This week there are some men working on our street. They are slowly making their way up it, and Tuesday they got to us (I knew, because I woke up at 7 when the jackhammers started). For some reason they are cutting these big square holes (with a none-to-quite pavement saw), jackhammering out the pavement, and then covering the holes with a large, thick plate of steel. On Tuesday, not only did they cut a hole in the street about 30 feet from the apartment, they also felt the need to cut one in the sidewalk just outside our bedroom window (as I was talking with my mom), and one in our parking lot (as I was talking with my mother-in-law). So, yesterday, to escape all this, I went shopping. It was a rather cool and overcast day, a nice day to leave the windows open, tidy things up, and write as many thank-you notes as I could before the mail lady got here. But these guys were working just up the street, and I couldn't concentrate. So, I went shopping. I only intended to shop, really. But, just in case, I brought along a bit of cash. There is a very nice shopping center (Whole Foods, American Eagle, Banana Republic, Gap, Pier One, Ann Taylor, Motherhood ... )1.6 miles from the apartment, and that's where I went. I walked through it and found myself at Anthropologie (huge surprise). I browsed and shopped for quite a while, tried on a few really cute and expensive tops, and then found something in the clearance section.

Basically, John and I now have a beautiful new damask tablecloth.

Playing house is lovely. But it is even better when you have your own dollhouse to play with. And so we are thinking of getting one; yes, we are dreaming of moving into our first dollhouse.

The long awaited pictures are here. Enjoy!

wedding pics

It keeps getting more wonderful.

Well I remember the first time I felt the power of your kiss

It hit me like a bolt of lightning

I said "I never will recover from this"

And like the words from the mouth of a prophet

I have lived to see those words come true

Just look at me now, I'm still reeling

Like a moth being drawn to a candle

This is something that I can't resist

I guess you could say

I'm addicted

Cause I keep coming back again and again

Somehow the flame keeps getting brighter

You give me just a little taste of heaven

Just one more good gift that God has given

I don't want to miss one single little kiss
With every little kiss I'm reminded
How wonderful it is to be in love with you
With every little look
With every little touch
With every little kiss

- steven curtis chapman, "with every little kiss"

After church, Elizabeth and I were sitting on the porch eating lunch and watching the world go by when she looked over and made a very funny remark. Something which made me laugh and realize that I just had to share it with all of you. Elizabeth looked over at me and said, "you know, something I don't get here is why they don't have bike lanes on the streets," and before I could respond, she added, "and something else I don't get is why the public restrooms don't have (paper) toilet seat covers." I broke out laughing! To which she responded with, "WHAT?!" I shot back, "I didn't realize this was such a big issue for you, I've never had that problem!" We both got a good laugh out of it, highlighting yet again the wonderful differences between the two of us.

the street we live on

our apartment (with the bench John made on the porch)

Dinner guests!!!

Our first "in-the-area-so-we-thought-we'd-drop-by" guests. More like family stopping by, I guess, but it counts. :)

The Stonecyphers brought a housewarming gift. It was so sweet of them - a cheery bit of color!