coffee with grandma

My parents aren't much of coffee drinkers, so for this trip to Idaho Kyle and I go to my grandma's house for coffee.


It begins with us sitting around the table chatting and doing a great deal of laughing. Then grandpa usually wanders in about ten minutes later and joins the fun. He and Grandma tease one another for awhile and then back to the regular chatting.


That's house coffee begins. It ends with me and my grandma in her garage. She goes through all of her "stuff" and asks if I want any of it. Yesterday we almost left with a never before used vintage set of coke glasses and pitcher. We did leave with 4 clay "moonshine" pitchers from my great-great-great grandfather, (my oldest sister wanted them as well, so my four pitchers will soon be 2), a skirt, a cheesecake pan, and 2 cookbooks. 


That was just from day one. Who knows what we'll be carting home with us! 


A little side note: Something that has been on my heart for the last few days. It is so easy for me to not filter my words with my family because they are my family. There isn't anyone in the world I am closer with or love more than my family, so it seems safe to say whatever I want to them. 


The Lord really convicted my heart when I was reading my Spurgeon devotional yesterday. He encourages that it is not profitable to debate parts of scripture that the Word is silent on. Also, we should only speak what is edifying and God honoring. 


My sisters are hilarious. We have SO much fun together. I am blessed to be surrounded by a family that loves the Lord!  I pray that am as much of a blessing to them in my speech as they are to me. 

Over the Mountains and Through the Woods

It's not exactly "to grandmothers house we go" (although we will spend plenty of time there,) but Tomorrow morning we leave for Idaho!

We have really been looking forward to this. Two weeks with my whole family. I love Christmas. 

We leave bright and early tomorrow morning, we'll drive to San Clemente and pick up my (this is about to get complicated) Brother-in-law Dan's, Dad's suburban. He is letting us borrow it for the trip. Next stop is Santa Clarita where I'll pick up Dan and my sister Deb. Katie got to fly up early with the boys, and Jessie already lives there.... anyways, (how confusing was that!) 

So it's going to be 13 hours in the car for Kyle, Dan, Deb and me. The boys are in for a treat! Deb and I are a blast on road trips! ;-) The way home will be even better since we'll be adding Katie and their two boys with us. 


(ok, total side note right now. I was singing the song over the mountains and through the woods in my head because it's the title of this post.. and i realize it could be "Over the Mountain and TO the Woods! hahahaha if you met me after I got married my maiden name is Wood. Wow I'm a dork, and clearly a little excited about going to Idaho) 


I might post when I'm home, I might not.. so if I don't I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! I hope that you enjoy your family, friend and that you remember that as fun as the festivities are the Holiday is really about Jesus being born, so that He could die for our sins and rise again! What a glorious Savior!


Merry Christmas!!!

tall diaries update

Like the title says, there has been a tall diaries update

Not Pregnant, Period.

WARNING: Highly Emotional Woman About to Blog

I'm pretty sure only close friends and family read this blog, so I'm going to share this story. If, by chance you are someone I don't know, well, don't take this very seriously. 

I have mentioned a time or two how patient Kyle is. Well, if you doubted me, today takes the cake! I'm a little late this month, a week late to be exact. So I took a little pregnancy test. 

Let me back up, Kyle and I are NOT trying for children right now. We would love to be married a little longer than 6 months and be more financially stable before we try for kids... ok, back to the present.

I took a pregnancy test. It came back Negative. 

I called Kyle to tell him. He said "Well, that's kind of a relief. I mean I would be stoked to be a father no matter what, but we're not really ready for kids right now." 

My response: I started crying.

Kyle: Bek, why are you crying? is everything ok?

Me: "yeah, I was just kind of prepared to be pregnant all morning, now I'm not"

Kyle: "Wait, you want to be pregnant? You want kids now?"

Me: "No"

Kyle: "I'm confused, whats the problem then? we'll have kids someday"

Me: "Wah. Wah. Wah" (still crying)

Kyle: "I'm thinking that you are really not pregnant, maybe your about to start? are you ok?"

