kayaking

Col and I cashed in on a Living Social deal that I had bought for him at the beginning of the summer: kayaking!  He really enjoys it so I thought it would be a fun activity to do together, only minutes from our home.  It was a little cooler out and we did get rained on a few times, but we had so much fun in our tandem kayak. 

We explored part of the Genesee River, Erie Canal, and a swampy channel that wound through a residential area.  We were a little sore by the end of our trip (we were out there for 3 1/2 hours), but it was worth it.  We carbed back up that evening with garbage plates and relaxed watching the Amazing Race (yay, it's back on!).  Perfect fall activity!

steps toward home-ownership: part II

I am happy to say that Col and I have completed the 10-month savings portion of our first time home buyer's program!  We started in December 2011 and September 2012 was our last month. 

Our final step before being qualified was to take an 8-hour home buyer's class, which we did today.  At first we were dreading it a little (come on, 8 hours on a Saturday?), but it was great!  Our instructor was awesome, and we weren't bored at all [it also may have helped a little getting out at 2pm instead of 4:30pm ;)]!  We learned a lot of details that will be helpful for buying a house and got to hear from a home inspector, attorney, and insurance agent.  The information we learned got us super excited because our program is designed to have us pre-approved ready, and we now are.

Next step: meet with our bank to get pre-approved, then find a house!

We seriously got into our car at the end of the class and gave each other a high five.  There may have been people standing outside in the parking lot.  Yeah, we're cool like that.

fiddlin'

We had the opportunity to see my cousin in concert tonight for our first time!  They played a block from our apartment at the German House and my parents, aunt, uncle, grandpa, and long-time family friend came up to go with us.  We haven't seen him in a long time because he's busy touring and being awesome, so it was great to see him again and hear him play.  He is seriously AMAZING and it was so much fun to be there!

Check out his bio here.

And he has his own album.

So proud to say he's my cousin! :)

encouraging songs: "Even If" by Kutless

I heard this song on the radio the other day for the first time and was struck by how perfect it is to our situation and how I feel.  I was trying to remember a line from it so I could look it up, but once I got home was distracted by dinner, baking, and going to small group.  Thankfully, I was able to search and finally find it again!

Even If
by: Kutless

Sometimes all we have to hold on to 
Is what we know is true 
Of who You are 
So when the heartache hits like a hurricane 
That can never change who You are 
And we trust in who You are

Even if the healing doesn't come 
And life falls apart 
And dreams are still undone 
You are God You are good 
Forever faithful One 
Even if the healing 
Even if the healing doesn't come

Lord we know Your ways are not our ways 
So we set our faith in who You are 
And even though You reign high above us 
You tenderly love us 
We know Your heart 
We rest in who You are

Even if the healing doesn't come 
And life falls apart 
And dreams are still undone 
You are God You are good 
Forever faithful One 
Even if the healing 
Even if the healing doesn't come  

You're still the Great and Mighty One 
We trust You always 
You're working all things for our good 
We'll sing your praise 

Even if the healing doesn't come 
And life falls apart 
And dreams are still undone 
You are God You are good 
Forever faithful One 
Even if the healing 
Even if the healing doesn't come  

You are God and we will bless You 
As the Good and Faithful One 
You are God and we will bless You 
Even if the healing doesn't come 
Even if the healing doesn't come

this is paradise

Nothing like checking off the last of my summer activities in mid-September. 

Yesterday = boat ride.  Tonight = tubing!

love wins

Family, friends, fellow bloggers!  I am SO excited to share that we won a recent contest on another blog that I frequent daily (bonus: it's written by a professor from the college I attended)!  The blog focuses on marriage as well as living frugally and the content is wonderful!  This contest was titled "Love Wins" and was about how love has won in your marriage against difficult circumstances.  The focus was on making young couples' first marriage their only marriage.  I am so thankful that our story has another outlet to help others and show how great God is!

