A Time to Rest

This past week I told my dad that I think this is the 'least busy' I've been in about 5 years. This is not an exaggeration at all. For real. For the first time since 2007, I feel like I actually have time to "take time and smell the roses". Since the new year began, I have found myself with more time to spend with my hunny, more time to rest, more time to cook, more time for quiet times, and more time to do things just for me. It's amazing! No joke, I didn't even realize just how busy life has been, but gosh it feels so good to not have a ton of commitments in the coming days, weeks, or months.

The past 2 weekends have been restful for both hubby and I! Last weekend we each went shopping (me to the Smithfield Outlets and Zack to the Gun & Knife Show), and we enjoyed church, along with some good eating out using gift cards we got for Christmas. This weekend has been lovely as well; the weather sort of stuck us at home Friday and the first part of Saturday, but we enjoyed spending time with the Brice's while watching that incredibly stressful, but good NCSU game :) Today we helped a sweet friend move into her first apartment and have been relaxing at home since. I am thoroughly enjoying this season of "calmness", as I know it's a season. "For everything there is a season; and a time for every matter under heaven"- Ecc. 3:1

Preparing for Summer at Camp Oak Hill is about to really crank up- we're heading to Richmond next Saturday for a Camp Fair, so that's super exciting! I am simply thankful for the opportunity to be a part of God working at COH!

Until next time, I'm going to enjoy piddle-paddling around with projects I've been putting off for way too long :)

Commit to Commit in 2013

I've decided to jump on the goals bandwagon and write out what we'd like to see happen in this upcoming year. I read somewhere the other day to, above all else, commit to commit your goals to God. I like this. I do want to make it my very first goal to rely on God to provide and take care of us. There are a few more things that Zack and I would like to work on/do in 2013...

I want to make a goal to cook dinner at least 3 nights a week. When I say cook dinner I DO NOT mean throw a frozen pizza in the oven. I want to deliberately plan out a grocery list, cook a meal, and have leftovers for the next days lunch. You may think 3x/week isn't a lot at all to cook, but when you live 5 minutes away from a ton of restaurants, it takes a conscious effort to stay in and cook. This week's menu has been chicken, rice, and veggie casserole, baked salmon, homemade mashed potatoes, and broccoli, and broccoli, potato, and cheese soup. I'm LOVING all the recipes I'm finding on Pinterest (and I think it's safe to say Zack is too :D!!)

I also want to exercise more. Post-wedding life has been great, but not too forgiving on my body. Zack and I both want to integrate healthier food and exercise more. (For what it's worth, I've reached my goal this week for cooking healthier meals!)

I asked Zack what his goals were for the year and I got the following response:

hunt more.
go on a vacation.
be happy.
Man I love his simple thinking. The above goals are legitimate reasons why I married him :)

As husband and wife, we are trying to really strengthen our prayer life together in 2013. We have made a weekly prayer schedule for things we want be in prayer for throughout the week and put it on our fridge as a reminder first thing in the morning to be in prayer for our friends and families. What an encouragement this has already been to us! Feel free to join us as we pray throughout the week:

Catching Up from Christmas!

We had a fantastic first married Christmas! I'll tell about our time together through some pictures...

Our First Christmas Tree. The most notable thing about our first tree together is that we couldn't agree on a tree topper. So, our tree remained with a topper until after Christmas, when we finally agreed on a punched tin star.

Just some of our decorations :)

More kitchen decorations

The Star Wars pancake molds were a hit!

My Corn gift, in honor of good ol' MC

Zack was drawn in to the Dark Knight Rises :) We enjoyed watching lots of movies during our time off work!

Christmas morning picture :)

We decided to head downtown on Christmas night to see the lights- it was, as always, beautiful!

The WRAL tower is a staple from my childhood- I was happy for Zack to see it in real life!

Shannon and John had the idea to take a day trip to Busch Gardens to see the Christmas Festivities the park offers- what a great day it was!!

We got to see penguins swimming- so much fun!

The Island of Pompeii ride was completely covered in lights- it was gorgeous to be there during Christmas, despite it being freezing!! 

Lastly, our break consisted of a lot of cooking, baking, and of course, eating! This was my pride and joy of the Holiday season- caramel apple cheesecake. From scratch folks. It was nothing short of sinful, but ohhh so good!! 

All this to say, we had a wonderful, restful, yet fun first Married Merry Christmas! We are so blessed to have spent time with our families, and also with friends! We couldn't have asked for a more perfect December and Holiday Season!