Me: " It's ok, you wouldn't understand?"

Kyle: "I thought we talked about this. We were on the same page about when we wanted kids. When did you decide you wanted them now?"

Me: "I don't. I just was kind of psyching myself up for being pregnant, just in case I was.. Now I'm not, it's sort of disappointing."

Kyle: "I don't get it. At all. But I love you!"


Has any other newlywed had a moment like this? 

   On a less psychotic note: 17 days until Christmas! try listening to Mariah Carey (Holiday) on Pandora. I think it's my favorite Christmas Radio station so far. 

Bekki's "Pinterest"

I am going to be in Idaho for the majority of the Holidays and so we are doing very limited decorating around our apartment this year. Because of this I'm having Christmas decorating withdrawls. I have decided to show you a couple of things that I would do to my house if I indeed had a house, or was home for the Holidays to decorate. 

Basically this is my little version of Pinterest. 

love this

My grandma loves these! I used to poke myself with those stupid things every year. But now it's a fun memory

Christmas lights are ALWAYS a good choice

Stockings

I got a package in the mail from my aunt (my mom's youngest sister) a couple of days ago. In the package were some sweet things along with two stockings for Kyle and I. 

My sisters and I have had the same stockings since we were.... well our whole lives as far as I can remember. 

My aunt (my mom's second sister) cross-stitched them for us, so it feels only natural that our first stockings as a married couple should also be made for us by an aunt!

 My sister also has a blog and today she wrote about another family tradition.. our Chrsitmas tree. You can read all about it at houseofbussell.blogspot.com

Well I promised pictures from tennessee, here are a few. I realized after I uploaded them that I took a LOT! so I am only showing a few.

decorations at the factory... The factory is this old factory turned into a business/shopping center it's also where the church and reception were

corinna, steph, jamie

steph's favorite place. Williams Sonoma

corinna with maid of honor jessi

bachelorette party part one

grand old opry

breakfast and coffee at stephs favorite coffee shop FIDO, wedding morning

Home

I am finally home with my hubby! I missed him so much. I realized how much more I like traveling with him. We haven't traveled much apart from each other since we started dating. While in Tennessee I would experience something and my first reaction would be to want to tell Kyle all about it. 

He picked me up from the airport today and took me out to lunch and then home. We couldn't stop smiling. It was fun to see him be excited to see me. He told me I was silly for not realizing he missed me as much as I missed him. 

He asked me all about the trip: Who I met, how I was able to help Steph and the people there, he asked all about how Steph was doing, and on and on.

That is something I really love about Kyle. He has made it a point to love the people in my life and make them his friends as well. I also love how he encourages me to be a good friend. He let me rush out the door early on Tuesday without even saying goodbye so that I could be with my friend. He told me he would miss me, that he loves me, but that this is what we have wanted. We were blessed to be served so well during our wedding and we wanted to be able to pass that on.

Stephanie was a breathtaking bride. It was so great to spend time with her and the bridal party! I have some fun wedding and Tennessee stories but I will share them over the next couple of day, hopefully with some pictures.

I'm ready to dive back into the Christmas Spirit. I'm hanging stockings tonight.  Kyle and I are looking forward to our next adventure, time in Idaho with family over the holidays. 

Here is a fun version of Carol of the Bells for you.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vNcGlM8O3I
also, Kyle and I watched the santa clause the other day.. remember that movie with Tim Allen... So fun!

Opryland/Friday

Things have been a whirlwind here. Steph and I have been running errands like crazy. I was thrilled to get to spend the week with her and help as much as she needed, but when we pulled up to the airport to pick up the other bridesmaids it was like a breath of fresh air. They had energy and were smiling and ready to breath some life into the tired bride and I.

We haven't stopped laughing!

We went out to a fun dinner last night. (Thank you so much Mr. Pannell) We laughed some more and then went to Opryland.