Please check out our entry via their blog...and I recommend adding her blog to your reading material :)

[confused? feel behind? check out our whole story here]

harvest fest

This past weekend Col and I visited my parents to enjoy the Harvest Festival (as an avid, obsessive Gilmore Girls fan, think of the festivals that they have in Stars Hollow).  Friday night we met them in Buffalo to eat at P.F. Chang’s which I had never been to.  I was so excited and was not disappointed!  Although I ate at least 2.5 pounds worth of food, it was soooo delicious!

Saturday we supported the local library by purchasing mums to add to our front garden, strolled the main street in town to check out the scarecrow contestants, and enjoyed the historical Gowandians cemetery tour, where dad showed off his acting skills.  This year we also had the treat of going into the old Hollywood Theatre, which has been undergoing renovations for years.  I can only imagine what it was like in its time, and can’t wait to see it once they fully restore it.

our favorite scarecrows

 dad playing Daniel Garnsey

inside the theatre

It was a great weekend to enjoy the beginning of the fall season!

Wedgin’

Col and I ate our way down South Avenue for the annual Southwedge-ucation event tonight. Every year the restaurants and stores along the street offer mega deals on food and goods. We strolled down and comprised our dinner from multiple places. It’s always fun, delicious, and super cheap! We ate for less than $10! 

[Unfortunately I didn’t remember to photo document each of our stops.]

I love our neighborhood! :)

ubiquitous happenings

You know how when you get a new car or someone that you know has a unique model that you are just noticing for the first time, all of the sudden you see that car EVERYWHERE!  You can't go anywhere without seeing at least one drive by.

Lately I've been feeling that way [again].  Once this became our reality, I was surrounded by the seemingly uber-fertile or saw pregnancies everywhere.  I would go to church, the store, or just be out and about and felt like I was always reminded of what I couldn't have.  Often I've felt like this was so cruel, however, my practical side knows, it's just life.  And thankfully, God continues to get me through.  But bear with me, because it's been a little difficult lately. 

Tonight I was reminded once again that I will always be surrounded by this, especially for the next good number of years at this age in my life.  However, while there are good days and bad days, overall things do seem to be getting better.  Plus, I feel so blessed by the babies that are in my life who I get to see and enjoy often.  I thank God that I'm able to take part in the lives of my friends and family through their experiences and with their precious bundles.  AND, I am so excited for our future plans :)

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

 

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6

walking the walk...for CURE

This morning we walked in the annual CURE River Walk to raise money for childhood cancer. We’ve done it every year for the past few years because it’s a cause that’s very personal to us and it’s a fun time walking the Genesee Riverway Trail for a few miles. This year the weather was rainy and windy, but luckily we didn’t get too soaked since the huge downpour was when we were reaching the end of the walk. Warming up with chocolate chip pancakes and the DVR’ed Olympic closing ceremonies was the perfect end!

 

[spending all evening with a certain niece of mine wasn't too shabby either ;)]

deliciousness

good things

[these are especially needed as my family has had another death on my dad's side...only two weeks after grandpa]

-dinner and watching the opening ceremonies (just a little late) with my in-laws
-first bike ride of the summer with Col
-relaxing roomie time with Teenie
-going out to dinner with my brother and his girlfriend - in from NJ :)
-dog sitting a golden who reminded me of my childhood golden
-great food with great co-workers
-being a kid again with Deanna at the Rochester Science Museum
-Labor Day weekend/picnic in Gowanda with my family and Col's rents
-playing kan jam, washer toss, and ladder ball

and oh hey, it's September!

[learning to] 5k!

Today I did my first 5k!  Ok, so I didn't run the whole thing, but I did jog most of it, and it wasn't a timed one anyway.  My co-workers convinced me to do it, and we all had a blast!  It was the Color Vibe 5k where you wear white and throughout the course are "sprayed" with powdered color.  It was so much fun!

(more pics on facebook)