future architects.

So my kids can do some pretty amazing things. I love teaching four year olds because they're learning and discovering SO much about the world.

Four of my boys who couldn't work in a center with each other without fighting the whole time at the beginning of the year built this massive structure TOGETHER today. :)

And one of the youngest children in the class built this all by himself. He said it was a "spooky house." He sat in the block center for a good thirty minutes working on it without saying a word and then he came over saying, "Mrs. Bredeweg, Mrs. Bredeweg! Look at my spooky house!" I LOVE it.

And then I got to help one of my boys write a letter to his cousin today. At four years old, only three months into school, he's already wanting to write sentences. Together, we wrote "I LIC U BCOS U AR ALWAS MI FND. U HAV A LOT OF LEGOS." Most of these kids are writing their name and drawing pictures still, but for him to be wrapping his mind around the purposes of writing and running with them like this is just so great!

Days like today that remind me that even though I'm waiting on my license to come in and the classroom isn't "officially" mine, I'm still playing a HUGE role in these children's lives and I still am their teacher. And they're learning! They're working together and problem solving. They're hearing letter sounds and associating those sounds with letters and beginning to make words and understanding that those words have purpose. And I know I sound lame, but those things still make me so excited!

What is it about what you do that makes you excited?

moving day!

So. Now that we're pretty much settled I figured I would start updating y'all on the craziness that has been the past two weeks.

Our moving day was Saturday the 20th. We had hired movers. And my awesome friend Mary had come up from Columbia to help me out with the cleaning and unpacking and arranging. I had to start work on that Monday and had to go get a TB test read that day, as well as go to the sheriff's department to get my background check and fingerprinting done. So we had decided that Nate would stay at our apartment to wait on the movers (who were supposed to arrive at noon), Mary would head to the new place and turn on the power so the AC could start doing its thing, and then I would take care of everything for work before going to meet Mary.

Sounds simple, right? You would think.

I'm leaving the courthouse to head to our new house when Mary calls and tells me she can't get the air to come on. After talking to her some, I find out it's because the power won't come on. We try everything we possibly can to try to get it work and nothing happens. So I call Nate. At this point, it's 2:00 and I'm expecting the movers to have gotten there by now. When he answers the phone he tells me their morning move is taking longer than expected and they don't know when they're going to be there. Then I tell him our issue with the power, so he calls the electric company and tells me that someone will be out within the next three hours to fix whatever's wrong.

Fast forward to about 6:30. Mary and I have been waiting four and a half hours in a hot, powerless, empty house with a smoke detector that is screaming at us because the battery needs to be changed. And Nate has been waiting all day on the movers, who have gotten lost twice, to get to the apartment.

Abby and I waiting. And waiting. And waiting.

FINALLY, the guy came and fixed the power situation around 7:00. And the movers found Nate. And at 9:30 that night, they made it to the house. We pushed and pushed and pushed and helped them unload everything as fast as we could and they were gone by 11:00. 

Needless to say, we didn't get even half of what we wanted to done on Saturday, but thank God that we did get moved in. And nothing was broken or lost. And we had the help of our great friend Mary, as well as our wonderful, loving family (who came on Sunday to help clean) - which made a HUGE difference. So despite all the insanity of the weekend, we definitely were blessed!

And here's one of my favorite things in our new house.

The lights over our kitchen table!

If you read all of this, then I am pretty impressed. And appreciative. It means a lot that you would take the time to invest your time in our lives. :)

I'll update y'all soon on the rest of the move, the new job, and hopefully get some pictures of the new place posted! And I'm slowly working my way through all of your blogs. I've missed so much in the past couple of weeks!

quick one!

Just a quick post to let y'all know that we FINALLY have internet now!

We are also officially moved in and almost have everything in its place. Which means pictures will be coming SOON.

And I have completed my first week of work. We successfully made it through our first day of school with the first group of kids (we do staggered start) and I'm pretty excited to see what the year has in store!

Regular blogging will be back in session very soon! :)

travel.

