M.I.A.

Woah. I haven't posted in quite some time. Things have been busy over at our house the past week as I have transitioned into my new job (more on that later) and celebrated another birthday! I am so thankful for all of my friends and family who made the day special. I can't even believe that I've already hit my "late twenties." Sheesh.

Here is the card Matt gave me for my bday:

We were both really excited about the hat that came with the card.

Except.....

It fit the Mags (who obviously loved it) better than it fit me (see below).

Turns out when a card says its for a 3 year old, it really means it. They should make cards with hats for older adults. It's a good double function for cards.

I am also extra thankful to Matt for my awesome Birthday gift...a new (well new to me) MacBook that I am currently blogging from. I love everything about it. Thanks Boo!

Exploring Birmingham

This week we took the opportunity to get to know the city a little better. (ok mostly that was for me since Matt is from here but it was still fun)

We first visited the historic Sloss Furnaces, a once bustling iron company here in town. Although it is no longer used as an industrial hub, it is used as a venue for concerts and shows and an occasional iron pouring. If you come visit, I will take you there.

This is what the whole she-bang looks like.

This is Matt doing what he does best. This is the No. 1 Furnace inside Sloss.

After Sloss, we headed out to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Our favorite place, of course, being the Japanese Gardens.

We stood around and dreamed of being back in Tokyo.

Yesterday we hit up the Museum of Art. It was a pretty good collection for a smaller city. But alas, I don't have any pictures.

And the best part of it all? These attractions are all free and open to the public. What a wonderful way to spend a Stay-Cation. (oh that and being really lazy in the mornings....)

Stay-Cation Edition

This week we are on a stay-cation. Monday, however, was work day.

Notice anything different (I mean other than my finger in the top left corner)

We decided to jump from this....

...to this. And we are loving our new red door.

Babies, The Movie

My sister and I saw this movie over the weekend. We had both seen the trailer for it and couldn't wait to see this film about 4 different babies raised all over the world. As you can see from the poster one was from Namibia, one from Tokyo, one from Mongolia, and one from San Francisco-that makes 2 city/urban babies and 2 rural/nomad babies.

Although there was no narration or commentary (only mommies talking to babies in languages I really didn't understand or baby noises), I still think the movie does a good job of making its point. All the babies end up ok...even the ones that eat rocks, run naked, lick dog tongues, and play with herds of goats. All of the babies learn to walk and talk. All of the babies are loved. It also does a good job of making Americans look like a bunch of overprotective, materialistic worry-warts, which I guess is true. But it also will make you smile and laugh...and maybe think more deeply about what it means to be alive. So go and see it!

(also....I LOVED seeing the Tokyo baby, Mari, and mommy walking all sorts of places that Matt and I visited on our Honeymoon. I think we should go back soon.)

Meet My New BFF

The Haan.

It's a steam vacuum for hardwood floors. Not only does it clean (with only water-so eco-friendly) but it also sanitizes the floors, which I love. It also comes with 2 reusable pads to wipe up all that dirt and grime which can be easily thrown in the wash. AND it can be used to sanitize mattress, couches, carpets, you name it.

I've used the Haan once and I'm already convinced that our hardwoods are cleaner and shinier than ever.

You should check it out.

Adventures in Gardening: Part III

Our flowers, fruits, and veggies are finally growing and budding....check out our progress.

These are the hydrangeas in the front. They are really coming to life!

The squash plants are starting to sprawl....

There is one ripening strawberry and 3 more on the way

I am also very proud to report that my one gerber daisy has now turned into 5!

Now we are just waiting on these little wildflowers to burst into bloom....

I check our plants everyday. I think it's so fun to walk outside and poke around to see what is new, what is changing. It's pretty amazing when you think about it!

He's Back...

Matt made it home safely from Haiti.

But he was very sleepy....

Doesn't matter, Maggie and I are glad to have him home.

Here's a link to some of his photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/35784297@N03/sets/72157624032915190/

Sticks

Look what Maggie found...

Her new toy was too wide for the door. Except she couldn't see that. I wish I'd had a video camera close by...it was hilarious.

Sunday

In church this week we sang "They'll Know We Are Christians by Our Love." I was really struck by this hymn (and had forgotten how much I love it!) as I began to think about the fact that all too often Christians are most certainly not identified by love. And then I began to think even more about what the world might be like if we were known by our love....

Here is the text for verse 3, I think it's my favorite:

We will work with each other, we will work side by side.

we will work with each other, we will work side by side,

and we'll guard human dignity and save human pride:

And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love;

yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love.

(These were our "altar" flowers this morning, aren't they beautiful? I was happy to take some home for the week. I only wish they were from my garden....maybe some day.)