today is the day

Friday

Forget date night. It's been more like date weekend 'round here. Despite Stephen's big Bio Chem test on Monday, he's spent plenty of time away from the computer and text books this weekend to hang out with the old ball and chain. And I have been so grateful :) Friday night he took me to see The Vow. For those of you wondering, it comes highly recommended by the two of us. "It was actually pretty good for a chick flick" were Stephen's exact words to his brother, I think. It was sweet and romantic and funny, causing us to be all giddy in love afterwards. Not that we usually aren't :) And fun fact? The movie was roughly based on a true story. Crazy! Can't imagine what I'd do if Stephen no longer remembered who I was... Sure does make you grateful for all the time we've been given with the ones we love most.

Saturday

No, it's not quite spring around here. But I've sure been dressing like it. I'm sick of snow boots! Though the weather has been warming up... And even though I said in my last post that thirty-six degrees isn't warm... I might just be changing my mind. The fact that I can wear my TOMS and just one coat... I think I've finally adjusted to the Alaskan life. I understand now why Stephen was always wearing a t-shirt in the forty degree Oregon weather. I always thought he was just crazy... Which he is a little ;) The snow is starting to melt, though! So the spring clothes are slowly, but surely, making their way to the front of my closet!


As another study break and an opportunity to spend time with his wifey, Stephen took me to the public library on Saturday. An odd date, maybe, but perfect for the two of us. Even though our church is held in the library, we've never explored the place. And it was actually my momma who suggested I get a library card. True to my New Year's resolution, I've been reading a lot more! I have yet to pick up a newspaper, but since I started work I read the three books in the Hunger Games, then re-read them out loud to Stephen. I read Ender's Game, a recommendation from husband that was surprisingly good! And I just finished The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks, a quick, easy, romantic read. I also bought The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, but have yet to start it. And husband and I are still working our way through the Inheritance Series. Books, books, books! At the library I checked out a sign language book, something I've always wanted to learn, and the first book in The Series of Unfortunate Events. I read almost all the books when I was younger, started in elementary school, but Stephen's never read them and we thought it would be fun to start :) Maybe something we can read to our kids someday along with the Chronicles of Narnia!


After the library we found ourselves at Outback Steakhouse, a favorite of Stephen's. We split a juicy steak and garlic mashed potatoes (yum!) and headed home for more studying on Stephen's part and baking on mine. Granola. of course!

Sunday

Means church, like always. Today the message was on being sent. For the past month Pastor Brent has been focusing on Acts 2:42-47, what it looks like to be owners of the church. To be captured by God's grace. Which is essentially, what we as Christians all are, owners of the church, captured by God's grace. Each week he's discussed a different topic with a corresponding scripture, like fellowship, humility, generosity, and this week, being sent. We are sent by love, to love. "As we turn our attention to the grace we have received, our thoughts and actions go to those who have yet to experience His grace." "Forgive the inexcusable in others because God forgave the inexcusable in you." "The enormity of God's forgiveness compels us to live sent."


I wish I could do the sermon justice, I however am pretty amateur at the grace stuff myself. But it was a compelling sermon, motivating me to fulfill my purpose of this life, which is God, Jesus... He is our purpose. It is by him we have been sent. (2 Corinthians 5:15-6:2) 


Brent ended the sermon by asking us to ask ourselves if we are truly captured by God's grace. Are you? Am I? If not, well... Today is the day. 

as of late...

Cheers to the birthday shopping, again! Aunt Kelly sent me a gift card (possibly my favorite gift to receive!) and the shirt and belt were just two of the four purchases I made with it. All apparel. Of course. I wore this to work on Wednesday and wowed them all with my eight dollar purchase. I know! Can't be eight bucks, right?! Dressing for the day just might be my favorite part it. Other than the daily phone calls to my mother and the sweet love and kisses from my husband, of course ;)

Despite the fact that outfit posts are my daddy's favorite... ;) NOT! (Hi daddy!) Quite a few other things have been going on around here...

First off, we have a new neighbor. Seen her a few times around the street and our little four-plex. For being incredibly tall and dark brown, she blends in really well. Causing Allison (me) to freak out in the car when she sees her standing four feet from her window. Yeah. Scary.

