2012 in review

+ books read: 30
+ miles ran: 56
+ teas tried: 11
+ times moved: 1
+ miles traveled: 4,690
+restaurants discovered: 18 
+goodnight kisses: 361
+churches visited: 3
+laughs: 2,847
+big things I'm glad we got rid of: 5
+resolutions: 5

life enjoyed. happy new year from the reeves family.

what we've been eating

Last Saturday, after being sick of being exhausted and either eating chips and salsa for dinner (which I could probably love almost every night:)), Andy cooking, or eating out even though we really don't have any eating out money left, I did the smartest thing I've probably ever done and made almost a week's worth of dinners on Saturday/Sunday. Praise the Lord they were all delicious (because lately Andy has been the only one liking my cooking)! I love to know when someone I actually know likes a recipe, so for those who feel the same way here are the links to what I made:

Tomato Soup with Roasted Garlic
(Notes: I could not find fire roasted crushed tomatoes, so I used regular, still turned out amazing. I blended half the soup in a blender and left the rest chunky. Also, I did not add any soy yogurt or sweetener.)
 
New Orleans Style White Beans

Real Louisiana Red Beans and Rice

White Bean Chili
(Notes: Made this in the crockpot. So easy and good.)

Lynn's Paradise Cafe Black Bean Chili
(Note: I always soak and cook my own beans, next time I want to try to get the black beans a little softer.)

trying to kill a little cold with spinach, lemon, apple, carrots, banana, and ice. very strong!

seminary life

You know you're beyond exhausted when you come home and leave your keys in the door all night long.

You know you live on seminary campus when you see your keys in the door Saturday morning as you go do laundry and your car isn't stolen.

You know you are a poor seminary student when after wondering why if someone was nice enough not to steal your keys, why aren't they nice enough to knock on your door and give you your keys? You realize it's probably because 1. everyone else somehow has no jobs, but money and leaves for the entire break 2. the only other couple still living in your building during the break never do anything on Friday nights either.

You know you live on seminary campus when someone leaves their ESV Study Bible in the laundry room. 

PS: If you ever live on seminary campus the best time to do laundry is Saturday and Sunday mornings.

PPS: I'm pretty sure it's not a sin to do your laundry on Sunday mornings when that is usually the only time you have the time or energy to do laundry. Jesus understands.

lately {december}

swinging on the porch at night

thinking we've lived in looavul six months??!! (It feels like six years!)

stopping mile a day (I'm getting a crazier work out at work)

hoping I can start again soon

praying for a new, better job

enjoying the good days and people I meet

wrestling with changes and contentment

loving the recent beautiful weather

eating lots of hummus and pita

turning Friday night date nights into Saturday date days

listening to Andy read from Good News of Great Joy-free advent devotional every night

drinking green smoothies every morning

feeling loved

planning to finally make some Thai food soon

wondering what will come in the new year

needing to finish Christmas shopping

appreciating quiet evenings with Andy

realizing I really do love our simple life on campus

but still wishing I could have a dog

specifically, a scottie

trying to start back my reading plan

thankful Andy asked me to marry him three years ago

mile a day

joining Elise and running a mile a day from today to New Years

Happy Thanksgiving

that one time I made a kale smoothie and fell in love

kale, pear, green apple, carrots, banana, ice...blended to smooth, cold deliciousness

first birthday in looavul

it was a happy day; thankful for another birthday together

last friday night date night and this friday night date night

take out from Simply Thai

new Christmas ornament tradition

I'm going to be warm this winter

lately {november}

drinking hibiscus green tea (tea has never tasted so good) 

willing my hair to grow (all I notice is beautiful short hair) 

watching Once Upon a Time (I'm obsessed with Ginnifer Goodwin's hair. Not helping.) 

enjoying the smell of fresh limes every day 

trying to start using the library more (having books on a hold list is worse than waiting for Christmas) 

listening to strengthening your marriage in ministry 

shopping at Trader Joe's for almost all our groceries 

turning the air conditioners back on (the furnace in Fuller is a little suffocating) 

celebrating Andy's birthday 

eating Mrs. Amanda's pumpkin roll (thank you!) 

thinking of changes 

finding some good recipes (I've been stuck in a cooking rut) 

bundling up each morning 

loving roasted vegetables and hummus and pita 

planning a special date night someone blessed us with (thank you!) 

waiting anxiously for classes to end 

appreciating the little things 

thankful my mom came for a visit

birthday boy

Happy Birthday, my love. Here's to another great year of growing older with you. 

xo, h

 

perfect weekend

birthday treats from my mom

Mrs. Amanda's pumpkin roll

Mommy took us to one of our favorite places to eat

birthday boy's dinner

I may have had about ten of these now...

My mom came up this weekend to visit and bring lots of wonderful surprises. It felt like she had never left since last time. We are so blessed with family and friends back home thinking of us and sending such thoughtful gifts.

friday night date night

breakfast

romaine lettuce, mixed greens, flax seed, apple, strawberries, blueberries, carrot, 1/2 a lime, ice...tastes like a fruity limeade...my favorite green smoothie so far

oats, Earth Balance, local raw honey, cinnamon

first friday night date night!

