Up, Up & Away

Artie and I are off to the windy city ... Chicago ... for a Conference. I've never been before. Artie has lots to show me. And we get to see his sister who lives there. Lots of good pictures (I hope) when we return. Stay tuned!

Back to Normal

So, I'm getting more and more refreshed and feeling back to normal a little more everyday. Moving and getting settled in a new house (on the heals of my first mission trip to Africa) is quite an exhausting process. Plus, I am definately the type of personality that likes to get everything settled and DONE pretty much right away. I don't like having projects looming over my head (and NO where to sit!) in EVERY ROOM! So, we pushed and worked extra hard to get things put away and as close to normal as possible. It feels great! I love to see the product of my own hands (and so does Artie). But, now we're working on catching up on our sleep -- we missed about 3 hours of sleep per day in the first month!

I have to be honest, it's really nice to be able to know where your Bible is and be able to come home from work and do ANYTHING but unpack and organize something.

To add to all these feelings is the reality that I process things so much slower than my husband! Artie can feel and process things immediately. And then there's me - after he's settled down a bit, I'll then go to him and wish I could muster it back up in him. Like our house... It's settling in more and more for me. I am incredibly thankful for this point in Artie and I's marriage. It just kind-of symbolizes the 'home' that we are buildling together. Our foundation is laid and now we're buildling on it.

It's really fun watching this new side of my husband (even though it's not really NEW - just magnified). He loves our home and cares for it. When we get home from work, he typically puts on work shorts and a T-shirt and gets on the roof or measures something or screws something or fixes something. And now I have to literally call him to dinner (it's quite cute).

And then, you know God - in the midst of all this home stuff, of me wanting new things for the house, of the endless home-imporvment list, etc ... I started my Fall Bible study, the study of "Daniel" by Beth Moore. Where she teaches and challenges us that we very well are living in a modern-day Babylon! A place where over-indulgence and self-focus is just the way of survival. It's pretty amazing!

House Update...

Okay, Okay ...
So, it's been way too long since I've posted. Hopefully, I still have my faithful readers out there!? Well, as you'll see, we've been very busy! Seeing how our entire house was PINK (yes, pink ladies and gentlemen) inside, we've been painting up a storm! Artie and I have tried our home improvement skills and clung to our Home Depot "1-2-3 Home Improvement" book. From the day we were handed the keys, we've been updating, fixing, repairing, installing, removing - and finally we're at a stopping point. (Not to say that home improvement is ever really over, it's definately looking like 'the McCall house' and it's comfortable enough to take a good break.) Here's just a few of the before-and-after pictures...

I have to close this blog with a word of thankfulness. Artie and I have been overwhelmed with how God has provided for us. We have more than we need or could imagine. We are so grateful to Him for supplying us with this precious place and give Him all the thanks!

I'll be back, sooner than later...