Oh Opryland... a great time. And maybe an embarrassing one. We have to do a dance off at the wedding. Yes, a dance of. No, we don't want to. Really, not one of the girls wants to do it, but this is Paul's dream. So we are submitting to the groom for a moment and going to do a dance off. 

I got inspired while listening to a version of Carol of the Bells. Sooooo I started choreographing our dance right there in Opryland.  People stared, we laughed, people laughed. It was a good time. 

Now for the Rehearsal day. Mani's and Pedi's, and more of helping the bride. "Your wish is my command" :) Honestly she's one of the best brides I've ever been around. 

I'll post pictures when I can. 

 

Tennessee

I was supposed to leave tomorrow afternoon for Tennessee to be in my dear friend Stephanie's wedding. 

Well, she called me a little in a panic, just needing help. So I (thanks to me other dear friend Megan who drove me to the airport) jumped on a plane and landed in Tennessee last night. 

I am loving being in the South. I had to explain to my husband that "South" or "Southern" is a way of life, not necessarily just geographic. 

I love the brick, the accents, sweet tea, white fences and being with Steph.

I am trying to channel all of my wonderful bridesmaids. Kyle and I have said over and over that we can't wait to repay the kindness shown to us at our own wedding. So... I'm thinking of the help I recieved and give it to her. 

also, I miss kyle... a lot.

Christmas cheer

I am LOVING this time of year. The holidays are without doubt my favorite time of year. We're coming off of a great Thanksgiving and now hitting the road running into Christmas. I love the music, the baking, time with family and friends, celebrating Jesus' birth. I could go on and on and on, but I wont for your sake. 


I will only be posting until the 17th, then I'm going home for Christmas.. I may post while I'm home, but no promises. So, until then I need to impart as much Christmas cheer with you as possible. 


We'll start with music.. This is my favorite version of "O Holy Night" Celine has a beautiful voice! And she is one of the only people I can find that still sings the line "Christ is the Lord". I'm sharing the YouTube video, because I don't know how else to share it..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Jr-2eyRtV4



Next is a good Christmas Recipe that I found on Allrecipes.com


Pecan Tarts 


Ingredients:

• 1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• FILLING
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup chopped pecans

  Directions

• In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and butter; blend in flour and salt. Chill for 1 hour. Shape into 1-in. balls; press into the bottom and up the sides of greased mini-muffin cups.

• For filling, beat the egg in a small mixing bowl. Add brown sugar, butter and vanilla; mix well. Stir in pecans. Bake at 325 degrees F for 25-30 minutes. Cool in pan on wire rack.

(I also posted in working out )

 

Thanksgiving

What a WONDERFUL weekend! Kyle and I got to spend our first Thanksgiving together as a married couple. I kept telling Kyle that it was our first Thanksgiving, and he would laugh at me and say 

"No, it's our third Thanksgiving together Bek, first as a married couple." 

He's so technical.

We drove up after our church's Thanksgiving service Wednesday night and crashed at my sisters house. 

We woke up early, got to spend a little time with my sister, brother in law, and nephews. We miss them so much! 

7:30am Kyle ran out the door to play flag football. What is Thanksgiving without a game of football? 

We washed up and headed down to Mom and Dad Thompson's house as quickly as we could. What a great day! I felt at times like I couldn't quit smiling. We got to catch up, eat great food and just enjoy each other.

I have a patient husband... he took this while his 49ers were playing!

We were both given surprise early Christmas presents... 

I told Kyle that I don't need anything else for Christmas, his parents outdid themselves. They got me a kitchen aid blender! 

She fits in perfectly next to Luigi

it's almost Thanksgiving!

I woke up this morning with an overwhelming thought. Something I have thought before, but it was a great reminder, and a great thing to be woken up with.

I am so thankful for how God's attribute of never changing and Jesus attribute of Saving work hand in hand. 

The Holy Spirit is ever interceding for us so that the Father sees us only through the sacrificial blood of Jesus. 
God will never take out His wrath on us because He will never change his mind and decide that what Jesus did wasn't enough.