The weather is warming up, though despite what everyone from Alaska says, it's not warm. Though, thirty-six degrees above zero does, surprisingly, make a difference. The sun is in the sky about seven minutes longer each day, too. Meaning it's light around nine am and still light at five! That, more than the rising temperature, makes me so happy! Also causes some pretty sunrises on our way to school :)

Husband and I are as happy as clams. Though I've never really understood that saying because clams just hang out alone in the ocean making pearls... It just means we're happy. And in love. Fall more in love with this fella every day. He's been so supportive of me going back to work and I am so appreciative of his flexibility, going to school two hours early or staying there 'til I get off at ten... He's a trooper.

Along with the moose, we've had another visitor. Ann. She was a little creepy at first, but she kinda started to grow on me. Though I wasn't too sad to see the human skull leave the apartment this morning. Stephen's been slammed in school, one hard Bio Chem test every Friday and three days to study for an equally hard Anatomy test with homework and and hospital visits in between. Not to my surprise, though, he is excelling :) I am so proud of all the hard work he is putting in! Long hours and long days to further his education and one day support our family... He's so intelligent and determined... I am, still, so proud!

I took on a little project of my own the other day... Made myself a 'Stephen Box'! (Momma, get the reference?!) I've had a collection of notes, letters, and cards shared between Stephen and I for the last few years just strewn about the house, finally decided to put them all together! I cheaply and and quickly decorated an old shoe box with scrapbook paper and stickers we used on our wedding board (a giant 'welcome board' of sorts at the sign in table). Yay for art projects!

And 'yay' for the coming days! I have the weekend off, which will consist of babysitting sweet baby Natalie on Saturday, church on Sunday, and double date night with Heather and Brandon on Monday! I have to work on Valentine's Day (booo!) but plan on making cupcakes for Stephen's class :)

Thanks to all those who continue to read our little blog! ...Trying to keep it interesting! ;)

(I just realized I start too many sentences with 'Though'. My bad.)

the things we think are pretty COOL...

1. Presents. Really, I shouldn't need to say more. Everyone loves getting presents. Presents are cool. But cute, cozy socks with moose on them are hard to beat. (Erica, Sharmoose and Shartroose would love these!) Paired with a lazy night on the couch reading a new book (The Hunger Games are over and I've moved on to Ender's Game) and a mug of chocolate milk... COOL!

2. The fact that my parents are going to Africa. AFRICA! In two weeks! ...COOL! Though I'm slightly bitter, because I'm pretty sure, no I'm definitely sure, my daddy made five year old Allison a promise to take her to Africa when she graduated college... I was obsessed with The Lion King. Still am. However, bitterness aside ;) I couldn't be more excited for them! My momma just posted pictures on her blog, making it all the more real! Safaris, pictures, tent camps, beaches, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Swahili... Jambo! They have so much to look forward to and I'm genuinely so happy and excited for them! Oh, and jealous. Did I mention that?

3. Sister is pregnant. This is old new, yes. But she's due NEXT MONTH! ...COOL! I am so excited to welcome baby Harper into the world! She is going to be so beautiful and so loved! I am so proud of my sister for all that she's gone through... This baby has one kick ass momma!

4. Changing someone's life with new clothes. Ok, maybe not her life. But her attitude and perception of herself. Making someone feel confident and beautiful? ...COOL! I love the people I meet at work and one in particular. She's a wonderful mom and wife, a working woman in her fifties chasing after a promotion. She's spent her life in so-so clothes never really caring about her wardrobe. And the she met me. After two hours she was almost in tears with excitement and joy, hugging me, saying it was the best day of her life! Today, I made a new friend :)

5. Being famous. I wouldn't know, but you could ask Stephen. Recently, he's been published. In an Oregon Bride magazine, of all places. Our wedding photographer, Aaron Courter, was published in the magazine! ...Along with Stephen's face :)

It was one of my favorite pictures from our wedding and I'm so happy Aaron was recognized for his talent! So, being published in an Oregon Bride magazine making you forever famous? ...COOL!

6. Stephen's cool: Well the first cool thing is that I am writing on our blog...I kind of feel like a big deal. Another cool thing is coming home from a long day at school and even though my wife isn't home yet, the house smells delicious from a tasty meal in the crock pot.

7. Stephen's cool: Whats cool at school? Well medical school is all about learning a lot of intangible stuff, but this semester we are learning how to take a physical exam and that is something I can actually do. ...Much more cool than being able to recite all of the nerves in the head!

8. Stephen's cool: Life is cool. Thank God for it every day.

Yup. Agreed. LIFE is pretty cool.