Now that Nate and I are back home from our wonderful weekend in Savannah celebrating two crazy years of marriage (that I wouldn't trade for ANYTHING), I am back to the trust30 project. At some point in the near future, I will also include some everyday life posting as well. But I can't pinpoint exactly when that will be as I have a TON of lesson planning to do before next week. (In case you didn't hear, I GOT A JOB!)

Anyway. On to the writing challenge.

If we live truly, we shall see truly. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Not everyone wants to travel the world, but most people can identify at least one place in the world they’d like to visit before they die. Where is that place for you, and what will you do to make sure you get there?

(Author: Chris Guillebeau)

I have always wanted to visit Italy. And I always said it was the one place I wanted to go if I couldn't go anywhere else. And believe it or not, I have already been blessed enough to make that trip. If I could get really specific, though, I would love to be able to take Nate back with me just to visit Assisi. It was quite possibly my favorite place in Italy and it would mean so much to me to be able to share that with him. It has so many spiritual connections for me that I would love to be able to make that happen.

But if I had to pick somewhere new, somewhere I haven't been yet? I think I would want to go spend time somewhere working with children in need. The children I help now have so many resources available to them. While there are still so many obstacles for them to overcome they have families who love them, teachers who work hard with them everyday, doctors and support systems. There are so many children out there who are missing most, if not all, of those components to life. So I think that would be it. I think that before I die I want to travel somewhere that I can devote my life to working with children.

And, as usual, I ask...What about you?

yummy yummy in my tummy!

I'm only working one job now and my life is once again manageable, so I've been able to start cooking dinner again. And I found this chicken recipe the other day that Nate and I both absolutely LOVE. So I thought I would share it with y'all. Let me know if you try it and what you think! And please be honest! My feelings won't be hurt if you hate it - I promise!

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3/4 cup dry bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 8 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - pounded thin

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat, and cook the garlic until tender, about 5 minutes.
3. In a shallow bowl, mix the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, Cheddar cheese, parsley, oregano, pepper, and salt.
4. Dip each chicken breast in the garlic butter to coat, then press into the bread crumb mixture. Arrange the coated chicken breasts in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Drizzle with any remaining butter and top with any remaining bread crumb mixture.
5. Bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear.

Anyway...enjoy! :)

there's no place like home for the holidays.

So this holiday season has been pretty wonderful.

Nate and I have been blessed with his new job. We discovered that we're a little over a month away from paying off another student loan, meaning there will only be ONE left. I got to spend extra time with my three amazing kids the week before Christmas. Nate and I got to spend three days in Columbia with the family. We got to see parents and siblings and aunts and uncles and cousins and grandparents. We were blessed enough to be able to afford to give gifts and cards to everyone. We enjoyed a lot of good food and good times with family. It even snowed in COLUMBIA the day after Christmas - and the snow stuck!

Now I am taking my day off to recover from the past weekend and get everything in the apartment back in order.

And I figured I'd move on to truth number six since it's been awhile...

6. Something you hope you never have to do.
I hope I never have to move somewhere north of the Mason Dixon Line. I HATE cold weather.

Chloe, on the other hand, LOVES it. Abby? Not so much. Last year, Abby was the one running through the snow and playing in it while I had to hold Chloe just to keep her warm. This year was the exact opposite.

Now it is time for me to do some more housework and get some running in before the hubby gets home. I will leave you with some pretty insightful words that were on Dave Ramsey's Facebook today:

"Not until the pain of the same is greater than the pain of change will you embrace change."

What words of wisdom have had a great impact on your decision making and how you live your life?

Also, I got a Barnes and Noble nook for Christmas. So if anyone else has one, let me know! I want to figure out this whole book sharing thing.

blessed.

Things have been pretty hectic around here lately. We've been driving all over the world, Nate's been working extremely hard, and I've been trying to get all the loose ends tied up for the end of the semester and for graduation. So I guess I'll just start where I left off a couple weeks ago...

