an update

I haven't been writing and updating and memory keeping as much as I want. Recently I read something that has inspired me to journal, now I'm working towards getting in the habit! Lately that is easy, I have so many words boggled up in my mind that the minute I stick pen to paper my hand doesn't stop moving. So, I feel an update on our lives is called for!

The time has been going by fast because this semester is busier than last. Andy just finished two big Greek and evangelism midterms he was worried about (but I wasn't:)). He has busywork to do almost every day-last semester he just had a few papers to write at the end. I signed up for an extra SWI seminar this semester so I have more papers and book reviews due as well; we do our homework together most nights. It seems like right now all we do is read and do the dishes!

The weather is just like back home; it snows one day and is in the 60s the next so we try to walk around the neighborhood and look at houses whenever it is nice. It inspires us to save up so we can have a little bit of earth to live and grow on someday. Nothing new or exciting so far this semester (except for my full-time job, which is going great). Most days run together and feel the same, steady and filled with love.

lentil chili and cornbread

This is one of those recipes that was so good you have to share! It is now in my top favorite plant-based chili and cornbread recipes. I hardly had to buy anything new for this. Fortunately my grocery splurge last month was on maple syrup. Our new obsession is lentils. If you love lentils try this, and if you've never had lentils start making every recipe you can find with lentils! :) They are like beans: filling, dirt cheap, and good for you!

lately {january}

drinking peppermint and ginger tea (best tea combination ever.)

enjoying hearing Andy ask, "Can I cook dinner?" (really? my heart flutters every time.)

realizing the older I get the more introverted I become

accepting the older I get the more introverted I become (but fighting the temptation to become a hermit.)

trying new things

diving in to some great cookbooks (thanks, LFPL.)

cooking more without recipes

reading Dinner: A Love Story (Hannah, remember to read this again when you have young children.)

inspired to start a food journal

so, so thankful for a full-time job and steady hours

thinking of ways to use my new energy I will have soon

preparing myself for school starting back up

looking forward to new SWI classes and events this semester

getting out the extra blankets for a cold week

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