:
a great pasta with fresh veggies and chicken in a light sauce
Carabba's chicken marsala with smashed potatoes...mmm
burgers on the grill in the summer

3 things I am looking forward to:
Hilton Head in September
enjoying the summer with Ryan around home
having a yard that I feel more pride in. a work in progress

on rest

I read the following quote this morning in my search for something to add life to the weekly report I send out at work:

"Sunday is the golden clasp that binds together the volume of the week."

And for the sake of providing not only wisdom for the day, humor from our Sunday dinner cooking expedition also included at no extra charge.

2 guys cutting onions. If the style channel married the Food Network, this is what their kids would look like:

knee deep in summer

It is that time of year where everything is centered around flip flops, grilling out & enjoying the season...blogging finds its place somewhere in between the bbqs and pool parties.

So here are a few things from the past week since St. Louis:

For the date night that I was promised...Ryan took me to the Electric Cheetah in GR and it was another one of those places so great you want to share it with friends. Lucky Amber & Sarah, who both live in cool places near enough to frequent it often, but for the rest of us, these little Eastown gems are a special treat.
We shared the "raw" fries which are fries sliced as thin as potato chips...a ketchup lovers dream:

and the brocolli salad which was equally, if not more, delicious. Fresh produce and all from local farmer's markets & providers.

I spent all day Saturday hanging out at the 2nd annual "art in the park" in Hudsonville where our church had a booth with a couple of other crafting friends and then had my fam over on Saturday night...Toby was obviously excited to celebrate:

cuties: Erich & his girlfriend Allison whom I love! (can't wait for another family vacation with these 2 this fall! Hilton Head in 3 months...)

this is how "home" looks in my mind:



Ever so thankful for the miracles that took place in our family this spring & can't help but think that when I see this picture of the 5 of us.

making wishes for our 25th & 27th year. Love being the older sister!

Allison got me this new scarf for my b-day which I LOVE and is a sign she knows me well because she said it just looked like me.


Another new thing that started this week is our high school Summer Intern program at EGM-- which means I get to spend one day a week with these 2: Laura & Ryan and our 6 incredible students!



I will leave you with this...a little preview of a giveaway I am working on with a crafter I met Saturday whose specialty is "flowers & feathers..." drooling yet?!


fashion disclaimer: my obsession with scarves may be morphing into hair accessories.

full days

"The days are busy, certainly, but they’re full of such good things."

I'm in process. Of packing and conversations and therapy. Hanging Uppercase orders and going to dinner. Reading books and listening to others as I walk. For the sake of finding joy in everyday life, here are 5 things I am excited about today:

1. It is my brother Austin's 13th birthday and I am remembering how much going to the hospital that day changed our life.

2. I have almost ALL of my shopping for our trip done with the exception of a hat and one more pair of zip off pants.

3. My hair actually looks good today.

4. I am ordering a dishwasher, finally, after a month of the simple life of dishes by hand, I will have my very own new Whirpool white-on-white 24 inch tall tub dishwasher.

5. Laura & I are going to see an entirely all too girlie movie tomorrow night. Oh yes, we will be taking in "the Last Song" with Miley Cyrus. Not ashamed to say it and the popcorn & diet coke will top off the night for sure.

more confessions

1. I have ironed more in the past week that I have in the past year combined I think. Which means I have ironed 3 shirts in a year.

2. I hate putting sheets on the bed and rolling sleeping bags. must have something to do with a bedding complex.

3. I was tempted to skip my pilates this morning and watch something fun on Hulu like "If I can dream" or "Parenthood". I resisted, maybe only because I ate handfuls and handfuls of homemade caramel corn at Jon and Joy's last night.

4. I only have 2 hairstyles, up or down with a few versions of them including a high and low ponytail and a headband. Jealous of those who can properly tease and slightly considering a bump it. If anyone is brave enough to fess up to having one, do tell all on what you think.

Feel free to let a load off too! Gotta scoot to work so I don't have to add #5 as "late to work for blogging."

loving where you live

I think my pulse just picked up a little as I started writing. I always get excited/nervous to pick a winner for anything, even when I use a random method.

And I want to say before I do so that I LOVED reading about places people love and think that the list is worthwhile keeping for summer days and trips to new towns. Here were some common themes:
farmer's markets, little corner shops, places to find great gifts, wineries, corner pubs, early bird specials...the list goes on here

But more than that, almost everyone defined their favorite places with emotions and conversations and connection. Just proves that the places we love are even better with good friends and the memories that they signify. Thank you for sharing those places with ME and in turn giving me a little snapshot into your memories.

And now, before I continue to get sappy....here we go... a delicious bag of Good Life Granola is going to LUCKY NUMBER 7!

Candace said...
"Well you see i love zeeland(my home) and holland. So i would say bringing my son to zeeland bakery for a donut but also as a family we love to pick up our coffee at JPS as we walk down to the farmers market! Which i am so excited for and now i have something new to add to my list when i go!"