Nate and I had a pretty great Thanksgiving. He had the entire week off and I had three days off. His grandpa came down from Minnesota and stayed with us for a day. He was supposed to be here longer, but the airline does what airlines do best and screwed his flight up. He had arranged for someone to take him to his plane in a wheelchair, but the person never showed. By the time someone got there and got him across the airport, the plane had left. Early. Without him. Sooooo we had to go pick his baggage up at midnight and then Nate had to go back the next day and get him. We packed up for five days away and loaded the car with all our bags, the dogs and all their belongings, Grandpa G and all of his belongings and Nate and I. I had about 10 inches worth of room in the back seat which I had to share with Abigail, Chloe and my purse. Then we drove Grandpa down to Columbia and spent the next couple days with Nate's family. We had a very yummy Thanksgiving meal. I made squash casserole and pumpkin cookies. And Nate made sauteed green beans. We played games and spent a lot of quality time with everyone, including our adorable niece, Alexa.

This face is priceless.

I really do love this girl!

Everyone worked hard on these decorations!

Heidi, Christiana and me with Grandpa G!

The placecards.

Nate and Alexa!

We also took advantage of the fact that we had the whole family together and took some family pictures...

And here we are! :)

The day after Thanksgiving we packed up all our stuff and the dogs and loaded the car back up. This time, sans Grandpa and his bags, which meant Abby and Beans got the backseat all to themselves and I got to sit up front. Actually, let me make a correction. I got to drive. Down to James Island (Charleston). While Nate got to nap. Wooooo. Hooooo. We spent the next two and a half days camping with my extended family. It was a ton of fun! We had all the essentials. S'mores. Campfires. Bikes. A buffet for every meal including things like brisket, homemade biscuits, oysters and pancakes. A flat screen TV to watch the Clemson v. Carolina game. You know, the necessities.

Watching USC kick Clemson's tail!

This works WAY better than a campfire! And burns marshmallows in about 5 seconds.

Our beautiful rented motorhome.

The James Island County Park is decorated in amazing displays of Christmas lights every year, so we got to see that every time we went out at night. Plus, they have a winter festival and adorable Christmas shops. I got an penguin ornament with our names on it for our tree! (I buy one everywhere we go. I'm not big on themed trees. I like them to be personal and unique. Also, I'm obsessed with penguins. I want one for a pet but Nate keeps telling me no. I have no clue why.)

The trip down to Charleston was great and the perfect way to relax. And it was so nice to see so many family members. Overall, I'd say our Thanksgiving break was pretty amazing. :)

Now, two weeks late, I'm going to end with a list of things for which I am EXTREMELY thankful. I know I have more updating to do, but we have been so blessed that I don't want to go without this.

I am thankful for...
...the love and grace which bas been bestowed on me by my perfect Father.
...my amazing husband, who constantly puts up with me, takes care of me and loves me.
...our two beautiful, adorable, crazy puppies who make sure our lives are never boring.
...the amazing families we both have and the fact that we can be near them and spend so much time with them.
...being given the opportunity to get to know so many amazing children and their families and be a part of their lives.
...finally finishing school and the fact that I was able to go to grad school for free.
...being able to stay in Charlotte and not having to move eight hours away.
...being able to get super cheap flights so we could go visit family we wouldn't have been able to see otherwise.
...all my amazing friends, who, even though we don't talk as much anymore, are always there.
...finding a church home here in Charlotte.


I could add many more items to this list, but it's almost 11:00 and I have to be at school at 7:30 in the morning. AND we have to drive to Columbia late tomorrow. Needless to say, I need sleep if I'm going to function at all. So the rest of the updating will hopefully come very very soon.

Goodnight. :)

playing catch up!

So last weekend ended up being GREAT.

We couldn't go visit the family because I thought I was going to have a crazy work schedule. But then my therapy session on Saturday morning was cancelled, so Nate and I got to make a road trip up to a corn maze and spend the day together. It was our first time going to one and was a ton of fun!

Then, I got a random phone call from a school I had interviewed at like 3 months ago. They had needed a teaching assistant and I was one of the top three candidates, but they ended up going with someone else. She had to leave the position, though, so they called me in for another interview. I went back in and the next day they called and offered me the job. So I started last week and I have now been working there for a week and a half! This job has been such a blessing and answer to prayer. And I love it! So thanks to all of you who were praying. It means a lot.

