life things

Things – September

- Stephanie Leave a comment

I want to learn sign language:
There were three things I saw last week (3 days in a row, at really random times, and I am believing it was a God thing) that sparked this desire last week. MovingWorks has a video about a barista who felt God calling her to learn sing language to communicate with the deaf people who came into her coffee shop. Andy Mineo’s older sister is deaf, but he never bothered to learn sign language. He just released a really touching and honest song about it, called Hear My Heart. And Tyler Oakley has a fun & informative video with Nyle, a winner of ANTM who happens to be deaf, and in it they talk a lot about inclusivity of the deaf community. So. I’ve done some video research and already learned a couple signs since last week.

I don’t want to be inside so often:
I work for myself and can do what I want, and I still end up sitting inside at a computer all day. I hate myself a little bit for that. So here’s the plan: go outside for a short walk twice a day and always try to catch the sunset.

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I think I’ll keep this vegetarian (pescetarian) thing up:
It’s been about 2 months and so far hasn’t been too hard to live a pescetarian lifestyle (though I do miss a good burger). But the production of (red) meat is the number one problem when it comes to the destruction of our environment. And I don’t want to be a part of that. So I am sticking to fish and the verrryyy occasional chicken. And I feel really good about it.

I am so glad we’re back in hot coffee season:
I do like iced coffee on hot summer days, but mannnnn, I love the time of year when I get to break out all my favorite mugs again. Cozy mornings with hot coffee, those are the best.

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And just another thought:
Genesis 1:10 “God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters he called “seas.” And God saw that it was good.”  I just think “gathered waters” is such a beautiful image. It would make a good band name. 😉

5 Years Later

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I can’t believe it’s been FIVE YEARS since college graduation! That blows my mind. After almost a year (seriously, it took THAT long) of coordinating schedules, booking flights and planning carpools, 13 of us college friends all came back together in the place where it all started: Syracuse! We had a great weekend catching up, playing games, walking around campus and of course, eating too much good food at all the classic spots (aka: Funkin’ Waffles, Dinosaur BBQ and Tully’s 🙂 ) The weather was questionable for most of the weekend (lots of rain!), but we did have a minute to swim and play Kan Jam at Green Lakes. We also hit up Marshall Street for Cafe Kubal and to replenish our Orange attire collections, like good Cuse alums should.

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There were a lot of favorite parts of this weekend for me, but 2 things particularly stand out. Worshiping and praying together on Sunday morning in Hendrick’s chapel was one. Of course, praying for each other from afar is always possible, but being all together in the same space and feeling God’s presence is something we haven’t been able to do for 5 years (and it’s something we DID do for four consecutive years). So that was great and really encouraging for me. The second thing that I will always remember is meeting and spending time with baby Judah, Amanda and Rob’s sweet little smoosh. So cuuuute!

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Being together was so fun and I tried to soak it up, but the whole weekend also had a hint of bittersweetness for me, because I knew we’d have to leave eventually. We’re spread out all over the country, and judging by the fact it took well over a year to plan this reunion, I imagine it will take another 5 years for us to all be in the same spot again! We do have a decent sized New England crew, but Texas, Ohio, Seattle and Philly are all so far away 🙁 I think we need some weddings soon, k guys? 😉 😉

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Married for Life

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Last year I did an in-depth blog post of cute/important things Nate and I learned during our third year of marriage. This year I barely posted about our anniversary on social media at all. Not because I wasn’t excited to be married for another year, but because this year was hard. I was hesitant to be super lovey-gushy-dovey about it, like anniversary posts usually are, because I wanted to be really real about it.

I wanted to post something like “every year gets better and better!”, but I had to get real. Year four wasn’t all roses and love notes. It honestly was a big kick in the “welcome to the non-honeymoon stage of marriage” butt. Maybe we had it really easy the first three years, or maybe this is what marriage is really like. Even though it was tough, year four was also an incredible adventure to Italy together. We joined a church planting team together, and celebrated birthdays and promotions together. And together is the only way I ever want to do it. So here’s to year five – and the rest of life together – and all the crazy adventures it will bring!

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P.S. We spent our anniversary driving 5 hours up to Syracuse for a college friend reunion (more on that soon). I was cool with that plan, because we don’t do anything over the top for our anniversary anyways. But! When we got to our hotel room, there were pretty flowers waiting for (I thought) us, but really for me! N had ordered them and had them delivered to our room to surprise me. Sweetest ever. <3

Crazy Feeling

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Remember how I wrote in my last weekly obsessions post that I have good vibes about this year? Well, I do. I only know for *sure* a few of the things that are happening in 2016, but I just have this crazy feeling that whatever else does happen, it’s going to be good.

Here’s what I DO know is happening in 2016:
– In April, my brother-in-law is getting married in Italy, which means Nate and I are going to Italy! We have very vague travels plans right now, but we’re sure that many Italian cities, hopefully Zurich, and definitely Barcelona are on our list to explore. Travel tips for any of those places are welcome!
– One Saturday a month in May, June, July and August, I’ll have a small booth at my town’s Farmer’s Market to sell my lettering work! Come visit!! I’ll be sure to request the booth next to the Bagel Man.;)
– For all of July and August, my lettering work will be hanging in the local coffee shop!
– Nate and I recently joined a Bible study group, so I am really excited to get to know all these new friends better this year! We’ll also be helping spread the word about a new church plant in our town, so that’s exciting.

That’s all I know! And for the rest, I’m gonna let God take the wheel!

My Ideal Weekend

- Stephanie 1 Comment

This weekend will be much different that usual, as I am headed down to NYC for a couple photo shoots and to visit a bunch of friends!! But I wanted to share my idea of a perfect weekend during this time of life. Obviously my husband is invited to come along 😉

Pretty much my ideal weekend doesn’t include any plans. So much of our life is planned down to the minute, so for me, weekends are *ideally* a time to forget plans and just enjoy life together. We would start our Saturday with a stroll around the Farmer’s Market, munching on freshly made bagels and sipping iced coffee. Sitting in the grass people-watching is also a must. Then we’d load up the kayaks and go for a spin around the local pond (or maybe go on an adventure and find a new place to explore.) At night we would spontaneously invite a few friends over for a long heart-to-heart over wine (or burgers, or both) and then we’d watch our favorite 90s TV shows until bedtime.

Sunday we would get up for the early church service and worship Jesus. Then we’d make a stop at my favorite coffee shop on the way home. We’d get a couple chores done and out of the way, and then spend the rest of the day outside! Maybe take a walk around the neighborhood or throw a frisbee in the park near our house. Then we’d hunker down, each with our own good book to read, and wake up ready for the week!

Of course, this is an ideal weekend. Most of the time there is a wedding or family photo shoot mixed in there for me, and Nate just plays a lot of video games ha! Not to say this exact weekend plan hasn’t happened before though! What does your ideal weekend look like?