Final Goodbye

We had been acquaintances with the Allens for about 6 months before we really became friends with them. In fact, thanks to Matt's healthy addiction to coffee, and Luke being a barista at Starbucks, we had been getting to know Luke 1 short Kenyan at a time. This summer while Matt and I were living in NYC, Luke and Stacey took over our lease for us - we had no idea how this would play out when we came back. Not that we were worried, we just well, didn't really know them, and had barely hung out with them!


Things went great, and they ended up living in our place for another month after we were back. We became so close with these two! As the date drew nearer for them to leave for Australia, we found ourselves getting more sad we didn't have more time with them and worried we'd be so lonely without them! We are in the same small group through church together, we studied through a bit of Galatians together, had dessert bake-offs -really we just ate desserts- (they have quite the sweet tooth!) stayed up way too late for our schedules, and hung out just about every weekend. This includes trips in their minivan, yes, they are that cool couple that can make driving a minivan hip. And those seats are so cushy!


This past week, our small group got together and we had a farewell party. Lots of hugs, desserts, (appropriate) games and laughs. I think some slightly incriminating video footage made it to facebook as well, and I won't be sharing that, but Guesstures can be awfully embarrassing! Anyway, here are some pics of our sweet friends as we bid them farewell!

some boyz

some girlz

 games and coffee!

 a whole new meaning to "staceface"

 sweet girls i'm so thankful for

 the guy on the left has been in Afghanistan since we started small group, but he has been skyping in, so it was really cool luke and stacey got to meet him right before they left!

love these 2 couples :)

 this dog has nothing to do with luke or stacey but it was sooo cute i had to take a pic!

dark chocolate w/ peanut-butter-frosting-face-cupcakes. yum

Luke and Stacey, you guys are so awesome! So so excited about all that God has for you in Australia, and jealous of all the Aussies who get to have you around. I will miss our heartfelt conversations, meaningful talks, surprise parties, and all the laughs and frustrations we shared. We really love you guys!!! We'll be waiting for you :)

Christmastime

Our house is all dressed and ready for Christmas! It is so fun to spend a night putting up the tree—during which frantic sweeping ensues by my other half—hanging the ornaments knowing where each one came from, straighten the tree (frantic sweeping again) string things from the ceiling, place little decorations all over... and my favorite part, sitting together to admire our work! I love it, all of it. That I have a husband who cares enough to want to do these things with me, (I even love the neat freak in him) that we have such an amazing reason to celebrate Christmas, and all the joy this season brings!

These angels were given to me at a seasonally themed wedding shower, in May!

This pretty ornament reminds me of Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born Unto us a Son is given...

One of my fave Christmas decorations, these little balls were one of our 1st ornament buys as a married couple. I've decorated with them differently every year! 

Spray painted these bad boys with gold glitter! Anything looks festive with glitter on it, lets be honest.

Nutcrackers!! Gift from Matt our 1st year married - he knows my number!

I'm sure there will be more snippets of what is making me happy through the rest of December, don't worry! I've only made a few ornaments this year, I want to craft a few more things for people, any ideas? Beacause I always love a good homemade gift, don't you? 

A weekend in photos

                Ran in a race with a Friend...                                                                       ...Over this Bridge!

Recovery lunch

Last hang out with some really special people who are moving to Australia. Going to really miss them!

Teaching Matt a TimTam Slam, an Aussie fave.

Christmas tree shopping

Dark chocolate cupcakes!

Tree with lights. 

We also got our pictures taken by our friend Mikey, with beacon photo, at my favorite little boating dock. He did amazing work!! More on those in another post. I'm starting to get used to the 75° here in December. Not quite sure what I'll do if it ever starts to get cold! 

Getting Crafty

Last night I was home fairly early and alone, so it was time to have some tea and craft! I've been resisting with all I have not to work on Christmas cards - only because we decided Matt would make them on the computer this year. He has great plans, they already look awesome! I can't wait to see (and share) the final product!
I have a lot of thank you cards to be made and mailed, so I went ahead and jumped on it. Since its cold out (finally), I stuck with warm colors, and I love how they look so festive! I got to use some new stamps a dear friend gave me - they turned out great! I used embossing ink for all of these, which I love. It takes them a step up from homemade, but still gives it that hand crafted look! 

Happy with the results, good to get these cards knocked out, but also, just fun to entertain my creative side! 

Scarfing

Check out this little video I found on La Dolce Vita - love it, and just in time for scarf weather. Now I want to go find a cute silk scarf like hers!