This past week and a half has been pretty crazy. Between the new job and my job doing ABA and driving to Columbia and working on weekends and trying to visit the family I've barely had time to stop and breathe. On top of all that, Nate has had a lot going on with work. He has been super busy and it's been very crazy. We have barely had time for each other, much less for family and friends. So if y'all want to be praying for that, we'd GREATLY appreciate it.

We did get to spend the weekend in Columbia this past weekend, though. And we got to see family members we hadn't seen since Mother's Day. Which was nice. And even though we couldn't be with my mom on her birthday, we did get to come down for the celebration with the family. It was a weekend jam-packed full of things to do, but getting to spend time with everyone was completely worth it. We really hate that we can't spend as much time as we want with all of our family. But we definitely try our hardest and have learned to treasure every moment we get with them.

And on that note, here are some pictures from our weekend in Columbia!

The most adorable pirate EVER.

Me, Nate, Jenny, Matt and Alexa on the hayride!

Nate and me with Alexa!

Nate made me play basketball.

I love this little girl! :)

My mom and me at her birthday celebration! :)

Blowing out her candles! :)

Chloe hanging out at her grandparents' house!

And the end of our trip...Abby was READY to be back home and sleep in her own bed!

And now I will end with truth number five.

5. Something you hope to do in your life.

There are a lot of things I want to do in life. And it's really hard to pick just one. But I think one of the biggest for me is that I hope to be able to make as much of a difference in the lives of the children I work with as they make in my life. No matter what each child is like, each one of them teaches me something. The ones who are slow to learn teach me patience. The ones who are full of compassion teach me how important it is to care for others and always be willing to lend a helping hand. The ones who are dismissed by others because they might be aggressive or say mean things teach me to look deeper because there is usually a bigger issue there. These children brighten my day when I'm feeling crappy - whether it's through a hug or a smile or an "I love you Miss Stephanie." And I hope and pray everyday that I can be the teacher, guide, helper, friend, advocate, comforter... that they need me to be. It really is amazing how you start off wanting to teach and then you realize how much you are really learning.

What do YOU hope to do in life?

procrastinating.

Today is my day off! Yay! No work AND it's fall break so no driving to Columbia for class. I have so much to get done but so far things have not gone as planned.

I got about 4 hours of sleep last night (which has become the routine) so I ended up lying in bed until about 10 trying to will my body to give in for at least one more hour. But that didn't happen. So I got up, ate breakfast, fed the puppies and walked them, got ready for the day and now I'm eating lunch.

I haven't finished the laundry or done the dishes or cleaned the bathroom or mailed out the cards I need to send or worked on my project for class. And what am I doing now? Blogging. Oh well, after this I will get to work and will hopefully be able to come back and tell y'all all about the wonderful accomplishments of this afternoon.

This week hasn't been very exciting. Work and school and more work for both of us. Nate worked from home yesterday but I was at two of my three jobs all morning and afternoon so I didn't really get to spend any time with him. But I'm planning on actually cooking dinner tonight and getting everything done around the house since I'll be home so we can spend time together tonight.

And as far as the weekend goes, there isn't much planned there either. I have to work more hours than usual. And Nate is helping a friend of his move up here this weekend. Which I'm sure he's pretty excited about since we don't really know anyone at all (anyone who lives in the greater Charlotte area and would like to be friends, PLEASE leave a comment...k thanks!) and since I work every weekend and leave him home to fend for himself. Now he will have someone to hopefully occupy his time while I'm off with my kids learning about composers and Sponge Bob and fighting off evil villains.

Oh, and of course we'll be going to church. And hopefully visiting a possible Sunday School class this week. And we're also planning on doing the corn maze sometime very soon...when my work hours allow it that is.

And I guess that's all. Now, onto truth number three...