Romans 8: 26-39  - Our Victory In Christ!

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; ²⁷ and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

 ²⁸ And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. ²⁹ For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; ³⁰ and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

 ³¹ What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? ³² He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? ³³ Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; ³⁴ who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. ³⁵ Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ³⁶ Just as it is written,

   “FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG;
WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.”

 ³⁷ But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹ nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

my patient husband

Kyle just posted on facebook about me. 

He is a patient man... he goes along with my every whim.

Kyle's comment on this:

" This is typical communication between my wife and I.... Does anyone find else find this as funny as I do?!"

My reasoning... I was online and I saw some random comment on Jackie Chan dying of a heart attack... I thought it was weird, but I'm not really up on my current celebrity events... so I asked Kyle.. He didn't know, so I did a little googling and let him know what was up :) 


It's all really very simple.

kyle's sunday project

Kyle has been wanting a shelf over the sink for awhile now. Yesterday, he made his wish come true.  (we are not getting our deposit back on this place.)

I've already re-arranged it... so it looks different, but I was too lazy to go take another picture of it... you get the idea :)


p.s. there is a new Tall Diaries post
 

a sweet surprise

I don't think I mention enough that I have married the greatest guy! 

He got me a little surprise the a couple of days ago. The perfect surprise. A surprise that showed me just how well he knows me.

He brought me the new Michael Buble Christmas cd. 

 It's wonderful.

It's everything a Christmas album should be.

It was sweet.

I have promised not to listen to Christmas music around Kyle until AFTER Thanksgiving. 

I have a great man.

Santa Barbara

 One of the things about being a young married couple is that Kyle and I still jump in the car and are able to have mini little adventures on a whim. 

 This weekend I got to go to Santa Barbara with some great friends and see my cousin, and stay with one of the SWEETEST couples. 


We all felt a little like hobbits by the end of the trip. We didn't stop eating. We had breakfast, a snack, then tea with homemade scones that were to die for, then we had lunch, dessert, snack and more food and then a formal snack, not quite a full meal, but really we couldn't have eaten a full meal. Between and during meal times we had lots of coffee and tea! 


It was really great fellowship. I use that word because it was encouraging time and encouraging conversation. We had a lot of different people gathered together, but the Lord was at the center of it and so it was really great.

settlers of catan champions!

ali doesn't look very happy.. which is kind of ironic since we were all laughing the whole time

serj and chloa :)

friends since 5th grade.. they were finishing each others sentences.and the source of most entertainment

tough

the whole gang

Then we went to our old church on Sunday and got to see more friends and spend the afternoon with my sisters, brother and nephews! What a blast! (except that I left my phone charger in LA and so I have a dead phone...)


Sadly, we got home and I got sick... sick, as in I slept for 12 hours. I went to bed at 7pm last night. I am not feeling well! 

Now to get back into the swing of everyday life and rest up so that we can go on more adventures soon! 

a little crafting

After we cut our bed down to size ( if you don't know what I'm talking about, read the post "off the floor" we had some wood left over.. we knew that we could use it for something, but it's pretty much just been sitting under out bed and so today I decided I would do something with it... 

See the stencil's in the top left corner.. I didn't use them.. should have... the computer was to play tunes,the rest is pretty obvious.

It says "going steady" instead of dating because of my dad...

"Dad, Kyle and I are dating" -me
"I know" - dad
" How do you know? We haven't told anyone." - me
"Bekki you called me awhile ago and said that you were dating" - dad
"No, I said I liked him and we were going on dates." - me
" yeah, dating" - dad
" dad that's not dating, now he's my boyfriend." -me
"ohhhhhh, you mean your going steady." -dad
" no dad, I'm dating.. I wasn't born 50 years ago." - me

Added hooks

yellow, grey, (it looks silver there, but it's not) and blue.. our wedding colors

I think I'm going to sand it down and use the stencil... kyle thinks it's cool it's in my handwriting... we'll see how long they last.

It'll be fun to add our 50th anniversary to this.