 

We stayed on campus and finally had the longed-for Bulldog Cookie. Then we went to the professors vs. Boyce basketball game. Perfect cheap date night accomplished.

lately {october}

working, and working, and working

praying for contentment

listening to Andrew Peterson

drinking apple cider

opening the windows

wearing Andy's p.j. pants, old t-shirts and thick, comfy socks

feeling weary, but looking forward to new schedules

planning our new Friday Night Date Nights

cooking rice and bean burritos to freeze

making crafts

going through the membership process at Clifton

studying Zechariah for small group

craving Simply Thai

wishing for an autumn weekend getaway

enjoying quiet moments

thankful for my sweet husband

*This post was inspired by a Ali Edwards

confession

I don't remember the last time I cleaned the bathroom. It is at the top of my to do list, but when I come home I make dinner, eat, talk to Andy, and go to bed. Today I had an hour at home that I meant to get caught up on the little things (i.e. clean the bathroom) and I have made tea and sat here reading and writing. Thankfully I have a husband that gladly does the dishes or we would probably never have anything to eat on. Thankfully my schedule is about to change and I should be able to have more energy for chores. I am reminding myself it is more important to spend time with your husband than have a clean sink. Maybe tonight the bathroom will get cleaned. Maybe.

this autumn

i want to remember

I am so excited for fall and scarves and everything pumpkin and chills in the air and hot chocolate and mittens and more walks. It is the first day of Autumn, but Summer 2012 I so enjoyed and I don't want to forget.

I want to remember what it felt like to put on shorts, a t-shirt, and water shoes and walk outside and feel the warm embrace of the sun.

 I want to remember all the goodbyes and hugs and tears.

I want to remember what it feels like to drive ten hours to your new home, everything crammed in your car.

I want to remember everything feeling new and fresh and light.

I want to remember what it feels like to move to a new city.

I want to remember making a pallet on the floor and falling asleep holding hands, talking about our new life.

I want to remember the amazing sunlight flooding through the windows every evening.

I want to remember barbequing with friends and grilling corn and watching the Olympics.

I want to remember all the rice and pb&j we ate.

I want to remember setting off the smoke alarm three times and the fireman coming.

I want to remember all the books I loved.

I want to remember eating lots of homemade popcorn.

I want to remember the crazy amount of time Andy and I got to spend together.

I want to remember Andy waking up and killing bugs.

I want to remember all the places we explored.

I want to remember our families coming and visiting.

I want to remember doing laundry together.

I want to remember meeting Mrs. Schreiner and feeling so welcomed and her saying she knew we would stay at Clifton.

I want to remember all the lazy, relaxing Sundays.

I want to remember the farmer's market.

I want to remember all the tears.

I want to remember the picnic in the park with our little sandwiches and lots of love, talking about what we've been learning and what our life might look like in 5-10 years.

I want to remember all the great smoothies we drank.

I want to remember being squished on our little couch.

I want to remember watching Psych every night for dinner.

I want to remember all the deep, uncontrollable laughter.

I want to remember this summer as the summer I loved summer.

*This post was inspired by a great writing prompt from Ali Edwards.

three months

Kentucky has been our home for three months. I decided from the start to intentionally make this home, to put down roots, be involved, make our apartment comfortable and warm, and get to know the city by exploring and eating and shopping local. The first month was hard. Everything was overwhelming, it felt like we were the only people that lived on campus, and I admit to having several, "why in the world did he bring me here?!" thoughts. Andy was only patient and understanding, always sweet. One of the first places we went when we got here was Target. We needed some things that would not fit on the trip up here and I was more than ready to shop. The moment I stepped inside I almost started crying. It was exactly like the Target at home-I really could pretend I was in FS in there. I spent several days going to Target that first month. It sounds silly, but it was the only place that felt familiar and also the only place I could remember how to get to. I also learned the past few months that I have a lot to learn about humility and contentment. I thought I was ready for all the change of scenery, jobs, budgets, apartments, everything. I was filled with pride, but the Lord has been so good to teach me and to even provide us jobs, scholarships, an apartment we love, a church, and close friends already here that have helped us and given great fellowship. After three months, I can now say they have been very sweet. So many things have encouraged us that this is where we are supposed to be right now. We are so thankful: thankful for such a unique city, a friendly and welcoming church, such wonderful friends, a beautiful place to live and learn, a lot of time to spend together (I feared there would be almost none), and family back home that love us and have encouraged and helped us. Three sweet months in our new home.

25 before 25

1. walk the city more, completely explore Frankfort, Bardstown, & Shelbyville
2. visit Bardstown, KY
3. visit the Smoky Mountains
4. visit Santa Claus, IN
5. journal
6. more kisses, dances, & random adventures
7. less stuff, more memories, cards, & homemade/meaningful gifts
8. create more family traditions
9. have more creative date nights
10. make a loaf of bread and homemade pizza
11. make three pumpkin recipes
12. have a vegan Thanksgiving
13. be sugar free
14. run a 5k in 25 minutes or less
15. read fifty books, at least five of them fiction
16. play more piano-just for fun
17. grow an herb
18. save 1/4 way for Disney World vacation we went to Disney World!
19. save money for real camera
20. visit sixteen new restaurants
21. do five craft projects
22. celebrate Andy's 25th
23. organize more, make a home management binder, & make our home more homey
24. go to Southern's Fall Festival
25. attend more campus conferences and events


I love having new goals each birthday. Most of these are easily attainable, a few are to stretch me. Here is to a wonderful new year (actually two) filled with much thankfulness, growing, and learning.

introduction

This blog is to document our new life here in Kentucky (for me, family, and friends), to share what I have been learning in seminary (and hopefully encourage and help others), to keep track of goals, and to share any practical sides of life like cooking and budgeting that I learn. When we first married I was overwhelmed by all the little things I thought would be easy: cooking, budgeting, etc. Then we made a decision to completely change the way eat and moved to a new city and I was overwhelmed again, except this time we had no garbage disposal, dishwasher, one tiny counter top, and a completely new and much smaller budget. So my goal is to encourage others by being honest and real; sharing new cheap, easy, vegan recipes; recording life and memories here because I forget easily; and writing what I am learning in SWI, church, and through books.