3. Something you have to forgive yourself for.
When I first started college, I made a lot of mistakes. It took me longer than most to finish my undergraduate career and I learned a lot of lessons the hard way. I made things very difficult not only for myself, but also for my family and for Nate. And I still don't necessarily see myself as past all of that. I still tend to let it define who I am, and I think that makes it very hard for me to experience successes in life now. I still feel like I need to make up for all those mistakes. I know I need to forgive myself for the choices I made, learn from that time in my life and move on. And I'm working on it...but it's definitely not easy.

And, as usual...what about you? Is there anything you need to forgive yourself for? Move on from?

number two.

Before I get started on the second of my thirty truths, I need to share a video of my puppies that I think is adorable but the rest of you probably couldn't care less about. :)

This is what they spend all day doing. Abby usually wins but Chloe is definitely learning to hold her own and I think she'll be able to beat Abs one day.

Now, onto truth numero dos...

2. Something you love about yourself.

I think it's pretty funny that I'm having a harder time thinking of an answer for this than I did for the first one. But after a good bit of thinking, I think I've FINALLY come up with something.

I have this crazy ability to see things from other people's points of view. Whenever there's an argument or disagreement or situation where someone is wronged or gets in trouble or whatever...my first instinct is to try and figure out what the people involved are thinking and feeling and why they made the choices they did. If someone is being treated badly I automatically start trying to figure out how it makes them feel. I even go so far as to do that when someone says something about another person behind their back and the person being criticized is never even going to hear what was said. This drives Nate crazy because it means I can get defensive and start rationalizing things people I don't even know have done. I'm pretty sure he thinks I could defend a serial killer.

What it comes down to is that I am just REALLY empathetic to what people are going through. Not sympathetic, mind you. I actually FEEL what other people are feeling in situations and then feel the need to stand up for them or justify their actions to whoever's around (usually it's the hubby). This doesn't mean that I don't ever do things without considering the feelings of others. I am human and I do make mistakes on a daily basis (probably closer to an hourly basis).

I do feel that it really is a good quality to have. It definitely helps me when it comes to my career, which is working with children. It especially helps me when working with children who have special needs. It helps me to relate to my kids and to see their needs and wants. It helps me understand why they might be displaying certain problem behaviors, what might be frustrating them, and how to better work with them and work for them. I really feel that this is a gift with which God has blessed me in order to better equip me for working with children. It helps me to see my kids through His eyes.

Not only does it help me to see my children the way God does, but it also helps me to see everyone through His eyes. While I don't think all actions are justifiable or excusable, I know that He loves us all the same. And I know that the only way I can truly impact the lives of others is to see and treat them with that love. And I really do think that my empathetic nature makes that more possible. Not easy. And definitely doesn't make me an expert at it. But it makes it a little more possible.

What is something you love about yourself? Don't be shy!

“Our worst fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘who am I to be so brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?’ Actually, who are we not to be? You are a child of God: Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us. It is not just in some of us, it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” - Marianne Williamson

sick? really?

Let me start off by saying that I have not been able to go outside enough these past few days. The weather has been PERFECT.

On Friday, Nate and I took the dogs to the park and Chloe completely wore herself out chasing after the soccer ball. It's almost bigger than she is and she had absolutely no fear attacking it when it came zooming at her. She also really enjoyed the car ride. Her ears were blowing in the wind so much I was pretty sure she was going to take flight and go right out the window.

That's our girl!

Watching us play soccer.

And Saturday afternoon we went down to Columbia to see the family for the first time in a month. We ate dinner with my parents. And my dad made boiled peanuts, and I'm pretty sure I had about a million of them. We brought home two bags and I doubt they'll last longer than a couple days. And we just spent the rest of the night watching a movie. It was very nice to curl up on the couch with Nate and the puppies and relax for a little while. And nice to be able to do all of that with the family.

Today we went to church with Nate's family and then ate a very early lunch with them. Actually, it might as well have been brunch. Then we had to head back up to Charlotte so I could go to work. Which I did. And now I am home sweet home. With a sore throat and aching body and no energy...all of which came out of absolutely nowhere. Nate's been sick, but I figured since I hadn't caught it yet it wasn't coming. But I might be wrong. I REALLY hope I'm not wrong, because sickness is the last thing I need right now.

I think I will just get my blanket and peanuts and medicine and not move from the couch for the rest of the night.

sick days.

So I have the day off from class today. Which means no sitting in the car for three hours and no sitting in a super uncomfortable chair staring at a Powerpoint for three hours either.
YAY! =D

Nate also is not at work today because he is sick. Which is not a yay. :( He's been home for the past two days and I really hope starts feeling better soon. I also hope I don't get what he has. It's yucky.

So we've been a pretty dull bunch lately. I've been working on school stuff and apartment stuff and going to my multiple jobs. And Nate has been working from home and trying to rest up so he can get better. But I think tonight we're actually going to venture out and get some Quiznos for dinner! Please, try to contain yourself. I know it's very exciting.

Actually, Quiznos is quite the treat for us. Nate could eat like a bajillion containers of their sauce. And I'm pretty much obsessed with the Miss Vicky's jalapeño chips and their raspberry lemonade. Do any of y'all have something that you consider a treat but other people wouldn't think is so special?

PS. I am slowly getting this thing organized and looking the way we want it to. And today I partially updated the 'the bredewegs.' page. Just letting you know in case you wanted to check it out. :)

lazy days.

Today has been a very lazyyyyyy day. I haven't done very much around the apartment and it's probably because I really don't want to be cooped up in here all day long. The weather is perfect and it's fall and I want to be out in all of that fall perfectness! But I don't have anywhere to go. And I just found out work was cancelled for the day. And the laundry is calling my name, begging to be folded and hung up. Sooooo I'll just wait for Nate to get home and bug him until he takes me somewhere. :)

I tried to take the dogs for a longer walk today since the weather's so nice but my legs are killing me. Nate and I have been running up and down the five flights of stairs in our building ten times every night. And while it has definitely been good for us, my body hates me right now.

I just got another part time job (this makes three, btw.) and I start tomorrow. I'll be doing childcare every Wednesday morning. It's not anything major, but it's definitely an answer to prayer and a way for me to keep working with children and gaining experience. And to get me out of the house in the morning!

And of course, just to remind you (because I know I haven't said ANYTHING about this yet)...I'm walking to raise money for autism research on October 9th and anyone who wants to join our team is welcome to! Just let me know and I'll send you instructions!Also, anyone who wants to donate to the cause and support the team can do so here. All help is GREATLY appreciated.

That is all.

don't worry, be happy. :)

Wow. It's been SUCH a long time since anything has been posted on here. I've been quite the slacker. I have LOADS of pictures to post from the past month since there has been quite a lot going on. But I can't post it all because I'm using a loaner computer until I can transfer everything from my old one onto my new one.

Things have been just a little stressful lately. There are quite a few big decisions that need to be made that I will have to fill you in on later. And I've had to constantly remind myself that everything is going to work out for us.

Soooo...I will leave you with this:

Because there's nothing like looking at your puppy who is always joyful and content with her life to remind you just how good you have it. And that it's not worth it to get caught up in the details and let those details ruin your day. :)

family, food and fun!

We're entering our third month up in Charlotte and...

Things are great here! I'm still job-searching, but there have been a few leads. If I'm not teaching, I will hopefully be subbing and possibly doing ABA therapy part time or full time. No matter what, I will have a job very very soon. Because I'm about to go crazy sitting around here without much of a purpose. Nate, on the other hand, has been very busy at work and has all sorts of great things going on! (Makes me look just a little lazy. =P)

We've worked some more on the apartment - getting things organized and arranged. I have to keep rearranging because I keep finding better ways to do things around here so it's a slow process. But it's coming along very nicely! We found a shelving unit for the porch on Craigslist today and now everything out there is in its place as opposed to the giant pile of random crap we had out there before. We have also been working very hard on our tomatoes, herbs and flowers! Well, Nate has more than me. He's been taking such good care of them and they are HUGE! We already have edible herbs (which we are super excited about using to make homemade pizza and spaghetti sauce!) and the tomatoes will hopefully be ready in the next week or so. I'm not sure how long it takes them to get red? And hopefully soon I will have some beautiful blooms to post pictures of as well!

I've been trying to cook dinner every night since I'm home all day and I've had a lot of fun honing my skills! And finding some pretty yummy recipes!

Yummy Chicken Piccata...our new favorite chicken recipe!

Spaghetti Night!

My FAVORITE.

Nate's favorite!

Wings with our special sauce!

We've also had a good bit of visitors recently. Christiana and Heidi (the sisters) came up for the weekend a couple weeks ago. My wonderful friend Meg came up for dinner and to hang out for the evening. And then my other wonderful friend Mary came up to spend the day and we went shopping and laid out by the pool. It was very nice to see some people from home!

Nate and Heidi

Nate and Christiana

I also cut Nate's hair!!!!! I was SO nervous. But I feel like it turned out pretty well.

And of course, we've made a couple trips back home too. One for Nate's mom's birthday and then one this weekend to see the family and because I had class. It was nice to see everyone and to be back in Columbia! It wasn't nice to spend all of my Saturday morning in class during Memorial Day weekend. But at least it's a distance education course and I can do the rest from the comfort of home.

The "cake" I made...chocolate eclaire...YUM!

Our beautiful niece Alexa.

Nate with his beautiful mom...and the flowers we gave her! Don't you want that pitcher?!?! I wish the store had more than one! :(

The hubby and me. :)  And my new haircut!

We've also spent a lot of time exploring Charlotte. We've found some more good restaurants and things to do. And we've found the most AMAZING park. And we're looking for a new church family, which we will hopefully find soon. It's definitely starting to feel more like home here, which is very nice. God has blessed us so much and we really are so grateful for everything that has happened in the past few months.

Our first year anniversary is next weekend! :) And we didn't think we were going to be able to go anywhere, but Nate has to go up to Nashville to work the Monday through Wednesday after our anniversary so we're going to get to head up there a few days early and spend the weekend in Tennessee together before he has to go into the office. So we will get to celebrate with a trip and then I'll get three days of laying out by the hotel pool and shopping! :) Can't wait! Hopefully we will have lots of pictures!

See y'all soon!

Steph and Nate :)

news!

I can't believe I haven't updated this thing in two whole weeks. I seriously have to get on the ball.

I just needed to say that I had my very first interview on Wednesday. And it went so much better than I was expecting! Oh, I hope there is a job in my very near future!

More in-depth blogging to come soon. Promise.

on the road...

We're headed to Columbia for the weekend! :)

For my wonderful cousin Merebeth's first wedding shower. And for my sister-in-law Heidi's birthday dinner. And to see our familyyyyy!

Maybe, in between all the events and paper writing and portfolio creating and presentation making and job searching I'll be doing while we're back in Cola-Town, just MAYBE I will actually upload the pictures we took of the place and put them online. And provide everyone with an actual, real update. Maybe. We'll see.

School has be out of this world crazy lately, but THANK GOD I only have two weeks left of this semester! Then I can breathe for a little while before starting back up again. And Nate has been super busy with the new job. So there's a lot to say, but unfortunately, not much time to say it in. :(

But soon. I hope. It will be coming at some point though. That, I can definitely promise.

Steph :)

exhausted.

So we're back in Columbia now for the last week until we're officially moved up. We spent all of the past weekend up in Charlotte getting everything ready...and the apartment is at about 80% now, which is great! It finally looks and feels like a home! I took some pictures of everything we had done, but then I left the camera up there. :( Of course... So I don't have any new pictures from this weekend, unfortunately.

Nate and I did a lot of exploring this weekend! We drove up to the place where he will be working. And it is HUGE! The area up there is really nice, too. I definitely wouldn't mind moving up there in the next few years. We also found some places to go shopping and drove the area around the apartment. We discovered an AMAZING Italian restaurant called Mama Ricotta's where we had the most heavenly lasagna. And anyone who comes up to visit us will probably have to go there. Especially since that's pretty much the only restaurant we've really tried right now!

I'll post some more pictures from the initial move tonight after class. And some pictures from our first lunch out together up there once Nate gets home and lets me borrow his phone (since that's where they are). See y'all later! :)

Steph :)